The Sound of La Crosse

INSIDE: THE BEST IN LOCAL STOCKING STUFFERS • PAGE 8

La Crosse's Free Press VOLUME 10, NO. 46 | DECEMBER 16, 2010

ALSO...

George Bailey, radio star Page 10

La Crosse, Live

Our annual survey of local music Pages 5-7

PLUS: THE RETURN OF SUDOKO • PAGE 2 | 'Y MARKS THE SPOT' • PAGE 9 | REVIEW: DANTE ON THE PS3 • PAGE 15

2// December 16, 2010

Second Supper

Sudoku

Answers on Page 10

Social Networking NAME AND AGE: Allyssa Dunn, 22

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Bedford (Dallas), TX

TELL US A JOKE: Snow "removal" in the city of La Crosse

CURRENT JOB: After-dark weekend barista at Jules, and student dispatcher/switchboard operator at UW-L's Police Services

WHAT ONE PERSON ALIVE OR DEAD WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH? Shakespeare (whoever he/she/they are) WHAT'S THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? Bread and fruit from the Co-op

WHAT'S IN YOUR POCKET RIGHT NOW?: Herbal lip balm, an assortment of bobby pins, and the key to Frederick Theater at UW-L

DREAM JOB: Theatre maker LAST THING YOU GOOGLED: "irene ryan acting scholarship rules" IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Vancouver

IF A GENIE GRANTED YOU ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR? A teleportation device. Punctuality is a problem for me.

FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO: Jupiter Sunrise at the Warehouse

Comfortably live in a house entirely off-the-grid

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF SECOND SUPPER? Majak Mixtape

WHAT IS YOUR BEVERAGE OF CHOICE? Tea or coffee, with soy milk and honey

HOW DO YOU KNOW ASHLY (LAST WEEK'S INTERVIEW?

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:

CELEBRITY CRUSH: Hugh Jackman

Like puzzles? Then you'll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? "Bombshells" by Joanna Murray-Smith and "Rabbithole" by David Lindsay-Abaire (Do plays count?)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? Not tipping one's barista after ordering a complicated drink

He's a loyal Jules customer and my "Open"/"Closed" sign-flipper extraordinaire.

— Compiled by Shuggypop Jackson, shuggypop.jackson@secondsupper.com

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

John Hest by d te it bm su to ho P Winning

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

Things To Do See George Bailey, radio star

The Top

Best “Christmas” songs 1. White Christmas 2. The Christmas Song 3. It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas 4. Holly Jolly Christmas 5. Blue Christmas 6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 7. Snoopy's Christmas Worst Christmas songs 1. The Chipmunk Song 2. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 3. Do They Know It’s Christmas?

4. Santa Baby 5. Do You Hear What I Hear?

6. Nuttin' for Christmas 7. The Twelve Days of Christmas

December 16, 2010 // 3

FIRST THINGS FIRST

George always wanted a perfect life. What he didn’t realize was that he had it wrong all along.

Come experience this clever new adaptation of Frank Capra’s unforgettable film as the La Crosse Community Theatre presents It’s A Wonderful Life, Dec 16-19, on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for students and military (student and military discount only available for shows on Thursday evening and Saturday and Sunday matinees). Get your tickets today by calling 784-9292 or visit www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org for more information.

1

Tell “Judas” cast to break a leg

The public is invited to help send off UW-La Crosse's entry in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival next month. The UW-L production of "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" has been invited to compete at the regional level of the Festival in Lansing, Michigan in January. The final dress rehearsal of the production, which played in October, will be free and open to the public. The rehearsal will be in the Toland Theatre on the UW-L campus at 2 p.m. on Monday Jan. 3, the day before the bus pulls out for Michigan. All are welcome, but please be aware that the performance includes strong language and is intended for mature audiences. Admission is free, but of course, free-will donations towards student travel costs will be cheerfully accepted at the door! Seating is general admission and limited to 415.

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Hear a master pianist

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Join George Winston, a contemporary pianist and veritable jazz legend, on Dec 19 at 7 p.m. for a concert benefiting Tabbytown USA at the UW-La Crosse Cartwright Center. In his most recent album “Night Divides the Day: The Music of the Doors,” Winston takes the music of the 1960s band The Doors and turns it into solo piano spectacle. Winston’s incredible musical spectrum will be featured on Sunday so be sure to snag those tickets, $24 each by calling 785-8898.

Do Christmas, La Crosse Symphony Orchestra style

“So Gracious is the Time” is the concert theme for the 2010 Advent Hymn Sing performed by the La Crosse Chamber Chorale on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 111 North 9th St. Join the La Crosse Chamber Chorale, organist Dean Whiteway, and festive brass for a holiday celebration that includes the opportunity for audience participation in a sing along flare. In the spirit of the season, a non-perishable food item for WAFER is strongly encouraged. Admission is free, but a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated.

4

Hymn a merry tune

“So Gracious is the Time” is the concert theme for the 2010 Advent Hymn Sing performed by the La Crosse Chamber Chorale on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 111 North 9th St. Join the La Crosse Chamber Chorale, organist Dean Whiteway, and festive brass for a holiday celebration that includes the opportunity for audience participation in a sing along flare.

In the spirit of the season, a non-perishable food item for WAFER is strongly encouraged. Admission is free, but a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated.

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4// December 16, 2010

Second Supper

COMMENTARY

WisPolitics.com Report

$1

NEWS IN BRIEF

Despite deficit, agencies seek more money, jobs

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TUESDAYS at 8PM

State agencies are asking for nearly $4 billion in additional spending over the next two years and more than 500 new full-time positions, according to Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis of state agency budget requests.

The requested spending from all funds, including federal aid, amounts to a 6.2 percent increase over 2010-11 levels.

From general funds alone — money comprised largely of state taxes like the income, sales and corporate taxes — that agencies want more than $2 billion in additional funds, or a 7.2 percent increase.

The state is facing a budget deficit of as much as $3.3 billion in the next biennium, and it remains to be seen how much of the requested spending Gov.-elect Scott Walker and new Republican majorities in the Assembly and Senate will grant. Walker is expected to issue his first budget in February.

Senate Majority Leader-elect Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said the requests bring "out-of-touch to a whole new level."

"Wisconsin couldn’t afford a 6 percent increase in the last budget, and we certainly can’t afford one now," he said.

Public financing falls short in supreme court race

WEDNESDAYS from 4-11PM

○ NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S ○

MyEaglesNest.NET

Four candidates have now declared for the state Supreme Court race next year. But the state doesn't have enough money available in the trust fund created to publicly finance the race to cover the grants they could have coming.

The Government Accountability Board has warned Gov.-elect Scott Walker's transition team of the possibility it will have to request additional money to cover the grants.

According to the memo prepared by GAB staff, the fund has only $110,000.

Each candidate who requests funds and qualifies will receive a base grant of $100,000 in early January for the primary. The two who advance beyond the primary would then receive $300,000 in grants for the general election. That could mean a minimum of $1 million needed to fund the race if all four candidates accept public financing.

The Impartial Justice Law also called for matching funds to candidates targeted by outside groups through independent expenditures and matching grants for candidates who are outspent by opponents who self fund their campaigns.

Candidates include Justice David Prosser, Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg, Madison attorney Joel Winnig, and Marla Stephens, head of the state Public Defender's appellate division.

Republicans discussing ‘right to work’ state

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said a new environment with Republicans in charge of the Legislature and the governor’s office means there will likely be dramatic changes for state employees in the upcoming legislative session.

Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said Republicans are also discussing things like making Wisconsin a "right to work" state, one in which employees could work at union workplaces without joining the union.

He said he attended the American Legislative Exchange Council meeting and was "surprised how much momentum there was in and around that discussion. Nothing like I've ever seen before."

Fitzgerald made the comments at a luncheon hosted by WisPolitics.com that also featured his brother, incoming Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald.

Jeff Fitzgerald said the state's dire fiscal condition means "everybody's going to have to pitch in this go-round." The Horicon Republican said there is a concern among business people around the state of the income and benefits gap between private and public employees.

"Quite frankly, the political climate that's out there right now you won't see us raising taxes to solve the state budget," Jeff Fitzgerald said. "So there's going to have to be a cut to spending. ... That's what people are looking for, they're looking to rein in government, rein in spending."

Kohl gets solid rating in 2012 pre-election survey

The Cook Political Report places Dem U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl in the "solid" ranking in its first prognostications for the 2012 election.

Cook senior editor Jennifer Duffy writes that candidates ranked in the solid column "are there because most of these won’t become competitive, either because of the strength of the incumbent or the incumbent’s party in that particular state.

"Of course, any of these races could move during the cycle, particularly if there is a retirement or if the incumbent draws an especially strong challenger."

Only two Wisconsin seats made Cook's list of House seats to watch.

GOP U.S. Rep.-elect Sean Duffy was one of 14 Republicans to make the "lean Republican" list, meaning the race is expected to be competitive, but the Republican has an advantage.

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, is one of 28 Democrats whose races were listed as "likely Dem," those that aren't currently competitive "but have the potential to become engaged."

