MadTracks -- 'Daisies' by Jentri Colello Tom Laskin on Thursday 07/24/2008 3:37 pm, (3) Recommendations While Jentri Colello is very much the focal point of the new EP that bears her name, Bird of Prey is very much a band effort. And she's not just being charitable. "Daisies," the melancholy lead cut on the disc would certainly work as a simply strummed folk tune. >More
Matt Tegenkamp, in his own words Jason Joyce on Thursday 07/24/2008 12:22 pm, (1) Recommendation What follows is a partial transcript of an interview with Matt Tegenkamp, the former UW distance runner who will compete at the Beijing Olympics in the 5,000 meters. He and I met on Monday, July 14, at his house on Madison's west side. A trio of videos from the "Madison Project" series by KIMbia Athletics are also available for viewing. >More
The Time Bank, Mad Dog's Chicago Style Eatery, a Trek Stop interview, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Thursday 07/24/2008 12:00 am, (1) Recommendation A new "Time Bank" initiative, eating at Mad Dog's Chicago Style Eatery, Cafe Porta Alba, commuting by canoe, an interview about the Trek Stop bike kiosk, Wisco at 2008 Big Ten Football Media Days, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
Collecting MadVideos -- Radio Free Asia follows Dalai Lama visit to Wisconsin Kristian Knutsen on Wednesday 07/23/2008 2:23 pm, (3) Recommendations The latest visit to Madison by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to consecrate the new temple at Deer Park Buddhist Center is attracting plenty of interest this week. The Dane County Coliseum was filled for a public talk by the eminent religious leader last Saturday, while the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center have been busy since with teachings, athletic competitions, and cultural programs for the Tibetan Buddhist community in Wisconsin. The media has been following the visit too, though it's not merely local and religious outlets that are paying attention. >More
Beer Here -- Norwegian Wit from the Grumpy Troll Robin Shepard on Wednesday 07/23/2008 12:17 pm, (12) Recommendations Summer is an awesome time for the beer drinker. But one need not settle for those crystal clear, light bodied, fizzy lagers that so many tend to think ideal for the heat of July and August, as quite an array of hefeweizens and Belgian Wit beers can be found around Madison. The styles are similar, each with cloudy golden hues that seem to contradict their light body and citrus flavors. I've done what I can to enjoy a few of these, in searching for the best seasonal offerings over the last couple of months. Last weekend my travels took me to the Grumpy Troll in Mount Horeb, a visit that coincided with the community's annual art fair. >More
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the Madison Savoyards, Scurvy IPA from Tyranena, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Wednesday 07/23/2008 12:00 am The Covering Kids and Parents coalition, the latest local biotech deal, driver arrested in hit-and-run on 6-year-old bicyclist, The Mikado by the Madison Savoyards, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition ready for local bow, Scurvy IPA from Tyranena Brewing, Chris Solinsky on his Olympic Trials experiences, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
Announcing the teams competing at the National Poetry Slam 2008 in Madison Kristian Knutsen on Tuesday 07/22/2008 10:46 pm, (7) Recommendations Hundreds of spoken word performers from around the United States, along with a handful from Canada and Europe, are in the midst of preparations for this year's National Poetry Slam, which be held in Madison over the first week of August. Competing in teams of four or five members apiece, each will take the stage and give their best through a series of bouts at the competition. Altogether they will comprise 76 teams, the final selection of which was announced last Friday by the national organizers Poetry Slam Inc. >More
It's all about the java at Ancora Coffee Roasters Linda Falkenstein on Tuesday 07/22/2008 12:53 pm, (2) Comments, (5) Recommendations People from other places in the Unites States have looked favorably upon the coffee served at Ancora Coffee Roasters here in Madison. The Isthmus cappuccino squad also gave a thumbs-up to the cups served at Ancora. Patrons have generally not been as kind to the shop's food offerings as they have been to the java. Is Ancora picking up an unfair rep? >More
