Staying in Milwaukee this summer? If it’s your first summer in Milwaukee, or you never really got out much in summers past, I’m here to help give you some ideas of things to do and places to go.
First off, I’m sure you are all aware of the giant music festival that is Summerfest. You can go see tons of bands for between $8-$15. There’s dancing, food, beer and a beautiful lakefront to sit on and relax.

Also at the Henry Maier Festival Grounds are all of the cultural fests like Festa Italiana, Mexican Fiesta, German Fest, Polish Fest, Irish Fest, Arab World Fest, Pridefest and Indian Summer.
Speaking of fests, don’t forget about the State Fair. It’s hard to resist the cream puffs and other delicious delights. Not to mention it only comes once a year!

Other places close by you could go to include the Art Museum and the Public Museum. It’s always fun to go to the IMAX on stormy summer days. However, on nice days you could hit up the zoo. This summer, a new exhibit is opening called “Wings From Down Under” that features thousands of Australian parrots, including species like cockatiels and parakeets.

For cheaper ideas, you could also go to fests and fairs around the city, like the East Side’s Summer Solstice, that has bands, dodge ball and tons of people all on the longest day of the year. The South Shore Water Frolics is also a fun time to sit by the lake and watch fireworks. They also have music, a fish fry, a movie on the beach and did I mention fireworks!? It might be fun to go for bike rides, or even do some bike racing in the Historic Downer Avenue Bike Race.

In addition, try out some events in nearby Westown. River Rhythms takes place Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park. Pere Marquette also has River Flicks, which is held the first four Fridays of August at dusk. This year’s films include “The Sandlot,” “Annie,” “Kung Fu Panda” and one of my personal favorites, “The Princess Bride.” Westown also holds a weekly farmer’s market in Zeidler Union Square on Wednesdays.

In East Town on Thursday nights is Jazz in the Park, held in Cathedral Square. You can sit with friends and enjoy the swaying tunes as they travel through the warm summer air. Don’t miss out on Bastille Days, either, which are also at Cathedral Square. You’ll see some great things and be ready to try excellent food.

As the end of the semester quickly approaches, I can’t help but think of all the things I love doing in the summer, even the ones that don’t require me to leave home. Make sure you find time to grill out with friends and watch as many fireworks as possible. Find a parade on the Fourth of July. Go to the lake front to read a book or even just sit with friends.

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This will be my last beer article. It has been a great run and I have certainly had a lot of fun researching the topics with my friends. With an entire year of articles about good times and good brew it was hard to come up with a topic. Then I just thought about beer and it came to me: I should just write about my favorite beers. I have certainly had enough experience sipping good stuff, drinking casually and slamming them down in the parking lot of Miller Park. Before I go through the list of my favorite beers I just wanted to say to the crew that was at opening day, thanks for the unbelievable time. We’ll certainly never forget what we remember about that day.

First of all let’s start with my favorite Milwaukee staple. Of all the Miller products I prefer MGD to anything else. It has the best flavor and has the least amount of aftertaste. I know people are pretty partial to Miller Lite, but I think it has a metallic taste at the end and personally it gives me what feels like heartburn. I do sympathize with those that avoid MGD because it is too heavy. It is certainly one of the heavier beers that is produced by the big three American brewers.

My favorite domestic is a hometown pick. I am from Denver and well there is no excuse for not drinking Coors Light if you are from Colorado. It has a good flavor, a nice frothy head and most importantly for a light beer, it does not fill you up. It is also pretty nice that now both the cans and the bottles have that cold activated chemical that lets you know when the beer is good and ready. It is just a shame that most of the bars in Milwaukee don’t offer it on tap.

My favorite beer brewed in America that I have tried is New Belgian’s 1554. It is a chocolate/coffee-flavored beer that is remarkably smooth, but very full-bodied. The closest I have found it to Milwaukee is Missouri, but more and more New Belgian beers are moving across the country.

To another expensive beer that is my favorite: Hoegaarden. It is a perfectly balanced wheat brew that you can find in many bars, including the ones on campus. All of these beers are hardly a surprise, but half of beer’s charm is its comfort and familiarity. Why would someone’s favorite beer be really that hard to find? Thanks for the chance to impart some beer knowledge on you this year!

