Do you Sew?
Hearts in Unity is seeking additional volunteers to help sew simple fabric school bags for the children of Tanzania, Africa.
Having a backpack is a luxury for many school children in Tanzania. Some will use a tattered plastic bag -- most have nothing in which to carry a pencil and a small notebook for homework.
Are you better off now than your were 3 years ago? 10 Reasons to Vote on April 6th!
The Vanguard is a blog hosted by the Journal Sentinel and normally is written by Jefferson Davis.
Jefferson invites guest bloggers to the Vanguard.
Opening Day for HAWS and the Waukesha County Museum
HAWS and the Waukesha County Museum proudly present The Nature of Dogs, opening this Saturday, April 10, with a special party from Noon to 2:00p.m.!
The Nature of Dogs, on exhibit from April 10 - June 12 at 101 W. Main St., Waukesha, features the fine art photography of Mary Ludington. Notes HAWS Executive Director Lynn Olenik: “Ms. Ludington’s works showcase many of our favorite canine breeds and embraces their spirit and heart. This show is a must-see for any dog lover.”
As the first stop on the exhibit’s tour, HAWS and the Museum are marking the 9-week run with special event nights, seminars and fun activities for all ages.
This Saturday, April 10, is “Opening Day” at the Museum! Join our special guest Marilynn Mee from 96.5 WKLH at the official kick-off party for the exhibit from Noon – 2:00 p.m. Giveaways include free admission to the Museum and HAWS bracelets to the first 96 people, and doggie bags for their pets – yes, pets are welcome! Stop in to meet HAWS adoptable animals through our Mobile Adoption Center. Popcorn and hotdogs will be served to complete the “tail”-gate.
Then: mark your calendar for Rescue Night at the Museum, April 23rd, 5-8pm. This exciting event will feature a meet-and-greet with local breed rescue groups and their representatives – both human and canine. Making a very special appearance that evening will be The Nature of Dogs photographer herself, Mary Ludington!
See all The Nature of Dogs info at www.hawspets.org or www.waukeshacountymuseum.org. Don't miss a minute of the dog-gone fun!
By the way - our 27th Annual Pet Walkathon is coming on May 1st - raise funds for HAWS on foot or online! Learn more at our official Walkathon webpage.
The Blind Side --- Alternate NCAA Ending
***Spoiler Alert*** This blog entry reveals the plot ending of the movie in case you haven’t already seen it or figured out how it ends by all the college and NFL human interest stories of last year. I am just warning you.
“The Blind Side” is a good movie, about a great story, with a happy ending for a sweet young man who was given a chance. The leading actress received an Academy Award.
Play Bean Bag Toss aka Cornhole for Charity
Raise funds for the Wisconsin Humane Society by playing Cornhole at the Pettit National Ice Center’s Brew City Bags Bash Tournament on Sunday, April 18, 2010 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event will be Milwaukee’s first ACO-sanctioned Cornhole Tournament and the World’s Largest Indoor Cornhole Tournament. Teams of four can register at thepettit.com.
Craft Beer Conference
This past weekend the World Beer Cup was held in Chicago in conjunction with the 2010 craft brewers conference. There were some winners here from the state in different categories. They judged beer styles by 90 different style basis. The winners will get the title for two years since the next World Beer Cup is not scheduled until 2012.
The 1st question of my article today is to see how many of you would have guessed 90 as the number of styles to be judged? The number of new beers and new breweries continue to multiply. The brewers association in their state of the industry report state that craft beers are up 7% for 2009 vs. 2008. In a very tough economy that number is surprising considering the overall beer industry was down for 2009.
Destination Imagination Team Success
We are proud of our three Destination Imagination teams who recently competed in a regional meet.
Picking Up Where I Left Off
Time flies when you're having fun! And, for me, time has flown. Since my last post several exciting things happened that have taken my time away from blogging.
The most recent was a trip to Phoenix for a short visit with some old friends. We had a wonderful time together and managed to see a couple of our grand kids as well.
Sandy's Stories - "Streak"
Today's story from Sandy illustrates the importance of taking in animals with less than perfect health. HAWS' Foster Caregivers program gives pet lovers the opportunity to make a difference for the short term. Want to help? Contact us at office@hawspets.org for details!
