The very cool and (a-bit) exotic with touches of the Pacific Islands in the decor, as well as being the inimitable purveyor of Two Buck Chuck in the 90s, which is probably Four Buck Chuck in 2014 if they still carry it, Trader Joe’s, will open three specialty, grocery stores in the Denver/Boulder area on February 14, 2014. For the virgins in the group, Two Buck Chuck is a working-class wine that became an icon for Trader Joe’s in the 80s-90s… It was selling, of course, for $2. BTW, it’s barely drinkable.
The Boulder location is at the Twenty Ninth Street Mall, 1906 28th St Boulder, CO 80301. The Denver locations, include a store at Eighth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, and one at the Cherry Hills Marketplace, 5901 S. University Blvd. The Grand Opening on Valentine’s Day will be marked with a “ceremonial lei cutting” according to local papers.
Plan on watching cooking demos with food tastings and deals, deals, deals. Get ’em while you can.
The doors open at 8 A.M. on February 14, 2014. More stores are to open around the state later this year.
Rancher Bill Joe Dilley works with bison in the stockyard at the National Western Stock Show last January. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post )
National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado
January 11 – 26, 2014
Background: In its 108th year, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. It is also our mission to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier Stock Show, Rodeo, Horse Show and center for year-round events. The 16-day show also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, largest horse show and Colorado’s largest tradeshow.
Attendance: Overall attendance in 2013 was 628,366. The attendance record was set during the Stock Show’s 100th anniversary in 2006 at 726,972.
Exhibits: More than 15,000 head of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, bison, yak, poultry and rabbits step foot on the grounds of the National Western Stock Show each year. The National Western Stock Show is noted for hosting the world’s only carload and pen cattle show, held in the historic Denver Union Stockyards.
Trade Show: More than 350 vendors fill the nearly 100-acre show grounds with a variety of food and shopping opportunities. The National Western Trade Show offer a variety of products including fine art and jewelry, clothing, household items and agricultural products and equipment.
Ticketed Events: National Western hosts close to 50 performances in the Stadium Arena, Denver Coliseum and National Western Events Center. Among these are the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, PBR Bull Riding Touring Pro Finale, Pro Rodeos, Martin Luther King, Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo, the Gambler’s Choice Open Jumping Stake, National Western Wild West Show, RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining, Grand Prix show jumping, Super Dogs shows, An Evening of Dancing Horses® and Draft Horse and Mule Shows.
The Full Wolf Moon: January 15, 2014 at 8:53 P.M. Las Vegas Time
From The Old Farmer’s Almanac
“January is the month of the Full Wolf Moon. It appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. To some Native American tribes, this was the Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next full Moon, in February.”
Farmer’s Almanac’sFull Moon Video featuring, Amy Nieskens
“Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. In this video, learn about January’s Full Wolf Moon. Click below to watch video.”
Moon Folklore:
A bright first Moon promises rain and a bountiful harvest; a red-tinted Moon means a dry year.
A growing Moon and a flowing tide are lucky times to marry.
A halo around the Moon predicts wet or stormy weather.
Señor Ric’s Mexican Restaurant
13200 E. Mississippi
Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 750-9000
Señor Ric’s exterior – you can’t really tell from the photo – has New Mexican style wrap-around blue and red neon tubing at the top of the building. When I first saw Señor Ric’s, I thought of Central Avenue in Albuquerque, although the restaurant seems to be referenced as Santa Fe style. Both work for me.
Owners, Jeff and Julie Eaton have been serving (mostly) traditional Mexican food since 1986. Señor Ric’s has a New Mexican “hacienda” feel to it, spread throughout a huge space. The New Mexican style decor/design provides a bright, cheerful background; Think Rose’s Cantina, white-washed walls and a red rose. Upon entering the restaurant, on the left is the lively, colorful lounge/bar area, on the right – several dining rooms.
Señor Ric’s Lounge & Bar - Denver Post Photo
We stopped in one evening while the Happy Hour was in session. Señor Ric’s Happy Hour is a habit not easy to break since the Happy Hour is a very good thing. “Daily from 3-6pm & 9-11pm the Happy Hour includes: Traditional Margaritas, Fruit Margaritas, Domestic Drafts, House Wine and Well Drinks.” First trip, I had the red wine (2) for about $4.00, then switched to the 2-4-1 Traditional House Margarita at $4.95;) It’s just about the only Happy Hour, inexpensive-margarita I’ve had that doesn’t give me a headache or worse.
