As I write this, it's the middle of November.  Christmas music has been playing on the radio for two weeks, our first measurable snowfall came today, and the Black Friday sales at the stores are coming up at the end of next week.  Therefore, it must be time to advertise Greenfield's Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony.

Join us on Saturday, December 6th from 1:00-2:00pm in the Greenfield City Hall Rotunda area for the annual holiday tree lighting.  Brighten up your holidays by celebrating with fellow neighbors.  Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate while listening to festive music.  Children can visit with and have their picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Best of all, this is a FREE event for the entire community.

For those who were looking to register their children for the Brunch With Santa event before the tree lighting, it is full and no more registrations are being taken at this time.

The City of Greenfield Health Department and Parks & Recreation Department are once again co-sponsoring a community walk event for all ages to promote walking for your health.  This year's event will take place on Saturday, September 20th at Konkel Park.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register to secure a t-shirt, gift bag, apple, bottled water, and popcorn for the event.  The pre-registration fee is $3 per participant and $5 if registering the day of the event.  Those attending can choose a one-mile, two-mile, or three-mile route to walk.  After the walk, a door prize drawing will be held as part of the "I Spy An Apple" contest at the event.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE EVENT FLYER & REGISTRATION FORM

And they're off! Participants of the Labor Day 5K Run/Walk begin the race.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND 5K RUN/WALK
                       Kulwicki Park, Greenfield, WI
                         Saturday, August 30, 2008
                                   5 - K

  P L A C E
 ALL SEX DIV DIVISN   TIME   PACE   NO. NAME              
 --- --- --- ------ ------- ----- ----- -------------------
   1   1   1 F20-29   18:27  5:57   138 FULTON NAOMI       
   2   1   1 M20-29   18:55  6:06   108 HAFEMANN JEREMY    
   3   2   1 M30-39   20:40  6:39   111 CHENERY PATRICK    
   4   3   1 M40-49   20:50  6:43   144 O'SULLIVAN ED      
   5   4   1 M11-15   22:35  7:16   105 SABINASH CASEY     
   6   5   2 M11-15   23:15  7:29   104 SABINASH ANDY      
   7   6   3 M11-15   23:23  7:32   148 MAYS AARON         
   8   7   1 M50-99   24:12  7:48   124 KRONHLEM GAR       
   9   2   1 F40-49   24:15  7:49   118 PERKINS DONNA      
  10   8   2 M50-99   24:26  7:52   142 BRUSSAT GARY       
  11   9   3 M50-99   24:42  7:57   121 ROTTMANN TIM       
  12  10   2 M40-49   24:57  8:02   117 EDMONDS SCOTT      
  13  11   2 M20-29   25:06  8:05   109 ZIMMER ZACH        
  14  12   4 M11-15   25:23  8:10   103 KUFAL QUINTON      
  15   3   2 F40-49   26:00  8:23   145 ZIBERT MONICA      
  16  13   3 M40-49   26:18  8:28   113 MOLLET JIM         
  17  14   2 M30-39   26:21  8:29   143 WEBER DAN          
  18  15   4 M40-49   27:05  8:43   116 KUFAL MARK         
  19  16   5 M11-15   28:28  9:10   102 KUFAL COLLIN       
  20  17   5 M40-49   28:36  9:13   114 SNYDER JEFF        
  21   4   3 F40-49   29:57  9:39   147 MAYS STACY         
  22   5   4 F40-49   31:44 10:13   115 EDMONDS CAROL      
  23   6   1 F50-99   31:57 10:17   119 SNYDER SHERRY      
  24   7   2 F50-99   34:17 11:03   122 ROTTMANN CATHY     
  25   8   2 F20-29   34:23 11:04   107 VOISIN HANNAH      
  26   9   3 F20-29   34:23 11:04   106 HAFEMANN HEATHER   
  27  18   4 M50-99   35:58 11:35   123 GOBEL CHUCK        
  28  10   3 F50-99   36:51 11:52   141 VALCHINOV ZOYA     
  29  11   1 F30-39   37:35 12:06   110 BENNING FARRAH     
  30  12   4 F20-29   39:00 12:33   140 DIMOCK KRISTINA    
  31  13   5 F20-29   40:30 13:02   149 TIJERINA AMANDA    
  32  19   1 M00-10   40:31 13:03   101 SNYDER JORDYN      
  33  14   2 F30-39   40:31 13:03   112 SNYDER JEAN        
  34  15   6 F20-29   40:37 13:05   150 GONZALAS AMANDA    
  35  20   5 M50-99   44:56 14:28   132 CARLSON DON        
  36  16   4 F50-99   47:11 15:12   130 LEVIN GAIL         
  37  17   5 F50-99   47:14 15:13   137 BARTZ SYLVIA       
  38  18   5 F40-49   47:15 15:13   128 PETERSON VALERIE   
  39  19   6 F40-49   48:27 15:36   127 GALIK DANNA        
  40  20   7 F40-49   48:27 15:36   129 CHICONAS JUDITH    
  41  21   6 M50-99   48:30 15:37   135 GALIK DAVE         
  42  21   7 F20-29   48:57 15:46   126 CHENERY JOANNE     
  43  22   7 M50-99   49:00 15:47   131 ZALESKI STEVEN     
  44  22   1 F16-19   49:55 16:04   125 PETERSON MICHELLE  
  45  23   2 F16-19   55:55 18:00   146 WEBER TIFFANY      
  46  23   3 M30-39   55:57 18:01   139 DIMOCK BRIAN       
  47  24   6 F50-99 1:10:14 22:37   136 JOHNSON GLORIA     
   8/30/2008 11:49AM
Results by CARRS - Computer Aided Race Results System 414 322-2647 CARRS@att.net

