City, county announcing gang diversion program tomorrow

The city put out word today that Mayor Dickert and County Executive McReynolds will unveil a gang diversion program tomorrow. Several law enforcement officials will be there too. 

Here's the press release: 

City of Racine Mayor John Dickert and Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds will announce a new County-wide Gang Diversion Plan at a press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 2 p.m., on the east plaza of the Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin Avenue.

Joining them will be Sheriff Robert Carlson, Racine Police Chief Kurt Wahlen, District Attorney Michael Nieskes, Racine Unified School District Superintendent Dr. James Shaw, Debbi Embry, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, and Jonathan Delagrave, Director of Racine County Human Services.

Also present will be Raymond J. Luick of the State of Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance (OJA). A grant from the OJA funded the planning process.

In event of inclement weather, the press conference will be held in the first floor conference room of the courthouse.

Faith, business, labor and activists gather to discuss transit on Sept. 30

The Racine Interfaith Coalition (RIC), and Transit Now! will sponsor a Transit Forum on:

Thursday, September 30 - 6:30-8:00 pm
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
322 Ohio Street, Racine

The theme of the evening will be:

“Some people use public transportation, but the whole community benefits!”

Co-sponsors for the event include:

• Downtown Racine Corporation, 
• IBEW Local 430 
• Hispanic Business and Professionals Association, 
• Racine Peace and Justice Coalition, 
• Racine Transit Task Force, 
• SE WI Building & Construction Trades, 
• Sierra Club-Gateway Group and John Muir Chapter, 
• WisPIRG, and 
• UW Parkside Student Government

Public officials, religious leaders, business leaders and union leaders are among those who have confirmed their attendance. The highlights of the evening will be first-person testimonials from people who depend on the bus for work, school and other needs. Personal stories will be shared in person and by video.

The forum will also provide solid data on Transportation, which has recently suffered from a great deal of mis-information. Some of the topics to be discussed will include the coming referendum, the status of the KRM commuter rail, and Regional Transit Authorities (RTA’s).

The evening will also feature Casey Stanton, national staff of the Transportation Equity Network, who will share stories of successes and challenges in other communities, as well as the outlook on the national level for investments in Transit.

For more information, please call Nancy Holmlund at (262) 886-3602, or

Kerry Thomas at (414) 303-1951

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers needed for event teaching teens about real-life costs

REALITY CHECK EVENT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The Racine Unified School District in partnership with Educators Credit Union is hosting the 4th Annual “Reality Check.” On Wednesday, October 13, over 700 high school upper classmen will arrive at Roma Lodge, 7130 Spring Street, to navigate among stations that represent expenses that the students can expect in real life. Volunteers are needed to supervise the stations and help students understand how costs such as utilities, entertainment, and medical bills affect the bottom line. Volunteer training begins at 7:00 a.m., students arrive after 7:30 a.m., and the event runs until 2:30 p.m. Breakfast is provided.

STROLLING MINSTRELS WANTED RIDGEWOOD CARE CENTER!
Do you play a portable instrument like a guitar, accordion, or violin? What a treat it would be for bed-bound residents of Ridgewood Health Care Center for you to stroll down the halls and share your musical talents! These individuals are not able to participate in group activities and outings. Think what a gift an hour of your time would mean for them! Schedules are flexible.

VOLUNTEER WITH A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS!
The Volunteer Respite Program offers a break for parents of children with special needs by taking care of the children at respite events on a regular basis. The events have 60-80 children, each of whom is matched for the day with one or two volunteers. A nursing staff and behavioral specialists are in attendance for the children’s needs. Lunch and snacks are provided for all. Time is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Areas of activity include a gym or park setting with games, crafts, face painting, movies and more.

SAFEASSURED ID VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
The Volunteer Center of Racine County is looking for volunteers to help create Safe Assured ID CD kits for those 55 and better in our community. Volunteers will learn how to tape streaming video of individuals walking and talking, take digital fingerprints, and capture still photographs. Families or caregivers receive a CD containing the encrypted data as ell as a credit card style ID. If your loved one should wander, you have current information to hand over to law enforcement. Officers have the capability to un-encrypt the data and get it out to the public as soon as possible. Early retrieval means a safer recovery.

