Jim Yanz' Bierstube Blog

August Blog

2009-08-01T11:03:00.001-07:00

NEW MENU COMING SOON!!! The early reviews have been unanimous that the NEW MENU is the best menu since the incredible infusion of today's technology. Reason why, you'll have to wait until some time in August. "We hope you will like it as much as we do!"

Brett Favre: What, he's going to play for the Vikings?!! Can you imagine the excitement & hype for the missing piece of the puzzle? And of all people the Packers Brett Favre? Oh, it's not official yet? I can't wait to heckle the Cheeseheads when it happens.

Tom Terrific: The last time I rooted for a golfer as much as I did the 59-year-old (2 months from 60) Tom Watson was the 1986 Masters when Jack was back at 46 years old & won his 18^th major. I'm sure 98% of all golf fans felt like they got kicked in the stomach watching poor Tom bogey 18 the way he did & then fall apart like a Denny Green doughnut during their 4 hole playoff. Don't feel too bad about the classy Watson who already has 5 British Open Championships & 8 total majors, not to mention the oodles of prize money & endorsements over the years. This was Stewarts Cinks 1^st major & it will mean much more to and his family; but not nearly as much to the sports world who just missed out on perhaps the most unlikely Cinderella sports stories of ALL TIME!

Brett Favre: Had surgery & he's now testing his arm & working out with the high school kids from Hattiesburg? "Great, hope he signs soon!"

Michael Jackson gets appropriate goodbye: Michael Jackson became so unbelievably strange & bizarre the past 20 years it was only fitting that he receive a celebrity sendoff unlike anything we've ever seen. The only ones who didn't eulogize the odd gloved one was his pet Bubbles the chimp & Elvis. On a more serious note, Michael Jackson will now be judged by the only one that matters, God. No matter anyone's opinion of the disgusting allegations against him over the past several years, his innocence or guilt will only be known by his maker. I do not condemn nor do I judge anything that hasn't been positively proven. When it's all said & done, he'll be remembered for entertaining millions & the amount of charily he raised & helped raise (it's in the Guinness Book of World Records).

Brett Favre: Oh Ed Werder said there's a Brad Childress imposed signing deadline?! "Hmm…kind of interesting. It couldn't get here fast enough."

Prediction: UFC Fighter in a Coma or Dies: The UFC is barbaric & in serious danger of getting banned. If the UFC does not wake up & does not change at least a couple of rules (one in particular), they will close up faster than a Mike Vick dog pound. How can any league be ignorant enough & any state sanction a league that allows a person to jump in the air, ball up their fists with very little glove padding, & come crashing down fist to face on a completely unconscious person. Am I that stupid or is there that much widespread ignorance running &/or participating in this vulgar so-called sport? Change this as soon as you can or seriously risk major lawsuits &/or extinction.

Brett Favre: Filled his lawn mower gas tank with regular unleaded? Decided to tan himself on the roof of his barn with ONLY cutoff JEAN SHORTS? "This is getting weird."

Brett Favre: News Report! Brett Favre still hasn't signed. "Seriously?!"

Jim McArdle Pummels Hamm's Bear During Saints Game!: Partner & manager of JJ's Bierstube pulls sneak attack of local lovable legend Hammsy the Hamm's Bear. Witnesses claim McArdle even used an extra 20-pound bag of charcoal brickets to smash over the unexpecting bear's head. After a thorough pummeling, the brave bear resumed consciousness & easily flung the weak muscle head McArdle several feet in the air, chasing him throughout the Saints parking lot until the Mamby Pamby McArdle found refuge in a woman's outhouse for the remainder of the game. One onlooker who chose to remain anonymous said it was the most embarrassing & cowardly display by a so-called human that she had ever witnessed. Hammsy seemed to recover nicely, throwing out a perfect strike 1^st pitch & receiving a resounding standing ovation from the capacity plus crowd who came to see HIM.

Brett Favre: News Report! Brett Favre is still anguished about contemplating his anguishing decision of anguishing about contemplating to come back. "REALLY?!?!"

Buehrle Throws Perfect Game: Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle, with the help of one of the top 5 catches (in all of professional sports) in the 9^th inning of their game against Tampa Bay, throws the Major Leagues 13^th perfect game in the history of professional baseball. If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth googling.

Brett Favre: National Enquirer reports that Adrian Peterson, Jerad Allen & Kevin Williams are texting Favre trying to pressure him to sign; & he picked his butt several times………………….with his right hand. Does center John Sullivan know that?"

Sports Fans! Are You Ready For Some Sports Heaven?! Can you imagine? Gophers football game against Wisconsin at TCF Bank Stadium October 3^rd, Twins final regular season game at the Metrodome against Kansas City October 4^th, Vikings against the Packers at the Metrodome Monday night, October 5^th, & the Wild's home opener against Anaheim at the Xcel Energy Center October 6^th.

Brett Favre: Is close to signing? "OH GOODY!"

President Obama: Focus on your Country & your job! Quit seeking the limelight of celebrity, Hollywood, Major League Sports, ease up on the socialism, don't call your police force "stupid" for doing their job, it wasn't the cops that were acting racist.

Brett Favre: Brett Favre is really a woman? "That's it, I'm done!!!"

Kids Korner! A couple of weeks ago I took my boys to the drive-in movie. Somehow, I misplaced my wallet in the car. When it was almost time to pay for our admission, I told Max & Sam to duck down in their car seats. I found $10, so I had enough for 2 of us. Little did I know how incomplete I was with the boys' instructions. As I was saying, "One adult & one kid" to the attendant, Max pipes up, "No, no, Dad, there's 2 of us back here! Me & Sammy are both here!" Very sheepishly & red faced I explained my dilemma & luckily the nice guy said, "That's cool," & waved me in. Needless to say, as embarrassed as I was, I was proud of my honest & funny son for throwing me under the bus!

Brett Favre: WHAT? Brett Favre says he just made the toughest decision of his life & he's choosing to stay retired? "I knew it all along! We"ll look forward to you changing your mind in September. JERK!!!"

June July Blog

2009-06-10T11:58:00.001-07:00

June/July 2009

Bierstube Summerfest Tent Party! Date & bands set: JW's Bierstube in Oakdale is having our 9^th annual Summerfest tent party Friday, June 12^th and Saturday June 13^th. Friday we're featuring the East Side locals and HUGELY popular "UNCLE CHUNK" and Saturday the HOTTEST band in the state "HAIRBALL!" Mark you calendars now! For more details, call (651)731-8381.

Customer Appreciation Pig Roast Sunday June 14, NOON until it's gone! Complimentary succulent, juicy pig while it lasts! Fun, games & prizes for the whole family!

Kids Eat FREE!: JW's in Oakdale & JJ's in White Bear Lake just started kids east FREE on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Check us out! Some restrictions apply. Other Bierstubes are also considering it.

Leonard Schaffer Memorial (LW's) Bierstube Golf Tournament: Is coming up fast! New date & time, Monday, July 27^th, Noon shotgun at River Oaks. Last years tournament raised more than $1,600! 100% of all proceeds go directly towards medical bills for Hannah O'Halloran. She is Leonard's great granddaughter & LW's manager Cindy's granddaughter. She is 2 ½ & was born very premature. She has accumulated unbelievable medical bills. If you are unable to participate in this very worthy fundraiser for her, but would like to help, please contact Cindy at (651)428-1361. Your participation &/or help is VERY APPRECIATED!!!

True Story: A Boston bar is serving an A-Roid cocktail: a shot of tequila with a spicy tomato juice chaser served in a syringe.

Even Better True Story: ( from Sports Illustrated, Scorecard, May 11, 2009) "For the Record. Died at age 85 after suffering a stroke, former infielder Jack (Lucky) Lohrke. A .242 hitter over seven big league seasons, Lohrke was better known for the tragic circumstances that led to his nickname. Lohrke fought at Normandy and in the Battle of the Bulge. He emerged unscathed, but four times a soldier next to him was killed. When he shipped home in 1945, Lohrke was bumped form a transport flight at the last minute; the plane crashed, killing everyone on board. The next year, after he resumed his baseball career, Lohrke was traveling with the Class B Spokane Indians on a bus tip across Washington. During a stop for food, he found out he had been promoted to Triple A, so he took his gear and hitchhiked to Spokane. Hours later the Indians' bus crashed into a canyon, killing nine of his former teammates. He was called Lucky from that point on, though he never thought much of the nickname. 'I'll tell you this: Nobody outside of baseball calls me Lucky Lohrke these days,' he told SI in 1994. 'The name is Jack. Jack Lohrke.'"

Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau?: For the last few years, that was very easily Justin Morneau. He not only hit 3 times the homeruns as Joe, but also maintains a good average & produces many more runs. Now this year since Joe has been back, he's easily the choice, with his new found power, his .450 batting average & his incredible game calling & defensive skills make him (right now) the more valuable of the two. His month of May will go down as one of the greatest months by any player of all time. How much fun would it be if he flirted with .400 (alla Rod Carew in 1977) late into the season. If there's anyone in all of baseball that could finally do it, it would be him.

Sir Francis the Jealous: Fran Tarkenton's recent remarks are not surprisingly negative towards the idea of Brett Favre in Purple. He talks about how "despicable his behavior & treatment has been to his long time loyal, dependable & supportive employers, the Green Bay Packers." He also says "I kind of hope it happens so he can fail." And if the Vikings do end up biting on the selfish Prima Donna that's not a team player because he supposedly has his own changing area, well God bless them. Fran, if he's such a bad guy & washed up player why do you care so much whether he comes back or not? With his advanced age & deteriorating skills, there's no way he can pass you in virtually any Viking statistical category. Oh wait, I did forget one King Kong category. Brett Favre could possibly help the entire Vikings organization by lifting the perverbally giant monkey off their backs & actually win a Superbowl. Let's see, Brett Favre one or two years with the Vikings & one Superbowl victory. Fran Tarkenton a couple 13/14 years with the Vikings & let me see, OH, ZERO Superbowl victories! Hmmm, it's all starting to become very clear to me. The scrambler is still as big of an egomaniac as he was in his playing days. And I'm not writing this just because in 1977, when I was a 13/14-year-old boy, he shunned me for an autograph at a secret exit at the old Met. Even if the long time Packer Great is able to accomplish in one year what you weren't able to in 14 years, grow up Fran, it's just a game.

Kids Korner! On Easter, we brought our pet bunny with to our aunt & uncle's house so the kids could take pictures with a bunny. All the kids were in the living room & Sammy was getting frustrated with his little cousin & says, with his hands up in the air, "No! He's not the real Easter Bunny! Does he look like he can carry eggs?"

April/Nay Blog

2009-04-15T06:57:00.001-07:00

April/May 2009

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

Golf Tournament Dates Set: Mark your calendars golf fans. The 1^st tourney is Tuesday, May 19^th at the historic & top five in the state "Hastings Country Club." The 2^nd tourney is at the awesome lynx course "Loggers Trail" in Stillwater. The tourneys are a 4-person scramble & like always a big steak dinner follows. Sign up soon & reserve your spot! Call (651)437-8259 or (651)731-8381 for the 1^st tourney or (651)773-5854 or (651)731-8381 for the second.

Bierstube Summerfest Tent Party! Date & bands set: JW's Bierstube in Oakdale is having our 9^th annual Summerfest tent party Friday, June 12^th and Saturday June 13^th. Friday we're featuring the East Side locals and HUGELY popular "UNCLE CHUNK" and Saturday the HOTTEST band in the state "HAIRBALL!" Mark you calendars now! For more details, call (651)731-8381.

Vikings Drop the Ball on Cutler Deal: The Vikings majorly blundered on the opportunity to acquire disgruntled QB Jay Cutler. With Cutler, the Vikings would've been pretty well set for the next 5 years for deep playoff pushes & legitimate Superbowl contenders. Barring injury, the Vikes are very solid at EVERY position with the possible acception of offensive line. Giving up the draft choices would have been much less risky than keeping them & not knowing what you're going to get (Especially with some of their recent past draft choices). See Troy Williamson, Erasmus James & overrated Bryant McKinnie, etc. Thanks again "Control Freak" Brad Childress for not pursuing a very likely top five franchise QB in Cutler, who at 25 years old is entering his prime & would have given us a legitimate Superbowl contender for years to come. Childress definitely doesn't like anyone who might actually question his decisions, which Cutler might do considering how he handled his new coach in Denver. Instead, he chose to stick with two mediocre QB's who are just happy to have a job & won't question his authority. Like I've always said, "FIRE CHILDRESS!"

