curb

M O V E W I S C O N S I N FORWARD

little brews
BIG FLAVORS
Wisconsin breweries find success

a beautiful confidence
makeovers with a healing mission

senvironmental
c h oteens ol
CONSERVE
learning on the land

Organics & Ostriches

the future of niche farming

cultural dance
Fall 2008
a community of understanding
 with change comes opportunity

The opportunity to be a part of something meaningful. The opportunity

to make a difference. That’s why we’re dedicated to webcasting. From
classrooms to boardrooms, we’re putting knowledge online to give
people the opportunity to achieve great things. And years from now,
the world will be more informed, more connected as a result. Want the
opportunity to be part of this team?

See what we’re about at www.sonicfoundry.com/company. Madison, WI | 608.443.1600

 Photo courtesy of C.J. Hoffman

fall ’08
Photo courtesy of Conserve School

Amy Knapp ■ Curb Magazine

contents
on the cover mind
Growing Green Kids 6 YouthTube 10
Cultivating environmental leaders Student filmmakers find new ways to participate in their communities

Organics and Ostriches 21 Aiming for Nothing 13

Farmers plow out their own niche markets Couple seeks energy freedom one watt at a time

Faces of Courage 25 Getting Smashed 16

New clinic boosts young patients’ self-image The Large Hadron Collider hits close to home

United We Dance 33 Democracy 2.0 18

Cultural understanding through dance Expressing the state’s political voice through digital diary

The Tale Behind the Ale 40 Leading the Charge, Part 1 19

Small Wisconsin breweries deliver big flavors Carl Gulbrandsen, managing director of WARF

body soul 38
Treknology 28 Message in the Music
Pushing the limits of bipedal research Matt’s melodies and Sona’s samples

Wellness 9 to 5 31 Designer Desitnation 43

New programs encourage wellness on the job Madison’s unexpected fashion jewel

Leading the Charge, Part 2 32 Leading the Charge, Part 3 45

Roger Bird, co-founder of DreamBikes Aaron Yonda, co-founder of Wis-Kino filmmaking organization

Cover photography by Kyle Bursaw

Cover photo: Althea Miller and Audrey Buchanan, dance students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
 Office of Corporate Relations
UNIVERSIT Y OF WISCONSIN – MADISON

The front door to university resources for business and industry

Providing service to business and industry in the following areas:

s Recruiting UW–Madison graduates and interns
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www.ocr.wisc.edu
[email protected]
1–877–OCR–WISC
 Staff
Letter from the Editor
Publisher Katy Culver
I never liked change – big or
small. When my mom raved about Editor Chelsey Lewis
her new electric toothbrush, I Managing Editor Erica Pelzek
clung to my standard stiff bristle, Copy Editors Amber Morrissey
refusing to put anything electric Carly Stingl
near my mouth. As my friends Lead Writers Bill Andrews
eagerly packed for college and Jack Borgo
went on about changing the Amy Knapp
world, I begrudgingly moved
into my dorm and looked for Marketing Director Brescia Cassellius
any excuse to go home. Change Public Relations Manager Jill Felska
scared me, and I steadfastly held Marketing Representatives Jenny Cooper
on to the familiar. Jacquelyn Moore

On one of those trips home, I ran Art Director Katie Vann

into an old high school teacher. I Photo Editor Kyle Bursaw
told him of my struggles to move Production Editor MaryJo Fitzgerald
forward and embrace the change Production Associates Lizzy Blenner
college brought. “A ship in a Alex Morrell
harbor is safe,” he told me, “but that’s not what ships are built for.”
Online Editor Pamela Buechel
His words of wisdom stayed with me. I went back to school determined to Online Associates Skye Kalkstein
leave my safe harbor and discover new possibilities. I began writing for the Mark Riechers
school paper and honed my reporting skills digging up stories on new state Heather Quitos
legislation. Usually better with words than data, I took a scientific leap and
enrolled in a botany class where I learned of the innovative work Wisconsin

Thank you
biologists are doing to preserve our state’s natural beauty. I finally began to
see the innovation and progress around me I had been missing all along.

Here at Curb, we want to open your eyes to the forward-thinking trends and
individuals that make Wisconsin a leader, and we encourage you to join in This issue of Curb Magazine would not have been
the innovation. Engage in diversity through multicultural dance (“United possible without the generosity of alumni, family
We Dance” by Brescia Cassellius), volunteer at a one-of-a-kind hospital and friends. A special thank you to our business
center helping young patients improve their self-esteem (“Faces of Courage” partners:
by Amber Morrissey), or try a unique beer brewed right here in Wisconsin
(“Tale Behind the Ale” by Heather Quitos). Atticus
Associated Students of Madison
Whatever you choose to explore, Curb encourages you take a chance and Madison Verve
advance your mind, body and soul. Rack Express
Sarah B. Fine Stationery
Join us in moving Wisconsin forward, Sundance Bar Bistro 608
University of Wisconsin Foundation
Wisconsin Alumni Association

Chelsey Lewis

Curb Magazine is published through generous

alumni donations administered by the
UW Foundation

Copyright © 2008 Curb Magazine

MIND

10 curbonline.org
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W
The Conserve School campus is hidden among the picturesque wilderness of Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Photo courtesy of Conserve School

ith her Mohawk- provided there. With challenging academ- initial intention.
molded hair, fur- ics, hands-on learning and an unavoidable “He changed the name to Conserve
trimmed black emphasis on the environment, students sac- School, because he didn’t want the
sweatshirt and rifice what the average person thinks of as a mission to get lost over time,” An-
concentrated pout, normal adolescence for another distinct set derson says. “It embedded the mis-
Hannah does not look “boarding school.” of challenges. sion of the school in the name
Slouched against the gym bleachers at Wis- This is exactly the experience founder of the school.”
consin’s 1,200-acre Conserve School in James Lowenstine hoped the school would of- Anderson also
the Northwoods, she looks more rebel than fer to students. Although the institution itself notes that Lowen-
conformist. has only been around for six years, Lowenstine stine did not get
And indeed, her choice to fish the Conserve had been hatching and developing his plan to too specific about
School brochure out of the trash after her par- share the importance of nature for nearly four the school. He
ents casually tossed it may have been her own decades, long before any of the current stu- understood that
rebellion. Yet, her involvement among her dents were even born. with changing
nearly 150 student peers paints a portrait of Approaching the main academic build- technology, the
fitting in, rather than refusing to conform. ing, appropriately named for its founder and people in charge of
She smiles warmly in describing cross- donned with a bronze plaque, Lowenstine’s realizing his dream would
country running and skiing. She highlights her golden face peers out from above a short poem have to make judgments he could not fore-
activities as a community council member. She he wrote in 1965 for his future protégés: see, yet always putting an emphasis on the im-
speaks of attending faithfully to more than five “To the future young folks of Lowen- portance of conserving the environment.
hours of homework each night. Through her wood: I wish you all love, hope, happiness, For example, the school did not have a
descriptions, Hannah crystallizes Conserve’s and a long and healthful life. May your under- public sewage treatment plant, so the trust-
lifeblood: atypical students embracing an atyp- standing of mankind be broadened through ees decided to purchase the more expensive
ical atmosphere where the environment and your association with and, I am sure, your but less harmful Green Machine that uses all
outdoors coalesce into experiential learning. love of Lowenwood.” natural processes, turning waste into fertil-
Students like Hannah from around the Although the headmaster, Stefan Ander- izer and not releasing harmful chemicals into
world make the decision to come to the Con- son, never met Lowenstine personally, he the environment.
serve School because they, or their parents, has meticulously read through his journals Certain environmentally friendly features of
want the atypical high school experience to ensure he was consistent with the school’s the school, however, were not built at the be-

curbfall2008
200810
curb 7
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ginning but were put in gradually so students complete his project after expressing interest Vulgar Humor or Asians for Social Change.”
could be part of the entire process from writing in earthquakes. Conserve also offers international trips to
the grant applications to obtaining permits. This emphasis on hands-on learning can students during the three-week Winterim. An-
“We could have built the school with solar be seen in the classrooms as well. Upon wan- derson says the kids have taken trips to China,
panels and windmills,” Anderson says. “In- dering into a wildlife biology classroom, it is Mexico, Costa Rica and the Galapagos in Ec-
stead of doing that, we decided to wait and put striking to see the students sitting on the desks uador. But the multicultural experience for
those in when the kids were here on campus so casually in a small circle, each holding a leaf as students occurs just as much on campus as off,
the kids were involved with the whole process the teacher explains the possibility of identify- with about one-fourth of the pupils enrolled
from start to finish.” ing different arboreal species. from different countries.

“I could have quite easily been one of the top students at my school back home, but here it takes a bit
more effort; I’ve had to push myself. ... It’s humbling and empowering at the same time.”
Greta

Like these projects, much of the educa- This relaxed atmosphere is evident, too, in Despite all of these opportunities and inter-
tion done at the Conserve School is learning- the teacher-student interaction. Students not esting classes, students say the most challeng-
by-doing and tries to incorporate real-world only are on a first-name basis with their teach- ing part of the school is the workload of the
problems. The students are encouraged to do ers but also are entrusted to run the all-school classes and the tough academics.
independent projects. According to Anderson, community meetings in the auditorium. “This school is really challenging, more
more than half of the seniors graduate with at Instructors also enjoy freedoms often than a public school,” says Gretchen, a junior
least one research project, and the school once not allowed in homogenous public school at Conserve who spends about two to three
purchased a seismograph to help a student systems. English teacher Kathy Ducom- hours a night on homework. “Because what in
mun, who has been a public school might be an A level, here might
with the school since it only be like a C level, so here you really have to
first opened its doors in work hard.”
2002, says that she does Anderson says, however, that students
not have to follow a pre- saying they do up to five hours of homework
scribed formula in her a night have that perception, but it is not the
courses. At Conserve, reality. According to residential intern Brian
she may assign more en- Paul, a college graduate in charge of a group of
vironmental literature students, some people who work at Conserve
than is typically seen in do question if the students spend too much
regular public school time on homework and not enough time hang-
classes. ing out and being kids.
During Winterim, an “There have been several meetings about
interdisciplinary session that and trying to cut down on the homework
offered during winter load,” Paul says, adding that 8 to 10 p.m. is
break, professors are al- homework time. “For those two hours, a select
lowed to develop their few kids can get it all done.”
own courses. Ducommun Although many of the students say they are
says she can do “what- friends with everyone, the academics do cause
ever trips my trigger. I some inevitable rivalries.
just say ‘how about this?’ “I think that humans as people, we thrive
and we do it. And having on competition,” Greta, a junior, says. “I
that freedom to propose could have quite easily been one of the top
pretty much anything out students probably at my school back home,
there and have it accepted but here it takes a bit more effort; I’ve had to
as long as it’s reasonable, push myself. I’ve seen students come here,
that’s really awesome.” and they’re used to being top of their class,
She has crafted a num- and they get here and they’re not, and they
ber of classes including have to work through that. It’s humbling and
an animal rehabilitation empowering at the same time … you can learn
class, a Native American from your fellow peers.”
and spirituality class and Greta says this empowerment is one of the
one course titled, “Rhet- results of her education at a school where she
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine oric of the Simpsons: controls her academics and motivates herself.

8 curbonline.com
 MIND
“The whole school is about moving forward
and education,” Greta says proudly.
Yet, as much for Greta as for other Conserve
students, the choice to come to the boarding
school is not always clear and simple. Greta
was a ski racer and even considered turning it
into something more than a hobby.
“Basically my mom pulled up two pairs of
skis on the computer, a powder ski and a race
ski and made me pick the skis as to which one
I was going to buy next year, and I picked the
powder ski,” Greta says, indicating the sac-
rifice she was making to come to Conserve
where ski racing is not available.
Opting to come to the Conserve School
is becoming more common as enrollment in-
creased 20 percent this year. Their goal is to
stay between 150 and 160, this year with 147
students who board and two who come just Hands-on activities help Conserve students learn outside the classroom.
during the day. Females slightly outnumber Photo courtesy of Conserve School
males, which Anderson hopes will eventually
be a 50-50 ratio.
Many of the students and staff live exclusively
on campus and thus are constantly surrounded
by each other. Students live in dorms, named
after members of Lowenstine’s family and two
campus lakes, in wings of about 10 kids with a
house parent who is often a teacher.
Ducommun, who was a house parent for
four years before becoming the coordinator
for the students’ mandatory off-campus com-
munity service hours, calls her former position
both rewarding and challenging.
“You are sort of their parents in absentia.
You are dealing with homesickness,” Ducom-
mun says. “Sometimes you are a mediator,
sometimes you are a listener, sometimes you
are someone who goes in and nags … so you Taking a break from their studies, a group of Conserve students Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine
sort of have a multi-role.” converse in one of the boarding school’s academic buildings.
Many students often refer to the com-
munity at Conserve as a family, resulting check-ins at night and no opposite sex vis- the school aims to achieve.
in a smoother transition to life at a board- its to dorm rooms. “Looking to our future, these kids
ing school. Each student communicates in Everything from living with other people are the ones who are going to be in
varying degrees with his or her actual fam- to challenging academics to the ACT prep charge,” Ducommun says. “The
ily. With technology such as cell phones books strewn about campus are preparing idea of the founding
and e-mail, students have many options for the 99 percent of the students moving for- person, James
keeping in touch with their parents. Social ward to the university level. But for these Lowenstine,
networking sites like Facebook also keep students, part of moving forward is doing it was that no
people on and off campus in contact with with a keen appreciation for nature and the matter what
each other. consciousness that they are part of their en- these kids
During study time, however, the school vironments. For as much time as students do in life,
has the ability to turn off certain non-aca- spend together, the vast campus offers we’d like to
demic websites to ensure students use their space for them to get away. Students ride teach them,
time wisely. Although many of the aspects bikes, hike and enjoy the numerous lakes or open the doors
of the school seem like a university setting, that surround the school and even cross- to them, to learn to care
Conserve staff substantially control what country ski and snowshoe in frigid Wiscon- about the world in which we
the students do in this high school prepa- sin winters. Their inevitably close relation- live.” n
ration time for college, including strict ship with the environment is precisely what

