Second Supper Vol. 10, No. 4

VOLUME 10, NO. 4 | FEBRUARY 4, 2010

“I never really thought [holistic medicine] was separate from other medical care. I just kind of see it like I work with a bigger toolbox.”

Dr. Nedira Haik Franciscan-Skemp Center for Health and Healing

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INSIDE: THE ADVICE GODDESS SAYS GUYS STILL VALUE HOTITUDE, GIRLYNESS | PAGE 10

Alternative medicine La Crosse residents chart new paths to personal well-being Page 6

ALSO ...

Kapanke's political stock falling?

Page 4

Win tickets to see Shinedown!

Page 14

What values define a Progressive?

Page 16

PLUS: SOCIAL NETWORKING • PAGE 2 | NEW DOWNTOWN DIRECTOR STARTS MONDAY • PAGE 5

2// February 4, 2010

Second Supper

Social Networking

NAME AND AGE: Kathryn Heron, 22 WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Milwaukee, Wis. CURRENT JOB: Teacher at Reed Music Studios, barista at Starbucks, church choir acconpanist, freelance accompanist/ performer DREAM JOB: To be a music therapist LAST THING YOU GOOGLED: Quiche recipes IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Venice, Italy. Before it sinks.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Climb a mountain. A big one. I'll practice first on little ones, though.

IF A GENIE GRANTED YOU ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR? I would ask for a perpetual summer with snow just around Christmas time. It's really cold if you didn't realize.

CELEBRITY CRUSH: mmm ... Clive Owen FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO: Dixie Chicks in Milwaukee, but they hated Bush so it was OK. Don't judge me. I was only 14.

WHAT IS YOUR BEVERAGE OF CHOICE? Beer, beer, beer, beer

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? The Book of Laughter and Forgetting by Milan Kundera

TELL US YOUR GUILTIEST PLEASURE: Watching soap operas and drinking a beer while my husband isn't home WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? Cracking knuckles or backs or necks or any other body part. It is the worst sound in the world.

TELL US A JOKE: How do you know a blonde has used the computer? There's white out all over the screen! How do you know two blondes have used a computer? There's eraser marks over the white out!

WHAT'S THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? Bath oil and Scrubbing Bubbles (not to be used at the same time) WHAT'S IN YOUR POCKET RIGHT NOW?: A penny and a tissue

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF SECOND SUPPER? That it's free

HOW DO YOU KNOW MARY (LAST WEEK'S INTERVIEW)? We met as music majors at Viterbo. We bonded over coffee and similar opinions of other people. That was two years ago and we've been horrible influences on each other ever since.

Second Supper

February 4, 2010 // 3

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Things To Do

Fresh on the heels of a successful, energizing reception for a traveling exhibition of photos of Wisconsin veterans who served in the Vietnam War, The Pump House Regional Arts Center tonight debuts its original play, 5,000 Pounds: Seven Soldiers' Stories. The play tells the story of seven soldiers in Vietnam in 1968. The play was written by David Krump, executive arts administrator at the Pump House, and is directed

by Anne Drecktrah. Cast members are Alex Brick, Harrison DeCreny, Brandon Harris, Tim McCarren, Lance Newton, Adam Petchel and Colin Thelen. 5,000 Lbs.: Seven Soldiers’ Stories runs Feb. 4-6, 11-13 and 19-20. Tickets are $15 for members and students, $18 for non-members, and $21 day-ofshow. For information, call (608) 785-1434. The Pump House, 119 King St., is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Hip hop theater artist Ariel Lucky will perform at 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 8, on the Valhalla stage at the Cartwright Center on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus. Luckey's shows mix performance, theater, music and activism.

In his Free Land show, for example, he tells the story of a young white man’s search for his roots as it takes him from the streets of Oakland to the prairies of Wyoming. Tickets are $1 and are available at the information counter in the Cartwright Center, 1741 State St., from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and by phone at (608) 785-8898. The show is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, which also has a free concert featuring The FurLow Riders at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in the Cellar at the Cartwright Center.

The group consists of Joe Gow, lead singer and guitarist; Bart VanVoorhis, drums; Nizam Arain, bass guitarist. All three are key members of the UW-La Crosse community. Gow is chancellor of UW-L, VanVoorhis is a psychology professor, and Arain is the partner of Professor Mahruq Khan of the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department. The group plays primarily blues and bluesrock songs.

Celebrate the new year

Show off your songwriting talent

Attend locally written play

The Top

Ways to improve the Super Bowl

1. Prince plays every halftime 2. Maximum 30-minute pregame 3. No more Roman numerals 4. Quentin Tarantino directs commercials 5. Tax write-off for party snacks 6. Oiled-down chests in lieu of jerseys 7. Garrison Keillor does play-byplay Best bar snacks

1. Pretzels and spicy mustard 2. Gardettos 3. Popcorn with assorted seasonings 4. Bloody Mary garnish 5. Salted in shell peanuts 6. Pickled egg 7. Frozen pizza

Check out UW-L entertainment

1

Chinese legend tells of a wild beast, Nien, that attacked and killed villagers at the end of each year. Villagers learned that using loud noises and bright lights would scare away the beast. Thus began the Chinese New Year celebrations. Feb. 14 marks the beginning of another year on the Chinese calendar: Geng Yin, or the Year of the Tiger. The La Crosse Area Chinese Association gets a jump on the new year celebration, however, with a party Saturday, Feb. 6, at Logan High School, 1500 Ranger Drive, La Crosse.

The event features food, games and cultural presentations. The party lasts from 6:15 to 10 p.m. For information, e-mail Angela Schlicht at anrschlicht@charter.net.

2

Featuring New York Deli-Style Corned Beef Sandwiches.

Regular, Reuben & Pusan.

Check Out Daily Food Specials

3

Local entertainer Dan Berger is organizing a open mic program, Songwriters In A Row, the second Wednesday of each month at the new Flipside Pub & Grill, 400 Lang Drive. The first program was held last month, and the next one is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10.

For information, call (608) 769-2007. The brother-sister team of David and Lynn Lezpona remodeled a portion of Ardie's Restaurant into Flipside, which opened in November. It has its own menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and more. The bar features live entertainment, including karaoke. For information about Flipside, call (608) 784-2242.

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4// February 4, 2010

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The WisPolitics.com Stock Report

RISING

MIXED

FALLING

HIGH-SPEED RAIL

SCOTT WALKER

DAN KAPANKE

The state’s plea for federal dollars to build a high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee pays off big time. The Obama administration announces the state will receive more than $820 million to build the line, do upgrades between Milwaukee and Chicago, and study links to Minnesota.

The money accounts for about 10 percent of the total handed out nationally, and insiders credit Gov. Jim Doyle for his work in securing the money. The guv pushed the state to purchase two Spanish trains last year, and Doyle says the state’s application was one of the more "shovel-ready" proposals, helping Wisconsin’s cause. The line could be running by 2013 and could create some 13,000 jobs. Rail advocates celebrate the award, believing it could usher in a new age of train travel, cutting down car trips and emissions. They envision a high-speed rail line that eventually connects Chicago to Milwaukee to Madison to Minneapolis.

Conservatives grumble the line will be taxpayer-subsidized and underused, fearing it will suck state and local dollars once the federal money goes away.

SEAN DUFFY

Second Supper 614 Main St., La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 782-7001 Online: secondsupper.com Publisher: Roger Bartel roger.bartel@secondsupper.com Editor in Chief: Adam Bissen adam.bissen@secondsupper.com Sales: Mike Keith mike.keith@secondsupper.com Sales: Jenaveve Bell jenaveve.bell@secondsupper.com Sales: Ansel Ericksen ansel.ericksen@secondsupper.com Contributors: Amy Alkon, Jacob Bielanski, Erich Boldt, Nick Cabreza, Mary Catanese, Brett Emerson, Jake Groteuschen, Shuggypop Jackson, Matt Jones, Jonathan Majak Second Supper is a weekly alternative newspaper published by Bartanese Enterprises LLC, 614 Main St., La Crosse, WI 54601

Second Supper

COMMENTARY

The Dems’ loss of Ted Kennedy's seat is helping give a political buzz boost to the Ashland County DA. To fans, Duffy is a smart, articulate conservative voice who gives Republicans a good shot in the solidly Dem 7th Congressional District.

But others aren’t so sure he’s going to give Dem stalwart Dave Obey a true run for his money — even if the Republican can make the Appropriations chair the face of unpopular fed policies. Duffy announces he raised $146,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009 and says his overall fundraising has now hit $315,000. He brags he’s setting records for an Obey challenger, and the former reality TV star has been snagging his share of national attention as pundits wonder if Obey can be Coakley’d. The Wall Street Journal recently singled him out as one of the Badger State's rising stars of the right. Dream on, say Dems, citing Obey’s fundraising prowess, his longtime work on behalf of the district, and staff members that stay in touch with state legislators and constituents. The race still hasn’t made any of the national watch lists put out by nonpartisan news sites like Rothenberg and the Cook Report, suggesting it isn’t on the radar yet. But Republicans insist it will be soon.

