washington heights highlighter winter 2011

The NewsleTTer of The whNA Winter 2011

www.whna.net

INsIDe:spooktacular Photos page 6-7

washington park’s winter wonders page 9

café perrin review page 16

recycling gets easier page 18

holiday puzzles page 19-20

sT. sebs 100-year gala page 22

and more!

PresidentDan Cody 324.6056

Vice-PresidentLarry Kilmer 899.1082

Past PresidentEd Szopinski 254.3898

treasurerAnne DeLeo (Interim) 873.1731

secretaryVivienne Tait 801.7339

rePresentatiVesarea 1Jane Konkel 774.3382

area 2Scott Silet 774.0048

area 3Greg Stanford 444.2451Mike Graf 445.1190

area 4Jim Grote 430.0332

area 5Larry Kilmer 899.1082

area 6Dan Cody 324.6056

area 7Nick Bambulas & Sofi Thorne 745.4410

area 8Anita Duschak 732.2177

area 9John AugustyniakMark Drzewiecki 476.1858

at-Large – eVen yearsEd Szopinski 254.3898Geri Miller 774.0701Anne De Leo 873.1731Ruth Fishnick

at-Large – odd yearsKevin Ronnie 732.9932Vivienne Tait 801.7339Jon Rupprecht 476.1947

LiaisonsVLiet st.Tim Heeley 774.7997

north aVe.Alice Foley 871.4081

rainbow associationMary McGrath 258.2991

other rePyouthWendy Baker 453.4760

seniorAlice Foley 871.4081

committeesbLock watchMarty Radocha 933.0393

housing/aPPearanceLarry Kilmer 899.1082

membershiPMary McGrath 258.2991

website (communication)Geri Miller 774.0701

green committeeJoan Janus 476.3606

whNA 2011-2012 board of directors

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-nue. If you have suggestions for articles, send them to:

WHNA Newsletter PO Box 080140

Milwaukee, WI 53208 [email protected]

Editors Matt O’Neill & Jane Konkel

layout & dEsign Nicole Julius

WritErs Jean Anderson Erick Anderson Dan Cody Trish DulkaBarb Haig Joan JanusLarry Kilmer Debbie KnepkeMary McGrath Jon Rupprecht Heidi Steeno Linda ValdezSara Van Winkle

PhotograPhErsEric Anderson Jean Anderson Jane KonkelJon Rupprecht Heidi Steeno

advErtising ManagEr Vic Valdez

nEWslEttEr distributionJean & Eric Anderson

CollatorsThanks to all who help us collate the Highlighter. If you would like to help out, please contact Jean at 414-771-7977 and you will be notified of the next collation date.

Highlighter online at www.whna.netDo you want the Highlighter emailed to you? Contact [email protected].

froM The PresIDeNTDan Cody, WHNA President

Happy Holidays to everyone in our beautiful Washington Heights neighborhood!

Many take time during this season to reflect on the year that has passed. Although 2011 provided economic hardships and political stress for many here in the Heights, not everything about 2011 was doom and gloom for our neighborhood or for Milwaukee!

Our Milwaukee Brewers had a great post-season and nearly made it to the World Series. While Prince Fielder may not be back, the Brewers’ faithful fans have a lot to look forward to in 2012, including a solid returning cast led by National League MVP Ryan Braun!

As I write this, the Packers are 11-0 and it looks like they’re bound to make the first few months of the new year magical for Wisconsin football fans once again!

Closer to home, we had more than 900 children and 100 households participate in the WHNA Spooktacular this year! It was great to see the thousands of people lining our streets during this safe, fun, and unique event. Many thanks are due to all the volunteers who make this wonderful event happen every year, especially Spooktacular co-chairs Mary Gibeaut and Wendy Baker.

Spearheaded by Heidi and James Steeno, the first annual West Side Holiday Happenings promoted local businesses and encouraged the areas around the Heights to work together to organize a neighborhood-wide event. Even if you missed the event, you can continue to benefit from the variety of gifts for family and friends provided by our local businesses. You can find a list of local businesses at the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association’s website (WHNA.net). When you shop locally, you avoid the crowds and stress of the malls and you’ll also support businesses that sell unique items at affordable prices. Shop local this season!

Washington Heights has a lot to offer. I look forward to working together to continue to make the Washington Heights one of the greatest neighborhoods in Milwaukee again in 2012!

On behalf of the entire Board of the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association, I wish you and yours a safe, joyous and peaceful season, and a very happy New Year.

ABout the front coverThe cover shows just a few of the over 50 light-up Santas decorating the front yard of Carl and Betty Nilssen on the 1900 block of HiMount Boulevard. Carl started four years ago with just a few, but kept adding because “one or two is tacky.” Despite Betty’s wish for just a few strands of white lights, Carl has been accumulating over 10 new Santas per year, with friends, neighbors and even strangers clandes-tinely dropping off new Santas each sea-son. The display is affectionately known as “Santasy.” If you have not seen Santasy Land, wait until dark and take a walk or drive down HiMount.

youcouldbethenextHighlightercover

photographer!Don’t forget to submit your best

spring Heights photos for consideration – on Facebook or to

[email protected].

