The Brookfield Scene

Andrew Smerz, fire chief, recently discussed the Town of Brookfield's fire department.  It provides emergency services for town residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Five people are on duty at all times.  Three people serve on the fire engine and two firefighter paramedics provide emergency medical services.

The vast majority of calls (85%) are for Emergency Medical Services which range in scope from car accidents to cardiac or respiratory events.  Although the town's population is only slightly older than the city's, many calls are from the town's senior apartments, assisted living and long-term care facilities.

Other fire department responses are for alarms sounding, structure fires or mutual aid requests.  (In the first five months of 2008, the town had three structure fires.)  Local fire departments provide mutual aid - that is, provide manpower and equipment in large events.  Recent examples include the town's Silver Spur Restaurant fire and a fire in Genesee.  During the fire in Genesee, the town's firefighters staffed the Town of Waukesha's firehouse.

Smerz described his department as having a very good relationship with the city's fire department and that they work cooperatively together. The town and city, New Berlin, Pewaukee and City of Waukesha all provide mutual aid to one another when needed.

All 911 calls are handled by the Waukesha County Communications Dispatch center.  Although the town has only about 6,000 residents, the town's footprint spans from Greenfield Avenue to Lisbon.   These form eight geographic zones for dispatch purposes.  Smerz has been pleased with the central dispatch.

On June 12^th, the town took its water tower to Pleasant Hill School.  On Friday, the town's fire engines will be in the 4^th of July Parade at Marx Park. And, there will be an Open House on October 5 during Fire Prevention Week.  This hands-on event includes a tour of the fire department, the apparatus and equipment, and firefighters will show how they remove (extricate) someone from an automobile involved in a collision. What else? The Flight for Life helicopter will be landing at the town's fire department and provide tours of the helicopter.

Smerz recommends that a person who ‘feels something is physically wrong' should call 911.  "You are not inconveniencing anyone.  We are here - and ready - all the time."

You have a chance to visit some beautiful ones on Thursday, July 17.  The full-day tours are being sponsored by Master Gardeners of Southeast Wisconsin.  You can choose from one of six tours of gardens rarely accessible to the public.  

Choose from one:

Lake Country Inspiration

Visit estate gardens and learn from their designer.

High Ho, West of Town We Go

Enjoy eighteen theme gardens on a 20-acre estate and visit the gardens of noted botanists.

Surprises A'Waiting

Learn how mini-habitats can be created and how art can be integrated into the garden.

What's Your Pleasure...Large or Small?  Native or Non?  Shade or Sun Loving?

Visit gardens of contrasting sizes and plant choices.  

Old Fashioned Gardens, New Fashioned Plants

Savor the diversity that gardeners can create.

Architecture Plus Gardens

Visit the ‘Wingspread' estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and a three-acre woodland garden.

Space is limited.  Make your reservation by July 7, 2008.  All tours depart from the Wyndam Milwaukee Airport Conference Center at 7:30 am.  Tours are priced at $50 and include lunch and coach transportation.

Visit http://sewmg.encompus.com/ or call Norine at 414-281-4434 for more information.

The Department of Transportation began its improvements to traffic flow on Bluemound Road in early June.  The work will be done in three one-mile segments and each segment will take about a month to complete.

The first phase is between Moorland and Calhoun Roads.  Over the summer, work will progress westward (in one-mile increments) to Barker Road.

Since early June, the following work has been accomplished between Moorland and Calhoun Roads.  Temporary utility poles were installed and stop lights strung across the intersections. Orange barrels have been distributed along the roadway.  Barricades have been erected at many medians. The white diagonal lines that designated bus and right turns have been painted over.  Drivers may now drive in the right lane.  That is good, because drivers can no longer use the left lane.

As we enter week two:  Concrete medians are being removed.  Any trees and/or shrubs in the medians are being bulldozed.  Alas, I believe the trees and shrubs being sacrificed were once part of "streetscaping"  partially funded by taxpayers. Perhaps a reader can clarify.

Because there is construction on Calhoun Road and on Bluemound Road delays are compounded.  The difficulty entering/exiting V Richards Plaza is no doubt adversely impacting the businesses located there.

Perhaps the construction is really part of traffic calming for the 70,000 cars that travel east/west along Bluemound Road each day. 

Min Kanavas was known to many in the Brookfield and Elm Grove areas.  Min and her husband made Brookfield their home in the 1950s – about the time it became a city.  Her four boys grew up there.  One became (and is) a state Senator.