Vikings Smart in not giving up draft choices for Cutler: By not giving up two 1^st round draft choices plus & players for the primadonna QB Cutler, the Vikings stay poised to make their continued steady improvement. By not making the deal it allows the Vikings a great chance at landing a blue-chip player. Two # ones & more would have been way too much for the pouting, brooding QB who doesn't even have a winning record & blew his chance at the playoffs last year with some very below average quarterbacking & even worse statistics in the clutch when the games really counted. Thanks again Brad Childress for keeping your head & not mortgaging our future by pulling the trigger on this tempting high profile baby. You not only deserve a raise, but also should have a lifetime extension to your contract.

UMD has Impressive NCAA Tourney Debut: thanks to Steve Nash impersonator, BEN WOODSTOCK of UMD almost willed his underdog club to victory against the amazing Minnesota grown Cole Aldrich & the Kansas high powered Jay-Hawks. Because of his 37 points, numerous assists & terrific ball handling, he shined bright enough to (rightfully so) warrant an invitation to the upcoming NBA pre-draft workouts. Congratulations to the overachieving, undersized local boy who would look very nice wearing his hometown Timberwolves colors.

Timberwolves Should Tank: The smartest move the Wolves could make is tanking their final games thus ensuring us a top 3 lottery choice in this year's draft. Just run your offense through Mark Madsen like you did a couple of years ago & we might just have a chance on a stud like Oklahoma's Blake Griffin or our own Minnesota grown Lurch look alike Cole Aldrich if he decides to go Pro early.

Twins Talk: The Twins win the division if they stay relatively healthy. The 3 major concerns are Francisco Liriano's elbow & Joe Mauer & Joe Credes backs. If the pitching stays above average & we can get some power production from Crede, Morneau & Cuddyer, our defense is so strong it's no wonder so many experts & publications have us winning the central division & contending for the World Series.

The Wild: Something has to give. Either conservative coach Jacques Lemaire or injury prone high flying Marion Gaborik or both will not be with the Wild next year. The contrasting styles of the two have grown to be way too big of a distraction for the team. This year, too little too late.

Tiger: We can finally watch golf again. Tiger wins in dramatic fashion again at Bayhill last week & obviously is poised for yet another major with the Master's coming up.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: "The Simpsons" have been on the air for a record breaking 20 seasons & will soon be honored with their own postage stamp!

Did you Know?: The Bierstube in Hastings has an elegant brunch EVERY Sunday (8:00 a.m.-Noon) in the "Raider Room" featuring a wide assortment of tasty treats & made to order omelets that come out fast, steamy hot & bountiful. If you haven't tried it yet, you'll be in for a very pleasant surprise. Great job by Manager Rob, Mary, Cal & the rest of the staff!

Give Me a Break: A Cheesehead, I mean a Wisconsin High School, has banned the use of negative chants such as "Air Ball!" & "O-ver-Ra-ted" at basketball games!

Poor Babies: Despite athlete's salaries rising dramatically the past 3 decades, by the time NFL players have been retired 2 years, 78% of them either have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress because of joblessness or divorce. Many cite bad investments such as Rollie Fingers pistachio orchard, wind turbines & a stable of Arabian horses.

I'm Not Kidding: Former Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry has fathered 9 kids by 9 different women. Henry (not surprisingly) has been jailed for falling behind in child support payments. It doesn't get much more pathetic than that.

Boys Will Be Boys: Purchased by the family of Mickey Mantle, a baseball autographed by the Hall of Famer with the inscription F--- Yogi. Mantle & Yogi Berra were Yankees teammates & were good friends, & the collector who sold the ball had no idea why Mantle wrote the obscenity. The family paid $2,750 to an auction house that was going to sell the ball to the highest bidder, presumably to keep it away from collectors.

I No Smart Much: Brian Orakpo, Texas defensive end explaining at the NFL combine why he'd be a good fit in any NFL scheme: "A versatile guy is a guy who can be very versatile." This reminds me of a football practice back in high school (1981) to be exact when I was tossing rock peddles at good friend Jerry Kane during calisthenics & "Dewy Dane," as he was known, turned to me & yelled, "Yanz, don't throw me with a rock!"

Kids Korner! While on vacation last month, our 4-year-old son Sam said out of the blue, "If both my arms were cut off I would just wave to people with my feet!"

Feb Mar Bierstube Blog

2009-02-24T15:48:00.001-08:00

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

February/March 2009

Bierstube Economic Stimulus Plan: Check out all of the great new & existing lunch and daily specials of all the Bierstubes. We all offer what everybody needs these days. A great meal at a REASONABLE price!

St. Patrick's Day: "Don't forget the Bierstube goes Irish one day a year! Check out our delicious corned beef & cabbage & green beer ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT! Check your local "Bierstube Pub" for their respective GREAT specials!

"SUPER" Superbowl: How would you like to have been a person who bet on a 15 to 1 shot that Rothlesberger scores the first touchdown of the game? First, they called it on the field correctly. Second, they CERTAINLY did not have video visual evidence to overturn that call, which they obviously did. Every video I saw his knee was never undisputedly down & the ref majorly blew that one just setting the tone for the rest of the terrible consistently bad officiating from start to finish. That cost the Steelers 4 points & several others hundreds of thousands of dollars on the 1^st score proposition bets.

Last "Super" Superbowl Officiating Blunder: Here it is, the biggest game of the year & the crappy officials don't take the time to have a booth review on Kurt Warner's last second supposed fumble. First Warner deserved a lot of credit for being able to keep such a great grasp on the football even though his arm was hit hard & was moving in different directions. Second, his grasp was very evident & his arm was obviously moving forward making that (by rule) an incomplete pass. Third, what a bad taste in our mouths on such a great Superbowl. I could have put up with the rest of the inconsistent officiating all game long if they just would have gotten that one right & how many of us would have loved to see the Cardinals have one more chance at one last Hail Mary heave to Minnesota's own phenom Larry Fitzgerald. It would have been fitting & it would have been fair. With the magical year & record-breaking playoff performance by Fitzgerald, who knows? It might have been the Cardinals that got to go to the White House & Kurt Warner & Larry Fitzgerald to Disney World.

A-Roid: Oakdale's great sports mind Franz is adamant on wanting, needing & justifiably seeing the other 103 names on that "steroid positive" list. I agree. Would anyone be surprised if Albert Pulholts, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez or even baseball's & New York's darling Derek Jeter? They all should be revealed & there needs to be at least one of two things happen. #1 at minimum an asterisk next to any major league records that were broke during this time or #2 stricken these names who tested positive from the record books & simply have another record book that doesn't discriminate against anyone, no matter how big of cheater they were. While they're at it, list how many game seasons these records were made for instance, when Babe Ruth hit his 60^th it was during a 154 game season. When Roger Maris hit 61, it was during the 162 game season. It doesn't take up much room (like an asterisk) & it just makes sense.

Winter Carnival: A couple of months ago, I received the great honor of choice to be this years Prince of the East Wind from Terry Furlong (Furlong Liquors) & the rest of the Royal Committee. Due to the time constraints, I ultimately (& very difficultly) had to forgo this wonderful once in a lifetime prestigious honor. I would like to take this time to thank Terry & the rest of the Winter Carnival Royalty for even considering me.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich: The scandal-ridden governor was removed last month by a vote of 59-0. Analysts say it's the most lopsided shutout since the Vikings last NFC championship.

Jose Conseco Boxer? Boxing wannabe Jose Canseco could manage only a draw last week in a three round bout against former "Partridge Family" star Danny Bonaduce. Despite the set back, the steroid slugger says he's ready for his next fight, against either Susan Dey, Shirley Jones or Florence Henderson. Since the fight, he has already turned down a match with Chloris Leachman stating "An unfair advantage that she would be in too good of shape following her dancing with the stars stint."

Two: 2 Consecutive 20 point road wins the Clippers last week, a first for the 39 year old franchise.

61, 52: Points scored by Kobe Bryant & Lebron James, respectively, against the Knicks last week in NY.

46: Years since an NBA team, the Warriors in December 1962, gave up 50 in back to back games.

76: % of the NBA players polled picked Kobe Bryant as their choice to take the last game winning shot attempt. The next closest was a few others at 3%.

99: % of the NBA Players & GM's I would think if they had to start a team & choose one player to build around it certainly would & should be Lebron James. As I've stated before he has a very good chance at becoming the greatest basketball player of all time!

200: This year marks the 200^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.

February 25: Lent starts early this year. Ash Wednesday is February 25, come join us at any of the Bierstubes for our excellent ALL YOU CAN EAT FRIDAY FISH FRY, featuring 3-4 ounce hand beer battered meaty Atlantic cod with fries, cole slaw & toast.

Darryl Strawberry: Recently claimed that he & other members of the 1980's New York Mets regularly had locker room trysts with fans during games. This was very risky behavior, as it severely cut into the Mets cocaine time.

Mike Tyson: Is coming out with his own tell all memoir. The former heavyweight champ was asked if it was an autobiography. He responded, "No I don't believe any of it as written in a car."!!!

Bill Russell: Despite winning 5 league MVPs & 11 NBA Championships, Bill Russell never won a NBA Finals MVP Award. Starting this year the award will forever be called deservingly so the Bill Russell Finals MVP Award.

Admission: I hope you find this Blog somewhat informative & maybe even somewhat entertaining &/or funny. If you strongly disagree with some of the opinions expressed, remember my wife Jodi types this & she is opinionated enough that it's very likely that she may have completely changed my correct opinion. If you're not napping already, thanks for your time & your welcome for your current or upcoming nap! Take care & God Bless!

December Blog

2008-12-17T15:13:00.001-08:00

December Blog

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care)

JW's Bierstube in Oakdale hustling & bustling: Saturday, December 20, starting at 6:00, accordion extraordinaire Dale Grove appears for his annual "Christmas Special Plus." Sunday, December 21, "Authentic" Adrian Peterson or Jared Allen jersey will be given away at the 2 minute warning of the Viking vs. Atlanta game. Along with our usual drink specials & FREE tacos during the game! Sunday, December 28, same Vikings specials & another "Authentic" Adrian Peterson or Jared Allen jersey to be given away at the 2 minute warning. Must be present to win. You can sign up to win the jerseys daily!

Opinionated Beef: It bugs me when the so-called ignoramus "professional analysts" (many times former players) question the play calling or the route running on 3^rd down plays when the receiver doesn't always go beyond the 1^st down marker. They more than us Joe Six Packs & Monday morning quarterbacks should know there is a lot more to it than that. What coverage the defense is in, how far the cornerbacks are playing off, is there a blitz & how long does the quarterback have to throw the ball. How many times do we see a quarterback get hit a millisecond after he throws the ball? All the time.

Fact: The reason a receiver runs an eight yard out or pattern when it's 3^rd and 10 is because the defensive backs aren't dumb and are ready to pounce at the 10 yard mark making it extremely difficult for the offences to convert. In EVERY offense in the NFL, college, & high school, they are forced to take what the defense gives them & hope that the receiver can break an open field tackle & get the 1^st down, rather than risk a very low percentage play & sometimes a very likely interception

Beef #2: They'll show a Joe Theisman type compound fracture or a players arm or leg get bent backwards or nearly broke in half a dozen times, but they won't show a fan or a streaker run onto the field. I understand not wanting to encourage anyone else to be copycats & I definitely would not show a full monte streaker, but how many of us sitting at home secretly wish inside they would show what all of the hubbub was all about?

Beef #3: Speaking of copycats, How about the absurdity we see in the news every week? After certain terrorist attacks, they many times practically teach people how to make homemade bombs.

Gophers vs. Hawkeyes: Two Hawkeye fans were cited for engaging in sexual activity in a crowded Dome mens restroom. They stood out form the rest of the Iowa visitors, who usually hold off on the romance until they're back in the trailer.

Gophers vs. Hawkeyes II: The man & the woman involved were both from Iowa, but did not know each other. Each explained to police they were so drunk they thought they were on a Vikings Cruise.

Streaker Sighting! Before noon on Saturday, November 29, 7 hours before the start of the Hawkeye Gopher game, HUGE Hawkeye fan JOHN BOLLARD('s friend) was seen streaking in the snow the full length of the par 5 #7 at Oak Marsh!

Opinion: Wouldn't having a classy, nice state owned casino in downtown St. Paul & Minneapolis & allowing just a couple of slot machines in every bar restaurant make the most common of ALL COMMON SENSE to help our fledging economy, but also help pay for our schools, education, roads, necessary welfare programs, police and countless other necessary areas in need?! By limiting it to just this simple of a plan would allow everyone to share the much needed wealth instead of having it in its now such disproportionate system. By limiting it, the hit to current casinos would be almost unnoticeable & the advantages to the rest of us (the state) would be "ENORMOUS."

