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Adam Elliott
Adam is a tried and true Madisonian, with a love for current events, movies...and movies. Arriving here in 1980, he grew up on the city's east side and is a proud grad of Madison LaFollette High School. (Go Lancers!)
His career has kept him in Wisconsin his entire life, working as a Beat Reporter on AM radio and as a news writer for wire services. In college he even sported dreadlocks while hosting a reggae show. Ask to see the pictures. His passions range from cinema, to learning languages, to winter sports, to traveling. Just like the Jimmy Buffet song says "He Went to Paris." he's got a romantic notion that he's going to see the world and maybe talk on the radio in another country. Ask him about flying a fighter jet, training with a SWAT team and going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Two of those are true.
You can hear his take on the day's news and traffic during the Scott Miller in The Morning show and read his movie reviews on WOLX.com. "My greatest hustle is convincing my boss to allow me to review movies on the job." For now, he's happy living in the pseudo-reality that is radio. "One day I'll have to grow up and get a real job. I have no idea what to do when that happens."
I'm saddened to hear of Don Cornelius' passing today.
I'll be dating myself, but I fondly recall watching Soul Train in the 70's As I remember it, Soul Train aired on Saturday mornings after Saturday Morning Cartoons. Being about 5 years old, I was immediately fascinated with the dance moves. I didn't quite understand what I was watching, but I love to see people dance.
From that point on, if I ever happen to be channel surfing and caught Soul Train, I'd stop and watch for at least a few minutes.
At this pace, we might not even need to watch the Big Game this Sunday.
Two of the commercials, featuring two pretty big stars are already out there for viewing. Today we get the full Ferris Bueller commercial and we get Jerry Seinfeld's infamous Soup Nazi back at it.
If you are so well read, why would you stick your face near a snake.
Here's the background to the weirdest story of the week:
A member of a Madison book club says she got quite a scare when she decided to pick up a 17-year old Ball Python that was resting in its aquarium at the home where the book club took place.
It latched on to her face and wouldn't let go. Police and other emergency responders were called, but the snake wouldn't let go until it's owner returned home. No word on how long that took, but everyone including the snake walked away OK.
I'm not sure that this is the medical breakthrough that everyone was hoping for, but nonetheless, it is news.
Here's the story that Scott, Heather and I were talking about today. Just don't eat any food before, during or after reading:
Bacon cures nose bleeds? The bacon craze had already gone too far, but this latest finding suggests it will continue down that path of lunacy. A new study, printed in a real medical journal (Annals of Otolaryngology), found that using strips of cured bacon helped those afflicted with chronic nose-bleeds.
"Cured salted pork crafted as a nasal gauze and packed within the nasal vaults successfully stopped nasal hemorrhage promptly, effectively, and without sequelae" (or aftereffect of the condition), explains the study.
Apparently they used to do these sorts of the things back in the day, but bacteria caused all sorts of infection, so doctors stopped. Now that bacon's back in, there seems no better place to stick those delicious smelling sticks of fat.
Thanks to The Guardian.com for this story...I think.
My favorite aspect of Restaurant Week is the sampling of a restaurant that you've never been too. For me this week, it was trying out the authentic Italian flavors of The Continental Fitchburg.
I had been in a previous reincarnation of the building that now houses The Continental on Fish Hatchery Road some time ago, but my first impression was a far more upscale upgrade.
The prix fixe menu ($15 lunch/$25 dinner) comes with a salad, entree and desert option. I went for the Antonio's Original House Salad consisting of mixed greens tossed with house green pepper flake, sweet & sour dressing topped with Roma tomatoes. The greens were pleasing to the eye and the pepper flake added a nice level of heat. My significant other required a Gluten Free option and was pleased with the house salad and balsamic vinaigrette.
Our entrees were something I would have expected to get on a fine dining night out. I ordered the Fettuccine Pomodoro with Shrimp, my date had the 10 oz. Tenderloin Steak topped with Portobello & cremini mushrooms sautéed in butter, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic and onions. It was also served with baby red potatoes and asparagus spears.
