Trucks on North Beach ...

Anyone know what's going on with the trucks on and around North Beach? One reader wrote to say he thought the trucks may be dumping snow into the water. We haven't checked it out yet. Anyone know if this true?

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

National catamaran races coming to Racine this summer

An F 18 Catamaran like the ones that will race in Racine this summer.

Add another major event to Racine's already crowded summer calendar.

The city will host the U.S. National F-18 Catamaran Sailing Championships this year from Aug. 6-13. The event is expected to attract 60-70 teams from across the U.S., according to a letter Racine Director Bob Sample sent to the Department of Public Works.

The Racine Yacht Club has hosted the event several times, mostly recently in 2006.

All racing will take place within one mile of North Beach and will be visible from the shore. All event activities will be based out of the Racine Yacht Club.

The purpose of Chu's letter was to request use of two city parking lots next to the Racine Yacht Club. The city granted use of the lots in 2006, which worked well for the event.

The national catamaran race joins pro beach volleyball and an Ironman triathalon as major events based around North Beach this summer.

Zumba at North Beach

More than 80 people showed up on North Beach Saturday for a Zumba class and fundraiser.

The class, featuring aerobics set to Latin and hiphop beats, is a fun workout that drew women and men from a wide range of ages and physical fitness levels. Instructors from Racine, Madison, Chicago and other cities led the group through the high-energy routines. The class, with warm up and cool down, lasted about 75 minutes.

The free Zumba classes were held at North Beach on Saturdays and Tuesdays through August. The final Zumba class on the beach this year will be on Labor Day (Sept. 7) at noon.

The fundraiser cookout after the class was organized to raise money for a path that will make it easier for parents, senior citizens and people with disabilities to cross the sand to reach the water.

Here's more photos from Saturday:

The workout featured dance routines, with aerobic built in, to infectious music.

The instructors dance on the Oasis stage with about 80 people following along on the beach.

It was chilly Saturday morning with an overcast sky. But the Zumba dancers warmed up quick ...

It's easy to see why Zumba is growing in popularity. Despite a tough hour of work,
most people were smiling throughout.

City looks to make North Beach more accessible

The city's Parks Department hopes to build a handicap-accessible path like this across North Beach next year to make it easier for people to reach the water. A sample of the path - this one manufactured by Mobi-Mat, was laid out on the beach this week for people to try out.


It'll be a lot easier to cross North Beach next summer if the city's Parks and Recreation Department gets its way.

The department is requesting money to build a portable walkway across the beach to allow people in wheelchairs to reach the water. The handicap-accessible vinyl path, used on beaches around the country, also would help parents with strollers, children, the elderly and anyone else enjoy the beach, said Donnie Snow, head of the parks department.

"Even people without disabilities will be able to get out to the beaches easier," Snow said.

A sample of the walkway (see photos above and below) was laid out on North Beach this week. The path created a clear path on top of the sand to walk on. If money comes through, the city would install a full 600-foot path from the North Beach Oasis to near the water's edge, Snow said. It would also consider a "T" intersection close to the water to allow people to spread out along the beach.

The path has already received support form the public. During this week's parks meeting, Snow distributed nine letters he received in support of the path. Many of the letters were from parents who enjoy using the beach, but often struggle to walk with their children from the parking lot to the water.

The main obstacle to installing the walkway - it simply lays on top of the sand and is staked into the ground - is the cost. Snow plans to budget $40,000 for the path in this year's capital budget. He admitted given the economy and the city's budget challenges it may be difficult to find the money. But he intends to try, because it would be another improvement to North Beach, one of the city's best resources.

Another view of the temporary mat laid out on North Beach this week.

This photo from the Mobi-Mat website shows a "T" intersection using the company's temporary mats. Racine is considering a smilar layout for North Beach.

North Beach again wins 'Blue Wave' certification

For the fifth straight year Racine's North Beach earned a national certification for water quality and habitat conservation.

The Clean Beaches Council once again designated North Beach a "Blue Wave Beach." It's a prestigious award that city officials, led by Dr. Julie Kinzelman, make look easy.

