1. Make a Quick Lemon Cake
ANN CHRISTENSON | DINING EDITOR
A bit like a poundcake but with a lighter texture, this lemon cake is a great, quick recipe to whip together. And you can tell yourself it’s healthy(-ish) because it uses olive oil instead of butter. It reminds me of the lemon loaf my aunt used to make for her teas because of one of the final steps – pouring a warm lemon-sugar syrup over the top of the loaf right after it comes out of the oven. That is the key, for the syrup amps up the citrus flavor and adds moistness to the cake. I can’t wait to eat another slice when I get home from work!
2. Eat a Pretzel at Topsy Turvy in Lake Geneva
ARCHER PARQUETTE | MANAGING EDITOR
On Saturday, I went on a short drive to Lake Geneva attend to some business with my associate Bonecrusher Al. Don’t let the nickname fool ya – perfectly nice person. Bonecrusher and I stopped by Topsy Turvy Brewing, a charming little spot inside a former church in the scenic downtown. I’m not a beer expert like Chris Drosner, so I can only tell you in my amateur parlance that the “Squeezy Berry” sour I sipped was tasty and sweet – but the star of the show, for a hungry fellow like myself, was the Wisconsin Pretzel. That sucker was warm, soft, salty – everything you want in a hearty pretzel. It was served with mustard and nacho cheese, but I much preferred it straight-up.
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3. Sing Your Heart Out at Art Bar
JONATHAN JOSEPH | DIGITAL EDITOR
Got a song in your heart that the world needs to hear? While I can’t give you access to thousands of people I would recommend testing your skills at Art Bar’s weekly karaoke nights. The Riverwest bar gets packed every Wednesday starting at 9 P.M., with a diverse catalog of tracks available to patrons. The place usually gets busy with people watching the show and singing, so make sure you get there early to grab a good seat. Sign ups are available all throughout the night, but the wait can be a little long. I recommend signing up right when the party starts to guarantee a moment in the spotlight before midnight. If singing isn’t your thing, it’s still entertaining to watch friends and patrons embarrass themselves just a little for a great night. Who knows, maybe you’ll even catch me singing “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison one day.
4. Scale the Marshall Building Art Crawl
EVAN MUSIL | ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
I’ve been to the Third Ward Art Festival, a perfectly fine fete of vendor tents, treats and cheerful crowds on a late summer day, a time of year when you need little else convincing to stay outside. But, regrettably, I was unaware of a concurrent event that gives folks a look into the artistry that lives in the neighborhood every day. The Marshall Building (207 E. Buffalo St.) is home to an abundance of galleries and studios, and on Sept. 5 and 6, all seven art-filled floors will be open for exploration during the Marshall Building Art Crawl. Along with exhibitions from 218 Gallery, Material Studio and Gallery, The Catacombs of Neto and more. The occasion promises artist demonstrations, live portrait sketches and live music from Jazz Connection. I don’t know about you, but that’s enough convincing for me to set aside some indoor time, too.
