Vol. 10 Issue 16

FINAL WEEK TO SELECT BEST OF LA CROSSE • VOTE ONLINE • WWW.SECONDSUPPER.COM

PHOTO BY KENI HANSON

VOLUME 10, NO. 16 | APRIL 29, 2010

Play to Win, Without Losing Your Shirt page 5

PLUS: POP-PUNK PSYCHEDELIA • PAGE 6 | A SOBERING 'SOUTH PARK'• PAGE 15 | BEER FEST THOUGHTS • PAGE 10

[

2// April 29, 2010

Social Networking NAME AND AGE: Nathan Delarwelle, 23 WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Appleton, WI

[

717 Rose St. La Crosse, WI 608-796-1161

FRI. 4.30

Lollipop Factory with Jehad and One Man Dan

SAT. 5.1

CURRENT JOB: Cook at John's Bar DREAM JOB: Talk show host Mike Patton

IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Parana, Brazil WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Travel a lot

FRI. 5.7

IF A GENIE GRANTED YOU ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR? To be a member of the Wu-Tang Clan CELEBRITY CRUSH: Salma Hayek

FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO: Bodeans (when I was very young with my mother) WHAT IS YOUR BEVERAGE OF CHOICE? Chocolate milk WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? Dune (again) TELL US YOUR GUILTIEST PLEASURE: The Smiths WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? Weak tippers TELL US A JOKE: Why doesn't a chicken wear pants? Because his pecker is on his head!

LAST THING YOU GOOGLED:

Perverse Engineer with Orphan Bloom and Kentucky Belt Fight

Shot to Hell with Donoma and The Blood Shot

Second Supper

WHAT'S THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? Orange juice WHAT'S IN YOUR POCKET RIGHT NOW?: Magic WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF SECOND SUPPER? Beer reviews HOW DO YOU KNOW PATRICK (LAST WEEK'S SUBJECT)?

From the woods

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 Student Editor: Emily Faeth emily.faeth@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, Erich Boldt, Nick Cabreza, Brett Emerson, Jake Groteuschen, Shuggypop Jackson, Matt Jones, Carolyn Ryan, Anna Soldner, Nate Willer Second Supper is a weekly alternative newspaper published by Bartanese Enterprises LLC, 614 Main St., La Crosse, WI 54601

— Shuggypop Jackson, shuggypop.jackson@secondsupper.com

My Reality?

We put those ATM fees back in your pocket.

I‘ve got money, I never carry cash.

With Altra Plus Checking, you can get up to $20 in ATM fees refunded every month and earn an outrageously high dividend on the money in your account.

Ask us how.

• No minimum balance required • No monthly service charge

Open 7 days a week inside Festival Foods, La Crosse

608-787-4500 • www.altra.org

fits my life

Membership eligibility required. A+ Checking available for personal accounts only. The use of four free Altra technology services is required to receive ATM refunds and dividend rate. ATM fee refunds available for withdrawals made from A+ Checking. Dividends calculated and paid each calendar month on the daily balance. Please contact Altra for complete account details.

Second Supper

Things To Do See a big show

The Top

Things Milwaukee has going for it 1. The Bucks 2. Summerfest 3. Braun, McGehee & Fielder 4. Has elected 3 Socialist mayors 5. Lakefront Brewery 6. Thurman’s 15 7. Riverwest Shows currently on television 1. Breaking Bad 2. Treme 3. Lost 4. South Park 5. Desperate Housewives 6. Archer 7. Always Sunny in Philadelphia

April 29, 2010 // 3

FIRST THINGS FIRST

So it’s Thursday and you still have no idea what to do on Saturday night, well have we got a suggestion for you! Grab a few friends and head on over to Impluse. It's normally billed as a dance club, but on Saturday night they are featuring a fantastic lineup of hip-hop, reggae and rock artists from around the area. Nick Shattuck, Hyphon, T.U.G.G. and out-of-towner F. Stokes will all be performing. Shattuck, Hyphon and T.U.G.G. play in and around La Crosse regularly, but F. Stokes is a hip-hop artist from Chicago. He sounds a bit like Jay-Z but with a bit more experimental beats. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and is totally FREE. So no matter your budget you can afford this show. And if you’re lucky you may catch a Spartan or Lady Spartan wandering about the club.

1

Get fit

Still not ready to hit the beach in your new swimwear, or just looking for an active way to spend this weekend? Hop, skip or jump your way down the La Crosse Center on Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and get yourself registered for the La Crosse Fitness Festivals. The festival will run through the weekend.

Events include a bike tour, 5k run/walk, marathon, half-marathon, fitness expo and a marathon relay. This is the second annual La Crosse Fitness festival and it is geared towards everyone, regardless of age or fitness ability. So even if you can’t quite break the three-hour mark on your marathon, head on down and check out some of the other events. You and your body will not be disappointed.

2

Rock out for radio

Is there any better way to cap off a nice drive through the Coulee Region than having a cold one and listening to music? We think not. So if you find yourself in Viroqua on Saturday evening stop into the Viking Inn and head upstairs to support WDRT 91.9 at their Spring Benefit Bash. They will have food and beverages available and are asking for a $10 donation. Ted Parrish’s Bad Axe Blues Band and Jfar Coretet will be wailing away all evening, so have a blast and show some love for community radio.

3

Give it up for the Earth

Friday marks the final day of April, which also make it the last day of La Crosse Earth month. And what a month it was! A full slate of events filled the La Crosse social calendar (as well as the Second Supper entertaintment calendar) for 30 awesome days this year. It was an impressive display of envionrmental activism and community building, so get out on the last day of the month and hoot it up! Fittingly, Earth Month concludes with an event at the Myrick Hixon EcoPark, the new building could be the center of a greener La Crosse for years to come. Hans Meyer, the popular local children's singer, will perform a concert with songs from his CD "It's Our World: The Green Album." Coming from a genuinely talented and original musician, these songs aren't only for kids. Admission is free, but due to limited space, reservations are suggested, so go to the Nature Center to pick up tickets in advance.

And to get in the spirit of things, round up the whole family for a bike ride down to the park. Because even though May is just around the corner, every month is Earth Month!

4

4// April 29, 2010

Second Supper

COMMENTARY

The WisPolitics.com Stock Report

RISING Russ Decker

CLASSIFIEDS FREE RENT: Campus Housing, 4 & 5 bedroom units, single bedrooms available. Contact (608)7823776 and ask about our “free rent” special!

