This week’s edition…

New restaurant in the works for West Bend

Tochi is the name of a new restaurant exploring its options in West Bend. It’s still “very early” in the process according to chef and owner Gregg DesRosier. Tochi, a ramen noodle restaurant, currently has a location in the Milwaukee area.

If DesRosier’s name sounds familiar that’s because he opened one of his first restaurants years ago (2002-2007) in West Bend. Muddy’s on Main, 111 S. Main St., was a Cajun restaurant that was in the current location for Cafe Soeurette. DesRosier has signed a lease on a commercial property in West Bend. Adam Williquette with Anderson Commercial Group locked down the lease.

Albrecht Clinic moving to Highway 33

Albrecht Free Clinic in West Bend moving to Highway 33: The Albrecht Free Clinic is relocating from its home on Oak Street in the lower level of Spaulding Clinical to the former Verre Young Eye Clinic, 908 W. Washington Street.

“It was one of those things where, we’re never sure where we’re going to be,” Jim Strachota, executive director of the Albrecht Free Clinic said. “We’ve been in existence 19 years and have never actually owned a property; we’ve just been lease to lease.”

Since its inception in 1996 the Albrecht Free Clinic has moved to several locations and lived from short-term lease to short-term lease.

The clinic has been on Oak Street since 2010 and earlier this year as Strachota was set to approach Spaulding Clinical CEO Randy Spaulding for a long-term agreement Spaulding notified the Albrecht Clinic that its space was needed for expansion.

“This came as a surprise to both the board and myself as we were preparing to start renovation for dental services,” Strachota said. “Fortunately the stars were aligned and the spirit of Dr. Albrecht directed us to a new site. Not only was this property currently available but for sale at a price we could afford.”

On June 18 an offer to purchase the property on W. Washington Street was accepted. “For the first time in our 19-year history, we have a place we can call our own,” Strachota said. “This location really fits our need and if everything goes according to plan we will have three full medical rooms and three full dental rooms.”

Strachota said the location of the building “will really be ideal” because W. Washington Street has a high-visibility factor. “It just really feels good and the size fits the community need,” he said of the 3,000-square-foot building. The timeline on the move is expected to be late fall as an interior renovation is expected to get underway in the coming weeks.

Rising Phoenix Organic Market prepping to open in West Bend:

The shelving is in, the product is in place and final touches are being put on the new Rising Phoenix Organic Market, 830 S. Main St. The store, in the West Bend Plaza, formerly home to Jacci & Sons. Joy Durbin is owner of the independent market. “This is our first store,” she said. “I’ve lived in West Bend for six years and there’s a need in this community for a health food store.

Rising Phoenix will carry Herbal Symphony products including smoothie powders, protein powders, spices, teas, organic grocery, raw and frozen foods. “In the next few months we’ll also be opening an organic smoothie bar,” Durbin said.

West Bend has seen its fair share of health food stores. Most neighbors remember Sunseed Natural Foods, 1015 S. Main Street. Owner Debbie Lewis closed in December 2010. Karen’s Energy – Nature’s Garden Health & Wellness Center, later opened, 1427 W. Washington St. in March 2013. That store recently went out of business after owner Karen Urbanek moved to Utah.

Settler’s Park Market was in downtown West Bend for several years. Owner Betty Jo Kiefert opened the local health-food store, 152 N. Main St. in June 2013. Kiefert carried bulk items and dry goods along with spices, cheese, herbs, supplements and vitamin. Kiefert closed in 2014.

Durbin has been keeping her door open while setting up. “People have stopped by and poked their head,” she said. “Some former customers have come in and we’ve talked to our neighbor En Fuego and they’re excited about our smoothie bar; we’ll also be doing health classes.” Rising Phoenix Organic Market is expected to open in August.

New used car dealership to open on Highway 33

Leitheiser Car Company to open a second location on Highway 33: Tim Leitheiser is opening another car dealership in West Bend. Leitheiser is going to lease the front building space from Lee Stehling at Ace Canvas, 3424 W. Washington Street. The front potion of the building is formerly home to Ace Auto Trim; that business closed in May.

“I have been looking for years and I liked being on Highway 33 and I thought I’d give it a shot,” said Leitheiser. “There’s a lot of traffic in that area.” Leitheiser operated on Highway 33 for a couple months last year when Highway P was under construction and he couldn’t use his current location.

Leitheiser applied this week for a rezoning permit; that will be taken up by the Plan Commission in August. “Once they rezone it we’re good to go,” he said. Leitheiser plans on hiring a sales man for the new store. He said the lot will hold about 25 cars. Leitheiser Auto has been on Highway P for 17 years. He will continue to operate out of that location as well; the dealership on Highway 33 is a new venture.

West Bend doctor makes ESPN and Sports Illustrated

Dr. Chad Tamez, a family practice physician at Froedtert-West Bend Clinic, was one of the first people on scene Monday when a woman in the stands at the Brewers vs. Braves game got hit in the face with a line drive. Tamez was working as the fan doctor for Froedtert when the woman was hit in the top of the ninth inning.

Dr. Tamez attended to her medical needs. The woman was eventually taken from her seat with medical personnel at her side. Tamez finished his shift and went home, but over the past two days he’s received his 15 minutes of fame as ESPN and Sports Illustrated featured the incident and Tamez happened to be in the shot.

