Author: Staff

“The Great American Read,” hosted by television personality and journalist Meredith Vieira, recently premiered its initial two-hour episode, introducing viewers to the full list of America’s 100 favorite novels. The eight-part PBS television series was designed to engage audiences to read and share their personal connections from a list of 100 diverse books. The collection was selected through a demographically representative national survey conducted by YouGov. “There is perhaps no greater experience than discovering a novel that takes hold of you, works itself into your heart and your mind, changes the way you think or takes you into another...

The seventh annual Heal the Hood block party was held next to Clinton Rose Park in the Harambee neighborhood of Milwaukee on May 26, attracting hundreds of area residents to the community gathering and resource fair. Founded by Ajamou Butler, Heal the Hood MKE holds several outreach campaigns around the city each year. The 2017 block parties served more than 3,200 people. Each event presents a variety of vendors with free food, live entertainment, and an activity area for children. “Heal the Hood is a campaign that strives to promote self-sustainability and non-violence. The block party and resource fair...

Workers and shoppers have a new option for traveling to the recently-opened IKEA store in Oak Creek, riding on the bus. Starting June 3, the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) PurpleLine (27th Street) will begin seven day a week service to IKEA, with an extension to Drexel Avenue and Ikea Way. The new service to IKEA was part of the 2018 Milwaukee County Budget that was approved by County Executive Chris Abele and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. “Providing transit service to IKEA opens up access to jobs and shopping opportunities across the county,” said County Executive Abele....

Summerfest will be implementing enhancements to its security measures, in line with other major venues and stadiums around the country, for the safety of all visitors. The most significant change is the prohibition of backpacks of any size on the festival grounds. The tighter policies will be enforced at Summerfest 2018. The restrictions include: All visitors and employees will enter the festival through metal detection and should be prepared to comply with other security screening requirements. All bags will be searched upon entering. NO BACKPACKS OF ANY SIZE ARE ALLOWED INSIDE HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK. NO LARGE BAGS OVER...

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee County Zoo announced a capital campaign to the public on May 24, as part of a plan to help reimagine the Zoo over the next quarter century. The first phase of the Window to the Wild campaign will support the new Adventure Africa. The project will transform 25% of the developed footprint of the Zoo, representing the largest physical change to the Zoo since its move to this location in 1961. Adventure Africa will create new homes for the elephants, African hoofstock, rhinos, and includes a new hippo exhibit with underwater...