News & Notes: June 12

St. Baldrick still looking for more 'victims'

West Allis - For those who always wondered how they might look with a shaved head, here's an incentive: going bald could raise money for childhood cancer research.

West Allis Mayor Dan Devine says the upcoming St. Baldrick's Day event could still use more participants.

He said he would like the hair-razing event to be a community occasion, but so far the volunteers to get their heads shaved are mainly city officials - the mayor, Alderman Michael May and city planner Steve Schaer - who are joined by Mark Satterfield from West Park Place. Money is raised through pledges for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which gives more money in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the United States government.

Since 2000, more than 240,000 volunteers, including more than 24,000 women, have been shaved at cancer at events in dozens of countries and in every state. Thanks to donations from friends and family, the "shavees" have raised more than $146 million for lifesaving research.

The St. Baldrick's event will be at 6 p.m. June 21 at Benno's Genuine Bar and Grill in Downtown West Allis. To volunteer, call the mayor at (414) 302-8290 or search for West Allis on the foundation's website, stbaldricks.org.

Walker was choice for Greenfield and West Allis

Gov. Scott Walker took both West Allis and Greenfield on the way to his statewide win over Democratic challenger Tom Barrett in Tuesday's recall election.

In Greenfield, where the turnout was 80 percent, Walker captured 57 percent to Barrett's 43 percent. The official vote totals were 9,527 for Walker and 7,170 for Barrett.

All but three of Greenfield's 21 wards went for Walker. Barrett took Wards 3 and 4 in the northeast section of the city east of 43rd Street and Ward 17, an almost triangular-shaped ward south of Layton Avenue and between 60th Street and Loomis Road.

In West Allis, the turnout was 75.4 percent with Walker polling 54 percent to Barrett's 45 percent. With the results still unofficial as of Tuesday afternoon, the vote totals were 13,941 for Walker and 11,548 for Barrett. Those numbers do not include absentee or provisional ballots.

Unique opportunity to say, 'That's my band'

West Allis - "Hats Off to You, the Red, White, and Blue" is the theme of this year's Independence Day Celebration in West Allis, and the West Allis Community Celebrations Committee is still looking for citizen and business monetary support to make it better than ever.

So, it is offering a unique opportunity to sponsor a marching band. This can be done as a group or a single donation. The cost depends on the band chosen and ranges from $550 to $2,500.

The bands that will be in the Fourth of July parade this year are the Daley Debutantes Baton & Drum Corps with a sponsorship amount of $550; the Brookfield Civic Band, $600; the Tripoli Shrine Band, $625; the Milwaukee Scottish Pipe Band, $800; the Midwest Drum & Bugle Corps, $800; the West Allis Lancer Band, $900; the Whitnall High School Band, $1,100; the Greenfield High School Band, $1,200; the University of Wisconsin-Madison marching band, $2,500; the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, $2,500; and the Milwaukee Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, $2,500.

Band donors will be recognized with a large sponsor banner, donations of $500 or more will be publicized on the City Hall electronic board, and all contributors will be recognized in the Breakfast of Champions program.

Checks should be made payable to the West Allis July 4th Celebration and mailed to City Hall, 7525 W. Greenfield Avenue, West Allis WI 53214. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information, call the City Celebrations Committee at (414) 302-8300. For parade information, contact parade coordinator Kurt Wachholz or 4th of July Coordinator Shelly Strasser of the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation Department at (414) 604-4900.

Library offers chance to groups to show their stuff

Greenfield - The Greenfield Public Library is inviting local nonprofit civic and cultural groups and clubs interested in using the library's display case to send in applications.

The groups will be welcome to display their artwork, and other small items or information about their group, in the main lobby of the library, 5310 W. Layton Ave. For more information, contact Michelle (414) 321-9595, Ext.101 or email tomichelles@greenfieldwi.us.

Local company sponsors computer engineering class

West Allis - West Allis Project Lead the Way Computer Integrated class will be entirely funded by Joy Global's P&H Mining Equipment with headquarters at 4400 W. National Ave., West Milwaukee.

Joy Global manufactures mining equipment and offers mining services.

Project Lead the Way is a rigorous curriculum to improve engineering skills of students nationwide.

Lions and lunchers improve girl's education

West Allis - Those who buy their lunch at the West Allis Central Lions Club hamburger, hot dog and brat stand at Pick 'n Save on 76th Street and Cold Spring Road not only had a nice lunch, but they helped buy an iPad for a little girl who has trouble seeing.

The Lions this week presented an $800 check to the parents and teacher of a 6-year-old student at Irving Elementary School, 12705 W. Euclid Ave. The iPad will help the youngster greatly in her education, said Lions Club president Ronald Morrison.

The Lions are deeply concerned with helping those who are blind or disabled. Additional proceeds from this year's hot dog/hamburger stand proceeds have already provided a hearing aid for an elderly person, eyeglasses for four people who could not afford them and a $1,000 donation to the local battered women's shelter My Home, Your Home, he said.

The Lions stand will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 23 and 24. (The Lions alternate with other groups such as the Boy Scouts, who also sell food at their stands at the grocery store.)

Committee to study sprinklers, development link

West Allis - The West Allis Safety and Development Committee will soon review whether the city's strict sprinkler codes harm chances for redevelopment.

City sprinkler requirements are greater than state codes in some ways, so the committee will review whether the stricter codes are needed and if they affect development.

But committee chairman Alderman Tom Lesjic assured that any changes would need Fire Department approval and that changes would not be made hastily.

For example he said, the city's rigorous sprinkler requirements for central business district buildings that are close together would be extremely unlikely to change.

"Our Fire Department is very cautious," he said.