LARSON REPORT
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
July 18, 2013
CONTACT ME
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or opinions you might
have.
Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487
Email:
Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov
Mailing Address:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
Web Site:
Find Me on Facebook and Twitter:
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
Supporting our
neighbors and being involved in our community is of the utmost
importance. Some community events that might be of interest to you and
your family are listed below.
MIAD 2013 Juried Senior Exhibition
Date: Now through Sat., July 27
Location: Milwaukee
Description: If
you missed the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design's renowned annual
senior exhibition, stop by to see faculty-juried works from all majors
in the 2013 Juried Senior Exhibition. This event is being held in MIAD's
Frederick Layton Gallery.
CLICK HERE or call (414) 291-8070 for more information.
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MAP)
273 E. Erie Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
The Milwaukee Art Museum Presents: 30 Americans
Date: Now through Sun., September 8
Location: Milwaukee
Description: 30
Americans is a dynamic exploration of contemporary American art.
Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, video, and more made
by African American artists since 1970 raise questions of what it means
to be a contemporary artist and an African American today. Whether
addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality, politics, or history--or
seemingly remaining silent about them--these works offer powerful
interpretations of cultural identity and artistic legacy.
CLICK HERE or call (414) 224-3200 for more information.
Milwaukee Art Museum (MAP)
700 N. Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Lunar Light
Date: Now through Fri., July 19 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Milwaukee
Description: Lunar Light focuses on our Moon, which has captivated our imagination enough to explore it with humans and machines. The live presentation will highlight Earth-Moon-Sun interactions that result in dramatic events such as lunar and solar eclipses, ocean tides, and different phases of the Moon. The presentation will include Greek myths associated with the Moon. As always, there is a portion of the program that focuses on stars and constellations projected on the dome to simulate both a city and country sky. Please note there is no show on July 5. CLICK HERE for more information.
UW-Milwaukee (MAP)
Manfred Olson Planetarium
1900 East Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI
Garden District
Farmers' Market
Date: Saturdays now through October 12
Location: Milwaukee
Description: Stop by this community market offering fresh produce from local farmers. The market runs each Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the area located just south of S. 6th Street and W. Howard Avenue. CLICK HERE for more information.
Danceworks DanceLAB
Presents "Ignite: A Hip Hop Experience"
Date: Fri., July 19 through Sat., July 20
Location:
Milwaukee
Description: Danceworks Studio Theatre ignites with the city's
hottest hip hop dancers.
CLICK HERE or call (414) 277-8480 for more information or to
purchase tickets.
Danceworks (MAP)
1661 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Festa Italiana
Date: Fri., July 19 through Sun., July 21
Location: Milwaukee
Description:
Beginning in 1978, Festa Italiana is Milwaukee's longest-running
lakefront ethnic festival. Among the entertainers announced for this
year's Festa are Plain White T's, Tre Bella, Matt Nathanson, Greg Koch,
The Noyz Boyz & Gyrlz, Dee Jay Silver, Colt Ford, Ricci Martin, Louis
Prima Jr. Band, and Bella Cain. A Mass will be held on Sunday, followed
by a procession, and all weekend long attendees can take part in
delicious Italian food and drink, opera, dance, and shopping.
CLICK HERE for more information about this event.
Henry Maier Festival Park (MAP)
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Charles Allis Art Museum Announces Art in the Yard
Date: Sun., July 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Milwaukee
Description: Attend this new family-friendly art event held in the museum's English garden. Fun for the whole family and children of all ages, Art In The Yard features four art making stations for luminary making, paper bag puppets, butterfly painting, and mask making. Art In The Yard is open to the public with a suggested donation of $3 per person, which includes all art activities. CLICK HERE for more information.
Charles Allis Art Museum (MAP)
1801 N. Prospect Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Gallery Night and
Day
Date: Fri., July 26 through Sat., July 27
Location:
Various locations in downtown Milwaukee
Description: Gallery Night and Day is the premier art event in
Milwaukee for both the experienced art connoisseur and the beginning
admirer. This quarterly event, presented by the Historic Third Ward
Association, will showcase 58 venues throughout the downtown Milwaukee
area. Attendees can also witness the second annual Plein Air Painting
Competition pieces at the Hudson. Admission is free to all at
participating venues during event hours.
