Second Supper | Vol. 12, No. 8

WWW.SECONDSUPPER.COM

AUGUST 2012 | VOLUME 12, NO. 8

the free press A

Digest

of

Coulee

Region

Culture

The voters have spoken...

photo by Jenn Bushman

[p. 5]

PLUS: AUTHOR HAS [P. HOMETOWN [p. 12] | A |CHAT PIETA BROWN [P. [p.24] 15] PLUS:EXPATRIATE SOCIAL NETWORKING 3] | THE EPIPHANY BEER REVIEW [P. 22] THEWITH ADVICE GODDESS

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Second Supper | The Free Press

Crunch Ultimate Burger Design Contest!

Here’s your chance foodies!

Create, have fun & WIN with Kate’s Crunch Monthly Burger contest!

Just a few simple rules: • All burgers start with our 1/2 lb. fresh steak burger • Only one entry per person per month • You may enter the same burger a second month unless it was a winner.

• Deadline is the 25th of each month

Live Music Weekends

The winner will be chosen by Kate and announced at our live music event the last Saturday of every month. Their burger will be featured at Crunch the following month as well as they will be featured on our Facebook page, website, and wall of fame with their winning master piece. They will also win dinner for 2 at Crunch. Finally, each monthly winner will be entered into the year end Ultimate Burger Design grand prize drawing. The winner of this event will be based on popularity via who’s burgers sold the most the month they are featured. The grand prize will be a kick ass BBQ grill from Weittsteins!

Some helpful hints: Our menu is already packed full of all kinds of great ingredients. But, we do encourage you to be creative and use as many of these already used ingredients you care to. Should you choose to use ingredients that are cost prohibited or difficult to find, you may not be chosen. We are willing to bring in a special ingredient, such as a bun or topping. However, if your burger has Crunch bringing 5 new toppings, that might be difficult fur us. So study our menu and put your foodie hat on and let us hear from you.

Please submit your amazing burger recipe via e-mail: katesonstate@aol.com

Saturday 8/4: Moon Boot Posse’s “Boot Camp” pre-party Pearl

Street Brewery Tasting 8-10pm & Moon Boot Posse 8:30-11:30pm

8-11pm 8-11pm 8-11pm 8-11pm 8-11pm 8-11pm 8-11pm Abbey Lane and the Backbone 8-11pm

333 Main St, La Crosse, WI 608.783.2110 www.katescrunch.com

Second Supper | The Free Press

August 1, 2012 // 3

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Social Networking

The Top

Unsung La Crosse favorites 1. John Satory's beard 2. Shimmy's shuffleboard 3. Winter Rec-Fest 4. Justa Pizza Place 5. The La Crosse River 6. Andrew Steeno 7. Airport Beach

NAME AND AGE: Jess Anderson, 23 WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Texas CURRENT JOB: Root Note culinary virtuoso DREAM JOB: work for National Geographic LAST THING YOU GOOGLED: river dolphins IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Sri Lanka to go to the heart of Buddhism

Components of the 2012 Milwaukee Brewers that aren't completely worthless 1. Zack Greinke (as of this writing) 2. Ryan Braun 3. Norichi Aoki 4. Joe Block along with Bob Uecker 5. Catchers 6. Mike Fiers 7. Italian Heritage Day jerseys

WHAT IS YOUR BEVERAGE OF CHOICE? chai tea or Guinness CELEBRITY CRUSH: Zoey Deschanel. No, wait, Mila Kunis

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? "The Wheatgrass Book" and "The Buddhist Book of Spirituality" TELL US YOUR GUILTIEST PLEASURE: gelato TELL US A JOKE: How do you say hello to a duck? Hello, duck.

IF A GENIE GRANTED YOU ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR? I'm completely content with what I have WHAT ONE PERSON ALIVE OR DEAD WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH? My grandparents because I never got a chance to know them FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO: Sarah Evans WHAT'S THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? sunflowers WHAT'S IN YOUR POCKET RIGHT NOW?: cash money — Compiled by Shuggypop Jackson, shuggypop.jackson@secondsupper.com

All the wings you can eat @ $.50 each Wednesday Nights 716 2nd Ave. N., Onalaska 608.781.6800

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE: skydive

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? poor grammar

Best Wings | Finalist

the free press 444 Main St., Suite 310 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: Open advertising@secondsupper.com Cover and Ad Design: Jenn Bushman Regular Contributors: Amy Alkon, Mary Catanese, Ashly Conrad, Jason Crider, Marcel Dunn, Brett Emerson, Jill Harden, Shuggypop Jackson, Jonathan Majak, Matt Jones, Nate Willer Second Supper is a monthly alternative newspaper published by Bartanese Enterprises LLC, 444 Main St., Suite 310, La Crosse, WI 54601 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters to the editor to Second Supper, 444 Main St., , Suite 310, La Crosse, WI 54601 or by email to editor@secondsupper.com.

Open at 6 a.m. daily, seven days a week.

Enjoy the view of Lake Onalaska for Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner along with fantastic sunsets while enjoying our classics, with some unusual twists, along with your favorite cocktail enjoying sporting events on the big screen TV’s.

SPECIALS

Sunday-Thursday

Liver and onions with bacon

Tuesday

$5 appetizers on everything excluding the sampler.

Wednesday WING it Wednesday 1/4 pound burgers - just a buck each Friday

Batter-fried cod- homemade beer-batter!

Broiled cod with our special blend of house seasonings.

Friday and Saturday Famous prime rib All you can eat salad bar

Check out the Moon Light Lounge for intimate parties.

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Second Supper | The Free Press

BASSJACKERS BINGO PLAYERS BONOBO (DJ SET) CLAUDE VONSTROKE DAVID JONES DJ ABILITIES EMANCIPATOR GABRIEL & DRESDEN GRIZ HIRSHEE JOHN BROWN’S BODY LO BOUNCE MAT ZO MR. MFN EXQUIRE NIT GRIT PAPER DIAMOND PROF RJD2 WITH BREAK SCIENCE SOLID GOLD STRATUS SUPER MASH BROS TEA LEAF GREEN TIMEFLIES TWO FRESH VAN GHOST THE WHITE PANDA ARTIFAKTS BIG WU CHERUB THE CRANBERRY SHOW ESP WOODY MCBRIDE F. STOKES GENTLEMEN HALL JACK TRASH JESSE JAMZ NATTY NATION NEW REB ROSTER MCCABE SOVEREIGN SECT STEEZ TUGG PLUS ON-SITE AFTERPARTIES EVERY NIGHT AGES 16+ //// FOR MORE INFO & TICKETS VISIT

Second Supper | The Free Press

BEST OF

O

ur third annual Best of La Crosse contest drew approximately 1,325 voters, all through our website (www.secondsupper.com) for the first time rather than a combination of online and in-paper balloting.

portions. Nothing defines Midwestern cuisine quite so well.

It’s no surprise then that Fayze’s is once again named La Crosse’s runaway breakfast favorite. Come for the Bloody Mary, stay for the kielbasa and wild rice omelettes. And perhaps stop by the bakery before the ride home.

We also introduced a few new categories this year, including Best Waiter/Waitress, and we moved the issue to August to ensure new students and families arriving in La Crosse have a handy guide to the Best we have to offer.

We would like to thank voters for taking the time to cast their ballots, and we would like to congratulate the winners and finalists. Local, conscientious commerce remains the “best” way to help us all get through the recession. Shop Local — Shop Small.

FOOD/RESTAURANTS

Burger 1. Dublin Square (23 percent) 2. Sloopy’s Alma Mater (20 percent) 3. Fayze’s (18 percent) Supper says: There are almost as many burger joints in the city as there are bars. Almost. So how do you choose the best one? Combine value, taste, quality of beef, and Gaelic. Dublin Square, it hits the mark every time.

Mexican Restaurant 1. Manny’s Cocina (27 percent) 2. Los Tres Compadres (25 percent) 3. Fiesta Mexicana (19 percent) Supper says: When you think of fine Mexican cuisine the first thing you think of is seabass, right? Well after a trip to Manny’s you just might. Not only do they have the freshest seafood in town, it’s also home to a tasty array of classic Mexican favorites.

Voters say: Cass Bar. We love mini-tacos as much as the next newspaper, but really?

Chinese Food 1. Hunan (40 percent) 2. China Star (32 percent) 3. The Dragon (11 percent) Supper says: With Peking closed for good it’s no wonder Hunan won this one by a landslide. A longtime downtown favorite, Hunan serves it just the way you like it. Their Chinese cuisine is fast, fresh, and frankly more interesting than other restaurants around town.

Voters say: Voters were quiet in this category, perhaps enjoying their General Tso’s chicken in peace.

Candy Shop 1. The Pearl (40 percent)

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2. Ranison (30 percent) 3. The Sweet Shop (20 percent) Supper says: For the best ice cream and the homemade candy the area has to offer, voters said the Pearl is the cherry on top. Their waffle cones are made on the premises, their fudge is one-of-a-kind, and their ice cream is truly unique.

When your sweet tooth needs polishing, nothing satisfies like The Pearl.

Voters say: There seems to be a swell of support to get Finnotti’s into the top three. Perhaps next year, neighbor.

Fine Dining 1. Kate’s on State (29 percent) 2. Freight House (25 percent) 3. The Waterfront (19 percent) Supper says: There are two guarantees after a meal like the one you’ll find at Kate’s On State. The first is that you won’t be able to find anything better in this city. The second is that whoever you bring to Kate’s on State is 67 percent more likely to love you more. It’s science.

Voters say: Two loyal Trippers (or are they Kwipsters?) wrote in Kwik Trip, which finished tied with Beef & Etc. at the bottom of the ballot.

Pizza - Restaurant 1. Pizza Amore (30 percent) 2. Big Al’s (28 percent) 3. Edwardo’s (13 percent) 3. Pizza Doctors (13 percent) Supper says: Although La Crosse is by no means lacking in pizza places, Pizza Amore serves up our city’s favorite slice.

Who can resist such creative pizzas? If a pear and gorgonzola cheese mixture doesn’t lure you in, then what about mashed potato pie? If you’re looking to upgrade from your everyday pepperoni and cheese, Pizza Amore is the place to be.

Voters say: Fifteen pizza joints received votes in this category, which means little except that there are plenty of places here to feed that pie fetish.

Pizza – Delivery or pick-up 1. Pizza King (27 percent) 2. Toppers (24 percent) 3. Politos (18 percent) Supper says: Pizza King may be a small establishment, but where it lacks in size it packs in pure flavor.

Sweet sauces, rich crust, and a cornucopia of toppings give Pizza King its crown. This place is pick-up only, but our readers prefer it to delivery joints and downtown walk-ups. Quality, it seems, is worth a trip.

Voters say: Some of our voters are bargain hunters, such as the voter who nominated “the downtown Rocky’s Dumpster.”

