Martin Drive Sizzling Summer Blast - Huge Success

You Martin Drive Neighbors are Awesome!

Thanks for coming to party together, it was a blast. Thanks to the band, the "Garden People", the committee, the "Bench People", those who donated toys, the "Potluckers", the set-up and break-down crew, the face painters, the chalkers, the talkers, the laid backers, Chef Rick and the partyers, and anyone we missed.

Special thanks to Alderman Murphy, David Weber, Milwaukee Public Theater and Truck 9 of MFD. WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!

We had lots of food and much fun. The kids enjoyed the party and so did the adults.


Next, card party in August. Let me know who's "game". Stay tuned, make suggestions and pass the word.

April 2008 News

Martin Drive E-News
April 2008

Vote on April 1
Exercise your civic rights and vote on Tuesday, April 1st. Our polling location is the MPS Administration Building at 5225 W. Vliet Street.

Let’s Walk
Regular walking offers health and fitness benefits. Would anyone consider heading up a walking club? This might be a regular weekly scheduled walking group, which might include a walk with the police department and Alderman on a monthly basis? Any one up for this?

Community Improvement Clinic
The March 8th clinic at Washington Park was filled with information to make Martin Drive Urban Life safer. It was a very informative agenda. Appearances were made by Mayor Tom Barrett, Alderman Michael Murphy and Captain Harpole and other enlightening speakers.

Captain James Harpole Mayor Tom Barret Alerman Michael Murphy

Shooting in Martin Drive Neighborhood?
If you noticed 45th Street closed and police cars blocking the way on Monday, the 24th, you may have heard that there was a shooting in the neighborhood. After follow up with the police department, it appears that there was not a shooting in the neighborhood. It seems that a person who lived in Waukesha was shot at some other location and dropped here. Let this serve as a reminder to all to be careful, be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activities to the police.
911 calls are reserved for emergencies.
933-4444 is for non-emergencies
935-7231 will reach Sector Commander, Lieutenant Donald Baral or e-mail dbaral@milwaukee.gov

Martin Drive Clean Sweep – Green Sweep, Curb Appeal Contest
Details are still being finalized, still I want to announce the contest, which will focus on three blocks in the neighborhood and is designed to enhance the curb appeal and overall appearance of those blocks and our neighborhood. There will be funds available to rebate about 15 landscape projects, 6 porch renovations and help painting three porches. Your sweat equity, upkeep and maintenance will be matched with rebates and volunteers to make your curb appeal dreams come true. Stay tuned for all the details by coming to the next monthly meeting on April 14th at 6:30 pm at 1219 N. 45th Street.

Don’t Miss the Westside Spring Artwalk!
Friday, April 25 from 5 to 9pm
Saturday April 26 from 10am to 4pm
Discover the Westside’s thriving Art Scene! Visit Vliet Street from 60th to 43rd and the Village of Wauwatosa. Explore art galleries, restaurants and shops abundant with art and special entertainment during our 2-day event. Over 35 locations featuring art including Milwaukee’s thrice-voted best art gallery by Shepherd Express Readers, which just happens to be in Washington Heights. You will be surprised what the Westside has to offer.

Reminder to Return Garbage Containers to Your Property
City ordinances require each property owner to return the garbage and recycling carts to their yard within 24 hours of pick up. In addition, doing so makes the neighborhood look so much nicer. It’s been a rough winter and we have been patient with those who have not followed the ordinance. Please get back in the habit of returning the carts to your back yard. We all thank you for making the neighborhood look better.

Mandi Awards -- Martin Drive Joins the Winners Circle
On March 13th, Local Initiatives Support Corp. announced the winners of the annual Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs). The awards honor non-profit community groups and their partners involved in revitalizing Milwaukee neighborhoods. As part of the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative and through our grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, we were selected winners of the Vision Award. This is a HUGE award and a HUGE honor.
Vision Award: Greater Milwaukee Foundation, for the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative, which is a collaboration to focus efforts on providing neighborhoods with the tools they need to stabilize their housing markets and engage residents in the implementation of effective self-management strategies.

Are You Having Trouble Paying Your Mortgage?
This link will provide you with a number of resources that might help your situation. http://www.uedawi.org/images/downloads/2008/Flyer_Fore%20&%20PL%20Resources%20Metro%20Milw.pdf Just copy and paste it into your address box.

