Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee comes together at 10th annual Heal the Hood block party

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2022

Milwaukee comes together at 10th annual Heal the Hood block party

Keondra Sanford walked all the way down to a block social gathering Saturday, one she had by no means attended earlier than.

She weaved by way of the group together with her youngsters, ages 8, 6 and three, who eagerly checked out the giveaways: crayons, bilingual books, stickers, sun shades and extra.

Sanford chatted with staffers from town Well being Division and discovered extra about free COVID testing.

“It has been nice,” she stated of the occasion. “It is good that they are popping out into the group and doing one thing totally different.”

Now in its tenth 12 months, Heal the Hood promotes peace and positivity. It is half block social gathering, half useful resource truthful, and it goes the place folks want it. The annual occasion took place amid a continued rise in lethal violence throughout town this 12 months.

Heal the Hood founder Ajamou Butler stated the hassle has lasted for therefore lengthy due to grassroots assist.

“We could not do it simply off our personal drive to do it,” Butler stated. “If it is not supported by the group, by the hood, by the folks, it is not going to occur.”

Prior to now 10 years, different teams and nonprofits have began and stopped, for numerous causes, however Heal the Hood stays.

“I am honored that God and the group has chosen Heal the Hood to say we wish to deliver that again, we wish to assist that, we wish to pour into that,” he stated.

Metropolis and county management additionally assist Butler’s work. The occasion has had sturdy backing from Ald. Milele Coggs. Though the placement adjustments every year, it all the time is within the sixth aldermanic district, which Coggs represents.

This 12 months, it came about on Wright Avenue, between North 1st Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Milwaukee County Government David Crowley, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman stopped in Saturday, whereas staffers with a number of authorities companies sat at tables providing the whole lot from gun locks to toothbrushes.

“It is necessary for us to be part of this, to point out up,” Norman stated. “We can’t discuss engagement if we’re not exhibiting it.”

And it may assist decrease crime, too.

A report 4 years in the past examined the blocks surrounding the place Heal the Hood came about. It discovered a drop in violent crime the week after the occasion, in contrast with the week earlier than the occasion, stated Jessica Butler, undertaking supervisor for 414LIFE, a violence interruption program.

The discovering was not stunning to Butler, who has helped plan Heal the Hood for eight years. She shouldn’t be associated to Ajamou Butler.

“All of it works collectively,” she stated. “People get assets, they get to be in group, they get to know what it feels wish to really feel protected.”

Heal the Hood one among many anti-violence efforts over vacation weekend

Heal the Hood was one among a number of group occasions deliberate for the vacation weekend, thought of the kickoff to summer time and a time when gun violence sometimes rises.

As of Wednesday, 85 homicides had been reported in Milwaukee, a roughly 42% enhance from the identical time final 12 months when there have been 60, police information confirmed. The violence has continued since then with two extra homicides reported in a single day Friday.

“This weekend specifically is a full-court press for public engagement round connecting households with assets and connecting with younger individuals who are at highest threat in addition to adults who’re in danger,” stated David Muhammad, deputy director for the Milwaukee County Division of Well being and Human Companies.

The county’s Credible Messenger effort — a collective of nonprofit companies and others who’re mentoring younger folks — shall be current in neighborhoods recognized by town’s Workplace of Violence Prevention, Muhammad stated.

The aim is to have 50 messengers on the bottom all through the weekend, he stated. Their job is to offer out anti-violence assets and join with native households about upcoming alternatives, like studying how one can de-escalate conflicts. A number of had been doing that at Heal the Hood, the place Muhammad served because the occasion’s co-host.

“Giving someone pamphlet is one factor, connecting somebody is one other,” Muhammad stated.

He gave a latest instance: A younger individual beneath county supervision had been a part of an ongoing battle between two teams. The teenager’s dwelling was shot up two weeks in the past and several other of his kinfolk, together with his mom, had been injured and brought to a hospital.

“The mom was frightened of going dwelling and drove across the metropolis attempting to purchase time,” Muhammad stated.

