January 7 – February 27, 2022
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It’s that time again. The mighty clock is prepping itself to begin counting down the seconds and hours as we draw towards a New Year.
As we begin the process of entering the year 2022, a lot of us, me included are doing a lot of recollecting and manifesting for what we’d like to accomplish. A resolution if you will. Well, in saying that, I would like to highlight a Black owned clothing boutique that I believe should be on everybody’s resolution list for shopping next year.
Goddess Fitz.
A store that specializes in phenomenal clothing selections for women of all ages, shapes and sizes. Everything from rompers, bucket hats, seasonal dresses, boots, joggers and jeans are available for purchase whether online or in store. One thing to particularly mention about this boutique is how vibrant everything is. The colors are insanely beautiful and fulfilling. The prices are more than reasonable and the customer service is top tier level. The hours, selection examples and location information are listed down below!
So, from me personally, ladies and men shopping for their ladies, please ensure to take note of this shopping experience as we dive into the New Year.
And with that I’d like to wish everybody more than a safe and happy 2022! Dream big. Love endlessly!
This is the holiday season, and many people would like to see those less fortunate have a great season also. The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) has many food and toy drives at the seven district police stations during this time. About a week before Christmas, I met Shana Dorsey who is a graphic designer/media producer for MPD. She and her crew were out delivering toys to families. She works on the seventh floor of the Police Administration Building where the Chief and his Command Staff are located. Shana advised me the toys she was currently giving out were purchased by the Chief, Assistant Chief, several Inspectors, plus most of the personnel that works on that floor.
They had a tree and most of the kids had a card on the tree with the gift the child wanted for Christmas. Everyone pulled a card and got that gift for the child. Most kids got that gift or something close to it. There were about twelve families and 60 to 70 children. Many wanted toys but some wanted other items like socks and spray cologne.
Shana also does a lot of other volunteer projects when not at work. Before Covid she would meet children at the library and tutor them on a variety of subjects twice a week. After Covid started to spread she did video chat and zoom to help the children. She works with anyone who needs help and that includes adults also. In addition, she has held workshops for women to show the how to do hair and make-up. She has put out eight adult coloring books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. This helps the adults to calm down and concentrate on issues in their lives. She does media posts and puts out information on the website 414 Milwaukee Mil Town. This site has a variety of information regarding the city on it. One interesting thing on this site is old cold case homicides that are listed which hopefully can help solve some of these cases.
We usually think about the police officers when we talk about community policing. But this shows that the civilians on the department are also particularly important when it comes to the mission of putting trust back into the department. Let us remember that many civilians work for MPD including dispatchers, telecommunicators, secretaries, police aides, and garage personnel. It would be impossible to properly run the department without these personnel.
The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association (Local 215) have signed an agreement that requires union members to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Members who are not vaccinated by January 31, 2022 will be required to wear a mask at all times while on duty except when eating, drinking, showering or sleeping.
With this agreement, all public safety unions at the City of Milwaukee have formally approved COVID vaccination or strict masking requirements.
“Throughout city government, there is agreement that our employees must take appropriate precautions to avoid COVID infections,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “I appreciate all the public safety unions approving the vaccination requirements for the good of their members, their families, their colleagues, and the community.”
The voluntary agreement with Local 215 includes provisions for administration of the vaccination to members while they are on duty. If previously vaccinated, members will receive two hours of compensation. The vaccine is mandatory regardless of previous infection status.
Members who are found to be in violation of the agreement will face discipline that includes suspensions and, for repeated violations, possible discharge. That is similar to the consequences general city employees face for violation of vaccination requirements.
The memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday will be in place until the end of 2022 unless there is mutual agreement to extend it or end it sooner.
Speak Life into your New Year! Become who you want to be!
Wow! And just like that the year is almost over and the new year is right around the corner. We made it to the last Monday of the year. What a time to be intentional about how you bring in the new year.
