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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Back Story -- U. S. President and 1st Lady 6-Day Visit to Europe

Queen Elizabeth, President Obama, 1st Lady Michelle Obama and Prince Phillip - Buckingham Palace

President Barack Obama and 1st Lady Michelle Obama -
6 Days in Europe

May 23, 2011

Subject: International Public Policy
Area: Global Wellness - Economic Assistance

Dublin, Ireland was the first stop. Moneygall, the tiny village in County Offaly is the ancestral homeland of President Obama's great-great-great grandfather on his Kansas-born mother's side.

Their travels toke them Ireland, England, France and Poland, hosted by Polish President Komorowski. Poland was the final stop.

The G8 leaders including (L-R) President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan

Row 2
(L-R)Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

They are walking to lunch after their first meeting at the G8 Summit on May 26, 2011 in Deauville, France.



G8 Conference - #37th
The 37th Conference for the G8 was hosted by President Nicholas Sarkozy in France.

The Group of Eight (G8) is composed of the eight major economies of the world: France; Germany; Italy; Japan; the United Kingdom; the United States; Canada and Russia.

The eight countries announced the "Deauville Partnership," which includes $20 billion of economic assistance for Middle East and North Africa nations in political transition.

For more information about the 6-Day travel, go to:
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-Wraps-Up-European-Tour/10737421751/

Back Story -- MARK HAINES - 1946 - 2011



CNBC - Squawk Box on the Street
A Wall Street trading Anchorman

On May 25, 2011, Mark Haines, CNBC Anchorman of Squawk on the Street and founding anchorman of Squawk Box, died suddenly.

"He worked his way into this community very well," trading-floor legend Art Cashin said in a CNBC statement. "When the news popped out this morning it swept across the floor in a manner usually reserved for some large geopolitical event that moves markets."

Anchorman Haines is known to have been a no nonsense interviewer and sought "accountability" and "transparency" from CEO's and others that appeared on the morning shows and talked about the rise and fall of the stock market - Wall Street and the world.

He came to CNBC after working as a reporter and an anchorman of television in Pennsylvania (KYW-TV), New York (WABC-TV)and Rhode Island (WPRI-TV). After quitting Journalism in the 1980's, he went to law school and became a member of the New Jersey Bar Association. In 1989, prior to taking a position at a law firm, he was offered a position with, then fledging CNBC.

Haines was not a financial reporter, in fact, he cut out his niche by learning Wall Street and carving a space that allowed interviewing CEO's in the Wall Street market as a plus.

"Though known for taking the wind out of the sails of over-optimistic executives during an interview, he also had a Good Joe, from the neighborhood laughable side", said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association.

Happy Trials.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Remembering on Memorial Day - May 30, 2011


May 30, 2011 - MEMORIAL DAY

Milwaukee Professionals Association sends out a big Yahoo to all of our women and men who have and are serving our country in the military!!

Here are some events for your consideration - thanks to Dryhootch.org:

Parades
Milwaukee Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 30, 2PM, starts at 4th and Wisconsin and ends at the War Memorial and Veterans Park
***The Dryhootch Truck will be in this parade! If you would like to volunteer to sell coffee in the Dryhootch tent at the War Memorial from 10AM-3PM, please email: veterans@dryhootch.org)***

Waukesha Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 30, 10:15AM, starts at Frame Park

Ceremonies
Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI
Sunday, May 29, 11AM ceremony

Soldier’s Rest at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, WI
Monday, May 30, 8AM ceremony

Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI
Monday, May 30, 9:30AM ceremony

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Without "End-User" and "Neighborhood-Level" Oversight, it is Missing the Mark



Subject: Public Policy - PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Area: National-State-Local


The more I see funding being tossed out without some real monitoring-transparency-accountability that is tied to the end-users, parents, recipients and neighborhood-level stakeholders; I am not only weary, I am vehemently against it.

Yes. Funding is a must.
But, funding is just part of the solution.

What is the “trump card” for leveraging the “social dynamics” that will sabotage the efforts.

What is being done to ensure that the funding is said to be for one thing but once in house it becomes our own private do-what-we-want pillaging.

What are these folk doing to earn the right to use this money? Other than, providing a slick and professional application backed-up by hired professionals whose worth is to get big bucks from large depositories – federal government and charitable organizations. It is a racket.

The U.S. Committee on Appropriation and the U.S. Committee on Finance could help find deficit repair in proper monitoring of the People’s money.

Race to the Top
I am in Wisconsin. Last year, there was in-fighting of proposed “take-over” by then Democrat Governor Jim Doyle, State Superintendent Tony Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Now that Republican Governor Scott Walker is in office, he has already thrown his hat in to “bust-up” or further “dilute” the strength of the public school system by removing the cap on voucher programs tied to Milwaukee Public Schools. The two camps, Doyle-Evers-Barrett last year and Walker this year, were/are after the federal funding that follows People of Color, the Work-Challenged and other protected classes. They come up with the 20-20 sell game of “for-the-children”. But, absolutely nothing is further from the truth.

Why? Because they never talk, in-service, ask and strategic plan with the parents of the children a "WE" Action plan. The blueprint is flawed if you fail to respect the statutory and biological rights, authority and influence of the parent or guardian. They are the first and always teachers.

You can bet State Superintent Evers and the gang will be at the door "pushing" and clamoring for dollars - using their office powers to gain entrance - using the archaic laws on the book to Govenor Walker's faux pax as a shield for consideration as well as "we are for the children" pledge and even accountability. Yet, Evers is so arrogant that he will not return calls, fail to have dialog to promote inclusion, best practices, accountability and transparency for the end-user. He has failed to answer emails and is in lock-step with the UW Board of Regents in failing to provide Affirmative Action to Milwaukeeans. He like others in public authority sit on multi-boards and cross-pollinate the appearance of conflict of interest - especially when it is seen.

The PARENT FACTOR is mandatory. The PARENT FACTOR is the missing link. The PARENT FACTOR is the beginning, middle and end for success.

"Every state that applied for Race to the Top funds now has a blueprint for raising educational quality across America," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "These funds will encourage states to continue their courageous work to challenge the status quo and build on the momentum for education reform happening in our classrooms, schools and communities."