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

Republican Ted Kanavas and Democrat Judy Robson announce their retirements from the state Senate, making it three members to opt against seeking re-election this fall. Insiders see the retirements triggering other legislative changes, as Assembly members look to move to a bigger district and a four-year term and local figures eye the Assembly seats.

The GOP guv frontrunner announces a campaign warchest of more than $2 million, has a strong showing in a new poll on this fall’s race, and inserts himself into coverage of Jim Doyle’s State of the State by holding what he dubs a “State of the Economy” address beforehand. Walker implores lawmakers and Doyle to repeal combined reporting on business taxes and promises to right the state’s fiscal ship if elected. Republicans applaud the move, praising Walker for stealing a little of the limelight and staying on message. He’s the best positioned candidate to capitalize on the tea party crowd’s angst toward big government, they say. Dems, meanwhile, pounce on Walker’s latest calls for various Milwaukee County tax cuts, questioning how he’ll balance the budget and live up to his promises. With a $2 billion budget hole already expected, critics say Walker’s promise will double that shortfall and scoff at his promises to re-examine how state government does business to cover the tab.

It won’t even come close, they say. A new Rasmussen Reports survey puts Walker up on Dem frontrunner Tom Barrett 48-38, while former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann leads Barrett 42-38. A top Dem insider says recent polling by a reputable national firm shows Barrett and Walker dead even and Barrett beating Neumann by more than 10 points.

RUSS FEINGOLD

Republicans increasingly see the Middleton maverick as vulnerable. But insiders also question if they have the right candidate to really give him a run. A new Rasmussen Reports poll has Feingold behind former Gov. Tommy Thompson 47-43 in a hypothetical matchup. Feingold’s campaign says there are three problems with that survey: Tommy Thompson isn’t in the GOP primary, he hasn’t won the nomination and the election isn’t for another 10 months. Don’t read too much into it, they say. Meanwhile, Tommy fans insist the former guv’s interest in the race is real and that national Republicans have been pushing him hard to get in. But insiders from both sides continue to be skeptical of a Thompson candidacy, given that he's making money hand over fist and still enjoys the opportunity to travel around the country on business or to deliver speeches. Plus, many feel TGT would never want to run in a race he might lose, especially after the disastrous prez bid. Feingold raised $947,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009 and had $3.65 million in the bank. That’s not chump change, insiders say. Dems also dismiss the allure of a Thompson candidacy. How will an electorate tired of big business and big government embrace a career politician with ties to numerous corporate boards (including serving as president of La Crosse-based Logistics Health Inc.) that have netted him big bucks?

Six months ago, Republicans had hopes the La Crosse state senator would be running for an open House seat with a good shot at retaking the Dem-leaning 3rd District from incumbent Ron Kind. Now, insiders from both sides are scratching their heads at Kapanke’s campaign. He raised $111,070 during the third quarter last year, a decent start. But Kapanke’s campaign says he’s pulled in less than $70,000 for the fourth quarter, a disappointing drop off.

Insiders say that’s not going to get it done against Kind, who flirted with a guv run in the fall only to decide instead to seek reelection. Republicans say Kind has himself out of sync with his western Wisconsin district on a series of issues after voting with Nancy Pelosi on things like health care and cap and trade, but Kapanke isn’t positioning himself to take advantage. They’re particularly critical over the way Kapanke has handled some legal bills — an episode that could be damaging considering the anti-politician sentiment running through the electorate. The state Dem Party successfully sued Kapanke in an open records case, and the state was ordered to pay the party’s $38,000 in legal bills. Kapanke pledged last fall to reimburse the state and that he'd make his first payment before the end of the year. But by mid-January, he hadn’t started repaying the legal bills and said he had decided to put off doing so until midJune. He reverses himself three days later and turns over $5,000.

JIM DOYLE

The guv takes the podium for his final State of the State, imploring lawmakers to change the governance of MPS, embrace climate change legislation and approve a new regional transit authority for southeastern Wisconsin. But lawmakers and pundits appear to react with a collective shrug. If anyone doubted that Doyle was a lame duck governor before, they don’t now.

BUDGET OUTLOOK

Lawmakers breathe a sigh of relief when the latest budget analysis finds they don’t have to work on a repair bill just months ahead of the elections. Still, budget watchers say there remains plenty of trouble on the horizon. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau ratchets down the state’s projected balance at the end of the current biennium by $220 million, saying the increased cigarette tax failed to bring in the expected money and the expired reciprocity agreement with Minnesota has hurt as well. Still, the gross balance of just under $56 million keeps the state in the black — for now. Unemployment continues to be a problem, and some believe the economic indicators are now pointing to a slower-than-expected recovery.

Even without a budget repair bill, Doyle hints at more pain to come through the $200 million in cuts that he has to do under the budget he signed into law last year.

Second Supper

COMMUNITY

February 4, 2010 // 5

Dispatches from HQ Skating Sirens roll to their first win

The La Crosse Skating Sirens got their first victory of their relatively short existence by defeating the Stateline Roller Derby Divas out of Beloit at the La Crosse Center on Jan. 30. In a rather lopsided bout, our local ladies won by a score of 206-72. Top scorers were SkinKitty (Melissa Larivee), Giggity Giggity (Ashly Conrad), Tor Tor (Tori Schoone) and Miss Tuff E. Nuff (Sam Massano). The club's next local bouts are in March (date TBA) at High Rollers and April 24 at the La Crosse Center.

New DMI director talks about downtown challenges

Tim Kabat is excited about his new job, and he thinks downtown business owners are excited, as well.

Kabat officially begins his duties Monday, Feb. 8, as executive director of Downtown Mainstreet Inc., a nonprofit organization whose primary mission is downtown redevelopment. He succeeds Bud Miyamoto, who resigned last fall to accept a position with a local construction company.

Kabat previously worked as the Planning and Development Department Administrator for the city of La Crosse. He was born in La Crosse, grew up in Holmen, earned an undergraduate degree at Tim Kabat UW-La Crosse and a masters at the University of Illinois.

Before landing a job with the city, he held positions in South Bend, Ind., West Palm Beach, Fla., Baraboo and Madison. He is counting on all of those experiences to help him in his new role.

He also is counting on the help of downtown business owners, many of whom he has already met. "I think they are excited," Kabat said. "As with any change, ... people see fresh opportunities. There's a real energy there."

Kabat listed his top priority as getting back to the basics of the Mainstreet program: promotion, design, organization and business assistance. He will work closely with groups such as the DMI Special Promotions Committee, and sees opportunities not only to build on successful events such as the Spring Fling, Historic Downtown Day and others, but also to "hopefully add some things to celebrate the great downtown that we have."

Kabat plans to spend time going around downtown, meeting people and building relationships, gathering information and reaching out for ideas and solu-

tions. He encourages business owners and residents "to give me their 2 cents worth" about the downtown. "There are a lot of ideas out there," he said. "People really are passionate about downtown."

Kabat recently sat down with Second Supper and discussed a variety of downtown issues. Here are brief summaries of some of his comments: All those vacant buildings

It has been five years — and a recession — since the city's most recent analysis of the downtown retail market, and an update is needed to help better understand the business community's needs, Kabat said.

The growing number of vacancies is obvious, however, and Kabat plans to explore new ways to develop the downtown retail opportunities. He said, for example, he hoped to raise awareness of assistance programs put in place by the city to help building owners downtown.

He also plans to be involved in a potential program proposed by Mayor Matt Harter to create rent subsidies for businesses.

Kabat said the mayor's proposal, still being refined by city officials, could "help those situations where a project is very close" and just needs a financial break to get started or to succeed.

One of the challenges in filling the downtown vacancies, Kabat noted, was that many of them are large spaces; too large for owners considering, for example, a leap from home office to storefront.

"Over time, I'd like to work with building owners to create smaller spaces," he said.

A retail business incubator program also has been talked about and might need to be explored further, he said, noting that the small retailers' already difficult road to success has been made even more difficult by the struggling economy.

Parking ramps and the two-hour shuffle

As a member of the city's Parking Advisory Committee, Kabat expects to be deeply involved in and active regarding parking issues affecting downtown. "The supply is there," he says. "The issue is how do we get the folks who work downtown to park in the ramps."

He wants to work closely with city on efforts to promote the free parking opportunities and to ensure ramps are kept clean, well lit and safe.

He said the city has made some made some progress in recent years, citing unlimited Saturday parking and striping on key streets to better identify parking areas.

While many downtown business owners complain about the vigilance of the city's parking officers, Kabat said it is important to ensure street spaces are available for customers and to discourage employees, or even owners, from doing the "two-hour shuffle."

