December 2011

12/31/11-It's New year's Eve. I've got lasagna, mudslides and two goofy dogs to keep me company. I'm watching the Dick Clark countdown and can't believe the number one performance they've had in 40 years has been turned in by Jennifer Lopez.

12/30/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• It's almost New Year's eve and that of course means people will be getting their drink on. What's the drunkest city in the US? Boston is your winner, followed by Springfield MA, Milwaukee, Reno and San Antonio.
• The President of the Milwaukee Polar Bear Club is about to make his last polar bear plunge on New Year's day. This will be his 59th and final plunge.
• Chef John joined us from the Courthouse Pub in Manitowoc to tell about the Pub's New Year's plans.

12/29/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• Who is the most admired man and woman in 2011? President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton finished first in the annual Gallup/USA Today poll.
• Some dolls cry, some laugh and some wet. The "You & Me Interactive Play & Giggle Triplet Dolls" may swear. Customers say the doll says "crazy b****" among its' babbling. Toys R Us, which sells the doll, says it just talks baby gibberish.
• The National Archive has just named twenty five films for preservation. The list includes "Bambi", "Forest Gump" and "Silence of the Lambs."

12/28/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A couple in Florida recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. That is so cool.
• An environmental group call Ethical Ocean wonders about Santa Claus' carbon footprint and how he could reduce it. One of their suggestions is to serve Santa Soy Milk. Yeah, that will score me a nice present.
• St Nicholas Hospital President/CEO Andy Bagnall joined us this morning to talk about some exciting plans the hospital has for 2012. He also shared with us the hospital's recent high score following a visit by the Joint Commission, the hospital regulatory agency.

12/27/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• The English language, Global Language Monitor has issued it's list of the most anticipated used words in 2012. The list includes CERN, Kate, China, the Olympics and those relating to the U.S. elections.
• No doubt you've had your share of football this weekend, but if you missed Betty White's Monday Night Football open last night, it's worth a look. With all due respect to Betty, I still miss Hank Williams Jr.
  
• Greg Anderson joined us with Money Talks Tips and Traps. This morning, Greg talked about your year end deductions. Listen to all of Greg's sage advice right here.
  

12/26/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A man, who six hours earlier, won a Lamborghini Murcielago in a contest, cracked it up six hours after taking the keys. His comment? "That's what insurance is for."
• Is it really possible that after 36 years, the final resting place of Jimmy Hoffa has been identified? According to Hoffa's former driver, the former Teamster President is buried in the foundation of the the Renaissance Center in Detroit, which is GM headquarters. Sounds like a Geraldo Rivera special waiting to happen.
• Ben and Adam from Anytime Fitness dropped by to tell us how getting in shape won't cost you that much next year.

12/23/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• What is the most popular team in the NFL? Why, the Green Bay Packers, of course. Thank-you Captain Obvious. The Cowboys are second, the Bears third (aren't the Bears always third), the Giants fourth and the Steelers fifth.
• Best Buy has had to cancel several orders due to lack of inventory on certain items. What items and how many haven't immediately made public, but if you ordered something from them and are expecting to pick it up before Christmas, you may want to phone ahead first.
• Chef John from the Courthouse Pub extends his and his staff's warmest holiday wishes to you and your family and thanks you for visiting the Pub in 2012. He wants to remind you about their holiday hours which include opening New Year's eve at 4:30 and the special New Year's Eve menu at the Pub. John's phrase for Monday is "Cannon shoot."

12/22/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A family in England was building a house and their son was concerned that the chimney would not accommodate Santa Claus. So, the contractor came up with a creative way of showing the boy everything would be okay.
• Two kids in Pennsylvania missed their mom, who was stationed in Iraq. They told Santa all they wanted for Christmas was to have their mom come home. And darned if she didn't walk out from behind the curtain. (With happy reunion video!)
• It was a close call for New Holstein's Gray Schmitz last night on "Top Chef Texas", but she survived to cook another day. Her steak didn't turn out as she intended it, but fortunately Heather's meal was a lot worse.
• WEB BONUS MATERIAL: Look for beef prices to go up next year while coffee prices remain stable.

