A Protester's Guide to Madison: Tips from Bill Schwulst, community organizer

photo: Bill Schwulst (pictured far left), Natasha Salinas

{Today's post is guest blog from my friend, Bill Schwulst, a community organizer and politico who is reporting from the streets (of Madison)}

You say you want to protest? I’ve been in a few over the years, and the gatherings in Madison rival many that have taken place on the national mall in DC over the past few years. I was there last week and have since conjured up a top 5 list of things to make sure you have should you join a protest.

TIME – accounting for travel and a daily life, you want to make sure you take the time to soak it all in. Last Saturday about 1000 anti-labor people got off buses, stayed in Madison for a couple of hours, then left. Were they out-numbered 70-1? Sure. But I feel that they missed the experience of truly being part of something. It’s the difference between driving through a new city and finding great little dinner and chatting with the owner. Talk to people and be part of the experience. Also, local eateries are packed, so be prepared to wait when you order.

LAYERS – I think the anti-union people left because mostly because they were cold (and that was the nicest day to date). Bundle up in layers so you can peel off some during the day or if you’re inside the Capitol, but then you can bundle up again to hear speakers address the crowd outside. If it wasn’t for layers I wouldn’t have endured freezing temperatures and 20 mph winds to sing “We Shall Overcome” with Rev. Jesse Jackson and 20,000 of my newest friends. Also, under this general “warm clothing” topic – galoshes; ladies if you got ‘em and it’s going to be above freezing, I suggest wearing them. You might not think they’re cute, but it was getting sloppy standing and walking where snowbanks used to be. I envied the utility. My salt covered Sketchers and jeans can attest to this.

SMART PHONE – Tougher to come by for some, but definitely useful. You want to capture the Firefighter’s bagpipe led marches, every hilarious home-made sign, text friends to let them know you’re outside the Capitol's State Street entrance, follow the “#wiunion” twitter feed for the latest news, and upload content to Twitpic, YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. Your friends sitting at home want you to do it to! My favorite sign, simply written with a sharpie, “the only Beck I trust has 2 turntables and a microphone.” I rarely used Twitter before Febuary 14th, now I understand why it has played such a big role in revolutions in Iran, Tunisia, and Egypt.

YOUR IDEAS – Depending when you go to the Capitol you want to be prepared to speak to your representatives. During these emotional times they want to hear from you! Make it personal and speak for others who couldn’t make it. Hearing from many of the elected officials I know, the passion you bring sustains them. Also it has been easy to find a picket sign, but if you spend time to make your own people will remember. Minus a major art project you could make a sign with a fat Sharpie and a pizza box. More on that below, but let's just say I've added a little to our state's identity by saying "you know you're from Wisconsin if you've made a protest sign out of a pizza box."

MONEY – If you have someplace to park in Madison and plan to drink and eat only what has been donated, you should be fine. But, better plan for not getting those things for free and bring some form of cash. If you’re anti-union you might want to leave your sign somewhere else or you might not be served presently near the capitol (the Governor was asked to leave the Merchant because other patrons were booing so much). If you have extra money many people have been baking things for protesters, ordering from the Willy Street Co-op, and most famously ordering Ian’s Pizza where orders have been called in from all 50 states and over 50 different by the last count. Check their Facebook page for some pictures of the chalk board where they’re keeping a running tally.

Backyard Discovery: National Cafe's Honeycomb Bars

I'm not exactly sure what's all in these, but there's lots of honey and nuts and possibly peanut butter, so they're obviously delicious. Kind of reminds me of that one cereal. They are conveniently located next to the cash register at the National Cafe on 10th and National, near south side.

I like: Prismatic Print Shop

It's a little late to buy a 2011 calendar, but you're in luck with these babies. You can buy by 3 astrological months at a time from Prismatic Print Shop. And not have to deal with those weird horoscopes.



viaFieldguided

The White House Tour

The last thing I needed to do in DC was see The White House. You have to get up at the crack of dawn and there's a lot of standing in line, security checkpoints and rules for everything (note: do NOT bring your purse), but it's totally worth it. Just to be in the same building as the President is really quite amazing. I checked his morning schedule to see if he would be there and he totally was. Probably just having some coffee waiting for Marine One to take him out to Andrews. At least that's what I've seen on the West Wing.

Can't stop listening to: Dismemberment Plan

I'm having a great weekend in DC (I hope Milwaukee is just as nice) and last night I heard someone playing the Dismemberment Plan at the Capitol Hill bar I was at. I know! D-Plan! I remember seeing DC-based Dismemberment Plan at the Globe on North Ave. and buying their album at Atomic Records. Such a great band. They've recently reunited and I haven't seen them yet, but I hear there's work going on to book them in Milwaukee. Fingers crossed!

Grandpa Pete's Favorite Things

1. Red Wing boots, 2. Birds of North America field guide, 3. Klein Tools canvas pouch, 4. Stanley Thermos, 5. Carhartt wool socks, 6. Vintage binoculars


Earlier this week, my grandpa Pete passed away. I have a lot of memories of him working in the garage, bird watching, and road tripping. Looking back, he really understood quality and durability in what he bought. These were some of his favorites above.