The marketing of downtown

Kabat would like to see the downtown develop even more as a destination for dining, including the addition of ethnic restaurants. "We have a mix of high quality restaurants," he said. "We hope that is something that continues." He also foresees DMI work-

ing to further that image through joint marketing with restaurants on projects such as a downtown dining week, for example.

Downtown holds opportunities for other businesses as well, he said. With La Crosse residents and visitors likely to enjoy the "gorgeous outdoors" we enjoy, he sees Three Rivers Outdoors as a shining example of businesses that can serve those customers. "Related types of businesses, too, such as rentals, etc., also can take advantage of our great outdoors," he said.

Like the 2004 downtown study, a new study would likely show other opportunities. Kabat noted that the 2004 study saw a need for a higher end kitchen store and children's clothing store, both of which have since opened on Main Street.

work with government officials and individual building owners to develop a good mix of rental rates to help ensure a good variety of residents can afford to enjoy the benefits of living downtown.

Who can afford to live downtown?

With the number of condos being developed or planned for the downtown area, as well as mixed use projects such as the transit center, Kabat sees downtown as an emerging neighborhood that over the next several years will attract all types of residents, but especially empty nesters and young professionals. With growing businesses such as Logistics Health Inc. and Kaplan providing jobs downtown, he sees a corresponding residential growth that will take advantage of current and future vacancies.

However, affordability will be a critical issue, he agreed. He said he would try to

Where's the money?

Behind the scenes, "one of the challenges will be finding a permanent source of funding" for DMI over the next several years, Kabat said. Possibilities include development of a business improvement district, special assessments and others. As a nonprofit organization, DMI relies on its membership and a "strong partnership with the public sector (city, county)" for its funding.

DMI is overseen by a board of directors representing major employers, merchants and other downtown stakeholders.

Those rowdy late-night crowds

One of the obstacles to developing downtown as a neighborhood is the latenight noise, drinking and accompanying problems created by thousands of young people enjoying the downtown bar scene.

For area residents, the partying can detract from the quality of life downtown. While there is no easy solution to handling those kinds of issues, Kabat said he was looking forward to building a relationship with the tavern league to discuss perceptions, issues and solutions.

Send your tips for Dispatches from HQ to editor@secondsupper.com.

6// February 4, 2010

Second Supper

COMMUNITY

Alternative medicine moves to the mainstream

By Adam Bissen adam.bissen@secondsupper.com

When surveying the forms of alternative medicine practiced in the Coulee Region, the first thing you have to do is agree upon a definition. By design, the term is broad. It can cover acupuncture, herbal supplements, massage, diet, tai chi, aroma therapy or chiropractic work — or none of those treatments, depending on an individual’s perspective.

One can receive alternative medicine in a wilderness setting. It can be brought to the home, practiced individually or shared when likeminded people gather to channel energy. You can also find alternative medicine at gleaming private practices, and here in La Crosse both hospitals are increasingly likely to employ “complimentary” techniques, which further blur the line between alternative and mainstream. What is certain is that alternative medicine is a personal decision.

And here in the Coulee Region, there are many paths to personal health.

“Alternative medicine to me is generally something other than the Western style of medicine that we see in our society today,” said Phil Adamczyk, a 22-year-old certified reiki master teacher (see glossary, Page 7).

“When I think of that I usually think of Eastern medicine, things other than pill popping.”

That’s a good start, as many “alterna-

tive” medical techniques have a foundation in traditional Chinese medicine — a 5,000-year-old form of health care — and from other herbal and body work remedies developed in India, Japan, the Americas or even from Christian traditions.

“Alternative medicine, I guess, is an alternative to going into a physical building where it’s very important that everything that happens there be billable,” said Louise Keenan, a massage therapist who opened La Crosse’s latest “alternative” practice, The Heart Song Center, on Pearl Street last week.

Billing is also a defining trait, as many alternative medical practices aren’t covered by insurance, so an individual pays out of pocket for his treatments. As Congress debates a massive overhaul of the health care industry, these elective treatments could become part of expanded coverage, though no one interviewed for this story expected that to happen soon. Rather, that people elect to pay for “alternative” treatment when they could receive mainstream care at no added cost speaks to the effectiveness of alternative medicine.

“With the results that I’m seeing, all insurance companies should be covering it,” said Kim Dowat, a certified nurse midwife at Gundersen-Lutheran who incorporates acupuncture and herbology into her practice.

In La Crosse, both Gundersen-Lutheran and Franciscan-Skemp have introduced alternative (or “integrated”) medical tech-

niques to their campuses. Many doctors and nurses at Gundersen practice specialties outside the traditional realm of Western medicine, while Franciscan-Skemp opened a Center for Health and Healing in Onalaska in 2006 that offers holistic therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, healing touch, massage, Tai Chi and yoga.

“The term ‘alternative’ I’ve been trying to not have used for the last 15 years,” said Jim Lamboy, an acupuncturist who has practiced in downtown La Crosse since early 2000. “’Complimentary’ really is a better term to use describing certainly acupuncture and herbology, meaning that it can be used consistent with or alongside of conventional medicine.”

That mixing of alternative and conventional medicine seems to be the trend here.

Many doctors refer patients to acupuncturists to treat pain after surgery, and chiropractors see people after car accidents. Reiki practitioners will work with cancer patients recovering from chemotherapy, and pregnant women use herbs to control morning sickness, all while consulting with their OB/ GYN.

A generation ago, doctors from most mainstream hospitals wouldn’t even think about alternative medicine, let alone recommend their patients seek outside care. But a growing body of scientific research attests the effectiveness of alternative practices.

Word of mouth also helps spread new treat-

ments, as patients “demystify” Eastern techniques and vouch for their effectiveness.

“I never really thought [holistic medicine] was separate from other medical care,” said Dr. Nedira Haik, an integrative health specialist at Franciscan-Skemp’s Center for Health and Healing, one of the only mainstream American campuses devoted solely to integrated health. “I just kind of see it like I work with a bigger toolbox.”

When a patient visits Haik for a consultation, she combines Western interview and clinical techniques with knowledge of alternative treatments. If she sees a patient with high blood pressure, for example, she may recommend supplements like magnesium or fish oil or suggest breathing techniques.

For more severe cases, she would prescribe paramedical medication.

Although the roots of many alternative medical practices stretch back centuries, they’ve only recently entered American popular culture. The first widely disseminated account of acupuncture, for example, came in 1971 when a New York Times journalist had an emergency appendectomy in China wrote about his treatment. Today alternative medicine is advocated on the Internet and makes frequent appearances on primetime television, but it’s not just the younger generation that most frequently turns to alternative medicine.

Continued on Page 7

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Second Supper

COMMUNITY

Alternative Medicine Glossary

Medicine Continued from Page 6

“From what I can tell and the people I work with, it’s actually very evenly distributed,” said Adamczyk, the reiki instructor who founded the Healers of Avalon, a holistic health organization that meets at the Violet Flame in La Crosse. “A lot of the students that I work with are in their 50s or 60s, which I found very shocking, but I suppose it makes sense because they have experienced the Western medicine for how many years and are open to a new technique that might be more effective and a lot less of a cost.”

Whatever patients' motivation, alternative medicine is fast approaching the threshold where it no longer can even be considered “alternative.” With more people discussing more health practices on more media, the stigma of exoticism is eroded. Scientific studies are also beginning to show the effectiveness of alternative treatments, but with a matter as personal as one’s health, the ultimate measuring stick is success-based.

“For some people, the fact than an established medical institution has embraced [alternative medicine] makes them feel like ‘well, I can try it,’” said Dowat, a specialist in women’s health who studied acupuncture at Stanford University. “And then there’s people — maybe more older people than younger — they just come in and say ‘Hey, I just want something that works. If it helps, I don’t really care where it comes from or what the theories are.' Especially if they are in pain, they just want relief.”

Acupuncture: The insertion of needles into designated points on the body to restore the flow of "qi." Most often used to reduce pain or induce anesthesia.

Aromatherapy: Using "essential" oils from flowers, leaves, bark, rinds, roots or other plant matter for their therapeutic properties. May be inhaled, ingested or rubbed on the skin.

Ayurveda: India's traditional system of medicine — practiced for over 5,000 years — that prevents and treats illness through natural therapies and lifestyle intervention.

Biofeedback: The use of monitors to display patients' physiological information of which they usually unaware. Through trial and error, patients can learn to control "involuntary" processes such as blood pressure, temperature, gastrointestinal functioning and brain waves.

Reflexology: The application of pressure of various points on the feet to relieve tension and improve health.

Reiki: ("RAY-kee") A Japanese form of energy medicine where a practitioner places his hands on or near a patient to improve the spirit, which would in turn improve the body.

Herbalism: Using or prescribing herbs to treat medical conditions.

Therapeutic touch: Practice where practitioners pass their hands over a patient's body, identifying emergency imbalances and imparting a healing force.

