MILWAUKEE, Wis. — I came to the Hunger Task Force, where a unique nutrition program is transforming lives by teaching parents, students, and the public how to eat healthily on a budget. I spoke with a staff member and a student to learn how the program is enriching the community.

The room buzzed with energy as children and staff worked together to prepare nutritious meals. Among them was Akari Salaam, a fourth-grader whose excitement about the program was contagious.

“It was so much fun!” Akari exclaimed with a bright smile.

While she may not be a professional chef just yet, Akari’s enthusiasm for cooking and her love for vegetables shine through.

“I like tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, carrots… almost everything!” she shared.

Akari and her classmates from Horace Mann Elementary visited the Hunger Task Force to participate in its Nutrition Education Program, which blends hands-on learning with practical life skills. On this particular day, the students made pizzas from scratch.

Watch: How kids are learning to cook healthy on a budget in Milwaukee

How kids are learning to cook healthy on a budget in Milwaukee

“The kids are making pizzas today,” said Ms. Pochmara, a teacher at Horace Mann Elementary. “They actually got to cut up all the ingredients themselves and assemble the pizzas.”

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Akari proudly showed off her creation. “I made a heart with pepperoni,” she said, beaming.

This interactive program empowers students to master healthy eating habits while staying budget-conscious.

“Through our Garden to Plate Program, this is funded so our kids get this great experience,” said Carmen Baldwin, the Community Nutrition Manager.

“They’re able to come in, cook, and receive free materials and education.”

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For educators like Ms. Pochmara, the benefits of this program go far beyond the classroom. “It’s such a meaningful way to engage the kids. It’s real life. They’re learning things they can use outside of school,” she said.

The program focuses on teaching fundamental skills like cutting, baking, and spreading, which Baldwin believes will serve students well into the future.

“Stuff can be surprising, but things can be delicious and nutritious,” Akari added, her eyes lighting with confidence.

Beyond the hands-on experience, the program addresses critical community needs.

“Throughout Wisconsin, there are a lot of food deserts, and sometimes healthy choices are limited,” Baldwin explained. “When you give people the resources to say, ‘Hey, we can go here and also get healthy food,’ they can make better choices for themselves.”

Ms. Pochmara emphasized how opportunities like these inspire students. “We have the things we have to do in our classroom, required by the state, but when they have the opportunity to get out and learn, it just sparks them,” she said.

As the day wrapped up, Akari’s joy was evident. “So much fun. I hope we do this again,” she said with a hopeful smile.

This hands-on program is not just about cooking; it’s about equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge to make healthy, budget-friendly choices, building a stronger and healthier community in the process. For more information, visit the Hunger Task Force website at www.hungertaskforce.org.

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An “MKE icon.” “A Milwaukee staple.” “After you close Wolski’s, go here.”

All of these are Google reviews for The Minnow.

No, it’s not a new restaurant or bar. It’s the 33-foot Chris-Craft Roamer boat that’s been stranded between Milwaukee’s McKinley Marina and Bradford Beach for over two months now. The boat, actually named Deep Thought, now has a virtual marker on Google Maps under a new moniker — The Minnow.

Deep Thought ran aground just behind the rock wall near MooSa’s restaurant on Oct. 13 when the boat’s owners ran out of gas. No one was injured in the incident.

U.S. Coast Guard officials said they didn’t immediately move the vessel since no human lives were in danger and it isn’t blocking any federal waterways. The Coast Guard has also determined that the boat doesn’t pose a threat of pollution, floating away or other danger.

The Coast Guard has repeatedly said that it’s working with a commercial towing and salvage company to remove the boat, though the vessel’s owners are responsible for hiring and paying the salvage company.

On Thursday, Coast Guard Lt. (j.g.) Santiago Tamburini told the Journal Sentinel that officials are focused on removing the boat “as soon as possible,” before ice delays removal further.

“We’re still working to make sure it gets removed long before we settle into winter,” he said. “Fortunately, there’s no ice yet. … We’re trying to see if the owners and the salvage company can try to figure out an agreement in which they’re both happy with the course of action.”

Because the boat doesn’t pose danger or a navigation hazard, Tamburini said the Coast Guard has limited knowledge of the negotiations between the owner and the salvage company.

“We keep monitoring it so that it doesn’t become a hazard …,” he said. “We’re looking for a secondary option in case they can’t come to an agreement.”

Tamburini said the Coast Guard is in the “exploration phase” of looking for another agency to remove the vessel.

