Klutch Chronicle September 2014 by Michelle L. Jerome

volume 1

September 2014

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE COULEE REGION

meet &

cheese

Not yo party ur normal app

s e l u j o t elle fareehw eart th 1 W mily a f e e f f o Jules c

d n u o ns

w o t nsseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s w o d Cro earl La y on P Part

Grill, Bar, RiVer.

entials All the Ess

Drive or float on down to River Rats and enjoy a friendly atmosphere and excellent food!

1311 La Crescent St La Crosse, WI 54603

(608) 784-7287 2

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

la crosseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

ultimate viewing venue full menu all ages

welcome

Monday

DJ Trivia 8 PM and 2-4-1 Burgers

Tuesday Bar Bingo 9 PM and Fish Tacos

Wednesday

Color Me Bad 9 PM and wings $5/lb

Thursday

Team Trivia 8 PM and Steak tacos

Friday Fish Fry Saturday

College Football- Badgers and bucket specials

Sunday

NFL Sunday Ticket and bucket specials

1128 La Crosse Street La Crosse, WI 54601

www.howiesonlacrosse.com KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014 3

EDITOR’S NOTE Casey Kulinski It brings me great pleasure to bring you the debut of Klutch Chronicle — your guide, your resource, your Yoda if you will, of all things culture and entertainment-related in the Coulee Region! We’ve got the inside scoop and the dirty deeds, and we will be bringing them to you each and every month. As a native of La Crosse and graduate of UW-L, the Coulee Region truly is my home. I am honored to be a part of the Klutch team and excited to shine a light — one with a fresh and edgy twist to it — on all the great opportunities the area offers its residents. It is so fitting that one of our first features is on why La Crosse was named a top 10 city to live in. We hope to create a “family” through the monthly community submissions we feature and the mini-events we host, where we will connect with local businesses and meet our readers and contributors. (Speaking of family, check out our tribute to the Jules Coffee team on pg. 11.) I hope as you page through you find a little something that makes you think, sparks your interest, creates doubt or reinforces an opinion, or even just intrigues you enough to take a second glance. From our Hometown Headlines, our section covering everything from updates at city hall and local news, all the way to our monthly drink review, here at Klutch we want to make you laugh, cry, and laugh so hard you cry. So drop us a line, connect with us on Facebook, or stop by and say hi! We think the Coulee Region is pretty klutch, and we think so should you.

ISSUE NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER, 2014 WWW.KLUTCHCHRONICLE.COM

Mueller Media publishing marketing out-of-home advertising

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

Connect With Klutch: OFFICES: 3120 South Ave La Crosse WI 54601 PHONE: 608-796-8780 EMAIL: info@muellermediacorp.com

A WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/klutchchronicle

Michelle L. Jerome As my oldest packs up for Comic Con to meet “thee” 11th Dr. Who, Matt Smith (an expensive VIP ticket she saved up for herself), I’m excited to type up this note — a sign that we’re almost done wrapping up the inaugural issue of Klutch Chronicle. I dreamed up the concept of this publication last year and have since borrowed a few ideas from amazing alternative newspapers and zines in neighboring towns. The first brainstorming sessions were with some old friends shooting the shoot over some beverages. Since then, we’ve brought Casey on board to add her flair. I feel we’ve produced a living, interactive magazine that digs into our community and its culture. We invite you to share unique ideas, intriguing art, and insightful opinions with us. You are who we are. ‘Til next time … Oh! And I’m a big fan of the cover artist! I hear she’s a big Dr. Who fan.

www.klutchchronicle.com

THE KLUTCH CREW: Publisher: Rick Mueller Editor: Casey Kulinski Associate Publisher: Michelle Jerome Graphic Designer: Jason Keeney Advertising Strategists: Lee Worrell, Rachel Albrechtson, Jenna Walker Copy Editor: Susan Miller Photographer: Bruce Defries Distribution: Citywide Marketing Services

inside

ARTWORK ON THE COVER “Archie” 8.5” x 11”, colored pencil, 2012 by Yasmynn Rain I created this piece based off the film Archie’s Final Project my sophomore year of high school. The film really hits home for many struggles that teenagers face in their everyday lives from parent problems to thoughts of suicide and depression. It really struck me because I’ve been close to so many people affected by these things, but there’s a social stigma that prevents anyone from talking or getting help. Watching this film helps to emphasize that no one is alone, and we are all Archies trying to find our purpose and passion in this crazy, twisted, upside-down world. I used a couple of movie stills to draw Archie and his neighborhood, and found other reference photos for the camera and eyeball. Archie’s nickname is “eyeball” in the film, but I chose a depiction with a hand coming out of it, because I feel it symbolizes our seeing the world - it’s sickness and beauty, and then trying to reach out and grasp it to understand the world around us.

Klutch Live What’s Up

Klutch Calendar Coming down the pipe

Hometown Headlines The Scoop on our region

Volunteer Do onto others...

Technology Geeks unite

A&E A monthly dose of culture

Family What’s most important

Food & Drink Down the hatch

Health and Fitness Taking care of you

7 Attraction of the Month 8 Meet & Cheese 10 The Word from City Hall 10 WTF? Stories 13 App Review 19 Movie Ratings & Listings 20 Tunes 22 Beer of the Month 30 On the Flip Side

this issue 4

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

m or e. ..

Advertising Info: You know you want to be seen in Klutch! Contact us by email or call 608-796-8780 for more information on rates, distribution, and sizes. Contributor/Submissions: Please submit art and writing samples for our submissions pages at http://klutchchronicle.com/writing-art-submissions/. Interested in contributing to Klutch? Please contact info@muellermediacorp.com Internships/Jobs: Internships are available at Klutch! Check us out and apply at klutchchronicle.com

www.klutchchronicle.com

september

PEOPLE L CA

Come on down for a night at Pearl Street Brewery with us! Bring your coupon for a free pint, listen to music, and meet our awesome staff!

your first pint is on us!!

EOPLE LP CA

Bring this coupon in and receive

free

Each month we will be bringing Klutch Live to a new venue around the Coulee Region- you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss this event!

PEEPS PLACES

LO CA

L LP

LO CAL

pint On September 12 during the Klutch Live event at Pearl Street Brewery. Valid September 12, 2014 only. Limit one per customer, may not be copied or reproduced in any way without permission from Klutch Chronicle.

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

to p f i v e

the soap box

d akim an ario You ike M B to y t B u Beer f Shout o o t if g r the m H. friends fo mmer fun! ~ Pa u S ! e Brigad

Phrases from your pre-teen years that need to be brought back, stat.

1 2

My shout out goes to my 11 for being year old n the voice iece Kayla students o o n the Nort f hundreds of ele mentary hside of La before the Crosse. S school bo h a e went rd withou to help na t nervous me the ne hesitation w Northsi on Kane S de Elemen t. She said tary Scho & I quote bossy but ol “I don’t m the schoo ean to be l should be Elementary named N because ort families w of all th ho have m e genera hside ti e ons of mories of Northside school da & Northsi ys on the de pride!” ~ Jana B.

You got served

Preferably while your posse in the back, all wearing platform shoes, yell “ohhhh” and cover their mouths with their fists

… Not

This is the perfect insult because you raise someone’s spirits by making them believe you’re impressed by their crimped hair or choker necklace, and then brutally crush them with only three letters.

always mily. They’re fa ey rn a B e ’t even Shout out to th know or don ey th e n eo m , giving praying for so bout in need a rd ea h st away know and ju their garden m o fr s ie g g ing to fruits and ve Always offer . ily a d in rk of time that they wo teering lots n lu vo d n a anything help peop le t expecting o n d n a ch munity at their chur ut in the com o g in p el h st d family in return, ju being a goo d n a n ca anyway they Hunter S. e together. ~ iv ct a g n ei b by

Shou to I miss ut to the y a y Wher ou! La Cr rn graffiti osse bomb e art mi thou? e ~ Ma sses you! rs! ma J

Give a shout out! Want to thank a person or group for a job well done or fantastic deed? Someone need a special congratulations? Give us your shout out on our Facebook www.facebook/klutchchronicle and it could be published in next month’s Klutch!

2 truths and

Scrub (thank you, TLC … not)

Because sometimes “jerk” isn’t descriptive enough, but “a******” is too extreme. This word fills the desperate need for a happy medium.

a lie Okt

oberfest Edition

DOWNTOWN

Look Local - Shop Small!

Oktoberfest used to dye the Black River orange, but the event was canceled due to environmental concerns.

Loser

This dis pairs well with one hand making the shape of an “L” on your forehead and the other clutching a CosmoGirl with Kirsten Dunst on the cover.

The first Fest included cow chip throwing and greased pig catching.

… Psych

This phrase was the getout-of-jail card of all slang phrases! Told your friend one thing, but really were lying? Just say “psych” and you have a valid excuse for any indecent behavior.

Downtown Mainstreet Inc.

The Fest Family ceremoniously refers to their German attire as “Battle Gear.” The lie: Though we may have orange running through our veins during this weekend, the festival never dyed the river.

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

608-784-0440

For every $100 spent at a small independently owned business, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays in the local economy. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

Thank you for supporting independent businesses!

Check our website for information and events L ACROSSEDOWNTOWN.COM

HOME TOWN

headlines

oop The Sc THE COULEE REGION

FROM

ISN’T IT OBVIOUS?

It’s a pretty darn nice place to live.

Article: Ryan Stotts

SMALL TOWN, BIG FESTIVAL

ou can’t read a poll ranking the best cities to live in without seeing La Crosse listed at or near the top. Why? “Isn’t it obvious?” said La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat. The guy should know. He was born and raised here, he’s raising his family here, too, and he’s carved out a unique career here, to boot. And, well, he’s the city’s 42nd mayor, after all. “We’ve had to go it alone because we are so separated from other metro areas,” Kabat said. It’s two and a half hours, depending on which way you go, before you get to the Twin Cities or Madison. Even Rochester, the closest “big” city, is a little more than an hour away. That leaves La Crosse, carved on the floor of a valley surrounded by walls of bluffs, and at the junction of some pretty mighty rivers, to take its place as the largest city on Wisconsin’s western border of the Mississippi. And, for such an isolated spot, guess what? It’s a pretty darn nice place to live. Last year, a site called movoto.com voted La Crosse number two in its ranking of the most exciting “small” cities to live in; it narrowly missed a top

Photo Credit: Lee Harwell

of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College. It has its own choral union, and its own symphony, and there’s also the venerable La Crosse Community Theatre, as well as the Pump House Regional Arts Center. “They add so much,” Kabat said of the fine arts community. Let’s also not forget the scenic beauty: those bluffs, the trails, the access to water everywhere. There’s even a steamboat, the good old La Crosse Queen. “There’s the opportunity to do anything and everything you could want to do here,” Kabat said.

But, really folks, just look around. There’s clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and there’s the natural wonder of those bluffs (including the world famous one: Grandad Bluff), as well as countless green spaces - not to mention the river banks, just a stone’s throw away from downtown. “That’s really the foundation,” Kabat said. - For a list of anything and everything to do in La Crosse, visit explorelacrosse.com. You can also learn a lot by visiting www.cityoflacrosse.org.

