In the midst of tracking news from across the world, I don’t want to forget about struggles of a different sort ongoing in this country. I just finished reading a very, very good book about poverty and welfare in the U.S. that was given to me by one of my new professors. I know, I know, you’re thinking, “Welfare?!” Don’t tune me out!The book, American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and A Nation’s Drive to End Welfare, was written by Jason DeParle, a reporter with the New York Times, and is so we

Read the rest of the post here:
Essential Reading

The economy is ill. We all know it. Several hundred point fluctuations in the stock markets have become so common place that they barely raise eyebrows anymore. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost. Too many homes foreclosed. Banks and large corporations are going belly up. The auto industry is on life support.President-elect Barack Obama has called for the creation and implementation of a massive economic stimulus package, something on par with (or greater than) the New Deal policies of

More here: Thoughtful economic stimulus package needed, emphasis on ‘thoughtful’

There’s been so much talk over the decades - - but little action - - about the wisdom of better cooperation involving Madison and Milwaukee, so here’s a modest proposal:The city councils and mayors of both jurisdictions sign letters or resolutions urging Gov. Doyle to elevate local and inter-city rail projects as top priorities for the spending of transportation stimulus funds from the federal government after the inauguration of Barack Obama.This list would include rail to connect the two large

Continue here: Stimulus Funds Can Get Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine And Chicago On Track

Winning home and homes in back to back nights are always hard, but as well as the Bucks have been playing lately this should not have happened. The Bucks dropped a game tonight 102-92 to the (12-22) Charlotte Bobcats one night after beating them by 25 at home. The Bucks (16-19) still hold the 8th seed, and while still being a CURRENT top 10 team in the NBA still have a few things to work on. By the way, Charlie V played the flagrant foul off in the photo above about as cool as Tom Cruise’s po

Read more from the original source:
Bucks Drop Second Game of Home and Home

I’ve been busy having fun with the family and our friends in the Dells, so I haven’t blogged the past couple days. Let’s see if I can remember what’s gone on so I can recap…THURSDAY: We were going to leave bright and early so we could get up to the Dells by 10:00AM when the waterpark opened. I suppose I should explain what “the Dells” are for those of you who don’t live in the midwest. My friend Dee from Long Island asked me, “So what are the Dells? Anything like the Hamptons?” Umm, not exactl

More here: Wisconsin Dells or Bust

Title: Dog 1.3.09 …… Size: 6 x 6″ …….. Oil on cradled boardArtist: Fred Bell ………. Price: $80.00 free postageIsn’t this just the nicest doggie you’ve ever seen? If you want to paint a dog or cat you have to use a photo. They may understand “sit” and “stay” but they don’t get “hold still.” I think I got this dog pretty well. I do custom portraits like this through a fancy dog supply store “Hounds Around Town” in Whitefish Bay Wisconsin a suburb of Milwaukee. T

See original here:
Daily Painting Dog Original Oil Portrait by Fred Bell

The Doyle administration has named Dr. Seth Foldy the state government’s chief doctor.This is an excellent appointment; we served together in the administration of former Milwaukee Mayor John O. Norquist, and I can say with total assurance that Dr. Foldy is a true believer in public health.And is a genuine practitioner in proactive parternships between people and agencies in health care policy-making and provision.

Continue here: Milwaukee’s Seth Foldy Named Wisconsin’s Chief Doctor

MILWAUKEE WI Jan 3 2009 – Killings dropped by a third here last year, making Wisconsin’s largest city among the nation’s most successful in tackling its 2008 murder rate.While New York and Chicago saw an uptick in slayings last year, other cities including Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Los Angeles had fewer violent deaths in ‘08 than ‘07.And though a study released Monday by Northeastern University showed black teenagers killing each other in rising numbers, Milwaukee stands ou

Continue here: Murders spiked in 2008 for some cities, down in others www.privateofficer.com

I think Malford is making a great decision. He’s an awesome talent and he’s wise to get the hell out of Austin where the media and clubs take such top talent for granted. I’ll bet now his career will grow and he’ll get some national recognition. Barry Rodgersaka “pup”In a message dated 1/2/2009 9:03:19 P.M. Central Standard Time, msray@austin.rr.com writes: Malford is the vocalist for Greg Koch’s lastest band configuration. A sample of what we heard on Tuesday now can be heard at the foll

Read the rest of the post here:
Re: [MM] Saxon Pub 2008-12-30

Just the thought of their child in a hospital can cause parental nightmares. No one wants to have their child in the hospital for any reason, and particularly if they are facing a long life-threatening illness or recuperating from serious injury. If a child must be hospitalized parents would like to know the best place for treatment for their child and Parents magazine can tell you where they are.Parents magazine just released the biennial rating of children’s hospitals in the United States. The

Read more here:
Where Are the Nation’s Best Children’s Hospital