SEVEN July 2015

FREE

The Stanton Effect

Music, Art, Mentorship

July 2015 | ISSUE#1 | TheSevenSpot.com

Kinstone Circle

Building from Within

Dave Rogers A Man Who Knows How to Play

Memorial Park / Arcadia, WI SHOWCASING THE ARTS. SUPPORTING HUMANITY.

Aug 7

FRANKIE VALLI

& The Four Seasons

Aug 8Aug 8th CORBIN EASTON

Aug 8 THE FRA Y

AUG 6,7&8 5 Thursday, Friday & Saturday $

WILD WEST SCAVENGER HUNT

arts &crafts

for sale throughout the park

NEW MAIN STAGE LOCATION

plus,

don’t forget your lawn chairs!

MORE

HOT AIR BALLOONS

DAYS

$

fun family & activities!

r foTHREE

food vendors parking/shuttling camping family fun activities

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

visit us at www.ashleyforthearts.com or

TS OR THE AR F IN IS U R C CAR SHOW

LIKE www.facebook.com/ashleyforthearts US ON FACEBOOK

MUSIC: THE FRAY FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS EASTON CORBIN CLOUD CULT SEAN HAYES JOHNNY HOLM BAND SIDEWYNDER RIVER RATTLER BAND THE RIVERBENDERS BIG RIVER RADIO WAVE LOS CREADOREZ DEL PASITO DURANGUENSE THEM COULEE BOYS THE MONDAYS SCHOOL & YOUTH PERFORMANCES THE MEMORIES ARTARIA STRING QUARTET MADI MARIE CARLSON SARA MARIE MULLEN AMANDA GRACE SIN CITY ESCAPE

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS: AIR PARK YOUTH OBSTACLE COURSE PURSUIT OF A CURE 5K SKY LANTERN LAUNCH ART & CRAFT FAIR HOT AIR BALLOONS PURSUIT OF THE ARTS BIKE RACE 2 CAR SHOW WILD WEST ADVENTURE FIREWORKS AND MUCH MORE!

Eau Claire Rochester Winona

Arcadia LaCrosse

3

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

Inside

6 Urbanist 7 (Almost) Famous Locals

About SEVEN explores the dynamic community, culture and arts world of the Seven Rivers Region.

8 Entertainment

12 11

PUB INFO

12 The Arts

Contact Phone: 608-780-3853

15 Business

Email: contact@thesevenspot.com

16 Limelight

Web: TheSevenSpot.com

Mail: PO Box 762,

Onalaska, WI 54650 Facebook: TheSevenSpot

20 Subject Matter 21 Outdoors 22 Sip n’ Taste

Twitter: @thesevenspot Support Advertising sustains the celebration of musicians, festivals, thespians, artists, and the vibrant community that calls the Seven Rivers Region home.

Phone: (608) 780-3853 Email: michellejerome7@gmail.com

16

24 Family 25 Get Fit with Livi Fit 26 Listings 29 Volunteer Listings

A note

22

30 Writer’s Block

Copyright 2015 by Humble Mountain Press, LLC. All rights reserved. All material, including artwork, advertisements, and editorial, may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

from the publisher SEVEN. What is it? Simply said, it’s a monthly magazine highlighting the entertainment, community and culture of the Seven Rivers Region.

(Do you know which seven are “our” rivers?) Our goal is to seek out and share what makes our section of this world jive and flow. Behind each festival and stage, within our forest trails and river sloughs, inside each local shop and café…are the people of Seven. These musicians, farmers, thespians, small business owners, survivors and self-proclaimed river rats are paid tribute through

This publication is printed monthly

by Humble Mountain Press, LLC and distributed throughout the Seven Rivers Region. Readers are encouraged to verify event information with organizations and businesses directly. Humble Mountain Press, LLC does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials.

stories and imagery created by a highly talented group of writers, photographers and graphic artists. So, what is it? Seven…is all of us.

Everyone who worked on this project is proud to present the inaugural issue of SEVEN.

TheSevenSpot.com

Wishing everyone a bright and vibrant summer, Michelle

COVER

On the Cover Cover Photography by Bob Good “As a photographer who’s passionate about downtown La Crosse, I take advantage of any opportunity to photograph unique angles of the urban district. This was shot during the annual springtime rooftop maintenance of the legendary Warehouse [concert venue] that requires a journey of fire escapes, ladders and teamwork to reach the top.”

Todd Wohlert Writer

A.J. Moore Writer

Deborah Nerud Writer

Olivia Parshall Writer

Yasmynn Rain Calendar Editor

Briana Rupel Writer

Michael Scott Writer

Matt Stannard Writer

Brett Werner Writer

Andrew Londre Writer

Jason Keeney Crew Chief & Graphic Designer

Ryan Johnson Writer

Michelle L. Jerome Crew Captain

Joe Hart Writer

Heidi Griminger Blanke, Ph.D Writer

Bob Good Photographer

Joerg Droll Writer

Becca Dargatz Writer

Tegan Daly Writer

Leah Call Copy Editor & Writer

Chad Berger Photographer

The CREW

The local talent dedicated to bringing you a fresh look at our region.

MISC

URBANIST

By: Andrew Londre

photo: Bob Good

REBELS WITH A CAUSE Big Bikes for Little Tikes Article: Tegan Daly Motorcycle riders have long held a reputation as bad boys, nonconformists and rebels without a cause. Motorcyclists in the Seven Rivers Region, however, have shown that while they may be rebels, they do, in fact, have a cause. This year 523 riders participated in the Big Bikes for Little Tikes ride, organized by 95.7 The Rock’s Rock Foundation. The goal of the annual ride is to raise enough money and awareness to make a wish come true for a local child struggling with a health issue.

This year the ride took place on May 16, and funds went to 12-yearold Donovan Johnson of Arcadia. In May 2013, Donovan was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the abdomen and has since undergone rigorous

chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries.

His wish was to take his immediate and extended family on a trip to Soak City Water Park in Ohio. Through the generosity of the community, the Foundation was able to raise enough money to fulfill Donovan’s wish, plus provide some extra money to help the family with medical expenses.

Each year a new route, approximately 100 miles long, is created so that the riders can make an appearance in the hometown of the child whose wish they are fulfilling. The ride has taken place every year for nearly two decades. It seems that with the turnout and dedication of the participants of Big Bikes for Little Tykes, this ride will continue to benefit children in the Seven Rivers Region far into the future.

HERE TO STAY Segway Tours

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

Article: Tegan Daly

6

Without doubt, one of the main draws for both visitors and residents of La Crosse is the city’s beauty. The natural beauty of the Mississippi River and surrounding bluffs along with a variety of historic architecture make La Crosse a fascinating place to explore.

La Crosse Segway Tours at 319 Main Street in downtown La Crosse offers an ideal way to see the city from an easyto-operate personal transporter.

Launched in April, La Crosse Segway Tours is already ranked #3 for things to do in La Crosse by tripadvisor.com.

There are a variety of tour options, including a historic tour and a UWLa Crosse campus tour. Segways are also available for rent in various time increments without doing a tour. If you’re just curious and want to check it out, try a quick 15-minute or half-hour outing, or rent by the hour. You’ll get

a tutorial on how to use the Segway before heading out, so no experience is necessary.

La Crosse Segway Tours is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily from April to October, with a fleet of six Segways available for rent. Catering to both visitors and residents, La Crosse Segway Tours offers a great way to explore La Crosse.

GO: Reservations are recommended, though walk-ins are welcome. Minors must be at least 12 years old to ride and must be accompanied by an adult. To make a reservation, call 608-790-5419. Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes.

Helmets are provided.

Tegan Daly is a fun-lovin’ poet who lives in La Crosse and participates in poetry readings throughout the region. She can often be found in gardens, kayaks and coffee shops.

photo: Michael Barreyro

THE FORMULA FOR A VIBRANT CITY

I

am an urbanist. In three words that means: I love cities.

In a few more words, it means that I specifically love cities that are designed with bicycles and pedestrians as a top priority; cities with high-quality mass transit and outdoor recreation opportunities; cities that are well planned and well defined with plenty of high-quality public spaces; cities with great urban and architectural design; cities with diverse neighborhoods and mixed housing types—especially high-quality, mixed-use and high-density buildings; cities with vibrant art scenes and entrepreneurial cultures and plenty of fun stuff to do. As a Midwest Urbanist, I am proud to call La Crosse home.

There is a lot to love about this place: from projects like the entrepreneurial startup service, Coulee CO.STARTERS, to the creation of an affordable downtown co-work office space; from the Beer by Bike Brigade to La Crosse SOUP [covered on page 15]; from the beloved Root Note café to the legendary Pearl Street Brewery; from the expanding downtown Arts District to the growing music scene.

Formula for urban vibrancy Being a vibrant city means never falling victim to complacency. A city that settles is a city that will soon perish. So how do we maintain and keep growing vibrant cities in the Seven Rivers Region? I suggest going all in on an unwritten formula which is followed pretty consistently by vibrant cities the world over.

The formula: Urban Vibrancy = City X + (bike/ped/mass-transit infrastructure + outdoor recreation opportunities + entrepreneurs + young professionals + high-quality public spaces + plenty of fun stuff to do + art + craft beer).

Cities that follow this formula enjoy a high quality of life, resilient economy, strong housing market and many other positive externalities.

Embracing the formula I recently spent time in two cities that have embraced this formula: Reno, Nev., and Chattanooga, Tenn. I visited these two cities as part of the international NextCity Vanguard conference, an experiential urban leadership gathering of extraordinary young urban leaders.

Embracing this formula, both Reno and Chattanooga are among the hottest destination cities in the United States at the moment – but it wasn’t always so.

In 1969 Chattanooga was declared by the federal government and by Walter Cronkite on national news as, “The dirtiest city in America.” Today it is an outdoor recreation destination and is internationally recognized as an innovation and tech hotspot.

For decades Reno’s economy was propped up by—of all things—quick divorces and casinos. Now it’s being re-built by homegrown entrepreneurs as well as Bay Area migrants seeking a lower cost of living. It also helps that one of the sexiest companies out there, Tesla Motors, has set up shop in Reno.

But it’s not just Chattanooga and Reno. When you talk to urban innovators from all over the United States and across the globe, you quickly realize this formula is at the heart of virtually every exciting urban center, from Austin, Texas, to Brooklyn, N.Y. Bring it home Let’s bring this back home to the cities of the Seven Rivers Region.

Do we need to work harder to build up our outdoor recreation, bike-ped, mass-transit infrastructure and our entrepreneurial support systems? Sure. Do we need to do a better job of supporting local artists and young professionals? Most definitely. Do we need to create even more opportunities to enjoy arts, culture and generally have fun? We do.

Most cities in the Seven Rivers Region are on the right track, but we need to go all in.

Embrace our cities, embrace urbanism, set our sights on greatness, follow the proven formula and enjoy the ride.

Andrew Londre wears many hats-currently serving on eight local, regional and national boards, with a focus on neighborhoods and urban revitalization. Andrew started a number of new organizations and initiatives-most recently La Crosse SOUPand has worked in many sectors: government, nonprofit, cooperatives and small businesses. In 2014, he was honored as a NextCity Vanguard.

Have feedback? Share your thoughts on the Urbanist with the SEVEN Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/TheSevenSpot.

(Almost)

FAMOUS LOCALS

bo

ra

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eru d

A dynamic parasite presentation by UW-La Crosse biology professor Greg Sandland brought Brown to La Crosse.

Referring to the move, Brown states, “When you see something that inspires you, it really gets you going. Parasites have been one of those creepy obsessions for me.”

e : D o t ph o

BRITT BROWN GONE BUGGY!

treasured collection, stored in Schwan’s product boxes.

Brown is an avid biker, gardener, hunter and fisher. She hunts duck, deer and pheasant and was a competitive bass fisher in high school. She is also a craftswoman and founder of the Classy Ladies’ Beer Club, a group that organizes a variety of brewing diversions, including field trips and tastings.

Brown is not an attention seeker. She is a mover, shaker, researcher, doer. She gets a lot done because she is curious, passionate about her interests and driven in her goals—leadership qualities that can inspire and encourage girls about the STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Math] fields and beyond.

Though she doesn’t seek attention, she affirms, “I wanted to talk a little about myself to let other girls know that they can do anything they set their minds to.

It’s very important for little girls to have other girls and women as their heroes.

They should get dirty, they should have fun, and they shouldn’t have to ascribe to anybody else’s rules or identities but their own.”

Deborah Nerud is a ukulele-playing mama-of-two/writer/gardener/pie baker/cyclist/runner/performer with work published in Coulee Region Women and Coulee Parenting Connection. A firm believer in the emotional power of pen and paper, she still loves sending (and receiving) letters via USPS and will happily send you a note in the mail.

That mighty blow to her collection didn’t slow Brown’s passion for parasites.

Her current research investigates whether a parasitic infection changes the flora composition of a gut. For those science-minded, big-word lovers, that would be the gut-microbiome fluctuation in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata after infection by the parasite Echinostoma caproni.

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

B

ritt Brown loves bugs. The 27year old South Dakota native, currently a UW-La Crosse student earning a master’s in Clinical Microbiology, has a lifetime of stories filled with creepy crawlies. The eldest of four children, Brown spent a lot of time as a child hunched over a catalogue of her bug collections, carefully preserving and labeling each specimen. She recalls one unfortunate winter day at age 10, when her mother opened the garage door and the arctic winter breeze carried away her

Brown’s enthusiasm for microscopic critters extends beyond the lab.

Her curiosity has fueled her passion for fermentation (yogurts as well as nukadoko and nukazuke—cultured rice bran beds and fermented veggies), brewing beer, kombucha, Kriek lambics (cherry-infused ale) and bread making. She is also a brewer for Pearl Street Brewery, but her big-picture vision involves a career as a manger of a medical research facility or as an epidemiologist for the World Health Organization.

