The Philcast Blog

Gabby picks Super Bowl winner

2012-01-30T07:31:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl week has arrived, and try as I might I just am not as into it this year as I usually am. I guess the giant (pardon the pun) letdown of the Packers not being there just hurts too much yet.

So in an effort to make things a little more interesting I did my own little 'pick the winner' contest today using my dog Gabby.

As you'll see from the video, this was all very high-tech and scientific.

Who would the Gabster say wins this Sunday? Will it be Eli and the Giants or Brady and the Pats?

I'll be talking about this and other Super Bowl stories on the PhilCast today, but since you are loyal enough to be reading this, YOU get the scoop first. Just CLICK HERE to watch the video for yourself right now and see which team Gabby says will win the Super Bowl on Sunday!

Get some cool PC winter gear for a good cause

2012-01-25T11:49:00.000-08:00

Help fund the Lawrence Academy of Music program and get yourself some cool PhilCast gear in the process.

As part of its annual fund raising, the academy has a silent auction going and we've donated this PhilCast package...

CLICK HERE to place an on-line bid now!

CLICK HERE for info on the event.

Lets get some good cash for this PhilCast prize package for them!

TV game changer

2012-01-25T06:37:00.000-08:00

On the Wednesday PhilCast I've got a story about how as of today you can earn points by simply watching TV. I think this is a game changer and is gonna be huge.

Also new, McBites from McDonald's.

But what's the diff between McBites and McNuggets? Well, there IS a difference they say. We will discuss.

It's "Weigh-In Wednesday" on the PhilCast too, and I've got my report for week three. How did you do? Let me know. We've gotta get through this weight loss thing together.

Speaking of that, you might want to exercise while you are in really cold conditions. It's got something to do with 'brown fat', which sounds gross, but it is actually a good thing. The story today in the 3:00 hour of the show.

Later.

You a movie buff?

2012-01-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

The Oscar nominations came out on Tuesday.
Are you a movie buff?
Think you know who will win this year?

I've only seen one of the what seems like the 50 movies nominated this year, and that would be Woody's "Midnight In Paris" which I liked very much.

Will it win best picture?
I think there is a better chance of the Packers winning the Super Bowl this year than "Midnight" winning for best picture.

It seems like the hot choice right now is "The Artist", but I prefer to have sound in my movies. After all, I'm an audio guy.

If you fashion yourself a movie person and would like to make your picks on the show today give me a call when the subject comes up. I'd like to pick one listener to go up against in selecting the big five categories:

Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress

We'll see who comes out on top. This way it makes watching the actual Oscars program more interesting to me. And of course if you beat me out we'll come up with some PhilCast gear for you as a prize.

How's that?
You know my numbers, right?
281-1150
or toll free
1-866-887-1150

Later.

Pie Day

2012-01-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

Monday is not only Chinese New Year (year of the dragon) but for us it's National Pie Day! Wheee....

I love pie.
I'll talk pie on the PhilCast on Monday.

Also, it may be the year of the dragon but this guy is trying to make it the year of the buck, and I'll be having some fun with him and his video on the show today.

A lawmaker has made a call to legislate the singing of our National Anthem. Was Steven Tyler that bad in New England at the game yesterday?

A PFL champion will be crowned Monday too.

Do anything fun/interesting over the weekend? We'll try doing a "Howz Yer Weekend?" chat today since the days of Monday Pack Yak are now sadly over and done.

1-866-887-1150

No 'Kodak Moment' today

2012-01-19T06:40:00.000-08:00

One of the stories I'll be talking about on the Thursday PhilCast is the fall of Kodak, which is filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection today.

It's a pretty amazing fall. Who among us doesn't have pictures stuffed into an album somewhere...pictures we took using film from those iconic yellow boxes...a thing of the past pretty much now.

Soon there will be an entire generation that has no idea what I'm talking about here. Film? What's that?

Part of the story today includes how it all started with what was called the popular Brownie camera.

I actually have an old Brownie camera on display in my home office. There it is sitting atop my old floor-standing radio.

I picked it up at an estate sale last summer just because I thought it was cool-looking and a big part of the history of Kodak.

Funny, when you look at that photo you'll also see an old tape recorder of mine that I kept around. Tape? What's that?
Later.

Golden Yakkie

2012-01-18T10:05:00.000-08:00

The second-annual Pack Yak "Golden Yakkie" has been awarded to Donald Driver of the Green Bay Packers.

Some of our listeners wondered what exactly this award looks like. Well, here it is, and it will be headed to Double D soon.

I for one sure hope Donald is still in green and gold next season, but at this time it seems unlikely.

It's sad but true, and how pro sports work now. It's really a business first.

Donald is a first-class guy and as I said on the PhilCast on Tuesday, probably the second-nicest sports figure I have ever met, behind only the great Bart Starr.

Last season Aaron Rodgers won the first-ever Yakkie, and it was delivered in person to A-Rod. But since the team unexpectedly lost and has already cleared out of Green Bay we'll have to mail Donald the coveted award made by SuperFan Judy!