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The NewsleTTer of The whNA spring 2011

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Although Sam McGovern-Rowen only moved to the neighborhood in April 2009, he’s similar to many residents who have lived here for decades: Smart, progressive people who are committed to family, public service and community. McGovern-Rowen is the planning director at Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, which works to “enhance the standard of living on the northwest side by improving the business environment for our low-income communities through community economic development.”

Tell us about yourself!My wife, Maureen O’Meara-Rowen, and I have twin five-

year-old boys. Maureen is a Math Teacher Leader for Milwaukee Public Schools. I was born in Madison, but grew up in Shorewood.

Why did you choose to move to Washington Heights?We’re committed to living in the city. We lived on the East

Side and had looked at other neighborhoods, but when we saw our house on 59th & Washington Boulevard, we knew this was it – floor-to-ceiling windows in a beautiful colonial house, lots of sunlight, and plenty of room for the boys. Plus, my wife’s grandmother’s family, the Coffeys, have lived in neighborhood for decades, and at the time, I was a city employee, and I knew many other city workers in the area.

What elements of the neighborhood do you enjoy the most?The Vliet Street businesses. We eat pizza from Caradaro Club,

and we’re just two blocks from Cold Spoons Gelato. I love the Times Cinema – it’s a perfect theatre for kids. Best of all, it’s a really walkable neighborhood. I typed our address into zillow.com, and the “walk-score” for our neighborhood was actually higher than where we lived on the east side.

What changes would you like to see in the neighborhood?Much as I love all the businesses we have, I would love more

restaurants, especially ethnic restaurants. I find myself going to other neighborhoods to seek out diverse menus. Café Perrin is a nice addition.

Are you active in neighborhood activities? We love all the events, including Spooktacular, the Easter Egg

Hunt and the Boulevard Bash. I hope to get more active as we settle in. I am on the Milwaukee Public Library board, so I have other commitments, but I can see getting involved.

Can you talk about your background in community service?As far back as I can remember it was politics, not sports,

(although we are fanatical about the Brewers!) that was the topic of dinner table conversation. One of my grandfathers is former Senator and presidential candidate George McGovern; another was Hobart Rowen, an economics columnist for the Washington Post. My father is a journalist and worked in politics in Madison

and Milwaukee, and my mother is politically active, too. I’m lucky to have been born in a family of very interesting people. Everybody has a family business: Mine happens to be public service. I was a legislative assistant for the city, and now I’m involved in community development.

Public service runs Deep: Meet sam McGovern-rowenBy Barbara Haig(Part of the Highlighter series on notable residents of the Heights)

Maureen O’Meara-Rowen, Sam McGovern-Rowen, Leo and Cooper Rowen – Photo courtesty of Front Room Photography


1) 0-3 age group winners 2) Best superhero family 3) 4th place 2189 N. 57th St. – Best couple 4) 2nd place adult winners – The Wizard of Oz 5) 3rd place adult winners – Harry Potter 6) 1st place adult winners – the Muellers 7) 4-7 age group winners

1 2 3

54

6

7

6 ❖ Visit us online at www.whna.net

8) 2nd place house – 2145 N. 58th St. 9) 3rd place house – 2189 N. 55th St. 10) 14-17 age group winners 11) The Hulkster 12) 1st place house – 2147 N. 59th St. 13) That Wicked Witch didn’t move fast enough! 14) Cutest mother/daughter 15) Best pumpkins

8 9

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On November 15th the WHNA Green Committee presented a new documentary from Midwest Environmental Advocates, called Crossing the Line: Defending Wisconsin’s Environmental Commons at a great gathering place, the Times Cinema. The Green Committee was able to offer this film at no cost thanks to a generous grant from the WHNA Rainbow Association. Well over 100 neighbors from the Heights and surrounding areas attended, including Mayor Tom Barrett.

Melissa Scanlan, Heights resident and founder of Midwest Environmental Advocates, is a featured narrator in this beautifully produced film that chronicles five Wisconsin individuals who stood up for their rights to a clean and healthy environment and won against formidable odds. Midwest Environmental Advocates provides high quality legal services that support a multicultural, grassroots, social movement. Ms. Scanlan works with Midwest Environmental Advocates to build local leadership and to implement innovative solutions to environmental problems. The film documents some of their success stories. One of the featured advocates is Milwaukee resident Jayme Montgomery-Baker, the Wisconsin State Director of the League of Young Voters.

