A WOMAN'S POINT OF VIEW

EXERCISING FOR IDIOTS
By: Paige Turner

Ladies, the time to retire your swimsuit may be upon us but that doesn’t mean its okay to get lazy. Just a few short months ago you might have been freaking out over stuffing yourself into a suit once again, and if that’s the case then you were probably cursing the 8 months you spent at the bottom of the Haggen-Daazs container. Maybe you’re realizing that it could be a good idea to try and stay fit all year long or perhaps you’re just trying to figure out ways to distance yourself from your annoying boyfriend or bitchy roommates. Whatever your reason, I have some options for you to consider.

You could go the usual, boring route and join a gym. There, you can fight for machines that you absolutely hate (or don’t know how) to use while trying to ignore the fact that you’re sitting in someone else’s sweat. You might get lucky and catch some crappy TV or hear songs that were hits a decade ago. Oh, and don’t forget about membership dues and public showers. Obviously, the gym is not my favorite place but if you find these things help you stick to a workout, then more power to you.

If you’re more like me and hate the thought of feeling like a hamster on a treadmill, you can always try some sort of class. Gyms have lots to choose from, as do many independent studios. You’ll still have to pay a fee but participating in a group or class makes you responsible to people other than yourself, so it’s harder to slack off. Pilates and yoga are popular enough to find just about anywhere and if you’re feeling especially ballsy go for Bikram yoga, which takes place in rooms with temperatures over 100 degrees. You’ll be sure to break a sweat and becoming as flexible as a pretzel might come in handy down the line.

If you want to be more active than what yoga will allow, consider taking a self-defense or kickboxing course. Not only will you get a workout but you could also learn some skills to help you out the next time some pervert tries to follow you home from a bar. Or if you’re the type to encourage the creeps, sign up for belly-dancing or even one of those pole-dancing workshops. You can even practice the stripper moves in the comfort of your own living room, thanks to Carmen Electra and her strip tease workout videos. The pole might not be included with the video but I’m sure you could find a guy to stand in if need be. That could even lead to one of the best ways to burn some calories – yup, I’m talking sex. With your added energy from all this working out, your newfound flexibility from yoga and your moves from Carmen, you should be good to go for some romps in the bedroom.

Whatever form of exercise you decide on, just make sure you enjoy it. You’ll never stick with something you hate so you might as well try to have some fun. There are lots of other options out there besides the ones I’ve mentioned so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something that works for you. You could even start a pole-dancing, hot yoga kinky sex club that meets a few times a week – though incorporating some self defense moves into a meeting like that might be a good idea. So get creative, keep moving and stay sweaty.

MICHIGAN CITY GREAT LAKES GRAND PRIX

RELIVING THE EXCITEMENT
By: Alexis Scars

The excitement and festivities of the 2^nd Annual Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix happened at Washington Park and surrounding areas on August 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th but, this wasn’t just your average kind-of boat race. Besides the boat racing, there was live music and entertainment, a meet and great with the drivers, a boat parade down Franklin Street, a golf outing, a block party, and a Taste of Michigan City. With so much going on, there was something for everyone all weekend long. From the Kickoff Welcome Party for the Racers on Tuesday to the last race on Sunday, over 100,000 people showed up to enjoy the Grand Prix events.

When an event like this usually takes place, the effect it can have on the local economy and businesses is amazing. According to our source Jason, who works for the La Porte County Board of Tourism, last year the economic impact of the Grand Prix was around five and six million dollars (yes, Million!) and this year is expected to be higher. With everything from flights into the local airport, hotel, rental cars, bars, restaurants, and even all the jet fuel that had to be purchased from the local airport for the JBS Racing Boat, the Grand Prix not only brought the fun, but some economic relief for some as well. Some of the boats parked in front of local bars and restaurants, including The Clubhouse Bar, which brought in people to get pictures in front of the boats or even in the cockpit. This gave fans the opportunity to meet the racers and their crew.

This being only the second year that the Great Lakes Grand Prix has happened and with such a huge success already, expect for the race weekend to only get bigger and better. When I asked Jason what changes we can expect to see next year, he said “We are definitely going to have the block party again, because that was such a huge success, we might throw a few changes into that as far as the kind of entertainment we’re going to have and maybe move it over a block.”

He also said that despite the “monsoon” that was experienced during the golf outing, it was a huge success and will happen again next year. There was even a boat that made it out to the golf outing for pictures. With everything that happens during the week to celebrate the Grand Prix, you never know when one of the boats will show up. But like Jason says, “It’s all about getting the community involved.” Since last year they were more focused on VIP events and just learning about which direction the event was taking. This year was more about getting the community involved and making it affordable and enjoyable for everyone, which is the direction, according to Jason, that the Grand Prix will continue to take next year. “I think we’re going to stick with the same type of events that we had this year for next year and there is always room to think of a few more.”

The Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix was a huge success this year, and expect it to only get bigger and better in years to come.

MICH BAR - STUDENT HOT SPOTS

WHERE TO EARN YOUR NIGHTLIFE DEGREE

Back to school can be a scary phrase, that’s why bars all over the area have loaded September up with tons of specials and student nights to welcome everyone back to the area. Whether you prefer a club atmosphere, just want to chill and play pool, or belt it out on karaoke night, these local hotspots have something for everyone to combat the back to campus blues.

MADISON OYSTER BAR
There’s never a cover at Madison Oyster Bar! With a full kitchen open till two thirty every night that’s music to a college students ears. The MOB is also the coolest hookah bar around and most reasonably priced, they have every flavor you could imagine; some of the favorites include pina colada, passion fruit and guava. Sundays offer 32 oz. Bud Lite, Killians, or Amberbock for $3.50, and $2.50 Sambuka shots. Fridays and Saturdays are $4.50 flavored Cosmos. They offer different $2.50 shot specials almost every night of the week but make it a priority to stop in on a Sunday and try the to die for caramel apple shots. Saturdays also boast $2.00 Miller pints and $6.00 for11 Coors buckets. Make sure to check out Madison Oyster bar and get some bang for your buck!

CLUB FEVER
Fridays are getting freaky at Club Fever, with a live video DJ on stage and .99¢ Cruzan rum and cokes, or domestic drafts offered at all of the four full bars at the multi level hot spot - it’s a night you can’t miss. Saturdays open at 10PM, with contests and giveaways hosted by emcee Joey V and DJ CK-1, running alongside .50¢ well drinks and $2.50 premiums. There’s absolutely no cover on Thursdays and Saturdays before 10PM so get there early and stay late. Fever also has the largest dance floor in Indiana, and the swanky Fahrenheight room is available for private parties. September 17^th is comedy night at fever with WAOR. Checkout 1-2-3- Thursdays with $1.00 shots, $2.00 well drinks and $3.00 long islands. Come get freaky at Fever in September.

CLUB BED
You won’t be napping at Club Bed! This is the ultimate club scene with huge dance floors, great music, awesome people, and every drink under the sun. Open Friday through Saturday 9PM till 3AM, there’s no sleep till Brooklyn while you dance the night away and mingle with the areas hottest. There is a strict dress code but it adds to the city atmosphere nicely. Every Friday night DJ Pablo G Mixxx is spinning the hits in his signature style. Saturday features the DJ Grind and Emcee Dusty Show, a cant miss with one of the best host nights in the area. There are also V.I.P. booths with bottle service for all of the “ballers”. Bed down at Club Bed in September.

CHEERS PUB
Come out and relax with friends at this hometown favorite. Open Wednesday through Saturday 4PM till 3AM and 2PM till 12AM on Sundays. There are two regulation pool tables and dart games, so you feel like you’re at your hometown bar. Fridays are bumpin’ with one of the best karaoke nights around. And the pub offers Bruno’s pizza every night for your dining pleasure, and some out of this world Panini sandwiches for everyone’s tastes. Try some of the pubs famous frozen drinks, especially the coffee based ones for a late night energy boost. Make sure to request a pudding shot, it’s like nothing you’ve ever had! Cheers has everything you need to kick back.

CORBYS
Tuesdays are student night at Corby’s!!! There is no cover with a valid student I.D., corn hole and $4.00 pitchers of Miller and Coors Light, so you don’t bruise your wallet to have a good time. Thursdays also feature DJ Ruffcutt so come shake it like a salt shaker. Wednesdays are $4.00 High Life pitchers, the champagne of beers. And Fridays are always hoppin’ because its no cover w/ I.D. featuring $4.00 Jaeger bombs and vodka Red Bulls. Coming to Corby’s has always been a rite of passage for students in the area as it’s the bar from Rudy, and no one’s South Bend college experience would be complete without a trip to this piece of area history.

JAYS LOUNGE
Party on the patio at Jays lounge! This little gem is discount central for all of you struggling students offering large pizzas and Bud pitcher for $11.99 Sunday and Monday. Wednesday is .25¢ wing night and $5.00 pitchers. Thursdays are $3.00 bombs; a deal you can’t afford to miss. Saturdays are $3.00 bombs and well drinks and Sundays are $5.00 pitchers after 10PM every Thursday features DJ MIA for your listening pleasure. It’s always fun to lounge around at Jays.

MITCHES CORNER
“We are definitely not a club” Says owner Mitch Zultanski. There’s never a cover charge at Mitch’s Corner which makes them offering $4.00 domestic drafts on weekends even better. You can always stumble in late and get awesome appetizers till 2AM. There are enough pool tables and dart boards to go around. NASCAR Sundays are always fun and drink specials always rotate. Thursday nights are karaoke from 9PM until 2AM and everyone is encouraged to participate. And NTN trivia is up and running so get a team together and come match wits in one of the area’s most exciting trivia tournaments. When you stop by Mitch’s you have to try the melted banana split shot, that’s so good it’s impossible to stop at one. One visit to the Corner and you’ll be a regular in no time.

MULLIGANS
Every night is a theme night at Mulligan’s in September. Monday night is guys’ night with $5.00 pitchers and mini-brats; you won’t remember what life was like before mini-brats. Tuesday through Thursday they offer $3.00 32oz. drafts and well drinks, and turkey or roast beef manhattans that are Jewish deli quality. Wacky Wednesday offers all you can eat pasta, and thirsty Thursdays are $3.00 bar burgers. T.G.I.F. Fridays have delicious fish and shrimp dinners at more than reasonable prices and don’t forget to request the $4.00 special “where the f*ck did I park my truck?” Sauce it up Saturdays have $4.00 bombs to get the party started. Sadly Sundays are $3.00 Bloody Mary’s which pair nicely with mini-brats also on special. Checkout Mulligan’s for some of the best food and drinks around.

RIVERSIDE
Riverside is Mishawaka’s best comedy hotspot. Always featuring the region’s most talented comedians, the 21 and over only club, is only $10.00 for admission with a two drink minimum. You can always get advance tickets by phone by calling (574)259-1598, and ask about group rates. Saturday the 11^th features the comedy stylings of Pat Goodwin, and Andy Woodhull, emceed by the riotous J Rooster. Appearing September 25^th is the always entertaining Frank Roche and Cleveland. Aside from the side-splitting comedy, Riverside is an awesome bar to chill with friends and play some Golden tee. Mondays are $6.00 domestic pitchers to get your week rolling all the way to Saturday where you can get $3.00 imports and drink your way around the globe. You can also come recuperate from the weekend with$4.00 garden Bloody Mary’s on Sunday. Head out to Riverside early and often to catch some of the brightest comedians and best drink specials in the region.

CENTER ST. PUB
To welcome students back to the area, Center St. Pub has packed September with some spectacular specials! Peggy, Beth Jessica, and Denise will be on hand all month to help relieve the first semester pressures, alcoholically speaking. Make sure to welcome yourself back with a Center St. favorite, the Rumrotica, a top secret blend of five different exotic rums, or the Tropic Thunder, that brings the big screen pyrotechnics right to your mouth. Also, all month long, the Pub is featuring 24 oz. Miller bottles for just $3.25. That’s like getting two beers for the price of one. Saturdays and Sundays offer domestic buckets for $13.00 because the Pub understands the financial strains placed on students. The Pub also has one of the best back to school deals around with Fridays featuring $12.00 pitchers of rum and coke and UV vodka and mixers, and $8.00 pitchers of Admiral Nelson. And don’t forget karaoke Thursdays and live music Sundays are always rockin’ at Center Street and Wednesday night is one of the coolest open jam nights in existence. And for you late nighters, the full kitchen is open is open until 1AM on Fridays and Saturdays with reasonable prices and phenomenal pizzas that you can even get to go. In honor of September 11^th you can purchase Miller or Coors pints for $3.00 and take home the commemorative glass. Head out to Center Street on the 17^th to checkout Red Alert playing rock hits from the 80s and 90s. The Pub has everything you need to ease yourself back into the grind and celebrate being one year closer to graduation.

KILLDARES
Killdares is a kitschy little place that offers the best of the emerald island. They ship in all the artifacts glued to the walls straight from Ireland, when you walk in you feel like you’ve been transported all the way across the ocean. It’s hard not to have fun at this pub, the ambiance and staff is delightful, rounded off with infectious Irish drinking songs that keep the fun going all night. When dinning with friends make sure you try the Killdares trio, an excellent introduction to the world of Irish food. No trip to the pub is complete without a traditional Irish favorite the Boxty, the Philly cheese steak is a great American twist on an old recipe. One of only six in the country Killdares offers an experience on like any other.

BLARNEY STONE
College kids love pitchers, and Blarney Stone has got you covered, offering the best pitcher deals around. The stone is a favorite spot for seniors and everyone who likes cheap drinks. They have six dollar domestic pitchers on a daily basis, making it financially irresponsible not to drink there, and Monday through Thursday you can get in on the best pitcher deal around with ten dollar long island pitchers and fourteen dollar Redbull and vodka pitchers. They offer different dollar shot options every day as well, so that people of all different financial means can all come together to party. The stone is also gearing up for South Bends largest Halloween party on the thirty first beginning at ten P.M., with huge prizes offered for the best costumes. With some of the best deals around the Blarney Stone is sure to be one of your favorite hangouts during your college experience.

O'SULLIVANS CROSSING
Every drink at Osullivans is two dollars. EVERY DRINK AT O'SULLIVANS IS $2.00, this includes top shelf and bombs. During the entire month of September the fabulous people at the crossing are giving the students and patrons a deal like no other. From bottle beer to Absolut drinks to Jager bombs there showing you some love with this outrageous special offer. Every day at Osullivans you can get dollar drafts, the cheapest around, and that paired with the mix drink special means you can post up without breaking your bank. The first and third Sunday of every month is karaoke night, and everyone knows the more you drink the better you sound, and checkout the live music schedule on Osullivans Facebook page. We don’t know how the Crossing is offering specials like this and frankly, we don’t want to know, the only thing you need to know is that this deal is strictly while supplies last, so come early and often, and visit Osullivans Crossing too.

SUDS & COCKTAILS

MICHELOB AMBERBOCK: Smooth is an understatement.
By: Pinky Tuscedero

Made from one hundred percent malt, including super dark-roasted black and caramel malts and all-imported exotic hops, Amber bock is beyond smooth and completely full bodied, ask for a tulip glass to make the most out of your experience. Amber bock is incredibly rich, and has a dry roasted flavor that makes a great pairing with flavorful meat entrees at meal time. A great contrast dessert to serve accompanying Amber Bock would be fruit crisps and crumbles smothered in caramel, the warmth and sweetness plays off of the malt flavors beautifully, adding French vanilla ice cream into the equation only adds to the smoothness. When serving Bock to guests at a gathering offer a sweet but salty cheese and cracker plate to complement the malts.

A bock is a very strong lager first brewed in fourteenth century Germany, traditional for special events and holidays. Bocks are so popular in the United States that a “Bock fest” annually in Cincinnati, Ohio. Amber Bock is a 5.2 ABV without sacrificing flavor and won a World Beer Cup bronze medal in nineteen ninety eight. Most specialty beers have a very limited production; however with Amber bock’s increasing popularity production has expanded to fit demands. Michelob is the unofficial beer of golfers everywhere, sponsoring some of the largest events in the country, and A.B.’s fan base amongst golfers is surging, as it’s the perfect lager to put the finishing touch on a perfect day on the green. Amber is just as popular among females, aside from Lance Armstrong as the spokesman; at home chefs love the deep flavors that offer a challenge to your taste buds.

