I owe a lot of people a debt of gratitude.

Thanks to Jeff at North American Computer for repairing our computer twice in the last couple weeks. The blog is a happy blog. Thanks also to visitors of WaukeshaNOW for their patience while Jeff did his thing.

Thanks to my family for allowing me a much-needed vacation to Hudson this last weekend.

Thanks to the guy who invented cruise control, the people who maintain the freeways, and all the other drivers out there who helped keep me safe by not crashing into me.

To the organizers in Hudson, WI who've been putting together a winter hot air balloon rally for the past 21 years, and the residents who came out to welcome the 30 or so balloonists.

To the guy at Google Maps who thought it would be funny to key in directions on one word and not on the whole address. If you hadn't screwed up I never would have met Bob and his wife on Crestview Trail instead of just getting to the hotel on Crestview Road.

Thanks to the plow operator on Crestview Trail who thought it would look better to push the snow a few feet to the side of the road and level with the road surface.

More than I can ever type... mucho thanko to Bob, the kind octogenarian who got out of bed at 11:00p.m. to pull a stranger and his Toyota out of a snowy ditch with his truck.

Thanks also to Best Western Hudson House Inn on Crestview Road. When I finally arrived at midnight after working all day and driving 330 miles... asking for more money than I had, or a credit card which I didn't have.

Thanks to my friend Rod, who answered his cell at midnight, and thanks to John who allowed me to bring a rollaway bed in his room.

Thanks to Vicks, makers of NYQUIL and DAYQUIL, which I'd been taking for a week and which kept me from keeping others awake with my coughing.

Much abliged to Ken and Kay Walter, owners of Wind Dancer Balloon Promotions here in Waukesha, who invited me to ride a warm breath of air across the St. Croix River into Minnesota in the basket of their balloon "Kay's Wind Dancer."  You are great friends. Thanks.

I can't thank Tom, Ben and Jack enough for crewing for us. Stupendous job!

Appreciative to the guy who invented the sled we used to tow the basket and envelope out of the snowy field with. It saved our backs and a lot of time.

This was a great weekend for me. The weather was perfect for this time of year. I absorbed the scenery, both night and day, as I traversed diagonally across Wisconsin. It did a lot of good for the stress level to ride quietly alone for hours in the car. The heat was set at the right temperature, the radio always played the tunes I was interested in, only stopped when I wanted to and, best of all, I won all the arguments.

This is what the border between WI and MN looks like from the basket of a hot air balloon in winter. We're floating above another balloon, "Valley Girl," as we cross the St. Croix. Ice is on the Wisconsin side.

More images of the 21st Annual Hudson Hot Air Affair are available by clicking here.

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John, my friend from Lake Geneva, created the coolest video of the weekend. You can watch it by clicking here.

The name of one of the many great bands at JanBoree Jam said it all. I loved i Had Fun, but Colour, On My Way and Lifeline Called Comet all earned my applause. High Five Heroes earned more than a high five... I ordered one of their soon to be released CDs. Nine bands for eight bucks? What a deal! I really can't say enough about the talent and energy we experienced at North H.S. Saturday night.

Music wasn't the only thing happening around Waukesha last weekend for the 25th Waukesha JanBoree. I counted around 35 unique events from Friday through Sunday. Thanks to the mild temps, the turnout seemed pretty good to me. 

The fireworks seemed so much better this year when you didn't have to fight the cold.

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 The toboggan run at Lowell Park was a popular place to be. 

It was great to see a live nationwide radio broadcast here in Waukesha. We all had much fun during Michael Feldman's Whad 'Ya Know. The whole show can be heard using this link.

There was almost one ice sculpture for every year of JanBoree Downtown. Really nice to wander around and discuss technique with the artists.

Free cell phones were on my mind this week. Met someone who owns a free government issued phone. She had heard about it on TV, qualified, and now has proof that the program works. I talked to her on it.

I was supposed to meet with a couple this week at their new apartment in Waukesha to maybe help them with furnishings through St. Vincent de Paul. I never did meet with them because they don't have a phone. The apartment they moved to has a locked entrance with the intercom dependent on having a phone.

Fox6 News did a little story Thursday night on free cell phones for low income people. If low income folk qualify for food stamps or free school lunches, they typically qualify for a free cell with about an hour a month of air time. Before they took the viewer vote by text message, they informed us that the rest of us cell users pay for the program. The government program adds less than $3.00 to everyone's cell bill. Probably not a program we can opt out of.

