Second Supper

INSIDE: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTUMN SMELL? • PAGE 6

VOLUME 10, NO. 39 | OCTOBER 14, 2010

ALSO ...

6Q with 'Judas' Page 9

Evergreen Grass Band hits Popcorn Page 10

step back time Page 5

PLUS: SOCIAL NETWORKING • PAGE 2 | THE ADVICE GODDESS • PAGE 7 | ADAM BISSEN'S LAST WORD • PAGE 16

PHOTO BY KELLY OTTESEN

Page 9

in

'Sweeney Todd' is bloody good

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Second Supper

1sT annual

ToppersTix™ eaTing ConTesT

Saturday, OctOber 16, 3-5pm

Fundraising Campaign

Social Networking NAME AND AGE: Benjamin Hegy, 25

WHERE WERE yOU BORN? La Crosse

CURRENT JOB: The Root Note Cafe Ye Olde Deaf Ear Records

DREAM JOB: To live simply as a shepperd, on a company expenditure account.

Or the NBA.

LAST THING yOU GOOGLED: (VSHC) The Very Small Hadron Collider

IF yOU COULD LIvE ANyWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? The undesirable section of Stankonia, where things are still fly.

WHAT IS SOMETHING yOU WANT TO DO BEFORE yOU DIE: Assemble a crew, hoist the anchor, raise the sails and fix the bow on Guatemala.

WHAT IS yOUR BEvERAGE OF CHOICE? A bowl of loud mouth soup. Dirty.

CELEBRITy CRUSH: Well ... definitely all of them!

WHAT BOOK ARE yOU CURRENTLy READING?

Sign up to eat topperstix™ and a chance to win a $200 toppers Gift card Only the first 50 people will have a chance to compete Sign up today at our Lacrosse location Kickoff with our panel of 5 local celebrity competitors for a month long fundraiser

"Quiet Days in Clichy" Henry Miller

TELL US yOUR GUILTIEST PLEASURE: Patriotism

WHAT IS yOUR BIGGEST PET PEEvE? The existence of cats

TELL US A JOKE: Home-made toothbrush. (Confusion derived Contrast humor is the next great form of American funny).— Quote.

WHAT ONE PERSON ALIvE OR DEAD WOULD yOU WANT TO HAvE DINNER WITH? I would like to have dinner with Matt Damon only to remind him that, "It's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's not your fault."

WHAT'S THE LAST THING yOU BOUGHT? A portable projector screen and a mail courier shirt from GoodWill.

We will be selling pizza by the slice and soda to benefit WaFer

WHAT'S IN yOUR POCKET RIGHT NOW?: My backup gold, the secrets of the stars and a sensible snack.

IF A GENIE GRANTED yOU ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD yOU ASK FOR? One wish? I would wish that said genie please respectively put on a shirt.

608-788-8899 325 WEST AVENUE NORTH

lacrosse • sun-thurs 10:30am - 3am, Fri & sat till 3:30am

FIRST CONCERT yOU WENT TO: Something of the rock-ish variety at the either the Warehouse or the Hollywood Theater (R.I.P.).

WHAT IS yOUR FAvORITE PART OF SECOND SUPPER? It being a successful community based publication driven by it's own constituency.

HOW DO yOU KNOW JARED (LAST WEEK'S INTERvIEW)?

We're currently working on a dynasty.

— Compiled by Shuggypop Jackson

Second Supper

Things To Do Expand your musical horizons with The Pines

The Top Postseason pitchers 1. Matt Halladay 2. Mariano Rivera 3. Cliff Lee 4. CC Sabathia 5. Tim Lincecum 6. Tim Hudson 7. Roy Oswalt Places with decriminalized pot 1. Milwaukee County 2. Waukesha County 3. Madison 4. Eau Claire 5. Washburn 6. Two Rivers 7. Onalaska

October 14, 2010 // 3

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Following in its tradition of introducing great emerging performers to La Crosse, the Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King St., hosts The Pines, an alternative-folk duo, at 7:30 PM on Friday, Oct. 22. Tickets for this concert are $18 members, $21 general public in advance and $25 day of show. The Pines (David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey, son of Greg Brown's producer and sideman Bo Ramsey) first played together in a Mexican barrio in Arizona. Their music has been described as “wavering on the edge of traditional acoustic/roots music, while embracing the nuances of today's indie-rock and blues.” They have released two albums with legendary roots label Red House Records, shared the stage with Bon Iver, The Holmes Brothers, Jolie Holland, The Arcade Fire, and Spider John Koerner. The Pines were featured on Wisconsin Public Television's 30 Minute Music Hour.

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Rekindle your appreciation for the Ericksons, Gilbert

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse is celebrating its 150th anniversary Oct. 22-24 with music, food, history and more! The highlights include a concert featuring Vance Gilbert and the Ericksons at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. The Ericksons are two sisters, originally from La Crosse, whose career stops have included New York City and now the Twin Cities. They recently performed on the main stage at the Great River Folk Fest.

Gilbert, a Boston-based national touring performer/songwriter, also is familiar to La Crosse audiences, having made previous performances here.

Admission is $15 through Sunday, Oct. 17, $18 at the door. For more information, contact Malzer at (608) 498-9002 or ronsaturday@gmail.com.

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Learn about the issues, candidates in governor's race

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will host the candidates for governor in the November election in a candidate forum at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 19, in the Port O’ Call Room of the Cartwright Center. The event is cosponsored by UW-L, League of Women Voters, Channel 19 and the La Crosse Tribune. Professor Joe Heim of UW-L will serve as moderator. Candidates expected to participate are Tom Barrett (Democrat), James Dean Langer (Independent) and Scott Walker (Republican). For more information, visit http://www.lwvlacrosse.org/calendar.html.

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Rally for equality and pride

The third annual Rally for Equality will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, in Cameron Park, King Street and Fifth Avenue, La Crosse. The LGBT Resource Center for the Seven Rivers Region is sponsoring the event. Participants can share signs, rainbow flags and other symbols of pride and equality in the silent rally. A walk of unity to stand silently on the Cass Street bridge will take place from noon to roughly 12:30 p.m.

Organizers anticipate a crowd of about 200 people.

Be prepared to scream

4 5

Witches, goblins, ghosts, oh my! Come experience it all Friday through Sunday, Oct. 15-17, at TERRORFEST at the Batavian Bank Building, 319 Main St., La Crosse. The fest will start at 6:30 p.m. and run until midnight. All ages are permitted until 8 p.m.; no one younger than 12 will be allowed after 8 p.m. without a guardian. Family day is 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door. However, on Oct.r 30 tickets are $3 for children. Proceeds will benefit the Grand River Singers. The hauntings will continue Oct. 21-24 and Oct. 28-31. For information, visit www.terrorfestlax.com.

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WisPolitics.com Report THAT'S DEBATABLE

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Second Supper

COMMENTARY

Editor's Note: WisOpinion.com has asked two veterans of Wisconsin policy and politics, Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now and Brian Fraley of the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, to engage in weekly exchanges on a topic of their choosing. This week they debate Kathleen Falk's legacy.

Ross: Progressive leader and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk surprised many last week when she announced she would be resigning prior to the end of her historic fourth term. Unlike other county executives, and yes, I’m looking at you Scott Walker, Falk proved you don’t have to starve public services and alienate public employees in order to do your job. (Full disclosure: I worked for Falk when she ran for governor in 2002.)

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Fraley: Kathleen Falk's legacy will be one of repeatedly failing to use her position as a stepping stone to statewide office. Her 2002 run for governor fizzled. Four years later she ran for attorney general. In a huge year for Democrats across the country, Falk lost to now-Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

Ross: Falk made certain that actual public dollars were invested in helping people who had been left behind. Falk may have sought higher office, but her selling point was always what she had done to make people’s lives better. Contrast this with Scott Walker’s

eight-year campaign for governor built on destroying the county’s public infrastructure and you see the real contrast between true leader like Falk and cheap trying-to-get-outthe-door hack like Walker.