By: Deborah Nerud

photo: Bob Good

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ENTERTAINMENT DRIFTLESS MUSIC FESTIVAL Something for Everyone at Viroqua’s Driftless Music Festival

Article: Deborah Nerud

C

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

harlie Knower knows festivals.

The retired Viroqua contractor and music lover was a regular attendee of the annual Driftless Jazz Festival and has fond childhood memories of music in Eckhart Park: “I remember walking through the park when I was a kid and seeing my dad play in the Viroqua city band.”

It was such a strong memory that Knower, along with other area music fans, took initiative to create a larger festival that included a wider variety of musical genres.

Born from the foundations lain by the Driftless Jazz Festival, the Driftless Music Festival “involves a high-quality, eclectic mix of music, musicians and performers,”

8

We promote local farmers, cooperative businesses & small producers to support a food econcomy that embodies our highest values.

609 N Main St Viroqua 608.637.7511 viroquafood.coop

OPEN DAILY 7am-9pm

states Knower. “There’s definitely a little something for everyone.”

Festival attendance has increased by 500 people each year since the festival kicked off in 2012. Knower estimates this year’s festival will bring in over 2,000 people and will feature five acts over the course of the nine-hour, one-day, free event. “This really is a gathering for the whole family,” Knower

Jimmy & Tiffany of Deep Rooted

GO: What: 4th Annual Viroqua Music Festival Where: Eckhart Park, W. Decker St (next to the courthouse), Viroqua When: July 18, 1–10 p.m. attests. “Some folks come for the first few hours, some stay for the entire festival. It’s a lawn-chair-and-blanket affair and there’s room for everyone.”

The festival takes place in Viroqua’s Eckhart Park. The annual event has become a favorite for local and out-of-state music enthusiasts and draws a wide variety of performers. Knower recalls searching for musical acts for the inaugural event. Now bands from the area and the surrounding region, including Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Madison, contact him about performance opportunities.

“Music festivals are a booming business, and they help a lot of bands make a decent

living,” Knower adds. “People still like to come out to see live music, and we’re glad we can make this happen.”

The festival is supported by the generous patronage of over 70 business sponsors and individual donors. Knower states, “We don’t have to advertise much. Word-of-mouth and knocking on doors has supported the festival. This is very much a volunteer-led, community-supported event.”

Deborah Nerud is a ukulele-playing mama-of-two/writer/gardener/pie baker/cyclist/runner/performer with work published in Coulee Region Women and Coulee Parenting Connection. A firm believer in the emotional power of pen and paper, she still loves sending (and receiving) letters via USPS and will happily send you a note in the mail.

Great music: • Cris Plata & Extra Hot (Tex-Mex/Polka/ Country Rock/Swing), 1 p.m.

• Cajun Strangers (Cajun), 2:45 p.m.

• Chicago Afrobeat Project (Nontraditional Afrobeat), 4:30 p.m.

• Bumpus (Original Funk/Soul), 6:30 p.m.

• Mankwe Ndosi (Creative Improvisation and Hip Hop with folk/blues/world/ root music influences), 8:30 p.m.

Great food: Taste some of the Driftless Region’s finest fare while you enjoy the music.

• The Blackhawk Grille (locally sourced hot dogs and bratwurst, fries) • Kickapoo Coffee (fair-trade, sustainable coffee roasted in Viroqua) • Mary’s Berries (shortcakes, smoothies, lemonade) • WDRT (organic burritos) • Crooked Oak Wood-Fired Pizza (pizza and s’mores) • Indian Creek Kettle Corn • WiscoPop! (honey-sweetened soda with all-natural ingredients) • Nordic Creamery (ice cream) • Monique Hooker (pies and tarts) • Viroqua Lions Club (“Lionburger” made with regional, grass-fed beef) Tips and amenities • Blankets/chairs are welcome and encouraged • Alcohol allowed but not available for sale on-site • Don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray • Porta potties/flush toilet on-site • Limited hotel space available, or reserve tent or camper site at Sidie Hollow Campgrounds (vernoncounty. org/parks/reservation) Donate/Volunteer This is a volunteer-led effort, funded solely out of sponsorships and donations. Check driftlessmusicfestival. com for details.

: F r e e do m F e st usic M e h t d n o y e B ed Pat Donahu e sh ar Cros se, Mary an d

Mary and Pat Dona hue Photo: Steve Lond re

’s Lit tle st Hero es e which benefits Honorin g Am erica w ill hi ghlight a caus st Fe m g do ee Fr , 18 t a parent or siblin This ye ar, on July ildren wh o have los ch es s : illn rs , rio de ar ici w su t t, les Am erica’s litt eth er an ac cid en wh , ath de es ag ted , n ela -r se childre throu gh any serv ice n Hero es allows the w eto m Ho er p m oth Ca ith w or durin g combat. ch an ce to conn ec t the Unite d States a ng summ er -lo k ee w e Th s.

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Satu Veteran s Mem or ial rday, Ju ly 18 Field Sp or ts Compl Wisconsin-La Cros ex , Univer sity of se Fe at urin g: The Re m ainders, Phillip Phillips and He ar t Motorcycle Rally/R id e: 11 a.m . – 4 p.m .

(Event ticket re qu ire d) Gate s op en : 4 p.m .

Tick ets On sale at free do m fe stlacro sse.c om or at all area Fe sti val Fo od s lo cations General Admis si on : $50 through Ju (Or you can w in a ly 17, $60 at the gate pair from SEVE N at Th eS even Sp ot .co m !)

Lawn Se atin g: $70 VI P: $150 Front Row VI P: $19 5 Box Suite s: $600 (Ev ent tickets re quire d)

at its an s ica’s Veteran s are Honorin g Our Veter m Fe st, but Am er do te ee Fr bu of tri rt eo pa vid al a stops for Mu sic is a vit a in g ac ts, the music lin as ad ce he en n sil ee in s tw be nd soul . In tire crowd sta en e Th . our es to ro ice he rv o died in se to Wisc on sin’s fallen rv ice m ember wh Se 20 0 t sin ou on ab isc ith W W . y n istan is sh ow picture of ever an gh Af d an q g Ira tin fit lic ts in ar, it is a country in the conf atten danc e each ye in s ilie ve fam ga es’ o ro wh he tho se m embers of fallen ir lives , but als o to tho se wh o gave the tribute no t only to their loved on es .

Tickets information freedomfestlacrosse.com and

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July 18 @ UW-La Crosse

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

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Trivia + Fun = DJ Trivia Is your head filled with useless—and maybe some useful— knowledge? Get out, have fun and show off your brain power with DJ Trivia, offered at numerous venues throughout the area.

DJ Trivia is a free interactive, on-screen trivia challenge that participants can play while they eat, drink and socialize with friends and family.

By: Leah Call

Gumz is also co-owner of Onalaska-based Body & Sol. He was impressed by the trivia game’s fun factor, point structure and local league play. “As a local business owner I like to keep it local,” he notes.

Currently 18 area venues host DJ Trivia. That number increases to 25 in winter. For host businesses, the game draws customers and keeps them in the establishment for two hours.

Gumz describes the game as family friendly. “It’s structured for any age group,” he says. “The DJ plays the room, caters to the crowd, like a DJ should.”

How does it work?

DJ Trivia is played in teams of two or more people. The DJ will read trivia questions in general categories: sports, history, pop culture, music, movies and more. The questions and possible answers appear on a monitor. The DJ then plays a song matching the question theme, while teams decide on an answer.

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

The monitor displays a countdown, so players know how much time is left to turn in their answer. Then the DJ reveals the correct answer and team points are tallied on the screen.

10

There are four rounds of questions with points increasing in each round. At the end of each round, players can double down and risk all their points in order to accumulate more points and increase their chance of winning. The top three teams win prizes – typically gift cards to the host venue.

Once a team has signed up to play, they are considered in the league. Throughout the year there are three 14-week league play periods that culminate in a league championship consisting of the three top point-earning teams from each venue. The most recent championship was held at The American Legion in Holmen with more than 50 teams competing for cash prizes.

“I really like your League play. My teams have been invited to seven League Championships now. We haven’t won yet... but we’re still trying!” says Bill from Holmen During the two-hour trivia game, the DJ will announce an inhouse scavenger hunt for an opportunity to win bonus points and prizes from local venues.

“I look forward to the Body Quest, a halftime scavenger hunt, every week! My purse is getting bigger because I keep filling it with items I think they might ask for,” notes Jen from Onalaska.

A growing trend DJ Trivia has caught on nationwide and made its debut in the La Crosse area in 2010 at Dublin Square Irish Pub. DJ Trivia affiliate owner Scott Gumz recalls, “My friends and I were brainstorming on fun new evening entertainment ideas for the pub. I researched several pub-style trivia games, and DJ Trivia far outshined the rest.”

Leah Call is a freelance writer with 20+ years of writing experience. Her writing appears in local, regional and national publications.

GET YOUR TRIVIA ON You can play DJ Trivia almost every day of the week.

Assemble a team and attend one of these host venues.You can also find a list of venues by zip code at djtrivia.com.

Sunday: The Eagles Club, La Crosse, 2 p.m.

Coulee Golf Bowl, Onalaska, 6 p.m.

Monday: Roscoe’s Vogue, La Crosse, 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Holmen Legion, 6 p.m.

Barrel Inn, La Crosse, 7:30 p.m.

The Bar, Winona, 7 p.m.

Dublin Square, La Crosse 9 p.m.

Wednesday: The Mirage, La Crosse, 7 p.m.

Nutbush Bar & Grill, Onalaska, 7:30 p.m.

Brothers Bar & Grill, La Crosse, 8:30 p.m.

Our Corner Bar, La Crosse (starting again this Fall) PlaMor Lanes, La Crosse (starting again this Fall) Thursday: River Rats, French Island, 6:30 p.m.

Red Pines, Brice Prairie, 8 p.m.

Fox Hollow, Barre Mills (starting again this Fall) Features Sports Bar & Grill, Holmen (starting again this Fall) The Legendary Tavern, Winona (starting back this Fall) Friday: Nutbush Bar & Grill, Onalaska, 8:30 p.m.

Shenanigans, French Island (starting back this Fall)

ENTERTAINMENT Corry Van Aelstyn

RACING HEARTS

F

ew things can get your heart racing more than being told you have breast cancer. Even fewer things can show you your own fierce strength, perseverance and spirit than when you’re fighting the disease.

That’s an experience Corry Van Aelstyn of La Crosse, Wisconsin, witnessed firsthand. Diagnosed two years ago with stage 2 breast cancer that had spread to lymph nodes, she faced her fear head-on.

“I determined early on that I was going to turn this cancer inside out,” she says. “I decided that instead of seeing the dark side of cancer, I would use it to discover who and what is important in life. I put my energy into being a survivor.”

Now a two-year survivor, Van Aelstyn is the 2015 ambassador for the Big Blue Dragon Boat Festival scheduled for July 17 and 18 at Copeland Park.

The festival brings together cancer survivors and loved ones, corporate teams, families and friends to race long, colorful dragon boats in a show of celebration and support for breast cancer survivors.

The festival is presented by Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare each year to raise funds to support area breast cancer survivors through its Center for Breast Care programs. Between 50 and 60 teams, consisting of 20 paddlers and one drummer each, will race on the Black River creating an action-packed spectacle.

Meant to be a community, familyfriendly event, the festival this year features exhibition and youth races along with entertainment by TUGG and

fireworks from the La Crosse Skyrockers on Friday, and team races, kids’ activities and a breast cancer survivor ceremony on Saturday.

It’s a fitting way to support survivors, says Van Aelstyn. In addition to preventing lymphedema, a common side effect of breast surgery, paddling as a team of survivors provides important emotional support.

She joined a team of breast cancer survivors in last year’s race. Still recovering from reconstruction surgery and unable to paddle, she served as drummer.

She’d never done anything like it before, but she didn’t let it stop her.

“You think you can’t do something because you’ve never done it before,” says Van Aelstyn, noting she’s talking about both surviving cancer and dragon boating. “I looked out at my team and saw women of all ages and backgrounds, each one paddling as though her life depended on it. That’s what cancer does. It awakens the dragon within you. You find strength in yourself that surpasses whatever is going on in life.”

Van Aelstyn says she’s excited beyond words to paddle in this year’s race. “It’s thrilling. It’s heart racing. At times you can feel the boat lifting out of the water as everyone paddles together. It’s an amazing feeling when you know it is being powered by cancer survivors.”

For breast cancer survivors everywhere, the Big Blue Dragon Boat Festival is about so much more than it appears on the surface. Van Aelstyn adds, “I like to say I’m paddling beyond cancer now.”

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

More than 1,000 people poised to paddle at Big Blue Dragon Boat Festival

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THE ARTS

THE STANTON EFFECT Music, Art, Mentorship

Article: Briana Rupel Photos: Bob Good

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

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avenues in which Stanton expresses himself creatively.

Growing up as a kid in northern Wisconsin, Stanton remembers the duality of music and art coexisting within him for as far back as he can recall.

“I remember from a young age wanting to make my own music videos; make my own artwork that goes along with an idea or a song I wrote,” he reminisces. “I’ve always been creative in trying to express myself in whatever way is best at the time.”

In a household surrounded by musical influences ranging from Michael Jackson to George Strait, it’s not surprising that Stanton’s own tastes are as varied. He played saxophone from fourth grade until college and had a stint rocking bass in a high school metal band. It wasn’t until after he moved to attend UW-La Crosse in 2007 that he was able to realize his prowess in the rap genre. Stanton was approached by a member of local hip hop group,

t some point during our conversation over iced tea and cookies, Greg Stanton and I dove into the endless depths of music genres. I had a confession to make: I get anxious about all the music available; the fact that my favorite artist could be out there and I might not ever hear their music.