After the film, Keith Holt, Executive Director of Milwaukee Bicycle Works, introduced Melissa and Jayme. They both responded to some thoughtful and thought-provoking questions from the audience. The inspiring message from the film is that

ordinary citizens like you and me can create positive change and make a difference, especially when we work together.

Thanks to everyone for coming to this event. If you missed the film, you can get a copy of the documentary and other DVDs from the lending library at Four Corners of The World Fair Trade Store, 5401 West Vliet, or by contacting Midwest Environmental Advocates at [email protected].

For more information about the WHNA Green Committee contact Joan Janus at [email protected]. New members are welcome!

Jayme Montgomery-Baker, Jayme’s son, Keith Holt, and Melissa Scan-lan interact with the audience after the film.

Gathering at The Times for a film with a Purposeby Joan Janus


414.258.3570Shelter Real Estate.com

for the WI Realtors Association - Executive Committee Vice President- Owner/Broker/Advisor

Tim Stemper

Contact Tim for advice you can count on!Successful marketing of quality homes for over 30 years!

- By Milwaukee Magazine . . . "Five Star: Best in Client Satisfaction"!

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washington Park’s winter wondersby Erick Anderson, Community Program Coordinator, Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park

It’s Friday morning, November 18th, and as I’m writing I see the first ice of the year on the Washington Park Lagoon! It’s early, too. Our records from the past few years show ice forming anywhere from after Thanksgiving to the first week of December. I’ll happily welcome it a couple of weeks early. I’ve been waiting all year. When the lagoon freezes and the snow falls, Washington Park is a truly magical place to be!

Have you been dying to try out some winter sports but simply don’t know how to get started? In January and February, we will offer beginner classes for cross country skiing and snowshoeing every Saturday morning at 10:00. Urban Ecology Center members get discounted rates on these programs as well as free access to borrow our winter equipment: skis, snowshoes, sleds, and ice skates.

If you have kids between the ages of 7 and 12, enroll them in our Young Scientist Club after school program and we’ll have fun with them outside all winter long! And check out our adult lecture series for a chance to connect with other community members and explore the history and environmental issues of our city and our world.

Mark your calendars for the Urban Ecology Center’s Winter Festival, Saturday, January 28th. I’m very excited to share the magic of Washington Park winters with neighborhood families!

We’ll be ice skating on the Washington Park lagoon. We’ll be sledding down our thrillingly big hill next to the band shell.

Also we’ll be exploring our 135 acres of beautiful park land by cross-country ski and snowshoe. And when it’s time to warm up, we’ll step inside for food, hot cocoa, and camaraderie! Year in and year out, Winterfest is my favorite day to be a part of the Urban Ecology Center.

For more information on our winter programming, visit urbanecologycenter.org or feel free to stop in during our open hours Tuesdays through Fridays from 4-7 and Saturdays from 9-5.

We look forward to sharing Washington Park’s winter magic with you!

somewhere over the…by Mary McGrath

Washington Heights Rainbow Association (WHRA), representing gays and lesbians in Washington Heights and adjacent neighborhoods, has been active since 1996. It is currently one of the few remaining neighborhood “Rainbow” groups in the Milwaukee area.

Perhaps the secret to its longevity centers on the fellowship and support of its members and its involvement in the Washington Heights neighborhood and Milwaukee Rainbow community.

Since its beginning WHRA’s Mission Statement has included a reference to utilizing available funding to support member activities, gay/lesbian endeavors, and neighborhood projects.

During 2011 WHRA provided funding for Washington Park summer concerts, a screening of Crossing the Line – Defending Wisconsin’s Environmental Commons, and WHNA’s annual Spooktacular.

Fundraising is not a prime focus of the organization. Funds are earned largely through functioning as volunteer bartenders at a wine/beer pod at each year’s Pridefest. In 2001 the bartending efforts at Pridefest were notable because WHNA Board and committee members joined WHRA in providing bartender coverage and sharing in the experience.

Pridefest for 2012 will be held from June 8–10. Please consider joining in our effort to replenish our funding availability by joining the bartender crew.

For information on Washington Heights’ gay/lesbian organiza-tion, or involvement in Pridefest, feel free to call Mary McGrath at (414) 217-1571.


Milwaukee’s West Side offered up an abundance of unique dining, shopping and entertainment experiences during West Side Holiday Happenings on November 18th and 19th. Shoppers from the neighborhood and beyond explored Vliet Street from 43rd to 60th Street, North Avenue from 49th to 70th Street, Martin Drive, and Lisbon Avenue during this weekend long event.

Many locally owned galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and bakeries offered affordable, one-of-a-kind gifts for shoppers in search of one-of-a-kind gifts. In an early festive holiday atmosphere, shoppers found unique gifts and were treated to holiday refreshments and treats. O’Brien’s Pub generously provided a convenient bus on Friday night to shuttle shoppers between locations. Irish singing group Tally Moore was onboard providing live entertainment between shuttle stops on Vliet and North Avenue.