Win tickets to the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival at Lake Farm County Park on Tuesday 07/22/2008 12:14 pm, (3) Recommendations The Isthmus Guest List is back with another round of free tickets to amazing concerts, shows and more fun events around Madison. This week's contests include tickets to: JJO Band Camp and the Madison Roots Festival at Willow Island; the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival at Lake Farm County Park; Sheryl Crow and James Blunt at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee; People in Planes and Tapes 'N Tapes at The Majestic; Dub Trio, and Infantry Rockers at the High Noon; Time Since Western and Full Vinyl Treatment at The Frequency; Katrina Johansson, Blackwater Gin, and Crave at The Club Tavern; and more. >More
Eagle Heights Community Garden, The Hold Steady, Fresco, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Tuesday 07/22/2008 12:00 am, (2) Recommendations More reports and photos from the Dalai Lama visit to town, assigning the city's 30 new cops, spring and summer alcohol compliance checks, The Hold Steady at the Majestic, high marks for Fresco, Eagle Heights Community Garden, Mad City Ski Team makes it a threepeat at state championships, the Save Brett brigade, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
Election 2008: Madison health clinic boots voter registration worker Bill Lueders on Monday 07/21/2008 1:39 pm, (2) Comments, (4) Recommendations Last Thursday, Carl Silverman was asked to stop doing something he thinks is clearly in the public interest by an agency whose mission, he thought, is to serve the public interest. He was asked by an official at the South Madison Health and Family Center-Harambee to cease and desist from trying to register voters. >More
On the Agenda: Burying ATC's power lines Vikki Kratz on Monday 07/21/2008 12:28 pm, (1) Recommendation American Transmission Company's application to build a 345-kilovolt power line in Dane County was recently deemed complete by the state Public Service Commission. The city of Madison would prefer that this massive power line not be constructed along the Beltline or, if it is, that it be buried. The city says the state Department of Transportation has "serious concerns" about the safety of having 120-foot towers on the Beltline. The commission will discuss a resolution urging the PSC to force ATC to bury the line. >More
Mayor Dave's weekly whereabouts: Walking an efficient beat Jason Joyce on Monday 07/21/2008 11:48 am, (2) Recommendations On Tuesday, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz meets with Madison Police Department Assistant Chief John Davenport and a guy named Tim Freesmeyer. Well, if Weekly Whereabouts has any actual worth at all, it is to Google the names of people I don't know who show up on the Mayor's schedule. >More
Blaska's Blog: Shortbutnotsosweet David Blaska on Monday 07/21/2008 11:10 am, (1) Comment, (2) Recommendations This message was sent to the Madison Common Council on Friday: I am a lifelong Madison resident and police officer of 25yrs, currently a detective with Madison. After reading the Tempe Dr. article I have to say the writing is on the wall. The Allied neighborhood is being displaced in pockets all over the city. >More
The Week: July 21-24, 2008 on Monday 07/21/2008 11:00 am, (1) Recommendation Make room for live music this week, as summer touring schedules coincide for a plethora of shows around town, including stops by Dark Star Orchestra, The Hold Steady, Sourvein, Ladybeard, Colour Revolt, and Kicksville, along with the penultimate Concerts on the Square of the season. Also, don't forget about author appearances by cartoonist Max Cannon and local scribe Richard Chamberlin. >More
Charter fleecing, Tierney Chamberlain, the Mad City Crab House, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Monday 07/21/2008 12:00 am, (1) Recommendation Project Lifesaver, UW researchers evaluate Madison Metro, weekend crime reports, Shugden practitioners protest Dalai Lama at Coliseum, more praise for Les Breastfeeders at The Frequency, Madison West student Tierney Chamberlain selected as finalist for High School Musical: Get in the Picture, eating at the Mad City Crab House, a "Bike and Build" tour rolls through town, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to the heart of Madison Tibetan Buddhist leader visits Wisconsin on eve of Beijing Olympics Emily Mills on Sunday 07/20/2008 2:44 pm, (11) Recommendations Marking his seventh visit to Wisconsin, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet spoke to a mostly packed Dane County Coliseum on Saturday, the opening event of a week-long series of talks and teachings in and around Madison. He arrived on Friday, and started his visit with a consecration of a new temple at the Deer Park Buddhist Center in the town of Oregon on Saturday morning. >More