Min was devoted to her family and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.  She tremendously enjoyed contributing her time and skills to many activities.  She had boundless energy and was an enthusiastic volunteer for the Elmbrook Historical Society.  If you don’t remember Min for her community activities, you may have known her as the floral designer at Reinder’s (Elm Grove).

The Dousman Stagecoach Inn and the Elmbrook Historical Society will host the unveiling of a painting by area artist Scott Hefti, who works with Brookfield-based North Shore Bank to create one-of-a-kind watercolors depicting the communities in which it operates.

Hefti's colorful Brookfield painting features the historic inn along with its neighbor, North Shore Bank's corporate headquarters. The bank is donating the artwork to the Historical Society to celebrate the bank's 85th birthday and a unique bit of shared history.  For 138 years, the inn stood at what is now the intersection of Bluemound and Moorland roads.

When North Shore Bank's new headquarters was built on that site in 1981, the Elmbrook Historical Society moved the inn a little way up the road.  Hefti's painting, with the historic and modern buildings and the preserved green space that lies between them, celebrates the past and present of the Brookfield community.

Hefti, along with representatives of the bank and the Historical Society, will unveil the donated painting during a special reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, at the inn, 1075 N. Pilgrim Parkway.  Guided tours are offered at 5:45 and 6:15 pm.

The public is welcome to attend and talk with the artist and Historical Society representatives about this new piece of art celebrating two Brookfield institutions.  Reserve your spot now - just contact Brenna Kriviskey Sadler at (414) 276-6237.

The Elmbrook Historical Society also hosts public guided tours at the Stagecoach Inn on the first and third Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. from May through October.  In celebration of Father's Day, June 15, admission is free for all fathers.

Now that I have your attention, consider this cause for paws.  The Elmbrook Humane Society is located in Brookfield just west of Barker Road on Enterprise Drive.

It's a stopping point for many displaced cats and dogs, and other creatures.  The staff and many volunteers give these pets tender, loving care.   The humane society is very successful at finding new homes for these animals.  Its adoption rate is 98%.

Many people and businesses provide financial support for the shelter.  Some youngsters learn about giving early in life. Scouts have collected items that dogs and cats need. Preteens have asked that contributions be given to the Elmbrook Humane Society instead of toward birthday gifts.

Support arrives through animal adoptions, donations and in-kind contributions of care-giving supplies.  Canned pet food, KMR kitten milk replacement, and paper products are always needed.  Check the current wish-list at http://www.ebhs.org/.

There are other ways to support our local humane society's mission:

1. Shop at (or donate items to) Well-Bred Bargains resale shop in Elm Grove.
2. Buy a ‘Waggin' Wheels Car Raffle ticket' for $20.
3. Attend the 2008 "Wag Fest" on Saturday, September 20.
4. Volunteer at the society.
5. Consider sponsoring the event. 

Many families mark Memorial Day with picnics, parades and planting flowers.  Memorial Day provides a four day weekend, and a time to reflect on our family's traditions.

When I was a child, it was tradition to cut lilacs and visit the cemeteries in Brookfield.  At that time Brookfield seemed so far away. We visited the grave sites of my grandparents at Wisconsin Memorial, and the grave sites of my great-grandparents at Oak Hill Cemetery.  The small Oak Hill Cemetery was not well tended.  Poison Ivy was prevalent.  We would scrub ourselves with homemade lye soap when we got home.

When I visited Oak Hill Cemetery last year for its Memorial Day Service, I learned that the grounds had been maintained through the kindness of neighbors.  The annual Memorial Day Service (conducted by the Behling-Kutchera American Legion Post 296) takes place Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m.

Take time to visit this historic cemetery at 3500 N. Brookfield Rd and reflect on your family's history.

The story of “Ten Chimneys & The Lunts” will be told by Mike Drew, award winning writer and former media columnist, on Monday, May 19, 2008.

Wonderful tours of the beautiful estate are given at Ten Chimneys from May through November. 

A GPS system has greatly improved my odds of getting to the right place.  It is helpful when traveling beyond one's ‘comfort zone.’  For example, getting from point A to point B in Waukesha has always been a challenge.  For years, my subconscious voice has said, “You’re going to get lost” – and I invariably have.

A recent trip to Waukesha was more pleasant – thanks to the GPS.  But its directions to WalMart led me to Sam’s Club (on 164). 

Recent trips to Franklin, Hales Corners, Milwaukee’s lake front and Menomonee Falls have been more interesting because of the GPS.  I have found myself traveling on roads less traveled. I was amazed to find a more efficient route to Hales Corners, and a more scenic route to Milwaukee’s lake front.

