Klutch Chronicle January 2015 by Michelle L. Jerome

volume 2, Issue 1

January 2015

IsUW-La Green Really Sexy? Crosse students tell, err, show it all! The Winter Ball of Them All The annual PSB winter brew kick off

Bustin’ Out New Year’s Resolutions Time to keep it real

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

EDITOR’S NOTE Casey Kulinski The arrival of a new year always brings new expectations and goals - lose 10 pounds, be more on time, and finally learn to crochet. Ok, so maybe that is my list, but whatever you have in mind probably revolves around becoming a better version of yourself (personally, I think our Top 5 resolutions on page 8 are much more attainable). This year, why not make it one of your goals to create a better version of our community or world? For example: “This year I am going to finally learn how to recycle,” or “I am going to donate my time or money to ‘X’ organization.” In this issue we have highlighted a couple of businesses that we think deserve a pat on the back for helping to make our community awesome (check them out on page 14)! So my question to you is, when that ball drops on New Year’s Eve 2015, what will you have achieved?

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE COULEE REGION ISSUE NO. 1 // JANUARY, 2015 WWW.KLUTCHCHRONICLE.COM

ABOUT KLUTCH CHRONICLE Klutch Chronicle brings a fresh and edgy look into the dynamic culture, lifestyles, and entertainment scene in the Coulee Region Community!

Connect With Klutch:

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” - Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

OFFICES: 3120 South Ave La Crosse WI 54601 PHONE: 608-796-8780

A WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Michelle L. Jerome

EMAIL: info@muellermediacorp.com

Klutch is getting more exciting! People are catching on to our mission of sharing local entertainment and culture with our community. More importantly, folks are starting to understand that YOU are “our community.” At the last Klutch Live event at Café D’Vine, a family showed up with both parents and teenage son and daughter in tow. The father introduced himself explaining that he has become a Klutch reader and that our cover art made him think of his daughter, Kadee, which was why they were there. I looked at his daughter and immediately realized that her eye makeup included a lovely, tiny purple bow in lieu of eye shadow, so I asked her, “Are you an artist?” I got a resounding, “Yes!” When I asked if she had samples, she soon had half her portfolio on the table! We were so flattered that her family made the trip to visit us to share Kadee’s work. It quickly became apparent that her art would soon grace our covers. My teenage daughter’s art was featured on the first Klutch cover, now our reader’s teenage daughter will see the fruits of her imagination published. THIS is what Klutch is about! Camaraderie, exploring entertainment, sharing stories, and building a living publication. We’re all in! Thanks to Kadee and her family for sharing with Klutch!

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/klutchchronicle www.klutchchronicle.com

THE KLUTCH CREW:

inside

ARTWORK ON THE COVER “Madagascar Night Life”

9X12; Watercolor for the chameleon and acrylic and charcoal for the green background.

by Kadee Brown

“I feel that animals are underappreciated by most people so I try and show their beauty in art as much as possible. My dad really likes lizards, so when I started this piece I had him in mind. I like to represent both the animal and my life in my art even if I’m the only one who knows the connection.”

Klutch Live What’s Up

Hometown Headlines The Scoop on our region

Family What’s most important

Technology Geeks unite

A&E A monthly dose of culture

Food & Drink Down the hatch

Health and Fitness Taking care of you

Volunteer Do onto others...

Klutch Calendar Coming down the pipe

m or e. ..

9 Attraction of the Month 10 Meet & Cheese 12 The Word from City Hall 12 WTF? Stories 17 App Review 18 Lovin’ Local Artists 22 Tunes Review 24 Drink of the Month 30 On the Flip Side

this issue 4

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

Publisher: Rick Mueller Associate Publisher: Michelle Jerome Editor: Casey Kulinski Creative Director: Jason Keeney Graphic Designers: Will Adamany and Josh Walker Advertising Strategists: Lee Worrell, Rachel Albrechtson, Jenna Walker Copy Editor: Susan Miller Photographers: Bruce Defries, Jenna Walker Distribution: Citywide Marketing Services Advertising Info: You know you want to be seen in Klutch! Contact us by email or call 608-796-8780 for more information on rates, distribution, and sizes. Contributor/Submissions: Please submit art and writing samples for our submissions pages at http://klutchchronicle.com/writing-art-submissions/. Interested in contributing to Klutch? Please contact info@muellermediacorp.com Internships/Jobs: Internships are available at Klutch! Check us out and apply at klutchchronicle.com

www.klutchchronicle.com

MUSINGS OF

AN EX-PAT

will probably be in La Crosse when this issue hits the stands. You might be thinking about seeing family, friends, and getting your fill of La Crosse staples. I am thinking about bars. More specifically, bar bands. Look, I am not going to go off on cover bands. I think it is too derisive, and a lot of writers have explained why they are not the artistic pinnacle of musicianship and can frankly be annoying. Still, they are an omnipresent cash cow that makes you look like a party pooper if you are not drinking and partying with them while they are playing. I say that to say this: La Crosse is in dire need of a tribute band I can go see for somewhere from free to $5. I came to this realization halfway through an energy-filled set by a Queen tribute band. This dude was strutting on the catwalk, channeling Freddie Mercury, and the band could have been walking his flank. They were well-practiced showmen with a dedication to presenting what they love so others may love it too. Before you get all out of shape about me not knowing what I am talking about, or failing to give credit where it is due, let me point to precedent and give some acknowledgments. La Crosse has been a fertile ground for music of all kinds, and I am thankful for it. The city is blessed with musicians, some of whom are world class. Many of these musicians play in a lot of bands, and some of these musicians straddle several of the distinctions I am making. I am just pleading for a re-emergence of a status quo, which isn’t too far away.

Didn’t get what you wanted for Xmas? Bummer, like us it’ll make you feel better!

These bands deserve their props; Sterus, Which One’s Pink, The Executives, and my personal favorite, Houses in Motion, have all had runs in La Crosse that provided what I am advocating for. I know that Cheech and the super Deece Productions extended family put on amazing tribute concerts worth every penny of admission, but that admission is steep. I am not trying to take the bread out of anyone’s mouth, just trying to keep it in the people’s hands. Let’s recap. Playing mostly cover songs in your jammie set with your friends might be fun, but it is not inspiring. A band that plays a bunch of hits can be fun to party to, but also hits the same spot on the inspir-o-meter. If you channel your love of a band into a smoking stage rendition and 21st century cosplay, you are hitting the yellow on the gauge. All of these options get smote by the hammer that is a local artist who can string together an original open mic set that is not cringe-worthy. - By Blake Auler-Murphy A note from Klutch: We love Blake. We also love our local musicians. If we could, we would pay our musicians a livable wage out of our own pockets and feel that live performances are priceless. If you have solutions, ideas, or just want to sound off about the local music scene, let us know! Hit us up on Facebook at Facebook.com/KlutchChronicle.

Emmett Nelson visits with Santa at Main and 3rd Street during Downtown Main Street’s Three Days in December late night shopping event. Photo: Bob Good

30 Days for Set$30 your roots and GROW with us! Root Down Yoga is La Crosse’s first hot yoga studio offering Power Vinyasa yoga a style of yoga that is accessible to everyone regardless of age, ability or experience. “Vinyasa” means to link movement with breath. We place a lot of emphasis on helping you remember to inhale and exhale as you move from pose to pose. You’ll also have the opportunity for silence and space in what has become an overly busy world. We’ll help you focus on the here and now. We know and trust that this practice works. It creates vitality and reminds us that anything is possible. By discovering what is possible on our yoga mats, we shine light on new possibilities everywhere in our lives. We offer a variety of yoga classes, heated and non-heated, that will help you develop or deepen your practice.

Power Vinyasa • Foundations • Absolute Beginner’s Class Yin Yoga • Guided Meditation • Prenatal • Yoga Nidra New students welcome! Your first class is FREE! 1217 Caledonia St., Suite A, La Crosse, WI 54603 Phone 608-519-2467 • www.rootdownyogastudio.com KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

january 16 at

ple

2015

6-8 p m

o Local Pe

ac Local Pl

PEEPS PLACES

25% OFF BOTTLES OF WINE A N D

Come on down for a night at Tangled Hickory Wine Bar with us! Bring your coupon for A FREE wine tasting (up to 6 wines) and hang with the Klutch crew!

Each month we will be bringing Klutch Live to a new venue around the Coulee Region- you don’t want to miss this event!

Pala

LIVE MUSIC!

Exp te, o and your ur tr eat!!

FREE

Wine Tasting, Up to 6 Wines.

So much more than just a wine bar! martinis • cocktails • beer burgers • appetizers live! music on most Weekends now serving sushi on Friday and saturday nights!

On January 16th, 2015 during the Klutch Live event at Tangled Hickory. Valid January 16, 2015 at Tangled Hickory from 6-8pm only. Limit one tasting per customer, may not be copied or reproduced in any way without permission from Klutch Chronicle.

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

downtown Historic Viroqua 120 south main street • Viroqua, Wi 54665 (608) 637-3031 • www.tangledhickory.com

Peopl l a e oc

ocal P

e evi

c a l

DECEMBER KLUTCH LIVE EVENT - CAFÉ D’VINE

appy New Year everyone! We had a full house enjoying both coffee and vino alike at Café D’Vine this past month on an unusually mild December night. Nice and cozy inside, Klutch readers and Café D’Vine patrons enjoyed the acoustic tunes of Mr. Tom Conrad of the Journeymen and also received a complimentary glass of wine or café latte. Attendees were also entered into a drawing for a free bottle of wine, bag of coffee beans, and a Studio 16 T-shirt! To top it off, the owner, Lynnae, and the Café D’Vine staff were there ready to knock

our socks off with their delicious menu of appetizers, salads and entrees. A special surprise was a reader and her family that came to see us and show us her beautiful portfolio of work to possibly be included in Klutch! You can see Kadee’s amazing “Chameleon” on this issue’s front cover! Thanks to all who were able to join us, and I hope to see you at our next Klutch Live! Dine at Café D’Vine at 9550 Highway 16, Frontage Road, Onalaska (In the Studio 16 complex, just past Woodman’s, next to Treehouse Gift & Home)

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

to p f i v e

By: Katie Svitavsky

New Year’s Resolutions you can actually keep

Gain Weight:

Instead of hitting the gym for a bit and then giving up in March, just skip it altogether. You’ll save at least $200 in gym fees and you won’t have the guilt of failing your “accountability buddy,” who secretly wants to quit just as much as you do.

2 3

Spend Money:

Why not just continue your spending streak from the holiday season? Plus you’ll have that extra $200 from not joining a gym!

Date More Losers:

May we suggest online dating? Tinder is a personal favorite.

4 5

Drink More:

This will help you in your resolution to spend more money and possibly date more losers.

Watch More TV:

There’s a reason Netflix only gives you 15 seconds before starting the next episode automatically, and sites like Hulu and Netflix help you make the most of your time with no (or limited) commercials and streaming on demand. So really, with the time savings, you can feel justified in watching the next episode … or two … or three …

truths 2 anda lie The worldwide record for the amount of snow received in one day is 63 inches and was set in Georgetown, Colorado.

Snow isn’t always white. Pink snow, called “watermelon snow” by the locals, falls in parts of Nevada and Colorado and is caused by a cold-climate algae.

The earth is farthest from the sun in the North American winter, causing the change in seasons to occur.

The lie: It’s a common misconception that Earth is closer to the sun in summer it’s actually closest in December. What causes the change in season is the tilt of the earth, not distance from the sun.

fix @ get your om ronicle.c klutchch 8

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

headlines

yep

oop The Sc THE COULEE REGION

A HISTORY OF NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS:

Or Why You Keep Making the Same Ones.

Article: Jess Witkins

HOME TOWN

here’s nothing like the fleeing hope - I mean feeling of hope that comes with a new year. It’s a chance to start over, start fresh, reflect on and then forget the past, and assure yourself that next year is going to be the best year ever. YOLO! In preparation, you create a list. A list of resolutions. A list of all the things you’re going to accomplish in the new year that you probably meant to do this year, but life got in the way. Not this time! You’re going to join a gym, eat healthier, take up a new hobby, spend more time with family and friends, and pay off any debts you have. But then February rolls around and you’ve stopped going to the gym, you’re back to eating microwave meals or fast food. And that grand idea of learning how to knit has stressed you out so much you have carpal tunnel syndrome. (I may or may not be speaking from experience here.) You started out meeting up with your friends once a week, but then there was that day you had to cancel, and the time after that, and soon everyone just stops calling. Maybe you used your tax refund to pay off some student loans or a car payment, but now you’ve just charged your credit card for the latest game station because you’ve earned it - you spent a month at the gym, and all that time on the stationary bike has really defined your kneecaps. New Year’s resolutions. What’s the

FROM

point? Where did these things come from and why do we put ourselves through this roller coaster of commitment? New Year’s itself dates back more than 4000 years to the Babylonians who celebrated with an 11 day festival called Akitu. Celebrated in the spring, usually early March, it was a time to honor the gods in what sounds like a bad sci-fi novel: On the first new moon following the vernal equinox, the Babylonians will worship the sky god Marduk and celebrate his victory over the deceptive sea goddess Tiamat. This festival shall henceforth be known as Akitu (which means ‘barley’ in Sumerian). Oh, and we will crown a new king! It wasn’t until 46 B.C. that Julius Caesar decreed the New Year would begin on Jan. 1. The date change honored the month’s namesake, the Roman god Janus, who had two faces so he could look into the past and forward to the future. But resolutions have been made to some extent since the Babylonians’ time. And like today, they were the same old thing - pay off old debt and ... return borrowed farm equipment. The hardship from resolutions stems from the belief that if we can just change one thing, our whole lives will change. How many times have you caught yourself saying, “If I could just get a new job this year ...?” or “If I could just lose 15 pounds this year ...?” We think if we achieve one thing it will magically alter everything for the better. Suddenly your boss will appreciate you and the work you do. Finally that cute guy or girl will notice you and fall in love. But that’s not how it works. Most of us start off with a bang in January, and end with a fizzle in February. The problems are usually the same. When you look at your resolutions,

2015ART RECOVERY OF

SPONSORED BY HEALTH TRADITION HEALTH PLAN AND FRANKE FOUNDATION

2015 ART OF RECOVERY CALENDAR

2015 ART OF RECOVERY GALA

AVAILABLE NOW APRIL 7-10 AT ANY ILR LOCATION AT THE PUMP HOUSE IN LA CROSSE TO SUBMIT WORK FOR THE GALA, CONTACT ANY ILR OFFICE

do you have too many? Are they too broad? Are they unrealistic in their goals and timeframe? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you will not be successful in keeping your resolutions. The best thing you can do if you’re determined, or some might say resolved, to keep your New Year’s resolutions, is to keep the list short, specific and manageable. For instance, if you want to lose weight, commit to losing 25 pounds in four months. Now you have a timeline and a goal to work on. And remember to make resolutions all year long, that way you can adapt as needed and reward yourself for a job well done. Now, who’s up for mandating Marduk Mondays with me? Can we get that to trend on Twitter?

