If things look a little greener around here this April, there's a good reason. Our editorial staff is busy expanding the ideals of Earth Day into a month-long celebration of energy conservation, alternative transportation, recycling tips and about a million ways you can be a better friend to the planet. Welcome to Green Month, Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee / NARI Foundation, the educational and charitable arm of the Milwaukee / NARI Home Improvement Council Inc., host the third annual "Home Improvement Rummage Sale" at its Wauwatosa office at 11815 W. Dearbourn Ave.
The sale, held from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., on Friday, April 25, will fund efforts to reduce the amount of construction material in landfills.
"To reduce waste and C&D debris, we'll once again be selling leftovers, extras, wrong sizes, colors and styles, and materials that association members have not used, but which would be really useful for area homeowners," said Mark Brick, Milwaukee / NARI Foundation president. Among the items expected to be sold at the event include: appliances, bathroom and ceiling tiles, cabinets, lumber, windows and doors, furniture, lighting fixtures, sinks, insulation, plumbing fixtures and supplies, and roof shingles.
"In addition to reducing waste, the generous donations of our members and the commitment of those who will purchase materials will help us continue to provide financial assistance to students at area trade and technical scho ols enrolled in programs that will service our industry," Brick said. "The funds will be used for scholarship programs, tools and equipment, and to educate people on the large number of opportunities available within the industry."
Any person that makes a purchase will receive a pair of tickets for the 2008 Spring Home Improvement Showcase, a tour of recently remodeled homes on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4. They'll also receive the 2008 Milwaukee / NARI Membership Directory and the association's recently updated Remodeling Guide.
Call (414) 771-4071 or e-mail info@milwaukeenari.com for more information.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
