Most Milwaukeeans get fed up with winter, but we know that the key to enduring frigid weather is to embrace the good parts, one of which is ice-skating. That said, should we have to wait for snowflakes to plummet before we get to enjoy the slippery sport?

Even though many cities open their rinks in fall, Downtown Milwaukee's ice rink at Red Arrow Park still isn't frozen and remains closed. Should the county wait for colder temps or should the rink be open earlier -- like New York City's Rockefeller Center -- for warmer-weather skating? Sound-off, Milwaukee!

Last week's question: Will do you all of your shopping at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's?

I plan to do most of my shopping at Trader Joe's, but will still go to The Outpost when my budget allows.
Deb Frasier
Milwaukee

I am a meat snob, so I'll still go to Sendik's for my Angus beef and fresh chicken that isn't pre-packaged and the deli meats like Boar's Head which is top-notch quality. But I will try to shop more at Trader Joe's -- much less expensive and a bit more exotic!
Katherine Murray
Whitefish Bay

First, let me say these two grocery options finally legitimize Milwaukee as an officially urban-hip city -- both were needed. Whole Foods has an utterly spectacular and enticing array of goodies -- for a foodie, it can be a day-long odyssey into culinary and gastronomic overload and magnificent excess. But when many of us thought that Sendik's was pricey, Whole Foods puts Sendik's premium pricing to shame. It should really be called "Whole Paycheck Foods" ... Trader Joe's just doesn't have the depth to be a full-time grocer for my family -- the lack of a fresh meats and seafood/deli counter is a drawback. I'll vote for continuing with Pick 'n Save for basics, and the Sendik's on Oakland for indulgences and "Whole Paycheck" for healthy splurging.
Ross Kodner
Whitefish Bay

No way. Both are too pricey and fancy for my family. We're "meat-and-potatoes" all the way and proud of it.
M. Riordon
Milwaukee