Starbucks...Seattle outlets flogging booze! Burger King Fast-food cocktails to go!

The reining java King has sauntered into the alcoholic beverage market!

According to recent news reports, four of Starbucks trendy cafes in Seattle are  now serving up beer and wine to take the edge off the day.

Of course - there will always be an ample supply of tongue-twisting coffee specials to jump-start the day at the crack-of-dawn - too (as usual).

Word out of Florida is that two Sonic restaurants have followed the lead of Burger King after the fast-food giant introduced "Whopper Bars" in Miami, Las Vegas, and Kansas City.

Flogging thirst-quenching ales and soothing sips of cool quality wines may boost sales, but as far as the critics are concerned, the combination of fast-food and mood-elevating beverages at the drive-thru may lead to a slippery road to hell.

I worry more about my pocketbook.

Beers are being sold at Starbucks for $5.00 a bottle while wine soars in price at a pricey $9.00 a glass.

Personally, I'd rather pick up a six-pack at the local grocery and save a fortune (and my life) in the process on the way home where I'm about to become a couch potato for the night!

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Prince William & Kate...slyly join mile-high club! Whirlwind tour delights residents of Great White North!

There was a raucous cheer or two, a lot of pomp and circumstance, and - on occasion - a heartfelt moment when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge touched down in Ottawa day-before-yesterday for a whirlwind 10-day tour.


What was this?

Kate Middleton was caught alighting from the chartered jet without a fanciful hat atop her pretty head!

Off with it, eh?

Meanwhile, it didn't escape the keen eye of Royal-watchers that Her Highness was not outfitted in the chic ensemble she donned to catch her flight out of Heathrow.

Uh-huh!

Gossips whispered and speculated - but it was crystal clear to moi - that Wills and Kate must have slid between-the-sheets on the journey across the big pond - and in the process - slyly snatched up the golden opportunity to become members of the exclusive (elusive) mile-high club!

Indeed!

On the heels of their arrival in Ontario, the Prince wowed the swarming masses (who turned out in full-force) when he elected to address the Nation in both Official languages, English and French respectively.

How politically correct!

Then, the charming Royal - not only took a poke at his broken French - but promised to "work" on the subtle nuances required to master the romantic language.

"It will improve as we go on," he chuckled.

Not to worry, Wills; after all, the die-hard Quebecois may be fussy about "getting the language right" - but - your bold-faced attempt to make a legit effort to speak it obviously put you in the Frenchie's good stead.
"He just sounded so cute and adorable with his English accent. He did pretty good," one Canuck gushed from the sidelines in a crush that spread several feet deep.

First stop for the cuddly lovebirds?

The Royals visited the National War Memorial where they solemnly and respectfully placed wreaths on the sacred tomb.

Shortly thereafter, the handsome twosome trotted off to meet-and-greet with the Prime Minister - Stephen Harper - and his better-half (lovely wife Laureen).

Over the past couple of days the newly-crowned "Duke and Duchess of Cambridge"also participated in a glut of Canada Day celebrations which included a formal Citizenship Ceremony where each of 'em passed out miniature flags to beaming immigrants boasting full legal status in the country (July 1st).

After a much-anticipated trip to Prince Edward Island (where they displayed their culinary skills at a shin-dig or two) the Prince and Kate are expected to attend the opening ceremonies for the ever-popular Calgary Stampede (in the Province of Alberta).

Judging by the news reports spewing out over International media outlets, the Canadian hosts were awestruck by the mere presence of the delightful Royals in their midst.

So much so, in fact, that the Government whipped up a personal flag for the Prince to wave from inside the confines of the Royal Limousine.

The last time such an honor was bestowed on a member of the Royal family was decades ago when Queen E 2 (Will's grandmother) received the nod.

Is that kind-of-like getting a key to the city?

I trust that Prince William (and Kate, too, if she is not a tea-totler) will chug-a-lug a Molson's ale (or two) during the course of his celebrated trip across the country.

A Canadian brewskie?

Nothing like it, dudes.

Cheers!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Canucks...riots in mellow "pothead" town of Vancouver a shocker! Peace & Love, dude!

Having resided in Vancouver (B.C.) for approximately ten years during my rebellious hippie youth, I was quite shocked when the news footage of riots in the picturesque respite by the sea flooded the airwaves on nightly-news shows this past week.

As comic Jay Mohr noted last night on a talk-show, Vancouver has always been "home" to a multitude of peace-loving anti-war potheads.

So, what gives?

What elements have crept into the fabric of society on the normally gentle Pacific Northwest Coast to trigger such an alarming violent reaction to a loss at a mere sports match?

I have always been proud of the fact "us" Canadians tend to be neutral, cool-headed, and all-round good sportsmen when it gets down to the nitty-gritty.

I expect that pundits North of the border - in the wake of the tragic turn-of-events - are blaming American influences from south of the border, shadowy foreign upstarts with ulterior motives lurking in the shadows, whatever.

If what happened this past week is a sign of what Canada is all about these days, for sure, I prefer to reside in the United States.

Even if I do miss the strong Canadian beer!

American brews suck, after all!

