Hosta of the Year
Hostas are great for shade and low maintenance gardens. But with hundreds of choices it can be a bit overwhelming. So the American Hosta Growers Association has stepped in to help.
Each year the Hosta Growers select an outstanding hosta suited to gardens in a wide range of growing regions, ones that are widely available and affordable. This year’s winner is Liberty.
This hosta can grow up to 39 inches tall and wide. The thick dark green leaves have a wide yellow edge that changes to cream in summer. The variegation helps brighten the shade and the lavender flowers appear in mid-summer to attract hummingbirds.
Use hostas in containers or shade gardens with other shade loving plants. Combine Liberty with creamy and yellow flowered plants that echo the creamy variegation. Soften the look and feel of the hosta garden with some fine textured ferns and sedges. Or combine with a lower growing groundcover like golden moneywort.
A bit more information: Use Liberty as your start to a patriotic hosta garden. Include others like Revolution, Patriot, Minuteman, Pilgrim, Loyalist, Dawn’s Early Light, Fireworks, American Dream and American Hero. Twenty five cents for each American Hero hosta sold will be donated to Project Evergreen’s Green Care for Troops.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Win tickets to Ghost Rider Spirit Of Vengeance.
99.1 The Mix gets YOU into the best new movies FIRST!
Listen to Van McNeil (Weekdays Noon-4pm) for your cue to call in and win tickets to The Mix Sneak Peek of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance starring Nicholas Cage.
Good luck! (414.799.1099)
Nicolas Cage reprises his role as Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider™ Spirit of Vengeance. In this gritty new vision for the character, directed by Neveldine/Taylor (Crank), Johnny is still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter – but he may risk everything as he teams up with the leader of a group of rebel monks (Idris Elba) to save a young boy from the devil… and possibly rid himself of his curse forever.
http://www.thespiritofvengeance.com/
Stop and read before you order
A new online article talks about what bartenders are really thinking when it comes to what you order and how your act at a bar.
For example, if you order a margarita. Bartenders say they're a pain to make (some even say the blender is broken) and you're either an amatuer or underage.
On the other hand, if you order a Gin & Tonic that means you have money.
Vodka drinks are respectable and Cosmos mean you're stuck back in time watching Sex & The City.
For the full article, click here.
Photo credit Anders Ljungberg via Flickr
All things OSCAR...Behind the scenes, nominees and more.
Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards. “I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.”
Producer Brian Grazer commented, “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don Mischer and me at the helm.”
Said Mischer, "With Billy, we're moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration."
This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.
“Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” said Crystal.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
84th Academy Awards Nominees.
Click on nominee for more infomation.
Best Picture
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"
Best Actor
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"
Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"
Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
Best Director
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
Best Animated Feature
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"
Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett
For more visit...www.Oscar.com
American Idol Sneak Peek February 2nd.
In an American Idol exclusive, Madonna will world premiere the video for her new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin,” featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Plus, more auditions – this time from St. Louis, MO – as the judges resume their search to find the next singing superstar.
Take a sneak peek at tonight's episode and check out American Idol Wednesday and Thrusday nights on FOX!
www.AmericanIdol.com
All things GRAMMY...Performers, nominees and more.
54th Annual GRAMMY® Nominees.
Click on artist to view music video.
Album of the Year
Adele - 21
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Lady Gaga - Born This Way
Bruno Mars - Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Rihanna - Loud
Record of the Year
Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"
Bon Iver - "Holocene"
Bruno Mars - "Grenade"
Mumford & Sons - "The Cave"
Katy Perry - "Firework"
Best New Artist
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex
Song of the Year
Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie - "All of the Lights"
Mumford & Sons - "The Cave"
Bruno Mars - "Grenade"
Bon Iver - "Holocene"
Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"
Best Pop Solo Performance
Adele - "Someone Like You"
Lady Gaga - "Yoü and I"
Bruno Mars - "Grenade"
Katy Perry - "Firework"
Pink - "F***in' Perfect"
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse - "Body and Soul"
The Black Keys - "Dearest"
Coldplay - "Paradise"
Foster The People - "Pumped Up Kicks"
Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera - "Moves Like Jagger"
Best Dance Recording
deadmau5 and Greta Svabo Bech - "Raise Your Weapon"
Duck Sauce - "Barbra Streisand"
David Guetta and Avicii - "Sunshine"
Robyn - "Call Your Girlfriend"
Skrillex - "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites"
Swedish House Mafia - "Save The World"
Best Rock Performance
Coldplay - "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall"
The Decemberists - "Down By the Water"
Foo Fighters - "Walk"
Mumford & Sons - "The Cave"
Radiohead - "Lotus Flower"
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
Dream Theater - "On The Backs of Angels"
Foo Fighters - "White Limo"
Mastodon - "Curl of the Burl"
Megadeth - "Public Enemy No. 1"
Sum 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"
Best Rock Album
Jeff Beck - Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
Wilco - The Whole Love
Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys
Foster the People - Torches
My Morning Jacket - Circuital
Radiohead - The King Of Limbs
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Eric Benet - "Sometimes I Cry"
Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona - "Fool for You"
R. Kelly - "Radio Message"
Raphael Saadiq - "Good Man"
Betty Wright and the Roots - "Surrender"
Best R&B Album
Chris Brown - F.A.M.E.
El DeBarge - Second Chance
R. Kelly - Love Letter
Ledisi - Pieces of Me
Kelly Price - Kelly
Best Rap Album
Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV
Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Beyoncé and Andre 3000 - "Party"
DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne - "I'm On One"
Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey - "I Need a Doctor"
Rihanna and Drake - "What's My Name?"
Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne - "Motivation"
Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie - "All Of The Lights"
Best Rap Performance
Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes - "Look at Me Now"
Jay-Z and Kanye West - "Otis"
Lupe Fiasco - "The Show Goes On"
Nicki Minaj and Drake - "Moment 4 Life"
Wiz Khalifa - "Black And Yellow"
Best Country Solo Performance
Jason Aldean - "Dirt Road Anthem"
Martina McBride - "I'm Gonna Love You Through It"
Blake Shelton - "Honey Bee"
Taylor Swift - "Mean"
Carrie Underwood - "Mama's Song"
Best Country Song
Thompson Square - "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"
Blake Shelton - "God Gave Me You"
Trace Adkins - "Just Fishin' "
Taylor Swift - "Mean"
Vince Gill - "Threaten Me With Heaven"
Kenny Chesney (featuring Grace Potter) - "You and Tequila"
Best Americana Album
Linda Chorney - Emotional Jukebox
Ry Cooder - Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down
Emmylou Harris - Hard Bargain
Levon Helm - Ramble At The Ryman
Lucinda Williams - Blessed
Best Blues Album
Gregg Allman - Low Country Blues
Marcia Ball - Roadside Attractions
Warren Haynes - Man In Motion
Keb' Mo' - The Reflection
Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator
Best Folk Album
The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs
Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest
54tn Annual GRAMMY® performers and presenters.
Twenty-time GRAMMY® winner Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com). Actor/recording artist Jack Black, six-time GRAMMY winner and current three-time nominee Fergie, three-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Amir "?uestlove" Thompson (The Roots), and nine-time GRAMMY winner Ringo Starr will appear as presenters. Music's Biggest Night® — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Networkfrom 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.
Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are Dierks Bentley, Drake, Miranda Lambert, and Gwyneth Paltrow. LL COOL J has hosted "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.
www.grammy.com
