Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Mayor Barrett’s Home Gr/own initiative to expand Fondy Market

Posted by Lee Matz | Feb 13, 2017 |

“HOME GR/OWN converts Northside vacant lots into healthy green spaces for neighborhoods, which drive economic development, job creation, increases the quality of life, and we are proud to say that since we started in 2014 we have worked on 30 site so far.” – Tim McCollow, HOME GR/OWN Project Manager Mayor Tom Barrett announced his vision and construction details for a new green space, during a press conference seeking public input on the plans that was held on February 8 at the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. The lot had been vacant and blighted for decades, and in...

Photo Essay: Milwaukee Gathers in Unity for Human Dignity

Posted by Lee Matz | Feb 10, 2017 |

On February 7, concerned members of the Milwaukee public attended an event organized by the Unity for Human Dignity Coalition (U4HD), where advocacy, community organizations, elected officials, and local citizens showed their support for immigrants.

From ‘on location’ to public ‘screening’ with “Around the Corner”

Posted by Lee Matz | Feb 2, 2017 |

The preview party for the Whitefish Bay episode of “Around the Corner with John McGivern” was held in a packed auditorium at the Whitefish Bay High School on January 24. The highly rated Milwaukee PBS series began filming its sixth season in the spring of 2016. The Milwaukee Independent spent a full day traveling with the crew of “Around the Corner with John McGivern” on June 9, while filming the Whitefish Bay episode. The Milwaukee PBS program has a staff of 14 who work full-time to produce each show. In the series, Emmy Award-winning actor John McGivern explores what...

Photo Essay: ZIP MKE Exhibit

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 31, 2017 |

ZIP MKE, which has collected almost 900 photographs of all 28 zip codes in Milwaukee since the end of September 2016, presented an exhibition of selected images their online gallery at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Central Branch. The kick-off celebration featured guest speakers, food, jazz, feature photographers, and neighborly conversation. The mission of ZIP MKE has been to break down the geographical and social barriers that divide us in the city of Milwaukee, by helping us to see each other and the places we inhabit. This formal exhibit was the first public step in that effort. As the online...

Photo Essay: Grace Weber’s Music Lab

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 30, 2017 |

“The most amazing thing to feel as a young person, is to be noticed and to be recognized for who you authentically are.” – Grace Weber Beginning March 31, the Music Lab will hold once a month sessions at the performing space of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. The curriculum will consist of educational modules, focused on the creation, performance, technical, legal, and business aspects of the music industry. The partnership between 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, Big Mouth Records, and creative artist Grace Weber will serve as a talent incubator for Milwaukee area high school youth. An additional goal of the music...

Dr. Steven Moffic: How climate change impacts viоIеncе in Milwaukee

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 27, 2017 |

The “First 100 Hours Vigil” kicked off at City Hall on January 19 with leaders from Milwaukee’s interfaith and environmental communities. The day before the Inauguration of President-Elect Trump, and concurrent with sixty similar vigils across the nation, Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light (WIPL) launched a statewide effort for its environmental awareness campaign. The “First 100 Hours” gathering in Milwaukee sought to raise a moral voice about protecting natural resources and reverse the damage from global warming. “For those of us who grew up in Milwaukee in the 1950s and 1960s, a winter like this year was not what...