Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls joins Van McNeil for a chat about...kicking off their US tour at The Pabst Theater here in Milwaukee, when will a new Goo Goo Dolls record be available, and what "Milwaukee" thing(s) is he obsessed with. Find out all of that and lots more in this interview.
Txt 2 WIN!!!
Text keyword 'GOO' to '30543' to enter to win a pair of tickets see the Goo Goo Dolls | October 12th | Pabst Theater. Winner will be selected and notified Wednesday, October 12th at Noon. Good Luck!
It's no wonder why it's the #1 Haunted House in the NATION!
Screams are their business.
Wisconsin FearGrounds is in the habit of terrifying its guests, and has gained national recognition for it. This year, the FearGrounds has been recognized as the #1 “MUST SEE” haunt in the United States by Haunted Attraction Magazine.
Located at the Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188, the haunted attraction waits ominously for those brave enough to cross its threshold.
Ann Marie and Timothy Gavinski are owners of Nightmares4U, the company responsible for the Wisconsin FearGrounds.
“We want everyone to enjoy the experience,” Ann Marie said. “Whether they come to be scared, to laugh, or to be creeped out, we want them to have fun.”
The Gavinskis are very active in the haunted attraction industry. Timothy has served two terms as president of the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) and the Gavinskis are frequent instructors at a number of national seminars on owning and operating haunted attractions.
Timothy received an industry award in 2010 in recognition of his support, dedication and contribution to the haunted attraction industry.
THE X FACTOR is the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger will travel the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over â both solo artists and vocal groups â who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
At last summerâs conference in Miami, Bango took home the honor of NBA Mascot of the Year, which was voted on by his fellow mascots. Bango added another title during the 2010-11 season as he received the âMost Awesome Mascotâ award at the Cartoon Networkâs Hall of Game Awards in February. This year, Bango passed on the torch to the 2011 NBA Mascot of the Year, Grizz from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Bango has been a very busy Buck in the offseason with more than 80 appearances since May 1. Last week, Bango, along with Bucks and GE staff, volunteered at GE Day of Caring at Burbank Elementary School. He also made appearances at the annual Milwaukee Juneteenth Day celebration parade; the Badger Mutual Insurance Boys and Girls Club Tailgate Party at Miller Park; the Pewaukee Clean Water Festival at Pewaukee Lake and four Fourth of July Parades throughout the community. Bango also volunteered his time by distributing school supplies at the House of Peace Back to School Drive and helped serve breakfast and supper along with The Gathering of Southeastern Wisconsin at two Milwaukee locations. All of Bangoâs volunteer efforts and appearances listed above are part of the Milwaukee Bucks Community Caravan, which spans throughout the summer and through June 2012.
Bango begins his 34th season with the Bucks and he has been energizing and entertaining Bucks fans with his high flying dunks, acrobatic moves and crazy shenanigans. The ageless Bango has brought smiles and thrills to Bucks fans at home games, appearances, parades, school assemblies, hospital visits and everywhere Bucks fans celebrate since 1977. He has performed throughout the United States, Canada and in China and will be back at the Bradley Center for the 2011-12 Milwaukee Bucks season.
The ladies ruled the kingdom at the â2011 MTV Video Music Awards,â broadcast live this evening from Nokia Theater L.A. Live, as Katy Perry and Adele each took home three VMA Moonmen and Lady Gaga two. Katy Perry won the biggest prize of the night, âVideo of the Year,â with her pop anthem, âFireworks,â as well as honors for âBest Collaborationâ and âBest Special Effectsâ for âE.T.â featuring Kanye West. Adding to her reign atop the album charts, Adele won VMAs for âBest Art Direction,â âBest Cinematography,â and âBest Editing.â Genre and gender-defying Lady Gaga kicked off the night as her alter ego Joe Calderone with a show-stopping performance of âYou and I,â and later walked away with two VMAs for âBest Femaleâ and this yearâs new category, âBest Video with a Message.â
VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
BEST MALE VIDEO:
BEST FEMALE VIDEO:
BEST POP VIDEO:
BEST ROCK VIDEO:
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO:
BEST COLLABORATION:
BEST NEW ARTIST:
The most explosive moment of the night belonged to hip-hop heavyweights Kanye West and Jay-Z . The duo brought funk, flare and the fireworks to the VMA stage with the worldwide television debut performance of âOtisâ from their global number one album, Watch The Throne. The kings of hip-hop playfully commandeered the VMA stage with their usual royal swagger through a steady bombastic beat of flames, smoke and pyrotechnics until the patriotic climax as they proudly stood in front of the red, white and blue of a gigantic American flag in a nod to the singleâs cover.
