CricketToes

Eat Chili To Stop The Madness!

I just got the Official Guide to the 8th Annual Rockabilly Chili Contest from WMSE 91.7 FM in my email box and it's a real dilly, kids. Pictured at left is this year's Rockabilly Chili mascot Francis, a truly astounding yet absolutely foul tasting ocean gastropod of the Nudibranch variety. Eew!

Beyond the obvious HIlarity of the name--haha! Nudi means naked!--there is no logical reason for this bottom-dwelling creature's presence at, near or around a pot of chili. The implication, of course, is clear: Miltown's premiere DJs have finally gone completely off the perilous deep end, bless their nutty little noodles.

So what is it that has turned our Frontier Radio heroes mad? Endless fundraising! And what can you do to help bring them back from the brink of insanity? Go to the 8th Annual Rockabilly Chili Contest this Sunday!

For just a $6 admission price and $1 per chili sample you can spare us this kind of nonsensical mascoting for the foreseeable future and help WMSE continue on with its musical broadcasting mission. Better yet, bring four or more non-perishable items for Hunger Task Force and get up to two chili servings. Whoot!

WMSE's 8th Annual Rockabilly Chili Contest will be held Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 11AM-4PM at the MSOE Kern Center, 1245 N Broadway in Milwaukee.

Do it for the DJs, do it for Francis, do it for us all.

Breaking: Green Lives In Winter

In conjunction with its Green Furniture exhibition, Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) and Chipstone Foundation will be presenting its first Green Fair, an all-day get-down-to-eco-business event, tomorrow, January 30, 2010. Attendees should expect to be stunned and flabbergasted that anything containing chlorophyll--whether literally or metaphorically--can live during a Wisco winter and fainting couches made of recycled material will be strategically placed throughout the facility for your soft-landing convenience.

The day kicks off at 10AM with a green marketplace in the Baumgartner Galleria, featuring local producers and sellers of sustainable goods. Also, one of Cricky's most favoritest non-profs, Growing Power, will be on-hand. Whoot!

At the same time, Madison-based artist and Green Furniture guest curator Hongtao Zhou will brave the digit-numbing cold and wind on the Museum's lakefront lawn to create examples of his snow furniture. Since this is scheduled to take place over six whole hours, please show your appreciation to this courageous, slightly kooky artisan by bringing him a cup of his preferred hot beverage at regular intervals.

Those not totally entranced by Zhou's magic show should head on over for a Q&A with the folks whose work is featured in the Green Furniture exhibition from 10:30–11:30AM in the Decorative Arts Gallery. Bring a list of questions tailor-made to stump 'em, 'kay? Also, from 11:45AM to 4:40PM, there'll be a number demonstrations and chats by some of these artists in Windhover Hall.

Or how 'bout meeting at admissions at 10:30AM to listen to a reading of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss--it's not just for ankle biters! Seriously, I would not be shocked at all to see a gaggle of slim jean wearin' hipsters warming themselves 'round the story time glow, lying on their stomachs, chins in hand, and iPhones bulgin' in their back pockets, would you? Course you wouldn't. But I digress.

Lubar Auditorium is the designated the space to gather for the main attraction: The Green Symposium. To the din of mighty cheers, Ken Dunn of Chicago City Farm, James Godsil of Sweet Water Organics, Milwaukee Alderman Nik Kovac, and Cedarburg architects Tom Kubala and Vince Micha will enter at precisely 1PM. For two hours they will hold the crowd utterly captivated as they discuss what "green means" in their respective fields.

Finally, the co-curators of the Green Furniture exhibition, Ethan Lasser of Chipstone Foundation and Hongtao Zhou, will conduct an interactive conference in the Decorative Arts Gallery from 3:30–4:30PM. Lasser may need a bit of assistance in ushering Zhou in from Mother Nature's freezer, so give him a helping hand if ya can.

It all sounds like a ton o' eco friendly fun, don't it? And it's free with admission. Let's all green up, people!

Link (Thanks, Claudia!)

