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Athletes and coaches displayed class and perspective in 2008

Steven Tietz — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:49:46 GMT

Professor Randy Pausch died recently of the effects of a fast-moving pancreatic cancer.Before he passed, however, he showed us, as honored National Public Radio commentator Scott Simon said of the late author and historian David Halberstram in 2007: “A grand way to live.”In his now well-known and oft-quoted bestseller about life and how he wished he had more of it: “The Last Lecture”, Pausch has a chapter entitled “I never made it to the NFL” where he touches on familiar themes like teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, hard work and of fighting through adversity.He also refers to his old hard-nosed, by-the-book grade school football coach whose thoughts on the concept of self-esteem were summarized this way: “You give them (kids) something they can’t do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process.”In my 27 years of working high school sports, I have run into many variations of Pausch’s old coach. Some were successful, some were not. Most of them usually got at least one important idea through to their charges.Most of the time their points were aimed at the “try-hard” kid who didn’t have all the talent in the world but who benefitted greatly all the same from a no-nonsense approach and a little attention. If the coach and the team were really lucky, the talented kids took some of those lessons to heart too.

And I was greatly heartened in 2008 to find many examples of athletes and coaches who followed these precepts or adapted them well to their given circumstances.

As a result, I'm happy to announce my first annual 2008 Right Perspective Awards for those who did the right thing for the right reasons in area sports. They are listed in no particular order.

KEVIN WILD, BROWN DEER

Being a throwback four-sport athlete (football, basketball, golf and baseball), and a talented team-first type of kid, Wild is an easy choice. What makes his selection even easier is that he led his spirited and senior-dominated basketball team to a share of the Woodland Conference basketball title in a wild and woolly finish that saw four squads share a bite of the championship.

Then he followed that by fighting off arm troubles to lead the underdog baseball team to its first state tournament berth in 26 years by turning himself into a virtual one-man siege gun. Coaches could not say enough about his commitment and sense of self-sacrifice.

"He always put whatever sport he was involved with at the time first and foremost," said former Falcon basketball coach and Athletic Director Mike Novak.

MEGAN PALMER, WHITEFISH BAY

Palmer rode a roller-coaster of emotion from the fall of 2007 to the fall of 2008. Included among those feelings were heartbreak as the Blue Duke cross country team fell just short of a first-ever state team title in the fall of 2007.That was followed by elation in the spring of 2008 as a fresh and rested Palmer won the 800-meter title at the state track meet. But her joy was short-lived, as this past fall, Palmer struggled in cross country as she had to often relinquish her team front-running role to others. No matter, she didn’t carp or complain, but accepted a vital scoring role further back in the pack as the Blue Dukes finally did claim that first state team title.In discussing things with her later there was no talk of the disappointment of the “I” only the joy of the “We”.

CALLIE BURROWS, MENOMONEE FALLS

Taking three runner-up finishes in the WIAA State Track Meet in the hurdles over a two-year span, twice to the same competitor, might make a person feel embittered or frustrated but not the three-time school record-holder Burrows.Especially considering that in 2008, both of her losses were to good friend Lindsay Schwartz of Watertown, whom she saw again and again in both the regional and sectional competition.“She (Schwartz) wanted to know how I felt,” Burrows said. “She pretty much knew what I was thinking and how I felt. ..Winning would have been pretty good, but I just know that I’m a very blessed girl. I really wanted a PR and that’s what I got.”

TORY BAUMAN, NICOLET

Not only did the senior golfer defend her state individual title in classy fashion this past October, she also did two other things to both secure her future and make sure she was living entirely in the present. She looked to her future by accepting a scholarship to the University of Denver and then she made sure she was enjoying her remaining time as a high school student by becoming the only senior on the youthful but blissfully talented girls basketball team. She’s just a role player, but hoops coach Corey Wolf said that Bauman is a tremendous role model to the freshmen and sophomore-dominated squad.

ALY CORAN AND JACKIE EGELHOFF, HOMESTEAD

Yes, the supremely-talented and nationally-ranked freshman Coran dominated the girls state tennis ranks this fall, winning the Highlanders first-ever state singles title and leading them to a first-ever team title, but it was how she did it that makes her worthy of this list.Because among her training partners was four-time state champion from Cedarburg Caitlin Burke. Sessions with Burke taught Coran technique, humility and grace and reinforced what her former Nicolet state doubles champion mother Dr. Judy (Becker) Coran said about tennis:“This sport will keep you humble.”For Egelhoff, the Highlanders long-time coach, it was a time to give thanks to her late father Rollie Mueller. Egelhoff and her sister Barb were groundbreaking players and coaches before there was Title IX and the reason was because their father had the forethought and good wisdom to provide them both with the racquets as well as an undying love for the game.

