Madison Curling Club

For those who aren't familiar, curling is like shuffleboard on ice: you push a "rock" down the length of the ice while your teammates sweep the area in front of it until the rock stops in a targeted area where points are awarded.

Madison has one of the largest curling clubs in the nation in the Madison Curling Club (about 500 members), located in McFarland. The club has its own facility, built just a few years ago, after the old location on East Washington got to be too old. Many teams from around the country and Canada stop in for matches.

I have to note: curling is a social sport. After you play a team, you sit with them in the banquet area and have drinks/dinner with them (how fun!). And that may also be the one negative of joining the club--the immense time commitment. Matches take two hours, and then you socialize for another two. Leagues run from fall to spring.

In case you didn't know, the Madison Curling Club also is host to the top women's team in the world. They competed in 2006 and will compete again in 2010.

Spectators are always welcome. And next October, make sure to visit during the open houses for an introduction to curling.

For more information, check out www.madisoncurlingclub.com.

Mystique Casino

A short drive from Madison (about an hour and 45 min.) is Mystique Casino in Iowa, better known as Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Mystique is a lot more fun than two closer casinos, Ho-Chunk (Baraboo) and Potawatomi (Milwaukee), and here's why:

Mystique does have table games, including craps and poker. Even on a Saturday night, one can find several tables with a $5 minimum (unheard of in most casinos).

The dining options are good, with a fancier restaurant (Champagne), a Houlihan's and a buffet (Bon Appetit). Not surprisingly, drinks are not free (even when you gamble), but they are pretty cheap ($2.50 for a Jack and Coke).

Mystique has live entertainment weekly, and it even draws bigger names as evidenced by Gin Blossoms booked to perform in a few weeks.

And of course, there is the dog park. One may sit inside or outside. There's usually about 14 races several nights a week.

More info at: www.dgpc.com

The Abbey Resort

While Lake Geneva, Wis., is known throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois as a vacation hotspot, its neighboring city, Fontana (located on the west edge of Lake Geneva), doesn't get as much publicity. Fontana is much smaller and doesn't have a "downtown" or main strip, but it does have a beach and a great resort called the Abbey (about a 75-min drive from Madison).

The Abbey has an indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, several restaurants and bars, a marina and a full-service spa called Avani. The resort is designed to look like an abbey, though it never was one.

The food was great (had the all-you-can-eat prime rib and crab leg dinner, amongst other meals), and not too pricey despite being a resort. The lounge had a nice selection of martinis, and the cigar lounge was a relaxing way to cap the night.

The spa, though rather expensive, is definitely worth a visit. It has exercise equipment, a sauna, a steamroom, a lap pool, a jacuzzi, a private outdoor pool and of course, massage services.

A few minor complaints about the Abbey: Because it was built out instead of up, depending on what room you get, you can be really far away from the restaurants, pool, etc. Also, the indoor pool doesn't have a handicap accessible entrance--since the resort is family-friendly, it makes it hard to get your stroller there. Lastly, the beds are very high off the ground; it takes a while to get used to and not fall on your first step.

The Abbey Resort is definitely worth a visit. More info at www.theabbeyresort.com.

The New Kalahari

In December, the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells completed yet another expansion, this time building an indoor amusement park that connects the hotel to both Damon's and the movie theater (both were stand-alones before). The indoor park is full of fun activities from bowling to go-karts to video games to an indoor ferris wheel. Admission is free; the activities cost money.

Both the indoor and outdoor waterparks at the Kalahari are great. I have been there about 5-6 times in various times of the year, and never has the line for any ride been longer than 10-15 min. (some lines at Noah's Ark are 45+ min.). Cool rides include the toilet bowl and the surfing ride.

Of course, this is a family-friendly environment, but adults can have fun, too. Be sure to check out the bar Kahunaville, for example. The bartenders do a great performance nightly in which they acrobatically make drinks.

If you stay in a suite, you'll probably be at the Sands, an addition to the Kalahari near Kahunaville. While a bit of a walk to the waterpark, at least guests have their own outdoor pool. The parking lots for the Sands are not as close to the main entrance as they could (or should) be.

Behind the Sands are the condos. Again, quite a bit of a walk to use the rest of the Kalahari's amenities, but they are good for a more secluded getaway.

If you plan on staying, make sure to check out the Kalahari's Web site for specials.

Good time to eat out

(courtesy of EatDrinkMadison.com)

Many higher end restaurants are feeling the recession, especially as diners gravitate toward more medium- to lower-priced restaurants. That's why several restaurants have added prix-fixe menus and other specials they would never offer otherwise. Examples:
1) Fleming's added a $35.95 prix-fixe menu
2) Johnny Delmonico's added lunch
3) Claddagh's added a $59.99 dinner-for-two special
4) Ruth's Chris added a $39.95 prix-fixe menu
5) Kushi Bar Muramoto added lunch

And the list goes on. If you're still going out to eat, I recommend taking advantage of these great deals while the economy is still bad!

Crazylegs

Every April the University of Wisconsin athletic department organizes its fundraising race called Crazylegs. For about $20-$30 (depending on when you register), you can particpate in the 8k race or 2-mile walk. Participants (all of whom get a free Crazylegs T-shirt) start at the Capitol, wind their way through campus and end at Camp Randall Stadium.

It's particularly amusing to pass all the students outside their apartments as they cheer you on and play "Chariots of Fire." Also, many runners/walkers wear costumes.

The finish line is one big party. The UW Marching Band performs, as well as another band, and there is free beer.

More info at http://www.crazylegsclassic.com/.

Wisconsin Film Festival

It's that time of the year where winter is hanging on for dear life, baseball is about to begin and the Wisconsin Film Festival takes place in downtown Madison. Since its inception in 1999, I've enjoyed many movies such as "Godfather of Green Bay," "Better Luck Tomorrow" and "Bon Cop, Bad Cop." Roger Ebert even stopped by one year.

If you're wary of going to see independent movies but still want to see what all the fuss is about, I recommend seeing the movies that take place around 7 p.m. at the Orpheum. These movies usually will be appreciated by the largest audience, while the movies at the other (smaller) venues may be more niche.

Tickets are general admission and cost $7 each ($4 with valid student ID). Don't worry if a movie is sold out. You can stand in the rush-ticket line and wait for last-second tickets to open up; I've never had a problem getting into a sold-out movie.

More info at www.wifilmfest.org.

.10K Race

Once again WJJO organized the Miller Lite .10K race from Brother's to State Street Brat's. If you didn't already know, these are two bars on campus about two blocks apart.

This race takes place on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. The pre-party begins at 9 a.m. (usually earlier) at Brother's, where registration takes place ("racers" get a T-shirt, headband and mug). Then from 11 a.m. to 11:01 a.m., everyone runs, walks, etc. to Brat's, where the post-race party is held. Green beer is served at both locations.

Definitely worth the $5 race fee! Nothing like getting drunk before noon. All ages are welcome (there was even a baby this year).