Community Tree Lighting
Join us on Sunday, December 6th from 5-7pm for the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The Oak Creek Community Center and "Citizens for A Happy Holiday" are excited to present the FREE event to residents of Oak Creek. The festivities begin at 5pm in the Community Center/Library parking lot with holiday caroling. After the tree is lit at 5:15pm, all present are invited inside the Center to warm up with hot beverages, snacks and more holiday music. Santa makes a special appearance, arriving on a Oak Creek Fire Truck and will stay until all little boys and girls get a special stocking!!
A Season of Thanks
The holiday season is upon us!!! And with Christmas and New Years undeviatingly around the corner, we often tend to blur the true reason why we celebrate this time of year. Instead of goodwill and chear, our minds detour to packed shopping malls, credit card bills, and family we're forced to visit.
Granted, these are not my favorite Christmas list items either, but despite the chaos of the season I do my best not to take for granted that which I'm most thankful for.
After Turkey Day
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, I know I did. Now that Turkey day is over the kids are getting excited for Christmas and I'm getting overwhelmed with the thoughts of going broke. I'm so frustrated that I can't buy for everyone I know and I have to stick to close family and friends. If anyone has any affordable gift ideas I'd love to post them on the blog, so please email me some ideas.
Governor Doyle Signs Puppy Mill Bill
Governor Doyle Signs Puppy Mill Bill
Thank you, Governor Doyle! Authored by Senator Pat Kreitlow and Representative Jeff Smith, Senate Bill 208 and Assembly Bill 250 was signed into law on December 1, 2009. The bill will establish a much-needed licensing and inspection program to end the suffering of thousands of dogs at the hands of unscrupulous dog breeders. This dog breeder bill will also level the playing field for reputable breeders who already practice humane care for their dogs. Pictured are Governor Jim Doyle with Wisconsin Humane Society representatives, Angela Speed, Tony Enea and Jodi Habush.
Family-friendly holiday event at WHS
Hope's Lights Celebration
Join us for this special celebration and lighting ceremony at the Wisconsin Humane Society at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. Come for behind-the-scenes tours, holiday treats, a special presentation by FOX 6's Nicole Koglin and live demonstrations. There will be many animals to meet, including WHS alumni and this year's Hope and Joy, two animals with remarkable stories. Sign up today!
Dine Out At Cousins - Chicago Ave South Milwaukee on Dec 10 - For SMPAC
Looking for a quick, but healthy meal this week? Dine at the Cousins in South Milwaukee on Thursday, December 10, and not only feed your hunger, but support the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. 10% of ALL sales will be donated to the SMPAC to assist with educational programming for the 2010-2011 Season.
Chck out the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center's website: http://www.southmilwaukeepac.org/
Rocco the Festive Rat
Rocco is a three-month-old Standard Rat. He has a soft white and black coat and long white whiskers. Rocco is a very companionable rat who is quite comfortable being held. He loves to explore fresh places and meet new people. His great personality makes him a favorite of the volunteers and staff at WHS!
Rocco’s diet consists of pellets, sometimes oats, fruits and vegetables (in moderation) and water. He also loves to chomp on Garden Wafers, his favorite treat!
New Years Eve
Help us celebrate our 15th year!! Join us on New Year's Eve from 6:30-1:30am for a great night out.
$55 per person includes a buffet dinner by Center Catering, free beer and soda, dessert station, party favors, music for all ages and late night appetizers! If you want to come to the "Party Only", tickets are $30 per person after 8:30pm doors will be open. Have a party of six or more people, not a problem. Let us know, we will reserve a table for you. Menu for the evening: 5 oz. grilled beef tenderloin, 4 oz. grilled salmon, baked chicken, baked potato, steamed whole green beans, tossed salad with dressing, dinner rolls, coffee, milk, cookies, brownies and carrot cake. Purchase tickets at the office Mon-Thur 8am-8pm, Fri 8am-4pm and Sat 8am-Noon. Celebrate with us!!
