The Metromixers' Blog

Nov. 5: Wednesday night is my television night

Meaghan Anselm — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:49:31 GMT

Wednesday nights are my night to watch my favorite shows on television. The only down side is that they are on at the same time. I am poor and can't afford one of the fancy recording devices, TiVo. In fact, I have a VCR to record shows when I miss them. Yes, a video cassette recorder with tapes.

The first show I love and can't miss is Man v. Food. Frat boy Adam Richman travels the country looking for the best big out places, giant portions and eating challenges and then takes them on. Last nights episode had him in Detroit attempting to tackle a 196 pound burger at Mallie’s Sports Bar. This burger with bun had 15 lbs of veggies including three heads of lettuce and 20 plus lbs. of cheese. He had 40 people helping him and still food won. MVF airs Wednesday night at 9 p.m. CST on Travel Channel.

The second show of the evening is Top Chef. TC has been one of my must see shows since the beginning. It is currently in its 6 season being shot in Las Vegas. They are down to 6 contestants which include a pair of very competitive brothers that rarely show any brotherly love for one another. My favorite is Kevin, a chunky red head who is very humble and never stirs up the pot. He just cooks good food. TC airs on Wenesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

What are your Wednesday night tv watching habits? Leave me a comment at the bottom of the page.

Nov. 4: Happy Birthday, Sesame Street!

Ali Siegel — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:23:26 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

Like countless other adults, teens and kids alike, I remember fondly my days hanging out, throwing back a few juice boxes and chillin' with the crew at 123 Sesame Street. Now as PBS's mainstay prepares to hit the bit 4-0, they have upped the ante even more by featuring some of the coolest 20 and 30 somethings on the block. This season featured appearances by Jonah Hill, Neil Patrick Harris (oh, NPH, how I love you) and David Beckham... just to name a few. With more than 4,000 episodes under their belt, it's fair to say the Sesame Street has created their own celebs in Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster and Mr. Snuffulufugus. Though the show doesn't officially blow out the candles until November 10, The Muppets start their press junket tonight (yeah, that's how they roll) with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight and stints on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader early next week.

Metromix rounded up some of our favorite Sesame Street visitors this season. Check out all of the A-listers who stopped by the Sesame hood here.

So, let's raise a toast to 40 years of Sesame Street (with milk, of course) and wish them another 40 years of awesomeness.

The movie music of John Williams

Adam Claypool — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:57:23 GMT

By Adam Claypool
Metromix

As a kid, the 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' movies were two of my favorite films. I loved the action, I loved the characters and I absolutely adored the music. The powerful, emotional themes I experienced in these two movies really helped foster a lifelong love of orchestral music. John Williams is no one-score wonder, either. The guy is probably the most accomplished composers of our generation. It's not just the two movie scores I mentioned above, he's composed hundreds of pieces, including the score to 'E.T.', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', 'Jurassic Park', 'The Goonies'... the list goes on and on. He also composed the themes for the 1984. 1988 and 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Oh, and you know the music you hear at the start of NBC Nightly News on NewsChannel 5? That's John Williams' work too!

We're in for a treat this weekend at Powell Hall, because the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is performing the 'Movie Music of John Williams'. If you're not typically the kind of person who would go to the symphony, this is one show I can almost guarantee you'll love. Tickets start at just $25, and since you're going for the music, a good view is not necessary. In fact, I sometimes close my eyes at orchestral performances. No, I'm not sleeping - I just find that if I take away one of my senses, the other four senses become stronger. Anyway, I digress. Bottom line: This performance is going to be awesome. I'll be there Sunday. Let me know if you're planning on going by leaving a comment below, and we can compare notes after the show. Oh, and one more thing for all of you orchestral concert virgins - Powell Hall serves alcohol before and after the performance, and during intermission. Seriously, there's no reason not to go!

Oct. 22: ABC's new Bachelor is a familiar face

Meaghan Anselm — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:44:01 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

ABC announced the new Bachelor on Dancing with the Stars last week and no shock to anyone it was Jake Pavelka. He was on the Jillian Harris’ season of The Bachelorette and Jake was turned down with a mere five men to go. Labeled as a sweetheart who was not enough of a risk-taker, airline pilot Jake Pavelka came back to the show to tell Jillian that contestant Wes had a girlfriend back in his hometown of Texas. At the final rose ceremony, female fans swooned over Jake and gave him a rousing ovation when he was in the “hot seat”.

This would not be my first choice for the new Bachelor but I truly have no say in it. ABC keeps repurposing Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants from previous seasons and I think it is about time for a fresh start. And apparently, I am not alone on this. The consensus on the message board on abc.go.com has bloggers questioning the decision to go with Jake as the new Bachelor.

Don’t get me wrong, I will still be glued to my tube every Monday night to see which girls are fake, which girls get into cat fights and most importantly who gets the boot. The new season of The Bachelor starts January 2010.

Do you think bringing Jake back as the new Bachelor was a good idea or a poor decision on the part of ABC? Leave your comment at the bottom of the page.