Ten percent in favor, ninety percent opposed. Didn't say how many voted. Didn't say if government issued cells had texting feature.

My opinion is there's enough out of work or low income people out there that would be helped by having a phone. One hour a month would be enough for emergencies and potential job prospect phone calls. I know it's another hidden expense, but if we can afford the newest internet and texting cells we should be able to afford $2.50 for someone who really needs it.

reachout wireless

safelink wireless

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I wondered how Thursday's storm would affect Archbishop Listecki's visit to Saint William... and my chances of seeing him. Mass was at 7:00 and I was picking up a friend prior to. I drove 35 miles in rush hour during a snow emergency and fortunately made it with time to spare. (I normally don't like passing cars on two lane roads, especially snow-covered ones, but one guy was so cautious that I passed him, stopped to get gas, then caught up to him again!) 

It feels good to once again have a shepherd leading the flock. Archbishop Jerome Listecki seems like the right choice to guide us.  Though he didn't give any indication of the direction he'd like to take us - his visit was to get acquainted - I'm confident he won't lead us to harm. 

The archbishop interspersed his homily with true stories about his life and some humor too, but the one I found most appealing was how he was presented his crosier, or shepherd's staff. A long-time friend of his had found an unusual branch in the woods over 25 years ago. Sensing that God had plans for Listecki, this friend had stored the crooked piece of wood in a closet all those years. Listecki's friend presented it to the Archbishop after another artist friend had done some craftwork to it. I think the odd piece of wood is very beautiful. It's delicate, yet strong. It's all natural, yet man-made. It's decorative, yet functional. It's inexpensive, yet priceless. It's a gift from God, not unlike our new archbishop.

On the tenth day of Christmas, tomorrow the fourth, somewhere ten lords will be leaping, I'll be going back to work, and Most Rev. Jerome Listecki will be installed as the eleventh Archbishop of Milwaukee. It will be the first time I've worked in two weeks, and the first time in 166 years we've had a Polish archbishop in Milwaukee. Another words, we've never had a Polish archbishop.

I've enjoyed my time off. It was fun and relaxing, and I got some things done too. Instead of overwhelming me, Christmas was actually quite nice. My search for the true meaning of Christmas came to a successful conclusion. It's there, just harder to find under the tree or at the mall.

Every day of the year there is plenty of opportunity to help others and, of all the things I did to find meaning, helping others probably did the most. I could've, and sometimes wish I would've, done more. Two things I didn't help with this year: The Christmas Clearing Council's Toy Shop was once again held at St. William's, where 1000 good children from Waukesha County were helped with gifts. And for the fifteenth year, hot meals were served or delivered from St. William on Christmas Day to over 150 people in need. There's always next time.

St. William's has been rather busy the last several weeks. It will be busy again this Thursday. The parish was fortunate to be chosen the first regional congregation to host Milwaukee's newest archbishop for a welcoming mass. We'll not only welcome Milwaukee's first Polish Archbishop, but many visitors from surrounding counties. It should be a lot of fun.

I love hot dogs, both eating and watching. The Journal Sentinel pointed out a couple good examples within the last few days.

Thursday's, 12/31/09, cover story was done on a hot dog joint I was first taken as a boy by my Dad, probably around the early 1970's. Coney Island has been at Fifth and National in Milwaukee since the 1920's and I'd like my dogs plain and "burnt." My dad liked to order the chili dog sauce by the bowlful.

Coney Island was just a couple blocks from where he worked in Walker's Point. The sign was still there 30 years later when I worked at the same company, but no sign of it being open. After a while I started wondering if, by chance, it ever opened. I checked the phone book and asked my fellow co-workers, then just went over there around lunch time one day. 

The door was open and I slowly moved toward a stool at the counter. As I looked around, there couldn't have been much that changed, including the stool I sat upon. The fixtures and appliances, booths and counter all looked old. It looked very basic and, frankly, pretty tacky. It wasn't quite like I remembered but close enough. The thing that stood out the most was the hand scrawled menu above the cash register. It was so simple. You could order a hot dog, hamburger or cheeseburger, with or without sauce, fries, soda or shake. No double bacon fatburger. No frills, no pickles, no mustard.

