Locust Street Festival
Sunday, June 8
Ticket & Tow Warning!
Residents are warned not to park along the Beer Run Route on Sunday morning, June 8, from 7:00 AM to Noon. Move your car or the Department of Public Works will ticket and tow it away, starting at 7:00 AM sharp!
Residents in the area of Pierce School may park on the school lot only from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Festival Day, June 8 (overnight parking is prohibited).
RUN ROUTE STREETS: East side of Fratney in the 2500-2900 blocks. West side of Weil, 2500-2900 blocks. South side of Chambers, 800-900 blocks. North side of Wright, 800-900 blocks.

INCREASE LAPHAM – Local authors Martha Bergland and Paul Hayes will read excerpts from “Studying Wisconsin: The Life of Increase Lapham, early chronicler of plants, rocks, rivers, mounds, and all things Wisconsin” on Mon, June 9, 6PM at Central Library (814 W Wisconsin), followed by a book signing. Lapham (1811-1875) arrived in Milw in 1836 and mastered botany, geology, archaeology, limnology, mineralogy, engineering, meteorology, and cartography – all self-taught. Lapham is considered “Wisconsin’s first great scientist” and the “Father of the U.S Weather Service.” When asked late in life which field of science was his specialty, he replied simply, “I am studying Wisconsin.” A selection of Lapham’s maps and books from the Rare Books Room will also be on display. The authors will also appear at Woodland Pattern on Wed, June 11 at 7PM.

FLAMING JUNE FUN! – Check out the Summer Events schedule on Page 4 for this month’s pick of fests, green markets, bike races, and more!

BICYCLE SAFETY WEEK – Milwaukee’s first Bicycle Safety Awareness Week wheels into town June 1-7. This city-wide initiative was recently introduced by Ald Tony Zielinski and approved by the Common Council. The City, along with the Bicycle Federation of WI, WI Dept of Transportation, and local cycling groups, are coordinating efforts to promote bicycling, bicycle safety & education, and Safe Routes to Schools programs. More info at wisconsinbikefed.org.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE – On Sat, June 21, the Northside YMCA (1350 W North Av) will host two very helpful free community events. The Driver’s License Restoration event 10AM-1PM will help people with restoring suspended licenses; bring social security and driver’s license numbers so that records may be accessed online. The Mobile Legal Clinic will be in the parking lot from 10AM-2PM with volunteers from MU Law School & Milw Bar Association. No appointment necessary, but arrive early for best chance of being seen. The Mobile Legal Clinic will help with evictions, child support, custody and visitation, bill collection, foreclosure, and death of a family member (but no criminal matters).

OUR HEALING CORNER – Our Healing Corner returns for its second annual Open House for the Healing, Meditative, and Expressive Arts on Sun, June 1, 1-4PM. Hosted by the holistic businesses in the area of Locust & Fratney Streets, there will be demonstrations, mini-classes, lectures, product samples, and plenty of time for discussion. For a full schedule of activities, go to taichicenter.org.

DIY WINNER – Congrats to Daren Olson for winning top prize in the Community Warehouse DIY Competition – a $100 CW gift certificate! Olson was featured in the May issue for transforming a condemned house on Dousman Street into an attractive home. Products purchased at CW include kitchen cabinets, windows, doors, light fixtures, tile, toilet & shower, foam boards, and cement siding (see ad on back page).

DNA AND GENEALOGY – DNA testing is a new scientific tool to discover your family’s roots. Timothy May, of the Irish Genealogical Society of Wisconsin, will give a free presentation on DNA testing for genealogy, its uses, and limitations on Fri, June 27, 1:30PM at Central Library (814 W Wisconsin). Hosted by The Milw County Genealogical Society; more info at milwaukeegenealogy.org.

META HOUSE – Meta House (2625 N Weil) is teaming up with community-conscious young professionals for a day of service on Sat, June 7. MH helps women struggling with drug and alcohol addiction to reclaim their lives and rebuild their families in a supportive home environment. Sponsors and YP volunteers are welcome to join this day of service! More info at metahouse.org.

BARRELS & BEER – Create and decorate your own rain barrel while enjoying the riverfront view with a beer and food at Lakefront Brewery! For $30, you receive a 60 gallon blue barrel and all the supplies necessary to turn it into a rain barrel on Sun, June 22, NOON-4PM (1872 N Commerce). For more info or to enter the rain barrel design contest, go to milwaukeeriverkeeper.org.

