2009 BMI Country Awards
Police investigate accident
'Dancing with the Stars' season 9
Craig Schrolucke and Alexis Larsen are good buddies who love a trendy hot spot as much as they do a worn out hole in the wall provided the service is as good as the items being served up. They also love bar talk and all that it entails and are more than happy to belly up to this bar blog and do just that.
Home > Blogs > The Lounge Lizards > Archives > 2008 > March
March 2008
One Eyed Jacks, Fairborn
One Eyed Jacks, Fairborn: 2638 Colonel Glenn, Hwy.; Fairborn, OH 45324; (937) 426-3400
Craig’s two cents:Love the updated and expanded space featuring newly upholstered booths, carpet, updated wall treatments and some paint. Wall mural was a little on the crazy side … you decide. The expanded space should be better for bands and bar goers alike looking to get their groove on - especially when the music is live. Missing are the moments with Jen, one of the bartenders from before, and the recipe cards… Fruity Pebbles… ah the memories.
Alexis’s two-cents: The newly open One Eyed Jacks has expanded the space from the Oasis Bar (since closed) which took over from Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers (since closed). Offering a full menu that includes burgers for $6.95, reubens for $5.95 and deli sandwiches for the same. The food won’t wow you, but the proximity to Wright State and the hours (open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m with a 15% discount for students) make it convenient. Stick with the Magic Hat No. 9 on tap and you can’t go wrong.
A sampling of specials:
Mondays: $2 pints of Guiness, $4 pitches of domestics. After 7 p.m. $1.25 burger bites and sloppy joe bites (minimum of three)
Tuesdays (hip-hop night): 35 cent wings, $4 pitches of domestics
Wednesdays (open mic nights): $5 buckets of Bud, Bud Light, Miller, Miller Light. After 7 p.m. $1.25 buger bites and sloppy joe bites (minimum of three)
Thursdays (Ladies Night): $1 well drinks (ladies only) and 35 cent wings (minimum 10)
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Sundays with Kenny vs. Spenny
You know those things you hate yourself for loving, but you just can’t help it so you live with the shame? Allow me to introduce you to Comedy Central’s “Kenny vs. Spenny” with new episodes that air on Sundays.
Are they best friends or worst enemies? Both. And each week they compete in foolish, outrageous and just plain juvenile competitions (example: the first guy to stop singing loses) with glory for the winner and humiliation for the loser.
Kenny is a soulless cheat and Spenny is an ethical spaz in this show that chronicles one microscopic struggle of good versus evil. Want to glimpse my personal shame early? See the pilot episode that started it all here.
And while we’re on the subject of video, be sure to stop by www.fancast.com if you haven’t already. The ad-supported free TV site allows you to watch movies and television online and is generally a great new entertainment site if that’s the kind of thing you crave like I do. Another similar site that just launched is www.hulu.com. You’ll definitely need some serious broadband to stream these suckers, but as technology improves I’m thinking we’ll be hearing a lot more about and from sites like these.
Have any new television shows or Web sites you’re hot on?
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Lampanelli kills at Victoria
Don’t let her ‘50s “Pleasantville” housewife exterior fool you … Lisa Lampanelli, decked out in a polka-dot dress and bright red sweater for her Friday, March 28 appearance in Dayton, has the mouth of the nastiest truck driver you could ever dream up.
The lush, luxuriously appointed Victoria Theatre, usually a beacon of culture and good taste was brought down a notch Friday with the introduction of crude comedian Lampanelli to it’s stage.
Don’t get me wrong … it was a hilarious 90-minute set. Some audience members laughed until they nearly cried, while others had to have shed tears, but with the lights dimmed and their backs facing out row it was impossible to be sure.
The twisted quick-witted equal-opportunity offender known for her fearless R-rated politically-incorrect potty mouth and hilarious segments on the Comedy Central Celebrity Roasts and Howard Stern show is not for the faint of heart. Her appearance Friday was no exception.
She didn’t say it. She didn’t have to. It’s obvious that Lisa Lampanelli takes her New York Times title as the “Lovable Queen of Mean” seriously, and true to form she ruled her comedic kingdom with an iron fist full of killer dirty insults dished out in the form of venomous one-liners and animated anecdotes on hot topics like race, religion, sexual orientation and sex.
Hurling a flurry of racial zingers playing on virtually every imaginable ethnic stereotype, Lampanelli only paused to heckle audience members, like an easy-going Dexter who said he drove down from Columbus, with more of the same. Even the Dayton Daily News garnered a mention … no one was safe and no one seemed sorry about it.
Offensive? You bet. It’s also biting, abusive, disrespectful, despicable, obnoxious and repugnant.
Most of her routine … OK, OK all of it … packed tight with foul humor and a speedy delivery (often compared to that of Don Rickles) is not appropriate to print here. Although it may be in terrrible taste, it didn’t stop the laughs from coming solid throughout the evening.
Perhaps the reason the audience isn’t more offended is that Lampanelli is herself the punchline of plenty of the material she delivers up, ridiculing herself just as quickly and mercilessly as she does unsuspecting audience members. Her spontaneous, heart-felt delivery and raucous rapport with the audience left them feeling safe (somewhat) even thought the material was anything but.
Such, it seems, is the life and act of an insult comic.
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Test your awareness
Think you’re aware? How many passes does the team in white make in this video? I’m betting you’ll miss something that will leave you wondering how aware you really are. Let us know how you did.
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New album from the Breeders rocks!
Want to hear the Breeder’s “Mountain Battles” early and as a bonus see video of Dayton’s Deal sisters listening to it at the VFW in West Carrollton for a local record release party? Go here … or here … to see Kim and Kelly Deal listening to vinyl of “Mountain Battles,” eating a record cake and hear their rock-tastic new disc that releases in stores on April 8.
RollingStone.com has a nice story on it … here’s an excerpt:
Deal says the new album doesn’t deviate far from the Breeders’ classic sound, though there were more moments of experimentation. “We did a little bit more overdubs,” she says. “Title TK is the five of us playing basically. That’s how the practices sounded, that’s what we played. But I found I didn’t want to do that this time. I was okay with, oh, let’s have a guitar part that obviously nobody in the band can be playing right now.” Kelley sings a cover of “Regalame Esta Noche” in Spanish (”Okay, she doesn’t speak Spanish,” Deal admits, “But she knows the words because she’s singing them”), and “German Studies” features Kim’s vocals in, yes, German. “It was just this little riff I made up on the four-track,” she says of the latter. “It sounded really cool, really simple. But it would be so cool if instead of me going in my stupid English voice if I could be [sings mock German in gruff tones].” Kelley called the University of Dayton and got the name of a German expert nearby; the sisters were soon plopped down in the woman’s living room working out new lyrics.
Here’s a fun video of Kim and Kelley covering the Hank Williams song “I Can’t Help It.” Recorded at Cro-Magnon in Dayton, it’s just one more reason to love those Deal sisters!
I Can’t Help It from The Breeders on Vimeo.
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What are you listening to?