BEST TATTOO PARLOR: TWISTED SKULL

Breakfast Menu 1. Fayze’s Restaurant (43 percent) 2. Old Style Inn (19 percent) 3. Ardie’s Restaurant (9 percent) Supper says: Cheap prices and large

Inexpensive Lunch 1. Pickerman’s Soup & Sandwich (29 percent) 2. Fat Sam’s (25 percent) 3. Beef & Etc. (15 percent) Supper says: Even in the bustle of the downtown lunch rush, Pickerman’s always serves it up fast, quick and cheap. Their quality of ingredients are unmatched and the atmosphere is always lively. We haven’t seen a finer lunchroom since fifth grade.

Voters say: With more choices than a Woodman’s cereal aisle, voters cast ballots for 26 different establishments.

Wings 1. Sports Nut (28 percent) 2. Blue Moon (18 percent) 3. Buffalo Wild Wings (15 percent) Supper says: We don’t know why wings run this city. The 10cent castoffs and Wednesday’s overbearing aroma of fried breading can be a little off-putting, but out of this appendage wasteland arises the meaty, delicious buffalo wings they serve at the Sports Nut. If you’re going to shove bone after bone in your mouth, do it here. We also have to applaud Blue Moon, which has probably the meatiest wings of the finalists. It's no wonder the place is packed on Wing It Wednesdays.

Soup Selection 1. Pickerman’s (49 percent) 2. People’s Food Co-op (29 percent) 3. Kwik Trip Supper says: The soup at Pickerman’s is at least 50 percent of what makes them such a great lunch destination. The daily specials are always vast and rotating, and unlike other establishments, they never serve a bad experiment. Five-hundred LHI employees can’t be wrong.

Fish Fry 1. Ardie’s (28 percent) 2. Syl’s (23 percent) 3. The View (12 percent) Supper says: In Wisconsin fish fries are a way of life. Quality is what matters most, and voters say that Ardie’s can fry up some cod that stands out on a crowded Friday night. If you’re jonesin’ for a good piece of fried fish give Ardie’s a shot. And if you’re jonesin’ for several pieces of fried fish, dine in.

Family Restaurant 1. Fayze’s Restaurant (50 percent) 2. Schmidty’s (17 percent) 3. Ardie’s Restaurant (11 percent) Supper says: Fayze’s boasts about talame buns on billboards, but let’s stop to also note all of its delicious food. Whether you like a big, juicy burger or a simple salad topped with healthy ingredients you’re sure to be impressed at this downtown institution. There’s something on every menu for infants to grandpas, so come on in with the whole clan.

Sandwich/Wrap Selection 1. Lindy’s (27 percent) 2. Bodega Brew Pub (23 percent) 3. Pickerman’s (19 percent) Supper says: Although the selection of La Crosse sandwich shops seems to be vast, few of them stand out with high quality. Lindy’s, Bodega and Pickerman’s battled it out this year, but Lindy’s once again came out on top. The selections may be relatively simple, but you can build-your-own sandwich, choose from a variety of breads and wraps, and add a plethora of ingredients to make the sandwich your own.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Coffee Shop 1. Bean Juice (24 percent) 2. Root Note (24 percent) 3. Jules’ (20 percent) Supper says: Whether you need your refreshment cold or hot, decaf or not, Bean Juice Coffee Shop will get your blood moving and your brain running. If you’re hungry, they also offer a variety of simple food and delicious sandwiches to satisfy your palate. Also noteworthy, Bean Juice won this category by just one vote this year, so order up a side of democracy with your locally roasted beans.

Voters say: McCaffrey’s is growing in popularity, picking up several write-in votes.

Deli 1. People’s Food Co-op (52 percent) 2. Festival Foods (24 percent) 3. Holmen Meat Locker (16 percent) Supper says: Not only does the People’s Food Co-op Deli carry impeccable food, but the variety is outstanding. Where else can you get a salmon patty alongside delicious couscous and artisanal goat cheese? All of the ingredients are fresh, and a much of the meat is local. Dine in sometime, or bring home the best barbeque fixings on the block.

Steak 1. Freight House (39 percent) 2. Digger’s Sting (28 percent) 3. Piggy’s Restaurant (11 percent) Supper says: If you’re looking for a good cut of meat that is made to near perfection, look no further than the Freight House where the cooks have mastered the art of the grill.

Their prime rib is legendary, with meat that melts like butter.

Or if you feel like treating yourself (or perhaps your visiting mother does) order a a fat cut of porterhouse, for a true carnivore’s delight.

International/regional cuisine 1. Buzzard Billy’s (29 percent) 1. Taste of India (29 percent) 3. Dublin Square (21 percent) Supper says: Although Buzzard Billy’s isn’t exactly international, the food is so different and so much better than most other restaurants in La Crosse that we’ll let it slide. Taste of India also stands apart from the tide of mediocrity, offering truly authentic Indian at agreeable prices. We love Buzzard Billy’s and Taste of India so much that we could never pick a favorite. And neither could you.

East Asian Food 1. Bamboo House (48 percent) 2. Hmong’s Golden Eggrolls (33 percent) 3. Sushi Pirate (9 percent) Supper says: When Bamboo House opened in 2010, they were like an answer to our prayers. Finally we had a source for decent curry and pad thai — and what’s this? They also run a hibachi grill and roll their own sushi, too? Two years later, La Crosse’s eating options have expanded, but Bamboo House is still our go-to choice.

Outdoor Dining 1. Rudy’s Drive-In (38 percent) 2. Dublin Square (23 percent) 3. Pettibone Boat Club (17 percent) Supper says: There are quite a few nice places in La Crosse to enjoy some grub outdoors, but when you think of eating outside in the summertime, you think of Rudy’s. With Cruise Night on Tuesdays and the most balanced waitresses in town, you can’t go wrong at this iconic hop. Eating chili dogs never felt so free.

Best Waiter/Waitress 1. Emily Faeth (Sushi Pirate) 2. Mark Wuench (Freighthouse) 3. Ethan Garrett (Kate’s on State)

Second Supper | The Free Press

BEST OF Supper says: This is cute. Second Supper’s own Emily Faeth garnered the most votes for best waitress, even though she no longer has that job. Hooray for readers supporting our staff!

I guess this means you like us? Inside track popularity aside, Mark Wuench and Ethan Garrett both deserve recognition for being standout servers in a couple of La Crosse’s finest dining establishments. Being seated in their section is a sheer delight of hospitality.

BARS/CLUBS

Sports Bar 1. Eagles Nest (22 percent) 2. Flilpside Bar & Grill (19 percent) 3. Glory Days (18 percent) BEST BURGER: DUBLIN SQUARE Supper says: As if it needs to be said, La Crosse has its fair share of sports bars, but when it comes time for gametime 2. 4 Sisters (29 percent) and we get down to the nitty gritty, the Eagle’s Nest wins your 3. Java Vino (26 percent) vote. They offer great food and drink deals, as well as Tues- Supper says: La Crosse is known as a rowdy beer-and-shots day night trivia and Thursday bingo, and they’re the area’s sort of town. Thankfully, we have Wine Guyz around to show proudest supporter of UW-L athletics. And when the big us a classy and refined way to partake in the spirits. Whether game isn’t on the big screen, play your own pool and darts. it’s a Cabarnet from Napa Valley, a full bodied Merlot from Voters say: Acknowledging JB’s Speakeasy may be known France, or a refreshing Riesling from the banks of the Rhine, more for its live music, one voter did note that’s it a great The Wine Guyz have just the grape for you, knowledgeably place to watch a Brewers game, too. In 2011, anyway. served up from some of the friendliest staff in town. Do yourself a favor, and sign up for one of their wine tastings. Odds Bloody Marys are you will leave with a bottle or three under your arm.

1. Del’s (57 percent) Voters say: Perhaps the oddest (or most clever?) write-in 2. Dublin Square (16 percent) nomination of the year was a gas station we’re not naming 3. Alpine Inn (8 percent) to avoid attorney fees, but described as “the one that sells Supper says: It’s difficult to say no to a breakfast bloody, es- crack pipes.” pecially when they come with a meal on a stick. Thank you, Del’s, for that oversized block of cheese and the only brussel Best Bartender sprout we’ve ever loved.

1. Jason LaCourse (Cavalier) 2. Alica Stoltz (Bodega Brew Pub) Cocktail Bar 3. Amy Fellenz (Dublin Square) 1. Cavalier Lounge (70 percent) Supper says: Whether he’s mixing you a Manhattan with a 2. Starlite Lounge (18 percent) single barrel Bourbon and homemade bitters, pouring you 3. The Casino (6 percent) a Belgian IPA, or serving up a round of pre-theater aperitifs Supper says: A cocktail lounge since the 1930s with some of -- perhaps a nip of Dubonnet, a sip of Campari, a little Lillet the coolest history in the area, you won’t find an atmosphere and an aged single malt Scotch -- Jason LaCourse has upped like this anywhere else in town. Doctors rub shoulders with the craft of mixology in La Crosse. Look no further than the artists, stars of the stage mingle with young professionals, list of specialty cocktails he came up with as to why he won, while hipsters and the fashionably chic keep it on the cutting the Cuban Sex Panther and Fat Black Pussycat being our peredge, all imbibing from the menu of 100 craft beers and im- sonal favorites. pressive liquor selection blended together by some serious Voters say: Yikes, a ballot-topping 59 nominees, most of students of the art of mixing drinks. And let’s not even talk whom garnered fewer than 10 votes. about that insane jukebox.

Beer Selection 1. Bodega Brew Pub (42 percent) 2. Cavalier Lounge (41 percent) 3. Pearl Street Brewery (5 percent) Supper says: They have a custom build lazy susan cooler full of more types of beer than most people will drink in a lifetime. Need we say more? Buy us a lambic and we will.

College Bar 1. Animal House (27 percent) 2. Eagles Nest (25 percent) 3. Brothers (17 percent) Supper says: When Animal House won last year for best college bar, one of their tenders said “But we’re not even a college bar!” Well, when you are named after a John Belushi movie about a hard-drinking frat house, you might win the title by default. Animal House, though, wins with affordable drinks and a fun enviornment.

Voters say: “Don’t you mean roofie bar?” one voter asked, while others opined “All are gross” and “They all suck.” A more clever protest posted this year: “Stay in your homes!”

Wine Bar/Selection 1. The Wine Guyz (52 percent)

COMMERCE

Boutique 1. Kick (39 percent) 2. Dale’s Clothing (33 percent) 3. Tree Huggers Co-op (13 percent) Supper says: Here’s a little secret. Women seem to really love shoes. And we mean REALLY love shoes. The girls at Kick are serving up the latest and hottest fashions in footwear to adorn the feet of La Crosse. And did we mention that women really love shoes?

Voters say: A budget-conscious fan lists Goodwill as his/her favorite boutique.

Furniture Store 1. Ashley Furniture (24 percent) 1. International Furniture (24 percent) 3. Wettstein’s (23 percent) Supper says: If you’re looking for a comfy couch, brand-new bed, or perhaps a television suitable to watch the big game, look no further than Ashley Furniture. Despite being a bit of a drive to Arcadia, voters decided that between the service and quality of product that this is the spot to go for all of your

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Second Supper | The Free Press

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 furnishing needs. Or maybe we just celebrate job creators.

