- Napoleon Hill
For information on upcoming Board, Committee and Commission meetings as well as other government-related meetings and events, please follow the link above to the Village Government Calendar.

January 25 Special Village Board Highlights

The Village Board conducted a special meeting on Monday, January 25 to review and discuss the RFP for the Village's garbage and recycling program.  This will be an issue revisited at a future meeting before the Village Board takes any official action on the RFP.  Residents who would like to review the PowerPoint presentation provided by the Department of Public Works staff can view the presentation by clicking this link.

February 1 Village Board Agenda

The Village Board will meet on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Court Room. These are the agenda items that the Board will discuss or take action on during the meeting:
  1. Consider Presentation of Accounts February 1, 2016
  2. Consider Beekeeping Ordinance
  3. Consider Reserve "Class B" Retail Intoxicating Liquor and Malt Beverage license - Village Pub of Shorewood, LLC d/b/a 4488, 4488 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood WI, Rebecca Goldberger, Agent
  4. Consider "Class A" Retail Intoxicating Liquor License - Walgreen Co., d/b/a Walgreens #15188, 4035 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood WI, Tania Wright, Agent
  5. Update on the Wilson Drive Community Task Force
  6. Consider properties to explore for Police Department Building (closed session)
Village Tax Payment Reminders 
As we approach January 31, the Village would like to remind you of the following:
  • Taxes are due in full by January 31 of each year, unless using the installment plan.  If using the installment plan, the first installment is due by January 31. 
  • Payments must be received, not postmarked, in the office or Village drop box by close of business.
  • Escrow checks that have been made out to the property owner and the Village must be properly endorsed.  Please note, the Village will not sign checks over to the property owner.
  • Refunds for overpayments will be processed, but not necessarily mailed, within 20 days.  They will be mailed following accounts payable approval by the Village Board.
  • Receipts can be obtained through the Village website or by providing a self-addressed stamped envelope with the payment.
Property tax bills can be paid in the following methods:
  • Credit Card (Online Only - Additional Fee)
  • Electronic Check (Online Only - Additional Fee)
  • At one of two North Shore Bank locations (Full payments or Installments only, no refunds given, no partial payments):
    • Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to Noon
    •    3970 N Oakland Avenue
    •    4414 N Oakland Avenue
    • By mail: Village of Shorewood, 3930 N Murray Avenue, Shorewood WI 53211
    • By postage-free drop box located in the parking lot behind Village Hall
    • In person at Village Hall, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lead Awareness and Drinking Water Safety

Lead is not found in Shorewood's source water, Lake Michigan, nor is lead in our treated drinking water. 

Shorewood purchases its water from the Milwaukee Water Works which has since 1996 safely treated our water with a compound that forms a protective coating inside pipes to control lead dissolving into the water. 

Our water meets all federal guidelines for safety. However, lead can enter the water as a result of the wearing away of materials containing lead in service lines or internal plumbing. 

Properties built before 1951 were likely built with lead service lines and lead household plumbing.  For additional resources on this issue, please visit www.milwaukee.gov/water or click here to download a PDF version. 

New Shorewood Public Library Director Announced

The President of the Shorewood Public Library Board of Trustees, Mariann Maris, announced the appointment of Rachel Collins, of Milwaukee, as the new Director of the Shorewood Public Library.
 
Collins will begin the position on February 29.  She replaces Beth Carey, who retired as Shorewood library director on December 31, 2015, after many years in the post.
 
"The Library of the future must provide both destination and outreach," said Collins. "I'm excited to join the high performing Shorewood Public Library team and anticipate opportunities for building new services for the Shorewood community.  I look forward to getting to know our patrons by name and getting further acquainted with the Village."
 
Collins has been serving as a Branch Manager for the Milwaukee Public Library system since 2004. Her notable accomplishments include steering the development of a new East Branch Library by participating in design meetings, relocating the library to temporary quarters during construction, meeting with the press and various officials, planning the Opening Day Celebration, and supporting East Branch librarians in developing programs for the new library.
 
Prior to managing the East Branch, Collins managed four other MPL branches: Atkinson, Martin Luther King, Zablocki, and Villard Square.  She obtained a master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2000, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Seattle University.
 
According to Maris, "The selection of Rachel Collins as library director was a group effort.  The library staff, village officials, board members from the Friends of the Library-and of course, the Library Board members-all participated in the process."  About Collins, she added, "Rachel comes to us with breadth of experience, familiarity with the Milwaukee County Federated Library System, and a positive, energetic attitude toward the future.  She's a real breath of fresh air." 
 
