(See this web site’s Picks of the Week for, as far as ballooning and all sorts of other activities, the rest of the story):

A pirate-themed, old-time version of that genre meeting the new, soiree at Madison Avenue Wine & Spirits on Feb. 2, is the highlight of pirate nightlife for the Hot Air Affair, featuring an appearance during which “crew members” can meet “Captain Jack Sparrow,” and also hear the The Pan Handlers steel drum band. The music at this activity, as part of the “Pirates Fly’n The Croix-Ribbean” edition of the weekend Hudson Hot Air Affair, which is on a 30 year run, will be held from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. “We’ll also have Caribbean food throughout the weekend and Caribbean inspired new cocktails for the Hot Air Affair,” said Madison Avenue’s Kelly Yocom. “We’ll be bringing our cinnamon whiskey, spiced rum and red wine (for sampling and more).”
The activity highlights a broadly stated, music meeting art event, and a primer of the best of the rest of bands to play in conjunction with the Midwest’s biggest winter ballooning event, follows.
That lineup, mostly in the downtown, is as such: At Urban Olive and Vine on Friday with an early 6 p.m. start, (so they will work in tandem with the Torchlight Parade), is Jazz Savvy, and on Saturday night its Andy and Kathyrn Karg. At the new Ziggy’s venue, there’s a two-fer on Friday, starting at 8 p.m. and going well into the evening, with Capital Sons followed by Scary Numan, and then on Saturday night is the HeBeGB’s. Based on past experience, Smilin’ Moose is sure to be a crowd pleaser on Friday night with Shirts & Skins. Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse also gets in the act on Saturday night with the late-breaking news of an Uncle Chunk performance.
There also are numerous DJ and dance music options, mostly for a younger-crowd type of tunes, some on more than one night. Dick’s Bar and Grill obviously leads the list, on both Friday and Saturday nights, and Smilin’ Moose follows their Friday live music with a Saturday DJ. For those who enjoy being in the limelight, and not just on the dance floor, there is karaoke on both Friday and Saturday at the Hudson Bowling Center. And, of course, don’t forget the guitar and vocal expertise of Jeff Loven as the one-man-band to wrap things up with a Sunday night encore.
— Capital Sons describes in more than one place on-line that they play “heart on your sleeve” rock ‘n roll, experienced but adding a fresh new twist. They also boast lots of air play over several years from The Current radio station, and past endeavors have even included the sitar.
— A combo of bands on a given night is a Ziggy’s staple, and the second to go on Friday, Scary Numan, describes themselves as a “psycho retro” new wave dance band. Check them out to see for yourself just what that means.
— The He-Be-G-B’s need to describe their name, its origins as a plural noun, and which letters to capitalize in a way you’d expect to see in Webster’s Dictionary. The style of this long-time band is also diverse, “performing a variety of folk, country, bluegrass and contemporary music, featuring acoustic.” And you love to see a gig where even the sound guy checks in with backup vocals.
— Everything goes better with live music, but it doesn’t need to be making-your-ears-bleed volume. So noted by Jazz Savvy, a trio that provides, among other things, classical jazz: “Never intrusive or sonically aggressive, Jazz Savvy gives you and your guests a memorable listening experience that will make them smile (and allow conversation),” they say.
— Andy and Kathryn Karg are a vocal/guitar/piano duo that cover genres from the 50s on up, and as a 2010 Miss Minnesota, she is well versed in both recent and old school tunes. Andy reigns from Nashville and brings his guitar swinging chops to match Kathryn’s homegrown piano virtuosity and her mastery of tight and soaring harmonies.
— Skins & Shirts have put out several CDs, which have been critically acclaimed, on the strength of two female-led, rotating sets by the lead singers. And there’s more. Song choice is tailored to each individual singer, and is adjusted for each event, as each member of the band shares vocal duties. Also, they show their diversity by use of things like an electric fiddle.
— Uncle Chunk says their “fan base ranges from young children to very mature adults, those who are young and those who are young at heart.” They cite the choices in their song list and visual appearance.”Looking at our set list, you will find music from many different eras and genres. These are what we consider some of the best songs from their times.”