MARK VAN ALSTYNE AND SAM ISCHE, MENOMONEE FALLS

Both were depth guys “Can-do Charlies” for the boys track team in previous years, but in their senior campaigns of 2008, both Van Alstyne and Ische took leadership roles and led the Indians to the Greater Metro Conference championship.The pair, who have known each other since second grade, made themselves into top-notch sprinters, valuable at all distances up to 400 meters. Furthermore, they were the “glue” guys who never let a junior-heavy team get frustrated when things went wrong. Though both earned medals at state later in the season, the conference title, the team reward, was what was most important to them.“The biggest thing is not the records or the good performances, but the team success,” Van Alstyne said. “..It’s just great to be a part of it all.”

FRITZ RAUCH, TOM FUGATE, JERIDON CLARK, TODD REINEKING, JIM CHOSSEK AND MATT WOLF HOMESTEAD

As lead assistants on the state championship football team for Homestead, this sextet was responsible for a lot of the dirty work in preparing the Highlanders to win their second state title in three years.Rauch, the defensive coordinator and leader of the amazing unit that paved the way for the 2006 championship, created another talented backstop that held powerful defending champion Arrowhead to three touchdowns below its average in the 13-11 finals win.UW-Oshkosh coach Pat Cerroni calls Rauch “a genius, who should have his own head coaching job”.When told of Cerroni’s comments, the hard-charging and cerebral Rauch just chuckled and said “He’s one who should know.”Meanwhile, Wolf and Chossek had to step into a formidable breach. The entire offensive line had graduated and the previous coordinator took another coaching job in the area. No matter, Chossek, the wily old veteran and Wolf, the loud and demanding face of the unit, worked together to rebuild the line, giving an underclassmen-dominated set of athletes the know-how and confidence that helped the offense hold up its end and score more than 34 points a game.

THE FANS, COACHES AND PLAYERS OF THE GERMANTOWN/MENOMONEE FALLS ICE BEARS HOCKEY TEAM

It was a rollicking and fun close to the season last winter as the six-school co-op made an historic first-ever run to the WIAA sectional finals. It included many little grace notes, among them the fact that students at Germantown’s Turnabout dance the night of the sectional final against University School left the event early to get to Brookfield to catch part of the game.Then there was the fact that players from Germantown passed out tickets at school during the season so students would get interested in the sport.Then there was the five-day team bonding session in the summer that turned students from the various schools involved in the program into a tight, cohesive unit. And that came before the unspoken agreement they made to one another to sacrifice free time and jobs to truck all the way out to the Kettle Moraine Ice Arena in West Bend at all hours of the day or night to play and practice in freezing conditions.Given all that, the fact the Ice Bears lost their chance at state to USM by a 3-1 score was almost incidental.

“The pep band was there and the place was practically full,” coach Al Haga said of the sectional final. “It was a real college atmosphere.”

COACH SARA PETRIC AND THE GERMANTOWN GIRLS SWIM TEAM

Homeless for years as a result of the complete breakdown and ultimate destruction of the old Warhawk pool, this vagabond 18-person squad turned Homestead into a home-away-from home, car-pooling to their rivals' pool for practice and putting into perspective the fact that they were last on a long list of people who wanted to use the facility.

They had to ask opponents to accomodate them on such usual and matter-of-fact team events as senior night and parents night as they never have a "home" meet. Little matter, as they never complained and remained competitive in every meet they were in, earning many WIAA state qualifiers in the process. All that effort was put in to keep in place and alive a storied history that includes two WIAA state team championships and several individual and relay state titles

Petric, a Homestead graduate and state champion in her own right, couldn't be prouder of the unit. State meet qualifer Marin Thompson said its simply something that has to be done and opponents have given their profound respect for the sacrifices that are made to keep such a dream alive.

"For them to continue the team like they are is a great thing," Homestead coach Mark Gwidt said, "and maybe the community will see what they're doing (and raise the funds to build a new pool)."

STEVE O'BRIEN AND THE STAFF BEHIND THE JOHN CHEKOURAS CLASSIC BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, HOMESTEAD

This one's an easy choice. O’Brien was the long-time assistant and even closer friend to the late Homestead basketball coaching legend Chekouras and he gave an elegant tribute to his friend last fall when he served as presenter when Chekouras was inducted into the WBCA Hall of Fame. It’s also for the Homestead staff, who had the brains and heart to put the holiday-based tournament named in Chekouras' honor, in the old noisy, small gym (as opposed to the large, functional fieldhouse) that was home to most of the games Chekouras when he was head coach. Of the old gym, one tournament ticket-taker said: “It was a place John loved”.There are others of merit I’ve no doubt missed here, but I'll try to do better and be more inclusive in future years. Just remember, I commend all efforts on behalf of fair play, perspective and honesty in sports. With the pro and collegiate ranks filled with $50,000 seat licenses, $160 million contracts, and coaching carousels that have more to do with ego and prestige than with loyalty and winning, they are traits badly in need of buttressing.So do please continue to be role models and remember to be true to yourselves. Also, if you can, please value the important example Dr. Pausch set when he decided to spend his last months living, instead of worrying about dying. As he well knew, it indeed is all about how you play the game.