Another high-octane performance came courtesy of Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo and Nayer, who transformed the VMAs into a giant dance party with this summerâs mega hit âGive Me Everything.â The hip-hop trio brought Miami heat to the stage with 60 dancers and a laser light spectacle that brought down the house.
The show took a soulful turn with an unforgettable VMA debut from a hauntingly beautiful Adele who performed the heart-breaking âSomeone Like Youâ with only a piano by her side and the glow of a single spotlight. Introduced by Katy Perry, Adele left the audience breathless as she treated them to one of the most powerful voices of a generation and they responded with a standing ovation.
Chris Brown delivered a show stopper with his high-flying aerial journey through VMA history. It was a visual feast as he few from stage to stage while performing his smash dance hit âYeah 3Xâ into Wu-tang Clanâs âProtect Ya Neckâ into Nirvana with âSmells Like Teen Spiritâ and, finally, âBeautiful People.â
In the midst of performances from global superstar artists, the VMAs continued its legacy of introducing emerging talent. This year, the Awards show featured an explosive VMA debut from Young The Giant, who rocked and body surfed the audience with their hit âMy Body,â alongside a throng of screaming fans.
The emotional highpoint and poignant moment of the evening was the tribute to the late British songstress Amy Winehouse by the legendary Tony Bennett with a surprise introduction by actor Russell Brand. Bennett unveiled footage of Winehouseâs final performance -- his recent recording session with her of their duet âBody and Soulâ for his upcoming Duets II album. The tribute continued with Bruno Marsâs triumphant performance of Winehouseâs hit âValerie.â With his soaring vocals, horn section harmonies, and smooth and syncopated choreography, Mars and his bandâs performance was a joyous celebration of Winehouseâs life and music.
The girls from the âJersey Shoreâ presented the âBest Female Video Awardâ to Lady Gaga and, in an intergenerational twist, was joined by Academy Award®-winning actress Cloris Leachman, who joked that the audience shouldnât confuse her with Betty White.
Throughout the telecast British pop diva Jesse J commanded the House Artist stage as the VMA House Artist, keeping the crowd moving as she belted out her signature hits as well as a selection of other chart toppers.
Closing out the show, hip hopâs hottest MC and entrepreneurial Young Money Millionaire, Lil Wayne, closed with the seductive âHow to Love,â before attacking the stage in full force as the band launched into a Black Sabbath riff and before ripping into âJohnâ from his upcoming album, âThe Carter IV,â to be released digitally at midnight tonight.
Presenters at theâ2011 MTV Video Music Awardsâ included Katy Perry, Miley Cirus, Paul Rudd, Shaun White, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Zoe Saldana, Kevin Hart and Victoria Justice join Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas and Jared Leto.
Additionally, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Zoe Saldana, Kevin Hart and Victoria Justice join Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas, Jared Leto, and JB Smoove from HBOâs âCurb Your Enthusiasmâ as confirmed presenters. Jessie J was also announced as VMA house artist. The â2011 MTV Video Music Awardsâ will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT).
Lady Gaga announced Friday that she is set to open the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards during "MTV First: Lady Gaga" to thousands of fans in Times Square as her Little Monsters revealed the news via a banner right in the center of New York City. She also introduced her new music video âYoü and Iâ for its television premiere and responded to questions from fans on TV and online at mtv.com.
"I have a really big announcement," the New York native told MTVâs Sway, the same night her "Yoü and I" video made its television debut. "But I thought as usual, instead of me announcing it, I'd let the Little Monsters do it for me."
"It means the world to me," Gaga said of opening the 2011 VMAs. "I just feel really blessed every day. I have the most amazing fans."
Lady Gaga joins previously announced 2011 VMA performers including Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Young The Giant. The â2011 MTV Video Music Awardsâ will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 8pm CT | LIVE!
âYou and Iâ is the fourth single to be released from Lady Gagaâs third studio album, Born This Way. In addition to performing, Lady Gaga is nominated for four Moonmen at the â2011 MTV Video Music Awards,â including Best Female Video (âBorn This Wayâ), Best Art Direction (âJudasâ), Best Choreography (âJudasâ) and Best Video with a Message (âBorn This Wayâ).
