Free For All

Another pic. A pleasantly tacky place. I'm sure the other Chicago guys here can elaborate further, specifically regarding the earlier years of the bar when it was at its peak. I got there more towards the end.

1758 Honore, under the el tracks. Small, funky neighborhood bar, a bit of dump. There were stories about the guy who used to run it (before I lived there), I believe his name was "Butchie"- apparently quite a character. I think Jimmy Carter might have even gone in there once. Had some nice gigs there, though- played/jammed there at various times with Lin, Ron Blake and Eric Alexander, drummers George Fludas, Robert Shy, Robert Barry, bassist Dennis Carroll and Ron Perrillo or Bob Dugan on piano, among others. Interesting place, too bad it's gone. Here's a pic I found:

Cool pic Glenn! The trumpet player seems to have a halo. Quite rare for a trumpet player.

Me too. Oh well, WTF.

He had many "caretakers" in Chicago. Green Mill owner Dave Jemilo let him live in an apartment above his other bar, the Deja Vu, for awhile (probably rent-free). I drove him to several gigs, sometimes gave him some bread (voluntarily, not solicited). Although Lin was frequently a basketcase, when he would focus a bit he could tear off some mean choruses. A lot of Rollins (circa late 50s) in his playing.

It's very fuckin' possible!

I promise I'll never do it again!

I'm a fan.

What's next?

Names starting w/initials.

Happy Birthday!

H. R. Pufnstuf Jack Wild Billy Wilder

Not to be, I'm afraid. Still, a very nice ending to the Vermeil era. AFC is tough this year, considering a 10-6 team didn't make the playoffs. The Chiefs' main problem this year was winning road games. If they'd had one more win they'd likely be in. Cincinnati didn't need this game but they're not playing well going into the playoffs. They got their ass kicked, although losing this game didn't hurt them. It will be interesting to see what's next for the Chiefs.

Happy Birthday Tony!

Happy Birthday Alexander!

Happy Birthday!

Wow! That's awful! I have no problem with donated items being resold, but I think that the staff "getting first crack" at the donated items is ethically wrong and just plain lame. I will now plan on more carefully researching the situation before I donate anything of value in the future. I'm certainly not criticizing you, Alexander, just the policy of the library allowing staff to do that. It's one thing for employees in a used record store to do that, but a donation intended for the public is another matter IMHO.

Love ya SS, but come on now, that glass is not half full..........

My interpretation was that the girlfriend was "inside" the room so Andy got locked "outside". ......................and hilarity ensued........

Happy Birthday! <<SCHWING!>>

I don't speak for anyone else but I'll need a little time to digest it a bit. And there are too many holiday distractions at the moment. But I will get there.

Maybe a little break from the board will do some of us good. After a few days visiting my family the folks here will seem much less dysfunctional by comparison. Hope eveyone has safe travels and a great holiday! And don't O.D. on the goodies. I will NOT gain back ANY of the 20 pounds I've lost!

FedEx just delivered it. The circle is finally closed. I'm almost a little sad. No, not really. This will be my antidote to all the Christmas music I'm getting tired of.

"Happy birthday, Jesus. Hope you like crap!" -Norm MacDonald

Still love this one. Always will.