You have to be groving to something - spring is almost here, what are you playing to celebrate? There is so much music that is being released anymore it’s hard to keep up and it’s easy for deserving work to get lost. Three CDs I’ve had on heavy rotation recently fall into this category. The first, “Droppin’; Science: Greatest Samples From the Blue Note Lab” is like a Cliff Notes for jazz samples from the Blue Note label used in beats by current and past hip-hop MCs. This title will appeal to jazz fans and any true hip-hop afficiandos who like to reflect on the roots of their favorite music. With a note from Ahmir ?uestlove Thompson, and a key to who sampled it and when, you can almost hear an evolution in sound getting ready to take place.
The second, Dengue Fever’s “Venus On Earth”, released at the beginning of the year, borrows inspiration from ’60s Cambodian pop music and for world music lovers, is a really funky, jazzy, psychedelic, lounge music treat sung in both Khmer and English. Both familiar and strange, old and new, retro and modern, textured and smooth, “Venus on Earth” is a delightful paradox. Here’s a YouTube video of their song “Seeing Hands” ….
The last listening treat worth recommending is Bon Iver’s “For Emma, Forever Ago”. This sweet, quiet, reflective record has a naked hazy winter melancholy imbued with the warmth and hope of the coming spring that I find perfect listening for this time of year. Gorgeous and moving, this folk-rock must be taken in fully to truly appreciate its breadth and scope. Here’s Bon playing “Skinny Love” at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin …
This year, like any other, has plenty of great music to offer, the trick more often than not is finding it. Have any great new music finds worth sharing? Share here!
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73-year-old Shriner busted with ‘apple pie’
This story out of Charleston is funny enough on it’s own, but it was lines like: “Call it the case of the mischievous moon-Shriner, an investigation pitting fuzz against fez” that really made it for me. That and the idea of an apple-pie moonshine concoction … here’s the story by Glenn Smith from The Post and Courier:
A sweet-tasting grain alcohol concoction has an elderly Shriner and his girlfriend in trouble with the law after officers caught them hawking Mason jars of the brew at a temple party, authorities said. Call it the case of the mischievous moon-Shriner, an investigation pitting fuzz against fez. On March 15, undercover officers were sent to the Omar Shrine Temple on Patriots Point Road after receiving a tip about illegal booze sales at a party there, police said. Officers found Janie Broome, 55, selling Mason jars full of brown liquid from the back of a Chevy Suburban outside the temple. The vehicle was owned by her boyfriend, C.A. Gatlin, 73, a longtime Shriner serving as master of ceremonies for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Hillbilly Clan #82 celebration, according to a police report. The undercover team purchased two jars full of the drink known as “apple pie,” a mixture of grain alcohol boiled with apple cider, apple juice, brown sugar and cinnamon sticks, police said. Each jar sold for $20. Investigators seized five Mason jars from a cooler in the Suburban and another 58 jars from the couple’s home in Hanahan, police said. Sgt. Steve Meadows said officers didn’t charge the pair right away because they wanted to figure out just what was in the mixture. They have determined it was have determined it was store-bought booze mixed with other ingredients at home. Investigators plan to charge Broome and Gatlin with illegal sale of a legal liquor, Meadows said. Reached by phone Tuesday, Gatlin said he and Broome were on vacation and didn’t want to answer questions until he returned home. He then hung up. While undercover officers were at the party, they saw two men smoking marijuana outside the building and three more men passing a joint in a car, according to police reports. Officers arrested the party-goers, seized a small amount of marijuana and nabbed one of the men for possession of mushrooms as well, police said. Verle Bohrn, recorder for the Omar Temple, said all the illegal activities occurred outside the building itself and that the Omar Shrine Temple doesn’t condone this behavior. The event was open to the public, and none of the people arrested on drug charges belong to the century-old local organization, he said. Gatlin has been with the Shriners for 30 years or more, and the “apple pie” sales likely won’t affect his status. “He might get a slap on the wrist a little bit, but that’s about it,” Bohrn said.
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Bath tub interviews are just more fun
The description for the following video: Rub-a-dub-dub, John Malkovich is in a tub. That’s right. The master thespian joins host Craig Bierko for an intimate bath in the premiere of your favorite new talk show.
My two-cents: Hilarious. Disturbing. Uncomfortable. Entertaining. Just what you’d think it would be like to bathe John Malkovich … I’m glad Larry King, Dr. Phil and others have chosen to stay dry during their Q&A’s with guests. Let us hope this doesn’t start a trend.
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A fire engine limo? Leave it to the English!
I’m going into this item assuming that we’re all familiar with the concept of a party bus. In simple terms, it’s a limo on steroids only more for partying than traveling with class. Most are basic, some come with a concept. My favorite up until now has probably been Atlanta’s disco party bus (check out the photo galleries if you have time).
That all changed today when I happened across the Web site for the original Party Pump - a fire engine limo that seats up to seven passengers, has televisions, a champagne bar, mood and disco lighting, helmets to wear and bells to ring and my personal favorite … wait for it … a smoke machine. A smoke machine in a fire engine limo … I love it! Leave it to those wacky Brits.
It advertises that it’s perfect for hen parties which is UK speak for Bachelorette party. The best part is, it’s for sale! Always dreamed of owning a party fire engine? Who hasn’t and here’s your chance. This is a 2-alarm fire, baby! Partiers report to the scene stat.
I leave you with a photo to enjoy (click on it to view it in all of its glory) and the following question to mull over: Do you think Dayton needs a Party Pump?
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Hear R.E.M.’s new album today
Accelerate, R.E.M.’s latest offering doesn’t actually drop until April 1, but it’s streaming online at iLike.com until March 26. It will take you just over a half-hour to listen to, so don’t fear the commitment. Rolling Stone is calling it “one of the best records R.E.M. have ever made.” NPR has an interview with the band worth checking out. Spin is saying the band “hasn’t made an album this consistent since 1992’s Automatic for the People, and haven’t redlined so engagingly since 1986’s Lifes Rich Pageant.”
Sounds promising … if you get a chance to listen in before March 26, let us know what you think. And here’s a Billboard Q&A with Michael Stipe if you just can’t get enough.
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Chocolate Rabbit Meltdown
That poor, poor Easter bunny! Better eat him while you can. Just think of what a day at the beach would do while you’re watching this artsy video … I can’t help but thinking that melted chocolate could be used in a cocktail … check out this chocolate and orange martini recipe if you’re looking for ideas.
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Netflix outage means late DVDs
The Associated Press is reporting that technical problems with the Netflix Web site will be creating problems into tomorrow (March 25) affecting the distribution hubs in addition to the site itself.
Here’s what they are reporting:
” LOS GATOS, Calif. — Online DVD rental leader Netflix Inc. is suffering a technology breakdown that’s knocked out its Web site, inconveniencing its 7.5 million subscribers. The outage could mean some customers will have to wait longer than usual for their next rentals. Company spokesman Steve Swasey says the trouble blocked access to Netflix’s Web site about 7 a.m. PDT Monday. The site was still down in the afternoon. Swasey says DVDs that normally would have been mailed Monday may not go out until Tuesday because the problem also has hobbled some Netflix distribution centers.”
