Takin' the Blog for a Walk

feeling a little deflated

Brien Lee — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:15:26 GMT

Now that the County Fair is here I'm looking forward to some hot air balloon competition at the annual Skyfest rally. Maybe crew with someone new. Maybe run into friends from out of town. Or so I thought.

Pay no attention to the cover page of today's edition of WaukeshaNOW paper. It was wrong. "THURSDAY The sky will be adorned with color during the SKY FEST HOT AIR BALLOON COMPETITION at the Waukesha County Expo Center." I wish! Fourteen years of ballooning at the fair was put on hold this year as no corporate sponsors were located.

Before learning of it's fate, I wondered how the weather would affect Skyfest this year. The weather's been pretty poor for ballooning lately, and this week's forecast looked like it had a lot of possible thunderstorms. Indeed, the first day of the fair saw a severe storm. Might not have had a lot of flight time anyway.

So we made the best of opening day at the fair by watching the tractor pulls - the lawn tractor pulls - for a few hours. The rain cooled things off but it also made a mess of the track. The competition got a late start because the mud had to be scraped off and the track smoothed out. I've never seen the competition before and was pretty amazed at some of the machines. Was surprised to see 8 year olds steer modified 10 hp, 900 lb machines 130 or more feet while dragging a weighted sled.

Stayed long enough, and when the expensive-looking dragster style tractors still hadn't run by 10:30 we knew it was time to leave. We got our dollar's worth.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Brien Lee — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:32:00 GMT

I hope there will always be somewhere to go where they know your name, and I'm not talking about an automated voice reading it off your frequent shopper card. There are few places left where you can pick up your cup where you left it the day before and share conversation and coffee with the butcher behind the meat counter every day at the small mom and pop grocery like my dad used to do in Mercer. Doesn't really matter how big the place is.

Even though Pick 'N Save takes way too much of our money we still like shopping there. Prices are comparatively low, people know us there and we run into people we know there. It's like the small town post office, where conversation is free-flowing and eventually, it seems, you'll bump into everyone.

P & S does what it can to cut down on aisle clogging conversation. They make narrow aisles (the most popular ones of course) even narrower with free-standing displays. The end result is there isn't room anywhere to even park a cart out of the way. On busy Saturdays you have to wait for traffic to pass before reaching for some things (if they're going to make aisles that narrow they need to make them one-way or have narrower carts).

Even though P & S has installed some self-serve check outs for smaller orders, it's still nice to talk to live checkers who know you. We've know some of the checkers going back 15 years and more. They want to know how everyone is, where my wife is when she's not with me, and they comment on how big the kids are getting (I blame that on them). When we went shopping there yesterday we didn't go to the shortest line, we went to Linda's line. I love kidding with Linda. When she gave us our whopping total I told her to catch this one and I'll get the next. I love her laugh.

They tell Linda and Sally and others not to talk so much, that their lines are too long. But I say their lines are long because people want to wait for checkers that know their names. We did.

Pick 'N Save is running a promo of a $25.00 gift card if we transfer a prescription to their new pharmacy. Don't want it. Walgreens has usually treated us fairly. Went there Friday and the pharmacist called me by name as I approached. There was no waiting. The order was ready and he was efficient and friendly. He could have been extra nice for the survey I could take for a chance to win $3000.00, but maybe the new competition in town is forcing it. Either way, as long as Walgreens continues to take care of us and acts like they know us we'll continue to do business there.

this place is a disaster

Brien Lee — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:12:00 GMT

Inspector FEMA stopped by early Saturday morning to stumble through our cluttered basement. I debated asking for the visit because there was very little damage from the Flood of 2008. Even though sewer backups are covered under our homeowner's, we didn't even apply. But it's extremely rare (thankfully) that FEMA is in town, we have a $500.00 deductible, and the sewer backed up not once, not twice, but five times within one week last month.