High School Musical, a Nick Nice set, Dairyland Dolls, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Sunday 07/20/2008 12:00 am, (3) Recommendations The Princeton Flea Market, a Nick Nice set at the Highbury in Milwaukee, Domingo Meneses and Tierney Chamberlain invited to High School Musical: Get in the Picture semifinals, The Kitchen Gallery on Willy, Dairyland Dolls defeat Charm City Rollergirls and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
The Dalai Lama, the Dane County Fair, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Saturday 07/19/2008 12:00 am, (1) Recommendation H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama arrives for weeklong visit, UW grad student offers himself up to mosquitoes, Monona's competitiveness as a suburb, the MPG Challenge winners at Hybridfest 2008, Fleet Foxes play the Terrace, Maxwell Street Days and Dane County Fair updates, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
Election 2008: Obama picks Madison for state headquarters Vikki Kratz on Friday 07/18/2008 3:58 pm, (3) Recommendations Barack Obama's campaign headquarters for the state of Wisconsin will be in Madison. "It's a departure," says Madison Ald. Zach Brandon, who volunteers with Obama's campaign. "Milwaukee is typically the state headquarters." >More
Wilmington on DVD: A foolproof break-in on Baker Street The Bank Job, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Trafic, The American Film Theatre Mike Wilmington on Friday 07/18/2008 10:00 am, (5) Recommendations Roger Donaldson, that top-chop Aussie-bred action/crime director, tools up a really good one with The Bank Job: a fast, slick, smart and very entertaining heist/crime thriller that works on nearly very level. Set in the '70s and based on fact, it's the story of a seemingly ordinary bank robbery that goes shockingly awry when the robbers (led by Jason Statham) accidentally stumble onto safety deposit boxes that contain explosive material: high-level scandals and dark secrets for which some of the owners are ready to kill. >More
The Week[end]: July 18-20, 2008 on Friday 07/18/2008 6:00 am, (2) Recommendations Summer revelry continues unabated this weekend with the trio of the Dane County Fair, Maxwell Street Days, and Madison Pride. Dig deeper, though, and you'll find the Madison Early Music Festival, Greek Fest, The Mikado by the Madison Savoyards, and a Crustacean Records DVD release party, along with plenty more live music by Bottomless Pit, Misery Signals, Baby Fat, the Tim Whalen Nonet, Taxbox Ramblers, Colony of Watts, Dear August, and Immortal Technique. All are eclipsed, though, by the return of the Dalai Lama to town for a public talk and four days of teachings. >More
Meet a local homeless man, a purse snatching spree, Macy's Cafe, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Friday 07/18/2008 12:00 am, (1) Recommendation A chance meeting with a homeless man in Tenney Park, a serial purse-snatcher strikes west side, eating at Macy's Cafe, Mayor Dave's opening pitch, a report from the new University Ridge Golf Course, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
Isthmus Rollout: Dane County Fair, Maxwell Street Days and Crustacean Records Jason Joyce on Thursday 07/17/2008, (1) Comment Emmy Fink from Madison's CW and Jason Joyce from Isthmus check in from the Alliant Energy Center, home of the Dane County Fair as well as an appearance from the Dalai Lama this weekend. Details on those events and more on this week's edition of the Isthmus Rollout. >More
Beer Here -- Bridge Burner Strong Ale from Lakefront Brewery Robin Shepard on Thursday 07/17/2008 2:10 pm, (12) Recommendations At the World of Beer Festival in Milwaukee last month, I discovered a new brew from Lakefront Brewery called Bridge Burner. A few days ago, I was even more delighted to see it turn up in 22-ounce bottles at one my favorite local stores. The brewery was founded in 1987, but this beer marks its first venture into special reserve-type beers sold as single bottles, often referred to as bombers. >More