Fact & Must Be Nice: It must be nice to be 7 foot 1 Minnesota's own Joel Pryzbilla. At age 29, he is averaging just 4.5 points a game & 8.6 rebounds a game. I guess those type of numbers demand 32 million dollars; in which he is currently in the 3^rd year of his 5 year guaranteed contract. Wow! 6.4 million dollars a year for 4.5 points! On an average of if he plays 150 games this year, that's almost $10,000 a point or $20,000 a basket.

Fact & Speaking of Joes: The last time an American League player won a batting title & Gold Glove in the same season before Joe Mauer did it this year was in 2004 when Ichiro Susuki did it with Seattle.

Fact: In a St. Paul Pioneer Press poll, nearly 90% of the responders blamed Brad Childress for their poor start.

Piling On: On another Pioneer Press poll when asked who would you prefer as the Vikings head coach, 85% chose former Viking head coach Mike Tice to 15% in favor of Bad, whoops, Brad Childress.

Speaking of Vikings: What's so hard to figure out on "Special Teams" that we need to put in our 1^st teamers. Wouldn't we rather put a little more energy at that point than put so much consistent pressure on our defense starting them off with deplorable field position time & time again? Makes sense to me.

Makes Sense to Me Part II: An 8 game college playoff system or at least a minimum of 4. There are several viable common sense options & scenarios while still maintaining & keeping the excitement & integrity of the bowl games. Go get'em Barrock!

What Might Have or Probably Should Have Been: Jeff Garcia as our short-term quarterback probably makes a difference of 2 games this year giving us a commanding lead & potential home playoff games. Jeff Garcia = 11 & 5ish to the 9 & 7ish that we'll be this year. At this point, we may as well let Tarvaris play but actually let him throw the ball other than 3^rd down & long; and see what the kid has. He couldn't do much worse than the below average Gus.

Overrated: One of the most overrated players in all of sports is the clueless oaf Bryant McKinnie.

Last Viking Tid Bit: If I never see another pass out to the flats to any of our fullbacks, it will be too soon.

Joke: One day long, long, long ago, there lived a (insert gender here) who did not whine, nag, or complain. (Comedic pause...) But this was a long time ago & it was just that one day. The end.

Congratulations: Dan Morrison of Maplewood Lanes on his 1^st 300 game!

Congratulations & Great Job: To all of the participating Bierstubes & especially all the volunteers who helped the needy or people alone on Thanksgiving. We were lucky enough to help around 150 people this year, putting our five year total to over 1,000 people. Once again, we thank all the volunteers & I would like to give special thanks to my wonderful wife Jodi who organizes & makes this event happen each year!

Dad & Mom Stories: I hope you all enjoyed a trip back to memory lane the past couple of months with some "Great" stories about my Dad & Mom. I know I did! Thank you all once again for your terrific contributions during the 25 year Larry Yanz Tribute. We had a resounding response & we appreciate all of you who shared your memories! One last reminder that you can submit stories about my Dad & or Mom until September 2009. Just hand it in to your respective Bierstube's manager or email me jimyanz@comcast.net. It is now time for me to move on & create some wonderful memories of my own.

The Bierstube family wishes everyone a very fun, healthy, safe & blessed Christmas & New Year!

Thank You for your continuing loyalty & wonderful support! God bless!!!

November Blog

2008-11-21T09:53:00.001-08:00

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

Part 11: November 2008

Bierstube wins another prestigious food contest!!! Congratulations to LW's Cindy Shaffer, Wayne Drentlaw, Corrine Cunningham & the rest of their staff for taking the 1^st Place Blue Ribbon for "Best Food Award" at a "Night in Tuscany." The event was held last month at Eagan's YMCA. Just a few of the 15 other reputable competing entrants were: Cherokee Sirloin Room, Kincaids, Cord on Bleu, Old World Pizza & the Black Tie Room. Some entrants brought frozen ice sculptures & several featured a fancier type soup or appetizer. The Bierstube kept it simple & served hardy portions of our brat medallions, spatzle, sauerkraut & of course our "award winning" sauerbraten!

First, my VERY abbreviated rants & raves:

Vikings: Fire Childress! Gophers Basketball: Go Tubby! Optimistic!

Gophers Football: It was a nice run! Let's hope that Brewster's recruits & recruiting ability is as good as advertised. Can't wait for outdoor football!

Vikings: Fire Childress!

Timberwolves: "All we need is Love" & a whole lot more including a new coach, GM. How's OJ Mayo doing idiots?

Gopher Hockey: Never count them out! A "Big Cat says" the frozen four is within reach.

Wild: Marion who? Lemaire keeps them more than competitive; they are legitimate contenders with legitimate talent.

Twins: Fire Chldress! Love the outfield if GoGo can get a clue clue & we're still in desperate need of a legitimate 35 homerun plus guy to be REAL contenders.

Presidential Election: Support our President!!! Impeach Brad Childress!

Vikings & Brad (Ned Flanders) Childress Part 2: Cedric Griffin hasn't had an interception since 2006 & the Vikings will NEVER have better than an ordinary (at best) pass defense as long as he is one of the cornerbacks. Childress, my 2 year old could've figured out that Mewelde Moore would've been a huge asset & the very OBVIOUS choice as our sole kick & punt returner. Brad gets more & more CLUELESS every day!

Childress single handedly not only crushed Tavaris's confidence by not giving him a chance to succeed with his "amateur play calling," but mostly ruined his chances of succeeding probably EVER in the NFL.

It's been a busy month for me, so blog fans luck out again & get mostly great stories that were written during the Larry Yanz 25 Year Anniversary Tribute about my Dad & Mom. Incidentally, we will be accepting all Larry & Hilde Yanz or ANY fun &/or interesting Stube stories. For every legible qualified entry (managers discretion), you will receive a Larry's steak dinner. This will be culminated in 2009 resulting in a booklet type form with all the great stories, most likely titled "Stube Stories Since 1962." They are also not limited to just Hastings Bierstube tales. All Stubers at ANY Stube can send their stories to Jim Yanz, 7121 10^th Street N. Oakdale, MN 55128 or email jimyanz@comcast.net. THANK YOU everyone for your participation!

1. "Larry & Hilde, us & the Conways went to Vegas on a train. The first night at around 11:00 pm, they turned down the lights on the train & everything was quiet. When all of a sudden someone ran down the isle - & then someone else was chasing him. It was Larry & Hilde in one of their "rare" fights. I was afraid one was going to throw the other off the train. The porter had the same fear & told both of them to go back to their barrack. The next day we went to their room to see them & Larry was nowhere to be found. During the night in Utah, the train dropped about 10 cars & another train picked them up & headed for Washington & we were still going to Vegas. We looked in every car & couldn't find Larry, so we were sure that he either got thrown off the train or headed for Washington. About 11:00 am, here comes Larry. He had paid the porter to give him another room during the night." Marian Endres

2. The year was about 1944. My brother Jake & I were walking home, going past Sieben Drug Store at 2^nd & Ramsey Streets when our dog Skippy got run over by a car. I was crying when along came Larry. "Anybody got a knife?" he hollered. "What do you want a knife for Larry," I asked. "To put that dog out of his misery," he replied. "Oh, don't hurt Skippy!" I said. Jake & I carried Skippy home for burial. That was the Larry Yanz I knew when we were childhood neighbors. Bob Langenfeld

3. Jimmy & our high school friends used to play a lot of cards during the summer nights. We would try to rotate houses around & would play well into the night or even early morning. In those days, since none of us had much money, we would play $.25 ante poker & losing $10 would have been a terrible night for any individual. On one particular occasion, we were playing our late night card game at the Yanz home on Southview Drive. We played late enough to still be playing when Larry got home from the Bierstube. Larry, well aware of the stakes that we were playing for, would get into pots that he was certain to lose, so that he would play a half dozen hands & leave about $80 on the table so that we all would have a chance of being a winner that night. One of our high school buddies, that I won't name here, got particularly hot playing against Larry head to head over those half a dozen hands & probably won about $50 in 15 minutes. Upon feeling so bad that he was the beneficiary of Larry's generosity, winning about $50, our high school buddy generously tried to pay Larry back about $10...All in quarters. : ) Needless to say, Larry wouldn't have anything of it & went to bed, again, giving all of us the chance to be winners as the card game continued on funded by Larry's big heart. John Klimek

4. Larry had a motor home & one weekend they decided to come to the cabin so I told Larry that he & John could take the kids in the motor home & I would bring up Hilde. Well, the guys left first & Hilde & I came later. We were going through Sommerset, WI & Hilde noticed the motor home parked there. I tried to convince her it wasn't, but she knew better, the kids told her they went into "Bens" bar (a strip joint). As soon as Larry saw us, he looked straight ahead at the bartender & not at the strippers. Hilde was pretty mad & hollered at Larry, then the bartender asked Larry if he still wanted the flashlight. Hilde told the bartender to shut his mouth or he was going to get kicked in the "arsh" too. Then she yelled at the dancers to get their "damn" clothes on. We left & it was not a happy weekend. Of course, Larry said it was John's idea!!! Marian Endres

5. I first met Larry as a little girl in the 1950's. My family lived next door to the Yanz's. My dad still lives next door to the original Bo & Gertrude's! Larry was like the older big brother we always wanted. He played games with us & told us stories almost every day. Our parents wouldn't let us have a dog, so Larry brought his dog "Rocky" over for us to play with every day. Rocky was a great little beagle. I recently came across an old picture of me, my sister & Rocky. Thanks to Larry, I had a dog to love for a little while. Remembering how we missed Larry & Rocky whenever they left home. Childhood memories by Pam Sommers Marquette

6. When I was 8, 9, & 10 years old, Larry would come over to our house for dinner. These were on the days that dad worked late. When Larry came to dinner, we knew we would have fun. He would steal food off our plates or throw peas at mom & blame it on us kids. He taught us how to eat spaghetti (the fun way). He would eat dinner with the family then he would promptly fall asleep on the sofa. Before we went to bed mom would let us jump on his stomach to wake him up so he could go home. His favorite day to come over was on Sundays because that was the day dad would make a duck dinner. During dinner, we would listen to his stories of what it was like growing up with his brothers & sisters. Sometimes, he would talk about his mom & dad & how mean they could be, making him walk to school in the winter, even though they lived right across the street, doing the dishes or helping clean the house. He would talk about hunting & fishing with his family. He loved my mom & made her laugh. They had a special relationship. You see mom had two brothers, but she moved away & they were gone. Larry was her new brother & she loved him. We all loved Larry. We still do. There are more: Christmas at the Bierstube, The toys he would bring over, His fancy car, His special friend Hilde, His new wife Hilde & new son Bob (what a special day!) Dorothy Yanz :

7. I have many memories of Larry, one that stands out every time I think of the Bierstubes, dates back to 1962. I along with a handful of guys were in the Bierstube the first day he opened. One of the kegs went dry & he had to tap another one. He asked me to watch the bar while he went into the cooler. The back bar had glass doors to the cooler then. I don't know what he did while attempting to tap a keg, but all of a sudden, it looked like a geyser hit the glass doors. They were covered with fresh beer. Needless to say, he looked pretty sheepish when he finally came out of the cooler to face his friends. We didn't razz him too much! Dick Bacon

8. It was 1967 & I was 13. With my mom & dad, we were waiting at the Stube for the bus to show up from my Uncle Dicks bar (the Bar & Wheel in Red Wing). Larry & my uncle would go in on a bus to the Twins games 4 times a year to the Met to see an afternoon game, allowing 70 people aboard the party bus. Larry & Dick were always concerned that everyone had a good time & had plenty of refreshments. We all threw a dollar in a hat and guessed the game attendance & the winner won the pot. I remember waiting each time for the attendance to be posted & hoped that I was close. One time I was finally close to the total & after we got back on the bus, it was announced that Larry had won the pot & beat me by 50. Larry came back to my seat & congratulated me & gave me half the pot. I will always remember the man who made my day that day. Thanks again Larry! Terry Bartels

The Bierstube Family wishes everyone a safe, blessed & happy Thanksgiving & Holiday Season!!!

Reminder: For anyone in need, the Bierstubes in Hastings, Oakdale & White Bear Lake are serving Turkey Dinners on Thanksgiving Day from 12:00-2:30.

October Blog

2008-10-14T06:33:00.001-07:00

Bierstube Blog

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

Part 10: October 2008

Congratulations Bloggees (You)! This month you will be mostly spared from rants & raves from the Blogger (Me, Jim Yanz). In instead you'll have the opportunity to read some FUN, SHORT stories about the founder, original Bierstube Guy, my dad, Larry Yanz. Almost as important none of which are written by me. To close out the special Larry Yanz 25 Year Anniversary Tribute month, I hope you enjoy a few of the wonderful stories that so many of you (almost 50!) have so kindly & graciously took the time to remember & write about "the man who started it all." On behalf of my brother Mike, my wife Jodi, me & the rest of the family, we all THANK YOU very much!

1. "For years Larry sold tickets on football games. When his good friend Joe Novak was appointed State Liquor Commissioner he told Larry that part of his job was to enforce anti-gambling ticket sales and that Larry would have to stop selling numbers. Tickets continued to be sold as long as Joe wasn't around. One evening, Joe came in about 6:00 pm and was sitting at a table talking to Larry. One of Larry's regulars came up to the table and asked Larry for two $25 tickets. Larry looked at the regular and said, in front of Joe, 'Oh no, I don't sell tickets anymore.' 'Bull Crap, you just sold my brother one 5 minutes ago.' Larry was speechless and Joe just low ered his eyes and slowly shook his head." Jake Moore

2. Larry Yanz was not the brightest kid in school. Despite his own mother being a teacher, Larry often struggled in class. My dad said if not for the cookies he regularly brought the teachers, Larry would never have passed. Sometime after high school Larry began to talk about opening a three-two-beer joint up in the Midtown area. My mother and father both told him, "You gotta be nuts! You will never make any money with a three-two joint!" Larry was just dumb enough not to listen and opened the Bierstube anyway. The place was quickly a hit and was soon packed nearly every night. Several years later, Larry told my father he was going to pay $3,000 and get a liquor license so he could sell strong beer and hard drinks. My father said, "What are you thinking?! You can't possibly fit any more people in this place. Why would you waste three thousand dollars?" Once again Larry was just dumb enough not to listen. Over the coming years the Bierstube expanded several times, and each time they managed to pack the place. Eventually opening several more Bierstube's throughout the metro area. Poor old Larry Yanz was just dumb enough to think he could make money selling great food and cold beer at reasonable prices. I suspect Larry is up in heaven still laughing." John McNamara

3. "Jim and I have been great friends forever and when I was a senior in high school he called me to see if I wanted to go with him and Larry to a Gopher vs. Michigan State football game at the dome. At that time, the dome was brand new and it may have been the first event I'd ever seen there. Jimmy was still in crutches and a knee brace form his knee surgery that summer. I had no idea when going to the game that we were going to be sitting in Calvin Griffith's Me trodome suite. Well as the night progressed, Larry and the Robertson brothers were having a good time and at the end of the night we got a cab ride, because of Jimmy still being on crutches, from just outside the Metrodome to where we were parked, probably 8 or 10 blocks away. Upon arriving at the Yanz Cadillac in downtown Minneapolis, Larry tossed me the keys to drive home, since he had had a few too many to drink. I had never driven a car that big or that nice and, to make it worse, it was snowing all the way home. I was very relieved to have driven the Cadillac back to Hastings without a scratch." John Klimek.< /o:p>

4. "Every New Year's Day, Larry would shot down the grill & provide free food the customers until it was gone. He would also rent 2 additional TV's to go with the 2 that were permanent, just for the bowl games. One New Year's Day, Larry had the numbers 4 & 3 on the Sugar Bowl. One team scored at eh end of the 3^rd quarter & went for 2 points. They were stopped & Larry won with his 4 & 3, so he thought. After the stop, Larry went into the men's room thinking he was $250 richer. However, there was a penalty on the extra point & they had to redo the play. This time the offense scored & the score became 4 & 5. Unaware of the turn of events & the score change, Larry came out of the men's room to find out the score was 4 & 5. He was totally confused. Finally someone explained what had happened while he was gone. Larry said, "That was an expensive sh--!" Jake Moore

5. "I knew your father well as he was HHS Class of 1950 & I was 1952. In the fall of 1949 I threw many blocks to help him to run from his Right Halfback position. In what I remember as late August or September 1962 I had an extra Viking ticket which I offered to Larry. Upon returning from the Old Met Stadium we went to the almost completed Bierstube. I guess it must have been only days before it opened. Therefore, I claim to be one of his almost first customers. My last two years of college, 1956/57 I was a Hastings Policeman. I worked the 12 midnight shift. Late at night Larry would come over the Bridge at least 25 MPH over the speed limit. I stopped him numerous times giving him warning after warning after warning. Finally enough was enough I gave him a ticket for speeding. His comment was 'It's about time.' Was that the smell of alcohol I detected?" Ron Zastrow

6. Shorty Hild was one of the more colorful characters Hastings ever produced. One quiet summer morning about 10:30, Shorty got up off his stool at the Stube & went to the pay phone hanging on the wall by the back door. Shorty called the Bierstube & disguised his voice to sound like a woman. Larry answered the phone by the till, listened intently & then hung up. He then went & got one bar towel & covered the phone he was talking on & then went & covered the pay phone Shorty had called on. Larry came back scratching his head & muttering that he had just received the strangest phone call. 'The phone company just called & asked me to cover up the phones because they were going to blow the dust out of the lines.' Suddenly it sunk in & Larry realized what had just happened. The guys sitting at the bar exploded in laughter!" Jake Moore

Incompetent Umpiring/Officiating Very Close to Ruining Sports!!! Just over this past week I've witnessed a completely unacceptable, incompetent, inexplicable, unbelievable, way beyond unfair, biased, seemingly fixed, the shows about me & not the players, make a call just so you can look at me officiating & umpiring that I've seen in the literally 1000's of sporting events the past 35 years, since I was 8 years old. Many officials & umpires nowadays have bigger egos than most of their harder working, more dedicated players they're working with. In the multibillion dollar business of sports, the officials of whatever sport it pertains should be held especially accountable for their incompetency with warnings, suspensions, fines & termination, just as any other normal job.

A Few Examples (Start all descriptions with incompetent, disgusting & unacceptable). Most egomaniacal officials in all of sports: Major League Umpires!!!

* Completely inconsistent balls & strikes, ie: Twins vs. White Sox, Royals & many other ball games.

* Gopher football game vs. Ohio State: end of 1^st half, Gophers in Ohio State territory - ruling - Gopher fumble on converted 1^st down when momentum was clearly stopped, piling on ensued "A full 5 seconds" after a phantom fumble by the Gophers. Result: Ohio State ball. Halftime score Buckeyes 20, Gophers 7, instead of potentially only 13-10. I turned the game off immediately. If I were Brewster I would have stole one away from the penalty record breaking 1981 North Stars vs. Bruins in Boston, instructed my players to stand up to, go all out until a full 1.5 seconds afte r each & every play no matter how many penalties were called. Incidentally that year & EVERY year after that, the Bruins no longer had the Stars number & from that day forward gained their respect & never had the dominating upper hand again. I think I'll go check one of my boys into the boards right now.

*18 yard gain by Adrian Peterson nullified by a 100% bogus holding call on Artis Hicks.

*Once again, a 23 yard gain by Peterson nullified by a COMPLETELY phantom holding call on Bobby Wade. (Adrian would've ended up with nearly 150 yards rushing & the Vikings would have had at least a chance to win that game.)

*Lastly, & maybe the most disgusting & disgraceful rulings of the entire weekend or maybe even entire month of September the SUPPOSED forward progress & obvious fumble on the 4^th & goal giving the Titans the ball on the ½ yard line, burning 2 timeouts & allowing them to score an easy ½ yard TD the very next play.

***All rhythm changing, momentum breaking, biased &/or ignorant or incompetent, but mostly "GAME CHANGING officiating" should not be allowed to continue. If it's not an obvious call, leave your "ego-driven" flags in your pocket & "LET THEM PLAY!!!"

A Little More Spewing: *NBA Draft lottery = fixed. *Baseball's division winning coin flip for home field advantage = ridiculous. *AJ Perzynski & Terrell Owens = top 5 biggest donkeys in sports. *College football not having a simple 4 or 8 team playoff = the WORST of ALL!!! Cut our losses & fire Childress already!!!

AHHHHHH!!!...I feel much better now!!!

CONGRATULATIONS on a Great Season Twins! Let's go get a HR hitter for next year!

Don't miss Oakdale's Halloween/Anniversary Party October 25^th!!!

Happy Halloween & don't forget to vote!!!

September Blog

2008-09-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

Part 9: September 2008

"Olympics Review & Special Events Edition"

OKTOBERFEST! The Bierstube's Oktoberfests are starting in grand style at LW's Bierstube in IGH, Friday, 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 3 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 3 (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 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).

SPECIAL PRIZES! Just a few of the many, many special prizes include: 25 Larry's Steak Special dinners (for the 25 year anniversary), 51 Larry's Steak Special dinners (for every year Larry lived). Winner will receive one dinner per month (that's over 2 or 4 years worth of dinners!), Vikings vs. Packers tickets, jewelry donated by Johnson Jewelers, CASH!, & much, much more!!! Prizes 1-24 will be given out Saturday, September 20^th, & prizes 25-51 will be given out Sunday, September 21^st after the Vikings game.

Highly Recommended Movies: "Walk Hard: The Legend of Dewey Cox" (hysterical), Charles Haley's "Roots."

Homerun Champion: Did anyone else notice the inexplicable lack of attention & credit the overrated Joe Buck & the rest of the media refused to give our Justin Morneau? Even during the Pre All Star Game introductions they announced Josh Hamilton the "Star of last night's homerun contest" & didn't mention A THING about the Champion Justin Morneau. Josh did steal the show, but Justin plain & simple was "The 2008 Homerun Champion!"

OLYMPICS! Even if you're not a big sports fan, if you put a little effort into checking some events out there's usually at least a couple of riveting, emotional, compelling & especially controversial events that happen pretty much daily.

Fireworks: The Chinese invented fireworks.

Opinion: Michael Phelps is neither the greatest athlete nor the greatest Olympian ever. He is one of the best, if not "the Best" swimmers ever AND in his sport had many more opportunities to win than the other sports. What he did was absolutely phenomenal & great, but to me it doesn't even come close to what most gymnasts (men or women) can do.

Fun to Watch: Women's beach volleyball, especially Misty May (& not just for her bikini or lack there of). SurprisingTable Tennis! My & Jodi's favorite, gymnastics!

Speaking of Gymnastics: Nastia Liuken, Shawn Johnson & others got screwed a few times. How many Chinese gals either fell down or took huge steps & cross steps on their dismounts, while our Americans were nailing their routines & sticking their dismounts. They virtually had the exact same degree of difficulty only to be cheated on their final scores. Oh, & I'm SORRY CHINA, but multiple winner He Hexin is not even close to being 16 years old. People might say what does it matter if she's the best she deserves it. To that I say "yes," but how many other rule abiding countries may have left their underage & better athletes at home? A rule's a rule, & hopefully this farce is justified by the IOC & the proper winners move up a medal where they belong.

"Real Greatest Athletes" Jim Thorpe, Wilt Chamberlain, Dave Preiner's wife Jill, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Joel Varburg, Lebron James, Jessie Owens, Bruce Jenner & many decathlon winners including USA winner Brian Mays, top gymnasts (like Mary Lou Retton, Nadia Comanechie, Olga Colbert, Rod Insland), Usain Bolt, Mike Yanz (TV commercials "Bierstube Guy"), many pro football, hockey, baseball & basketball players, Babe Ruth, Mike Montcreif, Muhamid Ali, Tubby Biskupski, Bo Jackson, Don Saatzer, Doc Louden & of course Murphyou get the picture.

Did you know? The historic China Drum Tower, in which Minnesota's Todd Bachman (fatally) & Barbara Bachman (stable condition) were stabbed while on a guided tour, was built in the 13^th century. Back then, when people screwed up on their job or showed up late, the Chinese government would kill them & bury them within the concrete slabs of the building.

Best Story: The emotional roller coaster it must have been for the "Gold Medal Winning" coach of the exciting "Gold Medal Winning" volleyball team. Just 2 weeks after losing his father-in-law & almost his mother-in-law, while his traumatized wife witnessed the crazed knife wielding killer, his underage, underdog team goes out & wins the gold. Most of them admitted winning the gold was for their visibly grieving coach Hugh Mucuteon.