When John Raleigh of Rivers Edge resort fame died the other day, it was a partial death of an era in Somerset, and that time frame also involved the noted traveling TV reporter for CBS, Charles Kuralt. He stopped in one day, on one of his treks through the Midwest, and became enamored with the combination of famous frog legs, tubing before the number of users over-swelled the Apple River, and just plain old charm. What few people know is that Kuralt kept coming back, again and again, to see his new-found friends as he was moved by their work ethic and commitment to customer service, before those terms became overused. I also experienced these in a few visits to write stories, as Raleigh and his family and co-workers (often one and the same) made me feel more than welcome, even though the connection to the family was only third-party. They also made sure that everyone, including myself, got the best possible seat in the house to view the Apple River and its combination of revelry and scenic beauty, which was much more apparent back in those days. All this played out in large form some time ago on New Year’s Eve, (note the timely reference), when I and my crew got a firsthand look, from less then 20 yards away, of tubers doing the annual ritual of braving the cold, and it was bad that night, and dodging an occasional piece of ice, as they rolled on down a frigid but still-rapidly moving, narrow river at midnight, in the dead of the night. With that said, let us remember John Raleigh, without whom none of this would have occurred.

— And what is it with all the prominent deaths that are even more local that keep rearing up their heads, especially as related to North Hudson and places where we all go to keep our minds off such things? One such passing-on even could be seen to have a connection to the Rolling Stones, which gather no moss, and in that way are unlike the blessed headstones of those we truly love. Anyway, enter a friend of the family, Mary Ann Fath, which other than the bigtime religious scrupulousness just sounds too much like Mary Ann Faithfull, (in life and in verse). But Ms. Fath, to the best of my knowlege, never broke up a band.
— And who is that on the cover, and featured with numerous photos on the inside, of a prominent mens magazine? Its none other than the area woman turned perhaps the best skier of al time, Lindsey Vonn. And who does she look like? An old friend of mine who I’ve not seen in years, who used to be a fixture downtown before doing the family thing, and like Vonn was also a fixture in various places around the metro. And what completes the similarity, with a bigger booty included? Throw in a little Nicki Minaj.
— But back to the “ugly” sweater contests … and please take the following gag as a (post) Christmas joke … and be lighthearted about this naughtyness so freely displayed to Santa … and take it in the holiday spirit. This all kicked off in local bars, as far as sweaters in ongoing contests that could be thought of as ugly/cool, (invoke Weezer), way back in November. (Granted on the 29th, not before). On that one there was a clear winner, but the other placings were a point of contention, with ties and what-not. Guess it goes down to the creative use of reindeer and their well-positioned antlers, and at more of a private party, it must be noted that while getting ready to welcome guests at an area bed and breakfast, the lady of the house was well boned in that manner, (just teasing). And then of course there was the contest at the Hudson Bowling Center, where you could actually be dressed head-to-toe with all kinds of tiny-ornament-type-decorations against a single-colored background. All the better to post online, and get more hits than Rudolph reindeer down in Donner’s den. (Sorry about that reference, as I was moved by the likes of Blitzen and Cupid, who I hear are party-hardy in a way over the top way).
— Back to holiday revelry, continuing to play out, that’s less provacative. Hop and Barrel is more than just beer. They are partnering with the local Rotary club to provide Merry Meals, serving as a pickup place where families in need can get a much-needed shot in the arm with food provided for the holidays and onward. Alas, the program has been so successful that the food being provided was full-up and the brewery in mid-December was no longer accepting requests from the public. The price of being over-the-top successful with the need you are covering.
— It apparently was a good, but possibly itchy, day at new years sales. A server all decked out in Santa hat, and half as elf and half as Candy Striper, was having trouble with the bottom of her costume hiking up. So a coworker had to wrap her arms around and make a waistline adjustment. (Not the upcoming Super Bowl halftime-show kind). In that vein, good thing for that apron.
— On a night out, to continue the holiday revelry, there was about a Baker’s Dozen of ladies with exactly the same look dancing at Dick’s. A bit of bountiful booty, higher-rise jeans and even higher waist, all of which makes it better to see you, that peek-a-boo bare midriff.
— With the day just passed, it might be a good time to add this tidbit, on the Christian music side, about a past summer festival. The rythym guitarist wore a shirt that said a one-word name, Bush. Would that be the band, the president who just passed, (makes this timing prudent), or his son who was in office at the time. Then, the speakers went out temporarily, which caused the Church Lady at the mic to speculate, “we must not have prayed hard enough!” Uhm, I don’t think that’s what causes rocking speakers to blow. More surprisingly, this type of reporting caused me to get a tentative bid to sit on a church group Board of Directors, apparently to weigh in on music improvement. Allelulia!
— On the flip side, where money talks even when besting the holiday season of gift-getting and regifting, there was just a big NBA trade involving Sam Dekker, who a few years back was playing college ball at UW-Madison. But some people I know, and got to know him through nursery care, said he’s kind of a jerk. Guess he wasn’t be referenced this past holiday concerning Christmas gifts of Black and Decker power tools, not power forwards. Invoke naughty and nice!