December Renaissance Students of the Month

Cudahy School District — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:39:35 GMT

Every month, the Renaissance Program at the Cudahy High School recognizes one student from each grade as the student of the month. The December Renaissance Students of the Month winners are:

Senior: Samantha Homa
Junior: Nick Burmester
Sophomore: Katie Lutomski
Freshman: Samantha Hoeft

Buckhorn to close

Kevin Fischer — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:13:00 GMT

Millwaukee TV stations are reporting the Franklin Common Council has agreed to close the Buckhorn tavern for 90 days for its role in the tragic deaths of two people struck down by a drunk driver on Christmas Day 2007. The driver had reportedly been over-served earlier in the day at the Buckhorn. Eddie Keck is serving a 36-year sentence for killing a West Allis couple after drinking heavily at the Buckhorn.

The Council's License Committee had voted to reject the recommendation of a special prosecutor to close the Buckhorn for 75 days. Franklin's Police Chief Rick Oliva said closing Buckhorn for 90 days sends a powerful message. Indeed, in this economy, when a business is forced to close down for three months, that's a serious punishment.

Even so, the 90 day closing, while unprecedented, will be little consolation for those who wanted Buckhorn's license stripped away permanently.

The question I've posed in the past remains: What would have to happen in Franklin for a liquor license to be taken away for good? I would love if someone could answer that for me.

New Year's Resolution

Rachel Schickowski — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:29:00 GMT

Happy New Year Wauwatosa!

I love the start of a new year. It’s a fresh clean slate. A new period of time to make memories, meet goals, make mistakes and hopefully grow from them too.

Every year I make a resolution and I usually end up forgetting about it. Last year was to keep my clothes closet clean. The embarrassing fact that it took 4 hours last weekend to get it organized is a good indication that I bombed pretty badly on that goal.

So for 2009, I’ll start fresh. New year, new goals, right!?

My plan is to “Seize the Day”. I long to use my time better (maybe one less TV show, a few less hours on Facebook), enjoy where I am rather than always looking toward the next thing, appreciate the people in my life, not waste opportunities and get the most out of every moment given.

It’s a bit generic and extremely broad – I know. However, it also makes it easy for me to make small accomplishments on a daily basis, hence I just might not forget about this goal.

In the past 7 days of 2009 we lost a family member to cancer and tonight I was rear-ended on my way home from work. Life has a way of throwing things at you when you least expect it. However, the past few days are also a good reminder that life is short. Cherish what you got and dream big.

What are some of your resolutions for this year?

Strange, but very nice

Kevin Fischer — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:22:00 GMT

There I was earlier this evening on Broad Street in downtown Greendale, making some quick returns to the local library before heading to a high school basketball game where I was the official timer.

A dark sky, light flakes filling the air, and just off in the distance, the bells chiming from Greendale Village Hall. The melody was so easy to pick up. For a brief moment, I had to stop and think. This is January 6th. But the bells were appropo tonight, and unfortunately in these parts, could be that way right through April.

"And since we've no place to go......"

I smiled as I hopped back into my car at the wondrous timing of Mother Nature and those Greendale bells.

Classic Italian Parmesan Polenta

Chef Michael Feker — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:07:42 GMT

My fellow food lovers,

I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to serving you in 2009!
As a token of my appreciation for your passion and support, I present to you
one of my favorite side dishes, a mouth-watering, creamy traditional Italian Polenta.

Parmesan Polenta

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup of corn meal/Italian polenta preferred
½ cup grated Parmesan
3 cups of half and half
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup of onion diced
1 clove garlic minced
4 tablespoons butter at room temperature
4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Salt and white pepper to taste

Directions

In a heavy bottom large sauce pan with tall walls (sides) heat butter over medium heat.
Add onions and garlic and cook until are translucent and soft.
Add half-and-half then bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper until you taste the salt and pepper.
Bring mixture to a boil and whisk in polenta little at a time
Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes stirring constantly.
Turn off heat and whisk in cheese and olive oil, cover and let rest for 10 minutes, mix again, serve and enjoy.

Tweens And Healthcare

Janet Evans — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:09 GMT

Do you have a teenage who is inbeTWEEN? One who you still can take to the pediatrician until s/he is 18, but could also be taken to your doctor? What should you do? The pediatrician really knows more about your teen, but s/he's uncomfortable going there.

Still, this is the age when your teen really needs to be having regular contact with a physician.

The period between ages 10 and 19 is unique, bringing more rapid biological changes than perhaps any age other than infancy. Even though most of the nation’s 42 million adolescents seem to be thriving, it is a time of risk-taking and pushing boundaries in ways that can mean immediate consequences: Car crashes, experimenting with alcohol or drugs, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease.

