Vote Tue. 4/6 School Board & State Ed. Super. Page 4 Info.

Daylight Saving Spring ahead Sunday March 14

FREE! News You Can Use • Riverwest, Harambee and The East Side Vol 20 Issue 3 MARCH 2021

Kovac & Coggs are our Alderpersons in 2020 Follies never happened in 2020

Ballot Box Page 18 Easter March 23 FREE! News You Can Use • Riverwest, Harambee and The East Side Vol 19 Issue 3 March 2020 FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK Vol 7 Issue 3 March 2008 Where have you put your eggs? Elections 2020 by Vince Bushell the vote the candidates receive, but a front runner will be hard to beat coming out of To avoid confusion, let me explain the Super Tuesday election with a big lead. metaphor in the title of this piece. The id- Right now, Bernie Sanders is highly favored iom, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”, for the Super Tuesday election, which in- Garden of the Month ...... 2 in this case, refers to risking the future of cludes big states like California and Texas. government in one office, the President of Trump will be the Republican nominee the United States. unless something highly unusual happens In the spring run off primary on Feb- between now and the November election. ruary 18th in the city of Milwaukee only 67 thousand of 289 thousand registered voters State Supreme Court Justice voted. That is 23 percent voted. Those are Change at the Supreme Court level in the numbers. the State of Wisconsin is slow. Judges serve Let me remind you that a former Gover- for 10-year terms. That makes this election nor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, who gained on April 7th important for the long-term local, state wide and eventually national effects that the person elected has on de- On a frigid night in January, some 150 residents packed the Gordon Park Pavilion to capacity to hear the eight candidates for Third District Alderman, one of many candidate forums before the Feb. 19 primary. ~Photo by Vince Bushell prominence by running for and winning cisions rendered. Judges are nominally Neon Al a post in the State Assembly in 1992 rep- non-partisan. But don’t kid yourself. They You Will Decide on April 1, 2008 • Alderman 3rd and 6th Districts, resenting a district in western Milwaukee have reputations and support that can be Neighbor Spotlight ...... 12 County Executive,City Attorney, City Treasurer, Mayor, County, then in 2002 following a Milwau- classified as more liberal or conservative. kee County pension fund scandal that re- The Candidates that survived the February Wisconsin Supreme Court, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 40 sulted in the resignation of Thomas Ament runoff are Daniel Kelly, appointed to the as Milwaukee County Executive ; Walker Court by Scott Walker in 2016 vs. Dane Third District Race Down to Two: Lena Taylor: was elected County Executive. Walker County Circuit Court Judge Jill Karofsky. Kovac vs. Flaherty “A Peacock, Not an Ostrich!” parlayed that victory and elected office to You don’t need much of a hint who is the by Matthew Czarnik Delineating the Differences interview by Ellen C. Warren our parks. a run for Governor of Wisconsin in 2010 considered more “liberal” vs. more “con- and won. Once in office he championed servative”. Walker would not appoint any- n Tuesday February In Flaherty’s eyes his ena Taylor wants to be our When I talk to people, whether legislation that limited collective bargain- one thought to be liberal. Marquette Law 19, voters of the Third track record speaks to his new County Executive. In a urban or suburban, they are ing for Wisconsin public employees. This professor Ed Fallone came in third and is District braved the experience as a proven leader phone interview with her on especially concerned about parks It all comes as waves. Waves of light. Waves of color. Waves of sound. Low coldO to choose two Riverwest and transit. In those two key areas gained Walker national attention and bitter expected to pledge his support to Karof- and nonprofit manager who Feb.L 19, we had a few questions… vibrations to high vibrations. Given to us to enjoy, to share. How We Voted ...... 8 opposition that resulted in a failed recall sky. Kelly received 50% of the vote while residents to vie for the has already dealt with pushing Here’s some of what she said. people are very disappointed To experience in a hall that has seen decades upon decades of community opportunity to lead arguably election in 2012. Walker thus empowered Karofsky had 37% and Fallone 13%. That legislation through the In a recent press release, the county with the quality of protection the city’s most politically active and encouraged by his victory decided to makes it a tie in April if Fallone’s vote go to gatherings. Join us again and share a toast to Riverwest and all she has to Common Council. revealed that there was not enough of our county assets. Economic and economically important development and making sure run for President of the United States in Karofsky but remember a lot more citizens offer. “Mostly our difference is money to pay park staff to raise district. that we can connect people to 2016. After being belittled by the Belittler in will be voting in April because of the Presi- around track records. I’m and lower the flags at sunrise and A place to live. A place to celebrate. For all. Young and old. For new comers jobs, those things are challenged Chief, Donald Trump, Walker dropped out dential Primary. The 761-vote margin between proud of the ideas I’ve put sunset, nor to light them at night. and old timers. Let us sing. Let us dance. Let us talk. Of our better natures. right now with the leadership we and eventually bowed down and supported them doesn’t allow either first- forward. I passed legislation As we all learned when we were in have. Trump. Local and State Offices - April 7, 2020 through the Common Council grade school, federal law requires time candidate to claim a clear Trump followed a different path of or- City of Milwaukee Milwaukee City Attorney, Grant Alderperson District 3 and District 6, majority that will lead to easy four different times. I’ve one of those two options. What My goal will be to come in and ganized money and manipulated media Mayor: Tom Barrett, the incumbent, Langley, incumbent, will be on the ballot which encompass Riverwest victory this April. Kovac, who worked with state legislators. should the county do? unify people, bring the experts to rise to power. But most higher-level will be on the ballot with Lena Taylor. with contender Tearman Spencer. Langley District 3, Nik Kovac, incumbent will trailed Flaherty in the primary, I’ve hit the ground running as together, to figure out how we can It would be good to consider solar elected officials come up through election Barrett won 50% of the vote in the Febru- trailed Spencer in the vote tally. Candidate face challenger Jacob Marek on April 7th. is especially optimistic after a strong progressive advocate think and do things differently, lighting. The county passed a to local and statewide offices first. Choose ary primary and Taylor won 31% of the Vincent Bobot, who had praise for Lang- District 6, Milele A. Coggs, incumbent winning the endorsement of for the East Side,” Flaherty to move forward and grow this Green Resolution. Solar lighting egg placement wisely. Pay attention to local vote with Tony Zielinski at 15% and Paul ley’s service but was concerned about Lang- will face challenger Tory Lowe on April 7th. fourth-place candidate Sura said. would be a great solution and allow region. We can’t do it, if we don’t Faraj. think about how we’re going to get elections that can greatly affect your life in Rasky at 3%. Taylor is currently a State Sen- ley retiring mid-term was only 5% behind I know the incumbents of both districts Kovac’s stake in this race us to be a leader in alternative th people to jobs, if we don’t think cities and states. ator from Wisconsin’s 4 Senate District. Langley. Langley was first elected in 1984 to well. I have checked out Marek’s positions For Patrick Flaherty and Nik was apparent before the energy use. Hot Chili, Sexy Circus ...... 10 about energy in a different way, Taylor, who is black, will bring up issues the 4-year term of this office. Will Bobot’s as best I could since I am not on Facebook. Kovac the coming months will incumbent dropped out. He Parks are a very important part of how we’re going to use the need to Candidates for election - related to public safety and opportunity for votes go to Langley? Will Spencer upset the Tory Lowe also only has a Facebook site, but showcase the traits it takes thinks his boldness in the face our community. They contribute move away from oil dependency Tuesday April 7 all neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Barrett long-term incumbent? April will tell. you can find stories about both candidates to be elected Third District of uncertainty is one major to diversity, public safety, quality as an industry to create jobs. Presidential Primary in Wisconsin - won election to Mayor in 2004 by defeat- online without resorting to Facebook. I will difference people need to alderman. of life, and economic growth. We although it is less than two months away, it ing Marvin Pratt, who became Mayor after City Comptroller is an open seat as the not be making any recommendations in know. Those jobs from the beer or At first glance Flaherty and need to protect the legacy that was manufacturing industry, they’re is hard to determine who will be in the run- John Norquist resigned. Similar issues were incumbent, Martin Matson, did not run for this issue of the Currents but will consider Kovac appear cut from similar “If I could pick one thing [that provided to us by our forefathers. not coming back. We can utilize ning for the Democrats on that date. There prevalent in that election. This should be reelection. Jason Fields, a Wisconsin State doing so in April. Both Coggs and Kovac cloth. They are both admitted separates us], it would be We have to begin to examine an th our infrastructure as a way to will be a lot of candidates on the ballot. But a good opportunity for Milwaukee to hear Assemblyman 11 District, will face Aycha have websites and numerous stories online. Riverwest Follies- Sat. March 1- progressives and both that I entered the race before independent funding source for the nominee could be close to being deter- and debate the path forward for Milwaukee. Sawa, the current Deputy City Comptrol- See Vote - Continued p. 4 D’Amato dropped out. I knew rd Linnemans -Door 7pm - Show 8 PM support more transparency Continued p. 6 mined by then. March 3 , Super Tuesday Remember again, the vote totals from the ler. Riverwester Alex Brower ran a spirited in government, grassroots this district could be better will have a huge impact as to who the nom- February election do not give an accurate campaign but finished third. Matson has neighborhood-oriented represented, and I was willing Riverwest Currents inee will be. Almost a third of the delegates prediction for the April election where the endorsed Sawa. Fields led with 43% of the organizing, and the desire to to take the risk and put my PO Box 716 to the Democratic National Convention in Presidential Primary will bring out a much votes, Sawa received 30% and Brower had Milwaukee, WI 53201-0716 protect the Milwaukee River faith in the democratic process Milwaukee will be decided on March 3rd. larger percentage of the voting population. 26% in the February run off. watershed from unsustainable and force change before change Delegates are awarded by the percentage of and detrimental development. was certain,” Kovac said. But for each candidate, this Regarding his opponent’s

is the time when differences perceived advantage in Irish Culture Heritage Center ICHC Inside this Issue Riverwest Currents PO Box 716 are most important, as they leadership experience and 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. 3 Good Grief! 10 Spotlight - Didier Laplae Milwaukee, WI 53201-0716 each try to communicate what on the job know-how, Kovac Office Phone : 414-345-8800 - 4 Where to vote RW Radio makes them the clear choice as points to his journalism Direct Box Office Phone : 414-219-0010 5 RW Elders leader of this community. background in Milwaukee and 11 TAMARACK March 7th - Socks in the Frying Pan 6 RW CO-OP ANNUAL MTG Comix ...... 3, 5, 19 LOCAL FARMER OPEN HOUSE RUTH Happenings53212 Continued p. 14 March 14th - Post Parade Party PARASITE, Movie Review 7 Restaurant Review 12-14 Calendar April 4th - Aoife Scott 8 Older Wiser Local (OWL) 15. Comix April 5th - The High 48’s 9 VGI, Rosy Petri, Cat Month

