Art . Culture . Dance . Food . Music . Theater . Travel
Volume 1 | Issue 1 | April /May 2009
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every community there are big box stores selling mass produced art, food in boxes with dehydrated ingredients, music produced for the masses with lyrics bought at the drug store. In general, one does not have to look hard to find the homogenized, instant oatmeal, microwavable, no need to iron, quick fix society. There is more to our culture: entrepreneurs who put their life savings on the line to build a risky, unproven new boutique, volunteers who create a dance community and give lessons for $20 a year, open a theatre in a small town, start a ground-breaking restaurant or teach people about wine making. These are not get-richquick business plans, these are people simply with a passion for the splendid things in life. Cien Fuegos was born out of the desire to promote passionate individuals who love the arts and merit being recognized for the risks that they take. Our members are carefully chosen for their desire to take the path less traveled. They are artists, musicians, theatres, restaurants, dance companies and performing arts organizations. ď ź
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The one common tie between them is that they are independent and locally-owned small organizations with a passion to improve the quality of life in their communities.
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Cien Fuegos
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The Community
Independent and locally-owned small organizations with a passion to improve the quality of life in their communities
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Peru: The Top of the World
A traveler’s memoirs from Peru
From the Vine
Malbec: The Maradona of Argentinean Wines
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Events Calendar
Art Galleries, Music, Theater, Dance
Through a Ballerina’s Eyes
Hit the Trails
The best pedaling in Southeastern Minnesota
Coming to America from war-torn Iraq
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Theatre
Teaching unity with each performance
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The Lowdown
Cultural tidbits, happenings and news from the art community
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Breaking Bread
Vinifera in Wabasha, Minn., is reviewed by the owners of Söntés in Rochester, Minn.
Communal Art
The Anderson Center at Tower View
April 2009
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Contributors Publisher + Zaboca Lounge Creative Editorial +
David C. van Eijl Kristin K. Bailey
Writers + David C. van Eijl Kristin K. Bailey Cyrus C. Malek James P. Ryan, Jr., Ryan & Grinde, LTD. Mary Alessio, Catholic Charities Paul Larsen, Ed-Ventures Tours Design +
Tracy L. van Eijl
Photography + istockphoto.com Stock.XCHNG Zaboca Lounge Creative
How To Reach Us: To request a media kit including advertising rates, call 507.358.8319 or e-mail david@cienfuegosmag.com. Send Letters to the editor, unsolicited editorials and other miscellaneous material to 4 Third Street SW, Suite 202, Rochester, MN 55902. Phone: 507.358.8319, E-mail: info@cienfuegosmag.com © Copyright 2009 No part of this magazine can be produced without expressed written permission of the publishers. No part may be transmitted in any form by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publishers. Publishers accept no liability for solicited or unsolicited materials that are lost or damaged. Views expressed by editorial contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers.
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It
picture in mind with more clarity than mine right now. “Well at least I have years to go before I have to grow up,” I tell his kids with a chuckle.
was Thursday night around 5 o’clock. In an empty parking lot, the rain left a surreal shimmer in the street light. The water running down the window pane blurred my vision of what was supposed to be my future; the hours were backwards, as if in some fitting way I was able to go back in time and start over. I sat and wondered, “Where would I be today if I had only taken fewer risks?” Every once in a while a car blurs by, sometimes slowing down to turn, I hoped not in my direction as we were closing our doors, for good. After sitting for what seemed like an eternity, a car pulls up, the windshield wipers seem to move at such a slow pace that perhaps they also feel my sense of relief that it is over. I step outside into the unseasonably warm October rain while still holding the door open behind me. A friendly face appears, “Carl.” I prop the door open. “I have something for you,” I say in a soft shaky voice. I welcome him and his two kids inside and offer my remaining bottle of $100 wine as a thank you gift for his weekly support. “Join me at the bar. I don’t have any food to make, but I’ll make the kids a decaf caramel French press.” He nods and I just smile at my wife to fire up the water; it seems only fitting that our swan song is a duet between my wife and me. Carl sits on the dining room side, and I pull up a stool behind the bar. He asks me what I am going to do next. I tell him I’m going to start a magazine. He smiles and asks me if I am Dutch. I assume he is referring to my resilience and perseverance. “No,” he informs me, “the Dutch all have this characteristic blue ring around their pupils.” I now have the glow in my eye that develops when I feel a compliment coming on, but then it quickly turns to laughter.
That night I put a chapter of my life behind that taught me so much; it was rewarding and introduced me to a wonderful group of artists and innovators. It also instilled in me the drive to fight the homogenizing of our society. Our culture, arts organizations, and unique independent restaurants, depend on the support of the public and especially the locals. When visitors come to our town, we love to brag about our unique restaurants and arts organizations, but if we don’t support them, what will we say when they are no longer here. Now, during this economic downturn, more than ever, we need to make a conscious effort to spend our money supporting local entrepreneurs and the creative elements in our society. Otherwise, when we come back out of hibernation, we will find ourselves with nothing but the offerings of instant oatmeal on our plates. This magazine will bring together the arts from all disciplines in one joint marketing effort: culinary, visual, audio and performance. If you picked this up in your home town, take it with you the next time you travel. Instead of stopping at the usual chain when in a strange town, try one of the recommendations made in these pages. Perhaps, passing on a night at the movies, take the kids to a play or visit a gallery that supports local artists instead. And, for the love of God, go see the symphony — you won’t be disappointed.
We talk about what his kids are going to do when they grow up. They seem to have a
David van Eijl
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Cien Fuegos
COMMUNITY If you enjoyed your experience at one of our member’s locations, you should try: Anderson Center
Cornucopia Art Center
Old Village Hall
Art at the Depot Gallery
Crossings at Carnegie
Owatonna Arts Center
ArtOnWater Gallery
Dance of Life Sculpture
Paradise Center for the Arts
ArtOrg Moving Walls Gallery
Fermentations Bistro
Phipps Center for the Arts
Austin Symphony
Grezzo Gallery
Phoenix Theatre Company
Bella Voce Choir (c/o Sing Out Loud) 564 Bluff Road NW, Rochester, Minn., 55901 507-269-7114 www.singoutloud.org
Harbor View Cafe
Bluff Country Artists Gallery
Honors Choirs
163 Tower View Drive, Red Wing, Minn., 55066 651-388-2009 www.andersoncenter.org 418 Levee Street, Red Wing, Minn., 55066 651-388-7569 www.redwingartsassociation.org 217 S. Water Street, Northfield, Minn., 55057 507-645-1380 www.artonwater.com 200 Division Street, Northfield, Minn., 55057 507-645-2555 www.movingwalls.artorg.info 604 13th Avenue SW Austin, Minn., 55942 507-433-5647 www.austinmnsymphony.org
111 Main Street, Spring Grove, Minn., 55974 507-498-2787 www.bluffcountryartistsgallery.org
Bricks
407 Second Street, Hudson, Wisc., 54016 715-377-7670 www.eatbricks.com
Callaway Galleries
101 First Ave SW, Rochester, Minn., 55902 507-287-6525 www.callawaygalleries.com
Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra
103 Parkway Avenue N, Lanesboro, Minn., 55949 507-467-2446 www.lanesboroarts.org 320 East Avenue, Zumbrota, Minn., 55992 507-732-7616 www.crossingsatcarnegie.com 125 North Washington Street, St. Croix Falls, Wisc., 54024 651-428-9253 www.danceoflifesculpture.com 236 Railway Street N, Dundas, Minn., 55019 507-645-8345 www.fermentations-bistro.com 16 Bridge Square, Northfield, Minn., 55057 507-581-2161 www.grezzogallery.com 314 First Street, Pepin, Wisc., 54759 715-442-3893 www.harborviewpepin.com Assisi Heights, Suite 920 1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, Minn., 55901 507-252-0505 www.honorschoirs.org
Jaspers Alsatian Bistro and Wine Bar
14 Historic Third Street, Rochester, Minn., 55902 507-289-3095 www.daubesbakery.com/jaspers
Jon Hassler Theatre