To make a long story short, I blogged about this in '07, the person serving up the dogs was the same one serving up the dogs for me and my dad 30 years earlier. Mike probably saw a lot of second, probably several third generations, or more, come to his joint in his years there. That was the biggest surprise, that Mike would still be serving up dogs so many years later. The article highlights Mike's retirement last year at the age of 89 years after flipping burgers and dogs for 60 years!

Hot dogs of another type were brought to our attention in today's, 1/3/10, paper. High schoolers in Washington, more or less to compete with a neighboring high school's video, created and posted a creative YouTube video that garnered half a million views in two weeks. Intentionally shot in reverse then reversed, I've included both versions. Enjoy.

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Followed through with the plan to bathe in Waukesha's future bath water. Had lots of company in the tub, but the hot water wasn't working. As promised, here are the pictures:

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I'll be splashing in the cool 38 degree waters of Waukesha's future drinking supply tomorrow. It will seem quite balmy compared to the expected air temps of half that. I'm fortunate to be going with good friends Ken, Kay, Jack and Ben. We're leaving early to get good parking, so we'll have several hours of people watching, playing in snow and celebrating the new year.

I wrote about my first adventure with this in 2008 and hope to have more pictures this time, (have to work harder to keep camera warm, I've learned).

Looking forward to more adventure tomorrow and better times in 2010.

Have a safe, successful and happy New Year!

Remembered Lou at the nature center today. Retzer was a great place to remember a great man who had just passed away a week ago, during the winter solstice.  

There are trees at Retzer as old as he was, almost 89. Some are strong. But like Lou, some are bent over and some are fragile.

And, like most of the residents at the nature center, Lou was a vegetarian.

A gentler, more humble person you'd be hard-pressed to find. Without children of his own, and his wife having passed away years ago, his friends were his family. I'd known Lou about as long as I've known Retzer. I love them both.

Lou was my inspiration. When Alzheimer's took over his wife it just made his love grow stronger. His own excruciating pain couldn't stop his sense of humor. Brittle bones didn't stop his determination, and nothing could stop his devotion to God. 

Men like Lou are why they call it the Greatest Generation.

goodbye Lou. thanks for your friendship

During my second stint volunteering for Salvation Army, positioned outside Martha Merrell's and Cuddles, I discovered learning to play bells is easier than imagined. Just takes practice.

It was interesting to see Downtown Waukesha wake up Christmas Eve morning. My shift started at 9:00 a.m., but because most stores didn't open till 10:00, I started an hour later. Compared to the night before, the weather was great. Mild temps and little wind. The way I dressed, it could've been a lot colder.

There wasn't as much foot traffic as at a large grocery store the night before a big storm and holiday, but a greater percentage of people donated. Didn't collect as much as at Pick 'N Save, but didn't expect to. Without the mad rush of the store and the weather it was easier to communicate with donors. With one nice woman, thankful to still be working, that communication took the form of a hug when she gave ten dollars. 

I'm thankful for the opportunity to give my time to such a worthy cause. Thankful for all the wonderful, thoughtful donors. Thankful to Norm and Eve for welcoming me and the Salvation Army to their store. Also thankful for my readers for following along. Merry Christmas.

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.Merry Christmas from Sir Fido

If you were one of the many I didn't buy for this year, I hope you appreciate the gift I didn't get you.

I wanted to see the other side of Christmas this year, the one that didn't involve a year-long loan for a few moments of joy. I took two weeks off work to be with the family, but how can you wrap that and put it under the tree? I guess it's what you do with the time that matters. When Christmas is over will they remember the toys or the things we did together?

Even though we spent too much, as always, on Christmas this year, I've been attempting to see the nongift-buying side of the holiday. To that end, I spent a couple hours yesterday with Sally hoping she'd let me see the light. And, indeed, I did see the other side of Christmas while ringing bells for Salvation Army. The side where people give without expectation of anything in return. The side that says people are generous to others, strangers they'll probably never know, even in the worst of economies.

I chose familiar surroundings for my first ever shift with bell ringing... Pick 'N Save on Silvernail. Even though I was nervous before leaving here, and the weather wasn't the greatest, I enjoyed being there and wish it had lasted longer. I enjoyed running into many people I know, including several I'm related to. I enjoyed the enthusiastic carolers making the rounds of area businesses. I really enjoyed the shelter from the storm as Pick 'N Save allows ringers to stand inside the entrance. I enjoyed meeting new people and greeting people.

