Laughs For Bald Bryan, (www.laughsforbaldbryan.com) hosted by Adam Carolla at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on November 20 is a night of unedited comedy to save Bryan from spending his life paying medical bills. Comedians and entertainers like Jimmy Kimmel, Joel McHale, Greg Fitzsimmons, Larry Miller, Dana Gould, Eric Stromer, and Dr. Drew will all be roasting Bryan’s tumor, along with a fully loaded line up of live entertainment including The Dan Band (that hysterical band from (The Hangover). 944 subscribers can text "laugh" to 898944 to win a pair of tickets to the event at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90005. The welcome reception & silent auction starts at 5:30PM with the show beginning at 7PM. 

(HOLLYWOOD, CA): November, 2nd, 2009 - “I will not leave until everyone who wants a picture gets a picture, and everyone who wants an autograph gets an autograph, and everyone who wants a reach-around gets a reacharound.” Adam Carolla said, promising the more than 900 fans who have already raised over $100,000 in ticket sales to laugh at his friend and co-worker Bald Bryan’s inoperable tumor.

Bryan and his wife, Christie, were engaged to be married when their world collapsed in April 2009 with one diagnosis. His tumor was inoperable, and his doctor told him he had six months to a year to live. Bryan chose to live, and the two had their dream wedding while bracing for the worst. Now months later, Christie is overwhelmed by the support and love they’re received from fans who were complete strangers.“We’re hopeful that this road to recovery leads us to a place where we can offer our support and love to everyone else, as the amount that we’re received is truly overwhelming” Christie recently gushed on her personal blog, An Inconvenient Tumor. (www.aninconvenienttumor.com) Brain tumor research is extremely underfunded and the public is unaware that over 450 people a day are diagnosed with one in the U.S. alone. With the survival rate being less than 30% for males, Adam and his friends are doing everything they can to make sure Bryan is one of the few living with cancer.

When America’s best DJ and favorite street/political artist collaborate, the results can only be described as revolutionary. “Z-Trip’s Revolution A Party for the People,” which recently debuted Friday nights at Rain nightclub inside Palms Casino Resort, features graphics designed by Shepard Fairey, the creator of the infamous Barack Obama “Hope” poster. “[Fairey and I] share a lot of the same qualities,” says Z-Trip. “He does visually what I do audibly.”

Z-Trip and Fairey met when Fairey did the graphic design for the documentary Scratch, which showcased Z-trip, among others, and can be credited with bringing the art of turntablism to the masses. Z-Trip, who pioneered the mash-up, has crisscrossed the globe performing at music festivals large and small. He’s also opened for the Rolling Stones and will be featured later this year in the highly-anticipated video game DJ Hero.

Rain nightclub, Palms Casino Resort | www.revoltonfriday.com

‘Tis the season to give and this month Jimmy Choo is giving us the best gift of all…designer shoes, clothes and accessories at H&M prices. The London-based designer known across the universe for keeping celebrity feet off of the ground in the most beautiful ways, has designed a full fashion line for H&M that will hit 200 stores worldwide on November 14th. Before you all grab your sleeping bags and hightail it to the Beverly Center, let’s just reflect on the beauty of this moment…okay now Go!

They say behind every good man there is an amazing woman, and Tamara Mellon, the Founder/President behind Jimmy Choo is amazing indeed. She has decided to follow in the footsteps of previous luxury designers like Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld, and create a line of delectable foot candy and other items, for the masses. The prices of the cheaper Choos will range from around $70 for flats to $300 for boots, a far cry from the thousands that celebs like Anne Hathaway and Kerry Washington have dished out for the originals. Mellon says “I wanted to create pieces that would reach a cool and young customer with a fashionable and independent sense of spirit in this one-off collaboration." From looking at the preview of the collection, she has done just that.

The H&M line marks the launch of Jimmy Choo clothing. Mellon says the line seen in stores this month was inspired by sexy little party numbers she pulled out of her own closet. Black dresses, leather, zebra print, blood red pumps, and chain link neck pieces all converge to make the line an edgy-chic look for winter. Most impressive is how every item, from shoes to clutches to shirts, can be mixed and matched to work in a number of different ways. Oh, and boys can play too. Men’s apparel including cashmere sweaters and leather jackets, will also hit the racks to serve as either a sexy compliment to the women’s line, or some Jimmy fun just for him.

And just so you know, financially challenged fashionistas are not the only ones head over heels for the new line. Celebrities from Hayden Panettiere to M.I.A. came out in style for the November 2nd Jimmy Choo for H&M Collection Event in Los Angeles. I don’t know what it is about H&M but they have definitely made cheap the new black. With high-end fashion designer residencies and their own brand clothing that nudges the quality of luxury, H&M is taking the low-end market by storm. With Jimmy Choo visiting soon, we definitely can’t wait to get swept away.  