412 West Broadway, Plainview, Minn., 55964 507-534-2900 www.jonhasslertheater.org
c/o Northfield Arts Guild 304 Division Street, Northfield, Minn., 55057 507-645-8877 www.cvrorchestra.org
Mantorville Theatre
Carleton College Arts Department
Minnesota Beethoven Festival
1 North College Street, Northfield, Minn., 55057 Art Dept. 507-222-4341 Theater/Dance Dept. 507-222-4531 Music Dept. 507-222-4475 www.carleton.edu
Chardonnay
723 2nd Street SW, Rochester, Minn., 55902 507-252-1310
Choral Arts Ensemble
1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, Minn., 55901 507-252-8427 www.choralartsensemble.org
Commonweal Theatre
208 Parkway Avenue N, Lanesboro, Minn., 55949 507- 467-2468 www.commonwealtheatre.org
April 2009
5 Fifth Street, Mantorville, Minn., 55955 507-635-5420 www.mantorvillain.com P.O. Box 1143, Winona, Minn., 55987 507-457-1783 www.mnbeethovenfestival.com
Minnesota Marine Art Museum
111 Coffee Street, Lanesboro, Minn., 55949 507-467-2962 www.oldvillagehall.com 435 Garden View Lane, Owatonna, Minn., 55060 507-451-0533 www.oacarts.org 321 Central Avenue N, Faribault, Minn., 55021 507-332-7372 www.paradisecenterforthearts.org 109 Locust Street, Hudson, Wisc., 54016 715-386-2305 www.thephipps.org c/o the Sheldon Theater 433 West Third Street, Red Wing, Minn., 55066 651-388-8700 www.sheldontheater.org
Prescott’s
1201 South Broadway #80, Rochester, Minn., 55904 507-536-7775 www.prescottsgrill.com
Red Wing Singers
c/o The Sheldon Theater 433 West Third Street, Red Wing, Minn., 55066 651-388-8700 www.sheldontheater.org
Rochester Art Center
40 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, Minn., 55904 507-282-8629 www.rochesterartcenter.org
Rochester Civic Theater
20 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, Minn., 55904 507-282-8481 www.rochestercivictheatre.org
Rochester Dance Company
2625 Hwy 14 West, Rochester, Minn., 55901 507-288-9653 www.rochesterdancecompany.com
Rochester Repertory Theatre
103 Seventh Street NE, Rochester, Minn., 55906 507-289-1737 www.rochesterrep.org
800 Riverview Drive, Winona, Minn., 55987 507-474-6626 www.minnesotamarineart.org
Rochester Salsa Community
Northfield Arts Guild
400 South Broadway, Suite 100, Rochester, Minn., 55904 507-286-8742 www.rochestersymphony.org
304 Division Street, Northfield, Minn., 55057 507-645-8877 www.northfieldartsguild.org
Nosh
310 1/2 S Washington Street, Lake City, Minn., 55041 651-345-2425 www.noshrestaurant.com
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Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale
San Pedro Café
426 Second Street, Hudson, Wisc., 54016 715-386-4003 www.sanpedrocafe.com
Seasons on St. Croix
401 Second Street, Hudson, Wisc., 54016 715-381-2906 www.seasonsonstcroix.com
SEMVA Art Gallery
16 First Street, Rochester, Minn., 55902 507-281-4920 www.semva.com
SEMYO
Assisi Heights 1001 14th Street NW, Suite 450, Rochester, Minn., 55901 507-282-1718 www.semyo.org
Sheldon Theatre
443 West Third Street, Red Wing, Minn., 55066 651-388-8700 www.sheldontheater.org
Söntés
4 Third Street SW, Rochester, Minn., 55902 507-292-1628 www.sontes.com
St. Marys Arts Department
700 Terrace Heights, Winona, Minn., 55987 800-635-5987 www.smumn.edu
St. Olaf Arts Departments
1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, Minn., 55057 Art/Dance Dept. 507-786-3248 Music Dept. 507-786-3180 Theater Dept. 507-786-3240 www.stolaf.edu
Tango Society of Rochester
www.tangosocietyofrochester.com
The Norton’s Downtown & Lucky Cat Lounge 307 Main Street, Red Wing, Minn., 55066 651-388-2711 www.thenortonsrestaurant.com
The Old Ways
170 Pembroke Street, Wabasha, Minn., 55981 651-560-4300 www.oldwaysrestaurant.com
Sargents
The Singers Minnesota Chorale Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 216, Minneapolis, Minn., 55403 651-917-1948 www.singersmca.org
The Staghead
219 Bush Street, Red Wing, Minn., 55066 651-388-6581 www.thestaghead.com
The Vintage Restaurant
26011 Gladiola Lane, Lanesboro, Minn., 55949 507-421-3457 www.vintageinlanesboro.com
Theatre Du Mississippi
255 Main Street, Winona, Minn., 55987 507-459-8090 www.tdmwinona.org
Underground Art Gallery
411 Vermillion Street, Hastings, Minn., 55033 651-438-9101
Vinifera
260 West Main, Wabasha, Minn., 55981 651-565-4171 www.viniferarestaurant.com
Wisc.,nona Arts Center
228 East Fifth Street, Winona, Minn., 55987 507-453-9959 www.winonaarts.org
Winona Symphony Orchestra (c/o Winona State Music Dept.) P.O. Box 5838, Winona, Minn., 55987 507-457-5257 www.winonasymphony.org
WSU Art Department
P.O. Box 5838, Winona, Minn., 55987 1-800-342-5978 www.winona.edu
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Cien Fuegos
CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Chardonnay
offers exceptional cuisine created to delight the palate, served in the beautiful surroundings of a charming, older Victorian home. Extensive wine list with over 350 labels to choose from. Recipient of the 2007 Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence.” Located in Rochester, Minn., 723 Second Street SW. Dining hours are: Monday-Saturday, 5:30-9:30pm. 507.252.1310.
Jasper’s
Alsatian Bistro and Wine Bar is a place where you can enjoy upscale dining with wine or pizza and beer in an intimate, relaxed setting. Chef Joel Petersen translates the cuisine of Northern France to Rochester gastronomes. Beouf a la Mode, Jaegerschnitzel, potato gallettes and Alsatian pizza vie for space on the menu with local dishes such as Crusted Minnesota Walleye, Hazelnut Chicken and Beet and Warmed Goat Cheese Salad. A Daube’s Bakery Company, Jaspers offers German Chocolate, Black Forest, Daube’s Famous Carrot and Chocolate-Carrot cakes, and Sticky Pudding for a tantalizing postscript. Sit at the wine bar for “petit plats” or for dinner in a cozy Bistro. Located in Rochester, Minn., 14 West Historic Third Street. Dining hours are: Monday-Saturday, morning pastries, lunches and dinners. 507.280.6446 or www.daubesbakery.com/jaspers.html.
April 2009
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Sargents will deliver flowers to your table: 800.742.0340
Söntés
showcases creativity at work. Step through the doors of this restaurant, located at the corner of lovely Historic Third Street and Broadway in Rochester, Minn., and experience the tastes that dynamic thinking and a passion for life can bring to your table. Signature cocktails, numerous international beers and 40 wines available by the glass from the temperature-controlled cuvée system (not to mention the other 100 available by the bottle) … each of these items have been personally selected to provide a wide range of possibilities and pairings. The menu rotates with the seasons, highlighting local meats and produce. Chef Justin Schoville skillfully blends the flavors of the world with tastes grown right in Minnesota. He puts curiosity and innovation to good use by bringing together surprising flavors, creating dishes that reintroduce ingredients to even the well-traveled food lover. The entire experience at Söntés proves to be enlightening. Creativity surrounds the diner, from the food on the table to the local artwork on the walls, to the live music on the weekends. They enliven the entire culinary experience through dedication to originality. Located in downtown Rochester, Minn., 4 West Third Street. Dining hours are: Monday-Thursday, 4-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 4-11pm; Closed Sundays. 507.292.1628 or www.sontes.com.
Prescott s
Certified executive chef, Christopher Rohe, along with his wife and Sommelier, Jenna, have created what is considered Southeastern Minnesota’s premiere dining destination, exciting ‘Foodies’ of all ages. Artesian breads begin what is to be an experience of food and wine. Not only are the breads prepared from scratch, but the salad dressings, soups, and desserts are all prepared by Prescotts’ chef staff. Tomato with fresh basil soup is just one of the many signature items for which Chef Rohe is famous. For a truly rewarding food and wine experience, travel to Prescotts and discover all that’s perfectly paired. Located in Rochester, Minn., 1201 South Broadway (Crossroads Center). Dining hours are: MondayThursday, 5-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 4:30-10pm. Phone: 507.536.7775 or www.prescottsgrill.com.
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Cien Fuegos
Through a
B ato u l
appears to be like any other six year old. She is inquisitive and bright, with long, dark hair and piercing eyes that follow you as you enter the room. Someday, she wants to be a ballerina, who flies in the air and has magical pink slippers with ribbons that tie around her ankles. Batoul recently moved to Rochester, Minn., and for the first time experienced the feeling of snowflakes landing on her nose as she waited for the school bus to arrive. “They are beautiful” she thought, as the flakes danced in the air and landed gently on her face and melted on her nose. Yes, to look through Batoul’s eyes, Rochester is a wondrous land filled with endless hopes, dreams and of course, opportunities for future ballerinas. Her mother likes to look through the eyes of Batoul.
B a l l e r i n a ’ s
Less than one percent of those who apply for refugee status are actually approved to come to the U.S.