Any Netflix customers out there besides me? I don’t know about you, but I adore Netflix and am willing to overlook a little hiccup like this. Express your Netflix angst or adoration here …
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Celebrating leap year with a cocktail
Just because Friday Feb. 29, leap day to some, has come and gone doesn’t mean that we aren’t still celebrating. The day which only makes it to the calendar one out of ever four years has been celebrated with many different concoctions over the years according to a Wall Street Journal article.
My favorite example they site:
“In Mansfield, Ohio, in 1976, a spot called the BAR-n celebrated the calendar anomaly with Leap Year Dreamsicle Cocktails (vodka, orange juice, and vanilla ice cream) and promised the drink was ‘Guaranteed to make your dreams come true.’ “
The article finishes with the story and recipe of the Leap Year cocktail. I won’t burden you with details, you can read the entire story here if you like, but the recipe is worth sharing.
The Leap Year
Ingredients: 2 oz. gin, 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier, 1 dash fresh lemon juice. Directions: Shake with ice and strain into a stemmed cocktail glass. A twist of lemon peel on top.
Sound to me like a good way to celebrate such a special year. And if anyone out there remembers BAR-n in Mansfield share here …
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Interactive bar to revolutionize bar scene
I doubt there’s one of these coming to the area any time soon but wouldn’t it be fun if there were! A technology, dubbed the iBar, first shown in 2006, can turn just about any bar into an interactive - touch-sensitive screen - with amazing results.
The way it works is that video projectors project an image on the surface of the bar while software is measuring and mapping anything that comes into contact with the surface - a giant interactive touch screen.
The company behind this amazing application, Mindstorm, calls itself a surface solutions provider… I’m just saying, amazing. Ordering a drink at the bar becomes fun once again! The makers have developed several games that work on the connections bar goers make as they touch the surface. The ibar is even Bluetooth compatible so you upload your own content.
image potion design
Don’t think this technology is only for the club set - the jet set is going interactive too. For those lucky enough to stay at the St. Regis in New York City - they will find an installed ibar at Adour - a swanky wine bar.
Even Kanye West had a comment about the iBar on his blog.
Is Dayton ready for iBar?
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Readers share Springsteen stories
In the American music industry, there are two separate, yet equally important groups: Bruce, who puts out the music; and his fans, who obsessively pledge their devotion. These are their stories … and if you have stories of your own, by all means share them here. Many thanks to Laura Dempsey who compiled this information!
Jill Johnson, 41, Fairborn: It was October 1985, and I was just settling in at my first assignment at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base in Colorado. I was 18, very shy and awkward, worked in a maintenance shop with all men, and didn’t have many friends. I was, however, a HUGE Bruce fan, having fallen in love with “Born To Run” while in high school. I lived in the dorms on Peterson AFB, and the talk of the dorms was everyone going to the “BRUCE” concert in Denver. I remember feeling really bummed, because I didn’t have tickets to go, or anyone to go with. The night before the “Born in the USA” tour came to Denver, my coworker Burt called me, and said those magic words, “I have an extra ticket to go see Bruce, you wanna go with us?” WHOO HOOO! Did I ever! Six of us (five guys and me) piled in his 1970’s era Chevy Nova, and drove the hour north to Denver. We had seats right on the field, although they were kind of far back. A cold front moved in right as the concert started, and it sleeted on us for the entire concert. My hair was plastered to my head, and my makeup ran down my face, but I didn’t care because I was there experiencing the best concert ever. Afterwards, these guys weren’t strangers anymore, they were my friends. That broke the ice, and never again did I feel left out. GOOD TIMES!
Karen Button, 48, Springboro: I grew up on the south Jersey shore three miles downbeach from Atlantic City. I went to college at Rutgers in New Brunswick. Bruce was always playing on the radio, in the dorm rooms, bars, etc. I always liked Bruce, but I didn’t fall in love with him until after I moved to Indiana. I didn’t hear much of the boss on the radio while living in the Midwest (Indiana and Ohio). Every time I heard him it made me nostalgic for my “Jersey Days”! One of my favorite concerts was the “Seeger Sessions” concert in Columbus. I love how versatile he has become with his music. He is a great musician. I went to one of his concerts several years ago in Indianapolis and have been to each of the last three concerts in Ohio. My absolute favorite song is “Thunder Road.” I have never heard it in concert and I would love to hear it. I know how important it is to play new stuff at concerts and I appreciate that, but I can’t imagine anything better than to hear the Boss and the E Street Band banging out my favorite song! Maybe I’ll get to hear it at this concert! My husband and I will be going to the US Bank Arena on Saturday, March 22. Can’t wait.
Read more Brooooooce!!!! stories here or share your own …
Suzanne (and Ron) Valle, both 50 (she’ll be 51 Saturday March 22!), Centerville: My husband and I are HUGE Bruce fans. I have seen Bruce in concert 41 times and my husband about 36 times. We saw Bruce three times in November 2007 alone: Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
My husband and I met because of Bruce. We were a blind date in college (Purdue), fixed up by a mutual friend because we were both big Springsteen fans. We’ve been married over 26 years.
I’ve been a big fan of Bruce since 1976; my husband since 1975 or earlier. My husband is from Long Island, so he had heard of Bruce before I did.
My first Bruce concert was Sept. 9, 1978, at Notre Dame. I got to interview Bruce for “The Purdue Exponent” after the show. I got 10 minutes with him. I still have a copy of the article I wrote. I was actually able to give him a copy of the article in person a few months later.
My husband’s first Bruce show was February 1977 at Purdue.
Bruce’s music has touched me like no other artist. His music carried me through a very difficult time in my life in 1977-78. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like had it not been for his music.
I really can’t pinpoint a favorite song or album of his. That list literally changes by the day. My top three albums are: “Born to Run,” “Tunnel of Love” and “The Rising.” My favorite Bruce songs run the gamut from “Backstreets” to “Incident on 57th Street” to “She’s the One” to “Prove It All Night” to “The Rising” to “Human Touch.” I’d say that’s my list today!
I have my concert stubs from most of my 41 shows. Some of them are autographed by Bruce. My “Born to Run” album cover was autographed by Bruce in 1978 and is framed. In fact, my husband and I have quite a bit of Bruce memorabilia. Guitar pick, hand written setlists (most current is Pittsburgh 2007), autographs, vintage posters from 1976 on (a few are framed), both copies of the 1975 “Time” and “Newsweek” magazines when he appeared on the covers, autographed CD cover, etc. I know there’s more.
I also have every E Street Band member’s autograph except Danny.
I have actually met and talked to Bruce about six times over the years. I’ve had my picture taken with him about four times, but only one picture has come out. That was in November 2002 and I treasure it. I also have pics of me with Patti, Nils and Garry.
On our 25th wedding anniversary in 2006, Bruce played in Columbus, Ohio. The next night he played in Indianapolis and we were there as well. We were down front both nights, but front and center for Indy. I held up a small sign requesting a song for our anniversary, but not until toward the end. After the show was over, he came down to the edge of the stage and knelt down and asked to see my sign. I showed him and he wished us Happy Anniversary and blew us a kiss!
My husband and I have endured the most awful seats for Bruce concerts, but have been very lucky to be down front or very close to the front since 2002 when he started doing general admission.
Last March, we even made the trek to Asbury Park, New Jersey, and saw a lot of Bruce haunts.