Senor Ric's Bar - Photo LasVegasBuffetClub
During Happy Hours, there’s a little buffet table in the bar area stocked with a huge bowl of light, thin chips, a spicy been-dip and a decent salsa. On Friday nights they add baby Taquitos. Last trip the Taquitos were of the spinach and cheese variety. Sometimes they serve cheese-filled Taquitos – all complimentary.
Spinach Enchilada - LasVegasBuffetClub
On our second visit, we decided to dine from the main menu – in the main dining room. I had the Spinach Enchilada – a tortilla stuffed with sautéed spinach and baked in a light vegetable sauce, “finished with zesty chili con queso” served with Mexican rice and sour cream for about four bucks. I wanted to try this dish because of the spinach. It was excellent Tex-Mex with a healthy twist. Here’s the skinny on two:
SPINACH ENCHILADAS
“Two enchiladas stuffed with sautéed spinach and baked in a
light vegetable sauce. Finished with our zesty chili con queso.
Served with Mexican rice and sour cream ($8.99.”)
Other traditional items from the menu include: Appetizers from $7.49 to $9.79, Combinations, such as: Two cheese enchiladas, Mexican rice and refried beans, $8.49. (With pork, beef or chicken add $1.00;) also flautas, burritos, rellenos, tamales and tacos.
Fajitas are on the menu.
“One half pound of marinated strips of steak, chicken or pork served on a sizzling skillet with fresh picco de gallo, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, refried beans and your choice of hot flour or corn tortillas” $13.49. Mix beef, chicken or pork add $1.00
Chimichangas
“A crispy flour tortilla filled with your choice of one of the tasty ingredients listed below, topped with mild green sauce, Mexican rice and choice of refried beans or black beans. Served with sour cream.” Choose: Shredded Beef $8.99, Chicken $8.99, Ground Beef $8.99, Bean (black or refried) $8.29
Ric’s Chimichanga
“Ric stuffs this chimichanga with his famous Green Pork Chili and tops it with scoops of sour cream and guacamole. Olé!” $9.29
Also: Weekday Specials, A LA Carte, Seafood Items, Gluten Free Menu, Salads and Wraps. Find Ric’s complete menu here.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Dining Room: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm Sun. – Thurs.
11:00 am to 10:00 pm Fri. – Sat.
Lounge: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Daily
by A worker, who did not want to be identified, sweeps Wednesday while people party early in the morning in front of the Mermaid’s Casino on Fremont Street. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
By JEFF SCHEID LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Posted January 2, 2014 – 11:43pm Updated January 3, 2014 – 6:35am
The party kept going in Las Vegas after the ringing in of the new year, and the cleanup from New Year’s Eve celebrations began right away.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority estimated that more than 335,000 visitors celebrated the new year in Las Vegas.
by Ronnie "Tank" Campbell from Fayetteville, N.C. on Fremont Street Experience's Monday, Dec. 31, 2012.
This is what keeps me warm," said the 315 lbs. truck driver while he drinks his pina colada. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
By LAURA CARROLL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Posted December 29, 2013 – 6:22pm
Dust off those glitter pants and top hats, it’s almost New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas.
With a collection of superstar performers and out-of-this-world dining menus, the city’s tourism industry is pulling out all the stops to make celebrating 2014 a stellar event.
About 335,000 visitors are expected to come to Las Vegas on Tuesday, bringing an estimated nongaming economic impact of $213 million, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Both figures are on par with last year’s numbers.
“We expect the same this year,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Although New Year’s Eve visitation is flat compared to 2012, the last day of the year still is attracting more people than in 2011 when 314,000 visitors came to celebrate in Las Vegas. That year brought in a $192.6 million nongaming economic impact.
Citywide occupancy on the last night of 2013 is expected to be at 98 percent, also the same as last year. And yes, guests are paying a premium.
A deluxe king room at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday, for example, is priced at $526.50. Over at Planet Hollywood Resort, a Strip-view room is costing $409, and a Strip-view king room at Treasure Island costs $386 on the big night. When booking your New Year’s Eve lodging for this or any year, keep in mind that Tull said prime locations go first.
The privately owned Trump International, which features a rooftop pool deck with prime fireworks viewing, has rooms for $334 per night. Guests there can attend a free fete in the DJT Lounge, or indulge in the prix fixe menu at DJT Restaurant.
