Power Down Week, July 7-14

by Zahner of Transition Milwaukee

“Reduce your carbon footprint and do it together!”

Transition Milwaukee will host the fourth annual Power Down Week, a series of events held throughout the city designed to build community while using less energy. From July 7 through July 14, individuals and organizations will participate in teaching do-it-yourself skills and workshops that incorporate less reliance on fossil fuels. Last year neighborhoods hosted a “kalegate” party, clothing swap, general fix-it gathering, honey-tasting, contra dance, homemade personal care products workshop, and many other group gatherings.

 

Transition Milwaukee is looking for people to hold an event and post it at powerdownweek.com. Event hosts and Transition Milwaukee will cooperatively promote the events through social media, word of mouth, printed materials, and local media outlets.

For more info about Power Down Week and activities, visit powerdownweek.com.


EAST LIBRARY – Bid a fond farewell to the East Library building (1910 E North Av) on it last day of service on Sat, June 22 during Summer Soulstice. Stop in from noon to 5PM to snap some keepsake pictures and sign the guest book that will remain in the library’s archives. A temporary location, around the corner at 2430 N Murray, opens in early July and will be utilized until the new facility opens in late 2014. An auction of the renowned Herman Miller Eames chairs and other furniture from the library will be auctioned by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Milwaukee on July 25 and Nov 7. Some pieces will also be auctioned in Chicago on Aug 14, Sep 11, and Oct 9 & 23. Info on the auctions will be posted at mpl.org.

PIZZA MAN NEWS – Pizza Man, the iconic East Side eatery that burned down in a blazing fire in January 2010, is rising from the ashes. PM is hiring and expects to open the new location at 2597 N Downer (& Belleview) in June. The menu will be a mix of old faves and new innovations (more info at pizzamanmke.com & facebook). Meanwhile, plans to rebuild at the former location on Oakland & North were recently announced by property owner Robert Joseph. A new 4-story, 39-unit apartment building has been proposed for the site. Two duplexes on the property will also be demolished to make way for the project which is seeking needed approvals from the city and neighborhood groups. Joseph is also the developer of the former Prospect Mall renovation that is currently underway with completion of that expansion project expected in Spring 2014.

 

 

EASTSIDE SCHOOL SURVEY – An East Side group of residents has been meeting about what could be done to strengthen public education in our community. If you would like to weigh in, there’s a quick, easy, and anonymous survey at city.milwaukee.gov/district3/Eastside-School-Survey.htm. Survey results will be shared at East Side community meetings.

HILARIOUS REVOLUTION – Riverwester Adam Krause, author of the pamphlet Art as Politics in 2011, has just released The Revolution Will Be Hilarious, another pamphlet that makes the case for humor in the midst of global turmoil and social upheaval. “However funny it may sound, comedy can help us create a kinder, gentler, and far more rational future. This is not a joke. The revolution will be hilarious.” Both pamphlets, published by New Compass, are available at People’s Books (804 E Center). Revolution is $7.94 and Art as Politics is $14.95.

EDIBLE MILWAUKEE – Love food ? (who doesn’t) A new quarterly magazine, Edible Milwaukee, will

focus on the local food scene in the southeastern corner of the state. Given the growing food scene here, Milwaukee has been overdue for an Edible magazine (Madison, Door County, and Chicago already have one) and publisher and editor-in-chief Jen Ede has stepped up to fill the gap. Look for the free publication in area shops. Edible magazines are part of a national network in 75+ cities. More info (and subscriptions too) at ediblemilwaukee.com.

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

RIVERSIDE REUNION – Be true to your school – all alumni welcome! A 40th reunion of the 1973 Class of Riverside High School is happening Aug 10 at the Hilton Garden Inn (11700 Park Place) with a picnic at Gordon Park on Aug 11. For more info, visit facebook or contact Robert Mark Jefferson at 414.559.2676 or Donna Skenadore at 414.416.9091 (they are also searching for 1973 classmates).

DOOR COUNTY SLED DOGS – Party with the sled dogs at an open house & benefit on Sat, June 1, 3-9PM at American Serb Hall (5101 W. Oklahoma). This is a great opportunity to meet and cuddle the dogs indoors (bring your camera!), meet the mushers, ask questions about pet care, enjoy dog-powered demos, art activities, food, and music by Playback. Proceeds go directly to caring for the dogs. More info at doorcountysleddogs.com.

