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.

So...I know this college kid from Tosa. And he’s doing a project this summer. No, he’s not painting the house or fixing a car. He’s creating a musical.

 

That’s right. I said a musical. And to do it, he’s writing and recording one song a day for 40 days. He wants you to come along on this tuneful journey. Bookmark his website and get a front row seat to this local creation. You can comment or maybe even give him some ideas. I’m in…are you?

 

OK, full disclosure. I know this kid really well. I still think it’s worth checking in on his progress. It could be fun…..

I came upon an article in the Sunday paper about Rick Warren, the author of the blockbuster best-selling book, “A Purpose Driven Life.” Apparently, Mr. Warren has had a change of heart and is telling his flock to play nice.

 

According to the article, Warren now regrets an e-mail that he sent to 136,000 pastors prior to the 2004 election. That e-mail called for churches to focus on hot-button issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion and stem-cell research.

 

The article goes on to say that Warren now wants to promote “personal responsibility and restore civility in American culture.”

 

“I just think we’re becoming too rude,” he said. “You have no right to demonize someone just because you disagree with them.”

 

To that, I say – AMEN!

 

In the interest of full-disclosure, let me say that I hate politics. I don’t do yard signs and I don’t campaign for anyone. I prefer to keep my politics, or lack thereof, to myself.

 

Modern day politics are so rarely about issues and more often about money well-spent and verbal jabs well-aimed. To me, it’s like the sound of children fighting. We never get to the bottom of what they’re fighting about and we often miss the purpose of what they, and we, are fighting for. In fact, the more noise that politicians make, the less I tend to hear what they’re saying.

 

Let me also say that I hold very dearly the privilege, the honor and the right to vote in our elections. Men and women have given their lives so that we can freely vote. To ignore that is to dishonor those who have sacrificed.

 

It is February 2008. Soon, our state will be in the middle of a primary and will be under the spotlight of the nation. Shortly after that, Wauwatosa voters will choose a new mayor. With that in mind, I’m calling for a cease-fire.

 

No, I’m not saying you shouldn’t fight for what you believe in. I’m just asking you to fight fair. Leave the sarcasm, anger, name-calling and venom behind. Argue respectfully. Stop using terms like “flaming liberal” or “conservative shill.” Argue the issue, don’t attack the person.

 

Look, you don’t have to agree with Rick Warren’s politics or religion to appreciate his most recent message. No matter what side of the voting booth you stand on, it’s always nice to practice the golden rule.

The music world is a little quieter and a lot sadder today. John Ruka, a drum and percussion instructor who founded the Drum Instructor’s Guild, passed away this weekend at the young age of 62.

Our family first met John several years ago. We had given our son a drum set for Christmas and were looking around for an instructor. A friend directed us to John who ran a drum studio out of his Tosa basement. Our son began taking lessons which eventually changed his life.

The best way to describe John was to say he was a cool cat with a passion for drumming. His studio was as eclectic as it was educational, filled with drum magazines, drum albums and endless drum paraphernalia. He couldn’t begin to tell you enough about drums, drummers and drumming. His passion for his art and craft were evident throughout every lesson and every opportunity he found to share it with his hundreds of students.

With his shock of white hair, ponytail and goatee, John was no ordinary music instructor. He had a knack for relating to kids and turning them on to new and different sounds. He had an appreciation for every style of music and would often go out of his way to introduce kids to the sounds of legendary drummers.

Three years ago, our son decided that his dream was to go into music recording. He was only a beginning drummer with modest talent but a love of music. As he began to search for colleges, he found out that in order to enroll in a recording program, he would have to audition not only on drum, but also marimba and timpani, two instruments he had never played. John gently explained to him that this would be a huge challenge but that it was doable if he really wanted it. In a matter of months, John taught our son enough skills to help him pass an audition and get accepted to a terrific program where he is truly studying and living his dream. We are forever indebted to John for everything he did to help make this happen. His belief in our son made our son believe in himself.