(For more news on the new year, in particular what partying was done on The Eve, see this web site’s Notes From The Beat department).

Over the years, you have gotten to hear a variety of music from Bungalow Idol, and now that it’s a new year, this January season is no different at the sponsoring Bungalow Inn in Lakeland.
You can sing virtually anything, and even if not in the running for the top prize, be appreciated here. And even non-performers can have a near-rock-concert experience.
Bungalow Idol has been held for a number of seasons to kick off the new year, and goes all January with preliminaries each Friday night, with the finals that same night of the week the end of the month merges with February, with the weekend closest being Idol Central.
Being singers ourselves and sometimes brought onto the stage with various lineups, my wife Jeannie and I decided to check it out in advance as — make a note of this — karaoke is held virtually every Friday night all year. So I ripped into Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath, the late Ronnie James Dio version, and because of the audience response even though its metal found myself moving around the stage and even dancing a bit, which is unusual for me (an old karaoke companion Liz Jones — think Close My Eyes forever — always told me, at least play air guitar during the solo). That overt nature of jigging, as is typical at the Bungalow, only fed the crowd more, especially on the long held notes. I am used to people flicking the lighters during my singing, so this response speaks highly of Bungalow Idol.
Jeannie then sang a song she knew as Lulu to the deejay (he was aware it was actually To Sir With Love), and there also was polite but significant clapping from the people seated at tables ringing the large dance floor.
There were various singers during the mix who offered much the same stage presence, not just vocals, to numbers that ranged from outlaw-edged country, to classic blues to old school crooning, and even a bit of hard rock, (think the hard to handle AC/DC). And multiple singers hit those notes just right with swagger and even finished off them off fully, and understandably, at times wandering out away from the mic stand onto the dance floor to make their point. A key point for me was a rare solo performance of the duet Leather and Lace, as friend Jennifer sang both the lines that would normally go to both sexes.
A pure older gentleman also made us all cringe, in a good way, when singing Bed of Roses to his wife, and even putting it on a Smartphone held by a friend. Also, a woman stepped it up a bit and rang through a song reminiscent of Pat Benatar, complete with just a bit of a snarl.
To make your own Bungalow Idol story, check it out any Friday this month. (And come early, as this is after all a supper club, and have dinner, and there are plenty of beyond-the-basic drinks to fuel your courage — as if you need it to get on stage — as well).

This is Plum Loco! Rio Loco that is. Black Gold, Texas Tea, swimming pools, movie stars. But no more margaritas, as the cantina is now closed to allow a redesign that the owners hope will have them come back bigger, stronger — and longer.

(And for you holiday buffs who can’t seem to let Christmas go, you can read all about it, and how it played out at local nightspots, in a retrospective filed under Notes From The Beat. And for a primer on where to go on New Year’s Eve, and what to see, eat and drink while there, look up Picks Of The Week).

