Shepherd Express - March 2022 by Shepherd Express

MARCH 2022

RETURNING TO THE

WORKPLACE?

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NEWS 08 Office Hours? 11 This Modern World 12 It’s Official: Republicans Now Support the Violent Overthrow of Democracy — Taking Liberties

14 Everyone Deserves the Right to Make Their Own Health Care Decisions, Including Abortion — Issue of the Month

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Louis Fortis (ext. 3802)

16 Cetonia Weston Roy Centers on Black Literature — Hero of the Month

GENERAL MANAGER: Kevin Gardner (ext. 3825)

18 Working Hard to Stop the Shooting — MKE SPEAKS; Conversations with Milwaukeeans

MANAGING EDITOR: David Luhrssen (ext. 3804)

FOOD & DRINK 22 Paloma Taco & Tequila's Recipe for Success 24 Here’s How to Recover from Too Much Winter Comfort Food — Flash in the Pan

SPECIAL SECTION 26 Spring Arts Guide SPONSORED BY

26 Present Music Lights 40 Candles at the Milwaukee Art Museum 46 Home & Garden SPONSORED BY

46 Nari Visited Wisconsin with Annual Spring Expo 48 10 Ways to Get the Garden Ready for Spring

SPONSORED BY

70 Drag Husbands Unite! — Dear Ruthie 72 Men's Health Study at MCW is Recruiting Participants — My LGBTQ POV

ART FOR ART'S SAKE 74 From the City that Always Sweeps

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EVENT COORDINATOR: Casey Trotter (ext. 3816)

52 Spring Drink

54 St. Patrick's Day Guide

BUSINESS MANAGER: Peggy Debnam (ext. 3832)

SHEPHERD EXPRESS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, REGARDING ANY ADVERTISING. DUE DILIGENCE IS RECOMMENDED BEFORE ENTERING INTO ANY AGREEMENT WITH AN ADVERTISER.SHEPHERD EXPRESS WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND RELATING TO ANY AD. PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION AND NOTIFY US OF ANY CHANGES. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS IN ADVERTISING AFTER THE FIRST DAY. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT, REJECT OR RECLASSIFY ADVERTISEMENTS AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION, WITHOUT NOTICE. WE DO NOT KNOWINGLY ACCEPT ADVERTISEMENTS THAT DISCRIMINATE OR INTEND TO DISCRIMINATE ON ANY ILLEGAL BASIS, OR ARE OTHERWISE ILLEGAL. NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATION AFTER DEADLINE, NO COPY CHANGES EXCEPT TO PRICE OR TELEPHONE NUMBER.

Cover: Returning to the Workplace? illustration by Michael Burmesch. Spring Arts Guide illustration by Ali Bachmann. Spring Drinks photo by TheaDesign/Getty Images. Home & Garden illustration by Sophie Yufa. Banner background by Blair_witch/Getty Images.

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s Republican Legislators are at it Again

These Republican legislators have shown no interest in understanding the real issues facing a big city school system and certainly have shown no concern for the children. If they understood inner-city education issues, they would understand that poverty affects all aspects of life, especially the schools. And if they cared about low-income children, they would try a few policies that have been shown to be very successful, including a child tax credit which has done a spectacular job of reducing child poverty. The private voucher schools have been around for about 30 years, and the school voucher folks have fought against having their students tested. When their students are tested, the tests usually show no significant differences between the public-school students’ test scores and those of the private schools. This is not to say that there aren’t some strong charter schools and some strong public schools functioning in low-income communities. This time it is suburban Sen. Alberta Darling leading the charge against the Milwaukee Public Schools. Darling introduced a series of bills on behalf of the special interest groups that want to continue to privatize Milwaukee Public Schools and actually break up MPS.

WHEN IN CRISIS AND DISARRAY, REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS ATTACK MILWAUKEE Currently the Republican Party is in crisis and disarray, with many still claiming that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election because they are afraid to cross Trump and publicly state the fact that he lost. Even Sen. Ron Johnson admitted Trump lost. The rightwing of the party is calling on Speaker Robin Vos to resign and the Republican gubernatorial primary is quickly getting rather nasty. So, when they are under fire, Republicans know one thing that brings some level of agreement and that is to attack Milwaukee. Many people remember former Gov. Tommy Thompson’s line when he was speaking to a group in northern Wisconsin about the importance of having a major league baseball team in Wisconsin and how it benefits the entire state. But when it came to fund the construction of the stadium, he wanted to excite his audience with his “stick it to ‘em” comment about putting the construction costs of the Brewer’s baseball stadium on the Milwaukee and Waukesha taxpayers. It was a great applause line for him. So, it is always a perplexing issue of why outstate Republicans seem to despise Milwaukee when many of them have never set foot in the city or even the county of Milwaukee other than State Fair Park. Rather than try to figure out why they hate Milwaukee, I would rather point out why they shouldn’t. The state government provides many services to all its residents like our excellent higher education systems, both the universities and the technical colleges, that literally change people’s lives. It provides money for K-12 education and monies to offset property taxes for dayto-day operations like snow removal and law enforcement. It funds roads especially beneficial for rural areas and it provides medical assistance through Badger Care which keeps rural hospitals alive.

the state come from sales tax, income tax, corporate tax and a variety of smaller sources. Some counties are net contributors, sending more to the state than they receive in various benefits, and other counties are net takers receiving more benefits from the state then they contribute. They are essentially welfare counties. You don’t need a Ph.D. in economics to figure this out. Where is most of the income tax coming from? The larger population counties, with Milwaukee County and Dane County leading the pack, have a larger share of higher income individuals and a higher pay scale for all level of jobs thereby paying much more income tax to the state. And if you have more people with higher income spending money, sales tax revenues will be greater. Finally, where are most the major corporations located? Counties like Milwaukee, Dane and Waukesha are major net contributors to the state coffers, while smaller, very red rural counties are net takers. They benefit greatly from these larger net contributing counties. Without the major netcontributor counties, the lower income red counties would look much like a third world country. So why do they hate Milwaukee and Dane counties? They should be saying thank you, instead of applauding lines like “stick it to ‘em” and sending legislators to Madison to step on the necks of Wisconsin’s Golden Goose counties that support them. Louis Fortis Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Tyler Nelson

he Virginia governor’s election last November was won by Republican Glenn Youngkin using public school issues as wedge issues to win in that purple state. So now the Wisconsin Republicans are trying to copy that strategy. They are recycling their same old attacks on Milwaukee Public Schools by promoting their various ways to privatize the public schools that educate a large percentage of children from poor families. Unfortunately, this experiment of privatization has failed the city children but pleased the rightwing anti-government campaign check writers, enriched many private individuals and corporations and saved some horrible private schools.

SO WHERE DOES THIS MONEY COME FROM; WHO IS PAYING THE BILL? The major sources of revenue coming to

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NEWS

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Illustrations by Michael Burmesch.

OFFICE HOURS? AMID OMICRON SURGE, MILWAUKEE COMPANIES WAVER OVER REQUIRING RETURN TO IN-OFFICE WORK BY DAN SHAW

hen COVID-19 first hit Wisconsin in March 2020, Oyvind Wistrom and his colleagues at the Linder & Marsack law firm were optimistic enough to think they could have employees back in the office by Labor Day. That projected return date quickly turned into Memorial Day 2021, then Labor Day 2021, then the first day of the following year. Now two months into 2022, many Linder & Marsack lawyers are still working from home even as staff employees keep a schedule that has them coming in three days a week. “We still don’t have a firm date for when everybody will have to start coming in again,” Wistrom said. “We’re hoping it’s going to be sometime in 2022. But we don’t think it will be any time before Memorial Day.”

Wistrom said he does worry there is something lost when lawyers aren’t meeting face-to-face—at least on occasion—with clients. And then there are those casual chats with colleagues that can lead to new insights into, and possibly solutions of, vexing legal problems. “It used to be if I was on a deadline with some new legal issue, I’d wander down the hall and talk to people and bounce ideas off them,” Wistrom said. “For whatever reason, it’s tougher to do that when you have to pick up the phone first.”

Like so many companies, Linder & Marsack has seen its plans for an early return knocked off kilter by the arrival of the Omicron variant. The resulting surge in COVID-19 cases has prompted companies throughout Milwaukee and other parts of Wisconsin to once again put off requirements for in-office work. Even with the case count now in decline, large numbers of employers remain reluctant to call for a full-scale return to working in person. (By Thursday, Feb. 3, Wisconsin's seven-day case average stood at 4,679 as of Thursday, down from 18,857 on Jan. 19.)

HYBRID SCHEDULE We Energies, which provides power throughout much of southeast Wisconsin, had initially planned for office employees to start returning earlier this year. Now the goal is to have the transition start sometime around March 1, said Brendan Conway, a spokesman for the utility. After that date, employees will probably work some sort of hybrid schedule that has them in the office only on certain days. And these plans remain subject to change should infection numbers start to rise again. Wistrom said the situation is not ideal for Linder & Marsack, a specialist in labor and employment law. From the beginning of the pandemic, it was apparent that a few staff employees would still have to be venturing into the office to collect mail and complete paperwork. Lawyers at the firm meanwhile moved to meeting with clients on Zoom and similar video-chat services. Some have continued to do so even as the relaxation of socialdistancing restrictions have allowed others to return to the office.

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NEWS

DRAWBACKS TO WORKING REMOTE

Duffek said the system seems to be working well and he sees little reason to change it.

Linder & Marsack is not the only business that has encountered serious drawbacks to working from home. At Duffek Construction in Waukesha, company officials recognized immediately that undertaking large building projects “ONE ARGUMENT would be impossible through remote AGAINST RETURNING work. Fortunately for them, an executive WILL MOST LIKELY BE order issued by Gov. Tony Evers early THAT THE WORK IS in the pandemic ensured construction GETTING DONE. WE could keep operating more or less as HAVEN’T SEEN A DIP usual while many other industries were IN PRODUCTIVITY. under lockdown.

SO THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF RESISTANCE.”

Even with that exception, Mike Duffek, president of Duffek Construction, said working from home really wasn’t going to get the job done. The company had its offices reopened by July 4, 2020, and was requiring workers to return by the beginning of the following year.

Duffek said there was no doubt that something was missing when staff employees were trying to work remotely.

“At this point, I’m of the mindset that this is something that’s going to be here to stay,” he said. “And we are going to have to manage and work around it at the jobsite and do at the same office.” Wistrom likewise doesn’t foresee a complete return to remote working, barring some catastrophic rise in COVID cases. He looks forward to the day when he and most if not all of his colleagues will be back at their desks, within a short stroll of each other whenever they need to confer or collaborate.

Of course, he realizes many people have probably gotten used to some of the conveniences of working from home. The next difficulty he’s likely to be faced with is finding a way to make the transition back to the office not too disagreeable.

“For our size of company, I don’t see how we could do a good job and not be in person,” Duffek said. “You have to be able to get out and touch and feel and see what you are building and be in communication each and every day.”

“One argument against returning will most likely be that the work is getting done,” Wistrom said. “We haven’t seen a dip in productivity. So there might be a little bit of resistance.”

As for vaccinations, Duffek encourages his staff to get their shots but of course has no right to require that they do. On the few occasions employees have tested positive, they’ve been required to work from home for the mandatory quarantine period.

Dan Shaw is an editor and writer with 20 years in the industry. His experience includes jobs at daily newspapers in the U.S. and overseas. Besides his freelance writing, he now edits both a daily construction newspaper and the Wisconsin Law Journal.

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Illustrations by Michael Burmesch.

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NEWS TAKING LIBERTIES

It’s Off icial: Republicans Now Support the Violent Overthrow of Democracy BY JOEL MCNALLY

he Republican party has made it official. Republicans no longer support American democracy and consider their violent attack on the Capitol Jan. 6 to overthrow President Biden’s election a form of “legitimate political discourse.” That really shouldn’t be news to anybody. The nearly unanimous vote by the Republican National Committee last month simply codified Republicans’ contempt for democracy that was obvious throughout Donald Trump’s presidency. That’s why it ended so spectacularly with the violent mob attack by Trump’s supporters trying to stop Congress from certifying President Biden’s election. Trump finally made the history books just like he bragged he would. Trump tweeted his praise to the rioters calling their insurrection justified “when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. . . . Remember this day forever!” The surprising part is Republicans now expect everyone else to forget about what happened that day by November’s midterm election. Republicans believe if they pretend there’s nothing wrong with an American political party resorting to political violence to remain in power after losing an election, they’ll still have a political advantage in the midterms like opposition parties usually do after a new president is elected. But American politics will never be normal again as long as Trump retains his control over the Republican party.

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TRUMP DICTATES GOP AGENDA That’s why it was foolish for the RNC to condemn Republicans Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for having enough political courage to join a bipartisan congressional investigation to prevent the violent attack on democracy that threatened to hang Vice President Mike Pence and murder members of the House and Senate from ever happening again.

PENCE: “THE PRESIDENCY BELONGS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ALONE. AND FRANKLY, THERE IS NO IDEA MORE UN-AMERICAN THAN THE NOTION THAT ANY ONE PERSON COULD CHOOSE THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT.”