Oct. 21: Munchin' on Mexican

Ali Siegel — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:11:17 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

If my boyfriend had it his way, we would have Mexican every night of the week (seriously, the boy could live off a steady diet of chips, queso and tacos), however, much to his chagrin, his cravings for south-of-the-border yumminess is often limited to weekly outings (sorry, I just need a bit more variety in my diet). Tonight, we will join some friends for some dinner, drinks and apps at one of our favorite South City cantinas, Chimichanga. This is one of our old standbys--and for good reason. The inexpensive menu is packed with Mexican favorites, including a decent queso and some potent (and inexpensive) margaritas. However, depending on our moods (and our location), we have several go-to locals. Take a look below at some of our local faves. Who do you think has the best chips and dip in town? Which restaurant whips up the best margarita? Leave a comment below and let me know what I'm missing!

1. Amigos Cantina: Probably my favorite Mexican spot in St. Louis, this Kirkwood gem features some delish food (I vote for the Amigos Taco Puffs) and some insanely good (and strong!) margaritas.

2. Atomic Cowboy: Not a traditional Mexican joint, the Cowboy is a go-to spot in The Grove for fun (and yummy) renditions of Mexican favorites. I'd opt for the Famous Cheeseburger Burrito and any cocktail that uses their seasonal, house-made, infused vodkas.

3. Mi Ranchito: This is my restaurant of choice after a late night with too many cocktails. With low prices, friendly and quick service and a spot just outside of The Loop, this is a can't-miss for Mexican fans in St. Louis. Try any of the oversize entrees, including the grilled Tilapia tacos and shrimp fajita nachos.

4. La Vallesana 1: Like many other things in the Cherokee neighborhood, this humble joint offers up some of the freshest, most authentic Mexican food in St. Louis. While it is still warm enough, head on over and grab a patio seat for some prime people watching and enjoy fresh tacos, tortas, quesadillas and burritos.

5. Nachomama's: A long-time favorite, this quick-serve restaurant puts other Mexican fast food joints (yeah, Taco Bell, I'm talking to you) to shame. The speedy service and drive through are great options... but the fresh ingredients are what keep this restaurant at the top. My order of guacamole and a fish burrito never waivers. Once you've had them, you'll know why.

Oct. 19: Coming soon - a wino's guide to St. Louis

Adam Claypool — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:41:25 GMT

By Adam Claypool
Metromix

It's the middle of October, which means it's the perfect time to head out to wine country. We here at Metromix are in the process of putting together a comprehensive wine guide that will have you enjoying wine here in town, and in Hermann, Augusta and Ste. Genevieve. You may have already seen our guides to Augusta and Ste. Genevieve. If so, you'll know that there are plenty of spots to score good wine, good scenery and a good time. Personally, Ste. Genevieve is my favorite place to retreat to. I think the rolling hills offer spectacular vistas, but I also like the variety. Chaumette has you covered when it comes to upscale and classy (and I'm a little partial to this place, as it's where I got married). Crown Valley has the most variety when it comes to the actual wine. And if fruity wine is your thing, you can't beat Sainte Genevieve Winery downtown. Now might not be the best time to hang out in the actual cave at Cave Winery, but the fact that it's there is pretty cool in itself. Another reason I really like Ste. Gen is the beer. Crown Valley just opened a brewery, and they offer more than half a dozen specialty beers. I can't wait to get back and try their strawberry cider. But, hands-down, Charleville has some of the best beer I've ever had. Whether we're talking about the pilsner (which was served at my wedding, and drew lots of compliments from the guests) to my personal favorite, the strawberry blond ale.

Enough about Ste. Genevieve, though. Augusta is awesome, and a little closer. And Hermann is a really neat place to get wine too. You'll find comprehensive guides to all three wine regions—as well as the best wine bars in town—when we unveil our wine guide later on this week. So stay tuned... you won't want to miss this!

Oct. 14: We want Big Macs

Meaghan Anselm — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:01:14 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

“We want Big Macs” will be the new chant of St. Louis Blues fans when the Blues get close to scoring five goals. Last year the powerful “we want tacos” was the chant. This year when the Blues score 5 goals or more you can present your ticket stub from the game at local McDonald’s to get a free Big Mac. Fans will have three days, starting the day after the game to redeem their free Big Mac. What’s great is that The St. Louis Blues and area McDonald’s are bringing back this tradition of free Big Mac from back in the early 1990s when they originally started the freebies.

What is the best freebie the Blues have given away? Do you plan on attending any Blues games this season? Leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

Oct. 13: In search of the perfect puppy costume

Ali Siegel — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:50:17 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

So, it's official. I am too old (or have too much post college weight) to squeeze into any of the "sexy" Halloween costumes that I used to don (former favorites include the sexy Girl Scout and the sexy cowgirl). I am ok with this. I have accepted this. And I'm moving on. However, now that I'm past skimpy skirts and push up bras, I have now focused all of my Halloween energy on Teddy the Pomeranian (insert collective groan here). Unfortunately for my pooch, my love of Halloween needs an outlet. In years past, he has been a lobster (which more closely resembled a throw pillow) and a chicken. This year, with little more than two weeks to go, I am in need of a costume for this thirteen pound fluff ball.

