www.whna.net
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE WHNA Fall 2013
Spooktacular news page 6 Bag It page 9 cooper’s hawks page 10 housing and appearance awards page 14 new businesses on vliet page 18 washington park news page 21 and more!
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WHNA 2012-2013 board of directors PRESIDENT Larry Kilmer The Highlighter is a quarterly publication of the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association. Washington Heights includes the area from Highway 41 to N. 60th Street and from W. Vliet Street to W. North Ave. You can expect your Winter Highlighter in early December. To submit an article, please contact Jane, janeekonkel@gmail.com.
EDITOR Jane Konkel
LAYOUT & DESIGN Nicole Julius
WRITERS Eric Anderson Barb Haig Larry Kilmer Jane Konkel Mary McGrath Ron Quimby Jon Rupprecht
Jim Grote Mary Jumes Debbie Knepke Brenda Lewison Emily Michi Tom Rutenbeck Heidi Steeno
PHOTOGRAPHERS Eric Anderson
Jane Konkel
ADVERTISING MANAGER
899.1082
VICE-PRESIDENT Heidi Steeno 475.6274 PAST PRESIDENT Dan Cody 324.6056 TREASURER John Augustyniak 467.3146 SECRETARY Stephanie Moffett 305-2824 REPRESENTATIVES AREA 1 Jane Konkel 949.1577 AREA 2 Gary Haertlein
257.9634
AREA 3 Sarah Adetiba AREA 4 Jim Grote
430.0332
AREA 5 Larry Kilmer
899.1082
AREA 6 Rachael B. Winkley AREA 7 Nick Bambulas
745.4410
AREA 8 Corbett Reinbold 213.9730 AREA 9 John Augustyniak 467.3146 Mark Drzewiecki 476.1858 AT-LARGE – EVEN YEARS Anita Duschak 732.2177 Stephanie Moffett 805.2824 Dan Stotmeister 444.6328 Nora Trinidad Scholle 369.2630 AT-LARGE – ODD YEARS Mary McGrath 258.2991 Ron Quimby 202.9063 Tom Rutenbeck 453.3453
LIAISONS VLIET ST. Heidi Steeno 920.639.1476 NORTH AVE. Larry Kilmer
899.1082
RAINBOW ASSOCIATION Mary McGrath 258.2991 OTHER REP YOUTH Wendy Baker
453.4760
SENIOR Vacant COMMITTEES BLOCK WATCH Gary Haertlein 257.9634 HOUSING/ APPEARANCE Tom Rutenbeck MEMBERSHIP Mary McGrath
258.2991
WEBSITE (COMMUNICATION) Geri Miller 774.0701 GREEN COMMITTEE Joan Janus 476.3606
Corbett Reinbold
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION Stephanie Moffett & Mark Drzewiecki
COLLATORS Thanks to all who help us collate the Highlighter. The next collation date is November 12.
ADVERTISER INDEX Four Corners of the World ����������������������������������3 Sinclair Firestone ����������������������������������������������������������4 McBob’s Pub & Grill ��������������������������������������������������5 St. James Lutheran ������������������������������������������������������5 Washington Heights Pet Sitter �������������������������8 Art & Soul Gallery ������������������������������������������������������8 LandCrafters ��������������������������������������������������������������������9 Puhl’s True Value ���������������������������������������������������������9 Kerry M Heuer House Cleaning �������������������15 Shelter Real Estate �����������������������������������������������������15 Stella’s ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������15 Gross Property Services ���������������������������������������23 Urban Sense �������������������������������������������������������������������24 The Wonder Bar ���������������������������������������������������������24
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FROM THE
PRESIDENT Larry Kilmer, WHNA President
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Happy September Heights’ Residents!
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YOUR PHOTO HERE! You could be the next Highlighter cover photographer! on’t forget to submit your best D winter Heights photos for consideration – on Facebook or to janeekonkel@gmail.com. HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO INCLUDE IN OUR WINTER HIGHLIGHTER CALENDAR? Email the Highlighter at janeekonkel@gmail.com to let us know! Highlighter online at www.whna.net Do you want the Highlighter emailed to you? Contact membership@whna.net.
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As the summer comes to an end, as the sun rises later and sets early each day, I want to remind everyone of the great fun still to be experienced before cozying in for the winter. In fact, two of the Heights largest events take place in August and October. We recently completed another successful Boulevard Bash and we are starting to plan for Spooktacular. Thank you to all the volunteers that pitched in for the Bash and we welcome new and old volunteers for Spooktacular. Another identifying feature that fall is around the corner is that school has started once again. Please watch out for kids as you drive to work in the morning and when you are headed home at night. A few other events that have recently finished or will be finishing shortly are the Music at the Shell and the Green Market. Thanks to all the people that helped plan and run these events and those that attended. The Vliet Street Community Green Market is a farmers’ market located at the Washington Park Senior Center at 4420 West Vliet Street. The market takes place every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. The final market day for the season will be Sunday, October 13th. Hope to see you there. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer and I hope to see everyone for at least one more WHNA event this year!
Tuesday thru Fri: noon – 6pm Saturday: 10am – 4pm Four Corners of the World is a great place to shop and support both a local business as well as Fair Trade. We carry all sorts of unique merchandise from developing countries including coffee, chocolate, tea, jewelry, home décor, music instruments, and accessories. m e mb e r
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FALL
FALL COUPONS Offers expire 12/31/2013
WISCONSIN EMISSION TEST SITE
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So…
McBoB’s PuB & Grill
How was the summer for you, this year? by Mary McGrath Did you enjoy Wednesdays at the Sheet in Washington Park with a variety of music offerings, option for meeting your neighbors, and having you children run up and down the hills? I’ll bet you participated in, or watched, the “Run For The Park” event in July and were there for the “Art, Fun, and Culture Night” held in the park in August. How about “Boulevard Bash” in August -- Washington Boulevard shut down while you viewed performances, ate foods from local eateries, participated in the auction and raffle, and hung out with your friends? These summer events received funding from Washington Heights Neighborhood Association; YOUR neighborhood Association. Membership dues provide the Association with funds that can be made available to support events in the neighborhood. Dues also provide WHNA members with discounts for some of the fun events held throughout the year. Many times neighbors have joined WHNA and forgotten to renew their support after their membership period. Renewal notices are sent to members whose membership periods are ending but, if you are not sure of your membership status, you can leave a message at 414-217-1571 and a return call will be made with a report of your status. Don’t forget that the WHNA membership form is found on the association website (whna.net), and forms are available from membership committee members at neighborhood events. If using the WHNA website payment can be made using PayPal (the membership form must still be submitted to the address listed on the form). WHNA contributed to your fun this summer with support from its members!