On Saturday ten businesses offered “make & take” projects coordinated by business owners and residents of Washington Heights. Participants of all ages created ornaments, gift bags, miniature paintings, holiday cards, earrings, and more, making perfect gifts for giving. Families were also treated to a special free movie at Times Cinema on Saturday morning.

What would a holiday weekend be without a visit from the man in the red suit?!?! Santa Claus made the West Side his first stop of his world tour with visits to Rainbow Books, Fred’s Frozen Custard & Grill, 1 Space Art Escape, and McBob’s Pub & Grill. You may have seen Santa’s new set of wheels, a stylish convertible. He cruised the neighborhood checking on who is being naughty and nice. Did you make the nice list?

Washington Heights Neighborhood Association, Uptown Crossing, and members of the West End Vliet Street Business Association provided generous support for West Side Holiday Happenings. Without their contributions, this event would not have been possible. Thank you to all who visited merchants during West Side Holiday Happenings and continue to shop locally throughout the year.

You may have missed West Side Holiday Happenings, but there is still time to check your holiday shopping list and visit a neighborhood merchant for all your last minute gift purchases. Take a short walk or drive to Vliet Street, North Avenue, Lisbon, or Martin Drive to wrap up your holiday shopping or get a jump start on next year’s shopping!

A Very happening west side holiday happeningsby Heidi J. Steeno


Keep our Community Unique

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Do you wish your kitchen had more work space and less clutter? Tired of the refrigerator being in the back hall?

Is your attic underutilized?Is your bathroom outdated?

Are your utility bills too expensive?

We can help update your homewhile still keeping its Old World Charm intact

by selectively adding modern and energy efficient amenities.

4l4.933.0393Licensed and insured.

4TRISH:Layout 1 11/24/08 11:52 AM Page 1

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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12 ❖ Visit us online at www.whna.net Washington Heights Highlighter, Winter 2011 ❖ 13

Dan Cody is the president of our Washington Heights Neighborhood Association. But what do we know about him? Just who is Dan Cody? What’s he like? Where’s he from? Where’s he going?

It’s questions like these that have prompted our first WHNA Presidential Profile. We’re known as a friendly, personable neighborhood, so we can hardly have a neighborhood president whom we really don’t know.

Answering “Where’s he from” takes us on a cross-country trip. I knew that Dan had lived in South Dakota, and with his last name being Cody, I had to ask the obvious question: was he perhaps a descendant of that famous Cody from South Dakota, William F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill”?

No such luck. But Dan’s life story is plenty interesting on its own; he doesn’t need that historic lineage to embellish it. He was born in Show Low, Arizona, on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. Dan has three older sisters and two younger brothers. When he was three years old, the family moved to International Falls, Minnesota where his father, Don, was a sheriff’s deputy, but his dad suffered a career-ending heart attack. The family then moved to Carson City, Nevada when Dan was in kindergarten.

Here the family lived in poverty, but they found favor with personnel at the local Catholic school and Dan was able to

PresIDeNTIAl ProfIleBy Jon Rupprecht

enroll there. This was the best school in town, with the students coming from Carson City’s leading families. For example, the current Nevada Secretary of State, Ross Miller, was Dan’s friend and classmate. Meanwhile Dan’s mom, now the family breadwinner, obtained a CPA license, and when he was in 6th grade the family moved to Sheboygan Falls, where his mom had obtained employment in that field.

But Dan’s first stop in Wisconsin was only for five years. During his junior year in high school the family moved again, this time to Brookings, South Dakota. After high school, he attended South Dakota State University, majoring in computer science. His first job after college took him back to Wisconsin, working for Oracular, a tech firm in Oshkosh. There, through mutual friends, he and Jennifer Miller met at a local bar.

Jennifer is from Columbus, and was attending college at UW Oshkosh, majoring in secondary education. She went on to do graduate work at UWM, where she earned her master’s degree in educational psychology. On a vacation in Isla Mujeres, Mexico in January of 2003, Dan & Jennifer made a rather spontaneous decision to get married, right then and there. About 30 of their friends were vacationing with them anyway, so they cooked a barracuda they had caught and put together a festive wedding celebration. The more official ceremony followed six months later at Lake Park here in Milwaukee.

Since 2004, Dan has been employed as an IT administrator at UWM, where he supervises the campus collaboration infrastructure for approximately 60,000 people. Jen works for MPS as a high school counselor at Montessori IB High School located at the old Juneau High School.

Dan and Jen have lived in Washington Heights since 2003. They had looked for homes in other neighborhoods, including Shorewood and Bay View, but one of the main factors that attracted them to the Heights is that you actually see people when driving through the neighborhood, a special feature often noted by those who choose to live here. There are three amazing Cody children: Emerson is 6, Carter is 4, and Colton is 16 months. Emerson and Carter attend Woodlands School on Blue Mound Road. The family also enjoys the company of a very friendly seven-year-old black lab, Maya.

