Menominee Park Master Plan Meeting Scheduled for April 25th

(Oshkosh, WI.) The Oshkosh Parks Department has scheduled a special meeting of the Advisory Park Board on Wednesday, April 25th to discuss and receive citizen input on the development of the Menominee Park Master Plan.

The city has hired Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point to assist in the development of the plan. Citizens will be provided the opportunity to share their thoughts about existing Menominee Park facilities as well as future park development and amenities. Parks Department staff and Advisory Park Board
members will be discussing input and ideas to be included in development of conceptual plans, which will be considered by the Advisory Park Board in June of 2012.

The April 25th meeting will be held in Room 404 at City Hall. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Parks Department at (920) 236-5080.

Automated Garbage Collection Cart Selection Forms Due May 1st

(Oshkosh, WI.) The Department of Public Works would like to remind residents that automated garbage cart selection forms must be returned to the city by May 1, 2012.

The selection forms can either be dropped off in the City Hall lobby at Collections or on the third floor in the Public Works Department office. The forms may also be mailed to:
City of Oshkosh
Attention: Department of Public Works Sanitation Division
215 Church Ave.
Oshkosh, WI. 54901

If you currently receive collection from the City of Oshkosh Sanitation Division and did not receive a cart selection form, please call (920) 232-5383.

Examples of the 64 and 96 gallon carts are on display in the City Hall lobby. For additional information on the city’s transition to automated garbage collection including a list of frequently asked questions, a timeline for implementation, and photos please visit the city website’s automated garbage collection page, http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Public_Works/automated_refuse_garbage_collection.asp.
For further information, please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

* Site administrator's/editor's note: The sizes of the garbage bins or carts are the same size as those of the recycling bins currently in use in the City of Oshkosh. That is easier than trying to figure it out based on the measurements the city has provided or trying to get down to City Hall to look at what's there.

Oshkosh Snow Shoveling Requirements

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh would like to remind residents about the city’s snow removal regulations. Property owners are required to clear sidewalks abutting their property of snow or ice within 24 hours after the end of precipitation. These requirements include the crosswalk area for property owners on a corner lot.

When ice can not be removed, the property owner shall keep the sidewalk sprinkled with a material to accelerate melting and prevent slipping.

Depositing snow from private property onto any public right-of-way, public property, or fire hydrant is also prohibited.

Failure to clear the sidewalk will result in the city completing the work and billing the property owner for the snow or ice removal. The minimum charge for the cost of snow removal is $75. Property owners also face a potential citation for violation of the Municipal Code. This forfeiture is $232 for the first offense.

For more information or to report a violation, please call the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works at (920) 236-5065.

City Accepting Applications for Home Loan Program

The city of Oshkosh would like to remind homeowners that the city has an owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program. The program offers a zero percent deferred interest loan that is available to low and moderate income single family property owners within Oshkosh city limits.

Loans may be used for roofing, plumbing, electrical, furnaces, painting, and general repairs. Funds may not be used for remodeling and additions.

Interested homeowners must complete an application and be approved before any work is done.

The annual gross household income may not exceed the amounts listed below.

Household size                Gross Income

1                                        $34.750
2                                        $39,700
3                                        $44,650
4                                        $49,600
5                                        $53,600
6                                        $57,550

Larger households should call the planning office for income limits. The application deadline is March 15, 2012.

For more information, please contact the Planning Division at (920) 236-5059. The Planning Division is located in City Hall in Room 204.

City Accepting Applications for Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program

(Oshkosh, WI) The city of Oshkosh would like to remind rental property owners that the city has a rental housing rehabilitation program. The program offers a zero percent deferred interest loan that is available to qualified rental property owners with one to four unit properties located in low and moderate income census tracts or redevelopment areas within Oshkosh city limits.

Projects must impact the exterior appearance of the property and require a one to one owner investment match. Funds up to $10,000 per structure plus $5,000 per unit are available. There is a $10,000 project minimum.

Interested rental property owners must complete an application and be approved before any work is done. The application deadline is October 15, 2011. The application can be found on the city website,
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale Sept. 27; annual meeting Oct. 22

Sept. 23, 2011 – A recent surge in donations from the public means a renewed selection of books, music and movies at this month’s Friends of the Library Used Book Sale on Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library.

With so many new items coming in, the Friends are offering special deals to pare down their inventory. For $1 get two Bargain Bags of mystery, fiction, biography, health or romance books. VHS tapes are free during this sale and music CDs are 25 cents each. As always there is a wide selection of fiction, large print books, DVDs and books for children.

Highlights of this month’s sale include:

• More than 100 added DVDs and 50 videos that are new since the July sale
• Large new selections of westerns and books on war
• An expanded selection of science fiction books
• Shelves full of “How-to” books and selections to help you get ready for the holidays

The Just Wisconsin section continues to expand, with added titles by local and state authors, Wisconsin biographies and books focusing on gardening, history and travel in the dairy state. Books have also been added to the section on U.S. Presidents.

