Message from the Village President, Kevin Buckley
This is my favorite week in Whitefish Bay.
Circa 1977, Whitefish Bay resident Gordy Falk started carving pumpkins and displaying them on his front lawn, drawing hundreds of people to Carlisle Avenue each October.
In the late 80s, Falk made a straight-to-VHS movie called "Great Faces" which takes the viewer into his kitchen where he describes his carving technique. It can be viewed here on YouTube.
In 1987, news reports described that Falk needed more room to carve 500 pumpkins, so he moved his display to Schoolhouse Park, the origin of our Great Pumpkin Festival.
I salute Falk and our WFB Civic Foundation for creating this festival and keeping it going strong through these 35 years. It's an amazing achievement for the hundreds of CF board members who have joyfully toiled to bring the festival to our village each year, and I thank them for their dedication.
International superstar and Village resident Pat McCurdy will headline the GPF's 35th opening night, and I hope to see you all from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday thru Saturday! -kb
|
|
Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing? |
|
Are you having trouble calling Village Hall? On Sunday, October 24 the Federal Communications Commission implemented the requirement that all calls in Wisconsin must use 10 digits. Be sure to add the 414 area code when calling Village Hall.
When is the next brush chipper collection? Brush/Chipper material will be collected by Village crews next week (beginning Monday, November 1).
Have a question? Send us an email or give us a call at (414) 962-6690.
|
|
 |
Last Week's Meetings:
-
Monday, October 18, 6:00 p.m., Village Board Room
- Thursday, October 21, 5:30 p.m., Village Board Room
|
|
|
|
This Week's Meetings:
-
Monday, October 25, 6:00 p.m., Village Board Room
- Tuesday, October 26, 4:45 p.m., Village Board Room
- Tuesday, October 26, 6:30 p.m., Library Program Room
|
|
|
|
Trick or Treat Information: |
|
Treat-or-Treat Silver Spring Drive: Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Participating businesses offer treats for kids in the company of at least one parent or guardian on the Saturday before Halloween. There’s something “sweet-in-stores” for everyone on Silver Spring Drive. Event hosted by the Merchants of Whitefish Bay.
Village Trick-or-Treat: Sunday, October 31, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. throughout the Village. Block parties are not permitted the day of Trick-or-Treat.
|
|
The Great Pumpkin Festival Returns: |
|
Save the date for Whitefish Bay's favorite fall tradition -The Great Pumpkin Festival. Enjoy music, food, and drinks nightly while you view the amazing pumpkins decorated and carved by your Whitefish Bay neighbors! Take a stroll through the 'Frightfish Bay' Halloween displays and check out the artistic giant-pumpkins carved by local master carvers
Dates: Wednesday, October 27, to Saturday, October 30, 2021, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. nightly. Sunday, October 31, 2021, there will be a lighted display only from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with no activities.
Locale: Old School House Park (5240 N. Marlborough)
Details: Help decorate Whitefish Bay's iconic park with carved pumpkins during this festive, fall tradition! Beginning Saturday, October 23, drive up to our convenient, self-service pumpkin pick-up on North Idlewild Avenue. Choose your favorite pumpkin from the patch. Next, take your pumpkin home to carve, it's time to be creative! Be sure to include a hole in the bottom, about 3-4 in diameter so it can be lit up. Then, starting Wednesday, October 27, bring your pumpkin back and we will display your creation for all to see! Carved or decorated pumpkins can be dropped off at the same North Idlewild Avenue location. Volunteers will be on-site nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to prepare the lighted display.
|
|
Updates from Village Hall: |
|
High School Election Inspector
Pilot Program:
The Village of Whitefish Bay is participating in a pilot program through the Wisconsin Election Commission to recruit and train high school Election Inspectors. Qualified candidates must:
- Be 16 or 17 years old (18 year old students can be election inspectors but are not eligible for this pilot program)
- Have at least a 3.0 GPA
- Obtain guardian and principal consent
- Live in Whitefish Bay and will work at the polling location corresponding with the ward they live in (where their parent(s)/guardian(s) vote)
- Complete approximately 8 hours of training by January
- The approximately 8 hours of training are voluntary, however, students have the option of Election Day hours being volunteer hours or getting paid for their time
Any student interested in participating should contact Erin Granstrom, Deputy Clerk, at e.granstrom@wfbvillage.org or (414) 962-6690 Ext 122. |
|
2021 Village Budget:
Timeline: The Village budgets on an annual basis. The formal budgeting process begins in late June with the establishment of the budget timeline.
