If you are as tight-fisted as mysefl, particularly in these economically stressful times, then to take advantage of what I think is a great deal is a wise move.  On Feb. 6 the Mitchell Park Domes, ph. (414) 649-9830 offers both the Train Show in full operation plus a Chinese New Year Celebration from 9am to 6pm -  all for the general admission fee.  I've seen a dragon parade on TV, but let me tell you, to see it real in front of you and hear the drums with all the colors and dancing was a real treat for my kids and me.  Plenty to learn and good stuff to eat.  For more information visit MilwaukeeChinese.org 

The most popular show at the Mitchell Park Domes, the "Westward Ho" Train Show opened on Saturday, Jan 16 and will continue everyday until its last day, March 14.  One of the largest model train displays in the Midwest, the Domes Train show is a hit to people of all ages and some guests come back to see it several times during its 3-month run.  It is pure enjoyment and no one really knows what makes moving train displays so very, very soothingly captivating.  Maybe the fact that they always return, kind of like a good friend....For music fans the Domes will also serve as host to its "Music Under Glass" performers on Tuesday Night, Jan. 19 with "5 Card Studs"  considered the hardest working lounge band in the Midwest from 6:30-8:30 pm (for the reasonable general admission entrrance fee).   Lets see, we have moving model trains on over 500 ft. of track with live music all encased under the living beauty of the Mitchell Park Domes.  This makes sense to see. 

Door County Sled Dogs runs authentic, adult Siberian sled dog rides at Veteran's Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., in front of the open air pavilion near the Brady Street Bridge, weather permitting, each Sat. & Sun. from 11am until 1pm.  The cost for a ride is $10 per child and $15 per adult.  Dress warmly and bring your camera to remember this Yukon-like, jacklondian adventure on the scenic shores of  Lake Michigan.  Visit doorcountysleddogs.com or listen to their howling hotline at (414) 967-9677 for snow conditions and up-to-date information.

For a great winter diversion, I would recommend highly a visit to the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Boulevard, to experience a live "Music Under Glass" performance on a Tuesday or Thursday evening from 6:30pm-8:30pm.  For the regular price of admission these after-hours concerts at the Domes are great ways to unwind and be renewed.  Here's a list of  the scheduled performers for Jan. 2010

Jan. 5........AhVanntSoul...............Soul/R&B

Jan. 7.......Salt Creek....................Bluegrass

Jan. 12....The Squeezettes........Polka

Jan. 14....Ed Franks....................Sinatra tribute

Jan. 19....The 5 Card Studs.......Lounge

Jan. 21....Streetlife with Warren Wiegratz........R&B/smooth jazz

Jan. 26.....Diamonds & Martinis........Rock, Neil Diamond

Jan. 28.....Command Performance......Big Band, patriotic

If you want a snow/sledding experience you'll long remember or something that will give the kids a real thrill then don't miss the iced-track toboggan slide opening this Saturday, Dec. 19 at Whitnall Park, 6700 S. 92nd Street,  at noon until 8pm.  (Only $7 bucks an hour to rent a toboggan- a steal of a deal) I had the pleasure of trying it out in my youth (many moons ago) and I remember it vividly.  It was very fast  seated tight  to the ground on a toboggan with metal runners.  The ride is always fun with more people and it sent us on a 1/4 mile shoot down an iced raceway.  Dress warmly of course and watch out for a cake of snow on the moosh (slang for face).  I recommend to arrive early as possible. It will also be open Sunday, Dec. 20 from noon to 6pm.  For complete schedule go to countyparks.com.  Hang on and scream! 

A "Children's Holiday" floral show featuring hundreds of breathtaking poinsettias is on brilliant display at the Mitchell Park Domes that is open 9-5pm weekdays and 9-4pm on weekends.  The glistening 27ft. tall Christmas tree in the show dome is lit and decorated with toy-shaped ornaments and candycanes.  Also to see is a large scale rocking horse, a teeter-totter and ABC blocks.  This is a great place for a visit over the holidays and a nice way to catch the holiday spirit.