Since its introduction to the masses Amber Bock has been has been one of the most popular and talked about lagers on the market. Its cross-over success is an indication of the quality, care, and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle, Amber Bock is truly the beer for all occasions.

SUDS & COCKTAILS

ABSOLUT LEMONDROP: When life gives you lemons, make a lemondrop....
By: Pinky Tuscedero

God bless the Absolut vodka company for putting Ali Larter in yellow leather. Unless you’ve been living in a cave on mars with your eyes closed and your fingers in your ears you’ve probably seen the amazing new ad campaign featuring the former hero kill billed out and kicking ass like a big sexy banana. Brought to you by the good people at Absolut, the lemon drop campaign packs all the intensity of a Bond film and genuinely makes your taste buds curious. Whatever it is Ali is selling, we’re buying, after all she’s the whipped cream bikini girl from Varsity blues, it just so happens that she’s selling the most amazing citrus vodka in the universe.

No bachelorette party, reunion, or divorce celebration is complete without a round of lemon drops for the girls. A lemon drop shot is a ray of sunshine in a tiny little glass, and it’s a proven fact that the more of them you take the better you’ll dance. You may have seen the waitress bring lemon wedges along on the tray; well a truly perfect shot requires no extra lemon at all. The best shots are made with Absolute Citron, a crisp refreshing lemon based vodka that exploded on the scene in 1988 and was welcomed with open arms and immediately became the staple ingredient in any Cosmo worth drinking. For those of you that like to pretend you’re Tom Cruise in cocktail, you mix 1 part Absolut Citron, 1 part Hiram Walker triple sec, and 1 part fresh lemon juice, shake and strain into a sugar rimed shot glass. The result is absolute bliss. Lemon drops are the shot everyone can agree on, the shot you can always buy for the girl across the bar and know she’ll enjoy; the shot that you and grandma can take together.

If you’ve never tried Absolute citron before don’t hesitate any longer, if you need some inspiration check out www.lemondrop-movie.com and watch Ms. Larter bring the sexy swinging sixties into your living room.

SALON 301: Your One Stop Shop For All Things Beauty
By: Alexis Scars

Have you heard? Salon 301 is officially the hottest place to get lookin’ good from head to toe. Located on Grape Road just one block south of Edison, Salon 301 is a full service hair salon, ranging in cuts, styling, color, highlights, make-up, artificial lashes, and any kind of hair removal you might need. Salon 301 also offers spa services, including: Swedish Massages, Hot Stone Massages, Aveda Facials, and full nail service.

When you walk in to Salon 301, judging by the fun colors on the walls and edge the décor shows, you can tell this isn’t the kind of salon you would normally find in Mishawaka. When I asked owner Jeff Murray, (who has been in the salon industry for over 27 years) what makes Salon 301 unique, he said “Education, how we train our employees, what services we offer, our front desk and employees and their hospitality.”

Jeff, who opened up Salon 301 six years ago, also pointed out that they sell Rusk and Aveda products, and that the hair color they use is Aveda’s all natural color. Not only is Aveda’s color natural, they take pride in the fact that their products are environmentally friendly, including the packaging. Who knew being nice to the earth and our hair at the same time was so easy?

What’s the hottest thing to request at Salon 301 right now? That would be the Brazilian Blowout. This best kept beauty secret will leave your hair healthy, smooth, shiny, and frizz-free for up to 12 weeks (yes, 12!) by creating a protective protein layer around the shaft of your hair to keep away frizz and smooth the cuticle. It is the only smoothing treatment that will actually improve the health of your hair, and there are no harsh chemicals involved in the treatment. If you have wavy hair, the Brazilian Blowout will make your hair look naturally healthy and straight. If you have curly hair, frizz will be minimized while enhancing the appearance of the natural curl. If your hair is straight, frizz will be gone and your hair will be radiantly shiny. Celebrities that use the Brazilian Blowout include Nicole Ritchie, Halle Berry, Lindsay Lohan, and Ashley Tisdale. Hollywood is buzzing about the Brazilian Blowout, and now you can get a free Acai shampoo & conditioner (a $68 value) with your first Brazilian Blowout at Salon 301.

Other hot styles that are out right now include beachy waves and loose curls, bangs, and some added color for summertime, says Salon 301 owner Jeff Murray. One of his newer stylists, Jill, is a huge fan of color. Graduating from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in fine art photography and working as a photographer for five years, she decided to make a change and go to beauty school, pursuing a career that was more fitting to her creative personality. Jill says “I didn’t want to be at a desk job, I wanted to use my artistic background at something that was more hands on. In my free time all I ever did was search the latest trends in hair and make-up. It should have been so obvious. This is definitely what I should have been doing all along, and I’m surprised I didn’t come up with it sooner!”

Before attending Vogue Beauty College in Mishawaka, Jill knew Salon 301 was the only salon she wanted to work at, so she called them up asking them where they prefer their stylist to attend school. “It [Salon 301] was such a nice place, it seemed very much like the environment I was looking for: professional stylist and the laid back atmosphere, it seemed like a perfect fit. All the stylists here are great and they know what they are doing.”

Not only does she love color, she especially enjoys when someone requests a big change to their ‘do. “Funky colors are few and far between, but I love doing them,” the newer stylist of Salon 301 says. “It’s exciting when somebody wants something drastically different.” If you are looking for new color, some fresh highlights, or a cut, Jill is your go-to girl at Salon 301. Even if you have no idea what you are looking for, with her creative background in photography and her love for hair and make-up, Jill can help you find something that will be guaranteed to be stylish.

When asked what celebrity she would love to give a hair make over to, Jill said “Jessica Simpson, because when she lets her hair go way too long between colors with her roots- it always bothers me.” Oh my, if Jill only knew. The reason I am no stranger to hats happens to be the root situation I have going on my damn self. Laughing, Jill told me “well I can definitely take care of that.” Whether you are looking to help Jill explore her creative side and do something drastic, get your make-up done, or any of your hairdo needs, Jill is at Salon 301 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Guys, we didn’t forget about you either. There are a plethora of different styles to choose; from the Professional & Sleek George Clooney, to the Sly & Sexy Brad Pitt cut. If you’re not too sure what ‘do to go with when it comes to impressing the ladies, just ask Jill. We’re sure she has more than a few suggestions on how to add a bit of style to your mane.

If you are looking for a new image or just looking to relax, Salon 301 will always go above and beyond your expectations to make sure you walk out fully satisfied. Salon 301 is located at 3509 Grape Road in Mishawaka and open on Tuesday-Thursday 8 am-8 pm, Friday 8 am-6 pm, and Saturday from 8 am- 3 pm. You can reach them at 574-254-0301. They also have a website you can check out which includes prices on all of their services, an overview of their products, a photo gallery of the salon, and much more. Log on to www.salon301spa.com or “like” them on Facebook and see some of their Facebook deals.

Footer: “Funky colors are few and far between, but I love doing them,”Jill Schultz - Stylist at Salon 301

Footer: When you walk in to Salon 301, judging by the fun colors on the walls and edge the décor shows, you can tell this isn’t the kind of salon you would normally find in Mishawaka.

ON THE PATIO

CAPPY'S NORTHSIDE TAVERN
By: Pinky Tuscedero

Cappy's is bringing the party to the patio this summer! Cappy's Tap located at 1000 north Michigan, in Elkhart has recently expanded to bring you one of the most happening outdoor facilities in the area. The bar itself was established way back in 1949 and has been owned in the past by three generations of the same family, about two and a half years ago, current owner Mike Petros took the helm, and had the great idea to open a large patio area, “I wanted somewhere where customers could be in a social environment, but also be able to kick back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather, it’s really an outdoor lounge area, like a living room outside”

Cappy's is, in every sense of the phrase, a neighborhood bar, filled on any night with countless loyal regulars and newcomers alike. Cappy's has something different for everybody with different entertainment and drink specials every night of the week. The bar offers karaoke on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, hosted by the locally famous karaoke Jeff, and soon to come this summer - outdoor karaoke which is sure to be a huge hit. “We’re going to lock down a date and start soon, I think it’s really unique” Mike said excitedly.

Summer always demands there be plenty of Bud Light Lime on hand and keeping with Cappy's tradition of knowing the changing demands of the market, they are right on top of their game with the addition of the refreshing citrus hinted favorite on tap and offering some spectacular drink specials all through the hot season. On Tuesdays, Cappy's offers bottles of Bud Light Lime for only $2 and Thursdays is $2 20oz Draft Day. However, the biggest bang for your bar bucks is the unbelievable price of $1 Bud Light Lime. drafts on Wednesdays. The patio at Cappy's seems designed to help you enjoy the summer time classic with bud themed décor everywhere.

For the music enthusiast the tap offers acoustic duos on Tuesday and live bands blasting every Saturday. All of the dancing queens are sure to enjoy live video DJ on Thursday night playing everything the crowd wants to hear. The fun and skilled staff at Cappy's are more than happy and able to give you anything you need to help you have a good time, and make sure to try their tasty 1/3 lb hamburgers, a steal at $2.00 on Thursdays.

Cappy's is a gem of a place that is sure to win you over with your first visit, the amazing deals and diverse patronage will have you planning your return visit as soon as possible. If you want to relax with great food, excellent people, and bud light lime specials the likes of which are rarely seen, the Bud light lime patio at Cappy's is sure to be your summer fun headquarters!

O'SULLIVANS CROSSING

2ND Anniversary Party & Beers of the World Fest

Everyone in Michiana totally loves O’sullivans Crossing. If you’re a South Bender chances are you’ve had
more than a couple of crazy nights at O’sullivans. July 31^st is the crossings 2^nd anniversary party, a huge blow out featuring a ton of entertaining activities and out of this world drink specials marking the birthday of one of the areas favorite bars. If you’re not familiar with O’sullivans, it is easily one of the most relaxed atmospheres you can ask for, giving patrons the feel of a friend’s house, rather than an establishment. The Crossing has been an entertainment hot spot for some time now effortlessly transitioning from what was predominately a pizza place to now featuring the bar aspect of the business.

The ambiance of the crossing is eclectic and charming with a hint of kitsch, there’s a relaxed vibe in the air and perfect lighting for any occasion. They also have one of the most intense central air systems in South Bend, a necessity for sweltering Indiana nights, so you can dance all night without the embarrassment of going home moist. The Crossing has an impressive menu offering new twists and old favorites, with something to please everyone. The Crossing has a variety of awesome drink specials every night of the week and more than a few unique shots and mixed drinks. There are many bartender extraordinaires to serve you and engage with and ultimately highlight the O’sullivans experience, the staff has been had picked for their bubbly and outgoing personalities as well as their quick wit. The Crossing is also the area’s largest, most intense and sharply competitive dart bar, And with participant numbers in their lueges sometimes reaching more than one hundred, So early interest is encouraged for those considering participation.

To mark the momentous occasion of turning two years old O’sullivans is having a party in conjunction with the bars Beerfest promotion. Beerfest is a chance to come out and show your appreciation for beers new and old. For the shocking cover price of one dollar you can try countless beers from breweries around the world at different sampling stations all over the premises, manned by professional beer representatives, if anything you try becomes your new favorite you can order the product on site for your private reserve. There will also be several Miller light promo girls on hand to enhance your drinking experience however they can. The crossing will have a vast array of free appetizers and finger foods for attendees to enjoy.

And it what is possibly the most exciting promotion a bar has ever offered, during the entire month of August every drink in O’sullivans is two dollars. No that isn’t a misprint, every drink every shot every day in august is just two dollars. To show the bars appreciation for two amazing years of great customers the crossing is getting you crunk for mere pennies a day. I recommend getting to O’sullivans to kick it as early as possible in the month, as even top shelf brands are running with the special. This means all of your favorite brand drinks from Jim Beam to Jack Daniels are cheaper than the well drinks at most bars, and all your favorite shots are on special as well that includes Jagermeister, Goldshlager, Cruzan, and any and everything else is discounted more than thirty percent. In times like these when money is tight all across the country you can’t afford not to come out to O’sullivans second anniversary month celebration and take full advantage of the two dollar drink extravaganza.

NWI LAW

MY NEW CRIB
By: Randy Godshalk

You have been in your new apartment for several weeks and are all happy since your drunk friends have not been over to christen you new toilet.  You wake up one morning and you’re soaked in sweat.  Holly cow is it hot!  Did I drunkenly turn on the heat before I went to bed? No.  (Side Note:  I know someone who used to put on underwear that had been in the freezer to help with their hot flashes from drinking.  OK now back to the real information)

The central air is on the fritz. You call your landlord and get no response.  You take a shower and freeze various parts of your body before you get dressed and angrily leave for work.

You call him frantically from work.  Nothing.  You resort to using several words you called your ex- in your last late night text.

You think; “This slum lord, I am not going to pay next month’s rent.”

Not so fast.  Not paying your rent because of a problem with the apartment will get you one thing….EVICTED.  Before you withhold rent, you must notify your landlord in writing of the defect and in the letter notify them if the defect is not fixed within a set period of time you will have the repairs done and deduct the cost from the next months rent.

Defects do not include a tear in your bedroom curtains.  The defect must materially (lawyer words again) affect the use of the home.  Heat, Central Air (assuming it’s provided in the signed lease), and water would qualify.  HAPPY RENTING.

See ya next month!

-Randy

If you have any questions about any legal matter, feel free to contact Randy at his office at (219) 844-1300, or e-mail Randy at godshalklawoffice@comcast.net and we will try to feature it in a future edition of the Michiana Entertainer.

MICH BAR

MY DAD'S PLACE
By: Heather Rowe

Have you had a rough day at work? If the answer is yes, come out and kick back at My Dads Place, one of the last great American working man’s bars. My Dads Place is a unique little gem of a bar located at 51425 State Road North in Elkhart, Indiana. “ We’ re a really friendly little place, with a ton of regulars that always come in after work” manager Sandy Nailer said, “And it really is a totally laid back environment. We are a working man’s bar, which makes for a very comfortable atmosphere.”

The Place is definitely the ideal location for stopping off after an arduous workday and treating yourself to a few drinks. The bar is always brimming with interesting conversation and friendly people enjoying the personable staff and welcoming surroundings.

The name My Dads Place is homage to owner Bob Fernatt, Nailers father, an absolutely charming Midwestern gentleman who always has kind words or a joke or two for patrons, when your are parking, keep an eye out for the absolutely adorable “Dad Only” parking space. Nailer tells us “Everyone loves dad and he loves everybody, he’s a big reason for all of the regulars.” Dads Place has recently enjoyed a younger crowd, a testament to the quality of this establishment, “We have this mix of the older regulars, couples, and now the party crowd; late night has definitely gotten interesting around here. We’ve gotten so busy that we recently purchased the land adjacent to the building and will be expanding soon to fit the growing cliental”

The surge is due in part to their hugely popular karaoke nights Tuesday through Saturday featuring some truly talented and entertaining regular performers, and is always encouraging and supportive to newcomers. “We have the best Karaoke Dj’s and performers in town”, said Nailer.

Be sure to check out all of the great drink specials that are on every single night of the week, making hanging out at My Dads Place easy on the pocket book every night of the week. For a great Tuesday night acoustic experience check out The Places premier in house performers “South of Somewhere”. The Duo, made up of the incredibly talented Matt Oliver and Jason Curtis, play any and everything to a packed house every week, the pairs intoxicating musical prowess can be addicting. South of Somewhere have also been pulling in other local musicians and singers to join their set every week, It’s sort of an open mic night.

Be sure to check out the huge engraved dink board in the bar, it is totally covered with delicious mixed drinks with hilarious names always great for a laugh. Dads Place also features one of the most delectable Philly steak and Swiss sandwiches outside of Pennsylvania, served everyday of the week. What has been the most popular menu item as of late is the all white breast meat hand breaded chicken strip basket that is out of this world. The bar has a regulation pool table and juke box to complete your hometown bar experience.

