The cure for dry hands, cabin fever, a sore back, wanderlust and more - all in this week's edition of OMC recommends.
L'Occitane En Provence dry skin hand cream- My wife has this thing with dry hands. And in Milwaukee, winter brings dry hands. But, I kinda hate smelly hand creams so I don't use them, and frankly dry hands don't really bother me. But my lovely wife got me this L'Occitane hand cream for me to try. And I gotta say, not only does it work, it doesn't smell too bad either. It's thick, but not oily and while it has a slight fragrance it's not powerful or perfume-like. Guy or girl, if you need killer hand cream this stuff is for you. - Jeff Sherman
Milwaukee Wave vs. Chicago Soul - Looking to get out of the house, but don't really want to get cold? I say go check out Milwaukee's only championship team, the Milwaukee Wave, play the Chicago Soul at 6 p.m. the U.S. Cellular Arena. The charity of the day is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, so you'll also be helping out a great cause. And, since it's dinner time, take advantage of the "Chipotle Dinner and a Game" where you get four burritos and sodas along with four tickets for just $40. Can't beat that! - Jim Owczarski
Antiques on Second – Rummage sales aren't in season right now, but you can get a massive thrift fix at Antiques on Second, 1039 S. 2nd St. It has three floors of vintage heaven with such a range of items and prices that your price tag responses will range from ecstatic to offended. But the opportunity to experience childhood nostalgia alone is worth a visit. No doubt you'll see toys or lunch boxes long forgotten or a glassware set like your grandparents had. And if you happen to be lamp shopping like I was, you won't be disappointed. The selection is incredible. – Molly Snyder
"Around the Corner with John McGivern" - One of my favorite things to do is pointlessly travel, especially around Wisconsin. There are so many little gems of towns scattered around this state. "Around the Corner with John McGivern" neatly packages the magic of these uniquely "Wisconsin" communities into a half-hour program on Thursday evenings. Season Two returned at the beginning of the year with McGivern delving into the history and cultural fabric of communities around Wisconsin (often aided by his BFF John Gurda). Air dates can be found here. Walker's Point and Waukesha are just a few of the communities that will be featured in the coming weeks. Read Steve Kabelowsky's column on the show here. - Colleen Jurkiewicz
Bed of Nails accupressure mat – The roll-up Bed of Nails is just what the name implies, though the "nails" are actually plastic circles with hard, pointy thorns that could help the body release endorphins and oxytocin, to make you more relaxed and energetic. I'm not sure if the science is there to back this up, but anecdotally, I find the Bed of Nails soothing. I've never done acupuncture or acupressure, but the feeling of prickly relaxation provided by the Bed of Nails is making me consider it. – Bobby Tanzilo
Free after school art and movement classes at Walker's Point Center for the Arts – Every Tuesday-Friday, Walker's Point Center for the Arts, 839 S. 5th St., offers free classes for kids ages 6-12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday offer a "make and take" art class, Work It Wednesdays serve up a sampling of gymnastics, stretching, basic exercise and world dance and Fridays are Cartoon Fridays with a local cartoonist. The program begins with a healthy snack and encourages positive interactions and creativity. Children can be dropped off and picked up at any time during the two-hour session. These enriching, free opportunities in such a beautiful environment just make me wish my kids got out of school earlier. – Molly Snyder
Lapostolle Canto de Apalta 2010 – Valentine's Day is on the horizon and what does your sweetie want? Wine and chocolate, of course. Find your dark chocolate of choice and grab a bottle of this Chilean blend of Carmenere (36%), Merlot (31%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%) and Syrah (15%) that's aged in oak for a little more than a year. The result is a warm, reddish-purple wine that has a fruity aroma and a delectably spicy finish with a touch of tobacco and a hint of chocolate that will get a boost when you light some candles, pop the cork on this wine and bring out a plate of rich, dark chocolate (the darker the better). Canto de Apalta 2010 retails around $20, so it won't break the bank, either. – Bobby Tanzilo