Voters say: Our Goodwill fan is on a roll, casting a second vote in this section, and finally gets a victory with ...

Vintage/Thrift Shop 1. Goodwill (41 percent) 2. Orange Door (17 percent) 3. Second Showing (14 percent) Supper says: Goodwill has long been synonymous with thriftiness and it still holds the trophy for best place to go for both vintage and thrift goods. You can find anything from cheap furniture to used books to old clothing and everything in between. There’s a treasure for everyone if you search long enough, so keep on keepin’ on. Being thrifty is the way to go, especially in a tough economy.

The voters say: We concur with the voter who lamented, “I miss Vintage Vogue,” which closed last year but still got 7 percent of the vote. However, we certainly do not endorse another voter’s approach to shopping: “Unattended clothing at laundromats.”

Music Related Store 1. Deaf Ear Records (50 percent) 2. Dave’s Guitar Shop (26 percent) 3. Leithold Music (16 percent) Supper says: Deaf Ear owner Jason Mills commented upon hearing that his store repeated as favorite music store that Dave’s Guitar Shop should really win since there is no other place in the world like it. While he has a point, not everybody in town is looking to buy a guitar. But find us a person who doesn’t want a new CD or some vinyl though? Quite frankly, a town without a great record shop is a town we don’t want to live in.

Voters say: "Love them all.” Ditto.

Novelty/Specialty Store 1. Pearl Street Books (55 percent) 2. River City Comics (29 percent) 3. Tree Huggers Co-op (13 percent) Supper says: Bookstores across the country have not been doing well, which makes the role of Pearl Street Books all the more important and awesome in La Crosse. Featuring old and new versions of thousands of books on a variety of subjects, even the most discerning reader will find something to get lost in.

Voters say: Five percent of the voters went for The Bead Shoppe, which we were sorry to see was closing its doors in Jackson Plaza this summer. It will be missed.

Spa/salon 1. The Orange Pearl (31 percent) 2. Metropolitan Salon & Spa (26 percent) 3. Salon Medusa (17 percent) Supper says: Looking to have something unique done to your hair? Go to Orange Pearl Salon! They are great at keeping up with the latest fashions and voters totally noticed. Not only do they offer services to update your hairstyle, but you can get your nails done and your eyebrows waxed. It’s a full on spa day at the Orange Pearl Salon.

August 1, 2012 // 7

BEST OF Supper says: It’s a hive of action down at Riverside Center, but with their generous benefits, paid exercise time, and cheery culture, employees from Logistics Health always seem to have smiles on their faces. If you’re going to go to work, might as well enjoy it.

Voters say: One bitter Occupier nominated “Company of Thieves” (U.S. government). He’s probably in the same boat as the voter who lamented “None of them will hire me.”

Employer (Small Company) to Work For 1. Pearl Street Brewery (6 percent) 2. Bean Juice (6 percent) 3. (tie) 32 others Supper says: Pearl Street Brewery is a small business success story, and their employes are no doubt pleased. After all, they make, sell, and distribute beer for a living. Those hyper-caffeinated Bean Juice might be on the other side of the simulated spectrum, but when you give people good things, everyone’s happy.

Voters say: “Your mom.” Well, OK, if you’re going to be that way about it.

Bank/Financial Institution 1. Altra Federal Credit Union (51 percent) 2. Marine Credit Union (12 percent) 3. Coulee Bank (7 percent) Supper says: If you’re tired of user fees and profit-driven policies, get your money into a credit union. And if you’re going to pick a La Crosse credit union, are users are going with Altra. Just look at those numbers for our reigning champ. Fiftyone percent? Now that’s an annual percentage yield!

Voters say: “Coffee can buried in my backyard.” We think someone used that last year. Time for new material.

Supper says: It’s no surprise that a movie theater serving pitchers and pizza won over the majority of the public. La Crosse’s thirsty reputation does not exclude the cinema, nor does our tendency to pay with bills smaller than a Lincoln.

But at the Rivioli, you get the best of both worlds — and sometimes the movies are even OK!

CULTURE/ARTS

Theatre Season 1. La Crosse Community Theatre (27 percent) 2. Muse (25 percent) 3. Pump House (19 percent) Supper says: Voting was close throughout this group, with UW-La Crosse and Viterbo just a single vote each behind Pump House. The LCT edged them out, and will be awarded a new theater for their victory.

Art Space 1. Pump House (42 percent) 2. Root Note (26 percent) 3. Vitamin Studio (9 percent) Supper says: Hands down, one of tne of the best spots to appreciate any type of art, whether done by brush or hand or voice. If you have been to this end of King Street in a while, come on down and get pumped!

Local Periodical 1. Second Supper (67 percent) 2. La Crosse Tribune (20 percent) 3. Coulee Region Women (18 percent) Supper says: Thanks! Couldn’t do it without all you loyal fans out there!

Group hug? Too much?

Tattoo Parlor 1. Twisted Skull Studios (38 percent) 1. Mind Altering (38 percent) 3. Blue line (13 percent) Supper says: Ironically tied with his alumnus, Jake Phillips’ new endeavor, Twisted Skull Tattoos, has already made huge strides within only a year of being open. Doubling as an art gallery, local artists are encouraged to bring in their works to display and sell. As for the ink? Expect only a professional focus on artistic, custom work. If you want to pick a Chinese symbol off of a poster board, we politely suggest you might go somewhere else.

Outdoors Recreation Store 1. Three Rivers Outdoors (50 percent) 2. Smith’s Cycling & Fitness (17 percent) 3. Buzz’s Bike Shop (12 percent) Supper says: In an area surrounded by rivers and bluffs it is important to have access to great outdoors equipment. Voters say that Three Rivers Outdoors is the best place to go for all your sporting goods needs. They offer equipment for all seasons for a variety of sports to keep you set up for whatever trail, river, or campground you might find yourself on.

Dentist 1. Midwest Dental (28 percent) 2. Main Street Dental (22 percent) 3. Rivertown Dental (14 percent) Supper says: What time is it? Tooth-hurty? Go to Midwest Dental, your favorite dentist.

Voters say: A new category that surprised us with the large number of votes and nominees. But, as always, we had some contrarians who preferred self-medication (“Meth and Mt. Dew”) and others waiting for Obamacare to kick in (“You think I can afford that shit?”)

Employer (Large Company) to Work For 1. Logistics Health Inc. (26 percent) 2. KwikTrip (24 percent) 3. Gundersen Lutheran (18 percent)

Budget Entertainment 1. Rivoli Theater (78 percent) 2. Pettibone Disc Golf (11 percent) 3. High Rollers Skating Center (5 percent)

BEST BOUTIQUE: KICK

SPORTS/OUTDOORS

Sports team 1. La Crosse Loggers (53 percent) 2. Mississippi Valley Mayhem (34 percent) 3. Coulee Region Chill (7 percent) Supper says: We all love tough girls who can kick some a** on the rink, but there’s just something about America’s favorite pastime that readers can’t get enough of. Whether you’re in the stands with the fam or on the Party Deck with your pals, a Loggers game is a must for summertime in the Coulee Region.

Voters say: “C.U.R.D.S.” — Coulee Ultimate and Related Disc Sports — garnered nearly as many votes as the La Crosse Spartans professional indoor football franchise (now defunct). That’s right, ‘round here Ultimate Frisbee competes head-to-head with arena football. La Crosse, Wisconsin, you’re our kind of town.

Bowling Alley 1. All-Star Lanes (34 percent) 2. Pla-More Lanes (29 percent) 3. Features (25 percent) Supper says: All-Star Lanes has been a La Crosse favorite

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

8// August 1, 2012

BEST OF

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Rock Band 1. Porcupine (28 percent) 2. Orwell (25 percent) 2. Shot to Hell (12 percent) Supper says: When Porcupine plays in La Crosse, they create a must see event that lures people out of the woodworks to rock out. Whether it’s a vinyl release concert with an OG punk icon or a blistering set at the Popcorn Tavern, Porcupine shows have created some of the biggest buzz in La Crosse over the past half-decade. It helps that they’re a damn fine band who clearly knows what they’re doing. They’re the people’s champs, La Crosse. Give ‘em some love.

for years. They feature an excellent homemade pizza menu, daily open bowling sessions and even buck bowling night. So do yourself a favor and head on down to All-Star and throw some rocks tonight!

Places to Shoot Pool 1. Top Shots (77 percent) 2. Yesterday’s (11 percent) 3. Sky Bar (3 percent) 3. Varsity Club (3 percent) Supper says: No contest here. Top Shots ran the table. A veritable billiards bonanza, enjoy a few games of English snooker, traditional 8-ball, or a fun scramble on a bar table.

If you’re going to smack around some balls, climb the stairs to Top Shots.

Gym 1. YMCA (51 percent) 2. Snap Fitness (24 percent) 3. Premier Fitness (13 percent) Supper says: Some of us just don’t want to throw around heavy weights. Some of us want to throw around heavy weights and take water aerobics. And pretend to know the rules of racquetball. And have a good meal and do whatever we feel...

Voters say: We applaud the voter who noted, “I ride my bicycle everywhere; I don’t need a gym.” And the voter who threw his support behind “Outside.”

Golf Course 1. Forest Hills (32 percent) 2. Fox Hollow (23 percent) 3. Cedar Creek (16 percent) Supper says: Forest Hills has it all: a central location, a beautiful and challenging course as well as the hearts of our voters. And UW-L students, it’s just a short walk away.

Voters say: “Riverside Amusements,” which just might convince us to launch a Best Mini-Golf Course next year!

MUSIC

Jukebox 1. Cavalier Lounge (76 percent) 2. Del’s Bar (11 percent) 3. JB’s Speakeasy (7 percent) Supper says: The jukebox at the Cavalier Lounge chooses to overwhelm with an encyclopedic motherlode of tasty music.

With knowledgeable and discerning selections on the roster, this jukebox contains close to 3,800 albums and counting.

We’ve never even heard of half the stuff on it, but every time we go to the Cavalier, we hear something new that rocks our world.

Acoustic/Bluegrass 1. Fayme Rochelle & The Waxwings (35 percent) 2. String Ties (29 percent) 3. Muddy Flats and the Hep Cats (25 percent) Supper says: Whether crooning a classic Zeppelin cover or slammin’ down a foot-stompin’ original, Fayme Rochelle and her ever-revolving Waxwings make us wish we were sippin’ sweet tea on our wrap-around porch at sunset. Though catching a show atop the bluff while pounding PBRs ain’t half bad either.

Jamband 1. Shoeless Revolution (31 percent) 2. Moon Boot Posse (23 percent) 2. The Smokin’ Bandits (23 percent) Supper says: Though Shoeless has called Minnesota home for a few years now, fans in the Coulee Region still claim them as their own and as “Repeat” winners in this category.

Let that be a hint to the boys: We’re due for a visit!

