Tag Archives: Friends

Friend Friday or: King of the Wind

17 Friday Jan 2020

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Salutations™!!

Remember when you used to do the #FF on Twitter just a few years back? It stood for Follow Friday or Friend Friday (according to who you asked) and as far as I can tell, no one really does that any longer and whilst I’ll admit I was slack on that on Twitter, I will also say that Twitter isn’t my main social media platform and I just didn’t do it. But, I think it was a good idea and I’d like to pick that back up, except do it here on this blog.

I have a slew of friends that are interesting folks. They may have businesses, they may be musicians, they may just be eclectic as heck, whatever! I just think they need to be highlighted more because they bring awesomeness to the world and we’re lucky to have them here in WSNC.PWS

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This week, on The Less Desirables, we had Monique Ferrell Smith and Anthony Tang, the Executive Director and board of directors member, respectively, of the Piedmont Wind Symphony on as our guests.

The Piedmont Wind Symphony, now in its 30th season, is led by Musical Director and Conductor, Matthew Troy. Maestro Troy is not only a very talented conductor and musician but he’s just a great dude. His cast of musicians is based on wind instruments and other than a few outliers here and there, the Piedmont Wind Symphony has no stringed instruments.

PWS logoThe PWS started in 1990 when Rob Simon put together a group of musicians, that included educators and students, to perform compositions for wind instruments and ensembles. Simon was the man on the platform for many years. Matthew Troy came along in 2015, after a stint as the Associate Conductor with the Winston-Salem Symphony from 2009-2014.

As I said, this is their 30th season and already this season they have had two fantastic shows. The first was Along the Silk Road in September. It featured music from Pakistan, India, Korea and China as well as some Puccini and one of my favorite classical composers, Camille Saint-Saens. There was also a musical story that was recited, but I can’t remember the narrator’s name.

The next event was this past November when they presented Chaplin Meets Sousa featuring some bombastic selections from the march-master, himself, John Phillip Sousa and Maestro Troy and his cast also provided the music for two Charlie Chaplin shorts, The Immigrant and The Adventurer. 

I call Matthew Troy a friend and I have to say that just watching him conduct this ensemble is as much a spectacle as a rock concert can be. He is always energetic, fun, and brings majesty from those he conducts. They have fun with him and you can tell. As I told Monique, I had the whole seat but I only need the edge of it when watching him. I’ve never been a Sousa fan but the November show changed that. You can feel emotion and dynamics with your ears.

Next Friday, January 24, PWS will hold their annual fundraising gala with the theme of “It Happened One Night” and even though we’re heading into the “roaring 20s,” PWS is bringing the 30s (because of their 30th season, get it?) and the film It Happened One Night is from 1934. This means that 30s-inspired attire is expected as well as other theming. The gala will be held at the Millennium Center in downtown WSNC. Tickets are $125 per person and will include food, fun and frolic. And, there will be beer and wine, as well.

You can purchase your tix by visiting here.

Now, you know I feature my sponsors on here, a good bit. Well, this is different. In this instance, I am the sponsor. I am a media sponsor so it is my job to promote them, but this is an honest and heartfelt (and was not asked to make it) recommendation.

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Are you familiar with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King & I? It’s a musical that is based on Margaret Landon’s book Anna and the King of Siam. It’s also the presentation from Piedmont Opera that is coming in March. PO logo

Piedmont Opera has been an advertising client of The Less Desirables for a few years, now. PO has a few years on Piedmont Wind Symphony. Where PWS started in 1990, PO started in the late 1970s by Norman Johnson. It’s in its 41st season now.

According to their website, “Piedmont Opera produces the highest quality opera productions possible by using international, national, regional and local professional singers and technicians.”

I remember the first time I went to the opera. I was a senior in high school and the chorus class went to see The Marriage of Figaro. I drove and took a friend of mine with me. It was one of the first times I ventured downtown, too. I really enjoyed seeing the production. They did it in Italian (I think) and then they did this “rewind” thing and then did it in English. After the show, my friend and I went to my car and because she didn’t know you had to lift the handle to lock the door, it wasn’t locked and someone was able to get into my truck and steal my stereo and cassettes. That sucked but the opera experience was great. The last one I saw, Tosca they actually had subtitles so you could understand what was going on.

PO KingThe Piedmont Opera has now done over 48 different productions to an audience of over 150,000 people. I hope to have someone from PO to talk about The King & I in early March.

