In my continuing mission to make sure that lonely shut-ins are like that because they want to be, not for lack of opportunity, I present three Thanksgiving week AE excursions guaranteed to be full of good times. They will be in three separate posts because that's easiest for me to manage as the events pass.
Third and final: Saturday night brings us to the White House Bistro in Saugatuck to hear the marvelous 33rd Street Band. This band is reminiscent of the fine old days of classic horn rock. Think Chicago. Think Blood, Sweat and Tears. Think Blues Brothers. Yes, that sounds like a winner to me too.
The 33rd Street Band is an AE favorite, one of the four bands we follow around and dance our feet bloody to. Why not come out and join us Saturday night? Band starts at 9, I'll likely be there earlier, 7:30, 8:00ish for dinner.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
11/27/09 Friday night @ my house - FIREPIT!
In my continuing mission to make sure that lonely shut-ins are like that because they want to be, not for lack of opportunity, I present three Thanksgiving week AE excursions guaranteed to be full of good times. They will be in three separate posts because that's easiest for me to manage as the events pass.
Second of three - Friday night the Bronson Park holiday lights will be turned on. We'll be there at 6:45 to see that occur at 7:00, then we'll be retiring to my home for bbq pork, snacks, and hot cocoa. We'll be building a big fire in the fire bowl, and having some very good times. Special friends are coming in from both Cincy and Dayton, as well as a very special guest coming in from Louisiana.
Food, drinks, and fire. Plus a little extra showpiece from my neighbor and I. Come on over.
Second of three - Friday night the Bronson Park holiday lights will be turned on. We'll be there at 6:45 to see that occur at 7:00, then we'll be retiring to my home for bbq pork, snacks, and hot cocoa. We'll be building a big fire in the fire bowl, and having some very good times. Special friends are coming in from both Cincy and Dayton, as well as a very special guest coming in from Louisiana.
Food, drinks, and fire. Plus a little extra showpiece from my neighbor and I. Come on over.
11/25/09 Bar Night - this Wednesday @ The Green Top
In my continuing mission to make sure that lonely shut-ins are like that because they want to be, not for lack of opportunity, I present three Thanksgiving week AE excursions guaranteed to be full of good times. They will be in three separate posts because that's easiest for me to manage as the events pass.
First up - Wednesday night. Thanksgiving Eve is traditionally the busiest bar night of the year. We're going to participate in that tradition by enjoying the downmarket ambiance of the Green Top Tavern in downtown Kalamazoo. We hope to be there early enough to secure hi-top tables in the window, the better to peoplewatch and be seen by potential future members of the AE.
The Green Top is located at 250 E Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo. I should be there about 5:20, as quickly as I can get there after work. Please come out and join us - so far we've got about 8-9 folks in. As usual, the more the merrier.
First up - Wednesday night. Thanksgiving Eve is traditionally the busiest bar night of the year. We're going to participate in that tradition by enjoying the downmarket ambiance of the Green Top Tavern in downtown Kalamazoo. We hope to be there early enough to secure hi-top tables in the window, the better to peoplewatch and be seen by potential future members of the AE.
The Green Top is located at 250 E Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo. I should be there about 5:20, as quickly as I can get there after work. Please come out and join us - so far we've got about 8-9 folks in. As usual, the more the merrier.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
I'm spending a rare evening home, curled up on the futon with a steamy mug of hot ginger/tangerine tea, catching up on magazines that have arrived at my house over the past busy days leading up to the local elections. Conde Nast Traveler lies, spent, on my coffee table/trunk. Now, this magazine is like close-the-blinds-so-the-neighbors-don't-see pron for me. The shivery pleasure I derive from the monthly perusal of this paean to the practice of perambulation cannot be imagined.
However, that all ratcheted up about 400 times when I got to page 206. The next several pages were a finely rendered article all about the culture of life in the bars of New Orleans. With pictures. And, at the very climax of the prose, an even larger spread with a far-reaching map of Bars That Should Be Seen. Of the 38 depicted on the map, a paragraph espousing the virtues of each watering hole, I have been to 11. I was at first sad that I've not been to all 38. However, I thought about the 11 I'd been to, and remembered that for most of them I was lucky enough to be there with a great number of wonderful folks from may Mardi Gras krewe, the KOE and from the forum I participate in when it's not Mardi Gras season. It made me smile. Big.
I'd recommend going out and buying the magazine for the sheer tactile pleasure of turning the pages. Barring that, you can read the article at their website, but it's full of popups that irritate the pants off me. If popups don't bug you like they bug me, here's the link.
