TRENDS: Clothes and Food

We are kicking off our next series of  “trend” reports, every Monday on News 3 at 9; with a look at fashion from the Golden Globes.  The show last year happened in the midst of a writers strike— and was dull all around.  However, things are back on track for all the award shows this year! 

I checked in with Shayna Miller, style expert with our sister publication, Madison Magazine; who says pastels are making a pop on the red carpet.  Many still sported black– but in body conscious styles with folds and draping.  Those who chose to go with color picked purple (described as hot for spring!) along with salmon and yellow.  Some stars showed a retro look with statement jewelry and hair back in a sleek up do.  Metallics also strong for another year and variations of white– from sand to vanilla.

Shayna says the look can easily be copied and doesn’t have to be expensive:  bring our your purples, pastels and ruffles.  And the “old hollywood” look is hot—- find yours for cheap at a resale shop, in your Grandmother or Mother’s drawer; or add one item to give yourself an updated look.

I was recently part of a get-away weekend to NYC where I noticed almost everyone wearing skinny jeans tucked into boots.  The style of boot didn’t matter—- I saw heels, flats, wedges;  in leather, plastic, suede and even rain-slickers.  The boots were short (ankle) or tall.  (over-the-knee)  And colors ranged from gray and black to purple and green.  But as different as the boots appeared— the jeans seemed the same:  skinny for a smooth tucked in look.  I also noticed coats and jackets of all kinds— but not as much leather as years past.  The “puffy coat” appears to have made it into another winter.  And hats are always huge in the Big Apple.  Everything and anything goes except there are vey few men wearing baseball caps.  (A big staple in Wisconsin!)

And if you like Pizza— NYC offers many choices but we recently learned about a special little place on Willy Street in Madison called LaRocca’s.  It is owned by an Italian family and the father does all the cooking.  It is truly a gem we are lucky to have here!

I enjoy hearing from you and next time I blog I’ll share some of the comments I’ve received during the past month.

Teri

tbarr@wisctv.com

14 WAYS OF GIVING…

..hope you are getting a chance to enjoy our series of reports and also checking out the “14 Ways of Giving” blog!  It contains all the information for getting in touch with the charities we are highlighting, and in need of your help this holiday season; along with a few others not featured in our full series of reports.  Our blog also allows you to submit feedback or share your own story of how you are helping someone out or volunteering in the community.

Here are also a few website to check out if you plan to make any charitable contributions:

www.networkforgood.org/donate/taxtips.html  (You’ll find a range of tax topics here related to charitable giving)

www.smartmoney.com  (Click on personal finances, then the tax perks of charitable giving for the latest information about claiming a tax deduction)

www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc506.html  (Federal tax rules pertaining to charitable contributions through IRS publication links)

COST-CUTTING WITH COUPONS?

Our “On Your Side” report about coupon-use is getting some buzz!  We are hearing from many of you who say coupons are great, although you may only use one or two; and who has time to actually go through the circulars, fliers, and web to find even more coupons each week??

We met a Madison man named Keith— who may inspire all of us to give a little more effort for alot more savings.  Keith keeps at least four organizers full of coupons and each is alphabetical, chronological; and holds coupons for all types of items.  He tried to encourage me to save money this way— and while I won’t/can’t build a system as big as his, a simple system should do just fine.    

By the way; Keith recently made three separate visits to a store on several of its double-coupon days and in total saved more than $120!  The day we met him, he spent $100 on groceries but knocked off more than $34.00 by using coupons.  He believes every minute of time he spends on cutting out and organizing coupons is worth every penny he saves.  Thanks Keith!                                                     I’m inspired to give it a try.. and I’ll let you know how I do! 

Coupons are typically found on circulars, ads, or fliers in many Sunday papers.  However, here are a few websites you can try; for additional savings!

www.heyitsfree.net     Scan here for product categories that interest you.

www.mygrocerydeals.com     This site puts all the circular ads together and you choose the stores.

www.shortcuts.com     Let you load up your supermarket loyalty card with electronic coupons.

 

Share your own savings stories:   tbarr@wisctv.com

SHOPPING AFTER THANKSGIVING…

….on what’s been dubbed “Black Friday—” is it something you enjoy???  I just talked with one friend who makes this an annual shopping event with her Mother.  However, she also says all her Holiday shopping is already complete, so this shopping day for them; is just for fun!  I know others who love the time spent in line prior to the store opening—- they say they’ve met some wonderful people with similar interests this way.

I’ve never been able to hit the stores on “Black Friday.”  I typically have to work and just can’t imagine running around all morning and then trying to come and do my job after it.  Maybe the holiday spirit hasn’t quite hit me at this point on the calendar either??  (My holiday shopping is either done very early or very late.  No in between!)

