I met #76 some night in 1981, at the Library, not the Lancaster County Public Library, but the night club by that name in the Brunswick Hotel, not the real Brunswick but the one built a decade before. She was with a couple of girl friends and she stood out wearing a white outfit which contrasted nicely with her deep chocolate complexion. Further, at 6 foot she stood out in any crowd. I took her home that night, politely dropped her off, and followed up with flowers the next day. She had a little piece of my heart and more than a piece of my lust. Before long we were an item. Turned out height ran in her family as her brother was an 11-time all-star in the ABA/NBA. He had dueled Bill Walton for the NCAA basketball championship and now, at 7’ 2”, was a Chicago Bull. #76 and I had three separate spells. In the middle one she actually lived at the 340 Club for maybe a month.
In mid-1982, I had heard about a stunningly beautiful woman who worked personnel at a local manufacturing plant. Subsequently, and totally by chance, I bumped into a high school classmate of mine who happened to work at that plant. So I pumped her for information and found (the personnel woman who turned out to be) #87 to be single and seemingly acceptable. So, I designed a job application for me to apply for a job (more accurately, for a date) and submitted via my friend to her. In a few days she gave me a call and we dated on and off until she ran off with some rich Atlanta businessperson a few years later.
On November 9, 1982, #76 and I attended a charity event at Baltimore’s Convention Center. The event was put on by Sugar Ray Leonard and many boxing dignitaries were in attendance including Muhammad Ali, Howard Cosell, and Marvin Hagler. I was quite thrilled when Muhammad Ali called my date, #76, by name and we went over and made small talk with the greatest. Sugar Ray retired, for the first time, that night which left Marvin Hagler dumbfounded, poorer and still looking for respect. I want home that night feeling very respected.
Later that week, on Friday the 12th, I took #76, who was living with me at the 340, to watch the Alexis Arguello-Aaron Pryor fight on HBO at a buddy’s house. It turned out she was for the Hawk while I was for the classy Nicaraguan. It was a classic fight and the group of us were heavily engaged in the bout. It ended badly for the classy fighter as Aaron Pryor pummeled him before referee Stanley Christodoulou mercifully stopped it in the 14th round Well, something happened during the fight – likely at the end – to cause me to use the B-word referencing #76. Well, hell hath no fury. Let me give you same advice – don’t ever call a Black woman a bitch. Let me clarify further; don’t ever call a 6-foot tall Black woman a biotch.
Several nights later as we lay in bed on the 3rd floor of the 340 Club in the middle of a not too pleasant discussion as push came to shove she pretty much said “let’s get it on”. Unfortunately she was sounding more like Muhammad Ali than Marvin Gaye. Thankfully, at 3 am, the phone rang and I took the liberty of excusing myself to go answer it. As luck would have it, it was #87 in the throes of deep lust. Now, I had a choice – go upstairs and continue heading down the road towards a melee or make up an excuse and head up the road to #87’s home.
I’m neither a fighter nor a dummy so before I knew it I was on the road heading to Marietta to do what young men do. Rumble young man rumble. Upon my return #76 and I lived together for only a short while longer and our relationship came to an end (for the 2nd time). All things considered it coulda been worse. Unbeknownst to me it was just a little worse.
I just knew that she cheated on me (as if it is possible to “cheat” on someone who unabashedly left you in the middle of the night for a romp with another). Every day for the next week or so I’d call Phil at his job as bartender/confessor at Zangari’s South and he & I would speculate as to who she did it with. Was it Scotty Sports Sunday? Was it Jose? Was it Brian of Sleepy Hollow? I knew it was someone I just didn’t know who.
Finally it came to me and when confronted he immediately confirmed it and it was no big deal. Here is what happened. When I chose to go visit #87 that night, #76 made her own choice. I lived on the top floor, in the 340 Club penthouse, at the top of the stairway to heaven (or so I liked to think). Just under me on two lay poor unsuspecting Phil. Remember what I said about hell hath no fury. Well, out the door I went to visit my chocolate au lait paramour. I’m not sure how long she lay there but #76 was a full blooded female and she was not about to take that lying down (no pun intended). She got up out of my bed as I had done and escaped into the arms of another man. Down the stairs she went and into Phil’s room. Phil sometimes describes it as “rape”. I know it happened rape or otherwise because Phil told me she had the biggest tongue he ever encountered after she almost choked him with a kiss. That description of her anatomy was entirely accurate.
So ended another chapter in 340 lore.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Kenny,Kenny,Kenny,Kenny,Kenny
Kenny, Kenny, Kenny, Kenny, Kenny
This was my greeting to Kenny each time we met, said rapidly. I spent a couple of decades of my life with Kenny and although there should be many stories that I should be able to tell, I only remember a few. Kenny always made me laugh and his stories and comments would never bore you. As it was said in the 60’s, if you remember the 60’s, you probably didn’t live the 60’s. For Kenny and I, that also applied to the 70’s, 80’s, and the 90’s.
Teamsters Story
One Saturday morning, as I walked in the door from partying, I get a call from Kenny, extremely paranoid. This was unusual although a slight paranoia was normal whenever one uses the “ lady”. Kenny yells, “Coach, they have me surrounded at my house. They are going to kill me!” After 15 minutes trying to tell Kenny that he was just extremely paranoid and he needed to stop partying (easier said then done, I can assure you), he insisted for me to come. He told me of the story when he was driving truck a day before and as an independent driver he got in an argument with several teamsters at a truck stop. He said he was zoomed up and was telling them how bad their union was, Jimmy Hoffa, and what the teamsters has done to destroy our country. He said after he left, several got on the cb and threaten to kill him. He told me that one tried to push him off the road! Kenny persisted, and begged me to help me; a plead I felt I had to support. He told me to come “packing” and make sure they didn’t see me coming to the house or they would also kill me. Of course, I didn’t believe him but wanted to support him, but just in case, I decided to pack. He told me to park down the street, keep low to ground, and come thru the neighbors yard, following the bushes that separated their houses and then “crawl” from the bushes to his back door. He would be watching for me and told me to promise to do exactly what he asked. He again repeated to bring plenty of heat and to bring a shotgun. As a good friend and knowing that this was a level of paranoid I had not seen from Kenny, I did exactly what he said to do. Imagine, at 10 am on a Sat morning, sneaking down a sidewalk carrying two revolvers, a shotgun, and full ammo, cutting thru the neighbor’s lawn, and almost “crawling”, well bending down, to his back door. I wasn’t sure why but I was becoming paranoid. Perhaps it was that I was thinking what would I tell the neighbor, or trying to tell the police why I was “crawling” on the ground headed to Kenny’s house with full arsenal, not to mention, what if there really was a trucker or two that may be out there trying to threaten Kenny. I remember finally making it to the back door and Kenny open it and said, Coach, how many of “them” did you see out there?” I said “none”! We started partying, well Kenny watch out the window. I laughed at him and told him there was no one out there. He asked me for a gun but I refused to let him have one. After 24 hours of partying, I found myself looking out the windows waiting for the teamsters to kill us………
This was my greeting to Kenny each time we met, said rapidly. I spent a couple of decades of my life with Kenny and although there should be many stories that I should be able to tell, I only remember a few. Kenny always made me laugh and his stories and comments would never bore you. As it was said in the 60’s, if you remember the 60’s, you probably didn’t live the 60’s. For Kenny and I, that also applied to the 70’s, 80’s, and the 90’s.
Teamsters Story
One Saturday morning, as I walked in the door from partying, I get a call from Kenny, extremely paranoid. This was unusual although a slight paranoia was normal whenever one uses the “ lady”. Kenny yells, “Coach, they have me surrounded at my house. They are going to kill me!” After 15 minutes trying to tell Kenny that he was just extremely paranoid and he needed to stop partying (easier said then done, I can assure you), he insisted for me to come. He told me of the story when he was driving truck a day before and as an independent driver he got in an argument with several teamsters at a truck stop. He said he was zoomed up and was telling them how bad their union was, Jimmy Hoffa, and what the teamsters has done to destroy our country. He said after he left, several got on the cb and threaten to kill him. He told me that one tried to push him off the road! Kenny persisted, and begged me to help me; a plead I felt I had to support. He told me to come “packing” and make sure they didn’t see me coming to the house or they would also kill me. Of course, I didn’t believe him but wanted to support him, but just in case, I decided to pack. He told me to park down the street, keep low to ground, and come thru the neighbors yard, following the bushes that separated their houses and then “crawl” from the bushes to his back door. He would be watching for me and told me to promise to do exactly what he asked. He again repeated to bring plenty of heat and to bring a shotgun. As a good friend and knowing that this was a level of paranoid I had not seen from Kenny, I did exactly what he said to do. Imagine, at 10 am on a Sat morning, sneaking down a sidewalk carrying two revolvers, a shotgun, and full ammo, cutting thru the neighbor’s lawn, and almost “crawling”, well bending down, to his back door. I wasn’t sure why but I was becoming paranoid. Perhaps it was that I was thinking what would I tell the neighbor, or trying to tell the police why I was “crawling” on the ground headed to Kenny’s house with full arsenal, not to mention, what if there really was a trucker or two that may be out there trying to threaten Kenny. I remember finally making it to the back door and Kenny open it and said, Coach, how many of “them” did you see out there?” I said “none”! We started partying, well Kenny watch out the window. I laughed at him and told him there was no one out there. He asked me for a gun but I refused to let him have one. After 24 hours of partying, I found myself looking out the windows waiting for the teamsters to kill us………
Monday, May 5, 2008
SHAM ROCKS
This Friday night, one night, one night only, Lancaster’s newest sensation - direct from their well-received performance last week at the American Bar & Grill – the Hebe GeeBees featuring Josh Pfarr and living legend, the Randallion Cat Randy Brown. First set at 9:30. No Cover. The Shamrock Cafe, Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA
I plan on being there ... hope to see you there.
I plan on being there ... hope to see you there.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Betwixt & Between
This post is from Don "Coach" Kuhns who is still trying to figure out how to post.
Betwixt and Between Restaurant
One of the 340 club members fine cuisine stops after closing hours
Located ½ block from 340 club,
Seating capacity; 12 people Average # of people at 2:30 am; 25-30
Kitchen utensils; 2 frying pans
Kitchen equipment; 1 gas stove,
Amenities: early morning dining, drunken people watching
Be prepared for one Lancaster’s city chic restaurants converted from a 1 room apt . The cuisine includes burgers, bacon and eggs. This is as elegant as any restaurant in town at 3am. Unique feature is the personal one on one service with the chef, as he prepares your meal only.(Two pans may have something to do with this special service). Be prepared, however, to wait for 1 or more hours for your meal.
Note: Due to the total number of people that exceed the one room capacity, it is important to know how you will get your meal. The chef will call out the order. You must confirm it by raising you hand and proceed to pick it up. The meal is prepaid during the ordering process.
How to beat the one-hour waiting lines:
One early morning after Dave Ream (Dreamo) and I closed the South, we took off up Queen Street on motorcycles. As usual, we are racing toward the square around 100 mph when we saw one police car blocking the intersection at the monuments. I headed left side over the sidewalk and Dreamo did the same on the right side. The one officer was waving at us, but I don’t think it was meant in a cordial way. By the time we got to Orange Street, several cruisers were headed our way, and we flew up Orange. Dreamo and I split and I escaped and later ditched my bike at the church near the 340 club. To my surprise, no one was at the 340! I think this was a first that I recall no one there at 3am on a Saturday night. I then remembered our after drinking cuisine, and headed down to Betwixt and Between. As I got to the front door, Dreamo pulled up on his bike, dropped it behind the green garbage container next to Betwixt. We walked in laughing of our venture and noticed the 20 + drunks all standing waiting for their order. I heard the chef say; “who ordered two eggs with bacon?”, Dreamo raised his hand and grabbed the plate and said, that would be me……..