Frozen Codebase discusses new WFTDA roller derby video game Zac Shipley on Thursday 07/17/2008 12:22 pm, (20) Recommendations The Fast Forward Skate Center at Verona Road and the Beltline has been the home to the Mad Rollin' Dolls roller derby league for five years now. There the Dairyland Dolls take on a visiting squad from Baltimore in hardcore derby action this weekend, the latest in a summer of bouts culminating in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Eastern Regionals in Madison this October. But who said you shouldn’t be able to play along at home? >More
Tag Evers talks, Pride Weekend, fireworks rules and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Thursday 07/17/2008 12:00 am, (2) Recommendations An #89 ranking from Money, Pride Weekend and an interview with Liz Tymus, the Madison Common Council meets, questioning the city's enforcement of fireworks regs, how Tag Evers became a concert promoter, a Senior Scenester Potluck report, Public Enemies big business for Wisconsin, watching a radio controlled glider, MYSC Lady Blues win Midwest soccer title, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
MadTracks -- 'Spaceships' by Patchwork Tom Laskin on Wednesday 07/16/2008 7:22 pm, (11) Recommendations Sometimes Patchwork leader Jeremiah Nelson sounds so much like Madison expat Carl Johns it's unnerving. His high, reedy voice bleeds sweetness, and you wonder whether it might wear out its welcome on more urgent material. However, it's the ideal instrument for "Spaceships," a bittersweet slice of back-porch folk-rock that also plays footsie with '60s psychedelia in a dreamy coda. >More
Hot summer hibachi in downtown Madison Grilled street food gets a snazzy new name Linda Falkenstein on Wednesday 07/16/2008 2:02 pm, (8) Recommendations All of a sudden, it's hibachi. There's the new food cart called Hibachi Hut on the UW Library Mall. And the old standby food cart Wei's Food to Go on the Capitol Square -- formerly Viet Foods to Go -- has once again changed its name to Hibachi Grill and adjusted its menu accordingly. Why the sudden interest? Is it that Americans' food imaginations turn to grilled meats from June-August? >More
Collecting MadVideos -- Activision debuts trailer for Singularity from Raven Software at E3 Kristian Knutsen on Wednesday 07/16/2008 12:25 pm, (2) Comments, (10) Recommendations It's Christmas in July for gamers, as the video game industry holds the annual E3 Media and Business Summit this week in Los Angeles. Developers showcase and promote their latest releases to retailers and gaming media at the tradeshow, as well as announce upcoming games still in the production pipeline, an event that's become wildly successful at building buzz in this growing universe of entertainment culture. One new title drawing attention is Singularity, the latest big game that can call Madison its birthplace. >More
Blaska's Blog: A nice walk, unspoiled David Blaska on Wednesday 07/16/2008 11:58 am, (4) Comments, (5) Recommendations Not once did my wife and I dart to the other side of the street to avoid the specter of a panhandler stinking of gin or shouting the C word. This portion of the Marquette Neighborhood, it can be said, is not "troubled." >More
"Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced today the development of a first of its kind 'Time Bank' initiative means better services for individuals with developmental disabilities" Dane County
An interview with Trek spokesperson Rebecca Anderson and engineer Michael Hammond about the new bicycling vending machine at Machinery Row RoadBikeReview
"Madison police started combing the downtown area for a man who was reportedly wandering around wearing only a towel" early Tuesday morning MPD
"A man showed up at Esther Beach and started playing with his private parts" on Wednesday afternoon MPD
"The potential for state economic growth is enormous -- provided that regional water resources and expertise are promoted in a way that reflects well on all of Wisconsin" Tom Still @ Wis. Tech. Council
Dane County to ease Slow/No Wake order on Lake Mendota Dane County
Driver arrested for spitting on runner late Wednesday afternoon in Vilas Park MPD
Seeking suspect in an armed robbery of a pedestrian walking early Thursday morning in the Vilas neighborhood MPD
View photos of Ladybeard playing on Tuesday at the High Noon Saloon "Cheese"
What's driving the Cap Times news coverage of city committee non-proposals? Brenda Konkel
"That box to convert to digital so you can watch City Channel 12, soon to be 994, isn't so free after all" Brenda Konkel
UW researchers find "no gender difference in math performance" among gifted children UW Comm.