So, when U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan wave $500m, $200m, $20m and $10m, it is like throwing bloody meat in the ocean where hungry sharks are swimming. It will be eaten. It will be retrieved by the sharks who happen to be swimming by (in the right place at the right time) – the sharks that are able to navigate the waters the quickest – the most powerful and intimidating sharks. Yes. Sharks were feed. But they were not the intended or target audience.

It is the same in the wild yonder of federal funding.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Orange is the New Black by Author Piper Kerman

Subject: Public Policy - SOCIAL JUSTICE
Area: National-Local-Global


Orange Is The New Black
My Year in a Women’s Prison
By Piper Kerman
(Spiegel & Grau; on sale April 6, 2010)

When federal agents knocked on her door with an indictment in hand, Piper Kerman barely resembled the reckless young woman she was shortly after graduating Smith College. Happily ensconced in a New York City apartment, with a promising career and an attentive boyfriend, Piper was forced to reckon with the consequences of her very brief, very careless dalliance in the world of drug trafficking.



Piper Kerman is a vice president at a Washington, D.C.-based communications firm, Spitfire Strategies that works with foundations and nonprofits. A graduate of Smith College, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Larry Smith.

Piper served a little over a year for drug trafficking.
For more about Piper and Social Justice issues of prison, go to:
http://piperkerman.com/orange



Women Prison Association
For information about Women Imprisonment in Wisconsin, go to:
http://www.wpaonline.org/institute/hardhit/states/wi/wi.htm

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

MPA Creates NEW strength to All Hands on Deck Initiative





MILWAUKEE, WI - MPA BOOSTING GRADUATION NETWORK was added today as another link for strengthening the capacity building of ALL Hands on Deck. It will promote dialog and sharing with others who have also seen it as a benefit in helping to make our country globally competitive.

The Call to Action BOOSTING GRADUATION RATES was initiated on March 22, 2011 by Vice President Joseph Biden. It was another star for the Education and Technology push of the Obama Administration.

President Barack Obama's Call to Service for America to be globally competitive by 2020 ask that we accomplish Education and Technology attainment.

Milwaukee Professionals Association embraced his Call to Service as well as the BOOSTING GRADUATION RATES. The idea was added as a "touchstone" for the All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative. The All Hands on Deck Initiative building blocks for graduation to employment and business entrepreneurship starts with high school. It includes graduating from Apprenticeship programs, graduating from "certificated" programs and graduation degrees (2-year through all levels of college).

"Boosting graduation at the neighborhood-level, from high school through all degrees of college, will help ensure that the BOTTOM-UP Recovery plan has legs", said Mary Glass, Corporate leader for MPA's vanguard initiative.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Maria Bartiromo - This Week on the Street



New York, NY - INVESTOR BRIEF by Maria Bartiromo.

Today's video

• New Home Sales rebounded in March, the gains were not enough to recoup all of February’s losses. Results for Pending Home Sales in March will be released on Friday.

• Watch for a few consumer-related reports this week, starting with April’s personal income and spending results.

• Both increased in March, however higher prices may have mitigated much of the increase in spending.

• The second estimate of economic growth in the first quarter will be released Thursday. The initial estimate a month ago showed GDP growth of 1.8% in the first three months of the year.

To view MARIA'S video, go to:
http://mariaswallstreet.cnbc.com/video/InvestorBrief/2011/05/23/?sid=LR4192&cp=CNAB&ct=20110523&cc=eletter&en=4170675

Sunday, May 22, 2011

President Obama Commencement Orator @ Booker T. Washington in Memphis



Subject: Public Policy - PUBLIC SCHOOL
Area: National-Local-Global

Memphis, TN - Posted by Jesse Lee on May 16, 2011 at 02:57 PM EDT.

"Every commencement is a day of celebration," said the President at the commencement for Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, "But this one is especially hopeful." BTW, as the school is known, was the winner of the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, chosen as a finalist on the basis of its inspiring turn-around story and voted the winner by the public after each finalist school submitted a video making its case. The President continued:

This one is especially hopeful because some people say that schools like BTW just aren’t supposed to succeed in America. You’ll hear them say, “The streets are too rough in those neighborhoods.” “The schools are too broken.” “The kids don’t stand a chance.”

We are here today because every single one of you stood tall and said, “Yes, we can.” (Applause.) Yes, we can learn. Yes, we can succeed. You decided you would not be defined by where you come from but by where you want to go, by what you want to achieve, by the dreams you hope to fulfill.

For more text, go to:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/16/president-obama-booker-t-washington-high-commencement-challenge-winners

Saturday, May 21, 2011

And the Winner is . . . Shackleford

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.


Baltimore, Maryland - Pimlico Track (1 3/16th mile track) and the $1Million 136th Preakness Race winner is 3-year old colt, Shackleford and Animal Kingdom came in second place. A great sprint by Animal Kingdom on the end.

Next month will be the Belmont Stakes.

No triple crown this year.
The last Triple Crown winner was Secretariat in 1978.

Today's line-up included:

1. Astrology, 15-1
2. Norman Asbjornson, 30-1
3. King Congie, 20-1
4. Flashpoint, 20-1

5. Shackleford, 12-1

6. Sway Away, 15-1
7. Midnight Interlude, 15-1
8. Dance City, 12-1
9. Mucho Macho Man, 6-1
10. Dialed In, 9-2

11. Animal Kingdom, 2-1

12. Isn't He Perfect, 30-1
13. Concealed Identity, 30-1
14. Mr. Commons, 20-1

SHACKLEFORD - 1st; ANIMAL KINGDOM - 2nd; and ASTROLOGY - 3rd
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/today_preakness_field_post_picks_3TIjarpG5EC0yH6SqGUQKJ#ixzz1N1nMRmHh

ALL Hands on Deck - Technology Infrastructure - Broadband



Subject: Public Policy
Area: National-Local-Global

"We are whistling in the dark, while other countries are sailing in the light of broadband", said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association. "Milwaukee Professionals Association is busy introducing, supporting, sharing awareness and reaching out to Chairman Julius Genachowski and Administrator Karen Mills, the Small Business Administration, to build a BOTTOM-UP Recovery Plan - a coalition of informed and online Milwaukeeans at the neighborhood-level with high speed in the internet world for 21st Century global competitiveness".