Are we going to the Cincy, Columbus and Indy shows in March? Of course! Cincy is my birthday!
We have met so many nice Bruce fans over the years who’ve become very good friends, though none are from the Dayton area. We stay at each others houses “on the road” and share hotel rooms and stand in line for days with each other.
My husband takes photos at rock concerts as a hobby. He has had five pictures of Bruce published in “Backstreets” magazine — their Silver Anniversary issue to be exact. We have a ton of really good shots of Bruce in concert.
Julie Wheeler, 49, Franklin: I grew up in Northeast Ohio. In the seventies when I was a teenager, the weekend was kick-started by Murray Saul on the radio station WMMS with his Friday “GET Down.” Immediately following the Get Down was Springsteens’s “Born to Run “ and we would all get very excited for our weekend. We would all count out the 1,2,3,4, breakdown: “ONE TWO THREE FOUR! The highways jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive!!!!!” I thought it was so cool. I saw Bruce in Cincy at Riverfront Aug. 14, 1981 .. 26 years ago???? Wow! How old is Bruce?
Bob Dellaposta, 47, Middletown: In the summers of ‘78 & ‘79, my friends Larry Hollon, Steve Shupert and I spent many of summer nights driving around all night “Hiding on the Backstreets” sometimes “Racin in the Steet” trying to “Prove it all Night” because “Tramps like us, baby we were Born to Run.” So when the BOSS returned to Cincinnati (Riverfront Coliseum) in Oct. of 1980, we had to be there.
We didn’t just have to be there, we had to have the best seats possible. So, the night before tickets went on sale, we camped out all night at the Sears store located in the Towne Mall in Middletown (Sears was the Ticketron back in the day). Remember back then, Springsteen shows sold out in just a few hours, and this one was no exception. By morning, there was a line nearly a mile long. However, we were able to secure tickets for the floor (row U — 21 rows back).
There was some controversy prior to the show. Again, remember, The Who tragedy had just happened in December 1979. This show was reserved seating, not festival seating, which is what Springsteen fans were used to. Springsteen fans wanted to get on the floor, but they were not going to be allowed unless they had a ticket to do so. (Side note: Springsteen was the artist that did return festival seating to the Coliseum some 20 years later.)
On the night of the big show, we of course got there early. We located our seats on the floor and everyone on the floor was standing, long before the show ever started. I got this big idea that I could get some extra folks onto the floor. My friends gave me their tickets, and I went and found my cousin Joe and his wife Marion who were way up top somewhere. I gave them my friends’ tickets and the three of us were able to get on the floor, no problems. Of course, there was a problem when we tried to squeeze a couple extra people into Row U.
Even though everyone was standing, it was still a little tight with two extra people in the aisle. Finally, someone complained to security and here they came. They wanted to see our tickets and verify that we belonged on the floor. We gladly flashed our tickets and as security checked each individual person for their ticket, we simply passed our tickets around behind our backs, so that anytime the security guy checked us, we had a ticket. He checked us out two or three times and never could figure out what we were doing. He finally gave up by saying, “Something ain’t right, I don’t know what it is, but something ain’t right”. By this time the show was starting, so they decided to let us go.
Springsteen opened with “Prove it all Night” right into “Badlands” into “Tenth Ave. Freezeout” before pausing to dedicate “Darkness on the Edge of Town” to Mohammed Ali who had lost a fight the night before. The set continued with “Point Blank,” “Because the Night,” “Out on the Street,” “The River,” “The Ties that Bind,” “Thunder Road” and finally ending with “Rosalita,” by which time we headed for the front of the stage. Security came chasing after us again, but we squeezed in up front, just like ole’ times (the days of festival seating), and back then, security just wasn’t going to try and battle the crowd, it wasn’t worth the fight. Of course, it would be just the opposite today. Anyway, the encores were “Jungleland,” “Born to Run,” finishing with the “Devil in a Blue Dress Medley.”
Wow!!!!! BROOOOOOCCCCEEEE!!!!!
After the show, one of the stage people tossed one of the boss’ harmonicas across the stage and into the crowd. The crowd jumped to the floor trying to find it. I looked at my friend Earl, who had a big
smile on his face. I said, “You caught that, didn’t you,” and with a big grin, he answered, “Yes”. Everyone else was still looking for the darn thing.
Anyway, it was a great night, a great concert, a true story. By the way, the cost of the ticket for the floor? $9.50.
Jim Justice, Hamilton: I have multitudes of great Bruce stories and memories, but the pinnacle of memories came in December of 2006 when I got the opportunity to sit down with Bruce for an interview in Sayreville, New Jersey, that we conducted for a documentary film we just recently completed about Pittsburgh musician Joe Grushecky. Diehard Bruce fans will know who Joe Grushecky is due to the fact that he is the only person outside of the E Street Band to have co-written with Bruce and one of the very few to continually be invited to perform and share the stage with him. However, the interview was preceded by a once in a lifetime, almost personal, acoustic performance by the man himself. As we were preparing for the interview, Bruce was preparing the setlist for that night’s performance at The Light Of Day benefit concert. (Bruce has been known to attend this annual concert that benefits research for Parkinson’s disease, and he usually shares the stage with his good friend and frequent collaborator, Joe Grushecky. Although he is never listed on the bill, the New Jersey crowd has grown accustomed to Bruce making his recurring “surprise” visits). After Joe had introduced me to Bruce, they (Joe and his band, The Houserockers, with Bruce on acoustic), proceeded to work through the songs that they were going to play that. Here I am, standing in this small 12-by-12 room with Bruce, listening to Bruce’s acoustic versions of “Johnny 99,” “Atlantic City,” and “Darkness on the Edge of Town.” Incredible! You can check out more about the documentary and view the teaser trailer (which includes a snippet from the Bruce interview) at the following: www.myspace.com/agoodlifemovie or flatbrokeproductions.com/agoodlifemovie.htm. (Justice’s documentary, “A Good Life: The Joe Grushecky Story” was released Jan. 22)
Belinda M. Paschal, 42, Dayton: I credit The Boss for cementing my identity on the Internet as “acidbrat,” the email address/screen name I’ve used since the early ’90s. Countless people erroneously assume the moniker to be a drug reference or an allusion to my acerbic wit, but it actually comes from a Springsteen song. The lyrics to “Mary Queen of Arkansas” from his debut album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” include the couplet: “Well, I’m just a lonely acrobat, the livewire is my trade/I’ve been a shine boy for your acid brat and a wharf rat of your state.” The guy sure can turn a phrase, eh? The entire album is sheer, bloody poetry set to music!
Dale Hotaling, 52, Born in New Jersey, now living in Yellow Springs: So many memories! And I have tickets for March 24 in Columbus.
1) My first Springsteen concert was Oct. 4, 1980, in Cincinnati. I was a huge fan of the 1978 record “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” missing the 1975 “Born to Run” craze somehow (I even missed a chance to see him in Athens in 1976 when he apparently partied uptown with the students after playing). My wife and I listened to the tape all the way to the down there, and it sounded great, but two songs into the set — “Prove It All Night” and “Badlands” — I turned to her and said “This is already the best concert I have ever attended” and I had gone to the original Woodstock as a 14-year-old!). The tape was still playing in our car when we left to go home more than three hours later and we couldn’t keep it on since it paled in comparison to the show.
