Shepherd Express - October 2023

WELCOME CORPS BRINGS REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT DECISIONS TO YOU AT A COMMUNITY LEVEL

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WELCOME CORPS BRINGS REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT DECISIONS TO YOU AT A COMMUNITY LEVEL

BY LOUIS G. FORTIS

Are you tired of reading about the major problems like climate change and the world refugee problem and feeling helpless to do something to help? In the early 1970s Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day which spawned the call to “Think Globally and Act Locally” because the climate issues are so massive and existential that it is easy to get discouraged. Environmentalists encouraged everyone to do their part to change their lifestyles to reduce the growing damage to all aspects of our environment.

We made a lot of progress in the past 50 years with Americans altering their lifestyles and consumption patterns with the business community following along. That “Think Locally” philosophy also encouraged people to pressure their election officials to pass legislation or run for office themselves. We made some very serious progress with climate change, but we still have a long way to go.

HOW TO ACT LOCALLY WITH THE REFUGEE ISSUES

Another issue that distresses a lot of good people is the worldwide refugee migration issues. People are fleeing

wars, poverty, climate devastation, dictators, gangs and a host of other issues. Refugees are dying along the way, whether it is drowning in the Mediterranean, being shot by the Saudi military or dying trying to cross the Rio Grande, and good people again feel helpless. In the Think Globally and Act Locally framework, there is now something you can do. This is not going to solve the global problem of refugee migration, but nationwide, the Welcome Corps program will have an impact on tens of thousands of refugee families and also enable good people to actually get involved and do something positive.

This can have a big impact. In the first six months of the program, for example, it has commitments from local community members across the country to sponsor more refugees than our government has admitted in the past five years. Refugees are generally defined as individuals who have been forced to leave their home country due to violence or persecution or the fear of persecution based on race, nationality, religion or political positions to list the most common reasons.

Our country and our economy were built on immigration. Our Statue of Liberty says it all when it welcomes immigration. We currently need more working age families especially after the Trump administration cut back on refugee resettlement. Remember, our Social Security and Medicare programs—that you are either benefiting from or plan to in the future—are paid for by the payroll tax on current employees and employers, so we also have a self-interest. Unless your ancestors were Native Americans, they were immigrants to this country, and a bigger percentage than we like to admit, came in illegally.

WELCOME CORPS PROGRAM LETS YOU ACT LOCALLY

In 1980, the Federal Government created the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in the State Department. The USRAP teams up with the nine major nonprofit resettlement agencies like the Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services and the International Rescue Committee along with refugee organizations of all the major faith groups to assist our government with refugee resettlement. As you might expect they are overwhelmed with demand for their services, and there is a line of individuals and families who have been vetted by the U.S. government waiting to be resettled. A new program called the Welcome Corps program can address this.

In response to this need for resettlement services and the inability of the current resettlement agencies to fill the need, the Biden administration decided to bring the immigration issue to the community level. In February 2021, President Biden through an Executive Order made the biggest change to our refugee efforts in the last 40 years. The Welcome Corps was created to bring the refugee resettlement challenge to you at the local level. There are individuals from around the world who have gone through the very complex vetting process of the United States including security vetting by U.S. law enforcement and medical screening. They are patiently waiting their turn in line.

We just need more capacity at the local level to help the refugee families navigate America and become successful Americans. They often enter with minimal understanding of English and must learn the basics: find a place to live, shop for groceries, enroll their children in schools, etc. These children need a lot of support because they are put in a classroom where they have no idea what is going on due to their lack of English.

Janan Najeeb, the founder and current executive director of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition, who has worked extensively with refugees, believes the Welcome Corps has a lot of potential. “This program will allow family members who are established in the United States the opportunity to sponsor the rest of their family who may still be languishing in a refugee camp somewhere in the world. The fact that family or members of that com-munity can sponsor means that a lot of the barriers re-garding cultural literacy are avoided and family unifica-tion is quicker.” Najeeb also warned that “well inten-tioned individuals who have no connections but choose to sponsor a family out of the

goodness of their hearts may underestimate the amount of time and commitment required when working with refugees. However, for those who are fully committed and know what they are getting into, this may be one of the most fulfilling jobs they do in their entire life.”

HOW THE WELCOME CORPS PROGRAM WORKS

The program in its most simple terms is that five or more local individuals can petition to become a refugee sponsor group and bring a fully vetted individual or family to the US and essentially act as their extended family until they become comfortably acclimated and can find employment. These local sponsor groups will be supported by refugee organizations, so the locals are definitely not left on their own.

The local sponsor group can be just a group of good friends, neighbors, your fellow members of a religious group, a book club, a civic organization, fellow condo or coop neighbors, members of a parent’s group, veteran’s organization, rotating dinner club, golf or pickleball cohorts, a group of fellow employees or any of hundreds different groups of friends and associates. Legally, there needs to be at least five individuals who are over 18 years of age, U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and live near the community the new arrivals will live.

The sponsors who are part of sponsor group of at least five individuals will contribute at least $2,375 dollars in cash or in-kind per individual refugee they are hosting to be used to secure an apartment, furnish it, fill the refrigerator, and then

Photos courtesy of Integrated Refugee & Immigrant

greet the individual or family at the airport and bring them to their new home. Obviously, the amount needed will vary. They will also help with all the other basics like enrolling the children in school and getting them ready to begin their new lives in America. Groups often do fundraisers to enable individuals to get involved who have some money but not much time to work along with individuals who have the time and commitment but not a lot of spare cash.

The Welcome Corps was launched in two phases. We are currently in Phase 1 where the local American sponsoring group will provide basic information like the size of a family it can sponsor but not designate the particular family, country or individual. Many of the Phase 1 families are from Latin America and central Africa. In the near future, it will also include refugees from additional countries including Ukraine and Afghanistan. The second phase is scheduled to start later this year. In Phase 2, the local sponsoring group can identify the particular family or individual they want to sponsor. Of course, that family or individual must have gone through the rigorous vetting process by the U.S. government.

A PERSONAL NOTE

When I left the state legislature in the 1990s, I had the opportunity as both an economist and former legislator to work as an international consultant for the U.S. Agency for International Development in a dozen countries. My assignments were either in the areas of economic development and what was called democracy building which was helping countries become democracies. Democracy building help was requested by many of the Eastern European countries that were freed from the yoke of Soviet Union. My most interesting assignment was in a rural Mongolia community helping them transition from a herder economy to a market economy. I also worked in Romania, Bulgaria, Uganda, the West Bank and Gaza helping them create a democratic parliament.

In Uganda, I saw the damage that the dictator Idi Amin had done and what the new government was trying to create. During my years doing this international work, we had some successes and certainly some disappointments. It was, however, gratifying, and inspirational to work with honorable individuals who were trying so very hard to build a better country for themselves. People need hope and refugees are forced to find hope outside their country. As much as many people these days criticize our government from both the right and the left, we still are viewed as the best hope in the world for so many individuals just trying to build a life like we have and which we often take for granted.

I want to see this program work in the Milwaukee area and throughout Wisconsin and to give some refugee families hope and a chance to work hard and build a new life. The Shepherd Express will help build this effort in our area. If you have an interest in learning more about this program and all the good it has done so far for both the refugee families and also for us Americans who have rolled up our sleeves and directly changed people’s lives, please email us at Welcome@shepex.com. One of the people I worked with when I was advising the new parliament in Ramallah in 1996 and 1997 is now very involved in this program in Connecticut. He has agreed to help us get this program working in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. On a final note, the researchers who study happiness have concluded that if you want to be happier, help others who are struggling and need a little help.

Louis Fortis is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Shepherd Express.

Photo courtesy of Integrated Refugee & Immigrant

Trump Judges Aren’t Going to Save Trump

BY JOEL MCNALLY

For four years, Donald Trump and Senate leader Mitch McConnell appointed extreme rightwing judges as fast as they could to federal courts, appeals courts and created a supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court. A fat lot of good that’s doing Trump now.

With major federal and state trials already underway against Trump and his criminally indicted co-conspirators for their violent insurrection to overthrow President Biden’s election, not a single one of those judges has lifted a gavel to protect Trump.

The crimes America watched on Jan. 6, 2021, and on video later were so horrific—injuring 140 police officers including many with brain damage from savage beatings and sending Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate fleeing for their lives—few judges want to permanently destroy their legal reputations by defending the indefensible.

BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT

Federal and state prosecutors are required to prove their criminal indictments in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt, but anyone who expects even today’s Trumped-up Supreme Court to prevent those behind the most violent attempt to overthrow American democracy since the Civil War from being brought to justice is living in Trump’s fantasy world.

Most Republicans appointed as federal judges have built their reputations as conservative advocates of law-and-order by handing down harsh sentences to those convicted of violent crimes. There’s never been any exception for violent crimes committed in support of a Republican president who lost an election.

Few Americans have even heard the name of Trump-appointed D.C. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly. But it was Kelly who sentenced the leaders of the Proud Boys to two decades in prison. They were the longest sentences for the violent supporters answering Trump’s call to “fight like hell” to stop Congress from certifying Biden’s election.

Kelly’s 22-year sentence for Proud Boys chairman “Enrique” Tarrio was only four years longer than the 18-year sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes issued by D.C. Judge Amit Mehta, appointed by President Obama. Unlike Republican politicians, judges appointed by Republicans agree with judges appointed by Democrats those convicted of attempting to violently overthrow democracy deserve long prison sentences.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

That has immediately raised the potential legal consequences for Trump and his co-defendants in their upcoming trials before judges in Washington and Atlanta, Ga. Judges base their sentencing on the punishment others have received when convicted for the same crimes.

Both Kelly and Mehta cited actions by Tarrio and Rhodes on January 6 that are identical to those attributed to Trump in his indictment. Kelly said Tarrio “was the ultimate leader, the ultimate person who organized, who was motivated by revolutionary zeal” and “had an outsized impact on the events of the day.”

Trump, his closest advisors and strongest supporters are being treated like common criminals in the courts because they are. That’s not just coming from “Trump-hating judges,” Trump’s term for any judge he didn’t appoint.

Mehta told Rhodes: “You, sir, present an ongoing threat and a peril to this country, to the republic and the very fabric of our democracy.” He said Rhodes continued to spread false claims about election fraud and violent rhetoric while awaiting trial and would become a danger to democracy again “the moment you are released.”

WITH MULTIPLE TRIALS OF TRUMP UNDERWAY, WE’RE WELL PAST ALL THE WASTED MEDIA BLATHER ABOUT HOW “UNPRECEDENTED” IT WOULD BE TO CRIMINALLY INDICT A FORMER PRESIDENT.

“TIP OF THE SPEAR”

Trump’s creation of the Proud Boys as “the tip of spear” breaking into the Capitol allowing Trump’s riotous mob inside to disrupt a joint session of Congress was televised in advance. It originated during Trump’s most obnoxious presidential debate in September 2020 when he repeatedly shouted over both Biden and then Fox News moderator Chris Wallace.

That same night, the Proud Boys began marketing Trump “merch” including T-shirts, coffee cups and beer cozies bearing his promotional slogan along with their logo. Trump’s national recruitment tripled membership. They eagerly responded to Trump’s call to storm the Capitol.

The Proud Boys were so proud of their role in the insurrection, they had a documentary filmmaker shoot video of their meeting with the Oath Keepers the night of January 5 in a darkened parking garage coordinating the Capitol break-in to usher inside the rampaging mob they knew Trump would be sending to attack Congress.

With multiple trials of Trump underway, we’re well past all the wasted media blather about how “unprecedented” it would be to criminally indict a former president. Trump’s criminal presidency was unprecedented from beginning to end. Its unprecedented ending was the worst crime in American history being broadcast live on national television.

When Wallace asked Trump whether he condemned the white supremacists and violent militias supporting him, Trump asked: “Who would you like me to condemn?” “The Proud Boys,” Biden suggested. Trump used the opportunity to publicly endorse the violent street gang and alerted them to prepare for action. “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by,” Trump declared.

Now the courts are doing their jobs and mopping up. There’s nothing Trump can do to stop them. Democracy will hold.

Joel McNally was a critic and columnist for the Milwaukee Journal for 27 years. He has written the weekly Taking Liberties column for the Shepherd Express since 1996.

MOST REPUBLICANS APPOINTED AS FEDERAL JUDGES HAVE BUILT THEIR REPUTATIONS AS CONSERVATIVE ADVOCATES OF LAW-AND-ORDER BY HANDING DOWN HARSH SENTENCES TO THOSE CONVICTED OF VIOLENT CRIMES.

Why Does Wisconsin Turn Down Medicaid Expansion Money?

Why Does Wisconsin Turn Down Medicaid Expansion Money?

BY WILLIAM HOLOHAN

It is time to revisit why Wisconsin continues to turn down Federal Medicaid expansion funds authorized under the Affordable Care Act. To date, Wisconsin has refused a total of $2.1 billion. This is particularly maddening since these are Wisconsin federal taxpayer dollars that could be returned to the state. Instead, this federal money paid by Wisconsin taxpayers will go to other states! No wonder Governor Evers would like to reverse this irrational policy initiated by Governor Walker, and maintained by the gerrymandered, non-representative state legislature.