Those photos of Tamez coming to the woman’s aid have been seen on websites across the country. “A little excitement in our little world,” said Marcia Tamez. “I’m not sure how the woman is. I think Chad knows but isn’t allowed to say because of HIPPA.”

In the physician directory at Froedtert, Tamez said he takes pride in serving people in the community. “I enjoy caring for entire families and developing a lasting relationship built on trust, respect, and compassion to individual situations. I take pride in my community, having been raised in West Bend, and am very pleased to be able to offer my services to the people and the places I have called home my whole life. ”

Tour de Fox in West Bend

The Tour de Fox makes a stop in West Bend Monday as Sam Fox, 28, is biking, running and climbing for 33 days straight in an effort to raise $1 million for Parkinson’s research. Fox is an extreme athlete. During his tour he’s climbing the highest peaks in each of the lower 48 states. The effort was organized through the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

“It’s a 14,000 mile journey in three months,” Fox said. “I have about 3,000 miles on the bike and I have about 70 days left to go.” On Monday afternoon the 6-foot-3 Fox was hosted by George and Judi Prescott who hosted a fundraising picnic. The Prescotts have been actively involved in Parkinson’s research ever since he was diagnosed more than 12 years ago with the disorder that attacks the nervous system. So far, Fox has raised close to $570,000 of his $1 million goal.

Library update

Delta Defense has stepped up to take care of maintenance at Patrons Park, the new park behind the West Bend Community Memorial Library. A sign is currently in place at the northern entrance of the park showing support by Delta Defense. “The agreement came about a year ago,” said Chris Jenkins, Dist. 4 alderman and former Library Board president. “I reached out to Delta Defense owner and CEO Tim Schmidt for help and he graciously agreed.”

The agreement with Delta Defense began once the landscaping was complete and a sprinkler system installed at Patrons Park.

Updates & tidbits

–A note of thanks from Michael Christian who organized the “Homegrown- A locally farmed musicians festival.” Over 300 people attended the June 27 event in Regner Park and $3,600 was raised for the Washington County Historical Society and performers at the West Bend Farmers Market.

-All In Books Used Bookstore is moving to 136 N. Main St. in downtown West Bend, the former location of Ruth-Anne’s Gourmet Market. Store owner Betty Bartelt said will be opening August 5. As Bartelt prepares to move she is having a buy one get one free sale at the current location 910 S. Main St. The store on S. Main will close July 25.

– Former Slinger High School band teacher Dave Hanke had a book published a little over a year ago. “Teaching the Dream” is Hanke’s journey in music that covered more than two generations. A review by Dr. James Nelsen reads, “Hanke does not offer any single, miraculous recommendation in “Teaching the Dream”. Rather, he makes it clear that great teachers employ a variety of techniques to motivate, encourage, and inspire their students.” Hanke’s book can be purchased directly from www.reallygoodmusic.com The cost of the book is $25.

– Ron Larson has resigned as president of the West Bend East High School Booster Club.

-Crews are working the next month to repaint the water tower on Summit Avenue. Crews had been prepping the tower over the past few weeks. Initially there were beams sticking out of the side of the round tank which made it look almost alien like. Now a giant nylon screen up can be seen draped over the 300,000-gallon water tower to keep sandblasted paint from falling on cars and homes below.

-Success for Kick Some Ash held this week at Koehn & Koehn Jewelers. “The turnout was more than we expected,” organizer Jenn Dempsey-Koehn said. “Unbelievably cool watching the community come together to help fix a problem” Over 300 people visited the jewelry store on W. Washington Street. Local celebrities worked as clerks behind the counter. A portion of the sale went to the West Bend Park, Rec and Forestry Department to help pay to replace the 3,000 trees removed because of Emerald Ash Borer. “I’m proud to say that we raised $5,000 which equals roughly 20 trees,” Dempsey-Koehn said.

-A single-bay car wash at the Shell station on Paradise Drive was approved by the West Bend Plan Commission this week. The Osowski family owns the station. The car wash will have “the newest technology.” It will be both touch less and soft touch. The customer will choose the type of service at the carwash kiosk. On a history note: Paradise Drive used to be home to Paradise Auto Wash. Owner Doug Pesch had a five-bay car wash at 715 W. Paradise Drive. Pesch bought the property in 1996 with a couple other partners and sold the house and garage on the property for $1. That house was moved to Alpine Road and later that year Pesch built the five-bay carwash. In 2013 Associated Bank bought the property for $1.15 million.

– Keith Novotny, owner of Cousins Subs on Paradise Drive in West Bend, is donating 15 percent of his proceeds during a sale from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. on July 14 to help the Dove sisters. They are from West Bend and have a long battle fighting Leukemia.

–The West Bend High School Drumline will perform August 7 at the Wisconsin State Fair.

-Summer Yoga Jam begins Saturday, July 18 at Regner Park. It’s part of the Youth Programs at the West Bend Park & Rec Department.

Remember Lightning?

Today’s 1964 history photo comes from Joel Hausmann of West Bend. His father, Vince Hausmann, sent a photo of his neighbor’s horse ‘Lightning’ to Channel 6 in Milwaukee. Hausmann was trying to garner a little publicity for the animal. He received a response from Channel 6 promotions manager Conrad Kaminski.