2) I got tickets to the Aug. 7, 1985, show at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium which must have had 90 to 100,000 people in attendance since “Born in the USA” was so popular that year. I bought the tickets at the Ticketron at the Nutter Center when they went on sale and they spit out the 6th row! Later I heard there was such a demand in Northeast Ohio that all ticket outlets north of us shut down from being overloaded, enabling me to score such a great spot for the two of us. When we went in there the speakers we were seated in front of on the right side of the stage as we faced it must have been 75 feet tall to accommodate the huge venue. I thought I would never hear again, but the sound was terrific, perhaps factoring in those of us fortunate to be in front of the other 90,000 people.
Tom Hubler, 48, Miamisburg: Let’s start from the beginning.
In the summer of 1975, between my freshman and sophomore years at Oakwood High School, I was still stuck in the past listening to my Beatles records while my brother Jack was getting a fresh music start at college having just competed his freshman year at Miami University. Later on that summer he purchased Springsteen’s “Born to Run” album and that’s when I first heard a very different sound emanating from our turntable. When my brother went back to school that fall, he saw Springsteen for the first time at Millett Hall in Oxford. It wasn’t until my freshman year at Bowling Green State University in 1978-79 that the “Springsteen thing” finally kicked in for me. I joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and it was a pledge requirement to memorize all of the lyrics to the song “Born to Run.” That song became the fraternity’s rallying cry and whenever we played it at parties we would all scream the words. We would also surround the brother who decided to play the “air sax” solo in the middle of the song. Clarence Clemons we were not, but it sure was a lot of silly frat fun. To this day, when I hear “Born to Run” on the radio, the volume gets cranked as do the memories. “…The highway’s jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive!!!” That song defines rock music in my book.
From then on I was forever riding on The Boss bandwagon. My first Springsteen concert was in Cleveland in 1980 when Springsteen toured in support of “The River” album. I remember sitting behind the stage for that one with my BGSU buddies. I would see Springsteen again in 1984 in Cincinnati for the Born in the USA tour. I got lucky and purchased two tickets off a friend who could not attend and took Jack to the show. While living in Indiana for a few years, I was able to see Springsteen in Indianapolis for the Tunnel of Love concert tour in 1987. My final Springsteen fling happened by chance in 2002 while visiting Jack in Tampa, Fla. We miraculously came up with a pair of tickets on the day of the show to hear Springsteen blast songs from “The Rising” CD. Four concerts in four different cities spanning over 20 years.
So now Springsteen is back on the road in support of his fabulous new CD “Magic,” but this is where my story takes a detour. Yes, in late December I did buy concert tickets as a birthday present for my wife Andrea. However, her musical tastes were of Buble and not Bruce. I bought concert tickets for Michael Buble, but not Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. There. I said it. It’s out there and I will survive.
I would like to conclude this story with one final thought about a Springsteen concert. Quite often I believe, concertgoers attend a show hoping to hear their favorite artist play all of their classic tunes. Sure, play a few songs off the new CD you’re trying to promote, but don’t stray too far from what got you on the radio. With Springsteen, it’s the complete opposite. You go to one of his shows hoping he plays every song off the latest CD because you can’t wait to hear how those new songs will sound live in concert. When it comes to live performances, Springsteen is supreme. He even has the nerve to throw in a classic every now and then like “Rosalita,” “Glory Days” and “Born to Run.”
Doug Sheppard, 46, Beavercreek: I’ve got a funny story for you about the first time I saw Bruce live. It was 1984, the show was in Cincinnati. My friend Scott bought us tickets, insisting I would love the show. At the time I was not a big fan but I knew he was so I agreed. Scott talked about what a high-energy show it would be and all I could think of was the more recent albums “Nebraska” and “The River” and thought, how? It was sold out and our seats were halfway up in the nosebleed section with a straight-on view of the stage. We got to our seats just before the show started and met some students sitting behind us that were pumped and ready to party. They invited us to join them and bought Scott and I our own big tubs of beer. I noticed they had a bit of a middle eastern accent and asked where they were from. They told us they were from Iran and were students at UC. The show was definitely high energy and we stood up most of the time. The highlight of the evening was when we all sang along to “Born in the USA” while swaying back and forth with our new friends. The UC guys sounded pretty funny: “Ba-orn in da U-S-A !!! I’ll remember that forever …
Chris Menke, 48, Clayton: I used to live in southern California, and Bruce would play L.A. a lot. First time I saw him was at the Whisky, a very small club on the Sunset Strip, back in 1979. I hardly knew who he was at the time but my buddies from the Air Force kept bugging me to go with them. That night changed me forever as far as concerts go. Hearing “ThunderRoad.” “Rosalita.” “Jungleland” and “Born To Run” live for the first time had me completely enthralled. And to see the women basically throwing themselves at him, well it was just one big party. Next time was a year later for The River Tour at the Forum, home of the Lakers. Much bigger venue but he and E Street made it seem again like an intimate party with 19,000 of his closest friends.
Over the years I’ve now seen him 34 times with and without the E Street Band, with Cincy and Columbus coming up. I have been to some of those infamous four-hour concerts, most with no intermission. As an audience member you are worn out after the first three hours but Bruce & the ESB kept the energy level so high you’d have to keep up with them. While they have slowed down a little the past few tours, you still get a high-quality 2 1/2 hour show. With the Big Man on sax, ‘Professor’ Roy Bittan on piano, ‘Mighty’ Max Weinberg on drums, and Little Steven on guitar (along with an excellent Nils Lofgren), the ESB remains one of the best backing bands still out there. To this day I still try to have someone go who has never seen them before. Usually they don’t want to because they either don’t really like Springsteen’s music that much or just don’t go to concerts much anymore. Every time by the end of the show they have become converts and can’t wait to see him/them again. Hearing “Promised Land” or “Born To Run” live can hardly be beat.
Another thing is if you get there early enough before a concert and are lucky enough to catch him going in the venue, Bruce will take requests for that night. Usually he will play at least one of them that night. How many acts do that?
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Winery goes for the hard stuff with new gin
E. & J. Gallo Winery has launched a new gin called New Amsterdam Straight Gin aimed at 25-49 year olds according to a story from the Modesto Bee Web site. With a suggested retail price of $13 to $14 a bottle and the 40 percent alcohol content concoctions made from an undisclosed grain and flavored with juniper berries and citrus, this seems like an unusual move for a winery to jump from grapes to grain. The article goes on to say that wine companies dipping a toe into the harder stuff is not unusual. Constellation and Diageo make several different types of spirits.
A few other interesting tidbits I gleaned from the article:
Gallo, founded 75 years ago this summer by the late Ernest and Julio Gallo, has created or acquired more than 40 wine brands. It is the world’s second-largest producer by volume, trailing only Constellation Brands.
Gin makers have seen steady growth in U.S. sales in recent years, from $852 million in 2003 to $908 million in 2006, according to the industry group. … Still, gin was last in U.S. sales among the major spirits in 2006. Vodka led the way at about $4 billion, followed by rum, bourbon, scotch and tequila.
Click here to read the entire article.