Jeremy Hafemann (left) was the top male finisher and Naomi Fulton was the top female finisher in this year's Labor Day 5K Run/Walk. Click photo for a larger image.

The Greenfield Parks & Recreation Department will host its final movie in the park for the summer this Saturday evening, August 16th, at the Konkel Park gazebo beginning at sundown.  The feature presentation will be Shrek 3.

PyraMax Bank will provide FREE popcorn (while supplies last) and a visit from Moola Moose.  Conessions will also be available.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and don't forget the bug spray. 

On Tuesday, August 19th, the Department will host its final Concert In The Park from 7:00-9:00pm at the Konkel Park gazebo.  The Rhythm Kings will be performing a music style that includes rock, jazz, blues, disco, and songs that are popular today.

No registration is required for either event, but call our cancellation hotline at (414) 297-9008 in the event of inclement weather to see if the event will be cancelled.

 
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band was a highlight at Greenfield's National Night Out event on August 5th at Konkel Park.

Greenfield residents packed Konkel Park on Tuesday evening for the City's 2nd Annual National Night Out event.  The event was coordinated and co-sponsored by several City departments and featured live music from Becca and the Boys, informational booths from the Health and Police departments, the American Red Cross, and GreenfieldNOW.com.  Police, fire, and public works vehicles were on display, and children had the opportunity to dunk the D.A.R.E. officer.  The evening capped off with a performance by the University of Wisconsin Marching Band and a flashlight walk.

Visit this page on the City of Greenfield website to see photos of some of the National Night Out festivities at Konkel Park.

Greenfield’s 2^nd Annual National Night Out (NNO) will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at Konkel Park from 5:30-8:30 PM.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Thanks to a generous donation from Dan Jansen Family Fest, entertainment at this year’s NNO will include a special “5^th Quarter” show and revue by the University of Wisconsin Marching Band at 7:15 PM.

The NNO will also feature displays by the Greenfield Police and Fire Departments, public works and health department as well as community partners; children’s games and entertainment, including a performance by the band Becca and the Boys. Food will be provided at no cost (while supplies last). This year’s event will also feature “Dunk the DARE Officer” where children can try their luck at the dunk tank, sending DARE Officer Jim Pizur into the drink.

Here's the full lineup for this year's Greenfield National Night Out event:

All evening (5:30-8:30):

• Police, Fire, and Public Works vehicles will be on display for up-close viewing and inspection.
• Representatives from the Police, Fire, Health, and Parks & Recreation departments will be available to answer questions and hand out information.
• People & Paws Disaster Truck will be showing informational videos and answering questions.
• Children can take a shot at dunking their DARE officer in the dunk tank.
• FREE hot dogs, brats, chips, and soda, while supplies last, served at the concession stand.
• Raffle drawings throughout the evening.