There was comparatively little development in Brookfield west of Highland Drive.  Local grocery stores included Grasch Foods, Food Farm (in Elm Grove and at Ruby Isle).  Neither Elmbrook Memorial nor Brookfield Square had been built.

Brookfield has grown by leaps and bounds since then. Bluemound Road exploded with business, complete with sidewalks and street lights.   In recent years, homes have become bigger and lots have become smaller. The “Brookfield Concept” described on the city’s website seems to emphasize open, green space.  Check it out at http://www.cityofbrookfield.com/index.asp?nid=66.  It doesn’t seem to correlate with today’s development.

As you speed down Bluemound Road, you may notice a large white barn and small two story home on a patch of green.  You'll find this gem on the north side of the road just east of Janacek Road (about 192^nd Street).  If you are more familiar with Best Buy and Menards, Eble Park is just across the street.

This 40 acre patch of green is courtesy of Florence Eble.  At one time, her family farm extended across Bluemound Road, and a barn was on the south side of the road.  Eble donated her forty acres to Waukesha County as a permanent green space.

Florence's Garden provides a welcome respite for drivers speeding past. Passers-by are enthralled by the flower, herb and vegetable gardens at Eble Park.  Some are stopped in their tracks by the season-long beauty in Florence's Garden.  Produce harvested from the vegetable garden is donated to a Waukesha County food bank.

The gardens are cared for by a dedicated group of Master Gardener Volunteers.  In case you haven't heard of "Master Gardeners," each person takes (and pays for) horticultural training by UW-Extension Agents.  In return, they collectively dedicate thousands of hours to gardens in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties each year.

This Saturday, you may see dozens of master gardeners working at Eble.  If weather permits, they will be taking perennial plants from the vegetable garden and potting them.  The plants were donated by master gardeners last fall and grew in the unused garden until now.  In the next few weeks, similar "digs" are scheduled at many, many homes. Thousands of perennials will be sold on May 17, 2008 at State Fair Park DNR area as part of the 13^th Annual Perennial Plant Sale.

Master gardeners volunteer at the Milwaukee County Zoo, State Fair Park, Havenwoods State Park (Milwaukee County) and also at Eble Gardens, Old World Wisconsin and Ten Chimneys (Waukesha County).  They also tend gardens at many other locations and care facilities throughout the metropolitan area.

Brookfield has a few hidden delights right in its own backyard.  One is the "Nature Center" just west of Brookfield East High School's soccer field.  The Nature Center includes 17 acres of land and two ponds.  The school district maintains trails around the ponds, through the mesic prairie, open dry prairie and woodlands with a wooden bridge across a marsh. Volunteers from the Elmbrook Garden Club have planted and maintained plantings of native plants around the visitor center/classroom for over twenty years.

Why would a local garden club get involved in this project?  Well, the 35-member group supports community service projects and outreach programs for youth. As an affiliate of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., it aids in the protection and conservation of natural resources, promotes civic beautification and encourages the improvement of roadsides and parks.  Then again it may be the children's delight when they visit.

A visit to the Nature Center is part of the field trip curriculum for all Kindergarten through 6^th grade classes.  Activities are led by a naturalist/Brookfield East High School Biology Teacher, Greg Wolfe.  Children and the parents who accompany them thoroughly enjoy their visits.  The students study trees; insects; bones, skulls and skeletons; birds, seeds and pods, the pond community, and satellites in the environment.

Brookfield Park & Recreation also holds its fishing classes at the Nature Center's ponds.  High school classes and Scout troops use the center as an outdoor classroom as well.                                              

After nurturing native plants for so many years, garden club members were dismayed when school district construction damaged a prairie planting - not once, but twice.  The first time, the district installed a water line to the visitor center; the second time was during the construction of a concession stand near the soccer fields.  The work was done without any warning to rescue the plants.

In the fall of 2007, the Elmbrook School District provided $900 for the purchase of native plants to restore the damaged plantings.  The Elmbrook Garden Club also applied for and received a $300 grant from the Principal Financial Group Civic Development Grant Program, "Lets Go Native."  This grant money is to be matched by the garden club and other community contributions.  The $600 will be used to purchase additional plants, labels and for split rail fencing to protect the plants.  It is the only garden club in Wisconsin that received a grant.

The National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) established the grant program under the sponsorship of the Principal Financial Group Foundation Inc. to boost civic development across the nation by planting natives.  NGC is a not-for profit organization composed of 50 State Garden Clubs and the National Capital Area, 7,183 member garden clubs and 221,943 members as well as International Affiliates from Canada to Mexico and South America.