Related:
Imagine a Greener Art World

Submit Your Proposal to Own the Road

The Wormfarm Institute, nestled deep in the heart of beautiful Reedsburg, Wisconsin, has put out the call to artisans--you're one of those, right?--to submit proposals for its newly hatched Roadside Culture Stand Project. Artists, architects and all other peeps handy not only with their hands but also with their noggins are invited to apply. Don't know how many mechanics, farmers, wood workers, or aerospace engineers read this here bloggity blog, but if you're out there let me just say, "Hey, nice to have ya here!" and furthermore "You're welcome to apply, too!"

So what's a Roadside Culture Stand? It's a mobile unit used to display, sell and barter over fresh produce and artistic/crafty works. 'Nough said? No? Well, maybe some visualization will help. Remember that time when your parents hauled you outta bed, bleary-eyed and dazed, on a crisp autumn Sunday morning, cheerily stating, "We're going for a drive in the country, kid!" And so you all did. During that ride your mother suddenly pointed to the side of the road, exclaiming, "Look! Corn!" or "Look! Quilts!" or "Look! Rutabagas!" and there was a stand with friendly folks selling fresh stuff to eat and/or nice stuff they made, and your mother was overjoyed. Also, you had rutabagas for dinner every night for the next month.

Okay, now that we're all on at least a vaguely similar page, the first thing ya need to know to get your design and construction juices is flowing is that, if you're proposal is selected by the world renowned Roadside Culture Stand judges, you will receive a whopping $3,500 to cover all design, fabrication expenses and your artist fee. Whoot! Not only that but a flatbed trailer will be provided at no cost. Double Whoot!

The second through six things you need to know are these:
• Your proposed stand must meet the specifications of being built on the 5x10 foot steel flatbed trailer provided.

• The design of the stand should be visually compelling when open and in use as well as when closed, and it must be visible at night.

• Your proposed stand must be roadworthy as it will be pulled on a frequent basis by pick-up truck.

• The stand must be easy for one person to set up and a built-in shade/weather shelter canopy is highly recommended.

• Materials must be durable and low maintenance--the use of recycled material is encouraged.

• Your proposed stand must have good security and information signage should be visible both when open and closed.

And, finally, the seventh thing--Submission Guidelines:
• One page cover letter, including contact information and your preference for rural or urban stand. Also, address why this project interests you. If applying as a team, list all team members and designate one as lead applicant.

• At least two drawings of proposed Culture Stand design, including one view of stand closed and empty of produce, and one view of stand open for business. The words "Home Grown" should be featured prominently.

• A statement, not to exceed one page, describing Culture Stand and its function in detail--you have Cricky's permission to use my visualization technique, but don't blame me if they say you're just too much of wackjob, 'kay?

• Current resume, not to exceed 2 pages with 3 professional references who can address your capacity to bring such a project to fruition.

• Up to 10 images of past work. Preferred format CD or DVD. Each image must be jpg not to exceed 1MB. Your name must be on CD. High quality photos or slides are also acceptable. Images must be sent through regular mail and will be returned only with self-addressed stamped mailer. DO NOT email images--they'll be headed straight for the virtual trash.

• Deadline is December 31, 2009.

Mail your submission to:
Selection Committee
Wormfarm Institute
E7904 Briar Bluff Rd
Reedsburg WI 53959

Phew! Now, I've go it on ultimate authority that a total of three stands will be selected for 2010--two rural and one for our inner city Milwaukee--and they plan on more in 2011, so if ya don't get in this time, just try, try again!

To see an example of a Roadside Culture Stand, click here. Questions? Email Donna Neuwirth wormfarm at jvlnet dot com.

If you do get selected, you'll be able to visit your stand whenever ya want, where you can put your hands on your hips, gaze out proudly and say, "I know this road. This is my road."

(Thanks, Spoon & Donna!)