“Yeah, the same with books,” he agrees. “You’re never going to be able to read all the books you want. All you can do is find what you enjoy, and try and discover as much as you can with the time that you have.”

A lot of people rarely act on the sage advice they hand out. Stanton, however, seems to embody this gem to the fullest.

Living creatively Most will recognize Stanton by his rap alias, Guess Prefontaine—Guess Pre, for short. But spitting deliciously smart freestyles and rhyming in local rap duo Room Mates is only one of many La Crosse Boys and Girls Club Mural Painted by Stanton

Another Exoneration, who extended an invitation to collaborate. Finally, Stanton started writing raps for himself, becoming intrigued by the challenge.

“I wanted to see how fast I could rap; see if I could do two lines of straight alliteration; see how many similes, how many pop culture references I could put in,” he explains. It’s these elements of language, Stanton says, that have always drawn him to rap music.

“Lyrics are able to move people just as much, if not more than a good beat.

With lyrics you can get more specific and represent something,” he adds.

“The ability to move others with that, that’s what’s been the appeal of it.”

by many children he taught to skate during his years at High Roller Skating Center. He’s already brushed the dust off of some equipment, including a microphone, and has started working on an after-school hip hop program for kids.

“Instead of going out and physically punching another kid, show him that you can serve him with your words,” he explains. “It’s more productive.”

Stanton aims to prove that rap—often portrayed negatively in the media—can be an amazingly effective teaching tool, not only for language development, but by giving kids a platform to say what they need to say in front of others without being afraid.

“There’s different ways of reaching the youth,” Stanton asserts. “Who’s to say the kid sitting in school all day bored out of his mind, when he gets done with school and gets on his microphone he doesn’t have something really important to say?”

Music isn’t the only way Stanton has been able to reach the kids. He recently was able to tie in his love of art as well.

After the Club revamped their teen center, they invited Stanton to grab his paint and create a stand-out piece spanning three walls.

“I’ve been into graffiti for a while,” says Stanton. “But getting to do

something that size was crazy.”

The previously uninspiring walls have been transformed into a beautiful sprawling mural, complete with his own personal touches, including patterns he used to mindlessly doodle when he was a kid himself. Of course, he let the kids get involved in putting their own mark on the mural as well. The kids all traced their hands, and those prints were thrown up on the wall. Needless to say, they’re all stoked about being a part of the art project.

“They’ll go up to it and try to find their handprint, and then get on chairs or each others’ shoulders, so they can get up to it,” says Stanton.

Briana Rupel is a born and bred Wisconsinite. She is continually inspired by the Seven Rivers Region’s natural beauty, the talent of its local musicians and the stories of everyday people.

All artwork on pages 12 and 13 created by Greg Stanton.

While Stanton is only skimming the top of all he wants to accomplish in his life, it’s clear that working on his own creative endeavors while helping others do the same will never cease. “It keeps me creative in thinking of new ideas and ways to influence the next generation with music and art.”

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Moving youth with music and art Recently employed as Teen Coordinator at the La Crosse Boys and Girls Club, Stanton is now able to move others, namely helping kids find their own way of creative expression.

Working with kids isn’t new to Stanton; he is still known and adored as Gizmo

Room Mates Members: Guess Pre and Taco Destiny, aka Greg Stanton and Brian Goltz

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THE ARTS THEATRE PROFILE: JOE ANDERSON By: Michael Scott

ARTSPIRE Photos: Bob Good

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

Invigorating energy pulsed through the air with the sweet, savory scent of fresh crepes adding a hip festival feel. The lively hum of intrigued spectators, artists and musicians could be heard upon approaching the La Crosse Arts District, home to The Pump House, the Weber Center for the Performing Arts and now Artspire La Crosse.

Artspire’s second annual event proved to be unforgettable.

Theater, storytelling, visual arts, dance and music all came alive on June 12 and 13. The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra performed on King Street, and national indie rock group Cloud Cult inspired hundreds at their outdoor feature of music and live action art. The Art Fair & Sale displayed over 30 visual artists, while the LaX Chalkfest brought out artists to show their skills. Anyone who attended will assure that this was not an event to miss!

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For the past 25 years, Joseph Anderson has been the costume and makeup designer at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L). This award-winning designer and teacher plays a part in shaping countless budding theatre professionals that graduate from the program every year. Having been a student of his, I know that getting an A in his courses is not an easy task. You have to work as hard as he does.

“Theatre prepares you not only for a life in the arts but for nearly any profession,” notes Anderson, citing problem solving, collaboration, communication and time management among the skills possessed by theatre arts graduates.

“It prepares you for a variety of social settings including crisis and variances within the human experience,” he adds. “In short, we understand all types of people and how to work most effectively with them.”

Anderson was raised in the tiny town of Pemberton, Minnesota, population 304.

He shares his spot in the birth order with his identical twin brother, number four of 14 children. That’s not a typo-14 brothers and sisters! Anderson’s mother had eight children at home when his oldest brother started kindergarten. No wonder the sometimes chaotic atmosphere of a theatre production never phases Anderson.

In the ninth grade, Anderson was cast in the school play, and he had found his vocation. After graduation, he enrolled in the Theatre program at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSUM) with an emphasis on performance. Anderson is an outstanding actor as well as a designer. He always enjoyed art and sketching, so the designing courses came natural to him.

Fifteen days after graduation from MSUM, he married Mary Leonard, also a professor of Theatre at UW-L, and the two moved to St. Paul, Minn. He worked for two years before being accepted into the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Minnesota to study Scenography, the study of light, environment and costumes.

Needless to say, Anderson’s knowledge of theatre is quite encompassing.

Upon graduation he accepted the job at UW-L, becoming a popular instructor and professional collaborator. Like most designers, Anderson has a favorite time period but relishes those projects that are more open to innovation. Those however don’t come around too often-just like visionary artists like him.

Michael Scott is a freelance writer and advertising copywriter. He is the creator and voice talent for Rose Jewelers “Rose Files” radio campaign and the host of The Old School Variety Show.

BUSINESS LA CROSSE SOUP Grassroots Crowd Funding

First SOUP Vote Winner - Dan Christen Photo: Michael Barreyro At La Crosse SOUP people from across the community come together to break bread, eat soup, celebrate La Crosse, and serve up micro grants to those planning creative projects that aim to make La Crosse a better place to be but need a few hundred bucks to make their idea happen.

Cool, right?

Here’s how it works.

For a donation of $5 at the door, attendees receive food (homemade soup and fresh bread), a vote and hear from four people who want to improve the La Crosse community in some way.

Can you give more than $5? Sure, but you still get one vote. That’s one of the beautiful things about SOUP; it’s about community support that can come from almost anyone.

Each presenter has four minutes to share their idea and answer four questions from the audience. After the presentations, attendees share a meal together and talk about the concepts that were presented.

Then each person votes for the project they think will benefit the city the most. At

the end of the night, ballots are counted, and the winning idea goes home with all of the money raised at the door to carry out their project. Winners come back to a future SOUP dinner to report their project’s progress. It’s crowdfunding at its absolute best.

The first ever winner of La Crosse SOUP was Dan Christen, an avid bicyclist who pitched the idea of installing a bike Fixit station. According to Fixit manufacturer, Dero, “The Fixit includes all the tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. The tools and air pump are securely attached to the stand with stainless steel cables

and tamper-proof fasteners. Hanging the bike from the hanger arms allows the pedals and wheels to spin freely while making adjustments.”

Each Fixit station costs roughly $1,100.

Dan came to SOUP with $600 raised through a chili cook-off and needing $500 to make the purchase. With 100 attendees each chipping in $5, Dan walked away with exactly enough money to make his project happen.

Dan’s story is what La Crosse SOUP is all about, micro grants for good people with good ideas to make La Crosse a better place to be.

To be a part of this exciting new opportunity, check out the La Crosse SOUP Facebook page, facebook.com/ LaCrosseSOUP, for details on pitching at or attending an upcoming SOUP Night.

THE SMALL-TOWN SOMMELIER Karya Powell excels in niche Viroqua wine business

When Karya Powell heads out to hobnob with distributors and sample their wines, she’s often met with a raised eyebrow. “They say, ‘A wine bar in a small town? Isn’t that a little risky?’” she says. “But if you’re going to pull it off anywhere, Viroqua is the place.”

Powell’s establishment, Tangled Hickory Wine Bar, celebrated three years this June. It has thrived in part because of the unique character of its location— Viroqua is an increasingly popular tourist destination with distinctive shops and numerous recreational opportunities.

But it’s the unique character of the bar’s founder and owner that’s truly behind its success.

Tangled Hickory fills two storefronts on Viroqua’s historic downtown strip.

Behind the small-town brick façade is an inviting and sophisticated bar and a carefully curated wine shop, which includes local and regional wines, as well as specialty selections such as a Molly Dooker “Blue-Eyed Boy” shiraz from Australia and a Slo Down Wines “Sexual Chocolate Red Blend” from Napa Valley. A 75-seat restaurant in the next room serves meals that chef Mindy Camiolo cooks from scratch, using ingredients sourced from local farms.

After high school, Powell left Viroqua for Milwaukee, where she pursued a career in banking. Her specialty was assisting small business owners. “Other bankers were terrified of them,” she recalls. “I was always interested.”

That curiosity gave her a close look at the challenges and triumphs she would later face. Eventually, sick of being a “corporate number,” she moved back home to work for Viroqua’s local chamber of commerce. In that capacity, she discovered the vacant video store that now contains her dream.

“I’m kind of a wino,” she jokes. “I thought the bar was something that could fill a niche in our community. I wanted to make the spot for date night, or for friends who want to catch up, or for holiday get-togethers.”

In December 2011, she signed a lease, and using her savings and a small loan from her mother, began remodeling. “I knew opening a wine bar was risky, so I didn’t want to go thousands of dollars into debt,” she says.

Instead, she spent six months combing auction sheets and Craigslist for deals. The bar fixture came from a country club in Mequon; the sink from an ice cream shop. “Everything has a

story,” she says.

Originally, she’d not intended to include a restaurant. But just months before her grand opening, the neighboring storefront became available. “That totally changed the plan,” she says. “We were undercapitalized to double our square footage, but it was too good an opportunity.”

As it turns out, the restaurant answered customer demand. Another advantage came with a hard-to-get liquor license to supplement beer and wine sales.

(Viroqua limits hard-liquor operations.)

Powell also manages a wine-of-themonth club, making personalized selections for each member.

Still, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. During most of the past 36 months, the business operated in the black, but winter can be a cliff hanger.

“There are months that are pretty yucky,” she says. “But New Year’s, Valentine’s and holiday parties are what save us. You have a couple of bad weeks, and then you have a super one.

It always works out.”

Powell’s biggest surprise has been all the detailed work of inventory and management. “I had a pretty rosy

perception,” she admits. “I imagined myself clinking glasses with my friends every night. The fact is that I rarely get to eat in my own restaurant.”

At the end of the day, the payoff is providing a special experience for her guests. She’s hosted bridesmaids and baby showers—and even one elaborate proposal. “We don’t do what we do to get rich,” she says. “This is a different passion. It’s just cool to be a special part of someone’s life.”

Joe Hart is a writer, editor and musician living on a farm in Viroqua. His work has been widely published in regional and national publications including Utne Reader, Minnesota Monthly and Milwaukee Magazine. He is Senior Editor of Public Art Review.

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

Article: Joe Hart

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LIMELIGHT KINSTONE CIRCLE Building the Inner Landscape of Land and People

Article: Becca Dargatz Photos: Chad Berger Kinstone founders: Kristine Beck and Wayne Weiseman

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ach stone we encounter is composed of its own unique minerals, and the same can be said about people’s lives.

Each decision we make sets us apart from others, but at the end of the day, we are all connected to each other and to the earth, and sometimes we need a little reminding.

The stories of stones and reconnecting our lives to the earth are two things that interest Kristine Beck. In 1994, Beck purchased 30 acres of land from her parents. The fourth-generation family farmland is situated on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in the Seven Rivers Region of Southwestern Wisconsin. Beck thought at some point she would put something on the land, perhaps a bed and breakfast or a pie shop, something she would enjoy.

Sixteen years later, she really started thinking about it. After hearing about permaculture from her nephew, Kevin, who had taken a course with Wayne Weiseman, Beck decided to implement permaculture principles on the land.

Permaculture is a system of design to create more sustainable habitats where you live, no matter the size of place you live in or where you are living.

“I started learning more about it, and decided I wanted to implement permaculture principles in developing this land in some way,” says Beck.

“Kevin gave me Wayne’s [Weiseman] name, and I contacted Wayne through permacultureproject.com, but I didn’t know if the Permaculture Project was 50 people or one person. I just sent an email and he responded, so we took off from there.”

Permaculture:

A sustainable building, agricultural and ecological design system that is modeled on nature and works with, not against, the land. Examples: perennial plants, food forests, compost bins, energy efficient buildings, and water tanks to catch, store and redistribute rain water. permaculture consultant, teacher and designer, came to Wisconsin to conduct a two-day assessment of the property.

There he met a lot of Beck’s family and got a glimpse of what the land could be. The interaction between Weiseman and Beck flows naturally like a stream in the woods.

They are calm and at peace talking about the land, and they work through everchanging decisions together.

When Beck initially hired Weiseman, they had many conversations about their vision for the space and what they hoped to create. Eventually, Weiseman told Beck to write down some of her goals for the

place.

“Some of my goals were to have megalithic features, like the stone circle, but also to have a more contemplative, connecting environment, mostly for myself at the time. I wanted a place where I could get away from what people consider the corporate world. I really wanted to develop this very earth-centered place,” says Beck.

“That’s what we set out to do. It has since shown me that it needs to be shared with everyone. We are all in a position where we are missing a connection to the land and to people.”

