Simple Simon's

I'm sad to discover one of my favorite sandwich joints in downtown became the victim of a kitchen fire.  I still remember the co owner giving me a giant platter of their pecan bars for a scavenger hunt I was chairing.  Really nice people the owners.  

I admire the sense of community the local shops have; almost each one advertising the benefit happening Thursday, February 25th at the Tamale Factory. Expect drinks and a live band.  Stop by if you don't have anything better to do.  It's all for a good cause for a really great place. 


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Rain is a Bietch

Hey Guys.

If everyone can see it's been raining really hard. That doesn't float too well when your main source of transportation is on your bicycle. It has been anything but fun getting to school.

Fortunately the air has never looked so clean. Bet those oranges on MLK are doing really good.

On other news, I got an internship call back in Costa Mesa so if things go well I might have a car. THAT MEANS MORE ADVENTURES! Wish me luck and I hope you guys stay dry.

I Really Like My Optometrist, We Talk About Hookers!

I think Gary Fishberg's is the most awesome place to go to for any of your eyeball needs.

Talking to the receptionists, the head receptionist, Sue, turns to me,

"Brian!  Don't go on University (Ave.)  There are ladies of the evening there!  Don't let me catch you there or I'm telling your mother!"
"Fine!  Then I'll tell her you're the one who told me!"

We started laughing and having a good time.  The first Friday laugh was made at Dr. Gary Fishberg's.  The nicest people I've met work there.

Okay, so this really isn't something to do in Riverside, shoot the breeze with receptionists, but hell, I had a good time.  Sometimes the best things to do is make friends in the most random of places.  :)

Last tidbit, the Fox Theater is finally open today. 


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Take a Drink and Sing Your Heart Out: Killarney's

I came to Killarney's previously on a friend date.
1st Thought: HOLY COW THIS PLACE IS INTIMIDATING
2nd Thought: Nobody is giving us the stink eye, okay lets stay.

It was a good thing we stayed because THEIR POTATO SKINS WERE AMAZING.

This place had live entertainment, football on the tube, and the waiters were all wearing kilts.

The second time we came back it was different  (potato skins weren't as good and were missing scallions -- negative points for inconsistency).  Lights were dim but the place was bump'n!  A regular greeted us, shook hands, and told us, "You have to do karaoke!  I've been singing all night!"  It's one thing for a waitress to meet us, but a patron?  Friendly place this joint was. 

If you're shy to sing to a room of strangers, a drink does help.  Their X Bomb was very delicious.  The room is pretty low pressure so if you're tone deaf, no worries.

A thing to watch out is their food.  The end of the night a lot of us began to feel sick.  Either way, the atmosphere and the karaoke did make us want to drag back more people.

I recommend their onion rings, X Bomb, and sausages and definitely their Monday night karaoke.  Stay away from their corned beef and cabbage.


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Events Roll'n in Riverside

HERE'S WHAT THE INLAND HAS FOR YOU!

If you're into singing, dancing, and theater arts then this is perfect for you! The old Riverside Fox Theater remodeling is close to completion! If you're curious about it's remodeling you could find out more here http://www.riversideca.gov/arts/fox.asp

The before and after photos are pretty amazing too
http://www.foxriversidelive.com/photogallery.html

But yea, pretty self explanatory. If you want to see either Annie, Jesus Super Star, or Hairspray, check out the site.
http://broadwayinriverside.com/


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TAIKOPROJECT:(re)generation
January 15th
8:00pm at University Theater
http://www.culturalevents.ucr.edu/taikoproject.htm
"This large-scale performance takes taiko into the 21st century with edgy, contemporary elements like jazz, hip-hop, video, choreography, and spoken-word for a fast and furious display of Japanese drumming."

I'm going here for sure.


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Home for the Weekend

Gone home for the weekend. Ciao, Riverside.

Festival of Lights and the Menagerie

January the 3rd was the last day to check out Mission Inn's Festival of Lights. This late 18th century hotel decks itself out with lights and enough animatrons to give Disneyland the run for it's money every year for the holidays. Here's a tip, go run in and up the elevator before the sun sets so you could explore the hotel otherwise security will just keep you in the lobby. It's well worth the adventure.

Aside from that, there are various outdoor vendors serving hot chocolate, donut holes, and pictures with Santa, live bands, an outdoor ice rink and other such shinanigens. I like this time of the year because it looks like the entire community comes together at this old hotel.

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To celebrate the coming of my birthday, a friend and I went to the Menagerie on University for a drink. To describe this bar and the bars around Riverside, here's a conversation with a bartender I found on Yelp, "There aren't very many bars in the Inland Empire. This place is the equivalent of winning the gold medal at the Special Olympics"

Being the novice drinker that I am I can't rate their drinks for you but that's what Yelp is for! The environment was chill for a Sunday night and the bartenders were friendly. We finished off the night talking with friendly strangers trying to tie cherry stems with our tongues. How'd we do? We failed. 2nd time's the charm!
Only decent photo I could find on the web.

Painting the scene, sensual and censored pictures of naked girls and guys were everywhere, 5 large projectors played music videos, middle aged crowd, and there is a large neon misspelled sign, "Fabulaus" which seems to be the icon of the place. I'd recommend this place to friends. By the way, I think it's fair to warn you that there is a rainbow flag parked right by the entrance :P


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