“That’s been very popular,” said marketing manager Jason Demuth. “Our emphasis is service, so we don’t charge for music or entertainment on our property. And we have a complimentary champagne toast. I think that’s kind of unique.” Read more…
Table du gros souper de Noël avec ses trois nappes, reconstitution dans le hall de l'Hôtel de Ville d'Avignon - by Jean-Louis Zimermann
It’s just before midnight on Christmas Eve night. The sky is clear, and a thousand stars glimmer above. A procession of dozens of shepherds, some carrying candles, some playing fifes, led by a young lamb in a straw-filled cart decorated with red ribbons, who in turn is led by the lamb’s mother, walk up the hill to the church for Christmas Midnight Mass. The lamb is presented to the priest, who leads it to the creche, to keep company with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and all the santons (little saints). This is Christmas Eve night in Provence, France, where the two-month Christmas season is sparked with magic and laced with the enchantment of old, enduring traditions.
Cacho-fio
Before attending Midnight Mass, families gather for two ceremonies – “cacho-fio” (Yule log ritual) and then for Gros Souper, or Great Supper. Before the great dinner, the oldest and youngest members of the family cut a yule log from a fruit tree, then carry it around the dining table three times before blessing it with mulled wine and burning it in the hearth.
Gros Souper – Reveillion
Reveillion means “awakening” or “awake”, and a reveillion dinner is one that lasts long into the night, generally until the wee morning hours. At the Christmas Eve dinner, seven fish and seafood dishes are served, along with local vegetables and seven wines. Some say that seven represents the sufferings of Mary, and some say it signifies the wounds of Christ. Before all the dishes are put out on the table together, the table is set with three tablecloths, three candles and three bowls of wheat, signifying the Holy Trinity. The wheat – St. Barbe’s wheat – has been saved from December 4, which is when the Christmas season begins. An extra place has been set at the table, for a deceased ancestor, an angel, or a beggar who may drop by. When the meal is finished and the table cleared, some people pull up the top tablecloth and tie up the ends, leaving the crumbs inside, and then place this bundle outside their door, signifying their help for those who are hungry.
Table du Gros Souper de Noël, tradition provençale, Nov. 29, 2010 - by Veronique Pagnier
Les Treize Desserts
After Midnight Mass comes the second half of the Gros Souper – dessert. Not just one dessert, but 13, signifying Jesus and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper. There are four dishes signifying the four mendicants (religious orders that have taken a vow of poverty): Figs for the Franciscans, almonds for the Carmelites, raisins for the Dominicans and walnuts or hazelnuts for the Augustines. In addition, there are two nougats, one white and one black, signifying, some say, good and evil. Dates are included, because Jesus was from the Middle East. The remaining six desserts can be fresh or preserved cherries, pears, mandarins, apples, oranges or winter melon. And included in this dessert meal is a sweet bread made with olive oil and orange. Traditionally, any un-eaten desserts are left out for three days, for ancestors, angels, beggars, and, of course, for the family to much on!
Around 4am, when everyone has eaten their fill of desserts, opened their gifts, and filled their spirits with the warmth of celebrating with loved ones, it is time to sleep. And then, up again in the morning, to prepare Christmas lunch, which is usually from noon to 4pm. Lunch may be a chestnut-filled roast turkey with lots of side dishes, or a more simple meal.
Santons
People purchase all these wonderful foods at outdoor Christmas markets, which open up on December 4, the beginning of the season. These markets sell foods, gifts and santons, which are made of wood or clay, and are usually just a few inches tall. While a creche always has figurines of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, the three wise men, some barn animals, and perhaps an angel or two, all the rest of the santons are townspeople – a baker, the town crier, a fisherman, and all the ordinary townspeople of 18th -19th century Provencal villages, bringing Baby Jesus their wares.
During the French Revolution, when churches were shut down and destroyed, and Christmas Midnight Mass and nativity scenes banned, the people in Provence began keeping creches in their homes, and the little santons became important in continuing Christmas traditions. Santonniers are in great demand, and the little saints can now be purchased online.
Santon in Mistral Wind Arles, commons.wikimedia.org
A public nativity scene may have up to 600 santons. In public displays and also in private homes, it is common to move the figurines around each day, to signify the progression of the characters as they travel to the manger. Baby Jesus is put out at midnight on Christmas Day, and the three wise men, the Kings from the Orient, arrive on Epiphany, January 6.
