The Paul Thorn Band July 19 at Shank Hall -- You might not have heard of this preacher's son from Tupelo, Miss., but if you go to this show he will be your one of your all-time favorite former boxer (once fought Roberto Duran) / furniture maker / skydiver / singer / songwriters. Thorn writes wry, witty and catchy tunes and he delivers them passionately while punctuating the music with often hilarious homespun stories of love, loss and hard times. For $20, being able to see him perform songs like "Hammer and Nail" and "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" with a full band behind him is a bargain. Check out the videos at paulthorn.com for a sneak preview. -- Drew Olson
Double Rainbow ice cream -- Like creamy, creamy ice cream? Double Rainbow is so creamy; it could almost pass for custard (but not quite). It's also denser and thicker than most other ice creams. I'm not alone in my love of this brand -- it was named "Best In America" at the Great American Lick Off, a contest created by several publications including New York Magazine, Chicago Magazine and Boston Magazine, and declared the official ice cream of San Francisco by Mayor Willie Brown, Jr. Buy it at Trader Joe's and grab a spoon immediately. -- Molly Snyder Edler
The "Storm the Bastille" run / walk at Bastille Days -- If you haven't started training yet, there is still time. OK, maybe not. But, there is still a chance to hang out with an army of healthy, sweaty people against the backdrop of one of the fabulous East Town neighborhood. The 5k run and 2-mile walk starts at 9 tonight (July 12) at the corner of Jefferson and Wells Streets and winds through Downtown and the Third Ward. You can regisister from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the corner of Wells and Jefferson. Not feeling athletic? Grab a drink and watch the show on one of the more festive and fun nights summer nights Downtown. -- D.O.
Vino 100 patio -- Wauwatosa and the West Side need good places so those of us living out that way don't always have to head east to get out and about. So, the patio at Vino 100 in Downtown Tosa is just the thing. I like the shop OK, but being a fan of a specific wine region it tends not to have exactly what I want. However, the patio -- heated when necessary -- is just what the doctor ordered. There are appetizers supplied by Ristorante Bartolotta around the corner, a small selection of wines by the glass and inside there are 100 wines by the bottle for under $25 (but remember there's an $8 corkage fee, too). It seems to always be busy, but it's quiet and intimate and perfect for a relaxing drink with friends or a romantic encounter. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Big Bay Beach -- When we're feeling like a low-key beach experience, we drive north of Shorewood's Atwater Beach to Big Bay, located just off of Lake Drive on Palisades Road. It's a short and secluded walk down to the quiet beach, complete with stone stairs and a bridge. The beach itself has a small sandy shore with tons of rocks to skip or to take home for the yard. Just get there before early August to avoid the biting flies. -- M.E.
The Wisconsin River by canoe -- The Wisconsin River meanders south through the middle of the state on its way to meet up with the Mississippi, and from Sauk City on down to Spring Green -- 21 miles -- it's quite wide and dotted with several small sandbar islands. Drive the two hours to rent a canoe at Blackhawk River Runs or Sauk Prairie Canoes -- prices set you back about $60 per canoe -- and take to the water. With the current flowing between 2 and 5 knots, it'll take the better part of two days to reach Spring Green (a bus then comes to pick you, your gear and your canoe up and bring you back to your car) with a free overnight camp on your choice of one of the many gorgeous islands. Word to the wise -- everything you bring must fit within the confines of your humble canoe, so pack only what you're willing to lug along, although do not skimp on the sunscreen. The wide river provides little heat relief. Other than that, it's relaxing, good exercise and the lush scenery is magnificent. -- Julie Lawrence
"Girlfriend" by Matthew Sweet -- Found this CD in a pile the other day and ripped it into iTunes. The tracks sound as fresh as they did in 1991 and better than a lot of the new stuff that passes for promising these days. -- D.O.
"The Adventures of Captain Underpants" -- My 4-year-old boys have a penchant for the words pee, poop and puke. This is probably why they love the "Adventures of Captain Underpants" series of books so much. The five chapter books by Dav Pilkey are based on two surly boys, George and Harold, who invent a superhero named Captain Underpants "since superheroes look like they're wearing underpants anyway." Not surprisingly, their favorite in the series is "Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets." Hey, whatever gets them reading, right? -- M.E.
Turkey meatloaf -- The same general idea as meat loaf, but made with ground turkey. Find a recipe online or use a meat loaf recipe and substitute ground turkey. Throw a packet of frozen spinach (thawed) into it for extra color and nutrition. Just like regular meatloaf, it makes a great day-after sandwich. -- D.O.
