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Back in the 1980′s, not much bourbon was being sold in liquor stores or bars. Newer, more trendy drinks hit the scene and bourbon was relegated to dusty, unused shelves and dubbed an “old man’s drink”.

However, as often happens in the bar business, bourbon has made a vibrant comeback. Various specialty bourbon drinks are now on the lips of a new generation of drinkers, and once again appreciated by the older generation. In recognition of this trend, bourbon makers are offering a dizzying array of small batch bourbons to the public, and bar owners are stocking more of this uniquely American spirit than ever.

If you’re a bartender, it pays to know a little about bourbon. Much like any other liquor, bourbons vary by taste from brand to brand. One particular characteristic of certain bourbons is a flavor very similar to vanilla. It may sound strange, but it’s true. Being able to describe the nuances of bourbon will endear you to a very discriminating group of drinkers, many of whom will gladly become regulars and seek you out.

And while there are countless sources for information about bourbon, here’s a quick “cheat sheet” and some talking points about five of the most popular bourbons. In no particular order, here they are:

Makers Mark: Very likely to be the first bourbon requested by name, Makers Mark has a distinctive amber hued color. Perfect for a julep or on the rocks, this bourbon has a complex taste of lighter spices and a bit of smokiness.

Old Grand Dad: A vibrant, lively bourbon that packs a punch. Definitely warms the throat. Less of a sipper and more of a bourbon and a chaser drink. A good introduction to bourbon.

Wild Turkey: Wild Turkey is frequently served in shots and unfortunately, gulped down. This bourbon deserves better. It’s a smooth taste with dried fruit and spicy characteristics. Serve it to your customers straight up and encourage them to enjoy the aroma.

Jim Beam: The 8 year old Jim Beam Black is perfect for a mint julep or any mixed drink calling for bourbon. It’s very smooth and well balanced, with no one characteristic overwhelming another.

Elijah Craig: This, to me, is one of the best bourbons available. There’s a distinct vanilla taste here, along with a little bit that lets you know you’re drinking bourbon. Best served on the rocks and not mixed with anything.

A quick note about Jack Daniels. As great as it is, it’s not a bourbon! To qualify as a bourbon, the grain used in the mash must be at least 51% corn. Jack Daniels is a sour mash Tennessee whiskey, so don’t use it to make a mint julep. This little tidbit of information alone is sure to get a nod of approval from the bourbon lover on the other side of the bar!

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Jim Hofman
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Bartending is one of the oldest professions in the world, and like most professions, it is filled with all levels of performers. There are great bartenders, and those that are, well, less than great. Perhaps the most interesting part of this equation is the difference between a top notch and substandard bartender is very controlable. That is to say, it’s entirely upon the bartender whether they’re good at what they do … or not.

If you’re a bartender, the good news is this – most factors that will net you those big tips are learned behaviors. It might take a little work, but the effort is miniscule compared to facing another shift with angry customers and substandard gratuities. So with that said, let’s look at five simple strategies to help you rise to the top of the bartending profession:

Tip #1: Pick The Best Environment

This is where it all starts. You’ll need to look inward and ask yourself a few hard questions. Is your bar suited to your personality? Would you be a regular at your bar? Is it an environment you enjoy? While these questions might sound simplistic, let’s face facts. You can only truly excel doing what you enjoy. Get into a bar environment where you feel comfortable. If that’s a quieter place because you’re a quieter person, great! You’ll perform better, and your income will likely rise.

Tip #2: Have A Sense Of Self

It’s important for you to dress the part and fit into your surroundings. But make sure you’re clean, neat, groomed, and attractive as possible. That probably doesn’t mean micro mini skirts or Chippendale outfits, but take care of your personal appearance and try to not to come on shift at less than your best. Attractive bartenders tend to draw better crowds, all other factors being equal.

Tip #3: Stay Current

Many people come to the bar to converse. And while you’re not always going to have time to chat up the crowd, you never know when you can make a connection by simply staying abreast of current events. All it takes is 10-15 minutes per day reading a newspaper, checking the internet, or tuning in the radio. Regulars in particular will value your interest in topics near and dear to their heart.

Tip #4: Be Accessible

If the bar is slow, you’ll have a bit of time to converse. Read your customers and determine if they want to talk. Their body language will tell you. If they want to open up and chat, be there for them. Don’t sit in the corner with a crossword puzzle or some other diversion. Take every chance you get to develop that next consistent regular you can count on.

Tip #5: Keep An Even Keel

This applies to your actual shifts and behind the scenes. There will always be something that goes wrong on just about every shift, whether it’s a stocking problem or some unforeseen issue. Keep a cool head and don’t let the customers sense you’re flustered. An in control bartender is an admired bartender. Similarly, cultivate relationships behind the scenes. Your barbacks, servers, and manager can be among your greatest allies.