Homeopathy: A system of therapy where patients are given minute doses of drugs that in larger amounts would cause illness to a healthy person. By stimulating the body's defense mechanism, homeopaths attempt to prompt the body to heal itself.

Massage: The manipulation of muscle and other soft tissue to allow more blood and oxygen to flow into affected areas and decrease pain.

Meditation: Often recognized as a religious practice, medita-

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Qi gong: ("chee-GUNG") A component of traditional Chinese medicine combining movement and controlled breathing to improve the flow of "qi," or energy.

Tai chi: A form of martial arts incorporating gentle movements and deep breathing that is now used as mind-body therapy.

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Naturopathy: A medical system focused on supporting health rather than treating illness. Through diet, herbs, massage and lifestyle changes a practitioner encourages the body to heal itself.

Chiropractic: A manual therapy that manipulates the musculoskeletal system, specifically the spine, to alleviate pain and encourage the body to heal itself.

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Traditional Chinese medicine: An ancient system of health care incorporating nutrition, herbalism, acupuncture, exercise, meditation and massage to encourage the flow of "qi" (pronounced "chee") and balance the opposing energies of yin and yang.

Yoga: An Indian mind-body practice that combines postures, breathing and meditation to improve body functions and promote relaxation.

February 4, 2010 // 7

8// February 4, 2010

Second Supper

ARTS

Viterbo's 'Anton' opens tonight

'Miss Daisy' deliciously delightful

By Jonathan Majak jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

By Leigh Rodgers Special to Second Supper

In David Gardiner’s view, a theatre production like Viterbo’s Anton in Show Business, opening Feb. 4, is always missing one piece until its opening night.

“When an actor is rehearsing, they only have 2/3 of the play,” said Gardiner, an associate theatre professor at Viterbo and director of the play, while sitting in his office tucked away on the second floor of the Fine Arts Center. “The actors and director is one third of the it, the playwright and the play itself is another third and the audience is the last critical part.”

The audience that comes to see the production of Anton, a 2000 American Theatre Critics/Steinberg New Play Award winner, will get to see the trials and tribulations that go into mounting a production as the play follows a group of performers as they put on a production of Anton Chekov’s play Three Sisters.

The play, or specifically its playwright, has its own quirky history. For years, the playwright, Jane Martin, would write and have plays produced and even be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize without making a single appearance.

Most suspect that the identity of Jane Martin is Jon Jory, a retired artistic director of the Actors Theatre of Louisville, but he has so far denied being the man behind the

At A Glance WHAT: Anton in Show Business WHERE: La Croix Black Box Theatre WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 through Saturday, Feb. 6 COST: Tickets are $10 general admission.

FYI: Call the Viterbo University Theatre Box Office at (608) 796-3100 or BoxOffice@viterbo.edu. nom de plume.

“It’s an open secret at this point,” said Gardiner, who has met Jory and spoke highly of his accomplishments. “He started the Humana Festival of New American Plays which has brought out a lot of new plays.”

In Gardiner’s view, Anton is both funny and insightful into what actors/actresses have to go through.

“Strange directors, producers who talk forever, insecurities,” said Gardiner. “Critics who wouldn’t be considered on gum writing theatre reviews that are taken as written-in-stone truth.”

Not unlike the show in the play, Gardiner confesses it has been a frantic venture with putting this production together.

Continued on Page 10

After an emotional end to 2009, the La Crosse Community Theatre makes a triumphant return with its heartwarming production of Driving Miss Daisy. The Tony Awardwinning play written by Alfred Uhry follows the development of an unlikely friendship between the stubborn Miss Daisy Werthan and her gentle African American chauffeur, Hoke. Through a series of vignettes, the play spans the 1940s, Civil Rights era and beyond.

The roles were most notably portrayed on film by Jessica Tandy, who won an Academy Award, and the great Morgan Freeman.

Expectations were high, but a calm and collected cast of three gave a nearly sold-out auditorium 90 minutes of pure magic. Suzanne Young shined as the strong yet delicate Miss Daisy Werthan, gliding around the stage with grace and elegance. Young successfully captured the character’s digression, as the name Daisy suggests, like a wilting flower slowly losing its beauty and vigor.

As Miss Daisy’s concerned and loving son Boolie, Sean McDevitt commanded the stage with his booming voice and larger than life personality.

However, it was William E. Hicks’ portrayal of the compassionately naïve chauffeur Hoke that swept a wave of hope throughout the audience. As Hoke, Hick’s perseveres through Daisy’s initial unabashed outbursts

My Reality?

of annoyance but shows softness as the years progress and Daisy adapts to him.

All three actors captured the aging of their characters throughout the 25 years, but the digression would have been more effective had it not been so abrupt. A gradual wearing away of character would have stirred more emotion in the audience.

Young and Hicks create beautiful moments together, and the opening-night audience seemed captivated by the scenes inside the many vehicles Miss Daisy owned throughout the years. The stage is too small to fit an actual car, so the actors used pantomime and sound cues to suggest reality.

Director Greg Parmeter should be applauded for his skillful crafting of this beautiful story, transporting the audience through simple yet tumultuous times in American history. Dillon McArdle designed a visually pleasing set using donated antique furniture and brought life to simplicity with his beautiful lighting. Kevin Laumbach masterfully transformed the auditorium into the various locales around Atlanta, Georgia through sound, while Leslie Bates beautifully transformed the characters through costume.

Driving Miss Daisy is a show that brings us hope, warmth, laughter and tears. In the words of Boolie Werthan, “Driving Miss Daisy is sure a doodle.”

The show continues its run at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4-6 and Feb. 11-13 and 2 p.m. Feb. 7 and 14.

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Second Supper

February 4, 2010 // 9

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Let us help you find a location: visit uscellular.com or call 1-888-BUY-USCC Things we want you to know: New two-year agreement (subject to early termination fee) and credit approval required. A $30 activation fee may apply. Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee applies; this is not a tax or government-required charge. Additional fees, taxes, terms, conditions and coverage areas apply and vary by plan, service and phone. Use of service constitutes acceptance of the terms of our Customer Service Agreement. See store for details or visit uscellular.com. BOGO: Buy one handset and get a second handset for free. Mail-in rebate and activation required on each handset. Promotional Phone subject to change. U.S. Cellular Visa Debit Card issued by MetaBank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Allow 10–12 weeks for processing. Card does not have cash access and can be used at any merchant location that accepts Visa debit cards. Card valid for 120 days after issued. Premium Mobile Internet Plan is $19.95 per month. Application and data network usage charges may apply when accessing applications. Mobile Broadband on 3G Network only available with select handsets. Users can expect an average download speed of 768Kbps and an average upload speed of 200Kbps. ©2010 U.S. Cellular.

10// February 4, 2010

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Second Supper

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Continued from Page 8

“We only had two weeks to put the show together,” he said. “Normally we have five weeks. We’ve done it with bare bones.”

Though the rehearsal time may have been shorter than most productions, Gardiner said that the actresses involved in the production have really pulled together.

“I chose [the play] because it gives balance and the actors challenges in the seven roles,” Gardiner said. “We have two freshmen, two sophomores and three seniors in the show and they are all doing great with the challenges.”

For Gardiner, the play highlights one of his chief beliefs about the theatre and the arts in general.

“Most countries are known not by who owned their banks,” he said, “but their arts/ artists. Theatre makes you use your imagination. Film straps you in the rollercoaster to let you sit back and be taken on a ride. In theatre, they ask you do a little work.”

And that fact, that theatre both challenges and engages its audience, makes it a vital thing.

“It matters a lot,” he said. “Without it, a country would be bereft.”

Visit us online at www.secondsupper.com

The Advice Goddess

By Amy Alkon amy.alkon@secondsupper.com

Buddy heat

I was a woman-using jerk in my 20s, but I mended my ways, stopped chasing arm-candy and sought a relationship with substance. This woman from college supplies exactly what I should want. However, on our first date, she said her last boyfriend cheated on her, and she's "quit playing the game." She's also chosen a lifestyle as "one of the guys," even talking and carrying on like them. (A lesbian soccer team mistakenly invited her to join.) Instead of trying to entice me, she was blunt on date one, challenging me to accept or reject her as a girlfriend. She even put out with no work from me. We do have many shared interests, and started a relationship, but something's missing. Maybe if she'd been more mysterious, a little hard-to-get, I'd be more into her.

Or, if she'd dress sexy instead of jocky-frumpy.

When I've gingerly addressed these issues, she thinks I'm trying to "modify" her. I guess she has this fairytale script where Superman sweats being with Frumpy Betty because he's "so deep." But, I'm not Superman — just a typical dude whose wandering mind keeps getting infatuated with girls who are smiley-cute and flirty.

— Trying When people ask, "So, how'd you two lovebirds meet?" you don't want them guessing your answer will be something along the lines of "Standing next to each other at the urinal."