1. Put a fresh twist on classic shower gel with Baxter of California’s Invigorating Body Wash in Bergamot/Pear. The cleansing foam is designed to clean skin without drying and the pear scent will soften even the manliness shower.
$12.50 | www.baxterofcalifornia.com

2. From pompadours to the slick back, Johnny B’s Original Pomade sculpts a ’do into just about any style. A medicine cabinet staple, Original Pomade is made from high-grade petroleum, so it gives shine and a strong hold without being sticky.
$11.99 | www.johnnybhaircare.com

3. Get a classic shave with MÜHLE’s handcrafted silver-tipped badger hair shaving brush. Crafted for longevity, as well as practicality, the badger hair helps create the creamy lather essential to any shave experience. The hand-carved buffalo horn handle adds an extra touch of luxury.
$199.50 | www.muehle-shaving.com

4. The backbone of any shave is a luxurious cream. Taylor of Old Bond Street Mr Taylor’s Shaving Cream softens facial hair while moisturizing skin with essential oils. With fragrances such as avocado, almond and rose to choose from, this shaving necessity is designed to create a thick lather.
$14 | www.minnewyork.com

5. The Art of Shaving Straight Razors allow for a barbershop shave without leaving the house. Handcrafted Thiers-Issard razors made from carbon steel deliver a comfortable shave with the sharpest edge possible. A hand-carved bocote wood handle gives the instrument a classy touch.
$225 | www.theartofshaving.com

6. Make sure hair stays in place with Kent’s Folding Pocket Comb. The handmade comb fits snugly in your back pocket to go anywhere. Rest assured, Danny Zuko would be proud.
$14 | www.groominglounge.com]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:37:42 MST http://www.944.com/articles/the-modern-man-slickly-packaged-men-s-grooming-products-2/ http://www.944.com/articles/very-cherre/

The next time metro Detroiters are at the grocery store, they should keep their eyes open for the curvy little bottles containing Very Cherre, a tart line of juices made exclusively from Montmorency tart cherries grown in Michigan’s Leelenau Peninsula. Available in flavors such as Pure Tart Cherry, Tart Cherry Pomegranate, Tart Cherry Cranberry and Tart Cherry Blueberry, the juices are all-natural, preservative-free and contain no added sugar. Crafted in small batches, they’re also rich in antioxidants — in fact, Pure Tart Cherry has about twice the antioxidant value of other premium juices, such as 100-percent pomegranate juice. Between the health benefits and the stylish bottles, juice lovers will find themselves reaching for Very Cherre every time they’re in the juice aisle.

www.verycherre.com

From the crisp folds of unexpectedly integrated pleats to the resilient bouffant of an exaggerated sleeve, architecture surreptitiously finds its way into the world of fashion, creating an unmistakable stir in its wake. Couturiers are blurring the lines between the design of beauty and the design of buildings, as wearable architecture has snuck beyond the imaginative fantasy land of the runways and into our closets.

One of fashion’s most notable architects is Nicholas Kirkwood, the British footwear designer whose structured sandals tower like skyscrapers and boast innovative construction techniques the way Frank Gehry might concoct his mind-boggling buildings. “It’s kind of like architecture in a way — like mini architecture,” Kirkwood says. “You have all these components. They all have to fit one another and they have to be structurally sound, within the restrictions of the foot.”

The 28-year-old shoemaker debuted his first line in spring 2005 and has catapulted to success in a mere four years, likely due to his ability to maintain a distinct, cohesive aesthetic while continually crafting exciting product lines that test the boundaries of footwear. Using exotic materials like sueded alligator, shaved stingray, cobra and buffalo horn, this creative cobbler goes beyond the pedestrian confines of a mere shoe to devise eye-catching and sometimes startling pieces.

www.nicholaskirkwood.com

1 Cuisinart GreenGourmet Cookware
Throw away that old nonstick cookware and embrace GreenGourmet — the next generation of ceramic-based cookware that is free of noxious chemicals. The set conducts heat so well it requires less energy to cook food, and the handles are made from recycled steel. Available in Hard Anodized and Stainless Nonstick.
$24–$69 | www.cuisinart.com

2 Speak n’ Brew
Too bleary-eyed before that first cup of joe in the morning to even pour the beans? Don’t lift a finger, just tell the coffee machine what to do. Speak n’ Brew offers what we should have thought of all along — a way to just tell a coffee maker to brew a cup upon rising.
$79 | www.primulaproducts.com

3 iWaveCube
Introducing the world’s tiniest microwave, otherwise known as the “personal” microwave. Perfect for tight spaces or to make some decent-tasting popcorn at the house of a friend who still doesn’t believe in microwaves, this product is light, portable and most importantly, cute.
$99 | www.iwavecube.com

4 Newton Red Label
One of Napa Valley’s esteemed vineyards has a new cru. Newton introduces its tasty Red Label Cabernet Sauvignon, which offers drinkers an artisan wine at a recession-friendly price point. Subtle notes of white chocolate, vanilla, anise and blackberry make the red label a perfect hostess gift for a dinner party.
$25 | www.newtonvineyard.com

While most people know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, many may not know that November marks Lung Cancer Awareness month. The No. 1 cancer killer in America, lung cancer claims more than 150,000 lives annually. To help support the cause, Everything But Water and Betsey Johnson have joined creative forces to produce a limited-edition T-shirt available only during the month of November. The adorable tee, which retails for $48, features signature Betsey Johnson illustrations in the shape of a heart, and 100 percent of the profits from sales of the tee will benefit the LUNGevity Foundation.