These are just a few of many tips and strategies to help you excel in the bartending profession. If you consistently follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to doubling your tips in record time.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Jim Hofman
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People setting up a party will often invite guests to come dressed up as a particular character. This may have evolved from Venice during Casanova’s time in Italy where even today, dressing up on Mardi Gras is a celebrated event.

When we see a particular costume we often know exactly the character being depicted and the period in history. This is probably why fancy dress parties are so popular. How else could we get to play our favourite person from the past.

Halloween has probably been the one event that has drive the love of costume to such great heights. Trends show that we indulge more then than Christmas, in fancy dress activity.

The festival of Halloween gives us the excuse to totally indulge in the recent costumes trend. It is has strongly taken hold of popular culture.

Although traditional costumes for Halloween usually mean monsters, vampires, witches and ghosts, super heroes and characters from television are now starting to appear. As a result, Halloween parties are now cross-theme. It seems any occasion is now an excuse to indulge our desire to dress up.

Fancy dress costumes are now being used in festivals other than Halloween. For example elve costumes are now popular at Christmas and the Easter bunny at Easter time.

Costume design is being taken to a new level, far from the traditional themes we have come to expect. Cosplay is fast becoming the costume trend influenced heavily by video game characters. Contestants create their costume based on their selected character and stand before a judging panel to assess their accuracy and interpretation of the character.

The resources we can now enjoy for our parties are rich and diverse. The film industry, online role playing and traditional sources all combine to provide an enormous range of characters to choose from for our costumes and fancy dress event.

Tags: Games by Colin Peters
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As any good bartender knows, keeping up with the latest fashionable drinks is part of the job. And yet, even with customers clamoring for the latest fashionable cocktails, there are a group of traditional and popular favorites that have stood the test of time.

Ironically, many of these classic cocktails seem to experience a rebirth every few years. For example, twenty years ago many bourbon drinks were rarely ordered as bourbon itself was relegated to the shadowy, dusty shelves. Now, these and other time honored drinks are back to the forefront. Here’s a list of ten all time favorite classic cocktails, including a handy recipe for each.

Here they are, listed by the main alcohol ingredient …

Rum Drinks

Daquiri: Typically made with a gold rum, although countless variations have been created. Best served in a martini glass, combine equal parts lime juice and sugar syrup along with the rum. Shake with ice, strain, and serve.

Mojito: You see this one everywhere now, but it’s a timeless drink. Combine the juice of 1/2 lime, 1 tablespoon of sugar syrup, muddled mint leaves, club soda, and a jigger of rum in a tall glass filled with crushed ice. Then, start the party!

Cuba Libre: With a nod to Cuba, this drink is particularly popular along the eastern seaboard. It’s easy to prepare as well, just take the juice of one lime and add it to a glass 3/4 full with ice and cola. Add white rum and top with cola.

Vodka Drinks

Screwdriver: A straightforward stalwart, combine orange juice with vodka over ice.

Harvey Wallbanger: Famous since the 1940′s, this is a personal favorite. It’s made with orange juice and four parts vodka to one part Galliano, a sweet Italian liquer. Add the orange juice and vodka to a highball glass filled with ice. Float the Galliano on top and put some good jazz on the jukebox.

Black Russian: Another simple standard, it’s two parts vodka to one part Kahlua, served over ice.

Gin Drinks

Gin Fizz: This one’s making a comeback, probably because it’s just such a good drink. Start with a tall Collins glass. Add a jigger of gin, two tablespoons of lemon juice, and one tablespoon of sugar syrup. Shake the ingredients with ice, strain into the glass, and top it off with the fizz, which is soda water.

Alexander: You don’t see this drink much these days, but it’s delicious. Combine one shot of gin, 1 shot of Creme de Cacao, and six ounces of light cream with ice. Shake, strain into a tall glass, and garnish with a cherry.

Others

Mint Julep: The mint julep isn’t just a Derby Day tradition, they’re being served everywhere. Muddle fresh mint and 3 tablespoons of sugar syrup in the bottom of a julep glass. Discard the mint leaves and fill the glass with crushed ice. Add a jigger of bourbon and refill the glass with more crushed ice. Garnish the drink with fresh mint sprigs, dusted with powdered sugar.

Pimm’s #1: We’d love to see this great summer drink catch on again. Pimm’s #1 is an English specialty liquor. Add four shots of Pimm’s #1, a shot of gin, and lemonade to a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve.

Even if your favorite classic cocktail isn’t on this list, these 10 are sure to be a hit with your customers or guests.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Jim Hofman
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In today’s bar and club environment, presentation is just as important as the drink itself. New drink recipes surface every day, and the affluent customer is always seeking a unique environment that’s appealing to the eye. Imaginative and creative bartenders help create the desired scene, and an important part of the equation is how well drinks are served and presented.

