Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

By Christopher Bennett Special to The Freeman Saying fireworks are Vince Siegel's life falls short of giving bottle rockets and Roman can- dles the credit they deserve. Siegel is the owner of American Fireworks at W228-S7080 Enterprise Drive in Big Bend. The company also operates stores in Kenosha and Lake Geneva. Siegel and American Fireworks are perhaps best known for the hundreds of roadside tents the company operates each summer at spots throughout southeastern Wisconsin. "It's outdoor entertainment," Siegel said of fireworks. "It's exciting. People like the color. They're pretty, they're fascinating. "It's a very exciting way to celebrate the Fourth of July. (People) like to go to shows, but they like their own show, too." The summer is Siegel's time to shine. None of his tents are located in the Town or city of Brookfield or Elm Grove, but citizens of those communities are still allowed to have fun with certain fireworks. According to municipal ordinances, those in the Town and city of Brookfield are allowed sparklers and caps. According to village ordi- nance, those in Elm Grove are permitted caps, sparklers, snakes and smoke balls, and may not use those items on village property or dur- ing a fireworks display. Check the ordinance on each community's website if you have questions, or contact the community directly. But forget about aerials and more intense fireworks. Such items are prohibited in the two Brookfields and in Elm Grove. Safety first Siegel said safety must still be of paramount concern. Siegel said all fireworks read "Use under close adult supervision" somewhere on the packaging. Distance is important. Do not light sparklers and link arms. Siegel said keeping 10 to 15 feet between individuals using sparklers is advis- able. "Make sure they're not running, and a safe distance apart from one another," Siegel said. The conditions in which fireworks are being ignited must also be considered. "You don't want to light fireworks in a dry, grass field," Siegel said. "Keep a bucket of water handy." Siegel said it is advisable to water the area in which the fireworks will be ignited a day before lighting them off. If using sparklers or other novelty items, it is also wise to tell children to bring the rem- nants to a designated place. Siegel offered the example of a child playing with a sparkler and setting the stick on the ground before it is cool. Someone might be in bare feet — Siegel also said wear shoes while lighting fireworks — and suffer a burn. Siegel also said to keep any animals or pets indoors while using fireworks. The same rules apply if using larger fire- works in a community outside one of the Brookfields or Elm Grove. Additionally, Siegel said to consider larger setbacks for the lighting and display. Siegel also said to pay attention to the surroundings — do not light fireworks under a tree, for example. "Follow the directions on the label," Siegel said. "Place it on the ground, light the fuse and get away. Do not hold it in your hand." If the fireworks state they are for outdoor use only then be sure to only use them outside. "People buy sparklers for weddings and I have to remind them there is a lot of smoke," Siegel said. "Sparklers are for outdoor use only." If traveling with fireworks this summer, be certain to check if what you are carrying is legal in the community to which you are trav- eling. American Fireworks is holding its annual product demonstration June 6 at 8:30 p.m. at Kelly's Bleachers, W233-S7260 Vernon Lane in Big Bend. "They can see just how awesome some of this stuff is," Siegel said. More information on fireworks is available at http://wisconsinpyro.com, which is the home page of American Fireworks. 2 • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove 262-542-2500 Hours: M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 801 N. Barstow St., P.O. Box 7, Waukesha, WI 53187 The FREEMAN How to reach us Established in 1859 Brookfield & Elm Grove T H I S M O N T H If you have a news tip from the Brookfield/Elm Grove area, contact Arthur Thomas at 513-2657 or news @conleynet.com To advertise in "Brookfield & Elm Grove This Month" call the advertising department at (262) 513-2624. 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Freeman subscription rates • By in-county mail 13 weeks............$36 26 weeks............$66 52 weeks..........$120 • Out-of-county mail 13 weeks.............$51 26 weeks............$99 52 weeks..........$192 Easy buy .....$10 a month with credit card Electronic edition ......$10 a month with credit card Circulation Dept. To reach the Circulation Department call 542-2501 or go to www.gmtoday.com/wfhelp. JUNE 2015 244203017 Rosecrance can help them get back on track. Is your teen or young adult abusing alcohol or drugs? Rosecrance Waukesha County Intensive Outpatient Programs for Teens and Young Adults Rosecrance Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) focus on recovery skills while teens and young adults stay in their home environment. Clients participate in an evidence-based treatment curriculum. We can help you recapture the relationship your family had before drugs and alcohol entered your loved one's life. Give us a call. We offer the best opportunity for lasting recovery. 262.278.4462 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OUR IOP PROGRAMS OR A FREE ASSESSMENT, CALL Rosecrance Waukesha County, N27 W23957 Paul Road, Suite 101, Pewaukee, WI, rosecrance.org Other services provided at Rosecrance Waukesha County: Continuing Care Group; free confidential drug and alcohol evaluations; early intervention services; assistance to families who need help finding resources; substance abuse awareness training and education for professionals, community organizations and parents; urine drug screens Cruisin' From Page 1 Riedel said both Anger and Woller are classic car aficionados. Riedel rolls two vintage motorcy- cles — a 1965 Harley-Davidson XLCH Sportster and a 1975 BMW R60/6. The men approached the Silver Spur and some of the surrounding businesses with the idea. "All of the businesses were on board, and that's kind of how it started as a cruise night," Riedel said. Summer is for cruising There is nothing pretentious about a Cruise Night, and they are as common as lug nuts in south- east Wisconsin in the summer months. The cars and owners arrive, park and fraternize until it's time to return home. Classic car owners typically baby their rides. Most rolling, vin- tage stock winters indoors, or is rarely driven when salt is on the roads. Summer's weather affords the men and women and families who prefer carburetors to fuel injection the chance to flaunt their pride and joy. "It's an opportunity for people who have an interest to get togeth- er and talk," Riedel said. "I think car people and motorcycle people like to talk about what they ride, and they like to see what other people like to drive." The individual nights of Cruisin' the Grove are often devot- ed to a specific make of car or genre of car, and there is also a motorcycle night. Cruisin' the Grove turned into such a success that it spilled out of the parking lot at Silver Spur and into downtown Elm Grove in the form of a full-blown car show. The third annual Cruisin' the Grove On-Street Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 2 in downtown Elm Grove on Water- town Plank Road. The show also serves as a benefit for the Milwau- kee Heat youth wheelchair basket- ball team. More information on Cruisin' the Grove and the on-street show are available on the event's Face- book page. Search using the phrase "Cruisin' the Grove." Other area shows Cruisin' the Grove and its accompanying car show is one of the better options, but is also not the only choice in the area for car aficionados. The Sharon Lynne Center for the Arts in Brookfield is celebrat- ing National Collector Car Appre- ciation Day July 10 at its third annual Wilson Center Cruise In. The event is held in conjunction with a free concert by The BriTins, a Milwaukee-based Beat- les tribute band. Also on July 10, check the Big Bend Rumble by the River Classic Car Show from 4:30 to 9 p.m. July 10 at Big Bend Village Park in Big Bend. Two make-specific car shows are being held in New Berlin near the end of summer. The 29th annu- al All-Buick Car Show is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at Matty's Bar and Grille, 14460 W. College Ave. The 34th annual All-Pontiac Car Show is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m August 15 at Quaker Steak and Lube, 4900 S. Moorland Road in New Berlin. Know laws, safety rules before using fireworks Communities vary on what fireworks are allowed Metro Editorial

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