My deepest sympathies go out to John’s wife and daughter at this time of tremendous loss. The music world has lost a really great man. Wauwatosa and the Milwaukee area have lost an amazing drum instructor and musician. And yet, we all know that John’s ‘beat’ will go on through the lives and music of his many students.

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

The other day, one of my monthly book clubs met to discuss our most recent selection: “Population 485. Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time” by Michael Perry. The book is a non-fiction account of a real-life prodigal son, the author, who returns to his hometown -- New Auburn, Wisconsin, population: 485 -- and joins the volunteer fire and rescue department. Our discussion initially covered the great writing, stories and characters found in Perry’s book. We eventually moved on to our thoughts about Wauwatosa and how it compared to New Auburn.

The most intriguing question asked was whether each of us considered Wauwatosa a suburb of a big city or a small town. As someone who grew up on the north side of Chicago, Wauwatosa feels wonderfully small-townish to me. I love the fact that I meet my neighbors in grocery store aisles and at church festivals. I love that we have a weekly local paper (The former News Times, soon to be the WauwatosaNOW.) I love that the police officers are familiar to me and not because I’ve had run-ins with the law, but because they’re constant guardians in our community. I love that we have a charming 4th of July Parade every year where we holler greetings to people marching by as they pelt us with candy. I love that I can walk to the Village and visit Drew’s Variety Store where they truly have a little something of almost everything.

Sure, Tosa is very “big town” in many ways with our cool new restaurants and shops, our cosmopolitan shopping mall and our proximity to a major metropolitan city. Our firefighters are not volunteers but you can watch our local government on local access TV.

To me, Wauwatosa is the right combination of mostly “little” with just the right amount of “big” mixed in. How about you? Do you consider Tosa a small town or a big suburb? E-mail your thoughts to westsidestoriestosa@yahoo.com .

So, have you put that new bumper sticker on your car? The one that says: “I’m Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.” No? Well, neither have I. Although I am proud of this honor, it seems to lose its impact when I know that we’re ALL Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. But I did read through the issue, or perhaps browsed through it would be more correct. The one thing I did learn was that YouTube had a huge effect on our world this year. Of course, it had a huge effect on the bank accounts of the three unassuming fellows that founded this website that features videos by regular people like you and me. Or should I say, other People of the Year.

And so this got me thinking: I wonder what YouTube offers the people of Wauwatosa? Well, you might be surprised to know that there are 19 videos produced for and by Tosa residents. Some are videotaped performances from Tosa East and West. One enterprising individual made a 6-minute video of a home for sale. (No word on whether it was successful.) There are two videos that give you a behind the scenes look at, well, the life of a teenager. Compelling? Not really, but probably fun for them to watch. Then there’s the video titled: “We got fired from DQ” in which two recently terminated Tosa DQ employees drive past the restaurant and rant about their lack of money and their former employer. (Parental advisory on this one. These kids are upset and don’t hold back on their language.)

One of the truly interesting things you’ll find in a search of Tosa YouTube videos is a 3-part video which shows the Menomonee River Flood of 1997. I think most of us remember this unbelievable event and yet I have always had a hard time adequately describing it to others. This video does a good job showing several areas of Tosa under flood waters. It’s definitely worth a look, unlike a lot of other things on YouTube.