— Another downtown night spot didn’t make it, as Rio Loco put up a sign saying that they are retooling. It thanked patrons for their support, again with those words, and it said the owners are coming back by building a new design concept that can be enjoyed soon. Too bad. The huge wall of bright neon-ish televisions, (often with very pink hues), above the very long bar rail made the cantina and its Jimmy Buffett-like theme something other than Hudson has seen, although for the workers the fact that the kitchen was down a back flight of stairs, a facet made necessary because of the building’s layout, often made things dicey. The joint that formerly was Ellie’s on Main was always hopping early, but by midnight there was always hardly anyone in the place. By way of comparison, the Negret wine company also lasted only a few short months, but the former auto dealership and bank building, now serving as a bar venue, also came back, in the form of Hop ‘N Barrel craft brewery, which also has had occasional bands in back. However,  the same rejuvenation cannot be said of Stonetap, which did at least make it a few years.
— With that said, Shiner’s in Lakeland also will no longer show, as it closed weeks ago, even though the sign out front, a multi-purpose marquee, still has the name there, in big letters.
— The debris is being thrown out the back patio door to the former Dibbo’s, into a full-size dumpster, to get that back area ship shape for new uses. While the place was known as Stonetap, the spacious back room that once was a concert hall sat in disarray. There were longterm plans to bring it around, to be part of the restaurant model for Stonetap, its owners said, but they never came to fruition, possibly because of money matters. That usage could now become a reality under a new owner, as a part of the overall renovation project. To wit, there stands a sign higher and to the left of the dumpster, that stumps for the new place, when it will also house condos as the main part of the mix.
— Taco Johns was a main dropoff site for Toys for Tots, so you could help out a child in need while getting a late night munch for yourself. Word had it that Pres Donald Trump himself might stop by and make a donation, as Wisconsin as a Red State is one of his faves, next to Arizona and New Mexico, but more to that point, he apparently balked when finding out that some of those underprivileged tots might belong to parents from that country that’s Down There. On a happier and sillier note, Dick’s had a clothing donation space where you could “Drop Your Drawers.”
— A guy who looked like Simon Cowell was watching a bowl game at Buffalo Wild Wings, and commented on various QBs about their ability as “throwers,” as should be fitting because it made him out to be a judge of that position. He and a bartender then shared opinions on the livability of the game’s host city, in Hawaii, and the bartender was a sort of a judge too, as he had lived there.
— There were hugs all around between a Green Mill bartender and her best regulars, who were down to each and every person at the bar, on the night before Christmas.There also were happenings on the night of Christmas Eve day. A man who looked like Captain Picard was giving instructions to his Number One at Dick’s. An older guy sitting by the old jukebox also was a TV show lookalike, back from the Golden Days of that medium. (One of my old advertising profs, Irv Grossman, used to be incensed that the only actual meaning for that term was as a psychic. As he used to start his laments to his not-so-eager students, who had heard it all before: “People …”)

Say, the sweaters have come, and they along with fuzzy antlers and Santa hats are worn well while tipsy just prior to mid-month, dominating the local bar landscape:
— Psst., hey buddy, want to get your ugly sweater just in time for the holidays, and not spend so much money that it might negate the prize you’d hope to win! Too late. Manager Jolene at Treasures of the Heart in River Falls said the other day that concerning the several racks totally devoted to these kind of outfits by the big front windows, right past the cash register, when you first walk into their big store, they have been virtually out of such costumes almost since the beginning of the month. So how do you get really ugly? To the point of everyone’s distain, mark my words, you might go as the babes in Coyote Ugly, although they’ll get away with it much more easily than you will if a typical, once-a-year-out kind of guy doing the embarrassing Christmas party thing. For better results seeking that kind of attention with your sweater, make it sexy like the infamous Jolene in the Dolly Parton song.
