"The Midnight Special" DVDs -- "The Midnight Special" aired weekly on NBC late-night television from 1972-'81 and featured live performances by artists from all genres, including David Bowie, Blondie, Ike & Tina Turner, Heart, Al Green, Steve Miller Band and so many more. Hosted by Wolfman Jack and Helen Reddy, the legendary series is now available on more than a dozen DVDs through Amazon.com and infomercials. Lucky for me, a friend -- hopped up on booze and Percocet after excruciating dental work -- drunk dialed and ordered this series. I've been hooked ever since -- it's amazing to see these bands close up, costumed in far-out threads and so very, very young. -- Molly Snyder Edler
"Hate Mail from Cheerleaders and Other Adventures from the Life of Reilly" -- A lot of my buddies in the sportswriting business are jealous of Rick Reilly because he makes big money to write one column per week and it gets marquee play on the back page of Sports Illustrated.
The buzz in press boxes is that Reilly has lost some zip on his fastball and sometimes "mails in" columns that aren't worthy of the position in the magazine or his paycheck. Hogwash. When he's on, which is more often than not, Reilly uncovers hidden stories that he mixes with humor and pop culture references. Think Dave Barry with a sports slant. This compilation of about seven years' worth of S.I. columns is the perfect book to take on a plane, to the beach or to leave on the tank of the commode. The columns are breezy, insightful and include interesting postscripts that update the action. -- Drew Olson
Gordon Rush shoes -- Gordon Rush makes cool shoes. It's a progressive line of men's footwear that's conservative enough for the Milwaukee business mentality. I own three pair and all are comfortable, stylish and very wearable with jeans or business casual attire. The company's online store doesn't open until September, so get them at shoo, 241 N. Broadway, in the meantime. -- Jeff Sherman
The Holga, by Lomography -- The Holga is a plastic, low-tech medium format camera developed in Hong Kong in 1982. It's a rudimentary, non-complex, relatively cheap 120-film camera that requires zero experience or artistic skill. It also produces -- accidentally or otherwise -- some of the moodiest, most colorful and unpredictably genius photography you're likely to find. Thanks to special (yet controlled) "perks," such as minimal light leaks, the 4x5 prints might appear with vignette edges or a mysterious soft focus. When using black and white film, the images are stunningly contrasted, unlike the usual gray and white results from many 35mm camera. For a while, Lomography.com was the world's best Holga source, but in light of the recent hipster takeover, Urban Outfitters now sells them and other Lomo cameras, as well. -- Julie Lawrence
Backing up your cell phone directory -- A friend recently lost his cell phone and with it went his entire directory of phone numbers. It was a crippling blow and it will take him months to recover. Back in the dark ages, I could remember a boatload of numbers. Now, I have a hard time remembering my own. If you haven't done it recently, make a hard copy of your phone directory, sync it with your e-mail contacts list or do whatever you can to avoid catastrophe. -- D.O.
"Gattaca" -- This movie is 10 years old now, but it's still entertaining, thought provoking and even provocative, if not a bit corny. Even funnier is that this movie comes recommended from Paul Shirley in his book "Can I Keep My Jersey? 11 Teams, 5 Countries, and 4 Years in My Life as a Basketball Vagabond." It's a great book that Drew Olson recommended a few weeks ago. Ironically, I was reading Shirley's book too. So, I guess this is an OMC Recommends by one of its recommended, if you will. Anyway, "Gattaca" is good. The sci-fi drama with Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman is worth your time if nothing else to remind you of the power of the human spirit. -- J.S.
"Howard Stern Show" recaps on howardstern.com -- One of the best things about covering spring training for 12 years was the ability to listen to Howard Stern on the way to the ballpark each morning. Because I don't really have the time or inclination to subscribe to Sirius and there is no longer a TV show on E!, I keep up with Howard, Robin, Fred, Artie and Baba Booey by checking into the show archives at howardstern.com. The writing is so detailed that you almost feel like you were there. -- D.O.
Canal Street -- I was involved, as a consultant, during the "stadium debate" in the 1990s. At the time, I couldn't fathom why the city fathers and the Brewers could not agree on a logical Downtown stadium site. While I wasn't completely sold that our Downtown needed a stadium (they had helped revitalize many Downtowns, at least for a few years), I did think there was a greater good mentality needed and really just wanted a ballpark to get built, anywhere.
Turns out that Milwaukee's Downtown has grown and succeeded without a stadium and the five-minute drive from Downtown to Miller Park is fine with me.
This is where Canal Street comes in. What a wonderful drive it provides from Downtown! Pretty along the way, too. Once the Harley Museum is done, Canal will connect it to the casino and Miller Park. Ignore the freeway, take Canal Street to and from your next Brewers game. -- J.S.