Fraley: Falk has wanted to be something other than Dane Co. exec since the minute she was sworn in. Now she'll get her chance.

Perhaps if Tom Barrett were to be governor she'd be the DNR Secretary? Indeed, what her decision to bail now means for the future is much more interesting than what her insignificant legacy will be. Will Spender Black use whatever is left of his war chest to run? Or is Mark Pocan the heir apparent liberal frontrunner? These are your peeps, Scott, who do you think will vie for the post?

Ross: Mark my words: Nancy Mistele will absolutely be the next Dane Co. executive, paving her way to the eventual presidency of the United States of America. Thanks again, Falk. Dane County owes you a ton.

Fraley: I almost feel sorry for you. Your party has made a bad economy much worse and is on the verge of being slaughtered at the polls because of it. Even liberal champions who were once "rising stars" like Kathleen Falk are bailing. No premature celebration here, but not only is November coming, early voting is already here. Let's roll!

NEWS IN BRIEF Walker, Barrett highlight their plans for economy

MyEaglesNest.NET

GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker pledged to declare an economic emergency his first day in office if elected while Democrat Tom Barrett said he'd streamline the state's job creation and economic development tools.

During separate appearances at the Wisconsin Economic Summit in Milwaukee, Walker described his six-point plan to help the state recover from the “Great Recession.”

That includes supporting infrastructure with "investments across the board" and saying he "would open the door toward more options.''

Walker told attendees he'd also push for tax cuts across the board, not just for small businesses. He blasted Barrett's 67page economic plan, saying "about 35 pages are filled with more government spending and another 10 pages are filled with more government regulations."

Barrett said streamlining of the state's job creation and economic development tools would make state government a stronger partner with the private sector to create jobs and expand business opportunities.

Barrett called Walker's jobs plan a "joke" and pledged he would launch a comprehensive search for an economic director for the state if elected.

Barrett said his own plan included tax cuts and venture capital fund initiatives, seeded with state dollars.

Barrett stressed his concern for areas of

Wisconsin outside of Milwaukee, saying he thinks programs have languished in past decades because of a city vs. suburbs mentality.

Kleefisch declines additional debates

Rebecca Kleefisch has rejected Tom Nelson’s invitation to do five debates ahead of the Nov. 2 election.

Nelson, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, wrote his GOP counterpart proposing debates in Superior, Green Bay, Wausau, Eau Claire and La Crosse. He said that would bring geographical balance to the debates already planned for gubernatorial nominees Tom Barrett and Scott Walker in Madison and Milwaukee.

Nelson also wrote in the letter that he found it troubling that Kleefisch said in an interview when asked if she was ready to be governor that she’d be surrounded by the same experts who’d be helping Walker.

“As Tom Barrett proved in the first debate, the Barrett-Nelson ticket isn't interested in a discussion on how to help get government out of the way of employers so they can create 250,000 jobs,” Walker spokeswoman Jill Bader said about rejecting the debates.

“They are only interested in running away from their records and using false television ads to distort Scott Walker's record."

Barrett spokesman Phil Walzak said it was clear Walker and Kleefisch are afraid to compare their record and vision with Barrett and Nelson’s.

STOCK REPORT

RISING Negative ads

The public claims to hate them. Good government groups bemoan them. But studies show negative ads work, and the guv campaign is full of them, according to a new report. The study from the Midwest Foundation for Media Research finds 85 percent of the $3.7 million in TV ads run since the primary have been negative. The only exceptions have been spots from the American Justice Partnership and some of the ads from Dem Tom Barrett. Wisconsin isn’t alone in that approach, either. The study finds more than 80 percent of the $25 million in six Midwestern guv races has gone to negative spots. That means just $6 million of the ads have been positive. Both Dems and Republicans and their allies have aired an equal proportion of positive and negative ads, the study finds.

MIXED Pardons

An AP report finds Gov. Jim Doyle has handed out pardons at a much higher pace since announcing he would not seek re-election than he had during his previous years in the office. Since August 2009, Doyle has granted 85 pardons, slightly more than a third of the 214 he has issued since 2003. The guv issued more pardons in the past year than former Gov. Tommy Thompson did between 1994 and 1999. While critics charge the guv has gone soft on crime, his office points out the number of pardon applicants has grown dramatically and stressed he hasn't commuted any criminal’s sentence.

Most of the pardons involved low-level offenders who committed their offenses years ago.

FALLING Russ Feingold

Every national story about the Middleton Dem seems to include a line about how he’s in a “fight for his political life.” And opponent Ron Johnson appears to hold his own against Feingold in Friday's first debate with two more to go. Feingold is still given a shot by some insiders, who point to debate opportunities ahead, organizational strength and stories about the Oshkosh businessman's links to government subsidies (the latest is a report about use of prison labor). But national pundits are more and more moving the race toward Johnson's favor. Feingold has upped his outreach to young voters and is doing his best to gin up the Dem base. The more optimistic Dems seem to be pinning their hopes on two more debates and Feingold's grassroots network.

Second Supper

COMMUNITY

October 14, 2010 // 5

Step back in time Scenes from Historic Downtown Day PHOTOS BY KELLY OTTESEN

Perfect weather and a dizzying array of activities and attractions ensured the success of the 15th annual Historic Downtown Day on Saturday, Oct. 9. The event featured events such as the chili cook-off (left), a pie baking contest, events for children, sales at local stores, music, crafts, historic tours and plenty of hosts and hostesses in period costumes (such as shown on today's cover). The event is sponsored

by Downtown Mainstreet Inc.

Second Supper 614 Main St., La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 782-7001 Online: secondsupper.com Publisher: Roger Bartel roger.bartel@secondsupper.com Editor in Chief: Adam Bissen adam.bissen@secondsupper.com Student Editor: Emily Faeth emily.faeth@secondsupper.com Sales: Mike Keith mike.keith@secondsupper.com

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Second Supper

COMMUNITY

Speak Your Mind with Kent Westlund

What is your favorite autumn smell?

"The aroma of pies baking and the spicy smell of nutmeg, from my grandma's kitchen."

Ashley Von Arx Nursing student, St. Charles, Minn.

"Apple crisp. I make my own, right from peeling the apples. The secret ingredient is vanilla cake batter."

"The scent of leaves on the ground. It reminds me of my childhood and of walking to school."

Michael Adams Chicago

"The warm smell of my grandmother's homemade pumpkin pie."

Hannah Bare (middle) Student, Fort Atkinson

Naomi Erickson La Crosse

"A big pot of my chili on a cold day. With shredded cheddar cheese and Chili Cheese Fritos."

"Anything baked with pumpkin and spice. Though I don't have much time for baking these days."

Jessica Koenen (left) Preschool teacher, La Crosse

Darlene Dochnahl Biochem student, La Crosse

Second Supper

The Advice Goddess

By Amy Alkon amy.alkon@secondsupper.com Pier pressure

I got laid off when my company relocated.

I was unemployed for 10 months while I tried unsuccessfully to find a job. During this time, my wife resented that she was working and I was “off.” She’d criticize the housework I did, saying I never dusted or swept well enough. She also complained that all her friends are going on vacations and cruises, and not us. I reminded her that, in this economy, many people who are financially strapped take “staycations.” She said that doesn’t make her feel better, and that she took more cruises and trips before she got married. I finally found a temporary but very stressful managerial job, and she now complains that I don’t have as much time for her. Is there hope for us?

— Can’t Win

In this economy, a lot of people are going without — without meat, without medical care, without Princess Cruises with open bars and 24-hour karaoke.