fall 2008 curb 9

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Youth Tube By Erica Pelzek

M
adelyn Braun, 10, sits in her family’s
living room, flicking the channels
back and forth between the second
presidential debate and the Disney Channel.
She pauses, focusing on Barack Obama’s
face and emphatic hand gestures.
“I wish I could vote,” she says. “Everyone
in my class is a Republican but only because
their parents are.”
This viewpoint, though youthful, is re-
freshing in response to the overwhelming
opinion that American youth are apathetic
– politically or otherwise. According to
the Center for Information and Research
on Civic Learning and Engagement, only
about 25 percent of the youth voting
population actually exercised their right
to vote in the 2004 presidential election.
The youth vote increased to approximate-
ly 52 percent in November’s presidential
election – still, barely more than half of
18- to 29-year-olds voted, according to
CIRCLE.
But later, while Braun plays around on her
family computer – an extension of the learn-
ing she is doing in the classroom at Dixon
Elementary School in Brookfield, Wis. – she
brings up the election again.
“I’ve seen lots of videos on YouTube that
Mom has showed me,” she explains. “They
talk about what it means to be a Democrat and
what it means to be a Republican. I know that
red and the elephant are for Republican and
blue and the donkey are for Democrat.” She
smiles and explains this will help when she’s
“18 and ready to vote!”
Clearly, Wisconsinites far and wide,
ranging from 10-year-old Braun to Uni-
versity of Wisconsin-Madison alumni, are
working to nullify the youth apathy stereo-
type, particularly through multimedia and
filmmaking.
By engaging in their communities – not
merely through trying to get out the vote, but
also by encouraging awareness of Wisconsin
issues and making films about these issues –
these youthful documentary makers and mul-
timedia gurus work to advance the state in a
technologically enriching way.
UW-Madison senior Charlie Berens, 21, is
the Wisconsin representative for Street Team
’08 for Think MTV’s “Choose or Lose” ini-
tiative – the TV website’s get-out-the-vote
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine
10 curbonline.com
 MIND
program. Berens was hired to work for the

Illustration by Zach Wagner

Serious
election season and basically “bring the voice
of Wisconsin youth to a national forum.”
“I know for me, making videos is a way of
becoming more and more informed about the
world,” he says. “I probably never would have About
Gaming
known about some of the things I’ve reported
on in such depth,” such as how flooding and
farms in Wisconsin affect residents’ politics
or the life of a soldier in Iraq.
UW-Madison 2008 alum Alex Gaylon, By Mark Riechers
co-director, co-writer and editor of the
documentary “Youthanize” for Wiscon-
sin’s anti-apathy campaign “Project Youth- As Constance Steinkuehler, a Uni- ditional skills of reading and writing that is
anize,” concurs that the technology of versity of Wisconsin-Madison School of needed to harness new technology.
filmmaking allows for youth participation Education researcher, played along with Halverson argues providing for play
in their individual communities, whether questing groups of young players, she no- outside the classroom allows students to
ticed the most adept warriors had a pro- uncover their own lessons, but the steady
those communities be school, home life or
cedural method to tackling each game’s hand of willing educators facilitates these
political viewpoints. “bad guys”– they compiled strengths and new ways of learning and places them in
“It gives the viewer, especially a young weaknesses in spreadsheets, then would context. He cites a need for “third spaces,”
one, the opportunity to relate to a certain posit a strategy for taking down the “boss” a place where students can reflect on and
viewpoint in a visually accessible way,” he efficiently, evaluate the results and repeat discuss game goals and how they apply
says. “By making videos, young people can when necessary. to what they are trying to learn.
simply discover more about certain issues – A rudimentary scientific method Kurt Squire, a GLS member and UW-
it’s a learning process, through the reporting emerged in these players, and all be- Madison associate professor of educa-
of a documentary. That definitely helps them cause they were presented with an in- tion, says, “I’m interested in how forms
game problem to solve. Wired magazine of thinking happening outside of school
engage in their communities more, simply by
featured her research. It’s obvious that like games may or may not be used for
learning.” some games, particularly role-playing learning.” Squire wrote his dissertation on
Film can also help students, as well as games, can teach deductive and inductive how “Civilization,” a history-based strat-
adults, tap into their communities’ multime- reasoning methods. But others can even egy game, can be used to show younger
dia resources to become more technologi- promote the act of learning itself. students how international issues like the
cally literate and professionally competent Author of the forthcoming book “The environment and foreign affairs operate
citizens. Second Technological Revolution: How within a model global system.
Madison’s Malcolm Shabazz City High Tech is Changing Education and Learn- However, the crushing force of realism
School is an alternative high-school-level ing,” UW-Madison School of Education sets in when these researchers try to get
associate professor Rich Halverson be- the games into classrooms off the UW-
learning program that focuses on service
lieves the new and unique methods game Madison campus.
learning, or learning in which students work developers are using to engage with play- “All the technology developed in the
to give back to their communities. Started in ers can be used to get students to engage last 10 years has been disruptive for
1997, the school’s Student Technology Lead- with their education, both in and outside structured learning environments,” Halv-
ership Project pairs students with staff mem- the classroom. erson explains. “They produce plagia-
bers in a mentor-mentee relationship, with These two impassioned researchers rism, porn and school shootings, with
the students instructing the adults in various and others found a home for academic few positive outcomes, in the minds of
forms of technology. game research in 2004, when they and administrators.”
While most of Malcolm Shabazz’s pro- a group of researchers, game develop- “Teachers, [by contrast], are really ea-
ers and government and industry leaders ger to try new things. They see the dis-
gram does not focus on filmmaking, project
interested in gaming’s impact on educa- connect between kids’ lives and that of
staff supervisor Tim Murray says developing tion founded Games+Learning+Society, school,” Squire says.
multimedia is one of the more exciting parts or GLS. Working within the UW-Madison For example, Halverson is working on
of the program. Educational Sciences Department and an iPhone application that helps teachers
“When we do get to do things like film- employing faculty members from MIT, gather data on students in the classroom.
making, it’s fun, though,” says Max Keller- UW-Madison and UW–Milwaukee, the But Halverson insists it could be a
man, 16, who is paired with Martha Vasquez, group studies ways existing games can long wait before Zelda and Mario get in
an art teacher at Malcolm Shabazz. “There’s be used to enhance or supplement learn- on actual instruction – possibly until the
something really engaging about making a ing in the classroom and works with game gamers themselves are making the poli-
developers to design games that support cies. “Actually putting games into schools
film, more so than just putting together audio
learning. seems as remote as 10 years ago. It re-
files or writing a story.” The idea at work here is that games ally is a generational challenge,” Halver-
During a technology coaching session Oct. are part of what researchers are calling son says. ”All they see [now] is the po-
6, Kellerman shows Vasquez how to use the “digital literacy,” a skill set beyond the tra- tential damage.”
Flash program to create a mini-site for one of

fall 2008 curb 11

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her art classes. She catches on quickly, plop- kind of our job – to help them realize it can be self documentaries, especially among young
ping files in the correct folders and adeptly cre- easy and fun and accessible. It’s not this huge, people, according to UW-Madison assistant
ating link buttons. But some do not take to the unknown system that makes no sense.” professor of educational psychology Erica
up-to-the-nanosecond technologies as easily. As a service learning community in par- Halverson.
“It can be frustrating – some older people ticular, Murray hopes the technology will help “But they’re doing it now in a very hands-
don’t pick up the technologies as easily or advance the community. “We really hope we on, very visual and engaging way that other
kind of resist change. You know, they grew up are moving Wisconsin forward with this in- people can see,” Halverson says. “It’s a bit
without Internet, and to some it’s still a pretty novative program. It’s helping people become voyeuristic, to say the least, but it’s fascinating
foreign concept,” Kellerman says. “But that’s more technology literate, and with that, we’re from a sociological point of view – we can liter-
hoping to expand community involvement in ally see our future generations developing on
technology,” she says. the Internet.”
And as Murray and Malcolm Shabazz Braun illustrates Halverson’s point as she
City High School work to move Wisconsin clicks her way through YouTube. Stopping on
technologically forward, UW-Madison is videos of puppies and then videos of Sarah Pal-
joining in the efforts. in’s speeches, she pauses, iterating the bottom
The advent of the Internet and access to line – film is an innovative way to participate in
technology have led to increased do-it-your- her Wisconsin community. n

istockphoto.com

epdigital.com

Don’t
Curb Your Enthusiasm

12 curbonline.com
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Aiming for
nothing
Couple seeks
energy freedom

Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

one watt at a time couple
of a spent over

T
By Chelsey Lewis
zero read- a year re-
The pristine waters of the Black River wind ing on that me- searching and de-
through Wisconsin’s Northwoods toward a ter at the end of the veloping their design.
small town known for its Karner Blue but- year – making their home one As the search turned toward so-
terflies and breathtaking fall colors. On of the first net-zero energy homes in the lar panels, Tom discovered the GreenMax
the top of a hill nestled among this simple, region. Home program, coordinated by Wisconsin
natural beauty sits a partially constructed, The Chambers’ ambitiously green project Public Powers Inc. Kurt Pulvermacher, an
one-story home. Although from a distance began in January 2007 when they decided to energy services representative with WPPI,
it appears simple, the small home hides an build a new home. The couple knew they worked with the Chambers on their proj-
intricate web of technologies that reveal the wanted to incorporate both modern design ect. He says the electric utility company
true complexity of its design: a firm foam and energy efficiency in their home. developed the program to highlight ways to
enveloping the basement, glimmering cop- “Both of us have seen and lived in and ex- save energy and money. Tom and Verona
per pipes snaking their way through the perienced very sustainable and eco-friendly, Chambers were the first to receive a grant
walls, white rubber stretching its legs on energy-efficient design, which Europe has through the program.
the roof. Yet beyond the sophisticated de- been doing for many years, and we wanted to “Most people aren’t even thinking about
sign of the home is a simple idea – a small incorporate some of those features and some a net-zero home just because it costs them
energy meter that counts backward. of those ideas into our design,” Tom says. so much. They’re a little intimidated by the
The meter hides on the east side of Tom While neither has a background in ar- whole process,” Pulvermacher says.
and Verona Chambers’ home in Black River chitecture or building, the knowledge with The grants WPPI provides help make up
Falls, Wis. Not only does the screen count which they describe their home would never the extra costs homeowners incur in build-
up, as all meters do, but it also counts down. reveal such a fact. Their comprehension of ing net-zero energy homes versus standard
The Chambers’ home will both consume energy-efficient design, however, did not homes. But even with a maximum grant of
and produce energy, with the ultimate goal come from perusing a few websites. The $50,000, the Chambers faced a three-headed

fall 2008 curb 13

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monster when designing their home: energy With the advice of experts like Skinner and tions paint a vivid picture of the other energy-
efficiency, feasibility and aesthetics. their extensively researched and revised plan in efficient techniques working together to achieve
“It has to be compact, like a European car,” hand, Tom and Verona finally broke ground on energy freedom. Tom pounds on the 2-by-8
Verona says. “It has to run smoothly, it has to their home they hope will produce the big “0” at studs, 4 inches wider than a normal home to pro-
use, hopefully, no energy. It has to be compact the end of the year. vide room for extra insulation. Inside the walls,
but good-looking and sleek.” The most difficult The major energy producers of their home he describes, an intricate copper piping system
part, she adds, is finding what works best for come in the form of a geothermal heat pump will create a more efficient method for delivering
you. and sun-tracking solar panels. The pump uses hot water throughout the home. He rubs the firm
“The problem you run into is you get too the naturally stable temperature of the earth, polystyrene that envelops the entire house, in-
much information, and you get people who cluding the basement, providing extra insulation.
want to sell their products. Of course they tell He moves toward the hole where a door will even-
you that theirs is the best,” Verona says. “And When they saw the breathtaking view, tually go, indicating the home will be as airtight
so you have to then go around and around and as possible to keep warm air in during Wiscon-
they knew it was the perfect location to
ask again and again in order to really find out sin’s trying winters. He gestures toward the roof,
build their living energy experiment.
what is good for you.” which will soon be covered with white rubber to
Although the Chambers spent countless reflect sunlight and keep the house cool during
hours conducting their own research, they Wisconsin’s equally extreme summers.
wisely brought on a team of energy experts to which is always around 55 degrees, to heat and They note the flat roof under the rubber is for
help them develop the most cost-effective de- cool the home. The solar panels will provide purely aesthetic reasons and go on to describe
sign possible. Eric Skinner was one of those electricity, and the Chambers hope these panels the modernist design they incorporated into their
experts. An independent energy consultant, can generate enough extra to send back through plan. “For American eyes, I’m a little worried, be-
Skinner worked with the couple to ensure their the power grid to be used by their neighbors. cause it is very, very modern,” Verona says.
home would not only be energy efficient, but As Tom and Verona stroll through their par- The south-facing windows were designed
also comfortable, durable and safe. tially constructed home, their detailed explana- to be thin horizontally and vertically in order to

Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

Tom and Verona Chambers hope the net-zero energy home they are building in Black River Falls will mean they never have to pay energy bills again.

