Today is July 3, the 184th day of the year. On this date in 1863, the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania ended in a major victory for the North as Confederate troops retreated after three days of fighting.

* WSJ: Cookout aids Second Harvest Food Bank

* Soglin: Wisconsin Obesity. Who Cares? You Do.

* Channel3000: Banks Use 'Public Enemies' To Educate Customers

* BB: Wisconsin Badgers hockey: Culver's to sponsor Camp Randall Hockey Classic

* 77Sq: Web option to see what's hoppin'

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The Michael Mann film about notorious gangster John Dillinger is finally in the theaters and most of us will check it out for the first time this weekend. But is the film worth the money and 140 minute time investment? It depends on which online review averaging site you trust. If you can get the annoying “Away We Go” pop up ad on Rotten Tomatoes to actually close you'll note that, after averaging 31 top critic reviews, the film scores 65 percent. Still a healthy tomato, but a few more negative reviews and it could earn itself a splat. Metacritic also averages 31 reviews, but they come up with a score of 71 points. I guess that would technically give the film a mean of 68.

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I've been participating in Wis-Kino's 48-hour "Kabarets" for quite a few years now, always enjoying the sense of urgency and rampant creativity involved in making a short film in just two days. I've liked it so much, in fact, that last year I volunteered to become one of the group's co-directors (along with Josh Klessig), taking over after founding directors Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda decided to spend more time focused on their other filmmaking activities.

We've since streamlined things so that, instead of monthly screenings and Kabarets, Wis-Kino is just focusing on the big events. We're throwing three Kabarets each year (the one in May went spectacularly well), with the next one coming up this month. Only, we've got a little something special in store for this particular Kabaret. Instead of giving people the usual 48 hours in which to kill themselves making a movie, we've expanded it (one time only!) to run for three whole days.

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Today is July 2, the 183rd day of the year. On this date in 1777, Vermont becomes the first US territory to abolish slavery.

* WKOW: Algae advisory on Wisconsin lakes and rivers.

* TCT: 12 hospitalized in connection with E. coli in beef - Six of 23 sickened from Wisconsin.

* WSJ: Shooting fireworks in Madison could be costly.

* Your Logo Makes Me Barf: "WTF Wisconsin?"

* 77S: Satisfying 'Public Enemies" more than a gangster movie.

* TDP: Johnny Depp doesn't rescue 'Public Enemies'

* Decider: A fabulous, food-filled Fourth of July

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Yesterday some co-workers and I were discussing the perennial topic of the lawlessness of bicyclists. It’s something that people bring up to me at least once a week. There is a strong public perception that bicyclists do not follow the rules of the road. And this perception leads to a certain level of hostility towards bicyclists. The tone I get from people is one of judgmental concern, i.e., “Those crazy bicyclists are going to get themselves killed!”

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“This is how you should be entering Summerfest; drunk and with a broken shoe.” 

The strap of my partners sandal discarded blocks earlier after some problems with the most basic form of human movement, we purchased purchased our tickets and entered the grounds.  The turnstile gives way, giving me a brief view of the ground below before I regain my balance. 

Following a drunk through a sea of people when you've had one too many yourself can be a bit of a challenge.  Colors blur together like a bad trip.  The key is to focus on some aspect of who you are following.  I choose her tattoo.

Before long we are parked in front of a stage.  A blur of Gibson guitars and alt-country greets us before the sky opens and the rain begins.  Defiant, I stand in the rain while my partner sowers under a tree.  Standing in the rain with my foot propped on a metal bench and my sunglasses still on, I look way cooler than I actually am.

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When Governor Doyle signed the latest state budget, he also vetoed several of the proposals in the film incentives provision. There had been considerable debate amongst state lawmakers, most notably within the Department of Commerce, over whether or not the incentives were bringing in enough money. Public opinion seemed to run against them, though.

Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton and state Rep. Tamara Grigsby had both fought to keep the incentives, but to alter them slightly to make more economic sense ("...a requirement that 35 percent of a film be shot in Wisconsin, and the closing of a loophole that allows non-state residents to receive a larger credit than Wisconsinites.")

