1. Make Oven Dried Tomatoes
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
Having more tomatoes than you know what to do with isn’t a bad position to be in. That’s been me, these last few weeks. I have cherry tomatoes coming out of my ears, thanks to a generous late summer harvest. Here’s what I’m doing with the majority of them: oven-drying. It’s less work than making sauce and definitely less messy. Just slice the tomatoes in half, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, drizzle with olive and (if you like) salt and pepper. Pop them into an oven preheated to 225 degrees and let ‘em cook a long time. I let them go for two hours, then turned off the oven and let it cool off. They’re not dry like sun-dried tomatoes – they’re definitely juicier. I’m storing some in a lidded container in the fridge to use up in a day or so, and storing the rest in Ziploc bags in the freezer.
2. The Tap List at Good City Brewing Is Awesome Right Now
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Time was, beer releases often involved waiting in lines for pricey pours of a barrel-aged vanilla coconut stout. Bomber bottles available to go, $25 each. I went to my share of those events, but I’m way more into the chill 2024 version. For example, on Friday Good City Brewing tapped Cold Spot, a kellerbier (think unfiltered pilsner, like if a German lager had a fling with a hazy IPA) with fresh Cashmere hops grown in Michigan. No hoopla – just put it on tap and in the cooler, tweeted about it, that’s that. This beer is squarely in my wheelhouse and I had a free Friday, so figured I’d check it out at Good City’s Wauwatosa taproom. I’m glad I did. Cold Spot is great, but the tap list is loaded with Good City’s usual mix of interesting hoppy beers plus a nice dash of lesser-seen styles. I chased my Cold Spot pour with a dark mild, a Belgian blonde and a good burger – and brought home a four-pack of the kellerbier for future enjoyment.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. See Prelude to a Kiss a Musical
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
Much was made of the trek to Brookfield’s Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts for the Milwaukee Rep’s new musical. (I overheard someone call it “the country,” which, no.) But the magic of Prelude to a Kiss a musical is enough to transcend any distance traveled. The dazzling city night set design helps with that, but it’s mostly credit to the charming and joyous performances of the cast and eight-piece orchestra. It’s romantic and fantastical, but it’s not escapism. The main couple endures challenges that, although supernatural in nature, mirror common issues that come with being in a relationship. And the songs heighten the emotions and motivations of its characters. My full review won’t be out until tomorrow (Tuesday), but I’ll say for now that Prelude gets a thumbs up from me.
4. Celebrate Mildred Fish Harnack Day With a Little Reading
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Wisconsin recognizes Sept. 16 as Mildred Fish Harnack Day, an honor for one of Milwaukee’s most interesting people of the 20th century. The Nazi resister spied for the Allies in Germany for years before being caught and ultimately executed on Hitler’s personal order in 1943. The story of who she was and how she stood up to the fascists ruining her adopted country is simply remarkable, and historian Matt Prigge’s feature for MilMag two years ago remains one of my favorite stories we’ve published in recent years.
5. Listen to People Who Aren’t There Anymore
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
When I’m listening to Future Islands, I feel like I’m cruising down the highway in a Mustang, the sunset glinting off my sunglasses. The band has a lock on a modern version of that new age synth-pop sound. It gets the heart pumping, while also provoking nostalgia. And the lead singer, Samuel Herring, has a phenomenally evocative, emotional voice, and it’s on full show in the band’s new album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore. If you’re skeptical, give the first three tracks a try – “King of Sweden,” “The Tower” and “Deep in in the Night.” For me, they’re nearly an instant mood boost.