However, with the economy; we are hearing from many of you about how big the sales may be after Thanksgiving.  We also received an e-mail (thank you Shannon!) about the ads already circulating for sales on “Black Friday.”  My 9 p.m. producer, Jen; took some time to check each site out and after her approval— here’s what we can share with you:  

www.blackfriday.info

www.black-friday.net

www.iblackfriday.com

www.blackfridayonline.com

Share your shopping plans with me or let me know what YOU think about these “Black Friday” sales sites.

Teri     tbarr@wisctv.com

AFFORDABLE AND TRENDY GIFT-GIVING IDEAS…

…We’ve done the work on this one so you don’t have to—- simply shop from the comfort of your own home.

We got this first-hand look at everything from glass and personalized ornaments, to handmade jewelry and wooden furniture; along with pet bags and signs while at the Madison Holiday Market hosted by the Madison Ballet at the Alliant Energy Center.

The “market” may be over—- but we found the most affordable ($2.00-and-up), uniquely cool, handmade, homemade, one-of-a-kind items for gift-giving in a tough economy.  

Here’s some of the businesses we liked, along with the contact numbers or websites:

1)  Cindy Craig Studio, Janesville:  608-359-6537   www.cindycraigstudio.com

2)  Akarim African Enterprise, Madison:  608-770-1919

3)  The Purple Toad, St. Charles, Illinois:  630-513-0685

4)  Firenza Designs, Marshfield:  715-384-3059   www.firenzadesigns.com

5)  Art Glass Studio, Campbellsport:  920-269-4354   E-mail:  bweiss@dotnet.com

6)  Oakridge Furniture:   www.oakridgeofaniwa.com

7)  Patricia Shoppe:  608-256-1111    www.patriciashoppe.com

8)  Great Pet Lovers:   www.greatpetlovers.com

 

As always, I’d love to know what you think—- e-mail me:   tbarr@wisctv.com

Teri

IT’S ALL ABOUT H.D. AND MORE…

…as you may have noticed in our recent promos, WISC-TV and News 3 will soon be H.D.    A few of you have called or e-mailed me asking:  “..what’s the big deal?”

The promo indicates it will all be clear.                                                                                              High definition is a digital television broadcasting system with a higher resolution than traditional or standard television systems.   It offers at least twice the resolution, meaning you’ll see details in a much sharper image; in H.D.   I’ve heard many people comment about watching sports in H.D. and how the picture— from the action to those sitting in the crowd; is much clearer than watching it on a standard system.                                                                                                                            Here’s a portion of this week’s article in “T.V. Newsday” Magazine announcing the change:

       ” “We’re very proud to be the first station in Wisconsin to offer HD news to our viewers,” said WISC News Director Colin Benedict. “It’s another way that we are continuing our tradition of being the news leader in the Madison market.”

        The HD debut will take place on Oct. 26, effective with the station’s 10 p.m. broadcast. In preparation of the launch, that evening the regularly scheduled News 3 at 5:30 will be preempted for an original special on HDTV and the February 2009 digital television conversion.

       The switch to HD will include the following WISC newscasts: News 3 This Morning (weekdays, 5-7 a.m.), News 3 at Noon (weekdays), Live at Five (weekdays), News 3 at 6 (Monday-Saturday), News 3 at 10: The Update (daily), and Sunday’s News 3 at 5:30.

       Coupled with the fact that most of CBS’s regularly scheduled programming is in HD as well as most of its sports coverage, WISC will now regularly feature as much as 10.5 hours a day of HD programming with sports potentially increasing that figure on the weekends.”

The change puts the Madison t.v. market ahead of many others across the country.  The transition from an analog signal to digital isn’t required until next February, but WISC is the first in Madison; and part of a few in the state that will offer H.D. viewing.  You really will see a difference!

 

Also, I’ve heard you’re wondering why I’m no longer doing WOLX radio in the early morning’s.  First, thanks for asking about it—- I filled in as part of the A.M. team throughout the summer but with the understanding the station would continue looking for a full-time host for the show.  I truly enjoyed the time with Fletch and Adam, but they’re moving forward with the process of hiring that full-time person.  Thanks to all of you who enjoyed the show and I am looking forward to visiting!

I look forward to your e-mails— including story ideas:    tbarr@wisctv.com

RUNNING FOR MY LIFE….