Those small changes were ultimately thrown out in favor of more drastic cuts by Doyle, who did the following when he signed the budget:

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After watching almost every single episode of the “Barefoot Contessa” and annoying ex-rooommates with her love of the Food Network, Kat has decided she is going to try to actually make some of those delectable creations. How long will it take until she returns to making frozen pizzas and eating Chipotle 3 times a week?. )

As a kitchen novice, I wanted to move beyond boiling noodles and opening up a jar of Prego and saying I "made dinner" or worse, burning precooked frozen egg rolls on the stove and having to order take-out.  (Yes, I have done this, even worse, in front of a guy I was dating.) I have watched my fair share of cooking shows on PBS and the Food Network, and after being dazzled by Ming Tsai, Ina Garten and other "celebrity" chefs,  I decided I wanted to venture beyond takeout and burned egg rolls.

I decided my first dish for this new column would be the classic Asian noodle dish Pad Thai. Strange new ingredients like fish sauce, flat rice noodles, and an array of spices. What could go wrong, right?
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 Today is July 1. On this date in 1979 Sony introduces the Walkman.

* Caffeinated Politics: "Construction on Spaight Street is underway.  Will the historic carriage stoops be preserved?"

* TDP: Nitty Gritty, Taste of India, and other downtown restaurants are for sale

* AP: A spokesman for Republican Mark Neumann says he intends to file for governor on Wednesday.

* AP: Madison population up 10.7 percent from 2000-2008

* TCT Editorial: An embarrassing display of ignorance characterized the arguments of those who hoped to do away with Wisconsin's film incentives program.

* Mayor Dave: "A new farmers market on the Southwest Side will not stop crime there. But it is one way to help neighbors meet each other, and we know that breaking down anonymity is one way to reduce crime."

* The Sconz: "Does everything the city does have to be marketed as a response to crime?"

* MJ: "Sometimes I think people in Madison have this idea that that this town is 250,000 residents larger than it actually is, and build things according to that mindset."

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The Mallards had a bit of a rough week, losing 5 out the last 7 games.   Luckily, The Mallards came back for an impressive rally Saturday night, to beat the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers.     The game was closer then the score may seem on Sunday (I was there, happily tanning my bald head), but ultimately lost to Brained in Game 2.     They traveled to Wausau to play the Wisconsin Woodchucks losing to another close game Monday night.

This coming week, The Mallards host Wisconsin Woodchuck tonight at Warner Park, promoting their Thrift Painting Baseball Night.   They then travel to Green Bay to play the Bullfrogs and finish up the 4th of July weekend once again, traveling to Wausau to take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks. 

For more information on promotions and stats, please visit www.mallardsbaseball.com. 

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How do you best yourself after planning a massively successful two day festival that spread across Madison’s downtown? Answer: You make it a three-day festival utilizing almost every free space downtown and even stretching into Maple Bluff. The Forward Music Festival is back and, judging by its 50 confirmed acts, the organizers are looking to top the excitement from last year.

The collaborative behind FMF have enlisted the help of a number of new friends to make this year’s line-up even more eclectic and local. One of the new additions is Wongz Walk, a Madison based group of artists and musicians who have recently gained notoriety for their dance and techno parties at the Corral Room. While no longer an organizing member of the FMF, Kyle Pfister returns to represent his blog, Just Sayin’ is All. Pfister had been schedule to host shows at Gates of Heaven and Café Montemarte. With this morning's announcement that the Momo would be closing the venue for that showcase is up in the air.

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Roughly two hours ago the news broke that Andrew Bird would be opening his Fall tour at Madison's Overture Hall on September 19, 2009 as the main headliner for the Forward Music Fest. Bird will be performing along with Madison's Pale Young Gentlemen. Tickets will officially go on sale July 11, 2009 at 11 a.m., but a little bird now tells us a handful of pre-sale tickets for the event are NOW available (being a member of the Overture has benefits).  The link and password for ordering pre-sale tickets are below the fold.

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The cat is out of the bag with Andrew Bird posting on his website that he will be performing at Madison's Overture Center on September 19. The Forward Music Festival is announcing today that Andrew Bird will be the headliner for the citywide music festival's sophomore year. Bird has a long history with Madison with regular and multiple appearances nearly every year of the last decade. Opening for Bird at the Overture on September 19, 2009 will be Madison's Pale Young Gentlemen. Josh will have more details on the festival later today. Until then please enjoy the shows and videos we have collected below.

