Category Archives: The Less Desirables Network

Now Normal Chronicles Podcast Edition or: Zooming

06 Monday Apr 2020

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Salutations™!!

I recorded three podcasts today. The Man Who Ate the Town, which I do every Monday, with Ray, Lea (who does Winston-Salem Strong with me) and Daniel Butner from Carrabba’s Italian Grill. We talked about the “list” and all the cool and good things that Daniel is doing. ZoomLogo_112b8a4

Then, Bethany, Danielle and I pre-recorded The Less Desirables, which will be released on Wednesday. We talked about the crisis and how it is affecting us.

Finally, Clay and I recorded episode #4 of Beeswax Vinyl & More. I’m going to post that (along with Wheeler’s Dog’s latest) tomorrow.

When we were recording TLD, I mentioned that I was going to ask for sponsorships for a year’s subscription to the full-on version of Zoom. The one that doesn’t cut off parties of three or more after 40 minutes. I have more control over rooms and more control over what goes on. It will help my business greatly as I can use it to record podcasts from anywhere. Danielle sent me the money almost immediately and I turned around immediately and purchased the paid version. So, from this point on, at least until April of next year, every TLD Network podcast that is recorded using Zoom will be “sponsored by Bull’s Tavern.” She’s awesome.

So, let’s do a podcast. Got an idea and don’t want to leave your house? No worries. Let’s do it remotely. Send me a message and let’s set this up.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Simplified video conferencing and messaging across any device.” – Zoom

The Now Normal or: The List Goes On

24 Tuesday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!

Dear Reader, I’m apologizing to you upfront for the fact that I’m going to continue to inundate you with links to “the list.”

The list is the work of Lea Metz and myself, searching for what food and beverage businesses are doing in WSNC. Lea (pronounced Lee-ah, like my sister except hers if spelled with an “h”) joined Ray and me for The Man Who Ate the Town podcast yesterday. We all practiced social distancing and were each on a Zoom chat, Lea in WSNC and Ray in Mt. Airy and I was in the studio. You can hear that episode here.

I produce the Forsyth Mags podcast and was actually a guest on it this morning and talked about the list, as well. You can hear that episode here.

Technically, there are two different lists but that’s only for style and web usage. The data collected therein is shared between Lea and me. Nothing goes on that list unless we have discussed it with the other of us. We have had a great response and are still having people contact us to make sure their business (or a favorite of theirs) is on the list.

It has been shared and/or used by WXII, The Winston-Salem Journal, Yes! Weekly, and multiple Facebook and social media groups. I actually had someone text me today that said the executives at RJ Reynolds was using our list and had used/added it to their “teams” list. I am proud of this list and I know that Lea is, too. We talk about it all day every day, now. Someone is working on it now to make it more dynamic for cell phones and we will turn it into an app as soon as we can. We’re working on that, too. So, to update you on the list, you can find it here.

Thanks again for reading it and listening and for spending money at the local F&B businesses.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Hope this is over soon and we get to see you here.” – Nui Nui

Day Three Quarantine or: More Food News

19 Thursday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!man who ate the town Stallone

Today was another day of working from home but like the last two days, I’ve been working on the food list. It’s been hard work but I published it. There’s the blog post that I started and then there’s the services list that I put on my The Man Who Ate the Town website. It’s the most comprehensive list for WSNC that I’ve seen. Lea Metz, a friend who has ties to the food industry and I have (and will continue to) worked our butts off on this.

You can see the update here.

I’m going to bed, now.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Great info and very helpful” – Alice Dodson

Day Two or: More Food Stuffs

18 Wednesday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!

20200317_155633

Over the last two days, I have written more blog posts at TMWATT and definitely have edited one more than any other post that I’ve ever done. And, we are still hanging out working here at home, The BCPF and I. Working from home for both of us have been really busy. She’s been dealing with canceling functions through her work because of the “illness-that-shall-not-be-named” and I have been doing all the updates for the food and beverage industry.

We’re hanging in, though. If you want to catch up on that list, you can do so here.

I also posted a TLD episode today. You can hear that here.

Until tomorrow, wash your damn hands!
Scorp out!