And it’s also an age when many of the habits that determine good health during adulthood are set, or not.

[...]

Yet the system of care for tweens and teens is fragmented and poorly designed. Few doctors specialize in adolescents’ complex needs, or provide comprehensive care that earns their trust, concludes a recent probe by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. Most at risk are the poor.

Click for complete article

The hottest debate topic of the week

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:46:00 GMT

It has nothing to do with Congressional, state, or local politics, breastfeeding in public, Brittany Spears, or even Brett Favre. But it is a sports topic.

No matter who wins the FedEx National Championship Thursday night, Oklahoma or Florida, the victor won't stop the avalanache of discussion about how Division I college football is the only college sport that's decided without a true playoff format. Polls, computers, subjective analyses by coaches and reporters all have a say in who plays for the so-called national title. Again, it can be argued the game doesn't matter. Just ask the folks in Utah and their undefeated Utes.

While listening to SIRIUS Satellite Radio this week, I heard Tim Brando, often seen on CBS, argue vociferously for a playoff system. I can hear you, loud and clear. Yeh, yeh, yeh, that same, tired old debate. Brando, however, has a different take. His plan would result in what hecalls a Final Four of college football. The words, "Final Four," in sports are madly magical. The NCAA semifinals in basketball are not just games, they are a happening, an event embedded in the fabric of America.

Brando would keep all the bowl games, and then take the winners, and I can't remember from which games, but it would be four of the following five: Rose, Cotton, Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta.

The four teams would be seeded with # 1 facing # 4 and #2 facing #3. The two winners would then meet for the national championship.

As compelling as such a system might sound, it appears a playoff format isn't coming anytime soon. There's just too much love for the current way of doing things.

But a Final Four in college football sounds incredibly appealing.

A Pity

Ken Brosky — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:15:09 GMT

How much does it suck to be Levi Johnson right now? Probably a bunch. Levi's the lucky fella who knocked up the Alaska Governor's daughter, Bristol. *Cue the shotgun wedding* So now Johnson's got Sarah Palin for a mother-in-law (which most conservative males probably envy, I suppose), he's not even old enough to drink and already he's got a baby on the way and he's going to be stuck with his current fling for DECADES. Yes, that's right: poor Levi won't be divorcing...(read more)

A Sky High Nightmare

Pam Stein — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:12:42 GMT

An ornery drunk man, a woman snoring loudly, a woman who wouldn’t shut up, and another woman with a bad cold were sitting in a plane . . .

This sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. Or is it representative of the four people that you NEVER want to sit next to on an airplane? Which of these four people would you have wanted to sit next to on a 2½ hour flight? Let’s face it; you wouldn’t have wanted to be near any of them. You would have asked Miss Perky, the flight attendant, if you could switch seats. The plane is full and you are stuck where you are. It’s your nightmare about flying come true, you are surrounded by people you don’t want to sit near.

This wasn’t a nightmare but was reality in Row 1 aboard a recent Air Tran flight number 652 from Orlando to Milwaukee. Four people, two on each side of the center aisle, each representing persons that you LEAST want to sit next to on an airplane.

Miss Perky offers drinks to the business class passengers prior to take off. She hands the man seated in 1-A a glass of orange juice and a small bottle of vodka which he downs in less time than it took the Concorde to break the sound barrier. This is drink number one for seat 1-A.

It’s take off and as the plane careens down the runway at 300mph your seatbelt better be fastened because this is going to be a rough ride. 1-A is already pushing the flight attendant call button asking for drink number two. Shortly thereafter Miss Perky comes by with a basket of snacks for passengers to choose from; a bag of chips, pretzels or bagel chips. Not just those one handful snack bags that are served in coach but a regular size bag. Along with it, Miss Perky responds to the call button that 1-A pushed. Miss Perky takes drink orders. Make that drink number two for 1-A.

Seat 1-C is occupied by a woman who, immediately after takeoff, takes her seat out of the upright position and falls asleep. Moments later we were treated to a never ending chorus of snoring. It’s hard to hear the plane’s engines over her snoring. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Bring on drink numbers three and four for 1-A.

1-D give us a tough looking woman in her late 50’s who was born in Peoria, Illinois. She is decked out in sports apparel. A Georgia fan that was in Orlando for the Capitol One Bowl. We hear all about her Harley and trips to Sturgis. We learn that she used to bartend, prepare meals for United Airlines, and now works in a hospital sterilizing instruments for surgery. She’s never been married, has no kids, and likes to play darts. Anything else you want to know?

1-A is getting ornery because Miss Perky isn’t getting him drinks quick enough. The perkiness is going away. Now it’s a chore to serve him. Let’s see . . . that’s drink number five.

"Gimme another vodka and orange juice.” Why couldn’t he just call it what it is – a screwdriver. I’m sure that our ex-bartender in 1-D was asking herself this same question. That’s drink number six for 1-A.