FOOD DELIVERY DRIVER SOUGHT FOR HUB OF SENIOR SERVICES
Hub of Senior Services, 1220 Mound Avenue, needs Thursday morning food delivery drivers. Grocery items are taken to homebound individuals who do not have transportation to the food pantry. Volunteers must be able to lift a 30 pound bag. Volunteer opportunities are for regular and substitute drivers.

TAX-AIDE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The AARP Tax-Aide program is looking for volunteers to help seniors of moderate to low income with the filing of their income taxes. Training is provided in January which leads to certification as a Tax-Aide. Time commitment is four hours of counseling per week during February, March and April. (Contact Cynthia Koepke at 262-639-3505.)

If you are interested in any of the listed volunteer opportunities or others on file at the Volunteer Center of Racine County, call 262-886-9612 or toll free (Racine County only) at 1-800-201-9490 or email us at volunteer@volunteercenterofracine.org or visit our web site at www.volunteercenterofracine.org. Office hours are weekday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 6216 Washington Avenue, Suite G.

DRC announces winner of 30th Anniversary pearl pendant

Chris Sklba (left) with Robert Philopulous

The Downtown Racine Corporation has announced the winner of the pearl pendant that was created by Chris Sklba of Art Metals Studio in honor of the DRC’s 30th Anniversary. 

The winner is Robert Philopulous of Racine. Philopulous, who is a frequent visitor to Downtown Racine, docks his boat along Root Riverduring the summer months. He is also a frequent Downtown shopper and finds the restaurants along Main and Sixth some of his favorites.

The Downtown Racine Corporation partnered with local Downtown jeweler and designer, Chris Sklba, to help promote DRC’s 30thAnniversary during the month of August. Because pearls are the symbol of a 30th anniversary, Sklba created an original-design pearl pendant to commemorate this special occasion. Valued at over $1,100, the pendant is palidium silver with sterling and 18ky mokume-gane and a Tahitian pearl.

The winning name was drawn on Saturday, September 11, during the “Clocks on the Auction Block” public art auction at Monument Square.

Commentary: For a Real Return on Investment, Mentoring Works

When you were a kid, who was that really cool adult whom you knew believed in you? Who took the time to ask about your favorite movie star or took you out to shoot some hoops? Who could you talk to about a tough teacher at school or a friend who was giving you a hard time? Who was the adult who helped guide you and shape the person you are today?

For some of us, that person was a parent or relative. For others, it was a coach, a teacher, or maybe even a first-time job supervisor who took the time to care, ask questions, and listen. Unfortunately, for many of today's youth, no one fills that bill.

Each of us was fortunate. We had adults who invested in us, cared about our futures, and challenged us to realize our full potential. We each had a least one mentor who believed in us and challenged us to believe in ourselves. Our mentors helped shape our lives and played key roles in helping us to become the individuals we are today. We will each surely remember our mentors for a lifetime.

While a caring adult is not a panacea for all the challenges a youth faces today, it sure can make a difference. Our region's low educational attainment rates, high youth at-risk population, and significant juvenile crime issues have many causes that often require complex and costly intervention strategies to address. And yet, there is a simple, no-cost strategy that research has demonstrated can help turn around a kid who is making poor choices and help that child become a more productive citizen. Mentors make a difference.

One of the amazing things about being a strong mentor is that it doesn't take a trained counselor or educator to do the job. It takes a caring adult willing to make a commitment to stick with a child for at least one year and help that young person to grow strong. The research is compelling in this area. Kids who have had mentors are more likely to stay in school, stay out of trouble, develop successful career paths, and be more engaged community members. As community leaders, we believe the return on investment of mentoring is just too good to pass up.

