You may have seen Nicholas Hoult in X-Men: First Class or Clash of the Titans. He currently stars as, "R" in the "Romantic Zombie Comedy" Warm Bodies, in theaters this weekend.
A funny new twist on a classic love story, WARM BODIES is a poignant tale about the power of human connection. After a zombie epidemic, R (a highly unusual zombie) encounters Julie (a human survivor), and rescues her from a zombie attack. Julie sees that R is different from the other zombies, and as the two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human – setting off an exciting, romantic, and often comical chain of events that begins to transform the other zombies and maybe even the whole lifeless world.
In this interview Nick and I talk about...
Premise of the movie and dealing w paparazzi...
Working with John Malkovich and the make-up process...
You've seen Famke Janssen as Bond girl Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye. Jean Grey/Phoenix in the X-Men film series and LOTS more!
She made her directional debut with Bringing Up Bobby in 2011 and joins me to talk about her new movie Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters in theaters this weekend!
In this interview Famke and I talk about....
What fans can expect w Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters
2012 Washington D.C. Teacher of the Year Perea Blackmon joins me to talk about an AMAZING OPPORTUNITY for teachers across the nation!
Perea Blackmon began her teaching career 21 years ago with the District of Columbia Public Schools. She currently teaches a 3rd and 4th grade Montessori class at the Langdon Education Campus.
In addition, Mrs. Blackmon supports her colleagues as the Teacher Lead, Grade Level Chairperson and the DIBELS coordinator. During the 2011-2012 school year, Mrs. Blackmon served on the DCPS Chancellor’s Teacher’s Cabinet. In 2011, Mrs. Blackmon was the recipient of the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Teaching. Mrs. Blackmon is currently the 2012 District of Columbia State Teacher of the Year.
In this interview Perea and I talk about....
How she became 2012 Washington D.C. Teacher of the Year...
What's is this contest all about and what's at stake...
The Teacher of the Year Ceremony and what's next for her...
After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches...their past.
Prior to joining ET, Diaz served as co-host of BET’s 106 & Park, the country’s number one daily music video show. In addition to co-hosting for BET, Diaz produced and hosted her own radio show, Rocsi on the Radio. Diaz is also a monthly contributor for Latina Magazine.
Rocsi covered the Presidental Inaugration and sat down first with First Lady Michelle Obama at the Kids’ Inaugural Concert to discuss a variety of topics from her new hairstyle and recent birthday gift to Lance Armstrong’s recent doping confession and more!
In this interview Rocsi and I chat about....
Her crazy schedule in covering the Presidental Inauguration.
Joining the Entertainment Tonight family, working w the Obama's and THIS picture w Usher.
Michelle Obama's Dress, THESE pictures from the Inaugural Parade and a little Grammy talk.
Join me THIS SUNDAY January 20th at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts as I co-host the 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration. The event is FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Did you know the Milwaukee, WI and Atlanta, GA are the only two cities in THE NATION that put on a celebration for Dr. King?
Always taking place in the month of January, this event focuses on keeping the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alive. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Birthday Celebration programming highlights the youth in our community who every year interpret Dr. King’s words through an art, speech and writing contest. In addition, various cultural arts organizations take center stage in Uihlein Hall, truly demonstrating the excellence of our arts community.
This year's theme is "Fair Play, Good Will and Justice"
Joining me in the studio is the WINNING SPEECH WRITER in the 7th and 8th grade category, Alexandria Eggert!
I don't know about you, but whenever I come across Undercover Boss on TV, (Fridays | 8/7 CT| CBS)I always watch!
Paul Damico, President of Moe’s Southwest Grill, has to bite his tongue after realizing one of his restaurant supervisors is being pushy and rude to the line workers. Later, Damico works with a catering director who goes out of her way to bring in new business for the company, on UNDERCOVER BOSS.
One of fastest growing Southwest chains in America. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Moe’s serves healthy cuisine at 500 locations. 34 states. Opening a new restaurant every 6 days.
In this interview Paul and I talk about...
How he kept his cool with employees while being undercover...
More Moes Southwest Grill locations coming to Wisconsin? and what Paul learned...
