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With the weather warming up this weekend, it's time to get out and get some fresh air! A group of dog sledders has been offering rides for sale at the lakefront for the winter, and I was able to get down and see them. I'm not sure who was having more fun, the people or the dogs! The rides are near the McKinley arena, and are offered from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
One of my favorite movie theatres, the Downer (found on the street of the same name) has been showing unique films as long as I can remember. I've seen Bizet's "Carmen" and The Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense" there, and they're both among my most memorable movie-going experiences.
This past Sunday, we made a stop at Cafe Hollander for a cone of fries and a beverage or two. The curried ketchup and roasted garlic aioli went great with the fries and a glass of Belgian ale. I introduced my wife to raspberry lambic... and I'm pretty sure we'll be back sooner than later.
There's a spot just in front of the art museum where a small patch of open water still exists. These ducks were swimming around the hole, trying to get behind each other to get out of the wind and stay warm in the bright sunshine.
Down at the lakefront, the frozen water forms into a phenomenon known as ice volcanoes. These smaller volcanoes are 3 to 4 feet tall. The winds have stripped most of the snow from a wide swatch of beach, leaving the whole thing looking like a scene from another planet.
We were riding around the Lake Park area this afternoon, and came across a group of snowboarders practicing their skills on one of the large hills overlooking the lake. I was a little surprised by the fact that they were out in the cold. After watching them ride down and have to walk back up the hill, I don't think they were having any trouble staying warm.
My car was beginning to show some serious signs of a terminal mechanical failure, so we decided it was time to find a new one. I did a lot of research online, and really fell in love with the Honda Fit. I've had this 2009 for about two and a half weeks, and have put about 1000 miles on it. It's a lot smaller than my last car, but it's fun to drive, and I can't wait for spring to get out and roll down the windows!
A little late with yesterday's post, as I wanted to get a photo of Phil Vassar and Friends in concert at the Bradley Center last night. When we finally got home it was late (really, really late), and I was not in a position to be able to post. The music was good, the crowd had a good time, and Phil put on a great show for the audience.
As I mentioned in Monday's post, we were out this evening doing some community service. About 20 friends and co-workers were at Hunger Task Force and in 3 hours sorted and boxed 26,000 pounds of food that had been donated to feed the poor and hungry. The Task Force services 80 locations around the county. The picture above is of food that will never be served, because the containers are damaged or the food is past its freshness date. We found one container that expired in 1996! If you're going to clean out the cupboards and do something good, please take the time to at least look at the food and see if it's any good.
For the last couple days, all the baseball talk in Milwaukee has been about the potential arbitration between the Brewers and first baseman Prince Fielder. Let Sheets go to the Mets, and sign Prince - the increase in ticket sales from Sheets leaving will more than make up for the $2 million spread between Prince and the team!
I knew when I looked at my schedule for the evening, that this would be my picture of the day. This large American flag hangs in the ice rink at the Kern Center, home to the Milwaukee School of Engineering's hockey team. The Raiders defended their home ice successfully, although the crowd was not very large. Best of luck to our new President!
When is a Christmas Tree not a Christmas Tree? Apparently, when it's the Tree of Giving, representing the Salvation Army's area fundraising. The "tree" was lit on November 17, and it still stands in front of State Fair Park over two months later. I'm not sure if it's there until the fundraising goal is met, until the snow melts, or... ?
As all Americans are aware, today was the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, and a Federal holiday. Our President-Elect called for a national day of service. If you didn't take the time to help someone today, try to soon. I'll be doing some service time this Thursday.
Over the next couple days, Milwaukee Daily Photo will celebrate another peaceful transition of power in America.
Formally known as "Colonel Webb's 3rd Connecticut Band of Musick", this group of musicians played colonial-era tunes at the Holiday Folk Fair in November. Dressed in period costume, their music made for an interesting contrast to the international music heard throughout the fair.
This light is on the side of the Journal building downtown. The detail in the metalwork and the verdigris from aging make me wonder what these look like when they were new.