STOCK REPORT

RISING School choice

Those advocating choice and virtual

schools have spent the last several years watching a string of accountability measures and other limits placed on the programs.

But they’re now cautiously optimistic they can turn the tide in the upcoming session with Republicans in charge. That’s especially true after DPI Superintendent Tony Evers says he’s open to lifting the enrollment cap for choice and virtual schools. School choice advocates, however, hope lifting the cap is just one of many steps taken. Backers are hoping to expand it outside of Milwaukee — including Green Bay and Racine — and lift income limits to qualify. Some Republicans are even talking about taking the program statewide or doing a scholarship tax credit for those who opt for private schools. Dems and the teachers union will undoubtedly fight the changes.

MIXED DNR

Walker draws Dem criticism when the feds finally announce high-speed rail money will be going elsewhere thanks to the governor-elect’s opposition to a Madison-toMilwaukee line. While Dems jump on the incoming guv for rejecting the money — and the jobs it would create — Walker says he has no regrets and believes taxpayers will be better off in the long run. But his suggestion the money could be redirected to Wisconsin’s roads and bridges is also finally put to rest as the U.S. DOT starts dividing it up among states that want to move forward on their own high-speed rail projects.

FALLING Wisconsin health

The state continues to fall in national

rankings for health with two major factors at play. Wisconsin ranks among the nation's leaders for binge drinking and among the bottom for public health funding. The state ranked 18th in 2010, down seven spots from the year before. It came in at No. 7 in 1990, when the rankings began. The state also edged North Dakota and Minnesota for binge drinking with almost a fourth of the population over 18 drinking excessively in the last 30 days. On the public funding front, it clocked in at No. 48 with $39.57 spent per capita. Hawaii, which ranked first in that category, spends $235.48 per capita.

GIVE US A BREAK! Second Supper will not publish next week so our staff can enjoy the holidays.

Second Supper

December 16, 2010 // 5

COMMUNITY

The sound of La Crosse

State of the local music scene is varied, passionate and homegrown

By Adam Bissen, Jason Crider, Emily Faeth & Julie Schneider editor@secondsupper.com

Bluegrass

Bands: Dox Phonic, Fayme Rochelle and The Waxwings, Kin Pickin’, String Ties, The Kokopellians, The Orrico Brothers

Venues: Popcorn Tavern, The Joint, Pump House, Leo and Leona’s, Bodega, Del’s Bar, The Root Note, Southside Neighborhood Center, Larryfest

About 10 years ago, traditional and bluegrass music enjoyed a brief national renaissance, thanks largely to the Grammy-winning O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. La Crosse may have seen a tic in popularity back then, too, but in 2010 bluegrass is just about as popular as you’d expect any traditional Appalachian string band music to be. “It’s kind of the same as it always was, at least around here,” says Dan Sebranek, a lifelong Coulee Region bluegrass lover and the banjo player for String Ties.

For a genre so steeped in tradition, String Ties is one of the few Coulee Region bluegrass bands to maintain the traditional string band sound. Other groups with younger members, like Kin Pickin’ and The Kokopellians, take a longer-winded approach favored by jambands. Fayme Rochelle and The Waxwings is one of La Crosse’s more promising groups in any genre, though their take on bluegrass goes beyond simple footstompers to roots that are alternately oldtimey and indie rock. “I think it will be just fine,” Sebranek says about bluegrass. “It never goes away, but it never gets too big. That’s just kind of the way it’s always been.”

— Adam Bissen

Blues

Bands: Julica Rose, Big Daddy Cade, Dave Lambert, Dave Orr and the Providers, Dave Rogers, Fillet-O-Soul, Howard Luedtke & the Blue Max, Joe & Vicki Price, Rick Weeth, The Bourbon Brothers, The Shufflin' Duprees

Venues: The Joint, Nighthawk’s, Popcorn Tavern, Piggy’s Blues Lounge, Train Station BBQ

Up until very recently, La Crosse’s most dominant music scene was the blues. Players literally lined up for midweek open jams at Nighthawk’s, and those packed houses even preceded the opening of La Crosse’s official blues bar. We’re still blessed with dozens of excellent blues musicians, especially guitar players, but in 2010 this genre does seem a little down on its luck. “The blues are the roots of pretty much everything,” says Dave Orr, a talented multi-instrumentalist who ON THE COVER: One of La Crosse's fastest growing bands, T.U.G.G. PHOTO BY ASHLY CONRAD

has played with seemingly every blues musician in town. “I think everybody respects it as so, but I’d say it’s certainly not the most drawing genre at this point.”

The decline of the blues community in La Crosse is mostly demographic and reflects the genre at large. The crowd that came of age with Stevie Ray Vaughn just isn’t hitting the clubs that hard anymore, but a lot of musicians from that era are still going strong.

Nighthawk’s is still the dive bar that will pull in national blues acts, but Piggy’s Blues Lounge, Train Station BBQ and The Joint are regular homes for local blues.

— Adam Bissen

Classic rock

Artists: Bad Axe River Band, Bitz and Pieces, Cheap Charlie Band, Dave Kerska, Dead Set, Erock, Flashback, Fur Low Riders, Geared Under, Highway 16, Jim Bee Three, King Everything, Olson/Dunn Band, Reload, Sellout, Snakebyte, Son of a Peach, Studebaker 7, The Fabulous Baloney Skins, The Freezers, The Remainders, The Stingrays, The Trunk Monkeys, Which One’s Pink?

Venues: Varsity Club, Howie’s, Nighthawks, the Joint, Nighthawks, River Jacks, Fox Hollow, Flipside

Of all the groups that perform live in the La Crosse area, by far the greatest number are classic rock cover bands. There are many reasons for this, one of the biggest being that they draw an older crowd that has the funds to go out and see live music. These people want to be reminded of the fun times they had growing up, and there is no shortage of La Crosse bands willing to play their soundtrack. “The music is real accessible,” says John Jansky, drummer for Flashback.

“It’s very catchy music. It has a lot of hooks.

People remember it easily.”

If you want to go out and see some classic rock, you can check out pretty much any La Crosse bar that’s ever hosted a band. The most popular and professional groups are probably Flashback, the Remainders and SellOut, though the dozens of other groups aren’t slouches either. That’s another reason for the proliferation of classic rock bands: There’s a huge community of musicians in this town, and many of them never stopped playing.

“When I was a teenager and in my 20s I played with a lot of those people, and I thought they were all pretty good then,” says Kurt Schuldes, lead guitarist for the Remainders. “They’re all just outstanding musicians now in their own right. … That’s probably one reason why people enjoy watching those bands, because they sound so good.”

— Adam Bissen

Country & Western

Artists: Muddy Flats and the Hepcats,

Pat Watters Band, Texxas, The Stoney Ridge Band, Time and a Half, Trouble Shooter

Venues: Howies, Onalaska American Legion, La Crosse Center

According to listener surveys, county & western is the most popular style of music in America. That my be true for the Coulee Region as well — one could probably pick up at least 10 stations on the radio — but there’s an inexplicable dearth of local country & western bands and venues. “What I’m seeing in the La Crosse market is not a large ammount of country places, versus rock or blues or whathaveyou,” says Rod Darr, drummer for Trouble Shooter, a band that’s been playing original country music for over a quarter century. “I don’t know if some people have tried it and it’s just not the niche that people are looking for. I don’t know. I wish I knew.”

Today, the most common place to see mainstream country music is at the La Crosse Center, as that venue seems to book more national country acts than any other. Otherwise your best bet would be the Onalaska American Legion, Moose Lounge or the multitude of community summer festivals. A big factor could be that La Crosse music fans prefer to listen to a variety of music, and not just nonstop county. That’s the main reason Trouble Shooter started to pepper its sets with ‘80s and ‘90s rock after decades of touring as an exclusive country act. “We’re really trying to keep the country part alive, because I don’t there are a lot of country bands, and it’s still a very popular kind of music.”

— Adam Bissen

Experimental

Artists: Black Stools ft. Richard Trauma, Boyle, Igloo Martian, Zobin

Venues: The Root Note, The Warehouse

Because of the nature of experimental music, there are no set parameters for what it should sound like. And it's that level of freedom that attracts experimental artist R. Clark, who performs under the name Igloo Martian (full disclosure: he's also my boyfriend). Clark, who has released seven fulllength albums, five split CDs, and has been featured on numerous national and international compilations and collaborations, creates unique soundscapes by utilizing circuit bent keyboards, guitar pedals, children's toys and other unlikely sources and looping the resulting sounds into ever-evolving, improvisational audio art pieces. But while the experimental wave has hit La Crosse hard with artists as prolific as Clark, it's proved difficult to find venues willing to embrace something as unanticipated as experimental music. “It's hard to offer an example of the style of your music because it's ever-changing. You don't have a set list. You don't really have a reference. You have what you've done before, but with this style of music, it's all new. It's all

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Second Supper

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 treated as a new platform each time I engage in the creative process,” says Clark. “With this it could be loud, offensive, obscene, delightful, pleasing to your ear, or harmful … who knows? It's improvisational, after all.” As a venue without any strict restrictions on the genre of artists it allows to perform, the Root Note has provided some noise artists the opportunity to connect with the community.