Something you may not know about Westby, Wis., is that it’s internationally known for ski jumping. (Or you already knew that, and I’m just behind on all things outdoor winter sports.) Founded in 1922, the Snowflake Ski Club is a large hill ski jumping club that has been completely volunteer-led from day one. Since Westby is a Norwegian-based community, it isn’t shocking that winter recreational sports are their forte, and it’s that time of year many of the locals look forward to. Each year the Snowflake Ski Club hosts the Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament (this year marks the 92nd year!), and it is quite the tournament. Some might think, “Eh, it’s Westby,” but the ski club is internationally known. This means people from all over the globe travel to compete or spectate at this event. Over the last 60 years, there have been at least 20 winners from the United States; winners during other years hailed from all over the world. If this doesn’t give you enough incentive to check it out, I don’t know what might convince you otherwise. Even the younger ski jumping enthusiasts are not left out. If you aren’t old enough to compete in the big leagues yet, the ski club also hosts a Junior Ski Jumping Competition earlier in the month for those who hope to be contenders at the big show in the future. - By Jenna Smith

1001 12th Ave. South Onalaska, WI 54650 (608) 783-4477

paradisepoolandspaonline.com

IF YOU GO: Snowflake Junior Ski Jumping Competition When: Saturday, Jan. 10

NOW AVAILABLE! Superior avor, quality & versatility Grill, smoke, roast, bake or sear Cook direct & indirect at the same time Oval XL oﬀers over 680 sq/in of cooking space 5 diﬀerent grills to meet your needs The ONLY Ceramic Grill Manufactured in the U.S.A.

Where: Snowflake Ski Club in Westby, WI Cost: Free admission for spectators Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament When: Friday, Jan. 30 & Saturday, Jan. 31 Opening Ceremonies at 7 p.m.; competition at 7:30 p.m. (Friday)

ILR LA CROSSE

ILR RICHLAND CENTER

Opening Ceremonies at 12 p.m.; competition at 12:30 p.m. (Saturday); awards after competition

(608) 787-1111

(608) 647-8053

Where: Snowflake Ski Club in Westby, WI

4439 MORMON COULEE RD LA CROSSE, WI 54601

149 E. MILL STREET RICHLAND CENTER, WI 53581

ADVOCACY@ILRESOURCES.ORG

Call 608-634-3211 for more information.

ilresources.com KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

at Studio 16

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s t a h W k c e D on

January 17th FROM 1-4pm This is a FREE event hosted by Redfeather snowshoes and River Trail Cycles. People of all ages (kids too) are encouraged to come out and learn about Redfeather snowshoes that are made right HERE in LaCrosse and get an opportunity to try them out. Warm up with hot cocoa and cookies after taking a short hike on some great locally made snowshoes. Register to win a pair of snowshoes from Redfeather and gift certificates from River Trail Cycles - just for stopping by!

(608) 519-5757

River Trail Cycles 106 Mason St Onalaska, WI 54650 www.rivertrailcycles.com

Interested in hosting a Meet and Cheese event? Visit our website www.klutchchronicle.com or call 608-796-8780 for more details.

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

A One-Stop Health Shop (With Wine).

Article: Becca Dargatz

STUDIO 16:

ick Schmidt is the director and creator of Studio 16, a studio-style fitness facility located in Onalaska. While the studio is located on Highway 16, there’s more to the number 16 in their name. The studio’s motto includes three words, and is 16 letters long: fun, functional and fit. The motto is very important to Schmidt, whose background includes an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in kinesiology (exercise and science). He then attended graduate school at the University of San Francisco, and during that time he worked for a lot of leaders in the fitness industry. Schmidt gained a ton of experience and a ton of exposure to what is “trendy” and new in the fitness industry. After learning from some of the best, Schmidt wanted to bring what he learned back to Wisconsin so he could apply it in a private, more intimate setting. After running a smaller studio, he took on the fitness side of Studio 16. Studio 16 focuses on everything in small groups and one-on-one personal training. The idea behind Studio 16 is to take the guesswork out of individual fitness and put the focus on the individual client and what his or her needs are. Clients that walk through the door have a purpose for their fitness. In comparison to other fitness facilities in the area, Studio 16 focuses on using free weights and body weight for resistance training, as opposed to machines or things

but all of the classes are molded to all individuals and skill levels. Clients are able to hop right into a class and start, no matter their previous level of experience. “The small class sizes we offer give the instructors a chance to help individual clients with their skill level,” says Schmidt. “Even if the class is not necessarily for a ‘beginner,’ the intimate class size allows for instructors to focus on everyone and give all of the clients the appropriate attention they deserve.” Studio 16 offers a number of things other facilities in the area do not, including different yoga disciplines, resistance training that uses kettlebells, and TRX suspension training. “We want to continue to offer everyone in this area what other people are being offered everywhere else,” says Schmidt. “But we also make sure that what we offer stays within our philosophy of being fun, functional and fit.” In the future, Schmidt and the staff at Studio 16 hope to make the fitness studio a one-stop health shop. They are aiming to implement a system that would allow people

The café is something that Lynnae Rivera, one of the owners of Studio 16, has wanted for a very long time - a place where farmto-table ingredients are used, with a special emphasis placed on healthy, local and organic food. The café’s menu includes breakfast, lunch, and tapas options, but they just recently brought on a chef that will offer a full dinner Wednesday through Saturday with a new menu every week. Smoothies, coffee, drinks and wine are also available. Studio 16 and Café D’Vine both place importance on melding fun, functional and fit together in a welcoming and warming environment. The entire staff strives to give their best to each individual client and customer.

“We want to continue to offer everyone in this area what other people are being offered everywhere else.” “But we also make sure that what we offer stays within our philosophy of being fun, functional and fit.” Nick Schmidt of that nature. They offer a personalized, intimate setting for people who thrive by learning in an individualized class setting. There are a few other things that set Studio 16 apart from fitness facilities in the area. Not only is the studio luxurious and modern, but the staff is as prestigious as the well-maintained facility. “Our staff consists of five yoga instructors and five coaches or trainers, and all of the coaches, instructors, and trainers are certified and highly experienced in the instruction they offer,” says Schmidt. Studio 16 offers specific classes for beginners in both yoga and resistance,

to come in at any fitness level, including being injured, and build themselves up to where they want to be. Currently they offer fitness classes as well as therapeutic massage, and are working on adding physical therapists to the staff. “What really sets us apart is the level of experience and continued training of our instructors and practitioners,” says Schmidt. “We put a high amount of focus on that so it can be taught to our clients.” Something else that sets Studio 16 apart from fitness facilities in the area: Café D’Vine.

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

9550 East 16 Frontage Road Onalaska, WI 54650 Just past Woodman’s, next to Treehouse Gift & Home

(608) 779-0411 www.studio16onalaska.com

HALL

THE WORD

CITY

headlines FROM

HOME TOWN

MORE FUNDING FOR PAINT AND FIX UP PROGRAM The La Crosse City Council voted to increase funding for its paint and fix up program, totaling up to an additional $52,000 — a little under half coming from the city and a little over half coming from the La Crosse Community Foundation. The program started with a $50,000 budget, but that amount was not enough to accommodate the 127 applicants seeking to make improvements to their homes. Applicants can receive up to $800 for improvements for both owneroccupied homes as well as rental properties, though rental properties must provide matching funds. EAGLE VIEWING AREA PLANS UNVEILED The initial plans for an eagle viewing area on the north side in La Crosse have been unveiled to the city’s Board of Public Works, with the board asking the North La Crosse Business Association, Ayres Associates, and other interested parties to come up with ways to control the cost of the project. The specific site, located on Rose Street, will be available after the completion of a $56 million DOT project in the area. The DOT project will allow for the viewing area to be constructed on what is now an I-90 exit lane, meaning the viewing area could contribute to reshaping the northern entrance to La Crosse. Plans for the viewing area include a platform and shelter, trails, access for fishing, and informational signs about wildlife on the river, adding up to $965,000. Though funding sources have yet to be identified, possibilities include grants, contributions from stakeholders (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has pledged $40,000 for the project), or building in stages.

p o o c s e d i s in

#WTF!?

BEER BY BIKE BRIGADE 1ST ANNUAL CHILI SLAM! One of the great secrets of La Crosse is the Beer By Bike Brigade (BBBB). Per the group’s Facebook page, it’s described as “a once-a-month bar hop for responsible and fun-loving adults. No sign-ups, no dues, no restrictions. Bring your fun attitude and your bike lights. :)” This is not an ordinary group bike ride. In 2014, rides amassed numbers upward of 350 bicyclists! Last Saturday, the Mister and I joined the brigade (our fourth time this year) for their annual holiday ride. BBBB accomplished its mission to deliver 500 pounds of nonperishables and toiletries to Rotary Lights for those in need. Kiddos waved at our bicycle convoy around the park as adults snapped photos of the scene. We were decorated with holiday lights, Christmas trees, Santas, elves, and even a full-size stereo-hauling Grinch on a bicycle. This group isn’t about the beer; it’s about the camaraderie, patronizing local taverns and restaurants, and getting your butt on your bike! In December, donations were made to Rotary Lights. In January, BBBB is holding its first annual grassroots fundraiser: Beer By Bike Brigade Chili Slam! BBBB mastermind Mario realizes that

BBBB has the power of “helping others through sheer numbers.” Past and future BBBB hosts, as well as three local bicycle shops, will be dishing up their “secret” chili recipes (at their cost!) in hopes of winning a one-of-a-kind traveling trophy. The tasting donation is a mere $5! The 12,000 recyclable tasting cups are being donated as well, including an unsolicited donation from State Bank Financial, leaving 100 percent of the proceeds to purchase bicycles and safety accessories for a family that would greatly benefit from this healthy and fun form of transportation. BBBB is working with La Crosse’s social services to find the recipient family. The bikes will be of sound and reputable quality with full warranties (only the best when it’s BBBB!). Grab your bikes! Grab your friends and family! Get to the 1st Annual BBBB Chili Slam on January 24! *Additional details on the Beer By Bike Brigade Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ BeerByBikeBrigade, including how to donate if you are unable to attend.

- By Michelle L. Jerome

Drunk man frees police horses in Portland One of the more novel things about living in a large city is police on horses. While in our area we frequently see cops on bikes, there’s just something strange about seeing something you typically associate with Ol’ McDonald in close proximity to vehicles, restaurants and shops. Apparently 24-year-old Bradley Miller must have been in agreement with the sentiment that horses are a bit out of place in Portland, as he reportedly set free five of the horses when he was blackout drunk. “I remember seeing the horses and petting the horses,” he said as he reflected on the evening’s events, though he had very little recollection of what had happened. Police were called to the scene after Miller triggered an alarm system in the stable. What’s especially strange about this story is that police were suspecting the incident was associated with other acts of protest in the city surrounding the Ferguson decision. Nope as police arrived they found a drunken man fooling around instead. Miller ended up being charged with second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree animal abuse, three counts of second-degree criminal mischief, and five counts of third-degree criminal mischief (one for each horse), though Miller probably won’t get jail time for the charges if he has an otherwise clean record.

- By Katie Svitavsky

#FEAST4JESUS

LA CROSSE CENTER EXPANSION The La Crosse Center could be undergoing an expansion and renovation in the near future. CSL International, a consulting firm out of Minneapolis, performed a market analysis for the La Crosse Center and presented the La Crosse City Council with several alternatives for renovation. Possibilities include a terrace leading from the second floor of the La Crosse Center down to Riverside Park, changing the entrance to be more user-friendly and modern, and potentially acquiring the Radisson property to erect a terrace. In addition, other improvements aimed at enhancing user experience are expected — bathrooms, carpeting, and concessions were all recognized as areas to renovate. The La Crosse Center was built in 1980, and the last expansion occurred in 2000 at the price of $14 million, which doubled the size of the center with the addition of the South Hall. While funding amounts and sources have not yet been determined, the plan will go back to the La Crosse Center Board for a final recommendation.

Participating Businesses John’s Bar

You’re walking toward the front of the church to take communion, when a voice whispers in your ear: Would you like fries with that? In response to a rise in the number of people leaving the church every year, and as many as 10,000 churches closing down across the U.S. in 2013 alone, the McMass project seeks to revive interest in churches as community centers by opening up a McDonald’s franchise inside a church. According to the McMass website (which is designed in vivid red and yellow), “[they] want to revitalize churches as centers for conversation and cultural engagement by putting a McDonald’s franchise in a church.” As you may expect, the project is featured on the crowdfunding website IndieGoGo, though the idea actually came from Lux Dei Design, a firm catering to Christian churches seeking to expand their digital presence. The project is hoping to raise $1 million to purchase a franchise and actually build it in a church, which has not yet been identified. McMass’s campaign page includes a short video explaining the project and the need for a partnership with McDonald’s. As incentives to donate, the project offers several things: $8 will get you a McMass sticker, $32 will get you a McMass T-shirt, and $68 will get you a McMass snapback hat. Though the project has been live for about three weeks as of writing, the campaign has only raised $511 of their $1 million goal, with the donation period ending on Jan. 16. If you decide to donate, make sure you help spread the word about this project using the campaign’s hashtag, #Feast4Jesus.

- By Katie Svitavsky

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

headlines

UNCLAD & UNASHAMED

UW-L students disrobe for a noble cause.