The goal of this project is to restore the plantings around the visitor center, to increase the diversity of plants at the nature center and to educate visitors -- young and old.  For more information about joining the Elmbrook Garden Club, touring and/or working in the nature center contact Judy Newman, newman9641@aol.com Community Coordinator.

Over the next two weekends, you'll have a chance to enjoy the 23rd Annual Original One-Act Festival" staged by the Brookfield Players and Village Playhouse of Wauwatosa.  It all takes place at our beautiful Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts (Brookfield).

 It's a must-see event which feature's Wisconsin's most talented playwrights, award-winning directors and phenomonal casts.  The five one-act plays are:

 Six Characters in Search of An Audience by Matthew Lovison; directed by Tom Zuehlke

The Difference Dies by Mary K. Ryan; directed by Laura Kohn-LaPinske

Strangers in The Afternoon by Marion H. Youngquist; directed by Robert Lee

A Negotiable Position by Daniel Loebl; directed by Pat Hitt

The Pick Up by Ken Drzakowski; directed by Mark Wyss

The dates to remember are April 5 & 6 and April 11 & 12.  8 pm. Fridays; 2:30 and 8 pm. Saturdays.

Adults $15; Seniors & Students $13.  Group rates are available.  Tickets are available at the box office or online www.wilson-center.com. 

Taxpayers in the Elmbrook School District (SDE) have a second chance at approving a referendum for SDE high schools on April 1.  Two groups independently developed recommendations for the 2008 referendum.  One group (sponsored by SDE) included district/board representatives.  The second group did not.

Let's compare the 2007 and 2008 referendums.

Last year's recommendation was presented as "needs based."  However, it was a two-part referendum (one for the high schools themselves and another for the athletic stations).  The combined price tag: $108.8 million.  Both referendums were resoundly defeated.

This year's referendum is also "needs based" but it includes both schools and athletics. The price tag: $62.2 million. 

Last year, the school district used a comprehensive and expensive information campaign to sway voters.  This year, SDE is apparently presenting "just the facts".  They apparently feel more confident with this year's referendum proposal.

How do the two referendums differ?

The schools have been downsized from 2007 in terms of student body and square footage.  Classrooms are smaller, but they are being more fully utilized.  The buildings' square footage cost is higher $683.41 (2008) vs. $425.00 (2007).  The financing rate is lower (5% vs. 5.5% last year). Based on the average Elmbrook home value ($321,000) the building tax will be lower $170 vs. $326.

When you vote April 1, carefully consider all the facts and the "needs."   The building tax is only one element of school taxes; school taxes are only one component of overall property taxes.

The Town of Brookfield announced plans for development of the "Bluemound Road Corridor."  The area is bounded by Barker Road, I 94 and Bluemound Road and extends east of Poplar Creek.  The development covers about 80 acres. It includes the properties owned by Marcus Corporation and Menards. 

The Corridor plans include 4-8 story commercial buildings and 2-4 story multi-family units.  Since the plans were announced, the town has sought public comment and met with property owners. Town officials believe it's important to work with the business owners - to meld the visions of the town and business owners together.  There is a strong desire to achieve positive acceptance about the development. Indeed, suggestions about roadway placement and project flexibility have already been integrated into the consultant's plans.

The goals of the development plans are to address problems of circulation (pedestrian and automobile), maintain property values and provide an inviting consumer environment.  Plans for the Bluemound Corridor Node accomplish all three.

Traffic circulation will be improved by two additional east/west roads (parallel to I94) and a north/south road (beneath high-tension lines). Sidewalks will encourage foot traffic between the businesses and offices.

Taller structures (4-8 and 2-4 stories) provide more business / office space.  This yields a more economically-viable development while positively impacting property values. A planned parking structure will reduce the need for large asphalt parking lots.

An inviting consumer environment is provided through urban style architecture.  Ground level stores will have large windows, and include eateries and service providers. It's possible that a person working in an office or business could spend his/her lunch hour within the same complex.

The Town of Brookfield's administrator, Rick Czopp, said, "Government should be slow and deliberate because of the future impact on the community" and a desire to achieve positive acceptance.

The town's plans are consistent with Waukesha County's development plans.  The town is one of 27 communities that are collaborating with the county.

There are no plans for tax incremental financing (TIF or TID) for this development.  These designations are typically used in distressed areas.  The town did use TIF funds for the environmental clean up of the new Palladium Theatre site.  The ground had become contaminated by underground diesel storage leaks.