14 curbonline.com
 MIND

maximize sun exposure while minimizing design, tucked away in a small,

the view of the less-attractive front yard. A quiet town, the Chambers’ one-
minimalist approach to living led to an open story home touts a simple purpose.
floor design that will include a sparsely fur- Using nature’s most basic powers –
nished kitchen and living room, ENERGY the sun and the earth – to live sustainably
STAR appliances and even a kitchen table in Wisconsin.
constructed partly from recycled wood. Want to learn more? Log on to www.
Behind the complex research and curbonline.com.

istockphoto.com graphics
Energy-efficient homebuilders: PeaPod Homes

For a new homebuilder interested in going green, sifting

through the mountain of energy-efficiency information available
today can be a daunting task. Understanding this, one company realized how overwhelming it can be for consumers interested in ener-
has taken green building to the next level by providing prefabricat- gy-efficient building to sort through all of the information available.
ed homes with the promise of significantly reducing energy costs, “There’s this big push to do green building, but green has kind of
no research strings attached. been what they call green-washed nowadays. And nowadays, a builder
PeaPod Homes, in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., is turning heads in the will just put a little extra insulation in the walls and goes ‘Oh, look
green homebuilding world with its innovative design. Recently a win- at my green house!’ Well, that’s a bunch of crap,” he says. “There’s
ner of the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest and a semifi- some truly green houses, and there’s some scams.”
nalist in MIT’s Ignite Clean Energy competition, the homes feature a Rittle’s goal was to be a part of the former.
modified double-envelope design that passively uses the power of the To accomplish this, Rittle says their company spent hundreds of
sun and the earth to significantly reduce energy use. thousands of dollars on research, including extensive computer mod-
Instead of wood, PeaPod’s exterior walls feature structural insu- eling to reveal how energy efficient the homes will be. According to
lated panels, which are made from two pieces of plywood and 6 inches the models, the owner of a 2,000-square-foot PeaPod home would
of polystyrene. This insulation technique helps maintain a consistent pay a $200 energy bill this year. And although the homes are prefabri-
temperature inside the home. cated, homebuilders can customize their homes with more space and
The space between the exterior and interior walls of the home cre- renewable energy add-ons such as solar panels.
ates a room known as the sunspace. Here, sun enters through care- Rittle’s green Earth Day 2005 shirt and bike in the corner of his
fully placed windows. The interior walls, made from southern yellow office reveal PeaPod Homes is not just another company looking to
pine logs, collect and store the energy from the sun, and a convection cash in on the green craze.
loop circulates the air around the home. The air also travels through “Stop me if I sound like a salesperson,” he says as he passionately
the ground, using the earth’s natural temperature to heat or cool the explains the home’s design and the research behind it. For Rittle,
home. The design essentially creates a home within a home. the company is about providing people with a simple way to live truly
When starting the business, Mark Rittle, one of PeaPod’s founders energy-efficient lives.

fall 2008 curb 15

Getting
The Large Hadron Collider hits
close to home
Smashed
By Bill Andrews
On Sept. 10, scientists and engineers
around the world – including two groups at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison – re-
joiced in their era’s crowning achievement:
the completion of the Large Hadron Col-
lider at CERN, the European Organization
for Nuclear Research. Dubbed the world’s
largest science experiment, the LHC
topped all the charts: most expensive,
most sizable and even most dramatic.
The machine is an accomplishment com-
parable to the building of the pyramids or
landing on the moon, and perhaps best of
all, when they turned it on the world did not
end as many feared it might. Good news
all around!
UW-Madison’s involvement in direct
research with the LHC, and its efforts to Katie Vann n Curb Magazine
provide a positive atmosphere for such
Graphical simulation of protons colliding. The Large Hadron Collider helps to observe the Higgs
research in general, should be a source of
Boson, or God particle, the unit of energy physicists believe makes up all matter.
deep pride for the state.
insides of particles need huge amounts of en- physicists have to pump shocking amounts
The atom smasher ergy to exist by themselves, apart from other of energy into the collisions; otherwise it is
The LHC is what is known as a particle particles and thus directly observable, and just not enough to get them to come out.
accelerator, or, more colloquially, an atom the collision provides it to them. The main dif-
smasher. For more than 50 years, these ma- ference between these particles and regular Super collider
chines have been colliding particles (some- eggs, though, is that egg yolks and albumen That is where the LHC comes in. The
times even actual atoms, but mostly even do not disappear after a while. Since the in- reason it is so important is it can put more
smaller particles called quarks physicists sides of particles need so much energy to ex- energy into these collisions than was ever
believe comprise protons and neutrons) to ist alone, they spend that energy fairly quickly possible before by smashing hadrons, a
help physicists understand what makes up (sometimes in just millionths of a second) be- specific type of particle, at speeds more
all matter in the universe. fore disappearing back into other particles. than 99.9999978 percent of the speed of
light. This spectacular kind of energy is the
A lesson in eggs same kind produced shortly after the big
By colliding different particles, physicists “I think we [help] inspire the bang, the theoretical start of the universe.
can learn what these particles are made general public to question, ‘what’s
of and how they interact with each other, surrounding you?’” The God particle
among other things. If this does not imme- Sau Lan Wu Among the most well-known goals for
diately make sense, consider the messy re- the LHC is the intention to directly observe
sults of colliding two eggs. While normally a a certain particle for the first time. This par-
self-contained, single unit, an egg is actu- Thus, the more energy physicists can ticle, called the Higgs boson (and occasion-
ally made up of a number of parts, namely cram into these collisions, the better. First, ally referred to as the God particle), would
the shell, yolk and albumen, all of which are the insides of particles last longer out by answer a long-standing question about the
exposed after a collision. The same basic themselves if they have more energy. But nature of mass and thus the mechanism ex-
idea holds true for colliding particles togeth- second and more importantly, the really plaining how gravity really works.
er: their insides come out. crazy stuff, the most exotic of the insides of “We know empirically how much things
This happens because the collision con- particles, require even more energy simply weigh, but we don’t know how they acquire
centrates lots of energy in one place. The to exist. To get a look at these exotic insides, that mass,” says UW-Madison physics pro-

16 curbonline.com
fessor Wesley Smith. Smith over- way … you’d get
sees one of the important parts a distorted view”
of the particle detector called if that was your
the Compact Muon Sole- only exposure to
noid, which looks at and science.
analyzes the spewed-out in- “I think
sides as they briefly appear [the public]
after collisions. shouldn’t
The Higgs boson have to work
is also the final ele- very hard to
ment of what is called understand
the Standard Model of these things,
physics to be seen directly. All but we have
physics’ equations and theo- to work hard to
ries, from Newton to Hawking, convey it,” Wu says
CERN
fit in the Standard Model some- of scientists’ jobs to
where, and in general it has been This particle detector, named A Toroidal LHC Apparatus (ATLAS), is one of two general-purpose educate the public.
a phenomenal success. But, be- detectors at the LHC looking for (among other things) signs of the exotic Higgs boson.. “And we’re not so
ing a skeptical bunch, physicists good at it so far.”
will not rest easy until every piece of the holes would be microscopic. “They’d be For instance, many people do not un-
model has been directly observed; with the the size of mosquitoes! They’d have no derstand the need for basic research, the
completion of the LHC, that is possible for way of attracting mass,” and would evapo- kind without specific applications or prac-
the first time. rate almost immediately. tical uses. But, as both Wu and Smith
UW-Madison physics professor Sau Lan Also, these kinds of black hole forma- point out, technologies as diverse as X-
Wu works on a different particle detector, tions and interactions happen regularly in rays, cell phones and laser eye surgery
called A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS (ATLAS), deep space, so far with no catastrophic all resulted from such basic research. All
which also sifts through the debris of colli- consequences for Earth. were by accident, and all were unforesee-
sions in search of new discoveries. Besides able. While the goal of the LHC is simply
finding the elusive Higgs boson and finally Understanding its purpose to increase basic knowledge, it is likely
explaining gravity, Wu says ATLAS and But, says John Rudolph, UW-Madison we will be able to use that knowledge to
CMS may shed light on “other interesting professor of history of science, “science jour- develop new technology.
problems [such as] dark matter candidates nalism has a tendency to … tell a story.” A basic curiosity of the world is para-
in the universe, microscopic black holes “Mundane, routine science isn’t all that mount, Wu says. “I think we [help] inspire
and even the possibility of extra dimensions exciting, so a discovery or human interest the general public to question, ‘what’s sur-
of space.” or a destruction-of-the-world” angle natu- rounding you?’” That is all the LHC does,
rally makes the story a better seller, Rudolph though at a more basic level than most care
A fear of the unknown explains. “It’s not journalists’ fault, but in a to question. The fact that not everyone un-
Despite the quixotic nature derstands this just demon-
of some of these possibilities strates the work left to do
(the extra dimensions would be by scientists.
in addition to our usual ones of Wu emphasizes the un-
height, length and width), the usual strength and support
news media seem to have be- on the UW-Madison cam-
come fixated on one in particu- pus for basic research,
lar: microscopic black holes. It coming from the chancel-
is the fear of these, and their lor, provost and dean of
disastrous effects on the planet, graduate students. Such
that inform much of the public’s support clearly paid off,
opinion on the LHC and in at since UW-Madison is the
least one case has even led to only American university
suicide. If such a black hole de- invited to work on two proj-
velops on this planet, the results ects at the LHC, the CMS
would be catastrophic: the planet and ATLAS detectors.
would be destroyed, utterly and “This university’s really
completely. fantastic in supporting re-
Smith, however, summarizes Bill Andrews n Curb Magazine search,” she says. “And
the likelihood of such an end for UW-Madison physics professor Wesley Smith is in charge of an important I’ve really benefited from the
the planet in one word: “Not.” part of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the LHC: deciding encouragement and freedom
The size of these possible black which data to keep and which to throw away. they give us.” n

fall 2008 curb 17

 MIND

Democracy2.0
Expressing the state’s
political voice through
digital diary
By Pamela Buechel

C
hristian Schneider led a double political
life. By day, he was a diligent aide to a
Republican state senator. By night, he
fashioned himself as blogger Dennis York, jab-
bing away at both aisles in Wisconsin’s Capi-
tol. For nearly two years he played his dual
roles, never letting on at work the ideo-
logical Batman role he played at home.
“[My boss and I] were in a meeting istockphoto.com
one time with another state senator, and we Detailed and reliable information on Wis- vowing not to increase taxes.
were talking,” Schneider recalls. “He turned consin politics has been widely available online Eventually 10 Assembly Republicans and
to my boss and said, ‘You know, I really agree since WisPolitics.com launched in 2000 and one Assembly Democrat signed on. In doing
with Dennis York on this and this and this,’ not its sister site WisOpinion.com was created in so, those legislators went into budget negotia-
knowing that it was me.” 2002. WisOpinion launched as the opinion- tions vowing they would not vote for a budget
In his blog, “Stand Next to This Money,” based supplement to WisPolitics’ objective that included tax increases. As a result, Assem-
Schneider wrote with the voice of an everyday nature. The new site provides an index of blogs bly leaders did not have the votes needed to
unsung hero, filling his pages with witty eu- from opinion writers across the state. pass their version of the budget.
phemisms and juicy politics. WisOpinion featured just six blogs when it be-
“Just working up in the Capitol and dealing gan its blog index in April 2004. Today, it houses
“One of my favorite blogs is a truck
with drafting new laws and the insider politics about 350 politically driven blogs covering a
… you see a lot of things that seem like they’re wide range of topics from overall political views driver, but he has great insight. It’s a
really misrepresented of how things really hap- to specific political issues, such as abortion. The reaffirming medium that we Americans
pen,” Schneider says. “Being someone who site now amasses nearly 1.5 million hits a year. are a pretty sharp bunch.”
was on the inside, I thought it was a good idea With the power to reach large, targeted audi- Owen Robinson
to start a blog to explain a little bit of what goes ences, bloggers are becoming increasingly influ-
on inside the Capitol.” ential on the political culture in Wisconsin. By “[The budget] was delayed and delayed and
banding ordinary citizens together, blogs can af- delayed because you have this rock solid core
The political blogging culture fect the government both directly and indirectly. of Assembly Republicans who had signed my
in Wisconsin provides anyone a “The thing with blogs is that it’s an expres- pledge who refused to have the tax increase,”
medium in which they can share sion of individuals,” says “Boots and Sabers” Robinson says. “And at the end of the day, we
their thoughts, ideas and opinions blogger Owen Robinson. “This isn’t just me passed a budget. There were some tax increas-
sitting there voicing my opinions on the news es in it; the 11 people who signed my pledge
on the day’s news stories.
of the day. But if I’m voicing that opinion, and all voted against it, and it went through. But I
there’s 200 other bloggers voicing the same think it would have been a much, much worse
Despite the fact that close to nobody knew who opinion and 10,000 people reading those budget had not those people held firm.”
Dennis York was, hundreds of people, both citi- blogs that are commenting saying ‘yeah that’s A unique part about blogging in Wisconsin,
zens and legislators, tuned in daily to read his opin- true,’ that’s what politicians notice. Politicians or anywhere else, is that anyone with ideas and
ions. The blog became well-respected throughout care about votes. If they think there’s an issue their own perspective can do it.
the blogging community until its end in 2007. that will sway votes, they will react.” “One of my favorite blogs is a truck driver,
The political blogging culture in Wisconsin Bloggers can also influence government in but he has great insight,” Robinson says. “It’s
provides anyone a medium in which they can share more direct ways. As an addendum to his blog, a reaffirming medium that we Americans are a
their thoughts, ideas and opinions on the day’s Robinson participated in the most noticeable pretty sharp bunch and even the clerk at Mc-
news stories. Because writers base their entries on influence of a blogger on the Legislature to date. Donald’s may have some great ideas; he may
fact and allow for discussion, blogs work as a forum During the 2007 budget cycle, Robinson asked have some great insight on the world. He just
to increase political communication. state Assembly Republicans to sign a pledge needs the opportunity to share it.” n

18 curbonline.com
Leading the Charge>
MIND

Wisconsin innovators work to move the state forward

By Jill Felska
Carl Gulbrandsen: chair of the Morgridge Institute for Research Board
and managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
www.discovery.wisc.edu

Currently under construction, both the public and private sectors of

the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery are scheduled to open in 2010
on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The twin institutes
CURB: Part of the outreach plan includes collaboration with
schools and students K-12. What will this entail?
will function as collaborative centers for research, education, growth
and communication, with the goal of driving technology and discover-
ies in Wisconsin. CG: Each of the research floors has an embedded teaching lab
in it. ... There are opportunities for people throughout the university
to bring classes in. There are also opportunities for the researchers in
the facility itself to hold classes. To give a teacher at a rural school an
opportunity to come in and actually do research for a period of time in
the facility and then go back and teach it, that’d be great.