Milwaukee, WI - MPA through its blog MPA Public Policy Review and other communications, is calling for the Governor of Wisconsin, leaders of both sides of the state capitol, joint finance committee, telecommunication and technology boards, mayor, common council, county executive supervisors and school board members to "listen-up and to step up to ensure that their constituents are in the world-class category of Broadband frequency. To work with MPA to make this a reality as soon as humanly possible.

MPA continues to "push" for infrastructural correctness by Calling for Milwaukeeans to become familiar with the FCC-Federal Communication Commission "National Broadband Plan". To spend time reading up on the plan, then moving into ACTION to share for better awareness, to call upon his/her alderperson, supervisor and school board member to create a "neighborhood-level" plan that will help bundle the synergy necessary to "move Milwaukee" out of stagnation, out of standing still.

Below is an overview of the National Broadband Plan by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. It is well worth you taking the time to listen and become "informed".

Also, to see the Executive Summary and other Chapters of the National Broadband Plan, go to:
http://download.broadband.gov/plan/national-broadband-plan-executive-summary.pdf
AND
http://www.broadband.gov/plan/

Friday, May 20, 2011

G.O.P. Senators Question I.R.S. Scrutiny of Donors



Subject: Public Policy
Area: National

MPA applauds the move to heightened scrutiny of donations to 501©(4); and ask that they include, all other non-profits, charitable organizations and the “Community Block Grant” funding.

Yahoo! Yes. There is both misuse of funds intended by design and misuse of funds due to non-accountability - Either way, it gets out of hand and the people pay. The power-players dominate where it goes. It goes for too often conflict of interest endeavors, efforts that disenfranchises those who are not around the table or without means, put in office too often uninformed and uncaring individuals and groups of individuals that are able to get around the word and spirit of our laws; yet they are the first ones to wrap themselves in the American Flag or platitudes for persuasion of “our forefathers” or the “American People want – don’t want”.

The climate is getting worse. Anything goes. We see it every election – local to national. Raising money is “big business” – by any means necessary.

We see the polarizing-demonizing-victimizing of race, class, area of the country, good old boys and girls, big business, big and greedy businesses, real estate barons, union and non-union, blue collar and white collar, educated and uneducated.

We fail to recognize the obvious. There is only one planet/place we – most of us will live on in a lifetime, no matter how much money you have, no matter what party you are in or race you belong to. It is the planet Earth.

Right now, she is sending us some powerful messages through the various climatic forces. Sometimes the “climatic forces” create a domino effect and unleash some of our man-made disasters; as in the 9-point earthquake to the tsunami to the explosion of the nuclear plants in Japan. The disaster will have decades of repair and fallouts all over the planet Earth.

Yes. We say look long and hard. But do not stop there. Bring it to the City of Milwaukee and other cities receiving Community Block Grant Funding and the leaders and handlers refuse to talk with the citizenry about what they are doing and how they can improve; refuse to honor public records requests in a timely fashion – if at all – and when they do, it is mumbo jumbo and authoritative jargon.

We say to the Finance committee, put forth prerequisites for change and better monitoring oversight that includes the PEOPLE - to help not only the Internal Revenue Service’s but those of us at the local level seeking scrutiny of federal dollars that are sent for one thing (jobs, entrepreneurship, affordable housing, crime prevention and intervention, transportation/quality-of-life and economic development) and the funds are co-opted by those elected-appointed-hired-volunteered - being spent for so many other non-related things while they cry for more funds using “protected classes” as shields. And, at the end of decades of annual funding, the city and neighborhoods are buried in more and more Enduring Concentrated Poverty – adding to the debt of the country because they (generation-after-generation) are not allowed to grow and contribute their hidden talent and emerging markets.

For Wall Street Article, go to:
G.O.P. Senators Question I.R.S. Scrutiny of Donors
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Published: May 18, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/us/politics/19donate.html?_r=1&hpw

What is the "IMF" - International Monetary Fund



Conceived at a United Nation Conference - Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States, in July 1944.

Officially created in 1945. It is accountable to 187 nations.

The organization was formed to provide intervention of economic overload that causes competition to a level of the Great Depression.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) works to foster international monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. Created in 1945, the IMF is governed by and accountable to the 187 countries that make up its near-global membership.

For more information, go to:
http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/glance.htm


The IMF after DSK - Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Mark Weisbrot guardian.co.uk, Thursday 19 May 2011

Dominique Stauss-Kahn, resigned from his Managing Director position of the IMF.
His arrest came at a crucial time for the IMF, which is supposed to be renegotiating the Greek bailout.

For details go to:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/may/19/imf-dominique-strauss-kahn

Happy Birthday and Congratulations on your 1st Year in College




MAY 20, 2011
Today is La'Frisko Deandre Lewis birthday.

He is completing his Freshman year at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
He has completed his finals and waiting for his grades.

La'Frisko has one brother and two sisters - He is the oldest.

His reason for being in college - according to him - is because he knows it will take him places he want to go; especially since he likes to travel. He also likes sports - basketball, running and swimming. He likes to draw in his spare time.

His ambitions include being healthy, happy and to "help people". He says he is not sure if that means being a Psychiatrist or some other position in the medical field. He plans to remain in school until he obtains a PhD.

We wish him the very best and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

MPA PUBLIC POLICY REVIEW - 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY



June 3, 2011 marks one year for MPA Public Policy Review Website.

We will highlight gains, updates, additions and milestones we are proud of.

Identify projects and partners.

It is amazing what you can do with the Master's help.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Becoming a Top State for Business

Milwaukee, WI - Open Letter to Governor Scott Walker regarding 1st Meeting of WEDC - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

LOGISTICS
Milwaukee Professionals Association continues to weigh-in on how best to move forward ALL Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative.

The main thrust is to engage State Chapters of 118.01, 36, 38 and 39 for congruency of flawed practices and un-, under-trained/educated and un-, under-financed commercial ventures for Milwaukeeans to dislodge the strangling–grip of Enduring Concentrated Poverty that has the economy and the people “trapped”.

Secondly, the Apprenticeship program is a key indicator and Open for Business initiatives to spur neighborhood-level businesses for “economic affluence”. We have embraced the concept with a 21st Century revision to spur “critical mass” business performers in Milwaukee, expose “hidden talent” and “emerging markets” that will bolster the desired economy advantage.

