Do you ever get caught in a dining-out rut? You The other night when the first two regular stomp- keep eating at the same places all the time, either ing grounds were full because of high school because they are cheap, convenient as possible graduation dinners, I got a wild hair and suggest- or just really good. I’m most definitely guilty of ed we go to Timmerman’s. In my mind, definitely that. And it’s not that I feel bad about eating at a “special occasion” destination. As though I these places repeatedly. In my case, they are had forgotten from my last visit, we were abso- convenient and affordable, but certainly, my re- lutely thrilled with everything about our expe- peat business comes because they are good. the rience: The food was simply stellar, the view is 3265 offices are at the corner of 1st & Main in breathtaking at sunset, and our server Zach was downtown Dubuque. So by our simple presence a spot-on professional. I’m already looking my there, I have healthy doses of Lot One and 180 calendar of holidays (including religious holi- Main. And they never get old. It’s just plain good days that aren’t my religion) to create excuses to food in good atmospheres. And when you work celebrate special occasions. I’m looking forward as much as we do, wasting time by traveling far to Festivus already. But man, why wait for the to eat is just not an option. Luckily for us, we next special occasion for a return visit? have some of the area’s best food right outside our front door, not to mention Cafe Manna Java, There are more. Some four-star, some one-star, Bricktown, Pepper Sprout, the Shot Tower, A&W, but all special and incredible in their own way. the River City Beefstro and even Paul’s Big Game When is the last time you’ve been to the Bier tap all within about a par 5 or less (you may need Stube? How about the Three Mile House? Have to count the roll on the Shot Tower). you ever spent a Friday night at Neighbor’s Tap, Eichman’s Grenada Tap, Michael’s Bar-X? Olive Then there’s tier two destinations. Not tier two Garden is a fine meal, but Mario’s and Marco’s because of quality, but simply because we have are something else entirely. Do you know of to get in the car to get there. This pretty much what I speak? If not, learn the language. opens up the rest of town. And I assure you, at Randy 365 we are professional diner-outers and some The big joke is “When is Dubuque getting a Red of us have the girth to prove it. There are far too Lobster?” I say, who cares? Try the seafood at many choices here to mention them all, but I’ll Timmerman’s or the Captain Merry. There IS a summarize. We love Houlihan’s for the great difference. And Galena is not that far away. Peo- food and consistently great service. We love Jim- ple need to stop talking like you have to pack a my John’s for the bread. We love Salsa’s for pretty suitcase to go out to dinner there. I can get there much everything. And in-between are a host of almost as fast as I can get to the west side of town. convenient quick and delicious choices. And Pizzeria Uno in Platteville is a hop, skip and a jump away. But you’ll not soon forget that pie But in our cyclical rut (if you call 30 or so res- (and perhaps a Long Island iced tea that seems taurants a rut) I find I often forget about some to come in a reservoir-sized cup ... take a desig- of Dubuque’s treasures. Makers of what a friend nated driver). Get out and try something different calls “food porn.” Food that’s so enjoyable, I this week. Go to your “special occasion” place think somewhere in my mind I classify it as “spe- on a Wednesday night for no good reason. If it’s cial-occasion food,” as if I’m not supposed to that special, celebrate it often. You’ll be happier, go there regularly or else it will no longer be a and the proprietors of the venues will get the ad- “special occasion.” What an idiot. The problem ditional business they deserve for creating expe- is that I go so long without a visit to certain plac- riences that people treasure. es that you forget they’re an option. Of course, when you do make it back, it’s always a pleasant Before I go, I ask you to share with me your “spe- surprise. cial occasion places.” Where do you not go often enough but love to go when you do? What do I need to make a list or something. A happy food you get every time? What should a virgin visitor destination list: Places that exist on the edges to your