USA in the NBA Stands for: Unparallel Spoiled Adolescent Narcissistic chest pumping look at me Babies All day long (for many but NOT ALL). Have any NBA basketball players EVER committed a foul EVER since the 1980's? Boy do I miss the Larry Byrds, Magic Johnsons, Kevin McHales, John Stocktons, Dr. Js, Moses Malones, John Havilechecks, Bill Russells, Dave Cowens & MANY more of the quieter & respectful, raise their hands when they committed a foul (or not) but didn't whine or cry after every single foul era. What a great example our current NBA punks are leaving for our kids these days. Not to mention most of their selfish & lazy play. Was their very many others out their rooting for Spain in the closely contested gold medal game? Who else pines for the old fashioned days of true sportsmanship? A good start; zero tolerance for demonstrative whiney complaining after fouls called or an automatic technical and ban all controversial hip hop rap during all NBA games. I could go on, but I think my blog readers get the picture.

Kudos: To USA Olympian David Neville for diving at the finish line for the bronze in the 100 meter hurdles & making it a clean sweep for the USA in that event. (That's what I'm talking about NBA primadonnas!)

Vikings Comment: If the Vikings win one of their 1^st two very difficult games at Green Bay & home vs. Indianapolis, in my mind it will be considered a great start.

A big birdie says: The blog has learned that the great Usian Bolt would have to go through a whole NFL process including entering the Draft & could not just be signed as a free agent.

"In Memory of My Dad Larry Yanz"

"Dad, as the 25^th Anniversary of your death approaches Sunday, September 21^st, I find myself thinking about you even more, & that's saying a lot. You've done so much for me & your family, not to mention your other family the community of Hastings. You helped many other individuals, including complete strangers who were simply down on their luck. Dad, in my heart, I could not have asked for a more supportive, loving father! I wish my wonderful wife Jodi would have had a chance to meet you. She hears so much about you that she always tells me what a great guy you must have been. Max, Sam & Maci obviously never had a chance to see or be with you, for physically you were long gone. You are, however, somehow with them much more than I EVER would have believed or thought possible. Just recently 5 year old Max has been asking more questions about Grandpa Larry. A few times when he has seen me in deep thought or a little sad, he would seemingly detect my feelings & help me. With some very timely and meaningful hugs, kisses & even clings at somehow just the right times. They have all helped me very much to move on. If it wasn't for you Dad, there wouldn't be them, which (to me) makes me the luckiest man in the world! Along with being sad & missing you much more these days, I also am SO grateful to God for allowing me such a great Dad, who unconditionally loved me & has filled me with countless happy memories that I'll always have & cherish for the rest of my life. As the song goes, "Only the Good Die Young" and you were (in my eyes) 'THE BEST!' I love you Dad! Your son, Jim."

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

August Blog

2008-08-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

"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. AHHHHThe 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.

July Blog

2008-07-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

Part 7: July 2008

Saints Fun Bus!: Come join us for our Annual German Heritage night at the Saints game, Monday, August 4^th. $30 includes fun transportation (bathroom on bus), beer & pop on bus, tailgating under a huge outdoor tent with more free beer & brats, reserved seating & a chance to see the one & only "Utube Bierstube Guy star" Mike Yanz throw out the 1^st pitch for the Saints & then attempt to go 9 innings before getting thrown out himself by security

Strong Opinion: I've thought the NBA was fixed ever since the mid 80's when it installed the inexplicable (behind closed doors) ping pong ball lottery. Guess who had the worst chance to get the pick that year with under a 3% chance. One hint; the #1 ranked market "New York" Knicks of course. And who did they take with that pick? The supposed greatest center to come out of college in many, many years, the player who was supposed to bring the Knicks back to their prominence & win multiple championships (never won a single one) Georgetown's 7 foot Patrick Ewing. Now this year the #2 market Chicago with a 1.5% chance wins the #1 pick (still done before & behind closed doors). Why do the supposed powers that be stand by & keep letting this happen? This along with the officiating scandal, the ESPN Era of needing to make the top 10 highlights instead of the Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, John Stockton & Steve Nash unselfish proper way of playing, the rap music before, during & after the games, the punk attitude of 95% of all the players, high fives after every free throw (made or missed) the unbalanced officiating for the star players & the home teams, allowing not just 2 steps but 2 ½, 3 & most of the time (Ginoble, Kobe, etc. 3.5 steps when the rule is clearly a foot & a half. "AND MOST OF ALL" because as you can tell I could go on forever the DISGUSTING, FOUL, DISGRACEFUL, DISPICIBLE, COMPLETELY LOUD PROFANITY that is aloud by every & any players ALL THE TIME! When I was 13 to 23 to 33 & now 43 years old I've always found it to be disgusting, shameful & classless behavior. My Dad instilled that in us as kids. My Dad Larry not only ever swore, but as a bar owner, also did not tolerate ANY excessive bad language within his restaurant. The tradition continues nearly 25 years after his passing (neither do any of the Bierstubes now or never will!). The #1 offender, the disgusting Kevin Garnett! David Stern; this is a great way to teach our kids proper etiquette, self control & sportsmanship. How about concentrating less on the soon to be flopping rule & more on the completely more obvious problem & install a new rule of no more "f"inghimers & childish outbursts in your supposed Pro Basketball league. Right now, the pro in Pro Basketball stands for Profanity Basketball. Clean up this league now & have a no tolerance rule like your equally silly leaving the bench rule that ruined last years entire playoffs! (Hint Amar Stodimiar) Better yet, move on David Stern & see if Roger Goodell would like to moonlight a few hours for the NBA!

Shave My Head Update: Yes, I am a man of my word & will be shaving my head Friday night, July 11^th at approximately 8 p.m. in the Larry's Lounge Smoking Patio in Oakdale. I DON'T look forward to seeing you there!

Congratulations: KG on your 1^st & hopefully only NBA Championship. There's no denying there probably has never been anyone who has given more effort or intensity on the basketball court & deserves immense credit for a league that doesn't come near that type of effort until maybe the final minute of the 4^th quarter. Speaking of the 4^th quarter and KG; There is also very little doubt that there's probably never been a so called superstar like Kevin Garnett who has been so afraid & so bad at stepping up during crunch time as him. So congratulations KG, you hustling, choking, spineless, profanity punk! (Jodi, where'd you put my razor?) All other jobs in America have to be held with a certain decorum, self control & common courtesy, so what's so different about sports? Especially basketball P.S. By the way Kevin, act like you've been there before instead of majorly embarrassing yourself.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: The Leonard Schaffer Memorial (LW's Bierstube) Golf Tournament is coming fast, Monday, July 21^st 12:45 shotgun start scramble at River Oaks. 100% of ALL of the proceeds will go towards medical bills for Hannah O'Halloran. Hannah is Leonard's Great Granddaughter & LW's manager Cindy's Granddaughter. She is 18 months old & was born premature & has already accumulated unbelievable excessive medical bills. If you are unable to participate in this very worthy & necessary fundraiser for her but would like to help, please contact Cindy (651/428-1361). Your participation &/or help is UNBELIEVABLY APPRECIATED!

Overheard: "The Church is not a museum for Saints, but a hospital for Sinners."

Who Said It? "No man stands s tall than when he stoops to help a child." Abraham Lincoln

Speaking of Children: Wayne Deilke (a very good Bierstube customer) took his daughter Cassie to her 1^st Twins game 19 years ago when she was 5. They got there a little early & Cassie was already getting bored. It seemed like Cassie's only saving grace would be to catch a foul ball from Kirby Puckett, so Cassie hoped & hoped. In the mean time Dad Wayne continually trying to entertain his daughter but warning not to get too disappointed if one doesn't come her way tries to explain the odds to his daughter being very unlikely but let's have a good time & you never know. Almost needless to say, a Kirby Puckett foul ball comes their way; Wayne drops it & Cassies had nightmares ever since! Just kidding! Wayne catches it & immediately hands it to his daughter to a standing ovation from the nearby crowd. Cassie, now 24, still displays that ball proudly (hopefully more because of Dad than Kirby) & also is an accomplished ice skater, skating with Disney on Ice the past several years! Way to go Deilkes!!!

Who Said It #2? "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill

Set Your DVR or Tivo: JW's Bierstube in Oakdale bartender Jimmy will be on a Wheel of Fortune replay Monday, July 7^th. Asked how he did he said, "I'm still schlepping drinks for you ain't I? You'll just have to tune in & see." (Game Show network at 9:30 a.m.)

Misc. Sports: Twins remain contenders hovering about 1 ½ back. 1^st time their starting pitchers have won six in a row since 2006 when it was Santana, Radke, Liriano & Baker. The current Twins streaks ERA in the last 9 games has been a remarkable 1.76, winning 8 of 9. Vikings definitely on the right track. T-Wolves better take a chance on Mayo (could be a blessing in disguise getting rather unlucky with the 3^rd overall pick); Gophers have to show me something positive fairly early before I start caring again; Wild or Gopher Hockey ask my friends John Klimek, Rob "Tally Wacker" Talofous, or Scott Berg (they know a little bit more about hockey than I do). Rob is Dean Talofous's (9 year NHL veteran) younger brother. None the less, Rob is over 10 times the athlete his older brother Dean was. Rob made honorable mention in synchronized swimming his senior year.

Rocco Rocco Rocco!!! What can we say about this year's US Open besides WOW! That tourney goes down as one of the top 5 Golf tournaments & top 50 sporting events of "all time!" I used to be against the 18 hole playoff, but for just he US Open what the heck. We all seen (or hopefully a lot of you ) That was & maybe (unless there's another affable smiley easy going fun 45 year old guy who's never won a major challenging Tiger) the last time I'll ever root for anyone else but him. It's fun watching history unfold before your very eyes. With Tiger's bad knee & Rocco just being Rocco, to me & I'm sure the audience & the sponsors there definately was no loser. What a story for Rocco to tell his Grandchildren! He gave Tiger, in Tiger's own words, "his greatest win, tournament & challenge than any he's ever played."

Enjoy: the Masters of Golf, Superbowl of Football & the World Series of Baseball. Enjoy the Wimbeldon Championships (both men & ladies) this Holiday weekend & more importantly have a safe & fun holiday & a blessed & hopefully warm & sunny July!

God Bless: Shannon Robinson (my sister-in-law) & her family. Shannon had surgery to remove a brain tumor & everything went great! Tumor was malignant & she's going to be fine. She's getting back to her normal, happy self. Thanks for all your prayers!

God Bless: Bonnie Sylvester & her entire family. Bonnie was simply the sweetest, nicest, classiest person I've ever met.

July Blog

2008-07-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

June's Blog

2008-06-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Bierstube Blog

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

Part 6: June 2008

Big Reminder: JW's in Oakdale is having our annual Oakdale Summerfest Tent Party! Featuring on Friday, June 13^th the always great & very popular, our local phenoms "Uncle Chunk!" Followed by the up & coming awesome "Good for Gary!" on Saturday the 14^th.

Reminder: Great Biestube golf tourneys coming up JJ's WBL at Loggers Trail June 9^th & LW's Leonard Shaffer Memorial at River Oaks, July 21^st. More info in next month's blog.

Reminder: Look for the next new Bierstube commercial to debut sometime this fall/early winter with an interesting semi controversial new twist.

Thank You: Thanks & congrats to all the participants & winners of the Oakdale & Hastings Golf Tournaments! A special thanks to Rob Achterling & Jeff Betterly for their very Ed McMahon/Paul Shaffer like support & laughing at my LAME attempts at humor. Another special thanks to the Stabinow Team! Their streak of 3 years in a row & not missing one single Bierstube golf tournament is still going very strong! That's over 15 tourneys! We really appreciate you guys along with your playing partner Clint Piehl (my wife & Wendy thank you too)!

Way To Go: Plucky Twins; despite virtually no power whatsoever YET, continue to hover around 500 & a couple of games within 1^st. Overall future outlook Rosy!

You Heard it Here First: The Vikings or the Twins are a shoe in to win a World Championship in the next 5 years. In my humble opinion, it's all about Tavaris Jackson &/or how our QB position develops & the Twins' Pohlad Boys learn from (stadiumless) Zigi Wilf & open up some purse strings & add at least one legitimate impact/power player. My guess is Vikings 1^st in the next few years & the Twins in the next 4-6 years.

Jodi Sharpen Your Razor: As I predicted the Lakers are on the verge of eliminating the whining Spurs & the 3 ½ steps (no traveling calls) Manu Gionobli. Fortunately for my hairdo the Celtics & the "profanity pro" Garnett seem very tired & vulnerable finally losing one at home against Detroit. Go Flip & Pistons!

Prediction: Detroit vs. LA in the NBA Championship! Hopefully Flip prevails & gets his monkey off is back & adultering Kobe loses, thus myself avoiding an appointment (by a hair) with my Buzz cutting, razor awaiting wife Jodi.

NHL: Can someone tell me if they're still playing? Sorry hockey fans: Peter, Deano, TallyWacker, Johnny, Benny, Bergy & the rest.