Article: Alyssa Schulte

HOME TOWN

ecently, a handful of passionate and environmentally conscious UW-L students bared it all (literally) for a creative calendar spread aimed at promoting sustainability and “greener” living. The aptly-titled “Green is Sexy” calendar project, spearheaded by the Students for Sustainability group and depicting nude models (if you didn’t catch that part yet) in a variety of tasteful poses and settings, certainly has the campus, as well as the community, buzzing … thereby fulfilling one of the project’s main goals: increased awareness for their cause. Natalie Newcomer, who serves as the secretary and calendar coordinator for SFS, shared the ultimate goal of the calendar, which is “trying to specifically show what negative effects we as humans have on the earth and what we absolutely need to do in order to make positive changes for the future.” The calendar has been an annual undertaking since 2007, when the group was known as the Environmental Council, and has been gaining steam and popularity (and filling the group’s coffers) each year. The models, the majority being students from UW-L and without whom this calendar would have been impossible, were volunteers who either heard about the project at SFS meetings or responded to an online posting.

And all, apparently, were cut from the same unique cloth, confident enough in themselves and their ideals to participate in a project the majority would shy away from. While the models may have had to endure a bit of a breeze if they were posing outside, they were never made to do anything that would cause discomfort. And, of course, certain … regions were covered by the natural backdrop or are otherwise unexposed. Backdrops varied and photos were taken both indoors and outside. To show support for our local economy, the majority of the indoor shots were taken at area establishments. These

same local businesses often support the project in other ways, as well, including placing advertisements in the calendar itself. The outdoor photos, however, are where the environmental impact and

are still on sale for $10 apiece by contacting the group at jacobson.shel@ uwlax.edu. All proceeds from the sales will go directly to support Students for Sustainability and the many admirable

“In the outdoor photo shoots we try to portray beautiful settings to show what we are destroying with our destructive and careless actions.” Natalie Newcomer

message truly come into play. Wanting to display the charm of the nature they are working so hard to preserve and protect, the models posed au naturel, bringing their surroundings to life. As Natalie explains, “In the outdoor photo shoots we try to portray beautiful settings to show what we are destroying with our destructive and careless actions.” This beauty was captured in landmarks and areas people are sure to recognize as purely La Crosse, such as the bluffs, marsh areas and the river, all images that “capture and tie in with sustainability.” Seclusion was also, of course, taken into consideration when selecting locations to shoot. So while it’s certainly not your grandmother’s calendar (unless she’s pretty awesome), it was created and executed in a way so as to be a talking point without causing offense. The calendars were available last month at various locations around UW-L (sure to be a fun surprise in some holiday stockings this year) … but fret not! They

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

projects - both for the campus and the community - they will undoubtedly tackle this year. In addition to the annual calendar, SFS works year-round to “encourage changes on campus to make it more environmentally friendly, as well as sustainable in other aspects.” The group meets every week to discuss community issues, tasks to complete, and future goals. Past activities and events have included guest speakers, documentary viewings, and co-hosting the farmers market on campus, as well as a multitude of happenings during Earth Week in April. So, nude or otherwise clad, the folks at SFS are undoubtedly making things happen. And to find out if “green” really is, in fact, sexy … purchase a calendar! For more information on the group itself and their many wonderful environmental enterprises, take a peek at Students for Sustainability’s Facebook page.

KLUTCH

Honoring

Local

KUDOS

Businesses

We think these businesses have rocked it the last few months so they deserve a pat on the back! Do you know a local business that’s doing awesome things? Community service, generosity, supporting employee wellness…these are all qualities we’re looking for! Let us know at info@muellermediacorp.com or post your nomination on Facebook.com/KlutchChronicle!

Animalrs Love

Green us Gur

Wags & Whiskers Located in the Village Shopping Center, Wags and Whiskers is a full-service pet groomer and they sell an array of pet food and supplies for all your furry family members (besides your uncle). They feature area pet rescues and organizations to gather donations for. They have contributed to the La Crescent Animal Rescue and currently are helping out the Coulee Region Humane Society. Wags & Whiskers accepts pet food, treats, and monetary donations for their highlighted organizations. Wanna’ help our Animal Lovers reach their goals? Swing in to Wags & Whiskers! 1603 Losey Boulevard South, La Crosse

Full Circle Supply The mission of Full Circle Supply is to provide the community with products that leave the least amount of impact on our environment. This beautiful, small shop works to reduce waste by refilling containers with safe and sustainable personal care and household cleaning products. Because of this, they have helped keep over 3,150 containers out of our waste system, which equals over 580 pounds of plastic! All handpicked and researched, items are made locally when possible, contain organic ingredients, are sustainably produced and packaged, contain no harsh chemicals, are fair-trade, cruelty-free, and give back to our global community. And if that isn’t enough, a portion of every sale benefits the Living for Liz foundation! They have also donated their time and proceeds to organizations such as the La Crescent Animal Shelter, Grow Your Brain, Coulee Partners for Sustainability, Hillview Urban Agricultural Center, Freedom Fest, and the Plastic Pollution Coalition. Whoa! Grab your containers or get yours at Full Circle Supply! While you’re there, check out their line of baby products and unique eco gifts! 521 Main Street, La Crosse

Earn 2.25% APY* No Minimum Balance. High Dividends. No Monthly Fees. ATM Refunds. No Fee Debit Card. Anytime Deposit. Anytime Rewards.

608-787-4500 • www.altra.org La Crosse • Festival Foods* Onalaska • Holmen • West Salem La Crescent • Winona • Rochester

800-755-0055 • www.drivealtra.org

*Membership eligibility required. A+ Checking available for personal accounts only. Qualifying accounts earn currently posted Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on balances up to $15,000; Portion of balance over $15,000 earn 0.50% APY. Account earns 0.10% APY if all requirements are not met in any given cycle. Rates subject to change monthly. Dividends calculated and paid each calendar month on the daily balance. Contact Altra for complete details. Federally insured by NCUA.

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

Ace is the place Find all of your DIY supplies with an educated staff to help from

start to finish

Inside Shelby Mall â&#x20AC;˘ aceoflacrosse.com â&#x20AC;˘ (608) 788-9950

Loans for any reason!

loans for any season!

We are your hometown lender, serving area communties since 1937

3,000

2,000

1,000

with a payment of

56.97 per month

with a payment of

94.55 per month

with a payment of

124.79 per month

Simply call or stop by our office to apply. We would be proud to have you as our customer. We promise to always be a company with a difference you can see. We hope to meet you soon! Glen Burke, Branch Manager

1423 State Road 16, La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 781-5721 * Subject to normal credit policy. $1000.00, $70.00 fee, 35.14% APR, loan based upon 25 Month Term, $56.97 first payment; $56.97 thereafter; Total of Payments $1424.25: $2000.00. $70.00 fee, 31.0% APR. loan based upon 31 Month Term, $94.55 first payment; $94.55 thereafter; Total of Payments $2931.05; $3000.00. $70.00 fee, 29.74% APR, loan based upon 37 Month Term, $124.79 first payment; $124.79 thereafter; Total of Payments $4617.23. No prepayment penalty!

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

family

uff fun st THE

FOR THE FAM

WINTER REC-FEST

EVENTS

A fun remedy for cabin fever this winter.

Article: Sara Walters

FOR FAMILY

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM EVENTS, TUESDAYS: Sparkling STEMs Science at 10:30 am; THURSDAYS: Little Learners at 10:30 am; FRIDAYS: Wee Move @ 10:30 am; all free with admission ($6).

inter has a tendency to drag on here in the Coulee Region, often leaving La Crosse families with a serious case of cabin fever. Luckily, there’s an annual event to get residents out of the house in January. With a goal of offering “a variety of wintertime activities to a large number of participants — young and old alike,” Winter Rec-Fest is a shimmering star in the dreariness of Wisconsin’s longest season. The City of La Crosse’s Parks and Recreation Department’s event, celebrating its 29th year, is not known for being particularly warm. Since it often falls during some of the winter’s coldest weeks, Jared Flick, Recreation Specialist, and his staff are prepared for last minute changes. “We’ve had some extreme cold before. What we do is modify game time so people aren’t exposed as long,” he said. Youth activities, for the most part, are held indoors to keep kids safe from frigid temperatures. It’s the kids of La Crosse that are the reason for Winter Rec-Fest in the first place. One of two primary fundraisers for the Youth Enrichment Association (YEA), the event helps pay for sporting equipment and T-shirts for kids involved in Parks and Recreation activities. It also provides scholarships for students who receive free and reducedprice lunch to ensure that everyone has the chance to participate. Kids are also at the forefront of the Winter Rec-Fest button design contest. A winner is chosen each year to have his or her drawing on the festival’s button, sold at city facilities for $2 and required for entry at all events. One event that draws both young and old is the Snowflake Medallion Hunt. Following the clues and finding the medallion, hidden somewhere in the city, could win you $500. Although Flick said the popularity of this event is hard to track, he knows citizens love it. “It’s hard to tell how many people participate, but if you drive around the parks there’s lots of foot traffic,” he said. Calls to City Hall also seem to increase when the medallion hunt starts, with inquisitive searchers wondering if the treasure is still available to be found. In a city filled with these kinds of willing participants, hosting an event like Winter Rec-Fest is a no brainer. Some surrounding communities offer similar winter festivals, but none compare to the size of La Crosse’s. “We have great participation,” shared Flick. Adult sports draw in many teams; Flick is anticipating six to eight teams for the kickball tournament and 12 to 16 for softball. It also helps that organizers keep the registration costs low. For many years, the fun of Winter Rec-Fest has been spread throughout La Crosse. But this year, Flick is taking a different approach. “We want to turn that first Saturday into a more festive atmosphere,” said Flick. “We’re putting everything at one location, Copeland Park, so we have a more centralized location for participants.” This marks one of the only changes on the lineup for this year’s festival. Flick is hoping the older crowd will appreciate the Copeland change. By hosting the adult kickball, softball and broomball tournaments all in the same park on Saturday, Jan. 24, he believes these players will have a better opportunity to watch other games and socialize in general. In the past, numerous fields across the city were used, spreading out participants across town. Having one centralized location also better fits the number of

CHILDREN’S AFTER SCHOOL POTTERY Tuesdays from 4-5:30 pm @ Generous Earth Pottery in downtown La Crosse • These sessions are meant for children ages 8 and older, and we will work on the potter’s wheel or build by hand • $15 per session. READ TO ROVER January 6 and 13 from 5:45-6:45 pm @ La Crosse Public Library • Dogs and their caregivers from the Coulee Region Humane Society Pet Therapy group want to listen to new readers! The dogs love to be read to • Register for a free 10-minute session by calling the library you want to attend: North branch: 789-7102; South branch: 789-7103. Ages 5+. NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION RUN January 10 at 8 am @ YMCA-North in Onalaska • Registration: $18-$28, depending on date of registration • 5-mile or 5K distances; long sleeve T-shirt included. YMCA FAMILY FUN NIGHTS January 10 from 5-8 pm @ YMCA-North, and January 17 at 5-8 pm @ YMCA-La Crosse • Members are free; nonmembers pay $10 • Join the YMCA for swimming, games, crafts, and activities • No need to pre-register. WINTER REC-FEST January 14-31 @ various locations in La Crosse • Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! • Buttons are $2. TINKERTOY: BUILD YOUR IMAGINATION TRAVELING EXHIBIT January 17 to May 24 @ Children’s Museum of La Crosse • Giant replicas of the classic Tinkertoy construction set provide the framework for fun, educational activities that turn imagination into working solutions to real world challenges. YMCA SKI DAY AT MT. LA CROSSE January 17 from 1-6 pm @ Mount La Crosse • Lift and ski rental for $25, lift and snowboard rental for $35 • Includes a hotdog meal. FROZEN PARTY January 19 from 10 am-12 pm @ La Crosse Public Library • Break out your best Frozen outfit and get ready for a magical Frozen morning! We’ll make winter wands and sing along to our favorite songs as we watch Ana, Elsa and Olaf save Arondel from eternal winter. SPIN-A-THON January 31 from 8 am-12 pm @ YMCA-La Crosse. • Ages 14 and older.

more to do? Looking for

Check out nicle.com klutchchro e more? sur even

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

staff required to make Winter Rec-Fest happen. Although a good portion of the action will be happening at Copeland Park, the rest of the city will also be buzzing with activity as in years past. The popular co-rec snow volleyball tournament will be happening at the Alpine Inn and Nutbush City Limits. Green Island Ice Arena has a full schedule of hockey, curling and figure skating. Forest Hills will once again lend itself to Friday Family Fun Night, an event packed with sledding, snowshoeing and a fireworks display. And for those who prefer a little warmer environment, the Eagles Club will be hosting a Euchre/Sheepshead tournament. This year’s Winter Rec-Fest kicks off Wednesday, Jan. 14, with the Snowflake Medallion Hunt and runs through Saturday, Jan. 31.

Winter Rec-Fest’s Family-Friendly Fun Medallion Contest Begins, City-wide Wednesday, Jan. 14 Skate, Pass & Score Contest at Green Island Ice Arena Thursday, Jan. 15 - 5:30-7 p.m. Youth Curling at Green Island Ice Arena Monday, Jan. 19 - 3-5 p.m. Figure Skating Exhibition at Green Island Ice Arena Friday, Jan. 23 - 6:30-8 p.m. Winter Fishing Derby at Pettibone Park Saturday, Jan. 24 - 9-11 a.m. Family Fun Night at Forest Hills Friday, Jan. 30 - 5-8 p.m. A complete, extensive schedule available at www.laxwinterrecfest.com

technology

connec

LETS TALK

IT...

