I’m not usually one to stand out in a crowd. Although I enjoy attention, I don’t go out of my way to get it, especially with my clothing choices.

 

Friday, on the lakefront, I stood out like a sore thumb. Me, with my Bermuda shorts, plain t-shirt and boring sandals. You’d think I was walking around naked. Seriously, people stared. Why? Well, I guess because I wasn’t wearing the requisite leather vest and tattoos.

 

Honestly, I’ve never felt more out of place. (Wait, there was that middle-school dance I chaperoned where I made the poor choice to go out on the dance floor. Never again.)

 

Anyway, my husband and I were the recipients of tickets to the Harley-Davidson 105^th Anniversary Celebration. We took Friday afternoon off to wander the Summerfest grounds and soak in some of the festivities.

 

I have to say, it was an impressive sight. I thought the 100^th was a big deal. I do think this may be way bigger. It took us an hour to get downtown and find parking. Again, our four-wheel transportation looked odd and awkward.

 

We were there pretty early in the afternoon, so I think we were a bit premature for the party. But I have to say, it was outstanding people-watching. It was fun to read the t-shirts which served as sort of personal license plates, labeling riders with their home states.

 

The best part, for me, was that unlike Summerfest, my love handles were definitely in style. Harley riders are very inclusive of the “middle-age spread." You gotta love that!

 

We wandered along the lakefront and over to Veterans’ Park. The contrast of bikes against the Calatrava was awesome to see:

 

We checked out the “Roadhouse at the Lakefront” where Harley will make amends for Elton by bringing in The Boss. The stage reminded me of the monolith from 2001 - A Space Odyssey:

 

And here’s the thing that attracted the most attention of all. A large crowd was gathered along the lake looking down at this:

 

That’s right, a tiny little fox foraging for scraps of food. Like me, it looked a little out of place too.

Well, it’s not currently red, but I have to say, it’s looking better than ever.

 

The other day, my husband and I wandered by Wauwatosa’s Little Red Store. Although it’s far from finished, it’s obvious that someone has spent some significant time on our quaint little landmark. (Darn those vandals that broke one of the windows!)

 

And it’s not a minute too soon, or so it seems based on this article I found on www.WauwatosaNOW.com. On September 10^th, the Milwaukee County Landmarks Committee will meet to determine whether The Little Red Store and two other sites should be designated as Official Milwaukee County Landmarks.

 

If you’re interested in contributing to the restoration of The Little Red Store, click here.

 

In the meantime, I’d be interested to hear what you think should be done with this darling little building. It sounds like the Wauwatosa Historical Society would like to make it a visitors’ center. I’m not sure how I feel about that, given its hard-to-find location. I'm also not sure if the long-term use of the Little Red Store is up for debate.

 

But let's talk about it anyway. Would it be better as a commercial business housed in a historic building? I’m thinking that may be a more reliable way to keep an important structure healthy and viable. Located just off a well-traveled bike path, some people have suggested a candy store or a bike rental shop? Why stop at bikes? Why not cross-country skis and Segways?!

 

What do you think?

    

 

Who says Brett Favre is the only Diva in town these days?!

 

Judging by the hordes of females roaming the Village on Tuesday night, there are a LOT of Divas right here in Tosa. They were there en masse to participate in Diva Night in the Village.

 

Diva night was an evening of shopping, wine and summer desserts hosted by several village merchants. The first Diva night was held in February. Tuesday’s glorious summer weather was the perfect backdrop for this semi-annual girls’ night out.

 

A couple of weeks ago, my friend sent an e-mail to a few of us asking who wanted to be a Diva for a night. Honestly, I didn’t expect very much. For me, it was a good excuse for a night out with my friends. Throw in the fact that it was within walking distance of my house and that sealed the deal.

 

We met at Vino 100 at around 6:30 pm and the placed was PACKED. We snagged a coveted patio table and caught up on news and such with each other. Honestly, we considered foregoing the Diva "walk," where you carried a card and visited 8 of 14 stores for an opportunity to enter your name in a drawing for prizes. But curiosity prevailed and we hit the streets with cards in hand.

 

Village merchants that participated in Diva Night included: Vino 100, Magnolia & Co., French Country Pine & Design, Underwood Gallery, Oro di Oliva, Magpie Jewelry, Little Read Book, Juxt Home and Baby, Blue Lapin, Jilly and George, Urban Laundry, and Salamander. (Sorry - I knew that I missed a few!)

