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The whistle blows in Congo town
And the mail boat's in, mail boat's in
THE E-MAIL BOAT'S IN

March, 11th Voyage
(7th Voyage of the Second Year at Sea)
submitted by Patrick cbjngl@msn.com

AHOY MATES!  Less than 2 weeks left until THR – Our friend Doug Hendrix with a very interesting drink review, and some guidance for Wanna-Be Pirates.  I wish you all a very happy and fun filled St. Patrick’s Day!  Just don’t party yourselves out, save some of that energy for THR!    Capt. Patrick  “You can hear it on the Coconut telegraph saying who did Dis N’ Dat”



 

3/15 Northwoods Brew Pub, Eau Claire,WI

3/17 Dick’s Bar, Hudson

3/20 Shooter’s Pub, River Falls

3/21 Dick’s Bar, Hudson

3/23 Neuman’s Bar, N. St. Paul

3/24 THR Phlocking!

March 16, 2007: BNB Bidness Meetin'

March 24, 2007:  THR
Mark your calendars and get ready to party!  Well, winter has finally made an appearance so cabin fever can’t be far behind!  And just in time!!! - A temporary break from cabin fever will be here before you know it – This Hotel Room Phlocking!  This year’s event will feature both a new venue and new entertainment.  We’ll be Phlocking at the Canterbury Inn in Shakopee and have locked up the entire hotel just for us!  Details on room prices and reservations will be finalized soon – watch for the email boat updates on when you can begin making reservations.  This year’s lineup will feature the six piece band “Phins” from St. Louis, Missouri.  Several members of the club have seen them perform in Key West at Meeting of the Minds over the past few years and we think you’ll all be very pleased. To have them play at our event.  You can check them out at www.Phinsband.com  As you can see from their website, they play plenty of BUFFETT!  Check out the “about the band section” on their website and you’ll see that four of the six name Buffet tunes as their favorite song, and one of the others mentions Scott Kirby’s  song “4 Good Dogs”.In addition to appearing at MOTM, and club Phlockings in and near St. Louis, they play several regional Phlockings including Pardi Gras, Stars Fell on Alabama, and Flipperstock.

May 19: Cajun Martini and Afternoon Golf Tourney

July 28:  Take It Out At The Saints Game

July 28:  Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, LIVE at Alpine Valley

• ROAD TRIP?  This looks like a pretty good party!  Illinois Club Party in Parrot–dise April 22-24

  http://www.indianlakesresort.com/parrotdise.html

• BAMA BREEZE - 2007 Tour Dates!   

  

  March 24th - Dune Preserve - Anguilla; For more information visit the Bankie Banx website
  April 21 MINUTE MAID PARK Houston, TX

  April 28 - Pizza Hut Park, Dallas,  TX 

  June 23 POST-GAZETTE PAVILION Pittsburgh, PA  

  June 28 TWEETER CENTER Camden, NJ

  July 21 - Midwest Bank Ampitheatre (Tinley Park) - Chicago, IL
  7/24 VERIZON WIRELESS MUSIC CENTER Indianapolis, IN 

  7/26 RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER Cincinnati, OH

  July 28 - Alpine Valley Music Theatre - East Troy, WI
  On sale: Monday, February 26 at 10 AM
  September 2 - Gillette Stadium - Foxboro, MA
  September 8 - Gillette Stadium - Foxboro, MA
   ALPINE TICKETS - We are eligible for ONLY 75 tickets this year.  At this time ticket price is $126 each and they are available to MEMBERS ONLY!  If you wish to obtain club tickets, you must send in a deposit of $126 for each ticket. Please contact Rob with any questions. stminnesota@aol.com

• Smells Fishy To Me  Like a condo tower down in the Keys, this may be the start of something ugly.  The market value of partying is going up.  Hmmm, let’s see, pay extra to tailgate?  And then the Ticketmaster folks are involved too??  No wonder that man below is smiling!  Capt. Patrick
  For the first time ever, Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX, will allow tailgating parties when Buffett performs at the ballpark April 21.  The "phlocking," as Buffett fans call their parties, will be confined to the west side of the stadium.  Partying won't be cheap. Cars and trucks - $50.  If you're expecting lots of friends, you might have to buy extra spots, one for your car and three for your friends in hula skirts doing belly-buster high dives into a blow-up kiddie pool. You must contain your party to the spaces you purchase.  One Lot will be for RVs, $175 per RV. There are only 48 spots available.  Buy your tailgating tickets now at Ticketmaster.  Parking lots will open at noon. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Observe Texas' drinking laws. Don't act like an idiot. No tailgating will be allowed after the show. Go home.

