Cover story:
Vroom to improve.
Gearheads such as Chris Couillard, who spends his spare time fixing up scooters, enjoy rolling up their sleeves and turning hunks of metal into something a little more personal. MKE talks with some of these customizers about what drives them.
Cover image/C.Taylor

downtime
Will the Oscar for best picture fly high or knock out the competition? Two MKE movie-goers watch the Best Picture nominees and IM each other with their predictions.
Dreaming and dealing The Milwaukee Chamber Theatre sets a play about imprisoned soldiers in the Middle East.
One tank trip: Hollywood's hall of wheels An auto museum in northern Illinois shows off some cars that Hollywood made famous.
Fueling the future A peek at the concept cars you’ll see this year’s Greater Milwaukee Auto Show.
Budget bite: A Taste of Philly If you have ever traveled to the City of Brotherly Love, let's hope you've had the chance to sink your teeth into the quintessential sandwich of that city.
Meet the bartender: Linda Schmidt of Night Court Bartender Linda Schmidt has been presiding over Night Court in West Allis for nearly a decade.
Threeview: Yokoso If your idea of Japanese cuisine comes mainly from little plastic boxes and pouches of soy sauce, you might want to consider something more authentic.


how we live
Liquor-laced desserts add a nice finishing touch to a meal Desserts that use booze or wine share a certain, sweet “oomph.”
New stores on the scene A new haven for the health-minded, antiques from your parents’ era, and a yarn shop. MKE scouts some new stores.
Shopping: Hangin' Out Not every car air freshener has to be a pine tree or a Playboy bunny logo. Some can give a little personality to your car's rearview mirror (or your air vents).
A profession of cosmic proportions A psychic talks about her trade — and the misconceptions that go along with it.
Ask Mom: You don't need the fast lane if you're not in a rush Mom weighs in about traffic lane myths and makeup risks.

in the know
Profile: David Fowlkes David Fowlkes hatched his idea for spinners as a student at Rufus King High School.
Should I lease or buy? Leasing vs. buying a car involves some not-so-obvious choices.
Pop goes the city? Officials explore the idea of soft drink sponsorship for Milwaukee.
When I was 30: Peter Bonerz Peter Bonerz is one of those character actors you've seen hundreds of times, but you'd be hard-pressed to remember his name.

online exclusives
Volo Auto Museum photo gallery Daisy Duke wasn’t at the Volo Auto Museum, but the museum is home to the only surviving orange Dodge Charger used in the TV show "Dukes of Hazzard" and more.
The chatterbox: Oscar picks Think Kathy and Dave got it right with their picks? Or should they stick with their day jobs? Give us your Oscar picks for best picture.
The chatterbox: Your first car A hand-me down Oldsmobile, a 1987 Toyota Corolla shared with Mom, and a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 nicknamed Sherman are some of the first cars used by MKE staffers. And no matter what happened to them (or in them) those cars hold a special, nostaligic place in the hearts of their former teenage owners. Send your stories to MKE. Also upload a photo of your first car.
MKE blogs
MKE blog directory: 1000 voices