T Minus Situation

I have not seen the magic quartet that I knew as the Bonnie Parker band in over a quarter centruy. Bonne Parker, the mean old Queen; Richie Scarlet, guitarist extraordinaire: Rudy Valentino, a chic magnet if there ever was one challenged Richie lick for lick; and, in the kitchen, keeping the band together, Billy "from Philly" Lomax on drums. While the band had some variants on drums and even on guitar it was these four that fuel my memory of the greatest cover band; the greatest bar band of all-time.

Now, I am only days, nay - I'm only hours away from seeing one of them again. My babe and myself are going to see the Richie Scarlet Band on Valentine's Day at PJs in Baldwin Place, NY.

T- minus 39 hours till we hit the road!
T -minus 50 1/2 hours till Richie hits the stage!

I will be presenting Richie with a 340 Club card, buttons, program and tee shirt.

Welcome to the 340 Club (Reprised)

THIS IS A COPY OF THE FIRST POST IN THIS SERIES - first appearing December 4, 2007 - IN WHICH IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A REUNION IN JUNE. NOW, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THAT, ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE PUTTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER. THE NEXT REUNION OF THE 340 CLUB IS SCHEDULED FOR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009.

ENJOY THE REPRISE!

Lancaster, Pennsylvania ... the seventies, downtown, 340 West King Street, three blocks from Penn Square - the city's center - a three story house inhabited by five virile young men. Sex, beer, rock n roll. As the landlord described it: "extreme disorganized and general misconduct."

This blog seeks your assistance in planning a commemoration, a reunion if you will, a celebration of the 340 Club. Accordingly, this is your blog. As a former resident, 340 Club cardholder, or someone who lived in the Red Rose City in the 70s who has fond memories of late nights and/or early mornings at the 340 please feel free to make your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas known as this bash is planned. Visit this blog often. It is a tool to promote, coordinate, communicate, facilitate and plan a celebration that commemorates, celebrates, touts, and reminisces about the 340 Club. The gathering is tentatively scheduled for June 6th and 7th, 2008, in Lancaster, PA. Presently and tentatively, the weekend shapes up as follows:

June 6, 2008 - $27 will get you a game ticket and a picnic ticket to an Atlantic Baseball League contest between the York Revolution and the Lancaster Barnstormers at Clipper Stadium. Prior and during the game there will be a two-hour, all you can eat, buffet picnic at Coors Light Picnic Pavilion featuring: BBQ Chicken, Grilled Hamburgers, Kunzler Hot Dogs, Deli Salad, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob, Potato Chips, Cookies and Assorted Fountain Sodas. Unfortunately the beer will need to be purchased separately. After the game I feel confident that the gang will retreat to a local pub to continue quaffing the golden beverage.

June 7, 2008 - an evolving bash that at that will be put on at cost (likely, $20) that will feature beer (free), munchies, DJ, and more. In addition there will be features and specialties that the 340 Club was known for. It is this event for which this Blog seeks your input. What do you see as a 2008 340 Club Party? In an ideal world, we would rent 340 West King Street in Lancaster and convene sometime around 2 am on Saturday morning with everyone bringing enough beer and munchies to get us through to daybreak when we would break for a bit until gathering again that afternoon when we would watch sports on TV and nap to prepare for doing it again Saturday night. Alas, due to many factors this is not possible so we need to find a place and plan a realistic resemblance of such a party.

To that extent please help us out with both party ideas as well as sharing your reminiscences of the 340 Club.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I realize I'm a little premature but I am very excited about my upcoming Valentine's Day that I could not wait to share it.The 340 Club's houseband, although they never played there (cept perhaps for some strumming of Phil's guitar), was - at least in the early to mid-life of the abode - was the Bonnie Parker Band. Even the beloved housepuppy was named Scarlet after guitarist Richie Scarlet. After virtually every Bonnie Parker show at The Village there was a mega party at the 340 Club.