Didn't really want to ask for help because there were far more families and businesses worse off than us. But this flooding shouldn't have happened and I wanted someone other than the city to know. We've had sewer backups in our neighborhood for years, for whatever reasons, and was told by the director of public works two years ago that the replacement of pipe in our street would solve the problem. They did smoke testing to find illegal hookups and added more storm drains. The city seemed to do everything it could, short of increasing capacity or redesigning our connection to the main line, and for a while it worked. June's rain was the first big test since the new pipe was laid.

I wish it wouldn't have happened, because now it means we still have to worry about basement flooding every time it rains hard. What if we're away when it rains? We have a new, very expensive furnace / a/c down there among many other things. The only storm water allowed in the sanitary sewer should be through the floor drains of flooded basements. I have a feeling more basements were flooded through floor drains than were saved by them. I have a feeling leaking pipe, manhole openings and illegal hookups are allowing too much stormwater in.

By getting FEMA involved there will be a clearer picture of what happened and what needs to be done. When all monetary damages from the storm are added up the state will be given a percentage of that in a federal grant for infrastructure improvements to be distributed to counties according to need. I can see a need in our area for larger capacity pumps.

FEMA for Waukesha is currently set up at the County Highway Department off Grandview Blvd. between Northview and Silvernail from 10:00 to 7:00 every day except Sunday. Representatives from local, state and federal agencies are there to offer any assistance they can. Of the three times I visited there was never a crowd. Besides the free clean up kits offered, there is plenty of useful literature. One of the more interesting things offered is a U.S. Small Business Admin. Disaster Home Loan. If we apply and qualify we could get a loan at less than 3%, which would make it our lowest rate. (I can think of a few needed car repairs with that money.)

We didn't really need help but since FEMA is there... I picked up some ideas and made others aware of the problem in our area. If you don't need help but know of someone who might, be sure to suggest they stop in. FEMA won't be there forever.

wealthy neighborhood

Brien Lee — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:03:17 GMT

Takin the blog for a walk in the neighborhood of Wealthy Street we often see sidewalk art. Last Sunday was a rather elaborate affair; A heart with angel wings, the word "Hope" written in the middle, and sunflower seeds set in a little pile in the middle of it. There was a little angel statue and a pinwheel next to it.

Was the artwork done by a child who lost a young brother or sister? Was it some kind of memorial to a soldier? I wondered if the angel had a connection to the bird seed. What was the thought? That the birds would be taking the blessings of the angel or the young artist up to heaven? We were curious, but not enough to knock at 5:30 a.m.

I meant to come back for a picture later on but forgot and rain washed it away. The artwork was just unusual enough that I felt a connection. Remember, I had just lost my uncle, an artist, two days earlier and was leaving later that day for the memorial service. Like life, the artwork was temporary.

A day or two after my return from Omaha I determined to find answers to the art even if it meant rapping on the door. Fortunately someone was outside when we passed by and was willing to talk. The person we saw was the artist and, without disclosing her age, lets just say she's no child.

Throughout the next couple hours she proceded to tell us about herself, ask about me, show us pictures and a painting. I told her about my trip to Omaha and what my uncle meant to me while she got me a chair and Sir Fido a bowl of water.

She was going to replace the washed out artwork while we were there but not until she was sure we were comfortable. She brought out bottled water, a couple beers and, when it started to get cold and dark, sweatshirts.

She's been doing sidewalk art for quite some time but doesn't consider herself an artist. The one piece I saw was the first time she added angel wings. So what did it all mean? Nothing really. She just likes to be creative and she likes feeding birds. I suppose it's like any other art and means different things to different people. (It could've been a trap for curious individuals. Anyone who bothers to ask will have to meet a most interesting individual.)

when a blogger dies

Brien Lee — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:53:00 GMT

A fellow blogger passed away a week ago today. He was born and died in June... with eighty years in between. He led a very interesting and full life, spoke many languages and had friends around the world.

He began blogging three years ago this month and, while I've read them in the past, the posts have new meaning for me now. He was a somewhat eccentric character, and his writing certainly helps to demystify his complexity.