Live Music Venue 1. Popcorn Tavern (30 percent) 2. The Warehouse (20 percent) 3. JB’s Speakeasy (18 percent) Supper says: The Popcorn Tavern is one of the most personal places to watch a performance in La Crosse. With plenty of room to dance, or to sit and enjoy the concert from a distance, music fans of all calibers will enjoy a show featuring one of La Crosse’s many talented acts, or a nationally known performer passing through. A show at the Popcorn is guaranteed to be memorable. Whether or not you keep the memories is up to you. Come for the popcorn; stay for the music; come back for the music.

Indie/Alternative Band 1. T.U.G.G. (64 percent) 2. Neon (10 percent) 3. Elliot Arms (8 percent) Supper says: T.U.G.G. is still going strong after all these years, rocking and skanking all across these United States.

They even made a movie! No matter how many times you catch these reggae rockers, you’ll never be disappointed by a T.U.G.G. show. They’re true pros, and they’re our boys.

BEST COFFEE SHOP: BEAN JUICE

Hip-hop Artist 1. Another Exoneration (38 percent) 2. The Cook Kids Committee (29 percent) 3. Cutty Currency (15 percent) Supper says: With cred on the streets and cred in the community, Another Exoneration is La Crosse’s favorite hip-hop act. A five-man collective, every member brings unique skills to the table, and an Another Exoneration show is like the best dinner party in local rap.

Voters say: Two interesting writeins: “Only if they spell things correctly” and “the downtown flower lady.”

Second Supper | The Free Press

Open Mic 1. Root Note (47 percent) 2. Popcorn Tavern (29 percent) 3. Del’s Bar (17 percent) Supper says: The Thursday night institution at the Root Note is the ideal place for aspiring performers to take to the stage in a nurturing environment. Regular stand up comedy routines from Jammin’ George and soulful power ballads from ‘80s hair metal transplant Noel are what give this open mic that extra awesome. So c’mon down, aspiring performers of all ages.

Radio Station 1. WLSU 88.9 2. Classic Rock 101.1 3. The Rock 95.7 Supper says: Instead of calling someone, maybe ... over and over again, voters would rather chill out with Tami on her Wednesday Night Blues show, catch up on local current affairs with “Newsmakers,” and set the mood with a variety of jazz. For all this and more, we turn to WLSU. Voters say: We might have to agree with the voter who saluted “WKRP” but, as journalists, must take offense with another voter who questioned, “Radio? They’re as outdated as daily newspapers.”

UNIQUE LA CROSSE

Annual Event 1. Oktoberfest (54 percent) 2. Beer, Wine and Cheese Fest (19 percent) 3. Freedom Fest (15 percent) Supper says: There are few things left unsaid about La Crosse’s Oktoberfest. It’s world renowned, drenched in beer, brats, carnies, and nearly doubles the population of La Crosse for a weekend. Excellent choice, La Crosse. You really know how to party.

Voters say: One music-loving fan suggested, “I’d take Riverfest off the list until they start getting some decent music.”

Local Politician 1. Jennifer Schilling (49 percent) 2. Matt Harter (22 percent) 3. John Satory (9 percent) Supper says: Jen! Jen! Jen! Jen! Schilling’s successful recall campaign in 2011 was the first electoral win of the Wisconsin Spring. She captured the moment, and — just as important — she also captured our hearts. Of course, her party didn’t capture the state senate, which is why we had zero write-in votes for state supreme court justices.

Voters say: Weary and discouraged from the recall effort, we sympathize with the voter who cast a satirical ballot for “Fake candidates.”

Local Celebrity 1. Peaches (36 percent) 2. Dan Breeden (20 percent) 3. Downtown Tom (12 percent) Supper says: We love you, Breeden, but until you don a racy sherbet-colored outfit and pick up more swagger than the Old Spice guy, we’ll have to go to Peaches to learn how to dance like nobody’s watching.

Voters say: With votes cast for 21 different “celebrities,” perhaps this category should be renamed Local Characters.

Suburb 1. Onalaska (31 percent) 2. Holmen (19 percent) 3. Shelby (16 percent) Supper says: Let’s see — it has the local mall, the La Crosse River, the La Crosse Country Club, racks and racks of Second Suppers, competitive high school sports, Big Al’s pizza, some fun bars, nice parks, and a Wal-Mart. Onalaska: it’s like La Crosse, but newer, and a lot of our readers live there. Props for the win, Hilltoppers. You’ll have your day, Holmen.

Best of La Crosse photos by Jacqueline Marcou

Second Supper | The Free Press

August 1, 2012 // 9

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Speak Your Mind: What is your favorite thing about La Crosse?

By Ashly Conrad

Name: Henri Gryere Age: 27 Occupation: Soon to be out of work barista.

A. The fact you can do anything, build any scene if your willing to put in the time and energy.

Name: Chelsie Heidke Age: 25 Occupation: Who knows...

A. Little houska park...youtube it!

Name: Dani Wallace Age: 22 Occupation: Bartender @ Bodega A. The Bluffs and scenery.

Name: Alicia Stolltz Age: 35 Occupation: Bartender A. The people in it!

Name: Grace Maass Age: 27 Occupation: YWCA A. Cameron Park Farmers Market!

Name: Lars Age: 23 Occupation: A. The mayfly hatch

Name: Nik Dygert Age: 27 Occupation: Dublin Square A. Tree city...and maybe TUGG.

Name: Josh Franke Age: 29 Occupation: Graphic Designer A. Jucie Lucy's

Name: Adam O'Connor Age: 25 Occupation: Co-op A. The hiking trails!

Name: Lisa Brooks Age: 23 Occupation: Dublin Square A. The River

10// August 1, 2012

Second Supper | The Free Press

THE PLANNER

August

music | entertainment | theater | fine arts festivals | things to do | irishfest | sun

The Month in Preview Tues., Aug. 3 STEAL YOUR FACE @ the Popcorn Tavern The one thing La Crosse may have more of than bars is Grateful Dead fans. If you fall into that category (it’s not a bad place to be) then you should put on your dancing shoes, patchwork pants and tie dyes, and saunter down to the Popcorn Tavern on Friday, Aug. 3, to catch homegrown musician Art Hoffman’s latest tribute outfit, The Gratest Story Ever Told.

The group’s been together for less than a year and already they’ve learned more than 125 Dead songs that they’ve taken on the road to more than a few venues around the upper Midwest. Tickets for the band’s first-ever show at the Popcorn are just $5 with the music starting at 9:30 p.m. But come down early, because while they might sing that the music never stops, it’s gotta be done by 2:30.

Wed.–Fri.–Sat.’s PICK A PECK OF PEPPERS Farmers Markets @ Cameron Park, Fridays at 4 p.m. @ Bridgeview Plaza, Wed. at 8 a.m. @ Downtown parking lot, Sat. at 6 a.m.

The short window for fresh, local produce is open this year, and three times a week, La Crosse area farmers markets provide the heart

bands | dog days of summer | recreation

and soul of Wisconsin agriculture. Although for some, August marks the end of harvest season, certain fruits and veggies begin to peak in the upcoming months. Watermelons are at their prime in August, and winter squash is just beginning to ripen. While it may be our last chance for sweet corn and peas, leeks are looking fresher and apple-picking season is just beginning. Make sure to pick up some garlic, basil and sweet peppers to spice up dinner, and check out what local vendors have to say about their fresh fall crops.

Aug. 10–13 SLÁINTE @ Irishfest La Crosse Yep, it’s that time of year again. No, we’re not talking about worrying about the Mississippi River’s fecal count — we’re talking about Irishfest, which will once again take over the Southside Oktoberfest grounds. The festivities kick off on Friday, Aug. 10, and will run through Sunday evening. The fest features something for everyone, with plenty of Irish music, Irish culture, Irish food, Irish dancing and even a bit of Highland (Scottish?) gaming.

Kilts aside (seriously, kilts at Irishfest?) this should be an excellent opportunity to celebrate Irish culture and spirit. And even if you’re not Irish, you can certainly appreciate a nice corned beef and a great toast. Who knows, you might even get lucky.

Aug. 17–18 GET THE BOOT! @ the Boot Camp Music Festival Lucky for you, music junkies of the Coulee Region, summer camp for adults just got interesting. The very first annual Boot Camp Music Festival is bringing together some of the Midwest’s most talented musicians to showcase musical variety from rock ‘n’ roll to metal to reggae. Featuring more than 20 groups of local and Midwestern musicians —including T.U.G.G., Moon Boot Posse, Roster McCabe (pictured) and Nimbus — this overnight escapade encourages camping, grilling and of course, revelry. Get your weekend (or day) passes at www.bootcampmusicfestival. com.

Aug. 24–26 GET FOLKED UP! @ the Great River Folk Festival

The Gratest Story Ever Told

Starting with a Friday night tribute concert to famed folkie Woody Guthrie, the Great River Folk Festival (held on

the UW-La Crosse campus) celebrates great music, dance, ethnic foods and regional arts.

Saturday and Sunday bring the festivity to your weekend with evening concerts, including this month’s musical star of the Supper, Pieta Brown (pictured). And for those of you readers who think you should be the one performing on stage, the second annual songwriting and performance contest will be held on Sunday.

All August BUY WHOLE SEAT, NEED THE EDGE @ La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway August is shaping up to be a hot month at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, and not just because someone turned ol’ Earth’s thermostat up a few degrees this summer. Each race night there is a special event that is sure to entertain even the most avid NASCAR fanatic.

Some highlights include the Trailer Race of Destruction held on Saturday, Aug. 4, as well as the Aug. 18 Pool Spectacular. We’re not entirely sure what’s in store for the spectators, but they sound totally awesome to us! And with the price of admission being less than a night at the cinema, there are few reasons you shouldn’t sit around the speedway. Qualifying starts at 6:15 p.m. every Saturday throughout the month of August. As always, BYOB.

Second Supper | The Free Press

Aug. 10-11

bert Brown Foundation, Arcadia Lions Club and Ashley’s own Little Angels, a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing and toys for kids in need.

ASHLEY FOR THE ARTS @ Memorial Park, Arcadia We don’t get up the road to Arcadia nearly as much as we should, but with Ashley Furniture winning Best Furniture Store in our Best of La Crosse contest and the 4th annual Ashley for the Arts event on the calendar, this is the month to make the trek. Ashley for the Arts is a wonderful event that combines a wide assortment of activities, arts and crafts, car show, bike race, run/walk, hot air balloons and, of course, our favorite -- live music. The setting, Arcadia’s beautiful 54-acre Memorial Park, is the perfect backdrop for the fest. There are two stages. The Millennium Amphitheater can hold 4,000 people, while the pavilion provides a more intimate setting. The Voice fans will get a chance to see and hear finalist Jared Blake in person, and country music fans should appreciate the sounds of Jack Ingram, 2008 ACM Best New Male Vocalist. Trapt, which released a new single "Bring It" this year and expects to have a new album ready this fall, provides the rock edge. Other entertainment includes the Pump House Chamber Orchestra, the Big River Radio Wave (featuring the Riverbenders), the Memories, Siege Perilous, Dave Zwiee, Ed Wilber, Overall Kampa Band, and area school bands and show choirs. Go ahead, make the drive, check out Arcadia, have some fun and help a bevy of good causes. The event supports the American Cancer Society, Gil-

2010 Winner

2011 Winner

August 1, 2012 // 11

THE PLANNER

SAT., Aug. 25

PRIDE ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI @ Southside Fest Grounds Mix live music, karaoke and talent shows, drag queens and a dance party, and what do you get? Pride Along the Mississippi, of course. Sponsored by the LGBT Resource Center for the 7 Rivers Region Inc., La Crosse Pride 2012 really is a celebration of community. The musical entertainment this year includes Ann Christoffer, Paul Martin, Hans Mayer and the Julica Rose Band.