• Tales From the Tropics I just love the crime report from the Florida Keys!  Usually there’s as much plain old mischief as there is hard crime.  Maybe it’s the warm salt air, drinks, exotic herbs, and that special end of the road vibe that attracts folks like those in the following stories.  It sure does make for an entertaining mix.   Capt. Patrick
  Hold The Anchovies Please KEY WEST — A deliveryman told police that he was punched in the face and chest and hit with a swim flipper while trying to deliver food Saturday night to 1209 William St. The restaurant employee said 35-year-old Nathan Thomas followed him to his car, jumped onto it, ripped the delivery sign off and tried to throw it at him. Many people said they saw the incident and called police. The heavy plastic and metal sign was 3 feet long and a foot wide, the responding police officer noted, adding that it could seriously hurt somebody. Officers went to Thomas' residence, reports said, where his girlfriend allegedly told them he wasn't there. But police said they spotted him on the roof of the building, and told him to come down, reports said Thomas reportedly did so and was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal mischief, resisting without violence and disorderly conduct. Officers took photos of the sign, the flipper and the deliveryman's injuries for evidence.
  Spicy situation KEY WEST — A 25-year-old Colorado man was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of disorderly conduct for allegedly dumping hot sauce on a pool deck and kicking over trash cans, police reports said. The manager of the Courtyard by Marriott on North Roosevelt Boulevard told police that a drunk man in his underwear came into the hotel's kitchen and ate several items before throwing up on the lobby counter, He then reportedly went to the pool, where he allegedly poured hot sauce from a large bottle on the deck and started knocking on the windows of sleeping guests about 3:45 a.m. When officers tried to speak with the man, still in his underwear and holding the bottle of hot sauce, all he reportedly said was, "I'm a Platinum member!"  On the way to jail, he reportedly told officers that he didn't clearly recall the incident.
  Now Parrot Heads Will be Able to Get Hammered - and Tattooed On Duval! KEY WEST — The City Commission approved the first step in regulating tattoo shops in the event the city loses a lawsuit aiming to bring a tattoo shop to Duval Street.  The commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve what is known as a "zoning in progress" doctrine. The doctrine notifies business owners and residents that the city is researching changing zoning laws that could allow tattoo shops and restrict where they are placed. The city's prohibition on tattoo shops was enacted 40 years ago at the request of Navy officials, who did not want sailors getting tattoos. Commissioner Harry Bethel, who sponsored the zoning in progress doctrine, is concerned the law may not hold up in court and that tattoo shops could pop up around the city. "It's an attempt to be proactive in the event you have a desire to allow it or a judge decides to allow it," City Attorney Shawn Smith said.  A group of investors who want to open a tattoo shop called Key West Ink on Duval Street are suing the city, claiming the city regulation violates their constitutional rights to freedom of expression. One of the investors, Jim McAlhany, spoke to commissioners, asking them to work with him instead of fighting him on creating a safe and healthy place for people to get tattoos.  McAlhany invited them to tour his shop on Duval Street, where he said artists are body-painting and painting henna tattoos on people until the tattoo portion of the shop is approved. "We have done everything humanly possible to please you," McAlhany said. "We have done everything to meet public health standards." Several people with tattoos spoke in favor of changing the prohibition on tattoo shops, which they called unconstitutional. "Tattoos are a nationally recognized form of art and protected by the Constitution of the United States," said Jeremy Ford. The owners of Paradise Tattoos on Stock Island told commissioners that they plan to move their business to Duval Street if the law is changed. They spoke in favor of keeping the current law in place.