In order for Wisconsin to hang out the "We are Open for Business sign" and gain economically, we will have to get our house in order and show that we are supporting the business opportunities locally that will help put in place a foundation for long-term profits and growth. It is not enough to make a couple of knee-jerk or surprising moves, we must put substance in the infrastructure.

Let's face it, businesses in and out of state are looking for states that are looking at their cost of services as a government entity. The more people at the helm, in-the-mix, experiencing opportunity to grow, the better it is.

The BOTTOM-UP plan expects education attainment, technology attainment, research and development through the 3-Tier Public School Systems (Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College, UW-Milwaukee Extension and UW-Milwaukee), drive “emerging markets” and “hidden talent” for partnerships with private schools and partnerships with state-of-the-art, case-by-case government resources for financial vetting at the neighborhood-level.

Federal Reserve and Forbes
Since report-after-report bear out the “by design” data of exclusion of African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged (un-, under-employed; un-, under-skilled; un-, under-financed businesses; disabled; and those re-entering; especially those returning from war, incarceration, boomerang employment and retirement), we have launched the All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative.

Short-sighted and unwise leaders have engaged in policy-making and leadership that has EXCLUDED African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged. This makes no sense at a time of global focus and the growing population of People of Color. Not to mention, it is "unlawful" to discriminate against race and other protective classes.

MPA goal is to turn around the default that create such reports as the Forbes 42nd position for Milwaukee out of 42 positions for cities for entrepreneurism for People of Color, (http://blogs.forbes.com/joelkotkin/2011/03/31/the-best-cities-for-minority-entrepreneurs/) and the Federal Reserve and Brookings case study on Enduring Challenged of Concentrated Poverty, Spatial Mismatch (http://www.frbsf.org/cpreport/docs/cp_fullreport.pdf).

We have expectations for the Secretary and CEO Paul Jardin - WEDC.
As the ex-Mayor of Green Bay, he is expected to come to the table with neighborhood-level ideas for inclusion and immediate change.

As for the NEWLY organized WEDC body, we know that extensive training, clear rules to deter Conflict of Interest and cronyism; as well as annual evaluations that include their written report of what they have contributed and what is needed.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

WI Department of Commerce changes to: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation




MADISON, WI - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Milwaukee Professionals Association recognizes and call upon the NEWLY appointed and elected decision makers (including Governor Scott Walker and Secretary of Department of Commerce and CEO of WEDC) to remember that the largest city in Wisconsin is Open and ready for major and bold efforts that will begin to be inclusive of African American, other People of Color and Work-Challenged Wisconsinites.

That we have strategic plans and channel development for "structural and infrastructural" changes for real pro business in Wisconsin - for data-driven changes at the neighborhood-level that can reflect real world-class urban growth in annual reports such as the Forbes best entrepreneur city for People of Color reporting.

WEDC MISSION
To elevate the Wisconsin economy to be the best in the world by providing a positive business climate,world‐class support services, and economic development tools that accelerate business start‐up and growth.

Governor Walker Announced Three (3) Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Authority Board Appointments (5/13).

They are:
-- DAN ARIENS - President/CEO, Ariens Company - Green Bay

-- LISA MAUER - Chairman/President/Owner, Tool Service Corporation, Tool Fabrication Corporation and Fluid Services Corporation - Wauwatosa

-- DON WEBER - Founder/CEO, Logistics Health Incorporated - La Crosse

CHANGE
Special Session Act 7 created a new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), a public-private corporation to replace the state Department of Commerce (Commerce).

WEDC will lead Wisconsin's economic development efforts. We will prove to businesses here, in other states and around the world that Wisconsin is open for business. We will market our advantages as the best state to start, grow and expand a business.

Core Values
1. Be Bold. WEDC was established to align and lead Wisconsin’s economic development efforts.

WEDC will embrace this role by establishing a vision for Wisconsin economic development, aligning economic development strategies, launching innovative, bold solutions, implementing state of the practice infrastructure tools, and being the lead advocate for Wisconsin business.

2. Focus on the Core Customer – Wisconsin Business. WEDC exists to serve business in
Wisconsin. All performance metrics, systems, staffing, and operations are dedicated to advancing this customer group. Wisconsin businesses will be actively engaged in WEDC planning, leadership, and operations.

3. Operate as an Extended Enterprise. WEDC is a part of a larger, cooperative network of economic development organizations in the state. These partners share the WEDC mission and metrics and are engaged in WEDC operations planning and service delivery.

4. Measure and Be Accountable. WEDC policy choices and investments will be data‐driven, measured and evaluated to ensure maximum return for the WEDC investment. WEDC will provide a level of transparency and accountability unprecedented for economic development in the state of Wisconsin.

5. Leverage Core Strengths. WEDC has unique core competencies that include:
• Representing the Governor, and designation as the lead economic development
organization for Wisconsin

• Ability to routinely engage industry and government leaders in ways that others cannot

• Ability to acquire and deploy significant resources to advance economic development
WEDC will leverage these competencies while engaging partners in ways that utilize their unique core competencies

Upcoming event
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 is first Board Meeting - organization and briefing.

Agenda
http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/wedc/docs/wedc-board-meeting-agenda-05-18-2011.pdf

WEDC Strategic Plan Draft
http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/wedc/docs/WEDC-StrategicPlanDraft.pdf

Keep Informed
For information, go to:
http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/wedc/

WI Department of Commerce
608) 266-1018

Monday, May 16, 2011

Creating the P-15 or more Group



The City of Milwaukee is in "crisis".

By every imaginable report, we - The People, Milwaukeeans, especially African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged come out at the bottom of the heap.

It is not because we can not do better, it is because we are not doing better.

The City of Milwaukee is filled to the brim with "hidden talent - DIAMONDS in the Rough" and unchartered "platforms/emerging markets" for development at the neighborhood-level.

Standup for ECONOMICS
We are not demanding through leadership of all, a better ran city with an economy that supports its constituents, stakeholders, taxpayers that live in, learn in, work in, invest in, grow families in, mentor youth in, grow business in and worship in. WE HAVE ALLOWED "Hog Wild manipulation of laws" and "Hog Wild manipulation of federal funding and philanthropic funding" geared for quality of life and economic development challenges; yet the funds never get there and the statistics repeat Enduring Concentrated Poverty.

