Between the Bars

It's official. The holidays are here!

Just yesterday I relished in one of my favorite things about the holidays: Packing my stomach beyond capacity with scrumptious food – turkey, stuffing, yams and all the other fixings – and not feeling guilty about it.

After slipping into a food coma, here we are, Black Friday and the start of the holiday season.

Sales and bargains are just some of the reasons to hit the stores and shop until you drop this weekend. The Milwaukee Public Market hosts their "Holiday Shopping Spectacular" Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can also get some holiday shopping done as you judge "Art vs. Craft" at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center. Here loads of Milwaukee artists and artisans showcase and sell their goods for your yuletide gift buying.

Also, at State Fair Park you'll find something for everyone on your shopping list from 400 art, craft and gift exhibitors at Craft Fair USA's "Holiday Craft and Gift Show."

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to quickly check in and wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving!

I'm spending the next two days at my parent's house in West Bend, Wisconsin where I can smell the turkey cooking in the oven as my mom and sister put the final touches on the pumpkin pie.

Meanwhile, I'm being a little less helpful as I'm here curled up on the sofa with the dogs, watching the Tennessee Titans pummel the Detroit Lions with my brother and dad – this is exactly what I needed!

Get Out: Lace up your skates

Downtown Milwaukee’s ice skating rink – Slice of Ice – at Red Arrow Park (920 N. Water Street) opens at 4:30 p.m. today for its 10th season.

Every year I say that I'm going to test my ice-skating skills, but I never do. Mark my word, this year, damnit, I’m doing it! It’s time to show the world – well, Milwaukee at least – what I’m made of: weak ankles and knock-knees.

Double date at Cempazuchi

Like any other first date, the first double date can be quite the high-stress affair.

Actually, a double date can be more awkward than a regular first date because it’s not just one person you’re hoping to hit it off with, but two and at the same time, you’re hoping that your significant other will mesh well with those two people, also.

I’ve been on some awful double dates – AWFUL. For this reason, I usually try to avoid them like the plague. But on Saturday when my brother Mike asked if Eric and I wanted to grab dinner with him and his new girlfriend Kate, I couldn’t turn him down.

Of course, Mike and Eric have had numerous opportunities to get to know each other pretty well over the last three years, but this was only my second and Eric’s first time meeting Kate. From what I know of her already, Kate is a really cool girl, so I didn’t have many qualms about going out as a foursome.

Sports are like relationships.

I wouldn’t consider myself a homebody. In fact, that’s probably one of the reasons why I never really had a deep desire to settle down with anyone.

A lot of my friends are in relationships where it seems like I need a crowbar to separate them from the couch so they’ll grab a cocktail with me. This is why I always believed that once you get into a serious relationship, it’s only a matter of time before you settle down and turn into a couple of recluses.

Settling down and falling into an inevitable routine is one of my greatest fears when it comes to relationships. Frankly, when things are going well, it seems like we just give up because it gets easy and comfortable – that’s scary. The next thing you know, you and your mate are eating instant curry and watching Top Chef followed by reruns of Family Guy all night long.

Of course, there’s an upside to predictability, after all, the no frills aspect of a three-year relationship is the kind of closeness that only comes from true intimacy. Still, even the greatest, most loving relationship sometimes needs a little more, uh, excitement.

Stay warm this weekend

Twenty seven degrees – TWENTY SEVEN DEGREES!

That’s the temperature outside in Milwaukee right now, according to my WeatherBug.

But don’t fret, folks.

These plummeting temperatures won’t stop the weekend from being hot. Milwaukee offers a whole host of events and pre-holiday celebrations to keep you entertained all weekend long.

Warm up tonight at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s After Dark series by showing off your air-guitar skills in the “Shredders of the Wind” competition.

Or get fired up as you watch the Bucks take on the New York Knicks, the rivalry of Marquette vs. UWM Men’s basketball, or the unbelievable skills of the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats.

Bundle up and head downtown for the 82nd annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade and warm your heart at the same time by donating a non-perishable food item to the Hunger Task Force’s Food for Families.

Downtown lights up tonight!

If this wintry weather is any indication, the holidays are just about here. And despite it still being fall and November, this December-like weather couldn’t have come at a better time as Milwaukee kicks off the holidays with some very merry events happening today and throughout the weekend.

To signal the start of the season, tonight is the official City/County Christmas Tree lighting and the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza, which will illuminate all of Downtown Milwaukee. This is the city’s oldest holiday tradition – 10 years – and once again it’s the outset of a week filled with holiday celebrations.

Ushering in the season

Maybe it's the frigid temperatures outside that welcome a winter wonderland or possibly all of the Christmas productions, lights and events that abound Milwaukee this weekend. Either way, it's pretty obvious that we've hit the holiday season.

Seem a little early?

Well, with festive events like the Irish Fest Center’s eighth annual Celtic Christmas Boutique and the Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular at the U.S. Cellular Arena, you’ll get into the holiday spirit in no time.

Also, head over to Bayshore Town Center to kick off the holiday season with the Brilliant Night, Dazzling Lights display. While you’re there, start your shopping early and pick up something extra for the Center’s holiday toy drive, benefiting the Boys and Girls Club.

One latte with a shot of Mozart, please.

One of the things I like most about living in the city is that around every corner there’s always something to discover and each day brings something new to experience.

With that being said, I was planning on partaking in a typical Monday night. For me that means hitting the gym, and then catching up on work at my usual stomping ground. But, in a city seemingly filled with spontaneity and verve, there’s really no such thing as a “typical” night.

I quickly rinsed off in the shower, changed into something comfortable, and then gathered up my briefcase to haul down to Alterra at the Lake. For the last month or so, this has been the guts of my Monday nights – hovering over a steaming pumpkin spice latte while plugging away on my laptop.

After hoofing it two blocks and down Lafayette Hill, I entered into the causal and vibrant historic Milwaukee River Flushing Station that’s now the hub for coffee, tea and espresso, hot panini and deli sandwiches, homemade soups and salads, and a slew of baked goods.

Titanic – The Artifact Exhibition

I assume that by now most of you have heard of the Titanic – The Artifact Exhibition that’s currently on display at the Milwaukee Public Museum, right? Well, if not, most of you are at least familiar, if not fascinated, with the historic tragedy of the RSM Titanic.

Ninety-six years ago, on an otherwise calm April morning in 1912, the world’s largest and seemingly unsinkable ship, the RSM Titanic, was engulfed by the dark and frigid North Atlantic Ocean during her maiden voyage after colliding with an iceberg. On board were 2,228 passengers eager to get to America, but 1,500 of those traveling to the states never arrived.

The ship’s misfortune resonated throughout the world and still touches many people. Through the compelling human tales told through hundreds of authentic artifacts the epic story of the ill-fated Titanic and its passengers is now revived by this haunting replay of the ship’s only voyage.