• Support Our Man In Iraq  Speakin' a pirates, just in case you didn’t know – One of St MinneSomePlace’s own - Our good buddy Bruce Olson is proudly serving our country over in Iraq.   No matter what your personal political views are on the situation - we need to support the men and women who serve our country.  I am sure Bruce would love to hear from his Parrot Head friends so take a few minutes to send him you best wishes.   bruce.edward.olson@us.armymil
   

   

  
   

• More Not So Glowing Reviews Of Landshark Lager   By JEFF OSTROWSKI, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
  For years, Parrot Heads' beer of choice was Corona, the Mexican lager that sponsored Jimmy Buffett's concert tours. Now, Buffett has a new beer sponsor: LandShark Lager. The beer comes in clear bottles that are emblazoned with fins and reflect the laid-back vibe of Buffett, the entrepreneur and singer who lives in Palm Beach. Despite being compared to tap water and called a 'lawn mower beer' by beer critics, it has been selling well at Park Avenue BBQ restaurants. For now the beer is being distributed in Florida only.  At first glance, LandShark looks like a microbrew that's produced by Buffett himself. After all, the name alludes to the Buffett song Fins, the product is displayed prominently on Buffett's Web site and the bottle says the lager is made by Margaritaville Brewing Co. of Jacksonville. But LandShark is brewed by Anheuser-Busch Cos. of St. Louis, although the nation's largest brewer seeks a stealth role. An Anheuser-Busch spokeswoman declined to comment on the product, except to confirm that it's made by the maker of Budweiser and Bud Light.  LandShark isn't the first beer to hide a big brewer's involvement. Anheuser-Busch's Wild Hop Lager and Stone Mill Pale Ale, both organic brews, are marketed as the product of Green Valley Brewing Co.  And Blue Moon, a purported craft beer, in fact is brewed by Molson Coors Brewing Co.  LandShark is available in Margaritaville restaurants and will be sold at Buffett concerts. For now, the beer is being distributed to stores and restaurants only in Florida. A six-pack of LandShark cost $8.09 at Winn-Dixie last week.  Dean Lavallee, owner of the 10 Park Avenue BBQ and Grille restaurants in Palm Beach and Martin counties, said LandShark has been selling briskly at his restaurants  It seems to go well with barbeque," Lavallee said. And while a waiter at his Lake Worth restaurant last month told diners LandShark was made by Jimmy Buffett, Lavallee doesn't fault Anheuser-Busch for hiding its role.  "I see it as smart marketing for them," Lavallee said. "There's kind of a reverse snobbism that says if a big company makes it, it can't be good. If it was called Budweiser LandShark Lager, it probably wouldn't be selling as well."  Reviews of LandShark have been less than glowing. 
  Writing on the United Nations of Beer Web site, reviewer Rob Zerr gave LandShark "a solid two fins down."  "The actual taste is clean enough, but so is tap water," he wrote.  Tallahassee.com beer columnist Doug Blackburn likewise was unimpressed.  "LandShark Lager lacks taste and flavor," he wrote. "At best, it qualifies as a lawn mower beer, a post-workout thirst quencher."

• Mamajuana Update!! Remember when we told you about the Dominican Love Potion Mamjuana?  Well, why am I NOT surprised to know that our good buddy Doug Hendrix has actually sampled the stuff!  Here’s his review of it – and some really great RUM!  Capt.  Patrick
  Since many of you have now had a chance to test my last beverage review of Land Shark lager, (I'm still sticking by my original analysis) "Wezzel Piss" no mater what you ad to it.  I can now give you a pre-release (boy I better watch how I use that term when reviewing this drink) on Don Ramon's new Mamajuana. Been there, had that a few years ago. We were one of the first US groups that took advantage of Sun Country's development of Puerto Plata as a destination. That was back when the Tram was still operating to the top of the highest point in Caribbean, Loma Isabel de Torres. (I've rode some outrageous Trams in my skiing, but this one was nuts) I think they finally closed it. Anyway, back to the Mamajuana: Unless you are a Tofu eatin, bark chompin' Uel Gibbons type this stuff is pretty tough to choke down no matter what the results are "Down Under".   Still a partial bottle left in the Captains Rum Locker, we use it as a dare at patio parties.  The good news for those deciding to head to the DR this year is they have 3 of the finest, rare rums that you should defiantly search out. The resorts pour the islands largest maker Brugal, usually in Anejo style (you usually have to request white rum since this is the tourist drink). The Brugal is great!  But save your shopping trip (and other than Amber, Cigars and Rum, there is little to shop for). Look for Ron Barelo Barelo Imperial, Macorix  8 Anos, or the rarest (may have disappeared in the last few years) Ron Bermudez 1852 Annivesario.  You will be glad you sought them out from under the clerks counter, and leave the Mamajuana left on the shelf to rot.   Oh, and ladies, to compensate while your significant other is searching for the rum to help stimulate the horizontal couch dance, skip the Amber.  Dominican Republic is a source of an even rarer and beautiful stone found only on this island called Larimar. Fantastic, the color of a shallow Caribbean lagoon and much better value and rarer.  Doug Hendrix