Pics from the Halloween in the CWE Pet Parade provide some great inspiration, as do the links listed below. Are your pets dressing up? Leave a comment below and let me know your costume of choice! Hate dog costumes? That is ok, too. I still want to hear from you!

1. Easter basket full of Easter eggs (Puppies painted in spring hues? A wagon decked out as a basket? Yes, please!)

2. Bunch of bananas (So, you would need a few costumes... and a few puppy friends, but what is cuter than a bunch of furry bananas?)

3. Racehorse with jockey (Funny. Easy. Cute. Need I say more?)

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Before you start calling the Humane Society on me, I promise that I would never actually cut and dye my dog in this form... I would just think about it)

Oct. 12: As if the Cardinals bowing out of the playoffs weren't bad enough...

Adam Claypool — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:15:13 GMT

By Adam Claypool
Metromix

The Cardinals played three games this post-season, and they lost all of them. It looked like they would return to Busch Stadium 1-1, but the 9th inning breakdown Thursday night pretty much sealed the deal. And as the Cardinals struggled, so did a restaurant owned by a former Cardinal great.

Ozzie's will be closing its doors for good this Friday. The bar and grill has been open for more than 20 years in Westport Plaza. Apparently, the down economy... along with increased competition at Westport has taken a big bite out of Ozzie's bottom line. Here's what Ozzie had to say: "All good things must come to an end. We, like a lot of businesses, couldn't survive in this economy. We exceeded our expectations of being in business for 21 years... It was a great ride. We didn't stay in business just because of the name. We lasted this long because of our food and our service. It was a great ride."

Talk about a bummer. Ozzie is a great guy. I remember when I put together a piece on video games when I was the morning producer for Today in St. Louis. Art and Jennifer tried their hand at the Xbox 360. The piece was a big hit - and Ozzie Smith came in to do an interview later that day and talked to Art and Jennifer about their video game skills. I remember how cool it was knowing that Ozzie had seen (and enjoyed) something I put together. It's a shame we'll no longer be able to see the place he put together all those years back.

Oct. 9: The power of the masks

Meaghan Anselm — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:43:22 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metormix

When the Redbirds won the World Series back in 2006, KSDK.com set up a section on its website where you could print off masks of Cardinal’s players faces. This year, they have done it again. There I sat [pictured] at the Cardinal’s 2006 World Series Parade with my most hated player in baseball, Jimmy Edmonds, plastered to my face. The fam thought it would be funny to only print me off Edmonds to wear around for the day.

Oh how I hope to one day wear my newly printed masks to the 2009 World Series Parade down the streets of St. Louis this year. After those two loses I don’t know what to expect out of our Redbirds. But there I will be hanging out at Metromix’s Redbird Rallies cheering on the Cards to a victory. I will inform you that I don’t have a most hated player this year. No one has peeved me enough to get on that list… yet.

If you are going to the game or what to see all of the action happening in downtown St. Louis this weekend check out these events. Or visit metromix.com/weekend for all of your weekend events.

Here are some fun events if you are looking to avoid downtown St. Louis.

If you can think of any other good things happening this weekend leave a comment at the bottom with all of the information so people know what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Oct. 8: Scramblin' on a Segway

Ali Siegel — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:07:18 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to participate in the Saint Louis Science Center's Segway Scramble, as part of SciFest '09. Having not spent much time on a Segway, I was interested to see what all of the fuss was about. In all honesty, I was of the opinion that the Segway was the ultimate lazy transportation (the only thing worse? Bike rickshaws on Washington Ave.). Seriously, how lazy do you have to be to motor around on a scooter that tops out at 5 miles per hour? Well, the jury is still out on the laziness factor, but I can tell you one thing, the Segway is a lot of fun.

Several media outlets (Metromix included) came out to try their hands and Segway skills in the Segway obstacle course. We donned our helmets (check me out with my snazzy Metromix flair), started our engines (or batteries... or whatever) and we were off. There were curves to navigate, a flat slalom to thwart, a tunnel of noodles (you know, those floaty pool things) to race through... not to mention the portions of the course that required you to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", take your helmet off your head (and quickly put it back on) and run around your Segway three times. After a few practice rounds, we had the course down pat. We competed with a partner (in my case, Metromix's Associate Producer, Meaghan) and our race times were combined for our final total. In the first round (of two), we went at the course voraciously and came in sixth place (note: there were a total of six teams competing, but who's counting?). Unfortunately, our scores didn't quality us for the final round, so we cheered on our friends at KSDK, who emerged in second place overall (losing by five seconds to 101 ESPN Radio).

So, we didn't get the Segway tour gift certificate, but we did walk away with a SciFest 2009 t-shirt. You know you're jealous.