Fortunately, becoming a mentor in our region is simple. Mentor Kenosha & Racine, a collaborative effort involving business, government, education, and nonprofit organizations; was created to help caring adults become mentors. Working in partnership with established mentoring programs at organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, John XXIII in Racine, and various other community groups, Mentor Kenosha & Racine is recruiting and training mentors for our kids. This effort is bolstered by a half-million dollar grant garnered by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside from the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

We urge you to take one hour out of your week and head to a nearby school, community program, or faith-based organization and help nurture a child's future. If we truly want to live in a community that cares about youth and produces educated citizens who can comprise a highly qualified workforce, we need to take action today. Investing in mentoring earns dividends that have value for every business leader's bottom line, every educator's grade sheet, and every community leader's list of active citizens.

School is starting.
Mentoring works.

Become a mentor today at http://www.uwp.edu/go/mentorkr/ or call 262-595-2652 for more information.

Signed,

William McReynolds, Racine County Executive

John Dickert, Racine Mayor

James Shaw, Racine Unified School District Superintendent

David Moyer, Burlington Area School District Superintendent

Michael Kobylka, RAMAC President & CEO

Deborah Ford, UW-Parkside Chancellor

F. Gregory Campbell, Carthage College President

Bryan Albrecht, Gateway Technical College President

Jim Kreuser, Kenosha County Executive

Keith Bosman, Kenosha Mayor

Michele Hancock, Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent

Todd Battle, Kenosha Area Business Alliance President

Youth Stand Up & Promote Peace Rally on Sept. 11

With great need for peace within the Racine community, students will show homage for 9-11 victims, their families, and the nation which was struck by horrific acts of violence nine years ago. This rally is a climatic ending to a summer program geared toward showing young people that there are alternatives to gangs and gang activities.

On Saturday, September 11 the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center will host the “Stand Up and Promote Peace Rally,” an event to promote peace in our neighborhoods and in the country. 

The Racine Interfaith Coalition has been in collaboration with A&S Unlimited Solutions over the past months and has worked toward motivating, empowering, and creating positive change within the lives of youth. The final project “Yes I Can Be an Entrepreneur” allowed students to build business plans providing students with a better understanding of entrepreneurship. While learning the areas within business development students also learned through the experiences of other business professionals within the city of Racine. 

Students were able to meet directly with Brent Oglesby of Dewey Rose Capital as their business advisor, CPA Kenneth Davidson of Plant the Right Seed as their accounting expert, Felix Servantez of Servantez Law offices as their legal expert, and William Brumfield of Allstate Insurance as their insurance advisor. Students were broken into two groups where they elected to create a sporting goods company along with a childcare center as their businesses ventures.

The Stand up & Promote Peace Rally will begin at 11 a.m., lasting until 4 p.m. Shani Kyle of The Women’s Resource Center, Gang experts Maurice Horton President & CEO of Why Gangs, Sammy Rangel of Racine Psychological services, and Stonebridge Consulting will empower attendees to stand up and promote peace. 

Attendees will also be given the opportunity to enter into the “REP YOUR PEACE” contest that will allow them to express PEACE and the need to end violence through their own interpretation of song, dance and poetry. This contest will offer a cash prize of $100.00 to the student who has the best representation of peace.

The rally will end at 4 p.m. with a peaceful march from the center to the base of the Dr. Martin Luther King statue. Their Racine Interfaith Coalition organizer Rev. Michael Muller, will lead the young people in a prayer for peace throughout the city of Racine and the United States of America.

The event is sponsored by RIC’s Violence No More program, A & S Unlimited Solutions and the DR. Martin Luther King Center.

Roots & Legends offers class on 'Pediatric Herbal Formulas'

Arthur Shattuck, physician of Chinese medicine, will be leading classes in Chinese herbal medicine. He has been in private clinical practice for over 26 years. His hospital studies have included internships in Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing and Shanghai, China.

Classes will be offered on a somewhat regular basis - you may come to one or to a series. Each lecture will be considered as a stand alone presentation. Each class will be approximately (1) hour in length and held at "Roots and Legends' Natural Medicine Clinic.

There will be a fee charged of $11.00 for each class.

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 - PEDIATRIC HERBAL THERAPY. Based on The Book Turtle Tails and Other Tender Mercies. Traditional Chinese Pediatrics.