Since the beginning, it has developed somewhat on its own, and working with Weiseman was a revealing factor for Beck, not just for the land, but for her own life. She quickly became aware that the processes and thinking of Kinstone are beneficial for both the land and the mind.

“He is very good at figuring out inner

Enter: Kinstone Approaching the property is beautifully overwhelming. The massive, strategically placed stone pieces and the earth formation on the grounds is captivating.

Before Kinstone existed the way it looks today, Weiseman, an experienced Sauna construction under way.

landscape, and that is just as difficult as figuring out where to put something or how to incorporate something on the land.

Working with him was a personal growth experience for me, as well as learning about permaculture,” notes Beck.

Weiseman knows both the inner landscape and the master plan for the land can change. “The master plan for Kinstone has changed multiple times, it always does. It starts to morph once you put anything on the ground and you implement it,” he says.

Weiseman has been out in the woods and gardening since he was a kid. He grew up 19 miles east of Manhattan and had the best of both worlds: an urban environment with suburbs in between, and rural land to the west of him. From a young age, he had a good picture of how one transitioned into the next.

“I have always felt like I need to get my hands into something first and then go study about it,” he says.

Years ago, one of Weiseman’s friends introduced him to a copy of Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual by Bill Mollison.

The book had just been released, and Weiseman stopped what he was working on to read it for a week. He has not stopped reading about permaculture since.

“It basically brought all the things I was doing as a farmer, a builder and everything else into one comprehensive perspective,” says Weiseman. “I was certified by Bill [Mollison], the founder of permaculture, to teach in 1999.”

Kinstone at a glance:

Growing a permaculture mindset This is the third summer that Kinstone is offering educational classes. Weiseman notes, “Little by little things are picking up and people are getting to know who we are. It takes time.”

Patient impatience is what he calls it, but it is about building communities of people to promote the idea of permaculture and to reconnect people to their food, to their land and to each other in a meaningful way. Through a number of natural building workshops every year, students work on different components of Kinstone.

“It is a collaboration of like-minded people working together to create something extraordinary,” says Beck. “Yes, you end up with a structure, but we have built a community of people that have had some hand in the building of the development. Natural building allows you to be artful and functional.”

Approachable for everyone The grounds of Kinstone look natural with the landscape. The property offers many

examples of permaculture techniques and approaches that include natural buildings made of cobwood, cordwood, and post and beam designs. There is a pond full of wildlife, acres of woodland, nut and fruit trees, food forests and garden beds.

The structures flow into the trees and the grounds blend into the bluffs. There is a Classic 7-Circuit Labyrinth, a Megalithic Dolmen, the Kinstone Chapel, and many permaculture gardens and other projects.

Currently in the works are a sauna and pavilion.

There are guided tours offered at Kinstone every Saturday from May through November, but Beck also encourages facility rental. They have already had one wedding and an inquiry for another. They also host corporate events, picnics, team meetings, large-group meetings, and they often have activities around the circle or fire.

Kinstone also introduced a food truck, the Kinstone Kitchen, which has become a local economy hub, because they try to

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

A Fountain City, Wis., meditative landscape and learning center guided by permaculture principles. Features: permaculture academy, megalith and rock gardens, yurt and teepee housing, outdoor shower, living pond, permaculture garden and food forest, timber frame and cordwood chapel, gift shop, genuine and good people.

Continued on page 18 >>

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LIMELIGHT

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

use local providers for all the food and non-food items on the truck.

“It’s a great marketing tool for ourselves, and we are trying to grow more food here to use on the food truck for local events in the area,” says Beck.

Kinstone is approachable for everyone, and that is important to Beck. No matter the level of permaculture knowledge, anyone willing to learn and experience what Kinstone has to offer is welcome.

Kinstone today is a greater sum than what Weiseman and Beck have produced. What they have built and created in a short period of time is incredible, and they are the first ones to acknowledge that everyone has a hand in it, and neither of them would have it any other way.

“The stones from all over the world have become an anchor here, and an artful, inspirational component that is unique to the land,” says Beck. “The stones are witness to many things that we will never see, but they carry through all generations past and future.”

Just like the different stones from around the world, the relationships between the different people that visit Kinstone build a community that continues to interact with the land and create a sustainable space for generations to come.

“In the long run I believe we have to hold out hope for people. The world is a mess-in a lot of ways by our own doingand regardless of that, we have to hold out hope and do our work,” says Weiseman.

The stones and the land are a reminder that our lives are cyclical, and Kinstone Circle provides a platform to reconnect with ourselves, people and the earth.

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Becca Dargatz is a former intern for Mpls. St.Paul Magazine. Interests include pop culture, coffee drinking, good conversation, nail polish and feminism.

GO: Hours: Open most weekends May through October Location: S3439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, WI 54629 Phone: 608-687-3332 More information: Course listing, field trip, tour and rental information at kinstonecircle.com or check out facebook.com/KinstoneCircle

Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture 2015 Summer/Fall Courses June 26 - 28: Natural Building Cordwood Workshop

July 18 - 19: Cob/Barrel Oven Workshop

July 31 - Aug 2: Natural Building Cordwood Workshop

Aug 5 - 16: 2015 Kinstone Permaculture Design Course (PDC)

Aug 26 - 30: Plants in Permaculture with Wayne Weiseman

Sept 12 - 18: Advanced Permaculture Design

Oct 1 - 4: Earthworks/Access & Circulation: Design & Build Sustainable Trails

Oct 12 - 18: Permaculture Teacher Training

Third Annual Open House & Equinox Observance Sun, Sept 20 : Starting at Noon – 5pm

Live local music, Kinstone tours, food by Kinstone Kitchen mobile food truck, and a great time for all!

Sunset “Catch the Sun” through the Lancelot stone event at 7pm! (“Catch the Sun” event is weather permitting.)

*Check online at kinstonecircle.com for any new offerings, schedule changes, course details, times, costs and registration information. All courses are held at Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture in Fountain City, Wisconsin. This schedule is current at the time of printing.

music and incredible amounts of fun playing there.”

Financial success was not a priority and not achieved. “At some point we had to cut our losses,” says Rogers. “So I bought out Mark and Berget, and we closed the bar.”

Today the shop is Rogers’ primary focus and one of the leading vintage shops in the world. He sells guitars to music legends like his personal guitar hero Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, REO Speedwagon and Styx to name but a few. And although music and guitars are at the center of Rogers’ life, he does find time to scuba dive, downhill ski and collect luxurious watches.

THE GUITAR GUY Dave Rogers

Article & Photos: Joerg Droll

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ric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam buy their guitars in La Crosse, Wisconsin? That’s right.

Guitar gods from all over the world are proud to visit Dave’s Guitar Shop at the corner of 4th and Jackson to purchase their instruments from Dave Rogers.

The youngest son of a factory worker and house cleaner, Rogers recalls, “I don’t remember much about my dad.

He died when I was 10.”

Rogers’ older brother Ken was a guitar player in a local band by then.

“It was Ken who got me to pick up the guitar. He was an inspiration, but not very supportive.” Not Ken’s fault, notes Rogers. “I was the baby brother that hung on his shirt tails and annoyed him.”

When he was 14, his mother passed as well, leaving him on his own for a short while. “I was close with my oldest sister, and she ended up adopting me so that I had a legal guardian and could continue going to school.”

The household he shared with his sister and her kids was very lenient and always filled with music. Rogers’ first album: “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,” by Eric Clapton’s first band Derek and the Dominos.

Building a life around music Never having taken a lesson, Rogers taught himself to play on a ten dollar Woolworth guitar. He went to shows and copied what his guitar heroes were doing on stage. “I remember my first concert, REO Speedwagon at the Marshfield Fair,” he says.

Rogers still goes to shows on a regular basis. He takes in performances of any genre, but his first and foremost musical flavors are rock and the blues.

Rogers opened his first guitar shopless than 400 square feet-in 1982 on La Crosse’s Ward Avenue. He soon outgrew that venue and moved to a larger storefront on the north side, relocating again in 2000 to his current site at the corner of 4th and Jackson. “As the shop grew, just kept expanding, adding space as needed,” recalls Rogers.

In addition to fixing, selling and collecting guitars, Rogers dabbled in the bar business for a few years in the nineties. “I think we were all drunk and hanging out at Side Kicks, when the owner approached us and offered to sell the bar for next to nothing. My friends Marc Denny, Dave Berget and I pitched in and took over the lease.”

Known as Rock ‘n Blues, the bar turned into a hangout for Rogers’ musician friends and La Crosse’s premier spot for jam sessions and crazy cool music. “We renovated the place, installed a top-notch P.A. system and just had great live

Cars and guitars Oh, and did we mention cars? Rogers does like cars. “I’m not certain how many I have, but I’m pretty sure it’s less than twenty,” he says. In his collection are: allwheel-drive Audis for winter, BMWs and Mercedes for every day, Porsches for getting anywhere fast, and his personal favorite, a black Aston Martin Vantage.

Rogers’ pride and joy, however, is his collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers. “It all started when I bought my first Hagstrom Viking. Of course it was not really vintage back then, I’m just that old,” says Rogers of his collection that today takes up most of the shop’s top floor.

That collection consists of approximately 500 guitars dating from the early 1900s to the sixties. There are more than 200 amps from the fifties and sixties. “My favorite is a green Fender Stratocaster from 1957, probably just because I’ve had it for so long.”

But it is certainly not the most expensive in his collection-that would be a rare Gibson Explorer from 1959. “One of these sold at auction for $650,000 not long ago,” says Rogers. Which of his guitars would he sell? Rogers just shakes his head, “I would not sell any of them. I have a unique connection to every one.”

And the one that got away? “I went to the auction of the guitar that is on the back cover of Derek and the Dominos’ ‘Layla and Assorted Love Songs’ album.

I bid $150,000 that I had secured a loan for on that Eric Clapton guitar.”

The guitar sold for half a million-not to Rogers.

Photo: La Crosse Sign Company Still strummin’ Live music and guitars are Rogers’s true passion, and he continues to play today. His biggest gig of the year is the annual Howard & Dave Birthday Bash held in July. “I’ve known Howard Luedtke since the eighties, when he was hosting a bunch of open blues jams in downtown La Crosse,” says Rogers.

A few years later, the two blues guitar gods realized that they were born on the same day, a few years apart. “So ten years ago, we decided to play a show on our birthday.”

The show moved from downtown La Crosse to the Trempealeau Hotel three years ago, utilizing the beautiful outdoor space and bandstand on the Mississippi.

The next Howard & Dave Birthday Bash, featuring “Magic” Deb Luedtke and Marc Denny on bass, and Grammy award winner Terry Nirva on drums, will be held on Saturday, July 18th at The Historic Trempealeau Hotel.

Joerg Droll is a freelance writer from Germany. Prior to moving to the United States, he spent 20 years at various men’s lifestyle publications working his way up from intern to managing editor at the German editions of magazines like Playboy, Men’s Health, GQ and MAXIM.

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

Dave with his rare 1959 Gibson Explorer

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SUBJECT MATTER CITIZENS ACTING FOR RAIL SAFETY SUE DNR Article: Matt Stannard Citizens concerned about the environmental impact of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad track expansion through the La Crosse River Wetlands want an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). When the La Crosse City Council approved the proposal without an EIS, Citizens turned to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) demanding caution, and specifically an EIS. Instead, the DNR opted to implement an Environmental Equivalent Analysis (EEA), a watered-down impact assessment that is almost sure to rubberstamp the BNSF proposal.

Citizens Acting for Rail Safety (CARS) refused to take that decision lying down.

In May, CARS filed a lawsuit against the DNR, arguing that the agency failed to require an EIS before issuing the permit; the process was not open and fair; and that BNSF applied for an incidental-take permit that was undisclosed in public hearings.

According to CARS co-founder Alan Stankevitz, the lawsuit is the only choice left to ensure the safety of La Crosse and the natural resources in the marsh.

“The DNR has blinders on,” he says.

“The EEA won’t look at secondary or cumulative impacts.”

This is important because the tentacles of the BNSF project extend beyond the marsh itself and the very immediate impacts that would fall within the scope of the watered-down mandate. Among the issues that concern CARS is the fate of the black tern, an endangered bird breeding in close proximity to the railway’s marsh route.

CARS is also concerned about the sheer amount of oil transported north to south along the Mississippi River, often at speeds exceeding the limits advised by safety experts. “There have been six major fire spills from trains around the country since January, five of them involving crude oil,” notes

Stankevitz. “The amount of oil being transported down the Mississippi River is over 500,000 barrels a day. That’s the equivalent of an oil pipeline. And pipelines always require Environmental Impact Statements.”

CARS supports Senator Tammy Baldwin’s effort to introduce legislation that would fast track safety rules for the crude oil transport trains. Although proposed new federal Department of Transportation Rules call for making tank cars safer, implementing electronic brakes on all cars on the train, and dropping speed limits to 40 miles an hour, Stankevitz says the rulemaking process will take several years. He also notes the average speed of trains involved in fire-inducing accidents around the country this year has been substantially less than 40 miles an hour.

Baldwin’s bill prohibits the use of older model tank cars and would only allow safety-upgraded cars, requiring thermal

protection, head shields, pressure relief valves and other safety measures.

Citing the opposing-majority House and Senate in Washington and the influence of big oil on national policies, CARS is not optimistic about Baldwin’s bill. The courts may now be the most feasible route to requiring a meaningful study of the project’s impact.

“I hope it’s not going to take another disaster before things change,” says Stankevitz.

Matt Stannard is a longtime organizer, writer, speaker and advocate for economic justice. Matt has published articles at Occupy, Common Dreams, Nation of Change and other publications.