I travelled 600 miles to Omaha by Greyhound Sunday night for the Monday memorial service. I had wanted to visit while he was still alive but something always came up. The last time I saw him was by way of a Skype video connection. He knew he was dying.

The memorial service was a fitting send off for an extraordinary man. It was the perfect mass with stories and testimony from many of his friends and colleagues. It celebrated his long, fruitful life and quirky nature. There was read a long poem about him, songs and readings he would've enjoyed, tears of joy and sadness... and plenty of humor. If I live to be a hundred, I will not again witness such a wondrous mass for as unique an individual.

I was to return to Waukesha the following day, so while there I had to explore the Iowa dish antenna farm known as SCOLA started by him. It's an imposing sight in the middle of an unimposing cornfield. Huge dishes sprout from the fertile soil like trees in Arthur C. Clarke's imagination. The bowls in the corn stand ready to accept flakes of information. The studio digests programming from around the world and spoon feeds it to subscribers via a regular schedule. (SCOLA used to be seen on cable in the Waukesha area several years ago. It was the channel with the foreign news broadcasts.)

Before I left Tuesday, I wanted to sign the guestbook for the room on the Creighton campus I was staying. It was started in the late 1980's, and as I paged through it I wondered if I'd see him mentioned -- he had taught at Creighton for many years. Right there on the second page, a note from a Frenchman visiting SCOLA, thanking Father Lubbers, SJ, my uncle, for the hospitality.

My Uncle Lee was uncommon and we had a lot in common. He loved to book shop, more than he'd ever have time to read, it seemed. He gave me a enormous "The Last Whole Earth Catalog" and "The Zen of Running" years ago. He left me his well-used "Roget's International Thesaurus" which I will use in blogging and used for this one.

He took the nieces and nephews skiing many times, and these are favorite memories. It took Lee's enthusiasm to get teenagers out of bed before dawn on a freezing winter vacation day, cook us a hot breakfast of grits, drive for miles to the ski hills on snow-covered roads, and ski all day even when it was coldest. Three times he took us skiing out West and you will see skiing and mountains prominent in his art from that period.

After Uncle Lee's brother died in the 1960s his sister, my mother, began an Easter egg hunt tradition. It was the first big holiday after the plane crash and she wanted to do something to help the five orphaned kids get through it. Again my uncle's enthusiasm took over and he really, really, enjoyed hunting for his own colored eggs well into his 60s.

It was always fun seeing my uncle for holidays. He'd share stories and ideas from his travels and get us to try foods and drink we were unfamiliar with. He liked strong, black coffee and liked sweets and French foods, especially cheeses.

I could go on and on about his art, his marrying us and baptizing our baby. About a trip to Missouri for an antenna. About sailing ... Maybe later.

My uncle began the art department at Creighton University and is still instructing even in death. His body was donated to science.

:'(

Brien Lee — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:02:00 GMT

My last remaining uncle has died.

His life in pictures.

flipped off by Les Paul

Brien Lee — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:55:00 GMT

Les Paul flips me off. Really flips me off! Have to forgive him though; I think at 93 he's entitled to be a little crotchety. After all, we deserved it. We were clapping too much and giving him standing ovations. I really don't think anyone took offense at his one-finger salute - anyone who knows Les understands his brand of humor. Besides, with badly arthritic hands, it hardly even qualified as a "bird".

I could make this story short and just say, "heard some old guy play guitar and tell stories at the Pabst Theater last night", and direct you to read the concert review at jsonline. But that wouldn't be any fun.

I was thrilled when I heard Les Paul would be performing at the Pabst Theater for one sixth the price of last year's fundraising concert and dinner. As luck would have it, there were two tickets left in the cheap seats when I called. I ended up buying a ticket in the next price level anyway because it included a pass to the Les Paul exhibit at Discovery World. I wondered who I'd be sitting next to.

