Volume 14, Issue 10 A Publication of the Chicago Parrot Head Club October 2007 From the Captain’s Chair Several people have asked too many times. I turn to favorite books, and, of me what is going to happen my wife as she parks the course, he loves the when Jimmy finally de- truck in the train station ocean. He begs a com- cides to retire. Who will and say, "Maybe I should parison to that other pick up the reigns and just throw it out." She Country Music pirate, guide us parrotheads to looked at the pathetic hat Jimmy Buffett. Both have that One Particular Har- and then looked up at me. charming lyrical songs that bor in our soul? Came "No," she said, knowing speak of tropical islands, across an article and I that I really don't want drinking and narrate a thought I'd share. That to toss the old hat, I'm simple life. I have no and I'm in a time crunch just looking for someone problem with any of that and I just can't get a full to affirm the poor girl has stuff so I am easily article done. See every- a little life left inside sucked into the sounds. one in the Keys! her. "Keep it." Chesney is enjoying a top- Finz, We leave the car and of-the-charts, top-of- the-world year. His con- Mike head for New York City and Kenny Chesney, the certs are sold out, his new Academy of Country Music album quickly shot up the “Kenny Chesney - chart Entertainer of the Year, charts and he already topper and bar hopper.” towing along my hat and married and divorced a Hollywood star (Renee an emptied orange juice container that I refilled Zellweger). Some type of It starts out like the with Margarita. I'd never booze sponsors his current beginning of a really bad seen the guy in concert tour, the Flip-Flop Tour. joke: So I'm on my way to before. My wife and some The new album, titled a Country Music Concert friends of ours who share "Just Who I Am: Poets & wearing an old straw her affection for popular Pirates" is his eleventh hat... Country Music introduced studio album. Released me to his music over the here in the U.S. on Sep- summer. Sitting by the tember 11, 2007, on the I have this beat up first day, it sold more straw hat that has accom- ocean, drinking beer and tropical drinks, I have to than 100,000 copies! It panied me on many tropical went on to sell over vacations and forays to admit that the easy-going sounds of Kenny Chesney 380,000 copies by the end the beaches and bars of of the first week. On the the East End. It's beat got into my blood. Chesney cites “The Old Man And streets of Manhattan our up and bent, like someone little group of concert- sat on it or slept on it one The Sea” as one of his

