The Gulf Coast’s Favorite Source For Entertainment• December 2010
Ornaments Courtesy The Tropical Store, Punta Gorda
Inside: Local Guides • Lots of Great Jokes • Live Music • Events
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December 2010
The Parrot
Send in photos of yourself and friends in any of these pubs to publisher@swflparrot.com, the best will be printed in next months issue! Have fun!! Be safe! ars Yes h!! w g Nee Ba n i rm ys�! o Ev f r u Pe
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941-575-6100
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Moosehead's Cigar Lounge Home of Exceptional Pints & Exquisite Stix
t Live Entertainment
-
The Punta Gorda Pub Trail
Serving some of the Best Premium Imported & Specialty Beer and Wine. The Finest Hand Rolled Cigars to be found in Southern Florida. Great Entertainment, and a Walk in Humidor.
Saturday Night.
t Wednesday Night is Poker Night.
t Charlotte County’s Premier Cigar Bar
Stop by for a holiday toast or a hearty meal! Join old friends & new and ring in 2011‌ call Pubs for details
Whatever day you stop in is a good day
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.POEBZ XFBS PVS $FMUJD 3BZ TIJSU HFU B '3&& ESJOL -JWF NVTJD 8FEOFTEBZT
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We Open Earlier for Special Events
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Check our Events page or call for the entertainment schedule
8 XXX CJFIMT TMJQOPU DPN t & CJFIMTTMJQOPU!FNCBSRNBJM DPN 1601 Ta
miami Trail, Punta Gorda, Flo rida
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33950
December 2010
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Send Your Comments To Incoming@swflparrot.com
Parrot Incoming Dear Parrot Staff, This is to thank you all for another wonderful year of bringing smiles and laughter to our lives. I am looking forward to many years of Parrot Phun! Keep up the great work! Rose K. Sarasota Hello Peeps! I would like to thank Charlotte Regional Medical Center for an amazing show! The Here come the Mummies concert has to have been the single most incredible show I have ever seen! Their Bio in last months issue was amazing. I personally would love to see more shows of this caliber here in Punta Gorda. I would also like to tell your readers if you want to see more quality shows here in town then you
have to support it. The whole line up was great! Congratulation, you have brought something truly entertaining to our community. Mark M. Punta Gorda Dear Publisher, First, I love your publication! My husband and I are loyal readers and have been for years! We really enjoyed your Pub Trail page. Even though we have lived here for years it was a nice reminder of what we have over the bridge. Each place chosen is so different, a very well thought out collection of fun places to go. Thank you, we enjoyed it thoroughly, we even ran into people we had not seen in years! Andy & Christina, Port Charlotte
To All My Parrot Head Peeps, I cant wait to see the pictures from MOTM!!! Glad everyone had a great time and made it home safely. Well, except Troy’s golf cart....The Second Parrot, Port Charlotte
A New Holiday Family Classic Order your signed, first edition copy before they’re gone!
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December 2010
The Parrot
The Parrot Publisher Kristen Randolph Kristen@swflparrot.com Editor Trey Click Trey@galvestonparrot.com Art Director Ledge ledge@swflparrot.com Sales Staff Jim Kiefer JimK@swflparrot.com Alicia Farman Alicia@swflparrot.com IT Director Robert Randolph Robert@swflparrot.com Photographers Jack Gray JackG@swflparrot.com Kristen Randolph Kristen@swflparrot.com The Sneaky Photographer Sneaky@swflparrot.com Featured Writer Mayor Gonzo Mays
Honorary Mayor, Key West
Contributing Writers Charlotte Lanier Jennifer A. Huber Michael Vasher Travis Claytor Dean Henson Jack Gray John Wright Sherry Swartz S.P.H.C.
Message Board
Contents December 2010
Inside Incoming Mayor Gonzo Mays
HO HO HO & Away We GO!!! Could it be the last month of 2010??? Where did this year go? Wow,, it’s been a wild ride... There’s been a lot of great articles, fantastic pics, and just plain fun stuff printed on these pages over last 12 issues... We hope you enjoyed it! But wait, there’s much more to come, in Two Zero One One... We want to extend our warmest heartfelt THANKS to all our readers, advertisers, and sponsors who have made this, the best year for the The Parrot yet! We hope you all have a happy holiday season full of good times and great memories...
4
Honorary Mayor, Key West
8 Bartender of the Month 12 CHPHC 13 Out & About 14 Visitors Bureau 17 Live Band Schedule 20 Featured Band 22 Jimmy Buffett 23 Punta Gorda Chamber 26 SBPHC 31 TBPHC 32 Tampa Bay & Co 34 Parrot Events 36 Parrot Scopes 38
Merry Christmas & we wish you all the best in 2011! The Parrot Staff
Distribution Mark Rizzo Markr@swflparrot.com Letitia Rizzo Tishr@swflparrot.com
DETAILS
Freelance Submissions: We welcome freelance writers, illustrators and cartoonists to submit material, but please include sufficient return postage if you want your material returned to you. Distribution: Business owners who would like to be added to our distribution list may call (941)323-4110. Our distribution continues to expand in the Port Charlotte area and Southwest Florida. We replenish supplies several times throughout each month for total market saturation. Advertising: Classified ads must be mailed to us at the address shown below or dropped by our office by appointment. A form is located in the Classified section of this issue. Additional forms are available at our office. For a complete display advertising Media Kit, please call our office or write to us at the address below. Subscriptions: Although The SWFL Parrot is a free publication, many visitors and displaced Floridians want to keep abreast of current happenings in the area. To get each copy mailed to you, the cost is a mere $45 per year for 12 issues. Mail the above form along with your payment to The SWFL Parrot, 1001 Corporate Ave. Suite 111A North Port, Fl 34289. ©Copyright 2008 by The SWFL Parrot. All rights reserved. Reprint rights must be granted by the publisher. Write us or request reprint permission by email. The Parrot is published monthly and distributed free to our many thousands of loyal
DEADLINE: 15th - 5:00PM DISPLAY ADVERTISING Publisher@SWFLparrot.com EDITORIAL: 941.323.4110 Robert@SWFLparrot.com
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December 2010
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Saturday, January 29, 2011 3rd annual
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Twisted Humor I was in the restaurant yesterday when I suddenly realized I desperately needed to pass gas. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my gas with the beat of the music. After a couple of songs, I started to feel better. I finished my coffee,then I noticed that everybody was staring at me.... ...suddenly I remembered that I was listening to my iPod. ...and how was your day? TEXAS BANK ROBBERY A hooded robber burst into a Texas bank and forced the tellers to load a sack full of cash. On his way out the door, a brave Texas customer grabbed the hood and pulled it off revealing the robber’s face. The robber shot the customer without a moments hesitation. He then looked around the bank and noticed one of the tellers looking straight at him. The robber instantly shot him also. Everyone else, by now very scared, looked intently down at the floor in silence. The robber yelled, Well, did anyone else see my face? There are a few moments of utter silence in which everyone was plainly afraid to speak. Then, one old cowboy from North Dakota tentatively raised his hand and said, My wife got a pretty good look at you
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Beef Country•Butcher Shop Open Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 5:30
Who’s The New Guy? A tenth reindeer flew in Santa’s team One unknown pulling Santa’s sleigh We know the names of nine of them Including Rudolf leading the way So who was the mystery number ten? Twas Rudolf the brown nosed reindeer Flew behind his red nosed brother But he couldn’t stop as quick, I fear Father and Christmas What do a Christmas tree And a priest have in comparison? The answer is simple to see Their balls are just for decoration All I Want For Christmas # 1 Well I only got a sweater for Christmas Not the best thing to get for a dreamer Because I got a sweater for Christmas When I wanted a moaner or a screamer
Retail • Wholesale • Catering Fresh Amish Turkey Not to late to order Prime Rib Roast for Christmas Punta Gorda Down Town Farmers Market every Saturday 2320 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, Fl 33952 Just north of Midway Blvd.
Parrot Magazine readers mention this ad and receive FREE homemade sausage with purchase (your choice) All forms of payment including EBT
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All I Want For Christmas # 2 I don’t want a present That’s very practical Or a gift home made Or something musical Something for wearing Thoughtful or twee Things for the garden Or things fragrant or smelly Nothing expensive when The value is shocking I just want something shapely In a Christmas stocking A Gift for Maria A young man called Paul Wanted to buy a present For his new sweetheart Maria As a Christmas present As they’d not been dating For a very long duration He decided to purchase
December 2010
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Copyright 2007 Sammie Mays This story has been dedicated to the survival of the last 300 critically endangered beluga white whales of the Alaskan Cook Inlet. Pirate Night Before Christmas has been reprinted with written permission by the author. All rights reserved.
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December 2010
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Weekly Specials
One of Sarasota’s best restaurants - fine dining in Florida Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp!
(All Day Long)
Monday-Happy Hour Al Day! Lobster Feast! Whole Maine Lobster just $16.99! Served with homeade Swiss bread, Corn on the Cob and Red Skin Potato Tuesday- STEAM POT PARTY!! x $16.99; for two Petite $12.99,Regular $18.99 $26.99! What's in a Steam Pot? Oysters, Mussels, Shrimp, Snow Crab Cluster, Corn on The Cob, Red Skin Potato. Wednesday- CRAB SPECIALS! Snow Crab 1 Lb. $14.99, 1 1/2 Lb. $ 16.99, with Prime Rib just $26.99! Ladies’ Night 6:00 PM-One Free UV Martini for every Lady! Live Music! Thursday- 12 oz. Prime Rib $16.99 - with Beer Shrimp $19.99 Friday- TGIF PARTY!! Six Fresh Fish, Live Music starting at 7 PM Great food & Drink Specials!! Saturday- Live Music! Starting at7:30 PM Put Your Dancing shoes on!! Get ready to ROCK & ROLL!! Sunday-Sunday Brunch 11:30 am-2:30 p.m. Live Music & FREE Mimosa! All day Gourmet Pizza are ONE DOLLAR OFF on any Pizzas and TWO DOLLARS OFF on any whole Pizzas!