Those are just the pros. The winner of the the On the Rocks karaoke also gets a share of the spotlight, as do area youth who will compete in the 4th annual GALAXY talent show. Open to all youth ages 13-24, the kids compete for a grand prize of $50, plus those invaluable Pride bucks. And let’s not forget, the queens from Illusions also will be there. Miltown Kings Lyle Lovesit will join the fun, too, and the Grand River Singers will present a big finale for the Rainbow Alley KIDS Zone. Then put on your dancin’ shoes and kick up your heels as Pride closes with a huge dance party. If you want to get an early jump on the Pride festivities, join the dinner cruise on the La Crosse Queen on Friday, Aug. 24.

2011

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Second Supper | The Free Press

ARTS

QOutside the lines uick walks

Josh Olsen

La Crosse expatriate bares soul in 1-page stories

I

By Brett Emerson | brett.emerson@secondsupper.com

f there's one word that kept coming up in my interview with newly published author and fellow La Crosse expatriate Josh Olsen, it was nontraditional. In describing himself, his writing career, his road to becoming a teacher, and his family life, Olsen often defaulted to using this term.

The shoe seems to fit; most of the roads he described in his life were painted as accidental journeys, not so much paved by choice but by unexpected opportunity. It was through these slips of fortune, finding himself a father at age 19, taking an inconsistent educational path through graduate school, developing a writing style he expected no one to see, and being offered various teaching

positions in which he could teach that growingly public craft from which Olsen was able to gain the chance to enact a more conscious change, recently publishing Six Months, his own book of one-page stories, over a decade after he began writing.

Even his choice of writing these one-page stories doesn't come off as conventional. "Initially, I definitely did consider what I did poetry.

That's what I called it; that's what I submitted it as,” he said. “ It's probably because I wasn't really familiar with other possibilities outside the genre. I knew that what I was writing wasn't traditional short story or a novel, but at the time I wasn't familiar with the smaller subgenres like flash fiction. I always had that short narrative style, but once I started gathering it into a collection, thinking what it would look like on the

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Second Supper | The Free Press

STORIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 printed page, I intended to contain each piece in one page or less."

Despite literature traditionally being a more time-consuming investment, Olsen enjoys this short, easy and concise style of writing. "60 minutes, 90 minutes, there are a lot of good things you can do in that amount of time: listen to a fantastic album, watch your favorite movie,” he said. “I like that condensed space and time. I think that a lot of people are moving in that direction of condensed style, saying as much as you can in as few words as possible."

At first he wrote solely for himself. "It was definitely used as an emotional release, helping me cope with various things I was going through at the time,” he recalled. “I didn't begin with any expectations of anybody reading my stuff."

It wasn't until he attended creative writing classes at Viterbo College in La Crosse that he decided to grow his writing beyond journal-keeping. "I was exposed to the idea of other people seeing my stuff,” he said.

“I've gotta workshop it, I've gotta tweak it, make it presentable."

One thing that came up in our conversation was the idea of a journaler's conflict, of writing solely for one's self in a medium built for communication. No matter how secret a piece is kept, writing is designed to be read, either by being found by others or

August 1, 2012 // 13

ARTS read and remembered by the author in the future. The question always arises: who is a writer, even a solipsist one, really writing for?

"I think there's definitely a conflict,” Olsen said. “I would be hard pressed to think of a time when I've written something and not thought afterwards about whether it was something I could use, revise, build upon, extract to another piece. It's still for myself to this day, but there's still that thought in the back of my head."

Though he submitted a few pieces to college publications at Viterbo and later at Mankato University in Minnesota where he undertook graduate work, Olsen didn't submit work for publication until he was out of school. By then he had decided to not only write but teach about writing. For seven years he has led the life of a nomadic instructor, working primarily at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and at Wayne State University in Detroit as well as picking up college level writing courses around the area, sometimes hitting multiple schools in one day.

Teaching wasn't something he planned to do. "I knew that I wanted to work on my writing and improve it. I knew that I eventually wanted to publish, but I had no intention to teach,” he said. “An opportunity came up to intern in a screenwriting class. I enjoyed the time I had there with the professor I was working with. I had the opportunity to teach my own section of Composition. Definitely a rough start, but it was the one job that I enjoyed, more so than my experiences waiting

tables or working at gas stations or factories.

I came to it rather late, at least with my intentions."

Olsen noted that a lot of writing instructors are past life writers themselves, something which he is determined to avoid becoming. "It was a goal of my own, seeing so many former writers become teachers and then forget about the writing,” he said.

“For me, part of being a writing teacher is to teach what I'm actually doing."

What he ended up doing was releasing Six Months in 2011, finishing off a year and a half long process of creation. The stories within this book were taken from a five-year period in Olsen's writing, roughly spanning the years 2005 to 2010. After writing for 10 years and attempting to develop various projects to fruition, he received a book offer from Brian Fugett, publisher of the onlineprint publication Zygote in My Coffee, a frequent supporter of Olsen's work.

That support was vital for Six Months.

"At least for that first book, I wanted somebody else to put their name and trust behind it, that traditional model where somebody

embraced what I have written,” he said.

“Since then I've definitely put my feet to the pavement as far as promoting it. It's definitely another part-time job, more time consuming than I'd assumed initially."

Going the traditional publishing route, however, isn't something that Olsen sees as necessary to his work. "I've definitely had my hangups about, in certain forms, how the ideas of self-publication and self-promotion are accepted,” he said. “You expect a band to put out their own demo; if you sell albums out of the trunk of your car, it lends credibility in the music work. You expect an independent filmmaker to fund, direct, produce and put out their own movie. But for some reason there's a stigma of why a writer can or can't do that. It just seems kind of unfortunate to me that there is that idea of 'vanity publishing' is lesser than getting somebody else to publish your work. You need somebody else to lift you up, and I have my own hangups on that which I'm trying to move away from."

The stories in Six Months tend to be intense recollections of Olsen's past and analysis of how those moments affect the person he is today. "The theme wasn't intentional as the individual pieces were being written, and I don't think that that idea really came to me until I moved to Michigan, until I was living 10 hours away from La Crosse, which was for the most part my hometown,” he said.

“It wasn't until I left when that theme came through in my writing, and I really didn't

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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14// August 1, 2012

Second Supper | The Free Press

ARTS

STORIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 notice it until I started putting the book together."

The story's main piece, a tale of periodic homecoming featuring La Crosse as its center, is a perfect example of this battle between past and future. "[It's about] going back and forth every six months, taking that trip from Michigan to La Crosse every Christmas and summer break and having that distance, that sense of clarity in seeing things I hadn't seen before, being more of an outside presence within my family, within my circle of friends, people I worked with,” he explained. “There's that conflict of nostalgia and clarity when that homesickness, when that nostalgia wears off. It's nice for a couple days, but you can only go downtown so much."

As well as analyzing his past surroundings, Olsen gets quite blunt in his opinions of his family, freely disclosing his parents' shortcomings with varying levels of amusement and bitterness. Yet, according to him, these stories aren't displays of bridge burning.

"Once I grew accustomed to writing with the intention of publication and getting things out for other people to read, I made a point to not censor myself,” he said. “ I don't write with the thought of somebody possibly reading it and being offended or passing judgment on me. I'd have to say that despite the other people, family members, and

friends that come up in these stories, I don't think that I'm casting any negative light on them. I think that myself, as the speaker, the narrator of the story, is the punchline. For my friends and family members who have read the book, that's what they take away from it as well."

Even more important within the overall theme of Six Months, however, are Olsen's relationships with his own children, now 13 and 7 years old. Having started his path toward professional writing at around the same

time as the birth of his first child, Olsen's works often draw stark, occasionally fearful comparisons between the bizarre events of his own childhood and the strangeness that surrounds the new members of his family ‒ again, a nontraditional setup ‒ today.

Olsen himself credited fatherhood as the primary fuel for his writing. "As my children grow up, as they experience things that I may have experienced at their age, I may not have thought about the things I experienced as much if it were not for the fact that

I have two children,” he said. “ I'm very conscious about what they experience now, and I draw that comparison or parallel to what I experienced."

The sum total lesson that Josh Olsen took away from the long process involved in making his quick book which incorporates all these parallels, fears and misadventures, is that though its results may be gratifying, creativity doesn't just manifest by itself.

"It takes a lot more time and work than I ever could have imagined,” he said. “I know that I had the ideas that many prospective writers have, that all they need to do is put together a manuscript, send it out and get published. Maybe that does happen for a lucky few. I've never done things the traditional or easy way, in my education, my work, or my family, so I think it's only natural that I took that roundabout path to publication.

"Being able to read the book with some distance and time between me and it, it's interesting for me to look at it as an artifact of my thought process, the things I was observing and doing at that time, and to compare and contrast with what I'm doing and working on today."

That today includes plans to put together a second book, another collection of stories featuring some that will break from the one-page format and run longer. Describing the forming whole as both more autobiographical and more fictional, Olsen hopes to finish and release the book in a year or so.

Six Months is available for purchase at zygoteinmycoffee.com.

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Second Supper | The Free Press

August 1, 2012 // 15

MUSIC

Pieta Brown chats with Second Supper

By Jill Harden | jill.harden@secondsupper.com Singer/songwriter Pieta Brown is quickly becoming the freshest face of folk music. With five critically acclaimed albums and three EPs under her belt, it was no surprise that Pieta’s latest album is bringing her a new level of indie fame.

Pieta’s latest album, Mercury, showcases her poetic lyricism through a 13-track story of innocence and yearning. The combination of her unique melodies and ethereal voice creates a complicated musical style that is both accessible and believable.

Although Pieta resides in Iowa, a nostalgic homesickness visited her in a dream and brought her back to her southern childhood roots to record Mercury. About 20 miles outside of Nashville, Tenn., stands the studio straight out of Pieta’s dreams that

collectively inspired, motivated and brought together all of the musicians and producers that worked to create her newest album.

In advance of her performance at La Crosse’s Great River Folk Festival on Aug. 26, we caught up with Pieta Brown to discuss her life of music.

Second Supper: Let’s start from the beginning. Did your father [famed Iowa folk singer Greg Brown] inspire you to launch a music career, or have you always been a driven singer/songwriter?

Pieta Brown: Absolutely and indirectly yes. He wasn’t famous when I was little, so we really had no money; we lived in a shack, we had no running water. But my parents split up when I was really young, so I spent a lot of time with my mom, and she also inspired me in a lot

of ways. And our parents, as I’m sure we all know, have a lot to do with what we end up doing in our lives.