The store was packed with shoppers trying to beat the storm just two days prior to Christmas. My shift lasted to 6:00 and I had a 6:30 meeting. When I got home I learned the meeting was cancelled. I would have liked to have stayed at Pick 'N Save. Not only was I getting into the many friendly people I was meeting, but ringing itself was rather entertaining too. I had two bells, one pitched slightly different than the other. How many ways can you shake two bells? Quite a few, actually. My only challenge? To avoid annoying others. There aren't instructions on how one should ring, but with two bells you really can get creative. At least I thought so. Three hours to practice anyway. Just don't get too wild... I temporarily lost the clapper on one bell when I rang them in about an 150 degree arc.

Ringing bells for Sally exceeded my expectations. It was three hours of thinking of others, including one person I hadn't expected and hadn't seen... my dad. Dad used to ring bells and was on the Salvation Army board of directors. Memories of him kept me warm on the very windy and cold afternoon.

Thanks to everyone who said hi and those who donated. Please comment if you saw me, also rang bells this year, know anything about the carolers we heard, did something different for Christmas...

As for me? Another three hour shift in half an hour. Downtown Waukesha. Say hi if you see me.

Been searching for the true meaning of Christmas.

I didn't even want to do Christmas this year because of the expense / economy, but as a family man I found out the hard way that that's not even an option. So we borrowed and went to Walmart. That's going to make some temporarily happy, but what about me? I don't think I'll ever find Christmas at Walmart.

I've been hard at the search. I opened my mind, and my ears, to 14 hours straight of Christmas music on a Saturday counting inventory at work. It may have worked for me too if only WMYX would have thrown a bunch of new songs into The Mix. Doesn't matter how good the songs are if they're overplayed every hour.

I sat in the front row for Christmas a Carroll and enjoyed the heck out of it. Hope to attend another Christmas concert Christmas Eve at St. William, 9:30 p.m..

I've been helping the less fortunate by taking food, gifts and furniture through St. Vincent de Paul. Helped a single mother of two move yesterday and plan to ring the Salvation Army bell tomorrow. If nothing else, it will help me feel more fortunate by helping the less fortunate.

I made an unannounced visit to relatives I hadn't seen in a while. It was not only good to see them and catch up, but my visit also left the door open to more visits in the future: I borrowed the movie UP, which I was dying to see since first hearing about it, and which I had later to return.

Even though I'd been to Bethlehem Marketplace at Elmbrook Church before, I felt my Christmas spirit still needed a shot in the arm, so I went again. For only three dollars I received three shekels and forty minutes in year one. Not only observing how things were done back then, but touching, smelling and doing. Fellow "travelers" going through with me crafted things, made purchases, pressed olives, wrote on papyrus, learned about oil lamps, danced, yelled at the guards... but when I was asked if I'd like to attend Synagogue, I politely declined. "Maybe another time. I just don't have time right now."

I'm glad I was later asked by the "Rabbi" before I could sneak out. "It will only be five minutes." I was first to sit down and thought it may be a while. A couple more guys trickled in and we sat together on one side. Women and children started to fill the other side, but only men were allowed the prayer sheets. Women and children soon outnumbered us 6 or 7 to one, but we had the sheets. After the service started I soon noticed the enthusiastic prayer responses of my fellow men. I threw myself into it too. Pretty soon it became a little friendly competition: our four male voices against their 20-odd women and children voices. It was funny, because the one thing I wanted to pass up was easily the best thing I did in Bethlehem that day. 

It was just a stage set, but I felt we really were praising God. I sat beside people of different religions with a common purpose. No one would pay to go through Bethlehem Marketplace if they didn't believe, at least a little, in the Christmas Miracle. Nobody was kidding around, not even the kids, and by the end of the service I felt a bond with the others and wanting more...  I know a few probably felt the same way. 

I surprised the family with my Christmas gift yesterday. It's something I planned over a year ago. I'm off work for the next two weeks. That's it. No big vacation, just spending time with the wife and kids while the kids are off school. It's already off to a good start.

Merry Christmas! 

Believe it or not Reindeer Games were being played at Pewaukee's Clark House Museum yesterday. With food, music, Santa, silent auction, museum tours, tree lighting... and of course Rudolph, a good time was had by all.

What's in your stocking? Probably one of two things: your foot or nothing. Not surprising considering St. Nick's Day isn't even marked on any of our three calendars. You have to be reminded when passing pharmacies, "Don't forget St. Nick's", or "Stop here for your St. Nick stocking stuffers".

