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Fest
JAZZ

L2 | SceneNewspaper.com | Appleton • Fox Cities | August 2015 June 2015 | Appleton • Fox Cities | SceneNewspaper.com | L7
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August 2015 | Appleton • Fox Cities | SceneNewspaper.com | L3
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CONTRIBUTORS
L15
L14
COVER STORY
L4 Fox Jazz Fest
FINE ARTS
L15 Greg Bracken
FOOD & DRINK
L6 5 O’Clock Somewhere
R2 Barrel Aged Bigfoot Ale
R2 Yankee Buzzard
R4 A Taste For It
R6 The Wine Cave
R6 Tricia’s Table
ENTERTAINMENT
L7 Michael Grabner
L8 The Belle Weather
L10 Jordin Baas
L12 The Quiet Time
L14 Cool Waters Band
R10 Life Is Fair
R18 Buddhist Adviser
R24 CD Review
R26 Lawrence Dream Team
R28 Postcards from Milwaukee
R30 The Guess Who
R32 Just Another Band
R34 Concert Watch
L16 Appleton Dad
NEWS & VIEWS
R12 Divided We Stand
R14 Right Wing Nut
R16 Another Milestone on the
Path to Equality
OUTDOORS
R20 Apartment Gardening
EVENT CALENDARS
R36 Live Music
L18 The Big Events
CONTENTS
George Halas
Jim Moran
Jean Detjen
Sherri Thomas
Tyler Sjostrom
Merry Dudley
Jamie Lee Rake
Kimberely Fisher
Steve Lonsway
Dobie Maxwell
Tony Palmeri
Robert Meyer
Denis Riley
John Price
Rob Zimmer
Will Stahl
Blaine Schultz
Jane Spietz
Michael Casper
Trish Derge
APPLETON • FOX CITIES
EDITION
Plan your own exclusive
Americana experience!
Available for Private events on Sundays
and Mondays
For groups of up to 160
Call us for details!
Every Saturday we break out our magic
roasting box, the La Caja China, start up the
charcoals and fill the boxwith an assortment
of food. Around 5 pm we pull this perfectly
roasted food out of the box, mix it with
fantastic side dishes, and serve it to our
grateful guests. We call this GATHERROAST.
You will call it a feast.

L4 | SceneNewspaper.com | Appleton • Fox Cities | August 2015
BY GEORGE HALAS
Grammy nominees Tom Harrell and
Rene Marie will headline the 22nd annual
Fox Jazz Festival to be held in beautiful
and idyllic Jefferson Park in Menasha on
Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, Sep-
tember 6th, starting at noon on both days.
Admission is free.
In addition, the traditional and always
surprising “Festival Jam” anchored by The
Noah Harmon Trio will be held Saturday
evening at The Holiday Inn Riverwalk in
Neenah beginning at 8 p.m. The Holiday
Inn also offers a special rate for Fox Jazz
Fest Fans.
Fox Jazz Fest also offers an educational
component. Trumpeter Marlin McKay will
conduct a clinic, free and open to all, at
Jefferson Park on Sunday at 10 a.m. Those
who have attended this interesting and fun
session previously will note the change of
time and location. McKay will also per-
form with his quintet in the Sunday lineup.
The festival continues to grow in stat-
ure under the artistic direction of John
Harmon.
“This year in general is another winner,”
Harmon said. “We definitely have a high-
powered lineup from both the national and
regional perspective. I’m excited about
everybody. It’s all pretty cool to me.”
Saturday headliner Tom Harrell
is widely recognized as a creative and
dynamic jazz instrumentalist and com-
poser. While he is a master of the jazz
idiom, he constantly seeks new challenges
and influences. Even with a discography
of over 260 recordings and a career that
spans more than four decades, Harrell
has managed to stay fresh and current as
he continues to actively record and tour
around the world. He is a frequent winner
in Down Beat and Jazz Times magazines’
Critics and Readers Polls and a Grammy
nominee. Harrell is also a Trumpeter of the
Year nominee for the 2012 Jazz Journalists
Association Awards.
“Tom Harrell has been around quite a
while and is considered to be one of the
best and most forward-thinking trumpet
players in the world,” Harmon noted. “I
would say that we are pretty lucky to have
him.”
His music is at once intelligent, soulful,
fresh and accessible. In contrast to Harrell’s
tenure as an RCA/BMG recording artist
(1996 - 2003) when much of his focus
was on projects involving large ensembles,
Harrell’s last five albums were made with
the current members of his quintet: Wayne
Escoffery on tenor sax, Danny Grissett
on piano and Fender Rhodes, Ugonna
Okegwo on bass and Johnathan Blake on
drums. Each of these albums - NUMBER
FIVE (2012), THE TIME OF THE SUN
(2011), ROMAN NIGHTS (2010),
PRANA DANCE (2009) and LIGHT ON
(2007) - has received wide critical acclaim
and won SESAC awards five years in a row
for topping the US radio charts.
Tom’s latest album, “First Impressions -
Debussy and Ravel Project” will be released
September 18th.
René Marie – singer, actress and
writer performing as “Rene Marie and An
Experiment in Truth,” will be showcasing
songs from I Wanna Be Evil (With Love
to Eartha Kitt) out November 12 on the
adventurous, multi-Grammy®-nominated
label Motéma Music. It is René’s third
recording for the label and her 10th career
album.
The album is a never-been-done-before
vocal recording tipping the hat to Eartha
Kitt and her fiery, sensual and clever inter-
pretations of songs. It burnishes René’s
reputation as the most provocative risk-
taker among today’s jazz divas. Featuring
star turns by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon,
trumpeter Etienne Charles and Austra-
lia’s Adrian Cunningham on saxophone,
Fox
Fest
JAZZ
Grammy
Nominees
Headline

COVER STORY // FOX JAZZ FEST
clarinet and flute, I Wanna Be Evil opens
with a cackle of mischief. Produced by
René and veteran pro-
ducer/writer/programmer
Mark Ruffin, I Wanna
Be Evil features René’s
longtime band: Quentin
Baxter (drums, percussion,
washboard); Kevin Bales
(piano); and Elias Bailey
(bass).
René Marie also is a
woman of great strength
and humor who walked
a similar journey to Kitt.
Married at 18, a mother of
two by the age of 23 and
a Jehovah’s Witness, she
only occasionally sang. When her husband
of 23 years issued an ultimatum to stop
singing or leave, she chose music over the
turbulent marriage and self-released her
debut Renaissance in 1998 and toured as
Ella Fitzgerald in a regional play.
She began experiencing a whirlwind
of success rarely seen in the jazz world,
winning over critics; receiving awards
such as the Best International Jazz Vocal
CD (besting Cassandra Wilson and Joni
Mitchell) by France’s Academie Du Jazz;
gracing the Billboard charts
multiple times; and becoming a
headliner at major international
festivals. A gifted songwriter, her
previous Motéma release, Black
Lace Freudian Slip, features
blues-heavy originals. Her label
debut, Voice of My Beautiful Country, is
an ambitious celebration of Americana and
a striking display of her incredible ability
to forge connections between songs most
would never think to merge.
A hit at the 2011 Fox Jazz Fest,
The Tom Gullion Quartet is back as
part of the Saturday lineup.
“He’s got a new CD out and it’s
really hot stuff,” Harmon said. “It’s
not to say that he is playing better
now, but there is a depth in his play-
ing that is very surprising.”
Led by trombonist Joel Adams, The
Chicago Yestet follows Gullion in the pro-
gram.
“I don’t know if there is a better trom-
bonist out there,” Harmon said.
McKay and his quintet occupy the 1:00
p.m. slot on Sunday, to be followed by
Continuum and Madisalsa.
“Madisalsa is such an exciting and fes-
tive group with a great following,” Harmon
said. “They are a high-energy, very polished
10-piece band with a very tight
book. They were here a couple
years ago. They were very well
received and I was impressed to
see lots of people dancing.”
The St. Mary Catholic
Middle School Jazz Band gets
the party started at noon on Sat-
urday followed by the Neenah
High School Jazz Band. The
noon Sunday slot goes to the
Notre Dame High School Jazz
Band with the Pulaski High
School Red Raider Jazz Band at
12:30 p.m.
To reiterate, there is world
class jazz in Menasha on Labor Day week-
end…and it is free.
His choice is The Fire.
Which one are you?
Serving Gourmet
Wood Fire Pizza!
Dine in or Take Out
Located inside the
Marketplace bldg in
Downtown Neenah!
Restaurant Hours:
Mon 11am-3pm
Tue-Thu 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
Sunday Closed
(920) 720-2275
124 W Wisconsin Ave
#170
Neenah, WI
*Let us bring the pizzeria to you!
Ask us about our catering.
-Al Auxier
Fire Chief, Neenah

FOOD & DRINK // 5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE
SomewhereBY JIM MORAN
Rebecca Durant, Menasha’s newest tavern owner,
has worked hard to earn a great reputation as a friendly
neighborhood bar that serves great food. Five O’clock
Somewhere, formerly Hank’s Tavern, is located on
Broad Street in Menasha’s established 5th ward. This
German-Polish neighborhood of primarily hardwork-
ing blue-collar families is accustomed to understand-
ing value, and these expectations have already been
met and exceeded by this young new business owner.
Rebecca has worked in the industry for 17 years,
the last eight at Waverly Beach Tavern, where she says
she learned a lot about how to run a successful bar and
restaurant. “It was hard to leave, but I knew that I
wanted to try owning my own business,” said Durant.
“I have a 2 ½ year old daughter, Keira, and a very
understanding husband, and right now I’m working a
lot of hours, which I know will pay off.”
“My husband, Mike, and I have worked really hard
to create a place for everyone and all occasions. We
have certainly had our challenges when we first jumped
into this venture. We had to update the kitchen, paint
the interior, fix the air conditioning, and get this little
friendly bar back to where it should be. Customers
have been both patient and encouraging.”
Starting in mid-July, the tavern was relicensed to
serve food. And according to locals, Rebecca hasn’t
disappointed. For having a small kitchen the offerings
are numerous. In addition to traditional bar food,
homemade soup is made daily. Monday’s is feature
meat loaf; Tuesday’s,Tacos; Wednesday’s, wings; and of
course, on Friday’s they feature one of the best fish frys
in the area. Rebecca attributes this to the fact that they
purchase their fish fresh, not frozen, and they have a
secret light breading that helps keep customers coming
back each week.
Growing up in Menasha, walking back into a
tavern that I used to spend time in with my family,
ordering the Friday Fish Fry brought back great
memories of growing up in Menasha. We used to have
to share one fish lunch and one orange pop split by my
mom between two boys. I remember asking each week
if I could share with Tommy, my youngest brother by
10 years, and he would normally eat a little less than
my other two brothers. It was great to see that it hadn’t
changed as far as feeling like a warm and friendly
neighborhood hang out. My dad worked 40 years for
American Can and my mom and 3 brothers would
look forward to going out for a Friday Fish lunch. It
was payday for my dad on Fridays, and after driving
around paying bills, we would stop off at the tavern for
a Friday Fish.
Wisconsin is, of course, known for having a
Church and tavern on almost every corner. I feel that
these two kinds of establishments have created a sense
of belonging and community. Let’s hope that corner
tavern always survives. I know with Five O’clock
Somewhere the tradition has a great chance.
The hours are Monday-Thursday 11am to mid-
night, Friday 6am-2am, Saturday 11am-2am, and
Sunday 8am to midnight. Breakfast is served on Friday
and Sunday mornings.
Hang Over Burger
5 O’clock Somewhere