Trivia
There will be some trivia questions posed at the reunion in June. To help you prep for such an event from time to time questions will be posed here in the Blog so you can revive some old memories and rev up your response time. To that end here are a few questions:
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
91)What jersey number did Kenny Giltner wear when playing for the Chestnut Street Hockey Club ?
92)What did Bonnie Parker's lead guitarist,Richie Scarlett,often use in lieu of a pick for some guitar riffs during their Stones medley ?
93)How much did it cost you for two hard boiled eggs at Soldern's Tavern,down the street from the 340 Club ?
LAST WEEK'S Q & A
True or False
85 Someone actually retained his virginity after living at 340
TRUE, PRIVACY LAWS PROHIBIT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION
86 Someone who left 340 with seemingly all his faculties later became a street person
TRUE, SYLVESTER THE CAT LEFT WITH JOHN & SUE BUT NEVER ADJUSTED TO DOMESTIC LIFE AND LAFAYETTE STREET
87 Harold Martin is still alive
FALSE, I THINK (per Tee)
88 George H. Kratzert graduated from Mountville H.S., prior to Hempfield being consolidated.
FALSE, GEORGE IS A BLUE STREAK
89 According to the composite (1981-82) Intelligencer Journal poll, the 340 Club was the 5th most popular nightclub in Lancaster County
FALSE, WE WERE THE 3RD FAVORITE NIGHTCLUB AFTER THE VILLAGE AND THE OLD COLONY
90 Mr. Kratzert owns Lancaster Storage even to this very day
TRUE
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
91)What jersey number did Kenny Giltner wear when playing for the Chestnut Street Hockey Club ?
92)What did Bonnie Parker's lead guitarist,Richie Scarlett,often use in lieu of a pick for some guitar riffs during their Stones medley ?
93)How much did it cost you for two hard boiled eggs at Soldern's Tavern,down the street from the 340 Club ?
LAST WEEK'S Q & A
True or False
85 Someone actually retained his virginity after living at 340
TRUE, PRIVACY LAWS PROHIBIT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION
86 Someone who left 340 with seemingly all his faculties later became a street person
TRUE, SYLVESTER THE CAT LEFT WITH JOHN & SUE BUT NEVER ADJUSTED TO DOMESTIC LIFE AND LAFAYETTE STREET
87 Harold Martin is still alive
FALSE, I THINK (per Tee)
88 George H. Kratzert graduated from Mountville H.S., prior to Hempfield being consolidated.
FALSE, GEORGE IS A BLUE STREAK
89 According to the composite (1981-82) Intelligencer Journal poll, the 340 Club was the 5th most popular nightclub in Lancaster County
FALSE, WE WERE THE 3RD FAVORITE NIGHTCLUB AFTER THE VILLAGE AND THE OLD COLONY
90 Mr. Kratzert owns Lancaster Storage even to this very day
TRUE
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Eels of Death
On October 2nd and 3rd,1982,a street hockey team composed mostly of 340 Clubbers descended upon the Bel Mont Sports Arena in Kittanning,Pennsylvania to play in a tournament with at least 36 cases of beer in tow according to Sports Information Director, Young Ted Knorr.
The team was called the "Eels of Death" with the mascot being a very real eel by the name of Jerry. Coach Don Kuhns took his charges and with some skillful manipulating aided by assistants Kenny Giltner and Woody Kleinhaus orchestrated a masterful tournament victory which included wins over a highly rated Canadian team and in the finals a team comprised of some Pittsburgh all-stars and Lancaster players that did not meet the Eel standards.
The team did not arrive home until late Sunday night and with work looming the next day a proper celebration could not be scheduled.
The 340 Club however had a vacancy of shenanigans the following weekend so a party was planned. Here are some pics from the gala event.
Kenny doing his thing and the Coach on his left.
Art Moshos,Coach,Sybil Z and Bobby Rife.
Bill Anderson and Tim Stoltzfus.
Alana and Karen on the Stairway to Heaven.
Kimmy and Terry Groff
Marty Hornberger
Phil and Kimmy.
Marty,Fus and Art.
Phil and Karen.
Desi at rest.
Woody,Johnny Johnson and Wild Bill Anderson
Woody and Bill.
The team was called the "Eels of Death" with the mascot being a very real eel by the name of Jerry. Coach Don Kuhns took his charges and with some skillful manipulating aided by assistants Kenny Giltner and Woody Kleinhaus orchestrated a masterful tournament victory which included wins over a highly rated Canadian team and in the finals a team comprised of some Pittsburgh all-stars and Lancaster players that did not meet the Eel standards.
The team did not arrive home until late Sunday night and with work looming the next day a proper celebration could not be scheduled.
The 340 Club however had a vacancy of shenanigans the following weekend so a party was planned. Here are some pics from the gala event.
Kenny doing his thing and the Coach on his left.
Art Moshos,Coach,Sybil Z and Bobby Rife.
Bill Anderson and Tim Stoltzfus.
Alana and Karen on the Stairway to Heaven.
Kimmy and Terry Groff
Marty Hornberger
Phil and Kimmy.
Marty,Fus and Art.
Phil and Karen.
Desi at rest.
Woody,Johnny Johnson and Wild Bill Anderson
Woody and Bill.
Lancaster Pretty Ladies
In 1982, with the Zangari South APBA Baseball League enjoying its 5th season, Phil set up a Zangari South APBA Football League. Unlike the ZSABL which is currently in its 31st season, the ZSAFL lasted less than two years. Its only complete season – 1982 – proved to be rather zany.
Opening night produced an instant classic that portended a strange upcoming schedule. In the inaugural encounter, Sam Wickersham’s aptly named Cape Canaveral Space Cadets took on the Yalaha Yazz coached by Woody Kleinhaus. It couldn’t have been a greater clash or a worse game as Mike Haynes 3rd quarter tackle of Franco Harris in the end zone provided the Cadets with the games only points in a 2-0 win. The second contest found my Lancaster Pretty Ladies squad defeating Mick Walton’s Quebec City Quackers 40-20 in a game that served as a precursor of the only ZSAFL Super Bowl much later. Other interesting showdowns included the Brother Bowl(s) which found George Zangari’s Marakesh X-Press splitting two (41-24, 28-35) with his brother Jimmy’s Avondale Schrooms. A second Pretty Lady-Quacker showdown produced a closer score, 30-21, but the same result. Another showdown for my team came when the Ladies lost to my roomie, Phil’s Los Lobos de Arecibo, 24-17 in a game in which I lost the turnover battle 5 to zero. Not all games were classics but many were stirring such as the battle of street hockey defenseman – Woody and Mick – that occurred when the Yazz held the Quackers to a late 25 yard FG enroot to a 25-24 victory.
The regular season ended and four teams qualified for the playoffs. The only two winning records in the West: Lancaster (8-2) and Quebec City (6-4). Meanwhile a log jam – a three-way tie – in the East necessitated a look at the bylaws. Steve Graybill’s Jersey Js with a 6-4 record was eliminated by rulebook leaving the Marakesh X-Press (6-4) and Los Lobos (6-4)to move on.
In the first semi, played at Zangari South, Jan Stenerud’s 42 FG put Phil ahead 33-17 with 4:41 in the 3rd. At that point the Pretty Ladies “d” stood up and the offense had just enough with Nic Lowrey’s 29 FG with under a minute to go providing the 34-33 margin. The opposite bracket produced a third QCQ v Lancaster game, when the Quackers held on to a 37-31 win over M-kesh.
The Super Bowl was played at the 340 Club bar among typical pandemonium which gave me a sense of confidence. Games at 340 were usually wilder (not that games at the bar were ever tame) than elsewhere. One time the Yazz coach tossed a dice shaker through a window necessitating a replacement job by the X-press coach. The Pretty Lady fans had their signs out posing for the TV cameras and the fans were not disappointed by the Lancaster performance. Three first quarter TDs plus another score, a FG, gave the Fair Sex a 24-0 lead and an even greater sense of confidence. Never in doubt, the 41-24 triumph was my 3rd win over Mick and captured the 1st and only ZSAFL title.
NOTE: In 1992, when Billy Groff managed my Pittsburgh Crawfords to the ZSABL title, I became the only person to have both ZSABL and ZSAFL trophies in their den. Thank you Billy!
Opening night produced an instant classic that portended a strange upcoming schedule. In the inaugural encounter, Sam Wickersham’s aptly named Cape Canaveral Space Cadets took on the Yalaha Yazz coached by Woody Kleinhaus. It couldn’t have been a greater clash or a worse game as Mike Haynes 3rd quarter tackle of Franco Harris in the end zone provided the Cadets with the games only points in a 2-0 win. The second contest found my Lancaster Pretty Ladies squad defeating Mick Walton’s Quebec City Quackers 40-20 in a game that served as a precursor of the only ZSAFL Super Bowl much later. Other interesting showdowns included the Brother Bowl(s) which found George Zangari’s Marakesh X-Press splitting two (41-24, 28-35) with his brother Jimmy’s Avondale Schrooms. A second Pretty Lady-Quacker showdown produced a closer score, 30-21, but the same result. Another showdown for my team came when the Ladies lost to my roomie, Phil’s Los Lobos de Arecibo, 24-17 in a game in which I lost the turnover battle 5 to zero. Not all games were classics but many were stirring such as the battle of street hockey defenseman – Woody and Mick – that occurred when the Yazz held the Quackers to a late 25 yard FG enroot to a 25-24 victory.
The regular season ended and four teams qualified for the playoffs. The only two winning records in the West: Lancaster (8-2) and Quebec City (6-4). Meanwhile a log jam – a three-way tie – in the East necessitated a look at the bylaws. Steve Graybill’s Jersey Js with a 6-4 record was eliminated by rulebook leaving the Marakesh X-Press (6-4) and Los Lobos (6-4)to move on.
In the first semi, played at Zangari South, Jan Stenerud’s 42 FG put Phil ahead 33-17 with 4:41 in the 3rd. At that point the Pretty Ladies “d” stood up and the offense had just enough with Nic Lowrey’s 29 FG with under a minute to go providing the 34-33 margin. The opposite bracket produced a third QCQ v Lancaster game, when the Quackers held on to a 37-31 win over M-kesh.
The Super Bowl was played at the 340 Club bar among typical pandemonium which gave me a sense of confidence. Games at 340 were usually wilder (not that games at the bar were ever tame) than elsewhere. One time the Yazz coach tossed a dice shaker through a window necessitating a replacement job by the X-press coach. The Pretty Lady fans had their signs out posing for the TV cameras and the fans were not disappointed by the Lancaster performance. Three first quarter TDs plus another score, a FG, gave the Fair Sex a 24-0 lead and an even greater sense of confidence. Never in doubt, the 41-24 triumph was my 3rd win over Mick and captured the 1st and only ZSAFL title.
NOTE: In 1992, when Billy Groff managed my Pittsburgh Crawfords to the ZSABL title, I became the only person to have both ZSABL and ZSAFL trophies in their den. Thank you Billy!
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Golden Age of Music Television
By special request, here are two from the golden age of M TV:
If you were an M TV fan, you remember this one:
Apology, I could not find the video version.
Thank you Lynne for the request!
If you were an M TV fan, you remember this one:
Apology, I could not find the video version.
Thank you Lynne for the request!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
“a certain local residence”
On July 2, 1981 Dave Sturm published the results of the Intell Journal’s initial music maker’s poll which, of course, included the question: What is Lancaster County’s Best Nightclub? In that first poll, it was the suburban Old Colony with 9 (19%) nipping the City’s Village (8/17%). David K’s (6/13%) and the rustic Pequea Inn (5/10%) were next. As mentioned on this Blog earlier the 340 Club (4/8%) finished 5th which we spun as the 2nd most popular nightclub in the City!
