Blind Runner Completes NYC Half-Marathon With Aid of Guide Dogs

Photo cr. Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Thomas Panek, President and CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, used dogs from the organization he manages to run in and complete a half-marathon in the New York City Marathon.

Because of the length of the run, three dogs did a relay each taking a leg of the race to help Panek run and finish. Waffle, Westley and Gus, all Labradors, accompanied Panek and each got a medal for completing in addition to Panek.

In an NPR interview, Panek explains that for a time he stopped running due to the dangers. "There was a long time where I was too scared to run. I was just afraid to get out there. And I had run in the Chicago Marathon. And about midcourse, I ran into a stake that was in the ground, didn't see it." He tried running with people to assist, but he missed the freedom of running alone when he wants to, like when he walks with a guide dog and can go anywhere at his whim.

I love the connection of humans and dogs, I can't imagine my life without one (or more) and am always inspired by the service that dogs can provide to us.This is another great story on how dogs can help people conquer things they can't do on their own.

Colectivo & Bucks Partner On Charitable Coffee

Come see what's brewin'... Oh sorry, wrong team, still, the play on words, I had to. The Milwaukee Bucks and Colectivo Coffee are partnering on a limited-edition Bucks Blend Coffee that will be featured as Colectivo’s Coffee of the Week from Monday, Feb. 25 – Sunday, March 3 at all 13 Milwaukee-area Colectivo locations. Prior to that, the coffee will be available for sampling and purchase at Bucks games tonight and Saturday, Feb. 23, at each Bucks Pro Shop location at Fiserv Forum. In addition, one-pound bags of Bucks Blend Coffee are also available for purchase on a limited basis at shop.bucks.com. One dollar from the sale of each one-pound bag will go to the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation.

Marquette Star Markus Howard Opens Up About Mental Health

Markus Howard photo courtesy Marquette University

Especially among men, even more so among high level athletes, being open about mental health struggles can be seen as a weakness. In a new ESPN video, Markus Howard of the Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team talks about going to a weekly therapy session.

Moving on to college can be a hard thing for anyone, then add on the stress of competing at a high college level basketball program and it's not difficult to see how many athletes can struggle with all the demands. Some of the issues that these students, and we have to remember they are still young and students, struggle with and become headlines, may be avoided if more would take the approach that Howard is taking.

He and his coach, Steve Wojciechowski, talk about how they see therapy as an important part of maintaining the level, to have an outlet without the stigma of weakness.

No one should be afraid to ask for help, you aren't stronger if you go it alone and end up failing. A strong man is one who knows when to ask for help. I applaud Howard for being open about the positive steps he is taking to remain strong.

Breweries Unite For Camp Fire Aid

In the beer world, especially among 'craft beer' enthusiasts, Sierra Nevada brewery is iconic, mostly for its IPAs, so it shouldn't be a surprise that their peers would jump a the chance to support them, but what happened this week is shocking - in the best way possible.

Sierra Nevada, which makes its home in Chico, CA where the Camp Fire has just finally been put out, but not after devastating the area. SN had already been supporting its neighbors with a relief fund but then they upped the ante: they created a new IPA style beer that they would donate all proceeds, then they invited their brewing friends to join in. And the results are astounding. As of Tuesday 11/27 over 1,000 breweries had agreed to brew the same beer and sell in the same manner - with all proceeds going to the relief of Camp Fire victims.

Milwaukee Film Festival 2018 GMM Picks

It's that time of year again - the Milwaukee Film Festival. In fact its the 10th anniversary of this great asset to our city and community. Events and films go on from Oct 18 to Nov 1

While there are lots of great options to see, I am for the first time listing those that fall in line with the GMM philosophy: ones that are inspirational for men in our community. Caveat: I haven't necessarily seen these, I am just going by descriptions and other reviews. But if you are up for being inspired to be a Greater Milwaukee Man, check some of these out: