I-43 Status Update: Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is scheduled to begin preparatory work for the I-43 North-South reconstruction project in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties. This work is scheduled to begin late August 2021 and continue through late 2021. Please see the project website for more details. Click image to view larger size.

Want a recap on how the project got here? Visit wisconsindot.gov/43corridor for project history, design elements and more.

Brush Collection Update: DPW Crews are still making the the rounds to collect all of the brush from the August 10 storm. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. Brush should be placed in the parkway between the curb and the sidewalk.

Typically 6 inch diameter is the maximum size for the brush chipper, however during this special clean-up period if you can get it to the parkway, DPW will be picking it up. If brush is bigger than 6 inch diameter, DPW may have to come back with different equipment on a different day. Small sticks should be placed in brown bags or containerized.

Consaul Commons, the public area between Gerhard’s Kitchen and Bath Store (402 E Silver Spring Dr.) and The Bay Restaurant (342 E Silver Spring Dr.), will soon be transformed into a more usable, inviting space where the community can gather, enjoy live music and host other family-friendly events. Construction will begin after September 13, 2021.

This redevelopment project was first introduced in 2016 as part of the Silver Spring Drive Master Plan. In 2019, the Village Board, upon recommendation from the Community Development Authority (CDA), selected raSmith as the design consultant. The Village solicited and received significant public input on three designs at an open house event in August 2019. Over the course of 2020, raSmith, CDA members, and local stakeholders worked with Village staff to refine the final design concept, which includes new landscaping, native plantings, benches, and other decorative features (see the image on the right).

After a full review of potential impacts, alternatives, and long-term site benefits at numerous public meetings the Village made the difficult decision to remove the three existing honey locust trees. Forestry professionals indicated that the construction activity would compromise the above grade roots and the overall health of the trees. As a Tree City USA member community, the Village works to ensure that all lost trees are replaced in kind and will plant five new trees in the space (a net gain of two trees). Furthermore, the timber from the honey locust trees will be reclaimed to make new picnic tables for Consaul Commons.

The project was publicly bid and awarded to contractor Payne & Dolan earlier this year. Funding comes from an MMSD Green Solutions grant, the Mandel Group, and the Village (TID #1). Cost breakdown: MMSD Green Solutions funds: $79,943.05, Mandel Group pledged funds: $39,110.00, TID #1 Budget: $228,521.15, Project Total: $347,574.20.

Work is scheduled to be completed by May 24, 2022—just in time for all the fun annual summer events along Silver Spring Drive!

Annual Meeting, Budget Hearing and State of the District Address: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

Whitefish Bay High School Auditorium, 1200 E. Fairmount Ave. All are invited and welcome to attend.

2021 Annual Bulletin: The Annual District bulletin was recently distributed to Whitefish Bay School District families. Additional hard copies of the Annual Bulletin can be obtained by contacting the District Office at 414-963-3901. View the digital Annual Bulletin here.

Through a Wisconsin Department of Justice grant, North Shore Health Department can provide Deterra drug deactivation bags for distribution to community partners and organizations. Through this collaboration, community partners and organizations can further distribute bags to those in need of a safe way to dispose of medications.

Deterra drug deactivation bags are a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted or expired medication. More information is available on their website.

We have small, medium, and large pouches, which are sized based on the number of pills, patches, or liquids/gels they can effectively deactivate.

Are you doing historical research on your home? The Whitefish Bay Public Library has a new online resource to highlight: Whitefish Bay Directories compiled by the Whitefish Bay Woman's Club. 

This resource has always been available in print at the library, but directories are now online. Directories range from 1928-2000 and contain addresses of the residents of Whitefish Bay, Fox Point and surrounding communities. The directories also contain advertisements for local businesses. Thank you to the Whitefish Bay Woman's Club for compiling the directories over the years and thanks for giving us permission to post them online.