2 AKC registered English Bull Dogs for free, if interested contact; rioandy123@gmail.com

KJOME RENTALS Ready to Move in?

Two-Bedroom

612 S. 7th St., La Crosse $650.00 Heat Included, Laundry, Storage, Parking

Studio

313 Main St., Onalaska $425.00 Heat Included, Parking All Month to Month Leases Cats Welcome!

1-877-452-2155 Toll Free #

Come Home To The Best!

Insiders say one thing was clear this session — nothing got done without Russ Decker’s support. Veteran legislative observers say the Senate majority leader often dictated not only what happened in his house but what went on in the Assembly as well, repeatedly outmaneuvering his less experienced counterparts. From payday lender legislation down the line, Decker often got more than what he had to give up. Insiders say Decker picked out a path that exposed his vulnerable members to fewer bad votes, giving him a fighting chance to retain control of the Senate in a toxic environment for Dems. But that also has a downside. Some Dems complain that even with full control of the statehouse and the guv's office for the first time since the 1980s, they have few accomplishments to show for it. There are a lot of unmotivated Dems right now, they say, and in the end Decker chose political expediency.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

The state’s largest business group began the session sounding like an organization hoping to set a kinder, gentler tone with Dems in control of all levers of government. But the group goes out tooting its own horn after beating back the “Clean Energy Jobs Act.” Senate Dems, wary of the political negatives of CEJA, put the final nail in its coffin. But insiders credit WMC with setting up its demise. The group organized businesses statewide to oppose the bill, ran radio ads across Wisconsin and put together an aggressive phone campaign to target lawmakers. The group's rhetoric and lobbying also helped spur a drumbeat of pressure from conservative Milwaukee talk radio on key Democrats in conservative districts like Jeff Plale and Jim Sullivan.

J.B. Van Hollen

The GOP attorney general made eliminating the backlog of DNA samples at state crime labs a centerpiece of his 2006 campaign. And he delivers on that pledge, announcing his agency has successfully wiped it out. Critics note Van Hollen had originally promised to do the job with existing DOJ resources and say some credit should go to lawmakers and Gov. Jim Doyle, who delivered the additional help. Others say that’s a minor detail, and all that matters to the public is that Van Hollen delivered on his pledge and did it well ahead of his re-election campaign kicking into gear.

Van Hollen also scores wins with another pharmaceutical company settlement and the legislative death of proposed election changes that he railed against for its voter fraud potential. Insiders on both sides say the AG is a good bet for re-election at this point, though some Dems hope the antiincumbent mood pulsating through the public can give him some trouble this fall.

Reporters

Lawmakers send the guv legislation that would afford the media new protections from having to reveal their confidential sources in court. The shield law would allow judges to order reporters to disclose confidential information only when it is “highly relevant” to a case or critical to one party’s argument. Some complain it will make it too hard to obtain key information in certain suits. But media advocates praise the legislation, saying the protections will help the media in its watchdog role.

MIXED Jim Doyle

The outgoing guv snags a few wins as the final legislative session of his governorship winds to a close. But insiders don’t see any big legacy-building victories and say he suffered a serious blow when all his administration's efforts to pass the “Clean Energy Jobs Act” go up in flames. Doyle has tried to stake claims to being an education and health care guv, and he finally gets some movement from the Legislature on a bill supporters hope will bolster the state’s application for federal “Race to the Top” funds. His BadgerCare expansion also wins final approval, checking off another item on his to-do list, and lawmakers sign off on his “Green to Gold” manufacturing business loan program. But his calls for a constitutional amendment to allow targeted property tax relief, mayoral control of Milwaukee schools, RTAs and the anti-global warming bill go nowhere. Insiders say part of that stems from Doyle’s failure to cultivate any real relations with lawmakers during his two terms in office, especially powerful Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker. They say that was underscored when the Legislature approved a resolution to honor Lt. Gov. Barb Lawton for her service but didn’t bother with a similar one for the guv. When he needed help on big-ticket items, he didn’t have the necessary relationships to close a deal, insiders say. Some also chalk up Doyle’s problems to his status as a lame duck. He overreached when he's not on the ballot while everyone else is and tried too hard with a Legislature that’s way too timid, one Dem says.

Jeff Plale

Enviros go looking for someone to blame for the demise of the “Clean Energy Jobs Act,” and the South Milwaukee Dem becomes the chief scapegoat. He also draws a primary opponent over the issue, but insiders say he shouldn’t have too much to worry about come fall. And opposing the CEJA likely bought him some cover from conservative talk radio, which would have inevitably teed off on him over the issue had it passed with his support. While the liberal wing of the Dem Party hasn’t always been enamored with Plale, insiders say he's been able to bond with the moderate-to-conservative Dems that make up a good swath of his district.

FALLING Jeff Wood

The soap opera that has been Jeff Wood finally comes to a close as the Legislature adjourns for the session and Dems and Republicans begin fight over his seat Wood is sentenced to 45 days in jail after he reaches a plea deal in Columbia County to settle the first of his three arrests on suspicion of OWI between 2008 and 2009. The Assembly then follows that up by censuring Wood for his arrests after Dems turned back GOP attempts to expel Wood from the body.

Critics trash Dems for protecting someone they consider to be a threat to the public and charge they’ve tarnished themselves by going to bat for someone who doesn’t deserve it. On his way out, Wood provides ammo to his critics. He complains in the final week that lawmakers were voting on his punishment in the wee hours of the morning — just days after his effort to force a vote on his fate failed in the wee hours of the morning. And he storms the Capitol pressroom to scream at an Associated Press reporter. Others counter Wood obviously has problems and deserves a helping hand.

Enviros

It turns out to be a downer of an Earth Day for many Wisconsin enviros, as a slimmed-down "Clean Energy Jobs Act" gets shelved on the Legislature's last day.

Despite Dem control of both houses of the Legislature and the guv’s office, the environmental lobby and its elected allies not only can’t push through CEJA, its crown jewel, but also fail to get a Natural Resources Board-appointed DNR secretary and groundwater protections. Insiders consider those failures a severe blow to the environmental community, chalking them up to a series of reasons. Some say the lobby has been too inflexible, wanting everything on their wish list and being unwilling to accept compromise. Breaking up the CEJA into smaller parts could have produced some significant wins, some say. Others say the lobby was a victim of the times. With the state still struggling to emerge from the recession and people focused almost entirely on jobs, it was a bad time to push anything that could be seen as a threat to the economy. Still others contend enviros simply got outworked on CEJA rhetoric, saying the public viewed it as a jobs killer, not the jobs creator supporters tried to make it out to be.