Santa's Helpers-in-Training
This may get you in the holiday spirit! Two kids stopped by on Friday night to drop off money they had been saving for WHS animals... instead of buying holiday presents, they chose to donate their savings to help animals like Judd, a puppy they got to meet. Thanks so much opening your hearts to help animals!
The Good Old Days on the South Side
I miss these things about the South Side. How many do you remember?
Gimbels and JC Penney Outlet at Packard Plaza, Lloyd's Lunch (in SM), Grebe's Bakery (SM), IHop (Cudahy), Greg's Pumpkin Tree (Cudahy), the 41 Twin Drive-In, Majestic theater, Garden Theater, the Spectacle of Music (the old way with the parade and competition), Big Boy's and Taco Bell (in SM), ice skating at the lagoon, walking the RR tracks to get from one end of SM to the other, the "pit" behind SM High, Miss Awe, the BE Club (my first job!), Ladish, when the City of South Milwaukee Offices was an elementary school, And the ROCKETS (especially when they beat the Packers), Black Bear Soda in Cudahy, and picking apples in the abandoned orchard which is now Bender Park on Ryan Road. Now that I'm thinking about it, there are way too many to mention them all here...Can you tell I went to So Milwaukee High School? I'm not telling how long ago it was though!
Toboggan Slide Opens at Whitnall Park
If you want a snow/sledding experience you'll long remember or something that will give the kids a real thrill then don't miss the iced-track toboggan slide opening this Saturday, Dec. 19 at Whitnall Park, 6700 S. 92nd Street, at noon until 8pm. (Only $7 bucks an hour to rent a toboggan- a steal of a deal) I had the pleasure of trying it out in my youth (many moons ago) and I remember it vividly. It was very fast seated tight to the ground on a toboggan with metal runners. The ride is always fun with more people and it sent us on a 1/4 mile shoot down an iced raceway. Dress warmly of course and watch out for a cake of snow on the moosh (slang for face). I recommend to arrive early as possible. It will also be open Sunday, Dec. 20 from noon to 6pm. For complete schedule go to countyparks.com. Hang on and scream!
OUR CITY-----SPORTS---PAY DAY LOANS!
A REAL NICE NEW BUSINESS LAYOUT-A PERFECT LOCATION----BLACK TOP WINDING STREET WITH CURB & GUTTERS THAT LEAD TO TWO VERY NICE LOOKING ALL MASONERY BLDS. AN AMERICAN FLAG AND POLE PROVIDE THE PERFECT ENTRANCE! IT IS THE EDGERTON CONTRACTORS NEW COMPLEX-THAT MANY MAY HAVE MISSED AS THEY DRIVE PAST. THE LOCATION IS 2 BLKS. WEST OF OAK CREEK POLICE DEPT. ON SAME SIDE OF THE STREET.
HOWELL AVE.FROM DREXEL TO RYAN RD. WITH PUETZ RD. INTERSECTION IS EVOLVING INTO OUR DOWNTOWN. THE AMEERICAN FLAGS ON THE MEDIAN LIGHT STANDARDS FOR VETERANS DAY & NOW WITH LIGHTED CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS--MAKE FOR A NICE NIGHT TIME SETTING!
Having behavior issues with your dog?
BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS
Need Some Expert Advice? Sometimes you may have concerns about your dog's behavior that go beyond the scope of regular dog training classes or seminars. To schedule a one-on-one behavior consultation with one of the animal experts at the Wisconsin Humane Society, please call (414) 431-6114.
Sweet and Simple Gift Ideas
Whether you're a starving college student, struggling grad or just wrestling with the economy, this blog should help you find some inexpensive and last minute Christmas gifts for your friends and family.
- Dry Cookie Ingredients in a Jar
- Last year, I bought plastic holiday jars and food storage containers at the dollar store and filled them with dry cookie ingredients. I looked up some cookie recipes online, typed them out on Christmas stationary and attached them to the containers. I aso found some quotes and poems online that reminded me of each person and attached those to the containers as well. Finally, I dressed them up with some ribbon and bows.