Spurning this money exhibits two types of economic confusion. The first is that Federal Medicaid payments are an economic risk to the state because someday these payments may be significantly reduced or cut off altogether. The second is the false Republican notion that the Affordable Care Act, including Medicaid expansion, can and should be "repealed and replaced" by an unregulated "free" market to fulfill the goal of universal health insurance coverage.

Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid provided federally-financed but state-administered health insurance for poor people with income below the federal poverty line. The 2014 ACA offered states the opportunity to expand Medicaid to people whose income was below 138% of the federal poverty line ($41,400 for a family of four). For the first six years after passage, the federal government paid states 100% of the costs of Medicaid expansion; after 2020, that payment rate dropped to 90% with no further scheduled reductions. States were not obligated to accept that opportunity to expand Medicaid; Wisconsin was one of the states that declined.

SPURNED SAVINGS

The Federal Medicaid expansion money offers the state not one but two types of savings. First would be the savings from using the federal money instead of state money to pay for medical care for low-income people.

Second, that federal money from outside the state would also create a “multiplier effect,” i.e., after the federal money is spent on medical care, it would be re-spent within the state. As the money is spent initially on medical care, it becomes income for doctors, nurses, administrators and all those who are part of providing care for patients under the expanded Medicaid plan. Then those people spend that incremental income according to their preferences on food, clothing, housing, transportation, etc., thereby, supporting the local economy. So, by rejecting Medicaid expansion funds, the state is denied the benefit of that monetary “multiplier,” as well as the state tax revenues generated by that spending. That extra tax revenue becomes available for investment in public sector assets, e.g., streets, roads, sewer and water systems, and, of course, potholes! Most of these assets raise productivity and attract private sector investment for further economic development.

WHY TURN DOWN THIS OUTSIDE MONEY?

But Governor Walker turned down the money. The underlying reason is not hard to discern: Walker had presidential ambitions. He wanted to support the Republican Party position of repealing the Affordable Care Act and replacing it with “free market solutions.” In order to show his “conservative” bona fides, Walker wanted to contribute to the failure of the Affordable Care Act and then declare that it doesn't work.

Because of the way insurance markets organize incentives, they cannot provide universal healthcare coverage without the kind of stringent regulations built-in to the ACA. Here’s why. Insurance companies have an incentive to assemble— or “pool”—policyholders into separate groups according to their expected cost. Competition among insurance firms compels them to charge premiums that will recover the costs within each pool, plus at least a fair rate of return to investors. Because they are expected to cost more, people in higher-risk pools are charged higher premiums than those in lower-risk pools. The most familiar example is the more accident-prone drivers paying higher car insurance premiums. Similarly, sick and older people will pay higher health insurance premiums, and in some cases be denied coverage or be charged such high premiums that they drop out of the market altogether. The Affordable Care Act regulates private companies to avoid the perversity of pricing sick people out of the market.

TRANSITORY VERSUS PERMANENT INCOME

Walker’s personal ambition was hardly a good public reason to turn down federal money, so Walker offered a different excuse: If Wisconsin were to become reliant on periodic payments of federal money, then if the payments were to stop at some unknowable point in the future, the adjustment would be burdensome. One way to avoid the painful adjustment is not to accept the Federal money in the first place. (The same odd logic would apply to federal money earmarked for any purpose, such as highway funding, scientific research, or government contracts with private firms.)

Core economics offers a better way. Rather than reject the federal payments regarded as transitory, invest the state savings and growth-enhancing multipliers into something more permanent: productive public sector assets. There are numerous public sector asset investment opportunities available in Wisconsin—streets, roads, school buildings, sewer/water systems, broadband, and that engineering school building at UW Madison!—the list is long. If the federal payments are eventually terminated, the state would still have the public assets and the productivity boost that they provide. If the federal payments are never terminated, then the state would have both those payments, expanded Medicaid, and the productive assets.

William Holahan is emeritus professor and former chair of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. An earlier version of this article was posted on Econ4Voters at grassrootsnorthshore.com.

Garan Chivinski: Milwaukee is in a New Manufacturing Golden Age

Garan Chivinski: Milwaukee is in a New Manufacturing Golden Age

BY ERIN BLOODGOOD

BY ERIN BLOODGOOD

Garan Chivinski describes himself as a transplant to Milwaukee, as though he were an outsider looking in with fresh eyes. Originally from New York, he moved to Milwaukee in 2009 amid the worst of the economic crisis, and at a time when disinvestment in urban neighborhoods was particularly devastating.

Now the human resources manager at Ingeteam USA, he works closely with employees at the Menominee Valley factory which manufactures generators for wind turbines, solar and energy storage inverters, and electric vehicle chargers. His time at Ingeteam over the last two years is a stark contrast to his early career in Milwaukee and has given him a newfound hope for the future.

Soon after moving to Milwaukee, Chivinski found a job at the Milwaukee County Jail. “Every single day in the jail, over five-and-a-half years, I saw only the ugliness [of the city],” he said. The struggles he was witnessing were due in part to the deindustrialization Milwaukee experienced 50-plus years ago.

The city has a long history of being a major manufacturing hub and in the mid 1900s, companies like AO Smith, American Motors, and others allowed working-class people to flourish. But when those companies moved their factories out of the city, work dried up and neighborhoods fell apart.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

The deindustrialization that happened in the mid 20th century is still having long-lasting effects on our city—and it has hit communities of color the hardest. But manufacturing is making its comeback to the city, and this time, it’s in renewable energy.

Ingeteam, a global company based in Spain, opened their only U.S. location in the Menominee Valley in 2008, building on the revitalization of the surrounding area. Since then, they have created more than 100 new jobs and plan to expand that number this year.

“We’re making sure different communities are equally part of a new kind of prosperity, but this time in clean energy – a new manufacturing golden age,” said Chivinski.

Garan Chivinski, pictured the manufacturing facility in Ingeteam USA's building in Menominee Valley. Photo by Erin Bloodgood.

At this location, the company is planning to offer job training and apprenticeship programs so that new people can enter the workforce. They also exemplify what a successful union shop can look like, as all their workers are part of the union IBEW Local 2150 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers).

In August, Pres. Joe Biden visited the facility to highlight the union workers and the renewable energy products they are manufacturing here in the United States. Last year, Pres. Biden and Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which created incentives for companies like Ingeteam to produce these products here. But Chivinski pointed out the company has been ahead of the curve: “For the past 10 years, they have been quietly turning out the only wind turbine generators being built in the whole country.”

According to Chivinski, Milwaukee has reached the new frontier. Right now, we have a new chance to build on the city’s growth with a new wave of clean energy manufacturing that will bring good paying jobs to the neighborhoods that were hit hardest when big manufacturers left in the 20th century. “Milwaukee is a scrappy and exquisitely capable place,” he said.

Learn more about the Ingeteam at ingeteam.com.

Erin Bloodgood is a Milwaukee photographer and storyteller. See more of her work on her website at bloodgoodfoto.com.

Parts of the wind turbine generators on the manufacturing floor. Photo by Erin Bloodgood.

Frank Cumberbatch LEADING THE WAY AT BADER PHILANTHROPIES

BY TOM JENZ

Frank Cumberbatch is vice president for engagement at Bader Philanthropies. By the arc of his life, Cumberbatch also symbolizes an inspiring American story. He was born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, the first of seven children. His father was a laborer in public works, and his mother worked in a garment factory. The family lived in poverty. But he loved to read, which opened up his world. Cumberbatch said, “I could not get enough from books and learning. I can actually crawl into a book and lose myself.”

This was the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Cumberbatch went to a low-end Trinidad high school and did well academically. He was also an athlete, dedicated to running track. American colleges came calling, and he earned an academic scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He went on to become a college track star, holding the school record in the 400 meter dash for 38 years.

We met at the striking Bader Philanthropies building, an architectural oasis located on the north end of ML King Drive in the Harambee neighborhood. Surrounded by flowers and lovely landscaping, the structure shines with hope. Cumberbatch told me, “We want the neighborhood residents to believe we all deserve beauty.” He is tall and fit and immediately engaging through a strong but gentle presence. Through a delightful Caribbean island accent, he personalizes charm.

What was the college experience like for you in the early 1980s?

UW-Oshkosh was predominately white, and you were in a foreign country, and the weather could be severe and cold.

I had mixed feelings, but also a kind of excitement. Every day was about learning. I had friends from farms and friends from urban cities, from Minnesota and from Milwaukee. Every day was some new story. I made all kinds

of friends. I take people as they are, I am open minded. I’m comfortable with anybody, with any kind of people, regardless of race or culture.

You graduated in 1984 with a business administration degree. After college you came to Milwaukee. How did you end up here?

I got a job with Waukesha County. I was one of five employees hired to computerize the Criminal Justice System, converting documents from paper storage to computer storage. Computers were young then. The papers and documents took up rooms and rooms of court files. I did that job for 15 years, rode with the cops, appeared at court trials, gathered information.

But as I recall, you later wanted to get into the business world. Correct. In the year 2000, I changed jobs, and was hired by the first wireless phone company in Milwaukee, Industar.

Photo by Tom Jenz.

I did Information Technology work for three years at Industar. In 2003, when John Norquist resigned as Milwaukee mayor, I decided to run for mayor, and I, along with nine other candidates, lost to Tom Barrett. But then, I worked in Mayor Barrett’s office for a few years and finally went out on my own as an entrepreneur. In 2016, Dan Bader, CEO of Bader Philanthropies, asked me to head the construction of this beautiful building we are sitting in, the headquarters for Bader Philanthropies. Eventually, he asked me to be a vice president.

You are the Vice President for Engagement at Bader Philanthropies. What exactly are your job responsibilities?

I know the streets, and I’m an advocate for poor people because I see myself in those people. I believe poverty is temporary. You can end it, but it takes work. I represent Bader Philanthropies in the community, and this can be the whole city or a single neighborhood. I also represent Bader in large citywide initiatives. I go out and learn the needs of people, the city and nonprofits and

bring that knowledge back here. For example, take housing. People need a decent place to live in order to focus on their growth. For years, housing had not been part of the Bader initiatives. It is now.

I think I have an example. For a number of years, you’ve been involved in improving the predominantly Black Harambee neighborhood. This includes engagement activities with business owners, faith community leaders, residents and community groups. Where is the Harambee community located, and what has been accomplished?

In 2018, Bader Philanthropies moved here to the 3300 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This is the Harambee neighborhood, and that is why the board put the focus on Harambee. Boundaries run from Keefe Avenue to the north and North Avenue to the south, and from the Highway 43 freeway to the west over to Holton Street to the east. As far as accomplishments, we used to fund education for the entire city, but we’ve scaled that

back to include just schools in the Harambee neighborhood. This allows us to dive deeper and be more focused on the educational needs of the children attending those schools.

Are the infrastructure improvements you help fund paid for by revenue from grants?

Yes, for example, we gave more than a million dollars to Habitat for Humanity to build 40-some plus homes. We also put millions of dollars into nonprofit employment organizations who educate and train people who need to get jobs. If these people are not trained, they sit, and you know what happens when people sit. Nothin’ good. Next door to our building here, we bought and renovated an old building that now houses a holistic health facility and also the restaurant, Sam’s Place.

There is a proposed development in the works called The Opportunity Center. The Opportunity Center intends to bring sports, education, mental health and community engagement all into one large space. Where will it be located?

We already own the land, 22 acres. The Opportunity Center will be located on Green Bay Road, north of Capital Drive. The original idea for the Opportunity Center was mine, but after I met Damian Buchman of The Ability Center, and decided to partner with him, the complete facility was imagined.

Last year, you received a $5 million dollar grant from Bader Philanthropies for The Opportunity Center, but this project would ultimately cost $80 million. That is correct. We are working on raising the money. The original idea came from my sports background. Youth sports can be very important to a young person’s development, regardless of their talents or ability to play. Kids who are around positive men as coaches and leaders can do wonders. So many young people just need somebody positive to be around. Other than some city parks, there are very few community facilities in the central city for kids. Especially in the winter, they need a place to go for recreational activities.

One of your efforts is to make youth sports more available to low-income families. Why is that important and how are you going about it?

Let’s say you are a central city youth, and you want to formally train to be a baseball player. You will need to go all the way to Franklin for a pay to play program, and it will cost you $3,000+. For volleyball, it’s even more. This means that these young central city guys and girls can’t play. This should not have to happen in America. So, we build an alliance, and we ask, “What’s it gonna take for all kids to play?”

You once said, and I quote, “In terms of style, I like to paint a picture, show people I’m leading where we’re heading and then inspire them to get there.” Can you elaborate, maybe give an example?

My style is ‘leadership by showing up.’ I lead by explaining to people what the goal is, what we are trying to accomplish and why, and what is the benefit.