The study of Chinese medicine is a life-long process. Begin your learning with someone who has extensive experience or add to what you already know. Each different teacher brings their own experience to their teaching. You are invited to participate.

Call the clinic for reservations. Class size is intentionally limited.

United Way Supports Education for the 2010 Campaign Kickoff

John Erskine, chairman of Racine Federated and 2010 United Way Campaign Chair, invites you, your friends and neighbors to the 2010 Campaign Kickoff on Tuesday, August 31 at noon. 

The 2010 Campaign Kickoff is being held at Starbuck Middle School (1516 Ohio Street in Racine) and all attendees are asked to bring a school supply donation. United Way will be highlighting its support for a quality education at this event.

The school supply sculpture competition begins at 11 a.m. with teams competing to create table-top sculptures out of donated school supplies. Prospective teams may view details and register online at www.unitedwayracine.org. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team as determined by celebrity judges and a people’s choice winner.

The lunch will feature keynote speaker, Bill Van Atta, President of the Racine Unified School District Board of Education. John Erskine will announce the 2010 Campaign Goal. Remarks will also be made by Dave Maurer, United Way President; Francisco Sanchez, JP Morgan Chase Bank Vice President and United Way Board Chair; Dr. James Shaw, Racine Unified School District Superintendent and United Way board member; and Sandra Brand, Starbuck Middle School Principal.

The 2010 campaign will run through the end of November with more than 300 businesses and 10,000 individuals expected to participate. For more information, contact Mike Pilger, Vice President of Marketing and Resource Development, at 262-898-2249 or mpilger@unitedwayracine.org.

About United Way of Racine County
United Way of Racine County advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health; the building blocks for a good life. We not only fund more than 70 programs and special projects, but also initiate and facilitate systems-wide initiatives to create long-lasting change. We work in partnership with other individuals and organizations from all across the community who bring the passion, resources and expertise to address our community’s most critical issues. For more information visit www.unitedwayracine.org or call 262-898-2240.

New electronics recycling law begins Sept. 1

Starting Wednesday, September 1, City of Racine residents will be required by law to keep certain electronic devices out of the landfill by disposing of them at qualified sites and not as a part of regular or recyclables collection.

Electronic devices affected by the new law include:

·         Desktop/laptop/portable computers

·         Computer components including monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, scanners, flash drives and hard drives

·         Televisions, DVD, VCR and other video players

·         Gaming controls and devices

·         Printer/copier/fax machines

·         Cellular phones and handheld devices

The City of Racine Department of Public Works will be hosting a one time free drop-off and disposal of these items on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9am until noon at the City Hall Annex Parking Lot by 800 Center St.  Residents of the city will be required to show proof of residency (driver’s license or current utility bill).  Commercial or business drop-offs are not included in this offer.

Residents may contact local electronic retailers for their current disposal rate or drop-off electronic devices at the Department of Public Works Pearl Street Facility for a small fee.  Pearl Street is open every Saturday from mid-April to mid-November.  For more information call 636-9126.

Volunteer Opportunities: Gardeners, tax-preparers and senior companions needed

TAX-AIDE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The AARP Tax-Aide program is looking for volunteers to help seniors of moderate to low income with the filing of their income taxes.  Registration starts in September.  Training is provided in January which leads to certification as a Tax-Aide. Time commitment is four hours of counseling per week during February, March and April.

COMMUNITY CENTERS SET TO PROVIDE JOB LABS

The Tyler-Domer, Dr. John Bryant, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Centers will transform their Computer Labs into Job Labs three times a week to help community members looking for employment.  Volunteers are needed to assist members with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, job searches, online applications, and a wide range of other employment-related activities.

ENRICH SOMEONE’S LIFE  

Ridgewood Care Center, 3205 Wood Road, needs volunteers to assist during weekly arts and craft sessions or to simply spend time reading to residents who are unable to communicate or are sight impaired. 

ASSIST STAFF, ADOPT-A-RESIDENT AT LAKESHORE MANOR

Lakeshore Manor, Wisconsin Avenue site, needs volunteers to assist the staff during group activities and/or interacting with residents in a one-to-one “Adopt-A-Resident” program.