“There’s the opportunity to do anything and everything you could want to do here.” Mayor Tim Kabat spot in Outdoor Magazine’s poll of best small towns to live in, settling instead for a ranking in the top 16. Even nearby Onalaska was voted one of the best places to raise a young family by the website with the funny name, Nerd Wallet. So, it’s obvious to a lot of people that La Crosse is tops in many areas, not just Mayor Kabat. After all, the city of approximately 51,000 souls (110,000 if you count the outlying metro area) has a lot to offer. It’s a beehive of nightlife, thanks in large part to a swelling young adult population courtesy of three institutions of higher education - University

If you go: Dates and times: Fri/Sat/Sun, Sept. 26, 27, and 28, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The economic climate is pretty incredible, too, he said. There’s still a significant manufacturing industry in town, and La Crosse is an ideal location for businesses to want to put down their roots because it’s still affordable to operate (and, more importantly, expand) here. “We might not see the huge growth spurts,” he said, “but, on the other hand, we don’t see the huge economic downturns, either.” And, apart from all that (as if all that isn’t enough), La Crosse has an excellent educational system across the board. That’s what makes it so strong and healthy, Kabat said. KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

Summer music festival season is ending, but what we’re more excited for is fall festival season, because it’s all focused on food! One of our favorite festivals, Warrens Cranberry Festival, takes place on the last weekend in September, and has a bunch of cranberry-related activities. Hosted in Warrens, Wis., which is about an hour east of La Crosse, the world’s largest cranberry festival has been documented in National Geographic, The Huffington Post, and, yes, O, The Oprah Magazine, amongst many other publications. First time hearing about this cranberry mania? Wisconsin is the largest producer of cranberries in the US and one of the largest producers worldwide. In 2004, it even officially became Wisconsin’s state fruit, making Warrens the perfect location for this festival. An expected 120,000 people will flock to Warrens over the weekend for the Warrens Cranberry Festival, swelling from the 3,500 that came to the first festival 42 years ago. Food features include over 100 booths serving Greek, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, American, as well as cranberry dishes — cranberry cream puffs and deep-fried cranberries on a stick, anyone? One of the event’s main attractions is a cranberry sundae, the topping for which is cooked in a giant 4 ½ foot skillet and draped over vanilla ice cream, then served to hundreds of fest-goers. Once you’ve downed your weight in cranberries and are wishing you’d worn your stretchy waistband pants, check out the huge, 850-booth arts and crafts show, flea market show, farm market, parade, marsh tours, and medallion hunt for those competitive folks (also for the competitive folks — pie eating contest). The best part? It’s all for a good cause; the festival benefits the community of Warrens, which has given over $2 million to different community organizations, including local schools, the Lions Club and more.

Parking: $5 Location: The whole town. Seriously, they take over the whole town; it’s not just in a park, but all around the downtown. Parking is available for $5 at Birkholz Field. Don’t miss: The big cranberry sundae and all the food vendors, flea market, gigantic parade, cranberry chiffon pie eating contest, and medallion hunt.

at FULL CIRCLE SUPPLY

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s t a h W k

c on De

September 17th from 3-6pm Pet Me Scratch Me Bring your pet along and you can both say cheese for our cameras! Special event-only offers! (608) 781-Woof (9663) 2551 E. Main St. Onalaska, WI 54650 www.petmescratchme.com

Interested in hosting a Meet and Cheese event?

Visit our website www.klutchchronicle.com or call 608-796-8780 for more details.

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - REFILL.

Article: Wendy Allen

FULL CIRCLE SUPPLY

ustainability is a nebulous word these days. Like “green” and “natural,” “sustainable” means different things depending on who you’re speaking to. Various dictionaries define “sustainable” simply as a resource that’s able to be used, or a method of using it, that does not completely deplete or destroy it. Clear, but short on specifics and, therefore, wide open to interpretation. It’s no wonder everyone from organic food to oil companies can claim it. Thankfully, there’s one area everyone can agree is unsustainable: waste. Plastics, in particular, make up a noteworthy percentage of the municipal solid waste stream - 12.7 percent, or 32 million tons, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By contrast, plastic waste was less than 1 percent in 1960. Possibly most significant, “only 9 percent of the total plastic waste generated in 2012 was recovered for recycling” (EPA). Nine percent. Even readily recyclable plastics like bottles only have a 28 to 31 percent recycling rate. Sure, “reduce, reuse, recycle” has been a mantra since the first Earth Day in 1970, but clearly we haven’t made much progress. Amid this gloomy outlook, a new business in La Crosse is presenting our community with a new way to think about the three R’s.

piece of plastic still exists on the planet,” says Josh. “It breaks down into smaller pieces so it’s not as noticeable, but it never really goes anywhere. There is no ‘away’ with plastic.” As the couple absorbed more and more facts and began switching to reusable items in their own home, the idea for a refill shop became more real - and necessary. Not only for their growing family, but for the La Crosse community. Beyond reducing waste flowing into our riverside landfill, the Larsons realized they have the opportunity to provide products that don’t contain ingredients known to be harmful to humans or the environment. Did you know less than 20 percent of chemicals in cosmetics have had a safety assessment? Yikes. “Look at the labels,” Josh says. “If you start looking into some of those chemicals, a lot of them are carcinogenic or toxic. It’s just bad for you and bad for the environment where you live.” Even though cosmetics companies say the quantity of dangerous chemicals in a product is minuscule, for the average woman who uses 12 personal care products every day, all those little daily doses can really add up in the body. And the companies have no incentive to remove those chemicals because there’s no FDA oversight. It’s up to consumers to

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Chief Seattle

Until now, there have been precious few local options for putting into practice an element of “reuse” - namely, refilling. The idea for Full Circle Supply, located in the Village Shopping Center on Losey and State Road, began when Josh and Mary Larson read an article about the massive amount of plastic waste that could be dramatically reduced if Walmart bought a particular laundry detergent in bulk and refilled customers’ used containers. Imagine! And that’s just for one product sold at Walmart. Combine all the potentially refillable plastic purchases at all the big box stores and … well … I’m a writer, not a mathematician. Let’s just say it’s a lot of waste that could be prevented by providing the option to refill. “Unless it’s incinerated, virtually every

band together and make the demand with a lawsuit. Double yikes. Full Circle Supply provides a way around this broken system. Today they offer more than 30 hair and body care products, and cleaning and laundry supplies that can be refilled right into an old container you already own or a container purchased at the store. They also recently expanded to offer baby products such as reusable diapers, wipes and more. (Did you know cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the country? Keep those chemicals away from our kiddos, please.) Most of their products are made in the USA, and many are from Wisconsin. To those who feel like it’s a lot of work to make the switch, Josh says, “I think it’s almost harder to find the replacement than

it is to make the transition to it.” In other words, the Larsons are doing the hard part for us. “Once you have the option, it’s pretty easy to start using it.” The cost of refilling containers here is pretty comparable to mainstream products because “20 percent of a product’s cost is due to packaging,” says Josh. “So when we buy 50 gallon drums, we get a lot more soap or shampoo for our dollar,” and they pass the savings on. Buying smaller quantities at a time is also great for those who don’t go through cleaning products quickly, who live in small spaces, or who want to try a few ounces of a lot of products to find what works best for them. This reduces product waste and saves the customer money at the same time. The refilling concept is definitely a sustainable business model from many angles. What’s in the future for Full Circle Supply? That’s a tough question to answer for a business that only recently saw its first birthday, but they’re working on spreading word to the public about the business and the benefits of refilling, reaching out to businesses that could play an important role in reducing cleaning supply chemical exposure to their employees, and one day down the road, maybe even opening another store in the area or in Madison. What started out as a way to reduce plastic waste has morphed into a lifestyle for the Larsons and what seems to be a true, meaningful community calling. Josh says,

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

“As our business has evolved, plastic is still a big issue here, but the chemicals that are found in most mainstream cleaners and personal care products are almost a larger issue for us now. And we can play a role in keeping that stuff out of our community.” Additional Resources: Environmental Protection Agency. “Common Wastes & Materials: Plastics.” www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/ materials/plastics.htm The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® cosmetics/body care ingredient database. Start with the five “essential tips and facts.” www.ewg.org/skindeep For the “whoa” factor, check out “The Story of Cosmetics,” part of the Story of Stuff project in partnership with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. http:// youtu.be/pfq000AF1i8

FULL CIRCLE SUPPLY 1507 Losey Blvd. La Crosse, WI 54601 (in the Village Shopping Center) 608-519-2110 www.fullcirclesupplylax.com www.facebook.com/fullcirclesupplylax A portion of every sale is donated to Living for Liz (livingforliz.com)

THE WORD

headlines

oop The Sc THE COULEE REGION

FROM CITY HAL L

HOME TOWN

BEES?: In September, the La Crosse City Council will consider allowing residents to have bee and honey operations. As proposed, potential beekeepers are required to pay an annual fee and obtain a license, in addition to the support of neighbors directly around the property. But don’t throw out your lawn furniture to make room for your bee farm just yet: Under this proposal, you can only have six or fewer colonies in your backyard rather than the hundreds of colonies that you really want. STRUCTURAL STREAMLINING: The La Crosse City Council also has been making structural meeting changes. Instead of the traditional Tuesday night Committee of the Whole meeting, the purpose of which was to allow for an additional public hearing for legislation on the monthly docket, the council has implemented a planning meeting similar to what the La Crosse County Board has. In addition, the council recently voted to reduce the number of council members from 17 to 13, making the district coterminous with the county. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT: The parking lot between Vine and State streets that you’ve probably parked in when going to the Rivoli Theatre in downtown La Crosse is one step closer to being developed. Owned by La Crosse County, Lot C is prime real estate and has garnered several proposals for development. One proposal that was recommended by a separate committee of the county board and passed by the full board decided to begin a development agreement. More details will be hammered out and voted upon in November. Currently, the proposal is a mixed-use development, including over 250,000 square feet of office space, over 90 residential units, retail space, and over 350 parking spots. Filling the office space would most likely be additional employees from LHI and other downtown businesses, an increase of anywhere from 500 to 1,000 jobs, and the development, if approved, would be up and running in 2017. BNSF RAIL UPDATE: The Finance and Personnel Committee of the City of La Crosse considered a letter from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway regarding placement of a second railroad track next to their current track, which has been in operation for over 100 years and runs through Forest Hills golf course. In response to community concerns about the safety of a second rail line, BNSF has offered to build an underpass bridge at the golf course, give the city funding to close two private, unlicensed crossings, relocate city utility lines, and has also discussed providing the city with emergency response resources; in exchange, BNSF asks that the city not contest ownership of the property eyed for expansion. Community opponents cite the disasters in Canada and North Dakota as a result of rail moving tar sands and Bakken oil as the primary reason to fight the expansion, especially because the proposed rail is in close proximity to homes. The committee considering BNSF’s communication authorized a small team to further research the offer, made up of the mayor, council president, and chair of the Judiciary and Administration Committee. RENTAL REGISTRATION: The City of La Crosse’s rental registration and inspection program is facing a lawsuit from several community landlords. The legislation, passed in March, requires landlords to annually register properties with the city and pay an administrative fee, ranging from $25 for a singleunit to $65 for a building with 48 or more units. Because successful registration is contingent upon satisfactory inspection, supporters of the program believe it promotes safer rentals. If landlords are operating rental units without an annual registration, they can face fines ranging from $500 to $3,000. The landlords are suing because they believe the program is unconstitutional under Wisconsin’s new Act 76, which they interpret as requiring municipalities to treat residential property equally — both rentals and owner-occupied homes.