Global icon Jennifer Lopez, rock legend Steven Tyler and Grammy Award-winning producer Randy Jackson will return to the judgesâ panel for the 11th season of AMERICAN IDOL. The trio, along with Emmy®-nominated host Ryan Seacrest, will begin their search for Americaâs next singing superstar when AMERICAN IDOL debuts Sunday, Jan. 22 (9pm CT)), immediately following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME on FOX.
AMERICAN IDOL recently received an incredible 10 Primetime Emmy® Award nominations, more than any other reality program on television and the most nominations in the showâs history. Highlights include Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program as well as an Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program for Ryan Seacrest.
âHaving both Jennifer and Steven return to IDOL in 2012 alongside Randy is such a positive reflection on what was a wonderful and hugely successful season last year, and everyone is delighted,â said Simon Fuller, Creator and Executive Producer, AMERICAN IDOL.
âI am very pleased to have our panel of judges back for the 11th season of AMERICAN IDOL,â said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. âTheir chemistry and ability to select amazing talent made last season one of our most successful yet, and we look forward to going on another exciting ride.â
âFrom the very first day of auditions, we knew we had something special in our new judges panel, and weâre so happy that America felt that way too,â said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. âTogether with Ryan â who is fantastic day in and day out â they built an incredible connection with both the contestants and our viewers, and Iâm absolutely thrilled to welcome them all back to IDOL for another season.â
AMERICAN IDOL, televisionâs No. 1 show, continues its search for the best undiscovered talent in the country with auditions in Houston, TX, on Friday, Aug. 26. For more audition information, visit www.americanidol.com
Eariler this year, I had the chance to work w Bruno Mars for a nationwide radio takeover hosted by Kiss Fm's Rahny Taylor.
Rahny handled the interview like a pro, while I was behind the camera and we both found out all about Bruno Mars music, videos, life and what he's all about. Very cool dude!
Now he's nominated for a boatload of MTV Video Music Awards and will be performing at the LIVE broadcast for L.A. on Sunday, August 28th 9/8c.
Get the stories behind the music, watch music videos and find out what his plans are for the future!
Bruno Mars Radio Takeover 1/3 - Bruno talks about the sturggles of breaking into the music biz and almost quitting. Plus, writing or performing? Which does he perfer?
Music Videos: B.O.B - Nutin' On You. Travie McCoy - Billionaire.
Bruno Mars Radio Takeover 2/3 - Bruno talks Cee Lo Green, Awards Shows and who was "Just The Way You Are" all about?
Music Videos: Cee Lo Green - Forget You. Bruno Mars f/ Cee Lo Green - The Other Side. Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are.
Bruno Mars Radio Takeover 3/3 - Bruno describes his "sound" and how the Lazy Song came to be. Plus he talks family, fashion, music and...is Bruno Mars SINGLE?
Music Videos: Bruno Mars - Grenade. Bruno Mars f/ Damian Marley - The Other Side.
MTV announced that Bruno Mars is set to take his talents to the â2011 MTV Video Music Awardsâ stage as the latest artist added to this yearâs amazing lineup of VMA performers. With this performance and four VMA nominations including âVideo of the Year,â the multi-talented singer, musician, songwriter and producer continues to add to an extraordinary year of achievements that include: his multi-platinum certified debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, co-writing, producing and performing on the smash-hits B.o.Bâs âNothinâ On You,â Travie McCoyâs âBillionaireâ and Cee Lo Greenâs âF***k You! (Forget You)â as well as his hit singles, âJust The Way You Are,â âGrenadeâ and âThe Lazy Song.â Additionally, the first round of 2011 VMA presenters have been announced from the world of music and pop culture including: Jonah Hill from the upcoming film Moneyball, the Teflon Don aka The Boss Rick Ross, Seth Rogen from the movie 50/50, platinum recording artist and Emmy Award-winning actress Selena Gomez, Keeping Up With The Kardashians very own Kim Kardashian, and hip-hopâs most innovative alternative collective, Odd Future.
âWeâre thrilled to have Bruno Mars bring his exceptional talent to the VMA stage,â said Amy Doyle, Executive Producer of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards and EVP, Music & Talent, MTV. âHe is one of the most exciting live performers today and with his artistic versatility, he will undoubtedly deliver a standout performance.â
Bruno Mars joins previously announced 2011 VMA performers including Adele, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Young The Giant. The â2011 MTV Video Music Awardsâ will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT.