In the interest of going green, the Friends ask that shoppers bring a reusable bag to carry their purchases. Canvas tote bags also are available for purchase at the Friends Store at the library.

Mark your calendars for the final 2011 sale on Nov. 29.

Friends Annual Meeting

The Friends will hold their annual meeting on Sat., Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. in the lower level meeting room at the library. Anyone interested in joining the Friends is invited to attend to learn more about the group and the work they do in support of the Oshkosh Public Library.

The program will include an update on library activities from Library Director Jeff Gilderson-Duwe; a presentation: Advocacy – Building Support for the Library; and a tour of the building. There is no fee for the luncheon, but a free will offering will be accepted. Deadline to register is Oct. 15. Registration forms are available at the library.

For membership information or to register for the Friends annual meeting contact Dana Stolley, Coordinator of Volunteers, at 236-5206. 

Ebooks for Kindle now available at Oshkosh Public Library

Sept. 22, 2011 – The Oshkosh Public Library is pleased to announce that its ebook collection is now available for download on the world's most popular ebook reader, the Amazon Kindle.

Amazon and digital book distributor Overdrive launched Kindle Lending Library on Wednesday. Now library users can choose from the ebook titles offered at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org and download them to a Kindle using the free Kindle app.

Oshkosh Public Library has been offering ebooks, digital audio books and other downloadable media via its web site for about ten years. During the past year, the library has seen a tremendous increase in public demand for assistance using ereaders and other mobile devices to download books. Until now, customers could download to a variety of popular devices, but not to the Amazon Kindle.

“We have customers who have been anxiously waiting for this day to come,” said Janice Dibble, Head of Reference and Adult Services. “When Kindle and Overdrive announced this partnership in April, the library world – and our customers who use Kindles – were very excited that access to library ebooks would finally be available to this large group of readers.”

Oshkosh Public Library opened a new Technology Learning Lab earlier this year in response to the growing public demand for assistance with technology on many levels. One of the driving factors was the growing popularity of ereaders and the related demand for assistance in downloading library ebooks to the devices.

“E-readers were one of the hot gifts of Christmas 2010 and since then we’ve seen a steady increase in people interested in downloading books from the library web site,” Dibble explains. The library offers one-on-one assistance and has started scheduling small classes for customers who want to learn how to download library ebooks, digital audio books and other media.

The library also offers instructions for downloading, as well as device- and format-specific tips at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org. A library card is required to download.

Oshkosh Public Library continues to add to its downloadable collections and also participates in a statewide purchasing consortium. Libraries in the Winnefox Library System have made a commitment to increase the number of ebook titles and other digital media available.

“Libraries are about books and reading and we’re changing to meet the demands of today’s readers,” explains Library Director Jeff Gilderson-Duwe. “OPL and libraries throughout Wisconsin are committed to continuing to make reading experiences available to the public, whatever the format.”

Register now for Read to a Dog at Oshkosh Public Library, reading to dogs improves literacy skills

Sept. 21, 2011 – Man’s best friend may be a child’s best bet for learning to read better, thanks to a popular and successful program at the Oshkosh Public Library.

Read to a Dog pairs children with trained reading/therapy dogs to improve literacy skills. Sessions are available by appointment at 236-5208. Registration is required. The program runs Sept. 26-Nov. 28 and is open to children of all ages.

According to Sandy Joseph, Oshkosh Public Library children’s librarian, reading to a dog is an appealing and effective way for children who struggle with reading to improve skills and feel more confident. “A child who doesn’t want to sit down and read aloud at home will settle in here with one of the dogs and before you know it, the child is reading,” she explains. “There is a comfort level that really benefits a child who typically is nervous and self-conscious about reading out loud.”

The dogs in the program are trained through the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program, a division of Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Read to a Dog is held in 20-minute blocks on Monday nights in the library’s lower level meeting room. Register at the Children’s Desk or call 236-5208.

Don’t miss these additional programs for children at the Oshkosh Public Library:

Fall Storytime: Stories, songs and activities for children ages 9 months and up, including the Tuesday night family session, Pajama Rama. Sessions available through Oct. 13. Sign up at the Children’s Desk, call 236-5208 or register at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Tweens Create: After-school art programs for grades 4-7, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. Programs run through Oct. 6.  Scraplings (papercrafts and book making) on Tuesdays and Storigami (origami based on a story) on Thursdays.

For more information about library programs for children and families, visit www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Westhaven Storm Water Management Project Starts Sept. 6

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh would like to notify residents that construction work on the Westhaven Clubhouse Area wet detention basin and storm sewer project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 6th. The work is part of the storm water management plan for the Sawyer and Campbell Creek watersheds.