hotspot try? Could be an entree or even of my radar but because of their uniqueness or a appetizer. Heck, I know the Caesar dressing at particular quality should be dead-center on my the Pepper Sprout is pure magic. And the sweet radar. You’re probably thinking by now, “Okay, garlic butter at Da Vinci’s ... (insert the sound of idiot, what places are you talking about?” I’ll me slobbering like Homer Simpson). Someone share a few. Hopefully some of you who are even told me the 19th hole in East Dubuque much smarter than I have gotten over the hump has the best BLTs. You just never know where and already include these places in your “rut.” the diamonds lie. But if you tell me where you Congratulations, Maslow called and has elevat- found one, I’ll spread the word. Come on, there’s ed you to self-actualization. enough for all of us to share. The 365ink crew... faces you already know! Tim Brechlin Mike Ironside Tanya Graves Ellen Goodmann Kelli Kerrigan Ralph Kluseman Jim Heckmann Matt Booth L.A. Hammer Chris Wand In This Issue of 365ink... ISSUE # 31 May 31 - June 13 America’s River Festival: 4 Community Events: 5 - 7 Arts & Culture Art Openings, Music,: 8 - 11 More The Pines: 12 Mixed Martial Arts: 13 All That Jazz Returns: 14 Live Music Listings: 16-17 Wando’s Movie Reviews: 18 Jitterz Opens on Main St.: 19 Mayor Roy Buol: 20 Meet Todd Moyer: 21 Mattitude: 23 The A Factor: Crossword / 36526 Books: 27 Trixie Kitch: 28 Dr. Skrap’s Horoscopes: 28 Comedy: 30 Sk8board Lessons: 31 The Inkwell Publisher: Bryce Parks ([email protected]) Editor: Tim Brechlin ([email protected]) Advertising: Kelli Kerrigan ([email protected]) 563-451-9365 Ad Design: Tanya Graves ([email protected]) Photography: Mike Ironside, Joey Wallis, Ron TIgges, Bryce Parks Writers & Content: Mike Ironside, Tim Brechlin, Ellen Goodmann, Bryce Parks, L.A. Hammer, Chris Wand, Gary Olsen, Mayor Roy Buol, Matt Booth, Robert Gelms, Angela Koppes,, Megan Gloss, Nick Klenske Graphic Design & Layout: Bryce Parks, Mike Ironside, Tim Brechlin Special thank you to: Bob & Fran Parks, Kay Kluseman, Bob Johnson, Todd Locher, Dave Blake, Everett Buckardt, Julie Steffen, Sheila Castaneda, Tom Miller, Renae Gabrielson, Christy Monk, Katy Rosko, Ron & Jennifer Tigges and all the 365 friends and advertisers for all your support. You are all 365. Dubuque365 • 210 West 1st Street, Dubuque, IA, 52001 Office Phone or Music/Events/Movie Hotline 365 @(563) 588-4365 All contents (c) 2007, Community, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Roy Buol Ron Tigges Robert Gelms Brad Parks Angela Koppes Bryce Parks We’ve hidden 365’s WANDO somewhere in this issue of Dubuque365ink. Can you find the master of movies buried within these pages? Hint: He’s tiny and could be anywhere ! Good Luck! Win ners get a free warm fuzzy felling in your belly! - LITTLE BIT COUNTRY, LITTLE BIT ROCK, WHOLE LOT OF FUN 4 MAY 31 - JUNE 13 has drawn up 22 number-one singles, 6 number-one albums, 5 Grammy awards, 6 CMA awards, 9 ACM awards, 10 AMA awards, 6 Dove awards and a by Tim Brechlin star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photos by Bryce, Parks, He’s got something of a pedigree. And Mike Ironside, & Ron Tigges venom) for Mr. Diamond, and few peo- he’ll be in Dubuque. ple know that I am creatively fueled by s o n , Ah, the river. Such a beautiful thing, es- my hatred of him, but I’ve always had a George Strait and Ricky Skaggs, was On Saturday, June 9, the musical fes- pecially in the summer, when you have bit of a soft spot for Randy Travis. He’s got at the forefront of the neo-traditional- tivities continue, featuring the legendary so many options for activities. Person- a nice story, too: His dad made him take ist country movement, with lush instru- music group, The Doobie Brothers. The ally, I’d just take a pontoon out on the guitar lessons, and the two of them never mental backgrounds, smooth voices and Doobies date all the way back to 1969, river and go fishing for an afternoon, but got along, and Randy actually became a throwbacks to country music of the ‘50s when guitarist / songwriter Tom John- high school dropout. He also had con- there are plenty of other options. And in and ‘60s. His debut album, Storms of Continued on Page 24 what seems like a perfect coincidence, tinual scrapes with the law: Stealing cars, Life, was a massive hit, launching such what with all the development and con- burglary ..