Support the cause at Everything But Water stores and www.everythingbutwater.com
]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:27:25 MST http://www.944.com/articles/limited-edition-betsey-johnson-lungevity-signature-tee/ http://www.944.com/articles/how-to-eat-like-a-hot-chick/

One /
Swap out tonic for seltzer in your gin or vodka drink (especially if you’re going to have nine of them.) You’ll save more than 100 calories per cocktail and get hydrated and buzzed at the same time.

Two /
Don’t starve yourself all week to squeeze into that little black dress and then go hog-wild on the passed fried appetizers at the party. Eat balanced, healthy meals and exercise every day the week before so that you can show up at the party feeling like a hot chick.

Three /
If you order a tiny salad on a date with the dressing on the side, pick off the croutons and ignore the breadbasket, then you are not eating like a hot chick. Your date’s not stupid (at least, we hope not), and he knows that you’re going to speed to the Taco Bell drive-thru as soon as the date is over. Save yourself from their mystery meat and dive into a juicy steak at dinner. Your date will think you’re even hotter than the molten chocolate cake.

Four /
The only circumstance in which we will condone fast food is when you’ve been up all night partying and it’s 4 a.m. We’re pretty sure that eating a bunch of toxins soaks up the toxins from the alcohol and they end up cancelling each other out.

Five /
Sweets will only create a giant muffin top when you deprive yourself of them for weeks, believe that carbs are the devil’s work and then break down and eat an entire pastry platter during a weak, stressed, PMS moment. The day you stop seeing a cookie as a scary thing is the day you’ll start losing weight and loving your body.

Six /
Unless you are a frat boy or a linebacker (or both), please don’t drink like one. We know it can be tempting to spend all day Sunday drinking bottomless pitchers at a sports bar, but that will only leave you feeling puffy and bloated in a bigger-sized dress at your next holiday shindig. Stick to light beers, wine and low-calorie cocktails.

Seven /
Yes, last night’s leftover chocolate cake does make a perfectly acceptable breakfast — as long as you balance it out later with a giant spinach salad for dinner.

Eight /
No matter how super important that event coming up is, don’t try some sort of Gwyneth Paltrow cleanse. Instead, avoid processed and sugary foods for one week and fill up on apples, almonds, oatmeal, eggs, spinach, fish and every vegetable, fruit and protein that our Mother Earth gave us.

Nine /
Make food fun again by not thinking about the calories and oily fat content in that delicious slice of piping hot pepperoni pizza. Enjoy it with the confidence that you are a hot chick who deserves to feed her body without guilt.

Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent are the authors of How to Eat Like a Hot Chick, $14 (Harper Paperbacks)

BREWERIES

Motor City Brewing Works
Tucked between Cass and Second on Canfield in Detroit, Motor City Brewing Works is a hidden gem that boasts national acclaim. Few local breweries can tout spotlights in GQ and Playboy magazines, let alone a coveted feature on Food Network. Come inside for original brews like Nut Brown Ale, Hard Cider made from locally grown apples, or a fan favorite, Ghettoblaster, inspired by local musicians and the Ghetto Recorders studio. And here’s an insider’s tip — get the fig pizza. A steaming pie with roasted pears, red onions, gorgonzola cheese and gooey figs, it is truly a unique offering. Bohemian, quaint and deserving of all its fame, Motor City Brewing Works is definitely a must-visit.
www.motorcitybeer.com

The WAB
The Woodward Avenue Brewery, known by its catchier nickname, The WAB, offers two floors, a great view of Downtown Ferndale and an old-school photo booth — and that’s just for starters.Here are a few more “wabulous” reasons this neighborhood microbrewery stands apart from the rest: Sunday night is $2 pint night — get there at 9 p.m. and prepare to call into work the next day; come back Monday night for dinner — it’s half-off food items after 4 p.m.; every day of the week, enjoy seven delicious microbrews, many of which are infused with chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, coffee and other decedent flavors; get beer to go — take home a half-gallon growler for just $12.
www.thewabsite.com