Currents is Five Years Old! St. Patrick’s Day Go to: RiverwestCurrents.org Join Us March 3 Saturday, March 17 At Linnemans Riverwest Currents has a GoFundMe page FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK Vol 6 Issue 3 March 2007 Inside March Issue

p.2 Movie Review by Vince Bushell p.3 Tree Moore p.4 Election & OWL We need your help to keep publishing. The pan- p.5 HIke Seminary Woods demic has closed a lot of businesses and forced others to cut back on advertising. We believe we p.6 Neighbor Spotlight offer a positive service to Riverwest, Harambee, the Neighbor Spotlight p.7 Elders & 2 Dogs Rebuilding Together...... 6 East Side and Milwaukee. And we have been doing p.8 Zhanna’s Book it for over 20 years. We need a little help to get us p.9 Chapter one through this rough time. p.10 Riverworks Vince Bushell, Publisher, Lee Gutowski, Editor, p.11 Comics Distribution, and Ad sales. Use the link to make a The Pool A Film by Chris Smith...... 11 p.12 More Memories donation. Thanks for your consideration. ~ Photo by Vince Bushell New Urbanism on Downer: Ready Or Not, Here It Comes… by Adam J. Lovinus It looks like an ahead-of-its-time $200,000 and range to $500,000, whimsical demands of certain Donate to Currents GoFundMe campaign model for new-urbanism with a with the 11 penthouses ranging landlords, rather than a lack of he new-urbanism aesthetic walking-distance grocery store, from $500,000 to $800,000 willing tenants.” envisioned two decades pharmacy, bank, restaurants, and according to New Land sources. Mark Nord, owner of Downer ago by former Mayor John nearby recreational green space. TO. Norquist – a city of densely The Committee for Balanced Wine and Spirits, disagrees. He populated, self-supporting When the neighborhood learned Development, a community says his “business is thriving,” neighborhoods, diversely zoned of plans to introduce a tall multi- group of Downer Ave. residents, and when asked if he supports the with lots of green space and unit residential tower to their told city officials on January 23 proposed condo, he says, “I’m all Riverwest Currents walking-distance amenities – has backyard, it was met with some that a building of this height for it.” Nord has no complaints come to life in Milwaukee. It opposition. and mass is incompatible with about his past landlord at Katz, PO Box 716 shows in the new high-rise luxury “It’s easy to get alarmed about the character of the surrounding or his present one at New Land condos on the Lower East Side change of that nature,” says neighborhood, and would greatly Enterprises. Milwaukee, WI 53201-0716 and the refurbished warehouse neighborhood resident Robert increase, not reduce, sidewalk Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s

UnderCurrents lofts south of downtown. We Powers. “I could see it as and street congestion. architecture critic Whitney The Mall & Irish Stew ... 12/13 really seem to be reversing the analogous to a Georgetown “We are convinced that our views Gould says, “...an occasional old trend of suburban flight by in Washington D.C., or are shared by the vast majority tall building in a low- to mid- renewing the attraction of city one of Chicago’s many vital of the area’s residents, by most rise neighborhood can actually On The living for affluent residents, and neighborhoods, where historic of the merchants who own their enhance a sense of place, not hurt March breathing new life into the city survivors stand shoulder-to- own buildings, and by many who it.” She states that the 11-story business community. shoulder with numerous newer do not, but might find it difficult condo’s design concept “shows a March 3 Milwaukee’s new-urbanism buildings. Such neighborhoods to express their views publicly,” lively interplay of glass, stone, and Riverwest Follies revival is not without a dark can be vital, exciting places to states the report by Committee reddish wood veneer; projecting March 17 side. Neighborhoods have seen work and live.” for Balanced Development bays at irregular intervals set up St. Patrick’s Day skyrocketing land assessments, On the other hand, signs that leaders Pat Frautschi, Michael a jazzy counterpoint to the flatter busier streets and parking read “No 11-Story Condo” Fleet, and Edward Olsen. façades nearby.” Peace Rally Noon problems from the population appeared on the front lawns of “I worry it will overpower the A New Land spokesperson said O’Donnell Park Plaza influx. Meanwhile, Milwaukee several residents. neighborhood,” Powers says. the company hopes to start County continues to make “I’ve always been under the construction early next year, All City Gathering cuts to mass transit and parks. The 11-story condo and hotel “soap-box” orators is the brainchild of New Land impression that many of the and reach completion by spring Longtime residents dealing with strip’s problems come from the 2009. Club Timbuktu - 5 pm crowded streets and bigger tax Enterprises – the major East Side developer responsible bills are understandably resistant Riverwest Currents March 24 to further neighborhood for much of the new high-end PO Box 716 Pub Crawl development. development in Milwaukee and Milwaukee, WI 53201-0716 recently-purchased storefronts March 25 The Downer Ave. neighborhood, along Downer Ave. The project 3rd Annual Riverwest south of the UWM campus won preliminary approval by the Community Festival and north St. Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee Common Council on by Our Lady of Divine is not a typical in-transition February 13. Providence at neighborhood. The residents are a mix of affluent homeowners and The proposed structure will Lakefront Palm Garden house 36 one-bedrooms, 37 two- 11am to 6 pm university students. It’s a stable, safe and quiet neighborhood bedrooms and 11 penthouses, a Info on these events and – aside from the occasional community room and a fitness more inside ruckus of a campus house party. center. Prices start at under 2 MARCH 2021

REVIEW - Judas and the Black Messiah

Vehicle Loans rates as low as Daniel Kaluuya captivates in biopic about assassinated

Chicago Black Panthers chairman %APR* review by Mitchell Horner it is simply that a detailed description for 2.59terms up to 63 months! of Hampton’s political ideology would Transfer your current loan from another red Hampton is a challenging not make for a good film, at least in the lender to Brewery CU and we’ll give you subject to make a Hollywood fea- American tradition; one could assume $100 CASH* and you do not have to ture about. Initially, he seems like F that contemporary American audi- make a payment for 90 days!* the perfect protagonist, and in fact he ences are generally unreceptive to the might be: his story is a deeply tragic Soviet Socialist Realist dramas of the one, an icon in no uncertain terms, revolutionary period. Or perhaps the a character who any actor would be money men behind the picture “dis- lucky to portray. His fiery charisma incentivized” a portrayal of the ideas. and rousing speeches and impressive, Who’s to say. 414-273-3170 brewerycu.com 1351 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. if tragically short, life should make for * Automatic payment may be required. Minimum $7,000 new money and current Brewery Credit Union loans not subject to refinancing. Interest will begin accumulating at the date of loan Perhaps the best selling point of Ju- signing: the first payment will include all interest accrued from the loan origination date. Membership eligibility required. $100 Refinance Offer: Loan must be transferred from another financial exceptional cinema. However, to make das and the Black Messiah is the cast. institution or finance company. The vehicle must be used as collateral. Offer valid for a limited time and subject to change. Only one transfer per vehicle. Some restrictions may apply. a movie about Fred Hampton pres- Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, and ents a problem: to truly portray Fred Jesse Plemons are 3 of the finest con- VEHICLE LOANS FAST APPROVALS GREAT RATES Hampton in his full spectrum would temporary actors, and to unify these ultimately indict those who made the three powerhouses in a single film, picture, those millionaire financiers well, that’s sure to be something spe- and Hollywood money men. The mes- cial. In this belief, I was vindicated. sage of the film would, necessarily, be All three give phenomenal perfor- antithetical to the types of messages mances, Kaluuya especially, in per- these financiers and producers have haps his most stirring performance of historically been shown to fund. his career. These performances come And so, Judas and the Black despite characters which are, frankly, Messiah is the first feature film about underwritten. Kaluuya’s Fred Hampton the life and death of Fred Hampton of is the most fully-fleshed of the three, significant stature in the public dis- followed by Stanfield’s Bill O’Neal and course, arriving at a moment befitting Plemon’s Roy Mitchell. of the film's subject matter. I’ve thus far criticized the film, but To tell the story of Fred Hamp- don’t get me wrong: I did enjoy it, and ton is to tell of his death, assassinated at I do recommend it. Despite the un- age 21 by the FBI. The charismatic So- derwritten characters, the film is well- cialist leader of the Chicago chapter of crafted. The narrative itself is engaging the Black Panthers, Fred Hampton had and well-paced, its two hour runtime led an impressive career as a politician, befitting a biopic about a life so trag- creating the Rainbow Coalition, which ically. Ultimately, the picture deserves sought to unite the oppressed peoples a watch; a cast like this should not be of Chicago of all colors under a single overlooked. political banner. However, the film falls short Judas and the Black Messiah is in its portrayal of Fred Hampton’ po- available to stream on HBO Max. litical ideology. To what this should be Runtime 2 hr. 5 mi attributed to, I do not know. Perhaps

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Listen to Riverwest Radio --Your Neighborhood RadioActive Station, FM 104.1 www.riverwestcurrents.org MARCH 2021 3 Balanced on the Edge

