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: Potowatomi 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 Potowatomi offered him the chance to be a guest bingo caller for our Shift Switch series.
Tagged with: bingo, potowatomi, 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

Sports - Nov. 13, 2009
Talking Twitter with Brewers pitcher Seth McClung
Brewers pitcher Seth McClung spends his winters doing a lot of the same stuff his fans do: playing video games, changing diapers and taking a short vacation. But McClung also spends a lot of his free time on Twitter, keeping his almost 1,000 followers abreast of his daily comings and goings.
Tagged with: seth mcclung, twitter, social media, west virginia, relief pitching

Dining - Nov. 12, 2009
The best of the best burgers?
I finally ate lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries today, and, you know, they make a mighty fine burger. But Kopp's doesn't have much to worry about. Others have raved and raved and raved about Five Guys, which makes me wonder if Milwaukee really is the home of the world's best burger?
Tagged with: burgers, five guys, kopp's, sobleman's, aj bomber's

Travel & Visitors Guide - Nov. 10, 2009
Back in Milwaukee: so quiet, clean and orderly
I just got home from a long weekend in Mexico City, an unusual but thrilling place for a friend's destination wedding. For now I'll just say this: for all of its shortcomings, Milwaukee (and America, in general) is a quiet, clean and orderly place to live.
Tagged with: mexico city, smog, noise pollution

Dining - Nov. 3, 2009
What to expect when a waiter screws up
When a waiter tells you he doesn't have the ingredients to complete your order, then brings you the wrong dish after you order your back-up meal, should you be miffed? Or should you at least expect a few bucks off the bill?
Tagged with: breakfast, waiter, service

OnMilwaukee.com News - Oct. 30, 2009
Embracing our inner Halloween child
Other than April Fool's Day, today is one of my favorite days of the year at OnMilwaukee.com. As our office does every Halloween, every employee dons a costume and hams it up.
Tagged with: halloween, costumes

Dining - Oct. 28, 2009
The "NonMilwaukee.com" review: Old Country Buffet
Don't freak out. There's a reason we're reviewing the Old Country Buffet, and it's not to make fun of it. The verdict: Other than a tasty Caesar salad and well above average desserts, dinner was institutional quality, at best.
Tagged with: old country buffet, ocb, all you can eat

Dining - Oct. 26, 2009
Rapid review: Benji's Deli
Nothing stays the same, even the venerable old Benji's Deli in Shorewood. Benji sold the iconic Milwaukee deli years ago, and the place has been sanitized quite a bit. But the quality of the food stays the same, and along with Jake's, is one of the two totally legit Jewish delis in the Milwaukee area.
Tagged with: benji's, deli, rapid review, corned beef

Kids & Family - Oct. 24, 2009
Swine Flu vaccine clinic is surprisingly well-organized
I owe a partial apology to the City of Milwaukee after ripping its Swine Flu vaccine clinic mobilization earlier this week. Though I stand by my assertion that the City's communications regarding the H1N1 vaccine clinics have been confusing, contradictory and incomplete, as I found out today, the execution actually went more smoothly than I expected.
Tagged with: h1n1, swine flu, vaccine

Kids & Family - Oct. 22, 2009
Could the Swine Flu vaccine process be more complicated?
I hoped it wouldn't go down this way, but I feared it would. After hearing about an initial vaccine clinic all week, this morning, we received a fax (yes, a fax) from the City of Milwaukee Health Department will all sorts of new and confusing information.
Tagged with: swine flu, h1n1, vaccination

Movies & TV - Oct. 21, 2009
Milwaukee Talks: Channel 12 sports reporter Stephanie Sutton
WISN-TV's Stephanie Sutton has worked in the deep South and San Jose, but missed Milwaukee the whole time. Now, the mother of two can follow her Packers and Badgers professionally, balance her career and family -- and even find time to do radio work on the side. We caught up with Sutton for this latest Milwaukee Talks.
Tagged with: Stephanie Sutton, WISN-12, sports reporter, milwaukee talks

Dining - Oct. 19, 2009
Rapid review: Real Chili
Real Chili opened in Milwaukee in 1931, but technically speaking, the recipe goes back even further. Founder Francis Honesh worked at Chili John's in Green Bay, which opened around 1910 and is still in business. Now, there are two Milwaukee locations, one near Marquette, and another off Cathedral Square.
Tagged with: real chili, rapid review, chili