I first saw Batoul in late summer as she peeked from behind her mother’s hem. Her mother, pregnant, looked tired and a bit frightened as she departed a plane at Rochester International Airport with three little ones at her side. She spoke very little While Batoul may appear to be like any English but reached out to hug the person other six year old, but the reality is that she she called Mary, who was listed on her has experienced much in six short years. paperwork. We watched the carousel
April 2009
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E y e s
of luggage circling as Batoul’s mother pointed to a few pieces that contained the life possessions of this small family. You see, Batoul looks like any other six-year-old little girl, but she arrived to the U.S. as a refugee from Iraq. Each year thousands of refugee children arrive with hopes and dreams of being ballerinas. Batoul is one of them. Every day, thousands of children must escape the real terrors of war, famine, torture, persecution and death by fleeing through mind or body. They seek safety and security abroad with their families. Rochester, like thousands of other communities throughout the U.S., is home to future ballerinas who arrive seeking to be safe and secure. If you ask Batoul what a refugee is, she will not be able to tell you, but she will describe to you in detail what a ballerina is.
By definition, a refugee is a person who, for well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and unable or owing to fear, unwilling to avail himself of protection of that country. Less than one percent of those who apply for refugee status are actually approved to come to the U.S. All that Batoul will tell you is that where she lived was a scary place and now she lives in a land where snowflakes and ballerinas fly. Batoul and her family are being resettled by Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement. Catholic Charities has resettled refugees in Rochester for over thirty years. It is safe to say each day in our community you will talk to someone who knows of another who has arrived in this country as a refugee. The idea of newcomers seeking a better life in the U.S. is not a sudden happening of our time; it was the principle on which our nation was founded. Today in Rochester there are physicians who arrived as refugees, restaurant owners, teachers, craftsman, politicians, and of course, one future ballerina. It is not an easy quest for a refugee. When I recently voted, I thought of the honor and privilege it is to live in a country and a community where I am not persecuted because of my religion, race, nationality or beliefs. I thought what it was like for me when I was six and my only worries were (Continued on page 14) Batoul, (3rd from left) with her family
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Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program has provided primary refugee resettlement services in Southeast Minnesota since 1975 under the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Department of State. Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement is committed to provide newcomers with services that lead to employment, self-sufficiency and community integration. The Refugee Resettlement program provides direct case management and many service provisions, including arranging stable housing, medical access, education for children and adults, and cultural/transportation/ budgeting orientations, which assist families in adjusting to a new culture. Individualized support is provided and networking with appropriate services in order to provide newcomers with the tools and skills needed to become vital members of our community. Currently, Catholic Charities is assisting families who have been forced to leave the country of Iraq. These families have left their homes, jobs and all their material possessions because they fear for their lives. Unlike reunification refugee cases where families are assisted with anchor relatives who already live in the U.S., one of the new challenges of these Iraqi families is that they have no other family members to initially help them transition into their new lives. Catholic Charities are their first contact from the minute they arrive at the airport with their life possessions packed into two suitcases. Volunteers assist staff in setting up apartments with basic donated items those in the community provide for these newcomers, as they humbly start the journey back to rebuild their lives. Can you imagine how difficult it is to be parents who must uproot their families and flee their homeland because they have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group? And imagine that in hopes to protect your children, in order to give them a sense of safety and security, you are faced with the challenges of overcoming your own fears, as you adjust to a new culture and try to start over again. We are extremely grateful to those that wish to assist with donations for this worthy organization that provides hope throughout the year to so many. Donations can be directed to: Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement, C/O Mary Alessio, 903 West Center Street, Rochester, Minn., 55902. Online donations are offered at www.ccwinona.org. Please designate your online contributions to Refugee Resettlement. ď ź
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Cien Fuegos
CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Cornucopia Art Center
serves as a regional catalyst for artistic excellence and educational development in providing meaningful art experiences for people of all ages. Begun as an artists’ co-op, Cornucopia Art Center has been serving artists and audiences since 1993. Programming includes the Exhibition Gallery, featuring year-round exhibits by regional and nationallyacclaimed artists; the Juried Sales Gallery, with art in various media by 75+ regional artists; the Lanesboro Residency Program, bringing four to six artists to Lanesboro each year to develop their artwork and interact with the community; the Picture Parade art in elementary schools program; classes and workshops; and special events including art shows and demonstrations, Kids Create gallery projects, and music, literary and culinary events. Cornucopia Art Center also hosts the “Discover Sculpture Explore Lanesboro” medallion walking tour with 16 iron sculptures throughout town. Located in Lanesboro, Minn., 103 Parkway Avenue N. Hours are: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 11am-4pm; Closed Monday.
Paradise Cent er for t he Art s
The Paradise Theater was built upon the foundation of the Grand Opera House in 1929, after the original opera house was destroyed by fire. Designed by the architectural firm Liebenberg and Kaplan, the Paradise Theater was originally conceptualized as the Granada with a Moorish or Spanish theme. The Center endeavors to create a vivid, energetic cultural center for the community and region. By showcasing Minnesota artists and offering high-quality visual and performing arts opportunities, it enhances the quality of life for artists and art lovers throughout the region and beyond. In downtown Faribault, Minn.,1.5 blocks South of Fouth Street and Central Avenue.
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Crossings at Carnegie
Looking to reconnect with your creative spirit? Then Crossings at Carnegie is the place for you. Previously, landmark Carnegie Library, the gallery is home to monthly art exhibits and a variety of workshops ranging from painting and pottery to poetry. There are also intimate weekly concerts showcasing the best musicians around. Kids enjoy special classes and art camps just for them. In the gift shop, you’ll find jewelry, pottery and original art mingling with music, fun kid stuff, handmade soaps
Seasons
on St. Croix Gallery represents an eclectic mix of artists and artwork. The gallery brims with the work of over 160 creative individuals — the majority of whom are local and regional. Specializing in contemporary craft and fine art, everything in the gallery is original North American work. Recently opening their new gallery ... a light-filled, colorful, engaging space that accentuates the art and brings pleasure to artful admirers. The building was originally a creamery and has a great industrial vibe. The 3,500 square feet are used to highlight glass, clay, jewelry, metal sculpture, mixed media and many forms of two-dimensional art. A great surprise to the location is the two studios housed adjacent to the gallery. The Christensen/Reiling Clay Studio is owned by Joe Christensen and Jude Ryan Reiling. Joe creates large soda-fired vessels, while Jude creates a variety of
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and textiles, hand-blown glassware and tiles. “At Crossings, it’s about enriching the lives of all who enter our doors,” says Marie, who seeks as many ways as possible of connecting people with the creative process. Celebrate your creativity with a visit to Crossings at Carnegie. Located in Zumbrota, Minn., 320 East Avenue. Gallery hours are MondayWednesday 10am-5pm; Thursday 10am-8pm; Friday 10am-5pm; and Saturday 10am-4pm. 507.732.7616 or www.crossingsatcarnegie.com.
figurative sculptural work. Maras Glass Studio is also part of the collaborative effort. Their work is bright, bold and contemporary in nature. In addition, Casanova Glass is across the street from the gallery and welcomes visitors as well. Patrick Casanova specializes in lighting, as well as wonderful decorative elements for the home. Guests are always encouraged to spend time with the artists as they work and learn more about the creative process. Seasons on St. Croix Gallery is a wonderfully artful experience. Located in Hudson, Wisc., 401 Second Street. Open 7 days a week. 715.381.2906 or www.seasonsonstcroix.com.
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Cien Fuegos
, BATOUL S STORY CONT.
how to keep from being tackled while running for a touchdown from six brothers and the only battle bruises I had were the results of being a tomboy. It was hard to be a ballerina and the only Mary Alessio with Batoul girl in a family with six brothers. I had dreams and hopes like Batoul and each night when I went to bed I felt safe. As I grew up, I experienced pains and hardships that hopefully have made me who I am today, just as much as my hopes and dreams. But, when I heard loud explosions as a child, it was followed by beautiful fireworks that lit up the sky on the Fourth of July. I was never forced to pack all my possessions into a suitcase and leave my country, because my mother told me it was no longer safe to play outside. Though, I am sure I packed my little suitcase to run away from home on occasion because my brothers teased me with news that the baby coming home from the hospital with my parents was, as you guessed it another brother, only to realize as I made it to the neighbor’s driveway, there is no place like home.
Nosh
is situated on the shores of Lake Pepin in beautiful Lake City, Minn. The Western Mediterranean-influenced American cuisine focuses on the bounty of farming communities in Southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. The menu is ultimately determined by the seasonal availability of produce and meats provided by local farmers. Breads, ice creams and sausages are made daily in Nosh’s kitchen. An impressive full service bar caters to every palate. Quality, affordable wines from around the world are available by the glass or bottle. An extensive martini list offers traditional classic martinis as well as contemporary favorites. Located in downtown Lake City, Minn., 310-1/2 South Washington Street. Dining hours: Wednesday-Monday, 5pm-close; Bar Service, 4pm-close. 651.345.2425 or www.noshrestaurant.com.
