A term limits question
A friend sent me an email the other day advocating term limits for Congressional representatives. This is my reply.
Term limits might be a good idea in some circumstances, particularly in gerrymandered districts that are manipulated to ensure the safety of the incumbent for as long as that person chooses to remain in office, regardless of how self-serving/unaccountable to constituents/ineffective s/he might be.
Holiday Events Already!
Some upcoming Holiday events in South Milwaukee!
Saturday, November 13 – Holiday Bazaar, 9am-1pm
The People's Loss
Dear Sen. Feingold,
You conceded defeat last night, but it is the people of Wisconsin—and the country—who lost.
To My "On The South Side" Readers
To the readers of my "On the South Side" blog - I haven't disappeared, I'm just moving to the Greenfield and West Allis NOW websites and changing my topic to gardening. It has been a pleasure writing my blog for you these past four years! I hope I have helped you all find fun things to do. Now it's on to my next project - creating a beautiful yard.
Thanks and Happy reading!
South Milwaukee Author Wins Gold!
Congratulations to our neighbor (and my friend) Janet Halfmann! I've read this wonderful book and can attest that the Moonbeam award judges used excellent judgment!
Fur and Feathers Wins Gold
On October 13, the Moonbeam Awards for Children’s Books announced that “Fur and Feathers”, written by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein, won a Gold Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for best preschool picture book.
Onward to 2011
Great season, Rockets!
Wal-Mart heading to South Milwaukee
The City of South Milwaukee has agreed to sell land to a Tennessee developer who wants to build a Wal-Mart store there.
The proposal is for a grocery and general merchandise store of just over 100,000 square feet, according to Danielle Devlin, executive director of the city's Community Development Authority. Aldermen voted Tuesday night to sell a 3.5-acre parcel at 222 N. Chicago Ave. to Gatlin Development for $500,000.
Late Season Golf Discounts
Beginning Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 all golfers pay the following rates every day of the week:
Brown Deer 9 Holes - $13.00 18 Holes - $25.00
Free Pics with Santa on Sat. to New Adopters!
FREE PICS WITH SANTA!
On Saturday, November 13, all adopters can have a free candid picture with Santa taken with their new companion animal between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m! For a $10 donation, you can bring your own dog, too.
Check out all the great dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, and small animals today.
"Mom, I've been wondering about Santa Claus."
Here is a conversation that I recently had with my nine year old. His six year old brother was standing in the same room.
"Mom, I've been wondering about Santa Claus."
A little nervous - and completely ready to change the subject, I answer. "Yes, what is it about?"
My son stares at me , "Is it true that you and dad really buy the presents and put them under that tree?"
(Okay, I'm so not ready for this conversation yet.)
I quickly answer, "No - of course, not. ... Ian, how was school today? Did you do well on your test?"
My son, realizing that I'm changing the subject, stays his course. He does not answer my question. "Mom, do you and dad sign Santa's name on the presents? Because if you do, I'm going to take the wrapping paper and compare his signature to the signature of my friend's presents. MOM, I am going to compare THE HANDWRITING."
Nervous, I look at the concerned face of my six year old who is listening to the conversation I'm having with his brother.
(Where is my husband? He's quicker on this toes and can handle situations like this better than I can.)
"Don't be silly, Ian. Do you honestly think that your dad and I can actually afford all those presents on Christmas morning? We don't have that kind of money. ... You never answered my question. How was school?"
My son still staring at me says, "Mom, you know it's wrong to lie."
My heart at this point is pounding. What do I do? Do I fess up? Do I pull him out of the room and tell him? Do I plead with him to not ruin things for his little brother? What do I do? My husband is not even in the house to help me. At this point, all I want is one more year of two - yes two - boys - dreaming about Christmas and reindeer and cookies and presents under the tree. Just one more year.
Finally, I tell my son. "Yes - I know it's wrong to lie. But do you know how important it is to believe in
things we can't see. Well, that is what Santa is. He's someone we can't see."
(I'm thinking about the movie Polar Express. This used to be my son's favorite movie.)
I continue, "Santa will stay real - as long as you believe he is real. That is the truth. If you stop believing in him, Santa will just fade away and eventually stop coming around altogether. Again, Santa is real ONLY to the people who believe in him."
I then added, "And Ian ... if you really want to compare handwriting - then, of course, you can do so. I don't think Santa will mind."
From across the room, my six year old son smiles.
My nine year old looks at me and then looks down at his feet. He smiles too, and says "Okay". He then
turns on the TV. The conversation has ended.
More than ever, I wish I knew what he was thinking. Did he believe me? Did I postpone the inevitable for possibly one more year of magic? Or did I just force my son to give up in a conversation he knew he could get no answers? I don't know.
What I do know ... is I'm currently printing computer labels with Santa's name TYPED on them.
Walmart is coming to town?
People who know me well and have heard me rail against Walmart over the years probably wonder when I’m going to start a rant against the possibility of a store in South Milwaukee
It’s true, I do have a number of criticisms about Walmart, such as:
A Fall Favorite - Ornamental Kale
As Fall brings freezing temps at night, annuals have all but disappeared, but that doesn't mean that your garden has to stop showing off. There are some cold temperature hardy plants that provide beautiful color and interesting shapes during this season. Ornamental kale is one of my favorites.
With a heart of pinks, purples, and whites surrounded by curley leaves, ornamental kale is just getting started. It will survive these frosty nights just fine and looks great next to your mums and fall asters.
Losing Your Health Insurance Because of Facebook?
Canadian Woman Loses Health Insurance Over "Happy" Facebook Photos
Happy Thanksgiving 2010
I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hope you have warm, safe, fun holiday and get to your destinations safely for those traveling.
More on the South Milwaukee Wal-Mart
"We're looking to serve our customers all over the state," said Wisconsin-based Wal-Mart spokeswoman Lisa Nelson. "There's plenty of opportunity in
Frosty Fable at the Domes
Experience the Mitchell Horticultural Conservatory under a holiday transformation, replete with hundreds of glistening crimson poinsettias and a beautifully decorated tree. Relish five concerts in December as part of the “Music Under Glass” winter series.