CURB:
ward?
How will the institutes help move Wisconsin for-

CG: This is the first time we have ever built a laboratory facil-
ity that is designed for interdisciplinary research. ... From a statewide
standpoint, one of the things that we fully expect to have in the facility
is state-of-the-art technology. To have communication with people
throughout the state as well as throughout the world.

CURB: What aspects of the institutes are direct reflections

of need in the state?

CG: I do think this building will set a standard for how you can
build a research building. It will be LEED certified. ... The goal has
been that this building uses 50 percent less energy and water than the
most recently constructed research facility on campus. And we will
easily meet that goal.

CURB:
Jill Felska n Curb Magazine
What role will the Wisconsin Institutes for Discov-
CURB: So far, what has been your favorite moment or mem-
ory involving the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery?
ery play in the community and state?

CG: The overall focus of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discov-

CG: I think it’s the excitement that it has caused here on campus
and in people that are involved in the project, including the construc-
ery is collaboration. ... One of the features of this facility is the town tion people. It’s the ability to capture that kind of pride and enthusi-
center. The town center is designed to bring people from the greater asm that has been the best thing, I think. And you know we’ve been
community together. Give them good food and drink. Have space for facing a declining state budget. People have needed good news here.
symposia. Space for clinics. Really involve them in what’s happening This is good news. ■
with research here at the University of Wisconsin.

fall 2008 curb 19

MIND

Advance your mind at curb online

Check out www.curbonline.com for extended articles, interactive content,
exclusive video interviews and more. Don’t miss these highlights:

Windy or Not, Here We Come: Without big winds, Wisconsin focuses on turbine production
Not Nerds: Scoping out the state’s hip scientists
There’s Something in the Water: Education, legislation aim to keep Wisconsin’s waterways clean

20 curbonline.com
 Organics and
BODY

Ostriches

Farmers plow out

their own niche
markets
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

By Amy Knapp

T
he face of the family
farm is getting a makeover –
when the livestock stand a gangly six – or seven – or
nine – feet tall and regard passersby with beady eyes.
and it looks like an ostrich. As farmers look for new “I think [the neighbors] still make fun of us after be-
ways to earn a living and steward the earth in a changing ing in the business since 1994. They still think that this is
world, the ostrich represents only one of many emerging a hobby, which I want to tell you, it is not!” Donna says.
niches in small- and medium-scale agriculture. Heritage “This is more than a full-time job.”
breeds such as Highland cattle and Shetland sheep, as well The Dernbachs sell the ostrich meat, a red meat that
as organic produce, artisan cheeses and community-sup- Donna uses in place of beef, at the Dane County Farmers’
ported agriculture, may well represent the future of family Market, in specialty grocery stores and over the Internet.
farming in Wisconsin. The bones, tendons, livers and hearts are used for pet
Joe and Donna Dernbach operate Golden Dreams Os- treats. They sell some of the eggs and incubate others. One
trich Farm in Almond, Wis., about 20 miles south of Ste- ostrich egg, the largest of any living species and about the
vens Point. With their four sons they raise about 150 os- size of a jumbo papaya, has the same content as about 24
triches a year on three acres. In addition, almost 500 acres chicken eggs and, Donna says, a milder flavor. They sell
are devoted to cash crops of beans and sweet corn. Their the empty shells, which resemble porcelain, by the whole
niche is not to be taken less seriously than any other, even or half shell.

fall 2008 curb 21

BODY
Selling a niche land stewardship and food production,”
Direct marketing at the farmers’ market is John says.
a common sales method among many niche “We work just as hard at this type
farmers, not just the Dernbachs. After butch- of farming as we did before, but
ering their first Highland steer, John and Dor- we’re enjoying it a lot more, having
othy Priske took the meat to the Dane County a lot more fun,” Dorothy says.
Farmers’ Market. Some of that enjoyment comes
“That set us off on a course that we never from the people who return to the
actually dreamed of,” John says. bed-and-breakfast or their stand
At Fountain Prairie Inn & Farms, amid the at the farmers’ market. “We built
drumlins of Fall River, 35 miles northeast of relationships that will last,” John
Madison, the Priskes raise 350 head of High- says. “The community that sup-
land cattle, a shaggy, curious breed native to ports us keeps us in business.”
Scotland, whose colors range from almost

Amy Knapp n Curb Magazine

blond to dark titian. The males and females Building a community
have horns, which they use to beat down weeds. Other farmers cited relationships
The Priskes chose Scottish Highland cattle be- with customers as an important aspect
cause of the breed’s tougher tongue and throat to their success as well.
and for its browsing. “We have very wonderful customers,”
says Andrea Yoder of Harmony Valley Farm
“God gave animals legs, and they prefer to
in Viroqua, Wis. Nestled in a valley beside the
move around. God gave grass roots, and that
Bad Axe River, Harmony Valley is a certified-
prefers to stay in one place. So under our sys-
organic, community-supported-agriculture
tem, we let the cattle be cattle, and they roam “A lot of us are managing to find
farm.
around, and they do the harvesting, and they
Community-supported agriculture is an niches where it’s small enough to
do the fertilizing, and the grass stays in one
place where it prefers,” John says. That grass-
agreement between farmers and customers make almost a living off of.”
who pay the farmer early in the growing sea- Tricia Bross
based system is good for the animals, the land,
son. That payment entitles customers to a por-
the air and the water, he says.
tion of the food that is grown. Throughout the
They also raise Berkshire hogs and run a
harvest season, customers pick up boxes of
bed-and-breakfast in their restored Victorian live. We’re so out of touch with our food source
food, fresh from the farm.
farmhouse. Sixty acres of their land is a re- when, really, it’s our life source.”
stored, natural prairie and wetland. Yoder says membership has grown from That sentiment is echoed by organic grow-
After years of industrial farming, the Priskes about 35 customers 15 years ago to 1,500 now, ers throughout the state.
wanted to take a more holistic approach to ag- and multiple generations of customers keep “People like to know who’s growing their
riculture – and to life. “We share, we learn and coming back. “They’re used to eating good food and that it’s safe,” says Mat Eddy, who
we educate all at the same time. And we like to food,” Yoder says. “It always amazes me – we owns and operates Ridgeland Harvest in Viro-
say that we use the good farmer’s approach to eat three times a day; if we don’t eat, we don’t qua with his wife, Cate. Ridgeland Harvest is

© 2008 Organic Valley Family of Farms

The Wolfes are one of

over 500 Organic Valley
farm families in Wisconsin.

$!)29 3/9 *5)#% %''3 02/$5#% s WWWORGANICVALLEYCOOP

22 curbonline.com
 BODY
a certified-organic and CSA farm. They grow Luna Circle Farm, an organic produce CSA
produce, beef and pork on 70 acres, and busi- in Rio, Wis., about 30 miles northeast of
ness has grown by about 25 percent a year for Madison. Her farm is 20 acres with four acres Becoming Certified Organic
the last eight years. in cash crops.
Despite greater awareness of organics “A dairy farmer could not survive on 20
among the public, Eddy sees reluctance acres,” Bross says. “A lot of us are managing Organic produce is grown without con-
among some browsers at the farmers’ mar- to find niches where it’s small enough to make ventional pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
ket to try organic food. “They see it’s or- almost a living off of.” She works off the farm Livestock are treated with antibiotics only
ganic and think it’s dangerous because of E. in winter to supplement her income. when needed and are free of growth hor-
Coli,” he says. More small farms could mean better access mones. According to the USDA, which reg-
Still, he thinks more farmers will look to to fresh, local foods and, sometimes, the farms ulates organics standards, “Organic farming
organic practices as a cheaper way of doing themselves. “If you look at all the farmers’ systems rely on ecologically based practices
markets popping up, obviously people are such as cultural and biological pest manage-
interested in buying local,” Bross says, who ment.”
“Heaven must have local food, I’m sure.” sells at the Dane County Farmers’ Market. Certification takes three years, to rid soil
John Priske
Restaurants are also getting in on the buy- of residual fertilizers or pesticides. In these
ing local trend. Fountain Prairie sells their transition years, farmers cannot call their
business. “Conventional farmers saw the cost Highland cattle meat to L’Etoile, Bluephies foods organic, but they can put up signs in-
of fertilizers triple because they’re petroleum and other restaurants in Madison. Harmony dicating their methods.
based,” Eddy says. Eddy uses winter rye as a Valley sells to L’Etoile too, as well as to a Tricia Bross, owner of Luna Circle Farm
fertilizer at a cost of about $100 for five acres, number of restaurants in the Twin Cities. in Rio, Wis., has been farming organics for
compared to hundreds per acre for conven- Some farms give visitors the opportunity 19 years and has seen consumer awareness
tional farmers. to get a taste not just of the food, but also skyrocket. “When I started 19 years ago,
of the farming life. Ridgeland Harvest holds I had to explain it every day,” Bross says.
Staying small farm days so people can tour the farm and see “I moved my farm seven years ago. I spent
Land fragmentation, which is traditionally food growing. Fountain Prairie welcomes three years not certified. During that time, I
seen as a threat to family farming, happens as guests to explore, get their feet muddy and saw a change, a greater awareness.”
farmers sell off land to developers. It makes take in the honest smells of the farm. They Bross says she chose organics for the
irrigation, fertilization, grazing and harvest also host a meal in the prairie, Outstanding in health of consumers and the environment.
more difficult, time consuming and expen- the Field, with food provided by local growers Her mother had cancer, and Bross wanted to
sive. and prepared by area chefs. John Priske calls live a more healthful life. She was also both-
Bigger doesn’t always mean better, how- it “shortening the food chain.” ered by environmental degradation, particu-
ever, and those small pieces of land can keep “Heaven must have local food, I’m sure,” larly water quality.
the right farm in business. Tricia Bross owns Priske says. n “One of the main reasons had less to do
with food and more to do with what we’re
doing to our water,” Bross says. “You and I
are blips in the world, whereas what we do to
the water will last for generations.”
Organics also left more money in her
pocket. “Organic and small-scale agricul-
ture in general, selling directly to the cus-
tomer, at a farmers’ market or as a CSA, you
retain more profit,” Bross says. “Organic
adds another piece to that.”
Some farmers, however, find the cer-
tification process not worth the effort.
Chris Klaeser operates Middlebury Hills, a
community-supported agriculture farm in
Barneveld, Wis. Although the farm follows
organic practices and several health care
providers offer their customers rebates for
participating in the CSA, he has no inten-
tion of becoming certified.
“I’m a veteran,” Klaeser says. “I’ve had
enough of the federal government.”
Amy Knapp n Curb Magazine
Chew on that.
Golden Dreams Ostrich Farm sells ostrich meat at the Dane County Farmers’ Market in Madison.
Co-owner Donna Dernbach says she uses ostrich meat in place of beef in all her cooking. She
advises customers to be careful not to overcook.

fall 2008 curb 23

I believe... Robin
Education support professional, Pulaski

investments in great schools build

strong communities.
Our community will be most successful when all children
have the opportunity to receive an excellent public education.
New investments are necessary to keep Madison from losing:
programs that improve students’ basic reading and math skills;
class offerings in art, music and foreign languages; vocational,
business, and technical training programs.

great schools benefit everyone.