ENTERTAINMENT // MICHAEL GRABNER
BY JEAN DETJEN
Fox Cities singer-songwriter Michael
Grabner hasn’t been at his craft very long,
but this young, natural talent with an old
soul is brimming with promise. Since pick-
ing up his first guitar less than five years
ago, Grabner is making waves in surpris-
ing ways. Though fairly new to the music
scene, he’s already caught the attention of
Pat MacDonald (of Purgatory Hill and
Timbuk3 fame) and has opened for Jack-
son Browne. One of his original songs was
also recently featured on WAPL Radio’s
Home Brewed program. Yet he exudes
a fresh vulnerability and modesty, more
interested in practicing and writing in his
free time than promoting himself. A self-
described “old school 1950’s guy,” Grabner
pulls stuff from deep, timeless places with
effortless fashion. His approachability and
unassuming charm are just icing on the
cake.
I sat down recently with Grabner and
learned about his musical beginnings and
artistic influences.
JD: How did you get your start in
music?
MG: I started playing guitar on my
18th birthday. My grandparents kept
encouraging me to play and bought the
guitar for my birthday. I went home and
taught myself to play a Johnny Cash song
that night. I always say that Bob Dylan
was my guitar teacher. I listened to his
music non-stop and learned all of his
songs. Other influences were Neil Young,
the Rolling Stones, Avett
Bothers, Tallest Man on
Earth, and Ryan Adams
to name a few. After a
year of playing guitar, my
grandmother told me that
if I wanted to be taken
seriously as a musician, I should write my
own music. So I did! I began going up to
the Holiday Motel in Sturgeon Bay to try
out my music at Thursday Night Writers
night with Pat MacDonald. Pat gave me
the opportunity to be part of Steel Bridge
Music Fest and my confidence really grew!
Working full time has made it difficult
to find time to get out and promote my
music, but I am trying hard to get out
there and make a name for myself in the
local music scene.
JD: What are your perceptions of the
local music scene?
MG: It is exciting to be a musician
in the Appleton area with such a vibrant
music culture! The past few years I spent
many nights playing on College Avenue
for tips and playing Open Mic nights. I
tend to get regulars who gather around to
request songs or sing along and get lots of
phone numbers thrown in my guitar case
along with the tips.
JD: How would you describe your
writing style?
MG: I would say that my writing
practices could be called obsessive - I write
constantly. Ideas for a song pop into my
head constantly. Recently I was watching
a documentary about the economy and
a comment stuck in my head and turned
into a song. Dating relationships are always
material for new songs! My style is Ameri-
cana/Alt Country, but some of my songs
could be considered Blues. I recorded my
first CD at Studio H last year and had my
Drop Party at Chadwick’s last Fall. As with
most musicians, I have grown and matured
- I will turn 23 in September - and my
music has matured as well. I am saving to
record another CD and hope that will be
soon!
JD: What are some of your most
memorable performance experiences to
date?
MG: My favorite gig was probably
the time I opened for Jackson Browne - I
actually played on the balcony stage at
Steel Bridge Song Fest and was the last act
before Jackson who played on the main
stage, but....it makes for a good story! The
strangest gig was Apple Pub where I was
accompanied by a rather inebriated patron
on the harmonica he just happened to have
along!
Listen to some of Michael Grabner’s
original music samples here: https://sound-
cloud.com/michael-grabner-5
‘Roll Along’ as featured recently on
WAPL Radio’s Home Brewed program:
https://soundcloud.com/michael-
grabner-5/04-roll-along-1
ROLL
ALONGwith MICHAEL GRABNER
Hours:
Mon - Thurs 11am to midnight
Friday 6am - 2am
Sat 11am - 2am
Sun 8am - midnight
The Kitchen is now OPEN!
Try our Hangover
Burger!
Stop in by Boat!
Come in and have our Homemade soups, made fresh everyday!
“Specials”
Monday Meatloaf • Tuesday Tacos • Wings Wednesday •
Friday Fish Fry!
Come in and enjoy our breakfast Fridays and Sundays
with the entire family!
We have new specials every day!

BY JEAN DETJEN
Hurricanes are unpredictable. The
sensory experience unleashed is full and
complete when in the presence of such a
magnificent force of nature. Such is the
case when in the midst of a performance
from original indie rock band The Belle
Weather from Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Band members Eric Cox (vocals, guitars,
ukulele) and Tom Abromaitis (upright
bass) exude a natural resonance that instills
a sense of awe in audiences fortunate
enough to experience their artful presenta-
tion. An approachable yet formidable two-
some, The Belle Weather beckons listeners
to ride the ebb of flow of their passionate,
lyrical presentation. At first hook you are
pulled in, letting their waves take you
where they will.
A few questions during a recent inter-
view with Eric Cox took me a bit closer to
the eye of a storm into which I can’t help
but be drawn. Join me on the journey. I
promise you’ll be safe.
JD: You say your dynamic duo is “a
hurricane.” What do you mean by that?
EC: I’ve always been captivated by great
storms. The power, the energy, the antici-
pation. I wanted us to be the type of band
that felt something like that. I wanted to
put together a group that could sweep an
audience up in a great swell and then pull
them all the way back down to “pin drop”
level — to be both the storm and the eye of
the hurricane. If you can capture people’s
attention at both ends of the spectrum,
then you really have something. We were
never going to be the heaviest band, so our
quiet moments make our heavy heavier,
our loud louder, and our high energy songs
that much more frenzied. When we’re
putting together our setlists, we’re always
really conscious of where we want to take
the audience and which songs will set up
the next. We hope our performances draw
people in and keep them engaged through-
out — kind of like waiting for a storm.
The hurricane theme is also closely
linked to my love affair with Louisiana.
I only lived there for about a year, but it
was a formative time, and it captures my
imagination to this day. I love that part of
the country, and I’m still heartbroken over
Hurricane Katrina. We were back in New
Orleans on our spring tour last year, and it
was shocking to see how much of the area
still hasn’t recovered. It’s one of the great
tragedies of our time, and I think those
people were largely forgotten. It will be ten
years ago this August.
JD: Talk about your latest music.
EC: On July 11th, we will release
our sophomore album Suitcase into the
world! The new album features 14 tracks,
the first of which were actually cut three
years ago during the sessions for our debut
record, Hold On. The album title is derived
from the idea of packing for a trip (or a
tour, in our case!). You’re only allowed so
much space, so you must choose carefully.
Putting this album together was as much
about what we left out as what we ended
up including. The rootsy tones of acoustic
guitar, upright bass, mandolin, and hand
percussion are blended with the ambient
tones of organs and ethereal electric guitar
sounds to lend the album a very unique
sonic character. We wanted to take the lis-
tener to a very distinctive place, and these
were the sounds that fit into this particular
“Suitcase.” In the end, we added 8 new
songs and one cover (Leonard Cohen’s
“Hallelujah”) to the 5 songs from the Hold
On sessions. We are very, very excited
to bring this next chapter of The Belle
Weather catalog to our fans!
JD: What are some of your aspira-
tions for the future?
EC: Our primary goal, always, is to
continue creating and finding new sounds,
new songs, and new stories to tell. We’ve
been truly fortunate to find a group of
fans who continue to support us no matter
what direction we take them. They’ve been
incredibly gracious to us over the years.
As long as this sense of creative adventure
continues to keep us engaged and excited,
we’re certain we can do the same for our
THE BELLE WEATHER:
An Interview with a Hurricane
ENTERTAINMENT // THE BELLE WEATHER