Related:
Artistic, Soft-Bodied Forum Seeking New Members

Green Online Holiday Auction Puts the Price Back in Priceless

A couple of days back, Miltown-based photog Troy Freund alerted me to a shopping event that y'all will likely have a keen interest in: Wisconsin Partners for SustainAbility's--that's right, the "A" is capitalized--Green Online Holiday Auction. Organized to benefit some worthy causes in South Central Wisconsin, including Dane County TimeBank, WYOU--mmm, nutty community access TV--and Community Groundworks at Troy Gardens, the auction is running right this minute and will remain open until the evening of December 6, 2009, exclusively on The Mighty Internets™.

They've got twenty-eight items up for bid in the Arts/Crafts category currently. One of the few listed as having the highly sought after, MasterCard tagline value of "Priceless" is Arnold Wood's Hamlet, proving once again that slapping a price on art is completely and totally subjective. Harlequin/Shakespeare/thespian art lovers, however, may well fall into a swoon by this assessment, making their mouse hand shake uncontrollably with excitement and adding many more zeros to their bid inadvertently. Do I hear a kagillion dollars? Sold!

There's lots of other categories--like food, coffee, jewelry, etc.--chock-full o' stuff and services donated by Wisco-owned businesses and companies, such as Troy's bid item of One Day of Commercial Photography, which, by the way, is also listed with a value of "Priceless", but we'll easily go along with that one.

Click here to find holiday gifts for your loved and liked ones. It's all for the good!

(Thanks, Troy!)

Artistic, Soft-Bodied Forum Seeking New Members

The clever and industrious folks at the creative rural laboratory known as the Wormfarm Institute in Reedsburg, WI have expanded their support of the artsy set by launching an online forum. Sweet!

Launched this past summer, the virtual meetup community is a tad on the small side right now, so there's plenty of room for you to sign up and sign in. Create your own page with photos and videos, add your two bits worth of opinion on issues, topics, artwork and projects currently being discussed, or start a brand spankin' new topic, preferably one that really gets your heart singin' and/or your dander up--yes, both can be experienced at the exact same time.

Join the Wormfarm Institute forum today to help enrich and aerate our artistic soil! And remember, kids, if ya happen to lose a segment or two of creative philosophy in the process, you can always grow new ones.

(Thanks, Jeff!)

Abu's Restaurant: A Fertile Crescent Reborn

Pita bread is to Middle Eastern cuisine as pasta is to Italian cuisine--a basic foundation that must be of the very best quality. That's the oh-so wise sentiment that the very personable Firas Jarrar conveyed to me during an informal interview yesterday at Abu's Restaurant on Milwaukee's East Side.

For 32 years, the Nasr family has owned Abu's, serving a variety of tasty Middle Eastern edibles to any and all with an appetite, and that fact has not changed. But on July 20, the management duties were turned over to Jarrar, a close family friend and first-time eatery manager, who is leasing the storied restaurant and is super busy bringing new life to the property and menu.

Born in Saudi Arabia, Jarrar's parents hail from Jerusalem and are currently residing in Jordan, so the cuisine cultivated and enjoyed within the Fertile Crescent region is part and parcel of his life and identity. Giving credit where credit is due, Jarrar noted that it was his mother who instilled him with the passion for cooking--it almost always goes back to Mom, doesn't it? Also, he loves to eat, to which we say, "Us too!"

Over 20 days, Jarrar completely refurbished the property, updating equipment and adding a customer service counter to better compliment the switch from a sit-down to a carry-out/delivery operation. During that same period, he also fired his first chef, assistant manager and prep cook due to, well, let's just say their skills didn't quite match their resumes--welcome to the wonderful wacky world of the restaurant business! For now, Jarrar is head chef and it's a position he seems to relish greatly. (By the way, if you've got assistant managerial experience in a fast paced restaurant environment, stop by Abu's with your resume--no embellishments, please.)

Though an industrial engineer by training, having earned his BA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and putting in time on his master's, the recession has significantly slowed the demand for his professional consulting services. So whaddya do when one avenue starts to narrow so tightly ya can hardly squeeze a Vespa through it? Ya ask yourself, "What other paths of interest do I have?" Which is exactly what Jarrar did. His answer? Cooking!