Despite what you might think, it's not the big things in Tosa (Mayfair, Lowe's, Best Buy) that make me love our town. It's the small things shared with great people. Here are just a few:

- The twin German brothers at Hyde Park Tailors that work miracles on clothing. (And properly teach me to pronounce my last name.)
- Getting yelled at by Al at Cranky Al's on a Saturday morning. I'm looking forward to my beatdowns starting up again.
- Shopping for Moccasins at Old Towne Cobbler on 68th Street
- Using the Automated Package Center at the Post Office on Mayfair Road. In and out in a snap!
- Saying hi to Mary at One Hour Martinizing on 68th and Milwaukee and talking about the weather.
- Shopping for school project supplies at Drew's Variety after school.
- Sitting at a tall table in Vino 100, sipping wine, while the weather outside is frightful.
- Finding just the right gift at Underwood Gallery and also catching up with Pam on what's new in Tosa business.
- Seating yourself at Hector's and digging into chips and salsa while awaiting your Margarita.
- Grabbing a loveseat at the Rosebud and balancing your food order number on the back of it.
- Snagging a coveted window table at John's Sandwich Shop on a Saturday morning and waiting for a Veggie Scrambler and hot coffee.
- Walking the path on Menomonee River Parkway on an unexpectedly balmy day and enjoying the variety of dogs and walkers that are out.
- Chatting with Rose at ***'s while waiting for my Chinese take-out order. She always comments on how our kids have grown and whips up a great cheeseburger for them.
- Having a yummy lunch in a basket at Colonel Hart's after Sunday church while watching sports on the many TVs.
- Tosa Fest in the village, early on Friday evening.
- Watching a football game at Hart Park while the girls parade by the boys who rarely seem to be watching the game.
- Waiting for a table outside Balistreri's and wandering into Ultimate Confections to make the time pass more quickly.

What are some of your favorite Tosa things? E-mail me at westsidestoriestosa@yahoo.com and I'll post them in a future column.

Dear Santa:
I give up. Christmas is starting much earlier than I think is reasonable, but I can't seem to fight commercialism. I noticed that your house was up in Mayfair by November 1st. I was almost expecting Tom Turkey to rent it out for a couple of weeks, but thankfully that didn't happen.

Anyway, since I can't stop the ebb and flow of holiday merchandising, I may as well just embrace it and jump head first into the season like everyone else. However, I have a few requests this year. Can you find it in your heart to give us Tosa grown-ups some treats under our Christmas tree? Here are a few suggestions:

The gift of patience. Even if we're quasi-Martha Stewarts, at some point during the next 40 days, we're going to shop. Help us take a deep breath and know that everything will take just a little longer and we should leave the attitude in the car.

The gift of kindness. Again with the shoppers - there will be a lot of us out there. We'll be hustling and bustling and our packages will be jostling. Give us the ability to step aside for a mom with kids, hold a door for someone carrying several packages, or let a car merge in front of us as we're battling traffic.

The gift of big things from small places. When we're out shopping, encourage us to find the small Tosa stores that help make our village so great, such as Jilly & George, Anthilia, Juxt Home & Baby or The Underwood Gallery.

The gift of good friends and family. Help us to remember that the special people in our lives are more important than anything that can be bought in a store. And since food, family and friends go together so well, maybe we'll think about visiting the new Enoteca, the tried and true Hector's or sharing a pizza from Balistreri's with those we love.

Oh and be careful when you visit our beautiful old Tosa homes. Some of those fireplaces get a good workout this time of year and that red suit might need an extra dry cleaning.

Thanks Santa!
Love,
Karen

This goes out to all the runners and joggers out there, or at least those of you that run at night: Please stay off the streets at night - literally. It's Daylight Savings Time and by 5:00 pm, Wauwatosa is dark and the streets are busy...with cars. But lately, while driving at "rush hour," I've had to deal with runners sharing the road with me. I'm telling you, it's dangerous. Sure, you're wearing your glowing, reflective apparel, but you're running dangerously close to traffic. Why, when we live in a community with abundant sidewalks, do you need to be on the street where drivers have to take a wide, and hazardous, berth to avoid you?

This is primarily a problem on Menomonee River Parkway on the stretch between 92nd Street and North Avenue where there are no sidewalks. Why can't you alter your route at dark and avoid this area? Amy Dedow has already shared her story of her husband's bike accident and that was during daylight hours. I worry that something similar will happen with a runner after dark. I hope I'm wrong.