4919 W. North Ave. • 414-871-5050 Visit us @ mcbobs.com & on Facebook
Watch Wisconsin Football at McBoB’s PuB
Buy 1 Get 1 Free Domestic taps during all Televised Badger & Packer Games 1/2 Priced Appetizers too! (dine-in only)
Monday Night Football Game Special 1/2 Priced Pizza Game Time (dine-in only)
St. James Lutheran Church
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2028 North 60th Street, Milwaukee, WI Pastor Peter Kassulke, 414-453-5770 www.saintjames-mke.org
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The Spookiest Night of the Entire Year is Almost Here Saturday, October 26 from 6:30-8:30pm in Area 2 by Heidi J. Steeno
Washington Height’s Spooktacular is everyone’s favorite night of the year! Young and old look forward to our neighborhood’s nighttime trick-or-treating event. Not of the trick-or-treating age? Volunteer for the event or simply come out and see all the great costumes and the spectacularly decorated homes and you’ll feel young at heart again! Start planning now so the whole family can participate on Saturday, October 26 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. This year’s Spooktacular will take place in Area 2 (47th Street to 51st Street/North side of Washington Blvd. to the South side of Lloyd). Neighborhood food vendors will also be set up near Spook Central (intersection of Hi-Mount and Vine) serving up warm drinks and tasty food. Even though we aren’t keeping the area a secret, you’ll be in for a hauntingly great time!
SPOOKTACULAR REGISTRATION Required for ALL Participants! All participants of Spooktacular must register prior to the event. At registration children will receive an official Spooktacular band that must be visible on their trickor-treat bag as well as additional instructions for participating. Washington Heights Neighborhood Association membership information will be available at both registration events. This is a great time to become a member or renew your existing membership. New this year – credit cards will be accepted for Spooktacular registrations, as well as new WHNA memberships and renewals. There will be a $1 convenience fee per transaction when paying by credit card.
NEW REGISTRATION LOCATIONS AND TIMES Register ahead of time and save time and money! Cash, check and credit card ($1.00 convenience fee added for credit card transactions) will be accepted at all registration events. All families are invited to become a member or renew their membership at either registration event. Wednesday, October 16 • 5:00 to 8:00PM • Cold Spoons Gelato (5924 W. Vliet) Saturday, October 19 • 11:00AM to 2:00PM • Art & Soul Gallery (5708 W. Vliet)
EVENT REGISTRATION FEES $5.00 per child for children and grandchildren of WHNA Members $10.00 per child for non-members
DAY OF EVENT REGISTRATION Same day registrations will be accepted at Spook Central (intersection of Hi-Mount and Vine) on Saturday, October 26 from 5:00-7:00PM. Members and non-members day of event registration fee is $10.00 per child. Credit card will also be accepted at Spook Central for payment with a $1.00 convenience fee added per transaction.
SPOOKTACULAR COSTUME EXCHANGE Saturday, October 19 • 11AM-2PM • Art & Soul Galley (5708 W. Vliet) Need a costume? Have a clean gently used costume to share? Stop by Art & Soul (5708 W. Vliet) from 11AM-2PM on Saturday, October 19 to select a costume to wear this year or to drop off a costume you wish to donate. All Spooktacular registrants are invited to the exchange. A wide variety of sizes and styles will be available for all to pick from. All remaining costumes at the conclusion of the exchange will be donated to a local organization.
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SPOOK CENTRAL COSTUME CONTEST Sponsored by Rainbow Booksellers Saturday, October 26 • 6:00PM Sharp! Gather at Spook Central (intersection of Vine and Hi-Mount) for the opportunity to win fabulous prizes. Be sure to be in costume if you want to be included in the judging! Creatively carved pumpkins will also be on display for all to enjoy. Late registrations will be accepted at Spook Central.
DECORATE YOUR HOME A team of judges in disguise will be out in Area 2 during Spooktacular looking for the best decorated homes. Prizes will be awarded for the most haunted places!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPOOKTACULAR Many helping hands are needed for Spooktacular. Consider volunteering at one of the registration events, help with candy counting, carve a pumpkin for Spook Central, or for security during the event. Please contact Michael Ward to volunteer for this year’s event by sending an email to michaelward@uwalumni.com or call 414.334.1079.
HELP KEEP EVERYONE SAFE DURING SPOOKTACULAR! All registered participants must have this year’s Spooktacular wrist band visible on their wrist or trick-or-treat bag. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. For everyone’s safety, bikes, skateboards, scooters and dogs will not be permitted in the event area. We know pets are part of the family but please leave them at home during this event so they are not spooked. If driving to Spooktacular, please park outside of the event area. Area 2 will be closed to traffic around 5PM on Saturday, October 26 and will not reopen until approximately 9PM. Thank you for helping keep everyone safe!
NEED MORE INFORMATION? Visit www.whna.net for information and to download and print registration forms. Send an email to event chairperson Heidi Steeno at hsteeno@sbcglobal.net. Call the WHNA information line at 414.297.9617.