I am the Refugee Resettlement director, and I have heard many stories that touch my heart. I have seen mothers and fathers arrive to begin again, faced with the challenges of learning a new language, hoping they can provide for their families once again by utilizing their skills and talents. In regards to our most recent Iraqi refugees, these are people I have been humbled to care for, who have been forced to walk out of homes that have been in their families for years and pack their life possessions into two suitcases. They have watched loved ones die; they have lost jobs and savings, yet long for the privilege of living in a land where dreams are possibilities. Their stories are about finding hope in the aftermath of great despair. I was recently told that the word “refugee” conjures up many feelings. And that may be true. I do know some of my dearest loved ones were not born in this country. They do not have my eyes or my complexion or even my accent, but their features are engraved in my heart. I look upon their faces and see only someone I love. I hope the person who told me the word “refugee” conjures up feelings is right. I hope that when someone hears about a refugee in Rochester they think of snowflakes and ballerinas, and I hope they see life and all the possibilities and privileges we share in this country, through the eyes of Batoul. Submitted by: Mary Alessio, Director of Refugee Resettlement
April 2009
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Sargents will deliver flowers to your table: 800.742.0340
CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Vinifera
Vine & Dine is a unique dining concept; a boutique wine store, wine bar and fine dining restaurant combined with great views of the Mississippi whether you are dining in or outside on the patio. Vinifera gets its name from Vitis Vinifera, the Latin species name for all wine producing grapes. Being the source of wine, Vinifera is a fitting name for this new restaurant that keeps the simple enjoyment of wine as its focus. The cuisine is a reflection of the wine regions represented in the retail area and at the bar. Chef Michael Murray-John offers Italian, French, Spanish and even the occasional Argentine or Portuguese inspired dishes all created with as much local produce as possible. He likes to call the cuisine “comfort food from the great wine regions of the world.” The dishes are elegantly but simply plated and portion size encourages people to share multiple courses, allowing them to try a wide range of tastes and paired wines. The atmosphere brings a sense of small town Europe to the restaurant by offering unusual varietals found in and around the villages producing the wines, but not often exported to the states. “People are discovering there is so much more than Chardonnay and Merlot, and we try to make these options accessible to be tried and enjoyed.” Located in downtown Wabasha, Minn., 260 West Main. Winter dining hours are: Thursday, 4-8pm; Friday, 4-9pm; Saturday, 4-9pm; Sundays, are seasonal, call for hours. The bar is open late. 651.565-4171 or www.viniferarestaurant.com.
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Cien Fuegos
The Sea
breeze carries the seductive smell of grilled meat from the restaurant kitchens out into the salty air of the Buenos Aires bustle. Parrillada, a platter of assorted meats seasoned to unbelievable perfection, marinated, then slowly barbecued, is a specialty throughout Argentina, and at lunchtime in Buenos Aires, the air is saturated with a smoky flavor that makes even the fullest of stomachs rumble. The city enjoys a collective sigh of cultural solidarity as families and friends convene for their daily siesta. As is common in countries that derive their cultural heritage from Spain, lunch is served relatively late, usually between two and three o’clock in the afternoon and is the largest meal of the day — complete with three courses and a healthy consumption of red wine. And nothing quite makes the meal in Buenos Aires like the wine. A two-hour plane ride west, in the Mendoza province along the eastern foothills and plains of the Andes Mountains, sprouts the crown jewel of Argentinean winemaking: the Malbec grape. The Mendoza region is to Argentina as Bordeaux is to France, Rioja is to Spain or Napa is to the California wine country. But where a variety of grapes are cultivated with relative equality in the other regions of the world, the Malbec grape reigns in Mendoza.
April 2009
From the Vine
Malbec: The Maradona of Argentinean Wines It is only recently that Argentina’s wellkept wine secret was broken to the rest of the world and Malbec wines have since enjoyed widespread and deserved popularity, but the grape itself had a long history before its rise to fame. For hundreds of years in Europe, the grape was mostly relegated to use in blends such as its mixture with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, yielding the renowned red “Claret” blend out of Bordeaux. In fact, it is only in the French region of Cahors that the Malbec was, and still is, used as the primary winemaking grape. In 1868, the Malbec was given new life in a new land that would serve as an eager parent. Introduced to Pampas (the dry plains north of Patagonia) by the father of Argentinean winemaking, Michel Pouget, the Malbec became the dominant grape of the region. Requiring a large disparity between warm daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures, with a minimum variation of 27� Fahrenheit (15� C), the vines found an ideal climate in their Mendoza home. The grape was found to be particularly adept at growing at higher altitudes, and as the temperature differential increases as one climbs higher, winemakers began to cultivate better wines (and along with them, bragging rights) from vineyards at altitudes as
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high, or sometimes higher, than 3,500 feet. Originally a French immigrant, the Malbec quickly adopted Argentinean citizenship and since, it has flourished as the country’s premier wine. The grape itself is thin-skinned, inky in color, and requires a great deal more sunshine and heat to ripen than its Bordeaux cousins. Characterized by a spicy, dark fruit with a distinct plum-like flavor and robustly sweet tannin, the Malbec wine carries both an expressive aroma that impresses the nose and a welcoming taste that invites a second sip. Worthy of aging in the cellar, the 1999 and 2000 vintages capture two of Argentina’s best years for Malbecs, but the 1997, 2002 and vintages even as young as 2006, give back a great deal. As a wine, the Malbec is so balanced that it performs admirably, both on its own or accompanying a meal. Served alongside Parillada, a meat-heavy dish in Argentina, the Malbec adapts seamlessly to the continental cuisine served in American restaurants. It attractively compliments a variety of dishes ranging from tender steaks and savory foods such as stews, to tuna or salmon recipes that call for heavy sauces, chicken, quail, duck, cheese, hors d’oeuvres and even the more casual pizza.
Come time to receive the check, one will be amazed by the Malbec’s glaring shortcoming: the fact that it does not measure up to the high prices of other wines that are comparable in quality. More than able to compete with Bordeaux wines which are several times the price, Malbec completes the fine dining experience, but not the expensive dining experience. Many bottles settle in the $30 price range, but a handful of labels can be found for under $10, without making significant sacrifices in wine quality. Affordable pricing married with a superb wine has made the U.S. the top export market for Argentinean Malbecs, and in 2008, dollar sales rose almost 150 percent from their 2006 mark. Such market growth has allowed the Malbec to become ubiquitous, only compounding the plaudits and worldwide acclaim. Restaurants are now sure to have at least one variety of Argentina’s signature wine on their menus, and the fine dining establishments of Southeastern Minnesota are no exception. Of the many labels available locally, three favorites have been profiled below. Catena Zapata, 2006: Available at Söntés ($45/bottle) in Rochester, Minn., the Catena is a pioneer in Argentinean Malbecs. Over a period of 15 years, Nicolas Catena has transformed a family-run winery that predominantly produced “table wines” into one of the most widely recognized and highest-quality wines of the Mendoza region. The superb 2006 vintage has a deep ruby color and draws the sweet floral aromas of black cherry and currant. A medium-bodied wine with a velvet-like texture, the Catena brings out the vibrant taste of dark berries, vanilla and some hints of oak. The tannins are smooth as is the wine’s finish. A first-rate wine that can be enjoyed on its own, is even better with the wide array of tapas served at this trendy and energetic restaurant, making for a veritably satisfying evening. (Continued on page 23)
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Cien Fuegos
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April / May 2009 Music
Music
Music
Honors Choirs, Rochester, Minn.
Winona State University, Winona, Minn.
Crossings at Carnegie, Zumbrota, Minn.
June 25-28
Autumn Ridge Church Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Sunday, April 26, 4pm
Bethel Lutheran Church Spring Finale: The music of springtime for this grand finale performance with massed choir selections that look ahead to our summer musical production
Sheldon Theatre Brass Band, Red Wing, Minn. Saturday, April 25, 7pm
Brass Reflections: The Sheldon Theatre Brass Band is celebrating its 20 years
Söntés, Rochester, Minn. May 29-30
Miles Johnson May 22, 7:30pm
Benjamin J Gateno May 8-9
Sievers & Straubmuller April 24, 7:30pm
Daniel Drubach April 17-18
New Roots Duo
The Norton’s & Lucky Cat Lounge, Red Wing, Minn. April 25
Combo Flambe
St Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. May 10-11, 8pm
Urness Recital Hall Opera Performance, “Utopia Limited” April 17, 7:30pm
Boe Memorial Chapel St Olaf Philharmonia Spring Concert April 15, 8:15pm
Urness Recital Hall Copper Street Brass Quintet
April 2009
April 30, 7pm
WSU Performing Arts Center Recital Hall WSU Chamber Orchestra April 24-26
WSU Performing Arts Center Main Stage Department of Music “Gala Weekend”
Bella Voce Choir, Rochester, Minn. May 3-4pm
Christ United Methodist Church Insruments of Peace
Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin, Minn. April 19, 2pm
Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School Simon Sings Spirituals
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra, Rochester, Minn. May 10, 3:30pm
Rochester Century High School Auditorium Concert Orchestra Featuring Concert Concerto Competition winner May 10, 2pm
Symphonic Winds, and Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring Philharmonic Concerto Competition winner
Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Rochester, Minn. April 25, 7:30pm
Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall Sunny Italy
Choral Arts Ensemble, Rochester, Minn. May 9 & 10
Zumbro Lutheran Church The World Beloved CAE with Monroe Crossing
Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra, Red Wing, Minn. May 16, 7pm
Sheldon Theater Musical Roots in Poland
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May 15, 8pm
Peter Mayer May 13, 7pm
Big Brother and the Holding Companies May 9, 8pm
Jon Venzer April 25, 7:30 pm
Concert: Storyhill April 19, 7pm
Concert: April Verch
Theater Mantorville Theatre Company, Mantorville, Minn. April 17-19, 24-26 and May 1-3
The Nerd, written by Larry Shue
REP Theatre Company, Rochester, Minn.