If you are looking for a spot to enjoy yourself after a hard workday and enjoy some well deserved “me time”, My Dads Place will make you feel like you’re part of the family and right at home. My Dad’s Place has become the late night bar in Simonton Lake. They are open at 8am everyday and close at 3:30am every day.

MICH DINING @ DUSK

MULLIGANS BAR & GRILL: Foridian Couple Makes Good
In South Bend
By: Mario Bourzac

It is not always easy to follow your dream. Often, for one reason or another, people abandon their dreams due to it being unrealistic, or due to other more pressing responsibilities. While those are sometimes valid reasons to reassess your life plan, giving up is definitely not the answer. One native Floridian couple who never gave up on their dream is Pat and Sue Mulligan, owners of Mulligan's Bar and Grill in South Bend, IN. After years of staying true to their dream, and working hard to obtain it, they finally opened their own bar in fightin' Irish country last year. Their dedication and determination have served them well, and has already paid off in full.

When I originally spoke with Pat Mulligan last year, their new bar had only been open for a few months, but he and his wife, Sue, were excited to be living their dream. Now a full year into the experience they are happier than ever.

“We've got great, great local support; we're very, very happy,” Sue stated emphatically. “[We've had] great student support from all the colleges in the area, it's been fabulous.”

Pat, a retired police officer, has been a lifelong Notre Dame fan. For him, opening a bar in South Bend is a dream come true. The success they have achieved at their bar has only reassured them that their decision to move was the right one.

“This was not a mistake, this was our destination,” Sue testified. “We wanted to retire and to come to South Bend, believe it or not, from Florida and we just decided to retire early, cash in all of our chips, and open up a bar.”

Their decision to move north was first met with skepticism from some of their peers, but after those same friends and family members had visited the bar, all their doubts were assuaged.

“We've had a lot of friends and family visit us and they love it,” Sue said.

Currently Pat and Sue are enjoying the warm weather and the seasonal changes that come with owning a bar in the summertime. Not too long ago they brought their patio back out of storage and put it back up next to the bar.

“We call it the corral because it kind of looks like a corral,” Sue said jokingly, “but it's been a great success and it's huge and everyone loves it.”

The sarcastically named “corral” provides the perfect setting for parched patrons to enjoy their favorite pints in the summer sun. Additionally, the patio is also equipped with the necessary tools to play cornhole, making it a highly desirable seating area at Mulligan's.

Also new to Mulligan's since we last spoke with them is their live entertainment schedule. Five nights a week, every Tuesday through Saturday, they have a DJ show up to spin tunes for the bar. The DJ's are provided by the local company PR 1 Productions, an area mobile DJ service. By assigning a different DJ to each night of the week at Mulligan's, PR 1 Productions has been able to keep the music fresh and exciting at the bar.

During the school year they had also employed an area college student who came in every Wednesday night to perform songs acoustically. However, with his recent graduation this past spring, they will replacing him with a fresh face come this fall.

Coming up this August Mulligan's Bar and Grill will be celebrating their first full year in business. To celebrate their first anniversary they are planning to host a picnic out on their patio. The festivities will include grilled food, as well as a variety of other activities, to help say thanks to their customers for a great first year of business. While the exact date of the celebration could not be confirmed at press time, Sue did reassure us that it would be either the Saturday before or after the official anniversary date, which is August 3^rd.

After their first year in business, Pat and Sue are convinced they made the right decision by moving to South Bend. By taking a big risk and opening their own bar they have fulfilled one of their biggest goals. And Sue has no regrets.

“That's the only thing I've ever done my whole life is bars and restaurants and now we've got our own.”

MICH BAR

CENTER ST

Hump night used to sound more exciting than it was, but Center Street Pub wants to help it live up to its name. Back in the day (which was a Wednesday by the way) hump night refered to the Wednesday night ritual of breaking up the tedium of the work week with an evening kicking back and having a drink with friends at your favorite local bar. As a nation that has marched begrudgingly into the new century, Center Street pub wants to bring back the release and nostalgia of a midweek event. Pub owner Bob Saros had the idea several months ago to offer something that is surprisingly hard to come by in the area, a large house band backed open jam night bigger and better than those that we are all used too. “I don’t want to date myself, but used to be, back when I was tending bar, that Wednesday night used to be the a big night to go out with friends and blow off the Monday steam” Bob says, “And I wanted to bring that back but with something different, and after we got the band involved it just took off”

For anyone who is unfamiliar with what a jam night consists of they can be pretty hit or miss depending on the direction a location chooses to take it in. For many people the words jam night consistently conjures images of patchouli scented, dread-locked drum circles with songs that never seem to begin or end. In this case none of the above mentioned apply, Center Street’s jam night has become a veritable buffet of talent, with musicians and singers traveling from all over the area congregating to share their affection for performing. As a performer this weekly event is an excellent networking opportunity. Many musicians can attest to the fact that one of the most difficult parts of starting a successful band is finding the right group of accompanists that you mesh with musically. A well ran and proper jam night should be the musical equivalent of a wine tasting, you can play as many songs as you like with as many participants as you like and sometimes it just works. The musicians in attendance all have varied styles and influences, allowing the pub to guarantee something for everyone’s musical palate. To participate simply bring your instrument, vocalists are encouraged to attend and participate as well, and sign up with the host, band, or bartenders and let them know that you are there to rock. On site is a well rounded house band with over fifty years combined experience in the field of jamming, with the ability to adapt to original songs as well as popular top forty bar favorites. The talented members collectively have performed in some of the largest local bands, forming a “super-group” to back-up any of the folks looking to jam out for the evening. The members include: Matt Webster from Driving Reign, Tim Spite from Bobby Lee Caldwell Band, Joe Arnold from Top Secret, Jeff Spyker from Vinylized, and Shawn Stagmeyer from Rick Clifford Band. On stage for your listening pleasure are keyboards, drums, guitar, and bass to accompany participants. The backing band is key to the success of a good jam night, being that many of the would be “Jammers” are approaching the stage w/out any type of set list or even a rehearsed song. With that being the case, it’s imperative that the backing group is sharp and has a keen ear for changing chord progressions, rhythms, and feeling build-ups. By having these traits the group is able to make seem as if they’ve rehearsed these Jam sessions over & over again, but in reality it’s probably the first time they’ve met each new artist. It’s this amazing skill of improvisation that really creates the entertainment for the evening, as well as gives the opportunity for a lot of solo artists to hear their own music with a full band.

The pub has ran jam night for a couple of weeks and the response and turnout has been immense, paired with the notorious laid back atmosphere of the pub, it has become the premier Wednesday night live music venue in Mishawaka, an area severely lacking in live mid week musical entertainment.

Center Street Pub is located in the popular 100 Center and is already landmark business, local favorite, and area hotspot on weekends. The Jam Night festivities run along with some outstanding drink specials, with the local boasting one dollar off beer pitchers and three dollar Heineken bottles. In a decade treading the waters of what no one wants to call a recession, events like this are a great way to get the most for the entertainment dollar you work hard for. The average concert ticket is about twenty five dollars lately and the average bar tab is around sixty. So with the first-rate drink discounts and the unmatched quality of the performances that erupt on stage it becomes fiscally responsible to attend Center Street Pub’s open jam night every week and join them on their crusade to bring back hump night!

NWI LAW

SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE
By Randy Godshalk

Poor Van Chester Thompkins (that has a nice ring to it).  The Supreme Court of the United States, (The Supremes as they are sometimes called), decided that if you want to exercise your right to remain silent they you better say something.  WHAT????              The police questioned Van Chester for three (3) hours before he uttered the word “Yes” when he was asked if he prayed for forgiveness for shooting someone.  He was found guilty of murder.

Van Chester’s problem, it seems, was that he had the right to remain silent, but not the ability;  to steal from comedian Ron White.  Van Chester had apparently responded yes or no to various other bland questions after a long silence.  You have two choices according to the Supremes,  shut your pie hole and let the police question you indefinitely about the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa or simply say “I am exercising my right the remain silent.”

Oh, by the way, it would be a good idea to also tell them you want a lawyer.  Let’s just try to cover all the bases.

Enjoy your next police interrogation, or strip search, whichever comes first.

See ya next month!

-Randy

If you have any questions about any legal matter, feel free to contact Randy at his office at (219) 844-1300, or e-mail Randy at godshalklawoffice@comcast.net and we will try to feature it in a future edition of the NWI Entertainer.

MICH ON THE PATIO

PETE'S SIMONTON LAKE TAVER: All In The Family
By: Mario Bourzac

The local owned, family diner is an often over looked part of many communities.

Typically, when a town reaches a certain size it attracts the attention of the larger chain restaurants and many of the mom and pop shops are left struggling for survival.

Thankfully that has not happened to the long running Simonton Lake Tavern in Elkhart.

The family run restaurant has been open for business for over 40 years and it only continues to thrive.

By keeping things all in the family, they have managed provide a unique experience to local residents and not become a cookie cutter taking up space on the interstate.

Originally purchased by Pete and Lucille Kilgren in February of 1970, the tavern has remained in their family every since.

The happy couple ran the restaurant and bar for over 30 years, until October of 2002 when Lucille turned it over to her son-in-law Merle Anderson to run.

Merle has maintained the same level of dedication to the tavern that Pete and Lucille had always shown and that has been reflected in the continued loyalty of their customers.

While Anderson has stayed true to what his mother-in-law created in her restaurant, he has also made a few changes to stay competitive in the marketplace.

Last year a patio was added onto Pete's Simonton Lake Tavern, drawing the attention of many new customers.

“We have an outside patio that wraps around the east and south side of my building and it has approximately 35 seats for outside dining with umbrellas and it's been real popular,” Anderson explained.

He later added, “People are usually waiting for seats out there.”

And Pete's is still quite popular due to their competitively priced specials on select days of the week.

Monday nights feature all you can eat frog legs for $12.95; Tuesday is $2.00 cheeseburgers all day; Thursday has beef burritos and taco salad for $6.95; Friday nights are all you can eat fish; and on Sundays they offer a four piece chicken dinner with your choice of potato and your choice of salad for $6.95. The specials are great for a night out with the family and Pete's is happy to provide family dining.

Pete's also features a variety of live entertainment; every Thursday starting at 8:00pm they have a karaoke night, and every Saturday night they host live bands starting at 9:00pm.

Coming up this month at Pete's is: The Potentials on July 2^nd; SL4 on July 10^th; Last Call on July 17^th; Driving Reign on July 24^th; and Bobby Caldwell Band on July 31^st.

Pete's Simonton Lake Tavern has managed to succeed in a very competitive business by offering something the bigger chain restaurants cannot provide: a sense of individuality.

By keeping it in the family they have managed to cultivate their own atmosphere and not follow in the footsteps of other would be diners.

For more information on Pete's Simonton Lake Tavern, visit them on line at www.petessimontonlaketavern.com.

Michiana Tuff
Todd “The Bulldog” Brown

“How much can you know about yourself if you’ve never been in a fight?”  That’s the question “The Bulldog”  Todd Brown wants to help you answer.  With over twenty years of rigorous training in not only Boxing, but also Traditional Karate, taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai, Todd brown is   in a class of his own.  Todd Brown’s preferred fighting style utilizes mostly Muay Thai; a hard martial art from Thailand that uses an eight point contact system, as opposed to the traditional two to four point system used in western contact fighting and Brazilian Ju Jitsu, a submission/grappling art that includes holds and takedowns and promotes balance, endurance, cardio, and self discipline.  He has been studying Jiu Jitsu for 12 years and has achieved brown belt status, and has been mastering Muay Thai for twenty years;  Todd still regularly travels to Las Vegas to study and train under his master, the world renowned Master Toddy; and to Indianapolis to train with Brazillian Jiu Jitsu master Marcello Monteiro.  (At time of print) Todd’s record is more than impressive with a 25-1-1 standing in MMA, Well versed in many contact sports, Todd’s boxing record stands at an astonishing 12-0, in addition to his 7-0 Muay Thai record. To the competitive fighting layman, that means you wouldn’t want to pick a fight with the 205 pound machine that is “The Bulldog”.

What sets Todd apart from so many other fighters is his drive to bring the empowerment of martial arts to the average person.  Todd is an instructor at Midwest Martial Arts in Osceola, a premier facility that boasts the only Pro Fight Team in Northern Indiana and   offers a wide spectrum of classes to fit everyones  individual needs and expectations ranging from children to advanced students. Todd is a certified Muay Thai and advanced Ju Jitsu instructor and if you read his stats, it’s more than his certification that makes him qualified. “Champions are not born, they are made” is the Midwest Martial Arts mantra, and when training there it’s clear that the staff wants you to live it, learn it, love it. With many events taking place at The Century Center in South Bend and several local venues you can witness Todd’s relentless intensity first hand; he leaves no question as to why he is Ultimate Throw Down, XXX Fighting, Tough Man, and Warriors Quest Champion.  Todd heads the Bulldog fight team which boasts records just as stunning.   Visit Team Bulldogs MySpace page for more info and while on the teams page be sure to check out Todd’s high intensity highlight reel, which showcases his hard hitting punches and lightning speed kicks that evoke the feelings you had when you watched Kick Boxer 2 for the first time. Todd recommends martial arts for anyone who’s on a quest for self improvement, as well as anyone looking to tone up, learn self defense, or who wants to train to be a fighter. The MMA classes offered at Midwest Martial Arts are by invite only, but with enough determination and dedication you can transform yourself into a well balanced martial artist. It is important when going into the martial arts that you don’t focus entirely on the outcome of matches, but rather absorb everything and be proud of your whole journey and always strive to be better and work harder. Is has been said that it is impossible to reach your destination if you don’t know where you want to go, Todd Brown has come from his humble beginnings in Mishawaka, to running his own fight team, to dominating the sport he loves, and its plain to see that this titan’s journey is far from over.

Woman’s Point of View

Sex on the Beach

With Paige Turner

C’mon girls, I know you’re thinking about it.  Hot weather means skimpy swimsuits, drinks on the beach and lots of skin.  This can be a dangerous combination – just ask the cast of Jersey Shore.  If you’re going to be bumming around on the beach this summer, there are some things you might want to keep in mind.

If you’re a lady hitting the beach looking to hook up, there’s nothing wrong with that.  Dudes and bros will be out in full force and many of them are looking to hook up as well.  If you’re on a mission and know what you want, you probably won’t have to try too hard.  However, if you’re looking to increase your chances with the opposite sex, consider joining the whole vagazzling craze.  For those of you completely out of the loop, this involves gluing little gems and crystals all around your lady bits.  You know, much like what junior high girls do with their blue jeans and denim jackets.  I personally think vaginas are fine without the extra accessories but if you think yours looks prettier with a little pizzazz, then go for it.

Be warned, though, that the beach can be misleading and it’s not always as romantic as Danny and Sandy made it seem in Grease.  Rolling around in the sand might seem sexy in the movies but in reality it’s messy and uncomfortable.  There are just some places that miniscule grains of rock and coral need to stay far, far away from.  Trust me on this.  Also, there is more than one type of crab to be on the lookout for during beach season, so be wary of that as well. Combine an open wound with the sand you’re screwing around on and you’re suddenly in a world of hurt.  Of course, some people like that sort of thing.

If you’re not into a potentially painful romp on the beach, there are plenty of other things you can enjoy instead.  Reading, listening to music, playing volleyball, tossing a Frisbee with your dog or simply laying out and chatting with your gal pals are all perfectly acceptable pastimes out on the sand.  Unfortunately, if you’re not trying to hook up, you might still get hit on by some douche-tatsic dudes who can’t take a hint.  The best way to deal with their unwanted attention is simply to ignore them; telling them you’re a lesbian will probably not help.  If you really are a lesbian then you know how well that works.  Try to let the guys down easy though because their male egos seem to become even more fragile when they’re wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks.

 Obviously, there are lots of ways to keep yourself entertained while out on the beach this summer.  Feel free to be naughty or nice as you bring out the sunscreen and shades, and remember to let those updatable dudes down easy.  Also, don’t forget what I said about the crabs. Nothing kills the mood faster than a crustacean pinching on your privates, and that’s true both of the crabs we eat and those we medically treat.