—
“Thank you for doing what you do!” – Chelsea Tart

The Buzz Around the Return or: More Closings

16 Monday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!

Beeswax and More Logo Large

First, I am happy to announce that Clay and I recorded the first new episode of Beeswax Vinyl & More podcast since August of last year today. It was a bit rough but a few things factored into that. One, Clay and I were practicing “Social Distancing” and he was on Zoom with me. Two, we kind of just stumbled through things because we had an opportunity to do it and where we have not done it in seven months, we had to “reacquaint ourselves with our styles” to (somewhat) quote Paul Stanley. Just a lot of stuff going on in the world and we touched on it and some other things. We’ll be back to recording regularly, I hope. Listen to that episode here.

Also, today, Ray and I practiced “Social Distancing” with him at home in Mt. Airy and me in the studio. We do that every week so it was “business as usual.” Well, at least in the recording department. These last few weeks have been anything but “business as usual.” The COVID-19 thing is some serious business and the world is shutting down right now. Anywhat! Listen to TMWATT here.

Last week I provided an update from the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. Today I am offering their latest update:

To join with the broader community in responding appropriately to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will temporarily close, to public access, the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (“Rhodes Center”) and the Hanesbrands Theatre, beginning Tuesday, March 17, until further notice. All previously scheduled performances, exhibitions and other events at these venues have been cancelled or postponed.

The Rhodes Center includes the Sawtooth School for Visual Arts and Coffee Park, as well as The Arts Council’s own Reynolds Place Theatre, Mountcastle Forum/Theatre, Arboreal Gallery, Community Arts Gift Shop and
Every Corner Gallery.

The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are disruptive and challenging, and the entire community must make sacrifices in order to be safe and protect each other. We must comply with the safety protocols established by public authorities, and we should be proactive otherwise to help ensure the well-being of family, friends and the community at large.

At the same time, we must all strive to maintain, as much as possible, the elements of the social infrastructure of our community that have made it a great place to live, work, learn and place. There will be an aftermath of the current crisis, despite its near-term adversities, and we want our community to emerge with vibrancy and optimism comparable to before the crisis.

Accordingly, The Arts Council’s staff will continue to work during the temporary public-access closure of our venues – although we will do so remotely to the extent possible – in sustained pursuit of our mission to support and serve this community’s constellation of amazing arts organizations and artists. Even in the current crisis, the arts remain sources of comfort, inspiration and even physical well-being. Our arts constellation remains a valuable asset of this community, and we want it to shine brightly when the crisis has passed.

Please continue to reach out to us about matters of interest, as you would have done in the past, except do so via phone, email or online for the time being, rather than dropping by the Rhodes Center for a visit. Our mission to help extend the beneficial impacts of the arts to “touch every corner” of our community is unaffected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Until tomorrow, stay safe and wash your damn hands…
Scorp out!

—
“Our mission to help extend the beneficial impacts of the arts to ‘touch every corner’ of our community is unaffected by the COVID-19 crisis.” – Arts Council WS/FC

Seriousness or: Postponement Et Al

13 Friday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is a sad day. Heck, this week has been a sad week, with the exception of my Sweetie’s birthday yesterday. But, with the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic being called, the markets plummeting to “near-nothingness,” sports seasons being postponed or canceled altogether, the entity(ies) that owe me money still do so, etc. It’s just been hard.

I worry about my restaurant friends and my freelancer friends and my gig-economy friends and even myself that relies on public participation to pay my bills. How long will this go on? How long with it continue? What will be left after it passes? A lot of questions to be answered. And, while I try not to talk politics, the ineffectuality of the government agencies to take care of us other than canceling everything (when it could have done more in the beginning except for a certain figurehead that just wants to wish/will it away)… here we sit. And here is the lay of the land. Bleak. It’s mighty bleak.

But, that’s not all. Staples in our communities are pulling back or flat-out canceling their events due to “an abundance of caution.” I understand and support that. But, it doesn’t make it any easier. Because of what I do, I get a lot of pressers in my inbox. And today, alone, I got three (with more most likely coming). First:

RiverRun International Film FestivalRiverRun

RiverRun International Film Festival is committed to the health and safety of our attendees, volunteers, staff, and community. The widespread health concern about COVID-19 is a reminder of the global nature of our daily lives and interactions. Given the latest news and the request to not convene groups over 100, we must announce the cancellation of the 2020 RiverRun International Film Festival. While we will greatly miss seeing everyone come together to celebrate the diverse global stories reflected in our films, we place a greater priority on the wellbeing of our constituents.