There you are, pounding the pavement looking for work for 10 months, and in case that isn’t emasculating enough, by the way, you’re also dusting wrong. Sure, being human, your wife might think, “Damn, I haven’t been on a cruise-ship shuffleboard court in over a year!” Being a loving partner entails not letting her every thought leap out of her mouth in the form of words — especially if you don’t exactly have a history of quitting your job to smoke pot and study patterns in the wallpaper.

Acting all lovey dovey comes easy on the Lido deck, where the big question is “More Dom, darling?” To see how much love you actually have, raise glasses of tap water to an improved economy while sitting in your candle-lit living room (candle-lit till you cobble together the deposit to get the lights turned back on). Because women evolved to go for providers, having a partner who’s out of a job can push a woman’s buttons. So, it is possible your wife loves you, and it’s just her fear and anxiety talking. Fear: “What if I never see another ice sculpture?!” Anxiety: “Hey! I went on more cruises before we were married!” And then there’s you, the voice of restraint, in that you don’t snap back, “Feel free to up the number again after we’re divorced!”

I suggest doing what therapist Nathaniel Branden calls “an experiment in intimacy.” Spend 12 hours together in a hotel room: no books, TV, phone calls, naps or walks outside. Except for bathroom breaks, you remain together at all times.

You can sit in silence if you want, but you’re free to talk about anything, provided it’s personal (no talk of work, kids’ schoolwork, redecorating, etc.). Branden’s premise is

ADVICE that when all avenues of escape are closed off, couples experience real breakthroughs in communication. He says that only three times in 20 years did couples break up after the 12-hour session.

Now, you two might end up Branden’s breakup number 4. Or, maybe your wife will decide that she has much to be grateful for — you, for starters, and all you’re doing to ensure that you’re only taking “staycations,” not foreclosurecations. (That’s when you permanently vacate your home and take up residence in a parking lot in your as-of-yet unrepo’d car.) You can have a lovely view of the ocean — whenever you sneak through the framed picture aisle at Walmart on your way to the john.

Gregory pecs

I’m a 25-year-old straight man in really good shape. I’m online dating, and want to post a picture of myself shirtless. A female co-worker says no way; women will be totally turned off. Really?

— Best Side Forward

Take your cue from women’s magazines, which are wildly lacking in shots of men with greased pecs chopping wood and other popular gay calendar outtakes. While men are turned on by photos of the scantily clad opposite sex, that’s just not what works for women. In fact, for most women, a man who shows off his body seems girly, and sends the message that he’s vain: “I usually take my mirror on dates, but maybe I can make room for you!”

Because women seeking men generally prioritize success over looks, that’s what you should be flexing, with subtlety, in your profile. It is a plus if you have the inverted vee body women favor — broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist — but that’ll come across just fine in a T-shirt and jeans. If you post a shirtless photo, your shirtlessness should seem incidental, like someone just happened to have a camera at beach volleyball … not like your shirt just happened to be off when you stepped in front of your hand that just happened to be holding your camera.

Sudoku

Answers on Page 16

October 14, 2010 // 7

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Second Supper

ARTS

The Arts Review Bizarro Masterpiece Theatre Medium: Film Movie: Warrior of the Lost World (1983) Director: David Worth Starring: Robert Ginty, Persis Khambatta, Donald Pleasance Written by: David Worth

This gem, made in Italy, is what I’d classify as Spaghetti Apocalypse. Less kind folks might refer to Warrior of the Lost World as a shameless Mad Max ripoff. But there’s so much more to this tale of dirtbags rising up against fascists and reclaiming the world!

First off, let’s get the derivatives straight. Mad Max isn’t the only piece of work that Warrior of the Lost World draws inspiration from. Sure, the nameless hero is a grizzled loner who rides into town and dispenses justice – though he actually looks more like Russell Crowe with really womanly lips. Yet his ride of choice, a wiseass talking motorcycle, is more Knight Rider than Thunderdome. The film’s villain is a direct steal from James Bond, as Donald Pleasance essentially reprises his role as 007’s nemesis Ernst Blofeld. It could also be argued that the neon punks, writhing bondage Nazis, and headband-sporting karate geeks that fill out the supporting cast are also lifted creatures: the punkers are Headroomesque, the Nazi sluts remind me of the vapid fashion plates of Liquid Sky, and the karate nerds could have come from anywhere.

After an epic Star Wars-like text crawl (“The nuclear war has been fought!!! The Earth is in ruins!!! All governments have collapsed!!!”), the lone rider roars upon the scene. In short order, he crashes his superbike into the side of a cliff. Oops. When he’s resurrected by the flashlights of a cult of creepy old people in bed sheets, our hero is told that the barrier was really the “Secret Wall of Illusion.” Right.

The old people turn out to be members of the resistance, and the resident babe recruits the rider in order to save her old man.

After the pair bumble through an inexplicable sequence of a critter-filled cave, sexy nightclub, airport walkway, dairy, run-down warehouse, and finally, Evil Headquarters, the goof saves the girl’s dad, only to lose the girl.

The hero regains ground by participating in a Tournament of Dirtbags, in which he fights pretty much every ’80s movie caricature available, including a lumberjack midget. After he whips this dork collective into a proper army, the hero takes on the jewel of the evil army – MEGAWEAPON!

Despite its awesomeness, Megaweapon is essentially a glorified dump truck with

spikes in front that shoots fire in one direction. A kid in a big wheel could get around it, if not destroy it. The hero slides his bike under Megaweapon, and old MW thankfully kills his annoying ride. Unfortunately, that buys the goofball time to take it out like an imperial walker. Boo! Ultimately, this flick is a collection of many discordant elements that somehow make a great little B-movie. Most of the people in the story are dumb, the plot is nonsensical, but everything works! Mad Max had to try in order to succeed; Warrior of the Lost World only had to fail.

— Brett Emerson

The Screening Room

Medium: Film Remake vs. Original Let Me In (2010) Director: Matt Reeves vs.

Let the Right One In (2008) Director: Tomas Alfredson (Both based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist)

The beloved Swedish vampire film Let the Right One In gained a substantial cult following upon its U.S. release. So why remake something that's already so popular?

Don't blame Hollywood; blame mainstream American moviegoers for their subtitle-phobia, a condition that Hollywood remakes have been able to successfully cash in on for decades.

In that respect, Let Me In is a failure. It's under-performance at the box office could signify that the vampire craze — which was supposed to guarantee big financial returns — has finally run its course. The audience Hollywood intended to see it — people who hadn't heard of the original — didn't turn out. Most of its box office draw probably came from LTROI fans eager to see what Hollywood might have added to the story.

And what did Hollywood add? Not much. Let Me In is almost scene-for-scene the exact same movie as LTROI. The original's brooding, melancholic tone is recreated almost to a T. Little is lost in the way of atmosphere, one of LTROI's strongest points.

Likewise, the lead performances practically mirror one another. As vampires go, LMI's Chloe Moretz doesn't muster as menacing a presence as LTROI's Lina Leandersson, but the role remains the same. In both films, the young leads play loneliness and dependency with equal measures restraint and sincerity. They make the uncertainty of adolescent innocence and isolation a

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Second Supper

October 14, 2010 // 9

ARTS

Muse presentation of 'Sweeney Todd' bloody good

By Jonathan Majak jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

Somewhere in the midst of the Second Act carnage that takes place in Sweeney Todd, when the demon barber is slicing and dicing some unfortunate patrons, the woman next to me let out an audible gasp. Her daughter next to her calmly, and rather hilariously, said in assuring tone, “Don’t worry Mom, it isn’t real.” That, my friends, is the mark of a great show, when the audience has fully suspended disbelief and is along for the ride.

And while the deaths may be fake, the talent is most defi nitely real in the Muse Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

With steam punk fl ourishes and an intimate set design, the Muse Theatre surprisingly makes Sweeney Todd work in such a small space without it feeling overcrowded or as if you’re missing something. Much like La Crosse Community Theatre and its production of West Side Story, the Muse has used its

6Q

limitations as an asset to carve out a unique interpretation.

