Mattress Party

It's pretty common to spend winter weekends watching football, drinking, snacking, and enjoying company of friends. My friends are taking it to a new level. If your looking to improve your parties you need to follow our lead and add a mattress. Are you confused? It's not rocket science. I mean really who wants to sit on the cold floor? You know you never have space for everyone, slide your mattress to the living room and instant party. Lounging is taken pretty seriously here. Again this trend started with K ledgend "wordsmith" and after two weekends of straight success the mattress hits hard today again at the doc's house.

Wordsmith

Inspired by a local legend, things on this blog about to take a dramatic change towards greatness. No more boring entries about neighborhoods and expanding business. From this point forward kenoshaneighborhoodwatch will be providing current events as they relate to my immediate social network (see Facebook). Watch out Bravo! We might not be housewives but this shits about to get real!

PETS; Best!

All summer I've been getting my outdoor workouts in by riding my bike to RexPlex, then running around Lake Andrea. Nice, but boring. Today I decided to spice things up and get in some overdue NORTHSIDE face time. I rode the lakefront bike trail (newly paved) to Petrified Springs Park, locked up my bike and ran.

Today was the perfect reminder of what I've been missing. I realized how fabulous PETS really is and that I need to get it back on the regular rotation. From a fitness standpoint, the hills on country road A are good for running/biking. From a leisure standpoint, PETS has everything you need: clean bathrooms, picnic tables, running water, shaded areas, volleyball net, trails, creek fishing, playgrounds, grills, dog parks, vending machines... the list goes on.

It was a quiet day and the sun seemed to be hitting each spot just right. As I was running through I kept reminiscing of all the fun times I've had at PETS throughout my years in Kenosha. Family times as a kid, skiing with my dad, mushroom picking with my mom, playing tag in the woods, searching for the famous 'witch's house'... I'm glad I headed NORTH today, PETS it is for the rest of the summer!!

Call me DORA!

Official first day of summer vacation. Summer school is over and now I have the freedom to do whatever I want. Thanks to my dog Blue, sleeping in has never really been an option so today I decided to meander around town in an overdue exploration tour of my favorite town, KENOSHA!

My walking tour was basically the southeast side of the K. My mission was really to hit up the three local bike shops (hoping to get a road bike) and just weave through neighborhoods as I go. I really love the area of 39th ave and 55th street. Super cute little gem of brick homes and well kept yards. I even saw a home for sale that charmed me enough to pull a flyer. Sad to say that I bought my house a few years too soon because the cute two story brick home was well worth the $114,000 asking price, dang it!

Walked past a ton of local business including Kenosha Steam Bath. I have noticed this place my entire adult life and have always wondered how it stays in business, today I walked in! Yup, I went right into the location and there was a vending machine (I mean who doesn't want a pepsi and snickers while steaming away?) the man at the counter explained the process of steam baths and then told me that the rumors I may have heard are not true.... Wonder what he was talking about?!?

The goal of my tour was to stop at all three bike shops: the Bike Shop, Total Cyclery, Ski and Sport Chalet. I was on a mission to price out starter style road bikes. The selection seemed to be similar in terms of price and features but the businesses had wildly different customer service approaches. Pretty sure I interrupted the afternoon nap when I walked into Bike Shop. The guy was annoyed by my presence alone so I kept the questions to a minimum. Total Cyclery got right down to business on price but didn't have any bikes for me to try. Seemed like it was more a repair shop than anything else. Finally (mom was right, good things are worth the wait) my last stop, Ski and Sport Chalet. The three employees worked together to explain the hybrid to road bike transition and also informed me that the sale price will be available to me now but not advertised till thursday. They offered to measure and test out a bike if I was ready and gave me information to take with me. Guess where I'll be buying my bike?!?

My walk and bike hunt seemed successful. Not only was I happy to get the bike information but I was also happy to see the new Book store going in downtown. I will be posting more as they progress but I think this is the exact addition needed to our fab downtown area!

live on location

After taking the triple victory tonight on the sandy courts of Sheridan Lanes our ASHLING sponsored team pulled up a stool and celebrated the early game victory with reckless weeknight drinking. Shout out to Roderick for the clutch service game three. Thank you Adam Karaway for the huckleberry hotstuff. Thank you Sasha Mika for the awesome t-shirt graphics, angle brings volume to the upper half. Hey-Yo!
First place team with last place class.
Sand Volleyball at a bowling alley, weeknight night drinking, two Kenosha traditions in one hot summer night.

Making it rain!

Just got back from the perfect run! Calling for rain all day but the sun prevailed!! I was able to enjoy a wonderful mid-70's lakefront jog until I actually hit the lake and realized the bugs were also enjoying the weather. Re-route west on my way back home. While taking in the new-to-me neighborhoods I noticed a $5 bill on the sidewalk. I did a quick look around and snatched it up. Then a block later, another $5 bill. Being rewarded for running is so nice! Again, I love Kenosha!

Still Alive and on the Southside!

This was my best idea ever, start a Blog about 'all things Kenosha'. When the idea started it was mostly to document all the nothings that were going on and the mini adventures that I was lucky to enjoy with my summers off. Now, I think I'm about to kick it up a notch. Amazing how life can have a two year hiatus and bring you right back to that same "best idea ever" you had summers ago!

Today is my first official day of summer vacation so I find it fitting that it will also be my first post of the summer. I have had three days of beach glory and 12 of sweatshirts, weather is not cooperating but it does make for sweat free runs on the lake front! Lots be a happening and I'm going to post all about it. Hope my favorite follow Katy Marescalco enjoys her updates, knowing that I wish she were my partner in crime!

Goals for the summer of posting:

Update weekly

Attend many Kenosha events

Travel away from the lake (even though my body is programmed to head east I need to be an equal opportunist!)

Find more followers

Guest Bloggers insight!

Yay for summer! Yay for Kenosha!