by Tree Moore

t’s March, the month of the Spring Equinox, where for a moment we have Ia balance within our 24-hour day, half light and half dark. The Equinox brings PUBLISHER AND EDITOR the promise of growing daylight hours and Vince Bushell [email protected] more warmth. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Our farmhouse is situated on a ridge Lee Ann Gutowski [email protected] surrounded by patches of woods, but mostly gently rolling corn and soy fields. PAST EDITORS Dawn, sunrise, distant horizons, sunsets Sonya Jongsma Knauss, Janice Christensen, Alice Waraxa and twilights all provide amazing displays of color and light, and then, when evening COPY EDITOR falls, we welcome darkness with the pierc- Lee Ann Gutowski Vince Bushell ing light of stars. All around us, EVERY farmhouse has ADVERTISING MANAGER a powerful barnyard light, on all night. I’m Barbara and Tree on their farm, photo Don Schaeffer Lee Ann Gutowski [email protected] ignorant as to when or why this practice There was an unsuccess- ful attempt to bottle feed started. Is there a problem with theft of to be neighborly. There are no sidewalks. CONTRIBUTORS them. They died this morning. Samuel tools? Seems hard to steal cows or farm Once in a great while I see a bicyclist, but Vince Bushell Lee Ann Gutowski laid them on a log in the nearby woods as machinery. And we need our dark nights, never a walker. In our desire to create Cari Taylor-Carlson Ellen C. Warren dinner for the hungry. It has continued to otherwise we can’t see the stars, or rest and neighbors, we took Christmas cookies to Tea Krulos Amy Schmutte be very cold – often below zero – for days. sleep. Many folks are experiencing insom- the nearest ones, who were still quite a hike Jason Hart Tree Moore The lambs were felt to be a gift to the forest nia. We turned our outside light off after away. Mitchel Horner Erin Eide world which had provided much previ- Louis Link living here a couple days. Radical!! Last week I took my desire for neigh- ously to Samuel. The death of one animal Along with the balance of light and borliness a bit far. Charlie, who lives a COMICS EDITOR will nourish another. We all will make good dark, the polarity of living and dying is very stretch down the road, has brought us a David Beyer, Jr. compost eventually. evident to us in our country life. A couple sack of bluegills a couple of times. He ice- Along with the loss of birds and an- COMICS CONTRIBUTORS weeks ago a monster car hit a slow-moving fishes near the Mississippi. I wanted to imals in our lives, we are blessed with an raccoon in front of our charming farm- bring him and his other bachelor friend David Beyer, Jr. Luther Hall abundance of lively creatures keeping us house. With great effort it dragged itself up some pumpkin bread in return. Dan Hernandez Lance Orr company, often providing entertainment, our long driveway, finally finding shelter in I was rather late in the day getting on Anna Rodriguez Alex Groh especially the chickens. We thought we had Drew Baumgartner John Sammis a tree hollow. As that seemed inadequate the road. It was definitely getting dark. The nine hens but were surprised when two of it then found some relief sheltering behind wind had picked up, bringing strong gusts them revealed themselves to be roosters, DESIGN AND LAYOUT our woodpile. of snow. Not quite knowing where their crowing and strutting their aggressive, Vince Bushell Kate Hawley We called the Viroqua Humane Soci- driveway was, I decided to walk across their domineering ways. We get four to five eggs ety, but they were too busy to even consider spacious front lawn, but I didn’t realize how WEBMASTER a day from our ladies, who are often reluc- coming and getting it. The temperature was deep the accumulated snow was. Plowing tant to surrender them. The latest surprise Vince Bushell headed toward zero. When we went and my way through drifted snowbanks was and challenge is the fact that our clever looked at it, the raccoon stared at us with arduous. I forgot I was an old lady. At one PHOTOGRAPHERS roaming chickens are not only foraging big curious eyes. We were faced with the point I fell over and had quite a struggle to Karina Schaefer Vince Bushell seeds around the bird feeder, but they are awful dilemma of leaving it to slowly starve get upright. Amy Schmutte finding loopholes in the barn to enter the or freeze to death or having it killed (no, After pounding on the back door, I was cats’ domain and eating up all the cat food. ACCOUNTANT not “put to sleep”) as humanely as possible relieved when Charlie finally answered. Those rascals! Brian Dettmering, Riverwest Accounting by a friend with a gun and the knowledge He was somewhat shocked to see me, but The four Icelandic sheep seem rather of how to do it. We chose the latter, feeling grateful for the treat, and he wanted to dull, staring at us intently. They do push DISTRIBUTION MANAGER terrible about taking such an action, but drive me home. But I was prideful of my each other around now and then. They Lee Gutowski feeling it was necessary. Our sadness and daring, and I wanted to prove that even old never smile or even “Baaah.” Luigi, our guilt were somewhat assuaged later when ladies can walk through mini blizzards, I CIRCULATION CURRENTS INC. handsome male cat, with an immaculate we were told it had two broken legs. guess. I refused and trudged back toward Print 4,000 copies during Covid 1st of the month black and white fur coat, has no trouble Last week Barbara brought a female home, this time finding their driveway. asking for attention. WEB - Riverwestcurrents.org cardinal in to the kitchen’s warm wood On the way, a sheriff pulled up next to Another polarity present in our daily The Riverwest Currents is a monthly newspaper serving stove. After holding it hopefully for some me, wondering if I was okay. Someone had life is the concept of “near and far.” I’ve Riverwest and surrounding neighborhoods. Copies can minutes, and in spite of sensing its deathly called in about a lone figure walking down been thinking about “near,” not as a phys- be picked up free of charge at most public neighborhood stillness, she placed it carefully into a small the road in a snowstorm. I assured him I ical measurement, rather that something box with a dish of water next to it just in was all right – slightly embarrassed doing locations. Distribution includes Riverwest, Harambee, the “near” is closer to its original form. case. It never regained consciousness and my weird errand. I could have delivered the east and lower east sides and downtown Milwaukee. An example is the dead elm tree that was eventually buried in the compost pile. bread in the morning. we cut down recently. As I put logs in the CONTACT US We were curious as to what had happened We have some way to go before we have woodstove, I’m sensing the process we Snail Mail: since there were no obvious signs of injury. real neighbors, close enough to help out in went through from the beginning of chop-  Riverwest Currents, PO Box 716 Many small birds – sparrows, chicka- an emergency or borrow a cup of flour. ping it down, sawing the trunk into smaller dees, juncos, woodpeckers, cardinals and My dream for a saner, healthier Milwaukee, WI 53201-0716 sections with a two-person crosscut saw – recently a mourning dove have been vis- post-pandemic world is based on balance, Please use email to contact us on editorial matters. Thanks the kind the lumberjacks used on gigantic iting our various bird feeders. They seem economic and racial. Composed of small E-mail the Editor: [email protected] and/or redwoods. Then further chopping before to be surviving rather well, cheeping and villages where there are no longer huge [email protected] hauling it into the house and then into chirping as they flutter around the feeder. swaths of slowly eroding soil devoted to Advertising/Sales Contact: [email protected] the fire. The process speaks of “nearness.” I wish I could understand nature’s clever agribusiness. Sustainable farming and Sales Manager–Lee Gutowski: 414-429-2092 Things are nearer and dearer to us when we design to keep such tiny creatures alive forestry are absolutely necessary for our know something of their lives. Find us online at www.riverwestcurrents.org during formidable weather. survival. Rather than returning to an old A contrasting thought is how here in Yesterday our milkman, Samuel, “normal,” may we evolve into a culture of SUBSCRIPTIONS the country, even our nearest neighbors brought news that one of his ewes pre- new, healthier, creative and balanced ways. To have the newspaper delivered to your home each maturely birthed two lambs – both frail, can feel very “far” away. month, follow instructions on this page . Bottom of P3 uncoordinated, as well as unable to nurse. Living where we do makes it an effort MISSION STATEMENT Riverwest Currents is dedicated to keeping readers CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFO informed about issues and events important to those who 2020 ISSUE DEADLINES: Noon, Third Friday of each month live, work, and play in and around our neighborhood. We RATE: 50 cents per word, per month (phone nos & dates are one word) Send Name and address and payment : believe Riverwest and Milwaukee are good places to make NAME ADDRESS a home or set up a shop. We want to help promote safe CITY, STATE, ZIP Subscriptions are $26, annually. and affordable neighborhoods, embrace urban aesthetics, PAYMENT # of words X .50 X months (TOTAL) $ respect diversity, and help make Riverwest residents aware (CIRCLE MONTHS BELOW­) Delivered first-class every month. of opportunities available to them. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Riverwest Currents, PO Box 716 Riverwest Currents reserves the right to refuse any SUBMIT THIS FORM WITH YOUR AD TEXT AND PAYMENT TO: advertising. © 2020 Currents Inc. Riverwest Currents PO Box 716, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0716 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0716

Listen to Riverwest Radio --Your Neighborhood RadioActive Station, FM 104.1 4 MARCH 2021

ELECTION TO MPS SCHOOL BOARD APRIL 6 Jilly Gokalgandhi running for 2021 MPS School Board, 5th District And State of WI DPI Jilly Gokalgandhi is a progressive, multilingual, millennial immigrant. Alex Brower for MPS School Board, She is committed to social justice and 5th District her experience in Milwaukee Public Schools to make her the right candidate I am running for school board to for this moment in history. bring the transformative change that MPS students, educators, staff, and Jilly’s frontline work as a Community our community deserve. Our public School Coordinator at Bradley Tech schools here in Milwaukee are under High School gave her daily direct ex- attack from privatization, systemic perience working alongside educators, racism, and underfunding. As a School students, and parents. She worked with Board Director, I will fight for public them toward academic achievement, to public education is why the outgoing schools against the threat of privat- champion anti-racist and culturally rele- board member, Larry Miller (retired ization, create a Green New Deal for vant teaching, and to institute restorative executive director of the MTEA and MPS and ensure healthy school en- current at-large board member}, Bob Pe- defeated efforts to privatize our jobs via justice practices. She has also worked in vironments, stand in solidarity with the philanthropic sector funding Girls tersonW and Rep. Brostoff support her. Black Lives Matter at School, champion the a temp agency. As an active community You can learn more about Jilly and her leader, I am the Executive Director of the in STEM programs in many Milwaukee struggle of MPS workers, and democratize Public Schools. platform at education by opening up school decision Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, which fights for retirees alongside labor Her lived experience as a woman making to all stakeholders -- parents, stu- of color and career supporting jillyformps.org dents, education workers, and community unions. I am proud to be endorsed by my members. union, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association and by the Milwaukee Demo- As an MPS educator, past union pres- cratic Socialists of America. For more en- ident and active community leader, I have dorsements and to learn more about our General election for Wisconsin the vision, experience and drive to deliver vision for radical change, go to Superintendent of Public Instruction this transformative change. As president of the substitute teachers’ union for four www.VoteforAlexBrower.org. Deborah Kerr and Jill Underly are running in the general years, I defied the skeptics and won health- election for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction care benefits for many substitute teachers on April 6, 2021. by engaging in a 21-day hunger strike, and The Candidates for Superintendent for controlled by the State Legislature and Public Instruction survived a 7 candi- the Governor. date primary. Deborah Kerr came in Governor Tony Evers held this post first followed closely by Jill Underly. for many years and his successor is not Both candidates make a case for sup- running for the office. port for education in Wisconsin where Kerr was Supertendent of the Brown this office has the power of a bully pul- Deer School District. Underly was Su- pit to bring issues to the general public. perintendent of the Pecatonica School The office does not giver the power of District. the purse to the Superintendent. That is

Deborah Jill Kerr Underly

Amy Schmutte, OWL Program Manager OWL (Older.Wiser.Local) is a program created to serve, enlighten and educate area seniors (50 and up). OWL is sponsored by the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts, along with Bader Philanthropies. Ensure success for every student by creating schools Adequate and Fair Funding – regardless of where Normally we'd be gathering in-person for these programs, but to respect the safety that prioritize character education, with rich so- they live. All Wisconsin public schools must be able to of everyone, we're temporarily broadcasting our material, interview or lecture-style on cial-emotional and mental health supports fund schools to 21st century standards for personnel, Riverwest Radio, WXRW, 104.1FM. If your location does not pick up the radio signal, Laser focus on literacy and numeracy skills with de- facilities, technology, required programming and cur- you can stream the show live on riverwestradio.com. fined outcomes for all kids riculum… and staunchly opposed to private school Our shows begin at 3pm and go until 3:30pm, every Weds. and Thurs., every week. Create strength-based pathways for all kids that pro- voucher expansion. Please tune in! vide career and college opportunities Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Support… If you miss the live broadcast, you can catch it afterward at: Require rigorous and relevant learning opportunities Top-notch, specially trained teachers in rural and ur- https://www.riverwestradio.com/show/owl-older-wiser-local/ that culturally reflect the real world and the needs ban school settings March 2021: of our learners, so that all kids are well prepared for Education equity for all students, especially students success in life after high school of color, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, Weds. March 3: Melissa Redmond Galeener Shares the Therapy Found Kerr would not oppose School Choice, and all other students that face inequity in our public in Writing. thogh it is not clear how strongly she schools. Thurs. March 4: Karen Beaumont, Writer and Musician, Reads her New would support it. Underly has the support of WEAC union. Short Story, "Entitled Retirement Speech". Weds. March 10: Evan Ransome of "Golden Home Management'', speaks on Elderly Home Transitioning. Thurs. March 11: "Vision Forward Association", on Coping with the ema Challenges of Vision Loss. inn n's Weds. March 17: Mari Lynn Young: Part 1 of Arrogance and "Self- l Deprecation". riverwest Turs. March 18: Mari Lynn Young: Part 2 of "Arrogance and Self- inn Deprecation". WARM VIBES, COLD BEER, HOT MUSIC Watch one of our streaming Weds. March 24: OWL Review! Yee Old Days of In-Person Gathering. shows on Facebook Live! Thurs. March 25: Animal-Communicator, Merry Pulvermacher Shares Support local music! about Her Mysterious Gift! 1001 E. LOCUST 414-263-9844 LINNEMANS.COM Weds. March 31: Bach's Birthday Celebrated with a Musical Performance by Karen Beaumont