The RNC passed the resolution that could have been written by Trump himself denouncing Cheney and Kinzinger for “participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.” That’s a bizarre description of a brutal attack resulting in seven deaths and serious injuries to 140 police officers, many with

permanent brain damage or physical disabilities after being beaten unconscious with baseball bats, hockey sticks, iron bars and flag poles. Ordinary citizens do not usually engage in political discourse with their elected representatives by rampaging through the Capitol breaking down doors, busting up furniture and smearing their own excrement on the walls.

REWARDING THE RIOTERS Americans will have plenty of reminders before November of the horrors of that day many watched live on television. Trump reportedly did the same, gleefully rewinding his favorite parts. The bipartisan congressional committee will televise testimony from witnesses about the presidential planning behind those events. Just as damaging to Republicans could be Trump actively campaigning for the worst candidates he can find to endorse in those midterms. Trump already has promised if he’s re-elected in 2024 (and he’s still the party’s leading candidate) he’ll reward the Capitol rioters. “If it requires pardons, we’ll give them pardons because they are being treated so unfairly” by being prosecuted, Trump told a Texas rally. Several advisors to the defeated president said Trump seriously considered issuing a blanket pardon for all participants in the Capitol attack in the final days of his presidency before Biden’s inauguration. He was talked out of it since no one had been charged with any crimes yet.

Illustration by Ali Bachmann.

Biden’s Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland has now charged more than 700 of them. That includes 11 Oath Keepers militia members facing up to 20 years in prison charged with seditious conspiracy to violently overthrow the government with a large stockpile of assault weapons hidden nearby.

GOP ELECTION FRAUD Ten Wisconsin Republican party officials including the former state chairman Andrew Hitt are under investigation for submitting fraudulent documents to the U.S. Senate and the National Archives claiming to be “duly elected” electors casting the state’s 10 electoral votes for Trump even though Biden won Wisconsin. Republicans made such false claims in seven states Trump lost to create confusion over which electors legitimately represented those states. Vice President Pence thwarted the plot by refusing a demand from Trump that he throw out the electoral votes in states with conflicting slates of electors when Pence presided over the certification of Biden’s election. That would have reversed Trump’s election defeat. “I had no right to overturn the election,” Pence told the Federalist Society on the same day the RNC declared its own support for Trump’s destruction of democracy. “The presidency belongs to the American people and the American people alone. And frankly, there is no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president.” Pence is one of the few Republican politicians who have ever aggressively acted to preserve democracy. Democracy also remains the preferred form of government of the overwhelming majority of American voters. That’s why voters in November have to start removing all those Republicans from public office who no longer support democracy.

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

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NEWS ISSUE OF THE MONTH

Photo courtesy of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc.

Everyone Deserves the Right to Make Their Own Health Care Decisions, Including Abortion BY TANYA ATKINSON

“As a young woman, I knew I was in danger physically with my ex-boyfriend and medically with the pregnancy, so I made the final decision to have the abortion.”—Mallory Nearly one in four women will have an abortion in her lifetime. Every day, people across the country make their own decisions about their pregnancies for reasons that are deeply personal. Politics has no place in these decisions. Yet, if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court later this summer, abortion in Wisconsin could immediately become a crime at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the woman. This is because Wisconsin has a 172-year-old criminal abortion law that is still in place that could immediately go into effect if Roe is overturned. Deciding if or when to become a parent is one of the most personal and life-changing decisions many people will make. 14 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

While we may have differing views about abortion, most of us can agree that we want our friends and family to be able to get the care they need when they need it. We don't want politicians to make these personal decisions for us or the people we care about. The reality is laws and court rulings have serious consequences for people we love. The physicians and clinicians at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin are there for women, counseling and caring for them. “As a physician, I am dedicated to protecting the health of my patients as well as assuring they have access to the care they need when they need it. If Roe is overturned and abortion is criminalized in Wisconsin, my ability to care for persons with high-risk pregnancies that pose a threat to their health, those who have been victimized, or those experiencing miscarriage or

other pregnancy complications could put me and my colleagues at risk for prison time. This is unconscionable. Patients need and deserve to have access to safe and timely medical care, free of political interference.”— Dr. Kathy King Abortion can be a complex, deeply personal, private decision that each person must be able to make for themselves, taking into account their own values, responsibilities, and life circumstances. Take it from the patients who have shared what it’s like to be in their shoes: “My husband and I, with our faith in God, made our decision. It wasn’t anyone else’s place to decide. I had an abortion to preserve my health, and likely save my life. I never imagined I would have to make that decision”—Ginger “I found out I was pregnant two years ago— recently single, a week into a new job, alone in a new city — I never questioned what I would do. My very first thought was that I wanted to die. My next was that I needed to have an abortion. Risking my recovery and giving up everything I have worked for wasn’t an option. I put my mental health first.”—Leah

BANNING WILL ONLY MAKE ABORTION UNSAFE We can't know every person's circumstances. What we do know is banning abortions won’t stop them in Wisconsin or in any other state. What it will do is make it unsafe.

It is hard for me to imagine how anyone entrusted with elected office believes they know better than Mallory, Tracy, Leah or Ginger and would deny people the ability to safely access time– sensitive health care that people need. But that is exactly what Republicans in the state Legislature are doing by refusing to repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion law. We have a choice to support a different vision of Wisconsin’s future, which is also supported by the vast majority of Wisconsinites. That vision represents a future where everyone has the ability to make their own health care decisions and access the health care they need—including abortion. We invite everyone who wants continued access to essential health care and the freedom to make your own health care decisions to contact your legislators and hold them accountable. Demand they repeal Wisconsin’s 172-year-old abortion ban. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin will fight to protect access to safe and legal abortion. No Matter What. Learn more @ ppawi.org.

Tanya Atkinson is the President of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. PPAWI is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, the state's largest and most trusted reproductive health care provider. MARCH 2022 | 15

NEWS HERO OF THE MONTH

Photo by Cetonia Weston-Roy. Photo by Erin Bloodgood.

Cetonia Weston Roy Centers on Black Literature BY ERIN BLOODGOOD

ou may have heard, there’s a new book seller in town and she’s been doing things a little differently. Cetonia WestonRoy started Niche Book Bar in 2020 with the goal of making Black literature more accessible and, due to the pandemic, she has had to be creative from the start. She has hosted dozens of pop-up book and author events around the city, has created a book bike (a mobile cart full of books she attached to her bike) and sells books through her website. But from the beginning, her dream has always been to have a physical bookshop and she’s almost there. She is in the process of purchasing the building at 1937 North M.L.K Dr. in the heart of Bronzeville and plans to open her bookstore later this year.

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Reading has been a passion of Weston-Roy’s since she was about seven years old and remembers getting lost in books like Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron. However, she recalls not being able to connect with many of the characters she read about, often unable to find books that centered around Black characters.

BEYOND TRAUMA The books she could see herself in were usually based in trauma – as in, stories that center the pain of Black people. “I still think it’s a problem that trauma-based literature is so easy to connect to, that’s what everyone is putting on their top lists,” says WestonRoy. “You have to know real life, you have to know past, present,

and how it affects the now. But I don’t believe that it should only be trauma work that’s easy to find.” She believes that trauma-based novels are important to understanding racism and what causes it, but those should not be the only literature available. It’s easy to see how it can be damaging when the only books one can find with Black characters are based in pain. But Weston-Roy is set on changing this issue. “I want to center Black literature in those genres you don’t see,” like sci-fi, romance, and fantasy, she says.

Photo by Erin Bloodgood.

Beyond the books she stocks, Weston-Roy has big aspirations for her soon-to-be bookshop. She envisions a space based in community where families can gather, people can make new connections, or simply read a book while having a glass of wine. Since the inception of Niche, she has been hosting community events, centering local Black authors, and fostering spaces that generate conversation. Most of all, she’s determined to be an integral piece of the thriving Bronzeville neighborhood and be a part of its growth. “This is going to be the best M.L.K. street in America,” she says. WestonRoy has already built the heart of her bookshop, now she’s waiting eagerly to open the space.

Learn more about Niche Book Bar at www.findyournichemke.org. Erin Bloodgood is a Milwaukee photographer and storyteller. See more of her work on her website at www.bloodgoodfoto.com. MARCH 2022 | 17

NEWS MKE SPEAKS: CONVERSATIONS WITH MILWAUKEEANS

Working Hard to Stop the Shooting

INTERVIEW WITH VIOLENCE PREVENTION DIRECTOR ARNITTA HOLLIMAN BY TOM JENZ

ccording to police crime statistics, Milwaukee experienced historically violent years in 2020 and 2021. The city’s homicide rate increase was among the top five highest in the nation. Shootings increased by 25%. Reckless driving has been like a creeping cancer. According to Acting Mayor Johnson, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, District Attorney John Chisholm, Alderman Michael Murphy, 414LIFE head Reggie Moore and grass roots Black leaders, violence prevention looms as Milwaukee’s most important challenge for 2022.

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As director of the city’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), Arnitta Holliman is in a position to get things done. She was born and raised in Milwaukee on 12th and Atkinson in zip code 53206. She attended Samuel Morris Middle School and Juneau High School and earned her undergraduate degree at Marquette University, majoring in psychology and minoring in criminology and law studies, before earning her masters degree in clinical psychology. She is a licensed therapist and professional counselor and has worked in private practice, school and community clinics and prisons. She has also done group and individual therapy.

Photo via Facebook / Arnitta R. Holliman, MS, LPC, CPC.

Before coming to the Office of Violence Prevention, she headed the Sisters program at Benedict Center helping women in the street-based sex trade experience healthier and safer lives. The OVP hired Holliman as manager for the Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma program where she worked with highrisk young people and their families who experience trauma. After two years in that role, she was appointed Director of the Office of Violence Prevention in May of 2021. I spoke to her on a frigid Friday in late January.

Let’s start out with the Office of Violence Prevention’s mission statements. One of them is to provide strategic direction and oversight for Milwaukee’s efforts to reduce the risk of violence through linked strategies in partnership with government, non-profit, neighborhood and faith organizations. That sounds complicated. OVP has 30 strategies in addition to the six goals under the Blueprint for Peace. These principles guide our work. We partner with system partners, community-based and neighborhood organizations, and people who are working to prevent and interrupt violence. We convene meetings with our partners, and we help fund organizations that serve youth, domestic violence victims and family trauma. We attend community events and work groups that are trying to stop the violence. We also respond in real time to dramatic situations: shooting, homicide, a domestic violence incident.

The OVP public health approach uses a four-pronged strategy. One of the prongs is this: Designing, implementing, and evaluating violence prevention strategies which includes adoption of evidence-based practices on individual, family, community, and societal levels. What are these violence prevention strategies? One important strategy is our direct service, the 414LIFE program. 414LIFE addresses violent incidents. We partner with the Medical College of Wisconsin to carry out the 414LIFE program headed by Reggie Moore, former director of the OVP. In 414LIFE, violent incidents are handled by Violence Interrupters who work on the ground to mediate violence or retaliatory violence whether individuals or groups. For example, if someone is shot, there might be retaliation. We also have an outreach component, Outreach Workers doing door to door conversations, or attending neighborhood events. Then, there are the Hospital Responders who help injured victims who are brought to our partner, Froedtert Hospital, after the victims experience trauma incidents. The Hospital Responders counsel family members and connect victims with various services.

What are the other areas that comprise the Office of Violence Prevention mission? Family violence is important. Our OVP Outreach people work directly on preventing domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and child abuse. We also fund some organizations that focus on preventing family violence. For instance, Karin Tyler works on domestic abuse and family issues. There is also the Suicide Prevention piece headed by Daynesia Kendrick. She works with faith groups and community residents. She teaches residents about how to recognize the signs for suicide and educates people on gun lock awareness. We supply city and county health clinics with gun locks.

How do Karin or Daynesia get their information about ongoing stressful situations or violent behavior? Seems like these situations need immediate responses. We get referrals from the police, or residents will call our office or reach us through social media. Or maybe one of our non-profit partners will alert us to a problem. We also hear from community activists like Vaun Mayes in the Sherman Park area. Another component of our work falls under RECAST, an acronym for Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma. RECAST was funded in 2016 by a federal grant, $5 million for five years. Simmone Kilgore is a licensed therapist and the RECAST program manager who leads our work around trauma prevention, healing and wellness.

How are all these strategies working so far? We’re seeing a phenomenal level of coordination and partnership we’ve not seen before.

In the last couple years, according to Milwaukee police statistics, violence has been on the rise. In my conversations with influencers on all levels, they tell me that the many silo organizations work separately and rarely interact. I am in regular contact with some of the central city grassroots leaders - Vaun Mayes, Tracey Dent, Tory Lowe, Ajamou Butler, and Elizabeth Brown. For years, they have been operating as volunteers. They feel that neighborhood leaders should be included in discussions with city department leaders and politicians¬—and also that the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money should help fund their own small nonprofit organizations. Do you agree? MARCH 2022 | 19

NEWS MKE SPEAKS: CONVERSATIONS WITH MILWAUKEEANS

Oh, I absolutely agree. I’ve heard this before, and I understand their needs. We love it when we can contract with the small grassroots organizations. We know they are on the ground doing work, but they do not have the resources. The problem has to do with what is required to receive a grant contract from the city. To receive grant funding, those neighborhood activists are required to head a group that meets city contract requirements, or they need to partner with a larger group that already meets the requirements.