I was directed to my seat in the 2nd floor balcony next to a man and his young son before the theater was half full. Bob's son Hayden has been taking classical guitar lessons for seven years. We speculated who the "friends" were mentioned in the billing; "an evening with Les Paul & Friends, His 93rd Birthday Celebration... in Music." Maybe it would be one of the many rock stars Les knows? But I doubted it. Would have been cool to see him play with Eric Clapton though.

As soon as friendshipships were sealed with Bob and Hayden they were redirected to the next section over when the seats' rightful occupants arrived. It's odd, because an usher had sat them there in the first place. Had a few things in common with the next couple. Paul and his wife were also from Waukesha. (What a great way to meet people; just sit there and let them come to me.) They recognized me from somewhere, probably WaukeshaNOW. He's retired from the Journal Sentinel so we talked about that and other things. We were enjoying our visit before the concert's start when I glanced at my ticket before putting it in my pocket. Now I don't know where "2 FLR-RGT CTR D" is, and I'm not sure the usher knew either, because I think I was seated by the same usher as Bob and Hayden and was in the wrong row!

Sitting next to the third couple in fifteen minutes, I'm wondering if I'll eventually meet everyone in the theater one musical chair at a time.

****pause for blog intermission... to be continued...

Les Paul concert... continued

Brien Lee — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:54:00 GMT

The theater was packed - even the $500.00 seats appeared to be sold out. The Pabst is absolutely beautiful and, even though it's older than Les, he'd never played there before Saturday. The stage had a relaxed and comfortable feel to it. Several people sat at pub tables and chairs around the perimeter giving the setting a jazz club atmosphere. The tuxedoed gentlemen falling off his stool just added to the realism of the bar scene.

Les played many decent tunes accompanied by three other men, but he could have played tiddlywinks and we would have applauded. The three hour program was kept interesting with new introductions every few songs, and with stories about him and by him. One of the first introductions was quite auspicious because he represented the future to Les' past. An eight year old boy played guitar beautifully with Les and even sang a blues tune. By our tickets, we were all contributing to the new "House of Sound" educational exhibit, and by this young man we knew we were doing the right thing. It didn't take much imagination to think of this boy as young Les as he played beside the 93 year old. Les was eight when he began playing an instrument.

It's harder to imagine what Waukesha was like 93 years ago when Les was born. It had been 80 years since the area was first settled, and 20 years after Waukesha became an incorporated city. He was born around the same time the health resorts were dying in a little house that used to be where the downtown Walgreens is now. He entertained at Waukesha Beach on Pewaukee Lake and his first concert was at Marquette University.

Several other friends performed with Les, mostly those he plays with Monday nights at the Iridium in New York. Besides the eight year old guitarist, a singer, a violinist, harmonica player and tap dancer all performed to much applause. Bob Reitman was the logical choice of MC as both gentlemen are legends.

After meeting Les last year and watching his biography I thought I knew him pretty well. I was pleasantly surprised last night that there is much, much more Les.

Happy birthday Les, and many more!

got e.s.p.?

Brien Lee — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:36:45 GMT

I guess I'm OK when it comes to predicting the future, but are we going to be the last ones to get the Economic Stimulus Payment? I predicted we'd see our cash at least a month ago. We filed taxes early and electronically. We've had so much time to think about how we're going to spend the money that we'll have to borrow to do half of it. (It's what the government is doing for the money anyway.)

As a matter of fact, I think we already spent the money and will just use the payment to pay on debt. Kind of sounds familiar; borrow to pay a debt.

thanks for two years

Brien Lee — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:27:00 GMT

The weather cleared in time for an enjoyable Father's Day though rain dampened Flag Day and graduation day celebrations Saturday. Congratulations to all grads and dads!

It's this blogs second blogiversary and I just want to say thanks. It's really been a pleasure. I am more active in the community now than ever before. One of the side benefits of writing is needing something to write about. I've volunteered, attended plays, concerts, festivals, services... enjoyed it all and enjoyed talking about it too.