I’m a passionate guy around the things I love to do. I encourage people to take part, even if they’re only moving a little piece of the puzzle. I believe in collaboration to create the “whole.” For example, imagine what Black people could accomplish if we lock arms and embrace being “African,” not just if we’re from the south or north or Chicago or Detroit. We are all “African,” a uniting concept.

You also once said, “We have great leaders in this town, but we have to get out of our chairs and go into the community and try your best to be as empathetic as you can about the journeys that these folks are traveling.” Are the leaders getting out of their chairs?

Some are getting out of their chairs. For example, take the great local leader, Michael Lovell, the president of Marquette University. He just keeps moving forward to improve Marquette and the community. I model my leadership style after him: ‘Get up, get out there, and get on with it.’ Unfortunately, there are some downtown leaders who claim to have answers for inner city problems, but they have never walked those streets.

You have pointed to a few keys for successful relationship building including “showing up.” You said, “Showing up authentically, not with an agenda, not to fulfill some goal in my title, just showing up to help people. Secondly, treating people like people. Listening to them. Being there for them. No judgments, no assumptions. And third, do not come with the solution, come in a genuine authentic way to work together to solve the problem on the table.” Would you say this philosophy has worked for you?

Absolutely. I learned this approach from the great Nelson Mandela. He negotiated with South Africa President F.W. de Klerk about turning over South Africa to the Black leaders, the ANC. Mandela was criticized by his own people for this kind of compromising. Mandela said, “When you negotiate

with people, you do it with an open mind, not with judgement.” I live by the approach of let’s be authentic. Let’s just see people as human beings first— forget the labels like criminal, druggie, poor, bigot—rather, look at what this person needs today to improve versus where they will be tomorrow.

You and Marquette President Michael Lovell have worked together in a number of areas, including founding SWIM (Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee), an initiative aimed at making Milwaukee the most trauma informed city in the country. How does SWIM work?

During the civil uprising after the gas station shooting in Sherman Park in 2020, I saw an adult reach for his gun and shoot it three times in the air. The teenage protesters were not phased. The shots did not bother them. How much violence did these kids have to witness to become so numb? This is generational trauma. Later, Mike and his wife, Amy, invited me to a panel discussion at Marquette and I told that very story. After the meeting, Michael and Amy Lovell asked me to work with them to bring SWIM to the community. They defined SWIM as an organization that addresses generational trauma that impact the lives of African American people. It’s about recognizing those people with trauma and getting them the help they need.

What about the street leaders, the community organizers, the people who work the neighborhoods? They are mostly volunteers. Can you give grants to them?

I know many of those guys, and they are doing a great job in their neighborhoods. They know what’s going on. But they need to organize themselves into a 501c3, nonprofit organization and have a unified plan. Bader Philanthropies cannot give grants to individuals, only to organizations who go through the application process. A good example of a former street leader who got organized is Victor Barnett of Running Rebels. We’ve given grants to Running Rebels.

Tom Jenz writes Central City Stories for shepherdexpress.com.

Great Milwaukee Butter Burgers Great Milwaukee Butter Burgers

BY SANDY REITMAN

AJ BOMBERS

When ordering at AJ Bombers, it’s best to keep in mind that you’re ordering “happiness with a side of burger.” Located on the corner of Water Street and Knapp, AJ Bombers is a must-have around the Milwaukee area. And, if you’re looking for something beyond the classic butter burger, you’ve got choices of turkey burgers, pizza patties, and a Big Boy tribute burger for those who remember the once-famous chain.

BIRCH

You might not think of a great cheeseburger when you think of Birch and its fine dining, but theirs is one of the best Downtown. What once was a gameday option during Bucks season is now a permanent fixture on the menu, but only in the bar room. While it might be simple compared to burgers on other menus, it is the perfect bite every time.

CULVER’S

The Wisconsin chain that keeps on expanding its presence across the Midwest, bringing butter burgers to those who otherwise might never have tasted one. It’s good to know that people across state lines can understand how much butter really makes a better burger. Shoutout to the Culver’s on Capital Drive in Shorewood for being the busiest of all!

CULVER'S

Photo courtesy of Culver's.

BIRCH

Photo courtesy of Birch.

DAIRYLAND

What started as a food truck has quickly become one of Milwaukee’s better known newer frozen custard and hamburgers spots. Conveniently located in The 3rd Street Market, Dairyland lives up to its name and delivers a picturesque butter burger every time. Come hungry because there are plenty of other items to add to your order, including cheese fries and shakes. Be sure to check out the frozen custard calendar ahead of time to know what will be on the menu each day.

GILLES FROZEN CUSTARD

Gillies is a third generation, family-run business and is Wauwatosa’s old timey drive-up that offers all the American classics. Its famous Gillieburger is more of a sloppy Joe than a burger but, rest assured, butter burgers are on the menu. Like most butter burger joints, the frozen custard is a perfect accompaniment after a load of savory goodness. It’s been open for over 85 years and is Wisconsin’s oldest fast food restaurant and custard stand.

KEWPEE HAMBURGERS

While outside of Milwaukee County, Kewpee Sandwich Shop in Racine must be mentioned for their old school diner burgers, crinkle fries and kitschy decor. There are no frills to Kewpee unless you count the dress on the doll collection on the back wall. This is a spot you could expect to see on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” with a burger that needs no updating much like the diner itself.

Photo by Paul Strabbing, courtesy of Dairyland.

DAIRYLAND

KOPPS FROZEN CUSTARD

With three locations across the greater Milwaukee area, Kopp’s is a trusted hometown classic for “burgers the size of your face” as people often say. Thanks to its thin beef patty, the ratio of ingredients is a perfect bite throughout the entire burger. With a coveted daily forecast of special frozen custard flavors and local ingredients for its grill menu items, Kopps is a place where everyone stops when in Milwaukee whether you’re visiting or a local.

MAZO’S

Mazo’s Hamburgers serves the classic diner burger you see in the movies. Walking in, you’re immediately transported back to the 1960s with the flare on the walls, plus an impeccably clean space. Known for serving its burgers with fries and a choice of soup, having a burger here is like biting into a bit of Americana. The burger isn’t overly buttery, but the bun is lightly dressed before serving it. Be sure to also add the fried onions!

NITE OWL

If you’re lucky enough to catch Nite Owl while it’s open from March to November, you’ll be one of the many who know how incredibly good this burger is. It’s so good you won’t even mind that you’re likely eating it in the car in the parking lot since there really is no place to sit. Now on its third generation of family who runs it, Nite Owl sells out of their menu items daily, so it’s best to go as early as you can. Who doesn’t love a 10 a.m. butter burger on Layton Avenue?

SKIPPY’S

Up in Cedarburg, you’ll find Skippy’s Burger Bar right off the Main Street drag. Their “burgers are flippin’ awesome” tagline does live up to itself. Well known for their play on McDonald’s Big Mac, their Better Mac is worth the drive north. Burger toppings and flavors run the gamut of bourbon, egg, peanut butter, bacon, and special sauce. This is a great spot for a group of people all looking for something a little different.

SOLLY’S GRILLE

Solly’s Grille is more like butter with a burger. While long gone are the days of the saucer plate to catch the butter, you will still be able to dip your butter in the excess butter for a uniquely Milwaukee experience. It’s been in its original building since 1936, despite the building moving down the road in recent memory. As one of Milwaukee’s most famous diners and burgers, you’ll leave here filled with joy, satisfaction, and a full belly (of butter).

KOPP'S FROZEN CUSTARD

Photo courtesy of Kopp's Frozen Custard.

Photo courtesy of Glenn Fieber/Solly's Grille.

SOLLY'S GRILLE

Sandy Reitman writes the Let’s Eat column for shepherdexpress.com.

Squash Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

BY ARI LEVAUX

to buy his vegetables each Saturday. But his regular customers chuckle at the vibes and focus on the produce, which is usually much more inviting than his attitude, and so cheap the other farmers grumble. Everyone, customers and grumblers alike, marvels at his productivity, and wonders how it is that he can coax so much gorgeous bounty from the earth, all by himself.

The only people who Mr. Sunshine appears to tolerate are my two boys, 8 and 11. He showers them with books, toys and junk food —while ignoring his actual paying customers. I often leave the boys in this free childcare area while I do the rounds, gathering the few items I can’t get from Mr. Sunshine himself.

secret, magic farm to come harvest a truckload of squash. The boys would sell it in front of our house in a homemade farmstand, where passersby could self-serve. He and the boys split the proceeds 50/25/25. Being their driver, Mr. Sunshine grudgingly invited me too – after I swore that I would not take photos.

The farm was smaller than I had expected, and dense with bounty. Since the first frost had already hit, and a harder frost was imminent, the squash were in danger of rotting if they weren’t collected ASAP. And it was more squash than even Mr. Sunshine could sell in the last few blustery markets of autumn.

The boys and I hit the squash patch, where we loaded boxes of the colorful, hard-shelled fruits. They have whimsical names “Butter Baby” butternuts, “Bonbon” buttercups, “Jester” delicatas, and a new breed of red kuri squash called Steph Kuri. That’s right, Steph Kuri. Available now at my family farmstand.

We also filled boxes of spaghetti squash, which I don’t like. I don’t like the flavor or the stringiness. But a lot of people do, because they sure sell. But aside from the novelty, spaghetti squash is just not that useful. It’s like a Weird Al Yankovitz song that’s funny once but hardly something you want to rock out to every day. And we loaded many, many varieties of kabocha, including Winter Sweet, Speckled Hound, Speckled Pup, and Sunshine, which is many people’s favorite kabocha squash.

Picking, packing and even selling those squash went smoothly. There are wads of cash all over the house, and squash seeds all over the kitchen. But getting my own kids to eat the squash wasn’t quite as easy.

With just plain butter, squash can quickly grow old. Add some maple syrup and vanilla and it will never get old but will feel like cheating. Squash is already on the edge of being cloyingly sweet, and I’ve got little interest in pushing further in that direction.

But savory squash is tricky, because of that sweetness. Or at least, it seems like it should be tricky. But the truth is, you can put squash in almost anything and get away with it. The other week, for example, I added some leftover, very soft baked buttercup to a spaghetti sauce. It fell apart and basically disappeared into the marinara, causing it to thicken. The children gobbled it up, without even noticing the squash.

A few days later I made squash pasta again, but this time I briefly steamed the Winter Sweet kabocha, so it wasn’t as soft, and you could see the slices in the marinara. Again, the children wolfed it down. I did too. I may not be a fan of spaghetti squash, but sign me up for squash spaghetti sauce.

Photo by Nungning20/Getty Images.

Squash Spaghetti

In essence, it’s your favorite spaghetti recipe, plus squash. And if you don’t have a favorite spaghetti recipe, or know how to cook a squash, read on.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Winter Squash

• 1 pound spaghetti (or capellini)

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• Meatballs, or Italian sausages cut into inch-lengths

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• Splash of red wine

• 3 cups marinara sauce

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• Grated Romano or Parmesan

With a heavy knife, carefully cut the squash into quarters. Scoop out the seeds and steam it for about 15 minutes, until getting soft but not mushy. When the squash is done, heat the pasta water.

While the pasta water heats, fry the sausage or meatballs in the oil on medium heat. When nicely browned add the onions and wine. When the onions are translucent add about a half-pound of the squash, each quarter having been cut into slices. Add the marinara, along with a cup of pasta water, and simmer for about ten minutes, until the squash is fully cooked (but not yet mushy!).

When the noodles are done, toss them in olive oil and garlic. Stir these dressed noodles into the sauce, garnish with shredded cheese, and serve.

Ari LeVaux has written about food for The Atlantic Online, Outside Online and Alternet.

Photo by Ari LeVaux.

Wine Animals and the Mystery of Fermentation

Wine Animals and the Mystery of Fermentation

BY GAETANO MARANGELLI

“. . . . FROM THE MOMENT THAT THEY ESCAPE FROM THE EGG, ONE SEES THAT THESE ANIMALS SWALLOW SUGAR FROM THE SURROUNDING SOLUTION; ONE CAN SEE IT ARRIVE IN THE STOMACH QUITE CLEARLY. IT IS INSTANTLY DIGESTED, AND THIS DIGESTION IS INSTANTLY AND MOST DEFINITELY RECOGNIZED BY THE SUBSEQUENT EXPULSION OF EXCREMENT. IN A WORD, THESE INFUSORIA EAT SUGAR, EMPTY WINE ALCOHOL FROM THE INTESTINAL CANAL, AND CARBONIC ACID FROM THE BLADDER.”

— FRIEDRICH WÖHLER, 1839

Our species has been making wine and beer for about 5000 years. We didn’t know what we were doing until the 1800s.

We knew the fermentation of wine and beer depended on where it was from. That every region had its characteristic yeasts, which infected the juice of its grapes and the wort of its grains spontaneously. And that’s about all we knew.

Then, in the 1830s, a cell theory of fermentation began emerging. One of Europe’s great organic chemists, Friedrich Wöhler, anonymously reported that he had seen “wine animals” through his microscope. By the middle of the century, Louis Pasteur dispatched the chemical theories of fermentation and invented the science of microbiology.

