Greater Milwaukee Men

Unless you are a huge DC Comics fanboy, maybe even if you are, the first word to come to mind about a show on The CW Network probably would not be "good", nor would your thoughts on the capabilities of its main actor. But when it comes to the show Arrow and its namesake character and actor Stephen Amell, the word "good" goes beyond the quality of the show to what he does off-screen. An interview gaffe has turned into a new word used by Arrow's Amell, now in an awareness campaign I had no thoughts of ever watching the show, even with the first 2 seasons "free" on streaming services, until a friend told me it was good. Even then it took me a while to test the waters until one day my wife and I were looking for a new show to watch together. I expected the standard pretty-bad-boy fare like Vampire Diaries and other CW shows, but was pleasantly surprised that the show far surpassed what I though was a kiss-of-death combination of subject matter and ...

Nadal congratulates and thanks Smyczek (left) on the match In the second round of the Australian Open, Milwaukee native and No. 112 ranked pro tennis player Tim Smyczek showed the world what character we Wisconsinites have. He battled current No. 3 ranked "King of Clay" and 14-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller to 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 3-6, 5-7. But his tru character came when he gave Nadal a break that showed "amazing" sportsmanship according to the "King". Nadal was serving at 6-5 in the fifth set when someone in the stands shouted and the serve went long. As Nadal was about to go for second-serve, Smyczek signaled that Nadal should discount the failed first serve and redo it. Nadal ended up winning the pointon the next serve with the mulligan. After four grueling hours of play to be so close to an upset and give his opponent that edge of not needing a second serve, Smyczek showed what "sportsmanship" truly is. "...

This one will be short and sweet, as its pretty simple, to me it's a 'nuff said deal. The MECA Foundation , who's mission it is to is to protect every police dog in the state of Wisconsin by providing them with bullet proof and stab proof vests, needs the help of the community for a local police dog named DJ. DJ's K-9 Protective Vest has expired and MECA would like to purchase him a new one. The new and improved vests go for approximately $1000 and they need us to step up and give them the funds they need to do so. We have covered MECA before, about their annual Vest A K-9 Fest, which you can read about here . I have a soft spot for dogs, I respect what they do for us as companions and more as caretakers. They serve and protect us in so many ways, one of which is as police dogs, and MECA is there to return the favor to protect the dogs that protect us. Please consider donating to the cause and get DJ a new vest - head on over to their donation page here . UP...

When it comes to making life changes, follow Yoda's advice. With it being the new year, it's that time when so many make 'resolutions' on things to do (or not to do). Usually these are ways to improve themselves like lose weight, eat better, giving up smoking, etc. Rarely it might be something a little more out of the ordinary like learn a new language, learn to ride a motorcycle and so on. This year though, I say forget making a resolution and instead start a revolution. Do something extraordinary this year.

I recently noticed a new addition to the menu of the BelAir Cantina Wauwatosa location: a taco called the TSU360. Funny name for a taco, until I read the description. The TSU stands for Tosa Skateboarders United , a local organization raising funds for the new Hart Park skate park to whom BelAir is giving proceeds of orders of the taco.

In past years Green Bay Packers players and coaches have participated in Movember, most notably Mr. Rodgers and McCarthy . This year, second year player and first round draft pick (and my fantasy football first round pick over a certain other RB who has had legal issues) Eddie Lacy is joining in. Eddie is growing a mo to raise awareness and has his own MoSpace at the Movember movement fundraising site. On his MoSpace, Lacy says that he is inspired by his parents who are both in healthcare to promote health to others. Like many men he used to avoid he conversation, now he is  the conversation.

There are all kinds of men, from many walks of life with varied interests, and it makes me happy to see one group get more and more respect for their talents and contributions - namely the nerd. From shows like Big Bang Theory to the popularity of comic movies and even nerd music, the intellectual man has arisen as a popular clique. One area that they still aren't known for contributing to is charity - and this is wrong - for as I see it geeks and nerds give as much if not more than other groups. But hopefully that is changing as well, as you can find many stories here of nerds doing good. Joining in other campaigns such as Child's Play (providing toys and games to childrens' hospitals) and the Call of Duty Endowment (for veterans)   Blizzard Entertainment , creator of the Warcraft and Starcraft universes among other well-known games, have helped pave the way for gamers to be charitable with in-game purchases that they donate the proceeds from to a charity. For this ...