But 10 years ago when the City Health Department began applying for grants to study, and eventually clean up, the beach, the sandy lakefront property was a mess. The beach was frequently closed due to concerns about the water quality and there was little going on there for people to do.

Now the beach is a hotspot of summer activity. Thousands of people visit the beach to swim, hangout at the Oasis or checkout events like the EVP Professional Volleyball Tournament and the Spirit of Racine Triathlon.

Kinzelman, who has given talks about beaches around the world, said a team approach made North Beach's turnaround possible. One example was how the health and parks departments worked closely together to study the best way to comb the beach. They found that scraping the surface and creating a picturesque sandscape actually increased the amount of bacteria that could wash into the water. Now they use a much deeper comb to prevent bacteria from growing, Kinzelman said.

The city also completed some important stormwater utility projects, banned dogs and feeding seagulls on the beach and worked with volunteers to plant grasses and create mounds that prevent contaminated rain water from washing into the lake.

It's this kind of problem solving that other cities along the Great Lakes and around the country are taking note of and trying to replicate, Kinzelman said. While universities and government scientists can share research, Racine offers a real-world example of how to clean a beach - and the positive effect it can have on a community.

Work on Racine's North Beach began under former Mayor Jim Smith after the public complained about how often the beach was closed. The issue came to Kinzelman as a public safety concern. How can the city clean the beach so people can use it without getting sick?

That question led to improved water quality - and all of the fun stuff that came with it. As North Beach came back to life, the North Beach Oasis opened, the city built the Kids Cove playground and events started to appear. The beach is now, arguably, the best beach in southeastern Wisconsin and possibly the entire state.

Kinzelman, a Racine native who was hired by the city in 1990 as a lab technologist, and others are now working on tests that will reduce the amount of time it takes to get back reliable information on water quality at the beach. Racine is working on a DNA test that can determine water quality in three hours - six times faster than the current test. (Incidentally, the test the city uses is for E. coli, but the E. coli is only an indicator of water quality. Unlike E. coli in food, the E. coli found in the lake is itself not harmful - it's just a sign that other contaminants are located in the water.)

The rapid test appears to work, Kinzelman said, but it needs Congressional approval before it can become the new standard. A bill was introduced in the House to allow the tests, and the Senate is also expected to take up a proposal.

Along with North Beach, Kinzelman is also studying water quality in the Root River. The intensive effort is designed to provide public officials with data to make decisions on how to clean and protect the river, she said.

One example is if Waukesha receives permission to tap Lake Michigan it will have to return water to the lake through the Root River, Kinzelman said. If that happens, Racine will want a baseline to judge whether the Waukesha water is harming the Root River.

"You can't gauge change unless you know what you have now," Kinzelman said.

Mayor John Dickert celebrated the designation by noting North Beach was the first beach in Wisconsin to receive the Blue Wave honor.

“This is a great day for the city of Racine” said Mayor John Dickert. “Once again the efforts of Julie Kinzelman working together with the Parks Dept. and Public Works have rewarded our citizens and visitors with one of the cleanest beaches in the country.” For more information on the Clean Beaches Council see here.

Dickert added, “This reminds people across the country that Racine is one of the best destinations in the Midwest to spend your summers.”

The news comes as the mayor prepares to attend the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Conference this month, where the use of water from Lake Michigan will be one of the topics.

The first national environmental certification for beaches, the Blue Wave designation is given to beaches which uphold a rigorous set of environmental, ethical, and water quality standards.

City considers jet ski, kayak rentals on North Beach

Pier 29's offices at Pugh Marina. Photo/Dustin Block

A year after he floated the idea, Brett Kaydo is ready to start renting jet skis and kayaks on North Beach.

Kaydo, who owns a lawn service and landscaping company, appeared before the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board Wednesday to present his plans for Pier 29 Water Sports Rentals. He proposed the idea last year, but hadn't worked out many details on the business. This year he returned with a detailed plan and signs of progress.

His business already has an office at Pugh Marina, equipment to rent and $1 million in insurance.

