Below is a list of well known people. Some are alive, some are dead. Aside from being famous, do you know what they all have in common? Take a look;Halle Berry, Jim Carrey, Charlie Chaplin, Kelly Clarkson, Kurt Cobain, Daniel Craig, Ella Fitzgerald, Kelsey Grammer, Cary Grant, Harry Houdini, Eartha Kitt, Lil’ Kim, Jim Morrison, Sally Jesse Raphael, Harland ‘Colonel’ Sanders, William Shatner, Martin Sheen, Hillary Swank. At one time or another, they were all homeless.

It’s amazing, but it’s true.

A new movie called The Soloist is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers (played by Jamie Foxx), a musical prodigy who developed schizophrenia while at Juilliard. Ayers became homeless living on the streets in downtown L.A. Next time you pass a homeless person think of the folks listed above. And if you want to see true talent, clink on the link below. It’ll blow you away.http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

The Preamble to the CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN states;

“We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God…” 

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Has anyone told those folks who are suing the Elmbrook school district that God is mentioned in our State Constitution? If they find out, can a lawsuit be far behind? 

I have a unique perspective on this issue. In 2001, our oldest son graduated from Brookfield East High School. The ceremony was held in the gym. We knew that across town Brookfield Central was using Elmbrook Church for their ceremony but many of us felt that our kids should graduate in the school they attended. Until that day it seemed like a good idea. Picture this; a gym built in 1961, no air conditioning and its hotter than the flames of hell (which may or may not exist depending on your personal beliefs but I am using this as a metaphor so please don’t sue me). The gym floor is lined with chairs reserved for the graduating class. You have no idea what it’s like to watch scores of 70, 80, and 90 year olds try to navigate their way up the wooden bleachers to try and find seats. It’s a miracle no Grandmas or Grandpas were lost that day. Of course, not all Grandparents could be there. Because of the limited space many family members could not attend. Did I mention the awful sound system preventing the majority of the crowd from hearing anything? How about the horrible sight lines making photos and videos virtually impossible? How about folks with disabilities? Good luck. 

By the time our other son and our daughter graduated from Brookfield East the ceremony had moved to Elmbrook Church. I am not a member of that church but I did thank God those days for that building (under my breath so as not to offend others). 

Our family wasn’t there to attend a worship service. We were there to salute our children for their accomplishments. I honestly would have been fine in a Mosque, Synagogue, or Buddhist Center. If it was climate controlled, handicap accessible, had ample space, and was easy for elderly relatives, I’m all in. Plus, I always thought a Church was comprised of people sharing their faith and where they choose to worship is of little consequence (once again, just my own belief which may or may not be in line with yours so don’t be offended). 

By the way, according to a Marquette Law blogger;

“There is, incidentally, Wisconsin precedent on the matter. In State ex rel. Conway v. Joint School Board No. 6, a 1916 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that holding graduation ceremonies in a church does not violate Wisconsin’s version of the religion clauses, Art. I, sec. 18 (which is worded differently than the federal provisions). Should this issue go to court, the United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of the United States Constitution will take precedence.” 

I know the group that is suing has pressured New Berlin, Mukwonago and WCTC into moving their ceremonies out of Elmbrook Church but I hope the Brookfield schools don’t cave. Next year they would be moving back to their newly refurbished gymnasiums anyway so unless the school is covertly recruiting members for the Church (and they’re not) I say leave ‘em alone. Don’t we have bigger fish to fry?

(the fish fry usually perceived as a Lenten celebration but if you’re not Catholic, I apologize; please don’t sue me). 

I know Thomas Jefferson got this whole thing going when he mentioned the separation of church and state. But I guarantee you that if his mother-in-law had to climb wooden bleachers and sit in a one hundred degree gymnasium, well, he would have given all schools involved a hall pass. And he would’ve been at the church early. You know, to reserve a good pew.

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been inducting members (get it) into the ‘KLH Man Scouts and I can honestly say that we have never had more entries for anything we’ve ever done. Some of the entries have been downright hilarious, without meaning to be. One woman said her guy should be a ‘KLH Man Scout because he always sets the DVR to Oprah for her. Then he watches it and tells her if it’s worth watching??!! What? Another woman wrote in to tell us that her guy has taken up “working out” with her on her Wii fit???!! What’s next, a cup of wheatgrass tea with soy milk? Video games are for Madden or for killing terrorists. Why not just order yourself an Appletini next time you’re out with your buddies? 

You still have a couple weeks to nominate yourself, or the man in your life. The complete list of inductees is on the ‘KLH Man Scouts page, but here are some sample excerpts from entries who have made it;

Hungsun Hui -Bought 50 pounds of beef jerky at the Klements warehouse sale taking up 1/2 the fridge…and his daughters are vegetarians. 

Bruce Storm - Not interested in being a Manscout.  Anyone who does in unqualified.  Just wants to win all the stuff so he can be left alone in his man cave. 

Joe Patrenets - Part time cutting grass at gold course, does not cut grass at home though because he is a “paid professional” 

Mark Tibbits - Told staff at Caesarian birthing glass that he’d be present at birth because it’s no different from gutting a deer. 

Tom Hoffman - Hunts and eats wild game 5-6 times a week - uses camouflage duct tape on his truck with 265,000 miles on it 

Mike Degeneffe - 10th of 12 kids, the other 11 are all girls.  His only child?  A girl. 