searched out a bite to eat Of course he doesn't need his Alan Jackson duet and perhaps a beer to to promote any album to "It's Five O'clock Some- chase down the "train" tour as his followers, the where," a line that I Margaritas. By chance a Parrotheads, need no par- picked up on around age producer stopped us. ticular reason to come out, 21 from certain anonymous They're filming an A&E listen to music and party- branches of my family special about Kenny Ches- hardy. Come to think of tree. I am etching the ney outside of the concert it, neither do I. There- lyrics of that song onto and they're looking for fore, ergo, I must be a the doors of my liquor fans to talk on camera. Parrothead! One key ele- cabinet. Speaking of du- They really would like a ment in the music of both ets, Kenny Chesney and man because, well, most Chesney and Buffett is Uncle Kracker came up of Chesney's fans are the lifestyle they exude with a great one with the women and they'd like a from the music and the single, "When the Sun different perspective. We stage. Buffett played the Goes Down." This tune plopped my beat up hat on entire concert in t-shirt, may be the contender for my friend John and shoved yellow shorts and no Chesney to match Buffett. him in front of the cam- shoes. Chesney wore flip- Chesney's "No Shoes, No era. He kicked butt, even flops, forgoing the tradi- Shirt, No Problems" from getting a thumbs up from tional Country Music staple the album of the same the cameraman and the footwear, boots. These name is a close second. director as he answered are the guys you want Both are apropos of the their questions. My con- around in the Keys (or on philosophy of the artist. tribution - besides the hat a beach in the Hamptons), But you have to give kudos - was to hand the pro- with money to spend and to the guy for his song, ducer my card and tell her time to spare. The second "Being Drunk's a Lot Like I'm a pretty decent writer factor, only from a male Loving You." I couldn't if she ever needed one. I perspective, is the quality have put it better myself, think I saw her putting of female fans that both Kenny. As expected, the card to good use later of these guys attract. I Kenny Chesney's concert is on, scrapping gum off the have yet to see that many packed, we're in upper bottom of her heels. Al- bikini tops, halter tops, deck seats and the crowd though Chesney doesn't and topless tops in the is wild. Picture thousands have the kind of signa- middle of New York City of drunken, country fans ture, sing-along, come-on- before. Describing Buf- in New York City, most of everybody- you-all-know- fett only as a them female. Despite the the-words, type of ditty singer/songwriter would be cost, we need a constant like “Margaritaville”, he's doing him a disservice. He flow of Garden beer and I coming darn close. Jimmy is also an author with make my way up to the Buffett wrote three best sellers, movie concession stand between “Margaritaville” in 1977 in producer, and business- songs. "Hey man," a guy Key West, Florida. Tran- man. His chain of restau- said to me. He was not on scending simple chart top- rants based on two of his line so I couldn't have cut ping hit, this song is an most popular songs have him off from the supply of iconic pop culture tune. only added to his success. beer. "I'll give you fifty The song described the He rarely deviates from bucks for your hat. I need laid-back lifestyle of the his set list but when he a hat." I thought that tropics, drinking and get- does, he never leaves out one of us had been drink- ting tattooed. Buffett a core of about 8 to 10 ing too much. I knew also played Madison songs. The great new ad- Square Garden last month. ditional to his set list is Page 2 about my state of mind. back to my seat with the 6) Add 1/2 oz. of Bols Not perfect, little drowsy, beers and he thanked me but the reasonability sec- again, very enthusiasti- Triple Sec tor of the gray matter cally. I do not question was still operational. the serendipity of the 7) Add a splash of Bols "Fifty bucks for your night. My hat, plucked Orange Curacao hat," he said again reach- from death by my wife's ing into his pocket. The comment earlier, then 8) Cover shaker & shake reasonability portion of his made famous by the A&E vigorously brain was obviously drown- channel, has departed ing. I look at his buddy from me but not without 9) Rim glass with lime peel who is as straight faced leaving a little gratitude in and salt, add fresh ice and serious as the Secret the form of three double- Service. Being this was sawbucks. I now have my 10) Strain mixture over New York, I glance behind own Country lyric: I sold me to make sure no one is my old hat at a concert ice picking my pocket. All I for three twenty dollar see is a grinning girl, look- bills/Man, I miss that old 11) Squeeze in 1 lime ing like she's glad she got hat sometimes when I wedge up for a beer just then think back at all of the because she's suspecting thrills/All of the times we 12) Enjoy that she will have one hell spent together/I always of a story to tell tomorrow thought that it would last Jimmy Buffett will be re- around the water cooler to- forever. I can't leave leasing "Live In Anguilla," morrow. "I can't do that without bestowing a bit of man," I said way too diplo- wisdom from the official a double CD and 90 minute matically. "You're drunk." Jimmy Buffett website's DVD, which is scheduled This doesn't even register FAQ: on him and the girl behind for a November 6th street me is grinning even more. My How do I make the per- date. "client" pulls out something fect margarita? that resembles money and Kenny Chesney's "Just curses. I think that it was too good to be true. "I The Perfect Margarita Who I Am: Poets & Pi- don't have any change," he said staring at his crumpled 1) Fill shaker with broken rates" is currently topping pile of bills. "I'll have to cubed ice the Country charts. give you sixty." He drunk- enly unraveled three twenty- 2) Squeeze 2 fresh lime dollar bills from one another and handed them to me very wedges into shaker purposely, one at a time. At that point I remembered my 3) Add 2 oz. of Margari- P.T. Barnum, "A fool and his taville Tequila Oro beat up hat are soon parted." Like an inebriated 4) Add 1/2 oz. Margarita- Frosty the Snowman, he suddenly became invigorated ville Tequila Blanco (for by the some magic in the bite if you wish) third life of the old hat. He and his friend make 5) Add 1 1/4 oz. of Roses some noise and run off. Lime Juice We cross paths on my way Page 3