Even though the Scramble is over, Scifest is still in full swing. Sessions continue all weekend (through Sunday) and feature a range of topics. In case you want to come out and be all sciency this weekend (and I would highly recommend it), here are my picks:

Crime Scene Chromatography (Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.): If you have the option of playing hooky from work, join forensic scientists to see how chromatography is used in crime investigations (just like CSI!).

Rock Guitar in 11 Dimensions (Saturday, noon - 1:00 p.m.): If you are Guitar Hero god, or just enjoy playing 'Stairway to Heaven', this seminar is for you. Check out the physics of rock using riffs from Vivaldi to Queen.

The Science of Baseball (Saturday, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.): Before you go and root your Cards on at our Redbird Rally, join Rene Knott to explore the science behind choosing the best bat, catching a fly ball, striking out a left-handed player and much more.

Flirting, The Scientific Way (Saturday, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.): If you're 'How you doin'' line isn't working as well as it once was, come and get a lesson in 'courtship signaling' and see how to find that perfect mate.

The Science of Ted Drewes (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.): Come enjoy the tastiest session of SciFest and see the science of Ted Drewes custard. Bonus: you get to sample a flavor created especially for Scifest!

What sessions are you interested in attending? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Oct. 6: Get ready to dance at Powell Hall

Adam Claypool — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:19:37 GMT

By Adam Claypool
Metromix

Last month, I headed to Powell Hall to see the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra perform 'Blue Planet Live'. Wow, what a show! So what's this month's must-see show? Well, hands down, it's Yo Yo Ma. He's headlining a show at the end of the month. Ma is the most gifted and recognized strings musician in the world, and I fully expect it to be an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. As such, tickets are already sold out for this one night only performance. If you want to go to one symphony performance, other than Yo Yo Ma this month, you might want to head to Powell this weekend for 'Swing, Swing, Swing'.

You'll hear big band favorites, from composers like Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and Glenn Miller. Now, if those tunes sound a little old, don't fret, because there will be dancing in the aisles! A dance troup from California will be performing swing dances throughout the concert. It should be a lot of fun.

The conductor for the night is Victor Vanacore. Vanacore—the cousin of Bruce Springsteen—was the musical arranger for the Jackson Five back in the day. He also worked extensively with Ray Charles, Barry Manilow and plenty more.

If you're looking for an upbeat, fun show... this is a good bet. I know I'm looking forward to it.

Oct. 2: 5 ways to avoid being embarrassed in a haunted house

Meaghan Anselm — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:15:48 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

I took a tour inside The Darkness in Soulard and during my journey through the mist and haze I realized this is a lot scarier than I expected. Even though it was daylight it was still eerie. As I slowly crept around through the doorways and dodged falling heads, I was making a check list of all the things people shouldn’t do while walking through haunted houses. Now this list is for people that don’t find being scared, very fun. If I scare easily why did I even go into a haunted house, you ask? Well, I am adventurous and I took it on as a challenge. Plus my friends where going so I said “What the heck.” Here is my list of the top five things you should do to avoid being embarrassed inside a haunted house.

1. Don’t wear flip flops. I recommend wearing shoes because The Darkness has moving floors and bridges and things draped across the floor that you could easily trip on. Falling on your face in a haunted house will only leave you susceptible to creatures catching up with you.

2. Don’t be the leader of the pack. If you are the leader of your group then you don’t really know what is happening behind you or what is about to happen in front of you. For instance, your so-called-friends can taunt and terrorize you even more when they are walking behind you and you are the guinea pig of the group. You are forced to be the test dummy for the next haunted room. This usually leads to you getting spooked and your friends laughing at you.

3. Don’t be the end of the pack. Similar to what happened on my haunt, my friends who where walking in front of me, would tell all of the characters in the house my name so not only were the actors screaming bloody murder but I could hear my name being screeched and echoing throughout the vacant building. Yikes!

4. Don’t chew gum. Chewing gum or sucking on a sucker could lead to bad news. You could get so scared that you swallow your gum and choke. Not good.

5. Go to the bathroom before you leave your house. You will have to stand in a pretty long line outside just to get in. It takes about a half hour to walk through it the entire house. Plus, you wouldn’t want to get so scared you have accident.

So the moral of this blog is… when going to a haunted house you should wear tennis shoes, stand in the middle of the pack, spit out anything in your mouth that you may choke on and relieve yourself before you go. Clean up in aisle TerrorVision is never a good thing.

What is your most embarrassing haunted house story? Leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

Sept. 30: Some of my best 'Friends' moving to the big screen?

Ali Siegel — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:44:52 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

This week, word surfaced that 'Friends' would be making its way to the big screen in 2011. While I cannot personally confirm this info, uber-fans such as myself are chomping at the bit, hoping that our favorite TV crew from the '90s (and early '00s) will be coming soon to a theater near you.

According to the article, which can be found here, Warner Brothers studio bosses have drafted the show's creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman to write and produce this film, and all of the original cast members have an interest in reprising their original rolls.