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Washington Heights’ Church Joins The Army! by Ron Quimby
Joyce Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
414-774-2446
Jeffery Joyce Licensed · Bonded · Insured 5020 West Vliet St · Milwaukee, WI 53208
INSTALLATION · 24 HOUR SERVICE
Pet Care & H
The Divine Word / Pentecost Lutheran Church joined “Aaron’s In Home Pet Autism Army” and marched in the 2013 Annual Dylan’s Run/ Laura Burk Walk event which was held on the Milwaukee Lake Front, Sunday, August 8th. Pastor Tim Tahtinen explained: “The church closed Washington He Block Watc our doors that Sunday so that the Congregation could worship by joining Aaron Krause’s team, Aaron’s Autism Army! Dylan’s 2-Mile Run/Walk has been a highlight in the community since 2001. Thousands of walkers, runners, and volunteers participate to promote autism awareness, raise funds for research, fund programs for our community, and support the mission of the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin. The lakefront walk is always exhilarating and tons of fun for runners and walkers, individuals, families, and teams! To learn more go to: www.dylansrun.com/ Divine Word/Pentecost may be the only church in Milwaukee that has chosen to officially sponsor an entrant to the level that they have. Of the 39 members of his team, 28 are members of the DW/P congregation who were there for Aaron this year! Aaron is a very special member of the DW/P Congregation, and has had a team in Dylan’s Run/Walk for the past 12 years. Aaron is 16 years old and has Asperger’s syndrome, a high functioning form of Autism. In addition to his activities at Divine Word/Pentecost, Aaron is very active in Boy Scouts and is close to obtaining his Eagle Rank. The Divine Word/Pentecost Lutheran Church, 55th & Lloyd Sts, is a church and congregation that is very involved with Washington Heights Neighborhood events and social causes. During 2013, DW/P will be, as part of their partnership with Hi Mount School, providing Mentoring and Tutoring to Hi Mount students on a weekly basis. This is a great time for our Washington Heights neighbors to join us to lend a hand (or their knowledge) for this important work with our neighborhood youth. If you would be interested in helping, please contact: Raven Wilson, 414 418-1987 or Dona Quimby, 414 202-4972.
Art Gallery & Yoga Studio Fusion of Art Gallery & Yoga Studio, Fine Art, Jewelry, Pottery, Art Glass, Works from Local Artists & More Gallery Hours Tuesday - Friday, 12 pm - 5 pm Wednesday, 12 pm - 8 pm Saturday, 9:30 am - 5 pm Sunday, 12 pm - 3 pm 5706-08 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI 53208 P: 414-774-4185 W: www.artsoul-gallery.com
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Is Your Life Too Plastic? by Brenda Lewison, Green Committee member
On Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association’s Green Committee will be sponsoring a free showing of Bag It, a movie about the prevalence of plastic in our lives, the harm it brings to us and the environment around us, and what we can do to reduce or eliminate the use of plastics. The movie is not for the faint of heart, as it shows how sea creatures eat plastic, mistaking it for food, and how in New York the plastic bags in trees are called “flowers.” It also shows how two communities in Colorado challenged each other to reduce their use of plastic. How great would that be, if Milwaukee and Chicago gave each other a plastic-reduction challenge? Can you imagine – our deep tunnel might no longer get clogged with plastic bags, and our Department of Public Works might no longer need staff to corral the plastic bags that float about our landfills? The fish in the Great Lakes might no longer eat micro-plastics from make-up, shampoos, and hair conditioners. What a thought! Bag It is the winner of several Audience Choice Awards from various film festivals. For more information, you can go to their website at www.bagitmovie.com. The Green Committee is very proud to sponsor the showing of this movie. We hope to see you at the Times Theater on Saturday, November 9th at 10:30am.
Haven on Earth.
262-827-1604 Landcrafterslandscaping.com
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Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff Pipe Cutting and Threading Window & Screen Repair Lock Re-Keying
2/5/13 2:06 PM
Custom Paint Mixing Key and Glass Cutting Small Engine Repair Many Other Services
M – F 8:30AM – 8:00PM SAT 8:30AM – 5:00PM SUN 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Celebrating 41 40 Years Business Celebrating Years In in Business Washington Heights Highlighter, Fall 2013 ❖ 9 Fall2013WHNAHighlighter.indd 9
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Hawks in the Heights by Eric Anderson
I had my first contact with this big bird February 21, 2012 standing next to our driveway. He was shooting through the neighbor’s bushes exiting with a Sparrow in his clutch! This spring I discovered a pair of these big birds nesting in the big Locust tree in front of our neighbor’s house at 5816 W. Washington Blvd. The nest has been there for years, we assume it was a squirrels’! With the help of the fantastic website, allaboutbirds.org, sponsored by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, I was able to identify these as Cooper’s Hawks. It was their squeaky “cack-cack-cack-cack” warning call that also helped to identify them. Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. These birds are becoming adept to urban living. Some studies show their numbers are actually higher in towns than in their natural habitat – forests. The larger Red Hawk has also been seen in Washington Heights and Enderis Park. These are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds). Cooper’s Hawks mainly eat birds. Small birds are safer around Cooper’s Hawks than medium-sized birds: studies list European Starlings, Mourning Doves, and Rock Pigeons as common targets along with American Robins, several kinds of jays, Northern Flicker, and quail, pheasants, grouse, and chickens. Cooper’s Hawks sometimes rob nests and also eat chipmunks, hares, mice, squirrels, and bats. After
the eggs hatched, and the chicks were growing, we really noticed the other bird population diminishing. It was a real treat to watch this part of the life cycle unfold from our front yard. Unlike smaller birds, the parents sat on the eggs for over a month. I first noticed them sitting on the nest on April 16th. After the eggs hatched, about May 24th, the chicks grew for more than another month, becoming larger than their parents, before they left the nest, about July 7th. The feeding times grew to morning, 8-10am; afternoon, 12-2pm; and evenings, 5-7pm. Both parents provided food and always gave a 10 ‘cack’ call to warn of their return. It was a long awaited event to finally see the chicks appear. In closely looking at photos, I noticed one of the parents had been banded on its left foot by the DNR for tracking. As the chicks grew it was interesting to see the parents ‘teaching by example.’ After a few weeks, the parents would sit on branches above the nest and flap their wings. A week later the chicks were doing the same thing! After that, the parents were seen gliding along Washington Blvd. On July 9th my backyard neighbor said he saw these hawks in a nest behind his house - the chicks moved on, as did the parents. I saw the chicks jumping around and hunting in the big back yard Oak trees, sometimes finding some botched, or dropped kills. They were last seen July 18th. It’s great to see the Sparrows, Chickadees, and Cardinals back around the yard, but no Mourning Doves, or Red Finches yet.
