March 4 2007

Well gang, we’ve come to that part of the year that we all dread.
Football season’s over, and the teams in the Super Bowl were just who we thought they were. Baseball hasn’t started yet, and let’s face it, baseball and football are the big number one and the big number two.
It’s the middle of winter and you’d like to complain about the weather, but you look at Wisconsin and Buffalo, New York, and decide that no matter where you are, it ain’t all that bad.
You figure you can turn your eyes to Washington and to the politicians, but like really good jazz musicians, who play for each other and not the paying customers anymore, the politicians are doing fancy footwork that only another politician could understand.
We the voters are out in the audience scratching our heads, trying to figure out what the hell is going on, and if you tune in TV to a political roundtable, they can’t decide what’s going on either.
So much for the experts.
Anyway, the winter doldrums, having come, will in their own good time…go.
Mardi Gras is here, and Easter and St. Patrick’s Day are fast coming.
And speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, this year’s Irish stew cook-off, including San Patricio chili, dessert, and an open Irish dish, it you like, will be held at Brian O’Neills Restaurant and Irish Pub, 5555 Morningside, in University Village.
The event will be held Saturday, February 17th between 1PM and 6PM. It’s not too late to enter the competition, so if you are of a mind, contact "Doc" Dougherty at 713-446-8724 to arrange registration.
It’s more that just a cook-off, we are told that other activities, referred to officially as shenanigans, will be going on as well.
For more details you might go by Brian O’Neills and take the opportunity to brace yourself with a pint or two.
All proceeds of the event will go to the St. Patrick’s Day Commission, and hence to furnish bribes to the city council members and selected police officials for various and sundry permits and the like.
The persecution just goes on and on.
And while on an upbeat subject, pitchers and catchers report next week for Spring Training, gang.
Everybody understand. We’re talking about baseball here, O.K.?

Till next week
Helga Biermeister
Secretary