Photographs Courtesy Saltwater Cafe
Amazingly even with this the prices still allow everyone to enjoy Chef Rolfs cuisine. There are daily lunch specials including a choice of 5 express lunches for only $5.99. Monday is lobster day, with live Main lobster for $16.99. Tuesday has the steam pot special for only $12.99. Wednesday is crab day with a pound of snow crab for $14.99. On Thursday locals enjoy a whole pound of prime rib for only $16.99. One of the new additions to the menu is a sirloin and shrimp combo for $16.99 or a entire 3 course meal for 2 people including a bottle of wine is only $39.99. It is truly amazing. With all this it is no wonder the Saltwater Cafe is thriving.
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1071 Tamiami Trail N, Nokomis FL
941-488-3775
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May 2010 December 2010
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Twisted Humor After careful consideration A nice pair of gloves striking the right note Not too romantic or personal So the gloves got his vote Accompanied by Maria’s sister He went to Harrods and bought A dainty pair of white gloves “She will like these” he thought Maria’s sister Susan bought A pair of panties for herself But during the wrapping An error was made on the shelf The assistant mixed up The gloves and the panties The sister got the gloves And Maria got the scanties Without checking Paul sealed The package along with a note And sent it to his sweetheart And this is what he wrote Dear Maria, I chose these As I noticed my darling That you don’t wear any When we go out in the evening. If not for your sister Susan I would have got long ones The type with the buttons, But Susan wears short ones That are easier to remove. They are a delicate shade, But the shop assistant where the purchase was made Showed me the pair she has That she’d been wearing
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December 2010
and were hardly soiled After three weeks wearing I had her try yours on for me And she looked really chic Even though they were Tight on her a little bit. She told me that her pair Helps to keep her ring Clean and shiny, and in fact And this is interesting Since she’d begun wearing them. It hadn’t needed washing I really hope you like them And wish I were there with you To put them on you Maria for the first time I really do As no doubt many other hands Will have touched them Before I see you again Remember when you remove them To blow into them before Putting them away and drying As they will naturally be A little damp from wearing Just think how many times My lips will kiss them during the coming year. I hope you will wear them For me on Friday night All my love Paul till then P.S. The latest style Which appears to be growing Is to wear them folded down With a little fur showing
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Twisted Humor Snow Show A weather man predicted snow But he didn’t get it right So the female anchor on the show Asked to our delight “So Bob, where’s that 8 inches! You promised me last night?” One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip ... but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then, Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress. Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffee pot and broke into hun-
dreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from. Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, very cheerfully, “Merry Christmas Santa. Isn’t it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn’t it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?” Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
Every Saturday to The #1 Farmers Market inDowntownPuntaGorda
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‘Twas the night before Christmas and Santa’s a wreck... How to live in a world that’s politically correct?
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His workers no longer would answer to “Elves,” “Vertically Challenged” they were calling themselves. And labor conditions at the north pole Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul. Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety, Released to the wilds by the Humane Society. And equal employment had
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December 2010
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December 2010
The Parrot
Written by Charlotte Lanier aka Charlie Rose
Interesting Christmas Facts There are many interesting facts surrounding the Yuletide season. Some of these are centred around the myths and old wives’ tales. A few of these are presented below for your reading enjoyment. ● Ever wondered where the idea of elves came from? They are actually modern day versions of “Nature folk” described in Pagan religions of the past. ● The Holy Days and Fasting Act of 1551 in Britain declares that all its country’s citizens must attend the annual church services held on Christmas day. In fact it goes as far as stating that no vehicle should be used to travel to church on this day. The law still exists on the books, although it is not observed. ● The tradition of burning a Yule log actually has its roots in ancient Scandinavia. Supposedly the Yule log was a source of good luck and its remnants were saved to inspire good fortune throughout the year. It was such a widely held belief that people even threw the ashes in wells to make the water safer to drink. ● Christmas was illegal in England from 1647-1660. This was enforced by the then leader Oliver Cromwell who believed it was immoral to hold celebrations on one of the holiest days of the year. The celebration of Christmas was therefore a criminal offence which could lead to an individual being arrested if he or she was found guilty of condoning revelry during the period. ● It was once believed that any woman who went under a mistletoe and was not kissed would not marry the coming year.
Drive By Shooting
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Hey Charlotte Harbor Parrotheads, what tiiiiiime is it? It’s time party. Yeah, I know I started last month’s article in the same manner, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. Just wanted to mention one last time that our Holiday Party is on Sunday, Dec. 19th from 2:00-7:00 at Visani’s. It will cost current club members $20 and non-club members $25. This includes your meal and the pleasure of dancing to Jimmy Parrish and the Ocean Waves Band, but reservations were required, so if you haven’t already paid Willis you can try again next year. No gate crashers, please. If you attended Meeting of the Minds in early November I know you had a great time, even if you don’t. Yours truly had a blast minus one little incident involving some wet pavement on the way back to the hotel late one evening. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty and leave it at that. We had sooooooooo many musicians on the rock I’m not sure where to start, and I apologize in advance if I missed any. In no particular order: Boat Drunks, Jack Mosley Band (who kicked ass again this year at Schooner Wharf Bar), Hugo Duarte, Capt. Josh, Mac McAnally (CMA Musician of the Year!) and all of Buffet’s band
except him and Nadirah, the three J’s, Scotty Bryan & Dano, Brent Burns, Jimmy and the Parrots, Tall Paul with Ramajay Intercoastal, Bob Karwin, Kelly McGuire, Jim Lanier, Ron Mehl, Latitude, and Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 band…who apparently won damn near ALL of the Margarita MAFIA awards. Congrats to him and to Dennis & Nancy Kirk who took home Trop Rock Venue of the Year for the third straight year...the Nav-a-gator remains undefeated thus far against some pretty tough competition. Way to go, guys!!! And if you didn’t go to MOTM this year, you need to start planning now for next year’s 20th anniversary, which will probably be pretty spectacular if I know my peeps at PHiP.
December 2010
Our meeting on Tuesday Nov 9th after MOTM turned out pretty good. It does pay for our home port to be on the way home from MOTM for the many musicians out there. We started off with entertainment by Rob Mehl, and then John Reno got on stage for a few songs when low and behold the Beckers of Latitude (and Margarita MAFIA) fame showed up. Tom and Michelle joined Rob and John on stage for a four part harmony on several songs. In addition Willis celebrated Veterans Day by having all of our Veteran members go on stage for a team drink and topped it off by giving the youngest (Matt Lehn) and oldest (Jim Lorah) a little gift certificate to use against their bar bill. Yours truly thanks you all for your service to our great country. Freedom isn’t free! Paul Livecchi and Paul Listenberger won the 50/50 and we collected lots of non-perishable food for our charity of the month. We also presented the “big check” to the Peace River Wildlife Center for $5,000 and previously to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches for $1500. money raised during our wonderful 3rd Birthday Party. Our next meeting is December 14th. We’ll be collecting food and supplies for needy families, along with the usual pop-tops, Cans for Jan and prescription bottles for the animal shelter. Otherwise that’s it for now. Our website is www.chphc.com. If you want to join this crazy club you can print out an app and mail it or join us at the next meeting, the second Tuesday of the month at the Coral Rock Tiki Bar (NE corner of Kings Hwy & US41). Some folks start getting there around 5:30, and the “official stuff” starts around 6:00. Hope to see you there. And remember, “Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been”. Photos by Tami Tower and Patrice Davis
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I know Jack!
Out
and
Hands Across the Harbor Committee
Backstage with The Crashers and special guest star Kevin crashes Parrot Party
Charlotte Rainmakers BNI raised over $900 for H.E.L.P Page 14
December 2010
Stephanie and Lindsey from Tapas One The Parrot
About
Funk Fest - Here Come the Mummies Here’s to 7 great years SKOBs
Puppy Love
Rich Church of Coastal Jamz
For a good cause
Photos by: GoTown Around.com
Enjoying Funk Fest 2010 The Parrot
JJ’s at FAME in Englewood December 2010
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KEEP Your Car KEEP your house STOP worrying STOP lawsuits STOP garnishments
Save The Dates to
December 3rd
lighting of the Christmas Tree & Caroling at Hector House Park starting, 7:30 pm
December 23rd
is "Old Time Christmas Caroling” at the TREE in Hector House Park , 6pm Join your friends for our special Holiday Gallery Walk night Thursday,December16 starting at 5pm
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December 2010
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Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau Waving Goodbye to 2010 with Cheery Holiday Festivities in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands Saying the Florida tourism industry is happy waving goodbye to 2010 is an understatement. Tourism in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands was hit with varying factors this past year including: the Great Recession, an unseasonably cold winter, the terrible Deepwater Horizon oil spill accompanied by misconceptions all of the state’s beaches were covered in oil, and marketing budget reductions. Thankfully, we didn’t experience any weather malfunctions over the summer.