W A K E U P!

We are allowing the global perspective to pass-us-by with "distractions".
We are allowing short-sightedness, unawareness and propaganda to cause us to lose "generation-after-generation".

Our over half-million stakeholders are allowing corrupt cultures, BY DESIGN discriminatory practices, gatekeeping by People of Color and other sell-outs, WIDESPREAD conflict of interest, EVERY TOM, DICK and HARRY power broker running our city's business, outside contractors invade the city like locusts, increased numbers of social agency leaders waiting for handouts and payoffs, thuggery intimidation and failure to honor our Missions, Constitution and family legacy of old.

The solution lies in the citizenry shoulder-to-shoulder investing in progressive actions, after taking your city back. We have an election next year. Now is the time to select the leaders for support.

The MKE P-15 is a newly planned group led by Milwaukee Professionals Association for the purpose of strategic planning and channel development at the neighborhood level.

It will REFORM and supersede practices of unaccountability.
It will DEMAND principled-centered leadership as a prerequisite for being elected as well as remaining elected.
It will CALL FOR and GET Milwaukeeans to BUY-in.

It is to update and provide compliance to the citizen participant laws on the books.

Local Level
It will call for specific actions that require transparency and customer care of elected officials and public authority groups including:
-- Mayor
-- Alderpersons/Common Council
-- County Executive
-- County Supervisors
-- UW-Milwaukee Chancellor
-- UW-Extension Chancellor
-- MATC President
-- MATC Board
-- MPS Superintendent
-- MPS Board
-- MMSD

The BRIC COUNTRIES

The BRIC countries
BRAZIL, RUSSIA, INDIA, CHINA

Considered similar in economic development status presently. They are also referenced as the "Big Four". To hear and learn more, click on the video below.

Maria's Investor Agenda News

Maria Bartiromo is the anchor of CNBC’s "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo" and host and managing editor of the nationally syndicated "Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo."

We will from time-to-time share investment tips by Maria Bartiromo and others from her site regarding the economy.

Milwaukee Professionals Association launched All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative on January 23, 2010 with the goal of flipping the economy in the 190 neighborhoods of Milwaukee and eradicating Enduring Concentrated Poverty - to advance "economic affluence" by creating a NEW Middle Class in 10 years through a BOTTOM-UP Recovery program. It is "re-defining", "re-branding" and "un-trapping" over a half-million people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Brazil's NEW Middle Class

Today, May 16, 2011, we start with Lulu Chiang's article on:
Brazil's Emerging Class

Lulu Chiang is the senior field producer and senior booker of CNBC’s "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo" and "The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo."

Brazil has enjoyed enormous growth, averaging over 3% from 1991 until 2010...and reaching a historic high of 10.1% in March of 1995. People in the favelas are making more money, and moving up to the middle class.

Read and learn more at:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15837548/cid/144458

MPA-Urban Health News



We are adding a NEW focus of info sharing that provides health tips and up-to-date issues in the health science areas. We do hope you will share with others.

Item One - AMICOR

For information about Urban Health and Urban Communities with a focus on cardiovascular diseases prevention, go to:
http://www.amicor.blogspot.com/

Item Two - Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Shop For A Psychotherapist To Avoid The Lemons
by Nancy Shute


For more info, go to:
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/16/136283080/shop-for-a-pyschotherapist-to-avoid-the-lemons

Invest in you and those you know, listen to the link and view the link.

Friday, May 13, 2011

UPDATE - Complaint Against UW Regents and Others



Milwaukee, WI - On April 26, 2011, Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association, hand-delivered the first copy of the Complaint to Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen.

Since then, there have been other points-noticed that had to be added to the Complaint.

It is important to note that the Complaint continues to mirror our 5-year observation on Code of Conduct and behavior by those elected-hired-appointed-volunteered.

The original outreach for the Complaint were:
-- WI Attorney General JB Van Hollen
-- WI Governor - Scott Walker
-- WI Government Accountability Board
-- State and Federal Legislators
-- U.S. Department of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

We have yet to submit the file to the EEOC.

The seriousness of the Complaint requires that we are patient but thorough - We are that. It is important that we put in place principled-centered leadership and best practices where we see they impact our civil-legal-human rights.

Therefore, for concentration and clarity, we have split-up the state and federal legislators list.

Our focus for the state is two-fold, 16-Member Joint Finance Committee and state representatives for the Milwaukee area.

Our Federal Legislators are made-up of our three major representatives: Senator Herb Kohl, Senator Ron Johnson and Congresswoman Gwen Moore.

This list will be expanded to federal legislators that hold hearings and represent key disciplines that will affect All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative i.e., returnees - war-incarceration-employment-retirement, disabled, discrimination and on.

We have asked all six contacts to assign a person in their office to keep them abreast of the information we are sharing for consideration, intervention and prevention.

We have received confirmation of receipt from:
-- WI Attorney General Van Hollen office
-- WI Governor Scott Walker
-- WI Government Government of Accountability

Ongoing Information
This week we submitted request to staff of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee as well as an outside contractor for information. They have not responded.

We will be in touch again to see what is the hold-up for the non-compliance of requested "public information".

Contractors
We have also begun seeking information at the state level for information regarding who is/has received procurement and contracting agreements.

This is about JUSTICE and equal access.
We welcome your input if you have been denied procurement and/or employment.

You can reach us at:
mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com

MONEY IN MOTION - Euro - Man Up?


Kelley Holland - CNBC Currency Blogger

Europe - Greece - Thursday, May 12, 2011

European leaders are talking much about Greece and its austere times. They can't seem to decide when and how to help them.

For more, go to, Man Up Europe:
http://www.cnbc.com//id/42972532

Milwaukee Professionals Association Launched Bold 3-Tier Approach for Education and Technology Attainment of Milwaukeeans

“Re-defining”, “re-branding” and “un-trapping” the City of Milwaukee and its Stakeholders of Concentrated Poverty

Press Release
May 13, 2011

MPS, MATC, UW-EXTENSION, UW-Milwaukee and other higher learning institutions that receive government funding


Milwaukee Professionals Association Launched Bold 3-Tier Approach for Education and Technology Attainment of Milwaukeeans

MPS, MATC, UW-EXTENSION, UW-Milwaukee and other higher learning institutions that receive government funding


MILWAUKEE, WI – Today, Friday, May 13, 2011, Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association, announced twelve (12) touchstones of All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative – a campaign to BOOST Graduation rates in diplomas, certifications and degrees for eradicating Enduring Concentrated Poverty. It requires access-literacy-fluency of Education and Technology. It calls for some restructuring of the way the 3-tier public school systems and the private schools provide customer care for/to the public sector in Milwaukee. It requires the people/taxpayers, legislators, governor and federal decision makers’ approval.