Why Garnishing Is Important

Years ago, all that mattered was taste, whether it was a cold draught beer or a refreshing martini. Garnishing was simply an afterthought, but that’s no longer the case. Bartenders are expected to beautifully and skillfully garnish a drink. In fact, the difference between a middling tip and a great tip starts with how the drink looks.

A garnish is appropriate for just about any drink you can imagine. Whether it’s the slice of orange with a wheat beer or a sprig of mint with a mint julep, there’s a garnish that’s appropriate for whatever your customers drink. There are a few tried and true garnishes that have been around for generations, like olives in martinis or celery stalks in a Bloody Mary. But beyond that, creativity rules. Here are a few tips to help you be a Garnishing Star …

Tip #1: The garnish should complement the drink, not overwhelm it. Be generous, but not over the top. A good rule of thumb is garnish a drink the way you’d like to be served.

Tip #2: Match taste and color. To use an extreme example, a sprig of mint would match poorly with beer. Fruit should accent the drink and blend with the flavors. When in doubt, simply get a bit creative with the old standards.

Tip #3: Make sure your garnishes are fresh. Brown celery, soggy olives, or overripe fruit will only distract from the drink.

Tip #4: Certain kinds of fruit look decidedly better with a bit of powdered sugar sprinkled on top. This is also true for mint sprigs served with a mint julep. Simply put, it’s a better presentation.

Tip #5: Garnish spicy drinks with a contrasting piece of cold cut meat. As an example, a small piece of rolled ham or pepperoni is a perfect complement to a robust Bloody Mary.

Tip #6: Ask for feedback. After all, it’s your customers who are the ultimate judge. There’s nothing wrong with asking a regular if they mind if you experiment a bit with the garnish on their drinks. Most will appreciate the personal attention and your creativity.

Most important, pay attention to sanitary conditions because you can be assured your customers are doing just that. And have a little fun. After all, you’re in the public service business, so take your successes and missteps with the same level of good humor.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Jim Hofman
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One sure way to beat inflation and present devaluation of the bond market to invest for the future is to put your money in vintage electric guitars. Paul McCartney left handed guitars and original flying v guitars will have demand in spite of recessions.

The high demand for Fender’s vintage sunburst Stratocaster, vintage Fender guitar amplifiers and vintage Gibson hollow-body electric guitars keep their prices up and rising. The unique sound produced by vintage guitars, not only nostalgia for early rock and roll history keeps their value high among collectors.

Each guitar was just a little bit different when these vintage guitars were made decades ago and the technology to produce them was in its early stages. Many of the electric pick-ups were hand-wound, or if they were machine-made, just a little different from the next. If the pick-ups had a few less strands of wire, the sound would be just a little different. Sound boxes as part of the bodies were not made exactly uniform either, making the guitars sound just a little different from same product lines making each guitar just a little unique. Finally, the electronics degraded over time causing each instrument to be a little different from the next.

Marshall and Yamaha solid-state amplifiers on the market today are cleaner, unlike original Fender guitar amplifiers which were made with tubes. Fender and Epiphone tubed vintage amplifiers had tonal qualities that are prized because they are not “clean”, but sound unique. Guitarists playing vintage guitars and vintage amplifiers can be identified by those with good ears.

Look for low Fender serial numbers on the back of the body when buying a vintage guitar or vintage amplifier. Web-sites of Fender, Epiphone, Gibson, Jackson Guitars and Yamaha vintage guitars will guide you to when a specific vintage serial number occurred which will help you in your purchase as to when it was made and possibly for whom. In order to be sure your investment will continue to increase in value, know as much as possible before making the decision to buy a vintage electric guitar.

Tags: Music by Ellen Zee
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Using a photo album to store all of your pictures in on location is a great idea. There are so many different types of photo albums out there to choose from. Many of theme are used for a specific group of pictures like weddings or babies. Then you have the big one for all of those other fun times you caught on camera.

When choosing a photo album it is important to take into consideration its size. Many have a slide in slot for easey access. This is fine as long as your photos fit. Others have spaces off to the side or underneath for you to write comments, dates, or whatever you feel is important about the photo. It’s nice to have so you can give yourself something to remember who or what the photo is about when your eighty years old.

Other photo albums feature a slip that has to be pealed back and then pictures can be displayed anyway you want to in that area. These types of photo albums tend to give you a little bit more freedom. Showing off photos is something people like to do so carrying them around in their purse is nice too. Wallet sized photo albums are very convenient.

Children can also benefit from having their own photo albums. It can help them to remember faces. They can also look at them when they miss someone and it will help them to feel closer. There are all types of designs on the outsides of photo albums too. You can make them more personal by adding glitter or stickers with your child’s name on them.