If you are thinking that you have to “dress up” for either the PO or PWS, think again. Both are more concerned with your butts in the seats than how fancy you can dress. Not, that you’re discouraged from dressing up. By all means, knock yourself out. It’s just not necessary.

Both PO and PWS, along with about 40 other arts organizations in WSNC/Forsyth County are participating in the year-long event, “Beethoven Rocks Winston-Salem.” You know I’ll be talking more about that over the next year. This is a big deal because this year would have been (in my best Alex de Large voice), Ludwig Van’s 250th birthday. So, you’ll hear Piedmont Opera doing Beethoven’s Fidelio along with the Winston-Salem Symphony and Piedmont Wind Symphony will be doing “Extreme Beethoven” from Johan de Meij in their concert in March.

You can purchase tix to the Piedmont Opera’s The King & I here.

As I mentioned, Piedmont Opera is an advertiser and thus I may get compensation from them, however, this is, again, an honest and heartfelt (and was not asked to make it) recommendation.

I hope you’ll visit my friends soon, not just Fridays, and help local businesses and local business owners and hey, you can get good beverages and delicious pies! Thanks for reading about my friends.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Our Vision is to be the finest opera company of our size in the nation and acknowledged as the best at what we do.” – Piedmont Opera

Friend Friday or: Beans and Beer

10 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in Friend Friday, Life as We Know It, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

Remember when you used to do the #FF on Twitter just a few years back? It stood for Follow Friday or Friend Friday (according to who you asked) and as far as I can tell, no one really does that any longer and whilst I’ll admit I was slack on that on Twitter, I will also say that Twitter isn’t my main social media platform and I just didn’t do it. But, I think it was a good idea and I’d like to pick that back up, except do it here on this blog.

I have a slew of friends that are interesting folks. They may have businesses, they may be musicians, they may just be eclectic as heck, whatever! I just think they need to be highlighted more because they bring awesomeness to the world and we’re lucky to have them here in WSNC.WashingtonPerk_logo_250px

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If you’re in the Downtown WSNC area and need to get your milk, sugar, peanut butter, beer, wine, soft drinks, napkins, paper towels, fresh fruit, potato chips, toilet paper, coffee, a latte, a good sandwich and many other “provisions,” then there’s really one place you need to know about. That place is Washington Perk and Provision Company.

Washington Perk and Provision Company started in the Washington Park area and expanded into the downtown area when an art gallery became available in the Chatham Building at the corner of Fourth and Cherry. They sold the original location and are focusing on the downtown location.

They buy fresh fruit several times a week. They have a wall of beer and wine, much of it locally brewed and fermented. Ashe County Cheese can be found in the coolers at the Perk. Mexican Coca-Cola is sold at the Perk and that’s made with real sugar, not that nasty high-fructose corn syrup that most of our Cokes have. Le Bleu water in various sizes. Milk, butter, cheese and probably other dairy items from Homeland Creamery.

All the toiletries that you may need are available at the Perk, too. Get toothpicks, napkins, hot sauces and canned goods right there.

They have a full coffee shop for your latte and Americano needs. This includes various teas and drips, too.

There are several varieties of potato chips, cheese puffs and other bagged goodies in the back of the store. They have dried fruits, bread and other various munchies.

One of the best parts is the deli counter in the back that can make you a fantastic sandwich and they’re really affordable. One of my faves is the “Italian Stallion” which is a few Italian-style deli types of meat on a hoagie roll with cheese and whatever fixings you want.

Lastly, but not least(ly?), there’s Wolfie’s Custard. They purchased the company a few years back and they have around 15-20 different flavors. Most of those you can get in cold weather as well as always in the warm weather.

Washington Perk and Provision Company is located at 401 W Fourth Street in Downtown WSNC.

Full disclosure, Washington Perk and Provision Company has the distinction of being the only dual sponsor of both The Less Desirables and The Man Who Ate the Town podcasts. So, I may get compensation from them, however, this is an honest and heartfelt (and was not asked to make it) recommendation.

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Around the corner from the Perk, on Fifth Street, is Small Batch Beer Company.

Small Batch BeerSmall Batch started back in 2014 and before they opened, the (then) three partners Ryan, Tim and Cliff contacted The Less Desirables about coming on and talking about their beer and brewery. They were one of the pioneers of the downtown beer scene (after Foothills, of course) and took an old favorite location and turned into a modern place that brings liquid goodness to the masses.