The focus of All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative calls for specifics for “re-defining”, “re-branding” and ultimately “un-trapping” Milwaukeeans, especially those that have been consistently and by design left out of wealth-building for sustainability. It is a Bottom-up Recovery plan to eradicate Enduring Concentrated Poverty and replace it with “economic affluence” - a NEW Middle Class in the City of Milwaukee.

The 3-Tier approach deploys the conventions of the state public school systems. It calls for 21st Century “strategic planning” and “implementation” of Milwaukee Public Schools (elementary and secondary) with 2-year Milwaukee Area Technical College, 4-year and above institutions (UW-Milwaukee and UW-Milwaukee Extension).

It looks at specific target audiences in Milwaukee. They are: African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged (un-, under-financed businesses; un-, under-employed; un-, under-skilled; disabled, and re-entry, those returning from war, incarceration, boomerang employment and retirement). It is a “WE” effort with the buy-in of the People.

The All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me initiative plan/touchstones include:

1) Adoption of a 10-year plan to increase access, literary and fluency in education and technology attainment for at least 51% of residential and commercial stakeholders of the City of Milwaukee.

2)Identifying and implementing “adult alternatives” for BOOSTING graduation that address social concerns tied to culturally diverse areas of Milwaukee; especially stakeholders that are un-, under-financed businesses; un-, under-employed; un-, under-skilled; have dropped out of school; are disabled, are returnees from war, incarceration and boomerang employment.

3)research and strategic solutions in education and technology attainment by-and-with MPS parents that requires education and technology attainment of “the parents-guardian” for removal of social constraints unique to Milwaukee’s urban” culture;

4)Identifying and joint-venturing resources of the public school conventions, MPS-MATC-UW-EXTENSION-UW-MILWAUKEE, for concentration, continuity, less duplication, transparency, accountability, customer care, best practices and maximizing business development at the neighborhood-level;

5)creating multi-year education and technology partnerships with neighborhood-level businesses using private school conventions, MARQUETTE, CARDINAL STRITCH, ALVERNO, MSOE, MILWAUKEE MEDICAL COLLEGE, CONCORDIA COLLEGE, KAPLAN, BRYANT STRATTON, ITT, UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX and EVEREST with a FOCUS on business and entrepreneurial preparedness in the City of Milwaukee;

6)Create “research” opportunities in the natural pipelines of MPS Title I, MATC programs, UW-Milwaukee schools/colleges, UW-Extension community outreach for growth of optimum results that calls for re-structuring and re-staffing patterns using MPS “parents” and neighborhood-level professionals;

7)Match case study and solutions that remove barriers to continuity of training from-school-to-home for MPS parents and students, correction facilities-to-home-to-school-to-work and war-to-home-to-school-to-work for long-term growth and wellness;

8)Create a NEW “talent” pipeline by removing barriers and promoting competition through access, literacy, incentives and “on-the-merits” support of those returning from incarceration, war, boomerang employment and retirement;

9)Implement the bootstrap model through bold and needed changes that marry supply management with neighborhood-level talent and emerging businesses; using Apprenticeship training and business modeling as a major link;

10)Spur “critical mass” employment and business development at the neighborhood-level through re-structuring the State of WI Apprenticeship program with a partnership with the following:
3-Tiers (MPS-MATC-UWM Extension and UWM), the U. S. Department of Employment and Training, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Community Block Grant, WI Bureau of Apprenticeship, WI Department of Regulations and Licensing, WI Department of Commerce, WI Department of Financial Institutions, WI Department of Natural Resources, WI Department of Transportation, MEDC-Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, Milwaukee Emerging Business, Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Milwaukee Department of City Development, Milwaukee Harbor Commission, Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District.

11)Create seven (7) World-class, “urban” focused, state-of-the-art, one-stop shops that are technology-based with a campus-center atmosphere that promotes an Open-to-the-public computer network with global research curiosity.

12. Stakeholders at the neighborhood-level engage in a multi-year update and restructure the duties and responsibilities of the neighborhood strategic planning areas, the business improvement districts, Main Street focus and the 2010 Smart Growth land-use of Milwaukee.

“The boldness sought in the 3-Tier education and technology attainment process calls for restructuring with 21st Century paradigms that will trump limited, discriminatory and rigid thinking that is bankrupting the urban city of Milwaukee,” said Glass. “It is not a top-down; it is a Bottom-up partnership with our public and private education systems. It must be neighborhood-level driven with citizen-centered leadership that has the finger print of Milwaukeeans, especially African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged.”

# # #

Steve Wonder - Happy Birthday!



Happy Birthday tu ya! Happy Birthday tu ya! Happy Birthday!


Los Angeles, CA - Today is Steve Wonder's 61st Birthday.

Stevland Hardaway Judkins (born May 13, 1950), named later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder.

He is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist. Blind since shortly after birth, Wonder signed with Motown Records' Tamla label at the age of eleven, and continues to perform and record for Motown to this day. Taken from Wikipedia

Treat yourself, go to:
www.pandora.com register and request Steve Wonder as your artist.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Maureen and Roy Roberts - Philanthropist

Maureen and Roy Roberts - Philanthropist

"We have four kids, six grandkids," said Roberts. "When they come back twenty-five years from now, what are they going to see, and what will it say about us? [The gift is] a way for us to teach our grandkids to get the best education possible, work as hard as you possibly can, and when you get a little more than you need to take care of your family, you give back." Roy Roberts

Detroit, MI - Detroit Institute of Arts - Maureen and Roy Roberts recently donated a 7-figure gift to the Detroit Institute of Arts/DIA. They are the first African Americans to donate a Million dollars to the DIA - A gallery will be named in their honor. Their total gift was not disclosed - it is at least $1 million.

