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A Tosa resident for more than 15 years, Karen is a stay-at-home mom with two children who enjoys writing and playing tennis. She spends the fall and winter in the stands at Green Bay Packer and Marquette basketball games.


Karen is the former community columnist for the Wauwatosa NOW newspaper.

Me and Oprah and the Big Tosa Give

By Karen Waldkirch
Saturday, Feb 23 2008, 10:46 AM

 

 

So, pretty impressive, isn’t it? My name, right above Oprah’s face. Yeah, let’s just say I’ve got friends in high places…or not.

 

In case you can’t see it, it says: “Karen Waldkirch, if Oprah gave you a bunch of money, but you had to give it all away, what would you do?” Oh and there are probably at least several hundred other Tosa residents that got the exact same message in their issue of People Magazine. Oh snap.

 

The idea is to promote Oprah's new show called "The Big Give" which premieres Sunday, March 2nd on ABC. The premise is obvious and the idea intriguing. No doubt it'll be another tear-jerking blockbuster, a la "Extreme Home Makeover."

 

But it made me think…locally, rather than globally. If that Ms. W. gave this Mrs. W. a bunch of money, what would I do? After the obligatory mani and pedi, of course. (Hey, a girl’s gotta look good on the local news, right?)

 

But seriously, if I could only spend the money right here in Tosa, what would I do? Listen in while I daydream….

 

First, I’d bring back Drew’s…only better. How could I make Drew’s better except to have it come back in all its quirky glory? Well, I’d add a big old-fashioned Soda Fountain! Wouldn’t that just be the best?! I can see it now. Walking in on a hot summer day (remember what hot used to feel like?!), sliding up to a padded spinning stool and ordering a basket of fries and a chocolate malt. Pure bliss.

 

Secondly, I’d extend the bike path on the parkways from one end of Tosa to the other. No more jumping up on the curb to save your life once you hit Swan Boulevard.

 

Thirdly, how about a big, fat paving budget to eliminate the craters and sinkholes on our roadways? While we’re at it, more salt than the dead sea and more plows than Fairbanks, Alaska?! And along with the plows, there’d be a virtual SWAT team of “snow technicians” to jump out and dig out the sidewalks, driveways and front walks that get buried by the plows.

 

I’m sure I could go on, but why not let you, the readers, in on the fun? That’s why we have the snazzy comment feature. If my BFF (best friend forever, for the alphabetically-challenged), Oprah, gave you a bunch of money, how would YOU spend it in Tosa? And while we’re at it, maybe that’s a good question for our mayoral candidates!

 

Speak to me people!

Comments

Jeffrey Kroll   

I approve of your hypothetical expenditures.  Good thinking Karen!

How about setting up a few free wi-fi hotspots throughout the parkways?

February 23, 2008 6:15 PM

Karen Waldkirch   

Well, Jeff - I can't believe we agree on something! That's a GREAT idea!

February 23, 2008 10:38 PM

TosaGuy   

Since property taxes for many have doubled in the past 7 years, I would pay half the property taxes for seniors who are struggling financially to keep their homes.

February 24, 2008 9:07 AM

Ray Py   

Karen,

I wonder if you might have read the personal news item I posted last week with the headline "Yeah. I Got Cirrhosis of the Liver. You Got a Problem With That?"  If you had, you would probably know that perhaps I will be a dead of that disease within the year.  I have been to the Wisconsin Medical School to learn what research is being done for people with my condition, Non-alcoholic Cirrohis of the Liver (NASH) and it is practically non-existent.  My plea for your money would be to add to tis specific research.  It will not help me at this point in my diagnosis, but it may help bring some awareness to what is traditionally an "unpopular" disease that kills thousands.  There is an appeal for such funds in, of all places, the obituary page of the Journal/Sentinel.

Ray

February 24, 2008 12:27 PM

2rottieguy   

Buy the new fire station and put solar panels on all city owned buildings. The savings from the electric bills can go to tax reduction

February 24, 2008 12:30 PM

Jennifer101   

I would give money to the schools for arts programs.

February 24, 2008 7:29 PM

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