Sometimes animals come into your life expectedly. Some stay for a short time and leave a lasting impression. That was the case with little Streak.
The veterinarian I worked for called and said that a client had found a Lab puppy in their driveway and they were just leaving for a vacation. They called the local animal shelter to put in a "found" report and asked if our office would foster him until they returned.
It did not take much persuading for us to foster him.
At the time, we had 4 dogs and cats - and all got along great with the newcomer. We named him "Streak" because he had a lightning bolt white streak on his chest. He was adorable and a very smart pup, quickly learning to do his duty outside, and basic commands sit, stay and down.
He spent most of his time in our kitchen, and we quickly observed a very disturbing situation. Streak would not leave the water dish alone and would drink until it was empty. He did this even before he would eat his food. While he became house trained within one week, his drinking was getting worse and worse and we knew something was not right. Our vet diagnosed him with diabetes. We tried all known treatment for two months and nothing seemed to help.
During this time, he was becoming a member of our family, and, yes, we were going to adopt him. When he went outside with the rest of the dogs, he had a ball. He loved running under the big dogs and sharing their toys.
As time went on, Streak's condition got worse and our vet said that there wasn't anything left to try. We had a difficult decision to make! We could see him failing each day and finally we decided to give him a well deserved rest.
Yes, our hearts were broken and he left an empty spot never to be filled. It was very difficult to have him and then lose him. We had him for such a short time, but we knew he loved the time he spent with us and that he knew we were trying to help him. I wish that love could heal all of them! It doesn't, but we will never stop trying because there will be times when love can do it all and we only hope that the next one that comes to us can be that special one.
Please never be afraid to try to help such an animal: even if they don't make it, you make a huge difference in their lives and nothing can be more satisfying.
By the way - April and May are great months for activities at HAWS! Our Annual Walkathon is on May 1st, The Nature of Dogs exhibit and special events are on-going...and we've got lots of ways for you and your pet to participate and learn. Join us!
Stalled Falls hotel project resuming work with $17.7 millon village loan
A long-stalled hotel development plan in Menomonee Falls will resume construction work within a few weeks, thanks to a $17.7 million loan from the village.
The Village Board voted Monday night to sell bonds to finance the project. That amount, plus interest, will be repaid to the village by 2026 by Lodging Investors of Menomonee Falls LLC, an investment group formed by Madison-based Professional Hospitality LLC.
Children's Clothing Consignment Sale This Week
Hearts in Unity is delighted to partner with Just Between Friends as they bring you the biggest children's consignment sale in the Washington and Ozaukee County area!
Come check it out!
(keep reading for information on how you can get a FREE ADMISSION coupon)
Just Between Friends -- ALL SEASONS Consignment Sale
Thursday, April 22 through Saturday, April 24, 2010
Washington County Fair Park
Walk, Ride, Hop for HAWS!
Whatever way you like to ambulate, we've got an event for you at HAWS!
Coming up on May 1st is our 27th Annual Pet Walkathon at Waukesha's Minooka Park. Hike the trails, then shop, have lunch, play games, meet'n'greet area mascots, enter the raffle, watch the dogs running the lure course...all in support of the HAWS cause. To help, start collecting pledges or set up your very own personal HAWS fundraising webpage. We'll see you soon!
June 12th is the day for the first ever Ride for Rover, sponsored by the Milwaukee Small Breed Dog Club and organized by Jim Demos. Jim and his group of dog AND cycle enthusiasts decided to do a fundraiser for HAWS - what better way than to hop on a motorcycle on a beautiful early-summer Saturday?! The "rally" will start at the Harley Museum in downtown Milwaukee, pitstop at HAWS for tours and snacks, and end at The Doggy Office in Brookfield with a picnic and fun for riders and non-riders alike. Badges to ride are $15, and a discount will be available to those who make a donation off the HAWS' Wish List.
HAWS annual Bunny Day is THIS SUNDAY, April 25th. If you already have a house rabbit or are thinking of getting one, this is the event for you. Come learn from experts about rabbit care and behavior, meet with other rabbit fans and even win prizes. Great supplies for your bunny friend will also be available for purchase.