Drummer Billy (from Philly) Lomax is whereabouts unknown to the best of my knowledge. Bonnie, herself, is fleeting. I believe she plays in a band called Tang and just may be stateside in the Long Island area. Rudy Valentino is in Hamburg making beautiful reggae with associated sistas. That leaves the Emperor of Rock - Richie Scarlet, the man, the music, the guitar. Well, Richie is still very active in the international rock n' roll music scene playing with Ace Frehly, Lesley West, Albert Bouchard or Dennis Dunway or his own Richie Scarlet Band.

It turns out they have a gig next Saturday, Valentine's Day, in Westchester County, NY. It further turns out that my lady friend, Beverly, and I are going to celebrate Valentine's Day at the show. Four hour trip to Baldwin Place, NY. Check in, go to mass, romantic dinner, followed by the hardest edged rock n' roll on the east coast.

I will be taking 340 Club buttons, t-shirt, and program to Richie and hope to exchange pleasantries with the Emperor for the first time in 25 years. Whether I am invited or inclined to worm remains to be seen.

The Boss

didja see the Boss? on my 1989 vintage Zenith ... it rocked ... might not be a flat screen but damn those Bose speakers still sound state of the art!!! perhaps the best rock n' roll on network TV ever; certainly none that haven't been introduced by Ed Sullivan ... 12 minutes

God Bless Barack Obama! God Bless the US of A!!

What are you doin' for Valentines Day? huh ... I'm going (weather permitting) to Westchester County New Yawk to see the Richie Scarlet Band ... 340!!!

Roooooooooody

Rudy Valentino, Hamburg, Germany, 2009

Whaddid U do last FRIDAY!

I wish I did but I didn't either but ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Fellas/Gal

I want to wish all of you and your family & friends a blessed 2009. I miss all of you and think of you often as I await someone to come switch kegs. This one's been empty since June. Tee tells me we are going to do it again in November. I hope so but I don't want to wait that long for a beer.

Respectfully,

The 340 Club Kegman

BPB Alert

Bonnie Parker says: "I will be playing bass & doing some classic rock with "Whitefire" Saturday November 29th @ Sundance ... see press release below..It will be alot of fun and it's for an excellent cause ... See you all there!!"

On Saturday, November 29, 2008, Long Island club legends “White Fire” (70’s Classic Rock featuring special guest Bonnie Parker) and “Vixen” (70’s & 80’s New Wave – not to be confused with the all-female band of the same name) will be reuniting for a “one-time-only” benefit concert at the brand new “Frank Cariola’s Sundance” rock club located in Rocky Point. The show is entitled the “Natalie Ciappa ‘Not My Child’ benefit concert. Natalie Ciappa was the 18-year-old from Massapequa who tragically died from a heroin overdose this past summer. She was also the daughter of Vic Ciappa, White Fire’s drummer. The proceeds from the show will be donated to a fund being created in Natalie’s name that will be used to bring attention to the prevalence of the heroin problem on Long Island, including seeking new legislation on the issue both locally and nationally. Tickets will be $15 and will be sold at the door the night of the show (no advance sales), so be sure to get there early. Doors will open at 8 p.m. For further information and directions, please go to www. sundancerocks.com. Please come out to support this great cause!

from today's Sunday Patriot News

The Sharks at Gullifty's

Saturday, October 25th
Ticket info: www.gulliftys.net
Must be 21. Doors open at 9 pm.

I will be in AC with Beverly during the day so my attendance is doubtful. We are scheduled back at 7:30. A quick nap, shit, shower & a shave and I could make Guliffty's by 9:30 or so. I suppose I should be listed as doubtful.

Richie Scarlet at B.B. King's on Times Square, last Friday, October 10th; if you missed it ... his band will be at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY on December 6th. Me and Randy wouldn't need too much encouragement to make the trip. 340 Forever!!!

