Brookfield Wannabe

In the Sunday paper (1-21-07), in the Metro section of the Journal Sentinel, there is an article about a wonderful project that is coming to Milwaukee. The project is called StoryCorps, and it is coming to the Milwaukee Public Library on Thursday. Over the next six months, for a $10 donation fee, people can record stories about their lives (or their parents' or grandparents' lives) onto a CD. According to the article, the story should be told in an interview format, and the recorded interview will then become part of an archive in the Library of Congress. Participants get to keep a copy of their CD. To make a reservation, you can call (800) 850-4406, or you can do it online at www.storycorps.net. Here is the link to the article.

I always thought my parents' histories -- living in the Philippines during World War II, leaving family and friends behind to live in the United States -- would make an interesting memoir. The idea even occurred to me to videotape their life stories a few years back, but although my brother and I did try once or twice, the project never really got off the ground. As frequent readers know, my mom has now passed away, and unfortunately, the opportunity to record her story on tape died with her. I have a pretty good memory though, and over the years, over cups of coffee in the afternoon and during lulls in holiday celebrations, my mom passed down some of her stories to me. One day, I hope to put those stories down on paper, but I will always regret that we lost the opportunity to record her telling her own stories in her own words. That's why I think this StoryCorps project is a great idea. I hope some of you get to take advantage of it.

Although I don't think I will be able to drag my dad down to the Milwaukee Public Library, I'm going to take my video camera out of the closet, and I'm going to get my dad to tell me a story... or two... or three.

A little bird told me a week or two ago that long-time retail establishment Nitz Hardware was going to close its doors. Last Saturday, I drove past Nitz's, and there was a sign that said they were liquidating down to the bare walls. Then, yesterday, that same little bird confirmed that Nitz's was indeed closing and that the property was going to be converted into medical office space. The Nitz family ran a first-rate operation, from the equipment that they carried to their excellent customer service. I'm sorry to see it go.

Last Friday, my preschooler was learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. According to her, he was "good leader" who "dreamed of peace" and who "thought everyone should be the same even though our hairs are different."

My first encounter with racial prejudice happened while I was a teenager, here in Brookfield, and the words came from an adult, not a peer. I was young enough that I let the words hurt me. They cut deep, and even now, more than two decades later, the remembered pain still stings. At the time, I said nothing, partly because I was embarrassed and humiliated and partly because I did not know what to say back. I would like to say that was the first and last time I had to deal with prejudice, but it wasn't. I would like to say that my husband was spared from prejudice, but he wasn't. I would like to say that all the instances happened when we were young, but they didn't.

Both my husband and I have been called the "N" word in our respective lives, even though we are both racially Asian. In separate instances, both in the last few years, both my husband and I have been told to "go back to the country where you came from," even though we were both born, raised, and educated in the United States. In my case, it was by a child, not any older than perhaps 7. It happened the Halloween after September 11. And again, I said nothing ... because she was only a child.

I worry about my own child and what the world will be like as she grows up. Right now, I don't think she sees herself as "different" because at her school there is nothing to be "different" from. At her school, there are children who are Caucasian, Asian, and African-American. At her school, "Asian" can even be further subdivided into Korean, Chinese, and East Indian. The children learn how to count to ten in English, Spanish, and Japanese. Some of the children are even bilingual. It is a veritable mini-United Nations.

Last Friday, my daughter brought home a picture that she had colored. The picture is of a group of children in a circle. In the middle of the circle are the words "I have a dream." In the picture, my daughter gave the children either green, orange, or blue hair. No one's hair is black, brown, red, or blond. In the picture, everyone has purple skin. My husband says maybe she only had a limited number of crayons. I was hoping her picture meant something more than that.

On this day, the day set aside to remember Martin Luther King, Jr., I am going to find his famous "I have a dream" speech online. I am going to read it, and as I read it, I am going to hope that her picture has a deeper meaning, something much more than a lack of Burnt Sienna.

A reader sent me an email saying that the Loaf and Jug is indeed moving out of Stonewood Village. (See blog below). The owner of the restaurant mentioned the move to her. I've always kind of considered Loaf and Jug a "hidden treasure" of Brookfield. Although I wish the owners good luck, I am a bit sad about the move because now it's going to be harder to get a table.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

A sign in a storefront next to Sendik's indicated that long-time restaurant Loaf & Jug would be coming soon. Does this mean that it is moving out of Stonewood Village? It could just be that they are opening another branch, like they did in Elm Grove (and, I heard recently, Delafield). Moving to the Towne Centre would certainly increase their visibility, but I've always liked the Stonewood Village location. For those not in the know, Loaf & Jug is currently only open for lunch and has some of the best soups and pies in town. I like to order pies from them during the holidays.

JAPANESE, ANYONE?

Finally, we now have a variety of Japanese restaurants to choose from on this side of town, sushi lovers. Kou You just recently opened up in Elm Grove, in the Autumn Grove stripmall, off Bluemound Road, slightly east of Elm Grove Road. I have not yet had a chance to eat there. Also for those of us on the North side, Asiana is now open. Technically, it is in Pewaukee, but it's barely a 10 minute ride from Springdale road. Asiana is located off Capitol Drive, just before the Hwy. 16 on ramps. I've eaten there a few times. The sushi is first-rate. They serve Chinese and Thai dishes too, but the service tends to be slow. Then, there is Yokoso, which has been around for awhile. Located in a strip mall, right next to Westpoint Theater, Yokoso has a great selection of sushi rolls. My daughter loves their beef teriyaki.

JAVA JOINT

Over the holidays, I had a chance to have a cup of coffee at The Original Coffee Company, on Greenfield Avenue. I liked the bright, airy feel to the place. They don't have a fireplace or cushy chairs, but they did have a good selection of seasonal lattes and chais at the time. There were also pint-sized chairs and tables for kiddies to sit on. On the east side, Caribou Coffee recently opened at 124th and Capitol.

KIDS' GIFTS

My new, favorite place to shop over the holidays for kids' clothing was Goo Goo Gaa Gaa, in the Towne Centre. I try and avoid malls during the holiday season, and this shop, although busy, was not so crowded that shopping was a hassle. The prices tend to be on the high-end, but if you are looking for something special, this is the place I would go. The little girl dresses are gorgeous. They offer boys clothing too, and they have a good selection in the upper "T" sizes. In addition to clothes, they do sell toys and specialty furniture pieces, and they offer free gift wrap.


(As always, I do not receive any reimbursement of any kind from any stores, restaurants, or other establishments that I mention in my blog.)