Thursday, March 27, 2008

TNT FUNDRAISER- A SUCCESS!

Last night, the bar hosted a fund-raiser for Team-In-Training, an organization that helps to raise funds for Leukemia/Lymphoma research through the participation of triathlons and marathons. The people who were running last night's event (Kristen and William) were raising funds to participate in the upcoming Paris Marathon in France next week.

There were drink specials for those who made donations, raffles for prizes (including a silent auction for a trip to Las Vegas), light refreshments and lots of networking; All of the elements made for a fun evening and many folks went home happy with the prizes they won; And more importantly, a lot of money was raised for a great cause.


During the course of the fund-raiser, I was outside in the middle of a phone call. There were the same bunch of TV crews, parked out in front of the building where the now-infamous "Madam" was plying her trade. I guess the TV crews were camping out, waiting for any signs of life, in order to get a sound bite (or two).

*Speaking of sound bites, there were a few of the regulars hanging out in the bar earlier in the evening, right after work. I had one of the TV's on Fox-5 TV, because they happened to be parked right near the bar and you could actually see the reporter giving her story live from across the street. So while we're watching the TV, the reporter cut away to one of those "Man on the Street" interviews. And guess who's ugly mug was the first one to be interviewed?

HORNY GOATWEED.

Everyone in the bar screamed in unison and it was probably one of the funniest instant reactions I'd ever seen. Of all people to interview about something like this: The Horny One himself. You can't make this stuff up.

Back to the original story. So I'm on the phone outside and next thing you know, there's this camera guy and a reporter doing a mad sprint down 3rd Ave. So my eyes follow them, thinking they may have seen the "Madam" and wanted to interview her. Then I see the two of them dart into the middle of 3rd Avenue while continuing their mad dash. I stepped out onto the street and looked down 3rd Avenue; I no longer saw the two guys dashing down the block. However, in their place was this HUMONGOUS tower of flames going up into the air, right in the middle of 3rd Avenue, about ten blocks away.

"Holy shit!" I remembered shouting to no one in particular.

I then ran inside and motioned one of my bartenders to come outside (they are both firemen). When he came outside and saw the mad rush of flames, he volunteered to check out the situation and bring me back some info. As it turned out, it was one of those construction backhoe thingys. One of those work vehicles that dig up the street. I'm not sure if the backhoe dug too deep and punctured a gas line or what, but by the size of the flames that were shooting up toward the sky, it wouldn' t have surprised me if that was indeed the case. At any rate, it was bizarre.

(This is a crappy picture but that bright light in the middle of the frame is the fire taking place...)

Eventually the fire was put out and everyone went about their business. However, it's got me cause for concern. It seems like there are a lot of freak accidents taking place around the city lately. Is it just coincidence or is there something else in play that I don't know about? Between crane accidents, strange fires and the such, makes one almost not want to leave the apartment. But as a tough New Yorker, you are supposed to suck it up, make the best of a situation, then move on. That's the New York Way.

But I gotta admit, it gets harder and harder to do so these days. Sheesh.


MARCH MADNESS RESUMES TONIGHT

The Big Dance continues with the "Sweet Sixteen" tonight. A double-header of games takes place tonight, beginning at 7pm. Of course, we'll continue to carry all of the games and with all LIGHT beers @ $4.00 and $15.00 Miller Lite buckets; that's a pretty good deal, no matter how you slice it!


HAPPY TRAILS......

To HERB PETERSEN (age 89), the inventor of the EGG MC MUFFIN. He died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, no doubt dreaming about all of the EggMcMuffins that sell each day around the world, thanks to him.


I hope your brackets aren't toast yet! See you tonight.



Nuff Said