August Blog

"According to Jim" (Jim's rants & raves)

 

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).   Part 8: August 2008

 

Hard to Believe: The Vikings pre-season home opener is already this coming Friday night vs. the Seattle Seahawks. Also, keep a close eye on our "GREAT" Viking Specials during the regular season!

 

OKTOBERFEST!: The Bierstube's Oktoberfests are starting in grand style at LW's (Lawrence William's) Bierstube in IGH, Saturday, September 12 & 13^th, also celebrating this locations 25 year anniversary! There will be tons of specials all weekend featuring our GRAND PRIZE 42 inch Big Screen Plasma TV! (Mostly donated by Plaza TV in W. St. Paul. Thank you Plaza TV!) Drawing will be held September 15^th during Monday Night Football. Must be present to win. You can fill out a slip everyday from now until then. Good luck Bierstubians! Oktoberfest will run every Friday & Saturday starting at LW's, then Hastings, Oakdale, Red Wing & the "Super Grand Finale" at JJ's in White Bear Lake October 10 & 11^th. Check out your local listings & schedules at any Bierstube.

 

Speaking of 25: The original Bierstube in Hastings (est. 1962) will be having a "VERY SPECIAL" 25 year anniversary "Tribute" to the original proprietor & founder, very proud to say my father, Larry Yanz's celebrating of his life on the actual 25 year anniversary of his passing on Sunday, September 21^st. This will coincide with Oktoberfest the same weekend. My Dad lived until he was 51 years old & we will be giving away 51 prizes throughout the weekend, including very special prizes for the top 6 stories about Larry! The story's must be under 125 words, very legible (if not typed) & submitted by Wednesday, September 17^th. Every story needs to be appropriate in language & content. Every single Larry Yanz story will win a prize for just submitting it on time. The top 6 (2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze-in the spirit of this years Olympics & my Dad's love of sports) will be framed & hung permanently in the original Bierstube & many, if not all of the other Bierstubes. You definitely can remain anonymous if you choose. Any questions regarding our Oktoberfest featuring the Amazing Dale Grove (accordion extraordinaire) or Tim Erickson (Host/all around talent & entertaining showman) or our SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS please inquire with our wait staff or bartenders or call me (Jim Yanz 612/868-1305).

 

Fact: LW's Biestube's golf tournament (The Leonard Schaffer Memorial) was a huge success because of Cindy Schaffer (Hannah's Grandmother) who helped run, organize & promote the charity event. The tournament for Hannah (who was born very premature & faces several developmental challenges) & her family raised over $1,600!!! Hannah's family is deeply grateful to the sponsors. My brother Mike & I were incredibly honored to be able to help such a great family & look forward to helping the family for as many years that are necessary. God Bless & good luck to Hannah & her family in the challenging journey ahead! (P.S. Mike Yanz did a fantastic job emceeing the event, also donating his upcoming Twins tickets!)

 

Speaking of Sports & Hard to Believe: It's not often us sports fans are lucky enough to witness one or two epic battles every one or two years, but basically within the last 4-5 weeks we've witnessed three! #1) Tiger vs. Rocco in the US Open. Probably the first & last time I ever or will ever root against the "history in making" (see it, witness & enjoy it) Tiger Woods. The 46 year old charismatic short hitting Rocco Mediate was just too personable & more importantly just plain "unbelievable!" Of course, Tiger with his injured knee just added that much more mystique & magic even more so than he usually has. (And that's saying a lot about the "once in a lifetime" Tiger in itself). According to Tiger, that was "the greatest tournament or win he has ever been a part of. If ever there was a time to feel particularly proud for coming in 2^nd, this one's it. What a story to be able to tell your Grandkids!" #2) The truly epic, grueling battle of wills between Roger Federerererer and of course the amazing successful efforts and talent of Rafael Nadal. This had everything-Great comeback by one of the greatest of all time in Federer, Tie breaking saved set points & even more nail bighting saved match points with unbelievable gets, saves & passing shots. Not to mention a marathon championship 5 hour match! Roger work on your backhand & numerous unforced errors or your not going to get up to or surpass Pete Sampras's total of 16 (record) major tournament wins! Roger now has 14. #3) The British Open & as I referred to very boldly & very correctly (I hate to brag) the always exciting, "Always fun to watch" (is how I believe I stated it exactly in last months blog) Greg "The Shark" Norman. The 53 year old actually held the lead with only 6 holes to go in the 3^rd Major Tourney of the year, The British Open, before the very solid Padraig Harrongton caught fire & defended his title for another year. Something the Shark should feel completely proud of & not one bit ashamed. For 66 holes & at age 53, he was the best in the world.

