hot pour

BARTENDER OF THE WEEK | BY NATALIE GARCIA]

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BARTENDER: Kristofer Koeblitz

BAR: The Playground

AGE: 44

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Winston-Salem

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

6 years

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

From managing restaurants. I always thought that bartending looked so fun and a couple of awesome bartenders taught me some things over the years. At first, I began making drinks at one restaurant because keeping a steady bartender there was tough, but then I realized I liked it much better than waiting tables or managing. Thank you to Natalie and Heidi for taking me under your wing!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

Making drinks that taste amazing and getting to see and hear people’s reactions to them. It is really rewarding for me when other people enjoy drinks the way I like them also.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

Dr. Stoner’s Tequila Lemondrop Martini. I use organic lemon juice with this cannabis infused tequila and it comes out tasting like a really wonderful Mexican street lemonade!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?

A Bu alo Trace Old Fashioned or an Empress 1908 Gin Gimlet. No matter what I drink, it should have at least 2 oz. of liquor and it should be sipped and not rushed.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?

One of my favorites is a 20 year old Balvenie scotch, neat. Second favorite is a warm Grand Marnier. Perfect for after dinner conversation.

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING?

I used to work at this one bar that has long since gone out of business and a guy was in with his friends celebrating his birthday. His friends bought him a shot of tequila and no sooner had it passed his lips than it came back up, unbeknownst to me. He threw up on the floor behind the bar where I was standing and it bounced o of the wall and showered my pant leg and shoe. The bartender I was talking to told me what happened and seeing that she was right, I took o after him to see where he went. When I found him half-way down the front stairs. He had set his beer down and was relieving himself all over the landing and down the steps. I said, “Dude! You are NOT peeing on my stairs!” and with a slur that would shame all others he replied, “Nope! I am... not doing that!”

I promptly picked him up under his arms from behind, carried him down to the front door and made sure security put him in a cab.

WHAT’S THE BEST/BIGGEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?

$700 while bartending a catered event. It’s nights like that you go home really happy with your job choice.

[SALOME’S STARS]

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might have to turn your Arian charm up a few degrees if you hope to persuade that persistent pessimist to see the possibilities in your project. Whatever you do, don’t give up.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A “tip” about a co-worker’s “betrayal” might well raise the Bovine’s rage levels. But before charging into a confrontation, let an unbiased colleague do some fact-checking.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Although a relationship still seems to be moving too slowly to suit your expectations, it’s best not to push it. Let it develop at its own pace. You’ll soon get news about a workplace change.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A continually changing personal situation makes you feel as if you’re riding an emotional roller coaster. But hold on tight; stability starts to set in early next week.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Believe it or not, someone might dare to say “No!” to the Regal One’s suggestion. But instead of being mi ed, use this rebu to recheck the proposition and, perhaps, make some changes.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might find it di cult to make a decision about a family matter. But a delay can only lead to more problems. Seek out trusted counsel and then make that important decision.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Concentrate your focus on what needs to be done and avoid frittering away your energies on less important pursuits. There’ll be time later for fun and games.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Although the conflicts seem to be letting up, you still need to be wary of being drawn into workplace intrigues. Plan a special weekend event for family and/or friends.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your quick wit helps you work through an already di cult situation without creating more problems. Creative aspects begin to dominate by the week’s end.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Be patient. You’ll soon receive news about a project that means a great deal to you. Meanwhile, you might want to reconsider a suggestion that you previously turned down.

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) There are still some aspects about a new job o er that you need to resolve. In the meantime, another possibility seems promising. Be sure to check it out as well.

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Opening up your emotional floodgates could leave you vulnerable to being hurt later on. Watch what you say in order to avoid having your words come back to haunt you.

[BORN THIS WEEK: You’re usually the life of the party, which gets you on everyone’s invitation list. You also have a flair for politics.

© 2023 by King Features Syndicate

by Fifi Rodriguez

1. MOVIES: Which movie features the line, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”?

[2. HISTORY: Which serious disease was declared eradicated in 1980?

[6. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the youngest president?

[7. TELEVISION: Who played the Penguin in the original Batman TV series?

[

3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What color is the “black box” that is used to record data on airplanes?

[4. GAMES: How much does getting out of jail cost in the board game Monopoly?

[5. LITERATURE: What kind of animal is the novel “Black Beauty” about?

[8. GEOGRAPHY: What is the northernmost point of the United States?

[9. ASTRONOMY: Which is the only planet in our solar system that spins clockwise?

[10. FOOD & DRINK: Which fast-food restaurant chain claims that “We have the meats”?

Answer

5. A horse.

4. $50.

3. Orange.

2. Smallpox.

1. Back to the Future.