 

All of the merchants opened their doors, displayed their wares and offered food and drinks. Although I live very close to some of these retailers, there were several I had never visited. Diva Night was a great opportunity to check out some new places like Oro di Oliva and some old places that were new to me – Magpie Jewelry.

 

Judging by the conversations that were floating through the streets and businesses, Diva Night was a great success. Many women commented on how they will definitely be returning to these establishments when they have a little more time to shop. Now that’s music to the ears of any business!

 

Bravo to the organizers of Diva Night and especially to Vino 100, which served as the event headquarters both before and after the walk. Here’s hoping there will be many more Diva Nights to come!

 

 

It’s not perfect, but I think Summerfest is one of the very best tourist draws to our city. Based on the amount of Cubs and Bears apparel I saw wandering the grounds, lots of folks agree. I have always been a huge fan of Summerfest. Growing up in and around Chicago, Summerfest was one of my first introductions to the city of Milwaukee. After moving here, I fondly remember being pregnant and sitting on the rickety wooden plank benches of the old main stage watching Stevie Ray Vaughan. I’ve never been one to dance on picnic tables but I’ve almost always enjoyed my ‘Fest experiences.

 

Here are some of my random Summerfest musings:

 

- I much prefer any of the smaller stages to the Marcus Amphitheater which has, in my opinion, some of the worst acoustics of any venue in town. And that includes The Bradley Center.

 

- This year’s lineup of bands seemed refreshingly diverse – something to please almost everyone….at least in our house!

 

- I have only experienced human gridlock twice in my life. (The phenomenon where you’re walking and then suddenly nobody can move.) The first time was at Epcot Center on New Year’s Eve. The second time was July 3rd at 11:30 pm outside the Miller Oasis Stage. Pretty scary.

 

- Note to self: The base of the Miller Oasis sign is possibly the worst meeting place in all of Summerfest. Why? Because 10,000 other people are meeting at that exact same spot at that exact same time.

 

- I’m all for introducing young kids to the joys of live music, but I’m almost to the point of suggesting that no children under the age of 10 should be allowed after 8pm. For example, I can’t begin to count the number of infants I saw at 11:30 pm. 11:30 pm. Seriously. What were those parents thinking?

 

- Although I wouldn’t want one for myself, I’ve become reluctantly accepting of tattoos. Not so much with some of the piercings that I saw. Especially the one where you create a hole in your earlobe large enough to drive an SUV through. I can’t help thinking, what will that look like when that person is 70 years old? Ick.

 

- I hate to give away a secret, but the Usinger’s sausage garden on the far north end of the grounds is the most peaceful place to grab an authentic Milwaukee meal. Good food, lots of space to sit and surprisingly quiet.

 

- The Big Bang Fireworks, which we could clearly see from the Zippo Rock Stage on Thursday night, were strangely endless. Did they have leftovers from last year? There were two finales. Two. It made me realize that there is such a thing as too many fireworks.

 

- One of the most entertaining stages (even if it’s not my favorite style of music) is the Cascio Interstate stage outside the Marcus Amphitheater. It’s a teeny tent with a light pole directly in front of the stage. The kids performing heavy metal and punk have more energy and enthusiasm than you’ll see on any other stage. Plus, watching the head bobs of the small audience is oddly mesmerizing.

 

- Good news: I do not have ADHD. That is according to the test I took at the ADHD tent near the south end of the grounds. I cannot quite wrap my head around why such an exhibit was needed, but I’m glad to know that I can cross that worry off my list.

 

- Summerfest Pull Tabs = Possibly the worst use of your festival dollars.

 

- One of the best places to listen to music is at the U.S. Cellular stage. Sure, the music is pretty good, but reading the texts that people send to the giant screen next to the stage can be just as amusing. Some of my favorites: “U R Staring at a giant screen.” And “If U R cute, look left.” (Everyone looked left after reading this.) However, this is not a place to find good spelling.

 

- If you have to park in Lot P on the far south end of the grounds, try to leave early. My friends and I were stuck in gridlock after leaving a 10pm show. It took us 90 minutes to get back to Tosa.

 

- One of the oddest promotional sights was the KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce stain removal beanbag toss (or something like that) outside the Marcus prior to the Tim McGraw concert. That’s what I’m thinking about when I go to Summerfest – stain removal.

