Upcoming events in Brookfield

Hard to believe April 2008 has less than a week to go! It is great the weather is finally matching the season. Hope you are enjoying it.

The following is a list of special events coming up in the Brookfield area. Some of these were supplied by my two alderwomen, Lisa Mellone and Renee' Lowerr.

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner's Town Hall Meeting, Sunday, April 27, 1PM, at the City of Brookfield's Safety Building on Calhoun Road, just north of City Hall and the library. I have never attended one of these, but I hope to make it to this one.

National Day of Prayer, Meet at the flag pole at City Hall, Thursday, May 1st, 12:20 - 12:40 PM, at Brookfield City Hall on Calhoun Road. Last year was my first, I plan on going again this year.

4th Annual Weed Out at Mary Knoll Park, Saturday, May 3rd, 9 AM - Noon, at Mary Knoll Park on Sunnyslope Rd, just south of I-94. Rain or shine, this is a great activity. Come help!

Brookfield Farmer's Market, City Hall north parking lot, Starts Saturday, May 3rd, 7:30AM - Noon. A sure sign of spring and summer, the farmer's market is a great way to start your Saturday.

Civil War Days Reenactment, Dousman Stagecoach Inn, Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday May 4th, 10 AM - 4 PM both days. This is presented by the Elmbrook Historical Society. It is a fun and informative day that features President Lincoln's Address, Fashion show, artillery/cannon firing demonstration, Inn tours, Sunday worship service, baseball game, and more! My family attended in the past and enjoyed the day immensely.

Looking ahead to summer, the band directors at Wisconsin Hills and Brookfield Central are trying to get an Elmbrook marching band together for the Brookfield 4th of July parade. If your child is a band member, contact the band directors at Wisconsin Hills and Brookfield Central for more information.

Past Garlic Mustard Postings:
3rd Annual Weed Out (with photos)

It is worth saving (pictures from Weed Out and wildflowers)

Oh, the shame! (photos and tips for evicting Garlic Mustard)

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links: Betterbrookfield, Vicki Mckenna
Blogs: Practically Speaking, Fairlyconservative

Emails with Andy Smith on Elmbrook's Day of Silence

The following is the email correspondence between Andy Smith and me, regarding the Day of Silence observation at Elmbrook's high schools. It is in chronological order.
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April 23, 2008 11:50 AM (cc Andy Smith)

Dear Dr. Gibson,

I have received an email concerning the Day of Silence this Friday. It lists Wisconsin schools that are participating. Two entries are noted under the names East High School and Central High School, but it does not give the school district those schools are from.

Is Brookfield Central or East participating in the Day of Silence? If so, who makes that decision, the board, administration, or the principals?

Thank you,

Kyle Prast
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April 23, 2008 12:06 PM

Hi Kyle:

I'll check with the high schools, but let me first make sure I know what I'm looking into.

Is this the national (international?) day of silence for homosexuals who've been murdered or assaulted because of their sexual orientation, or does this refer to something else?

I think there is such a day for the above reason, but perhaps there is another type of action going on this Friday that relates to something entirely different.

I'm sorry that I'm not personally up on it. If you can please clarify, I'll check for you.

Thanks.

- Andy

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April 23, 2008 4:41 PM

Gee Andy, I did not know there were any other days of silence, but here is the website for the one I am talking about that happens every April. http://www.dayofsilence.org/

As you can see by the website, it is this Friday April 25th.

Kyle

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April 24, 2008 8:21 AM

Hello Kyle:

I was talking with Don LaBonte, BCHS principal, which gave me the opportunity to ask about your question. He indicated that for some years now, there have been students at each high school who make a personal decision to not speak as their participation in and observance of the "Day of Silence."

I have not had a chance to personally reach Brett Bowers, BEHS principal, but am passing along Don's explanation which indicates students at both schools take part in the observance. I can get a phone call into Brett this morning if you would like, unless the above covers your inquiry.

Thanks.

- Andy

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April 24, 2008 8:43 AM

Dear Andy,

Yes, if you could ask Brett Bowers, that would be great.

So you are saying "Day of Silence" is not officially sanctioned by the principal or administration?

Is the "Day of Silence" mentioned in any way by teachers to their classes? Or is there any sort of official announcement or information given to the students about this?