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Looking for a way to procrastinate just a little bit longer? Or, better yet, take a break from the library for a couple of hours? Well, Milwaukee has tons of spots to crash off-campus to keep you sane going into finals.

Over 21 and looking for something out of the ordinary to celebrate your last few weekends in Milwaukee? Head over to Cans for their huge Beer Pong Tournament. If you have the skills, you and your partner could compete to win a trip to Las Vegas to participate in the World Series of Beer Pong. Just a heads up, in competitive play, there’s only water in the cups. If you want to drink, you still have to start a tab like the rest of the world.

Looking for something a little more low-key than beer pong? No sweat. There are plenty of coffee joints to keep your inner java-head satisfied. Alterra on the Lake is a great way to leave campus and enjoy one of the best natural resources Milwaukee can offer. Mocha on Plankinton is a great place to go for something other than the Brew or Starbucks (they have great muffins).
If you feel in the mood for something a little different, try Rochambo on the East Side. A little bit quirky, this fun place is full of good times. Want to help a cause while you sip? Try out Coffee with a Conscience. All of these places are great alternatives to campus coffee joints and you can take your friends off-campus to enjoy some joe.

Looking for something to break the monotonous studying during the day? Check out the Domes. Just on the other side of the 27th Street bridge, they offer a variety of vegetation in their three different biodomes. Admission is free on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon with proof of residency, and with your student ID, it’s only $4.00 every other time.

If all else fails, just take a walk around. Go down to the River Walk and meander up and down the Milwaukee River. Enjoy the lakefront. No matter what, try not to stress out too much. You are only in college once. Take advantage of the spring weather and all the fun things around Milwaukee before the year is done.

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This beer column has gone corporate! Blatz Liquor in the new Blatz condo building on Broadway has graciously allowed me to discuss some of their great products. Since they have bestowed me with this honor, I first wanted to talk about them. Much like Open Pantry, Blatz has a very cold/refreshing beer cave. The major difference is that they remove the dozens of boxes of Keystone, Hamm’s and Busch and replace them with a refreshing selection of microbrews. The selection includes a number of variety packs from various breweries, which is always a great way to find new favorites. Now to the beer!

A delightful and easy to find beer is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. However, this is not what I am going to talk about. The beer that I was so excited to try is Sierra Nevada’s new nationwide offering, Torpedo. Torpedo is a very good middle of the road Indian Pale Ale (IPA). One thing that is so pleasant about this new twist on the IPA are the not so hard to taste citric undertones. This is an awesome addition because so many IPA’s will blow you away with an overwhelming hops taste. On the topic of why it’s called torpedo, the rumor is that when making an IPA, breweries use a torpedo-like device to submerge the extra hops into the beer. I can’t say if this is true or not, but who cares? That just sounds cool.

Along the same lines, I tried out Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale. It’s from the Flying Dog Brewery and it’s really nice and subtle. I would liken it to Hoegaarden Light. Not nearly as complex or robust, but if you’re looking for something a little easier to drink than you might like it doggie style. Doggie style does finish with a somewhat spicy taste, which I think, gives it an original taste. This spicy characteristic is a bit surprising on the first sip but by the end of the beer it’s hard not to find it refreshing.
In closing, if you’re a fan of great beer like me you should definitely check out the new Blatz beer cave. Also, make sure to find a pale ale that you like because the hoppy taste can be very soothing and usually has a high alcohol content!

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As the arts and entertainment editor my inbox is usually full of emails asking for my sage advice about exciting things to do on the weekends or new places to eat. I also get a lot of spam. Over the weekend I came across a few emails that asked for some more specific advice, which then spawned my idea to have an advice column. So there you have it, guys.