The scope of the work includes pond excavation, storm sewer construction, concrete paving, pond restoration, and terrace restoration. There will be some lane restrictions on Westhaven Circle, Maricopa Drive, Westhaven Drive, Newport Avenue and Newport Court during the construction. Access to residences will be maintained until the street paving starts. While the street is being paved, there will be times that residents will be unable to access their driveways.

It is anticipated that the work will be completed by November 1, 2011.

For more information on the project please contact the Public Works Department at (920) 236-5065.

Oshkosh Holiday Parade Coverage Wins National Award

(Oshkosh, WI.) Oshkosh Community Media Services (OCMS) is once again the proud winner of a national broadcasting award from the Alliance for Community Media (ACM). OCMS’s coverage of the Oshkosh Holiday Parade was recognized as the best community events coverage by the ACM at the recent Hometown Video Awards Festival in Tucson, Arizona.

Winners of the 2011 ACM Hometown Video Awards were chosen from more than 1,100  entries from across the country.

This is the second straight year OCMS programming has been honored with this prestigious national award. Last year the public affairs program Oshkosh Today was named the best entertainment talk show by the Alliance for Community Media.

Earlier this year OCMS programming was honored with 16 overall state awards, including a state record eight Awards of Excellence (first place), by the Wisconsin Association of Public Education and Government Channels (WAPC).

OCMS staff would like to extend a special thanks to all the volunteers that worked on this year’s parade and other productions.

For more information on the awards or OCMS services, please contact Communications Coordinator Dean Leisgang at (920) 236-5269 or

No Garbage or Recycling Collection on Labor Day

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that because of the upcoming holiday there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Labor Day (September 5, 2011).

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day late. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, September 9th moves to Saturday, September 10th.

Additionally, the city’s yard waste drop-off center located on Idaho Street (off Witzel Avenue) is also closed for the holiday on Monday, September 5, 2011.

Because of the holiday, September brush collection will start on the week of September 12, 2011.

If you would like more information please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

No OTS Bus Service on Labor Day

(Oshkosh, WI.) The Oshkosh Transit System’s bus service will not be operating on Monday, September 5, 2011 because of the city’s observance of the Labor Day holiday. Oshkosh Transit’s office at 926 Dempsey Trail will also be closed on September 5th.

Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, September 6th. For more information on the Oshkosh Transit System please visit, http://www.oshkoshtransit.com/ or call (920) 232-5340.

RIP Tom Stephany

I have received word that Tom Stephany, former Parks Director for the City of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully this morning after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom faithfully served this community with love and passion since 1995 before retiring in 2009. His work will long live on for future generations to enjoy.

I understand funeral arrangements are set for 11 am Saturday morning at New Life Church on 9th Avenue. Fiss and Bills Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be left on their web site at by going here.

From those of us at Eye on Oshkosh, we extend our deepest sympathies to Tom, his family and friends, and all those in the employ of the City of Oshkosh - past or present - who worked with Tom during his tenure there. May you all find solace in each other, the Lord and your memories of times spent with Tom during this difficult time and in the days and weeks to come. And when any of us visits or even drives by one of our many parks in Oshkosh, I hope we can each say a silent thank you to Tom for helping beautify our community with his work and vision. Rest in peace, Tom. And thank you.

Public is Encouraged to Complete the Neighborhoods of Oshkosh Survey

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh Planning Services Division invites the public to share their knowledge of neighborhood identity through a brief online survey. The Neighborhoods of Oshkosh survey is open to city of Oshkosh and area residents who would like to share their local knowledge about the identity, location, and character of Oshkosh neighborhoods.

Residents may choose to provide their contact information, but are not required to. Individual responses will be kept confidential, but the overall results will be publicized.

The goal of the survey is to help the Planning Services Division provide a
Neighborhood Resource Toolkit to existing or new neighborhood groups as a portal to local resources. This will enable citizens to find out how and where to get information to establish neighborhood identity and share best practices for community-building.

To take the survey, please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B59DNQY.

To circulate and share the survey, a special link has been created for Facebook at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B5YSYMG.

The survey is open until August 20, 2011 and should take only five minutes to complete. The results will be shared in September.

If you are having difficulties or have questions about the survey, please e-mail lhoover@uwm.edu for assistance. If you would like more information please contact Planning Services at (920) 236-5059.

No telephone service at Oshkosh Public Library morning of July 19

July 15, 2011 – The Oshkosh Public Library will be without telephone service for several hours on the morning of Tuesday, July 19, while the City of Oshkosh works on wiring related to upcoming Church Avenue road construction.