- Tie-Up Fleece Blankets
- Pick up some fleece material at JoAnne Fabrics or another craft and hobby store. You could buy two different patterns, a pattern and a solid or two solids. Cut 3-inch slits around all four corners of each of the two fabric squares. Tie the slits together and you have a blanket. You can also try it with smaller squares and make it into a pillow case.
- Quilted Pillow Cases
- This is the project that I did this year for my family and was a bit more time consuming, but can be done if you only have one or two to make. I bought several coordinating cotton fabric squares from JoAnne Fabrics, two per pillow. I cut some into eight stripes, some into eight triangles and some into eight squares. I sewed four stripes/triangle/squares together and then sewed the remaining four stripes/triangles/squares together. Then I put the two quilted sheets together with their patterns facing eachother and sewed the perimeter, leaving one 5-inch portion open. I pulled the pattern through the whole, reversing it with the pattern side up. I bought some cotton stuffing from JoAnne's and stuffed that 5-inch portion with cotton stuffing, then hand sewed the gap up. (I will not take all the credit for this, because I'm a beginning quilter... my Grandma helped me with the whole process!)
- Baking Cookies
- Bake them their favorite cookies. Buy a decorative plate or container and fill it up. Use the poem and quote idea from the dry cookie ingredients idea above. Wrap them up in plastic wrap if they're on the dish and put a bow on top or ribbon if you're putting them in a container.
- Coupon Book
- This one may also be time consuming, but it's so much fun! Think of all the things you would have bought them if you had the money or all the things you would have done for them if you had the time. Type it up on some holiday stationary, cut it into strips, then either stable them together or hole punch them and bind it with ribbon.
These are just five ideas that I could think of for you. I hope they help. If not, here are some links for more inspiration. Good luck and Merry Christmas!
- 63 Gift Ideas for Under $10
- 53 Inexpensive Christmas Gifts
- 100 Home-Made Gift Ideas
South Milwaukee High School Yuletide Festival Concert at the South Milwaukee PAC - Dec 21
Monday, December 21st, at 7:30 PM the annual South Milwaukee High School Yuletide Festival Concert at the South Milwaukee PAC 901 15th Avenue. Free!
Shyla the kitten
Shyla is a gorgeous four-month-old Domestic Longhair seeking her purr-fect match this holiday season. Could it be you? Shyla is a playful gal who likes to swat at cat charmers and chase felt mice. She has a silky black coat and a warm personality. Like all of the cats at WHS, Shyla has been spayed, microchipped, vaccinated and tested for feline Leukemia.
Sadie's Wish for Santa
When Sadie met Santa this week, all she asked for was a new home. Got any room in your sleigh for a dog like Sadie?
Sadie is a loving, sweet senior dog who is looking for a happy home with all the amenitites: kind guardians, a soft couch, regular outdoor excursions and tasty food. She prefers a home where she can be the center of attention, too.
Help Precious Heal
Precious may dream of a new home for 2010, but first, her eye has to heal from an agonizing injury. How it happened, we may never know, but fortunately she was surrendered to the Wisconsin Humane Society.
When Precious arrived, her eye looked horrible. It was swollen and cloudy, and the veterinary staff couldn’t even see her iris. Sensitive to the terrible pain, she meowed loudly when our veterinarians gently examined her. They suspected that her injury was caused by blunt force trauma of some kind, but luckily, she survived. Precious is now quickly healing in our Intensive Care Unit at WHS and loves her plaid cat bed and glitter ball toys. Appropriately named, Precious is a very affectionate, curious cat.
Good-Bye 2009!
In my past three years of blogging for Oak Creek NOW, I've experienced numerous transitions and learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. That's what your twenties are for, right? Writing for My Community NOW for those past three years has shaped me as writer, immensely, and for that I am eternally grateful.
For the first two years, I blogged under "The O.C. Campus Corner", writing about what life was like for a college student. Then, when I graduated last year from UW-Whitewater with my Bachelor of Arts in Print-Journalism and a minor in Health and Family Studies, I knew that "The O.C. Campus Corner" would have to come to an end. I was then offered a new blogging opportunity to share my experiences as a college grad, so I ,of course, accepted such an amazing endeavor and don't regret the decision one bit.