Home Sweet App? Now that we are in the depths of winter, I’m reminded of the day when my family got our first remote-controlled automatic garage door opener. We lived many miles into the country in a renovated, 100-year-old school house, so the concept of having anything automated was an extremely big deal for the family. Of course, my father resisted the additional cost of such technology because he knew he always had a garage door opener. After a long trip, typically on the coldest night of the year, my dad would command from the driver’s seat, “Brian, we’re home! Get out and open the garage door!” Today, the modern home offers so much more technological advancement from those humble beginnings of fledgling automation. Yet for all the technology that might already govern our homes, we’re really just getting started. Tech companies like Apple, AT&T and Google are making big plays and investing big money in the field of home automation. Google, which lately has been going way outside its founding roots, bought several companies that make smart gadgets and appliances. The intent is to eventually connect the disparate devices and appliances that make up today’s homes into one homogenous, easy-to-control app. It will take years, but these companies (and many others) know where the next big moneymaking push will be; they have the deep pockets, and they’re in it for the long-haul. The infrastructure is already being built. You’ve probably seen those warm and fuzzy commercials espousing the “connected home,” where seemingly every appliance is equipped with a sensor or microchip that can be easily controlled with the simple touch of a button. According to research done by General Electric Co., the market for smarthome technology could be as much as $25 billion. The idea is so appealing to GE, they partnered with a company called Quirky and developed an underlying infrastructure for the smart home called “Wink” (that warm and fuzzy commercial), designed to tie all compatible appliances and devices together. But it’s not quite as easy as the advertising implies, since all the appliances need to work with the Wink app through a proprietary network controlled by Quirky and GE. Nonetheless, the connected home is coming and consumers appear to be ready to take the plunge, right? Not so fast! Only one in five people say they own gadgets that connect one’s home to the web. And in a recent survey, 83 percent of survey respondents indicated they are interested in making a smart-home appliance purchase, but less than 25 percent thought it was something they could afford (technology and convenience come with a price), and less than a third thought a smart-home appliance purchase was a good value. After all, do you really need your refrigerator to tell you to

buy more eggs? Now, if the refrigerator could tell me who was eating my eggs in the first place, I might be more interested! You don’t have to necessarily buy a new device just to get smart technology. Innovators are coming up with really creative ways to turn “dumb” devices into smart devices. For example, a company called Roost has created a “smart” Wi-Fi enabled 9-volt battery that can be installed in your “dumb” smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector and monitored through an app. The company’s business model is to bring smart technology to outdated pieces of tech without forcing you to buy an entirely new device (now that’s smart!). Of course, the idea of the smart home can be taken too far. A truly innovative company has created a smart litter box, intended to track the health of your cat. The device looks like a plain white scale, on top of which sits a litter box that you sync to a mobile app. Cat owners can stay up-to-date on their pet’s weight, waste production, frequency of visits, and even their behavior in the litter box (how does it know if the cat did a number one or a number two?). I’d much rather keep tabs on the frequency of my trips to the smart refrigerator than my cat’s trips to the smart litter box! And if you feel you want to make your own smart home in your spare time, a company called “littleBits Electronics” offers kits that contain (supposedly) easyto-configure electronic circuits, wiring, sensors and all the things you need to create a custom, Internet-connected smarthome device. Maybe I’ll try this and see if I can take the smart technology in my litter box and transfer it to my smart refrigerator — something akin to HAL from the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey.” It might say, “What are you doing, Brian? Do you really want that coconut cream pie? Might I suggest a nice piece of broccoli instead? You’ll avoid two trips to the litter box later.” On second thought … For now, I’ll count myself among the 83 percent and see how this all plays out, although the next few years are going to be very exciting! Having actually been a garage door opener in my earlier years, I’m a big fan of whole-house automation. But what happens if I lose the remote?

APP REVIEW: MYFITNESSPAL

An interactive wellness guide.

Article: Michelle L. Jerome

get IT?!

ABOUT

like IT,

YOUR INNER WITHGEEK

any of us revisit our health and wellness goals at the beginning of each new year. We renew our gym memberships, evaluate our diet, and commit to being our best. I’m not talking about resolutions, but reflections on our personal well-being. Some will jump on diet fads, but my hope is that most will start or continue to engage in healthier habits. The MyFitnessPal app is here to help! (Yes, they actually spell it all crammed together.) This app is more than a calorie counter; it’s an interactive wellness guide and journal with online synchronization. The food diary goes beyond recording calories. It’s actually pretty ingenious. It breaks down protein, fat, carbs, mineral intake, and other components of food into a goal table. It’s so comprehensive that there are shortcuts for recording food intake. UPC codes can be scanned and the entire list of nutrition information pops up and gets entered into the diary. Complete recipes can be saved by manually entering them or choosing one of seven websites’ recipes listed in the app. I entered my own URL and the app didn’t recognize it, but I was able to paste a list of ingredients to be saved. This means next time you want to auto-enter that Tabouli recipe, you won’t have to enter each ingredient. A trip to your local buffet is a different story. Your lunch buddies will

- Brian Boettcher Brian is Vice President of Information Technology at Altra Federal Credit Union and public speaker on technology topics.

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

definitely make fun of you as you enter every … single ... ingredient. But they will also be envious of your commitment to your personal well-being. My favorite part of the food diary is that when I enter my bike rides or trips to the gym, those burned calories are subtracted from my food calorie total. When I’m really hitting the gym, I can easily see if I need to add more to my diet. There are other integrative tools within MyFitnessPal. Hellohealthy is a great in-app blog with inspirational fitness articles, more recipes, health education topics, workout videos, and tons of take-care-of-yourself goodness. Friends can be invited from Facebook, phone contacts, or email so you can share each other’s progress and send messages via the app to each other. (The app states that goals are met twice as fast when collaborating with friends!) To stay on track, your weight, nutrition, and fitness goals can be changed, and journal entry reminders can be set. In addition, dozens of apps and devices can be linked with MyFitnessPal to synchronize the data (including an app previously reviewed by Klutch: Strava!). Several fitness apps exist out there, but MyFitnessPal really nails it!

LOVIN’ LOCAL ARTISTS An Artist’s Voice for the Younger Generations:

Ben Alberti By: Morgan Weibel

stranger stopped Ben Alberti and I as we walked down Pearl Street in La Crosse. Alberti had some artwork tucked under an arm. The man asked him who the artist was. He replied, “Me.” Instantly the man felt camaraderie with Alberti. I had witnessed something special. Seeing the stranger bravely engaging Alberti about the artwork he was carrying, I thought, “Wow, I can use this as an example of La Crosse’s art scene in action.” The man turned out to be from south New Orleans. Alberti is the voice of young artists in La Crosse. At 25, this recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is leaving his mark on the local art scene. He is the arts administrator at the Pump

House Regional Arts Center. He also teaches Paint & Pour classes at the Pump House. He says most artists probably have little interest in this type of work, but he enjoys it. “It’s fun. I get to have a glass of wine and teach ladies how to paint,” he says. He graduated from UW-L in 2013 with his bachelor’s degree in studio art with an emphasis on printmaking. La Crosse is home now, but before coming to UW-L Alberti lived in Brodhead, Wis., where he attended middle and high school. Although schooling did not largely influence Alberti’s art ambitions, he was always good at art. Alberti says, “I wanted to study history. I had no intention of becoming an artist at all. I liked art. I drew and painted a little bit. I was good at art, it was just something I never wanted to do as a career.” During college, he was influenced by a close friend to reconsider art as a career path. He took some art courses and eventually decided to switch his history major to a minor and study studio art. Alberti finds inspiration for his artwork in several forms. He says, “It could be anything, really. I’ve been focusing on science and naturalism. Not just landscape painting, but things in science or the natural world that are interesting. Things I learn about that I want to share with everyone.” During college he explored topics such as anti-war, anti-pollution, environmentalism, exploration and space travel. Part of his inspiration is the desire

to share information people might not have known or realized about the world before. He says, “Getting those things that are in my head that amaze me or impress me, and sharing that with other people.” A turning point for Alberti in his art career was when he participated in an exchange program with California State University-San Bernardino. He says, “I was different after that. I took things a little more seriously. It woke me up a little bit. I took my artwork a lot more seriously.

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

I made a point of creating as much as I could, really digging into it and realizing what I was interested in.” This time away from La Crosse also shaped him into the person he has become. He grew up sheltered in a very conservative home, and he says for the first time he was realizing who he was without being told who he was supposed to be. Alberti says he can go any direction with style, and that it is more about a skill

“Natural Selection”

level for him when he is working on a piece — how far he can push a medium and what he can do with the tools he has. Recently, those tools have been used in making woodcuts. Woodcuts are used in a technique of printmaking. Alberti has used different printmaking techniques such as lithography and intaglio. Printmaking is a process-oriented art form. According to Alberti, it is also underappreciated by the general public and thus makes him more driven to do it. He says people will look at it and say, “How did you do that?” In September, several of Alberti’s woodblock prints were featured in an exhibit at the Pump House. He also does events around La Crosse. The latest was called Biscuits and Crazy, which featured art by Alberti and his friends, also musicians. He is joining an artists’ coalition, Err, in Minneapolis at a club called Honey during January. In La Crosse you can look forward to more events like Biscuits and Crazy. Watch for up-and-

coming photographer, the talented UW-L student and Alberti’s girlfriend, Nhouchee Yang. Also, this spring there will be an exciting steamroller printmaking event that will take place in the Pump House parking lot. Alberti and a colleague from the Pump House are coordinating the event. The local colleges and schools will be involved and it’s to promote the arts, especially among kids. He is a voice for the young people of this city. He is relatable and yet wise in his philosophy about growing up and becoming an adult. Alberti’s art career is not about following the money or conventions. He says, “That never really mattered to me. I wanted to do this. If I did something else I probably wouldn’t be happy. It’s a matter of being present and taking any opportunity that falls into your lap.”

flowersbyguenthers.com (608) 783-2140

Flowers for every budget! Always $14.99 for a dozen roses Bouquets starting at $8.99 Free Delivery for all online orders

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

A&E showtime THE PLAY IS

THE THING

The Literary Ironman “My name is Jeff. I’m from Spokane, Washington, and I’d like to read,” comes a voice from the speaker phone. “Oh, okay, Jeff. We are in the first scene of Hamlet, and why don’t you take Bernardo.” It’s 2:30 in the morning. Sitting in a circle under desk lamps with noses down deep in editions of the “Complete Works of Shakespeare,” a handful of actors, poetry lovers and language enthusiasts are reading the play Hamlet at The Muse Theatre on the north side of La Crosse. Everyone takes their turns, reading the parts assigned to them with as much character and feeling as possible. Jeff from Spokane, Wash., doesn’t miss his cue. From the speaker comes, “Last night of all, When yond same star that’s westward from the pole Had made his course t’ illume that part of heaven Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then beating one -” The circle at the Muse does a collective gasp. The ghost has entered.

JANUARY RELEASES The Woman in Black 2 Release Date: January 2, 2015 Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller

The Boy Next Door Release Date: January 23, 2015 Genres: Thriller

Taken 3 Release Date: January 9, 2015 Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller

Mortdecai Release Date: January 23, 2015 Genres: Comedy

Paddington Release Date: January 16, 2015 Genres: Comedy, Family

Project Almanac Release Date: January 30, 2015 Genres: Sci-Fi, Thriller

Spare Parts Release Date: January 16, 2015 Genres: Comedy, Drama

2032 Ward Avenue La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 791-1999 www.marcustheatres.com

The Wedding Ringer Release Date: January 16, 2015 Genres: Comedy

Santa with his reindeer make it down Main Street during the Rotary Lights parade. Held every year the day after Thanksgiving. Photo: Bob Good

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

This is Bard-a-thon. The brainchild of Bruce Rogers, Coulee Region native and artistic director of Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre in Fairbanks, Alaska, Bard-a-thon is a nonstop group reading of the “Complete Works of Shakespeare,” including the sonnets. You start on a Saturday night and the last sentence of prose is uttered the following Saturday. The bravest attempt a literary Ironman, reading every single play and sonnet with sleep confined to very brief breaks in between plays. Rogers has successful completed that feat twice. This year, as in recent years past, it will be held at The Muse Theatre at 1353 Avon St. All are welcome to read. Again, all are welcome. This is not just for actors (although if you are an actor worth your salt, you would not miss this opportunity). Because numbers can vary, especially when a play starts at 3 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, you might be cast in several different parts. A few years back I was cast as Lady MacBeth. I’m bragging, but I thought I nailed it. It might sound strange and geeky, but I assure you it is a load of fun — because it is strange and geeky. People call in from the Internet feed, some walk in off the street, and sometimes an entire English class will show up for an afternoon reading. Can’t sleep because your girlfriend broke up with you? Come to Bard-a-thon. You’ll make a great Othello. My favorite story from the Bard-a-thon was from a few years back. The group was reading “King Lear.” In attendance was an 11-year-old girl. When she began to read Cordelia, the whole room started exchanging looks. She was incredible. She spoke the words tripling on tongue like she had spoken the language from birth. On a side note, that same little girl, now a teenager, was flown last year to Fairbanks to play Juliet. If you’ve always wanted to try acting and the theatre, the Bard-a-thon is a simple, no-pressure opportunity to explore a script. And not just any script, but the words of the world’s greatest dramatist. I’ve often said, “If you can do Shakespeare well, Neil Simon shouldn’t be any problem at all. Bard-a-thon kicks off Saturday, Feb. 21, with the opening celebration at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the group will gather ‘round the books and begin dramatically reading “Antony and Cleopatra,” and will go nonstop until the following weekend. The best way to keep up with announcements and schedules is to like the Bard-a-thon page on Facebook or call The Muse at 608-782-3552. Also, mark your calendars for “Twelve Angry Men” at the La Crosse Community Theatre, playing Feb. 12 to March 1. Allen Ebert, former LCT artistic director, will be returning to deliver this intense drama to the Veterans Studio Theatre. This is the perfect stage for “Twelve Angry Men” and will certainly bring forth some acting fireworks from the all-male cast. “Twelve Angry Men” tells the story of one juror’s fight to convince others that justice is rarely black and white. This is an important play to see in the midst of racial issues currently in our culture. This show will be a springboard for dialogue and serve as proof positive that theatre is vital to building a community. Don’t miss the opportunity. - By Michael Scott Bard-a-thon Feb. 21-28 24 hours a day The Muse Theatre 1353 Avon Street La Crosse, WI 54603

Twelve Angry Men Feb. 13-March 1 Weber Center for the Performing Arts www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org

THE NEW _OU All that’s missing is the Y TRY THE Y TODAY!

There’s no place quite like the Y. We’re a vital part of the community; a welcoming place to learn new skills, connect with others, and access support in times of need. Our unique combination of services enriches the well-being of hundreds of people of all ages and walks of life every day.

Pilot Pilot

Odyssey Odyssey CR-V CR-V

Ridgeline Ridgeline

Fit Fit

Civic Civic

Accord Accord

Crosstour Crosstour

Insight Insight

CR-Z CR-Z

Enjoy a FREE Y Day Pass Today!

Present this pass to the Member Services Desk at time of visit. Anyone 18+ must present photo I.D. at time of use. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Expires 02/30/15 CODE: COUPON

LA CROssE AREA FAmiLY YmCA YmCA-LA CROssE BRANCH 1140 Main Street, La Crosse WI 54601 YmCA-NORTH BRANCH 400 Mason Street, Onalaska WI 54650

Fuel Efficient. Environmentally Sensible. You’ll Love More Miles Per Dollar! www.hondamotorwerks.com Phone: 877-4-A-HYBRID Downtown La Crosse, WI at 4th and Cameron Streets

608 782 9622 • WWW.LAxYmCA.ORg

R E E R A C YOUR RE.