That means the OVP can’t give money to organizations without the grant approval. These grassroots people walk the streets and immediately react to traumatic situations. They are effective at violence prevention on a small scale. Is there some way you can help them get a grant or help them with funding? We’d like to help, but we don’t make the decisions as to what is required for a grant from the City of Milwaukee.

Who does make those decisions? I would imagine it’s the city comptroller office. They have clear guidelines.

The 414LIFE program falls under the leadership of Reggie Moore, former director of the OVP. It is my understanding that 414LIFE falls under your purview. Yet, Reggie Moore and his 414LIFE employees work for the Medical College of Wisconsin. Can CONVENE you clarify how this system works?

“WE MEETINGS WITH OUR PARTNERS, AND WE HELP FUND ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE YOUTH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND FAMILY TRAUMA. WE ATTEND COMMUNITY EVENTS AND WORK GROUPS THAT ARE TRYING TO STOP THE VIOLENCE.”

The District Attorney John Chisholm told me of a study about cities who have funded grass roots organizations and how effective that has been in reducing crime. I’m not sure why the city comptroller office should have the power to determine if grass roots leaders get funding. I understand, but this is the Milwaukee process for groups to qualify for contract money. It’s out of our hands. If we could make it different, we would. But I do understand how much work the community activists are doing, their passion, and their labor of love.

Clear this up for me. Currently, I believe the OVP has nine staff positions and a budget of $3.7 million. The city of Milwaukee has received $8 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). At one point, Acting Mayor Johnson said the Common Council’s plan was to spend $16.8 million on the Office of Violence Prevention. But Alderman Michael Murphy recently told me the OVP is getting $6 to $7 million from ARPA, and that money is in addition to your regular budget. This is all confusing. How much money will the OVP actually get? Or have you got it? I had asked for $16.8 million for over four years. Through ARPA, Gov. Evers allocated half that amount, $8.4 million from the state, and that covers four years. We don’t yet have the funds but hopefully will in the next couple months. We have until 2026 to expend those funds. Our 2022 budget so far is $3.7 million but not all of those funds come from the city, some is from the federal grant money. And some of the ARPA $8.4 million will go to 414LIFE. Presently, our own OVP team has six positions filled, but we need to fill three more open positions soon. We will also be funding grants from outside organizations.

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Note: Governor Tony Evers stated that the state is investing COVID relief money to help reduce violent crime, with $6.6 million for the Medical College of Wisconsin’s 414LIFE Violence Prevention Project, and another $8 million to Milwaukee’s Office of Violence Prevention.

Medical College of Wisconsin has the contract for the 414LIFE program, but 414LIFE is still our program, and we work closely together, our team and the 414LIFE team.

Acting Mayor Johnson referenced the Blueprint for Peace started in 2018 by Reggie Moore and the OVP. This Blueprint identifies six goals to address violence. I won’t read all six goals but I am interested in Goal #1: Stop The Shooting- Stop The Violence. What are your plans to achieve Goal #1, which is currently very crucial?

That goal, Stop The Violence, falls under 414LIFE. However, the other work we do goes through our partners and organizations that are involved in the prevention work with young people and with families. We meet bi-weekly with our partners: the District Attorney, Medical College, Safe & Sound, Boys & Girls Club, Milwaukee County, the Mayor’s office, city police and federal law enforcement. We examine trends around violent incidents like shootings, family violence, drug overdose, juvenile problems, and we try to shift our focus, depending on the trends.

A lot of the inner city residents who have lived around violent incidents don’t know about Blueprint For Peace goals or the OVP strategies or hear about all the meetings you have, or even about the nonprofits you fund. They just want to stop the violence right now, an immediate need. Is there a way you can better communicate your efforts to the average citizen? We are working on that, being more proactive in helping the community to understand what we do. Basically, we cannot sustain a reduction in violence without trauma prevention, healing and wellness. At the OVP, we understand their pain. We are not removed from that pain. In violence prevention, there needs to be a healing component.

Tom Jenz is a Milwaukee writer and photographer whose Central City Stories can be read at shepherdexpress.com.

MARCH 2022 | 21

FOOD & DRINK

Paloma Taco & Tequila’s

Recipe for Success BY SUSAN HARPT GRIMES

aloma Taco & Tequila opened in July 2020, which could have been a disaster. With many well-established restaurants shuttering their doors, how could a brand-new restaurant survive, let alone, thrive? Against the odds, Paloma Taco has done just that. Excellent food, fantastic drinks, and a true community vibe has been a recipe for success. The cozy interior is full of bright colors. The tables and counter seating are appropriately separated by plexiglass. A cheerful wait staff, and pleasant kitchen crew in an open kitchen, immediately put diners at ease. In the warmer months the outdoor patio offers additional seating options and is so dog friendly there’s a special taco on the menu just for pups. 22 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

TACOS! There is so much that is right about the food at Paloma Taco. For starters, everything on the menu is clearly labeled if available as gluten free, vegetarian or vegan. Tacos, which are obviously the star here, come a la carte and with the choice of soft flour or corn shell, queso crunch shell, or served “naked” on a bed of shredded lettuce. Folks who are only in for a classic taco will love the Gringo All The Way! ($3.50) filled with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, onion, and tomato. For those who are interested in trying something more unique there are several delicious options to choose from. Paloma’s Al Pastor ($4) is made with incredibly tender slow-cooked pork, and topped with

sweet, roasted pineapple, cilantro and onion. The Crispy Sprout ($4), chock full of flash-fried, seasoned Brussel sprouts, which are topped with elotes corn, Cotija cheese and cilantro, is a crowd favorite and may even create a few new Brussel sprouts fans. Or try the inventive Tuna Poke Taco ($5) made with leek oil and soy sauce seasoned Ahi Tuna, lettuce, cabbage, and topped with jalapeno, guacamole, pineapple and sesame seeds. If a mere taco, or two, doesn’t quite seem like a meal to you, go for the Paloma Taco Pocket ($10-$14) which is essentially a giant taco. They’ll stuff a toasted burrito shell with a tostada shell and add your choice of fillings—the price varies depending on your choice of protein. Photos by Michael Burmesch.

Another good choice for a large appetite is The Usual Suspect Burrito ($12-$16), a huge burrito filled with cheese, salsa, crema, lettuce, your choice of protein, and fresh tortilla chips which add a delightful crunch.

TEQUILA! With over 20 different varieties of tequila on the menu, this crew knows what they are about. And, yes, there are a lot of options for margaritas ($8-$12) and palomas ($8-$9). Old Fashioned lovers should take a chance on the Spicy Mexican Old Fashioned ($8.50), made with the expected muddled orange, cherry and soda and also the unexpected Bittercube chipotle cacao bitters, pineapple-jalapeno infused Sauza tequila and a slice of fresh jalapeno!

A great addition to the Washington Heights neighborhood, we hope that Paloma Taco and Tequila will be around for many years to come. PALOMA TACO AND TEQUILA 5419 W. North Ave. (414) 810-0404 palomatacoandtequila.com $-$$

Susan Harpt Grimes is a longtime restaurant and features writer for the Shepherd Express.

MARCH 2022 | 23

FOOD & DRINK FLASH IN THE PAN

Here’s How to Recover from Too Much Winter Comfort Food BY ARI LEVAUX

t's never too late to craft a plan that will help you recover from the wintertime temptation of too much comfort food—not to mention the enduring weight gain from the holiday food table. Here are some thoughts on the subject, followed by a recipe for massaged kale salad that is guaranteed to leave your belly happy and full of fiber. 1. Treat your stomach space like the most valuable of real estate, like Victorians treated virginity. Don’t just give it away to the first hors d’oeuvres tray that floats by. It’s easy to surrender to filling your belly with whatever is within arm’s reach. Just don’t. If there is nothing good to eat then don’t eat. Take a breather. Something more worthy of your belly will be around soon enough. 2. The day after a feast, wait until lunchtime to eat breakfast. Some people worry that skipping breakfast leads to more eating later in the day to compensate, which can supposedly cause weight gain. But the most recent evidence (not to mention the anecdotal experiences of vocal breakfast-skippers) suggests that response is rare. In any case, during the holidays you already know you are going to eat more later in the day, so skipping breakfast to compensate for the gluttony to come makes sense. And after a night of feasting, you might just sleep in till about lunchtime anyway. 24 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

3. Up the activity. I don’t mean to imply that you can exercise away the excess, because unless you’re an endurance athlete, your workouts probably won’t compensate for the level of gluttony typical of the holidays. But exercise is always good for you and will help you build some discipline that you can put to work at the holiday trough. And if you’re skipping breakfast, you do have that time slot available … 4. Pre-party with green plant fiber. If you show up with a belly that has something in it, you won’t be that guy crowding the food table before its time to eat. Arriving at a lavish buffet with fiber in your belly has other benefits too. Greens are generally a good digestive aid that will help move along all the custard puffs, pumpkin pies and cookies that might tempt you. So start the evening with bowl or two of this massaged kale salad. And maybe bring some to the potluck if you think the other guests might want some tasty fibers in their lives. The action of physically squeezing the leaves in salt and lemon juice softens them, almost like a light sauté would, and makes them a joy to eat. Just remember that like many salads, this one isn’t low on calories. But at least the calories come from fat, which like fiber sates the belly and takes the edge off hunger. That is why calories from salad are better for you than eggnog calories. Kale photo by Anthony Boulton/Getty Images. Lemon photo by Nemida/Getty Images.

Photo by Ari LeVaux.

MASSAGED KALE SALAD In this recipe, you use your hands to knead the kale with salt and lemon or lime juice. This action breaks the cell walls, leaving the kale soft, pliable, and easier to eat. My kale of choice is the long and narrow-leafed Lacinato kale, which also goes by the names Dino kale, black kale, and Tuscan kale. Curly green kale is a good second choice.

SERVES 4 • 6 cups kale, center ribs removed, chopped crosswise to about ½-inch slices • 4 tablespoons lime or lemon juice • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 clove garlic, pressed (garlic lovers can multiply as necessary) • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1 teaspoon mustard • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or crumbled feta Place the kale, lime and salt in a large mixing bowl. Squeeze handfuls of kale as hard as you can, over and over, for about a minute. Add the rest of the ingredients, toss together and serve.

Ari LeVaux has written about food for The Atlantic Online, Outside Online and Alternet. MARCH 2022 | 25

SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

SPRING ARTS GUIDE MARCH-MAY 2022

hile COVID-19 still poses uncertainties, the final months of the 2021-2022 fine arts season are busy as many arts groups return to their mission of providing in-person experiences. Please check ahead to make sure that the events listed have not been postponed.

Present Music Lights 40 Candles at the Milwaukee Art Museum BY DAVID LUHRSSEN

orty years is a long time. Kevin Stalheim probably gave no thought to Present Music’s 40th season when he founded the group in 1982—or considered that PM would continue once he retired. Dedicated now, as when they began, to music of the present, the Milwaukee group will celebrate its 40th birthday with a concert and party at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Photo courtesy of Rayfield Allied.

Co-artistic director David Bloom describes another piece on the program, Viet Cuong's Re(new)al as “a journey through the wonders of renewable energy in the form of a concerto for four percussionists and chamber orchestra. The music is just glorious, moving past facts and figures that we tend to associate with utilities to capture a rapturous feeling of being inside the creation of hydro, wind and solar power.”

The details—especially the party—are in flux at press time, thank you Omicron. However, the concert, called “Ablaze,” will go on. “This program is centered around the idea of ‘identity,’ and we approach it from many different angles—all over the map, you might say,” says PM’s coartistic director Eric Segnitz. “It starts with folk music, ends with a rave-up tribute to Gloria Estefan, and tackles some challenging works in between.” “Ablaze” includes a world premiere, the latest PM commission, Daniel Kidane’s Primitive Blaze. Kidane is a young British composer of Eritrean and Russian heritage much acclaimed in the UK. His previous compositions were steeped in hip-hop and R&B. “He described Primitive Blaze to us as ‘an energetic piece for electric guitar and saxophone’ accompanied by our core ensemble,” Segnitz says. 26 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

internment camps—which reflects their exhibit as well as a photography exhibit (“An-My Lê: On Contested Terrain”) currently at the Art Museum.”

“Ablaze” is cosponsored by the Jewish Museum Milwaukee in conjunction with its current exhibit, “Then They Came for Me,” on the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. Segnitz says that the Jewish Museum was “interested in bringing multimedia artist No-No Boy (aka Julian Saporiti) to Milwaukee. He is a Vietnamese American folk artist who has been touring a work based on Japanese

Would it be accurate to say that with “Ablaze,” PM sought out the work of young composers? “It turned out that way, in part because composers of this generation are highly attuned to issues of social justice and focused on increasing the public’s awareness through their work,” Segnitz explains, adding that in the context of PM’s 40-year history, “It’s an extension and amplification of what we have always done. Inclusion is very much the baseline for this group, though we try not to be pretentious about it.” Unlike many proponents of “serious” music, PM has also always been about having fun.