Some women find a nice guy; some women just become one. Unfortunately, a woman won't keep a guy from cheating on

315 fifth avenue south • over the co-op www.pfc.coop

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her by wearing Carhartt or buying her lingerie in packs of three in the men's department. Some guys do like the sportier girls — the kind who camp and wear boots made for walking, and not just for those perilous 26 steps from the car to the restaurant. But, even for those guys, there have to be hints of girlyness enough so you can tell who's the girl and who's the boy without doing a look-see down everybody's Levis. Besides, as you surely know, it's hard enough being faithful to a really sexy woman, let alone one whose idea of staging a seduction involves undoing the top button of her flannel work jacket and burping suggestively.

Men like to chase things. They're the hunters of the species. They don't like to be gathered. But, we live in modern times! Yes, we do, but psychologically, we're all still living in the cave. So, you want to want your girlfriend, but she never even gave you the chance to try to deal her into bed. All it took was complying as she dragged you there.

Then this relationship fell on you like the house in "The Wizard of Oz." You never got to experience falling for her (which probably wouldn't have happened anyway, considering she shops exclusively in The I Don't Care Collection, and had an entire lesbian soccer team under the impression that the last thing she wants to do is attract a man).

As bad as you feel about being with girls for their hotitude alone, you aren't a better guy for sticking with this one for her lack of it. In fact, this supposedly noble act of yours has unhappy ending written all over it. A wiser, kinder approach is coming up with six or seven bare minimums for what you need in a partner — the stuff you can't live without, from looks to character. You can have a relationship of substance — once you admit that it has to include substances like lipgloss, and a girlfriend who can get in touch with her feminine side without hiring a private detective.

Gone with the windy

I'm still in contact, via e-mail, with a guy I met on a dating site a year ago. We went out twice, on a platonic basis. We've discussed making plans for this weekend. If he doesn't call, I may go out with another guy. Because I don't feel as strongly about the newer guy, should I first find out what feelings, if any, the dating site guy has for me, and discuss that? I'd feel like a bit of a "cheat" if something happened with guy number two.

— Conflicted Here you are, two lovers, torn asunder by fate — or rather, the fact that one lover totally forget about the existence of the other until he got a little high and dry on JDate.

What do you tell guy number one? Well, first you wait for him to call. Then, if he asks you out, tell him a time that works for you.

Period. Men are not known as the chattier sex. In fact, it's usually safe to assume they don't want to talk about it. Even if they're in a relationship with you. And especially if they're in a relationship with you that's best described as "We're still in contact, via e-mail."

Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, at AdviceAmy@aol.com or Second Supper, 614 Main St., La Crosse, WI 54601. (c) 2010, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved.

Second Supper

February 4, 2010 // 11

MUSIC

music directory // February 5 to February 11 FRIDAY,

Madison

February 5

population

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Headstone Jam f/ The Gravel Road Band, The Smokin' Bandits, Clock, Dan Berger and friends • 7 p.m.

GENE WEEN BAND // Feb. 11 High Noon Saloon • $20

Don Harvey (acoustic) • 5 p.m.

DAEDELUS, NOSAJ THING // Feb. 15 Majestic Theatre • $10

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Don Harvey (acoustic) • 10 p.m

LOTUS // Feb. 19-20 Majestic Theatre • $18

JB'SSPEAKEASY // 717 Rose St. Porcupine, Dream 13 (rock) • 10 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. Love Hate Hero, Four Letter Lie, Of Machines, Sleeping With Sirens, Before We Fall (post-hardcore) • 7 p.m ANIMAL HOUSE // 110 N. Third St. 3 Beers Til Dubuque (variety) • 10 p.m.

SATURDAY,

February 6

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. Matt Ray & Those Damn Horses (Americana) and The Beef Slough Boys (Bluegrass) • 8:30 p.m.

TREMPEALEAU HOTEL // 150 Main St. Coyote Crossing (classic country/ bluegrass) • 8 p.m.

MARY OF ANGELS CHAPEL // 901 Franciscan Way

La Crosse Chamber Chorale (A Bluegrass Mass”) • 7:30 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. Cities Never Sleep, Gun Barrel City, Conscious Limit, When Skylines Fade (pop-punk) • 7 p.m.

JBS SPEAKEASY // 717 Rose St. Perverse Engineers with Thundersnake and jEHAD (ROCK!) • 10 p.m.

208,054

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA // Feb. 10 Barrymore Theatre • $23

PEARL STREET BREWERY // 1401 St. Andrew St.

THE JOINT // 324 Jay St. Tendrill (rock) • 10 p.m.

just a roadie away

There’s no better way to celebrate the life of Randy Hembd than jamming in a club and rocking out. Hembd, a beloved local musician and mentor to many musicians in the La Crosse scene, passed away in 2003, and a tiny gravestone on French Island is the only marker to his life. Randy’s son, local guitar player Lucas Hembd, wanted to change that, and he organized Headstone Jam at the Popcorn Tavern this Friday, Feb. 5 — what would have been Randy’s 55th birthday. Four bands affiliated with the late guitar player are on the bill: Gravel Road, Clock, Dan Berger & Friends and the Smokin’ Bandits (pictured). The music begins at 7 p.m., and a $5 donation is suggested. All proceeds will go toward purchasing a gravestone befitting a beloved musician, father and friend.

NIGHTHAWKS TAP // 401 S. Third St. Kaitlyn's 1st Big Show • 10 p.m.

THE STARLITE LOUNGE // 222 Pearl St. Latin Vive (Latin jazz) • 8 p.m.

BRUISERS // 620 Cass St. Blackwater (funk/soul) • 8 p.m.

ANIMAL HOUSE // 110 N. Third St. T.U.G.G. (alternative reggae) • 10 p.m FEATURES // 1425 Hwy. 16 (West Salem) U2Zoo (U2 tribute band) • 9 p.m.

THE ARTERIAL // 1003 S. 16th St. Paxico (rock) • 9 p.m.

THE JOINT // 324 Jay St. Fayme Rochelle & The Waxwings (old-timey) • 10 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Nicholas Mrozinski and the Feelin Band (“Conscious Global Pop”) • 10 p.m.

SUNDAY,

February 7

NEUIE'S NORTH STAR // 1732 George St. The Fabulous Baloney Skins (Super Bowl party) • 2 p.m.

MARY OF ANGELS CHAPEL // 901 Franciscan Way

La Crosse Chamber Chorale (“A Bluegrass Mass) • 3 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. The Sunday Blend (jazz) • 10 p.m.

MONDAY,

February 8

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Cheech & Chubba (open jams) • 10 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Shawn J. Wooden (“Ugly Sweater” open jam) • 10 p.m.

TUESDAY,

February 9

THE JOINT // 324 Jay St. SOMA (open jam) • 9 p.m POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Fayme Rochelle and the Waxwings (bluegrass jam) • 8 p.m.

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 Fourth St. S. Jazz jam • 8:30 p.m.

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE // Feb. 26 High Noon Saloon • $12 SHOELESS REVOLUTION // March 3 High Noon Saloon • $10

WEDNESDAY,

February 10

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Derek Ramnarace (Hooch) • 10 p.m POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Mitch’s (open jam) • 10 p.m.

FLIPSIDE PUB AND GRILL // 400 Lang Drive Songwriters in a Row (originals) • 6 p.m.

NIGHTHAWKS TAP // 401 S. Third St. Bad Axe Jam (open jam) • 10 p.m

THURSDAY,

February 11

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St.

Luke Hembd & Cheech (blues) • 10 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Raw Brownies (jam) • 10 p.m.

SPORTS NUT // 801 Rose St. Big Daddy Cade and the Blues Masters (blues) • 8 p.m.

NIGHTHAWKS TAP // 401 S. Third St. Dave Orr's Damn Jam • 10 p.m.

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 Fourth St. S. Open Mic • 8 p.m.

12// February 4, 2010

MUSIC

Oh hi, right now I am listening to the album "Toeachizown" by Dam-Funk. This episode of Gettin' Shuggy With It is the first of what I might make a regular feature. At the end of each month, I will tell you what newish albums I have been playing the pants off of. Do with this self-aggrandizing information what you will.

-"Toeachizown" collects five EPs released digitally in 2009 on the Stone Throw Records label by the L.A. based electro funk maestro.

Dam-Funk rocks a retro '80s synth sound that brings to mind throwback artists like Cybotron, Egyptian Lover and the Arabian Prince, dudes who inspired an awful lot of the old school hip hoppers.

-Animal Collective's EP "Fall Be Kind" has gotten a lot of plays too, pretty much just because they are Animal Collective. Coming off their album rated by many as the tops of 2009, these 5 songs get back into the weirdness a bit that many of the band's older fans feared they had abandoned with "Merriweather Post Pavilion".

-"Teen Dreams" by the guy/girl duo Beach House is some hazy dream pop about which lead singer Victoria Legrand stated in a recent interview, "I'm not gonna lie, we want people to have sex to Teen Dream." Whether or not this album becomes the soundtrack

Second Supper

to your horizontal bop is up to you, but this album is achingly beautiful.