Provence Mistral Santon, commons:wikimedia.org
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day bring another reveillion, with Gros Soupers on both days. There is much eating, much drinking of wine, and boisterous merriment all around the towns.
Epiphany
Epiphany is celebrated by serving Gateau des Rois (Kings’ Cake), which is made with candied fruit and sprinkled with sugar. Inside the cake is hidden either a santon or a bean. The person who gets the cake slice with the prize becomes the “servant”, and must perform songs and dances to entertain everyone.
Candlemas
Families and friends gather often between New Year’s Day and Candlemas, prolonging the season with dinners, lunches and wine parties. The Christmas season in Provence ends on Candlemas, on February 2. The Christmas decorations are taken down, and the santons are wrapped up carefully and tucked away for their 10-month sleep until next December 4, when they stir in their little paper wrappings, wake up, and are brought out to begin the next Christmas season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from LasVegasBuffetClub.Com
Table du gros souper de Noël avec ses trois nappes, reconstitution dans le hall de l’Hôtel de Ville d’Avignon – by Jean-Louis Zimermann originally published on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanlouis_zimmermann/3132570245/
FINAL NORAD STATS, December 25, 2013: 7,060,919,100 GIFTS DELIVERED BY SANTA CLAUS!
First published December 15, 2013
NORAD Tracks Santa
Have you ever wondered where Santa and his reindeer are, at any given time, on Christmas Eve? Well, you can find out here: NORAD Tracks Santa
NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), has been tracking Santa since 1955. And, with the internet, the tracking and reporting are even better, because you can see Santa and his reindeer flying over towns and cities in Google Earth 3D.
But don’t wait until Christmas Eve to visit this website. While Santa and the elves are still making toys and preparing for the big trip, there is plenty to do on NORAD’s site. Log on now to visit the North Pole, play games and music, and watch movies. And be sure to visit the North Pole Library, where you can learn about Santa, his magic sleigh, and holiday traditions in different countries. And…for all you investigative minds out there, log onto NORAD HQ on the site to read the Secret Santa Files.
How did NORAD come to track Santa each year? In 1955, A Sears store in Colorado Springs, Colorado, printed an ad with a phone number for children to call to speak with Santa. The phone number, however, was incorrect, and was the phone number to NORAD’s Commander-in-Chief’s operations hotline. Colonel Harry Shoup, Director or Operations, did not know Santa’s phone number, but he had his staff check radar for Santa’s location on Christmas Eve, and children who continued to call were given updates. A tradition was born, and NORAD does a great job with this very special mission. This site is great fun. Enjoy!
December’s Full Moon is called the Full Cold Moon. It is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark.
This full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by some Native American tribes.
Full Cold Moon information from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. In this video, learn about the Full Cold Moon and the ancient rituals of the winter solstice.
In 2013, winter begins with the solstice at 12:11 P.M. on December 21 (EST). Get more facts about the first day of winter.
LincVolt is a 1959 Lincoln Continental, owned by musician Neil Young, that was converted into a more fuel-efficient, hybrid demonstrator vehicle.
According to the LincVolt website, the goal of the LincVolt project is “to inspire a generation by creating a clean automobile propulsion technology that serves the needs of the 21st Century and delivers performance that is a reflection of the driver’s spirit. By creating this new power technology, Lincvolt hopes to reduce the demand for petro-fuels enough to eliminate the need for war over energy supplies, thereby enhancing the security of the USA and other nations throughout the world.” Read more on WIKI page
From The Official LincVolt Website
Vision
Our goal is to inspire a generation by creating a clean automobile propulsion technology that serves the needs of the 21st Century and delivers performance that is a reflection of the driver’s spirit. By creating this new power technology we hope to reduce the demand for petro-fuels enough to eliminate the need for war over energy supplies, thereby enhancing the security of the USA and other nations throughout the world.
Values
We want to build a zero emissions automobile that eliminates roadside re-fueling entirely, a safe powerful automobile that is comfortable and economic on both long trips and the commute to work, an automobile that can generate power to the home when it is parked, potentially creating an income stream for the owner.
Methods
By working with established technologies in new ways, with the best people and companies available in each field, and creating a film about the innovative re-powering of a 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible and its trip around the USA, we aim to publicize our story of innovation to make a major difference in the knowledge of, creation, and use of clean power in the 21st Century. a 2.5 ton 19.5 foot automobile, making automotive history with an extended range and mpg that has never been attained in a full size vehicle.
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