Winemaking can be divided into three stages. In the first, ripe grapes are crushed into juice. In the second, the grape juice is fermented by what Wöhler called wine animals. What we call yeasts. Yeasts metabolize sugar and produce carbon dioxide, alcohol, and energy. Yeasts also strongly affect the aromas and flavors of wine by producing molecules that the grape cannot supply. The kinds of yeasts, the temperature at which fermentation occurs, and the length of time the juice is left in contact with the grape skins all affect the aromas and flavors of the wine. The third stage of winemaking is called the aging, development, or maturing of the fermented juice. The chemical constituents of the grape and the products of fermentation react with each other and with oxygen to form a stable system with attractive aromas, flavors, and body. This development may take place in large stainless steel tanks, large or small oak barrels, or in the bottle.

Yeast photo by Artur Plawgo/Getty Images. Grapes photo by danielvfung/Getty Images.

MORE SUGAR, MORE ALCOHOL

Yeasts are a group of about 160 species of single-celled microscopic fungi. Most of the yeasts which make wine, as well as beer and bread, are members of the genus called Saccharomyces, or “sugar fungi.” The important yeasts for winemaking are strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae called ellipsoideus for their shape. These fungi breed, grow, and live naturally on the skins of their grapes, as well as all around their winery. Over 100 different strains of several native yeast species can thrive on the skins or in the juice of their grapes. These native wild yeasts — wine animals native to their grapes and their earth — are ideal for fermenting the juice of their grapes into wine.

The greater the sugar in the grapes the yeasts ferment, the greater the alcohol in the wine. But high degrees of alcohol are toxic to yeasts. Wine ceases fermenting at about 15% alcohol, even if it has unfermented sugar. High degrees of sugar are also toxic to yeasts. Sweet wines cease fermenting at low percentages of alcohol. Any unfermented sugar in the wine is called residual sugar. Even dry wines may have a small quantity of sugar that can’t be fermented, but which may not be detected on the palate. When the yeasts die at the end of fermentation, they sink to the bottom of the fermentation vessel and form a sediment called lees. White wines may be left on their lees while aging, which can impart extra body and character to the wine.

Since the middle of the 1900s, a vast majority of winemakers has been using sulfur dioxide to kill off the wild yeasts native to their grapes. These winemakers then add yeasts cultivat-

ed in a factory to the juice of their grapes. Factory yeasts license winemakers to manipulate the aromas and flavors of their wine. They license winemakers to manage fermentation as if their wine were a widget in a factory. They license winemakers to kill the vitality of their wine.

If you buy wine in a shop or order wine at a restaurant, ask for wine which was fermented spontaneously with its wild and native yeasts. You’ll be asking for living wine. A wine made by its very own wild and native animals.

Gaetano Marangelli is a sommelier and playwright. He was the managing director of a wine import and distribution company in New York and beverage director for restaurants and retailers in New York and Chicago before moving to Wauwatosa.

DearAlly,

COVID did a number on me. I can’t seem to get rid of feeling isolated from everyone around me. I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. This happened before COVID, but now, it’s even worse. All my friends have partners and enjoy hanging out in groups. I’m alone and not seeing anyone, and don’t do well in a crowd. I feel like I don’t fit in anywhere. And in this mood, who wants to be with someone like me? I feel stuck and definitely different from my friends. No one can figure me out and I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me, but I definitely need to do something different. I feel lonely all the time, like a broken record, playing the same song over and over again and I can’t stop it. Please help.

Stuck

COVID did a number on a lot of us, so you are definitely not alone there. Many folks are feeling very similar to you. Cut yourself some slack.

This is difficult when we are bombarded with only online photos of happy situations. That’s not realistic. Try not to judge yourself or compare yourself to others. You will never come out ahead. Instead, trust that you are enough and try to start the process of self-acceptance. This is hard, but it will serve you in the long run. Comparing yourself to others will always dismantle the self-acceptance process. There’s been a lot of attention toward social media and loneliness. If you’re spending more time on apps, rather than connecting with people you like or enjoying activities that give you joy, this can make you feel more isolated.

You’ll find that the more we accept ourselves, the more fun we’ll have socializing with the right friends. The second step in the self-acceptance process is becoming our own best friend. I can tell that you’re caring and compassionate. Get in the habit of doing that for you.

Sometimes we spend our whole lives wishing we were different without really knowing ourselves at all. “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are,” author and podcast host Brene Brown wrote. How about checking in with yourself before accepting a social invitation? If it sounds fun and interesting, go for it. But if your gut is telling you, it won’t be good for your soul, it’s OK to enjoy your alone time. Sometimes Netflix or a good book is just what you need.

Loneliness is a very serious issue and is now considered a national epidemic. Feel free to reach out to a therapist or coach for support in figuring this out.

Dear Stuck, Ally

Following toxic thoughts will sabotage the self-acceptance process. Practice letting these thoughts go. You can’t do it all in one day, but you can start. When negative thoughts about yourself come up, say to yourself, “I’m not going down that path.” Try to think of something else immediately. It will get easier and easier with practice. Eventually, you can tune these thoughts out. You don’t need them. They will only lead you down a rabbit hole of self-loathing. These thoughts don’t do anyone any good. Let them go.

As Brene Brown also said, “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”

She’s right. You belong here and were given a space that only you occupy wherever you go. It’s yours. You own it. You belong in that space, and you deserve every inch. Know in your heart that you’ve been given a unique gift to the world, and you will make your contribution. Hopefully, you’ll meet friends that appreciate you and will help you along the way.

You can continue the process of self-acceptance by immersing yourself in nature. Nature is a total judge-free zone where you can wander and begin to love yourself and own your story. Go there and find peace.

I have full confidence in you,

Send

A Hemp Wish List for the 2023 Farm Bill

BY SHEILA JULSON

Every five years, the Farm Bill is renewed by Congress. This agricultural legislative package extends authorizations for safety net programs, farm loans, conservation programs, disaster assistance, trade, nutrition programs and agricultural research. It affects farmers, ranchers, forestry stewards and anyone who consumes agricultural products.

The 2018 Farm Bill, enacted Dec. 20, 2018, legalized industrial hemp with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of less than 0.3%. This opened the door for farmers and entrepreneurs to begin growing, processing and selling hemp and its derivates such as the popular cannabidiol (CBD). A loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill also legalized the delta-8 and -9 THC cannabinoids.

The Farm Bill is up for renewal this year; a final draft by Congress was expected by mid-September 2023. The current farm law will remain in force through 2023, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a leading coalition of companies and organizations committed to safe hemp and CBD products, listed CBD regulation by the Food & Drug Administration at the top of their wish list. Regulation of CBD and other hemp derivates will address health and safety concerns and boost farming opportunities, they note.

In addition, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable wants to see bolstering the USDA’s hemp program, and social justice initiatives such as the Free to Grow Act, which removes language banning any persons convicted of a drug felony from obtaining a license to grow or process hemp.

LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS

The Shepherd Express reached out to several local cannabis industry stakeholders to find out what they want to see addressed in the 2023 Farm Bill. Of those that responded, federal uniformity for regulation and safety standards tops the list.

Photo by Akacin Phonsawat/Getty Images.

Rob Pero is a member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians and founder of Canndigenous. He hopes to see more collective data and research around cannabis. “Safety is also a main concern,” he says, and referenced the House Oversight Committee Subcommittee on Health and Financial Services hearings that took place in July that examined the inaction of the FDA on hemp products.

“The inactivity of the FDA is hurting our farmers. We need to bring this industry back because it’s been stagnant after the CBD boom (when hemp legalization in 2018 propelled a “green rush”). Farmers had to get rid of so much crop, or they were not sure how to transport it because a criminalized aspect was being applied in certain areas, and it became too risky.”

With Wisconsin’s inaction to advance marijuana legalization or process a more regulated hemp industry, Colin Plant, co owner of Canni Hemp Company (810 S. Fifth St.), hopes to see the 2023 Farm Bill address those gaps at the federal level.

“Requiring licenses to manufacture and distribute hemp products can create a higher barrier to entry. This would likely help mitigate the number of poor-quality products and retailers that unfortunately have been putting consumers at risk for a number of years now,” Plant says. “In Wisconsin, we have a public safety issue on our hands with harmful products being sold in abundance.”

Bill Fuchs owns Ethereal Gold Dispensary (237 Harrison Ave., Waukesha) with his sons, Erik and Michael Fuchs. “Other businesses are taking advantage of state crime labs being unable to detect the total THC % vs. the presence of THC, as well as blatantly selling marijuana (like THCA Flower) and synthetics like THC-O,” Fuchs says. He’s curious to see what full legalization on a national level would look like. He’d also like to see medical and recreational taxation lowered and consistent on a national basis.

Erik lists lack of national testing standards first and foremost, along with addressing plant derived cannabinoids versus synthetics/synthetic conversion like THC-O versus cannabinoids that are naturally occurring and created through synthetic conversion like hemp-derived Delta 9-THC.. Michael would like to see advancements in payment processing, and online legal compliance standards. “Some businesses aren’t even complying with age checking or state restrictions,” he observes.

Stephanie Lembke of Canna Bloom Farmacy (2770 E. Sumner St., Hartford) would like to see efforts to make sure that people working it the cannabis industry have proper documentation and licensure. “Right now, it’s the Wild West. Nobody’s regulating that, and it needs to be.”

A draft of the 2023 Farm Bill will likely be completed by press time, and it’s anyone’s guess as to which hemp priorities will be in the final version. Whatever it is, the Shepherd Express will keep you up to date.

Sheila Julson writes the Eat/Drink column for shepherdexpress.com.

ETHEREAL GOLD DISPENSARY

Photo courtesy of Ethereal Gold Dispensary.

CANNA BLOOM FARMACY

Photo courtesy of Ethereal Gold Dispensary.

CANNDIGENOUS

Photo courtesy of Canndigenous.

The Elusive Orgasm: The Elusive Orgasm:

THE BENEFITS OF RETHINKING GOAL-ORIENTED SEX

BY HUDSON NUMMERDOR

Having “good sex” is something that many of us aspire to, but we often struggle to describe exactly what it might look or feel like.

One benchmark that many people use to figure out what counts as “good sex” is whether an orgasm happened during sexual activity. Not only do folks apply this measure to themselves (“did I come?”), they often use orgasm as an indication of success with a partner. In other words, did my partner come? Or, was I able to “make them” come?

This focus on orgasm as a measure of “good sex” isn’t terribly surprising. After all, orgasms usually feel good! In addition to releasing beneficial chemicals like endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin in our bodies, orgasms can also relieve stress and tension, reduce physical pain like headaches or menstrual cramps, and help people sleep. What’s not to like?

That said, when we approach sexual activity with a mindset of orgasm as the goal, we run the risk of missing out on the many pleasures of sex. This is especially true for people who find orgasms difficult to achieve, or who have yet to experience an orgasm. If we set orgasm as the ultimate destination or measure of “good sex”—and then it doesn’t arrive—we might begin to feel that we’ve failed somehow, or that our bodies are somehow inadequate or “broken.” A partner might interpret the lack of orgasm from their mate as their own failing, placing the focus on their ego (whether they are a “good lover” or can “make” someone come) rather than on the experience of their partner during sex.

STRESSED OUT

When orgasm is seen as the goal, and one doesn’t come easily, this often ramps up the pressure to make that orgasm happen, come hell or high water! Ironically, for most people, this pressure can make having an orgasm even more difficult. When it feels like so much is riding on an orgasm happening—whether you’re doing sex “right,” whether your bodies are “normal” (not “broken”), if you or your partner are a “good lover”—sex can become a point of stress and worry, rather than an

experience of shared pleasure. What’s worse, for most people, stress itself will severely hamper the body’s ability to experience desire and arousal. It is any wonder that some folks will opt to fake orgasm with a partner in order to relieve this level of pressure and expectation?

Rather than focusing on orgasm as the measure or goal of “good sex,” it might be more beneficial to focus on the experience of pleasure itself. I know this might seem like a distinction without a difference, but it turns out to be a dramatic shift in the way we can approach sex.

Pleasure—what feels good to our physical bodies, what feels exciting and arousing in our minds, what feels uplifting emotionally—is far more varied than orgasm. There are numerous pathways to pleasure, and these can differ tremendously from person to person. How we experience pleasure may not look like what we’ve seen in pop-culture portrayals of sex, or in the formulas we’ve encountered in porn. Finding our own pathways to pleasure might involve open-ended exploration, curiosity, trial and error, and learning. It might involve stimulation solely for the sake of what feels good, rather than as a means to a destination. It also requires the willingness to communicate and be open with our partner(s), and the ability to be kind and loving to ourselves as we take steps toward truly being present for pleasure.

It is worth noting here that while difficulty achieving orgasm can happen to anyone at any time with any type of genitals or gender identity, it tends to be a more common experience for folks with vulvas who identify as women. Learned sexual scripts (how we come to understand and make meaning from sexual activity) are often heavily gendered, heteronormative, and influenced by white supremacy here in the U.S. These scripts tend to impact our feelings and beliefs about orgasm, arousal, and our bodies in many harmful ways. It can be useful to unpack those influences and expectations when exploring your own, or a partner’s, pathways to pleasure.