Rounding out the people that you love to hate on a flight, was the woman sitting in 1-F. A well tanned woman who obviously enjoyed her vacation. She was happy when Miss Now Not So Perky brought her oj (without vodka) and a box of Kleenex. Achoo, cough, nose blow, achoo. This woman wants to be left alone but 1-D just keeps on talking to her. Achoo. Cough. In her conversation with 1-D, 1-F reveals that she had just returned from a cruise. A cruise, that explains the nice suntan. Achoo. Nose blow.

The captain makes an announcement that we will be landing in Milwaukee in about thirty minutes. The flight attendant call bell goes on. Miss No Longer Perky refuses to serve 1-A, but somehow he manages to convince her that he is not intoxicated. Make that drink number seven for 1-A.

The wheels come down and the end of the flight from hell is almost over. It’s now only minutes before we come to the gate and can get off the plane. No more ornery drunk, no more snoring, no more listening to every detail of someone’s life, and no more coughing and sneezing. On the bright side, thankfully there are no crying babies and kids throwing Cheerios.

Oh by the way, for me the most annoying person on this flight, the “talker” in 1-D. Upon landing I unfasten seatbelt of 1-F hoping that the 1-D talker caught my cold.

Achoo!!!!

Village Buzz - January 6th...

Al Campbell — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:02:46 GMT

Fire Department Staffing Question...

I received an e-mail from a concerned citizen (whom I know, who has no axe to grind and who isn't a 'crackpot' in any way) yesterday who raised the question as to whether we might be at the point where we needed to add to our full-time firefighter staffing numbers. He was talking about the Christmas day fire and his e-mail read like this:

"I can't believe that our Village leaders will not provide us with full-time fire protection. We have many dedicated on-call firefighters upon whom we rely for protection, however, on that Christmas day fire were 3 people who showed up on the 1st truck that went out, and they had to pull an EMT person from the ambulance to be the 2nd person on the other truck that went to the fire. So Germantown had 4 firefighters at the fire and had to rely on mutual aid from surrounding communities. As a result, the home sustained a lot of damage.

I think its time to really push the Village to upgrade the paid fulltime fire positions. As our community has grown, we have seen the increased tax dollars gladly taken in, but not spent on the essential services like fire and police protection, and improved roads."

I recall having broached this subject some months ago with nothing much coming from it at that time.

What are the thoughts from those in the community? Is it time for this subject to be aired fully? Are you willing to see some of your tax dollars put to this use?

Firefighting in their blood

Katie Derksen — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:44:45 GMT

I never have a case of the Mondays … mostly because, Monday is my Sunday. I work a Tuesday through Saturday schedule.
But this story, especially, was worth making an exception. If I can get paid to photograph guys who volunteer their time and save lives, working on my day off is the least I can do to tell their story.
As I walked into the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company, Station 1, last Monday evening, I sensed a whole lot of sadness in the air. After nearly a half-century of service, in just a few short days, the MVFC would take its last fire call. Effective Jan. 1, due to budgeting restrictions, the Muskego station closed and the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department is covering all of Muskego. MVFC members met one last time to wash their trucks and meet with Fire Chief Andy Mack.
Although most of Muskego’s firefighters — some of who’ve given nearly 50 years of service — will reluctantly apply at Tess Corners, a few will stay behind.
“We are known throughout the area for aggressive firefighting,” said Capt. Jim Gaffney, a 12-year veteran of the fire company who will not be making the move to Tess Corners. “We set our standards high. We don’t want to lower them.”
As a community photojournalist, I love local news. No matter how big or small a city is, there are always people who need their story to be told. And more often than not, a small community allows journalists far better access. I wasn’t at President Elect Barack Obama’s election night victory, and I’ve never covered a Super Bowl. Unless a miracle of God occurs, I won’t be at the historic presidential inauguration this month. But I felt as though I made a difference and witnessed a little piece of Muskego’s history — however small it may be — by telling the story of a couple guys who have firefighting in their blood.
I had something in common with every firefighter in the station that night — passion for our professions.
Check out Thursday’s paper for John Schultz’s complete story.

Nikon D3, 17 mm, 4000 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Tony Schwegel, a member of the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company, goes through some of his firefighting gear Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Muskego Fire Department, Station 1, located on Janesville Road. Members of the MVFC gathered one last time Monday to wash the trucks and meet with Fire Chief Andy Mack.

Nikon D3, 17 mm, 2000 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual
Tony Schwegel (second from left) and Will Schaefer, both members of the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company, wash a MVFC fire truck one last time Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Muskego Fire Department, Station 1, located on Janesville Road. Members of the MVFC gathered Monday to wash the trucks and meet with Fire Chief Andy Mack.