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by Cari Taylor Carlson Seminary Woods -- A Hidden Forest Distance – Variable; many trails to explore Time – A leisurely stroll At the end of the road, continue Where to eat – straight up the sidewalk, past the statue of Multiple restaurants nearby in Bay View St. Francis de Sales, turn left at Henni Hall, Start – At the entrance to Henni Hall, follow the sidewalk around the corner 3257 S. Lake Drive until you see, on your left, the entrance to Parking – On the street Seminary Woods. Continue down the path as it bends to the right and into the woods to find a hidden cemetery where dozens here is no hint of what’s behind and dozens of gravesites fill a clearing. Henni Hall when you start up the Sisters of St. Francis, archbishops, priests, Troad toward the prominent statue and boys from St. Aemilian Orphanage are of St. Francis de Sales. A country road in buried here. France comes to mind as you stroll under The orphanage was established in a canopy of maple trees, 49 of them, origi- 1849 by Bishop Henni to care for children/ nally planted in the 1930’s by Austrian im- boys orphaned by a cholera epidemic in migrant Siegfried Wegesbauer. They form the Midwest in the 1830s and 1840s. In an elegant cathedral-like arch that extends 1929, two young residents died under almost all the way to Henni Hall, one of the mysterious circumstances. Twelve hours original Roman Catholic seminaries in the after they ate something sweet, which United States. they found in a paper bag in the cellar, Bishop John Martin Henni founded they were dead. It was later determined Now take some time to wander on the seminary in 1845 to meet the demand the sweet substance in the bag was arse- the multiple paths in the woods. for German speaking priests in the new nic. The boys, Philip Giganti and Joseph You are standing in one of the few Wisconsin Territory. Approximately 4000 Djeska, are buried in the cemetery in the surviving mature maple-beech forests in priests, 400 deacons, and many lay min- woods in unmarked graves. When the Wisconsin. Thanks to many volunteers, isters have graduated from this seminary orphanage burned to the ground the next there are few invasive species here such known as St. Francis de Sales Seminary. St. year, any remaining evidence from the as garlic mustard, buckthorn, and hon- Francis de Sales (not to be confused with poisoning was destroyed. eysuckle, to mar the beauty of this forest. St. Francis of Assisi) served as the Bishop Look for the majestic beech trees, easily of Geneva, Switzerland in the late 1500’s Plan to spend some time among the recognized by their smooth grey bark, and and was honored as a saint in the Catholic gravestones. There are many untold stories the giant maples with their familiar three- church in the early 1600’s. buried here, far too many lives cut short, lobed leaves and branches that grow oppo- The seminary, the outbuildings, and as evidenced by the dates on the grave site each other. You will also see basswood the adjacent woods are located on 68 acres, markers. trees with heart-shaped leaves, red oak with originally acquired from the Potawatomi. Below the cemetery, look for the pointed leaf lobes, white oak with rounded They called their village Njoshing or “strip Grotto, constructed in 1894 by Paul Dob- lobes, and a few remaining white birches of land jutting out into the water.” The word berstein to honor Our Lady of Lourdes, the with their familiar white bark. Another Njoshing means “straight tongue,” hence Roman Catholic title for the Virgin Mary. lesser-known tree, also present, is the mus- a strip of land ending at Lake Michigan. When Dobberstein contacted double clewood, known by its trunk that resembles After the seminary was built, the adjoining pneumonia while he studied at the sem- the ropy muscles of a dedicated athlete. forest, now known as Seminary Woods, inary, he promised the Virgin Mary if he In the spring, these woods explode with life continued to be a part of its property recovered, he would build a grotto in her when the floor of the forest becomes a glorious honor, and so he did. display of spring wildflowers. Again, thanks to volunteers who removed the invasive garlic mus- tard, you will find a splendid parade of indigenous wildflowers, including wild leek, spring beauty, trout lily, bloodroot, may apple, and trillium, to name just few of these ephemeral delights. Spring is also a time to listen for bird songs, and to look for brilliant flashes of color as warblers pass through on their way north. The rest of the year you can hear crows, geese, the occasional wood- pecker, and if you are lucky, the far away, primor- dial call of a sandhill crane. As you will never be far from Henni Hall, finding the trail that leads out of the forest is easily accomplished. Seminary Woods is a special place. Any time is the right time for a walk in these woods.

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NEIGHBOR SPOTLIGHT: TW Hansen DAVE MANYO We have Always been there for you for affordable quality repairs for your car. Now Selling Quality Used Cars!

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His dad is a civil and go to RW Film and Video to buy WiFi Hotspot 414.312.8611 my 2005 PT Cruiser, the primary distri- structural engineer who runs his own firm, 16mm black-and-white reversible BBB Credited www.Manyo-Motors.com bution vehicle for the Riverwest Currents, and TW came up amidst “a proud legacy film. At that time, it was still on Like us on Facebook at Manyo Motors LLC for the latest deals! got “accordioned” by a hit-and-run driver of bridges that stay up and sewers that run Locust Street, where Rockhaus is got Joey Turbo in there playing against when it was parked on Humboldt Avenue in the right direction.” His mom met his now. It’s still the only place you can acquire type as a cop; in a bit of magical realism, on a fateful winter night as the Packers dad when she was a secretary at “one of the that film.” He attended film school from Joey the cop looks into a video camera and played their final game of the 2020-21 firms where he got his legs under him.” She 2003-2012 off and on. “As off as on, really.” sees himself as a rock and roller.” There are season. quit working when she started having kids scantily clad cute girls, a fun car chase and Like many readers of this newspaper, and turned her eye to being a professional Cars and movies awesome Milwaukee locations – like Sun- along with a good percentage of the folks housewife and mother. “She never did any- rise Foods right here in Riverwest. “It’s just in Riverwest and beyond, Manyo Motors is thing halfway,” TW says. “These are twin passions of mine that over-the-top, deliberately dumb rock and my go-to car place. TW (short for Timothy A curious and intelligent kid, TW was go all the way back to the tiny logic that roll.” Warren) runs the car dealership there and interested in many things as a child. “They only makes sense to a four-year-old: I like For the Indonesian Junk tune “Shake was at the ready to get me back into a vehi- didn’t know what to do with me,” he laughs. cars because they’re in movies, and I like it With You” Hansen and friends built a cle that would meet my newspaper delivery “They bumped me up a grade. Every hi-fa- movies because they have cars in them. soundstage in a garage to film the video needs and then some. He and the folks at lutin’ modality of parenting they heard And it’s still true.” – TW Hansen in 2016. “That reminds me, I have to talk Manyo set the Currents up with a fabulous about on NPR, they threw at me.” The fam- One of TW’s numerous side-gigs is to Daniel James (lead singer/song writer Toyota RAV4, which is a peppy thing with ily had strong ties to the Lutheran schools doing picture car work. Which is to say, of IJ) about comic books.” Turns out he’d plenty of room, removable seats, a new he attended. In 2002, he graduated with his if somebody wants a specific car for their acquired quite a few of them in lieu of rent transmission and clutch and even 5 speeds B.A. in English from Wisconsin Lutheran film or television production, TV commer- money, and he knows James has a deep – my preferred way to drive. College in Wauwatosa. In speaking about cial or what-have-you, “I’m the guy that interest. coming to Riverwest for the first time, he finds it. In Los Angeles, it’s an industry. In TW’s spinning those plates, keeping “I say this as a landlord and a car sales- recalls, “Venturing to this side of town was Milwaukee, it’s me, and whoever I can get those projects that drive him up and run- man. My life is about not living down to rare and exotic to a student (at Wisconsin on the phone.” ning. (Sorry.) He’s busy as hell and enjoys expectations.” – TW Hansen Lutheran) … The mindset at the Lutheran what he does. And he makes it sound easy, schools I found to be pretty separate and Writing and music just like the 21-year-old him thought it In the process of selling me the car, insular. It’s in the world, but not of the would be. TW found out that I was looking for a w or l d .” One of the things that TW feels the “I’ve pretty much blundered into ev- new apartment to move into at the end of pandemic has taken from him is his ability erything I’ve done. That’s how I get a lot of March. Turns out, he’d recently bought a American Movie, Mark Borchardt and to sit down in a bar or coffee shop, spend a jobs. I’m exceptionally good at blundering house that he was prepping to be ready for moving to Riverwest couple of hours and churn out a good cou- into things.” – TW Hansen new tenants at exactly the time I’d need to ple of pages of writing – be it poems, lyrics, move. The house is a big, beautiful Victo- “I’ll tell you what exactly put the bug in screenplays, or concepts for music videos. rian right next to its “twin”, where he lives. me: it was (the documentary film) Ameri- He also misses live music and being I knew TW mainly through Manyo Mo- can Movie, which I got to see at a Q&A at able to go out and perform at the bars. He’s tors, and decided I had to write a Neighbor the Rosebud back in 2001.” In the middle performed music under the name Econ- Spotlight on him so I could interview him of the Q&A, someone in the crowd tossed omy Superstar. It is his email address and

and find out more about this decidedly a bottle of vodka at the film’s subject, Mil- the name of his production company as

driven (excuse the car pun), enthusiastic, waukee filmmaker Mark Borchardt, who well. “I believe in branding. The cut and multifaceted person that was successfully skillfully caught the bottle with one hand, thrust of American culture is marketing. It’s not just a condo… spinning many plates at once. deftly spun the top off the bottle, and took Our great cultural hallmarks all come out It’s COHOUSING! During an almost-2-hour-long, a pull from it. “That’s when Mark was still of attempts to sell us coffee and steel-belted wide-ranging interview, TW had me guf- drinking, mind you.” radials. Did you know Jim Henson used to Interested? fawing many times at his lucid quips that (He and Borchardt have since become be an ad man? That’s why Sesame Street reflect another of his interests (besides cars friends and co-workers; the filmmaker of- sounds like a commercial a lot of times … MILWAUKEE AREA and obtaining houses): writing. It would ten drives vehicles to and from auctions for ‘Brought to you by the letter A’ and all that.” COHOUSING have made for a great article to have TW T W. ) write his own Spotlight, but what fun Thoroughly impressed and inspired by Music videos would that have been for me? Borchardt and the movie, “the 21-year-old For more info: www.facebook.com/pg/Milwauke‐Area‐Cohousing‐ me thought movie-making was probably It makes sense that with his love of writ- MAC pretty easy. I decided that all you have to ing, music, movies and cars, TW has had www.rivertrailcommons.com do is find a weird enough guy and get a a hand in making music videos for some www.milwareacohousing.org [email protected] camera on him, and a movie will happen!” iconic Milwaukee bands. In 2015, Hansen In 2003, he enrolled in the film school at directed, shot and edited the video for the UWM, “which has a wonderful program,” song “Downtown” by Platinum Boys. “I’ve

Listen to Riverwest Radio --Your Neighborhood RadioActive Station, FM 104.1 www.riverwestcurrents.org MARCH 2021 7

The Answer to Improving Yourself by Melissa Meier, Executive Director, East- Improve your mental health? Lose weight? side Senior Services Feel better in general? Get moving! Class after class I took, the answer was exercise. have a challenge for you. But before I tell When you exercise, your blood flows. you what it is, let me ask you a question. Oxygen moves throughout your body. Hor- I If you were to change one thing about mones and brain chemicals like dopamine yourself or your situation, what would it be? and endorphins (happy hormones!) are re- Got it in your mind? leased. Muscle mass increases, making you I can’t go to the gym because of Covid. I find exercising at home difficult. Home is my place of rest. I Okay. I am about to share a way to im- stronger. Heart efficiency increases. The list have a friend, who has allways challenged me to push my limits and go. Go outside. Go do something prove your situation with that thing you goes on, books have been written. in nature. His name is Don and he took this photo. We are on the river with River the dog. River wants identified. Are you ready for it? Prepare No grandiose plan is needed. No need to run, and run, loves the snow and never gets cold or tired. Or so it seems. My friend and his son’s yourself … to dig out those dusty Jane Fonda VHS dog makes sure I get a workout despite my arthritic hip. Sometimes it hurts a bit and that is ok. I will be exercising again in the gym soon and I can count on my friend to do what he does best and gets us tapes (unless you really want to). Be real- all out for a walk. VJ xercise. That’s right. I challenge istic -- start small and work your way up. you to exercise. Incorporate it in Do something you enjoy. Even if you have stress level, and sleep patterns. It may not and companionship. All these services are Eyour life in some way. Make a plan physical limitations, you can do something. take away your diabetes, but it may help you FREE, and volunteering hours are flexible. and execute it. Put away the excuses, the There are everyday things you can expand move from insulin shots to just medication. Many of our volunteers feel very rewarded procrastination, and get moving more than upon that you may not consider exercise, It may not fix your permanent back injury, in helping our neighbors, AND it gets you you already are. such as doing some extra chores in your but it will make other parts of you stronger, out of the house and moving. It’s a win-win. How will this improve your situation home. Or perhaps while watching TV, move making it easier for you to move around. you may ask? You may already be aware around in your recliner. For folks who are Take this challenge! Improve the quality Lastly, if you need medical equipment of these ways, so consider this a reminder more ambitious, think through some activ- of your life. Take good care of yourself -- it’s to help you move around more safely such or a kick in the pants. When I was on the ities you may enjoy and then execute. Con- the only body you have. Your future self will as a walker, cane or wheelchair, we have a journey of obtaining my Masters in Geron- sider an accountability partner. As always, thank you. loan closet. These items are available for tology, one thing that resonated with me is if you have not exercised in a while, consult PS: One more way to get moving is to free, and we also accept gently used equip- the importance of exercise. Want to reduce with your physician. The important thing get out there and volunteer! We are always ment donations as well. stress? Get better sleep? Have more en- is be realistic and enjoy what you’re doing. seeking volunteers at Eastside Senior Ser- Let’s get moving! ergy? Reduce fall risk? Reduce cancer risk? Stick with it -- make it a habit! vices. We help those 60 and older who live (Find out more at the website Improve your brain health? Reduce your While exercise may not improve your in our community to remain independent. essmilw.org, or call 414.210.5881) chances of, or improve, chronic conditions situation entirely, it can help you cope with Our volunteers provide assistance with such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis? it better by helping your mood, demeanor, rides, shopping, errands, chores, repairs,