Medical marijuana

Backers believe they had the public on their side. But medical marijuana never even really got out of the starting gate this session, failing to emerge from committee. Madison-area Dem backers Rep. Mark Pocan and Sen. Jon Erpenbach lament the setback in a letter to supporters, noting the progress that’s been made on the issue and promising to keep up the fight.

Observers say while the public may be on board with medical marijuana, lawmakers are still uneasy about embracing it.

Second Supper

April 29, 2010 // 5

Local league offers poker, the legal, low-stress way

By Adam Bissen

adam.bissen@secondsupper.com

On a recent Monday evening at the Arena Sports Bar, around 40 people sat around felt-topped poker tables, peering at their cards and tossing in chips. From the looks of things, this should probably be illegal. Games of chance with money on the line are — *wink* wink* — prohibited by law in 49 states, but no one here has anything to hide.

This game is sanctioned by the Midwest Poker League, a new organization in the La Crosse area with eight different games around town. Players pay no entrance fee and buy no chips, but they compete for final prizes — including all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas for the winner of next month’s regional final.

In return, bar owners pull in a small crowd on what’s often a slow night. “This is not just a get-people-drunk business. …

We want to give them entertainment,” said Troy Tuma, who works at the Arena and often joins in on the games.

Prior to hosting a weekly poker game, the Arena wasn’t even open on Mondays.

Like a lot of bars, it had tried hosting a cash game for a few poker players, but the turnout was low, and with real money on the line, gamblers aren’t often heavy drinkers.

And there was another hitch. Hosting a poker game with money at stake is technically illegal (although the La Crosse Police Department didn’t return a message seeking comment). Dozens of establishments in the area still host cash games, but there’s always a risk for a bust. “The fact of the matter is there’s a 15-year prison sentence hanging on top of your head,” Tuma said.

The Midwest Poker League officially began in March, although it hosted test games last November to judge local interest. Free poker leagues are common in most states — and especially popular in Minnesota — but the Coulee Region was slow to catch on, said Brent Roraff, the league’s regional manager.

“It seems like there’s a poker league

of some sort in just about every state in the country — except for maybe Nevada, because they can get away with it,” Roraff said. “We saw that there was a need, and we wanted to give people the opportunity to come in and just play.”

For a business model, the Midwest Poker League charges bars $100 per night to host a game, which often lasts around three hours. Players are given 1,500 worth of chips just for walking in, but if they prepurchase $10 worth of product — usually food or drinks — they are given an extra 1,000 in chips.

Midwest Poker League games are held Monday nights at the Arena Sports Bar, Tuesday nights at Logan Bar, Wednesday nights at Days Hotel and Sloopy’s Alma Mater, Thursday nights at the Adams Street Pub, Saturday afternoons at Cruz-in Pub and Eatery and Sundays at the Northside Oasis and Howie’s.

Over 130 people have played in league poker games this year, Roraff said. Players can compete at any and all sites, and running statistics are tabulated to determine seats for the regional final on May 24. The winner of that tournament will be given airfare and a hotel stay in Las Vegas, as well as entry to a $10,000 satellite tournament for the World Series of Poker.

Still, players in the Midwest Poker League run the gamut from novices to table rats.

“I’ve played the riverboat and the casinos, but I like this environment because it’s less stressful,” said David Radtke, an accountant. “You don’t put your money on the line. You don’t really have anything to lose, which helps a lot.”

Without any danger of losing one’s shirt, the mood at the poker games is light and congenial. Players know each other, and many travel around and play several games a week.

“If you want to learn to play, this is the way to do it,” said Bill Picket, who was playing last week at the Days Hotel. “It’s free.

You can’t get no cheaper than that.”

Thursday 4.29

Kokopellians Friday 4.30 Steez Saturday 5.1

The Smokin’ Bandits 7 Year Anniversary Party!

6// April 29, 2010

MUSIC

Second Supper

Warehouse to host punk band with a trippy side

By Jason Crider Contributing writer

At a Glance

The Melismatics is a Minneapolis pop punk band that has released four albums since 2001. The band's latest video for the single “Digging Deep” is in regular circulation on both MTV and Fuse, and their music also has been featured on the television shows “Laguna Beach,” “The Hills,” and “Windfall.” The band consists of lead singer, guitarist, and founder Ryan Smith, his wife (nicknamed Pony), who plays guitar and keyboard as well as singing co-lead vocals, bassist Mark Wade and drummer Ron Caron. In a recent phone interview, Ryan Smith described their sound as ranging “from everything from pop-punk to new wave, with some post-rock influences.”

The band released its first album, Postmodern Rock, in 2001, which they recorded in a former member’s mother’s basement.

Soon after, the band signed to Susstones Records, which produced their next two albums, New Infection and Turn It On. After extensive touring, the band acquired recognition from producer John Fields, who has worked with bands such as Switchfoot, Jimmy Eat World, singer Clay Aiken and the Jonas Brothers. Fields produced the band’s most recent effort, The Acid Test, which was released through CC Entertainment/Koch.

When asked about the new album, Smith stated, “the songs in combination with the producer that we worked with kind of gave it a more slick sound than we had ever had before.”

The Acid Test is a 10-song album that never once loses its momentum. The edgy, distorted guitar parts and creative bass lines are effectively counterbalanced by the catchy vocals and tastefully eccentric lyrics, while the drums successfully maintain their energy and inventiveness throughout the entire album. That being said, the album is also very synth driven, which adds quite a

WHAT: Melismatics with 1,2,3 Walrus, Yukon Rudy and Rogue the Wolf WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1 WHERE: The Warehouse, 328 Pearl St.

bit of depth and atmosphere to the songs.

The band is working on a new album, which Smith described as “kind of dancy and psychedelic,” as well as saying “it’s a little more experimental in nature.” They will be releasing the first single from the album, entitled “Your Love is a Poison,” sometime in the near future. “There’s gonna be a music video for it. It’s gonna be a mixture of a couple of concepts, including Tron,” Smith said, “It’s gonna be pretty crazy. ... There are a lot of other elements in there as well.”

When asked about the band’s name, Smith said he got it from the word “melisma,” which is a musical term meaning a single syllable that is sang melodically across several different notes. He said the band had booked a show and the venue owner had given them until the end of the week to pick out a name. On the day it was due, they still didn’t have a name. “I was in a music class that day and randomly chose a word off the test.” They have been The Melismatics ever since.