Once it is safe to reconvene and for our guests to travel, we hope to schedule a few mini-fests in the coming year to highlight some of the great films that were part of this year’s program. For donors and sponsors with badges and vouchers, please retain those and use them at our year-round screenings.

“The entire RiverRun team had worked tirelessly on what was shaping up to be one of our best festivals ever,” RiverRun Executive Director Rob Davis said. “We are saddened for the filmmakers and creators who we had looked forward to celebrating, but the health and safety of our community must be the priority.”

We offer two options for ticket buyers. You can request a refund through the Stevens Center Box Office, but we hope you will consider the value of your purchase as a donation to RiverRun. You can request a refund or indicate your preference to donate by contacting the Stevens Center Box Office online at boxoffice@uncsa.edu or by phone at 336-721-1945. Refunds for tickets purchased at RED Cinemas in Greensboro will be processed by the RED Cinemas box office. All requests for ticket refunds must be made by April 15.

RiverRun thanks the entire community for its support and looks forward to seeing everyone at our year-round screenings and at the 23rd RiverRun International Film Festival April 8-18, 2021.

**

But, wait, there’s more…

a/perture cinemaaperture2

Dear friends,

In our desire to do everything we can to keep our community healthy, a/perture cinema will be closing today Friday, March 13 through at least April 3 and until we know that it is safe to gather audiences together for the art of film. All scheduled special event programming and regular film screenings during this time are now canceled or postponed. This decision has been reached after much deliberation and in acknowledgment of a/perture cinema’s place as a community destination for film.

Despite having recently implemented increased sanitation and other precautionary measures, a/perture believes the best course of action at this time is a temporary closure. By voluntarily closing at least into April, a/perture cinema is prioritizing the health and safety of customers, staff, and the community at large, including vulnerable populations.

Public support is especially appreciated during this time and will help a/perture to reopen with minimal disruption as soon as it is acceptable to do so – memberships and financial donations will still be accepted.

a/perture cinema appreciates the community’s understanding and patience during this unprecedented time. a/perture looks forward to resuming business and welcoming customers back to the cinema upon reopening. In the meantime, please visit the a/perture cinema website for updates regarding rescheduled special events and films and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with us while we are physically closed.

**

And…

Piedmont OperaPO logo

Piedmont Opera always considers its patrons in every decision it makes, and today, it makes one that concerns your physical health. Yesterday, both North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Allen Joines, The Mayor of Winston-Salem, advised against gatherings of more than 100 people in an effort to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. With this in mind, we must announce that we are canceling our performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.

As we approached this decision, we examined all other possibilities. We spoke with Concord Theatricals, who holds the performing rights to The King and I, about live streaming the production to our patrons, but permission was denied. We evaluated rescheduling the production, but it was both calendar and cost-prohibitive. We were left with no choice.

“The cast, crew and staff are so saddened with this news. So many people, from professional singers to four-year-old children were making their debut on our stage,” said Piedmont Opera’s General Director James Allbritten. “As much as our community could use the ‘shot in the arm’ that this beautiful production would have given, it cannot be at risk of our patron’s health.”

In consideration of the state’s request that organizers be lenient in their return policy, Piedmont Opera is bypassing its usual no-return policy and will offer patrons two options. We hope that you will consider turning your purchase into a donation to support the company in this most challenging time. While the production has been canceled, the company will still have to bear the sizeable cost of producing this show, as we were only days from opening. You may also request a refund or indicate your preference to donate by contacting the Piedmont Opera box office at boxoffice@piedmontopera.org. Piedmont Opera has a very small staff and requests that you use this email address only to make your request. Please be patient. All requests for refunds must be made by March 27, 2020. After March 27th, tickets will be automatically converted into donations, and the purchaser will receive a letter for a tax deduction.

Piedmont Opera wishes everyone good health and a healthy return to the vibrant arts scene here in Winston-Salem, The City of the Arts.