FROM

LANDFILL

Peanut butter and jelly, mothers and liking every single thing you post on Facebook, Bill Cosby and sweaters - these things all just seem to go together, but what about landfills and recreational trails? Covered in trees and surrounded by bluffs, the La Crosse County Landfill is nationally known for its sustainable practices and landuse plan, but the newest phase of the plan has people talking: putting multi-use recreational trails in the landfill. Though we’ve been told since we were kids to not play near trash, that’s exactly what the county wants people to do. The trails are located in a newly designated community forest, where WisCorps workers have been finishing a 1-mile-long loop, with plans to expand coming in the next few years

TOP RANKING LIBRARIES

With the recent controversy regarding budget solutions for the La Crosse Public Library system, it wouldn’t be a surprise if local residents didn’t know about some good news the libraries received at the beginning of July. There are over 100 libraries in Wisconsin, and those located in the La Crosse area rank at the top of the list in almost all categories. La Crosse is ranked No. 1 in seven of the 11 categories: municipal appropriation, total budget, hours per year, professional librarians on staff, total staff, number of public computers, and resident support per capita. The other categories studied were municipal

man spites mother and child by buying pie; becomes online hero If there’s one thing worse than an outlandishly misbehaving child, it’s when parents reward the child by giving in to their tantrums. After spending all day with a crabby child and even attempting to do productive tasks with said child, we can understand why exasperated caretakers would give in, even if it is just for 15 minutes of peace. But just because we understand it, doesn’t mean we condone it, and neither did a customer at Burger King who bought the store out of apple pies to spite the wailing child (and his mother) behind him in line. The story, first posted on Reddit, details how the man asked the child’s mother to quiet the kid down after he yelled, “I want some f***ing pie!” The mother reportedly responded to the man’s complaint with a helping of “mind your own business” and going back to her child promising they’d get pie for lunch. So the man did what any other mature, responsible adult would do: bought the store’s remaining 23 apple pies, and stuck around to eat the pie after hearing the mother yell at the cashier, “What do you mean you don’t have any pies left? Who bought them all?” with the cashier pointing a finger at the man. Because it was a self-submission on Reddit, there’s really no way of proving the story’s validity, but really, we just want to believe it — there are just too many “humble pie” jokes to be made, and, let’s face it, we would love to give the man a thunderous round of applause for actually doing what we would only think of doing.

as part of a network of trails reaching from West Salem to the south side of La Crosse. If you haven’t been to the landfill, it’s easy to be skeptical of the plan: Why would anyone want to go for a run or take their dog on a walk by an ugly, smelly landfill? Well, the La Crosse County Landfill isn’t anything like a traditional landfill. Out of 350 acres on the site, only about 100 are devoted to the landfill, 40 of which are county buildings and roads, leaving over two-thirds of the site available. And, because of creative solutions the county’s supported, if you drive past the site, you really wouldn’t know it’s a landfill. Instead of a dry, brown expanse, the landfill is designed to look more like a bluff and fits in seamlessly with its surroundings, becoming

a good space for recreation. And the smell? Not noticeable at all, because its design and operation minimizes the amount of exposed garbage by constantly digging, filling, and covering smaller plots rather than large tracts of open landfill. While other landfill restoration projects happen decades after the landfill is full, these trails are unique because they are being built while the landfill is in operation, which is truly a testament to the overall sustainability of the landfill. Take a tour of the trails to see where waste management and recreation just go together, all because of a commitment to sustainability.

population, materials added in 2013, total materials, number of visits, and circulation. What is so amazing is that La Crosse libraries achieved these rankings with one of the smallest populations - 51,600 people compared to Racine at the top with 78,700 people. Something to note is that the ranking looks at cities with a population between 45,000 and 80,000, meaning cities with larger populations and more library branches or systems were not included in this particular chart. However, looking at the charts that compare spending, staffing, and resources of libraries by their users, La Crosse still

ranks well, but is beat out by larger cities like Madison and Milwaukee. The La Crosse libraries might not be compared to larger cities or larger library systems in the charts, but it is still exciting to see the utilization of the public libraries in La Crosse. With all the information the Internet allows us to access today, it is refreshing to see that there are those that still go to the library to get books, movies, music, or just to find useful information.

- By Katherine Svitavsky

- By Jenna Smith

#WTF!? KANYE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST CELEBRITY DISCRIMINATION From Anne Hathaway’s moving speech supporting marriage equality to Oprah’s fierce promotion of women’s rights worldwide, many celebrities have used their fame to work for equal rights. Kanye West is the latest to join this campaign, but instead by championing the noble cause of equal rights for celebrities. As we all know, tension created by the discrimination and second-class treatment of celebrities has been deeply rooted in our society for hundreds of years, but West spoke out recently in a GQ magazine interview about the inequalities he and his family face: “… celebrities being treated like blacks were in the ‘60s, having no rights, and the fact that people can slander your name. And how we’re going to fight to raise the respect level for celebrities so that my daughter can live a more normal life.” You can clearly see the parallels between the civil rights movement and the celebrities’ rights movement - racial minorities and their supporters being violently greeted by angry mobs when attempting to attend school and go to work - the only minor difference being that minorities were actually concerned for their safety and didn’t have exorbitant amounts of money to pay for personal body guards, camera systems or personal jets. Even so, West faces a major PR problem in that the general public is just not aware of this important movement. A major barrier to getting

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

the attention this issue so desperately needs is actually the nature of the problem itself: How will people know about Kanye’s March on Washington if he is adamantly against media involvement in his activities? Here at Klutch, we sympathize with Kanye and the celebrities’ rights movement, and to help further the cause, resolve to not give any attention to the celebrities’ rights movement anymore.

Need more Klutch? ...of course you do! www.klutchchronicle.com Frankie says follow us on

FAREWELL JULES

headlines Article: Michelle L. Jerome

HOME TOWN

ozied into my favorite spot, closest to the bakery and wine display cabinet, I’m posted up to complete an assignment for the last time in Jules Coffee House. (Throughout college and my career, I’ve cranked out hundreds of wanna-be masterpieces here.) Assistant store manager, Evan Kahlow, just walked in with a per-usual Evan-style “work uniform”: a Wisconsin sports team T-shirt (it’s the Badgers this time) and a backward cap with words on it that I’m not going to share (so he seems a little more innocent), and shorts. He helps himself to an iced espresso latte and leaves his younger sister, Anna Kivi, to run the show. She’s dishing up fresh scones to a daddy and toddler-daughter duo. I’ve already finished off a bowl of the best homemade soup in town, along with one of their signature chocolate cream cookie sandwiches. My can of San Pellegrino proves I’m cultured since I would drink something so fancy. Okay, so one day Evan said I would probably like this weird orange drink they had and I’ve been hip to it since. I found out when interviewing store owner/Evan’s mom, Chris Kahlow, that she was one of the first in La Crosse to carry this exotic Italian sparkling drink since she discovered it

Earth-on-his-shoulders, but next to it was something new. Dozens of photos now graced the wall. When taking a closer look, I found that I recognized many of these people as Jules customers, kind of a wall of fame. Opposite the painting, the bulletin board and brochure display table were void of the usual concert and event posters and local mags. “She’s clearing everything out,” Evan informed me. His

I pop-surveyed a handful of customers to ask how they would describe Jules in a short phrase or one word. I got “welcoming,” “great coffee, great community,” “a perfect melting pot,” the artistic answer of “a caffeinated silk road,” and countless times I heard “comfortable” and “a second home.”

while vacationing in Italy. So, I guess Chris is the cultured one. This is my last assignment here since Jules is closing Sunday, Aug. 24, after over 20 years of creating a home. I sat down with Evan and Chris separately to get their take. I interviewed Evan at “the big table” that usually seats six “regulars” (or however many folks can fit their chairs around the table). Behind Evan was a 6-foot-tall vibrant painting of an Atlas-without-the-

list of tasks sat in front of him while he spent his lunch break answering my questions. For my interview with Chris, I ventured over to Jules South, her drive-through

location at 327 Division St., which will soon serve pastries but will not offer seating. She continued to serve several customers with smoothies and coffees through the window as I pulled up a step stool. There were only two signs on the walls compared to the several paintings displayed at Jules. One of the signs simply stated, “Friends are the family one finds along the way.” My first question for both of these lovelies matched the question of many: “Why?” Why close the doors of a successful business, an icon of La Crosse? Well, they’re ready for new adventures and, according to Chris, “are tired of the grind.” It wasn’t one factor, but an option that’s been part of their conversation for a couple of years. It’s “not about the business, it’s about me wanting to make a change … so I gave my two-week notice,” Chris said with a laugh. Evan and Chris live life “on call” to any beckoning of Jules day-to-day needs. Evan joked that he’s had nightmares about overflowing coffee, as he pointed out that from the moment he puts his shoes on, he’s on Jules

time. As for icon status, Evan’s sentiment was that he was unaware of it until the closing announcement, as customers have come to them with tears in their eyes after hearing the news. Chris doesn’t “think it’s an icon, more of a second home.” Chris didn’t grow up in La Crosse and wanted a place to fit in besides the typical smoky bar, so she created Jules. (She originally allowed smoking until she took the lead by posting a sign on April Fools’ Day after six months in business, stating, “No smoking, no fooling.”) She skillfully chose the name since the same spot used to house the Gund Brewery tasting room, which was also named Jules, after a man from that era. Chris pulled in friends and family to put the place together. Evan still recalls “chipping away tile when he was 6.” According to Chris, Jules Coffee House has thrived throughout the years because of her self-proclaimed stubbornness, problem-solving wit, and patience. On the business end of things, this is true, but as a longtime aficionada of this place, I know otherwise. I see a family here. It’s the closest thing to Cheers I’ve ever known … maybe just a little more eccentric and eclectic with its mix of students, professors, lawyers, judges and coffee-shop philosophers. I pop-surveyed a handful of customers to ask how they would describe Jules in a short phrase or one word. I got “welcoming,” “great coffee, great community,” “a perfect melting pot,” the artistic answer of “a caffeinated silk road,” and countless times I heard “comfortable” and “a second home.” I realized years ago that these aren’t just customers; they’re family. Chris pointed out that almost every friend she has, she met at Jules. There are even couples Continued on pg 12

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

that met at Jules and married as a result. When I asked Chris and Evan what they will miss the most, they both said the same thing: the people. When Chris created Jules, it turns out she created a place for everyone to fit in. She created a home. She created Jules Coffee House. Thank you Chris, Evan, Anna, and the entire past and present Jules team. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll miss this place dearly.

[Bio] Fact: In full cap-and-gown gear, Michelle paraded her parents and three children from the La Crosse Center into Jules directly after her Viterbo graduation commencement ceremony and bought a round as an ode to the countless nights and days of making Jules her second home for homework.

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

What, oh what, will they do now? Whatever they want! Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re both excited to relax and explore, and Chris has already signed up for a four-day class at a French pastry school in Chicago. She sees Jules South as a transition out of the grind and will keep it open while she decides the future of the Gund Brewery building she owns. Evan already has friends waiting for him in Colorado, but he promises to stick around to help wrap things up after closing.

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Strava is the perfect training companion.

Article: Lee Worrell

APP REVIEW:

ometimes we all need that extra push to get us going. We know we should, we know it will make us feel better, look better, be happier … but the couch and whichever Netflix series we may be on are just a little too inviting. Tomorrow. So what motivates you to get going? Is it simply to strive toward a wholesome, healthy life, or is there some sort of deep-seeded animalistic impulse to KNOW that, if it came down to it, you could probably survive whatever intense weather or human (zombies too) force that came your way? That’s where the training comes in. Strava is the perfect companion for this. Strava is a GPS cycling and running app that allows you to track your progress; challenge your friends; compare your performance against friends, locals and pros; see your maps, stats and personal records; earn badges for achievements; and climb the leaderboard.

What I enjoy most about this app is getting to look at how I match up to other riders who have completed the same segment (a specific section of road or trail) as I have (usually hill climbs). When my phone “blows-up” with email alerts for personal records, or queen/king of the mountain status (fastest time broken down by gender) with that little crown icon … it makes all the sweat and tears worth it. As for the cons, there aren’t many, but sometimes there can be glitches in technology. This is a GPS-based application, and if my phone can’t connect, I can’t ride/run … and it turns into a waiting game - no fun. Other times it’s purely human error (low battery power). All in all, I thoroughly enjoy Strava, and it is now a staple in the running/biking part of my active lifestyle.