With a rare winter Friday night off, the two of us headed west to Brookfield to partake in an evening out. After dinner, we went to the Majestic Theatre to see Defiance. A well-made movie and an intriguing story, but be prepared.
I thought that this picture from Bradford Beach this summer would help me forget how cold it is outside. Just hang in there... warmer weather is on the way (even if it's only the mid-20's this weekend) !!
No longer a brewery, and not a place for recreation, Schlitz Park is home to office and retail space and occupies some of the buildings of the former Joseph Schlitz brewery. This arch is at one of the entries to the park.
I posted a picture of a mosaic from Old St. Mary's Church back in August. Looking at the cold, clear skies today reminded me of the background in this shot.
We're supposed to get a couple of inches of snow tonight, and then the mercury is headed for somewhere below intolerable. I don't mind the snow, really... but the cold is just too much. I'm really glad I got a "mad bomber" hat for Christmas!
This guidepost sits at the corner of Third and Water Streets, and offers directions to some of the attractions and buildings near the Riverwalk.
I was downtown this evening, and walked past The Blatz. Formerly the Blatz Brewery, some of the buildings have been recycled for use as condominiums. I like the fact that the condos have kept the logo of the brewery alive in their signage.
I'm a little late tonight, as I was busy refereeing three High School hockey games. I didn't take today's picture, but I'm in it...
A couple years ago, I had a work assignment not far from the lakefront. I would, on occasion, park on the top floor of the garage. There was a gull that took up residence not far from where I would park, and it would take exception when I got out of the car and tried to make my way to the stairwell on which it perched. I quickly learned to really hate gulls. They do, however, make good pictures from time to time.
There was a brisk winter wind tonight, blowing the light snow around and making it feel quite cold. The flags were standing straight out from their poles, and it seemed they were straining to stay attached.
Gilles Frozen Custard is Milwaukee's Oldest Fast Food restaurant. Celebrating the start of their 71st year, the restaurant serves a variety of soups, sandwiches, burgers, and their delicious frozen custard. I've had Gilles Custard for most of my life, and can't wait for summer, when it just seems to taste better.
This motorcycle sits in the entryway of the Miller Visitors Center. Manufactured in 2006 by Kendall Johnson Customs, the bike features a number of beer-related accessories, such as the beer-bottle shaped intake sitting next to the engine. While it looks sweet in its display case, I don't think it would do so well on the icy streets we've had the last few days. :)
We spent the early afternoon removing the ornaments from our pre-lit tree and returning it to its space in the attic until next late November. At some point today, this tree made an appearance on the sidewalk up the street. I would expect it to be back by the garbage for pickup, so I don't know why or how it got to where it is.
This morning, we went to the mall to use our gift cards and take advantage of the post-holiday sales. By the time we left, it seems like the rest of the world had the same idea.
I was sitting in the living room yesterday afternoon, when I noticed the cat was taking particular interest in the tree in front of the house. Turns out he was looking at this Peregrine Falcon, which had decided to use the tree as his dining area. The falcon finished his dinner, hung around for a few minutes, and headed off towards the freeway, probably in search of another meal. I know that Peregrines are fairly common, but it still amazes me to see such an amazing bird within the city limits.
The January 2009 Theme Day is Best Photo of 2008.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
Like any other theme day, the theme is open to interpretation. I chose to publish what I thought was my best photo of the year, regardless of location.
This photo of the Eiffel Tower was taken on May 24th, late in the evening, from the rooftop of our apartment in the 6th arrondisement in Paris (for those interested, it was on the corner of the Rue de Seine and Rue de Buci, above the Bar du Marche). We were packing and preparing to leave Paris to return to Milwaukee from our honeymoon. As I did not have a remote trigger for the camera, I had to use the self-timer to trigger the shutter, and guess when to start the timer to get the searchlights in the frame to achieve this affect. It took me about 15 tries to get it right, but I was very pleased with the result. In the foreground of the picture on the left is the belltower of the St Germain de Pres church.
It was the last photo I took on the trip.
Enjoy... Happy 2009!
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