It's an in-between time, just after the holidays, where everyone is getting back into the swing of things, the weather outside is frightful and driving anywhere means shoveling and scraping and potentially having to dislodge your vehicle from a snowbank. After generally avoiding slush and snow for November and December, it's back to Western New York reality - and baby, it's cold outside.
DRINK OF THE WEEK
Freezing temperatures call for a warm drink to melt off the icicles. "Glogg," a Scandinavian specialty, contains wine, brandy and spices. There are many recipes out there but this one, from AllRecipes.com, seemed the most simple and makes 15 servings (adjust as needed). Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer: two bottles fruity red wine; one bottle port wine; three cinnamon sticks; 14 whole cloves; one peeled orange, cut into thin strips; one cup white sugar; 3/4 cup rum; 1/4 cup brandy; one cup raisins; one cup slivered almonds.
WATCH THIS
Many shows are recessing until the spring but some old favorites will be returning next week. "American Idol" returns Tuesday, Jan. 12 for its ninth season at 8 p.m. on FOX. Of course, several weeks' worth of episodes are the customary auditions. For some, watching deranged hopefuls screech a few bars of Mariah Carey is the best part of the series; for others who find the try-outs tiresome, it's best to wait until late February for the real competition to begin.
"Idol" hopefuls can get a glimpse into something of a reality television crystal ball with VH1's latest time-killer, "Fantasia For Real," featuring season three winner Fantasia Barrino. Let it serve as a warning: every ambitious young singer is only a few bad career choices away from reality TV. "Fantasia" premieres Monday, Jan. 11 at 10 p.m.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is stepping up their Cinema Series, with several screenings scheduled for the coming weeks. Recent releases will be shown, giving community members one last opportunity to see them on the big screen. On Friday, Jan. 8, "Where the Wild Things Are" will be shown for one night only. "Everybody's Fine" will be featured Saturday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
41 West will have the music of Mike & Randy (half of Heard of Buffalo) on Saturday night, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The bar is doing sign-ups for a couples bowling tournament to be held Jan. 16.
The Chautauqua Concert Band will perform at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in Jamestown Saturday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. with a "Legends & Heroes" themed concert, with a tribute to Superman and the like. Some of our area's youngest and finest talent will be showcased, with middle school musicians performing with the band during the second half of the show.
April Diodato is an OBSERVER Staff Writer. Give her the dish on what's happening at aprildiodato@gmail.com