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, 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 September 7th, 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.

MAGGIE’smile, which starts at the Christ King School parking lot at Swan Boulevard and Center at 6:00 pm (check-in begins at 5:00pm), includes a pizza party, raffle drawing, live music and an opportunity to walk or run a mile for a very good cause.

To register, please contact Audra at 414-774-8668 by September 3rd. Registration is only $5 per person and every participant receives a MAGGIE’smile Wrist Band and kids will receive a MAGGIE’smile Water Bottle. Donations directly to the Maggie Bersch Memorial Fund are also greatly appreciated. Please consider participating in this very special event. It would make Maggie smile to know that so many people are gathered in her name to help put smiles on the faces of the kids at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

The recent flap in the Journal Sentinel about Wikipedia and the Lake Express made us all realize that if you say anything loud enough and in a public place, somebody will believe it. Although it calls itself a “free encyclopedia built collaboratively,” Wikipedia is merely a place for know-it-alls or know-a-little-bits to spout off, with little or no repercussion.

So, I was thinking, hmm....what exactly would Wikipedia say about Wauwatosa? Well, we have our own, nice little page. Well, maybe nice isn’t really the operative word, mostly because the main photo on the Wauwatosa Wikipedia Page (say that five times fast) is of “Municipal Tank No. 5.” Yes, if there’s a tourist out there who actually consults Wikipedia for travel information, they’ll see a photo of one of our lovely blue water towers. What surprised me is that there are 5 of these behemoths in our fair city. Who knew? Well, besides the Water Department, that is.

You also find out from Wikipedia that we are what is known as an Edge City, which does not mean we favor a certain brand of shaving cream, but rather that we are a relatively new concentration of business, shopping and entertainment outside a traditional urban area.

According to the Wikipedia Wauwatosa page, there are two main points of interest: The Anunciation Greek Church and the Library/City Hall Building. Apparently, everything else is what makes us so “edgy.”

There is some brief historical information, which may or may not be accurate and there is also this bit of trivia: One of the world's first airliners constructed by Alfred Lawson and Vincent Brunelli took its maiden flight in 1919 from what is now Currie Park. Hope those beautiful blue water towers didn’t get in the way!

So, if you fancy yourself a Wauwatosa historian, I guess you can feel free to head over to the Wikepedia Wauwatosa Page and edit to your heart’s content. And while you’re at it, why not put a picture of something, anything more attractive than Municipal Tank No. 5.

Yesterday, over my morning cup of coffee, I was surprised and interested to read that Wauwatosa has at least one prostitute living in our midst. Gosh, this gives new meaning to the term “bedroom community,” doesn’t it?

Could it be that our fancy new crossing signals were installed because we do have a “red light district”? And if we do, do you think their assessments went up too? Just imagine the conversation that went on at City Hall over that piece of property! (“Seriously, business has been down this year....”)

And could it be that this one “lady of the evening” puts the Fest in TosaFest? Sakes alive! It’s no wonder that our “National Night Out” is so darn popular!

Hey, now that I think about it, never mind the window displays, maybe this is Victoria’s Secret. Gee, we've always had a lot of runners, strollers and bike riders, but street walkers?!

We in Wauwatosa have always prided ourselves on our efforts to preserve history and now we can boast that one of our residents is practicing the “world’s oldest profession.”

Thank you. I’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your wait staff.

Every year, on one magical evening, Wauwatosa becomes the Woodstock of Milwaukee. On that day, a warm August night preceding Irish Fest, thousands flock to our fair suburb to listen to the #2 band in the world get their jig on. By that I mean, Gaelic Storm, the world-renowned Celtic band whose most recent album is currently #2 on the World Charts. Plus, they’re movie stars, having performed and starred in the blockbuster film Titanic back in 1997. How often do we get celebrities of that caliber in Tosa?

