THIS INSPIRING STORY BROUGHT TO YOU BY GRAPE-NUTS

Sam Llanas — Formerly of the BoDeans — Now Focuses on Bullying, Suicide Prevention

Former lead singer for popular Waukesha-based band is facing a new challenge in his life: a solo career and writing the score for a play about alcoholism, bullying and suicide.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. If you were hitting the bars on the East Side of Milwaukee in the mid-1980s and early 1990s, you are probably fans of the BoDeans, the rock band from Waukesha. Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann introduced the nation to the Waukesha Sound and made a name for themselves in the music industry. In 2012, Llanas decided to leave the band to work on solo projects and is facing one of those challenges right now – writing the score for a one-man play about alcoholism, bullying and suicide. “I'm working with a playwright, Doug …

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Carrol Fibich's Photo Wins National Magazine Contest

Backyard photograph easily wins over voters who favored it above professionals' work.

A picture Carrol Fibich took just a few steps outside her back door handily won a contest sponsored by a national nature magazine, outpolling more than 1,300 other entrants including many professional photographers. Voting closed at 11:59 p.m. Monday in Wildflower Magazine's second annual photo contest, which required only that a native American wildflower be part of the compositi Fibich, a Brookfield retiree who lived in Wauwatosa for 34 years, received 4,329 votes for her photo of a monarch butterfly feeding on butterfly milkweed blossoms. Her nearest competitor got 3,762 votes. Fibich said the inspiration for her shot came easily. A lifelong gardener and nature lover, she has in retirement become a particularly avid fan and advocate for…

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Local Woman Running First in National Photo Contest

Picture of beloved monarch butterfly on backyard bush puts amateur Carrol Fibich just ahead of professional nature photographer, and they are both far ahead of the pack.

As of Friday evening, a long-time Wauwatosa resident, now retired to a Brookfield condo for a number of years, was running in first place in a national magazine's nature photography contest. Wildflower Magazine sponsors the contest, and among nearly 700 entrants, Carrol Fibich is leading the pack but neck-and-neck with one strong competitor. Photos in the contest need only feature native wildflowers in some way. Fibich calls herself an amateur photographer at best, so she's thrilled and a little astonished to find that she and a professional nature photographer are far out in front of even the best of the rest. Fibich's contribution, with 1,961 votes as of 7:45 p.m Friday, still held a slim margin over Carol Fox Henrichs of Texas, who had …

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Restaurant Deals in the Wauwatosa Area on Restaurant.com

Looking for new restaurants to try during the weekend? Why not snatch a deal locally through Restaurant.com. Here are a number of restaurants within driving distance of Wauwatosa.

Have you ever wanted to try new restaurants but are weary of spending too much money on the unknown? Websites like Restaurant.com have made it easier for food lovers to try new restaurants without breaking the bank. Patrons can buy a certificate at lesser value with a minimum purchase.  Below are a number of places featured on Restaurant.com that are within 10 miles of Wauwatosa. Bigg's Roadhouse 1900 North Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa $25 Certificate for $10.00 Minimum purchase of $50. Innovation 104999 Innovation Dr. in Wauwatosa $15 Certificate for $6.00 $25 Certificate for $10.00 Minimum purchase of $50 Muzak's Pizza and Cellular 2721 N Blaine Pl in Milwaukee $5 Certificate for $2.00 $10 Certificate for $4.00 Minimum purchase of $7.50 …

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Tosa West's Production of 'Chorus Line' Opens Tonight

High school's new theater director promises 'a pretty fantastic show.'

Note: This story was wrtten for Patch by contributor Janice Burch The musical may be best known for its signature song, “One Singular Sensation,” but the song and dance in Wauwatosa West’s A Chorus Line, which opens at 7 p.m. Friday at Wauwatosa West High School, is plural in its sensational student talent. Seventeen dancers vying for eight spots in a Broadway chorus line set the story for one of the most famous musicals ever. A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975, with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and a book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante. The musical is set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre during an audition for a musical. A Chorus Line provides a glimpse into the personalities of the performers …

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San Francisco Giants Caught '42' in Special Screening at Rosebud

World Series champs celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with popcorn and sodas at a private showing of '42' at Wauwatosa's neighborhood cinema.

The World Series Champion San Francisco Giants were looking for a little inspiration coming in to a series with the Milwaukee Brewers. So, on Monday night, Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball, but with no game to play, they decided to go to the movies. Most of the Giants' roster and a couple of coaches rolled up in a bus Monday night to the Rosebud Cinema, 6823 W. North Ave. in Wauwatosa, to watch "42," the story of how Robinson broke the color line in baseball. "It was last minute," said Rosebud general manager David Gigl. "I talked to their travel agent, and their bus pulled up. "We had to coordinate some cones and move some cars. They walked in less than 25 feet from the front door." There was actually a little more planning …

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Village Playhouse Presents 'The 39 Steps'

A man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she's a spy. Village Playhouse of Wauwatosa puts on this show beginning April 12.

Wauwatosa East Band Marches New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade

The band marched in the parade over the weekend.

The Wauwatosa East High School marching band and their choir appeared in New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade over the weekend. About 120 students made the trip with about 15 parents and other adults, reported Wauwatosa Now. The band played "Shipping up to Boston" and "Lord of the Dance”. For full videos of the marching band in the parade visit the Red Raiders website.

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Enjoy 'Hansel and Gretel' by Children's Theatre of Wauwatosa

Performances began Thursday and also are March 15 and again March 20-21.