Nikon D3, 200 mm, 4000 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Delbert Holtz, who has been a member of the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company for 47 years, talks with fellow MVFC members one last time Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Muskego Fire Department, Station 1, located on Janesville Road.

Nikon D3, 17 mm, 2500 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
Andy Mack (right), fire chief for the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company, meets with Skip Wojnowski, fire chief for the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department, one last time Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Muskego Fire Department, Station 1, located on Janesville Road.

Nikon D3, 17 mm, 2000 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D3, 17 mm, 2000 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Tony Schwegel, a member of the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company, washes a MVFC fire truck one last time Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Muskego Fire Department, Station 1, located on Janesville Road.

Nikon D3, 17 mm, 2000 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual
Will Schaefer (center), a member of the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company, washes a MVFC fire truck one last time Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Muskego Fire Department, Station 1, located on Janesville Road.

One more update on the WFB Trustee Race..

Kevin Buckley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:44:00 GMT

I filed my papers over the lunch hour, and am officially on the ballot. Trustee Richard Foster is also on the 3-year term slate. If no one registers by the deadline, the race will be uncontested for the two 3-year Trustee positions.

However .. the 1-year Trustee slot now has a contested race!

Sean Finnigan, whose name should be familiar. Finnigan and Richard Foster were the final 2 back in September when the Trustees were appointing a replacement Trustee. Finnigan lost on the 5th ballot. Here's his work website.
Jay Miller .. Miller is currently on the Plan Commission for WFB. No other information is known at this time.

Trustee Rita Cheng has unofficially given up her seat, as she does not intend to file the non-candidacy papers, nor the nomination papers.

Wal-Mart Community Contributions

Randy Hollenbeck — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:48:43 GMT

The Salvation Army - Wal-Mart donation Press Release.

Christmas Toy Drive Brightened by Wal-Mart Donation

MILWAUKEE, WI, December 18, 2008 –

The Salvation Army’s annual toy drive has received a major helping hand from Wal-Mart’s four city of Milwaukee stores. The four stores have collaborated in making an $11,000 donation, responding to The Salvation Army’s need to accommodate twice the usual number of requests for gifts for needy Milwaukee area families.

Additionally, The Salvation Army’s toy barrels will be at each of the four Milwaukee stores from Friday through Sunday (Dec. 19-21) where last minute shoppers can contribute toys for the annual drive. Included are the company’s stores at 401 E. Capitol Dr.; 5825 W Hope Ave.; 8700 N. Servite Dr., and 3355 S. 27th St.

“The donation and timely toy collection are greatly needed and appreciated especially this year with the economic downturn and the substantial increase in requests for toys. It will help brighten Christmas for thousands of families,” said Major Jesse Collins, Salvation Army Milwaukee County Commander.

He added Wal-Mart’s contribution and full cooperation surfaced after recent news reports regarding the challenges facing The Salvation Army for this year’s campaign.

About Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart discount stores, supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations in the United States. The Company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom and, through a joint venture, in India. The Company's securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com

and www.samsclub.com.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 87 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.SAmilwaukee.org

If you didn’t catch that - $11,000 donated from Wal-Mart to the Salvation Army locally in Milwaukee from four stores.

Now let’s look at this article from Forbes.com - America's Most Generous Corporations for a national prospective.

The No. 1 most generous company overall, Wal-Mart Stores (nyse: WMT - news - people), gave away $301 million in 2007, including total cash donations from the company foundation, and excluding free product and service offerings, otherwise called "in-kind" donations. That amounts to 1.3% of the company's 2006 operating income.

Beneficiaries of Wal-Mart's goodwill include the Children's Miracle Network, America's Second Harvest, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, the United Way of America and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Just how much of that untapped amount could have been donated to Cudahy? Maybe for Parks, streets, put in the sidewalk I have been requesting, schools, churches, and other charities. The thoughts are endless of what could be asked for!

Is the Mayor and the Alderpersons that voted NO and sent Wal-Mart packing, going to make up the difference?

That is a foolish question because we all know they could NOT!

Love, Oprah

Marjorie Pagel — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:29:05 GMT

In the caption for this blog there’s a comma between Love and Oprah – like the signature of a letter. Whether you’re one of her fans or not, you have to admit Oprah is a woman who has made her mark: her own TV show, her own multi-layered website, her own magazine – just a stand-alone “O” is enough to establish her identity.

Yesterday she looked out at millions of viewers who tune in to her 4 p.m. show, to confess that the reason she had gained so much weight in the past year is that she did not love herself enough. Now the first reaction of some people, myself included, is to laugh. Oprah! How could she love herself any more?

But then again, who are we to judge? Just because Oprah conveys the impression she loves herself a whole lot, none of us can really know what goes on in another person’s mind. Oprah talks about “falling off the wagon” in her efforts to maintain the slim image she had captured a few years ago, and she talks about her embarrassment to face up to the “brown elephant in the room,” her chagrin at standing next to Cher (another one-name celebrity) on stage. In fact, all this week Oprah is featuring a "live your best life" series, focusing on a different topic each day. “Love yourself” was a good start.