Royal Oak Brewery
Give me the tired, the over-worked, the hipsters and the hippies — the Royal Oak Brewery is a welcoming beacon of hope for those seeking a low-key place to unwind in the stylish downtown. The warm and friendly atmosphere draws an eclectic mix of personalities who share a love of good beer, good food and great ambiance. The venue’s 14-barrel brewing system was custom-fabricated to fit behind the bar, and it offers guests a chance to interact with their brewer while enjoying a pint of one of seven house beers. Paired with savory menu items, such as the Bacon-Wrapped Sirloin, Louisiana Jambalaya or the Royal Oak Burger, guests can eat, drink and be assured that the Royal Oak Brewery will remain a safe haven in its posh surroundings.
www.royaloakbrewery.com

Grizzly Peak
Spartan fans, beware: Grizzly Peak is a neighborhood gathering place in — gasp — Wolverine country. Housed in a century-old building complete with exposed brick walls and wood floors, the pub offers a warm and friendly atmosphere to all its patrons. Touted as Ann Arbor’s landmark brewpub, patrons will find U of M students, families and professionals alike conversing around high-top tables and flat-screen TVs. With six trademark beers and a menu of non-traditional pub items like Polenta Fries, Chicken Couscous Salad, and, yes, Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee, Grizzly Peak is certainly worth the trip — even from East Lansing.
www.grizzlypeak.net

Detroit Beer Co.
Before the game, after the game, during the game — any game — the Detroit Beer Co. is booming. Minutes from both Ford Field and Comerica Park, the brewery spans two floors in the recently restored Hartz Building on Broadway Street. Besides a wide variety of American cuisine and stick-to-the-ribs fare, Detroit Beer Co. offers up to eight house brews on tap at any time, including Broadway Light, People Mover Porter and Steam Tunnel Stout. Come for the spirits and show some team spirit, too.
www.detroitbeerco.com

WINERIES

Grape Expectations
“Whatever your expectation, we can help you find your grape.” This is the endearing promise Grape Expectations makes to its potential patrons. And upon any visit to this charming Plymouth wine bar, guests will find that the shop does, in fact, deliver. With more than 100 wines by the bottle and approximately 50 by the glass, Grape Expectations welcomes both loyalists and first-timers with the same infectious zeal. Its bistro-like setting and menu of Italian cuisine provide for a relaxed and intimate night out. To experience a perfect pairing, consider taking part in one of the wine-tasting dinners, some of which are priced at less than $50 a person. Stop in and discover a favorite grape.
www.gewinebar.com

Cru Winebar at Plum Market
For those who have wondered what the difference is between port and sherry, or whether all champagnes are sparkling wines, welcome to Cru Winebar — West Bloomfield’s unassuming place to learn about wine. Weekly classes include tastings and are held each Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Prices are modest, too — just $15 per person — but be sure to register early as space fills quickly. Not ready for a group setting? Guests can try a glass the next time they’re grocery shopping or mix it up a little by asking for one of the many handcrafted artisan beers. Either way, at Cru, there’s always more than meets the palate.
www.plummarket.com

Enoteca Campo Marzio
The name sounds, well, “classico.” The surprising translation? Enoteca means “wine bar,” and Campo Marzio, “Campus Martius.” (Count this as the “Ah-ha!” moment of the day.) From its Fellini film strips and chandeliers to the more than 100 wines from around the globe, a trip to Enoteca is like a trip to Italy in the 1950s — when the art of wine was pure, intimate and untarnished by those who sought to turn it into a passing fad. Explore a variety of different wines paired with gourmet meats, cheeses and chocolates, and allow yourself to be exquisitely whisked away.
www.enotecadetroit.com

Vinotecca
Form truly follows function at Vinotecca wine bar, where every aspect of its design is reflective of wine production and lifestyle. Earthy slate tiles, soil boxes and cork accents all form a kind of irresistible ambiance that is both chic and educational — making it the perfect place for wine connoisseurs and novices alike. Conceptualized by the Jonna family, who own the illustrious Merchant of Vino wine stores, oenophiles can expect not only quality wines but also exceptional service by the winery’s gracious and knowledgeable staff. Bring an eager palate, curiosity and questions. A trip to Vinotecca is a uniquely sublime experience.
www.vinotecca.com

Nectars Wine Bar
When near Orchard Lake Road and Pontiac Trail, keep an eye out for Nectars Wine Bar. It’s easy to miss, tucked inside a strip mall, but under the radar it is not. With an impressive selection of wine, it’s a mecca for enthusiasts and an inviting place for those with a taste for something new. Brothers John and Mike Karcho founded Nectars 10 years ago, with Mike building the wine cellar himself. Guests should be sure to take a guided walk-through of the cellar and peruse the hundreds of bottles available for sale. Elegant and cozy, it’s a wonderfully understated venue to experience the fruit of the vine.
www.nectarswinebar.com]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:24:06 MST http://www.944.com/articles/brews-and-blends-the-best-breweries-and-wine-bars-in-metro-detroit/ http://www.944.com/articles/blue-jean-baby-designer-terrance-sullivan-dresses-the-american-woman/

Birmingham’s Rail District may be the start of something big for Michigan fashion. Already glittering with an eclectic mix of design studios and hip law offices, next up are the fashion designers. Change is in the air. On October 9, Terrance Sullivan, a Michigan-based denim designer, opened The Terrance Sullivan Collection Store in the Rail District. 944 caught up with him to hear more about his big plans for Cole Street.