Whether you believe it or not, how you start the new year matters. It sets the tone for the rest of the year. Many people are wishing for great things for 2022 but the question is are you ready for those great things? Are you in a position to receive and maintain?
Some of the things you may need to do before this New Year starts may be quite simple but they symbolize a lot. I looked up some things that are a good idea to do before the new year.
Here’s a few suggestions I found on wikihow:
Do random acts of kindness often as possible.
Random acts of kindness are small, deliberate actions performed to bring happiness to other people’s day. Do these actions without expecting to get anything in return, but rather to brighten someone’s day. This is a great way to start off the new year on a positive, compassionate note.
Purchase a few new decorations to revamp your space.
Visit a local thrift or home supply store, and pick out a couple new items to redecorate with. For example, you can get 2-3 decorative throw pillows, a rug, a lamp, or a new bookshelf. Adding a few new items can make your home feel fresh and new.
Start your spring cleaning early to tidy up your space.
Shortly into the new year, clean up your room, kitchen, bathroom, and/or basement. Tidy up any cluttered areas, throw away garbage, and put away items that are out of place. This way, you’ll enter the new year feeling neat and organized.
Include a positive affirmation in your daily routine.
Positive affirmations refer to a simple, short sentence that you can use as a reminder throughout your day. Using positive affirmations can boost your self-esteem over time, which is helpful when starting off a new year. To work with positive affirmations, find a phrase that works for you, like “I am worthy,” or “I am capable of challenges.” Tell yourself this first thing in the morning and throughout your day as you start to doubt.
Sort through your clothes and get rid of those you don’t wear often.
The new year is a great time to take inventory of your wardrobe and get rid of items that no longer fit or suit your style. Take out the clothing in each of your drawers, and create 1 pile for clothing to keep and 1 pile for clothing to rehome. Then, fold your clothes neatly and return them to your dresser or closet. This helps you declutter your space and freshen up your style.
All of these suggestions are great ideas. The New Year is the perfect opportunity to press the reset button in your personal life. Granted you can resent you life at any time, there’s an atmosphere conducive for “new” at this time.
Remember it’s what you do that defines who you are. Keeping it positive can only have a phenomenal impact on the person you truly are. Give lots this year, not just to others but to yourself. Keep your space clean for a clear mind.
Make changes to enforce and promote change. Keep your attitude where it needs to be. Practice treating people better, for the sake of yourself. Practice humility. Give back. Spend some time with the homeless.
These things build on to your character. Not only that, keeping it clean allows you to think better. It gives you a better mind space. Practice thinking in clean spaces instead of clutter. Practice making better decisions. Practice taking care of you.
Have a Happy New Year!!
A new year is starting in a few days, and this is the perfect time to take full advantage of a new beginning. A new year is life’s way of saying “do over” and boy, I need a do over. You can call it a recharge or, like most people say, a new year’s resolution.
The first thing on my list in 2022 is my health. How I treat my body is especially important since I only have one. My focus will be regular doctor and dentist visits, exercise and what I eat. I have been down this road many times and it does not matter if I did not get a certain number on the scale but that I continue to work on my health.
I am going to share with you one of my favorite smoothie recipes. This smoothie can be used as a meal replacement or in addition to a small meal. One of the ingredients is Chia seeds, that reduce your risk of developing heart disease, it is high in fiber and has protein so that you stay full longer while eating healthier. Another important ingredient is Flax seeds, I use ground Flax which is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which is good for building and maintaining a healthy body.
Take your health seriously in the new year, by scheduling regular doctor visits and checkups, drinking more water, exercising, and making better choices when eating. This recipe is super easy, and the measurements are not important so be creative and use more, or less based on your taste.
Berry good smoothie
1 cup frozen mixed berries
A few fresh or frozen spinach leaves
1 teaspoon of Chia seeds
1 teaspoon of ground Flax seeds
5 ounces of a Strawberry protein shake
1 tablespoon strawberry or raspberry syrup regular or sugar free (I use Torani syrup, it is a game changer for any drink) this is optional for sweetness.
Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.
This recipe makes one serving, I use a single serve blender, but you can use a regular blender as well.
Here is to a new year of good health!
“As I looked at the list comparing chores against chores,
I noticed that mine was much longer than yours.
And the percentages didn’t seem to reflect,
A balanced account, or a ‘joint check.’”.
“So I wondered, umm, what should we do–
To make this more balanced between me and you?
Should we divy them up–a 50/50 affair?
Or make choices between us in an effort to share?”
I pondered. You pondered. Resistance emerged.
You espoused your true feelings–yes, they were purged.
It seems that you longed for things to remain,
Just as they were–yes, “let’s keep things the same.”
“Well, this won’t do–no, not at all.
With time at a shortage, I have to stand tall.
I tell you you’re needed, the load I can’t tote.
This is no election–you don’t get a vote.”
You pouted, and pouted, but to no great avail.
Now you’re one of the crowd–in Domestic Jail.
The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) have signed an agreement that requires union members to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Members of the MPA who are not vaccinated by January 31, 2022 will be required to wear a mask at all times while on duty except when eating or drinking at a safe social distance.
“At this important time in the COVID pandemic, I am pleased the MPA has agreed to these reasonable steps,” Mayor Tom Barrett said. “I appreciate the spirit of cooperation the MPA has brought to this matter.”
The voluntary agreement includes provisions for administration of the vaccination to members while they are on duty. If previously vaccinated, members can receive two hours of administrative leave. The vaccine is mandatory regardless of previous infection status.
Members who are found to be in violation of the agreement will face discipline that includes suspensions and, for repeated violations, possible discharge. That is similar to the consequences general city employees face for violation of vaccination requirements.
The memorandum of understanding signed Tuesday will be in place until the end of 2022 unless there is mutual agreement to extend it or end it sooner.
The MPA represents sworn Police Officers and Detectives of the City of Milwaukee.
If you google Milwaukee and ask, is it a safe city the results may amaze you. This is a little what the results state. If you look at the crime rate, Milwaukee is not a safe place to visit. The violent crime rate is high. The property crime rate is high. It consistently appears on the list of most dangerous cities in the United States and there are countless stories in the media of murder and violence in Milwaukee. This is just a few of the comments they report about the city. To be fair they also report on wonderful things to see while you visit Milwaukee like Summerfest, ethnic festivals, State Fair, and different breweries.
The homicide rate broke a record this past weekend with 191 with seven shootings and two homicides. What can be done if anything to get a handle on our high crime rate? I have some suggestions which I think would be helpful. First MPD needs to reinstate its weekly CompStat meetings. This is a computerization and quantification program used by many police departments. It tracks crimes in various locations throughout the city. District Captains are put on the hot seat and asked what they are doing about various crimes in their area. They are held strictly accountable and must produce solutions to crimes in their areas of responsibility. This helps to keep the whole district alert, and everyone should be on the same page with fighting crime.
Many of the serious crimes appear to be on the northside of the city currently. MPD should form a violent crimes taskforce to target the area with FI and traffic stops. FI stands for field interviews, stopping and questioning people in the area. They would have to be careful with this because of the issue they currently have with illegal stops by officers. You would need close supervision to make sure everything is legal.
I previously talked about the midnight basketball league which would help get young people off the street during prime time. They would target an age group like 18 to 27 which would help. Many people do not believe in neighborhood block watches, but they do work. Signs in everyone window stating if I don’t call police my neighbor will is immensely powerful. Everyone on the block would turn their front porch light on.
Lastly the bail system needs to be modified to keep dangerous people in jail. Out of 117 people charged with homicide this year 25 were out on bond. One out of five suspects for homicides were out on bail. These are just some suggestions so hopefully we can get a handle on our crime situation. Milwaukee is a beautiful city we need to make it safer for all of us plus anyone who would want to visit.