CLICK HERE for more information, including a list of participating
venues.
German Fest
Date: Thurs., July 25 through Sun., July 28
Location: Milwaukee
Description:
German Fest has been celebrating the German culture and traditions since
1981. Come celebrate with food, beer, dancing, activities, live music, a
dachshund derby race, and fireworks. Join the fun at this year's annual
German Fest.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Henry Maier Festival Park (MAP)
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Brady Street
Festival
Date: Sat., July 27, 2013 from 11 a.m. to Midnight on Brady
Street
Location: Milwaukee
Description: Brady Street will be full of rocking all night and day as three stages are packed with live entertainment, including local favorite bands. Additionally, there will be the Division BMX Stunt Team, Casablanca Rumble III Pro Wrestling Ring, and CFSC Bounce House. A variety of vendors will also be there selling local cheese, jewelry, pottery, food, and ice cold beer. CLICK HERE for more information.
Milwaukee Brewfest
Date: Sat., July 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Milwaukee
Description:
Stop by the 4th Annual Milwaukee Brewfest. This year there will be
unlimited sampling of over 250 craft beers and micro brews from across
the country. Back by popular demand, the 2013 Milwaukee Brewfest will
have a special German Row. A Cider Row will also be available for
festival participants to enjoy. Although everyone comes for the beer,
there will also be a number of on-site activities for added
entertainment including live musical performances, crowning of the 2013
Milwaukee Brewfest Queen, a variety of foods available for purchase from
local restaurants and vendors, food sampling from various
Wisconsin-based companies, and displays by a number of local artists and
craftsmen. General admission tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the
gate. VIP tickets are $60 in advance or $65 at the gate. Ticket sales
are limited, so be sure to get your tickets while you can. Remember, do
not drink and drive. There are plenty of transportation options for
those looking to attend including public transit, cabs, and designating
a sober driver. Have fun, but be safe.
CLICK HERE for more information about the event.
Old Coast Guard Pavilion at McKinley Park (MAP)
1600 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Dear Friend,
I hope you are enjoying the wonderful
Wisconsin summer and all the outdoor activities our state has to offer.
This week, we discuss important state issues including the hiring of
mercenaries in northern Wisconsin, recent court decisions on legislation
harming women and lead paint victims, and an upcoming memorial honoring
the victims of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting one year ago.
Continue reading for more information about these and other state and
community matters.
Sincerely,
Chris Larson
State Senator, District 7
Mining Company Hires Mercenaries
Earlier this month, Gogebic Taconite LLC, the company doing exploratory drilling in the northern Wisconsin Penokee Hills after the passage of controversial mining legislation, hired armed guards to stand watch. These mercenaries, brought in from an out-of-state private security company named Bulletproof, came equipped with camouflage fatigues, masks, and assault rifles.
My colleagues and I expressed immediate concerns over this unwise action
by the company, which could place our fellow Wisconsin neighbors at
risk. Not only did we believe these guards were not authorized to be
there, but we also thought that they posed a threat to hikers, and
eventually hunters, who are allowed to move freely on the Penokee Hills,
which is currently public land. This is yet another action by a
corporation that seems content to treat the locals as adversaries,
rather than community allies.
Fellow Democratic legislators, Senator Bob Jauch and Representative
Janet Bewley, sent a letter to Gogebic Taconite President Bill Williams
calling on him to immediately remove the heavily armed mercenaries they
hired. Because of their hard work and action on this issue, Gogebic
Taconite was forced to remove the guards after it was discovered that
Bulletproof employees did not have the proper licensing to provide
private security in Wisconsin.
While these kinds of security forces are common in third world counties, they most certainly do not belong in Northern Wisconsin. With only one incident reported at the site in over a month, we are questioning why the company decided to take such a confrontational and incendiary step that will clearly do more to intimidate local citizens and increase local tensions.
Court Halts Part of Anti-Woman Bill
Recently,
legislative Republicans passed controversial legislation that requires
women to have an invasive ultrasound procedure should she opt to have an
abortion. The bill also requires all-option family planning doctors to
have admitting privileges to a hospital located within 30 miles of their
clinic. A legal challenge was filed immediately after the bill was
signed into law. Last week, a federal judge blocked enforcement of only
the new law's admitting privileges provision citing "troubling lack of
justification" for the law. The judge also said he would stay
enforcement of the admissions provision until after a more deliberate
courtroom hearing scheduled before him.