Maybe someone, or a group of people, years ago thought Santa Claus didn't get enough recognition for his practice of sharing the wealth with poorer people. Somehow, and Coca-Cola ads didn't hurt, Santa's celebration moved over to join Jesus on December 25th. It probably began innocently enough and was likely a good combination. The birth in a stable of someone who would go on to cure the sick and encourage simple living and acts of charity, combined with someone who was born wealthy but also loved children and did his best to take care of the poor.

So when did the true meaning of Christmas become borrowing to buy a gift card to exchange with someone who borrowed to buy a gift card for you? Or, as Arlo of the Arlo and Janis comic strip said today, "When the health of the nation will be judged by how much imported junk is purchased on credit by a population already under stress!"

If you'd like to get back to the true meaning of Christmas, or if you'd like your kids to experience it, I strongly encourage a visit to Elmbrook Church's Bethlehem Marketplace. It's very special and happens only every three years. It's an authentic recreation you won't find better organized anywhere else. It has all the sights, sounds, smells... of Mary and Joseph's Bethlehem. The shop keepers, criminals, census takers, animals, beggars, craftsmen and workers are all there. Nothing is missing but the weather outside.

Three dollars takes you back to a time before Santa Claus. When Christmas still meant something. Don't wait too long: it's going on just the next two weekends.

 I'm about to lose an old friend. 

If he wasn't out walking the neighborhood or to Christina's or church, Roy's the kind of guy you'd usually find helping out his neighbor, helping at church or volunteering countless hours at the St. Vincent Thrift Store repairing donated items, getting them ready for sale. Very handy with tools, he enjoyed woodworking very much in years past. I've called him for advice with repairs on more than one occasion.

Roy was a past president and treasurer of our St. Vincent conference. A dedicated Vincentian, he would take most of the calls, without complaint, and spent many hours organizing the pantry every month.

Roy does a lot for others. I even credit Roy with saving his friend's life a couple winters ago. He knew his friend was having trouble with his garage door so he went over after a St. Vincent meeting to see if he could do anything. He found his frail and elderly friend had fallen and was close to freezing. 

And then he got the cancer diagnosis. It has returned, only this time it's incurable. With chemo he's only got a few months.

A week later his wife of 57 years passed away. A real shock considering she didn't have anything wrong with her! Couldn't take the thought of living without her husband I imagine.

Roy was there to cheer us on for our St. Vincent Walk for the Poor this last September, I just didn't realize he was also there to walk the two miles with us. His daughter, who accompanied him, kept asking him, "do you want to cut through the parking lot, Dad" or "don't you want to take a shortcut down Elder Street?"

To this he replied, "Connie, it's only a short walk. If I can make it you should be able to." From then on she kept her mouth shut.

So Roy tried the chemo for a while. It wasn't helping.

I saw Roy for the last time Friday. Friendly as ever. Firm handshake. But not looking good.

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 Ruth Anne, a good friend, composed this poem for him. I love that it captures him perfectly.

I sensed your vibrant energy

The first day that we met...

I gazed at this man with the silver hair

And knew he was someone I wouldn't forget.

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I knew he worked for St. Vincent

I knew he ushered too

When he sang out all of the hymns with us

More than his voice rang true.

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He was there whenever you'd need him

Just ask for help any day

He'd fix it, repair it or go get the part

He was only a phone call away.

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Every Wednesday he was down at the store

Repairing stuff was his quirk

Small appliances didn't go to clients

If he couldn't get them to work.

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SVDP took up a lot of his day

I don't know if he ever refused a call

The clients just kept on coming

The rest of us wanted to run down the hall.

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Occasionally he would get a day off

They would pack a bag to leave town

They would meander around Wisconsin in the fall

When the colored leaves would come down.

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We know that we're not perfect

But is should still be one of our goals

That was part of Jesus' message

We know "for whom the bell tolls".

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For everything you've done for others

And everything you've strived to be

Accept my love and appreciation

You really tried when Jesus said "Follow Me".

post script: Roy passed away Wednesday night. His funeral is Sunday afternoon. May he rest in peace.

Enjoyed Saturday's Christmas at Carroll concert, as I knew I would. Many changes from last year. New faces and pieces, a different program. I again sat in front. Closer to the action. 

One of the most distinguishing features of this concert is that it performs straight through. No intermission. No applause. All Carroll's choirs, wind, brass, handbell and ensembles play one after the other... for the next hour and forty-five minutes. There is a smooth transition, one to the other, and there is a theme: Alleluia!  

