Looks like the long rumored Thomas Hammer coffee shop, will be going in across the street from Dawson’s Taylors Downtown at the corner of Bannock and 9th. Maybe moving the location a quarter of a block will bring them more success. Me? I’m betting on the local guys!!!

Apparently, the old(new) Riders is open with Arnell Jones at the helm. Can that be good? See my earlier comments �If first you don�t succeed� in the archives.

Thanks to the good folks at Dawson Taylor Downtown, a new batch of my photos are on display. 219 nth 9th, downtown.

The Mighty Lions of ‘75 roared again last night. It was amazing, the women all still looked great. Us guys? We got old!

Since our class officers abandoned us, Ron Dalby(who better?) assembled a committee without a leader and off we went.

Bill Scalf �got the band together� and man did those guys make the years fall away.

Tonight we meet again, let you know.

So what is up in the old Milfords space in BoDo? Rumor has it that a new local downtown resturantrese and her partner are looking seriously at the location. Being right across for PF Changs could be fun.

Hopefully they can find the old fresh juicer. There is nothing better then a greyhound made with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

In an earlier column, I predicted that Boogie Woogie�s was wounded.
Sorry to say they went terminal this week.

It was a glorious day in the park! The 14th annual Blues Society Picnic was a HUGE success. When we say we got a “ton of food.” We mean it. At least 2000lbs will go to the Rescue Mission!

Blues music? Six hours!
The kids from Boise High kicked it off with some very fine licks. Hope the Short Sided guys will keep it up. Caldwell’s Next Exit played a fantastic blend of blues and blues rock. Lori B! was all B! all the time. Good thing her boys can keep up. Larry Conklin keep the traditional blues alive.

Headliner George Stancell was a delight, a nice man and a true “Bluesman.” We were lucky to experience his talent.

It was a sad mix of longing and pleasure to be able to pour beer and listen to the Hoochies. Was not alone in missing the Blues Bouquet.

In an earlier column, I mentioned the return of Neighbor Dave. His heartfelt set was the reason we were there. Mine were not the only teary eyes in the crowd. Dave, thank you for finding the way back to the spotlight.

A big thank you to all the media that helped promote the show. KBOI�s Chris Walton and Bryan Harris were their professional best. They made Lori B! and I sound great on �Weekend Idaho� Saturday morning. Not an easy task!

The Blues are ALIVE.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Click the Boise Blues Society LINK on this page.

It’s just around the corner you blues lovers out there!� Our annual summertime picnic is Sunday, July 17th at Julia Davis Park (near the zoo and the boat rentals) and runs from noon to 6 PM.� Bands include Headliner Gorgeous George Stancell, the Hoochie Coochie Men, Lori B! and the Boys, Next Exit, Neighbor Dave, Larry Conklin, and Short Sided.� Details on the BBS website.�www.boiseblues.org. Check out the Friday Statesman “Scene” and the Idaho Press Tribune’s “MORE” sections for additional coverage.�
If you don’t go, you can’t bitch about not having any good live music for a YEAR>>>

In one area you have, lots of families, water, fun, sun, beer and is in the very middle of the city. The other? Some say is not even in the city, but is about the same. In one area there is drinking, dancing and carrying on. Even a couple of drunks. The other? Mostly laid back, a lazy afternoon. At one rich, Yuppy types buy $4.00 beers. The other? The less fortunate drink $4.00 six packs.

The city of Boise has banned drinking on the Boise river. Why not the Grove at events like Alive After Five. The only real difference? Boise City MAKES money selling beer to a fancier crowd at the Grove. What hypocrisy.

Lori B! and Nancy McIntosh will be on the River morning show Friday morning promoting the BBS picnic. Saturday morn, Ms. B! and myself are booked at 7:30 on KBOI. (insert jokey comment here)

The 8th annual Caldwell “Blues in the Park” is August 12th &13th. This year the fest has expanded to two days. Fridays featured act is Eddy Shaw and the Wolfgang. Saturdays the headliner will be Chris Bell. Cheap at twice the price. $15.00 in advance for both days. Lucky Boise Blues Members get 1/2 off.

Wednesday night- Alive After Five.

Trust me-GO.

Was lucky to catch “Neighbor” Dave Green on the sidewalk late last week…
“I am excited to play the picnic.” he told me. It will be great to see him on July 17th. Dave is one of the good guys. Please come out and see his performance. This is a wonderful afternoon of blues and a great cause, can’t miss. Here is the earlier story about the event.

Hey>>> why I�m at it Don�t forget the unforgettable Duffy Bishop for Alive After Five Wednesday the 13th!

�I would pay any amount of money, just to hear a couple of good blues bands!� This a statement I have heard a 1000 times lately. So how about a whole afternoon of blues for TWO CANS OF FOOD.

For 14 years the Boise Blues society has been hosting the annual picnic, for the last several years it has been in the Julia David park. Next to the zoo, close to the boat rentals. This years line up is one of the best ever.

Long time blues fans will remember Neighbor Dave. Dave Green is one of those unique talents, a solo act that just lights up the stage. Dave�s lyrical voice has the edge of a man who has literally been to deaths door and found his way back. His songs speak of the love of a father, the haunting howl of a blood hound on the trail and a famous pig named Ashley. I would not miss his return to the stage for �all the tea. . .� You should not either.

Although she has not been gone as long we all miss Lori B! and her boys as well. Yes, it is beginning to sound like a party. Did I mention Nampa stars Next Exit. Hey, I�m just getting started here. The Hoochie Coohie men will do a set and then back up Gorgeous George Stancell. We’ll kick off this deal with the fresh faces of Short Side. This is a bunch of Boise High students with the BLUES. Below is the flyer. Mark your calendars, bring a friend or two. We’ll be talking about this picnic for years and years.