Land Shark

Take a bite this summer…

By: Rob Atkinson

A warm summer breeze wafts in through an open window, carrying along Jimmy Buffett’s voice:

Can’t you feel ‘em circlin’ honey?/ Can’t you feel ‘em swimmin’ round?/ You got fins to the left, fins to the right,/ and you’re the only bait in town./ You got fins to the left, fins to the right,/ and you’re the only girl in town.

Inside, on the TV, Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live hears her doorbell ring.  “Who is it?” she asks.  “Plumber,” replies a muffled voice. 

“Plumber?” asks Radner.  “I didn’t ask for a plumber.  Who is it?”

“Telegram.”

“Oh. Telegram.  Just a moment.”  Radner unlocks and opens the door.  A huge shark reaches in and bites her head and arm, dragging her screaming out through the doorway.  The land shark.

In 2006, Jimmy Buffett launched a joint project with the Anheuser-Busch brewing company to produce his own beer under the Margaritaville Brewing label called Land Shark Lager.  It’s a 4.7% abv pale lager featured as the house lager for the Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chains.

Land Shark Lager is brewed with a “secret” blend of 17 herbs and spices.  It’s described as a perfect summertime brew, light and crisp with a moderate foamy head.  It has a soft but refreshing taste, hints of corn, lemon, soft malts and bits of grain.  For people looking for that light tasting summer beer without the skunky aftertaste of other pale lagers, Land Shark Lager seems to be the way to go.

It’s packaged as the “Original Island Lager,” in a Corona-esque clear bottle with an eye-catching fin logo that makes it stand out on the shelf.  Under a sponsorship deal in May of 2009 between Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross and Jimmy Buffett, Dolphin Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, and the Miami Hurricanes, was renamed “Land Shark Stadium” for the 2009 football season.

The name came from Jimmy Buffett’s own song “Fins,” and the SNL character “the landshark” as performed by Chevy Chase.

Just before the reef are the big white teeth/ of the sharks that can swim on land.

“Land shark,” gasps John Belushi of SNL.  “The cleverest species of them all.”

Salat Benefit at The Waterford Inn

By: Mario Bourzac

On Saturday June 19th The Waterford Inn in La Porte, Indiana will be hosting a benefit for Randy Salat and his family.  Salat, an employee of Papa John's Pizza in Michigan City, was shot during a robbery on his way to a delivery on Thursday April 29th.  While stopped at the intersection of Woodland Avenue and Michigan Boulevard, he was approached by two assailants demanding money before being shot.

Following the incident, Salat spent almost three weeks in the hospital until he was finally released on May 18.  During that time the community has rallied around him and his family to do what they can to help.  Don Mcginnis, a close friend of Salat and his family, volunteered to organize a benefit on their behalf.

"Randy's been one of my good, good friends for 26 years now," Mcginnis said when we spoke with him last month.  "I've known him since I was 8 years old and I'm getting ready to turn 35 next month."

Immediately following the shooting Mcginnis began looking for ways to help Salat and his family before settling on the benefit.  The benefit will feature live music, dinner and door prizes as well as raffles and silent auctions, with all profits going to help the Salat family.  Several local businesses have generously donated items to be used in the raffle and silent auctions, and Alan Geleski, owner of the Waterford Inn, has even volunteered his business to be used for the event.

"It makes me feel good that I've got a place that we can do something to help somebody out," he said, commenting on his contribution to the nights events.

As a regular patron of the bar already, the Waterford Inn was the natural choice for the benefit, according to Mcginnis.  And Geleski has been more than accomodating.

"He's a great fella and he's trying to help me in anything he can help me with," Mcginnis said of Geleski.  "He's making phone calls for me, he's been on the WIMS radio station for us, and he's just opened his arms right up to the Salat Family."

Among the businesses who have contributed to the benefit are King Gyros, Dairy Queen of Michigan City, Red Lobster, and Budweiser.  Papa John's will also be donating several items to the event, in addition to covering Salat's hospital bills.  Tickets for the event $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for kids, and 5 and under will be free.  Anyone unable to make it to the event, but still wanting to donate, can contact Don Mcginnis directly at  (219) 898-6196 or by e-mail at Don46360@yahoo.com.  La Porte Savings Bank in Michigan City is also accepting donations on behalf of the Salat family.

While the benefit will go a long way to helping Salat and his family, who still have a long road ahead of them, Salat's attackers still remain at large.

"It just makes me so mad, that hard working guy, he goes out there and works his butt off trying to provide for his family, to bring in the family needs, and somebody's gonna do this to him," Mcginnis said.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Michigan City Police Department via their anonymous tipster line at (574) 873-1488.

Bud Light Comedy Series at Riverside

By: Mario Bourzac

Unbeknownst to some, Mishawaka has long been a favored stop to many road weary comedians.  Along with its enthusiastic crowd, Mishawaka was also home to the iconic comedy club The Funnybone.  Unfortunately, The Funnybone closed its doors several years ago leaving a gap in many comics' touring schedule and many fans' weekend plans.  Since then there have been several attempts by local bars to fill the void, but none have been able to maintain that same level of consistency The Funnybone had established.  Until now.

Beginning last month, Riverside began hosting a bi-weekly comedy series featuring upcoming local, regional, and national talent.  The series, sponsored in part by Bud Light and the Michiana Entertainer, is hoping to put Mishawaka back on the comedic map.  With Riverside ready and willing to pick up where The Funnybone left off, we should see Mishawaka return to its original place of comical prominence.

Saturday June 12th

The first show this month, which is the second in the over all series, will feature Brad Scott and headliner Bil Benden.  Hailing from Cleveland, OH, Bil Benden has been performing as a comedian for over 20 years.  As a family man, his comedic stylings draw heavily from his experiences as a familial patriarch over the last several decades.

"I like to weave my jokes and my things into a narrative, basically my life in common events to everyone in it," Benden explained.  "Common events that go through people's lives."

His life as a family man has also influenced his comedy not only directly, by providing material for his routine, but also indirectly, by passively dictating some of the jobs he has chosen in the past.

"I do a lot of corporate shows," he said.  "I learned pretty quickly because when I started my kids were really little and I didn't want to be gone a month, come back for a week and gone again."

To get a preview of what Bil has to offer, you can check him out on line at www.myspace.com/bilbenden.

Supporting Bil on the June 12th show will be featured comedian Brad Scott.  Born in Hawaii, Scott was actually raised in Franklin, IN, an arrangement he sarcastically refers to as the "short end of the stick."  Scott, with his seemingly natural comedic talent, wasn't always planning on stand up as a career choice.  Initially he had intended to be physical education teacher, but it didn't take much to change his mind.

"I ran into a guy from high school that was also going to do physical education and he told me that we were going to be able to schedule all the same classes together," Scott revealed, "but I couldn't stand him, so I picked a new major and I ended up going with theater because my grandmother convinced me that it would be me, beautiful girls and my only competition would be gay guys."

The plan seemed to work and after performing in a couple plays Scott discovered a love for the spotlight he didn't know he had.  While his career in the theatrical world may not have been meant to be, it did put him on the right path.

For more information, you can also find Scott on line at myspace.com/bradscottjr.

Friday June 25th

Following the Benden/Scott show will be headlining act Charlie Wiener with featured comedian Matt Holt.  Wiener, the second Cleveland native (by way of upstate New York), is also a transplant to the world of stand up comedy.  Having originally started out as a musician, he shifted his direction towards comedy as the age of satin jackets and bell bottoms began to rear its ugly head.

"Disco was big and they were paying people to come in and play records that I wouldn't throw out the window, and they didn't want to pay bands anymore," Wiener said, explaining his professional move from music to comedy.

Not quite ready to give up his love of performing, Wiener, who was already comfortable working a crowd, began finding work as a comedian.  There was also one large unforeseen benefit to his switching professions: no heavy lifting.

"I like walking and just talking and not carrying anything in or carrying anything out," he laughed, then adding, "I've gotten lazier as I get older."

Clips of Wiener's act can be found on line at www.CharlieWiener.com.

Warming up the stage for Wiener will be the Hoosier bred funnyman Matt Holt.  A seasoned vet of

the stand up circuit as well, Holt has made a career of knowing how to read the audience.

"My ideal show is go up and have no plan and literally just spend the 45 minutes, 1 hour, whatever it is that particular night, just going into the crowd, asking them questions and having a good time with them," Holt said.

Holt's crowd based formula has been tried and tested over his past decade of experience, but it wasn't always as easy as he makes it seem.  In fact, at his first professional gig he had to learn to adapt on the fly.

"I thought I was doing a festival, like a community festival, and when I showed up it turned out what it was was a person who was running for public office in this town, it was a fund raiser for them."

Always the professional, Holt was able to cater to the audience and pull it off.  He'll bring that same adaptability with him when he performs at Riverside.  To find out what he has in store, visit him on line at www.MattHolt.com.

Saturday July 17th

Providing perhaps the most unique perspective on this list of talented performers is comedian Sue Bump.  And if her voice is unique, the road that brought her to comedy is equally as unconventional.

"I was in my 50's and I happened to be cleaning out some things from high school and I found something I wrote where I said that, it was a list of things that you said you wanted to accomplish in life," Bump explained, "and I had really done everything except for becoming a stand up comedian."

While most people wouldn't entertain the idea of taking up such an unstable career at that stage in their life, the risk seemed to pay off for her.  Within eight months of performing Bump found herself on ABC's "The View" as one of America's Funniest Housewives.  That opportunity lead to her being picked up by an experienced agent and helping to further her career.  Before seeing her at Riverside you can find her on line at www.SueBump.com.

Leading into Bump's performance will be comedian Gains Kelly, Oklahoma's answer to Larry The Cable Guy.  Relatively new to the comedy world, Kelly was first inspired to pick up a microphone after watching less than stellar comedians on television.

"I didn't really go to many shows, I just watched a little bit on TV and I was watching it going 'That's not really funny to me.  I think I can be funnier than that,'" he admitted.

From this seemingly innocuous beginning, Kelly has managed to parlay his initial impulse into a budding comedy career.  Without too much practice, he has slowly been winning over new audiences.

"I just started doing what was funny to me and it turns out it's funny to other people," said Kelly, "most of the time, not always."

Examples of his Kelly's work can be found on his website at www.GainsKelly.com.

Friday July 30th

Closing out the series next month will be Cleveland based comedian Quinn Patterson.  Now in his seventh year of performing, Patterson originally started out working with Second City Improvisational Theater.  Boasting alumni that go on to perform in such shows as Saturday Night Live and Mad TV, Second City seems to be an ideal place for any young comic hopefuls to get their start.  The versatile comedian has been honing his chops and is looking forward to his first performance in Mishawaka.  Videos of Patterson's work are available to viewed on line on YouTube and Facebook, as well as his own website www.PattersonComedy.com.

Riverside is located on 100 Center in Mishawaka, next to the same building that once housed The Funnybone.  Tickets for each event $10.00, with a two drink minimum.  The doors open at 6:30p.m for each show, with seating beginning at 7:00.  For more information, check them out on line at www.drinkriverside.com.

Corby's Irish Pub - Outside and on The Patio

By: Mario Bourzac

Like most things that endure over time, diamonds, Twinkies, fake plastic boobs, Corby's Irish Pub also seems to get better with age.  Originally purchased by the Mittiga family, Corby's has continued to succeed in their initial motivation: to offer a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can feel at home enjoying a drink.  To that end their plans to improve the patio are already underway, and by the time this article goes to press, it will be once again be open for the summer.  Along with the renovated patio area, Corby's also features DJ Ruffcutt every Tuesday and Friday night to entice the crowd to dance.  In short, they are the perfect spot to kick your summer off.

Already a well known institution in town, with an equally well documented history, Corby's continues to permeate everything that is South Bend.  Ever since they were the setting for the 1993 Motion Picture Rudy, the bar has become a right of passage for all Notre Dame underclassmen.  While it is not uncommon for those underage to try and sneak past security (Corby's staff are seasoned vets at spotting fake IDs), for those of legal drinking age the patio has become a popular place to gather during the summer months.  The warm weather makes it the ideal spot to enjoy a drink while playing beer pong, flippy cup, or corn hole on a summer night.

Corby's Irish Pub even recently underwent some cosmetic changes to spruce up the outside patio for the summer season.  After suffering some unfortunate damage to the west side fence last fall, they bar had to replace the fence.  Of course, like most repair jobs, one usually leads to another.

"In order to take the fence down I had to take the lights out," explained owner Joe Mittiga.  "So I'm in the process now of putting some brand new fixtures on there and getting some really good light out [on the patio]."

In an effort to promote the recently renovated patio, as well as the bar specials, Mittiga has taken to the Internet; more specifically, to Facebook.

"There was an original Corby's Irish Pub set up as a person on Facebook," he lamented.  "I recently gained control over that account and I set up a new Facebook page, but more as a business page, and I'm trying to transfer everybody that was on the old one to the new one."

To help him along on his noble cause, I have printed the new Facebook page address here: www.facebook.com/corbysirishpub.  If you haven't already, make sure to become a member of the new page to stay abreast of all the upcoming specials and events at Corby's.

The upcoming summer months will still feature the same great specials Corby's has always been known, as well as several new specials just around the bend.  To make sure you're aware of everything that's going on, make sure to visit them on line at their aforementioned Facebook page.

Frank's Place - Still The Same Neighborhood Bar

By: Mario Bourzac

South Bend, Indiana, like most cities, has a large and unique collection of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.  While each spot serves drinks, what makes each bar unique is the atmosphere fostered by the clientèle as well as the bar itself.  Frank's Place manages to offer an atmosphere that appeals to a very broad base, which keeps their bar full and their patrons happy.

"That's one of the best things I like about our bar," said bar manager Leslie McCurdy, "We don't just have one type of demographic, it crosses over all the time."

This generational variety that occurs at Frank's is due in no small part to their enviable longevity.  Having opened the bar in 1976 they have made South Bend their home for over 30 years and that shows no signs of changing now.

When Frank Linarello originally opened the 34 years ago he had no specific experience in the restaurant business, besides eating in one, and wanted to try his hand at being his own boss.  The venture was a success and it has since blossomed into a career that he has maintained over the years and now employs several of his family members.

Located at 327 West Marion street, a few blocks west of Memorial Hospital downtown, Frank's Place has another trick up its sleeve.  In addition to being a popular bar and restaurant, they also run two of their own liquor store, also title, appropriately enough, Frank's Place.  The stand alone liquor store is located on Hickory Road in South Bend, while the other location is conveniently housed in the same building as the bar and restaurant.

"We have a three way liquor license, which is one of the rarest, because the liquor store is actually joined with the bar," explained Leslie.  " Since it was such an old building, and it had been previously that way, we just kind of got grandfathered in."

This rare feature, though unusual, has enabled Frank's Place to offer unique service options at both their bar and restaurant.  If a customer were to request a specific wine, liquor, or beer that is not regularly served at the bar, the staff is able to retrieve it from the liquor store to cater to an individual customers requests.  This is a feature that has no undoubtedly been very popular over the years.

Along with their seemingly unparalleled ability to fulfill drink requests, Frank's Place is also home to several one of a kind menu items throughout South Bend.  Out of their long list of popular items, perhaps their most popular is the Frank's Original burger.  Starting with a 1/3 lb Black Angus Steak burger, it served with barbecue sauce and grilled onions on a toasted onion bun.

While the burger that bears their name is one of the restaurant's main attractions, it is by no means all they have to offer.  Due to popular demand their fish, which was once only served on Fridays, recently became available every day of the week.

"We kept getting a lot of requests for the cat fish and people were getting disappointed that they could only get it on Fridays," Leslie commented.  "So, we started serving it every day of the week just a couple months ago and it's been a huge hit."

Frank's Place has also managed to expand their horizons by including live bands in the weekly line up.

"We used to do a lot of karaoke and DJs, and we have a dance floor, but in the last few months we've started doing live music," Leslie said.

Though live music had been something the bar had occasionally hosted in the past,  they have since begun booking more bands with one noticeable difference: no cover charge.  This recent change has helped the bar dramatically and increased the amount of people coming to hear the music.  The karaoke hasn't stopped, however, and the bar will continue to alternate weekends between it and live music.