5:30-6:30 - Becca and the Boys (Music - Main Tent)

5:45-6:15 - American Red Cross presentation on Preparing For A Disaster (Presentation - Gazebo)

6:15-7:00 - Police Dog K-9 Demonstration (Presentation - Softball Diamond)

7:15-8:00 - UW Marching Band performance (Music - Main Tent)

7:15-7:45 - American Red Cross presentation on Preparedness For Severe Weather (Presentation - Gazebo)

8:00-8:30 - Flashlight Walk

From Scott Jaquish, Director of Parks & Recreation:

We would like to thank all our contributors including our event sponsors The Blood Center of Wisconsin, Ehlers and Associates and Dan Jansen Family Fest, Inc. as well as our event co-sponsor Horizon Development. We would also like to thank River Falls Family Fun Center for the use of the facilities.

Don't forget about the second movie in the park this Saturday night at Konkel Park.  The Parks & Recreation Department will be showing the movie Surf's Up at sundown.  The event is free and is being sponsored by PyraMax Bank, who will once again be serving free popcorn and have Moola Moose on hand to greet participants.  Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on and don't forget the bug spray.  Movie will be shown at the Konkel Park gazebo by the parking lot (51st & Layton).

Has the latest talk about Brett Favre coming back to play have you thinking about the upcoming Packers season?  Will the legendary quarterback be on the field again for the upcoming season or will he hang it up for sure?  Regardless if we see Brett Favre wearing number four again this season, you can join the Greenfield Parks & Recreation Department on Sunday, August 3rd at Lambeau Field for the annual Green Bay Packers Family Night & Scrimmage.  The Parks & Recreation Dept. will be returning to this event for a fourth consecutive year and the trip will once again be led by Mike Seavert, Whitnall Middle School teacher and 2004 Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame finalist.

As of this blog posting, less than 100 tickets remain for our group.  This year, the group will be sitting in Section 132, which is the southwest corner of the end zone.  The Department is once again offering a tickets only and tickets and transportation option.  If you would like to purchase tickets only, cost is $8 per person (face value of ticket).  The tickets and transportation option is $32 per person, which includes a ticket to Family Night and transportation to and from Lambeau Field via a motorcoach bus. 

Whether it's the beginning of the Aaron Rodgers era, or continutation of the Brett Favre legacy, you can see all the players in action.  On field football drills begin at 6:30pm, with the scrimmage beginning at 7:30pm, followed by jersey giveaways and a fantastic fireworks show that have proven to be better than your typical 4th of July fireworks show.

Reserve your family and friends' spot on the trip today by contacting the Greenfield Parks & Recreation Dept. office for a special registration form or click here to download and print the form.  Online registration is not available for this event.  Stop in the Rec. Dept. or mail in your form today.  Those who have already reserved their spot on the trip can pick up their Family Night tickets beginning Monday, July 21st.

If you have further questions, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department office at (414) 329-5370 or by e-mail.  Dress up in your best green and gold gear and we hope you can join us for another great start to a season on August 3rd.

The second concert in the Department's Concerts at Konkel series this summer will be on Tuesday evening, July 15th.  The date in the summer Recreator activity guide incorrectly lists the date as July 19th.  The Stanley's is a four piece band playing an edgey version of 70's, 80's, and 90's rock.  The group plays artists like "Killers", "REM", "Blink 182" and even Johnny Cash!  The concert is from 7-9pm at the Konkel Park gazebo (51st & Layton Ave.)  Admission is FREE, but concessions will be available for sale.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic basket filled with muchies and enjoy a great night of musical entertainment.  We hope to see you at the park on Tuesday night.

Shred-It document destruction, in cooperation with the Greenfield Department of Parks and Recreation, is excited to offer the first annual Community Shred Day.  Please join us on Saturday, June 28th (rain date Sunday the 29th) from 11:00am-2:00pm.  The event will offer Greenfield residents the opportunity to securely destroy and discard your old confidential files.

Shred-It will be at the Greenfield City Hall parking lot with their mobile shredding unit.  They will be accepting up to 5 boxes or bags of files that you wish to have securely destroyed, all while you watch.

Reasons To Shred Your Old Files

Time:  Shred-it's unique mobile shredding trucks can destroy up to 2,500 pounds per hour (paper clips and staples).

Convenient:  The event is conveniently scheduled at a central location.

Efficient:  Simply hand over your files and watch them be shredded.

Security:  You confidential files are never out of your control.  All Shred-it employees are insured and bonded.

