This week's OnMilwaukee.com Recommends covers everything from books to butterflies! Read on for reviews of the products and people you need to know about.
"Ninety Percent of Everything: Inside Shipping" by Rose George (Metropolitan Books) – British author Rose George, who introduced us to the world of sewage in her previous book, draws us into the world of freight containers and ships. With more than 20 million containers criss-crossing the globe at this very moment on thousands of ships, it's amazing that the ins and outs of international shipping remain so hidden to most of us. From pirates to the politics of flagging to life aboard freighters, George unveils it all in a compelling book centered around her own first-person journey, on a giant Maersk freighter from Europe to Asia. – Bobby Tanzilo
Dove Clear Tone Anti-Perspirant – Razor blades tend to have a scorched-earth policy toward my already dry skin, and the skin affected by deodorant is already sensitive enough as it is. Every company claims that their product "visibly reduces" whatever you don’t want people to see on your skin, whether it’s wrinkles or, in this case, red and dark marks, but Dove Clear Tone Anti-Perspirant is the only deodorant I’ve found to actually deliver on that promise, without leaving streaks all over clothes. Dove Clear-Tone Anti-Perspirant deodorant incorporates calendula, sunflower seed extracts and other moisturizers to provide odor protection; my favorite is the Pink Rosa, a floral and fruity scent. At less than $4 a tube, you just can’t do any better. – Colleen Jurkiewicz
The Delphines – The Delphines became one of my favorite bands the instant I heard them and I’ve been trying my hardest to get people to invest on the ground floor. Now it’s cheaper than ever to invest in the band before the end of their first year together. "About a month ago, we were asked to record a cover of a Stooges song for the release of Kirk Kjeldsen’s new book, ‘Kirk Kjeldsen: Tomorrow City,’" The Delphines said via their Facebook page. Every 500 downloads of the song will send a student in China to the U.S. for one year of schooling as well as provide eye care through the charity Stepping Stones China. The Delphines infuse their carefree, fuzzy, sweaty groove to The Stooges song, "Shake Appeal." All you gotta do is click to start clapping your hands, twisting your hips, and helping some kids. Download it for free. – Jason McDowell
Backyard Safari Butterfly Keeper – My son received this as a gift and for some reason it took us a year to open it up and commit to butterfly raising. We are so glad that we did. The entire process is fascinating and fun. The first step is to order the larvae ($6.95) which arrive within a week via the mail. Then, it takes 7-10 days for the larvae to become caterpillars (their food is included) and eventually to create a chrysalis. At this point, they are moved into the keeper, and in about five more days, painted lady butterflies burst from the cocoons. Be prepared for blood splatter – the kids' books never seem to show how messy the cocoon-to-butterfly process can be. Keep in mind these butterflies have a very short lifespan. We kept them as "pets" for only a couple of days before releasing them into the world, but not before we named them all. Happy flight, Hank, Albert, Alberta and Wilhelmina Wiggles! – Molly Snyder
Mazzoni Barbera 2009 – Barbera (one of the most-grown varietals in Italy) is my favorite red wine. I love its fresh acidity and black cherry notes. It's a wine that is aromatic and complex, but also extremely drinkable, making it perfect for special occasions but, above all, for everyday drinking. Most winemakers age their barberas in oak these days, which has changed the face of this wine, but Mazzoni avoids oak and the flavor it imparts to present a more traditional barbera that boasts a rich fruitiness, soft tannins and a refreshing brightness. Add a long, satisfying finish and this red wine, which retails at $21, is a revelation. – Bobby Tanzilo