However, that all ratcheted up about 400 times when I got to page 206. The next several pages were a finely rendered article all about the culture of life in the bars of New Orleans. With pictures. And, at the very climax of the prose, an even larger spread with a far-reaching map of Bars That Should Be Seen. Of the 38 depicted on the map, a paragraph espousing the virtues of each watering hole, I have been to 11. I was at first sad that I've not been to all 38. However, I thought about the 11 I'd been to, and remembered that for most of them I was lucky enough to be there with a great number of wonderful folks from may Mardi Gras krewe, the KOE and from the forum I participate in when it's not Mardi Gras season. It made me smile. Big.
I'd recommend going out and buying the magazine for the sheer tactile pleasure of turning the pages. Barring that, you can read the article at their website, but it's full of popups that irritate the pants off me. If popups don't bug you like they bug me, here's the link.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Martell's Tavern in Kalamazoo - the real deal!
Carla and I had a late dinner at Martell's Tavern last night. This is the former Black Swan in Parkview Hills, reconfigured to a less formal restaurant. We showed up in jeans, and there wasn't an eyelash batted, they are definitely much less formal.
The menu is excellent. Carla and I had burgers and fries. The burger was lean with blue cheese and bacon on a fresh, delicious kaiser roll. The fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, as fries should be. They have several, and I mean, SEVERAL beers on tap, and an impressive wine list. My bill, including the burger and fries, an Oberon, an iced tea and the tip, came to less than $20. The entree was $8.95.
You can go high end on the entrees and the steaks, or you can have any of their inventive sandwiches, or clever appetizers, and stay reasonable. They also have a nice antipasti appetizer option where you can ala carte your meats, veggies, and cheeses. The list of options changes daily.
The ambiance was awesome, and our server Kristy was a pleasure. But get this. They have a ton of delightful options for those of us with fewer pennies. On Sunday night, you can come in from 4 pm on and get lasagna, salad, and garlic bread for $8.95. Yes, a delicious Sunday night meal for $9.
And if you hang on to your reciept, you can come back on Millenium Mondays for 40% off any meal. That's when you want to try the higher end entrees, friends.
Also, the first Saturday of each month is Ladies of the Vine, where wine-drinking chicas (and wanna-be winos) gather to try different wines and learn about what goes with what. I'm definitely in for next month. You'll note I tagged in this note two of my favorite winos. :)
I think Martell's could become a new AE hangout. It's the real deal of good food, great service, a lovely dining experience without having to wear nylons or bring a co-signer. :) Check out the Martell's website - yes, they need to update the name, lol, but you can see the menu and read more about it.
http://www.millenniumrestaurants.com/blackswan.php
The menu is excellent. Carla and I had burgers and fries. The burger was lean with blue cheese and bacon on a fresh, delicious kaiser roll. The fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, as fries should be. They have several, and I mean, SEVERAL beers on tap, and an impressive wine list. My bill, including the burger and fries, an Oberon, an iced tea and the tip, came to less than $20. The entree was $8.95.
You can go high end on the entrees and the steaks, or you can have any of their inventive sandwiches, or clever appetizers, and stay reasonable. They also have a nice antipasti appetizer option where you can ala carte your meats, veggies, and cheeses. The list of options changes daily.
The ambiance was awesome, and our server Kristy was a pleasure. But get this. They have a ton of delightful options for those of us with fewer pennies. On Sunday night, you can come in from 4 pm on and get lasagna, salad, and garlic bread for $8.95. Yes, a delicious Sunday night meal for $9.
And if you hang on to your reciept, you can come back on Millenium Mondays for 40% off any meal. That's when you want to try the higher end entrees, friends.
Also, the first Saturday of each month is Ladies of the Vine, where wine-drinking chicas (and wanna-be winos) gather to try different wines and learn about what goes with what. I'm definitely in for next month. You'll note I tagged in this note two of my favorite winos. :)
I think Martell's could become a new AE hangout. It's the real deal of good food, great service, a lovely dining experience without having to wear nylons or bring a co-signer. :) Check out the Martell's website - yes, they need to update the name, lol, but you can see the menu and read more about it.
http://www.millenniumrestaurants.com/blackswan.php
A review of a downtown Kalamazoo Friday night.
Man oh man. For those who think downtown Kalamazoo is lame, here's your rebuttal.
For those of you who say there's no parking there, we parked in the Epic Center ramp, less than a block from the action, for $2 for the evening. We were parked there from 6 till about 10 pm. It was a flat rate of $2.