In the central roles of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett, Steven Marking and Emily Bourland shine like the gleam of light bouncing off one of Sweeney’s razors. They are both challenging roles from both acting and singing perspectives, as Sondheim writes notoriously complicated and dense lyrics for a performer to get through — and both do it with aplomb. Marking cuts a chilling fi gure of a man abused by the world and ready to take his revenge on it. Some may quibble at his performance prior to the “Epiphany” number, since one person’s reserved/stoic is another person’s fl at, but I personally found it enjoyable, and the energy he brings to Sweeney once his bloodlust sets in shows it to be a conscious acting choice, not the limitation of his abilities.

Bourland is technically too young to be playing the role of Mrs. Lovett, but her take on the role succeeds based in part because of her youth. Instead of a contemporary of

with Garrett Flood, who plays Judas in UW-La Crosse's production of 'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot'

By Jonathan Majak jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

Think of it as People’s Court: Biblical Edition. Beginning Friday, UW-La Crosse will put on a production of the play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, which follows the notorious biblical fi gure as he stands trial for his misdeeds. We recently chatted with actor Garrett Flood, who we named one of our favorite scene stealers last season for his performance in Eurydice, and talked about playing Judas, directing Art and a certain Peanut.

SS: So, for people who don't know the plot, can you explain a little bit of what The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is about?

GF: The play is about Judas and his decision for turning in Jesus to be executed. The show takes place in purgatory, where they put him on trial to prove if Judas does really deserve to be in hell. It brings up a lot of questions that will make people think in a positive and unique way.

SS: How do you as an actor begin to even approach playing the role of Judas?

GF: I approached this role with great excitement and was careful at the same time.

Thinking about how Judas felt after he turns in Jesus is a lot to deal with. You can very easily become depressed thinking of the despair that Judas felt after what he did. I listened to the text and thought about what the relationship would be like between Jesus and Judas. I concentrated on how he would feel in each scene toward Jesus.

SS: Has this play made you re-examine some of your beliefs or has it reinforced some?

GF: This show just made me thinking deeper into what I already believed in. The playwright [Stephen Adly Guirgis] did a fantastic job of get questions going in your mind but at the same time didn't step over any boundaries. He never makes it uncomfortable in the show. It only touches on parts of religion that you should think about and probably haven't.

SS: You've done some directing work recently with the student-run production of Art. Has working as a director brought new opinions when you come back to do acting?

GF: Directing really helped with my acting.

It made me look at a show in different way. I think about telling the story more than just focusing on my character. How would this certain moment in the show be presented to the audience in a way that keeps their attention and makes them want to keep paying attention. I guess it made me appreciate the story more.

SS: Lastly, with Judas on trial, what character in fi ction would you think should be put on trial and why?

GF: I think that Lucy should be put on trial for pulling the football out from underneath Charlie Brown. That is just mean that she is able to do it over and over again. I think she should be punished by letting Charlie have a chance and see how she likes it.

mosphere that helps immerse you into the show.

Aside from sound issues that occasionally caused singers to be drowned out and some of the actors’ own projection issues, the show succeeded spectacularly well and is the perfect show for the Halloween season.

Just remember, if anybody offers you a close shave, tell them you’re growing your winter beard.

The Screening Room CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 welcome retreat from the cruel, depressing world that surrounds them.

LMI manages to tweak a few of LTROI's minor weak points. Tween vampire Moretz has a slightly deeper relationship with her guardian (Richard Jenkins), which in turn makes the fi lm's ending more bitter-sweet.

This partially makes up for a late-movie reveal/image that the remake unfortunately omits. Other scenes aren't quite as powerful as they are in the original — a devastating night-time hospital sequence and the fi lm's climax, for example — but LMI remains no less effective as a whole. By ignoring the wonderful Let Me In, American audiences have missed out twice.

Winner: Let Me In

— Nick Cabreza

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and 2 Packer Tickets for Jan 2nd Bears vs. Packers 20222585jg

SS: Both this play and Eurydice are very high concept plays. How do you navigate your way through that as an actor GF: You take it day by day. Every rehearsal brings up a deep concept that you have

think about and then break it down to how would your character react. I feel honored to be a part of such a beautiful show that makes you feel and think in a way that you might not have before. We also have a lot of dance parties if it gets too intense.

Sweeney, Bourland, with Cockney accent in tow, transforms Mrs. Lovett into a cunning yet pathetic fan girl of Sweeney. Her youth and her ability to portray a woman who is both shrewdly cruel yet hopelessly naïve, and to make her sympathetic despite her evil doings, is nothing short of brilliant, particularly in her comedic tour de force number “The Worst Pies in London.”

In the role of young Toby, Steven Arenz adeptly plays a character he’s technically too old for, realistically giving off a scrappy childlike vibe to his mistreated huckster character, and has one of the best numbers in “Not While I’m Around.”

As con man Adolfo Pirelli, Kevin Laumbach provides the show with much needed levity in his hilarious comedic turn that’s deliciously over-the-top without verging into camp.

As Johanna and Anthony, Erin Schockmel and Paul Hibbard are perfectly matched as the young lovers who are the one ray of hope within the bleak show, and the pairing of Shockmel’s operatic voice with Hibbard’s soulful vocals create goosebumps.

As the Judge and the Beadle, Steven McCombs and Rhys Wolff are wonderfully villainous, while Rebecca Sefl ow Hartzell as the Beggar Woman helps deliver one of the musical’s biggest emotional punches.

The ensemble, when they aren’t being murdered, create a lively and bustling at-

10// October 14, 2010

Second Supper

MUSIC

Evergreen Grass Band defies labels

By Jason Crider jason.crider@secondsupper.com

Evergreen Grass Band is (kind of) a bluegrass band. The band, which will play at Popcorn Tavern on Friday, Oct. 15, is comprised of six laid-back guys playing guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and harmonica, though a washboard and other assorted percussion may make an appearance.

Although the EGG has roots deeply set in bluegrass and folk, it is difficult to put the group into a specific genre; even the members themselves have trouble with it.

“We play kind of a bluegrass/rock hybrid I guess would be one way to describe it,” said guitarist and lead singer Tim Litscher.

“Maybe traditional Americana with a hint of bluegrass. ... We’re just six guys having a good time.”

This inability to fit into a preconceived niche has even played into the band’s name.

“It’s just kind of a joke because there’s evergreen everything,” Litscher said, “[and] we’re not really a bluegrass band so we took the blue off the grass.”

When asked for a more specific description of their sound, banjoist and singer Matt Jagow thought for a few moments before happily stating, “[take] rock and roll and punk rock and folk and weld it all together

with bluegrass instruments and there ya go.”

The Eau Claire band recently released its debut album, For Sheriff, which sounds like a mix of indie folk artists Fleet Foxes and The Soggy Bottom Boys from O’ Brother Where Art Thou?

Although typical bluegrass music doesn’t rely too heavily on lyrical intricacy, the lyrics on For Sheriff are, to put it simply, compelling.

“Some of our songs are just joke, bar songs; they might be a little bit vulgar or offensive ... but we usually only play those at late night parties and stuff,” said Litscher, “[but] the main body of my work is kind of peachy, feel-good type of stuff. ... Just talking about being good to each other and living life to its fullest you know?”

The band promised mostly originals for the show Friday, but they also promised a handful of classic rock covers from groups such as Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and Nine Inch Nails. “Something people will kind of get a kick out of,” Litscher said.

By Brett Emerson brett.emerson@secondsupper.com

Medium: Album Stimulus: Brandon Flowers — Flamingo Anno: 2010

Owing to their Vegas roots, the Killers have always flirted with the idea of being a casino band, but on his solo debut, singer Brandon Flowers drowns in gambling metaphor. Flowers opens the album with “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas,” where he takes in the huddled masses with the intent of fleecing them all.

“Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts” isn’t as blatant, though the references to rolling dice and playing cards paint the walls throughout this dancing romance.

The album’s best storytelling is on a dopey country tune titled “The Clock Was Tickin’,” which chronicles the down-and-out life of a Vegas dreg with forgiving scope.

Yet Flowers advances this formula one step further and injects this Sin City story with a healthy dose of the Lord. While this factor could send the album into a preachy quagmire, the storytelling on most of these songs is often an advantage.

A few of the lordy tracks are lackluster, the most obvious being the album’s closer, “Right Behind You.” Musically it’s a sad and pretty work of electropop; lyrically it plays out like the “Footprints” fable.

Yet “Playing with Fire” — easily the album’s best track — is a gorgeously sparse track bearing the imagery of Christ out in the desert. Similarly gripping, “On the Floor” plays out like a vice spiritual featuring animals out of Aesop’s Fables.

Though it’s not as immediately exciting as the Killers’ work, Flamingo is Flowers’ bold, and perhaps inevitable, break from its dance rock style. It’s also his best work since that band’s debut.

Medium: Album Stimulus: Killola — Let's Get Associated Anno: 2010

What one will get out of this album depends on where one starts. The titles that seemingly demand first play are the dirty pop tunes “She’s a Bitch” and “I Wanna See Your Dick.” I advise avoiding the impulse to start here. There’s plenty of good work on Let’s Get Associated, but when vocalist Lisa Rieffel tries to come off as a drawling tramp, the whole song suffers.

Killola is at its best when it keeps its pop sensibilities firmly contained within rock structures. The best examples of this superior approach come in the album’s snarling opener, “Mid-Day Rebel,” and “The Doctor and His Son,” a fast-paced dance tune reminiscent of Aimee Echo and TheSTART. Rieffel’s vocals are much better in these two, but her best contributions happen in the tracks in which Killola takes things down a notch, particularly in the stately march of “Nothing Man.” Let’s Get Associated is at times guilty of trying too hard to be cool (and it should be noted that the track “Gimme, Gimme” appropriates bursts of the Tetris theme in such an attempt).

Yet when the shots at manufacturing street cred wear out, what’s left is a quite competent album and a vocalist who can hold her own with any others in the pop-rock genre.

I’d like to hear more of that confidence.

Show us where Altra has taken you and win a Flip Mino™ Send us a photo of you with your Altra Debit Card.

Maybe it's a vacation, an unusual setting, or an everyday experience. Be creative!

Each month through December, a team of Altra judges will pick our favorite photo and award that lucky Altra Debit Cardholder a Flip Mino™ camcorder to keep recording their adventures.

Visit us online for complete details.

Chicago , r e w o T ) s r a e S ( Willis ekin, Altra member

ted by John Hest Winning Photo submit

Open 7 days a week inside Festival Foods, La Crosse

608.787.4500 • www.altra.org

Monthly prize will be awarded at the sole discretion of the judging team. Photos showing Altra members in a dangerous or illegal setting will not be considered, so don't even try it. Same goes for photos not rated G. Photos will not be retouched other than to obscure the number on the card if visible. By submitting a photo, you certify that you have the legal right to grant Altra unrestricted permission to publish the photo in any medium. Contest open to Altra members who are current Debit Card users. Sorry, Altra employees and their immediate family members are not eligible for prizes.

Second Supper

October 14, 2010 // 11

MUSIC

ToNGUe & Groove

By Jeff Severson

Special to Second Supper

It’s fi nally fall. Yes, I’m one of those curmudgeons who just isn’t that into summer. I’m not a hater, mind you; in fact, I’m pretty damn happy with the bounty of fresh produce that makes its way to my table during the dog days, and if I looked better in swim trunks I might even love the season.

But there’s just something about autumn.

You feel better in jeans (even though I’ll wear shorts with a sweatshirt or a jacket until freezing); it’s football season; and you feel more like cooking … which is a good thing, because there’s more stuff to cook.

It was a beautiful day in the waning summer when we got ready to entertain friends Julie and Bobby, owners of an organic produce farm near Lansing, Iowa.

They brought mixed baby greens and other produce — including some fruit of the vine — while we had plenty of animals to sacrifi ce to the culinary gods.

To me there is no better album to celebrate the bounty of fall than Neil Young’s 1972 classic, Harvest.

See the lonely boy, out on the weekend Trying to make it pay.

Can’t relate to joy, he tries to speak and Can’t begin to say.

Ah, but I’m not lonely; the grill is hot and I have a glass of blended red, heavy on the Zin … and I can surely relate to joy.

Fresh garden tomatoes have been chopped and mixed with equally fresh basil to top the slices of crusty French bread that come off the grill to be rubbed with fresh garlic and drizzled with olive oil.

Shrimp accompany the bruschetta — they’ve been marinated in lemon juice, garlic and dried red Thai pepper fl akes, grilled and served with a Sauvignon Blanc called Ceviche.

Are you ready for the country Because it's time to go?

Zucchini and summer squash have been split lengthwise, anointed with garlicinfused oil, and joined on the grill by pollo alla diavola (Devil’s Chicken), a Roman dish of chicken marinated in lemon juice, garlic and tons of black pepper.

Look around it, have you found it Walking down the avenue?

See what it brings, could be good things In the air for you.

Good things are defi nitely in the air as

the rib steaks hit the grill, just seared and almost rare enough to walk. They’re served with the ubiquitous Argentinian sauce, chimichurri — basically parsley combined with the garlic and lemon that have already established themselves as the meal’s motif. The entrées are served with a wine that can stand up to these bold fl avors: an intense, nearly

black P.K.N.T. Carmenère from Chile.

It’s the perfect meal for good friends, lively conversation, a blazing fi re pit, and great music.

For complete recipes, visit my blog: lips2ears. wordpress.com.

The Majak Mixtape

By Jonathan Majak jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

How do you know when some people have too much money and other folks have too little? When billionaires are gingerly offering $1 million for somebody to streak the president of the United States. Oh that’s right, folks, British billionaire Alki David offered a million dollars to the fi rst person who would streak in front of President Obama, and 24-year-old Juan Rodriguez did so this week when the president was in Philadelphia. In honor of this Tom Foolery, we here at the Mixtape have put together a mix titled “I Can See Your Stimulus Package.”

First up, we throw it back old school with Notorious B.I.G. and his tune “Gimme the Loot” from his classic Ready to Die. We sure as hell would be saying “Gimme the loot” if we stripped down to our birthday suit

to run around in front of the president.

Though we question and weigh the value of the money vs. the price of one’s selfrespect and wonder, in the words of Hilary Duff and her brilliant piece of electro dancepop “Dignity,” “Where’s your, where’s your, where’s your dignity?” Admittedly, a lot of people’s dignity got repossessed in the recession and we at least understand Juan’s motivations for streaking. Plus taking dignity lessons from Hilary Duff who found it fi t to date Aaron Carter, walk away from the Lizzie McGuire franchise and get fake teeth so large she was briefl y considered for the title role in Secretariat is misplaced at best

But judging by the disgusted looks of the people who had the misfortune of being near the guy, the song “Eyesore” by the band Women may be the best way to describe Mr. Rodriguez’s physique. Slightly pot-bellied, handcuffed and with a Vote 2010 poster being held up in front of his bits and pieces, Juan was quickly escorted from the venue to a waiting jail while most likely explaining to people that it is really cold outside.

President Obama is just not doing well with these public events of late. First, an audience member hurls a book at him, which he smoothly ducked. Now people are trying to win a million dollars by streaking him.

