Tuesday, September 28, 2021 is National Voter Registration Day! Are you new to Whitefish Bay? Have you moved within the Village? Did your name change? If you said yes to any of these, you likely need to update your voter registration.

Register to vote at myvote.wi.gov or stop in at Village Hall to see Erin G. or Jaimie. Don’t forget to bring a proof of residence with your current address. Most commonly used proof of residence documents include Wisconsin Driver License, tax bill, electric bill, bank statement, or a paystub.

Upcoming Village Elections:

If you have any questions, please email elections@wfbvillage.org.

The Whitefish Bay Farmers' Market is happy to announce a special Fall Harvest Celebration. We will have free pumpkins, face painting, chalk art, and music along with our amazing vendors. You will not want to miss this special farmers' market so please join us on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.! Visit our Facebook event for more information.

Since it's getting darker earlier, The Police Department has seen an increase in bicyclists at night. Bike lights are required by Village Ordinance 6-36K any time between 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise. Bike lights and wearing reflective clothing make you more visible to motorists and can help prevent accidents. Also, be sure to follow these other bike safety tips:

Save the date! Please help us celebrate the completion of this multi-year collaboration between the Whitefish Bay Garden Club and the Village of Whitefish Bay to restore Silver Spring Park. We will recognize all the partners that helped to create this lovely park featuring native plants that provide habitat for pollinators and retain stormwater so that Lake Michigan will be cleaner. The grand reopening will be on Wednesday, October 6, at 3:30 p.m.

The club secured funding for Silver Spring Park from the Fund for Lake Michigan, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, and Sweet Water. A BIG thank you to the project partners.

There are just a few days left to sign up for the Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee program. Last week, the program surpassed their third milestone, 250 kilowatts of solar. That means a total price reduction of $80 per kilowatt of solar, or $520 in savings for the average system size (6.5 kW).

As of last week, the program had 39 participating households totaling 255 kW. Perhaps the biggest news is that they have such a large number of proposals in people's hands awaiting their decision. Because 446 kW worth of proposals are in the hands of 66 property owners, they have great odds of reaching our final milestone of 350 kW, which would mean about $1,300 back on an average system! (Average system size in this program is about 6.5 kW.)

Starting in 2013, the Grow Solar programs in Milwaukee have resulted in over 217 new solar installations on homes and businesses, with participants saving 9 to 15% off the typical purchase price. Over 400 residents have attended one of our presentations to learn about solar, and over 870 kW of solar have been installed as a result of the programs, valued at approximately $2.6 million.

If you've already attended a presentation and are now ready to take the next step, please fill out this form or feel free to reach out to Angie Kochanski at Arch Electric at angie@archelec.com. For more general information on the program, go to https://www.growsolar.org/milwaukee.

When Will Leaf Pick-Up Begin? Public Works begins leaf collection on Monday, October 18 (weather permitting). Collection is typically weekly, but there is no specific collection schedule. Collection is dependent on crew availability and the volume of leaves that need to be collected. Leaves may be collected earlier based on leaf fall conditions.

Important Update - Village Requests Residents NOT Use Leaf Collection / Yard Waste Bags: In October 2021 the Whitefish Bay Public Works Department crews will begin collecting leaves and yard waste placed in the roadway curb area by Village residents. This year, the Village requests that residents do not put leaves and yard waste in leaf collection bags.

Residents can place leaves and small yard waste debris directly in the roadway near the curb. Branches can still be left in the parkway area for brush chipper collection at this time.

Yard waste collected by Public Works is temporarily stored at a DNR-approved joint use municipal site in Glendale until it is hauled away, recycled, and turned into organic compost.

Thank you for your cooperation and helping our Public Works Department maintain efficiency during the leaf collection season! Thank You!

Where Do I Place My Leaves? Leaves should be placed near or in the curb of the street. Please place leaves away from storm inlets as leaf decay can clog storm sewers and add unwanted material to Lake Michigan.