-Charlotte Gainsbourg's "IRM" is indie pop from the daughter of French pop royalty, singers Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin.

Putting out her first album in 1985 when she was only 15, this music veteran and actress in such films as 21 Grams, The Science of Sleep and I'm Not There is joined by Beck, who wrote and produced most of this stunner.

-"The Courage of Others" by the Texas folkrock quintet Midlake is a sweeping epic of Americana featuring quality songwriting, harmonized vocals, and solid musicianship without being flashy, that has gotten under my skin in a big way to add some elegant audio majesty to the winter scenery that I see while looking out my window.

-"There Is Love In You" by electronica wizard Four Tet, his first album in 5 years, picks up the genius that made him a stud in the early part of the 'aughts. Whether you want to label what he does as IDM, minimal techno, or folktronica, he is a beat maker that takes a back seat to nobody.

That oughta be enough of Shuggypop's most played albums of January list. Okaythanksbye!

— Shuggypop Jackson

Shinedown leads diverse bill at Mayo

If the recent Three Days Grace show didn’t have enough guitar feedback, power chords, drum fills, F-bombs or just general hard rock appeal for you, then the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester is hosting the event you need. Shinedown will play there Monday, Feb. 8, along with support acts Puddle of Mudd, Skillet and newcomer Like A Storm.

Like A Storm is a four-piece hard rock/ electronic band that originated in New Zealand. Their first album, 2009’s The End of The Beginning, fully showcases their potential, combining core rock elements with overdubbed instruments such as piano, synthesizer, and (get excited) didgeridoo. The band is rapidly growing in popularity, so this is a chance to see them before they’re plastered all over the radio and MTV.

Following Like A Storm is the Christian alternative rock group Skillet, on tour supporting its eighth studio album Awake.

The album is a continuation of their Grammy nominated 2006 album Comatose, featuring more of a hard rock feel as opposed to the industrial/nu-metal sound of their previous records. The result is a musical maturation that should please fans of bands such as Three Days Grace or Thousand Foot Krutch. For a taste of what this band has to offer, check out the hit singles “Hero” and “Monster.”

If hard rock isn’t really your thing, Puddle of Mudd will flaunting its post-grunge angst on stage right before the headliner. Their latest album, Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate, has all of the catchy

choruses, upbeat melodies and stoner lyrics that any long term fan of the band would have come to expect. The opener “Stoned” and first single “Spaceship” are foreseeable perpetuations of the bands’ tendency to write songs that seem to be begging for Weird Al parodies. The band does, however, showcase a more polished sound from their previous efforts on this release. Songs like “Keep it Together” and “The Only Reason” are among the most moving the band has written. While this is not the magnum opus Puddle of Mudd seems to be capable of, it shows they are headed in the right direction, and that they have a healthy dose of new material that will please fans and newcomers alike.

Last, but most assuredly not least, Shinedown will take the stage with their repertoire of over half a dozen hit singles and the authority that comes from being one of the most reputable hard rock bands in the world. Although they haven’t released an album since 2008’s hit The Sounds of Madness, that isn’t to say the band hasn’t been busy. Along with extensive touring, they have also contributed the song “Her Name is Alice” for the soundtrack to the upcoming Alice In Wonderland film adaptation

by Tim Burton. The soundtrack is entitled Almost Alice and will be released March 2.

Tickets are $35 for general admission standing room on floor level and $29.50 for reserved balcony seat.For ticket information, call (800) 745-3000.

— Jason Crider

Second Supper

Food & Drink Specials Editor's Note: Food and Drink Specials is a free listing for Second Supper’s regular advertisers. For information, call (608) 782-7001.

Sunday

BARREL INN $2.25 for mini pitcher CHUCK'S All day everyday: $1 Doctor, $2 Silos $3 pitchers, $1.75 rails EAGLE’S NEST Open to close: $2 U “Call” it HOWIE’S Happy hour 4 to 9 p.m.; 9 p.m. to close: Night Before Class - $3 pitchers of the beast IRISH HILLS Happy Hour 4 to 7 p.m. daily JB’S SPEAKEASY $1.75 domestic bottles PETTIBONE BOAT CLUB $1 off fried chicken PLAYERS Price by Dice SCHMIDTY’S $6.95 lunch buffet $9.95 breakfast buffet 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER $11 buckets of beers (pregame-close), taco specials during game THE JOINT $2 domestics and rails, 4 to 8 p.m., Shots of Doctor $1 all day, everyday THE HELM All day (everyday!) specials $1.25 Old Style Light, $1.50 LAX Lager/ Light, $1 shots of Dr. THE LIBRARY Sunday Fun Day - Wristband Night TOP SHOTS $5 Pitchers/$2 bottles of Miller products (11-4pm) $2 Corona Bottles, $2 Kilo Kai Mixers , $3 Bloodys (7-1AM) TRAIN STATION BBQ Ask for great eats WHO'S ON THIRD Happy Hour until 10 p.m. $1.50 domestic taps, $2 rails from 10 to close

Monday

BARREL INN Buck burgers BROTHERS $2.50 Blatz vs. Old Style pitchers BODEGA $2 BBQ Pork Sliders CHUCK’S Monday-Friday: Happy Hour 2 to 6 p.m., 50 cents off everything but the daily special Guys’ Nite Out: $1.50 silos EAGLE’S NEST 7 p.m. to close: $1.50 domestic pints, $1.50 rails FEATURES Free beer 5:30-6:30; Free wings 7:30-8:30, Free bowling after 9 HOWIE’S 9 p.m. to close: $3.50 domestic pitchers JB’S SPEAKEASY $1.75 domestic bottles PETTIBONE BOAT CLUB Kids eat free with adult PLAYERS Happy Hour all night long, two-for-one SCHMIDTY’S BBQ sandwich SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER $2 can beer (2-6 p.m.) $11 buckets of beers (6-close) SPORTS NUT Buck Burgers THE CAVALIER Martini Ladies’ Night, James Martini: vodka, triple sec, orange juice THE JOINT $2 domestics and rails, 4 to 8 p.m., Shots of Doctor $1 TOP SHOTS $1.75 Miller/Bud Light Taps, $2.25 MIcro/Craft Taps, $2.50 Cherry Bombs (7-1AM) WHO'S ON THIRD $1 taps of PBR, $1 rails

February 4, 2010 // 13

YOUR GUIDE TO CONSUMPTION Tuesday

BARREL INN Bucket Night, six beers for $9 BROTHERS Wristband night BODEGA 2-Fers, Buy any regularly priced food item and get one of equal or lesser value for free CHUCK’S 50-cent taps domestic, $3 pitchers COCONUT JOE’S $2 Tuesdays, including $2 bottles, import taps, beer pong, apps, single shot-mixers, featured shots, 50-cent taps EAGLE’S NEST 7 p.m. to close: $1.50 domestic pints, $1.50 rails FEATURES Taco buffet 11-2; $1 Pabst bottles and $1 bowling after 9 HOWIE’S 9 p.m. to close: $1 rails, $2.50 pitchers, beer pong IRISH HILLS $2 domestic cans JB’S SPEAKEASY $1.75 domestic bottles PETTIBONE BOAT CLUB 2 for 1 burger night PLAYERS Karaoke @ 10 p.m., 2-4-1 Happy Hour 5 to 10 p.m., all you can drink rail mixers @ 10 p.m.

SCHMIDTY’S Tacos SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER $2 can beer (2-6 p.m.) 12" pizza: $8.99 up to 5 toppings (4-close) SPORTS NUT Tacos $1.25 THE JOINT $2 domestics and rails, 4 to 8 p.m., Shots of Doctor $1 THE LIBRARY $1 domestic taps and rails, one-half price Tequila TOP SHOTS $1.75 Rails, $1.50 Domestic Taps, $3.50 Jager Bombs (7-1AM) TRAIN STATION BBQ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., extra side with sandwich; 4 to 9 p.m., $1 off rib dinner WHO'S ON THIRD Wristband night, includes rails and domestic taps, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $3 call doubles, $2 Bud products

Wednesday

BARREL INN $6 all you can drink taps and rails, 8 to midnight BROTHERS 10-cent wings 9 p.m.-close, $1 Miller High Life bottles, $1.50 rail mixers; new - $2.50 call drinks CHUCK’S $2 Pearl Street Brewery beers COCONUT JOE’S $1.25 for 1 pound of wings, $1 PBR/PBR Light bottles, $1.50 Rolling Rock, $2 jumbo rail mixers, $2.25 Bud Lights, $1 shot of the week EAGLE’S NEST 7 p.m. to close: $1.50 domestic pints, $2 craft pints, $1.50 rails HOWIE’S $5 all you can drink JB’S SPEAKEASY Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

LEGEND’S $1 shot of the week, $4 domestic pitchers, $1.25 1 pound of wings PETTIBONE BOAT CLUB $6.99 AUCE pasta PLAYERS Karaoke @ 10 p.m., 2-4-1 Happy Hour 5 to 10 p.m., $1 Pabst cans, Dr. shots @ 10 p.m.

