As we approach the clean slate of a new year, a look back at the last 12 months reveals a year of ups and downs for Milwaukee. Here's a look at the top 10 stories that affected us in 2007.

1. Midwest Airlines fends off AirTran

Just about every so-called expert had written off Midwest Airline's ability to fend off a hostile takeover attempt from Atlanta-based AirTran this summer. However, on Aug. 12, Midwest executives announced that the public company would become private again, selling to group led by TPG Capital and Northwest Airlines. Two days later, AirTran made a final pitch, increasing its offer to $16.25 a share, but on Aug. 16, TPG countered with $17, putting the deal to bed. Though no longer locally-owned, Midwest Airlines, and the cookie, will stay -- for now.

2. Milwaukee loses multiple landmarks

Beloved establishments Bryant's Cocktail Lounge, 1579 S. 9th St., Goldmann's Department Store, 930 W. Mitchell St. and Art's Concertina Bar, 1920 S. 37th St., all closed in the fall of '07. Drew's Variety Store, 7505 Harwood Ave., in Wauwatosa, will close after 70 years of business in January.

3. Brewers fever

For the first time since 1992, the Brewers treated area baseball fans to a genuine pennant race. Sparked by a core of talented young players like first baseman Prince Fielder (50 homers), third baseman / NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, outfielder Corey Hart and pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Carlos Villanueva, the Brewers held onto first place for 121 days before losing the division race to Chicago.

Expectations will be high next spring and so will the pressure on manager Ned Yost as Milwaukee looks to improve on its 83-79 record in 2008.

4. SABMiller and Molson Coors merge

SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Co. announced in October plans to merge their U.S. and Puerto Rico operations to create a larger company in order to better compete with U.S. industry leader Anheuser-Busch. The joint venture, called MillerCoors, allots a controlling 58 percent stake in the venture to Miller and 42 percent to Coors, although it remains to be seen which city -- Golden, Colo. or Milwaukee -- the company's headquarters will call home. The companies estimate a net revenue of $6.6 billion and project savings of $500 million in annual costs. The deal officially closed on Dec. 21.

5. Milwaukee media changes

There were many changes in the world of Milwaukee media in 2007. At the newspaper, a "volunteer separation program" intended to reduce up to 60 people from its staff. Ultimately, about 20 people took the "buyout," including travel columnist Dennis McCann and architecture columnist Whitney Gould. Veteran television anchor Mike Gousha announced that he will return to the airwaves at WISN-12 in January to host a political roundtable, after having ditched WTMJ last year.

Also at WISN, then-anchor Caroline Lyders was spotted canoodling in May with "American Idol" Taylor Hicks, and recently announced her decision to leave the station. In February, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee launched, replacing the jazz previously heard on 88.9 FM. Finally, Journal Sentinel food critic Dennis Getto died in July at age 57, when he succumbed to pulmonary fibrosis.

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