A cheeky pint or several

I love beer. I guess no more needs to be said but this time things are a bit different. I have written about beer and beer events now and again except this is probably the first time I have attended one after the onset of my present medical condition. (Having seizures in public is rather embarrassing and can be costly without insurance.) Having taken Saturday off in preparation for the annual Philadelphia University Fashion Show, I strolled down to Main St. for a bit of lunch. Checking my mobile social media device, I learned that some friends were attending the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant''s 14th Annual Brew Fest. Not having been to the establishment since New Years Eve, I figured 'why not?'
Thankfully, I could still  purchase tickets at the door. This worried me because usually an event like this is sold out days before. The weather could partially be to blame since it was overcast and slightly chilly most of the days (with an all too brief period of sunshine).
"I would have liked to have sold 150 to 200 more tickets," said owner Mike Rose. "But you what, there can be a brew fest every week nowadays. When we first started this event, this place was packed because we were the only ones doing something like this."
(Disclosure: I originally bought a 'designated driver's' ticket for $25. Although, I could have gone for free, courtesy of Mike Rose, I believe that it was right to pay because it was a last minute decision. Eventually, my friends broke down my resolve and I tasted a few of the brews despite a large 'X' written on my hand.)
The crowd filled the outside deck where many breweries were located but it was not too hard to navigate through the crowd. Ticket holders received a food voucher, gift certificate for a 32 or 64oz Growler (with purchase to fill said growler) and $10 off coupon (if you spent more than $30).
"It's a good enough crowd for people to get through the event and not be uncomfortable and when they go home they can say that they had a nice time," said Rose.
Guests had plenty to choose from such as the sweet, summery flavor of Lancaster Brewing Co.'s Strawberry Wheat to the ticklishly pleasant Good N' Evil Golden Ale from Evil Genius Brewing Co. and so much in between. Homebrewers were also a part of the event bringing up their interpretations of India Brown Ale, Kolsch and India Pale Ales. But despite proper planning, there was plenty of blink-or-you'll-miss-it offerings.
Sly Fox's famous Renard D'Or disappeared in TWO minutes.
With all that was offered, my friends were a little deflated because there were so few standouts. Many brewers brought their main menu items but nothing that seemed to excite my friends.
"If you are coming to a brew festival, even if you have stuff that we like at least bring one item to excite us," said my friend.

Photo: Bernard J. Scally

Bring the Bento

Last week proved to be interesting. After some more paperwork including a press pass application for the City of Philadelphia and other tax forms, I was out covering stories. This one about the Food Co-Op will hopefully prove to be something big, real big. I often feel cynical about certain initiatives but I really think that this one will be great for the neighbor and has some real momentum.
After that event, I went to Deke's BBQ. You may remember as The Garage, the place where I met the late, lamented Phillies sportscaster Harry Kalas. Tucked away next to the Ugly Moose, off of Shurs La., Deke's serves a filling BBQ menu and a killer Pecan Pie. By sheer luck, I met up with some journalistic colleagues there and had a great time, despite a "hockey" game going on around us.
Speaking of make-overs, I stepped into Dream House Asian Bistro today. New owners took over the old Jade Court last year and realized a overhaul and facelift were long overdue.
Jade Court served mediocre/standard Chinese Takeaway fare. I have only two distinct memories of the joint. Once, in my high school years, my friends and I trekked across a frozen Ridge Ave in a snow storm to satisfy our collect craving for MSG and carbohydrates. We got to the old parking lot on Lyceum Ave. and ate right out of the carton.
My second memory is not so pleasant. My co-worker and I ordered lunch from there once. Neither one of us could come into work the next day for symptoms I refuse to describe here. So I never ordered from there again, despite it being so close to the office.
But sometimes, you got to take the plunge and see if change is for the good.
Immediately, I noticed there was a difference when I ordered. I was informed that lunch was served as a Bento Box and I would receive entree, garden salad, two crab rangoon, 6-piece California Roll, cup of soup and steamed rice.That is what I got. Perfect portion size for the worker on the go and very filling. The Sesame Chicken was standard flavor but not drowning in sauce. The California Roll was also standard but enjoyable. I was a little concerned about mixing hot and cold foods but that is the nature of the box where you are ording as a take out.
A quick glance of the interior showed that the new owners really put the facade of the old Jade Court behind them. There is a whole sushi bar with chef in attendance. But only tomorrow will tell me if their cooking as truly improved...and if I will eat there again. IF all goes well, I'll be sitting in for Bento or Sushi soon.

UPDATE: I survived with any problems, we'll certainly be ordering from Dream House soon.

Photo: Bernard J. Scally

Moment of silence

I was going to spend time talking about how it is great to start my second tour at the old firm and discuss the merger of the Catholic parishes but my heart is just not in it right now. (I can also save those topics for later this week.) It seems that every silver lining must have a cloud. I learned today that one of my colleagues from my firm's division died today. Her name was Emily Morris. Though I did not work with her very much or for very long, we got along very well.