 

- I was consistently impressed by the pleasant demeanor of virtually every Summerfest employee that I encountered. I cannot fathom being that friendly for 11 days.

 

- The new Harley stage is amazing. I can’t help but wonder if the folks at Miller are a little jealous.

 

Got any Summerfest thoughts? Leave a comment and share your thoughts, criticisms or quirky sightings. See you next year at the ‘Fest!

 

There’s a brief but interesting discussion on the Tosa Town Square about watching fireworks on TV. This is something that fascinates me, for no good reason except that I have a strong opinion on the topic.

 

Here’s the thing: I love fireworks. I love TV. (Sad, but true.) So, you would think that combining two of my favorite things would make a new thing that I would like even better. Not so much.

 

I believe that fireworks should never be shown on TV. Never. They just don’t work. To me, fireworks on TV seem like a great idea. You don’t have to battle crowds, look for a spot to sit, or soak yourself in bug spray.* You can sit in your comfy, perhaps air-conditioned, house and enjoy the show.

 

The thing is, there’s nothing less-fulfilling than watching fireworks on TV. Except perhaps watching taped Olympics coverage when you know the results. (Don’t worry. I’ll get on that soapbox later in the summer.) I have no interest in what Mike and Carol think about the fireworks. Zero. In fact, they annoy me to no end.

 

To truly enjoy a fireworks show, you have to earn it. You have to search for parking. You have to lug and carry stuff until you’re sweating. You have to try to get comfortable. And then, hardest of all, you have to wait. And if you have young children, you have to listen to the endless questions and whiny cries: “What time is it?” “When will they start?” “I’m bored!” “I have to go to the bathroom.”

 

But when the fireworks start…when you feel that first gigantic percussion resonate in your chest…it’s so worthwhile.

 

And I agree with the citizens on the Town Square. Skip the music, unless by music you mean the chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs” that you can’t avoid joining in on.

 

While I have your ear, let’s talk a little fireworks etiquette:

 

(1) Leave Fido at home. I’ve seen far too many cowering, trembling pooches at the Tosa fireworks every year. The dogs do not look happy and their owners are clearly not enjoying themselves.

(2) Leave the sparklers at home. Sparklers in your backyard – good idea. Sparklers in a giant crowd of people – very bad idea.

(3) Unless you’re joining in the Oohs and Ahhs Chorus, please don’t talk over my fireworks. It’s only about 30 minutes. Feel free to chat before or after. Definitely not during.

(4) Wait to leave or be nice. The crowds are going to be HUGE. You may as well take your time leaving or accept that it will take you a while. Honking or getting irritated adds nothing to the equation.

 

Here’s wishing everyone a Happy and SAFE 4^th of July! See you at the fireworks!

 

*In my last post, I talked about the shortage of bug spray at local stores. A visit yesterday to the Walgreens at Hwy 100 and North Ave. proved me totally wrong. They had lots of bug spray. Just in time for the fireworks!

Teens these days. They’re so, so, so…willing to sacrifice their time and comfort and….gasp...even their cell phones to do something for other people.

 

Wait…what?! Right now you’re wondering if I’m serious, right? Believe it or not, I am.

 

Saturday morning, at the crack of dawn, more than 50 teens and 15 adult leaders from three Wauwatosa churches gathered in the drizzle at St. Pius XI parish. They loaded gear into a fleet of full-size vans and prepared to drive to Kentucky where they will build and repair homes for some of the poorest people living in the Appalachian Mountains. (Later this summer, other groups will venture to South Dakota and Milwaukee’s inner city to do similar work.)

 

I have heard about The Appalachian Service Project (ASP) for many years. It seems that every teen or adult that has ever gone on this trip has had nothing but great things to say about the experience. This year, my daughter joined the group, as did WauwatosaNOW’s own blogger, Maddie McLennon.

 

I find it pretty impressive that so many teens would give up an entire week of their hard-earned summer to work really hard for someone they don’t know and then sleep on an air mattress in an un-air-conditioned facility. Talk about going outside your comfort zone!

 

Thinking back on my own teen summers, I’m embarrassed to admit that they were largely self-serving, unless my mom finally guilted me into doing something worthwhile. Suffice it to say that I never did anything remotely resembling service to others. I’m pretty proud that my daughter didn’t follow in my footsteps.