If all goes as (supposedly) planned, we may get to see a "where are they now?" for our favorite six-pack. However, here is where I would like to see everyone...

Monica & Chandler--Still living in the burbs with their now-five-year-old twins. Monica is a stay-at-home mom and Chandler has found success as an advertising copywriter (don't worry... in my fantasy, the recession doesn't affect the Bings). And (surprise!), it turns out M&C aren't infertile, as they have a baby on the way...

Ross & Rachel--After getting together in the final episode, R&R realized that they were in fact not lobsters. Ross finds love on the internet, resulting in marriage number 6 (there may have been a few more divorces along the way) and Rachel launches a successful fashion line that catapults her to fame and fortune.

Phoebe--Mike and Phoebe have moved to a sheep farm outside the city. They make their money supplying wool for Rachel's clothing line and are looking to open a piano bar in the city (again, this is my fantasy).

Joey--Living in the "Joey room" above Monica and Chandler's basement, Joey has found major success as a movie star. He is currently dating an A-list celebrity who he met when Rachel styled her for an event.

Alright, fine... so maybe I'm way off base, but I would love to know what my best friends are up to! Are you excited to see a 'Friends' movie? Where do you think that the characters are now? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Sept. 29: This week in music: Exclusive Q&A's every day

Meaghan Anselm — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:29:00 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

September was a pretty dead month when it came to music and national acts touring our area. October, on the other hand, looks jam-packed with bands touring St. Louis. Metromix gets exclusives with bands, artists and musicians all the time... and we use them on the music page when an act decides not to pass up St. Louis on his/her tour. Lucky for us, this is a pretty stellar week in music and Metromix has a Q&A with a band every day. Check out what artists say about music, being on the road touring and the rest of the music scene and industry.

Tuesday Sept. 29: Blink 182/Green Day Smackdown
Blink goes head to head against Green Day in a smackdown for the ages. Blink 182 is playing their rescheduled show at Verizon Wireless tonight. They rescheduled so they could mourn the loss of their friend DJ AM. A new lineup was listed today for the Blink show tonight. New openers include Fall Out Boy and The Academy is...

Wednesday Sept. 30: Kings of Leon on fire
Kings are back for a second time touring on their album Only By the Night and by the look of their set lists from other towns it will be really similar to their Pageant show last November.

Thursday Oct. 1: Hanson: grown up and gone indie
If you are a true fanson (Hanson fan) you will read the article about how the boys have grown into solid musicians and adults.
Thursday Oct. 1: Joe Pug, unplugged
Joe Pug is playing The Billiken Club on SLU’s campus and it is a free show.

Friday Oct, 2: Michael Franti's reggae revolution
Michael Franti and Spearhead play The Pageant to promote his new album "All Rebel Rockers".

Sept. 28: Gearing up for the Taste of St. Louis

Adam Claypool — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:16:20 GMT

By Adam Claypool
Metromix

The Taste of St. Louis is only a few days away, and Metromix will be playing a big part in the event. We're the official sponsor of the Artist's Village once again. We're even giving away a great piece of artwork from local artist Myles Keough, one of the biggest up-and-coming artists in the St. Louis area.

New this year, we're working with the Taste on the Iron Chef Competition. There are six competitors for the contest. The top four vote-getters from Metromix's online balloting and ballots at each of the Restaurant Row restaurants will be in the contest. Onesto, winner of last year's Iron Chef contest, gets the fifth spot. The sixth and final spot will be awarded to the winner of the NewsChannel 5 Iron Chef Competition. If you haven't been paying attention, Chef Steve Gontram of Harvest defeated Chef Jim Fiala of Terrace View last Wednesday on Show Me St. Louis, and Chef Brian Hale of Eau Bistro defeated Chef Wes Johnson of Eclipse Friday afternoon. Well, this Thursday night, during the Metromix Taste of St. Louis Spotlight, we'll find out whether Chef Gontram or Chef Hale will be competing for the crown this weekend at the actual competition at the Taste. We'll also have much more info on the Taste, so be sure to tune in Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Sept. 25: Food for thought

Meaghan Anselm — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:18:12 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

This weekend is a great time to get out and enjoy this fall weather and grab some grub along the way. Here are four events that are perfect for the foodie in the group.

Van Goghz Martini Bar just off S. Grand has created a buy one get one fish dinner special. During its happy hour from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. every Friday Van Goghz’s offers a bogo special of its $9.99 beer-battered cod. Plus you can enjoy its happy hour drink specials while you eat. Not to shabby for a Friday night on the town.

The St. Louis Home Fire barbecue bash happening in Wildwood is Saturday and Sunday. Be prepared to watch top cooks go head to head in BBQ competition. The cooks are being judged in eight different categories (chef's choice, pork steak, chicken, dessert, ribs, pork, chili and brisket). Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.

Another delectable treat is the Chili Fest happening this weekend at Westport Plaza. You can sample chili from more than 50 amateur and professional chefs who are competing for Missouri Championship titles. These chefs take their chili seriously and you should too, because it is delicious. To wash it down, this year it is having a beer tasting event as well. The money raised from this Chili Fest goes to help support the National Kidney Foundation.