The Shorewood Public Library, established in 1903 when Shorewood was known as East Milwaukee, ranks #1 in the Milwaukee County Federated Library System in per capita circulation and patron visits. Eighty-three percent of Shorewood resident have library cards, and the library served more than 16,500 patrons per month during 2015. 

Citizen Police Academy begins February 25

In order to provide the citizens of Shorewood an opportunity to learn more about their police department, the Shorewood Police Department is once again hosting a Citizens' Academy. This year's Academy begins on Thursday, February 25.
    
This popular program offers a unique, inside look at the day-to-day operations of the Shorewood Police Department. The purpose of the academy is to increase understanding between the participants and the department through education and interaction with officers. This makes people feel more comfortable and familiar with the police.
 
Some of the topics covered in the academy include: Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) laws, Traffic enforcement, Criminal law and the criminal justice system, Defensive tactics, Firearms, Domestic violence, Drugs and Crime prevention.
 
Participants also ride along with patrol officers from the Shorewood Police Department.
 
Those interested can apply online at www.villageofshorewood.org/police or complete a paper application available at the Shorewood Police Department. 

2016 Shorewood Neighborhood of the Year Competition

The Shorewood Connects Neighbors project is seeking applications for the sixth annual "Shorewood Neighborhood of the Year" competition.  Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation panel, and the winning neighborhood will be featured in the Shorewood Today magazine in addition to having an opportunity to march behind a "Neighborhood of the Year" banner at the Village's annual 4th of July parade.  Permanent street signs noting the award will be placed on the winning block.
 
Applications will be judged according to the following criteria: inclusiveness, extent of multi-generational involvement, communication and organization, and whether the block incorporates a service element.  Applications are limited to one per neighborhood--a neighborhood usually encompasses one to four blocks--and will be accepted through February 29, 2016. 
 
Applications are available on the Village website on the Shorewood Connects page.  They can be completed online and emailed to Sue Kelley at sue@suekelleyconsulting.com or can be printed and returned to Shorewood Connects c/o Shorewood Village Hall 3930 N. Murray Avenue.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Sue Kelley, Shorewood Connects Facilitator at 414.961.7262 or sue@suekelleyconsulting.com.

Estabrook Park is Turning 100 Years Old

Milwaukee County purchased the land we know as Estabrook Park from the Milwaukee Cement Company in 1916. The park became a popular spot for hiking and community picnics. 

According to an article in the Shorewood Radio (Shorewood's first newspaper): "In the summer of 1924, the annual Village picnic was held at the south end of Estabrook Park. Residents gathered at grade schools and marched to the park carrying their lunch baskets. There was a band, and games and prizes were awarded for races (married women, married men, fat ladies, potato and peanut races), ball games, a women's nail driving contest and horseshoes."

The park was named in honor of Charles Estabrook, a Milwaukee representative to the state assembly who guided legislation to create the county park commission through both houses of the state legislature.

Friends of Estabrook Park are planning a Centennial Celebration in the park on June 12, 2016. Contact Jennifer Vulpas, jcvulpas@sbcglobal.net for more information.

The Shorewood Historical Society will be collecting and publishing stories about the park throughout the coming year. Please contact us if you have a story to share at shorewoodhistory@yahoo.com or call 414.847.2726.

Tax Preparation Tools at the Village Center

As you begin to prepare your 2015 taxes, remember that Shorewood has two great, free, resources available with tools to help you. The Shorewood Public Library offers paper tax forms, both state and federal, and also has a public access computer from which you can print any forms and instructions you may need. 

The Senior Resource Center engages AARP volunteers to offer free tax preparation assistance each year. This service is free, and offered on a first come first served basis. Tax assistance from AARP volunteers begins next Thursday, February 4, and continues every Thursday through the end of March, from 1-5 p.m. Learn about these and other tax tools & resources on the Library's website.

Boutique Blowout Returns to Shorewood on February 6

Returning for its eighth year on Saturday, February 6, 2016 is the bargain hunter's paradise known as "Boutique Blowout."  
 
Many of the Milwaukee's chicest boutiques will be here to sell clothing and accessories at deeply discounted prices.  This year's event will again be held at the Atwater Cafeteria from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  
 
The $5 admission fee is donated to the Shorewood Recreation Department's "Round Up for Recreation" program, which provides financial support for anyone unable to afford the department's activity fees.
 