May 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23
Pirates of Penzance An operetta, by Gilbert & Sullivan
Civic Theater, Rochester, Minn. June 6-7
Rhinestones & Stardust, A Glittering Exploration of Glamour & Dance May 15-17, 21-23, 28-31
Don’t Drink The Water, by Woody Allen (Non-Musical)
Commonweal Theater, Lanesboro, Minn.
May 15-17, 21-24, 28, 30-31
The Odd Couple, by Neil Simon April 23-27, 30 and May 1-4, 7-10, 29, 30
Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen
Haugen Theater, St Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. April 23-25
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
Theater
Art Galleries and Museums
The Phipps Center For the Arts, Hudson, Wisc.
Crossings at Carnegie, Zumbrota, Minn.
April 24-26 and May 1-3
Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling
Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, Minn. April 24-25
The Diary of a Scoundrel, a comedy of manners, by Alexander Ostrovsky, translated by Rodney Ackland
Padadise Center for the Arts, Faribault, Minn. May 1-3, 7-9
Dial M for Murder, by Frederick Knott, presented by the Merlin Players
Crossings at Carnegie, Zumbrota, Minn. May 1-2
Thornton Wilder One Act Play Festival
Saturday, May 16, 7-9pm
Exhibit: Jan Huffman Case & Charlotte Laxen Artists’ reception
Art at the Depot Gallery, Red Wing, Minn. May 14-June 23
Exhibit: Celebrating the Summer Solstice May 14-June 23
Exhibit: Sandra Borgen Photography April 3-May 11
Falconer Wine Label Show April 3-May 11
Exhibit: Rome to Red Wing — Mosaics in Minnesota April 3-October 31
Sculpture Garden
Anderson Center, Red Wing, Minn. March 27-June 19
Dance
The Drawings of the Iliad, by Leonard Baskin,
St Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.
Fading Memory and the Need to Remember: The Holocaust, paintings of Fritz Hirschberger
April 30 and May 1-2, 7:30pm
Kelsey Theater Company Dance Spring Concert Student Modern Dance Company
Saint Mary’s University/Minnesota Conservancy For the Arts, Winona, Minn. May 15, 7:30pm and May 16, 3pm
Page Theatre Spring Dance Concert
Owatonna Arts Center, Owatonna, Minn. May 3-31
57th Annual Steele County Art Exhibition March 29-April 26
Faith, by Yossi Rubanenko
Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, Minn. March 25-April 25
Some of Jim’s Nicer Pots, by Jim Haas March 25-April 25
Agassiz, by Stephanie Moistre-Kotz
Cornucopia Art Center, Lanesboro, Minn. March 14-May 10
States, Dates and Place: a celebration of 150 years of Minnesota Statehood May 16-July 12
Exhibit: Sticks and Stones, by Kelly Jean Ohl
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Cien Fuegos
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Hit The Trails
Three cycling excursions you shouldn’t pass up
April 2009
20
Whet her
you are an avid cyclist, enjoy trail riding or just starting out, we have a few places that you should not miss out on this season. When the sun is on the horizon, I head for any hill I can find imagining that Lance Armstrong might be impressed as I push up the hill (okay, he is waiting at the top, checking his watch and on the kind of bike with huge tires that any road bike with slick wheels should beat in a heartbeat … why does he have to be so fast, even in daydreams?). Lanesboro — Root River Trail (free); if you’re a “roadie”, some really great hills There’s no need to bring your bike, if you don’t want too. Right off the Root River Trail, you can find one of the most interesting bike shops in the region, The Little River General Store. They have you covered — repairs, rentals, gear, you name it, seems they have it ... even, the bicycle limo. When riding the more than 60 miles of the Root River Trail, you will wind in and out of the coulée region, through field, forest and along the Root River. One of the best sites along this trail is the bend in the river where it actually resembles a horseshoe. If you are an avid “roadie,” there are enough hills in the area to keep you challenged. Last year, I had one of the best rides of the season in Lanesboro, where my husband and I started at the Old Barn Resort. On one of the hills, we stopped by a church parking lot and took a few breaths. The view was amazing. You could see for miles. The coulée region is riddled with ridges and valleys — a spectacular sight to behold. Nature played with us as we were about five miles from town, the rain started. I still smile just thinking about coming down the winding hill in the light, warm summer rain. Red Wing — Cannon Valley Trail (Wheel Passes are $3 per day) At one end of the Cannon Valley Trail, is the town of Red Wing, mostly known for its shopping and antiques. The Cannon Valley Trail is an old railroad bed and paved the entire 19, almost 20 miles. You are surrounded by forest most of the way, and on some days, you might not meet another rider. When I rode this trail last, my friend and I actually saw a coyote on the trail (not to mention the snake we almost clipped). That was enough for us to pedal a bit harder. If you are a person who loves to come in contact with nature, this is the trail for you. You will also find that it is fairly flat, nice leisurely ride. If you want to rent a bike in Red Wing, check out Wheel House Cycles located on Old West Main, not far from the trail. Faribault to Mankato — Sakatah State Trail (free) “The hills are alive with the sound of music …” That is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Sakatah (translates to singing hills). What a great weekend get-a-way. Start in Faribault, wind through 39 miles of more than ten lakes, quaint towns and the Sakatah State Park. Don’t forget to stop and listen to the songbirds once you get to the middle of the park. There are bike shops at both ends to get a tune up. Milltown Cycles, in Faribault, features bikes from a local bike manufacturer, such as Rawland Cycles, in Northfield, Minn. There are some great bed and breakfasts to rest your tired legs along the way. Coming soon, the Sakatah State Trail will connect with the Milltown State Trail being developed near Northfield and Dundas. Submitted by: Tracy van Eijl
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Cien Fuegos
December 2008
22
www.cienfuegos.com
FROM THE VINE CONT.
Altos Las Hormigas, 2006: One of the bestselling reserves in The Norton’s Restaurant ($46/bottle) of downtown Red Wing, Minn. The Altos Las Hormigas Malbec carries a curiously recognizable name, as ‘hormiga’ is Spanish for ‘ant’. Made by Italian winemakers Alberto Antonini and Attilio Pagli, this Argentinean jewel is so dark purple in color that the wine is nearly opaque. Chocolate, blackberries and plums fill the nose and this medium-to-full bodied Malbec combines the very pleasant fruit flavors of plums and berries with some notes of espresso roast. The ample tannins are quite smooth and well submerged. The finish is soft and elegant and the wine makes an excellent compliment to a variety of dishes on The Norton’s internationally inspired menu. Cavas de Chacras, 2000: “Cuisine inspired by the outstanding wine regions of the world, and the wines that made them stand out,” reads the menu of the Vinifera restaurant ($5/glass; $21/bottle) in Wabasha, Minn. And the Cavas de Chacras Malbec certainly stands out. One of the top-selling Malbecs in the country, it is pleasing to a broad palate and somehow finds a way to satisfy the wine novice as well as the connoisseur. This wine is unique in that, true to the procedures exercised by the winery’s founder, Fernando Festas, in 1946, the grapes are grown biodynamically — a method of organic farming that emphasizes the use of organic fertilizers and composts and excludes the use of any and all artificial chemicals (the regulations associated with the biodynamic farming label require a 7-year certification, making the process very environmentally friendly). The Malbec itself is a dry wine with hints of tobacco and vanilla and a rich aroma of cherries and plums. The Vinifera restaurant, which derives its name from Vitis Vinifera, the Latin nomenclature for all wine-producing grapes, professes to keep the simple enjoyment of wine as its focus; the Cavas de Chacras certainly qualifies as one such wine worth the attention. Over the decades, Argentina’s Malbec has steadily improved in quality and status to such a degree that it has become the emblematic wine of the country. Long considered a B-grade grape, the Mendoza region has reinvigorated the Malbec to the point that it now rivals the best of California and Bordeaux; growing in popularity by its own merits. Along with its affordable cost, this superlative wine is no longer solely the accompaniment to a delicious Parrillada in the beautiful port of Buenos Aires, and can now be enjoyed in restaurants worldwide. But as you uncork a bottle of this South American gem, and raise your glass in a toast to health and happiness, perhaps in lieu of “Cheers,” it is more appropriate to instead invoke the Argentinean spirit and offer a token “¡Salud!”. Submitted by: Cyrus C. Malek, Cien Fuegos Magazine
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Cien Fuegos
P
eru:
Machu Picchu at Sunrise
Cuzco at nightt
Machu Picchu, The famous Lost City of the Incas
The fabled Lost City of the Incas in Peru has a unique sense of mystery about it.