ENTERTAINMENT // THE BELLE WEATHER
fans. Sharing this experience is what it’s all
about. If we continue to make passionate
music to a group of passionate fans, we’re
happy wherever that road leads.
JD: Where do you derive your inspi-
ration?
EC: There is so much incredible music
of so many varieties out there in the world
– and we try to hear as much of it as we
can. From our first record to this new one,
I think you can hear the wide range of
influences that have helped to shape our
collective sound. The challenge is never
inspiration — it’s interpretation. How do
you take the new sounds you hear and find
a way to channel them through your own
unique musical voice? That is the chal-
lenge of every original artist — making
something that is uniquely your own, and
staying true to it.
Beyond sounds, we’ve always tried to
make music with a social conscience – sto-
ries, themes, and commentary that matter
to us on a personal level. For instance, I
used to live in Louisiana, and both albums
feature songs that came out of Hurricane
Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon trag-
edies. My hope is that the songs convey the
way I felt about those events to people who
probably aren’t as connected to that corner
of the world. On some level, I hope that
makes the world feel like a smaller place.
The artists I grew up listening to certainly
expanded my horizons this way. They
changed the way I saw the world. If our
songs can do that for someone — can bring
a sense of empathy into a world that can
always use more — then I think we’ve cre-
ated something artistically valid.
JD: What are your perceptions of the
local music scene?
I like where we’re headed! We come
from a great musical hub in Sheboygan –
a scene that revolves around Kate Krause,
owner of Paradigm Coffee & Music, and all
of the great artists she has brought to town.
Paradigm has been our musical home
from the start, and our local fan base here
is incredible. In the past year or so, we’ve
found some other pockets of really dedi-
cated music fans as well. Appleton has a
scene that really feels like it’s on the verge of
something special. Manitowoc has a group
run by Kevin Harris called Music Without
Boundaries that is bringing all kinds of
great acts to the lakeshore. We recently
played a community concert in Horicon,
and the town came out en force for the
event! It was awesome! We’ve found so
many great people out there in every town
we’ve played. That’s truly what a “scene” is
all about. Put us in a room with even one
person who really loves what we do, and
we’ll play our hearts out all night.
JD: Tell us something your fans may
not already know about you.
EC: I sincerely doubt there is a band
out there that consumes as much candy
as The Belle Weather. Most of this is my
doing! We’re not going to win any drinking
contests, but if anyone wants to go toe to
toe with us over a bag of Sour Patch Kids,
a case of Mambas, some saltwater taffy, a
bucket of nerds, and some Sour Skittles, we
will gladly accept the challenge!
On tour last spring, we saw a man
get stabbed in the street in New Orleans.
Having lived in Baton Rouge, this was not
as shocking to me as it was to the rest of
the band! Their first question? “How far
is the hotel from here?” It was just down
the next block! Welcome to New Orleans,
y’all! We also received our first (and only)
full band indecent proposal in Birming-
ham, Alabama last spring. Probably the
only moment of awkward silence I can ever
remember from our group! We’ve never
been the kind of “cool guys” or “rock star
types” to garner this type of solicitation
even on an individual level, much less “the
whole band, all at once.” It was hilarious!
Like the band of nerds we absolutely are,
we replied, “Um… Maybe next time?”
We love animals, and try to visit the
Zoo in every city we play. My wife and I
also have six rescue cats at home. (If you
asked the cats, they would tell you that we
are two rescue humans in their home!)
As I mentioned earlier, we’re a total
nerd band. We love books, and we read way
too much to be legit rock stars (that must
be what is holding us back!)…
Tom is from Elkhart Lake, WI, and
his background is in auto racing. He used
to tour with a race team and worked with
the pit crew. Tom is also an avid cyclist
and soccer player. About a year ago, Tom’s
father passed away from cancer. Tom was
given a small inheritance, which he used
to purchase his upright bass. His dad loved
music, and the instrument is a fitting trib-
ute. Tom has been playing music for most
of his life.
My background is all over the map. I
grew up in Milwaukee until the age of 9,
when my family relocated to the small town
of Palmyra, WI. I got to be a city kid and a
farm kid. At 18, I moved to Baton Rouge,
Louisiana (I followed a girl – it didn’t
work out, but I more than made up for it
in adventures that became songs). I have
a degree in Literature from Vermont Col-
lege in Montpelier, Vermont. I first picked
up a guitar at age 20, and had no musical
background before that time. I started by
playing open mic’s at The New Moon Café
in Oshkosh, WI. At age 23, I moved to
Rochester, NY and joined my first band,
Stealing Andy. At age 27, I moved back to
Wisconsin. I wasn’t planning on being back
here for long. While I was working a temp
job to make enough money to move out
west, I was set up on a date with a girl from
Waukesha. We were engaged four months
later, and married a few months after that.
My wife Mariya and I moved to Sheboygan
in 2008 when she took a job to teach Eng-
lish and run their Theatre program. She has
supported my crazy music dream for nine
years now. She is incredible!
The new album is dedicated to Tom’s
dad, Mark Abromaitis, and to three of
my relatives who passed away in recent
years: my Uncle Dan (Terry), Aunt Bonnie
(Terry), and Grandma Patricia Terry. My
uncle Dan battled a long alcohol addic-
tion, ultimately drinking himself to death
on New Year’s Day, 2012. He was only 45
years old. My Uncle Dan was a musician.
He gave me my first guitar, and taught me
my first chords. His passing was tragic,
and both my Grandma and Aunt followed
shortly thereafter. I don’t think they quite
knew what to do after he was gone. I wrote
the song “Roulette” the day after he died,
trying to make sense of his life and the
nature of his addiction. I think we probably
all know someone we wish we could help,
but don’t quite know how. I tried to write
the song from his perspective — things he
said to me, things I know he hoped and
dreamed for but could never quite get to
with the bottle in the way. If I have one
hope for the new album, it’s that someone
hears “Roulette” and finds something in
that song that allows them to better under-
stand and to help someone they know who
struggles with addiction.
Listen to Roulette here: www.thebelle-
weather.com/music.
For more information about The Belle
Weather, check out their website www.
thebelleweather.com and follow them on
Facebook www.facebook.com/thebelle-
weather

ENTERTAINMENT // JORDIN BAAS
BY JEAN DETJEN
Mile of Music (MoM) standout per-
former Jordin Baas - to refer to her as a
“darling” would ring too saccharin - con-
sistently stuns listeners with an artistic
depth that matures with each phase of
the moon. Witty and wry, vulnerable yet
strong, humble in her magnificence, Baas
is a singer-songwriter who continuously
astounds with her depth as a singer-song-
writer.
Fan Jim Olski who was blown away
by Jordin Baas at MoM last year is spot
on with his observation: “So what makes
Jordin Baas stand out? It would take Jordin
Baas to write a phrase good enough to tell
how good her lyrics are.”
While unassuming and gentle upon
first impression, Baas is a force to be
reckoned with. As she gathers strength,
so does the listener right alongside her.
Roots firmly planted, her branches sway
and bend along with the raw emotions
perched fearlessly upon them. But they
do not break. Rather, they grow stronger
with every vibration, fed and watered with
the earth’s simple yet profound elements to
which homage is paid in her latest work.
While the potential of her artistic jour-
ney is still an evolution in process, savoring
it in the moment is the best way to appre-
ciate Baas’s ethereal offerings. With her
latest 12-track release Songs By a Human
and a Tree, Baas grows legs with a notably
experimental journey. Laced with appeal-
ing quirkiness, her sweet vocal quality car-
ries more than just a hint of irony. Rolling
out cascading, soulful notes of hopeful
melancholy with intelligent, thoughtful
lyrics, the artist doesn’t disappoint with her
newest project.
Gorgeous and sensual, her opening
track Gateways lulls you in with its elegant
guitar work, softly undulating lead vocals,
and mystically resonating harmonies.
You get the feeling you’re about to be led
somewhere you definitely want to go.
Earthy and sensuous, the poetic siren call-
ing seems to come from an ambient hilltop
with ancient echoes.
Steeped in sing-a-long catchiness, I
Will Not (make a sound) builds a playful
crescendo with wide-ranging vocals and
metaphorical lyrics taking center stage.
Mischievous harmonica drizzle brings
things down to earth while certainly not
succumbing to shushing from anyone.
Seamless acoustic guitar accompaniment
accentuates without overshadowing Baas’s
distinctive voice patterning.
Dream quality dissonance in the col-
laborative Meta 6 + Duality in 3 is an
unexpected experimental jazz shoot in the
eclectic mix. The piece features saxophon-
ist Stephen Cooper from Wifee and the
Huzz Band and The Jazz Orgy. Cooper
co-wrote the track with Barett Tasky and
Baas during “Love on Holiday,” an annual
song-quest love-fest held each February at
the Holiday Music Motel in Sturgeon Bay.
Hats fittingly tipped, the week-long collab-
orative songwriting marathon which was
the backdrop for the composition is touted
as “a live musical valentine serenading the
season’s unholy threesome of Adoration,
Angst, and Ambivalence.” If she were here
to observe, a boozily dancing Peggy Lee
would be asking, “Is that all there is?”
Raucous crowd favorite Freedom Song
(Freak) makes you want to clap and cheer
to living authentically and being comfort-
ably free in your own skin. Glory, Hallelu-
jah! Is Woody Guthrie in the room? Baas is
getting to know who she is and hopefully
we are mindfully following suit in shared
vulnerability and celebration.
Listen to a live performance of Free-
dom Song here (audio courtesy of Todd
Van Hammond) : https://soundcloud.
com/toddvanhammond/jordin-baas-
the-freedom-song-spats-appleton-
wi-9-23-2014
Stunningly melodic Sand is a raw stand-
out, taking the listener to a mystical under-
ground bubbling with questions lyrically
pulled from deep within. Baas’s impressive
vocal range is evident here in full brilliance.
May we approach the shore together and
feel every grain of sand between our toes!
Baas shows her moxy
with Dragon Slay where
she takes a stab at play-
ing her own trumpet
licks. “I wanted to hire
someone but it was
hard finding people to
commit in a short period
of time, so I bought a
cheap student trum-
pet, learned the notes
I needed for the song,
and recorded it the next
day.” I’d trust her to slay
dragons for me any day.
Willpower attests to
the difficulty of giving
up things we know aren’t
good for us. It’s a vulner-
able song infused with
empathy, compassion and shared human-
ity. Baas gets us as she delves into her own
weaknesses. There’s no room for anger or
judgment here; the crack exposed allows
just enough light in.
I AM (and you are too) is a full and
expansive story-esque close that takes you
on softly rippling instrumental waves of
meditation. The offerings are long and
rich, meant to be languidly savored. May
we all be free… May we all BE…
Kudos to additional album collabora-
tors whose understated artistry rounds out
the musical journey to sublime perfection:
- Barett Tasky on trombone, a multi-
talented, multi-instrumentalist who Baas
says she’s “lucky to have met and worked
with.”
- Drummer Owen Strombeck who tra-
ditionally plays hard rock. “He did a great
job stylistically toning down for Sand and
Don’t Take Your Love.
- Violinist Amanda Jo (violinist) who
also played cello on this record. Notes
Baas, “She did a great job reading my
sloppy handwritten scores and playing an
unfamiliar instrument.”
ARTIST BIO:
Jordin Baas is a young alternative folk/
pop artist from Milwaukee Wisconsin. She
has drawn recognition for her lyrical con-
tent with insight well beyond her years and
melodies that the listener cannot help but
carry away with them. Gaining recognition
with a momentum that is unstoppable, She
is breaching the boundaries of her native
Wisconsin, which can’t contain her any
longer.
Baas was born in 1990 in Madison, WI
and has been a singer/songwriter since age
14. Songs include catchy feel-good tunes
and tones with slightly sarcastic “emo-
tional” lyrics. Some songs have the acoustic
songwriter feel, others are electronic.
Featured instruments include guitar,
harmonica and piano with a dash of
tambourine and other random percussion
instruments.
Keep up (if you can) with Jordin Baas
via these links:
jordinbaas.com
Facebook page: https://www.
facebook.com/pages/Jordin-
Baas/171476294931?fref=ts
jdetjen@scenenewspaper.com
jeandetjen.com
Jordin Baas: A Tree Firmly Planted
CD Review of ‘Songs by a Human and a Tree’