Attendees are advised to bring cash, as not all vendors will accept credit cards.  Entrance is at the back northwest corner of the school.  For additional information, please contact Liz LeBlanc at Liz@SHOP53211.com or 414.962.4030.
Postponing of the Student Artist-in-Residence Workshop at HarborChase Senior Living
The workshop scheduled on Saturday, January 30 from 2-4 p.m. at the HarborChase Senior Living Facility (1111 E. Capitol Drive) is cancelled and is being rescheduled for Saturday, February 13.
 
Shorewood was selected as a site for a Student Artist-in-Residence event sponsored by the Creative Trust, with HarborChase Senior Living playing host to two students, KC Rasch and Rachel Zembrowski, for the 2015-16 school year.  
 
Stay in touch with the manager's memo for when the event will be rescheduled.

Copies of Behind the Pearl Earrings Available

Copies of "Behind the Pearl Earrings," the MPTV documentary about photojournalist and Shorewood native Dickey Chapelle, are available for sale in the Historical Society's Sheldon Room (Village Center, lower level). 

Cost is $15. The Sheldon Room is open on Wednesdays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

If interested in a copy, you can either email the Historical Society at shorewoodhistory@yahoo.com or call 414.847.2726.

Get Booked at the Shorewood Library!

Last year's popular Adult Winter Reading Program is back in 2016 with the theme "Booked all Winter." Your chance to earn prizes by reading started on January 4. 

Stop by the library to pick up a bookmark. Read a book or audiobook, complete a short review on the bookmark, and turn it in to be entered to win one of several Shorewood prize packs. You can submit as many entries as you want! Throughout the winter, we will share your submitted reviews on our blog and in the library.

Bucks Reading Program is Back

Kids in grades 1 through 8 can read their way to a FREE Bucks game just by signing up at the library. Stop in between January 18 and February 19 to pick up a bookmark to track your child's reading. Turn it in once your child has read 250 pages or more to receive a voucher for a game ticket, plus reduced cost adult tickets. Overtime readers (500 pages or more) receive special recognition at the game, are entered in a Bucks prize drawing, and are entered in a prize drawing here at Shorewood, too! What a great way to reward a crucial activity. Get reading and have some fun this winter!
 

Sustainable Shorewood Tip of the Week        

February Fun for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, show your love for the earth by sending recycled-content greeting cards. Consider making new cards from scrap paper or by attaching new backs to the fronts of old cards-this can be a craft project for family and friends that helps everyone reduce paper waste while saving money! Also consider sending electronic valentines.

Health Department Highlights        

Did You Know?
On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas, which can cause illness and death. It is produced any time fossil fuel is burned such as in a car, generator or furnace. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, and can lead to mental confusion, loss of consciousness and death. It is especially important to be aware of CO during the winter months due to many deaths resulting from poorly operated home heating devices.
 
How can you prevent CO poisoning?        
  • Install a CO alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home
  • Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open
  • Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping
  • Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill and tools
For more information visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/ and http://www.cdc.gov/co/
 
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We continue to offer flu immunizations during our regular All Immunization Clinic times. Please call the North Shore Health Department for an appointment at 414.371.2980.
 
Have questions about the flu? Talk to an information specialist at Flu on Call 1.855.435.8722. This telephone helpline is available in January and February of 2016 for resident of Milwaukee County who have questions or concerns about flu.
 
Upcoming Immunization Clinics
  • No upcoming immunization clinics
Upcoming Adult Health Clinics
  • No upcoming adult health clinics
Upcoming Blood Pressure Screenings (No appointment required)
  • Wednesday, January 27 from 3:30 - 5 p.m. (Shorewood) 
Upcoming Community Events

Shorewood High School Winter Musical "American Idiot"
Thursday through Saturday, February 4-6, 2016
Shorewood High School Auditorium

Boutique Blowout
Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Atwater School in the Cafeteria

Band O Rama Concert (Shorewood Bands Grades 4-12)
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 7 p.m.
Shorewood High School Arena

Shorewood School District Art Show
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. (Opening)
Shorewood Public Library

Save the Date for the "Shorewood Schools Summit: Building Our Children's Future!"
Thursday, February 25 from 5-9 p.m.
Friday, February 26 from 5-9 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Atwater School in the Cafeteria
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