But disconnect remains. “This style of music goes hand-in-hand with the art community,” says Clark, “and the galleries, coffee shops, the art community in general should be more open to giving [experimental/noise artists] a place to play.”

— Emily Faeth

Hard Rock

Bands: Fuzzy HD, Jehad, Killian’s Fault, Monkey Wrench, Orwell, Sowbelly Bitchhog, Tendrill.

Venues: JB's Speakeasy, the Warehouse, Nighthawks, La Crosse Center, the Joint

Of course, everyone knows that we Midwesterners love the simple pleasures in life: cold beer, the great outdoors, time shared with friends and family. But something outsiders may not know is that Wisconsinites also have a hearty appetite for hard rock music. That fact is made clear by a simple survey of the events at local venues: bands like Sowbelly Bitchhog, Fuzzy HD, Jehad, Monkey Wrench, and Orwell consistently draw crowds of dedicated fans. But in socially conservative La Crosse, some local musicians faced the scene with some trepidation.

“When Orwell started playing shows, there weren't many metal bands in the La Crosse area,” says Orwell's lead vocalist, Logan Hauser. But at least in Orwell's case, support came from many local businesses.

“Places like the Warehouse, JB's Speakeasy and the Joint have also helped us since there aren't many places in La Crosse that host metal shows,” says Hauser. “Also, 95.7 the Rock has helped us get some air time, which has been a big help.” Not that they've needed much outside help: a strong fan base continues to steer Orwell to success. Having recently released their first full-length album, Endeavors, Orwell is already at work on a follow-up. “I think our new material will be accepted by new and old fans alike,” says Hauser. “Our new material still has a definite metal sound, but we've branched out a bit and have incorporated other styles of music.” Fine with La Crosse, as long as it rocks.

— Emily Faeth

Hip-Hop

Artists: Another Exoneration, Black Ice, Cat Robey, Cutty Currency, Efftupp, Father Focus, Hyphon, Moxie, NorthernLightz, Sean P, Tez, UGC

Venues: JB’s Speakeasy, Howies, Root Note, John's Bar, the Warehouse

La Crosse’s hip-hop scene has had quite the interesting run over the past five years, oscillating between dormant and vibrant at seemingly scattered intervals. The first rap renaissance came around 2006-07 with the arrival of Hives Inquiry Squad, an original producer/MC duo that has since relocated

to Oregon. Hives supported a thriving miniscene centered around the Joint’s muchmissed Wu-Tang Wednesday, but in their absence only a few rappers initially carried on that spirit — namely Hyphon, Efftup and their group Another Exoneration. “My opinion of La Crosse hip-hop is that it has adjusted adequately with the loss of Hives Inquiry Squad,” Hyphon writes. “I see that Another Exoneration has taken control of the left field of the hip-hop in this town and thus it has become a little more center balanced, if that makes sense.”

Other rap camps of sort have sprung up around Cutty Currency and Black Ice, but the entire La Crosse scene has long lacked a unifying presence. That could change in 2011 as a number of local rappers are planning album releases and more and more venues are opening their stages to hip-hop.

“It’s definitely getting bigger,” says Nate B, half of the group Black Ice. “There’s a lot more styles coming out, different sides of it … and a lot more places are allowing hiphop shows to go on.”

— Adam Bissen

Indie/Pop

Venues: The Root Note, The Warehouse, JB’s Speakeasy, Popcorn Tavern

Artists: Beauford Firebeard, Brahman Shaman, Dan Collins & A Piano, Elliot Arms, Mouse Pocket, Neon, Our American Cousin, Porcupine, The Songs For, This Machine, Windsor Marie

Although the bands in this list are labeled as indie or pop, they could probably be better understood as miscellaneous; these groups don’t fit together in one genre very easily. Although groups like Mouse Pocket, Neon and Dan Collins & A Piano could fit quite neatly under a “pop” heading, groups like the quirky and offbeat Beauford Firebeard and the enchantingly beautiful Elliot Arms have much more of a folk sensibility, while groups like Our American Cousin Brahman Shaman fall more appropriately into alternative and experimental categories respectively. Despite this reasonably wide range of talent, the city of La Crosse doesn’t seem to have the interest it should.

“The problem is the lack of venues,” says Alex “Toast,” lead guitarist and co-vocalist of Mouse Pocket. “We don’t have a good circuit for bigger [pop/indie] bands coming through town. If there was a steady flow coming through the town, people would be more likely to go to those shows and that would be more of a way [for local bands to get heard].”

While there is a definite lack of venues, most musicians would agree that the venues currently in place are doing it right. “The Root Note’s a hometown favorite for a reason,” says Dan Collins who sings and plays piano/keyboard for Mouse Pocket as well as in his eponymous group. “What we’re seeing, actually I’m pretty surprised, when we combine shows with other bands, is that they’re usually pretty full,” says Collins, explaining that the interest is there, but La Crosse is not currently oriented to process this kind of music.

Jambands

Artists: Burnt Brownies, New Blues Crew, Nimbus, Shoeless Revolution, The Blend, The Smokin' Bandits, Moon Boot Posse, Mr. Blink, Sterus

Venues: Popcorn Tavern, The Joint, Animal House, Bandit County Fair

Not too long ago, many observers dismissed the La Crosse music scene as being completely oversaturated with jambands, but today that’s not necessarily the case. Most of the iconic jambands from earlier in the decade have either broken up (Mitgee Evers), moved on to bigger cities (Shoeless Revolution) or toned down their playing schedules as members grew older and started families (Burnt Brownies, Smokin’ Bandits). But by no means is La Crosse’s jam scene dead.

“A lot of people have just shied away from that style of music, but on the other hand that genre is evolving anyway so it’s not only about the Grateful Dead or Phish anymore,” says Shawn Wooden, bass player for Nimbus, a newer group that mixes prog and trance within the traditional jam format.

The move away from wanky soloing seems to the direction of this decade’s jam acts. That’s certainly been on display by the many regional jambands that come through the Popcorn Tavern, continuing our fabled jam scene even though many of the players on stage are no longer from the Coulee Region. Similar stories could be told at the Joint or, to a lesser degree, JB’s Speakeasy: Our local jamband crop may be down, but an audience for improvisational music always springs back.

— Adam Bissen

Jazz

Bands: 3rd Relation Jazz Trio, Al Townshend’s Wonderful World Jazz Band, Chris Bucheit & Steve Meger, Greg Balfany’s LaX Jazz4tet, Jazz Liver, Jim Piela Quartet, Kies & Kompanie, Latin Vibe, Som'n Jazz, The New Jazz Infidels

Venues: Bodega, Starlite Lounge, Popcorn Tavern, Pump House, The Waterfront,

Of all the La Crosse music scenes, the most consistently solid over the past few decades may be jazz. Our clubs, such as they are, are classy are booked nearly every weekend with top-notch talent. And while the universities will bring in the occasional national luminary, most of our jazz is performed by local talent — as good or finer as any city our size. “The demand is obviously there for jazz music, otherwise we wouldn’t be hired,” says Greg Kies, drummer and bandleader for Kies & Kompany. “For some reason this community really values jazz, which is neat.”

A good portion of the city’s jazz community has roots at UW-La Crosse, where noted bandleaders Greg Balfany and Chris Bucheit are instructors. Music students have played in a number of local bands over the years — like graduate Jim Piela’s many groups or the upstart 3rd Relation Jazz Trio, which formed out of jam sessions at the Root Note. The Waterfront Tavern and Starlite Lounge are the city’s most defined clubs, but live jazz can be found at almost any venue that wants to be classy for a night.

— Jason Crider — Adam Bissen

Second Supper

December 16, 2010 // 7

Punk Rock

Venues: The Warehouse, your friends' basement

Artists: The Disabled

Back when this writer was just a wee lass, punk rock ruled the streets of La Crosse.

On any given weekend, and often on weeknights, bands like USV, the Krammies, Invid, the Skidmarx, Good Morning and Straight to Your Brain filled the Warehouse and basements alike with throngs of thrashing, flailing, beer-swilling kids ready to rock their faces off to good ol' fashioned punk rock. But sometime in the early to mid-2000s, the last sweat-splattered lights of La Crosse's punk scene flickered and faded. So what could have killed what was once such a vibrant scene?

“The punk rock scene in La Crosse perished because it grew up! All of the kids that were into it became adults, booze was no longer a rally call of rebellion because you could drink anytime (and perhaps they realized the hypocrisy of alcohol since booze is a major product of 'the man'), they got jobs or went to college, they moved to bigger cities to pursue other avenues of expression, but overall it seems most of the bands just said "been there, done that,'” says Steve Harm, owner of the Warehouse. And as the older punk rock fans moved on or out, different scenes took their place. But for a girl whose heart remains one with the DIY, By Any Means Necessary, rock-out-with-yourcock-out mindset, there is left a gaping hole in the heart of La Crosse's music scene. Says Harm,“I guess 'punk rock' was the music of rebellion 10 years ago. I really have no idea what they latch onto today as any form of rebellion.”

venues like these that give bands like power rockers Thundersnake and alternative rock group Idle Ecstatic the motivation to keep a fresh sound. As Brown told me with confidence, “The La Crosse music scene is really quite accommodating to rock n’ roll.” That is, if you’re old enough.

