We Have Liftoff

There’s no better night than tonight to step outside and gaze into the infinite. To all those aboard the space shuttle Discovery, you’re in our thoughts today, for you prove to us that there’s no challenge insurmountable. Good luck, God speed and most of all, thank you.

Battle Royale in Chi-Town: Part 2

As a follow-up to my post regarding the anti-smoking blanket in Chicago, which you can read here, I thought it would be appropriate to follow this story from all different perspectives. I know there are numerous smoking ban proposals in numerous cities of numerous states, however I’d feel like I’d be repeating myself should I try to draw attention to all of them. Considering that Chicago is where I spent most of my years growing up, I thought it to be best to direct my focus for future anti-smoking blanket rants there. With that said, lets draw our attention to the hospitality industry that could (and will) be affected should this smoking ban proposal pass.

According to a recent article published in the Chicago Sun-Times, a viewpoint from Steve Ridel (an executive director for the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association) showcases what type of impact a ban of this magnitude will hold on hospitality venues. As proposed, there would be a 25-foot ban from the outside of any business. As Steve points out, “Not only would hospitality businesses experience a severe decline in sales, we would have problems with our neighbors, as patrons would be outside smoking and making noise at all times of the night.” This is a very valid point, considering that many hotels and restaurants in the Chicago-land area are located neighboring residential buildings. I urge all of those in favor of this ban to put yourself in the position of one of the neighboring homeowners; it doesn’t paint a pretty picture, does it?

We’re all aware of the California smoking ban, along with the statistics that have been gathering for some time now. According to the California Board of Equalization, “sales tax revenue from liquor-pouring establishments grew 15 percent less than the rest of the economy after the enactment of smoking bans”, not to mention over 1,000 bars and restaurants closed within the first year of the ban. If we follow the statistics, there’s a simple pattern that evolves. Place a ban on smoking and you’ll see tax revenue decline, establishments will close, jobs are lost, and the cities will suffer. Twenty-six percent of all sales taxes collected by the city are generated from some type of hospitality establishment; start taking away that revenue and the city will pay.

There was a recent article published in Cigar Aficionado showcasing Chicago as one of the last great cigar cities in the nation. Hopefully with the outpouring of concern to Mayor Daley over this proposed ban, the powers that be will reach some type of compromise and Chicago will continue to flourish in the luxuries of a fine cigar.

Lights, Camera, Cigars

The official site/blog for Blowing Smoke has been active for sometime now, however I haven’t heard a thing about it until this morning (thanks to a post by Cigar Jack). The movie stars what seems to be a list of small screen actors and Estella Warren who you may remember from such screen gems as Driven, Planet of the Apes remake (Tim Burton, one question, why??) and everyone’s favorite, Kangaroo Jack.

The story revolves around a night of poker and cigars until in walks Estella to throw a wrench in the works. The official synopsis is this:

Late one night, eight guys are sitting around at a cigar club in Beverly Hills, smoking cigars, playing high-stakes poker and complaining about how men always seem to get screwed-over by women. Suddenly, there is a knock at the door.

From the looks of the trailers, the entire film seems to be set in one location revolving around much dialogue, seeming like a cross between Mamet and Tarantino films. The official site is something pretty unique, for it’s basically a launch pad for a blog. It could be a good time, but only time will tell. From what I can see, there’s no official release date, and it doesn’t seem to me that we’ll be seeing this on the big screen anytime soon. Check it out by clicking on the smoking legs below.

Caffeine Enhanced Rant

Since my review of the Java by Drew Estate, I find myself drawn to Starbucks more than I’d like to say. Actually, I’ve been addicted to it for quite some time previous to the Java review, but I thought it necessary to at least throw in a reference to a cigar, for the rant you’re about to embark on has nothing to do with cigar smoking.

It’s a crisp and cool 101 degrees at 8:37 am on this fine Phoenix morning as I decide to make a quick run to the local Starbucks. If 101 weren’t bad enough, we’re on the edge of our monsoon season, and it felt like soup out there since the dew points are starting to rise. Anyhow, I digress.

As I round the corner into the parking lot, it seems excessively full. To my surprise, there were only two ladies in line ahead of me, which at the time didn’t seem altogether bad, until I noticed a 3-inch stack of rechargeable Starbucks cards in the employee’s hand. As it turns out, the first lady in line (Lady #1) purchased 30 cards, charging each with $5.00. First of all, I’m assuming that she’ll be passing these out to her employees as some kind of “thank you” or “appreciation gift”, but I ask you this, would you be all that excited to receive $5.00 in Starbucks cash? That may buy you one visit at best! Again, I digress. Secondly, as the line grows behind me to the likes of 10 or more people, Lady #1 never once turned her head to see the log jam she had just created (during the busiest time of the morning mind you). She merely side-stepped and started milling around the sale bin trying desperately to avoid all eye contact with the pre-caffeine morning grumpers waiting patiently for their pick-me-up.