Volunteer Florida. Between sunrise and 11 a.m. that day, all 825 miles of Florida beaches were walked and documented with photographs uploaded to a The Great VISIT website to show potential FLORIDA Beach Walk visitors that indeed, Florida’s – Oil, What Oil? beaches are not covered in To prove to the world our oil. beaches are not covered Each destination had a host in oil, dozens of Charlotte and this beach walk could not County residents took to have happened without the the beaches on Saturday, leadership and coordination Nov. 6, 2010, as part of from Jon Bednerik and the The Great VISIT FLORIDA Englewood-Cape Haze Beach Walk. Dubbed the Englewood Chamber of largest beach rally, the walk Commerce. The chamber was organized by VISIT ensured each of the 12 FLORIDA and volunteers miles of Charlotte County were coordinated by beaches was covered. Jon
The Parrot
even greeted walkers at 7 a.m. with hot coffee on an unseasonably cool morning. If you haven’t seen images from The Great VISIT FLORIDA Beach Walk, visit www.visitflorida.com/ beachwalk and look for mile markers 321 through 334 to see the beaches of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. You Can Get Here from More Places Here’s some exciting news, Allegiant Air began nonstop service to Punta Gorda Airport from three new destinations in November, Greensboro, N.C.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Lexington, Ky., in addition to maintaining service from Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C., and Knoxville, Tenn. Direct Air ramped up flights for the winter season with service into Punta Gorda Airport from Allentown, Pa.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Plattsburgh, N.Y.; Rockford, Ill.; Springfield, Ill.; Toledo, Ohio and Worcester, Mass. Visit www.flypgd.com for details.
December 2010
Buzz about Sushi Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has enjoyed regional, national and international publicity recently thanks to being spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, Rick Treworgy’s Muscle Car City, the Fourth of July Freedom Swim, annual migration of the American white pelicans and world-class fishing. Now, Punta Gorda’s Torch Bistro Sushi and Rumtini Bar has captured the limelight with nyotaimori, the Japanese art of using a human model as a serving tray for sushi. Articles about the restaurant and its sushi offering began surfacing the blogosphere earlier this year but took off after AOL. com followed by USA Today picked up the story. If you go, this service is currently available for private groups who reserve in advance and prices begin in the low $100s. Jingle Bells without the Snow We’re happy it’s December because it means the month is sprinkled with cheery holiday festivities guaranteed to lift anyone’s spirits. These include parades by water and land, Punta Gorda holiday lights canal tours by boat, cooking classes with holiday themes, craft shows and more than a million lights twinkling just for you at Fishermen’s Village. For a complete list of festivities, visit www. CharlotteHarborTravel.com. Happy holidays!
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127 E. Charlotte Street Punta Gorda, Fl 33950
941.286.7054
C Ca an n b be e ff o ou un nd d E Ev ve e rr y y S Sa a tt u u rr d da ay y M Mo o rr n n ii n ng g a a tt tt h he e P Pu un n tt a a G Go o rr d da a F Fa a rr m me e rr ss M Ma a rr k ke e tt o o rr C Co om me e tt o o o ou u rr S S tt o o rr e e 6 6 :: 3 30 0 A Am m -- 4 4 :: 3 30 0 P PM M
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December 2010
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m.O.T.M. Meeting Of The Minds Parrotheads Annual KeY west Pilgrimage -2010
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December 2010
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Wednesday 1st Kenny Rose – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6:30-10pm Beau & Becca – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Thursday 2nd The Crashers Trio – Dean’s South of the Border ~ 7:3011:30pm Danny Beach – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Jim Morris – Nav-A-Gator ~ 6-9pm Friday 3rd The Strangeways – Five O’Clock Club ~ 10pm Bandana - Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 7-11pm Four Bones – Harpoon Harry’s ~ 9-12:30am Charlie K. – Bubba’s Roadhouse ~ 8:30pm Beau & Becca – Waterside Grill ~ 7-10pm Sunny Jim & Skeet Mavis – Nav-A-Gator ~ 6-9pm Reconnections Band – Fishermen’s Village ~ 5-9pm Max McCann – St. Armands Tree Lighting ~ 6:30pm Saturday 4th DooWop Denny – Saltwater
Live Music Schedule
December Café ~ 7-10pm Jack Mosley – Benedettos ~ 8-Mid John Frinzi – Nav-A-Gator ~ 2-5pm The Crashers – Harpoon Harry’s ~ 9-12:30am Tropical Ave. – White Elephant Pub ~ 7-11pm The Yard Dogs – Miceli’s ~ 6:30pm Francesco Maceri – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Jim Morris – Fishermen’s Village ~ 5-9pm Sunday 5th Cindy Walsh – Ragged Ass Saloon ~ 3-6pm Gary & Kerri – Bert’s Bar ~ 2-6pm John Reno – Nav-A-Gator ~
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2-5pm 97X Next Big Thing – Ford Amphitheatre ~ 10am Jeff Hughes – Lido Key Tiki Bar/Lido Beach ~ 2-6pm Storm Surge – Gatorz ~ 5-9pm Gotta Luv It Band – Fishermen’s Village ~ 1-3pm Monday 6th Charlie K. – Woody’s Waterside ~ 6pm Four Leaf Strummers Banjo – Fishermen’s Village ~ 11:301pm Tuesday 7th Caribbean Cowboy & Delray – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6-10pm Wednesday 8th Coastal Jamz – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6-10pm The Yard Dogs – Bert’s Bar ~ 6:30pm Beau & Becca – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Thursday 9th The Crashers Trio – Dean’s South of the Border ~ 7:3011:30pm Fremont John – Waterside Grill Swamp Donkie – Nav-A-Gator ~ 6-9pm Max McCann – Faull Inn ~ 6pm
Friday 10th Jack Mosley – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 7-10pm Low Rent Band – Slip-Not ~ 8pm The Crashers – Harpoon Harry’s ~ 9-12:30am The Yard Dogs – Old Fish House Marina ~ 6pm Beans & Seeds – Waterside Grill ~ 7-10pm Reconnections Band – Fishermen’s Village ~ 5-9pm Saturday 11th DooWop Denny – Saltwater Café ~ 7-10pm Jack Mosley – Benedettos ~ 8-Mid Latitude – Farlows on the Water ~ 6:30-10:30pm Boca Band – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 7-11pm The Crashers – Harpoon Harry’s ~ 9-12:30am Tropical Ave. – Slip-Not ~ 8-Mid The Yard Dogs – Nav-A-Gator ~ 2-5pm Storm Surge – Alli-Gators ~ 7-11pm Casey Weston – Fishermen’s Village ~ 1-3pm Pat Walsh – Fishermen’s Village ~ 5-9pm Fremont john – Stump Pass Grille ~ 5pm Sunday 12th Gary & Kerri – Nav-A-Gator ~ 2-5pm Doo Wop Crew – Fishermen’s Village ~ 1-3pm Max McCann – Lido Beach Resort ~ 12-4pm Monday 13th Charlie K. – Woody’s Waterside ~ 6pm Tuesday 14th Gary & Kerri – Coral Rock ~
Live Music DEC. 5th Jim Morris and The Big Bamboo Band
break from shopping.
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December 2010
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5:30pm Al Holland – Visani’s Comedy Theater ~ 6-9pm Paul Cottrell – Fishermen’s Village ~ 6-8pm Wednesday 15th Kenny Rose – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6:30-11pm Beau & Becca – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Thursday 16th The Crashers Trio – Dean’s South of the Border ~ 7:3011:30pm Gary & Kerri – Farlows on the Water ~ 6-9pm Latitude – Nav-A-Gator ~ 6-9pm Hoozier Daddy – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Friday 17th Gary & Kerri – Dean’s South of the Border ~ 8-Mid Hightide – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 7-11pm Boomtown – Harpoon Harry’s ~ 9-12:30am Charlie K. – Bubba’s Roadhouse ~ 8:30pm Stephan Foster – Waterside Grill ~ 7-10pm Jimmy Parrish & The Ocean Waves – Nav-A-Gator ~ 6-9pm Jim Morris – Fishermen’s Village ~ 5-9pm Saturday 18th DooWop Denny – Saltwater Café ~ 7-10pm Gary & Kerri – Bert’s Bar ~ 7:30-10:30pm Jack Mosley – Benedettos ~ 8-Mid Tuk’r Hill(Jamband) – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 7-11pm Boomtown – Harpoon Harry’s ~ 9-12:30am
Live Music Schedule
December Tropical Ave. – White Elephant Pub ~ 7-11pm Jim Morris – Nav-A-Gator ~ 2-5pm Pat Walsh – Fishermen’s Village ~ 5-9pm Max McCann – Stump Pass Grille ~ 5:30-9:30pm Sunday 19th Joy and the Gang – Fishermen’s Village ~ 1-3pm Max McCann – Lido Beach Resort ~ 12-4pm Max McCann – Brewski’s ~ 6-9pm Monday 20th Charlie K. – Woody’s Waterside ~ 6pm Four Leaf Strummers Banjo Fishermen’s Village ~11:30-1pm Tuesday 21st Caribbean Cowboy & Delray – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6-10pm Wednesday 22nd Shawn Brown – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6-10pm The Yard Dogs – Bert’s Bar ~ 6:30pm Beau & Becca – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Thursday 23rd The Crashers Trio – Dean’s South of the Border ~ 7:3011:30pm Danny Beach – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm
Brenda Lee Peck – Fishermen’s Village ~ 5-7pm Friday 24th Trio De Janeiro – White Elephant Pub ~ 7-11pm Sunday 26th Gary & Kerri – Bert’s Bar ~2-6pm Jeff Hughes – Lido Key Tiki Bar/Lido Beach Swamp Donkie – Nav-A-Gator ~ 2-5pm Max McCann – Lido Beach Resort ~ 12-4pm Max McCann – Brewski’s ~ 6-9pm Monday 27th Charlie K. – Woody’s Waterside ~ 6pm Tuesday 28th Maurice LoMonoco – Visani’s Comedy Theater ~ 7:30pm
Caribbean Cowboy & Delray – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6-10pm Wednesday 29th Kenny Rose – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 6:30-10pm Beau & Becca – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Thursday 30th The Crashers Trio – Dean’s South of the Border ~ 7:3011:30pm Gary & Kerri – Farlows on the Water ~ 6-9pm John Reno – Woody’s Waterside Latitude – Nav-A-Gator ~ 6-9pm Tropical Ave. – Sharky’s on the Pier ~ 8-Mid Hoozier Daddy – Waterside Grill ~ 6-9pm Deuces Wild Band – Fishermen’s Village ~ 6-8pm Friday 31st- NEW YEARS EVE!!! Jack Mosley – Benedettos ~ 8-1am Coastal Jamz – Englewoods on Dearborn ~ 9-1am Slick Willy & The Boogiemen – Harpoon Harry’s ~ 8-CL
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December 2010
Page 21
This month I’d like to re-visit an artist that touched so many in this area, and had such a positive impact on so many lives around the world. I received news that singer/songwriter Troy Allan Friddle had passed away from Tracy Lehn, president of the Charlotte Harbor Parrothead Club, who wrote, “Troy Allan joined family and friends in heaven, sailing on to the big dance in the sky. I know he will send down his light and positive energy into all the lives he touched. I also know many of us will carry some of that strength, courage, and light he shared with us for the rest of our days. There will be days that we call on that gift he left with us, and use it to face something. And we’ll remember and thank you Troy, for giving that to us. I think “I CAN” has touched all of our lives - the song, the motto, the person behind it. Thank you, Troy, for sharing light in what can easily become a dark world. Thank you for staying positive, always smiling, and never complaining. I don’t know where you found such an amazing strength and courage. Our club was changed first by you, your music, and then your fight against cancer. We all know you won the fight, as you never let it take away your spirit and positive light. We are happy you are finally free to SAIL ON!” In a tribute to Troy, I want to reintroduce him to you, through excerpts from the Feature Artist article I did on him last spring. I hope you find his story as inspiring as I do… Troy Allan came from humble roots in the farmlands of Illinois. “Out there in the cornfields, their anin’t much to do, and everything’s so far away... Being a kid, I didn’t have a vehicle, so I begged and begged for a guitar, and it became my best friend”. Troy spent many hours with his
