Swerving State Statutes: Here's an idea that will not likely rise above the clamor for more punitive penalties for drunk driving - go back to the way the law used to be.

It used to be that a OUI offense would stay on a driving record for 10 years (and before that it was five), but that was changed and now the law is that an OUI follows you around for 52-plus years, essentially a lifetime. Even traffic safety instructors, whom OUI offenders have to visit to get their licenses back, think that the current law is too punitive.

State Rep. Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) wants the law to go back to the 10-year rule.

"It'll be tougher sledding than ever. Everybody is hellbent to get tough on drunken driving," the normally acerbic Schneider told the media.

Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore) and Sen. Alan Lasee (R-De Pere) are co-sponsors.

Various more punitive bills are floating through the state Legislature.

Trash Bash on the Rivers: Speaking of river cleanup, volunteers can show up on Saturday for the Earth Day river sweep. Organizers such as the Milwaukee Riverkeepers are planning the biggest trash pickup ever, including 46 locations along the three rivers that run through our fair city. Trash bags and work gloves will be provided, but it's a bring-your-own-boat party for some of the locations.

Some of the locations and cleanup information includes:

Milwaukee River

* Brown Deer Road- 8800 N Upper River Rd. & Brown Dr. Road. Canoe needed, must pre-register for this site.

* Estabrook Park- 4400 N. Estabrook Dr. Meet at the parking lot of picnic area 6.

* Gordon Park- 1321 E. Locust St. Meet at the parking lot next to maintenance building.

* Hubbard Park- 3565 N. Morris Blvd. Meet in the circle by the flagpole.

* Kern Park- 3614 N. Humboldt Blvd. Park along the street.

* Kletzsch Park- 6560 N. Milwaukee River Pkwy. Meet at the pavilion on the east side of the parkway.

* Lincoln Park- 1301 W. Hampton Ave.

*Rowing Club - Meet at the Rowing Club boathouse on Commerce St.

* North Avenue East- Meet on the north side of North Ave. next to the old Hometown Gas station.

* Riverside Park - 1400 E. Riverside Place. Meet at playground by Riverside Park sign off Oakland Ave.

* Lincoln Creek - 5385 N. Green Bay Rd. Meet at the Eastbrook Church West parking lot.

Menomonee River

* Hart Park - 7300 W. Chestnut St., Wauwatosa. Meet at the Park Administrative Building

* Hoyt/Hansen Park - 1800 Swan Blvd. Meet at Hoyt Park Swimming Pool lot at 8 a. m.

* Jacobus Park- 6501 W. Hillside Ln. Meet behind the pavilion.

* Harley Woods- Meet at the intersection of Capitol Dr. and Menomonee River Pkwy. (off Hwy 45)

* Menomonee/Burleigh- Meet at Burleigh St. and Menomonee River Pkwy.

* Menomonee/North Ave. - Meet at the intersection of North Ave. and Menomonee River Pkwy.
Menomonee Valley and Hank Aaron Trail

* Hank Aaron State Trail Loop- Meet at the DPW parking lot east of the 25th St. traffic circle.

* Hank Aaron Trail Extension - 65th & Schlisinger Ave (between Hawley & 70th St.).

* Miller Park- Meet at Picnic Shelter #2.

* Menomonee Valley Community Park - Canal St. under the 35th St. viaduct. Meet at the chimneys.

* Lakeshore State Park- Meet at Discovery World.

Kinnickinnic River

* Jackson Park - Meet at the boathouse, 3500 W. Forest Home Ave.

* Wilson Park - Meet on the east side of S. 20th St. at the pedestrian bridge.
* St. Luke's Medical Center - 2900 W Oklahoma Ave. Meet at the picnic tables.

Volunteers will be treated to a "Trash Bash" from 12:30-3 p.m. at Hoyt Park, 1800 N. Swan Blvd. In picnic area No. 1, there will be food, drink, live music and prizes for the weirdest thing retrieved from the river. The Web site is www.milwaukeeriverkeeper.org.