Coming up this month at Frank's Place will be Top Secret on May 7th; All Star Entertainment karaoke on May 14th; and on May 21st will be the band Parkovash.

For more information on Frank's Place, check them out on line at www.FranksPlaceSB.com.

DJ Dangler - Finding Humor in the Odd

By: Mario Bourzac

Comedian DJ Dangler knows a thing or two about being put in an awkward spot and he has made a career out of learning to find the humor in those very situations.

"My very first pro gig, I didn't know this at the time, but I found out after the fact, the dude that was supposed to MC that show had died that week in a car wreck, some awful tragedy, and I was just their replacement comic," he said, revealing behind one of his first breaks.

While perhaps a morbid story to some, it is a perfect example of DJ's unique perspective on life and comedy.

"Everything's a little bit depressing and a little bit funny," he later offered, "maybe because everything we do is a little depressing, but I'm still laughing at it."

Coming up this month DJ will be brining his off beat brand of comedy to the Center St. Pub in Mishawaka.  Anyone who appreciates finding the humor in every situation is definitely encouraged to stop by.

Originally from right here in Indiana, Dangler moved out to New York City after graduating from college.  As a writer at the time he had been pursuing a career in that field with no interest or intention of becoming a comedian.  But fate had other things in store.

"I never thought about going on stage, [but] I wrote a couple of jokes and I wanted to try and sell them," he said, explaining his motivation.  "One of the guys I worked for at the time recommended I just try an open mic out, and I did, and it was great."

This strange turn of events only gets stranger once it is discovered that his first time on stage was at the renowned Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.  Performing at The Gotham Comedy Club, famous for hosting specials from such notable acts as Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, and Dave Chappelle, would be an achievement for a seasoned comedian, not to mention a rookie, but Dangler took it in stride.

"It was a blast, it was a real trip, it was real cool," Dangler commented on the experience.  "I knew I was going to do it for a couple of weeks and I wrote a ton, just as much as I could, and I memorized it; I remembered it like it was a speech in a play, y'know?"

Dangler never mentioned if he sold those original jokes, but seeing as how he turned his first time on stage into a new career, the smart money is on no.

After several years in the big apple, Dangler returned to his home state of Indiana.  Not that his experience there was negative, in fact it had helped him discover a talent he never knew he had, it was just no longer the place for him.

"I did my best to be a snotty, New York cynic, but I came from small town Indiana as well," he stated plainly.

Shortly after returning to the Hoosier state, Dangler met up with fellow comedians Michael Malone and Warren B. Hall to form the comedic troupe Comedy Circus.  Not to be confused with the Indian game show of the same name, Comedy Circus is a group that writes and performs their own sketch comedy in addition to posting their videos to the Internet.  Together they perform in a variety of different places and even have an upcoming performance scheduled at the University of Maine.  For Dangler, the group offers a break from the routine of stand up.

"When you do stand up all the time, I love it, it's a great job, but when you do something every day it does become a job, so anything weird and goofy keeps it interesting," he said.  "And it makes you like [the stand up] part of the job a lot more, too."

In addition to his upcoming gigs with Comedy Circus, Dangler will also be performing at Center St. Pub on Friday May 21st.  Also appearing will be local favorite Brett Eastburn to help warm the crow up.

For more information on DJ Dangler, visit him on line at MySpace.com/djdangler.

Max's Liquor Store - Three Generations and Counting

By: Mario Bourzac

Few liquor stores can share in the rich history possessed by Max's Liquor Store.  Now well into their seventh decade of existence, the store has seen three generations of Max's step up to the plate to run the family business.

"All three of us were named Max, so that means we never had to change the sign," joked current owner Max Silber.

The longevity of the store has not only made them one of the longest running liquor stores in the state of Indiana, but it has also endeared them to the community as well.  With so many years behind them it would be difficult to imagine a South Bend without a Max's Liquor Store, but if history is any indication, we will never have to.

Originally opening in 1937, Max's Liquor Store first made its mark on the South Bend community  several years after the ratification of the 21st amendment, otherwise known as the repeal of prohibition.  Prior to opening as a liquor store the establishment had once functioned as a local deli and grocery store for the community.  Then, when the selling of liquor was no longer illegal, the store began making a few changes to its back stock.

The first Max Silber to over see the running of Max's Liquor Store not only opened the store itself, but also manned the helm until 1966.  In addition to setting the store along its current trajectory, he also managed to set in place, perhaps unwittingly, the basis for a long standing family-owned business.  And to his credit, the store has not only maintained, but thrived.

As the city of South Bend began to change and expand itself, so too, did the budding liquor store that has its roots in the town.  After taking over the reins from his dad in 1966, the second Max to run the family store over saw the destruction and rebuilding of Max's Liquor Store.

"Back at that time you didn't have your big box stores like Meijer or stuff like that," Silber said, commenting on the construction project.  "When he rebuilt it, it was considered a large liquor store."

The new store stands on the very same site that the original stood upon.  Its expansion made it even more of a commanding presence in the marketplace of South Bend.

In 2000 Max Silber, the current Max, began his tenure running the family liquor store.  Having taken over from his mother, who ran the store from 1994 to 2000, he continued on in the tradition of improving the store.

"Each generation expanded the business in some way," offered Silber when explaining his motivation to do his own renovations.

His efforts, though slightly more modest than his father's complete rebuilding of the store, led to perhaps one of the store's most popular changes.

Silber's initial contribution to improving the store started off as simply adding additional storage space.  However, once he began moving items from the old storage area to the new one, he discovered a host of items that each previous generation had been accumulating.  That find lead to his most recent renovation to the store.

"When I added on the large storage area, that's when I started displaying all the things that we had in storage, or in the basement from all those years," Silber said.

Items that had been laying dormant or otherwise forgotten about in the basement were given a new life after Silber had discovered them.  Antique display items, old ads for liquor companies, and various other collectibles that had been stockpiled in the basement and old storage area were then put on display throughout the store.  It was these items that helped the modern Max make his mark.

"Well, you see, first it was my grandfather that ran the place, then it was my father that ran the place, and now it's me," Silber clarified.  "Now, out of the three generations, I've got the store decorated in what the three liked."

Each generation is represented through items indicative of their era.  The original Max, who opened the store and ran it until the mid 60's, has his generation embodied in the antique liquor containers of the 40's and 50's.  Among these decorations are antique promotional whiskey bottles made of plastic that stand around 3ft tall, as well as wooden crate used to ship bottles of Jack Daniels Whiskey.  His original store jacket also adorns one wall, reminding each patron of his pride in the service Max’s Liquor Store was founded upon.

The second generation, constituting the years 1966 through 1994, are exemplified by their own decor, too.  During the 60's and 70's Jim Beam used to make decanter cars for their whiskey, literally little cars filled with their distinct beverage.  The cars, when collected all together, make up a set.  Among collectors, these car decanters are still a highly sought after item to this day, a quick search on ebay reveals that.  At Max's Liquor Store they have almost the entire set on display.

Over time, even these items used only as a display have found an audience of their own.  More than a few would be collectors have stopped into the store and made offers on some of the decorations.  But despite their best efforts, Silber has never been interested in selling.

"Not once have I considered an offer," he stated matter-of-factly.

For his own part, Silber has contributed a great deal of his personal pieces to help decorate the store.  While his father and grandfather are represented largely by the items that were once in storage, Silber himself has brought in select musical memorabilia.  Among his contributions are signed instruments and autographed albums, including a Cream album signed by Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce.

When asked how he managed to compile such an impressive list of mementos, he simply responded, "I've played in bands since I was 12; I've always been around music."

The assembled collection of antiques and collectibles that adorn the walls at Max's Liquor Store have greatly contributed to the stores popularity.  Already a popular stop due to its history in the town, the addition of decorations, such as,  makes the history that much more tangible for the casual customer.  By seeing things like the original liquor license issued to Max’s (also one of the first to be issued in the state of Indiana after the 21^st amendment),they are better able to grasp its significance.

Taken together with the decorations, the history of the store itself has also helped make Max's Liquor Store a point of interest for the city of South Bend.  Similar to Yesterdog in Grand Rapids, Michigan, or Hot Doug's in Chicago, Max's Liquor Store has become an unofficial, but traditional stop for many people passing through.  The store's popularity has even managed to bridge the generation gap.

"To this day I meet people that would come in here form out of town and say, 'Oh, my grandfather used to shop there,'" Silber happily offered.

He later added, "They don't forget about this store."

With the recent addition of the antique decor, Silber is once again excited and ready to promote the store.

Max's Liquor Store is, without a doubt, one of the oldest and most loved stores in South Bend.  Having existed in the same spot for over three generations they have built a respectable name for themselves and established a strong link to the community.  The decorations on display throughout the store have made it popular stop for local residents as well as a popular point of interest for visitors passing through town.  Through years of hard work and persistence Max's Liquor Store has become an essential part of South Bend's economic and social landscape.  They will undoubtedly remain so for the foreseeable future.

Max's Liquor Store is located at 1740 Lincolnway East, across from The Landing Nightclub.

Michiana Tuff - Elton "The Dirty" Chavez

By: Mario Bourzac

Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, has been a growing sport in the United States for the past twenty years.  While most people have only recently become aware of it within the last few years, its core fan base has been following it rabidly since the early 90's.  Elton "The Dirty" Chavez, a talented, local MMA competitor, first became aware of the sport six years ago when several of his friends suggested he give it a try.  Since then he has traveled around the world to compete in tournaments in such countries as Panama and Costa Rica.  This month he will return to Panama and hopefully bring home a victory.

Before trying his hand at the varied styles involved in MMA, Chavez had spent his early years learning to fight as a wrestler.  Throughout high school and junior college he wrestled in several tournaments and excelled at the sport.  It wasn't until friends of his suggested he look into, what was at the time, the new sport of MMA.

"A couple of my buddies were, like, 'Oh man, you should get into MMA,'" Chavez said.  "I was, like, 'what the hell is MMA?'"

It didn't take long for him to find out, and once he did, he was hooked.

Chavez, who after finishing his college wrestling career developed a bit of an affinity for fighting in bars, was directed towards the sport by several friends who were already actively involved in MMA.  Upon hearing of an upcoming tournament they were participating in, Chavez expressed an interest in participating as well.  But despite their best efforts to dissuade him on account of his inexperience with the sport (at that point he had never trained for it, let alone had a fight) he still decided to enter the contest.  All things considered, he did remarkably well.

"I took a pair of gloves, a jock, and a mouthpiece and a pair of shorts and I showed up to the place and I jumped in on a tournament," asserted Chavez.  "I fought three times that night and won all three fights, won a belt, [and] won some money."

Currently Chavez is gearing up for his next fight in Panama on May 22nd when he'll face an internationally tested Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.  The fight, which will mostly likely be his last outside of the country, presents Chavez with the opportunity to, in his own mind, redeem himself.

"I'm happy to have the opportunity to go back down there, try getting a win, because I didn't win last time," he lamented.  "I feel I got robbed by the ref, but it's up for anybody to make that call, you know?"

After returning from Panama, Chavez is looking to plan his retirement fight sometime this summer in South Bend.

"I'm hoping just to get the fighting out of my system [with] the next two fights," he said, "but I know I'll always be training and being a part of the sport."

Bud Light Shoot for the Championship

By: Teddy Rogge

 

 March is always an exciting time of year with temperatures rising, green beer flowing, and the infamous college basketball sensation known as March Madness. For the majority of people who are not finely tuned athletic machines, Bud Light has come up with Shoot for the Championship, an event that anyone can play and potentially win a trip to Vegas to compete for $25,000.

The game is a variation on the popular drinking game quarters, with a scoring system inspired by basketball that pits two co-ed teams in head-to-head competition. The event is free to enter, with the only restriction being teams must be co-ed.

“We have two quarter bounce tables that have a bucket that goes in the middle which is worth two points,” said Emily Taddeo, regional market manager for Uhaps.com and event organizer for Shoot for the Championship. “And then we have a taller container inside the bucket that is worth three points. We set up two teams across from each other and they have 35 seconds to bounce as many of the poker chips off the table and attempt to get it in the scoring containers.”

The event began back in February and has been played throughout the Michiana market with teams going head-to-head in a single elimination bracket. At the end of each night one team would emerge victorious and be invited to the semi-finals. Throughout February and March Shoot for the Championship competitions were held to find the best possible teams. Each weekend a different location hosted the game on various nights throughout the week from the Madison Oyster Bar in South Bend to Cheers, Corby’s, The View, Mulligan’s, and Mitch’s Corner. Teams were also selected from Center Street Pub, Riverside, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Bleachers in Mishawaka.

Most Recently winning teams from each participating location traveled to Michigan City to compete in the March 20^th semi-finals at the Blue Chip Casino. At the Blue Chip, the winning team of the semi-final round will be flown to Vegas to compete in the national finals April 3^rd-6^th for the chance to take home $2,5000. According to Uhaps staff, the finals were extremely exciting, with the final game stretching out to 3 rounds! The couple that won, Stephen Sobieralski and Carrie Kaser, were from the Buffalo Wild Wings in Mishawaka. and they were just out of control with excitement. Their trip to Vegas includes airfare for two, a 4 day and 3 night hotel stay at the Hard Rock Cafe, as well as free beer and food at the Bud Light parties taking place during the 4 day event.

The yearly event was coordinated through the help of local Budweiser distributor United Beverage’s online marketing wing, Uhaps.com.

“Uhaps was started 2 years ago because companies like Anheuser-Busch were having trouble connecting with the 21 to 34 year old demographic,” said Emily Taddeo. “Basically because of DVR and Ipods, it was just hard to get through to them through radio advertisement or commercials because that age group uses technology everyday to get passed that. So basically Uhaps is a series of networks for a marketing company that uses Facebook, Twitter and 40 different on-line source outlets to raise awareness of events in the area.”

If you didn’t get a chance to attend, no worries. The good folks at Uhaps.com took plenty of photos at each promotion and you can check out all the action, as well as all the other Bud Light events happening in the Michiana area, at www.BudBend.com.

The Chameleon Experience - Every Night A New Shade

By: Mario Bourzac

Going out to the bar can often become a monotonous routine.  In the blink of an eye the local watering hole can go from your favorite place to get a drink to just 'the old stand by.'  One bar looking to change the way we view nighttime entertainment is The Chameleon Experience.  Recently remodeled, The Chameleon Experience has abandoned the old definitions of what a bar could and could not be, and has instead reinvented the night out.  They have accomplished this seemingly impossible feat by turning each night into its own theme night.  By making every night unique & ever changing, they are truly living up to their name, The Chameleon Experience.

Originally opening in February of this year, The Chameleon Experience has already come a long way.  The building has been totally remodeled on the inside, complete with a wide open dance floor.  The new layout and design is perfect for the changing faces of the new club.

What sets The Chameleon Experience apart from other nightclubs is their fresh approach to entertainment.  Rather than focusing on any one type of club or atmosphere, they have organized their night spot into a number of different clubs with as many different features.  Open Wednesday through Sunday, The Chameleon Experience hosts a different event every night.

Every Wednesday is Game Night, which features free pool all night, plus darts, golden tee, beer pong and corn hole.  Thursday night is Hip-Hop Night, with host DJ Outlaw spinning the best R&B and dance music to keep the party going all night.  Friday nights are Rock Night at The Chameleon Experience and features live music from some of the regions best rock bands, including Blammo and The Incredible Johnsons.

Saturday nights, otherwise known as Country Night, are some of the most popular nights at The Chameleon Experience.  While from time to time there will be a live country band, more often than not live music is eschewed in favor of a DJ.

"The cowboys all want to hear nothing but country," explained club associate Mike Keagle, "but their girlfriends are with them [so] we end up throwing in a little Britney Spears and Lady Gaga and stuff in there, too."

And did I mention the bull?  Whenever a band is not booked for Country Night, the folks at The Chameleon bring out their highly coveted and always popular mechanical bull.  A large draw in its own right, the mechanical bull is an open challenge to anyone still sober enough to be walking upright.  If it maintains its popularity it may just become a permanent fixture on Saturday nights.

Finally, Sunday night at The Chameleon Experience is Industry Night.  It offers the bar a chance to recognize fellow workers in the service industry by offering $3 U Call Its on any liquor or beer in the entire.  Sundays also feature Extreme Karaoke with DJ Outlaw.