Wisconsin football is picked to finish second in conference at 2008 Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago Justin Doherty @ UW Ath. Dept.
Former Wisconsin women's soccer Amy Vermeulen selected as an alternate for the Canadian team at the 2008 Summer Olympics UW Ath. Dept.
"I've fallen in love with another new Madison bridge -- the Starkweather Creek Bike Path Bridge over East Washington Avenue at Marquette Street" "Madison Guy"
Suggesting an All-Time Wisconsin football team drawn from "players that I have been fortunate enough to witness during my lifetime" Brandon Schoeneck
San Francisco urban chickens supporter lobbies to get Mad City Chickens screened at SF Documentary Festival Thomas Kriese
Revisiting the CowParade Wisconsin display in and around Madison over the summer of 2006 "Heather"
"Six-run eighth inning spells disaster for the Mallards, team drops fourth straight" Madison Mallards
How will Wisconsin men's basketball forward Jon Leuer perform in his sophomore season with the team? Scott Tappa
"I have solved Wisconsin's drunk driving problem... or at least the problem as we know it in Madison and other cities with abundant bodies of water and canals between them" Dustin Weis
"UW-Madison historian predicts the end of science 'superpowers'" UW Comm.
"Meg Cabot's latest series starter, Airhead, is over the top entertainment" MADreads
The Covering Kids and Parents coalition "spreads the word in Wisconsin about free, low-cost health insurance" The Wisconsin Idea
"Inside the deal: $125 million Mirus acquisition a Wisconsin milestone" Wis. Tech. Net.
Driver arrested after a Tuesday evening hit-and-run on a 6-year-old girl riding on a bike with her father on Monroe Street MPD
"I would strongly recommended that anyone who enjoys a good musical go see The Mikado by the Madison Savoyards" "Gregor the Cat"
An interview with former Wisconsin women's openweight rower and current U.S. Olympic Team manager Elpi Pagitsas UW Ath. Dept.
Naming Madison the third "healthiest hometown" in the nation AARP
Seeking suspect in the theft of a 24-foot mast and 8-foot boom as scrap aluminum from a sailboat parked on the southeast side MPD
"The fact is that Madison has grown substantially in population and area over the last ten years, and coupled with the current national economic downturn, that's logically going to bring growing pains" Emily Mills
"Frank Lloyd Wright made use of natural geometries -- he urged designers to draw from Nature and not copy other buildings -- and the Meeting House is a fine example" James Polk
Belleville man arrested after attempted theft early Wednesday morning of a parked truck on the north side MPD
"Two women living in separate residences on Waunona Woods Court called Madison Police for help after spotting a Peeping Tom" on Tuesday night MPD
Scurvy IPA from the Tyranena Brewers Gone Wild series "a good summer dinner beer for when you've come in from the 90 degree heat" Mad. Beer Review
"The Box Social and Quinn Scharber bring bacchanalian abandon back to Montmartre" Shelley Peckham @ Dane101
"Time Since Western currently holds position as my favorite Wisconsin band" Ryan Matteson @ MoB
"Wisconsin sold me on the idea of getting a top-notch education first and foremost, sports and everything else came second" Adam Jelinek
Artists Kate Mueller, Georgene Pomplun and Tom Murphy discuss their new painting show Wisconsin Landscapes at Fanny Garver Gallery Katie Vaughn @ Mad. Mag.
