Inside New Berlin

For a comprehensive and entertaining list/ review of this past year, it would be hard to beat Time.com’s current post titled “The Top 10 Everything of 2008”.

Their soup-to-nuts "full list" contains 50 categories--each with a top 10 list. They include:  gadgets, movies, TV series, news stories, oddball news stories, campaign gaffes, sports moments, video games, late night jokes, editorial cartoons, photos, magazine covers, children’s books, medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries--- and much more.

--A recent snapshot of our grandson’s visit with Santa

Perhaps we should have submitted it to the Scared of Santa contest sponsored by MilwaukeeMoms.com/My CommunityNOW.com. Who knows? It might have won.

Evidently, many folks did participate in the contest. The Web site indicates there were over 300 entries. The deadline was Dec. 19.

When you have a moment, take a look at those endearing photo submissions.  They are sure to make you smile.

The contest will be announcing the photo winner and runners-up tomorrow, Dec. 23.

All Tumbleweeds Southwest Grill restaurants in Wisconsin have closed. See Dec. 1 JS Online news report. Greg Kowalski at MetroMilwaukeeToday posted a blog in November about the restaurant chain’s troubles /closure plans.

Many retailers have been struggling financially, as well.  

There have been reports of numerous store closings.

Examples:

• Linens N Things is closing all stores
• Talbots is closing all stores
• Ann Taylor will close 117 stores nationwide
• KB Toys is closing 356 stores

Check out the list of store closings that was posted on the internet (News First).

In these tough economic times, please exercise caution when purchasing gift cards. Using the gift cards you receive pronto is probably a wise idea, too. 

Only four days into December and we’ve already had below- freezing temperatures and snow. Still, that’s not unusual for this region and time of year.

November was memorable for different reasons: The Thanksgiving Day holiday; the Presidential Election-- won by Democrat Barack Obama; the Republican Party’s thumping at the polls. We also lost three special people who had been very involved in our community.

Gerald Tuchalski, a retired superintendent of New Berlin Public Schools, passed away at his home on Nov. 1. He was 77 years old. “Jerry” had pancreatic cancer. He lived in my subdivision and was a friendly, interesting person. Because of his hobby/ love for classic cars, Jerry was often outside-- in his driveway or garage pottering about. During our walks, my husband and I often stopped to chat with him.

On Nov. 2, Jean Crotty, a long-time community activist and founder of the group New Berlin Citizens Forum Committee, died. She was 82. Jean ran voters forums for many years. In a recent article about her, Community NOW reports: “ The forums in New Berlin ended in 2007 when the council established a policy restricting political groups from using City Hall or the city’s cable channel. That policy was interpreted to include the forums.”

What a shame the Common Council did that. The forums were informative and a great public service. Our government officials should re-visit their restrictive policy which prevents candidate forums at City Hall. If they aren’t willing to do that, the Council President should at least explain (if he can) how the current policy benefits New Berlin citizens and honors Mrs. Crotty’s memory, civic-minded efforts/legacy.

Al Stigler died Nov. 9 at age 60. A Vietnam War veteran who had sustained serious injuries, he was actively involved with numerous  endeavors, such as NB VFW Post, Lions Club and Disabled Veterans of America. He was also a long-time volunteer at the church my husband and I've attended over 30 years, Holy Apostles.