Coming up this month The Chameleon Experience will kick their live music schedule into full swing with live music every weekend.  On Friday April 2nd Peach Tree Otis (www.myspace.com/peachtreeotis) will bring their special blend of covers from the 70's, 80's and 90's to The Chameleon.  The following Friday, April 9th, will feature local favorites Blammo (www.blammoband.com) performing to what will likely be a packed house.  And on April 16th The Douglas James Band (www.thedouglasjamesband.com) will add some country twang to what is traditionally Rock Night.  Rounding out the calendar will be The Incredible Johnsons (www.theincrediblejohnsons.com) returning to the stage on Friday April 23rd.

Located at 68502 Cass street in Edwardsburg, Michigan, The Chameleon Experience is poised to become one of Michiana’s biggest nightclubs.  While still a relatively young establishment, their unique take on entertainment & continuously rotating atmospheres will undoubtedly win them more fans as their reputation continues to grow.

For more information on The Chameleon Experience, including drink specials and upcoming performances, you can find them on line at www.camxclub.com.

Spring into Spring

With Paige Turner

The snow has thawed and temperatures are rising, so crawl on out of your winter-induced hibernation.  There are many things going on as the weather warms up and it’s best to prepare yourself now for the onslaught of spring.  How should you get started?  Well, my personal recommendation would be with a really great April Fools’ joke.   

We ladies have the power of potential pregnancy at our disposal.  No man has ever fooled anyone with that threat but it can be comedic gold for those of us with a uterus.  This joke can be a quick one, where you come clean as soon as you get a reaction, or you can draw the gag out and get your friends and family in on the fun.  Just make sure the person whose leg you’re pulling has a good sense of humor.  I once learned the hard way that parents don’t find this particular prank very funny when it’s coming from their sixteen-year-old daughter.

Of course, the pregnancy bit will fall flat if your friends know it’s been a while since you’ve been laid.  Not to worry, spring is the perfect time to take care of that.  As plants begin to bloom many of you might begin to feel a stirring sensation in your pants.  It’s well known that spring is full of new life and new love goes right along with it. People everywhere will begin to feel twitterpated as the winter clothes get put away and more skin begins to show.  The downside to wearing less clothing is that you might have to start shaving your legs again.  Not all women can land a man who likes ‘em hairy, so you’ll likely have to bust out the weed wacker and start trimming that shit down. 

If you’re running low on cash and can’t afford a summer stockpile of razors, sit tight and wait on your tax refund check. Remember, though, you need to actually file your taxes in order to get anything back.  There are many things you can use as deductions but not even the slickest accountant can write off the rounds you drunkenly bought for that bar full of strangers.  Consider that a lesson in economics from the school of hard knocks.

Spring has sprung, that’s for sure.  Whether you’re more excited for the cuter clothes or the warmer weather doesn’t matter because it’s a time of year we can all appreciate.  You want to be able to enjoy it though, so try to make sure your April Fools’ shenanigans don’t get you into too much trouble. After all, it’s not easy shaving your legs while in a cast or the clink.

A Lil’ Bit of Key West in Westville…

By:  Teddy Rogge

In a town full of Italian restaurants, Latitude 24 dares to be different than the regular fare in Westville.  The atmosphere is influenced by a combination of different southern locales and offers a menu that extends from jerk chicken planks to Westville wicked wings and Asian lettuce wraps.

“I wanted to bring a new concept to the area,” said Beth Wickberg owner and manager of Latitude 24. “And my love for Key West, Mexico and Jamaica set the tempo for the theme. Upon entering latitude 24 you are surrounded with tropical colors, ocean fish mounted on the walls and fish nets swinging.  Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffett & Gypsy Kings playing makes you feel like you’re in a hip little place in Key West.”

The restaurant offers a menu with a wide variety of tastes from conch fritters and banana boat peppers to their popular Capt. Jack Black Angus burger (grilled and topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon, beer battered onion rings and smothered in chipolte mayo.)  In fact all their angus burgers are highly demanded as well as their thin crust Chicago Style pizzas which were originally added as a sidekick.

With summer approaching Latitude 24’s menu is due for some changes.  April will usher in the addition of a Chicago Style Beef Sandwich, Italian Beef Sandwich and Philly Cheese Steak Pizza.  Four new salads will appear on the menu as well; Jerk Chicken Salad, Cavo Cobb Salad, Fiesta Salad and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad.  There will be three new appetizers including Loaded Fries and the Hookah Hush Puppies (Cajun hush puppies.)

On the sweeter side there is a deep fried cheesecake that has been called sex on a plate by some customers and the restaurant claims they have the best chocolate martinis in Northeast Indiana.  Behind the bar lies the largest selection of import beers in the area the ingredients for Latitude 24’s signature Twisted Parrot which contains 4 different kinds of booze and assorted fruit juices.

To further enhance the atmosphere in the bar live entertainment is provided on Friday nights when bookings are available that ranges from classic rock to blues to Jimmy Buffet and alternative.  The acts can be anywhere from solo to two or three person groups focusing mostly on acoustic guitars and vocals.

Each year Northwest Indiana’s Parrot Head Club pub-crawls its way from Valparaiso to the most fitting surroundings of Latitude 24.  The group of 25-35 people comes to enjoy the atmosphere and the service provided by Wickberg as she assumes the majority of roles in the restaurant as the need arises.

“I have a passion for cooking,” said Wickberg. “I love to cook.  I tend bar.  I’m a server just intermingling with the clients.  We’re just all there to have a good time.”

Costaki Economopoulos - Funny Enough To Make You Think

By: Mario Bourzac

Not all comedians are the class clowns we've come to expect them to be.  The parrallel to the juvenile slap stick of Chris Farley, Michael Richards, and Jim Carrey can be found in the satirical deliveries of comedians such as John Stewart, Steven Colbert, or Bill Maher.  One comedian looking to join their ranks is Atlanta native Costaki Economopoulos.  Drawn to comedy early on, Costaki's own brand of humor was greatly influenced by his studies at Georgetown University where he earned his Master's degree in Political Science.

"Those are my two loves: what made people vote and what made people laugh," explains Costaki.  "It was fascinating to me because they're so squishy, y'know?"

But it's not all checks and balances with Costaki.  Despite his learned background, he still manages to find the humor in every day life.

"Lately I've just been kind of enjoying writing a good joke about whatever," he said.  "I saw a Toyota dealership with big sign out front.  'No Interest.'  That's exactly what I was thinking."

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Costaki first began his comedic career when he was a student at The University of Georgia in Athens.  Even then he drew a strong influence from comedians such as Sam Kinison and Richard Pryor, but there was one comedian in particular that made a strong impression on the young scholar.

"I was mostly a fan of Carlin," admitted Costaki.  "I loved that Carlin could talk about some heavy shit and, because he was really funny, you also listened to what he had to say. ... It was almost like a trick; it was like if the comedy was funny enough, he also got to tell you some shit that had some meat in it."

Carlin's early influence can still be felt in Costaki's performances today.  His seemingly off the cuff remarks about relevant issues, once mulled over, reveal jokes that might insult your intelligence while actually making you think at the same time.

That relaxed yet biting style has paved the way for Costaki and has already brought him a fair amount of success.  In addition to his stand up, he has also cultivated a reputation as a strong writer.  His material has made its way onto The Tonight Show, The Late Show, and The Best Damn Sports Show Period.  He was even snagged by BET where he became a staff writer for two of their hit shows.

In addition to his stand up, and his television writing credits, Costaki has also become a fan favorite on the popular morning radio program The Bob and Tom Show.  After appearing on the show several times as a guest he eventually became something of a regular, but soon became worried he had used all his good jokes.  It was this anxiety that lead him to his most well known work to date, The Economonolougues.  To date, he has performed over 100 Economonologues and still continues to do so once a week.  To find out when he'll be on the show next, check out www.bobandtom.com.

Coming up at the beginning of next month Costaki will be performing at Riverside, located in the 100 center in Mishawaka.  No stranger to the area, Costaki has been through several times before when performing at the well loved and sorely missed Funnybone. Located almost directly across the parking lot from where The Funnybone used to be, Riverside is the new destination for comedy in Michiana.  Costaki will be bringing his professorial, yet inclusive brand of humor there on Friday May 8th.  For more information on when the doors open and where you can buy tickets, check them out online at drinkriverside.com.

Along with having one of the most difficult names to pronounce in comedy, Costaki is also one of the funniest comedians in the business.  His dry, thought provoking style has won him fans from coast to coast and will continue to do so as long as he continues performing.

For more information on Costaki check him out online at Costaki.com.

5 Things You Shouldn’t Do On St. Patrick’s Day
via cracked.com

When it comes to drinking, St. Patrick’s Day is the ultimate amateur night. Follow these five, easy steps and you’ll be able to celebrate the world’s greatest holiday the way it should be celebrated.

5. Don’t Cover Yourself In Promotional St. Patrick’s Day Shit

This isn’t Halloween, so leave the ridiculous costumes at home.  St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Ireland’s heroic ability to drink, don’t turn it into a cartoon by showing up at a bar in a plastic green bowler hat, a lime green “F*** Me, I’m Irish” shirt and six pounds of green beads. How would you feel if the rest of the world dressed up as a bunch of fat, ignorant slobs who don’t believe in evolution every July 4^th? Exactly. If you must, add a subtle touch of green to your regular wardrobe and hit the bar.

4. Stop Telling Everyone You’re “Actually Irish”

Just because your great-great-great Grandmother’s second cousin was from Donegal does not make you Irish. Hate to break it to you, but you are American. So stop trying to tell everyone that this is “your holiday.” You’ve never even been to Ireland.

3. Don’t Get As Drunk As You Possibly Can

This one is a little hard to understand, but it’s very important.  While Paddy’s day is about drinking, it’s not a free pass to get pants-shittingly wasted. No one wants to hold their freind’s hair as he pukes up 13 green beers all over the sidewalk. That’s kind of a downer and it usually means the evening is over. If you’re not a big drinker, don’t try to go beer-for-beer with your friends who drink all the time. Instead, have 1.5 beers/drinks every hour.  It sounds like a pain in the ass to keep track, but by midnight you will be at peak drunkenness and thankful for it.  Another tip: Paddy’s Day is a great opportunity to hook up with the opposite sex. And girls usually don’t sleep with guys who are so wasted that they are either puking their guts out. (Usually.)

2. Don’t Drink Any Non-Irish Booze

Don’t have one Guinness and then go back to drinking Amstel Light for the rest of the night. Show some respect to the country that gave you this holiday and stick to actual Irish spirits like Jameson (if you want whiskey) or Guinness and Harp (if you want beer) or Potcheen (if you want to die.) There are very few Irish vodkas and gins, so you’re probably going to have to do without your girly, flavored cocktails tonight.

1. Stop Speaking In The World’s Worst Fake Irish Accent

It wasn’t funny the first time you said, “Let go of me Lucky Charms!” It also wasn’t funny when you yelled, “Erin Go Braless!” or “Aye, you weee lass!” 50 times in a row. Your Irish accent sounds more like Corky from Life Goes On than Colin Farrell. So just stop. Instead, why not befriend an actual Irish person and buy them a beer for giving us an entire holiday that makes it OK for everyone to get tipsy on a work night.

Erin Go Bragh-less Translation: Who is this Erin & why doesn’t she wear a bra?

      Hard to believe another St. Patddy’s Day is upon us. Seems like just yesterday I was

pissing out green beer celebrating the Luck ‘O The Irish. By now I surmise my kidney is

finally back to that healthy pink color waiting for my annual dose of green dyed beer.

That’s why I’ve chosen not to be an organ donor. Anybody who got my green kidney

implanted in ‘em would wake up with a severe beer buzz and a constant urge to dance the

jig.

Speaking of green streams, I grew up the son of a Chicago Fire Fighter who worked

on one of the fire boats. His nickname was Swede which I could never figure out as he

wasn’t Swedish (nor Irish for that matter). Every St. Patty’s Day his crew had to dye the

Chicago River green, then shoot green dyed water from the boat’s hose pumps. Every

year he’d come home the day after with green arms. It would last for a month. No

kidding, from his elbows down to the tips of his fingers... Irish green. When I was seven

years old, I asked him why his arms were green. He told me he was in a bar and set his

keys on the stool next to him. A leprechaun sat on ‘em. He had to go up the “little sh*ts

ass” to get ‘em back. I believed him for years until he finally told me the truth. I was

twenty seven.

I’m not Irish but I know many of the sort. Several have told me that, if you

catch a leprechaun, he would pay you in gold to let him go. So, I figured I’d test the

rumor. Now, here I am in Michiana, where the hell am I gonna find a leprechaun in these

parts? I woke up the next morning somewhat sober and before I cracked open my green

beer breakfast it dawned on me...Notre Dame = Fighting Irish = Leprechaun. I went to

the ND vs. DePaul basketball game to observe the little green bastard. There he was,

jumpin around and carrying on like an idiot. It was apparent he was a genuine leprechaun

as no human being would ever whore themselves out to that extreme. I tailed him after

the game, found out what dorm he lived in. I got to know his routine, classes, social life,

the whole shebang. I was finally ready to make my move. I rolled him as he came out of

his psychology class. Beat him to a pulp. All I got out the deal was twelve cents, a lap top

and a law suit. I regret to report that the legend is unfounded.

Finally, in attending what turned out to be the last St. Patrick’s Day Parade held on the

Southwest side of Chicago, I  was amazed at the public drunkenness displayed by those

in attendance. I fitted in well.  The parade itself was secondary to the shenanigans going

in the crowd...fights, bodies lying in the gutter, people rolling off roof tops and those

holding pointy sticks with non Irish heads impaled on them. For the sake of journalistic

research, I took a poll of the revelers and asked the question, “Why do the Irish drink so

much?” After dodging several slow motion drunken round house punches, I did get one

interesting answer. It was from an older gentleman who answered in a deep Irish brogue,

“Beannachtai nafeile padraig”. I assumed this was a sacred Irish blessing and wrote it

down quickly. I found a person who spoke Gaelic and he provided the interpretation,

“Where can a guy piss around here?”

 Enjoy your St. Patty’s Day and remember when

you’re reveling in the fine  bars here in Michiana, keep your keys in your pocket unless

you want to wear green arms for a month.

Madison Oyster Bar
129 N. Main

Once again joining St. Paddy’s Tent Party and Pub Tour will be the Madison Oyster Bar. Locatedat 129 North Main street, they will be looking forward to partying on each of their three levels. To accompany their festive celebrating, the Madison Oyster Bar will be offering a variety of drink specials, including green Bud and Bud Light, as well as a number of dining deals.  Slinging drinks behind the bar this year will be the now infamous ‘leprechaun’ Steve Ruphard. Already a familiar face at Madison’s, for the past several years he has been dressing up in his own little green outfit to help celebrate the holiday. In addition to fitting the part, Steve is also a stellar tapster, and the pub tour is a great day for him to shine.

“He’s the best bartender in the world,” exclaimed owner Laura Simeri, “he loves what he does and he could sell an Eskimo ice cubes, so St. Patrick’s Day is his day.”

The upscale restaurant and bar will also be giving away a vast assortment of gifts and prizes to almost everyone who walks through their door. If you’re interested in having a good time and walking away with some free swag, remember to stop by.

Green is the New Black

A Woman’s Point of View
with Paige Turner

Everyone knows that March is a good month for drinking. Winter is almost over and that alone is worth celebrating. Combine it with Spring Break & St. Patrick’s Day and you have almost constant reasons to knock one back while waiting for this month to turn from a lion into a lamb. This may also be one of the last big binges for a while for those of you out there concerned with fitting into summer swimwear or well…passing this semester, so make sure your celebrating is worth your while.

