Sawing Wood Works: Tom Ewart was apparently a man ahead of his time. The one-time Wahl Avenue resident was known as the Lake Park Lumberjack in 2001 after he took saw in hand and clear-cut some trees that were blocking the view of the lake from his house. That cost him $2,500 in fines. But last year, residents, with the approval of the Milwaukee County Parks Department, hired a private contractor to finish the job that Ewart started.

Now the Parks Department is financing an effort through the Lake Park Friends group to go even further and stabilize the bluff by planting prairie grasses and native trees to keep the bluff from washing away. It is the steepest bluff in Lake Park. The $135,000 plan was approved by the County Board's Parks Committee and features a five-year monitoring period by the Parks Department.

Health Care Lottery: Alas, it was not the winning ticket. Milwaukee state Sen. Tim Carpenter drew stunt status last week as he announced that if his ticket won the $230 million Powerball, he would donate the money to help save Wisconsin's SeniorCare program.

The health insurance aid for the elderly is on the chopping block since federal waivers that allowed the plan to exist are about to expire and the White House shows no inclination in letting the program continue -- despite its proven effectiveness in providing prescription drugs to low-income seniors.

A referendum on the future of the program also needs approval from the state Assembly to continue, but the Republican-led body hasn't taken action since October and the effort died with the Assembly's adjournment last week. Carpenter wanted a referendum on the ballot so voters could tell Washington they wanted permanent funding for the program.

"If it takes using novel methods to bring attention to this referendum for continuation of SeniorCare, I'm happy to do it. Seniors want their voice to be heard. And if the lottery ticket wins, the funding would help ensure state funding for SeniorCare," said Carpenter.