Smith also said the band is excited to be back in the La Crosse area. “We’re just really looking forward to getting back. ...

We’ve played [the Warehouse] a few times and it’s always been fun.”

The Melismatics are renowned for their lively and exciting live performances.

“Most people say [our shows] are very high energy; we like to put on a show," Smith said. "We’re gonna throw in some new material and play some of our older songs. ...

There’s always a little chaos in the show.”

Second Supper

April 29, 2010 // 7

MUSIC

music directory // April 30 to May 6 FRIDAY,

just a roadie away

April 30

Minneapolis

FREIGHT HOUSE // 107 Vine St. Saner & Gibbons (acoustic pop) • 8 p.m.

population

DEVIN THE DUDE // MAY 13 7th Street Entry • $14.50

HOWIE'S. // 1125 La Crosse St. GB Leighton (rock band) • 9 p.m.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA // MAY 13 First Avenue • $23.50

JB'SSPEAKEASY // 717 Rose St. Lolipop Factor, jEHAD, One Man Dad (heavy rock) • 10 p.m.

REBIRTH BRASS BAND // MAY 14 The Cabooze • $14

MYRICK HIXON ECOPARK // 789 Myrick Dr. Hans Mayer (children's musician, Earth Month celebration) • 6:30 p.m.

NIGHTHAWKS TAP // 401 S. Third St. Sh*tty (softball smoker) • 9 p.m.

PEARL STREET BREWERY // 1401 St. Andrew St.

Travis Oppelt & Garrett Gilbertson (acoustic show) • 5 p.m.

PIGGY'S BLUES LOUNGE // 501 Front St. S. Poppa Roxy (blues) • 10 p.m POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Steez (Creepfunk) • 10 p.m.

BROOKS & DUNN // MAY 14 Xcel Energy Center • $23-$63 If you'd like a little more audio/visual stimulation in your concert-going life, then may we recommend the Art Brothas, who are playing the Root Note this Friday night. Comprised of renowned percussionist The Mighty Joe White and visual artist Brota, the Art Brothas put on a show unlike anything you'll see for a while. While White performs a stomp routine, Brota makes a "reverse painting" on clear Plexiglas, and the result an impresive display of artistic improvisation. For a preview, check out the videos on their MySpace page. The show begins at 8:30 p.m., but come early for a good seat.

May 2

JB'SSPEAKEASY // 717 Rose St. SUNDAY, Perverse Engineer, Orphan Bloom, Kentucky Belt Fight (rock) • 10 p.m.

CONCORDIA BALLROOM // 1129 La Crosse St. New Jolly Swiss Boys (polka) • 1 p.m.

NIGHTHAWKS TAP // 401 S. Third St. The King Everything Classic Rock and POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Blues Review (rock/blues) • 10 p.m.

Som'n Jazz (jazz) • 10 p.m.

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. The Art Brothas (live painting and per- NEUIE'S VARSITY CLUB // 1920 Ward Ave. Sellout (rock) • 9 p.m. cussion) • 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY,

May 3

PIGGY'S BLUES LOUNGE // 501 Front St. S. POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. Shawn's "Roller derby" jam • 10 p.m.

Without Despair, Before We Fall, Be- Poppa Roxy (blues) • 10 p.m hind These Eyes, Miss August, Blank PUMP HOUSE // 119 King St. THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. Image, Rival Era (rock/punk) • 6 p.m.

Willy Porter (Wisconsin pop) • 7:30 p.m. Release the Hounds, Let Live (rock/ THE WATERFRONT TAVERN // 328 Front St. alternative) • 7 p.m.

Dan Sebranek (songwriter) • 8 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. The Smokin' Bandits (7 year anniverTUESDAY, sary party) • 10 p.m.

SATURDAY,

May 1

ALL-STAR LANES // 4735 Mormon Coulee Joe Cody and Friends (rock) • 8 p.m.

FREIGHT HOUSE // 107 Vine St. Saner & Gibbons (acoustic pop)• 8 p.m.

IMPULSE NIGHT CLUB //214 Main St. F. Stokes, T.U.G.G., Nick Shattuck, Hyphon (rock & hip-hop) • 9:30 p.m

387,970

May 4

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. Mark Harrod (acoustic) • Noon

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Fayme & Casey (acoustic) • 10 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. Melismatics, 1,2,3, Walrus, Yukon Rudy (pop-punk) • 6:30 p.m.

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

THE WATERFRONT TAVERN // 328 Front St. Dan Sebranek (songwriter) • 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY,

May 5

KORN // MAY 17 First Avenue • $39.75 BARENAKED LADIES // MAY 17 Orpheum Theatre • $34-$175

RECOVERY ROOM // 901 7th St. S. Dox Phonic (open jam) • 10 p.m.

VITERBO FINE ARTS CENTER // 929 Jackson St. Stay Tuned ("One stage: Five entertainers") • 7:30 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. The Higher, Between the Trees, Goodnight Caulfield, Jamestown story (pop rock) • 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY,

May 6

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

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. TBA • 10 p.m.

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. Open Mic • 8 p.m.

THE STARLITE LOUNGE // 222 Pearl St. Kies & Kompanie (jazz) • 8 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. 16 Volt, Chemlab, Left Spine Down NIGHTHAWKS TAP // 401 S. Third St. The Bad Axe Jam (gear provided) • 10 p.m. (industrial) • 6:30 p.m.

8// April 29, 2010

ARTS

Second Supper

Review: UW-L's 'Eurydice' a quirky take on Greek dramedy

By Jonathan Majak jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

This theatre season at UW-La Crosse, the theatre department has taken audiences to a plethora of places: England in A Christmas Carol and Frozen, a storybook fantasy land in Into The Woods, and now, in their production of Eurydice, audiences are being taken to hell.

Well, Hades to be more exact. In UWL’s quirky production of Sarah Ruhl’s play, the story follows the Greek myth of Orpheus, the god of music, and his new bride, Eurydice, who promptly ends up dying and heading to the underworld, a trip she mostly didn’t put on her wedding gift registry.

Told in a tight, 75-minute, one-act style, the play exists in its own purgatory, floating somewhere between drama and comedy. For the most part, UW-L’s production, under the direction of Mary Leonard, keeps a firm grasp on that nebulous called “dramedy” and the actors deftly handle the blend.

Though ostensibly a reworking of Orpheus’ story to be told from the point of view of Eurydice, Eurydice gets lost a little in the shuffle of the characters.