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Today is June 30, the 181st day of the year. On this date in 1908, the Tunguska Event - a powerful explosion in a remote area of Russia - occurs. The cause of the explosion was never definitively discovered, but it was thought to be the result of the air burst of a falling meteoroid.

* TCT: What happened to Madison's Central Park? It may still be years away.

* WSJ: Long wait for 'Public Enemies' nearly over; film set to open here.

* DC: Gov. Jim Doyle signed the 2009-’11 biennial budget into law Monday after vetoing 81 provisions totaling over $10 million.

* FW: This makes Wisconsin the first state in the Midwest to legislatively enact protections for same-sex couples – putting the state whose motto is “Forward” back on a progressive track with this important step towards equality.

* WISCTV: Locals praise Mayor's anti-crime plan amid mounting worries.

* TLA: "Not only would this plan potentially be a major violation of the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, but it strikes me that it would only serve to foster greater mistrust between parents and their children, and/or children and their community."

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According to a press release sent out last night by True Endeavours, Cafe Montmartre is closed. The bistro and music club on East Mifflin has long been seeking a buyer to takeover the establishment. The press release says the Jessica Lea Mayfield show scheduled for July 7 will be moved to the High Noon.

According to IQ's Liz Tymus on the Facebook event for IQ Discotech at the Cardinal on June 27, the Cardinal on East Wilson is also closing. In her post she said it would be closing at the end of the month, but this has yet to be officially verified. More details to come.

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My phone rang as I was packing my truck for the voyage to Milwaukee. It was the friend I had arranged to stay with after my day at Summerfest. 

“Dude, don’t freak out when you see me, I’m going to look a bit different,” he stated nonchalantly. 

I had no idea what to expect from him, as he is notorious for being slightly outrageous. Last time I saw him he was sporting a green mullet wig. It was possible he was burned to a crisp.  Maybe he had shaved his head and eyebrows.

The real answer is the stuff Summerfest legends are made of. 

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Today is June 29. On this date in 1972 The U.S. Supreme Court rules the death penalty could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment".

* MJS: A judge has ruled in favor of the Journal Sentinel and several other media outlets that had been involved in a legal battle over records in the case of a murdered University of Wisconsin-Madison student.

* WSJ: Madison police would enlist parental permission to search for guns in their children’s bedrooms in one part of a multifaceted plan outlined Thursday by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.

* The Sconz: "It’s hard, rather, practically impossible, to judge the effectiveness of a proposal like this. To get a grip on the policy you have to  analyze the incentives for all the actors in the situation."

* TCT: Battle brewing over outdoor seating at east side Malt House

* AP: The University of Wisconsin-Madison, which saw some of the fiercest Vietnam War protests in the nation, is shedding its long-standing antimilitary image by hiring a military historian and teaching a new course for military officers.

* Maciver Institute: At a time when the state faced a $6.6 billion dollar deficit, Lawmakers miraculously find enough spare change to fund over 100 individual pork items.

* Dane101 Fancypants Living: Dress Up Your Ties with the "Merovingian Knot"

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Milwaukee.  It was my hometown for the better part of a decade before I moved to Madison for graduate school.  The highlight of the year to my friends and me was Summerfest.  The 11-day music festival was our religious holiday.  The schedule book was our bible, and a different choir could be found on every stage.  Communion consisted of Miller and Saz’s.  Faith was determined by the number of days attended all 11 was always the goal and occasionally achieved.

Vacation accumulated throughout the year was quickly relinquished to spend time sitting at a picnic table consuming sun, beer and music.  At night, the tables became our dance floor. For those who had their days free, the Summerfest pin allowed admission for next to nothing.  Arriving early meant a hand stamp for the main show at the Marcus.  For us, the free grass seats were just fine. Click here to read more...

Today we present a special Sunday Funnies tribute to the King of Pop. We tried to find tasteful funny moments from the history of Michael Jackson. Most of them happen to be commercials.

"Weird Al" Yankovic doesn't allow people to embed his videos, but here are links to "Eat It" and "Fat"

Michael Jackson co-wrote the Simpsons song "Do the Bartman"

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