Staff, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Memorials with ghost shoes highlight escalating pedestrian fatalities during Walktober

Posted by Staff | Oct 3, 2017 |

In response to an epidemic of pedestrian fatalities not seen in five decades, Share & Be Aware declared the month of October as Walktober. The organization is taking to the streets with a month of pedestrian safety activities and events. The initiative attended the final mile of the annual “100 Miles in 100 Days with Mayor Barrett,” which included a message of awareness and warning for pedestrian safety. Walktober is kicking off with Remember Pedestrians, where a crosswalk action and a memorial for each of the 17 pedestrians sIain in Milwaukee will be erected at the intersection where they...

Senator Chris Murphy: Congress more afraid of NRA benefactors than gun epidemic

Posted by Staff | Oct 3, 2017 |

On the same day as the worst mаss shооting in modern American history, the GOP still plans to vote on NRA-backed legislation that eases gun restrictions. Mаss shооtings and acts of domestic terrorism are becoming so common in America that it seems like the news media need only recycle headlines and just substitute the current location. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) released a statement on October 2 in response to the shooting in Las Vegas, which left more than 50 people dead and hundreds injured. “My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the first responders, and the...

Boys & Girls Clubs receives $300K gift to continue services at Daniels-Mardak location

Posted by Staff | Oct 2, 2017 |

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) announced it received a $300,000 gift from longtime donors Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg that will allow it to continue serving the community at the Daniels-Mardak Boys & Girls Club at 4834 N. 35th Street. The services start October 2 for members enrolled in childcare through Wisconsin Shares, and October 9 for all Club members. In the meantime, BGCGM is taking advantage of this time to make improvements to the Club, including remodeling three rooms: the games room, the teen center, and the room used by the 4-6 year olds (“mini-pals”)...

Two powerful music videos reflect black and white views on racism

Posted by Staff | Oct 1, 2017 |

“Home of the brave, built on the back of a slave.” – Nick Cannon During the 1960s, music spoke for a generation who were unable to articulate their feelings during one of America’s most turbulent eras. Since then, songs have become anthems for social issues over each decade and population demographic. Since the 1990s, Rap music was the mass expression of the African American frustration with the effects of social injustice. The lyrics, like any form of art, spoke to people differently while connecting a theme that could be shared equally. Two videos are currently circulating around social media...

An evening with John Gurda: Smokestacks on the Lakefront

Posted by Staff | Sep 29, 2017 |

88Nine Radio Milwaukee recently hosted a fundraising event for the Bay View Community Center, with writer and historian John Gurda as speaker. The Bay View Community Center presented an evening with beloved Milwaukee historian John Gurda, for his talk “Smokestacks on the Lakefront: The History of Milwaukee’s South Shore.” Proceeds from ticket sales and the raffle went to supporting the Center’s many community programs, such as classes for children, activities for seniors, family events, health enrichment programs for adults, and the Emergency Food and Infant Formula Pantry, which are all in critical need of additional funding. All the outreach...

Mayor Tom Barrett presents difficult cuts in proposal for 2018 city budget

Posted by Staff | Sep 27, 2017 |

Speaking before the Milwaukee Common Council on September 26, Mayor Barrett expressed his disappointment that the budget he introduced was not the budget he had been hoping to introduce. As a result of the city’s budget gap, his proposal makes some tough cuts to public services. In order to give a full and accurate accounting of his remarks, the Mayor’s Executive Budget Address is published here as it was prepared, without summary or comment. | The City of Milwaukee is strong. You know it and I know it. In every one of your districts and all around the city,...