They started a little smaller and have grown to 12 taps of both “favorites” and rotating varieties. They started serving food after a year or so of being open and then expanded to a whole new joint that focused on burgers and fancy milkshakes. They pulled back on that and now have a “ramen” place in the former burger space that is open a few days of the week. But, they still have some burgers on the food menu and you can order from them via Uber Eats, DoorDash and other delivery services.

Tim has bought out Cliff and Ryan and has kept the beer going strong. Their brews are solid and being in the location is pretty cool, too. It’s easily accessible from the Marriott, Embassy Suites, the Benton Convention Center, and everywhere downtown.

Small Batch Beer is located at 241 W Fifth Street and is waiting to serve you a great “cold one” as well as wine and a full ABC selection.

Small Batch was the first presenting sponsor of The Beer Dads podcast. I appreciate them and their support. They are no longer that sponsor so everything I say about them is an honest and unsolicited recommendation. Give them a shot!

I hope you’ll visit my friends soon, not just Fridays, and help local businesses and local business owners and hey, you can get good beverages and delicious pies! Thanks for reading about my friends.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Small Batch Beer Co. is a brewery and handcrafted cocktail bar in downtown Winston-Salem, NC. We screen the beautiful game (soccer/futbol) on our projector every weekend.” – Small Batch Beer

Friend Saturday or: Hey(day), Let’s Get Graphic

04 Saturday Jan 2020

Posted by in Friend Friday, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

Note I did this on Saturday this week so I could give a good write up…

Remember when you used to do the #FF on Twitter just a few years back? It stood for Follow Friday or Friend Friday (according to who you asked) and as far as I can tell, no one really does that any longer and whilst I’ll admit I was slack on that on Twitter, I will also say that Twitter isn’t my main social media platform and I just didn’t do it. But, I think it was a good idea and I’d like to pick that back up, except do it here on this blog.

I have a slew of friends that are interesting folks. They may have businesses, they may be musicians, they may just be eclectic as heck, whatever! I just think they need to be highlighted more because they bring awesomeness to the world and we’re lucky to have them here in WSNC.20200104_123044-01

When I’m in my “The Man Who Ate the Town” persona (which really is all the time, but when I’m out in public with it), I like to wear one of my custom made t-shirts that bear that name and my likeness. Those shirts were made by Machine Gun Graphics. Well, at least the printing on them. Also, the extra-large wall decal that we take pictures in front of after every episode of The Less Desirables was printed by Machine Gun Graphics. I have a banner that bears the logos of TLD, TMWATT, Fan Interference, The Beer Dads, Apartment 5B and Beeswax Vinyl & More that I’ve never gotten to use (and that I need to upgrade) that is quite large and that, too, was made by Machine Gun Graphics.

Kyle and Nikki over at Machine Gun Graphics are awesome to work with. Their product care and quality are unmatched. The shirts that I had made and the ones that bear their name (MGG) are high-quality material, comfortable to wear and fit me great. Having to have 3XL sizes makes getting clothes that fit an ordeal at times, but their sourced shirts are great. They have taken several of my logos and made great things for me.

MGG_LOGO1Do you have a logo that you need to be printed on something? It would look great on shirts but it’s not exclusive to shirts. How about sweatpants? Hoodies? Banners, buttons, caps, koozies, and so on? They do that! How about embroidery? They do that! Get something directly embroidered or make an embroidered patch that you can put on yourself.

Let’s say, though, you don’t really know what you want but you just need some stuff printed up? Well, fantastic. They have a free design studio right on their website. You go on there and mock up some fun stuff and see how you like it. If that’s daunting to some (which I can see where it could be) then start working with it and let Nikki or Kyle help you do the finishing touches!

Machine Gun Graphics is eco-friendly and eco-minded. They try to keep the shop as eco-friendly as possible and use sustainable garments and materials any time they can. They do large-scale printing, discharge printing and basically, if it hits your brain, they can print it on something. Machine Gun Graphics is located at 610 Cotton Street.

And, to any TLD listener (or reader of this blog) if you have some printing that needs to be done, once you’ve made your kick-arsed design, when you checkout on their website use the discount code TLD15. That will get you 15% off your order (before taxes of course).

Full disclosure, Machine Gun Graphics is a sponsor of The Less Desirables so I may get compensation from them, however, this is an honest and heartfelt (and was not asked to make it) recommendation.