"Discovering the Wisconsin Historical Society's Flickr photostream, which includes photographs from Michael Lesy's book, Wisconsin Death Trip" Nadine Goff
"We are both excited, humbled, and honored to be the builder selected to help such a deserving family see their dream come true -- a new home" from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Veridian Homes
"For those of you not from the area, or who have not heard yet, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is coming to Madison this week" Amy Pellitteri
Thumbs up for the garden burger at the Coliseum Bar and the speech by the Dalai Lama at the Coliseum "Mr. Stinky"
Mallards drop third game in a row with 8-2 loss against the Eau Claire Express on Wednesday Madison Mallards
Beer Here -- Organic Revolution from New Glarus Brewing Robin Shepard on Thursday 07/10/2008 1:16 pm, (24) Recommendations New Glarus Brewmaster Dan Carey confesses the popularity of an organic beer surprised him. Organic Revolution is a relatively new beer for the renowned Wisconsin brewery. Introduced late last summer, it is now offered as a year-round brew. Carey says he developed the recipe to show how "flavorful beer can be made in a responsible way with raw materials." In coming up with Organic Revolution, Carey also admits he wanted to make a true "session" beer, the type of brew that you can enjoy several in one drinking session without feeling full. >MoreIan's Pizza and Salad gets green on State Street Linda Falkenstein on Tuesday 07/08/2008 11:39 am, (1) Comment, (18) Recommendations The original Ian's Pizza on Frances Street started as a slice-only joint featuring funky taste combos catering to the campus crowd. The State Street branch of Ian's knows its clientele, too, judging from a few variations on its menu. Foremost among these is the inclusion of salad in the menu, and no afterthought perfunctory side salad, either. As the equal billing in the name Ian's Pizza and Salad suggests, salad really does achieve a solid footing here. >More
MadTracks -- 'The Takeover' by Lucha Libre Tom Laskin on Thursday 07/10/2008 11:25 am, (11) Recommendations Madison-born up-and-comers Lucha Libre serve up a furious mix of both hip hop and reggaeton on their new album The Takeover from I Need a Raise Records. They stick to the former, though, on the release's steady rolling title cut. A dour sample that recalls the universally recognizable "Song of the Volga Boatman" introduces the track, but it's really just a head fake. Mostly the crew is concerned with announcing their arrival in the major leagues. >MoreMadTracks -- 'Auburn' by The Gusto Tom Laskin on Wednesday 07/02/2008 10:23 pm, (1) Comment, (81) Recommendations Remember when a lot of English and American punk rock kinda sounded like Slade speeded up? Oasis certainly did, and they ruled Britannia for many years because of it. I'm not certain that The Gusto have achieved that high level of song-craft just yet. You know, where nearly everything they touch is immediately hummable. But the Madison band does have a rousing hybrid sound that blends hormonal punk energy and, for lack of better term, "classic rock" melody to good effect. >More
On the Agenda: Saving St. Raphael from the wrecking ball Vikki Kratz on Monday 07/07/2008 12:19 pm, (3) Recommendations A resident is making a last-ditch effort to save the walls of St. Raphael Cathedral, by nominating the fire-damaged ruins for landmark status. The downtown cathedral was destroyed by arson in 2005. How landmark status for the ruins is going to work, exactly, since the city has already issued a demolition permit for the site, is the question. >MoreMayor Dave's weekly whereabouts: Johnson Street is no vacation Jason Joyce on Monday 07/07/2008 11:59 am, (3) Recommendations Thursday morning, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is hosting a discussion involving the "Vacation of Johnson Street." Now, while many of the residents of East Johnson Street appear to be on permanent vacations, as they lounge on their porches and saunter over to Cork 'n Bottle for a crisp IPA or something, this meeting will hopefully address the challenges faced by small businesses on Johnson Street in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood. >More
Collecting MadVideos -- Let's go to the Stoughton Fair! Kristian Knutsen on Wednesday 07/09/2008 11:49 pm, (3) Recommendations Fireworks were merely one element of the summer fun on display at the Stoughton Fair over the long Independence Day holiday. Live music, farm animals, 4-H and FFA exhibits, tractor and truck pulls, a demolition derby, and plenty of food, including a fish fry and contests of gluttony with pizza and pie-eating contests, were also to be found at the Dane County community festival last weekend, held at the city fairgrounds in Mandt Park by the Yahara River. The beating heart of this quintessential American fair, though, is its Midway and accompanying collection of rides and concessions. >MoreTune up at the prototype Trek Stop in Madison Bike convenience station draws attention outside Machinery Row Bicycles David Medaris on Wednesday 07/09/2008 5:27 pm, (13) Recommendations News travels fast on two wheels: Since Trek, Wisconsin's Waterloo-based bicycle brand, established its prototype Trek Stop facility outside Machinery Row Bicycles on the last day of June, word of the 24-hour bike convenience station has been racing online. >More
Do you know about a new local website, an interesting blog post about life in town or just a general tip about life and/or happenings in and around Madison and Dane County? If so, we'd love to hear about it. Just send us a message!