This past Wednesday evening, August 16th, my husband and I put the dog on her leash and headed down to Menomonee River Parkway to walk casually through the throngs. It was nothing short of amazing. The traffic was in a virtual gridlock, lawn chairs were sprawled as far as you could see, the aroma of corned beef wafted through the air and you couldn’t swing a dead cat (or leprechaun) without hitting a Guinness or some other brand of stout beer.

Despite the fact that (heresy!) I am distinctly not fond of Irish music and culture (I grew up in Chicago where we were force-fed a steady diet of it), I could still fully appreciate the drawing power of this annual event. It was such fun to run into neighbors, have our dog petted by roaming children and consider selling tickets to our nearby bathroom to the hundreds waiting in line for the Porta-Potty. (They might want to set up a few more next year. Isn’t there a formula of Porta-Potty to beer served ratio?)

We didn’t stay for the entire concert and actually never sat down and really listened to Gaelic Storm or its opening act, Leahy’s Luck, but it was such a classic and beautiful Tosa evening that I’m certain we’ll go back next year. Yes, despite the fact that Irish music and culture will surround me. Heck, for one night I can handle it, can’t I?

I have a confession to make: I’ve named the runners and a few of the walkers in my neighborhood. It’s not a weird stalker kind of thing, but more of an expression of endearment. You see, I have a lovely bird’s-eye vantage point and the sidewalk in front of our house is a rather popular thoroughfare for dog-walkers, stroller-pushers and the aerobically inclined. About 4-1/2 years ago, I quit my job to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. One of the first things I noticed was my neighborhood during the day and how it was a little bit different than it was after work. Or, perhaps it was just that I had a little more time to smell and, well, see the flowers....and the people that took the time to get out and move!

First, let me say that I’m very impressed by their commitment, their dedication and their regularity...to running, for heaven’s sake! They are amazingly dependable and help put time stamps on my day. For instance, at around 4 pm every day, I look out my kitchen window for the “Tippy-Toe Runner.” She runs on the grass, I assume due to bad knees. Her pace is slow but she runs for miles and miles. I know because I’ve seen her running far away from where I live.

Then there’s the mid-day arrival of the “Serious Runner.” Right around noon when I’m sitting down to a hearty lunch, I see her, in bright apparel and with a very deliberate stride, running past my house. She never misses a day. Never.

After the school day begins, when I’m walking my dog on the parkway, I often see “The Happy Runner.” She looks too young to not be in school, but then, everyone looks pretty young to me these days. She runs with the most pleasant smile on her face, her head slanted a bit to one side. She never fails to make me smile myself.

My favorite is not a runner, but a walker. I see him many days of the week, but always early on Sundays. I’ve dubbed him “Lumbering Man.” He looks a few decades older than me and his gait tilts from one side to the other. He walks as if in a bit of pain. And yet, I’ve seen him, in every kind of weather, walking for miles and miles and miles. He never ceases to amaze me, the way he perseveres, no matter if it’s below zero, raining or sleeting.

I’ve never met any of these people. I suppose I could stop them, say hi and introduce myself, but I have a quiet respect for their commitment to personal fitness and I like to know that they’re around every day or every week. They’re a comfortable sight in the neighborhood.

Outside of a few exceptions, Tosa is a community of sidewalks - sidewalks that are used a lot. If you have a short or crowded driveway, please don’t park your car so that it obstructs the sidewalk. It’s tough on walkers of all ages and abilities, not to mention young bike riders and parents pushing strollers. In fact, it’s really irritating and selfish too.

I love pedestrians. In fact, I often am a pedestrian. As drivers, we should definitely slow down for pedestrians and allow them the right of way and the time to get across the street. As pedestrians, shouldn’t we also hustle just a teeny bit when someone is waiting in a car or when a line of cars is waiting for you to cross? And no, I’m not talking about rushing the elderly or young children. I’m talking about healthy, able-bodied citizens that seem to pride themselves on taking....all....day.....to.....cross.....the.....street.