Now, on May 20, 1982, it was time for the second such electoral contest. Again it was the young Sturm drawing the assignment. In ’81, 84 persons voted with only 48 bothering on the nightclub question. Now, in its second year fully 148 persons expressed an opinion with 84 noting their best nightclub choice. Further, complicating the 340 Club’s path to glory was the obvious ballot stuffing campaign carried out by the Village. Also working against the Club was the fact that our own rock start – the Randallion, Randy Brown, had gone AWOL. I forget where coulda been jail, coulda been the West Coast but he did leave the 340 after a short residential stay the previous August (was it the M TV?). In any case Randy aka Randall Stoltzfus had drawn some attention in the poll the prior year and may have caused 2 or 3 of the Club’s five votes.
Nonetheless, on the eve of a big McMorial Day weekend at the 340, when the polls closed it was a triumphant moment for the 340 Club. Sturm reported it thusly:
Lancaster County’s best nightclub: The Village polled 39 (46%) votes and beat last year’s winner, the Old Colony, which got eight (8/10%) this year. Also in the running were “a certain local residence”, the 340 Club (7/), David K’s and the Swan Hotel (5 each), the Lancaster Dispensing Company, Tom Paine’s Back Room, the Oaks and the Carpenter’s Inn (3 each), and the Pequea Inn, East of Eden, and “my living room” with two each.
Taken in composite, the 1981-82 Intelligencer Journal Music Maker polls rated Lancaster County’s Best Nightclubs as follows:
The Village Nite Club 47 (37%)
The Old Colony 17 (13%)
340 Club 11 (9%)
David K’s 11 (9%)
Pequea Inn 7
Lancaster Dispensing Company 6
Swan Hotel 5
Tom Paine’s Back Room 5
Carpenter’s Inn 3
The Oaks 3
This Date In 340 Club History
May 1, 1981 - known unabashedly as "May Day" ... another big party occurred on West King ... me and Phil, Randy, and John were just beginning our 3rd month of the Second Coming ... the juke box was starting its 2nd month ... M TV was still 90 days away ... come Sunday morning there was a $16.30 in the juke box
Heebee Jeebeez
Randy Brown, longtime 340 Club member and resident in 1981, brings his band – the HeeBee JeeBeez - to the American Bar & Grill this Saturday, May 3rd, and to The Shamrock, next Friday May 9th. I intend to make The Shamrock Show. The Heebee Jeebeez of course host an open mike night every week at the new bar in the old Zimmerman’s Restaurant at the corner of Queen & Orange. All three of those venues have no cover. Now, if you wait till June 7th to see the Randallion Cat that will cost you … as you likely know Randy is the DJ at the 2nd periodical 340 Club Reunion but there is a cover charge that evening. $20, pay Phil, in advance please.
Jack Canan, 66, Chief Planner City of Lancaster
While living at the 340 Club, I worked from October 1976 through the end of the second coming at Lancaster's City Hall. My supervisor was Norm Grinager (still at City Hall!). Norm's boss was John McCamant (rumored to be attending the 340 Club reunion next month). John's boss was Jack Canan. They are all three great men. Jack passed this week. John & Jack are in the Bar Room Athlete Hall of Fame (Dart Tossing Wing), as well as being first class beer drinkers, and joke tellers. They honed their storytelling to such a point where either one could shout out a number as in #7 or #45 and the other would break out laughing as they new which joke they would be referring to. I had the pleasure of going fishing with Jack on two occasions. At least that's what he called it "fishing". We went out in a boat in the Susquehanna River and drank beer all day.
Jack Morgan Canan of Rock Hall, Maryland died on April 28, 2008 at University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He was 66.
He was born in Lancaster, PA on June 13, 1941 the son of the late Harry F. and Janet Medlar Canan. He graduated from McCaskey High School class of 1959 and Millersville State College in 1964.
On November 26, 1962 he married S. Louise Emmerich. Mr. Canan worked for the City of Lancaster from April 1960 starting as a planner; he worked his way up to Chief Planner, and was Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development when he left in January of 1990. Mr. Canan worked under Mayors Coe, Monaghan, Scott, Wohlsen, and Morris. He played key roles in many major projects during his employment with the city, among them was the establishment of the City's Historic District; the Walnut/ Chestnut Street extensions to Route 30; the TOPICS Program, which converted a number of City streets to one-way travel; the South Duke Street Lancaster Neighborhood Center; the Southern Market project, transforming the historic market house to offices for the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Center, and City; the development of Park City Center, Lancaster County's largest regional shopping mall, located within the City of Lancaster; and the establishment of the City's tax abatement program for building renovations, commonly known as LERTA. Mr. Canan was a partner in the consulting firm of McCamant & Canan from 1991 until 1992, he moved to Kent County, Maryland in 1994.
In Kent County, he worked with the County Government for 11 years beginning in 1994 serving on numerous boards and commissions including being a founding member of the Local Management Board. He served as the Interim Economic Development Director and played an active role in the development of the Upper Shore Transit Development Plan. Mr. Canan was responsible for the creation and promotion of the County's Housing Improvement Plan which was responsible for improving the living conditions for over 100 families in Kent County. Most of all, Mr. Canan will be remembered for his unmitigated enthusiasm for providing frank advise to the County Commissioners, State Agencies, and local volunteer boards. He retired in July 1995 from Kent County Government and will also be remembered as an individual who cared deeply for Kent County and its citizens.
His interests were fishing, reading, computer games, chess, and most of all his family especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son: Jack F. Canan and his wife Annette of Winchester, VA, a daughter: Lori A. Gray of Rock Hall, MD, grandchildren: Ann Marie Moss and Allan C. Moss of Sudlersville, MD, Kobey A. Lewis of Rock Hall, MD, and Maria C. Canan of Winchester, VA, great grandchildren: Mariah A. Alexander, Andrew Alexander, and Zacharey A. Moss.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home 130 Speer Road Chestertown, MD where relatives and friends may call two hours prior to the service (12-2). Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation 1107 Kenilworth Drive Suite 202 Baltimore, MD 21204. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home Chestertown, MD www.fhnfuneralhome.com
Jack Morgan Canan of Rock Hall, Maryland died on April 28, 2008 at University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He was 66.
He was born in Lancaster, PA on June 13, 1941 the son of the late Harry F. and Janet Medlar Canan. He graduated from McCaskey High School class of 1959 and Millersville State College in 1964.
On November 26, 1962 he married S. Louise Emmerich. Mr. Canan worked for the City of Lancaster from April 1960 starting as a planner; he worked his way up to Chief Planner, and was Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development when he left in January of 1990. Mr. Canan worked under Mayors Coe, Monaghan, Scott, Wohlsen, and Morris. He played key roles in many major projects during his employment with the city, among them was the establishment of the City's Historic District; the Walnut/ Chestnut Street extensions to Route 30; the TOPICS Program, which converted a number of City streets to one-way travel; the South Duke Street Lancaster Neighborhood Center; the Southern Market project, transforming the historic market house to offices for the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Center, and City; the development of Park City Center, Lancaster County's largest regional shopping mall, located within the City of Lancaster; and the establishment of the City's tax abatement program for building renovations, commonly known as LERTA. Mr. Canan was a partner in the consulting firm of McCamant & Canan from 1991 until 1992, he moved to Kent County, Maryland in 1994.
In Kent County, he worked with the County Government for 11 years beginning in 1994 serving on numerous boards and commissions including being a founding member of the Local Management Board. He served as the Interim Economic Development Director and played an active role in the development of the Upper Shore Transit Development Plan. Mr. Canan was responsible for the creation and promotion of the County's Housing Improvement Plan which was responsible for improving the living conditions for over 100 families in Kent County. Most of all, Mr. Canan will be remembered for his unmitigated enthusiasm for providing frank advise to the County Commissioners, State Agencies, and local volunteer boards. He retired in July 1995 from Kent County Government and will also be remembered as an individual who cared deeply for Kent County and its citizens.
His interests were fishing, reading, computer games, chess, and most of all his family especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son: Jack F. Canan and his wife Annette of Winchester, VA, a daughter: Lori A. Gray of Rock Hall, MD, grandchildren: Ann Marie Moss and Allan C. Moss of Sudlersville, MD, Kobey A. Lewis of Rock Hall, MD, and Maria C. Canan of Winchester, VA, great grandchildren: Mariah A. Alexander, Andrew Alexander, and Zacharey A. Moss.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home 130 Speer Road Chestertown, MD where relatives and friends may call two hours prior to the service (12-2). Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation 1107 Kenilworth Drive Suite 202 Baltimore, MD 21204. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home Chestertown, MD www.fhnfuneralhome.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
(If it is Wednesday it must be time for) From the Poet Laureate
Thoughts and feelings racing through the mind,
Gradually they merge and either cause a revelation,
Or an explosion.
Musical lyrics open new channels of thought,
With convincing melodies to carry the messages,
Voices in the sky.
They are an expression that creates a look into an open ended channel that has countless programs.
After the music always comes silence; but to understand the silence more than the music means you are in a new channel, which has no programs but is endless.
Christopher E. Joyce
Gradually they merge and either cause a revelation,
Or an explosion.
Musical lyrics open new channels of thought,
With convincing melodies to carry the messages,
Voices in the sky.
They are an expression that creates a look into an open ended channel that has countless programs.
After the music always comes silence; but to understand the silence more than the music means you are in a new channel, which has no programs but is endless.
Christopher E. Joyce
340 Club Reunion Interim Fiscal Report
I know you know this but I want to reiterate here … the virtual 340 Club and the Reunion are a labor of love … they are to the degree possible, at our middle age, about Beer & Rock ‘n Roll (i.e. what used to be drugs, sex, and rock ‘n roll) …. However there is a little matter of dollars and cents that will help carry out this affair and carry it out until the future when Sil & John are the only two standing. To that end, here is the current fiscal state:
CURRENT
Tickets Sold 13
Guests 3 (Mayor Morris, Father Hahn accepted)
Attendees 16
Cost $1,300
Deficit $400
EXPECTED
Tickets Sold 50 (Phil’s guess)
Guests 9 (Mayor Morris, Father Hahn accepted; G.H.Kratzert, Dave Sturm, Bot Roda invited)
Attendees 59
Cost $1,900
Surplus $3 (invested in 2009 340 Club
If you know of a business that has a connection to the 340 Club and might want to purchase a quarter page ad in the program … sell one for $25 and you will receive a $5 discount off your ticket. Just let Phil or I know.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
340 Club Residential Roster
In order to help you keep track. The following 16 individuals lived at the 340 Club:
The 328 Club, landlord Harold Martin, was founded on September 21, 1974.
Tim Lutter (9/74-5/75)
Tee Knorr (9/74-8/74)
Dan Joyce (9/74-5/75)
Sil Simpson (9/74-8/75)
Tim Getzloff (9/74-8/75)
Dick Lichty (special guest)
The 340 Club, landlord George H. Kratzert, was discovered in early August 1975
Sil Simpson (8/75-5/78)
Tee Knorr (8/75-9/78)
Jimmy Shay (8/75-10/76)
Phil Zangari(10/75-11/78)
Chris Joyce (1/77-6/77)
Dave Petkosh (10/77-1/78)
Mitch Herr (3/78-8/78)
Kenny Giltner (5/78-7/78)
Dean Staherski (11/78)
The evacuation of the 340 Club ocurred in late Fall 1978.
The second coming of the 340 Club happened in late February 1981
Tee Knorr (2/81-3/83)
Phil Zangari (2/81-3/83)
Randy Brown (2/81-8/81)
John Emswiler (2/81-3/83)
Sue Krimmel Emswiler (5/81?-3/83)
Sil Simpson (9/81-3/83)
The Final Days, now at the 338 Club also a G.H. Kratzert property, began in April 1983
Tee Knorr (4/83-6/84)
Phil Zangari (4/83-11/83)
John Emswiler (4/83-2/84)
Sue Krimmel Emswiler (4/83-2/84)
Sil Simpson (4/83-6/84)
The final evacuation, by helicopter, off the 338 Club roof took place on June 30, 1984 ending an almost ten year occupation of the 300 block of West King Street by the forces of good clean fun. It is no embellishment to say times have never been the same since. UNTIL NOW ...
The virtual 340 Club opened on December 4, 1977.