Minor Home Repair Rebate
It is that time of year again for home improvements and if you are interested in the Minor Home Repair and or Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) services provided by West End Development Corporation, contact Tamara Harris at (414) 933-2080.

April
Earth Day at Washington Park
On Earth Day, Saturday, April 19th, the restoration and cleaning of the Washington Park lagoon will begin. By Earth Day, an area of the lagoon shore will be excavated preparing it for volunteers to lay coconut logs. These logs will be covered with dirt and then planted so as to look natural and will stop erosion of the shoreline. Volunteers are needed to do a general park clean up. We are looking for volunteers from the neighborhood to help and organize and round up kids and adults from the neighborhood to be part of the project.

May
Compost Bins and Rain Barrels
Recycling kitchen and yard waste in a compost bin creates a rich amendment that improves your soil, builds organic matter and saves landfill space and reduces methane emission.

A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from your rooftop, which can later be used to water your lawn or garden or wash your car. This keeps excess water out of our sewer systems. Rainwater is far better for plants than chlorinated tap water.

Wonderful, sturdy and reasonably priced rain barrels and compost bins are available through Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful. Compost bins cost $45 and includes The Composting Cookbook, a $6.95 value. Similar compost bins retail at $90 and up. 55-Gallon rain barrels cost $50 each and are mosquito-proof and child safe and are built to last.

In addition, at our Annual Meeting, Monday May 12th we are going green. We are accepting pre-order for rain barrels and compost bins and they will be delivered to our neighborhood if we can get an order for 20 each. Put your name on the list by calling or e-mailing Pat at 933-4489 or pmueller17@wi.rr.com

Summer Community Building Project Under Consideration
Mosaic Art Project Involving Neighborhood kids and residents
Planter adoption of planters on Vliet Street
Martin Drive Clean Sweep – Green Sweep

Neighborhood Directory of Contractors
As part of our newsletter or as a separate directory, we are looking for names and numbers of any licensed and insured skilled persons offering home repair or other services that our residents might be interested in. Please call Pat at 933-5589 or e-mail your information to pmueller17@wi.rr.com so that we might be able to put a directory together.

Harley’s 105 Year Anniversary
Once again, Harley will celebrate their anniversary. This year they are celebrating their 105th anniversary over the Labor Day Weekend.


Martin Drive Neighborhood on an upward curve.

January Nieghborhood E-news

Martin Drive E-News
January, 2008
In this edition:
Thank-You’s
Three Ways to Beat Winter Blahs or Cabin Fever
1. Wed. Jan. 23 is Game Night at Deja Vu
2. Scrabble Anyone?
3. Whistling In The Dark Author Returns to Vliet Street
Michael Murpy Milwaukee’s Best Alderman
Urban Ecology Center Wish List
Winter Garbage Removal
Christmas Tree Disposal
Martin Drive Blog

Thank You’s
Thank you to the individuals who put up the festive holiday bows on every street in our neighborhood. Some of you performed this task in the bitter cold. We did appreciate it and it sets our neighborhood apart. Thanks also to the carolers who were met with surprise as they spread holiday cheer thru our neighborhood, especially Katie H who organized and Jerry W. who held the tune and light the way with his lantern. It was a fun event.

Three Cures for Winter Blahs
1. Wednesday is Game Night at Déjà vu Consignments
Winter getting to you? No matter what the weather, you can walk up to Déjà vu on a Wednesday night and play Board Games, a sure cure for winter boredom and cabin fever. Stop in on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd and play. On the menu, Déjà vu’s own Mulled Cider, Original Recipe Chex Mix and Cheese Fondue to finish off that totally 70’s experience! The fondue pot and cider will be hot by 6 pm. Come by yourself or bring a partner. If you have a game you would like to play, bring it along. What could be more fun?

Games available for play:
ScrabbleScruplesPokenoPictionary


2. Scrabble Anyone?
We have a neighbor, Mary, who loves to play Scrabble and is looking a like-minded Scrabble enthusiast to meet for a round or two of Scrabble, possibly at the Highland Park Pies or at Perpendicular. Sound like fun? If interested, contact Mary at 526-2742.

3. Whistling in the Dark – A Novel about two girls growing up on Vliet Street
Here is a sure way to beat the winter blahs. Go buy or borrow "Whistling in the Dark", read it and join us for a discussion of the book with many local references to our neighborhood and interesting commentaries about life in Mid-century Milwaukee.