If you have a hankering’ for some Greek food you are in luck. One of the last Greek festivals of the year is happening this weekend at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in West County. The food is outstanding with classics like gyros, lamb, baklava and other traditional favorites. This is one festival where you can go not just for the food but you can spend a few hours experiencing the culture of Greek heritage through dance, crafts, performances and music.

Sept. 24: My OMNIMAX field trip

Ali Siegel — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:22:49 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

Last week, I had the pleasure of taking in the newest film to hit the OMNIMAX, 'Van Gogh: Brush With Genius' (not to mention some tasty cocktails and gooey butter cake!). Admittedly, I hadn't been to the OMNIMAX in years (seriously, I think that the last time involved a school bus and a permission slip), and an invite to the opening of this film sounded like a great opportunity to revisit the theater.

Even when I do visit the Saint Louis Science Center (either for an event or a lazy Saturday afternoon), the OMNIMAX isn't usually one of my stops. Though the visuals in the films are magnificent, there isn't an ounce of nature girl in me (in case you hadn't guessed that already), and I have a hard time throwing down $8/person for 45 minutes of outdoor scenery (I don't care how beautiful/breathtaking/majestic it is!) when I could spend the same amount to get 2+ hours of chick-flick goodness at my nearest multi-plex.

However, the Van Gogh film caught my eye for two reasons:

1. I thought that the all-encompassing OMNIMAX would be a great way to experience artwork.
2. While I don't fancy myself as any sort of art critic, I love art history and think that Van Gogh's paintings are beautiful.

So, with that, I spent 45 minutes of my Thursday night enveloped in Van Gogh's world. Told from his perspective, the film examines Van Gogh's life and artwork through his letters and the landscapes that inspired him. Before the film, I knew little more about the artist than the ear cutting incident and some of his more prolific pieces. The film really delved into Van Gogh as an artist and a person and made the ear cutting/insane asylum/suicide a really insignificant piece of his overall story.

My recommendation? Go see it (look... now I'm an art critic and a film critic). Again, like most other OMNIMAX films, 'Van Gogh: Brush With Genius' has some beautiful landscapes and striking visuals. And if you're not a nature enthusiast, this is a great alternative to the usual OMNIMAX fare.

Have you seen the film? What did you think? Leave a comment below!

Sept. 23: A new 'Halo' arrives

Adam Claypool — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:22:15 GMT

By Adam Claypool
Metromix

I love video games. I always have. I probably always will (despite my wife making me feel guilty every time I pick up the controller). One of my favorite games of all time was 'Halo: Combat Evolved" for the original XBox. It had a great storyline, plenty of action, awesome multiplayer, great controls, etc. It was a game that really defined the next generation systems of the early 2000s. I can remember having more than a dozen fraternity brothers over in my apartment to play the game. We'd split into two teams and play capture the flag, and it was awesome (and a bit nerdy, I know). Well, more than six years later, the fifth 'Halo' game is out. 'Halo 3: ODST' is a prequel to the hugely popular 'Halo 3'. But unlike every other 'Halo' game, you do not play as Master Chief this time around. The buzz here on Metromix and several other outlets is this game is awesome. I, for one, am really looking forward to playing it.

The latest game I bought was 'Madden NFL 10'. That's been fun so far. I've started an online franchise with a college buddy, and we're about four games into the season already. If we keep playing, we can continue the franchise for ten seasons.

Here are a few of the other games I'm looking forward to this year:

Forza Motorsport 3
Release Date: October 27

Not since the original Gran Turismo on the original Playstation have I gotten so into a racing game. I loved the first two games in this series, and number three has bumped up the graphics. And there are more than 400 cars. Wow!

Alpha Protocol
Release Date: October 27

My favorite video game genre is probably the RPG. Alpha Protocol turns the genre on its head, skipping the knights and orcs for the modern day spy. You'll be able to buddy up with certain factions, each which will allow you access to special weapons, skills, etc. It sounds interesting.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Release Date: November 10

The original Call of Duty games focused on WWII. But the series really got a bump when it switched to modern day soldiers and weaponry. The multiplayer here in the new game should get a significant boost. I can't wait.

What games are you looking forward to this fall? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Sep. 22: Seven cool merch ideas from our favorite bands

Meaghan Anselm — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:30:18 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

Bands are getting into the groove of fall tours, and lucky for us, they are stopping in St. Louis. I was brushing up on some online shopping at my favorite bands' online merch stores when I stumbled across some very cool and interesting merch pieces. Who knew that I could look so fashionable at their show sporting some great gear? On the other end, I don't want to appear ridiculous and creepy by bringing the Ben Folds' bobblehead [pictured] I ordered to his show. See what other cool finds I discovered at various merch stores of the bands that just so happen to be touring through St. Louis within the next month or so.

