Beer, music and even art accompanied by beer await you in this week's edition of OnMilwaukee.com Recommends.
Joey's Song for Kids Volume 2 (Omnivore) – I'm not sure if I'm allowed to recommend a compilation CD to which I've contributed a song, but since I don't get a penny from it and because it's all in the name of a really good cause, I'm urging you to buy this 16-track disc and the three others in the series. Two are aimed at kids and two at adults, though the kids CDs are great for all ages. This newest has contributions by The Knack, Freedy Johnston, The Handsome Family, The Baseball Project, Sam Llanas and others doing a mix of originals and familiar tunes like "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "There's A Hole In The Bottom Of The Sea." All proceeds benefit Joey's Song, a Madison-based foundation that uses music to raise funds to battle childhood seizures. The non-profit is named in honor of the late Joey Gomoll who passed away unexpectedly in March 2010. So, ignore the fact that I wrote the liner notes, too, and just pony up a small donation to a good cause and to enjoy some great music with a purpose. JoeysSong.org – Bobby Tanzilo
Milwaukee paintings at Art Bar – It had been a while since I went into Art Bar, 722 E. Burleigh St. On a recent visit, I remembered that Art Bar offers 2-for-1 drinks every day during happy hour (hooray, more Guinness for me!) and I also really enjoyed looking at Ian Pritchard's collection of Milwaukee photographs which are part of the current ARTiculate show which features visual art inspired by words. Pritchard's photographs are displayed alongside haiku that describe the images and I found two of them particularly beautiful. Both were taken during a full moon, and in one, the glowing orb next to the wings of the art museum addition and the other was taken Downtown. Duck into Art Bar for a look if you find yourself in or near the Riverwest neighborhood. – Molly Snyder
Southern Tier's Pumking Ale – A lot of breweries go pumpkin for their seasonal fall beer. Some are better than others, but Southern Tier Brewing Company struck fermented gold with their Pumking ale. Their website claims they don't actually harness Halloween magic to brew it, but Pumking is to good to not be otherworldly. Whether they've summoned the collective powers of brewers from beyond the grave or actually made a deal with the devil is not my business. All I know is they've managed to bottle liquid pumpkin pie, creating a very aptly named supreme ruler of seasonals – Renee Lorenz
"The Better Half" – Normally I find that locally produced television shows are about as cool as watching a class project on how television works. So I was pleasantly surprised at "The Better Half," which is focused on the wives of Green Bay Packers. Betina Driver, Emily Nelson, Courtney Finley and Geeta Bishop host "The Better Half" – an hour-long program providing a look at family life, charity, cooking, health and wellness, fashion and the latest entertainment news. It wasn't all about the Packers, and each woman had an individual identity. All of them seem very much at ease and the show host, Rachel Manek of the Fox station in Green Bay, does a great job. They don't break any new ground here, but if you are one of those "can't get enough of them Packers" types, it's a pleasant stop on a Friday afternoon. – Dave Begel