HORTICULTURE HELP LINE – Got a plant problem? Call the Milwaukee County UW-Extension Horticulture Helpline with plant and insect questions at 414.256.4664, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays , 9AM-NOON. Free in-person plant help is available on Wednesdays, 4-6PM, June 5-Aug 28. Plant and insect samples may be brought to the office Monday thru Friday, 8AM-4:30PM for identification or analysis ($4 fee). The Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension office is located at 9501 W Watertown Plank Road, Building A, Wauwatosa.

MAKING HOME AFFORDABLE – Homeowners looking to refinance, lower their mortgage payments, or in need of assistance to prevent foreclosure will find friendly and professional one-on-one help at the Making Home Affordable event on Sat, June 22, 8AM-NOON at the Washington Park Senior Center (4420 W Vliet). Call to pre-register at 414.299.3619 or email makinghomeaffordable@selectmilwaukee.org. A continental breakfast is available for pre-registered guests.

WWBIC – Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp (WWBIC) offers a variety of services and workshops for business entrepreneurs. Two upcoming online classes are What Can WWBIC Do for You on June 3, noon-1:30PM and Options for Funding Your Small Business on June 5, 6-7:30PM. To register, call 414.263.5450. A free workshop, Obtaining and Understanding Government Contracts, will be held on June 12, noon-1:30PM at 2745 N Martin Luther King Dr. For more info, contact Anne Michalski at anne.michalski@wwbic.com.

CHURCH TOUR – Explore the sacred spaces of historic churches on Wisconsin Avenue, guided by expert Judy Wimmer. The tour encompasses a collection of churches constructed from the 1860s through the 1920s, featuring architectural variations from Gothic Revival, Lombard, and Victorian Romanesque to Modern. Registration is required. Sign up at historicmilwaukee.org or call 414.277.7795.

FREE CONCERT – County Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr. invites you, your friends and family to the annual free community concert at Gordon Park, on Thu, June 27, 6:30-8:30PM, with the Eddie Butts Band (jazz, funk, r&b). Bring a picnic and groove to the great music (see ad back page).

RIVERWEST RADIO – Support the independent radio waves of Riverwest Radio! Punk Rock Karaoke Northeast hosts a benefit show on Mon, June 15 at the Riverwest Public House (815 E Locust). And Killer Comedy hosts a Comedy Show benefit at Bremen Café (901 E Clarke) on Mon, June 29. For more info call RWR at 414.265.8433. For program & scheduling info, go to riverwestradio.com.

SOCIALIST PICNIC – The essence of Socialism is sharing the wealth and everyone’s invited to bring a dish to share at the annual Socialist Party Picnic at Kern Park (3614 N Humboldt, Area #1) on Sat, June 15, noon-4PM. For more info, call the Socialist Party at 414.332.0654 or spwi.org.

SECRET GARDEN TOUR – Bring your camera and take a self-guided tour into the lush garden retreats of Riverwest on Sun, July 14. 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).

YOUTH SUMMIT – On Fri, May 31, 6-8PM, Summer of Peace 365 will “Promote the Positive,” a free, community youth summit open to the public. A diverse group of panelists will address the question: “How can we as leaders promote the positive in order to make Milwaukee a better place for our youth?” The event will also feature youth vendors selling artwork, highlighting one of the talking points of the summit: Arts for Empowerment. For more info contact Jonathan McGee, Teen Program Coordinator, COA Youth & Family Centers, 414.263.8383×140 or visit summerofpeace365.org.

FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP – The 6th Annual Freedom Scholarship Essay Contest is open to any student residing and attending school in Milwaukee. Two scholarships will be awarded by Alderwoman Milele A Coggs on the theme of freedom and what it means in today’s world. Applications are available at city.milwaukee.gov/district6 and must be postmarked by Fri, Aug 9. For more info contact Akuwa Dantzler at 414.286.8640.

ENERGY FAIR – Get charged up! The 24th Annual Energy Fair takes place June 21-23 in Custer, WI. The Energy Fair is the nation’s longest running energy education event, bringing in 20,000 people from nearly every state and several countries from around the world. The event is hosted by Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and involves over 250 exhibitors and 200 workshops. For more info, visit midwestrenew.org.

SAGGING WAGES – In 1968 the minimum wage was $1.60. If it had kept up with income growth and distribution overall, it would now be $21.16 per hour. Instead it’s $7.25. Where’s the trickle?

WISE WORDS – The planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. –David Orr