Travelers waiting for sunrise
April 2009
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Discovering
the city in 1911, Hiram Bingham found virtually undisturbed fifteenth century Inca ruins, perhaps of the best quality in the hemisphere. Even today, time and effort is required to get there as my girlfriend Carrie, her son Bailey and I found out traveling there this past summer. The relatively difficult access has perhaps helped preserve the ruins, although by all accounts, increasing tourism is beginning to have negative effects on both the ruins themselves, and on the experience of the ruins. The Lost City also has acquired a certain New Age following, which we glimpsed when visiting. Getting to Machu Picchu requires, of course, flying to Peru first. Landing at the Lima International Airport, Carrie and I were met by a taxi arranged for us by our hotel. We spent a pleasant two days in Lima, which is a cosmopolitan capital city, and a worthy travel destination in its own right.
Off by rail to the town of Aguas Calientes, just below Machu Picchu. A threehour ride on the backpacker train is an adventure in itself. While it gets you to your destination early, you must also leave Cuzco early, which meant, in our case, a brisk uphill walk to the train
The sun and the moon appeared to be rising and falling in a way that suggested they might soon be in the sky simultaneously.
station in the early morning darkness. It seemed to me, then, that everywhere was an uphill walk in Peru, but I am surely wrong about that. After we arrived in Aguas Calientes, we found our hotel and checked in. We made arrangements for our gear to be held for us the next day when we would go to the Lost City, then went walking in the town. Another uphill climb took us through the local market, and then on into the restaurants, bars and shops. Continuing uphill, we found the hot springs for which the town is named. Having come prepared with bathing suits, we stayed and relaxed in the pools, a most enjoyable way to unwind — wet, warm and surrounded by travelers from all over the world, anticipating the next morning’s adventure. (Continued on page 26)
The journey to Machu Picchu begins with a flight from Lima to Cuzco. We met Bailey at the Lima airport on his arrival from Santiago, where he was on a study abroad program. Cuzco is a small city high up in the Andes at 11,500 feet above sea level where we stayed at the Hotel Marani, uphill from the Plaza de Armas. Fodor’s Travel Guide recommended a stay of a day or two in Cuzco to acclimate to the altitude, a recommendation taken by us and passed along now to you. In June, it is winter in South America, and at 11,500 feet, the nights were cold. Novices, we laughingly disdained the heaters we could have had for a couple of dollars, and instead shivered the first night away, even under 3 alpaca blankets each. The morning brought coffee, tea and a rush to the market for stocking caps and mittens and gloves, which we wore to bed the next night. Sweet warmth.
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Cien Fuegos
PERU STORY
An Indio market in the Andes of Peru
The next morning, we rose at about 4 a.m. as we wanted to get on the first bus up to the ruins. The traveler’s guides we had read unanimously recommended this. As it was June 20th, we had also been told there may be a larger number of people than the usual as many people regard Machu Picchu as a mystical place of power, and tend to migrate to be there for the solstices. The winter solstice was June 21st, so the mystics were gathering. We had opted to take the bus to the site as opposed to following the Inca Trail on foot. More than one traveler had commented that the trail would be more correctly called the Inca Steps, as it was directly uphill. At the top, there is a short hike to the Lost City from the bus terminal. From there, one goes through a series of gates to purchase tickets, and then your choice of different pathways to the city. We chose to climb to a position called the Guardhouse, which required marching in what felt like a nearly vertical path. Once there, we stood above the city and had a magnificent view of it and the enfolding mountains. The moon was full, hanging off to our left above the mountains. The sky dark, but heavily populated with stars. To our right, the first, faint light of dawn appeared. As we watched, the moon began to set, and the sun’s first rays shone over the mountain peaks. It occurred to us, from our vantage point, that the sun and the moon appeared to be rising and falling in a way that suggested they might soon be in the sky simultaneously. We also thought that the view of this might be best from the Sacred Plaza, which was some distance below us. We clambered directly down on a narrow path, arriving on the Sacred Plaza as the moon just touched the peaks to the west. Turning east, we saw a group of people standing along the wall of the temple, facing the sun, with eyes closed and arms crossed at the chest. They appeared to be praying. We positioned ourselves so we could look in both directions, and watched in awe as the sun’s rays pierced through the deep clefts between the peaks. The moon sank further as the light became intensely brighter from the east, finally bursting over the mountain peaks as the moon sank below the western horizon. The new agers on the wall were singing softly, some of them crying, others laughing and smiling. We too were smiling at each other and feeling infused with the energy of the sun and lucky to be there for this magnificent celestial display. Submitted by: James P. Ryan Jr. © 2009
April 2009
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CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Bricks Neopolit ian Pizza
Authentic pizza is crafted in the tradition of Napoli, Italia, the birthplace of pizza. Following strict standards to qualify as Italian Denomination of Control (D.O.C.), Bricks Neopolitian’s 10-inch pizzas are adorned with the finest ingredients: San Marzano tomatoes of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius, Italian extravirgin olive oil, Mediterranean sea salt and Fior di Latte mozzarella. Wood-fired at a blazing 800 degrees, the pizza comes out fragrant, tender and characteristically fire-kissed. Located in Hudson, Wisc., 407 Second Street. Dining hours are: Sunday-Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10pm. 715.377.7670 or www.eatbricks.com.
San Pedro Café
is inspired by the Belizian city, is a welcome splash of color and Caribbean cuisine on the historic downtown scene of Hudson, Wisc. The reggae tunes and coral reef imagery transport you to the tropics. Using all fresh ingredients, the café is famous for its delicious seafood and Cajun breakfasts. Try the Spanish seared grouper or the soy ginger stirfry. In the summer, it’s fantastic to sit outside on the patio with a mojito. Maybe a cool sliver of key lime pie to end the meal on a sweet note. Located in Hudson, Wisc., 426 Second Street. Dining hours are: Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday, 11am-11pm; Saturday, 8am-11pm; Sunday 8am-10pm. 715.386.4003 or www.sanpedrocafe.com.
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Cien Fuegos
CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Ferment at ions
is located just south of Northfield, Minn., and is a 45 minute drive from Minneapolis/St. Paul area, drawing customers from both the local community and the Twin Cities metro area. Fermentations is the first wine bar in the area, and many customers are wine novices; thus, making it a priority to offer an extensive wine list by the glass and flight. Approximately 50 wines are available by the glass. Seasoned wine palates can enjoy the Amarone or Napa Cabernet flights, while novices often opt for the Rosé and White Zinfandel flight. Fermentations’ mission is to deliver excellent food and wine to their customers in a casual, comfortable atmosphere. Located in Dundas, Minn., 236 Railway Street North. Dining hours are: Tuesday-Sunday, 5:30pm-close. Reservations suggested. 507.645-8345 or www.fermentations-bistro.com.
The St aghead
is located in the heart of Red Wing’s famous historic district, offers gourmet food and an award-winning wine list rarely found outside of major metropolitan areas. With the original tin ceiling, wood floor, an abundance of natural plants and great music, The Staghead provides a dining experience that is unparalleled in the area. Located in Red Wing, Minn., 219 Bush Street. Dining hours are: Tuesday-Saturday,11am-9pm. 651.388.6581 or www.thestaghead.com.
April 2009
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Sargents will deliver flowers to your table: 800.742.0340
A
LOC
W Y O NED L L
There are two reasons to spend your hard earned dollars at an independent business Research has shown that locally owned businesses will reinvest 54% of their revenue back into their communities, while chains only keep 14% of their revenue local.
The Nort on’s
There is this question of homogenization of our culture. Traveling across this country and in every community, I find the same food, the same clothes and the same radio s station. We will have a cornucopia of unique, creative people gathered under one common attribute ... freedom to create.
offers a chef driven menu that is often described as modern American with international influences. With a hand selected wine list of about 200 bottles and half bottles, The Norton’s is the winner of three consecutive Wine Spectator “Awards of Excellence” and also boasts one of the best Spanish selections in the five state area. Whether you’re on a trip to this gorgeous part of the Midwest or spending the night at one of the area’s bed and breakfasts, join us for an evening of excellent food and fine wine at The Norton’s. Located in Red Wing, Minn., 307 Main Street. Dining hours are: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm. The lounge is open late. 651.388-2711 or www.thenortonsrestaurant.com.
The
Old
Bread Baker Co.