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COOL FACTS: • Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone. • A Cooper’s Hawk captures a bird with its feet and kills it by repeated squeezing. Falcons tend to kill their prey by biting it, but Cooper’s Hawks hold their catch away from the body until it dies. They’ve even been known to drown their prey, holding a bird underwater until it stopped moving. • Life is tricky for male Cooper’s Hawks. As in most hawks, males are significantly smaller than their mates. The danger is that female Cooper’s Hawks specialize in eating mediumsized birds. Males tend to be submissive to females and to listen out for reassuring call notes the females make when they’re willing to be approached. Males build the nest (and reuse them) then provide nearly all the food to females and young over the next 90 days before the young fledge. • The oldest known Cooper’s Hawk was 20 years, 4 months old.
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UPCOMING EVENTS OCTOBER SUN. OCTOBER 6 VLIET STREET COMMUNITY GREEN MARKET Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet Street, 10am–2pm
SUN. OCTOBER 13 VLIET STREET COMMUNITY GREEN MARKET Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet Street, 10am–2pm
WED. OCTOBER 16 SPOOKTACULAR REGISTRATION
Cold Spoons Gelato, 5924 W. Vliet St., 5–8pm
THURS. OCTOBER 17 WHNA BOARD MEETING
St. Seb’s Community Room, 7–8pm
SAT. OCTOBER 19 SPOOKTACULAR REGISTRATION Art & Soul Gallery, 5708 W. Vliet St., 11am–2pm
SAT. OCTOBER 19 AUTUMN CELEBRATION
Washington Park Urban Ecology Center, 1859 N. 40th St., 1–4pm
SAT. OCTOBER 26 SPOOK CENTRAL COSTUME CONTEST
SAT. NOVEMBER 16 WEST SIDE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Vliet Street from 43rd to 62nd, 10am–4pm
THURS. NOVEMBER 21 WHNA BOARD MEETING
St. Seb’s Community Room, 7–8pm
Spook Central, intersection of Vine & Hi Mount, 6pm
THURS. NOVEMBER 28 THANKSGIVING
SAT. OCTOBER 26 SPOOKTACULAR
SAT. NOV 30 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Area 2, 47th Street to 51st Street, North side of Washington Blvd. to South side of Lloyd, 6:30 –8:30pm
Vliet Street, 10am–4pm
NOVEMBER SAT. NOVEMBER 9 GREEN COMMITTEE FILM: BAG IT
Times Theater, 5906 W. Vliet St., 10:30am
FRI. NOVEMBER 15 WEST SIDE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Vliet Street from 43rd to 60th & North Ave., 5–9pm
SAT. OCTOBER 19 SPOOKTACULAR COSTUME EXCHANGE
Art & Soul Gallery, 5708 W. Vliet St., 11am–2pm
community Contacts
THIRD DISTRICT NON-EMERGENCY ��������������� 933.4444 CRIME PREVENTION ����������������������������������������������� 935.7733 GRAFFITI HOTLINE �������������������������������������������������� 286.8715 ALD. WILLIE HINES ���������������������������������������������������286.2221 ALD. MICHAEL MURPHY �����������������������������������������286.2221 BLOCK WATCH ���������������������������������������������������������� 588.5619
highlighter Contacts ADVERTISING INFORMATION �����advertising@whna.net WHNA VOICE MAIL �������������������������������������������������� 297.9617 HIGHLIGHTER EDITOR ������������������������������������������������������������� janeekonkel@gmail.com or 949.1577 HIGHLIGHTER DISTRIBUTION ����������������������������� 771.7977 RAINBOW ASSOCIATION �������������������������������������� 258.2991 membership@whna.net; volunteer@whna.net; adartwork@whna.net
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Boulevard Bash 2013 by Jim Grote
This year’s Boulevard Bash was truly amazing! We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day in Washington Heights. Of course the weather was perfect, and the participation from all of the artists and vendors was enormous. Local restaurants served up some of their delicious tasty treats. The music for the event was wonderful; there was a Main Stage and new this year was the West End Conservatory Stage which allowed for local young musicians to showcase their talent. This year’s Silent Auction was very well received with numerous auction items. MPD District Three was in force including the Captain. Police Auxiliary and the Mounted Police were mingling in the Children’s Area throughout the day. Speaking of the Children’s area, it was our focus this year to make it more family friendly so, with the help of Urban Ecology, West End Conservatory, and Wildcard Gymnastics, we hope we delivered for you. The 50/50 raffle was a huge success we raised $858 dollars of which $429 dollars went to the winner and I must add, the winner donated half of her winnings back to our Association, truly inspiring! Wrapping up, I want to personally thank all of the many volunteers and coordinators of the event without your help this event would not be possible! See you next year at the Boulevard Bash!
Neighbors out enjoying the weather and great company at the 2013 Boulevard Bash.
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Area 1 th 1627-29 N 59 St. Area 1: 1627-29 N. 59th St.
AreaArea 2 4 2106 N 53rd 2023-25 NSt.48th St. St. Area 2: 2023-25 N. 48th
2013 WHNA Landscaping Award W
Housing & Appearance
Area 3 2126-28 N Hi Mount Blvd. Area 3: 2126-28 N. Hi Mount Blvd.
by Tom Rutenbeck, Chairperson
Area 5 2013 WHNA Landscaping Award Area 4 2027 N 53rd St.
