Voices | Page 4

Voices

All former community bloggers and inactive staff blogs, including Murphy’s Law.

June 24, 2013Voices

Cooking with Nell Benton

15oz of sweetened shredded coconut 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 egg whites  3oz  dark chocolate chips  Preheat the oven to 350.  Mix the coconut and condensed milk thoroughly. Beat the egg whites until stiff and then fold into the coconut mixture. Use an ice cream scoop to portion the mixture out on a lined sheet tray.   Bake for 25 mins (until golden). Cool completely. Melt the chocolate in a bain marie, or slowly in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.  Dip the macaroons into the chocolate and place upside down on a sheet tray to set.  

June 17, 2013Voices

Here Comes Tuition Tax Deductions

Lost in the controversy over school vouchers in the Wisconsin state budget battle is the idea of giving income tax deductions for parents who send their children to private schools. Parents could receive tax deductions up to $4,000 for elementary students and $10,000 for high school students. The cost to the state could reach $30 million dollars. In the short run, the impact of the tuition tax deductions will have far greater impact on education than the proposed extension of the school voucher program. How private schools react to parents receiving these deductions will expose the real motivation behind these schools.…

June 2, 2013Voices

Principal Musical Chairs

Next year, Milwaukee’s Bay View High School will have its fifth principal in four years. Pulaski High School will have its fourth principal in four years. Principal changes are taking place at all levels of the district; the greatest changes are taking place on the high school level. The previous Milwaukee superintendent, William Andrekopoulos, was criticized for rarely removing ineffective principals. Now the present superintendent, Gregory Thornton, is removing principals at a breakneck speed. Some recent principal changes are a direct result of the new state bargaining law which impacts salaries and benefits. Many school employees are retiring in order…

May 23, 2013Voices

Cooking with Todd Moore of Lake Park Bistro

Salade Lyonnaise 2 heads of frisee 250 grams slab bacon, cut into lardons 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 duck egg 28 milliliters red wine vinegar 56 milliliters olive oil 14 grams butter 112 grams chicken livers, cleaned 1 piece pain de campagne, grilled 10 milliliters white vinegar Tear frisee into bite-size pieces and put in a large bowl. If using slab bacon, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cut bacon slices crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick sticks (lardons). In a heavy skillet, cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and remove skillet from heat. Half-fill a 4-quart saucepan with water and…

May 16, 2013Voices

Voucher Schools Discriminate Against Students With Disabilities

Look for some voucher schools to close. That is because these schools discriminate against children with disabilities, and the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) is ordering Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to enforce the law. In its April 9 letter to State School Superintendent Evers, DOJ outlined violations within the Milwaukee Parent Choice Program (MPCP). Some voucher schools do not provide necessary services to special needs students, deny admissions, and if enrolled, force these students out of their programs. The Feds are ordering Evers to enforce federal laws. Evers doesn’t disagree with the findings, but he isn’t sure what authority he…

May 9, 2013Voices

Get Cooking with Chef Peggy Magister of Crazy Water

Mushroom Dusted Sea Bass with Mascarpone, Cauliflower puree, and Sautéed Wild Mushrooms and Ramps Serves 4   Peggy Magister of Crazy Water 4 6- to 8-ounce bass fillets (either Chilean or Wild Striped) 2 ounces dried mushrooms, pulverized in a coffee grinder 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 3 cups sliced wild mushrooms 1 bunch of ramps, blanched in salted water 2 cups veal stock ¾ cups cauliflower puree (recipe follows) 2 ounces pea shoots Heat oven to 350 F. Dust bass fillets in dried mushrooms. Heat olive oil in saute pan over high heat. Add fillets…

May 2, 2013Voices

Board Diversity

Four years ago the Milwaukee School Board was made up of six white males, only one woman, and no Latinos. In fact, the board was less diverse than it was two years before that when the board had five white males, two women, and one Latina. Today the school board looks a lot closer to the makeup of the district’s student population. Only two white males are left on the board. (I’m one of them.) Four members are now women. Four are black. Through redistricting, the board created a predominantly Latino district, and we once again have a Latina board…

April 30, 2013Voices

Randy Houser takes Milwaukee

Bringing his unique style of country music to Milwaukee, Randy Houser took over the Eagles Ballroom Friday night in support of his new album How Country Feels. Randy treated the Milwaukee crowd to hit after hit without missing a step. Randy Houser has made his mark in country with a sound all his own, which can be tough in a market full of great artists.  If you missed Randy on Friday, he will be back in WI throughout the summer so check the links bellow for more information on Randy’s schedule.  Randy Houser official webpage. Randy Houser on Facebook.