 

As a parent, it seems very strange to be out of touch with my daughter for an entire week. (Cell phones are not allowed on the trip, nor would they likely get reception in such a remote area.) Today, we usually have instant access to our kids wherever they go. The idea that I can’t check in on my daughter is a little unnerving…but also somewhat liberating.

 

Maybe this experience changes parents as well as teens. Maybe it was time for us to let go a little and see just exactly what our children are capable of doing on their own.

 

I can’t wait to hear my daughter’s stories and hope that Maddie will also share some with all of us in her next blogpost. If you think of it, say a prayer for safe travels and a meaningful experience for all involved.

I recently visited the brand spanking-new “Intermodal” (i.e. Amtrak/Greyhound) Station in downtown Milwaukee. I was pretty excited when I heard about the renovation because the old station was, um, a dump. I have to say, the remodeling was a success. The place looks gorgeous, with its floor to ceiling windows.

 

So today, I read this story about how the city is fighting to get a decent restaurant next door, but thus far, the only takers are a couple of fast-food joints. Even Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said “we can do better.”

 

I agree with Mayor Barrett…sort of.

 

I think they should look for something better than Dunkin’ Donuts and subs. But, before they look at adding fine dining, they might want to do one simple thing: Look up.

 

In my opinion, there’s a huge problem developing at the Intermodal Station that gives a worse impression than the smell of fried food. The flocks of circling birds are using the gigantic windows for, shall we say, target practice. That’s right, the first thing you notice about the beautiful new station is the windows and the next thing you notice is that they’re covered in bird poop. In fact, they look like....you-know-what.

 

And so I ask: Somewhere in that $15.8 million renovation, did anybody put in a few dollars for window washing? Because I don’t know about you, but the sight of bird-droppings doesn’t make me hungry for anything.

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to see Lisa Ling speak as part of the Journal Sentinel’s Smart Talk Series at the Marcus Center. My season tickets to the series are an annual gift to myself. It’s a great excuse to create a girls’ night out with a friend – dinner, followed by an interesting talk by a prominent and/or successful woman. (I’ll explain later why this will be my last year as a subscriber.)

I’ve always been a fan of Lisa Ling. Her down-to-earth journalistic style is a far cry from the overly dramatic and sensationalistic methods used by other reporters. To me, she’s always seemed like someone you could sit down and talk to, without feeling intimidated.

In her talk, Ling made a comment that resonated with me. She talked about the deterioration of television news and how little “real” news is really being reported. Newscasts filled with stories about Brittany and Anna Nicole and Paris Hilton. With the proliferation of all-news networks, that should be no surprise. It’s virtually impossible for networks such as CNN, MSNBC and Fox News to fill their broadcasts, without adding “filler” – opinions spouted by so-called experts, reports on everyday dangers and puff pieces that are basically just gossip.

For me, this is especially true with our local news broadcasts. At the risk of biting the hand that hosts my blog, Channel 4 (owned by Journal Communications) is the worst offender. This week, their big news promotion is “The Meat We Eat,” a behind-the-scenes expose on meat gone bad. They seem to have made a conscious decision to gear their newscasts to the sensational and the scary.  Their “local news” is nothing more than investigative reporting gone over-the-top. No wonder Mike Gousha left.

This is exactly why I made the decision long ago to stop watching television news. It used to be a habit to turn on the 10:00 pm news before I’d nod off to sleep. Night after night, our local television journalists would alarm, scare and depress me before I fell asleep. It did absolutely nothing for my daily attitude.

And so I stopped – cold turkey. If I need to flip on the TV before I go to bed, it’s The Daily Show. Nothing ends the day better than a chuckle over faux news. Unless there truly is a big story on the news, I don’t miss it a bit.

I’m now a habitual daily newspaper reader. I love starting out the day by reading a well-written story. Sure, the Journal Sentinel covers many of the same stories that I might see on the news, but there’s so much more. And nobody is shouting at me, making idle chit-chat or adding a dose of dramatic music to the news. It’s all there. And I can choose to skip the filler.

And, no, I don’t agree with everything the Journal Sentinel covers or their editorial stance. But I prefer my news written, not stirred. I think I get that from our daily paper.