…as one of the famous Brewers Sausages!  Yes, that is me—- dressing as the “Polish Sausage” during the Wisconsin Grocer’s Association Convention in Madison at the beginning of October.   (If you aren’t sure which sausage is which:  I’m in the head with the sunglasses and striped shirt!  The other is “The Chorizo” with Tarin Duester from our morning show inside..)  The Governor also declaring “Milwaukee Brewers Day” in the state, so it seemed appropriate that I and several co-workers; would agree to make fun of ourselves in a sausage race.   I didn’t want to “hot dog” my co-workers so ended up in a second race with four men from the convention!  I started strong— but was wearing heels and the men quickly passed me on the first turn.  So, with my co-workers cheering me on; I cut through the middle of the convention floor and came out ahead of all the other sausages… until the finish line.  One was able to “ketchup” and ran past me leaving me in second place to shouts of “you cheated” from the other sausages!  O.K., I didn’t see any of the men in heels—– so I was actually at a big disadvantage.  (I’m sticking to my story!)

It really was alot of fun… and as a long-time Brewers fan; something I’d always wanted to do.  Hopefully the crew can make a comeback of its own in the next few days.

And as always, send your thoughts or story ideas; anytime–   tbarr@wisctv.com

Teri

CONSOLIDATION AND COMEBACKS..

..it seems to be a hot topic these days.  First, a small article in the weekend paper caught my eye— Milwaukee Public Schools considering consolidating, or closing altogether; after its budget is found to be beyond repair.  I had to read it twice.  The biggest school district in the state, shutting down??

My Mom also recently told me a few of the sports teams from my high school will probably combine with a neighboring school to keep the programs operating.  The example is football:  there aren’t enough kids to have a team at either school, there are no longer cheerleaders (o.k., I have a soft spot here– I was a cheerleader and loved it!) and the cost is not at the top of the “must have” list. 

But the idea of consolidating leads to what I think is the best comeback story I’ve heard about in a long time.  Lincoln University in Southeast Pennsylvania is one of the oldest of the country’s more than 100 historically black colleges.  Education is typically tops but so is football.  Yet, Lincoln hasn’t had a football program since the 1960’s!  The University President, with other school officials; decided it was time to resurrect the football program.. and with it the marching band, cheerleaders and dance team.  The new football coach arrived in August, 2007— and here’s the best part— it was the same day a truck from a college in New Jersey donated all its helmets, pads, uniforms and headsets from the program it decided to disband.   The coach called it, “a complete football program starter kit.”  It did not include football players so the coach recruited around campus and got more than 100 young men to try-out.  This first season the team is made up of 55 players sharing 12 scholarships who believe they are part of history.  The band director wrote a fight song to play on football Saturday’s; it didn’t have one before now.  And the excitement has students sticking around for the weekends, alum’s are returning to town for games; fall and Saturday’s has a new feeling at the school.   By the way, the team’s record is 1-1.   But everyone involved believes the successful comeback is the true record very few will be able to match.

E-mail your thoughts:  tbarr@wisctv.com

HAPPY THIRD ANNIVERSARY TO….

..News 3 @ 9!  Enjoy our on-air celebration and let me know if you have comments for the future!

 http://www.c3ktogo.com/news-video/?mgid=18541

CRUISIN’ ON TWO WHEELS….

…not a motorcycle, this time; but bicycles!  We’ve talked about it ever since we moved back to Wisconsin and after a few weekends of shopping around— we have bikes!   Neither of us have had a bike since college:  mine was stolen and Brian was using his brother’s.  We were so excited about our purchase we took a nice long ride Sunday in between the raindrops.  And since we got mountain bikes, Brian made use of puddles and mud; the entire ride.  Now I hope another long, hard winter doesn’t hit too soon!

LISA MARIE’S STORY

“My Madison” Story a few night’s ago turned into a really special one.  Lisa Marie Brodsky is a local writer who really spins words into beautiful poems and stories.  I did a piece on her because she recently published a book inspired by those she’s met with alzheimer’s.  And when she read her writings outloud— it was truly amazing.  You could picture the people she was trying to honor in each story.  She says it’s her way of helping others dealing with the disease.  (Her Grandmother had alzheimer’s) She’s already started writing her next book, even more personal; it’s the story of watching her Mother died of lung cancer.  I will be writing about her in the November edition of Madison Magazine for lung cancer awareness month.  If you’d like to check out her writing you’ll find it at Avol’s Used Books Downtown, Frugal Muse West or directly from Parallel Press.  You can also learn more about her, including writing workshops and readings she has scheduled; by going to her blog:  http:insideoutwriting.blogspot.com

If you know a special person like Lisa Marie, or a place making our area unique– let me know!  I’ll consider it for a future “My Madison” report.  E-mail me:  tbarr@wisctv.com