St. Bob (Nelson) Makes ANOTHER Mark On State St.

by Rob Taylor

Just in case you didn’t know it, there is a patron saint of brew masters, wineries and inn keepers and that is St. Amand. Well, if you talk to people who frequent the downtown clubs Pope Benedict really ought to re-think that and name local man, Bob Nelson ( a man I have heard referred to as an old hippie) as a replacement for St. Amand. According to what is said Nelson has the ability to perform miracles and take anything he touches and turn it into solid, 24 karat gold and he has done it more than once.

Up until recently Nelson owned and ran The Docksider on State St. Docksider routinely put on some of the best shows in town with some of the best bands and crowds that overfilled the club. “There were nights when we had 400 to 800 people come through the door for our shows,” said Steven Opsanic who booked a number of successful shows at Docksider. “Bob ran the place in town where everyone wanted to be.”

Now, Docksider belongs to someone else and Nelson opened another club just down the street calling it Nelson’s, at 11th and State, and it too is pure gold.

I went there on a Friday sometime around 5:00 p.m. (they open at 4:00 p.m.) and the first thing I noticed was that this place had class. There were none of the tacky posters that a lot of downtown bars have. You know the ones. They advertise concerts. Shows and drink specials. Nelson’s windows were clear and it was easy to see inside.

Nelson’s also has a doorman but he is not like any of the others I have ever seen. To be honest he is more like a greeter than he is a traditional doorman. He not only welcomed me to Nelson’s when I walked in --- he actually opened the door for me when I walked in and again when I left as he wished me a nice day.

The bar was crowded but the tables, for the most part, were empty. I was there for about 45 minutes for a business meeting, as well as to check out the place, and when I left at a little before 6:00…the place was packed and that was well before the normal time for downtown clubs to have a crowd like that.

The first thing I did was to go and order my favorite drink – a Jack and Coke. I was even a little rude to the bartender to see how she would react. She stayed as friendly as she was when I walked over as a matter of fact she joked around a bit about what I said. Now, when I judge a bar it is on how they make my drink. The Jack and Coke I got was as good, if not better than any I have had anywhere else in town and it really wasn’t badly priced at just $3.25.

Nelson’s does offer food as well as good drinks. There “special’s board” looks like something out of Food TV’s Iron Chef America. The menu includes: Fried Oysters w/ Spinich, Panchetta with Balsalmic & Mustard Sauce; Bolognese w/ Parpadelle Pasta. Thyme and Parmesan and lastly Latin Spiced 8oz Filet “Surf & Turf” with Queso Fresque Polenta, Tobacco Onions, Rock Shrimp Pico de Gallo and Chimichurri.

After seeing the specials I just had to ask if they served things like just a simple burger. I was shocked but yes they do. They serve what they call a Crestview Farm Grass Fed Burger. Their menu also has items like Chili, a B.L.T., Cobb Salad a ton of other stuff, including an item I have only seen one other place in town – deep friend dill pickles. Personally, I cannot wait until I can get back there and have a bowl of Chili and a plate of pickles just to see how Nelson makes them. BTW, there is one thing you should know about the food, when he can Nelson uses locally produced food in his dishes.

With drinks that really rock, a very friendly staff, food that is beyond belief and eight kinds of draft beer, fifty two canned and bottled beers (including eighteen imports and nineteen microbrews) as well as fourteen different wines from all over the world Nelson’s is going to be the HOTTEST place in town really, really soon and everyone in Erie will be saying one thing, “St. Bob has done it again,” and they will be right.

Woodstock Style Music Fest Coming To Cambridge

by T.R. Septaric

There is a field just outside of Cambridge Springs. It is really nothing special of a field. Maybe there are the last traces of snow, maybe a deer or two and definitely the cool air of the end of winter is making the a thick fog fill the air. On June 26, 27 and 28th the snow will be gone (Hopefully), the deer will be gone and the fog will be replaced by the sounds of some of the best regional band around.

The Meadows Art and Music Festival 2009 will be held in a huge farmer’s field off of Birchard Rd in Crawford County. Bill Adams, one of the events founders, said that it is the perfect venue for an event like this. “The venue is beautiful. There is a large area from the performers and artists who will be coming,” he said. “There is also more than enough room for people who want to campout for the weekend.”