"There were a lot of 'what-ifs' last year," Kaydo said in an interview Thursday. "This year everything is set and ready to go."

Kaydo now just needs city permission to rent the equipment on North Beach. He's working with the City Attorney's office to establish guidelines for the business, which would operate away from the beach's main swimming area, Kaydo said. He then needs approval from the parks board and the full City Council.

Prices are still be worked out, but Kaydo estimated jet skis would rent for $90 per hour and kayaks for $25-$30 per hour. Only people 18 and over would be allowed to drive the jet skis, but children could ride with an adult, Kaydo said.

Day, half-day and half-hour rentals also will be available, he said.

Pier 29 would add another fun, family activity to North Beach, Kaydo said. With no comparable businesses in southeastern Wisconsin, Kaydo said he hopes people travel from Milwaukee and northern Illinois to hang out on North Beach and rent the equipment.

"It's another way to utilize North Beach," Kaydo said. "(The beach) is a great asset to the community."

The business itself is set up at Pugh Marina, but Kaydo and his employees would rent the equipment from a tent on North Beach, likely on the north end away from the main crowds. A wireless credit card reader would take payment on site. He estimated it would take 10 minutes for people to pay and be in the water.

If all goes well, Kaydo said he hopes to add equipment over time. He's already looking into renting small boats and other types of water recreation vehicles.

"This is trial-and-error year," Kaydo said. "We're open to any ideas."

Labor Day: Many savored summer's end at beach

Labor Day 2008 was the perfect official end to summer here in Racine.

Hundreds heard the call and ended up at North Beach, for swimming, sand and sun. Some came by boat, and anchored off shore, music systems serenading all within earshot. Still more hoofed it across the beach, carrying umbrellas, towels, digging tools. Others got no further than the Oasis' patio, where the music was hot and the beverages and ice cream cold.

It was a day to savor.

Man drowns from boat off North Beach

UPDATE: WTMJ 620 AM is reporting the victim was 42-year-old formerRacine Police Officer Marco Rodriguez. (A link to the story isn't working.)

A man drowned off North Beach early this morning.

According to the Racine Police Department, the man was one of six persons in a boat owned by a Racine County Sheriff's Deputy. At least one other Racine County employee was on board the boat, which was off shore near North Beach. Racine Police responded to a 911 all at 3:19 a.m.

Police said:

"The victim had jumped into the water to swim, and shortly after entering the water, began to struggle. One of the other occupants of the boat jumped into the water in an effort to keep the victim above water, but was unable to and was being pulled under by the victims’ struggles. The other occupants of the boat were able to pull the rescuer back onto the boat, and the victim slipped under the water and could not be relocated by the boat occupants. At that time, 911 was called.

"At about 6 a.m. the victims’ body was pulled from the water approximately 120 feet from where he was believed to have gone into the water. There is an autopsy scheduled to further the investigation, and the identification of the victim is being withheld at this time, until family has been notified. According to investigators, the initial interviews were consistent and no foul play is suspected in this unfortunate incident."

6-year-old girl possibly missing on North Beach

Fox 6 Milwaukee is reporting that a 6-year-old girl may be missing at North Beach. A witness called authorities and said they lost sight of the girl while she was swimming in Lake Michigan around 3:15 p.m. A dive team and paramedics are at the beach searching for the girl, who may not be missing. Fox 6 had not confirmed her disappearance.

We'll update as more information becomes available ...

Search turns up nothing.

Here's the JT report.

About an hour after the search began, a Racine County Sheriff's Deputy sped across the beach in his squad car. We wonder if Sheriff Bob Carlson thinks this is good police work... or merely a recipe for an engine overhaul? Here's a picture of it sent in by an alert RacinePost reader; don't try this with your vehicle.

Beaches open; boy, how we've missed the sun

MY EYES! MY EYES! Racine's beaches opened for the summer today, and the display of pasty white flesh was too much to bear.