The library also offers the Mimi Bird Historical Collection. Mimi, a longtime Bay resident, compiled historical materials on the area; photographed homes, businesses and landmarks; and organized this into a set of 39 volumes which she donated to the library. In her Milwaukee Journal Sentinel obituary, Bird was praised as “the undisputed expert on local history, both in the village and the greater North Shore area.” While not all homes are represented in the collection, many are, and you may find out some interesting facts about yours. This collection also available online or in print at the library.

You can also view the Architectural and Historical Intensive Survey Report completed by Jennifer Lehrke and Robert Short of LJM Architects. To use these digital resources, stop by the library’s website, and look for “Read & Research,” then “Mimi Bird.” There are also a few resources available at Village Hall, including property records and plat/insurance maps to add to your findings.

Introducing our new collection generously funded by Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library - Take and Tinker: Excite your mind, try out a hobby, learn a new skill, or just have fun with our new Take and Tinker collection! A collection of tools, games, and other items that you wouldn't expect to find in a library. Items included in our collection include a sewing machine, Cricut Air Express, projector and portable screen, ukulele, yard games, board games and more. Browse the collection and place a hold online.

Take and Tinker is generously funded by Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library. Help the Friends out by becoming a Friend.

We're excited to offer an outdoor storytime for all ages in School House Park! Registration is required (please include all who plan attend).

Photo Contest Returns in 2021: We're excited to announce that our amateur photography contest is back. Our contest is open to amateur photographers of any age. We've got a number of different categories; enter one photo per category. Cash prizes include a BEST IN SHOW cash prize of $250, generously donated by Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library. Click here to read all about this popular program.

September 2 - First Thursdays: The Merchants of Whitefish Bay First Thursdays returns September 2, 2021. Sip, Shop, & Support Local! Join us on Silver Spring Drive on the first Thursday of the month, for a few extra hours of shopping (and sipping!). Participating businesses will stay open from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and will offer beer samples for you to enjoy.

Live Music - The Nightinjails: The Nightinjails are a Milwaukee-based duet – two established female artists, combining acoustic guitar, violin, and vocals. Their setlist pulls from classic rock and grunge icons like Nirvana, U2, Led Zeppelin, and David Bowie, remaking classics into a captivating acoustic live show. The songs and artists are legendary, the Nightinjails do them justice by performing these tunes in a female acoustic style that is impossible not to love. Find them here.

September 11 - Klode Park Beer Garden: The 1840 Traveling Beer Garden Show has added an additional date at Klode Park. The 1840 Traveling Beer Garden Show will be in Klode Park on September 11, from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

1840 has partnered with the Milwaukee Next Door Foundation to host this event. Please bring children’s books to donate to Next Door - Milwaukee’s book drive! Find more event information on the 1840 Brewing Company facebook page. Enjoy food, drinks, and live music! Cheers!

Every child learns and grows at their own pace. How a child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves can show if they are reaching important developmental milestones. If you or your health and child care professionals notice the child is behind in their development, early intervention can help.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Birth to 3 Program (https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/birthto3/index.htm) serves families with children under the age of 3 who have delays or disabilities. A team of professional service providers partners with families in the program to support growth and learning. Family culture, beliefs, and individualized outcomes help shape what and how services are provided. For more information about the program, refer to the Birth to 3 Program First 1,000 Days brochure (https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/library/p-02928.htm).

Partner with a team to support child development: When a child is found eligible for the Birth to 3 Program, your family is supported by a full team that helps the child learn, interact, and thrive at home, in child care, and during other everyday activities like going to the library, store, or park. The program team may include:

One of these professional service providers will be the person who visits your home most often. They are called the “primary coach.”

Understand how the Birth to 3 Program can support you: The Birth to 3 Program supports you as the child’s first and best teacher. You will learn about:

The primary coach can also answer questions about challenges you experience, give insight on activities, help you decide if technology or assistive aids might be a good fit, and more.

Contact your local county: If you think the Birth to 3 Program might be right for your family, or if your health care provider has recommended it, you can contact your county program for more information. They are there to answer your questions and help explore this option.

Update from Bay Bridge: Bay Bridge says goodbye to summer interns Sierra Johnson and Adya Kadambari. We are thankful for their amazing contributions to our community, and we wish them well as they return to school. Click here for more information.