With so many years spent living, studying, working, and eating in the United States, Jarrar has a solid understanding of how to expand the American palate with healthy Mideast fare and at affordable prices. Nothing on the menu is over $10 and that's all kinds of awesome, ain't it, kids?

Jarrar's vision for Abu's new menu was driven by his desire to offer authentic Middle Eastern food made from scratch and using only fresh ingredients--no Falafel mixes or microwaves allowed. He cooks and tastes everything, from Hummus to Baba Ghannooj, and has created new items like Abu's Veggie Pizza, which I had the opportunity to sample. Fantastic was my verdict.

"I'm not a recipe guy," Jarrar told me plainly. Rather he does what all notable chefs do, and that is to cook and season and cook and taste, repeating as many times as necessary to achieve the perfection sought. Falafel, a breakfast mainstay in the Mideast, is clearly one of his favorite dishes. While we talked, his eyes glazed over with a true joy as he explained just how good it can be when made in the traditional manner, packed with ground vegetables and deep fried to a golden brown. Say, is that your tummy growlin' or mine?

Patrons will notice that the new menu is divided into two sections, Vega-Tarian and Meat-Tarian--haha!--and includes Shawerma (Beef or Chicken), Kefta Kebob, Falafel, Hummus, Baba Ghannooj, Grilled Eggplant, Chicken Vegetable Soup, Lentil Soup, and meat and vegetarian pies. Fans of Abu's Original Shawerma can order that up, too.

Those looking for a unique pizza experience should try one of these specialties:
• Beef Shawerma Pizza--with tomatoes, tahini (sesame seed sauce), onions, parsley, and mozzarella cheese
• Chicken Shawerma Pizza--with tomatoes, fries, garlic sauce, and mozzarella cheese
• Kefta Kebob Pizza--with tomatoes, tahini (sesame seed sauce), onions, and mozzarella cheese
• Abu's Veggie Pizza--kalamata olives, artichoke, spinach, basil, and mozzarella cheese

Or you can make your own 'zza by choosing from a plethora of ingredients, including grilled eggplant and fried cauliflower.

While the restaurant is a little spare in atmosphere at the moment--it's only been a week and a half, people!--Jarrar plans to display the numerous award plaques presented to Abu's over these many decades as well as photos of the founding couple, Alice and Khalil "Abu" Nasr, to be hung in a place of honor.

Abu's is located at 1978 N. Farwell Avenue in Milwaukee. Hours are 11AM-10PM daily for carry-out and delivery. Call 414-277-0485 to find out if they deliver to your area. The new menu will be up on their website soon.

A grand opening will be held when everything's right and plumb, but it's strictly TBA right now, so I'll let y'all know when that intel comes over the wire. It'll be the Mideast food in a Midwest town celebration of the year!

(Thanks, Firas!)

Spend Some Quality Dwell Time with Dwellephant

Like to combine your fresh produce shopping with a bit o' art collecting? Good 'cause local artist/illustrator Dwellephant will be hawking his often absurd and always fantastical oeuvres d'art to innocent East Side Green Market goers tomorrow, July 18, from 10AM-2PM.

Though he may refrain from the standard open market shtick--ya know, "Step right up! You've got the taste and I've got the goods! Say, little lady, how'd ya like to take this illustration of two amorous monsters home with ya today?"--we've no doubt he'll have a plethora of buyers at his stall, clamoring to purchase one or maybe even two of his $30 and under masterpieces.

In keeping with the "green" theme of the market, ol' Dwella has been savin' up paper, wood, and cardboard that's in good enough shape to earn his mark of reusable approval and using 'em for canvas. The great ones can make art out of anything.

Milwaukee's East Side Green Market is held every Saturday from late June to early October in the Beans and Barley parking lot on North Avenue. With locally grown fruits and veggies, snacks that are officially good for you, artists and crafts people displaying their wares, and live entertainment, it's a smorgasbord of fun!

If for some insane and indefensible reason ya can't make tomorrow, Dwellephant will return to the market on the following dates:
August 01, 15, 29
September 12, 26
October 10

Course, you can always click on over to his website and buy direct that way, too.