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Frozen in Grand Central Station
A couple of cool videos worth checking out …. The first would probably have freaked me out if I had been there at the time. One of those very unexpected things that happens when you find yourself in a city like New York …
And this is just plain funny … and cute … and funny …
St. Patrick’s Day may have come and gone but No Country For Little Men on Super Deluxe is still hilarious!
Have you seen any video out there that’s tickling your funny bone?
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Sendup of “Juno,” with a schmear …
This trailer for “Jewno” is absolutely hysterical.
The exchange in the convenience store with Estrogen Esther is so very inspired. Enjoy!
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Van Halen rescheduled tour dates announced
Van Halen announced today that it has rescheduled all of the previously postponed dates on its North American Tour.
The new dates kick off with the band’s performance at Tiger Wood’s charity event, Tiger Jam XI, in Las Vegas, NV on April 19 and run through Monday, June 2 when the band plays Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids Michigan.Tickets sold for the previously scheduled date will be honored.
Cincinnati’s U.S. Bank Arena show is now on the calendar for Tuesday, April 22 and the Columbus Schottenstein Center show is now scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. I’ll believe it when I see it. What do you think?
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Best. Flowchart. Ever.
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Bring “Girls Rock” to Dayton!
Hey all … a good buddy hipped me to the “Girls Rock” movie. She writes in an e-mail: “Fastastic empowerment for all young girls!” and she ain’t kidding. Check out the youtube trailer for the movie below and, if you’re a fan like I am, check out the link to the film’s Web site …
It would be cool to set up a screening in Dayton ‘cause the closest it is going to get is probably Chicago. The twist is that we actually have the power to bring this to Dayton … On the home page there is a place to enter your zip code and e-mail. If there are enough requests it could actually make it here. So rock girls all ages rise up. Let’s ban together and get these little rockers to town!
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Vodka and Rattlesnakes - in the same bottle
The Star Telegram is reporting that agents have seized more than 400 bottles of vodka from Bayou Bob’s Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch in Texas.
While the homemade nature caught the attention of the agents it was the 10-inch rattlesnake in every bottle that made the investigators take notice.
TABC officials said alcohol containing snakes or scorpions is popular in Asian cultures. An Internet search found operations selling Thai scorpion vodka, cobra whiskey, giant centipede whiskey, herbal gecko lizard wine and Mekong River eel wine. “It’s very bizarre,” Cloud said. “We learned that these are believed to contain aphrodisiac properties. We heard that some people believe having a venomous animal creates hallucinations.” Star-Telegram.com
Is this really an aphrodisiac?
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Pie and Cocktails delivered to your door
So, check this out!
A Web site called the Grateful Palate has come up with an amazing product combination they are calling ‘Pie-Tini.” As the name suggests, they’ll send you a limited edition pie along with an original cocktail recipe matched to your pie.
Here’s what a limited three-month club membership brings: a really cool membership card; a hand-crafted seasonal pie feature fresh ingredients local to Phoebe Lawless delivered to your door each month for three months; and an original David Myers cocktail recipe!! Shipping and handling costs included. SPRING CLUB April: Strawberry Rhubarb with Oat Streusal May: Butterscotch June: Italian Chocolate Ricotta SUMMER CLUB July: Double Crusted Blueberry August: Sweet Corn & Vanilla Bean September: Five Spice Apple FALL/WINTER CLUB October: Sour Cream Sweet Potato November: Kentucky Shoofly December: Brown Butter Pecan GratefulPalate.com
The Web site has some pretty interesting and amazing items for your inner foodie including a Bacon of the Month club.
Ready for Pie and Cocktails?
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St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails
Many party revilers this weekend will be eyeing the beers of Irish decent along with a pint or two of tinted green beer. But for those of us that find the green beer idea a little off putting we suggest a green or Irish themed cocktail concoction.
Here are of couple suggestions:
Envy and Other Sins
1 part Sweet Vermouth
1 part Green Chartreuse
1 part Irish Whiskey
Blarney Stone
1 part Green Chartreuse
1 part Green Mint Liqueur
2 parts Irish Whiskey
Chill a cocktail glass with ice or in the freezer. Pour green chartreuse, green mint liqueur and irish whiskey into a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake it until the shaker is very cold. Empty the cocktail glass from ice and water. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass.
Deceiver
1 part Green Chartreuse
2 parts Plymouth Gin
1 dash Green Mint Liqueur
Chill a cocktail glass with ice or in the freezer. Pour green chartreuse and plymouth gin into a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake it until the shaker is very cold. Empty the cocktail glass from ice and water. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass. absolut.com
Irish Mul
1 part Irish Whiskey
Some Ginger Ale
Some Ice
1 slice of Lime
Do you have a green favorite? Be sure to share your favorite before St.Patty’s day tis over.
Green Chartreuse “With over 130 different herbal extracts, this very strong spirit is hard to copy. It is made by French monks since the 18th century, and only these know the secret recipe. Green Chartreuse is a popular shooter among madmen, but works well in drinks too.” absolut.com
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Pravda Luxury Vodka to host Jazz Night benefit
Pravda Luxury Vodka is hosting a Jazz Night to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters tonight (Friday, March 14) at 8 p.m. at Humpty’s inside the Holiday Inn in Englewood. This event is the first of a new program of Jazz Nights that will happen at Humpty’s on the Second Friday of every month. $5 tickets can be bought at the door. Mix 107.7’s Kristi Leigh will be on hand from 6-8 p.m.
Jazz Night will be followed by Humpy’s Second Annual St. Patrick’s Day 24-Hour Non-Stop Karaoke Party. Karaoke enthusiasts can sing non-stop from midnight today midnight Saturday. Faux Irish Coffees, other non-alcoholic beverages, and a special all night breakfast menu featuring ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ will be available throughout the wee hours of the morning.
Humpty’s and the Holiday Inn are located on Route 48 at I-70 Exit 29. For more information about Trivia, Jazz Night, or Karaoke call (937) 832-1234.
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Vodka taste test: Research project finds inexpensive option
Background: Catching wind of a new, low-priced vodka being introduced to the Ohio market, the Lounge Lizards decided a taste test was in order. With a suggested retail price of less than $17 for a 1.5 liter bottle, Sobieski vodka bills itself to be every bit as good as the expensive stuff. Our inner mad scientists were left wondering if it could be true. We set off on a mission to find out.
Vodka growth: Chester Brandes, president and CEO of Imperial Brands, the importer of Sobieski says, “It’s time vodka drinkers knew the truth about vodka. Consumers are spending between $30 to $60 a bottle for so-called super-premium vodkas. In essence, they are paying for fancy packaging and bloated marketing costs.”
The Lizards think he’s right … the growth of vodka sales in the past few years has been staggering, with new flavors and brands bring introduced in record numbers. In 2006, 60 brands were launched in the U.S.
The question: The Lounge Lizards shudder at the words “well drink,” but hearing that Sobieski — which claims to be the world’s No. 7 best selling vodka and No. 1 Polish vodka — earned a gold medal and “Best Buy” award from the Beverage Testing Institute, our fears were relieved. So the question becomes, can a cheap vodka rate as highly with experienced drinkers as an expensive one?