By the way - "The Nature of Dogs" exhibit is now running! This collaboration between HAWS and the Waukesha County Museum is a don't-miss, running until June 12th. See the great photographs of Mary Ludington, join us for one of our special events during the run of the show - like this Friday's Rescue Night, and enter to win great pet-themed prizes.
C'burg Benefit to Help Ozaukee Animals
The Ozaukee Humane Society has been chosen as one of three beneficiaries for the Cedarburg Junior Woman’s Club’s Toast for Charity on May 1, 2010. The funds raised at the event will be distributed evenly to each charity. Join us at the Cedarburg Cultural Center on May 1 for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, auctions and a raffle. Tickets are $30 until April 15; after that, tickets can be purchased for $35 or $40 at the door. Register online at http://shop.cedarburgjuniors.org/.
Goodbye, Mr. Hintz
I am saddened to see Mr. Hintz leave the Menomonee Falls School system. He is a shining star among those in his profession. I had only a few contacts with him - they were most professional - and all of my acquaintances tell me that they will miss him. It is unfortunate that his tenure is so shortlived. I hope that the school district will find someone at least as able to fill this job as Mr. Hintz. It isn't easy and he will be missed.
In these years of political discontent, I'm wondering why we could let someone like him slip away. He stood up for all of the standards that meet my expectations.
Middle School Lock-In - April 30
Menomonee Falls CE & Rec is hosting its 4th Annual Middle School Lock-In on Friday, April 30 at North Middle School. The event is open to all students in grades 6 - 8 living in Menomonee Falls or attending a Menomonee Falls Public or Parochial School. Activities this year include: open swim, open gym, Bouncy Boxing, Twin Peaks Inflatable Climbing Wall, Bungee Run, DJ & Dance, video games, concessions and much more! Save $2 by pre-registering. Pre-registration is strongly recommended! Online registration or a separate registration form / permission slip for this event, signed by a parent or guardian is required. No passes allowed.
4 Easy Ways to Pre-register
- Online at www.fallsrec.org
- At the CE & Rec Office
- At the Teen Center on April 23 or 24
- During the North Middle School Lunch Hours on April 27
Tanzania Cooking Class
The next "Tanzania Cooking" class offered by Hearts in Unity through the Germantown and Menomonee Falls Recreation Departments is just around the corner.
Join us on a journey of the senses! Learn about life in the small village of Seela in Tanzania, Africa, while helping to prepare a traditional Tanzanian meal.
I'm Walking for HAWS
HAWS' 27th ANNUAL
PET WALKATHON IS
THIS SATURDAY
MAY 1ST!
Join us at Minooka Park from 9am-3pm for our 27th Annual event, a day-long festival for pets and their people! You can help support the HAWS cause, on foot and online.
Each year this event is produced and sponsored by the Friends of HAWS volunteer group - their hard work makes sure that 100% of your donations for the Walk go directly to the animals at HAWS!
Walk the trails, enter the dog & owner contests, check out the Lure Course (weather permitting)...shop, shop, shop at our vendor booths...meet your favorite area Mascots and more. There is something for everyone - for you, your pet, your kids, your parents, your friends...
Here's how to get involved:
Download a pledge form - you'll need it for free parking at Minooka on Saturday.
Set up your own personal online fundraising page. I did - it's easy, fun...and it WORKS!
Be a BIGGER part of the action:
~ Become a Walkathon Sponsor.
~ Tell us Why You Walk - share your story with Walk@hawspets.org - we'll publish them on the Walk web page after the event!
Don't miss a minute of the fun!
We'll see YOU this Saturday.
HAWS volunteers will be at the park rain or shine to collect donations. Our rain date is May 8th, at HAWS.
By the way...we've got another neat event coming soon: Save the Date!!
Dr. Patricia McConnell Returns to Milwaukee!
Special Event Notice! Sign up now for a lecture by internationally-known author and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Patricia McConnell, on the topic “Happy and Healthy Play between People and Dogs.” Play is fun, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just goofy or frivolous. Play is powerful stuff, and it has a profound influence on your relationship with your dog, and your dog's relationships with others of the same species. Learn how play can enhance your relationship with your dog, improve your dog’s responsiveness, and provide your dog with the mental and physical exercise he or she needs. If you'd like a happier, more responsive dog and an enhanced understanding of play between dogs, this seminar is for you.