GIFT SHOP ATTENDANTS

Wheaton Franciscan/All Saints’ gift shops on Spring Street and Wisconsin Avenue are open every day as a patient and visitor service.  Volunteers are needed to assist in all the duties entailed in running a retail business in these lovely shops.  Regular and sub shifts are open at each site including weekends.

GREEN THUMB VOLUNTEER

Lakeshore Manor, Wisconsin Avenue site, is in need of a volunteer with gardening (raising plants, growing herbs, etc.) experience for their stand-up garden.

If you are interested in any of the listed volunteer opportunities or others on file at the Volunteer Center of Racine County, call 262-886-9612 or toll free (Racine County only) at 1-800-201-9490 or email us at volunteer@volunteercenterofracine.org or visit our web site at www.volunteercenterofracine.org.  Office hours are weekday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 6216 Washington Avenue, Suite G.

Unlicensed or Unvaccinated Animals are a Public Health Problem

Good public health practice requires that all domesticated animals (dogs, cats, ferrets and potbellied pigs) are licensed by five months of age and vaccinated against rabies. Compliance with the rabies vaccination requirement helps bite victims avoid a series of injections and costly animal quarantine fees. Licensing helps identify an animal if a pet is lost and supports animal control services provided by Countryside Humane Society.

In order to increase the number of pets that are licensed, the City of Racine Environmental Health Division sent out over 2,000 letters to pet owners who have not yet licensed their animals this year. “Responsible pet owners license all of their licensable animals,” said Marcia Fernholz, Director of the Environmental Health Division of the City of Racine Health Department.

"An unlicensed or unvaccinated animal is a public health concern. Vaccinating an animal and buying a license is a cost-effective way to protect not only the animal's health, but the community as well," said Fernholz.

The deadline for obtaining animal licenses is January 31st as mandated under local ordinances. "Pet owners who have not licensed their animals yet this year may be subject to penalties," said Fernholz. Pet owners who apply for a license now will not have to pay a penalty except the late fee.

Chapter 10 of the City of Racine Municipal Code requires domesticated animals to be vaccinated and licensed (dogs, cats, ferrets and potbellied pigs). A current rabies vaccination certificate and payment is required before a license may be issued. All animal licenses are good for the calendar year and expire on December 31st. A license for a neutered animal is $10.00 (senior citizens, 65 years and older, may purchase a license for $5.00 – neutered only).

A license for a non-neutered animal is $35. After January 31st of each year a late fee of $10 per animal is assessed. A pet owner has 30 days after obtaining a new animal to purchase a license for it.

Pet fanciers permits are required if you live in a single family home and have more than three animals. The maximum limit of animals is seven if you live in a single family home and meet all criteria.

All cats are required to be vaccinated and licensed. In addition, cats are not allowed to roam neighborhoods freely and must be kept indoors or placed on a leash.

Licenses may be obtained at the Environmental Health Division office, Room 1, City Hall. City Hall is located at 730 Washington Avenue. A license may also be obtained by mailing a current rabies vaccination certificate, proper payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Environmental Health Division, Room 1 City Hall, 730 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. Your license and proof of vaccination will be mailed to you. Applications are available at City Hall, Room 1 or on-line at www.cityofracine.org (animal application). For more information, contact Environmental Health at 636-9203.

Racine's Jane Cremer Foundation Elects New Board Members

At the July 22 meeting of the Jane Cremer Foundation Board of Directors, new directors were selected to serve three-year terms.

They are Lydia Chairez, commercial deposit services project manager with the Johnson Financial Group; Chris Olson, RN,MSN, FACHE, vice president and chief administrative officer for the Aurora Medical Center, Kenosha; and Kristin Schroeder,  business consultant with the Racine County Workforce Development Center.

Leaving the board following their terms of service are A. J. Capelli, M.D., Terrie Garcia, Marlene Haigh, Jerry Hardacre, M.D., Michele Randall and Christine Rogan.