....

Looking forward to my interview with the man from Oshkosh who was on that Italian cruise ship that took a dump thanks to that goofy captain's actions.

Passenger Mike Kajian joins me to recount his story right after the 3:00 news at the start of the show today.

Later.

I've Got Her Number

2012-01-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

I refuse to be totally brought down by the Packers' horrible performance on Sunday. I'll mark my weekend with a victory by Miss Wisconsin, the new Miss America.

But will Laura call us back now that she has obviously gotten the "PhilCast Bump" to victory?

I'll play back the win as it happened in my living room on the show today.

We'll see if she calls us this week.

Congrats to her for sure. You did us proud this weekend, which is much more than I can say for the beloved Green Bay Packers.

Now, I've got a theory about what went wrong in that game and I will share that and plenty of other stuff on Pack Yak today with Rich Ratay, the final Yak of the season.

It wasn't supposed to end this way of course, but that's the thing about the NFL...it takes so darned much luck to actually win it all...which is why you really have to savor it when it happens.

Thanks to Pack Yak sponsor Insta Print Plus in Appleton. We appreciate your support and look forward to doing it again next season.
Meantime, for all your printing needs, please do support them for supporting the PhilCast.
Thanks.

Later.

"The Clock"

2012-01-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Friday the 13th, a day that has always been lucky for me. If you haven't heard me tell the story before I'll be telling it again on the Friday showgrum. This dates back to when I was 16 years old, and that's a hint.

But even today my luck is running high.

There is quite a story behind this old clock of mine...

I'll explain it all on the show and you're welcome to call in and share your similar stories...the topic?

Things you own that have lasted forever.

For me this was/is one of them. What happened? How did it all play out? I'll have the story and we'll chat Friday afternoon on the PhilCast.

Don't forget to go to thephilcast.com and "Like" us at our Facebook page because we could be talking about you this afternoon on the PhilCast Friday Facebook Friend of the Week feature. (and you win something too!)

And the other news today is that Miss Wisconsin finally got back to me from out in Vegas where she hopes to become the next Miss America on Saturday night.

I guess the rather dramatic voice mail I left on her cell phone Thursday got to her.

Turns out she...oh wait...I want you to still actually LISTEN to the show!

Check it out on the Friday the 13th PhilCast show.

Later.

SNOW!

2012-01-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad it's FINALLY snowing around here.
I was really sick and tired of not having to put boots on every time I walk out the door.
I was really sick and tired of not having to strap on three or four layers just to take the dog outside every night.
I was really sick and tired of not worrying about driving conditions at all so far this winter.

I was also really sick and tired of not slip-sliding away down my driveway as I dodge snow ruts and patches of ice.
I was really sick and tired of not shoveling.
I was really sick and tired of missing those gross ice/snow/slush globs hanging from the wheel wells of my car.
I was really getting sick and tired of actually being able to see what color my car is because of a lack of salt dust.

I was sick and tired of not watching a plow driver grin as he fills up the approach to my driveway.
I was sick and tired of not being able to feel the stinging blowing snow affix itself to my face.

Yeah, I was really sick and tired of it not looking like winter around here. I'm so happy it's all back at last.

(Don't miss the start of the PhilCast show today. And if you do, catch the production on the podcast version.)
Later

da "Buzzer"

2012-01-11T05:48:00.000-08:00

Coming up on the "Weigh-In Wednesday" PhilCast today...

Maureen Wallenfang of the Post-Cresent will be in the studio to talk about what's up in Appleton.

Feel free to join our chat via the Red Ox PhilPhone...

281-1150
or toll-free at
1-866-887-1150

She'll be joining me for a PhilCast "What's the Buzz" segment today right after the 4:30 news.

NYPD (too) Blue?

2012-01-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

Today on the PhilCast one of the stories I'll be covering is about the Supreme Court taking up the case of how the government still regulates 'swear words' and 'naughty stuff' on prime-time, over-the-air TV.

Part of the springboard to all this kicks back to an episode of the old detective show NYPD Blue, one in which a naked butt was full moon on the full screen. Unheard of stuff at the time!

Now I recall that the cutting-edge show once did show the cranky Det. Sipowitz's butt, BUT it was actually a scene with actress Kim Delaney that is at issue here.

Remember she played Det. Diane Russell on that show?

One word: HOT!

That was a great show. I never missed it. And just working on this story for the PhilCast today brought back all kinds of memories from that show.

I'm not sure there is anything like it on TV now, although I admit I don't watch much any longer.

Gist of what the court has to decide here is whether or not the government should continue to have the right to sensor in prime-time when there is already so much 'naughty' stuff on cable and elsewhere in plain view all the time.

My take....coming up on the show today.

Playoff time baby!

2012-01-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

The opening weekend of the NFL playoffs saw every home team win. Lets hope that holds true this weekend in the divisional round as the Giants return to Lambeau Field on Sunday.

We'll break it all down on Pack Yak today with Rich Ratay, who by now may have changed his legal name to Rich RaTebow.