Related:
Dwella vs. Ella Will Set You Free

Cricky Welcomes Ethni-city, Milwaukee to the Blogosphere

Brett Lipshutz, 'round the planet trekker, incredibly talented musician and our longtime buddy, has started a blog focused on ethnic food and culture in Milwaukee called, appropriately enough, Ethni-city, Milwaukee!

As a certified Foodie--with a capital F--and an "amateur window shopper," Brett will offer up need-to-know intel about the often hidden treasures in our ol' Miltown and its surrounding burgs.

Brett's unique insight and knowledge is guaranteed to grab your attention as he profiles grocery stores, restaurants, shops, and fairs that express the vast diversity existent within the city and just beyond, all the while solidly confirming his status as Citizen Extraordinaire of the World. To wit, his first main post relates a recent trip to the fabulous and humongous year-round 7 Mile Fair in Caledonia, Wisconsin, 15 minutes south of downtown Milwaukee.

We give a hearty Welcome and Good Show to you Brett! And to all you blog consumers yearning for fresh ideas of where to shop and eat, point your clicks to Ethni-city, Milwaukee--do it early and often.

Mmm... Edible Books

Riverwest's Woodland Pattern Book Center is hosting its 3rd Annual Edible Book Show this Sunday, April 5, and it's still seeking culinary book bindery novices and experts to participate. In fact, according to marketing director Melissa Czarnik, those a tad hesitant about making the commitment "can come the day of and sign-up." Huzzah!

Nearly the entire population is eligible to join in, save for those under the 5 year mark--my guess is that they were afraid the infants and toddlers would knock the candy stuffin' outta everybody, so a ban was imposed--and there are three Entrance Categories:
1. Children (Ages 5-17)
2. Individual (Ages 18 and up)
3. Business (Restaurant, Bakery, Caterer, Grocery Store, etc.)

Brainchild of the very recently deceased Judith Hoffberg, Edible Book Shows have been held internationally since 2000. The goal? Make the most artistic and delicious book you can. Don't get too attached your work though because the ravenous mob will have its way with it in the end.

Beginning at 1PM on Sunday, books of all food types will be on display and subjected to the ruthless judgment of all in attendance. Then, at precisely 3:45PM, the winners will emerge victorious based on their mad skills in the categories of Delectability, Creativity and Difficulty.

Woodland Pattern lists the ingredients of some of last year's tomes in its press release, which included "gravy, Twinkies, cheese, spinach, cake, cookies, tofu, and even Play-Doh!" Ooh, now doesn't that last one sound scrumptious? Here's hopin' there'll be a Elmer's Art Paste entry this year! (FYI, neither Play-Doh nor Elmer's Art Paste are toxic, but the taste... well, I don't have to tell you, now do I?)

To sign-up in advance, call 414-263-5001. Enjoy!

Link (Thanks, Melissa!)

Rockabilly Chili Is On!

You may be aware that WMSE 91.7 FM holds a Rockabilly Chili Contest every year, but did you know that this year's contest is gonna be even more of a knock-down, drag-out food fight than ever before? No? Well, now ya do.

In the immortal words of the legendary Larry "Supermouth" Huffman--only the most famous of all Monster Truck Rally commercial announcers--Sunday!!! Sunday!!! Sunday!!! Don't miss the action as chefs from some of Milwaukee's most daring restaurants and cafés engage in head-to-head competition for the People's Choice Awards for Best Meat, Veggie, Heat & Table Presentation.

Also, there's gonna be music--uh, I wonder what kind--provided by your friendly WMSE DJs Jonny Z and Dietrich.

It's just $6 to get your hungry tummy in the door and a paltry $1 per sample. Feeling like you should spread the chili joy? Bring two cans of nonperishable foods and receive one chili sample for free! All proceeds go to benefit listener-supported Frontier Radio.

That's Sunday March 8, 2009, from 11AM-4PM at the MSOE Kern Center, 1245 N. Broadway in Milwaukee. BE THERE!!!!!!

Link (Thanks, Ryan!)