Archive TOCs

FEATURES Power Punk Years ago, Amo Michaels let racial hatred, violence and alcohol consume his life. Although “peace” is Michaels’ credo now, remnants of his past – such as the white-power music he recorded – still resurface. By Jim Hazard | Photo by Adam Ryan Morris Best Ethnic Dining Tacos, samosas, pad thai, suckling pig. Poetic, no? Milwaukee’s cultural evolution has given us dining choices way beyond your wildest Wiener schnitzel. By Ann Christenson | Photos by Adam Ryan Morris The Dark Science “CSI”and TV shows of that ilk put the sexy in solving crimes. But cracking the most gruesome crimes requires slow,…

November 2011 Volume 36 Number 11   Features Setting Sail A “cascading” roof, Idaho quartz walls and hemlock ceilings. No, you’ve never seen a house like this one before. By Kurt Chandler The Incredible Shrinking Middle Class Since the 1970s, there’s been a widening wealth gap between the haves and have-nots. What’s to blame? Technology? The dissolution of unions? Or is it tied to workers’ diminished access to stock options? By Erik Gunn Cheesehead Confidential Greatest Packers quarterback of all time? Most despised opponent? In our first-ever online Packers poll, we don’t pull any punches. Neither do our readers. Edited…

October 2011 Volume 36 Number 10 Features Best of 2011 Spend  the best hours of your life paging through our cover story. Better yet, experience it. Drink and dine, shop and play, and walk in the Hall of Fame. Edited by Evan Solochek Ever Clever Who’s the Koss? We can’t mention the headphone-producing company without falling back on a pun. A look at Koss’ iconic I-43 billboard. By Steve Paske The Prophet Peter Isely’s fearless criticism of the Catholic church’s handling of the sex abuse scandal has garnered supporters and adversaries. How and why Isely became the leader in this…

FEATURES The Kohl’s Mystique There’s the Kohl’s for coupon-clippers. And the Kohl’s for designer label followers. From the former failures to its expansion to 49 states, Kohl’s appears to have made good on its promise to “expect great things.” By Cristina Daglas The Tree of Life Apple man Ken Weston is a whiz about all things related to the crisp, core-filled fruit. He shares his vast knowledge in this winsome story. By Kurt Chandler | Photos by Adam Ryan Morris Everybody Is an Artist Or plays one on a stage near you. Our fine Arts Guide offers portraits of the season’s…

FEATURES Readers’ Choice Dining Awards 2011 Our dining critic gets to spout her opinions on restaurants every moth. Once a year, the tables are turned. By Our Readers | Photos Adam Ryan Morris and John Cizmas The Greatest Exhibit You’ve Never Seen While in college, educator Chris Her-Xiong learned crucial details about her native Laos that today continue to galvanize her work as executive director of Hmong American Peace Academy. By Michael Horne | Photos thanks to the Milwaukee Public Library Where the Wild Things Are A treasure trove of the country’s oldest bicycles languishes in the basement of the Milwaukee Public Museum.…

July 2011 Volume 36 Number 7 Features American Beauty A garden that stops traffic? We offer 10 such here—the area’s most fetching private gardens. By Mary Van De Kamp Nohl Laurie’s Last Days Convicted of murder in one of Milwaukee’s most sensational crimes, Laurie Bembenek died trying to clear her name. By Erik Gunn Best Wurst The old-world methods of sausage-making are running strong in the 12 local shops. Enjoy their, um, links to the past. By Maureen Post Departments Outfront Mystery woman. By Bruce Murphy Mail Just spilling over with letters. Events Chilling in a bandshell, watching The Monkees…

FEATURES Lake Life From Sheboygan down to Racine, the opportunities to be active on and near Lake Michigan are endless. By Cristina Daglas | Photos Adam Ryan Morris The Perfect Pour Flight, glass, bottle. The delicious terminology of the wine bar. We follow its incarnations from city to suburb. By Cristina Daglas | Photos by Chris Kessler Ghost Town The masters of going bump in the night. You know, spirits. If you want to spot one, you might have luck at these supposedly haunted venues. By Hannah Anderson | Photo illustration by AM Tapia Foodsville, USA Local versions – yum – of regional culinary specialties. By Evan Solochek |…

May 2011 Volume 36 Number 5  Features The Rescue Squad The story of Milwaukee’s Drug Treatment Court and its intrepid advocate, Judge M. Joseph Donald. By Jim Hazard Seafood Crazy Nothing fishy about it: Great seafood is easy to find in the meat-and-potatoes town. Learn how these impeccable catches are reaching your plate. By Ann Christenson Easy Prey A mother at 14, impregnated by a 24-year-old “boyfriend.” What local leaders are doing to tackle this victimization—by rape or incest—of teen girls. By Kurt Chandler   Departments Outfront Sea change By Bruce Murphy Mail Crisp Commentary. Events Hair-band nostalgia, a Tandem…

April 2011 Volume 36 Number 4 Features Super Seniors Who you calling old? These octo-and nonagenarians have more energy and zest for life than many people half their age. By Arlene Becker The Emperor of Waukesha Idealist or interloper? Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima is certainly getting people talking about his controversial issues like water. By Larry Sussman 50 Best Suburbs What makes a top ‘burb? A lot of number crunching. The key is each one’s ranking in categories like school districts, safe streets and lowest property taxes. By Kevin Kosterman   Departments Outfront Burb fascination. By Bruce Murphy Mail Readers’…

March 2011 Volume 36 Number 3   Features Chefs’ choice Where do the town’s top chefs go when they eat our? These true food lovers pick their favorite places—and favorite dishes. By Ann Christenson Grand Hotel A crystal-and candle-filled condo-cum-office in the Knickerbocker. By Colleen Heather Rogan Tender is the Night Married 53 years, Danny and Kitty Gute died “with dignity,” ending their lives in an ethically tangled suicide pact. By Kurt Chandler Eyes Wide Open Our critic reconsiders, picking the most over-and underrated buildings in town. By Tom Bamberger   Departments Outfront Wage wars. By Bruce Murphy Mail And…