E H S T R STA

! W O N L L ENNRCOIAL AID IS AVAILABLE

AT GET STARTED

U D E . Y M E D A C A O R P N O L A S

FINA FY I L A U Q O H W E FOR THOS R O F Y R A U N A J N NG I I T R A T S UP! S E E K S S A M CLA D N A S AIL N , Y G O L O T E M COS

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

A&E tunes

tunes

REVIEW

Pigtown Fling String Band

by Brianna Rupel

f you were to dismiss La Crosse’s Pigtown Fling String Band as “just another bluegrass group” and skip seeing them live, you’d be doing yourself a drastic disservice. Pigtown Fling String Band dissects their sound the way an expert butcher would section out a pig. If bluegrass is the loin, then the rest of the equally delicious components contribute to the sound that is uniquely their own. You’ll find a hearty slab of Irish and oldtime shoulder, some jazzy pork belly, and of course some self-described “rump-rumblin’ fun.” Pretty much what you’d expect from a quartet of multi-instrumentalists whose musical influences range from the turn of the century to Irish folk to rock-and-roll. “We’re pretty much a melting pot,” explains Casey Barth, resident mandolin player, who also toys around with guitar and harmonica. Barth and bandmates Sherri Byrne (vocals, bass) and Barry Byrne (accordion, banjo) have played together in various bands throughout the years, but the trio finally found just the person to bring their sound to the next level in fiddle player Jess McDonald. “She’s just that missing link,” says Barth. “It’s that fiddle that really pushes it over the top.” After taking the stage for the first time as a quartet in November 2013, Pigtown Fling hunkered down five months later and laid out their first album: a no-frills, organic kind of recording that really captures what the band sounds like on stage, not just in the studio. Since the recording, that sound has already evolved. “Recording was a great experience for us,” says Sherri. “Listening back to it, I think we release that we want to do more. We’ve come a long ways [since then].” The rest of the band nods in agreement

when McDonald says that working on the album brought them closer together. After spending such a concentrated few days recording, Pigtown Fling was then able to spend the following months tweaking their performance, ultimately solidifying their sound even tighter than it was on the album. “Over the summer we had a lot of gigs,” McDonald begins, “private parties, things around town ... and then we spent a lot of time getting to know each other’s tastes and finding the common ground.” The quartet recently had the opportunity to test out that new sound in a setting completely new to them. Holmen resident David Schipper and his wife, Lori, host Bluff View House Concerts right in a cozy corner of their own home, appropriately nestled at the base of a sloping bluff. Though they usually intercept national acts passing through the area on their way to bigger cities, Pigtown Fling was invited to stop out and play on a recent Saturday evening this past fall, a gig the band feels honored to have had, considering the Schippers have hosted only one or two other local acts over the years. “[The house concert] was a totally different setting than what we’re used to,” explains McDonald. “We’re used to playing in bars, but these people actually paid to see us —not to drink beer or do anything else.”

course, practice, with their eyes set on an exciting, successful summer. “Last summer was us kind of getting the feel for it,” explains Sherri. “Getting the music together, seeing what worked for the crowd, what worked for us; that’s all part of the process of growing as a band.” McDonald nods, adding that they used to have to repeat their first set because they only had so much material. “Now we’ve got enough to probably cover five hours if we have to.” With their catalog and the crowds growing, the band is excited about the new opportunities that are already pouring in. They’ve already got some weddings, private parties, and festivals on the calendar for the upcoming summer season. “Within one week, three different gigs came in,” grins Sherri, “so that’s a good sign.” According to the Chinese Zodiac, February will mark the beginning of the Year of the Sheep. The way the

“It makes you play a little better because everyone’s sitting there listening to every note,” adds Barry. “They’re not just talking and you’re not just the background music there.” After stepping up their game playing for such an intimate crowd — a musically savvy group of only about 30, nonetheless — the band is looking forward to taking the opportunity of a slower winter season to regroup and, of

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

future is shaping up for this string band, however, we might just want to call 2015 the Year of the Pig. Briana Rupel cannot play the banjo. Or mandolin. Or harmonica. But she does rock a mean kazoo.

UPCOMING SHOWS: Jan. 4 - 12-1 p.m. The Root Note Jan. 17 - 7-10 p.m. Old School Variety Show Grand Ballroom (above The Pearl) Feb. 1 - 12-1 p.m. The Root Note Feb. 13 - 8-11 p.m. The Root Note www.facebook.com/Pigtown.Fling www.facebook.com/BluffView

PEARL STREET BREWERY

WINTER BALL Celebrate beer!

isconsinites know beer … and how to party. Of course, these two well-known facts often (if not always) go hand-in-hand. So really, what could be better than a party specifically designed around the celebration of good beer? I mean, is there anything? Back for their 16th annual winter ball, Pearl Street Brewery is pulling out all the stops to make this one a party to remember. Tami Plourde, the director of sales & marketing at Pearl Street Brewery, gave us the inside scoop on what is sure to be a tasty and exciting event for the Coulee Region’s beer lovers. As in other years, there will be five new brews released on Saturday, Feb. 7. Although at press time the beers had yet to be dubbed with their official Pearl Street names, Tami shared each beer style and described them in mouthwatering detail: 1. Linalool Pale Ale: “the world’s only pale ale brewed using the indigenously Wisconsin-grown Wild Northern Discovery Hops, rich in the fragrant aroma of linalool” 2. Belgian Table Beer: “a Wisconsin twist on a Belgian staple” 3. Double Chocolate Stout: “a rich and sweet black dessert beer brewed with caramel malts and malt sugar for a unique, decadent experience”

Interested in attending one or both of these sure-to-be-awesome events? General admission tickets for the Saturday party have been available since mid-December and are available for purchase at these downtown locations: Del’s Bar, Tree Huggers Co-op, The Root Note, and of course, Pearl Street Brewery. Friday night and VIP tickets, however, will only be available at Pearl Street Brewery. See below for ticket prices (worth every penny, in this thirsty writer’s humble opinion). Both of the events will take place at Pearl Street Brewery, located at 1401 Saint Andrew St. in La Crosse. For more information, please visit the Pearl Street Brewery website at www.pearlstreetbrewery.com or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pearlstreetbrewery.

4. Berliner Weisse: “cloudy, sour wheat beer … brewed with German yeast and often served with a dose of Woodruff or raspberry syrup” 5. Breakfast Beer: “delicious blonde cream ale … thick and malty … infuse[d] with fresh-roasted coffee” So … thirsty yet?

When is it?

The celebration takes place over the course of two evenings. On Friday, Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., a limited number of lucky guests will enjoy a gourmet meal, as well as the first tasting of the five special winter ball brews (which will be released to the public the following day). Chefs from five of our finest local restaurants will be on hand serving up their delectable grub, paired to perfection with Brewmaster Joe Katchever’s creations. This year’s locally based eateries, and their respective chefs, are: The Mint (Anthony Swartwout), Kate’s on State (Kate Gerrard), Seasons by the Lake (Matt Gotz), JavaVino (Alan Horton), and Three Rivers Lodge (Douglas Neuschwanger). The party continues the following afternoon and evening from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Four local musical guests from right here in Wisconsin, as well as neighboring Minnesota, will be on hand to entertain. Winona blues favorite Mike Munson; Minneapolis-based Jillian Rae, a highly regarded violinist and vocalist; The Traveling Suitcase, an unconventional rock trio from Oshkosh; and Cheech’s Neil Young “After the Gold Rush” tribute show are this year’s exciting acts, sure to be well received from a crowd of true music and beer appreciators.

Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 7 Where is Pearl Street Brewery? In the old La Crosse Footwear building at 1401 Saint Andrew St., La Crosse How much are tickets and where can I find them? Friday dinner: $60 (Limited Seating) Saturday general admission: $30 Saturday VIP: $50 Friday AND Saturday general admission: $80 Friday AND VIP Saturday: $100 *Saturday general admission tickets available for purchase at Pearl Street Brewery, Del’s Bar, Tree Huggers Co-op, and The Root Note* **Friday night and VIP tickets sold exclusively at Pearl Street Brewery**

By: Alyssa Schulte

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

food & drink

satisf

LOCALLY LOCALLY OWNED, OWNED, LOCALLY LOCALLY ROASTED ROASTED FRESH FRESH COFFEE COFFEE

TASTE YOURBUDS

Winter Wassailing A WARM AND TIPSY REVIEW OF JAVAVINO’S BEST WINTER DRINKS

Every tuesday

OPENTIME ON STORY 9:30-10:00 AM SUNDAYS Always 1 coffee when FROM you bring your 8-3 own mug $

.50

$ .50 ALWAYS 1 COFFEE WHEN Homemade food served YOUBreakfast BRING YOUR andOWN LunchMUG

1 1lb

$ off

Cold, snowy Wisconsin winters: the few months of the year when it’s not only acceptable, but necessary, to spike your drinks with a little bit of fat to keep your extremities from freezing. You can huddle inside and DIY, of course, but why not brave the winter winds and sip on a steaming mug of something special made by the pros? With the many options for a toasty drink available in our area, I selected one spot with a multitude of options: JavaVino. JavaVino, a charming and unique establishment located on State Street, was bursting with life when we entered. (We realized about two drinks in that we had inadvertently crashed someone’s holiday party.) As the name suggests, JavaVino serves an extensive array of coffee and wine, as well as a variety of other brilliant specialty drinks and edible creations. The reason for our visit was the four excellent hot winter refreshments, and yes … I tried each and every one. In the name of science, of course! They are reviewed in the order of the level of my enjoyment, but seriously, they were all amazing. First to touch my lips, and the drink that ended up being my all-time favorite, was the Hot Apple Toddy. Served burn-your-tongue hot (but worth the wait to let it cool), the simple blend of apple cider and apple vodka was pleasing to the nose, as well as clearing for the sinuses, with a delightful cinnamon aroma. Although it was certainly spiked, there was no discernible taste of booze, which, when you think about it, is pretty dangerous. Coming in at number two (for me, at least) was a wonderful concoction of peppermint schnapps and hot chocolate, the “Snow Plow.” This was my drinking partner’s number-one pick, and it’s easy to understand why. With a taste that can only

by Alyssa Schulte

be described as the liquid version of a thin mint cookie, a generous dollop of whipped cream, and a delightful warmth that spreads down to your toes with each sip, this is one drink we’ll surely be ordering again (or attempting, and probably failing, to recreate ourselves). And of course, their classic Irish coffee was fantastic. It boasted a lovely smooth taste, a pile of whipped cream that added significantly to the flavor and texture, and no hint of bitterness whatsoever. Made with the coffee of the day, then adding Irish whiskey and cream, the booze only became evident to our taste buds and nostrils once the whipped cream had completely dissipated. Our last adventure into the soft pillow that is warmth and booze was the Hot Chata, a genius, if simple, blend of RumChata and hot chocolate. I’ve always thought RumChata tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch … I’m not the only one, right? It’s a good thing! And when paired with a perfect, rich hot chocolate, it’s a great thing. This was, to date, my favorite drink adventure yet. Bringing to mind fond memories of the annual Westby ski jump — which means great friends, wet socks, freezing temperatures and a bottle of whiskey to keep us warm — I’ve come to find there really are few things better (for a shivering Wisconsinite, at least) than a good, hot, spiked winter beverage. And, at JavaVino, you’ll get exactly that. For with each steaming concoction served better than the last, it wasn’t long before our simple mission to warm up became quite the party indeed. Visit JavaVino’s website at www.javavinolax.com for more information about their hours, menu items and upcoming events!

of coffee beans

*limit of one per customer per visit

Check out nicle.com klutchchro esome! a for more w

Hot Apple Toddy

Snow Plow

Irish Coffee

Our 2nd Location is Now Open in South La Crosse!

4222 Mormon Coulee Rd. La Crosse, WI 54601 • (608) 787-9663

Same great services, same great care! 24

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

Hot Chata

food & Drink

Mmm

, Fooo

od!

The Mint: A Gourmet Farm-to-Table Experience

Farm-to-table is a trending term that is a part of the “local foods” movement. I’ll get you up to speed if this vernacular hasn’t graced your ears yet. The goal of farm-to-table is to bring locally sourced, unprocessed cuisine to folks. The proprietors at The Mint, the newest addition to the La Crosse fine dining scene, understand this goal. They personally work with local farmers to procure ingredients for their incredible menu options.

The Mister and I recently made a date night out of our visit to The Mint. He called in our reservation, but was told they only take reservations for groups of six or more and that we could enjoy the bar if there was a wait. Fortunately, we were seated immediately at one of about a dozen tables even though the restaurant was quite busy. The ambiance of the old Kate’s on State location has been transformed into an inviting and classy, yet romantically rustic place. Our server presented us with an exquisite cocktail menu that offered classic mixes with The Mint’s unique flair, such as the Maple Bourbon Sour made with locally sourced maple syrup (the Mister’s choice), as well as unique cocktails like the Olive Tree, partially comprised of olive oil, egg whites and fresh thyme. I chose the Chocolate Raspberry Russian made with Castle Rock organic heavy cream, and I could’ve easily enjoyed a second round for dessert. The food menu had an enticing selection that changes on a regular basis, but always includes a vegetarian option. I immediately noticed that many menu items stated the origins of the ingredients: Lynch Farms, St. Brigid’s Meadows, Door County ... all names that mean goodness. After ordering, a bread board arrived with a small artisan loaf for two, accompanied by whipped butter, berry preserves and a single sunflower sprout garnish. This was followed by our salads of fresh, crisp greens with light apple cider vinaigrette dressing, shredded yellow carrot, and thinly sliced white beet garnish. There were a handful of small plate choices including the Wisconsin and Minnesota cheese board, which was our selection. All of the cheeses we sampled tasted wonderful, but there was less served than I expected. Nonetheless, we still had our entrees

Holy Crepe!