Ten minutes goes by, and Matt (behind the counter) finally finishes charging up the cards when Lady #2 unfolds a laundry list of drinks and lays it on the counter. Let me start by saying that nothing annoys me more than someone designated to complete a Starbucks run for the office. It’s not like they could just order a mammoth coffee dispenser to go, that would be fine, but this list had things I’ve never even heard of (such like the In-n-Out Burger secret menu). As Matt (behind the counter) patiently recites the list back to Lady #2, corrections are made, frustrations are climbing and the line behind me is growing, all the while the rumblings are becoming louder and louder.

Finally after the 17 minutes spent in line behind Ladies #1 & 2, I finally approach the counter with a simple request of a Grande drip (just a regular cup-o-joe for those non-Starbucks types). Of course my simple request was made with an overly loud and sarcastic tone so Ladies #1 & 2 could hear my frustration along with a smirk of recognition from Matt. All in my entire request encapsulated roughly 20 seconds from start to finish.

What is the purpose of this rant you may ask? Well, for those of you who find yourselves in similar situations, don’t you think it would be wise to start a line just for those basic coffee drinkers to get their cups and go? For something as basic as a cup of coffee, without the “half-mocha-double-shot-half-caff-caramel-2 Splenda-cream and whip-with soy”, wouldn’t an express line make sense? Dare I say have a full carafe waiting at all times with cups ready on the side for patrons to use for a buck on the honor system? Okay maybe that’s unrealistic, but surely an express line would help in the morning.

Shame on you Starbucks for making us normal coffee drinkers wait such a long time for such a simple pleasure. Not like this rant will do any good, for I’ll most likely find myself in the same line, behind the same people at the same time tomorrow morning; although there’s always hope. Now I must run, my coffee is getting cold!


The Goddess of Caffeine

Anti-Smoking Battle Royale in Chi-Town

With all the anti-smoking rhetoric that’s been filtering down through the news as of late, I wasn’t surprised to see my hometown gearing up for a heated debate over a proposal to ban smoking in virtually all of indoor Chicago.

On one side, we have Health Committee Chairman Ed H. Smith who is supporting and driving the ban, and on the other we have the 26 votes needed to pass the all-inclusive ban.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “The proposed anti-smoking blanket would cover outdoor sports stadiums, train platforms and virtually all of indoor Chicago, including restaurants, free-standing bars, theaters and shopping malls. Smokers who now huddle in doorways would even be prohibited from puffing away within 25 feet of an enclosed area where smoking is banned.”

There’s a good chance a ban of this magnitude will not be passed, however it paints a pretty good picture of how one-sided anti-smoking advocates really are. I’m sure there will be a compromise somewhere in all of this, and I urge Ed Smith to re-think his values and freedoms in which he is allotted as stated in the words of our forefathers. I normally don’t rant on political issues, however I don’t like to see anything that infringes on our rights as citizens using such terms as “all-inclusive” and “blanket”. Should the circumstances allow, I would advocate non-smoking rules in certain public areas (even I don’t like the smell of cigarette smoke while dining), however I don’t feel it’s right for any one person or organization to fully rule out our freedoms.

The full article can be found online with the Chicago Sun-Times.

Review: Java by Drew Estate

Cup-O-Cigar

If there’s one thing that captures the essence of Americana in today’s modern society, it's the growing number of Starbucks coffee houses populating nearly as many street corners as McDonalds in every city and suburb of this great nation of ours. Not so many years ago it was common to find the only coffee available outside of the home was at the local greasy-spoon in Anytown, USA. Fifty cents was the going rate for an average cuppa-joe, and we’ve now seen the popularity rise in such demand that we think nothing of shelling out $2.00 for the caffeine enhanced nirvana we find in the venti white cups donning the ever popular green Starbucks crest. With the booming bean business and the increasing interest and demand for quality cigars, it was only a matter of time before a marriage of the two. Thankfully the masters of the flavored cigar, Drew Estate, have released what could be their most enjoyable flavor to date, Java.

From the initial look of the box and band, the Java cigar does not attempt to showboat (such like various other lines from Drew Estate). With a simple yet bold logo, the relaxing tones of gold and burgundy compliment the rich, dark tones of the oily maduro wrapper. With four sizes to choose from as large as the Toro (6.0 x 54) down to the smallest Wafe (a unique super-slim parejo), there shouldn’t be any reason to not enjoy this cigar. The following sense that’s elevated is smell, for the sweet hints of mocha rise from the box as they would from that first steaming cup in the morning. Taste is consistent throughout, with a rush of sweet flavor overwhelming the cap. I was a bit reserved at first thinking the flavor was so dominant prior to lighting up that it would turn bitter and dissipate as the smoke tapered down, however it became even more complex and turned from sweet and smooth to robust with a solid mocha/cocoa richness pouring out towards the end.

Java lights up with ease, and the draw is very pleasurable. The burn throughout is even, and the Nicaraguan fill and oily wrapper produce a beautiful smoke. With the changing complexities of flavor as this stick burns down, it never turn hot. With solid construction and attention to detail, this one is easily enjoyed down to the end.

Normally a glass of Oban is enjoyed with any cigar I’ve smoked in the past; however I’d have to go with coffee on this one. Naturally, the flavors of a fresh brew will compliment the richness of the cigar, and I’d suggest this as a late night pleasure. Another solid success for Drew Estate, and now it’s time to head to Starbucks.



A nice rich cup of Java