What do you believe? Visit weac.org and tell us!
 BODY

Faces of Courage
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

New center boosts young patients’ self-image

By Amber Morrissey

A
t the age of 6, Bradley began to worry about his hair. He A unique place
combed it thoroughly every morning, until the last strand The Positive Image Center, located on the second floor of the new
took its place. It seemed unusual for a young boy, but the shy American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, is the only one of its
and self-conscious first-grader took pride in his appearance kind inside a U.S. children’s hospital. The center provides wigs, scarves,
and dreamed of being an actor. Although Bradley participated in other hats and makeup in an effort to build patients’ self-esteem while dealing
activities like soccer and crafts, he felt most at home in the stage spot- with physically altering illnesses and treatments.
light. While performing in “Charlotte’s Web” and “Dr. Doolittle” the The innovative center plays a valuable role in the healing process of
last two years as part of his hometown drama club, Bradley found the many patients like Bradley who are concerned about their appearance.
one place where he could open up and be himself. Bradley, the first male patient to request a wig, felt overjoyed after he
When a cancer diagnosis struck last summer, 11-year-old Bradley discovered an alternative to being bald. When Debi Machotka, an image
knew he would lose his hair and his spot in this year’s play. These factors consultant at the Positive Image Center, walked into his room with vari-
devastated Bradley just as much as his illness. ous color samples of wigs, his face brightened. After receiving the wig,
So when his mother, Claudette Behling, heard about a new center he wore it for three days straight. For three days, he felt better about his
in the hospital that could help her son gain self-confidence during his cancer and hair loss.
chemotherapy treatments, she wanted to learn more. This was the goal of Donna Sollenberger, former CEO of UW Hos-

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switch places with pearance, they are really benefiting from this,”
him. I go day by Kaminski says. “Debi does not have repeaters,
day and always which gives indication they were totally satis-
wish and pray fied.”
that nothing goes
wrong.” A teenager facing cancer
Some patients Another patient at the children’s hospital,
discover the Posi- 14-year-old Mikealyn, thoroughly enjoyed
tive Image Center her experience at the Positive Image Center.
through the hos- She says the center is a place where she can
pital’s Child Life go to feel comfortable and talk about ordi-
program, which nary teenage things. As a freshman at Verona
works closely with High School, located 10 miles southwest of
patients to ensure Madison, Mikealyn’s main concern this fall
their hospital stay was which boy’s invitation she should accept
goes well. If a pa- to homecoming, despite undergoing chemo-
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine tient struggles therapy treatments for a brain tumor.
pital and Clinics, when she first suggested the with appearance changes, Child Life suggests Mikealyn’s eyes widen when she tells Ma-
idea of the Positive Image Center. After seeing the center. chotka about the homecoming dance. She
a similar place at the City of Hope in Califor- “The majority who come in here are self- wore her wig from the center and says she
nia, Sollenberger decided to create a center conscious,” Machotka says. “The reason I felt like Cinderella. She walks unsteadily but
exclusively for children. When the children’s usually see them is because they are having dif- talks confidently, unafraid to speak her mind.
hospital in Madison opened in August 2007, ficulty with some aspect of their treatment or Mikealyn, nicknamed Mikey, openly discusses
her idea became a reality. recovery.”
According to Mary Kaminski, director of pa- Child Life recommended the center to the His face brightened. After
tient and family services, they wanted to create Behlings in July. At first, Machotka did not receiving the wig, he wore it for
a place to help all types of patients. The one-of- know if she could find a wig for Bradley but three days straight. For three
a-kind center focuses on providing supplies to ended up gathering three styles. He chose the days, he felt better about his
oncology patients but also includes skin treat- one most similar to his natural hair color and cancer and hair loss.
ment makeup for patients with surgery scars. began to feel like his old self again.
Although unique, the center costs extra Machotka says the greatest reward of her fingernail polish, brain tumors and losing her
money and takes square feet away from reve- job comes when patients, like Bradley, truly long brown hair.
nue-producing clinic space. Donations and improve their self-confidence and feel satisfied From the time she was a baby, her mother
hospital operations pay for the center, and pa- with their new look. Lisa O’Brien thought something seemed un-
tients receive the service without cost. Because usual. Whenever someone picked her up,
it does not produce revenue, however, the cen- A perfect fit Mikealyn screamed. She often experienced
ter needed a clear and worthwhile purpose. At When Machotka saw the job opening at headaches and motion sickness and faced dif-
first glance, it may appear like a simple beauty the Positive Image Center, she applied im- ficulties with sleep patterns, as well as motor
salon in the hospital, but the patients who mediately. The job blended all of her previous and balance skills.
come into the center reveal its real value. experiences and passions into one. Machotka The doctors told O’Brien, “That’s just
worked as a cosmetologist for 25 years and a her.” When Mikealyn was 9 years old, doctors
A center for hope surgical technician before taking a job at a pe- mistakenly diagnosed her with a vestibular dis-
Before his diagnosis, Bradley was a typical diatric clinic. order, or inner ear problem.
fourth-grader at Wisconsin Heights Elemen- At the image center, females make up 70 When she began passing out in 2004, the
tary School. He lived at home in Mazomanie, percent of her patients, but she gives many O’Briens demanded an MRI, which revealed
Wis., with his parents, Mark and Claudette, haircuts to male patients. Each day is a differ- a benign astrocytomic brain tumor. Although
who described him as healthy and happy. Brad- ent day, and Machotka never knows what to they suspected something was wrong, they
ley’s only symptoms of illness were a rash on anticipate. never dreamed it would be this serious.
his ankle and a few bruises. “What I would expect certain patients to Luckily, Mikealyn did not have to undergo
The rash, called petechiae, turned out to be select turns out to be very different. … That’s any treatment until this year, when doctors
a symptom of acute myeloid leukemia. Soccer what I love about this job – nothing is routine, noticed the tumor had grown. Despite chemo-
and play practices faded into the background, nothing is assumed. It is very individual,” Ma- therapy treatments, Mikealyn maintains a posi-
and the Behlings set up a new home at the chil- chotka says. tive attitude and takes everything day by day.
dren’s hospital. Kaminski says the hospital sends an evalua- “Mikealyn is the bravest person we know,”
“As far as his spirits, he has not complained tion to families, and the ones who use the Posi- O’Brien says. “She is always upbeat, caring,
about anything,” Claudette says. “He has just tive Image Center always give it a high score. outgoing … [and] does not let anything get in
been a trooper through all of this. It is very “Children who have the most traumatic ex- her way.”
hard to watch him go through it. I wish I could perience or most physical change in their ap- Mikealyn even received her black belt in

26 curbonline.com
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Mikealyn receives a makeover at UW Hospital’s Positive Image Center. Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

karate and hopes to become an instructor. She 10-year-old brother, Sean, also decided to Machotka, meanwhile, always looks for
loves karate because it gives her power and shave their heads on the same day as a sign of ways to improve the center and stays open to
self-confidence, something the Positive Image support. suggestions.
Center also provides for her. “I promised that if she had to have her “We have developed the space, we have
She heard about the center during her che- head shaved for any reason, that I would do Debi and a baseline of services, but this could
go much bigger with more funds,” Kaminski
At first glance, it may appear like a simple beauty salon in a hospital, but says. “Wouldn’t it be great if we did a spa night
once a week for family members? We could
the patients who come into the center reveal its real value. utilize the space much broader than what we
are doing, but that takes resources that we
motherapy consultation in July. On Sept. 22, the same,” O’Brien says. “It takes some of the don’t have right now.”
after a couple of months of dealing with her stares off Mikealyn as people do not know who Mikealyn and Bradley also have plans for
hair loss, she had it shaved off. She had grown may be sick or if we are just a weird family with the future. While Bradley hopes to be an ac-
tired of it falling out on her lunch tray and in three people with shaved heads.” tor, Mikealyn dreams of being an EMT or
the shower in large amounts. Although Mikealyn went to dinner com- brain surgeon. But for the time being, she
“At one point when in the shower … I had a pletely bald that night for the first time, she is content to stay in the image center and
wall of hair instead of a wall of fame,” Mikealyn got a wig that day, as well. It took her awhile to get her hair fixed. She has an appointment
says. “I thought I could get a laugh out of it, choose, and she tried every wig available. in five minutes to begin her next round of
and it was about a week before I got my head chemotherapy after a two-week break but
shaved. I showed my mom, and she cried. I’m A bright future hesitates to leave. She looks at her mom and
not sad about losing my hair, though. It’s only Lisa O’Brien feels thankful the hospital offers asks, “Can I stay here?” n
temporary. I don’t feel different. I am proud of the image center’s services. She says it makes
who I am and so is my family.” families feel they receive personal care and hopes
Mikealyn’s dad, Mike O’Brien, and her other hospitals consider a similar place.

fall 2008 curb 27

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Treknology
Pushing the limits of bipedal research By Jack Borgo

T
housands of white plastic bags cover Palac possesses none of the grace of the Advanced Concept Group. Described by Trek
the converted dining room’s stained Budweiser-toting namesake. Despite these as their corporate rocket scientists, the ACG
red carpet, each containing a con- perceived shortcomings, envious eyes follow is a conglomerate of biking enthusiasts whose
glomerate of energy bars, sunscreen and him throughout check-in, gazing at the object sole objective is to push the limits of the sport
body lubricant. As Joe Palac enters the room, guided by his right hand. The item of their ad- into realms bordering on science fiction.
ready to add his bag to the mass, a smile miration is the one crucial element Palac has in “What we do is to come up with the bikes
spreads across his face. At the back of the common with the world’s top triathletes – his that you will see in the dealer showroom two
room, neatly written in blue on a dingy white Trek bike. years from now, up until 10 years from now,”
board is the simple message, “Yes, this is the Conceived by accountant Richard Burke says ACG senior composite design engineer
‘Get Fully Naked’ room.” The sign’s humor and bike-store owner Bevel Hogg in 1975, Doug Cusack.
is a welcome break for Palac, who, for the last Trek’s Waterloo, Wis., campus has matured This cutting edge position offers ACG
30 minutes, has been engulfed in the pensive into one of the biking industry’s premier think employees virtually boundless creative free-
atmosphere of the Ironman race check-in. tanks. From pioneering aluminum bonding dom, while challenging them to find practical,
Like the sign, Palac is an anomaly in this frames in the 1980s to their early work with cost-efficient mediums to bring their theoreti-
race. His 6-foot-2-inch, 247-pound frame carbon fiber in the 1990s, its bikes have always cal ideas to consumers. For Trek, addressing
stands out from other competitors like Gul- echoed the newest scientific innovations. these abstract problems begins with hiring in-
liver among the Lilliputians. Triathletes refer This continual effort to progress the world novative employees whose creative potential
to athletes like him as Clydesdales, though of biking ultimately led to the creation of the could change cycling.

Photo courtesy of Trek

28 curbonline.com
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Research and development mechanical
engineer Damon Rinard exemplifies this
ingenuity. Before joining the ACG, Rinard
worked at Cycle Composites, the parent
company of Kestrel Bikes. There he worked
with carbon fiber, a rigid, lightweight mate-
rial composed of thin carbon strands bonded
together. Rinard used this experience to
construct a carbon fiber bike in his garage,
while simultaneously maintaining a website
detailing his progress. The website made
him a cult hero of sorts, eventually garner-
ing enough attention to entice Trek. After
graduation, Rinard accepted a position with
the company.
After a short stint as a component engineer,
Rinard progressed to the ACG. There he could
fuse his past experiences with creative input
from other ACG members to address problems
facing the biking industry.
One of the needs the ACG continually ad-
dresses is their consumers’ insatiable desire for
speed. Rinard, a confessed acceleration addict,
is more than happy to oblige. Through a pro-

“If you make a more streamlined

shape or create less drag,
then the rider, for the same
power, can go faster.”
Damon Rinard

cess known as computational fluid dynamics,

he uses algorithms to predict airflow around a
bike and the drag produced by the airflow. Ri-
nard compares the process to a “virtual wind Trek technicians test the TTX Equinox in a wind tunnel. Photo courtesy of Trek
tunnel.” “If you can make a more streamlined
shape or create less drag, then the rider, for the Trek products, their aesthetic appeal high- elements to it,” Hammond says. “It can’t just
same power, can go faster,” he says. Arguably lighting, but not overpowering, their tech- be a good-riding bike, it has to be a good-
Rinard’s most important contribution to Trek nological prowess. looking bike too, if it’s going to capture the
came through CFD analysis. One of the individuals responsible for cre- emotion of the customer.”
In 2005, when Lance Armstrong needed ating this iconic look is senior industrial de- Though employees such as Hammond and
a time-trial bike for the Tour de France, the signer Michael Hammond, who worked at a Rinard provide a fertile base of creativity,
ACG responded with the prototype Equinox toy company in Dallas before coming to Trek ACG’s inspiration is not limited to their own
TTX. Rinard was one of the engineers who in 2004. mental confines. Practical application of new
ran CFD testing on the bike. On July 23, Arm-
strong rode the TTX to victory in the race’s
final time-trial stage, solidifying his seventh “It can’t just be a good-riding bike, it has to be a
consecutive tour win. The win propelled the good-looking bike too, if it’s going to capture the
Equinox into the spotlight, becoming the envy emotion of the customer.”
of the triathlete community. Michael Hammond
Three years later, the Equinox still
causes heads to turn as Palac ushers it
through crowds of devout triathletes. Its “We take those parts and make it look as technology in other industries provides vital
frame is donned with the same school bus good as it rides. It has to communicate visu- input to their bike design.
yellow coating as the tour’s revered leader ally what it does. It has got to look tough. It “We’ve gone to auto shows, manufacturing
jersey. This admiration is the beauty of has got to look fast. It has to have all those shows and motorcycle shows. Inspiration can

fall 2008 curb 29

BODY
come from just about anywhere,” Cu- during this process was simplicity. By remov-
sack says. ing metal parts from the old Madone, such as
The potential of these channels of the bottom bracket shell, and integrating the
inspiration was fully realized when bracket into the carbon frame, the ACG was
Trek approached the ACG with able to shave weight off the new bike.
the task of redesigning the Ma- When the redesigned Madone was released,
done, the company’s model of ex- it was met with almost immediate praise. In its
cellence in road bikes. According first year on the market, the Madone added two
to Trek’s website, the challenge Grand Tour wins and a USPRO national title to
was concise, but complicated: its credentials.
“Anything and everything could Over the past seven-and-a-half hours,
be questioned. The only require- Palac had become more intimately connected
ments: no compromises between with this pedigree than he could have ever
ride quality and weight. Merge imagined. His ACG-inspired creation had
form and function. Make it strik- successfully carried him 112 miles into the fi-
ing and make it beautiful.” nal transition stage of the Ironman.
Trek’s request opened the “How was the ride?” his roommate asks.
ACG’s creative floodgates. Brain- “The bike worked great,” Palac mutters be-
storms lasting only a few minutes tween bites of his pre-run Subway sandwich.
produced hundreds of ideas. “But I never want to ride it again.”
“When given the blank slate and Whether helping a plus-sized triathlete
given the mandate no constraints, we compete in the race of his life, or aiding a
began to look at things that, in the past, cancer survivor in winning his seventh Tour
had been considered givens,” Rinard de France, it is iconic moments that define
says. “We’ve simplified things to make the ACG, and it is the passion they infuse
installation easier and save weight and in- with modern technology that ensures the
crease performance at the same time.” survival of their biking legacy for genera-
One of the ACG’s key design themes tions to come. n

Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

30 curbonline.com
 BODY
“We … feel strongly that if we take better
care of ourselves, we will take better care of
our patients,” Bamberger adds.
Frett says because Frett/Barrington works
with developing employee benefit packages
for organizations, the company “sees the value
in having healthy employees.”
“Every time we go to meet with clients
to do their renewal, we see their insurance
rates going up,” Frett states. “They’ll ask
us, ‘What can we do?’ and really the answer
is to have people focusing on the lifestyle
issues that in the end cost everybody more
money.”
Each year, Frett/Barrington employees
form a team and compete in “Lighten Up
Wisconsin,” a team-oriented, statewide exer-
cise and weight-loss program. Teams choose

Wellness 9 to 5
whether to compete in the categories of weight
loss, physical activity or total fitness, a combi-
nation of both.
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine Another popular program among Frett/
New workplace programs program to “reduce major health expendi- Barrington employees is “Steps Toward Suc-
tures, improve productivity, reduce sick leave, cess.” In January, the company purchased a
encourage exercise on the job
reduce workers’ compensation and improve small stepper that employees can use while
By Katie Vann employee morale.” sitting at their desks. The stepper tracks the
Raddemann says more businesses now number of steps taken.
7 a.m. A Monday morning. embrace employee wellness as a key business “We set it up as a rotating piece of equip-
About 10 tired employees at Frett/Bar- strategy, and the programs are becoming ment. Each person has it for a week, and at the
rington Limited, a small insurance company more sophisticated. They are planned more end of the week, we log in the number of steps
in Waukesha, filter into a meeting room. Sud- thoroughly and are more comprehensive, done,” Frett says.
denly, the room goes black and a few glowing including online services and counseling. Frett/Barrington also had a walking con-
streaks light up around the room. They dash Programs also contain a greater focus on and test among employees called “Shuffle Into
back and forth with no apparent pattern. more awareness of lifestyle factors, as op- Shape.” The company gave employees pe-
After a few minutes, the fluorescent lights posed to just physical fitness. dometers that held seven days worth of step
return, revealing the same group of employ- data. Each week, everyone’s steps were re-
ees, smiles adorning their faces. A few hold Raddemann says more corded and logged into miles, and employ-
glow-in-the-dark balls. ees mapped out how many miles across the
What may seem odd to many is just another
businesses now embrace employee United States they accumulated.
Monday morning physical activity performed wellness as a key business strategy, Erin Hoffman, an employee at Frett/Bar-
before the company’s weekly meeting. and the programs are rington who participated in the “Employee
Patty Frett, account executive at Frett/Bar- becoming more sophisticated. Wellness Program,” lost more than 20 pounds
rington Limited, says it was a company goal for and dropped four clothing sizes.
2008 to start each Monday morning meeting “I knew I was probably reaching the heavier
with some type of physical activity. This initia- The Aurora Sinai Medical Center, located in side of the desired weight range for somebody
tive is part of Frett/Barrington’s “Employee Milwaukee, bases its lifestyle program around my age and height,” Hoffman says. “With all
Wellness Program.” seven areas of wellness: physical, emotional, the talk about wellness at work, I finally decid-
As Americans seem to become unhealthier vocational, intellectual, spiritual, social and ed to make the financial commitment of having
– a United Health Foundation study revealed a environmental, according to Janine Bamberg- my family join a gym.”
116 percent increase in the prevalence of obe- er, manager of nutrition services and wellness The bottom line, Frett emphasizes, is that
sity from 11.6 percent of the population in 1990 programs for Aurora Sinai. with rising health care costs, the employer’s
to 25.1 percent in 2007 – Wisconsin compa- Aurora Sinai also encourages physical activ- return on investment for managing these costs
nies seem increasingly interested in employee ity at work. It added speakers in its stairwells to and increasing productivity are of greater in-
wellness programs. play music and painted murals in them to en- terest to the company.
According to Jessica Raddemann, executive courage employees to take the stairs rather than “People are taking notice,” Frett says. “The
director of the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, the elevator. For spiritual wellness, Aurora Sinai toughest thing is for organizations to figure
employers come to the nonprofit organization provides stress reduction techniques, including out where to begin. … My advice to clients is to
for assistance in creating a company wellness meditation classes, according to Bamberger. just keep it simple.” n

fall 2008 curb 31

Leading the Charge>
BODY

Wisconsin innovators work to move the state forward

By Jill Felska

Roger Bird: director of concept stores and retail services at Trek Bicycle Company and co-founder of DreamBikes
www.dream-bikes.org

Located in Madison, the non-profit used bicycle store DreamBikes experience and an opportunity. ... We basically really wanted to do
employs members of Dane County’s Boys and Girls Club and gives something great and change the world. And this is what we came up
them an opportunity to serve. Aside from providing refurbished with.
bicycles at a low cost to the community, the DreamBikes staff receives
a unique and life-changing opportunity for education and growth.
CURB: What is DreamBikes’ purpose and mission?

RB: It’s a full non-profit that stands alone; it’s not under the
umbrella of Trek. It kind of combines the bicycle and the kids. There
are all these problems in the world right now, whether it’s a global
crisis, a transportation crisis or a health crisis. Really, the bicycle can
be a simple solution to those three things.

CURB:
your initiatives?
In what ways can the community get involved with

RB: They can get involved by participating in our giving back

campaign. They can come into the Trek stores or DreamBikes and
drop off a used bike. We’re going to refurbish that bike and fix it up,
make sure it’s safe, and then we’re going to give those bikes away to the
kids at the Boys and Girls Club. ... We give away a couple of hundred
bikes a year.

CURB: So far, what has been your favorite moment or memory

involving DreamBikes?

RB: One of the highlights for me was a Boys and Girls Club
luncheon. They asked two of the employees of DreamBikes to
get up and give their testimonials of what it has been like working
Jill Felska n Curb Magazine there. There was one girl named Jessica. There are 500 people
dressed up in business attire, sitting in the gymnasium at the Boys

CURB:
DreamBikes?
What was the motivation behind the creation of
and Girls Club looking up at this girl Jessica. And she was an
absolute professional … you could just kind of feel the joy and the
pride that everybody felt when she got up there and gave her story.

RB: We wanted to get people using bikes for fitness, using bikes
for transportation. Kids using bikes instead of playing video games
CURB: Are there any plans to expand DreamBikes?

and watching TV. We also wanted to bring bikes to communities

that normally couldn’t really afford them. ... There’s a couple of other
things too and one is helping these kids. We wanted to give them job
RB: I don’t think there is any reason why we can’t say that there are
going to be 50 DreamBikes within 10 years all across the country. n

32 curbonline.com
 SOUL

By Brescia Cassellius
Cultural understanding
through dance

fall 2008 curb 10

Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine
SOUL

M
isty Lown sat cross-legged on the
rough hotel carpet, captivated by her
students’ sinewy backs twisting in
rhythm to the drumbeat. She could remember
lining them up at the barre in their pink tutus
to learn their first tendu. But before her eyes,
an African dance session had transformed her
classical ballet students into boisterous African
tribal dancers. “To buttoned-up Norwegians,
it looks rowdy. But movement is movement,
and dance is dance — it speaks to you. The girls
came out fired up and full of life.”
For most Americans, the word Wisconsin
provokes images of lederhosen-clad, beer-
bellied men with accordions slung across their
backs, biting with a satisfactory snap into a
freshly grilled bratwurst. What doesn’t come
to mind are booming African drumbeats or the
milky, gummy tapioca pearls in Hmong bubble
tea. But these exotic snapshots of life in Wis-
consin are just as true to life, and people across
Wisconsin are bringing its diverse culture to
the foreground through dance.

Breaking out of the comfort zone

Audrey Buchanan grew up in Madison and
competed in traditional Scottish Highland
dance. “My dad thought it was really important
to learn more about my heritage through an
activity I could take part in,” she says. “It was
something I could excel in and [would] hope-
fully drive me to hold on to my roots.”

“One of the easiest ways of

understanding a culture, apart from
immersion, is through the arts.”
Chris Walker

After arriving at college, Buchanan decided

to get involved in the dance community on
campus and enrolled in African dance per-
formance. A classmate soon invited her to an
African Student Association dance group he
leads. At the rehearsal, she encountered the
most challenging situation of her life. “I went,
and I was basically the only white person there,
which was kind of intimidating. But dance …
was my negotiating medium … my way of prov-
ing that I was genuine and wanted to learn,” Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine
she says.
“One of the easiest ways of understanding reaching human beings at an emotional level. Juliet Cole, a leader of diversity education
a culture, apart from immersion, is through Once something touches you on that level, in the Green Bay community, knows the power
the arts,” says Chris Walker, assistant profes- then you’ve built a connection with it, which is of the arts – especially dance – firsthand. Orig-
sor in the dance program at the University of far more than you’ve built when you just read inally from Nigeria, Cole is currently the as-
Wisconsin-Madison and Buchanan’s instruc- zthe history of it through a … chapter in a his- sociate director for the Institute for Learning
tor. “The theater has this fantastic ability of tory book.” Partnership at the University of Wisconsin-

34 curbonline.com
 SOUL
realization: “I went to an event where I saw
Hmong children dancing, and I thought, ‘You
know, I’ve always wanted to do that.’” In 2002,
she received a grant from the UW System to
start the Nia (a Kwanzaa principle meaning
“purpose”) African/African-American Dance
Group.
In addition to practicing each week and per-
forming at community events, Cole’s group
teaches public school children, many who are
not of African descent, about African culture.
The children are then invited to perform at
UW-Green Bay’s annual Kwanzaa celebration.
“Do you know what that does?” Cole asks
rhetorically. “It brings their parents. It brings
their white parents who may not come to that
event.”

“There is such a passion behind the

movement. Many cultures
have meaning behind every
move they make.”
Megan Wegner

Cole knew she was onto something after the

first Nia rehearsal when more than 50 people
came to dance, and years later, she has seen the
effects. “Our community has been enriched by
this because we can showcase Green Bay …
having many cultures,” she says.

Dancing with eyes wide open

Bangor, Wis., native Megan Wegner, a for-
mer student of Lown’s, now teaches on the staff
of the convention where she first encountered
African dance. The African class, Wegner says,
is the “highlight of the convention weekend,”
giving people from many different cultures and
backgrounds the chance to participate in a less-
er-known form of dance training.
“There is such a passion behind the move-
ment. Many cultures have meaning behind
every move they make,” Wegner says. “Any
chance to experience another culture’s way of
life is an eye-opening experience that … makes
people able to relate to them on a level that
they didn’t before.”
Other weekend multicultural events in Wis-
consin include festivals lesser known than Ok-
Photo Courtesy of John Lemmon
toberfest and Syttende Mai, such as the Hmong
A young girl performs a traditional dance at the La Crosse Hmong New Year, or Nyob Zoo Xyoo
New Year and Greek Fest. They are far from
Tshiab celebration.
rare and bring unity to Wisconsin’s increas-
Green Bay. Cole’s family was only the second elementary school, Cole decided to act. She ingly diverse communities. Not surprisingly,
resident black family in Green Bay when they began visiting area schools and speaking in they often include dance.
moved there in the 1970s. Seeing her son public about her culture. The La Crosse Hmong New Year celebra-
struggle as the first black child to attend his Almost two decades later, she came to a tion lasts two full days in October and features

fall 2008 curb 35

SOUL
soccer tournaments, foot-long sausages and But it’s not easy to break cultural boundar- dent who grew up dancing with her mother in
sticky rice, intricately pleated dresses adorned ies. Buchanan’s experience is a testament to the Folk Dancers of Fox Valley, agrees that
with silver coins and embroidery, and a com- the fractured relationships existing among cul- being genuine is key to understanding other
pletely scheduled stage for song and dance tures in Wisconsin. Although she eventually cultures. “As Westerners, we do have sort of
performances. found acceptance among her black classmates, an obsession with minority, exotic, foreign
things,” she says. “I think there is a fine line
between experiencing a different culture and
“[Dance] is such a community-based event across almost all cultures that it re- … treating it with respect, coming to it know-
ally fosters an idea that a lot of people fear that Americans may be losing, which ing that … you are learning something, and
is the ideal of community over self and your neighbor over your individual self.” they are being gracious enough to open up
Audrey Buchanan this really special thing for you.”
Buchanan said the cultural group itself also
has responsibilities in the process. “[Learn-
According to Gina Yang, who directs a she initially struggled. “As open-minded or as ing] only takes place when people within
Hmong dance group in La Crosse, Wis., liberal that any of us feel we are, it’s a testa- the culture are willing to facili-
Hmong dance was first performed at the ment to why it might be hard for some- tate the process. People
1974 New Year celebration in Long Cheng, one who’s not white coming to our want to break stereo-
Laos. It was the last of such celebrations campus because it is a very types. They want
in the major Hmong metropolis before the unnerving feeling being to educate
Communists took over, forcing Hmong to the odd person out,” others about
flee to refugee camps in Thailand. Since she says. In the their culture,
that time, dance has been a consistent and beginning of the but unless
meaningful part of Hmong New Year cele- class, Buchanan you facili-
brations, which help the Hmong introduce lived by her fa- tate the
their culture to their communities in the ther’s advice:
United States. You have to
Terri Larson and her husband have attend- be willing to
ed the New Year celebration in La Crosse share parts
two years in a row. “Usually when we go, we of your own
don’t see many people like us there, but they culture to be
welcome you totally,” says Larson, who has seen as genuine in
bright, blond hair. “They just don’t look at wanting to learn
you like you’re different or anything.” Yang about another.
says the Hmong and non-Hmong communi- Elizabeth
ties in La Crosse get along very well, and her Seim, a college stu-
group is always invited to perform at special
community events.

The odd man out

Groups across the state like
Yang’s, Walker’s and Cole’s are
helping to cross cultural borders.
“[Dance] is such a community-based
event across almost all cultures that it
really fosters an idea that a lot of people
fear that Americans may be losing, which
is the ideal of community over self and your
neighbor over your individual self,” Buch-
anan says.
Barb Westhofen, 72, has been dancing for
about 30 years with the Folk Dancers of the
Fox Valley, and her nimble steps are still right
on the lively Czechoslovakian rhythm that fills
the second floor studio of the Menasha Memo-
rial Building every Monday evening. “[Dance]
is really an elemental way of being in touch with
other cultures,” she says. “It’s a really unifying
thing in the community.”