The test: Not all vodkas are created equal, so to test the flavor and experience Sobieski provides we gathered 16 people from all walks of life to weigh in on this affordable option distilled from Dankowski rye.
Each tester was given two unmarked vodkas to sample — one Sobieski and another a sample from a mid-priced bottle of Skyy — and rated them using a scale from one (lowest) to five.
The results: Sobieski received a score of 3.2 out of 5 on average while our mid-priced comparison Skyy averaged a score of 3.4 out of 5, barely eking out a win. Both vodkas had comments that ran the gamut from “harsh” to “smooth” to “clean and crisp.”
The verdict: The results of our testing seems to suggest little discernible difference exists between the two vodkas in terms of taste. Additionally, we asked the testers to rate their drinking experience, which appeared to have little influence on the raters’ choice.
While Skyy vodka was the overall winner, the margin of difference was small enough for us to suggest that using a less-expensive vodka may be a good way to stretch your bar budget. But remember … not all inexpensive vodkas are created equal either. Sobieski might be a good place to start.
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Gnarls Barkley’s latest video banned from MTV
They’ve gone and done it again. Gnarls Barkley’s “Run” is like hot butter on, say what? The popcorn!!! Justin Timberlake’s cameo is just fantastic. Before you watch, please note that MTV banned playing this video saying that it could cause seizures in those suffering from epilepsy. Then again, they don’t play music videos anyway, so it’s not really news they won’t be playing this one. This is crazy, fresh and I am loving it and the YouTube video posted here is small, low-resolution and slow to load. Still, watch at your own discretion. The L.A. Times posted an early review of the full album, “The Odd Couple” that sounds pretty positive. We’ll see … the album drops April 8.
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A quiz to end hunger
A couple of fun sites to test your knowledge …
An “Arrested Development” quiz. I’m still mourning its cancellation. Dysfunction has never given me such a warm and wonderful feeling before. I still can’t believe it’s gone. Relive those Bluth family antics with this quiz courtesy of our fine friends at Mental Floss.
Freerice.com. Once you’ve revisited the Bluth family selfishness, it’s time for something selfless. This site will test your vocabulary. For each word you get right, 20 grains of rice will be donated to the UN World Food Program to end hunger. The site says it has donated 21,665,153,990 grains of rice so far. A win-win situation it seems.
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“Speed Racer” gets IMAX green light
The Wachowski Brothers (Matrix trilogy) live-action version of the “Speed Racer” cartoon, which cruises into theaters May 9, has been given the IMAX green light. I’m thinking this is either going to just be OK, or may fall into “V for Vendetta” territory (I was not a fan). You be the judge. Check out the latest film trailer … what do you think?
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Lego digital designer is hours of free entertainment
The Lego digital designer. A freeware program that let’s you play with Legos from a Mac or a PC … we’re sold!
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What’s your favorite comic strip?
Everyone would have a different answer for this, but I’d argue that the daily comic section peaked during the heyday of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” and Gary Larson’s “Far Side.” There are still a handful of strips I look forward to nowadays … “Zits,” “Brewster Rockit,” “Pearls Before Swine,” “Get Fuzzy” and most of all, “Dilbert.” Scott Adams puts a wicked spin on corporate America’s cubicle culture that cracks me up. His blog (http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/) is a very entertaining read that I also enjoy.
Another of my favorite comic blogs is the Comics Curmudgeon (http://joshreads.com/). Written by Josh Fruhlinger, it picks apart the comics pages each day with laugh out loud results.
Lastly, a friend turned me on to a Web site that proves Jim Davis’ “Garfield” comic strip is funnier without the title character. This gem of a Web site has actually managed to take tired material (note to Davis: the lasagna jokes stopped working about 15 years ago if they ever worked at all) and inject it with new life by removing the slacker cat digitally.
The concept as explained by the Web site: “Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolor disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.” All true. Go to http://garfieldminusgarfield.tumblr.com/ and see for yourself. And while you’re at it, what are your favorite comics or comic sites?
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Connect to the neighborhood with Zipskinny
We all think we know about where we live, but do we really? You can’t beat the stats compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. Enter zipskinny.com. It compiles that data into a user-friendly format so that you can find what you’re looking for without being bored to death. The Web site takes the numbers from the 2000 census and makes it searchable by zip code. Compare income brackets, education, occupation, age, marital status, race, sex … even latitude and longitude if you’re really looking to nerd out. It’s a great site to surf if you find yourself bored in the house on a bad weather day like today. If you’ve always wondered just how rich Beverly Hills 90210 is, now is your chance.
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Retro recipes to delight guests
Here are a few fun recipes for blue cheese straws, pimento cheese, pigs in a blanket, a French Champagne cocktail and a Negroni cocktail that we didn’t have room for in the LIFE section in an article that was written by Aleta Watson from McClatchy Newspapers. Figured we could share them here on our blog instead … enjoy! And if you have any retro recipes of your own, feel free to share ‘em.
NEGRONI: Serves 1. Ingredients: Ice, 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce Campari, 1 ounce Italian (sweet) vermouth, Orange slice. Directions: Fill shaker with ice. Add gin, Campari and vermouth. Shake, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with orange slice. From “Straight Up or On the Rocks,” by William Grimes (North Point Press, 2001, 186 pp., $20)
FRENCH 75 CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL: Serves 4. Ingredients:Champagne, Ice cubes, 1 cup gin, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 1/2 tablespoons superfine sugar, 4 lemon peel strips, each about 1/4 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. Directions: Chill the Champagne and 4 Champagne flutes or stemmed glasses. Fill a tall cocktail shaker half full with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Cover with the lid and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain into the chilled glasses. Top with a splash of Champagne. Float a lemon strip on top of each drink and serve at once. From “Williams-Sonoma Holiday Entertaining,” edited by Chuck Williams (Oxmoor House, 2007, 288 pp, $34.95)
BLUE CHEESE STRAWS: Makes about 10 dozen. Ingredients: 1/2 pound extra-sharp white cheddar, 1/2 pound well-aged blue cheese, 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or more, to taste, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, teaspoon salt, 2 cups unbleached flour. Directions: Finely grate cheddar with a rotary cheese grater, a box grater or the shredding disk of a food processor. Crumble blue cheese into bowl of food processor fitted with the steel blade or into the bowl of mixer. Add cheddar and butter and cream them together until fluffy and smooth. Add cayenne, black pepper, salt and flour and work it into a uniform dough. Gather it into a ball, wrap well in plastic wrap or wax paper, and chill for at least half an hour to 1 hour. Don’t let it get hard, and, if you are making it ahead to bake later, allow enough time for it to soften at room temperature until it is pliable but still cool. Position a rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Put dough in a cookie press fitted with the star die (or a pastry bag fitted with a star tip) and press it out onto an ungreased cookie sheet into 2 1/2-inch straws, leaving about 1/2 inch of space between them. You may also roll dough out to a 1/4-inch thickness and cut it into 1/2-inch by 2 1/2-inch strips. Bake about 18 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned on the bottom and pale gold on top. Cool on pan before transferring them to an airtight storage container. From “Damon Lee Fowler’s New Southern Baking,” by Damon Lee Fowler (Simon & Schuster, 2005, 360 pp, $26)