I just flew in DC today and am looking at a map of Capitol Hill. The US Navy Shipyard is just a few blocks south of here. Grandpa Pete enlisted in the Navy and served for 6 years and during WWII. Below is a picture of him in San Diego. So, in memory of him, I think I'll go check out the Shipyard and pretend that I'm sitting in a spot he once sat.

Valentine's Day: Latte Heart Demo

Aurora Coffee - Latte Art - Striped Heart from Aurora Coffee on Vimeo.

When I first started dating my husband I had hundreds of gift ideas swarming in my head. Then I went and used them all up. I also can't justify upping the ante every, so I'm always on the lookout for more "heartwarming gifts". Making a homemade latte with that espresso machine (gift #35) I bought topped off with a perfect little Valentine's day heart sounds pretty good to me.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Top 5: MKE Restaurants on Valentine's Day

1. Coquette

I love walking into the classic Euro-french atmosphere at Coquette. It makes you feel like you're in Paris and you know, just having a casual night out with your lover, no big deal. And they have a special Valentine's Day menu with plenty of aphrodisiacs like oysters and dark chocolate.

2. Sanford

It took me years to even know this place existed. If you didn't think Milwaukee had one of the best restaurants in the world, think again. This place, the food and the atmosphere, rival anything downtown Manhattan has to offer. It's a tiny place and the tables are close together (we had a lady at the next table drop in on our conversation), but trust that when the chef has won a whole wall of awards, including a James Beard award, you're going to have one of the best meals of your life.

3. Lake Park Bistro

Speaking of James Beard awards, chef Adam Siegel has one, too. Lake Park Bistro is the "go-to" romantic dining restaurant in Milwaukee. If Coquette is Paris, Lake Park Bistro is the french countryside. It doesn't disappoint.

4. Crazy Water

The kitchen at Crazy Water is a 5x5 crowded corner right in the front window. Red velvet drapes keep out the front door draft, the tables are dimly lit and the napkins are french dish towels. I really love this place. The food is a mix of local, american and french fusion. My favorite dish is the endive and apple with nueskes bacon, candied walnuts and creamy cheddar dressing. I keep trying to recreate it at home, but it's never the same.

5. Roots Restaurant and Cellar

Roots' dining room has one of my favorite views of the city. I also love their hearty, organic, slow food. If a farmer's market had a gourmet restaurant attached, this is what Roots is like. And they have a truffle seared tenderloin with chevre whipped potatoes, oh my. And they have Vegan and Gluten Free options, if you're into that, too.

Runner's Up: Mason Street Grill, La Merenda, Tenuta's, Centro Cafe

Curry Cauliflower Soup

I stopped by Alterra on Humboldt for a late lunch today and had the most amazing soup, Curry Cauliflower. I think Alterra needs to make a cookbook.

While I'm waiting for that, I'll maybe try one of these Curry Cauliflower Soup recipes:

- Curry Cauliflower Soup via Whole Foods Market

- Curried Cauliflower Soup via bon appetit

- Cauliflower Bisque via New York Times

- Curried Cauliflower Soup via Martha Stewart

I ate my soup too fast to photograph it, so here's a photo from flickr.

john december

Ziggy Hanaor's guide to Bay View

I had a heart palpitation when I saw a familiar picture of Bay View in a lovely D*S post a couple days ago. I definitely need this book by Ziggy Hanaor called Graphic USA: An Alternative Guide to 25 Cities. In addition to Milwaukee, there are graphic travel guides to unconventional destinations like Anchorage, Memphis, St. Louis and Kansas City. Too cool. Time to start planning Road Trip 2011.

Snow Day: scenes from the neighborhood

KK ave., Bay View, near our house- JSonline/John Klein

The Starbucks down the street- JSonline/John Klein

Bay View this morning- JSonline/John Klein

Lake Michigan- JSonline/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Lulu the dog gets a Snow Day

School was cancelled today along with everything else in Milwaukee including the freeway. So, I made some hot chocolate and we're hanging low, but we did manage to get Lulu outside. Here are some photos of our backyard and across the street.







We might try to venture out for lunch at Cafe Centraal. If you're on their email list and within walking distance, they sent out a 1/2 off coupon, so Hoorah!

Pint In Hand: O'so Night Train Porter

The hubs has been really into dark porter beer lately, so I picked up a sixer of O'so Night Train Porter at Groppi's this afternoon. There's been a lot of media buildup about the blizzard on its way this evening. Schools are closing, a state of emergency was called, and people are stocking up on essentials. We got our beer, so we're good.

Here's a description of Night Train:

This complex Oatmeal porter is as black as coal that fueled locomotives for generations Made with judicious amounts of crystal and chocolate malt for a rich, smooth, creamy experience. Go ahead and jump on the night train. Enjoy! During Festival Season 2008 & 2009, Night Train has won O'so Five of Six awards! ABV: 6.7%

Sit back and enjoy the snow!