The Town of Brookfield will look much different in 10 years.

On Monday, March 17, you have a chance to hear Tom Ramstack, the author of Brookfield: A Fine and Fertile Land, speak about the rich history of the Brookfield and Elm Grove areas.  Our area began as a farming community in 1839.

Tom grew up in Elm Grove and heard his father's stories about the people in the Brookfield Township.  His quest to learn more - and a desire to write a book - resulted in a twenty year search of historic records and a two-volume book.

The free lecture is sponsored by the Elmbrook Historical Society. It's at 7 pm at Brookfield's Park & Rec Senior Community Center, 2000 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield.  The meeting is open to the public. Copies of Brookfield: A Fine and Fertile Land will be available for purchase.  Ramstack will sign copies.

Call (262) 782-4057 for more information.

There have been two pleasant events in Brookfield and Elm Grove in the last few days.

In Brookfield:  Burleigh Elementary staged its production of "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" at the Wilson Center.  230 energetic fourth and fifth graders were on stage for a play written and directed by Mrs. Bart. Creative costuming, props and scenery accented the young student's talents.  Parents, other students and teachers, and volunteers helped create a delightful and inspiring event.

In Elm Grove: The Friends of Elm Grove Library held its 22nd Annual Used Book Sale from March 6 to March 9.  Over 20,000 items were donated to the sale and nearly that many were sold.  The FOEGL book sale committee did an excellent job in organizing this year's fund raiser.  The organizers are a dedicated and energetic group.  They engage many, many people in organizing the books, CDs, DVDs and audio tapes. They also recruit volunteers to staff the 24 sale hours.  All proceeds from the sale are used to expand the Elm Grove Library's collections.

The sense of community - and an common cause - helped each group excel.

Sunday is the last day of the Friends of Elm Grove Library's used book sale.  All purchases (except for the "Collector's Table" and auction items) are included in the $4-A-Bag sale.  Fill an entire grocery bag full of hard cover or paperback books for just $4. A good selection of fiction, biographies, history, business, religion, self-help, children's and cook books are available.  And add CDs, DVDs or audiobooks to the bag.  There is no limit on the number of bags you can take - for just $4-A-Bag.

The sale runs from Noon to 4 pm in the lower level of the Elm Grove Library at 13600 W. Juneau.  All proceeds raised by the non-profit Friends' group are used to expand the public library's collections.

Admission is free.

There will be a huge used book sale at the Elm Grove Public Library next week.  The 20,000 books, CDs and DVDs and other media have been accumulated by the Friends of the Elm Grove Library - in a small area of the basement.  By Wednesday, March 5, volunteers will have organized and moved the vast collection to two rooms of the library's lower level.  The Elm Grove Library is located at 13600 Juneau Boulevard in Elm Grove, WI. 

Book lovers, avid readers and book collectors will find a huge assortment of books - fiction, non-fiction, children's books, biographies, history books, reference books in all genres as well as an amazing assortment of audio books, used music tapes, CDs, DVDs, books on tape and puzzles for sale.

Everything will be sold at very reasonable prices - 50 cents for small paperbacks, $1.50 for hardcover; special books, tapes and videos at $2.00 and up.  Highly collectible and rare book items will be featured at a table of specialty items. Other unique books will be available through a silent auction.

A "Friends Only" Preview Night takes place on Thursday, March 6, 2008 from 6 to 9 p.m. for members of the Friends of the Elm Grove Library.  Please note:  Memberships may be purchased at the door.

The 22^nd Annual Used Book Sale opens to the public on Friday, March 7, 2008 from 9 am. to 6 pm.  Admission is free.

Saturday March 8, 2008 the book sale continues with a Half Price Sale* from 9 am. to 5 pm.  Prices for books and all other materials will be reduced in half.  (*Excludes the specialty and silent auction items.)

Sunday, March 9, 2008 is the $4-A-Bag Sale*.  The Bag Sale* begins at Noon and continues to 4 pm.  Each bagful can be filled with books (and other items) and bought for $4.  Everything must be sold.  There is no limit on the number of bags an individual can buy.  (*Excludes the specialty and silent auction items.)

The chairmen of the 22nd Annual Used Book Sale are Kathy Baptie, Karen Dahlman, Connie Pavletich, Pat Ruttum and Carla Stensberg,

The Friends of the Elm Grove Library is a non-profit organization founded in 1984.  It has over 200 members. Proceeds of the book sale will be used to update the Elm Grove Library's collections.