For those who are interested in learning more about the connections between desire, arousal, pleasure, and orgasm—both through a scientific approach as well as a cultural lens—I highly recommend Emily Nagoski’s book Come As You Are. She offers powerful insights and tools that can help re-shape our approaches to sex and pleasure.

Ultimately, it is the ability to experience and offer pleasure that leads us to satisfying sex. To borrow a phrase from Nagoski, we can use “pleasure as the measure” of our sexual experiences, rather than how many orgasms we have notched on our bedposts. When we do this, we may end up experiencing orgasm more easily and frequently as a happy byproduct. But more importantly, we open ourselves to truly enjoying our bodies, bringing genuine pleasure to our partner(s), and experiencing the shared, imperfect delight that can be found through sex. And isn’t that maybe what “good sex” is all about?

Hudson Nummerdor is an AASECT-certified sexuality educator and the general manager of The Tool Shed, Milwaukee’s mission-driven, education-based sexuality boutique.

Intermittent Fasting, Is It Just a Fad?

BY KATHERINE BAYLISS, MD

For most of us, fasting sounds like torture. Yet there is a growing body of data on fasting as an anti-aging and health strategy. Is there a way to reap some of the benefits without undergoing grueling days with no food? As it has been gaining popularity, perhaps you have heard of intermittent fasting—but is it a valid health tool?

Intermittent fasting refers to an eating pattern that uses limited periods of fasting (24 hours or less) alternating with periods of eating. Most often when someone speaks of “intermittent fasting” they are referring to an approach that is perhaps better characterized as time restricted eating (TRE), following set periods of fasting and eating within 24 hours. A typical pattern is to eat within an eight-hour window while fasting for the other sixteen.

How might TRE confer health benefits? One theory is that it promotes greater insulin sensitivity (blood sugar control) causing a shift to a healthier metabolism while reducing the risk of developing diabetes. It may also improve our ability to burn more fat, potentially leading to weight loss, though studies on its use for weight loss show mixed results. I believe one of the greatest benefits for TRE is that it gives our gut a chance to rest and restore. Many of us have something to eat soon after we wake in the morning. This is followed by two to three meals plus in-between snacks and concluding with a “bedtime snack” before retiring. Our gut is having to work nearly nonstop.

Aside from improved gut health, other research-backed benefits of intermittent fasting include:

• Lower inflammation and oxidative stress

Improved liver health

• Improved cognitive function

• Improved fitness and athletic performance

When I encourage patients to adopt a TRE pattern, I suggest starting with a 10-hour eating window gradually reducing it to 7-8 hours. In tune with our circadian rhythm (daylight hours), the ideal window may be perhaps 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but for many of us, this might not fit well into our daily schedule and family meals. It’s acceptable to shift it forward, but do your best to avoid eating 2-3 hours before

going to bed. Don’t panic—coffee or tea in the morning is OK. You may also break your pattern on special occasions— but this is meant to be a long-term lifestyle.

Importantly, it is not enough to simply adjust your eating pattern. This is likely why some studies fail to demonstrate benefits. Fasting, then eating junk in between will not produce results. Benefits occur when used in conjunction with a healthy whole foods diet. It is also important to get plenty of protein, especially in the first meal and especially for woman over 50 who are at the greatest risk of losing muscle mass.

Fasting is not for everyone. Check with your physician first if any of the following pertains to you:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women

• Young children

• Elderly adults

• On medications that suppress the immune system

• Eating disorders

• Dementia

• On insulin or taking other diabetes medications

Seizure disorders

Otherwise, take it slow and see how you respond before you jump into something more intense.

Some experts suggest that this eating pattern likely mimics that of ancient times when food was less abundant, so perhaps it is in synch with our nature. I practice time restricted eating most days as part of my overall health and anti-aging strategy. Not only does sticking to my schedule seem to help me hold my ideal weight, I that find my mid-morning workouts are better (empty stomach) and when I follow no eating 2-3 hours before bed, my sleep quality is improved.

Katherine Bayliss, MD, a Milwaukee native, practiced in conventional medicine as a pathologist for 25 years. She now lives her passion, helping others through the more holistic Functional Medicine model.

Photo by thesomegirl/Getty Images.

BY PHILIP CHARD

FALLING FROM GRACE FALLING FROM GRACE FALLING FROM GRACE

Apowerful and sanctimonious politician who rails against LGBTQ is unmasked in a gay sex scandal. A successful and highly regarded CEO turns out to be a closet white supremacist. A well-heeled, celebrity minister becomes ensnared in a child pornography sting. The CFO of a multi-million-dollar enterprise, despite her affluence, embezzles 100 large to pay for a wedding and some new furniture. A member of a royal family hangs out with a gilded sociopath who traffics in sex with underage girls.

Why do educated, intelligent and successful people, those who seem to have it all, do abjectly stupid things that land them in hot water and, often enough, tarnish or kill the goose that laid their golden egg? Granted, richly blessed or not, we all harbor the capacity for sleights of mind that lead to risky and potentially self-destructive decisions. However, when those bad choices come from someone living the American Dream on steroids, it evokes “what the hell?” incredulity.

Long ago, I worked with a prominent, affluent icon in his community who was arrested for a lascivious, exploitative crime. When the proverbial boom was lowered by family, neighbors and the law, he carped to me about “unfair treatment” which, he alleged, arose from his prominence.

“If I was just some regular person, I’d be treated less harshly,” he complained.

It is this sense of privilege, of specialness, along with the hypocrisy of playing “Mr. Clean” in public while embracing the opposite in private, that engenders so much disdain for folks of this ilk. What compels individuals to drift so far in their private lives from the principles they publicly espouse? Several potential mental scenarios are at work.

THAT SENSE OF POWER

First off, there is plain old butt-faced arrogance. People who think too highly of themselves may become overly

Illustration by Michael Burmesch.

confident in their ability to manage situations that require public deception and playing “the system.” Neuroscience studies show that, once a person feels powerful and superior to others, they risk developing something called “acquired sociopathy.” While this condition can result from physical trauma to the frontal lobes of the brain, just being rich and powerful can bring it on, as well. In this regard, various famous persons come to mind, including Trump, Putin, Musk, Madoff, Alex Murdaugh, Clarence Thomas and the like. For the arrogant, it can become a game they play with their own social fortune, believing they are sufficiently cunning to beat the odds and escape consequences.

Another causative element involves something we all use to bend our moral principles—rationalization. Even good people talk themselves into doing bad things by employing a self-serving logic that makes it acceptable. They may tell themselves they deserve some forbidden fruit as a reward for otherwise stellar or self-sacrificing behavior, or as compensation for some perceived wrong inflicted on them by others or fate. Whatever the cognitive equation, rationalizations can persuade people they are entitled to privately break the rules they publicly endorse.

In other instances, the intensity of an inner need persuades people to breach the moral barriers they construct around their behavior. Sex, drugs, gambling and other “got to have

it” indulgences can overpower both personal codes of conduct and the fear of exposure and social recrimination. Humans are neither angels nor devils. We live somewhere in between. But surrendering to a compulsion is a choice, one made easier when drunk with self-importance and privilege.

Finally, there can be a “latent disrupter” in one’s innate personality. Curiously, this is often a character strength that, under certain circumstances, morphs into a weakness. For example, someone’s optimism and drive, common ingredients for success, can mutate into grandiosity, over confidence and impulsivity. When unchecked by prudence and moral restraint, these attributes can mutate into liabilities. Most of us have done things, minor or major, that we knew were wrong or hypocritical and that might expose us to “for shame!” condemnation from others and, hopefully, ourselves. Good people can and will do bad things. Nonetheless, when someone who has it all squanders their largesse or reputation in a failed effort to have still more and does so without remorse, they carry the shame of having no shame.

Philip Chard is a psychotherapist and author with a focus on lasting behavior change, emotional healing and adaptation to health challenges. For more, visit philipchard.com.

INSIDE A GREENDALE ORIGINALS HOME THEN AND NOW

(PART ONE OF TWO)

BY SHEILA JULSON

Tucked off of west Grange Avenue in Greendale is a pocket of modestly sized houses and multi-family structures that appear straight out of an English village. Known as Greendale Originals, these homes, many of which still have the original cincrete (a type of cinderblock) façade, were part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Resettlement Administration’s Greenbelt projects.

Greendale is one of only three Greenbelt projects; the other two are in Greenbelt, Md. and Greenhills, Ohio. All three were built around the same time, between 1936 and 1938. These villages today are National Historic Landmarks.

“Previously farmland, the government bought this land due to its close proximity to Milwaukee,” says Ted Mainella, treasurer of Greendale Historical Society (GHS). Their Apple Court Project house is a 1,000 square foot Greendale Originals home located at 5597 Apple Court, Greendale. It was purchased by GHS from Milwaukee County in 2019 for $70,000. Two years and $120,000 later, the house was restored to its near original state.

At a glance, these houses appear “backwards.” The living rooms are situated at the back of the house. There are no front yards, save for a small sitting area. The design allowed residents to enjoy views of their spacious backyards, Mainella says. The kitchen faces the street.

The houses are all connected by paths so that children wouldn’t have to cross a busy street, adds Marge Hill, president of the Greendale Historical Society. “Paths were intentionally designed to be narrow to encourage people to engage with neighbors.” A nearby walking path leads directly to Historic Downtown Greendale.

The homes were originally all rentals, Mainella says. The structures have two, three and four-bedroom units, and renters were assigned homes based on their family size. In 1952, the government started selling the homes via a lottery system. All 366 Greendale Originals structures still stand today, and Mainella notes most are in good condition.

BUILT TO LAST

The Apple Court home retains the original 85-year-old clay tile roof, but some tree-damaged tiles above the utility room had to be replaced. The GHS had been stockpiling the unique clay tiles for years from people that had modernized their homes. “There’s no way to destroy these tiles except to break them. They don’t disintegrate or collapse,” Mainella says as he wraps on one to demonstrate its durability.

Most windows are repurposed from other Greendale Originals homes. A carpenter built a replica of the kitchen window. Near the side entrance, a cast iron lid on the ground slides open to expose an underground garbage pail that could be lifted out.

Greenfield Originals homes were built without basements. Because the Greenbelt communities in Maryland and Ohio were built first, the government began running out of money by the time they were ready to start building in Wisconsin. “They wanted to still build here. There was a big housing crisis in Milwaukee and a need for affordable housing for families with small

Photo by Michael Burmesch.

Photos by Michael Burmesch.

children,” Hill relates. To save money, the government just built the Greendale structures without basements.

Interior highlights include exposed wood ceiling beams. In the Apple Court house, beams had been covered by a drop ceiling installed by a previous owner. “Most of the originals have been remodeled and are very modern. They’re gorgeous, but they’re not historic,” Hill remarks. “We lucked out when we found these beams still intact under the drop ceiling.”

Historically accurate Art Moderne pieces furnish the living room. Being in the midst of the Great Depression, clothing and decor were simple and lacked the intricacies signature to Victorian Era furnishings, Hill says.

The gray and multi-colored tile kitchen floor consists of six-by-six-inch tiles that were specially cut. The metal cabinets are all original, as is the butcherblock countertop, and the kitchen sink. Hill notes GHS got the kitchen table from an antiques dealer who brought the price down once he found out it would be used for their historic renovation project.

The utility room displays a photo of Eleanor Roosevelt, who frequently traveled to check on WPA projects. When she came to Greendale to view the homes, all of which were heated by coal, she immediately noticed that the small coal chute and coal room was separated from the laundry facilities by just a half wall.

“The coal delivery truck would tip coal out from the back of the truck and through the chute, getting coal dust everywhere,” Hill says. “Mrs. Roosevelt saw that and was like ‘oh, no, no, no, not by the laundry!’ After that, she insisted on having a woman on the planning board. Coal rooms were redesigned to be separated by a door.”

All of the original wood floors were refinished. A staircase leading to the second floor has the original flat wooden handrail. Three bedrooms varying from small to large, or “mama bear, papa bear and baby bear,” Mainella remarks, have ‘30s era furniture that was donated by people with Greendale connections.

The upstairs bathroom has the original bathtub and a glass towel rod, which is also a trademark to the house.

Most restoration was done by volunteers during the COVID-19 shutdowns. Hill expresses thanks to all volunteers and notes that J & J Contractors removed for no cost the siding that previously covered the house. Waterstone Bank approved loans to complete some of the costlier renovations.

“It truly is a labor of love,” Hill concludes. The Apple Court house is available for overnight stays. For more information, visit VRBO, airbnb, and booking.com, or call 414-421-1938.

Curious to see what a modernized Greendale Originals house looks like? Watch for the January 2024 issue of the Shepherd Express as we visit the home of Joe and Marlene Bruno, who live in a remodeled Greendale Originals home that seamlessly melds the past and present.

Photos by Michael Burmesch.