Bonjour! In honor of International Crepe Day on Feb. 2, strap on your beret, pop open that discount sparkling wine you’ve been saving and get ready to master the art of crepe making. Using Ms. Martha Stewart as my guide, I will attempt to bring out my inner chef (that’s French for cook), learn the ways of flat pancake making and then relay my experience to you, my dear reader. 1. First, take a sip of your sparkling wine (or sparking grape juice if you are not of age). 2. Collect your ingredients: • 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt • 1 1/2 cups whole milk • 4 large eggs • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 4. Blend together the flour, sugar, salt, milk, eggs and butter (for me this only took about 30 seconds). Make sure it is well pureed and bubbles form on the top. 5. Let batter sit for at least 15 minutes. I would assume this is a wine break for the chef? 6. Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. My stove heats a little hot so I turned it down a touch - these babies can burn fast! 7. Coat the pan with butter (or Pam for those calorie-conscious cookers). 8. Add about a 1/3 cup of batter to the pan and swirl it around so it completely covers the bottom.

coming. My entree seemed to have three courses on one dish. My Moroccan spiced pumpkin frittata with Minnesota wild rice and chevre was slightly sweet with an exotic edge, possibly cardamom. The chorizo seitan was the most savory seitan I’ve experienced. These selections were laid atop a creamy fall spinach and oyster mushroom saute. The saute was so robust and delectable that I revere it as one of the best blends I’ve tasted. It truly contends with gourmet metropolitan fare. I had to share my food journey with the Mister, so Brett and I traded bites. His skin-on Rushing Waters baked trout fell apart nicely, revealing bites of fresh flavor. The quinoa was perfectly fluffed with a hearty, nutty flavor paired with multicolored, slightly sweet roasted beets. Our meal was completed with an order of B&E’s Trees Bourbon Barrel Maple Flan. (I’m excited to try the house-made artisan Aronia spice truffles next time!) Brett and I enjoyed each other’s company over a couple glasses of wine after our dinner drinks, and we were also served fresh coffee that our knowledgeable, attentive and gracious server,

food review

Leslie, French-pressed right at our table. We felt welcome to stay to enjoy our evening as long as we wished. Throughout the evening, I sensed a feeling of family at The Mint as I realized that owners Corrie and Dane were calmly bustling around with the rest of the crew, just as they do at The Root Note (one of their other businesses) during the day. The genius chef, Anthony, even came out to chat about his creations and to welcome us to The Mint. When handed our bill, it simply stated at the bottom, “Thank you for supporting local family farms :)” — but I think the group at The Mint understands an unwritten goal of farm-to-table: to bring good food from farms to our community as if we were family. - By Michelle L. Jerome

THE MINT Stars: I give it as many stars as I need to convince you that you must go there. Price: Mid-$20s per entree. Seating: Indoor, about a dozen, plus quaint bar. Outdoor seating is seasonal. Reservations: Only taken for groups of six or more. (Get there early on a busy night!) Where to go: 1810 State St., La Crosse

DIY

IT ISN’T HARD, RIGTHAT HT?

by: Casey Kulinski

9. Cook 2-3 minutes or until golden brown (mine took a little less than that). 10. VERY carefully use a spatula to lift one edge and flip it over to cook for 1 more minute. (I had to redo this step a couple of times. OK, like 6 times …) 11. Add your ingredients now (I will make a list of my favorites below) and then fold the crepe in half. You may also take the crepes and put them on a cookie sheet, add your ingredients and cook them in the oven until warm (350 degrees for about 5 minutes usually does the trick). This is great if you want to serve more than one at a time! **If you are gluten-free or dairy-free, try using brown rice flour, rice/soy/almond milk, and/or an egg substitute. If you use an egg substitute, it is recommended that you use more milk and add a teaspoon of oil to prevent the crepes from being too brittle. A few of my favs: - nutella and banana - goat cheese and vegetables

- egg, ham and cheese - cinnamon and sugar (simple, yet delicious)

The great thing about crepes is that they are the Casanova of foods - they can get with pretty much every food on the shelf! You can make them for breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on what ingredients you add. Have an unusually great crepe combo? Send a photo to info@ muellermediacorp.com and share it with us! Till next time, friends. Au revoir! http://www.marthastewart.com/921813/how-make-crepes#328340 Do you have a DIY you would like to share or see in future issues? Send your DIY to casey@muellermediacorp.com

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

health & fitness

ss wellne MIND, BODY

Article: Michael Scott

TAKE A WALK ON THE WHITE SIDE

FOR &SOLE

Snowshoeing in the Driftless.

inter has come early this year. I don’t mean to alarm those of you who don’t participate in a winter activity, but you had better get one. Fast. Without something to facilitate joy and outdoor recreation during the winter months, your life is about to be reduced to a slow, frigid and near endless death march to spring. Find something to do outside, or you may not make it to see those warm days of May. Do you understand what I’m saying? Your life depends on it! I’ve raised the alarm, but I’d also like to make a suggestion that may ensure your survival. Snowshoeing. I mention snowshoeing because, unlike downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and ice skating, it requires no particular skill. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Check that; if you can walk with just a slightly exaggerated stride, you can snowshoe. Historians have a tough time agreeing on how long snowshoes have been around, but we can put that figure in between 3,000 and 7,000 years ago — in other

Author’s son, Owen Scott on a recent father/son snowshoe trip words, a long time. The function is simple: The shoes distribute the weight of a person over a larger area and prevent the person’s feet from sinking in deep snow. The result is flotation over even the deepest of snow coverings. Where to begin? First, you need a pair of snowshoes. There is no need to run out and buy a pair. There are a few places in town you can rent from to see if you truly enjoy the activity or not. Three Rivers Outdoors in La Crosse and River Trails Cycles in Onalaska have a wide selection of snowshoes in their rental fleet. Sizing a snowshoe is based on your weight, and both places have rentals

to accommodate the whole family. That’s right, get the kids away from those screens and outside in a winter wonderland. They will thank you for it. Second, bundle up. Layer just like this … a tight fitting synthetic shirt (NO COTTON) and, possibly, long underwear. Then, add an insulating layer. A wool sweater or down-filled coat should do the trick. Lastly, throw on a waterproof / windproof outer shell, along with a hat, waterproof mittens or gloves, and winter boots, but nothing special. The bindings work on all kinds of footwear. Where to go? Anywhere you enjoy hiking in the summer can be enjoyed while snowshoeing in the winter. However, avoid very steep, icy slopes. The snowshoes have crampons that can handle ice but are less effective on steep, sheer surface terrain. Some popular locations in the area are Hixon Forest, Goose Island, Perrot State Park, Wildcat Mountain State Park, Black River State Forest, Devil’s Lake State Park, Norskedalen and the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Visit the 7 Rivers Region Outdoor Recreation Alliance website at naturesplacetoplay.com and explore hiking trails for your next winter adventure. Most area golf courses allow snowshoeing and would be great for a beginner. Places that are impossible to traverse by foot in the summer magically open up with the arrival of ice and snow. Our area backwaters are an exciting place to explore in the winter. Some people are nervous about traveling on ice and with good reason. Thin ice is very dangerous.

I like to take my family to the Myrick Marsh area. Ice conditions are generally pretty good and, as a precaution, I keep two Phillips-head screwdrivers and a length of rope in my pockets to aid in getting out of broken ice. Keep a change of clothes in the car. Snowshoeing is an accessible adventure, but it is an adventure. You are going to be exerting yourself, so throw some water and snacks in a backpack. Your body is going to be burning calories in order to keep warm, so eat up! Sunscreen on bright days is a must. Remember, observe your temperature. Avoid getting too hot and sweaty. Open up your coat and vent your heat if you start to get too warm. Again, NO COTTON next to your skin! We live in the heart of the Driftless region, one of the most beautiful and unique natural areas in the entire world. The magic of this area should not be confined to just warm summer days. When our world transforms into a megacosm of snow and ice, throw on some snowshoes and get out there. Yes, take a walk on the white side.

YOUR ONE-STOP WINTER GEAR SHOP FACIALS, BODY WRAPS Snowshoe & XC Ski Equipment Winter Gear Outdoor Programming

The North Face Mountain Hardwear Arc'teryx | Exofficio

AND WAXING

NOW OFFERING

MASSAGE THERAPY!

GET A BIKINI WAX FOR

ONLY $45 EXPIRES ON JANUARY 31 TH , 2015

400 Main St, La Crosse, WI

(608) 793-1470

ThreeRiversOutdoors.com

Like Us! www.Facebook.com/ThreeRiversOutdoors 26

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

modernbodyskincare.com • (608) 788-0022 4010 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse, WI

volunteer

BETTERMENT OF OUR FORCOMMUNITY

YOU CAN DO

AMERICAN RED CROSS - SCENIC BLUFFS CHAPTER: American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Volunteers can support blood drives, train to respond to disasters, teach lifesaving First Aid/CPR classes, support our Armed Forces, assist at special events and more! 2927 Losey Blvd S, La Crosse, WI; volunteerwestern.wi@redcross.org; 877-618-6628 ext. 5822; www.redcross.org/wi/la-crosse. BETHANY LUTHERAN HOMES: Volunteers may assist with recreational activities, read aloud to residents, help with writing, assist with special events, help with weekly outings, manicures, one-on-one visits, sing-alongs, gardening, mail delivery, crafts, playing games, helping with computers, doing errands or shopping, helping with walks or outdoor time, teaching a special talent, and more. Download a volunteer form at www.bethanylutheranhomes.org or call 608.406.3900. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE 7 RIVERS REGION: Volunteers enroll through Big Brothers Big Sisters and following an interview, references and a background check, are oriented and introduced to a little brother or little sister by BBBS staff. Regular support is available to assure that the relationship builds over time, and any logistical problems are resolved. For more info, please email Lyndsey Langer at llanger@7riversbbbs. org or Jeff Murawski at jmurawski@7riversbbbs.org or call 608.782.2227. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER LA CROSSE: Volunteers are a vital part of many programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs. Opportunities are available in many areas, including athletics, tutoring, game room management, recreation, special events and clerical areas. Your involvement and support is encouraged. For more information, please call 608.782.3926, or visit their website to fill out the volunteer application at www.bgcgl.org. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: Lend a Hand! Volunteers are an important part of the Children’s Museum team. If you are enthusiastic, reliable and fond of children, check into current volunteer opportunities and contact us soon! Visit their website to fill out a volunteer application at www.funmuseum.org or call 608.784.2652. COULEE REGION HUMANE SOCIETY: Volunteers needed to help care for animals and collect donations for animals. For more information, call 608.781.4014. For a list of current opportunities, or to fill out an application, click the Volunteer link at www. couleehumane.com. COULEE REGION UNITED SOCCER ASSOCIATION (CRUSA): Help with concessions, trash removal, fundraising events, and tournament staff at the La Crosse area Field for Kids Facility in Industrial Park. For more information about volunteering, contact Vanessa Machado (volunteer organizer) at crusasoccer@gmail. com or check out their website: www.crusa-soccer. com. CROSSFIRE YOUTH CENTER: Crossfire seeks to transform the lives of local teens by providing safe and fun activities. Crossfire is always seeking volunteers who have a heart to serve. Volunteer opportunities include assisting in weight lifting, archery, outdoor activities, and our Friday night party alternative. 608-784-6565; amanda@crossfire4u.com; crossfire4u.com. FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER: Volunteers provide the hospitality that makes FSC such a special place. They provide refreshment setup, work at the front desk, greet visitors and help with special events. Shifts are as little as one hour, primarily evenings and weekends. No special skills are needed. FSC is dedicated to anyone seeking God, meaning and wholeness. We’re at 920 Market Street, La Crosse. Please contact Linda Kerrigan at lkerrigan@fspa. org or 608-791-5276. More information about FSC at FSCenter.org.

GREAT RIVERS UNITED WAY: Great Rivers United Way Volunteer Center hosts an array of volunteer opportunities. Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your best. We all have special talents. Things we can do to help. And when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. There are hundreds of volunteer options available every day. Give the gift of you. Volunteer. (608) 796-1400; jlarsen@gruw.org; www.greatriversunitedway.org/volunteer-2. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY/RESTORE: For Women Build, construction, Critical Home Repair, ReStore, special events or office work, contact Bekky Mayfield, Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, at volunteer@habitatlacrosse.org or 608.785.2375 X1604. HILLVIEW URBAN AGRICULTURE CENTER: The mission of Hillview is to create a healthy community through a local, sustainable, and accessible food system. We have volunteer opportunities in the following programs: Market Baskets, vermicomposting, various gardening tasks, hoop house construction, fundraising, grant writing, and marketing. (608) 786-0338; vicki@ vsm5.com; www.hillviewuac.org. HORSESENSE FOR SPECIAL RIDERS: Be a “side walker” or horse leader, exercise the therapy horses, muck out the barns, help with special events. Email executivedirector@hssrweb.org, call 608.791.4868 or fill out the online volunteer form at www.hssr.org. HUNGER TASK FORCE Assist in the Food Recovery program. Volunteers are needed to pick up and deliver food items, stock and inventory food items, and assist with office/clerical work. Visit www.lacrossehtf.org/volunteer to sign up! LA CRESCENT ANIMAL RESCUE: We are committed to being a no-kill shelter, which means we are always looking for both foster and permanent homes for the animals left in our care. At our facility, volunteer tasks available include cat and/or dog care, cleaning, clerical, and animal transportation. Must be 16 years of age. 523 S Chestnut St, La Crescent, MN. (507) 895-2066;www.lacrescentanimalrescue.blogspot.com. LA CROSSE AREA FAMILY YMCA: Volunteers are critically important to carrying out our mission, so we ask our program volunteers to go through an application and screening process similar to that of our paid staff members. This process ensures that the best fit is made between the new volunteer and the program they are matched with, while also ensuring the safety of our members, participants, staff and all of our volunteers. View volunteer opportunities with La Crosse’s largest youth-serving organization and fill out an application at the Get Involved link at www.laxymca.org. OUTDOOR RECREATION ALLIANCE (ORA): The Outdoor Recreation Alliance seeks to optimize world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Volunteers are needed for various activities, including trail work. www.naturesplacetoplay.com. WAFER Volunteers are needed to sort and stock food, help clients, and assist with general upkeep. If you would like to join their growing team, call 782-6003 or email info@waferlacrosse.org. WARMING CENTER OF LA CROSSE: Volunteer for supplying dinner for the homeless, check-in, overnight watch, or morning clean up. Call Catholic Charities’ Mary Fitzpatrick at 608.782.0710 ext. 220 for more information or to volunteer. WISCONSIN CONSERVATION CORPS: WisCorps engages youth and young adults in direct conservation projects on public lands across the state. Volunteer opportunities include trail maintenance, tree planting, event assistance, and more! (608) 782-2494; staff@ wiscorps.org; www.wiscorps.org.