1. Fall Out Boy is opening for Blink-182 on their re-scheduled date at Verizon Wireless on Sep. 29. You can purchase Pete Wentz and the rest of the Fall Out Boy crew in talking plush doll form for $29 per doll. You could cuddle up next to the band at night or use them as voodoo dolls if you really can’t stand their music and want them to go away.

2. Ben Folds is gracing us with his amazing piano playing and jokey songs at The Pageant on Sep. 28. If you can’t wait to see him, you could order his look-a-like in bobblehead form from his online merch store for 25 bucks. Does anyone else think he looks like Dwight Schrute from The Office?

Check out a photogallery of Ben Folds' last time in St. Louis

3. Ludo is coming to town on Oct. 22, and their merch is pretty standard except for one item. You could literally sleep on top of one of the band members with a Ludo pillow case. The first time I saw this was at a Ludo show back in high school/early college. They had printed their faces on neon colored pillow cases. I still to this day think the idea is ingenious. Do I want to lie next to them in bed? Not exactly.

4. The Used is playing Oct. 18 at The Pageant and I found two very useful items on The Used merch section of their website. One, an ‘I “heart” The Used’ t-shirt for you doggie. Useful, practically and what every dog wants. Two, a lot of bands have cloth tote bags with their logo plastered all over it but The Used went a little kitschier with their canvas bag. They put a bright red squirt gun on the front. It is a necessity for sure.

5. Kings of Leon are notorious for being partiers and drinking until the shelf is dry, so what better to promote their party lifestyle to their fans than have a shot glass and pint glass special on their merch store for purchase? It makes me laugh, and at the same time, I kind of want it. Who wouldn’t want to party like KOL?

Check out photos from KOL's last show in town at The Pageant

6. Get ready for winter weather with Paramore, who is coming to St. Louis on Oct. 7. Bundle up for winter with a RIOT! Edition scarf for $9 and a set of purple and black striped winter gloves for $10 from Paramore’s merch store. Shouldn’t the gloves be half price since the fingers are missing? Oh, but that is so punk!

Check out photos from the last time Paramore was in town

7. Mastodon doesn’t just have tees, hats, belt buckles and sweatshirts in their merch store, but four pairs of VANS skate shoes. You can choose between two pairs of slip-on shoes and two pairs of SK8-Hi (hightop) shoes. For $52 or $65, you can now skate with protecting of Mastodon on your feet.

What is some of the coolest merch you have purchased from your favorite bands? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

September 16: The birthday quandary

Ali Siegel — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:01:15 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

In most aspects of my life I am on the ball. I pay bills on time, I write thank you cards promptly (usually) and never miss work deadlines. However, each year, it seems the one recurring task that I procrastinate with is gift buying. I am a big fan of finding the perfect gift. I am not generally one to send a check or buy a gift certificate when there is the option of picking out something more personal (evidenced in the fact that everyone I know has at one time or another received something monogrammed from me). The latest event to sneak up on me? My boyfriend's birthday. It's today. I have no gift. Whoops. We have been celebrating all week (complete with a weekend float trip and dinner for 14 last night at Happy Joe's), but I never could come up with the perfect gift. We have dinner at 7:00 p.m. tonight and I am still waiting for it to dawn on me.

However, in case the perfect inspiration never hits, check out my list below of some awesome go-to guy gifts, perfect for every man in your life (at least I hope so!).

1. The Beer Belt ($18): Perfect for fall tailgates, yard work or afternoons on the couch, this is billed as "the best idea anyone has ever had." The belt features six plastic cup holders, which are able to accommodate cans or bottles. Happy Birthday, indeed.

2. Exotic Burgers of the Month Club membership ($799.99/12 months): For my grilling guru (and yours, too), this is the perfect gift for testing out culinary prowess on a Weber. During your 12-month membership, you will receive one dozen burger patties each month ranging from ostrich to kangaroo to llama.

3. Bacon soap ($8): What could possibly be manlier than soap that smells (and looks) like bacon? And who doesn't want to smell like smoky, piggy goodness? The answers? Nothing and nobody.

4. Magno Wooden Radio ($250): For audio geeks like my BF, this represents the best of both worlds--form and function. It is hand crafted from wood grown in sustainable forests and is MP3 compatible. And better yet... it is one sweet piece of eye candy.

5. Gin & Titonic ice cube tray ($10): This is the kitchen contraption that you absolutely don't need (but should have anyway). Who doesn't need ice cube trays shaped like ocean liners and icebergs? Float them in your drink of choice, sing a line or two of "My Heart Will Go On" and get the party started.

I would love to hear your gift suggestions! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Sep. 15: People I see at Walmart...