The emboldened names are expected to attend the reunion. Others still possible. In addition about 50 or so other assorted nuts are expected.
The 328 Club, landlord Harold Martin, was founded on September 21, 1974.
Tim Lutter (9/74-5/75)
Tee Knorr (9/74-8/74)
Dan Joyce (9/74-5/75)
Sil Simpson (9/74-8/75)
Tim Getzloff (9/74-8/75)
Dick Lichty (special guest)
The 340 Club, landlord George H. Kratzert, was discovered in early August 1975
Sil Simpson (8/75-5/78)
Tee Knorr (8/75-9/78)
Jimmy Shay (8/75-10/76)
Phil Zangari(10/75-11/78)
Chris Joyce (1/77-6/77)
Dave Petkosh (10/77-1/78)
Mitch Herr (3/78-8/78)
Kenny Giltner (5/78-7/78)
Dean Staherski (11/78)
The evacuation of the 340 Club ocurred in late Fall 1978.
The second coming of the 340 Club happened in late February 1981
Tee Knorr (2/81-3/83)
Phil Zangari (2/81-3/83)
Randy Brown (2/81-8/81)
John Emswiler (2/81-3/83)
Sue Krimmel Emswiler (5/81?-3/83)
Sil Simpson (9/81-3/83)
The Final Days, now at the 338 Club also a G.H. Kratzert property, began in April 1983
Tee Knorr (4/83-6/84)
Phil Zangari (4/83-11/83)
John Emswiler (4/83-2/84)
Sue Krimmel Emswiler (4/83-2/84)
Sil Simpson (4/83-6/84)
The final evacuation, by helicopter, off the 338 Club roof took place on June 30, 1984 ending an almost ten year occupation of the 300 block of West King Street by the forces of good clean fun. It is no embellishment to say times have never been the same since. UNTIL NOW ...
The virtual 340 Club opened on December 4, 1977.
The emboldened names are expected to attend the reunion. Others still possible. In addition about 50 or so other assorted nuts are expected.
Welcome Coach!
and then there were seven ...
Don "Coach" Kuhns becomes the 7th member of the virtual Club, and most distant being in California, and the first to represent the heart and soul of the Club, representing the usual gang of idiots, the teaming masses. For the 16 of us who lived there it was one type of experience but for the hundreds who partied there it was a different experience and no less important. In fact, I have always felt more important ... it was guys like Coach, Woody, Sam, George, Super Sports Scotty, Jose, Jimmy, Marty, JJ, ZSABLers, Chestnut Street players, Biker Rober(t), Rify, Tex, Brian, the Bonnie Parker Band, Batman, Robin, 94 patrons at last call of the Village, not too mention Sybil, Sheryl and weekend warriorettes such as Beth Ann, Sissy, Suzanne, Tracy, Diana, Dawn, Rozy, various strippers, bartenders and maids, and on and on.
Coach is the first to represent those 340 Club members. Welcome, welcome. We look forward to your posts and to seeing you in June!
Don "Coach" Kuhns becomes the 7th member of the virtual Club, and most distant being in California, and the first to represent the heart and soul of the Club, representing the usual gang of idiots, the teaming masses. For the 16 of us who lived there it was one type of experience but for the hundreds who partied there it was a different experience and no less important. In fact, I have always felt more important ... it was guys like Coach, Woody, Sam, George, Super Sports Scotty, Jose, Jimmy, Marty, JJ, ZSABLers, Chestnut Street players, Biker Rober(t), Rify, Tex, Brian, the Bonnie Parker Band, Batman, Robin, 94 patrons at last call of the Village, not too mention Sybil, Sheryl and weekend warriorettes such as Beth Ann, Sissy, Suzanne, Tracy, Diana, Dawn, Rozy, various strippers, bartenders and maids, and on and on.
Coach is the first to represent those 340 Club members. Welcome, welcome. We look forward to your posts and to seeing you in June!
Welcome Dave!
Dave Petkosh lived at the 340 Club from late summer 1977 through the turn of the next year; holding down the room at the top of the stairs in between the tenures of Chris Joyce and Mitch Herr. As you hopefully have noticed DaveP has now become the 6th member, counting the Keg Man, of the virtual 340 Club. I expect Don "Coach" Kuhns to sign up in the very near future and hopefully John & Sue Emswiler will figure it out shortly also. The more the merrier.
I look forward to reading Dave and Don's remembrances and/or commentary. If anyone is interested in posting herein simply ask me, Phil or the 340 Club Keg Man if you ever find him when he is coherent.
I look forward to reading Dave and Don's remembrances and/or commentary. If anyone is interested in posting herein simply ask me, Phil or the 340 Club Keg Man if you ever find him when he is coherent.
Scotty & Tee at the Movies
Naturally, being a Stones fan, I wanted to see their movie “Lets Spend the Night Together” documenting their 1981 tour. So one day shortly after it appeared in Lancaster, at one of those North Queen Street relatively short-lived (particularly when compared with the marvelous Boyd, Capitol, and Grand) movie houses – the Pacific Twin, I think, Scotty Myers, longstanding and as active as any 340 Club member, and I walked to the theatre stopping at Johnny’s to get a good price on a couple of six packs of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. I mean we were going to a Stones concert. The theatre folks were lucky we didn’t bring reefer and lawn chairs and a food spread. It was a rock ‘n roll show.
Not to cause an undue commotion we sat in the very back row. Not too long after that a young couple made a similar choice in an almost empty theatre. The key word being choice … I mean the theatre was theirs to pick from and they sit two rows in front of us – a longhair and a guy in a Stones t-shirt with a new bright red M TV jacket draped over the seat. Both of us with a feet propped up or over the seats directly behind them and, yet, and it’s a free country, they pick those seats. Hey, hey, please, please, get offa my cloud. Well, as I recall that tour opened with “Under My Thumb” and as Mick started into the chorus we popped our first 16 pounders and commenced to rock. “Yeah, Mick!”, “Rock ‘n Roll”, “THREE FORTY!” we may have shouted. This was a rock concert.
Soon, the male (sic) half of the couple got up and came back with the law. Well, with an usher. Scotty and I were given a choice. Put away the beer or leave. Well, we put away the last few oh zees of the first cans and retired the remaining ten cans until after the show and enjoyed, as best one can in classroom-like conditions, an excellent film of a rock concert. For the life of me I can’t understand why that couple was even there since they certainly had no idea of what a rock concert was. They must have been foreign film fans cuz the idea of “Its only Rock ‘n Roll (but I like it)” was clearly foreign to them.
Scotty and I let them alone, enjoyed the flic and retired to 340 to consume those warm Pabst pounders but we liked it!!!
Not to cause an undue commotion we sat in the very back row. Not too long after that a young couple made a similar choice in an almost empty theatre. The key word being choice … I mean the theatre was theirs to pick from and they sit two rows in front of us – a longhair and a guy in a Stones t-shirt with a new bright red M TV jacket draped over the seat. Both of us with a feet propped up or over the seats directly behind them and, yet, and it’s a free country, they pick those seats. Hey, hey, please, please, get offa my cloud. Well, as I recall that tour opened with “Under My Thumb” and as Mick started into the chorus we popped our first 16 pounders and commenced to rock. “Yeah, Mick!”, “Rock ‘n Roll”, “THREE FORTY!” we may have shouted. This was a rock concert.
Soon, the male (sic) half of the couple got up and came back with the law. Well, with an usher. Scotty and I were given a choice. Put away the beer or leave. Well, we put away the last few oh zees of the first cans and retired the remaining ten cans until after the show and enjoyed, as best one can in classroom-like conditions, an excellent film of a rock concert. For the life of me I can’t understand why that couple was even there since they certainly had no idea of what a rock concert was. They must have been foreign film fans cuz the idea of “Its only Rock ‘n Roll (but I like it)” was clearly foreign to them.
Scotty and I let them alone, enjoyed the flic and retired to 340 to consume those warm Pabst pounders but we liked it!!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Breaking News - Tee Shirts
While the deal has not been finalized negotiations are underway with a member of the 340 Club family to provide new and improved 340 Club tee shirts for sale at the reunion. Here are the details:
White Tee Shirts, with Black Drawings of the 340 Club Keg Man
Sizes: S. M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL
Cost: $10 each
Please order now & often. Let Phil, I, or this Blog know.
White Tee Shirts, with Black Drawings of the 340 Club Keg Man
Sizes: S. M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL
Cost: $10 each
Please order now & often. Let Phil, I, or this Blog know.
Curator's Corner: Cards, Buttons (2)
The 340 Club cards are in and at Phil’s. Call him, drop by or visit the 7th Ward G Club. Purchase soon. He only has 47 left.
The button prototypes have been produced and will be available at the reunion.
This one is free to the first 49 who purchase tickets:
This one will be available for $3 or 2 for $5
Still under construction is the souvenir program, the PowerPoint presentation and the archival displays. Also the record list is being developed; please submit requests to this site. Thank you.
The button prototypes have been produced and will be available at the reunion.
This one is free to the first 49 who purchase tickets:
This one will be available for $3 or 2 for $5
Still under construction is the souvenir program, the PowerPoint presentation and the archival displays. Also the record list is being developed; please submit requests to this site. Thank you.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Trivia: 85-90
There will be some trivia questions posed at the reunion in June. To help you prep for such an event from time to time questions will be posed here in the Blog so you can revive some old memories and rev up your response time. To that end here are a few questions:
This Week’s 340 Club Trivia Questions:
SOME TRUE & FALSE QUESTIONS FOR YA
85 Someone actually retained his virginity after living at 340
86 Someone who left 340 with seemingly all his faculties later became a street person
87 Harold the fuck Martin is still alive
88 George H. Kratzert graduated from Mountville H.S., prior to Hempfield being consolidated.
89 According to the composite (1981-82) Intelligencer Journal poll, the 340 Club was the 5th most popular nightclub in Lancaster County
90 Mr. Kratzert owns Lancaster Storage even to this very day
Last Week’s Q & A's
82) On the back of the original 340 membership card, how much money did it say you would need, with the card, to get a cup of coffee at McCrory's? 39 cents
83) Phil worked in the bar/restaurant business most of his life but who was he employed by when he entered the 340 realm in October, 1975 until August, 1977? Royster Chemical Farm Products
84) What did Sil use to "cook" a Slim Jim, back before he was vegan, at one of the early APBA conventions in Philly? a Butane lighter
This Week’s 340 Club Trivia Questions:
SOME TRUE & FALSE QUESTIONS FOR YA
85 Someone actually retained his virginity after living at 340
86 Someone who left 340 with seemingly all his faculties later became a street person
87 Harold the fuck Martin is still alive
88 George H. Kratzert graduated from Mountville H.S., prior to Hempfield being consolidated.
89 According to the composite (1981-82) Intelligencer Journal poll, the 340 Club was the 5th most popular nightclub in Lancaster County
90 Mr. Kratzert owns Lancaster Storage even to this very day
Last Week’s Q & A's
82) On the back of the original 340 membership card, how much money did it say you would need, with the card, to get a cup of coffee at McCrory's? 39 cents
83) Phil worked in the bar/restaurant business most of his life but who was he employed by when he entered the 340 realm in October, 1975 until August, 1977? Royster Chemical Farm Products
84) What did Sil use to "cook" a Slim Jim, back before he was vegan, at one of the early APBA conventions in Philly? a Butane lighter
Saturday, April 26, 2008
He can run but he can't hide - Joe Louis, May 1941
I know where I am ... and Phil, Sil, Tim, Fox, Tim, RE, Chris, John, Sue, Randy, Mitch, sadly Kenny.
That leaves ... I should say left ... that left three ... Jimmy, Dave, and Dean ... and I have a bead on Dean ... however, tonight's post is not about Dean ... it is about Dave.
Petkosh lives!!!
Dave lives in Holtwood; far from the maddening crowd and teaches at HACC. He hopes to attend the bash and to catch up on the goings on. Now, I need to talk to Jimmy & Dean and see if we can get all 16 of us - some of whom do not even know each other; there is no one who lived with all - to the affair. Kenny, of course, will have the best view and seat.