Viewers can vote for all general VMA categories by visiting vma.mtv.com online or m.mtv.com on their mobile phone through August 16th. In addition, Best New Artist text voting is open to all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 66333. Voting for this category continues through the show, live on August 28th. Verizon subscribers can vote on all categories via SMS by texting VMA to 66333 (standard message rates apply.)
Wisconsin State Fair Park Officials are pleased to announce that the 160th Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, ended on a high note this evening at 10pm.
Hundreds of thousands of loyal Fairgoers came out to celebrate during the Fairâs annual 11-day run and take advantage of family-friendly pricing, diverse entertainment and fair traditions. Mother Nature was âfairlyâ kind this year, offering a few hot, humid days and a couple days of light rain, but mostly beautiful blue skies and light breezes, providing Fairgoers the opportunity to enjoy all that the Fair has to offer.
âIt was a tremendous Fair despite the tough start,â stated Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin State Fair Park Rick Frenette. âWe are appreciative of the collaboration and efforts of the State Patrol, West Allis Police Department, and Milwaukee Police Department to assure our Fairgoers that the Fair is a safe, fun experience for our guests. We look forward to continuing to work with them for the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair and beyond.â
âThe attendance this year shows, that more than ever our Fairgoers are passionate about the Wisconsin State Fair, and they showed amazing support for us this year,â stated Patrice Harris, communications manager. âWe are thrilled that each year they come out to enjoy the new things we have to offer and the traditions of the Fair â the agriculture, food, music, attractions, contests and activities.â
In addition to a four percent increase in attendance, initial revenue reports reflect a significant increase of 5.6%.
2011 ATTENDANCE 911,231
ADMISSION PROMOTIONS
AUGUST 4 HUNGER TASK FORCE DAY 45,133
149,500 pounds of food donated to Hunger Task Force
AUGUST 5 DISCOVERWISCONSIN.COM DAY 5,145
AUGUST 8 SPRECHER BREWING CO. $6 BEFORE 6PM 10,047
AUGUST 9 KOHLâS FAMILY VALUE DAY 27,559 Adults
13,073 Youth
AUGUST 11 U.S.CELLULAR $5 after 5pm 4,214
AUGUST 14 MILITARY & VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY
COURTESY OF BUDWEISER 2,162
FOOD STATISTICS
Wisconsin Bakers Association Original Cream Puffs 355,478
Artic Glacier Pounds of Ice 550,425
Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 52,143
The 2012 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place August 2 â 12, 2012. The Wisconsin State Fair offers an original experience to all that attend and is a phenomenal value with 30 FREE entertainment stages, thousands of animals, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights. For the most up-to-date information, please visit WiStateFair.com
How To Help Tornado Victims
The tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, as well the twisters as Kansas and Texas, have killed dozens and left thousands homeless. Officials expect the death toll to rise.
Relief efforts are underway. Right now, the best way to help the victims is a donation to major relief organizations.
Here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Click HERE to donate online. You can also text REDCROSS to 909999 to immediately donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief: The Oklahoma Baptist Convention says says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters." For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website by clicking HERE.
You can send checks to:
BGCO
Attn: Disaster Relief
3800 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK. 73112.
Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is deploying mobile kitchens that can serve to 2,500 people a day. Click HERE to donate via their website. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation from your mobile phone.
You can also donate to the Salvation Army via check: Put the words "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the check, and mail to:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK. 73157.
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
Feeding America - Feeding America says it utilize its 200 foodbanks to deliver food and supplies. Click HERE for their website.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Text the word FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
How To Help Tornado Victims
The tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, as well the twisters as Kansas and Texas, have killed dozens and left thousands homeless. Officials expect the death toll to rise.
Relief efforts are underway. Right now, the best way to help the victims is a donation to major relief organizations.
Here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Click HERE to donate online. You can also text REDCROSS to 909999 to immediately donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief: The Oklahoma Baptist Convention says says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters." For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website by clicking HERE.
You can send checks to:
BGCO
Attn: Disaster Relief
3800 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK. 73112.
Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is deploying mobile kitchens that can serve to 2,500 people a day. Click HERE to donate via their website. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation from your mobile phone.
You can also donate to the Salvation Army via check: Put the words "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the check, and mail to:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK. 73157.
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
Feeding America - Feeding America says it utilize its 200 foodbanks to deliver food and supplies. Click HERE for their website.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Text the word FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Low Maintenance – Big Impact Perennials
Don't let a lack of time, energy or space stop you from growing perennials. Instead select and grow low maintenance plants with big impact.