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

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SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

ACACIA THEATRE COMPANY

BOMBSHELL THEATRE CO.

acaciatheatre.com

bombshelltheatre.org

Last Train to Nibroc, March 18-April 3, St. Christopher’s Church

Bubble Boy the Musical, April 2-10 (at Waukesha Civic Theatre)

ALFONS GALLERY

BOULEVARD THEATRE

Swearingen & Kelli: Folk Anthems of the ‘70s, April 2

alfonsgallery.org

milwaukeeboulevardtheatre.com

Rumors: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute, May 6

ALL IN PRODUCTIONS

BREW CITY OPERA

allin-mke.com

brewcityopera.wixsite.com

APERI ANIMAM

BRONZEVILLE ARTS ENSEMBLE

aperianimam.com

facebook.com/BronzevilleArtsEnsemble

ARTS @ LARGE

CABARET MILWAUKEE

artsatlargeinc.org

facebook.com/cabmke

AURA THEATRE COLLECTIVE

CARROLL COLLEGE THEATRE

auratheatre.com

carroll.edu

BACH CHAMBER CHOIR bachchoirmilwaukee.com

Faure, Requiem, April 10, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church BEL CANTO CHORUS belcanto.org

“The Breath of Life,” March 6 at St. Monica Parish

CARROLL PLAYERS carrollplayers.weebly.com The Importance of Being Earnest, March 3-6 CARTHAGE COLLEGE THEATRE carthage.edu/fine-arts The Revolutionists, March 3-5

CEDARBURG PERFORMING ARTS CENTER cedarburgpac.com Socks in the Frying Pan, March 19

CHANT CLAIRE CHAMBER CHOIR chantclaire.org CHARLES ALLIS ART MUSEUM charlesallis.org “Dressing the Abbey,” through May 30 THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS THEATER thecompanyofstrangerstheater.com THE CONSTRUCTIVISTS theconstructivists.org Babel, March 19-April 2 (Broadway Theatre Center Studio) CONCORD CHAMBER ORCHESTRA concordorchestra.org CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY cuw.edu

BLACK ARTS MKE

CATEY OTT DANCE COLLECTIVE

marcuscenter.org/series/black-arts-mke

cateyott.com

BLACK HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

CEDARBURG CULTURAL CENTER

abhmuseum.org

cedarburgculturalcenter.org

COOPERATIVE PERFORMANCE

Opening planned for February

“10th Annual Members Exhibit,” through March 6

cooperativeperformance.org

Medea: An Aesthetic Exploration of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge, April 28-May 1

BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS

COVERED BRIDGE ART STUDIO TOUR

boernerbotanicalgardens.org

cedarburgartistsguild.com

28 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

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SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

DANCECIRCUS

FLORENTINE OPERA

GROVE GALLERY

dancecircus.org

florentineopera.org

gallerygrove.com

DANCEWORKS PERFORMANCE MKE

Cinderella: The Child and the Enchantments, March 11, 13, 18 & 20

HAGGERTY MUSEUM OF ART

danceworksmke.org DAVID BARNETT GALLERY davidbarnettgallery.com DEAD MAN’S CARNIVAL facebook.com/Dead-Mans-Carnival EN POINTE GALLERY instagram.com/enpointegalleryandgifts

La bohème, May 6 & 8

Giacomo Puccini set his most popular opera in an earlier time and place, among the bohemian artists of 1830s Paris. Puccini’s music captured the chaotic ambiance of urban life against the backdrop of poverty and starving for one’s art. The tragic story of the dying heroine Mimi caught the hearts of operagoers since its 1896 debut. Jonathan Larson rewrote it as Rent, but face it, Puccini is the greater composer. The Florentine Opera transposes La bohème to another earlier time and place, 1940s Bronzeville. (David Luhrssen)

EARLY MUSIC NOW earlymusicnow.org

FRANK JUAREZ GALLERY

Infusion Baroque, “Virtuosa!,” March 5, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

fjgmke.com

Blue Heron, “Ockeghem@600,” May 7, St. Joseph Chapel EX FABULA exfabula.org Brave Space, “Rest,” March 8, Transfer Pizzeria

FRANKLY MUSIC franklymusic.org GREENDALE COMMUNITY THEATRE greendaletheatre.org GROHMANN MUSEUM msoe.edu/grohmann-museum

Brave Space, “Planting Seeds,” March 22, Transfer Pizzeria

marquette.edu/haggerty-museum “Art Asks, You Answer,” Jan. 14-May 22 “Expanding Our Horizons: Exploring and Encountering the Unknown,” Jan. 14-May 22 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM h-dmuseum.com “Off-Road Harley-Davidson,” continuing Building a Milwaukee Icon: HD’s Juneau Ave. Factory, continuing Tsunami Motorcycle Display, continuing H. F. JOHNSON GALLERY OF ART carthage.edu/art-gallery HOVER CRAFT HYPERLOCAL MKE hyperlocalmke.com INSPIRATION STUDIOS ART GALLERY inspirationstudiosgallery.com IRISH CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CENTER

FALLS PATIO PLAYERS fallspatioplayers.com

ichc.net

The Music Man, April 22-May 1

High Kings, March 9

FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY

Socks in the Frying Pan, March 10

festivalcitysymphony.org

Cherish the Ladies, March 13

“From One, Many,” March 5

RUNA, March 26

Season Finale, April 9

Robert O. Lahmann, Fence Repair, 1988. Courtesy of the Grohmann Museum.

FIRST STAGE

“Robert O. Lahmann: Working in Wisconsin” Jan. 21-April 24

Josh Okeefe, April 9 Byrne Brothers, April 16

firststage.org The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, March 5-April 3 Macbeth, March 25-April 3 The Amazing Lemonade Girl, April 22-May 15 Last Stop on Market Street, May 7-June 12

30 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Graduating from Milwaukee’s Layton School of Art in 1949, Robert O. Lahmann was too young to have taken part in the WPA arts program under Franklin Roosevelt. However, his oils and pastels reveal a similar sensibility in their attention to the telling details, the everyday values, found in industrial and rural settings. (David Luhrssen)

JAZZ GALLERY CENTER FOR THE ARTS jazzgallerycenterforarts.org JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE jewishmuseummilwaukee.org “Then They Came for Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During WWII and the Demise of Civil Liberties,” through May 29

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

MARCH 2022 | 31

SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER

MAD ROGUES

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

jmkac.org

madrogues.com

mam.org

“Viva MOMIX,” March 4, Kohler Memorial Theater

MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

“Sarah Zapata: A Resilience of Things Not Seen,” March 1-Aug. 28 Youth Art Month, March 8-April 3 Nassim, March 31-April 2 “Bernard Langlais: Live and Let Live On,” through May 1 “Eva Papamargariti: Factitious Imprints,” through May 15 “Lee Hunter: Cosmogenesis,” through Aug. 8 “Woody De Othello: Hope Omens,” through Sept. 25 KACM THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS kacmtheatrical.weebly.com KETTLE MORAINE SYMPHONY

marcuscenter.org Pretty Woman, March 1-6, Broadway Series Ain’t Too Proud, April 5-10, Broadway Series

The Broadway hit Ain’t Too Proud, the slambang exciting Temptations musical, reminds me of the distinctive voice of David Ruffin. His unlimited range and guttural timbre rank him with Ray Charles and Paul Robeson, as the most recognizable Black male vocalists of the 20th century on Motown hits such as “I Wish it Would Rain” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” (Richard Carter)

Cats, May 10-15, Broadway Series Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, May 31-June 5, Broadway Series MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY THEATRE

kmsymphony.org

marquette.edu/communication/ theatre-arts.php

“Suite Synchronicity,” May 6, Slinger Performing Arts Center

Mamma Mia, April 1-10

KO-THI DANCE COMPANY ko-thi.org LAKE ARTS PROJECT lakeartsproject.com LATINO ARTS, INC.

MASTER SINGERS OF MILWAUKEE mastersingersofmilwaukee.org MATERIAL STUDIOS + GALLERY materialstudiosandgallery.com MEMORIES DINNER THEATRE

latinoartsinc.org

memoriesballroom.com

“Carlos Barberena: I Have Been a Stranger in My Own Land,” through March 11

Sylvia, March 11-20

“Familias Unidas: Tributo a la Los Trabajadores Migrantes en Wisconsin 1960s-1970s,” April 1-May 27 Quetzal, April 8 LILY PAD GALLERY WEST lilypadgallery.com LYNDEN SCULPTURE GARDEN lyndensculpturegarden.org “Scott Barton: Buried in the Heart, a Repast for Angels and Martyrs,” through March 27

32 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

A Bad Year for Tomatoes, April 1-10 Hog Wash, May 6-15 MENOMONEE FALLS SYMPHONY mfso.net “Showcasing Showstoppers,” April 23, Hamilton Fine Arts Center

An-My Lê. John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation - used with permission.

“An-My Lê: On Contested Terrain,” through March 27

“On Contested Terrain” consists of more than 100 photographs, many offering what An-My Lê calls “a side-glance view” of war and its impact. Lê began making photographs in the 1990s during her first return visit to Vietnam. Many are stark black and white images that leave more space for the imagination than full color. Lê uses a view camera sitting on a tripod, the technology used by photographers of the American Civil War. (David Luhrssen)

“In the Dark: European Prints 1600-1910,” through June 5 “On Site: Derrick Adams Our Time Together,” ongoing “2022 Scholastic Art Awards: Wisconsin Exhibition,” through March “Currents 38: Christy Matson,” through July 17 “Shifting Perspectives: Landscape Photographs from the Collection,” March 18-July 3

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

MARCH 2022 | 33

SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

MILWAUKEE BALLET

MILWAUKEE COMEDY

milwaukeeballet.org

milwaukeecomedy.com

“Momentum,” March 5-12 (MBII)

MILWAUKEE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

PUSH, March 31-April 3

milwaukeeentertainmentgroup.com

“Presence & Persistence: Visions of American Blackness,” through March 12

MILWAUKEE FESTIVAL BRASS

“Great Ideas for Humanity: Posters for Thought,” through March 15

A couple days before the covid lockdown closed the lid on PUSH in March of 2020, I saw a late rehearsal of the world premiere that the 2019 Genesis winner Aleix Mane made for that show. Like the dance that won him the chance, it tells a deeply personal story in passionate movement made for these dancers. Now it will arrive, along with a world premiere by Chicago-based choreographer Stephani Martinez and the return of Extremely Close, a boundary-pushing showpiece from 2012 by Alejandro Cerrudo with moving walls that push and are pushed by the dancers through feathers and snow. (John Schneider)

mfbrass.org Classy Brass, March 6, Carroll University Last Brass, May 15, Pius XI High School

MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN miad.edu

“MIAD Senior Exhibition,” April 22-May 7 MILWAUKEE MAKERS MARKET milwaukeemakersmarket.com MILWAUKEE MUSAIK milwaukeemusaik.org

Beauty and the Beast, May 19-22

“Folk Tunes,” March 8, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATER

MILWAUKEE OPERA THEATRE

milwaukeechambertheatre.org

milwaukeeoperatheatre.org

MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Preludes, with All in Productions, April

milwaukeechildrenschoir.org All Choir Concert, May 14

34 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

MARCH 2022 | 35

SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER

MORNING STAR PRODUCTIONS

NEXT ACT THEATRE

milwaukeerep.com

morningstarproductions.org

nextact.org

Antonio’s Song: I Was Dreaming of a Son, through March 6, Stiemke Studio

Father Brown Rides Again, March 4-6

Pipeline, through March 6

As You Like It, through March 20, Quadracci Powerhouse

MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART

The Milwaukee Rep’s As You Like It is an adaptation by Canadian director Daryl Corlan, who replaced over half of Shakespeare’s oft’ cumbersome lines with 20-some songs from The Beatles’ catalogue. Those songs, sung by a variety of characters, function as dialogue and monologue. They carry the action better than Shakespeare’s 16th century poetry, and in a rhythm that’s at least as catchy. (John Schneider)

wisconsinart.org

The Last White Man, April 14-May 8 NŌ STUDIOS nostudios.com NORTH SHORE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS facebook.com/ northshoreacademyofthearts NORTHERN SKY THEATER northernskytheater.com

My Way, March 4-May 1, Stackner Cabaret

OCONOMOWOC ARTS CENTER

New Age, March 22-May1, Stiemke Studio

oasd.k12.wi.us

Titanic, April 5-May 15, Quadracci Powerhouse

OIL GALLERY MILWAUKEE oilmilwaukee.com

Get Happy, May 5-July 1, Stackner Cabaret

OPTIMIST THEATRE optimisttheatre.org

Murder on the Orient Express, May 31-July 1, Quadracci Powerhouse

OUTSKIRTS THEATRE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

facebook.com/outskirtstheatre

mso.org OVER OUR HEAD PLAYERS

Beethoven and Bruckner, March 4-5 Peer Gynt, March 25-27

Norwegian Romantic composer Edvard Grieg looked to his nation’s melodies and lore for inspiration. His music reflected the summer’s midnight sun, caught the winter chill and captured an underworld of trolls and elves. Grieg’s setting for playwright Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt includes his most familiar melody, “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” Ken-David Masur will conduct the MSO, accompanied by the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. (David Luhrssen)

overourheadplayers.org Kelly M Alexander, Nature and Anatomy, papercutting. Courtesy of the Museum of Wisconsin Art.