As Eurydice's father, Adam Petchel brings an easy-going paternal charm to his role and is able to find the perfect tragicomedic tone, especially in his scenes of little

to no dialogue.

Zachary Keenan, as Orpheus, continues to show off his versatility as an actor, doing a 180 from his role as the dim-witted Jack in Into The Woods.

Garrett Flood, as essentially the ruler of the underworld, gets a late dinner in this production as he chews scenery with gusto.

The character, a sort of demented bastard child of Dennis the Menace and Pee-Wee Herman, is a madcap breath of fresh air in the production.

In their roles as essentially the Greek chorus of the show, Amy Nelson, Claire Ganshert and Tim McCarren do not rest on the fantastic costuming done by Joe Anderson but instead harness it to create smart and snide creatures that leave a lasting impression.

In the title role of Eurydice, Shannon McDonald does a competent if slightly static job of the role and isn’t done huge favors by the script that keeps her character in a daze for a large chunk of the show.

In some ways, the biggest star of the show is the set design with its twisty Tim Burton details and a marvelous elevator with a downpour of rain inside.

Overall, its an enjoyable show and its unique charm should be applauded.

LCT unveils 2010-2011 season

By Jonathan Majak jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

After a season of some onstage highs and backstage lows, the La Crosse Community Theatre decided to look toward the future when it held its first annual opening of the season.

Gathered together at Myrick Park’s EcoCenter was a cross section of LCT cast members, board members and fans to hear the shows planned for the 2010-2011 season.

According to LCT Artistic Director Greg Parmeter, this gala was a conscious choice on the LCT to up the fun factor.

“Every year we do some sort of rollout event, usually just some sort of press conference,” Parmeter explained.

This year, he said, the LCT decided to have this style of opening of the season as it would be something fun for patrons of the theatre.

“We hope to make it an every-year event,” Parmeter said.

The LCT brought in a host of people to announce the upcoming season, including LCT theater president Chuck Roth, La Crosse County Administrator Steve O’Malley, and Rep. Jennifer Schilling.

The presenters did their best to deliver a few quips for the crowd.

“I have to read the script,” O’Malley said. “I didn’t remember my lines.”

“The environment I work in is sometimes the theatre of the absurd,” Schilling said.

The 2010-2011 season, dubbed the “Season of Possibilities,” will host a strong mix of plays and musicals.

The patron’s pick for the season is Doubt, about a feud between a nun and a priest when she suspects the charismatic man of molesting a child; the play recently was turned into an Oscar-nominated film starring Meryl Streep.

The musicals for the season are going to be odes to vaudeville and murder: Chicago and the musical that proved that just because you’re in a gang does not mean you cannot snap your fingers in time, West Side Story.

At the presentation, dancers from Misty Dance Unlimited did a routine to “Razzle Dazzle” from Chicago and Jeremy Day and Jen Roberdeau, two stars from LCT’s production of She Loves Me, did a medley of songs from West Side Story.

The fall production will be On Golden Pond, the play whose film adaptation netted screen legend Henry Fonda his only Oscar. The winter production will be Almost, Maine, a quirky reworking of Shakespeare.

The holiday production will be It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

The Advice Goddess

By Amy Alkon amy.alkon@secondsupper.com Bodhi Call

This man I dated for two weeks is sensitive, spiritual, talks with trees, appreciates astrology — basically, my ideal match. But, I think I messed up, repeating bad patterns: I kissed him first and had sex too soon. He called twice at 9:30 p.m., wanting me to come over and see a movie, but we ended up naked again.

I asked him out twice — but only because he often waits till the last minute to decide anything. (I don’t know why one has to play a game of letting the man call.) I also asked if it was safe to open my heart to him. He said, “Why don't you ask your heart that?” That was the last I saw of him. I called him, and he said he didn’t “feel a romantic thing,” and that I’d shared my feelings too fast. Help!! We had a past life together where I was the man and he was the woman, which he himself mentioned, yet now he’s not even sure we can be friends.

— Distressed

No. You didn’t. Two weeks in, you didn’t really ask a guy, “Is it safe to open my heart to you?” Answer: “Only if you open your front door at the exact same time so I can get the hell out of here.”

Forget the old “anything worth having is worth waiting for.” You’re a woman in a hurry. Anything worth having is worth cornering like a trapped animal. Unfortunately, guythink doesn’t work on that timetable. Yeah, he might be sensitive, spiritual, and chatty with trees, but he’s still a guy. The usual rules are in effect.

For best results, you don’t kiss a guy first, you don’t initiate dates, and you don’t chirp “I’ll be right over!” when he calls at 9:30 for a movie date at 9:35. What’s playing? Surprise, surprise, cable’s on the fritz, but he’s got a cell phone camera, and he could shoot you two doing it.

There’s much sneering about game playing as a form of deception, but it’s more of a social intelligence test — a way of signaling people that you’re worth having or hiring. In a job interview, it probably means showing up in a dress and heels instead of your bra and underwear and clown shoes. In dating, “playing a game of letting the man call” is how you

avoid playing the game of begging him to call after he loses interest. You know this, but you diss game playing to give yourself a pass to do what you know doesn’t work, but works for you in the moment: throwing yourself at a guy and hoping against hope you’ll stick. (“Hmmm, maybe if I rub my naked body with Super Glue?”)

This hoohah about who you supposedly were to him in a past life only helps distract you from how you keep coming back in this one: as a bug under a man’s shoe. Do the work to fill the empty places in yourself so you won’t continue these desperate attempts to plug them with a boyfriend. Only when you’re okay alone are you fit to start looking for company. At that point, “playing the game” will come naturally. You won’t have guys calling at the last minute because you’ll seem like a girl who’d be busy — too busy having selfrespect to make like Domino’s and have yourself delivered. Forget whether a guy’s into astrology; it’s whether you have dignity that determines your fate with him — not the fact that you were both born when Capricorn was in 7-Eleven.

Flat Attire

How about my date this past Saturday? He has the potential to be really cute, but I absolutely despise his bland style. How do you approach making someone over?

— Bothered

Does that someone need a new shirt or a new head? Once you have a bit of a relationship with a guy, you can flatter him into a better shirt. (“You know, that Cosby sweater would look so much more attractive in the dumpster!”) But, on a first date, if you’re obsessed with tearing a guy’s clothes off, it should be because you want to see him naked, and not just for that brief moment before he gets into something that meets your dress code. It’s possible you aren’t ready for a relationship, so no guy is right for you — or you’re so desperate for a relationship that you’ll take any guy, then try to turn him into a guy you really want. People say style is a superficial thing — and it is, unless it’s a big deal to you. Ultimately, it isn’t going to work with a guy if your first date fantasy is “You’d be so perfect…if only we lived in a world of total darkness” (“Once you go pitch black, you never go back”).