I like to think of myself as an active soul, someone who likes to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. There’s nothing like preparing for a leisurely walk or a brisk jog on a bright, clear morning with the newness of the day in every breath, especially at this time of year when the leaves are beginning their annual transition from the bright green of summer to the myriad colors that trumpet the return of another beautiful autumn! Maybe it’s just me, but I love being outdoors during this wonderful time, with the unique smells, sights, and sounds that are quintessentially autumnal in the upper Midwest! Of course, before I hit the pavement I have my technology lined up and ready to go. My GPS tracker/locator is securely banded to my wrist to map my route, my scientifically engineered shoes with illuminated safety diodes are firmly double-knotted, my heart rate monitor is securely attached and feeding my GPS, my FitBit step-tracker is snugly clipped to my waist to record my steps, my iPod is tightly wrapped around my arm primed to provide an eclectic set of melodies to keep me motivated, and, if I’m feeling particularly adventurous, my GoPro video camera is strapped to my forehead so I can replay my foray into the world of nature

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in front. Even though there might not be a firm destination, after seemingly endless turns at unfamiliar places, from the back seat would inevitably come, “Dad, are we lost?” followed by the male-pride-infused yet fatherly response, “No, we’re taking the scenic route!” GPS to the rescue! As much as some of us might depend on our technology, we are just starting to see the places technology can take us. Nanorobotics, or nanobots, those tiny little machines that can be measured in terms of molecules, have the potential to provide incredible breakthroughs in the fields of medicine and biotechnology, as well as many other industries. Artificial intelligence has been attempted and debated since the inception of hardcore computing in the 1960s, but is closer now than ever before. Even my chosen field of information technology, as mature as it may seem, is constantly bringing about new and exciting innovations. For a while technology was limited, if not hampered, by the human factor - the need for technology to fit the ergonomics of the person wielding it, like a keyboard or touchpad. The last few years have seen speech recognition mature to the point

“The future of technology is incredibly exciting, with seemingly unlimited possibilities!”

over and over again. By the time I get done with my workout, I’ll know everything that can be known about my effort: calories burned, distance traveled, speed, pace, heart rate, time of day, latitude and longitude, a complete map of my travels … even elevation. I’m sure if I liked running at night, I’d even have night-vision goggles! About the only non-high-tech accessory is my black baseball cap! All of this may seem like a bit much for a simple run, but I find it fascinating - the things technology can do for us that allow us to more thoroughly enjoy our lives. We can all probably recall a time in the past with friends or family when a situation came up that would have made for a fantastic picture, only to realize the camera was miles away, forgotten on the dining room table. Prior to maybe 10 years ago, how many times might we have uttered, “Darn, I wish we would have brought the camera!” But today’s technology is so pervasive that most of us have a camera in our pocket. Voila! No more missed photo opportunities … and we can even capture the moment on video and instantly share it! Then there were the family outings when the entire family would pile in the car on a gorgeous autumn afternoon for a Sunday drive to nowhere-in-particular. The perfect sunny temperature, windows rolled down, no known destination and nothing but the road

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

where the human factors of technology are seldom an issue. It’s not an inconceivable stretch to think somewhere in the not-toodistant future, micro-technologies will be used to interpret brainwaves. Such advancements are already in prototype, such as devices that help blind people “see” and deaf people “hear.” Rather than needing to physically hold a technological device, a simple thought might make something happen, like opening the garage door, adjusting the music, or turning down the heat before bed. Of course, there’s the ethics of implanting technology in humans, but I can see the day coming as we look for more convenient ways to leverage technology to enhance our lives. The bottom line: no longer is using technology confined by the restrictions of the human physique; it may someday be as easy as thinking! The future of technology is incredibly exciting, with seemingly unlimited possibilities! Now if I can just live long enough to see it! I guess that means I’d better get back to my workout … now where did I put my baseball cap? - Brian Boettcher speaking of technology, get on the interwebs and check out

www.klutchchronicle.com

A&E print COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS Don’t Blink, You Might Miss It BY: MIKKA NYARKO Blink-blink, just watching that cursor blink on a brand new fresh white page is compelling. Inviting you to type one letter, one story, something, anything; just start on your journey. But where do I begin? You ask it. Who knows with the usual dreadful essay that is due in only hours, you start to weep as the cursor blinks to the beat of each second of time passing, wasting away into the abyss never to return to you again. Blink-blink…it’s waiting…blink-blink…just stop staring…blink-blink… fingers are poised above the keys, back is slightly reclined and the cursor takes the blinking action right from your eyes as they water and swell. Surrender to the cursor. Be the cursor. Cover the emptiness until it is black with metaphors and double meanings. Are they deep? Are they concise? Are they even your own? Who knows but only that the blinking stops with every fluid finger pounding motion on the fresh white page. On the brand new fresh white page where the cursor is your focus as it goes forever in eternity: blink-blink.

Destiny

Mother Nature

Thank You

BY: MATTHEW LEITNER

BY: WHITNEY STORVICK

It was a good movie, one of those classic romantic tales of a prince and a princess. True love, of course, conquered all. As we lay there though, all I could think about was how much I wanted to slowly, gently reach out my hand to hers. Grasp for her fingers and intertwine. Then she would grow bold, confident in her emotions, so she nestled her head on my chest. She can hear my heart beating. I can feel her smile. My arm wraps around her; the world couldn’t harm her if it tried. She reaches back and tugs my arm, pulling it closer. I can feel her breathing. We’re both calm on the outside, but inside we’re shouting with ecstasy. My heart races, and she knows why. Turning towards me she places her hand softly on my chest. We stare – for eternity. Then finally close our eyes, as our lips meet. Everything I thought it’d be. In fact it was only just, a thought of what it would be.

Impregnation by a drop of rain. Rippled outwards and upwards. Nothing ever the same again.

I’ve seen too many lives packed Away in the forms of Collectable bells or ‘A’ Honor Roll Awards or Not enough pictures at a certain age, With a certain haircut. I’ve known too many who have Passed on, without knowing The recipe to the best, yes The best potato salad or When exactly she stopped Remembering my identity or If it was the semi driver’s fault. People feel the need to notify me of how I’ve witnessed an unusual amount, Especially considering The few years I’ve had. Has this desensitized me? I don’t often cry During movies anymore, But I still feel every pain. Each time my shadow crosses a casket, I am reminded of not only Who is inside, but An eerie deja vu of those I’ve seen six feet under. A reverse peristalsis Of guilt crept up when I thought of Abby At Grandma Ollie’s wake. I’ve seen too many, yet I still have no reply to “I’m sorry for your loss.”

But honestly, it was a good movie.

The grass and the trees looking up. And rays of heat provide the way. While Life itself screams I am young! The wind then whispers secrets sung. She never saw a better day from when She came the Father’s cup. A quiet fall not meant to be. If she goes you’ll see Her shine! Nothing dies more beautifully Than Mother Nature.

Clichés BY: MATTHEW LEITNER Her eyes shone like dimly lit light bulbs In the night. If it had not been for the grand chandelier Giving her a spotlight, I might have Missed her altogether. I kept staring at her because Something about her enticed me. Her smile revealed her exotic Sandy, seashell type teeth, And as she talked, a wave Of odorous fumes like that of Sardines mixed with garlic Stung my nose. From the grimaces Of the other guests, I knew it was her. And yet, I was smitten. Her face- oh how I wish I could have Run my hand across her cheek. It would have felt – Probably like any other cheek. Her pale, translucent skin Begged to be loved. But at this point I began To seriously doubt my original intentions.

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Still, I slowly approached her as she Walked towards me. Her body, Largely hidden by the large, puffy Dress she was wearing, Probably was attractive in at least One way – or another. She had such grace, walking, That it seemed as though She was floating. But that didn’t seem like Her at all – to be graceful. Yes. Now that I saw her, She indeed was floating. She had no feet, nor legs. And she was hovering Right towards me.

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I need to get out of here. To submit your writing to Klutch Chronicle, visit www.klutchchronicle.com/writing-art-submissions

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

No Title BY: CALAHAN SKOGMAN I guess it’s somewhere between passion and chance. It’s somewhere in that time. She laughs, I swear I’m free inside. It’s over and I’ve crossed a line. They say you know it when you know it. Confusing words, I’d say. She smiled, I swear I’ve been away. When you don’t believe in someday. I bet I look a little tired. Don’t mind the shadows by my eyes. I’ve waited for these moments. Remembered and reprised. I saw lights the other night. Somehow through the madness. Chalk it up to fear and love. Chalk it up to second chances. You can put life on a wire. Walk careful, step by step. You can put dreams on a wire. Play it out, fret by fret. I know you’ve read the books. Embellished through the pages. Chaos, by the chapters. Await the climax, welcome changes. Would it be romantic if we lived forever? If this was just the start? What if I told you this was dreaming? A shot straight through the heart. She laughs, I swear I’m free inside. I no longer sense the line. I guess it’s somewhere around passion. It’s here for us, this time.

A&E

CLIMATE OF CHANGE A durable future in the life span of our things I often think about the life span of things that come and go, or persist, in my life and around me. This “stuff” can fill our homes, fill our shopping carts, fill the trash bins, or clutter the backyard. On a daily basis we make choices about what we buy, use, save, build, discard, gift, recycle, reuse or repair. These decisions help determine how environmentally and economically sustainable our lives are, and that of the civilization we maintain as humans. Turning 33 years old this month, I have seen a surprising number of things come and go in my life, maybe partly because when I was growing up my family entered the “middle class” at a relatively steady pace during the 1980s and 1990s. The four dining room chairs we bought at Kmart in the late ‘80s lasted a good decade, but almost from day one had to be re-glued, re-screwed, and legs lashed and drawn together with rope to stay functional. My parents transitioned to buying random wooden antique chairs from garage sales, which held up much better, and for many decades previous. Recently they were able to buy a brand new durable dining room set that I expect to last a half-century or more. I grew up in the small St. Croix River city of Stillwater, Minn., in a “fixer-upper” house built in 1881. I became keenly aware of the things in peoples’ lives that are ultimately thrown away, because our house had been built on the edge of a forested ravine that for a full century since had been used by the neighborhood as a garbage dump before the advent of curbside garbage service. By the time we moved there in 1987 the dumping had almost completely ceased, but the ravine was still filled with whole valleys of bottles and cans, strewn with hundreds of tires and mattresses, many discarded appliances, pieces of furniture, and enough rotten carpeting to cover the ravine floor in shag. It was a great place for a kid to play. After a decade of neighborhood cleanups throughout the 1990s, most of what was left was hidden underneath the soil and thick underbrush. I suspect that if we had extracted all the broken bottles and plastic from the soil, we’d find that the only reason we had a backyard was because of a century of refuse holding up the banks of the ravine. While helping with the cleanups I noticed that some of the things in the ravine were once durable useful things, and that many of the things made today were far less so — like the Kmart chairs in my dining room. When I was in high school in the late 1990s, I helped a friend of a friend move from one suburban Stillwater house to another just a few miles away. Most of the family’s furniture didn’t survive the trip despite our most considerate and careful efforts in moving and packing. Admittedly, we were not expert movers, but the problem was that all of the furniture came from cheap big-box stores, like Kmart or the Walmart that had opened nearby around the time that the house was built. The legged became legless, the hinged unhinged,

and what fit together never fit again. It was a terrible waste, and it was a lot of stuff. Along with their relatively large suburban house, it seemed like the focus of the family had been on quantity rather than quality. Ten years later when I lived in La Crosse I went on a two-month bicycle trip out west with my friend Bjorn, and we went over the Cascade Mountains of western Washington state. A gentleman in his 60s was riding his bicycle up the same mountain pass and we would stop and chat while resting or to catch a good overlook. The gentleman was riding the same road bike he

ideas but physical things of quality and value on to the next generation. Our things should be of sufficient quality to be worth fixing, and that is how we should treat this amazing planet too. - Jeremy Gragert jgragert@gmail.com

had ridden over the mountains in the 1970s, and he was clearly attached to it. More importantly, it still worked for him because he had taken care of it and invested in a nice bicycle at a young age. My friend and I were both in our 20s, and had just gotten brand new bicycles for our trip earlier that year. With how much money we invested in them and how much we focused on quality, I am pretty confident that with proper maintenance we could take them over the Cascades in 40 years. An ethic of making and buying things that last is something we can strive for as individuals to build a more sustainable world, and pass not just

Jeremy Gragert writes about progress toward a more sustainable environment and durable economy by exploring critical issues of energy, urban planning, natural resources, climate change, and transportation monthly in The Klutch Chronicle.

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Join us in the Pump House Kader Gallery for wine, conversation, great music, and of course, painting! We provide everything you need including paint brushes, paint, stretched and primed canvas, and your rst glass of wine.

A&E visual arts COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS BY SABRINA BRUEHLING notes

Paint & Pour is held the rst Wednesday and third Sunday and Monday of each month

I primarily work with charcoal and graphite, though I am open to other media such as oil pastel, photography, and oil or acrylic paint. I attempt to examine ideas of the individual mind and body. I push the boundaries and definitions of these ideas in order to compel my viewers to ask questions about themselves. Mainly, I work from observation and typically use myself as a model. I draw from past experiences of myself, friends, and family, but also from scientific and philosophical sources. Overall, I hope to help my viewers see the connection between and the importance of art, science, and philosophy.

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Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m an art and philosophy double major at UWL and also have my teaching license for Biology from Viterbo University. I hope to combine all of my degrees in a way that will inspire people to see the world from a holistic perspective. I hope to obtain my masters in art in the next few years.