According to the city, work will begin at 4:30 a.m. on July 19 and should conclude around noon. The library will be without telephone service during that time. The public may still access the library catalog and other online resources via www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

A Portion of High Ave. to Close Starting July 18th

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh would like to notify residents that High Avenue from Congress Avenue to Wisconsin Street will be closed to through traffic beginning July 18th, 2011. Access to local businesses and residents will be maintained and a detour route will be posted.

The detour is Congress Avenue to Algoma Boulevard to Murdock Avenue to Jackson Street to Irving Avenue to Wisconsin Street back to High Avenue. High Avenue will have one lane open for the week of EAA’s AirVenture.

The proposed work includes spot repairs to sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main, sidewalk, and curb and gutter. The existing asphalt surface will be milled off and a new asphalt surface will be placed. Work is scheduled to be completed by the middle of September.

For more information on the project please contact Assistant Director of Public Works Steve Gohde at (920) 236-5065.

Oshkosh Public Library plans events to celebrate Harry Potter

July 15, 2011 - As fans around the world are once again spellbound by the phenomenon that is Harry Potter, the Oshkosh Public Library presents two special events to mark the release of the final film based on the
popular books about the boy wizard who triumphs over the forces of evil.

The Magic of Owls
Wed., July 20
6:30 p.m.
Under the dome
Live owls visit the library for this event, which offers a fascinating glimpse at the lives and habits of these intriguing feathered creatures. Rebekah Weiss, a certified and licensed wildlife rehabilitator from the Aves Wildlife Alliance will talk about owls' adaptations for flight and hunting and show items from her traveling trunk of feathers, wings and other artifacts. A Harry Potter fan herself, Weiss will throw in some trivia for those who love Hedwig, Pigwidgeon and the other owls of the wizarding world. Sitting in the historic dome area of the library, families can imagine they're in the Owlery at Hogwarts Castle!

Family Movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
"Spell"ing Bee
Tues., July 26
2 p.m.
Lower level meeting room
Enjoy a special showing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the movie that brought Harry and friends to the big screen. There will be a special intermission event: The "Spell"ing Bee. A few "chosen ones" in
the audience will face off in this mini trivia contest designed to measure your Potter I.Q.  Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Oshkosh Public Library also joins the Oshkosh Public Museum for its month long PotterFest event. The library has worked a bit of magic, transforming a seemingly ordinary space at the museum into the
Gryffindor Common Room. PotterFest continues through July 31. Visit the Gryffindor Common Room and pick up a copy of the Potter-themed Impossibly Difficult Crossword and the Slytherin Sudoku.  Complete the puzzles individually or as a family by July 30 and return them to the library for a chance to win prizes including Harry Potter books, movie poster books and books on CD.

Events at the library are free and open to the public. There is a charge for the museum's PotterFest event. For more information, visit http://www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/ or call 236-5205.

Becket's Celebrity Chefs for THE ARC

[Received this from the Oshkosh Parks Department and am happy to pass it on to you...]

Hi All: 

Don’t know if you saw this morning’s article in the Oshkosh Northwestern, so here it is:

Oshkosh Parks Director Ray Maurer and Trish Wendorf of the Oshkosh Parks Department will be the Celebrity Chefs at Becket's Restaurant on July 19 from 5-10pm. $10 from every three-course meal will benefit the Arc-Winnebago County Disability Association. Call Becket's now to make your reservation, 230-3333!

Ray and Trish will be serving a delicious three course meal that will get you excited about having your taste buds overwhelmed with a plethora of flavors that will cause you to deliriously contribute to Arc.

On Ray and Trish's menu for the evening is....

-Mixed greens with fresh fruit and a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette

-Stout braised short ribs with seasonal vegetable, garlic herb mashed potatoes and pan jus

-Grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream, chocolate rum sauce, and toasted coconut

All for $30

The Arc works to ensure education, self-sufficiency and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc is located at 115 Washington Avenue . For more info, call Bob Poeschl, 236-9230 or email

bob@arcwinnebago.com

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !!!  Should be a great time !!!

No OTS Bus Service on July 4th

(Oshkosh, WI.) The Oshkosh Transit System’s bus service will not be operating on Monday, July 4, 2011 because of the city’s observance of the Independence Day holiday. Oshkosh Transit’s office at 926 Dempsey Trail will also be closed on July 4th.

Regular operations will resume on July 5th.

For more information on the Oshkosh Transit System please visit, http://www.oshkoshtransit.com/ or call (920) 232-5340.

No Garbage or Recycling Collection on July 4th

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that because of the city’s observance of the Independence Day holiday there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Monday, July 4, 2011.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day late. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, July 8th moves to Saturday, July 9th.

Additionally, the city’s yard waste drop-off center located on Idaho Street (off Witzel Avenue) will be closed on Monday, July 4th. The July brush collection week will start on July 11th, 2011 because of the holiday.

If you would like more information please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.