Now is a good time to swing by one of three Milwaukee area mall kisosks (Mayfair - now open, Brookfield Square -  now open or Southridge Mall that opens on Nov. 24) to pick up some great stocking stuffers or renew Milwaukee County Parks golf discount cards.  There are also some super deals being offered non-resident discount card holders who renew before the end of the year.

Shoppers who purchase $100 in golf gift cards will receive $20 in free golf.  A new offer is the UNLIMITED GOLF Membership that will allow golfing any time throughout the 2010 golf season.  Two levels of membership are available.  For more information go to to countyparks.com or call the golf office at (414) 257-8024.  Stay local.  Play local. 

Renew your golf discount card & Save $$$$$$.  Buy a Membership or Pass and save even more!  Also thoughout the Christmas Season during normal mall hours, Milwaukee County Park Off-Leash Dog Tags are now available.

Milwaukee County Parks is offering some tremendous late season golf discounts beginning Monday, Nov. 9th.  All golfers will pay the following rates every day of the week.

Brown Deer.....................9 holes - $13..................18 holes - $25

Dretzka, Oakwood, Whitnall...........9 holes - $12..................18 holes - $16

Currie, Grant, Greenfield................9 holes -$10.75..............18 holes - $14

Lincoln...............................................9 or 18 holes - 10.50

Hansen, Warnimont........................9 holes - $6.50...............18 holes - $9.50

Junior, senior and disabled cardholders pay for 9 holes and play 9 or 18 at all Gold, Silver, and Bronze level courses ( excludes Brown Deer).

Also for 2010 the Parks Departments is offering UNLIMITED GOLF for all Milwaukee County Parks Golf Courses including Brown Deer for $1499 or all Milwaukee County Parks Golf Courses excluding Brown Deer for $999.  Buy now and receive ten 2009 Bonus Rounds. (Participants must have a Milwaukee County Golf Discount Card valid through 2010). For more information go to countyparks.com or call the golf office at (414) 257-8024.

On Thursday at the Stahl Conrad Homestead, 9824 W. Forest Home Ave., at noon the Milwaukee County Parks Department will receive $14,000  for restoration projects from the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy (MALC).  The funding will be used at the county-owned Franklin Savanna State Natural Area and the Rainbow Airport Prairie in the City of Franklin.   MALC is a non-profit organization promoting the conservation of important natural habitats by helping landowners protect their property.  Information on MALC can be found at www.mkeconservancy.org. 

The public is invited and welcome to join in the celebration of the Milwaukee County Parks winning the "2009 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence"  by attending the Mitchell Park Dome's Music Under Glass concert on  Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 5:30 - 8:30pm.  Free admission will be offered.  Live music wll be performed by the Britins from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  Two spectacular light shows will take place in the show dome.   Music Under Glass is presented by Potawatomi Bingo & Casino.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase.  This is one way to for the Parks Department to thank their Music Under Glass sponsors for their generous contributions. 

Yes it's true.  The Milwaukee County Parks Department has won the 2009 National Gold Medal for Excellence in the Park and Recreation Management Program.  This award is the most prestigious and highly esteemed award a park and recreation agency can recieve.  Milwaukee County Parks Director Sue Black accepted the award at the National Recreation and Parks Congress & Exposition in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 14. 

Finalists and winners of the National Gold Medal are selected each year by a distinguished panel of leaders from the American Acadamy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association via submission from all 50 states.  To determine a winner, the finalists were required to submit a 12-minute video featuring the department's programs and services and one hard copy of its strategic plan.  To view the Milwaukee County Parks video, go to the following link: http://www.dwpinc.com/mcp/milcntyprks.html

The Music Under Glass Concert Series continues at the Domes this coming Tuesday evening with the "Chasin' Mason" band playing from 6:30pm-8:30pm.  Rooted in country and laced with rock 'n roll, Chasin' Mason is one of the hottest up and coming bands in country music and performs over 200 shows a year.  They have been compared to the Eagles, and have their own Rockin' edge story to tell.  The beauty and grandeur of the Mitchell Park  Domes after dark provides an ideal setting found only in Milwaukee.  General admission rates apply plus food & beverages for purchase.  Catch the light show at the break and following the concert.  