His decision for the delay of implementation of the provision also
stated: "There will almost certainly be irreparable harm to those women
who will be foreclosed from having an abortion in the next week either
because of the undue burden of travel or the late stage of pregnancy, as
well as facing increasing health risks caused by delay. Since the state
has failed to date to demonstrate any benefit to maternal health of
imposing this restriction, there is no meaningful counterweight
recognized by the United States Supreme Court to justify the act's
immediate enforcement."
Should the permitting provision stand, Wisconsin would be forced to cut the number of clinics offering all methods of family planning in Wisconsin from four to two.
Wisconsin is not the only state that recently debated or passed such regressive, anti-women legislation. Similar fights occurred in Texas, Alabama, Ohio, North Dakota, Indiana, and Mississippi. According to the Guttmacher Institute, in total, legislation dictating permitting requirements has been introduced in nine states, while legislation requiring medically invasive and unnecessary ultrasounds was introduced in 18 states. All of this is part of a national campaign by anti-choice groups attempting to circumvent a women's constitutional right to choose what to do with her body. Continue reading for more information about this harmful legislation that is currently before the courts.
Big Government Overreach in
Private, Medical Decision
Matters of family planning and a women's gynecological health are all
very personal. Our constitution, and common decency, afford women in our
country a certain level of privacy to ensure that decisions or concerns
related to such issues are kept between her, her partner, her physician,
and her faith.
Unfortunately, by passing this bill Republican legislators reignited
their war on women that began last session. Their actions confirm that
they believe Wisconsin women are incapable of making personal decisions
about their body and thus need legislators, most of whom are male, to
step in to tell them what to do. Senate Bill 206 does just that. Under
this bill, should a woman decide that terminating her pregnancy is in
the best interest of her and her family, she would be forced to have a
politically motivated, medically unnecessary ultrasound procedure first.
This medically invasive test will still be legally required even if the
woman and her physician object. Given that it is difficult to get an
accurate picture of a fetus during the early stages of pregnancy, it is
likely that those administering the ultrasound will recommend a
transvaginal ultrasound instead of an abdominal ultrasound. This is a
highly invasive procedure compared to its abdominal counterpart. It
requires the woman to have a probe inserted into her vagina, which can
be uncomfortable and humiliating, lasting about 30 minutes to an hour.
The Senate Republican author of the bill, said such a bill is necessary
because abortion "became popular in the '60s. It became the thing to do.
You know, you almost had to get one to be a woman." I do not know what
medical journal or scientific study the Senate author was referring to,
but abortion is not a medical procedure women boast about. It is not a
fad or club that females want to be a part of to feel accepted or cool.
But rather, it is a personal medical decision that is not taken lightly.
An unplanned pregnancy is a difficult and emotional situation for a
woman to manage. And while there are many legal options available to
her, including raising her baby, adoption, or abortion, it up to each
woman to choose her path based on her personal circumstances.
Punishing Victims of Sexual Assault
According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, every two
minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. Further, 44% of
these victims are still children under the age of 18. Unfortunately,
because of the potential stigma or shame a victim may face, 54% of
sexual assaults will go unreported to police. These victims may also
just be too afraid to come forward, especially given that two-thirds of
sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim, such as a
family member or friend.
Senate Bill 206 flies in the face of what we know about rape, which can
result in unplanned pregnancies. While the bill would allow an exemption
from the intrusive transvaginal procedure for the 46% of sexual assault
victims that report their crime, it ignores the 54% of victims that are
unwilling to share the horrifying details of their traumatic experience
to complete strangers by filing a police report. This bill will
re-victimize those that have already suffered more than anyone ever
should. In fact, here is a list of effects women often experience after
a rape or sexual assault:
-
Post traumatic stress disorder
-
Flashbacks
-
Stockholm syndrome
-
Depression
-
Body memories (when stress manifests as physical ailments)
-
Dissociative Identity Disorder
-
Borderline Personality Disorder
-
Sleep disorders
-
Eating disorders
-
Substance abuse
-
Self-harm/Self-injury
-
Sexually transmitted infections
-
Pregnancy
-
Suicide
Clearly, recovering from a rape in and
of itself is difficult enough, without the complications of an unwanted,
unplanned pregnancy. It is our job as legislators to stand up for and
support these victims, not to shame them should they make the personal
choice to terminate their pregnancy.
