With Santa already having passed over, here are some snippets about songs, Christmas stockings, and shopping and such:
— This is the saga of the dueling Christmas stockings, with teasing going back and forth about one person’s pinball prowess, as the two socks were posted next to the machine at Dick’s Bar and Grill. The stockings are all over the bar for charity, but these had followup thoughts that went beyond just the names on the top cuff. The bottom line was to check back on recent scores right after Christmas. (Shortly after that, one of the two had cried uncle and had been taken down). One other note about a creative signature on a cuff; it was given the name “sotally tober.” I tend to doubt it.
— One of the bartenders at Green Mill said she was doing some holiday shopping and had what I’ll call the 3M, a “minor mall meltdown.” Must have made good tips the night before.
— On the Walnut Street sidewalk following one of the recent dustings of watery snow, fewer people then usual were out, and there was a single line of footprints that “walked” westward past the marquee at the Agave Kitchen, then turned into the alleyway. Pertinent, I thought, since I had just seen a documentary about Bigfoot earlier that evening and recalled that there have been sightings near Eau Claire. Hudson has been known to get people from that area coming over to party.
— Maybe this was one of those. When walking down the sidewalk outside Hudson Cigar around midnight, someone asked me for a light. To which her friend said, “Don’t smoke. Don’t you know it’s 2015?” Or soon to be 2016; a new year and maybe new laws. Write your legislators? Or maybe bum a light from one of the guys who sometimes sit in front of the cigar shop and enjoy the early evening tunes from the nearby Smilin’ Moose? But they’re probably not around with this cold weather we’re having. But I digress…
— A van, or was it a party bus, was seen going downtown with a big, more than foot-wide, bow on its front bumper. It may have even covered part of the license plate. Better not do that, even if it’s the holiday season and you’re just spreading Xmas cheer.
— My nephew Isaak has gained some prominence doing composing of electronic music as a deejay. A holiday celebration in the north metro was curbed just after 9 p.m. so the high school sophomore could do his thing at a downtown Minneapolis club. His father needed to go with him since he would otherwise not be able to be in the club because of age. Isaak also did a performance at a family wedding in summer, aboard a big boat on the St. Croix River.
— One more summer reference, with a fall sequel. When a film crew reportedly showed up at Big Guys BBQ roadhouse, it was not the first time that a local barbeque joint received high praise, from the likes of Guy Fiera. In summer, in episodes to be aired later on his Diners, Drive-ins and Dives show, he profiled an “independent restaurant serving up comfort food,” that being Bayport BBQ. Fiera spent two days at the deep blues and Texas-style BBQ establishment, with one big room solely for eating and another complete with patio for blues performances. The music of Crankshaft and Javier enhanced the experience. Also from Fiera, a few months before that, was a similar visit to Smalley’s Carribean BBQ in downtown Stillwater’s north end. Smalley’s also was named among the top five of its ilk across all of the Twin Cities by The Growler, an industry publication.
— By the way, blues sessions by Fattenin’ Frogs and the Scottie Miller Band, marked the last chance for locals to see such acts, on Dec. 12 and 18, prior to the principals at Bayport BBQ taken their annual extended holiday vacation starting Dec. 21.
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