If you ladies have the cash to get away this month, consider New Orleans. They had both their first ever Super Bowl win and Mardi Gras in February and with St. Patty’s Day in March, that city will be partying it up all Spring long.  Too strapped for cash to go down to The Big Easy? That probably rules out Mexico or even Florida as well. Before you start to worry, remember there are plenty of places here in the Midwest that will show you a good time.  Parades and pub-crawls honoring good ‘ol St. Patrick can be found in just about every city this month, if you know where to look. If you’re really lucky you’ll find a trolley, bus or frat guy that will carry you around from one drunken stop to the next – just try not to confuse the free trolleys with those floats in the parades. Small children do not need to be exposed to a bunch of boozed up women trying to hitch rides on their elementary school float. Similarly, it will be helpful to remember that flashing is generally frowned upon outside of the French Quarter, though if you’ve got a decent rack you might get away with it. If you would feel safer paying homage to the patron saint o Ireland in a big city where no one knows your name, just head to Chicago. They celebrate by dying their river so green it covers almost all of the trash.  Almost. 

Speaking of green, get ready to see it everywhere you go (even if you’re not hung over). Restaurants seem to think that items like colored mashed potatoes or green eggs and ham look appetizing, so that’ll be featured on menus all over town. If you’re looking for a more authentic meal, find someplace that will serve Irish stew, boxty, coddle or calcannon. If you can’t handle the rashers then turn to beer, as even the most boring of brews will be getting gussied up. Or just start pounding back Guinness, which will make you look Irish no matter when and where you do it. Enjoy the fact that this is the only time of the year you can get absolutely wasted, see lots of little men wearing color coordinated overalls and not have to question your eyesight, sanity or level of intoxication. Pets can even get in on the green - if you’re the type of girl who has one of those small yippy dogs, consider coloring its fur for the holiday. I would recommend it for larger dogs too but they might not be as easy to restrain while you highlight.

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about the drinking and the food, it’s also about the pinching. If you don’t wear green on the big day, consider it open season on your ass. There are no rules about where the pinch can take place, so take advantage of it and go for something scandalous whenever you can. If you want to get attention and flash some skin while you’re at it, wear green only on your underwear. We women seem to be great at forgetting the tradition, only to remember we’re wearing a matching shamrock bra and panty set right before the pinch. Coincidence or strategic planning?  You be the judge.

There are clearly many ways to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, and you don’t have to be Irish

to do it. You don’t even have to feel guilty for all of the food, beer and ass pinching you’re enjoying because it’s in honor of an actual Saint. Consider it your sacrifice and have as much fun as you can. It might be a sign to slow down, though, if you’re still seeing the leprechauns long after the middle of March.

Between the Buns:

Serving Michiana for 25 Years

By: Eddie Padin


Amongst the masses of chain restaurants and franchise establishments that seem to have become the norm in our American communities, very few have retained the ideologies and passion that are found in most independently owned businesses.Traditional elements like family (and budget) friendly menu selections, a friendly and compassionate staff, as well as true customer appreciation are sometimes lost in the grind of everyday operations. Over the last 25 years Michiana’s own, Between the Buns, has not only stuck to these independently fundamental principles, but instilled them into each of the 5 restaurants they’ve established since the launch of their first location in Osceola, in 1985.

Originally launched by Tom Wilon, the first Between the Buns location in Osceola was the first sports bar in the area. The Osceola store consisted of a small 2000 sq. ft. bar; toting only 19 tables and 85 seats. The last 10 years have really defined the growth of the Between the Buns name and spurred the development of other BTB restaurants in South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, and Granger. In addition, BTB launched a catering service in 2008 to accommodate those special events, football parties, business events, and holiday affairs.  Between the Buns has established strong ties to the community that have defined BTB as a true hometown restaurant. These ties are clearly evident in the community donated sports décor that adorn every BTB location. The walls and tables of each location are custom decorated with various sports memorabilia and uniforms donated by their loyal clientele. The community focus is further defined by various donations that are made to local high schools, community programs, charities and special incentive programs the restaurant offers. One of those special programs is the Team MVP card, which offers a payback to groups and teams. Groups can earn 8% back of what their members spend at the restaurants. The Buns is already working with over 60 local groups to help support the community. Additionally, Between the Buns offers an individual MVP program that gives incentives to patrons, in the style of frequent flyer miles. With over 15000 cards in circulation this is obviously a promotion the folks in Michiana have come to appreciate, in addition to the fresh ingredients and homemade soup that Between the Buns is known for.  Each BTB location has special entertainment features on various nights of the week, consisting of live music, karaoke, and family trivia. Points earned while playing trivia are applied to MVP card; points are then converted into gift cards ranging from $10 to $25. Coming up this February, a super bowl party is being hosted at four of the five locations which include participation in a free football board to the first 100 patrons, a food buffet, and the acclaimed $2 Bottles of Bud, Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite. As the #1 sports bar in the Michiana area, it goes without saying that they carry the NFL & March Madness TV packages and always have all the games.  The week of February 22^nd – 28^th brings Michiana the 25^th anniversary for the Between the Buns Restaurants. As a special thank you to all of their customers they are offering some great specials to celebrate. Starting with a flashback to their original 1985 menu, a 25% discount is available on any of the original menu’s items. Over $2,000 in food & drink prizes will be awarded through various contests and giveaways, including one grand prize winner receiving a free sandwich a week for an entire year! If all that wasn’t enough to get you moving to a Between the Buns near you, they are also offering double points on all MVP cards with every purchase.  Not only are you receiving double points each time the MVP card is used during the anniversary week, but you’ll also be entered in the drawing to win any of the previously mentioned prizes.  Between the Buns are located in Osceola at 1720 Lincolnway West; in South Bend at 1803 South Bend Ave; in Mishawaka at 3407 Lincolnway East; in Elkhart at 2041 Cassopolis St; and in Granger at 12797 State Road 23.

St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour

By: Mario Bourzac

Next month the annual St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour will be returning to downtown South Bend for its sixth and perhaps biggest year yet. The event
will be a chance for everyone to celebrate the Irish People and the good deeds of Ireland’s famous Patron Saint. And remember, at  the Tent Party regardless of your heritage, everyone’s Irish! It will also be a great opportunity for anyone and everyone to participate in the finest nightlife the downtown has to offer.

The Tent Party & Pub Tour will feature music by Stillshot and Take Aim, exciting contests and prizes, free trolley rides to all participating downtown pubs, and even an official After Party at Club Fever. Following the evening’s festivities on the 12th , the 13th annual St. Patrick’s Parade will take place the next day in downtown South Bend. For anyone who has never experienced the Irish pride of the region, this is the year to get lucky.

Brought to you courtesy of Downtown South Bend, Inc., the St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour is one of the many promotional events DTSB arranges each year to promote downtown South Bend. The Michiana Entertainer spoke with their organization late last year when promoting the Santa House they helped bring to the city in December.

Downtown South Bend, Inc is a not for profit organization whose role is to assist downtown businesses and the development of downtown. In association with over two dozen other community sponsors and participants, DTSB has managed to attract more attention to downtown area businesses with events like

the St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour.

“The St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour was started as a unique way to enjoy downtown nightlife,” said Michele Kastner, Pr omo t i o n a l and Special E v e n t s Co o r d i n a t o r for DTSB, Inc, “while also

giving visitors an opportunity to go to bars and restaurants that maybe they hadn’t visited before.”

This year the St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour will be held on Friday, March 12 5:00 to 11:00 pm. The tent itself will be located in the same spot as last year, in the 300 block of South Michigan Street between Wayne and Western. The cost to get in will be $5.00 per person and limited to those 21 and up. However, with admission into the party you will also receive a green beaded lanyard, with a free pass on it that, will come in handy later in the night.

 Inside the tent there will be a number of different activities taking place. In addition to the drink specials and festivities, there will be live music performed inside the tent as well. Appearing this year will be both Take Aim (www.myspace.com/takeaimrocks), who will be opening the show at 5:30p and playing until 7:45p, and Stillshot (www.myspace.com/shillshot), who will play from 8:00p until 11:00p.

 Returning as acting MC will be Tommy Carroll, host of the Afternoon Attitude Check on 103.9 WRBR The Bear, who will also be returning as a sponsor this year. Along with sponsoring the event, WRBR will also be promoting the Tent Party in the weeks leading up to the event by running contests over the air and giving away Fast Passes. The Fast Passes will allow the wearer to enter the Tent Party immediately for free through a special V.I.P entrance and to purchase food and beverage with minimal delay, which will undoubtedly be a perk for any St. Paddy’s celebration.

Along with the Tent Party, the yearly blowout also includes a Pub Tour that features a number of the areas finest establishments, and this year will not disappoint. As of this writing, ten area restaurants and pubs have been confirmed as participants, with several more still possibly waiting in the wings.

Participating in the pub tour for 2010 will be several returning favorites, as well as a few new additions. The pubs featured this year will be: The Backstage Grill, The Blarney Stone, Buffalo Wild Wings, The Cellar Door, Corby’s Irish Pub, Frank’s Place, O’Sullivan’s Crossing, Sean O’Caseys, and Trio’s Restaurant & Jazz Club.

Each restaurant will bring its own unique flavor by providing their own festive specials for the night. Some will be providing entertainment of their own, in addition to the event, and a few will even have cover charges, so be prepared for a new experience at each stop.

The Pub Tour will offer free rides on the TRANSPO Trolley for those who are attending the Tent Party and Pub Tour. The TRANSPO Trolley will be starting at the tent party and picking up riders at each designated stop throughout the night. There will be several trolleys running until 12:30 am so making it to each pub should pose no problem to the savvy party goer. In fact, the Trolley will still be running when the St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour begins their first Official After Party at Club Fever at 11:00 pm. The After Party, brand new this year, will also be Club Fever’s first year participating in the annual event. Entrance to the After Party will be $5.00 to the general public, but free for all Tent Party goers who keep the green lanyards they received from the Tent Party with paid admission. While the After Party doesn’t officially begin until 11:00pm, Club Fever will open their doors at 9:00pm for anyone wanting to start their after party a little earlier. For more information on Club Fever, you can check them out on line at www.clubfever.biz.

Along with Club Fever, another new participant in the St. Paddy’s festivities this year will be Sangria’s Wine Bar, a new Latin flavored restaurant that will be offering a Green Sangria on their menu specifically for the evening’s celebrations.

Inside the Tent Party, however, there will be even more changes this year, beginning with the tent itself. In 2008 there were 3,000 attendees, and in 2009 there were near 4,000. This year event organizers are expecting those numbers to go up again and in anticipation have increased the size of the tent accordingly. Underneath the enlarged canopy attendees will find expanded hospitality areas to cater to the larger crowds. The expanded space will be used to offer more serving points to customers and decrease the amount of time spent waiting in line.

103.9 WRBR will also be introducing a new event this year. In addition to being a returning sponsor, and also having one of their very own DJ’s MC the show, The Bear will also be running a dance contest at the tent party. Throughout the night, while the bands are playing, The Bear will be bringing up dancers to strut their stuff on stage along with the music. For more information on how you can become part of the contest you can visit The Bear on line at www.wrbr.com, or just listen in daily at 103.9 FM.

On hand all night to document the excitement that is the St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour will be the local TV show Nightlights. They will be busy covering the bands, the drinks, and all of the other events worth covering. To find out more on where they will be throughout the night, you can look them up on line at www.nightlights.tv.

 Following the events of the St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour will be the city’s 13th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Parade. The parade, a long standing tradition in South Bend, is a day-long event that includes several activities before ending back at St. Patrick’s Church. Beginning at 11:00am on Saturday March 13th, the weekend before the official St. Patrick’s Day, the parade will start at Jefferson Boulevard and Eddy street before making its way through the East Bank Village.

Ending in Seitz Park, the parade culminates with the Greening of the East Race Way. Much like is done in Chicago, South Bend dyes the water of the East Race Way green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Afterwards, the parade and its participants make their way back to the Hedwig Memorial Center where a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal is served. Throughout the rest of the day there are also Celtic dancers, along with several other customary activities.

Together, the St. Paddy’s Tent Party & Pub Tour, along with the St. Patrick’s Parade, will fulfill another wildly successful springtime celebration for downtown South Bend. For any additional information regarding the annual celebration, you can find further material on line at www.paddyparty.com or www.downtownsouthbend.com.

Joe Schroeder

Making Comedy Out of Necessity

By: Mario Bourzac

Following your dreams isn’t always easy. In fact, more often than not, it can the most difficult thing you will ever do. Because of this, most people are content to let their dreams remain just what they are - dreams. But sometimes, just sometimes, motivation doesn’t wait for you to find it, it comes to find you.  On the receiving end of one such strange turn of events is local comedian Joe Schroeder. While he had always held onto the idea of one day trying his hand at comedy, he had somehow just never found the time. Never found the time, that is, until life found the right way to inspire him.

“I was inspired by the lack of job,” Schroeder said of his initial foray into comedy. “Yes, I was unemployed.”

It seemed, fortunately, that life had somehow managed to clear Joe’s schedule and give him just the motivation he needed.

Joe originally began his comedy career over 7 years ago when he moved back to his hometown of Warsaw, IN. After finding himself without the cumbersome task of having to go to work every day, he refocused himself and decided to give comedy an honest try.

Once he had settled back into town, he started attending the comedy classes and open mic nights hosted at the now defunct Funny Bone Comedy Club of Mishawaka.

At the time, The Funny Bone was the place to see comedy in northern Indiana, and any chance to get on their stage was a good move for an upcoming comedian. After roughly five months of brainstorming, taking advice from other comedians, and working up a short set, Joe was invited on stage to perform a five minute guest spot.  It was then he realized that he still had a lot of work to do.

 
“I didn’t do bad,” he said of the experience, “just not as well as I would have liked to.” Unfazed, Joe continued to make his way to the open mic nights and comedy classes.  With a little help, and a lot of hard work, he managed to put together a respectable, and funny, comedy set. Since then, things have been going pretty well for him.  These days, Joe has fashioned himself into a pretty successful comic, with a thorough repertoire of grade A material.  Covering everything from current events to disturbed but entertaining families, he manages to touch on something that almost everyone can relate to.

“I try to take situations that everybody has been involved in and make them funny,” said Joe, explaining his routine. “It helps me make friends with the crowd; they are always like ‘oh, I have been there.’” And it is this relatability that has endeared him to so many audiences up and down the east coast and throughout the Midwest.  In his seven years as a professional comedian he has managed to make it as far west as Boise, Idaho and as far south as Tennessee. While in the volunteer state he also managed to perform at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville with Last Comic Standing Winner Jon Reep, as well as win the title of Tennessee’s Funniest Man. All in all, a successful trip.

Currently, Joe is in the midst of planning one of his busiest years to date. This year he will be involved in not one, but three different movies. The first movie, entitled “Secret Lincoln” is set to air on both The History Channel and National Geographic sometime within the upcoming year. The second film, Bluegrass Run, is a bigger budget indie film that, at the time of this writing, is still in production. Also scheduled for release sometime this year, more information on the picture on line at www.imdb.com.

The third and final picture, still just as exciting, has to remain under wraps for now, at least until all the details have been finalized.

 In the mean time, Joe will be keeping busy with a number of upcoming stand up performances. Friday February 26^th he will be performing at Center Street Pub in Mishawaka, and coming up February 11^th - 13^th he will be performing at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, MI, the same place Tim Allen got his start.  For more information on Joe Schroeder, including updates on all his upcoming projects, you can find him on line at www.joeschroedercomedy.com.

Sully’s Hanna Hub

Come for the Food, Stay for the Night Life

By: Mario Bourzac

Cultivating the perfect atmosphere can be a challenge for any bar.  With so many crowds out there today, it catering to them all is often more trouble than it is worth. Instead, maybe it would be simpler, and more enjoyable, if bar owners kept things simple, stuck to what they knew, and let the people discover their establishments on their own.  That’s exactly what Sully’s Hanna Hub in Hanna, Indiana has set out to do. Rather than fight tooth and nail to bring in new customers, they simply let their reputation do the talking, and that seems to be working just fine.

Inside at Sully’s Hanna Hub you’ll find everything you need, from some the area’s best food and drink specials, to a free wifi signal to check your favorite website while you chow down. All that and more awaits you inside at Sully’s Hanna Hub.