ReTHREADS – The new ReThreads store is now open in Shorewood at 1920 E Capitol (just east of Oakland) so stop in and scoop up some great fashion bargains! The former Humboldt location remains closed while it undergoes transformation to “ReFurnish,” a home goods and furniture resale store. More info on facebook or rethreadsclothing.com (see ad Page 2).

SECRET GARDEN TOUR – Bring your camera and take a self-guided tour into the lush garden retreats of Riverwest on Sun, July 13. A map of the Secret Garden Tour comes with the $3 ticket, available at Garden Park on the day of the event. Wear comfy shoes and bring water and a snack, but no pets please (see ad Page 8).

HORTICULTURE HELP LINE – Got a plant problem? Call the Milw County UW-Extension Horticulture Helpline with plant and insect questions at 414.256.4664, Mon-Wed, 9AM-NOON. Free in-person plant help is available on Wednesdays, 4-6PM, June thru Aug. Plant and insect samples may also be brought to the office Mon-Fri, 8AM-4:30PM for identification or analysis ($4 fee). The Milw County Cooperative Extension office is located at 9501 W Watertown Plank Road, Building A, Wauwatosa.

RECLAMATION PARADE – Milwaukee Public Theatre artists will lead residents in workshops to make parade elements that tell the story of the Riverwest/Harambee neighborhoods in a “Reclamation Parade & Pageant” to be held along the Beerline Trail (Richards & Capital) on Sat, Aug 30. Make-A-Parade Workshops are starting up at the Holton Youth & Family Center (510 E Burleigh) Mon & Wed, June 23-Aug 13 and at the Shops of Grand Avenue (161 W Wisconsin) Sat, June 14-Aug 23. For more info call 414.347.1685 or milwaukeepublictheatre.org. All events are free.

ARTS CAMP FOR AUTISM KIDS – A lively interactive 2-week summer arts and drama camp, designed for children on the autism spectrum, their siblings, and friends ages 4 & up, will be held at St. Marcus School (2215 N Palmer), from June 16-27, 9-11:30AM. “A day at SuperStars Camp consists of music, drama, movement, and art,” said Julie Borouchoff, lead teacher (and clown). “Kids play theatre games and use puppets to express themselves.” For more info, call 414-414.699.9013 or go to milwaukeepublictheatre.org for an application form ($100 per child).

FREEDOM SCHOOL – Urban Roots Freedom School is a six-week reading enrichment program rooted in the Civil Rights movement that introduces children to a superb collection of books reflecting their own images. Freedom School engages children in games and activities that promote critical and analytical thinking as well as conflict resolution skills. This year’s school is open Mon-Fri, June 28-Aug 6, for grades K5-8. Ten slots are also available for high school youth to serve as future servant leader interns. Scholars and their parents may register on June 16, 5-7PM, June 20, NOON-4PM, or June 23, 5-7PM at All Peoples Church (2600 N. 2nd St). For more info or opportunities to help, contact Catherine Alexander at 414.264.1616 or cathalexander@yahoo.com.

FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP – Two $500 scholarships will be awarded by Alderwoman Milele A Coggs on the theme of freedom and what it means in today’s world. The annual Freedom Scholarship Essay Contest is open to any student residing and attending school in Milwaukee. Applications are available at city.milwaukee.gov/district6 and must be submitted by Fri, Aug 15. For more info contact Akuwa Dantzler at 414.286.8640.

PASTORS FOR PEACE – Donate humanitarian supplies (unexpired medicine, medical & sports equipment, etc.) to help break the 50+ year U.S. economic blockade against our neighbors in Cuba. Donations accepted until Sat, June 28, at Central United Methodist Church (639 N. 25th St). Supplies will be carried to Cuba as part of the Pastors for Peace 25th Friendshipment, leaving Milw on July 13 and returning Aug 4. If interested in joining the 25th Caravan to Cuba, contact IFCO/Pastors for Peace at 212.926.5757 by June 15, or visit pastorsforpeace.org.

ENERGY FAIR – Get charged up! The 25th Annual Energy Fair takes place June 20-22 in Custer, WI. The fair is the nation’s longest running energy education event with over 250 exhibitors & workshops, hosted by Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). A bus ride from Milwaukee is available on Sat, June 21. For more info, visit midwestrenew.org.