Things to Do

Student art exhibited at spring open house

West Milwaukee - A spring open house featuring art by kindergartners at Pershing Elementary School in West Allis and by West Allis Recreation Department art students will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 10 at the West Milwaukee Community Center, 1345 S. 47th St.

Among the exhibits, displayed in the lower level, will be the results of a life-size portrait project. Tours of the Donna Lexa Art Studio and the kindergarten classroom will be given and visitors can meet the artists.

Light refreshments will be served.

Bands top off season with 'Sounds of Spring'

West Allis - The Suburban Concert Band and Suburban Jazz Band will present their 29th season finale concert, "Sounds of Spring," at 7:30 p.m. May 11 in the Nathan Hale High School auditorium, 11601 W. Lincoln Ave.

The concert band's performance will include selections from "The Sound of Music," George Gershwin's "An American in Paris," and John Philip Sousa's "El Capitan."

The Suburban Jazz Band will perform jazz and big band pieces, including Frank Sinatra's "All The Way," "Blue Moon," and Chicago's "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"

Admission is free, but donations to the band are encouraged and will be accepted at the door.

The Suburban Concert Band and Suburban Jazz Band are composed of professional and amateur musicians (ages 17-85) from throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

Figure skating show coming to Pettit Ice Center

West Allis - The Wisconsin Figure Skating Club will showcase a variety of skaters from national competitors to beginners, with favorite songs for all ages, in performances at 7 p.m. May 11 and 12 and at 2 p.m. May 12 and 13 at the Pettit National Ice Center, 500 S. 84th St.

Admission is $10 general, $5 for ages 5 to 10, and free to age 4 and younger.

West Allis Library hosts book sale

West Allis - The next monthly book sale of the Friends of the West Allis Public Library will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 12 at the library, 7421 W. National Ave.

The monthly sales offer a broad array of books -including children's books, mysteries, romance, cooking, science fiction, nonfiction, large print books and Westerns - plus records, magazines, CDs, VHS tapes, audio books, cassettes, software, games and puzzles.

Proceeds support the summer reading program and other programming throughout the year and to buy additional resources and equipment for the library.

The Friends encourage donations by bringing materials to the library anytime it's open, although magazines should be brought only on the day of the sales.

Sale dates for the rest of the year are June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

Preventing falls is topic of health series

Greenfield - There's one more session in the How to Prevent Falls spring health education series sponsored by the Greenfield Health Department, in partnership with South Pointe Healthcare Center and Aurora Healthcare.

On May 15, "It's a Balancing Act" will feature an Aurora pharmacist who will discuss how medicines can affect physical activity and balance. The program will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Greenfield Public Library, Community Room, 5310 W. Layton Ave.

Seating is limited, so register with the Greenfield Health Department at (414) 329-5275 (press zero) or e-mail atHealthQuest@greenfieldwi.us.

Third Thursday Art Crawl coming to downtown

West Allis - On May 17, downtown West Allis businesses will open their doors for the Third Thursday Art Crawls featuring local artists and musicians showcasing their work from 5 to 9 p.m. on Greenfield Avenue between 70th and 76th Streets.

Artists will sell their work, too. There are still openings for artists and street musicians to be a part of the event.

For information, visitdowntownwestallis.com or contact Emily at (414) 774-2676.

Fire Department holds open house

West Allis - The West Allis Fire Department will hold its annual open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19 at Fire Station No. 2, 2040 S. 67th Place.

The day includes many events and displays.

Church to hold 85th anniversary dinner

West Milwaukee - St. John's Lutheran Church in West Milwaukee will celebrate its 85th anniversary with a dinner at Meyer's Restaurant, 4260 S. 76th St., at 4 p.m. May 19.

A special service will be held at the church, 5500 W. Greenfield Ave., at 9 a.m. the following day. For dinner ticket information, call the church office, (414) 384-9200.

Master Gardeners plan perennial plant sale

West Allis - The Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardener 17th annual Perennial Plant Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 19 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, 84th Street and Greenfield Avenue.

The sale will be held rain or shine. A wide variety of hardy perennial plants for sun or shade gardens will be available, most priced from $2 to $5.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to give advice on choosing the right plants for the right spot and help people maximize their gardening space with simple and creative ideas.

Information on invasive plants, composting, rain gardens, updated lawn care suggestions and other garden topics will also be available.

Parking and admission will be free. Visitors should enter through gate 1 or through gates on 84th Street.

For information, call the Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension office at (414) 256-4600.

Plant sale returning for 17th year to fair

West Allis - The 17th Perennial Plant Sale, featuring thousands perennials, will again be held at the State Fair Park on May 19.

The sale begins at 8 a.m. near the DNR area of the park. Plants are locally grown by master gardeners in southeast Wisconsin. Plants are priced from $2 to $5, with some special plants at a higher cost.

Master gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer plant questions and give advice on lawns, insect control, vegetable gardening and other topics including rain gardens and rain barrels.