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This brings me to my full-on “Unsolicited Recommendation.”Heyday Logo

Right up the street from Machine Gun Graphics is my pal, Michael Slawter. Michael owns Heyday Guitars, a neighborhood guitar shop that well, sells, guitars. But, it’s not like some guitar shops that just get new inventory or may have a trade-in or two. Nope, Michael specializes in both electric & acoustic guitars as well as tube amps, be they vintage, new or used. He really focuses on guitars and amps from the 50s through the 70s.

Michael also does guitar setup, specs, modifications and if something’s going wrong, he’ll do some repair/troubleshooting for you. He’s worked on a few of my basses in the past.

Heyday Guitars’ shop is quaint and in the warmer months, he’ll roll up the big garage door and let nature in while folks are strumming along, tinkering with a potential new toy. It’s not unusual to catch live music there, either. The BCPF and I got to check out one of her musical faves, David J from the band Bauhaus and Love and Rockets. Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t a ton of room in there, so it will be packed, but that’s what we call in the biz, intimacy!

Michael is a musician and has put out some music in the past. I know he has a record at Underdog Records because I’ve seen it! This brings me to the point that he is a vinyl fan, as well and has a turntable in the shop that you can go by and listen to some tunes, talk music (or shop), strum some stringed goodness or just hang out. Michael is cool and will have a grand conversation with you. He has been on The Less Desirables a few times, as well as The Beer Dads. Heyday Guitars is a great shop and is located at 414 Brookstown Avenue. For more info visit their website or heck, even better, just go by there.

I hope you’ll visit my friends soon, not just Fridays Saturdays, and help local businesses and local business owners and hey, you can get good beverages and delicious pies! Thanks for reading about my friends.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Cool, old and weird is what we like!” – Heyday Guitars

The Aftermath or: Perfect 2020

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

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Salutations™!!

20200101_000305-01

No caption needed

The BCPF and I hosted our first New Year’s Eve event at our house last night. It was just a small gathering. The BCPF made a French onion pot roast and brie and fig jam pastries and I made my “breakfast deviled eggs.” It was potluck from there, so Beer Dad Jon and his Pilot brought salad stuff and pie and wine. Beer Dad Paul and his Pilot brought wine, potatoes au gratin, and a corn & green bean casserole. Our Jim Young brought a “hot corn” dish made with jalapenos and spices. It had a kick but was delish. 3B and Nephew CRAJ hung out with us long enough to eat. I even put 3B to work in the kitchen for a few minutes.

I played DJ with an “all request line.” Each guest had their own time to make a request and I told them all, “if I don’t have it, I have something comparable.” The only thing I didn’t have was BD Paul’s initial request for Louis Prima. He was satisfied with a little Dean Martin, though. We talked about music, life, fun, beer, food, it was just good.

Then we pulled out the playing cards. We play a little game we call “shitboots.” Yeah, I don’t usually use curse words on this blog but this is the name of it, so there. It’s a game that my brother-in-law had a hand in making up in his college days. I won’t get into the game right now, but it is a load of fun and Celeste, BD Jon’s Pilot, won both games!

We had the ABC feed on the tele when the ball dropped. But, we all agreed, instead of listening to the trainwreck that is always an NYE program (I am looking at you CNN), we continued with music and the sound “off” on the TV. We had a bubbly that was recommended by our pal Frank at Publix and he was spot on. It wasn’t too sweet and it hit the spot. Good stuff.

Hugs, kisses, smiles, promises of a great year. It was a great way to start.

So, my wish to all my readers and all my listeners of the podcasts that I host/produce, the happiest of new years and let’s have a productive, safe and prosperous year in life, work and everything else. Also, in the words of Bill & Ted, “be excellent to each other!”

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.” – William Shakespeare

Happy Happy or: The Gathering

31 Tuesday Dec 2019

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Salutations™!!nye

Over the past several years, we’ve always hung out at friends’ houses for New Year’s Eve because we have been pretty much embarrassed to have anyone over. Our house was always in disarray and that’s just how it was. But, with all the remodeling and such, we have everything ready to go for tonight’s very small gathering.

I hope you all have a very safe New Year’s Eve and a great 2020.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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– Mark Twain

My Other Family or: Dinner Together

25 Thursday Jul 2019

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Salutations™!!

I just wanted to state how much I love my “other family.” By that, I mean The Best Damn Referral Group or as we’re known, TBD. A few of us got together tonight for an impromptu “family dinner” at Finnigan’s Wake.

