Before the best movies, music and moments of 2005 slip away from us, the writers and editors at OMC would like to acknowledge a few of the year's peaks (some Milwaukee, some not). Add your own picks by using the talkback feature at the end.

Julie Lawrence

Best addition to Milwaukee -- The Milwaukee Public Market is really great and exciting, but there have also been smaller changes that add up to a better city. The addition of defined bike lanes on several major streets has been a nice nod to those who don't drive everywhere. Also, encouraging more walking and less driving are the two new footbridges that easily connect the Brady Street neighborhood with the community north of the river.

Music -- On a local level, Temper Temper's debut has stayed in my iPod's "top 25" pretty much since it was released, as has Decibully's sophomore gem, "Sing Out America."

As for the rest of the music world, a few albums have really defined this year for me. Seeing The Decemberists live in San Francisco on the day they released "Picaresque" definitely secured them a spot here. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah came out of nowhere and self-released one of the most interesting and addictive albums of the year, as did an Anticon Records band called Why? And if Modest Mouse couldn't release something this year, at least Mr. Brock put his efforts into something just as amazing, as he helped produce Wolf Parade's "Apologies to the Queen Mary."

Live shows -- This is a two-parter. Normally, crowded shows at big venues are a huge let down for me and I usually try to avoid them, but I have to say that the White Stripes at the Eagles Ballroom blew me away. They didn't tinker, talk or even pause between songs; they just played nonstop for two hours and I left the show in awe and exhausted.

On the softer side, Antony & the Johnsons, with guests CocoRosie, at The Pabst was an incredibly beautiful and mellow show. If you think listening to "I am a Bird Now" is moving, seeing him at his piano singing the songs live is downright hypnotic.

Movies -- The following films may have technically been released in late 2004, but the fact that I did not watch them until this year make them a part of my 2005 experience. "I Heart Huckabees" catered perfectly to my inner philosophy geek and, being the Wes Anderson fanatic that I am, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" was a great way to kick off the year.

Television -- Really the only thing that caught my attention this year was the American version of "The Office," which has since led to my addiction of the BBC's original version via Netflix DVDs.

Jeff Sherman

Best addition to Milwaukee -- The Milwaukee Public Market is amazing. It's brought people downtown who haven't ventured anywhere close to our Eastern neighborhoods in decades, while injecting even more life to the Historic Third Ward and emerging Fifth Ward. It's everything that a catalytic development project should be. Now, let's continue to build on its strengths, extend its hours (at least stay open late for Gallery Night!) and make it even stronger. Runner-up: The Ambassador Hotel. Simple, elegant and a big risk. To owner Rick Wiegand, kudos on taking a risk in Milwaukee. We need more people like you!

Books -- "Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything," by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner tops my list for the year. Ask no questions, just go buy the book.

Milwaukeean(s) of the Year -- Call me a suck up if you must, but you, good readers of OMC, are my Milwaukeeans of the Year. The year saw even more media options in Milwaukee, and we know that you must make the deliberate choice to come to OMC daily to connect with our content and community. We appreciate your passion, and even your critiques. We have changed the way that news is reported in Milwaukee, mainly because we, like you, love this city so much it sometimes hurts. Thanks, and watch for more big things and even more growth from us in 2006.

Music -- Coldplay's "Fix You" hasn't left my head since I first heard it. Not sure if that's good or bad, but I do really like it as a quasi-pop single. Loved Fall Out Boy's album, the weird, yet collaborative Herbie Hancock effort, and Missy Higgins did very well with her "The Sound of White" release. I also loved Maria Taylor's "11:11" and The Wallflowers proved their staying power with their "Rebel, Sweetheart" release. Finally, if you are into jazz, the "Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall" download or disc is a classic 1950's compliation that was just released this September.

Concert -- Garrison Starr's Summerfest show, Tony Bennett's masterful Pabst performance and if nothing else for shear creativity, the Bodeans gig on the Pabst Theater roof.

Movies -- "Millions" had a simple and faithful message that I really enjoyed. It was heartfelt, honest, touching yet not too condescending or self-important. But if movies are about entertainment and escaping, "Batman Begins" was about as good as a visceral experience as you can get with a $7 bag of popcorn and $5 Coke.

Event -- President Bush's May 19 visit to OnMilwaukee.com is something I still get asked about almost every week. For a President, any President, to choose our growing media company as a stop on a visit was a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase our company through national media. It provided incredible exposure and near record readership. OnMilwaukee.com was featured locally, nationally and internationally with coverage in the Washington Post, New York Times and London Guardian, as well as on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. And, driving with W. in the Presidental limo was pretty darn cool.

Television -- In 2005, there were only seven shows worthy of "record entire series" on my DVR. HBO had three of them: "Costas Now," "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" (In 2005, by the way, "Real Sports" became the first sports program to be recognized with a Dupont broadcast journalism award), and the best show of 2005, "Entourage." On the non-cable side, "Scrubs," "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Alias" were clear-cut winners in my mind. If forced, I'll also admit to having a liking for the recently concluded season of The Donald's "The Apprentice." It's mindless entertainment with a little bit of business.

Hope for 2006 Milwaukee -- Milwaukee sadly showed its risk averse, scared of the big thing mentality by killing a three-year-in-the-making proposal to redevelop the former Pabst Brewery. Aldermen, you know who you are. It's now time to put behind petty differences and build Pabst City. Oh and while we are at it, it's time to lay the groundwork for a new Bradley Center. Why not a Sports Lottery to fund it? Let those who care pay for it and funnel some of the other lottery dollars to the project too. On the transportation end, The Milwaukee Connector needs to progress and Wells Street in downtown needs to be changed to a two-way street. I also can't wait for the new WYMS to hit the airwaves. We need another great radio station in town, that's an understatement. Let's get these projects on track and moving forward. Onward, Milwaukee, On Milwaukee and here's to a great 2006.

Molly Snyder Edler

Best addition to Milwaukee -- Annona Bistro in Bay View. Relaxing environment yet fastidious quality, I wish the owners would open a few more of these around town. The Red Dot, in the old Calderone Club space on the East Side, is also doing a fine job with the beer and 'za.

Music -– Wow, where to begin? I’m sure I’m missing a slew of great ones, but here are some of the records that really got me this year: Girlyman, "Little Star;" Antony & the Johnsons, “I Am A Bird Now;” Sleater-Kinney, “The Woods;” Ani Difranco “Knuckle Down;” and since I spend so much of my time listening to children's music these days, I gotta thank They Might Be Giants' for their silly-but-smart new one, "Here Come The ABCs." Sure beats Barney.

Concert -– Quintron & Miss Pussycat at the Mad Planet, Nov. 9. Spank yourself if you missed this show which was, quite possibly, the most fascinating and f’ed up performance to stagger onto a Milwaukee stage in ’05. Quintron is a nightclub organist with a penchant for swamp-tech beats, backed by the sweet-and-sleazy, morocca-playing Miss Pussycat and his own patented invention, the Drum Buddy, a rotating, light-activated analog synthesizer. Prior to their set, Miss Pussycat performed one of her infamous puppet shows, similar in style to her puppet band and side project, Flossie and the Unicorns. The gig this year was especially intense (they played at The Planet in '04 as well), considering the duo are from New Orleans’ French Quarter where Hurricane Katrina all but destroyed their home and underground club, “The Spellcaster Lodge.”