Wisconsin Artists Biennial, through April 24

De Waart & Brautigam, April 8-10

Wisconsin artists once again share their artistic vision and skills in the MOWA’s 2022 Wisconsin Artists Biennial. The exhibition showcases the works of 52 state artists chosen from among nearly 450 entrants submitting 1,200 pieces of work to a competition co-sponsored by MOWA and Wisconsin Visual Artists, a nonprofit organization that supports the rights and work of the state’s individual artists. (Michael Muckian)

Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto, May 13-14

“Nina Ghanbarzadeh: Bridges,” through April 24

Converging Landscapes, April 1-2

Requiem & Song, May 20-22 MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA myso.org MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATRE milwaukeeyouththeatre.org

36 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

MOWA | DTN (SAINT KATE-THE ARTS HOTEL)

Outside Mullingar, April 15-16, 22-24, 29-30; May 1 The Roommates, May 27-June 11 PENINSULA PLAYERS peninsulaplayers.com Winter Play Reading Series, March 7 Winter Play Reading Series, April 4 PIANOARTS pianoarts.org North American Piano Competition (with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bradley Symphony Center), June 1

“Handmade Paper Stories,” March 4-May 15 MOWA ON THE LAKE (ST. JOHN’S ON THE LAKE)

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

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SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

PORTRAIT SOCIETY GALLERY

RACINE ART MUSEUM

RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS

portraitsocietygallery.com

ramart.org

r-t-w.com

“Watercolor Wisconsin 2021,” through April 23

Actually, March 11-April 3, at Next Act Theatre

“RAM Showcase: Abstraction,” through June 11

Muthaland, May 13-June 5, at Next Act Theatre

“Playful/Pensive: Contemporary Artists and Contemporary Issues,” through July 16

SAINT KATE - THE ARTS HOTEL

“Precedents: Past Meets Present in Contemporary Glass and Clay,” through Sept. 24

SCULPTURE MILWAUKEE

“Fool the Eye: Addressing Illusion in Contemporary Art,” through Sept. 24

“there is this We,” through Fall 2022

RACINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

racinesymphony.org Spring Masterworks: “Remembrance,” April 10 Mary Nohl, Untitled (Fish Lamp), n.d. Glazed Earthenware, 10 x 4 x 4 inches. Photo by Daniel McCullough.

90th Anniversary Concert, May 14

“Nohl vs. Stern,” through March 19

RACINE THEATRE GUILD

Mary Nohl was misunderstood through life but in death became an inspiration to local artists. Lucia Stern stood at the center of the Milwaukee art milieu and in death was forgotten. They crossed paths occasionally and are reunited at Portrait Society in an exhibition coupling Stern’s color fields and fabric collages with Nohl’s ceramics and line drawings. (David Luhrssen)

PRESENT MUSIC presentmusic.org “Ablaze,” March 10, Milwaukee Art Museum QUASIMONDO PHYSICAL THEATER quasimondo.org

38 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

saintkatearts.com

sculpturemilwaukee.com

wilson-center.com Sam Ness, March 18 Frank Almond & Adam Neiman, March 20 George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, April 1

racinetheatre.org

Liam Nugent, April 22

Clue: On Stage, March 18-April 3

Lee Lessack & Johnny Rodgers: Everly Brothers Revisited, May 11

Akeelah and the Bee, April 22-24 Mamma Mia, May 20-June 12

The peppy 1975 ABBA hit inspired British playwright Catherine Johnson to compose a storyline around a string of the Swedish group’s Euro-pop hits—“Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You” et. al.—in the jukebox musical that enjoyed one of the longest runs ever on the West End and Broadway. And if Broadway ticket prices make you want to sing “SOS”—and you’ve seen Meryl Streep several times in the lively 2008 Hollywood adaptation—here’s a chance to enjoy the production on stage and close to home. (David Luhrssen)

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

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SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE

SUNSET PLAYHOUSE

skylightmusictheatre.org

sunsetplayhouse.com

Raisin, April 8-24

Barefoot in the Park, March 3-20

The 1974 Tony Award-winner remains relevant as Americans come to grips with a racist past and the barriers that remain. The musical by Judd Woldin, Robert Brittan, Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg is an adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and tells the story a Black family buying a house in an all-white neighborhood. Drawn from gospel, jazz and pop, Raisin’s score won a Grammy. (David Luhrssen)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, May 20-June 12 SOUTH MILWAUKEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER southmilwaukeepac.org Celtic Angels, March 20 Mutts Gone Nuts in Canine Cabaret, April 28

thirdavenueplayworks.org

Get Ready, March 7-8

THRASHER OPERA HOUSE, GREEN LAKE

You’ve Got a Friend: Carol King & James Taylor Tribute, March 17-20

thrasheroperahouse.com

The Vagina Monologues, March 24-27 Something Rotten, April 21-May 8 If You Could Read My Mind: Acoustic Superstars, April 25-26 Beauty and the Beat: The Artistry of Miss Peggy Lee, April 28-May 1 Shrek Jr., May 8-9 Hey Diddle, May 11-14 A Year with Frog and Toad, May 21-22 THEATRE GIGANTE theatregigante.org THEATRICAL TENDENCIES theatricaltendencies.com

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THIRD AVENUE PLAYHOUSE, STURGEON BAY

Gangstagrass, March 4 Socks in the Frying Pan, March 18 JigJam, March 26 Carlene Carter, April 2

As the daughter of Carl Smith and June Carter (who later married Johnny Cash), Carlene Carter has country in her DNA. She’s a songwriter as well as a singer, had several hits in the singles and album charts and crossover appeal from her years in the UK with (now ex-) husband Nick Lowe. (The late) Milwaukee expat Howie Epstein produced I Fell in Love (1990), which helped fuel the retro-country revival. Carter has collaborated with everyone from Willie Nelson to John Mellencamp. (David Luhrssen)

Mountain Heart, April 8 TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY toryfolliard.com

Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

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SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

UW-MILWAUKEE PECK SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

UW-WHITEWATER CROSSMAN GALLERY

uwm.edu/arts/events

uww.edu

MKE Unplugged Presents: Billy McLauglin, March 10, Jan Serr Studio

UW-WHITEWATER THEATRE

Sing into Spring Choral Concert, March 12, Zelazo Center Prince of Denmark, April 4-10, Kenilworth Five-O-Eight

UW-PARKSIDE THEATRE uwp.edu/the rita theatreperformances.cfm Indecent, March 4-13 She Kills Monsters, April 29-May 8

uww.edu VAR GALLERY & STUDIOS vargallery.com

UWM Symphony Orchestra with Ken-David Masur, April 8, Zelazo Center

VILLA TERRACE DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEUM

Projeto Arcomusical, April 9, Zelazo Center

villaterrace.org

The Laramie Project, April 20-24, Kenilworth Square East

“Villa Incognito: Latent Narratives in the Permanent Collection,” through March 6

Spring Dances, April 28, Jan Serr Studio

VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE

MKE Unplugged Presents: Trapper Schoepp, May 5, Jan Serr Studio

villageplayhouse.org

UWM UNION ART GALLERY

voicesfoundrep.com

VOICES FOUND REPERTORY

agallery@studentinvolvement.uwm.edu 49thth Annual Juried Show, through March 18

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Illustrations and background by Ali Bachmann.

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SPECIAL SPRING ARTS GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

WALKER'S POINT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

WILD SPACE DANCE wildspacedance.org

wpca-milwaukee.org WATER STREET DANCE MILWAUKEE

wlc.edu WINDFALL THEATRE windfalltheatre.com

waterstreetdancemke.com Spring Fling, May 20-21

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE CENTER FOR ARTS AND PERFORMANCE

WISCONSIN PHILHARMONIC wisphil.org

WISCONSIN CRAFT wisconsincraft.org

“Emerging Brilliance,” April 3, Oconomowoc Arts Center

WAUKESHA CIVIC THEATRE waukeshacivictheatre.org Addams Family School Edition, March 18-March 27 Outskirts Theatre: “Broadway Mad Lib Cabaret,” March 23-24 Psych, April 15-May 1 East Side Story, May 12-15 WEST ALLIS PLAYERS westallisplayers.org Rumors, April 22-May 1 WEST PERFORMING ARTS CENTER nbexcellence.org/community/ westpac.cfm

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WOODLAND PATTERN BOOK CENTER woodlandpattern.org

May 14 & 15 75+ Unique Artists & Artisans Live Entertainment Food Trucks & Beer Garden

thebayshorelife.com

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SPECIAL HOME & GARDEN | SPONSORED BY FIRST WEBER REALTORS

NARI Visited Wisconsin with Annual Spring Expo BY MARK HAGEN

ow more than ever Milwaukee homeowners are remodeling their abodes. From home offices and cozy theaters to outdoor kitchens, playrooms and study areas for the kids, there are smart, functional and beautiful home improvements popping up all over the city. Embarking on a home-improvement project (large or small) can be intimidating, but local homeowners lucked out when the 60th annual NARI Spring Home Improvement Show rolled into Milwaukee last month.

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From Feb. 18 through Feb. 20, NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) packed the State Fair Expo Center with more than 150 experts, including specialized contractors, design and building teams, window replacement companies, roofers and painters. The expo was a one-stop shop for anyone looking to interview contractors, get quotes and learn about new products hitting the home-improvement market.

One of the most interesting areas of the show was the Hygge (pronounced who-ga) Living Challenge. This Danish design strategy puts an emphasis on finding contentment in simple, serene settings. Students from Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) and Mount Mary University designed four living spaces, each demonstrating the overall concept of hygge. Attendees also enjoyed presentations from master gardener Melinda “The Plant Doctor” Myers, color specialist Diane Nelson, light-systems pro Steve Winters and others. Couldn’t attend the show but have a few remodeling projects in mind? Whether you’re in the middle of a project or simply considering an enhancement or two, stop by www.narimilwaukee.org for a list of local contractors, builders and designers who can help.

Mark Hagen is an award-winning gardener whose home has been featured in numerous national publications. His work has appeared in Birds & Blooms, Fresh Home and Your Family magazines.

Photo/illustrations by g-stockstudio/Getty Images.

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SPECIAL HOME & GARDEN | SPONSORED BY FIRST WEBER REALTORS

Ways to Get the Garden Ready for Spring BY SHEILA JULSON

he seed catalogs are arriving in the mail, offering page after colorful page of everything from arugula and asters to zucchini and zinnias. Whether you plant vegetables, flowers or both, planning ahead to get your garden ready for spring can lead to a bounty of beautiful plantings to be enjoyed all summer long.

Start by figuring what you want to plant, and where. Evaluate your yard for sun exposure and daylight hours. Six or more hours of direct sunlight is typically considered full sun, while partial sun is three or four hours of direct sunlight. Many herbs do well in partial sun. Consider the time of day sunlight falls on planting space; a space that gets five hours of direct sun between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. during July or August can get very hot, so plants in those areas might need more watering.

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Think about companion planting, which is the practice of growing different plants in close proximity for the best yield. Certain plants have complimentary characteristics that are beneficial to other plants in terms of pest control, soil nutrition, pollination and attracting beneficial insects. For more in companion planting, visit https://www.almanac.com/ companion-planting-guide-vegetables.

Decide if you want to purchase starts from a garden center or if you want to start your own plants from seeds. Plants can be started indoors in small pots, trays, egg cartons and other recycled containers; just punch drainage holes through. Pots can be placed under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill. Winter sowing is also an effective method to start seedlings in miniature greenhouses made from milk jugs. To learn how, see “Winter Sowing 101” (https:// www.agardenforthehouse.com/winter-sowing-101-6/).

Illustrations by Sophie Yufa.

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SPECIAL HOME & GARDEN | SPONSORED BY FIRST WEBER REALTORS

4 5

Inspect all garden tools and equipment to see if anything needs to be replaced, cleaned or sharpened.

Check if supplies such as soil amendments, liquid or powder plant nutrients, fertilizers and garden pest repellants (if you use those) or mulch has to be restocked.

Once the threat of frost is over and the soil is workable, get outdoors and clean out flower and vegetable beds. Removing any leftover vegetables that didn’t survive the winter. Pull weeds and rake matted leaves off the lawn. Till soil and spread one to two inches of fresh compost on the beds. Adding organic nutrients such as kelp meal will help condition the soil and improve soil deficiencies.

Certain hardy plants such as summer flowering bulbs can be planted early in the season. Veggies like lettuce, spinach and broccoli do best in cooler weather and can be planted in March and April. Wait to plant tender annuals, vegetables and seedlings until the threat of frost has passed.

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Illustrations by Sophie Yufa.

Inspect trees and shrubs for winter damage. Prune summer blooming flowering shrubs. Remove winter protection such as burlap barriers, wraps and flower cones.

Dig and divide perennials like hostas and daylilies before new growth begins.

Fix or add to hardscapes. Fill in any cracks on brick paths with sand, and add stone edging, fencing or other features.

Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee writer and author of the Eat Drink column on shepherdexpress.com.

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SPECIAL SPRING DRINK | SPONSORED BY DISCOUNT LIQUOR

THE FRUITS OF

IRISH EARTH BY GAETANO MARANGELLI

he earth we’re from yields crops our tribes turn into beverages. Do the beverages of our tribes make us one with them? Do they bind us to the earth we’re from? And do we experience them differently than those who don’t have our history? Do they identify us?