Who would have thought that among all the wildcard games this past weekend the wildest one would have been Tim Tebow and the Broncos knocking out last year's Super Bowl loser Pittsburgh?

Love him or hate him, the guy draws attention and sure is fun to watch play.

Not only did I edit together a rock-solid football open for the PhilCast on Monday, I also have a little something special in store to play for my Pack Yak co-host today. So don't miss the start of the show after the 3:00 newscast.

Rough start to getting back in shape

2012-01-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a rough first week on the road to getting back into living my usual healthy lifestyle after letting that all go south during the holidays.

If you have been listening to the show you know that I added a new app to my phone in the hopes it will help me called "My Fitness Pal". Now I'm not so sure I'd call this thing my pal, but it sure is interesting to see how quickly the calories add up.

My goal (and you're welcome to join along by emailing me for "Weigh-In Wednesday's on the PhilCast with YOUR weight loss progress) is to lose 10 pounds by early March. To do this I start riding my bike indoors on the trainer and eating smarter than I have been over the holidays.

Goodby Christmas cookies...so long chocolates...farewell wine and champagne.

This past week of drying out has been tough on me because of the nice weather. I hate the snow and cold, so these mild winter days with dry roads are just begging me to ride outside. But not only could I not ride outside, I couldn't even ride inside either. Bad wheel this week. I've been limping around with a bout of gout in my left foot, leaving me with too much swelling and pain to ride anything but the bench.

So I was left to sitting around entering my food intake into my new app. They've got me at under 1,800 calories a day to make my 10-lb. goal. I made it the first few days, but already failed on Friday when the day ended with a late dinner out. Pulled pork and fries ain't exactly diet food, but I was in no mood to eat a salad for dinner out. I'll leave that to the rabbits.
...

In other news...
Again my apologies for the phoned-in show on Friday. Behind the scenes you should have seen the scramble trying to get "HBY South" back up and running as the clock ticked closer and closer to 3:00.

When the gear we would normally use in my studio failed for some reason we went to "Plan B" in the magic rack of electronics. Of course we also then found out that "Plan B" failed as well. "Plan C" was to just phone it in.

We hope to figure out the issue this weekend when crack HBY engineer Evan visits HBY South.

I'll admit it will be sooo nice when we finally have our cape cod sold in Tosa and are all settled in for good in Appleton.

Until then we're trying our best to keep you entertained and informed in our daily three-hour chats known as the PhilCast as we shuttle the broadcasts between locations. Thanks for your patience and support.

Later.

Butt rub

2012-01-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

On the Thursday PhilCast one of the things I talk about is the story of a woman who got in trouble for, well, rubbing her butt up against a fancy painting in a museum, doing thousands of dollars of damage to the work of art.

Work of art?

My question is how could you tell?

Yup, this is the painting....

Ahh, Florida

2012-01-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

I love Florida.

Well, to be more exact, I love the beach. Take that away from Florida and there really isn't a whole lot there. Heck I was married on Sanibel Island, Florida and we try to visit there at least once a year still.

But as much as I like the beach, you have to admit, from the "Hanging Chads" to the retirees' bad driving, Florida can be flat-out weird.

Case in point: I give you Lego Man

Somehow this thing just washed up on shore, just one of the many bizarre stories that came out of that state last year.

I've got a list of goofy things from Florida as one of my stories today on the Wednesday PhilCast show.

Wow, they had no shortage of goofy stuff happening in Florida in 2011.

...and so it begins

2012-01-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

This feels like a Monday.
This feels like a new week.
This feels like a new year.
...and so it begins.

After the college bowl games whether or not all the Christmas cookies and candy are gone (they're not by the way) I immediately go into cold-turkey mode when it comes to eating.

Gone are the days of slamming cookies, chocolates, chips, dips and all the fun stuff that I only eat from Thanksgiving to New Year's. No more.

For the past decade I've seen the same pattern, although it is harder to achieve the goal each year. I put on about 8-10 pounds from my riding weight over the holidays, but lose it as I start to once again work out and eat smarter at the start of the new year.

Notice I only said eat smarter. This is no diet really. It's just a change in lifestyle back to being active and not routinely eating unhealthy but tasty things. It's a slow process losing this weight and getting back into shape. And it's always funny how difficult it is to start each year.

Like today...
A whopping stretching session with 15 sit ups and 5 push ups as a preamble to 30 minutes riding on the trainer at a simple and steady pace.

You have to start somewhere, then track your progress. So for the months of January and February it becomes "Weigh-In Wednesday" when we see how things went the previous week.

Last year I actually failed for the first time. The goal was to drop 10 pounds by March. I dropped eight and then just sort of got stuck there. I think it is more difficult to lose the weight with each passing year. Rather than doing a separate riding blog this season I think I'll just post riding stories here throughout 2012.

We'll see how it goes this year.
All I know is that I've just entered the most-boring and dull time of year for me. The next two months are tough, and March is no peach either. At least I have the Packers and the NFL playoffs to soften the blow through the Super Bowl on the first weekend of Feb.

Later.