If you and your kids have not yet experienced "Rainforest Night" at the Domes, then this is an evening event that comes only once a year,  I would highly recommend.  Make sure your child brings a flashlight so he or she can use it during the tour through the Tropical Dome and learn about plants that sustain us on earth.  Let's face it, there would be no chocolate  (or vanilla) without the rainforests.  But we rely on them for much more than that.  Also included in the night's activities will be live music provided by KT's Universal Love Band along with free taste samples and chances to see exotic birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles up close if you want.  Lots of neat natural stuff in the beautifully restored and magically lit Domes.  Rainforest Night at the Domes is a great value and worth much more than the general admission fee $6.50 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-17.   Five stars.   

The Mitchell Park Domes will host one of Milwaukee's best known jazz talents, "Eddie Butts," on Oct. 1st from 6:30pm - 8:30pm to open its season concerts series, Music Under Glass, every Tuesday and Thursday evening at the same time until December.  For the general admission price, visitors will be entertained by live music, a state-of-the-art computer generated light show with every color of the rainbow to choose from, and.........have the option to break away and esape into either the tropical or arid dome.  If you need a bite to eat or some liquid of your choice, that too is available.  My best  advice would be for all interested parties to get there early and let the music take control. 

From 11am-3pm this Saturday, Sept. 12th the Friends of Bradford Beach will host the final of four Family Day events at Bradford Beach, 2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.  So this is your last chance if you've missed the three previous ones.  The whole point of these Family Days is to bring families back to beach through family-friendly programming.  Take a close look at what they offer - sand castle building contests, a treasure hunt for prizes, kiddy volleyball courts, kiddie bike repair, a performance by Accompany of Kids, environmental activities by REI, back to school items donated by UPS, and how about this to top it off - a chance to win an autographed NASCAR replica of David Ragan's Ford Car #6.  My only question is... Why didn't they have stuff like this when I was a kid?

Here's a great way to get rid of your plastic junk like planter pots, hanging baskets, black plastic edging and empty fertilizer and mulch bags.  Take them to Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive, on September 24-26 and drop them off on the SE corner of the parking lot between 9am-3pm.  It they have dirt on them, please clean that off and please sort the plastic pots according to the number #2, #5, or #6 on the bottom of the pot.  It's that simple.  Last year over 21.5 tons of the stuff was collected by Boerner and UW-Extension.  Mother Earth says "thank you," along with all future generations of life.

Once again the Milwaukee County Parks System has partnered, this time, with OnMilwaukee.com to turn Red Arrow Park, 920 N. Water Steet, into a outdoor roller skating rink for three nights only this fall - the first being this Saturday, August 22 from 6-10pm.  On site skate rental is only $2.  There will be DJs, break dancers, art exhibits, appearances from the Brewcity Bruisers and IFL (Ironman Football League).  Future skate fests will take place on Sept. 19 & Oct. 10 from 6-10pm.  Great for the kids or a nice date idea too.  O yeah, I almost forgot a variety of food and beverages will be available.

Hhhmmmm......Let's see if I read this right.  August 26 at Washington Park.  Free roller skating with a Brewcity Bruiser member (if you didn't know they represent Milwaukee's only all women's roller derby league) from 4-6pm with skates for kids provided by the MPS skate van, plus fishing in the Washington Park pond with a bruiser with poles provided by the Urban Ecology Center, plus free food and soda from 5:30-6:30 while supplies last, plus free live music concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 pm featuring the Addy Janes, the Barrettes, the Lillies and the BCB Beerleaders bands.  This celebration/party is the way the Brewcity Bruisers wish to thank their sponsors, volunteers and the community for all their loyal support.  Hey, ya they are tough no doubt and have big hearts, too.