PIMENTO CHEESE: Makes 2 cups, 14 cocktail servings. Ingredients: 1 red bell pepper, 1/2 pound (about 3 cups) finely grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) softened cream cheese, cut into pieces, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Directions: Preheat broiler. Place pepper on its side in a dry, ovenproof skillet and slide it under the broiler until the skin blackens on the side facing up, about 3 minutes. With tongs, turn the pepper so that an unblackened side faces up, and repeat until the skin is blackened on all sides. Place pepper in a small bowl, cover it, and let steam for 5 minutes. Uncover bowl. When blackened pepper is cool enough to handle, transfer to cutting board, reserving any liquid in the bowl. Remove blackened skin with your fingers and discard. Using a paring knife, cut open pepper, remove and discard stem and seeds. Chop pepper into 1/4-inch dice. You should have a scant 1/2 cup. Place grated cheddar in medium bowl and add cream cheese pieces, mayonnaise, diced red pepper and its liquid, and red pepper flakes, distributing them evenly over the cheese. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, blend ingredients together until the spread is thoroughly mixed, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Transfer pimento cheese to a plastic container or bowl, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Pimento cheese keeps in the refrigerator for 1 week. From “The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook,” by Matt Lee and Ted Lee, (W.W. Norton, 2006, 590 pp., $35)
PIGS IN A BLANKET: Makes 36. Ingredients: 1/2 pound butter (2 sticks), 1/2 pound cream cheese, 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy cream, divided use, 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, About 36 small sausages, 1 egg. Directions: Make the pastry: In electric mixer, cream butter and cream cheese together thoroughly. Add 1/4 cup cream and whip for 3 minutes. Gradually add flour and salt and work into a firm ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour. Roll out pastry on a well-floured surface and cut into strips just large enough to wrap sausages around the middle and leave a bit of each end exposed. (For the Aidells sausage, I cut strips about 1 1/4 inches wide and 3 inches long.) Roll each sausage in a strip and pinch ends together firmly. Place sausages on baking sheets, seam side down and slightly separated to allow dough room to puff up. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk egg and remaining 3 tablespoons cream together in a small bowl. Brush each sausage roll with the egg mixture and bake until pastry is golden brown and crisp, about 25 minutes. Sausage rolls may be prepared up to 1 day ahead, placed on baking sheets, covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated. Bake them straight out of the fridge. They’ll need a little more time in the oven to brown adequately. Adapted from “Menus for Entertaining,” by James Beard (Lyons Press, 2004, 401 pp, $19.95)
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Recipes
Rep confirms Patrick Swayze has cancer
The Associated Press and others are reporting that the “Ghost” and “Dirty Dancing” star does have pancreatic cancer, but the prognosis isn’t as bad as some stories are saying (several have said he had just weeks to live).
His physician, Dr. George Fisher, has said he has responded well to treatment and that he’s well enough to work and continue a normal schedule according to his rep.
E! Online has a great story by Joal Ryan that goes into more detail speaking to his mother, Patsy Swayze, who says, “he’s sick … but he has great doctors and a great prognosis, and that’s all I can say.”
The story goes on to say that, “According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of the leading cancers. Fewer than 5 percent of patients live more than five years after diagnosis.” Click here to read the entire piece.
Doesn’t sound good, that’s for sure. USA Today has a really good article that takes readers through the science of why pancreatic cancer is so deadly and paints a much bleaker picture. The Cliff Notes version of it is that this particular type of cancer is very hard to catch early on, which means it’s in an advance stage by the time it is detected and to make things worse, it’s a very aggressive form of cancer that often resists treatment. There’s more to it than that, if you’re interested in the science, read the full explanation here.
A “Point Break” sequel seems too much too hope for at this point. Feel free to post updates here you may come across, and remember, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner!”
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Food fight: A history of war told with food
Check this short film by Stefan Nadelman out … it’s called “Food Fight” and it’s described as “an abridged history of American-centric warfare, from WWII to present day, told through the foods of the countries in conflict.” Here’s a cheat sheet for the food if you get confused … it’s digusting, sad, funny and insane all at once.
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Celebrating the Ohio primary
There will be several toasts being made today as the results come in from the Ohio primary depending on who you’re lending support to. Svedka vodka has put together a cocktail to celebrate the results in style. A “Cosmo-Politician” is a perfect way to join the party.
The Cosmo-politician
2 parts Svedka Clementine; 1/2 part orange juice; 1 tsp. orange marmelade (optional); orange slices; shaker; martini glass
Place all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Strain and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange slice or zest. Try not and debate politics or candidates … it’s a quick way to ruin a good time.
The Cosmo-politician courtesy of Svedka vodka.
And here are a couple of funny YouTube videos I came across that deal with the election to help you pass the time while you’re waiting for those primary results to come in today. The first is a cool montage of different stars singing and speaking in a video for a song put together by will.i.am for Obama titled “We Are the Ones.”
The second is a Hillary Clinton ad featuring Jack Nicholson with clips from movies he’s been in over the years.
The last clip is McCain answering a question from a high school student who asks is he too old to be President. The last part of his response is worth waiting for …
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Recipes, YouTube
Cincinnati restaurant week, local beer dinner
There are some great dining options to tempt you this week. Locally, the Amber Rose, 1400 Valley St., Dayton, will be having a beer dinner with a brew master from Anheuser Busch. The dinner which takes place March 5 starting at 7 p.m. will feature a four-course meal, each paired with different beers. Cost is $35 which includes tax and gratuity but tickets are limited to only 40, so better call soon (the restaurant’s number is 937 228-2511).
And today, March 3 is the kickoff to Cincinnati’s restaurant week. Lots of terrific places are participating including deSha’s, Jag’s, Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, Mesh and Pompilio’s. The event goes through March 9 and will cost $25.08 for a three course menu. Go here for more information.
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Van Halen tour cancelled already?
Update: This from the Van Halen Web site: “Van Halen concerts in Dallas, Cincinnati, Raleigh, and Baltimore have been postponed. According to Eddie Van Halen’s physician, he is undergoing a battery of comprehensive medical tests to determine a defined diagnosis and recommended medical procedures. Fans should retain their tickets as they will be honored at the rescheduled concerts or ticket refunds will be issued at the original point of purchase.”
Cincinnati’s March 5th concert at U.S. Bank Arena has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd.
Earlier today, TMZ.com, Rolling Stone and others were reporting that the Van Halen tour, which had a March 5 date scheduled at Cincinnati’s U.S. Bank Arena and an April 1 date at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, had been cancelled.
A representative from the Schottenstein Center said they had heard the rumor but it had not been confirmed. The Van Halen Web site has the tour schedule posted with nothing to indicate the tour is not still going on.
The post from TMZ.com states: “We’re told arrangements are being made right now to cancel hotel stays for the tour - which was scheduled to continue through April 19th. Sources tell us the reason for the cancellation is Eddie - that he is having ‘issues.’ “
The band had already postponed concerts in Virginia and Georgia. Both had been rescheduled for mid-March.
We knew with David Lee Roth back on board things would be tense, but cancelling the entire 40-date summer tour this soon? Will update with more information here as we have it.
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