Hello 2012

2012-01-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

I gotta think that if indeed somehow down the road called my life that if I murdered someone and was sentenced to death, the last meal that I would order before I'm walked to the 'big squirt' would be what we prepared for our last meal of 2011 at home on New Year's Eve.

Sandy and I whipped up a dandy. I can't remember the last time I felt that full and satisfied with a meal.

Sicilian shrimp was the headliner. You peel them, butterfly them, dredge them in egg and coat with Italian bread crumbs. They're then drizzled with a sauce made up of melted butter and cooking cherry.

As the shrimp bakes you prepare some angel hair pasta, then toss it into a frying pan where olive oil, garlic and scallions are waiting to soak into the pasta.

On the side was a fantastic from-scratch Italian salad, the ingredients so fresh that the entire kitchen smelled of a vegetable garden as Sandy whipped up her grandmother's recipe from Palermo.

A fresh loaf of Italian bread with butter completed the perfect meal.

And there was dessert too, a chocolate cannoli the size of Maine was washed down with the last of the bottle of champagne we had opened for the occasion.

I haven't eaten anything since. When I do, no matter what my next meal is it will only be a letdown from last night. The ultimate.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

2011-12-31T07:01:00.000-08:00

It's the last day of 2011 so it seems only fitting that I write a quick blog that both looks back and forward to the new year.

I have always been one to focus forward and not spend much time looking back. Been there, done that as the saying goes. The future is much more interesting to ponder.

I expect 2012 to be a big year, being the first full year of the PhilCast show on the air on NewsTalk 1150 WHBY. We started in October and in three short months have helped the station to a #1 spot in the ratings. The station has a very talented pool of professionals who have made me feel right at home there. And I've been blessed to have been teamed up with a very hard-working and talented producer in Reggie, who has already become a friend and not just a co-worker.

On my PhilCast 2012 'bucket list' is another listener trip. Our adventure to Ireland was so much fun. Just ask anyone who came along. We know how to do it right, and I look forward to putting some sort of a listener trip together in the new year.

2012 will be a year of big change as well. By this time next year I hope to be writing a blog from my new home office in my new house located in my new home city, Appleton. Moving is never fun, let alone selling and buying in this housing market, so I'll be happy when we can finally settle in. The time I have spent in Appleton these past three months has been great, mostly due to the fact that people are so friendly and welcoming. I can tell there is a lot of pride in the area when I talk to long-time residents...and I can see why.

So to close out the old and bring in the new I'd just like to once again thank WHBY management, including PD Dave Edwards and GM Greg Bell for believing in the PhilCast and thank those of you who listen and make the show a part of your day. That relationship is what I believe radio is all about.

Happy New Year!

The PFL returns!

2011-12-29T05:41:00.000-08:00

It's back.
For the second year in a row we're doing our own little version of a fantasy football league for dummies.

It's the PhilCast Fantasy Football League. The PFL is on!

For the run of the NFL playoffs we'll name our teams, pick our players, watch our stats and cheer for the Packers along the way.

It's easy, and you don't really have to know a thing about football to play along.

The winner will get his or her own custom-made PFL Champion sweatshirt and some other goodies from the PhilCast prize closet as well.

PhilCast Family member "Jordan the Chicago Cheesehead" will once again act as the PFL commissioner, and he's already got our official web site all set up. Just click here to check it out.

After this weekend's final regular-season games Jordan will have photos of all the players you can select posted at the site. All the rules are there for you and it's pretty simple.

But first things first.

Sign up now because we are limiting the number of teams that can participate. Just come up with a good name for your team and watch how it all plays out as the Packers march to the Super Bowl for a second straight year!

Good luck and have fun. At the very least gun for me and my team, "Phil & the Blanks".

Later.

In a pickle

2011-12-28T07:21:00.000-08:00

So the legend of the pickle in the Christmas tree continues on the PhilCast. More of you have chimed in via e-mail regarding the German tradition (or is it?) of hiding a pickle ornament in the tree.

So I've whipped up a special pickle open for the Wednesday show I think you'll like. I do. Then we'll discuss.

Also on the Wednesday showgrum, a cruise of a different kind. Nope, we're not talking somewhere tropical on a ship. We're talking Sheboygan. You read right. Check it out on the Wed. show.

A "No-Show"

2011-12-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

No PhilCast show on Monday, but we'll be back with Pack Yak on Tuesday of this week.

Meantime, for those of you just creepin' around the net today relaxing, some random thoughts in a fresh blog here to start the final week of the year:

--I hope the Packers play their starters for about a quarter and that's all this Sunday against the Lions in what has turned out to be a meaningless game. I feel bad for the people who have tickets and paid to see a 'real' game, but if you are a true Packers' fan you realize it's all about winning the Super Bowl.

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--I've gotta admit it was fantastic leaving a family Christmas gathering after the game Sunday night and not having to scrape ice off a car and slip and slide down a driveway. I love this no-snow December.