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ENTERTAINMENT // THE QUIET TIME
BY JEAN DETJEN
Attention, Humanoids… The Universe
is calling… Pay attention to this important
message: Make the time to get to know The
Quiet Time!
Being quiet isn’t always easy. When
practiced with mindfulness, however,
silence allows you to be in the moment,
present and open to both the inner and
outer environment. Surrounded by the
sounds and presence of The Quiet Time,
you can’t help but light up with positive
energy while taking in the musical gifts
offered.
The Quiet Time is a Milwaukee alter-
native rock trio featuring Jordin Baas
(vocals/guitar/synth), John Doyle (drums/
percussion) and JR Hendrickson (bass).
The band formed in 2013, deriving from
influences of punk to indie, blues and
synth rock. Originally conceived as a two-
piece, the group has added JR to expand
on their sound.
This impressive group of accomplished
musicians has roots in the Fox Cities region
where they have nurtured a loyal and grow-
ing following. During a recent visit, I had
a chance to ask the band’s co-creators some
questions about their artistic collaboration
and where the mighty trifecta is headed.
Jean: How did your trio get together?
John D: The trio got together after we
took a break as a band for the summer and
then when we found time to do it again
we realized a bass player was needed to
fill out the sound. I knew JR had played
bass since high school and was moving to
Milwaukee, I knew it would be a great fit.
Jean: I’ve heard you say you’re group’s
not really all that quiet. So how did you
come up with your band name?
Jordin: “The Quiet Time” to me means
the time you take to yourself to relax, col-
lect, and meditate. It’s like the yin to the
yang of the loud time creating music.
Jean: What are you doing differently
compared with your solo work?
Jordin: Playing with this group allows
me to improvise a lot more. As opposed
to acoustic guitar, with The Quiet Time I
play electric guitar and synthesizer. Having
a drummer and bass player allows me to
make some stuff up on the spot with more
freedom. Playing with The Quiet Time
also gives the show a high energy, upbeat
feel. It’s fun.
Jean: What are your perceptions of
the local music scene and how it’s changed
over the years?
Jordin: I think up in the Fox Valley,
Mile of Music has really helped influence
the music scene. Venues and locals are
really cool about supporting live, original
music. The reason I moved to Milwaukee
from Oshkosh a while back was to find a
more active music scene. Ironically, things
have changed in the Fox Valley since then.
I think the scene is thriving now and I love
coming up to visit and play here regularly.
Jean: How would you describe your
writing style/methods/practice patterns?
Jordin: Writing is different every time.
I usually record clips of things I come up
with throughout the day and then listen
back, if anything sticks out I work on it
and bring to the guys. Sometimes we pick
a key and jam on that and sometimes it
becomes something. Other times, there
will be an idea or concept (Humanoids)
that we want to convey and we’ll spend
more time on the lyrics at first. Usually, it
is instrumental, chords, melody first.
Jean: What are some of your favorite
Wisconsin performance venues?
Jordin: For me, anything outdoors.
Festivals and stuff that are outside are fun
to play. Indoors, I really liked the High
Noon Saloon in Madison, Cooper Rock
in Appleton has a great stage and it sounds
amazing in there. My top place by far in
Wisconsin is Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
(Milwaukee). Jim Linneman is an incred-
ible sound engineer and really knows his
stuff. Every time I’ve played there he’s
made it sound great. He really cares about
the music.
Listen Up!
THE QUIET TIME Has Something to Say
“We’re not really that quiet.”
— Jordin Baas

ENTERTAINMENT // THE QUIET TIME
John D: Yield Bar in Milwaukee, The
Frequency in Madison.
Jean: Tell me something your fans may
not already know about you.
Jordin: We may or may not be from
this planet.
Jean: What is the funniest/craziest
shared memory you have as a band?
Jordin: One time JD and I drove to
Chicago to play our first show as a band. We
were so poor at the time, we had about $14
between the two of us. Somehow we made
it there and played the show. However,
during the night the door man had snuck
out and we ended up not getting paid. By
that time of the night we had spent the $14
on gas and food so we literally had 86
cents left. By some miracle, we made it
back to Milwaukee. That was quite the
adventure, but it goes to show that you
don’t need money to do the things you
want to do. The Universe will see you
through.
Jean: Goals for the future?
Jordin: We are working on a full
length album and hope to release it
within the next year. We also plan to
start touring before 2015 is over.
Jean: Any muses or forces of inspiration
of note?
Jordin: Live concerts inspire me so
much. Every time I see a band play, I am
inspired to go home and write something.
THE QUIET TIME band links:
Website: http://thequiettime.weebly.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.
com/TheQuietTime
Music samples: https://www.reverbnation.
com/thequiettime
jdetjen@scenenewspaper.com
jeandetjen.com
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ENTERTAINMENT // COOL WATERS BAND
BY JEAN DETJEN
Fox Cities-based Cool Waters Band
(CWB) is known for consistently channel-
ing good time rock and roll energy with
seamlessly smooth musicianship. A tight-
knit group infused with roots influences
and a groovy vibe, CWB knows how to
deliver full on fun with practiced finesse.
Reunited after a hiatus, this charismatic,
crowd-pleasing band exudes a confident
energy with undeniable staying
power.
BAND MEMBERS:
Greg Waters (Vocals, Guitar)
Dan Waters (Lead Guitar, Vox)
Mike Cool (Bass)
Matt Gieseke (Drums)
Rick Rajchel (Sax)
Scott Sukow (Trombone)
I caught up with band
leader Greg Waters recently who
shared some thoughts on their
newly released CD “Some Kind
of Fever,” and their goals.
JD: Tell me about your new
CD Some Kind of Fever.
GW: We’re pretty excited
about this one. I feel like the
songs are a great representation
of who we are today, and I am
really proud of that from a per-
sonal and band perspective. The
process was a bit different than
that of our past albums, but I
think it kept us all on our toes.
I wrote a good chunk of the album in a
creative whirlwind early last summer. I was
writing songs in the car, at work, in the
shower - you name it. Within a two week
span, I had my little hand held recorder
filled with ideas. Somehow, I managed to
narrow everything down to about 10-12
songs. We didn’t rehearse them a whole
lot in hopes to capture some of that raw
energy that new songs tend to bring. Also,
in order to switch things up a bit and
stick to our budget, we did a good chunk
of recording and editing in my basement
studio. We did the rest of the recording and
mixing with our long time friend, engineer,
and occasional band mate, Marc Golde at
Rock Garden. Marc was great (especially
considering he had to deal with me hob-
bling around on a broken foot throughout
the entire recording process). After a about
a year’s worth of work... Some Kind Of
Fever - our 8th studio album is ready.
JD: Do you prefer to play originals or
covers?
GW: This has always been an interest-
ing subject for us. I love playing covers...
only when we don’t have to. It hasn’t always
been easy, but we have always taken pride
in being an original band. We have big
respect for the area’s cover bands, but I
think we have always been more interested
in the artistic side of music...creating it,
believing it, and living it. I won’t deny
that we do our share of covers from show
to show. In order to maintain and grow
a following in this area, you have to be
smart. It’s almost a must. We kind of like
to put our own spin on covers though, so it
keeps things interesting for everyone. I love
what Mile of Music has done for the music
scene and how the original music scene has
bloomed lately. I hope the “August Energy”
of MoM will continue to bleed into the
rest of the year around here.
JD: Your group has reformed after
taking a hiatus in 2007. Can you share
more about that journey?
GW: This is something we have been
asked about a lot of times and have heard
a lot of interesting rumors on. For about
seven years we took a break from CWB.
This was pretty much all on me. We
were all working really hard at the time
(back in ‘07). We were touring and doing
some pretty cool things, but I started to
lose some of the passion and feel for the
music. There was so much on our plate
at the time. We were our own manger,
booking agent, marketing guy, etc. I was
frustrated, and had to get away for a bit.
The guys were definitely disappointed but
incredibly understanding. That has always
been one of the coolest things about this
band. Through thick and thin, we have
all had each others’ back. We all remained
very close throughout the hiatus and are
extremely excited to be playing together
again.
JD: What are
your band’s goals
for the future?
GW: This is a
tough one, as I feel
like we would all
answer this a little
bit differently. I feel
extremely blessed
that people are actu-
ally interested in the
music we play - espe-
cially considering we
have been doing it
for more than twenty
years. If the band
played its last show
tomorrow, I would
be disappointed,
but content. Music
has allowed us to
travel to so many
places, meet so many
people, and do so
many things we may
have never done without it. Although we
don’t tour or play as much anymore, I don’t
think any of us are ready to hang it up yet.
To learn more about all the latest CWB
happenings, check out the band’s website
coolwatersband.com and Facebook page
(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cool-
Waters-Band/179301573456).
COOL WATERS BAND
Heats Things Up with Feverish Fervor

August 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | R1
LUNCH
08/05 salsa manzana
SPonsored by alta resources
08/19 red hot horn dawgs
SPonsored by bergstrom & miron construction
Wednesday evening concerts on the
multi-use concert lawn at Shattuck Park
from 6 – 8 p.m. Bring your blanket or
lawn chair. Restaurant vendor onsite.
EVENING
Sponsors:
FREEFREE
CONCERT SERIES
Shattuck Park [DOWNTOWN NEENAH]
WednesdayS, 6 – 8 p.m.
08/06
08/13 John “Elvis”
Hardginski
08/20 cookee
SPonsored by Bemis
08/27 Rob anthony
SPonsored by
Winnebago Community credit
union & fox communities credit union
Richard & amy jo Aylward
SPonsored by
Presented by ATW.
Shattuck Park [DOWNTOWN NEENAH]
CONCERT SERIES
Bring or buy a lunch and enjoy a mid-day break.
A variety of entertainment will be featured along
with a restaurant vendor of the week.
SPonsored by
Morton Long Term Carezachary scot
johnson
Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.– 1 p.m.