PGA: Let me know when Tiger's knee heals. Senior golf Greg Norman "The Shark" is still fun to watch. Just ask his fiancé former tennis great Chris Everett.

Gopher Football: How do you spell a really big yawn? Reason to be optimistic - they can't do any worse than last year & the new OUTDOOR Stadium is right around the corner. Twins too! Can't wait!

NFL, Vikings, We're Comin!: As I reported a couple of blogs ago, if the Vikings were to acquire a dominating pass rusher & draft effectively, which they definitely did with the NFL's best (15 sacks last year) Jared Allen & some very potentially solid draft choices, our new Purple People Eaters will not only win our division easily overtaking the sorry Favreless Cheeseheads, but also have a chance at the ever elusive Vikings Superbowl WIN & allow us diehard Viking Fans the chance to get that monkey off our backs. Go Tavaris!!! It might or probably won't happen this year, but with Adrian Peterson & a very good core of other key players (like our Twins) the future looks promising!

Larry Yanz 25 Year Anniversary of his Passing: The Celebration of his life on September 21^st is being modified to satisfy & respect the sensitivities to hopefully all who remember & loved him very much.

Opinion: David Stern & the NBA has to be more "Roger Goodell & NFL like" & enforce ZERO tolerance for demonstrative whining reactions after a personal foul, ie. Rasheed Wallace, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Gionobli (what the heck, the whole darn Spurs team). It's, #1 a really bad example for kids & #2 it's simply a despicable immature act that makes a PUNK league even PUNKIER!

Fact: I'm looking forward to giving Brad Childress another chance, especially considering his "personal conduct accountability policy" (& giving up the play calling). He really is weeding out the bad character type people & infusing the team more with high character guys such as Adrian Peterson & 2^nd round safety & also great talent & really classy person Tyrell Johnson from Arkansas State.

Opinion: Wolves - OJ Mayo would have been the #1 draft choice overall last year. If Beasley or Rose inexplicably fall, take one of them or the obvious choice is to roll the dice a tad on OJ's potential "character issues" & take him.

Fact: "Amen" means you believe it a certainty to be the truth. "Alleluia" means a song of praise to God.

Fact: John McCain has never been baptized.

Note: The House Judiciary Committee showed NFL players are 8 times more likely to get injured than players in others sports leagues.

Interesting Coincidence: 11 year old Grace Gudell advised Abe Lincoln to grow a beard (because he basically, in her opinion, was too ugly as is). He was previously a perennial loser on the national level until 1860, when he reluctantly agreed & of course grew his beard he is & always will be so famous for.

Fact: Adolf Hitler's Dad married (for the 3^rd time a different woman) "his niece!" Thus making Hitler's biological mom his biological father's niece.

Fact: In 1918 Babe Ruth hit a league high for the year (playing only part of the season), 11 homeruns for the Boston Red Sox. The next year 1919 he raised his homerun total to league & record high 29. A 263.6% increase. The next year after being sold to the Yankees for a $100,000 he raised it to a whopping league & record high 54 - a 490.91% increase from 11 in 1918. & last but not least, the following year he raised yet another league & obviously record 59! Making that a 536.36% increase from the league high 11 in 1918.

Barely Partial Truth & Admission: I hope you find this Blog somewhat informative & maybe even somewhat entertaining &/or funny. If you strongly disagree with some of the opinions expressed, remember my wife Jodi types this & she is opinionated enough that it's very likely that she may have completely changed my correct opinion. If you're not napping already, thanks for your time & your welcome for your current or upcoming nap! Take care & God Bless!

May Blog

2008-05-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

Bierstube Blog May 2008

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

News, Notes, Facts & Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

"Happy Mother's Day!" Special: ½ price on our AWARD WINNING marinated beef roast (our sauerbraten!)! No need for a knife on this mouthwatering entrée, melts in your mouth just like Grandma & Mom used to make! Made with special seasonings in traditional Bavarian style with homemade spatzle, gravy, red cabbage & toast. Also, ½ price for you deserving Mothers our famous "Heart Steak" dinner & our 8 oz juicy chicken breast with choice of seasoned rice, asparagus or ½ & ½. Bon Appetite & Happy Mother's Day! Plus a "FREE!" Mimosa for Mom!!!

Reminder: There are still a few spots available for JW's Bierstube Spring Classic Golf Tourney at the OUTSTANDING Stone Ridge Golf Course, Monday, May 12^th, 12:30 shotgun. 8 days later, Tuesday, May 20^th, 12:30 shotgun at the equally GREAT Hastings Country Club!!!

Admissions of Oversights from Previous Blog: Should've been included amongst the Greatest of all time in their respective sports; Ty Cobb, Earl Cambell, Gordy Howe, Mario Lemioux, Bobby Orr, GREATEST SPORTS CANNIBAL Mike Tyson & Bombo Rivera (for approx 3 weeks). If it's still available for you boxing fans, check out the VHS or DVD "Champions Forever," it's like Ali, the Greatest of all time!

Opinion: Matt Birk, get off your so called "I don't like the lime light" fat a-- & be the supposed leader that you are & get into camp. I guess the Vikings haven't been loyal enough to your 7^th ROUND 32 year old herniated butt by paying you roughly $40 million over the last 9 years. ANYONE tell me how it doesn't make sense to see how Birk does this year & his final year of his LUCRITIVE contract that he signed before they extend it. Keys, several sports hernias & 32 years old. Not to beat a dead horse, but why play the "I'm just a regular guy" facade & then show up on every radio & TV show with the kicker opening not one, but 2 restaurants named , you'll never guess, "Matty B's," huh?

Fact: The world consumes over 1,000 barrels of oil per second! Alaska has enough to last us at least the next 35 years.

Fact: Like an apple a day keeps the Doctor away, the potassium in bananas help prevent strokes.

Opinion: You want proof of steroids? Google Lenny Dykstra: went from skinny 175 pd 5 homerun 2^nd baseman to 220 lb HULK averaging 35 homeruns & Jose Canseco (albeit an adultering jerk) has been by far the most credible athlete to discuss &/or write about steroids in sports!

Opinion: Speaking of baseball, if I were the owner of the Chicago Cubs I DEFINITELY would take the high road & show some class & offer the infamous fan Steve Bartman a lifelong pass to all Cubs home games just to make up for the turmoil this poor nerd has unnecessarily endured the past 5 years. 1^st of all there were many other fans surrounding him trying to do the same thing he or most any of us (instinctively) would try to catch the foul ball & 2^nd, their left fielder at the time Moises Alou showed some sincere class & empathy for the poor guy, stating he feels sorry for what he's had to go through & admitted he probably wasn't going to be able to catch the ball anyways. Cub's fans: It's not Steve Bartman's fault you guys choked it away.

Fact: Speaking of baseball, I took my boys Max & Sam to the Twins vs. KC game & not only called Justin Morneau's 1^st homerun of the year, but also "The Pitch" & location where the ball was going to land. Honestly I was just trying to get them to pay attention for a pitch or 2 (instead of the cotton candy) & just got lucky.

Celebrity Death: Charlton Heston, age 84. Wasn't just an actor & NRA spokesman, but more importantly actively spoke against violent, distasteful, disgusting & profanity filled lyrics & messages in music, ie. Violence against everyone, mostly women & cops. He once protested in a forum that included the producers of Ice Tea's "Cop Killer" & after his speech, nearly everyone in the room including those same producers of Ice Tea & many other rap producers were dead silent with most of them hanging their heads in shame. As Heston walked out of the room you could hear a pin drop. Favorite Charlton Heston Movie: 10 Commandments as, of course, Moses. A little cheesy & over the top, but none the less a very entertaining, educational movie I try to watch nearly every Easter Sunday (Shawn Donavan). Unbelievable special effects, especially for its time.

Opinion: Country music has improved rapidly of late; some great post 9/11 songs, songs that you can understand the words, songs with meaning & songs with a story & most importantly a lot less twangy , depressing & hillbilly.

Opinion: Best & most ENTERTAINING, informative & funny sport talk show: Pardon the Interruption (PTI on ESPN at 4:30 p.m.) starring Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon. To describe it as a typical sports talk show definitely does not do it justice. It's mostly funny, very informative & has a little entertainment tonight, national enquirer, but unlike the Enquirer, it has accurate juiciness to it. Did I say it's a riot as well?

Opinion: It doesn't get much better for us sports fans. What a week! The Final 4, the classic championship game-the Wild clinching their very 1^st NW Division title in style, NHL Playoffs, opening of baseball season, the Frozen 4 & to top it off, the best tourney this side of the NCAA B-Ball tourney, THE MASTERS! I haven't been this excited since my honeymoon nearly 8 years ago!

Reluctant Admission: While playing cornerback for the 10^th grade Hastings Raiders (I actually was the QB, but occasionally played defense) "I once ducked a tackle" on the goal line against Sibley at Sibley High. It was a down pour & Sibley had this raging bull of a QB doing a play action end around leaving me on the loneliest island I've ever been on. Well with this big ox blowing steam out of both nostrils, (mixed with a lot of snot) knees pumping high, here comes this 6 foot 4, 230 lb freight train with the speed of a wildebeest & the look in his eyes that said "this is my chance to actually publicly dismember the opposing QB of the undefeated Raiders & score the go ahead touchdown." Well I never gave Tom Syberspace or Syberlicmee (whatever the hell his name was) that satisfaction. I pretended to slip in the mud & made a very conscious decision to save my life at that split second. Seems like forever ago & like it was just yesterday. The outcome of our season was 1^st place breaking nearly every offensive & defensive record. Our record that year: 8 wins, 1 loss. The score that game: Henry Sibley 6 Hastings Raiders 0. Jim Yanz 1 cowardly but smart defensive play (I now have a beautiful wife & 3 wonderful kids!). Tom Seiberlick (now a good friend of mine) 1very dirty play (he still unnecessarily kneed me in the head). & now you know "the rest of the story." (Tom, don't forget you said you'd pay me that c-note by the end of the month.) Tom Kranz, sound familiar? Thank you "great coach & person" Jake Moore & fellow teammates for great memories!

Admission #2 & Opinion: Admitted passive (at best regular season hockey fan) However, Hometown Old North Stars or our new Wild "PLAYOFF HOCKEY" is simply incredible because of the extraordinary efforts & all around riveting drama. You're not a pure sports fan if you can't feel "IT!" The intensity in the 3^rd period of a close game or overtime is as great or greater as any other sport!

Admission #3: Out of the parts of well over 100 or so hockey games I've seen &/or been to I've actually only seen LESS than 10% of the pucks go into the net even when concentrating & focusing as hard as I possibly can. Thank God for the announcers screaming "HE SCORES!!!" & instant replay! Maybe that's why I played basketball!

Recommended Book: The Last Lecture (A Love Story for Life), by Professor Randy Paush, who has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer (which my Dad & Bierstube founder died of). Randy is a Professor turned writer turned motivational speaker said, "A bad apology is worse than no apology." I agree!

Opinion: 3^rd Greatest Sports Moment of All Time: Jack Nicklaus at age 46, winning his 6^th Green Jacket in 1986 with a 65 on the final round. I was literally sitting Indian style 3 feet in front of the TV at my Mom's condo, cheering like it was the Vikings actually winning a Super bowl.

Congratulations: John Kreyer Jr. bowled a 300 game April 9^th in our Maplewood League. (I was lucky enough to catch the last several frames to witness my 1^st 300! That was fun!) When asked "Was this your 1^st?" He responded, "You really want to know?" I said of course. He embarrassingly admitted "42!" He has bowled in several pro tourneys, including the US Open, the Masters & the USBC & holds several local bowling records as well.

News, Notes, Facts & (a few) Opinions from the owner Jim Yanz (if you care).