— Yes, the apparently late, great George H W Bush has passed on and do you think you can get any other news, like how your sports team did the night before, while watching the big screen TV at your local haunt? Quite frankly, despite the cliche “one thousand points of light,” which was referenced in an open-mic cover song by Neil Young played mid-week, I found his presidency average at best, very vanilla. So what’s with all the fuss? Can’t wait until we see what they do with last-man-standing, Jimmy Carter, as far as a eulogy. I’d did later notice that the elder Bush was thought to be one of a pair of the last great statesmen. And these old presidents have showed up elsewhere too, such as on the Golf Channel taking their swing. Bill Clinton and the younger Bush were being given a soapbox to spout their views not on politics, but on which iron to choose, at the length in minutes matches the longest version, of many, to Stairway To Heaven.
— All this makes me recall being a photog of the day for the local paper at a Christian music fest in Lakefront Park, where a band that was making a feeble try at being true rockers was attempting the latest, newest, greatest guitar solo. It was said that God must of smiled on the performance, which was called being of blazing fingers, but in reality it was very boilerplate, like those thousands of ax-men who now can easily champion Jimi Hendrix, as if that was anything beyond the most basic in the 2000s. (And for Christian leaning music, check out the lyrics for All Along The Watchtower, one of the most popular by Hendrix by way of its frequent coming-about references to the two men who were crucified alongside of Christ).
— And I am well known for singing that song like no other when with Jeff Loven, holding the last note for the unheard of half-minute — to the point where right off the bat, he turned my mic off and instructed me not to sing over his guitar solo. I’m OK with that. But before I got shut off, just ask former band member Geno, who when first walking into the joint said,”who is that shreading it! Oh my God, its Joey.” He since has stopped playing and started working day employment, in part fueled by an invitation to perform up in North Dakota at the new-Old-West that has accompanied the lawlessness arriving with the massive oil riggings. (Even beyond Urban Cowboy.) Geno is a Christian and wanted to incorporate that into his music, but with not having substantial offerings, up and left for the main Hudson industrial park.
So what’s new about all this? An old friend who I have not seen for many years, put a note on my windshield that said, amongst other phrases, Hendrix4ever!” and asked me to call her for a drink and perhaps singing. I have tried several times, to no avail, so I am now listed this shout-out: Robin, get in touch with me!”
— What is with all the household pets, cats and dogs mostly but not totally, that are going missing and the request to help find them — even through the hours of the night, when many of us would be too bleery eyed to fully recognize them — is put on locally-based social media? The one that really surprised me is the all-call to locate a goldfish, which sadly ended then the remains were found in the St. Croix after having been lunch for a great big catfish. Just kidding about that last part. “Oh grow up,” as the late Joan Rivers would have said. Especially since new zoning provisions would limit residences to two cats or dogs.
— Lying in a snowbank on a downtown evening was a single pink glove, like one that presumably could have been worn by Michael Jackson, continuing his becoming-more-effeminent ways. But later that night there was seen a glove in the snow that could have been a match, only in a sort of different color. Add two items of clothing to the feet, and you might, at least temporarily, have the what fairy’s wear star of that old Black Sabbath song, “A Pair of Boots Dancing With a Glove.” And one other middle-aged guy out around the same time lost his remaining black glove, and yet another young girl her black glove. Could that help, months later, to yield a foul-smelling followup to Spinal Tap’s “Smell The Glove?”
— Bartenders can be out there with their dress and demeanor, but one would think this scenario would be a cause for more conservatism in behavior. One of the North Hudson servers is being invited to travel to the family dinner of a co-worker — its platonic — in the same line of work for the holidays. Would you, (1) think that someone who was in that profession would be the ideal choice to meet mom and dad, and (2) after the intro is done, maybe everybody could use a good, stiff drink.
— Ever feel that need to pee, and it was already way past last call, so you had to do what you had to do. Just face a fine for public urination. With that said, I saw a sign that made it clear, no public “dumping.” Well, we would hope not … All these things were underscored at home when all the water was turned off for a couple of days to allow a repair. New meaning to the value of “the woods.” Or the answer to all such things, the nearby Freedom Station and its restrooms.
— There was a car bumper sticker that turned SuperCaliFragileIsticExBealAdosis into a naughty paraphrase. And although it was made up of about seven words, it is not a limerick. Like to see the same to describe the two different Christmas trees tied together to the top of a midsize auto.

