Big Show Highlights for Monday, February 15th.

Found this article from Fox News. From the beginning of time we have known that it is not good for man to be alone. The most basic of all human needs is the need to love and be loved. Yet, our mobile lifestyles create shallow roots resulting in 70% of Americans claiming to have many acquaintances but few close friends. The following are 10 thoughts on why we need meaningful relationships:

1. Mother Teresa: “Loneliness is the leprosy of modern society.”
2. 4 out of 10 admit to frequent feelings of loneliness. (Gallup)
3. The absence of relationships results in absence of affirmation, shared experience and disclosure.
4. A life unshared is only half lived.
5. Nothing so shapes us as the relationships we have in life.
6. The average American moves 11.7 times in a lifetime. (U.S. Census Bureau)
7. Ecclesssiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one.”
8. Self-absorption leaves little room for quality relationships.
9. The intimate family relationships that nurtured us in our early years are rarely replaced once the family unit disperses.
10. Social networks alone will not create the trust and shared experiences of face-to-face friendships.

Never has there been so great a need for meaningful relationships. In a fast-paced, high-tech, highly mobile society we must be intentional in cultivating connectedness and community. The joy of living well is found in stepping beyond our independence and isolation towards a quality of life only to be found with others.

Big Show Highlights Wednesday, February 10th

I am so bummed out today...Captain Phil Harris from the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" reality show has died. Harris' death was announced on the network's website late Tuesday night. He suffered a stroke on January 30th while his crab ship, the Cornelia Marie, was in dock. Harris was found unconscious in the ship's stateroom and was airlifted to an Anchorage, Alaska hospital for 12 hours of surgery. Even though Harris was placed in a medically-induced coma after surgery, he was showing signs of improvement last week. His two sons worked on the ship with him. "Deadliest Catch" features several fishing boats and their colorful crewmembers as they fish for crab in the waters off Alaska. Captain Phil was 53.


Okay..this is just ridiculous! The all new Hoodie Footie Snuggle Suit. It's a voltron of my most comfortable items: my favorite slippers, warmest hoodie and coziest blanket into one giant cushy blanket suit. And it's got thumb holes! Here's the ad:



And it's 100 BUCKS! Yikes!! Aside from the price, I actually think I would get it. Footie pajamas for adults PLUS a hood? Seriously, that's all I need.

2nd Chance Prom

I never got to go to Prom with my wife. We went to different high schools, and didn't start dating till a few years after we graduated. The last few weeks, JQ99 has been planning a 2nd Chance Prom...designed for people like me! Now, I have a chance to take my wife to Prom! Cool! We get to dress up, ride in a limo, go have a nice meal and go have fun dancing with friends. We have booked Curt Dykema's band and he'll play fun danceable clean music. We are still working on the venue, but hope to announce the event on the air in a few days. Would you be interested in attending an event like this with your husband or wife?

Big Show Highlights Tuesday, February 9th.

Still searching for that perfect Valentine's Day gift? 75-percent of women would like a special dinner with their loved one rather than the traditional flowers or candy. In addition, 55-percent would enjoy the gift of a spa treatment. More than two thirds say they'd prefer something they would use on a regular basis -- like a vacuum cleaner. Yes, nothing says "Love" like an appliance. My wife would always tell me to never give her a gift for Valentines or Anniversary that comes with an electrical cord.



The West Michigan Whitecaps announced Tuesday morning its Top food item ideas for the upcoming season.
What would you most likely eat if it were on the Whitecaps menu?

Chili Mac Tacos -- Creamy mac and cheese smothered in chili, then loaded into a hard taco shell for grins.

Declaration of Indigestion -- This half-pound, footlong hot dog is covered in a Philly cheese steak (steak, cheese, peppers and onions) and served on a gigantic sub roll. I want want one NOW!

Idaho Christmas Tree -- The kids will love this: This is a batter-dipped hot dog rolled in French fries and deep fried to create the perfect limbed link on stick.

The Pink Panther -- Take a hot dog bun, slather it in icing and fill it with pink cotton candy, then possibly drizzle some root beer syrup over the top for good measure. It’s the ultimate dessert dog.

Twinkie Cheese Dog -- In the "Are you serious" category: This is a hot dog laid in a Twinkie, covered in cheese.




The cash-for-clunkers incentives moved a lot of cars off dealership lots last summer. Now appliance dealers hope to boost sales with a new twist on the incentive.

Starting Wednesday, Michigan shoppers are in line for $25 to $100 in rebates when they replace their old appliances with energy-efficient models -- but only for a limited time.

Michigan has $6.6 million in federal funds to finance the rebates for dishwashers, clothes washers and refrigerators and another $2.2 million for propane and solar water heaters and propane and oil furnaces.

The rebates, meant to stimulate the economy and lower fuel use, will only continue until money runs out. No one is sure how long that will be.

Consumers should register online at mirebates.com or michrebate.com or by phone, either before or after their purchase.

After filling out the rebate form, they should mail that with the receipt to the state, which will mail back a prepaid VISA card.

FACT SHEET

How big is the rebate?
• $25 for dishwashers with an Energy Star rating
• $50 for dishwasher with a Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier 2 rating
• $50 for clothes washers with a CEE Tier 3 rating
• $50 for Energy Star refrigerators
• $100 for CEE Tier 3 refrigerators
• $35 for some water heaters

Big Show Highlights Monday, February 8th

Wow this study was eye opening for me....love to hear what you think about it. Group Publishing commissioned a survey that showed that less than 18 percent of Americans say the church is the friendliest place in town. The church ranked second behind "my home," which 35 percent of Americans listed and low number indicates that what is generally considered to be one of the safest havens in the world isn't seen as that friendly by most Americans. Even among self-declared Christians, less than a quarter named the church as the friendliest place, only seven percent of non-Christians agreed. Chris Howley is director of research at Group Publishing and said, quote, "What the survey revealed for us is that people are really starved for relationship when it comes to what they're looking for in the church."