I've posted 50% more blogs in this last year than I did in the first. The most popular post, Matzah and Messiah, was 2-1/2 times more popular than the next highest viewed blog. Not sure why.

Last year I mentioned my favorite post was my letter to Dad. My favorite post this year is This Is My Prayer.

I've met a lot of really interesting, fun and hard-working people in the last two years, more than I can count, but the one I'd like to recognize tonight is Les Paul. He's a genuine person full of humor and talent who is a real pleasure to write about. I'm looking forward to seeing him again next weekend.

Thanks for your interest, and keep reading and commenting.

must be Friday the 13th

Brien Lee — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:35:00 GMT

I usually get the blame for things that go wrong around here. If something should leak or break ten years after I repair it, it's got to be my fault. Car not running right? Yep, it's me. Not enough snacks / bread / milk / money... you guessed it.

I don't always agree that I'm responsible indefinitely for something I may have fixed years ago, but with the sewer flooding our basement this morning for the fifth time in a week, I will accept most of the blame... this time.

I'm upset that tens if not hundreds of thousands of tax dollars were spent a year and a half ago replacing sewer pipe on my street. (We were informed it would fix the flooding problem) And I'm upset that I didn't just plug up the floor drain before last night's rain. Last week plugging it worked OK, though water poured in through a different orifice anyway. I thought checking the basement throughout the night would be enough. I finally got some rest after the heavy rain let up. Unfortunately for us, the backup didn't happen until after the rain stopped. This morning I found the largest puddle yet; about a quarter of the basement, but still not as bad as many others in the area.

I'm mad at myself for not remembering other times when the backup started after the rain stopped. We could've prevented so much just by plugging the drain once we heard how bad the weather was going to be.

Soaked City

Brien Lee — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:04:18 GMT

The entire city of Waukesha is under water! The normally high and dry bronze map of the city on the walk near the State Office Building is under about 6" of floodwater.

I had a wild ride yesterday as I tested the Schwinn for sea-worthiness. Many downtown streets were, and still are, closed and the bike was the best way for me to get around. Was able to keep it upright through a foot of water on Corrina, (what an experience!). Certainly great to see all the people downtown. Large crowds were seen along the river as well as at Allo! Chocolat and Divino Gelato. The flooding was something most of us have not seen before and it brought people together with a common curiosity. Waukesha seems rather pedestrian-friendly right now. There's a Norman Rockwell feeling of what it must have been like before autos took control of the city.

One can often see great sunsets after storms have passed through. The lingering clouds are a great palette for the setting sun's reflection of violets, purples and reds. It hasn't been easy to find a decent sunset lately because one rainy day has followed another. Finally saw a good one yesterday though!

can we get a rain check?

Brien Lee — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:24:00 GMT

Even though the weekend started happy it ended rather crappy. After pedalling over to WCTC to see Lance Armstrong and the start of the Trek 100 on Saturday morning, I drove to Eagle for a 5 mile hike on the Ice Age Trail. The hike was through the Scuppernong Prairie and we encountered dozens of runners taking part in the 13th Annual Kettle Moraine 100 endurance run. Some runners were doing either 100k or 100 miles. They started at 6:00 in the morning and would finish the next day.

The hike was nice for me because I did see and learn a lot about glaciers and such but the weather was a little warm and humid for the runners. Since I was so close to one of my favorite places, I stopped by Paradise Springs just outside Eagle after the hike for a cool refreshing sip.

Then the weather started. It rained. The sirens went off. Relatives living in a mobile home took shelter in our basement. And it happened... the basement flooded. Four times between Saturday night and Sunday night sewage came up. We were fortunate in that we caught it in time and fortunate it happened on a weekend. Because it's happened to us before, we were more prepared. We were more fortunate than some of our neighbors whose whole basement's were under water. And much more fortunate than the poor souls who ran right through the the night in storms and mud during the Kettle 100.

