Adam: Doni and Kelly took the day off. Finally. Between the Dish and the Cutting Board, it’s like we’re on an estrogen/testosterone seesaw. Somebody, let me off! What do they need a day off for anyway? United Way, Hamburger Wednesdays, blah, blah, blah. They have no idea about hard work. Now guest bartending at Maritime…. Unni works your ass off. Staffing the bar, making drinks, drinking drinks, eating appetizers, socializing, mopping floors. Oh, crap. They’ve done it. OK, they’re rock stars. But, we had a good time last Saturday, huh?
Troy: Hard work? You ate, drank and bs’d your way through the entire evening – again! Besides, I’m not sure that mixing three ingredients for our signature drink, “A Roll in the Hay” while chatting about ArtHop and News Cafe is actually considered work. I liked guest bartending this time. It was less chaotic and I was able to chat more and visit with friends we’ve been neglecting lately. Last time I ran around and sweated to death. I got to talk with Unni a lot too.
Adam: I love Unni. I think she’s the cutest thing on the planet. One of her waiters had to tell her what “Roll in the Hay” meant. Cute. She’s shrewd too though. Don’t mess with her. She’s made some great moves with the restaurant – hamburger Wednesdays, the bar menu. We can go to Maritime, relax in a great space, listen to music and get out of there for $40. It’s one of my new faves.
Troy: But you and I disagree about the all-white interior. I think it feels like a cave and could use a bit of color. Nothing tacky. Just a tiny bit of color to break up the space. I know you love its starkness but I need something to look at. Maybe if I had more interesting company …..
Adam: Don’t talk about Jim Dyar like that. He was a good guest bartender too. We’re lucky to have so many good Downtown spots. Maritime, Vintage, Vintner’s, Pio Loco – and Downtown Eatery’s changes are killer! Beer on tap from North Star – thumbs up. New pub menu – thumbs up. Changes to the music – thumbs up. Great art – thumbs up. Great new friendly staff – you get it.
Troy: I agree. I love it since Shawn from North Star Brewery and Billy made those changes. Before, I felt like I was in a punk rock version of Cheers. I was Lilith. Now I feel a little more like Norm. I can’t wait to see what restaurant goes in to the new Gateway building across from Old City Hall. I hope it’s as unique as the rest of the restaurants downtown. Redding DOESN’T need another chain.
Adam: Ditto. That’s why I like getting out of town. Some of our far-flung North State towns have great restaurants and shops … and entertaining newspapers. Check this out, from the Shingletown Ridge Rider News Sheriff’s Log:
Neighbors cutting bushes on property line. Reporting party advises her husband has grabbed a stick from the firewood pile and is threatening the neighbor with it to make them stop cutting the bushes. Per other half, the neighbor is threatening the reporting party’s husband with a 6-foot pole. Advises neighbor fired a shotgun this morning. One neighbor has a bat now. The first reporting party was advised to go inside and they refused. She reports the neighbors have called them “flatlanders.” The reporting party’s husband is still hearing arguing. Deputy arrived and both parties were contacted and referred to civil court.
“Flatlanders” would have been the final straw for me too. I think Corner Booth should feature a rural county sheriff’s log every week. Right up Steve’s alley. Speaking of Steve, “Lonely Street” was great. I thought his ranting about a book made into a movie, blah, blah, were just his delusion. But I’m in Blockbuster and, lo and behold, there it is, based on the novel by our own Mr. Steve. That film is a true testament to the creative minds that make films. I mean, come on, when you’ve got material like a Steve Brewer novel to start with, you’ve got your work cut out for you. ….. just sayin’.
Troy: Remember, Steve is like 9 feet tall. Do you really want to mess with his movie? I heard Steve’s voice a few times actually saying those lines. Particularly the one about Bambi and her “sandwich.” The whole movie reminded me of our monthly News Café meetings.
Adam: Look at all the creative people we get to meet. Steve included. And let’s hear it for the Dish Rag house artist, Mr. Phil Fountain!! Seriously, we have the best jobs. In the last few months, I’ve interviewed artists like Katie Nichols, Jeff Fennel and Barbara Enochian. I get to hang out in their studios. It’s what I wanted Day & Night to be about – way more than calendar listings. You add pieces like “Behind the Scenes” videos by Tom Ramont and profiles of Artazine artists by Raette Meredith – woot, woot.
Troy: Raette is like Wonder Woman. Three kids, a prolific artist, editor of Artazine, muralist, author and event diva. I’m looking forward to ArtsMart, the event she’s organizing for the Shasta County Arts Council in the Mt. Shasta Mall. Over 30 arts vendors, music, demonstrations, kids activities. You won’t be able to miss the big balloon above the mall. Mark your calendars. October 17.
Adam: And don’t forget our three-story art gallery I sometimes call City Hall. The opening reception was fun, but it’s nice to wander the halls on a Monday with no one else around. So check it out. What a great thing to have a city hall filled with art! Another woot, woot!
Troy: Don’t forget, artists, that the deadline for 2010 Art in City Hall is Tuesday. A great opportunity to get your work out there. Click here for the details. Another big opportunity for artists in October: Halloween. Dressing up for Halloween is the another big thing we disagree on. You’re good at the seasonal part of the holiday, but can’t understand why a grown man wants to dress up.
Adam: It’s true. Halloween is one of our big household debates. Jack-o-lanterns: cool, but at midnight, get them out of my sight. Costumes: Every “grownup” who dresses up looks great until that third shot of tequila. Wig slides to the back of their head, make-up smeared and their feather boa around a stranger’s neck. Pretty.
Troy: Oh, yeah, like anyone would have enjoyed you dressed as a baby with vodka in your bottle (Halloween 2005) – just sayin’. Anyway, stay tuned for another Dish Rag, the day before Halloween, when Blondie and the Queen of Ganache take another day off to find GO Picks. We’ll leave you with a question in honor of Halloween: Would you go out in public wearing only body paint? What would you want to be painted as? Stay tuned for more about that.