Presentation was above par. The first bite of Fettuccine was delectable. The shrimp marinating in olive oil, pecorino cheese and fresh basil were perfectly cooked. The pasta was a happy medium between al dente and overcooked. The entire dish sat on a bed of capers, olive oil and basil that mixed with every bite. This was the first meal where I've actually enjoyed capers. My hat is off.
My significant other's steak was a beautiful medium rare. The cut had just the right amount of marbling, free of excessive fats, but flavorful. The simple pairing of baby reds and asparagus was sensible and tasty. The mushroom topping appeared to come from a can and left something to be desired.
I would rarely say that the meal tops the desert, but they were close calls. I sampled the fruit flavorings of a Key Lime Pie served with a mango sauce. The Key Lime was white, not green. Well done. My date's Caramel Apple Sundae had the slight hints of caramel with sauteed Granny Smiths and was worth the wait.
An enjoyable experience overall and worthy of a repeat visit.
Thousands of area residents make their way to support the local dining community by exploring the newest restaurants and hitting up old favorites. Mark your calendars for this year's Winter Restaurant Week! Sunday, Jan. 22 Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 This semi-annual event is the perfect opportunity for food lovers to sample some of Madison's finest local offerings.
For $25 participating restaurants offer a prix-fixed menu with 3 courses and 3 options of each course. Some restaurants offer a reduced menu for $15 for lunch. No passes, tickets or coupons are required. Diners may simply visit their favorite participating restaurants throughout the week to enjoy the special menus.
It's is an easy call this year. Trust me, I have a pretty decent track record when it comes to picking who will be taking home the statues on Oscar night.
In the Top 5 Categories, here's who I think will win it:
Best Picture
* "The Artist"
Actor in a Leading Role
* George Clooney in "The Descendants"
Actor in a Supporting Role
* Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"
Actress in a Leading Role
* Viola Davis in "The Help", but I want Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn" to win.
Actress in a Supporting Role
* Octavia Spencer in "The Help"
Animated Feature Film
* "Rango"
Directing
* "Hugo" Martin Scorsese
Here's the rest of the nominees...
Best Picture
* "The Artist"
* "The Descendants"
* "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
* "The Help"
* "Hugo"
* "Midnight in Paris"
* "Moneyball"
* "The Tree of Life"
* "War Horse"
Actor in a Leading Role
* Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"
* George Clooney in "The Descendants"
* Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"
* Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
* Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"
Actor in a Supporting Role
* Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"
* Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"
* Nick Nolte in "Warrior"
* Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"
* Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
Actress in a Leading Role
* Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"
* Viola Davis in "The Help"
* Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
* Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"
* Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn"
Actress in a Supporting Role
* Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"
* Jessica Chastain in "The Help"
* Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"
* Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"
* Octavia Spencer in "The Help"
Animated Feature Film
* "A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
* "Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
* "Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson
* "Puss in Boots" Chris Miller
* "Rango" Gore Verbinski
Directing
* "The Artist" Michel Hazanavicius
* "The Descendants" Alexander Payne
* "Hugo" Martin Scorsese
* "Midnight in Paris" Woody Allen
* "The Tree of Life" Terrence Malick
Margarita, oh how I love thee... (just don't tell my girlfriend)
A new bar manager's survey found the Margarita remains the most popular mixed drink nationwide.
For the boozehounds out there, here's how the rest of their sauced up list:
Most Popular Mixed Drinks
1. Maragarita
2. Martini
3. Rum & Coke take
Most Popular Top Shelf Liquor
1. Absolut Vodka
2. Grey Goose
Best Selling Import Beer
1. Corona
2. Heinekin
Most Popular Craft Beer
1. Sam Adams
Unfortunately, the sucky survey didn't fill in the rest of the blanks. I say who cares. As long as your juice has the right flavor, I say go for it. I'm just glad about the creation of the vortal bottle neck. There was a clear need to get beer in your body faster.
This may be the craziest story in the news this week.
It's so fantastic, that I just can't believe it to be true without more evidence. In any case here we go perpetuating the story.
There have been reports that Celine Dion's song "My Heart Will Go On" was playing while the Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground off Italy's coast. What's more is that one of the passengers that survived the Costa Condordia are also saying that they had relatives that were on the 1912 sinking of the Titanic.