By 11 this morning, there were a few dozen families enjoying North Beach. Well, the kids seemed to be enjoying the sand and the water. Mothers mostly sat wrapped in towels while alternately complaining about the cold or warning about the need for sunscreen. Or hoping for some peace and quiet as she cracked the spine on her first summer beach novel, James Patterson's Along Came The Spider, a Hannibal Lecter kidnapping ripoff if ever there was one.


The kids, as you'd expect, were oblivious to all that ... running into the water, splashing, playing with toy boats, building the first sand castle of the season.

Off shore, a lone kite surfer was trying out his new kite, skimming the surface as he went back and forth, under the watchful eyes of the lifeguards.





Meanwhile, down the road a bit in Kenosha, the seventh annual Outta Sight Kite Festival was taking place at Kennedy Park, alongside the lake. Scores of kids and adults launched their kites simultaneously at noon for a spectacular display. The kite festival continues today until 5 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 to 5.

City beaches open Saturday

Here's a note from the city on beaches opening this Saturday. Weather looks OK for the weekend with temperatures in the 80s, but storms in the forecast.

The City of Racine’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will open North and Zoo Beaches for the season on Saturday, June 7, 2008.

North Beach will be guarded seven days a week 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Zoo Beach will only be guarded Saturdays and Sunday’s from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

To help guarantee a safe beach and swim area for you and others we ask your cooperation by observing the following rules:

1. No motor boats, wind surfers, or floating devices in the protected area. For example, water wings, inner tubes, rafts, etc.
2. Please do not block the area in front of the lifeguard chairs, boats, or rescue boards. Your interference could hamper our effectiveness for a rescue.
3. Swim only in the protected area. Lifeguards may restrict the swimming area for your safety when hazardous conditions are present.
While you are on the beach and in the park area, there are several ordinances you should be aware of. The following are prohibited in the park and/or beach area.

1. Alcoholic beverages;
2. Motorized vehicles on beach;
3. Glass containers on the beach;
4. Fire on beach; and
5. Dogs or any pets in park and beach area.

NORTH BEACH CLOSES PROMPTLY AT 10:00 P.M.

Your cooperation in following the above will be appreciated by lifeguards and others on the beach. When you desire to know the water conditions at North Beach, please call the beach recording at 636-9233.

We look forward to having a safe and enjoyable summer with your help.
Should you need any additional information, please call Ray Hammermann at 636-9454 or James Wilson at 636-9445.

North Beach: A lesson for beaches everywhere

Julie Kinzelman at North Beach

Think back 10 years, when gasoline cost less than $2 a gallon, the stock market was booming and North Beach was frequently closed due to harmful bacteria. Day after hot summer day. "Health Hazard: Do Not Swim" the sign said in at least two languages.

Well, that was then. "Credit" whomever you like for what's happened to gas and stock prices, but much of the credit for North Beach's renaissance goes to Julie Kinzelman.

She was the woman of the hour Friday morning ("Racine has two treasures: kringle and Kinzelman," said Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), as the federal government handed an over-sized check to the state (think of those Lottery checks you've never won) , along with the unveiling of a "cool tool" that will be used nationwide to clean up beaches everywhere.

All because of work that Julie Kinzelman pioneered here. It all seems so basic now. Find out what the sources of beach pollution are and fix them. But 10 years ago, everybody pointed to seagulls as the culprit -- and how do you get rid of them? Well, it turns out -- thanks to Kinzelman's careful monitoring of beach pollution sources -- that the gulls were only part of the problem, maybe half of it, maybe a bit more or less. She also pinpointed pollution coming from storm water runoff (as well as a few errant septic systems.)

And then she followed up with remedial efforts: diversion of the storm water to a newly constructed wetlands area; beach grooming that helps the sand dry more quickly, killing the bacteria already there; and efforts to reduce the gull visitors: more people on the beach is a start, and berms soon to be constructed along the boardwalk will also help. The result: Beaches closed only about 5% of the summer.

Kinzelman, a Racine native, has worked for the city's Department of Health for 18 years. She's now Dr. Kinzelman, having earned a Ph.D in public health and microbiology from the University of Surrey, England, in 2003. Her thesis topic: North Beach.