944: So of all the locations you could choose to open your first store, why did you choose Michigan — and more specifically, why Birmingham?
TERRANCE SULLIVAN: I love the Birmingham residential and retail areas. A few months ago, I happened across the Birmingham Rail District and fell head over heels for the area and its charm. Once I found the space, I knew that it was the perfect opportunity to provide an experience like no other to our clients. It’s a charming area that I’d equate to the Meatpacking District in New York City, and we’re the first women’s retail apparel store to open in this area. I’m also excited about pioneering the growth of the Rail District as a shopping destination.

944: Tell me more about your Autumn/Winter 2009 collection.
TS: I launched the collection in December of 2007 with one jean — “Elizabeth” — a straight-leg jean adorned with my signature pocket stitch. We currently have six styles and a few specialty T-shirts. By spring, we will have a collection of more than 30 pieces, including jeans, tops, skirts, dresses, jackets, tote bags and handbags.

944: As a designer, what led you to your concentration on denim?
TS: I always design for “today’s woman,” and the denim jean is the cornerstone of the American woman’s wardrobe. There is nothing better than a woman in a great-fitting pair of jeans.

944: What sets your garments apart from the typical jean?
TS: All of our pants are completely finished on the inside and are lined with bias made of 100-percent pima cotton. All pocketing is 100-percent pima cotton as well. The pants all feature a four-piece contoured waistband that enhances the fit and eliminates rear gapping.

944: Your design work is done here in the studio, but where is the rest of your production based?
TS: Yes, we do all the design work here. Our garments are made 100 percent in the U.S.A. — our production is done in New York, and the finishes and washes on the jeans are done in LA. The denim is American denim milled in Georgia. We conduct all of our sales online or out of this showroom.

944: So what is in the future for the Terrance Sullivan Collection Store?
TS: I hope to provide a very unique, high-end shopping experience. Client participation will be a big part of the experience at the Terrance Sullivan Collection Store. Our future event lineup will include hosting a movie night, a formal dinner event and a full-scale runway show for the spring collection.

Try a pair on at www.terrancesullivan.com

Vefa’s Kitchen
Vefa Alexiadou

The bestselling author of 13 cookbooks and a leading culinary authority of Greek cuisine, Vefa Alexiadou, offers 650 easy-to-follow recipes in her latest book. She covers everything from such warm weather dishes as simple salads and mezedes to slowly simmered meat dishes and crisp filo pastries for winter. There are also original recipes from fellow Greek chefs Michael Psilakis, Michael Symon, Jim Botsacos and others.
$45, Phaidon Press

Chocolate Bliss: Sensuous Recipes, Spa Treatments, and Other Divine Indulgences
Susie Norri

Pastry chef Susie Norris reveals all the health and beauty benefits of chocolate in her first book, available this fall. Outlining types, flavors, origins and ecological influences, Chocolate Bliss presents 38 delicious recipes, such as Fudgey Hearts of Darkness, as well as instructions for mixing up decadant home spa concoctions.
$17, Random House/Celestial Arts

Vintage Cocktails
Photographs by Laziz Hamani

If Betty Crocker and Frank Sinatra had written a cookbook together, it would have looked something like Vintage Cocktails — correct, yet sexy. More than 60 drink recipes are complemented by stylish photography taken at the Carlyle Hotel’s legendary Bemelmans Bar. This is a must-have book for every fashionable host, aspiring mixologist or seasoned cocktail aficionado.
$50, Assouline

Flying Pans
Ron Oliver, Bernard Guillas

Experience dishes from all over the world through the adventures of chefs Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver of La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club’s renowned Marine Room restaurant. Photographer Gregory Bertolini brings to life the sights, smells and tastes of their culinary expeditions. Sections include the chefs’ 20 favorite tools, ingredient substitutions and lessons on making sauces.
$35, R&B Food and Culture Production

Restaurants and Bars
Phillip Jodidio

All around the world restaurants and bars are stepping up their architectural game, and the newest edition of Architecture Now! features the most lavish and luxe of interior design to date. With breathtaking images of spaces all over the world, including a food joint in Bangkok that sits atop a skyscraper, as well as an array of decidedly smaller establishments done up in modern décor, this book is sure to whet the appetite for creativity and have readers craving a new kind of dining experience.
$39.99, Taschen

Annie
Don’t Stop
(Totally/Smalltown Supersound)

Remember dancing to “Heartbeat” and “Greatest Hit”? Yes, Anniemal was the blog du jour back in 2004, and Anne Lilla Berge Strand became a poster girl for the nascent electro-clash/indie-dance movement. As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “you can’t recapture your glory days,” and Annie doesn’t try. Eschewing the Madonna references, she turns to clipped house styles like nü-disco and Balearic for jams like “I Don’t Like Your Band” and “Songs Remind of You.” She also celebrates the best meal of the day on “The Breakfast Song,” a nice soundtrack for downing your morning bloody mary.

Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions
Through the Devil Softly
(Nettwerk)

Fifteen years after “Fade into You,” her pitch-perfect gem with former group Mazzy Star, Hope Sandoval still seems lost in a fog of heartbreak and memories. Her new Through the Devil Softly posits her as a kind of female Nick Cave, singing about paranoia and superstition on “For the Rest of Your Life” and yearning on “There’s a Willow.” Meanwhile, her band, the Inventions, craft ominously mysterious backdrops that suggest a David Lynch-ian tragedy. It’s sweetly painful stuff.

Kid Sister
Ultraviolet
(Downtown)

As BFF to Kanye West and simply GF to Kanye’s DJ A-Trak, Kid Sister brings plenty of hype to Ultraviolet. She’s bringing the late ’80s back — remember spandex pants, high-top Reeboks and female rappers like Monie Love and Tam Tam? With banging beats by the aforementioned A-Trak, XXXchange from Spank Rock and Count & Sinden, Kid Sister works herself into a sweat, on “Get Fresh” and “Life on TV.” She’s so antic, however, that she can be exhausting. Best to save Ultraviolet for the drive up to the club; it’s not built for quiet-time listening.

Meshell Ndegeocello
Devil’s Halo
(Downtown)

Meshell Ndegeocello’s fervent fans credit her with all sorts of supernatural happenings, like popularizing baldness as a hair style, inventing neo-soul and, uh, curing cancer. But she’s really an enigma. Devil’s Halo criss-crosses between blues and shoegaze-like ambiant rock fadeouts, and even covers Ready for the World’s baby-making anthem “Love You Down,” mixing it all together with a jazzy, supple touch. She’s emotionally available, but you never get the sense that you know her.

Tegan & Sara
Sainthood
(Warner Bros.)

By now, you know what to expect from a Tegan & Sara album: deftly written, hook-laden pop-rock tunes by a pair of Canadian sisters, each detailing the vagaries of love with their various (female) paramours. Sainthood doesn’t change the formula, even though special editions come bundled with three souvenir chapbooks titled On/In/At and — yes — a Rorschach inkblot. Thankfully, Sainthood is more pleasurable than a psychological audit, as songs such as “On Directing” and “The Ocean” jangle with intelligent sass, made by two ladies strumming their hearts out.

On November 15th, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., The Fifth Ecology - Los Angeles Beyond Desire - opens at Gallery 727 downtown. Co-hosted by Friends of the Los Angeles River, this is a particularly inventive interpretation of the Los Angeles River corridor through Downtown LA. The result of a well-researched exploration from a group of students and faculty from the Royal University College of Fine Arts in Stockholm, Sweden, The Fifth Ecology - Los Angeles Beyond Desire is an elaborate and unrealistic plan for the future of the City of LA. The images are ridiculous and the ideas completely out of the realm of anything imaginable. No one would propose that we make these kinds of changes to this City. However, the imagination, research, and thoroughness of the show make all the ideas possible - and more importantly: Desirable. An exhibition about how to plan Los Angeles for a future without fossil fuels, which provokes the question, ‘what will make that future desirable?' A special exhibition form of the work will be featured in Los Angeles for just one month, ending officially on December 12th, at 6 p.m.

The Mantles
The Mantles
(Siltbreeze)

Sounding as if they just stepped in from the cold of the ’80s Paisley Underground before it went limp (think the first Long Ryders EP or Dream Syndicate), The Mantles deliver the goods with the same abandon as the Wipers, Gun Club and The Replacements, which, not so coincidentally, are sources the bandmates happen to draw from. Propulsive and churning, brooding and churlish, The Mantles’ self-titled album is an inspired first slab that should prod critics into wondering if maybe they’re backing the wrong horse.

Reigning Sound
Love and Curses
(In the Red)

If Greg Cartwright isn’t exactly a household name, it isn’t for lack of consistently great material. For almost 20 years now (the last eight fronting the Ashville-via-Memphis Reigning Sound) he has operated comfortably on the fringes. A loyal classicist, Cartwright’s take on ’60s soul, ’50s rock, girl-group pop and country-soul generally rival the influences he sets out to imitate. Love and Curses, while not nearly as raucous as 2004’s Too Much Guitar, still packs a wallop. Barnburners and passionate ballads delivered by a band in peak form make for Cartwright’s best album yet.