Adams said that the event was created because he and his partner, Tom Pisarchick, saw a lot of talent in the Meadville, Cambridge Springs and Edinboro areas that no one knew ever existed. He said that they organized this event as being regionally based, with a couple of rare exceptions, because they want to give people a chance to see what talent the area has to offer.

Bands confirmed so far include: Unhinged Mandible, Ladymoon, Euphonic Brew, Waterband, Groove Prophets and The Charlie Wheeler Band. Bands on the list, but not yet confirmed, are Mystic Floatation Device, Shotgun Jubilee. Both of the organizers said that this is just a partial list and there will be more bands added as the weeks until the event go by. It has been announced that the featured performer will be Heather Vallaiso.

“In addition to the bands we are going to do something no other music festival does,” Adams said. “We are going to have an Open Mic session for people who want to get up and sing, play or just joke around.” The Open Mic will be held of Friday and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m..

Like the name of the event says The Meadows Art and Music Festival is not just about the music. Art will be a large part of this event. According to Pisarchick attendees won’t just see the usual paintings and photography. There are going to be some of the less common artistic styles such as woodworking and metalworking on display as well as a Cambridge Springs tattoo artist will be on site to provide anyone with their own unique personal piece of art.

Artists and others who don’t have a display in the main artists/vendors sections will still be able to get their work seen because event organizers are allowing “blanket vendors” throughout the weekend. There is no additional cost…just the price of admission…to those wishing to set up a blanket display.

Adams said that this going to be a traditional music festival in every sense, kind of like a baby Woodstock, but it is also going to be more family oriented. “We are going to have a section of the venue set up for kids to be able to come, hang out and have fun in a safe, clean atmosphere. We want to give families a chance to come, enjoy and listen to some good music in a place where they can feel comfortable.”

Tickets will be on sale soon. The price of presale admission is just $20 and $25 the day of the show and there will be a discount for college students. Tickets will be on sale beginning March 16th.

Proceeds from The Meadows Art and Music Festival 2009 will benefit WQLN and CAVAS. For more information about tickets or the event in general write to meadowsfest@ymail.com or check out www.myspace.com/meadowsfest.
 

New Book Covers The History Of The Movie Theatre

What twin theater opened in 1915?
How did Marcus Loew begin his career?
Where was stadium seating first popularized?
Who was “Roxy”?

Answers to these questions and many more can be found in a new book recently released by MBI Publishing Company.

Cinema Treasures (ISBN 0-7603-1492-6), by Ross Melnick and Andreas Fuchs, will not only interest anyone working in or studying motion picture exhibition, but just about everyone who loves to go to the movies.

Melnick and Fuchs demonstrate how classic theaters in major cities and small towns across the United States are alive and well today, thanks to the dedication of their owners, community initiatives, and cultural and corporate sponsorships. Cinema Treasures showcases American movie theaters of all eras and architectural styles.

There are single-screen theaters, twins, triplexes, and, of course, multi- and megaplexes— all of which are of intrinsic cultural, social, architectural, and historical significance, at the same time as they hold a special place in the hearts of moviegoers. Cinema Treasures celebrates the past, present, and future of the movie going experience.

In addition to individual theater profiles chosen to represent over 100 years of movie going, the main attraction of Cinema Treasures is its tour through the history of U.S. theatrical exhibition— from the penny arcade and nickelodeon pioneers, to the designers and showmen of the movie palace era, the drive-in developers and wide screen visionaries, and the theater circuits of today.

Well-rounded and meticulously researched, this survey features an informative and engaging narrative filled with hundreds of beautiful photographs, vintage ads, and other fascinating images.

Cinema Treasures Contents:

I. Five and Dime: 1904 – 1912
II. Birth of the Palaces: 1913 – 1919
III. Chain Store Strategies: 1920 – 1925
IV. "Temples of Democracy": 1926 – 1932
V. Bust and Boom: 1933 – 1946
VI. Breakup, Breakdown & Breakthroughs: 1947 – 1962
VII. Splitsville: 1962 – 1974
VIII. Now Playing . . . Everywhere: 1975 – 1994
IX. Re-Screening America: 1995 – Present--

Get your copy of "Cinema Treasures" today at Amazon

Annual Millcreek Mall Bridal Show This Weekend

June is the traditional month for brides and grooms to take that one big step, the one the brides have been planning for all their lives and get married. Of course it takes a lot of planning to make the wedding just right so the 2009 Bridal Extravaganza & Expo on Saturday March 14th from 11-7pm and Sunday March 15th from 11-5pm will be the place to be. Yes, it may be too late for a June 2009 wedding but there is always next year. The event will feature a fashion show featuring Bridal Elegance, Cuffs Formal Wear, Tuxedo Junction and the American Commodore Dancers will be held at 4pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday. for more information contact the  Millcreek Mall office at 814-868-9000.