... and I've given away no secrets!!!
That leaves ... I should say left ... that left three ... Jimmy, Dave, and Dean ... and I have a bead on Dean ... however, tonight's post is not about Dean ... it is about Dave.
Petkosh lives!!!
Dave lives in Holtwood; far from the maddening crowd and teaches at HACC. He hopes to attend the bash and to catch up on the goings on. Now, I need to talk to Jimmy & Dean and see if we can get all 16 of us - some of whom do not even know each other; there is no one who lived with all - to the affair. Kenny, of course, will have the best view and seat.
... and I've given away no secrets!!!
THIS DATE IN 340 CLUB HISTORY
NOTE: You are not imagining things … this is the third time this particular poem has appeared on the virtual Club. It just so happens that today – actually 21 hours ago – is the anniversary of the event. Plus it cannot be recited enough.
April 26th (1977) by Christopher E. Joyce, 340 Club resident
Woke up, got of bed, heard a voice, thought it was Ted
Am I going berserk, or is the walrus now dead?
He blew his arm out in a car; he didn’t notice it till morning.
Let it come as no surprise was he given sufficient warning?
Cause he was hit hard by a Christian
Who was simply conforming
To the decadence of alcohol
And now immaterial mourning
It was a Monday and Chris got off work at 9 at the Ganser Library in Millersville. He likely got to Cassidy’s at about 9:30. Obviously I have no memory of who was there (Phil? Woody? Dicky?); I dunno. I also don’t remember if he stopped and got me at 340 or was I already there at Cassidy's. Let’s assume he picked me up. Now, from 9:30 to 1:00 am I would estimate to have drunk about 14 beers. According to my consultant at my DUI trial in 1989 (Not guilty, of course) I would have left Cassidy’s at 0.19% Blood Alcohol Content. Chris, assuming he drank as much, would have been a little higher based on his lesser body weight. I paid $500 for the consultant so I assume his numbers and my math are at least a good estimate. In any case I don’t recall Chris being drunk but he certainly was “legally intoxicated.”
As we headed home from Cassidy’s; an 8 block trip I got hungry for a Rendezvous cheese steak as I often did. I encouraged Chris to go down a one way alley to get to the Vous quicker. It turned to be a mistake. When we came to the intersection in the middle of the block (i.e. by the Rendezvous parking lot) we were struck by a car driven by Thomas Thomas. I believe he had a stop sign but, even if so, he stopped and looked for appropriate traffic. Unfortunately, headed in the wrong direction, we were not appropriate and not expected and Thomas Thomas plowed right into the passenger side of Chris’ car totaling it. Thanks be to God (with an assist to Captain Frederick Pabst); I escaped without a scratch. I did have some pain in my right shoulder area the next morning as I suppose I shoulda had another Blue Ribbon or two when I got home that evening.
The police came and took the necessary information however they did not take Chris downtown for a breathalyzer. The car stayed in the Vous lot until the wrecker came the next day. After removing an old beat up basketball from the vehicle, Chris & I walked home the remaining couple of blocks to 340. Chris dribbling the ball sometimes hitting me with a pass to get us home quicker. Once reaching the 340, without any announcement, Chris moved to the white line in the middle of the street and simply let go of the basketball and watched it roll. It cleared Mulberry without causing another accident – 2:00 am traffic – and ended up in the trough of West King Street in front of Johnny’s Tavern or thereabouts. Never to be seen again.
The next day I reported to work at 8:30 as usual and, as my name was not in the small article that appeared in the paper; I underwent no grilling in the office. I have no further knowledge of Thomas Thomas, other than his claim to be born again, but his name was in the paper. Not sure if anyone questioned why a man of his claim was out and about in the wee hours. However, Chris did get questioned. As he reported to class the next day one of his teachers who read the small article that identified Chris as having caused a two vehicle accident at 1:00 a.m. was dumbfounded and wanted to know what on earth Chris was doing out at such an hour.
April 26th (1977) by Christopher E. Joyce, 340 Club resident
Woke up, got of bed, heard a voice, thought it was Ted
Am I going berserk, or is the walrus now dead?
He blew his arm out in a car; he didn’t notice it till morning.
Let it come as no surprise was he given sufficient warning?
Cause he was hit hard by a Christian
Who was simply conforming
To the decadence of alcohol
And now immaterial mourning
It was a Monday and Chris got off work at 9 at the Ganser Library in Millersville. He likely got to Cassidy’s at about 9:30. Obviously I have no memory of who was there (Phil? Woody? Dicky?); I dunno. I also don’t remember if he stopped and got me at 340 or was I already there at Cassidy's. Let’s assume he picked me up. Now, from 9:30 to 1:00 am I would estimate to have drunk about 14 beers. According to my consultant at my DUI trial in 1989 (Not guilty, of course) I would have left Cassidy’s at 0.19% Blood Alcohol Content. Chris, assuming he drank as much, would have been a little higher based on his lesser body weight. I paid $500 for the consultant so I assume his numbers and my math are at least a good estimate. In any case I don’t recall Chris being drunk but he certainly was “legally intoxicated.”
As we headed home from Cassidy’s; an 8 block trip I got hungry for a Rendezvous cheese steak as I often did. I encouraged Chris to go down a one way alley to get to the Vous quicker. It turned to be a mistake. When we came to the intersection in the middle of the block (i.e. by the Rendezvous parking lot) we were struck by a car driven by Thomas Thomas. I believe he had a stop sign but, even if so, he stopped and looked for appropriate traffic. Unfortunately, headed in the wrong direction, we were not appropriate and not expected and Thomas Thomas plowed right into the passenger side of Chris’ car totaling it. Thanks be to God (with an assist to Captain Frederick Pabst); I escaped without a scratch. I did have some pain in my right shoulder area the next morning as I suppose I shoulda had another Blue Ribbon or two when I got home that evening.
The police came and took the necessary information however they did not take Chris downtown for a breathalyzer. The car stayed in the Vous lot until the wrecker came the next day. After removing an old beat up basketball from the vehicle, Chris & I walked home the remaining couple of blocks to 340. Chris dribbling the ball sometimes hitting me with a pass to get us home quicker. Once reaching the 340, without any announcement, Chris moved to the white line in the middle of the street and simply let go of the basketball and watched it roll. It cleared Mulberry without causing another accident – 2:00 am traffic – and ended up in the trough of West King Street in front of Johnny’s Tavern or thereabouts. Never to be seen again.
The next day I reported to work at 8:30 as usual and, as my name was not in the small article that appeared in the paper; I underwent no grilling in the office. I have no further knowledge of Thomas Thomas, other than his claim to be born again, but his name was in the paper. Not sure if anyone questioned why a man of his claim was out and about in the wee hours. However, Chris did get questioned. As he reported to class the next day one of his teachers who read the small article that identified Chris as having caused a two vehicle accident at 1:00 a.m. was dumbfounded and wanted to know what on earth Chris was doing out at such an hour.
Kenny, just remember to turn the juke box off when you leave … good night
From January 1, 1982 through October 10, 1982 the juke box earned $122.10. I know it seems like I’ve buried the juke on several occasions but this time I mean it … I have no more data. In it's 556 days the juke box earned Phil & I $771.28 or $1.39 per day. Still for over a year and a half every day on average the juke box blared for 50 minutes. Another way of looking at it … of those 556 days, if you put all the paid juke box minutes back to back to back to … the juke box played for 19 ½ days. Hmmmmm, putting it that way doesn’t sound like much. Plus it did cost $350 and we did shell out $33.55 for Fan Appreciation Day. $771.28 - $350 - $33.55 = $387.73 less electricity cost of $185 ($10 per month?) leaves $203. If you invested $350 on 4/1/81 you would have had to have a 29% rate of return to match the juke box. That sounds a little better. I am even boring myself with this discussion.
Good Night Phil.
Good Night Phil.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Mighty Juke/I want my M TV
One of my favorites on the Mighty Mighty Machine -
Meanwhile, Kenny quit changin' the channel ... turn that damn thing down!
Meanwhile, Kenny quit changin' the channel ... turn that damn thing down!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
340 Flashback
In March 1982 the mighty 340 Club Juke offered up its last double digit day when a party held in honor of Sheryl Zangari's birthday netted $14.70. So, we bought the juke box on April 3, 1981 and we enjoyed over a dozen $10 daily payouts almost all of them in the first four months (i.e. pre M-TV's debut) of its existence. Most of those big nights are known by special sobriquets such as Masada, Boycott, Fan Appreciation Day, McMorial Day, Reunion, Wrestling Extravaganza, Easter (Part 1), Independence Day, Birthday parties, Easter (Part Two) and on and on. If you smile or get a rush reading those names then I've done my job. THREE FORTY!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
C.C.
This one was a love poem about a woman named Cheryl Cox. Warning: graphic at times.
C.C. by Christerpher E. Joyce
I've weathered many afflictions,
a bad knee, the measles + chicken pox
but the force that has staggered me most
is a lass of the name Cheryl Cox
It seems I've made a good impression,
but than how can you miss,
When you begin by saying you've heard of me
and you turn out feeling like this
She makes me think life is worth living.
Dissuades me from joining the nomads
She gives me quite a warm feeling
Started + circulated by my gonads
She gave me a good deal on her book
and I love the shape of her breast
In fact I like all about her looks
and I find she quite stirs my penis
Within a half year I will propose
and evidently she will say yes
by then she will have had her last name
many times from me when I undress
We will become one united
and many benefits will she derive
after all what's more important,
than to find someone by 1985
C.C. by Christerpher E. Joyce
I've weathered many afflictions,
a bad knee, the measles + chicken pox
but the force that has staggered me most
is a lass of the name Cheryl Cox
It seems I've made a good impression,
but than how can you miss,
When you begin by saying you've heard of me
and you turn out feeling like this
She makes me think life is worth living.
Dissuades me from joining the nomads
She gives me quite a warm feeling
Started + circulated by my gonads
She gave me a good deal on her book
and I love the shape of her breast
In fact I like all about her looks
and I find she quite stirs my penis
Within a half year I will propose
and evidently she will say yes
by then she will have had her last name
many times from me when I undress
We will become one united
and many benefits will she derive
after all what's more important,
than to find someone by 1985
Or Iz It Memorex?
C'mon fellas - Phil, Sil, Fox, City, Tim, John/Sue??? Anyone else who wants posting privledges please let me know. Post. Even if it is a repeat. After all there was only a finite set of events. Repitition is inevitable. If it was good enuff to do in the first place it is good enough to repeat in the third case. Don't feel restricted by my timeline - altho it is March 1982 if you are interested - just post. Or Komment or Both. If you do not have posting privledges but want them lemmee know. Coach? Accu? RE?
In any case, it is 45 days till the bash. Iz it me?
In any case, it is 45 days till the bash. Iz it me?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
340 Flashback
The 340 rolled on and the Juke Box refused to completely shut down. On Valentine's Day, 1982, we had a big bash netting $13.65 in the box.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Curators Corner: 1981 340 Club Cardholders
The above artifact is 27 years old ... it was compiled by Phil in April-July or so in 1981. It lists all persons who purchased a 340 Club card until such recording stopped at #125. There were about 132 or so cards sold so if your name is not on this list; obviously you must have been #126 or so.
The cards sold for $1.00 and were worthless. Naturally card sales were not brisk. We even advertised that they were worthless right on the card. It cost us $33.55 to have the cards printed and after a couple of weeks and only a few takers we needed to provide an incentive. Luckily, The Beer Men & Serena Kirchner provided just such an incentive. Then, suddenly, and without being asked (although Sam Wickersham and a general professional respect for Phil helped) those two beer distributors offered a $1.00 discount off a case of beer if you flashed a 340 Club card. This meant you could recoup the cost of the card with one purchase of a case of beer. WE sold out of cards in quick fashion.