The Cody’s are major Brewers fans – you may recall the photo in the previous Highlighter of Dan and Emerson at Miller Park. Dan is an outdoorsman who enjoys camping and hunting. That latter activity is interesting for a guy who is a vegetarian. But Dan explains: “I’m a vegetarian unless I can control the process.” – a legitimate exception, to be sure! Jen is an accomplished dancer, and she enjoys reading as much as possible as well as photography. But both Dan and Jen especially enjoy their family.

You might think that between the demands of his job, time with his family, and the responsibilities involved with being our WHNA president, Dan would really have his plate full. But you’d need to re-think that, because Dan holds two presidential positions. Before he was our WHNA president, Dan was


The Cody family: Colton, Dan, Carter, Emerson and Jennifer

already Board President of The Park People, a dedicated group of volunteers who devote their time and energy and help raise essential funds for the vital cause of helping to preserve our wonderful Milwaukee County Park system.

As one who loves the outdoors, Dan was very impressed by our park system when he first moved here. But one day at Grant Park when he took two-year-old Emerson to the rest room, he was appalled at its deplorably filthy and decrepit condition. He had to do something, and The Park People was the channel for action. Three months after joining, Dan was elected Board President.

He says, “It’s good to get involved in making a tangible improvement in the Milwaukee County Park System. This is the highlight of my professional career.” He has “never been able to get so much done” as he has in this position. Dan’s hard work has been instrumental in helping The Park People raise more than $3 million in private donations. This has helped to produce many of the upgrades at Bradford Beach, including more lifeguards, new lighting for the Mitchell Park Domes, and major improvements for our Washington Park Bandshell, among other projects. The Park People have 500 members, a 15-person board, yet only one paid staff member.

So that brings us all up to date on Dan Cody, right? Wrong. This is a man who is driven to make a difference. And as he considered issues like the major funding cutbacks and the resultant “deterioration of our park system, and the slashing

of our transit system while raising fares,” he saw the “need for someone to get in there and get Milwaukee County on the right track.” He also learned that Lynn De Bruin is retiring after serving 20 years as a County Supervisor, so Dan Cody is now running for election to that position.

“We’re going to be around here for the next 20 to 30 years or so, and I want to make a lasting contribution during that time, and not kick the can down the road,” Dan asserts. He wants to help make our parks accessible, safe and viable. He wants Milwaukee County to have a transit system that is second to none in our country, and a key factor in making jobs accessible and attainable.

County Supervisors are elected to four-year terms in non-partisan elections. It is important to note that our WHNA is not permitted to engage in political activities, and this article is not to be construed in any way as a political endorsement. But our Presidential Profile would be significantly incomplete without taking note of this answer to our question, “Where’s he going?”

If Dan would be elected, he would need to leave his job at UWM, and be required to relinquish his presidency of The Park People as well as of our neighborhood association. In such a case, we would miss his leadership in the Heights but experience it in our larger community. Our thanks to Dan Cody for his positive spirit and productive energy at work for us in the Heights, and we certainly wish him the best in all his endeavors.


These days, I am spending more time on Facebook enjoying the photos of my daughter’s and niece’s escapades in Europe: Amazing photos of ancient colossal monuments, cathedrals, castles, and bridges, rich neighborhoods with quaint cafés serving well prepared food.

Of course, my imagination is quickly sparked and I envision myself seated at a cozy café, enjoying an amusing visit, lost in conversation, while surrounded by tasty aromas wafting from plates of homemade food. Except, why wait for a trip to Europe? There’s a cozy café right here in our neighborhood.

Recently a rather charming restaurant called Café Perrin arrived on the corner of 59th and Vliet. It is a restaurant and bakery serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. The cool colors and warm dark woodwork catch your eye as you walk by the big front windows of Café Perrin. Inside, amazing art greets you, but most notable is the warmly lit glass pastry case filled with richly decorated pastries prepared by pastry chef and owner Perrin Luna.

A short time ago, my husband, some friends, and I decided to check out the atmosphere and the cuisine. I am no food critic. All I can pleasantly say is “Yummy!” My taste buds love a good adventure of fork-filled surprises! We were all very pleased with our meals.

The menu offers a variety of entrees and sandwiches for both the adventurous eater and those who find comfort in the familiar. Though some dishes are a bit pricey, there are some reasonably priced selections as well. Keep in mind that the quality of the ingredients is well worth the price.

Perrin Luna and co-owner Joe Schulte are proud to work with local businesses and farmers’ markets when choosing fresh ingredients to boost the taste of their homemade meals.