LINKS
Blaska's Blog: Get in their belly David Blaska on Friday 07/11/2008 10:02 am, (3) Comments, (2) Recommendations The drawback to being the conservative Jonah in the belly of Madison's bestial Left is that the resultant indigestion produces truly odious results. >MoreBlaska's Blog: To whom and for what? David Blaska on Sunday 07/06/2008 8:28 am, (7) Comments, (3) Recommendations When Madison Police Lt. Joe Balles observes that "Madison has kind of institutionalized an enabling environment downtown for this transient population to grow unchecked," he is talking about the Bill Lueders and Andy Olsens of the ruling liberal hegemony. >More
Games + Learning + Society brings massive multiplayer world to life in Madison Zac Shipley on Friday 07/11/2008 3:45 pm, (30) Recommendations Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama mentioned in a speech on Father's Day that kids need to put down the video game controllers and pick up books. His message was clearly that while a book can be educational, playing a game is not. However, at the Games+Learning+Society Conference this week at Monona Terrace, hundreds of people at the intersection of gaming and learning are working to prove not only that games can be educational, but that many already are. >MoreWilmington on DVD: Before the Dark Knight Batman Begins, Mon Oncle Antoine, Catherine Deneuve Mike Wilmington on Friday 07/11/2008 12:22 pm, (5) Recommendations Batman Begins handed the whole caped crusader project over to cowriter-director Christopher Nolan, of the nifty film noir-in-reverse Memento. (Holy Amnesia!) The 2005 film was an improvement on Schumacher's undynamic duo. (Holy Guano!) And Nolan's upcoming sequel The Dark Knight has bat-buzz at a fever pitch. (Holy Hype!) Justifiably so. Meanwhile, Batman Begins is just what the comic used to be in its own beginnings, and became again in the hands of revisionist, noir-drenched artist-writers like Frank Miller: dark, gothic, scary and full of angst and urban horror. (Holy Gotham City!) >More
WYOU presents Madison flicks in 36-Hour On Air Film Fest Kristian Knutsen on Friday 06/27/2008 5:19 pm, (14) Recommendations Madison has seen a tremendous surge in independent filmmaking over the last few years, a trend that only looks to be building. More affordable cameras and editing software has lowered barriers to entry, particularly in the ongoing explosion of documentaries, and the online video revolution has led to a whole new audience for an ever-increasing legion of shorts. Now many of these local creations have been compiled into the 36-Hour On-Air Film Festival, a fundraiser marathon of movies that will be shown on WYOU Channel 4 this weekend. >MoreFound Footage Festival is back in Madison, bigger and sexier than ever Stoughton natives arrive from Queens with new collection of bizarre videos Erica Pelzek on Thursday 06/26/2008 10:47 pm, (16) Recommendations Awkward sexual harassment in the workplace reenactment videos, flamboyant 1980s exercise tapes, and ridiculous home movies unite in the latest edition of the Found Footage Festival, a touring collection of discarded video clips that are, usually unintentionally, gut-bustingly funny. Returning Madison for the third time with their show, Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett meld ironic chuckles with the "old school charm" of stumbling upon strange discoveries. >More