2008-03-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

"Congratulations Bierstube!" Tuesday, March 3rd, the Bierstube took the
"Peoples Choice Award" (voted on by the participating samplers) for Best
Restaurant & Best Food out of about 30 other excellent restaurants. We
received a beautiful plaque & are hanging it proudly for everyone to see.
Great job Rob, Theron & Cindy & all who helped!
Reminder: The Bierstube's 1st golf tourney kicks off with JW's in Oakdale
majorly upgrading their tourney to the outstanding Stone Ridge, May 12th,
12:30 shot gun. Sign up now, spots are filling fast! One week later on
Tuesday, May 20th, 12:30 shot gun at the GREAT Hastings Country Club!!!
OPINIONS: "The Greatest of ALL TIME!!!" (Warning: There may be an obvious
admission or two, I'm just a bar owner & obviously not a writer, so
excuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!)
Heavy Weight Boxing: 1)Muhamid Ali, 2)Joe Louis, 3)Rocky Marciano, 4)George
Foreman, 5)Joe Fraizer.
QBs: 1)Joe Montana, 2)Johnny Unitas, 3)John Elway, 4)Tom Brady, 5)Tie: Sammy
Baugh & Otto Graham, Terry Bradshaw. Honorable Mention: Dan Marino, Brett
Favre (Sianara-so he says!), Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, FRAN TARKENTON,
Roger Stauback, Steve Young & Bart Starr.
Defensive Players: 1)Lawrence Taylor, 2)Reggie White, 3)ALLEN PAGE(1st &
maybe still the only defensive player to win the NFL's MVP), 4)Ronnie Lott,
5)Dick Butkis, 6)Brian Urlacher, Honorable Mention: PAUL KRAUSE (still &
probably always will hold record for most interceptions), Mike Singletary,
Ray Nischke, Ray Lewis, Julius Peppers, many of the 85 Bears & 70's
Steelers.
Best Sport: FOOTBALL!!! Best All Around Football Player of all time: Joe
Montana
Best Team &/or Season: 85 Bears! How good & arrogant & confident do you have
to be to do the Superbowl Shuffle before the season really begins & then win
in such OVERWHELMING DOMINATING fashion!
Best Baseball Player: Babe Ruth! Period! Best Hockey Player: Wayne Gretzky!
Period!
Best Pitchers: 1)Sandy Kofax, 2)Bob Gibson, 3)Tom Seaver, 4)Cy Young,
5)Nolan Ryan, Honorable Mention: Orel Hershiser, Babe Ruth, Vida Blue,
Catfish Hunter, Johan Santana.
Biggest Jokes: 1)Barry Bonds, 2)Tie: Roger Clemens & Mark McGuire,
Best Pure Hitters: 1)Babe Ruth, 2)Ted Williams, 3)Ty Cobb, 4)Tie: Joe
Dimagio & Mickey Mantle, 5)Hank Aaron, 6)Alex Rodriquez, 7)Tie: Ken Griffey
Jr. & Willie Mays, 8)Tie: Lou Gerhig & George Brett, 9)Honus Wagner, 10)Tie:
Stan Musial, ROD CAREW, Tony Gwyn & Pete Rose. Honorable Mention: Mr. Clutch
Reggie Jackson, KIRBIE PUCKET, Wade Boggs & Don Mattingly.
Best Swimsuit Covergirl: Christie Brinkley.
Best Cover: Christie Brinkley, 1980, British Virgin Islands (of course I'm a
little biased, I was 15 at the time!)
Best Receiver of All Time: Jerry Rice! Period!
Best Basketball Player of all time: (Probably hardest to choose from)
1)Michael Jordan, 2)Bill Russell, 3)Tie: Kareem Abdul Jabbar & Wilt
Chamberlain, 4)Tie: Larry Bird & Magic Johnson - Best All Around Complete
Fundamental Passing & Scoring Tandem, along with absolutely saving the
sinking NBA in the 80's (the way you should & the way you'd want your kids
to play; absolutely unselfish), 5)Oscar Robinson, 6)Tim Duncan, 7)Elgin
Baylor, 8)Tie: Moses Malone & Shaq *Only because the NBA inexplicably
allowed him to take one huge drop step into the stationary defenders with
his left elbow held high elbowing either or both the defenders chest &/or
face only to have the foul called on the defender (Most of those should've
been flagrant personal offensive charging fouls on Shaq!), 9)Steve Nash
(Ditto like Bird & Johnson), 10)GEORGE MIKAN, 11)Isaiah Thomas, 12)Elvin
Hayes, 13)Bill Walton (remember I'm considering eras & in their prime),
14)Dr. J., 15) Lebron James 16)Kobe Bryant, Honorable Mention: Bob Cousey,
John Havlicheck, Bernard King, George Gervin, Pete Maravich, etc...
Best Running Backs: 1)Jim Brown, 2)Barry Sanders, 3)Walter Payton, 4)ADRIAN
PETERSON (I'm a Homer!).
"BEST MURDERER: OJ
SIMPSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Biggest Sports Injustice: 1)OJ not guilty, 2)Pete Rose (not in hall of
fame), Inside story, ask me! 3)BERT BLYLEVIN not in hall of fame, 4)1972 USA
vs Russia at the Soviet Union during the Gold Medal Game (hint: Russian
refs!)
Best Golfer: 1)Tiger Woods, 2)Jack Nicklaus, 3)Tie: Arnie Palmer & Byron
Nelson (won 11 tourneys in a row in 1945), 4)Sam Snead, 5)Ben Hogan.
Best Male Tennis Player: 1)Rod Laver, 2)Bjorn Borg, 3)Tie: Pete Sampras &
Roger Federererererererererer, 4)John McEnroe, 5) Jimmy Conners, Honorable
Mention: Ivan Lendle, Andre Agassi.
Best Female Tennis Player: 1)Steffi Graph, 2)Martina Navratilova, 3)Yes!
Monica Seles-nobody was dominating at her age & she introduced power to
women's tennis before she got stabbed by jealous German maniac Gunter Parks
who wanted Graph to be #1 in the world instead of the unbeatable, dominating
Seles who had a chance to be #1 of ALL TIME!!! 4)Chris Everet, 5)Tie: Serena
Williams & Billie Jean King, Honorable Mention: Far too many!!!
Best & Most Dominating of Their Sport by a large margin: Babe Ruth! (Still
holds several pitching records as well)
Best Sport Moment of all time: USA! USA! USA! 1980 Olympic Gold Medal
winning Hockey Team!!
Best High School Baseball Coach & Bull Sh---er Ever By Far: Doc Loudin &
Juice Johnson.
Best High School Soccer & Golf Coach & Worst Pro Hockey Scout By Far: Don
Saatzer
Greatest Comedian of all Time: Don Rickles! Still unbelievable & on top of
his game at 82! I've had the great luck to see him a few times & if you like
him on the talk shows, don't regret it & not see him live if you have a
chance.
Heartfelt Thank You!: To ALL of the original Hastings Bierstubians who've
come & gone. We just had the great fortune of celebrating our 45th
anniversary this past December 15th. My father died 25 years ago this
September 21st & we promise you all a very special celebration of his life
on that anniversary weekend. I'm not going to try to name names because it's
impossible to not leave anybody out. I've known so many of you for so long &
there's so many great people & friends who patronize the Bierstube that I'm
not going to even come close to offending ANYONE by mentioning any names,
there are far too many to mention! I just want you ALL to know; (past &
present workers included) & I know & can speak for my entire family that we
have & ALWAYS will have a special place in our hearts for all of you! Both
present, past & recently past no longer with us having a beverage or a brat
putting up with my Dad's cigar smoke in heaven. The Yanz family thanks &
appreciates you all more than you will ever know!
Opinion: A LOT of violence, special effects & no real endings & you're sure
to win an Oscar!
Fact: As of this month, John Wooden still is not dead. (Greatest college
basketball coach ever.)
Fact: There comes a good to great movie once every so often; Shindler's
List, Titanic, Crash, etc. but movies today AIN'T WHAT THEY USED TO BE!
#1 Thing I Love: Old fashioned common courtesy in men not only opening but
running to open a door for a women (or anyone else for that matter).
#1 Thing That I Hate: Snobiness & people who act like they are more
important or better than another person & don't know the meaning of common
courtesy. People who UNDERSTAND common courtesy understand that a dishwasher
or cleaning person deserve the exact same common courtesy as a Dr. Surgeon
or Professional Athlete. (Probably a lot more than most professional
athletes!)
Fact: I will shave my head in Larry's Lounge if Kobe Bryant & the Lakers win
the NBA Championship. (Even though I think they have a pretty decent
chance!) *Boy I hope Kobe doesn't get caught in yet another affair
distracting himself & possibly his teammates?*
Fact: Researchers in Germany found that napping 6 minutes a day increases
productivity (I prefer 26 minutes).
We're commin!!!: Vikings went for & got both the best wide receiver & safety
available in Bernard Berian & Madieu Williams.
Fact: Nice guys can finish 1st! Sun Ray Lane's Robbie Lawrence bowled
Minnesota's 4th highest league 3 game series total of all time! Bowling 2
consecutive 300 games & then bowling 10 straight strikes in the 3rd game,
leaving only the 8 pin on his on his 11th &/or 2nd ball in the 10th & easily
picking up his spare on the last shot of the night leaving him with an
unbelievable high 3 game series of 889! WAY TO GO ROBBIE!!!
Congratulations Robbie Lawrence! I know Robbie personally & he's been a
great bowler for a long time & not once has he acted like it. He is as
humble, sincere & genuinely attentive to what anyone wants to talk about,
even constant bowling talk & stories, questions & free advice. It couldn't
have happened to a nicer guy! Good luck on your potential quest for that
900!
Fact: As of March 2008, there has only been 15 league with no pro-bowling
900's in the HISTORY of bowling!!!
THANK YOU! All 1st Tuesday of the month from Hastings & Oakdale for raising
a combined $20,000+ for your local food shelves for 2007! My family & I
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
Bold Viking Prediction: If the Vikings do what sports writer Charlie Walters
suggested could be a possibility & trade our #1 draft choice for Carolina's
Peppers & Tarvaris just plays ok, that automatically makes us Superbowl
contenders! This would be 2008's version of the Purple People Eaters,
especially with the Williams wall. You heard it here 1st!!!
Barely Partial Truth & Admission: I hope you find this Blog somewhat
informative & maybe even somewhat entertaining &/or funny. If you strongly
disagree with some of the opinions expressed, remember my wife Jodi types
this & she is opinionated enough that it's very likely that she may have
completely changed my correct opinion. If you're not napping already, thanks
for your time & your welcome for your current or upcoming nap! Take care &
God Bless!

March Bierstube Blog

2008-03-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

Fact: All Bierstube cities have outstanding athletic programs in many various sports & have made it to state or won state over the years in many various sports. Far too many to mention! Congratulations to you all & keep up the great work!

Fact: Hastings got particularly (coincidently) outstanding the years after I graduated in 1983. HMMM???

Fact: The Bierstube had the great honor of making the “Treasures of MN” book & is on sale at each Bierstube. It comes complete with a Bierstube logo bookmark telling you our pages & locations, great food, history, etc.

Fact & if you care: My 2 best friends from grade school in Hastings & still are Steve Nielsen & John Klimek.

Fact: Speaking of Klimek, the “hubbub” about him is absolutely true. I recently found that out on our 20th annual golf trip (& rather scary I might add. This is somewhat of an inside joke. For those of you who aren’t in on it, use your imagination & read into it a little bit.) Yet another great trip huh guys! John, Joel, Rod, Warmy, Dave, Tom N. & Tom S.

Fact: All of the other Bierstubes are taking Hastings & Oakdale’s leads & are in the process of setting up something similar to help their local food shelves. What Hastings & Oakdale do is on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m.- close we donate ½ of all of our food sales to our local food shelves.

Fact: JoJo the Balloon Guy (the Elvis of balloon guys) has graciously donated his time from 6:00-? In Oakdale just to add fun for all the kiddies & some young at heart adults. Thank you again so much Joe Leonard!!!

Opinion: The Twins & the Vikings haven’t handled things (front office wise) the best. But then again they haven’t by far been the worst. They’ve generally been better than they’ve been bad.

Prediction: Look for a couple of semi competitive years from each club; maybe even more from the Vikings depending on certain acquisitions. Possibly the same thing could be said for the Twins if EVERYTHING clicks!

Opinion: Enjoy what we have! Be positive, look forward to the great outdoor stadium & don’t forget ‘87 & ‘91!

Fact: Speaking of ’87 & ’91, in 1987, my brother Mike, Mark Merkling & I bought LW’s. In 1991, I opened JW’s Bierstube the same week the Twins were in the World Series. The Twins won the series both years. AHHH…it seems like yesterday when I bought out Rainbow’s Homer Hankies & had just enough for our Friday night customers the night of “GAME 6” The hair on my arms & the lump in my throat witnessing the game & the homer hankied happy customers for me was better than being at the game.
Fact: There are no plans of opening any new Bierstubes soon!!! (From Jim’s wife: THANK GOD!!!)

Fact: Jim Yanz runs over JJ’s Bierstube partner & friend, Jim McArdle, for game winning touchdown!!! Hastings Raiders 6, Tartan Titans 0 during 1982 Varsity Black & Blue Divisional Clash!
Opinion: If you observe closely, you can still see my cleat marks on his gigantic Cro-Magnon forehead. Jim was so woozy from the tremendously jarring hit that he still has trouble remembering to this day. He tries to refuse such a torrid embarrassing (not to mention dominating & overpowering of himself) memory.
Fact: Jim & I are believed to be brothers by looks by many people & have been asked literally 100s of times if we are. My typical response is it must be OUR huge Cro-Magnon foreheads (& dashing good looks!)