SCHMIDTY’S Chili dogs SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER Wings, Wings, Wings... $2 off 14: pizza, $2 can beer (2-6 p.m.)

SPORTS NUT 15-cent wings THE CAVALIER $1.50 taps 6 to 8 p.m.

THE JOINT $2 domestics and rails, 4 to 8 p.m., Shots of Doctor $1

BEER

Review

Hopslam Bell's Brewery Kalamazoo, Michigan

In the realm of craft beer drinkers, it’s hard to overestimate the appeal of Bell’s Hopslam. I know people from all over the United States who await the release of this super-seasonal beer like Linus pining for the Great Pumpkin. While many excellent Midwestern beers stay ensconced in the realm of the North, hype got out on the Hopslam, and even where it retails for $25 a six-pack, it still sells out within weeks. Beer blogs gush over it. Rating sites put it at the top of the charts. My out-of-Wisconsin friends beg me to pick up extras, flabbergasted that I can get a sixer for a mere 15 bucks and that it’s still sitting on grocer’s shelves, three weeks after its release. It some ways, Hopslam is the J.D. Salinger of beers. Its greatness is self-evident, but the appeal is no doubt enhanced by its exclusivity. But like longwinded odes to the late, great Salinger, Hopslam deserves all the praise it gets. This is the work of a brewmaster on another realm. It’s not natural to cram a beer with this many hops — over 100 International Bittering Units — nor is normal to make a beer that’s 10 percent alcohol.

But the real anomaly is the flavor: No other beer on the planet tastes so perfect.

After pouring a pint, the Hopslam looks surprising yellow (most imperial IPAs are orange), but it has a nice eggshell head with

decent lacing and good retention. Lifting a glass to the nose — wow! This is what God’s bar must smell like! It would be a dead ringer for pineapple juice, if only citrus could be Appearance: 8 so complex. There are also mandarin orange Aroma: 10 and grapefruit notes, so whatever hop comTaste: 10 bination went into this slam was certainly prime and resin-y. It’s Mouthfeel: 10 not nearly as bitter as the hop content and Drinkability:10 marketing would suggest. In fact, it tastes ineffably sweet — like Total: 48 a sugar donut or cotton candy or, I don’t know, magic fairy sprinkles. Truthfully, few beers in the world can even approach this platform. The mouthfeel is thick, chewy, full-bodied and causes crazy salivation. And it’s drinkable! Way too drinkable, actually, as two Hopslams can light up even the most seasoned booze hound. To that end, the most expensive beer in the liquor store isn’t even overpriced. That would be like scoffing at the entrance fee to heaven.

— Adam Bissen

THE LIBRARY Karaoke, $2 double rails & all bottles TOP SHOTS

SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER Ladies night, 2 for 1 drinks (6-close), $2 can beer (2-6 p.m.)

SPORTS NUT $8.99 12-ounce T-bone THE HELM $1 Vodka Drinks, $1.00 12 oz Dom. Taps, $1.25 12 oz prem. Taps, $3 Orange Bombs THE LIBRARY Beer Pong Tourney and wristband night TOP SHOTS 5 Domestic Bottles for $10, $5 Micro/Import Bottles $11.50, $7 Micro/Craft Pitchers (7-1AM) TRAIN STATION BBQ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Barn burner $7.95; 4 to 9 p.m., Hobo dinner (serves two) $30.95 WHO'S ON THIRD $8.50 Fish Bowls, $2 Miller products

$2 domestic bottles, $2.50 Skyy/Absolut mixers, $2 Dr. shots (7-1am)

TRAIN STATION BBQ Special varies WHO'S ON THIRD Ladies' Night: $2 top shelf, $1 Pink Tacos Everyone: $2.50 bombs, $2 taps, $3 Jack/Captain doubles

Thursday

BARREL INN 25-cent wings, $1 shots of Doctor BROTHERS $5 domestic taps, wells and Long Islands. $1 shots with wristband CHUCK’S Ladies’ Nite Out: $1.50 rail mixers, $2.50 X bombs COCONUT JOE’S Happy Hour 7 to 9 p.m.: $2 for all single shot mixers and all beers.

Wristband Night: $5 college I.D., $9 general public EAGLE’S NEST 7 p.m. to close: $1.50 domestic pints, $2 craft pints, $1.50 rails FEATURES All you care to eat pizza buffet, 11-2 HOWIE’S 9 p.m. to close: $1.25 rails, $1.75 bottles/cans IRISH HILLS $14.95 steak and golf JB’S SPEAKEASY Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

THE CAVALIER All Mojitos $5 THE JOINT $2 domestics and rails, 4 to 8 p.m., Shots of Doctor $1 LEGEND’S After comedy: Pint Night - $1 pints of rail mixers and domestic taps, $2 pints of call mixers and import taps, $3 pints of top-shelf mixers PLAYERS 2-4-1 Happy Hour 5 to 10 p.m., $2 Captain mixers, $1.75 domestic beer, $1.50 rails, $1 Pabst cans @ 10 p.m.

RALPH’S Southwest chicken pita $5 SCHMIDTY’S Tacos

Friday

BARREL INN $4.50 domestic pitchers BROTHERS 3 for all 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.: $3 burger basket, $3 1 pound of wings, $3 domestic pitchers, $3 micro/import taps, $3 anything* that pours (*some items excluded) BODEGA Fish Tacos: 1 / $2.50, 2 / $5.00, 3 / $6.50.

CHUCK’S After-Class $3 Pitchers, $1.75 Rails COCONUT JOE’S Happy Hour 7 to 9 p.m.: $2 for all single-shot mixers and all beers, $2.50 jumbo Captain Morgan mixers, $2.50 jumbo Bacardi mixers (all flavors), $3 Jagerbombs EAGLE’S NEST 3 to 9 p.m.: two-for-one domestic bottles and rail drinks FEATURES All you care to eat fish fry 4-10; unlimited Glow-N-Bowl $9.99 HOWIE’S 9 p.m. to close: $2 Captain mixers, $2 bottles/cans, $3 Jager bombs JB’S SPEAKEASY Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

LEGEND’S $3 jumbo Svedka mixers, $2.50 Corona bottles, $2.50 Cuervo shots

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

GRAY MATTER

14// February 4, 2010

Specials Maze Efflux

Second Supper

'Burns, baby, burns' It's a growth industry

By Erich Boldt

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

By Matt Jones

PLAYERS 2-4-1 Happy Hour 3 to 9 p.m.

SCHMIDTY’S Fish sandwich SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER Friday Fish, $2 can beer (2-6 p.m.)

THE JOINT $2 domestics and rails, 4 to 8 p.m., shots of Doctor $1 THE LIBRARY $3 Bacardi mixers, $3 Long Island iced Teas - any flavor TOP SHOTS $2 Captain Mixers, $2. Long Island Mixers, $3 Effen Vodka Mixers (7-1AM) TRAIN STATION BBQ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Chicken on fire $7.95; 4 to 9 p.m., Bones and briskets $13.95 WHO'S ON THIRD $1 off Three Olives, $2 domestic taps

Saturday

BARREL INN $10 pitcher and pizza BROTHERS $3 Bacardi drinks, $2.75 Bud Light bottles, Bud Light Slapshot Challenge - win prizes CHUCK’S 12 to 3 p.m.: Buy one, get one domestic beer; Holmen Meat Locker jerky raffle COCONUT JOE’S Happy Hour 7 to 9 p.m.: $2 for all single-shot mixers and all beers, $2.50 jumbo Captain Morgan mixers, $2.50 jumbo Bacardi mixers (all flavors), $3 Jagerbombs EAGLE’S NEST Open to close: $2 U “Call” it FEATURES Prime rib dinner 4-10; unlimited Glow-N-Bowl $9.99 HOWIE’S 9 p.m. to close: $2 Bacardi mixers, $2 domestic pints, $1.50 shots blackberry brandy JB’S SPEAKEASY Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

THE JOINT $2 domestics and rails, 4 to 8 p.m., Shots of Doctor $1 LEGEND’S $3 jumbo Svedka mixers, $2 Jonestown shots PLAYERS 2-4-1 Happy Hour 3 to 8 p.m.

SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER 2 for 1 pints/pitches w/ student ID over 21 SPORTS NUT 15-cent wings THE LIBRARY $3 Three Olives Vodka Mixers, $3 Long Island Iced Teas - any flavor TOP SHOTS $5 Miller/Bud Light Pitchers, $2.25 Leinies Bottles (7-1AM) TRAIN STATION BBQ One-half chicken three bones $12.95

Sudoku

Answers below

Win 2 free tickets Shinedown Puddle of Mudd Skillet Like A Storm Monday, Feb. 8 Mayo Civic Center Rochester, Minn.