I have recently volunteered to assume leadership of the Housing & Appearance Committee. I believe this committee serves an important role in support of the WHNA mission. Namely, to provide resources for activity that promotes community involvement, th diversity, safety, and architectural preservation and restoration. As most of you probably know, 95% of our residential structures were completed prior to 1930. That means that the average age of our Washington Heights housing stock is well above 80 years. That many years of wear, tear, and weathering would long ago have destroyed most of our dwellings, were it not for the maintenance, th repair, preservation, and restoration efforts of previous generations. More than ever, ongoing efforts are needed in order to keep our neighborhood attractive, desirable, and stable. The H&A committee would like to encourage all fellow residents of Washington Heights to take pride in your homes and make it show. The committee’s first step in facilitating this objective will be to recognize excellence in landscaping. Nine properties, one in each of the nine areas, have been selected for recognition. The selected addresses, along with a thumbnail photo of each are presented above. Award certificates have been prepared and will be distributed to the selected homes. The H&A committee would also like to recognize excellence in home improvement and remodeling. Some improvement projects are readily visible from the street, but most are not. For this reason, we would like to encourage you to nominate your neighbors, or even yourselves, for recognition in this category. The H&A committee will also survey the neighborhood for outstanding holiday decorations. We plan on presenting “Holidays in the Heights” awards for those homes that show outstanding creativity and execution, along with holiday spirit, of course. We on the H&A committee also recognize that complaints and disputes among neighbors are inevitable, and that we may be called upon to intervene. Be informed that our preferred response will be to facilitate constructive dialogue that can lead to mutual understanding and reconciliation. In these efforts, we pledge to be as tactful, fair and impartial as is possible. nominate a home for recognition, contact Tom Rutenbeck, Tomrutenbeck@gmail.com.
Area 2 Area 1 2023-25 N 48th St. 1627-29 N 59 St. Area 1 1627-29 N 59 St.
Area 2 Area St. 3 2023-25 N 48th 2126-28 N Hi Mount Blvd.
3 St. 2106Area N 53rd 2126-28 N Hi Mount Blvd.
Area 4 2106 N 53rd St. Area 4: 2106 N. 53rd St.
Area 5 Area 5: 2023-25 N. 48th St.Area 2027 N 53rd St.6 5401-03 W Galena St.
Area 2 2023-25 N 48th St.
Area 5 2027 N 53rd St.
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1509 N 59th St.
Area 9 2206 N 57th St.
Area 6 5401-03 W Galena St.
Award Winners Area 6: 5401-03 W. Galena St.
Award Winners Area 7
KERRY M Heuer
House Cleaning
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Area 9 2206 N 57th St. Area 9: 2208 N. 57thSt.
Area 9 2206 N 57th St.
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Area 9 2206 N 57th St.
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The Altar was brought to the current location from the original church near 4th and Walnut. The church’s beautiful interior is part of a $2 million renovation plan.
Architects Kirchoff & Rose designed the church, which was dedicated on March 18, 1923.
Mount Olive Lutheran 90 Years on Washington Blvd. by Barb Haig
It might have been a cold and snowy spring this year. But it’s nothing compared to the winter of 1923 – and a terrible blizzard on March 18, to be exact – when people gathered all morning, afternoon and evening for the opening of Mount Olive Church on 54th and Washington Blvd. The next day’s Milwaukee Sentinel reported that “The storm did not prevent 800 persons from crowding into the new Mount Olive Lutheran Church to attend the dedication exercises.” That commitment to the parish is still strong as Mount Olive celebrates its 90th year with a fundraising campaign to maintain the English Tudor-Gothic building and keep all its ministries vibrant.
DATES TO 1894 Already showing its independence at a time when German was a dominant language, Mount Olive became the first English congregation of either the Missouri or Wisconsin Synods in the Milwaukee area. From 1905-1923 the parish was located on Fourth St. north of Walnut, currently home to St. Paul Church of the First Born, though the building still reads “Mt. Olive English Lutheran Church.” Church fathers considered several locations on the growing west side for a new site after the building was sold, including 52nd & Washington, 53rd & Vine and 49th & North. The land cost was $8,400, and Kirchoff & Rose was engaged as architect, breaking ground in November 1921. Their other projects included the J.E.
The organ was installed in 1987 and contains 47 ranks of pipes.
Uihlein home on Lake Drive, the Riverside Theatre, and the Second Ward Savings Bank, today the Milwaukee County Historical Center. Final cost for the church, parsonage and sexton’s quarters was $135,000. The altar, lectern, pulpit, baptismal font and chancel chairs were brought when the new facility was constructed. The furnishings and organ cost an additional $14,800. The current pipe organ was installed in 1987 and contains 47 ranks of pipes.
GETHSEMANE WINDOW From the 1920s to today, anyone who enters the church is immediately awed by the stained glass windows. According to parish history, “The window above the altar was manufactured by the Milwaukee Art Glass Company and uses Tiffany glass. It depicts Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (located on the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem). The remainder of the windows in the sanctuary are from Munich, Germany and were manufactured by the Meyer firm.” The Gethsemane window was restored in 2001, and its brilliant blue glass serves as a beacon, guiding people to the front of the church. As the neighborhood grew, so did the parish. Membership in the 40s and 50s was up to almost 2,000 people, a second Sunday morning service was added, and the number of activities grew. There were four bible classes, three choirs, two Walther Leagues, four scout groups, two women’s groups, and three Sunday supper clubs. In 1946, the parish began broadcasting its 10:30 a.m. service
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Mount Olive broadcasts it services on WEMP radio.
on WEMP – which still continues both on the air and streamed live on the parish website. With all the activity came the need for a school. Ground was broken in March 1950, and the school opened with 115 students in fall 1951, though not completed until April 1952. It was expanded in 1958 and now offers full-day kindergarten through the eighth grade with an average of 15 students per class. The Christian Activities Center was built in 1976 to house a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, kitchen, showers and rest rooms. Today Administrative Pastor Rev. Mark Wangerin and Associate Pastor Rev. Adam Sorenson welcome more than 700 members to the church. In addition to the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday services, members still enjoy a variety of activities, including a Walking Club that meets weekday mornings at 8:15 for a brisk tour of the neighborhood, an active high school group, and an annual Trivia Night.