Unfortunately, the bill's author was quite clear that she had little
regard for such victims during her final remarks on the bill. After the
only Democratic senator allowed to speak on passage shared her personal
story of suffering a sexual assault and described the impact that
passage of Senate Bill 206 would have on victims like her, the bill's
author had the audacity to dismiss this senator's personal,
heart-wrenching story by calling it "theatrics." In contrast to this
callous remark, I commend my colleague for her bravery. It takes
tremendous courage to share such a personal, traumatic, and emotional
experience with anyone, let alone the entire state of Wisconsin via
WisconsinEye. I also thank her for telling the truth about how Senate
Bill 206 will only re-open traumatic wounds for Wisconsin women who have
experienced sexual assault.
Click here or on the video above to view the abrupt debate on Senate
Bill 206, including personal stories from sexual assault victims.
Encouraging Unqualified Individuals to Perform Invasive Medical
Procedures
During the "debate" on this bill, Republicans said this was about health
care for Wisconsin's women. However, after their rejection of federal
funds to expand health care coverage to more Wisconsinites it became
crystal clear that they could not care less about health care coverage.
This same mentality was also apparent in this bill. In truth,
Republicans cared so little about protecting a woman's health in this
legislation that they only made one stipulation of the individual
performing the abdominal or transvaginal ultrasound--they cannot be a
registered sex offender.
These individuals who may be tasked with inserting an invasive probe
inside a woman do not need to have medical training, have a medical
license, or even have demonstrated that they know what a vagina or
uterus are or look like. This can put women at great risk. Not only
could inexperienced "technicians" result in a longer lasting procedure
that is already uncomfortable, but it could also result in infection due
to improperly sterilized equipment or other complications. If this bill
were really all about safeguarding health, they would require licensed
medical practitioners or staff to perform the procedure.
Implementing an Unfunded Mandate on Women
In addition to forcing women to have an unnecessary and invasive medical
procedure, Republicans are also requiring these women to cover the costs
on their own. This means that women with or without insurance will
likely be on the hook for covering the costs of all or part of the
ultrasound procedure. According to a new mother who testified at the
public hearing on Senate Bill 206, her ultrasound cost $1,200. Not a lot
of people have this type of money just laying around. For women,
especially those without health insurance, this may price them out of
certain legal family planning options, which may even be required for
lifesaving reasons or to end an unwanted pregnancy that resulted from
sexual assault.
Clearly the debate over this legislation and its constitutionality is not over. I will continue to keep you updated on the status of this bill and its implications on the health of Wisconsin's women and families.
Since
lead paint was banned from residential use in 1978, identifying the
specific manufacturer of the paint responsible for a specific injury is
difficult or often impossible. Therefore, in lead paint lawsuits the
burden of proof falls on each lead paint company to prove it could not
have been responsible for the damage.
A provision passed in the 2013-15
Biennial Budget rejects this logic and instead maintains that a victim
can only bring a complaint against a single defendant, which means an
injured individual must prove which specific company manufactured the
lead paint. Additionally, the provision potentially voids all pending
and future lawsuits filed against lead paint manufacturers, usually on
behalf of poisoned Wisconsin children.
Before passage of the provision, nonpartisan attorneys warned lawmakers that the constitutionality of the lead paint provision would likely result in a legal challenge because it would apply to lawsuits filed before the provision was passed through the Legislature. On Monday, July 2, 2013, Attorney Peter Earle filed an amended complaint asking Federal Judge Lynn Adelman to declare this provision unconstitutional. Earle is a Milwaukee attorney currently representing 171 children who have fallen ill due to lead paint.
Wisconsin children are uniquely at risk for lead poisoning, which can
result in a lifetime of medical complications and diminished
opportunity. One-fourth of Wisconsin residences were built before 1950,
meaning they have an increased likelihood of containing lead paint. In
fact, from 1996 to 2006, more than 40,000 children were diagnosed with
lead poisoning in Wisconsin. This provision would make it nearly
impossible for these young victims to obtain justice in court.