Such worrisome and discouraging news. Remember folks, wash your damn hands!! You can prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limited physical contact with others, washing your hands, thoroughly with real soap and warm water and wipe down your phones, remotes, keyboards, mouse, etc. Just wash your hands!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“As much as our community could use the ‘shot in the arm’ that this beautiful production would have given, it cannot be at risk of our patron’s health.” – James Allbritten, General Director, Piedmont Opera

It’s Monday or: The Ensuing Crash

09 Monday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!

It’s Monday, which means that there are podcasts to promote. The latest The Man Who Ate the Town is out as is the latest The Beer Dads Podcast. I would, as would the co-hosts of them, appreciate a listen. Click the name to go to the latest episodes.

Good hygiene - a great habit

Wash your hands!!

Now, I know we have heard this ad nauseam over the last few weeks and we will continue to hear it over the next few. But, I am going to reiterate the importance of proper self-care and hygiene. While we hear more and more folks, talking heads and government going on and on about the COVID-19 coronavirus, just wash your hands. 

I get it, you’re (mostly) adults and don’t need people telling you how to wash your hands, sneeze into your elbow, be mindful about how much you touch your face and so on. Well, here’s the thing. You’re not just keeping yourself safe, you’re keeping me safe. You’re keeping your loved ones, your children, your significant others, your friends and people you may never officially meet, safe. It’s not about you. It’s about all of us!!

Our mothers taught us how to wash our hands, at least they should have. Imagine you’re going into surgery and you have to wash your hands. Imagine you’re going to fix a sandwich and wash your hands. Even yet, imagine someone is making you a sandwich. Wouldn’t you want them to wash their hands like they were going into surgery before making it, touching your food? Yes.

So, when you’re washing, the old cliche is that wash until you’ve sung happy birthday. Well, you get tired of singing happy birthday. I do. So, switch it up. Anything that is around 20-30 seconds long will work. Sing the verse through the chorus of “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” from Pink Floyd. Sing the chorus of “Africa” from Toto. Recite the intro monologue of Star Trek: “Space: the final frontier…” part. Sing the verse through the chorus of “Rock N Roll All Nite” from KISS. Whatever, I don’t care what you sing, just wash your danged hands! Do it for all of us!

Until tomorrow, stay safe…
Scorp out!

—
“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before!” – Captain James T. Kirk

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 3/7/20

08 Sunday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!

Early to rise and out the door. The BCPF and I went to Young Cardinal Cafe (again) and had a fantastic breakfast. We then went to Underdog Records and got just a few records and came home to listen. It was a good day. Happy Daylight Saving Time. There’s the haul:

Thecautionhorses

©RCA

  • Cowboy Junkies – The Caution Horses — The BCPF’s and my first date was to see Cowboy Junkies in Charlotte. This is from 1990 and, while a cut-out, was still sealed and so we are taking it as new. I’ll admit that CJ isn’t my favorite stuff. I like the folky aspect but some of it gets a little annoying. But, The BCPF likes them, a lot, and that was our first date, so… New/NM.
  • Depeche Mode – Speak & Spell — The remastered, reissue of DMode’s debut album. It was the only one to feature founder Vince Clarke before he went on to form Yaz/Yazoo! with Allison Moyet and then Erasure with Andy Bell. The big hit on this album is “Just Can’t Get Enough.” I love me some synth-pop/synth-heavy music, especially from this era. New.
  • Bob Dylan – Street-Legal — Whew… Dylan. I’m just… I don’t know. This is late-70s electric Dylan and while it wasn’t bad… I just cannot get into it. One thing I did find interesting, though, on the back cover, it looks like Bob is doing his best Alice Cooper imitation. VG+.
  • The Cuff Links – Tracy — It turns out that the Cuff Links was pretty much just one of many projects by Ron Dante. The title track reached #9 on the charts in 1969. All the rich vocal harmonization was done by Dante, himself. When this got to the charts, the #1 song was “Sugar, Sugar” by the Archies (modeled after the comic strip/book) and guess who was the head of that? Yep, Dante. So, it was just a lot of his playing around, which I can certainly respect. I’d do it. I have done it. So… VG+.