He is Policy Director at Commonomics USA and is on the board of directors of the Public Banking Institute.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT Parking in Downtown La Crosse Article: Heidi Griminger Blanke

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

Parking in downtown La Crosse is a love/hate relationship. If you slip easily into a spot, it’s great; but when the lots and ramps are full, or the parking gate won’t cooperate, well, that’s another story.

Choose your lot Currently, La Crosse has 2,650 parking spots in a combination of four ramps and four lots, with an additional 1,450 street spots. However, a good portion of ramp and lot spaces are reserved by parking permit holders. Permit, or lease, holders pay anywhere from $35 to $50 monthly, depending on location and number of days. Covered spaces, for example, are more expensive.

All ramps except Riverside, at the corner of Jay and Second Streets, are gated and charge a fee. The City of La Crosse ramps allow three free hours of parking, and charge $0.75 per hour after that. If you’re prepared, exiting the ramp is a breeze. For some people, though, it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

The exit meters take coins or credit cards only, no bills.

Don’t bring cash The surprise of an exit gate that refuses cash in the form of bills causes headaches for drivers without the proper change or a credit card. If you’re caught unaware, you may find yourself putting your car in reverse, parking 20 again and visiting a nearby store for

change. If drivers would simply read the parking instructions upon entering, says Bob Haines, La Crosse assistant director of public works, the process would go smoothly. If not, other drivers may wait in line for a while as the correct change is procured.

When the machines are not working, Haines continues, the cause is typically vandalism. In an ideal situation, all ramps would be staffed 24/7, but the cost is prohibitive. Lack of budget not only means automated pay stations, but also an inability to keep the ramps in stellar condition.

Can we do better?

Robin Moses, Downtown Mainstreet Inc. executive director, says her organization is studying how other communities handle downtown parking. For example, current permit holders reserve a specific spot, but it’s unlikely all permit holders would park at the same time. Some cities assign sections of a lot to permit holders, freeing up spaces.

Part of Moses’s job is to educate downtown business owners and employees on the importance of readily available parking for customers and visitors. She laughs as she points out that people think nothing of parking at the far reaches of a mall lot, but consider a one-block walk from a ramp an inconvenience. Regardless, she says, “the priority is on people who are

coming to shop and eat.”

Current construction projects, Moses says, add stress to an already tight parking situation. However, vendors are eager to work with Downtown Mainstreet, as well as with city and county agencies, to keep vehicles associated with those projects in designated parking areas.

Relax in a parking spot New on the La Crosse scene is a parklet, a seasonal public seating area intended to be an extension of the sidewalk. Paid for by merchants, the parklet takes up a single parking space. Metre Agency and businessman Mike Keil joined forces to create La Crosse’s first parklet in the 100 block of Fifth Avenue South, and its benches and plantings are welcoming. Other merchants are considering parklets next year.

It’s all in the perspective Of course, the best way to avoid a parking issue is to walk, bike or use public transportation. While this isn’t an option for everyone, it does give the added advantage of eliminating parking woes.

Does downtown La Crosse have a parking problem? Ask anyone who’s moved from a megalopolis and they’ll think you’re joking. But, for those used to parking directly in front of where we want to go, it’s no laughing matter.

WHERE TO PARK DOWNTOWN: La Crosse Center: Jay Street at 2nd & 3rd Streets Main: 3rd Street at Main & State Streets Market Square: 4th Street at Jay & King Streets Riverside: 2nd Street at Jay & King Streets (free all the time) Parking lots Hooters: 2nd & Jay Streets (will close in September 2015) Oktoberfest: 2nd & La Crosse Streets Selrite: 2nd & Cass Street Pump House: Front & King Streets (Arts Center and Piggy’s parking only) Note: Most lots contain a mix of open and leased parking

Heidi Griminger Blanke, Ph.D. writes for a number of area magazines and has been published in several anthologies. Her resume also includes academic articles, essays in national magazines, writing workshop presentations, and careers in teaching and nonprofit management.

OUTDOORS PIRATE FOR A DAY Article & Photos By: Ryan Johnson

L

ate last May I received a call from some newly acquainted river friends inviting me to come aboard a pirate ship soon to be leaving from Winona, Minn.

As I took the call, my hands were covered in soil from working in my garden and piles of office work were on the agenda for the remainder of the day. I politely declined the invitation and returned to my hands and knees to plant broccoli.

Not five minutes passed before I realized I had the perfect excuse to put off my work: “Sorry boss, I’ve been taken hostage aboard a pirate ship.” I left all my garden work, loaded my kayak on top of my van and sped upriver to chase them down.

Return to reality In Red Wing, Minn., I forced myself to walk the plank and disembark the ship, so I could return to being a responsible person on shore. Sadly I watched the ship continue making its way up river to its new port of call in St. Paul, where it will be used as an ultimate floating man cave and vacation house.

By: Radventure Dad, aka Brett Werner

I If you live near any river in the Seven Rivers Region and have not immersed yourself into the beauty, the culture and the water that flow from the currents – shame on you.

Make a point to develop a connection with the waters we have been blessed with. It was the rivers that helped our region blossom and, unfortunately, in today’s modern world, the perceived importance of our rivers seems to be fading. But if you take the time, you can still find the raw beauty and distinct culture of us River People.

Start with easy things like sitting under a tree on a shady river bank.

Go paddle a canoe or kayak. Catch a ride on a friend’s pontoon. Board a pirate ship for a few days. Or quit your desk job and work as a deckhand on the barges. Any bad day on the river beats a bad day at the office. You are welcome to become one of us. All we ask is that you leave your troubles on shore and enjoy the water.

Note: at press time, the author is still struggling to catch up on his garden and office work and is seriously considering becoming a full-time pirate.

Ryan Johnson is a proud, selfproclaimed River Rat with a passion for getting people out on the water.

He takes pride in producing river cartography, guiding professional kayak tours and writing for Big River Magazine. He occasionally “forces” his lucky friends to go paddling with him.

met up with Wyatt Hrudka at Wyatt Bicycle Company in the Coulee Region Business Center (CRBC) on La Crosse’s Northside to pick up my demo rig and check out the factory. This location suits Wyatt well. It is the perfect blend of warehouse space and showroom. In this space, Wyatt is able to turn parts and pieces into fine-tuned machines for customers all over the world.

Wyatt set me up on a Street King ($499.99 MSRP) in Flat Black with Orange accents. I really enjoyed the simplicity of this color scheme and could see replacing the orange with just about any color in the pallet for similarly enjoyable results.

One of Wyatt’s claims to fame is customization. You choose your own unique color scheme for your bike. Want pink wheels on your electric green frame? No problem!

Maybe a purple chain and a white seat?? Done. And the best part is…there’s no up charge for the customization!! Zero.

The Street King is available in 49 cm, 52 cm, 55 cm and 59 cm, so just about everyone can find a size that fits well.

Wyatt set me up on a 59-cm frame, a good fit for riders around 6 feet tall. Working with a local bike shop will ensure your ride fits and rides as best as it can. In La Crosse, you can find Wyatt bikes at Bikes Limited on La Crosse Street.

Truth be told, as much of a “bike guy” that I am, I have never really been into “road bikes” with their skinny tires and hunched over riding position. I assumed I was taking a “road bike” for a ride, but boy was I wrong! This is a Street King, designed for commuting and urban assault. The upright, semi-aggressive geometry made my commute through city streets and gravel trails a blast! I really enjoyed zipping through the industrial park in the morning, passing cars in the 25 mph zone, grinning from ear to ear. The hum of the sealed bearing hubs laced up to double-wall rims and wrapped in 28 C tires was definitely enjoyable. It was the sound of quality, reliability and simplicity.

The single-speed drivetrain is simple and effective, especially in an area like La Crosse, where you don’t have any monstrous mountains to climb. The Street King also has a flip-flop rear hub, so you can bring out your inner hardcore and roll fixie if you want. According to Urban Dictionary, a fixie is “A bicycle lacking a freewheel mechanism in the rear hub. That is the crank set and rear wheel are completely dependent of one another. To propel forward or backwards the pedals must be moving.”

As my time with the Street King winds down, I’m not sure I want to give it back. I can totally justify adding one of these to the bike stable and just might!

Brett Werner is Thee Radventure Dad. Mountain biking, downhill skiing, camping, snowshoeing, volunteer trail building, just about anything that gets him and his family outside and he’s there. With lifelong experience in recreation and equipment, his goal is to get other families geared up for outdoor fun.

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

As I approached Fountain City, Wis., I saw the dark and gloomy ship, the Sirens Gate, making good speed up the river. Pulling into the nearest boat landing, I threw my van into park and had my kayak on the water within minutes. My timing was slightly off as I made my way into the navigation channel only to catch their wake and a few hasty pictures. Disappointment was setting in when I heard the ship throttle down and wave me in.

“Would you like to come aboard, matey?” shouted the ship’s new owner Dan Kellogg.

I was full of glee when a rear door of the ship was lowered into the water like a ramp, and I was pulled aboard.

Within minutes I was sitting on the upper helm with a rum in my hand thoroughly enjoying the warm spring afternoon. For the next day and a half I was allowed free passage on the ship as we made our way upriver, catching the attention of every eye cast upon the river. I’ve never had my picture taken so many times in my life. I made a handful of new friends including the nicest pirates I have ever met. It was well worth getting in trouble at work.

Wyatt Street King

21

SIP N' TASTE

FOOD Review

Divine Intermezzo By: Heidi Griminger Blanke

I almost didn’t want to write this review because word will be out. Café D’Vine is a quiet, casual spot for an outstanding meal and excellent wine, but, until now, I could easily get a reservation.

Café D’Vine is open morning through evening most days for breakfast, lunch and tapas; dinner is served Wednesday through Saturday. And what a dinner it is. The menu is limited, but the talented, creative chef is sure to offer something to please you. Special dietary needs—gluten free or vegan—are easily accommodated. Offerings often include fresh garden harvest and farm-to-table fare.

Upon arriving, my husband, friends and I were immediately acknowledged by our friendly server, seated and presented menus.

The wine list is international, with emphasis on West Coast labels. We started with glasses of Pinot Noir, both superb. Servers at Café D’Vine are knowledgeable about the wine offerings and can help you make a selection.

I started with the Local Lolla Rossa Lettuce ($7), a generously proportioned salad with shaved Parmesan, toasted walnuts, dollops of tangy goat cheese, roasted beets, and dressed with an apple cider vinaigrette. The beets tended to overpower the rest of the ingredients, but they were easy to work around. The accompanying bread was perfectly chewy and flavorful, but retained an airy quality. As a bread lover, I could have eaten the entire loaf.

The two other starters that day were turkey sliders with tomato jam and

WINE

by Wohlert

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

WINE 22

Review

By: Todd Wohlert

VIOGNIER:

the wine you should be drinking this summer-and year round.

You may have been drinking Viognier already and didn’t know it. Don’t be alarmed-rejoice! This wonderful grape variety may have added a lovely bouquet and a little zing to an otherwise uninteresting Chardonnay; or it may have been a component in an imported white blend from some place you can barely pronounce.

Viognier is a white grape whose origins are shrouded in mystery and poor historical record keeping. Brought to the Rhone region of France by the Romans, it was almost lost to history when the vineyards of France were abandoned during World War I. Dwindling to almost nothing in the mid-‘80s, the Viognier grape has since rebounded quite nicely and is finding popularity around the world in wines coming out France, Australia and America.

Sooooooo, why should you drink it this summer (or year round)?

avocado, and Portabella mushroom bruschetta. I refrained from ordering both to take home for lunch the next day.

I couldn’t wait to dig into my main course, a seared salmon filet ($22).

Rarely does salmon come with a minimally crunchy crust that only perfect searing can achieve. It arrived on a black bean quinoa cake and was topped with sautéed baby spinach and avocado crema. While the spinach provided a perfect complement to the salmon, balancing each other in taste and texture, the quinoa cake, though delicious, got lost in the flavor competition. The avocado crema was smooth and added visual impact.

Also on the menu were braised duck leg with sweet potatoes; grilled chicken breast with garlic aioli; and rotini with baby kale and goat cheese.

Our server was unobtrusive, yet diligent; my water glass remained filled as if by magic, and only the truly empty plates were whisked away.

Though we passed on dessert this time, just the idea of the flourless chocolate cake with caramel sauce ($7) made my mouth water. Desserts consumed on past visits sufficiently satisfied my sweet tooth.

Though the restaurant’s wall of windows faces Highway 16 and it shares an entry and restrooms with Studio 16, the space is relaxing, comfortable and easy on the eyes. Nothing will jar you here except the discovery of a superb meal. But, shhh, Café D’Vine is our little secret.

Heidi Griminger Blanke, Ph.D. writes for a number of area magazines and has been published in several anthologies. Her resume also includes academic articles, essays in national magazines, writing workshop presentations, and careers in teaching and nonprofit management.

Café D’Vine

9550 US Highway 16 Frontage Road Onalaska WI 608-779-0411

Café Hours Monday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesday-Friday: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

GO:

Check the website at cafedivineonalaska.com for special events like wine tastings and five-course dinners with wine pairing.

Because it’s frickin’ delicious and will not put a dent in your pocket book.

This wine is a fantastic thirst quencher on a hot summer day while you sit on your deck watching other people work; on your boat watching other people fish; or on your couch just watching TV. On your initial contact with the wine, you will notice a fantastic floral aroma that gets your taste buds dancing before you even take a sip. (You may even want to dab a little behind your ears, because your fragrance may be lacking compared to this.) It smells sweet and lovely, but the taste is actually more in the mid-range of sweet and dry. It’s a great wine to please your fussy drinkers, whether they like their wine dry or sweet. The wine has a fuller mouthfeel with just a slightly thicker viscosity than most whites. I have heard this referred to as “the red drinker’s white wine,” because the mouthfeel is similar to a red wine.

