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.