CHARITY PAGE: Party with a Purpose (AKA GOOD DEEDS FOR THE DAY) Charity Chair: Kurt Rubin

MEMORY WALK And of course, we'll be partying ing experiences you will ever with a purpose until the wee have. That's why so many of our Now normally you wouldn't see a hours of the morning. Who will members volunteer for several bunch of parrotheads up at 10am be the last man standing? Plus, shifts. A few have been known on a Sunday to walk 3.2 miles. it's never too early to start to spend the entire two days But this was no normal Sunday. thinking about auction and raffle there. It's not just about taking We won't get into the fact that prizes. If you think someone down pledges and credit card "normal" and "parrothead" don't would bid on it or spend a buck numbers. It's about talking to generally go in the same sen- on a raffle ticket to win it, we people who are giving from the tence. So far we have raised want it! Registration forms for bottom of their hearts. It's over $9,000 and growing. A Cocobowl will be on the website also about giving the children at huge FINS UP! to Mike "Rafone" soon as well as in the newslet- St Judes, as well as their fami- Erickson and Bob Noonan for be- ter. Last year was stand- lies, hope. So please sign up for ing our top two money raisers ing room only so don't wait to whatever time you can give and this year. And afterwards we all get your team signed up! Oh tell your friends to call in and hopped on the Tiki Trolley and yeah, let us know what charities make a pledge. And as always, headed over to Trader Todd's to we should give to this time feel free to contact me about rest our weary feet and have a around. this or any other charity event. few drinks. And we even left Trader Todd's with a donation that I think will make a VERY US 99 RADIOTHON FOR And while we're on the subject nice Cocobowl prize. ST. JUDES of St. Judes, we are still trying to finalize plans to do a fund- Just announced!! The dates for raiser for the radio-thon. We COCOBOWL this year's US99 Radiothon for hoped to have it put together St. Judes are Thursday, Decem- And speaking of Coco- before printing but it just didn't ber 13th and Friday the14th. If bowl, Saturday, March 1st will work out that way. But as soon you have never manned the be here before you know it. So as we do we will let you know. be sure to save the date. Frank phones for St. Judes before, Whiting is already on board to you are in for one of the most play for us at the pool party. powerful and reward-

Page 4

Attention Parrotheads We Have Announcements!!

MOTM need to be reminded yourself. side of the street. The meeting itself will be held in the back Register ASAP. Once registration Lynfred Winery room. Next month we will be back is full, that is it! So hurry up and Join us for a complimentary tour at the Elmhurst Public house but go to PHIP.com and get yourself of the winery at 4:00 followed by this time we will be meeting on the signed up. This cost is only $75 a sampling of 7 different wines FOURTH Wednesday of the month, the 28th. The third and that gets you in to some of costing only $7 in the Grand Tast- Wednesday is the day before the best parties in Key West. And ing room. Also available are 4 speaking of some of the best par- Thanksgiving so we figured people spectacular "Wine Country" either had other plans or just ties, don’t forget to sign up for themed bed and breakfast suites don't like to venture out on the the Great Lakes Sunset Cruise on and a gift shop for those holiday busiest traffic day of the year. Thursday November 1st. The cost ideas. And December will be back to the for this is $33 per person. This third Wednesday. We are cur- Monthly Meeting price is the same as it was last rently negotiating with the new year. This includes all of your beer As most of you know, McNally's owners of McNally's (or whatever and wine for the two hour cruise. has changed ownership recently the new name may be) about keep- The boat leaves at 4:30 from the and is currently closed for at least ing our meetings there. Apparently Conch Republic. two months for remodeling. For the upstairs is NOT part of the the time being we are meeting at remodeling project. We'll keep you For those of you that are heading the Elmhurst Public House which is posted on any developments. down to Key West for MOTM, on St. Charles rd. just a quarter could you please email Mike with mile west of rt. 83 on the north the following information: Name The photo to the Dates you’ll be in Key West, Hotel name right was taken at Your cell phone number Memory We will be providing all of this in- Walk ‘07. formation printed on a name tag so that everyone can keep in touch with each other, while we are Key West. In the past, we have found this to be very helpful. Besides, this is Key West, some nights you