For More Information Click Image

Spring is just 10 days away

Comedic Musicians To Appear At The 'Hurst

What madcaps Penn and Teller are to magic, Igudesman & Joo are to music. They're highly trained classical musicians, but they're also crazily inspired entertainers who may be among the funniest you've ever seen. Virtuosic violinist Aleksey Igudesman and classical pianist Richard Hyung-ki Joo met at age 12 while attending the Yehudi Menuhin School and shared the dream of bringing classical music to a larger audience. They've chosen to do so with a marriage of music and humor that defies categorization. If you thought Victor Borge was a hoot at his piano, you'll love the loony antics of Igudesman and Joo. The concert will be at the Walker Recital Hall on March 13th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17.50 for Seniors and Students

Art Classes for Beginners, Advanced Artists

Classes at Erie Art Museum

The Erie Art Museum offers art classes and workshops for children and adults year-round. Beginning on March 30, the Museum offers classes ranging from African Drum and Dance to Beginning Acrylic Painting and Pottery. Classes are available to beginners and more experienced artists and are offered in quarterly sessions lasting three to ten weeks. All Museum classes are taught by professional artists. A complete description of available classes is online at www.erieartmuseum.org.

African Drum and Dance
Thursdays, starting April 2 from 5:45-7 p.m.

Beginning Digital Photography
Mondays, starting March 30, 7-9 p.m.

Advanced Digital Photography
Thursdays, starting April 2, 7-9 p.m.

Oriental Painting
Mondays, starting March 30, 4-6 p.m.
Wednesdays, starting April 1,, 4-6 p.m.

Beginning Drawing
Tuesdays, starting March 31, 5:30-7 p.m.

New Approaches to Life Drawing
Tuesdays, starting, March 31, 7-9 p.m.

Painting in Acrylics or Oils
Thursdays, starting April 2, 7:15-9:15 p.m.

Beginning Acrylic Painting
Thursdays, starting April 2, 5:30-7 p.m.

Beaded Jewelry Creation
Wednesdays, starting April 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Precious Metals Jewelry Making
Wednesdays, starting April 8, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Watercolor Painting
Thursdays, starting April 2, 12-3 p.m.

Intro To Clay
Wednesdays, starting April 1, 6-9 p.m.
Wednesdays, starting May 6, 6-9 p.m.
Ceramics for Adults

Mondays, starting March 30, 6-9 p.m.
Wednesdays, starting April 1, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Fridays, starting April 3, 6-9 p.m.

Clay Tiles
April 9, 16, & 30, 6-9p.m.
May 7, 14, & 28, 6-9 p.m.

Clayspace Open Studio
Every Saturday, 5-7 p.m.

Classes for Kids
First Fridays
The first Friday of every month, 10-11 a.m.

Parent Child Fun with Clay
Mondays, starting March 30, 4-5:30 p.m.

Pottery for Young People
Sundays, starting April 5, 1:30-3 p.m.

Funny Pics Of The Week

Pacman Version 21.8 for Vista	Didn't we already know that????

Recipe Of The Week - Guaco Tacos

INGREDIENTS
1 (14.5 ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, rinsed, patted dry
2 roma tomatoes, quartered
1 onion, chopped, divided
1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/2 jalapeno pepper
salt and pepper to taste
4 avocados, halved with pits removed
12 (6 inch) whole wheat tortillas
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups torn romaine lettuce

DIRECTIONS
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Combine the canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, 1/2 of the onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno in a food processor. Chop roughly; do not puree.
Combine the pulp of the avocados and the remaining onion in a large bowl. Mash until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread tortillas in a single layer on baking sheet. Place in oven until warm, about 5 minutes. Spread tortillas with guacamole. Top with beans, salsa, and lettuce.