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Featured Band By Jack Gray
Sail On Troy Allan
June 27,1967- November 11, 2010
newfound friend emulating many of his idols, “Back then Willie and Waylon were on the radio, so all I did was sit and learn how to play all their songs”. In the early 80’s, Troy reluctantly moved to Beaumont, Texas with his mother. Although he missed his childhood home, it wasn’t long before he realized the move had opened up a whole new world of new possibilities. The Texas music scene was ripe. It was infused with new talent and established icons that are now considered legends in the industry. Musicians flocked to the area to be part of it. “Up there (in Illinois), there wasn’t a single sole anywhere around that played any kind of instrument, I was on my own. Down here (in
Texas), you couldn’t turn around in a convenience store without bumping into a drummer or a base player, or somebody… I was in heaven!” It didn’t take long before Troy had embraced the Texas music scene, and lifestyle. Troy picked up with the Classic Rock scene in the 80’s. “I was really into Van Halen. That’s when I started writing songs, but the funny thing was, all my songs were coming out Country. Even when I was playing Classic Rock, all my songs sounded Country. I should have know then that’s where I should be…” In 2005, Troy became the bass player for Hanna’s Reef, a “Trop Rock” band with a Texas Coastal Sound. “Once I got into the band, I thought this is pretty cool… And the people are just so incredible! They’re so, so, different than Country... I’ve found people in Country, I’ll say, liked to listen to music… In the Trop Rock genre, now those people are fanatics! It’s everything all about the music! You could be the rodie, and be treated like a star!” At the 2008 Texas Music Awards he finished Top 5 Finalist for Male Vocalist, and Song of the Year for his Title Track. It seems that
December 2010
Trop Rockers and Parrotheads have truly embraced Troy, and his music. More evidence of Troy’s acceptance to the Trop Rock scene was evident when www.MargaritaMafia.com.com, a website dedicated to the Trop Rock genre, allowed Troy to use their name for the title of one of his songs. Then liked it so much, they appropriately made it the background music on their website. After being laid off from work, Troy decided to get checked out before his insurance ran out. “Believe it or not they came back and found that I was the ‘healthiest person they had ever seen’. My Dr. was kidding around like ‘get out of my office and come back when you have a runny nose or a cold or something’… So, on my way home, I stopped to do some shopping and decided to buy a Slotsky personal pan pizza to celebrate. I started woofin’ this pizza down cause it was so good… But, I began to get a sharp pain in my sternum… I didn’t pay much attention to it; I just kept cramming this pizza in… The more I did the more I hurt. I finally made it to the house and crawled in the living room where I passed out… That’s all I remember till next morning… I called my Dr. back first thing and said ‘Dr. you might see me as the healthiest person in the world, but we’ve got a major problem here’…” Before the end of the month, Troy would learn he had the early stages of the most aggressive and deadly types of cancer there is, Linitis Plastica… Troy would find that there are no symptoms to this form of stomach cancer except the restriction of the stomach entryway, which was aggravated by packing in too much pizza, too fast. “It was like pushing a golf ball through a garden hose”… On January 19th of this year, Troy had his stomach and lymph nodes removed. He admits it’s tough staying focused and motivated while going through treatment, but Troy continues to tour and do gigs. “The toughest part is traveling, and being hooked up to the pump. I’m walking on the airplane with this battery-operated machine all hooked up to me with wires... I have to show all kinds of documentation to board the flight. It’s a lot of extra work. I also schedule my shows so
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I have a few days between to relax, polish the bike, take a little vacation”... It was the fear of the treatment, more than the disease itself that really effected and unsettled Troy. It wasn’t the cancer so much as the chemo and radiation that scared me”… So, he went online and found all kinds of information about the cancer, but couldn’t find any real good explanation of what to expect from the treatment. He wanted to know what it was like, not only for himself, but also to explain it to his family who couldn’t be there with him. He also wanted show them what he was going through during the processes of receiving his treatments… His father-in-law followed him throughout the entire process with a camcorder, and posted the segments on YouTube. “The videos became all about cancer awareness, what chemo is, what the machines are, and how simple it is. I had my nurses go through and explain it… Kind of like this is what you are going to go though, but it’s not bad… That took off pretty huge!” Then last fall while still touring with the band, Troy had an epiphany on the way to a gig in Key West. “I kept having this nagging feeling that I was missing something, like I left the stove on, or did I forget to turn off the water or something???” While contemplating this notion spanning one of the miles of bridges connecting the Keys during sunset, it suddenly hit him, “I felt like there was a tap on my shoulder, and a whisper in my ear telling me to ‘quit Hanna’s Reef and do a nationwide tour telling people about this cancer you have’... “ “I didn’t want to quit the band, I’ve never really been on my own doing a tour, so I wrestled with it for about a month. Then on December 22nd, 2009 went over to the bandleader Jerry’s house and told him, this is what I need to do… It was kind of a cheerful breakup for me. I love being with the guys but this is what I needed to be doing. He was so helpful, and started helping me get booked at some places he’s played at to get me going…” “I have this song called ‘I Can’ which is a song I wrote for my real Dad when he had lung cancer. It was an inspirational piece; I didn’t want to make him cry I wanted to make it motivational. When I put it on TV it just turned
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into this wonderful huge thing, bigger than I could ever have imagined. Then people started gravitating toward it… I started singing it, especially now that I have cancer. It’s become my anthem…” Troy’s strength and conviction are evident in his message. “I’m telling people ‘Here I am, I just got done playing two hours for ya. I never missed a note, and never missed a chord, and you don’t even know that I’m going through chemotherapy right now!’ Then I roll my fanny pack around and show them where it goes into my chest and they’re just blown away... You can do anything you want to do on chemotherapy now, it doesn’t tie you down, and it’s not a death sentence anymore… Then I play them the ‘I Can” song, and the message really hits home”. That’s the message on all Troy’s t-shirts, coolies and other merchandising. “I am all about the ‘I Can Survive Cancer’ program, bringing cancer awareness to everyone”. “Now, what’s happening with the Parrotheads?!? That’s kind of a funny thing… Ya know, life puts you in the right place whether you know your supposed to be there or not... I get in with the band, playing for all these ‘fundraisers’ for all kinds of charities… Then I find out I have cancer, and the next thing you know, they’re all putting together fundraisers for me!” From Troy’s website www. troyallan.com: “It is a great honor for so many of us to call Troy Allan our friend. So it is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our friend in this earthly existence. He touched so many people and his story will always be remembered. He was a truly wonderful and inspiring individual and we are all blessed to have been a part of his journey.
JimmyBuffett News
Buffett to perform at benefit concert in New Orleans An array of local and national musicians will join Allen Toussaint in a special Dec. 5 concert to help New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness (NOAAHH) celebrate its 25th Anniversary of service to the community. The headlinerfilled event, “Back Stage 2010,” will be held at Generations Hall at 310 Andrew Higgins Drive from 7-10 p.m. NOAAHH Co-Founder Allen Toussaint will offer a special performance and welcome a host of talented musicians, many of whom are past performers from 25 years of NOAAHH’s concerts. Featured will be Dr. John, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Bartholomew, Jon Cleary, Irma Thomas, Little Freddie King, Deacon John and The Ivories and more. A special Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to a New Orleans legend and long-time NOAAHH supporter, who has performed locally, nationally and internationally for decades. Tickets can be purchased online at NOAAHH. org. VIP tickets are $150 and will include second balcony viewing area and served hors d’oeuvres. General Admission tickets are $100. Students with valid student IDs can purchase tickets at the door for $50. The event is black tie optional. All ticket holders will enjoy an open bar and an outstanding selection of New Orleans dishes provided by Kajun Kettle and Southern Hospitality Catering who will be joined with local chefs.
December 2010
A Coral Reefer Christmas Robert Greenidge has a new Christmas album coming out called “A Coral Reefer Christmas”. The album is available atAmazon. com for $10.99. You can also listen to samples from the album at Amazon.com. Jimmy Buffett contributes lead vocals on the song “Winter Wonderland”. Robert Greenidge has become one of the pre-emin joins his bandmates, Roger Guth (Drums), Jim Mayer (Bass), Michael Utley (Keyboards), Peter Mayer (Guitar), Ralph MacDonald (Percussion) and Mac McAnally (Guitar, Mandolin and Keyboard) to deliver the ultimate Island-flavored Christmas! Jimmy Buffett and fellow Coral Reefer’s Nadirah Shakoor, Tina Gullickson, Peter Mayer, Jim Mayer and Mac McAnally also lend their vocal talents offering a unique version of the classic “Winter Wonderland!”