Mike Ward - Paid $800 for a bear mount without telling his wife.  David Stotzke - Works for the Archdiocese cemeteries, so he has to bury (and unbury and move) the dead.  Also has invented a toilet seat lifter that doesn’t involve using your hands. 

Chris Gerlach - 6′9″ tall and works in the steel industry.  Never talks about his feelings.Derek Ruell - Had testicular cancer at 21 and fathered 2 kids after losing a testicle…later got a vasectomy at 1/2 price.
 
Allen Schroepfer - Got out of laundry by folding everything like a flag.  Only drinks PBR. 
 
Rick Lesiecki - duct taped up his broken ribs to take fire fighter physical agility test
 
Greg Jaeger - went to Sears to buy a treadmill, came home with surround sound system for his TV instead
 
Dan Devine - fiance had to sign pre-nup that allows him to continue hunting and keep deer mount on the wall 

John Azzalino - put duct tape on his hernia to keep it in 

Bob Perry - got rid of all the weeds (and grass) with Round-Up, doesn’t do yard work anymore 

Bill (no last name) - The wife got a new toaster for her birthday.  Bill likes toast.

I wrote this a few months back, but since the anniversary is upon us, here is my Woodstock story;

It was August 1969, and I was 10 years old. My Mom and Dad each took off of work for a week and the three of us headed off on a vacation. When you grow up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there are a few obvious vacation destinations; the Jersey shore, Niagara Falls and the Pocono Mountains. In ‘69, my Dad decided that we would drive to the Pocono’s. Dad was a decorated WW II veteran who fought in Gen. Patton’s Army and still sported his crew cut. So off we drove in Dad’s 1967 Pontiac to the Pocono’s. About an hour outside of our destination we started to see them. They were walking alongside the highway. Some of them were camping on the hillsides. We had never seen them up close and personal. Traffic was slowed almost to a halt while everyone gawked. What were they? They were (dramatic pause) “hippies!” Yep, little did we know that about 60 miles from our hotel a little music festival called Woodstock was about to begin? And now, after all this time, almost 40 years later, someone has interpreted one of the seminal moments of this legendary music festival. Cut and paste the link and enjoy: http://www.elwp.com/Joe%20Cocker.html

I went to opening day and it was awesome. I realize the rest of the Cubs series was a downer, but as a baseball fan, those games were great to watch. Soriano, I can understand. But Reed Johnson? Who is that guy? Great catch.

The bigger issue is, after 26 years of futility, the Brewers are relevant again.  How cool is that? When you get Jon Miller and Joe Morgan with a national TV game the first week of the season you know you’ve gained major credibility. It wasn’t that long ago that I would sit, with 6 layers on, watching the Brewers on an April or May afternoon with about 500 of my closest friends. It was sad. In many ways, it didn’t even feel like a major league game. Many would argue it wasn’t. Then, a change in ownership, a commitment to putting a great product on the field, and 3 million fans come out to watch.

Then, doing a complete 180, are the Milwaukee Bucks. Last month I went to a Bucks game and it was shocking to see how many empty seats littered the Bradley Center. When the most exciting thing that happens is the launching of free tee shirts from an air cannon, well, you’ve got problems. For those of us that recall the 80’s playoff teams with Moncrief, Cummings and Sikma, it’s a real bummer. Has the game changed that much? Maybe. Less teamwork and more one on one. And without Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut they were flat out bad. Do those guys make the Bucks better? Sure, they do. I seriously doubt, though, they make them a “must watch” team. Call it lack of chemistry or malaise, but that Bucks team I witnessed was flat out boring. Don’t get me wrong. The San Antonio Spurs with Tim Duncan aren’t the pro version of Phi Slamma Jamma, but winning trumps boring at every turn. And the boring, small market Spurs win. A lot. 

Hopefully, Herb Kohl has been watching the Brewer resurgence carefully. Because even though I didn’t need to wear 6 layers to stay warm, that Bucks game felt just like those old County Stadium Brewer games. A change in ownership may not be necessary, a change in commitment is.  

The other day in San Francisco, where the Brewers opened  the 2009 season against the Giants,  the ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by the pilot of U.S. Air Flight 1549, Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III. “Sully” is a native of Danville, California and a Giants fan. Now, it’s time for the Brewers home opener and stepping up to the pitching rubber is the guy who helped Sully land that plane in the Hudson River, co-pilot  Jeffrey Skiles from Oregon, Wisconsin. Please, no jokes about the pitch being a sinker. Thanks.

The folks at Watch This Now have compiled the “Top 5 Worst Ceremonial First Pitches Ever”

Check it out

http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/technology/watchthis/2009/04/worst_opening_pitches_ceremoni.html

American Idol fans;

Everyone says that 16 year old Allison is a Janis Joplin wannabe.

I thought it would be fun to compare. She’s good, but she’s not Janis.

Allison link; 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBoMMyMKx6E

Janis Joplin link;

http://www.getback.com/video/janis-joplin-move-over-/3038457

It’s been tough. The current economy has taken its toll. Homes and jobs have been lost, money is tight, and everyone is wondering how these obstacles will be overcome. Are you in need of some inspiration?

Remember these words;

Click below to watch the amazing story of DJ Gregory. Prepare to be inspired.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/clip?id=3696478&categoryid=null