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review by Vince Bushell saying. The story is told through the eyes of the two sisters, hanna Slor, yes it is a catchy name, contacted me and who are estranged as one has moved to Israel but came to asked if the Currents would be interested in writing a visit in Milwaukee. It bounces back and forth between the Zreview of her new book. She sent me an excerpt and two. noted that the story is set in Riverwest. I do not read a lot There is a mystery and some danger. Riverwest is por- of fiction but this was interesting. I asked for and got a trayed as a rough edged and youth oriented culture. The digital version of the book. It is a bit of a page turner, but book is also set in winter, so no fun festivals but a lot of bar since I was reading on a screen I needed to note my spot and party action. The characters seem real and the story to find it again. progresses as one might imagine how young folks might I will buy a copy so I can have the pleasure of feeling behave in a free and open culture with love interests and all the pages and putting it down with a book-marker to help the joy and pathos that might bring. find my spot. Family and Jewish culture is a prominent focus. Mom I found the book enjoyable in a number of ways. First and dad can be difficult and the grandparents are there as of all I know of the places where the action takes place and well. The scenes are engaging and real. that made it most engaging. Yes, I know of that public com- I was a bit nervous about where this was all going when puter in Bremen Cafe. Yes I have been in that bar many the wheels fell of the metaphorical truck. times and even been inebriated in that bar. Well of course It is a story about young men and women dealing with I know of that street vendor. Even though the story is a the challenges of life and making decisions, not always the fiction, these “real” spots all near where I live made in more best decisions and dealing with family and sometimes the believable. ache of lost culture associations. I zoom interviewed Zhanna, never done that before, If you can imagine the real life Zhanna coming to Mil- and we talked for maybe an hour. She now lives in Bay- waukee and going to school at age 5 or so and not knowing view and has a 2 year old daughter. Her husband is from any English, you can get a feeling of some of the core issues Israel and plays in a Jewish Jazz band. She went to UWM in the story. The plight of Jews in Ukraine during the war and then graduate school in Chicago. She was born, as she and during Russian occupation is felt in this book. says in Russia, or the USSR, but in that part we now call Family, friends, lovers, and growing up in a strange Ukraine. land. Said to be a Hebrew idiom translates In The MIddle Of NoWhere She came to the US and Milwaukee when she was kin- Zhanna did give a shout out to Riverwest when she dergarten age. She has a sister. She worked at Bremen Cafe praised the spirit of independent and energetic youth rid- during the time the book takes place, around 2008. ing bikes down the snow strewn streets. The book centers on two sisters. I asked if this was bi- That’s Riverwest. ographical story. Zhanna said many of the things that are Bars and parties and cigarettes and drugs are there too. in the book are from her memory but it is fiction.” Thanks Zhanna Slor for a view of my neighborhood “My life has not been that exciting”, I remember her through your eyes and memories.

People can pre-order Zhanna’s book here:

https://www.lionstoothmke.com/end_of_the_ world.html#/ They also pre-order it by phone: (414) 455.3498.

2421 South Kinnickinnic Ave,

Thought you might like these pictures—that’s Lenin’s head at my dad’s school. That guy really got around in the USSR!, Zhanna This photo was modified to show Lenin in the online version of the Currents. MASHA CHAPTER ONE - Excerpt courtesy of Polisbooks The second I land in Milwaukee, I’m money for my inheritance, but you might “But it is broke…” I start. “Forget it.” I at it again, I put the tiny machine into the a different person. My whole body tenses, want to consider getting a car that’s not held don’t bother trying to explain. cupholder with two fingers, as if touching it from my leather-booted feet to my long together by superglue?” My dad’s hands are so tight on the will spread some disease I don’t want. brown hair, crimped into stifled curls Papa starts driving onto the highway, wheel it pains me to look at him. Maybe “People crash from doing this every during the fourteen-hour flight from Israel. Mitchell Airport a giant brown slab in the coming back was a bad idea. I generally try second of the day,” I explain. It’s the first If my dad notices any of this, he doesn’t rearview mirror, along with my regular to avoid lending credence to his anxieties, iPhone I’ve seen in real life, and something mention it. He’s smoking again, staring life; schwarma, Nescafé, sirens and un- which have always hung over us like humid about it gives me the chills. Or maybe I’ve out the window. I haven’t seen him with a derground bunkers. David’s faded Golani air that never draws rain. I try to tell him: been spending too much time among the cigarette in years, and for a second I can’t t-shirt coiled around his tanned biceps, his everyone’s healthy, everyone’s safe. Isn’t Israeli Orthodox. help but wonder if I got in the right car. gun never too far from his body, or mine. I that something? But in his mind, it’s still “Maria Pavlova.” My dad rolls his eyes, But there is no mistaking his dusty, ma- suddenly miss it in a way I hadn’t noticed 1980s Soviet Ukraine. No matter how much his use of my full name and patronymic in- roon clunker in which I spent much of the throughout my hastily planned flight. Gone money we had growing up, it was never ducing a slight cringe. No one ever calls me nineties dreaming of other continents. Nor is my semi-upbeat disposition, buoyed by enough; no matter how safe, it was not safe anything but Masha. “Forty years I driving.” is my unsmiling Russian father difficult to three mini-bottles of wine and an endless enough. This is how we ended up in the “That was before Steve Jobs,” I explain. distinguish from the other middle-aged stream of movies I’d watched on the plane. middle of Wisconsin, the only Russian kids I cover his phone with my hand so he can’t men idling at the arrivals terminal. In its place a familiar, unsettling discomfort for hundreds of miles, not to mention the retrieve it. No way I’m going to die on High- “Hey,” I say, sinking into the old sun- takes root. only Jews. Well, that, and my great-aunt way 43 surrounded by dried-out empty bleached passenger seat. I decide not to ask Papa, more at home in this discomfort Rachel happened to live in Wisconsin, and fields and fireworks warehouses. “These about the Marlboro Lights on the dash next than not, is still mulling over my failed at- since she sponsored us to immigrate, we things are dangerous. Trust me, in twenty to a Nirvana sticker I’d once pasted there, tempt at levity. had to come here too. That didn’t mean we years they’ll call it a plague.” nor why the right mirror is still duct-taped “If it ain’t broke...” he finally replies, in had to stay. “Plague,” my dad laughs. “Bozhe moy, on at a strange angle, like a misplaced limb. a thick Russian accent that makes me mo- “Papa!” you sound like your sister. It’s 2008, Maria. When it comes to my dad, it’s better to mentarily homesick before finding its way “What?” Soon cars drive themselves. If you don’t use wait until he offers information. Normally into the humorous part of my brain. I grab his phone out of his hand, stop- all tools at disposal—” this drives me crazy, but I’m too tired to I find myself stifling a laugh. “Papa, I ping him from typing instead of looking at “Then you’re always going to be at a feel much of anything. I attempt a smile don’t think you understand that saying.” the road. I catch what I think is an email disadvantage, I know,” I finish. “The thing anyhow. “I appreciate your efforts to save “Right. I just stupid old man.” header from a law firm. Without looking you always forget is that tools can also be