— Jason Crider

Reggae/ska

Artists: 1,2,3 Walrus, T.U.G.G.

Venues: Del’s Bar, Popcorn Tavern, The Joint, State Room, UW-L Cartwright Center

If you don’t think our icy bluff country

would cultivate a hot ska or reggae scene, you would be correct. We only have one group that fits in either of those catagories, but what our bands lack in numbers, they make up for in enthusiasm. Reggae rockers T.U.G.G. may be La Crosse’s most popular and promising band. They’ve built a dedicated following in the Coulee Region and constant touring, including a “Bring the Beards” winter jaunt this month to Colorado, has exposed the group to national audiences.

“Starting out as a jam band, we have transitioned our sound as a whole and are looking to take it as far as it takes us,” says lead singer Andy Hughes. By contrast, 1,2,3 Walrus embraces the more punk side of the spectrum, but they still aspire to move crowds. “We play up-beat dancing music,” says drummer Lars Roeder. La Crosse’s ska scene fell a long way since its late-‘90s Warehouse heyday, but national reggae bands still make occasional sweeps through town, most often as an opener for T.U.G.G. — Julie Schneider

— Emily Faeth

Rock

Venues: The Warehouse, The Arterial, JB’s Speakeasy, Howies, The Joint, Fox Hollow, Popcorn Tavern

Artists: 3 Beers Til' Dubuque, All Skylines Collide, Fuzzy HD, Idle Ecstatic, King Friday, Milk Toast, Paxico, Proto Melei, Pulse8, Red Sky Warning, Shot to Hell, This Could Be the Day, Thundersnake, Urine

“The [rock] scene here is pretty diverse,” says Andrew Santoso, guitarist and supporting vocalist for the post-hardcore/ screamo act All Skylines Collide. “You have to really look for it though.” This statement pretty much summarizes the entire La Crosse music scene for those of us in the area unfortunate enough to be under that crucial age of 21. Besides the Warehouse, there aren’t too many sober venues in La Crosse. This isn’t really an eye-opener considering the amount of alcohol consumption that takes place here, but it seems a shame (yet certainly understandable) that people seem to only want live music if they can drink while they listen. Because of this regrettable “bar band” attitude, many bands in the area have developed what Quenten Brown, of the local rock group Paxico, describes as a “play-what-youknow mentality.” On the other hand, many venues, such as The Arterial and JB’s Speakeasy, “really support not just local music, but original music as well,” says Brown. It’s

Singer/Songwriter

Artists: Abbey Lane, Cheech, Dan Berger, Dan Sebranek, Don Harvey, johnsmith, Katrina Rose, Michelle Lynn, Mike McAbee, Nick Shattuck, Tony Zobeck

Venues: Bodega, Del’s, The Root Note, Freight House, Popcorn Tavern, Flipside, Dewey’s

Open mic nights are the stepping stones for aspiring musicians. Here in the La Crosse area, troubadours have many options to take their first timid steps on stage, from the Root Note’s anything-goes philosophy to dedicated songwriting nights at the Flipside and other locales. Nick Shattuck, an Oshkosh transplant who’s become one of La Crosse’s more well-known musicians, got into our scene through open mic nights, and the experience encouraged him to write more songs and play gigs around the area.

“I love playing for a hometown crowd, but I like the challenge that bigger cities present to me of no one knowing who I am or any of my lyrics,” Shattuck says. Young artists like Shattuck and Michelle Lynn aspire to use La Crosse as a launching pad for a bigger career, while older songwriters like Dan Berger and Don Harvey have settled down in the Coulee Region and have been inspired by the area to turn out song after song.

— Julie Schneider

8// December 16, 2010

Second Supper

Buddha’s Belly 127 6th Street S 782-5510

Looking for something a little less commercialized for that free spirit on your list?

Then Buddha’s Belly has just what you need to “stick it to the man.” The shop, located on 127 S. 6th St., in downtown La Crosse, contains one of the largest disc golf supplies in the area, as well as a beautiful selection of jewelry, T-shirts and glassware (for tobacco use only, of course). The owners of this community-oriented shop pride themselves on the fact that almost every single item in the store, besides the disc golf supplies, are handmade by local artists. Buddha’s Belly will be running random sales throughout this holiday season, including 50 percent off all disc golf supplies until Christmas Eve, so head on over today.

— Jason Crider

Deaf Ear Records 112 4th Street South 782-7829

Wrap up some beats this holiday season with seeing what Deaf Ear Records has in store this time of year. This record shop houses a broad spectrum of music, such as imported music, rap and jazz. With the largest selection of used CDs and DVDs in the area, you will be sure to find that perfect gift, with the added bonus of all used Blueray movies, DVDs and CDs scooting to a reduced price. The $2 CD selection is now 10 for $1 so you really can’t go wrong! Snag that perfect holiday song from the CD holiday section or give that classic gift of that oh-so-sweet album. Satisfy whomever you are buying for with a poster, cool tapestry and wall hangings, or Frisbee Golf discs for all the frolfing lovers you know. Wow them

with unique jewelry or even spice it up with some incense or sweet stickers. Give the gift you know they will love with a gift certificate for any amount you wish. Be the talk of the family by giving an autographed guitar of the famous face-painting group, KISS. It might be too good to not put under that red and green wrapping paper.

— Julie Schneider

Kroner True Value Hardware 319 Pearl St 782-6316

Get in that holiday spirit by heading to Kroners Hardware for some major essentials that make a perfect gift for whomever is on your mind. The store offers great hand tools for the handy man in your family. Sleds make a great gift for really anyone, and Kroners has a wide range to choose from: the latest high-tech sledding concoction to a toboggan, to even the classic style sled, which can even make for a great decoration. A surprising find that the store offers is great Christmas baking supplies as well as other kitchen essentials. LED lights as well as power strips are on sale for the decorator, and toolboxes make for a complete gift set. If that birdbath was left out just a couple days too late, have no fear, Kroners is stocked up and offers a wide variety. Even though St. Nick already came, you can snag some stockings and customize them for a creative spin on a classic tradition.

— Julie Schneider

LARK Boutique 319 Main Street 782-1025

Wondering which store the La Crosse

Chamber of Commerce chose as the best new business of 2010? You'd be right by thinking it's LARK Boutique! Haven't stopped in yet? Well, there's no time like the present (no pun intended) because LARK has plenty of gifts under $25 for any fashionista in your life. This year's popular items are the velvet neckwarmers, crocheted wire necklaces, penny earrings and wool blend socks. Other than hosting the shop owner Andrea Fisher's personal designs, there are many local and regional artisan pieces as well as from Andrea's former Brooklyn business colleagues. Support local and small business by seeing what's new in the shop; new stock comes in weekly!

Gift Certificates also available.

— Stephanie Schultz

Pro Skate & Snowboard 215 State St. 782-4300

From boots to boards to winter and even summer apparel the Pro Skate and Snowboard Shop is your one-shop stop for great gifts this holiday season. Some stellar deals that you cannot pass up are a custommade longboard package for $125, a skateboard package for $85, last year’s snow apparel for 50 percent off, and all hats are also 50 percent off. All snowboards, boots and bindings are 25 percent, and being the number one Burton provider in the area, the shop carries top-of-the-line pro model and restricted gear. With a purchase of any board, and any bindings, boots are offered for half off. Protective gear, socks and clearance on summer apparel, with lots of swim trunks on the racks, will have you decked out year round. In addition to essential goods, the shop also provides a wicked, heated indoor skatepark. With the other

closest parks located in Milwaukee and Minneapolis, the Coalition Indoor Skatepark is also a way to give that great gift. To test run the park, a three-month membership for $200 allows one session per day, and if you just can’t get enough, a full year membership is $499.99, which also allows one session per day. An all-day pass is $10 with a helmet required and rentals are just $3.

The skatepark also offers birthday parties, lessons, renting the park and after hours skating. Don’t pass up these righteous deals that will definitely bring some cheer to that lucky person’s face this holiday season.

— Julie Schneider

Vintage Vogue 115 5th Ave. S. 782-3722

Vintage Vogue isn't just for your Halloween costume needs. You're bound to find all kinds of priceless items at this consignment shop specializing in apparel and accessories from the early 1900s to 1980s.

This time of year, there's an excellent selection of vintage and unique fur, faux fur, and wool coats, muffs, hats, and boiled wool sweaters. New stock comes in frequently, which means old treasures needing new homes! Here you can find gifts for everyone — head scarves to cover your grandma's gravity-defying bouffant, ties for your dad, jewelry for your mom, a fedora for your fancy brother, awesome vintage shoes for your sister, and even more for your hipster friends than you can shake a stick at. Costume rentals and Gift Certificates available.

— Stephanie Schultz

Editor's note: This page does not contain any paid advertising. We simply want to help our readers, our neighbors and our local economy.

Second Supper

Ungainfully Employed

By Brett Emerson brett.emerson@secondsupper.com

There’s a billboard next to the Barnes & Noble in my new base in Washington.