Like I said, it was totally impromptu. I saw some rumblings about it on our private Facebook page and I played it off. I had plans to go to another event, so, whatever. Our “Fearless Leader,” Kandi sent me a message saying they had gone to Finnigan’s if I was interested in running by.

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Clockwise from bottom left: Lynda, Jeff, Margaret, Lorraine, Justin, John, Dawn, Doctor Melissa, Lori & Kandi (©Dawn)

I missed the other event because I was working in my studio. So, why not? I got to hang out with Jeff and his wife Lynda, Lorraine, Margaret, Dawn & her hubs, John and her son, Doctor Melissa, Kandi and Lori and Sha’Retha! Those names may not mean much to you, Dear Reader, but these folks are awesome! Sha’Retha and I got there later than everyone else, so we’re missing from the pic.

TBD, y’all!!!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Personal relationships are always the key to good business. You can buy networking; you can’t buy friendships.” – Lindsay Fox

Careful What You Wish For or: They’re Good People

04 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Blogging, Life as We Know It, Podcasting

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Salutations™!!

You know earlier in the week when I said I was prepping for a busy 2019 and that it was going to be good? Well, it’s well on its way and I am definitely experiencing that busy-ness in my business. Had to figure out how to make that phrase work, I guess I did it right. Right?

Anyway, whether it’s personal business, business business or monkey business, I have it and am getting more of it. Yay! I look very much forward to that, too! I’ll be pulling more studio time and more VO time, it looks like, which is good, too. I like money. I like to make it. I would like to make more of it (who wouldn’t?). And, I’m going to do just that! Dang it!

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(l-r: Ed, Ray Morgan, me, Corey, Kelly, Flannery. ©Kandi Villano)

One thing that will help me do that better is my network of people.

Sure, I have my regular “network” of folks but I actually have a bona fide network at my disposal. 20+ personal account managers/business locators that work “for me” and I for them. I may have mentioned this before, and I know I have on The Less Desirables, but I am in one of those “referral groups.” But, this is not like most referral groups. This is The Best Damn Referral Group. I’m not just looking for a reason to cuss, either. It is what we call it. The Best Damn Referral Group or “TBD Referral Group” or just plain “TBD.”

Now, on this podcast when I say TBD that usually is my lazy speak for The Beer Dads, but today, it’s not. We are 20-30 business-like-minded folks who not only refer business but we are friends family. This just works.

Think about it. We all know people that do stuff, right? We know that “computer guy” or “yoga instructor” or “insurance guy” or “person that makes crocheted thingies,” right? But, if someone mentions to you that they’re needing a service, most likely you’ll just say, “I’ll keep an ear out for that.” And, chances are, you’ll not think of it again until your friend either mentions still needing that something or they complain that it “cost this or that.” It happens all the time.

But, if you have a friend, a real friend that does something for a living, you’re going to refer that person to your friend-in-need first, right? You know you will.

If I hear someone say they need a website done, I have the person, Ray Mitchell at SixFour Web Design.

If you need an application or software developer, I have Josh Schuminsky with Solutions Afoot.

Have a wellness problem like you’ve constantly got colds or aches and pains? How about some elemental help with Carly Sink at Vibes Up! or supplements from Linda McDermott with Shaklee, or aromatherapy with Melissa Curran at Scented Balance or plant-based foods and diet structures from Sha’retha Davis aka Happie Food, yoga with Shakira Bethea and Train to Relax, massage therapy from Beth Blair at Seamless Living NC? Need to talk over your worries? I have Michele Hannah. Or Timmy VO/BeYou360/Tim Johnson for personal training needs. I mean, I have my own wellness collective, right there!

Have a presentation or job opportunity but you’re not sure if your regional or southern accent will be understood? I have Margaret Morris at Triad Speech Consultants to help you work that out.

There’s a computer problem? Yo! CATS (or Computer and Technology Solutions) with Kandi Villano and Lori Noel can solve it.

Have too much debt or need financial help? Corey Hodges at Fortified Futures and Donnie Stiles at Edward Jones can help you get on the right track. Insurance? Corey can help with that, too or Jim Annas and his Nationwide (soon to be something else) group can help.

I used to be a travel agent, remember? Well, I’m not, but people still come to me. The first thing I tell them? Go to Ed Dean with Cruise Planners.

Have a drab and listless office and you’re needing a touch-up? Kelly Holcomb at River’s Edge is there for you.