Amy Alkon's just-published book, "I see rude people: One woman's battle to beat some manners into impolite society" is available from McGraw-Hill ($16.95).

Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, at AdviceAmy@aol.com. (c) 2010, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE "Five Days in the Dark" Nick Cabreza's insightful, 2,789 word review of the Wisconsin Film Festival www.secondsupper.com

Second Supper

The Best Food & Drink Specials in Town LOCATION

April 29, 2010 // 9

YOUR GUIDE TO CONSUMPTION

SUNDAY

To advertise here, call (608) 782-7001 or e-mail us at advertising@secondsupper.com.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

ARENA

Midwest Poker League 7 p.m.

Closed

Wyld Wednesday: $2 Jumbo UV, mixers $1.50 Coronas

Ladies' Night, $5 Long Island pitchers

$1 Cherry Bombs, $1 Keystone Light silos

$1 Cherry Bombs, $1 Keystone Light silos

BODEGA BREW PUB

$2 BBQ Pork Sliders

2-Fers, Buy any regularly priced food item and get one of equal or lesser value for free

$2.50 Coors vs. Keystone pitchers. All specials 9 p.m. to close

AUC2D: $5, domestic taps, rail mix- 10-cent wings, $1 Miller High Life ers, Long Islands. All specials 9 p.m. bottles, $1.50 rail mixers; $2.50 call to close drinks. All specials 9 p.m. to close.

107 3rd St. S. 782-1883 122 4th St. 782-0677

BROTHERS

Closed

306 Pearl St. 784-0522

FEATURES

Free beer 5:30-6:30; Free wings 7:30- Taco buffet 11-2; 8:30, Free bowling after 9 $1 Pabst bottles and $1 bowling after 9

W3923 State Highway 16 786-9000

HOWIE’S

Fish Tacos: 1 / $2.50, 2 / $5.00, 3 / $6.50.

AUC2D: $5, domestic taps, rail mixers and Long Islands. Wristband Night: $2.50 SoCo & Jack. All specials 9 p.m. to close.

$3 3 Olives mixers, $3 Mojitos, $2 $3 Bacardi mixers, $3 Mojitos, $2 Cherry Bombs, $1 Bazooka Joe's; Cherry bombs, $1 Bazooka Joe's.

FAC: $3 domestic pitchers, micro/ All specials 9 p.m. to close. import taps, anything that pours.

4-9 p.m.

All you care to eat pizza buffet, 11-2

All you care to eat fish fry 4-10; un- Prime rib dinner 4-10; limited Glow-N-Bowl $9.99 unlimited Glow-N-Bowl $9.99

1125 La Crosse St. 784-7400

Happy hour 4 to 9 p.m.; 9 p.m. to 9 p.m. to close: $3.50 domestic 9 p.m. to close: $1 rails, $2.50 pitch- $5 all you can drink close: Night Before Class - $3 pitch- pitchers ers, beer pong ers of the beast

9 p.m. to close: $1.25 rails, $1.75 bottles/cans

9 p.m. to close: $2 Captain mixers, $2 bottles/cans, $3 Jager bombs

IMPULSE

Closed

Closed

Karaoke 9 p.m.-Close; Happy Hour daily 5-8

Wine & martini night; Happy Hour daily 5-8

18+ night (1st and 3rd Thursday of each month); Happy Hour daily 5-8

$25 open bar package, 11 p.m. to Happy Hour daily 5-8 close: domestic/import beer, rail, call drinks, martinis; Happy Hour daily 5-8

JB’S SPEAKEASY

$1.75 domestic bottles

SIN Night

$1.75 domestic bottles

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

Northside Oasis 620 Gillette St., 3 p.m.

Howie's 1128 La Crosse St., 8 p.m.

Arena 620 107 S. 3rd St. 8 p.m.

Logan Bar 1400 Caledonia St. 6 p.m.

Sloopy's Alma Mater 163 Copeland Ave., 8 p.m.

Days Hotel 101 Sky Harbor Drive, 8 p.m.

Adams Street Pub 1200 11th St. S. 7:30 p.m.

$1.79 burger (after 8 p.m.)

Breakfast 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hat Night: Buy 1 drink, get 1 free w/ Rail drinks $2 (4:30 to close); Buckets of beer $10, Boston Bobby's Margaritas $4 (Straw, rasp, mango, hat (4:30 to close); $1.50 chili dogs After 8 p.m. specials: $5 skewer of drummies 10 for $2 (4:30 to close), peach and reg); After 8 p.m. specials: (after 8 p.m.) shrimp,l $1.79 burger, $1.50 chili dogs $1.79 burger (after 8 p.m.) $5 skewer of shrimp, $1.79 burger

Breakfast 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

$2 can beer (2-6 p.m.) $11 buckets of beers (6-close)

$2 can beer (2-6 p.m.)

12" pizza: $8.99 up to 5 toppings (4-close)

Wings, Wings, Wings... $2 off 14: Ladies night, 2 for 1 drinks (6-close), Friday Fish, $2 can beer (2-6) pizza, $2 can beer (2-6 p.m.) $2 can beer (2-6 p.m.)

2 for 1 pints/pitches w/ student ID over 21

Buck Burgers

Tacos $1.25

15-cent wings

$8.99 12-ounce T-bone

15-cent wings

$1.50 taps 6 to 8 p.m.

All Mojitos $5

214 Main St. 782-6010

9 p.m. to close: $2 Bacardi mixers, $2 domestic pints, $1.50 shots blackberry brandy

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

717 Rose St. 796-1161

MIDWEST POKER LEAGUE midwestpokerleague@mail.com

SCHMIDTY’S 3119 State Road 788-5110

SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER 163 Copeland Ave. 785-0245

SPORTS NUT

Visit www.midwestpokerleague.com for league updates.

Cruz-in Pub and Eatery W5450 Keil Coulee Road, 3 p.m.