Sheila Julson writes the Eat/Drink column for shepherdexpress.com.

101 INVESTING

BY MICHAEL MUCKIAN

There is an old saying when it comes to investing: If your money doesn’t work for you, then you will continue working for your money.

That means that until you free up enough personal capital to invest in income-yielding vehicles—stocks and bonds come to mind—you will continue to labor to earn your livelihood. For most of us, even smart investing will never quite replace the 9-to-5 regimen, at least not until retirement. But even the most minimal investments can augment that income and provide a greater financial cushion to contribute to a more comfortable life and a more secure future.

It's a simple concept behind an enormously complex equation that drives the money stream around the world. Many people get rich on their investments, but you have to play in order for it to pay.

Start with developing a good savings habit at your local bank or credit union. Depositing money in financial institutions is a safe and secure way to save your money and keep it liquid. But the low interest rates FIs offer make it a bad choice if you want that money to grow. In fact, if your banked money is earning you 2% interest and inflation grows by 3%, you’ve just lost a dollar on every $100 you have in the bank. That’s a bit simplistic, but you get the idea.

The stock market is the avenue most investors take, buying shares in for-profit companies that then use your money to help them grow, returning the favor by paying dividends on your investment. Everybody wins.

THERE ARE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START INVESTING:

• Start early, even if you have to start small. Thanks to the miracle of compound interest, the money you invest will earn interest and, as time goes by, that interest also earns interest. Think of your investment as a money snowball that just keeps growing in size, once again, earning more money for you.

• Investing in the stock market is a long-term game. The longer your funds stay invested, the better off you

will be. The market fluctuates for many reasons, and not all of them financial. Your investment likely will go up and down in value, but history has shown that the overall market index has risen over time and so will your investments.

• Invest through a firm that knows what it’s doing. You can go it alone, of course, but that will require a lot of personal work learning the companies and playing the market. Most investors start with mutual funds, which will spread their investment risk over multiple companies with the idea of keeping things stable and balanced. Find a broker you can trust.

• If that firm is a fiduciary firm, so much the better. Fiduciaries are committed to serving the needs of their investors. There are no market guarantees, but fiduciaries have a different philosophy, which can make them more responsible to those investing in them.

• Know your investment goals and mind your timing. Younger investors can take on riskier investments that earn greater returns because they have more time to recoup any losses. Older investors trying to build capital for retirement are better off sticking to safer investments. The returns may be lower, but the performance is less volatile.

At the end of the day, it comes down to knowing what you will need financially, both short term and long, and acting accordingly. It’s not easy and requires a stomach for risk, but the returns will eventually create a profit, and suddenly you will find that your money is working for you.

In past columns we’ve advocated that, in managing your money, you should always pay yourself first. This is a good way to start.

Photo by champc/Getty Images.

Michael Muckian was the banking and finance writer for the Milwaukee Business Journal and is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Financing and Accounting and The One-Day MBA in Finance and Accounting.

BUCKS HAVE PIECES IN PLACE FOR 2023-24 BUCKS HAVE PIECES IN PLACE FOR 2023-24

BY ALLEN HALAS

Illustrations by Tim Czerniakowski.

Undoubtedly, April 2023 is a time that the Milwaukee Bucks would like to forget.

After being heralded as a favorite to return to the NBA Finals, and possibly claim the franchise’s second title in three years, Milwaukee coasted to a 9-0 start to the regular season and amassed a 16-game win streak later in the year. That was all for naught, though, as a wild card Miami Heat team bounced the Bucks from the first round of the NBA playoffs in five games. While it likely hasn’t left the players’ minds, Milwaukee finds itself in a similar position for the 2023-24 slate of games, which tips off on Oct. 26.

There are plenty of storylines to watch this season, but none bigger than the play of Giannis Antetokounmpo. After missing a total of 19 games last year due to injury, Antetokounmpo underwent a routine surgery in the offseason, according to the team. The injury stems back to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, when Giannis collided with Atlanta Hawks guard Clint Capela and hyperextended his left leg. In 2022, he revealed in an interview

with The Athletic that he was one more extension away from total disaster but played in the Finals without a knee brace. After the surgery, Giannis missed the 2023 FIBA World Cup with the Greece national team but appears to be on a timetable that will have him back in action for the regular season. As a perennial MVP candidate, Bucks fans will need the Greek Freak in top form by opening night.

While Giannis is the show in Milwaukee, the supporting cast will feature some familiar faces once again. In July, the Bucks resigned forward Khris Middleton, who rounds out Milwaukee’s big three alongside Giannis and Jrue Holiday. Middleton also underwent surgery this offseason but should be good to go by opening night as well. Another key re-signing was center Brook Lopez, who will be joined by his brother, Robin, after being acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Robin last played for the Bucks in 2019-20 and adds another big presence in the paint for Milwaukee. Veteran guard Malik Beasley is also a new addition, along with young guards Andre Jackson Jr. from UConn and a re-signed A.J. Green, who added

shooting depth late in the 2022-23 regular season. The core of the Bucks’ roster is solidified by this point, but production from the bench will be crucial in the long haul that is the 82game slate.

EASIER IN THE EAST

Part of what initially made the Bucks title contenders was the lack of competition in the Eastern Conference. Before Miami played spoiler, it was looking like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee would meet in the conference finals series, in a heated rematch of the 2021-22 conference semifinals.

Photo by Allen Halas.

Milwaukee and Boston once again look like favorites in the conference, followed by the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia, however, is facing internal struggles, as star guard James Harden and center Joel Embiid have both indicated that they are unhappy with their roles on the team, to say the least.

Roughly nine other teams in the conference appear to be playoff contenders, though none have the star power and depth that Milwaukee and Boston’s rosters have on paper. The entire makeup of a team can change over the course of seven months, however, so Milwaukee will have to live up to their potential on the court, as well.

KEY DATES

While yes, every game counts about as much as the next in the regular season, certain dates on the calendar should be circled for Bucks players and fans alike. The season tips off against the aforementioned troubled 76ers on Oct. 26 at Fiserv Forum, and on Oct. 30, Miami will come to town in a game that has extra weight given last year’s playoff exit. The Bucks won’t see either team until nearly December (Miami) or the new year (Philadelphia,) so they’ll look to make a statement against their postseason rivals while getting their rhythm together as a team.

Thirty of the Bucks’ regular season games will be nationally televised this year, giving Giannis and co. plenty of time to shine on a bigger stage. That

includes all three games against the Boston Celtics this year, beginning on Nov. 22 from TD Garden, and two games with the Phoenix Suns, who are forever linked to the Bucks for their matchup in the 2020-21 NBA Finals. You can see the Celtics at Fiserv Forum on Jan. 11, and Phoenix on March 17. The Bucks will also once again play on Christmas Day, albeit in Madison Square Garden this year, when they take on the New York Knicks for an 11 a.m. Central Time tipoff.

IS THIS THE YEAR?

All of the pieces are in place for Milwaukee to once again make a deep playoff run, and maybe even an NBA Finals appearance once again. However, that was said about this team last year, as well. If Milwaukee can once again get off to a hot start, and see things through to the end while staying healthy, Bucks fans should have plenty of reasons to cheer this season.

Allen Halas is the Digital Strategist and weekly Bucks columnist for shepherdexpress.com.

Photo by Allen Halas.

Help for Hot Spots

BY CARRIE MARBLE, OWNER BARK N’ SCRATCH OUTPOST, AND CALEY

Hot spots are a condition where an area of your pet’s skin becomes inflamed and infected leading to a raw, itchy, sensitive patch. Hot spots can show up overnight or while you are away at work. Now your pet is obsessively chewing and licking this area day and night, to the point you feel they may just chew it right off! What can you do?

First, it is important to clean the affected area. Carefully remove any hair in the way of the hot spot and gently wipe away any discharge. Next, apply a natural topical solution to soothe the area and help relieve pain. A staff favorite is Skout's Honor Probiotic Hot Spot Hydrogel for dogs and cats. The hydrogel promotes optimal healing conditions with the natural benefits of aloe vera, hickory bark extract, and probiotics. Once the gel is applied, the wound needs to be left alone to heal. An E collar, such as The Comfy Cone, will prevent your dog from licking and biting. Another option is to use a child-sized onesie or t-shirt that fits your pet and covers the wound.

Finding the root cause of the hot spot may take some detective work. Some hot spots stem from a food sensitivity. Have you recently introduced any new food or treats into your pet’s diet? Has your pet been on the same diet for years and years without rotation? Does your pet’s food have ingredients that cause a hot reaction like chicken, venison, or bison?

Environmental factors can also spark hot spots. Have you started using a scented air freshener or switched laundry detergent? Are you giving your pet unfiltered tap water? Does your pet have fleas?

The possible causes don’t end there. Dogs with hip or joint pain may bite at the site of the pain until it becomes a hotspot. Similarly, a dog’s paws may be in pain causing them to lick excessively as they try to alleviate the discomfort.

If none of these scenarios seem likely, your dog could simply be bored. Licking and chewing are ways in which dogs try to entertain themselves, and this repeated action in a single spot can cause skin inflammation.

Although hot spots are not completely preventable, there are steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of your pet ending up with one of these painful skin infections. Interact with and exercise your dog daily. Research perfumes and scents that could be harmful to pets. Educate yourself on hot and cold foods. Our employees are happy to help answer any questions you may have. At Bark N’ Scratch Outpost, we think outside the bag!

Content sponsored by Bark n’ Scratch Outpost. Locally owned since 2006, Carrie, Michael and staff are dedicated to educating pet owners about the importance of their pet’s diet. Bark n’ Scratch Outpost is located at 5835 W. Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53213

Photo by ulkas/Getty Images.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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The Fierce Połential of Fiber The Fierce Połential of Fiber

WOMEN’S VOICES HEARD AT JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE EXHIBIT

WOMEN’S VOICES HEARD AT JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE EXHIBIT

BY DAVID LUHRSSEN BY DAVID LUHRSSEN

Prejudice is woven into the fabric of society. That’s the underlying message of “Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse,” the current exhibition at Jewish Museum Milwaukee. At the surface level, the exhibit’s agenda is “to debunk the misconceptions surrounding fiber arts, relegated as ‘easy women’s work,’ a craft, not a fine art form,” said Molly Dubin, the museum’s curator.

“Women Pulling at the Threads” consists of dozens of woven and sewn artifacts by female artists. “We have two men in the exhibit—we didn’t want to be exclusionary!” Dubin says. The Justice Bells, a set of three large hanging lampshades fashioned to resemble the Liberty Bell (or the restrictive hoop skirts once worn by women) was made a sister-brother duo, Cuban Americans Alina Rodriguez Rojo and Damian Rojo. The cloth is covered in cryptic references to 1920s America—including the dollar bill’s all-seeing eye—at the time when women gained the right to vote. The other male contributor, Israeli American Jac Lahav, produced Sojourner, a portrait in velvet, acrylic and felt of Sojourner Truth, the Black Abolitionist.

“Women Pulling at the Threads” is an almost entirely original exhibit created by JMM in collaboration with the Contemporary Art Modern Project (CAMP), a Miami-based organization focused on emerging and mid-level artists. Nothing in “Women Pulling at the Threads” is older than 2019 and the oldest pieces were produced for a CAMP exhibit intended for the 2020 centennial of women gaining voting rights in the U.S. To expand and localize the exhibit, JMM “put out a call to Midwest fiber artists,” Dubin says. The majority of artists accepted were from Wisconsin, including many from Milwaukee.

The exhibit at JMM marks the first time most of the pieces have been displayed. They range in style, material and subject. Blunt messages share the walls with subtlety. Representational pieces include Abigail Engstrand’s Glacial Justice, (the title expressing the slow pace of change) gathers wool, cotton, silk and other materials to form portraits of prominent women such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Greta Thunberg and Katanji Brown Jackson. By contrast, Sooo-z Mastropietro’s Spinsters is abstract expressionism, the fiber analog to a drip painting, comprehensible through its title, an ironic reference to the old term for unmarried women, given nothing to do but knit and reflect.

Many of the works in “Women Pulling at the Threads,” produced during the past year, are reactions to the U.S.

Background by Lidia Efimova/Getty Images.

Fifty Years Overturned, 2023, Artist: Ann Baer, Photo credit: Phyllis Bankier.

Life in Limbo, 2023, Artist: Judy Zoelzer Levine, Image: courtesy of artist.

Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Coat hangers are in evidence. However, other current topics are taken up. Judy Zoelzer Levine’s Life in Limbo is a quilt of cotton, linen, wool and synthetic fibers depicting the journey of migrants, many of them downtrodden in aspect. Stitching along the quilt’s bottom spells out the unhappy reasons for their migration, including Persecution, Poverty, Climate, Famine, Hunger, Disease, Flooding and Dictatorship. Judy Dubrosky’s Privacy Sweater is three dimensional—a woman’s effigy clad in a sweater of many colors juts out from a gray fiber backdrop adorned with looming black cameras. The theme is surveillance, the implication that AI could track the movement of women seeking abortions across state lines.

