Does it feel like summer yet? The prognosis is likely, here in Wauwatosa, where outdoor festivities are in full swing. Last weekend it was ART 64 (congratulations, Ana Paula Martins). This weekend it is Greek Fest.
And don't forget two nights of music and a full day of food and fun this weekend at HartFest, starting tonight (Friday). Jonathan Joseph wrote this preview of the festival's 30th incarnation, including a check-in with the LoveMonkeys, who are the Friday night headliner.
Jonathan Joseph
Before getting into the week's other news, we have a question for all Tosa Forward News paying members and supporters:
What do you like most about Wauwatosa?
We hope to put your answers to good use. This site's editor will be out of town later this month, which unfortunately will likely mean a weeklong hiatus from daily news coverage. To fill that gap, we'd like to see what you have to say about this city we all love. Here's how that might work.
Describe what you like most about Wauwatosa in 250 words on our submission form here. All readers are welcome to participate, though we will select up to five finalists from member and supporter submissions. And if you aren't yet a paying member or supporter, now is a great time to become one!
Support Tosa Forward News' mission of providing Wauwatosa with regular and reliable fact-based community journalism.
Criteria to be used in judging submissions will include how distinctly Tosa your submission is, the strength of your arguments in support of your favorite Tosa thing and your submission's creative flair. One top finalist will be chosen to receive a $50 gift card to the winner's Wauwatosa restaurant of choice.
And now, the news...
The Roosevelt Elementary School community has been celebrating Principal Mark Supa all month as he prepares to retire after 16 years leading the school. On Tuesday, some of his former students, about 35 graduating seniors from Tosa East, returned to the school as part of a citywide pre-graduation tradition and to wish Supa well in retirement.
Thanks to Rick Wood for his great selection of photos from the touching occasion.
Roosevelt also is one of several Tosa schools where construction projects are kicking into high gear this summer, part of the $60 million facilities referendum that voters passed in 2024. Latest details here.
David Paulsen
The campaigns for state offices officially got underway this month, after the June 1 filing deadline. That includes several races for state Senate and Assembly in districts that include Wauwatosa. Tosa Forward News compiled initial snapshots of those races here.
We also continue to follow the latest on Center Street Park after a fatal shooting there May 30. Community groups and local officials are planning events in the park on Tosa's east side to welcome residents back, starting with a "pop up" community event on June 17 planned by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.
And the City of Wauwatosa released plans for hosting its July 4 fireworks at the Wisconsin Lutheran College sports complex. Those plans include parking and viewing suggestions.
David Paulsen
Other recent Tosa headlines:
The Milwaukee Business Journal talked to the developer who wants to bring a "specialty grocery" to the corner of North and Wauwatosa avenues. Speculation has focused on Trader Joe's, but no specific chain grocery has yet been identified for the parcel.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on a park bench at Firefly Grove Park that was created in honor of Zeddie Hyler, who fought housing segregation in the city to become Wauwatosa's first Black homeowner in 1955.
Wauwatosa West High School's Jalen Brown has been impressive playing on high school basketball courts, and in another year, you will be able to follow him playing for UW-Madison's basketball team. Brown's announcement last week that he would become a Badger after he graduates in 2027 was big news locally and in the wider sports world.
Speaking of sports, this kid named Misiorowski seems like he has potential to do great things for the Milwaukee Brewers.
We use the term "kid," respectfully, because pitcher Jacob Misiorowski recently showed he is still a kid at heart who loves collecting cards. A 7-year-old fan from Wauwatosa shared the story with local TV stations about his unexpected opportunity to meet the Miz during a chance encounter at Brew Town Trading Company in Greenfield.
Baseball cards? Nope. The Miz was there for Pokémon cards, but he was still happy to take time to talk baseball with a young fan.
