The community is invited to help out at Alice’s Garden, 2136 N. 21st St., for the first work day of the growing season. (2014 file photo by Andrea Waxman)

It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.

1. Free food pickup: Monday, April 5

The Milwaukee Center for Independence will be at the Collaborative Farm, 5500 W. Silver Spring Drive, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 5. Families with children will be able to pick up free food.

2. Election Day: Amp the vote: Jamming at the polls: Tuesday, April 6

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Milwaukee Action Intersection and Metcalfe Park Community Bridges are hosting “Amp the Vote and Jamming At the Polls” in honor of Election Day. The goal of the event is to encourage people to get out and vote. The celebration will take place at Center Street Library, 2727 W. Center St., from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6. There will be free food from Chuchos Red Tacos, safety voter kits and more.  READ: Here’s what you need to know to vote in the April 6 spring election

3. ‘Making rent: A conversation about eviction prevention and tenants rights’: Wednesday, April 7

News414, a joint project of Wisconsin Watch and the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service,” is hosting “Making rent: A conversation on eviction and tenants rights,” from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7. Click here to register. The virtual event will feature experts from the Rental Housing Resource Center and NNS housing beat reporter PrincessSafiya Byers. 

4. Expungement and pardon clinic: Wednesday, April 7

The Milwaukee Justice Center Mobile Legal Clinic is offering free services to individuals seeking an expungement or pardon. The appointments will take place over Zoom from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7. To schedule an appointment to meet with a pro bono lawyer and discuss your options, call 414-278-2046. For additional information, email expungemke@gmail.com. There will be additional clinics on Wednesday, April 14, 21 and 28. Spanish speakers are available.

READ: Groups, lawmakers push to ease expungement of low-level criminal convictions and ‘One thing can follow someone for a really long time’: How to get your record expunged in Wisconsin

5. Alice’s Garden work day: Saturday, April 10

Alice’s Garden Urban Farm, Kujichagulia Producers Cooperative and The Table are inviting the community to the first work day of the 2021 growing season for Alice’s Garden. Participants are asked to bring garden gloves, reusable water bottles and tools. There are some community tools available but additional rakes, lawnmowers, brooms and large garden bags are appreciated. The work day will take place at Alice’s Garden, 2136 N. 21st St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 10.

Bonsu: The public health significance of racism: Tuesday, April 6

The UWM College of Nursing is hosting a screening of Thomas A. LaVeist’s documentary, “The Skin You Are In,” followed by a discussion with LaVeist. The event will take place over Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6. Registration is required by noon on Monday, April 5.

Bonus: Frank Talks: Political polarization: Tuesday, April 6

The Zeidler Group’s conversation series, “Frank Talks,” is back. This month’s conversation will center on the film “The Reunited States,” with Van Jones and Meghan McCain. The conversation will take place on Zoom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6. To register, click here.