Dear Victoria,
What is an appropriate gift to give to your boyfriend for Valentine’s Day? We have been dating about two months, and I don’t know if he is planning on giving me anything, so I am not sure what to get him, or if I should get him anything at all. What should I do? Also, should I make the first move in planning a date, or should I wait for him to ask me if I want to do anything? Please help me, you are my last hope.
-Needs a Cupid

Dear Needs a Cupid,
This is really a tricky situation without knowing all of the facts. First of all, I can hardly believe that I am your last hope. Although it isn’t the ‘50s anymore, I think you can make the first move and ask if you have plans together. Even if you have been the one making the first move for every single date. I can honestly say that I have never been a fan of Valentine’s Day, but it should be a given if you are in a relationship that there is an understanding or at least an acknowledgment of the day. As far as gifts go, I’m always a sucker for homemade gifts or cards, but I don’t think anything is necessary. Most importantly, I don’t think that you should have to sit around and wait for him to call you. But if he doesn’t, don’t mope, get out and do something fun without him!

Dear Victoria,
I’m in need of fun date ideas. I think I’m stuck in a rut. All I’ve been doing lately is sitting around and watching “America’s Next Top Model” Marathons on Sunday afternoons and drinking chai tea lattes on Friday nights. I need to do something before my girlfriend gets fed up and leaves.
-Help!?

Dear Help,
Although there are not tons of things that you can do, there are literally dozens of better things that you could be doing instead of sitting by yourself. If money is the issue, then join the club. Marquette has movies on weekends for $2 if you have a MUID or $3 if you don’t. Also, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has special student discounts. If none of those ideas appeal to you, don’t fret. As it starts to get warmer, there are many more outdoor activities that you can take part in. You could walk to the lake, rent a paddleboat or even take up cycling. If you have left over bread, you could even just feed the geese that will soon be returning from their winter vacations. I hope I helped a little, so enjoy the warmer weather that I heard was on its way, pack a picnic and be thankful that all hope is not lost yet.

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“Angel Superior”
By Cadillac Blindside
Off of their 2002 final album “These Liquid Lungs,” this song is the perfect end to their CD and a great way to tell that special someone how you feel. Imagine a cloudy day with a storm coming. You are by a giant fountain all alone until your love meets you there. Suddenly, nothing matters but him or her. It is like heaven and endless.

“(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”
By Bryan Adams
A classic, I could not forget Bryan Adams. This song embodies true love with piano, guitar, vocals and beautiful lyrics. It is an epic love tale that will make anyone weak in the knees at the right moment.

“Ready and Waiting to Fall”
By Mae
This song puts words to all those feelings you find so difficult to describe when you fall for someone. Just imagine feeling so light, like you are floating and being serenaded by beautiful music and words.

“Knows My Name (Dado)”
By Days Away
Perhaps the most upbeat song ever written by Days Away, this song is just cute and fun. It is exactly like the happy and exciting feelings when you are with someone and the magic is just beginning.

“Ms. Vandersanden”
By Split Habit
This song was once dedicated to me at a show five years ago, but there is no bias because of that. It is an adorable little ditty to sing to your sweetheart or maybe just play for him or her. Its pop-punk sounds and catchy lyrics are sure to leave you smiling.

“Steal Me”
By Jupiter Sunrise
Imagine sitting around a campfire with extremely talented people playing the most beautiful melody and harmonizing their voices. Only it is not nighttime in the woods, you are actually in an enchanted wheat field on a perfect sunny day cuddling with your lover. That is the essence of this song.

“In Your Eyes”
By Peter Gabriel
Another classic love song, but not overdone in any way. I do not know how anyone could not fall madly in love with someone playing this song for him or her. After all, it worked for John Cusack, right?

“Glory of Love”
By New Found Glory (Originally Peter Cetera)
New Found Glory’s cover of this song is done quite tastefully. It added just the right amount of pop-punk rock riffs to the classic to make the song more magical. You will feel as if your Prince Charming is rescuing you from all of your problems or you are escaping to a secluded castle with your princess. There is a happy ending here.

“Honorable Mention”
By Fall Out Boy
This is an oldie but a goodie, at least as old as you can get with Fall Out Boy. While not the best song quality-wise, it makes up for it with catchiness, cleverness and just overall meaning. It is like a John Cusack movie, complete with a name drop. I sure am a sucker for John Cusack…

10. “Tongue Tied”
By October Fall
This slow song with a beautiful piano melody is accompanied by adorable lyrics that one would say to someone they deeply care for. This song is also spectacular because it encourages dancing, so if you play it for your special someone, hold them close and show off some of your skills.