MAJOR FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN Since that snowy March day in 1923, Wisconsin winters have taken their toll on the church buildings. Through its “Restoring to Glory” campaign, the parish hopes to raise $2 million to continue its spiritual, educational and social ministries. Critical needs include • Exterior restoration, including cast-concrete details, rubber roof, lighting.
The church office is in the dining room of the former parsonage.
• Interior restoration, including plaster walls and ceiling, electrical and technology. • Revitalization, including HVAC, mechanicals, larger fellowship activities, church office. For more information, including a wonderful video with historical photos, see http://www.mtolivemke.org/glory.
Church Is Home
Miriam Berner is on the far right sitting on the piano bench.
When Miriam Berner volunteers at Mount Olive these days, she is reminded of the days when she lived in the parsonage which today is the church office building. The church administrator’s office is the former dining room which has the china cabinet and glowing woodwork still intact. Her father was Rev. Herbert Berner, who served as pastor from 1954 to 1975. The family lived in the parsonage, which was integrated into the parish offices during a 1958 expansion. At that time, Mt. Olive moved the Berner family to a house at 51st and Galena. Miriam remains a member of Mt. Olive today. “I have so many memories of this church and the many members who live nearby,” she says with a smile. “We’ve helped make the neighborhood what it is. Generation after generation of families have worshipped here and celebrated confirmations, weddings, and baptisms in this place.”
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Urban Sense before and after pictures of their new building.
EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE by Jonathan Rupprecht
If you have any doubts that our Washington Heights is a thriving, attractive, place-to-be, “cool” neighborhood — and getting more so — a stop at 54th & Vliet should cure you of any such misgivings. The former child care center on that corner, closed in recent years, was purchased, renovated, re-developed, and… Wow! I stopped there one sunny summer day to meet the proprietors of the six new businesses in this building on the west side of the intersection, and was frankly awe-struck. Plus we have the four new businesses just across 54th St. to the east, along Vliet Street, to which we were introduced in a previous Highlighter issue, and which we will re-visit soon for an exciting update. But for now, take a minute for a quick tour of the west side businesses.
We start on the corner with Urban Sense. This is their third location in the Heights, after first arriving here in 2005; they moved into this location, 5402 W. Vliet St., in June of this year. Chris Dobs owns the business with his partner Dan Block; he owns the building – which includes all the businesses mentioned here – as well as the other building on the east side of the street, with Tim Nechvatal, the owner and operator of Square One Art Glass. Both Chris and Dan are Washington Heights residents. Urban Sense is not simply another flower shop, as its patrons are instinctively aware. Chris explains that what draws his customers is not only his unique floral selections but also the compelling array of creative gifts, many of them being artisan-made, fair trade
items, both useful and attractive. Along with this, Urban Sense caters around 100 weddings per year, as well as delivering and setting up – though not usually decorating – Christmas trees in homes. Chris is in the store at 6:30 in the morning, and assures us that if we drive by then and see the lights on, he is open for business at that early hour and will be glad to help us. And of course, Chris and Dan are always open for business on their web site, www.urban-sense.com. Next door to Urban Sense is the home of the Nomad Art Gallery – future home as of this writing, however. Jim Krahn, the owner and artist, was not yet present on the days I stopped there, and his studio was still under construction; but he was scheduled to open around September 1st. Meanwhile,
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Interior photos of the new Urban Sense.
go to www.jimkrahnart.com to see what’s in store. Moving north on 54th we come to Salvaged Studio and Gallery, where owner, artist and Washington Heights’ resident Rachael Brooke Winkley has set up shop with her unique artistic endeavors. She opened on Friday, April 26th to an enthusiastic welcome from visitors who stopped in during the Spring Westside Artwalk weekend. Rachael said, “The response has been fantastic, with enthusiasm about my shop and the revitalization of the building. I’ve heard more than once, ‘We live in the neighborhood and we’re so glad you’re here!’” Rachael describes Salvaged Studio and Gallery as “part studio, part gallery, and all about celebrating the art of creative reuse.” In the studio Rachael creates her signature vintage metal jewelry from old objects such as tea tins, serving trays, and recipe boxes. She began her Vintage Metals jewelry line in 2010, but has long used salvaged and vintage materials in her designs. She and her family moved to Milwaukee in 2011 from Madison, where she was an artist-in-residence at Mendota Mental Health Institute and had a studio on the grounds. While driving around Washington Heights to look at apartments
that summer, she noticed a row of vacant storefronts in a defunct daycare center building and imagined having her studio in one of them. In late 2012 she learned that the owners of Square One Art Glass were buying and renovating the building. Knowing that her studio was meant to be there, she said she wanted one of the storefront spaces before any work had begun. The gallery is an extension of Rachael’s passion for creative reuse. It currently represents the work of 15 artists creating fine art, sculpture, jewelry, accessories, and home furnishings from salvaged materials. Most are from the Milwaukee area, and the gallery is committed to featuring Midwestern artists and designers. In September and October the folded book sculptures of Betsy Birkey will be featured. An artist reception is planned for September 20th. Work from more artists will be in the gallery in time for the fall and holiday season. You can learn more about Rachael’s work at www. salvagedstudio.com . Bordering Rachael’s studio, at 1411 N. 54th St., is an interesting company called Protovision Displays. That intriguing title names a business that most of us wouldn’t normally think of. But someone has to design all the different beer signs dotting the landscape across the country, and Phil Barnhart is one of those guys. He starts with the corporate logo and designs the particular signs. They are manufactured in various places around the world, and his sales associates market them to beer industry buyers. Along with beer signs, Phil also designs point-of-purchase advertising for store shelves, where a particular product is Salvaged Studio
Protovision Displays
displayed in a special receptacle featuring the product’s advertising. Phil learned this business from his father, and has been engaged in it for 15 years, the last four independently. His business has experienced a substantial increase in sales in recent years, and it was time to move his office and sample signs out of his home a few blocks away. He is proud to be the first tenant in this newly remodeled building. You can see more about what Phil does at www.protovisiondisplays.com . A different type of art is represented by Phil’s neighbor to the north, Rosheen Styczinski, proprietor of New Eden Landscape Architecture, LLC. Rosheen designs outdoor spaces, mostly for commercial clients, and she specializes in green roofs. She designed the fascinating green roof on the award-winning Clock Tower Building in the Fifth Ward, as well as the green roof on the UW Hospital in Madison. She has worked with lower-level hospital roofs at Froedtert, Children’s, and St. Luke’s Hospitals, projects called “healing gardens.” Rosheen works with engineers in designing her roofs, mostly regarding weight load factors. Green roofs help to cool buildings as well as slow down the drainage of rain water and snow melt from roofs. They can also add a decorative, floral feature as well as a productive aspect with fruits and vegetables. While we might think of green roofs as a rather recent development, Rosheen has been designing them for 32 years. She began by working out of her basement, and after having her office in a few other locations she moved into 1415 N. 54th Street on August 16th, and was still in the process of arranging her
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Volunteers who helped out at the Urban Ecology Center.