Most terrific are the portions. What can I say? I am a Wisconsin born and raised supper club kind of gal. I’ve always had a healthy appetite. So I appreciate the unique blends of spices and ingredients (blueberry and fennel!) along with plenty to eat.

Finally, the ambience was friendly and personable! So, enjoy a delightful café filled with the scent of good food and friendly visits located in our charming neighborhood.

Better than Paris and I Can walk ThereAn “Informal” Café Perrin Reviewby Linda Valdez

Top to bottom: The mind-boggling pastry case serving all fresh and home-made pastries; The Grilled Pork Chop with Braised Apples and Root Vegetables; Oh my, the Raspberry Cheesecake!

visit cafeperrin.com for hours and daily specials


Usually this corner of the Highlighter is used for personal safety and home safety tips and news about crime in our neighborhood. This issue, though, we would instead like to pay tribute to one of Washington Height’s most diligent and passionate watchdogs, Lori Gonion. Lori was an urban pioneer and neighborhood activist and it was because of her that many of us became more involved in our neighborhoods.

We first met Lori at a casual neighborhood gathering when we lived in the Cold Spring Park neighborhood. One night shortly after that event, our doorbell rang at 2 a.m. I begged Marty not to answer the door because we certainly weren’t expecting anyone, but he went to check it out. It turned out it was this Lori woman we had just met and as she was coming home from somewhere she thought she saw a drug deal going down on our corner. Marty went out to help survey the situation while she called the police. From that night on, we worked together to set up a neighborhood group, fighting local crime and corruption, and getting involved with local politics. Rarely a gathering went by when we all didn’t joke that Marty should have never answered that early morning doorbell. But, of course, we were glad he did.

Through the years Lori always went the extra mile to make sure justice was served in a variety of situations. She personally was always on the watch and many of her friends have stories about how they went on pursuits to follow suspicious characters with her until the police arrived. She was well known by everyone at the District 3 station for her frequent calls about situations.

In recent years she had a very scary incident of walking into her kitchen and seeing a man at her porch doors, trying to get in. Through her pursuit of the thug and her insistence that authorities check him against a rash of other recent break-ins in the area, a criminal was taken off our streets and some lost items from other neighbors were recovered. Where many people might have just called the police and then posted a “For Sale” sign, Lori instead would not stand for someone bringing down her neighborhood. She made sure the thugs were the ones to leave the neighborhood, not her. When Lori was approached by the city to accept an award on behalf of her vigilance in getting this guy off the streets, she declined it saying that she was just doing what everyone should have done. Instead, she asked them to give the award to another WHNA neighbor.

Sometimes Lori’s passion rubbed people the wrong way, but those of us who knew her best knew that her passion and loyalty to her neighborhood and to her city have made our area a better place. Not many people have that energy or urgency to keep working so hard to make the world a better place. We have lost a good citizen and crime fighter for our neighborhood but her inspiration will motivate us to keep fighting the good fight.

a watchdog rememberedby Trish Dulka

McBob’s Pub & Grill

4919 W. North Ave. • 414-871-5050

Holiday Benefit Party Wednesday, December 14, 2011 3:00-?DJ Lofi 3:30-? • Silent Auction & Quick Raffles

$40 includes buffet, tap beer, bottle domestic, rail & call drinks $20 includes buffet & tap beer (premium domestic & domestic)

above includes $5.00 donation to Joy House

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McBob’s Gift sets available including:Tea & Tea diffuser, McBob’s mugs, hats & mens/womens t-shirts

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The Washington Heights neighborhood has long been one of the city’s top recycling program performers. Time now for our community to top even that impressive achievement, courtesy of new recycling rules that make participation easier than ever.

Make that about as easy as it gets.Here’s what you need to know:

who: You, of course. Every one of you, especially now that the city uses what’s known as “Single –Sort” recycling, and the process is ridiculously user-friendly. The “single” in Single-Sort means you separate recyclables from your trash and put them in the blue cart. One division of all your outgoing stuff. No more multiple bins or bags to separate your glass and plastic from your paper. No more having to wonder if you’ve remembered to put the glass and plastic in the “correct” side of the blue cart. If you’re the kind of good scout who dumps out your cart for a re-do upon realizing you’ve just messed up, your blood pressure can now drop several points.

whAT: The city now accepts many more types of material. Regarding plastics, in addition to #1 and #2, the city now takes #4 and #5 plastics. Bulky #2 plastics are also accepted; an example would be large 5-gallon buckets. This means cottage cheese cartons, yogurt containers, margarine tubs, and the like can now go in the blue cart. As for metal, aluminum foil and pans can now go in, as well as metal cooking pans. Paper too, is an expanded category, with cartons now being recyclable. Juice

cartons, pourable soup cartons, ice cream cartons, etc. Just make sure you rinse the containers out.