How does Undercover Boss work? Did they approach Moes Southwest Grill?
ATTENTION SINGLE LADIES!! Have you ever dated a guy and asked yourself after the fact, "How long should I wait to respond to his text message?" or, " Can I friend him on Facebook?".
Not to worry! New York Times Best Selling Authors Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider are here to sort it all out!
Since 1995 when Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider released their seminal dating guide, The Rules, the world has changed. These days everyone is constantly on their cell phones checking email, texting, tweeting and posting on Facebook. People are online dating and video-chatting, and instant messaging has far outpaced talking on the phone as a way to keep in touch. When The Rules was first published, its message was straightforward: be mysterious. But for women looking for love today, it's not quite so simple.
In this interview Ellen, Sherrie and I talk about...
Why an update of The Rules almost 20 years later?
The girl that just showed up at my door...
Facebook, texting and sexting...
How to get in touch w Ellen and Sherrie and what's next?
I've never been to an event like this before but am excited to check it out after talking to the driver of the legendary Grave Digger monster truck, Randy Brown!
In this interview Randy and I talk about...
What you can expect at Monster Jam.
How many Grave Digger trucks are there, the Monster Jam competition and what's at stake for all the drivers...
Jonathan is an avid writer and is finishing his first full-length feature film, "The Walk On," which he will also star in and produce.
He is an expert mimic, boasting more than 50 impressions and dialects that include Vince Vaughn, Tom Hanks, Seth Rogen, Liam Neeson and Robert Downey, Jr. He is an active supporter of various autism and breast cancer charities.
When not working on “Two Broke Girls,” Kite tours the country doing his unusual brand of stand-up comedy and celebrity impressions.
In this interview Jonathan chats about....
Jonathan's recent getaway to Australia....
Tonight's 2 Broke Girls Episode...
Growing up in the Chicagoland area and studying at The Second City.
Michael joins the newly revamped omg!Insider co-anchored by Kevin Frazier & Thea Andrews which you can watch weeknight at 9:30pm on WMLW-TV.
Most recently, Yo was the host of “The Yo Show on Yahoo!,” which launched in April 2012. He is best known for his work on the E! programs “Chelsea Lately,” “The Daily 10,” “E! News,” “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami” and his own show “Yo on E!” as well as correspondent roles on “Extra, “Showbiz Tonight and “Today.”
Mark your calendars for a BRAND NEW OneRepublic record!
Ryan Tedder and the guys made the announcement today about, "Native" which will be in stores and available for download March 26th.
Along with the announcement of the new record, they also released a new single called, "If I Lose Myself".
Take a listen below and let me know what you think...
In 2009, I had a chance to sit down and chat with the entire group at The Riverside Theater. At the time they were about to release their last record, "Waking Up" which BTW is a great album.
This year, Uncle John celebrates 25 years of sitting on the throne as the King of Bathroom Reading.
With more than 100 titles published over the past 25 years, the Bathroom Readers’ Institute is celebrating its Silver Anniversary the best way it knows how—by releasing its largest book yet: Uncle John’s Fully Loaded 25th Anniversary Bathroom Reader and we have Editor-In-Chief Gordon Javna to tell us all about it!
In this interview Gordan and I chat about...
Just a little bit of what you can expect in the book like... The Lone Ranger.
What is the process in putting together an Uncle John's Book and the German U Boat story.
You still on it or have you given up already? What do your resolutions say about you?
A new survey finds that adults that made New Year’s resolutions say they personally behave more responsibly now than they did five years ago compared to those who did not.
Joining me to tell us more is Psychiatrist and Health Media Expert Dr. Janet Taylor.
We get your letters...
What an amazing weekend!
First of all, a very big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Grafton and Mukwonago and waited in line amid cold, windy and rainy conditions for those Wisconsin Dells Season Opener Cards.
For me, it is a chance to meet / hang out with YOU the listener and give you goodies!
Second, got this letter from our 99.1 The Mix Contact Us forum, from the Dawson family of Port Washington and was truly surprised that my "simple gesture" warranted the following...