12/21/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A woman in Florida became so enraged when McDonald's refused to refund her money after they screwed up her order, that she sent the food back where it came from, through the drive through window. She was arrested and charged with battery. If you want to see it, click here for the story plus the surveillance video.
• It is now legal in New York to be buried next to your pet. Sorry Butkus and Murphy. Not gonna happen.
• Dr. Jeff Herold, a plastic surgeon from Prevea and St. Nicholas joined us to talk about breast reduction surgery, which can be a Godsend for many women. Find out more by contacting Dr. Herold.

12/20/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• In what must have been inspired by Cheech and Chong, meet Pancho Clos, Santa's cousin from the South Pole.
• Who is the most ill-mannered person of 2011. Of course it's a Kardashian.
• Greg Anderson dropped by this morning with "Money Talks Tips and Traps." Today, Greg reminds you about those 1099 forms. Hear all of Greg's sage wisdom here.

12/19/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A repairman working in a New Jersey basement was startled when he heard a growl behind him and turned around to find a 500 bear. The state DNR showed up and tranquilized the Bear, who stumbled around the neighborhood before passing out. Ranger's not going to like this Yogi.
• What was the most Googled item this year? Rebecca Black, the California fourteen year-old who may have recorded the worst song ever, a song called "Friday." But here, please judge for yourself.
• Our Christmas Elves, Adam and Ben from Anytime Fitness, joined us with the second of their two part talk about how to keep the pounds off over the holidays."

12/18/11-Perfect no more!

12/16/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A couple of Reindeer got loose on a highway in Texas after escaping from a truck they were riding in. These must have been of the non-flying variety.
• A girl from England wrote Santa a letter basically warning that if she didn't get two of the gifts on her list, she would kill him and cook his reindeer. The sad thing is, her mother thinks it's funny.
• Chef John joined us form the Courthouse Pub in Manitowoc. Today, John talked about snow and winter food.

12/15/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A woman tried to rip off a Christmas Craft fair and even used an ornament to stab someone who was blocking her exit. Police later caught up with her.
• What is on the first DVR? The POTUS says his family loves "Modern Family" while he and the FLOTUS enjoy "Boardwalk Empire" and "Homeland." Come on Mr. President. No "Burn Notice"?
• Pastor Endorf joined us from St. John/St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cleveland to tell us about their up coming holiday services.
• Brett from Menards joined us to tell us about all the great deals you can get on Christmas gifts.
• WEB EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL: What not to buy for Christmas.

12/14/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• The NTSB wants to ban cell phone use in cars. Perhaps they could extend it to the check out lines at grocery stores as well.
• I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Here are some things that might be out to get you during the holidays.
• Dr. Jeff Herold, a hand surgeon from Previa and St. Nicholas Hospital, told us about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Did you know that they can fix it now? Find out more by contacting Dr. Herold.

12/13/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• Add Tony Bennett to the list of people that can say they've seen Lady Gaga naked. The octogenarian singer made a nude sketch of Gaga during a recent "Rolling Stone" photo shoot. In addition to being a singers, Bennett is a renowned artist and painter. The sketch is currently on e-bay and proceeds from the sale will benefit both his and Gaga's foundations.
• How can you relieve pain? Swear! Just not a whole lot. But a study does show that a quick, profane, outburst may help relieve your pain. This may explain my wife Princess' potty mouth when she gets out of bed in the morning.
• Greg Anderson joined us this morning with "Money Talks Tips and Traps." Today, Greg tackled the git tax. Listen to today's installment or any of Greg's other sage advice here.

12/12/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• Lake 98.1 is The Lakeshore's Official Christmas Music Station, playing the greatest Christmas songs of all-time. Here's a list of some not so great Christmas songs.
• As you have probably heard, Actor Alex Baldwin was taken off an American Airlines flight to New York when he wouldn't cease playing a game on his phone. Saturday night, he appeared on Saturday Night Live as Captain Steve Rogers, offering himself an apology. Somewhere, there are a few bolts that need to be torqued down.
• Ben and Adam from Anytime Fitness joined us to give you some tips on how to keep the weight off during the holidays.