Back to the Smart Talk Series. They’re losing me as a subscriber because like local TV news, the series has become a bloated series of talking heads. I pay for my tickets. And yet, time after time, they insist on parading corporate vice-president after corporate vice-president past us to “introduce” the speaker. And we’re supposed to applaud for each of them after their little introductions. Seriously? It takes THREE vice-presidents to introduce one speaker? I’m not dumb, I know it’s marketing. But we’re getting less speaker and more vice-president. The speakers only talk for 45 minutes, max. Then there’s a question and answer period. They ask for questions from the audience, but the moderator generally has her own agenda and her own questions. To me, it’s not a great buy for my entertainment dollars. Too bad, it was a great idea.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunts, godmothers and special women in all of our lives!

 

 

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!

A couple of years ago, I joined The Milwaukee Art Museum. After gazing at, admiring and falling in love with Calatrava-designed wing, I decided it was important to support this local treasure. Although I probably only go there once or twice a year (shhh, don’t tell my husband), I like to know that I have a stunningly beautiful destination to bring out-of-town guests. It never fails to impress.

 

Every time I go to the Milwaukee Art Museum, hands down, my favorite exhibit is Tony Oursler's "MMPI (Self-Portrait in Yellow)" from 1996. In fact, anyone who has visited the museum with me has been dragged to see this bizarre and quirky exhibit.

 

It doesn’t do justice to describe MMPI (lovingly referred to as “The Guy with the Chair on His Head”), but I’ll try. There’s a small doll on its side. There is a folding chair resting on his head. Projected onto the doll’s face is a video of a man talking. The man is reciting answers to a mental health test that was commonly given in the 1950s.

 

Today, I read in the paper, that MMPI will be put in storage for a while to make room for other exhibits. I’m kind of sad about that. There’s apparently a Facebook group created to express outrage. David Gordon, the museum’s director and CEO, heard about the Facebook group and basically said, it’s great to hear that we feel so passionately about a piece of art. In fact, the shelving of MMPI will make room for another old favorite – Stanley Landsman's Walk-In Infinity Chamber. 

I guess that’s OK. The Chamber looks pretty cool as well and I can appreciate freshening up the exhibits from time to time. That’s what makes a good museum. But don’t expect me to love The Chamber as much as I love MMPI…at least not at first.

Have you been to the Art Museum? Why not? There’s nothing better on a cold day when the kids are off of school and you can’t stand hearing the television for another minute. Or, if you don’t bring the kids (cuz it’s a teeny bit fancy), enjoy the world-class artwork and then treat yourself to lunch at Coast afterwards. The popovers are amazing!

Once in a while, I encounter a few things that remind me why I love Tosa. Sometimes it’s something small, sometimes funny, sometimes a little sad. Here are a few:

 

Can there be a more fun bakery experience than Cranky Al’s? If I have overnight guests or need to entertain with breakfast or brunch food, Cranky’s is a sure bet. I stopped in over the weekend and there was Al, greeting every guest. “Whaddya want?!” he playfully teased. I walked out with a giant box of donuts and a big smile – a bargain, if you ask me.

 

My average morning starts out with coffee. Lots of coffee. It also starts out with a trip outside so that Millie the wonder dog can “do her business.” Today, as I stood outside in the warm air under a dark sky littered with stars, I heard an unusual noise. It’s very quiet in the pre-dawn hours so I quickly looked around to find the source. There, galloping across my yard, were two deer. It was really cool. Oh and Millie never noticed.

 

Are there enough ways to express the community sadness over the future loss of Drew’s Variety Store? I loved the store, but I also love how the community is embracing this icon of days gone by and lamenting its loss. I guess it’s too late to save the store, but perhaps it’s not too late to save the feeling and know that we need more of it here in Tosa.

 

Sure, it’s a little more expensive than it used to be and yes, some of the sandwiches are decidedly swanky, but John Sandwich Shop is to Tosa restaurants what Drew’s is/was to Tosa retail. A gem - an adorable and quirky little place where you can watch the world go by and greet neighbors and friends. We’d be wise to keep it busy.

 

My kids have friends from many other communities throughout Milwaukee – Bay View, Brookfield, Waukesha, Menomonee Falls, just to name a few. Without a doubt, the village of Tosa is hands-down the favorite hang-out for teens. (And don’t let that scare you folks – I promise these are nice kids.) Sure, they could go to Mayfair, but when given a choice, these kids would much rather walk down to the village and grab a bite at Noodles or Pizzeria Piccola or walk through Hart Park discussing life. I feel really fortunate for this.