36 curbonline.com
 SOUL
process and you’re open to people learning
about it, it’s very close-ended,” she says.
Althea Miller, a black student of Walker’s
from Los Angeles, is amazed by the culture
she and her diverse classmates have connected
with through Walker’s class. “I just know that
… [Buchanan] has very much just an apprecia-
tion for it, and I see that with a lot of people in
the class. Black, white, there’s a certain appre-
ciation that is just floating in the air, a certain
amazement … as we watch [Walker] perform,”
Miller says.

A community of understanding
The thing about cultural dance, West-
hofen says, is its inclusivity. “It’s not the
kind of dancing where you have to have a
partner. You’re part of a line or part of a
circle,” she says. Seim distinctly remem-
bers this circle while dancing with West-
hofen as a child. In both Westhofen’s
group and Cole’s, the adult dancers include
the children, no matter their skill level, to
create a sense of community where stories
and traditions can be passed along to new
African performance students rehearse at UW-Madison.. Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine
generations.
“I very distinctly remember being so and performer there, but audience can be- sat watching the movie “Sankofa” with the
small that [we’d] be in a circle, and the come performer, and performer can become African Student Association during Africa
adults would be holding my hand, and I audience,” Walker says. Week on campus. It reminded her so much
would just get tugged and pulled every The drumbeats drifting from the UW- of her dance class. The next day in class,
which way because my feet weren’t quick Green Bay University Union Alumni Room as the drummers started thumping the
enough to keep up with the steps of the have just that effect. As the Nia African/ stretched leather, a rush of emotion spread
adults,” Seim says. African American Dance Group members through her.
The dance circle and line are concepts sway their bodies to the drumbeats, college “All I could think of was the women and
that span across cultures. The Folk Dancers student Travis Meyer pokes his head in from mothers and people on these plantations
of the Fox Valley form circles and lines for studying. that just had these awful lives, and what they
Bulgarian, Russian, Czechoslovakian
and Romanian dances. In African
dance, the circle can unite “I always speak of diversity not in being able to see these different cultural
audiences and perform- groups represented in the space, but how much different cultural groups
ers to facilitate learn- understand each other, which is really what diversity is about.”
ing through expe- Chris Walker
rience. “It’s not
audience here
“What is this? It sounds really cool,” were going through, and what dancing and
he says. “You can join us,” Cole says, mo- music … meant to them in this awful, god-
tioning him in as the drummers continue. forsaken experience,” Buchanan says. “The
“Sweet!” Meyer says, already bumbling rest of that class, I just had this energy I’d
through the step touches. But his clumsi- never had before.”
ness does not matter — Cole can see the joy That is precisely Walker’s goal. “I always
on his face. speak of diversity not in being able to see
That same booming African drumbeat these different cultural groups represented
reverberated in Buchanan’s mind as she in the space, but how much different cultural
groups understand each other, which is really
Energetic professor Chris Walker demon- what diversity is about,” he says. “Having the
strates for his African Performance students. numbers and seeing the faces is not enough.
It’s how much we learn and understand about
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine each other.” n

fall 2008 curb 37

 SOUL

Mes
an album under his belt and the proceeds
in his pocket, Sona is doing exactly what he
wants to do.
Disenchanted with rap and hip-hop’s infatu-
ation with money and violence, Sona directed
a documentary in 2008 with his album profits,
calling it “Behold Something Bigger than Tu-
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine pac.” Shot in Africa, Europe and the United
Originally born a prince in Cameroon, Sona Lionel now tries to inspire people and improve his community through States, the film cites a steady decline in hip-
music and film. Here, Sona records the song “Love Sees No Color” for his new album that will drop in early 2009. hop’s social conscience following the death of
Tupac Shakur in 1996. Sona denounces sev-
SONA’S SAMPLES different points in his life his medical ambitions eral popular rap artists.
gave way to his artistic development. The movie premiered Aug. 24 in Milwaukee
By Alex Morrell
Sona and his brother Sona Emmanuel and received a mixed response, according to
Jump-starting a hip-hop career in a home excelled as students and were the beneficia- Sona. Although some criticized the movie as
country musician and filmmaker Sona Lionel ries of a 40,000 Cameroon franc scholarship degrading to Tupac’s legacy, it was mostly well
calls the “armpit of Africa” is not typical, but the (or the equivalent of around $80 in the United received.
Cameroon citizen’s career path is anything but States) from the Cameroon government at Cyauthur Deacon, Sona’s friend and chem-
the expected. ages 11 and 12, respectively. With their schol- ist co-worker at PPG Industries in Milwaukee,
Despite being born into his tribe’s royal arship money, they bought a second-hand says he was impressed by the final product,
family, Sona experienced the pain of poverty Sega Genesis. On the last stage of the game regardless of its critical reception.
firsthand. In Cameroon, royalty does not come “Street of Rage,” a catchy instrumental popped “He did this pretty much all himself. He
with prestige, wealth or privilege. For a nation up, and Sona began to freestyle rap to the in- had the drive, it wasn’t like he was following
stricken simultaneously by poverty and corrup- strumental for 16 full bars, without any prior a template. … This was his own creative ef-
tion, his birth as a prince never meant dollars practice or training. fort,” Deacon says. “He’s not the average com-
– it meant obligation of improving the lots of What brought Sona to the United States in mercial stuff. Sona at this time, I think, is in an
those around him. June 2003, however, was his education and ‘emerging’ phase. There is a potential, if he has
When he came to America, he brought that original dream to become a doctor. He earned the exposure, to really make an impact.”
sense of obligation – and he is trying to change his degree in biochemistry and chemistry from At a Saturday afternoon rehearsal, Sona
the world with impassioned hip-hop vocals and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, but flips on the keyboard in his Milwaukee apart-
film production, starting with Milwaukee. did not pursue medical school as he had once ment and sifts through previously saved beats
Growing up in Cameroon surrounded by dreamed. Instead, he used money he earned and songs, searching for the match to lyrics
poverty and disease, particularly the HIV pan- from published research papers to help fund scrawled on the yellow steno pad he clutches
demic, Sona’s compassion burdened him to his own record label – Imperial Records – and in his left hand.
set an example by becoming a doctor. his first album, “Man in the Mirror.” Eyes locked on his notes, he bobs his head
“I remember growing up, I used to walk Ever-conscious of his image and impres- and rocks in his chair to this thumping, synthe-
down the street and see lepers … and just sion on people, especially youth, Sona cannot sized hip-hop composition, while unleashing a
stand there and look at them and pull out all emphasize the value of his degree enough. torrent of rhymes and lyrics.
the money I had in my pocket and just put it in “I wanted first to graduate before I released “I want to make every part of the world bet-
their plate,” Sona says. the album,” Sona says. “I’m trying to set an ex- ter, take a message that could touch people’s
In fact, Sona’s decision to become a doctor ample by telling [kids] to go to school, get your hearts,” Sona says after rehearsal. “Just be-
eventually enabled him to discover his musi- degree, then do what you want to do.” cause I was born in the gutter … doesn’t mean
cal talent and move into performance. At two And so now, with a degree to fall back on, I have to be stuck there.” n
10
38 curbonline.
curbonline.ccom
om
 SOUL

ssage in the music

Matt’S Melodies White describes writing music as a deli-
cate process. “My songs start with some kind
tour was officially designated the “Vote For
Love Tour,” incorporating two of his most re-
By Jacquelyn Moore of tune … a lyric that’s unique and different. A warding endeavors: the “Vote For Awareness”
moment of weakness: cheating, dieting, eating campaign and his second single, “Love.”
chocolate cake – something with any personal “Gap is inspiring everyone to get out there
Matt White has music in his DNA. After all, meaning.” and trying to energize everyone and bring-
his grandmother was the first American female But writing music is not effortless for him. ing people together to vote for anything, just
to conduct an orchestra. His great uncles were “For me, it’s whenever I need to write I can’t to have an opinion. … Gap has always been
the first white musicians invited into Harlem to write, and whenever I don’t need to, I can. about self-expression and individuality, so what
play with distinguished jazz performer Louis Forced creativity is the most difficult, ironic idea better way to express yourself than to get out
Armstrong. White became an accomplished in the entire world,” White muses. there and vote?” White asserts on Gap’s “Vote
piano player at age 3 and wrote his first com- White was relentless in seeking feedback For Awareness” campaign website.
position, titled “Future Fears and Friends,” at on his early writing and music. “I used to force The campaign moved White profoundly,
age 11. Music always made sense to him. people to listen to my songs to get their input,” inspiring him to write his single about Ameri-
When he arrived at the University of Wis- he recalls. Performances at local Madison ca’s undervalued sense of national freedom.
consin-Madison, the city became his musical haunts like Restaurant Magnus offered him “The song is: ‘What happened to the people
backbone. He spent four years developing his exposure and confidence. who wrote songs of freedom?’ because there
style in the laid-back town, writing and perform- Returning to the familiar bustle of State aren’t that many artists out there who do that
ing for anyone willing to listen. Since graduat- Street in October guaranteed Madison as anymore. White takes no political stance with
ing from UW-Madison, White has released an one of his most highly anticipated tour stops. the “Vote For Awareness” campaign or with
album, performed all over the world and was White performed twice at downtown Madi- his song; he says he simply wants people to
named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists to son’s Majestic Theatre in 2008. After his speak their minds.
Watch.” booking agency approached the theater for Twenty-five years of music. Twenty-five
The 28-year-old emerging star has trouble his first tour, the co-owners of the Majestic years of perseverance, loyalty and devotion to
categorizing his own music, blending alterna- Theatre recognized White would have great his art, and White is certain there will be more.
tive pop with rock, country and folk, emphasiz- appeal. “He’s a charmer, he’s got great stage “Whenever you think you’re at a certain
ing they are “all rolled up into one.” Whatever presence, he’s certainly a laid-back guy and place, relatively and artistically, there’s an-
the genre, this musician is beginning to see a the ladies seem to love him,” says Matt Gerd- other level. If you’re ever settled down and
reward for years of focus and dedication. ing, co-owner of the Majestic Theatre. you have your feet planted on the ground,
Besides releasing his first full-length album White also teamed up with Gap’s 2008 you start to lose it,” White insists. “So keep
in 2007, White’s songs have been featured in “Vote For Awareness” campaign, motivating on swinging. If you hit one ball with 10 swings
hit movies and primetime TV shows including people nationwide to vote. White’s fall 2008 you’re in good shape.” n
“Shrek The Third” and “One Tree Hill.” White’s
second single, which repeatedly poses the
ambiguous question: “What is love?” was vot-
ed to be the musical backdrop for McDonald’s
latest TV commercial. Touring with big-time
artists such as Sheryl Crow and John Mayer
introduced White to audiences and confirmed
his love for performing. He recently wrapped
up his cross-country “Vote For Love” tour, and
he and his band have played in almost 75 cit-
ies over the last four months.
White’s four years in Wisconsin represent
his most significant period of creative growth,
his freshman year marking the beginning of
a major transformation. When he could not
squeeze a piano into his pint-size dorm room,
he went out and bought his first guitar at a mu-
sic store on State Street and taught himself to
play. When he wasn’t in Bascom Hall scribbling
political science notes, he was adding rhythm
and melody to his own life stories. Photo Courtesy of Danny Marchewka
fall 2008 curb 39
TheTale Behind theAle
SOUL

By Heather Quitos Small Wisconsin breweries deliver big flavors

W
Photo Courtesy of Ale Asylum
hen craft brewer Otto Dilba talks one day opt to “try some of that.” crobreweries’ variety and special relationship
about beer, he thinks of meat. He Microbreweries and brewpubs have wedged with the community give them an edge over
doesn’t hesitate to distinguish him- their way into a recognizable spot in the brew- bigger companies. “[Microbreweries] have
self from refrigerated-case, name-brand, cheap ing industry circle. Even in a slowing economy, some camaraderie with the locality,” says
lunchmeat. “You purchase Oscar Mayer bolo- many of these small establishments are enjoy- Volke, who serves as MBAA treasurer of the
gna, and you’re enjoying the heck out of it,” ing success. Craft brewing is a $5.7 billion in- Milwaukee district. “It makes these places
Dilba says. “Then one day you step to the deli dustry, and the Brewers Association reported unique, because they are owned and operated
and you say, ‘I want to try some of that ham,’ United States’ craft beer sales increased 11 by people in the community.”
and you like it. It’s a little more expensive, but percent in the first half of 2008, compared to Smaller in size, microbreweries can experi-
it’s really flavorful; it’s really enjoyable.” the same period in 2007. ment with more varieties and flavors of beer.
The same applies to his beer. Dilba, owner of Brewer Russ Klisch enjoys the challenge of
Ale Asylum craft brewery in Madison, knows he’s Microbreweries and brewpubs have coming up with new beers each season. His
delicatessen, not bologna. And while he knows creativity does not falter – Lakefront Brew-
wedged their way into a recognizable
Oscar Mayer has its place, he feels craft brews – ery in Milwaukee boasts five ales, three lagers
with their slightly higher price and mightily more spot in the brewing industry. and eight seasonal beers. Volke says a smaller
distinctive taste – carve out a niche from the big demand allots more time for brewers to tailor
boys. Microbrews will never own the market, but Tom Volke, a member of the Master Brew- their flavors for the market.
they continue to capture drinkers who Dilba says ers Association of the Americas, believes mi- Dilba notes buying beer from a microbrew-