Place your FREE listing! Email info@muellermediacorp.com with your volunteer opportunity or calendar event. Listings are subject to approval and may be edited for content or space.

ENGAGE, EMPOWER, CONNECT

Local food system coalition.

Article: Jason Larsen

GET INVOLVED

WHAT

helpin

Engage, Empower, Connect; that’s a tagline a drove of folks came up with for a local food system coalition. It is also what I’d like all of us to do more of this year - engage, empower, connect. The new year brings about new and fresh ideas for a number of us. Many laugh at the idea of a New Year’s resolution, but even more of us find a comforting closure in ending a year … and see fresh opportunities to come in the new one. I invite and encourage you to add to your list of to do’s for 2015. Add volunteering to that list and become more engaged in your community. There are handfuls of reasons to volunteer. Let’s start with my “Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer.” (My top 10 list is full of other people’s ideas and impressions; it may contain flat-out plagiarism. Keep it to yourself, otherwise you’ll start a vicious scandal. A vicious scandal is no way to start the new year.) That said, my personalized and copyrighted top 10 list: Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer 1. It’s good for you - Focusing on and helping others has been shown to reduce stress and interrupt tension-producing patterns 2. Meet new friends - Authentically choosing areas of interest to volunteer is a great way to meet new friends outside of your typical social strata 3. Strengthens community - Support those experiencing poverty, homelessness, the elderly, schools, parks, etc., and we’re all better supported 4. Conserve resources - Volunteerism provides a valuable service to nonprofits … more of their dollars can go to the folks who need them 5. Gain a service mentality - Helping others, helping a cause is a valuable mindset to have personally and professionally 6. Promote personal growth - Whether working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, speaking in public, or working in teams, when you’re actively engaged in service, you’re actively engaged in growth … 7. Enhance your skillset - Hands-on experience rounds out your degree or work experience to land you the next great career move … “the proof is in the pudding” 8. Get your foot in the door - Whether for a specific group or for a specific skillset, or to meet a like-minded new crew, volunteerism can open doors 9. Networking - Relationships, relationships, relationships and a link to the visible and invisible job market (I know networking is a bit cheese-ball to some of you, but a top nine list would get us nowhere) 10. Gain experience - Add skills to your resume not available in your current career or classroom setting; learn how different work styles and cultures affect workflow and conditions Jason Larsen is the community impact director at Great Rivers United Way, a community-minded volunteer, and an occasional freelance writer.

Want to volunteer? Here’s some great ways to make a difference!

Local. Organic. Delicious.

Try our different grades of Wonderful Organic Maple Syrup! KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

sup IN THE COULEE REGION (WHAT’S UP)

Local events calendar for January 2015 JANUARY 1

JANUARY 8

DIY: CANVAS PAINTING CLASS 6:30-9 pm @ All Glazed Up in La Crosse Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instructed lesson. BYOB.

OTHER: MOONLIGHT BOWLING 7:30 pm @ All Star Lanes in La Crosse Cost: $5 for three games and free shoes.

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE: DARK LA CROSSE TOUR: THE RADIO SHOW 7:30 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse Free; reservations required. Learn about the seedier side of La Crosse’s past in this new stage production in the format of an old-time radio show.

MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free.

JANUARY 2

MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE, FOOD AND DRINK: FREE MUSIC FRIDAY 3-10 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free, come grab a pint and listen to free music starting at 6 pm. ARTS: FIRST FRIDAY MEET AND GREET 6-8 pm @ Gallery La Crosse in downtown La Crosse Free Casual artists’ reception.

JANUARY 3

FOOD AND DRINK: BREWERY TOUR 12-5 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free. MARKET: WINTER MARKET 10 am-1 pm @ Cartwright Center, UW-L Free, featuring local vendors. SPORTS: UW-L MEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-EAU CLAIRE 3-6 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults. SPORTS: COULEE REGION CHILL VS. JANESVILLE JETS 6 pm @ Green Island Ice Arena in La Crosse Cost: $6 for students/military/seniors; $10 for adults.

JANUARY 5

TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: GROUP RUN 6 pm @ Grand Bluff Running in downtown La Crosse Free. FILM SCREENING: MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE MOVIES 6-8 pm @ La Crosse Public Library Free, showing Dial M for Murder (1954) Rated PG.

JANUARY 6

MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free. FOOD AND DRINK: TEA TASTING PARTY 6-7:15 pm @ Dim Sum Tea Shop in La Crosse Tickets: $8, includes dumplings, egg tart and tea. DIY: CANVAS PAINTING CLASS 6-9 pm @ All Glazed Up in La Crosse Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instructed lesson. Call ahead to register and BYOB.

JANUARY 7

FOOD AND DRINK: FREE WHEELIN’ WEDNESDAY 4-8 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free pint if you ride your bike down to the tasting room

MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free.

OTHER: MOONLIGHT BOWLING 7:30 pm @ All Star Lanes in La Crosse Cost: $5 for three games and free shoes.

JANUARY 9

MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE, FOOD AND DRINK: FREE MUSIC FRIDAY 3-10 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free, come grab a pint and listen to free music starting at 6 pm.

JANUARY 10

FOOD AND DRINK: BREWERY TOUR 12-5 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION RUN 8 am @ YMCA-North in Onalaska Registration: $18-$28, depending on date of registration. 5-mile or 5K distances; long sleeve T-shirt included. SPORTS: UW-L WOMEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-SUPERIOR 3-6 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults. SPORTS: COULEE REGION CHILL VS. MINNESOTA WILDERNESS 6 pm @ Green Island Ice Arena in La Crosse Cost: $6 for students/military/seniors; $10 for adults.

JANUARY 11

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE: DARK LA CROSSE TOUR: THE RADIO SHOW 2 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse Free; reservations required. Learn about the seedier side of La Crosse’s past in this new stage production in the format of an old-time radio show.

All events are subject to change, call ahead for details. Listings in the calendar are free. If you have an event that you would like to include in an upcoming issue, go to our website www.klutchchronicle.com or call 608-796-8780. FOOD AND DRINK: FREE WHEELIN’ WEDNESDAY 4-8 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free pint if you ride your bike down to the tasting room. DIY: FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS 6-8 pm @ Flowers by Guenthers in Onalaska Cost: $28. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: LAUGHTER CIRCLE SOCIAL CLUB 7-8 pm @ The Ark in Viroqua Cost: $2 per person, this class features laughter as exercise. SPORTS: UW-L WOMEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-STEVENS POINT 3-6 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults. MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE: DAN BERGER’S SONGWRITER’S CORNER 5 pm @ Robins Nest in La Crosse Free, La Crosse area songwriters perform original music.

JANUARY 15

FESTIVAL: WINTER REC-FEST Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! Buttons are $2. MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free. DIY: CANVAS PAINTING CLASS 6:30-9 pm @ All Glazed Up in La Crosse Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instructed lesson. BYOB. OTHER: MOONLIGHT BOWLING 7:30 pm @ All Star Lanes in La Crosse Cost: $5 for three games and free shoes. THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE: DARK LA CROSSE TOUR: THE RADIO SHOW 7:30 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse Free; reservations required. Learn about the seedier side of La Crosse’s past in this new stage production in the format of an old-time radio show. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: BROOKS GROUP RUN 6-7 pm @ Grand Bluff Running in downtown La Crosse Free run with Brooks! Brooks will have sample shoes to use during the run. Theme TBD.

Cost: $40 per person, hosted event. Did that favorite pair of jeans wear out but you just can’t seem to let them go? Now you don’t have to! Learn a simple technique to up-cycle old jeans into a durable and washable, eco-friendly rug. You can bring your own jeans or use what the instructor provides. No previous crafting skills required. DIY: AMISH BREAD BAKING 9 am-1 pm @ Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN Cost: $40 per person, $5 supply fee, hosted event. Learn how to bake bread in a wood stove and make butter in an Amish home in southeastern Minnesota. You will take home a loaf of fresh baked bread and witness how life without electricity is possible. After the bread is baked and the butter is made, everyone will gather together for a pot of tea, fresh baked bread and homemade butter. DIY: BEER BREWING BASICS 1-5 pm @ Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN Cost: $40 per person, $20 supply fee, hosted event. This class is designed for an adult (aged 21+) who has never home brewed before or has been unhappy with their first attempts. We will do all the basics in making a onegallon batch of ale: brewing, fermenting, sterilizing and bottling. After a hands-on experience with making beer (brewing), participants will get to take home some beer that they bottled themselves! MUSIC: RISING STARS CONCERTO COMPETITION 2:30 pm @ Viterbo Recital Hall in La Crosse Final competition between six instrumental and piano finalists, performing with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE: RAVE ON! THE BUDDY HOLLY EXPERIENCE 7:30-9:30 pm @ Viterbo University in La Crosse Tickets: $27-$37. MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE: ROCKIN’ FOR HORSESENSE 7 pm @ Radisson Ballroom in La Crosse Tickets: $10 ahead, $15 at the door. Benefit for HorseSense for Special Riders; live music by The Remainders. SPORTS: UW-L MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD 12 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults. SPORTS: UW-L MEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-WHITEWATER 3-6 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults.

JANUARY 16

SPORTS: VITERBO MEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-WHITEWATER 3-6 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults.

EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: GROUP RUN 6 pm @ Grand Bluff Running in downtown La Crosse Free.

MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE, FOOD AND DRINK: FREE MUSIC FRIDAY 3-10 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free, come grab a pint and listen to free music starting at 6 pm.

MUSIC: BILLY MCGUIGAN’S ROCK LEGENDS 7:30 pm @ Holmen High School $20, proceeds go to the Holmen High School Band. Audience is given the opportunity to vote for songs and music they would like to hear in this unique show.

FILM SCREENING: MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE MOVIES 6-8 pm @ La Crosse Public Library Free, showing Chef (2014) Rated R.

SPORTS: COULEE REGION CHILL VS. AUSTIN BRUINS 6 pm @ Green Island Ice Arena in La Crosse Cost: $6 for students/military/seniors; $10 for adults.

JANUARY 13

MUSIC: VOCALDENTE A CAPPELLA 6:30 pm @ Heider Center for the Arts in West Salem Tickets: $18-$20.

EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: YOGA NIDRA 5:30-6:30 pm @ Root Down Yoga Studio in La Crosse Yoga Nidra is a state of conscious, deep rest. Feel free to bring a pillow and blanket (and your favorite teddy bear). The room will be warmed; dress comfortably.

JANUARY 12

TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free.

MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free.

DIY: FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS 6-8 pm @ Flowers by Guenthers in Onalaska Cost: $28.

FOOD AND DRINK: TEA TASTING PARTY 6-7:15 pm @ Dim Sum Tea Shop in La Crosse Tickets: $8, includes dumplings, egg tart and tea.

EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: LAUGHTER CIRCLE SOCIAL CLUB 7-8 pm @ The Ark in Viroqua Cost: $2 per person, this class features laughter as exercise.

DIY: CANVAS PAINTING CLASS 6-9 pm @ All Glazed Up in La Crosse Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instructed lesson. Call ahead to register and BYOB.

SPORTS: VITERBO WOMEN’S AND MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. MAYVILLE STATE Women play at 5-7 pm; Men play at 7-9 pm @ Viterbo University.

FESTIVAL: WINTER REC-FEST Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! Buttons are $2.

JANUARY 14

FESTIVAL: WINTER REC-FEST Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! Buttons are $2.

MUSIC: AND NIGHTLIFE HEARTIST Time TBA @ The Warehouse in downtown La Crosse Tickets: TBA.

JANUARY 17

FOOD AND DRINK: BREWERY TOUR 12-5 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free. MARKET: WINTER MARKET 10 am-1 pm @ Cartwright Center, UW-L Free, featuring local vendors. DIY: UP-CYCLE BLUE JEAN RUGS 9 am-12 pm @ Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

JANUARY 18

JANUARY 19

FESTIVAL: WINTER REC-FEST Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! Buttons are $2. TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: GROUP RUN 6 pm @ Grand Bluff Running in downtown La Crosse Free. FILM SCREENING: MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE MOVIES 6-8 pm @ La Crosse Public Library Free, showing Always (1989) Rated PG.

JANUARY 20

MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free.

FILM SCREENING: MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE MOVIES 6-8 pm @ La Crosse Public Library Free, showing Hundred Foot Journey (2014), rated PG. MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free.

DIY: CANVAS PAINTING CLASS 6-9 pm @ All Glazed Up in La Crosse Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instructed lesson. Call ahead to register and BYOB.

FOOD AND DRINK: TEA TASTING PARTY 6-7:15 pm @ Dim Sum Tea Shop in La Crosse Tickets: $8, includes dumplings, egg tart and tea.

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE: ANYTHING GOES 6:30 pm @ Viterbo in La Crosse Tickets: $39-$52. This comedy, set aboard the ocean liner the S.S. American, features songs such as I Get A Kick Out Of You and Anything Goes.

JANUARY 21

FOOD AND DRINK: FREE WHEELIN’ WEDNESDAY 4-8 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free pint if you ride your bike down to the tasting room. DIY: FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS 6-8 pm @ Flowers by Guenthers in Onalaska Cost: $28. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: LAUGHTER CIRCLE SOCIAL CLUB 7-8 pm @ The Ark in Viroqua Cost: $2 per person, this class features laughter as exercise. FILM SCREENING: FILM FREAKS 6:30-8:30 pm @ La Crosse Public Library Free, showing It Happened One Night (1934), not rated. SPORTS: UW-L WOMEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-OSHKOSH 7 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults.

JANUARY 22

MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free. DIY: CANVAS PAINTING CLASS 6:30-9 pm @ All Glazed Up in La Crosse Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instructed lesson. BYOB. OTHER: MOONLIGHT BOWLING 7:30 pm @ All Star Lanes in La Crosse Cost: $5 for three games and free shoes. SPORTS: UW-L WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS V. UW-OSHKOSH 6:30 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults. SPORTS: UW-L WRESTLING V. UW-WHITEWATER 6:30 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults.

JANUARY 23

FESTIVAL: WINTER REC-FEST Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! Buttons are $2. MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE, FOOD AND DRINK: FREE MUSIC FRIDAY 3-10 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free, come grab a pint and listen to free music starting at 6 pm.

JANUARY 24

FESTIVAL: WINTER REC-FEST Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! Buttons are $2. FOOD AND DRINK: BREWERY TOUR 12-5 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free. SPORTS: UW-L MEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-RIVER FALLS 3-6 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults.