Later!

http://www.thetattler.biz





Riots in quaint pot-town a shocker!





Nudists catch rays at infamous Wreck Beach!

Great Vegas Festival of Beer...at Tivoli Village! Father's Day chug-a-lug treat!

Some folks have found a unique way to celebrate "Father's Day" with good ole Dad as the temperatures soar into the three digits today in the desert oasis.

Families are packing up the SUV and heading to the Great Vegas Festival of Beer in Tivoli Village to chug-a-lug a tasty ale or two.

The "Fest" is the first of its kind in the area and is sponsored by local duo Motley Brews.

Tourists and locals alike will have a golden thirst-quenching opportunity to sample about 100 beers from top breweries.

Vendors will be offering up scrumptious snacks, too.

 Kava Kreation will also perform island-inspired music.

The beer extravaganza runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight.

Your patronage, by the way, will help raise funds for Boys and Girls Clubs in the vicinity.

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

San Francisco Giants..."Freak" strikes out BRAVES! Fans storm stadium! Playoff # 2!

 

The "Freak" dominated with stylish delivery!

44,000 hyped-up hopped-up fans (the 2nd largest stadium turn-out in the past decade) packed the AT & T Sports arena to capacity last night - frenzied media hounds scrambled about on the sidelines to capture a dynamic publicity still or two for posterity's sake - and popular home-town athletes stormed on to victory to thunderous applause.

But, not without a little controversy, in the interim.

What appeared - at first -a bad call initially (on the heels of a fast high-and-wide throw) paved the way for an auspicious chain of events (comparable to a stack of dominos falling in tandem) that dove-tailed sweetly to seal the fate of an end scenario sports enthusiasts will be recalling with glowing tributes for decades to come.

For starters, pitcher - Tim Lincecum - was in spectacular form.

The lithe long-haired stud muffin held Atlanta at bay with 2 hits and a phenomenal fourteen strikes-outs.

"Tonight, he went out and pitched as fine a game as you can ptich," raved one baseball enthusiast.

The freak (he is nick-named so because of his exaggerated wind-up and individualistic delivery) dominated with a dynamic performance that never let up.

In spite of being singled out so expressly - as a one-man tour de force - fans and sports writers alike acknowledged that it was nothing short of spot-on teamwork that nabbed the match for the Giants in the first game of the series playoffs last night with such ease and grace.

Today, meanwhile, fans are ecstatic and chomping at the bit, as they gear up for another big night under a canopy of stars.

And - the Giants intend to sport their Orange Jersey's - to celebrate in true Friday night tradition!

Round 2!

Uh-huh.

Sold out!

But, not to worry - loyal die-hard fans, a smattering of local and National celebrities, and handful of high-profile double-talking politicians - already have their hot little tickets in hand.

News of the outcome at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Beer...a warm fuzzy insight!

As I stood at the urinal at the Abbey and took a whiz

A horrible truth suddenly dawned on me

'Ya know, we don't buy the booze

We just rent it

For as long as our bladder holds out!

ba-dump!

Las Vegas...festive partying in streets! Americans letting off steam...

Judging by the wild party atmosphere rampant last night at the Fremont Street Experience, it appears that Americans have been chomping at the bit to let off a little steam!

In front of Binion's Casino, for instance, enthusiastic music-lovers swayed to the jazzy upbeat sounds of soulful sax player Carl Ferris. (Post: 01/16/09)

And, at one point, a handful of exuberant bystanders were inclined to spontaneously slip into the spotlight alongside the charismatic musician, and break into a funky dance move or two.

Others sipped on exotic cocktails or guzzled a beer (bartenders served up quite a few non-stop in oversize containers shaped like a football) as they strolled along the strip to catch all the action.

As a feisty gang of motorcycle enthusiasts stood around the gold-colored "Globe of Death" waiting for the "Riders of the Thunderdome" to perform their death-defying feats, slightly-tipsy guests at the Golden Nugget tossed beads from a 2nd floor balcony to fun-loving revellers who grovelled for the shiny baubles below.

Probably, the funniest moment for me occurred when three boys - about 7 - 8 years old - lifted up their shirts teasingly in a bold-faced effort to entice a string or two their way.

There was quite a diverse turn-out, too.

Young lovers in romantic moods held hands and smooched openly in the packed street without a care in the world alongside elderly couples out for a night stroll.

Quite a few married couples, with wee tots in tow, also braved the tangled exuberant masses on Fremont, to catch the entertaining street performers, too.

I even spied a few members of the military maneuvering their way through the crowds, in full dress uniform.

Fleet's in!

The upbeat crowd roared approval every hour on the hour when the fantastic "light show" sprang to life on the world's biggest wide screen on the planet overhead.

And like me, sighed a little, when the warm and fuzzy awesome eve came to an end.

But, the party is not over yet!

Tonight, the dare-devil bikers will perform in two closing shows.

(8:15 p.m & 10:15 p.m.)

World-renowned acrobats from Tangiers will wow the tourists & locals once again on Stage 1.

And, the scintillating sax sounds of Carl Ferris, will touch souls under the romantic canopy.

See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com