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--Milwaukee media writer for the J/S did a nice 2011 recap column in the paper Monday. I teased him on Twitter for forgetting to include something in his Oct. review...you know...a little love perhaps on a certain veteran broadcaster taking the PhilCast to the airwaves at WHBY?! (he DID later re-tweet me on that)

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--Driving home on Christmas night I encountered the goofiest thing I've seen in road design in some time. I'll talk about it on the Tuesday show.

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--For those of you who asked, yes, I DID get not only one but TWO pairs of sweat pants with pockets in them for Christmas.

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--Memo to me: Buy my own Packet helmet dip/chip set in 2012

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--Already looking forward to an annual tradition in our house-watching the Kennedy Center Honors show on TV (Tues. night) while munching on Sandy's homemade popcorn.

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--We WILL be running the 2nd-Annual PhilCast Fantasy Football League again during the playoffs. Details to be announced on the show soon. "Jordan the Chicago Cheesehead" will once again act as commissioner of the playoff league. And there WILL be prizes kids!

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

--Heading off to Hartford for a Christmas meal with my sister and her family today. Couldn't do it Christmas eve because my nephew had to work at Wal-Mart in Oshkosh until 9:00 that night. Shame on them.

--Why do my pants fit so snug all of the sudden?

Later.

Christmas Eve Bike Ride

2011-12-24T10:45:00.000-08:00

The sun. The dry roads. No snow. The combination cried out to me as I looked out my kitchen window on Christmas eve morning, the same window where I could clearly see the thermometer read about 24 degrees.

Still, despite my rule of no riding unless it is at least 35 degrees with dry roads, this was different because it's Christmas eve. Why wouldn't you want to be able to say you rode on Christmas eve? Around these parts we're usually covered in at least some snow and ice on this day. But not today. Not a trace.

I bundled up and took the Klein out on the New Berlin Trail for 20 miles. Oh there were a few patches of ice here and there, but nothing that couldn't easily be avoided.

I was actually just fine out there today, never feeling very cold at all under that bright blue sky. And the old lobster gloves rock!

Early in the ride I saw another roadie who waved to me in Underwood Parkway.

I'm not sure, but that might have been Matthew Busche, who is in his hometown for the holidays and has been posting about riding with his dad and old friends in the old hood.

The path was actually pretty busy, not with riders but joggers. Maybe some people were trying out some early Christmas gifts?

Either way it was great to just get 20 miles in today. The only thing I forgot was to tie my small wreath on the head tube of the bike, which I have done in years' past when I've been able to ride on this day.

The temp got up to about 28 degrees while I was riding. I had to laugh inside as I went down the path into a little cold wind, just remembering that I was on this very path on the hottest day in the last six years in Milwaukee this past summer.

I'll take the 110 heat index any day over 28 degrees. But on Christmas eve day I'll also take just being able to ride with no snow on the ground. In MY book every day we don't have snow just brings us closer to spring without the stuff.

Merry Christmas to all.
Later.

Christmas Favorites

2011-12-22T06:38:00.000-08:00

Thursday's PhilCast will be the final show before Christmas as we take an extended four-day Christmas break from the broadcast. We'll be back live and counting down the final days of 2011 on Tuesday.

Thursday's show will feature people's calls about Christmas traditions and memories for them.

And so for my final blog pre-Christmas...a little Julie Andrews list of my favorite things this time of year;

Favorite Christmas Movies:

It's A Wonderful Life

A Christmas Story

Holiday Inn

Favorite Christmas Cookies:

Pecan Fingers

Cherry Pinwheels

Peanut Butter Kiss

Favorite Christmas Songs:

Jingo Jango

Ave Maria

White Christmas

Favorite Christmas Decorations:

Classic Window Candles

Old-School Big Tree Bulbs

Anything Red Cardinals On Evergreen

Favorite Christmas Drink:

Hot Chocolate With Peppermint Schnapps

Egg Nog

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Inspired and Motivated

2011-12-21T05:53:00.000-08:00

On the Wednesday PhilCast I talk to someone I have wanted to chat with for almost a year now. He's an athlete, but not a household name from the NFL or NBA who gets paid bundles of cash for what he does.

No, this guy isn't in it for the money or the glory, and that's one of the reasons I admire him.

His name is Dominic Gill.

Who, you ask?
I don't blame you. I had no clue as to who he was either until I received an email from a cycling friend of mine that contained a link.

It was THIS LINK.

I proceeded to watch this "Take a Seat" story, fascinated with the concept, amazed at the accomplishment and touched by the human spirit of both Dom and the riders whose worlds he changed forever.

That's a photo of Dominic and Ernie.

And so it went all across the country through all kinds of conditions and with all sorts of riders taking a seat, making the effort despite their physical shortcomings.

Some how, some way, with the use of his custom-made bike Dominic was able to take these riders places they had never been before nor could have gotten to without his help.

As you watch the story there are sad moments that go along with the triumphant ones, but those moments only make the entire story richer.

At this time of year do yourself a favor and take some time out to watch the journey and be thankful for all you have this Christmas.

Later.

Your Christmas Traditions

2011-12-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

Hey PhilCast Family...
Lets share some Christmas traditions and stories for this Thursday's show.