You can read the details of her passing here.
I send my condolences to her family, friends and fellow colleagues who knew her better.
Montgomery Media loses a great staff member. Journalism lost a shining light. RIP Emily Morris

Break out the linen

Well....maybe just not yet despite the recent warm trend. But I certainly engaged in a picnic in this fine weekend weather with some friends in Fairmount Park on Sunday. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival was held in the Horticultural Center and was a lovely occasion...despite the lack of many Cherry Blossoms.
It was a good day of listening to traditional Japanese music and watching people. Thankfully, my friend, Jen, warned me what people would also be prime targets for watching. Yes, my friends, Cosplayers attended the festival and were highly entertaining and disturbing at times. I personally opted for the linen and sandals that encompasses my 'beach day' attire and proved a good choice considering the sunburn on my nose. I even caught a glimpse of my future. I chatted with one finely dressed gentleman in straw boater and ascot. His ensemble, complete with pencil mustache, was quite interesting. (I still have no regrets of shaving mine off...yet.)
"It is a wonderful day to get dressed up," he told me.
Not as many people than I would have thought but after detouring through the Park and seeing a regatta on the Schuylkill River and knowing that there was a Flyers game AND Phillies game, I really should not have been so. (Congrats on the wins as well, guys.)
In all, it was a suitable occasion to end my period of under-employment. Tomorrow, I return to the Old Firm and there is no lack of news to cover. Huzzah!

Viva Jazz!

Nothing is more depressing than an empty bar bar during open hours. Well, an empty one when there is a decent jazz band playing is probably worse.
I stumbled into the Dawson on thursday night and heard the Tal Shtuhl Trio performing. One advantage of an empty bar room, well, nearly empty, is that no one will sing with the band as two of six customers did that evening, One worried because she was wearing sweat pants. (Never knew there was a dress code for jazz.
The music made me wonder what places are left to enjoy a jazz ensemble. I admit I came to jazz pretty late (late teens/early 20s). A bartender at the steakhouse I was working at at the time loaned me a few albums. I still enjoy them today. Recently I was fortunate enough to witness Christian McBride, Lisa Henry and the 'Jazz Ambassadors' from the Thelonious Monk Institute perform for students at Shawmont Elementary. (Read that story here. Video is posted below.)
But with Philly's deep roots in Jazz music and culture, what is left, besides Chris' Jazz Cafe? With Ortlieb's gone, will and do bars like Dawson fill in the gap? In this era of electro-auto tuned, strip-pop and cover-bop, will anyone go to listen to good jazz anymore?

Oh, how sweet it is.

The day after Easter, an annual event occurs that only the strong or idiotic or hungry participate in. At Dawson Street Pub, it was the annual "PEEP OFF" competition. The event was the brainchild of a bar bet between regular patrons John Brown and "Ozzy".
"John Brown said one day how much he liked Peeps and Ozzy told John that he could eat more and he didn't even like Peeps," said event organizer, Anthony Hennessy.
That year, Hennessy out ate John Brown. The year after six people joined in the action. The Peep off has had some interesting history. The rules were fairly simple. One 20-minute round of eating, followed by a wait of 15 minutes. You heave, you leave. Other rules included 'No dunking' and 'No blenders'. The 'No blenders' rule was instated after participant Vince "Prof. Peep" Fumo Jr., used science to beat the competition. Fumo dissolved his Peeps in lemon juice and drank the result while other competitors swallowed the sugar-coated Marshmellow treats the old-fashioned way.

Let the eating begin

This year's crop of com"peep"itors included Hennessy again, dubbed 'The People's Champ". The field included four others: (I shall use their titles in order to downplay the shame of their gluttony.) Peep-to Bismol, Peep-B-R, Peep-in' Ain't Easy, and Peep On Peepin' On.
Each contestant had a total of 60 Peeps at their station, one bucket, and water available. Plastic tarps covered the playing area.
"Slimy, sugary puke is hard to clean up," said DSP owner David Wilby.
To be honest, having been a veteran spectator of three Wing Bowls, I was a little disappointed at the leisurely pace these com"peep"itors brought to the table. There even included banter between themselves. Spectators got in on the action asking the field if the soft yellow, bird-shaped candy "was hard to swallow?" For some, it was a challenge, for others, it was not so much.
At the end of time, the People's Champ was on top with 56 Peeps; Peep On Peepin' On with 46; Peep-to Bismol, 42; Peepin' Ain't Easy, 30; Peep-B-R, 27.

A colorful ending

Now, the waiting started. Contestants discussed with each other techniques on eating peeps. Hennessy remembered a competition when one of the eaters light up a cigar, in effort to smoke out the competition, made himself ill and was scratched in competition.
In the final moments, nothing happened and the score remained as it was. Hennessy announced that he was retiring from the com'peep'ition. He would continue to run the event but no longer eat. He was happy to go out on top. No longer than a minute went by when the contestants filed out of the pub to the street to purge themselves of the surgery holiday snack.
Bright, foamy, sometimes chunky expurgation landed on the sidewalk to be washed away in the next rain or eaten by local felines as is tradition.
"It tasted better coming back up," said Peepin' Ain't Easy. "It was like a foamy milkshake that wasn't so gritty."

Resurection?

After skipping the mushy sentimentality of February and the drunken, amateur antics of March, we come to April where Spring is truly blossoming and luck seems to finally be coming my way. Since I shave my mustache, in mourning of my friend Christopher Schenk, I have certainly been more productive and lucky in recent weeks. I've not had any seizure episodes since mid-February and my new doctor and medication are working out well. After a protracted engagement with the Department of Welfare, I have been some assistance and now regular employment seems to also be on the horizon. My goal of visiting California for my 31st Birthday seems well within reach. Huzzah! Huzzah!