Listen to Riverwest Radio --Your Neighborhood RadioActive Station, FM 104.1 www.riverwestcurrents.org MARCH 2021 9 MASHA - CONTINUED weapons.” his words coming out smoky. “What are she’s nineteen,” I explain. “Right now, the multicolored road bikes. They shimmer in “Oh, I don’t forget.” He shakes his head you saying? Is that Hebrew?” most rebellious thing a person can do is get the bright, hot sun all the way down to Fuel and lights another cigarette, his expression “Oh! Sorry. I didn’t even notice,” I sput- off the grid.” Café, patios filled with aging hippies and dark again. Watching him chain-smoke like ter, switching back to English. I could prob- “It just like what happened before,” my crust punks in black-and-beige thrift store that, I feel myself get worried for the first ably go with Russian, but I am too jetlagged dad responds, pointedly. “This why I ask fare, all smoking cigarettes above some time since he called. Or maybe it’s the fa- to attempt untangling the wild mess of you to come. You think it was easy for me?” scraggly dogs. It’s like seeing an old lover miliarity of the drab Wisconsin roads, all grammar that my native language calls for. I sit on this for a moment, that old fa- again; half adoration, half punch in the gut. that flat, dry land, punctuated only by strip If we’d come from the Soviet Union a little miliar uneasiness bubbling up inside me. “Seriously, Papa? This really can’t wait?” malls and convenience stores. The sight of later, say when I was thirteen as opposed to Guilt. It coursed through every interaction I ask, in Russian now. it produces an agitated feeling in my gut. nine, I would probably have a native’s per- I’d ever had in my family, even before I’d “I’ve been waiting, Masha,” my dad sighs. Only then does it occur to me I could have fect grasp of Russian. But my parents were had reason to feel it; the unfortunate out- “You know this not good for me,” he adds, said no to coming back. But my dad had really into the whole American Dream come of surviving when so many didn’t, I’d tapping his chest. “With my condition.” been so riled up—it was Yom Kippur so, thing when I was growing up, and our Rus- supposed—pogroms, Hitler, Stalin, mass “And you know this place isn’t good for like most of Israel, our phones had been sian skills suffered as a result. They didn’t poverty, my family had escaped it all. How me,” I say, looking back down at my hands, turned off for almost two days by the time know that by the time we could attain it, would I ever live up to that? All I’d managed which are clenched. I unfold them onto my he got through to me—that I’d automati- the American Dream had morphed into to do was escape them. lap. I feel angry, then immediately after, cally agreed to everything he said. There’s something else entirely, and no one could “I don’t want you to get your hopes up. like I could cry. I can’t explain why exactly. a German adjective for this, fisselig, which pinpoint what it was anymore. Maybe that I’m not sure I’m going to be able to find What am I so scared of? This used to be means flustered to the point of incompe- was the whole point. In America, the dream her,” I tell my dad, quietly. “You should talk my favorite place in the world. And Center tence as a result of another person’s direc- is whatever you think it is. to the cops again if you’re worried.” Street is abuzz with activity—a leather-clad tion. If our phone call—admittedly, our “Papachka,” I start, trying to get to the “You think I did not talk to cops again? couple walking two spotted pit bulls in entire relationship—could be summed up heart of the matter quickly, the reason he’d They have better things to do than look bandanas. A dreadlocked mom with a baby by one word, it would probably be that one. asked—no, begged—me to return. Seeing for girl who no longer posts on Bookface attached to her chest, a face-tattooed cyclist That isn’t entirely why I said yes—I said him so frazzled over what is probably noth- account.” splashing past on a bright yellow tall bike. yes because my dad has never directly asked ing is making this whole trip seem less like a “It’s called Facebook, Papa. And she It’s exactly like I left it. me to come home, not once. He is not the friendly visit home and more like an inter- wasn’t on Facebook, she was on MySpace.” My dad, noticing all this too, shakes his kind of person to request favors. It was a vention. “Have you considered that, uh… “Okay. My space,” he parrots, as if speak- head in confusion. This type of rebellion, sign, him asking me to do this on Yom Kip- maybe Anastasia is just…mad at you? That ing in an alien tongue. He exits the highway more aesthetic than political, is inexplicable pur, the day of atonement. Even I couldn’t she’s not really… missing?” via Locust Ave., instead of continuing north to a Soviet immigrant, where going against ignore a sign so obvious. I’d done the un- “Maria, please. I may be old but I no id- to the suburbs, where he still chooses to live the grain could mean gulags or death. thinkable, in a Russian immigrant family: iot. I not heard from her in weeks,” he roars, for some reason I will never understand. “I “I told you not to move here, didn’t I? not only did I avoid becoming a doctor, in English. “She started hanging around ask you to try. You used to live down here. You could have lived at home. Anastasia lawyer, or engineer, I’d dropped out of col- in that stupid Riverwest.” Here he frowns You familiar with area. You know...young too. Nothing would be happening if you lege. And left the country on top of it. The at me like this is my fault. Which it prob- p e op l e .” girls listened to me.” country they had chosen. I can’t explain ably is. I’d been the one to first show Anna “Not really. I’ve been gone a while. And “We don’t even know if anything is hap- exactly why, but once my eyes saw the land- Riverwest, an eclectic but semi-dangerous I’m not so young anymore.” I turn my head pening,” I say, not taking the bait. “All I was scape of Israel—its ancient, dazzling archi- neighborhood of Milwaukee full of artists to the side, confused. A sign directing traf- saying is that...” I start. I swallow the lump tecture sprinkled across endless hills, the and musicians and, most importantly to my fic towards UW-Milwaukee appears on the in my throat. “It’s, I don’t know. It’s really overly friendly young parents and bustling dad: a lot of crime. “I think she shacked up left. On the right, the standard string of weird. For me to be here.” cafés sprouting up on pieces of land so old with guy.” rundown houses, baggy-clothed youth with Papa drops his cigarette out the win- it’s impossible to fathom—it was inevitable. “Her roommate? They’re just friends. paper-sack forties and cigarettes lingering dow and double-parks in front of the alley I was, to put it simply, meant to live in Is- Get with the times already.” in groups. My dad goes left. “Where are we right past Fuel Café, where a purple-haired rael. As immigrants themselves, you’d think “No, not Anarchist.” going?” I ask. “I need to sleep, Papa. And I barista is throwing out a large bag of gar- my parents would understand this, but it I stifle a laugh. “I don’t think he’s an an- stink. People will think I’m homeless.” bage. She turns and looks in our direction, had proved to be the opposite, if anything. archist. He fixes bikes.” “This is better. You blend in,” my dad squints, then drops the bag inside the I turn to face Papa. “So. What’s the “Not him. A boyfriend,” my dad says, with a hint of a smirk. It’s the first dumpster. plan?” I ask. Downtown flies past us, a mea- explains. relatively positive emotion he’s expressed “I could care less about weird. Your sis- sly constellation of skyscrapers split down “Oh. Well. It isn’t a crime to have a boy- since I got in the car. Not that my father is a ter is gone,” he says. He reaches across me to the middle by the snake of the Milwaukee friend. She’s an adult. She’s allowed to do man of many positive emotions in general; open the door, essentially kicking me out of River. whatever she wants.” Dostoevsky was right when he said, “The the car. “You still young. You manage.” “Huh?” he asks, his forehead lined with “This is what cops said, too.” He shakes Russian soul is a dark place.” Still, for a mo- confusion. his head again, frustrated. “Gospodi, I wish ment the knot in my stomach loosens, until “What do you mean, huh?” I ask, I’d had boys.” I realize he’s serious. I turn to the back seat. louder, equally confused. Papa blows out “Papa!” “What about my stuff? What about a cloud of smoke through the crack of the “When you last talk to her?” Mom? I haven’t seen her since...I can’t even window, the rush of air making it suddenly “I think a few weeks ago, online,” I say. remember. When was it that you came to loud. I can’t get over how weird it is to see “I gave up calling her a long time ago. You Jerusalem for Totya Lana’s funeral?” him smoke again. Like I’ve jumped through know how much she likes to answer the “So you wait few more hours, big deal.” a time portal and I’m suddenly twelve, not phone.” He pauses for a moment, then exhales an- twenty-five. Any minute now, I’ll sprout “Her phone is dead. I called AT&T other long plume of smoke out the win- acne and gain ten pounds of water weight. and guy couldn’t tell me something except dow, where the familiar landscape of Riv- “You made me come all the way out here, phone is dead, which I already know,” he erwest begins to pass us by. Center Street, and you have no plan?” says. “Durak.” Uptowner, Foundation’s bamboo door My dad inhales again before he speaks, “That doesn’t prove much, except that and candlelit windows. A line of parked,

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What’s Happening at Riverworks by Ruth Weill WHAT ARE THE BOUNDARIES? t’s beginning to look and feel like spring, The Harambee NID includes residen- and it cannot come soon enough. We tial properties between Center Street & Imiss seeing our neighbors, walking our Capitol Drive and between Holton Street & dogs for more than five minutes, and get- I-43, EXCLUDING properties included in ting a dose of Vitamin D. either the Riverworks BID or the Historic King Drive BID. Riverworks Cleans furniture disposal NID funds are overseen and dispersed service: by a Board of Directors. These directors are As it gets warmer, many look to doing neighborhood residents and property own- some deep cleaning, removing old furni- ers who are elected at an annual meeting. ture, cleaning their attics, etc. Riverworks The Harambee Neighborhood Im- Cleans, a workforce development arm of provement District (HNID) Annual Meet- Riverworks Development Corporation, is ing is Saturday March 13th beginning at offering a new service. If you need help dis- 10am. It will stream on Facebook LIVE on posing of old furniture and other chunky Riverworks MKE page. items, please call John at 414-882-7424 or For more information about the Ha- email him at [email protected] . rambee Neighborhood Improvement District please visit https://www.river- Have questions about your finances? worksmke.org/harambee-nid or contact The pandemic has had a major impact Clarissa Morales at 414-882-7434 claris- on residents’ finances, and the Financial [email protected] Navigator program is here to help. River- works, in partnership with the City of Mil- Clean up the neighborhood. waukee, has a free, confidential, over-the- Look for pop-up clean ups as the phone program to help residents. To sign weather allows. If you want help coordi- up, please visit Milwaukee.gov/FN or call nating one, feel free to reach out ruthw@ 414-882-7440. riverworksmke.org or 414-882-7421.

The Harambee Neighborhood Im- The Riverwest Farmer’s Market provement District Planning has already begun for the WHAT IS A NID? Neighborhood Im- 2021 season. Looks for produce, flowers, provement Districts (NIDs) are quasi-gov- body products, bakery, eggs and meat, ernmental entities authorized by Wiscon- prepared food to go and so much more sin State Statue. NIDs assess a property tax as farmers and other vendors are getting to a limited geographical area to support ready. The market will be held at the same development and restoration within its location as last year, the 2700 block of N. boundaries. In the Harambee NID, this Pierce. It begins Sunday June 6th and runs 20 September 2005 They are all teenagers now. assessment is $50/residential unit per year. through Sunday October 31. The hours are The Harambee NID provides home re- 10-3pm. If you have questions, please email pair resources to homeowners within the [email protected] . As the season boundaries. gets closer, both the website riverwestmar- ket.com and the Facebook page will have updates: facebook.com/RiverwestMarket

March 26, 2018 Turtle Park

Clarke Street, Riverwest August 24, 2005 ~ photo by Peter DiAntoni

Photo taken August 24, 2005 in front of the Riverwest Co-op, by Peter DiAntoni

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32 December 2003 LETTERS TO THE CURRENTS 4 FREE! RNA NEWS 6 Help Us Keep Riverwest Currents Flowing BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 7 MAYORAL CANDIDATES’ VIEWS 11 Vol 1 Issue 1 February 2002 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 21-26

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 27-31 FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK rom the first tabloid issue in 2002, let Linneman’s, Sunrise Foods, Manyo Motors, FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK Vol 2 Issue 12 December 2003