2010 Big Top Tour ends in Vegas Jimmy Buffett’s 2010 Under the Big Top Tour concluded on Saturday night with a show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Buffett has said he will be on tour again in 2011.
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Parrot Libs December The Parrot had a long weekend and can’t think straight, can you help him finish these jokes? You can always ask your friends for help……. This is a list of rules that guys wished women knew… A _______________ that lasts for 17 months is a (Medical Condition) problem. See a doctor. You have enough ___________. (Noun) You have too many ___________. (Noun) You don’t have enough ____________ (Noun) Your ___________ is a ____________. (Noun) (Noun)
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December 2010
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______________ is not everybody’s idea of a good time. (Verb) Learn to work the_________: if it’s up put it down. (Noun) Don’t ever _________ your _____________. (Verb) (Body Part) Don’t make us __________. (Verb) Sometimes, he’s not __________ _________ about (Adverb) (Verb) __________. Live with it. (Noun) He’s never thinking about “____________” (Noun) “__________________!!!!” And we are DONE!! (Exclamation)
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December 2010
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Tom D. was correct! Our mascot was at the Historical Park on Shreve St. in Punta Gorda.
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December 2010
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BOCA GRANDE Boca Grande Resort The Island House Inn Thai Bistro & Sushi Bar 5800 Gasparilla Road (941) 964-4443 Boca Grille & Tiki 471 Park Ave (941) 964-0040 Dolphin Cove Café 421 Park Avenue (941) 964-0109 South Beach Bar & Grille 777 Gulf Blvd (941) 964-0765 CAPE CORAL Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon 2121 SW Pine Island Rd. (239) 282-5520 The Twisted Conch 837 SE 47th Ter. (239) 542-6622 ENGLEWOOD Bobarino’s Pizza 20 Magnolia Ave. (941) 473-0000 Café de la Bay 470 W. Dearborn St.
(941) 460-8362 Café 776 138 N. Indiana Ave. (SR-776) (941) 475-0819 Englewoods on Dearborn 362 W. Dearborn St. (941) 475-7501 Farlows on the Water 2080 S. McCall Rd. (941) 474-5343 Food is Love 41 N. Indiana Ave. Breakfast & Lunch (941) 473-9439 Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs 1720 McCall Rd. Cornerstone Plaza (941) 475-8384 J.B.’s Conch Café 3384 S. McCall Rd. (941) 475-1747 Lock N Key Restaurant&Pub 2045 N. Beach Rd. (941) 474-1517 Mookey’s Bar & Grill 4821 Placida Rd. (941) 697-0349 Stump Pass Grille 260 Maryland Ave.
Photo Caption Contest Send us your ideas for a funny caption for this photo and we will print the winner along with the winners name in our next issue. E-mail us at publisher@swflparrot.com or mail entries to The Parrot, 1001 Corporate Ave Suite 111 North Port Florida 34289
Last Month I’d like a double espresso, I have a long flight!
Tammi D. Punta Gorda
(941) 697-0859 Waterfront Dining Vino Loco Wine & Tapas Bar 420 W. Dearborn St. (941) 473-8466 White Elephant Pub 1855 Gulf Blvd. (941) 475-6801 FT MYERS Jimmy B’s Roof Top Bar 1130 Estero Blvd. (239) 463-3657 LJ’s Lounge 16500 S.R. 31 (239) 694-4287 Pinchers Crab Shack 6890 Estero Blvd. Ft. Myers Beach (239) 463-2909 Viper Club 16520 S. Tamiami Trail (239) 437-2177 MATLACHA Bert’s Bar & Grill 4271 Pine Island Rd. (239) 282-3232 Fish House Marina / Fresh Seafood Market & Take-Out Restaurant 4530 Pine Island Rd. (239) 282-9588 Miceli’s Italian Restaurant 3930 Pine Island Rd. NW (239) 282-8233 Moretti Seafood Restaurant 4200 Pine Island Rd. (239)282-5552 Ragged Ass Saloon 3421 Stringfellow Rd. (239) 282-1131 Woody’s Waterside 3051 Stringfellow Rd. St James City, Fl 33956 (239) 283-5555 NOKOMIS Irene’s Pub 918 Tamiami Trl S (941) 485-6902 Saltwater Café Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant 1071 N. Tamiami Trail (941) 488-3775
This Month Page 28
Bar & Restaurant Listings
December 2010
NORTH PORT Applebee’s 17500 Tamiami Trl. (941) 423-1504 Brewski’s 12500 S. Tamiami Trail (941) 423-BREW Brickhouse Gourmet Pizza 1221 Sumter Blvd. Now serving breakfast (941) 423-3950 Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar U.S. 41 Between S.Sumter & S.Salford 4301 Aidan Lane (941) 429-8078 Little Caesars 1073 N.Toledo Blade Blvd. (941) 429-5554 Michelangelo Pizzeria & Restaurant 1091 S.Toledo Blade Blvd. Shoppes at Price Crossing (Publix) (941) 426-0044 PLACIDA Johnny Leverock’s Seafood House 7092 Placida Rd. (941) 698-6900 Waterside Grill – Gasparilla Marina 15001 Gasparilla Rd. (941) 697-2280 PORT CHARLOTTE Alli-Gators Port Charlotte Town Center 1441 Tamiami Trail (941) 624-0067 Applebee’s 19010 Murdock Circle (941) 766-0666 Banditos 5665 S.R.776 (941) 697-4221 Boomers 2360 Tamiami Trail (941) 743-4140 Chubbyz 2 Tavern 4109 Tamiami Trail (941) 613-0002 Coyote’s 4300 Kings Hwy #412
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River City Grill 1930 Hillview St. 131 West Marion Ave. (941) 366-5555 (941)639-9080 Live Music 7 days a week The Celtic Ray Irish Pub Gilligan’s Island Bar 145 E. Marion Ave. 5253 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key (941) 505-5556 (941) 346-8122 Village Fish Market & Gecko’s Grill & Pub Restaurant 4870 S. Tamiami Trail PUNTA GORDA 1200 W. Retta Esplanade (941) 923-8896 Benedetto’s Steakhouse & Fishermen’s Village Hooters Martini Bar “New England & Florida 20 Gulf Gate Mall 300 Retta Esplanade Seafood Specialties” (941) 923-4666 (941) 639-9695 (941) 639-7959 Linksters Tap Room Biehl’s Slip-Not Lounge Village Oyster Bar 8764 S. Tamiami Trail 1601 Tamiami Trail 1200 W. Retta Esplanade (941) 966-9141 (941) 639-7677 Fishermen’s Village Siesta Key Oyster Bar Tapas One at Bin (941) 637-1212 (SKOB) 258 W. Marion Ave. “Beautiful Waterfront View” 5238 Ocean Blvd. (941) 916-9581 Wood Street Grill (941) 346-5443 Burnt Store Grille 221 Wood St. Sushi Raw Bar & Grille Corner of US 41 & Burnt Store (941) 575-1188 4854 S. Tamiami Trail Rd. Lunch, Pizza, Subs, Catering (941) 924-0393 3941 Tamiami Trail The Italian Grill (941) 575-2757 SARASOTA 8620 S. Tamiami Trail Captain’s Table Applebee’s (941) 966-6565 1200 Retta Esplanade 1991 Main St. (941) 637-1177 (941) 955-7234 VENICE Fishermen’s Village 5490 Clark Rd. Applebee’s Dean’s South of the Border (941) 925-2595 4329 S.Tamiami Trail 130 Tamiami Trail 5550 Fruitville Rd. (941) 497-7740 (941) 575-6100 (941) 379-2260 Bogey’s Restaurant & New outside Patio Broken Egg Sports Bar Harpoon Harry’s 140 Avenida Messina 652 E. Venice Ave. 1200 Retta Esplanade Siesta Key (941) 488-9156 (941) 637-1177 (941) 346-2750 Sharky’s on the Pier Fishermen’s Village Open Daily from 7:30-2:30pm 1600 Harbor Drive South Ice House Pub Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & (941) 488-1456 408 Tamiami Trail Bar Snook Haven (941) 575-0866 4067 Clark Rd. 500 E. Venice Ave. Jack’s Restaurant (941) 922-5554 (941) 485-7221 201 W. Marion Ave. Cheeburger Cheeburger Venice Sports Bar & (941) 637-8800 4944 S. Tamiami Trail Billiards La Piazza (941) 921-5503 2107 Tamiami Trl S Towles Plaza Suite 216 Daiquiri Deck (941) 497-2048 2705 Tamiami Trail 5254 Ocean Blvd. Wally’s Pour House Bar & (941) 639-0006 Siesta Key Grill Loft Bar (941) 349-8697 1730 S. Tamiami Trail 502 King Street Five O’ Clock Club (941) 493-0677 (941) 505-5678 LuLu at The Wyvern Hotel Bring in this 101 E. Retta Esplanade months Parrot (941) 639-7700 Ad and receive $25.00 off Mooseheads Cigar & Spirits & on a full day 318 Tamiami Trail Boat Rental! (941) 505-0404 Phil’s 41 1975 Tamiami Trail (941) 575-7575 Waterside Grill Portofino-Waterfront Dining 6:30 a.m.—11:00 p.m. 23247 Bayshore Rd Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (941) 743-2800 Daily Specials, Happy Hour Porto Bello at Latitudes Live Entertainment Exp: 12/31/2010 3200 Matecumbe Key Rd Burnt Store Marina 15001 Gasparilla Road 941-697-2280/941-697-0724 Red Marker 20 on the ICW Placida, FL www.gasparillamarina.com (941) 639-3650
Bar & Restaurant Listings (941) 629-2114 Bar & Restaurant Gatorz Bar & Grill 3816 Tamiami Trail (941) 625-5000 Hooters 1360 Tamiami Trail (941) 625-0200 Joe Cracker Sportsgrille&Tiki 1020 El Jobean Road (941) 258-3444 JD’s Bistro 1951 Tamiami Trail (941) 255-0994 Next to Days Inn Moe’s Southwest Grill 1804 Tamiami Trail (941) 625-5610 Morgan’s Café 4300 Kings Hwy School House Square (941) 625-3400 “Open for Breakfast & Lunch” Nav-A-Gator Grill 9700 SW Riverview Circle (941) 627-FISH Nemo’s Sports Café 3192 Harbor Blvd. (941) 625-4794 Portside Tavern 3636 Tamiami Trail (941) 629-3055 Sports City 4560 Tamiami Trail (877) TIKI BAR Tijuana Flats Burrito Company 1100 El Jobean Rd. (S.R. 776) (941) 766-8226 Visani’s Comedy Dinner Theater 2400 Kings Hwy. (941) 629-9191 Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grille 2746 Tamiami Trail (941) 766-0045 Willie’s Cocktails 4095 Tamiami Trail (941) 624-2245 Ziggy’s Lounge 1825 Tamiami Trail (941) 255-1080
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Waterside Grill
December 2010
Page 29
I am excited to announce that I have chosen to join forces with State Insurance Agency. They are a local independent agency in town and this merger will allow me to reach out to additional companies and provide more options to manage your insurance needs.