Both store and sign are fairly close to my house, and as such I tend to pass them on my wanderings through town. Each time I see the billboard, I snicker as my thoughts turn to the unrealistic possibilities of vandalism.

The sign reads “Optimism is contagious.” Someday, I’d like to spraypaint “Get vaccinated” underneath.

The joke was in my head long before I resigned myself to the growing undercaste of the unemployed, long before my faith in my skills and talents gave way to the realities of the New Depression. The joke has since become harder, more resentful — but it’s still a joke, and still, oddly enough, optimistic.

The story of my attempts to find a job in my new environment has a theme of sudden f***overs following sure things. It began even before I left Wisconsin, as I was plotting a transfer between my old bookstore and the one I now pass on a regular basis.

As an employee of long tenure and high standing, transferring should have been an easy maneuver. Apparently it wasn’t. I’d later find out, both personally and through quite a few other people here, that the boss of my intended new store was a pretty big dick — the type who objects to Halloween on moral grounds and uses divine intervention to justify moving to a Jesusy community.

I’m certain that this lame moral fiber played into the picture in some small way, but at the time I took the message that there was nothing available at face value. Frankly, I didn’t mind. I’d been doing the same work for the entire four years I’d spent back in Wisconsin, and I was looking forward to doing something else.

On the very first day of my new job hunt, I thought I had that matter taken care of. Beyond many of its bars’ draconian policies against serving liquor, my new town’s downtown is so much better than the boozy one I left behind. Within its array of neat shops and attractions nestled a little local record store, and as luck would have it, they were hiring as I was searching.

Being that I have years of record store experience — to say nothing of my years of music journalism — I figured that it would be a slam dunk. In fact, following the interview, the boss and I scheduled a trial shift in which I would be given the chance to prove my mettle. Furthermore, another employee would afterward tell me that I was only the second person he had known, in all the years he had worked there, who had been

December 16, 2010 // 9 given a formal interview. Sure thing, right?

Well, there was an issue which became a deal breaker. As well as selling music, the record store also made its money in head shop paraphernalia, which I’m not all that familiar with. On the morning I was to go in for my first shift, the boss called me up and called it off, stating that he really needed someone who knew the product in time for the holidays. Reading between the lines, I’m one of the few people who can say that they didn’t get a job because they weren’t a pothead. It was actually really funny when it happened, though less so now.

A few false starts later, I was ready to retry the bookstore transfer. I called my old store manager and resumed the process, then called the store manager and discussed the prospects. The Washington boss shot it down in the most dickish manner possible.

“I already have transfers coming in,” he sniped, “and you’re not them, are you?”

Nice.

The appropriateness of this exchange would come into play later when I almost got a job at a Blockbuster down the street from my house. The store boss was a really cool guy with whom I hit it off with immediately.

Another hopeful interview came and went, with the promise of future contact implied.

Yet when I called the boss a week later to follow up, he had bad news. Apparently a transfer had decided to ship in and take the available position, which took priority. “We take care of our people,” he explained. I understood, but considering my own failed attempts at transferring I saw the result as somewhat morbid.

Beyond that, there’s been a lot of trying, and even more silence. Not even Christmas jobs have been available — though not dealing with tantrum throwing holiday shoppers and neverending Christmas music has probably saved my end of year sanity, for once.

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that this is the future. All the fun pissant work selling books and music and movies and video games are ending due to physical products becoming electronic files. No matter how wonderfully the economy may recover, I don’t really see the job market coming back.

My old prediction of overpopulation and technology making labor obsolete feels like it is coming true, and now we get to live with it.

And I don’t really mind. I still don’t have it worse than at least half of the world’s population, and even if I don’t have a steady income, I have a job. Despite a general state of cabin fever resignation, I’m pretty proud of what I do. I get to write all these rants and reviews and interviews, and I’ve done some of my best journalism while being broke.

I’ve also used the free time on my hands to plot out some amazing stories for the future. Since moving out here I’ve also taken up improv classes, which has blasted open a great new avenue for me to dive into. And last week, I put on my first real stand-up performance, which I don’t mind describing as awesome.

I’ve come to the point where I have nothing in the conventional sense, yet though the situation is far from perfect I’m actually pretty happy about how things have turned out. If this is hitting bottom, sign me up.

La Crosse's Free Press Reminds you to support the retailers, restaurants, taverns and bands that support us. We are funded solely by advertising so if you want to support us, support them!

conscientious commerce: For those about to shop, we salute you!

10// December 16, 2010

The Arts Review Bizarro Masterpiece Theatre Medium: Film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Uncle Eddie’s Island Adventure (2003) Director: Nick Macris Cast: Randy Quaid, Ed Asner Writer: Matty Simmons

This Christmas, let us honor the holiday season by celebrating National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2, one of its most cherished stories of all time. Wait, I got that wrong — people HATE this film. Many roads can bring a person to the unbridled hatred of this film: sequel abuse, the absence of Chevy Chase, its TV movie production value, a plot ripped almost directly from Gilligan’s Island, or the awkward transition of supporting characters from Christmas Vacation 1 into leads carrying an entire film. One thing is certain, though; no matter how one comes to hate this titan of Bizarro cinema, hatred is almost inevitable.

But I refuse. No matter how much the

The Screening Room Medium: Film I Love You Phillip Morris (2010) Directors: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann Writers: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, based on the book by Steven McVicker

If memory serves me correctly, the trailer for I Love You Phillip Morris surfaced on the Internet Movie Database well over a year ago. Indeed, the film premiered in January of ‘09 at the Sundance Film Festival, and has been wrapped up in distribution purgatory ever since. Now out in limited release, Morris — a mash-up of off-color comedy and quirky melodrama — doesn't quite meet the expectations stoked by its extensive delay. It's a relatively straight-forward, largely un-probing look at the fundamental paradox of a con man falling in love, and then attempting to convince his lover that that love, unlike everything else in his life, isn't a lie.

Playing only a slight variation on his usual borderline-annoying goof with a tender heart, Jim Carrey feels at home as real-

Second Supper

ARTS rest of the film may stink, there is one man who strides boldly forth and turns every scene into a masterpiece — master thespian (and recent outlaw conspiracy theorist) Randy Quaid. As he brings Clark Griswold’s Cousin Eddie into the limelight, The Great Quaid pulls out all the stops in his quest to, well, cash a paycheck. But also to be a comedic genius!

In Christmas Vacation 2, The Great Quaid is a man unafraid to spend an entire movie scampering about a deserted island clad in uncomfortably tight, uncomfortably white shorts. He’s not afraid to come out second best to a nuclear-enhanced monkey; he knows he’s better than that damn ape. He’s man enough to be both Skipper and Gilligan, and he can bring nature to its rightful place beneath his bootheel even while stumbling over that same bootheel. Hot faux-Hawaiian babes stand no chance against his masculine wiles, but The Great Quaid chooses to keeps his torrential manliness in check and remains faithful to his movie family, magnanimously allowing his son and uncle to perv out over the babe instead. He can build a mansion fit for royalty out of some bamboo, palm leaves and a boar’s carcass. And best of all, Cousin Eddie goes through this entire movie without ever soiling his pristine white shorts.

If this film is any indication of his brilliance, I think that The Great Quaid’s recent foray into paranoid insanity is all part of a master plan. History may one day praise this beady-eyed and disheveled vagabond as the Socrates of our time. Quaid bless us, everyone!

— Brett Emerson

life grifter Steven Russell, who made a fortune in the 1990s through insurance fraud, imitating a lawyer, embezzling from a health care company and various other cons. In prison, he falls in love with fellow inmate Phillip Morris (McGregor), who moves in with Russell upon their release. Morris remains oblivious to Russell's cons — why raise questions when your partner is pulling in six figures?

The film doesn't give McGregor much to do as the object of Carrey's affection, other than inspire him to engage in ill-advised, for-the-sake-of-love financial pursuits. That Phillip Morris plays a mostly-passive role in a movie that bears his name subtracts from the weight that such a deep tightrope romance should carry. Morris’ upbeat tone initially makes the film thoroughly watchable and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. But once it becomes clear just how flat a character Russell is, the film reaches a plateau that dampens its transition from energetic dark comedy to bleak earnest melodrama.

The filmmakers supposedly recut I Love You Phillip Morris several times as it lingered in limbo — maybe there’s a smoother, more affecting cut out there waiting to be seen.

— Nick Cabreza

'It's a Wonderful Life' overcomes well-known nostalgia, blizzard

By Jonathan Majak

jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

For the La Crosse Community Theatre, the show must go on, come hell or high snow banks. Even with Mother Nature dumping over a foot of snow on the area, LCT still managed to put on rousing performances of the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” done in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast.

A perennial fixture on television, the story is sharply reworked as the story is placed within the context of a New York City radio station staging the performance for those eager ears from coast to coast. The fact that a thing like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which is so part of the cultural fabric that it’s easy to sort of overlook its tremendous creative qualities, is brought to life with such spirit and vitality is a credit to the cast as well as the direction by Greg Parmeter.