SS: So musical and lyrical inspiration came to you at a young age? What inspired you to begin writing your songs?

Did you — or do you — have any musicians that influence your sound and performance style?

PB: I have been playing piano and writing songs since I was a kid because I grew up around it, and I saw a lot of it. There were always musicians coming and going with my dad, so I started writing and making up songs when I was really young. But as far as getting serious about songwriting and the songs that I would bring out to the world, it really all started when I picked up a guitar in my early twenties. It was a

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Pietra Brown will perform on the Great River Folk Festival's closing night Aug. 26.

Other performers that night include Fayme Rochelle & the Waxwings, Ann Reed and Harvey Reid. The opening night concert at 7:30, "Woody Reflected,," celebrates the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's birth, with Charlie Maguire, Pop Wagner and Tony Glover. The Aug. 25 lineup includes Vance Gilbert, Tropicante, Trina Hamlin and the Chris Silver Band. For information, visit www.greatriverfolkfest.org/.

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16// August 1, 2012

FOLK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 particular guitar that my dad had; he pulled it out when I came back to Iowa for a visit.

So I kind of strummed on it, I didn’t’ really know any cords, but I took it up to my room that night and I just got hooked, right then and there, and away I went. I never stopped after that.

SS: We know it’s taboo to play favorites, but do you have any favorite venues to play, crowds to perform for, or fellow musicians to compose with?

PB: Of course I love to play with Bo [husband, Bo Ramsey]. He is who I play with a lot. It’s a very organic musical collaboration happening between us. I first reached out to Bo when I first thought to try and make a recording. He got excited and was willing to help, but I had no idea at that time that I would go on to collaborate with him for the next nine years. It’s always exciting and fun to play with Bo. It feels very fresh and fun every time, and a lot of that is due to the kind of musician Bo is. He is such an amazing collaborator, so he has been one thing that has inspired me a lot over the past years. As far as

Second Supper | The Free Press

MUSIC venues to play, I have some spots that I really love, but no big favorites. I really love playing in the Midwest; there is such warmth in so many of the crowds. So when I go out to the coasts to travel around, and then come back to the Midwest, I always feel a little rush.

SS: What about favorites when it comes to your own skill set. Do you prefer to write your poetry/lyrics or to perform them?

PB: I’ve hardly written any songs without an instrument in hand. It’s truly separate for me from writing poems in a notebook; they seem like two very different art forms. So for me a lot of the songwriting might come from a few words written down, or it might come from a melody that has been floating around in my head, but the song seems to land or come alive when everything comes together at once. Usually, I like to have my guitar in hand, or sometimes my piano, as far as the songwriting goes.

SS: How do you feel about going on tour so often? Do you enjoy being on the road? Does it give you the chance/inspiration to create new music?

PB: [Laughs] It seems like an off and on relationship. A lot of the time I love it and every once in a while it drives me crazy. But touring is definitely a part of it. It gives you fuel

and it gives you fire, and for me, music has to do with people being together and bringing people together. That’s what I saw music do from the time I was a young girl. So I definitely get a charge from playing live music, and I learn something every time I play. As far as the actual road and going from town to town in your car, or your plane, or your trailer, it’s got a life of its own.

SS: What can you tell me about the process of making Mercury? I read that it only took three days to record and, in part, was due to your dream/premonition. Have you ever had a similar experience recording your music?

PB: No I really haven’t. I’ve recorded a lot of my albums really fast, but that one was special because the musicians I was playing with were truly masters. They were all at least 20 or so years older than I am and have been playing music for longer than I have, so their mastery added a lot. Also, there was already chemistry between us due to spending time with them out on the road opening all of those shows for Mark Knopfler and his band. It was just really fun, and it had magic in it. Everything happened so fast; there wasn’t a lot of conversation, it was just music.

I would start playing a song and those guys would start playing along, and that’s what

you’re hearing on Mercury. That’s one of the things I really like about it, it’s very fresh and organic feeling.

SS: What would you say the story of Mercury is? Did you write it with the intent of creating a mood or narrative for the listener?

PB: I really didn’t, but after the songs started coming in, I felt there was a collective starting. The story of Mercury for me, the more personal side, was having that intense dream and then having the offer arrive only a few days later to go record at this studio out in the Southern countryside where I spent a lot of my childhood. So it felt like a magnetic pull to go there and make that recording.

As far as the songs themselves, they were all written within a close together group of musicians. It was a very unsettled but exciting feeling.

SS: Listening to Mercury, I fell in love with the track, I Want it Back. Does this song tell a personal story or a private experience?

PB: A good song can have a life of its own; it can make its own story for anybody. As far as writing that song, I was thinking about wanting those feelings of innocence and joy and excitement back on a lot of different levels.

The song comes from a yearning and a longing for a basic level of pure innocent love.

“I definitely get a charge from playing live music, and I learn something every time I play.”

Thank you La Crosse for letting us Rock You for 34 years !

Vintage Toys - Collectible Figures

Sundays: Breakfast Buffet starting at 9am, Chances to win Packer ticket every game!

Second Supper | The Free Press

MUSiC DireCTOrY FEATURED SHOWS Wednesday, Aug. 1 Popcorn – 300+ (rock) • 10 p.m.

Del’s - Terrapin Shells • 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 2 Root Note – Cheech and the Feelin' • 5 p.m.

Kate’s Crunch – Tim Peterson (acoustic) • 8:30 p.m.

Del’s - Misha Siegfried Featuring Buddah • 10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 3 Popcorn – The Gratest Story Ever Told (Grateful Dead tribute) • 10 p.m.

Root Note – Radiator Girls • 8 p.m.

Warehouse – Skeletonwitch! • 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 4 Popcorn – The Adam Palm Band (rock) • 10 p.m.

Root Note – Break Beats n’ Turntablism w/ Adversus • 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 8 Popcorn – Andy & Joe’s Jam • 10 p.m.

Del’s - Brian Beard's Birthday Bash • 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 9 Kate’s Crunch – Patrick Wolfe (acoustic/ blues) • 8:30 p.m.

Del’s - Paulie • 10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 10 Popcorn – Porcupine (rock) • 10 p.m.

Warehouse – LaCrosseapalooza • 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 11 Popcorn –Moon Boot Posse (funk) • 10 p.m.

Warehouse – LaCrosseapalooza • 7 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 12 Root Note – Brian Ernst • 8 p.m.

Warehouse – LaCrosseapalooza • 7 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 13 Root Note – Lobo Marino • 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 15 Popcorn – Terrapin Shells • 10 p.m.

Del’s - Bandsaw Brothers • 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 16 Kate’s Crunch – Adam Strelow (acoustic) • 8:30 p.m.

Del’s - Andy Hughes • 10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 17 Popcorn – Boys & the Barrel Sting Band • 10 p.m.

Root Note – The Poor Nobodys • 8 p.m.

Boot Hill Pub – Rick Weeth & Beth Temte • 6 p.m.

JavaVino – Toni & Michael (acoustic duo) • 6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 18 Popcorn – Devine Collection • 10 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 20 Root Note – Jim Piela Quartet • 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 22 Popcorn – Andy & Joe’s Jam • 10 p.m.

Warehouse – We Are Defiance • 7 p.m.

Del’s - Ultrasonic Duo • 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 23 Root Note – Cheech & Javier • 5 p.m.

Kate’s Crunch – Julica Rose (acoustic) • 8:30 p.m.

Del’s - Cheech and Xavier Trejo • 10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 24 Root Note – Western Fifth & Brian Wheat • 8 p.m.

Warehouse – Boys of Summer Tour • 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 25 Root Note – Open Mic Showcase • 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 Popcorn – Terrapin Shells • 10 p.m.

MUSIC

August 1, 2012 // 17

Del’s - The Mayfield Experience • 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 30 Kate’s Crunch – Matthew Maus (piano) • 8:30 p.m.

Del’s - String Cory Band • 10 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 31 Popcorn – Evergreen Grass Band • 10 p.m.

WEEKLY GIGS Sunday Holmen Concert in the Park Series – Halfway Creek Bandshell • 5 p.m.

La Crosse Queen – The Journeymen (dinner cruise) • 6 p.m.

Popcorn – Innocuous Voodoo (funk) • 10 p.m.

Riverside Park – La Crosse Jazz Orchestra • 7 p.m.

Monday Popcorn – Grant’s Open Jam • 10 p.m.

Del’s – Cheech’s Open Jam • 10 p.m.

Tuesday Popcorn – Paulie • 10 p.m.

Root Note – 3rd Relation Jazz • 8 p.m.

Wednesday Riverside Park – La Crosse Concert Band • 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Starlight – Kies & Kompanie (jazz) • 5 p.m.

Root Note – Open Mic • 8 p.m.

Popcorn – Dave Orr’s Blues Jam • 10 p.m.

Friday La Crosse Queen – The Journeymen (dinner cruise) • 7:30 p.m.

Saturday La Crosse Queen – The Journeymen (dinner cruise) • 6 p.m.

Thank you, La Crosse!

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18// August 1, 2012

Second Supper | The Free Press

ON CAMPUS

Back-to-college advice from a panel of experts

With new and returning students about to converge again on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University and Western Technical College campuses, we asked a handful of local graduates — of UW-L as well as Second Supper — what advice they’d give the young scholars.

Here’s what they had to say: JOE GULLO What you did at the Supper back in the day? I established The Second Supper as a campus-based satire magazine, then serving as the editor and publisher.

Graduated: 2006 Major: English / Communications Today: I'm a projects and accounts manager at a technology research firm in New York City.

Advice: Get involved with opportunities outside of campus as soon as possible.

JUSTIN PLANT What you did at the Supper back in the day?

I brought in the checks made out to Second Supper from local businesses.

Graduated: 2008 Major: Marketing and Spanish Today: Owner of video production company in Chapel Hill, N.C. Advice: Stop drinking! OK, start drinking again.

Thank you for voting Bodega La Crosse's best beer selection.

Special congratulations to Alicia Stoltz, runner up, La Crosse's favorite bartender.

BEN CLARK What you did at the Supper back in the day?

Writer/student editor/delivery boy. I still toss in submissions to The Bluff section!

Graduated: 2009 Major: Microbiology with a German minor Today: I’m working as a microbiologist down at a small, independent laboratory in Milwaukee. I play guitar in a punk/ ska band called The Ska’tTsmen, and we still make it over to La Crosse every now and then to skank the hell out of the city!

Advice: La Crosse is a unique city.

It offers all of the perks that come with being a midsized college town (hip coffee shops, bars, galleries, and tons of awesome music venues), but within the easy access of a small town. It’s easy to get stuck into a routine of

studying, looking for the groups that will best pad your resume and get you into the graduate program of your dreams (or like some of us, studying, partying with the same group of kids you met in the dorms or knew from high school, rinse and repeat.)

My tip to all of you reading this is that there are so many different things to experience and enjoy in La Crosse, it would be a waste of your parents’ money NOT to indulge on the finer things La Crosse has to offer. If there is something that you are passionate about, or if you haven’t found your passion yet, I guarantee that you will find something in La Crosse. Maybe not at school, but definitely in the places and people that make up your city.