 

Treasures abound in Tosa. Little places or small experiences. What makes you love Tosa?

 

Dear Drew’s:

Say it ain’t so! I heard the news today – oh boy. I can’t tell you how sad I am to hear that you’ll be closing your doors in January. And it’s not just me. When I drove carpool this morning, my daughter and her friend mourned the future loss of one of their favorite local retailers. Yes, that’s right – even teens adore you. We parents can’t get that kind of love.

 

Was it because I haven’t been in recently? I meant to, but we haven’t needed poster board or yarn or buttons or strange kitchen gadgets in the last couple of months. But if I did, I would have been there in a flash, happily wandering your aisles.

 

The thing is, what I loved about you is that you were always there – when I needed you and sometimes when I didn’t. Your kitchiness and eclectic mix of homespun and hard-to-find were exactly what we needed in a town where big box retailers are slowly taking over.

 

It must not have been fun for you these past few months with village streets and various construction projects taking their toll on your bottom line. We appreciate your steadfastness through it all.

 

I’m guessing that you didn’t come to this decision easily, but if there’s still room to reconsider, please do. As someone said so aptly in the Tosa Town Square, you are part of the fabric of Wauwatosa. With you gone, there’s a big hole in our village and in our hearts.

 

If it’s a done deal, then I guess all there is left to say is thank you. Thanks for being there for parents, kids and all Tosans. We will never forget you.

 

Your customer,

 

Karen

 

“An emergency has been reported. Please immediately move toward the exits. Do not use the elevator.”

This announcement is how a brisk fall afternoon at Lambeau Field started out for us. We stood there, all 70,000 of us, and looked at each other. Cheerleaders were lining the field, awaiting the Packers who were about to run out of the tunnel. Other than the emergency announcement, there was almost no sound. And yet people were definitely not leaving.

Suddenly, I had visions of a disaster and thought we needed to leave. We started down the stairs. But we were one of the few. Ushers were not trying to get anybody moving. We made it down a few rows when the public address announcer finally told us to disregard the announcement. Later, I found out that a faulty vent in a concession area was to blame.

As we mark the sixth anniversary of one of the most horrific tragedies in the United States, I can’t help but wonder how prepared we really are. There are all sorts of emergency disaster plans at most public venues but this past Sunday at Lambeau Field, most people weren’t taking it seriously.

If you have cable television or listen to the radio, you’ve probably heard the Emergency Broadcast System. I’m sure I’m not in the minority when I admit that I sometimes mute the sound. It’s loud and not pleasant to hear. When will my show come back on?

In December, 1999, everyone in the U.S. worried about the infamous Y2K bug. Will it shut down computers and systems everywhere? Will we be without food, power or water? Here’s exactly what I did to prepare for this potential calamity. I filled up the bathtub with water. That’s it, that’s the list. Kind of pathetic.

After 9/11, much was made of how every family needed an Emergency Preparedness Kit. And so, less than two years after filling the bathtub, I pulled out an extra laundry basket and started throwing into it canned food, duct tape, flashlights, batteries and assorted odds and ends. Again, a pathetic attempt that wouldn’t do much in case of a true emergency. But I didn’t want to be the only one who wasn’t ready. I eventually dismantled the kit and again repurposed the laundry basket for its original use.

Still, the announcement at Lambeau made me think about it again. If the time came and the situation arose, would we take it seriously? Would we have any clue what to do? Would people help each other or run over each other? I still don’t know the answer and hope and pray we don’t have to find out.

Maggie Bersch was the youngest daughter of Dennis and Clare when she succumbed to childhood cancer at the tender age of eight. Her smile is remembered by the many lives she touched, especially those at Christ King School, where she was a student. Her classmates and those of her older sisters rallied around Maggie and the family during her long illness. And although she was loved and supported by so many people in the Christ King community, and cared for by the medical team at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, it wasn’t enough to keep her here with us. Maggie lost her fight with cancer in November of 2004.

However, Maggie’s smile lives on in so many ways. It lives on in the memories of her family and friends and on August 30th, it will live on through the participants of MAGGIE’smile, a 1 Mile Fun Run (and Walk) to benefit the Maggie Bersch Memorial Fund at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. The fund was actually started over thirty years ago by Maggie’s grandparents, Dennis and Mary Bersch, and enhances the stays of children who need to be in the hospital. It was renamed in her honor after her death.