For those of you who think it's unsafe, let me tell you about the private security company that DKI hires for all of the Arcadia Festival Place events. They were unobtrusively working the crowd on the Burdick Mall last night. There were also Sherriff deputies on horses, delighting the kids and keeping things mellow. Not that either were needed because....
Forr those of you who think it's a ghost town downtown, let me tell you again how wrong you are. There were hundreds of people in and out of the Art Hop stops. Nearly every one of the singular downtown businesses were open late, full of people, and most had Art Hop stops in their businesses, supporting local talent.
Terrapin hosted my favorite Irish folk band Embarr live in the store. V&A Bootery had a wonderful jazz trio out front, maybe Steve can comment on their name. A saxophone player was playing for tips in front of Burnham and Flower. A pretentious salon downtown I won't name had a professional DJ that was pretty good.
South Street Cigar was open late, giving me a great opportunity to shop and visit with Dan Woltersom and Neil Himelhoch. You should stop in there - there's always knowledgeable and friendly guys who can tell you all you need to know about beer and wine and liquor and cigars.
Mall Plaza's fun and funky shops were PACKED with people. It was hard to get through the door! Sticks and Stones had the biggest crowd I could see. There were street performers as well, and many of the restaurants were having specials.
Cityscape Events Center, on the second floor above the Union restaurant, was holding A Wedding Affair from 5-9. Sisters Luci and Ashley, and step-mom Nancy enjoyed shopping for all things bridal, meeting vendors, and tasting cake and other delicious foods. Let's hope Cityscape is host to more events like this in the evenings. What a fabulous idea.
We strolled down to the Park Trades Center, located on Kalamazoo Avenue at Church Street, five floors of artists and tradespeople showing their wares from painting to pottery to photograpy to papermaking. West Michigan Glass is located in Park Trades as well. Just think of all that talent in one five floor space. It was also packed with folks, and most places had food and wine for the taking. Free, folks. All of this is free.
On the walk back downtown, we stopped on Michigan Avenue. Mavcon has recently renovated a building from 1969, and to celebrate its reopening, they had the 1969 vibe going on, complete with Elvis (1969 Elvis) impersonator on the roof of the building, spotlighted, singing. the building has a glass front, so there were colored spotlights on go-go dancers inside. A magnificent fireworks show punctuated his performance, and Michigan Avenue was closed so hundreds of people could gather to watch and cheer. After Elvis sang, a group tricked out like the Beatles in Sgt Pepper gear did a set. It was an excellent vibe and a very interesting thing to happen upon as we walked back downtown.
Meeting up with Jillian & Peter at Oggi was fun - we had a thousand laughs until Oggi cut the lights and put us out at 9 pm. Lots of delightful things in that shop - if you're looking for Kalamazoo branded gear, this is your place. Jillian & Peter went on to Food Dance for dinner, and then on to the fabulous SmartShop for metal artist Jon Reeves' exhibit of 3D metal fish. Carla and I went on to the new Martell's and then home, as I was tired and a little worn out.
As usual, I saw a ton of people I hadn't seen in a while, saw some wonderful art, enjoyed the camaraderie of a happy crowd, and celebrated how cool it is to be downtown in Kalamazoo, a cool city. If you haven't been in a while, maybe you should. :)
For those of you who say there's no parking there, we parked in the Epic Center ramp, less than a block from the action, for $2 for the evening. We were parked there from 6 till about 10 pm. It was a flat rate of $2.
For those of you who think it's unsafe, let me tell you about the private security company that DKI hires for all of the Arcadia Festival Place events. They were unobtrusively working the crowd on the Burdick Mall last night. There were also Sherriff deputies on horses, delighting the kids and keeping things mellow. Not that either were needed because....
Forr those of you who think it's a ghost town downtown, let me tell you again how wrong you are. There were hundreds of people in and out of the Art Hop stops. Nearly every one of the singular downtown businesses were open late, full of people, and most had Art Hop stops in their businesses, supporting local talent.
Terrapin hosted my favorite Irish folk band Embarr live in the store. V&A Bootery had a wonderful jazz trio out front, maybe Steve can comment on their name. A saxophone player was playing for tips in front of Burnham and Flower. A pretentious salon downtown I won't name had a professional DJ that was pretty good.
South Street Cigar was open late, giving me a great opportunity to shop and visit with Dan Woltersom and Neil Himelhoch. You should stop in there - there's always knowledgeable and friendly guys who can tell you all you need to know about beer and wine and liquor and cigars.
Mall Plaza's fun and funky shops were PACKED with people. It was hard to get through the door! Sticks and Stones had the biggest crowd I could see. There were street performers as well, and many of the restaurants were having specials.