The mission of the Jane Cremer Foundation is to educate and empower women to be proactive in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Urban League offers prep classes for skilled trades' math tests

The Urban League of Racine & Kenosha holds daily prep courses for people applying to get into the skilled trades. 

People hoping to take part in programs like the First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship program are required to pass a basic math test before entering the program. The Urban League's ongoing classes helps adults acquire the minimum 10th-grade level math skills needed to pass the Test of Adult Basic Education, or TABE, required for positions in the building and road construction trades.

Participants will be admitted to Math Refresher program in groups of 10 upon completion of program application and intake process. Successful completion of all program requirements will be accomplished before participants receive a certificate of completion. 

Class run Monday through Friday from 8am to noon.

The Math Refresher program has four components:

1. An orientation process to assess placement in the program;
2. MECA sof tware and activity packets for Construction Technology, Building Maintenance, Heating Ventalation & Air Conditioning;
3. A Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program Study Guide and Workbook.
4. On-line modular TABE test prep using the internet and computer lab.

A valuable Certificate of Completion will be awarded to individuals who complete all four program requirements.

The program is paid for by the City of Racine.

For more information, contact Janet Green at (262) 898-9069.

Theatre Guild's 'Acting Adventures' class has openings

Space is still available in next week's "Acting Adventures" class at the Racine Theatre Guild. 

Students entering grades 3-5 will enjoy creating diverse characters and scenes as they dive into theatre games and improvisation. The class meets Monday through Friday, August 2-6, from 9 a.m. to noon. The instructor is Jenny Kostreva, Education Director, Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Tuition $90 ($80 family discount). 

Call 262-633-4218 to register.

North Beach mural dedication is Aug. 5

The Hispanic Roundtable is inviting the public to a dedication of a new Mural at the North Beach Oasis on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 5:30pm. Here's the invite: 

The board of directors for the Hispanic Roundtable coordially extends an invitation to you as supporters of the HRT to join us as we offer an official dedication for the Mural that was created at the North Beach Oasis Wall. The dedication is slated for Thursday August 5, 2010 at 5:30 PM.

In cooperation with the Racine Arts Council, the project was completed using a diverse group of students. The mural has a Latino flair to it and is there for the enjoyment of the many visitors to North Beach.

We hope you can join us for a brief dedication and would hope that the Mayor Dickert, County Executive Bill McReynolds, Sen. Feingold's office and Paul Ryan's office would make some brief comments at the dedication. Thanks for Alderman David Maack who worked tirellessly to assure that the project was completed, and thanks to Donnie Snow and the parks department for their willingness to embrace the Racine Latino culture by allowing the use of the North Beach Oasis wall as the place to highlight this great murial.

Several businesses and private citizens donated the funds to have the murial placed on the wall, they will be recognized for their contribution at the dedication. We will be inviting others from the community to join us for the dedication.

We look forward to your participation celebrating the expanding Latino community in Racine.

Jose's Blue Sombrero hosting HALO fundraiser on Aug. 3

Jose's Blue Sombrero and HALO are working together on a fundraiser Aug. 3 to benefit the homeless shelter. 

The fundraiser is a make-up for the snowed out Feb. 9 event at the Mexican restaurant. No snow should be expected this time around!

How's it work? Just show up at Jose's, eat dinner, have a few drinks and splurge on dessert. The restaurant is donating 10 percent of its total sales to HALO. The generous donation will be a big help to the homeless shelter. 

For more on Jose's, visit here. For more on HALO, visit here.

Racine Community Foundation Names New Executive Director

Mary Beth Mikrut has been named the new executive director of the Racine Community Foundation, according to an announcement today by Jim Small, president of the Foundation’s board of directors. She replaces Marge Kozina, who retired June 30 after nearly 21 years with the Foundation.

Mikrut, of Waterford, has more than 30 years of experience in not-for-profit organizations with an emphasis on fund-raising and program development. Since 1983, she had been with Presbyterian Homes in Evanston, Ill., most recently as senior director of development for its Geneva Foundation. Prior to joining Presbyterian Homes she was the founder and director of development for Light Opera Works of Evanston and director of alumni programs and reunion giving for Northwestern University, also in Evanston.

