Up & Coming Weekly

DEC. 30, 2009 - JAN. 5, 2010 UCW 19 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM This Emotional Life (Monday, 10 p.m., PBS) explores the nature of happiness. Why is it often an elusive goal? The subject itself may sound elusive, but host Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist, brings the latest scientific research to bear. We learn that nature wired us to be bummed out when relationships go badly (thanks, nature) and that new therapies can substantially improve people's lives. Gilbert cites a sickening though important study from the 1950s. A University of Wisconsin researcher removed young monkeys from their mothers and substituted two fakes: one made of terrycloth, which offered comfort but no food; and another made of wire, which offered food but no comfort. The young monkeys gravitated to comfort over food, suggesting that love is even more important than physical needs. Fast forward to the present, where we meet people with trouble forming con- nections — those who have Asperger Syndrome, for example, or who languished in orphanages too long as children. Up-to-date therapy offers them hope, though anyone with a wire mother is still seriously screwed. What I Hate About Me Saturday, 9 pm (Style) I'm trying to start 2010 with self-confidence, so I think I'll skip this show about people owning up to their imperfections. But I'm sure I'll be ready to tune in by early February. Frank the Entertainer…in a Basement Affair Sunday, 8 pm (VH1) VH1 dating series tend to favor grotesques. And once the network gets hold of an especially icky star, it encourages even ickier behavior in sequel after sequel. Frank Moresco appeared as a supporting player in a couple of these shows, I Love Money and I Love New York, and now gets his own dating showcase. Frank the Entertainer…in a Basement Affair makes hay out of Frank's living situ- ation: stuck at home with his overbearing Italian parents. He turns out to be more ap- pealing than other VH1 reality stars, and most of the 15 women who come to live in his parents' house are charmingly — rather than creepily — eccentric. So far, this is the rare dating series that doesn't make you sick. (Feel free to use that quote in your ads, VH1.) Giuliana & Bill Sunday, 9 pm (Style) E!'s inarticulate Giuliana Rancic is perhaps TV's worst interviewer, but what she lacks in talent she makes up for in raw ambition. God forbid Giuliana would have a single untelevised moment, so she invites camera crews to film her marriage to motiva- tional speaker Bill Rancic. Truth be told, it's not much of a marriage, but more of a reality-series concept. The two rarely see each other, instead obsessing on their all-important careers. Nevertheless, they plan to have a baby, even though they live in different places and can barely find time for baby-making activities. But, hey, the new season of Giuliana & Bill needs a hook, so it's baby or bust. One feels sorry for the child-to-be, who may as well be named Plot Point. Antiques Roadshow Monday, 8 pm (PBS) The PBS series allows folks to bring in their family treasures and get an estimate from antiques experts. In this week's episode, based in Raleigh, N.C., the host promises "our best discovery ever." You have to wait till the last segment, when an appraiser calls a set of Chinese jade "the best thing I've ever seen on the Roadshow." He estimates its value as over $1 million. It should be a thrilling moment, but the jade's owner merely says "damn." The segment abruptly ends, making no more of an impression than any other segment. That's quite a letdown for those of us who'd been excited about Roadshow's "best discovery ever." The Key to Happiness This Emotional Life brings science to bear TV by DEAN ROBBINS Business Profile: Via 216 by STEPHANIE CRIDER STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or Stephanie@upandcomingweekly.com They've only been there a matter of weeks, but Enrique Castaneda and Juan Macias Jr. are excited to have the doors of Via 216 open and to serve the customers who have been enjoying a meal and/or drink with them. Located in the former home of the Broadstreet Cafe at 216 Tallywood Shopping Center, Via 216 boasts a full bar complete with 27 different beers on tap, a pool room, a dance floor and several tele- visions with more on the way. What the owners want you to remember though is the great food and friendly atmosphere — and the good time that you had at their bar and grill. Castaneda and Macias Jr. are both vet- erans of the restaurant business. "My dad owns MiCasita. I've been working for him for years and I wanted to branch out and start something new," said Macias. "I am trying to have my own thing here. "I worked fo my dad for the longest time and then Enrique came in and opened up a new world for me. He showed me that it is not just serving people and giving them drinks and food and taking their money — it is actually enjoying what you do and giving a dif- ferent aspect of what you put into the work. There is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than people would expect." A friend of the Macias family since 1995, Casteneda was one of the owners of the Trio Cafe before he moved to Atlanta to expand his culinary reperatoire. "Weve talked for years about doing something," said Castaneda. "It was a little hard for me to move back here but we also have some friends here who said 'Come on Enrique we can really do something here in Fayettevile...now we have this. It is not too fancy, but we have a good presentation and good food at a good price." The menu boasts not just standard pub fare, but also a few unique items and many of the old time favorites have been given a new spin in what Castaneda calls New American Fare. " We are bringing to Fayetteville new American Food. What it is, is the regular stuff that you grew up with but stronger flavor," said Castenada. "Maybe you can see that we have ribs but we have the chipotle barbecue sauce. We added the peppers and bring the Latin flavor to it." If you aren't up for a late night, Macias pointed out that they are open for lunch and have a "Fast Via Lunch" menu that includes kid friendly options too. He also pointed out that everything is made fresh daily — from scratch. "It is a nice big place people can enjoy," said Macias. "We are putting alot of effort into making sure everything looks good and that this place has something special." For more information stop by or give them a call at 486-7832. Juan Macias Jr. and Enrique Castaneda

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