To enter, send an e-mail to editor@ secondsupprer.com with Shinedown in subject line.

Include name and phone number.

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ACROSS 1 Pal until the end, for short 4 Lesser-known part of a record 9 Attack your peas with a fork, say 13 Longtime Notre Dame coach Parseghian 14 *Author Isaac who sported enormous white mutton chops 16 Low-impact sound 17 Person from Dakar 19 Actress Moreno 20 Number-picking game 21 *He sported closecropped sideburns playing Dylan McKay on TV 23 Rope device that can tow a car 26 "The ___ Not for Burning" (1948 comedic play set in the Middle

Ages) 27 It's a genuine article 28 "___ they do that?"

31 That's a laugh 32 *Flight of the Conchords member with big sideburns 37 Burn quickly 38 *Impersonators grow their sideburns to imitate him 39 Architect Ludwig Mies van der ___ 41 *Motorhead frontman famous for his mutton chops 44 Security measure built into some credit card processors: abbr.

45 "Take ___ a compliment!"

46 Portland-to-Las Vegas dir.

47 It may float over a stadium 50 "___ of Mine" (1991

Answers to Jan. 28 puzzle "Special Effects — with a little extra thrown in"

Genesis song) 52 *Short-lived screen icon who kept his sideburns short 57 Crafts questioned by skeptics 59 Country near the Strait of Hormuz 60 Camden Yards facility 63 "Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes" musical 64 *Charles who had mutton chops before he got older and grew a long white beard 65 Vancouver runner, in 2010 66 Actor Kristofferson 67 Diagnostics 68 Recipe amt.

DOWN 1 Soak in the glory 2 Roll along independently 3 Corporation in 2008 news alongside Freddie Mac 4 Go droopy 5 "This ___ stickup!"

6 It may be in a pickle 7 Australia's national bird: var.

8 Small grove of trees 9 Some campus figures in the '70s 10 Like gamma, in the Greek alphabet 11 Singing cowboy Gene 12 Times to give gifts, briefly 15 Geese formation 18 Mind-boggling time

22 Professor of board games?

24 Actor McBride 25 Apiary offerings 27 Hooker and Maxx 29 Lawrence with a bubble machine 30 607, in Rome 31 He'll agree to anything 33 Military strength 34 Cheery tune 35 "Hold up just a second!"

36 1980s Saturday morning cartoon characters who lived underwater 40 Before, to poets 42 Team leaders, initially 43 Metric opener 47 Singer with the 2001 album "Vespertine" 48 Worse, like some excuses 49 Singer Coppola 51 Have dinner 53 It coordinates the USAF and USN 54 Part of QED 55 Suffix with million 56 "___ the perfect time!"

58 Pass over 61 Wasted 62 Nav. rank For answers, call (900) 226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Or to bill to your credit card, call (800) 655-6548.

Reference puzzle #0452.

Second Supper

February 4, 2010 // 15

THE LAST WORD

Out in Left Field

By Jacob Bielanski jacob.bielanski@secondsupper.com

“I think they wanted to stop using the word ‘liberal,’” says Lori of the Interfaith Justice and Peace Group. “But I don’t know why — I’m a ‘liberal.’”

It may be a naïve question to ask what values constitute a “progressive,” but it’s a question that becomes more poignant after walking through the doors of the Concordia Ballroom and into the Coulee Progressives’ State of the Union gathering Jan. 29.

While Lori attests to the progressives’ leftward slant, the word hasn’t always met such clear criteria. Initially the Progressives were formed by Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt — his Progressives were to 1912 Republicans what the Green Party was to 2000 Democrats.

The interests represented by the gathering certainly represent progress toward various liberal ends. But none as diverse as the UW-La Crosse Progressives, whose table is a plethora of anti-nuclear weapons fliers, anti-“clean” coal pamphlets and naked men.

The latter refers to the UW-L Progressive’s

risqué calendar, entitled “Green is Sexy,” which shows various tasteful nudes doing — well, various benign, “green” activities.

“We have a lot of causes, so our members can pick one that feels comfortable to them,” notes Elizabeth Ward of the UW-L Progressives.

While the UW-L Progressives may have had a plethora of causes, at least their goals don’t seem fundamentally opposed. In attendance was the "Lacrosse Area Freethought Society," which tolerates — according to their Web site — a broad range of viewpoints on issues such as politics, education and everything, provided that you “lack a belief in a god.” La Crosse Freethinkers, meet your fellow progressives, the Interfaith Justice and Peace Group (awkward).

While these booths failed to answer questions about what a progressive truly is — whether it’s a political entity, a social entity or just a bunch of like-minded folks — it was clear that they still needed a cause.

So, what was the Root Note advocating?

Noble is the person who fights for a quiet, comfortable place that serves coffee, provides free wireless internet and supports the arts, but progressive seems to be a bit of a stretch.

What about the Mississippi Valley Conservancy? Since 1997, it has performed fantastic work coordinating efforts with communities and landowners that have resulted in the conservation of over 11,000 acres of land in the Coulee Region. But they are not a force for change, per se; in fact, one might posit that the MVC would like if things stayed the exactly same for many, many years to

come.

Perhaps that’s the problem: it’s not that we need to progress toward certain ends, but toward a different mindset. We need to approach conservancy as a coordinated effort of private and public interests, instead of a government land-grab; we need to change how we define a successfully run business; we need to make green “sexy,” coal dirty, and war the exception.

But what happens when the progressives’ progress has been made? War is a thing of the past, coal companies have thrown up their arms and given all their workers a severance, and the entire Mississippi Valley — from St. Croix to New Orleans — is officially reserved only for canoes and bald eagles. What will the Progressives' convention then look like? I imagine the Concordia Ballroom a decade from now, filled with Mississippi Valley development advocates, local franchise owners, cheap energy advocates; people disenfranchised by the now “old” way of looking at things, desperately trying to push for change. They would be the progressives and the Progressives would have long become — gasp! — “the establishment.”

A person needs a beer to take in all of this. Meandering through the dimly lit ballroom, one quickly learns that special interest groups in Washington are lying to us at every turn. Many organic dairy farms — one tri-fold board purports — are actually thinly veiled corporate operations, instead of being verdant, bovine paradises.

“We ARE progressive,” asserts Shannon Nelson of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG). Shannon seems

excited, and with good reason: Her organization is one of the few in the room whose causes have seen — or are going to soon see — real political results.

Exhibit A is high-speed rail. Many groups, including WISPIRG, worked at the state and federal levels to try and secure a portion of the $8 billion allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for high-speed rail. On the 27th of January, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Wisconsin would receive $810 million to build a 110-MPG passenger rail from Madison to Chicago by way of Milwaukee.

Another $1 million has been allocated to research the possibilities of a line from the Twin Cities to Madison — hopefully by way of La Crosse. “You’re welcome,” says the Future.

Then there’s Bisphenol A, also known as BPA. WISPIRG has advocated the outright banning of this chemical, an additive placed in plastic products that can leach out and cause anything from early puberty in girls or attention deficit disorder, to heart disease and diabetes. This chemical is commonly found in baby bottles.

The BPA Free Kids Act was introduced in June and — according to Shannon — has already passed both the Senate and Assembly in Wisconsin by large majorities. The act, if passed, will ban any product containing BPA from being sold in Wisconsin.

“To me, a progressive says ‘Let’s do what we need to do in order move forward for society,’” Nelson offers.

That’s a definition that I think even Teddy Roosevelt could agree with.

Downtown La Crosse, above Fayzes - 782-6622

top shots joke of the week Q: What's the job application to Hooters?

Check out our new Beers on Tap!

A: They just give you a bra and say: Here, fill this out.

Good People, Good Drinks, Good Times

SUNDAY

$5 Pitchers $2 Bottles of Miller Products (11-4 pm) $2 Corona Bottles $2 Kilo Kai Mixers $3 Bloody’s (7-1am)

$2.00 - 1 Player, $3.00 - 2 Players 50 Cents Off Drinks, $1 Off Pitchers

MONDAY

$1.75 - Miller/Bud Taps $2.25 Micro/Craft Taps $2.50 Cherry Bombs (7-1am)

Saturday

TUESDAY

$1.75 Rails $1.50 Domestic Taps $3.50 Jager Bombs (7-1am)

WEDNESDAY

$2 Domestic Bottles $2.50 Skyy/Absolute Mixers $2 Dr. Shots (7-1am)

THURSDAY

5 Domestic Bottles 4 $10 $5 Micro/Import Bottles $11.50, $7 Micro/Craft Pitchers (7-1am)

$5 Miller Lite/Bud Light Pitchers $2.25 Leinies Bottles (7-1am)

FRIDAY

$2 Captain Mixers $2 Long Islands $3 Effen Vodka Mixers (7-1am)

16// February 4, 2010

Second Supper

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