12/9/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A Santa in Florida was going to make a grand entrance by repelling from the ceiling of a Florida shopping mall. As you can guess, something went horribly wrong as the man's Santa beard got stuck on the zip line. He had to remove it to get loose and finish his ride.
• Turns out, the character "Spock" in Star Trek was supposed to be a woman. Fortunately for Leonard Nimoy, the network didn't want a woman to have such a juicy role. Ah, the sixties, a time of enlightenment.
• Chef John from the Courthouse Pub in Manitowoc joined us to tell us about some tasty holiday treats.

12/8/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• New Holstein's Grayson Schmitz survived another episode of "Top Chef Texas." In the quickfire challenge, she finished first in the sauce competition. Whitney Otawka was eliminated. There are 12 chefs left.
• A teenager in Charleston West Virginia was curious about how to get a job as a Brink's truck driver. So, he tapped on the window of a truck to ask the driver about a possible career with the company. The driver responded by hitting the panic button and soon, the young job seeker was surrounded police. After a few hours of conversation down at the precinct, the young man was not only released, but offered a job in the city's streets department.
• We had a visit from Pastor David Endorf of St. John St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cleveland. The Pastor told us of a special event for kids coming up this Saturday. Christmas for kids combines fun with the real story of Christmas. The program begins at 9:15am and you can reserve a spot for your kids at 693-8612

12/7/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin was kicked off a flight because he was playing a cell phone game while the plane idled at a gate. According to his spokesperson "He loves `Words with Friends' so much that he was willing to leave a plane for it,"
• If you missed it last night, Michael Buble had a Christmas Special on NBC. How can you not love that guy?
• Michelle from St. Nicholas Hospital joined us this morning to talk about your holiday diet. As a Registered Dietician, she recommends eating something before your holiday party to make you less hungry when you get there. She also recommends eating lower calorie foods like shrimp and fruit and to limit your portion size to the size of your palm.

12/6/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• Every performer that plays at a venue has a rider that spells out what perks the star gets. In the case of singer Adele, perks include anyone getting comp tickets making a donation to charity, cigarettes and individually wrapped sandwiches with specific ingredients. Adele is also adamant in not being served North American beer. Of course, it may take a while to see Adele, as she canceled her tour because she had throat surgery. If you aren't familiar with Adele, here's a sample.
• GQ Magazine has come out with its' list of the 25 Most Insignificant People of 2011. I think I finished 26th. (SLIDE SHOW WARNING)
• Greg Anderson joined us with "Money Talks Tips and Traps." Today, Greg tells us how to maximize your church donations. Hear all of Greg's sage advice here.

12/5/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• The NFL announced last night that Madonna will be the halftime entertainment at this year's Super Bowl. I guess Nickleback was unavailable.
• What are the most popular names for babies in 2011? For boys, it's Aiden and for girls it's Sophia. See the rest of the list here.
• Adam and Ben from Anytime Fitness joined us this morning to talk about giving the gift of fitness this holiday season.

12/2/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• How secure are your passwords? It might be the only thing standing between you and your money getting ripped off by hackers. Here are the 25 worst passwords of the year and some hints on how to make stronger passwords.
• What is your least favorite Christmas song? Vote in our front page poll or send it to me at chip@wlkn.com
• John from the Courthouse Pub in Manitowoc stopped by to tell us of some big events coming to the Pub this month. In honor of the Lettermen appearing in Manitowoc on December 9th, Monday's phrase is "caterers to the stars." If you know that phrase Monday morning at 8:10, you could win a $50 gift card from the Courthouse Pub and Lake 98.1.

12/1/11-Here's what we talked about this morning:

• A woman in Arizona was arrested after trying to rob a gas station using a toy penguin.
• Last night on "Top Chef Texas", New Holstein's Grayson Schmitz did a nice job making dessert for a progressive dinner and easily survived.
• The 2012 Grammy Award nominations were announced last night. Here's the list for the top categories.