It would make Maggie smile to know that so many people will be gathered in her name to help put smiles on the faces of the kids at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

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Counting Our Blessings

I know we’re all sick of the rain, but I was reminded this weekend that we were truly blessed that Tosa wasn’t hit harder these past couple of weeks.

Yesterday, my husband, daughter and I went down to Glenview, IL where my family lives to lend a helping hand. Glenview is very similar to Wauwatosa, only a little bigger. Last Thursday, they had an unexpectedly strong storm packing 70 mph winds. Most residents in the area were without power since the storm.

My parents were in pretty good shape with their primary loss being a refrigerator full of food that had to be tossed. They spent their power-less days doing old-fashioned things like listening to the radio and reading books.

Unfortunately, my sister and her husband ended up with more than three inches of water in the basement. To make matters worse, their bedroom is down there. Needless to say, it was a mess! And yet, even they were lucky compared to residents of other areas of the Midwest. I have a friend near LaCrosse whose home is a total loss.

Sometimes you realize that you're really, really fortunate. Yesterday was one of those days for me.

On a typical school day, the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Wauwatosa Avenue (76th Street) can be pretty challenging. Between students from Tosa East, Lincoln, St. Bernard’s and those heading towards Longfellow, drivers have to be alert and proceed slowly and cautiously in the morning and the mid-afternoon.

Now that there’s pipe work construction blocking several streets in the village, this same intersection will likely become a huge headache for those who can’t avoid it. Already, rush hour traffic is clogging that intersection and the one just west of it – Underwood and Milwaukee – with cars detouring around the construction.

Early reports have the work finishing up prior to Tosa Fest which starts September 8th. Given the age of the pipes involved, the few mishaps that have already happened (i.e. at least three instances of pipes being hit during construction) and any unforeseen obstacles that may occur, that date may be a tad optimistic.

Tosa schools open on September 4th this year. Here’s hoping that the construction will move swiftly. Otherwise, we’re all going to have to use a lot of patience and caution when navigating that area. Plan ahead and drive s-l-o-w-l-y.

I wish the world were more like “Hairspray.” I can’t help it. I’m a happy ending kind of girl. I’m a sucker for sappiness and lately, it feels like we’re woefully lacking in sunshine.

Yesterday my daughter and I went to see the movie “Hairspray.” My review? Fabulous. I haven’t been so entertained in years. The music, the story, the colors, the message – nothing short of amazing. I loved the idea of people embracing and applauding differences. Sure it’s a naïve perspective that change could come that easily, but then again, why not?

“Hairspray” is the story of Tracy Turnblad, a plump and infectiously happy teenager in 1962 who wants nothing more than to dance on the Corny Collins TV show. In fact, she wants everyone to be able to dance on the show, including her new African American friends who, despite their obvious talent, can only appear on “negro day.” I won’t be a spoiler, but suffice it to say that goodness triumphs over narrow mindedness and you can’t help but walk away from the theatre with a smile on your face and a song in your head.

And that’s when it hit me – Wauwatosa could use a little Hairspray. Between the heated discussions about security at Mayfair Mall, the recent crimes against local businesses and potential concerns about the future of the Hoyt Park Pool, we could use a little unbridled optimism.

I know that it will take more than a perky Hollywood film to help us to overcome our fears and get along. But Tracy’s can-do attitude could go a long way in getting us Tosans to take a minute before lashing out at each other with accusations and innuendo. If, like Tracy, we could learn to look beyond our differences, maybe we’d find out that all have a lot more in common than we think we do.

They throw off their coats
And leave the squares behind
And then they shake it, shake it, shake it
Like they're losing their mind
You'll never see them frown
'Cause they're the nicest kids in town

Heck, I can dream, can’t I?

I hate using the cliché about how we have two seasons in Wisconsin – winter and construction. But if you’ve lived around Tosa for a while, you know that this isn’t really far from the truth. Hardly a summer goes by without bright orange construction signs dotting our landscapes and blocking our streets.

I enjoy walking my dog on Hillcrest Avenue from 76th Street through the Washington Highlands. My return trip is down Hawley road and westbound on Milwaukee Avenue/Vliet Street. Lately this has been a challenging proposition because random sidewalk squares have been removed and are in the process of being replaced. This inconvenience is rather tricky to get around and forces us to walk in the street which is generally OK on Hillcrest but downright dangerous on Milwaukee Avenue.

