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Hoping to Score - Top 10 Super Bowl Foods 'Noo Awlins Style'  

The Super Bowl is one of America's favorite spectacles and has essentially become a national holiday. It's an advertiser's Christmas and the halftime show becomes the year's most scrutinized, lip-synch concert. And, oh yeah, there's a football game, too. But nothing ... and we repeat, nothing is more important than the Super Bowl party you host and the food and beverages served. What you serve matters. There are foods that are acceptable for a Super Bowl gathering, and foods that don't belong. So put away your famous spaghetti, lasagna or baked chicken and follow our guide of the 10 best Super Bowl foods instead. Since the game is being played in New Orleans, you might need to jambalaya it up a bit and show dem Noo Awlins cookin dat you got da do!

Healthier Finger Foods: Yes, you need to include these so you don't feel like complete slobs pigging out on all the junk food.  We recommend including things like a vegetable platter (fresh cut yourself ... not the Food Lion grazer platter) with dip or hummus, a shrimp cocktail, or even some fancier appetizers like bruschetta.

Pigs in a Blanket: Not every Super Bowl party has them, but every Super Bowl party that does is better for it. For bonus points, wrap the dogs in some bacon.  Click Here for Pigs in a Blanket recipe.

Beer: Okay, so technically it's not a food ... but a Super Bowl party without beer is like watching a football game on mute. But know your crowd. Some parties might be perfectly fine with Coors Lite. Other party goers might prefer Rogue Dead Guy Ale.

Wings: There's no food more essential than wings.  Obviously, you don't want to bust out the wings right away.  Let people snack a little bit.  But there is no better link between your basic snacking options and whatever your main course will be than a big ol' tray of buffalo wings.  Click Here for Oven Baked Hot Louisiana Style Wings recipe.  

7-Layer Dip: Ok, it does not have to be 7 layers.  But, any multilayer dip is sure to be a huge hit and people will lap it up. Make sure it is somewhat elaborate and includes beans, cheese, cream cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, maybe salsa, perhaps guacamole-you decide.  Click Here for 70's 7 Layer Dip recipe.

Three-Foot Hoagie or Party Tray: Trust me; you're not going to find too many people who won't be happy with a three-foot hoagie, especially if you have a local deli nearby that knows how to properly make an Italian hoagie.   Or you could do a sandwich tray, mixing in roast beef or turkey options alongside the more traditional Italian hoagie.

Chili or Gumbo: When in doubt, make a heaping pot of chili, provide cheese, crackers, and hot sauce, and then watch people stuff their faces. Chili goes great with football, winter, more chili, beer, & wings.  Enough said.  But ... you can also throw in the kitchen sink with a great Gumbo (again with plenty of hot sauce).  Click Here for Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo with Okra recipe.

Desserts: If your team doesn't win on Sunday, you might need something more than a "Bud" to ease the pain.  Nothing soothes better than dessert; particularly chocolate.  Here is a  finishing touche (recipes that will win you extra points.  Click Here for Homemade Chocolate Brownies recipe. 

To Bee or Not To Bee

Bogey Flights: Top Gun 3D IMAX Experience (6 Days Only starting Feb. 8)

"I feel the need. The need for speed."  Top Gun - the story of an elite group of pilots competing to be the best in their class (both with and without their shirts on).  Of course, the real stars of the movie were the fighter jets blasting off the aircraft carrier and engaging in aerial dogfights.  And the music!  Top Gun captured the imagination of a generation and is now being released for a 6-day, limited engagement in 3D at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre (Marbles Museum, Raleigh) starting February 8.  The film stars Tom Cruise as Maverick with Anthony Edwards (Goose), Val Kilmer (Iceman), Kelly McGillis, and Meg Ryan.

"Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby"   Top Gun - with its intense fight scenes and Oscar-nominated sound effects was a strong candidate for the immersive experience that 3D offers.  The "Danger Zone" takes on a new dimension ... with MiG bogeys screaming towards your head. The screen will come alive and you'll be saying, where's my wingman!  And, what about those glistening pecks and volleyballs?  Well, you'll just have to wait and see what stays in bounds (within the confines of the screen that is).

"Mustang, this is Voodoo 3. Remaining MiGs are bugging out."   Relive one of the marquee movies of the 80's and get lost in that "Lovin' Feeling" as Maverick & Goose sing to Charlie.  Also check out  the height difference between Tom Cruise and Merlin "Tim Robbins of Bull Durham fame" (or Tom Cruise and any cast member for that matter - male or female).  One fun fact that won't spoil the film ... Goose's real name is Nick Bradshaw. You can see it after he dies.  It's among his belongings.

Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre:  201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh; Contact: 919.882.IMAX; Website, Top Gun Showtime & Tickets 

Lookout Capital 5k, 10k, and 1/2 Marathon - June 1, 2013 - Happy New Year!  If   you're looking for a great way to start the year, we have the perfect thing... a discounted entry to the Midtown Race Series!  It's the perfect way to make sure your New Year's resolution sticks.   Starting and finishing at  North Hills and featuring Raleigh's greenway, the Lookout Capital 5k, 10k, 13.1 promises to be an unparalleled race venue and experience!  The race is limited to 3,000 participants so don't miss this special opportunity to get a spot at a discounted price.  Every participant will be entered for a chance to win a Lexus IS C compliments of Johnson Lexus.  Fast or slow, you've got the same chance... stop thinking about it and sign up! Use this Discount Code:  BBUZZ8 for your discounted registration fee. (Valid till January 31,2013)  Register Here

The Insiders - Would you like to know the activity in your neighborhood, specific to your home?  Sign up for automated email reports of homes for sale in your neighborhood, prices of recently sold homes as well as overall market stats for homes comparable to your specific home.  This report includes interactive maps, charts and home details.  You can choose to receive the email every 2, 4, or 8 weeks, or just view it one time. Want to Get IN the Know for the real estate market in your neighborhood?  Sign up for your free report. Click Here 

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Join My Blog Simply-Refined: We are an Interior Design team that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  We have been designing and decorating homes for over 20 years.  Please call for a consultation. We can serve with a whole design package, or just consulting only...no job is too small.    

Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, we can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home again.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510.  

An Invitation to Consign - Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, LTD is proud to announce that their Three-Day Winter Estate Catalogued Auction was a great success, selling over $1 Million in Fine Art, Jewelry, Antiques, Fine Wine, and other collectible objects to buyers around the world.  This exciting auction was in pace with their previous catalogue-level sales and marks their eighth consecutive $1 Million+ auction. The complete auction results for most recent sales can be found online.

Specialists are now evaluating estate collections and other fine objects for inclusion in the Three-Day Spring Estate Catalogued Auction to be held March 14-16, 2013.  Please contact the gallery to schedule an appointment with one of their specialists today, or tell them about your object or collection by completing this online consignment form.   

Open House - at  Our Lady of Lourdes School is Thursday, January 31st 8:30-10:00am for prospective families and 6:45-8:00pm for prospective & current families.  Admission packets and tours will be available. Questions..please call Pam Mueller, Dir. of Admissions, 919-861-4635. Website.   

Did You Know?  For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain. Please support our local business!  This is what The Beltline Buzz is all about.   

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