Among readers of this blog (please let me know if I miss someone) are the following:
1 Tee
2 Phil
3 Randy
4 John
5 Tim, S___ foot
6 Sil
7 Dan, Fox
9 Dick, RE
20 Sheryl
23 Sybil
25 Tom, Cottontop
26 Jason
48 George
66 Ron, Bilsky
84 Mick
96 Woody
99 Vicki
00 Coach
Again, if I missed anyone let me know. I intend above to be listing all cardholders from '81 who have visited this blog, the virtual 340 Club.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Trivia 82-84
There will be some trivia questions posed at the reunion in June. To help you prep for such an event from time to time questions will be posed here in the Blog so you can revive some old memories and rev up your response time. To that end here are a few questions:
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
82)On the back of the original 340 membership card, how much money did it say you would need, with the card, to get a cup of coffee at McCrory's ?
83)Phil worked in the bar/restaurant business most of his life but who was he employed by when he entered the 340 realm in October,1975 until August,1977 ?
84)What did Sil use to "cook" a Slim Jim, back before he was vegan,at one of the early APBA conventions in Philly ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
77 What was the name of the big man on the Bonnie Parker sound board?
WAYNE “BIG WAYNE” ERNST
78 What is the name of Bonnie's current band?
TANG
79 What is the name of the band Richie most recently appeared with in Yonkers?
STRATUS
80 What is Rudy's kid's band named?
Horseshoes & Handgrenades is Danny Valentino's band
81 What style of music is Rudy most currently associated with now?
REGGAE;
and what is the name of the band,
Fear Nuttin Band, hopefully, he will be touring Amerika soon?
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
82)On the back of the original 340 membership card, how much money did it say you would need, with the card, to get a cup of coffee at McCrory's ?
83)Phil worked in the bar/restaurant business most of his life but who was he employed by when he entered the 340 realm in October,1975 until August,1977 ?
84)What did Sil use to "cook" a Slim Jim, back before he was vegan,at one of the early APBA conventions in Philly ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
77 What was the name of the big man on the Bonnie Parker sound board?
WAYNE “BIG WAYNE” ERNST
78 What is the name of Bonnie's current band?
TANG
79 What is the name of the band Richie most recently appeared with in Yonkers?
STRATUS
80 What is Rudy's kid's band named?
Horseshoes & Handgrenades is Danny Valentino's band
81 What style of music is Rudy most currently associated with now?
REGGAE;
and what is the name of the band,
Fear Nuttin Band, hopefully, he will be touring Amerika soon?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
1982 340 Club Reunion
On January 16, 1982, a reunion of 340 Club residents was held on West King Street. If you have a badge similar to the one depicted above you are entitles to a 0% discount for this year's reunion but only if you wear your badge to the event. The Juke Box lived again that nite earning $12.60. It was the last effort to gather residents from both 328 and 340 under one roof until this June.
Friday, April 18, 2008
I Want My MTV
As noted earlier, on August 1 the world changed – Music Television debuted and the Mighty Juke Box suffered a mortal blow. At midnight when the channel came on the air it played, in order, the following 25 videos:
1. “Video Killed the Radio Star,” The Buggles
2. “You Better Run,” Pat Benatar
3. “She Won’t Dance,” Rod Stewart
4. “You Better You Bet,” The Who
5. “Little Suzi’s on the Up,” Ph.D.
6. “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” Cliff Richard
7. “Brass in Pocket,” The Pretenders
8. “Time Heals,” Todd Rundgren
9. “Take it on the Run,” REO Speedwagon
10. “Rockin’ the Paradise,” Styx
11. “When Things Go Wrong,” Robin Lane and The Chartbusters
12. “History Never Repeats,” Split Enz
13. “Hold on Loosely,” .38 Special
14. “Just Between You and Me,” April Wine
15. “Sailing,” Rod Stewart
16. “Iron Maiden,” Iron Maiden
17. “Keep On Loving You,” REO Speedwagon
18. “Message of Love,” The Pretenders
19. “Mr. Briefcase,” Lee Ritenour
20. “Double Life,” The Cars
21. “In the Air Tonight,” Phil Collins
22. “Clues,” Robert Palmer
23. “Too Late,” The Shoes
24. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
25. “Surface Tension,” Rupert Hine
1. “Video Killed the Radio Star,” The Buggles
2. “You Better Run,” Pat Benatar
3. “She Won’t Dance,” Rod Stewart
4. “You Better You Bet,” The Who
5. “Little Suzi’s on the Up,” Ph.D.
6. “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” Cliff Richard
7. “Brass in Pocket,” The Pretenders
8. “Time Heals,” Todd Rundgren
9. “Take it on the Run,” REO Speedwagon
10. “Rockin’ the Paradise,” Styx
11. “When Things Go Wrong,” Robin Lane and The Chartbusters
12. “History Never Repeats,” Split Enz
13. “Hold on Loosely,” .38 Special
14. “Just Between You and Me,” April Wine
15. “Sailing,” Rod Stewart
16. “Iron Maiden,” Iron Maiden
17. “Keep On Loving You,” REO Speedwagon
18. “Message of Love,” The Pretenders
19. “Mr. Briefcase,” Lee Ritenour
20. “Double Life,” The Cars
21. “In the Air Tonight,” Phil Collins
22. “Clues,” Robert Palmer
23. “Too Late,” The Shoes
24. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
25. “Surface Tension,” Rupert Hine
Thursday, April 17, 2008
1981
Wow! That was the year that was. So big it took over a month to detail and, as with all these drunken years, I’m quite certain we have forgotten more than we have detailed herein. In any case; that’s a wrap.
1981
JAN – Iggles in the Super Bowl?
FEB – Tee, Phil, Randy, and John sign on the bottom line
MAR – The Second Coming
APR – The Mighty 340 Club Juke Box
MAY –Intell Music Makers Poll
JUN – Letter from the Landlord
JUL – Outrageous Parties!
AUG – Music Television
SEP – Stones in Philly
OCT – absolutely nothing happened
NOV - ditto
DEC - Santa Claus, as always, visited the good boys and girl at the 340 Club
1981 was in the book
President Ronnie Raygunz
Governor Dick Thornburgh
Mayor Art Morris
CPI – 90.9
U.R. – 7.6%
Life exp – 74.1
Violent crime – 58.6
World Population – 4.529B
U.S. Population – 229.5M
Best Picture Oscar – Ordinary People
Ted’s # 85
NCAA BK – North Carolina 63-62 over Georgetown, setting the stage for Mike Jordan in the NBA and Villanova a few years later
Indy 500 – Bobby Unser
NBA – Boston Celtics, 4-2, over Houston Rockets
NHL – Isles sweep Canucks, 4-0
MLB – LA Dodgers beat New York Yankees in six
Horse of Year – John Henry
Hvwt Champ – Larry Holmes, WBC; Mike Weaver, WBA
NCAA F – penn state 11-1
NFL (1/82) San Francisco 26-21 over Cincinnati Bengals
1981
JAN – Iggles in the Super Bowl?
FEB – Tee, Phil, Randy, and John sign on the bottom line
MAR – The Second Coming
APR – The Mighty 340 Club Juke Box
MAY –Intell Music Makers Poll
JUN – Letter from the Landlord
JUL – Outrageous Parties!
AUG – Music Television
SEP – Stones in Philly
OCT – absolutely nothing happened
NOV - ditto
DEC - Santa Claus, as always, visited the good boys and girl at the 340 Club
1981 was in the book
President Ronnie Raygunz
Governor Dick Thornburgh
Mayor Art Morris
CPI – 90.9
U.R. – 7.6%
Life exp – 74.1
Violent crime – 58.6
World Population – 4.529B
U.S. Population – 229.5M
Best Picture Oscar – Ordinary People
Ted’s # 85
NCAA BK – North Carolina 63-62 over Georgetown, setting the stage for Mike Jordan in the NBA and Villanova a few years later
Indy 500 – Bobby Unser
NBA – Boston Celtics, 4-2, over Houston Rockets
NHL – Isles sweep Canucks, 4-0
MLB – LA Dodgers beat New York Yankees in six
Horse of Year – John Henry
Hvwt Champ – Larry Holmes, WBC; Mike Weaver, WBA
NCAA F – penn state 11-1
NFL (1/82) San Francisco 26-21 over Cincinnati Bengals
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
From the Poet Laureate
Try and look inside your mind
there is much unknown to find
be self honest you are not blind
recognize when you are unkind
There can be no reason or rhyme
for any persons deliberate crime
or for transgressions which are sublime
for these this world shall have no time
There is no benefit in acting coy
or other people try to annoy
Instead show love for every girl & boy
and permeate this world with joy
there is much unknown to find
be self honest you are not blind
recognize when you are unkind
There can be no reason or rhyme
for any persons deliberate crime
or for transgressions which are sublime
for these this world shall have no time
There is no benefit in acting coy
or other people try to annoy
Instead show love for every girl & boy
and permeate this world with joy
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
JJN or Shine A Light Better Get to the Burg Soon
Apologies if I bore ya but its time to git yer ya ya's out
Welcome to the Breakfast Show, MSG, '69
Even earlier, with Brian, 1968
The Concert for Bangladseh, Leon Russell, 1971
Johnny Winter, 1974
Bon Jovi, 2008
G n R, 1986
Tina, 1982
Welcome to the Breakfast Show, MSG, '69
Even earlier, with Brian, 1968
The Concert for Bangladseh, Leon Russell, 1971
Johnny Winter, 1974
Bon Jovi, 2008
G n R, 1986
Tina, 1982
“I can’t go on pretending to be eighteen much longer” – Mick, 9/25/81
The “greatest day in rock” (i.e. the June 17, 1978 Rolling Stones/Bonnie Parker Band doubleheader attended by a score of 340 Clubbers; see 12/17’s virtual club entry) was indeed a spectacular day but was not a critical success for the Stones. Mick had a severe cold and the band was far from on point. Thus, when the 1981 tour was being planned Mick insisted that the lid lifter be in Philadelphia.
After a warm up in a club in Worcester Mass; the Stones opened their Tattoo You tour on September 25, 1981 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Unlike ’78, I ventured to Philly for my 5th Stones show, case of beer in tow, by myself. God it was great to be young. Needless to say by the time I approached the sports complex exits on the Surekill I was feeling no pain. Gratefully traffic was moving very slowly. In fact so slowly that I bought my ticket (tickets since the scalper insisted a pair or nothing) on the highway during a traffic jam. Memory tells me that I paid $20 for the pair and traded the 2nd in for a tee-shirt.
Here is the setlist:
Take the A Train
Under My Thumb
When The Whip Comes Down
Neighbours
Just My Imagination
Shattered
Let’s Spend The Night Together
Black Limousine
She’s So Cold
Time Is On My Side
Beast Of Burden
Waiting On A Friend
Let It Bleed
Band introduction
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Tops
Tumbling Dice
Hang Fire
Let Me Go
Little T & A
Start Me Up
Miss You
Honky Tonk Women
All Down The Line
Brown Sugar
Jumping Jack Flash
Street Fighting Man
Satisfaction
I remember much of the show but my most poignant memory is the last song before the powerful SFM/Satisfaction encore – Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Near the the end of the song a cherry picker descends on stage and Jagger gets in the basket (see the cab river video in the previous post) and rises and then extends out over the crowd tossing roses. I had a great seat (a great stand actually) not too far back from where the bucket hung. It was powerful; I was drunk; I cried (as I am apt to do at a Stones show). I remember thinking it would be really cool if they did “Emotional Rexcue” as their encore because we were all in need of one. Instead they slammed us deeper into need with a rousing Street Fightin’ Man and Satisfaction. After the show I remember venturing deep into North Philly to see some barmaid who never earned a number but took me home and gimmee a bath to help me sober up.
