Three Pals In the News

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I've been on the road doing a speaking gig and am just now catching up on what's up with the rest of the world, including news about three people I know (and like):

Gilbert King, one of the most decent humans I know, had an op-ed piece in yesterday's New York Times. It relates to the topic of his new book. When he's not busy writing books, he's a professional photographer. (And a husband and dad. Totally unclear to me how he finds the time for all of this. Does he ever sleep?) (Plus, and yes I'm shallow, he's horrifyingly good looking.)

Second, the totally swell Jim Arndorfer is the subject of a front-page feature piece in today's Wall Street Journal. The paper's website is suffering serious Wierd Issues at the moment (it keeps freezing), so I'll simplify things by posting a link to Jim's blog, where's he's posted a workable link to the piece. It's the entry titled "WSJ Covers Beer Blog." Again, I'd send you straight the WSJ piece itself, but their site is suffering serious wonkiness at the moment. [SEE NOTE BELOW]

Finally, I learn that the inimitable Charlie Papazian has taken up blogging. (Charlie! I beg you. Stop now while you can.) Charlie is the most calm guy I know. He's verrrrrrrry caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalm. When I'm around him, I land in the caaaaaaaaaaaaalm zone. (Thanks to Stan for this tip about Charlie's blog.)

NOTE: Addition to original blog entry: Full disclosure. I know Jim only by phone and email. He's called me on numerous occasions to interview me for pieces he's working on for the Miller Brewing magazine titled "Brew." I have no other affiliation with Jim, the blog, the magazine, or Miller Brewing. I am never paid for my insight (such as it is) and I extend to him the same courtesy I show to all the newspaper/magazine reporters who call me on a regular basis: I share my knowledge of the brewing industry's history.

The Sculptures of Starr Kempf

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This has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but: For reasons not worth mentioning, tonight my husband and I spent time remembering a long-ago trip to Colorado Springs. (We think this particular visit was c. 1990. Doesn't matter.) Anyway, we both still enjoy vivid memories of the Starr Kempf sculptures. If you've seen them, you know why we remember them with such clarity. If you've not seen them, they're worth a trip to C. Springs. He was an extraordinary artist. In either case, some online images of Kempf's work: The Kempf family page Even better images taken by a visitor. The Wikipedia entry.

So -- Where Was I?

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For those of you who are now totally confused by the media's coverage of yesterday's events: no, April 7 was NOT the 75th anniversary of the end of Prohibition. Please -- take my word for it. I know what I'm talking about. I may not know much, but I am dead certain of that one thing.

Anyway, where was I before I started all this countdown stuff?

Well, here's one thing I missed: My pal Jay Brooks issued a call for a new national "day": You know: like Boss's Day, Mother's Day, Kiss Your Therapist Day. Jay suggests designating July 18 as "International Brewer's Day." You can read the details at his blog. It's at the end of that entry. I second the motion.

And picking up on the more general topic of that blog entry by Jay: "Beer People": What's not to love about beer people? I've yet to meet one I didn't like. In no particular order, here are links to just a few of the websites run by people who love beer -- and who, in my opinion, exemplify all that's good not just about "beer people" but about people in general:

Jay's blog of course. You just won't meet a nicer guy.

There's Stan's blog -- currently running "slow" because he and his family are traveling more-or-less around the world. TRULY a swell guy, James Spencer In it for the love of the beer, my favorite brothers Groucho and CHUD Mr. Cool himself, Rick Lyke The fabulous Carolyn Smagalski One of the nicest guys on the planet, Bryce Eddings Historian, food guy, and beer guy Bob Skilnik.

Everybody at the Brewers Association The inimitable Lew Bryson Stephen Beaumont. I don't know him, but god he's good-looking.... Alan from Ontario. I don't know him either, but he's very smart and so he's also probably good-looking. (Smart = sexy.) (You knew that, right?) Russ from Maine -- who boggles my mind because he manages to keep up such a great blog.

Hmmmm....... I just realized that this list could go on and on and on. And I've got a book to write (I've only cranked out 7,000 words. That means I've got about 100,000 to go. Must. Get. Busy.) To be continued.

Fun With Groucho and CHUD

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Thanks to Groucho and CHUD at beerreport.com for taking time to interview me today. Somehow they got the idea that I have half a clue; I didn't have the heart to burst their bubble . . . .

Seriously, these are two smart, funny, and totally irreverent guys. What's not to love? Check out their website, including links to their podcasts and forum ("The Confrontation Board") here.

The interview with me will be up at their site sometime during the week of March 24.

The Beer Can House and Other Wacky Stuff

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Well, okay. Might be worth a road trip.........

.......to visit the Beer Can House in Houston, Texas. It's now owned by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art (translation: a group of people who've rounded up enough dough to buy, preserve, and celebrate the work of local eccentrics.)

The group's site is here. Roll your cursor over the round icons at the top to find the Beer Can House and other delights.

There's a story about the house in today's New York Times.