Its 5:32 somewhere, specifically in this case at the Beach Bar in the Lakeland area, and what better way to point out that timing than the down-to-the-minute celebration of the end of prohibition on Wednesday, Dec. 5, with a party of that name at The Beach. So go to the Beach Bar shortly after that 5 p.m. timing and get a free Fireball shot, because in this decades-in-waiting festivity the only way to go is whole hog. In that spirit, there will also be prizes, often in the form of appetizer specials. (And you will want to consider staying for the open mic night afterward to really play it up big). And it is so fitting that this event is happening on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix, and thus beating the Badger State, because the Gopher State has historically been more stingy with liquor laws and their observation.

You’ve got to wear the plaid — and make it the flannel form — or have form fitting stretchy pants or jeans to work at the bar:
— Right around Thanksgiving, it was designated Plaid Day, but the dedication to that kind of dress continued all through the weekend. The soon-to-be-trend started with the bartenders at the Smilin Moose, who added the look of red flannel as a part of their semi-official uniform, worn in homage to hunting season. Good look for a rustic lodge-themed place, just like the appearance of the jeans formerly worn by virtually all the women on staff when they added sequins to the back pants pockets. And for the pants that really seal the deal as far as making women look good, we have to reference those worn by staff at Buffalo Wild Wings, sporting their form-fitting (in a very good way) stretchy black variety.
— Oh there is that other Moose in the Twin Cities, but we will concentrate on the one in Hudson. But to back up, an acquaintance I met in the Enemy Cities, and is a regular patron at THEIR Moose, said she had been wishing to come over to the Hudson and take in our antlered type, but we then both acknowledged over a laugh that no rather how far you go north (such as Superior), there’s only Moose in Minnesota and not the Badger State, although we’ve heard much about it. But the truism remains that the Badgers are much more volatile than those big lunks who wander their way through swamps and lakes.– Being costumed around town this far after Halloween, even though inadvertent, was still a theme (is that legal?). A group of women emulated a TV zombie-acted (can I use that term?) commercial, by teaming to pose for selfies at the bar, a half-dozen strong. But there was merely one women who dared to sport the Marge Simpson Beehive; another who sported a rubber band on her ring finger. And don’t forget the couple of women who on the late side sported the kitty cat ears as a part of their black ensemble, and adding to their numbers those with such ears scrounging for late night snaks at Family Fresh
— Oh there is that other Moose in the Twin Cities, but we will concentrate on the one in Hudson. But to back up, an acquaintance I met in the Enemy Cities, and is a regular patron at THEIR Moose, said she had been wishing to come over to the Hudson and take in our antlered type, but we then both acknowledged over a laugh that no rather how far you go north (such as Superior), there’s only Moose in Minnesota and not the Badger State, although we’ve heard much about it. But the truism remains that the Badgers are much more volatile than those big lunks who wander their way through swamps and lakes.
— And as far as hunting, a sign on the freeway just east of Hudson, to be seen well after the sunset into which the drivers were heading, used a comedic tone to point out a serious subject: Look out for deer that just might dive out right in front of you, and don’t swerve. And its no dive bar, really, but at B-Dubs, the first hunters decked all out in blaze orange showed up at the bar to tip a couple for their success of opening day, even though midnight was nearing and the official season had a start time 18 hours earlier.
— Hey, I don’t really know my bloody Marys that well, but in the honor of Halloween recently past, we guess the redder the better. This theme even made it big on the big sign in front of Seasons Tavern, which I swear can be seen while on almost half of the North Hudson main drag. Tag team that with the event at Hank’s Bar in New Richmond, for the best bloody Mary in this one-tenth of western Wisconsin, and even had the draw of a “chefs” sample as a part of the freebies, that also included the boo-berry opportunity to also taste blueberry beerD (really, that’s not a typo).
— Also at Season’s, hail to the turkey, although its best not to be one, as on their sign “The Bird is the Word,” unlike the “Grease is the Word” of the noted movie. After all, you need one to make the other; for as System of Down sang, “Swimming in the void, we here the Word, we lose ourselves, but we find it all!”
— And in the category for best ugly picture, we nominate the zombie look for a person’s Facebook mug shot. Did I say mug shot? Did this zombie, thus, get big in hideous trouble with the law? And as long as we are on a Deadhead note, there was a big, bearded Jerry Garcia-like singer who gave up his guitar to a novice at a church event. Hell, when I was that age, I tried to play a six-string and couldn’t even get a sound out of it!
— It’s been speculated whole hog in the media whether Joel Mauer is Hall of Fame material. Even those classic sideburns my not be enough for an early entry. Just ask Jack Morris, who finally made his way in after years of waiting — which did give him adequate time to tip a few at Pudge’s, where he sometimes would hang out. Unlike Morris, Jimmy Butler will not finish out his playing days in Minnesota. Can he cut it in, say, a big market like New York. And if such added exposure would make him a Hall of Famer, you’d simply have to say, the Butler did it!
— And yes, Mr. Rodgers is still in the neighborhood, as his look-alike has been seen many times at Dick’s Bar and Grill, even in the rare times where he doesn’t throw for 300 yards.
— Unusual food spices are showing up as bar snacks for the season. Take heed, at BWW, of the BBQ pumpkin wing sauce, and then the pumpkin blizzard at Dairy Queen. And there are other uses for these great versatile gourds. Before a night on the town, I actually used a pumpkin under the cover of night, to smash leaves deeper down into a refuse barrel. And yes, we realize this wasn’t a jack ‘o lantern, of the kind often crunched in a much
similar way as a juvenile prank.
— And speaking of BWW, as advertised in their entry area by the front door, are appetizers and the like that spell out woe be to ye, as the guys in the striped shirts might flag you, and you’d get penalized for “holding” your snack, even though it would go over great in the “huddle.” Add “hash” and you have the Triple H. And at least maybe 15 yards.

Lets get political, political, lets get political, and after all political … to paraphrase the pop song:
— A friend of mine has taken credit for various political ad promptings that got the Wisconsin word out in the western parts. She wrote to Tammy Baldwin and suggested running TV ads in the Twin Cities metro area, which after all has a reach much of the way to Eau Claire. Baldwin did so, followed by a couple of other Wisconsin Democratic candidates. This was followed by TV spots from the state Republicans, including the King of the Right Wing, the governor Scott Walker himself.
— And then there is another friend of mine, who I saw out and about for the first time in months recently, as she is now doing for the most part the family thing, rather then hitting the bar as before. She in turn is friends with Walker and promotes his causes. Even myself, a moderate liberal, has the idea that her political political stance makes sense, for her, since she served in the military in overseas wars and ran a small business with her ex-husband.
— And it has to be perfect timing, considering its the election season, for me trying Arrogant Bastard ale. Good, but a bit bitter. is fitting for the election-based time of year it is
— A local Chinese food offering to cleanse your pallet after a night of drinking fine wine — OK that liquid choice here in Wisconsin is unlikely compared to beer — is the dim sum Chinese variety, which just might describe collectively those many recently departed cabinet members under the thumb of The Donald.