Executive producer Reggie has volunteered his WHBY voice mail to take your messages (we're still working on getting a dedicated PhilCast recording line in place for you) for the show on Thursday.

Just call 920-733-6639 and record your family Christmas tradition or memory for us to play on the Thursday show, which will be the final PhilCast before Christmas (no show on Friday the 23rd).

....

Were you a fan of the old "Dallas" TV show?

It's coming back to the airwaves in 2012 and on Tuesday's show I've got some news about the new version.

Plus I talk about why THIS re-make has a better chance of being pretty good, unlike how I felt about the new Hawaii Five-O coming back. Yuk.
Yup, old JR will even be in the new Dallas. Who can forget the whole "Who shot JR" thing....although I admit I now can't even remember who DID shoot him!

Later.

A December Ride

2011-12-19T11:55:00.000-08:00

I didn't think I would get another ride in before Christmas, but with some sun out and 40 degrees on Monday morning I couldn't resist. Why should I?

So I pumped up the tires on my backup Klein bike in the basement and located some winter gear to wear.

I managed to get in a 26-mile route today despite a few patches of ice that I had to walk over along some path portions.
At 40 degrees with sunshine and even a little wind I was plenty warm on the entire ride, although with the wind in my face and the sun behind the clouds on the way back things were a little less fun.

Still, it sure felt good to be back on a bike, even it if was for only 26 miles today. Any time that I can get a ride in on Christmas week that's a little plus for me before the real snow hits.
Season Miles: 2,300

Snow

2011-12-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning a lot of people in Wisconsin woke up to white, a dusting of snow having dropped overnight. And for many residents it was the first time this season that things went white. The grass was gone.

I had to chuckle to myself while making my morning rounds on the web today viewing all the posts at Facebook and Twitter from people who took grainy photos of a dusting of snow in their backyards and rushed to post them. It's as if they feel we need a reminder of how the stuff looks.

I'm good, thanks. No need for proof that it snows in Wisconsin in December.

In my world we've escaped the stuff pretty deep into the month, and that just means we're that many days closer to spring without having to deal with snow.

Yup, I complain a lot about it...got no use for it. But I've always said at least I'm not fickle about it. It hate cold and snow. I love sun and hot. I'll give you $100.00 if you ever hear me complaining about it being too hot and humid in the summer.

So I figure since I don't complain about the hot I get to complain twice as much about the cold and snow. And I do.

Snow at Christmas? Okay, I'll give you that much. But I'd still rather set myself down in a beach chair right here...

Later.

It's a Wonderful Life

2011-12-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

Some people call it sappy. Some people call it tired. I call it one of the greatest movies ever, and it's that time of year again, time for "It's a Wonderful Life."

This is one of my favorite movies, not just at Christmas time but all time.

And for a while now I have had it in my head that I want to put on an old-fashioned radio production of the movie, you know, with all the sound effects and music to go along with live reading of the parts.

Now that the PhilCast has the backing of an entire radio station staff the time has come to make a push to actually do this!

No, not this year. I'm already planning for next Christmas season. I'm envisioning a major production with the various people you hear on WHBY as main characters in the show.

No recording either. We do it live one afternoon on the fly, and you guys hear it all...the good and the flubs. Heck, we could even put this production on at the PAC in downtown Appleton and have listeners there to watch in person. (go big or go home I say)

I had some fun with this topic on the Thursday show, as some listeners already started to audition for parts! (you can hear that on the podcast version of the show of course)

Today, Friday, I'm hoping to have an answer from our program director as to whether or not he can get behind the project.
Who wouldn't I ask?
But Reggie the Grinch doesn't think we'll get the green light.

We'll see.
More about this on the Friday PhilCast.

Later.

Tree time

2011-12-15T07:11:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday so that means my brother in broadcasting "Lips" LaBelle is in-studio talking Hollywood news on the show, on this the day that the Golden Globes nominations are out.

I like watching the Globes award show, but they need to figure out a way to cut back on the thank you speeches. It would make things move along faster for sure.

I also love to watch Fashion Police the day after, just hear them rip what people were wearing on the red carpet. I know, it's an odd thing to enjoy. What can I say?

10 days to Christmas and I'm just not into it this year. No time. Our family focus has been on my father-in-law Bob, who at 85 took a nasty tumble down a flight of stairs a couple of weeks ago. How he survived is beyond me, and the struggle ahead is a mighty one. So Christmas and all its trimmings won't be the same for us this year.

Lips, as regular listeners already know, really gets into it with numerous trees set up at his house.
Here is a shot of one...as we talk about on the Thursday show.

I've had a naked tree up all week long, sporting nothing but the white lights.
But last night while I was in bed someone must have stayed up late and did a little decorating. I awoke today to find most of the tree decorated.

At the same time Sandy slept in today on a rare day off. Either she was a busy elf last night or Santa came early.

I'll post a picture of our tree here once we finish putting up the rest of the ornaments, which I believe may be on the docket for tonight.

