St. Patrick's Day is coming soon and our local Garlic Mustard Pickers will be performing three times in March. The band will be playing first in South Milwaukee, then St. Francis and finally in Cudahy.

The first gig is on Sunday, March 14th at the Grant Park Golf Course Clubhouse at 100 Hawthorne Ave in South Milwaukee. This is the annual "Pullin' O' the Green" which is an annual fundraiser for Friends of Grant Park. This is South Milwaukee's best Irish party! The event lasts from 4:30 to 8 pm. Check out the details at www.fogp.org for info on where to buy advance tickets ( $10) which will guarantee you seating for either the 4:30 or 6:30 dinner. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $12 subject to availability. Buy advance tickets to make sure you don't miss this great party.

On Wednesday, March 17th (St. Pat's Day) the band will perform at Carleton Grange Pub at 3807 S. Packard Ave in St. Francis. This event will start around 6 pm and last until 9 pm. ( I just ate there a few days ago; their fish is incredible and they have an interesting variety of beers).

On Thursday, March 18th the band will perform for the 2nd time in two days. This time the band will play at Sheridan's Cafe at 5133 S. Lake Dr. in Cudahy. ( I also ate there recently and the food is exceptional). The band will play from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. I know I don't want to miss this one.

I am looking forward to seeing the band at all three of these performances and hoisting a Guiness in their honor! ( And I'm not even Irish !). Hope to see you there.
 

I have made a New Year's Resolution to keep my mind active by reading one book per month starting in Dec. 2009. In December I read "The End of Food" by Paul Roberts and in January I read "The End of Oil" by the same author. I checked out both books from the Cudahy Family Library. ( I strongly recommend both of these books).

In one section, Roberts talks about what he calls "Hidden Economic Costs'. For example, consider the cost of burning coal in coal-fired power plants. Coal is actually a very dirty fuel and produces massive amounts of pollution. Economists and power company executives will consider many factors when trying to determine the cost of using coal to produce electric power. The cost of purchasing the coal is an obvious cost. Other costs include the amortized cost of building the power plant, labor and production costs, plant maintenance, pollution abatement, etc etc etc.

There are, however, "indirect costs" that are more remote and not paid directly by the power company. Consider, for example, the effects of pollution. Suppose a person contracts lung cancer as a result of pollution from the power plant. The costs of treating the cancer will never be directly paid by the power plant even though the pollution from the plant contributed to or caused the cancer. Instead, the costs are paid by the health insurance company which must then raise their premiums to cover the increased number of lung cancer claims. There is also a cost of lost productivity; the person cannot work at their job while being treated for the cancer. If they have to retire early, there is the increased cost paid in disability or lost income.

This analysis made me think of the economic benefits of our parks and the "hidden" costs of neglecting or losing them. We all know there is an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stress-related illness in our nation. There is a "hidden" benefit to using the parks: Exercise prevents these things. By the same token, lack of exercise does lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, joint problems and stress. Health insurance companies must pay the costs of treating these illnesses--which is an enormous cost--and raise premiums as a result. We all know all how health insurance premiums have risen. They have been rising faster than inflation for a long time.

I would like to ask people to consider these costs. I also work out at the South Shore YMCA (especially in the winter) but not everyone can afford a health-club membership. Also, some people don't like to exercise indoors and prefer a more natural outdoor setting. Suppose we closed all the parks and sold the land to developers to build more stores. People would not have a convenient place to walk their dogs, to run or walk, to ride their bike or even to just spend a quiet moment away from the traffic, stress and bustle of life. Their health would decline. Stress-related illness, along with illnesses caused by too much food and too little exercise, would increase, leading to higher health-care costs, higher insurance premiums and an increased number of disability claims.

Is it possible our parks actually are saving us all money? It is probably impossible to calculate the true savings but I believe they are. One way of dealing with our nation's health-care crisis, for example, would be to continue to maintain our parks so that people can maintain their health and experience less health problems.

In economics, external costs are called "externalities". See the following for more info on external costs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externalities#Negative

I hope everyone had a chance to read the article "Sales of County Parkland Suggested" in Tuesday's paper. In case you missed it, here is the link: http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/80633172.html

You all know by now how I feel about this idea! The idea of selling County Parkland was simply suggested in an audit report and is not, as far as I know, being seriously considered by the County Board. This would be my worst nightmare if it were to become a reality.

I can't believe anyone could even suggest such an insane idea. The County Parks are a priceless resource. I love our parks and I would be devastated if any part of them were sold only to become yet another strip mall, parking lot or condo development. Yes, we need those things but we also need park area where people can walk their dog, run, bike or rollerblade. People have picnics in the summer. Kids go swimming at the pool ... well, I guess I am repeating myself because I have said this all before.

I find the idea terrifying.

I know times are tough financially but there has got to be a way. I hope you value the parks enough to find this idea offensive, as I do. If you are truly offended by even the suggestion of selling parkland please make your voices heard. Our parks have tremendous value which exceeds the "highest and best" real estate value!