It was a very small haul this week, but Record Store Day is coming up, the list has been released, and I am having to save my collection money for that as we are up to 21 titles that we want. The average cost of these records can be around $25-30 and that’s a good chunk of change. We will pare down the list as the day gets closer and I figure what I can do without. The BCPF will have to do the same. If something comes along that I have to have before RSD, then I’ll buy it but my buying will probably continue to be light for the next little bit. You should go by and see what they have and what I’m leaving for you to buy! Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to see what the TLD/UR special of the week is. Use Discogs to catalog your collection. The “random” feature is pretty cool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“We walk together, we’re walking down the street. And I just can’t get enough. And I just can’t get enough. Every time I think of you, I know we have to meet. And I just can’t get enough. And I just can’t get enough.” – “Just Can’t Get Enough” (Clarke)

New Eps or: The Network

02 Monday Mar 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday The Less Desirables Network released three episodes of the latest podcasts from The Man Who Ate the Town, The Beer Dads and Wheeler’s Dog. tldn screen 3320

I think they were all good spots but then again, I’m pretty biased.

You can listen to each of those if you visit the TLD Network page here. And, it isn’t just the three latest eps from the shows, but nearly all of the past shows in the order they were submitted.

It’s good stuff!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“We do have rum but she’s been abusing the hell out of it…” – Wheeler’s Dog Podcast Episode 4

Non-Silent Sunday or: The Day After

01 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in Beer, Food, Life as We Know It, Podcasting, Spirits, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I did go to Underdog Records yesterday but we were out of our house from 10a until 10p and didn’t get to listen to any records. I just put them in my Discogs and that will be tomorrow’s post. Today, however, I have to recap an awesome Saturday.

 

Huevos Rancheros
Young Cardinal Breakfast

We started with breakfast at the brand-new Young Cardinal Cafe on Fourth Street, downtown. I had eaten there the day before for their first day and knew that I had to take The BCPF so she could try it. Great food, great quantity and great price. All a plus! I had the Huevos Rancheros and she had the Young Cardinal Breakfast.

We then went to Underdog Records and scored a huge haul but we didn’t get to come home to listen to any of it, as I stated earlier. Collage 2020-03-01 10_10_54

It was time to go judge The Big Sip’s Mac-n-Cheese festival. We had a lot of mac-n-chz and a lot of beer and spirits. A lot of both!! We met up with some good friends, we met some new friends and we just had a grand ol’ time. I got to sing on stage a little with Doug Davis (yes that Doug Davis), which is never a bad thing. But, eating a big breakfast and then all that mac-n-cheese? What was I thinking?

Then it was on to the annual TLD Post-Holiday/Anniversary Party at Finnigan’s Wake. We had a gracious host in Opie and our server Rachael, whom I called Rachael-By-The-Way (inside joke), took amazing care of us. We ended up with about 22 people, which is where I was hoping to have it. Only Bethany and Tracy were there from any of the Network shows but I’ll admit that I really didn’t put a lot of backing behind promoting it.

First, I had forgotten to even schedule it and then I forgot to promote it outside of the invitations on the first day. It wasn’t a lack of want or interest, I have just been slammed and that’s how it goes. That’s also what we’d call “careful what you wish for.” But, I’ve no complaints.

I want to thank Bethany, her daughter Bri; West End Poke/Burke Street Pizza/Quiet Pint/Uncle Buzzy’s (RIP) owner Dave Hillman and his lady friend Susie (or Suzy); The TLD Beer Guru C. Jay Platt and the Barley Babe Dory; Tracy and her date, Sean; Jordan Googe; Teleporter Extraordinaire Jeff Davids and his wife, Lynda’ my dear friend Elizabeth Nance; Maria and Rich Holbein; Brad and Faith Ward; Dale Cole; Kevin Heath; Angela and Hector Ruiz for coming to celebrate with me.

Danielle planned to come but one of the perils of owning a business is that you have to be there for it first and foremost. She was caught up at work. The Beer Dads both had prior commitments, Ray from TMWATT had a pastor’s retreat, Ty from Fan Interference had a WF softball game to call, and Apartment 5B’s Jeff Evans and Rory… well, I’m not really sure where they were, but I’m sure they were doing something important.

I am so proud of my “little podcast that could” and am very proud of what it has become. I look forward to another 10 years.

20200229_125947-01

One of the coolest things (of the many cool things) that happened yesterday was being introduced to someone who realized that I was from the podcast that she had just listened to. She pulled up her phone to show me that she was subscribed to TLD and since I had on my shirt, we had to take a pic of it. I can’t remember her name and I hate that, but it’s cool that I got to meet her.

 

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Building relationships is what it is all about. I enjoyed The Less Desirables Annual Post-Holiday/Anniversary Party!” – Angela Ruiz