• Name Your Vessel Our Pirate Expert Helps steer you on the right course in naming your new Walleye Interceptor – Capt. Patrick
  It’s spring, well maybe soon! But it is boat show season and lets face it, if boat show season is here spring can’t be far behind. So I thought I would tie two of my passions together for a little history of Pirates and their Vessels. Hard to be a pirate without a reliable boat to get you to your prey and it better be well adapted for the pursuit. I think in one of our first articles we discussed the pirates of the Island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) and their choice of smaller, shallow draft boats that were quick and highly maneuverable to catch their prey or run them aground in shallow water.   Prior to the Caribbean Pirates there were the Barbary pirates sailing out of bases in the North African Coast.  They tended to be large boats manned by oarsman and carried all their firepower on the foredeck. Allowing them a unique advantage to boats of that era firing from the side. This allowed them to come at the enemy from behind using sails or rowing in light wind and strike their enemy from a point of a narrow target for their opposition. They were known as Galley’s and typically carried 20-30 oars manned by between 3-6 men on each oar. It also was fitted with one or multiple lateen rigged sails allowing the boat to take advantage of wind or human speed.  But as Piracy spread to the Spanish Main (Caribbean) the best boat was a boat that was in better shape than the one you were sitting on and easily available with limited damage because a shot never had to be taken to win her over.( Sounds like a better plan than dealing with boat salesman and bankers) The Galleon became a popular choice for the pirate attack, they were usually slow moving boats best suited for the shipment of Spanish Treasure. They featured high forecastles, massive stern castle and large holds. This made them heavy, unwieldy and weighing in at 300-500 Ton. The popular choice for the pirate crew was a smaller faster version of the Galleon built by the English and Dutch, race-built for speed and used as escorts to the larger flag ships of a fleet. Sometimes as pirates became more successful they would establish a fleet of their own using the Galleon as a flagship and numerous well-armed naos (carracks) as a swarm of attack boats. So that’s just a few facts, but again its boat show season and what better chance to dream of vessels and great names. So I thought I would give you a little food for thought to name that new equipment. Just about everyone will see “Black Pearl’ or ten moored at the marina. Why not steal a true swashbucklers name for a rig. Below are the Pirates, some famous, some not and their choice of boat names:
  William Kidd :  Adventure Galley

  Henry Every:  Fancy

  Thomas Tew:  Amity

  Stede Bonnet: Revenge

  Edward Teach (Blackbeard): Queen Anne’s Revenge        

  Woodes Rogers:  Duke

  John Hawkins: Jesus of Lubeck  

  Charles Vane: Ranger

  Sir Henry Morgan: Oxford

  Edward England: Pearl

  William Moody: Rising Sun                    

  Howell Davis: Saint James

  Bartholomew Roberts: Royal Fortune      

  Francis Drake: Golden Hind

  Samuel Bellamy: Whydah         

  Jean Laffite: Intrepide

  George Lowther: Happy Delivery

  Capt Doug: Scourge of the Upper Lake Mtka: Comatose
  Doug Hendrix

• Cocktails At SunUp  Thanks to my good friend Mark Olson for giving me yet another cocktail to enhance my enjoyment of St. Patrick’s Day! Patrick Pensis
  Irish Martini
  3oz Jameson
  Vermouth (leave it in the cabinet this is an Irish Martini)
  Pour  over ice and shake not stir for 1 minute (that is one thing that bloody brit Bond got right). Pour into a martini glass....enjoy!  Doubles are encouraged but not recommended for any but the Irish. If you prefer a kilt of a different color substitute Famous Grouse Scotch – Mark Olson