Sooner or later I better start thinking about shopping for a few gifts. But like a typical guy....I'm gonna say there is still plenty of time for that.
Later.

Well that was fun

2011-12-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to everyone who stopped by to visit WHBY on Monday for our Christmas show. It went by way too fast for me. You can hear the madness via the podcast version of the show if you missed it.

As is always the case, I'm swamped with trying to run a live radio show with microphones in two different places, two producers, Santa, an elf, a chorale group, food, drink, photographs....you get the idea. It gets a little busy and I never seem to have enough time to spend with the listeners who drop by.

The little girl who took over my elf machine was just too cute all afternoon.

It sure was a treat to hear the White Heron Chorale group singing at the event. I hope many of you support them by getting to their concert at Lawrence this weekend.

And how about Mike Woods from the Post-Cresent with some solid Yak of the Pack on Pack Yak with Rich Ratay and me. Nice job. I hope to have Mike back on before the season ends.

SuperFan Judy sure rocked that elf costume as well. Ya gotta like the fact that she made that outfit all by herself.

Those of you who purchase PhilCast gear know her work is quality. She also makes all that gear in her sewing center.

As you browse through the pictures we have posted at our web site the one guy you will NOT see is of course the guy who took all the nice pictures. That would be "Handy Andy" who did such a great job of capturing the event on camera. He also provided the tasty hot cider folks were enjoying.

It was cozy.
It was fun.
It was the kind of thing that makes radio so magic to me...we got to spend a little special time together at a special time of year.

Thanks to everyone at WHBY Radio who helped make this happen. You know who you are, and the PhilCast Family appreciates it very much.
Later.

Live Christmas Show Announced

2011-12-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

What: 1st-ever PhilCast Family Christmas Bash

When: Monday, Dec. 12th from 3-5

Where: Under the Woodward Radio Christmas tree in the WHBY lobby
2800 E. College Ave. in Appleton

Why: To meet, greet, raise money for Horizon Hospice and have a good time in general

Who: I'll be broadcasting the entire show from our lobby. Rich Ratay joins me for the usual Monday Pack Yak. Then members of the White Heron Choir will be singing Christmas songs in the second hour of the show.
SuperFan Judy will be there and for the first time ever she'll be offering PhilCast WHBY gear for sale. You'll also be ale to purchase the "PhilCast Take Two" best-of CD. All proceeds go to help Horizon Hospice.

Drop by the station to say hi live on the radio and in person. I'm gonna say there will be refreshments as well. Come on out and say hello in what will be a real fun meet-and-greet afternoon.

Crazy Call

2011-12-08T06:08:00.000-08:00

On the Thursday PhilCast I talk about this kid who got a little excited about scoring a winning touchdown. He raises his arm for second on the way to end zone. Was it a natural reaction or did he violate the 'no-celebration' rules of the school's football league?

That TD was supposed to win his school the title, but instead officials took it all away because they said he broke the rules.

Here's the picture I talk about that goes with the story.

That's all he did.

The arm came right down afterward as well.

And don't be a hater because he's wearing #4 either!

Common sense should have prevailed, but once again it did not.

One other note today...
We've made it even easier to get to the order blank for the PhilCast Take Two 'best of' CD for charity.

There is a direct link to the order page at Horizon Hospice on the PhilCast page now. And just in case, how simple is this?
CLICK HERE and order one today!
Thanks.

Taking stock in the PhilCast

2011-12-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

Tuesday the Green Bay Packers opened up selling stock in the team once again. You too can be an owner in the NFL, sort of. It's brilliant really, and the rest of the NFL teams are green and gold with envy over this one because they can't do it and we here in Wisconsin can.

So I figured why not have some fun and pretend to sell stock in the PhilCast too?

Jim Grassl and the crew over at Insta Print Plus in Appleton put together a dandy little certificate that looks great. I headed over to pick it up and get myself to the studio after that.

What I didn't plan on (because this was one of those spur-of-the-moment things) was listeners actually wanting these things!

I guess the prototype looks pretty darned good.

Heck, I'm gonna take this one, frame it and stick it up on my wall of radio memories in my home office.

Maybe the next step here will be ask Jim to actually run some copies of this thing so we can figure out a way to get them to people who want one.

Ya just never know some times what's gonna fly. Stay tuned...

What's old is new again

2011-12-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try to combine a couple of things here when I update my WHBY PhilCast blog. First of all I'll be able to post pictures and links here that I talk about on each day's show. And the other thing I'll do from time to time is write about something going on that never makes it to the airwaves....you know....exclusive content here only....so bookmark and check back please.

Lets start with a Monday show topic-
I'm facsinated with pickle juice.

I had no idea athletes were drinking pickle juice to help avoid cramps, something I have to deal with all the time while training on my bike in the summer months.

Monday's show....pickle juice....right out of the jar or...

You can buy the stuff. Who knew?
I certainly did not.

Maybe from now on before I hit the road for a ride I'll just take a slug of pickle juice from a jar in the fridge.

It seems like there is always at least one jar in there anyway, and I end up throwing away the juice once the pickles are gone.