From the moment you walk into the LCT, there is an aura about the show as the Community Theatre has gone out of its way to put together a period atmosphere, with boys and girls dressed in period costuming selling candy and soda as they walk the aisle while the talented cast, in character, test microphones and prepare for the show out on the stage. This sort of direction allows the audience to feel uniquely a part of the show, which only heightens the pleasure of the production.

The ensemble of actors and actresses adeptly handle the material with the proper amount of wit and pathos without ever trying to ape their famous counterparts from the film. They also stylishly handle the distinct cadence of the 1940s acting style that is, to a modern ear, slightly stilted and sort of inherently hammy. In less capable hands it could’ve come off as satire at best or poorly thought-out parody at worse, but the cast manages to bring an authenticity to it all.

We will give a special shout-out to actor Devin Horne, who plays fictional film actor Jake Laurents/George Bailey in the radio play. Walking into the role of George Bailey is daunting enough but also playing an actor

playing a character can be a bit of headache, but Horne, who I loved in “West Side Story” as Bernardo, smartly stays away from trying to be like Stewart and instead brings a fresh charisma to the character, particularly in his scenes courting Rachael Kaiser as Mary, who is equally fantastic.

The strength of the show is really highlighted in scenes in which the whole ensemble is out on the stage, from the actors playing the various townsfolk to the behind-the-scenes technicians to the Aces Wild Quartet. It is like a wall of jovial energy heading straight out to the audience as the cast members not only perform exceptionally well but also have this palpable feeling of enjoying every second they are out on stage together.

There is a trick that makes you appreciate the acting in this show even more: when sitting in the audience, close your eyes at some point. Kaiser and Horne, as well as the rest of the cast, do such a wonderful job conveying the story through their voices that all the visuals are just icing on the cake.

The set design by Kelsey Taunt immediately puts you in the mood for the show.

With the stylish art deco flourishes hung from the side of the wall, right down to the font of the radio station, the set easily transports the audience into a different era while Dillon McArdle’s lighting helps neatly transition the show between the “It’s the Wonderful Life” scenes and the in-between moments of the radio station.

It is, in a lot of ways, a dark show filled with suicide attempts and thievery and alcoholism that almost seems sort of counter-intuitive to its holiday cheer reputation. But it’s those darker elements that help make the show not completely saccharine in its sentimental, heart-string tugging ways. The mere fact that the ending lines of “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings” got a smile and not an eye roll from yours truly shows the strength of the show. Our heart might not have grown three times as big, but my appreciation of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life” certainly did due to LCT’s fantastic production.

Sudoku

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

From Page 2

Second Supper

December 16, 2010 // 11

MUSIC

The Majak Mixtape

By Jonathan Majak jonathan.majak@secondsupper.com

It’s the most wonderful time of the year where we don even more of American Apparel and make sure to hang up our organically grown mistletoe to indulge in all the bisexual tendencies you can shake a pair of skinny jeans at. That’s right! It’s Hipster Holiday as we bust out our record player to listen to vinyl records of bands who haven’t even started yet while watching films that have yet to be made. We here at the Majak Mixtape are here to help you put together a music compilation for your next holiday soiree with ironic Christmas sweaters a plenty and of course a menu of the finest vegan food your paycheck from working retail for the man even though you’re totally about fair trade in all other situations. So welcome and enjoy a very merry hipster holiday in this week’s mix “Apathy to the World.”

You can’t really do a hipster holiday without the presence of hipster It-Girl Zooey Deschanel so naturally we lead off this mixtape with her rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” as heard and seen the film “Elf.” You know it’s that movie you went to see even though you find Will Ferrell totally pedestrian as a comedic force outside of quoting “Anchorman,” which you only saw once because your totally mainstream roommate made you watch it. Anyway, Zooey Deschanel’s voice is the pop music equivalent of the Marmite, and we’re owning that her often emotion-less delivery can be grating. But we worship her and the shirt dresses she must buy by the truckload.

Next up is a smattering of tunes from

a variety of acts who all have decided to do their own Christmas songs. For those who enjoy their holidays to have an angst-ridden soundtrack, we suggest the Christmas tune “All I Want For Christmas is New Year’s Day” by electro-pop outfit, appropriately named to a fault, Hurts. Elsewhere, Best Coast and Wavves come together for a tune “Got Something For You” that sounds like a loud cousin of the “A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector” album. The tune is actually for Target because scene haircuts do not, in fact, pay for themselves. We are actually impressed at the fact that the indie outfit Sleigh Bells hasn’t put out some sort of Christmas/ holiday tune. Way to be unlike us and not go for the cheap joke.

Lastly we end the mixtape with a pair of albums, “Christmas Remixed” and “Christmas Remixed 2.” Filled with holiday classics by the likes of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Kay Starr, Duke Ellington, Rosemary Clooney, the tunes get completely unnecessary yet utterly fabulous remixes by a bevy of DJs. Have you ever had the desire to hear Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” or Me Torme’s “The Christmas Song” given a Portisheadesque trip-hop vibe? Well now here is your chance for you to listen to dance music and stand around to it, dispassionately nodding your head along to the beat.

And with that we bid you adieu. Have a happy holiday, and we wish you love, peace and downloads.

Buy: Ryan Adams’ new album “III/IV”

YouTube: TDK Chronicles: The Strokes as they talk of their love of homemade mixtapes

Read: Consequence of Sound and their year-end list of music highlights www.consequenceofsound.net

Get more of that Majak magic at Majak Kingdom blog with daily mixtapes, TV show recaps and a special holiday feature “Yule Blog.” Check it all out at www.majakkingdom.blogspot.com

Visit us online at www.secondsupper.com

Medium: Album Stimulus: Freezepop — "Imaginary Friends" Anno: 2010

Not every band that makes a name in inside jokes and idiosyncrasy survives the switch to seriousness, but in Freezepop’s case, the change is not only survived but is illuminating. The first release from the newly remodeled synthpop band shows a change in style to accompany its changes in lineup.

What Imaginary Friends sounds like more than anything is an electronic band busting out high-aerobic singles in its ‘80s heyday.

Yet despite the fact that it’s on par with the best music of that era, labeling this album as a retro homage or ironic nostalgia would really be shortchanging the quality work that went into its making.

Along with the band’s jettisoning of the rock direction it flirted with previously, the wry observations and quirky pop culture references that have dotted Liz Enthusiasm’s vocals over the years have largely disappeared. On the brilliantly synthed up “Lose that Boy,” Enthusiasm’s love advice is the

closest the album comes to overt goofiness, but it’s nowhere near her established sense of whimsical self-effacement (see: “Brainpower”). Instead, the overall impression of Imaginary Friends is that it is a very earnest body of work, easily Freezepop’s most straightforward and concise album to date.

Unless one is hopelessly hung up on references to PBR, Love Ninjas, Game Boys, and the actors of Growing Pains, this is in no way a bad thing.

For my money, the best track on Imaginary Friends is “Special Effects,” an electrojuggernaut that barely has time to slow down for a piano-tinged interlude. “Natural Causes,” which is a little slower and darker, would be my runner-up. The album’s against the grain track is its last, “House of Mirrors,” a ballad which plays like a stately version of “Swimming Pool” from the previous album.

And face-forward tracks like “Doppelganger” and “Magnetic” have bouncy hooks that crawl into the listener’s brain and take over.

Though the narrower scope and relative seriousness of Imaginary Friends don’t need to set a permanent precedent, in this case they work out to Freezepop’s advantage.

This is a great work of well-assembled electropop which proves that the new version of Freezepop is just as formidable and enduring as its prior incarnation.

— Brett Emerson

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12// December 16, 2010

Second Supper

MUSIC

music directory // December 17 to December 30 FRIDAY,

December 17

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Nick Shattuck (folk pop) • 10 p.m.

THE STARLITE LOUNGE // 222 Pearl St. Kies and Kompanie (jazz) • 5 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. Czarbles, This Machine, United Sons of Toil, Unstratified (indie rock) • 7 p.m.

DAN’S PLACE // 411 Third St. S. The Grilled Cheese Experience • 8 p.m.

FRIDAY,

December 24

JB'SSPEAKEASY // 717 Rose St. Droids Attack, Kentucky Beltfight (hard rock) • 10 p.m.

NIGHTHAWKS TAP // 401 S. Third St. Irene Keenan Jr. (blues rock) • 10 p.m.

NEUIE'S NORTH STAR // 1732 George St. CODY (& Friends) • 8 p.m.

SATURDAY,

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Moon Boot Posse (psychedelic; Xmas party) • 10 p.m.

PEARL STREET BREWERY // 1401 St. Andrew St.

Casey Barth & Stacy Hanson (of Red Sky Rising) • 5 p.m.

PIGGY'S BLUES LOUNGE // 501 Front St. S. Doghouse Jon & the Misbehavers Come down to John's Bar Saturday night, and help support your local hip-hop scene. The show will be held in the basement beginning at 10:30 p.m., and if all goes well, this could be the start of a regular gig. Six local artists are (blues) • 8 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Heatbox (human beatbox) • 10 p.m.