The teenager’s mentor by way of the Credible Messenger program and different county and metropolis departments labored collectively to assist get the household garments, an emergency resort keep, secure housing and the primary month’s lease, he stated.

“That is what this type of collaborative appears to be like like,” he stated.

Contact Ashley Luthern at ashley.luthern@jrn.com. Comply with her on Twitter at @aluthern.

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Milwaukee, WI

The Best Things to Do in Milwaukee the Week of July 8

Published

2 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

The Best Things to Do in Milwaukee the Week of July 8

ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR

Being a miserable misanthropic grouch, I don’t like live music. All the people, the energy, the joy – blech. But the past few summers, I will admit that I’ve enjoyed Chill on the Hill, Bay View’s weekly live music event. Every Tuesday, the hill at Humboldt Park is overrun with food trucks and drink sellers, and it feels like the whole neighborhood shows up to hang out and enjoy the tunes. The band selection is super eclectic so if you care about what you’re going to hear check out the lineup beforehand. (This week, it’s “An Evening with HYFIN,” Milwaukee’s urban alternative radio station.) I’m mostly in it for the drinks, but even a grouch like me appreciates a little joy every once in a while.

EVAN MUSIL, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

For the last three months, I’ve been aware that Thelma means business, but I didn’t quite know the extent of the justice she serves. I missed the film when it showed during the Milwaukee Film Festival, but sold-out screenings basically guaranteed it would return as part of Milwaukee Film’s “Best of the Fest” series. It’s been showing at the Downer Theatre for the past few weeks, and I finally had the chance to catch it. In this charming caper, the 93-year-old Thelma falls for a phone scam and loses $10,000. Instead of shaking it off like her family suggests, however, she takes action – Mission: Impossible-style. What follows is a wild escapade that’s equal parts funny and sincere. The premise easily lends itself to laughs – and Thelma wielding a gun sure is a riot – but the film presents its nonagenarian characters with a lot of dignity and courage. Catch it in theaters while you can – it’s plenty fun with an audience.

CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

There’s a difference between being cheap and enjoying value. As an enthusiast of the latter, I’m a big fan of the store-brand stuff at Sendik’s. Most of the store’s private-label items I’ve tried have delivered good quality at a good price. But those chocolate bars? They’re the bomb. The interesting flavor combinations (in a mix of milk and dark chocolate) are executed well. The dark chocolate mint has little Girl Scout Thin Mint-like cookie bits that add an unexpected crunch, the peanut butter bar has a decadently creamy filling, and the s’mores bar has just a perfect of marshmallow creme. And, of course, they’re big – plenty enough for two servings, and they’re $2 and are occasionally on sale for just $1.25. #value!

BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR

Dining Editor Ann Christenson wrote about Joy Ice Cream Social in the June issue, and the Tosa ice cream spot just celebrated its first anniversary on the 4th of July! So I really had no excuse to not go try this spot out. And oh my goodness, it was a delight! The whole place is adorable, from it’s ice cream cone tiled floor inside to its blue roof outside. The ice cream was delicious too – I ordered a scoop of cookie dough in a waffle cone. Just perfect.

Joy Ice Cream Social; Photo by Brianna Schubert

Want more great Milwaukee events? Check out our calendar!

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Milwaukee, WI

What to know about UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, one of the RNC venues

Published

9 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

What to know about UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, one of the RNC venues

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, one of the city’s oldest sports complexes, will play a critical role in the Republican National Convention this month.

The arena is one of three main venues for the four-day event, alongside Fiserv Forum and Baird Center. All three are part of convention security’s “hard zone,” meaning the area will be controlled by the Secret Service and require credentials to enter.

But Panther Arena is no stranger to major events, including presidential speeches. Here’s everything you need to know about the venue ahead of the RNC.

Where is the Panther Arena?

The arena is in downtown Milwaukee, at 400 W. Kilbourn Ave.

Has Panther Arena hosted political events before?