On a recent drive through our fair village, I find that lovely State Street is once again under demolition. Not only are there hazards on State Street itself, but Harwood Avenue, from Drew’s on south is completely blocked off, leaving patrons of Drew’s, Luna Day Spa, Blue Lapin, Urban Laundry, Jilly & George, Bartolotta’s and Noodles with few parking options.

I understand that this is a necessary process, but why does it seem to take FOREVER? And, a quick glance at the City of Wauwatosa website offers no obvious information on these projects and how long they’ll take. How hard could it be for them to provide us with this information? Or do we think that because it’s not in front of our own house, we don’t really need to know about it in advance?

Woohoo! At long last, Wauwatosa’s beloved 4th of July Fireworks Show returns to Hart Park. I, for one, am thrilled! I remember last 4th of July – sitting on a less-than-scenic hill overlooking Whitman Middle School, straining to see the colors, but really only hearing the explosions mixed with traffic sounds from Highway 45. It was less than ideal, especially figuring in the hour long traffic maze just to get back to Hwy 100.

OK, I confess. I like my fireworks at Hart Park because I can walk there. I have no parking hassles and I can sit in the middle of the football field and chat with friends and neighbors and actually have a chance of glimpsing my kids hanging with their friends. For me, it feels more like home. I hope you’ll join me this year.

Somebody help me out here because cycle season is upon us. They’re abundant here in Wauwatosa for good reason: Our tree-lined streets and parkway paths are ideal for a warm weather ride. The problem I’m having is the tenuous relationship between bikes and cars.

I understand that we should yield to bicycles for obvious safety reasons. I try to take a wide path around cyclists whenever possible. Usually, it’s not a problem, but I’ve noticed in recent years a growing trend. I’ll call it the Tour du Tosa trend.

Today’s cyclists are serious riders. They have that Lance Armstrong look from head to toe and they tend to ride in packs. No doubt that makes the ride more enjoyable…for them. For me, in my car, it makes driving around these Tour du Tosans trickier than ever. They don’t hesitate to ride two or three abreast, often occupying much of the traffic lane. Fine, I think. They want to ride in traffic. They want to have, as the bumper sticker reads “equal rights.” I patiently wait behind them until it’s safe to widely pass them. Which is great, until we get to a stop sign and they blow right through it, while I obey the law and stop.

This is where I need help. I’ve tried to look up the rules of the road as they apply to bicycles. The rules that I found were more like guidelines, except for the one that reads: “Obey all traffic rules.” Seems to me that would include stopping at stop signs and stop lights. So which is it? Do they get to ride in traffic but ignore posted signs? Is it OK when they occupy much of a traffic lane? What are we drivers supposed to do when we encounter a rider in the middle of a lane of traffic, traveling at speeds far below the posted speed limit?

It goes without saying that I’ll continue to exercise caution when I encounter cyclists on my daily drives. But I also hope they’ll understand if I’m a little annoyed when they’re exercising their rights without accepting any responsibilities.

Well, they did it. Mayfair Mall management got tough. Today they released their PGR (Parental Guidance Required) Policy, and I have to say, it’s gonna bum out a bunch of teens, including the 15-year old that lives in my house. Gone are the days when we can get our teens out of our hair by dumping them off at the mall.

Basically, the policy states that after 2 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old. And each adult can only escort up to four under-18ers. However, mothers who are not yet 21 will be allowed in the mall with young children. (That part still confuses me, but I’m going to assume the mall knows what it’s doing.)

As I mentioned, this will certainly affect my family – specifically my daughter. She and her friends did enjoy hanging out at the mall, especially on Fridays off of school or weekends. She’ll no longer have the luxury of cruising through Forever 21 or American Eagle without me hanging next to her. It’s that last part that is the most torturous in her mind. What could be worse than not be able to go to the mall with your friends? Having to go to the mall with your mother – ugh!

We’ll no longer have the option of dropping my daughter and her friends at the mall on a Friday or Saturday afternoon for something to do. Still, that’s just an issue of convenience, not hardship.

But that’s too bad. It’s the way it is. The few, who were starting to cause lots of trouble, have ruined it for the many. From the looks of the early comments in the Tosa Town Square or on the Journal/Sentinel website (other than the few close-minded and racist comments), people seem supportive. I encourage everyone to take a wait-and-see attitude and give it time to work.