DID YOU KNOW… New Eden Landscape Architecture, LLC
space when I talked with her there a few days later. Check out her work at www.newedenlandscape.com . Last but not least in our procession up 54th St. we come to a place with the catchy name, “Over The Moon Hair Saloon”. Maria Roberts opened here on August 13th, and was gratified to find many of her clients following her from her former salon in the Third Ward. There she worked for 18 years in an Aveda salon, Neroli. After 26 years in the business, this is Maria’s first time by herself in her own shop. While she lives in east ‘Tosa, Maria chose this location because she “likes the feel of Vliet Street” with its artsy tone. She has a bit of a vintage décor, and plays soft music from vinyl records on her 1972 RCA console stereo system. But she’s also up-to-date, using her cutting-edge iPad for business purposes. While she cuts both men’s and women’s hair, she serves mostly women – cutting, coloring and styling hair. She sees her service as giving her clients a pleasant experience, not an in-and-out rush job. Maria is still in the process of setting up her web site, so to learn more, just stop in and see her! In fact, just stop in at 54th & Vliet, east side and west side, and see for yourself what our great neighborhood has to offer. And bring a friend from the suburbs!
Submitted by Debbie Knepke
• Over 25 employees from National Business Furniture converged on Washington Park June 29th to take on projects to benefit the Urban Ecology Center. The volunteers painted the kitchen, cleaned cattails from the lagoon, built shelves in the storage room and, most importantly, purchased more than 30 fruit trees which were planted in the newly designed orchard on the corner of 40th & Lisbon Avenue. • Dave Jurena, neighbor and founder of The Soup Kitchen 15 years ago, plans to open his fifth store at 5330 W. Vliet Street in October. • Your WHNA membership dollars support enable the association to bring together people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and interests through social and recreational events, workshops and other programs. As a member of the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association you participate in creating the future of our community. • You can now register online at http://whna.net/membership. • The Highland Café on 60th & Vliet features butternut squash ravioli with Alfredo sauce, chopped pecans, and diced green onions – YUM. Enjoy the new patio as well. • The Salvaged Studio & Gallery at 1409 N. 54th Street (54th and Vliet) has handmade postcards, jewelry and t-shirt scarves. Call 414.699.0539 for hours. • More than 50 artists and vendors participated in this year’s WHNA Boulevard Bash on August 24th. Thanks committee chair Jim Grote and all the volunteers who made this very special neighborhood event possible. • Area 2 - bounded by 51st street to 47th street and Lloyd to Washington Blvd - will host this year’s WHNA Spooktacular on Saturday evening, October 26th. • There is an e-newsletter filled with timely reminders, event information and late breaking news in the Heights. Subscribe by sending an email to kleguizamon@wi.rr.com with a request to be added to the distribution list.
Over the Moon Hair Salon
• I am looking for fun and interesting tidbits about our neighborhood for this quarterly column. If you have something to share, please email it to me at debbiek83@aol.com.
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What’s Happening in Washington Park? by Jane Konkel
After discovering that in 2012, only two kids signed up for swimming lessons at the pool in Washington Park, The Park Committee of the Washington Park Partners (WPP), Milwaukee County Parks, and County Supervisor Russell Stamper worked together to bring swimming lessons to the pool in 2013. According to USA Swimming, 70% of African-American children cannot swim, compared with 42% of white children. My own kids have had the opportunity to be a part of a team, as well as earn money as lifeguards, because they had swimming lessons as youngsters. Why shouldn’t the kids living in the Washington Park neighborhood have the same opportunity? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African-American children between the ages of 5 and 14 drown at a rate almost three times higher than white children. Given these statistics and the fact that Washington Park has a beautiful and underutilized swimming pool, kids from Our Next Generation (ONG) and West Side Academy were making waves up and down the Washington Park pool this summer! For six Tuesdays, a group of 40 children from West Side Academy visited the pool for lessons taught by Milwaukee County Lifeguards. On Wednesdays, more than 60 kids from ONG participated in swim instruction. Several neighborhood participants and a group from the Urban Ecology Center also took advantage of the free lessons. Another ten adults took the Water Exercise class at the pool on Monday evenings.