“We’ll be looking into other options, possibly with partner agencies like NOAA,” he said. “But, in the meantime, the salvage company is still working with the owner to figure out how soon they can get it out of there.”

Initially, officials said they hoped to have the boat removed by Oct. 20. However, the Coast Guard said weather, including high winds and waves, has repeatedly delayed removal. In November, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Joe Neff said a crane may be needed to remove the boat since it’s lodged “so far down” in the sand.

In the nearly 10 weeks since it was abandoned, Deep Thought has become somewhat of a Milwaukee phenomenon.

Early on, passersby traversed the jagged rock wall between the sidewalk and the vessel to get photos and a closer look. The boat, visible to drivers and pedestrians traveling north along Lincoln Memorial Drive, became the subject of multiple social media posts in the private East Side Neighborhood-Milwaukee Facebook group.

After a few weeks, someone stuck an “I Closed Wolski’s” sticker from the iconic Milwaukee tavern on the boat’s side. A social media user held what looked to be a one-man rave on board. Now, the Milwaukee Record even sells T-shirts featuring the boat.

With winter weather in full swing, the boat might not be here forever. But for now, feel free to enjoy the fun while it lasts.

As Google reviews Local Guide Chris Merkel puts it, “This is absolutely everything you expect from a beached boat. Boat. Water. Beach. Sometimes fish.”

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A leadership change is underway at the embattled Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM).

On Thursday, HACM announced the appointment of an interim secretary-executive director and the resignation of its deputy director, who has been with the organization since 2009.

Kenneth Barbeau will serve as the interim secretary-executive director, effective Jan. 2, 2025, HACM announced in an emailed press release late Thursday night, Dec. 19.

The secretary-executive director is responsible for HACM’s operations and reports to the Board of Commissioners.

What to know about Kenneth Barbeau:

• Barbeau has been with HACM since 1999, serving most recently as the chief operating officer of program services.
• In his current role, he oversees a broad portfolio of public housing resident services, including programs focused on employment, education, healthcare, senior and disabled services, financial literacy, and more, according to HACM’s website.
• He also provides oversight for HACM’s Section 8 program and public safety department.

The release also highlighted the resignation of Deputy Director Fernando Aniban, effective Feb. 21, 2024.

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee

Aniban had previously served as the Chief Financial Officer since October 2009, where he led the strategic management process for the agency and “implemented policies, systems, and procedures that strengthened internal controls and ensured accurate and timely financial reporting,” according to HACM’s website.He was later named Assistant Secretary- Deputy Director in May 2022.

The announcement of Aniban’s resignation follows a federal reviewof HACM, made public on Dec. 11. The report stated that HACM is not providing high-quality public housing, inaccurately reporting financial information, and may not be in compliance with federal and state regulations.

The review also stated the agency submitted “material misstatements,” including a variance of more than $2 million in an unreconciled account.

HACM has not provided a reason for Aniban’s resignation.

The announcements also came just two weeks after current Executive Director Willie Hines, who has faced scrutiny, announced he would step down at the end of this year. His resignation will be effective Jan. 1, 2025. Hines is set to receive $11,000/month for the rest of his life.

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But will a transition in leadership result in meaningful improvements for those HACM serves? For two years, people living in Milwaukee’s public housing have been vocal about deplorable living conditions in properties citywide.

Those conditions include infestations of rats and cockroaches, reports of black mold, bed bugs, intrusions, and inadequate heating in some apartments, forcing some residents to rely on space heaters or use their ovens for warmth. For the last year and a half, TMJ4’s Jenna Rae has been reporting extensively on these issues.

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The announcement of leadership changes also comes the same week TMJ4’s Jenna Rae reported on emails obtained by the station showing that Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s team has been facilitating media responses for HACM. This comes amid Rae’s continued investigations into HACM residents’ living conditions, the agency’s practices, and the transparency of the city’s leadership.

WATCH: INVESTIGATION: Mayor’s office involvement in Housing Authority leadership

INVESTIGATION: Mayor’s office involvement in Housing Authority leadership

Meanwhile, HACM’s new board members echoed their previous statements committing to provide greater transparency.

“As commissioners, we are steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, affordable housing and enhancing the quality of life for our residents across the City of Milwaukee,” said Charlotte Hayslett, Chair of the HACM Board of Commissioners in the emailed press release Thursday. “That includes ensuring a smooth transition of leadership as we search for a new Secretary-Executive Director.”

Whether the changes in leadership will result in meaningful improvements for residents in 2025 remains to be seen.

TMJ4 News is committed to elevating the voices of those living in public housing. Email Jenna.Rae@tmj4.com.

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