801 Rose St. 784-1811

THE CAVALIER LOUNGE 114 5th Ave. N. 782-2111

THE LIBRARY

Sunday Fun Day - Wristband Night

Half price tequilla, $1 domestic taps Karaoke, $2 double rails & all bottles Beer Pong Tourney and and rails wristband night

123 3rd St. 784-8020

TOP SHOTS

$3 Bacardi mixers, $3 Jumbo Long Island Iced Teas

$3 Jumbo Long Island Iced Teas, $3 3 Olives mixers $5 Miller/Bud Light Pitchers, $2.25 Leinies Bottles (7-1AM)

137 4th St. 782-6622

$5 Pitchers/$2 bottles of Miller $1.75 Miller/Bud Light Taps, $2.25 $1.75 Rails, $1.50 Domestic Taps, $2 domestic bottles, $2.50 Skyy/ products (11-4pm) MIcro/Craft Taps, $2.50 Cherry Bombs $3.50 Jager Bombs Absolut mixers, $2 Dr. shots $2 Corona Bottles, $2 Kilo Kai Mixers (7-1AM) (7-1AM) (7-1am) , $3 Bloodys (7-1AM)

5 Domestic Bottles for $10, $5 $2 Captain Mixers, $2. Long Island Micro/Import Bottles $11.50, $7 Mixers, $3 Effen Vodka Mixers (7Micro/Craft Pitchers (7-1AM) 1AM)

TRAIN STATION BBQ

Ask for great eats

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

Happy Hour until 10 p.m. $1.50 domestic taps, $2 rails from 10 to close

601 St. Andrew St. 781-0005 126 3rd St. N. 782-9467

$1 taps of PBR, $1 rails

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., extra side with sandwich; 4 to 9 p.m., $1 off rib dinner

Special varies

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Chicken on fire One-half chicken three bones $7.95; 4 to 9 p.m., Bones and bris- $12.95 kets $13.95

$3 call doubles, $2 Bud products

Ladies' Night: $2 top shelf, $1 Pink $8.50 Fish Bowls, $2 Miller products $1 off Three Olives, $2 domestic taps Tacos Everyone: $2.50 bombs, $2 taps, $3 Jack/Captain doubles

10// April 29, 2010

Maze Efflux

Second Supper

CONSUMPTION Burn After Reading It's what remains

By Erich Boldt

By Matt Jones

ACROSS

The Beer Review Verrückte Stadt German Pils Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company Madison, Wisconsin

The eighth-annual Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine and Cheese Festival went off without a hitch this weekend, as organizers continue to smooth out wrinkles and develop one of the finer tastings in the Midwest.

While previous BTBs could be generally classified as cluster-like situations, this year’s fest was wisely spread out across the Oktoberfest grounds with multiple tents that eased congestion and shortened lines. Moreover, two local bands, the Smokin’ Bandits and the New Jazz Infidels, commanded an outdoor stage and made the festival a treat for all the senses. And there was beer, too! At least 37 breweries, 12 wineries and five cheesemakers offered up their wares. Once again, hometown hero Pearl Street Brewery was voted the festival’s favorite, but I preferred to sample brews I can’t find in La Crosse — so I made a few stops by the Great Dane, a beloved Madison brew pub whose beers have yet to be bottled. Their Imperial IPA may have

been my favorite beer at the festival, but it ran out before I remembered to take notes.

Thankfully, I also adored this classic German pilsner and scribbled a few thoughts while in the Porta-Potty line.

In a festival that was heavy on ales, the Verrückte Stadt German Pils came off as a mighty refreshing lager. It poured a light straw color, literally see-through, with Appearance: 7 a pure white head that retained good lacing. Aroma: 9 Lifting my sampler glass, I got a whiff of a Taste: 9 perfect pils. There were straw notes with a base Mouthfeel: 7 of honey, all topped with a fine bouquet of Drinkability: 10 noble hops. The taste was also an excellent display of the style, with Total: 42 a daintiness at the front of the tongue that gave way to sweet malts and bursts of lemongrass.

I couldn’t find the alcohol content anywhere, but this seemed like a session beer or a “lawnmower beer” or something you just want to suck down on a beautiful day. And truly it was. I can’t wait to do Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine and Cheese Festival again in 2011, though I may make a couple stops by the Great Dane before the year is though.

Did I mention there’s one in the airport?.

— Adam Bissen

1 Hot spot offering 5 Author Jong 10 Like some water or lemonade 14 Milky gemstone 15 Lose it and run amok 16 Square footage, e.g.

17 Cabo ___ (Sammy Hagar tequila brand) 18 Adrenal, for instance 19 Closes a jacket 20 Loretta Swit's nickname, with "The"?

23 Jimmy Eat World genre 24 Ending for spat or form 25 Tried to buzz off of a fertilizer ingredient?

34 White from fright 35 Not quite right?

36 Rock's ___ Speedwagon 37 Heath bar competitor 38 Minute Maid Park player 39 Kenya's first prime minister Kenyatta 40 ___ in "uncle" 41 "___ Up Style" (Blu Cantrell single) 42 Word before book or opera 43 Meat-and-potatoes dish used to hone your culinary skills?

46 Off-roader of sorts 47 Part of many Arab names 48 Scary creatures that can't be bought with plastic?

56 Assist a criminal 57 How taboos are

Answers to April 22 puzzle Repeat Offenders: It's just overkill

with most people 58 Barney's hangout 60 Guam, for one: abbr.

61 Macbeth was one 62 Yemen neighbor 63 "Caprica" network 64 Subject that may require a permission slip 65 Win over DOWN

1 "That's so cool!"

2 Product that debuted April 3, 2010 3 Race car driver Teo 4 It follows "And" in a Beatles title 5 It might get spiked in December 6 Part 7 Mosque figure 8 "Please?"

9 Totals 10 Type of suit for a chemical spill 11 Operatic solo 12 Weightlifter's units 13 Morse code bit 21 "You won't believe the mess ___..."

22 Fruit in a gin fizz 25 Fill the tank 26 Schindler of "Schindler's List" 27 Yonder objects 28 "___ la vista, baby!"

29 Large jazz combo 30 Olympic "Flying Finn" Paavo 31 Parfumerie's at-

traction 32 Long rides?

33 Turner's title film buddy 38 Ducts 39 His character was killed off after he left "Good Times" 41 Sir Topham ___ ("Thomas the Tank Engine" boss) 42 "Money Honey" Maria Bartiromo's network 44 Bear claw, for one 45 Made noises from the pen 48 Yoga class supplies 49 Follow the rules 50 Foamy toy brand 51 Architect Ludwig Mies van der ___ 52 Otis Redding record label 53 Actress Skye of "Say Anything" 54 "___ friend you are!"