Home • Boat • RV • Life • Classic Car • Health • Auto • Business
My office will relocate to 992 Tamiami Trail Unit D1, Port Charlotte, FL. 33953. My current agency phone number will continue to work but eventually will transition to 941 979 8426. I look forward to continuing to service your insurance needs. Sincerely, Debbie Reynolds Guzman
Debbie Reynolds-Guzman State Insurance Agency 992 Tamiami Trail Unit D1, Port Charlotte, FL. 33953 Phone: 941 979 8426 Fax: 1-888-552-7641 Debbie Reynolds Guzman 20 Years Experience
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December 2010
992 Tamiami Trail Unit D1 Port Charlotte, FL. 33953 (941) 979-8426 Fax: 1-888-552-7641 www.cigflorida.com
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Drive By Shooting
DECEMBER :
● December was the 10th month of the Roman Calendar. ● The name December comes from the Latin word ‘decem’ meaning 10. ● The birthstone for December is Turquoise or the mystical Blue Topaz. ● The flower of this month is Holly. ● The Big Socio-Cultural/Religious Holidays celebrated during December include: the Christian Christmastide, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the Islamic Ramadan. ● December 3rd is Let’s Hug Day. ● On December 3rd, 1947 —- the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” opened on Broadway starring Jessica Tandy as Blanche and Marlon Brando as Stanley. ● December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day. ● On December 8th, 1961—the Beach Boys released their first single, “Surfin,” on Candix Records. ● In December of 1803 the Louisiana Purchase took place and France sold us a chunk of land. ● The Charles Dickens classic story ‘A Christmas Carol’ was 1st published in December 6, 1843. ● December 6th is the day many people celebrate the patron Catholic saint of children and pawnbrokers — St. Nicholas. ● December 7th, 1941, Japan invaded Pearl Harbor ● The 1st Nobel Prize was awarded in December 1901. The first Ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution (The Bill of Rights) were ratified on December 15, 1791. ● The Mason-Dixon Line was established in December of 1782. Here is the short list of famous people born on Christmas Day – Sir Issac Newton:1642, Clara Barton:1821, Humphrey Bogart:1899, Anwar el-Sadat:1918, Little Richard:1932, Barbara Mandrell:1948. ● People always mistake Santa’s reindeer ‘Donder’ and call him ‘Donner’. ● In England the traditional December Christmas Dinner was celebrated by serving a Pig’s Head with stone ground mustard sauce.
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In November over 75 members made the annual pilgrimage to Meeting of the Minds in Key West. Our goal is always to party with old friends, make new friends and Party with a Purpose. This year we raised $1,000.00 for Wesley House of Key West at our “Bloody Mary Mornin’”party. Our Happy Hour was on the deck at Trader Vic’s, we rocked to the music of Rob Foster. The next HH will be
held at Spanish Point in Osprey on December 10th – join us if you can! A check was presented to Save our Seabirds (SOS) from the Sarasota Bay Parrot Head club in the amount of $5,000.00 at their 2nd Birthday party. We as a club have put over 1000 man hours working at SOS building bird cages for the facility with more work planned for January. Our “Christmas in the Caribbean” Christmas party was a huge success,
In 2010 our club members donated over 2,600 man hours of their time and effort to volunteer help and raise over $28,500.00 in funds for various organizations: Reef Ball, All Faith’s Food Bank, Manatee Youth Shelter, Sarasota Humane Society, Mote Marine, Wesley House in Key West, Alzheimer’s Associate Gulf Coast Chapter, Safe Place Rape Crisis Center, Braden Middle School (ink cartridge donations), Save our Seabirds, Sarasota Bay Sea grass Project, and Toys For Tots. With all of this volunteer work, we still had time to have at least oneHappyHour a month, clean the beaches, tailgate at the Polo matches, bowl, tailgate at the Tampa Buffett concert, meet for monthly Raft-up beach parties, bet at the Dog Track, have a 3 day Birthday Bash, have sunset Socials at Siesta Key, canoe down the Peace River, attend a Rays game, take a 5 day Caribbean Cruise, hold a Golf Tournament, and have a Christmas party for our members. We look forward to 2011 with dreams of Margaritas dancing in our heads !
full of Toys for Tots.
Happy Holidays from the SBPHC. Check us out at: www.SBPHC.com Till next month, remember…”We’re growing older – but not up!” Sherry Swartz
December 2010
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Experience Historical Ybor City As a guest of Parrot Magazine, the Hampton Inn & Suites would lie to offer you a great rate of $99.00 which includes a Hot Breakfast, Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center, and complimentary shuttle service within a 3 mile radius. We are located Just steps from Centro Ybor where the all the excitement of Ybor is within walking distance.
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“Your Local Florist”
Hey Tampa Bay Parrotheads, what tiiiiiiiime is it? It’s time to party with a purpose one last time for the year. Our Holiday Party is Dec 11th from 7:30-12:00 at the Treasure Island Community Center. BYOB, a dish to share and either a canned/non-perishable food item or unwrapped child’s or pet gift for our charity. Yours truly is always in awe of the generosity of our club. You’d think after 14+ years I’d be used to it, but not so much. Parrotheads are absolutely amazing! Sooooooo, if you went to MOTM you had a great time (even if you don’t remember it all), heard some fabulous music all around town, had a great time at the TBPH Pool Party at Dante’s with Capt. Josh entertaining and Jack Mosley guest starring for a few songs, and lots of people looking quite silly with a bunch of blown up gloves in their swimmies, but did you know that our own Mark & Sharon Leverett won the award for “Best House Concert of the Year” from the Trop Rock Music Awards hosted by the Margarita MAFIA?? How cool is that! It is a great venue, and if you haven’t made it to a house concert you need to get to one. Congrats to them both, and a big thanks to them for hosting all the great musicians who come our way.
December 2010
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GAITHER HOMECOMING December 17, 2010 Tickets As Low As $36.00
MONSTER TRUCKS 1/14/11 - 1/15/11 Tickets As Low As $10.00
Breakaway Sports Pub opens 1 hr prior to events. Enjoy dinner overlooking the stage. Reservations: 239.948.7825 x 1309. For more info visit, www.GermainArena.com.
Tickets can be purchased in person at Germain Arena’s T.I.B. Box Office & all Ticketmaster outlets, via telephone at 800.745.3000 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com.
Tampa Bay Parrot Heads in Paradise Club Written by Charlotte Lanier aka Charlie Rose Also during MOTM our own Backrow Bob Bliss married his sweetie Victoria Capps during a sunset cruise that Friday evening. The weather started out a little dicey as we were waiting to board…ok, dicey is an understatement the wind was blowing about 40 mph and we weren’t even sure the captain was going to let us leave the dock. But, yours truly has a deal with Mother Nature…she doesn’t mess with stuff I help plan and she can wreak havoc any other time. It’s worked out well thus far. We did get to sea, Bob & Victoria had a lovely ceremony with Miss Susan officiating, and we even got a fairly decent sunset out of it. The alcohol flowed, the music by Capt. Josh and Crawdaddy kept everyone in great spirits and the bride and groom smooshed cake in each others faces. It was a great evening all around. Congrats to the lucky couple! TBPH also just held some elections, and we have some new board
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members to announce. Bryan Crews is still Skipper (he was unopposed), Mikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee retained his seat First Mate, our new Purser is Bob Odom, and our new Yeoman is Doc Susan. All have been active in the club and will continue on the good work with no problems. Now that we have hit sweet 16 Mike needs to start subtracting e’s from his name. Yours truly is running out of room in the articles J Ok, I think that’s it for now. I hope everyone has a lovely holiday season including a great New Year’s Eve and an AbFab 2011!! In the meantime you need to join us at our next Parrothead meeting. You can find us at Whiskey Joe’s (on the Tampa causeway next to the public parking for Ben T. Davis beach) on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Check out our website at www.finsup.com for more details about the club or any of our upcoming events (click on the “Calendar” banner and go to the month in which you need info). And remember, “Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been.” Roving photographer this month was Patrice Davis
December 2010
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Tampa Bay’s Winter Wonderland For many, the holiday season evokes memories of drinking warm cider by the fireplace, making your first snow angle in the front lawn, and seeing who had the best snowman in the neighborhood. All of these are wonderful things… and you’ll find none of them in Tampa Bay! It’s been said plenty of times before, but allow me to refresh your memories – anyone who lives in the Tampa Bay area knows exactly what Christmas in paradise is all about! Tampa Bay residents have the luxury of living in a paradise for the holidays, and we’re giving you some of the best ways to enjoy your holiday season. We’ll start off with one of Tampa’s biggest treasures – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Through Jan. 2, there’s a festive chill in the air at Stanleyville Theater when Busch Gardens presents Christmas on Ice, and the Marrakesh Theater decks the halls with Christmas from the Heart. In Desert Grill, join a Christmas Celebration,
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and then visit Santa and his merry elves for breakfast at Desert Grill on select Saturdays (Dec. 11 and 18). Then, count down to 2011 with the biggest party this side of midnight. Busch Gardens gives the New Year a wild welcome with a concert by The Guess Who at 10:30 p.m. immediately followed by fireworks at midnight.