What I find funny about my brief report of Oprah’s TV show yesterday is where I was while watching it – since I very seldom watch day-time TV. I was on one of the new treadmills at Innovative Health and Fitness, located on Loomis Road in Franklin. Each machine is equipped with an individual TV screen so exercisers can choose their favorite channel and focus on something other than their own movement. It makes the time go faster. So there I was (huff-puff) thinking some of these same Oprah thoughts: Why did I let that weight creep up on me again? (huff-puff) and Why can’t I fit in those favorite jeans any more? (huff-puff) Then I saw the connection: berating myself wasn’t really a helpful attitude for this new year. Oprah’s idea to start with a “Love Thyself” philosophy suited me just fine. Why beat a person when she’s down?

During a commercial break, there was an ad for the “50 Million Pound Challenge.” Now that particular weight-loss effort has been around since April 2007, but I’m not always up on the latest popular culture news. Staring me in the face, though (huff-puff) it got my attention. 50 million pounds? I wondered. What’s that all about? I saw a “dot-com” website address and made a mental note to check it out.

That’s what I did this morning, before writing my overdue blog. (I’ve been sick and before that, I was out of state celebrating Christmas.) I learned that the 50 Million Pound Challenge has a lot of supporters, and it’s an effort anyone can participate in without spending a dime – though if you want the free CD, you have to consult a State Farm insurance agent. Anyway, I registered. It helps me put things in perspective – the weight I want to lose in 2009 is a drop in the bucket compared to those millions.

Locally, Franklin residents can join the “Get Healthy Challenge” at Innovative Health and Fitness if they register by January 10th. The program, which lasts through June 30, 2009, is free, though participants must purchase a personal record keeper. For more information, stop at the fitness center or call Phyllis Hanson, personal trainer, 414-529-9900, ext. 717. Twelve Franklin residents who registered early for the “Get Healthy Challenge” were selected in a drawing on Jan. 2 to receive a free 6-month membership. We’ll cheer them on – and you too, if you take up the “challenge” – in coming months.

Tales of a Germantown "Ghost Wife"

Donna Nash — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:23:00 GMT

We moved to Germantown in 1997. My kids were two and four and we knew no one. My husband threw himself into the community mix due to the nature of his business and met many great people. He volunteered at parades, chamber events, Leadership Germantown, and many others I can’t remember – he was (and still is) Mr. Germantown.

I, on the other hand, was the “ghost wife”, working and taking care of the kids for many years (at least five). And then I started realizing that my husband was having all the fun. So he got me to join my first community organization - Leadership Germantown. And I got to meet all the great people in the community and see what they do to make Germantown the great place that it is. I’ve made many good friends and have had lots of fun along the way. Our family has been involved in many other organizations through the years.

So what’s my point?

The point is this blog will be for anyone looking for things to do and ways to get involved in the Germantown community. Whether you are single, married without kids or married with kids, a senior citizen, a pet owner or someone who is new to the Germantown area, this blog will help get you connected with our community.

Maybe this blog will inspire you to get involved, or maybe it will get you to attend a parade, or to get you to think about what it takes to make our community work. My goal is to share stories about people, events and organizations that you can connect with that will make a positive impact on how you view our village. Take it from a former “ghost wife”, it’s a lot more fun being in the mix!

I look forward to getting to know you as you get to know Germantown!

January key month for Brewers' Melvin

Tom "Sky" Skibosh — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:57:38 GMT

With the high school winter season about to pick up again this week, I thought it might be a good time for a blog on the Brewers.

Many fans are starting to panic because the Brewers have not done much to improve last year's Wild Card team. Everyone knew that C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets wouldn't be coming back, but they figured Melvin would do something to add some arms - you are not going to replace them with similar talent, of course. Not much as been done - but except for the Yankees, Mets and Angels - no one has done too much.

Let's take a closer look at the problem areas.

PITCHING

Starters: The Brewers need starting pitching and starting pitching depth desperately. So far, no good. Bullpen: Jorge Julio (FA) and Eduardo Morlan (Rule 5) from the right side and R.J. Swindle (FA) from the left have been the roster additions - all bullpen candidates. The Brewers don't have a closer, but that never seems to bother Melvin who feels like he can just pull one out of his hat when he needs one. That was fine when you were building a team, but not when you're openly telling the fans your team can contend.

HITTING

Same old, same old. This team will hit home runs and strike out a lot and have an embarrassing on base percentage. Prince Fielder and JJ Hardy are fine, although the former won't win any games with his glove. The Brewers are counting on Willie Randolph to help Rickie Weeks at the bat and in the field. Weeks is too good a talent to give up on yet. There is this tremendous fear in the front office that if they trade Weeks he will finally reach his potential. Mike Lamb has averaged 12 homers and 46 RBIs the past three years, but does have a .363 OBA the past two years. Hopefully Bill Hall's eye surgery will help his batting eye this year.