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BY DANIELLE NOLDEN notes

As a college student pursuing a career in Art Education, I find myself constantly expanding my art portfolio. I do not consider myself an artist of one medium, rather new experiences are pushing my desires to develop new styles and techniques. This is a charcoal drawing based on lacking a certain control due to a higher power.

share your talent! To submit your art to Klutch Chronicle, visit www.klutchchronicle.com/writing-art-submissions

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

visual arts

PAINT, SWEAT & BRICK New Pump House Mural Unveiled, Community Reacts.

Article: Alyssa Schulte

A&E

ave you taken a stroll past the Pump House lately? Curious passersby, both visitors and La Crosse natives alike, have taken to slowing their steps this past month, their wondering eyes lingering over the brand spankin’ new artwork portrayed on one of the Center’s signature red brick walls. Their reactions and opinions may vary, of course, but I believe the initial thought that immediately pops into everyone’s head upon that first glimpse is simple and concise. Wow. Located on the western wall of the Pump House Regional Arts Center, the mural was unveiled on July 13 at Artspire La Crosse. According to the Pump House’s website, the City of La Crosse Arts Board was very lucky indeed to snag a coveted “Our Town” grant in the amount of $25,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. This amount was matched with support both public and private, including assistance from the Wisconsin Economic

looking forward to engaging more of the community. Dave Clements, the executive director of the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, also sees the potential the mural has to draw in crowds and views it as an “excellent addition” to the downtown area, as well as a great point of discussion for citizens now and for generations to come. John Pugh, an acclaimed American artist known primarily for his visually

“Our work is not yet done — to some extent the success of the mural will be what we make of it. How we use it to tell our story. Like the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza in Chicago, which has become an iconic installation and one of the most visited places in Chicago, we believe the John Pugh mural will become a much-loved major La Crosse destination.” Development Corporation and both the city and county of La Crosse. Donald Smith, Chair of the City of La Crosse Arts Board, was kind enough to answer a few questions about the project — how he feels the mural will positively affect the city, the challenges they faced, and what lies ahead: Although there is still plenty of work to be done — landscaping around the mural to complete, a plaque to create, and more promotional endeavors that lie ahead — Smith is optimistic and

deceiving murals, was chosen to execute this project. In the artist’s own words, he describes his vision and what he was ultimately hoping to achieve: “This mural … explores the diverse community, heritage, and the unique environment of La Crosse. [It] isn’t trying to relive another time … but celebrates today. All that has made this enchanting place, this sacred space that so many people call home, is reflected in a great confluence all around us.” Done in his signature trompe l’oeil style, you get the sense that if you tried to walk right into

the mural, aptly entitled Confluence, it would simply give way and allow you to enter. (I’ll admit, I really wanted to try it when I visited, but resisted the urge. I thought it might look a bit odd.) Pugh spent a week in La Crosse last fall, during which time he met with a multitude of people from all walks of life. The images chosen for the mural, explains Smith, are a “reflection of the people and stories that resonated with John.” Now the big question is: does this mural resonate with the community? The true beauty of art is how one interpretation, even that of the artist himself, isn’t always what the rest of the world perceives. That being said, how exactly does the community feel about the finished result? Amid rumblings that the project should have been commissioned to a local artist, and some confusion over whether the images truly portray La Crosse (although no one seems to be having much difficulty recognizing the La Crosse Queen), there are many who are thrilled with the final product. Loitering in front of the mural at seven o’clock or so on a beautiful, still night, leaning awkwardly against one of those red bike racks in the shape of a … red bicyclist, I stared up at the artwork, listening intently to the sounds of the individuals around me. Occasionally people would linger and I’d shyly ask them their opinions on the massive images before us, nodding and scribbling notes as the majority delightedly offered positive reviews. Two kind ladies laughed as

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

they described how the glaciers were so realistic they looked like they could possibly leave a puddle on the ground below if it got too warm outside, and two 20-something women walking past chatted happily about how they’d been present for the unveiling. It would appear as though one goal is already being met: people are talking. What do you think?

Pump House Regional Arts Center 119 King St La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 785-1434

family

uff fun st THE

EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 5 & 6 LA CROSSE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 6 pm-9:30 pm @ Myrick Park in La Crosse • Tickets: $5 • This festival, fun for all ages, features storytellers from the area as well as around the nation. Aside from the two storytelling stages, look for musicians, magicians, a pig roast and more! Friday night features ghost stories, and Saturday features an adult cabaret night.

demonstrations like singing and dancing, food vendors and much more.

SEPTEMBER 7 PICNIC IN THE PARK 4 pm outside the Onalaska OmniCenter in Onalaska, WI • Free • Enjoy food and time with family while watching performances by the Coulee Region Steel Band, OHS Express & Hilltopper Show Choir and Show Band. (Meals for purchase include Sloppy Joes, Mac & Cheese, Chips, a cookie, and a drink; cost $5.)

SEPTEMBER 26-28 WARRENS CRANBERRY FESTIVAL 10 am and all weekend @ Warrens, WI • Tickets: Buttons sold for $1 • This festival, the largest celebration worldwide of all things cranberry, draws over 120,000 visitors to Warrens, Wis., every year. A huge arts and crafts show, over 100 food booths, farm and flea markets, and marsh tours are some of the highlights from the weekend. Sunday ends with a huge parade beginning at 12 pm.

SEPTEMBER 5-7, 10-14, 17-21 LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATER PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse • Tickets: $17 to $28 • Music, magic and a spoonful of sugar! The beloved family classic, Mary Poppins, comes to the stage in the most supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical of all time! Step in time to join Mary as she teaches Jane, Michael, Winifred, and George Banks how to be a family again. SEPTEMBER 12 MOVIE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS: MONSTERS UNIVERSITY 8 pm @ Halfway Creek Band shell in Holmen, WI • Free • This is a free event open to everyone. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic dinners and watch Pixar’s Monsters University. SEPTEMBER 13 15TH ANNUAL DISCOVER THE SILENT CITY 11 am-3 pm @ Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse • Tickets: Adults $8; LCHS members $7; Students w/ID $4; under 12 (with paid adult admission) Free • The La Crosse County Historical Society presents guided Civil War-themed cemetery tours and re-enactments. Join us in paying homage to the 1864 experiences of soldiers and citizens of the La Crosse area. Stories of naval/ infantry battles, oddities, governmental quirks, soldier’s pay, racial discrepancies and more! Tours start at 11 am and go out every 15 minutes with the last tour starting at 3 pm. SEPTEMBER 14 DURUNRUN KIDS RUN, BIKE, RUN EVENT 8 am-12 pm @ Riverside Park in La Crosse • Tickets: $15 • For children between the ages of 2 and 12, this is a run, bike, run event benefiting the Special Olympics Wisconsin-La Crosse Area. Children receive a free T-shirt along with breakfast, awards and activities. Register early for a free day at the La Crosse Children’s Museum. SEPTEMBER 18-21 APPLEFEST 4 pm-11 pm @ La Crescent, MN • Music, parades, and a celebration of Minnesota’s apple capitol, La Crescent! Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, golf tournament, food, and more will be sure to satisfy any fest-goer.

SEPTEMBER 23 TEDDY BEAR HUGS 3:30 pm-4:15 pm @ South Library in La Crosse • Free • Make a personalized teddy bear-sized T-shirt for your favorite stuffed animal friend at the La Crosse South Branch Library. For children 4+.

SEPTEMBER 26-28; OCTOBER 3-5 LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: A WRINKLE IN TIME 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse • When her scientist father mysteriously vanishes, Meg Murray, her brother, Charles, and her classmate, Calvin, journey to worlds unknown to battle the mysterious Nothing, which threatens to destroy the universe! Based on the Newbery Award-winning novel by Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time is an adventure for all time! OCTOBER 4 APPLE AFFAIR BIKE TOUR 9 am-3 pm @ Critzman Auto Body in Galesville, WI • This event mixes bicycling and the area’s great apple orchards, and warm apple pie! Bike through the Coulee Region with plenty of route options. Kids 13 and under ride free! OCTOBER 18 & 25 MYRICK-HIXON ECOPARK’S ENCHANTED FOREST 10 am-2 pm @ Myrick-Hixon EcoPark in La Crosse • Tickets: $7/child; $3/adult • Walk through the trails in Myrick Park by the EcoCenter to see characters come to life in this trick-or-treating hike! Local craft and food vendors will be present at the event. OCTOBER 23 & 24 NORSKEDALEN’S GHOULEES IN THE COULEES 6 pm-9 pm @ Norskedalen Nature Center near Coon Valley, WI • Haunted hikes through the coulees! Enjoy less-scary hikes from 6-7 pm and scarier hikes after that. It’s a half-mile hike through the haunted woods with other activities offered when you’ve finished the hike, including hot cider and fortune telling. OCTOBER 24 BOO-SEUM HALLOWEEN PARTY 5:30 pm-7:30 pm @ La Crosse Children’s Museum in La Crosse • $5-$10 per child • Join the La Crosse Children’s museum in celebrating Halloween in this non-scary party for children ages 2-7 years old.

SEPTEMBER 20 NORSKEDALEN THRESHING BEE 10 am-4 pm @ Norskedalen near Coon Valley, WI • Tickets: Adults $12; children $6, with reservations due Sept. 12 • Celebrate an oldtime Threshing Bee in an authentic pioneer setting complete with a wide variety of demonstrations of farm and home skills. There are children’s activities, horse drawn wagon rides and other animals on the farm, as well as a threshing dinner featuring slow cooked roast beef, boiled potatoes, veggies and pie.

Check out klutchchronicle.com for more stuff!

SEPTEMBER 20 & 21 HMONG NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 8 am-6 pm @ Crusa soccer fields in La Crosse • Tickets: $5 • This festival celebrates Hmong culture with a variety of sports, cultural

CLINIC TEACHES TEENS LIFE-SAVING CAR CONTROL SKILLS

It’s a pretty darn nice place to live.

Article: Leah Call

FOR THE FAM

FOR FAMILY

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. In fact young people, age 16 to 19, are three times more likely to be in a fatal motor vehicle crash than drivers age 20 and older. “It is important for Gundersen to be part of an initiative to reduce those numbers. We want to protect our youth, to make sure we don’t lose people early in life,” notes Kim Lombard, certified health education specialist in the Trauma Division at Gundersen Health System and coordinator of Gundersen’s Teen Car Control Clinic. The Teen Car Control Clinic started in 2008. It puts young drivers in real-life situations behind the wheel and teaches them techniques to prevent car crashes and minimize injury. “This course is not a driver’s education course,” explains Lombard. “It is totally beyond driver’s ed. It teaches teens how their vehicle operates in certain conditions. We want teens to understand how you can lose control in certain conditions and how you can prevent that from happening.” The clinic takes place each spring and fall, with one clinic on Saturday and one on Sunday, on two separate weekends. The one-day, 8-hour program is open to licensed teen drivers, age 16 to 19. There is a limit of 30 participants, and each clinic typically fills up fast. Teen participants provide their own vehicles, and a parent must be present during the clinic. Before the teens get behind the wheel, they first learn to conduct a proper tech check to ensure their vehicles are safe for the road. That includes checking tire pressure and fluid levels. Eighty percent of the clinic includes in-car experiences which take place on different pre-set courses, including a skid pad, made slippery by applying water and soap. “We do our best to mimic real life experiences,” says Lombard. “They practice going in circles and cornering. It looks easy but it is actually very difficult to do without losing control of your car. We put them in challenging situations, which is why we want them to have basic beginner driver skills.” While the course seems most suited for 16-year-old drivers who are new to the driving scene, Lombard suggests that drivers who have had their license for a year or two

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

can definitely benefit from this clinic. She compares the skills and experience needed to perfect driving skills to the time and preparation youth put into sports. The clinic is a safe way to develop those skills. Though the majority of the clinic deals with hands-on situations, teens also benefit from classroom discussion. “In the classroom they learn what they will be doing outside, but they also learn other important things, like why it is not OK to have multiple people in the car, distractions, drinking and driving, cellphone use. We cover a wide array of education.” The clinic is funded by grants and donations and is free to participating teens. Two primary funding organizations are the Children’s Miracle Network and the Gundersen Medical Foundation. All car control clinic instructors are volunteers. “Many are with the Audi Club of North America,” explains Lombard. “They are people who have had training and conduct training on high-performance driving and vehicle control. We also tap into our local car clubs.” Gundersen uses questionnaires and follow-up calls at six months and one year following the clinic to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. These evaluations indicate that more than half of the participating teens have put the techniques they learned to the test, whether it is sudden braking or swerving to avoid another car or a deer. Lombard is happy to report that the clinic has succeeded in its mission to keep teens safe on the road. She says past clinic students have told her, “I missed this crash” and “If I didn’t have these skills, I wouldn’t have known what to do.” “A number of them attribute the Teen Car Control Clinic to preventing those crashes,” says Lombard. “Overall what we have found is their confidence increases immediately after the program. We also found out that 89 percent of students have altered the way that they drive because of the program. They have learned a new way to drive and have expanded skills to be able to prevent a crash from occurring or minimize injury in a crash.” The next clinic will be held October 19th from 7:45 am - 4:30 pm at Southeast Technical College in Winona, MN. For more information and to register go to www.gundersenhealth.org/teencar

A&E showtime MOVIE RATINGS rottentomatoes.com vs rogerebert.com

Let’s Be Cops Into The Storm Step Up All In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Hundred-Foot Journey Get On Up Guardians Of The Galaxy And So It Goes Hercules Lucy Planes: Fire And Rescue Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

Photo Credit: Lee Harwell

COMING SOON

The Maze Runner This Is Where I Leave You My Little Pony Equestria Girls

2032 Ward Avenue La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 791-1999

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The Drop

Special Feature

The Identical

ld b e yo u r

The Boxtrolls

u co

Fort McCoy “Fort McCoy” is a drama, written, co-produced and codirected by Kate Connor, who also stars in the film, playing her real-life grandmother. Based on a true story, she shares the experience of her mother’s family in the American Army and POW camp at Fort McCoy in the summer of 1944. With a good portion of the film shot at Fort McCoy and in La Crosse, these local markets get the first opportunity in the state to see the movie.