MIKE KEITH What you did at the Supper back in the day? Advertising sales, business manager, and owner/publisher. Overall my favorite thing about the Second Supper is that it’s involved some of the most talented, unique and intelligent people in the area to offer alternative viewpoints to the Tribune and other media in our town.

Graduated: 2006, MBA 2010 Major: Marketing Today: I currently concentrate my efforts on re-using, refurbishing and remarketing functional electronics domestically and internationally for Dynamic Recycling. I’m fortunate I received another opportunity to get behind something I’m passionate about in La Crosse. I’ve worked at Dynamic Recycling since 2010.

Advice: When I came to the area in 2001 for school I had no idea I’d be here for over 10 years! So in short, I’m experienced, take my advice seriously!

1. My first piece of advice for UW-L students is to get involved with the Racquet or Second Supper. I’d recommend the Second Supper. Whether its advertising or writing, you can’t sell that enough on a resume!

2. Go to Pettibone Park! It's on the other side of the river from downtown; you can easily bike there from campus and spend the afternoon gazing at the water, fishing in the backwaters of the Mississippi or enjoying the towering oaks above you as you play a round of Frisbee golf.

3. Gather your friends and head to the Kickapoo River; it's less than an hour from campus and the rock outcroppings and setting will make you feel like you're in another part of the world.

Visit us online at www.secondsupper.com

Second Supper | The Free Press

THE BLUFF

August 1, 2012 // 19

Nation still buzzing about justices' landmark decision

By Tim Ryan Special to Second Supper

We are all, of course, still reeling from the shocking Supreme Court decision handed down last month, the far-reaching consequences of which may not be known for years, perhaps decades. In the meantime, this stunning development threatens to further divide us as a country — if, as a country, we can survive this.

Personally, I fear the earth-shattering implications of this ruling, which has upended the very foundations of our society, threatening to eventually dissolve the very fabric of our democracy.

I am, of course, talking about the high court’s decision siding with a lower court ruling that tossed out a $550,000 fine for Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl.

You may recall that Jackson’s right breast — and its accompanying nipple piercing — were suddenly and briefly exposed during a halftime show with singer Justin Timberlake.

The Federal Communications Commission subsequently fined CBS $27,500 for each of the 20 stations it owned for permitting this vulgar crime to occur on the airwaves — referring to the so-called wardrobe malfunction, not Timberlake’s singing.

Not only that, they even charged the piercing as an accessory.

A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia later ruled against the FCC, holding that the FCC had acted arbitrarily and capriciously in imposing the fine, because, apparently, the FCC never had a problem with fleeting instances of indecent words and images until it came to Janet Jackson’s breast.

The FCC pursued an appeal of that ruling for years — probably because they wanted an excuse to keep playing the video in court — but, last month, the case of FCC v. “Wow, check out the piercing” was finally closed with the Supreme Court decision that it wouldn’t even bother hearing the appeal.

Though Clarence Thomas still insisted on watching the video.

Conservative pundits and politicians that had been geared up for an expected victory in this long-awaited and hotly contested legal case were shocked and dismayed by the apparent Supreme Court betrayal and the rage was unleashed immediately.

Talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who threatened to move to Costa Rica if the fine was overturned, aimed his invective at the Supreme Court rather than Janet Jackson, because, he said, “clearly the court is the one with the bigger boobs.”

After the court decision was issued, a sobbing Glenn Beck on his morning ra-

dio program used a chalkboard diagram to show his listeners how Janet Jackson’s breast directly led to Wall Street’s financial meltdown, the election of Barack Obama and the breakup of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

“It is not a coincidence that TomKat announced their divorce the same day this decision came down,” Beck said. “And as TomKat goes, so goes the country.”

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who called the court’s decision “unconstitutional,” said it was a history-making expansion of power for the entertainment industry.

“Our founding fathers worked tirelessly to ensure a clean and wholesome Super Bowl halftime show that could be watched by the entire family, free of offensive body parts,” Bachmann said. “Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that we have no freedom of choice not to watch pornographic song-and-dance numbers, it is only a matter of time before they come into our homes to seize the remote.”

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson issued a press release calling the court decision a sad day for democracy and the worst tragedy to befall the United States since “The Brady Bunch” was taken off the air.

Conservative columnist Michele Malkin appeared on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show to proudly announce she would never stoop to showing off her breast on TV, for which Hannity promptly applauded her.

Also on Fox News, Bill O’Reilly slammed the ruling as part of a liberal war on religious freedom.

“If the FCC can’t be allowed to penalize CBS for Janet Jackson’s breast, then how long before the Catholic Church is ordered to stop handing out penance in the confessional?” he said.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called the high court “a death panel for decency,” and said the ruling would only serve to advance the Socialist agenda of making nipple rings an acceptable fashion accessory.

“This is only the beginning of the end,” Palin said. “We’ll all be forced to wear piercings soon as a result of this decision. And if we don’t wear them, they can fine us. Soon they’ll be doing body searches to make sure we’re wearing them.”

The uproar and the analysis of what the court's decision could ultimately mean for average Americans is unlikely to subside any time soon. In the meantime, the political battle lines are already being drawn.

Some Republican governors, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, said they would refuse to wear a body piercing in spite of the court ruling.

“I’m hopeful that after the November election we will have a new president who will change the law and repeal the nipple ring mandate,” Walker said.

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The 7 wonders of your world

Is your life and health in balance?

Living healthy is a balancing act that requires more than exercise and a good diet. In fact, there are 7 dimensions of wellness—body, mind, feelings, relationships, spirit, work and community— each dependent on the others. That’s why Gundersen Lutheran has launched Balance Your 7. It’s a rich resource for ideas, inspiration and actions to help you take charge of your health and bring all 7 dimensions of wellness into balance.

To help bring balance to your life, go to BalanceYour7.com every day.

DIVERSIONS

20// August 1, 2012

Second Supper | The Free Press

"British Invasion" Are you ready?

By Matt Jones

S U G IN T O V R O F S K N THA THE BEST(#1) WINGS IN THE AREA. Dozen Wings – $6.99 Anyti Wing Nights: me!

Wednesdays 3 p m – ?, Saturdays 5 10 wings for pm – ? $3.00 Take ‘e m with ya for $4.50 100 Wings – $45 Any Time [Call Ahead]

Try our Home Made Sauces, 14 different sauces to choose from.

ACROSS 1 "Unbelievable" band of 1991 4 Wallflowers lead singer Dylan 9 Like much medicine 13 DiCaprio, to fans 14 Puget Sound city 15 Stupor 16 Writing assignment that, through complete luck, got an A? 18 Vowels that look like an H 19 Did away with Homer's neighbor for good?

21 He was joined on stage by a Tupac hologram in 2012 23 ___ out a living 24 Item rolled by gaming geeks 25 Axton of "Gremlins" 26 Exhale like a dog 29 "Bionic ___" (2007 NBC remake) 31 ___-Tzu (Chinese philosopher) 32 Song played on a sitar 33 Detergent brand

Answers on Page 22

34 Band of John Wayneloving computer programmers?

39 Come up short 40 It's good to hear after a spill 41 Freddy's street 43 Big bone 46 ___-rock 47 Popeye's kid ___'Pea 48 That, in Spanish 49 "Call Me Maybe" singer Carly ___ Jepsen 51 Stair part 52 Completely fooled one of the Beverly Hillbillies?

57 Color of un zafiro 58 Bumper sticker slogan for Stooges fans?

61 ___ and void 62 Fixed sock holes 63 56, in old Rome 64 "___ does that starspangled banner..."

65 ___-Hawley Tariff 66 Have some havarti DOWN 1 "The Santaland Diaries" occupation 2 "Spaceballs" director

Sports Nut – Your Home for Sports!

36 Punk offshoot 37 Song from "Licensed to Ill," with "The" 38 Show whose fans are named by adding "ks" to the title 42 Debussy's "La ___" 43 Selena's music genre 44 Rodeos and Troopers, e.g.

45 Actor Scott of "Quantum Leap" 46 Train in a 1974 movie title, or its 2009 remake 47 ___ Spin (classic toy) 50 Heartburn causes, maybe 51 No longer working: abbr.

53 Pocoyo's pachyderm friend 54 Prefix before space 55 Fighting word that means "hand," not "person" 56 ___-à-porter 59 Jefferson founded it 60 Model maker's need ©2012 Jonesin' Crosswords

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Brooks 3 Seeker's cry to the hider 4 Mock 5 Mil. school 6 Head of Germany?

7 Folded breakfast dish 8 Former Israeli prime minister 9 Took way too much 10 Warning on video games with lots of gore 11 Hank who voices Chief Wiggum 12 Take down a notch 14 Precocious kid 17 MTV mainstay Loder 20 City where Whitney Houston's funeral was held 21 Rival of UPS and FedEx 22 Word before hog or rage 26 Rate 27 In the past 28 Lowest point 30 ___-Wan Kenobi 32 Wanted poster word 33 Leaping creature 35 Pond fish

the free press

Office hours by appointment only

Second Supper | The Free Press

Trivia Corner Every Thursday night at 8 p.m., random fact aficionado — and Second Supper editor — Adam Bissen hosts a night of free trivia at the Popcorn Tavern. Hand-crafted to be more challenging than your average bout of bar trivia, each contest brings something new from the worlds of popular culture, current events, fine art, and local happenings.

Could you pass the Popcorn Tavern Trivia test? Take a stab at these sample questions to find out.

Answers are below, but don't cheat!

1. Geography What is the only U.S. state capital not to have a McDonald’s?

2. Steve Buschemi Movies, By Quote “I don't tip because society says I have to. All right, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I'll give them a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it's for the birds.”

3. Art In May, an Impressionist drawing by Edvard Munch set the new record as the most expensive piece of art ever sold at auction.

What is this vibrant work of pastels on board, completed in 1895,that you’ve probably seen on coffee mugs, T-shirts, in a thousand parodies? The buyer remains anonymous.

4. Restaurants It’s best to come hungry for this famous breakfast joint at 833 Rose St. If you can eat the five-pound Unk’s Mess in one setting you get your Polaroid on the wall. If not, you’ll be eating it for a week.

5. Mayors In April, this UW-La Crosse marketing professor was elected mayor of Onalaska with a whopping 77 percent of the vote.

6. Wes Anderson Soundtracks In the closing scene of Rushmore, a curtain falls on the cast party for Max Fisher’s hit play while actors dance to “Ooh La La” – which you might remember for its refrain “I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger.” What English band, fronted by Rod Stewart, recorded “Ooh La La”?

7. NBA Prep-To-Pros Shortly after escorting R&B star Brandy to his high school prom, this shooting guard was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996. After being traded for center Vlade Divac, the 17-year-old became the youngest player ever to start in an NBA game. Remaining with his original Western Conference team for the past 16 seasons, he is five-time NBA champion and the fifth leading scorer in NBA history. Name this 14time all-star.