Sikh Temple Commemoration
On August 5, 2012, our community's
sense of safety was devastated by violence when a lone gunman entered
the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek and opened fire. As we
approach the one year anniversary of this tragedy, our community
continues to show its ability to endure even the most tragic of
circumstances and to push forward together with a new closeness and
unification among diverse communities. In order to both remember those
lost on August 5, 2012, and to celebrate how our community has come
together, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek will be holding the
first annual Oak Creek Sikh Memorial Commemoration, which will begin on
Friday, August 2 and run through Monday, August 5, 2013.
In
the spirit of bringing diverse communities together to overcome an
unforgettable loss, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin will hold the Chardhi
Kala 6K Memorial Run and Walk on Sunday, August 4. The phrase "Chardhi
Kala" signifies the essence of unremitting optimism and exemplifies the
way our community has worked through this tragedy. Furthermore, the run
and walk will recognize the victims and everything they contributed to
the community while also allowing for people of all faiths to unite over
universal values such as unity and resilience. The Chardhi Kala 6K
Memorial Run and Walk will be held at the Oak Creek High School Football
Field with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Click here to register for the run/walk online.
The lives of those lost on August 5, 2012, will never be forgotten. I
urge members of the community to stop by the Oak Creek Sikh Memorial
Commemoration this weekend. Through these events, our community can
honor those lost in the shooting, while also acknowledging the power our
community has to heal and overcome such a tragedy by bridging across
cultural divides.
Click here to view the brochure for the event.
Click here for more information about the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin Memorial Commemoration weekend.
Senate Dem Web Site Launched
Last week, my Wisconsin Senate
Democratic colleagues and I launched a new Web site to provide
Wisconsinites with updated information about legislation, current events,
and our shared priorities. To ensure the Web site remains an important
resource for Wisconsin residents, it will be regularly updated with
recent news, radio addresses, and various multimedia to provide an open door
into the work of the Senate for neighbors in all corners of Wisconsin.
This Web site will be a tremendous resource aimed at helping
Wisconsinites learn more about state news relevant to our communities.
It also provides neighbors across Wisconsin the opportunity to better
communicate their thoughts and concerns to their elected officials.
My Democratic colleagues and I are committed to investing in our shared
Wisconsin values by creating family-supporting jobs, supporting our
neighborhood public schools, and strengthening health care. This new Web
site will keep Wisconsinites up-to-date on the
work of Senate Democrats as we strive to move Wisconsin forward for all.
Click here to visit the newly launched Web site at
www.WisconsinSenateDemocrats.com to learn more about Democratic state
senators and Wisconsin services.
Ask Chris
I often have neighbors contact me
looking for my perspective on various local and state issues. I very
much appreciate our neighbors' questions and want to dedicate a portion
of my newsletter to common questions that I hear to maintain an open
dialogue. Please continue reading for this week's question.
Q: I just got a survey at my door. Is this different from the one I
got last summer?
A: Last session, I created a survey asking about various issues that are
important to our community and our state. The survey aimed to learn more
about you and what hopes and concerns you might have for the future of
Wisconsin and our local community. Overall, nearly 1,200 neighbors
provided their feedback on the 14 questions that I asked.
The results for 10 of the 14 questions have been calculated. The four questions excluded from these results were more open-ended and thus nearly impossible to quantify. As you review the results, please keep in mind that the survey was not scientific. I dropped surveys door-to-door in all five communities (now six) I represent and also made the survey available on my Web site.
Click here to view the complete results of the 2011-2012 Neighborhood Survey.
While the open-ended questions were difficult to quantify, I did notice some trending answers provided to the question "What do you like most about our community?" that I thought were worth sharing. These results are provided below:
-
People--Survey respondents repeatedly cited that they value their friendly neighbors and the people in our community in general.
-
Sense of Community--Survey respondents often stated that they loved the sense of community that was present from Milwaukee all the way to Oak Creek. Neighbors are connected and look out for one another.
-
Diversity--Survey respondents expressed their love of the diversity seen in our local communities not only with regards to ethnic diversity, but also with regards to community offerings, such as art, music, and ethnic festivals.
-
Local Businesses--Survey respondents frequently described the support they have for local businesses and how such places are preferred to the big box stores typically found in other communities.
