Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Photo Essay: Safe MKE stakeholders discuss synergistic trauma

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 16, 2017 |

“To think about viоIеncе, we have to think about it in a holistic way. Because it’s not just about gunshots. There are other things that impact lives, that interfere with the ability of children to grow up and learn and be productive citizens. For every child there is a ripple effect. In the family, it could be the sibling that witnessed the viоIеncе, or the neighbors and friends. It is a very traumatic situation, and many times families become very isolated. So they need help and support to overcome the abuse and viоIеncе that they’re living in. But often...

Photo Essay: Milwaukee musicians honor Leonard Cohen

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 10, 2017 |

A concert celebrating the memory of Leonard Cohen was held at Shank Hall on January 6 to a packed house. “I did my best, it wasn’t much I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you And even though it all went wrong I’ll stand before the lord of song With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah” Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah Leonard Cohen, who passed away on November 7, 2016 at the age of 82, was a singer, songwriter, musician, poet, novelist, and painter from Canada. His musical work typically...

Photo Essay: Exhibit explores music’s role in Milwaukee

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 9, 2017 |

“Melodies and Memories: 200 Years of Milwaukee Music” is a comprehensive exhibit that explores the styles, people, organizations, businesses, and places that were, and continue to be, central to Milwaukee music. Produced as the first major exhibition of 2017 by the Milwaukee County Historical Society, the attraction is an interactive and hands-on experience that explores Milwaukee’s music legacy. The exhibit offers the public an opportunity to access interactive instrument and listening stations, as well as historical artifacts, images, and immersive stories about Milwaukee’s music culture. This photo essay takes a detailed look at the exhibit objects on display at...

Photo Essay: Clock tower demo makes way for Couture

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 8, 2017 |

Demolition of the Transit Center’s clock tower took place on January 7 at 8:41 a.m. along the Milwaukee lakefront. The gradual process of removing the Downtown Transit Center began in October. Designed as a transportation hub, the building had been underutilized for years. With the iconic clock tower demolished, little remains to identify the former lakefront structure. After crews clear the site at 909 E. Michigan Street, construction is expected to being this year at the location for the Couture building. That 44 storied skyscraper will take almost three years to finish. It will have a public transit center,...

Balmy New Year’s Day attracts massive 2017 Polar Bear Plunge

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 2, 2017 |

More than 5,000 people packed Bradford Beach along Lake Michigan for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge. The unseasonably warm weather attracted a near record crowd for the aquatic tradition. In past years, participants had the challenge of navigating snow drifts and ice chunks before entering the frigid Lake. This year, under a cloudless blue sky and bright sun, the water temperature of 30° was very close to the air temperature, making the plunge less of a shock for swimmers. However, taking a dip in winter is still not considered a leisure activity, even in Milwaukee. Rescue...