16 17th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN 55901 507-289-7052 www.breadbakercompany.com
Paradise Pete’s
Ways
14 17th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN 55901 507-287-8700
Vintage Light Coffee & Tea House
3456 E. Circle Drive NE, Rochester, MN 55906 507-206-4387
specializes in comfort food, made from scratch and done right. Weekdays, the menu is comprised of world delicatessen fare such as house-made pastrami, smoked ham, fresh soup, salads and pastries. The rest of the weekend is a different story as Chef Rielander switches gears to a more formal dinner menu featuring upscale preparations of rustic country foods, such as local braised pot-roast, half of local, free-range roasted chicken, grilled pork loin, house-made baked beans and an assortment of unique appetizers. Sunday mornings is a return to the family brunch, with items including whole-grain pancakes with Minnesota’s own Wild Country Maple syrup and fruit, farm fresh eggs, house-made maple sausage, house smoked ham and bacon, frittatas and fresh pastries. Located in Wabasha, Minn., 170 Pembroke Avenue. Lunch is served: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-3pm; Sunday brunch is served from 8am-1pm. Dinner is served: Thursday-Saturday, 5-9pm. 651.560.4300 or www.oldwaysrestaurant.com.
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www.vintagelightcoffeeandteahouse.blogspot.com
Bilotti’s Italian Village
20 6th Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902 507-282-8668 www.bilottispizza.com
Mac’s Downtown Restaurant
20 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902 507-289-4219
BB’s Pizzaria
3456 E. Circle Drive NE, Rochester, MN 55906 507-424-3366
Mr. Pizza North
4040 28th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901 507-252-9400 www.northmrpizza.com
Sushi Nishiki
2854 41st Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901 507-292-1888
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Cien Fuegos
helping two cultures meet in the middle
At
the time of this writing, violence in and around the Palestinian controlled Gaza Strip is in the forefront of the news. Yet it was just a few months ago that my wife Lynn and I traveled to Israel for the first of, hopefully, many times. We knew we would encounter and be changed by the roots of our Christian faith. What I had not counted on, and was a bit surprised by, was not only the richness of the cultural experiences we shared, but also the coexistence and respect of differences amongst and between the people we encountered. From the Druze family who opened their home to us in the Golan Heights to the Bedouin tribe in the Negev desert to the many Jewish friends we met along the way, we were genuinely and warmly welcomed and respected as we traveled throughout this small country, which in many ways seemed to me as varied as the 12 tribes of Israel. The experiences of our journey could fill a book and were far too many to include in this short article. Yet today as I sit writing, as Hamas launches rockets into Israel and as Israel drops bombs on the people of Palestine, I think of the time Lynn and I sat relaxing with our group at a streetside table of an Arab restaurant in Jerusalem lunching on delectable falafel and shawarma with our new Jewish and Christian
friends, talking with the Arab owner and sharing views with one another. One member of our party pointed out that CNN called this very spot the most dangerous place in the world, a place where Arab and Jewish lives literally intersect. Yet there in that moment, it seemed anything but a dangerous place. It felt like home. The moment is a picture imprinted in my mind which I will never forget and as safe as I have ever felt anywhere. In fact, I have at times felt much more uncomfortable and out of place in a couple of large U.S. cities. So as the headlines reflect the current violence, I ponder the role that the arts, history and culture can play in promoting understanding and in healing division. More specifically, I ponder two performance theaters more than 2,000 years apart and a third ‘theater’ which invites reflective thought.
So as the headlines reflect the current violence, I ponder the role that the arts, history and culture can play in promoting understanding and in healing division.
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As we left Tel Aviv, where the hip nightlife is an experience in itself for young people, we drove to Caesarea, an ancient city along the Mediterranean Sea built by Herod between 22-10 BC. There we encountered the well-preserved and fully restored Roman Theater of Caesarea, built using granite columns from Aswan, Egypt. It remains an architectural masterpiece with a seating capacity of 3,500-4,000. Still very much in its original design with a backstage area, an orchestra den and “sky boxes,” it is perhaps the largest and certainly the oldest active auditorium in Israel. Today, it is used for concerts and plays with the beauty of the sea as its backdrop. The splendor of this ancient wonder makes one forget the hardness of the stone benches. Yet as spectacular as the theater is, I cannot help but wonder of the significant role it played and the influence it may have had throughout history. The city of Caesarea itself was a seaport on the trading routes. Its population was originally half Jewish and half Gentile, and being on the trade route, it was filled with visitors from the East and the West representing many cultures and people. At times throughout history, Caesarea was controlled by Romans, Muslims, Christian Crusaders and Jews. I cannot help but ponder the roles that this theater, this social gathering place, had on the people of many cultures gathered there to hear the message and musings of the performers.
here that a person would have to be very astute to determine which of our hosts were Jewish and which were Muslim. These actors were dedicated to using their gifts to fight a battle against decades of desensitivity to decades of an ethos of martyrdom within Israeli and Palestinian culture and to an even more disturbing trend of people apathetically turning away from each other and their sufferings. These actors were teaching people to listen, to be respectful and to care for one another. As I left the theater and walked through the village of Acre, I realized I was walking through a village I did not see on the news every night. This was a school where Muslim and Jewish school children learned together and the village itself was a mixture of Jews and Muslims both dependent on each other and coexisting in peace. And the significance of the third “theater,” the city of Jerusalem, was evident in the faces of people of diverse nationalities and faiths as we walked the Old City, somberly toured the Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem, and visited the relics and roots of Christianity in the many churches, neighborhoods, and especially Biblical sites that so many in the world are drawn to reflectively experience in their lifetime.
From other sites such as the salt-ridden Dead Sea to the top of mighty Masada to the wonders and history of the Sea of Galilee to ancient ruins and antiquities of this tiny state of Israel, the From Caesarea we traveled to Acre (Akko) to visit with members story it really tells is of its people and the draw of its arts, history of a modern day acting troupe at the Acre Theater Centre where and culture, and its peoples’ integrative desire for coexistence in the message was quite apparent. It was here that Lynn and I met present-day life — “la chiame!”. with both Muslim and Jewish leaders of the acting school who Submitted by: Paul Larsen were dedicated to exposing prejudice and offering alternative paradigms to religious and cultural distinctions, inviting dialogues amongst the audience members themselves. I realized
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Cien Fuegos
the lowdown Tree for Tessa Jenna Abts, Rochester, Minn.
Art: Artist
Jenna Abts:
Delicately lined, arching branches loop against a deceptively simple background of rich color fields. Those backgrounds may be composed of 20 or 30 layers of pigment. Overall, the artwork of Jenna Abts is characterized by just that: depth and luminosity. Her paintings simply glow with metallic paints, deep colors and lush contrasts. One might be tempted to think, from this description, that the work is noisy in some way. In fact, quite to the contrary, her pieces are quiet, contemplative and inviting. Abts studied in Japan under a talented teacher to learn the traditional techniques of Japanese ink painting, called “sumi-e.” She takes these lessons and combines them with layering methods she has developed herself. She draws inspiration from many
C u l t u r a l
T i d b i t s
different sources, including the Pacific Northwest School of Landscape Painters, popular graphic culture and classic modernists. While working on a project, she will often sketch or paint portions of the finished product, then translate that into digital medium and complete the design, as she did with the Söntés wine labels.
sandwiches, properly steeped tea and good conversation.
Food:
A scone is a scone is a scone ... right? Scones may very well be the most passed over bakery item in the American bakery case. Here in the States, we see scones as snooty British dry biscuits. But good scones are so much more than that, they are layers of buttery, rich love that fill your mind with dreams of cucumber
View other remarkable paintings of Jenna Abts online at: www.mnartists.org /jenna_abts
April 2009
Scones:
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A scone, simply put, is a type of rich quick bread often shaped in circles or triangles. Traditionally, scones are served at afternoon tea service with jams, speads and clotted cream. Nowadays, you can get a scone to go with your “quad-shot-large-iced-mocha-one-lesspump-chocolate-no whip” at just about any coffee house. But the scone you get in a big name chain coffee house is going to taste drastically different from one that is made in-house at a locally-owned coffee and tea house. The difference? The chains use a flash frozen product that pales in comparison to the daily baked-fromscratch-scones you can get at Vintage Light Coffee and Tea House in Rochester’s northeast side. Triple Berry White
Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Espresso, Lemon Cream, Chai Spice, Reduced Fat Blueberry and Raspberry White Chocolate are among the flavor combinations just waiting to entertain your taste buds. They even offer Afternoon Tea Service by reservation which features cream scones with homemade strawberry jam.
Reduced Fat Berry Scones • 4c. Flour
• 1/2c. butter • 1/2 c. white sugar • 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. baking powder • 1/2 tsp. salt Mix well with fingers or a pastry cutter, then add: • 2 eggs • 1 c. skim milk • 1 c. frozen berries (whatever you are in the mood for) Shape with ice cream scoop pat down on cookie sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Makes 12 Large scones.
Enjoy!