Approval Process: The culmination of the budget process is the adoption of the budget in November by the Village Board. Tax bills are generated in December using the levy amounts approved in the budget.
In addition to serving as a financial outline for the upcoming year, Whitefish Bay's budget serves as a policy and project outline, a communication tool, and an operations plan. Whitefish Bay Annually receives GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award placing Whitefish Bay among the top five percent of its peers for excellence in municipal budgeting.
Budget Document: The Village will hold a work session for the 2021 Whitefish Bay Village Budget on Monday, November 1, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room. Also, a public hearing for the 2021 Whitefish Bay Village Budget will be on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room. Click here to view the 2021 Draft Budget. As an organization, the Village of Whitefish Bay is committed to looking forward and planning for the future!
|
|
Village Parking Map:
A comprehensive Whitefish Bay Parking Map was recently created and adtoped by the Village Board. The map includes non-restricted parking areas, hourly parking areas, no parking areas, handicap parking areas, and other special parking regulations. Click here to view the new Village parking map (200 mb pdf). The map based format provides the following improvements over the previous text ordinances:
- Improve overall accessibility of parking regulations by making them easier to view and understand for staff and residents.
- The Whitefish Bay Parking Map includes all sections of the Village and is made available online for residents and visitors to view.
- Help ensure that Village parking policy matches the signage throughout the Village.
|
|
Message from PD - Buckle Up Phone Down: |
|
Whitefish Bay is challenging residents to make a difference every time they get in the car: buckle up and put your phone down.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Buckle Up Phone Down campaign is tackling safety on the roads by targeting the two most important actions a driver can take to prevent or survive a crash. Whitefish Bay is joining in the movement.
The first message of the campaign asks everyone to always buckle up. According to WisDOT, 44% of Wisconsin drivers and passengers who died in crashes in 2020 were not wearing a seat belt. The campaign also urges drivers to put their phones down when they get behind the wheel. Distracted driving is a major cause of crashes across the United States and is on the rise in Wisconsin.
Join us in showing your support by taking a “thumbs up/thumbs down” photo and post it on social media using the hashtag #BuckleUpPhoneDown. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.
|
|
Klode Beach Project Update: |
|
Work at Klode Beach is wrapping up. As part of the final phase of the project, the Klode Park Parking Lot is scheduled to be closed and repaved on October 25-26 (weather permitting).
- Monday, October 25 - Payne and Dolan will perform milling and asphalt paving the lot (weather permitting).
- Tuesday, October 26 - Payne & Dolan will restripe parking stalls and reinstall parking bumpers. The parking lot will reopen by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26.
In January 2020, a severe winter storm caused substantial damage to Lake Michigan’s western shoreline. The beach at Klode Park was hit particularly hard, resulting in significant erosion. The Village, in coordination with Milwaukee County, applied for and received approval for FEMA emergency disaster status, which allowed local communities to apply for emergency disaster recovery funds. The Village then applied for and was awarded a federal disaster restoration and mitigation grant (75% FEMA funded, 12.5% Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) funded) to re-establish and further stabilize the Klode Park Beach shoreline area that had been damaged.
|
|
Updates from the Whitefish Bay Library: |
|
Library Hours for Fall:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2021 Photo Contest Winners: Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Photography Contest. We are having a reception for the winners on Saturday, November 6 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Winning photos will be on display. Click for more information.
Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library Book Sale Returns:
The Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library book sale returns on November 6-7. The sale will happen at the Library, located at 5420 N. Marlborough Drive.
- Friday, November 5 (Friends Only): 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you’re not a Friend, you can join Friday night and attend the Friday night sale for as little as $15 annually.
- Saturday, November 6: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday, November 7: 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.. Fill a bag for $5. We supply the bags!