This novel is the story of two sisters growing up on Vliet Street in the summer of 1959. The book has many references to Washington Park and local places and involves an intriguing mystery plot, loss of innocence as told through the eyes of imaginative, ten year old sister, Sally O’Malley. This book is Milwaukee. Samson the Gorilla and the Milwaukee Braves are in the story line. While the book has smatterings of biographical truths and characters and is a collection Lesley Kagen’s memories of childhood, growing up near the historic Hi-Mount Boulevard District west of Washington Park the mystery plot is fictional. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet and chat with Lesley, one of our own, when she returns to Vliet Street.

Wednesday, January 30th at 6:30 pm at Perpendicular Wine Bar Gallery, 5000 W. Vliet St.

Reserve your space by calling - Perpendicular Wine Bar Gallery - 456-1660

Books can be purchased at Rainbow Booksellers - 5704 W. Vliet Street
Open Wednesday evenings and Saturdays

Michael Murphy – Voted Best Alderman by Shepherd Express readers voted Michael Murphy best Alderman in Milwaukee. “Murphy is a clear common-sense voice on the Milwaukee Common Council, a representative who cares about a deal's details and doesn't forget about the little guy. He asks sharp questions in meetings, often getting others to reveal what they did not intend to talk about. And he has helped to establish the city's Housing Trust Fund, which will help residents find and secure affordable housing. In his low-key, no-nonsense way, Murphy doesn't seem to pursue an agenda beyond doing what's right for the city.”

Washington Park Urban Ecology Center Wish List
Volunteers are invited to help act as extra ears and eyes after school at the center when kids are hanging loose. If you have some extra afternoon time, call Joey at 344-5460 to help. The center is looking for donations of bird feeders, bird seed, clipboards, crayons and markers, a dehumidifier, film canisters, fishing nets and poles, flat bed sheets, kites, kids books, lined paper notebooks, a love seat, microscopes, musical instruments, pens and pencils, storage bins, sleds, snowshoes and stopwatches.


Winter Garbage Removal
There will be no garbage pick-up on New Years Day, Jan. 1 or Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 15. During the winter months, we are not required to take our carts to the curb. We are required to return the carts from the sidewalk within 24 hours. There are fines for non-compliance.

The city does assist elderly and disabled persons to have sanitation crews pull garbage carts to the curb. For information on these services, call the DPW Call Center, 286-8282.

Holiday Tree Disposal
Trees can be placed on the curb and will be collected by the City of Milwaukee crews. As a greener alternative, trees can also be taken to the Self-Help Centers at 3879 W. Lincoln or 6660 N. Industrial Road. Trees dropped at those locations will be ground into mulch or composted for use by city forestry crews.


Martin Drive Neighborhood Blog
A blog is a web log or a website where entries are written in chronological order and commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

With that said, the Martin Drive Neighborhood Blog is informative and it is a chronicle of what is happening in the neighborhood. There are two ways to access the blog. Visit the Martin Drive Neighborhood Website: www.martindrive.org or go directly to the blog: http://martindrive.blogspot.com/

November Neighborhood Meeting Held at Senior Center

November Meeting Well Attended with Many Guests & Much Information Shared

November 12th was the first quarterly meeting to be held at the Washington Park Senior Center. The additional space offered room for more neighbors to attend and attendance of about 40+ was good for our first meeting. The Steering Committee noted a few changes for the room set up to make it more comfortable for future meetings.

We had a number of important guests at the meeting including Alderman Michael Murphy, Chairman of the MPS School Board, Peter Blewett and Chairman of the County Board and our Supervisor, Lee Hollaway. Budget issues and reasoning behind certain decisions were discussed by all three guests. A complete review of the meeting can be read in the Minutes which are found on our website, www.martindrive.org.

Another highlight of the meeting included an opportunity for everyone to pick up the 110 Halloween photos that had been printed and framed and donated by a generous neighbor who wants to remain anonomous.

Maggie Blaha, the Martin Drive Agenda Setter always ends the meeting with the question, “What is the best part of living in the MDN?” Responses included, quality neighbors, near great park. One neighbor said he liked that it was a neighborhood where people really came together and watched out for the neighborhood.