me recognize: Sonja Jongsma Knauss, Pink House, Rauen Guitars, Invivo, Fish- SHOP LOCALLY Reservoir No See pages Longer Four first editor, Vince Bushell, still bergers. Outpost Natural Foods, Pueblo VINCE BUSHELL 15-17! Needed? here, Tess Reiss, advertisng sales and an all Foods and we hope to get them back some- By Sonya Jongsma Knauss and Vince Bushell Aerial photo of reservoir taken before the concrete cap was installed in the mid ’60s. The American Legion Star flower planting is visible on the east side around contributor, Jan Christensen, from day, Falcon Bowl. Thanks also to Art Bar, of the hill. North Avenue runs directly east of the Star and circles the reservoir as it runs west. When full, the reservoir holds 22 million gallons of water. While some Riverwest residents “This is a great opportunity f you had $9 million to What’s at stake: play with, how would may not know it, the big hill north for neighborhood residents and of North Avenue between Bremen for COA,” said Tom Schneider, • The future shape of the landmark hill: will the hill maintain the beginning and our second editor, Kevin Wonder Land, Corazon and Sunrise Foods. you restructure the res- and Booth streets houses the first Community Outing Association its present height and viewpoint? NEIGHBOR SPOTLIGHT Iervoir portion of Kilbourn reservoir (COA) executive • The path that North Avenue will take: will the curve be built in the “We remain director. He hopes modified or straightened? Park? Great Lakes the park will be That’s the jist of the ques- • The connection between the trails and paths along Flaherty, Ivan Gordon, Carl Hedman, Jay Great thanks to all the writers past and pres- region. The firm in our accessible to the tion Milwaukee Water Works reservoir has commitment growing number of Commerce Street and the top of the hill near North Avenue: superintendent Carrie Lewis helped meet children his organi- will it be bike-accessible? put to residents at the Riverwest the neighbor- to include zation cares for in its • The future caretaker of Kilbourn Park, to the north and Neighborhood Association (RNA) hood’s water community child care and after south of North Avenue: who will it be? Kirk, Ken Leinbach, Erik Petersen, Jim ent, all the illustrators, comic artists. I must meeting January 15. She was quick needs for over school programs. • The process: how much input will Riverwest residents have? to emphasize that Water Works a century. input” Schneider – Carrie Lewis, superintendent • The caretaker’s priorities: will care be determined by cost may not have control of the land Suggestions approves the Water Shelly and Andy, Riverwest stalwarts. of the Milwaukee Department of maintenance, functionality in relation to other assets long, doesn’t intend to spend the for the area Works’ decision to See page 5. of Water Works, about they hold, etc? Pokiak, Petre Reese, Tom Schneider, Tanya mention Tea Krulos who helped so much A young parishioner as Our Lady of Divine Providence (in blue) leads Polish dancers in the procession to St. Mary of Czestochowa full $9 million, and still needs to known as ask for resident input the shape of the reservoir hill complete a one-year trial to make Reservoir Park on what should be QZAP of Kilbourn Park sure the reservoir is no longer ranged from a done with the park. St. Casimir and St. Mary of Czestochowa needed. But the “what if…” hang- museum for “Reopening all of Kilbourn/Reservoir Park: A Transfiguration: ing in the air filled many residents the first Great Lakes-area reservoir, Reservoir Park can create a newly Cromartie-Twaddle, Patrick Weishampel, in the beginning and all of the Currents cur- with excitement. Brief History Become Our Lady of Divine Providence to a scenic waterfall area, to a “grav- accessible neighborhood green By Donna Schlieman ity playground” where children space, a spectacular city view… by Jeff Johnson / photos by Vince Bushell could use the hill in their play. a place continued on page 1 n May of 1998 I submitted undergoing development as part n the world of corporate business, mergers And yet on Sunday, November 23, the two ten years, was recommended by the churches’ Riverwest Community Ia document to Milwaukee’s of the Beerline B tax-incremental Maureen Kane, our first layout and design rent comics led by David Beyer. Past Editors and acquisitions are exercises in power, grand old churches of Riverwest, St. Mary of strategic planning committee, approved by Calendar of Events Historic Preservation commission district and where high-end con- wealth, and influence. But when a church Czestochowa and St. Casimir, celebrated their vote of the congregations and parish councils, Saludos a todos en éste primer numero de RIVERWEST CURRENTS. dos are being built. I See Page 11 En nuestra publicación mensual tendremos siempre un artículo de interés nominating Kilbourn/Reservoir merges it is most often, at least to secular perceived decline into a merged Our Lady of and finally ratified by Milwaukee Archbishop Riverwest Speaks Park as an historic site. It is Kilbourn/Reservoir Park meets eyes, a symptom of weakness: declining Divine Providence. The two Polish patrons Timothy Dolan. Whether the combined parish financiero cortesia de Pyramax Bank. En esta ocasión hablaremos de: three of the criteria for historic Diversity…The commitment to this LA BECA H.C.R.I. PARA LA CIUDAD DE MILWAUKEE known by its appearance to the membership, lowering financial stability, who stood watch over the neighborhood ultimately survives may well be a matter for Creating a web based archive to keep track designation. First is its identifica- person, Dan Knauss, web design and still Sonja, Jan, and Alice Waraxa. Thanks to of LGBT zines. See pages 12-13. ideal is evident in Riverwest... public – it sets up 40 feet in the more funerals than baptisms, shortage for over 100 years withdrew and cloaked divine providence, as weekly giving still falls More on Page 6 Esta BECA o “GRANT” se estableció como una 3.La propiedad que se va a air and is covered with earth, tion with a person who signifi- of pastoral and lay leadership, scandal, themselves under the mantle of the Puerto far below what is needed to meet a budget iniciativa para ayudar a las personas que por comprar debe estar dentro grass, and trees. North Avenue cantly contributed to the culture irrelevance to contemporary spiritual taste. Rican Our Lady of Guadalupe. for salaries, maintenance of buildings, and VENUE REVIEW de los límites de la Ciudad and development of the city of Gordon Park primera vez compran una casa en la Ciudad curves sharply around the reser- How can this be cause for celebration? This union of the parishes, brewing for over outreach programs. continued on page 13 de Milwaukee. La ayuda consiste en proveer de Milwaukee. voir to the south, and Kilbourn Milwaukee. Bryon Kilbourn was contributing from Canada. Early advertis- Kate Hawley for laying out so many issues Open House on Saturday, February un maximo de 2% para el engache o “down 4.Los compradores deben haber one of the three founders of our 16, at 1 pm… Park lies south of the curve. The a real difference between their strategies. payment” y los costos de cierre. recibido un certificado de city and Milwaukee’s third mayor. park ends at the bluff overlook- “Walker is consistently underestimating More on Page 8 El total de la beca depende del valor de educación de alguna de las continued on page ing Commerce Street, which is David Riemer to Challenge County expenses and overestimating revenues. This First-Time la casa y también del total de ingresos en la agencias de consejeria 1 is NOT an honest budget,” he says, referring familia del comprador. miembros de NOHIM. ers included Brewery Credit Union, and these last few years. Thanks to contributor HomeBuyer Executive Incumbent Scott Walker to the county budget passed last month. Get educated. You must take a Esta beca se otorga como un préstamo 5.Los compradores deben by Sonya Jongsma Knauss / photo by Tess Reiss Riemer should know. He worked as budget homebuyer’s counseling course given perdonable que se elimina después de 3 obtener un Certificado de Inspección de la casa, First director under Mayor John Norquist and was by one of the HCRI groups listed… años de residir en la propiedad. Class ounty parks filled with weeds, their Skyrocketing costs in county government due efectuado por un profesional. brought in last year by Governor Jim Doyle to Open mic at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, a Los requisitos son los siguientes: Mail bathrooms and bubblers closed and to phony budgets and uncontrolled health More on Page 9 still with us, Riverwest Co-op the same, Ter- and writer of a host of a favorite feature, continued on page 8 regular Wednesday night event. See page 21. deal with the biggest 1.El préstamo hipotecario 6.Después del cierre los buildings in disrepair. The bus system care spending. Vulnerable people unable to compradores no deben tener C debe ser tramitado por un City Loan Program Provides Money for down to just two routes, with rides at $5 apiece. get the services they need. mas de $1,500 en reservas banco perteneciente al grupo Owner-Occupied Home Rehabilitation That’s what David Riemer says will be the líquidas. – Ivan Gordon, Riverwest Currents NOHIM, siendo PYRAMAX Programa de Préstamos para end result if County Executive Scott Walker’s BANK uno de ellos. Pyramax Bank, 645-5626 apak Realty, Lakefront Brewery, still with Neighbor Spotlight, Ellen C . Warren. 733 East Clarke Street First Rehabilitación de Viviendas budget cuts play out over the next several 2.El ingreso familiar no debe ser Milwaukee, WI 53212 Class page 13 years. And that’s why Riemer resigned from Mail mayor del 80% del ingreso his job as budget director for Governor Jim promedio del Condado de A Tale of Two Schools page 3 Doyle to run for County Executive in 2004: Milwaukee. Poetry pages 6-7 us, County Parks Department, Uptowner, There are alot more to thank, but this is no “I couldn’t stand what this guy [Walker] was Kilbourn Park update page 4 doing to my hometown!” A resident of the Washington Heights neighborhood, Riemer is running on a FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK Vol 1 Issue 4 May 2002 MPS, Klingers East, Acme Art Gallery, all goodbye, this is hello to a new beginning strong platform of fiscal responsibility and government efficiency, issues to which Walker also pays plenty of lip service. But It‘s Unanimous: Develop supporters in our first issue. Riemer, a moderate Democrat, says there’s a Riverwest Bike Trail by Sonya Jongsma Knauss We plan on being around another twenty iverwest could soon be “authorize the application for “The Foundation’s priority is Rhome to a new section of and acceptance of a State acquiring this property, an aban- the Milwaukee County bike trail Transportation Enhancement doned railroad right-of-way, and The covers shown here are just 6 from system. (TE) grant for the construction of leading the fundraising efforts The Milwaukee County Board years but we need some help to get through Center Street Celebration 4 a new multi-use trail segment of to match the State (TE) grant at 24 — September 2002 of Supervisors’ Committee on the Oak Leaf Trail from East the local level.” She says that the Parks, Energy, and Environment North Avenue to East Locust bike trail, as part of the larger Neighbor Spotlight 5 and the Committee on Finance the first two years. There are 236 more. Street,” on the west bank of the Riverway Plan, will be realized and Audit voted unanimously to Milwaukee River. within the next two or three this year. Riverwest Artwalk 6 years if it receives state funding. El Rincón Latino 10 According to the resolution, in order to make the trail, the A great history of Riverwest and an archive Housing New 20-21 county must acquire additional Thanks for the help if you can! parcels of land from the former Riverwest Calendar 22-23 Chicago Milwaukee Corporation (CMC) railroad right of way, says I hope to expand online from my files. FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK Vol 1 Issue 8 September 2002 Vince Bushell, Planning Coordinator at the YMCA CDC – Riverwest. “This acquisition involves a Some longtime advertisers I would like to New Health Center land swap and an additional grant from the State of Wisconsin Vince Bushell and Lee Gutowski VINCE BUSHELL Proposed for Knowles Nelson Stewardship fund to buy the land. Everyone Humboldt and North A fisherman throws his line into the river near the North Avenue bridge. Supporters stake their claim to a square foot of is working hard to make this thank: Eagle Movers, Milwaukee Friends by Janice Christensen The proposed bike trail will pass near this point. the future bike trail. Neighborhood trail advocates happen.” Lee and I will give it our best! hailed the decision as a big, Bushell says he hopes to olumbia-St. Mary’s has proposed a positive step for the Riverwest garner letters of support for the Cnew Family Health Center (FHC) for community. trail from as many residents and Meeting, Our Lady of Divine Providence, the vacant portion of the Jewel-Osco com- Jewel Osco Liquor License “We’ve been advocating for groups as possible. Anyone who plex on the southeast corner of Humboldt years to preserve the river valley wishes to lend support to the and North Ave. along the Milwaukee River south project contact Vince Bushell at A project description was presented to Decision Postponed of Gordon Park and to create a the YMCA CDC and or Kimberly the Riverwest Neighborhood Association biketrail along this corridor,” said Gleffe at RRF. Downtown Autobody, KWK Electric, by Sonya Jongsma Knauss (RNA) at their August 20 meeting by Kimberly Gleffe, executive direc- Paul Westrick, Columbia-St. Mary’s Vice he decision on whether to be a good neighbor and avoid bitter taste in their mouths. tor of the River Revitalization President for Strategic Planning. The pro- Foundation (RRF). Tgrant a liquor license to the selling certain products if it does One person called the RNA posed Center will occupy the entire vacant Jewel Osco on E. Capitol Drive receive a liquor license. The RNA meeting “disheartening” and space of about 21,000 square feet. It will has been postponed after regularly sends out agendas for said it felt like antagonistic and be a family practice clinic, and will also several meetings last month its meetings in an effort to make disrespectful comments were Check out our GoFundMe site. Visit RiverwestCurrents.org or our provide educational training for family where neighborhood residents neighbors aware of issues that directed toward individuals who expressed disapproval. are being discussed. had been working hard to practice residents and students. Because of increased interest The RNA, which is open to all achieve what they thought was continued on page 19 in the issue, a neighborhood neighborhood residents, best for Riverwest. meeting has been called for May reached consensus and Other neighbors expressed Riverwest Currents Benefit 7, 7 p.m., at the Gordon Park approved the covenant two concern that they had not been Facebook site. Just click on the link button to get to GoFundMe Saturday, September 21 Pavilion. This is where residents months ago. Among other adequately notified of the issue will have a chance to make their provisions, the covenant asks and had been left out of the Support your community newspaper. opinions known. the large grocery chain to sell decision-making process. See ad on page 9. At the Utilities and Licensing local products such as Bella Luna The issue will be decided in a The prairie garden in Garden Park was in full bloom by 2000. Committee meeting on May 21, pasta and Lakefront Brewery Common Council vote on June on the Currents Website. New Gas Station Planned even though it is a public meet- beer. 4. The meeting will be open to More than $3,000 was raised for the trail fund at a Lakefront Brewery Earth Day event. ing, testimony will only be taken The covenant was signed by the public as are all Council Owners of the gas station at Holton and from Ald. D’Amato and Jewel co-chairs of the RNA and repre- meetings; however, the public is Burliegh have announced plans to build a Riverwest Currents Osco. After that meeting, alder- new structure. See page 19 for the story, sentatives of Jewel Osco. Later, not allowed to speak. Anyone 604 E. Center St. Rebirth and New Use men will make24 — theirAugust at 2002 the licensing meeting down- wanting to influence the Milwaukee, WI 53212 Neighbor Spotlight 5 and information on a neighborhood meet- recommendation to the 12 — January 2003 town, many neighbors showed outcome of this meeting is www.riverwestcurrents.org January 2003 — 13 24 — October 2002 Letters to the Currents 4 ing to view plans and give feedback. Common Council. up to weigh in against the encouraged to attend the May 7 Back to School 6-7 The Riverwest Neighborhood proposed liquor license for the meeting at the Gordon Park Neighbor Spotlight 5 Follow Failure and Abuse Association (RNA) crafted a grocery store. Pavilion. Center Street is Open! 8-9 From Left: Hot Spot - Onopa, Tall Guy - Center Street Celebration, PART 1 OF THIS TWO-PART SERIES FOCUSES ON THE HISTORY OF GARDEN newspaper published by East Side Housing covenant, neither approving nor School Days - Fratney Kids, Splash Pad -Gordon Park, Tumbler - 4th of July Contest, Neighborhood Commerce 7