After a warm up in a club in Worcester Mass; the Stones opened their Tattoo You tour on September 25, 1981 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Unlike ’78, I ventured to Philly for my 5th Stones show, case of beer in tow, by myself. God it was great to be young. Needless to say by the time I approached the sports complex exits on the Surekill I was feeling no pain. Gratefully traffic was moving very slowly. In fact so slowly that I bought my ticket (tickets since the scalper insisted a pair or nothing) on the highway during a traffic jam. Memory tells me that I paid $20 for the pair and traded the 2nd in for a tee-shirt.
Here is the setlist:
Take the A Train
Under My Thumb
When The Whip Comes Down
Neighbours
Just My Imagination
Shattered
Let’s Spend The Night Together
Black Limousine
She’s So Cold
Time Is On My Side
Beast Of Burden
Waiting On A Friend
Let It Bleed
Band introduction
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Tops
Tumbling Dice
Hang Fire
Let Me Go
Little T & A
Start Me Up
Miss You
Honky Tonk Women
All Down The Line
Brown Sugar
Jumping Jack Flash
Street Fighting Man
Satisfaction
I remember much of the show but my most poignant memory is the last song before the powerful SFM/Satisfaction encore – Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Near the the end of the song a cherry picker descends on stage and Jagger gets in the basket (see the cab river video in the previous post) and rises and then extends out over the crowd tossing roses. I had a great seat (a great stand actually) not too far back from where the bucket hung. It was powerful; I was drunk; I cried (as I am apt to do at a Stones show). I remember thinking it would be really cool if they did “Emotional Rexcue” as their encore because we were all in need of one. Instead they slammed us deeper into need with a rousing Street Fightin’ Man and Satisfaction. After the show I remember venturing deep into North Philly to see some barmaid who never earned a number but took me home and gimmee a bath to help me sober up.
This Could Be The Last Time
9/25/81 JFK Stadium, Philadelphia
Interstingly, even though this was the tour that introduced Start Me Up; the opener was Under My Thumb and captured pretty well in this YouTube video -
Same tour, not same show
Ditto
Ditto, one from keef
Ditto, one for the APBA players
This one has poor music quality but insight into life in Philly during a Stones show from a cabbies perspective. It also captures the Jumping Jack Flash finale that I will discuss below.
Interstingly, even though this was the tour that introduced Start Me Up; the opener was Under My Thumb and captured pretty well in this YouTube video -
Same tour, not same show
Ditto
Ditto, one from keef
Ditto, one for the APBA players
This one has poor music quality but insight into life in Philly during a Stones show from a cabbies perspective. It also captures the Jumping Jack Flash finale that I will discuss below.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Trivia: 77-81
There will be some trivia questions posed at the reunion in June. To help you prep for such an event from time to time questions will be posed here in the Blog so you can revive some old memories and rev up your response time. To that end here are a few questions:
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
Honest, I had written my questions before seeing Phil's last week but apparently GMTA because mine are also on the Bonnie Parker Band?
77 What was the name of the big man on the Bonnie Parker sound board?
78 What is the name of Bonnie's current band?
79 What is the name of the band Richie most recently appeared with in Yonkers?
80 What is Rudy's kid's band named?
81 What style of music is Rudy most currently associated with now? and what is the name of the band, hopefully, he will be touring Amerika with soon?
Lastly, if anyone knows the whereabouts, website, e-mail, blog, myspace page of Billy from Philly please let us know.
LAST WEEK'S Q & A:
74)What was the name of the first guitarist other than Rudy or Richie to appear with the Bonnie Parker Band in Lancaster? I have no fucking clue ... hopefully Phil will post the answer soon enuff. Oops. Forgot to send Tee the answers..It was Mike Costello
75)What famous New York night club in the Bowery did we once take a van load to hear the Bonnie Parker Band? CBGBs
76)At the above night club, what classic Punk-Rock group was in the rathskelter, getting high? The Ramones
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
Honest, I had written my questions before seeing Phil's last week but apparently GMTA because mine are also on the Bonnie Parker Band?
77 What was the name of the big man on the Bonnie Parker sound board?
78 What is the name of Bonnie's current band?
79 What is the name of the band Richie most recently appeared with in Yonkers?
80 What is Rudy's kid's band named?
81 What style of music is Rudy most currently associated with now? and what is the name of the band, hopefully, he will be touring Amerika with soon?
Lastly, if anyone knows the whereabouts, website, e-mail, blog, myspace page of Billy from Philly please let us know.
LAST WEEK'S Q & A:
74)What was the name of the first guitarist other than Rudy or Richie to appear with the Bonnie Parker Band in Lancaster? I have no fucking clue ... hopefully Phil will post the answer soon enuff. Oops. Forgot to send Tee the answers..It was Mike Costello
75)What famous New York night club in the Bowery did we once take a van load to hear the Bonnie Parker Band? CBGBs
76)At the above night club, what classic Punk-Rock group was in the rathskelter, getting high? The Ramones
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The List: 1981 (Part 2)
I know this topic – The List – is not anything to brag about, nor is it politically correct or polite, nor does it share a lot of commonality with the other aspects of the blog. Consequently, I should not be surprised to have received a complaint this week about the topic and its necessity and/or appropriateness. “Why all the sex?” was the specific complaint. All I can say is I feel the need to document this aspect of me that the 340 elicited. I hope it is not too disrespectful, demeaning or seen as braggadocio; I mean nothing of the kind. I certainly do not mean it to be sexual, lewd, or titillating in any way. It is just a bit of me that I felt the need to include if I’m going to document my experience in the decadent decade on West King Street.
So, without further adieu or apologia, back to The List. The second half of the year continued with a young lady (#77) at the Dutch Inn in Jersey at a street hockey tourney, a pick up (#78) at Zangari South one Sunday evening, less said the better about the next one (#79), the next young lady (#80) and I made sweet music on the banks of the Conestoga near Sunnyside and in her orange bug, her ex (I think and hoped at the time) was 6-5, 330, next was a nice young lady (#81) who I ticked off too early in our all to brief relationship, I met the next young woman (#82) at the Village and took her across the street to the Brunswick rather than the 340, a Fairmont House bar maid (#83) was next, then there was a friend (#84) of the piano keys, the year ended with a little cradle robbery as the girl (#85) might have been as young as 16. She caused one of the few arguments that Phil & I had on King Street. The juke was a little too loud for her tastes and I turned the music down; well, Phil musta been diggin’ the rock n’ roll cause he rather quickly and assertively turned it right back up. I showed restraint and that was the end of the flare up. The young lady and I were a number for a while but, of course, it could not last. The year ended with my having made 18 new friends as well as renewing acquaintances with 12 friends from earlier times. I can’t help but call that year – for me at least – the Summer of Love.
So, without further adieu or apologia, back to The List. The second half of the year continued with a young lady (#77) at the Dutch Inn in Jersey at a street hockey tourney, a pick up (#78) at Zangari South one Sunday evening, less said the better about the next one (#79), the next young lady (#80) and I made sweet music on the banks of the Conestoga near Sunnyside and in her orange bug, her ex (I think and hoped at the time) was 6-5, 330, next was a nice young lady (#81) who I ticked off too early in our all to brief relationship, I met the next young woman (#82) at the Village and took her across the street to the Brunswick rather than the 340, a Fairmont House bar maid (#83) was next, then there was a friend (#84) of the piano keys, the year ended with a little cradle robbery as the girl (#85) might have been as young as 16. She caused one of the few arguments that Phil & I had on King Street. The juke was a little too loud for her tastes and I turned the music down; well, Phil musta been diggin’ the rock n’ roll cause he rather quickly and assertively turned it right back up. I showed restraint and that was the end of the flare up. The young lady and I were a number for a while but, of course, it could not last. The year ended with my having made 18 new friends as well as renewing acquaintances with 12 friends from earlier times. I can’t help but call that year – for me at least – the Summer of Love.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Okay, we know you survived TMI but ...
You know you want one ... so see Phil now
These buttons will be on sale only at the reunion ... $3 each; two fer $5
These buttons will be on sale only at the reunion ... $3 each; two fer $5
From the Golden Age of Music Television
A new feature starting today in keeping with the times of August 1981 will be the presentation of an early M TV classic; and so –
The truth was that, while the juke may have had a lesser profile, the 340 Club fueled by Music Television rocked on.
The truth was that, while the juke may have had a lesser profile, the 340 Club fueled by Music Television rocked on.
From the (not so) Mighty Juke
It’s a wrap, well sort of since the Mighty 340 Juke is a difficult machine to turn off but then again. Here’s three from the Juke
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Video Killed the Mighty Juke
The Wrestling Extravaganza was a hit … a score of guys drinking, eating, cursing, swearing, cheering, laffing and enjoying 20 of the greatest athletes ever to lace up a pair of boots compete in the squared circle of the Spectrum. The juke box likely blared from time to time over the announcers although the commentary was often worth the price of admission. Immediately after the show was over Kenny would be expected to jump up from a couch and jam quarters into the juke box; however this time he likely got up and approached the TV and switched the channel to the newest of cable offerings which had debuted only hours before – Music Television or M-TV.
You see, August 1 was not just the Wrestling Extravaganza but also the day the music was born. For at midnight August 1, 1981 a new channel appeared on cable boxes all across the country. It featured nothing but music, music videos played by – not dee jays – vee jays. WE remember them well, Martha, Mark, JJ and others. It was wall to wall music with videos, often packed with scantily clad sexy vixens and outrageous behavior and spoofs. I ordered my MTV jacket. Kenny’s movement to the front of the room to the television rather than to the rear and the mighty 340 Club juke box was more than symbolic. It portended the end of a brief era. The first song that was played on MTV earlier that day was a ditty called “Video Killed the Radio Star (by The Buggles)”. It also killed the 340 juke.
For the two weeks prior to MTV’s debut the juke box netted $54.65. Over the two weeks following the debut, only $20.20 was found in the box. This despite the fact that the weekend of August 14-15 scored $9.95. The fortnight included an unheard of 5 shutouts and four other one coin days.
Oh there were still big nites – Sunday, August 23 earned $10.55 and August 30th, another Sunday, immortalized as “Boycott” made $12.40; however the trend could not have been starker. From August 1 through the end of the year saw only $170.96 in revenues or $1.12 per day. This was 72% less per day then in the time proceeding August 1.
It was morning in Amerika; it was midnight for the mighty juke
You see, August 1 was not just the Wrestling Extravaganza but also the day the music was born. For at midnight August 1, 1981 a new channel appeared on cable boxes all across the country. It featured nothing but music, music videos played by – not dee jays – vee jays. WE remember them well, Martha, Mark, JJ and others. It was wall to wall music with videos, often packed with scantily clad sexy vixens and outrageous behavior and spoofs. I ordered my MTV jacket. Kenny’s movement to the front of the room to the television rather than to the rear and the mighty 340 Club juke box was more than symbolic. It portended the end of a brief era. The first song that was played on MTV earlier that day was a ditty called “Video Killed the Radio Star (by The Buggles)”. It also killed the 340 juke.
For the two weeks prior to MTV’s debut the juke box netted $54.65. Over the two weeks following the debut, only $20.20 was found in the box. This despite the fact that the weekend of August 14-15 scored $9.95. The fortnight included an unheard of 5 shutouts and four other one coin days.
Oh there were still big nites – Sunday, August 23 earned $10.55 and August 30th, another Sunday, immortalized as “Boycott” made $12.40; however the trend could not have been starker. From August 1 through the end of the year saw only $170.96 in revenues or $1.12 per day. This was 72% less per day then in the time proceeding August 1.
It was morning in Amerika; it was midnight for the mighty juke
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
What ta fuck?
I heard you on the wireless back in Fifty Two
Lying awake intent at tuning in on you.
If I was young it didn't stop you coming through.
Oh-a oh
They took the credit for your second symphony.
Rewritten by machine and new technology,
and now I understand the problems you can see.
Oh-a oh
I met your children
Oh-a oh
What did you tell them?
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Pictures came and broke your heart.
Oh-a-a-a oh
And now we meet in an abandoned studio.
We hear the playback and it seems so long ago.
And you remember the jingles used to go.
Oh-a oh
You were the first one.