Congratulations: To the Chris & Frank Tschida Family! Thanks to their beautiful young daughter Cara on Friday, February 22, Cara found Homer Simpson in record breaking time (about 15-20 seconds) & won 5 great seats to Disney on Ice “Finding Nemo!” Congrats to the whole family!
Congratulations Part 2: Another wonderful family also won tickets to “Finding Nemo!” (Sorry I don’t have their names!)
Both winners got nearly standing ovations & very rousing & sincere rounds of applause!

Customers of the month at JW’s: All of you young guys & gals I see every Friday night! Too many names, not enough room! Thanks for your enthusiastic, innocent, (surprisingly mature at your age compared to me), fun & bright, infectious smiles, you are not only the future of the Bierstube, but also the present! Also, very long timers: Franz, Mason, Bob, Jerry & Mary, Joe & Bonnie, Sparky & Vi, Sue & that one guy, Liam, Chris & Ava, & a little newer but none the less, my Friday night buddies, Denise & Wes & last but not least, Bill & Char! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I hope you all can make it to our 18th annual customer appreciation pig/turkey roast on Saturday July 12th. *Other Bierstubes, please be patient, everybody will get a turn! Thanks for your understanding, I only have so much room!

Prediction: Never thought I’d say this, but I believe the smoking ban helps all the Bierstubes! Especially those with adequate to 1st class smoking patios!

Opinion: A little boring for sports fans right now, but March Madness begins: NCAA Tourneys, the Masters, Twins Season Opener at home against Torii Hunter & the CA Angels March 31st, NFL Draft in April - hang in there sports fans!

Incidentally: Rob from the Bierstube in Hastings still has a little bit of room on his 2nd bus from the opening game against Torii & the Angels. Call Rob (651)334-1972 for details. If you can find a ride to Hastings, we’ll drop you off at the Oakdale Stube on the way home from the game. Great seats, 3rd of the way up the 2nd deck behind home plate!

Fact: I cannot express the absolute appreciation & admiration enough to Dena Shull of Oakdale, Rob Groth of Hastings & Cindy Schafer of IGH for their loyalty, support, perseverance & hard work that they have sacrificed for myself the past few years of the most difficult & trying business transitions I’ve EVER had! I thank you all so much!

Prediction: John McCain vs. Barack Obama for the Presidency (OOH real bold prediction! But some of you have asked for more predictions!)
Prediction: Tiger Woods will take 3 out of 4 majors. But who’s not already predicting something like that?!
Opinion: Maria Sharapova & Serena Williams in a tie.
Fact: I will still have my head shaved at “Larry’s Lounge” if the Celtics win the NBA Championship this season!

Reminder: The Bierstube’s 1st Golf Tourney kicks off with JW’s in Oakdale majorly upgrading their tourney to the outstanding Stone Ridge, May 12th, 12:30 shot gun.

Highly Recommended: The loop in the Pioneer Press. Sundays are particularly hilarious along side Charlie Walters with your kids locked up in a far away sound proof room, ear plugs in, a cup of coffee, juice, etc. & a little breakfast or a snack; you just can’t beat it.

Notice: ALL Bierstubes are going Irish St. Patty’s weekend! Specializing in the mouthwatering slow roasted corned beef & cabbage Saturday, Sunday & Monday. Great beer specials as well! Yes, Green if you want it!

Prediction: The acquisition of Shaq wins the well deserving Steve Nash (best in the NBA) his 1st NBA Title. (Why didn’t or couldn’t the wolves get a Shaq or a Paul Gasol? These acquisitions make it that much more in the bag that I won’t have to shave my head when Mr. Clutch (Kevin Garnett) & the Celtics don’t win the Championship.)

Happy 40th Birthday to the ravishingly beautiful Lara Donovan!

Overrated: Bryant McKinnie fights in night clubs better than on the football field.

Barely Partial Truth & Admission: I hope you find this Blog somewhat informative & maybe even somewhat entertaining. If you strongly disagree with some of the opinions expressed, remember my wife Jodi types this & she is opinionated enough that it’s very likely that she may have completely changed my CORRECT opinion. If you’re not napping already, thanks for your time & you’re welcome for your current or upcoming nap! Take care & God Bless!

Jim's rants & raves; Part II: February 2008, News, Notes, Facts & a few Opinions

2008-02-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

BIERSTUBE WINS!!! BIERSTUBE WINS!!! BIERSTUBE WINS!!! (Second Place)
The latest Bierstube commercial "Mike's Day Dream - Golf" wins 2nd place in a statewide poll amongst several hundred other Comcast commercials (by a very small margin!). Comcast viewers narrowly voted our 1st place MN Wild star Deric Boogard. "Boogard Goes Shopping" for the Hockey Giant Company, which I must admit is also very funny. However, I must admit &/or brag that theirs & every other Comcast commercial is written & produced by professional Comcast writers & producers. ALL of the Bierstube commercials star my little brother (260 lbs) by 10 months, Mike Yanz, as "The Bierstube Guy" who is not professional of any kind (no offense little brother). I must admit again that he does a GREAT job in these commercials & ought to consider finding an agent. It is said by the Comcast staff that I am the only owner (or non Comcast writer or producer) that writes & produces his own commercials (191 lbs). By the way, DVDs with all 4 commercials are available at no rental fee from the bartender.

Admission: Kevin Garnett always tried as hard as any other NBA Player that I've ever seen & did show a lot of class by showing up at the only Celtic/Wolves game at the Target Center Feb 8th for the pregame introductions risking being booed despite his demonstrative unnecessary actions after their one point victory just a couple weeks ago at Boston. MN NICE!

Opinion: Still a Great trade! 23 year old Al Jefferson, 2-1st round draft picks & the rest for the 31 year old Garnett!

Opinion: Top 5 greatest Super Bowls of all time. Remember: Joe Montana to John Taylor. Joe cool in the huddle deep in their own territory during a TV timeout with about 2 minutes left, "Hey guys, look there's John Candy in the 3rd row!" Speaking of Joe Montana, greatest QB I've ever seen & I'm guessing considering certain eras and rule changes one of the top 3 of ALL TIME.

Remember: Scott Norword's wide right?

Remember: Brady's 1st Super bowl & the greatest clutch kicker of all time Adam Vinatieri nailing a 48 yarder with no time left when they were huge underdogs.

Remember: John Elway's helicopter spin diving for a 1st down more importantly BEATING THE PACK!!! Sorry Cheeseheads!

Remember: The game saving tackle on the one yard line by the Rams "Greatest show on turf" defense.

Remember: Our NFL high scoring run & gun highflying 98 Vikings & the Broncos classic Super bowl in Miami? Oh wait, I better take a break! Sorry for the painful reminder of what should've been!!!

Fact: Bill Bellicheck is the biggest classless arrogant jerk in sports today & one of the worst of all time. Remember Ty Cobb, Lattrell Sprewell, etc.?

Opinion: Still a pretty darn good coach. Especially when Brady took over at QB! Les Steckel might have won a Super bowl with Brady as his signal caller!

Opinion: Top 3 greatest plays I've ever seen: Eli Manning to what's his name on third & 5. What's his name wins best catch I've ever seen in 35 yrs by far even beating out a couple of the most acrobatic catches by Lynn Swan! Considering the circumstances & how he caught that ball on his helmet with 3 Giants batting at it & hitting him & maintaining the grip on the ball with the ball barely staying above the ground. WOW! & don't forget Eli's Tarkenton like scramble giving him a chance for that desperate heave!

Fact: Bierstube outstanding performance reports: Oakdale-Jeff Wesley (again!) Outstanding, do it all, personality plus, honest, reliable, high energy, outgoing, bartender & cook. Hastings-Theron, complete team player! IGH-Corrine Cunningham, her 10 yr anniversary being a dedicated, outstanding & showing friendly efficient customer service along the many years! RW's-Karen Wiberg & Bruce Kimmus for their many years of hard work, determination & always trying to improve their crafts! WBL-Marcy Fairbanks, kitchen mgr, her special turkey wraps & gyros you can order off the menu. She's been a loyal employee for over 8 yrs. Her multitasking abilities during a busy lunch rival anybody's cooking skills. She's Jim & Jim's right hand women!

Congratulations! C.W. Donahower who picked the winner & exact score of the Superbowl at JJ's! C.W. wins a Larry's steak dinner every month for the rest of the year!!!

If you care: My right hand man for the past 15 years, that I've often described as having more integrity in his little finger than many people have in their entire body is my great friend & partner Jim McArdle! The 1st "J" in "JJ's" Bierstube in WBL.

Opinion: 2007 Managers of the year - Tie: Rob Groth, Hastings; Cindy Schafer, IGH; Karen Wiberg, Red Wing. Jim McArdle still to his credit manages WBL.

Opinion: 2007 new, up & coming & most improved managers: Patrick Gibbons-Oakdale, Cindy Schafer IGH.

Fact: "JIM YANZ COMES OUT OF THE CLOSET." (The behind the scenes overseeing closet.) I'm back! I work most mornings & early afternoons at JW's. I also host EVERY Friday night & many Tuesday nights at JW's & have for the past 7 months. New fun game at JW's: "Find Homer Simpson" for prizes!

Opinion: $ committed to Morneau, Mauer, Cuddyer, etc. & a 5 year $100 million contract offer for Johan Santana. What more could we expect out of our small market pre-new stadium Twins? Not exactly happy with what we received in return but we actually won't know that for a few years. Hopefully Johan doesn't injure his arm (wink! wink!). Plus Johan is 29 & did lose 7 of his last 11 decisions & no one else in the entire major leagues offered us anymore.

Opinion: Tori Hunter should have been traded when we had a chance to get some thing back. However, that being said, he coincidently picked up his play his last 2 years before he was due for his contract to run up & put him in better position for contract negotiations. Funny?!

Opinion: Angels definitely don't' get their money's worth & Tori returns to his 270 batting average, 70 some RBI's & sub 20 homerun seasons. Not to mention his undying defense & support of my asterisk, horrible, disgusting influence on millions of kids, Mr. Steroid, Mr. Lie Under Oath Barry Bonds!

Fact & Wonderful Gesture! When I told her about our 1st Tuesday food shelf fundraiser, a "beautiful women" gave me $100 towards the charity because she couldn't make any because her son has hockey every Tuesday night!

Fact: This is the earliest Lent has come since 1913 & the next time it will be this early in the year won't be until 2160.

Fact: Speaking of Lent, I will try to not be late for anything & not stay up past 1:30 a.m.!

Fact: Every Bierstube has a wishing well for the kiddies!

Fact: At JW's we have a trivia question at 6:00 p.m. for all customers for a free drink!

Fact: Since Father Bob's support & announcements the past several months, the "Food Shelf Tuesdays" have nearly tripled in business! Obviously meaning much more support for the food shelf! For those of you who don't know, the Bierstube in Oakdale, Hastings & soon to be IGH, donate ½ of all of our food sales after 6:00 p.m. to the local food shelf. Between Hastings & Oakdale the past 5 years we've donated a total of nearly $100,000 to the food shelves. The food shelf, myself, family & the Bierstubes THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!

Fact: Mayor of Oakdale Carmen Sarrack, JoJo the Balloon Guy, the Hamm's Bear, the Bierstube Guy & last but not least, Father Bob's support Tuesday February 5th helped us with record breaking sales for the food shelf at JW's. I thank all of them for their more than gracious & wonderful support!!!

Fact: JoJo the Balloon Guy has been added on to the 1st Tuesday's festivities fort he rest of 2008, donating his time & unbelievable efforts! Thank you so much Joe Leonard!!!

Predictions: This will be the only Bierstube Blog I will ever write without at least one of my predictions (whoops!)

Opinion: Brent Burns continues to be the backbone of the defensive corps. Without a big time defenseman, the Wild have no chance to win the Stanley Cup.

Fact: What's his name is David Tyree.

Fact: The "Bierstube Blog" & my rants & raves will be at least bi-monthly & continue indefinitely as long as the readers can stand it or I realize I'm just a bar owner who has no idea what I'm talking about.

Barely Partial Truth & Admission: I hope you find this Blog somewhat informative & maybe even somewhat entertaining. If you strongly disagree with some of the opinions expressed, remember my wife Jodi types this & she is opinionated enough that it's very likely that she may have completely changed my correct opinion. If you're not napping already, thanks for your time & your welcome for your current or upcoming nap!