A photo album is priced based on the quality of the materials used in its production. When it is customized for a wedding, a baby, or a family the price is usually increased too. The person putting together the photo album for the occassion charges for their time and also for the quality of the photo album they use.

It is important to take a great deal of care for your photo albums. They contain valuable history and important memories. It is not wise to leave them out where they can suffer damage from the elements. As time passes they become more valuable to you.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Gilbert Hernandez
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Due to the increasing popularity of mp4s, mp4 music video downloads became in demand as well. Some sites offer free downloads while there are some which come with a fee per download. Since sites such as these were established, a lot of people have been fond of making downloads.

If you will browse the World Wide Web, you will notice that not all sites are free. There are also sites which allow users to download music videos for mp4 for a cost. A good example of this is Apple’s iTunes.

iTunes became well known among users who are fond of downloading mp4 video music. It gives high quality music videos that would suit the taste of downloaders from different parts of the globe.

However, if you would not like to go for something which is paid, there is still nothing to worry about. There are many sites on the World Wide Web where you can still enjoy downloading mp4 music video totally free.

LimeWire is among the most popular sites which offer free mp4 music video downloads. It also has a paid version; however, the free version proved to be good enough. All you need to do is download the software and you can start to download the music video that you would like to get. The paid version though guarantees that you can get the latest and the hottest music videos.

As mentioned, the problem with getting music videos from free sites is that you will not always find the latest. This is the reason why many users still go for the paid ones. Paid sites also have better quality music videos. They also have technical support which will assist you should you encounter any hassle before, during and after downloading.

Sites that allow you to enjoy downloading mp4 music videos are being watched by the Digital Rights Management. This body controls piracy, giving protection to artists and productions. The existence of Digital Rights Management limits the copying of the downloaded materials. Users may not be happy about it but the ones involved in the production of the music videos which you can download from these sites are definitely happy about the campaign that it carries.

Downloading mp4 music videos is fast becoming a trend and a lot of people are becoming addicted to it. There are still a lot of things that you can pick up about this latest hobby. Click the link to my blog to know more.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Davion Wong
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Does Tutu Girl Have a DROPSHIPPING Program for Retail Shops/Websites?
We do! Drop ship programs are an excellent way to maximize your profits while minimizing your risk. This is one of the fastest ways to get started in having boutique girls tutus and hair bows in your very own business with doing any of the work! Add our inventories and use our images for your website. You sell the merchandise and we will ship it for you.We do! Drop ship programs are an excellent way to maximize your profits while minimizing your risk.

Are the tutus pre-made and stocked?
TuTu Girl specializes in the custom tutu! All tutus are made-to-order to ensure the best fit possible and to meet your specifications. Tutu Girl is always available to work with you to create the tutu or your dreams!Since all tutus are custom and hand-made, we recommend you measure your child to ensure the best fit possible. Please click HERE view our tutu measuring guide to determine what size to order.

Why Shop for Sexy Plus Size Lingerie at My Plus Lingerie?
Discreet Shipping. Your package will be shipped in a plain unmarked envelope with Elusions Plus, Inc. displayed on the label.We have a dream. It is to recreate this video when we do Ranma 1/2 cosplay. Tuxedo Team video production! We’re definitely deranged enough to do this. Though we still haven’t quite finished up our Shippuuden costumes, we wore them to Photoworld Asia just to costrip for the lulz and check out the camera stuff at the event, as well as the cosplayers who were actually competing.Yes! We have a retail showroom in Auckland. The address is 20 Falcon Street, Parnell, Auckland. Here’s a map if you need it. Jump to category..

What movies has EC recorded songs for?
Clapton’s first movie work was scoring the theme for “The Hit”, a 1984 release starring John Hurt. He has done soundtrack work for all three of the “Lethal Weapon” movies. Heaven Is One Step Away was released on the “Back To The Future” soundtrack. Eric recorded two songs for “The Color of Money”; The Gift (It’s In The Way That You Use It) and It’s My Life Baby. Only the first was released on the soundtrack.

What kind of items do you have for sale?
Just about anything you need for children – from infants up to pre-teens – plus maternity items. We have clothes, shoes, costumes, winter-wear (fall/winter sale only), furniture, bedding, baby equipment, games, toys, videos, books, and more.The search engine has over 3000 links to pregnancy and parenting related websites across the internet.

Does Tutu Girl Have a DROPSHIPPING Program for Retail Shops/Websites?
We do! Drop ship programs are an excellent way to maximize your profits while minimizing your risk. This is one of the fastest ways to get started in having boutique girls tutus and hair bows in your very own business with doing any of the work! Add our inventories and use our images for your website. You sell the merchandise and we will ship it for you.Tutus are perfect for dance class, of course, but that isn’t the only use! A tutu is gorgeous in a portrait as it creates such elegance.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Jenkins Perry
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