The Sturgeon Bay Common Council temporarily annexed the proposed Wal-Mart expansion property agricultural Tuesday night with a 6-1 vote. A 2/3 vote was required (five votes) to pass the ordinance. The council tabled the issue at the last meeting with hopes that a full council would be present before a vote. The Georgenson property was heard as a second reading and the council passed the agenda item.
The lone no vote came from council member Ben Meyer. He described why he voted against the annexation.
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The 25-acre parcel has been annexed from the Town of Sevastopol. Annexation is just the beginning warned Meyer. Studies, analysis and gauging public opinion will continue. Meyer said he will move forward with an open mind regarding the Wal-Mart Supercenter project and the city's role in the process.
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The first reading for an ordinance relating to the number of votes required for the Board of Appeals to decide an appeal was also heard Tuesday night. Council member Steve Mann voted against the reading. It passed 6-1 and will reappear on the agenda for the next common council meeting.
Finally, the council unanimously passed a first reading for the approval for a maritime landing. These plans deal with the residential portion of the parcel located just south of Sturgeon Bay on Highway 42/57.

There are many reasons to plant trees, shrubs and bushes says Briggsville Gardens Yard Works Co-Owner Lars Braschnewitz. He says you can make any project as simple or detailed as you want. Braschnewitz suggests having a good plan in place before you get started. You'll want to think ahead about what will happen to your yard in the upcoming seasons. The change in seasons will affect plants, shrubs and bushes and that is something that should be considered before getting started on your landscaping projects. With a large selection at Briggsville Garden, Braschnewitz says there is something for everyone's yards. 
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There are so many options says Braschnewitz. Whether big additions or accents, the staff at Briggsville Gardens can help bring out your creative side.
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It's a good idea to survey your yard before beginning your landscape project says Lars. Size and current vegetation in place are things to consider.

Northern Door Communications in Sister Bay has again been named "Cellcom Agent of the Year." Owner Greg Diltz has received this prestigious award a total of eleven times since becoming a Cellcom agent in 1990. The "Agent of the Year" is chosen at the annual meeting in DePere and hundreds of representatives from Wisconsin are eligible. The criteria for this award is based on sales and customer service. Greg Diltz explains what separates him from the rest of the agents.
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This year Cellcom tightened up qualifications for the 5-star Agent award and Diltz was not sure if he would be in the running. Diltz thanked his customers and their positive feedback to Cellcom.
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With the recognition and merit of the award, Northern Door Communications continues to strive in the county.

With the most basic of equipment-shirt, shorts, shoes, and shin guards-boys and girls of all ages take to the field in a sport that dates back to the Roman Empire. Today, soccer which is referred to as Association Football in all other parts of the world, is widely considered the most popular sport around the globe. And although the sport has been late in taking hold in the United States, it is rapidly gaining fans and participants. And Door County is no exception.
This summer more than 130 youngsters from five to 18 years of age will take to the field in an attempt to score points by netting the ball. “This is a great sport for all ages and all abilities. Anyone can play soccer,” said Joanie Witalison, a self-proclaimed soccer mom. “Our children have been playing soccer in Door County for years and the sport is becoming very popular. It’s a positive way to help our kids gain confidence and feel good about themselves.”
Unlike some sports that depend on physical size, soccer is based entirely on skill. Each team consists of 11 players. Participants learn to individually control the ball through dribbling drills. Passing the ball to their teammates, participants learn to play as part of a team. Offensive and defensive positions are similar to American football.
According to Dominic Petroni, a former Door County soccer player, “positions can be size dependent. Of course we want the bigger players in the back defending the goal where size is going to make a difference in defense.” Petroni, a University of Wisconsin Green Bay student is assisting with refereeing duties this summer as time permits.
With few big name soccer players endorsing the sport, David Beckham is the most recognizable, the game has gained popularity on its own merit. “There are so many reasons why soccer,” related Witalison. “There is little cost involved; the summer fee is $40 and that includes a jersey. The higher levels of play do involve travel, but we try to offset the expense with grants and fundraising.”
Interestingly enough, though soccer is not a glamour sport, the number of movies applauding its positive attributes is noteworthy. From “Bend It Like Beckham,” a Golden Globe movie nominee starring Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and ER star Parminder Nagra, to the animated film “Soccer Dog,” even Hollywood has discovered soccer.
“These kids are the best,” said Witalison, adding, “and parental involvement means everything to our children.” Beckham has credited his own family saying, “My parents have been there for me, ever since I was about 7.” And positive results of their involvement are quite evident: Beckham has won countless awards for his proficiency as a soccer player. Just maybe, one of our peninsula’s soccer players is a bright shining shooting star on the horizon.
For information on getting involved in Door County’s soccer leagues contact Joanie Witalison at 4211420 or Chandra Johnson at 854.9488.