Recycling:  All shredded material is recycled into new paper products.

Risk Reduction:  With nearly 10 million cases of identity theft each year, reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Space Savings:  Save space in your basement, attic, or storage facility.

Cost:  It's FREE!

For more information, please contact the Greenfield Parks & Recreation Department by e-mail or call (414) 329-5370.

The Greenfield Parks & Recreation Department will once again host a series of Movies In The Park.  The FREE event is open to all families and will feature a G or PG rated movie.  Movies will be shown at sundown at the Konkel Park gazebo.

The first feature will be tomorrow night, Saturday, June 21st, with the showing of Bee Movie.  Other movies will be shown on July 26h (Surf's Up) and August 16th (Shrek 3).

PyraMax Bank will provide FREE popcorn (while supplies last) and a visit from Moola Moose.  Conessions will also be available.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and don't forget the bug spray.  No registration is required, but call our cancellation hotline at (414) 297-9008 in the event of inclement weather to see if the event will be cancelled.

Hope to see you at the movies in the park this summer!

The first concert in this summer's Concert In The Parks series begins tomorrow night, Tuesday, June 17th, with the Memory Exchange performing at the Konkel Park gazebo beginning at 7:00pm.  Memory Exchange is a three piece band from Milwaukee, with influences from Jimmy Eat World, The Gloria Record, and Coldplay came about.  Very unique musical personalities producing rich melodies with emotionally charged lyrics.

Concerts In The Park are open seating and FREE to the public.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic basket filled with munchies and enjoy a great night of musical entertainment.  The concession stand will be open to purchase snacks, including popcorn, chips, soda, and candy.

No dogs or barbecues at any time in the concert area.  Your cooperation to keep our parks clean is appreciated.

We hope you can join us tomorrow evening.  Our other Concerts In The Park are on July 15th (The Stanley's - the date in the Summer Recreator is incorrect) and August 19th (Rhythm Kings).

By now, you should have received your copy of the 2008 Summer Recreator if you live in the City of Greenfield.  Do you have the right formula for summer fun?  All you need is four parts of sun, plus five parts of fun.  Add a whole lot of smiles, clean air, fresh water, and a dash of exercise and pinch of play.  You will find all of the necessary ingredients inside the 60-page Recreator program and activity guide.  In addition, the second edition of the GREENfield SHEET, the City's official newsletter, is located in the middle of the guide.  Here are some of the program highlights the Department is offering for this summer:

Summer Playgrounds
This summer, the popular summer playground program will be held at four sites:  Maple Grove Elementary, Elm Dale Elementary, Edgerton Elementary (Whitnall), and a teen site at Greenfield Middle School.  Kamp Konkel is also returning this summer for two weeks in August.  See pages 21-24 for registration details.

Learn To Swim Program
Swim lessons will only be held at the Whitnall High School Pool this summer due to the pool being closed at Greenfield High School.  Because of routine summer maintenance in June, swim lessons will be offered in July and August at Whitnall.  In addition, the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training program will also be offered beginning in late June.  See pages 16-20 for details.

Challenger British Soccer Camp
The number one soccer camp in the United States is coming to Greenfield!  The Challenger British Soccer Camps have selected qualified and talented coaches from Britain who are specifically trained.  Challenger has developed one of the most innovative methods of coaching by focusing on key techniques and technical components of soccer, but are also committed to developing the whole child.  This soccer camp is open to boys and girls ages 3-14.  See page 7 for complete details.

Safety City
This year's Safety City program is being offered in cooperation with the Greenfield School District Summer School program.  Children enrolled in the K5 summer school program will spend 1 hour each day at the Safety City.  Registrations are also being accepted for those not in summer school.  See page 26 for details.

It's A Fiesta - Older Adult Anniversary Picnic
The 15th annual picnic for those in the Department's Older Adult Membership program will be held this summer on Tuesday, July 8th at Konkel Park.  This year's theme is a Mexican fiesta.  Lunch will be served while being entertained by live mariachi music.  Layton Terrace will also be returning to sponsor bingo.  Door prizes will also be given away.  Don't miss your chance at attending this year's picnic.  Tickets for members go on sale on Monday, June 2nd at the Parks & Recreation Department office.

Community Programs & Events
Here are some of the community-wide events being offered this summer by the Parks & Recreation Department.