Page 5

They’re Growing Older But Not Announcements continued... UP! 10/17 Jean Motal Misericordia Baking Day Because of the nature 10/22 Bob Dunbar 10/27 Bryan Banser; Laura Johnson Join us as we help out of this event, all volunteers 10/30 Doreen Warner in the bakery at Misericordia! must be high-school age or 11/01 Bruce Miller older. Also, because we are From Thanksgiving to Christ- 11/10 Carrie Jansen mas, the bakery is in full working in a kitchen, safety 11/12 Larry Eichelberger swing to make the holiday comes first. No grass skirts, 11/13 Bill Dudley 11/14 Karen Boylan goodies that are part of hats, leis, etc. Also, long 11/16 Eric Heinz pants and closed-toe shoes their holiday gift basket pro- 11/17 Rob Hardman gram. are required. 11/19 Bret Mitchell Thanks! 11/21 Tricia Miller On Saturday, Decem- Happy Birthday!!! ber 1, we will help to scoop Barb. If your birthday’s not listed here, then we don’t out cookie and cake batter, have it. Please see a crew member to be sure you’re included! and help create other holiday confections. We will even help out in other areas of the YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD PILOT HOUSE CREW kitchen such as decorating, Mike Bresnahan– President and packaging and shipping. [email protected] Baking experience or culinary Ed Wilmot– Treasurer talents are not necessary. So [email protected] if the cosmic baker in you is looking for an outlet, we need Doreen Warner– Newsletter Editor you! Event will take place at [email protected]

Misericordia - 6300 North Billy Brehm– Social Director Ridge in Chicago. Event time [email protected] is 9 am - 12 pm (noon), and of Kurt Rubin– Charity Director course a happy hour will fol- LET’S GIVE A HUGE WARM [email protected] PARROTHEAD WELCOME TO low. The bakery is located at Misericordia's main campus - THESE NEW MEMBERS Micky O’Connor– Membership 6300 North Ridge in Chicago. Chris & Jennifer Clausel [email protected] Rob Marzaroli Sign-up begins at tonight's Jeff & Amanda Siliko Travis Noparstak– Member at Large meeting. Space is limited, so Jennifer Wright [email protected] please see me to sign up. Page 6

UP COMING EVENTS

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Monthly Meeting @ Elmhurst Pub- lic House October 17 18 19 20 Lynfred Winery

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 HAPPY MOTM 1st –4th MOTM 1st –4th MOTM 1st –4th HALOWEEN 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 MOTM 1st –4th KOTM @ Trader Todd's 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 One Particular Tuesday @ CBIP 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Www. Mrmyers.com Www.piratesover40.com ***Check out our MySpace at Www.beachbumband.com myspace.com/chiphc*** Www.boatdrunks.com Www.odtapoimi.com Www.matthall.net Check out the current newsletter online at www.chicagoparrotheads.com Www.southofdisorderband.com Www.a1a-live.com Www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com Www.margaritaville.com Www.blarneyisland.com Www.phip.com

go- ers (we are Page 7

MCA/CPHC PO Box 6313 Villa Park, IL 60181

join ed by two ot her cou pl es )

October 2007

Notice: If there is a date next to your name, and it matches the date of this newsletter, it’s a sign! It’s a sign that your membership is due for renewal. Please submit your dues within the next 30 days to keep your member- ship in good standing. The other number on your label indicates the number of points you have accumulated for the current year. If you need more information or have a question about points, please see Micky O’Connor. The Midwest Caribbean Association/Chicago Parrot Head Club is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist in community outreach programs and to provide for its members a means of social interaction for peo- ple interested in Jimmy Buffett’s music and tropical spirit. Annual dues are $25 for a single member, or $35 for a couple or household. For more details, call the Club Hotline at 630-729-3156 or write to MCA/CPHC, P.O. Box 6313, Villa Park, IL 60181. You can also email us at [email protected], or visit our website at www.chicagoparrotheads.com. WELCOME!