40 curbonline.com
 SOUL
ery supports the local economy. According
to Dilba, staying local can even give brewing
advantages, because bigger companies tend to
brew “mass-produced, watered-down” beer.
“They’re not really looking to make close to
what we offer,” Dilba says. “Our beers are
going to have more flavor, more robust, more
body to it.”
In an industry changed by the merge of the
large breweries Miller and Coors, craft brew-
eries continue to hold their own with the big
ones. Staying creative and offering different
products allow these small breweries to thrive.
Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery – which in
1996 brewed the first certified-organic beer
labeled in the United States – is also working Beer bottles roll down the assembly line at Ale Asylum. Photo Courtesy of Ale Asylum
to create a cooperative with other breweries ultimate quality control from the moment it’s logistics wouldn’t warrant it, they don’t
and Wisconsin hops farmers to keep products brewed to the moment it reaches your hands,” make enough beer to do that,” he says, add-
local. Volke, however, says it is currently too Dilba says. ing brewery competition is not cutthroat.
costly to use Wisconsin hops farmers alone. Simple beer has been well-received in “In Wisconsin, everyone’s unique, and
But Klisch is optimistic to join smaller brewer- the Madison area, and buying beer from they all get along.”
ies in the organic movement. Ale Asylum means helping the communi- And it seems brewers enjoy a small niche
“We’re trying to bring the hops crop back ty. This support is increasingly rare since market: Wisconsin alone has approximately
to Wisconsin,” Klisch says. “You can’t com- Dilba says no major breweries have owners 70 smaller breweries. Even combined, how-
pete with the corporate farms in the nonor- from the United States. “Not only do you ever, they still do not make as much money
ganic business.” have the quality side of it, you’re support- as the international companies, Volke says.
Lakefront is a small brewery compared to ing the local economy,” Dilba says. “All of Microbreweries, therefore, hope to profit
the national breweries, but its impact has been our jobs are right here in Madison. We pay by convincing people to shy away from the
large on the industry. Until recently, govern- state taxes too.” larger companies.
ment regulation required all beer to be made The potential for success looks bright for
with 25 percent barley, making those with the little guys, as people continue to try craft
wheat intolerance unable to drink beer. Klisch “If you know what you’re doing beers and enjoy each brewery’s nuances. And
created a wheat-free formula and lobbied for about brewing, you don’t have to brewing is developing into a popular hobby for
the government to change its definition of jazz it up with fruit and spices.” consumers. The MBAA even holds a brewing
beer. The legislation was changed, and today Otto Dilba class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lakefront’s gluten-free creation is one of the for people wanting to try their hand at creating
top sellers in the company. One year later, their own beer.
Anheuser-Busch released its own version of Add a brewmaster with more than 20 years For those intrigued but unsure of how to
wheat-free beer. of experience and Ale Asylum sees a success- dive into brewing, Volke suggests attending
According to Dilba, his Ale Asylum takes ful formula for those searching out a tradi- a beer fest, where portion sizes are small and
a different direction by “being progressive by tional-tasting beer. “For people looking for choices are plenty. The important thing, he
keeping it retro.” Founded in 2006, Ale Asy- brewing culture in general, they don’t come says, is to get people interested in the beer in
lum prides itself on brewing traditional beer to trends and fruit this and spice that,” Dilba their communities.
for its consumers. All natural but not certified says. “It’s interesting, it’s drinkable. We’ve Klisch is confident experienced beer drink-
organic, the brewery concocts different types found with a variety of our beers that people ers will continue to buy these specialized
of beer with only water, malt, hops and yeast. will come back to it time and time again. brews. “Wisconsin loves beer,” he points out.
“A lot of breweries do choose to make things There’s no gimmick to it.” “For a long time there wasn’t a small guy here,
unique by throwing fruit and spices in,” Dilba Craft brewers are confident their special- and [now] people are really discovering the
says. “If you know what you’re doing about ized beer can compete with bigger national styles and types of beer.”
brewing, you don’t have to jazz it up with fruit breweries. Dilba believes the bigger chains Those who begin to enjoy the world of craft
and spices.” have pushed their selling power to the biggest brewing will see their loyalties shift, Dilba says, and
A new player in the brewing game, Ale Asy- possible market, and the real competition is that benefits both the brewery and its consumer.
lum has an advantage by operating the only now among craft beers. “You find three or four more craft beers.
bottling facility in Madison, an asset that al- While larger companies have combined Now you’ll see that you’re purchasing Miller
lows for more control over the finished prod- facilities, Volke thinks smaller brewer- Lite less and less,” Dilba says. “You’ll basically
uct, according to Dilba. While it costs sig- ies will stay small. Chaining together to stop drinking the light beer product once you
nificant money to get the equipment to bottle increase competition against the bigger get interested in the flavors. You’ve basically
the beer, the sacrifice is worth it. “We have breweries does not seem feasible. “Their graduated from processed meat.” n

fall 2008 curb 41

SOUL

42 curbonline.com
 SOUL

Designer
Destination
Madison’s unexpected fashion jewel
By Jenny Cooper

Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

From her Madison apartment, Cari such as Marc Jacobs, Juicy Couture and Diane Greenwald says other busy times include
Schulman starts her morning routine. Von Furstenberg, venerated fashion brands. weekends when the Badgers play schools like
She wakes up, checks her e-mail, checks Lindsey Greenwald, a former Bop employ- Michigan or Indiana, when a lot of students
her Facebook and then ShopBop.com. ee, says fashion-conscious undergraduates of- who had heard about the website, but didn’t
ten come in to find a special top for going out. know there was a store, come in. “They were
With one hand on the mouse and one “It’s also the only place on campus sorority like in shock,” she remembers. “It was kind
scooping spoonfuls of cereal, her eyes flicker girls can go for like nice, cute formal dresses,” of lame.”
across the screen as she searches for her latest she explains. Aside from just local sorority Schulman lives just blocks from the store,
obsession. Then she stops. “Is it sold out?!” girls stopping in, the store has become a sort so instead of making a once-a-year trip, she
she yells to her roommate down the hall. “Is of Mecca for out-of-towners. can stop as often as she pleases. “They have
my flapper dress really sold out?” She lets
out a disgruntled profanity under her breath The spot is a far cry from Rodeo Drive. The store, however, offers designer
but continues perusing the website. clothing such as Marc Jacobs, Juicy Couture and Diane Von Furstenberg,
Shopbop.com has become the go-to site
for fashionistas all over the country. Offering
venerated fashion brands.
one of the most extensive assortments of de-
signer clothing online, it has been featured in Such is the case for University of Michigan great purses, and sometimes when I’m feeling
magazines such as Lucky and InStyle and has student Ally Yura, who has made the pilgrim- blue, I buy one,” she says.
a celebrity fan base ranging from Cindy Craw- age to Madison for the Bop clearance summer She notes she prefers to view the website
ford to Hilary Duff. Despite its high-fashion sale for the past five years. Her family drives up daily for fashion ideas because, unlike the
profile, the company actually got its start in the from Chicago the night before the sale so they seasonal displays at the store, Shopbop.com
heart of the Midwest – Madison. can line up by 7:30 a.m. and be among the first changes its “What’s New” section every day.
The website was founded as an extension of a to scour for deals. Yura says most of the items “Every day except Sunday,” Schulman points
State Street store, Bop, which continues to op- are a lot cheaper, but with $600 coats and out. “So sad that I know that.”
erate as the only store affiliated with Shopbop. $450 purses, the bill still adds up. This morning she navigates over to the sec-
com. Located between Badger Liquor and Piz- “We’re not extravagant, big spenders,” tion, and her hand momentarily stops, milk
zeria Uno, the spot is a far cry from Rodeo Drive. Yura says. “But it’s a shopping spree we do dripping off the spoon. “Vest scarves with
The store, however, offers designer clothing once a year.” fringe boots. Mmm, yum.”

fall 2008 curb 43

SOUL
Another new trend to Shopbop.com is the
addition of earth-friendly designers to the
list. Although eco-friendly blogs have been
abuzz about the new offerings, it might not
be the biggest selling point to fashionistas.
“I don’t really know what that means,” Cia-
bocchi says. “You’re not going to recycle your
necklace.”

The apparel is so often ahead

of the trends that even students
studying retail like Greenwald
struggle to keep up.

Bop is also set apart from other stores

and websites for the sheer amount of cloth-
ing options it offers. The website sells
clothing by more than 150 top designers
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine and sometimes receives more merchandise
The website has gained popularity for a tion. The clothing elicits excitement and than the designer’s own stores.
variety of reasons; one is the superb user- awe in many shoppers. “Cuuuute, I want “For example, Juicy comes out with 10
friendly experience it offers. Lindsay Capu- those!” Ciabocchi exclaims while clicking different colors [of track suits] each season;
to, a Chicago native who has been living in through. “Gray leggings with little bows on Shopbop gets every color,” Greenwald says.
Los Angeles for the last 11 years, says she the back.” “Even the Juicy stores don’t get all of them.
loves Shopbop.com because she can search According to Caputo, the clothing of- It’s really strange.”
through the massive collection in a variety fered on Shopbop.com has a youthful, Whether it is the high price or the high
of ways – by designer, trend or category. trendy vibe and reflects the style of Los An- fashion, many Wisconsinites may feel more
Sara Ciabocchi, a University of Wiscon- geles. “The brands are spot on,” she says. comfortable cruising over to the local mall.
sin-Madison student and Bop fan, looks at a The apparel is often so ahead of trends But taking a chance at Bop may surprise
feature called the “Look Book” when she is that even students studying retail like Green- some, for between the designer jeans and
bored in class, because it shows whole out- wald struggle to keep up. “They have this coats sits a stack of vintage-style Green Bay
fits and accessories. She also loves to use new trend to have vest scarves, some of them Packer T-shirts. For $40, anyone can be-
the tailored search to shop by trend, which, have hoods; they’re like hooded scarves,” come a truly fashionable “Sconnie.” n
she says, includes “sequins or fur or fun she attempts to explain. “They’re cool.”
things.”
Another popular fea-
ture is the denim guide
that tutors users on
which jeans work best for
them, whether they are
tall, curvy or have a “flat
rear.” A video version of
the guide has been post-
ed to YouTube.com and
plays on a flat screen in
the store. It is also one of
Schulman’s favorites.
“I have a big waist, and
so they’ll tell me which
jeans will fit me the best,”
she says enthusiastically.
But watch any Bop
devotee explore the web-
site, and it’s evident the
appeal is not just the
website’s easy naviga-
Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine
44 curbonline.com
Leading the Charge>
SOUL

Wisconsin innovators work to move the state forward

By Jill Felska
Aaron Yonda: co-founder of Wis-Kino and co-creator of the Chad Vader videos
www.wis-kino.com

Home of the 48-hour filmmaking Kabaret, Wis-Kino is an organi-

zation dedicated to the production and screening of local Wisconsin
films. Monthly screenings challenge producers to stop making ex-
AY: I think so. We get people from Green Bay and from Milwau-
kee coming over here all the time. It definitely feels like something
cuses and start making films. a lot of people are interested in. It’s also a good way for people who
make documentaries, or want to make films about issues, to get more
attention.

CURB: What is something unusual or unexpected that your

organization is fueling or accomplishing that the community might
not be aware of?

AY: We provide an environment for filmmakers but also for

people who like to see films that are made often really quickly. The
Kabarets are the epitome of that. This is an event that people want to
be a part of. Even if people don’t make films for it, they want to come
and see it because it is amazing what people can do in 48 hours with
a video camera.

CURB: So far, what has been your favorite moment or mem-

ory involving Wis-Kino?

AY: Most of the time, people who say they want to do stuff,
don’t do it. When people actually come out and make a film, and do it
quickly, that’s what makes it exciting. They challenge themselves.

CURB:
initiatives?
How can the community get involved with your

Kyle Bursaw n Curb Magazine

AY: Wis-Kino now has a connection with WYOU, the public ac-

CURB: What is Wis-Kino’s purpose and mission?

cess channel, where they will teach you how to use equipment for a
very low membership fee. They’ll teach you how to edit. They’ll run
you through the whole process. You’ll have all these opportunities to

AY: To give Madison a place where people who make indepen-

make films with decent equipment at WYOU.

dent films could go. ... There wasn’t really anything that served that
function — nothing that really gets people to make films. That’s what
we we’re trying to get people to do — to make films and not to let their
CURB: What’s your advice for aspiring filmmakers?

excuses get in the way.

AY: Take whatever you have and make a film. Don’t let anything

CURB:
forward?
Do you think Wis-Kino is helping move Wisconsin
stop you. Just get your friends together and make it a party. Or prom-
ise them free pizza. Offer pizza and beer, and you’ll have a cast in no
time. n

fall 2008 curb 45

The road to Wisconsin’s future

Check out exclusive content at www.curbonline.com

Mind
Leading the Charge video interviews

Body
The Art of Warrior: Mixed Martial Arts

Soul
Exclusive videos of Matt White on tour

curb Fall 2008

 WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Before child labor laws, children
as young as 9 worked in coal mines.

Many workplace protections we count on came from the

University of Wisconsin. At the turn of the past century, university
economists helped redefine government’s role in the workplace.
Because of their guidance, Wisconsin had the nation’s first
worker’s and unemployment compensation laws and led the
country in enacting child labor and minimum-wage laws.

Through advocacy and education, the Center for Patient

Partnerships helps people who face serious illness to make
more informed choices. Students and staff at the center
guide clients and their families as they explore diagnosis and
treatment options, resolve insurance and billing disputes,
and navigate employment and disability issues.

FORWARD. THINKING. www.wisconsinidea.wisc.edu

When Parker Summers was 3, the insurance company for the Appleton family refused to cover his cancer treatment. The CPP provided advocacy and
support as Parker received vital medical care. Today, Parker is healthy and enjoys a romp in his yard with his pal, Kahlúa.
Curb Magazine
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