The Hanna Hub is a bona-fide piece of the small town’s history and has been an active part of the community for over a century. The building that houses Sully’s Hanna Hub was originally built sometime around the 1850’s. Since then, it has played host to a number of different hosts before becoming the bar and grill that it is today.  The first occupants of the historic building were a group known as the IOOF, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The group, according to their website www.ioof.org, was originally founded in Baltimore in the early 1800’s. The group was an extension of a similar organization already established in England in the 17^th century. Their focus was to work to better their community through benevolent and charitable acts.  The group remained in the building for a number of years before it changed hands in the early 1900’s and eventually became “suits only” club or speak easy. In other words, it existed as a private club that served alcohol during America’s prohibition. To this day there are remnants of that era found in odd locations throughout the building that serve as a testament to its history.

Today, Sully’s Hanna Hub is owned by one Mike Sullivan. Sullivan, originally a long haul truck driver, bought the establishment from its previous owners in the fall of the 2009. They had been looking to sell the restaurant and bar in order to retire to Florida, while Sullivan was looking for a change of pace and figured “the alcohol industry was recession proof.”

On October 5^th, 2009 the final sale went through and Sullivan became the official owner. The change over went relatively smoothly as he didn’t feel the need to change that much. Already a fan of the bar, he was of the school of thought that states: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Still known for their great eats, Sully’s Hanna Hub hasn’t lost the flavor that this greasy spoon has always been known for. Their chicken wings, which attract a lot of attention to the restaurant, are available with a variety of 10 different sauces every day.

Not to be out done by poultry, the Hub Burgers have also developed quite a large fan base on their own. A half pound burger made of fresh, never frozen meat, served on a home made bun baked fresh daily in house at the restaurant. If you’re lucky and you manage to swing by the Hub early in the morning you may even catch a whiff of the buns baking.  And every Friday at Sully’s Hanna Hub they off their all you can eat fish special. Definitely make sure you stop out to try it.  In addition to the fan favorite food served at the Hanna Hub, they compliment that with drink specials designed to fit any budget. On Mondays 12oz. cans of Keystone Light are only $1.00; on Tuesday 16oz.  cans of Budweiser and Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Light are only $2.00; Wednesdays feature $2.00 you call it well drinks; on Thursdays any 12oz. domestic bottle is $1.25; and on Sunday all beers on tap are $4.00 a pitcher.

For more information on Sully’s Hanna Hub, including addition specials, you can check them out on line by directing your browser to www.  facebook.com and searching for Hanna Hub. Hanna Hub is located at 2 E. Moore St. in Hanna, Indiana.

Mulligan’s Bar and Grill

Welcome Home

By: Mario Bourzac

The impulse to follow your dream can often go ignored in people for indefinite periods of time, but sooner or later you either give in to the dream or just let it go. The pressure to concede to life’s expectations can sometimes seem overwhelming, but those who persevere usually win out against unfathomable odds.

One couple who could never let their dream die are South Bend’s own Patrick and Sue Mulligan. As owners of Mulligan’s Bar and Grill they have not only achieved their dream of opening their own restaurant, but opening it in the heart of the Fightin’ Irish country: South Bend. And by not giving up, they managed to make their dream come true.  Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, Patrick Mulligan and his wife Sue have always wanted to move to South Bend to open their own restaurant. If that statement confuses you, don’t be alarmed, that indicates only that you are still sane. Patrick received similar reactions from his friends when he announced he was leaving the sunshine state for Hoosier country. When they reminded him he’d be leaving behind all the sunny beaches of Florida when he moved to northern Indiana, he simply stated, “If you’ve never been to Notre Dame, you just don’t get it, friend.” Prior to their move, Patrick had been a member of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office in Florida & before that an officer in New York, for an accumulative total of 23 years.  Sue was the one who had been active in the restaurant business. In June of 2009 she moved up to South Bend to begin work on the restaurant with Patrick following a month later after retiring from the Sheriff’s Office.  The doors on Mulligan’s Bar and Grill officially opened on August 3^rd, 2009, an easy date to remember for Patrick, as it was also his mother’s birthday. Since then they have worked hard to cultivate a relaxed Cheers-like atmosphere in their bar and the city seems to be responding to it. And their drink specials certainly aren’t hurting their reputation either.

Located at 1705 South Bend Avenue, on the corner of Edison and 23 (a.k.a South Bend Avenue), Mulligan’s offers not only great food and drink, but great entertainment as well. Every Tuesday through Friday you can find DJ Outlaw there hosting karaoke, as well as spinning your favorite tracks, and on Saturday DJ will be trying to out do him.

]For more information on Mulligan’s Bar and Grill, including a full menu and hours of operation, you can check them out on line at .com

New Year New You

A Woman's Point of View with Paige Turner

This month is the stuff that gym memberships are made of. Every year around this time, women fool themselves into thinking that this is THE year: the year to find that man, lose that weight, or get that job. Or maybe this is the year to lose the man, gain the weight, and quit the job. Whatever gets your jollies going in these cold winter months works for me. New Year’s resolutions have been around since Eve gave up apples, so you’re not alone if you’re trying to come up with one for 2010. The most typical thing that people choose as a New Year’s resolution will involve some form of exercise. If you’re a regular at the gym then you know that this month is anightmare, full of intimidated and nervous neophytes signing up for machines they’re scared to touch, let alone work out on. January is when all of those lazy asses out there decide to get back in shape because it’s a New Year, and starting an exercise regimen at another time couldn’t possibly work. It’s as if ab machines and stair masters only burn half the calories unless you begin your work out in January.  Don’t worry though, because two weeks after the gym newbies get that sudden urge it will likely disappear into yet another bag of Cheetos and they won’t be seen again

If you’re comfortable with the numbers on your scale, you’ll probably find something else worth changing for the New Year. Hell, this is a new decade so it’s almost an obligation to come up with something good. Improving your health is typical and boring, so let’s try to get creative. A very liberal friend of mine gave up sleeping with Republicans last year; if you’re looking to halve your hooking up options, consider alienating an entire political party. Perhaps you should become an anti-health nut and see how long you can go without a vegetable or leafy green. Speaking of unhealthy, smokers will be trying to quit around this time; if smoking isn’t a habit of yours already, you could resolve to start. Or maybe you can make a resolution to not make a resolution, that’s always worked pretty well for me.

No matter what your take on this tradition may be, a new year can be a good time for a new start. If there’s something you want to change about your life, now is as good a time as any to do it. So get out there and make the most of your New Year, your new gym membership, and your new bag of Cheetos.

FlyTraps

A European Experience in Middle America

By: Mario Bourzac

Flytraps restaurant and art gallery is brand new to downtown Elkhart all over again. Having recently re-opened, the freshly renovated eatery is attracting new and old customers alike with its uniquely updated decor.

New owners Francie and Dennis Miller re-opened the restaurant earlier this year exhibiting a distinctly European atmosphere and menu. Along with the other added updates, Flytraps now also contains an art gallery displaying the works of local artists, as well as a few paintings from the Millers personal collection. This year, Flytraps will continue to provide their authentic European dinning experience to the Midwest.

The new Flytraps originally opened its doors on May 14^th of 2009. Prior to that, the building they are housed in had been vacant for over a year. It was during this time that Francie Miller and her husband decided to reopen the restaurant with a new twist.

“I wanted to bring a little Europe to Elkhart, something totally different than what is around,” said co-owner and manager, Francie Miller, explaining her motivation for Flytraps. “In Switzerland we take our time to eat; we don’t run, eat and leave. In the new Flytraps you can take your Glass, walk around, and look at arts or antiques.” The arts and antiques on display at Flytraps come from a wide variety of sources, including the works of community members. By providing an alternative forum for local artists Francie has been able to meet more of Elkhart’s creative inhabitants.

“I am happy to give people a chance to display their art,” said Francie.

“Also, you get to know people. It’s fun!”

A native of Switzerland, Francie first came to the United States in October of 2006, there by importing her culinary expertise as well. Subsequently, the influence of her ethnic background can be felt in the cuisine, in addition to its influences on the new atmosphere.  At the new Flytraps the focus is on a more custom made dining experience; each meal is prepared fresh and nothing is deep fried. One of their most unique dishes is their year-round special, the Swiss inspired “Brutzli.” Francie explains, “We serve our filets or top sirloin on a 550 degree hot rock. You cut and cook it yourself, so it stays hot as long as you want it to [and you can] take time to eat it.” She then added, “It’s fun and delicious.”Flytraps is located at 505 South Main Street in downtown Elkhart, next door to the Midwestern Museum of American Art.They are open on Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 2:00pm, and on Thursday through Saturday from 5:00pm to close.

Get Ready To Reach for the Sun Tan Oil

By: Rob Atkinson

Since 1993, Coastal Beverages has produced drink mixers made from real fruit juice. Their popular line includes Taste of Florida Real Juice Cocktail Mixers, Wild Olive Real Fruit Martini Mixers, Mojito Republic Juice Mix, and Tropical Bloody Mary Mix.  Taste of Florida Real Juice Cocktail Mixers, inspired by “fun-filled summers spent on Florida beaches,” brings together real fruit juices for that homestyle made-fromscratch flavor that’s “so good it will have shoppers reaching for the sun tan oil.”

Taste of Florida mixers are made with one of the highest real juice content of any mixer brand available. Even the official tastetesters of the renowned industry-leading Beverage Testing Institute gave its award in October 2005 to the Taste of Florida Pina Colada mixer, giving it their stamp of approval of “highly recommended.”

“We are very pleased with our Pina’s high marks,” said Doug McWhorter, CEO, Coastal Promotions, Inc. “We know that the Beverage Testing Institute doesn’t give their recommendations lightly. They can be brutally honest when it comes to critiquing beverages. So when they use words like ‘ripe fresh crushed pineapple’ and ‘delicate coconut meat’ to describe our Pina Colada, you can count on their expert opinion. It’s really very simple to us: We use real cream of coconut and pineapple juice to make our Pina Colada.”

The Taste of Florida product line means a “made from scratch” flavor. For example, as mentioned before, Coastal uses real cream of coconut and pineapple juice in its Pina Colada mix; 95% real juice in its Rum Runner Mix; and the Northern Oregon berry in its Strawberry Mix.  Taste of Florida mixers are offered in two categories: the Taste of Florida Premium Mixers, available in flavors of Pina Colada, Strawberry, Mango, Raspberry, Banana, Peach, Rum Runner, Margarita, Sour Mix, Bushwacker, Bloody Mary, and Spicy Bloody Mary; and the Taste of Florida Bar Essentials in Grenadine, NA Triple Sec, NA Blue Curacao, NA Blackberry, NA Crème de Banana, and Lime.

Taste of Florida offers the best shelf stable mix on the market. The Taste of Florida product line bridges the gap between fresh-frozen products and shelf-stable products, by offering shelf-stable products with the crisp taste of fresh-frozen mixers. Whether taste-tested alone or with liquor, the product guarantees that purity of taste is not compromised.

Coastal Beverages always uses real fruit juices, “not imitation flavors,” continues Doug McWhorter. “But don’t take our word for it, taste the difference for yourself. We think you’ll agree, Taste of Florida is the best shelf-stable mixer available.”

The Home for Michiana’s Hot Shots

By: Mario Bourzac

Marroni’s Inc, and Dart Shop has been at the center of northern Indiana’s dart throwing community for the last 26 years. As the popularity of darts increased, with the cooperation of several local bars, they began to organize leagues in the Michiana area. Having recognized the popularity of darts and other electronic games, John and Betty Marroni, along with their daughter Barb, opened their dart supply store to keep up with the public’s growing interest. Since then, Marroni’s has received several awards for working with almost 500 players per year.  Coming up January 17^th, Marroni’s will be starting their spring league season and looking forward to any new players interested in joining.  Availability is limited, though. For those who are interested it would be best to contact Marroni’s as soon as possible, for signup information.  2010 marks the 30 year anniversary for the Marroni’s. The Marroni’s Dart Shop & Supply store was originally opened by John, Betty, & Barb Marroni in November of 1980, just two weeks after the sale of their prior business venture. Just before entering the coin-op amusement industry, the couple had spent the last 35 years operating their own family food vending company.

Ironically, during the early days Marroni’s Inc shied away from the dart world. Instead, they focused on the video market craze that was popular at the time, while a competing vendor introduced darts to northern Indiana. However, within a few short years, they realized that darts were growing in popularity and began to get involved.  “In the early part of 1983, we took the plunge and got 5 boards to start, and within a couple of months more of the taverns were requesting the boards,” said Dart League Coordinator Barb Marroni.

Spurred on by the growing public interest, the Marroni’s began promoting an organized league system and by the Fall of ‘83 they had established their first local dart league. Growing along side of the Marroni’s dart shop has been their once small local dart league. While previously consisting of only 1 league with 11 teams, at present their league has over 150 teams & approximately 400 players. Additionally, the first league was also co-sponsored by the local Budweiser distributor, United Beverage, who still co-sponsors the Marroni’s leagues to this day.

Currently Marroni’s Inc & Dart Shop is located at 2010 South Franklin Street in South Bend, Indiana, but that was not always the case. For the first ten years the business operated out of the basement of John and Betty’s home, with excess back stock being stored in a rented storage location. It wasn’t until 1991 that they moved the organization to its present location and with the extra space came a few additional upgrades as well.

“When we moved to this location we opened the front portion of the building as a Dart Shop, as a convenience to our dart players,” Barb said.

At Marroni’s Dart Shop they offer their customers the opportunity to customize their dart selection rather than picking them up at a discount chain store. Additionally, their league players also receive a 10% discount when shopping at their store.

Each league under the Marroni umbrella varies in size, skill level, and division. The leagues they offer are for 2, 3, or 4 person teams, each categorized by player skill level. Each league contains a minimum of 6 teams. Certain leagues are ladies only, while some are for couples, and the rest are open to anyone, in any sex combination. Each leagues generally plays a game of 301 or Cricket, or a combination of both, with some of the higher level leagues playing 501 and/or 501 Double in/Double out.

In order to play in Marroni’s Dart League, the team must be sponsored by one of the tavern locations whose dartboard is provided by Marroni’s.  The tavern owners entice players to sign up from their location and the team plays at that location for their ‘home’ matches. For their ‘away’ matches they will travel to one of the several other participating taverns in the Michiana area.

Presently, there are a number of tavern options for a player to choose from in the Michiana area. To sign up for a league, interested players may stop in or call the Marroni’s League Office at 574-237-1853. For a full list of participating taverns, you can call the Marroni offices at any time between 10am and 6pm. Marroni’s Dart Shop is located at 2010 S. Franklin in South Bend, IN.Suds & Cocktails

Club Fever & The Midnight Express

By: Mario Bourzac

This past December a new late night bus route was added to South Bend, Indiana’s busing system. Transpo, the city busing system for downtown South Bend and its surrounding areas, has begun running a late night bus route on Friday and Saturday nights to cater to the nocturnally active crowd.  Running from 9:40pm to 3:20am, the new route traverses back and forth between Transpo’s South Street Station and Notre Dame’s campus library, making stops at several key spots along the way. Consequently, throughout downtown South Bend, area business owners are also benefiting from route 7A, the Notre Dame Midnight Express.

While initially intended as a safer alternative to walking through the area late at night, the Midnight Express has been doubly effective by also increasing foot traffic to downtown businesses. In response to this fortuitous situation, Vic Mann, general manager of Club Fever, will be opening the club for the last three Fridays of January to accommodate the new busing schedule.

“We’re not normally open on Friday, unless it’s a special event,” said Mann, “but we’re going to try and be open to attract some of the crowd who are riding the bus at that time.”

Beginning Friday January 15^th, Club Fever will be opening its doors every Friday to cater to the influx in business the new bus route will be bringing to downtown south bend. In addition to the new schedule changes, the club will be putting amazing new drink specials into effect, including $3 U-Call It’s every Saturday for the entire month of January. In an effort to stray away from the standard “You Call It” drink special, the club will be offering all top shelf liquors as well as beers at this incredible price. Grey Goose, Crown royal, Captain Morgan, Absolut Vodka, Bud Light & Budweiser selections as well as various other domestic & import beer.

During the three Friday nights Club Fever will be open this month (January 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th) they will most likely be hosting several local bands.

However, at the time this issue went to print, the schedule for each night had yet to solidify, but you can find all future updates on line at www.clubfever.biz.