Many times, people place items in the blue cart that cannot be accepted. For a complete and helpful list, you can go to www.Milwaukee.gov/MPW. WHNA wishes to point out one big and frequent recycling no-no, however. DO NOT place items to be recycled in the cart in plastic bags or garbage bags. Even the plastic bags bearing the #2 mark CANNOT be recycled by the city: They entangle the machinery in the recycling sorting center causing costly repairs and delays. Carry the items out in the bag, shake them into the blue cart, and put the bag in the green cart. Better yet, most grocery stores have collection bins for plastic shopping bags. Food pantries take them too, for customers to tote their items home. Paper bags holding items CAN be placed directly in the blue cart, however.

wheN: The “new” program is in place now. Your regular pick-up schedule remains unchanged.

where: Your blue cart, same as always. The new program does not involve the purchase of new equipment by the city. Over time, the city will remove the dividers from your blue cart and –you guessed it—recycle them. For now, just fill the cart up as if the divider doesn’t matter.

whY: It’s an easy way we can all be heroes to our world. Besides, it just plain feels great!

The Down ’n Dirty on the New recycling rulesby Sara Van Winkle


Solution page 21.


Air It UpArt and SoulBoutique RevolutionCafé PerrinCaradaro ClubCold SpoonsFamily DollarFour CornersGG’s BoutiqueHappy HolidaysJames Steeno

Lees Health Mart MARNMcBobsMekongMeritageMerry ChristmasMilwaukee Design CollectiveNorth AvenueO’BriensRainbow Booksellers

SamaraShop LocalToy DimensionUrban SenseVliet StreetWigs

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I P W R A J N M W S J X D N C R Q S Y A D I L O H Y P P A H

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N U G L R X T N L F T P G H Q G X C I U J F N L R R T Q A L

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P K D X A W A M E K O N G K T R G F B Y U M D Q G N L O Q M

Y E V I T C E L L O C N G I S E D E E K U A W L I M Y P F V

air it up art and soul boutique revolution

cafe perrin caradaro club cold spoons

family dollar four corners ggs boutique

happy holidays james steeno lees health mart

marn mcbobs mekong

meritage merry christmas milwaukee design collective

north avenue obriens rainbow booksellers

samara shop local toy dimension

urban sense vliet street wigs

shop local word search

Keep our Community UniqueSolution page 22

20 ❖ Contact us at [email protected] or visit us online at www.whna.net

Did you know…by Debbie Knepke

• You can skate, sled, cross-country ski and snowshoe at the Urban Ecology Center’s Winter Festival at Washington Park Saturday, January 28th.

• Chris Dobs and Tim Nechvatal bought a deserted building at 5330 W. Vliet St. and began transforming it into what they hope will be a thriving retail center. When complete, the building will have five suites, including two that are already open. One is Worx Space - a meeting area for small business owners to use for networking, and the second is Square One Art Glass, a studio and an area where Dobs and Nechvatal will hold classes on glass blowing.

• The historic Gettelman Mansion – home to one of Milwaukee’s great beer barons – is just minutes away at 2929 W. Highland Blvd.

• There are three nearby Bed and Breakfast in the Historic Concordia Neighborhood - The Brumder Mansion at 3046 W. Wisconsin; Manderley at 3026 W. Wells; and Schuster Mansion at 3209 W. Wells.

• Milwaukee has long been known as the “Cream City,” and while many people assume that the name comes from the State’s dairy industry, it is in fact derived from locally fired, cream-colored bricks from which many of the city’s first brick homes were built in the late 1830s.

•

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Sunday Worship 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Saturday Worship 6:00 p.m.

• Wisconsin produces more than 600 varieties of American, international-style and original cheeses that win more awards than any other state.

• Milwaukee was a natural gathering place for Native Americans. Three rivers – the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic - met here providing natural trade routes from the north, west and south.

• In 1868 a local publisher-politician-philosopher named Christopher Latham Sholes (see photo bottom left) designed a machine to automatically number pages in books. The idea was extended to a patent device to print the entire alphabet, and the phrase “typewriting” was coined in Scientific American. Sholes sold his half of the patent for $12,000, the holder of the other half earned $1.5 million in royalties.

• Old Abe the War Eagle - the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry - was carried on a special perch throughout the entire war and became a symbol of Wisconsin’s Civil War history in the decades that followed.

• In May of 1918 Wisconsin became the first place in the world with a signed system of route-numbered highways.

• In 1915 the University of Wisconsin experimental station 9XM (now WHA) began transmitting radio signals, making it the nation’s oldest radio station.

Milwaukee’s own Christopher Latham Sholes. He gave us QWERTY.


A century of faith and community calls for a special commemoration. And that’s exactly what happened on October 22, 2011 when more than 350 people put on their finest to celebrate St. Sebastian Parish’s anniversary at the Italian Community Center.