Maureen and Roy live in Bloomfield Hills - about 20 miles from Detroit. The average house income is $170K. The medium family income is $200K. Roy retired in 2000 as the highest ranking African American in the car industry as GM group vice president for North American sales, service and marketing.

"My father told me as a youngster, 'When you go through life, you feel like you're juggling a lot of balls, remember that some of them are crystal and some are rubber.' Crystal balls are your religion, your family and your work. Everything else is rubber. You can drop them and they'll bounce back. This museum is a crystal ball, and this community dare not drop it."

For more, go to:
http://www.freep.com/article/20110504/ENT05/105040326/DIA-gallery-renamed-big-benefactors-Ex-GM-exec-Roy-Roberts-wife-Maureen-

Meet Charles Claybrooks


Neighborhood-level professionals

Milwaukee, WI - Charles Claybrooks represents today's middle age professional at the neighborhood-level that is a role model.

He is a business consultant, advocate for social justice and an ardent computer user. A job injury ended his Construction career and he enrolled in computer training at Milwaukee Central Library. He launched a website to help prevent "mail fraud".

You can see him in research and communication at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Golda Meir library.

He was asked to be one of the citizen patrons of the Milwaukee Library system by the central library. Mr. Claybrooks was featured in, "What a difference my library makes!"

Monday, May 9, 2011

Double-Dip or Not, Housing Won't Take Down Stocks

Comstock Images | Getty Images

By: Jeff Cox
CNBC.com Staff Writer
Published: May 9, 2011

The latest bad news came Monday when real estate data firm Zillow said home prices fell 3 percent in the first quarter—the worst drop since the doom days of late 2008. Yet the stock market had a decent day as the dollar steadied and equities followed commodities higher.

For more info, go to:
http://www.cnbc.com//id/42959528

Sunday, May 8, 2011

MPA Statement - Complaint to Basic Six (6)



Madison, WI and Washington, DC - Milwaukee Professionals Association is following a path of "due diligence" that calls for those in government that are responsible for "equal" opportunity under the law to step up to the plate and closely look at administrative and implementation practices of the UW Regents Board and hired staff of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. To not only look at but take appropriate steps for immediate and long-term changes that will make our highest public school work more efficiently and for ALL; especially those they have "by design" left out.

Basic Six
The Basic Five has been expanded to Basic Six (separate state and U.S. representatives) that are at the forefront of "accountability" are:
-- WI Attorney General, JB Van Hollen
-- WI Governor, Scott Walker
-- WI Board of Accountability
-- WI Legislators, especially Joint Finance Committee (16 members) and representatives from Milwaukee
-- U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Ron Johnson and Congresswoman Gwen Moore
-- U.S. Department of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

MPA Statement
There can be no misunderstanding about what the People expect from WI Board of Regents, President Kevin Reilly, the NEW Chancellor, staff and students of UW-Milwaukee as an URBAN University that is being called to honor both the name sake (Milwaukee) and the adjective (urban).

We expect our state statute 36.01(1) (2), UW-M Mission and UW-M 1956 founding reason to be honored.

We seek inclusiveness of the assets of education and technology attainment from our highest public education system to stimulate quality of life and economic development and to “un-trap” hidden talent and emerging markets from Enduring Concentrated Poverty.

We seek to connect ALL Milwaukeeans, especially those who have FOR DECADES been “consistently” and “by design” left out of strategic decision making - African American, other People of Color and Work-Challenged taxpayers, voters, stakeholders.

We see the behavior of the 18-member Board of Regents, 5-member Board of Regent Committee and the 25-member UW-Milwaukee committee reprehensible and in violation of law(s). Their “by design” and “lock-step” behavior has caused “discrimination” for Milwaukeeans and for the outside 4 candidates. They include:
• failed to honor the state statutes, 36.01(1)(2).
• ignored and failed to respond reasonably and timely to public info inquiries.
• failed to honor Code of Ethics of UW-M committee.
• failed to include “neighborhood-level business stakeholders on UW-M committee.
• failed to have additional neighborhood-level listening session.
• failed to allow additional time when Dr. David Belcher withdrew as a finalist.
• created a racially segregated “schedule” for the finalists visit.
• misrepresented city and UWM in the advertisement – ignored “urban” view.
• sent message of “segregation” - Milwaukeeans do not matter to Board of Regents.
• unprecedented advantage-bias given to the “Interim Chancellor”.
• failed to honor 1956 founding belief listed in UW-Milwaukee Institutional Profile.
• failed to conduct an honorable search; therefore, damaging public confidence.

The MPA Statement was/is part of the over 50-page Primary packet submitted/hand-delivered to WI Attorney General via the security desk in the Risser Justice Building in Madison, WI on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 by Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association.

More discoveries, not all information has been given.

Remembering My Daughter Yvette on Mother's Day

Milwaukee, WI - May 8, 2011.

Today marks a special day for me, Mary Glass.
It is my day - Mother's Day - My Mother's Day and Buddie's Day.

For Buddie, My daughter, it marks 6 years and 8 months today of her ascending to heaven.

A special gift given by God on June 3, 1982, Cedars-Sinai Hospital, Beverly Hills, California, at 12:13am.

Fast forward 22 years -- Thursday, September 8, 2004, my beautiful, gifted daughter ascended to God, Manhattan, New York, on the FDR Freeway.

It is a day of Relationship - Relationship in wonderful memories. It reminds me of where I have come in the last five years in my thoughts - relationship with my child.

In 2006, I was asked by the Editor of Citi Gal Magazine to do an article on: Relationship, the relationship between Yvette and I.

My article gave SNAPSHOTS of a special relationship with my daughter that started in my womb and continues today in her tomb. Part I highlighted various relationships along the way during the pregnancy, my grief training, but most of all the blessings of Jesus that helped me open the window wide to the world of grief and the adjustment that is daily.

So, I say to the mothers that are like I am today, we have much to remember - much to be proud of. Be about the business of remembering the gift, your child, and those many, many pleasant moments.

Happy Mother's Day!
Mary Glass - Ma

Happy Mother's Day - May 8, 2011

L-R: Mrs. Jeanette "Madame Queen" Glass, Yvette Terease Flagg, Mary Glass

May 8, 2011 - Mother's Day

This is a world-wide day of blessing for all - it is a SPECIAL day that recognizes those called "Ma", "Mother", "Madea", "Mama", or your affectionate term for the lady you honor. For this photo it is 2 out of three - My mother and me. My daughter did not have a child. I know she was looking forward to the day she would - for being a mother is a "specialness" taught to me and I taught her.