Digital Leather
Warm Brother
(Fat Possum)

Seemingly the bi-product of regular acid usage and too many Sparks albums, Digital Leather (aka Shawn Foree) has produced an impressive body of new-wave and experimental synth-punk. Gary Numan’s Tubeway Army, Jim Carroll, Plastic Bertrand, Syd Barrett and the Spits are all reference points in this deviant, weirdo goulash. But the truly bizarre part is the way Warm Brother sticks to a listener’s dome; every song is an addictive, irresistible potential dance floor hit.

Why?
Eskimo Snow
(Anticon)

This album looks to be the line in the sand for fans of this fantastic Oakland-based collective. Gone are the intricate rhymes, live loops and hip-hop beats that marked 2007’s heavily acclaimed Alopecia. In fact, all traces of Yoni Wolf’s much-revered art-rap have been abandoned for lush, atmospheric psych-folk and indie-pop. And while this direction toward more conventional waters will be lamented in certain circles, there’s no getting around Wolf’s outstanding lyric-writing abilities and simultaneously sprawling and intimate arrangements. Why? is one of the year’s finest releases, haters be damned.

After we discovered that Show Dogs, a local artisan hot dog restaurant, was named for its location in the city’s historical Theater District, we weren’t surprised when they tweeted, “It’s Bark day! Bark at the cashier and receive a free 8-oz. beer with your order.”

It’s this passion for showmanship that inspires everything from their menu to their, ahem, customer participation. In additional support for the upcoming election’s Prop D, an initiative that would allow for additional billboards and theater marquees and thus increase the area’s revenue, Show Dogs is offering a Prop D Dog as recognition for the project. Already one of its more popular menu items, the organic duck sausage nestles among Dijon mustard and daikon sprouts for a gourmet take on a classic American frank.

Others praise the shop’s quick and dirty 49’er Corn Dog and gluten-free onion rings. Take the edge off the work day with an almost guiltless 4-oz. draft beer. Any way customers want it, these ’furters are a whole different ball game.

www.showdogssf.com

Momofuku
by David Chang and Peter Meehan
(Clarkson Potter $40)

Rumor has it that the recipe for Momofuku Bakery & Milk Bar’s Crack Pie, Cereal Milk and Compost Cookies was the catalyst for this cookbook. We think it has more to do with the fact that Manhattan is running out of real estate for chef David Chang. Then again, three noodle bars and a bakery could very well be only the beginning of a continually burgeoning career. Chang got his start by trying to mimic the $4.95 plate of ginger scallion noodles at the Bowery’s Great New York Noodletown, but with everyone duplicating his retrofit East Village classics at home, he’ll soon become a household name around the world.

The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: 200 Gourmet Recipes for Any Budget
by Alanna Kaufman and Alex Small
(Adams Media $15)

Leave it to two New York City grad students to come up with a keen way to eat thrifty; after all, their lives are most devoted to using their brains and keeping a budget. But Kaufman and Small, hosts of the blog called Two Fat Als, also find room in their equation for taste — great taste. As the sub says, there are 200 recipes included in this compendium, and each is listed with its cost per dish and per person. Yet to focus on the frugality of this foodie cookbook would mean missing the richness contained herein.

Ad Hoc at Home
by Thomas Keller
(Artisan $50)

There may be other eateries in the Napa Valley besides Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, Bouchon and ad hoc, but we’ve not heard of them. And if the reservation lists of any of the above are an indication, neither has anyone else. Keller, who also owns New York’s Per Se and is one of only three chefs in the world who can boast two Michelin three-star restos, delivers here the family-style fare that made famous at his latest Napa hotspot. Think three-star truck stop.

The Branded Cookbook: 85 Recipes for the World’s Favorite Food Brands
by Nick Sandler
(Kyle Books $25)

Hardcore foodies may scoff at the notion of employing Heinz baked beans or Kellogg’s corn flakes into their dishes, but if they do, they’re missing out on a whole lotta fun and flavor. Here Sandler offers up 80 different recipes involving 17 different well-known brands, from the aforementioned beans and flakes to Philadelphia cream cheese, Coca-Cola and Kikkoman soy sauce. Even better, he serves up the story of each — where they came from, who most digs them and why they make a great recipe.

The Bosco has established itself as one of the best bars located in the heart of metro Detroit. Bosco, which means “forest” in Italian, is an urban playground and the redefinition of lounge. Featured outside of this bar are tables surrounded by beautiful trees that make for a relaxing evening. The courtyard has the famous three honey locust trees that are considered the crown jewel here. During colder nights, the Bosco has heated lamps so patrons can enjoy the fresh air outside. In addition to ordering cocktails and beers, guests can dance the night away while listening to great music. There is no cover charge to come and have drinks, and the Bosco also does private rentals and offers a full bar, wait service, catering, and outdoor seating.