School alumni from as far away as Virginia and Tennessee joined current parish members to enjoy dinner, flowers from Urban Sense, dancing to parish band “Hot Off the Grill,” and a silent auction.

For many, the highlight of the evening came when Heights resident Rocky Marcoux gave an impassioned plea to fund repairs for the church bell tower. He described how parishioners were able to meet all their pledges during the Depression and build the current church, and he encouraged people to demonstrate their commitment to the historic building by starting another fund to refurbish the current tower, which has been plagued by weather and age.

Within 10 minutes, emotional supporters raised almost $30,000 – a small portion of the $150,000 estimated to repair the bell tower, but a good start. The parish encourages others to contribute to the Bell Tower Fund in honor of the 100th anniversary.

st. sebastian 100th Anniversary Gala Brings old and New TogetherBy Barb Haig

sT. seBAsTIAN Books for sAleDuring the centennial year, the parish has published two

books, which can be purchased for $20 (plus shipping) online at SaintSebastianOnline.net, by calling (770) 674-6000 x3623, or by visiting Art & Soul Gallery, 5708 W. Vliet St.

• St. Sebastian: 100 Years of Community – This 136-page colorful history of the parish is edited by local writers Tom and Marilyn Jozwik, designed by Heights’ artist Julie Kennedy, and features photos and stories written by more than a dozen neighbors.

• St. Sebastian: 100 Years of Sharing at Table – From kid-tested favorites to ethnic specialties, the 225-page parish cookbook features more than 160 recipes that have been lovingly prepared and submitted by parishioners, school families, and neighbors.

Kent Borden - Owner

[email protected] N. 58th St.

Full Service Efficiency Consultation

Ice-Damming Diagnosis

Residential & Light Commercial

Infrared Scanning & Reporting

Untitled PuzzleHeader Info 1Header Info 2

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Y E V I T C E L L O C N G I S E D E E K U A W L I M Y P F V

air it up art and soul boutique revolution

cafe perrin caradaro club cold spoons

family dollar four corners ggs boutique

happy holidays james steeno lees health mart

marn mcbobs mekong

meritage merry christmas milwaukee design collective

north avenue obriens rainbow booksellers

samara shop local toy dimension

urban sense vliet street wigs


fUNDING ProGrAMs for heIGhTs resIDeNTsby Larry Kilmer, WHNA Housing and Appearance Committee Chair

Dear Washington Heights Residents:I have assembled a list of funding assistance programs for your

homes. If you have any additional programs that you think your neighbors could use please feel free to contact me. Please note that many of the programs are location and income restricted. If you follow each link you should find the program qualifications.

Funding ASSiSTAnCe progrAMS

City programs for purchase and/or rehab:NSP: http://www.milwaukeehousinghelp.org/ (Limited to qualified homebuyers of foreclosed houses North of Lloyd Street)

HELP: http://city.milwaukee.gov/EmergencyLoanProgram.htm

Rental Rehab Program: http://city.milwaukee.gov/NeighborhoodImprovement/Rental-Rehabilitation-Loan-Pro.htm

Lead Abatement-Window Funds: http://city.milwaukee.gov/lead

Landscaping Program: http://www.mkedcd.org/realestate/Roots.html

energy related Assistance:Wis. Home Energy Assistance Program: http://homeenergyplus.wi.gov/category.asp?linkcatid=239&linkid=118&locid=25

Wis. Weatherization Assistance Program: http://homeenergyplus.wi.gov/category.asp?linkcatid=819&linkid=118&locid=25

Focus on Energy Residential Incentives: http://www.focusonenergy.com/Incentives/Residential

WE Energies Multifamily Programs: http://www.we-energies.com/business/property_management/multifamily_prog.htm

Me2 Program: http://smartenergypays.com/ (Available to all WHNA homeowners)

reCIPe CorNer

ROAST CHICKEN WITH BACON AND OLIVES Submitted by Matt O’Neill

(adapted from epicurious.com).

This is the best roasted chicken recipe in the world. Serve with potatoes of your choice and green beans. Your family and friends will love you.

• 2 chickens, cut into pieces (or 4-6 bone in beasts)

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped thyme

• 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary

• 1 tablespoon fine sea salt

• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes

• 10 garlic cloves, peeled

• 2 thick slices of bacon (or pancetta), cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 cup dry white wine

• 24 oil-cured black olivesPreheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle.Toss chicken with oil, thyme, rosemary, sea salt, red-pepper

flakes, and 1 teaspoon pepper, rubbing mixture into chicken.Arrange chicken, skin side up, in 1 layer in a 17-by 11-inch

4-sided sheet pan.Roast until chicken begins to brown, about 20 minutes.Scatter garlic and bacon on top, and drizzle wine over chicken.

Roast 8 minutes more.Scatter olives over chicken and roast until skin is golden brown

and chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes more.Let stand 10 minutes.Devour and collect accolades.

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