Summer may be winding down, but we haven't run out of recommendations yet. This week's slate includes TV on the go (pictured), a couple of catchy summer songs, some tasty seasonal beer, a coffee table book full of pictures from Woodstock (and the '60s) and a three-in-one men's grooming product. As always, you can use the Talkback feature or send an e-mail to make your own recommendation.
These are a few of our favorite things this week:
V CAST Mobile TV -- Some folks I know in the television industry tell me that the future of the medium will play out on handheld devices. Well, I got a sneak peak for the past month. Verizon Wireless allowed me to borrow a Voyager (smart phone) that was equipped with V Cast Mobile TV. I was able to watch an array of shows from CBS, CNBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, Fox Mobile, MSNBC, MTV, NBC and Nickelodeon. I had tried the service during a spring training trip a few years back, but now it's available in the Milwaukee area. Monthly access costs between $13 and $25 per month, but there are always deals and bundles to explore. Once you watch "TV on the go," it's easy to get hooked. It's a great way to kill time when you're waiting for a dental appointment. The kids' programming is a great way to keep little ones occupied during long car rides. --Drew Olson
"Say Hey (I Love You)" by Michael Franti & Spearhead (featuring Cherine Anderson) -- This catchy, 4-minute tune is the feel-good, sing-along hit of late summer. It started to bubble up months ago, but lately it's all over the place. Listen once and you're hooked. It's simple, fun and its back beat clangs away in your mind for weeks. --Jeff Sherman
New seasonal beer from Magic Hat Brewing Company -- This recommendation is rather bittersweet. It's bitter because new seasonal beers can only mean one thing: fall is approaching and it's always hard to watch another Milwaukee summer disappear. But it's also sweet in that, thankfully, the new beer's not bad. First, we have Roxy Rolles, "an amber ode to the open road." This one's got a sweet malt aroma with deep notes of passion fruit from Simcoe hops. The second one is the brand new Fall Odd Notion, a limited edition Belgian chocolate stout. Both beers are a part of the seasonally appropriate Night of The Living Dead Variety 12-Pack that is creeping its way onto the shelves of your favorite liquor store. (The other two varieties included in the 12-pack are #9, a not-quite-pale-ale, and Circus Boy, a light bodied hefeweizen.) Cheers! --Julie Lawrence
Active 3 from Nivea for Men -- We're all about multitasking. This product -- a combination body wash, shampoo and shaving lotion -- is a pretty good step. The lather is rich and creamy; the scent is fresh and clean. This is probably made for guys who want to shave their heads and/or body hair. Since I don't fall into either camp, it's not likely to replace my usual battery of personal care products. But, I'm happy to toss it into the workout bag for a trip to the gym. It retails for $5.99 for 16.9 ounces or $4.49 for 8.4 ounces. --D.O.
"Woodstock Vision: The Spirit of a Generation" -- This coffee table book of photos by Elliott Landy, reissued by Milwaukee's Hal Leonard to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, features excellent photos of the festival, but also of Bob Dylan, The Band, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and other icons of the era along with period pictures from abortion protests and the growing anti-war movement. The cover trumpets an introduction by Jerry Garcia, but the intro is actually a couple paragraphs about Woodstock in the middle of the book. Richie Havens also provides commentary, but it's Landy's pictures that tell the story here. He was the photographer of record at Woodstock, with incredible access to performers and a true feel for the era. There are countless items cashing in on Woodstock nostalgia these days, but this is worth a look. --D.O.
"I Called Out Your Name" -- This is a fun track from a fun CD called "Now We Can See," by the Thermals, a fun pop-punk outfit from Portland. It's not going to change the world. It's probably not going to get heavy rotation on my iPod. But, there is nothing wrong with a slice of garage-rockin', Smithereens-style swagger when you're cruising down Lincoln Memorial Drive on a sunny afternoon. --D.O.
Corned Beef on Rye at the Deli in the Mobil Station on 1st and Florida -- I could eat corned beef seven days a week. Over the years, I have sampled great sammiches in different areas of the city so a reuben is never far away when the urge hits. Jake's, McBob's and Taylor and Dunn's are already on the books. Add the corned beef at the deli in the Mobil Station at 1st and Florida. A gas station sammich? Yep. Chunky corned beef (not sliced), and smooth Swiss cheese. Keep the sauerkraut. I order the side of creamy cole slaw and slam that on the top for a sweet taste. Closest thing to Pittsburgh's legendary Primanti Brothers that you will find. --Kevin Brandt
Upgrading your router -- I've been getting kicked offline at home lately and rather than swearing or blaming the neighbors (my usual pursuits), I figure it's time to upgrade the router. Interference from cordless phones and iPhones can't help the cause, so I'm in the market for a new one. This New York Times article has some good ideas. --D.O.