Cityscape Events Center, on the second floor above the Union restaurant, was holding A Wedding Affair from 5-9. Sisters Luci and Ashley, and step-mom Nancy enjoyed shopping for all things bridal, meeting vendors, and tasting cake and other delicious foods. Let's hope Cityscape is host to more events like this in the evenings. What a fabulous idea.
We strolled down to the Park Trades Center, located on Kalamazoo Avenue at Church Street, five floors of artists and tradespeople showing their wares from painting to pottery to photograpy to papermaking. West Michigan Glass is located in Park Trades as well. Just think of all that talent in one five floor space. It was also packed with folks, and most places had food and wine for the taking. Free, folks. All of this is free.
On the walk back downtown, we stopped on Michigan Avenue. Mavcon has recently renovated a building from 1969, and to celebrate its reopening, they had the 1969 vibe going on, complete with Elvis (1969 Elvis) impersonator on the roof of the building, spotlighted, singing. the building has a glass front, so there were colored spotlights on go-go dancers inside. A magnificent fireworks show punctuated his performance, and Michigan Avenue was closed so hundreds of people could gather to watch and cheer. After Elvis sang, a group tricked out like the Beatles in Sgt Pepper gear did a set. It was an excellent vibe and a very interesting thing to happen upon as we walked back downtown.
Meeting up with Jillian & Peter at Oggi was fun - we had a thousand laughs until Oggi cut the lights and put us out at 9 pm. Lots of delightful things in that shop - if you're looking for Kalamazoo branded gear, this is your place. Jillian & Peter went on to Food Dance for dinner, and then on to the fabulous SmartShop for metal artist Jon Reeves' exhibit of 3D metal fish. Carla and I went on to the new Martell's and then home, as I was tired and a little worn out.
As usual, I saw a ton of people I hadn't seen in a while, saw some wonderful art, enjoyed the camaraderie of a happy crowd, and celebrated how cool it is to be downtown in Kalamazoo, a cool city. If you haven't been in a while, maybe you should. :)
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Garden update! September arrives!
Wednesday night, September 2, 8:30. After an enjoyable meal at my sister's with family, I'm home and struck by an urge to be pioneer woman. Tonight yet I will dice up the last of the summer zucchini for the freezer! I'll also get some tomato sauce for the freezer in the crockpot to cook all night. I'm still hauling tomatoes out of the garden, and my dad is also bringing me killer big ones too.
As soon as I got home, I pulled up the rest of the zuchinni that is done bearing and planted parsnips in that space. When I return from Vegas I'm pulling up the remaining cucumbers and planting turnips in that space. A large crop of garlic is going in where the first crop of peppers is about to come out.
My second crop of peas is up, so the pea fence came back out of the garage and stands ready to support their grasping little tendrils. The second crop of spinach and salad greens have sprouted, and the second sowing of cilantro is showing green. I pinched back my basil, and it's still happy and producing - that may take me over the winter, if I bring it in!
Okra has produced one (1) pod. I'm not sure that will be worth it next year. I planted far too many bell peppers, and not enough jalapenos. I don't eat as many cherry tomatoes as I've planted. I'll be sticking strictly to a dozen Roma tomatoes next year. I'll do one watermelon plant for Amanda Watson, but the canteloupe this year has been a pain in the @ss, and I'm not sure I'm going to get more than three decent melons off the vines.
I'm enjoying being my own food producer. Next year I'll have a heck of a lot better plan in place, you can bet on that.
As soon as I got home, I pulled up the rest of the zuchinni that is done bearing and planted parsnips in that space. When I return from Vegas I'm pulling up the remaining cucumbers and planting turnips in that space. A large crop of garlic is going in where the first crop of peppers is about to come out.
My second crop of peas is up, so the pea fence came back out of the garage and stands ready to support their grasping little tendrils. The second crop of spinach and salad greens have sprouted, and the second sowing of cilantro is showing green. I pinched back my basil, and it's still happy and producing - that may take me over the winter, if I bring it in!
Okra has produced one (1) pod. I'm not sure that will be worth it next year. I planted far too many bell peppers, and not enough jalapenos. I don't eat as many cherry tomatoes as I've planted. I'll be sticking strictly to a dozen Roma tomatoes next year. I'll do one watermelon plant for Amanda Watson, but the canteloupe this year has been a pain in the @ss, and I'm not sure I'm going to get more than three decent melons off the vines.
I'm enjoying being my own food producer. Next year I'll have a heck of a lot better plan in place, you can bet on that.
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