— I see this as one of the best ways to get out the vote. Members can go to Green Mill wearing their “I voted” sticker and get $5 for their bill.

— Lastly, yes I did vote, and ended up in the line of Oz, or that is last names starting with O-to-Z. Seems that would be a vote for Ozzy, and championing some of the political opinions in some of his songs.

Back in college I had what I thought was the ultimate Halloween costume, as a housewife who gets up in the morning, complete with facial cream that made me break out a bit.
I guess I was wrong, as for the weekend costume parties, I reprised that role for the first time in decades by getting ready in minutes — and this time I felt it showed — and adding a dog leash as a necklace and a blouse for a skirt. I did this by pulling it up tight, even though it was difficult getting it past my formitable hips, but this did leave a big flap that dragged down to my knees, making me inadvertently and inaccurately look well endowed. The combination attracted attention everywhere I went.
But back to that first time I went in drag. I had curlers in my hair and an ugly bonnet. I had pink bloomers and a girdle. I had a camisole top and garish pink robe. I put on cross country ski boots to change up the look, complimented by rolled up nylons. The camisole top would not behave, as one of the straps was always flopping down and just could not be fixed. So in stepped my roommate Tony with the suggestion that I simply go as a tease.
Tony also came into play with the shtick I used at a party that night. We were also accompanied by friend Denise, who went as a Playboy bunny, and those two often went off by themselves (go figure!) I took advantage of that opportunity to approach some beautiful women with a well rehearsed mantra complete with squeaky voice that went loosely like this: I am wondering if you could help me. See my husband over there with that hottie? He never pays that kind of attention to me and we haven’t had sex for months. Can you give me any suggestions? (I did get a garter from a French maid, but that didn’t capture Tony’s interest either).
One more Tony reference and then I am done with this long-winded story. He dared me to approach yet another female friend and jokingly ask if she would consider a lesbian encounter with me. But she really got the last laugh when pouring her beer on a strategically placed part of my already thin bloomers, and there wasn’t much left to the imagination.
But last weekend, the yuks started the moment I strolled into the first stop, Seasons Tavern. I had no sooner walked in the door and owner Brad took one look, covered his eyes while leaving a gap between his fingers, and wailed “No! No!” People saw me coming up the way and had looked for only a second or two and already there were broad smiles. They regularly asked me just what the heck my costume was. I told them I started as going for the whole housewife thing, but strayed away. Many said they thought I was actually a doctor, or even a nurse. I could see that, I think.
What I couldn’t see as readily was later when the bouncer at Dick’s asked me to cover up a little more with my unbuttoned robe. I complied as best I could by wrapping my chain around it and we both had a good laugh.
But back to this weekend, as yes, there are other costumes to describe, not just mine. Friday and Sunday kind of tanked, but there were even more people than usual out in the middle, on Saturday night, both in costume and out, and legions of them were out-of-town, new faces. To wit:
— The costume party winner at Dick’s was none other then a Kenny Rogers lookalike, and I mean lookalike, right down to the perfectly coiffed whiteish hair and top-to-bottom dress of a country super-star.
— The third place winner was, as he was dubbed by someone in the crowd Gay Deadpool, although he had to trade in a sword for a couple of flyswatters for his upper back, because of house safety rules.
— Sexy was definitely in for one of the bartenders, who sported a thong maillot that left little to the imagination for both her butt and breasts.
— Of course there was at least one evil clown, who showed up early and attracted attention at one of the bars, then made a name for himself also by pushing his face against the window at Rio Loco and teasing the people at the inside table.
— The ex-military man (a sniper, great past job for Halloween) who can now for the first time have a mohawk with colorful pink hair, for the days before Halloween only, changed it up for bright orange hair on the last of those days.
— At Pudge’s was a lifesize mummy decoration who was wrapped so tight with what looked like thick toilet paper that there was nary an inch of skin to be seen, or even eyes.
— My bet for best inadvertent Halloween-themed garb is the TV ad pitch person who has hair that makes him look like a Chia pet. And we thought prior to his reformation day, The Donald was bad.
— I also saw a T-shirt asking with a checklist what was your Halloween costume of choice. The last option was a nudist. Uhm, wasn’t the whole idea of nudity that you don’t have a costume?