R2 | SceneNewspaper.com | August 2015
FOOD & DRINK // BREWMASTER
BY STEVE LONSWAY
When we were first presented the
opportunity to write beer articles, my
mind immediately went to the many (and I
mean MANY) wonderful beers I have had
from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.
The problem is I think people would get
bored reading about them every single
month. So my approach was to wait it out
and give us the opportunity to search out
their next extra special release. Fortunately
Stone Arch Brew House is somewhat of a
magnet for unique beers. Whether one of
our guys shot across state for a kayak trip
or a member of our mug club just returned
from vacation, interesting beers appear in
our laboratory refrigerator quite frequently.
This is where we found the Barrel Aged
Bigfoot Barleywine from Sierra Nevada
Brewing Company.
This rare find is housed in a 22 ounce
bomber bottle boasting a screen printed
label. Sierra Nevada’s use of packaging
is as diverse as their beers. We have seen
their products available in all sorts of beer
vessels, from 12 ounce bottles, 12 ounce
cans, 16 ounce cans, 22 once bombers,
750 ml wine-style bottles, and specialty
bottles as well. Typically their offerings
come with very vibrant colored labels; this
one is really on the bland side with the use
of only two pale colors. It is easy enough
to spot though with the all-familiar Sierra
logo.
After a brief warming period, our team
poured the samples into snifters. The color
was a very welcoming deep copper/ruby
and was topped with nice lacing of tight
bubbles. As the glasses were raised, words
explaining the nose starting flying faster
than I could write. Dark fruit, whiskey,
tobacco, caramel, toffee, oak, dark malts,
baker’s chocolate, alcohol, piney are the
few words I managed to scribble down.
Yes, this beer has an amazing nose, with all
the above descriptors popping out simul-
taneously.
The flavor of bourbon is upfront with
an oaky finish. Dark fruit, plum and brown
sugar sweetness is evident as the pungent
hop character sends in the bitterness to
round it all off. The alcohol content leaves
a warming sensation as the sip subsides. A
slightly bitter/dry finish awaits. The finish
lingers on the palette for a while which is a
good indicator that this beer will pair well
with hearty meats and strong cheeses (yet
to be verified). Overall the Barrel Aged
Bigfoot carries a lot of flavors from start to
finish and creates a challenge to pinpoint
all of the characteristics. An extremely
interesting brew!
Now let’s look into the history of this
very inspirational brewery. First opened at
a time where Pale Ales, Porters and Stouts
were unheard of in the sea of American
lagers. 1980 was the year and Ken Gross-
man was the man. Boasting the name
of Ken’s favorite hiking grounds, Sierra
Nevada Brewing Company was born.
With a brewery masterfully cobbled
from scrap dairy equipment and hops
purchased directly from hop farms after
long drives to Yakima, Washington, and
a keen eye on consistency and quality, the
American craft beer movement had begun.
Sierra Nevada calls Chico, California home
and rewards the state with an absolutely
beautiful brewery, restaurant, pub and 350
seat auditorium. Renewable resources sets
their tone right from the get-go. From their
Solar panel parking garage with panels that
rotate to follow the suns path to gather as
much sun light as possible, to having the
nation’s largest private solar panel array and
of course their four massive co-generation
hydrogen fuel cells. Plus the fact that they
are able to divert 99.8% of their waste
from landfills! This cutting-edge care for
the earth has inspired the entire brewing
industry to find more ways to lessen our
carbon footprint.
Being located in a college town really
helped the initial growth of the brand and
sales gradually grew. Eventually distribu-
tion made it to the San Francisco Bay area
and caught the eye, or should I say palette,
of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia.
When word got out about Jerry’s affection
for Sierra Nevada’s Porter, the many loyal
Dead fans made it a point to search out
these wonderful craft beers. Followed up
by a pair of magazine articles, demand
increased from both coasts. Through
extremely hard work, persistence and a
relentless approach to quality and consis-
tency, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
was here to stay and craft beer became a
destination for beer drinkers united.
Distribution growth has ever since been
growing for Sierra Nevada to the point of
outgrowing their brewery in Chico. A
second brewery was recently added near
Asheville, North Carolina and rumor
states that it is as beautiful and sustainable
as their original brewery.
Final word: You will never be disap-
pointed with any beer that Sierra Nevada
Brewing Company is involved in. Whether
it be a collaboration with Dogfish Head
Brewing or a project with the Trappist-
Cistercian Abbey, or their own seasonal
releases throughout the year, Sierra Nevada
is synonymous with top-notched craft beer.
The Bigfoot Barleywine release is always
outstanding especially this rare find that
was aged in whiskey barrels. SEARCH IT
OUT!
BARREL AGED BIGFOOT ALE
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA & Asheville, NC
Some say history repeats itself, but it always
leaves a trail of people, places and things that
serve as the impetus for the stories we will tell
next. Sometimes the story is a song. Or maybe
a piece of art. And sometimes it’s a craft beer.
Wisconsin Brewing Company Brewmaster,
Kirby Nelson, is a storyteller. His medium isn’t
a canvas or lyrics penned to a tune, but rather
Nelson tells his stories with his beer. And like his
beers, his stories are inspired by the great state
of Wisconsin. And his American I.P.A., Yankee
Buzzard, is no exception.
Nestled in a serene and picturesque space
on the outskirts of Verona, Wis., a few miles
from the hustle and bustle of Madison, Nelson’s
brewery is guarded under the watchful eye of an
American bald eagle keeping perch nearby.
The sight of WBC’s resident eagle prompted
Nelson to brew the story of Old Abe, an orphaned
American bald eagle raised by a Wisconsin sol-
ider during the Civil War. As the mascot of the
Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment,
Old Abe rallied Union troops while soaring over
30 battles. Loathed by Confederate soldiers, they
set bounties on the bird and coined him with
the spiteful nickname of Yankee Buzzard.
And like Old Abe, Nelson’s Yankee Buz-
zard boasts a quiet confidence. Columbus,
Chinook, Centennial and Cascade hops form
an artful blend of floral notes and bitterness
that soar across a malty playground lending a
Midwestern flair to this hoppy brew.
And while Old Abe may no longer soar the
battlefield, his story and resilient spirit lives in
every pint of Yankee Buzzard.
Yankee Buzzard

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FOOD & DRINK // PINE CONE TRAVEL PLAZA
BY JAMIE LEE RAKE
“Don’t go there if you don’t like big
desserts,” said a friend, with her husband’s
concurring, of Pine Cone Travel Plaza
Restaurant & Bakery (685 W. Linmar
Lane, Johnson Creek, near the outlet mall
around the juncture of Highways 26 and
94;920-699-2767, http://www.pinecone-
johnsoncreek.com/) of where they had
recently enjoyed dining while engaging
in church picnic conversation. The girth
of my abdomen should be sufficient testi-
mony that, yes and probably alas, I enjoy
an occasional oversize last, sweet course
of a meal. Getting to Pine Cone had just
become a culinary imperative.
If you couldn’t guess from its name,
we’re talking about an eatery in a truck
stop. Technically, it’s attached to a truck
stop;attempting to grab a seat and some
grub by way of the Shell station with semi
drivers’ amenities will only result in leav-
ing one hungry and bumping into a wall.
Upon entering the proper set of doors,
however, the sight of a long glass case lined
with goodies galore greets the eyes. Not far
therefrom lies a classically homey dining
room in medium blues and plenty wood, if
not an abundance of pine cones.
Among the silly things I may do, driv-
ing between 40 and 50 minutes (yup, it’s
that second of Wisconsin’s two seasons:
road construction) merely for dessert isn’t
one of them. So, with supper time beckon-
ing, the one unique thing on Pine Cone’s
menu harkened as well.
And it seems most every truck stop
diner has at least one thing a body would
be hard pressed to fins within 100 miles
of it, or at all elsewhere. At Pine Cone,
apart from its desserts, that one thing must
be the Philadelphia chicken sandwich.
Familiarity with the more common Philly
steak sammy gives a near parallel to its fowl
counterpart: something like an especially
lengthy, unbreaded chicken tender, topped
with sauteed green pepper and onion slices
and Swiss cheese, all on what’s something
akin to a double-wide hotdog bun.
The subtle combination of a white
cheese on white meat with white onion
on white bread with a hint of piquant
earthiness provided by the pepper works
well, though there was a bit more bun than
filling upon my last bite. Compensating
for that, however, was the cole slaw. Cab-
bage and carrot gets minced so finely that
it was difficult to glean whether it was
prepared in vinegarette or in creamy style
with mayo’ or salad dressing. Either way,
its empty bowl left no discernible a trace
of moisture. Pine Cone’s menu declares its
slaw “special”; righto, that.
Ah, now for dessert. And for a place
that includes “bakery” in its name (here’s
assuming that the $1.49 half-pound
cookies-such a deal!-sold on the other side
of the building are made on-premises, too),
it might be fair to assume that there may
be a distinctive treat with which to end
my repast. And certainly, never had the
words “cream cheese boat” ever entered my
vocabulary in that order until my initial
eying of Pine Cone’s dessert menu. So, a
blueberry cream cheese boat it would be.
Pie filling adorned with a couple of ribbons
of not overly sweet dairy frosting rests in a
pastry shell something like that of a cream
puff, but sturdier and shaped something
like a banana split bowl. And though on
the gargantuan side, as my friends had
inferred, the lightness of the pastry, flavoful
berries and heaviness of the topping put it
in the vicinity of Goldilocks’ “just right”
assessment of satiation. Sooner than later
I’d like to try the cherry variation of the
boat. From there, maybe Pine Cone’s cara-
mel apple? We’ll see...
ALSO RECENTLY EATEN
The last time my town had anywhere to
order hot pastrami, it was one of Subway’s
limited-time promotions, so when A&W
(numerous locations, but you knew) intro-
duced its Deli Burger with that aforemen-
tioned brined, spiced beef sharing space a
couple of its signature patties, mushrooms,
onions, mustard and, here it is again-Swiss
cheese, I had to give it a go. The pastrami
arguably may more texture than taste to
what is otherwise a glorified mushroom &
Swiss burger, but it’s worth the price. That
will be especially the case if the home of
the Root Bear makes it a short-time run
as Jared Fogle’s former benefactor made its
sandwich.
So, you’ve just seen the great Biz Markie
DJ and rap in Sheboygan for the city’s free
summer concert series, you’re hungry. At
least I did and was, so I was grateful for the
sight of Fountain Park Family Restau-
rant (922 N. 8th St;920-452-3009, http://
fountainparkfamilyrestaurant.com/) on
the walk back to the Rakemobile. All the
more was I thankful for its expertly pre-
pared chicken cacciatora, proportionally
tomatotoey and olive oily to the artistic
presentation of the penne pasta beneath
it all. Tapioca pudding to top it all off?
Of course. So satisfying was the fare that
I fairly took the cantankerous ‘tide of the
owner/manger in stride. Hey, I know you
have to wash the cup from which I only
drank hot water and lemon, but nothing’s
stopping you from charging me a little
something for the fruit, right, guy?!
Wouldn’t it figure that on my way to
Pine Cone there was on the path a new
frozen confection parlor? City Service Ice
Cream (205 N. Main St,, Juneau;920-386-
8084) looks to be housed in an abandoned
gas station, repleted with a wooden
stand-up of an old-time smiling attendant
holding a cone to tempt passers-by. Its
assortment of ice creams comes from long
standing downtown Watertown staple,
Mullen’s Dairy Bar & Eatery. Cones,
dishes, sundaes, etc. are made by fresh-
faced youths, one of whom fixed me up a
splendid butter pecan shake. city Service
also offers hot dogs in with all the Chicago
fixings, for which I may have to splurge
my sodium count some time. It will likely
have to be by summer’s end, though, as
no indoor seating and a few tables outside
gives the appearance of a seasonal business.
May it last for many more.
A Taste For It
Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Winnebago
Artwork and Gifts created by Local Artists
Reclaimed Furniture and Accessories
Visit us at: www.theplaidsquirrel.com
N1866 US Hwy 151, Brothertown, WI
920-627-3010
Store Hours: Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday & Saturday 10-5 Sun 10-3

