Taking out the Trash: more FUNstruction
Time for another edition of Taking out the Trash, the semi-regular posts that may or may not have something to do with saving money but are not specific deals. I have a lot on my mind so I’m cleaning out the “garbage” in my head by Taking out the Trash.
Somehow, I’m talking mostly about road construction again, but not entirely!
As a west-sider, I was so excited to see the US 41 Project post the notice of a ribbon cutting for the Highway 54/West Mason Street bridge. It’s been a long five months for many, and I for one will be happy to see it up and running. But I gotta admit, I will miss those Festival Foods exclusive coupons they mailed to those of us affected by the bridge being out!
Last week, I had lunch at Parisi’s Delicatessen (Oh. My. Gosh. So Good) and had some errands to run. Realizing I was going to hit some construction areas, I planned another route. And promptly discovered a construction project of which I had been unaware. AGH! Foiled again!
You would think all the municipalities would have gotten together and discussed the destruction of all major Green Bay area roads at once.
I have been going out of my way to go to stores located in the path of the destruction. I figure they need all the help they can get. Especially the Mom and Pop stores.
Some of the road projects still seem like they are a long way from completion. In September, the Ray Nitschke Bridge will be closed for eight weeks for repairs, leaving people with one less way to get across that scary river.
When the kids get older and we reminisce about their childhood, I can always remind them that 2012 was their first trip to the Green Bay Children’s Museum, the London Olympics, and when Green Bay’s streets were like a war zone for the entire summer!
But things could be much worse, I know, so I hope you know I do this all in jest.
At least my neighborhood was a safe haven. Or so I thought. When I finally returned home the other afternoon, I saw some city trucks parked along my street. Driving slowly, I saw them with neon-colored spray cans, marking up the road. Today, sewer pipe appeared. A resurfacing project is scheduled to last through October in my “haven”.
If I were on TV, I’d look directly at the camera at this point and yell, “Are you kidding me!?”
Like I’ve always said, you either have to laugh or cry, right?
Speaking of construction, if you’ve driven anywhere around town the past few weeks, then you have seen the testing of the giant jumbotrons on top of Lambeau Field. Those suckers are so big and bright, you can see them from the Leo Frigo/Tower Drive Bridge! I got a good look the other day because traffic was slowed to a crawl on the bridge–because of construction! 
I’m still not sure if I like the big screens. As I watched construction, I kept wondering if the Packers were going to find a way to make them look like they were part of our (for yes, it is our team) treasured Lambeau Field. Nope, they still just look like two Kindle Fires 
Not to mention the police reports I can imagine. “Yeah, driver was on Military Avenue listening to the Packers game on the radio when the team scored a touchdown. He looked up to watch the replay on the jumbotron on the screen and lost control of his car.” I like to think that people are smarter than that, but hey, when it comes to the Packers, anything is possible!
In other parts of the trash:
- Next week Friday is the start of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. WOOOOOO! Go Team USA! You will definitely be hearing more about that here on Green Bay Consumer, including pics of an Olympic-themed kids party (I hope).
- Readers on Facebook may recall that back in May our washing machine was put out to pasture. This week we got a hand-me-down washing machine from one of my husband’s sisters. Believe me, you really do appreciate the little things like not hauling your laundry around town.
- Green Bay really has changed from when I was growing up. Every day of the week in the summer there is something you can do that costs little or next to nothing. Heck, Wednesday is like Mecca with all the free or cheap events going on! I can’t mention them all, but many of the family-friendly events have been under our “Summer Fun” banner on our home page. Be sure to check it out when you’re stumped for ideas on what to do with the kiddos.
- Maybe it was the hot and humid weather the past few weeks. But the kids have been in rare form. That’s right, some of us are already doing the “how many more days until school starts?” watch! You can check the countdown clock I created here. As of today, it’s 45 days. We’re more than half-way through this summer which means we’re on the home stretch!
- And in a final note, Back-to-School Sales are starting to really gear up so keep your eyes and ears peeled.
Thanks to Applebees in the heart of Oneida Street construction to help us rename the summer of 2012 as “funstruction” which is where I got the name of this article.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Comments
One Comment on Taking out the Trash: more FUNstruction
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Steven on
Sat, 21st Jul 2012 3:47 am
Oh, I feel your pain with the construction. They started on our street in the spring time and it still is not completed. All they are doing is replacing the surface. Pipe work was done last year.
In the end, I will be grateful they made the road new again.
We visit Green Bay often, I’m out of Appleton, for shows I’ve booked there and just to have fun and I too will be glad 41 is finally completed. I love the brick work that is on many of the overpasses.
I commend you on support the smaller businesses. That is so much needed. Maybe blogging about some of the super duper businesses with their map coordinates wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
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