-because the backup isn't working on my computer
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This is where you stick random tidbits of information about yourself.
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michael's online article storage
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Tuesday, July 01, 2003
by michael parker for the Rapid River Monthly
-see this month's issue for dinner party advice plus the article the publisher made me write about Tripp's
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DRINKING FOR CHARITY june 2003
- with apologies to Carter
Even if the warm weather was late this spring, the first Downtown After
Five happened on schedule on Friday, May 16. It was earlier that day I was
telling someone how I preferred it to the Bele Chere festival for two reasons:
the crowd is mostly familiar faces, and you don't have to buy one of those
damned wristbands to enjoy a beer.
Well, I spoke too soon. There I was standing in the beer line when I saw
the "w" word on a sign. Fortunately I was there to see it before the crowd came;
many of them did not see the sign until after waiting in a long line.
Since being an adult was not good enough, a wristband had to be purchased
for a dollar to then go back and stand in line to buy a beer. This encourages
the rude stereotype that somehow beer drinkers are a threat that must be
controlled, or that because a few who may fall into temptation under the
influence of beer, all adults should be distrusted to this point. When people
who are closer to hip replacements than adolescence are put to this, is it any
wonder that airport security comes to mind?
If there was an upside to it, it was that the money went to the charity
Meals on Wheels, but forcing adults to donate to a charity in order to be
allowed to purchase a beer is akin to the medieval Church's sale of indulgences.
I wonder if the Beck Decision could get me my dollar back.
In spite of all my fuss, there was one terrific thing going on in those
beer lines. The lines for locally brewed Highland Brewery ales were longer than
the lines for the Andheuser-Busch products. That speaks well not just for the
brewery, but also for the people attending this event. The semi-popular bumper
sticker "Support your local brewery" has evidently had its good influence.
Supporting your local art museum will at the summer's end be a choice
(choice!) for those of you interested in a wine tasting fundraiser. On Friday,
September 12 the Asheville Art Museum and Pack Place will host a large, stand-up social wine tasting. The event will be somewhat like the annual Nouveau Night, but the wines featured will be, if I have any influence, a wide variety of Spanish and Italians that you will actually want to purchase in quantity.
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A SYNOPSIS OF THE SOCIAL SCENE july 2003
-and wines to improve your own scene
This is written for Olivia, 18 years old, who attended a big party full
of adults who were drinking alcoholic beverages. She was asked to promise
not to ask for or accept any alcoholic beverages, and she kept her promise.
This is what happens when young people are made to understand that adults
can do what younger people cannot. See? All that and it didn't even require
a wristband.
I want to avoid this month ranting again about that, however, it begs
reporting that a great number of adults dislike standing in two lines to
purchase a beer, especially when being forced to make a donation to a
charity in order to buy a beer lends an element of guilt to something we
have not just the right to do, but to something where there is no wrong
being done.
A wristband policy of course does not totally diminish the good times
we have here, and let it be restated that we have great wealth in Asheville
when it comes to our gatherings. I don't know where else in any of our
border states and beyond that one can attend an outdoor event such as
Downtown After Five and literally walk not thirty feet (and frequently not
even ten) before seeing a familiar face.
Compare that to a recent event in Charlotte, which was actually a
promotion for a men's magazine and one of those beers with the "born on"
date. The event was publicized as highly exclusive and required bouncers and
VIP passes. The Charlotte people were dropping names, begging, lying, and
cheating to get in, but once in, they were suddenly too cool to be there.
In spite of the impressive, high-tech setup and great music, even the
go-go dancers didn't seem to be into their roles. The men, half still in
their bank clothes with ties removed, stood around like deer in headlights
while the women looked over their shoulders to see if there was someone else
in a more expensive dress shirt. It was a pleasure to cut the trip short to
return to Asheville in time for Downtown After Five.
Next, what do you get when you combine a dentist in a diva gown
accented with plastic fruit and a flamboyant Mexican hairdresser with a red
carpet? You get what many consider the best party of the recent Big Orange
Ball, which raised more than sixty thousand dollars for the Asheville Area
Arts Council. That fact that they could construct a fashion show runway and
actually get their guests to work it, work it, work it, is testament to the
fact that Ashevillians do have more fun as much as it tells that soliciting
the sponsorship of Skyy Vodka might help the Charlotte parties get a "born
on" date of their own.
This month's list largely made possible by Scott. Thanks for sharing:
Lurton, Pinot Gris, Mendoza, Argentina 2002 ($8) 13% Estate bottled. I
knew on sight this chardonnay alternative would please, and I am going to
drink a lot of this over the summer, because it has a lot of flavor, some
citrus, some almost peachy.
Graham Beck, Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa 2002 ($8) 12.5% This is a
super alternative the New Zealand sauvignons which I have long loved for
their typically grass and citrus flavors. A bargain at eight dollars.
Evolution by Sokol Blosser, American White Wine, 6th Edition ($16)
11.5% This wine is weird, but a good kind of weird. It is for those who
study wine and look for the quirks. If you like Vinho Verde from Portugal,
then this white is for you and your spicy food. It is made from nine white
varietals, including such weird grapes as Muller-Thurgau and Sylvaner from
different regions. (That explains the "American White Wine" statement.)
Chateau Mas Neuf, Costeires de Nimes 2001 ($8) 13% This red is an
exceptional value, ripe, with enough fruit to almost make you think it a
little sweet at the start. Their white and pink are also worth checking at
the same price.
Vallado, Vihno Tinto, Douro, Portugal 2000 ($15) 14.5% For two
vintages, this is one of my favorite all-time reds. Remember that being
Portuguese does not mean it is Port. This is a dry, full, elegant dinner red
that really does not need any ageing. It is already smooth enough in spite
of its concentration.
Bendigo, Shiraz, Water Wheel Vineyards, Victoria, Australia 2001 ($16)
14.5% Wow. Just when I thought I was getting over shiraz and my appetite was
shifting to cab/shiraz blends, this wine is rich, does not overdo the black
pepper, and has a tannin structure that is strong enough for a man, but.
Delectus, Syrah, Terra Alta Vineyard, Lodi, California 1999 ($25) 14.1%
If you are shopping for something to age, here you go. It is certainly not
ready yet. To open it now is to lose your money, but this wine will be
glorious after three or so more years. It reminds me of the 2000 Vacqueras
from Perrin ($18) already twice recommended for ageing.
4:38 AM
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