• Health & Fitness Challenge (14-week rewards program) - Co-sponsored by the Greenfield Health Department, this program is designed to help step-up your fitness activity in a fun and rewarding way.  See page 41 for details and registration form.
• Concerts at Konkel - Back for its second year, the free concerts at Konkel Park will feature a wide variety of talented musicians.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair, some munchies, and enjoy a great night of musical entertainment.  Playing on Tuesday, June 17th is The Memory Exchange, The Stanley's are the attraction for Tuesday, July 19th, and the Rhythm Kings return on Tuesday, August 19th.  All concerts begin at 7:00pm.  See page 57 for details.
• 5th Annual Greenfield Family Camp-Out - Family fun under the stars.  Pack your bags, stake out your spot, and set-up your tent for an overnight campout at Konkel Park.  This year's event will be held rain or shine on Friday-Saturday, August 1 & 2.  See page 57 for details.
• Movies In The Park - Family-friendly films will be shown at the Konkel Park gazebo on Saturdays June 21st, July 26th, and August 16th.  All movies begin at sundown and are free.  PyraMax Bank will once again be sponsoring this event by offering free popcorn and a visit from Moola Moose.  See page 57 for details.

Summer Medallion Quest
The ever growing popular medallion quest held for the past few summers is once again returning.  The symbol needed to complete the equation for summer fun is located on a medallion hidden somewhere in a Greenfield city park.  The first clue in this year's quest will be published on Thursday, May 29th and continue for four weeks or until the medallion is redeemed.  This year's prize package includes resort accommodations for two nights at the Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort in Wisconsin Dells, four admissions to Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor, and a $20 dinner gift certificate, plus the opportunity to participate in the Greenfield Fourth of July parade.  Contest is open only to City of Greenfield residents.  For complete contest details, see page 5 of the Summer Recreator.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SUMMER 2008 RECREATOR ONLINE.  Program guide is split into three parts and opens as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department in person in room 200 at Greenfield City Hall or by phone at (414) 329-5370.  Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00am-6:00pm.  You can also contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by e-mail or check out our website for complete program information.

The Greenfield Dept of Parks & Recreation will be holding its 42^nd Annual Spring Review on Saturday, April 12, 2008 in the Whitnall High School Auditorium

Easter came a bit early on Saturday, March 15th for 73 Greenfield children and adults who were registered for the Breakfast With The Easter Bunny event held in the Community Room in Greenfield City Hall.  Those in attendance had an egg-citing time by eating a breakfast of pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries, sausage, hard boiled eggs, applesauce, and juice.  In addition, children had an opportunity to have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny.  This event was held prior to the Easter Egg Scramble sponsored by the Greenfield Jaycees at Kulwicki Park.  Thanks to everyone who participated in this annual event.

Greenfield Health Officer/Director Darren Rausch and his children, Braeden and Nolen, have their picture taken with the guest of honor at the Breakfast With the Easter Bunny event.

 
The City of Greenfield 50th Anniversary Holiday Ornament.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Parks & Recreation Department's Brunch With Santa event on Saturday, December 1st.  Approximately 80 participants (children and adults) were in attendance to enjoy a breakfast of pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries, sausage, applesauce, cookies, and juice.  The jolly old fellow in red and white also made an appearance with Mrs. Claus.  Children in attendance had the opportunity to visit with Santa by the gingerbread house.

Following Brunch With Santa, several Greenfield residents braved the beginning of the winter storm to take part in the City of Greenfield Tree Lighting Ceremony in the City Hall rotunda.  Members of the Greenfield High School Chorus sang holiday tunes before and after the tree was lit.  Thanks to everyone who attended.

The Greenfield High School Chrous sings holiday tunes above the tree.

Mayor Michael Neitzke has his daughter Abby tell Santa what she would like for Christmas.

Just a reminder that December begins at the end of the week, so that means it's time for the City's annual tree lighting ceremony.  All of the details are below.  We hope you can join us to help light the special 50th Celebration holiday tree this year.

Greenfield Holiday Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 1st - 12 Noon until 1:00pm
Greenfield City Hall Rotunda Area

Brighten up your holidays by celebrating with fellow neighbors at the Annual City of Greenfield Tree Lighting Ceremony, which is a FREE EVENT!

• Tree lighting at 12 Noon

• Festive Music

• Pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Claus

• Cookies, hot chocolate and coffee