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Can you picture a world in which the government forbids football, requires padding be worn for every outdoor excursion and sends people to prison for being angry? Well, that is the norm for citizens of the United Safer States of America in Pete Hautman’s novel “Rash.”

“Rash” follows a teenager named Bo and his family in the late 21st century. His crazy grandpa can still remember what it was like when people were allowed to play football, drink beer and go outside without a helmet – so it is no wonder the family thinks he’s crazy. The other men in Bo’s family, his father and his brother, are both in jail for anger issues. His father’s crime was road rage. Bo knew it was only a matter of time before he ended up in jail himself.

His chance to go to jail is when he is wrongly accused of causing an infectious epidemic at his high school. Right after his trial, he is sent to Alaska to work for McDonald’s; they haven’t produced fast food in years because it was deemed unsafe by the government. Instead, Bo works on the line making pizzas. “Rash” is a book about using the talents and skills Bo has to survive in his work camp and coming to terms with a safer version of the United States.

Hautman creates lovable and engaging characters throughout the story and manages to surround his safe yet bleak prediction of the future with a humor that cannot be avoided. This is one quick read that should not be missed!

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With the inauguration of Barack Obama as our nation’s forty-fourth president and the promise of better tomorrow, our country waits with great anticipation to see how our newly-elected President will guide our nation over the next four years. While the world’s eye has been ever so watchful of the new President, the fashion world is also very interested in the new President and the First Lady. This presidential season has had more conversation about what the candidates and their significant others have been wearing then any other presidential campaign that I can recall.

Many of us remember the Sarah Palin episode where she was reported to have spent $150,000 on new clothes during her campaign with Senator John McCain. She is not the only female whose wardrobe has garnered attention, either; there has been much discussion over the wardrobe of Michelle Obama. The New York Times website has an interactive slideshow chronicling her outfit choices throughout her husband’s presidential campaign. The Narciso Rodriguez dress that she chose to wear on the night of President Obama’s victory speech was under great debate, not just among the fashion world but in the mainstream media as well. It seemed like everyone I talked to about it had an opinion whether or not that was the appropriate choice. Mrs. Obama has become a fashion icon in her own right. I have recently heard her referred to as Michelle O, drawing comparisons to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Michelle Obama’s style is a nice contrast to that of her husband’s. President Obama has a very clean, conservative, neat template. He continues in the tradition of most policy makers of wearing two-button, soft shoulder American-made suits, usually with a white shirt and either a red or blue tie. Where I see the difference between him and the man he is replacing is in the fit of the suit. The jacket is not too long, the shape is not boxy, his sleeves are the right length and his pants have the correct amount of break in them. Obama wears the suit and does not let the suit wear him. President Obama takes the way he looks seriously, but that does not necessarily mean that he is in a suit all the time. Already he has dismissed the rule that one must wear a suit at all times when in the Oval Office.

On January 20, as the whole world watched as Barack Obama took the Oath of Office to become our forty-forth president, what did the First Couple wear to this most historic event? President and Mrs. Obama were both true to their style aesthetic. President Obama wore his traditional two-button, soft shoulder suit, with a red tie, adorned with American flag pin. Mrs. Obama was in a lemongrass yellow outfit by one of her favorite designers, Isabel Toledo. The dress had texture and sparkle.She wore a wool coat of the same color, but was not swallowed up by it, and as New York Times fashion writer Kathy Horn points out on her blog “On the Runway,” “I liked the fact that you could see the whole outfit, you could see her.”

Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of the book Team of Rivals, a biography about Abraham Lincoln, says, “What style means to the country is a window onto the personality of the president and his wife.” “The way that [presidents] conduct themselves really does attract fascination, and it often reflects the mood in the country.” This quote appeared in an article entitled “The Obama Momentum: Smarts, Style Create A New Kind of Power” by Bridget Folley for wwd.com. Earlier in the day Diane Sawyer said that the reason why Mrs. Obama picked gold for her outfit was to instill a sense of celebration, to make note that this day was a day for celebration, not just for an inauguration of a new president but for a new time in our country’s history. I think that these two ideas go hand in hand. We might not think too much about what our leaders are wearing, but they do give us a glimpse into who they are and provide another avenue in which to get their message across. Fashion is not a world of its own; it can act as a reflection of the world’s current situation.

Taking a look at the current menswear shows going on in Milan and Paris, many designers’ collections have been influenced by these hard economic times, whether it being a direct representation such as Miuccia Prada’s collection consisting of looks of worn and torn garments in shades of black and grey, or Thom Browne’s showing, a collection of tailored jackets and trim suits that draws inspiration from early 1960s menswear (think Mad Men if you are familiar with the show) that transports the viewer back to a era when times were good.

Something as important as electing a new president permeates its way into everything in society, even fashion.

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Most of the time I talk about beers to drink in this column, but seeing as this is the first one of the new semester and there are more and more people turning 21, I thought I would do something different. I am going to reveal some of my favorite places to go and drink beer.

I want to begin with the disclaimer that some of these recommendations are based on selection and others on pure atmosphere. To lead us off, the Lakefront brewery Friday night fish fry is a great place to start a weekend. The food is affordable and the beer is delicious as usual. You can also turn this good dinner into a really fun brewery tour. It only costs five bucks and at the end you’re given a collectible pint glass to take home.

If you were looking to get out to Water Street after the tour there is one location that has a down right impressive selection of beer. Bar Louis, which doubles as both a restaurant and bar, has a staggering number of beers on tap for anyone to try. Some of them are brews you would recognize from any liquor store, others are truly rare micro-brews that you can’t find on tap anywhere else.

One place that I recommend for a fun time and a very lively sociable atmosphere is Lucille’s. Located on the north end of Third Street, it is one of the most original places to drink in town. It has a double piano setup whose players take requests and play just about anything. Well they play anything you might imagine a bunch of Guiness drinking forty-year-olds would know.

Another place that has a very unique atmosphere but not an amazing beer selection is the Safe House. Most people know it as the spy themed restaurant but come nighttime it turns into a really fun bar. It has numerous specialty drinks that come in collectible glasses, but they are pretty expensive. My favorite part about the place is the blackjack table that you can play for free drinks. If you don’t know how to play, the very nice dealer will help you out with every hand and it’s not nearly serious enough for you to be made fun of. All in all Milwaukee has some awesome places to try out your new drivers license and if you are already 21, I hope you learned of a cool new place.

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At the magical intersection of Kinnickkinnic Avenue, Lincoln Street and Howell Street sits a modern Mexican restaurant known as the Riviera Maya. Upon entering the restaurant, you will notice the extravagant murals and pictures that decorate the walls. These, along with mood lighting and stone tables, help set the tone of the Riviera Maya.

Starting with drinks, you could try Jarritios, which is fruit-flavored Mexican sodas, or Horchata, which is a rice drink with a taste of cinnamon. Riviera Maya also has a full bar, and what would go better with Mexican food than a margarita?

To start off your meal, you can have some tentempies or appetizers. Some favorites include guacamole, totopos con salsa, which is chips and salsa, and totopos con moles, which is a sample of their specialty moles with chips. Riviera Maya has peanut, almond, pumpkin seed, sesame seed and chocolate-peanut moles.

For a main course, you can choose from their Mexican favorites like tacos, tostadas and flautas with your choice of meat or vegetarian filling. They also have Mexican hot subs and several vegetarian entrees, including stuffed cabbage rolls. Each entrée comes with rice and a cup of spicy tortilla soup.

If you are still hungry after the meal, you can choose from the homemade strawberry cheesecake, homemade chocolate cake or the fabulous traditional flan.
The Riviera Maya not only gives you the full stomach satisfaction, but the feel and décor of the restaurant takes you away to a place that feels so authentic. If you are looking to stop in sometime, jump on the Route 11 or the Route 15 bus heading south and get yourself a wonderful dinner!

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