SIGN OF THE TIMES – Milwaukee institution Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops has announced they will close their four remaining shops in March after 82 years in business. The good news is that the Downer Avenue store will reopen as Boswell Book Company in April, owned and operated by Daniel Goldin Schwartz’s general manager.

FOR THE BIRDS – You can learn how to make your yard more bird-friendly at this free talk offered by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee at the Urban Ecology Center, Thu, Feb 26 at 7 pm.

MURAL ORDINANCE OFF THE TABLE – Ald. Tony Zielinski introduced an ordinance to regulate public murals in Milwaukee, including an up-front fee. Most recently he has removed the proposal from consideration. Riverwest’s Sura Faraj, who spearheaded last fall’s Art in the Alleys project, was instrumental in stopping the ordinance.

GREEN DIAPER BABY – Riverwest welcomes its newest member of the Green Party. Bradley Stephen Page was born on January 15 to longtime activist Ruth Weil and partner Robert (Bobbie) Page.

FAREWELL IRENE – Lifelong Riverwest resident, Irene Wergin, who appeared in the Neighbor Spotlight last September, passed away on January 16 at the age of 93.

WE MISS YOU – Zebedee Le Tendre, valued community member and former proprietor of Mia Putia (corner of Bremen and Center), passed away on Wed. Dec. 3, 2008. He was born Jan. 1, 1978, and grew up near Waupaca, a small town in the middle of the state. He was devoted to his sister, Mia, and his nephew, Siris. His cousin, Andy Noble, of the Super Noble Brothers and Lotus Land Records, remembers that Zeb helped out members of the local film community, including Frankie Latina. “Zeb thought of himself as 100% Sicilian,” Andy noted, “even though he was only 25% (just like my brothers and me).” He summed up how many people felt about Zeb, “He was an amazingly supportive and nice kid.”

I AM THE DREAM – Sixth District Alderwoman Milele Coggs launched the first annual I AM THE DREAM Scholarship Contest on Jan 19 to honor and recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s contributions in strengthening civil rights for all people. Students may submit an essay explaining “How I plan to keep the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Alive.” Entrants must be: • High school seniors with a 2.8 or higher grade point average • Resident of the 6th Aldermanic District • Accepted to a two- or four-year college or university (verification will be required) • Submit a completed application, available at city.milwaukee.gov/district6 Deadline is April 15. For info contact: Akuwa Dantzler 414.286.8640.

FREE TAX HELP – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, a Capuchin parish, will be offering free tax preparation service this tax season. Trained volunteers will assist those who are unable to afford tax consulting. There are no fees and everyone is welcome, particularly senior citizens and those with low income. Tax assistance begins January 26 and runs through April 15 at the parish, 1927 N. 4th St (enter via the rear entrance on the 5th St. side). Hours: Mondays 3- 9 PM, Saturdays 9 AM-3PM. Tax forms are submitted electronically to the IRS. Bring a picture ID and Social Security card for each individual named on the return. Funding of the program is through grants from Potawatomi and the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph. For info: 414.374.5750.

GARBAGE SECRETS REVEALED – According to a recent notice from the DPW, here are some things to remember about winter garbage pick-up: - If you receive curbside pick-up, you do not have to pull your carts down to the curb during winter months (Dec 1 to March 31). However, you must clear a path for the sanitation worker to retrieve the carts, and a path must be cleared between the sidewalk and the curb (the carriage walk) so the sanitation worker does not have to lift the cart over a snow pile to get it into the street and to the truck. - If you have overflow recycling/garbage that will not fit in your carts, you can place the extra bags next to the bins, and the crew should collect them. - There is no set monthly recycling schedule - if your garbage is picked up on the first Monday of a given month, it will not necessarily be picked up the first Monday of the next month. It will be picked up anywhere from 28-38 days from the last time it was picked up. - Bad weather may affect the collection schedule. The same crews that collect garbage and recycling work on snow removal, so there are periods of moderate to heavy snow when collection may be delayed for several days. Usually, if it snows during the week, sanitation crews collect garbage/recycling on Saturdays to help make up for lost time. Call 414.286.8282 with questions.

RNA Notes by Janice Christensen, Secretary

The Riverwest Neighborhood Association held its regular monthy meeting on Tues, Jan 13, at 7 pm in the board room of Gordon Park Pavilion. Chair Howard Leu thanked all who attended on such a cold night. The meeting started with announcements. Kris Peterka, representing the Riverwest Health Initiative, announced that a non profit organization called In Health is offering a program about depression. Kris sent around a sign-in sheet for people interested in participating in a training program. Kris will invite someone from the group to come and talk to RNA. There was discussion about planning a special informational meeting to gather information about the Milwaukee River Work Group and its relationship to the RNA. Lisa is interested in finding out more about the Bay View Ecovillage. She plans to attend one of the group’s gatherings. Wendy announced the start up of a book club to discuss the book, “Where There Is No Doctor.” The group will meet the second and fourth Thursdays of month at CCC. A Garden Park Meeting is planned for 4:30 Saturday at CCC. Vince invited anyone to participate in Riverwest Follies at St. Mary’s Colonial Hall, March 7. Community Building Activity: Triads with four minute biographies. The group split up into groups of three and practiced active listening and speaking their “four minute biographies.” Then they rejoined the group and each person told one thing they had learned about each of the other people in their groups. Jeff Jordon, Chair of 3DNA, gave a presentation about the Third District Neighborhood Association. He invited RNA to choose two representatives to attend the monthly meetings, held the first Monday of the month at the Urban Ecology Center. The goal of the group is to gather neighborhood groups to address district-wide issues. Eric Griswold asked that the RNA consider supporting the Riverwest Mardi Gras P arade. He presented a budget of $125. Vince moved that we spend $125.30 for the Mardi Gras parade. Kurt seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. There was a discussion of RNA mail. The group is investigating how to make the list serve a better tool for communicating. The Guardians of Green Space is planning to meet to establish a regular meeting date. The Linear Park plan is with the city - they are awaiting feedback. The Development Committee hopes to create a better relationship with DCD so we know what’s coming up before it’s a done deal. They will be keeping an eye on certain sites: Tracks, Garden Park, Heineman’s, property south of Gordon Park. Wendy requested that they add the Clarke Foods lot to the list. The group is also working on ideas for developing Center Street BID district. Vince pointed out that there has been a request for a liquor license at 815 E Locust – the Riverwest Commons site. He asked that the development committee to look into it. The Safety Committee reported that District 5 has reported a rash of break ins. They are trying to enforce snow shoveling. The next general meeting of the RNA will be Tuesday, Feb 10 at the Gordon Park Pavilion. Please send requests for agenda items to Howard Leu at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it