You place that on top of all of the sliding poll numbers and the very real possibility that the midterm elections are going to be a Tea Party nightmare, we’re pretty sure President Obama just wants to hide underneath his covers sometimes, “I Want the World to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

The School of Arts and Communication is excited to invite the community to join us at these special events hosted by the UW-L Departments of Art & Music.

Fall Art Event

Project Girl Project Girl is a ground-breaking, girl-led arts-based initiative created to enable girls to become better informed critical consumers of mass media, advertising, and entertainment.

Adolescent girl advisors, leading scholars, educators, media activists, health experts and artists all helped create the Project Girl media literacy curriculum, and traveling Art Exhibition.

Learn more at www.projectgirl.org.

Art Gallery UW-L Center for the Arts Running until November 8th, 2010 Gallery Hours Monday—Thursday: noon—8 pm Friday & Saturday: noon—5 pm Sunday & Holidays: closed Cost: Free

Fall Music Events

October 19th: 7:30pm Annett Recital Hall Concert Choir/Männerchor Fall Concert October 22nd: 7:30pm Annett Recital Hall Chamber Choir/Women’s Chorus Fall Concert October 24th: 2:00pm Annett Recital Hall Wind Ensemble Concert October 26th: 7:30pm Valhalla, Cartwright Center Ensembles Fall Concert November 9th-11th: 7:30pm Annett Recital Hall New Music Festival November 21st: 2:00pm Valhalla, Cartwright Center Orchestra Concert December 4th: 7:30pm Valhalla, Cartwright Center Jazz Ensembles Swinging Yuletide December 5th: 7:30pm Cathedral of St. Joseph the Woodman Choral Union December 11th: 3:00pm Valhalla, Cartwright Center Festival of Carols All events are free except Swinging Yuletide For tickets, information and to request disability accommodations call 785.8415

12// October 14, 2010

Second Supper

MUSIC

music directory // October 15 to October 21 fridaY, .

October 15

Minneapolis

coaches // N5833 Hwy. 35 Derek Ramnarace (post-Hooch) • 9 p.m.

population

Sleigh Bells // OCT. 25 Triple Rock Social Club • $12

JB'sSpeakeasy // 717 Rose St. Fuzzy HD, SubAtomic, Dick Wolf (rock, indie) • 10 p.m.

Nighthawks Tap // 401 S. Third St. Julica Rose (“Torchin it Up!”) • 10 p.m.

Ona. American legion // 731 Sandlake Rd. Shufflin' Duprees (r&b) • 7:30 p.m.

Pearl Street Brewery // 1401 St. Andrew St.

Cheeba (Cheech & Chubba) • 5 p.m. piggy's blues lounge // 501 Front St. S. Brandon Scott Sellner (blues) • 8 p.m.

Popcorn Tavern // 308 S. Fourth St. Evergreen Grass Band ("nontraditional bluegrass") • 10 p.m.

The Root Note // 114 4th St. S. Driftwood (blues, folk, soul) • 8:30 p.m.

The Starlite Lounge // 222 Pearl St. The New Jazz Infidels (originals and standards) • 8 p.m.

The Warehouse // 324 Pearl St. Ari Herstand, Nick Shattuck (pop) •7 p.m.

30 Seconds To Mars // OCT. 26 First Avenue • $23.50 Maroon 5 // OCT. 28 Target Center • $27-$63 Empty out your jugs and get your feet ready for stompin’: It’s bluegrass weekend at the Popcorn Tavern! The Evergreen Grass Band (see story, p. 5) will start off the pickin’ on Friday night, while Saturday’s show will feature ‘grass from neighboring states.

Minneapolis’ “experimental” string band One Fast Move will open the Oct. 16 show and be followed by headliners Mr. Baber's Neighbors: The Solar String Band (pictured). In addition to an exceedingly long band name, Des Moines’ MBN:TSSB will also bring along renowned banjo player Bill Black, who performed with Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys in the 1970s. Yee-haw, string band fans! It don't get much better than this.

my second home // 2104 George St. The Trunk Monkeys (classic rock) • 8 p.m. piggy's blues lounge // 501 Front St. S. Brandon Scott Sellner (blues) • 8 p.m.

Nighthawks Tap // 401 S. Third St. Cheech (blues-rock) • 10 p.m.

Popcorn Tavern // 308 S. Fourth St. One Fast Move, Mr. Baber's Neighbors (bluegrass) • 10 p.m.

October 16

JB'sSpeakeasy // 717 Rose St. Dan Tedesco and the Long Haul, Abby Lane and the Backbone (“Folk Rock on Steroids") • 10 p.m.

mondaY,

October 18

The Root Note // 114 4th St. S. Mike Midwestern, Ash St. John (acoustic folk) • 8:30 p.m. the waterfront tavern // 328 Front St. BBQ Trio (jazz) • 8 p.m.

sundaY,

October 17

The Radiators // OCT. 29-30 Fine Line Music Cafe • $25-$90 Bassnectar, Emancipator // OCT. 31 Epic • $25

JB'sSpeakeasy // 717 Rose St. Saint Paul Slim (hip-hop show) • 10 p.m.

Del’s Bar // 229 Third St. Open Jam • 10 p.m.

Nighthawks Tap // 401 S. Third St. The Bad Axe Jam (gear provided)• 10 p.m.

Popcorn Tavern // 308 S. Fourth St. Shawn's Open jam • 10 p.m.

Popcorn Tavern // 308 S. Fourth St. Jazz Liver (jazz) • 10 p.m.

The Warehouse // 324 Pearl St. recovery room // 901 7th St. S. Automatic Loveletter (rock, emo) • 6 p.m. Kin Pickin' (open jam) • 10 p.m.

The Root Note // 114 4th St. S. Aloysius (blues) • 8:30 p.m.

The bodega // 122 4th St. Jim Piela Quartet (jazz) • 9 p.m.

the waterfront tavern // 328 Front St. BBQ Trio (jazz) • 8 p.m.

saturdaY,

387,970

George Strait, Reba McEntire // OCT. 21 Target Center • $69.50-$89.50

Fish's bar // 612 Caledonia St. Joe Cody & Jim "Fish" Ward (acoustic jam) • 8 p.m.

Neuie's North Star // 1732 George St. The Fabulous Baloney Skins (variety) • 8 p.m.

just a roadie away

tuesdaY,

October 19

Popcorn Tavern // 308 S. Fourth St. Dave Orr's Open Jam • 10 p.m.

The Root Note // 114 4th St. S. 3rd Relation Jazz Trio (jazz & open jam) • 8:30 p.m.

thursday,

October 21

Del’s Bar // 229 Third St. Dave Lambert (blues) • 10 p.m.

Nighthawks Tap // 401 S. Third St. The Laughing Bones (Colorado bluegrass/honky tonk) • 10 p.m.

French slough // 1311 La Crescent St. Kin Pickin’ (jam grass) • 3 p.m.

wednesdaY,

Popcorn Tavern // 308 S. Fourth St. Fayme Rochelle and the Waxwings (old time sting band) • 10 p.m.

Popcorn Tavern // 308 S. Fourth St. Som’n Jazz (som’n) • 10 p.m.

Del’s Bar // 229 Third St. Dave Orr (man about town) • 10 p.m.

The Starlite Lounge // 222 Pearl St. Kies and Kompanie (jazz) • 5 p.m.

October 20

Second Supper

Maze Efflux

October 14, 2010 // 13

DIVERSIONS "Surprise endings" TV like you've never seen

By Erich Boldt

By Matt Jones

The Majak Mixtape Stop” like the Belle and Sebastian tune off their new album Belle and Sebastian Write About Love.

Buy: Antony and the Johnsons’ album Swanlights

YouTube: Rapper Rye Rye and M.I.A.’s new music video “Sunshine” Read: Music blog Earmilk www.earmilk.com Want more of the Majak Mixtape? Get your daily, uncensored dose at the Majak Kingdom blog, www.majakkingdom.blogspot.com.

