In Milwaukee Buzz
100 reasons for Milwaukeeans to give thanks
| Published Nov. 20, 2007 at 5:24 a.m. |
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Tags: 100 things, milwaukee, thankful
As we approach Thanksgiving, the editorial staff at OnMilwaukee.com offers 100 reasons for Milwaukeeans to give thanks. Feel free to use the Talkback feature to add your own suggestions and be sure to have a happy, safe holiday.
- The Milwaukee Art Museum's Calatrava-designed brise soleil on a bright, sunny day.
- That Mitchell International Airport is much less crowded and hectic than O'Hare and just so easy over all.
- Time is making out-of-towners forget about "Happy Days," "Laverne and Shirley" and Jeffrey Dahmer. Yet, we still want to bronze the Fonz!
- Happy hour at Hooligan's.
- Your first beer on a warm evening at Summerfest.
- Milorganite. The underappreciated fertilizer.
- The Mitchell Leather Factory Outlet.
- Listening to Bob Uecker and Jim Powell call Brewers games while working in the yard.
- Seeing "I Closed Wolski's" bumper stickers in exotic places around the world and knowing that you have, indeed, closed the joint.
- The warm fireplace and free nuts at The Pfister's lobby bar.
- The consistent quality of performances at the Milwaukee Rep and other local theater groups.
- The loungiest lounge of them all, At Random in Bay View.
- A great tailgate party in the parking lot at Miller Park.
- The free jukebox at Vittucci's.
- The rooftop deck at La Perla (in summer, of course).
- Seasonal beers from Lakefront Brewery ... and its amazing tour.
- Bratwurst from Usinger's and Klement's.
- So many new shopping opportunities without having to travel to a suburban mall.
- The Domes.
- Taking a toddler to the Milwaukee County Zoo.
- Leon's Custard on a 90-degree night.
- Being able to say "about 15 minutes," when someone asks how long it will take to get somewhere.
- Shrimp soup at Botanas.
- Seeing great artists like Pat McGee and Todd Snider, Robbie Fulks and Jimmie Dale Gilmore up close and personal at Shank Hall.
- The Milwaukee International Film Festival.
- That Chris Abele opens his checkbook to support the arts.
- The entertainment value of middle-age white men hosting and calling talk-radio shows.
- Bowling at Holler House.
- $10 "intimate" shows at The Pabst.
- Kite flying at Veteran's Park.
- Peg Bradley's awesome art collection, which she donated to MAM.
- An early-morning jog along Lincoln Memorial Drive.
- Admirals hockey and Wave soccer. Exciting games. Good atmosphere. Cheap prices.
- Speaking of cheap, just about everything is affordable here.
- Jazz in the Park ... and it's free.
- The butterfly room and The Streets of Old Milwaukee/European Village at the Milwaukee Public Museum.
- Yi and the Milwaukee Bucks.
- The beautiful InterContinental Hotel in the heart of Downtown.
- Free samples at Whole Foods market.
- The Milwaukee Public Market.
- The delicious pizza at Calderone Club.
- The constant development in the Historic Third Ward.
- The Big City omelette at Barclay Gallery and Café.
- People-watching at Elsa's On the Park.
- The raucous party that is Brewers opening day.
- Top-ranked basketball teams at Marquette and Wisconsin.
- Art collectives like Borg Ward providing easy access to the arts.
- Cedar Block's interesting art events, such as the rock 'n roll adult science fairs.
- The good-time Irish vibe at County Clare.
- Alterra coffee (especially on double-punch Tuesday).
- Greg Koch, the gristle master and Fender guitar clinician, playing gigs in town when he's not in Europe.
- Michael Redd's silky smooth jump shot.
- Andrew Bogut's cool Australian accent.
- Children's Hospital, one of the premier Children's Medical Centers in the world.
- Sprecher Root Beer.
- The Pettit National Ice Center.
- Cannoli (and awesome smells) at Peter Sciortino's Bakery.
- Chips, salsa and tortillas from Manny's or El Rey.
- The half-shoulder, half-rib dinner from Speed Queen.
- The Tool Shed and A Woman's Touch, both totally un-seedy, women-owned erotic shops.
- Escuela Fratney, Golda Meir, Rufus King and a handful of other Milwaukee Public Schools that continue to succeed.
- The incredible, educational Betty Brinn Museum and Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin.
- That the new and improved Cactus Club is still a great place to see a live band.
- The Tip Top Atomic Shop for rocking retro with kitsch and class.
- Art Bar and M's, both redefining "gay bars" in a modern way.
- COA's (Children's Outing Association's) engaging programs for Milwaukee kids.
- The Fulbeli Deli -- inside Koppa's Farwell Foods -- for the utmost in silly and tasty.
- Burnhearts, for being one of the best new bars in town.
- Fireworks on July 3.
- Prince Fielder hitting a home run in the late innings.
- Eating a chicken dinner and saganaki at the annual Greek Festival.
- The upcoming Harley-Davidson Museum.
- That the Trinity Irish Dancers are renowned worldwide.
- That Pick 'n Save has undergone improvements to keep up with Sendik's, Whole Foods, etc. We love Metro Market!
- Fish fries at Serb Hall.
- There are no shortages of steakhouses Downtown.
- The Alverno Presents series at the college's Pitman Theatre.
- Movie night at the Oriental Theater.
- Free music and events all summer long.
- That we're getting closer and closer to the completion of the Marquette Interchange project.
- Stores like Fasten and Paper Boat Boutique, which sell clothing made by local artists.
- We may be the drunkest city, but it shows we know how to have fun.
- The popcorn wagon outside Gilles' on Bluemound and the ones on Downer Avenue (currently in storage) and in Catalano Square.
- Fresh corn (and other produce) from farmer's market.
- Secret Stadium Sauce on a Polish sausage at the ballpark.
- In many parts of the metro area, you can see the stars at night.
- Cream City brick.
- The free Downtown trolleys.
- Speaking of transporation, we're thankful that Michael Cudahy continues to fight for innovative rail in Milwaukee.
- Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural influence abounds.
- Jake's Deli.
- Talented people like Pat McCurdy, Cincere, Willy Porter and John McGivern.
- Some bars (that will remain unnamed) sell carry-outs after 9 p.m.
- Atwater and Big Bay beaches and the unlimited potential at Bradford Beach.
- Outpost Natural Foods for offering us the healthy goods long before Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
- Lakefront and Sprecher brewery tours for giving us the opportunity to get drunk on the cheap.
- Poetry slam at Mecca Lounge.
- The radio legacy of Bob Reitman.
- Our unique and wonderful neighborhoods like the Historic Third Ward, Walker's Point, the East Side, Brady Street, Bay View, Mitchell Street, etc.
- And, finally, the fact that OnMilwaukee.com remains a vibrant, growing online magazine in a city that shares the same qualities.
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