It’s that time of year already. Time for the annual Benz and Edge Tree Extravaganza, complete with rampaging Xena yells, disgraced evergreens and assorted holiday absurdity.
This year’s party features a special treat. Music by Sara Schwabe and her Yankee Jass Band. It’s gonna be way cool. Be there or be square.
Here are the details …
Now Playing: O Tannenbaum from the album A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio
I spend way too much time in the Atlanta airport. During my frequent layovers and connections, I’ve started walking between concourses rather than taking the train. It’s good exercise and it clears my head before I sardine into the next Delta can that I have to fly in.
On several occasions, I’ve walked between the A and B concourses, where there’s an incredible collection of stone sculpture by Zimbabwean artists. It’s great stuff and a wonderful way to kill some time. Even if you’re in a bit of a hurry, it’s great to dash past these sculptures. Great stuff …
More travel. Two interesting stops …
New York City, Greenwich Village: We had dinner at Otto Enoteca Pizzaria last week. It’s owned by the Food Network’s Mario Batali. When a friend suggested it, I was worried it might be pretentious or culinary overkill. Nothing could be further from the truth. The food was incredible and the wine list was extensive. Price wasn’t too bad, either. We had several pizzas, all fantastic, and finished the meal with a sampling of gelato. My favorite was, surprisingly, a pumpkin gelato. While in New York, we also stopped by the Chelsea Market. What a great place. Not something you’d expect to encounter in the middle of New York.
Fort Worth, Texas: We went to see Willie Nelson at Billy Bob’s in the Stockyards. I had high hopes but was sorely disappointed. Willie was phoning this one in, and Billy Bob’s was horrible. It claims it’s the world’s largest roadhouse, but it was really a sprawling shopping mall of a place. Terrible venue. Thank god we went to the Loon that afternoon. Now that’s a real bar …
This week, it’s Stuart and Naples in Florida, then on to Memphis. Maybe I’ll get some decent barbecue there. Or at least bump into Elvis …
Now Playing: Restless Wind from the album The Earth Rolls On by Billy Joe Shaver