As I watched Manny Pacquiao defeat Miguel Cotto last Saturday to win the WBO Welterweight Boxing Championship I thought of the other "boxing match" between Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway.

What a fight!

I hope everyone had the opportunity to read the two editorials in Tuesdays paper.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/70231157.html

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/70231117.html

It is very clear these two men have radically different visions of how our County Government should function in coming years.

I wonder how Cudahy residents feel about this issue. What is your opinion? Would you be willing to pay a little bit more in taxes to avoid Lakefront parking meters, to keep bus routes and the bus call center, to maintain County Parks and keep Community Centers open, or would you prefer that these services be eliminated in order to reduce or maintain property taxes?

I would also like to refer readers to my Nov. 3rd article on "Finding the Will to Support our Parks". A couple readers made some very interesting and thought-provoking comments to the article. I hope everyone has a chance to give this issue some serious thought.

Thanks for reading!

A couple of readers wrote to me and asked me if I follow any special diet as part of my training. The answer is "yes and no". I do not count calories but I try to eat healthy, nutritious food as much as possible and avoid processed or manufactured foods. I am a firm believer in the "caveman diet"; i.e., I try to eat foods that come directly from a plant or animal source.

In addition, I am trying to eat as much fish as possible to get the maximum effects of Omega-3. I love fish and am trying to eat as much of it as possible. I eat fish almost every day. My favorites are salmon and herring, although I will eat almost any kind of fish.

In addition to fish, I try to eat a lot of vegetables, fruit, nuts, berries, seeds and rice. I do eat meat, but not every day. I love bacon, sausage, chicken and turkey but I choose fish over meat or poultry most of the time. I do not use any type of vitamins or Omega-3 supplements. I don't think there is anything wrong with vitamins or Omega-3 capsules, but I feel that I eat enough vegetables and fish to get the required nutrients directly from food. Some researchers believe, however, that a person can't really eat enough fish to satisfy the body's need for Omega-3. More research is needed to determine the optimal amount of Omega-3 and whether or not this requirement can be met through food alone.

I also drink a lot of green tea ( about four or five cups per day). I don't drink milk and the only foods I avoid are dairy products, junk food and candy. Other than that, I will eat almost any type of food.

I have found that by following this type of diet I can eat as much as I want, I feel great and my running performance is greatly improved. I am not a food fanatic and will make exceptions --- especially around the holidays!

Here is some research from Jeff Galloway's website on nutrition and running: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/nutrition/index.html

I got up early on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd and grabbed the paper on my front porch. (I have a personal computer in my living room, but I am old-fashioned and prefer reading the actual paper copy of the newspaper rather than reading it online!) I was deeply moved by two inspiring stories of hope, courage and determination. Both of these articles were written by well-known runner Tom Held.

The first article was a front-page follow-up story on Jenny Crain. Jenny Crain was an elite runner who was training for the Olympics when she was hit by a car while running on Milwaukee's East Side. The accident occured on Aug. 21, 2007. I did not know her but I remember reading about it in the paper and I donated to her recovery fund at the 2007 Lakefront Marathon expo at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). This was a horrible accident and everyone was shocked that an elite runner could be struck down so quickly. It seemed like such a senseless tragedy.

Tom's follow-up article tells the story of Jenny's gradual recovery and struggle to regain her health. I felt truly inspired by this brave woman's ongoing struggle and her determination. You can read the full story at http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/68792107.html

On the same day there was an amazing story of a woman who lost her left leg in a motorcycle accident but is running at a competitive level including ultra-marathon races (exceeding 26.2 miles). Amy Palmiero-Winters was hit by a car while driving her Harley-Davidson in 1994. Her foot was crushed and after more than two dozen surgeries Doctors were forced to amputate her leg in 1997.

I would imagine that most people would give up on running after such a devastating injury. Amy, however, has stepped up her game and is vigorously engaged in running at a competitive level. She has set records in the 50-mile run. She is the world's first female amputee to finish a 100-mile ultra-marathon. Amy actually won that race as the female winner which is a staggering accomplishment.

I think she is a true inspiration to everyone who aspires to run. Have you ever felt that you were too old, too fat or too tired to get out and run? I think we all have at one time or another. The next time I feel like skipping a workout because "I'm too tired" I'm going to think of Amy and her fantastic commitment to the sport.

I think her extraordinary commitment extends to all areas of life. Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the stresses and pressures of everyday life? Economy got you down? Don't have the energy you once did? Try to visualize running 50 or 100 miles -- with an artificial leg! Her story is a true testamony to the power of the human spirit. You can read the entire story at http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/67698852.html

I truly admire the spirit, determination and courage of both of these outstanding women. They are my heroes. If you would like to donate to the Jenny Crain Make it Happen Fund you can mail a check to the address below or drop off at any M&I Bank Branch.

Jenny Crain - Make it Happen Fund

c/o M&I Bank, attn: Barb Stafford

50 S. 6th St, Suite 1000

Minneapolis MN 55402