Can I Throw Yard Waste in the Leaf Pile? The Village encourages property owners to throw certain yard waste material (yard waste is plant material such as flowers and garden material; grass clippings are not permitted) in the leaf piles to preclude a separate yard waste pick-up. Branches, sticks, and other woody material should not be placed with the leaves and should be left on the boulevard/parkway for chipping.

What Does the Village Do With the Leaves? Most of the leaves are temporarily stored and composted at a DNR monitored site shared with the City of Glendale. They are hauled away by a private sod grower and used as sod bedding material.

When Is the Last Day That Leaves or Yard Waste Will Be Picked Up? The DPW will run yard waste crews to pick-up leaves until the first significant snowfall or through the first week in December.

Yard Waste Material Drop Site: Residents with yard waste material after collection has finished (and throughout the winter months) may dispose of it at the Shorewood Transfer Station. Click here for cost information. The transfer station is located at 3801 N Morris Boulevard in Shorewood. It is open:

Outdoor All Ages Storytime, School House Park: We will be continuing outdoor storytime into September and October, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., through October 14. You can learn more about the dates and register on our website.

Virtual All Ages Storytime, Fridays through October 15, 10:00 a.m.: Join one of our youth services librarians for an All Ages Storytime on Fridays at 10 a.m. with books, songs, and more! Can't make the live event? We'll be sure to save the storytime so you can watch it later. Visit our Facebook page.

Outdoor Crafting: Apple Stress Balls, Thursday, September 30, 4:00 p.m., Grades 6-12: Our outdoor crafting continues, this time with a fall-themed DIY stress ball.  Meet us in School House Park to make your own! Registration required.

Getting to Know Medicare, Tuesday, October 5, 6:00 p.m.: A workshop designed to simplify Medicare and to help you make a more informed decision on your coverage without all the headaches and confusion. This program will be held in person. If this changes we will notify registrants. Presented by Grutz Financial. Please register.

Great Pumpkin Festival: Wednesday, October 27, to Saturday, October 30, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. nightly. Join friends and family at Old Scoolhouse Park for this festive fall tradition! Carve a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch (take, carve, return only), sip hot cider, and enjoy delicious food while listening to live music. The Great Pumpkin Festival is open 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. nightly. Beer served nightly. Event hosted by the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation. Pumpkins will be left up on October 31, but there are no event activities on Halloween.

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.

A Message on Behalf of State Representative Deb Andraca: Meeting with constituents is the best and most important part of my job. I hold weekly constituent office hours at small businesses throughout the 23rd district to provide an opportunity to listen and discuss issues important to you. Click here to reserve your appointment on Friday mornings between 9:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m. If you need a different day or time, or prefer to schedule a phone call or Zoom, contact my office at (608) 266-0486 or email rep.andraca@legis.wisconsin.gov. You can also sign up for my email newsletter to receive regular updates. I look forward to hearing from you!

NSHD Healthy Highlight 9/21/21 - Seat Belt and Car Seat Safety: In 2019, 611 Wisconsinites died in motor vehicle accidents. Among those statewide fatalities, 100 residents were from Milwaukee County.

Studies show that those who live in rural communities are less likely to wear a seatbelt when compared to urban residents. No matter where you live, buckle up! Wearing a seatbelt reduces serious injuries and death in about 50% of motor vehicle accidents.  Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death among individuals aged 1 to 54 years.

Men are less likely to wear a seatbelt than women. Passengers riding in the rear are less likely to wear a seatbelt than those in the front. Individuals 18-24 are less likely to wear a seatbelt, with a higher passenger vehicle occupant death rate from motor vehicle accidents (12.6 per 100,000 Wisconsin residents compared to 10.3 per 100,000 nationwide). Eighty-eight of Wisconsin residents report wearing a seatbelt compared to the national average of 89% and average of neighboring states of over 90%.

Wear a seatbelt every time you get in the car, even on short trips. Wearing a seatbelt sets a great example for younger adults and children, creating a lifelong habit of wearing a seatbelt.

Buckle children in the rear middle seat, when possible, as this location in a passenger vehicle is the safest. Make sure you properly buckle children in their seat, booster seat or car set. Children under the age of 12 should be in an age and size appropriate booster seat or car seat.