Author: Editor

Pulaski Park gets major environmental and recreation upgrades with Kinnickinnic River restoration

Pulaski Park gets major environmental and recreation upgrades with Kinnickinnic River restoration

Posted by | Apr 23, 2019 |

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) has been transforming the Kinnickinnic River’s condition through Pulaski Park, by removing the ugly and dangerous concrete bed to improve flood control and public access. The Kinnickinnic River is one of three major waterways within the Milwaukee watershed that feeds into Lake Michigan. That access to water was instrumental in where the city was founded, and the Kinnickinnic tributary has been one of the most overly developed sections. When Milwaukee became a city in 1846, wild rice beds flourished at the mouths of the Kinnickinnic, Menomonee, and Milwaukee Rivers. However, wild rice is...

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Tibetan monks share culture in colored mandala painted with sand at Milwaukee City Hall

Tibetan monks share culture in colored mandala painted with sand at Milwaukee City Hall

Posted by | Apr 21, 2019 |

Beginning on April 9 in the rotunda of Milwaukee City Hall, it took a handful of Tibetan monks less than a week and required millions of grains of colored sand to complete a unique work of cultural art. The piece was finished on April 12 for a few brief hours, before being deconstructed in a public and spiritual ceremony. The group of artisans from the Drepung Loseling Monastery created the sand mandala, a bright work of art with intricate patterns painted entirely from colored sand, over four days as part of the Mystical Arts of Tibet traveling exhibition. The...

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Milwaukee Day: 414 flag unfurled at City Hall as salute to the municipality for April 14th

Milwaukee Day: 414 flag unfurled at City Hall as salute to the municipality for April 14th

Posted by | Apr 14, 2019 |

On April 14, or 4/14 after Milwaukee’s 414 area code, residents of the city celebrate its people, places, and history with a unique spirit of pride. The 414 Milwaukee group got permission to unfurl a giant 414 Flag from the balcony of City Hall. Mayor Tom Barrett, city employees, and members of the public attended the early morning installation. The 414 Flag measures 20’ x 36’ and was hung from the southern face of City Hall, with visibility from Water and Wells Streets. “I’m so proud of Milwaukee. I can’t think of a better place to live. I’ve advocated...

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Crochet Away: 360° video shows “Jonah’s Hands” interlocking loops of fiber

Crochet Away: 360° video shows “Jonah’s Hands” interlocking loops of fiber

Posted by | Apr 12, 2019 |

This special 360° video was recorded during Jonah Larson’s visit to Yarn Junkie and Gifts on April 6, while he gave a crocheting demonstration. The segment offers an intimate perspective of Jonah and his work in a never before seen view of the process. No special technology is required to watch the VR footage, which can be navigated either by mouse or arrow clicks. Because of the intense media coverage, Jonah Larson has become a household name in the crochet community and a young rising star outside of it. He has crocheted with celebrities and even Wisconsin elected officials...

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MKE Influencers exhibit celebrates diverse group of local artists and their community contributions

MKE Influencers exhibit celebrates diverse group of local artists and their community contributions

Posted by | Apr 11, 2019 |

A special group exhibition featuring 38 Milwaukee artists who have made considerable personal achievements and public contributions within their respective fields opened on April 6 at Var West Gallery. “MKE Influencers” will run through June 1 at the 423 W Pierce Street location and showcases one item by each artist, representing nearly every field within the visual arts. Var Gallery owner Josh Hintz, who also curated the show, wanted to share a diversified look at Milwaukee’s creative talent. “This has been on my mind for a couple years, considering there has been some negativity in the city about where...

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Lora L. Hyler: From shy bookworm to author creating a safe harbor for middle grade kids

Lora L. Hyler: From shy bookworm to author creating a safe harbor for middle grade kids

Posted by | Apr 5, 2019 |

Books can be a refuge for children who face hardships in life, and Lora L. Hyler is helping to fill a void of youth identity as a middle grade children’s author. With a value for education and a background in journalism and marketing, Hyler crafts multicultural characters for students in her debut work. The story allows kids to find a reflection of their own beauty within the pages of her novel, and ease the stigma for them about feeling like an “other.” | Q&A with Lora L. Hyler Milwaukee Independent: What was the fondest memory of growing up in...

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