MARTIN DOWLING

A holiday like St. Patrick’s Day may make us ask, “Do Irish beverages truly bind those of Irish ancestry to the earth and tribes of Ireland? Do the Irish experience a draught of Guinness and a dram of Irish Whiskey differently?” Here are two Irish voices whose paths have passed through our city.

I need to be quite specific about this, excluding from consideration the vast ocean of the “the black stuff” consumed from off grocery shelves and in identikit “Irish” pubs around the world. I am referring to a drink pulled from a barrel filled in the St James Gate Brewery on the Liffey in Dublin. Some say Guinness that crosses the Shannon River into the west of Ireland does not survive scrutiny. I’ll not go that far, because what’s essential is not the smooth deep creamy taste. A glass or a pint of Guinness is an event, a happening in a time and a place, not a quantity of 4.2% alcohol with toasted barley and infused with nitrogen.

DAVID DECOSSE An Irish whiskey on the rocks (not too many rocks, for heaven’s sake!) is my little sacrament on a Saturday night—no other hard liquor is as capable as this silken brew of slipping sweetly down the throat and taking me outside of time. I’m back in Castletownbere along the sea in County Cork, hustling on a pub run on a black night under brilliant stars in cool summer air. Or I’m listening to Seamus Heaney’s “Casualty” and marveling at his majestic poetic strength because how else could he face the anguish of Bloody Sunday and conjure redemption through the image of coffin after coffin coming out of the cathedral like “blossoms on slow water.” Or I’m at Nana’s apartment in Manhattan for her 90th birthday and the whole loud clan erupts in cheers as the birthday card from the White House is opened with good wishes from the President and First Lady and Nana, wits and wit fully intact and Bronx Irish forever, asks, "From Ron and Nancy who?" I sip my little sacrament and am home.

David DeCosse grew up in Milwaukee and hails from people in County Cork and County Clare (Flynns and Sullivans). Proud of his French Canadian and Swedish roots, he nevertheless was shaped most by the culture of his Irish roots.

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Here in Ireland there can be four seasons in a day, and there are as many drinks here as there are circumstances. But in no circumstance can a Guinness Stout, a drink for all seasons, be surpassed.

My first extended stay in Ireland was spent in a tiny row house near the Liberties of Dublin, the neighbourhood where the St James Gate Brewery stands. In the 1980s, coal for the sitting room fire was still delivered on horse-drawn flatbeds. A nun from the convent nearby might bang on the bonnet of your car, jump into the passenger seat, and order you to deliver her somewhere. And the smell of the roasting malt, barley, and hops from the brewery was a constant reminder of what might come at the end of the day in The Bunch of Grapes on old Clanbrassil Street (a pub long since destroyed with the widening of the street for incoming suburban traffic). Assembled with friends after a day’s work, or a day avoiding work, a handful of pints is ordered. Handed over to the table, they are not ready yet. Nitrogen bubbles are still descending down the inside of the glasses, all is cloudy and confused, until a moment of clarity arrives, and the stuff itself comes to rest in translucent darkness beneath a cream-coloured cap. Silently, with a raised eyebrow here or sparkle of an eye there, the company comes to a consensus. It’s Guinness time. Illustrations by DenPotisev/Getty Images. Background by Ivan_Neru/Getty Images.

Glasses are lifted, clinked and then—oh dear, it is unspeakable the pleasure. Conversation lights up, flutes and fiddles may be sprung from their cases, and a few more rounds are inevitably ordered before closing time. But while the cacophony and crack of the night lifts up, the ensuing pints are not quite the same. Years pass, then decades, and it’s all taken for granted, and rushed, and something has gone missing. And some of the people, too, have sadly gone. And just when you might suspect you’re a sucker for a marketing ploy, and it all means nothing, you meet some old friends, and the pub is miraculously quiet, and the light is just right, and you recognize in your friends’ eyes what that moment is all about.

Martin Dowling grew up on Milwaukee’s South Side. He is an Irish fiddle player and historian. He learned the violin from Patricia Anders of Elm Grove and Irish history from James Donnelly at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has lived in Ireland since 1994 and has returned to perform at the Milwaukee Irish Fest over twenty times over the years. 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.

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ST. PATRICK'S DAY GUIDE

what's going on at Milwaukee's Irish Pubs?

here may be fewer events than usual this year, and COVID restrictions will probably remain in place, but St. Patrick’s Day will arrive as always on March 17. Color the day green but drink responsibly.

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Photo by TheaDesign/Getty Images. Illustrations by Michael Burmesch.

A.J. O’BRADY’S IRISH PUB & GRILL

N88W16495 Main St., Menomonee Falls (262) 250-1095 theajobradys.com

CHAMPION’S 2417 N. Bartlett Ave. (414) 332-2440 championspub.com

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Smithwick’s

IRISH BEER: Guinness

IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew, Jameson

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Kilbeggan

COUNTY CLARE

IRISH FOOD: Reuben Open at 6 a.m. for Irish breakfast LIVE MUSIC: DJ Mark at noon; Love Monkeys at 4 p.m.

BELFAST STATION IRISH PUB & GRILL N64W23246 Main St., Sussex (262) 246-3457 belfaststation.com IRISH BEER: Guinness IRISH WHISKEY: Kilbeggan, Jameson, Tullamore Dew IRISH FOOD: Reuben, shepherd’s pie

BUB’S IRISH PUB

N116W16218 Main St., Germantown (262) 255-1840 bubsirishpub.com IRISH BEER: Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson IRISH FOOD: Reuben

CAFFREY’S PUB 717 N. 16th St. (414) 933-9047 caffreyspub.com

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Paddy

CAMPBELL’S IRISH PUB 4068 S. Howell Ave. (414) 483-4546 campbellsirishpub.com

1234 N. Astor St. (414) 272-5273 countyclare-inn.com/st-patricks-day IRISH BEER: Kilkenny, Murphy’s, Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp IRISH WHISKEY: Bushmills, Kilbeggan, Tullamore Dew, Redbreast, Jameson, John Powers, The Quiet Man, Tyrconnell, Knappogue Castle IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie ST. PATRICK'S DAY LINEUP 2022: Áthas, Blessing of the Shamrock, Beglan Academy of Irish Dance, Barry Dodd & Denise Hogan, Ian Gould, Hearthfire Duo, Trinity Irish Dance, Blackthorn Folly, Frogwater

ERIN INN IRISH PUB 6102 Donegal Road, Hartford (262) 419-9060 erininn.com

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Powers, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew

FIVE POINTS PUB IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT

314 W. Main St., Waukesha (262) 549-3800 theclarkehotel.com/five-points-irish-pub IRISH BEER: Guinness IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew, Jameson, Bushmills, Paddy, Proper 12, Kilbeggan IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef and cabbage

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew, Jameson IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef

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FLANNERY'S

IRISH COTTAGE II

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Smithwick’s

KAM’S THISTLE & SHAMROCK

425 E. Wells St. (414) 278-8586 flannerysmilwaukee.com IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew, Jameson IRISH FOOD: Reuben

HALLIDAY’S IRISH PUB 1729 N. Farwell Ave. (414) 278-9290 Halliday's on Facebook

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew

HANNON’S FINE FOOD & COCKTAILS

S98 W12532 Loomis Court, Muskego (414) 448-7188

3430 N. 84th St. (414) 871-3977 thethistleandshamrock.com IRISH BEER: Guinness IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson

IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef

MCBOB’S PUB & GRILL 4919 W. North Ave. (414) 871-5050 mcbobs.com

357 W. Broadway, Waukesha (262) 547-4272 hannonspub.com

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s

IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef

LIVE MUSIC: Blackthorn Folly noon – 2:30 p.m.

THE HARP IRISH PUB

MCGILLYCUDDY’S

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Smithwick’s

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Paddy

IRISH FOOD: Reuben

IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef

113 E. Juneau Ave. (414) 289-0700 theharpirishpub.com

HOUSE OF GUINNESS 354 W. Main St., Waukesha (262) 408-2710 houseofguinness.com

IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew, Jameson IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef

1135 N. Water St. (414) 278-8888 mcgillycuddysmilwaukee.com

SHEPHERD'S PIE

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: 2 Gingers, Bushmills, Connemara, Dead Rabbit, Dubliner, Jameson, Kinahan’s, Tullamore Dew and more

IRISH COTTAGE

11433 W. Ryan Road, Franklin (414) 427-3569 IRISH BEER: Guinness IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew IRISH FOOD: Shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage Photo by VeselovaElena/Getty Images.

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MCKIERNAN’S IRISH PUB 2066 S. 37th St. (414) 226-6761 mckiernansirishpub.com

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Redbreast, Bushmills, Green Spot, Sexton, Paddy IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef

MO’S IRISH PUB 142 W. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 272-0721

10842 W. Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa (414) 774-9782 mosirishpub.com IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Temple Bar, 2 Gingers, Bushmills IRISH FOOD: Reuben, Shepherd’s Pie, Boxties

MORAN’S PUB

912 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee (414) 902-0148 moranspub.com IRISH BEER: Guinness IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew

MULLIGANS IRISH PUB AND GRILL 8933 S. 27th St., Franklin (414) 304-0300 mulliganson27th.com

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Flight of the Earl’s, Powers, Redbreast, Greenore, Green Spot, John L. Sullivan, Kilbeggan, Paddy, Redbreast, Teeling, Yellow Spot, Knappoque Castle, Midleton, The Temple Bar, Quiet Man, Wolfhound, Barr an Uisce IRISH FOOD: Shepherd’s Pie, corned beef and cabbage

MURPHY’S IRISH PUB 1613 W. Wells St. (414) 344-0116 murphysirishpub.net

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew

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Photo by bhofack2/Getty Images.

REUBEN

NETTIE’S IRISH PUB

O’LYDIA’S

IRISH BEER: Guinness

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, The Knot, Paddy, Bushmills,

733 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee (262) 695-6477 nettiesirishpub.com

O’BRIEN’S PUB 4928 W. Vliet St. (414) 453-6200 obriens-irishpub.com

338 S. First St. (414) 271-7546 olydias.com

IRISH FOOD: Reuben, Shepherd’s Pie

O’SULLIVAN’S PUBLIC HOUSE

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Powers

12525 W. North Ave., Brookfield (262) 784-1656 osullivansbrookfield.com

IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef, Shepherd’s Pie

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp

IRISH BEER: Guinness

O’CONNORS PERFECT PINT

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Redbreast, Bushmills, Powers, Teeling

8423 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis (414) 395-7468 facebook.com/OConnors-Perfect-Pint-108878139589/

IRISH FOOD: Irish stew, Reuben, corned beef

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp

2339 N. Murray Ave. (414) 223-3496 paddyspub.net

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Powers, Bushmills, Proper 12, Busker, Tyrconnel, Redbreast, Knappogue Castle, Dubliner

O’DONOGHUE’S IRISH PUB

PADDY’S PUB IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s IRISH WHISKEY: Tullamore Dew, Jameson, Redbreast, Paddy and more with tastings first Monday of month

13225 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove (262) 641-2730 odonoghuesirishpub.com

LIVE MUSIC: Atlantic Wave at 7:00 pm

IRISH BEER: Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s

125 E. Juneau Ave. (414) 278-7033 trinitythreeirishpubs.com

IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Midleton, Tullamore Dew, Powers, Kilbeggan, Knappogue Castle, Pearse, Greenore, Ballyhoo, Concannon, Bushmils, Slane, Irish Manor, Sexton, Irishman, Temple Bar, West Cork, Dubliner, Lord Lieutenant Kinahan’s IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef and cabbage

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TRINITY THREE IRISH PUBS IRISH BEER: Guinness IRISH WHISKEY: Jameson, Tullamore Dew IRISH FOOD: Reuben, corned beef and cabbage

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MILWAUKEE

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE 2022

BY BARRY HOULEHEN

he Shamrock Club of Wisconsin’s St. Patrick's Day Parade is back in Downtown Milwaukee on Saturday March 12, after a two-year hiatus. It starts at noon at Wisconsin and MLK and winds up at Water and Highland, with Irish-themed marching bands, floats and marchers. You can watch from the street or grab a seat (and a pint) at one of the three Irish pubs on the route—Mo’s, The Harp, and Trinity. Afterwards starting at 1 p.m., head to the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center (2133 W. Wisconsin Ave.), for the Post-Parade Party with live Irish music and dance on three stages, including Radiation, Atlantic Wave, Blackthorn Folly, the O'Bradys and Áthas, as well as the Glencastle, Trinity, Kinsella and Caledonian dance companies, Irish comedian Adam Burke and leprechaun stories for the kids. County Clare (1234 N. Astor St.) will also have post-parade Irish music with Barry Dodd from 3 to 5 p.m. and Áthas at 9 p.m. Post-Parade Party: mkepostparade.us Parade: saintpatricksparade.org

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CULTURE

This Month in Milwaukee

9 THINGS TO DO IN MARCH BY ALLEN HALAS, BARRY HOULEHEN, DAVID LUHRSSEN AND MICHAEL MUCKIAN

ONGOING MAGGIE SMITH

“Milwaukee: Where the Waters Meet” County Historical Society In past years, an exhibit called “Milwaukee: Where the Waters Meet” might have been organized as a timeline: The confluence of the three rivers with Lake Michigan drew indigenous people; European settlers saw it as an ideal trading post; the city became a Great Lakes port; industry thrived. Not this time. The Milwaukee County Historical Society’s exhibit of that name is arranged topically and imbued with urgency. The text panels spell it out clearly: If we run out of water, we run out of time. THROUGH APRIL 24 “Nina Ghanbarzadeh: Bridges” Museum of Wisconsin Art Art speaks in a language all its own. That awareness has helped artist Nina Ghanbarzadeh, who emigrated to Milwaukee from her native Iran more than 20 years ago, successfully explore and express her feelings about both her native and adopted countries. Graduating with a BFA from UW-Milwaukee, Ghanbarzadeh has been lauded for her talent, which combines both Persian and American influences. Her work also earned her first-place honors in the Museum of Wisconsin Art’s 2020 Biennial.