As I write this, I am cooking dinner. I selected one my favorite Viognier from Australia-Yalumba Y Series, which you can find for under $15 dollars.

The aroma features honeysuckle and jasmine with quinces and mandarin peel. The taste features stone fruit flavors (peach and apricot).

The Viognier pairs well with white meats (chicken & pork) and is a great addition to seafood or salads. I’m making broccoli and cheese-stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in bacon. I like this wine with this dish, because it stands up to the flavor tsunami of the meal without getting crushed by it. The slight sweetness is enhanced by the salty goodness of the bacon and cheese. Most people don’t realize that a medium sweet wine with food brings out the subterranean flavors inherent in the wine. Let’s wrap this up; the timer is going off, and I’m starving.

But first you need to know how to pronounce it, so you don’t feel like a tool when you go to the store and ask for it. It’s French, so you don’t pronounce half the letters: VEE-un-yay. Say it fast. If you say it slow, people may think you are having a stroke.

Enjoy!

Todd Wohlert works for Purple Feet Wines, a member of the Winebow Group. He is not a wine expert, but he, unfortunately, knows more than 99% of the people in the state. His goal is to change that to 98% by the end of the year.

By: A.J. Moore

Reasons to Drink Local Beer By: Briana Rupel

1.

Style: Hopped Wheat, American Pale Ale X /Hefeweizen

Brewer: New Glarus Brewing Co.,

New Glarus, Wis.

Price Point: $8-11 per six pack,

available at most La Crosse and Onalaska supermarkets

Appearance: Peachy gold with a very light yeast haze. This beer pours a huge, sudsy, rocky head with profuse streams of super-fine carbonation that keep it suspended from the first pour until the last sip. Pour carefully to avoid a spill-over.

Aroma: Sweet notes of candied fruit, pineapple and chamomile with hints of allspice, bubblegum and faint lavender. The combination of the citrus and floral character of the Amarillo hops is perfectly checked by the spicy phenols and fruity esters of the open-fermented Bavarian wheat yeast. Alcohol is present in the nose, but it’s a faint and distant note behind everything else.

Taste: Immediately, the bready malt is textbook perfect for a wheat beer; subtly sweet and mildly grainy like shortbread cookies or lightly toasted white bread. The mid palate is full of citrusy hop flavor but utterly smooth and absent of the harsh abrasive character typical of some American IPAs. The back palate is fruity and fresh with more rounded notes of honeydew, banana and ginger. The finish is relatively clean and dry with a lingering but pleasant tartness.

Presence: Despite its light color and its fruity, spicy, complex nose and palate, there is some pleasant substance to this beer. The medium body has a silky and almost piquant mouthfeel due to the voluminous carbonation.

X-Factors and Overall: Hopster expertly combines all of the pronounced yet refreshing and approachable hop presence of a classic American Pale Ale with all of the complex aromas and characteristically silky mouthfeel of a traditional Hefeweizen.

It’s the best of two worlds in one bottle, and while it certainly possesses a complex and dynamic flavor profile that will capture the attention of your beer-snob friends, it’s still approachable enough for the less adventurous beer explorers. It will pair as well with summer picnic fare and yard games as it will with fresh oysters or a Friday fish fry.

This is your new favorite summer beer—for at least the next few weeks.

A.J. Moore is a renaissance man. In addition to writing, tabletop gaming, smelting, blacksmithing, woodworking and restoring antique hand tools, A.J. is a homebrewer, occasional beer judge and member of the La Crosse LAGERS homebrewer club.

You know who’s involved in production. You probably run into the brewmaster at your farmers market. You’ve probably had beers with the bottling crew at the local dive bar. They’re all following their dream just like you. Rest assured, your beer is in good hands.

2.

You know where the ingredients come from. The beans in that coffee stout you love are roasted right down the street. The hops in your favorite IPA are most likely from the start-up farm nearby.

Most small businesses try their damnedest to support each other, and craft breweries are no exception.

3.

You can toast to your health. Feel good about sipping on an unfiltered Hefeweizen from your local haunt; the yeast sediment is chock full of B vitamins.

No additives or foaming agents make for much happier mouths.

4.

Your money stays where your mouth is. What you put into a pint stays in your own local economy. It’s not going to support some corporation who stores their money in the Caymans.

5.

You’ll reduce your carbon footprint.

Instead of paying for packaging and the gas it takes to transport a brew across the country, head down to your local brewery and fill up a growler from the tap. It’s cheaper for you and better for the planet.

6.

You’ll have more fun! Pretty sure the big guys don’t offer a summer-long bicycle tour that gives you the chance to win prizes while drinking beer, ala Pearl Street Brewery’s Tour de Pearl. Meet likeminded people and (gulp!) exercise while imbibing!

7.

It just tastes better. You know how your grandma’s cookies taste better because they’re made with love? Your local brewing company believes in this wholeheartedly. And that is why they rock.

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

BEER Review

Hopster

Top 7

23

FAMILY SUMMER FAMILY FUN! Youth Outdoor Fest July 11, 2015 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

New Location - Veteran’s Freedom Park (West Copeland) Every child should grab a grown-up and come to the 7th annual Youth Outdoor Fest. A kid can’t even fit all this fun in one day! La Crosse Parks and Recreation collaborates with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service each year to pack the day with nearly everything the outdoors has to offer and more: fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, pontoon rides, storytellers, archery, turtles, stunt bike course, wildlife demonstrations… and it’s all free! What a fun way to get your family outside this summer! For more info, visit www.cityoflacrosse.org/parks.

WisCorps Nature Fun WisCorps has added summer nature fun to inspire families to enjoy the outdoors.

The whole crew can join the Family Fun Adventure Series to enjoy canoeing the La Crosse River Marsh, geocaching Myrick Park or having a family race! Children ages 3-8 can join the Summer Day Camps to learn about bugs, fish, weather and furry creatures. For more info or to register: 608-782-2494 or email steph@wiscorps.org.

WisCorps Family Fun Adventure Series Free!

Canoeing the Myrick Park Marsh: July 11, 1–3 p.m.

Amazing Race Family Challenge: Aug. 8, 1–3 p.m.

Geocaching: Sept. 12, 1–3 p.m.

WisCorps Summer Day Camps $75 each Ages 3, 4 & 5 (Max. 12 children per session) Feathers & Fur: June 22–26, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

Itty Bitty Bugs: July 6–10, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

Gills & Chills: Aug. 10–14, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

Ages 6, 7 & 8 (Max. 16 children per session) EcoExtremes: June 15–19, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

ANT-omology: July 13–17, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

Wacky Weather: Aug. 17–21, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

Summer 24

GROW La Crosse Farm Camp

Days

Kids will get to participate in real farm fun at Deep Roots Community Farm! These day camps offer hands-on lessons in planting and harvesting, healthy food, biology, painting, journaling, hiking and more. For more info or to register: www.growlacrosse.org.

Inspired Girls on the Farm: July 20–22, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $140/child (Max. 15 children) Girls 5th-8th grade in 2014-15 school year

Sidewalk Sale!

Inspired on the Farm: July 27–29 (full!) and Aug. 3–5 $130/child (Max. 18 children) Ages 4-10

Thursday . Friday . Saturday July 23rd . 24th . 25th!

Find amazing prices and great deals during our annual Summer Sidewalk Sale! Featuring savings, music, food and fun for everyone! Enjoy the Friday Night Street Dance on Pearl with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra!

LACROSSEDOWNTOWN.COM

608-784-0440

Summer on the Farm: July 13–16 and Aug. 17–20 $130/child (Max. 18 children) Ages 5-12

DOWNTOWN MAINSTREET

S BONU TIP!

For more summer fun family activities, check out the current issue of Coulee Parenting Connection!

GET FIT with LIVI FIT WORK OUT

AT WORK!

By: Olivia Parshall

Summer is here and what better time to get up and get fit? This month, I will show you ways to work fitness into your daily routine, even at a desk job. If you are able to squeeze full workouts into your weekly schedule, you’re ahead of the game! These suggestions are not meant to replace an already existing regimen but will serve nicely as daily intermissions. If you can’t squeeze in full workouts during the week, don’t worry, improving your fitness is still within reach; just take a few minutes each day to do these routines while at work and keep your physical goals in sight.

Replace your desk chair with a large balance ball:

This will allow you to sit up straighter, keep your core engaged throughout the day and protect your back from slouching. Learning to engage your core and to keep it engaged is the difference between a soft center and a tight midriff. It also sets the rest of your body up for physical success by strengthening and stabilizing your center.

Take a walk during your lunch break:

Instead of going out to eat or sitting during your lunch, get up and get moving! Utilize those 30-60 minutes to wake up your mind and body. This will get your heart pumping, your legs moving and will boost your metabolism.

This will not only get you up and moving but will prevent the work day from dragging.

We can all find success somewhere, regardless of how busy we are or how many daily constraints we face. If you found these suggestions helpful, keep an eye out for next month’s article for more fun ways to build fitness into your daily life. Also be on the lookout for my new website at www.livifit.com-coming soon-for more workout routines and videos.

Leg lifts from your chair:

While sitting with your back straight in your chair or on your balance ball, lift your legs so that your shins and thighs are extended in a straight line out in front of you, hold for one count and slowly release your legs back down. The count should be: lift for a count of two (slow and controlled), hold at the top for one count (squeezing your quads), and release for a count of two (slow and controlled). Do three sets of ten of these two to four times per day.

Olivia Parshall is a health and wellness columnist and a fitness instructor and trainer at the YMCA. She is excited to release the upcoming online LiviFit TV and LiviFit fitness programs.

Paddling Beyond Breast Cancer

• Games for all ages, plus activities and inflatables for kids • Exhibition races, including an upside-down paddle race • Music by TUGG • Fireworks from the La Crosse Skyrockers • Big Blue, the dancing dragon and 2015 dragon boat memorabilia • Food and merchandise • Free giveaways The Big Blue Dragon Boat Festival Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18 Copeland Park • La Crosse, Wisconsin

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SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

Join us for this family-friendly weekend spectacle as 60 teams battle for victory! All while celebrating and supporting breast cancer survivors.

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25

LISTINGS

July 2015 YOUR GUIDE TO SEVEN RIVERS REGION EVENTS, FARMERS MARKETS, BLOOD DRIVES, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND SO MUCH MORE. Have something you would like to list in an upcoming issue?

All listings are free, visit our website at TheSevenSpot.com or email contact@thesevenspot.com.

ONGOING All Glazed Up: Sip & Paint Canvas Painting classes. Tuesdays, 6 p.m., and Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instruction. Call ahead to register and BYOB. 205 Pearl St, La Crosse, 608-782-7248, www.allglazedup.com.

Attack of the Bloodsuckers. Ends August 31. Family friendly exhibit about the beasties that bite and why. Included with admission. Children’s Museum, 207 5th Ave S, La Crosse, www.funmuseum.org.

Basic Nutritional & Herbal Therapies: Varied programs on herbology, teas, tinctures, gardening, health and more. Herbs All Around, 1033 Caledonia St., 608-780-2255, www.herbsallaround.com.

Chinese Language Class: Learn Chinese in a fun, relaxed setting for free! 11–11:45 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays/month, Dim Sum Tea Shop, 221 Pearl St., 608-738-1221.

Dahl Auto Museum: Take a stroll down memory lane and immerse yourself in the rich history of the most widely used mode of transportation, the automobile. Thurs, Fri and Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 711 3rd Street South, La Crosse, www.dahlauto.com/ welcome.

DJ Trivia

Sun: Eagles Club, 2 p.m., LAX. Coulee Golf Bowl, 6 p.m., Onalaska.

Mon: Roscoe’s Vogue, 7 p.m., LAX.

Tues: Holmen Legion, 6 p.m. Barrel Inn,

7:30 p.m., LAX. The Bar, 7 p.m., Winona.

Dublin Square, 9 p.m., LAX.

Wed: The Mirage, 7 p.m. LAX. Nutbush, 7:30 p.m., Onalaska. Brother’s Bar, 8:30p.m., LAX.

Thurs: River Rats, 6:30 p.m., French Island.

Red Pines, 8 p.m., Brice Prairie.

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

Fri: Nutbush, 8:30 p.m., Onalaska.

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Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center: Nestled amid the hardwood forests and river bluffs of Lanesboro, Minnesota, Eagle Bluff offers programs for families, visitors, students and individuals alike.

Challenge yourself atop our high ropes course, come for get-away weekend, take part in the River Roots Skills School, or explore the 11 miles of trails, 507- 467-2437, www.eagle–bluff.org.

Fayze’s Evenings Out: Tuesday, Half Price Tap Beer Night, get all your favorite tap beers at half price every Tuesday at Fayze’s, 3:30 p.m. to close.

Thursday, Date Night, Treat your sweetheart to a night downtown and enjoy half-price bottles of wine every Thursday at Fayze’s, 3:30 p.m. to close, 608-784-9548, www.Fayzes.com.

Great River Shakespeare Festival, Winona State University, Jun 24–Aug 2.

The Great River Shakespeare Festival offers professional theatre productions, free concerts, educational opportunities for all ages and community outreach programs each summer. The 2015 productions are Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing, “Romeo & Juliet,” and “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams and presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Group Runs: Starting at Grand Bluff Running. Join this amazing group of people for a 3-, 5-, or 7-mile run to stay active this winter season. Hot cocoa and snacks provided after the run! For more information go to www.grandbluffrunning. com or check out their Facebook page.

Kinstone Academy: One hour guided tour. Saturdays, 1 p.m., Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture, 53439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, www.kinstonecircle.com.

La Crosse Concert Band 2015.

Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Riverside Park, July 8, 15, 22, 29. Rain site is Central High School.