BY KIMBERLY FISHER
What makes a wine a WINE? Many
characteristics and attributes contribute
to this luscious drink, but understanding
more of how it becomes what it is will help
you appreciate more of what wine is.
APPEARANCE AND COLOR:
Wine can be red, white or rose. If a wine
appears cloudy, there could be something
wrong with it; we often call this a “flaw”
in the wine. Whatever its color, the wine
must be clear. Red wine is produced from
black grapes meaning the skins of which
are allowed to be present for all or part of
the fermentation process. Young wines
are usually purple in color where older red
wines can have a reddish-brown outer rim
variation as an indication of age.
White wine can be produced from
black grapes, white grapes or a blend of the
two. The red coloring pigment is contained
in the skins of black grapes and not in the
pulp or juice, therefore if black grapes are
pressed, the juices run off the skins straight
away and white wine will result. White
wine can vary in color from almost color-
less to shades of yellow or gold. Young
wines tend to have a greenish tinge while
older whites can turn brown with age.
Rose wines are made is several ways.
The classic method involves commencing
the fermentation as for red wine, then to
remove the partly fermented juice from the
skins after the correct degree of coloration
is achieved. Fermentation then continues
off the skins. Another method includes
blending a small quantity of red wine with
a large quantity of white wine. It is also
possible to blend black and white grapes
together with the fermentation taking
place on the skins of the black grapes.
BOUQUET: The smell of the wine
is often the best indicator of its origin,
its content, its quality, age and character.
Wine should always smell like wine, or
smell clean. If the wine smells of vinegar,
any decayed vegetables or cork, then there
could be a “flaw” in it. Something is not
right.
TASTE: The taste of the wine confirms
the impressions formed by the wines
appearance and bouquet. Does the wine
taste sweet or dry? Then, does the wine
have acidity, vinosity, tannin, weight or
body? Often times the alcohol content
could be an indicator of the type of wine
that it is.
AGING POTENTIAL: Some wines
are meant for early consumption such as
Beaujolais and Muscadet, which means
the wine will not improve with cellaring.
Others are made for letting some time
lapse to allow the wine to come into its
full element. Red wines such as Cabernet
Sauvignon and Nebbiolo, are often made
to age. They contain tannin, which acts as a
preservative, and it softens as the wine ages.
You can be a great wine taster no matter
how much or how little you know about
wine. Tasting is, in its essence, a subjec-
tive experience. Understanding a little bit
more along the way, will help you have a
better appreciation and hopefully lead you
down the path of wanting to learn more.
Kimberly Fisher is Director of Fine Wine
Sales for Badger Liquor & Spirits
The Wine Cave
FOOD & DRINK // THE WINE CAVE
FOOD & DRINK // TRICIA’S TABLE
BY TRISH DERGE
I know...it’s August. Who wants to
even think about making or eating hot
soup?
But the yellow beans are in!
And what better way to enjoy them
than in a soup?
I found a generation’s old recipe from
a long since passed dear woman from the
Holyland who raised and fed seven kids,
and a few farm hands over the years on her
soup which I’m told was a welcome dinner
after chores, milking, and baling the third
crop.
After you’ve heated up your already
hot kitchen, making Theresa’s Yellow Bean
Soup, enjoy your bowl with a half teaspoon
of vinegar (her German pronunciation was
“winn-a-gar”) added to it...it’s delightful!
INGREDIENTS
1 small bone-in ham
2 quarts water
4 medium sized potatoes - peeled and
diced
3 small onions - chopped
3 stalks of celery - diced
3 carrots - diced
3 - 4 cups yellow beans - diced
1/2 cup flour - browned
1/4 stick butter
vinegar, salt and pepper
1. In a large pot, simmer the ham in the
water for about 2 hours.
2. Remove the ham, keeping the water.
3. Dice the ham into chunks.
4. Give the ham bone to the dog.
5. Put diced ham, onions, celery, carrots,
and yellow beans into the kettle of ham
water.
6. Bring to a boil, then simmer until veg-
etables are tender (approx 1 hour)
7. While the ham and vegetables are sim-
mering, brown your flour.
8. To brown flour: Place flour in saute
pan over medium heat, and stir until
lightly browned being careful not to
burn it. Lower heat, add butter, con-
tinue stirring until blended, add to pot.
9. If you’re not up to browning the flour,
or if it catches fire...put the fire out,
and substitute burned flour and butter
mixture with a cup of milk.
10. When serving by the bowl, add 1/4 to
1/2 teaspoon of vinegar (winn-a-gar)
and salt and pepper to taste.
Theresa
Langenfeld’s
Yellow Bean
Soup

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Opening: Tony Anders & The Radiolites
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On the Rocks in Jones
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Unity the Band opening @ 5pm

FINE ARTS // FOXY FINDS
Foxy FindsBY JEAN DETJEN,ARTFUL LIVING
Cheers to living
artFULLY in the
heart of Wisconsin!
Send your sugges-
tions for Jean’s Foxy
Finds to jdetjen@
scenenewspaper.com
The dramatic
piece that started it all… Get noticed
in this handmade, beaded signature
“Twisted” Statement Necklace by
designer Jessica Theresa. Chunky
and bold with fiercely feminine style.
$105. Available at Studio Pink,
Neenah. Many more stunning styles
and color combinations available.
Find your own unique statement and
“embrace your inner sparkle!” Custom
orders available. Studio Pink also hosts jewelry parties, creative workshops, and ladies night
out events.
Art glass spheres of light to
brighten your home and delight
special people in your life. Choose
from Friendship Balls, Fairy
Balls and Witches Balls. No two
are alike. Most are of European
origin, made in small communi-
ties, or family crafted. Each one
is unique with small variances
in design, color, weight, and
size. Prices range from $34.99
- $42.99. Find one (or more
- look great hung in clusters!)
that catches your eye at Angels
Forever, Windows of Light in
downtown Appleton.
Gypsy-esque “Festival Beltbag”
from Lakhays. Adjustable
waist strap, multiple zippers,
and snap pockets. Just the
right amount of hip slung
storage for your phone and
other essentials for hands-free
freedom and comfort. Sturdy
cotton fabric with ties, lace,
and brass grommet detailing. Available in black, brown and maroon.
$32. Form, function, and definite foxy factor! Found at Vagabond
Imports, downtown Appleton.
Experience the art of sound with your very own uPhonium, an all acoustic
sound amplifier for the iPhone 4, 5, or 6. Crafted from an antique
Magnavox radio speaker horn and a vintage telephone ringer box. Custom
design by Brad Brautigam | B. Brad Creations, “elegantly bringing new
life and function to the everlasting forms of a bygone era.” $595. Other
unique styles available, prices vary. Check out the artist website to see full
range of uPhoniums and repurposed lamps: http://www.bbradcreations.com/.
JB Leather Wallet $25 found at Teak & Soxy,
Princeton. Artist Jason Bowey uses his hands
in nearly every process when creating his hand
punched and stitched leather goods, working
exclusively with natural materials. This small
profile wallet/card holder sells for $25. Other
styles and colors available. Teak & Soxy is a home
design shop featuring an offbeat mix of new and
vintage accessories brimming with color, character
and wit. Owner and designer Matt Trotter is the
fourth generation to occupy his property: a late
19th-century hotel and later a leather and textile
manufacturer. Teak & Soxy were
his family’s notoriously tricky horses
that often escaped their confines to
wander Water Street, the eclectic
street where Trotter’s shop resides.
On trend button-up distressed denim jacket by Chiqle,
Los Angeles. Cotton blend with stretch for great fit and
comfort. Cool tribal print back fabric panel detail takes
this chic piece to a level that’s beyond basic. Women’s
sizes S-M-L. $47. Find this and other fun, fresh fash-
ions at The Revival in Menasha and Waupaca.
Enjoy the outdoors with these stylish waterproof and
breathable Gore-Tex Tretorn sneakers for men. This
Swedish brand prides themselves on creating a durable,
long lasting shoe combined with a very casual and stylish
look for any occasion. Visit Spruce Boutique in Fish
Creek to try them on and see what else catches your
eye. Spruce is inspired by Door County and the things,
people, and places that make it the fantastic place it is.
Their hip selections of casual clothing, natural beauty
products and accessories are definitely road trip worthy.
Spruce offers on-trend brands for men and women with
a traditional touch and brings exclusive retailers from
around the world. Shop Spruce for the newest approach
to a confident yet casual lifestyle.