Though former president Donald Trump will likely deliver his convention speech from Fiserv Forum, the Republican presidential candidate has actually spoken at Panther Arena previously.

In January 2020, Trump hosted a campaign rally at the arena as part of his re-election bid. His remarks at the time largely focused on national security.

On top of thousands attending the rally, Trump’s speech also drew a few hundred anti-Trump protestors outside the venue. Ahead of the event, Trump’s visit sparked campus controversy at UWM, given the arena bears the university’s name. The school’s chancellor eventually issued a statement clarifying that UWM neither owns nor controls booking decisions at the Panther Arena, beyond its own events.

How old is Panther Arena?

Panther Arena is Milwaukee’s original sports and entertainment complex, according to the arena website.

Built in 1950, it was initially named Milwaukee Arena. It became the Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena in 1974 and the U.S. Cellular Arena in 2000. The arena got its current name in 2014, when UW-Milwaukee bought the naming rights for the venue.

Alongside 8,910 permanent seats, the arena has a total capacity of 12,700 people — about two thirds of the size of Fiserv Forum, which has a total of 17,500.

Which teams play at Panther Arena?

The Panther arena is currently home to basketball, hockey and soccer teams: the Panthers, the UWM men’s basketball team; the Milwaukee Admirals, the city’s National Hockey League team; and the Milwaukee Wave, the Major Arena Soccer League team.

But the arena’s history in professional sports goes far beyond these three teams, according to its website. It has also hosted international sporting contests, including a 1998 Davis Cup semifinals match, part of the international men’s tennis tournament, and a Golden Gloves Boxing match versus Russia in 1996.

Closer to home, it hosted the U.S. National Gymnastics Championships in 2003.

What are concerts like at Panther Arena?

According to its website, the arena was “born in the era of rock ‘n’ roll” — and celebrated it hard.

The venue has hosted stars including Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, the Beastie Boys and Run DMC, among others. Iconic singers, like Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond, have also played the venue.

Panther Arena still regularly hosts live music events, from the Milwaukee Public Schools music program’s annual festival to R&B artists KEM and Ledisi earlier this year.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Bucks Player Will Be An Unrestricted Free Agent

Published

16 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Milwaukee Bucks Player Will Be An Unrestricted Free Agent

TyTy Washington Jr. is coming off his first season playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The former Kentucky star finished the year with averages of 1.3 points per contest while shooting 30.0% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point range in 11 games.

According to Evan Sidery, Washington Jr. will now become an unrestricted free agent.

Via Sidery: “The Bucks did not extend a qualifying offer to TyTy Washington.

Washington averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 assists while shooting 42.6% on threes for the Wisconsin Herd.

The former Kentucky guard could be an intriguing development signing for a team in unrestricted free agency.”

The Bucks did not extend a qualifying offer to TyTy Washington.
Washington averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 assists while shooting 42.6% on threes for the Wisconsin Herd.
The former Kentucky guard could be an intriguing development signing for a team in unrestricted free agency. pic.twitter.com/xt31Teqj8D
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 7, 2024
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Washington Jr. was initially the 29th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

He has played two seasons for the Houston Rockets (and Bucks).

His career averages are 3.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest while shooting 35.6% from the field and 24.4% from the three-point range in 42 games.

Jan 8, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard TyTy Washington Jr. (23) warms up before game against the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Jr. has also spent a lot of time in the G League.

His career averages are 22.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 44.9% from the field and 37.2% from the three-point range in 32 regular season games (31 starts).

At just 22, some teams will likely be interested in bringing him in for training camp.

TyTy Washington Jr. took his game to the NEXT LEVEL in the postseason! 🚀
He led all players with 29.8 PPG, while adding 7.2 APG and 7.0 RPG to lead the @rgvvipers to their seventh Finals appearance.
TyTy had back-to-back 30-pieces in the Finals and averaged 36.0 PPG overall. pic.twitter.com/LppJvSQ3zG
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) April 14, 2023