Hello easy walks, rolls and paddles friends,
Jennifer got a chance to release a baby sturgeon during HarborFest last weekend, and I (Karen) got to walk with and witness the Every Child Matters Truth and Reconciliation walk, honoring Native children who disappeared from residential schools in the Milwaukee area in the 1800s.
This week (Sept 30-Oct 6) is Week without Driving: https://weekwithoutdriving.org. 1/3 of all US people have no access to a car. If you happen to have the privilege of a car at your disposal, imagine how you would get around this week if you didn't, and how you can support the built environment infrastructure in the event you find yourself unable to drive in the future. So far this week I replaced half a car trip by walking for an errand, but I miscalculated how heavy the thing I was picking up would be so accepted a ride for the return trip. Multimodal transit is a climate solution as well as supportive of peoples' autonomy and agency through different ages and health statuses.
Edit suggestion from Dorothy Dean: October is pedestrian safety month. Reminding drivers of the people they share the street with. Especially with children, people with disabilities, and other slow walkers.
Some notable dates for October:
Oct 5 Sat, 11a-1p Blessing of the Animals at Lutheran Church of the Great Spirit, 3127 S Howell Ave. If you're planning on walking your dog in Humboldt Park Saturday, swing by the church near the southwest corner of the park to get a pet blessing for your furry friend.
Oct 13 Sunday MKE HKE, a free/donation hike through Riverside Park to support Urban Ecology Center Programming and enjoy the fall colors. https://www.urbanecologycenter.org
Oct 20 Sunday noon-4 pm Regenerate MKE Permaculture Principles Passport Fun
MKE Outdoor Indoor Exchange, 3044 S Delaware Ave
Street fair organized around design principles like "produce no waste" and "integrate rather than segregate". Swap your outdoor gear, learn about climate solutions and community organizations and go for a tiny walk to Texas Point, near the Oak Leaf Trail south of South Shore Park. Corner of Oklahoma and Delaware Aves in Bay View, MCTS 51 bus line. Using the PermaculturePrinciples.com, we're celebrating organizations which use at least one of these concepts in their work. If you'd like to be involved, message Karen at ezwalkspaddlesmke@gmail.com FREE
Oct 23 Wednesday 5pm: "Trail Access for All" easy roll/walk and talk at Kuumba Juice and Coffeehouse. Jennifer and Karen will talk your ears off as we walk along the adjacent BeerLine Trail followed by presentation/discussion in the cafe. Sponsored by Sierra Club Wisconsin Great Waters Group. FREE. Help us spread the word for this event by printing out the attached pdf and tacking it up in your favorite coffeeshop/bulletin board space.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QXM2PIrb1i7splOkNSY9BV75DXnW1VfS/view?usp=sharing
Oct 29th is "Easy Walks and Paddles in Milwaukee" book's first birthday. Leave a review to celebrate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM397F35#customerReviews
Tuesday, Nov 5th is Karen's birthday and Election Day. Check your voter registration status here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ and VOTE
November TBD "Let's Dig In" Regenerative Food Film/Panel series
Sunday, Dec 1, 10-2 pm: Jennifer and Karen Book Signing/Holiday book sale at The Domes in Mitchell Park.
It isn't advertised yet, but in January 2024 the Horicon Marsh Friends hosted a luminaria-lit evening hike and other activities. I'm hoping to attend this January.
May 5, 2025 Osher Talk
Follow MKEPottyLady on Instagram to witness her quest to find accessible bathrooms in Milwaukee https://www.instagram.com/mkepottylady/
Have an Easy Day!
