Living - Jan. 1, 2010
Plunging into 2010
Though I'm not sure taking the Polar Bear Plunge was really on any of my lifelong lists of things to do, I nonetheless checked it off today. Five hours later, I'm still cold.
Tagged with: polar bear plunge, bradford beach, new year's day, jen lada, Trenni Kusnierek

Bars & Clubs - Dec. 30, 2009
Bar veterans team up to launch new Ten Bells
In the business plans of most aspiring bar owners, six weeks are set aside for picking a name, deciding what beers to have on tap or ordering the fixtures to hang from ceilings. For Lee Guk and Michelle Hoff, a pair of seasoned managers in the Milwaukee bar business, they spent that time buying -- then opening -- the new Ten Bells bar in Walker's Point.
Tagged with: ten bells, michelle hoff, lee guk

Holiday Guide - Dec. 27, 2009
2009 picks: Andy Tarnoff
OnMilwaukee.com Publisher Andy Tarnoff contends that 2009 wasn't a year of masterpieces, but several movies, shows, events and CDs did stand out. Here's a list of his top picks to close out the decade.
Tagged with: year end picks, al's run, flashforward, flight of the conchords, Inglourious Basterds

Milwaukee Buzz - Dec. 22, 2009
Here comes the sun, slowly
The sun set in Milwaukee yesterday at 4:20 p.m. The first official day of winter, it was also the "shortest" day of the year. Tomorrow, the sun will set at 4:21 p.m. It might get colder in the next few months, but it won't get darker any earlier. That simple reminder gives me hope this week.
Tagged with: winter, daylight savings time, solstice, sunset

Holiday Guide - Dec. 20, 2009
A gift a day: The iMote Kid Friendly Remote Control
I know I have trouble figuring out every button on my remote control, so imagine how confusing it must be for a 3-year-old. Enter the iMote, the kid-friendly remote control. This programmable TV remote for preschoolers has just seven buttons: power, volume and five preset channels that you can configure.
Tagged with: imote, remote control, television, gift a day

Milwaukee Buzz - Dec. 17, 2009
Let's become Internet legends ... together
Maybe my friends have too much free time at work, but I get forwarded a lot of hilarious and sometimes ridiculous Web sites. Every time I see one of these sites, I always think, "I could have thought of that!" Today, I'm asking, "Why haven't I?"
Tagged with: internet legend, ytmnd, web hamster, web development, chocolate rain

Travel & Visitors Guide - Dec. 15, 2009
Las Vegas shines neon lights on economic recovery
Vegas is back, baby -- tan, rested and ready to lead America into recovery. What happens in Vegas might stay in Vegas (unless you are Tiger Woods), but you know it's a good sign when tourists are spending money again, bringing leisure back into their lives. The rest of the economy can't be far behind.
Tagged with: las vegas, citycenter, planet hollywood, vdara, yellowtail, brand, strip house, frank caliendo, holly madison

Dining - Dec. 14, 2009
My healthy week isn't off to a good start
As the year comes grinding to a halt, I know enough to realize that unhealthy eating temptations are lurking around every corner. So I walked into work today, pledging to eat well this week. I found myself derailed by 10 a.m.
Tagged with: mcdonald's, brat, apple pie, johnsonville

Sports - Dec. 12, 2009
Seth McClung's farewell tweet
Though the official deadline for the Brewers to tender contracts to unsigned players is at 10:59 p.m. tonight, popular relief pitcher Seth McClung is already saying goodbye to fans.
Tagged with: seth mcclung, twitter, brewers

Marketplace - Dec. 10, 2009
What is Google Wave?
I just received an invitation to preview Google Wave. I don't remember asking for the invitation, but I signed up anyway. And now I have no idea what I'm looking at.
Tagged with: google wave, google, gmail, usability

Holiday Guide - Dec. 6, 2009
A gift a day: 500 GB DVR expander
You already know that DVRs are awesome. They change the way you watch TV. They make every show "on demand." And they fill up quickly, especially if you record HD shows.
Tagged with: dvr, external hard drive

Politics - Dec. 3, 2009
Let's get realistic about Afghanistan
Obama can't win, when it comes to the war on terror. He can't "win" the war in Afghanistan, since there's no clear-cut way to declare victory. He can't pull out, since that will open up a growing vacuum of terrorism that's been simmering since America opened up a second front against no one in particular in Iraq. Now, the left and the right are fuming.
Tagged with: obama, afghanistan, war on terror

Milwaukee Buzz - Nov. 30, 2009
Plenty of good Packers plates still available
Personalized Packers vanity plates aren't cheap. Fortunately, there are ample combination still available for you to voice your opinion about the green and gold.
Tagged with: license plates, d.o.t., vanity plates, packers, ted thompson

Wedding Guide - Nov. 30, 2009
You can dance if you want to
I went to the wedding on Saturday night of one of my wife's best friends. The reception, at the Newsroom Pub, was great fun, and while the ladies rocked out on the impromptu dance floor, us dudes sat at our tables, watching and kibitzing. Weddings make people happy, and happy people dance. Americans should dance more often.
Tagged with: dancing, newsroom pub

Politics - Nov. 25, 2009
Has Google's stance on neutrality gone too far?
The Web is buzzing about an offensive and crude Photoshopping of Michelle Obama that, until recently, showed up as the top result in a Google Image search of the first lady. Naturally, many asked Google to remove the image, and in typical Google fashion, the company said no.
Tagged with: google, michelle obama, google bombing

Milwaukee Buzz - Nov. 24, 2009
Shift switch: Potawatomi Bingo caller
While OnMilwaukee.com Publisher Andy Tarnoff hasn't played bingo in about 15 years, he still has a soft spot for it -- and was pretty excited when Potawatomi offered him the chance to be a guest bingo caller for our Shift Switch series.
Tagged with: bingo, potawatomi, shift switch

Marketplace - Nov. 23, 2009
I'm becoming addicted to the online bargain
There's something about the online bargain that has me hooked. Whether it's eBay, Craigslist or the awesome DealNews.com, I've found myself buying stuff I don't even need -- just because it's such a steal.
Tagged with: ebay, dealnews, watches, bargain, shopping

Marketplace - Nov. 18, 2009
When was the last time you saw these around the office?
Since starting OnMilwaukee.com in 1998, life has gone increasingly digital. And even within the digital realm, it's moved in a different direction. Looking around my office, I see old relics and wonder when the last time I used them.
Tagged with: zip drive, phone book, film camera, obsolete

Travel & Visitors Guide - Nov. 17, 2009
Vibrant Mexico City bustles with life, strains under controlled chaos
Getting invited to a destination wedding is a bit of a mixed blessing. This month, OnMilwaukee.com Publisher Andy Tarnoff traveled to Mexico City for the nuptials of a college friend. While he never expected to take a vacation there, he's glad he went. Here's a recap.
Tagged with: mexico city, the killers, Zocalo, Xochimilco, Teotihuacan, Coyoacan

Marketplace - Nov. 16, 2009
Advertising strategies that go in one ear and out the other
I'm probably more impressed than the average Joe when I see or hear good ads, and I'm especially puzzled when I see companies blowing their money on bad ads. For every excellent ad in Milwaukee, there must be 10 terrible ones.
Tagged with: commercials, tv, radio, billboard, teeth whitening