So for those of you who have been honored with birth-of-a-child and those honored to be called mother and did not give birth, here's to you.

Happy Mother's Day

137th Kentucky Derby - May 7, 2011

Animal Kingdon ridden by jockey John Velazquez wins the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY, May 7, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Louisville, KY - 137th Kentucky Derby Surprise

Animal Kingdom was on the board as a 20-1 bet.

Other oddities
He was not scheduled to run in the Derby. The Derby horse race is ran on a “dirt” track – Animal Kingdom is not a "dirt" racer. The first time was in this Derby.

The first jockey was replaced Friday. With all of this, I guess he said, a horse has to do what a horse has to do. He won by 2 ¾ lengths.

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place – ANIMAL KINGDOM, NEHRO, MUCHO MACHO MAN.

Take a look.

Friday, May 6, 2011

NAACP Press Conference draws widespread support

Milwaukee Branch - NAACP Press Conference - Call for Audit
Thursday, May 5, 2011
NAACP Office
2745 N. M. L. King Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
1:00pm

"The purpose of this news conference is to call attention to what we believe is a very serious concern that impacts our local community and our state, and to propose an approach to address the concern", James Hall, President - Milwaukee NAACP.

The well-attended audience was filled with a cross-section of Milwaukee citizens that were both NAACP members and those who are supporters of the three (3) audits. The comments from Khalil Coleman, George Sanders, Ruth Zubrensky, Edward McDonald and Judge Russell Stamper crystalized points about timeline for expected results, focus of "disparity" and "discrimination", looking at numbers for results, involvement of the citizenry and the need for the Apprenticeship program.

The fact that the request calls for an "external audit" and a "citizen-centered" monitoring for compliance is definitely a step in the right direction.

"The move by the NAACP to call for a city, county and state audit (Barrett-Abele-Walker) is applauded by MPA - Milwaukee Professionals Association, said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO. "We welcome the effort and see it paralleling the discriminatory issues raised in our 5-part Complaint to the state attorney general, WI governor, state and federal legislators, WI Accountability Board and the U.S. Department of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission". "It is imperative that the oversight group is not selected by the three elected officials - they should recommend two individuals a piece to represent their office".

Channel 6 coverage 

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Cinco de Mayo




USA - May 5, 2011 is Cinco de Mayo celebration day. It is a Mexico and Mexican-American holiday to commemorate the victory over the French in the Battle of the Puebla of 1862.

Steve Doyle - Replaces Huebsh in 94th District

La Crosse, WI - Democrat Steve Doyle is replacing Mike Huebsch in the 94th District. Mike Huebsch accepted the position of Secretary of Administration for the Walker Administration.

Doyle will need to make some decisions about his other positions held at the time of election - practicing law, UW-La Crosse professor and La Crosse County Board Chair.
For more info, go to:
http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=14574417&Call=Email&Format=Text

CNBC Thursday Update - Stock Market


May 5, 2011

TODAYS PRIMER
CNBC.com Staff

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open for Wall Street on Thursday as investors gear up for another set of jobs numbers ahead of Friday’s key nonfarm payrolls report and focus on interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England.

Unemployment
The latest weekly jobless claims, another guide for Friday's key April jobs report after private payrolls and job cuts were released on Wednesday, are due at 8:30 am ET.

Initial claims are seen falling to 400,000 from 429,000, according to Briefing.com.
Productivity and unit labor cost data for the first quarter is also released at 8:30 am.

Sales - Chain Stores
April chain store sales are also due on Thursday. Discounters and department stores are expected to lead the gains, according to Thomson Reuters, which sees an average 8.2 percent same stores sales increase for the retailers it tracks. This year's late Easter holiday is the main reason behind the big jump in April.

Over in Europe, the Bank of England is expected to leave rates unchanged at a record low of 0.5 percent due to a weak economic outlook, and analysts expect the ECB (European Central Bank) to keep rates on hold as well after April’s quarter-point rate hike to 1.25 percent.

European shares were lower in morning trade, led down by banks.

Other
News Corp is among stocks in focus after it missed profit expectations, while Whole Foods Market beat expectations and saw its stock rise in after-hours trade.
General Motors, CVS Caremark and DirecTV are among companies reporting earnings before Thursday’s opening bell.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect General Motors to have earned 91 cents per share in the first quarter on revenue of $35.6 billion.

Federal Reserve
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speaks at 9:30 am at a Chicago Fed conference on bank structure and competition.

Chicago Fed President Charles Evans makes opening remarks just ahead of him, at the same event.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Press Conference - NAACP Call for city-county-state Audit



MILWAUKEE, WI - The Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP call on Mayor Tom Barrett, County Executive Chris Abele and Governor Scott Walker to lead in forming community-member work groups at each level of government to provide oversight and coordination of audits - using external auditors, to examine if the city, county and state are in compliance with civil rights and equal opportunity laws, and policies.

Press Conference - Thursday, May 5, 2011

Milwaukee NAACP Office
2745 N. M. L. King Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212

Time: 1:00p.m.

ALL HANDS on Deck -- No one is exempt



MPA Statement:
There can be no misunderstanding about what the People expect from WI Board of Regents, President Kevin Reilly, the NEW Chancellor, staff and students of UW-Milwaukee as an URBAN University that is being called to honor both the iconic name sake (Milwaukee) and the adjective (urban).

We expect our state statute 36.01(1) (2), UW-M Mission and UW-M 1956 founding reason to be honored - ". . . UWM was founded in 1956 based on the belief that Milwaukee would need a great public university to become a great and thriving city. Quality education, excellence in research, and community service are all central to the University’s mission"..

We seek inclusiveness of the assets of education and technology attainment from our highest public education system to stimulate quality of life and economic development and to “un-trap” hidden talent and emerging markets from Enduring Concentrated Poverty.

We seek to connect ALL Milwaukeeans, especially those who have FOR DECADES been “consistently” and “by design” left out of strategic decision making - African American, other People of Color and Work-Challenged taxpayers, voters, stakeholders.