We all make to-do lists -- things we'd like to accomplish by the end of the day, the week, and for the really ambitious, maybe even the year (How many of you have stuck with your New Year's resolutions?)
But what if you had to make a to-do list for your life? What would you like to check off the list before your time on Earth is up?
The editorial staff at OnMilwaukee.com took on the challenge of figuring out what we'd like to achieve -- in Milwaukee, of course -- before we die.
What would you do?
Molly Snyder Edler
Staff writer
My unabridged list of "things to do before death" is pages long, including events like, celebrate my 50-year wedding anniversary and spin the big wheel on "The Price Is Right." Narrowing it down to Milwaukee-specific events makes the list a bit shorter, but there are still so many local experiences I must have before the clouds 'n' angels appear.
Here's 10 things I want to do in Milwaukee before I die:
1. Start a band and gig at my favorite venues (Cactus Club, The Mad Planet, etc.)
2. Get to the top of the US Bank building, since I've never been up there.
3. Become a master gardener and have a truly amazing backyard, complete with a massive garden, interesting trees and bushes (I already have a Tamarack tree, two pear trees, two burning bushes and a lilac bush), and an outdoor kitchen with a self-built brick oven.
4. Contribute to the future of Riverwest through volunteer work, activism or politics.
5. Eat at every George Webb.
6. Ride my bike from Milwaukee to Madison (I'll have to after eating at all those greasy Webbs.)
7. Be in a position to give sizable donations to WMSE, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, NPR, Wisconsin Humane Society and other groups.
8. Watch my kids graduate from high school and college.
9. Attend Summerfest every year (I have already been to Summerfest every year since 1970.)
10. Win the Locust Street festival Beer Run.
Julie Lawrence
Staff writer
There are a few things I'd like to accomplish before my time is up in this city, and although I realize some are more attainable than others, I think all are at least possible. My first goal is to live a car-free (not carefree, mind you, although that might be nice, too) existence. This would, of course, be contingent on a better mass-transit system and / or a bike helmet, but I'd be happy to give it a try.
Also, for the past few year I've often contemplated opening a bed and breakfast somewhere on Brady Street. It wouldn't be overly cutesy or country, but rather stylish and modern -- a cool, non-corporate place for tourists to stay right in the heart of a cultural epicenter. Maybe someday.
Drew Olson
Senior editor
(Note: All of these are predicated on my winning an unbelievable sum of money, either at Potawatomi or via the lottery).
1. Win a huge sum of money at Potawatomi or via the lottery.
2. Rent the top floor of The Pfister during Summerfest. Convene regular after-hours parties.
3. Play a round of golf at Milwaukee Country Club.
4. Take a guitar lesson from Greg Koch.
5. Break the story of Brett Favre's retirement from the NFL.
6. Take a large group to Fourth Base for a dinner party (money would be no object).
7. Hire Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to do a private show at Shank Hall (Buffalo Tom would open).
8. Charter a jet to Phoenix and take part in Bill Schroeder's Brewers fantasy camp.
9. Make gigantic donations to Children's Hospital, the MACC Fund and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Jeff Sherman
President
It's an interesting question, indeed. I truly feel that I'm doing what I'm meant to do here at OMC. We helped fuel a Milwaukee renaissance with this publication and through our leadership with YPM/Fuel Milwaukee. So, daily we work hard and have fun full filling our mission to make better media and move Milwaukee forward.
Before the big guy takes me, though, I truly can't wait to walk my son/daughter through Marquette's campus. I want to see the Kilbourn Tunnel painted and I want to see Wells Street changed to a two-way street (all the way to Prospect Ave.). I really would like to help open an amazing breakfast place in Downtown, own the Bucks (donations currently being accepted or Senator, can I pay you in OMC stock?), help facilitate more positive leadership in Milwaukee, open a speakers series for local leaders to talk to high schoolers, squash the Milwaukee haters and here's (sadly) a stretch -- to one day be able to swim in a clean Lake Michigan. Onward!
Bobby Tanzilo
Managing editor
This is a tough one. Of course, I haven't done everything there is to do in Milwaukee, but having spent so much time here, I feel like I've had the chance to do most everything I'd like. Certainly, I'd love to meet my grandchildren, presumably in Milwaukee, but that's pretty much entirely out of my hands. I've always wanted to go up to the top of the Allen-Bradley clock tower, but that seems like it's aiming a little low. I'd also like to get a tour of underground Bay View, to see for myself if all those caves and tunnels really exist.
Andy Tarnoff
Publisher
The great thing about my job is that, more often or not, I can arrange to do the exclusive stuff I've always wanted to try, all in the name of journalism and telling a great story. So to fairly answer this question, I must come up with something that no PR person will grant me. So far, that elusive request has been to take batting practice with the Brewers (and don't think I haven't asked). Even though I haven't played organized baseball since Little League, I pride myself on swinging a good stick, and I think given enough hacks, I could hit a few BP balls out of the infield. And I'd like to try it just once -- before I'm too old/rickety to get some good wood on a Major League batting practice pitcher.