What’s your favorite local live performance theater?

You know you want to be seen in Klutch! Contact us by email at info@muellermediacorp. com or call 608-796-8780 for more information on rates, distribution, and sizes.

LET US KNOW AT FACEBOOK.COM/ KLUTCHCHRONICLE!

Debuts Friday, September 5th

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

WWW.DOWNTOWNSOUNDMUSICFEST.COM

La Crosse’s Downtown Sound Music Festival is back for Labor Day weekend

t’s that time of year again. Students are heading back to school, the weather and the leaves are just beginning to shudder about the change ahead, life jackets and swimming suits are being swapped for jeans and sweatshirts … and downtown La Crosse is pulsing with music! Which can really mean only one thing: our own plucky little music festival, Downtown Sound, is back. And this time … it’s personal. (Scratch that last part. I just can’t resist a good dramatic statement.) The music begins Thursday night (August 28) at the Root Note with a performance by Charlie Parr, but Pearl Street will truly come alive (but closed to traffic) on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, for free live music from 2-10 p.m. both days at the Pearl Street Stage. FREE LIVE MUSIC. Corrie Brekke, representing the Root Note (a huge sponsor, participant and supporter of the fest) explained their involvement: “We want to make La Crosse a live music destination … kind of like a mini SXSW.” A lofty goal that, which each passing year, creeps closer and closer to reality. Along with the performances on the Pearl Street Stage, there will also be a smattering of ticketed and free shows taking place at a few venues and bars all across downtown. This is the fourth year the festival will grace the eardrums of downtown inhabitants and visitors, with hundreds in attendance over the past few years. The goal is to increase these numbers, promote up-and-coming artists and downtown businesses, and come one step closer to putting La Crosse on the map as a worthy musical destination. In addition to the tunes, local chalk artists will be wowing the crowds with

Article: Alyssa Schulte

party on pearl

Schedule

3-D sidewalk masterpieces, and area businesses will be on hand with food, artwork and other merchandise for purchase. Although the music on Pearl Street is free, buying a $10 button is a great idea both for you AND the festival itself; with a button jauntily pinned somewhere on your person, you gain access to night shows at various local bars, as well as discounts to several downtown locations, AND your generous, affordable contribution goes directly to supporting the fest. It’s a nobrainer, right? The lineup, as with previous years, is a careful selection of talented regional musicians and bands, as well as artists from around the nation. Ranging from bluegrass and folk to reggae and soul, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something that will satisfy your musical needs. From folksy sensations The Hi Matics (who, I can say from personal experience, are awesome) to local blues favorite Mike Munson to the eclectic People Brothers Band, it is sure to be an incredible weekend of toe tappin’, head bobbin’ music. The festival is held in conjunction with the La Crosse Area Bicycle Festival occurring just a couple of blocks down the road at Cameron Park, which perhaps makes the bike-powered stage all the more fantastic. BIKE-POWERED STAGE. (Gee whiz, I must be excited. My keyboard keeps randomly capitalizing fragmented sentences.) And they’re spin bikes, so, you know, the stage isn’t zooming around Pearl Street wreaking havoc and terrifying festers. Many area businesses have stepped up to sponsor the event, with the heaviest hitters including the La Crosse

Late night venue shows tickets now on sale Thursday Aug 28

Charlie Parr at the Root Note

Friday Aug 29

SHEL at The Pump House The Bug at the Root Note

Saturday Aug 30

Nicholas David at the Cavalier Theater Nick Shattuck & Whitney Wiatt at the Root Note Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Root Note, Pump House Regional Arts Center, Downtown Mainstreet Inc., Michaels Energy, Xcel Energy, Metre Agency, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Anytime Fitness, Meridian Marketing and many more. All sponsorship levels will be listed on the event’s website, with major sponsors displayed on the Pearl Street Stage.

For more information about the lineup, schedules, sponsors, and pretty much anything else, please visit www.downtownsoundmusicfest.com For all you bicycle enthusiasts interested in ALSO participating in Bike Fest, check out www.bicyclelacrosse.com

sunday Aug 31

General B & The Wiz at the Root Note

Pearl St Stage Free! Saturday Aug 30 Hi Matics - 2pm

Mike Munson - 3:30pm Ark Life - 5pm Trapper Shoepp & the Shades - 6:30pm John Mark Nelson - 8pm

sunday Aug 31

Drums for Peace Drum Circle - 12:30pm

Community drumming for all ages

End the summer on a high note (literally?) and check out Downtown Sound Music Festival. See you there!

Eustace the Dragon - 2pm Jaybone Bell & Restless Light - 3:30pm General B and the Whiz - 5pm Dead Horses - 6:30pm Peoples Brothers Band - 8pm

support the fest

$10

buy a button and become a sponsor plus deals on shows w/cover & pearl st beer 20

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

A&E

tunes tunes

REVIEW NAME: The Adam Palm Band

Name brand items at a great price!

GENRE: Slow punk/samba/straight rock/bluegrass/jazz influences (For new listeners, think Phish with shorter sets and a more accessible Peter Gabriel)

ALBUM: Grand River Station

(Expected out at the end of August. Palm wasn’t 100 percent certain on the album title yet, but was “pretty sure.”)

Adam Palm has been leaving his musical thumbprint around La Crosse since 2004. Now, after nearly 10 years of playing live shows, and at the request of many fans and friends, Palm will be releasing his first fulllength album with The Adam Palm Band. Live music is something Palm has been attracted to long before he lived here, but the scene in La Crosse contributed to him creating a life here. After playing with multiple groups in the area, The Adam Palm Band came together naturally. Palm is the lyricist and guitarist, Matt Becker plays keyboard, Andrew Steeno plays bass guitar, and Ryan Torgerson plays drums. Like every worthy jam band, The Adam Palm Band likes to flaunt its variety. Trying to pinpoint a genre is nearly impossible, for both band members and listeners alike. “I played three shows one weekend and I asked probably close to 30 people what kind of music we were and nobody could give me an answer,” says Palm. You could say The Adam Palm Band’s genre is all over the board, just like songwriter Palm. Born in South Carolina, Palm came to La Crosse after living in multiple states, including Florida, Rhode Island and Ohio. The songs for the album are based off of Palm’s travels and life experiences, and they involve things that have either happened to him or things he wants to do. Palm is often inspired by attitudes and ideas, and most importantly, the people he knows.

“The people I have played with the past 10 years are my biggest influences in how I play and how I write,” he says. “They are the people that I draw the most from for inspiration.” Palm is a man of many talents. He is a musician and holds a degree in accounting, but after having one conversation with him, it is evident he truly has an appreciation for life. With a drive to succeed, and the desire to play music, expect The Adam Palm Band to go all the way — at least in the tri-state area. Palm is not going anywhere, except to live in Florida for a few months this winter. Despite this snowbird’s winter away, you can expect Palm to be concentrating on music and coming back to the tri-state area to play as much as he can. No matter your music preference, fans can tell when musicians have fully committed to the art, and Adam Palm has committed. His diverse musical taste and talent will be rocking for years to come, and the realness and rawness Palm enjoys the most from live performances is also reflected on his first album, “Grand River Station.” - Becca Dangartz

Save up to

70%

off mall prices!

Phone: 608-782-6822 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 11-6 3133 Hwy 16, La Crosse, WI Near famous Dave's and Pier 1

HAPPINESS R O F A L U THE FORM uation to athematical eq

used a m more than Scientists have happiness of e th t ic d re p e formula for accurately the world. Th d un ro s a le p tion, depend 18,000 peo g to the equa in d or nd a cc , a d s, te happines r than expec e ings are bette oing. AKA: Th on whether th l things are g el w . w ns ho tio on ta not just w expec ess? Really lo key to happin

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

food & drink

satisf

TASTE YOURBUDS

NAME OF BEER:

D.T.B. Brown Ale (“Downtown Brown”)

TYPE OF BEER:

American Brown Ale WHO BREWS IT:

Pearl Street Brewery (La Crosse, Wis.)

WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND IN LA CROSSE: Pearl Street Brewery, Stolpa’s Stein Haus, Dublin Square, Howie’s, Festival Foods and many more local establishments!

STARS: 3.5/5.0

Disclaimer: I am, by no means, a beer expert. I do, however, appreciate a good brew every now and again, especially if it’s local. So, bottoms up to D.T.B. Brown Ale - or “Downtown Brown” as it’s known by its fans - this month’s featured beer! Between the Downtown Brown and the Pale Ale (both brewed by Pearl Street … represent!), the D.T.B. was easily the one my taste buds (and my drinking buddies) preferred. With a smooth, nutty taste, it’s a decent, drinkable beer that pairs well with your typical bar fare. To my allergy-plagued nose, there was no discernible aroma, although others picked up on a malty smell, with hints of cocoa or toffee. The Stein Haus - a quaint German bar with amazing pretzels, approximately one million different kinds of mustard, and Hammerschlagen - is one of the best places in town to go for a decent brew. With knowledgeable and attentive bartenders many of the patrons know by name, it’s a nice setting to meet up with your chums, chat, and enjoy that sense of camaraderie you can really only find in your favorite bar. Downtown Brown is available on tap, and is one of the few truly local (and by “local,” I mean brewed here in La Crosse) beers available, along with the Pale Ale. If you’re looking for a nice, light beer, the D.T.B. Brown Ale is an exceptional local choice. Prost! - Alyssa Schulte www.pearlstreetbrewery.com (where beer was brewed) www.stolpassteinhaus.com (where beer was reviewed)

ent h live ev he klutc t t a . us! .b n try a d.t t one’s o th . the firs 12 tails. mber 5 for de on septe see page mmm...tasty www.klutchchronicle.com get a second round on

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

food & drink DIY

IT ISN’T THAT HARD, RIGHT?

Grilling Fruit So we all probably know that person that insists on grilling out no matter the season and believes it’s not grilling unless you’re grillin’ meat (insert gruff man-voice here). But what about those who don’t want to ingest large hunks of animal flesh for dinner? (Too graphic? Sorry.) What else can you grill? Well I’m glad you asked! This September’s DIY is all about learning to grill something other than steak or hamburger (or brat! Yay Oktoberfest!). Fruit is the perfect addition for your grate. The natural sugars are caramelized, and the grill adds a great smoky flavor for any appetizer, meal, or even sangria! So fire

up that grill, grab a cold beverage, and use the following tips to add some color to your plate. Pick fruits that are just short of being ripe. It is recommended you choose firmer fruits (apples, pears, pineapples), as they will keep their shape better during the process. Softer fruits may become mushy and are harder to deal with - but are doable! Most fruits can be cut in half with the peel left on, which helps them keep their shape. Make sure larger fruits are cut in slices so the flesh will be exposed to the flame.