Photo by Diane Yokes.

MARCH 10 Maggie Smith p ComedySportz With Truth and Other Lies, Milwaukee’s Maggie Smith has written a page turner Kirkus Review calls “an engaging and topical tale of politics and journalistic ethics with a feminist slant.” The protagonist, a young woman reporter clashing with her politically conversative mother, lands an opportunity to work for a legendary feminist journalist. But a looming scandal threatens her new job and her family relationships. Smith will discuss her novel with fellow local author Rochelle Melander. MARCH 15

DRESSING THE ABBEY Photo courtesy of Exhibits Development Group.

THROUGH MAY 30 “Dressing the Abbey” p Charles Allis Art Museum The marvelous mansion on the Lower East Side preserves the treasures collected by the Allis family over 100 years ago. It’s open to the public, and you can wander the halls filled with their exquisite collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, prints, furniture and glassware, all in a house that feels like the former owners might walk through the door at any moment. Drop in for an hour or so and enjoy a bit of fine art with some Milwaukee history on the side. The current exhibition focuses on the costumes worn in the popular “Downton Abbey” series. Reserve tickets in advance.

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Mitski u Miller High Life Theater Long before releasing her Laurel Hell album in early February, Mitski had already sold out her March date at the Riverside Theater back in October. The show was moved to the larger Miller High Life Theater, and at the rate the ever-constant buzz around the indie artist is growing, it won’t be long before we see her playing even larger stages in the city. The emotional material on Laurel Hell should translate to a dynamic, expressive performance, and certainly a show that is not to be missed. MARCH 18

(Previously used on ShepherdExpress.com): Photo by Adam Miszewski.

Amine The Eagles Ballroom Typically a summer festival mainstay, hip hop act Amine is promising “The Best Tour Ever” when he comes to The Rave’s Eagles Ballroom on Friday, March 18. If you’ve listened to mainstream hip hop or top 40 radio, you’ve heard breakout hit “Caroline,” but a flurry of buzzing tracks will likely keep a large crowd at the ballroom jumping along. Background by Blair_witch/Getty Images.

BAY VIEW

To advertise on this page, contact BRIDGETTE at 414.292.3811 or bridgette@shepex.com

MARCH 2022 | 63

CULTURE

MARCH 18 Ellen Bravo and Larry Miller u Boswell Books The Milwaukee authors have written Standing Up: Tales of Struggle a novel “that spans 50 years and focuses on the folks Imbolo Mbue calls ‘the deliberately unheard,’” Bravo says. Most of the book takes place in Milwaukee and concerns “the people who clean bloody hospital sheets, forge parts for sewer pipes, arrange flights, or process checks, all while caring for kids, holding relationships together, and wrestling with multiple forms of oppression.”

MARCH 23 7 Seconds, Negative Approach, Buggin X-Ray Arcade Hardcore legends 7 Seconds and Negative Approach are hitting the road, and they’ll be swinging through Cudahy’s X-Ray Arcade for a show that is sure to draw punks of multiple generations. The pair of 1980s punk bands will be joined by new Chicago hardcore act Buggin, and this all-ages affair will blend the new school with the old. Advance tickets are available on the X-Ray Arcade website.

SNAG

Photo by Luke Mouradian.

MARCH 24 Greet Death, Infant Island, snag p Cactus Club An indie rock trio takes over Cactus Club on Thursday, March 24, as Michigan’s Greet Death and Virginia screamo act Infant Island are joined by Best of Milwaukee winner snag. The two out-of-town acts will begin their tour at the Bay View music staple, so expect the energy to be high at one of Milwaukee’s best venues. 64 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Background by Blair_witch/Getty Images.

MARCH 2022 | 65

LIFESTYLE OUT OF MY MIND

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Illustrations by Sophie Yufa.

Gender Differences? Venus and Mars are not People BY PHILIP CHARD

en are from Mars, women are from Venus” is a persistent, simplistic metaphor seeking to explain psychological differences between these two genders. It’s colorful and succinct, but also full of inaccuracies, stereotypes and biases. The popular self-help book of the same title purports to use these supposed distinctions to address relationship issues in heterosexual partnerings. Cross gender communication can be complex and confusing at times, which makes this by-the-numbers approach attractive.

For example, it is generally believed men are far more preoccupied with sex than women, but the research calls into question this “far more” belief. Yes, in the studies, guys tallied a higher average score on “sexual preoccupation,” but this was only in aggregate. Individually, there were plenty of women who showed higher sexual preoccupation than the average male, and there were many men who exhibited lower erotic interest than their gender’s average. Meaning generalizing about so-called gender specific traits is overreach.

However, are the genders truly as different as most of us assume? This isn’t just a psychological question, but also a cultural one. Some of the generalizations inherent in the Mars/Venus analogy can unwittingly underpin sexism, and, in certain folks, even misogyny or misandry. For example, it is widely and erroneously believed women possess less emotional control than men. This bias reflects the common preference among many men to withhold emotional expression, which, oddly, is widely regarded as a positive attribute (a “real man”). Because gender-based bias can have damaging impacts on both individuals and groups, becoming clearer about the actual contrasts arising from gender promises both personal and collective benefit.

There were certain sub-traits where gender differences stood out more. Men tend to be more emotionally thick-skinned, open to risk taking and self-valuing (thinking positively of themselves). In contrast, women scored higher on altruism, compassion and peacefulness. However, even here, the majority of both genders clustered fairly closely around all these traits, meaning few deviated big-time from the norm. By far, most people demonstrate what the researchers regard as a mixture of traits “more often seen in women and more often seen in men.” Translation? Our similarities are greater than our differences.

Aside from the obvious physical distinctions separating women and men, there are verifiable differences in personality, emotional sensitivities and mindsets, but they’re not what many of us assume. What’s more, nonbinary and transgender people scramble the female-male contrast even further, suggesting that gender is not some neatly defined bifurcated phenomenon. So, while we have far to go in truly understanding gender differences, there are some reliable conclusions to draw.

PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIOR For instance, several large studies have examined this question in relation to those who identify as traditionally female or male (cisgender as opposed to transgender). Researchers looked at a wide range of personality and behavioral traits. They concluded that, “Ultimately, we found no large differences in personality between cisgender men and women on any traits.” However, they did find low to moderate differences on over a dozen subtraits, many of the same ones we tend to over-emphasize when asserting that women are from Venus and men from Mars.

The debate over the degree of gender’s influence on personality and behavior is ongoing and, at times, heated. Studies claiming significant differences are largely self-report surveys, which can also reflect cultural bias as well as the self-image management effect (basically, the desire to “look good” in a study). And, of course, there is always the chicken-and-egg conundrum. Are the personality differences we detect a consequence of biology (genetics, hormones, etc.) or due to developmental and cultural messaging (“big boys don’t cry” and “good girls are nice” and so on)? Lots of unanswered questions. What we do know is that the way we relate to a person is shaped, in no small part, by our biases about gender differences, many of which operate outside conscious awareness. There is a tendency to presume we know something about a person entirely based on their gender. Sometimes, we might guess correctly, but, more often, we are blinded by our biases and fail to see the real person beneath the skin.

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. MARCH 2022 | 67

LIFESTYLE CANNABIS

States Strike Gold with Cannabis Tax Revenue WISCONSIN LOSES OPPORTUNITY WHILE ILLINOIS CASHES IN BY JEAN-GABRIEL FERNANDEZ Illustration by Michael Burmesch.

ince cannabis was first legalized and taxed in Colorado and Washington in 2012, states where adult-use marijuana sales are legal accumulated nearly $10.4 billion in additional tax revenue. In 2021 alone, states gathered more than $3 billion in additional revenue, according to a recent study published by the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). The biggest piece of this billion-dollar cake is from California, which gathered more than $1 billion in tax revenue alone due to its massive customer base—MPP recorded $976 million between January and September alone. Second is Washington state, which gathered more than $500 million, followed by Illinois with $387 million. Currently, 18 states have legalized adult-use marijuana, but only 11 have started selling and taxing marijuana; the remaining seven states passed reform legislation in 2020 or 2021, and the transition has not fully taken place yet. Therefore, the $10.4 billion in tax revenue is the result of market activity in merely one-fifth of the states in a still-immature market. Even though weed is a newly legal drug, it already outperforms alcohol when taxing vices in some states. In Washington, alcohol taxes and fees brought in $270 million in 2021, while cannabis brought in twice that, at $530 million, and is growing more profitable at a much faster rate than alcohol. In California, alcohol revenue was $405 million, while cannabis revenue was north of $1 billion. In Illinois, alcohol accounted for $291 million in revenue, nearly $100 million less than weed. But another state made headlines in 2021 for its extreme success in the industry: For Arizona, 2021 was the first year when cannabis was available to purchase, and the state saw $1.2 billion in sales in its first year, demonstrating that marijuana is increasingly popular even in traditionally Republican areas. The Arizona Department of Revenue announced that $196 million in tax revenue had been gathered so far from legal cannabis sales.

CANNABIS SALES DOUBLED IN ILLINOIS IN 2021 As Wisconsin fails to gather any revenue from the green rush, our southern neighbor struck gold. Illinois was posting impressive marijuana sales numbers in 2020 already, selling $670 millions’ worth of weed last year. These numbers doubled in 2021. At year’s end, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reports that nearly $1.4 billion of legal marijuana was purchased in the state in 2021. Illinois’s success is an outlier, given that the state only legalized marijuana in January 2020. Although Washington and California 68 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

have higher profitability in absolute terms, they both had years to grow their markets. In its first year, Illinois earned $175 million, which then was record-breaking with the exception of California. Illinois accomplished this with less than a third of California’s population. A large portion of those sales are made by Wisconsinites crossing the border for legal cannabis. Illinois tracks what items are purchased by out-of-state customers: It is nearly onethird of all sales. The Sunnyside dispensary in South Beloit, a rock’s throw away from the southern Wisconsin border, was the largest marijuana retail location in Illinois when it opened in 2020. The multi-million-dollar enterprise established itself in a town of 8,000, yet South Beloit Mayor Ted Rehl estimates that his town receives $700,000 in additional revenue per year out of the Sunnyside dispensary, almost exclusively from Wisconsin customers. Illinois sold $8 million of cannabis to out-of-staters in January 2020, the number has creeped up consistently since then; in December 2021 alone, it was $42 million, a fivefold increase in two years.

WHAT THIS REVENUE PAYS FOR Illinois set itself apart two years ago by being the first state to fully legalize marijuana through an act of the legislature, rather than a referendum, and by baking robust social equity measures into its new marijuana laws. This is less unique nowadays, as Vermont, New York, Virginia, New Mexico and Connecticut all legalized recreational cannabis in the same way since then, but Illinois was the precursor that opened that door. As a result of its socially conscious approach to legalization, Illinois makes good use of Wisconsin’s diverted tax dollars. By law, 25% of Illinois’s marijuana tax revenue is reinvested through the “Recover, Reinvest and Renew Program,” which funds local organizations providing legal aid, economic support, reentry from the criminal justice system, violence prevention and youth development to underprivileged Illinois residents. To ensure that the money is injected into the poorer levels of the population, most of the program’s budget is distributed to grassroots organizations with a budget of less than $2 million. An additional 20% of the marijuana tax revenue is diverted to funding mental health services. Thirty-five percent goes to the general revenue fund, and 8% goes to local governments.

Wisconsin has a population nearly identical to that of Colorado. Colorado reaped nearly $370 million in marijuana tax revenue in 2021, much of which is reinvested in education, improving public schools, setting up full-day kindergartens, as well as literacy and childcare programs. Marijuana is a revenue well that remains entirely untapped in Wisconsin.

Jean-Gabriel Fernandez is a journalist and Sorbonne graduate living in Milwaukee.