Traffic was backed up near the Bay View Bridge this morning because the Door County Highway Department was steam cleaning the bridge as a result of graffiti. Latin Kings, vulgar profanities and a crown representing the Latin Kings gang were spray painted on the bridge over the weekend. This behavior is referred to as tagging.
The adolescent behavior happened again Monday night on the Michigan Street Bridge. Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Dan Trelka said spray paint was stolen from construction trucks along Third Avenue and used in defacing signs on the historic bridge.
The Latin King gang issue is a problem Trelka is ready to tackle head on. He has dealt with gang activity in Sturgeon Bay before. However, he does not feel the rash of vandalism in the city over the past three months is gang related. 
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The symbolism and the wording of the graffiti does not match up to true gang affiliation, according to Trelka. He believes this is a young white man, age 15-20, who has had numerous run-in’s with the law. Gang members are easily identified and Trelka said this is not the type of place gang’s target.
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Monday night's vandalism to the Michigan Street Bridge again occurred during the times of darkness. The Sturgeon Bay Police Department so strongly desires to catch this person that officers will be making more contacts and eventually this person will be caught, said Trelka.

Students on their way to UW-Green Bay or UW-Oshkosh can first start their schooling at NWTC in Sturgeon Bay. The general studies certificate allows students to attend their first year of school at NWTC. Sturgeon Bay campus dean Bob Loss talks about the program.
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Many students are concerned about college credits that do not transfer from school to school. Loss says those attending Oshkosh or Green Bay should not be worried.
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Loss says this is great opportunity for students who are unsure about college.
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For more information about the general studies certificate that can be transferred to UW-Green Bay or UW-Oshkosh, please contact NWTC in Sturgeon Bay. Loss says this is a great way to save some money as well as test the college waters.

Skin cancer is the most common and most rapidly increasing form of cancer in the United States and still many people are not protecting themselves. Since Door County is a peninsula, many people enjoy basking in the sun, whether on the water, at the beach or in their backyard. There are those who understand how dangerous UVA and UVB rays are and attempt to use sunblock or sunscreen. However, many are not doing it correctly. Pharmacist at Bay Pharmacy Greg Rohde says sunscreen or sun block should be applied approximately thirty minutes before going out in the sun and reapplied every two hours. If you swim or sweat profusely, you will need to reapply even more often. In addition, you really can't put on too much sun protection. 
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Rohde also says that proper SPF, or sun protection factor, depends on skin type, the time of day, the season and surroundings. The higher the SPF, the more protection you will get from UVA and UVB rays. He says reflective sun that bounces off water, sand and snow is also dangerous. Rohde suggests staying out of the sun between the prime hours of 10:00AM and 2:00PM.
Rohde is also very concerned about the protection of young children and says since their skin is more sensitive they will burn faster. He also said that getting sunburn before the age of 18 is a major factor in future skin. Sunburn at a young age plays a vital role in having a nice complexion, the rate at which it ages and the chance of getting skin cancer.
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Aside from lotions, clothing is another way to provide SPF. Things like nylon stockings, hats and other items of clothing are all ways to protect yourself from the sun. Bronzing and sunless tanning lotions are also a safe alternative to dangerous UV rays. Rohde says that if you are burned, an aloe Vera moisturizer, aspirin or ibuprofen may help ease the pain. He reminds everyone thick skin, age spots, wrinkles and cancer are all results or poor skin care.

Enjoy colorful landscape pieces by Roger Bechtold at the Miller Art Museum. The current exhibit followed the Salon of School Art display. Bechtold's exhibit opened on Saturday. Miller Art Museum Director Bonnie Hartmann says this is an interesting exhibit that shows how Bechtold's art has changed or not changed over the years. 
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Hartmann says those who enjoy art and nature will enjoy the Roger Bechtold exhibit.
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Admission to the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay is free. The Miller is located inside the Sturgeon Bay Library. The Roger Bechtold exhibit will be on display now through July 22. Following this display, the "Americans Who Tell The Truth" exhibit will be installed.

Criminal damage to property is occurring throughout the City of Sturgeon Bay. An ongoing problem that stems back to March occurred again this past weekend. Tagging occurred on private property to a silo, on the Bay View Bridge and on a public building. Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Dan Trelka said the vandalism in the community is getting out of hand. He described the act called tagging.
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The good news is that gang signs are not showing up. Trelka said juvenile type behavior is occurring. Profanities aimed at law enforcement, sexual symbols and juvenile language is being spray painted at numerous locations in the city.
The tagging is occurring between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The criminal behavior has continued and unfortunately, police have been unable to track down the parties responsible. Trelka said he needs your help.
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If you see someone lurking in a dark area, carrying spray paint on them or in their vehicle or someone who is not in the painting profession with paint on their fingertips, you may have located the person responsible for thousands of dollars of criminal damage.
The Police Chief said spray painting and damaging property is considered criminal damage. If the damage totals more than $2,500, the guilty party would be fined up to $10,000 and spend up to three years in prison.