Hours were spent either cleaning up or controlling the backup. Last weekend was Wisconsin free fishing weekend. I wonder if we can get a rain check on that?

watch out for the dear

Brien Lee — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:13:00 GMT

Deer are generally pretty cool to observe in nature as long as they're not damaging crops... or windshields. Today's AP article appearing in the Journal Sentinel mentions June as being the first or second-worst month for deer crashes in the last four or five years. There were almost 18,000 deer / vehicle crashes reported last year in the state - 655 in Waukesha County.

One of the reasons deer crashes are so numerous in June is the yearlings are starting to wander away from their mothers. Didn't the mothers teach them to stop and look both ways when crossing streets before sending them out on their own?

I had to wonder who taught or didn't teach the young dear I saw crossing Moreland at Michigan against the light over the weekend. I wondered, if the 12 or 13 year old was allowed to ride his bike away from home, why wasn't he first taught the safest way to cross a street?

A short while later I saw another young dear on a bike by the Mobil station on Summit, not far from Moreland and Michigan. He was wearing the same kind of shirt as the first kid and I wondered if it could be him. When he crossed in front of my moving car, barely looking, I knew it must be the same one.

Like many deer, this dear on a bike was now travelling with another. The second was even more careless and within about 15 feet of being run over. Like deer in the headlights, he froze when he realized how close I was. Not the safest.

Now that summer is starting and school is ending I urge everyone to not only watch out for deer but also for dear. It also would be nice if parents taught their dears the correct way to cross busy intersections before they wander away from their mothers.

****** 6/8 addition ******

Saw a young deer by Grandview Park early this morning. Lost sight of it as it headed up Easy Street. I see deer in the city on rare occasion, but have you ever seen a road-kill deer in the City of Waukesha? There was one about four or five years ago, an adult, just a block from the hospital's emergency department.

thank a vet

Brien Lee — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:21:21 GMT

A Positively Patriotic Parade was yesterday at the VA Medical Center during their annual Reclaiming Our Heritage weekend. It was a chance to see hundreds of reenactors and veterans pre-Revolutionary to present, dignitaries, animals, lots of motorcycles and old vehicles. Close to an hour long, this parade offered the perfect oportunity to thank a vet.

Though I have doubts about the Dancing Granny's, I suspect most participants were veterans. Many spectators realized this and brought signs saying "thank you" and "God bless you". They obviously put a lot of thought into the signs and some even dressed up a bit for the occasion. I've always seen people applaud or salute at the sight of veterans in other parades, but really liked the sign idea and may use it at some point myself.

I can save you $500 in gas

Brien Lee — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:36:00 GMT

The first interested person to contact me in the comment section of this post can have this bike for free. It's a dark blue 12- speed Firenze in almost-new condition with no mechanical problems. I've only owned it three days.

The blog took me for a walk Saturday and insisted we bring this one home even after I told him we already had too many. Like several of my bikes, this one was picked up at the curb after being set out for trash.

I've often wondered why someone would toss a perfectly good bike. Either they're moving, the bike needs more repair than they care to give it, or they just grew out of it. Maybe the kids moved out of the house? Many of the bikes I find, including this one, needed just minor repair. I do understand tossing out good stuff. Often it's done with knowledge that someone like me will recycle it before the trash haulers get to it. But now? With gas prices past $4.00 a gallon?

Check out Waukesha County Freecycle if you have items you don't need but don't want to throw away.

If you'd like this bike, be sure to add an email address in the "your URL" area of the comment section so I can contact you

************5/29 addendum**********

Two days and no takers? Everybody OK with gas prices? It's a decent bike. We just don't have room for it. Is it because it's a men's bike? OK, the first person to contact me can take their pick; I also have a nice women's Schwinn 10 speed with full fenders that's also taking up too much space. Hey, what can I say? I'm a collector. We have a dozen rideable bikes here. Need to make room for more!

tongue twister

Brien Lee — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:45:38 GMT

I wonder if the writers at the Journal Sentinel tried to make one of today's headlines sound funny: SHEEP SHEARERS IN SHORT SUPPLY. Strength-sapping, specialized, seasonal skill seeks students by the seashore. Well, OK, I did add "by the seashore" and changed one other word, but try swiftly saying it seven times.

drinking and driving

Brien Lee — Sun, 25 May 2008 15:37:00 GMT

We've all heard it before. Excuses made for serious crimes or accidents. Like having alcohol or drugs in the system somehow explains their actions and lessens the responsibility for them. How about the people causing crashes who blame inattentive driving on adjusting the radio, dropping a cigarette, yakking on the phone or your distraction here?