Oh-a oh
You were the last one.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone to far
Oh-a-aho oh,
Oh-a-aho oh
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone to far.
Pictures came and broke your heart, put the blame on VTR.
You are a radio star.
You are a radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star. (You are a radio star.)
Lying awake intent at tuning in on you.
If I was young it didn't stop you coming through.
Oh-a oh
They took the credit for your second symphony.
Rewritten by machine and new technology,
and now I understand the problems you can see.
Oh-a oh
I met your children
Oh-a oh
What did you tell them?
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Pictures came and broke your heart.
Oh-a-a-a oh
And now we meet in an abandoned studio.
We hear the playback and it seems so long ago.
And you remember the jingles used to go.
Oh-a oh
You were the first one.
Oh-a oh
You were the last one.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone to far
Oh-a-aho oh,
Oh-a-aho oh
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone to far.
Pictures came and broke your heart, put the blame on VTR.
You are a radio star.
You are a radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star. (You are a radio star.)
Home Sweet Home
I delivered 50 340 Club cards to Phil this afternoon. Please order yours tomorrow or soon. They cost $20, make a nice souvenir in their own right, serve as your all-access pass to the June 7th reunion, entitle you to a souvenir 340 Club button, plus all the beer you care to drink, a munchies buffet, ability to see the 340 Club artifacts, view the PowerPoint, purchase additional (variety) buttons And tee shirts. See Phil and soon. We need the seed funds. It is a $1500+ affair.
My trip to Lancaster was a blast!
First stop the beer distributor of course. I stopped at Kirchner’s Beer Distributor to discuss a renewal of the policy of honoring the 340 Club cards for a $1.00 discount on a case of Pabst. Young Matt and his brother Keith, Andy’s sons, informed me that such policy ran afoul of PLCB laws now and then (i.e. in ’81). However, Matt promised to work with us and perhaps they will figure something out or perhaps become the first business to purchase a $25 ad in the reunion program. Davy Gabriel was working hard and gave me a friendly wave and somewhere in the bowels of their new, sprawling distribution building Mike Kendig was hard at work. It was a nice stop that despite Andy stating that 27 years was beyond his ability to remember made me feel right at home and setup the rest of the visit.
Next up was the Captain himself. As I approached the door I heard Cisco, Phil’s sentinel dog, begin the alert with his deep German Shepherd bark. I gave my knock – tap, pause, tap, tap, tap, tap – that certainly let Phil know who was knocking. It was a nice brief visit that culminated with the dog shoeing me out but lovingly. In between I signed the remaining 340 Club cards as a trustee and one, #1, as a member. I had left a sample card behind at Kirchner’s so I left Phil with 48 to sell. As I alluded to earlier please buy them quickly. Only 150 can be sold per Knights of Columbus capacity.
After Phil it was off to the APBA Game Company but passing through Quaker Hills saw me finding Mr. Kindbom at his mailbox. I grew up with his kids, Kathy, Jack and mostly Larry. In fact it was Larry who introduced me to Ajax Baseball (turned out to be APBA but you know 10 year olds). At APBA I was greeted by Veryl Lincoln, who coincidentally coached Larry in youth baseball, who has worked at the game company for over 40 years. I purchased two card sets (2007 and Set 3 ATOP) for $84 (which woulda cost me about $20 when Larry & I first played) and had a nice brief visit. The game company is only about a half mile from Kirchner’s so I completed my loop driving past the distributorship and back to Harrisburg. It is possible to go home and hope to do it a few more times (after all there are 100 more cards to sell) before the June 7th reunion.
My trip to Lancaster was a blast!
First stop the beer distributor of course. I stopped at Kirchner’s Beer Distributor to discuss a renewal of the policy of honoring the 340 Club cards for a $1.00 discount on a case of Pabst. Young Matt and his brother Keith, Andy’s sons, informed me that such policy ran afoul of PLCB laws now and then (i.e. in ’81). However, Matt promised to work with us and perhaps they will figure something out or perhaps become the first business to purchase a $25 ad in the reunion program. Davy Gabriel was working hard and gave me a friendly wave and somewhere in the bowels of their new, sprawling distribution building Mike Kendig was hard at work. It was a nice stop that despite Andy stating that 27 years was beyond his ability to remember made me feel right at home and setup the rest of the visit.
Next up was the Captain himself. As I approached the door I heard Cisco, Phil’s sentinel dog, begin the alert with his deep German Shepherd bark. I gave my knock – tap, pause, tap, tap, tap, tap – that certainly let Phil know who was knocking. It was a nice brief visit that culminated with the dog shoeing me out but lovingly. In between I signed the remaining 340 Club cards as a trustee and one, #1, as a member. I had left a sample card behind at Kirchner’s so I left Phil with 48 to sell. As I alluded to earlier please buy them quickly. Only 150 can be sold per Knights of Columbus capacity.
After Phil it was off to the APBA Game Company but passing through Quaker Hills saw me finding Mr. Kindbom at his mailbox. I grew up with his kids, Kathy, Jack and mostly Larry. In fact it was Larry who introduced me to Ajax Baseball (turned out to be APBA but you know 10 year olds). At APBA I was greeted by Veryl Lincoln, who coincidentally coached Larry in youth baseball, who has worked at the game company for over 40 years. I purchased two card sets (2007 and Set 3 ATOP) for $84 (which woulda cost me about $20 when Larry & I first played) and had a nice brief visit. The game company is only about a half mile from Kirchner’s so I completed my loop driving past the distributorship and back to Harrisburg. It is possible to go home and hope to do it a few more times (after all there are 100 more cards to sell) before the June 7th reunion.
From the Poet Laureate
Where by Christopher E. Joyce
If I ever get out of here
wonder where it will be I go
will I remember me as I am now
Or is not that the way that you grow (See Psychology)
If I ever get out of here
wonder where it will be I go
will I remember me as I am now
Or is not that the way that you grow (See Psychology)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Pinnacle, The Apex, The Summit OR It’s all downhill from here
For me, the night of August 1st – symbolically if nothing else – represented the very pinnacle of life at 340 West King Street … it was the night of a pay-per-view event known forever as the WRESTLING EXTRAVAGANZA.
Just a week ago, on the eve of the Fools Day, Floyd Mayweather (39-0), a 150 pound boxer, disposed of The Big Show, a 400 pound professional wrassler in a challenge match as part of Wrestlemania XXIV. Undoubtedly, had the 340 club still been in existence we woulda bought it and had the usual gang of idiots on the couches watching the action. Wrestlemania traces its lineage back to Wrestlemania I in 1985. However, before the WWF hit its stride (and earned a third W) there were other pay-per-view events that were the progenitors of Wrestlemania. One such spectacle took place on August 1, 1981 and the 340 Club promoted it as the Wrestling Extravaganza. For me, the event symbolizes the peak of the Club’s greatness not so much for the event itself but the symbolism of what happened before and after.
The Setup:
The Club was furnished superbly with a raised TV on a table at the far end sitting on another TV. The lower television sometimes didn’t even work and was merely a stand for the other. The top TV was tuned into to Prism or whatever the PPV vehicle at the time presented such spectacles. In front of the TV was a couch, behind the couch was another couch and behind that was a third sofa. So, the 340 living room had stacked TVs vertically and stacked davenports horizontally. Behind the divans was a raised bar with stools and tucked into the corner behind it was the still mighty 340 Club juke box.
The Souvenir Program:
On the cover was a stock wrestling photo under the headline WELCOME TO THE 340 CLUB’s Wrestling EXTRAVAGANZA … Saturday, August 1, 1981 – 8:30 p.m. 340 West King Street – Lancaster, PA
The centerfold consisted of a copy of an ad for the event from the Philadelphia Journal billing the feature match a 20 man battle royale … in which twenty all-star wrestlers enter the ring and go at until there is a last man in the ring and he gets to do battle with the champ – Bob Backlund. The live event took place at the Spectrum in Philly and could be attended for tickets ranging from $5.50 to $7.50. Also depicted in the program were 3 or 4 entries from the Funk & Wagnall such as ex-trav-a-gance, ex-tra, ex-trav-a-gan-za and ex-trav-a-gate complete with pronunciations, definitions and alternate definitions.
The back page had a brief write up on the card and the credits:
Special thanks to: City of Lancaster, Prism, WWWF, Serena Kirchner Beer Distributor, The 340 Club.
Typist: Audrey
A Ted Knorr/Phil Zangari Production
The Card
1-4. Prelims
5. Battle Royale featuring the Rex Moondog, King Moondog, Andre the Giant, Magnificent Murocco, Killer Khan, Pedro Morales, S.D. “Special Delivery” Jones, Curt Henning, Dominic DeNucci, Larry Sharpe, Baron Mikel Sicluna, Strong Kobiashi, Johnny Rodz, Chris Cannon, Bulldog Brower, King Kong Mosca, Rick Martel and Tony Garea.
Intermission
6. Prelim
7. Pat Patterson vs. Sgt. Slaughter in an Alley Match (i.e. no rules, no referee, wear whatever you want, bout ends when one man can no longer continue)
8. Bob Backlund, WWF Champion defends against the winner of the Battle Royale
The Results:
I have no clue
The Aftermath:
I do know this; it was a Saturday in the summer of 1981 and house was packed from 6 till 2 and the juke box take was only $6.55. Why so little? Was it an off night? An aberration? the answer, sadly, was that it was no aberration … it was a new dawn or more accurately – a new midnight.
Check back at the Virtual Club on Thursday for the rest of the story.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Curator's Corner
FRONT ......>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...... BACK
Above is the brand new seen for the first time ever 2008 official 340 Club card prototype. Hopefully, Phil will be able to display a real one tomorrow (or the next day). He will have them available for sale at $20. They entitle you to admission to the June 7th reunion and to receive a souvenir program, commemorative button, free beer and munchies, admission to the 340 museum featuring a PowerPoint presentation plus special guest stars and the music from the mighty 340 juke box.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Trivia: 74-76
There will be some trivia questions posed at the reunion in June. To help you prep for such an event from time to time questions will be posed here in the Blog so you can revive some old memories and rev up your response time. To that end here are a few questions:
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
74)What was the name of the first guitarist other than Rudy or Richie to appear with the Bonnie Parker Band in Lancaster ?
75)What famous New York night club in the Bowery did we once take a van load to hear the Bonnie Parker Band ?
76)At the above night club, what classic Punk-Rock group was in the rathskelter, getting high ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
71. What was the phone number of the 340 Club, second coming?
BONUS: What 340 Club irregular was responsible for procuring the unique cubing combination?
Glenn Schneider assisted me in obtaining 397 2228 for the Outpost of Humanity. Later, upon the second coming the number was transferred to the 340 Club. Interestingly, John & Sue Emswiller's current number, that they obtained way back in '84 upon their sucessful evacuation from the 338, contains the combination "222".
72. What food staple, served best by Bobbie, is no longer sold at The Village Nite Club?
Cheeseburgers and they were sorely missed a couple of Saturday's ago.
73. What brand and model is the mighty 340 Club juke?
Rockola GP 160
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
74)What was the name of the first guitarist other than Rudy or Richie to appear with the Bonnie Parker Band in Lancaster ?
75)What famous New York night club in the Bowery did we once take a van load to hear the Bonnie Parker Band ?
76)At the above night club, what classic Punk-Rock group was in the rathskelter, getting high ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
71. What was the phone number of the 340 Club, second coming?
BONUS: What 340 Club irregular was responsible for procuring the unique cubing combination?
Glenn Schneider assisted me in obtaining 397 2228 for the Outpost of Humanity. Later, upon the second coming the number was transferred to the 340 Club. Interestingly, John & Sue Emswiller's current number, that they obtained way back in '84 upon their sucessful evacuation from the 338, contains the combination "222".
72. What food staple, served best by Bobbie, is no longer sold at The Village Nite Club?
Cheeseburgers and they were sorely missed a couple of Saturday's ago.
73. What brand and model is the mighty 340 Club juke?
Rockola GP 160
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