Question: Your Name:
Answer: Michelle
Question: Your City:
Answer: Port Washington
Comments:
Yesterday I took my parents to Grafton to wait for season opener cards. It was quite a cold morning. We arrived at 10 because in the past there have been huge lines. My mother is recovering from a recent open-heart surgery. She is a very petite older woman.
Van McNeil was interacting with people people in line and I asked him if it would be possible for my mom to going to the bank to warm up. He unexpectedly took my mom's hand and escorted her into the building. He was so kind to her and gave her a hug. He made sure she was warm and dry and took very good care of her.
My mom and dad are thrilled to be going to the Dells. Unknown to Van my dad just got out of The hospital last Friday after 4 1/2 weeks of being in. It's been a very rough couple of months for my parents and their health. My mother was just beaming about how nice Van was.
I wanted to thank you for the season opener cards which will allow my parents and my family to enjoy a vacation in Wisconsin this summer, and send a special thank you to Van for being so wonderful to my parents.
You're welcome and THANK YOU Michelle!
Just doing what I do because that's how my mama raised me!
Enjoy the Dells!
-Van
#everylistenermatters
Perennial Garden Renovations
Give your tired perennial garden a boost without a total renovation. Topdressing your garden with compost every year or two provides most if not all the nutrients your perennials need.
Pull back the mulch if needed. Then spread an inch of compost over the soil surface. You can buy a quality compost or make your own.
Leave the compost on the surface or lightly mix it into the soil. The earthworms, ground beetles, and other organisms will take it from there – moving the compost into the soil and around the plant roots where it is needed.
Or, do a bit of vertical mulching. Use an auger bit on your cordless drill. Simply drill holes into the soil between plants. Then fill the holes with compost. This gets the compost closer to the plant roots and soil organisms that will help mix it into and improve the soil.
Soil preparation and repair will help transform your garden.
A bit more information: Apply a plant strengthener such as JAZ spray to increase plant vigor and their natural ability to tolerate environmental stresses, insect attacks, and disease problems. These natural products aren't fertilizers or pesticides. They can be applied to established plants at the beginning of the season to boost their ability to deal with stress or as soon as problems arise.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Growing Banana Plants Indoors or Out
Add a bit of the tropics indoors or out with a banana plant.
The large leaves are great for screening views and creating a bit of privacy on a balcony, patio or in the yard. Add a wicker planter or chair and you have your own tropical get-away.
The fiber banana (Musa basjoo) is hardy in zones 5 to 11. It grows in full sun. It will die back to the ground and benefit from winter mulch in northern areas of its hardiness zone.
Less hardy and smaller, the blood banana (Musa acuminata 'Zebrina'), has large leaves with red markings on 6 to 8 foot plants. It's only hardy in zones 10 to 11, but can be overwintered as a houseplant or allowed to go dormant in other areas.
Combine these tropical beauties with palms, ginger and bird-of-paradise. Or add some hardy tropical look-alikes such as Japanese forest grass, large leaf hostas and trumpet vines.
A bit more information: Push the limits of your growing region with special wintering techniques developed by Dr. David Francko, author of Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas. And for those in warmer regions check out Creating the Tropical Look.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Preserving the Asparagus Harvest
Preserve the flavor and nutrition of asparagus to enjoy year round.
This flavorful vegetable is low in calories and high in Vitamins A and C as well as fiber. Unfortunately, it is most readily available and at the best price in the spring.
Insure the best flavor with proper harvesting. Select young tender spears 8 to 10 inches tall. Wash, remove the ends, and then cut to fit the freezer bag or container.
Blanch the asparagus before freezing to lock in flavor, color and texture. Dip the asparagus into boiling water. You'll need a large pan with a lid. Blanch small spears for 2 minutes, medium spears for 3 minutes and large spears for 4 minutes.
Remove and immediately set the blanched spears in ice water for 5 minutes to cool. Drain and freeze.
And, if you don't have an asparagus patch, you may want to consider planting one this year.
A bit more information: May is National Asparagus Month. For tips on planting and harvesting asparagus listen to my audio tip. And check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for helpful tips and guidelines for preserving your harvest.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida)
Add a little color and flavor to your garden and salads with Mexican tarragon.
