Lake Country Weekend Post

2 • LAKE COUNTRY POST • AUGUST 8, 2015 GMTODAY.COM HEALTH Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair, 9–4pm Aug. 15, Glacial Drumlin State Bike Trail off Main St. in Wales. www.donnalex- amemorialartfair.org or https://www.facebook.co m/donnalexa.artfair Carl Spitzweg in Mil- waukee, through Sept. 13, Grohmann Museum, 1000 N. Broadway. Admis- sion: $5 for adults; $3 for students & seniors; free for children younger than 12; free with MSOE ID or Milwaukee Public Library card. Michael Imes Exhibi- tion, 9–5pm Mon.–Sat., Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield. Free. www.wilson-cen- ter.com or 262-781-9470. "Fine Contemporary Art in a Landmark Setting," 11–4pm Tues.– Sat., Peltz Gallery, 1119 E. Knapp St., Milwaukee. 414-223-4278. Works by Amy Crop- per, associate professor of art at Carroll Universi- ty, ongoing, Waukesha Public Library, 321 Wis- consin Ave., Waukesha. 262-524-3680. The Potter's Shop Gallery, 10–6pm Mon.–Fri., 10–4pm Sat., 335 W. Main St., Waukesha. 262-547-1920. Allison Art House, 10– 5pm Wed.–Fri. & 10–4pm Sat., evening hours by appointment, 234 Brook St., No. 5, Waukesha. 262- 970-9570. Almont Gallery, 10–6pm Mon.–Thurs., 10–8pm Fri., 10–4pm Sat. & noon–3pm Sun., 342 W. Main St., Waukesha. 262-542-1522. St. Paul Gallery, 10–5pm Tues.–Sat., 136 E. St. Paul Ave., Waukesha. 262-253- 4829. Lil Gabriel Boutique & Galleria, 9:30–5:30pm Mon.–Thurs., 10–5pm Fri. & Sat., 19035 W. Capitol Dr., No. 106, Brookfield. 262-781-5858. Mafu Jiang & Shauna Wang, paintings, ongo- ing, Lil Gabriel Boutique & Galleria, 19035 W. Capi- tol Dr., No. 106, Brook- field. 262-781-5858. Beverly Designs, Bou- tique & Gallery, 10–5:30pm Mon.–Thurs., 10–7pm Fri., 10–5pm Sat. & by appoint- ment, 149 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc. 262- 567-3650. Griffin Gallery, 10–6pm Wed., 10–8pm Fri., 10–5pm Sat. & noon–4pm Sun., 133 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc. 262-567-1826. Current Gallery of Fine Art, 11–7pm Thurs. & Fri. & 10–2pm Sat. & by appointment, N88-W16475 Main St., Menomonee Falls. 262-255-3588. The Painted Bean Coffee House & Art Gallery, 6:30am–5:30pm Mon.–Fri., 8–2pm Sat., 1315 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton. 262-377-4374. Raku Night, last Fri. of the month, The Potter's Shop, 335 W. Main St., Waukesha. 262-547-1920. "Man At Work," Art Collection, ongoing, Grohmann Museum, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1000 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. 414-277-2300 or visit www.msoe.edu "Shaping Creativity Out of Clay," presented by the Waukesha Clay Art Guild, 10–6pm Mon.–Fri., 10–4pm Sat., The Potter's Shop, 335 W. Main St., Waukesha. 262-547-1920. "Works On Paper & In Porcelain," presented by Paula Murray & Ludmila Armata, ongoing, Elaine Erickson Gallery, 207 E. Buffalo St., Milwaukee. 414-221-0613. Adult Pottery Classes & Individual Instruc- tion, beginner & interme- diate classes, The Potter's Shop, 335 W. Main St., Waukesha. Call to regis- ter. 262-547-1920 or visit www.clayartguild.com Poetry in the Park, with former Milwaukee poet laureate Susan Firer & University of Wiscon- sin-Milwaukee graduate students Tobias Wray & Lindsay Daigle, 6:30–7:30pm Aug. 11, rain or shine, Juneau Park, Prospect & Kilbourn avenues, Mil- waukee. Bring blankets or chairs & snacks. www.juneauparkfriends.org Welcome to Night Vale: A Conversation with the Authors Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor, 8pm Nov. 10, Turner Hall, 1040 N. 4th St., Milwau- kee. $22.50. www.pabstthe- ater.org & 414-286-3663. Tuesday Evening Book Group, 6:30–8:15pm 2nd Tues. of each month, Hales Corners Public Library, 5885 S. 116th St. 414-529-6150 or www.hale- scornerslibrary.org Forest Ridge Book Group, 2:30–3:30pm 2nd Tues. of each month, Hales Corners Public Library, 5885 S. 116th St. 414-529-6150 or www.hale- scornerslibrary.org Writers Ink, 7pm 1st & 3rd Mon. of the month for critiquing for publica- tion, workshops & writ- ing-related speakers, 4702 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy. 414-744-9644 or visit www.writersinc.writer- network.com Waukesha Writers' Workshop, 10:30–12:30pm 3rd Mon. of each month, Brookfield Highlands Senior Apartments, 20825 George Hunt Cir., Town of Brookfield. 