ACROSS 1 Chinese-born actress ___ Ling 4 Pub projectile 8 Rough files 13 "Ew, I'm not touchin' that!"

14 Playing in someone else's stadium 15 Punk rocker with the backup band The Pharmacists 16 Show with mystery numbers like "Lost," only they're all divisible by 2?

18 Ice cream shop freebies 19 Tony Danza sitcom 20 Reality show with a surgeon operating blindfolded?

22 Where Larry King will be replaced by Piers Morgan 24 Like the Vikings

25 "The Wire" actress Pearson 29 He killed Hamlet 33 Show about farming for beer ingredients?

35 Words for the deaf: abbr.

36 Writer Sarah ___ Jewett 37 Cartoon chihuahua 38 "Do ___ others..."

39 Geezerish 40 Show that's only a tiny bit U.S.-centric?

44 Oil used in shampoos 46 Body for buzzards 47 Maker of "2 in 1" pet products 49 Underwhelmed grunt 50 Show about what really goes on in a flower bed?

54 "Old MacDonald" noise 57 Company behind

Answers to Oct. 7 puzzle It's the pits — Prove to me that you don't stink

Hello Kitty 58 Show about how difficult it is to work with actress Blanchett?

61 Like some short plays 62 Cards money 63 Golf peg 64 Proud black woman, per Urban Dictionary 65 Family jewels, alternatively 66 Moose's cousin DOWN 1 Attacked like a mosquito 2 Eight, in Essen 3 Store from Sweden 4 Name in a Dan Brown title 5 Feeling of amazement 6 Son of Ron Paul 7 Tattooed boxer Mike 8 States of rest 9 Huge fan 10 Sluggish 11 Phnom ___, Cambodia 12 Cubs great Sammy 15 Women's shoe feature 17 Kind of tax 21 Cleansing procedure 23 Diarist Anais 25 "Surgeon General Mills Recommends Three to Five Servings of ___ Per Day" ("The Onion" headline)

26 Country rocker Steve 27 Blair of "The Exorcist" 28 Comply with 30 Raunch thrown into comedies for an R rating, slangily 31 You are, in the Yucatan 32 Messy people 34 ___ majesty 38 Way out of style 40 Coffee alternative to robusta 41 Wine bluntly turned down in "Sideways" 42 Suffix for web 43 Where shoots grow from, in botany 45 Year of ___ (Chinese calendar period) 48 "You Don't Mess With the ___" (Adam Sandler movie) 50 General ___ chicken 51 Rajah's wife 52 Individuals, in France 53 Actress Suvari 55 Robinson of the NBA 56 Company in old TV ads for compilation albums 59 Inc., overseas 60 "A mouse!"

For answers, call (900) 226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Or to bill to a credit card, call (800) 655-6549. Reference puzzle #0487.

Visit us online at www.secondsupper.com

14// October 14, 2010

Second Supper

YOUR GUIDE TO CONSUMPTION

The Beer Review 1845 Pils Minhaus Craft Brewery Monroe, Wisconsin

Last week I raved about my recent trip to Minneapolis’ Autumn Beer Review in a style not seen since my 12th birthday party at Noah’s Ark. It’s no lie to say that the ABR served some of the best beers in America, but there were a few offerings that left me scratching my head. Near the top of that list was the Minhaus “Craft” Brewery, a huge operation that is responsible for Mountain Creek, all the Berghoff brands and dozens of other low-end malted beverages that are mainly exported to Canada. But volume and price tag alone aren’t fair reasons for

dismissing a brewery, so I momentarily set my snobbery aside, walked up to their booth and sampled their 1845 Pils. It was OK.

Previously, my only exposure to this particular Minhaus’ craft line was their Lazy Mutt Farmhouse, which is about as close to a Farmhouse Ale as Corn Flakes are to rye bread. But to its credit, Minhaus sells its beers as an 8-pack for the price of a 6-, so I didn’t have too many qualms about purchasing their variety sampler when I returned home. (FYI, a beer vacation can be very expensive.) Generally speaking, I’m a fan of all Pilsners that don’t contain the word “Lite,” and this offering was no exception. The 1845 Pils is nowhere near the best Pilsner on the market, but I’ll drink it — especially when I’m broke.

Purchase: Minhaus variety 8-pack from

Woodman’s, $7.49 Style: German Pilsner Strength: 5.5 percent ABV Packaging: A no-frills label from a no-frills band, this has 1845 PILS printed in green block letters over a white and shiny silver background.

Appearance: This Pilsner has a golden straw color like a lot of macrolagers, though it’s less filtered and rather carbonated with a minimal white head.

Aroma: The strong corn aroma helps explain why “ALL MALT” is printed so prominently on the label. Even if it’s not an adjunct lager, the malts aren’t very strong, but the noble hops give this a clean Euro-style finish.

Taste: Despite the aroma, this does have a malty, biscuit-y body, but it’s also plagued with the same corn and sugary sweetness.

The Best Food & Drink Specials in Town

It hits the tongue lightly, though it turns on some metallic off notes. The floral hops do pair nicely with the malts, and it has a fine dry aftertaste, but there’s not a whole lot going on here.

Mouthfeel: Light body that’s a little too bubbly.

Drinkability: This is supremely drinkable if you’re thirsty and/or broke, but you may grow tired of it if you’re used to a higher level of craftsmanship Ratings: BeerAdvocate grades the 1845 Pils a C+, white RateBeer scores it a 9 (and yes, that’s out of 100). It’s honestly not that bad, and worth trying when you’re on a budget.

It’s also way better than the other three beers in the sampler pack.

— Adam Bissen

LOCATION

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

ARENA

Text "Arena" to 83361 for Specials

Texas Hold 'Em Poker

Pool and dart leagues

Wyld Wednesday: $2 jumbo UV mixers, $2 Coronas

Ladies Night: Ladies drink free 9-11 $1 Cherry Bombs, $1 Keystone Light p.m. or all night with $5 wristband, silos including all UV Vodkas & XXX; $5 Long island pitchers

$2 BBQ Pork Sliders

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

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

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

107 3rd St. S. 782-1883, www.arenalax.com

BODEGA BREW PUB 122 4th St. 782-0677

BROTHERS

Closed

306 Pearl St. 784-0522

$3 3 Olive mixers, $3 Mojitos, $2 $3 Bacardi mixers, $3 Mojitos, $2 Cherry Bombs, $1 Bazooka Joes. FAC: Cherry Bobms, $1 Bazooka Joes. $3 domestic pitchers, micro/import All specials 9 p.m. to close. taps, anything that pours. 4-9 p.m.

All you care to eat fish fry 4-10; unlimited Glow-N-Bowl $9.99

Prime rib dinner 4-10; unlimited Glow-N-Bowl $9.99

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

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

FEATURES

Taco buffet 11-2; $1 Pabst bottles and $1 bowling after 9

All you care to eat pizza buffet, 11-2

All you can eat wings, includes a Wisconsin cheese steak sandwich choice of potatoe, slaw and a frosted with a pint of beer, $8.99 pint, 4-9:30 p.m., $8.99

Ladies Night, $1 off all drinks, 4 to All you can eat boneless wings, inclose; Pint-Aritas $3 (lime or straw- cludes a choice of potatoe, slaw and berry) a frosted pint, 4-9:30 p.m., $8.99

FLIPSIDE PUB & GRILL 400 Lang Drive 784-2242

HOWIE’S

$1 Cherry Bombs, $1 Keystone Light silos

AUC2D, $5 domestic taps, rail mixers and Long Islands. Wristband Night: $2.50 SoCo & Jack. 50-cent shots (two flavors). All specials 9 to close.