La Crosse County Historical Society presents Riverside Museum Summer Lectures. July 14–War Eagle Artifacts: Surprising History Revealed, Robert Taunt, War Eagle Historian & Local Author. July 21– Under City Streets: Urban Archaeology in La Crosse, Kathy Stevenson, Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center, UW-La Crosse.

Minnesota Marine Art Museum: Explore the MMAM’s expanded and unique collections as well as a new exhibition almost every month or enjoy a tour. 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 507–474–6626, www.mmam.org.

Outdoor Connection: Rent outdoor gear from the UW-L Recreational Eagle Center!

Open to the public with a wide variety of equipment for adventures big and small.

Summer hours 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Mondays– Saturdays, 1601 Badger St., La Crosse.

608-785-8680, www.uwlax.edu/recsports.

Pearl Street Brewery: New events every month including live music every Friday from 6 p.m.– 9 p.m., brewery tours every Saturday, 12 p.m.–5 p.m., 1401 St. Andrew St., La Crosse, 608-784-4832, www.pearlstreetbrewery.com.

Pottery Classes: Learn pottery basics or discover new skills. Wheel Deals available!

Children & adult classes, Paint Your Own, Jewelry & Glass Fusing, and more!

Generous Earth Pottery, 321 Main St., La Crosse, 608–782–3904, www.generousearthpottery.com.

Pump House: Summer 2015 Workshops.

Saturdays, July 11–August 15, Intro to Drawing, Instructor: Ben Alberti, 9 a.m.– 10:15 a.m.; Clay Hand-Building Workshop,

All listings are subject to change, it’s always a good idea to review event directly ahead of time.

Instructor: Angela Goeds, 10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Contact the Pump house today to reserve your spot, 608-785-1434.

Root Note: Sundays: Simple Roots (folk/bluegrass), 12:30 p.m.

Mondays: Trivia with Tim Dale, 8 p.m.–10 p.m.

Tuesdays: 3rd Relation Jazz Quartet, 8 p.m.–11 p.m.

Thursdays: Open Mic, 8 p.m.–11 p.m. www.facebook.com/theRootNote/events.

Segway Tours: Offered daily, 9:00 a.m.,noon, 3:00 p.m. Need a later time? Call and make arrangements. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour. www. lacrossesegwaytours.com/#!tours/cfvg.

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Looking for a place of spiritual refreshment and renewal? Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Come as an individual, family, group of friends, group of co–workers or church group. For hours and other information, visit www. guadalupeshrine.org, or contact the Shrine’s pilgrimage coordinator for assistance with planning your visit, 608-782-5440, gmarcoatguadalupeshrine.org.

Tea Tasting Party: Learn about and sample teas. Dumplings and egg tarts included with take-home loose tea sample.

1st Tuesday/month, 6 p.m. ($6 pre-pay, $8 at door), 3rd Saturday/month ($8 pre-pay, $10 at door). Dim Sum Tea Shop, 221 Pearl St., 608-738-1221. (Note: Closed for vacation for a portion of September 2015.

Call ahead.)

Trester Trolly Tours: Saturdays. Tours of Winona, aboard the Trester Trolley. Departs 10 a.m. and 1 a.m. from the Holiday Inn Express, the Winona Plaza Hotel and the Riverport Inn. Each tour, approximately 90 minutes, will immerse you in the city’s history while you discover the many fun things to do in and around Winona. To reserve a seat, contact the Trester Trolley, 507-429-9101. www.trestertrolley.com.

Tour de Pearl: Pedal for Pints this summer! Join hundreds of La Crosse bicycle enthusiasts and ride to up to 42 different stages. Enjoy local Pearl Street Brewery beer all over La Crosse County and register to win a $1000 Wyatt bike. This year Pearl Street Brewery has partnered with the La Crosse Area Labor Day Weekend Bicycle Festival for its End of Tour Party. Register online at www.pearlstreetbrewery.com.

Trail Work Days: Get excited to dig in!

Volunteer for trail restoration and building.

Varying days, Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA), La Crosse, www.NaturesPlaceToPlay.com.

Winona Municipal Band Concert Lake Park: The Winona Municipal Band takes the stage on Wednesday evenings.

You’ll hear the sounds of brass, woodwinds and strings. In honor of the centennial anniversary of the Winona Municipal Band,

there will be a patriotic music program.

Wednesday evenings.

Yoga with Tammy Z: Yoga is for everybody! We offer a variety of classes for every level of experience. First class FREE! Contact us for schedules, 432 Cass St., La Crosse, 608-386-1217, www.tammyzyoga.com.

BLOOD DRIVES www.redcross.org Tuesdays: 1:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Jun 30–Jul 28, La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16.

Jun 26: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Winona County Office Building, 202 W Third St. Jun 26: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Winona Sauer Health Care, 1635 W Service Dr. Jun 29: Noon.–5:30 p.m., Viroqua Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 504 South Main.

Jun 29: Noon–6 p.m., Winona First Congregational Church, 161 W Broadway AND Winona Family ‘Y’, 207 Winona St. (on the 2nd floor).

Jul 1: Noon–6 p.m., Winona Express Suites River Port Inn, 900 Bruski Dr. Jul 6: 1–7 p.m., Winona American Legion Port #9, 302 East Sarnia.

Jul 6: 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Marcus Cinema, 2032 Ward Ave., La Crosse.

Jul 8: 1:30 p.m.–6 p.m., Winona Family Community Center, 1756 Kraemer Dr. Jul 15: Noon–6 p.m., La Crescent American Legion, 509 N Chestnut St. Jul 17: 1 p.m.–6 p.m., Winona Health Center, 855 Mankato Ave. Jul 22: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Winona National Bank, 1491 West Broadway.

Jul 18: 8 a.m.–Noon, La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16.

Jul 30: Noon–6 p.m., Winona Eagles Club, 210 East 4th St.

LISTINGS July 2015 La Crosse: Wednesdays: 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Jun 3–Oct 28, Bridgeview Plaza Park.

Thursdays: 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Jun 25–Oct 29, Hmong National Assistance Association, Ward Ave. Fridays: 4 p.m.–8 p.m., May 1–Oct 30, Cameron Park.

Saturdays: 8 a.m.–1 p.m., May 9–Oct 31, Cameron Park (Jul 11 is Double Foodshare Token Day!) Saturdays: 6 a.m.–noon., May 2–Oct 31, City Hall parking Lot. Galesville: Saturdays: 8 a.m.–noon, Jun–Sept, The Square.

Holmen: Wednesdays: 3 p.m.–7 p.m., May 27–Oct 28, Holmen Square.

La Crescent: Tuesdays: 4 p.m.–7 p.m., mid-May through mid–Oct, Crucifixion School parking lot.

Onalaska: Sundays: 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Jun 6–Oct 25, Festival Foods parking lot.

West Salem: Wednesdays: 2 p.m. –6 p.m., Jun 3–Oct 14, parking lot of the bike shelter on the corner of Jefferson and Mill St. Winona: Saturdays: 7:30 p.m. –noon, May 2–Oct, corner of 2nd and Main St. N.

June 27 Coulee Region Unscripted: A Total Fiasco, 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m., The Pump House, La Crosse, www.thepumphouse.org.

Pearl Street Brewery Tour, noon–5 p.m., La Crosse, www.pearlstreetbrewery.com/events.

June 28 Chicago, 2 p.m., UW–L Center for the arts, www.uwlax.edu/theatre–arts.

July 4 Viroqua Independence Day Celebration, 8 p.m.–11 p.m.

Grass Run Band, Cameron Park, 10 a.m.–noon.

Theatre du Mississippi: The Hired Girls Get Married, Bunnell House, www.winonahistory.org.

www.DrumsForPeace.net

In Solace with Cantharone, We Are Legion, Andraste’s Rage, Rainafire, 6 p.m., The Warehouse, $10, www.warehouserocks.com.

Stringtown Ambassadors with Cancerelli, Root Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

for the arts, www.uwlax.edu/theatre–arts.

Flyin’ A’s, Billy & Amy Hemdb: 7 p.m., Billy on guitar, Amy on bass, both on vocals…never fail to put on a thrilling show. Whether they cover vintage Neil Young or the hymns of U2, Billy and Amy get their crowd going fast and hard. Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.

5-7 pm Organic Dinner $10 7-9 pm Drum Circle $10 adults, $5 kids 9 pm Bon Fire & Acoustic Music Jam *Bring your lawn chairs and drums.

Canoeing the Myrick Park Marsh, 1 p.m.– 3 p.m., WisCorps, 789 Myrick Park Dr., La Crosse.

July 2 Chicago, Jul 2–3, 7:30 p.m., UW–L Center

The Last Jackson, Root Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

July 11 | 5:00 p.m.

Justin Trails Resort, Sparta, WI

P.I.E. Day, 12:30 p.m., Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture, 53439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, www.kinstonecircle.com.

The Jeffrey James Show & Derek James Olson, Root Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

Chicago, Jun 26–27, 7:30 p.m., UW–L Center for the arts, La Crosse, www.uwlax.edu/theatre–arts.

The Colors of China exhibit, Jun 26–Jul 18, Hours: T–F, 11–7, Sat, noon–4 p.m., The Pump House.

Ties in Riverside Park.

crafts and family fun each day, www.riverfestlacrosse.com.

Michelle Lynn, Cameron Park, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Bluffs, Buttes, and Cultures exhibit, Jun 26–Jul 18, Hours: T–F, 11–7, Sat, noon–4 p.m., The Pump House.

www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

July 1 Riverfest, Jul 1–4, music, entertainment,

Park, Tammy Z’s, www. tammyzyoga.com.

Community Drum Circle

8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., ages 3-5, WisCorps, 789 Myrick Park Dr., La Crosse.

July 9 Moon Tunes, 5:30 p.m.–8 p.m., String

History on the River Cruise, 7:00 p.m., Special educational cruises aboard the Cal Fremling offer topics about Winona history, the river, the environment and more. Tours are 90 minutes. Beverages and a light snack are included. Levee Park, Winona, 507-454-2723.

Drums for Peace

July 6 Itty Bitty Bugs Day Camp, Jul 6–10,

Postcards from Hollywood, 2 p.m., Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

June 26

Ice: Ambiguous Clarity exhibit, Jun 26–Jul 18, Hours: T–F, 11–7, Sat, noon–4 p.m., The Pump House.

Postcards from Hollywood, 2 p.m., Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

July 8 Mean Mary, Root Note,

July 3 Yoga in the Park, 4:30 p.m., Cameron

River Sojourn exhibit, Jun 26–Jul 18, Hours: T–F, 11–7, Sat, noon – 4 p.m., The Pump House, La Crosse.

www.uwlax.edu/theatre–arts.

Meet and Mingle, 6 p.m.–8 p.m., Children’s Museum (pre. reg. req.), www.funmuseum.org/la–crosse–childrens– museum–news–events.

upcoming

Cordwood Workshop, Jun 26–28, Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture, 53439 Cole Bluff Lane Fountain City, www.kinstonecircle.com.

July 5 Chicago, 2 p.m., UW–L Center for the arts,

Pigtown Fling: 7 p.m., Jessi’s fiddle, Casey’s mandolin, Sherri’s base, Barry’s guitar and accordion = ol’ time Irish and American folk, bluegrass and swing and the best knock off your socks time!

Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.

July 10 Catfish Days, Jul 10–12, Music, activities, and more. Trempealeau, www.trempealeau.net/catfish–days.

Night Out at the Museum, 5:30 p.m.– 8 p.m., Children’s Museum (pre. reg./ pre–pay), www.funmuseum.org/la–crosse– childrens–museum–news–events.

Bluegrass Festival, Jul 10–12, Viroqua www.viroquabluegrass.org.

Crooked Willow, Cameron Park, 5:30 p.m.– 7:30 p.m.

Space Monster, Root Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

July 11 Youth Outdoor Fest, 10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m., New Location – Veteran’s Freedom Park (West Copeland). Fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, canoeing, trout pond, archery, storytelling and more! FREE!

July 13 ANT–omology Day Camp, Jul 13–17,

8:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m., ages 6–8, WisCorps, 789 Myrick Park Dr., La Crosse.

GROW La Crosse Summer on the Farm, July 13–16, kids participate in real farm fun at Deep Roots Community Farm! $130/child (Max. 18 children), ages 5-12, www.growlacrosse.org.

July 14 Von Stomper, Root Note,

www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

July 15 The Way Down, Root Note,

www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

July 16 Postcards from Hollywood,

Jul 16–17, 7:30 p.m., Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

Moon Tunes, 5:30 p.m.– 8:00 p.m., Greg Balfany, Riverside Park Old American Junk, Root Note (Following open Mic), www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

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FARMER’S MARKETS

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LISTINGS July 2015 July 17 Yoga in the Park, 4:30 p.m., Cameron

Cob/Barrel Oven Workshop, 8 a.m., Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture, 53439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, www.kinstonecircle.com.

The Big Blue Dragon Boat Festival, Jul 17–18, a fresh and exciting event promoting community health and team work while raising awareness of breast cancer. Teams race head to head on the Black River along Copeland Park, mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/ la-crosse/classes-and-events/2015-big-bluedragon-boat-race.

Lady Rachel and the Feral Cats, Cameron Park, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Park, Tammy Z’s, www.tammyzyoga.com.

Coulee Rock Invaders, Cameron Park, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Painted Saints, Root Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

Nick Foytik: 8 p.m., Whether the guitar Nick chooses is electric, acoustic or a resonator, his picking, plucking and sliding mesmerize his audience every time. Trempealeau Hotel 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.

July 18 Lydia Loveless, 8 p.m., Cavalier Theater, La Crosse, 118 5th Ave. S, www.cavaliertheater.com/init.

Driftless Music Festival, 1 p.m.–10 p.m., Eckhart Park, Viroqua, www.driftlessmusicfestival.com.

Freedom Fest, UW–L, featuring Heart, Phillip Phillips, The Remainders.