One memorable distraction of my own was 16 years ago when I left work early because I felt nauseous. I ended up throwing up while driving I-94 at 65 mph. Like many distractions, this one came without warning or enough time to pull over. Unlike the latest distraction of the trucker who slammed into the school bus, I was able to stay in my lane and never lost sight of what was in front of me.

It's said the truck driver was drinking from or choking on a soda. Doing around 50 mph he slammed into the bus, stopped and with flashing lights. 16 un-seatbelted kids all survived the horrific crash. Miraculously. Thank God for all the mandated safety features of school buses. Because there was fire, things could have gone the other way. No amount of safety features could have protected the kids from a gas-fueled fire.

If you were driving a 50,000 pound bomb 50 mph down a road where school buses are common at 3:30, would you allow yourself to become so distracted that you don't see flashing red lights of a school bus or even slow down? There must be more to this story and it'll be interesting to see what, if anything, the driver is charged with.

There's too many similarities of this accident with the Bukosky accident: all the victims on the way home from school on a Friday, all hit from behind by a larger vehicle doing around 50. Didn't appear any attempt was made to slow down or stop.

The difference in the accidents is all in Jennifer Bukosky's car were wearing seatbelts, and three didn't survive. None of the kids on the bus wore seatbelts, and all survived. It's a testament that safety features on buses really do save lives.

On another matter: a couple days ago we learned a Milwaukee man blew a 0.03 when he showed up at the Waukesha County Courthouse for his seventh OWI. He had been out on bail and was told not to drink as one of his conditions. Are any brain cells left? This guy wasn't thinking.

********6/3 update: trucker gets wrist slap***********

Truck driver ticketed in school bus crash

A truck driver who slammed into the back of a Wheatland Center School bus May 23 won't face criminal charges, but he has been cited for the crash that injured 16, authorities said.

Mark Irek, 51, of Elkhorn told investigators he began choking after he sipped water, and that he closed his eyes as he coughed.

Irek was ticketed for inattentive driving and for failing to stop for a school bus, sheriff's Lt. Paul Falduto said.

Beyond that, "the investigation determined there was no criminal negligence involved," Falduto said. "The case is closed. The tickets are issued."

Les for less

Brien Lee — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Just over a year ago we were given the opportunity to see Les Paul, hear him play, and have a nice dinner...all for a mere $300.00. It was a fund-raiser that sold out but was a little steep for me and everyone else I talked to.

A short while ago we learned that Les will be in town for the June 21st opening of the Les Paul interactive exhibit at Discovery World, "Les Paul House of Sound". Today I'm happy to report he will be playing here again, at age 93, and tickets will be much more affordable - starting at $50.00, but won't include dinner. There is, however, the opportunity to view the Discovery World exhibit included in higher level ticket prices.

This concert is being billed as "An Evening with Les Paul and Friends: His 93rd Birthday Celebration in Music." The ticket price for the concert and admission to the exhibit is $93.00 - one dollar per year of age.

Today's Journal Sentinel reported that tickets will go on sale Friday May 23rd, for the Pabst Theater concert June 21st, but actually go on sale next Friday, the 30th. Call 414-286-3663 or visit www.pabsttheater.org to order.

ah..ah..ah..choo choo

Brien Lee — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:27:38 GMT

The world''s largest coal-fired steam locomotive was in town (Milw.) today after filming of "Public Enemies" in Chicago. Saw it at Amtrak on my way to work. It weighs nearly a million pounds.