Swimming passes were awarded to children after they completed their fourth lesson. These passes allowed participants to swim at any Milwaukee County Pool for free all summer long, giving them the opportunity to practice some of their new skills like flutter kicking, floating, rhythmic breathing, and for a few, the front crawl. I was fortunate to be granted each Wednesday morning off from work to meet the group at ONG. Each week 20 to 30 girls and a few high-school helpers accompanied me up Lisbon Avenue to the park (The boys walked over in a separate group). Waiting at corners for everyone to catch up and holding hands while crossing the street came naturally to these girls. Many mornings the skies were cloudy and the water was cold — averaging a chilly 70 degrees — but frigid water did not deter these swimmers; on the second rainy Wednesday, the kids were given the option not to participate, but only a handful opted out. Aside from seeing these kids grow comfortable in the water and learn new swimming skills, my biggest thrill was witnessing them care for and encourage each other. I’ll forever remember having the hand of a little girl placed in mine by an older sibling, while she grabbed the hand of another child, before we crossed the street. Hearing one girl proclaim, “I’m going to be a lifeguard,” and the kids repeatedly chanting their friends’ names as each stood anxiously at the end of the diving board was like music to this mermaid’s ears. Please visit the Washington Park Partners’ Facebook page to see photos of our wonderful water adventure. As we look forward to the summer of 2014, we hope to raise money to purchase some needed swimming equipment. If you think you might like to help, contact Jane Konkel, janeekonkel@gmail.com.
ONG kids practicing their flutter kicks.
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Urban Ecology News by Emily Michi
Autumn Celebration: Come celebrate a beautiful autumn in Washington Park! Join us for fall food and drinks, pumpkin carving, and fun for all ages!
10/19/2013 • 1:00 – 4:00 PM Food Friday: Join our Young Scientists Club in the planting and maintenance of our Learning Gardens - and help us cook and enjoy tasty meals with the harvest!
EVERY FRIDAY • 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Volunteer Orientation: Want to spend more time outside? Looking to work alongside ecologically-minded people? Interested in sharing your gifts with the community? Come find out how you can contribute your time and talents to the Urban Ecology Center.
9/10/2013 • 4:30 – 5:30 PM 9/21/2012 • 10:30 -11:30 AM 10/2/2013 • 5:30 – 6:30 PM 10/19/2013 • 10:30 – 11:30 AM 10/31/2013 • 4:30-5:30 PM
Washington Heights North Avenue Businesses Samara Studios, 5211 W North Av, 414-444-8100
Crispy Cuts, 5729 W North Av, 414-871-3244
American-European Foods, 5625 W North Av, 414-444-2121
Advance Auto Parts, 5816 W North Av, 414-302-9735
Diva’s African Hair Braiding, 5708 W North Av, 414-444-4900
Interiorscapes, 5600 W North Av, 414-871-7444
Aro Lock, 5801 W North Av, 414-258-8010
Fatima’s African Braiding, 5617 W North Av, 414-871-8774
Jim’s Refrigeration Sales & Service, 5701 W North Av, 414-444-8880
Jane’s Professional Hair Braiding, 5709 W North Av, 414-449-8994
Lee’s Health Mart, 5919 W North Av, 414-774-3120
Mr Dexter’s Hair Salon, 5615 W North Av, 414-442-9553
Milwaukee Design Collection, 5205 W North Ave, 414-771-9120
Kiss Ur Bride Motors, 5905 W North Av, 414-777-1885
Nail Central, 4924 W North Av, 414-875-1571
One Stop Quick Shop, 5706 W North Av, 414-873-2408
Kusch Service, 5803 W North Av, 414-771-9280
Pro Nails, 5926 W North Av, 414-443-2686 Sho-N-Out, 5501 W North Av, 414-442-0442
Playmaker’s Sportsware and Apparel, 4625 W North Av, 414-447-1003
North Avenue Automotive, 5714 W North Av, 414-442-8500
Dr. Neil E Peterson & Associates, 5019 W North Av, 414-445-6500
China Town, 5125 W North Av, 414-871-0505
Northern Crossing Behavioral Health Services, 5303 W North Av, 414-445-0997
McBob’s Pub & Grill, 4919 W North Av, 414-871-5050
Ski’s Total Body Works, 5117 W North Av, 414-431-0494
Mekong Café, 5930 W North Av, 414-257-2228
Atomic Tattoos, 5700 W North Av, 414-445-7777
Taco Bell, 5630 W North Av, 414-871-9031
Nation Consulting, 5027 W North Av, 414-344-1733
Video City, 5921 W North Av, 414-771-7372
Self-Service Laundromat, 5611 W North Av
Walgreens, 4520 W North Av, 414-447-7178
Best Tire Center, 5823 W North Av, 414-453-8352 Dunham Transmissions, 5101 W North Av, 414-873-1111 Firestone, 4926 W North Av, 414-445-8473
Wendys, 4601 W North Av, 414-873-4763 Ashley’s Creative Touch, 5419 W North Av, 414-467-9871 Collier Creations, 5909 W North Av, 414-443-1277 Creative Impressions Beauty & Barber Shop, 5717 W North Av, 414-587-3334
Stay Kleen Janitorial, 5119 W North Av, 414-871-1444 Stein’s Insta-Tax Services, 5629 W North Av, 414-871-9040 We Buy Houses, 5601 W North Av, 414-442-1700
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Pretschold Awning & Metalworks, 5523 W North Av, 414-444-4767 The Closet, 5133 W North Av, 414-871-2002 The Toy Dimension, 5925 W North Av, 414-476-5596 Treasure House Custom Lamp Shades (inside Samara) 5211 W North Av, 414-444-8100 Viet Hoa, 4900 W North Av, 414-442-4016 Welke’s House of Roses, 5528 W North Av, 414-442-8640 Wiggin’ Out Boutique, 5927 W North Av, 414-259-9455
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The State of Real Estate in Washington Heights by Mary Jumes, CRS
Reporting as your neighbor & realtor, I find myself sounding a little redundant because, once again, we find that the Washington Heights continues to maintain its overall stability. Upon submission of this article, as posted in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), there are currently 49 active properties on the market; 28 single families, 18 duplexes, and 3 commercial properties (only 6, of which, are a foreclosure or in a short sale situation). Our sold totals are on pace to exceed last year’s totals. We continue to have a wide range of property options, though our bottom barrel prices seem to have taken a small hike and our “higher end” inventory is currently in short supply (both positive signs of neighborhood stability). If you’re thinking about a move, it’s still important to consult with your real estate professional to fully discuss all of your options, because you should understand all of your choices before you decide what will work best for you.
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