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Green Lake
& Appleton

BY DOBIE MAXWELL
Try as I might, as life goes on I just
can’t shake my intense fascination with all
things freakish. I am obviously not alone,
or run of the mill human parasites with
no particular identifiable set of marketable
skills or talents like Jerry Springer or Maury
Povich wouldn’t have been able to rake in
more than a comfortable living showcasing
said freakishness for multiple decades now.
Freaky people…freaky places…freaky
events – I love them all! Anywhere I can
sit off to the side and observe a conscious
gathering of weirdos, wackos, oddballs,
goofballs, mooks, kooks, flukes, flakes or all
around idiots – and the dumber the better –
I like it. It keeps me entertained.
It also gives a crystal clear perspective
and assures me that no matter how deeply
my personal situation happens to slide into
the abyss at any time at least I’m not one
of “them.” I don’t claim to be better than
“them,” but I do think I was given at least
a few more tools in my box from the fac-
tory than a frighteningly large percentage
of fellow planet walkers. I am not at the
bottom.
Is it wrong to proudly walk among
countless hordes of unwashed lowlifes at
any random event silently beaming inwardly
that I’m not them? Then declare me guilty.
How much worse will my punishment be
than having to live on a planet where “they”
rule the roost? I’m just an onlooker.
The first experience that ever rocked my
world with Richter scale proportions was at
about age six when my uncle and aunt took
me to the Wisconsin State Fair. Why they
wanted to subject me to this environment at
such an impressionable age still baffles me,
but I had no choice. I was in a place I didn’t
ask to be with no foreseeable way out. All I
could do was try to act like I belonged.
But I didn’t. And I knew I didn’t, even
at such a tender age. Something inside
screamed loudly that I was a stranger in a
strange land and wasn’t where I had ever
been before – kind of like that stray bug that
gets smuggled in on a load of bananas at the
supermarket. There’s no going back.
Walking through the State Fair with my
uncle, aunt and cousins was a symphony for
the senses at every turn. I could barely take
in all that was going on around me, but I
knew it was something I was not prepared
for. Nobody told me anything other than I
needed to stay close to our group or I would
have to go home with somebody else’s
family. I think it was a joke but I’m still not
sure.
The most vivid memory I have all these
years later oddly enough is the
aroma. Nothing smells
quite like a State
Fair, and I have
to believe the
Wisconsin
State Fair
t a k e s
a back
s e a t t o
none of the
other 49 in
the stomach
curdling stench
department. Countless tons
of fresh from the factory manure combined
with roasting meat and corn on a humid 94
degree day spell two letters – P U.
The first whiff of that putrid odor on
my six year old nostrils put me down for the
count with a single punch. I knew I couldn’t
hold my breath the entire day and attempt-
ing to breathe through my ears wasn’t work-
ing. Going into the bathroom stall later
ended up being a breath of fresh air.
The next experience that busts out
from the confines of my memory like El
Chapo out of a Mexican prison is seeing the
midway for the first time. It was the best
and the worst of times simultaneously. On
the good side I remember how bright and
colorful the lights were and how scary yet
enticing the rides looked. I had never been
on one before but I knew I wanted to tilt,
whirl, spin, flip, rock, roll and/or Ferris.
On the ugly side, I got my first gander
of what a carny looks like. That was like
witnessing the landing of a UFO. It was ter-
rifying on one hand but absolutely fascinat-
ing on the other. All of the people I had seen
previous to that day in the world in which I
lived had teeth basically one color.
The only comparison I could make with
what I saw was the ear of Indian corn that
hung behind our first grade teacher Mrs.
Molter’s desk at school. I was only six, but
even with the significant amount of teeth I
happened to be missing at the time I still
had a few up on these dental midgets.
Next on the agony agenda was being
forced to sit through not just one but two
types of music I took a hating to from the
get go and learned to loathe even more
as life has gone on – polka
and old time country.
I had never seen
any live music
played to that
date with
the possible
exceptions
of the lady
at church
who played the
organ and the ice
cream truck that was in
our neighborhood.
Halfway through the first set of polkas
that all sounded the same played by four or
five fat old farts ridiculously decked out in
leather lederhosen I was ready to barf up the
burnt bratwurst I’d just eaten, sauerkraut
and all. But my uncle and aunt were lifelong
Milwaukeeans, and polkas are right up there
with cribbage and duck pin bowling on the
list of holy things never to make fun of.
After the tent full of Pabst smeared
Schlitz kickers tapped their last toe I
thought I was finally off the hook, but NO.
After waiting in line for a cream puff – a
tiny taste of heaven – we walked through
the buildings where people were pitching
products like vegetable slicers and floor wax.
Six year olds aren’t the target market for that
stuff, so again I sat back and watched the
masses.
There were examples everywhere of
every size, shape and circumference wad-
dling through the barn with blank looks
on their faces. These were not the kind
of people that lived anywhere near my
neighborhood, even though we did have
a few nut cases lurking in the weeds. But
everybody knew where they lived and we
stayed away from those people. The Fair was
loaded with them.
By this time I recall being overwhelmed
with sensory overload and wanting to go
home. Ha! It wasn’t to be for at least a few
more hours as we trudged our way to yet
another tent to watch yet another concert
of yet another style of music that made my
tonsils ache. I couldn’t decide which was
worse, the polka or the country – but does it
matter? It’s like picking a favorite way to die.
That day at the State Fair seemed
like it would never end. Then I got roped
into going the next year and it was pretty
much the same only this time we had to sit
through a clown show. I never thought there
would be anything that would make me
pine for a polka, but watching a bald man
with enormous yellow shoes and a sponge
nose twist balloon animals for an hour made
me flip like a funnel cake. I vowed from that
moment on I never wanted to set foot in a
State Fair again.
But as the years have gone by and I’m
now older than my aunt and uncle were
when they took me to that first State Fair,
I find myself looking forward to the experi-
ence whenever I can get it. I have been lucky
enough to have spent my entire adult life on
the road and have seen everything up to and
including State Fairs, County Fairs, craft
fairs, carnivals, festivals, flea markets, flea
circuses and everything in between. I enjoy
the assortment of mixed nuts that come
with the deal.
And I even find myself tapping a toe
to a polka or country song once in a while.
What kind of a seed was planted all those
years ago that something I found so repul-
sive at first now has a charm that makes me
wax nostalgic. And that smell. Manure and
meat mixed make my mouth moist.
I absolutely believe that aliens exist and
that they have visited us in person. If you
don’t think so, take a walk down the midway
at any carnival or fair. They’re here…and
they’re operating the Tilt-a-Whirl.
Dobie is a stand up comedian and writer
from Milwaukee. To see him on stage at
his next hell-gig, find his schedule and other
rants at dobiemaxwell.com
Life Is Fair
ENTERTAINMENT // DOBIE MAXWELL

NEWS & VIEWS // MEDIA RANTS
BY TONY PALMERI
The night Scott Walker officially
announced his presidential candidacy, I
had a dream (nightmare?) I was watch-
ing his inaugural address on Fox News
in January of 2017. In the dream Walker
became the first incoming president to ride
a Harley in the inaugural parade. Below
are his remarks as they were spoken in my
dream:
Chief Justice Roberts, all Real Ameri-
cans, and others: today we continue an
inaugural tradition as old as the Republic
itself. What we do today is possible only
because our Founders had the wisdom and
courage to articulate and fight for Big and
Bold ideas.
I thank President Obama for his ser-
vice. I also thank him for resisting calls
from so called environmentalists that he
boycott this inauguration due to my pledge
to make good on my campaign promise
to issue as my first Executive order the
removal of solar panels from the White
House. Thank you President Obama.
Wisdom in our time requires recogniz-
ing that our 21st century challenges are
not significantly different from what our
Founders faced in the 18th. Political cour-
age in our time requires the audacity to
assert and fight for 18th century solutions
to 21st century problems.
You see our Founders did not bother
with climate change, but they did change
the political climate from hot tyranny to
cool liberty. So much did they love liberty
that they were willing to legally define
nonwhite southern workers as 3/5 of a
person to get it. That controversial 3/5
compromise was what I call 18th century
cool; a Big and Bold idea proving that our
Founders respected the sovereignty of each
of the 13 original states more than they did
any dictates from Washington.
Big and Bold ideas like the 3/5 com-
promise, or the Manifest Destiny resettle-
ment of natives to make room for our Real
American ancestors, or the expansion of
American power and influence abroad, or
President Reagan’s refusal to back down in
his confrontation with arrogant striking
air traffic controllers, or my own state’s
abridgment of the tyranny of collective
bargaining, have been lambasted by critics
as divisive. Such critics do not understand
the profound role division plays in acceler-
ating the progress of the states.
Indeed, our Founders and all Real
American leaders since are often pictured
as standing for some kind of vague prin-
ciple of national unity. You don’t need a
college degree to know what’s wrong with
that picture: vague unity is undependable,
puts mushy cooperation ahead of vigor-
ous competition, and ultimately makes us
weak.
Division is dependable. Division works.
It creates a critical mass of US always
wary of and willing to fight the attempts
of THEM to transform our traditional
American values.
Our first Republican President, Abra-
ham Lincoln, is a remarkable example of a
decisively divisive leader frequently miscast
as obsessed with unity. Two years before
becoming president, Lincoln said, “I do
not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I
do not expect the house to fall -- but I do
expect it will cease to be divided.” Yet he
then went on to become the most divisive
chief executive in history, presiding over a
civil war that killed hundreds of thousands
of Real Americans over an issue that deeply
divided the nation for many generations.
What the Civil War could not kill was
the 18th century idea of state sovereignty.
That is why today I say ask not what your
country can for you, ask what your country
can do for your state.
Does your state want to define what
marriage is and who can participate in that
most sacred of unions? You now have a
well-wisher in Washington.
Does your state want to be freed from
onerous federal regulations of air and water
quality that degrade the desire of job cre-
ators to compete in the global economy?
You now have a well-wisher in Washington.
Does your state want complete control
over voting rights, including the power to
pass the strictest possible voter identifica-
tion laws? You now have a well-wisher in
Washington.
Does your state want to expand gun
ownership rights to any and all people the
state sees fit? You now have a well-wisher in
Washington.
As regards to foreign policy, there too
we call on the 18th century for guidance.
In the Declaration of Independence Jef-
ferson condemns King George III for not
protecting the colonists against what he
called “the merciless Indian Savages, whose
known rule of warfare is an undistin-
guished destruction of all ages, sexes and
conditions.”
Today’s merciless Indian Savages
are ISIS and their sympathizers. Our
administration will reject any attempts to
rationalize ISIS as somehow a product of
the actions of American behavior in the
Middle East or some other alleged injustice
that creates terrorism. Our administration
will stand for the principle that terrorism is
caused by terrorists. Period. We will wage
a liberty crusade ready and able to pit our
well-armed 18th century principles against
ISIS’s twisted dreams of a 7th century style
caliphate. We will win. They will lose.
Will the liberty crusade be divisive? Yes,
as will our Big and Bold domestic reforms.
But fear not, because following in the
tradition of our most noble ancestors, we
draw inspiration from the knowledge that
Divided We Stand, United We Fall.
Thank you and God Bless America.
Tony Palmeri (palmeri.tony@gmail.com) is
a professor of communication studies at UW
Oshkosh.
Divided We Stand, United We Fall

