2009 Picks: Jeff Sherman

Best TV show: "Friday Night Lights" showed why it rocks in 2009. Great characters, drama, emotion and controversy. It's the best show on TV, hands down.

Best albums: I look at national best-of lists for music and get a bit lost. I'm a country, pop and alternative guy. But, country mainly plays on the iPod. My favorites this year? Dierks Bentley's "Feel that Fire," David Nail's "I'm About to Come Alive," and the very solid and singable "Defying Gravity" from Keith Urban.

Song: Willy Porter's economic anthem, "How to Rob a Bank." And, admit it, you also loved "Empire State of Mind," from Jay-Z, too.

Best book: It's massive at more than 700 pages, but if you love sports and pop culture you'll love "The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to The Sports Guy," by Bill Simmons. For this fan, it's the best read of the year. And for NBA teams, hopefully they'll read it and learn that teamwork is the true "secret" to winning.

Most exciting local sports story: There were many, but Brandon Jennings' "surprise" early start has made basketball in Milwaukee relevant again. Here's to the Young Buck.

Milwaukeean of the year: Danny Gokey, via the marketing power of "American Idol" put Milwaukee on the map in 2009. But, this category is also personal. After 34 years at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, my dad, Roger Sherman, retired this year. He's not nearly done working, but his time at Goodwill is done. The good byes and tributes were heartful and well deserved. It was amazing to hear all the great programs and impact he had in his years of service. Here's to life's next challenge and consulting gig(s), Dad. I love you.

Best addition to a sports team: Squad 6 has to have a place on my list. Andrew Bogut, good work!

Concert: Keb' Mo' was great at the Northern Lights Theater and Keith Urban really shined while making the crowd wonder why Counting Crows were even on the same Summerfest bill.

Best event: The 55th annual International Downtown Association's (IDA) annual conference was held in Milwaukee during one of our best September weekends. It drew hundreds of civic leaders from around the globe. All were truly impressed with our city. Milwaukee put on a great show. Another signature Milwaukee event of 2009? The sale of Milwaukee institution, Von Trier. Kudos to John and Cindy Sidoff for preserving a Milwaukee landmark.

Heroes of the year: Off-duty Milwaukee firefighters John Rechlitz and Joel Rechlitz and off-duty Milwaukee police Lt. Mark Wroblewski. The trio rushed into a burning SUV and cut a 4-year-old boy out of a seatbelt, saving his life. Watch the video here.

Most over used word: Epic. Stop it, already.

Biggest disappointments: I really missed Summer Sizzle in the Third Ward. It was too bad that the event was canceled. The closings of Heinemann's and Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops are still a bit sad too. Dominic James ending his Marquette career on the bench was another '09 disappointment.

Best potential to "move mountains:" Joe Zilber's $50 million gift to the City of Milwaukee began its work in 2009. Marquette Magazine summed up his work pretty well: "His massive rebuilding effort, encompassing bricks and mortar as well as the social fabric of the city, employs a strategy he's used his entire career: Lead by example. His $50 million gift is intended to spur a wave of philanthropy, ultimately creating a $200 to $300 million investment pool." Another great potential from 2009? Milwaukee's focus on fresh water and its power to build commerce, business and technology.

Here's to 2010, Milwaukee. Onward and upward.

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