New Yorkers Give Wisconsin's Cigarette Tax The Bronx Cheer
Cigarettes have been in our news a lot since the New Year. Last week Wisconsin's new cigarette tax was implemented, and smokers are now sending one dollar per pack in additional tax to Madison. Now there is talk of a legislative ban on smoking in all public places.
Mick Jagger was once a student at the London School of Economics, and is renowned in the music industry for his business acumen. In 1971 he made tax "exiles" of the Rolling Stones by moving the band permanently out of England. They settled in New York City, and in 1978, released the album Some Girls, which, fueled by hit after smash hit, went multi-platinum. One of those hits, When the Whip Comes Down, is a tough and gritty anthem about some of the darker sides of the city's sub-culture. I saw a bit of that sub-culture on a trip there last September.
The United States Congress
Let's see now...............
An organziation that exempts itself from the very Social Security System that it has bankrupted, and cannot even protect the college age youth in its employ from the improper sexual advances of its own members, is now turning its all-correcting eye to the task of cleaning up Major League Baseball.
Have A Ball With The Elmbrook Education Foundation
The Elmbrook Education Foundation is sponsoring its annual fund raising "Have a Ball" party on Saturday February 23, from 7 PM to Midnight at the Elite Fitness and Racquet Center, 13825 West Burleigh Road in Brookfield.
The Foundation is a private group of citizens which dates back to the 1950's, and its purpose is to support the students and programs of the Elmbrook District Schools. It does so by raising money via private donations, business contributions, and fund raising events such as the Have A Ball party. Funds raised by the Foundation are invested directly back into the school community in the form of grants to the District's eleven schools and scholarships for students. Beginning in 2001, the grants have enabled the purchase of nearly $150,000 of materials and equipment for the schools. The scholarships are awarded directly to deserving students who exhibit outstanding performance in the areas of academics, leadership, and service to both their schools and our community. Since its inception, the E.E.F. has given out over $800,000 in scholarships to nearly nine-hundred deserving students. Last year, twenty-eight High School seniors received scholarships of $1,500.00, and the Foundation plans some major announcements of additional grants later this month.
Something of Value
An African Basuto proverb says the following:
"If a man does away with his traditional way of living and throws away his good customs, he had better first make certain that he has something of value to replace them".
Out of Balance - Sports and Forensics in Brookfield
I have the day off and spent the morning enjoying small things, like taking our daughter to school, saying hello to her Principal and teachers, and an unhurried cup of coffee while reading the printed version of Brookfield Now. Later, I have a lunch date with our third-grade son. I will cherish this, as it could well be the last year he views Dad coming to school as something cool.
Now before I get into the subject matter of this article, I have some disclaimers.