A subsequent RNA meeting VINCE BUSHELL Stage Show -Gordon Park 4th of July Celebration - Ajula Dance Troupe Action Coalition (ESHAC), reported that disapproving of the liquor also turned out a large crowd One Drum - Gordon Park Pops Concert, Grrl Rocker - Center Street Celebration, Neighborhood Commerce 11 PARK. NEXT MONTH’S INSTALLMENT WILL ADDRESS THE PARK’S FUTURE. Sunday Music - Garden Park, Flowers and Fruit - Gardeners’ Market, No War - Peace Action Block Busters - Riverwest Artwalk 8-9 the latest, and it turned out to be the last, license, but asking Jewel Osco to and left some neighbors with a Brewzerkus, Background - Locust Street Festival Crowd by Vince Bushell Housing News: Mixed Use Grants 20 proposal for the Pulaski building was on Housing News 20 he Pulaski building (821 thru 833 E. they opted out and forgave the mortgage. the table, with construction expected to Riverwest Calendar 22-23 begin in August of 1992. This proposal Community Calendar 22-23 TLocust Street) used to fill the 10,800 One can surmise that M&I thought fore- square foot lot that is now Garden Park. closure on the building was not going to be was for a live-work space housing develop- FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK Vol 1 Issue 7 A u g u s t 2 0 0 2 The “vacant” lot on the corner of Bremen a profitable move. ment targeted toward low-income artists. FREE! THE COMMUNITY VOICE OF MILWAUKEE’S LEFT BANK Vol 1 Issue 9 October 2002 and Locust Streets is the home of a com- The earliest tax record I could find (1989) ESHAC, Riverwest Artists Association, munity garden and Gardener’s Market, indicates the owner of the building to be RCDC and the Riverwest Merchants the Sunday farmers’ market that fills the the Riverwest Community Development Association were listed along with Bowles lot with people, produce, crafts, and music Corporation (RCDC), whose address was as participating groups in the July ‘92 East VINCE BUSHELL El Rincón Latino Riverwest Parishes Vote to Merge to every summer Sunday. What happened in the Pulaski Building at the time. The Side News. I was president of ESHAC’s una nueva pagina bilingue to the building and how did it turn into a city property taxes on the building in 1989 board at the time, and wrote in the same SAVED BY THE LIGHT. “Art is therapy...come sobre nosotros, nuestra community park? were $4,334. The building became vacant continued on page 8 in, relax, enjoy...” page 13. gente, y los temas de interes Maintain a Neighborhood Presence The Pulaski building originally housed and the tax bill dropped to $1,457 in 1993, The Riverwest Currents is a labor of love for the many by Jeff Johnson a movie theater and other businesses that indicating a significant drop in value for volunteers who “make it happen.” A special thanks to the pho- para nuestra comunidad. tographers: Tess Reiss, Peter Di Antoni, Vince Bushell, Tim served the mostly Polish community when the property. Riverwest Currents Lambrecht and Doug Brueckner. or more than 100 years Riverwest has their spiritual and community programs. parishes independently, was acknowledged 733 East Clarke Street First Busquenlo en la página 7. swirled around two spiritual pillars: Five years ago, after a pastoral visit by then as unviable, leading ultimately to the disso- it was built. An IGA food store occupied In 1991 the property owner is listed as F most of the first floor space in the 1960s. BDG 1 Limited Partnership. BDG 1 was Milwaukee, WI 53212 Class one, St. Casimir, overlooks Bremen and Archbishop Rembert Weakland, the parish lution of both congregations. The second, Mail ClarkeClarke S Streets,treets, a andnd councilscouncils o off t thehe t twowo and most painful option, to close one of the When this store closed the Gordon Park a development partnership with Bowles Residents Show Up the other, St. Mary congregationscongregations werewere two sites and sell its building, received a PART 2 of the Currents’ Food Co-op took over the space in 1974 Development Group. RCDC tried for sev- of Czestochowa, is at united.united. EarlyEarly thisthis year,year, sizeable number of votes, but was rejected. and ran the store until 1987 when the Co- eral years to develop rehabilitation plans for Series on Garden Park op ran into management and debt problems the building and had formed an association In Force to Oppose City Burleigh and Fratney. recognizingrecognizing tthathat thethe fi -- The fi nal option, to combine the two wor- What’s in store for this green space that forced the it to close. The closing of with Bowles to implement the plans. City Plan to Use Neighborhood Their very names nancialnancial ssituationituation ooff tthehe shipping communities while maintaining on Bremen and Locust? See page 15. proclaim the neighbor- parishesparishes wwasas reachingreaching both church structures, received the most the Gordon Park Co-op was a blow to the grant money was available for the planning Block Grant Money to hood’s working class a crisis, Father Jerry votes. community. Losing the Co-op began a stages of this project. It is sad to note that Balance Its Budget Polish heritage. But Hessel called for the downward spiral for the building and the an early plan ended with angry community in a meeting in late creation of a strategic “We are reuniting our community that ended in the demolition of meetings. Some accused residents who The Riverwest Currents and many the building. were opposed to low-income housing in neighborhood organizations that stand July, the joint parish planning committee Every Sunday council voted unani- to examine the op- roots so that we can grow M&I bank held a mortgage on the build- the building of having racist attitudes. to lose funding have an interest in this ing, but as the retail situation deteriorated The July, 1992 East Side News, the from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. debate. Final budget hearings were slated mously to accept the tions. in a different way.” June to October for Tuesday, July 30, at City Hall, as the recommendation of Under the guid- Currents was going to press. Please see a strategic planning ance of staff from An action plan emerged from the stra- committee to merge. the archdiocesan tegic planning committee that focused on Cream City Mentors article on page 4 for more details. A new non-profit reaches out to Final action on the offi ce, Hessel and the need for community outreach and a neighborhood youth ages 12 to 17. vote depends on the the committee held renewed commitment to working closely A pedestrian bridge may someday link the east and west banks of the Milwaukee River at Caesar’s Park and the Humboldt Yards. The bridge would sit atop the See page 6. remains of the North Avenue dam. What would you like to new Milwaukee a series of town hall with the Riverwest neighborhood. see in the Currents? Archbishop Timothy gatherings for the “We will be pooling our efforts and Dolan and his staff, parishes to assess people in such a way that there is more Take part in our first Reader’s Survey but the parish anticipates that he will agree the future. The meetings were well at- ministry for the combined effort,” said The River’s Bend: Mandel’s Housing on page 14 and you could be eligible to with the decision. tended and demonstrated the passion that Hessel. “Although the disappearance of the win a free one-year subscription. Talk of combining or closing the par- parishioners have for these churches. After parish names might be diffi cult for some ishes began in the late 1980’s as declining church members prioritized their concerns people, the parishes will transcend these Development Plan for Humboldt Yards membership and dwindling fi nancial and hopes, they received a preference card limitations and contribute to the building by Vince Bushell resources caused the parishes to struggle in in the mail that offered them three options. of the Kingdom of God.” sat on the edge of one of the remaining proposed with different site treatment planned up and down the river on the west maintaining their landmark buildings and The fi rst option, to maintain the two continued on page 17 piers of the North Avenue dam and below and above the dam. bank. The bridge would be built with city Brewzerkus I Check out Riverwest’s own unique watched the water rushListen below and through Followingto theRiverwest westward curve down- dollars derived Radio from the Tax Incremental --Your Neighborhood RadioActive Station, FM 104.1 Circus troupe. See page 12. the gap. Sea gulls squawked above me as stream of the dam, six separate buildings Finance (TIF) district that includes the Eighteenth Annual Artwalk: ARTWALK fishermen lazily cast their lines into the entire Commerce Street Beer Line devel- A Community Celebrating the Creative Spirit DATE: October 5 and 6, 2002 river from Caesar’s Park on the east bank. opment area. TIF dollars come from the The entire development by Riverwest Artist Association Looking upstream, in the foreground of property taxes on the developments and are TIME: Walking tour 11 AM – 5 PM the graceful arches of the North Avenue goes by the name of dedicated to paying off infrastructure costs ach year at the height of the fall sea- Come and enjoy this diverse group of October 5 Creative Push Cart Race 10 AM Bridge, I see the river drops in elevation RiverCrest, which at least of the development. Eson, members of the Riverwest Artists visual and performing artists. Tickets, PLACE: Riverwest Neighborhood and a small rapids throws the water up into Meetings with residents and city Association put down their rakes and open which include a detailed map of Artwalk TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR ARTWALK AT: white froth. I notice a tall dark solitary fig- rhymes with Riverwest. and county officials have been held to their homes, studios, and galleries for one sites, are $3 for adults, $2 for students and Riverwest Art Works ure against the tall grass on the bank near discuss this bridge project. The River of the fi nest walking art tours in the Great seniors. 2670 North Holton St. the rapids. Without perceptible movement have been planned comprising a total of Revitalization Foundation (RRF) had Lakes Region. Preview what’s in store for you at the All Beginning Dreams Forever the figure has moved into the water by the 40 units. Plazas will separate the buildings planned a bridge designed by Santiago More than 100 working artists encom- Members Exhibition and Silent Auction at 833 East Burleigh St. Eat or be Eaten rapids. A Great Blue Heron has chosen to and allow for garage access at the top of the Calatrava for an area near the dam, but it To find out more about this form passing all mediums will exhibit their Riverwest Art Works. And don’t miss Riverwest Food Co-op Feeding time at the Urban Ecology fish here, as well. bluff. Garage access for some of the units continued on page 4 of currency, see page 15. work at more than 30 locations throughout the asphalt-crunching action happening 733 East Clarke St. Center. See page 16. This is the river below Humboldt Yards. will be along Riverboat Road at the bottom the Riverwest neighborhood. continued on page 8 A housing development is being proposed of the bluff. The buildings will be built into for the nearby bluff and slopes of the the bluff and have river views. These units Riverwest Currents Humboldt Yards. will be adjacent to and above the existing 733 East Clarke Street First Riverwest Currents First When Mandel Group bought the semi homes and Melenec’s Wheelhouse along Milwaukee, WI 53212 Class 733 East Clarke Street Milwaukee, WI 53212 Class circle of grass and hill that is riverward Riverboat Road. Selling prices are expected Mail Mail of the extension of Commerce Street that to be between $300,000 and $400,000. curves through Humboldt Yards (originally The entire development goes by the a railroad yard) over a year ago from Jewel- name of RiverCrest, which at least rhymes Osco (JO), the land was already zoned for with Riverwest. residential development. JO’s original plan At the dam, Monnat says they plan on called for the building of 96 multi-family a green space and public access up and housing units on the land. down the slope probably via stairs. An Bob Monnat, representing the Mandel interesting addition to this site plan is Group, says the group’s development plan the possible link to a pedestrian bridge substantially reduces the number of units over the dam connecting Caesar’s Park, proposed. Sixty-five condominiums are a Milwaukee County Park, to the trails