This subtle beauty is really a type of marigold, but the leaves and flowers have a tarragon fragrance and flavor.
Wait until after the danger of frost has passed to plant this zone 8 to 10 hardy plant. Grow it in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils. It is somewhat drought tolerant. Northern gardeners can treat it like an annual and those in the northern range of its hardiness zone may see it die back to the ground in a hard freeze. But don't worry its root hardy.
The yellow flowers appear in late summer and persist through fall. The 14 to 20 inch tall plants make a nice addition to herb gardens and flowerbeds.
Harvest the new growth to use fresh. Preserve the flavor by freezing the leaves or storing in vinegar. They tend to lose their flavor when dried.
A bit more information: You can find this plant listed under several common names including Mexican tarragon, Texas tarragon, pericon, and sweet mace. No matter the common name you can use the leaves and blossoms in soups, sauces and chicken dishes as well as salads. Some gardeners even seep it for tea. Visit Bonnie Plants for more information and gardeners ideas for growing and using this plant in the garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Year of the Watermelon
Year of the Watermelon
The National Garden Bureau has declared 2013 the Year of the Watermelon. Be part of the celebration and consider planting watermelon in this year's garden.
Don't let the sweet flavor deceive you – these are nutritious as well as delicious. High in Vitamin C, low in fat and calories - it is a great way to boost your energy. Plus, all parts are edible.
You can pickle the rind, eat the fleshy portion fresh or roast or grind the seeds for flavoring. In china they stir fry watermelon while the Russians often pickle it before eating. You may want to try some new ways of enjoying this tasty summer treat.
Grow watermelon in full sun and well-drained soils. Save space by growing these plants on a trellis or decorative obelisk. Just secure the heavy fruit to the support with a cloth or macramé sling. Or plant a few seeds in a container and let the vines wander over your balcony or trellis.
A bit more information: Try planting one of the large picnic-type watermelons that can weigh 15 to 50 pounds. These are sure to get everyone in the family excited about growing and eating this, the largest edible fruit in the United States. Or perhaps you want to try one of the icebox melons that is much smaller at 5 to 15 pounds and easier to squeeze into the fridge. And don't forget about those with unique colored rinds and flesh and of course those that lack seeds.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Clematis Stem Wilt
Clematis Stem Wilt
Your clematis looks beautiful until suddenly the stems and leaves start turning black. Though it looks bad your clematis will survive.
The fungus that causes this disease enters your plant through wounds and cracks in the stem near ground level. Fortunately new growth arising below this point will be disease free.
Reduce future problems by pruning out and destroying infested stems. Disinfect tools between cuts to reduce the risk of spreading this disease.
As new growth emerges from the soil carefully secure it to the support to reduce the risk of cracking and damage. Eliminating the entryways for the fungus will reduce the risk of disease.
In the future consider planting the crown of the clematis below the soil surface. This allows the plant to produce new shoots below the point of infection.
Try growing small flowered clematis that tend to resist this disease. Alpina, macropetala and the viticella types are a few to consider.
A bit more information: For a disease to occur you must have the causal organism (fungus, bacteria, virus) present, disease-promoting weather and susceptible plants. Remove one of these factors and you eliminate the disease. Keep this in mind when managing clematis stem wilt and other plant diseases in your garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
I'm a fan, are you?
Who doesn't LOVE a good Roller Coaster? Am I right?! I've been so very lucky to been have rasied in the Midwest, a stones throw away from Six Flags Great America, where I practicaly spent my summers as kid with my best bud Edgar!
Mom and dad would drop us off at open and pick us up at close. 10a-10p. Don't think I could handle that now. Heck, I could barley make it on one run of Batman The Ride Backwards!
Yes, that's right, for a limited time this season, (BTW... I tried to find out when from officials, they wouldn't budge, so get there soon!) Batman The Ride will be running BACKWARDS!!
MOBILE USERS: Click here to WATCH Van rides Batman: The Ride Backwards!
www.SixFlags.com
My Lucky Brewers Socks
I've been wearing these sock to the last few games I have attended at Miller Park and the crew always wins when I have them on. Do you think my socks lucky?