Big check; big smiles: Ambs, left; Kovalick, right

Friday's ceremony -- scheduled to be held at the North Beach Oasis but moved indoors to keep the 50 or so officials dry in case of rain (that never came) -- was a check-passing bit of governmental theater: a three-foot wide, non-negotiable check for $222,400 from EPA to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, signifying the state's usual share of EPA's annual $10 million largesse for beaches. Amid flashing cameras, Walter Kovalick, Acting Deputy Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA, Region 5, handed it over to Todd Ambs, Water Administrator, Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. Big smiles and handshakes all around.

But the more important announcement was the unveiling of the "Great Lakes Beach Sanitary Survey Tool" designed to help beach managers everywhere identify sources of bacterial contamination so they can be addressed. Great Lakes beaches pilot-testing the survey last summer were open 95% of the summer.

David Ullrich, executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, called North Beach "the Malibu of the Midwest," and nobody disagreed or snickered. He said Kinzelman's "marvelous work" is an influence throughout the Great Lakes.

City Council President David Maack, filling in for Mayor Gary Becker, reminded those present -- aldermen, County Executive Bill McReynolds, State Sen. John Lehman, Reps. Bob Turner and Cory Mason among others -- that "it wasn't so long ago that North Beach was struggling... but we've become an example of how to get things done." The city's effort, costing about $750,000, was assisted by citizen volunteers, the SCJohnson Foundation, Sustainable Racine, the Root Pike Watershed Initiative, Wisconsin DNR among others.

In detailing the new beach sanitary survey tool, Grumbles said "it is a local priority and also a national priority to keep the beaches healthy, so the only things you catch at the beach are sun and waves." He gave special kudos to the City of Racine for helping to develop the tool. "What you're doing here is all making a difference. North Beach is a model for the rest of the country."

Ambs, of the Wisconsin DNR, said this has been a great week for the Great Lakes, starting with the signing of the Great Lakes Compact and ending with the receipt of EPA's check and the distribution of the survey tool. "It's hard to know where you're going if you don't know where you've been," he said.

For more information, try these links:

Great Lakes Beach Sanitary Survey Tool

EPA's Beach Watch

Latest Wisconsin beach conditions

Memorial Day fun!

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everybody! Here's a few ideas for things to do this weekend:

Weather
Forecast looks OK for the weekend. 65 and sunny on Saturday, thunderstorms Sunday and Monday, but at least the temps may reach the low-70s.

ChocolateFest
Yup, Burlington's annual festival of chocolate (in honor of the city's Nestlé chocolate factory built there in 1966) is going strong. Here's an article on the festival. And one on a nearby boat race and art fair.

Gardening
It's still chilly, but we should be free of any frost warnings. So hit the garden stores, stock up on annuals and get your pots, flower boxes and garden beds planted. Do it Saturday, and you'll have to days of rain to get things nice and settled in!

Memorial Day services
We get Monday off for a reason - to honor our fallen soldiers. Here's a list of area services.

Racine Zoo
Always a fun outing.

Running Club
Take a jog with the Racine Running Club.

Beach
It may be too cold for swimming, but the North Beach Oasis will be open.

Canoe the Root River
You can rent canoes at kayaks through the REC.

Theater
Check out Theatre Schmeatre at the Sixth Street Theatre and Guys and Dolls at the Theatre Guild.

We'll add more as we think of them ... add your own in the comments.

Jet ski rentals proposed for North Beach

You may be able to rent jet skis and power surf boards (right) on North Beach this summer.

Brett Kaydo brought the proposal before the city's Board of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services meeting on April 23.

"We have to work out some of the details," Kaydo said after the meeting. "We're moving forward as far as the concept goes."

Placement of the rental equipment is one of the main details to be worked out, said Kaydo, who has yet to name the rental service.

As for exactly what will be available, Kaydo said nothing was final. He and other people involved with the proposal have access to jet skis and power surfboards.

"It will be a trial-and-error thing," he said. "We'll see what works."