Start with your design. Once you develop your plan, cut the number of different perennials in half and double the number of each. You will have fewer perennials to identify as they emerge in spring, less maintenance to learn and bigger impact.
Edge your beds to keep unwanted grass out of the bed and make managing the surrounding lawn much easier. I dig a small trench around the edge of my gardens and fill with woodchips.
Always select plants suited to your climate, soil and natural rainfall. You'll have healthier and more beautiful plants with much less work.
Look for perennials that require no staking and little or no deadheading. Avoid those that reseed, are aggressive and do not plant perennials that tend to escape the garden and invade our natural spaces.
A bit more information: Use color to help increase the impact without increasing the number of plants. Warm colors of red, orange and yellow grab your attention. Repeat colors, known as color echoing, from one plant to another to provide unity and balance. Use complementary colors, those across from each other on the artist color wheel, like red and green and blue and yellow to create a focal point.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Grow Your Own Pickles & Celebrate National Pickle Week
Celebrate National Pickle Week by growing a few of your own cucumbers for pickling.
All you need are a few seeds, a sunny location and a bit of garden space or a large container. Train these large vining plants up a fence, trellis or decorative obelisk to save space.
Consider planting National Pickling Cucumber Seeds developed by the National Pickle Packers Association and Michigan Agriculture Experiment station. These were bred for their versatility and perfect pickle shape. You'll be harvesting cucumbers in about 52 days after planting.
Or save some space with Bush pickle. This cucumber forms a 3 to 4 foot wide mound and produces an abundance of 4-inch fruit. It's a perfect size for containers. And save even more space and grow straighter fruit by training these smaller plants up a cage or trellis. Cucumbers are ready to pick in about 45 days.
A bit more information: Cucumbers are generally ready to harvest in 45 to 60 days after planting. This makes them a great option for mid and late season plantings. Just calculate the number of frost-free days left in the growing season to see how late you can plant. And further extend the season by using floating row covers like ReeMay, Harvest Guard, and Frost Covers to protect plants from frosty weather.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Celebrate Clean Air Month – Grow Some Air-Purifying Houseplants
Celebrate National Clean Air Month by growing a few houseplants to improve your indoor air quality.
NASA teamed up with PLANET (Professional Landcare Network, formerly ALCA) and found adding 15 to 18, 6 to 8 inch diameter container houseplants will improve the air quality in an 1800 square foot house. Keeping them healthy will increase their beauty and ability to cleanse the air.
Consider adding a bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii). Use this large houseplant to create a warm welcome for guests, dress up a blank wall or mix in with other houseplants for an impressive indoor garden.
This palm is an understory plant in Central America. It is hardy in zones 10 to 11 and adapted to the lower light conditions indoors. Grow it in a brightly lit location and keep the soil slightly moist.
Cut off fronds as they die, leaving the leafy stem covering intact. Once it is fully dried, remove to expose the attractive stems.
A bit more information: Start new plants by division. Remove suckers and offshoots that form at the base of the plant. Slide the bamboo palm out of its pot. Use a sharp knife or drywall saw to separate the offshoots from the main plant. Repot the parent plant and offshoots in a container slightly larger than the remaining root ball.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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
Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls joins Van McNeil for a chat about...kicking off their US tour at The Pabst Theater here in Milwaukee, when will a new Goo Goo Dolls record be available, and what "Milwaukee" thing(s) is he obsessed with. Find out all of that and lots more in this interview.
It's no wonder why it's the #1 Haunted House in the NATION!
The ladies ruled the kingdom at the â2011 MTV Video Music Awards,â broadcast live this evening from Nokia Theater L.A. Live, as Katy Perry and Adele each took home three VMA Moonmen and Lady Gaga two. Katy Perry won the biggest prize of the night, âVideo of the Year,â with her pop anthem, âFireworks,â as well as honors for âBest Collaborationâ and âBest Special Effectsâ for âE.T.â featuring Kanye West. Adding to her reign atop the album charts, Adele won VMAs for âBest Art Direction,â âBest Cinematography,â and âBest Editing.â Genre and gender-defying Lady Gaga kicked off the night as her alter ego Joe Calderone with a show-stopping performance of âYou and I,â and later walked away with two VMAs for âBest Femaleâ and this yearâs new category, âBest Video with a Message.â