Privacy Sweater is composed from pieces of many sweaters, machine and hand made. “Many of the artists were interested in repurposing materials, including clothes that have their own history, objects imbued with their own story, made part of a contemporary conversation,” Dubin said.

Perhaps the most striking artwork in “Women Pulling at the Threads” is the largest. Shelly McCoy’s Allegory of Sisterhood II: What If stretches from nearly ceiling to floor in the museum’s great hall. The installation is sewn in part from secondhand red and white skirts with a selection of white brassieres against a blue field, forming a humorous rendition of the American flag.

The issues addressed in much of “Women Pulling at the Threads” are “fundamental to the topics we’ve always explored, giving voice to underheard groups” Dubin said, referring to JMM’s programming history.

“Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse” runs Sept. 8-Dec. 31 at Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave. The exhibit will be accompanied by many special events and discussions. For more, visit jewishmuseummilwaukee.org.

David Luhrssen is the author of several books on popular culture including The Vietnam War on Film and Mamoulian: Life on Stage and Screen.

Indulgences, 2023, Artist: Jennifer Hellermann, Image: courtesy of artist.

Glacial Justice, 2023, Artist: Abigail Engstrand, Photo credit: Larry Sanders.

JOURNEY UP THE RAVINE JOURNEY UP THE RAVINE

WILLY PORTER TESTED, MOTIVATED ON AMBITIOUS NEW ALBUM

BY JOSHUA M. MILLER

When singer-songwriter Willy Porter describes the journey of creating his new album The Ravine, there’s an abundant and pure sense of gratefulness. He’ll perform with his band October 6 and 7 at Shank Hall.

On one hand, the album was one of the most challenging for Porter to write and record. Over the past few years, he’s endured a litany of challenges and tragedies—a prolonged and difficult period of songwriting, the sudden passings of his nephew and his producer and longtime friend Mike Hoffmann, and the decision to take on a lion’s share of production work to finish the album—that brought uncertainty if the album would be released.

On the flipside, it’s one of his most creative and sonically ambitious albums to date. He found himself with an abundance of time due to the pandemic “to work on music in a more focused way as a songwriter.”

“It’s probably the most adventurous kind of tunes I've written because it's really a journey in a lot of ways musically for me. I haven't written anything quite like it,” says Porter.

For example, the title track showcases his desire to use a plethora of differ-

ent musical time signatures to create momentum. He also experimented with a wide range of genres, including the “swamp blues” of “Don’t Underestimate The Devil” and the “traditional American folk motif” of “Your Honor.”

“I write songs all over the place musically,” he says. “I don't really stick to one genre. I just follow the muse. They are diverse, but they're unified in the period of time that they were created.” Lyrically, the album tackles a variety of topics personal to Porter. For example, he talks about childhood mental illness on "Your Honor," and gun violence on "Change Your Mind.” He also showcases a more humorous side on "Larry Bought a Tractor.”

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Willy Porter has a theory that a good idea won’t leave you alone. In the past, he’d often sit down with a purpose to write songs. However, the writing of songs on The Ravine was much more meticulous.

“They all share that distinction that they weren't exercises. I wasn't trying to sit down and throw a quota or write a song to crank something out. They were tunes that hit me,” he says.

For example, “The Ravine” took him almost two years to finish. There was something special about the song that made him come back to it.

“These songs all involve some level of sleeplessness, meaning they won't let go of you,” says Porter. “They wouldn't let go of me when I was working on them. I try to honor that if something sticks with you, it's probably worth looking at more closely.”

Porter later turned to Hoffman, who had produced his 1994 breakout album Dog Eared Dream, to produce and record the album at his studio The Crow’s Nest.

“Mike was immensely talented at catching musicians while they were having fun.

Photo by Cory Zimmerman of Z2.

WILLY PORTER

And capturing the energy of invention, meaning somebody might know how to play a song and they might have all the mechanics down, but they don’t necessarily have the secret emotional sauce that makes a song musical, that emotional currency,” he says.

“Mike had a certain way about him that got musicians to forget themselves and play music for the sake of the music. And that is something that I will always strive to do. I think that's his great impact on me, most certainly. But I'm not alone, and I know that he had the same effect on pretty much everybody he worked with. He was just selfless, funny, quiet, but in his presence, you did better work.”

One of his favorite moments working with Hoffmann was for his song “A Dog on a Leash.” He says Hoffmann gave the fairly straightforward song a burst of energy. “The way that we set up in the room and the feel and flow of that session that day really brought something out of that song that’s uniquely Mike, and it came out beautifully,” says Porter.

Sadly, they weren’t able to finish working on the album. In October 2021, Hoffmann passed away suddenly due to a pulmonary embolism. It was a devastatingly “profound” loss for Porter, who had also just lost his nephew. He decided to take time away from recording the album to grieve and process. He says that family, friends, and colleagues helped him. They kept encouraging him and telling him to keep going. After four and a half months away from music, he felt ready to return.

“I got very depressed for a while and we all need to rally for each other,” says Porter. “This record wouldn't exist if I didn't have the community that I have, both of my band and my family and the people that have supported my work… We hold each other up and we push each other.”

Once back in the studio, he decided to produce the remaining three quarters of the album with the help of producer and engineer Kevin Arndt and longtime bandmate Dave Adler. He calls the experience a “hard mountain” to climb as he didn’t have Hoffmann’s genius and “Zen force of positivity in the studio.”

“That was a difficult moment in this record that really forced me to refocus my energy and pull it together to complete this project,” he says. “It might have my name on the record, but all these people contributed to this house of cards. It’s definitely a community project.”

Porter is excited to perform live and showcase a uniquely different show that really covers “all the bases in terms of what this band can do and what we like to do.”

“We’re not just going to get on stage and stare at our shoes,” he says. “But I'm not going to come in on a zip line in a loincloth either. So, it'll be somewhere in between those two extremes.”

Joshua M. Miller is a local music writer and frequent contributor to the Shepherd Express. You can follow his work on Twitter at @JoshuaMMillerWI.

Photos by Cory Zimmerman of Z2.

WILLY

THROUGH OCTOBER 29 Jack-O’-Lantern Nights p Racine Zoo

Guests will be treated to over 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns and festive illuminations, Thursdays through Sundays. In the crisp fall air, guests will stroll through the Racine Zoo along a dedicated paved pathway immersed in dazzling lights and decorations. The intricately designed jack-o’-lanterns will look like pieces of art during the day and come to life at night for all to see.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 10 “Pause/Connect” Warehouse Art Museum

This Month in Milwaukee

This Month in Milwaukee

14 THINGS TO DO IN OCTOBER

14 THINGS TO DO IN OCTOBER

BY ALLEN HALAS, ELIZABETH LINTONIN DAVID LUHRSSEN AND BLAINE SCHULTZ

BY ALLEN HALAS, ELIZABETH LINTONIN DAVID LUHRSSEN AND BLAINE SCHULTZ

“Pause/Connect” is an unconventionally arranged exhibition of some 80 photographs from private collections, most from the collection of Jan Serr and John Shannon, plus five videos. Work from 16 nations is represented with a time frame spanning 1910 through the present, including original commissions by Serr and Shannon. The photos are not arranged chronologically, nationally or biographically, but thematically. The exhibit also includes the Midwest premiere of Carla Gannis’ Virtues and Vices (2023). The 19-minute video cross examines AI and ChatGPT, humorously and provocatively exploring the abrupt emergence of a technology whose consequences could be staggering.

OCTOBER 4

Maia Kobabe, Gender Queer:

A Memoir Cactus Club

In honor of Banned Books Week, the Cactus Club Book Club will read Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer: A Memoir, otherwise known as “The Most Banned Book of 2022.” This illustrated, vivid title features the author’s journey through a queer identity, and highlights navigation through formative experiences such as adolescent crushes, trauma, friendship, fanfiction and much more. Presented by Rethinking Schools, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening public education through social justice, the event to discuss the memoir will take place at 5:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 4

Frankie and the Witch Fingers, p Wine Lips, Fellow Kinsman Miramar Theatre

If you like big, powerful rock music, you’ll want to make your way to The Miramar Theatre for an event promoted by Cactus Club at the East Side venue. Los Angeles psych rockers Frankie and the Witch Fingers lead the charge for the night, touring in support of September release Data Doom with a full head of steam. They’ll be joined by brilliantly catchy punks Wine Lips from Canada, and the bill is rounded out with Milwaukee’s own Fellow Kinsman. The night promises to be loud, delivering straight up rock and roll with absolutely no pretense about it.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

Beat Street

Cactus Club

Wentworth Avenue will be filled with activity as Cactus Club presents its annual outdoor fall block party, Beat Street. The one-day event features programming from all of the Bay View club’s facets, including a Punk Rock Rummage Sale and makers market, information from social justice initiatives, and of course, a solid music lineup. Headlining this year’s festivities is Nashville band Snõõper, who bring a wild live show that features animations, puppets, light shows, and whatever else they feel like pulling out for the night.

Photo by Lance Bangs. @lancebangs

FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS

Photo by Michael Burmesch.

RACINE ZOO

OCTOBER 7

Culture By Design: Sneaker & Streetwear Summit

Baird Center

Presented by Milwaukee Film, Culture by Design brings together cross-cultural and intergenerational “sneakerheads” and streetwear aficionados for a multifaceted exhibition featuring prominent national fashion designers and content creators. “I’m excited to help create this event as a resource for creatives in Milwaukee and the region,” says Izzy Lugo III, host of the Strange on Purpose podcast. “I’ve been to similar events elsewhere, but witnessing the different cultural pillars come together throughout the day will be distinctive in a way I haven’t experienced yet locally.”

OCTOBER 11-12

Bob Dylan

Riverside Theater

Nobel Prize winning songwriter and selfdescribed “song and dance man” Bob Dylan opened his “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater on Nov. 2, 2021 with a concert that included a healthy dose of new material. He returns with his band, a group that leans toward roadhouse but is savvy enough to follow the imaginative spins on songs Dylan has been reworking for decades.

OCTOBER 11

Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland

Bradley Symphony Center

Bandleader and saxophonist Charles Lloyd cut his teeth with Chico Hamilton’s band before leading his own groups and collaborating with The Beach Boys. Lloyd’s music has long reached out, drawing other culture’s music to jazz. The trio, Lloyd on saxes and flute, Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain, and drummer Eric Harland, released the 2006 album Sangam which has been described as a “breath-taking interplay and common purpose among the three musicians.”

OCTOBER 12

t Camping in Alaska, Michael Cera Palin, Riley!, Cheem, Cali Cuzns X-Ray Arcade

Milwaukee’s Basement Collective teams up with X-Ray Arcade to bring a quintet of up-and-coming emo bands to the Cudahy club. Five states are represented, with Alabama’s Camping in Alaska headlining the stacked bill. They’ll be joined by Atlanta’s Michael Cera Palin, Riley! from Texas, Connecticut hyperpop act Cheem and New York’s Cali Cuzns for a showcase of the next wave of emo. Get sad in Cudahy in the best ways this month.

OCTOBER 15-19

Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival

Marcus North Shore Cinema

What’s a Jewish film? The 26th annual Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival defines the term broadly, gathering thoughtprovoking films dealing with Jewish themes from Germany, France, Italy, the U.S. and Israel. With romance in Calabria, matchmaking in Israel, escape from Nazi Germany and the life of Gene Wilder, the 2023 festival explores the universality of the Jewish experience. Film discussions with special guests will be in-person at the theater and available on jccmilwaukee.org following the screening of each movie. The festival continues through Oct. 29 for stream-at-home viewing.

OCTOBER 19-21

Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival

Oriental Theatre

This year’s Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival includes comedies, dramas and documentaries on the diversity of the Muslim experience from the Netherlands, German, Palestine and elsewhere. Also screening is Wisconsin Public Television’s special “Wisconsin Life: The Wisconsin Muslim Project,” sharing stories about Neenah’s Fox Valley Islamic Society; a mosque helping curb hunger in Milwaukee; Barron’s first Somali-born city council member, a UW-Madison professor getting young people engaged in civics; and the founders of a Muslim art collective in Milwaukee.

OCTOBER 22

Soft Machine

Shank Hall

Formed in the mid ‘60s, Soft Machine were part of the Canterbury Scene, a British coterie of musicians that moved from psychedelia to prog rock and jazz fusion. While this is no longer the band that opened dates for Jimi Hendrix in 1968, Soft Machine continues to evolve. A Shepherd Express review of their 2020 album Live at The Baked Potato called the group “sonically crisp and suggests the magical moments of the group’s earlier days. A prog influence tethers their jazz flights to rock…”

OCTOBER 24

Codefendants p

X-Ray Arcade

With long-running punk act NOFX calling it quits after their final worldwide tour, frontman Fat Mike has already moved on to new projects, including one that he doesn’t actually perform in. Codefendants is a stellar mix of hip hop and punk rock, Sam King of Get Dead fronts the band alongside rapper Ceschi Ramos. Fat Mike’s influence can be heard all over March’s debut LP This Is Crime Wave, a truly new direction for all involved. Don’t miss their Milwaukee debut at X-Ray Arcade.