Soak the fruits in cold lemon water for 20-30 minutes. This helps maximize the water content inside the fruits so they stay nice and juicy when you grill them. The lemon also helps them keep their color (use only about a teaspoon of lemon juice). Now, time to put on the apron and grab the tongs! Make sure the grill grate is clean - no one wants leftover hamburger grease on their fruit! You may want to brush a little cooking oil or butter on the skins to avoid sticking (be careful - oils like olive oil may have too strong of a flavor). Cook over medium heat until warm and seared. • Stone fruits like peaches: about 2-4 minutes per side

BONUS (everyone loves a bonus!): Soak fruit prior to grilling in your favorite liquors and spices (try a mixture of rum, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and soak pineapple slices - perfect for topping with vanilla ice cream.) You could even add spices to your lemon water or oil that you brush on to give it an extra kick! Next time you are thinking of grilling, get fancy! Add some fruit to your menu and you too can look and feel like a master griller. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you! Happy DIY, my friends! Source: about.com

• Oranges, lemons, limes and pineapples: about 3-4 minutes per side • Bananas: about 5 minutes • Berries: about 2 minutes (use a grill pan for smaller fruits)

Do you have a DIY you would like to share or see in future issues?

Top off with a little salt or even brown sugar to add to the flavor.

casey@muellermediacorp.com

Shenanigans .5 H

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

Send your DIY to

health & fitness

ss wellne MIND, BODY

Article: Heidi Blanke

TOAD’S COVE, BMX RACING AT ITS BEST

FOR &SOLE

Toad’s Cove is waiting for you to experience healthy, family entertainment.

f you’ve never given a thought to BMX racing, you’re in for a surprise. It’s perfect family fun. Already ride and looking for a race track? Look no further than Toad’s Cove Arena BMX in La Crosse. Owner Andy Todd proudly notes, “We are the largest BMX racing facility worldwide.” Not a bad claim to fame for our small Midwest town. But wait, there’s more. Remote control car owners can take to the highway on their own Toad’s Cove indoor track. Now that’s worth a visit in itself. Though open less than a year, Todd says the track is already busy, with inquiries coming in nearly every day. It’s all about good times for all ages,

or 82 years old, there’s a place for you at Toad’s Cove. The facility is open to anyone, even if you’ve never placed your bum on a BMX bike. Toad’s Cove offers a few loaner bikes, so not owning a bike isn’t an excuse. Experienced riders use more specialized equipment, but to start, all that’s needed is a bike helmet, longsleeved shirt, long pants and closed-toe shoes. How simple is that? The BMX group is a friendly and helpful one. Experienced riders eagerly help novices. However, that doesn’t stop the

“We are the largest BMX racing facility worldwide.” Andy Todd - Owner

whether you want to race, practice, or simply enjoy watching others take the dirt moguls.

Perfect for you, and your 2-year-old

This is a sport that has no age boundaries. Whether you’re 2 years old

competition from warming up. All racers stay within their age and skill group. Housed on Highway B in an old exercise facility, Toad’s Cove has room for everything. Spectator bleachers offer a view of the entire track, a bike shop is on hand for repairs and supplies, and

an inviting concession area helps keep energy levels up.

A world-class facility

Though Todd owns Toad’s Cove (“the bank likes me,” he quips), all work and tasks are done by volunteers, and there’s plenty to be done. “People come here, and we teach them how to do things,” he says, in order to keep the place running. An indoor track like this is a must see and a must do. Even BMX is impressed, likely planning, brags Todd, to include Toad’s Cove in a future issue of Pull, the USA-BMX magazine. With nearly 500 tracks worldwide, that’s quite an accomplishment.

Come on down

From the minute you walk in the door, you’ll be part of the Toad’s Cove community. All you have to do is show up, and, before you can get your feet on the pedals, you’ll know “how it all works, how the racing system works, all the way down to details,” says Todd. Racing’s not mandatory, he explains. “If you don’t want to race, you can sign up and just practice. Just to get in shape.” Get ready for some toned up calves and quads. This is family fun at its best and Todd can’t emphasize that enough. “We get so many comments with people saying ‘this is the best thing we’ve ever been to.’ You come as a family. Other families tell you how things work, help you out. It’s all about the whole family.” Todd expects 200 to 300 racers to show up on the weekends, and they bring spectators. “For La Crosse, this is going to be a big deal.” Stride ‘n drive Tired of driving your remote control car in the backyard? Toad’s Cove offers a separate indoor dirt track just for you. Well, maybe not just for you. The track is shared (at a separate time) by toddling balance bike riders. Balance bikes have two wheels, but no training wheels. Tykes “push themselves with their feet,” says Todd. “By the time you’re 3 years old, you’re balancing the bike.”

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

And, once a kid can pedal, they are welcomed onto the big track. What proud parent wouldn’t want to see that?

So, this winter …

Todd’s enthusiasm for BMX racing is sincere and contagious. It’s hard not to want to wait for the signal at the starting gate, or get geared up to flex your wrist on your remote control car. After a year of construction, Toad’s Cove is waiting for you to experience healthy, family entertainment.

Toad’s Cove 3939 County Road B La Crosse WI 54601 608-779-2453 toadscovecafe@centurytel.net Yearly BMX membership: $60, includes Pull Magazine Race fee: $15 Practice fee: $10 Sliding scale on most fees for additional family members

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The Y’S ANNUAl COMMUNITY INSPIRATION DINNeR PReSeNTeD bY:

6:30PM ThURSDAY, OCTObeR 2, 2014 at the Waterfront Cargill ballroom

The Y invites a nationally known speaker to visit our community annually to provide an inspirational message to our neighbors about topics surrounding the critical issues facing our community.

The 2014 SPeAkeR - Blake leeper A bilateral below-the-knee amputee raised to believe the only disability in life is a bad attitude. Using prosthetics from an early age, he has overcome extreme obstacles. He has stayed true to himself and kept his eye on one ambition: to become the first American Paralympian to run in the able-bodied Olympic Games. With his sights set on Rio, Brazil in 2016, Leeper, known as “The American Bladerunner,” has a history of making people take notice. Tickets on sale September 1, 2014 for $50 per person or $450 per table. To reserve a seat call 608-519-5457 or email aholte@laxymca.org.

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KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

sup IN THE COULEE REGION (WHAT’S UP)

Local events calendar for September 2014 SEPTEMBER 2 FOOD AND DRINK: TEA TASTING PARTY 6 pm-7:15 pm @ Dim Sum Tea Shop in La Crosse Tickets: $8, includes dumplings, egg tart and tea MUSIC: EVERYONE DIES IN UTAH WITH BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS @ The Warehouse MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

SEPTEMBER 3 ARTS: PAINT AND POUR PAINTING AND WINE 7 pm-9:30 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse Tickets: Includes one glass of wine, canvas and supplies FOOD AND DRINK: FREE WHEELIN’ WEDNESDAY 4 pm-8 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery Free pint if you ride your bike down to the tasting room

SEPTEMBER 4 MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse

An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long.

SEPTEMBER 5 MUSIC: JOE & VICKI PRICE 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse COMEDY: SHANE MAUSS 8 pm @ Cavalier in La Crosse FESTIVAL: LA CROSSE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 6 pm-9:30 pm @ Myrick Park in La Crosse Tickets: $5 MARKET: CAMERON PARK FARMER’S MARKET 4 pm-8 pm @ Cameron Park in La Crosse Free EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: STEPPIN’ OUT IN PINK 9 am-12:30 pm @ Gundersen hospital in La Crosse Tickets: $15; donations encouraged THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long. THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

All events are subject to change, call ahead for details. Listings in the calendar are free. If you have an event that you would like to include in an upcoming issue, go to our website www.klutchchronicle.com or call 608-796-8780.

SEPTEMBER 6 MUSIC: YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse FESTIVAL: LA CROSSE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 12 pm-9:30 pm @ Myrick Park in La Crosse Tickets: $5

THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long.

THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

SEPTEMBER 7 THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 2 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

SEPTEMBER 8 TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA WITH TIM DALE 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

SEPTEMBER 9 MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

SEPTEMBER 10 FOOD AND DRINK: FREE WHEELIN’ WEDNESDAY 4 pm-8 pm @ Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Free pint if you ride your bike down to the tasting room THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

SEPTEMBER 11 MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long. THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

SEPTEMBER 12 MUSIC: PIG TOWN FLING STRING BAND 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse MUSIC: FEATURES FEST VIII, FEATURING BLACKJACK BILLY 7 pm @ Features Sports Bar and Grill in West Salem, WI Tickets: $15 advanced, $20 at door

FESTIVAL: LA CROSSE PRIDE: SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRAG SHOW 7 pm @ The Cavalier in La Crosse Tickets: $10

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

ARTS: ARTISTS’ RECEPTION 4-5:30 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse Free Join us at the Pump House for the opportunity to meet and celebrate with the Pump House featured artists.

SEPTEMBER 13 EXERCISE: THE COLOR RUN 5K 8 am @ Riverside Park in La Crosse Tickets: $45-$55 MUSIC: DESSA 9 pm @ The Cavalier in La Crosse Tickets: $15 ahead/$17 day of THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long. FESTIVAL: LA CROSSE PRIDE: FESTIVAL IN THE PARK All Day @ Copeland Park Free THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28 MUSIC: THE PROMISE HERO @ The Warehouse in La Crosse

SEPTEMBER 14 FESTIVAL: LA CROSSE PRIDE BLOODY MARY BAR 12 pm @ My Place in La Crosse THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 2 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

SEPTEMBER 15 MUSIC: ONE YEAR LATER WITH NARROW HEARTS, THE ROAD TO, MILESTONE @ The Warehouse in La Crosse TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA WITH TIM DALE 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

SEPTEMBER 16 MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

SEPTEMBER 17 MUSIC: MONUMENTS WITH POLYPHIA, VILLIANS, AND LIONFIGHT @ The Warehouse in La Crosse Tickets: $14

sup IN THE COULEE REGION (WHAT’S UP)

MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free FESTIVAL: APPLEFEST 4 pm-11 pm @ La Crescent, MN Tickets: Button FESTIVAL: TREMPTOBERFEST 5 pm @ Trempealeau Hotel in Trempealeau, WI THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long. THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

SEPTEMBER 19 MUSIC: JUICY J @ University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in La Crosse Tickets: $24 for UW-L students MUSIC: JILLIAN RAE 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse FESTIVAL: APPLEFEST 4 pm-12 am @ La Crescent, MN MARKET: CAMERON PARK FARMER’S MARKET 4 pm-8 pm @ Cameron Park in La Crosse Free THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long. THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

EXERCISE AND OUTDOORS: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S 9 am registration, 10:30 am ceremony @ Southside Oktoberfest Grounds in La Crosse Donations encouraged THEATRE: HEART OF LA CROSSE 8 pm @ The Pump House in La Crosse An original comedy show about the great town we love, this show, partially inspired by ideas from the audience, will have you laughing all night long. THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

SEPTEMBER 22 MUSIC: ENDEAVOR WITH HOUSEHOLD AND FOSSIL @ The Warehouse in La Crosse TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA WITH TIM DALE 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

TRIVIA: ROOT NOTE TRIVIA WITH TIM DALE 8 pm @ The Root Note Free

Photo Credit: Lee Harwell

OW? DID YOU KN s bottle

SEPTEMBER 30

as 1 recycled gl gh energy ou can save en 0 watt bulb to light a 10 for 4 hours?

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

EXTENDED EVENTS PUMP HOUSE: KADER GALLERY: WITH NEW EYES Artist: Jeff Rennicke Exhibition: July 16, 2014 – Oct. 4, 2014 “With New Eyes” features the work of Jeff Rennicke, former writer for National Geographic Traveler and Reader’s Digest. He encourages the viewer, through beauty and creativity, to “have new eyes” rather than see new landscapes. His exhibition of nature photography has a unique twist created by using objects such as a real crystal ball, secondhand glass, and a lighted wire. With an array of traditional nature photography, and the incorporation of various objects such as crystal balls or sheets of ice, Jeff exposes the miraculous in the mundane.