JANUARY 26

TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: GROUP RUN 6 pm @ Grand Bluff Running in downtown La Crosse Free.

Back on track, faster than ever

JANUARY 27

FOOD AND DRINK: TEA TASTING PARTY 6-7:15 pm @ Dim Sum Tea Shop in La Crosse Tickets: $8, includes dumplings, egg tart and tea.

DIY: CANVAS PAINTING CLASS 6-9 pm @ All Glazed Up in La Crosse Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instructed lesson. Call ahead to register and BYOB.

JANUARY 28

FOOD AND DRINK: FREE WHEELIN’ WEDNESDAY 4-8 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free pint if you ride your bike down to the tasting room. DIY: FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS 6-8 pm @ Flowers by Guenthers in Onalaska Cost: $28. EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: LAUGHTER CIRCLE SOCIAL CLUB 7-8 pm @ The Ark in Viroqua Cost: $2 per person, this class features laughter as exercise. FILM SCREENING: FILM FREAKS 6:30-8:30 pm @ La Crosse Public Library Free, showing Marty (1955), not rated. SPORTS: UW-L MEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-STEVENS POINT 7 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults.

JANUARY 29

An interdisciplinary team of orthopedic specialists provides high-level, coordinated care. Expert care can make the difference between an injury that heals and one that becomes a lifelong, daily reminder. An interdisciplinary team including a talented foot and ankle specialist, highly skilled orthopedic surgeons and exceptional exercise physiologists coordinate each aspect of care. From reconstructive surgery to rehabilitative therapy, they accompany patients on a faster journey back from a devastating injury to an active life. Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse 700 West Ave. S., La Crosse, WI 54601 • For a consultation, call 608-392-9876 mayoclinichealthsystem.org/lacrosse

JANUARY 30

FESTIVAL: WINTER REC-FEST Varied times and events, including curling, basketball, volleyball, snow softball, fishing, Euchre and Sheepshead, and much more! Buttons are $2. MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE, FOOD AND DRINK: FREE MUSIC FRIDAY 3-10 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free, come grab a pint and listen to free music starting at 6 pm.

Weber Center

for the

Performing Arts

Don’t miss the hot shows this winter!

SPORTS: UW-L WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS 6:30 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse. THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE: WEST SIDE STORY IN CONCERT 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $20. Songs from the classic musical of starcrossed lovers involved in opposing gangs.

JANUARY 31

webercenterfortheperformingarts.org

SPORTS: UW-L MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIM AND DIVE V. UW-STEVENS POINT AND UW-OSHKOSH 1 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults. SPORTS: UW-L WOMEN’S BASKETBALL V. UW-WHITEWATER 3-6 pm @ Mitchell Hall, UW-La Crosse Cost: $4 for youth/seniors; $6 for adults. THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE: WEST SIDE STORY 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $20. Classic musical of star-crossed lovers involved in opposing gangs.

Photo by Theresa M. Smerud

428 Front Street South, La Crosse, WI 54601

608-784-9292

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

from a New Angle.

flip side

Information

I recently received a raise and a promotion at my full-time job. It’s exciting and relieving to be able to cover all my expenses and have extra cash to the point that I can quit my second, part-time job. The problem is that my boyfriend doesn’t want me to. He works full time and likes the extra income coming in from my raise but I’m wiped! We’ve been arguing about it for over a month and I don’t know what else to tell him. I made the commitment to work both jobs when he was still working part time. Now that we’re both bringing in similar pay with our full-time jobs, I really want to quit. I don’t even have time to do fun things because I’m always working. He isn’t willing to take on a second job because he said his job “is harder than mine.” What should I say? Sincerely, Too Tired to Argue

on the

Dear Liv,

Grammar By: Briana Rupel

was kicked back on the patio with my extended family, all of us with a vibrant can cooler nestled around our domestic brew of choice, when someone finally broke the ice.

Too Tired to Argue, Your struggle mirrors one that I have experienced recently, and there is a simple solution. It sounds like you’ve been working hard and are now earning some long overdue “payback.” Congratulations! This is a point in life that we all strive for, anticipate, and celebrate. No one goes to college or works their way up the ladder at a company only to keep dragging themselves to a second job. Ask anyone working multiple jobs and they will all answer the same way. If they had a position that satisfied their financial needs, they, like everyone else, would rather go home at night and relax rather than punch another clock. You have worked hard, and wanting to take a step back to enjoy your success is normal and deserved. First, it sounds like you’ve already taken steps to resolve this with your boyfriend. Good work! I’m sorry he’s being resistant instead of celebrating this wonderful time in your life. The choice you must deal with now is to (a) follow his will and be miserable for it (which could also drive a serious knife through your relationship), or (b) listen to your gut and firmly stand by it. The lucky part is that you’re not married and, therefore, you still have your own financial freedom. This can also be looked at as a test for the virility of your relationship. We all know financial struggles are one of the main causes for divorce and separation. This is giving you and your boyfriend the opportunity to work through a financial decision as a “test-run.” This may also give you both a chance to really start looking at expenses and budgeting together to make the full-time jobs work comfortably without the expendable income. Turn this obstacle into an opportunity to improve the relationship. Because you have already discussed this and it got no further than an argument, I would say another approach is necessary. As you stated, you and your boyfriend are pulling in similar paychecks and contributing equal amounts. This, along with the fact that he is not your husband at this point, means that you can and should make this decision on your own and that you do not need his permission. Make the decision for yourself and quit the second job. Tell your boyfriend that you feel bad about the fact that you couldn’t see eye to eye, but this is what’s best for you both. Stay away from the whole “my job is harder than yours” part of this. That is something deeply rooted in social constructs, gender roles and male hierarchies. Unless the two of you want to explore it from an open-minded, anthropological standpoint, just leave it be. The real issue here is not what he thinks of his job or your job comparatively, but whether or not you should feel pressured and even forced into working your fingers to the bone while he goes home at night. Fair is fair is fair. Finally, I don’t think you should worry or feel bad about this. I think that once your decision is made and you’ve followed through on it, you will feel much better. In time, he will come around too. He will definitely not be complaining when the two of you are eating more dinners together, seeing more movies and spending more time snuggling on the couch at night. You’re on the right track; just be strong and follow through. This is the beginning of the next chapter in your life. Above all else, stay happy and stay healthy! Liv

“Sooo,” my aunt drawled, “how’s college ...?” She gave “college” this inflection at the end, like it was a gristly piece of pork fat in her mouth that she had to gnaw on for a while and still wasn’t comfortable swallowing. ‘Here we go,’ I thought, psyching myself up for the bomb I was about to drop. It was true. I had switched my major to be with my first love, and she happened to reside in the College of Liberal Arts. “English?!” My uncle growled through his grizzly beard, pausing briefly enough to collect his thoughts over a slug of Bud Light. “Why ya gotta pay money to study English? Your Ma already taught‘cha English, ain’t she?” I was born within a dichotomy where one side of the family could probably out-Scrabble Webster himself, while the other side tossed out double-negatives the way a frat boy sinks a crushed PBR can with a hook shot. Somewhere from within this conglomerate I emerged with this innate ability to effortlessly spot mistakes and textual inconsistencies of the written word. They pop out in 3D, the way those Technicolor Magic Eye puzzles used to jump out of the Sunday paper. I’m that girl at the restaurant who whips open the menu initially excited, not to peruse the appetizers, but in anticipation of that Aha! moment when I’ll spot a spelling error that I already had assumed was buried there in the first place. My dinner partners will roll their eyes, but to me, I’ve conquered a challenge; the same way I would feel if I suddenly developed the capability to never again need the occasional use of my fingers to do simple math. Alas, contrary to what you’re probably expecting, I’m not going to spend the rest of the page chiding you for saying “borrowed” instead of “lent.” I’m not going to hop onto a pedestal and preach for the necessity of Oxford commas. Instead, I have a confession to divulge: Perhaps the most deliciously ironic consequence of my entire college career is that spending money to study my native tongue is precisely what stopped me from harassing speakers of so-called improper English.

Need Advice?

What I’m saying is, I learned to chill the f*** out.

Email Liv at info@muellermediacorp.com and skip that $250 therapy session.

There’s a time and a place for grammatical snobbery. Like when you pick up the stack of embossed programs

January, 2015 // KlutchChronicle.com

for your mom’s second wedding ceremony and your hometown is spelled wrong. Or when you’re paying $24 a plate and the restaurant has overlooked the misspelling of “Caesar.” Or when you pay hundreds of dollars for a sprawling back tattoo of your family tree and part of the German quote at the base is incorrect. These things happen. Rightfully so, we should expect, if not demand, perfection of our language in a professional setting. Or, you know, words etched into your skin. But in a laid-back conversation? That’s when the fun begins. To me, the most beautiful aspect of English is that it’s like a chunk of Play-Doh. It comes in a variety of colors, and we all have the ability to snatch it up and mold it into whatever shape accurately conveys our desired message. Think about it. We create words all the time, so much so that the Oxford English Dictionary updates our lexicon four times every year. We dream up words that are simply fun to roll around on the tongue: Bamboozled. Wackadoodle. Thingamajig. We build new words letter by letter, just so we can describe our favorite sounds: Boing. Kerplunk. Squelch. We even have permission to turn the names of companies into verbs! How many times have you “Googled” something, or “Facebooked” your friend? If you do a simple Internet search on dialect and vernacular in the United States, there’s over 100 maps that chart regional differences the way a meteorologist would arc a cold front. The point is, there’s no one correct way to speak English. We speak based on where we’re from, who we’re around, and what we’re feeling like. And though I’m educated on when to properly differentiate between “who” and “whom,” that doesn’t mean I’ll ever say “whom” in a conversation. Why? Because I would feel pompous and silly. In fact, I should’ve used it a couple of sentences ago, but the great thing about American English is that I can refuse — and get away with it. So the next time you find yourself cringing when the woman in front of you orders an “expresso,” take a breath and let it slide. Because it just don’t matter anyway. Briana Rupel grew up drinking out of a bubbler, sipping milk instead of melk, and ditched her pellow for a pillow.

What are your favorite words? What’s the funniest grammatical error you’ve seen? Let Bri know on Facebook at www.facebook.com/briontheflipside!

Black River Falls • La Crosse • Prairie du Chien Richland Center • Sparta • Viroqua • Whitehall

Helping Create Healthier Lives and Families Birth Control Services • Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings Annual Health Exams for Women • Education and Resources Emergency Contraception • STD Testing and Treatment for All Pregnancy Testing and Counseling

HEALTH INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

results and talk to your ule appointments, check your lab Would you like to be able to sched e? If you’re a patient at devic held hand or uter own comp medical provider all right from your e, online medical tool. secur our re MyCa for Simply sign up Gundersen Health System, you can. • View lists of your allergies, medicines MyCare allows you to: and immunizations rgent • Contact your provider with non-u • Order more contact lenses sts reque or y questions • View accounts of your children, famil • View your health summary bers and other who give their mem • View lab results permission nts • Schedule and view future appointme

Visit MYCARE.GUNDERSENHEALTH.ORG to

1201 Caledonia Street, La Crosse, WI • (800) 657-5177

www.optionsclinic.org

Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Inc. | Gundersen Clinic, Ltd.

New Year... New You!

$4995

Sleep like a baby

On Hour Custom Massage Session

Manage pain

New Clients (reg. $6995)

Reduce stress Boost energy

The path to health and wellness in 2015 begins with LaVida Massage. Become a member and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of regular massage all year long!

Improve concentration Enhance immunity

LaVida Massage of Onalaska

1220 Crossing Meadows Drive #270, Onalaska, WI 54650 www.lavidamassageonalaskawi.com (608) 783-3008

Call or Book Online!

Open 7 Days a Week • Extended Hours • Licensed Therapists Therapeutic • Convenient • Affordable

…but wait, there’s more! Visit Klutch online for more articles and super awesome stuff.

Mel, Krish and Heidi of Sparta’s Top Cut Barbershop & Salon provide free beard trimming at 95.7’s End of Movember Shave Party at the Pearl Street Brewery. Photo: Bob Good

klutchchronicle.com

KlutchChronicle.com \\ January, 2015

The Pearl Ice cream Parlor Soda FounTaIn & conFecTIonery

La Crosse’s Finest Consignment Apparel for over 30 years!

Fully Insured! e We com! to you

The Pearl coFFee houSe grand hoTel ballroom & gallery arT 211 Pearl TJ’S la croSSe ShoP cheddarheadS gIFT gallery

Fresh new looks arrive daily including purses & accessories.

CheCk out our oktoberfest tees!

M, T, W, F 10:30-5 • Thurs. 10:30-6 • Sat. 10:30-3 1400 West Ave. S. • La Crosse, WI 608.785.1220 • www.thesecondshowing.com

Pearl ST. WeST

hISTorIc

200 Pearl ST. • la croSSe, WI • 608-784-8899

847-951-4442 CritterComfortPetCare.com

FACIALS, BODY WRAPS AND WAXING NOW OFFERING MASSAGE THERAPY!

boutiqueADKlutchJan15.pdf

Home of the loose meat sandwich

12/17/2014

modernbodyskincare.com • (608) 788-0022 4:07:18 PM 4010 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse, WI

CMY

1119 Caledonia St. La Crosse, WI 54603

the back page

ARE YOU READING THIS? SO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS! You’ll be seen on the Back Page. As low as $60/issue. Contact us by email at info@muellermediacorp.com or call 608-796-8780 for more information on rates, distribution, and sizes.

Donating plasma saves lives and is surprisingly easy and quick to do, plus you can receive up to

$360 YOUR FIRST MONTH!

VISIT BIOLIFEPLASMA.COM NOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT! 1278 Rudy St. • Onalaska, WI 54650 608.779.4844 • Free Supervised Playroom & WiFi! NEW DONORS OR DONORS DONATED IN SIX MONTH WHO HAVEN’T THIS COUPON AND RECE S OR MORE, PRESENT IVE $250 IN JUST FOUR DONATIONS. Must present this co on prior to the initial donation to receive aup tot al of $50 on your first, a total of $75 on your seco nd , a total of $50 on your third, and a total of $75 on yo ur fourth successful donation. Initial donation m us t be completed by 1.31.15 and subsequent Coupon redeemable onlydonations within 30 days. successful donations. M upon completing combined with any other ay not be at participating locations. offer. Only

$250 Finally, a resolution you want to keep.