Author: Staff

Joe Bartolotta, co-owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants, passed away “peacefully in his sleep with a smile on his face” on April 22 at the age of 60. Bartolotta was beloved by the Milwaukee community for his hospitality heart, generosity, and desire to help people. In 1993, he and brother Paul started their first restaurant, Ristorante Bartolotta, in Wauwatosa. The restaurant group now operates 15 restaurants, including Harbor House, Lake Park Bistro, and Pizzeria Piccola. After dealing with the affects of diabetes for three decades, in February 2013 Bartolotta had a successful kidney transplant. He spoke often about the transformative...

Outpost Natural Foods recently announced its commitment to eliminate petroleum-based plastic co-op packaging and consumables by 2022, and has organized a comprehensive internal committee to tackle the wide-ranging issue. The co-op has tasked itself with this challenging goal as the environmental problems associated with single-use plastic continue to ratchet up, both locally and globally. Outpost has already taken the first steps to reducing single-use plastic. “As spring arrives it is more clear than ever how plastic litters our public spaces. With a low percentage of plastic actually being recycled into new materials it is crucial that we use our...

Displaced women from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who settled in Milwaukee have built a growing business by “upcycling” plastic bags and using them to create beautifully designed handmade baskets and mats. The group of craftswoman comprise 12 refugees who have each come from very difficult and unimaginable situations. Now living in Milwaukee, the women are doing the best they can to contribute to a society that has been so welcoming to them. They are supported by Why Not Now Missions, a local nonprofit focused on empowering vulnerable populations so that they can reach their full potential. “It...