Recipe submitted by Eve Judy, Owner, Vintage Light Coffee and Tea House
Jewels:
Minnesota Moxie:
Jewelry and Adornment for the Heart, Soul and Earth
You might not know it, but Minnesota has one of the most eclectic designer jewelry scenes around. If you are an art gallery lover you’ve probably observed that not all the art is hanging on the walls. Actually, it might be displayed on the more dynamic canvas of the human body. As a goldsmith
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with a fine arts background, I fall in love every time when one of my engagement rings walks out the door. I realize that my craft will be on display permanently throughout the dance of an individual’s life. I’ve seen a lot (and I do mean a lot!) of fashion trends come and go but handmade jewelry always withstands the test of time. Why? People always want personal adornment that’s uniquely expressive of their individual taste and style. What’s so unusual about people shopping for jewelry today? Open up any newspaper from earlier this year and you’ll remember that gold prices went through the roof. Saavy Minnesota shoppers, however, are keeping step with current luxury fashion trends by switching some of their consumer focus to art jewelry created with alternative materials like steel, rubber and wood in combination with gold, silver and precious gemstones. Large “statement” necklaces composed of semi-precious stones like smokey quartz and turquoise make for colorful and bold appeal along with large hammered cuff bracelets made of copper, brass and stainless steel. Chunky, one-of-a-kind cocktail rings are still the rage in all matter of materials ranging from silver and quartz crystal “ice cube” styles to gold knuckle rings carved from shell, pearl, bone and glass. Another exciting trend (which is especially beneficial to our lovely planet) is the incredible upsurge in gold recycling. One aspect of the jewelry making process encompasses gold recycling in the technique of casting, and I always encourage my clients to bring in old gold to be used in their design or as a credit towards their outstanding balance. Besides the joy that my client experiences after their creation is completed, what’s great about this movement is the fact that recycling old gold saves thousands of
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tons of soil from contamination as a result of pollution caused by cyanide used in the gold refining process. Like the traditional goldsmiths in the past, we routinely melt our precious metal scraps and pour our own ingots, which we roll into sheets or draw into wire. I often wonder if I’m recycling and reworking gold that might actually be hundreds of years old. Jewelry making classes and beading workshops are also on the rise, and I love the discovery that students experience when they really see what goes into creating a bracelet or pendant. Another benefit is the increasing appreciation of identifying and distinguishing skill and fine hand-craftsmanship when purchasing jewelry of any kind. As a jewelry designer in my twelfth year of business, I can attest that sophisticated Minnesotans are “gems” at supporting their artists. — Liz Bucheit of Crown Trout Jewelers is a designer/goldsmith living and working in Lanesboro, Minn.
Cien Fuegos
CREATIVE COMMUNITY
The Vint age
offers a unique “farm to table” dining experience with global flair. Traditional techniques from varying cultures highlight the bounty of our region. With a commitment to sustainable and locally grown foods, they create menus that are appropriate to the season and are composed to show off the finest ingredients available. For your dining experience, choose between the four-course (set-price) Chef’s Creation menu or the a la carte Signature Items menu. You may also choose to dine after 9pm from our Après Theater (After Theater) menu. Food and wine combine to enrich an evening’s meal. A thoughtfully assembled list of food-friendly wine and beer complements our dinner menus. Located in historic Lanesboro, Minn., 210 Parkway Avenue North. Dining hours are: Thursday, 5-9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 5-10pm; Sunday, 11:30am-2pm;· Monday, 5-9 pm. The Vintage re-opens for the season in April. 888.868.8941 or www.vintageinlanesboro.com.
Harbor View Café’s
motto has been “The Best from Scratch” for the past twenty-nine seasons — cooking with the highest quality and freshest ingredients available. April 1, 1980, Paul and Carol Hinderlie created the Harbor View Café, transforming Bill and Ruth’s local tavern into what is known today as a “gem” of the Mississippi River Valley. In 1983, longtime friend, Tom Ahlstrom joined the Harbor View partnership, adding his imprint of hospitality to the restaurant. Twenty-five years later, veteran staff members, Chuck Morrow and Ruth Stoyke, purchased the café from Paul, Carol and Tom. The Harbor View staff continues to serve “confident food with character” in a congenial and casual atmosphere. Chuck, Ruth and the staff invite you to come dine with them on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Pepin and enjoy “The Best from Scratch.” Located in Pepin, Wisc., 314 First Street. For dining hours, please call or visit their web site, 715.442.3893 or www.harborviewpepin.com.
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Sargents will deliver flowers to your table: 800.742.0340
Old Village Hall
Restaurant & Pub first opened its doors the summer of 1994. The owners, Jon and Sarah Pieper, returned to Southeastern Minnesota to create a restaurant that would emphasize creative food using the freshest ingredients and utilizing the regional fare when possible. Their chef uses seasonal menus and weekly specials to incorporate this philosophy. The stone building was originally built in 1886 as the village hall, fire station and jail, and is currently on the historic registry. It has been renovated with the addition of the deck. You will enjoy dining upstairs, surrounded by authentic Amish quilts and local artwork or, in the summer season, out on the deck overlooking the flowers and the Root River bike trail. Located in Lanesboro, Minn., 111 Coffee Street. Dining hours are: Thursday, 5-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 5-9pm; Sunday, 5-8pm. 507.467-2962 or www.oldvillagehall.com. ď ź
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Cien Fuegos
COMMUNAL ART
Anderson Cent er
at Tower View, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is Minnesota’s largest artist retreat and one of the most respected residential arts facilities in the U.S. Located on 330 acres at the rural edge of Red Wing, Minn., in the beautiful bluff lands region of the Upper Mississippi River, the distinctive Georgian Revival buildings and cylindrical red brick water tower that make up the Anderson Center comprise a legacy to the region from Dr. Alexander P. Anderson, inventor of the American breakfast cereals known as Quaker Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice, and his heirs. Through its many educational and cultural activities, including art celebrations, exhibitions, book fairs and artist residency program which draws artists, writers and scholars every year from around the world, the Center helps to insure the unique wealth of the arts in the region. Home of one of the finest art collections in rural Minnesota, with works by Picasso, Chagall, Dali and other twentith century masters, as well as Southeastern Minnesota’s largest sculpture park, the Anderson Center is also home to the Tower View Alternative High School, Red Wing Environmental Learning Center and other organizations whose related missions add to the synergy of the place, as well as to over a dozen working artists — sculptors, painters, glassblowers, potters and printmakers — who maintain year-round studio space at the Center. For more information, visit www.andersoncenter.org or call 651.388.2009.
Horse sculpture: Bucaphalus, 1998, Al Wadzinski
April 2009
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Vinifera:
Restaurant
Owners
Review
One
Another
Chef Michael and Debbie Murray-John, owners of Vinifera Vine & Dine, Wabasha, Minn.
[vahy-nif-er-uh] n. Common European grape.
On a Thursday night in Late November, Tessa and Nelson Leung (owners of Söntés in Rochester, Minn.) along with my wife, Tracy, and I headed out to the little town of Wabasha, nestled along the banks of the great Mississippi River. Our timing could not have been better for at the same time, half way across the sleepy earth, the French were celebrating “Le Beaujolais Nouveau.” At one past midnight on the third Thursday of each November, this once local ritual to celebrate the new harvest has now become a race to release the first wine of the new vintage. With a wink and a nod, we toasted to the new wine and old friends at Vinifera. Vinifera Vine & Dine welcomes you with bright open spaces accented by modern touches. High ceilings and eclectic lighting highlight the mezzanine level overlooking the main dining room. Being a music lover, I especially liked their selection which added a European feel. An elegant bin system housed a diverse wine selection easily accessible by diners. The sight of so many interesting wines within arm’s reach may present a dilemma for vinophiles … so many wines, so little time.
April 2009
The menu was modest; however, each item was executed to pair with the multitude of wines on hand. We decided that each of us would order something different and share it amongst ourselves. The bonus was we almost were able to sample the entire menu with out developing dreaded food envy. The calamari frites, accompanied by an enjoyable fig balsamic reduction, were flaky, light and tasty. Honestly, some of the best calamari I have had in Minnesota. Next on our plates were the PEI mussels. They were finished in a satin-like, rich sauce which begged you to dip your bread in and ask for seconds, which we did.
Nelson and Tracy loved the bananas foster as well as the crème brulee. The great thing about an open kitchen is that you could actually see them burning the sugar on our crème brulee, what a refreshing site. With appetites satisfied and happy, Michael and Debbie, the owners of Vinifera, came out to greet us. They knew many of their guests that evening and introduced us, truly exemplifying the warm, cozy atmosphere for which Wabasha is known. I just had to ask Micheal about the broken plates stuck to the wall. I laughed when he said that each person who breaks a plate here must sign it and it goes on the wall. I wonder if I will ever have my name on a plate? Not tonight, but maybe next time.
After sharing a few stories of how lives can intertwine, a few laughs about the crazy things foodies do (like opening restaurants) and another great bottle of wine, our main courses arrived. The duck was tender and juicy, with a great smoky flavor. I thoroughly enjoyed the “Gambas al Ajillo” (jumbo shrimp in garlic) — the first time my daughter ordered the shrimp she wouldn’t even share one. The beef bourguignon was very rich and flavorful (better than my childhoods — sorry mom) accompanied by potato purée infused By: David van Eijl, with a little help from with leeks. Delicious. friends, Tessa and Nelson (and my wife, Tracy)
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