It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

A beautiful day for a neighbor.

Would you be mine?

Could those have been the sentiments of the drunk who left a pizza slice on my windowsill? And people say that UWM is unfriendly!

Well, it doesn’t have to be if you try. One way to make the world seem like a smaller place is to explore the neighborhood. Here are some examples of community hubs that allow you to feel at home while learning something new about the world.

Brewing Grounds for Change

2008 N. Farwell Ave.

273-9777

Hours: 2 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Sunday-Monday; 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Brewing Grounds offers coffee with a conscience and a real chance to engage in the local and global community. For starters, every ounce of coffee at Brewing Grounds is fair trade, meaning farmers are guaranteed dignified work through democratic practices and a fair price for the product.

Besides allowing customers to have a positive relationship with the people who produce the product, Brewing Grounds is one of the most welcoming places around. It’s a good place to find politically-minded people chatting or people just enjoying the homey atmosphere.

As one owner, Antonio Ramirez put it, “It’s more like a living room than a coffee shop.”

The shop has an airy feeling, with high ceilings and broad windows. Painted maps remind the visitor of where the coffee comes from.

Whether someone goes to a Brewing Grounds music event, political workshop or just stops by one afternoon, there isn’t pressure to buy anything. Employee Nichali Ciaccio said that is the intent: “to create a space where people can act like humans and not just as consumer-provider.”

A former student activist himself, Ciaccio said that those interested in making a change beyond the limits of campus organizing can come to Brewing Grounds to connect with a larger community.

Beans and Barley

1901 E. North Ave.

278-7878

Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

Beans and Barley, a health food grocer and cafe, exudes a sense of well-being. Just the initial aroma of simmering, herbed vegetables in the deli is enough to give testament to its irresistible appeal.

From its simple beginnings in 1979 as a small health-food store carrying bulk goods, it is now a bustling center of the East Side. The restaurant is often full and there is good reason why — the homemade food is as tasty as it is wholesome.

It is a great choice for a non-greasy breakfast, with choices such as the tofu scrambler or egg burrito. Both the restaurant and deli have vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.

With its modern décor and lively atmosphere, it is also a place to treat a friend or relative from out-of-town to give him or her a feel for what the East Side is about.

The health food store offers many possibilities, from vitamins to organic frozen dinners. It also carries artistic greeting cards and bath and body products. One interesting item is a novelty lip balm labeled “Looking good for Jesus.” It promises to “return your lips to near virgin quality.”

One special find that may be overlooked is half-price deli section in the corner of the store. For a deal on a healthy snack, it’s just one more way to enjoy the healthy goodness of Beans and Barley.

Woodland Pattern

720 E. Locust St.

263-5001

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

I have to admit, in my time at UWM, I haven’t really explored the eclectic and artistic corner of Milwaukee known as Riverwest. I figured a good place to start would be Woodland Pattern Book Center, which houses a bright and inviting book store and art gallery.

One way to try Woodland Pattern is to browse through the poetry selection. Think of it as a breezy way to peak into the world of imagination. You might start at a shelf of chapbooks, or small, folded booklets with short selections of poetry. Laid face-up on the shelf, each chapbook is a unique gem, some with features such as textured paper or handwritten titles.

Programming in the art gallery includes the Redletter Reading series, featuring local and regional poets and writers, and opening with a five-person open mic. The Experimental Film and Video series is for anyone with two bucks and a willingness to learn something new. The last feature was “a retrospective of queer Canadian video works.”

Taking one last look at the shelf of poetry by local writers, I realized how accessible the art world could be.

“I could make my own chapbook at Kinko’s and sell it,” I told Chuck Stebelton, the literary program manager.

“Yeah, that’s the spirit of it,” he said.

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