California has a similar approach, investing much of its revenue in grants and financial support towards communities that were hit the hardest by the War on Drugs. While Illinois chooses to focus on mental health, California invests its marijuana dollars largely in childcare subsidies and environmental programs. Washington’s priority in this regard is public health. Seventy-five percent of marijuana tax revenue is earmarked for public health and substance abuse prevention programs by law. “For every $1 billion in revenue collected from the cannabis sales tax, nearly $600 million is funneled into public health initiatives, including a fund that provides health insurance for low-income families,” MPP reports. MARCH 2022 | 69

HEAR ME OUT DEAR RUTHIE | SPONSORED BY UW CREDIT UNION

DRAG HUSBANDS UNITE! DEAR RUTHIE, My boyfriend is a promising drag queen obsessed with appearing on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” While I support his dream, it’s getting to be too much. Our weekends are filled with going to drag shows, meeting queens, buying costumes, fixing wigs and the like. While this is fun, I’d like to do other things from time to time. He, however, has no desire to do anything outside the drag world. How can I support him while keeping our relationship moving forward? There’s got to be more to our life than drag.

FEELING FRUSTRATED,

Drag Husband

DEAR HUBBY, More to life than drag? Not in this town, sugar! Milwaukee has established itself as a hot spot for up-and-coming queens, so your honey is in the right city. The most prosperous people work toward their goals every day, and it sounds like your sugar is well on his way to success. That said, I can see how a life in the shadow of drag might become tiresome. Let him know that you support his goals but that you need some time outside the drag world. Explain that you believe this would be healthy for the longevity of your relationship. Suggest a date night once every week that doesn’t involve drag. Together, plan nights of theater, movies, restaurants and the like, sans drag. You might also want to befriend fellow drag husbands to see how they cope. Having a support team of sorts might help when you’re feeling stressed, tired or simply fed up. In the meantime, strut your supportive stuff on the runway of life.

XXOO

Ruthie

Have a question for Ruthie? Want to share an event with her? Contact Ruthie at dearruthie@shepex.com. Follow her on social media, too! Facebook: Dear Ruthie | Instagram: RuthieKeester | Twitter: @DearRuthie

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DEAR RUTHIE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Ruthie's Social Calendar MARCH 1-6 PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL AT MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (929 N. WATER ST.): One of Hollywood’s most-loved romantic comedies hits the stage when this delightful musical rolls into Cream City. See www.marcuscenter.org for show times and tickets (ranging in price from $31 to $121). MARCH 11 CIRCLE OF LIGHT ANONYMOUS (VIRTUAL) MEETING VIA THE MILWAUKEE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER: Feeling lost on your spiritual journey? This support group is here to help individuals on their religious path. Relying on strength-based theory, the 7-9 p.m. online gathering meets every Friday. Email tdelagarza@mkelgbt.org for details and logon information. MARCH 14 TIG NOTARO AT THE PABST THEATER (144 E. WELLS ST.): The hilarious comic, talented actress, celebrated writer, podcast star and LGBTQ+ icon brings her deadpan demeanor to town with her “Hello Again” tour. Nab seats to the 7 p.m. concert via www.pabsttheatergroup.com. MARCH 16 BINGO GAME SHOW WITH CREAM CITY FOUNDATION AT HAMBURGER MARY’S (730 S. FIFTH ST.): Help the foundation that helps the city’s LGBTQ+ community when I host a 7:30 p.m. night of games, prizes, burgers, booze and more. See www.hamburgermarys.com/mke for reservations. MARCH 19 DON’T TELL MILWAUKEE COMEDY SHOW (RIVERWEST) AT A SECRET LOCATION: Experience the Milwaukee comedy scene in a whole new (spot) light with this evening of laughs and mystery. Order your $26.99 ticket at www.donttellcomedy.com. You’ll receive an email by noon on March 19 disclosing the Riverwest venue. You’ll learn who the comics are as they come on stage during the 8 p.m. show. MARCH 26 MR. GAY WISCONSIN USOFA AT RE MIXX (8386 STATE ROAD 76, NEENAH): Head to this popular Neenah nightclub and treat yourself to the 30th annual pageant where the guys take center stage, competing for the cherished title. See the Re Mixx Facebook page for tickets to the 9 p.m. event. MARCH 27 “SUICIDE IS A DRAG” DRAG SHOW AT TURNER HALL BALLROOM (1034 N. VEL R PHILLIPS AVE.): The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts this 7 p.m. show featuring the city’s favorite performers. Doors open at 6 p.m., so arrive early for a good seat. Reserve a $20 ticket at www.pabsttheatergroup.com. MARCH 29 “TRIXIE AND KATYA LIVE!” AT THE RIVERSIDE THEATER (116 W. WISCONSIN AVE.): American’s favorite drag duo pays hilarious tribute to gal-pal road-trip films. The 8 p.m. musical promises all the laughs, glamor and fun you’ve come to expect from Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. Order tickets ($34.95 to $129.95) at www.pabsttheatergroup.com. MARCH 2022 | 71

HEAR ME OUT | SPONSORED BY UW CREDIT UNION

Men’s Health Study at MCW is Recruiting Participants BY PAUL MASTERSON

A “

nal cancer is on the rise across the USA. But if you’re a person living with HIV, that risk can be up to 80% higher” reads a participant recruitment flyer for the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Prevent Anal Cancer (PAC) Study.

The challenge, according to Nyitray, is stigma. “It’s an anatomic site people are reluctant to talk about—whether patient or clinician talking about the anus is uncomfortable. The question is how we deal with that.”

Funded through the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health and under the local direction of Dr. Alan Nyitray, the study’s principal investigator, PAC is part of a national program whose partner cities include Houston and Chicago. Together they will recruit a total of 1,00 gay and bisexual men, other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals who have sex with men as participants.

The reality is the rate is higher among gay, bisexual and transgender persons. It’s for the same reason as cervical cancer. The penis transmits HPV to the anal canal. Sexual intercourse transmits both cervical and anal cancer. Nyitray notes that even without anal sex, anal cancers are caused by HPV but we don’t know why. It may be a reluctance to disclose one’s practice of anal sex or it may be another means of transmission. The answer remains unclear.

In Milwaukee, about half of the contingent has already been recruited with an additional 200 still needed. The study’s purpose is to follow up a national study that has proven that treatments for anal cancer work at preventing the disease. The ANCHOR Study used a procedure called High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA) to find the pre-cancerous lesions that were then successfully treated. The issue now is to determine the best way to encourage at-risk populations to get tested.

BEST METHODS

TRYING TO UNDERSTAND “Human Papillomavirus causes cervical cancer, we’ve had screening for it since the mid-20th century. We’ve discovered it causes other cancers including anal cancer. But we don’t know how to screen for it. We’re focusing the study on gay and bisexual men because their chance of anal cancer is 10-80 times higher in that demographic than in the rest of the general population,” Nyitray said. “We are trying to understand what we can do to increase the likelihood men would screen. Men are really bad about getting screened for anything,” he added. 72 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

To establish the best screening method, the 400-member study group will be divided into two sections. One will self-test using a kit that requires a swab around the anal canal done at home to be sent to the MCW for processing. Here the method addresses stigma around anal sex. It’s one reason for the kit because it avoids a doctor visit. The other section will be asked to have the same test done by a clinician in a medical facility setting. This group will also receive a digital rectal exam. All anal cancers present with a tumor than can be felt, even if small, in an anal exam. Local partners include the Holton Street Clinic, Inclusion Health Clinic at Froedtert-MCW, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Vivent Health, and the Anal Dysplasia Clinic at Froedtert-MCW. The idea is to determine which method is more likely to achieve compliance. Each group will repeat the process one year later. All Recruits will then get a high resolution anoscopy. “With the swabbing, we look for HPV, human transmitted.

Most gay men probably already have it. The initial screening will be recorded and a year later the screening could show persistent HPV which could indicate high risk. If a pre-cancer in the anal canal is found, it can be removed easily. Outcomes are usually very good,” Nyitray said. Recruit eligibility is fairly broad. Participants 25 years and older are sought with a preference for recruits in the 50-year age range, the average age for diagnosis. Ideally, the study group will reflect Milwaukee’s ethnic demographic percentages. All participants receive $130. Potential recruits may visit the PAC Study website https://mindyourbehind.org/ to determine eligibility and to access survey consent forms. Recruitment ends Aug. 31. When the study is completed peer review articles in medical journals will follow. These will go worldwide with screening guidelines. Implementation? “If we decide to say there should be screening, what’s the evidence that it will be beneficial rather than cause harm? Once the study is published and the evidence studied, a recommendation can be made.” Nyitray said. Above all, however, the key is detection. The best means to that end is what the PAC study is determined to find out.

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.

Illustrations courtesy of the Medical College of Wisconsin.

MARCH 2022 | 73

ART FOR ART'S SAKE

From The City That Always Sweeps BY ART KUMBALEK

’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So listen, here we be, about to slog through this year’s month of March whose platter this year includes Lenten season; March Madness with the basketball; St. Patrick’s Day; the first day of spring; daylight saving time; International Women’s Day; Purim; a late-winter monumental snow storm; Art Kumbalek rearranging his sock drawer; Harry Hou-focking-dini’s 148th birthday not to mention Mr. Rogers’ 94th. Jeez louise. That’s a chock-packed jam-full calendar load to deal with, I don’t care what month you’re talking about, what the fock. Yes sir, and yes ladies, it’s the third month of the year, the one that the Romans named “Martius” way back when, named after “Mars,” their god of war, who from the pictures I’ve seen recently, did a pretty good job of wiping the landscape clean out of life from the planet named after him. And such is war, gods and nonesuch be damned. But it’s March, in like a lion, out like a lamb, goes the March trajectory as they say. Or, is it in like a lamb, out like a lion? And in some quarters, does she go in as a lamb and come out as lamb chops? What with the climate change, who knows from the peculiarities of March anymore, ain’a? And this month is the daylight saving time where we lose an hour, as if a guy my age can afford to flush a focking hour pinched from out of my life’s dwindling calendar of days. If only there were a saving-time day where instead of pushing the clock back a measly hour, you could push it back, say, 40 focking years and then load up on Microsoft stock at a bargain-basement

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price. Now that’s the kind of dicking around with time that I could get behind, I kid you not. Anyways, that stolen lost hour come the 13th just happens to be the hour I had set aside so’s to finally plow through the Irishman James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake as a tip o’ the hat to St. Patrick’s Day. (I’ve always been curious as to “who done it,” thus the need for a wake. My guess is it’s either the leprechaun or some kind of focking butler, wouldn’t you know.) And so, I am reminded of a little story: Mary O’Reilly finds Father O’Grady after his Sunday morning service, and she’s in tears. He says, “So what’s bothering you, Mary my dear?” She says, “Oh, Father, I’ve got terrible news. My husband John passed away last night.” The priest says, “Mary, that’s terrible. Tell me, did he have any last requests?” She says, “That he did, Father.” The priest says, “Pray tell, what did he ask, Mary?” “He said, ‘Please Mary, put the damn gun down.’” O’ ba-ding! And can some lass or laddie please tell me how St. Patty’s “Day” has morphed into St. Patty’s Week-and-a-focking-Half over the years, but yet the celebration will be culminated by many the morning after with the “pukin’ of the green” beer into the porcelain Saint Potty—which reminds me of another little story: Six retired Irish guys were playing poker in O’Leary’s apartment when Paddy Murphy loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest and drops dead at the table. Showing respect for their fallen brother, the other five continue playing.

A bit of a while later, Michael O’Connor looks around at the surviving five and asks, “Oh, me boys. I believe we have a bit of a situation here. Paddy is dead and someone surely must tell Paddy’s poor wife. Who will it be then?” They draw straws. Brendan O’Gallagher picks the short one. They tell him to be discreet, be gentle, don’t make a bad situation any worse. “Discreet? I’m the most discreet Irishman you’ll ever meet. Discretion is me middle name.” So Brendan O’Gallagher goes over to Murphy’s house and knocks on the door. Mrs. Murphy answers and asks what he wants. Gallagher declares: “Your husband just lost $500 playing cards and is afraid to come home.” “Tell him to drop dead!” says the Mrs. Murphy. “‘To drop dead.’ I’ll go tell him then, ma’am,” says Gallagher. O’ ba-ding! But St. Patty’s Day arrives mid-March, that time of year you can actually start believing that a winter around here might take up less calendar time than the 100 Years War. But here’s the thing: Yes, winter may suck, but did you forget about what comes next? Sure, you get some kind of spring come in for a week, 10 days, but then you’re right back into hot-fockinghumid summertime with all kinds of insects plus youngish chowderheads with no school, no jobs and no taste in music doing their thing and disturbing the peace, what the fock. And so as we spring ahead into March and toward who-knows-what-the-fock, I wish that “may the road rise up to meet you” ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.

Background texture by marimo/Getty Images. Photo by ginosphotos/Getty Images.

Shepherd Express - March 2022

Articles inside

From the City that Always Sweeps

Drag Husbands Unite! — Dear Ruthie

Gender Differences? Venus and Mars are not People — Out of my Mind

States Strike Gold with Cannabis Tax Revenue — Cannabis

St. Patrick's Day Guide

Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day Parade 2022

Office Hours?

Here’s How to Recover from Too Much Winter Comfort Food — Flash in the Pan

Working Hard to Stop the Shooting

Everyone Deserves the Right to Make Their Own Health Care Decisions, Including

10 Ways to Get the Garden Ready for Spring

Paloma Taco & Tequila's Recipe for Success

Cetonia Weston Roy Centers on Black

It’s Official: Republicans Now Support the Violent Overthrow of Democracy