By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Nov 25, 2009 at 9:02 AM

As we approach Thanksgiving, the editorial staff at OnMilwaukee.com offers 100 reasons for Milwaukeeans to give thanks. Use the Talkback feature to add your own suggestions and be sure to have a happy, safe holiday.

1. The Milwaukee Art Museum's Calatrava-designed brise soleil on a bright, sunny day.
2. Airline competition bringing great fares to town.
3. Brandon Jennings, the electric Bucks rookie.
4. A new Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park.
5. Your first beer on a warm evening at Summerfest.
6. Milorganite, the underappreciated fertilizer.
7. Parking and traffic are usually manageable.
8. Listening to Bob Uecker call Brewers games while working in the yard.
9. Seeing "I Closed Wolski's" bumper stickers in exotic places around the world and knowing that you have, indeed, closed the joint.
10. The warm fireplace and free nuts at The Pfister's lobby bar.
11. The consistent quality of performances at the Milwaukee Rep and other local theater groups.
12. The loungiest lounge of them all, At Random in Bay View.
13. A great tailgate party in the parking lot at Miller Park.
14. The free jukebox at Vitucci's.
15. The rooftop deck at La Perla (in summer, of course).
16. Seasonal beers from Lakefront Brewery and the Milwaukee Brewing Company.
17. Bratwurst from Usinger's and Klement's.
18. So many new shopping opportunities without having to travel to a suburban mall.
19. Twenty years of Shank Hall.
20. Taking a toddler to the Milwaukee County Zoo.
21. Leon's custard on a 90-degree night.
22. Being able to say "about 15 minutes," when someone asks how long it will take to get somewhere, anywhere.
23. Shrimp soup at Botanas.
24. Italian regional dinners at The Pasta Tree.
25. Milwaukee Film.
26. Bradford Beach is cleaner and more hoppin' than ever.
27. The entertainment value of middle-aged white men hosting and calling talk-radio shows.
28. Bowling at Holler House.
29. $10 "intimate" shows at The Pabst.
30. Kite flying at Veteran's Park.
31. Peg Bradley's awesome art collection at MAM.
32. An early-morning jog along Lincoln Memorial Drive.
33. Admirals hockey and Wave soccer. Exciting games. Good atmosphere. Cheap prices.
34. Speaking of cheap, just about everything is affordable here.
35. Jazz in the Park ... and it's free.
36. The butterfly room and The Streets of Old Milwaukee / European Village at the Milwaukee Public Museum.
37. Cafe Corazon in Riverwest.
38. The Oriental, Downer, Times and Rosebud Theaters.
39. Free samples at Whole Foods Market.
40. The Milwaukee Public Market.
41. The delicious pizza at Calderone Club, Zaffiro's, Pizza Man and Palermo Villa.
42. The constant development in the Historic Third Ward.
43. Boswell Books keeps book peddling alive on Downer Avenue.
44. Fish fry options galore.
45. The raucous party that is Brewers opening day.
46. Nationally-ranked basketball teams at Marquette and Wisconsin.
47. Art collectives like Borg Ward providing easy access to the arts.
48. The good-time Irish vibe at County Clare.
49. Alterra coffee (especially on double-punch Tuesday).
50. Greg Koch, the gristle master and Fender guitar clinician, playing gigs in town when he's not in Europe.
51. Dog park in Estabrook Park.
52. Frank Lloyd Wright's Bogk House and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
53. Children's Hospital, one of the premier children's medical centers in the world.
54. Sprecher Root Beer.
55. The Pettit National Ice Center.
56. Cannoli (and awesome smells) at Peter Sciortino's Bakery.
57. Chips, salsa and tortillas from Manny's or El Rey.
58. The half-shoulder, half-rib dinner from Speed Queen.
59. The Tool Shed and A Woman's Touch, both totally un-seedy, women-owned erotic shops.
60. The schools that continue to succeed in MPS.
61. The incredible, educational Betty Brinn Museum and Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin.
62. Beautiful parks, like Lake Park, South Shore Park, Lincoln Park, Grant Park and others.
63. The Tip Top Atomic Shop for rocking retro with kitsch and class.
64. That Harley hits Milwaukee with a great museum and trendy Iron Horse Hotel.
65. COA's (Children's Outing Association's) engaging programs for Milwaukee kids.
66. The Fulbeli Deli -- at Koppa's Farwell Foods -- for the utmost in silly and tasty.
67. Underground leagues of ultimate frisbee, kickball and bike polo.
68. Fireworks on July 3.
69. Prince Fielder hitting a home run in the late innings.
70. Eating a chicken dinner and saganaki at the annual Greek festivals.
71. Ethnic authenticity and variety of Bombay Sweets, Thai Kitchen, Shiraz and Riviera Maya.
72. That the Trinity Irish Dancers are renowned worldwide.
73. That Pick ‘n Save has undergone improvements to keep up with Sendik's, Whole Foods, etc.
74. Reliable public transportation.
75. Downtown steakhouses.
76. The Alverno Presents series at the college's Pitman Theatre.
77. Will Allen and Growing Power.
78. Free music and events all summer long.
79. The continued protection of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Lapham Peak and Grant Park's Seven Bridges.
80. Sparrow, which sells clothing made by local designers.
81. The repaving and revitalization of South 2nd Street (set for summer 2010).
82. The popcorn wagon outside Gilles' on Bluemound and the ones on Downer Avenue (currently in storage) and in Catalano Square.
83. Fresh corn (and other produce) from farmer's market.
84. Secret Stadium Sauce on a Polish sausage at the ballpark.
85. In many parts of the metro area, you can see the stars at night.
86. Cream City brick.
87. The free Downtown trolleys.
88. Michael Cudahy's continued fight for innovative rail in Milwaukee.
89. Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural influence abounds.
90. Jake's Deli.
91. Bike racks on buses.
92. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
93. Some bars (that will remain unnamed) sell carry-outs after 9 p.m.
94. Marquette coach Buzz Williams is recruiting big talent.
95. Outpost Natural Foods and Beans and Barley for offering healthy goods long before Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market.
96. The statewide smoking ban set for July 5, 2010.
97. Poetry slams at Mecca Lounge.
98. The ongoing radio legacy of Bob Reitman.
99. Our unique and wonderful neighborhoods like the Historic Third Ward, Walker's Point, the East Side, Brady Street, Bay View, Mitchell Street, Enderis Park, Jackson Park, Granville.
100. And, finally, the fact that OnMilwaukee.com remains a vibrant, growing online magazine in a city that shares the same qualities.