Lastly, at Village Liquor, there was an again lifesize Jack in the beanstalk display hawking booze that featured a headpiece with a theme of, you guessed it, Halloween.

And if you really want to get spooked during trick-or-treating, come by the haunted house at Cherry Circle, just off of Fourth Street in North Hudson. Just don’t look up on the roof, unless you are very brave.

Yes Halloween is (unfortunately) on a Wednesday, which might typically put a damper on holiday costume parties at bars, but happily and creepily it has not turned out that way. There are parties to be hit all over this weekend, and the following is the spread-all-over-time primer on only the best haunts to go to and maybe even more importantly on those days that are bookends, you can max out if staying in costume and in character for more than one or two days. If not specified otherwise, the parties are on the more typically scheduled before-Halloween Saturday night. Friday its Guv’s Place and the Village Inn across the street in North Hudson, and the Bungalow Inn in Lakeland, and on Sunday night, which will not be a day of rest, Pudge’s does the trick.
— The name on the marquee at The Village Inn in North Hudson says it all: Feature boos, band and booze. The band is a transplant from Chetek called simply Sage, and its always good to see western Wisconsin talent, not just the proliferation of cover bands coming out of the Twin Cities. Bartender Sue is from that area and she kept the arrangements moving forward and is bringing all her people in for a night, and there are a lot of them. She knows how to party, as do her mates, so this should really be a party!
— The official name of the Halloween costume party at Season’s Tavern on Saturday night has been dubbed The Boo Bash! The North Hudson venue also will again feature Thirsty Camel for music, and owner Brad on the drums said their decades-old following has been aided by the fact that they are just a very good ‘ol rock and roll band. And the more people who show up in costume, the more they increase the cash value of their prizes, so you and your mates basically have some control over how much you can win! Costume judging is at 11 p.m.
— At Guv’s Place in North Hudson, the costume party is Friday night, with Kyle Kohila picking solo on the guitar, in what has been a tradition at Guv’s, both the old and new place. In what is also a tradition, the place is decorated up the hilt with scary creatures, courtesy of owner Jess, whose favorite holiday by far is Halloween, and it shows. Even their Facebook page currently has as the lead photo a monster with fantastic spooky eyes. She also is often behind the bar, and she wouldn’t mind at all if you quiz her about her themes. Even looking at all those big and elaborate costumes hanging halfdead from the high ceiling is worth the price of admission (uhm, oh yeah, its free).
— Dick’s Bar and Grill also has live music as a part of their party, and in a different twist offers two judgings for their costume contests, a tradition of the prejudging relatively early then another one — the main attraction — at the more conventional time, so the party basically goes on all night (with the band coming on early evening, followed by a deejay) and you have two chances to win cash prizes, to boot. And at Dick’s, which like for all holidays has literally hundreds of small but interesting goolies hanging from the ceiling, as there is strength in numbers, always has many more people show up in costume then most venues. And that earlier featured band has a name you have to love, The Other Baldwins. Costume judging is between 11:30 p.m. and the witching hour of midnight.
— The Bungalow Inn adds something possibly scary to the mix, and not having a band or deejay, you can be holiday specific with you selections by singing karaoke! We recommend Spooky Little Girl Like You by Atlanta Rhythm Section and of course Thriller by Michael Jackson.
— Casanova Liquors is having a prohibition-style shindig in the caves behind the place. (Hey, there’s a creepy-ness to all the rock formations to be seen). But, you won’t want to go all-into-prohibition-style restrictions, as when being exposed to these frights, you just might need a beer!
— At Pudge’s, the costume party and party as a whole for the first time is upstairs, which was the subject of a recent extreme remodeling, as befits the holiday, as you are either all in or not in at all. The limestone facade just adds to the quasi-creepyness, and this takes you way back to when this was one of the first buildings in Hudson, and the city has been around for a while. And when they were doing this huge remodel, they ran into some suspiciously dead looking things that were unearthed. You might want to ask about this, as a conversation starter with Halloween just around the corner, over a shot or two.
Two places that unlike some have not been around for decades (new blood?) get an honorable mention nod. The Smilin’ Moose is the granddad of highest costume cash (think the creepy old man in Texas Chainsaw Massacre), if you can tolerate all the young but sometimes cool punks from The Cities who have been drinking, and Woody’s in Bayport although a short distance away on Friday has a total of nine different qualifying positions, (all getting prizes), in three rounds prior to awarding the grand prize.