SEPTEMBER 23 MUSIC: ROOT NOTE JAZZ 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

SEPTEMBER 24 MUSIC: DANIEL AND THE LION 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse

SEPTEMBER 25 FESTIVAL: OKTOBERFEST USA; THURSDAY CRAFT BEER NIGHT AND TORCHLIGHT PARADE All weekend @ Oktoberfest Grounds in La Crosse Tickets: Varied, button required MUSIC: OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse Free

SEPTEMBER 26 FESTIVAL: OKTOBERFEST USA; FRIDAY TAPPING OF THE GOLDEN KEG AND OPENING CEREMONIES All weekend @ Oktoberfest Grounds in La Crosse Tickets: Varied, button required MUSIC: DEAD HORSES 8 pm @ The Root Note in La Crosse

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FRONT GALLERY: IMMACULATE PERCEPTION Artist: Ben Alberti and Liz Bowman Exhibition: Sep. 10 – Oct. 4, 2014 In this collaborative series of paintings and woodblock prints, Pump House instructors Ben Alberti and Liz Bowman combine their loves for nature and science in order to challenge viewers to look at their own ideas more critically. BALCONY GALLERY: CELEBRATE! Artists: 4-H Students Exhibition: Sep. 10 – Oct. 18, 2014 Featuring the work of La Crosse County 4-H students, this exhibit is an example of the powerful way in which art enriches our youth and connects our community.

Photo Credit: Lee Harwell

FALL FAVS. LA CROSSE ANNUAL TURKEY TROT http://www.festivalfoodsturkeytrot.com/la-crosse GLOW IN THE DEKE http://www.glowinthedeke.com/

MARKET: CAMERON PARK FARMER’S MARKET 4 pm-8 pm @ Cameron Park in La Crosse Free

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FESTIVAL: HMONG NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 8 am-6 pm @ Crusa soccer fields in La Crosse Tickets: $5

THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

MUSIC: HOLD FOR JW @ The Warehouse in La Crosse

FESTIVAL: APPLEFEST 12 pm-12:30 pm @ La Crescent, MN

ENTERTAINMENT: THE MAGIC OF BILL BLAGG LIVE! 7:30 pm @ Viterbo Fine Arts Center in La Crosse Tickets: $24-$34

SEPTEMBER 29

SEPTEMBER 20

FESTIVAL: HMONG NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 8 am-6 pm @ Crusa soccer fields in La Crosse Tickets: $5

SEPTEMBER 18

FESTIVAL: WARRENS CRANBERRY FESTIVAL 10 am and all weekend @ Warrens, WI Tickets: Buttons sold for $1

FESTIVAL: APPLEFEST 12 pm-10 pm @ La Crescent, MN

THEATRE: LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: MARY POPPINS 7:30 pm @ Weber Center in La Crosse Tickets: $17 to $28

Tickets: Varied, button required

SEPTEMBER 21

Thi

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

Local events calendar for September 2014

THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHASE https://www.facebook.com/GreatPumpkinChase

FESTIVAL: WARRENS CRANBERRY FESTIVAL 7 am-5 pm all weekend @ Warrens, WI Tickets: Buttons sold for $1

FIELD OF SCREAMS http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/index. aspx?NID=2682

SEPTEMBER 27 FESTIVAL: OKTOBERFEST USA; SATURDAY MAPLE LEAF PARADE AND CONCERT FEATURES THE REMAINDERS All weekend @ Oktoberfest Grounds in La Crosse Tickets: Varied, button required FESTIVAL: WARRENS CRANBERRY FESTIVAL 7 am-5 pm all weekend @ Warrens, WI Tickets: Buttons sold for $1

You know you want to be seen in Klutch! so many great things to do, but you need to do one more...

SEPTEMBER 28 FESTIVAL: OKTOBERFEST USA; BRAT PACK RADIO CONCERT All weekend @ Oktoberfest Grounds in La Crosse

Contact us by email at info@muellermediacorp. com or call 608-796-8780 for more information on rates, distribution, and sizes.

KlutchChronicle.com \\ September, 2014

volunteer

AMERICAN RED CROSS - SCENIC BLUFFS CHAPTER: American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Volunteers can support blood drives, train to respond to disasters, teach lifesaving First Aid/CPR classes, support our Armed Forces, assist at special events and more! 2927 Losey Blvd S, La Crosse, WI; volunteerwestern.wi@redcross.org; 877-618-6628 ext. 5822; www.redcross.org/wi/la-crosse BETHANY LUTHERAN HOMES: Volunteers may assist with recreational activities, read aloud to residents, help with writing, assist with special events, help with weekly outings, manicures, one-on-one visits, sing-alongs, gardening, mail delivery, crafts, playing games, helping with computers, doing errands or shopping, helping with walks or outdoor time, teaching a special talent, and more. Download a volunteer form at www.bethanylutheranhomes.org or call 608.406.3900. BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF THE COULEE REGION: Volunteers enroll through Big Brothers Big Sisters and following an interview, references and a background check, are oriented and introduced to a little brother or little sister by BBBS staff. Regular support is available to assure that the relationship builds over time, and any logistical problems are resolved. For more info, please email Abby Abernathy at aabernathy@bbbsofcr.org or call Beth Twiton, 608.782.2227. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER LA CROSSE: The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse is to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Volunteers are a vital part of many programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs. Opportunities are available in many areas, including athletics, tutoring, game room management, recreation, special events and clerical areas. Your involvement and support is encouraged. For more information, please call 608.782.3926, or visit their website to fill out the volunteer application at www.bgcgl.org CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: Lend a Hand! Volunteers are an important part of the Children’s Museum team. If you are enthusiastic, reliable and fond of children, check into current volunteer opportunities and contact us soon! Visit their website to fill out a volunteer application at www.funmuseum.org or call 608.784.2652. COULEE REGION HUMANE SOCIETY: Volunteers needed to help care for animals and collect donations for animals. For more information, call 608.781.4014. For a list of current opportunities, or to fill out an application, click the Volunteer link at www.couleehumane.com COULEE REGION UNITED SOCCER ASSOCIATION (CRUSA): Help with concessions, trash removal, fundraising events, and tournament staff at the La Crosse area Field for Kids Facility in Industrial Park. For more information about volunteering, contact Vanessa Machado (volunteer organizer) at crusasoccer@gmail.com or check out their website: www.crusa-soccer. com CROSSFIRE YOUTH CENTER: Crossfire seeks to transform the lives of local teens by providing safe and fun activities. Crossfire is always seeking volunteers who have a heart to serve. Volunteer opportunities include assisting in weight lifting, archery, outdoor activities, and our Friday night party alternative. 608-784-6565; amanda@crossfire4u.com; crossfire4u.com GREAT RIVERS UNITED WAY: Great Rivers United Way Volunteer Center hosts an array of volunteer opportunities. Give an hour. Give a Satur-

BETTERMENT OF OUR FORCOMMUNITY

YOU CAN DO

day. Give your best. We all have special talents. Things we can do to help. And when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. There are hundreds of volunteer options available every day. Give the gift of you. Volunteer. (608) 796-1400; jlarsen@gruw.org; www. greatriversunitedway.org/volunteer-2 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY/RESTORE: For Women Build, construction, Critical Home Repair, ReStore, special events or office work, contact Bekky Mayfield, Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, at volunteer@habitatlacrosse.org or 608.785.2375 X1604. HILLVIEW URBAN AGRICULTURE CENTER: The mission of Hillview is to create a healthy community through a local, sustainable, and accessible food system. We have volunteer opportunities in the following programs: Market Baskets, vermicomposting, various gardening tasks, hoop house construction, fundraising, grant writing, and marketing. (608) 786-0338; vicki@vsm5. com; www.hillviewuac.org HORSESENSE FOR SPECIAL RIDERS: Be a “side walker” or horse leader, exercise the therapy horses, muck out the barns, help with special events. Email executivedirector@hssrweb.org, call 608.791.4868 or fill out the online volunteer form at www.hssr.org HUMAN POWERED TRAILS: A 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization that develops and maintains sustainable and environmentally correct shared use trails for the La Crosse, Wis., region for human powered (walking, running, biking, skiing, etc.) activities. If you like to get outside, get dirty, learn more about human powered activities, geography, trail building or being a leader in your community, fill out the volunteer form www.humanpoweredtrails.com or email info@humanpoweredtrails.com LA CRESCENT ANIMAL RESCUE: We are committed to being a no-kill shelter, which means we are always looking for both foster and permanent homes for the animals left in our care. At our facility, volunteer tasks available include cat and/ or dog care, cleaning, clerical, and animal transportation. Must be 16 years of age. 523 S Chestnut St, La Crescent, MN. (507) 895-2066;www. lacrescentanimalrescue.blogspot.com LA CROSSE AREA FAMILY YMCA: Volunteers are critically important to carrying out our mission, so we ask our program volunteers to go through an application and screening process similar to that of our paid staff members. This process ensures that the best fit is made between the new volunteer and the program they are matched with, while also ensuring the safety of our members, participants, staff and all of our volunteers. View volunteer opportunities with La Crosse’s largest youth-serving organization and fill out an application at the Get Involved link at www.laxymca.org OUTDOOR RECREATION ALLIANCE (ORA): The Outdoor Recreation Alliance seeks to optimize world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Volunteers are needed for various activities, including trail work. www.naturesplacetoplay.com WARMING CENTER OF LA CROSSE: Volunteer for supplying dinner for the homeless, checkin, overnight watch, or morning clean up. Call Catholic Charities’ Mary Fitzpatrick at 608.782.0710 ext. 220 for more information or to volunteer. WISCONSIN CONSERVATION CORPS: WisCorps engages youth and young adults in direct conservation projects on public lands across the state. Volunteer opportunities include trail maintenance, tree planting, event assistance, and more! (608) 782-2494; staff@wiscorps.org; www.wiscorps.org.

Place your FREE listing! Email info@muellermediacorp.com with your volunteer opportunity or calendar event. Listings are subject to approval and may be edited for content or space. 28

DAY OF CARING TAKES THE KALE

All of the work is meaningful.

Article: Jason Larsen

GET INVOLVED

W H AT

helpin

rea nonprofits were buzzing with activity on what would have otherwise been an ordinary Wednesday in July. Day of Caring is Great Rivers United Way’s annual volunteer day and campaign kick-off. Nearly 300 volunteers took to the streets at Kane Street Community Garden, Bluff Country Family Resources, and a dozen other local nonprofits, to engage in community solutions through volunteerism. Some volunteers weeded and harvested kale and other vegetables at a local community garden. Some volunteers built a hipsterstyle, covered bike rack for residents of a local homeless shelter. (Hipsters love them because they keep their bikes free of precipitation during the workday; shelter residents will love them because bikes are often their only means of transportation … it’s always a plus to have dry, ice-free transportation.) Many other volunteers helped spread the word about local parenting programs and also assisted local elderly folks with yard work and household chores to help them stay comfortable in their homes. Over 800 volunteer hours were clocked. Over 20 projects were completed throughout the community. Day of Caring is always an amazing event, but there’s always more work to be done for these and other fine local nonprofits. Klutch is new … but for those who bring you Klutch, civic engagement is nothing new. We’ll work to bring you highlights of the noteworthy volunteer projects in our community, and we’ll let you know what you can do to help. The local nonprofit community relies heavily on volunteers to do everything from mentoring at-risk youth and serving as court appointed advocates, all the way to painting old walls. All of the work is meaningful. It’s meaningful because without you, without us, it doesn’t get done. By now you’re probably saying to yourself, “What can my crew and I do to help out?” For now, go to the region’s premier volunteer site, Get Connected, at volunteer.gruw. org, and find an opportunity that fits your fancy. In the future, we’ll continue to bring fresh opportunities for community engagement to the forefront in each issue.

September, 2014 // KlutchChronicle.com

FeATuRInG:

Saturday, november 1 7 pm • overtime SportS bar HAlloWeen HAnGov eR C o STum e C o n T eST: SAv e yo uR C o STu me To W I n mone y! PEARL STREET WEST The

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50% of all proceeds will be donated to local non-profit organizations including: RSvP, Children’s museum of la Crosse, Grow your Brain, American Red Cross.