I sometimes wonder if Wauwatosa holds some kind of record for the number of dogs we have. If you visit Menomonee River parkway on a Saturday in good weather, you’ll see dozens of dogs being walked by owners. Some owners take it up a notch and jog with their dogs, sometimes off-leash. (I won’t get into the legalities of this.) For the most part, these dogs are well behaved and leave people alone. The issue I have is when the owner is running so fast, that he/she doesn’t notice that the dog has stopped to do its “business” which is then left for everyone to step in. Consequently, when I walk my dog, I get dirty looks, as if I were responsible. If you walk or run your dog, watch what it’s doing and pick up after it...for everyone’s sake. If you forget a bag, ask another dog walker or come back later and pick it up.

Wauwatosa is also a community of bikes. We have many trails and lovely tree-lined streets that make a bike ride an adventure and well worth the effort. Weekends on Menomonee River Parkway are often very busy with bicycle traffic, which is why we should all slow down. Conversely, if you’re riding with several bikers, may I suggest that you ride single-file and not side-by-side? There simply isn’t enough room for two-way auto traffic and bikers in groups...even if you’re wearing that cool Spandex biking outfit that makes you look oh so Lance Armstrong.

One of the most time-honored traditions in Wauwatosa is the Fourth of July Parade down North Avenue. One needs only to drive down that street on July Third to see how much this city loves its parade. The roped-together lawn chairs decorating all sides of the street are the way we display our civic pride. The question is, can businesses and the public enjoy the festivities without stepping on each other’s toes?

For more than 20 years, a friend of mine has been watching the Wauwatosa Fourth of July Parade from the same vantage point. She and her family have always sat in front of Sendiks (formerly Kohl’s) between Pasadena and 86th and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Independence Day, Wauwatosa-style. The roofline of the store provided protection from the rain and the deep window ledges were comfortable seats. As kids, they would run inside Kohl’s and purchase donuts and juice to enjoy while the parade rolled by.

Last year, that tradition came to a screeching halt. She and her family arrived in front of Sendik’s only to find that our newest gourmet grocery store had roped off the entire sidewalk in front of the store for employees and their families. Not only could you not sit in front of Sendik’s, but you could not even use the sidewalk directly in front of the store. To make matters a little worse, Sendik’s was not open for business, like Kohl’s used to be, except for employees and relatives to use their restroom.

There’s no easy solution to this situation. Sendik’s is a private business and has the right to take advantage of their unique location to treat employees and their families. They also have the right to close their store on a national holiday. The murky part is whether they should be able to close off the sidewalk in front of their business to the exclusion of the general public...many of whom, like my friend, are good customers. It would seem only fair that they consider resizing their private viewing area so that residents can use the sidewalk. And, if they could find it in their hearts to open their doors during the parade to sell a donut or two, well, I know a family that would be really happy. After all, it’s all in the name of civic pride.

There’s a gem of a place nestled on North Avenue between 85th and 86th streets, on the north side of the street. You’ve probably driven by it dozens of times. Perhaps you noticed the quirky clock on the front of this lannon stone Cape Cod that says “Time to Buy” displaying, ironically, the incorrect time. Or maybe you have seen the other sign, permanently planted in the front yard, that says “Holiday Clock Sale,” even in mid-summer, with no holiday in sight. Nevertheless, you should park the car and step inside Homestead Clocks and Accents, a one-of-a-kind blast from the past with more clocks per square inch than you can imagine. Shepherded by Clifford Gensch, a gangly, elderly gentleman with a caricature comb-over and more stories than you have time for, Homestead Clocks is a treasure trove in Wauwatosa.