-
Access to Parks and Lake Michigan--Survey respondents highly valued access to Lake Michigan and to community parks, finding these help contribute to our quality of life.
-
Safety--Survey respondents repeatedly cited that they felt safe in their communities, which helps provide greater peace of mind.
-
Progressive Values--Survey respondents often stated that they treasured our progressive history and appreciate a community that continues in this tradition.
The survey that you received at your
door, on the other hand, is a new survey that inquires about your
perspective on issues related to the current legislative session, which
began in January 2013 and is scheduled to conclude in the spring of
2014. Therefore, I encourage you to participate in this survey so that
we can maintain an open dialogue regarding Wisconsin's legislative
priorities.
Click here to save a stamp and take the 2013-2014 Neighborhood Survey
online.
Did You Know...?
You may have seen more birds outside due to summer being in full swing, but did you know that the Robin is our state bird?
The Robin, is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. Scientifically known as Turdus migratorius, it is often seen as a welcome sign of spring. It is also one of the most abundant birds in North America. In a single year, the American Robin can produce up to three successful broods. Earthworms, bugs, fruit, and berries are dietary favorites of Robins.
The Robin won the hearts of school children across Wisconsin, who voted to name it the state bird during the 1926-1927 Legislative Session.
Summer Activities in Our Community
Our community offers a wide variety of summer activities for families, children, and adults alike. Below are just a few activities that you can take part in this summer.
The Urban Ecology Center is a
neighborhood-based, nonprofit community center that focuses on
environmental education within Milwaukee County. It also offers
countless kid- and family-friendly summer activities.
Science Saturdays
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Through demonstrations, activities, crafts, and other interactive methods, kids and families can learn about natural science at these drop-in session. Topics change each month and include themes such as animals in winter, camouflage, water, and decomposition. This weekly event is free, but donations are appreciated.
Urban Ecology Center-Riverside Park (MAP)
1500 E. Park Place
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Open Climb
Every Tuesday and Thursday from
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Use the Urban Ecology Center's climbing wall during one of their many weekly
Open Climb offerings. Show up any time during their Open Climb hours,
pay the climbing fee, and climb as many times as your arms and legs will
allow. The cost is $8 for children ($10 for nonmember children) and $10
for adults ($12 for nonmember adults). If you love to climb, you can
also purchase the new 2013 Rock Climbing Pass. This punch-card style,
pre-paid pass is good for five open climb sessions.
Urban Ecology Center-Riverside Park (MAP)
1500 E. Park Place
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Click here for more information about Open Climb.
Work Outside Wednesdays
Every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Green up your thumbs in the native nursery while you keep the Urban
Ecology Center's gardens looking great and welcoming to wildlife. Work
Outside Wednesdays is a free, weekly program open to all ages.
Urban Ecology Center-Riverside Park (MAP)
1500 E. Park Place
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Grand Opening of Three Bridges Park
The Urban Ecology Center, in collaboration with Menomonee Valley Partners, is opening up a new park and 24-acre outdoor classroom in the Menomonee Valley. Stop by the grand opening on Saturday, July 20. Gather between 9:30 and 10 a.m. on any one of the three bridges for a 10 a.m. inaugural procession into the park, followed by a grand opening ceremony. Stick around for an afternoon of family-friendly activities and entertainment, including live music by De La Buena, fishing, kayak demos, food trucks, and more. The park is located in the Menomonee Valley just east of Miller Park, beneath the 35th and 27th Street Viaducts.
Click here for a map of meet up locations for the event.
Click here for more information about this event.
Click here for more information about the Urban Ecology Center.
Purchase a Flag Today!
If you do not currently have a U.S. or
Wisconsin flag and would like to purchase one, please contact my office
to order one. Both flags are made of durable nylon and are 3 feet
by 5 feet in size. The U.S. flag costs $13 while the Wisconsin flag
costs $16.
If you would like the flag flown over the Capitol in honor of someone,
please specify the name of the person, the occasion, and the date you
would like the flag flown. A certificate of commemoration will be mailed
back to you with the flag.
Flags must be purchased with checks made out to the State of Wisconsin.
Mail your flag request form and check to:
Sen. Chris Larson
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707-7882