More Crazee

Mitch Herr
Maple Farm Nursing Center
604 Oak Street
Akron, Pennsylvania 17501
(717) 859 1191, ask for Mitch

I stopped by the MFNC today on my home from a speaking engagement in Downington. Mitch was enjoying a pleasant afternoon nap. After he greshened up we retreated to the garden where he had a smoke (or three)and we talked. It was a great time. I met several roomies and they were all fine people. Mitch proved to be an astute observer of the political scene being for Barack Obama but a little much of a sheep on his Kennedy assasination history believing - as does 85% of the kountry - in a conspiracy. In any case, whatever you beliefs - write him, call him or visit. He'd love to see you. All blessings upon you.

Poet Laureate

Trouble Sleeping by Christopher E. Joyce, 1993

Running all night til the sun kicks in
Running from nothing just hoping to win
Hoping to come away with a prize
And standing to lose nothing but your pride.

If you mess up your lines they can take you away
So don't pay attention to what they may say
Trust and follow that voice in your heart
Like any actor in a play you you have to play that part

Those two-faced phonies with the holes in their souls
They don't mean a thing they're just ill fated foes
Don't believe them when they say that we're all the same
Just screw 'em - and best them at their own game.

Crazy Mitch

I hadn’t seen Mitch in ages until Easter Saturday this year when I saw him at the Sharks show at The Village. It was just like old times; as soon as I hit the door I heard his unmistakable voice shouting “Crazzzee”! There he was bigger than life. A drink in one hand; a cigarette in the other; chicks on both sides of him and Ralphie Baker crouched in front of him conversing a mile a minute. It coulda been 1978.

Except it wasn’t.

It was March 22, 2008. Mitch, diabetic like me, was in a wheelchair and minus both a leg and a kidney. He is doing pretty well though; he’s got round the clock nurses only a buzzer away. He can smoke when he wants and, although he knows his limit, can have a beer every now and then. He has 119 roomies though hopefully neither Phil nor I for a while. Although we are coming Crazy!!!

If any of you want to stop by and see him or write or call here are his particulars:

Mitch Herr
Maple Farm Nursing Center
604 Oak Street
Akron, Pennsylvania 17501
(717) 859 1191, ask for Mitch

I just got off the phone with him and he sez hello and to have one on him!!!

Rock On

Here is a copy of a MySpace correspondence between me and someone puporting to be Bonnie Parker:
From: BONNIE PARKER.. Block User
Delete From Friends
myspace.com/bonnieparkernyc
Date: Aug 7, 2008 9:51 PM Flag as Spam or Report Abuse [?]
Help: Flag
Message If you get a message that is spam (someone trying to sell you something, get you to look at their profile, or redirect you to another website), click the ‘Spam’ button to notify us. If the email is not spam, but is abusive in nature (cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or another matter), click on ‘Abuse’. You can then let us know what type of abuse the message is. Thanks for your help in moderating MySpace Mail! Subject:
RE: There's Gonna Be a 340 Tomorrow
Body:

Rock on dudes!!!
xo,
BP

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Ted
Date: Aug 7, 2008 12:05 AM
Subject: There's Gonna be a 340 tommorow

Naaah, not till November 2009 ... Mitch lives!!! and still rocks ... Jump & Shout! Crazee Tee

Poker Night

A couple of 328 Club vets joined four other members of Lancaster Catholic’s Class of ’69 in a hotly contested game of poker yesterday. I hosted. Here are the players and the facts and figures:

Tee Knorr, 328- 340-338 Club
Dan Joyce, 328 Club
Joe Riley
Tim Bucher
John Kunkle
Keith Costello

As host, I provided beer, pizza, chips, pretzels at a cost of $82.60 (Beer Centre $49.00, Mercado’s Pizza $33.60).