262-679-0862. "Great Lives" Biogra- phy Book Club, 1pm 4th Mon. of the month, Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield. 262-782-4140. Mystery Book Discus- sion Group, 1:30–3pm 2nd Mon. of the month, New Berlin Public Library, 15105 Library Ln., New Berlin. 262-785-4980. Muskego Public Library, Online Book Clubs, Mon.–Fri., sent via email, sign up at www.chaptera- day.com/library/muskego Armchair Travel Book Club, 10am 3rd Tues. of the month, Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield. 262-782-4140. It's All Elementary Mystery Book Club, 7pm 2nd Tues. of the month, Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield. 262-782-4140. Writers' Roundtable, 1–3pm & 6:30–8:30pm Tues., Redbird Writing Studios, 3195 S. Superior St., Mil- waukee. 414-481-3029. Browsing & Reading Society Adult Book Group, 7pm 2nd Tues. of each month, Muskego Public Library, S73- W16663 Janesville Rd., Muskego. 262-971-2102. Chapter One Writers Group, 7–9pm 2nd & 4th Tues. of each month, Martha Merrell's Books, 231 W. Main St., Wauke- sha. 262-662-4834. Book Discussion Group, 7pm 1st & 3rd Wed. of the month, Waukesha Public Library, 321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha. 262-524- 3682 or visit www.wauke- sha.lib.wi.us Adult Book Discussion Group, 7pm 3rd Wed. of the month, New Berlin Public Library, 15105 Library Ln., New Berlin. 262-785-4980. Preschool Story Hour, 9:45–10:30am every 2nd Tues. of the month, Alice Baker Memorial Public Library, 820 E. Main St., Eagle. 262-594-2800. Talking About Books, 7:30pm 1st Thurs. of the month, Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield. 262-782-4140. Muskego Writers Work- shop, 7pm 4th Thurs. of the month, Muskego Pub- lic Library, S73-W16663 Janesville Rd., Muskego. 262-927-2102. Vagabond Ski & Social Club, 7pm Wed. meeting, followed by 8pm dance with music by Best of Everything for singles & married couples at WG's Banquet Center, 3200 S. 103rd St. $5 admission. www.vagabondskiclub.com Mystic India: The World Tour, 8pm Sept. 12, Riverside Theater, 116 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwau- kee. $45, $60, $75.50 ($25 students). 414-286-3663 or www.pabsttheater.org All Ages Individual Dances from Much of the World, 7–9:45pm 1st, 3rd & 4th Tues. of each month, Hart Park Muell- ner Building, 7300 W. Chestnut St., Wauwatosa. $4. 262-662-2293. CALENDAR By Eric Oliver Enterprise Staff OCONOMOWOC — The clock is approaching zero as the team lines up at the line of scrimmage. The quarterback calls the perfect play and throws to an open wide receiver just hitting his stride. Touchdown. The quarterback is the Lake Area Free Clinic and their game-winning play is the free health care they provide to the residents of Waukesha County who are unin- sured with household incomes below 250 per- cent of the federal poverty level. And the clock is quickly ticking down, counting the days left until their largest fundraiser of the year, their annual gala fittingly with a tailgating theme. Megan Welsh, market- ing and development director, said last year's tailgating theme is being brought back because of how popular it was. "People love the idea that they're doing what- ever they're doing on a Saturday, they then put on a Packers jersey and go out as opposed to having to get all dressed up," Welsh said. "So many fundraisers in this area are so dressy. It was a nice change. People were like this is awesome. Let's do it again. So we did." The