We need more people like this! Check this story out..A police officer in Montana went out of his way to help a family in need last weekend. Officer Marek Ziegler purchased food for a man and his family just minutes after arresting him for shoplifting. Ziegler was called to a local supermarket last Friday after receiving a report of shoplifting. The 33-year-old encountered a man who had stuffed food, pens, and markers into his coat to give to his kids. The man told Ziegler he was forced to steal for his family after falling on hard times financially. Ziegler had to charge the man for the crime, but he decided to swing through a nearby Wal-Mart and purchase some groceries for the man's family. Ziegler remarks, quote, "Obviously, as a police officer, I have a job to do, but we're still human too."

Alton Brown is my favorite Food Network personality. He just published an article and he names 5 cookbooks that EVERYBODY should have at home. Here is the list and a brief description of each book.

1. The Joy of Cooking By Irma S. Rombauer
1936

Every recipe is written in the book's unmistakable style, with ingredients and amounts seamlessly integrated into the instructions. For me this is still the quintessential American cookbook.

2. The Frugal Gourmet By Jeff Smith


Jeff Smith was the Julia Child of my generation. When his television show, "The Frugal Gourmet," made its debut on PBS in the 1980s, it conveyed such genuine enthusiasm for cooking that I was moved for the first time to slap down cold cash for a collection of recipes.

3. Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking By Marcella Hazan


At last I had found a way to recapture the flavors of Italy that I had known. But I had also found an appealing cooking companion. Hazan's tone and manner put her right there with me in the kitchen. She didn't beat me to death with hard-to-find ingredients, she wasn't snobby or fussy—she was just a nice Italian mama showing me the ropes.

4. Outlaw Cook By John Thorne


This is the only cookbook I've ever read that understands how men really eat: over the sink, in the dark, greasy to the elbows. It has chapters on "Meatball Metaphysics" and "Perfect Pecan Pie"

5. Ratio By Michael Ruhlman

"Proportions form the backbone of the craft of cooking," Michael Ruhlman says. "When you know a culinary ratio, it's not like knowing a single recipe, it's instantly knowing a thousand. Here is the ratio for bread: 5 parts flour : 3 parts water." In "Ratio," Ruhlman emphasizes "the simple codes behind the craft of everyday cooking,"

Big Show Highlights Friday, February 5th

Okay, here is my Big Daddy Steak Bomb recipe for Superbowl Sunday! This is really really good and easy to make.

Ingredients: 1 Chuck Roast ( I usually go with about 2 1/2 - 3 lbs.)
A small hand full of Kosher salt
1-2 packages of pepperoni
Put the Roast in the Crock Pot, add salt and pepperoni. Set on low heat for 7-8 hours. Shred, place roast and peps on hoagie bun with provolone. Enjoy the awesomeness of the steak bomb.



A town is being held captive by a local bully. A pheasant is terrorizing the residents! Several people have complained about being attacked by the winged-assailant. Local retiree Robin Leonard said "The postman is scared to come into the area now in case the pheasant attacks him." While the incident may appear "humorous," there is, quote, "a serious concern that this pheasant could injure young children if it goes for their face." Councilman are currently in the process of seeking advice on how to handle the matter.



Check out the NEW Ketchup Packet picture above! The ketchup packet has been around for more than 40 years, and complaints about it for nearly as long: too messy, too small, too hard to open. Now ketchup giant H.J. Heinz Co. is unveiling the first major packaging change to the to-go condiment.
The new design has a base that’s more like a cup for dipping and also a tear-off end for squeezing, plus it holds 3 times as much ketchup than a traditional packet.

February 2nd Big Show Highlights

Better think twice before pouncing on that drastically discounted designer perfume you find. Harper's Bazaar magazine investigated fake fragrances—sold both online and offline—and found sickening substances like antifreeze, bacteria, and urine (yep, urine), the latter of which is used by counterfeiters for its color and pH balance stabilizing properties.

Unfortunately, counterfeit perfumes are not just found on the web—they are sold on the street, in kiosks, and sometime at the mall. What’s worse—according to the report, the money spent on these fraudulent fragrances funds terrorism, drug cartels, and child labor.

How do you know if something smells fishy about a fragrance? Loose cellophane wrapping, flimsy packaging, or a burning sensation when it hits your skin are telltale signs.



I'm so tired of driving to Detroit if I ever have to fly anywhere, but it looks like things may be getting cheaper at GR Ford Airport. Air service at Gerald R. Ford International Airport received another boost today with the announcement that low-cost carrier Allegiant Airlines will make Grand Rapids an overnight base for operations, bringing 60 new jobs to the area and adding nonstop service to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Allegiant currently flies from Grand Rapids to Las Vegas. Nev.; Mesa, Ariz., near Phoenix; Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg, Fla.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Orlando, Fla.

On April 30, the carrier will add twice-a-week flights to Myrtle Beach at an introductory rate of $58.88 one way. Dude!! I am totally flying to Myrtle Beach!



My favorite captain on Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" is in the hospital following a serious health scare. Phil Harris is in an Alaskan hospital after suffering a stroke. The incident occurred last Friday while Harris was offloading his rig, the "Cornelia Marie." A statement on the Discovery Channel's website reads, quote, "Captain Phil is resting comfortably and is in the care of excellent doctors and nurses." His health was a focal point of the show in 2008 when a blood clot passed through his lungs. Doctors said Harris was fortunate that the pulmonary embolism didn't kill him.

Phil Harris' sons, Josh and Jake, are both at their father's side in the hospital, and, quote, "thank everyone for their heartfelt thoughts and prayers."