Matt Nathanson AND Plain White T's coming to Festa!
YES! That headline is correct...Matt Nathanson AND the Plain White T's will be performing at Festa Italiana, Saturday night, July 20th and I have the honor of being your ON STAGE HOST!!
I'm super stoked and looking forward to hanging with Platinum-selling singer-song writer Matt Nathanson, and Grammy-nominated Chicago-bred Plain White T's again!
Check out the videos from both groups last visit to The Mix Studios:
WATCH Matt Nathanson Interview and Performance.
WATCH Plain White T's Interview and Performance.
Watch for and Prevent Borers on Trees and Shrubs
Extreme heat and cold, droughts and floods can leave our plants stressed and more susceptible to damaging borers.
These insects are the immature stage of moths and beetles that feed under the bark and inside the stems of plants. Their feeding weakens and in some cases kills the plant.
Many borers are opportunists, attacking already stressed trees. We can't control the weather but we can help reduce stress on our plants. Start by growing plants suited to the climate and growing conditions in your landscape.
Mulch the area under and around the base of trees and shrubs. Organic mulches like wood chips keep the roots cool and moist and reduce competition from grass and weeds.
Be sure to water new plantings thoroughly and as needed the first few years. And do the same for established trees and shrubs during extended drought. This will keep them healthy and help ward off borers.
A bit more information: Incorporate trees and shrubs into perennial planting beds. You will create an attractive garden and better environment for the plants. Plus, planting beds as well as mulching will reduce the need for hand trimming and will keep weed whips and mowers away from the trunks of the trees. And don't pile soil or mulch over the stems of shrubs and the trunks of trees. These practices create entryways for pests and encourage disease problems.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Lawn Revival
If sparse, bare spots or lots of weeds describe your lawn, it is time for a little lawn revival.
Start by evaluating the current state of your lawn. If more than 60% is bare or filled with weeds, it is time to start over. Look at this as an opportunity to properly prepare the soil, select a more drought tolerant lawn or convert it into a no mow or low maintenance lawn or planting bed.
Overseed thin sparse lawns. Core aerate first or use a slit seeder to insure good seed-to-soil contact. For small bare spots use a lawn patch kit or make your own. Mix a handful of quality grass seed into a bucket of topsoil. Remove any dead grass and roughen the soil surface. Then sprinkle the commercial or homemade lawn patch over the prepared bare spot.
Keep the soil moist until the grass seed begins to grow.
A bit more information: Larger areas will benefit from the addition of organic matter into the top 6 inches of soil before sowing the grass seed or laying sod. Keep the soil moist until the sod has rooted into the soil below and the grass seed begins to grow. Consider overseeding the lawn to help create a more uniform appearance in the lawn. For more information, click here.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
You may have seen Nicholas Hoult in X-Men: First Class or Clash of the Titans. He currently stars as, "R" in the "Romantic Zombie Comedy" Warm Bodies, in theaters this weekend.
You've seen Famke Janssen as Bond girl Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye. Jean Grey/Phoenix in the X-Men film series and LOTS more! 
2012 Washington D.C. Teacher of the Year Perea Blackmon joins me to talk about an AMAZING OPPORTUNITY for teachers across the nation!
After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches...their past.
Rocsi Diaz is the weekend co-anchor and daily correspondent for 
Join me THIS SUNDAY January 20th at the 
I don't know about you, but whenever I come across Undercover Boss on TV, 
ATTENTION SINGLE LADIES!! Have you ever dated a guy and asked yourself after the fact, "How long should I wait to respond to his text message?" or, " Can I friend him on Facebook?".
All kinds of "Monster Trucks" invade Milwaukee this weekend at 
Jonathan Kite plays Oleg The Russian Cook on 
Michael joins the newly revamped omg!Insider co-anchored by Kevin Frazier & Thea Andrews which you can watch weeknight at 9:30pm on WMLW-TV.
Mark your calendars for a BRAND NEW OneRepublic record!
This year, Uncle John celebrates 25 years of sitting on the throne as the King of Bathroom Reading.
We are one week into 2013...