fundraiser accounts for a third of the total operating budget the clinic — which runs on a paid staff of three and 220 volunteers — needs to properly take care of these at-risk patients. "The evening is meant for people to have fun," Welsh said. Attendees can expect the Oconomowoc High School marching band greeting them at the door as a way to tailgate the tailgate-themed party. Then a silent auction takes place featuring donations from the community, which leads into a buffet dinner. "After dinner there is a heads and tails game," Welsh said. "A hop scotch game, that's new this year. Hops, like beer, scotch, like the drink. It's a game people can use to win hops and scotch. We have a wine pool and then we have fund an item, which is a big part of the fundraising for the evening where people have the opportunity to donate something that's meaningful for them." The "fund an item" is a way for the crowd to directly donate money that will go to fund a particular need of the clinic. Everything from providing a patient with medicine for a year to helping restock the com- monly available medica- tion is an option and Welsh said it is one of the most popular ways the gala raises money. The live auction fea- tures trips, tickets to sporting events and, one of the larger prizes, a cocktail and tequila tasting for 20 with appe- tizers, Welsh said. As many as 400 people are expected to attend the fundraiser and Welsh said she expects a sell-out crowd. She urged anyone interested to reserve tickets before the event. For Welsh, however, the event is more than just a fun evening. "My favorite part of the night is when some- body comes up to me and says, 'I had no idea,' it's such a gem," Welsh said. "Our community is amazing, the support that we get. We could not do what we do with- out the support of the community. For a com- munity member to come up to me and say, 'I had no idea,' or for somebody to come up and say somebody they know had their life changed because of the clinic, it's amazing." The fundraiser is also a way the clinic ensures it can continue to provide the care to disadvantaged individuals throughout Waukesha County. "It's fun with a purpose and it's really impor- tant," Welsh said. "It's crucial to us to be able to raise the money. It's crucial to us to have an event that is a lot of fun that people want to come to. It's crucial to us to be able to have an event that people want to come to to help us to celebrate and to help us continue the mission." People interested in attending should email or call Welsh at megan@lakeareafreeclin- ic.org or 262-569-4990. Tickets are $65 per person, $1,250 for a table sponsor (party of 10). Sponsorship and auction opportunities are also available by contacting Welsh. About the clinic The Lake Area Free Clinic offers acute and chronic care support services every Tuesday and Thursday evening by walk-in or by appoint- ment. The clinic also serves as the medical home to the numerous uninsured individuals, lifting the burden from emergency rooms across the area. According to a release, Waukesha County has an estimated 23,000 unin- sured residents. In 2014, the clinic had 4,003 patient visits with averages of 333 patient visits per month and 31 new patients per month. The clinic's 2014 operating expenses were $463,770, with the clinic securing an average of $30,000 a month in free medications from patient assistance programs. Email: eoliver@conleynet.com Submitted photo Members of the Oconomowoc Marching Band kicking off the 2014 tailgate for the Lake Area Free Clinic's gala fundraiser. This year's event takes place Sept. 19. A pep rally for health care Annual gala critical to support Lake Country Free Clinic Submitted photo Richard Thomson, Lin Griffin, Mike Welsh, Carrie Begalke and Kurt Begalke all representing their favorite team for the night.

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