PUMP HOUSE // 119 King St. Bill Miller (sacred rock) • 7:30 p.m.

on the bill: NorthernLightz, Cat Robey, Black Ice, Sean P, Father Focus and DJ Cali. (Above, Nate D and Cat Robey demonstrate how it can be so fresh and clean). There's no cover charge and free beer until it's gone. That's big pimpin'.

PIGGY'S BLUES LOUNGE // 501 Front St. S. Doghouse Jon & the Misbehavers (blues) • 8 p.m.

THE JOINT // 324 Jay St. POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Adam Palm Band (grad. party) • 10 p.m. Brownpalm and the Getdown (Last minute show!)• 10 p.m.

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. Dan Rodriguez (groove pop) • 8:30 p.m. RED PINES BAR & GRILL // W7305 Hwy Z Dan Sebranek (songwriter) • 8 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. Lustrous Mud, A Break In the Storm, THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. Ralphed, Rogue the Wolf, Love Like Jim Seem (folk rock) • 8 p.m.

Ghosts (12 Bandz of Xmas) • 6 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. THE WATERFRONT TAVERN // 328 Front St. Elle Woods, Before We Fall, Blank ImChris Bucheit & Steve Meger (jazz age, Befriend & Betray, Behind These guitar duo) • 8 p.m.

Eyes, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (12 Bandz of Xmas) • 6 p.m.

SATURDAY,

December 18

December 25

THE WATERFRONT TAVERN // 328 Front St. Chris Bucheit & Steve Meger (jazz

MONDAY,

December 20

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Open Jam • 10 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Shawn's Open jam • 10 p.m.

TUESDAY,

December 21

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Dave Orr (open jam) • 10 p.m.

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. 3rd Relation Jazz Trio (jazz) • 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY,

December 22

guitar duo) • 8 p.m.

JOHN’S BAR (BASEMENT) // 109 3rd St. S. NorthernLightz, Cat Robey, Black Ice, Sean P, Father Focus, DJ Cali (local hip-hop showcase) • 10 p.m.

CARTWRIGHT CENTER // 1725 State St. George Winston (jazz legend) • 7 p.m.

THURSDAY,

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Christmas Party (w/ free beer) • 6 p.m.

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Cheech & Andy (from T.U.G.G) • 10 p.m.

December 19

December 26

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Som’n Jazz (jazz) • 6 p.m.

TUESDAY,

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Mitgee Evers (reunion show) • 10 p.m.

December 23

December 28

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Fayme Rochelle and the Waxwings (bluegrass Tuesday) • 10 p.m.

THE ROOT NOTE // 114 4th St. S. 3rd Relation Jazz Trio (jazz) • 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY,

December 29

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Adam Palm (troubadour) • 10 p.m.

POPCORN TAVERN // 308 S. Fourth St. Mitgee Evers (reunion show) • 10 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. F. Stokes, Another Exoneration (rap)

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Casey Barth & Stacy Hanson (of Red THURSDAY, Sky Rising) • 10 p.m.

JB'SSPEAKEASY // 717 Rose St. jEHAD, Lustrous Mud (metal; CD release show) • 10 p.m.

SUNDAY,

SUNDAY,

December 30

DEL’S BAR // 229 Third St. Brownie’s Recipe (jamband) • 10 p.m.

THE WAREHOUSE // 324 Pearl St. The Disabled, Efftupp & Hyphon, Lasting Impression, Andrew the Red & the Heckling Spectacles, Terminated Television (Lizzie's B-Day) • 6 p.m.

Second Supper Second Supper

November 11, 2010 // 13 December 16, 2010 // 13

YOUR GUIDE TO CONSUMPTION

The Beer Review Bell's Christmas Ale Bell’s Brewery Kalamazoo, Michigan

We wish you a merry little holly-jolly most wonderful time of the yadda yadda yadda you know what time of year it is: Christmas beer season! Of course, like fruit cake, caroling and sitting on bearded men’s laps, Christmas beers are a seasonal affair — which is usually for the best. Too many of these ales taste like a spice rack explosions, with nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and coriander making their annual cameos.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that Christmas beers are bad, per se. They just a bit, um,

Burl Ives-y for my taste.

Still, in the final issue of Second Supper before Christmas, I’d have to be a real Scrooge to ignore the style entirely, so I’ve been scouring my local beer shelves for the latest in holiday ales. Christmas beers have been out for a while, but by halfway through December it looks like most of the stock has already been cleaned out by true aficionados. Thankfully, there’s still a shining star I can follow to find good beer variety in La Crosse. The Bodega Brew Pub had this Bell’s Christmas Ale on tap this week, and it was like a gift to my spice-averse palette. This Christmas offering is a delicately sweet and malty Scotch ale, a lovely respite from the sugar plum season.

Purchase: One pint of Bell’s Christmas Ale from the Bodega Brew Pub, $4.25

Style: Scottish Ale Strength: 5.5 percent ABV Packaging: On tap, the Christmas Ale looks like every other Bell’s handle but topped with a gold ball. The bottles, which I saw in town last month, depict a single Christmas tree growing out of what appears to be a Michigan barley field.

Appearance: The beer pours a nearly clear copperish yellow color with a thick off-white head that leaves nice lacing.

Aroma: The fields of grain painted on the label turn out to be an apt image, as this Christmas Ale evokes a farm at harvest time with wheat germ and straw in the air. Hops provide an interesting counterpoint with notes of cherry juice and banana bread.

Taste: This Christmas Ale has some dessertlike qualities, but it’s nothing like the liquid spice cakes that usually hit the market this

The Best Food & Drink Specials in Town

time of year. The all-Michigan malts are on prime display with a nice roasted flavor and a faint pastry sweetness. But the hops play the surprise role with a drying finish and deft bitterness that stays on the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Thin-to-medium bodied, and it leaves a little film on the inside of the mouth.

Drinkability: This is a supremely drinkable session beer that fills a void among holiday heavy hitters.

Ratings: Beeradvocate grades this a B, while RateBeer scores it a surprising 68. I’d say it’s a nice-sipping ale that lives up to Bell’s lofty standards, and I’d be extra cheery if it was distributed year-round. In fact, I’m kicking myself for not drinking this all season.

— 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

$1 Cherry Bombs, $1 Keystone Light silos

BROTHERS

Cllosed

$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.

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.

Customer Appreciation Weekend: Free beer, 9 p.m.-'til?. Ladies Late Night Ladies Drink Free , domestic taps, rails and Long Islands1 a.m.-close

Customer Appreciation Weekend: Free beer, 9 p.m.-'til?. Ladies Late Night Ladies Drink Free , domestic taps, rails and Long Islands1 a.m.-close

COCONUT JOE'S

Closed

Closed

$2 Select Appetizers, $1 coors light Wings! $1.50 for 1 pound of wings. pints/rails, $2 u – call –it’s $1.50 Miller Lite

Wristband Night

$3 jumbo captain/Bacardi drinks $3 jumbo captain and Bacardi all night drinks all night

EAGLES NEST

$5 domestic pitchers

$1.50 domestic taps and rail drinks, 4 p.m. to close

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

Happy Hour: 2 for 1 domestic bottles and rail drinks, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Karaoke 9 p.m. to close

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

All you care to eat pizza buffet, 11-2

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

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

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

306 Pearl St. 784-0522

128 3rd St. 782-9192

1914 Campbell Road 782-7764

FEATURES

W3923 State Highway 16 786-9000

FLIPSIDE PUB & GRILL 400 Lang Drive 784-2242

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

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

$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

214 Main St. 782-6010

717 Rose St. 796-1161

SCHMIDTY’S 3119 State Road 788-5110

SLOOPY'S ALMA MATER

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

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

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

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

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 Wristband night, $2 cherry bombs, and rails bottles; $3 Double call drinks 50¢ shots (3 flavors)

Happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.

Breakfast 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; lunch buffet 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., $6.99

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

Happy Hour 2 to 6 p.m.

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

$2 U Call Its 7 p.m. to close: Calls, Rails, Bottles & More

$2 U Call Its 7 p.m. to close: Calls, Rails, Bottles & More

$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 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans 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 Grain Belt 2.50 Captain Mixers

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

$2 16oz Old Style & Lost Lake cans

WHISKEY RIVER SALOON

Closed

Closed

Closed

Comedy Night

Mechanical Bull Riding, $2 Miller Lite and $2 Shots of Dr.

Live Band and DJ, $3 Bacardi and Captain Drinks 7-10pm

Live Band and DJ, $3 Bacardi and Captain Drinks 7-10pm

WHO'S ON THIRD

$2.00 Domestic taps/ $2.00 rails

$1.50 tap of PBR/ $1.50 rails

$3.00 call doubles/ $2.00 Bud products

$2.00 all tap beer/ $3.00 Jack/Captain doubles

$8.50 Fishbowls/ $2.00 Miller products

$2.00 Domestic taps/ $2.00 Three $2.00 Bartenders choice mixer Olive products

123 3rd St. 784-8020

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

223 Pearl St. 784-2337

126 3rd St. N. 782-9467

14// December 16, 2010

Maze Efflux

Second Supper

DIVERSIONS

By Erich Boldt

"Crunchy on the Outside" Fry that Sucker!