Church serving free breakfasts

Greenfield - As a community outreach, the congregation of Christ United Methodist Church, 5200 S. 48th St., serves a Free Community Breakfast on the third Sunday of each month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

The breakfast dates for the next three months are May 20, June 17 and July 15.

Cupcakes for a Cause to bring competitive baking

West Allis - Cupcake lovers can bring their buds to the first Cupcakes for a Cause-West Allis cupcake tasting benefit for the Veterans Employment Alliance.

Local bakers will create 12 dozen mini-cupcakes for tasters to try and then vote for their favorite.

The event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. May 27 at the Landmark of West Allis Senior Apartments, 1441 S.68th Street. Admission is $7.

Cupcakes for a Cause-West Allis also is looking for sponsors for the first season of events. For more information, visitcupcakes4acausewa.webs.com or contact Emily Eineichner atcupcakes4acausewa@att.net.

Memorial Day to be observed with parade, service

West Allis - Once again, Memorial Day will be commemorated in West Allis with a parade at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

The May 28 parade will start at 70th Street and Greenfield Avenue, proceeding west to 75th Street, south to National Avenue, and east to Veterans' Memorial Park at 70th Street. The memorial service will be held at the park.

World War II or Korean War veterans wanting to participate in the parade should contact Alderman Dan Roadt, (414) 321-7264.

Tot, toddler times offered at library

West Allis - Registrations are being accepted for May preschool and toddler story times at the West Allis Public Library.

Half-hour Toddler and Me Story Time for 2-year-olds, accompanied by a caretaker, will be held at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays through May 30. The last 10 minutes of each program will be playtime.

Forty-five minute Afternoon Story Times for children ages 3 to 5 will be at 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, through May 29. Story times will include a craft activity. The adult who brings the child must stay in the library during the session.

Pre-School Story Time for ages 4 to 6 who are not enrolled in kindergarten will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through May 29. Sessions will include a craft activity. The adult who brings the child must stay in the library during the session.

The preschool and story times will be free to Milwaukee County residents. Registrations are being accepted in person at the library, 7421 W. National Ave., and at (414) 302-8502.

West Allis Ala Carte coming back in June

West Allis - West Allis Ala Carte 2012 has been set for noon to 6 p.m. June 3 with live music and entertainment, food, games, bingo and more than 150 vendors, all on Greenfield Avenue between 70th and 76th streets.

Admission and parking will be free. The event is sponsored by the Downtown West Allis Business Improvement District.

Volunteers and vendors needed for Ala Carte

West Allis - Volunteers and vendors are being sought for the fifth annual West Allis Ala Carte, set for noon to 6 p.m. June 3.

Greenfield Avenue between 70th and 76th streets and all adjacent side streets will be closed to traffic to provide the space for the many activities.

Last year's event brought more than 6,000 visitors to the downtown area. This year, organizers hope to increase the number of vendors, entertainers and activities for all ages.

West Allis Ala Carte is sponsored by the Downtown West Allis Business Improvement District, the city of West Allis and the West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.

More information is available from Emily Eineichner at (414) 774-2676 or emailpromotions@downtownwestallis.org.

Tuesdays Music in the Park returns for summer

West Allis - The Community Alliance Against Drugs, in cooperation with the West Allis police, will once again sponsor Tuesdays Music in the Park, set for June 12 and 26, July 10 and Aug. 7 and 21.

The free events will be held at the West Allis police satellite station, 6900 W. National Ave., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Pizza and soda will be available for a small fee.

More information is available at (414) 302-8050.

Sessions offered for those with chronic conditions

West Allis - The West Allis Health Department and the West Allis Senior Center will offer a six-week workshop, "Living Well with Chronic Conditions."

The free workshop will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 19 to July 24 at the center, 7001 W. National Ave.

Among the workshop goals will be helping people get support, find ways to deal with pain and fatigue, making better nutrition and exercise choices, understanding new treatment choices and learning how to communicate better with doctors and family.

Anyone with a chronic condition can register at (414) 302-8700.

Flower-lovers unite in garden committee

West Allis - The West Allis Community Garden Committee would welcome volunteers especially during planting season.

The committee creates and tends school and community gardens in West Allis and West Milwaukee. It meets the first Tuesdays of the month from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the West Allis Public Library, 7421 W. National Ave.

More information is available at (414) 870-0554.

Children's immunizations given in evening clinics

West Allis - The West Allis Health Department is scheduling appointments for evening children's immunization clinics.

The clinics are from 4 to 7 p.m. on the second Mondays of the month and the fourth Tuesdays of the month at the department, 7120 W. National Ave. Appointments can be made by calling the department at (414) 302-8600. Childhood immunizations at the Health Department are free.

The department also offers daytime immunization clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursdays.

Church feeds hungry with free breakfasts

West Milwaukee - St. John's Lutheran Church, 5500 W Greenfield Ave. , West Milwaukee, has free breakfasts from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursdays.

Everyone is welcome.