Gold smith

NEWS & VIEWS // RIGHT WING NUT
BY ROBERT MEYER
Several editorial works have appeared
recently, once again addressing the give
and take of global warming/climate change
concerns.
Few of us have the specialized
knowledge necessary to make absolute
pronouncements on this topic, yet all of
us have a right, or even an obligation, to
philosophically cross-examine the argu-
ments presented for rational consistency.
The most arresting observation about
this controversy, is that it’s highly polarized
along the lines of political partisanship.
The people who advocate for it are gener-
ally liberal, while those who are skeptical
are predominately conservative.
Were that likewise the case for belief in
the Law of Gravity, I’d say it was no big
deal. But this should be a stark indication
that more is it play than mere disagreement
over the implications of the data. For me
this is a huge stumbling block toward
embracing alarmism, hook, line and sinker.
We should realize that evidence never
exists in a vacuum. All evidence requires
interpretation, and all too often the inter-
pretation of evidence is influenced by pre-
existing ideology, not ruthless objectivity.
A second observation is what I call
“the fallacy of appealing to expertise.” Let’s
develop this point. It goes something like
this: A consensus of credentialed scientists
nearly all believe a certain thing, therefore
it is true. This reasoning assumes that
someone must be objective in the same
proportion that they are an expert, or said
another way, an expert can never be biased
or affected by groupthink.
Suppose you go in for a dental exami-
nation with a new dentist, and while exam-
ining your mouth, your dentist says, “have
you considered taking out a loan?” Now,
are you dealing with an oral hygiene expert
speaking objectively, or a businessperson
speaking out of self-interest? You have to
use your own judgment to discern the dif-
ference. In that case you have no difficulty
seeing how bias can work contrary to
knowledge. The appeal to expertise is not
as strong an argument as it would appear
to be, because specialized knowledge is not
necessarily tantamount to pure objectivity.
Or take an example from our legal
system. In a court case both the defense
and prosecution may provide testimony
from expert witnesses. But the opinions of
equally qualified people are often in dia-
metric opposition. What accounts for this?
As a juror you must discern who is best at
offering the more plausible explanation,
though you are not a specialized expert on
the topic in question.
So what am I saying? Are all these
experts liars? Of course not. I am saying
that I doubt every expert comes to their
own conclusions independently from
scratch, and that reputations and careers
are sometimes of primary consideration
when such persons publicly take a position.
In general, people confuse two con-
cepts: expertise and objectivity. Having
great intelligence or specialized knowledge
isn’t assurance against a person remaining
unbiased in their public opinions. Persons
of all stripes are generally loyal to their
source of income. We shouldn’t assume
that every expert begins their search tabula
rasa, that is to say, without an agenda or
wholly independent of prevailing consen-
sus.
That is why appeals to credentials or
expertise are never as conclusive as they
ought to be.
Still another observation is that Cli-
mate Change has ramifications on at least
three separate levels. First is the question
of whether the global temperature is actu-
ally increasing. Secondly, the question
of whether the alleged phenomenon is a
natural or human caused event. Finally,
whether the dire predictions about the
impending consequences of Climate
Change are actually plausible, or merely
hysterical assertions.
One reason people might be skeptical
is that they lived through the 1970’s, when
warnings of “global cooling” were being
touted. That thinking was commonplace
after the commemoration of the first
“Earth Day” back in 1970. Furthermore,
many of us who were in school at that
time remember Paul Ehrlich’s 1968 book
“The Population Bomb,” and realize how
alarmist prognostications can be way off
the mark.
One might reasonably ask why Al
Gore built a mansion on an oceanfront
property, considering his dire pronounce-
ments about rising sea levels? Skepticism
occurring regarding points two and three,
technically doesn’t qualify as “denial” as
regards changes in the climate, but rather,
how connected the phenomenon is to
human causation. Too often, “deniers”
are inappropriately tagged with that label
for demurring on any of the three distinct
levels, and given the respect worthy of any
Flat-Earth Society charter member.
It should be noted that historically
normative Christian theology has always
embraced the idea of environmental
stewardship in principle, in the sense of a
discipline previously referred to as “conser-
vation.” The nature of the opposition to
contemporary progressive environmental
movements by some evangelical Christians
and other conservatives, is that “environ-
mentalists” seem to espouse philosophies
placing emphasis on worshipping and dei-
fying the creation more than the Creator.
Often people who advocate for legisla-
tion curtailing greenhouse gasses offer us
an argument tantamount to the theological
implications of Pascal’s Wager; “What if we
don’t act, but Climate Change is a reality?
When we know for sure it will be already
too late.”
But the point is easily reversible. We
may pass unnecessary legislative measures
that irretrievably harm economic and
technological development, as well as for-
feiting national sovereignty and restraining
individual liberties. Consider everything
carefully.
Right Wing Nut
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NEWS & VIEWS // THE VIEW FROM THE LEFT-FIELD SEATS
Another Milestone
on the Path to Equality”
BY DENIS RILEY
On June 26th the U.S. Supreme Court
held that the 14th amendment guarantees
of due process and equal protection of the
laws meant that no state could ban mar-
riages between members of the same sex,
just as it had held almost 50 years earlier
that no state could ban marriages between
individuals of different races. Reaction was
fast from those who supported the deci-
sion, and fast and furious from those who
opposed it. Six weeks will have gone by
by the time you read this, but I am willing
to bet that the issues I am about to discuss
will not have been resolved by that time.
Some of those fast and furious reac-
tions seem pretty much the political
equivalent of Shakespeare’s “sound and
fury, signifying nothing.” There will not be
a Constitutional amendment to restore the
right of the states to define marriage (Scott
Walker and Ted Cruz), nor an “all-out
assault against the religious freedom rights
of those Christians who disagree” (Gover-
nor Bobby Jindahl of Louisiana). Amend-
ments to the U.S. Constitution are hard to
pull off – the Equal Rights Amendment
died in the ratification process and there is
still no personhood amendment – and so
far all the political bluster has been aimed
at protecting, not assaulting, the rights of
Christians bothered by gay marriage.
But there have been furious responses
that require very serious thought.
First, no Supreme Court decision is
self-executing. People, especially people
with “executive power” in state and local
governments have to implement many of
these decisions. To the ear of a nearly 72
year old Political Science professor, the
words coming out of the mouths of public
officials in the immediate aftermath of the
gay marriage decision seem to echo those
of politicians reacting to the 1954 Supreme
Court decision in Brown v. Board of
Education. Texas Governor Greg Abbot’s
assertion that, “No Texan is required to
act contrary to his or her religious beliefs
regarding marriage,” was followed quickly
by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s
assurance to county clerks throughout
the state that their religious beliefs could
trump the Supreme Court’s decision and
that he, his office, and an army of Texas
attorneys would be behind them in the
decision to refuse to issue marriage licenses
to gay couples. Louisiana Parish (county)
clerks are refusing to issue licenses and one
Alabama judge has refused to issue mar-
riage licenses to any couples in his county.
Equal protection at work.
But under the 14th amendment,
all states are required to provide equal
protection of the
laws – along with
due process protec-
tions – to all of
its citizens and
the U.S. Supreme
Court – which the
last time I looked
had the authority
to interpret those
provisions – had
declared that issu-
i n g m a r r i a g e
licenses to same
sex couples was a
duty of state and
local authorities. I
don’t have any idea
if what seems to
be shaping up as a
battle over gay mar-
riage could ever produce anything like the
battles over school integration. The South
was a great deal more invested in Jim Crow
than it is in protecting religious liberties,
and Mark Twain was probably right that
history doesn’t really repeat itself, but it
surely does rhyme. I have no formula for
addressing the state-federal confrontation
that seems to be looming, but we had
better come up with one.
I have a good bit more sympathy for
the bakers, the florists, and the musicians,
who believe their artistry would somehow
be offensive to their God if put in the
service of a gay wedding. This would have
to be particularly painful for those who
believe their artistry to be a gift from their
God. Talk about ungrateful. But I sympa-
thize more with the gay men and women
simply trying to assert a right they have
finally been granted. Besides, the bakers,
florists, and musicians are also business
people, and once you go into business you
are obligated by a combination of law and
human decency to treat customers equally.
But it is precisely here where this question
gets a little complicated.
The U.S. Supreme Court can tell
county clerks in Texas that they have to
issue a marriage license to a gay couple,
but can’t tell a baker that he or she must
provide that couple a wedding cake. The
14th amendment due process and equal
protection clauses do not apply to private
citizens and their actions. Congress, a
state legislature, and probably even a city
council can tell a baker he or she must
provide that cake, but the Supreme Court
cannot and has not. The mandate for pri-
vate businesses to stop discriminating on
the basis of race, gender, etc., remember,
is embedded in the Civil Rights Act of
1964. No such protection resides in that
statute for victims of discrimination based
on sexual orientation. Can you imagine
this Congress doing that? How about the
Texas state legislature?
Finally, there are genuinely religious
organizations worried about the impact
of the ruling on their ability to preach and
practice their faith. The chairman of the
religious liberty committee of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, who also
serves as the Archbishop of the Diocese of
Baltimore, was particularly fearful about
being, “silenced or penalized or losing our
tax exemption,” if the Church continues
to “operate our ministries and to live our
lives according to the truth about mar-
riage.” Again, thinking about this political
climate, this Congress and state legislatures
of a majority of the states, and even the
Supreme Court ruling on the right of the
members of the Westboro Baptist Church
to protest at military funerals by excoriat-
ing gay men and women, I think the Arch-
bishop has little to worry about.
There are however, dozens of specific
questions that will have to be litigated.
To borrow just one from Chief Justice
Roberts, what about a religiously based
university that provides housing for mar-
ried couples and refuses to house a same
sex couple?
See you in court. That’s where we bal-
ance conflicting rights.
Enough out of me.

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