Meaghan Anselm — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:29:35 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

I found a website that is sure to have you saying, “What were they thinking?” I am not a fan of Walmart. In college I lived in small towns where the local grocery store was Walmart. Still I would not go in. Call me snooty or spoiled but I know some of you are calling me smart. A brilliant individual has put together a website of photos that explains perfectly why I don’t frequent Walmart’s. The website is called People of Walmart. The website designer calls the interesting people that visit Walmart, Wal-Creatures. Is this evil? You may think otherwise after seeing the photos on this website. These pictures were sent in from Walmart’s all over the country. Missouri has a few on there and so does Illinois. Page 13 has two prime examples of what you can find lurking in Missouri Walmart’s. It’s all in good nature and I have seen much worse walking out of my local Walmart. (The only reason I know this is because it shares a parking lot with my favorite store, Target.)

Check out People of Walmart for yourself and tell me what you think at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

Sept. 14: Blue Planet Live!

Adam Claypool — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:49:15 GMT

By Adam Claypool
Metromix

I grew up with music. I started playing the trumpet in kindergarten, and continued playing the trumpet and eventually the tuba all the way through college. I was in the music fraternity in college. I'm exactly the kind of person that would typically go to the symphony. But, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is kicking off a new series that's aimed at getting those who don't typically go to the symphony out to Powell Hall.

The SLSO Presents series kicks off in a big way this weekend with Blue Planet Live. The orchestra will be playing the original score from Blue Planet Live, the award-winning documentary series shown on BBC and the Discovery Channel. But that's not all. In addition to the musicians, there will be a huge screen directly above the orchestra that will be showing images from the documentary series. It's going to be quite a show for your senses. You'll see dolphins diving, sharks hunting and whales migrating, to name just a few. It should be really cool. I'm planning on going Sunday to experience the show.

Pretty cool, huh? Well, that's not all. Metromix is teaming up with the SLSO before Sunday's show for the Metromix Blue Carpet pre-party. Head over to Powell Hall an hour before the performance, and we'll treat you to complimentary appetizers from Triumph Grill, complimentary wine tasting of wines from Chandler Hill, Villa Antonio and Vineyard Wine & Spirits. We'll even have live painting by artists from ArtDimensions. Oh, and we'll give you a bottle of wine to take home with you. So, how much do tickets cost for this swanky pre-party? Absoultely nothing! All you have to do is buy your tickets through this special URL, www.slso.org/metromix and you're in!

September 11: 'Up in the Air' coming to a theater near you

Ali Siegel — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:02:01 GMT

By Ali Siegel
Metromix

For a few weeks this spring, there was something going around St. Louis (no, it wasn't the Swine Flu) that I would call Clooney Mania. While George Clooney and company took over portions of St. Louis (namely downtown and Maplewood) to film 'Up in the Air,' thousands of St. Louisans followed his every move hoping to catch a glimpse or get a pic of their favorite movie star. It seems as though most of the city was infected with Clooney Mania. Photos started popping up of Clooney frequenting area bars and restaurants, a Twitter profile dedicated to tracking his every move was launched, and yes, even Metromix got in on the action. And then, just as suddenly as they came, they got the heck out of town.

All was quiet on the movie front, until this morning when the first teaser trailer for 'Up in the Air' made it's debut online. You can check it out here. Can you spot any St. Louis landmarks?

Also, from what I hear, the film got great reviews coming out of the Telluride Film Festival and will screen again at this weekend's Toronto Film Festival (BTW, if you want to stay up on the action in Toronto, follow our movie page all weekend). Hopefully the film will do St. Louis proud (or at least do a better job than 1990's 'White Palace.' Yowza.). Also, with the reviews and trailer came the announcement of a release date for the film. It is scheduled for limited release on November 13 and expanded release on November 25. So this year for Thanksgiving, you can have a side of Clooney with your turkey.

Are you excited to see the movie? What do you think of the trailer? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Sep. 10: And your next American Idol judge is...

Meaghan Anselm — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:07:28 GMT

By Meaghan Anselm
Metromix

She has been in the music biz for decades, she has written number one hit songs, she is a choreographer, a music producer and a hit-maker and she was just named American Idol’s newest judge. She’s Ellen DeGeneres. WHAT??!!?? One would think they would pick a judge for American Idol that would have some experience in music, but Ellen DeGeneres is not that person. Yes, she got the new gig, but besides dancing around her coffee table on her Emmy award-winning daytime talk show, she has never been involved in music professionally. So how did she get the gig?

While enjoying a bowl of Raisin Bran® this morning on my lumpy couch, I plopped down to watch The Today Show and Meredith Vera was interviewing two columnists/editors/chiefs of staff from various entertainment sources (obviously I wasn't paying close attention) and they were talking about why they think Ellen will be a good Paula Abdul replacement. They claim it is because she is nice and will play friend to the contestants. The woman piped in and said she [Ellen] is “America’s 51-year-old lesbian sweetheart.” Really? That’s great but the real reason she is on the show is to try and build their already massive fan base. I am not an Idol fan because I don’t get upset when I miss a show or when TiVo forgets to record it. I am, however, a fan of Ellen and this might entice me to stay tuned to the show week to week or day to day since it is on, what, 3 nights a week now? Ellen is funny. The show is not. And it’s about time they got someone in there who can hold their own against Simon because Seacrest is just too darn pretty.