Friluftsliv Storytime at School House Park, Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.,
November 8 to December 13: Friluftsliv is the Nordic concept of getting outdoors, translated to 'free air life', and we'll be embracing this concept as part of our outdoor storytime in School House Park this winter! We'll be bundled up to brave the weather, and we encourage you to do the same. Registration Required
Please note that the event is weather permitting. Storytime will be cancelled if there is rain, snow, or if the temperatures drop significantly below freezing. Follow us on Facebook for up to date information. |
|
Upcoming Events From the Merchants: |
|
Monday, November 22 - Santa’s Mailbox:
Santa’s Mailbox is coming back to Silver Spring Drive! Make sure you start working on your letters.
Friday, November 26 - Whitefish Bay Holiday Stroll: Parade at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy holiday promotions, shopping specials and festive treats from our local merchants throughout Black Friday (11/26)—and stay into the evening for a parade, tree lighting ceremony, music and entertainment! The parade will travel along Silver Spring Drive, from Kent Avenue to Lake Drive. Kick off the holiday season with the whole family—kids can enjoy pony rides, a live DJ or a visit with Santa and his reindeer.
Saturday, November 27 - Small Business Saturday: Shop local on Small Business Saturday, November 27! Businesses will again have shopping specials offered throughout the day.
|
|
Community Pumpkin Sale at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay:
The United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay will hold its annual Community Pumpkin Sale through October 30. The sale will take place in front of the church at 819 E. Silver Spring Drive.
|
|
Whitefish Bay Middle School Holiday Boutique:
The holidays are right around the corner! Get a head start on your shopping at the Whitefish Bay Middle School Holiday Boutique, brought to you by the WFBMS PTO. The Holiday Boutique will be held on Thursday, November 18, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Middle School.
|
|
|
NSHD Healthy Highlight - Wisconsin Landfill Contents Underscores Importance of Waste Reduction & Recycling:
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) contracted with SCS Engineers, an environmental consulting and contracting firm, to conduct the 2020–2021 Statewide Waste Characterization Study. In total, 14 landfills, one solid waste transfer station and 398 samples of solid waste from residential and commercial sectors were surveyed across the state. Samples were sorted into 85 distinct waste components that were grouped into eight waste categories.
The top five materials (by weight) found in Wisconsin landfills include:
- Wasted food that was formerly edible
- “Other flexible films” (e.g., candy wrappers and chip bags)
- Food preparation scraps that are not traditionally edible (e.g., peels, bones and shells)
- Textiles, including clothing, cloth furnishings and bedding
- “Compostable paper,” which is typically paper products that cannot be recycled, such as facial tissues and used paper plates
“Focusing efforts to reduce organic wastes can make a significant difference in Wisconsin’s waste stream and the environment,” says Casey Lamensky, DNR Solid Waste Coordinator. “In addition to taking up valuable landfill space, landfilling these materials contributes heavily to the production of methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide if released into the atmosphere.”
As you can see, a large proportion of the waste in Wisconsin landfills is organic waste, but this is not an inevitable fate for this waste. How can you make a difference in reducing organic waste? Simple changes can be made in your household that reduce waste and also save money. Prevent buying in excess at the grocery store and store foods properly to avoid wasting them. Composting at home is another effective way to reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in our landfills.
The DNR study also revealed that a significant number of recyclable products end up in landfills. Based on the results, the DNR estimates that in 2020, Wisconsinites threw away 490,300 tons of recyclable materials with an estimated market value of more than $76 million. The recyclables that ended up in landfills could join the 754,000 tons processed each year and sent for reuse or recycling by facilities that manage residential recycling. Take advantage of the recycling program in your community to ensure recyclables are not landfilled and can instead be properly processed.
The information from this study will be crucial as the DNR explores where to focus new waste reduction methods and strategies focusing on reducing household and commercial waste and how to divert waste from landfills. The full study can be found on the WI DNR website.
Health Department Immunizations (Appointments Required): We provide vaccinations for individuals who are underinsured or uninsured. Please call us at 414-371-2980 to find out what vaccines we have available and to make an appointment.
Upcoming Health Department Blood Pressure Screening (Walk-ins Welcome):
- NSHD Shorewood Office: 2010 E Shorewood Blvd. On the 4th Wednesday of the month from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Lydell Community Center: 5205 N Lydell Ave, Whitefish Bay. On November 9 and December 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Lois & Tom Dolan Community Center: 4355 W. Bradley Rd, Brown Deer. On the first Wednesday of the month from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