But, if Busch Gardens isn’t your thing, head over to the Henry B. Plant Museum to experience the 29th annual Victorian Christmas Stroll, taking place from Dec. 1-23, 10am to 8pm daily. With 14 exhibit rooms, each dazzling with trimmed trees uniquely designed in 19th century themes, attendees can enjoy the holidays Victorian style! And unique to this year’s event is a game for children and the young at heart Where’s Henry? Somewhere amid the decorations in each room is an image of Henry Plant, the founder of the Hotel. Participants will be given a checklist and if they can locate his image in every
room, they will receive a prize! Next, head over to one of downtown Tampa’s newest treasures, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, for our next event – Santa Fest! The excitement takes place on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10am to 4pm, when Curtis Hixon Park is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete
with ice skating! You’ll also be able to visit with Santa, enjoy holiday entertainment, partake in hand-on games and make-n-take holiday crafts, and much more. And the Holiday Parade starts at 10am, so show up early! International Plaza and Bay Street will transform into a magical winter wonderland with the debut of the soaring 30-foot Ice Palace. The exhibit features highlights from this holiday season’s highly anticipated movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Families can experience this groundbreaking exhibit at Grand Court while visiting
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Santa Claus December 24.
through
Last, but certainly not least, we have an event for all of you sports lovers out there! The Outback Bowl will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary with its Jan. 1, 2011 game. The New Year’s Day college football bowl will match teams from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference in Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is 1pm, and a week of festivities takes place prior to game day, including Team Day at Busch Gardens (Dec. 28), Clearwater Beach Day (Dec. 30), and a New Year’s Eve Parade in historic Ybor City (Dec. 31). If you’ve never experience this before, I highly recommend planning on enjoy the 25th anniversary. But, and as always, the holiday fun doesn’t end there…it just begins there! So, get out there and enjoy
the fact that we truly have Christmas in Paradise, right here in Tampa Bay! Log on to www.VisitTampaBay.com to get more details. Happy Holidays everyone!
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Parrotheads Welcome!
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1. Writer of the Punta Gorda Chamber article. 2. Drive by ___________ 3. Where's the Beef 4. Best breakfast, lunch and dinner at Gasparilla Marina 8. The Gulf Coast's Favorite Source for Entertainment 9. Featured Writer - Key West Honorary Mayor _________ Mays 10. Decembers benefit for the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition 11. ________ Comedy Club 14. Oldest Tavern in town
We don’t do White Christmases.
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December 2010
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Wednesday 1st SANTA CLAUS COMES TO DEARBORN STREET!! From 6-9pm. He can’t wait to meet all of the boys and girls from Englewood. There will be caroling, a Menorah lighting, fun and festivities. Shops & restaurants will be open late. Visit www.oldeenglewood.com -------DAVE KOZ CHRISTMAS at the Ruth Eckerd Hall at 8pm. For more information visit www.rutheckerdhall.com Wednesday 1st-4th LIVE COMEDY WITH JAMES SIBLEY/LYNDEL PLEASANT AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER in Port Charlotte. For tickets visit www.visani.net Thursday 2nd CHRISTMAS WALK ON AVENUES DOWNTOWN VENICE from 5:30-8pm. -------BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS TO HOST “HAVANA ON THE HARBOR” from 6-9pm on the Wyvern Rooftop in Punta Gorda. Enjoy the pleasure of a cigar and a glass of wine on the rooftop. $50 includes a night of Cigar enjoyment-benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County. With a special guest CigaRobbie from CigaRobbie Radio Network. There will be appetizers, cigar roller, pride cigars, wine/port sampling, raffle, silent auction, cash bar, cigar sales. Tickets can be purchased by calling 941-9798379 or at the door. You can RSVP your attendance by email at rsvp@ bgcofcc.org -------MUSEUM OF ART & CIRCUS MUSEUM PRESENTS ART AFTER 5: COCKTAILS & OBSERVATIONS from 5-8pm. Enjoy the Museum of Art permanent collection and special exhibition galleries, cocktails and great conversation on the loggia. Bring the family and explore the Circus Museum’s miniature circus and Wisconsin railroad car. After hours discounted admission are adults are $10, children ages 6-17 are $5, and under 5 are free. For more info go to www.ringling.org Thursday 2nd-4th EUROPEAN-STYLE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN PUNTA GORDA from 4-10pm and 11-8:30pm on Sat. Join us for our 1st Annual Holiday market, located at the corner of Marion and Taylor St. Filled with
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SWFL December Events lots of gift ideas for all ages. There will be carolers, tree lighting, Mr. & Mrs. Claus and so much more. For further details call 941-639-3720. Thursday 2nd-31st CHRISTMAS LIGHT CANAL CRUISE AT LAISHLEY PARK MARINA departing nightly on board “The Peggy Jean”, from slip E-2, behind the Crab House Restaurant for 1.5 hr from 5:30-7pm. Drinks and snacks can be brought on board. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 10. For more information visit www. ThePeggyJean.com, or for reservations call 941-380-6814. Friday 3rd MANHATTAN TRANSFER appearing at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 8pm. For more details visit www.vanwezel.org -------XFC 13: UNSTOPPABLE AT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM at 7pm. For more information visit www. sptimesforum.com -------DECK THE HALLS AT CA’ D’ZAN at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art from 6-9pm. Enjoy holiday cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, and an open house while supporting this fabulous historic home. Tickets are $75. For reservations or donation information call 941-358-3180. Friday 3rd-19th SANTA’S EXTRAVAGANZA IN SARASOTA A touring Christmas show for kids to enjoy all over Florida. Benefiting Toys for Tots. For information visit our website at www.santasextravaganza.com Friday 3rd-31st KING FISHER FLEET LIGHTED CANAL CRUISES AT FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE from 6-9pm. A Punta Gorda tradition, lighted canal cruises depart three times nightly. For more details visit www. fishville.com Saturday 4th FARMER’S MARKET DOWNTOWN IN PUNTA GORDA on Taylor St. and Herald Court by the Historic court House. From 8-1pm. There’s local farm fresh fruits and
vegetables, live entertainment, fresh baked goods & fresh seafood, locally homemade soups-togo, fresh cheeses & fresh ground coffee, fresh cut flowers & potted plants and creative demonstrations & performers. Come One Come All! -------HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE IN VENICE from 6-9pm. Begins at dusk. Parade begins north of Albee Road bridge and follows along Intracoastal Waterway. -------PUNTA GORDA SPEEDWAY – Super Late Model 100, Pro Truck 50, Rookie Trucks, Road Warriors, Pro 4, Fab 4, Mini Stocks, Legends 75 laps $1,000 to win, Bandolero 20 laps. Front gates open at 4pm with racing starting at 6pm. Adults are $10; Seniors are $8; students ages 11 to 17 are $5; ages 10 and under are free. For more information visit www.puntagordaspeedway.com -------CRUIZIN’ ON DEARBORN from 5-8pm in Englewood. Oldtime Cars-and oldtime tunes. Hundreds of old car enthusiasts and scores of old car brighten Dearborn Street. Music will flood the street and most restaurants and shops are open late! For more info visit our website at www.oldeenglewood.com -------ART OF FIGHTING 10-BLACKOUT AT THE GERMAIN ARENA at 7:30pm. Join us for professional mixed martial arts. For more information visit our website at www.germainarena.com -------32nd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE IN DOWNTOWN PUNTA GORDA at Noon. This year’s theme is “All I want for Christmas is ...” -------ANNUAL LIGHTED BOAT PARADE FROM FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE from 6-8pm. For more info visit www.fishville.com -------SARASOTA’S FARMERS MARKET EVERY SATURDAY from 7am to Noon. On Lemon Ave. &
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Main Street. Rain or Shine. Visit www.sarasotadowntown.com for more details. -------VISITS AND PHOTOS WITH SANTA AT FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE from 4-8pm. Bring your Camera! -------THE SPOTS FISHING TOURNAMENT WEIGH IN at 2:30pm at Fishermen’s Village. Sunday 5th 97X NEXT BIG THING AT THE FORD AMPHITHEATRE at 10am. For tickets call 1-800-ASK-GARY. -------SOUTHERN STATES BULLRIDING TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP at Charlotte County Fairgrounds. Covered Arena the SSBR Thunder Dome is back! Admission is $12/ adult, $10/child, under 5 are free. Hours are 7pm. Gates open at 6:30pm. For more information visit www.ssbrnow.com Tuesday 7th DIVA AND THE “ITALIAN GUY” AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER in Port Charlotte. Show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10. For more info visit www.visani.net -------PEARL HARBOR DAY CEREMONY AT FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE from 5-7pm. Annual remembrance and salute to the men and women of Pearl Harbor. Wednesday 8th “THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AMY GRANT & VINCE GILL” appearing at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 7:30pm. For more details visit www.vanwezel.org Wednesday 8th-11th LIVE COMEDY WITH CARL STRONG/MIKE RIVERA AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER in Port Charlotte. For ticket info visit www.visani.net Friday 10th FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE CONCERT IN VENICE at Centennial Park from 8-10pm. -------MUSICAL HOLIDAYS WITH ANDRE RIEU AT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM at 8pm. For more info visit www.sptimesforum.com -------MIKE SUPER appearing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 8pm. Donate a nonperishable food item & receive $5 off of your Mike Super Ticket! For