Now I have a 'use for the juice'.

But I can not imagine adding pickle juice to the water bottles I carry on a ride. They must be able to just put the pickle juice into some form of pill, right?!

As for what's old is new again...
It's no secret that I cut my radio teeth listening to the LOOP AM 1000 in Chicago in the late 80's. Back in the day Johnny B. in the morning, Steve & Garry in the afternoon with Kev sandwiched in the middle...well...that was in my opinion the greatest radio lineup ever. Ever.

Times were Johnny and Garry would be making fun of the old farts over on WGN, so I find it very bizarre to hear them together on that very station here in 2011.

Garry has been doing afternoon-drive talk for a few years now after being off the air way too long in my opinion. Now GN has added Johnny B. to do the morning show.

I'm not the only one that finds it all sort of odd....even they do.
Listen to Garry's podcast of the two of them talking about it.

What's old is new again I guess.
I wonder if the Fond du Lac boy Brandmeier will be bringing back some of the old classics?
I think my signature 'Later' at the end of every PhilCast was something that Johnny first put in my head because he used to say that back in the day.

I can still remember going to Poplar Creek to see a "Johnny & the Leisure Suits" concert. They were collecting Snausages at the entrances for local animal shelters. Yup, I brought mine and sang along with the "Ya Hey Dare Polka."
Later.

Where to send your email to me

2011-12-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Business note today:

We're in the process of consolidating some things at the PhilCast show these days. In an effort to make it more like a one-stop shop, most all PC world links will be at THIS PAGE, including the email we're using with listeners.

Check your contacts. If you were using the old address of phil@thephilcast.com that is no longer around and you will need to update to the email address you will find at the link above.

The old PhilCast.com web site is also no more. This blog and all the links on this page will keep you totally updated on all things PhilCast.

Thanks.

Coming the week of Dec. 5

2011-12-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to give you a heads up about a couple of guests coming up on the Tuesday showgrum and something new coming to the show in general starting on Friday.

On Tuesday at 4-ish we'll be talking to a young dancer, one of the performers in the youth Nutcracker program taking place in Appleton.

I guess you could say this will be the debut of what I'm going to call my "Artsy Fartsy" segments on the PhilCast. You'll be hearing quite a bit about local performances of all types because I'm a big supporter.

And scheduled to start off the Tuesday show...author Michael Perry joins me.

If you read my station bio page you'll see that I admit I'm no reader. But the last book I DID manage to read page to page was written by this man who hits all things living in Wisconsin on the head. "Truck-A Love Story" reads like a comfy blanket, a home-spun tale of everyday life that I could really relate to.

You may know of him already. Click Here for more info about Michael.

I'm really looking forward to our chat on the air Tuesday.

On Friday I try something new, and I've come up with as many "F" words as I could use for the title...
"Friday PhilCast Facebook Friend of the Week"

If you 'Like' the PC page you're fair game to win and be a part of the show.

I plan to select one person from the list of those who 'like' us and learn more about them from their Facebook page. You'll also win a certificate from a local restaurant to have a nice meal on us for being a good sport.

Click Here to get to the page you need to 'like'

Good luck!

The "Bell Boys"

2011-12-01T15:08:00.000-08:00

I did something today I haven't done in a while, ring the Salvation Army bell. It was cold, dank and there was smootz (sp) in the air but I still had fun.

What was kind of funny was that I learned that if I actually did a little dance and held the bell in my hand it rang better than if I tried to shake it.

Several people said hi, knowing us from the show.

But what was even more interesting to me was how many people coming and going from the Piggly Wiggly knew each other. Little Chute life at the grocery store...a slice of America.

And yes, I made sure to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone there. None of this 'Happy Holidays' generic stuff for me.

Ringing the bell for an hour dancing in the cold also kinda changed the way I'll now look at the kettles around town.

I think from now on instead of just blowing past I'll dig a little deeper and try to throw a little something into that kettle.

The Merry Okee

2011-11-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new PC blog page...
Each day I'll try to post something new here as it pertains to the show, a place where you can find photos, links, additional info etc. regarding topics on the show.

My latest toy...the Merry Okee machine that I use to spook Reggie with my Grumpy Grouch Elf character.

I love this gadget! It's the simple things I guess. You speak into one end and depending on the setting it comes out the other end as your voice over a loudspeaker or sounding like an elf.

The thing plays Christmas songs too if you want that.

But me, I like playing the elf with an attitude who likes to get on Reggie (after all, Reggie has made it clear he's not exactly Mr. Christmas Spirit so I think he deserves the treatment from the elf character.

Check back here daily for more info and links from things we cover each day on the PhilCast show.

Later.

Testing, Testing!

2011-11-30T12:25:00.000-08:00

OK...this is a test of the new philcast.com page. Yup, seems to be working,...stay tuned...promise it is going to get better...it HAS to!!!

The Philcast Blog!

2011-11-30T08:15:00.001-08:00

We'll be up and running soon, feel free to bookmark and follow it as our Philcast updates will be here in the future!