By Matt Jones

The Gamer Game: Dante’s Inferno (2010) Developer: Visceral Games System: PS3 and Xbox360 Price: $28.25

“Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.”

Dante wrote in his famous epic Inferno. This is sound advice to Dante, the title character in Visceral Games’ Dante’s Inferno. Like the poem, the video game follows the story of Dante’s travels through the nine circles hell with Virgil as his guide. In the game Dante is a fallen Templar Knight who is on a quest to save his beloved Beatrice’s soul.

Dante’s Inferno is a third person action adventure game where Dante has two main weapons, Death’s Scythe and a holy cross.

With each weapon comes a multitude of combos and powers as well as the ability to punish or absolve enemies and even some famous sinners featured in Dante’s poem.

The game-play and controls are much like God of War 3. The fight sequences are fast paced and frantic and the plat-forming and puzzles are just difficult enough to keep you interested yet not frustrated. And the game's depiction of hell and its minions are fairly spot on to Dante’s descriptions in the Inferno.

The similarities between the book and the game are what save this game from being a run of the mill action adventure game.

Throughout the game you can talk to Virgil about each circle of hell you enter as well as about sinners and sins you come across. Also for each circle of hell you enter you unlock a new portion of the Inferno to actually read

— not that many games are interested in reading epic poems after slaying the minions of hell, but for a gaming bookworm like myself it added an element not normally present in most games.

A few things seriously take away from the game, the first being the cartoonish cutscenes. Dante’s back-story as a crusading Templar is shown like a Disney cartoon. With the graphics capabilities of both systems it is beyond me why the developers would choose to cartoonishly animate the cut scenes instead of rendering them like the rest of the game.

The second flaw is the ending of the game. Without giving away too many details I will tell you it is incredibly difficult, which is normally a good thing but in this case it was almost impossible. It took nearly three hours to beat the final boss, compared to roughly six hours to beat the rest of the game.

Cartnoonish cut scenes aside the graphics in Dante’s Inferno are excellent. The character movements are fluid and realistic and the minions of hell detailed and horrifying. There are times in the game where you look into the distance and see a realistic detailed view of the abyss, which if you believe in hell will have you in confession in no time.

Dante’s Inferno is an exciting and interesting meld of book and game. You can get it for cheap almost anywhere you look, but this one is best left to the adults. While the cut scenes’ animation may scream Disney, the content does not. So go out and grab yourself a copy and play through what a 14th century Italian thought hell might be like.

— Nate Willer

ACROSS 1 Greased up 6 180 degrees from NNE 9 Whip it, whip it real good 13 It follows diciembre 14 "Yeah, I bet you do..." laugh 15 Lotion additive 16 Aspire toward 17 "Light bulb" moment 19 Pattern studied by Dexter Morgan 21 "Iron Man 2" director Jon 22 Extra-wide shoe size 23 Air quality watchdogs: abbr.

26 Have ___ for (require) 27 It's tested with a

toe 30 Name a price 31 Late Sex Pistol Vicious 32 Fill full of bubbles 33 Air transport for Bruce Wayne's alter ego 36 Center of the Turkish government 39 Where riders may stand 40 Sine's reciprocal, in trig: abbr.

43 All organisms in one area, collectively 45 Winter coat 47 36-down rival 48 Stephen of "The Crying Game" 49 Some time ago 51 Like fish for fish & chips -- or this puzzle's four theme entries

Answers to Dec. 9 puzzle Down the Middle — Big words all over

53 Show with dilithium crystals 56 Experts 57 Drug unit 58 Before, to poets 59 "The Bottle Let Me Down" singer Haggard 60 From the beginning 61 Double curve 62 Fall flower DOWN 1 Female NASCAR racer/eco-activist ___ Munter 2 Stoic 3 Word between "never" and "seen" 4 Ate away 5 Backs, in anatomical terms 6 Stadium replaced by Citi Field in 2009 7 Sevensome 8 The good guys wear them in westerns 9 Bert who played The Cowardly Lion 10 Pie ___ mode 11 Archie Arnett, to Amy Poehler 12 "Over here!"

16 Patsy and Edina's Britcom, to fans 18 Herman with a Broadway show 20 ___ bone (pelvis component) 23 Vowel in Greece 24 Iguana or chihuahua 25 "All your base ___

belong to us" 28 Acrobat Reader maker 29 Abbr. at the top of sheet music 31 Black Hills Spruce, e.g.

33 Emeril noise 34 Noah's mountain 35 Less contaminated 36 47-across rival 37 Pen point 38 Boxing stats 40 Harm, as an economy 41 Buzzing pest that sucks 42 Dealmakers?

44 Breakfast skillet ingredients 45 Lion gangs 46 Tijuana Brass bandleader Herb 50 Edward James Olmos's "Battlestar Galactica" role 51 It may get waxed 52 Manages, with "out" 53 Toots & the Maytals genre 54 The only threeletter element 55 IPA part For answers, call (900) 226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Or to bill to a credit card, call (800) 655-6549. Reference puzzle #0489.

Second Supper

December 16, 2010 // 15

THE LAST WORD

The Advice Goddess

By Amy Alkon amy.alkon@secondsupper.com Dirty-something

My husband surfs the Internet for porn and pictures of women when he’s bored. I want to accept this, but I can’t help but feel insecure and betrayed. He doesn’t watch porn when I’m home, but if I were gone more often, I think he’d be hopping online. I don’t snoop; I just see clues. Yesterday, I returned from a quick errand, and he’d left up a search for “Serena Williams swimsuit photos.” Pretty harmless, but it still stabbed me in the heart! He’s a deeply caring and sensitive man, and has been willing talk to me about this. He suggested I look at pics of men or porn, and said he wouldn’t feel threatened, just happy if I’m feeling good. It still drives me nuts and makes me less sexually giving to know that when I leave my house he’s fantasizing about other women.

— Trying

Male brains and female brains have some differences. You can probably count on an amputated hand the number of times a straight man has run up to another and squealed, “Those are, like, the cutest shoes!”

In fact, it’s a special day if a man happens to take note that another man has feet.

If you’re like most women, you couldn’t care less about Speedo shots of A-Rod or Orlando Bloom, and you’d run past a naked man to get to shoes, a dress, or a spot on a bench. A study by sex researcher Meredith Chivers (with electrodes in an area on a woman that only TSA agents, her lover and her gynecologist go) revealed that women are turned on by erotic video, but find footage of a naked guy exercising about as sexually arousing as long, slow pans of the snowcapped Himalayas. Not surprisingly, while Victoria’s Secret is a bajillion-dollar global enterprise, the companion sexy undie emporium for men has yet to open its doors. Frankly, Victor’s Secret could be communicated on a tiny piece of paper women would give to men: “Wear underwear.

Preferably clean.”

You aren’t alone in being with a man who looks at porn. In fact, University of Montreal researchers wanted to compare 20-something men who watch porn with 20-something men who don’t, but couldn’t find a single guy who hadn’t. Researchers Steven M. Platek, Stephan Hamann, and others have found that seeing pictures of hot women activates the reward centers in men’s brains — the parts of the brain that go “Yeah,

baby!” to stuff like drugs, beer, and money.

In other words, just as your husband doesn’t connect on an emotional level with a can of Bud, his surfing the naked women of the Internet is driven by physiological hunger, not sentiment. So, while your brain sees Serena as another woman coming between you, to his brain, she might as well be a big, tennis-playing ham sandwich.

There actually is a war between the sexes — one going back millions of years.

A cave man could do a cave lady behind a bush and just walk away, no child support, no nothing, and still pass on his genes.

Consequently, men evolved to have this extremely unsentimental sexuality: getting aroused at the mere sight of a nubile woman.

Since women can get pregnant from a single sex act, and since there were few suckier places to be a single mother than 1.8 million years ago on the African Savannah, women evolved to care a lot less about a man’s looks than his ability and willingness to provide.

Although we now have reliable birth control, our genes are extraordinarily slow learners (basically, they’re still partying like it’s minus 199,999) so these competing sexual strategies remain. As my friend Walter Moore put it, “A guy was complaining to me that women are only attracted to wealthy men. I said, ‘That’s so unfair, because we don't expect them to be wealthy; all we ask is that they look like models.’”

Of course you want to believe the fantasy tale — that your guy only has eyes for you —

and not know that whenever you run out to CVS, he’s browsing page after page of fantasy tail. But, unless he starts showing signs that he’s bought a one-way ticket to pornoland, the biggest threat to your relationship isn’t his babe-gazing but your freaking out about it — to the point where you’re shutting down between the sheets. Remind yourself that he’s just looking at these images because he’s biologically and psychologically male.

He’s with you because he loves you, for the sexy way you brush your hair out of your eyes when you’re thinking, for all the ways his life is better and more fun because you’re in it.

Compare all of that with what he gets from Serena and the rest — the sum total of which fits in the toe of an old tube sock.

Downtown La Crosse, above Fayzes - 782-6622

top shots joke of the week What do you call a bunch of grandmasters of chess bragging about their games in a hotel lobby?

Check out our new Beers on Tap!

Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

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)

16// December 16, 2010

Second Supper

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