Bird Brain Trivia 8 p.m.; $1.50 do- Wing Night - 25-cent wings (dinemestic bottles and rails 4 p.m. to in only); $1 Miller High Life silos and close PBR silos; $1.50 taps and rail drinks; $2 craft taps. All specials 4 to close.

W3923 State Highway 16 786-9000

SATURDAY

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

EAGLES NEST

1914 Campbell Road 782-7764

FRIDAY

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

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

IMPULSE

$5 AUC2D wristbands: domestic taps, rail mixers, Long Islands, 9 p.m. to close; live DJ, dancing 9 p.m. to close

Alcohol-free night, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., $5 AUC2D wristbands: domestic for ages 25 and younger; live DJ, taps, rail mixers, Long Islands, 9 p.m. dancing, giveaways, AUC2D soda, to close; karaoke 9 p.m. to close $10 cover

Free Wing Night (while supplies last); $5 wristband happy hour, 5 to 9 p.m; $5 AUC2D wristbands: domestic taps, live DJ, dancing 9 p.m. to close rail mixers, Long Islands, 9 p.m. to close; live DJ, dancing 9 p.m. to close

$5 wristband happy hour, 5 to 9 p.m; live DJ, dancing 9 p.m. to close

JB’S SPEAKEASY

$1.75 domestic bottles, $1.75 Dom bottles and rails, $2.50 Bombs

Monday Madness: $1.75 domestics Tuesday Boozeday $1 off all liquor Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m. and rails, $2.50 Bombs, $1 off all top drinks and 50 cents off all shots, $2 shelf and specialty beers Bombs

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

$1.79 burger (after 8 p.m.)

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

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

1125 La Crosse St. 784-7400 214 Main St. 782-6010

717 Rose St. 796-1161

SCHMIDTY’S 3119 State Road 788-5110

SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER

$5 AUC2D wristbands: domestic taps, rail mixers, Long Islands, 9 p.m. to close; karaoke 9 p.m. to close

163 Copeland Ave. 785-0245

Tacos: $11 buckets during pro and Tacos: $11 buckets during pro and college football games. college football games.

Happy Hour 2 to 6 p.m.

12-inch pizza $8.99 Happy Hour 2 to 6 p.m.

THE LIBRARY

Wristband Night

Half price tequilla, $1 domestic taps Karaoke, $2 Double rails and all Beer Pong Tourney and $3 Bacardi mixers, $3 Jumbo Long and rails bottles; $3 Double call drinks wristband night, $2 cherry bombs, Island Iced Teas 50¢ shots (3 flavors)

123 3rd St. 784-8020

TOP SHOTS

14-inch pizza, $2 off; Wings Happy Hour 2 to 6 p.m.

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

Ladies night, 2 for 1 drinks (6-close), Happy Hour 2 to 6 p.m.

Happy Hour 2 to 6 p.m.

Breakfast 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; lunch buffet 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., $6.99 Tacos: $11 buckets during pro and college football games. $3 Jumbo Long Island Iced Teas, $3 3 Olive mixers

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

(7-1 a.m.) a.m.)

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

$5 Miller/Bud Light Pitchers, $2.25 Leinies Bottles (7-1 a.m.)

POPCORN TAVERN

$2.50 Captain mixers $2 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans

$1.75 PBR Bottles $2.50 Captain mixers $2 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans

$2.50 Captain mixers $2 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans

$2.50 Captain mixers $2 Grain Belt

$2 Coors & Coors Light Bottles, $2.50 $2 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans Skyy mixers, $2.50 Captain mixers $2 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans

$2 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans

WHO'S ON THIRD

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

$1 taps of PBR, $1 rails

$3 call doubles, $2 Bud products

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

137 4th St. 782-6622 308 4th St. S. 782-9069

126 3rd St. N. 782-9467

Second Supper

October 14, 2010 // 15

16// October 14, 2010

Second Supper

THE LAST WORD

SMoke ScreeN

By Adam Bissen adan.bissen@secondsupper.com

One thing is for certain regarding the latest attempt to decriminalize personal marijuana possession in the city of La Crosse — a wild week that included its rejection by committee, adoption by council and ultimate veto by mayor Matt Harter: It created a buzz.

Within an hour of the city council’s surprise vote last Thursday, I was receiving text messages and barstool pontifi cations, and by the following morning other friends from around Wisconsin called me as news circulated in the state press.

People threw around the word “congratulations” and thought La Crosse would suddenly be different, freer or more enlightened. I disagreed then (and began drafting an editorial), but now that the mayor cast his veto at the last minute, I want to calm the

predictable storm and remind everyone that things are still groovy.

For whatever reason, Mayor Harter doesn’t send out press releases to Second Supper, but the La Crosse Tribune reported this as the offi cial reason for his veto: “There is presently a common message in the community that this ordinance will in effect replace our state code, which criminally outlaws possession of marijuana, or it will in all cases 'decriminalize marijuana.’ … This ordinance will not, in all cases, reduce the penalty for criminal possession of marijuana, and that should be made clear to the public before passage of this ordinance."

My fi rst response to this explanation was: Huh? Not just because Harter is as confusing in prose as he is while speaking, but because it’s the mayor’s job to explain and enforce the law. So while it seems like Harter gave a backdoor veto because he didn’t want to take a tough political stance, I’m actually relieved the city may take a more patient look at the issue.

The content of my fi rst editorial was about the Pandora’s Box that could be opened if the city of La Crosse approved its own decriminalization ordinance. I write that not because I fear more people smoking marijuana (I actually think decriminalization would have little effect on consumption), but because I think our current system works fairly well — or as well as it can, given the strictures from the state and federal government.

The most important fact regarding the city of La Crosse’s effort to make fi rst-time possession of fewer than 25 grams of marijuana an ordinance violation punishable by fi ne is this: La Crosse County adopted almost the exact same ordinance in 2006.

Since that law went into effect, the city of La Crosse began channeling its fi rst-time marijuana offenders into the county system because offi cials didn’t think small-time pot smokers should be cluttering up the courts.

But in my conversations with La Crosse County district attorney Tim Gruenke, I learned that the county has never actually charged anyone with a municipal fi ne for marijuana possession. Instead, most fi rsttime offenders chose to enter a drug treatment program, do community service, pay a small fee and have the charge completely dropped from their records.

In my eyes, that’s the smart approach.

Possessing a few grams of marijuana is hardly an offense to society, and it shouldn’t be a lifetime burden or a bottleneck on our already overworked legal system.

What I had initially feared about the decriminalization ordinance is that it would be used as a money-maker. There was no guarantee that the city would offer the same treatment options as the county courts, and the “decriminalization” law could actually result in more tickets being written and harsher burdens being borne by La Crosse residents.

So perhaps the mayor did get it right.

While I support the decriminalization of personnel marijuana, the push for an ordinance seemed to come out of nowhere, and we were never told how the new law would be enforced. And if, as the mayor apparently believes, elected offi cials cannot be trusted to work in the public’s interest, then perhaps it is time we put marijuana possession up for referendum.

Don’t Bogart our political process, man.

Sudoku

Downtown La Crosse, above Fayzes - 782-6622

top shots joke of the week A Packer fan was enjoying himself at the game in a packed Lambeau Field, until he noticed an empty seat down in front. He went down and asked the guy next to it if he knew whose seat it was.

Check out our new Beers on Tap!

The guy said, "Yes, that's my wife's seat. We have never missed a game since the Lombardi days, but now my wife is dead."

The fan offered his sympathy and said it was really too bad he couldn't find some relative to give the ticket to and enjoy the game together.

"Oh no," the guy said, "they're all at the funeral."

Good People, Good Drinks, Good Times

SUNDAY

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

MONDAY TUESDAY

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

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

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

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

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

$5 Miller Lite/Bud Light Pitchers

SATURDAY $2.25 Leinies Bottles (7-1am)

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

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