8. Current Events In June, a House oversight committee voted along party lines cite U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for contempt. This was in response to his handling of a botched gun trafficking operation that lasted from 20092011, where agents from the Bureau of Al-

August 1, 2012 // 21

DIVERSIONS cohol, Tobacco, and Firearms observed drug cartels smuggling firearms into Mexico, at least one of which killed a U.S. border patrol agent. Identify this federal operation with a cinematic codename.

Make It Downtown Tonight!

9. Skyscrapers The tallest skyscraper in the United States, Willis Tower in Chicago, is presently the ninth tallest skyscraper in the world, rising a total of 1,450 feet. But when it opened in 1973, it was the tallest building on the planet, though it had a different name. What was the original – and better known – name of Willis Tower?

10. Obamacare Although upholding the majority of the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court presented a much narrower interpretation of this enumerated power, found in the first Article of the U.S. Constitution. What is this alliterative clause, which had been interpreted since 1937 to allow Congressional oversight of national social policy, but was dismissed as an argument for the Affordable Care Act? 11. Milwaukee Bucks Draft Picks Perhaps the greatest Milwaukee Buck of all time was drafted first overall in 1969, only the second year of the Bucks’ existence. He was an instant star, but in 1976 he requested a trade to Los Angeles, which he felt was more in line with his cultural needs. Who was this star center who changed his name in 1971 the day after he led the Bucks to their first championship?

12. Potent Potables H. L. Mencken called this cocktail "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet." A traditionalist, his was probably made with gin and dry vermouth.

13. La Crosse Big Wigs Who is the president of the La Crosse City Council?

14. First Lyrics of Classic Albums [1971] “I am on a lonely road and I am traveling Traveling, traveling, traveling Looking for something, what can it be?”

15. Indie Rock Band, Ultimate Frisbee Team, or CIA Operation?

Chain Lightning ANSWERS Montpelier, VT Reservoir Dogs “The Scream” Marge’s on Rose Joe Chilsen The Faces Kobe Bryant Operation Fast and Furious Sears Tower Commerce Clause Lew Alcindor Martini Audrey Kader Blue – Joni Mitchel Ultimate Frisbee team

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Second Supper | The Free Press

CONSUMPTION

The Beer Review Ayinger Bräu-Weisse Brauerei Aying Aying, Germany

When the beer gods close a bar, sometimes they open a bier hall. That was the solace I told myself when the Joint, a beloved biker bar home to plastic shot glasses and $4 DTB pitchers, shuttered its doors earlier this spring. I had many great times at the Joint, and I miss it, but as a beer snob I was captivated by rumors that soon hit the streets: A German bar was coming to La Crosse! We spent the summer waiting, watching blonde planks, sawdust and Hammerschlagen tables pile up in the future biergarten. And then, to little fanfare but fast-circulating word of mouth, Stolpa’s Stein Haus opened last week. Despite slow-building hype, and some wrinkles that could be smoothed out, I’m so excited by this escalation of local beer culture. With Stein Haus, La Crosse could be in for something good — at the very least future nominations for best International cuisine and beer selection.

The first thing I noticed about Stein Haus is that it’s bright. I hardly even remember seeing the walls in the Joint, but here everything glows like warm maple wood with German beer swag and Munich posters everywhere. A chalkboard lines the upper walls with an overpowering list of 40 bratwurst varieties and a revolving list of bottled beers that dips heavily into Belgians. That’s fantastic, but on my first trips to Stein Haus, of course, I had to order German draughts.

While the line of Hacker-Pschorr taps is es-

pecially robust, on a recent sweltering evening I opted for a classic summer beer, the Ayinger Bräu-Weisse.

Purchase: One half-liter (roughly 17 ounces) of Ayinger Bräu-Weisse, $6.

Style: Hefeweizen

Strength: 5.1 percent ABV

Packaging: The Ayinger tap handle depicts a quaint Bavarian brewery, but the hefty glass steins are even more stunning.

Appearance: The beer pours a cloudy straw color with a thin eggshell head.

Aroma: This has a powerful aroma for the style (if you’re curious, Bräu-Weisse is German for wheat beer), with huge notes of apricot, clove, banana bread and yeast.

Taste: I detected more flavors of cloves, nutmeg and toffee sweetness on the tongue, but the actual flavor palate was like few other beers I’ve sampled. It seemed like I could taste textures, such as the creaminess of corn and flakiness of yeast. (One drinker in our group even compared it to aloe.) Still, the finish is alternately sour and drying.

Mouthfeel: Rather thick for a wheat beer, it also feels slippery and oily before turning mysteriously dry.

Drinkability: I found this to be a tasty beer, though not especially drinkable. If I were to order up a boot (a highly recommended pastime), I’d opt for a dark Munich lager.

Ratings: BeerAdvocate scores this a 92, while RateBeer gives it a solid 97. For wheat beer fans, the Ayinger Bräu Weisse is an excellent selection, and I’m glad I had my first.

Still, I can’t wait to come back to Stein Haus and drink the rest of the menu.

— Adam Bissen

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Second Supper | The Free Press

August 1, 2012 // 23

CONSUMPTION

Beer DireCTOrY THE CASINO 304 Pearl St. Beer list Wittekerke Franziskaner Hacker-Pschorr Weiss Weihenstephan Kristall 16.9 oz Delirium Tremens 750 ml Melange A Trois Reserve 750 ml Pearl Street Pale Ale Paddy Pale Ale Moon Man Crooked Tree Hopslayer Centennial Hop Stoopid 22oz LambickX 750 ml Petrus Aged Pale 750 ml Goudenband 750 ml Smuttynose Farmhouse 22 oz Spotted Cow Prima Pils Golden Pheasant 16.9oz Brew Farm Select Lager Grain Belt Nordeast Lost Lake Light Rhinelander Export-7 oz La Crosse Lager La Crosse Light Spaten Optimator Huber Bock Doppel Weizen 22oz

Downtown Brown Hobgoblin Founder's Porter Cappuccino Stout 22oz Founders Breakfast Stout Matacabras Dark Ale Gouden Carolus 750 ml Achel Trappist Extra 750ml Kasteel Donker 750ml Happy hour: $1 off all beer over $3 $3 off all beer over $6 $6 off all beer over $18

PEARL STREET BREWERY TASTING ROOM 1401 St. Andrew St. Beer list D.T.B Pale Ale El Hefe That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout Stout Rubber Mills Pils Tambois Raspberry Framboise Java Lava Dankenstein Double IP

CRUNCH 333 Main St. Beer list On TapPearl Street Brewery: Pale Ale Downtown Brown Sam Adams Spotted Cow by New Glarus Coors Light Blue Moon Featured Bottles Alaskan Ale Pearl Street Brewery- El Hefe Angry Cider Guiness Smithwick's New Glarus- Moon Man Sierra Nevada And many more craft beers!

g Thanks La Crosse for votin the for the Cavalier Lounge #1

Best Cocktail Bar Best Jukebox & Favorite Bartender– Jason LaCourse 114 5th Ave N La Crosse, WI 54601-3309 (608) 782-2111

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24// August 1, 2012

The ADviCe GODDeSS

By Amy Alkon amy.alkon@secondsupper.com Dew drop your pants

I broke up with my guy a while ago, which was the right thing to do. But, I’ve found myself hooking up with guys for no reason other than getting caught in a provocative moment.

Of course, as you’ve often written, men and women are very different when it comes to casual sex, and what’s casual for men ends up feeling not so casual for a lot of women.

Including me. So, I have to wonder, knowing what I know, why I keep going for pleasure and excitement in the moment when I know I will feel empty afterward.

— Own Worst Enemy Some women have a long list of requirements a man has to meet before

Second Supper | The Free Press

THE LAST WORD they’ll have sex with him. You, for example, require a man to walk into the bar, be reasonably hot, be reasonably hetero, and say things that make you feel really special, like “This seat taken?”

Humans evolved to live in the now: “Eat the berry. You’ll never know when you’ll see your next berry.” This psychology made a lot of sense in the evolutionary environment, about 1.8 million years before 7-Elevens and Walmart grocery megastores.

But, these days, our propensity to grab for immediate benefits (while blocking out future costs) can cause some misery — as you’ve discovered whenever the answer to “So, how long have you two lovebirds been together?” has been “Oh, about two-and-ahalf beers.”

It’s possible that your need-forstimulation jets are set on high. In psychology-speak, this means scoring high in “sensation-seeking,” a personality trait with a strong biological basis, expressed by a lust for novelty, variety, and intense experiences and a willingness to engage in risky behavior to get them. Not surprisingly, sexual sensation-seekers often use alcohol to lubricate the way. (Just a guess, but you probably aren’t hooking up from a park bench or after getting hammered on an immuno-boosting peach smoothie with a wheatgrass chaser — the absinthe of the

juice bar.)

It’s time to ditch “the power of now” for the power of no. You create a personal culture through behavior you repeat over time, like repeatedly not giving in to the temptation to seize the moment (and whatever’s in the pants of the person on the next barstool). Being conscious of the psychology behind your behavior helps you change it. If you are a thrill-seeker, feed that in ways that don’t involve dropping thong. If you’re really looking for love, remind yourself that you aren’t likely to find it between your underwear and a stack of old porn mags under some bar dude’s bed.

And consider other reasons you’re drawn to casual sex, like maybe loneliness or a need for touch. (A massage will cost you money, but there’s no “walk of shame” afterward.)

You might also try “precommitment,” a strategy originated by economist Thomas Schelling that involves prearranging to make it hard for yourself to duck a goal.

Tell friends you’ve sworn off one-night soul mates, ask them to support you in that, and avoid going alone to bars. As your last line of defense, do things that would make you too embarrassed to get naked with a guy, like wearing ratty granny panties and writing a message in permanent magic marker across your stomach — something real come-hither-y, like “Got herpes? (I do,

and I love to share.)”

Snail male

This woman I’ve been dating is smart, sweet, and kind in addition to being beautiful, but I feel we miss more than we click. It’s like we almost connect but never fully do. I’ve finally admitted to myself that that’s not enough. My only other girlfriends both cheated on me, so cutting the cord was easy. How do you break up with somebody who has done nothing wrong except seem kind of wrong?

— Procrastinator When you need to break up with a woman, you’d think she’d at least have the decency to cheat on you, clean out your bank accounts, and hit kittens over the head with a two-by-four. As awful as it seems to pink-slip a girlfriend whose character flaws run the gamut from kindness to hotitude, what’s really wrong is sticking around past the “ditch by” date. This just eats time — maybe taking months or years off her biological shot clock. The right thing to do is to tell her you don’t click as soon as you’ve figured that out. So, buck up and set this one free. And try to have some perspective. There are worse things you could do to a woman than tell her it’s over — such as faking your own death and turning up in Mexico five years later.

Our next edition of Second Supper | The Free Press publishes Sept. 1. Our advertising deadline is Aug. 24. For information, email roger.bartel@secondsupper.com.

Check out our new bottled beer selection!

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

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

TUESDAY

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

SATURDAY

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 Mixers (7-1am)