“We are very happy to have a person of Mary Beth’s caliber joining the Foundation as our executive director,” Small said. “We feel her experience is a good fit for our organization.”

Mikrut, who assumes her new responsibilities July 19, said she is “anxious to carry on the mission of the Racine Community Foundation. I’m looking forward to meeting the donors and getting to know the entire Racine County community well.”

Milkut has her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Northwestern University and her master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Lake Forest College. She holds certification as a fund-raising professional (CFRE), is a member of the Association of Fund-raising Professionals and the Chicago Council on Planned Giving.

'If you Want Peace, Work For Justice' is topic for July 19 Adventures in Lifelong Learning session

“If You Want Peace, Work For Justice” will be the topic at Monday’s (July 19th) meeting of Adventures In Lifelong Learning (ALL). Sister Patricia Chaffee, a member of the  Dominican Community of Racine, will speak of her 27 year involvement in peace and justice work as well as education. Her work has taken her to Central America and the Mideast .Sister Patricia is a member of the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice and has taught literature and writing at the university level.

The 2 p.m. meeting will be  at the Cinema in the UW-Parkside Student Center. Parking is available in the Union parking lot.

ALL is an organization of retired persons that is affiliated with UW-Parkside. It offers a lecture series and special interest groups in a variety of activities.


For more information contact the UW-P Continuing Education office, 595-2137 or www.uwp.edu (keyword ALL).

Registration open for city's fall softball leagues

The City of Racine’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will begin registering softball teams for Fall Softball Leagues on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. Player Registration Cards are available now. Deadline for registration is Thursday, August 5.

Leagues include:

• Monday Women’s - 6 Competitive Teams & 6 Non-Competitive Teams
• Tuesday Men’s - 6 Competitive Teams & 6 Non-Competitive Teams
• Wednesday Co-Ed - 6 Competitive Teams & 6 Non-Competitive Teams

If there are not enough teams to make two leagues, teams will be combined to make one league.

Thursday night will be used for make up games.

Team Fee: $575.00 (includes 11 players)

Additional Player Fee: $31.00

Teams must have 11 complete players cards and proper fees. Coed teams must have 5 men and 5 women, the 11th player can be a man or woman.

Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information, contact the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department at 636-9131.

City now accepting fall volleyball registrations

The City of Racine’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will begin registering adult Men’s, Women’s, and Co-ed Volleyball on Tuesday, August 24, 2010. Player Registration Cards are available now.

Deadline for registration is Thursday, September 16, 2010.

Volleyball Team Fee:
$415.00 (includes six (6) players)

Additional Player Fee:
$ 31.00

Men’s and Women’s teams must have a total of six (6) properly filled out and signed player cards with proper fees to register.

Co-ed Volleyball teams must have three (3) women and three (3) men.

A total of six (6) properly filled out and signed player cards with proper fees to register.

For information or questions, please call 636-9131 or visit the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, City Hall Annex, 800 Center Street, Room 127.

Lake House hosts training on 'Secrets to Good Groups'

Lake House Health & Learning Center will host a professional training, “Secrets To Good Groups,” led by Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, July 16.

Good groups don’t just happen – they are created by a facilitator who is first able to establish safety within the group and then follow and direct the group process for the best advantage of all in the group, whether it is a therapy group, class, lecture or other group setting. This workshop is geared to psychotherapists, mental health professionals, trainers, creative arts therapists, religious education leaders and Sunday school teachers, educators and others who want to increase their group skills, including skills with safe role play and other action methods. Focus of the training will be:

The three stages of group process

• How to select and identify action-oriented exercises to develop cohesiveness within the group.
• How to ready the group for action and interaction.
• Working with the resistant group member.

Three continuing education hours for social workers, addictions counselors and licensed professional counselors will be provided, plus psychodrama hours. Tuition is $35 and will include handouts and beverages. Contact (262) 633-2645 for more information or see www.lakehousecenter.com/calendar for more information. The center is located at 932 Lake Ave., Racine.