Too incredible to be true? Maybe. Stranger things have happened.
Has the American Idol boat sunk? This isn't a poor reference to the cruise ship run aground in Italy, but since were on that subject...have you evern heard of a Ship's Captain falling overboard. Me neither. I digress.
Once again we're looking at another season of American Idol getting underway. I didn't watch the opener, but I still follow the show to see if anything big happens.
I don't think a lot of big things really happen on the show. Scott and I were talking this morning about how "joke" contestant William Hung is now a CSI guy in Los Angeles. I'm not sure what other Idol contestants are doing these days, but I'm guessing the majority of them are not making a living off of their singing skills.
Here's a blast from the past though. Remember these Idol winners and their first auditions?
Rated R
1h23
Its said that youth is wasted on the young. Just think how bad it might be if they had superpowers too.
Chronicle is a finely tuned example of the found footage film genre. In it, three teenage boys, Andrew, Matt &...
If you serve just one thing on Sunday...make it this delicious dip! In fact, you better go ahead and make two pans. It's that good. Seriously.
1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (I...
Well, even if Green Bay isn't in the game, we at least have this.
Madonna was on The Today Show this morning and offered up this bit. Whew. I was nervous for a minute there.
Time to file taxes. Don't get caught with these errors. Errors made on tax returns may delay the processing of your tax return, which in turn, may cause your refund to arrive later. Here are nine common errors the IRS wants you to avoid to help...
Buying the right mattress, while it might seem like an enormous hassle, is actually one of the most important things you can do for your health. Think about it. You sleep on it everyday, for hours at a time.
\"It's a delicate balance,\" says...
A recent study published by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior gave 6 tips for eating out while following a weight gain prevention program. The study suggests asking for half of your meal to be boxed up to go immediately and check the...
You know they're both great exercise options, but which one is the best for your health plan?
Pilates and yoga have become popular additions to exercise regimes, and both are similar in their focus on breathing, but there are also important...
Here are some of the many options that your family might find helpful.
Providing a good childcare environment for kids can be stressful for working parents. With rising childcare costs, it's important to think outside the box.
Relatives:...
More than 20% of people will be doing THIS, this Sunday.
Incorrect Guesses: over eating, working, watching the game while drinking beer while holding your hand held device, not watching the game, watching just the commercials, following the game on a...
Rated R
1h23
Its said that youth is wasted on the young. Just think how bad it might be if they had superpowers too.
Chronicle is a finely tuned example of the found footage film genre. In it, three teenage boys, Andrew, Matt &...
If you serve just one thing on Sunday...make it this delicious dip! In fact, you better go ahead and make two pans. It's that good. Seriously.
1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (I...
Well, even if Green Bay isn't in the game, we at least have this.
Madonna was on The Today Show this morning and offered up this bit. Whew. I was nervous for a minute there.
Time to file taxes. Don't get caught with these errors. Errors made on tax returns may delay the processing of your tax return, which in turn, may cause your refund to arrive later. Here are nine common errors the IRS wants you to avoid to help...
Buying the right mattress, while it might seem like an enormous hassle, is actually one of the most important things you can do for your health. Think about it. You sleep on it everyday, for hours at a time.
\"It's a delicate balance,\" says...
A recent study published by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior gave 6 tips for eating out while following a weight gain prevention program. The study suggests asking for half of your meal to be boxed up to go immediately and check the...
You know they're both great exercise options, but which one is the best for your health plan?
Pilates and yoga have become popular additions to exercise regimes, and both are similar in their focus on breathing, but there are also important...
David Moore
Adam is a tried and true Madisonian, with a love for current events, movies...and movies. Arriving here in 1980, he grew up on the city's east side and is a proud grad of Madison LaFollette High School. (Go Lancers!)
Two questions for this person.
I'm not sure that this is the medical breakthrough that everyone was hoping for, but nonetheless, it is news.
My favorite aspect of 
Has the American Idol boat sunk? This isn't a poor reference to the cruise ship run aground in Italy, but since were on that subject...have you evern heard of a Ship's Captain falling overboard. Me neither. I digress.