Thanks,

Kyle

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April 24, 2008 10:51 AM

Hi Kyle:

I talked with Brett. Here is the information you asked about:

1. Yes, the Day of Silence is a school sanctioned event, authorized at the principal level. It is part of a nationwide event. The observance of the Day of Silence has taken place for a number of years now at both Central and East.

2. It is not sponsored or organized by either of the schools, but rather by a student club at each school that promotes respect for all persons and takes a special interest in the personal safety at school of all persons, including those who may consider themselves to have a personal sexual identity different from the mainstream of heterosexual male and female.

3. Just as with the activities of any other club or organization, information about the Day of Silence is prepared not by the school but by the club ... if desired, for instance, items could be prepared for the daily announcements. The principal signs-off on poster designs and displays for the Day of Silence, just as with posters for events sponsored by other clubs and organizations. Further, any of the clubs that have met the requirements to be recognized by the school are treated with similarity regarding access to school facilities, use of tables for fundraisers, use of rooms and the like.

4. There are two ways that a student may participate in the Day of Silence. A person may be an active participant, or a person may simply show his or her support for the club's purposes and the purposes of the day's observance. An active participant will typically wear black and wear a special pin. A supporter may or may not wear black and wears a different but similar pin. A participant typically chooses not to speak throughout the day, however, such persons are not allowed to fail to respond to a question asked by a teacher, staff person or administrator. A supporter typically does speak (does not participate in the silence) is supportive by use of the pin.

5. At East, there is a voluntary end-of-the day meeting in a classroom that is called, "Breaking the Silence," where those in attendance may share their experiences, particularly whether anyone made any disrespectful or hurtful comments to individuals. Those in attendance may talk about the impact they believe they did or did not have in promoting tolerance for others and respect of all persons.

6. Just as with any other sanctioned club that has met the requirements for recognition, there is a club advisor, no different from any other organization. This club, like any other can do fundraising to support their various supplies, activities and goals. The advisor is paid from the unit budget of the school, the same as any other advisor.

I tried to be as thorough as possible, and I hope this helps with your inquiry. I appreciate your giving me a bit of time to pull together the information. (10:45am)

Thanks.

- Andy Smith

Director of Communications

School District of Elmbrook
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April 24, 2008 1:51 PM (Kyle to Andy)

Thank you, Andy
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So there you have it. All of my correspondence about the Day of Silence for 2008 between Andy Smith of Elmbrook schools and me.

Links: Betterbrookfield, Vicki Mckenna
Blogs: Practically Speaking, Fairlyconservative

4th Annual Weed Out on May 3rd

Guest Posting: Mary Knoll Weed Out notice from Patty Gerner, affectionately known as the "Garlic Mustard Lady."

Brookfield is having its fourth annual garlic mustard “WEED OUT” at Mary Knoll Park on Saturday, May 3^rdfrom 9:00 a.m. – noon, rain or shine.

The Gerner family has volunteered at this park since 1997 and is partnering with the City of Brookfield, Boy/Cub Scout Troop/Pack 23, the Brookfield Central Key Club, and the UW-Extension. Please join us to remove garlic mustard in the park. Volunteers of all ages from families with young children to seniors can help as garlic mustard is easy to pull so you don’t need to be physically strong or particularly fit. Come for the full three hours or just an hour. Past participants have commented on how surprisingly enjoyable it was to work in the park with birds chirping and spring wildflowers in bloom. Some realized that they had garlic mustard in their yards.

Garlic mustard is an invasive weed introduced on the east coast by early settlers for its alleged medicinal qualities and cooking. In our community it spreads rapidly, overtaking wildflowers, native tree and shrub seedlings. It then drives out animals, birds and insects that depend on a diversity of plant species for food and shelter.

Gary Majeskie, Parks and Forestry Superintendent, will be available to train volunteers. Bags will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes, gloves, and perhaps a water bottle. Mary Knoll Park is located at 615 S. Sunnyslope Rd. Follow the entrance road to the tennis courts. Please call 262-796-6675 to volunteer. Registration is not mandatory, but gives us an idea of how many volunteers to expect. We hope to see you there!

I can attest that the Weed Out is indeed an enjoyable experience. Last year's Weed Out was a drizzly day, but even that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. In fact, it made pulling the weeds easier!