Here are some results:
Iron City beat Yuengling Lager, 19 cans drunk to 15… 14 (29%) beers remained.
Plain Pizza nipped Pepperoni 12 slices ate to 10 … two (8%) slices remained.
Barack Obama won our straw poll by a 4-2 margin.
We played 5 card draw, seven card stud, pass the trash, dumb and dumber, hemmeroids, 1492, some of the games were high-low splits, high spade splits and one even combined a high-low split with a high spade split.
Joe appeared to be the big winner … I held my own with a $6.50 profit.

We all look forward to the next game … likely in the fall. I’ve now played three straight games and regret having missed many years worth of the fun. The game has met, at least annually, since 1967.

Richie Scarlet

July 4th! Don't you wish it was 1974-84, pick a year

I wouldn't be feeling guilty about it being 2:00 and not having accomplished anything ... I'd be on the 3rd floor listening to the City wake up and perhaps obscuring those sounds with rock n roll ... a Friday fourth would have meant there was a party last night ... as it was 2:00 Kenny had probably already scaled my stairs and went out the window to the roof ... certainly by now Marty and/or Woody and/or Sam and/or Sports Sunday and/or Jose and/or Coach or more would be bringing in cases or quarts in to the 340 and drinking and cajoling on the porch.

That was then this is now... Dick called last night and apologized for not making the reunion ... he was under the weather ... say a prayer for him ... he is a private type of guy so I have little more to say ... on a humorous side he pledged to visit this site no more ... he did not appreciate being outed as a frequent visitor to the virtual Club ... said in the future he would sneak in at his son's PC.

If anyone is attending any Barnstormer games let me know; I'm all for attending

340

It's been very quiet here at the Virtual 340 Club but the Karma from the Club is still prevalent wherever you go. I work part-time at the Engleside Beverage Mart. Its a beer distributor so 340 members coming in to make a purchase should not surprise anyone.

Today is the 2nd of July and being a former Civil War re-enactor I wore a tee shirt commemorating that battle of 145 years ago,that occurred on the first three days of July,1863.
Now I have to restock the beer cooler as one of my duties and I learned early on to wear something to protect me from the cold. What better selection could I have made but the new denim shirt with the 340 Club embroidered over the pocket which most former Club residents purchased at the reunion. Its summer so I don't have to button up the new shirt, its long sleeves afford enough covering to keep the chill away.
Well I came out of the cooler with it still on and began loading up my "wagon" with another load of beer. As I neared the cooler a customer came in with three empty half-barrels. He looked at me and said, "Where did you get the shirt ?". I didn't recognize him but having received comments about my Civil War attire before I said,"You mean the Gettysburg shirt ?". He said ,"No, the 340 Shirt". I tried to explain the Club's concept but he interrupted with, "You mean Phil Zangari and the guys". Mentioning my name first of course fueled my "ego" and then my Boss Lady told him who I was. He stuck out his hand and said,"Ted Troop". He had a beard and I told him I would have never recognized him and he said the same about me which deflated my earlier euphoria of my being synonymous with the Club. I didn't bring up the desk-trashing incident in Leominster that has been chronicled earlier on this Blog by Tee and Coach. Ted did say he was not "quite" twenty-one years old yet when he imbibed with us. He must have had a fake ID because I am sure no one could have gotten past our tight security we implemented at all Club functions.

On the same note, as I was entering Superpetz to buy some dog food, none other than former 340 member/Chestnut Street Hockey Player Pat Snyder came out. As we shook hands he said, "I heard you had a reunion". He apologized for not attending as he and his family were out of town.

All signs point to the next 340 get-together as being the social event of the Millenium.

Two more pics from Coach

Woody,Brian S. and Jack D.



The "Randallion" doing his thing, sans a zoom lens.

Coach's Photographic Contributions

The Coach of the Year,every year, Don Kuhns,has sent in these three pics from the Re-Union. He said he has two more. He would have taken more but he realized he had to put his beer down to focus the camera and thought better of it.




Here is Cindy Lou,Sybil and Paula enjoying the party.





Paula and Jack Daily.




Paula,Brian Smith,Jack D.,Ralph B.Jimmy Z., and Chuck Daily.