I first stumbled upon the store when I had decided to buy my husband a mantel clock for our 15th wedding anniversary. I’m not typically a fan of out of the way places, but I knew my husband would appreciate knowing that his gift was purchased at that funny little store that we had passed for years. I stepped inside and was overwhelmed by clocks from floor to ceiling. There’s practically no place to stand inside the “store,” which is essentially just a tiny house packed with product, but I waited my turn as Cliff assisted another customer. When that person left, he looked at me and brightly asked: “How can I help you, young lady?!” I was immediately taken in by his charm and his warmth. He not only helped me choose a beautiful Sligh mantel clock, but he gave me a history of the manufacturer, the value of the clock and few fascinating stories to go with my purchase.

Since then, I’ve been back several times, to buy more clocks and accents or for a clock repair. (Cliff does repairs for many large retailers.) Every time, I’m treated like a long-lost friend and given a wealth of stories and anecdotes that are so fun to hear. In fact, I often bring my teenage daughter in with me because storekeepers such as Cliff are a dying breed that her generation will rarely see. In this age of employee turnover and chain store monopolies, a trip to Homestead Clocks will take longer than you want, but it’s always so worth the time. Go visit Cliff and tell him that the “young lady” sent you. You can thank me later.

Hi. My name is Karen and I’m an unabashed Tosa enthusiast. No, the City Council did not pay me to say that. I wear many hats, but this is what popped into my head when I sat down to write the first entry for my new Community Voices blog, “West Side Stories.”

First a confession: I’m not a native Tosan. Actually, and don’t hate me for saying this, I grew up on the north side of Chicago. (Don’t worry, a prenuptial agreement required me to pledge my allegiance to the Packers.) The neighborhood in which I grew up, Edgebrook, is practically a mirror-image of Wauwatosa, with its tree-lined streets and quaint shops. Our Drew’s Variety was called Value-Ville. Our Sendik’s was Peterson’s. Our “Village” was called “Uptown.” Our Gilles was called Superdog. The fact that I transplanted myself into a northern version of Edgebrook is probably not an accident.

My husband and I have lived in Wauwatosa for 15 years, but I really think of it as more like 20. We used to gaze longingly at Tosa across Center Street and save our pennies for the day when we could claim a Wauwatosa address. Once we made the leap, we never looked back.

Yes, I’m sure that the people in Whitefish Bay or Shorewood or Bay View feel the same, but I’ll admit it, I’m a Tosa Snob because I think everything’s better here on the West Side.

I’m a Tosa Snob because I love the quirky little places you won’t find in those other communities. I love sitting on the patio outside John’s Sandwich Shop, drinking a milk shake. I love wandering through the packed aisles at Drew’s, finding items for my kids’ school projects. I love walking into The Rosebud Theatre, snuggling into a loveseat and promising myself not to fall asleep because I’m so comfortable. I love browsing through The Little Read Book, trying to narrow down my choices to 5 or 6 titles. I love stopping in Swan Drugs and letting the kids get a pack of candy cigarettes. (Oh, stop it – it’s nostalgia!)

I love steering a cart through Wisconsin Garden and Pet and buying way too many flowers that I will eventually curse when I have to keep them watered. I love walking into Homestead Clocks, finding the strangest timepiece imaginable and then staying way too long to listen to Cliff Gensch share a story or two. I love standing in the middle of Balistreri’s, waiting for a table, while diners all around me eat pizza served on gigantic cafeteria trays. For me, it all feels like home and running into neighbors and friends simply seals the deal for me virtually every day.

What you won’t read about in “West Side Stories” are politics and issues. I steer far clear of such topics, and I’m sure my fellow Community Voices bloggers will be far more adept at that than I would be.

First and foremost, I’m a mom...of the stay-at-home variety. I have been a working mom, so I know a bit about those challenges as well. My view of the world, or Wauwatosa, is generally more fluff than fact, with a little bit of crankiness mixed in, covered (hopefully) with a layer of humor. I try not to take any of it too seriously because, really, there are more qualified people to do that for us.

Thanks for reading. I hope you’ll come back and feel free to contact me. All I ask is that you be polite, because that’s what your mother would have wanted you to do, right?