OCTOBER 29

Present Music, Die Stadt ohne Juden

Milwaukee Art Museum

In 2015, a complete print of Die Stadt ohne Juden (The City Without Jews) was discovered in a Paris flea market. It had been one of many thousands of lost films from the silent era, yet its story is singular. Shot in 1924, the eerily prophetic story concerns Jews expelled from their homes and pushed onto trains for uncertain destinations. Seen in light of the Holocaust, The City Without Jews, although soon forgotten after its release, stands as a prediction of things to come. When Present Music’s Co-artistic Director Eric Segnitz saw the film, he knew he wanted to program it—and perform its new, original score by contemporary composer Olga Neuwirth— for the ensemble’s season. “The film has a lot to do with the current political climate, the rise of intolerance all around us, the rise of antisemitism. It struck me as very relevant,” he says.

Graphic courtesy xrayarcade.com/calendar.

Graphic courtesy xrayarcade.com/calendar.

THOUGHTS ON A THREESOME

DEAR RUTHIE,

I’m suspicious of the relationship between my wife and her best friend. I have no proof they’re romantically involved, but I feel their friendship borders on inappropriate sometimes. Too many of their “girls’ nights” and sleepovers sparked jealousy and concern in me.

Recently, my wife suggested we have a three way with this woman. I know most men would jump at this chance, but I think my wife has feelings for this woman.

I love my wife and want to please her and make our marriage work, but this request is just too much. Think I’m overreacting? Being paranoid?

THANKS,

Doubłing Thomas

DEAR TOMMY,

Think your wife is getting a little biscuit on the side? Regardless of having proof, even the tiniest doubt about a three way means it’s not a good idea at this time. Don’t let some macho bedroom bullshit get in the way of doing what’s right for you and your marriage.

Use this opportunity to tell your wife how you really feel about her friendship with this lady friend of hers. Express yourself honestly and consider marriage counseling if you feel the two of you are in over your heads.

Ruthie's Social Calendar

OCTOBER 7

BOMBSHELL THEATER 23/24 SEASON PREVIEW GALA AT SUNSET PLAYHOUSE (700 WALL ST., ELM GROVE): Food, drinks, live entertainment and a smashing good time are in store as one of the city’s newest theater companies hosts this enchanting night. The bash starts at 6 p.m., but you’ll need to secure tickets first via www.bombshelltheatre.org.

LELA 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUNWAY SHOW AT MILWAUKEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (910 N. OLD WORLD THIRD ST.): The popular Third Ward dress shop celebrates its success with this posh 7 p.m. event. Enjoy a fashion show at 8:30 p.m., featuring local drag legend B.J. Daniels. Order tickets at www.lela20th. eventbrite.com, knowing that half of the ticket sales are donated to Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee.

OCTOBER 12

CREAM CITY FOUNDATION BUSINESS EQUALITY LUNCHEON AT THE PFISTER HOTEL (424 E. WISCONSIN AVE.): Celebrate LGBTQ+ equality in Southeastern Wisconsin workplaces when you attend this popular event. The 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. lunch includes a keynote speaker in addition to the opportunity to mix and mingle with the city’s movers and shakers. See www.creamcityfdn.org for tickets.

OCTOBER 13

PAULA POUNDSTONE AT THE PABST THEATER (144 E. WELLS ST.): A great night is sure to be had with the one-of-a-kind comedy of Paula Poundstone. See why her dry wit and observational take on society keep Paula one of America’s favorite funny people by nabbing tickets at www.pabsttheatergroup.com.

OCTOBER 14

SUPER SALE AT MAC/MILLER AND CAMPBELL COSTUME SERVICE

(907 S. FIRST ST.): Drop by this 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. sale, and grab all the costumes, makeup and wigs to make your Halloween one for the books. Plan to arrive early. The best pieces are gone quickly!.

OCTOBER 17

OPENING NIGHT DISNEY’S ALADDIN AT MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

(929 N. WATER ST.): Your Broadway wishes come true in this newly produced musical from the minds that brought you The Lion King and Frozen. The magical production wraps up October 22, so stop by www.marcuscenter.org for dates, show times and tickets.

OCTOBER 25

“AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS” AT THE PABST THEATER (144 E. WELLS ST.): David Sedaris is back with an all-new telling of laugh-out-loud stories. The humorist and best-selling author brings his brand of funny to Cream City with this 7:30 p.m. show. Check out www.pabsttheatergroup.com for details.

OCTOBER 28-29

“THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS WITH ORCHESTRA” AT BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER (212 W. WISCONSIN AVE.): Enjoy the charming cult-classic film as it plays on the big screen while the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs the incredible soundtrack live. Visit www.mso.org for tickets and show times.

OCTOBER 29

RUTHIE’S SPOOKTACULAR BRUNCH AT HAMBURGER MARY’S (730 S. FIFTH ST.): Join me and The Brunchettes for two boo-tiful shows (11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The family-friendly event serves up a touch of sass alongside Mary’s popular brunch menu, bottomless mimosas and more. Be sure to nab a reservation at www.hamburgermarys.com/mke.

Milwaukee’s Mainstream Theater Offer Lots of LGBTQ Options for 2023-24 Season

BY PAUL MASTERSON

Milwaukee’s mainstream theater season for 2023-24 offers a host of LGBTQ relevant fare.

In October, Milwaukee Chamber Theater mounts a reprise of Brent Hazelton’s Liberace. Having premiered locally a decade ago, this intimate study of West Allis’ favorite son explores both the artistic extroversion and internal struggle of the closeted but ostentatiously fey gay and besequined celebrity pianist in a homophobic world.

Also in October, the Skylight Music Theater’s season opens with Candide, a work created in 1956 (in the midst of the Lavender Scare, by the way) by the triumvirate of top tier musical gays, composer Leonard Bernstein with lyricists Steven Sondheim and John Latouche. Ironically, reverentially or coincidentally, Bernstein biographer Joan Payne referred to Candide as a “gay pastiche.” Not surprisingly, the work is based on a satirical novel of the same title by another gay (or, perhaps bisexual) blade, the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire. His dalliances with men began, according to his own account, with Jesuit instructors at his Catholic alma mater in 18th century “gay Paree.” Among his later paramours was Prussia’s Frederick the Great, (the same King of Prussia for which King of Prussia, Pennsylvania is named, by the way).

MUSIC AND COMEDY

Speaking of trios and same sex dalliances, in spring 2024, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Quadracci Powerhouse presents Christina Ham’s Nina Simone: Four Women. Focusing on the spell-casting jazz singer’s role as civil rights activist, the show is the third Rep production over recent years featuring LGBTQ identified Black female singers. Previously Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith were on the marquee and this season Nina Simone completes the trinity. The aspect of sexual identity, save for some titillating hints, has not, however, played much of a role in the back stories presented in the previous productions. It will be interesting to see just how, or even if, the subject is broached this time around.

Later in the Skylight’s season, the musical comedy Xanadu with music and lyrics by apparently straight (nobody’s perfect) Jeff Lynne and John Farrar hits the stage. One critic called Xanadu a gayer version of Spamalot (which was petty gay). Then there’s Spring Awakening, inevitably another gay collaboration, this time with music by Duncan Sheik and lyrics by Steven Sater.

Last but not least, in charming Waukesha, Outskirts Theatre Company celebrates its tenth season with four productions including a pair of LGBTQ relevant shows. Diane Son’s lesbian themed Stop Kiss opens in April at the Waukesha Civic Theatre. Then, in June for Pride Month 2024, Outskirts stages the ever-popular gay family musical comedy, La Cage aux Folles. The nine performance run takes place, appropriately enough, at Milwaukee’s La Cage NiteClub in its upper room theater venue. In fact, auditions for the show take place this month on Oct. 16 at La Cage. Information may be found on the Outskirts social media page.

Meanwhile, The Rep has announced its Pride Night dates for the season. Hosted by the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce buttressed by a busty quintet of Cream City’s most celebrated drag queens, the first has already taken place for the September opening of Run Bambi Run, a rock musical based on the infamous Milwaukee murderess Laurie “Bambi” Bembenek (wouldn’t it be fun if someone would revive Dale Gutzman’s 1991 play Bembenek ?). Anyway, future Pride Nights take place in November for Dial M for Murder and, naturally, for Nina Simone: Four Women in April 2024.

Suffice it to say, between the LGBTQ dedicated productions by the Boulevard Theatre and Theatrical Tendencies and those staged by the mainstream houses, this season may be one of the gayest we’ve had the pleasure of seeing in years.

Paul Masterson is an LGBTQ activist and writer and has served on the boards of the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center, Milwaukee Pride, GAMMA and other organizations.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Run Bambi Run in the Quadracci Powerhouse September 14 – October 22, 2023. Pictured: Erika Olson and cast. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER

From The City That Always Sweeps

BY ART KUMBALEK

I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So listen, here we are, Oc-focking-tober, the year of 2023 I hear, for christ sakes.

Seems just the other bunch of years ago when I was a tyke-ish katzenjammer and forced to study symbols and what-not over there by Our Lady In Pain That You Kids Are Going Straight To Hell But Not Soon Enough over there down by the South Side, this time of year said that “Braves” meant Milwaukee stomped the baseball world, and “I Like Ike” was the bee’s knee’s when it came to a snazzy presidential hotcha-chotcha campaign slogan-ad

broadcast on the 10-inch screen Stewart Warner black-and-white TV where’s you almost needed binoculars to focus in on “Uncle Miltie” Milton Berle parading ’round the stage whilst wearing a lady’s dress, lipstick-makeup and beauty-parlor hair. Remember?

OK, maybe not. Either way, allow me to remind you’s that it’s the month of October we now need to deal with once again, the supposed tenth month of the year according to our ferkakta calendar of the so-called Julian and Gregorian calendars from some 1,000 years ago. However, Oct seems to be a root for the numerical “eight” around the world (“ocho” Spanish; “otto” Italian; “acht” du lieber, German; 八 (捌 ) bā Chinese; “oito” Portuguese).

So “eight” became “ten”? Cripes, mathematics seems to be the devil’s work when it comes to calendar months of the year, but somehow we put a man on the moon more than 50-focking years ago. What a world.

Warning: This essay has abso-focking-lutely nothing to do with “good” writing. Hey, this is a magazine/website, not Oprah’s Book Club, for christ sakes. Now about this supposed need to segregate your foul language from your good writing: This was not always some kind of standard of choice on the part of writers who today are known as “good” who wrote books yesterday that today are known as “good.” Hell, no.

Nay, a segregated and separated state of fair and foul was for two reasons: one, ’cause of the heavy-duty censorship going around like chicken pox in the olden days; and two, because people got the short-stick on freedom of expression, they were long on reading ’tweenst the lines.

In fact, I’ve delved into some hardcore investigation and boned up on this very topic whatever-it-is, and wouldn’t you gast your flabber to know that Hermie Melville’s original title to the whale book was Moby Focking Dick until some pisspot wrote a prissy letter to his publisher? Same damn thing happened to the Russian guy Dostoyevsky (The Brothers Kara Focking Mazov), and it happened more recently to Papa “Watch Where You’re Aiming That Thing” Hemingway (For Whom the

Focking Bell Tolls). Jeez louise, they even made one guy change his own name, from Fockner to Faulkner.

The last instance of this practice occurring that I know of came in 1960 with Harper Lee’s To Kill a Fockingbird just so it could win one of those Pulitzer Prizes. She was so upset with the forced title change to “Mockingbird” that she never wanted to publish another book the rest of her life, I kid you not.

(Hold on a second. It’s the focking phone; could be my doctor with test results since it’s that time of year for scary. OK, it’s my buddy Little Jimmy Iodine. Relax and have a nice smoke, I’ll be right back.)

“Yeah, so Artie, you still coming over Trick-or-Treat morning to help me make the mashed potatoes, gravy and scrambled eggs for the kids when they come by later to ring my bell with their costumes?”

“I forgot about the trick-and treating, Jimmy. But I remember last year, this little kid who’s got one of those what-you-call speech predicaments knocks on my door. “Bick or beet,” he says. I say, “And what are you supposed to be for Halloween?” Kid says, “A birate.” I say, “So where are your buccaneers?” And the kid says, “On the side of my buckin’ head, fockstick.”

“I’ll tell you’s, Artie, this Halloween time can be spooky ’cause it underlines that you never know what’s coming to burn your butt-ski but good in a minute, an hour, a day, next week, month or year. We’re all like that boat The Titanic. Each and every one of us has some kind of big-ass personalized iceberg out there somewheres just waiting to tear us a new one sideways at any moment, one that would be the farthest thing from your mind, I don’t care who you are. I got to go.”

OK then, so do I. But I’ll leave you with this: “Ziggy zaggy, Ziggy zaggy, Oi! Oi! Oi!” ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.

Photo by Viorel Poparcea/Getty Images. Jack o lantern faces by azatvaleev/Getty Images.