Need a cool little gift for a loved one or even for yourself? Try a crocheted piece of sunshine with Whitney Morgan’s Whit’s Whimsies. Her husband, Ray is my co-host on The Man Who Ate the Town podcast but he also is working to get into a ministry and he dedicates a lot of time volunteering and if you need a place to get rid of that overflowing coat closet’s lost and lonely treasures, he volunteers for the Shalom Project of Winston-Salem. And speaking of places to do volunteering or look for work-training for less fortunate folks, Tempy Albright at Goodwill is your person.

Here ya go, this one’s a bit different. You have recyclables or even non-recyclables that you’re looking to get rid of? I mean like cups, paper and things like that? Want to be part of a cool little project? How about stop-motion animation? Or puppetry? Puppetry is cool. My pal Flannery Holton has Alley Cat Studio and does just that… well, and a lot more. He does some 3D printing as well. He, Timmy VO, Ray Morgan and I could sit around a table and do voices for projects. Or for fun. That would be cool.

This one is particularly for the ladies that read my blog. When you walk at night, be it from a store to your car, the stroll with your four-legged friends or just being out, you want to feel safe and secure, right? Sometimes owning or purchasing a gun isn’t the right solution for you. I have my friend Heather Sherer who is starting her own Damsel in Defense-affiliated business and will be able to equip you with implements of self-defense-destruction!

Dealing with a family matter or even light-criminally leaning issues in your family? Need an attorney who will help work out wills, agreements, adoption and other legal things? Denise M Gold is your person.

Buying a house can be a daunting task or a scary proposition. Lorraine Howard at Blue Door Group (at Wilkinson ERA) can find homes of all types for her clients. She is very accessible and takes a lot of the “pain” out of “painstaking” house hunting. Have a loved one that is getting up in their years and need to start looking to downsize their stuff in their life? Well, Lorraine can help find a house but in case they’re older and looking to get moved to a new facility, home or otherwise, then Jen Hammon at Monarch Living can help make the transition a lot easier on the families.

You hear me talking about the awesome work that Nate Geipel at X1 Communications does with their “beamed” high-speed internet. But, it never is too much because the internet is lightning fast and reliable.

Okay, so you need a headshot or action shot or whatever kind of photo in your business social media or just because you think it’s cool? Stallone Frazier Photography and Graphic Design is the main man! He did TMWATT’s new logo, too. Great work. Need that new logo or picture on a t-shirt or banner? Well, Janice Schmitz does t-shirts with her biz, Ink It Promotional Products and David Stanley does banners and signage at Image360. Yes, I have my own printing specialists but as Machine Gun Graphics (my folks) and Janice and David all say, there’s enough biz to go around. Plus, I’ve given introductions to all of them so, full disclosure, there.

Did you just start a new business and want to make sure that you have or are using all the right tools you need for your business to survive? Not just get started and flounder? Jason Berry is a business coach at Action Coach and will be starting his own franchise soon.

Yes, I know this post turned into one big promotional push for this group but I truly believe in each and every one of them and think that referring their businesses is part of my duty as a colleague, as an associate, as a friend. I wouldn’t refer any of them if I didn’t think they had the skill, talent, determination, dexterity, competency or faculty for the business that I send them. And them me. I have to be on my best attention and business mindset for when they have someone in need of what I do.

I get excited to help them procure business for their own enterprises.

But, as I said, they’re not my business contacts. I don’t think of them like that. I don’t see them as networking folks. They may be those things and may just be that to others, but to me, they’re my friends. They are my family. I dig them the most! I love them. I said it.

And, if you are looking for a stuffy referral group where you sit quietly while people beg you for business and expect you to give it to them, this isn’t that. Far, far from it. This group is alive! This group comes with their hand ready to shake, not take (thanks Ray!).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Entrepreneurship is a muscle, and winning is an endurance game.” – Caroline Ghosn

Silent Sunday or: Spirits of Summer

03 Sunday Jun 2018

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Salutations™!!

That’s right, it’ “Silent” Sunday not Spinning Sunday as even though we did go to Underdog Records yesterday, we didn’t get to listen to anything nor did I get to put our haul in Discogs. I will get to that today so probably tomorrow will be the report. But, why didn’t we get to listen to or log any records yesterday? This…

Spirits of Summer

©JLowder

I hope they had as good a time as I did.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” – Russell Baker

Cúrate Y’all! or: Ibérico Piggybackin’

08 Thursday Mar 2018

Posted by in Beer, Food, Life as We Know It, Wine

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Salutations™!!

