Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Photo Essay: Indian Summer Festival celebrates Native culture

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 13, 2017 |

The Indian Summer Festival presented its 31st year of traditional and contemporary Native culture at the lakefront over the September 8 weekend. The festival included annual favorites and family-friendly attractions such as the competition pow wow, choreographed fireworks, and traditional Native American performers. Cultural craft workshops were presented throughout the weekend, with the return of canoe rides by popular demand. New to the festival this year was a plant walk at Lakeshore Park, with a walking tour led by Lakeshore Park naturalists. American Indian artists also displayed works in a variety of media during the Circle of Art show,...

Photo Essay: 9/11 tribute at Milwaukee War Memorial Center

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 12, 2017 |

Milwaukee held a memorial ceremony in remembrance of the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy along Lake Michigan. Local and state leaders, military officials and veterans, police and fire department members, and the Milwaukee community honored the victims of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center. “What was attacked that day was not just the people in the building. What was attacked was all of us,” said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. “Today we remember, and we honor their sacrifice. Today we remember the first responders going in when other people ran out.” During...

Investment continues in Milwaukee’s Central City with new Town Bank branch

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 11, 2017 |

Hartland-based Town Bank opened its newest branch at 4720 W. Lisbon Avenue on September 7. The Lisbon Avenue location on Milwaukee northwest side is a busy traffic corridor, surrounded by a number of small businesses that Town Bank wants to serve. “Some people, not a lot but some people, have asked why? Why invest here? And I say why not? The history of this area has strong and very active neighbors, and businesses that they’ve been here a long time,” said Joaquin J. Altoro, Vice President of Commercial Banking at Town Bank. “Town Bank is a financial institution that...

Remembering Charlottesville, Milwaukee stands up to anti-Muslim hate

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 10, 2017 |

The anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim organization ACT for America, which calls itself “The NRA of national security,” announced nearly 70 rallies in three dozen states, including one in Milwaukee on September 9.

Edward Bonekemper: Debunking the big lie about Civil War history

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 8, 2017 |

While history books call the sIаughtеr that occurred from 1861 to 1865 the “American Civil War,” it is often referred to as the “War to Preserve the Union,” the “War of the Southern Rebellion,” the “War to Make Men Free,” the “War Between the States,” or the “War of Northern Aggression,” depending on the region of the country. What it is not called, but goes to the truth of the conflict, is the “Confederate War for the Preservation of Slavery.” The greatest accomplishment of the Civil War for the Southern soldier was rewriting the account of their loss, a...

Photo Essay: MPS rolls out red carpet on first day of school

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 7, 2017 |

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) welcomed back students to more than 100 elementary schools on September 5, to begin the traditional start calendar for the 2017-18 school year. Although students in high schools, middle schools, and a few elementary schools had already started classes on August 14, the official district celebration took place at Walt Whitman Elementary School. Along with MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver, others who welcomed students included Governor Scott Walker, Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Tony Evers, State Senator David Craig, Alderman Mark Borkowski, MPS School Board Director Paula Phillips, and other community partners. Students were greeted by...