Author : Virginia Small

• Environment, Featured News, News, Regional, Wisconsin January 27,2017 by Virginia Small

  GOP legislator wants to dismantle Department of Natural Resources

  State Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, is proposing to carve up Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, a move that sounds “interesting” to Gov. Scott Walker — but not to many hunters and anglers. Announced Dec. 21, 2016, Jarchow’s plan would create two new agencies: a Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and a Department of Environmental Conservation. Other current DNR function.... Read More
• Entertainment, Featured, Featured Entertainment, Visual Art January 26,2017 by Virginia Small

  Artist creates work of art from closed Planned Parenthood signage

  A provocative poster with the U.S. Capitol superimposed over a female’s lower torso was among signs carried during the Women’s March in Washington D.C., as well as marches in Milwaukee, Madison and elsewhere. Commissioned by activist Megan Holbrook, the “Tear Us Down, We Rise” poster was designed by local artist Niki Johnson and Christian Westphal. It was based on a work Johnson spent year.... Read More
• Featured, Featured Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Milwaukee, Travel, Wisconsin October 07,2016 by Virginia Small

  Necklace of green: Milwaukee County’s historic parkways

  As leaves turn brilliant fall colors, Milwaukee County parkways are great places to enjoy the show. Eleven greenways allow those traveling by foot, bicycle or car to make a scenic journey throughout the city and suburbs. Milwaukee’s parkways include 60 miles of roads and comprise nearly half of the park system’s 15,325 acres. Charles B. Whitnall (1859–1949), the “father of Milwaukee Coun.... Read More
• Environment, Milwaukee, News April 22,2016 by Virginia Small

  Throw some shade: Milwaukee’s trees, vital to urban well-being, are vanishing

  To paraphrase Smokey Bear, only you can prevent the loss of our urban forest. Shade trees are essential to our quality of life, forming a canopy of foliage that plays an important environmental role. But the tree canopy is dwindling and local property owners are largely responsible. Only one in five shade trees on private property that are lost to disease, old age and storm damage are being re.... Read More
• Featured Views, Views & Opinions January 16,2016 by Virginia Small

  Engaged citizens foster strong cities

  More than ever, citizens are engaged in deciding what they want and need in their communities. Ideally, residents, business interests and civic advocates collaborate, usually along with government officials, to promote successful development. Such grassroots decision-making emphasizes consensus and inclusiveness. It’s democracy at the local level. But such engagement can be messy, time-consuming.... Read More
• Views & Opinions August 28,2015 by Virginia Small

  Reject taxpayer subsidies for Bucks ‘entertainment’ mall

  The law that provides state funding for the Milwaukee Bucks arena also gives the team owners the right to build arena “public plazas,” which would be used to generate revenue exclusively for the team. The city proposes spending $20 million to create these misnomered “public spaces” to enrich the Bucks, not to serve public interests. They would help expand a Bucks-controlled entertainment m.... Read More
• Milwaukee, News July 03,2015 by Virginia Small

  Does Milwaukee need the ‘biggest outdoor sports bar’?

  Wes Edens’ vision for Brew City goes beyond a tricked-out new downtown sports arena and a winning NBA team. The Milwaukee Bucks co-owner wants to create an entertainment destination on Fourth Street between Highland and Juneau Avenues — a complex with several floors of bars and restaurants that he thinks would really put Milwaukee on the map. “People in Wisconsin are plenty hardy,” Edens s.... Read More
• Milwaukee, News April 23,2015 by Virginia Small

  Money ball | Public financing for the Bucks arena entails hidden costs

  Polling shows that voters strongly oppose public funding for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena complex. Yet elected officials forge ahead with the project, which could put taxpayers on the hook in myriad ways that lie buried beneath piles of hype and denial. New Bucks owners Marc Lasry, Wesley Edens and Jamie Dinan have pledged $150 million to the project and former owner Herb Kohl has pledged $100 mill.... Read More
• Views & Opinions April 10,2015 by Virginia Small

  Strengthen the link between MAM and O’Donnell

  Ever since The Milwaukee Art Museum’s winged architectural masterwork transformed the lakefront in 2001, residents have adopted it as an icon. We take pride in “The Calatrava,” the first U.S. building by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Something besides beer has made Milwaukee famous.  In contrast, O’Donnell Park has been treated like an ugly stepchild. Calatrava designed h.... Read More