I was going to do this next week but I ended up with a little time, which is odd. So, I wrote a 2300 word (yeah it’s long but detailed) review of The Beer Dads‘ trip to Asheville, on The Man Who Ate the Town, but just the dinner at Cúrate (pronounced coo-ruh-tay). I can’t really tell you more because I’d be giving it away but you can also see pictures on Instagram over at The Man Who Ate the Town’s account. I’m telling you, this was some delicious stuff. Read the short novel HERE.

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Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“From jamón Ibérico to croquetas, patatas bravas, and crema catalana, Cúrate brings the essence of Spain to downtown Asheville… one plate at a time.” – Cúrate

Happy Solar Circumnavi- or: You Get It

20 Monday Nov 2017

Posted by in Life as We Know It

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Salutations™!!

So, yeah, today is my birthday. Usually, I talk about my birth and how lucky everyone is to have me in this world and all that… I kid, of course. But this year, I want to talk about my friends.23659703_10215470499381961_4147229112142808799_n

First, I want to thank my good friends, Chef Travis Myers, Chef Brent Andruzzi, Chef Terrell Anistead, Kelly Bone, Ryan Oberle and Erica (I don’t know Erica’s last name, sorry, dear). They all had a place for me to have a wonderful get together with such fantastic friends and such fantastic food and beverages. I also want to thank Will Kingery for having a restaurant the quality of Willows Bistro. So, thanks to everyone at Willows.

Next, I want to thank Paden and Stacy Verner, JD and Bethany Miller, Clay and Nicole Howard, Danielle Bull, Brittany McGee, my sister Leah and her hubs, Cory Skidmore, my Beer Dads partners Jon and Celeste Lowder, Paul and Susan Jones for being there with me at Willows. I am so lucky to have such great friends.

Thanks to my parents for teaching me the right way to live and how to treat people the way that I’d want to be treated. We don’t always agree but we always love each other.

Thanks to my awesome son, 3B for keeping me somewhat young. He’s also my sous chef and probably will take over the “family” kitchen before too long. He’s rapidly becoming a man and it scares me. I hope I do a good job raising him.

But, who do I have to thank the most? That’s right, you saw this coming, I’m sure, but The BCPF. Without her, I’d probably not even be here to celebrate this my 47th year and embark on the 48th. She has both taught me how and allowed me to love her to the moon, unlike any I’ve ever known. She is my everything. Without her, I’m lost and nothing. Stephanie, I love you!

But, also, I have those that I share a birthday with. My personal or Facebook pals, Patrick Ferguson, whom I’ve shared many a moment on stage, Jerry Cooper, Diana Westrick, Jennifer Paxton, Leigh Griffith, Alex Collins (wife of TC from Fan Interference), Julie Boehm, Lisa Baker, Stuart Hill, whom I’ve known since he was a kid (his mother was my 4th Grade teacher), Sherry Underwood – one my best friends in high school, Kelley Schroth and Stacy Jones.

I have “birthday twins,” too. The celebrifolk that I share it with. Maximinus II (Roman Emperor), Pope Pius VIII, Chester Gould (created Dick Tracy), Alistair Cooke (hosted Masterpiece Theatre), Senator Robert Byrd, Bobby Kennedy, Estelle Parsons (actress, played Roseann’s mother), Jim Garrison (played by Kevin Costner in JFK), country singer Curly Putman, Richard Dawson, Dick Smothers, Joe Biden, Super Dave Osborne (Bob Einstein), Norman Greenbaum, Duane Allman, Judy Woodruff, Joe Walsh, Richard Masur, Rodger Bumpass (Squidward on Spongebob), Frank Marino, Bo Derek, Mark Gasteneau, James McGovern, Sean Young, Jim Brickman, Mike D (Beastie Boys), Jimmy Vasser, Phife Dawg (A Tribe Called Quest, born the exact same day), Joey Galloway (WR in NFL), Joel McHale, Dierks Bentley, Dominique Dawes, Future (Rapper), Jeremy Jordan (CW’s Supergirl). That’s just a drop in the bucket. There are more, but these are the ones that stood out to me.

Happy birthday to me and all these folks. So glad I’m here to celebrate with all of them and you, Dear Reader. Thank you!! Don’t forget to come to Hoots Beer Co tonight for The Beer Dads recording!!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“One of the things I’ve never been accused of is not caring about people.” – Joe Biden