I began my working my new schedule this month. I've learned that the older I get, the harder it is to adjust to a different hours. I've liked the earlier hours but with my active family- all with somewhere to be- all the time- the days are never ending. Non-the-less the active downtown Waukesha continues to produce note worthy news.
Last Thursday the BID voted in their new president, Roger Igelski. He will be replacing Vicki Hekkers and her devoted service to Waukesha. Vicki, a successful business woman, wife & mom, commercial investor and downtown Waukesha resident has served the community in countless ways. I truly hope, for the city, that her heartfelt presence does not diminish. Roger has accepted the new position modestly. As a business owner and career counselor at WCTC he will not only be the new BID president but has also accepted the lead position in the Waukesha Downtown Business Association. A husband & father, Roger is also very involved with his church leadership. He is sure to contribute positively to our downtown.
I heard it would be. They warned us. I knew it was inevitable. But I was still in denial. Regardless we woke up to several inches on the ground. After my initial 'great now I need leave early for work, scrape the car, blaaa, blaaa, blaaa' and the sky began to lighten the black night leftovers, I saw that it was actually kind of... well, it was pretty.
Apparently the snow arrived around 3. It sure fell quickly because when I got up around 5:45 there was a lot on the ground already.
We had a lot of fun downtown yesterday. I noticed that the spirits were high in the community. Lots of family and friends meeting to check out some of the newer shops, tour The Clarke Hotel and watch the parade. As we sipped our hot apple cider with whipped cream-drizzled with caramel (yummy) we listened to the carolers singing across the street. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Another great reason to live in Waukesha. We have a great community!
At the 5 Points, we heard the familiar ringing of The Salvation Army. Not shy, I have seen them all over town. They are not the only group trying to encourage giving. Food banks are reporting that 'record numbers' of people are using them. Some of the downtown businesses are trying to help out by having bins to collect non-perishables.
Hunters are happily out in droves. They, too, can help feed the hungry by donating their meat through 'Target Hunger'. If they do, they will not need to pay butchering fees. (I think we really do make it almost impossible for anyone to be hungry in Waukesha.)
Heroin is recognized as a BIG problem in Pewaukee. The community is putting together programs to help fight this growing issue.
This is a true story of a lady I will call Liz. I first began working with Liz several years ago at one of the non-profits in Waukesha. Part of our jobs were to help empower women, whom have seen some tough times. Ironic that our educations and intense, front line positions only enabled us to begin making a whopping $9.00 an hour.
I was fortunate that I could afford to work there. I loved working with these women. Liz, however, couldn't hardly afford to work there. A young, single mom. She was willing to pick up extra hours when necessary (which was always) because she, too loved working in the field.
In here lies my point. Liz understood that she was throwing away her money on renting every month. She wanted a home for her and her little one. With pittince in savings she proceeded to see if she qualified for a home. DUH! Of Coarse she could. No credit? No savings? No problem!
And so Liz and her little one moved into their lovely home on the border of West Allis and Milwaukee. Liz is now a home owner.
Not only is Liz a home owner, but she was able to qualify to buy a NEW car. It was gorgeous! (I have to admit that I was a little jealous after driving my used little import, which is not much to look at but gets good gas mileage.) She purchased a new Toyota 2 door. One of the sporty models.
On the back of Liz's car are bumper stickers to the effect of "Feminists for Democrats", "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Kerry"... you get the picture.
Liz found extra work this fall with the Democratic Party in Milwaukee. She emailed us, wrote us, texted us, called us, and invited us to rally's, speeches, etc... in favor of Obama and the Democratic vote. On one very somber Wednesday (for me) in November I got her final text regarding that subject. Something about her joyous victory. Now, she believed, some wisdom will be brought to the economic and social service political tables.
Liz also told me that she was facing financial crisis. No longer able to drive her beautiful supped up car she was facing foreclosure. You see it didn't take long before her affordable dream home needed a roof. She was forced to take in a roommate. Her and her daughter shared a room.
Soon after that she was given the opportunity to move into her parents home so she could take in more roommates. You see the house had now dropped its value so sharply that she owed more than she could sell it for.
Her answer. File bankruptcy and blame the Republicans. Hmmm.
You see Liz didn't get that memo regarding the progress blocked by the Democrats regarding The Community Reinvestment Act. You see in 1977, when Liz was just a lil one herself congress enacted this Act to help avoid discrimination to the poorer communities. So lovely in thought, so dangerous to our economy.
Fanny and Freddy are not looking so good. And now neither are Ford, Chrysler, and GM. Our US Lawmakers will decide in December whether or not to give them 25 BILLION dollars. Bankruptcy among the automakers. Obama will consider a pre-pack package.
Now my friend Liz is not doing so well. No longer able to teach empowerment to women due to poorly managed leadership at the non-profit, she works at George Webb. Still living with her parents and hoping a wealthy buyer will come along and offer her what she owes on her house before she files those bankruptcy papers. I feel badly for her. She really is a good hearted person.
I should encourage her. Her Robin Hood has made it to the White House. But I just don't feel like it.
Yesterday someone bought me a 'flavored' latte'. It was almost too good looking to drink. 2 shots of espresso flavored with some Carmel syrup and topped with whipped cream drizzled with caramel. Seriously???? I felt guilty enjoying it, knowing that it must be laden with sugar... but ohhhh so good.
This morning, however:
we have reports that Iran has been busy producing nuclear material. Should we be worried? Ummm, duh! It seems to be enough to produce an atom bomb.
No this is not pirates of the Caribbean, this is the pirates of Somalia. Pirates are seizing sea vessels off the coast of Somalia.
Waukesha's City Budget was passes this week. This year you could say that officials learned their lessons from last years marathon session of 9 1/2 hours. They divided and conquered.
It was cold and icy. The roads by me were fine on my route home but apparently other places throughout the city didn't share my experience. There were several accidents reported. My own mom called me on my cell phone while I was en route home to yell at me for answering my cell phone while I was en route. (no joke)
Today the flurries are heading our way. Stay safe if need to head out there. My brother in Arizona is bragging of warm sunny days. Still... I do dream of a White Christmas.
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