 

Sorry all of you Non Sports Fans! But it was a month of Sports involving Golf & Tennis that "You will most likely NEVER see again!" And yes, Golf & Tennis are every bit the sport that football, baseball, hockey & basketball are. However, football is & always will be my favorite.

 

Fun Fact: 45 years ago thing month, Warren Spahn of the Milwaukee Braves vs. Juan Maricheal of the San Francisco Giants each went the distance pitching 16 innings until Hank Aaron won the game with a walk off homerun in the bottom of the 16^th to win 1-0. The odds of that ever happening that way again at any level: ZERO!

 

Fun Fact 2: The two kids &/or young gentlemen patting Hank Aaron on the back (on the field after his all-time record breaking homerun) between 2^nd & 3^rd base went on to become very successful doctors & occasionally speak with Aaron either at charily events or the old fashioned phone call.

 

Hank Aaron Fun Fact 3 & 4: Even though Hank Aaron (in my book) still has the all time homerun record for a career, his best season in home runs rank #69 all time & his best RBI total doesn't even crack the top 100.

 

Overheard: An example of "The Law of Attraction" Mother Theresa once said NO to an antiwar demonstration, but immediately followed with "Let me know if you're going to have a pro peace rally & you can count me in."

 

Fact: Roger Maris's total homeruns after 154 games in which Babe Ruth hit his then record 60 homeruns was still at 59. Our guy needed the now & then official total of 162 games to accomplish his record of 61 homeruns. One might say semantics, one might say asterisk, one might say so what. Not to take "any" credit from the great Roger Maris & his great year, but I still say Babe Ruth is the greatest #1 dominating player of any sport of "All Time!"

 

Great Quote!: "Beer is proof that God loves us & wants us to be happy." -Ben Franklin (Does anyone know if he was German?!)

Nice Quote: "Honor is defined by what you do when nobody is looking." -Herb George

 

Did You Know? In 1975 Fran Tarkenton's Dad died of a massive heart attack while watching his son during the Vikings Cowboys Playoff game at the old Met Stadium. The same game, Drew Pearson clearly pushed off Nate Write in the final seconds to advance to the NFC Championship game. This according to Bud Grant & MANY Vikings players was the Vikings best team & best chance to win the Superbowl, despite the 4 Superbowls they were actually in from 1969 to 1977. AHHHH…The Glory Years!!!  

 

Last but definitely not least: Also as I predicted word for word way back in the April blog: A trade of our #1 draft choice for Carolina's Julius Peppers or someone equal to or better than, & Tavaris just plays OK, that automatically makes us Superbowl contenders! This would be 2008's version of the "Purple People Eaters," especially with the William's Wall (Kevin & Pat). You heard it here 1^st …Again! (Just insert a better, younger, healthier, quicker, more dominating Jared Allen for Julius Peppers & it improves our chances that much more!)

 

Vikings: Keep your eyes & ears open for every Bierstube's Vikings Game Day & Monday Night Football's awesome specials! Starting with FREE tacos for everyone during all Vikings games, except for Red Wings (which will have their own specials). Any questions call me (Jim 612/868-1305)

 

Fact: Former Governor Jessie Ventura has a Porsche with a sticker on the back that reads "9-11 was an inside job." Then stated, "I prefer Al Jezeera to the Minnesota Media. I'll talk to them, I won't talk to you." Jim Yanz's comment: Either that's the straw that broke Ventura's nimble headed brain & all credibility or No Comment!"

Shave my head update: I wasn't able to do it last month because of injuries & knee surgery. I will definitely have it done one Friday this month at 8:00 in the Larry's Lounge & Smoking Patio in Oakdale.