55 Get better 59 Andy Samberg show, for short

For answers, call (900) 226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Or to bill to a credit card, call (800) 655-6549. Reference puzzle #0462.

Second Supper

April 29, 2010 // 11

THE LAST WORD

Y Marks the Spot

By Brett Emerson

brett.emerson@secondsupper.com

This past week was dark. To think, it was mostly because of a cartoon.

By now most people have heard something about the passive-aggressive death threats leveled against the creators of South Park from the Web site Revolution Muslim, but let me catch up those out of the loop. The controversy arose from the cartoon’s 200th episode, a brilliant piece of satire in which every celebrity whom the show has ever lampooned banded together to abduct the prophet Mohammad and absorb his life force, in order to become immune from mockery. The show once more ridiculed the public’s fear of Islamic fundamentalism by hiding the prophet from view, putting him in a bear costume at show’s end.

In one of the episode’s best moments, Buddha

showed the total hypocrisy of this acquiescence by violently snorting a line of cocaine, to little reaction. The story was meant to be resolved in the next episode, but resolution never really came.

This is where Revolution Muslim, a New York-based soapbox for wannabe al-Qaeda militants, comes in. One of the site’s contributors, writing as Abu Talhah al-Amrikee, delivered a thinly veiled threat against South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, saying that they "will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show.” For those unfamiliar, Theo Van Gogh was a Dutch filmmaker murdered by an Islamic fundamentalist, but of course alAmrikee stopped short of actually condoning violence, saying that he was just pointing out the reality of the situation. Right. So to paraphrase his statement: “Dudes, you’re probably gonna get shot eight times, then get your throat cut, then get stabbed a bunch of times in the chest. Just sayin’.”

Further confirming the post’s status as a terrorist threat was the inclusion of video sermons of preachers calling for the death of all who insult Allah or Mohammed. Al-Amrikee went on to give the addresses of both Comedy Central and South Park Studios and posted a link to an article giving details of Parker’s and Stone’s house. It was said that this was as a call to protest — but it’s obvious what kind of protest is being called for.

Even better was an attempt at clarification posted on Revolution Muslim’s blog. The long-winded statement — which reaffirms the site’s combative position — ends with a quote

by Osama bin Laden, of all people: “If there is no check in the freedom of your words, then let your hearts be open to the freedom of our actions.”

This quote might have sounded more diplomatic, if one of its author’s forms of protest hadn’t been CRASHING AIRPLANES INTO HUGE F***ING BUILDINGS.

But in spite of this, Revolution Muslim got its way. Comedy Central — now the Neville Chamberlain of an already gutless entertainment industry — heavily censored South Park’s follow-up episode and bleeped out all mention of Mohammed, as well as bleeping the entire ending monologue about not living in terror and fear, appropriately. The episode was shown only once and was then buried alongside its predecessor and a previous episode that fully depicted Mohammed within a league of religious superheroes. Comedy Central utterly caved in.

I don’t think I’m overreacting when I say: TERRORISTS WON.

Reaction to this madness has been diverse. The usual “USA!” chanters continue to wave flags like crucifixes and fail to distinguish the difference between Muslims and Assholes.

A few pockets of the Internet have become devoted to drawing Mohammed, a nice defiance in theory but also a certain source of collateral damage beyond the Islamic fringe. Yet many people have taken the high road and placed the blame where it belongs, attempting to avoid turning this into a matter of jingoism. As such, Revolution Muslim’s Web site has been rendered almost unusable due to hackers ris-

ing as one, which seems fitting.

It’s typical of us to delegate the enacting of justice and freedom to lawmakers and people with guns, but that’s not how freedom works. It’s an individual responsibility, even for corporate executives presenting a silly cartoon.

In this, the old bullying rule applies: the more you give in, the more that will be taken from you. And any group, culture, or nation is only as strong as its weakest member.

But here’s one thing to consider: How many sacred cows do we have? Turn the tables.

How would Americans react to crass jokes about abortion, child molesters, the Holocaust or even 9/11? The answer beyond this answer is not to duck and cover or to flip out at every insult. It’s to develop thicker skin, to be selfconfident enough to transcend the opinions of others. When one looks for a fight, one usually finds it.

I’ve spent the past week growing more and more enraged with each concession, not knowing what to do in response. I ended up joining the Draw Mohammed crowd and making the least offensive Mohammed ever, a stick figure with a smily face, waving. Only the name below him gave my prophet away. I was neither proud nor ashamed of it, but it wasn’t enough.

So I went on Revolution Muslim’s blog, to the bin Laden-quoting “clarification” of its position. Leaving my name and email address, I left a comment.

“I am not afraid of you,” it read.

Downtown La Crosse, above Fayzes - 782-6622

top shots joke of the week How many Deadheads does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Check out our new Beers on Tap!

None, they just wait for it to burn out and follow it around for 30 years"

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)

MONDAY TUESDAY

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

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

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

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

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

$5 Miller Lite/Bud Light Pitchers

SATURDAY $2.25 Leinies Bottles (7-1am)

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

12// April 29, 2010

Second Supper

answer frEELY. LITERALLY. Only U.S. Cellular gives you Free Incoming Calls, Texts and Pix from anyone on any phone or network at any time.

Enjoy them on our 3G Network. ®

SAMSUNG FREEFORM

TM

FREE

After $50 mail-in rebate that comes as a Visa Debit Card. Requires new 2-yr. agmt. and 3-mo.

Mobile Internet Plan. $30 act. fee may apply. ®

BLACKBERRY® CURVE 8530 SMARTPHONE

TM

get one free when you buy one

for $2995

After $70 mail-in rebates that come as Visa Debit Cards. Requires new 2-yr. agmts. and Smartphone Plans. $30 act. fees may apply.

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. 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. Mobile Internet Plans start at $14.95 per month. Smartphone Plans start at $24.95 per month. Application and data network usage charges may apply when accessing applications. BOGO: Buy one handset and get a second handset for free. Mail-in rebate and activation required on each handset. Free Incoming Calls are not deducted from package minutes and are available only when receiving calls in your calling area. Kansas Customers: In areas in which U.S. Cellular receives support from the Federal Universal Service Fund, all reasonable requests for service must be met. Unresolved questions concerning services availability can be directed to the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027. BlackBerry, RIM, Research In Motion, SureType and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. Used under license from Research In Motion Limited. Limited-time offer. Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. 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.

USC-PH010-046

USC-PRD-10-018