Past Garlic Mustard Postings:
3rd Annual Weed Out (with photos)

It is worth saving (pictures from Weed Out and wildflowers)

Oh, the shame! (photos and tips for evicting Garlic Mustard)

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links: Betterbrookfield, Vicki Mckenna
Blogs: Practically Speaking, Fairlyconservative

Kinsey Park clean up and pier

Just a quick report here. There were about a dozen residents attending the District 7 meeting on April 9. Alderwomen Renee' Lowerr and Lisa Mellone did a great job letting us know what was coming up in our neck of the woods.

There is a new dentist building on Fairlane and Greenfield, and the remaining portion of Brookfield Marketplace shopping center on Greenfield will be completed. One of the buildings will be a bank on the far east side.

A few residents expressed concern over patrons of these new businesses using our residential streets for a quick cut through. Lisa explained about a project that utilizes traffic calming measures to cut down on residential speeders cutting through on our streets. Since I live on one such street, I will be interested in this project.

I asked Lisa if she had heard anything about the fishing pier that was supposed to have gone in at Kinsey Park pond a year ago. Lisa did not know anything about it, but she just emailed me recently that it is indeed still going to happen.

"Per Bill Kolstad (Park & Rec.) an agreement was completed and signed with a contractor to build and install a fishing pier at Kinsey Park Pond. It would be located near the shelter. I will happen sometime this summer, but no firm start date has been established. It will have a protective rail and only catch and release would be allowed."

So the bad new is, no fish dinners courtesy of Kinsey Park Pond, but the good news is kids will have a great place to fish from!

Thanks Lisa, for following up on that.

And, speaking of the park and pond, thank you Boy Scout Troop 41 for spending a good part of the afternoon today cleaning up the park and pond. I saw the boys walking back from the park today with their garbage bags full of trash while I was out walking my dog.

The wildflowers are starting to come up in the park. Last Wednesday, I spotted a Dogtooth Violet and about 10 Red Trilliums. Unfortunately, I also spotted some Garlic Mustard. There are a number of neighbors near the park who pull the garlic mustard as they walk through the park. Nothing formal, just a, Oh, there's some, I'll nab it effort.

I do hope you are planning to help at the 4th Annual Mary Knoll Weed Out on Saturday, May 3, 9-noon. It is a good chance to do something productive and meet and chat with some neighbors at the same time.

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links: Betterbrookfield, Vicki Mckenna
Blogs: Practically Speaking, Fairlyconservative

District 7 and Calhoun Concerned Community meetings, April 9 & 10

Two important meetings coming up for District 7 residents and residents from the Calhoun Road South community.

Renee' Lowerr, District 7's new alderman, is co-hosting her first District 7 Info Meeting at City Hall with current alderman, Lisa Mellone, on Wednesday, April 9th, from 7-8pm. This will be a great opportunity to meet Renee' and let her know what your concerns are in your area and for the city.

Lisa Mellone will update District 7 residents on a Traffic Calming initiative she proposed last year to combat speeding on residential streets.

You may contact Renee' at Renee@district7brookfield.com, and Lisa at Lisa@betterbrookfield.com

On Thursday, April 10th, Barbara Roncke, President of the Concerned Calhoun Community (CCC) is holding a meeting at Swanson School at 7pm.

They will be discussing the coming widening of Calhoun Road. Brookfield's Engineering Department is sending some staff to explain to area residents what to expect for the next two summers Calhoun is under construction.

Lisa Mellone sent out the following calendar of events:

Park & Rec. on-line registration starts Monday, April 14. Click here

Public Information Meeting about WisDOT’s plans for further improvements to Bluemound Rd. is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23^rd 4:30 – 7 pm at Swanson Elementary School.

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner Town Hall Meeting, Sunday, April 27th at 1pm, City of Brookfield Public Safety Building on Calhoun Rd.

Annual Garlic Mustard Weed-Out at Mary Knoll Park from 9 am – noon on Saturday, May 3– bring gloves and pull weeds – it’s FUN, really it is!

Elmbrook Historical Society presents Civil War Reenactment Days, May 3rd and 4th at the historic Dousman Stagecoach Inn on Pilgrim Rd. Elmbrook Historical Society

Links: Betterbrookfield, Vicki Mckenna
Blogs: Practically Speaking, Fairlyconservative