Kids & Family - Nov. 23, 2009
New Tinkertoy exhibit builds imagination
How can it be that some toys are long forgotten by adulthood and others are celebrated for a lifetime? A new Tinkertoy exhibit just opened at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum that features regular and giant replicas of the colorful, classic construction toys.
Tagged with: tinkertoys, betty brinn children's museu, general electric, hasbro

Arts & Entertainment - Nov. 22, 2009
"New Moon" musings
Last night, along with my 16-year-old niece, I saw "New Moon," the latest film in Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series based on the book of the same name.
Tagged with: twilight, new moon, stephanie meyer

Dining - Nov. 18, 2009
Today's oxymoron: calorie counting at Culver's
I like the fast food eatery's Wisconsin roots, but other than that, I'm not a big fan, mostly because there isn't a single item on the menu that works for me. Sure, a double cheeseburger sounds great, but most of my metabolism stayed in the '90s and I haven't had a double anything since.
Tagged with: culver's, calories, low-fat, diet

Marketplace - Nov. 18, 2009
Where to sell books in Brew City
You're not going to get rich reselling your books, but you might get a little fun money for the weekend or, at the very least, be able to trade your old books for "new" ones.
Tagged with: books, used books, sell book, boswell book company, re-booked, half price books, open book co-op

Kids & Family - Nov. 16, 2009
Kids dig multicultural experiences
Providing kids the chance to enjoy other cultures is fun, educational and important. The easiest way to celebrate another culture is to sample its food, music or performance. Here is a list of places to take kids for multicultural fun in Milwaukee.
Tagged with: ethnic, multicultural, bilingual, milwaukee public museum, holiday folk fair, ko-thi, izumi's, italian community center, el rey

Bars & Clubs - Nov. 14, 2009
"Beer water" is not beer and that's OK
Let's get a few things straight. MGD Light 64 and Bud Select 55 are not a beer-drinker's beer. In fact, they are not even beer, really. They are beer-flavored sparkling waters. They are a few calories away from being beer-scented seltzers. But they have their place.
Tagged with: MGD Light 64, Bud Select 55, light beer, low-cal beer, beer water

Arts & Entertainment - Nov. 13, 2009
Milwaukee Zine Fest celebrates DIY publishing
The Milwaukee Zine Fest returns for a second year, but this time, it's at The Polish Falcon's Nest, 801 E. Clarke St., on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chicago-based cultural critic Anne Elizabeth Moore will teach a free workshop at the event. What the hell is a zine, you ask? Read on.
Tagged with: milwaukee zine fest, anne elizabeth moore, zines, alternative media, polish falcon's nest

Dining - Nov. 11, 2009
Cafe Corazón pumps new life into NoLo
After more than a year of buzz, Cafe Corazón quietly opened last weekend. Currently, only the bar is operating, but at the end of the month, George and Wendy Mireles -- who own the cafe with John Kelly -- say they will serve food, too. Corazón offers quality, affordable food to the north end of Riverwest, referred to as "NoLo" (North of Locust).
Tagged with: cafe corazon, latin food, wendy mireles, george mireles, john kelly, mexican food, brunch, breakfast, Riverwest

Dining - Nov. 9, 2009
Three restaurants say goodbye to Milwaukee diners
Two Milwaukee restaurants closed recently, and a third will serve its last meal this Sunday.
Tagged with: pandl's in bayside, good life, cornby's

Kids & Family - Nov. 9, 2009
How to pick the perfect pooch
OnMilwaukee.com consulted dog experts Stacy LaPoint, owner of Companion Natural Pet Food, and Jill Albers, a Wisconsin Humane Society volunteer, to get tips for picking the dog that's right for you and your family.
Tagged with: dogs, adoption, humane society, rescue groups, companion natural pet food

Marketplace - Nov. 7, 2009
Paperwork still stacks up after 30 years
For three decades, Paperwork has been an anchor business in the unique Downer Avenue shopping district.The block is now under construction, but by Thanksgiving, the work should be completed. This is important to Paperwork owner Lynn Hartwig, who wants to keep her business and community as strong as possible.
Tagged with: paperwork, downer avenue, stationery, paper, lynn hartwig

Kids & Family - Nov. 6, 2009
Nope, pipes and kids don't mix
Recently, I dated myself without even realizing it. My son told me he wanted to make magic wands, and among other supplies, I suggested that we buy some "pipe cleaners."
Tagged with: pipes, pipe cleaners, chenille sticks, mr. potato head, good night moon

Arts & Entertainment - Nov. 3, 2009
Bardin paintings stir local art scene
Al Bardin has painted houses since the '80s, but it wasn't until last winter that he finally put brush to canvas. Since then, he has sold more than 60 "monster" paintings and will be among the featured artists at the return of MIAD's Open Canvas on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Tagged with: al bardin, bardin painting, open canvas, MIAD, monsters, ugly dolls, where the wild things are

Kids & Family - Nov. 2, 2009
"Pork Chops" protect and adorn baby legs
Pork Chop Kids are, basically, long, snug socks -- a "thigh high" for kids and babies -- worn in place of tights or even pants. At first, some parents might have a difficult time wrapping their mind around Meaghan Resenhoeft's new product, but once they do, they're usually instant fans.
Tagged with: pork chop kids, baby legs, leg warmers

Kids & Family - Nov. 2, 2009
11 benefits of being an adoptive mom
The adoptive mom lets go of a lot, but she receives an abundance in return, too. Here are some reasons why adoption rocks.
Tagged with: adoption, adoptive parent

Bars & Clubs - Nov. 1, 2009
The Pub has a new owner, same diverse scene
Chris Bohl, the new owner of the The Pub in Riverwest, says he didn't make major changes to the bar because he was already satisfied with the scene. He did, however, extend happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. every day except Sunday and now offers $1.50 rail drinks and $2 taps.
Tagged with: the pub, riverwest bar, chris bohl, riverwest stein

Living - Oct. 30, 2009
Can you politely "unfriend" on Facebook?
A real friend from the real world told me she wanted to clean up her Facebook page and "unfriend" a bunch of people who weren't really friends. The fewer the friends, the less she has to wade through to find the information they really care about. I get it, but how should she do it?
Tagged with: facebook, facebook friends, unfriending

Dining - Oct. 29, 2009
Local restaurants treasure the artichoke
If ever a vegetable were to have a cult-like following, it would be the artichoke. It's true: lovers of this big thistle plant are emphatic about it, whether the "heart" is chopped and served on pizza and in hot dips or the entire plant is hard boiled and devoured. Here's a list of Milwaukee eateries with artichoke dishes on the menu.
Tagged with: artichokes, pizza man, nessun dorma, louise's, comet cafe, fuel, smyth, iron horse hotel, balistreri's

Dining - Oct. 29, 2009
Rapid review: Centro Cafe
Today's quick review focuses on Riverwest's newest eatery, Centro Cafe. It's a cozy, Italian restaurant that's off to a great start.
Tagged with: centro cafe, rapid review, italian food, riverwest restaurant

Kids & Family - Oct. 26, 2009
Are spelling tests stupid?
I spend hours a week grilling my kid on spelling words, and even though I'm a writer, I'm questioning if it's really necessary to spend this much time on it.
Tagged with: spelling, spelling tests, dan quayle