If you've been pining for fresh, locally-grown produce since last fall, your wait is almost over: early Farmers Markets are soon opening for the season! The first to open this year will be the West Allis Farmers Market, on the corner of National and 65th Street, and the Fondy Farmers' Market at 2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Both open Saturday, May 7. Stop by for an early taste of summer!

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A young woman's wish for some ice cream led to the development of one of the most important pieces of boating equipment -- the outboard motor. This young lady was picnicking on an island in Okauchee Lake, near Milwaukee, with her boyfriend, a young Norwegian named Ole Evinrude, when she expressed her desire for some ice cream. Evinrude gallantly rowed ashore to get the ice cream for his girlfriend -- a round trip of five miles in the summer heat. This grueling trip sparked an idea in Evinrude, already a machinist by trade, to begin work on the first practical outboard motor. The pair were married in 1906, and Evinrude field tested his first engine in 1907 -- a 62 pound, 1-1/2 horsepower model.

There are more than 8 million outboard motor boats in the U.S.  Today's outboards range from tiny trolling motors to those with well over 200 horsepower.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 6951 and the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau.

This spring has been an odd one in Milwaukee, as in much of the country. But when it comes down to average temperatures, how far from normal are we this year?

Read on to find out when Milwaukeeans can usually expect to witness the last freeze in spring.

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The Milwaukee County Transit System will be offering free bus rides until 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 21 for all riders. A new program sponsored by Miller Lite, the free ride is in tribute to Earth Day, Friday April 22. Find details at www.ridemcts.com.

Learn about 2011 Earth Day Events in Milwaukee.

Image courtesy NASA