View other events online. www.freedomfestlacrosse.com.

Gregg “Cheech” Hall, 7 p.m.–10 p.m., Java Vino, 2311 State Rd., La Crosse, www.javavinolax.com.

The Belle Weather, Root Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

Dave Rogers & Howard Luedtke Birthday Bash, with opener Nick Foytik: 7 p.m., Rocking blues is their flavor, and they rock it with a passion. On their fourth traditional Birthday Bash at Trempealeau Hotel, Dave and Howard are joined by Deb Luedtke and Mark Denny on bass and Grammy winner Terry Nirva on drums. Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.

July 19 Kids From Wisconsin, 4 p.m.,

Weber Center for the Performing Arts. www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

July 20 GROW La Crosse Farm Camp

Inspired Girls on the Farm, Jul 20–22, 11:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Kids participate in real farm fun at Deep Roots Community Farm! $140/child (Max. 15 children), girls 5th – 8th grade in 2014-15 school year, www.growlacrosse.org.

Charlie Parr with Mike Munson, Root Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

July 23 Summer Sidewalk Sale! Jul 23–25,

enjoy great deals during our annual Summer

Sidewalk Sale, featuring savings, events, music and fun for everyone! Dance the night away on Friday night with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra on Pearl Street, starts 7:00 p.m., www.lacrossedowntown.com.

July 30 Postcards from Hollywood, 7:30 p.m.,

Postcards from Hollywood, Jul 23–25, 7:30 p.m., Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

Moon Tunes, 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., British Invasion, Riverside Park.

Moon Tunes, 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Grateful Dead Tribute, Riverside Park.

July 24 Magic of Science, 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.,

Children’s Museum, www.funmuseum.org/ la-crosse-childrens-museum-news-events. php.

Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

July 31 Meet and Mingle, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.,

Children’s Museum (pre. reg. req.), www.funmuseum.org/la–crosse–childrens– museum–news–events.

Postcards from Hollywood, 7:30 p.m., Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

Gregg “Cheech” Hall, Cameron Park, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Cordwood Workshop, Jul 31–Aug 2, Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture, 53439 Cole Bluff Lane Fountain City, www.kinstonecircle.com.

July 25 Noah James Hittner, Cameron Park, 10

The Claudettes: 8 p.m., Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.

Bountiful Gardens Tour, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Enjoy the sights of a variety of local gardens, www.HillviewUAC.org.

August 1 GROW La Crosse event at the Root

a.m.–noon

The Chris Silver Band: 8 p.m., Chris Silver and band mates Chico (percussion) and Erin (Guitar, vocals) share an eclectic approach in playing original acoustic, blues, folk and jam band music. Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.

July 29 La Crosse SOUP night, a monthly micro-

granting and community-building event in La Crosse, making La Crosse an even cooler place to live! 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m., The Root Note, www.facebook.com/LaCrosseSOUP.

Note, www.facebook.com/theRootNote.

Blind Baby Olin: 8 p.m., Trempealeau Hotel 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.

August 3 GROW La Crosse Inspired on the

Farm: Aug. 3–5. Kids participate in real farm fun at Deep Roots Community Farm! $130/child (Max. 18 children), www.growlacrosse.org.

August 4 Legg Fish with Beneath the

Crow, Root Note, www.facebook.com/ theRootNote.

August 5 Postcards from Hollywood,

Aug 5–7, 7:30 p.m., Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www.webercenterfortheperformingarts.org.

August 6 Moon Tunes, 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Fayme SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

Rochelle and the Waxwings, Riverside Park.

28

August 7 Irishfest, Aug 7–9, Celebrate Irish heritage

Friends, Flavor & Fun A destination for relaxing with friends, delectable Tapas dining, wonderful libations and special events that make for a truly memorable experience every time you visit.

100 Harborview Plaza La Crosse, WI 54601 www.4sisterslacrosse.com

(even if you’re not Irish)! Live music, dance, family entertainment and more! www.irishfestlacrosse.org.

orter of

Proud supp

(608) 782-8213

Irishfest La Crosse

LISTINGS July 2015

To add your free volunteer listing, email contact@thesevenspot.com.

American Red Cross - Scenic Bluffs Chapter:

Volunteers can help with blood drives, train for disaster response, teach First Aid/CPR classes, support our Armed Forces, assist at special events and more! 2927 Losey Blvd. S., La Crosse; volunteerwestern.wi@redcross.org; 877-618-6628, ext. 5822; www.redcross.org/ wi/la-crosse.

Children’s Museum of La Crosse:

Volunteers are an important part of the Children's Museum team. If you are upbeat, responsible and love kids, volunteer with us! Opportunities include special events, face painting, crafts and games, and much more! 608-784-2652, ext. 226; christina@funmuseum. org; www.funmuseum.org.

Crossfire Youth Center:

Crossfire seeks to transform the lives of local teens by providing safe and fun activities.

Volunteer opportunities include assisting in weight lifting, archery, outdoor activities and our Friday night party alternative. 608-784-6565; amanda@crossfire4u.com; crossfire4u.com.

Couleecap, Inc.:

Couleecap helps people in need with housing, food, transportation and more. 201 Melby St., Westby (Serving Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe and Vernon counties); contactus@couleecap. org; www.couleecap.org.

Great Rivers United Way:

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.

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Volunteer needs: gardening, trail maintenance, upkeep of devotional areas, indoor cleaning, greeting visitors. www.guadalupeshrine.org/volunteer.

WAFER Food Pantry:

Opportunities: food packing and stocking, unloading trucks, helping during the food fair, delivery and much more. 403 Causeway Blvd, La Crosse; 608-782-6003; waferfoodpantry@ centurytel.net; waferlacrosse.org.

WisCorps:

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.

YWCA of the Coulee Region:

Opportunities: special events, adaptive swimming and gardening, and women’s housing program assistance. 608-781-2783, ext.228; mhilligoss@ywcalax.org; ywcalax.org.

Great Rivers United Way Volunteer Center hosts an array of volunteer opportunities. www. ugetconnected.org.

Grow La Crosse:

From garden work to working with children to event help, there’s something for many! www.growlacrosse.org/get-involved.

Habitat for Humanity/ReStore:

Building homes for those in need, office work and special events. volunteer@habitatlacrosse. org; 608-785-2375, ext. 1604.

Hillview Urban Agriculture Center:

The Hunger Task Force of La Crosse:

Tasks and info: Food Recovery Program—driving for deliveries, sorting, truck loading and unloading, clerical, special event duties; 608-793-1002; lacrossehunger@centurytel.net.

Kane St. Community Garden—preparing and planting, weeding, harvesting; 608-386-3319; kanestreetgarden@gmail.com; www.lacrossehtf.org.

Dedicated to teaching people how to live more sustainably through the use of permaculture principles and design. Critical thinking skills and hands-on practice are core to our offerings. We have volunteer opportunities in the following areas: food forest maintenance, composting, various gardening tasks, various natural building construction projects, stone work, fundraising, grant writing, videography and marketing. 608-687-3332; inquiry@ kinstonecircle.com with VOLUNTEER in the subject; www.KinstoneCircle.com.

La Crescent Animal Rescue:

Up to

$100 Off A

New Stove New Wood or Fireplace Pellet Grill Wood, pellet or gas.

Offer expires July 31, 2015.

Cannot be used with other promotions or coupons.

Offer expires July 31, 2015.

Cannot be used with other promotions or coupons.

Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture:

$300 Off A

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. Volunteer tasks: 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:

Opportunities include special events, youth sports coaching, Miracle League Baseball Buddies, Teen Center and much more. 608-782-9622; Y-North: 400 Mason St., Onalaska; Y-La Crosse: 1140 Main St., La Crosse; www.laxymca.org.

County Road ZN, (on Brice Prairie) Onalaska, WI 54650 (608) 783-6400 W7385

info@warmingtrendsstoves.com warmingtrendsstoves.com

SEVEN | thesevenspot.com

The mission of Hillview is to create a healthy community through a local, sustainable and accessible food system. Volunteer opportunities: Market Baskets, vermicomposting, various gardening tasks, fundraising, grant writing and marketing. 608-786-0338; vicki@vsm5.com; www.hillviewuac.org.

29

WRITER’S BLOCK

A Listen in Love

I

probably should have listened to the omen that presented itself as I got lost even before venturing out into the woods.

“Hmm...,” I frowned uncertainly. “I think we missed our turn back there.”

My boyfriend pulled the car into a random gravel driveway. My pride already on the line, I reluctantly plugged our destination into my phone and awaited more solid direction. Within seconds, we were in reverse, ready now for the road we had missed.

Earlier that morning, we woke up excited to see the blanket of fresh, heavy snow Mother Nature had draped atop the Seven Rivers Region overnight. The day promised to be perfect. After lingering over coffee, we’d bust the winter doldrums with some much-needed outdoor activity, then cozy up later on the couch with snacks and the Super Bowl, reveling in the relaxation Sundays were made for. Normally, we’d tug on our boots and hike Hixon, a place we both knew like the backs of our hands. This time, however, I had another plan.

“Have you ever been out to the Experimental Forest?”

Nestled between Bangor and Barre Mills, The Coulee Experimental State Forest is a chunk of land where the DNR conducts research on forest management. It also graciously boasts a network of looping trails—trails I had only navigated once a few years back on a pair of cross-country skis.

As the GPS signaled our arrival, it didn’t faze me that this wasn’t the trailhead I had previously started from. There was another set of tracks on the single path up, so we started trekking among the scented pine boughs which drooped heavily under the dense snow. Eric took a few scenic shots, and I giddily endured a few playful tackles into the fluffy banks. Eventually we met up with the North Loop, where we were careful to tread single-file as to not disturb the ski tracks.

CALL TO ARTISTS Freighthouse Hiawatha Room 6PM Artist selection for November show

SEVEN | Issue #1 | July, 2015

Ju ne 30

30

By: Briana Rupel

Amazing transformations are taking place in downtown La Crosse and we are inviting you to grow with us!

Visit us online to find maps, parking and construction project information to navigate Downtown La Crosse through this exciting transition.

Our goal is make your downtown experience enjoyable through this time of growth!

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608-784-0440

I probably should have listened when Eric asked, “Do you think we should turn back?” I thought of the last 90 minutes of trudging through the shin-deep snow.

We had already made a hairpin turn and were headed back south, the way we came from; I was sure that the time we had left was shorter than the distance we had come. These thoughts I shared with him. We kept on, only this time the wind had picked up from the east, blowing across the ridge a wash of white that blustered effortlessly through the barren forest. Naked trunks stood shivering, and sawed-off stumps peeked their heads up through the snow as if to see who had foolishly dared to wander this way. The loggers had abandoned their post for the season long ago, probably as eager as we were to get home.

Though I should have been comforted when I recognized the meadow we finally approached, I was anything but. Our trail had not looped directly back to where we started, but ended abruptly in this vast expanse of white. The sun ducked further beneath the clouds, and I knew we only had—at most—half an hour of precious daylight left.

My heart suddenly began to race, the seriousness of the presenting situation pulsing like a red warning light. I refused to lose my cool and stomped confidently west, knowing which direction we had to go, but suddenly afraid I wouldn’t find the trail to take us there. I tore off my mitten and grabbed my phone to gauge the strength of my signal, just in case. It was dead.

I conjured up what the headlines would read: “Couple ‘Coulee Chills’ to Death” or “Wolf Pack Takes No Mercy on Coulee Couple.” These thoughts I did not share with him. We agreed to cross the meadow to where the upper parking lot was, in hopes of finding someone with a car to drive us back down to our car. We weren’t surprised when we found an empty lot, but alas... a framed map attached to a post.

“Can you take a picture of it?” I asked with renewed hope. Eric reached in his pocket.

“My phone is dead,” he said.

“Mine is too,” I finally confessed. You can’t make this stuff up.

The good thing about deciding to head out to the road was that it felt like we had each shed 50-pound packs. Even in the dark, walking on the plowed country roads was (almost) a godsend. With lighter steps and the confidence of finally knowing where to go, the mood lightened and we started drooling over all the gluttony that would ensue once we got home. Still, I felt entirely responsible for this chaos.

“Hey,” I said finally, “I am so sorry.”

“I’m not mad,” he replied in earnest, rubbing my shoulder. “Well,” he paused, “I might’ve been if the Packers were playing.” I smirked, thankful for the comic relief.

While visions of chicken wings danced in our heads, smoke curled up from chimneys of houses hidden at the end of driveways that snaked back well into the trees.

We would pick out the faint glow of a garage light and vow to jog until we reached it: to stay warm, sure, but mostly to slay some mileage.

At some point into our third hour—on the road alone—our stubbornness caved in on itself. I waved down the next vehicle that passed. The kid driving the truck couldn’t have been much older than 18. I could tell he was hesitant to let us hop in, but I wasn’t taking no for an answer. Weeks later, I would go back and trace our route with the car, paying extra close attention to the odometer. We had slogged along the road for 5.5 miles. That kid probably saved us an extra two on top of that.

I’m still grateful, even though I don’t know his name.

Obviously forgoing any inclination possibly left to lift a finger in the kitchen, we stopped at a bar, scarfed an entire pizza, and didn’t think twice about ordering a second beer. Katy Perry’s exuberant half-time show played out on a distant screen. I don’t think either one of us could tell you a thing about it. Later, thankfully nestled in a warm bed about to zonk out into one of the most blissful nights of sleep I can remember, I still felt the need to apologize.

“It’s okay,” he assured me again, “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” I smiled, finally listening.

Briana Rupel is a born and bred Wisconsinite. She is continually inspired by the Seven Rivers Region’s natural beauty, the talent of its local musicians and the stories of everyday people.

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AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM UNTIL AUGUST 31 Family-friendly exhibit about the beasties that bite and why. Included with admission.

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