22930 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale | 248.541.8818 | www.thebosco.com

Strawberry Field

1 diced strawberry
Pinch of sugar
Pearl Plum Vodka
(50mL)
Ginger ale (splash)
Cranberry juice
(splash)

Muddle berries and sugar. Combine ingredients over ice, then serve in a cocktail glass.

As an avid golfer and PGA Tour volunteer, I know a good day on the golf course when I see one.

Recently I had the pleasure of playing golf with Dr. Gary Knighton of SkinSational Aesthetics of Arizona.  You've seen Skinsational in the Phoenix 944 magazine, as well as on 944.com.  Dr. Knighton is a well known cosmetic dermatologist and weight loss specialist who loves a good round of golf just like the rest of us.  On October 13th, 2009, I witnessed something so incredible that I immediately knew I'd never see anything like it again.

The weather was a perfect 79 degrees, clear skies with barely any breeze - perfect Scottsdale Arizona golfing weather yet again.  The Dr. and I met out at the Westin Kierland Golf Resort.  The resort has 27 holes, broken down in to three 9 hole courses, Acacia, Ironwood, and Mesquite.  This day we played Ironwood and Mesquite.  We tee'd off at 9:20am and played the first two holes of Ironwood in conventional fashion.  But this my friend is when the day officially lost all conventionalism. 

We arrive at our 3rd hole of the day which is a 168 yard par 3.  Dr. Knighton chooses to hit a 23 degree hybrid.  He strikes a pure golf shot that pin-seeks as soon as it leaves the golf club.  Now, I habitually will yell "Go in!" every time mine or a buddy's golf shot looks accurate...this time it was truly a foreboding statement.  The ball hits the green, bounces once, rolls about 6 feet and drops in the hole.  #*&!?$# awesome!

Do you know what the odds are for an amateur golfer hitting a hole-in-one?  Sports Illustrated puts the odds at 45,000 to 1.  Needless to say our celebration was violent.

Seven holes later we arrive at our 10th hole of the day.  It's a par four, 380 yards.  We both hit good drives down the middle of the fairway, Dr. Knighton has 120 yards left for his second shot -guess what happens?  He hits it about one foot left of the pin and it bounces right in the cup!!  Are you #*&!?$# kidding me?  He Eagles our 10th hole of the day! As if the hole-in-one wasn't enough, he freaking scores an eagle seven holes later?!  Unbelievable.

You can visit many golf courses across this country and find many of them to have a par 3 distanced at about 120 yards.  Do you know what the odds of hitting two hole-in-ones in the same round of golf are?   Sports Illustrated reports the odds to be 9,222,500 to 1.  Well that's basically what Dr. Knighton did on this mysteriously euphoric day.

I've been golfing for over 20 years and will probably never experience another day of golf quite like this one...and nor will Dr. Knighton.  This is one story that he and I will be telling for the rest of our lives.  9,222,500 to 1?  I know a good day on the golf course when I see one.

Want to do something different for a change?  People in the valley of the sun sometimes forget that you don't have to spend every weekend caught up in the same old - same old.  It is easy to forget that this great state of Arizona has much to offer, and sometimes all it takes is a short drive to realize it.  With Halloween in the review mirror...everyone is headed to Jerome Arizona!

The Jerome Art Walk on November 7th is the perfect post-Halloween night. If you missed the legendary Halloween costume party in Jerome the week prior, then come and enjoy a more sedate but equally as entertaining night in this mile high town. Twenty-six studios and galleries will host openings and happenings throughout the artist colony. From the Old Jerome High School studios to The New State Motor Company with the Patrick Lincoln Gallery, art, music and lively conversation are everywhere. Enjoy great food in wonderful restaurants and maybe even spend the night at one of the lodging choices. Park your car and take the shuttle or stroll the winding streets on a cool fall night. For more information visit www.jeromeartwalk.com or contact Donna @ 928-649-2277.

While in Jerome here are two don't-miss locations.  First you have to check out Gallery 527.  On November 7th the gallery will present Brandi Lee Cooper's new ceramic work in the show CULTIVATE. Organic wood fired Soul Discs, piercing heart shrines, and botanical imagery-filled sculptures express the artists' connection and respect for the earth and her desert home.  This show continues through November 30th.  The Gallery also welcomes back favorite musician Vyktoria Pratt Keating on this night.  Doors open at 5:00pm.  Visit Gallery527jerome.com (A 944 favorite)  Next you don't want to miss The Fool on the Hill, located right up the street from Gallery 527.  Described by locals as, "A gallery of wonderful things", you'll find a new collection of hats and scarbes from a bevy fo independent and free trade design companies.  Hand crafted felt hand bags will round out your ensemble.  Open till 8pm on Art Walk night.  Visit TheFoolOnTheHill.com