At least there isn't supposed to be applause. Sometimes it's just too hard to control, as with the powerful Georges Bizet piece "Farandole" for the Wind Symphony. One person gets caught up in the mood and it spreads. There were about four occasions of applause tonight, not counting at the end - out of 23 total musical pieces. 

A baby could be heard in the audience before the concert began. I knew that spelled trouble because I know most of the pieces require concentration and absolute silence. There is no amplification. Some of the choirs sang A Capella in the balcony and I was able to hear the subtle nuances from my position by the stage... as long as the baby didn't cry.

For the very last piece, Hallelujah from Handel's Messiah, the entire Concert Choir came to the stage front, standing just inches from my seat. The concert was a huge success and I would take away many memories of the night. The song would be a powerful ending to a remarkable performance and when it was over we would all give them the long standing ovation they deserved.

But something is going on. Someone is talking during Hallelujah. A few rows back, someone is talking loud enough to be heard over the booming Hallelujah Chorus. I see half of the choir distracted and the other half looking somewhere behind me. I couldn't imagine what was happening. Did someone not like the message of Messiah? Was this a protest? I didn't want to turn around, but when I did I saw an elderly man slumped in his aisle seat not moving.

This can't be happening. Everything was fine for the last hour and a half. But the last song?!! Just keep singing, finish the song. Someone will take care of the man. Finish the song so we can all stand up and applaud the fine work everyone did. Don't look over there. The song's almost over. A woman runs in front of the choir to help the man. At last, the song's over, we clap. And clap...

The gentleman lies flat on his back in the aisle no more than six or seven rows back. He doesn't at first appear to be breathing, but no one is doing CPR. People surround him but I can see him well. Is he talking? Yes he's talking! I can leave now. Sirens heard. Ambulance on the way.

Last performace for a year, Sunday at 7:30. Make sure to find a sitter.

Been thinking about just standing at busy locations smiling and wishing all a Merry Christmas. It would be a great way to meet lots of friendly people I think. And as long as I'm there, I might as well also thank people for their generosity. I love saying hi to nice people. As long as I'm greeting people and thanking them for their generosity I may as well also ring a bell. Besides, I heard Salvation Army could use a little more help this season where the need for their services is greater than ever.

Has anyone done bell ringing before? Advice or suggestions?

please click here to schedule a time and place to volunteer 

A bell-ringer's thanks

The Carroll University Christmas at Carroll is this coming weekend, 7:30 both nights, and tickets can be purchased in advance, or take a chance at the door. I've been to two of the concerts in the last three years and wouldn't miss it again this weekend. Every one of the great Carroll ensembles performs. I love it because it's the perfect time and place for Christmas. Christmas starts with this concert. The grade school and high school concerts are OK, but nothing comes close to Christmas at Carroll. If you don't believe me, check it out yourself. You'll be glad you did. 

I don't make New Year resolutions, but I do like to think back over the previous year and choose the most significant event to have affected me. I've been mentally doing it for at least the last five years. As it turns out I tend to pick positive things and not the negative. I already have one for this year as, with just one month remaining, little is expected to change through December. As usual, it didn't take but a couple seconds of thought -- if it takes longer than that it probably hasn't happened yet!

Without a doubt, the most significant event for me in the last year is our firstborn's high school graduation. He turned out to be a very good kid thanks to Waukesha schools, his friends, relatives, teachers and, of course, his parents. I can't say how proud we are of him.

What is the most significant good thing to have happened to you in the last year? This website is looking for your stories for an end of the year edition of WaukeshaNOW to be printed in the New Year's Eve edition of the paper. It's called Resolve: Strength and Triumph in a Tough Year. and it's a good way of ending a rough year on a positive note. Think about it and let em know.

It's time to share your story

You know what we're looking for. Now take a minute to tell us your uplifting story of Resolve. Here's how to contact us:

• Fill out this online form  
• Send an email to resolve@cninow.com  
• Call our voice mail at (262) 446-6676
• Send a letter to:
  Resolve
  c/o NOW Newspapers
  1741A Dolphin Drive
  Waukesha, WI 53186

Managed to catch a portion of the CNN Heros of the Year rebroadcast last night. It's an excellent way to highlight and honor ordinary people doing extraordinary things for others and for good. Carrie Underwood sang an amazing version of her song Change. It's like the song was written for the occasion. She did such a great job that I'd like to share it with you.