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more details visit our website at www.vanwezel.org Friday 10th & 11th SANTA AT HARPOON HARRY’S in Fishermen’s Village from 6-9pm. Crafts, cake and free pictures with Santa. Saturday 11th FARMER’S MARKET DOWNTOWN IN PUNTA GORDA on Taylor St. and Herald Court by the Historic court House. From 8-1pm. There’s local farm fresh fruits and vegetables, live entertainment, fresh baked goods & fresh seafood, locally homemade soups-togo, fresh cheeses & fresh ground coffee, fresh cut flowers & potted plants and creative demonstrations & performers. Come One Come All! Saturday 11th CITY WIDE GARAGE SALE IN PUNTA GORDA from 8am-Noon in the Parking lot of Centennial Bank & Koch, Zeman & Walsh. Visit www.puntagordachamber. com for more details. -------SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE ON DEARBORN in Englewood. From 6-9pm. Shops will open late. Shop, dine, and play on Dearborn Street! Visit www.oldeenglewood.com -------TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA WINTER TOUR 2010 AT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM at 3pm & 8pm. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance. The orchestra is known for its exceptional music set to a dazzling array of lights and pyrotechnics. For more tickets visit www.sptimesforum.com -------3RD ANNUAL MISTLETOE BALL AT CHARLOTTE HARBOR EVENT CENTER from 6-11pm. The Charlotte County Homeless Coalition’s Safe House Shelter and Hot Meals Program and Food Pantry will benefit from the Mistletoe Ball. For more info, sponsorship or tickets call 941-626-0808 or email Dianne@preventhungerhomeless. com. Tickets are $100 each. Black Tie optional. -------THE SARASOTA HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS at 6pm. A crowd pleaser for Young and Old. Thousands of spectators line the shores of Sarasota Bay from Centennial Park to Bayfront Park every year. Rain date for this event is Sunday the 12th. Visit www.sarasotachrist-
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SWFL December Events masboatparade.com Sunday 12th STEVE SOLOMON’S “MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH AND I’M IN THERAPY” at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 7pm. For more details visit www.vanwezel.org -------93.3 FLZ’S JINGLE BALL AT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM at 6:30pm. For more information visit www.sptimesforum.com Tuesday 14th LIVE MUSIC WITH AL HOLLAND AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER from 6-9pm. No Cover Charge. For more info and tickets visit www. visani.net Tuesday 14th & 15th CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 7:30pm. For more info and tickets visit www. vanwezel.org Wednesday 15th-18th LIVE COMEDY AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER WITH RON FEINGOLD/PATRICK GARRITY for more information visit www. visani.net Thursday 16th GALLERY WALK IN PUNTA GORDA from 5-8pm. The Punta Gorda Downtown Merchants Association brings you art, music, live demonstrations, shopping and food. What a better way to spend an evening strolling through downtown Punta Gorda. -------VENICE THURSDAY STROLL from 5:30-8pm in downtown Venice. Friday 17th GAITHER HOMECOMING THE CHRISTMAS TOUR 2010 AT THE GERMAIN ARENA at 7pm. For more information and tickets visit www.germainarena.com -------LINGERIE FOOTBALL LEAGUE: TAMPA BREEZE VS. MIAMI CALIENTE AT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM at 9pm. For more information visit www.sptimesforum.com -------HOLIDAY ON THE HARBOR from 7-9:30pm in Bayshore Live Oak
Park’s fireside shelter, located at 23157 Bayshore Rd. Music is provided by Sax on the Beach. Come celebrate the spirit of the season with light refreshments and holiday music. Free event! For more information call 941-627-1628 X101. Saturday 18th OWN IN PUNTA GORDA on Taylor St. and Herald Court by the Historic court House. From 8-1pm. There’s local farm fresh fruits and vegetables, live entertainment, fresh baked goods & fresh seafood, locally homemade soups-togo, fresh cheeses & fresh ground coffee, fresh cut flowers & potted plants and creative demonstrations & performers. Come One Come All! -------MUSCLE CAR CITY’S MONTHLY CRUISE-IN at the Muscle Car City Museum in Punta Gorda Every 3rd Saturday of the month from 2:305pm. Held in the parking lot. Free to show car owners and the public. Music by Tom’s traveling tunes, trophies awarded to the top 6, 50/50 raffle, door prizes and Fun! Visit www.musclecarcity.net Saturday 18th & 19th NUTCRACKER at the Ruth Eckerd Hall. For show times visit www. rutheckerdhall.com Sunday 19th JUSTIN BIEBER MY WORLD TOUR AT THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM at 7pm. For tickets visit www.sptimesforum.com -------CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S HOLIDAY MAGIC CONCERT at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center in Punta Gorda. Show starts at 7:30pm. For ticket info email tickets@charlottesymphony.com or call 941-205-9743. Monday 20th-23rd GALLAGHER APPEARING AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER in Port Charlotte. Pure Stand-Up!! Show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $26.75. For more information and tickets visit www.visani.net Tuesday 21st CRESENT BEACH GROCERY ANNOUNCES ITS 2010 SERIES OF WINE & FOOD TASTINGS
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at Siesta Key’s Corner Grocery & Epicurean Oasis from 6-8pm. Admission is complimentary. We will be featuring wines around the world accompanied by hors d’ouvres from our gourmet deli. You are certain to find a wine that will excite your palate. Wednesday 22nd A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 7pm. For more info visit www.vanwezel.org Sunday 26th MOSCOW BALLET GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 1pm. For more details visit www.vanwezel.org Tuesday 28th ITALIAN MUSIC EVENT WITH MAURICE LOMONOCO AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER in Port Charlotte. Show starts at 7:30pm. For tickets information visit www.visani.net Wednesday 29th&30th LIVE COMEDY WITH MUTZIE/ WILLIAM SLOAN AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER in Port Charlotte. Show starts at 8pm. For ticket info visit www.visani.net -------CANADIAN BRASS appearing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 8pm. For more details visit www.vanwezel.org Thursday 30th LAST COMIC STANDING! at the Ruth Eckerd Hall at 8pm. Enjoy an evening of great stand-up comedy with the five finalist from NBC’s popular laughfest Last Comic Standing. For tickets and details visit www.rutheckerdhall.com Friday 31st NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH! AT VISANI’S COMEDY THEATER in Port Charlotte. For more details visit www.visani.net -------NEW YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA AT FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE in the center court from 8-Mid. Free admission! Live music featuring “Soul Machine” Family friendly activities include Luis the Balloon Man, Airbrush Art for face and body. For details call 941-6398721 or visit www.fishville.com -------NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT HARPOON HARRY’S in Fishermen’s Village from 8-Close. Live music, party favors, champagne toast and dancing under the stars!
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By Dean Henson
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - Lay off the Eggnog and Captain Morgan there pal, it ain’t new years yet! Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - The holidays suck and we all know it, especially you Capricorn. Go eye gouge to the tune of “Here comes Santa Clause”. You’ll feel better. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) - Woah there, Aquarius! That wasn’t quite what they had in mind when they sang, “Don we now our gay apparel”. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) - You’ll understand better what a double edged sword mistletoe can be when you swoop in for that hotass brother’s girlfriend and end up smooching on Aunt Ruth. Aries (March 21-April 19) – You are tired of the same old Christmas specials, watch them stoned you will have a whole new appreciation of them. Don’t forget the junk food! Taurus (April. 20-May 20) - Remember meditations of your happy place, as Uncle Jim retells his favorite Christmas story... again... just like every year. Gemini (May 21-June 21) - You’ll be pleased to know that Santa isn’t real, but don’t worry. You aren’t imagining things. Those strange black boots you found under your bed when you came back
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from vacation are very real... sorry, but Merry Christmas. Cancer (June 22-July 22) – Its Christmas again, shopping, tree, family, been there done that. For some fun put wanted posters up everywhere of Santa with a huge reward. You will be amazed and entertained by how many Santas you receive! Now get going on that wanted poster! Oh, and just to get you started hang lots up at the Mall, WalMart, and adult toy stores! Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) - Santa says “stop asking and stop doing that!”. He can see you!
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Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - Virgo, the troublemaker! Here is something you may not have thought of yet, Christmas eve put a pealed banana in each of the stockings hung with care. In the morning when they reach in…..YUCK!
For All Your Talent & Entertainment Booking Needs Call:
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - Your costconscious plan to buy mistletoe at Costco will bless you two-fold when that enchanting bushel coaxes a little kiss in to a full-on gang bang Christmas night. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21) - That mistletoe belt buckle is a clever prank, but the joke is on you, they ran out of the authentic stuff three weeks ago. That’s poison oak ya got there. It doesn’t even look the same, ya dumbass... and stop scratching at it already, you’re only making it worse….oh and Merry Christmas.
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December 2010
The Parrot
swflparrot.com CROSS WORD ANSWERS 5. NAVAGATOR 6. TWISTED 7. DRINK 11. VENETIAN DENTAL 12. TAZ 13. MERCERS 15. SALTWATER CAFE 16. THOROUGHBRED GOLF CARTS
The Parrot
1. JOHN WRIGHT 2. SHOOTING 3. BAILEYS BEEF COUNTRY 4. WATERSIDE GRILL 8. THE PARROT 9. GONZOs 10. MISTLETOE BALLCoalition 11. VISANIS 14. PORTSIDE
December 2010
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December 2010
The Parrot