Ryan Braun is a stud and Corey Hart will hopefully bounce back from a terrible September. Mike Cameron is a good defensive player, a home run hitter, a stolen base threat, and a strikeout king. Melvin said the Brewers felt he was the fourth-best CFer in baseball, which means it must be the weakest position in the game.

Melvin has gone bargain shopping for a lefthanded hitter - Trot Nixon, Scott Thorman and Chris Duffy - which once again is something a building team might do, not a team that is pretending to be a contender. The Brewers could be better off with Brad Nelson or Mat Gamel making the team than those guys.

WAIT AND SEE

I believe in Doug Melvin, so let's give him the month of January to see what he can get done. Let's also hope that Mark Attanasio uses a little - just a little - of that $100 million dollars they offered to C.C. - a $100 million dollars that was never really going anywhere - to help improve this club.

Years ago, a former Brewer player who was also a WTMJ TV and radio broadcaster in the offseason - Mike Hegan - said then Brewer owner Bud Selig would go shopping at Marshall Fields with a JC Penney's credit card.

Let's hope Attanasio doesn't do the same thing this winter.

Democrat Control In Wisconsin Has Begun...

Al Campbell — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:49:37 GMT

Let's see how they do with their newfound control.

The state has a record deficit totaling some $2.5 billion using GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) as those of us in the real world must.

The lust to use the power vested in any political party is very strong; it is, in fact, often irresistible to the detriment of both that particular party and the citizens of the state.

Governor Doyle has proved to be a master at maneuvering through the political maze. He has yet to admit that he'll again be a candidate for the office of Governor but that is a foregone conclusion. Unless he is tapped for a Washington job or there is some 'pay for play' scandal yet to unfold in our state, he is a shoe-in to run for another term.

The Republicans will be challenged as the 'loyal opposition' to have any discernible impact on the important items even though both houses' leaders claim they'll run their domains on an 'inclusive' basis (don't waste a lot of money betting on that).

Those of us who follow the 'ins' and the 'outs' will have much to occupy our time. Those of us who don't follow the machinations of our state government will likely come to wish they had paid closer attention. There are new taxes to be levied. There are existing taxes to be increased. There are any number of old fees to be increased; and, there are a number of new fees to be created.

The idea of balancing our state's budget through reductions in expenditures and through elimination of programs and through improvements in efficiency simply is a none starter in Wisconsin. The only thing we seem to know is creating new programs that require even more funding.

You and me are the only people who can change that...and we only get that opportunity when we walk into the voting booth. In the meantime, we can do our best to hold feet to fires.

“DOG GONE IT'

Joe Mangiamele — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:42:23 GMT

Hi. This is your imaginary dog, Sport, reporting back.

Are you going to be surprised with what I've discovered! Only a dog (and especially an imaginary dog) would have found the reality of what is going on at Village Hall.

No. It is difficult to keep claim about this. This is worse than anything you would have imagined.

Of course, I've got your attention. And I'm going to give it to you as easily as possible. Sit back.

One of the basic truths about dogs is that we can smell humans from long distances. And although there appeared to be 7 human beings at Village Hall at this particular meeting, with about 3 or 4 assisting, I was getting only a rather slight human scent from the area. This seemed strange.

Okay, just wait, I'm going to give it to you as easily as possible. Stay in your chair. Out of that group, I sniffed out only three real human beings. Yes, only three.

Before you ask any questions, here is the summary of my report to you. The rest were robots. Three human beings and the remainder only excellent appearing human robots. What a superb production of human robots.

Are you getting the true reality of this? All your talk about decisions and action by consensus is all wrong. What appears as consensus is built into these robots in such a perfect way that not even humans can tell the robots from other humans. Which one is which?

Even the three humans can't seem to the tell the difference. Yes, I know that I've aready said that. It deserves to be repeated. That's why trustees are NOT responding to your questions and suggestions. Only a dog, a specie with such special relationship with human beings and with such sniffing skills could really discover this secret.

All robots except three. Wow! Sure I'm proud of this discovery. Bow, wow! If I weren't imaginary, you wouldn't have known either. Why, only three human beings? Who knows? The robots were evenly distributed.

If I were you, and I know your are a human being not only because I can smell your special smell but because of the stupid way you forgive anything I do, and always say “good dog” when I please you, I would ask why would anyone want to have robots at the head of local government instead of real human beings?

Okay, I know you think I just made this all up. You think it's so delicate that your are not going to post it? I understand. You don't think I went to the meeting? But you've got a good excuse and say that its all fiction.

This should be one of your verbal cartoons that you like to create. After all, it was reported to you by an imaginary dog. Why don't you title it “dog gone it?” Or “good dog?”