Thank you Jason Brenenstuhl for sharing these photos.

Don’t forget to check out Inhale at Lake Alice on Wednesday nights. They get everyone up and dancing with their own songs and tunes from bands like Sublime. Drink prices were decent too. Greyhound with Grey Goose = 5.50. Get over here.

Don’t forget the Downtown Street Jam this weekend.  And don’t forget to enjoy the drinks and hospitality at the bars that sponsor the shindig.  Last time I headed to Menagerie I met a lot of nice people.  Let me know if you’re going! Check me out on Twitter.

Just a couple of pictures from Sunday at Show and Go.  I think we missed all of the excitement on Friday and Saturday.

My favorite car - love the flames!

Red and white flames

Tough rides!

Friday is my day off (yay) and the weather is supposed to be high 70’s – low 80’s, which is considered perfect in my book. 

If its Friday night, it must be the Bsharps at The Pharoah’s Den.  

The BSharps at The Pharoah's Den

UltraStar University Village Cinemas is showing “Reservoir Dogs” as part of their late night movie series.  It starts at 10 pm Saturday night.  Love that movie.  Check out the other movies they are showing in the series on their website. 

Show and Go is this weekend!  The 11th Annual Show and Go car show takes place downtown, beginning at 5 pm Friday through Sunday night.  This is always fun to attend and see the coolest cars.  It is between Market St. & Main St. and 14th St. & University Ave. 

The Prom is Saturday, May 2nd, at Back to the Grind.  

Riverside Prom this Saturday!

Aww I just found out I *do* have to work tomorrow.  What else is going on?

Were you just tripped out about all of the sand downtown like I was?  I’m not sure why they chose Riverside for the AVP Open beach volleyball tournament and not an actual beach, but it was very cool.  I love seeing different events downtown. 

Too bad the weather wasn’t very beach-like.  It was 100+ degrees at my house downtown and apparently a record.  Today should be about the same, but the weather should cool down around Wednesday.  Does this mean this summer is going to be extra hot?  Why do I even bother asking?  Riverside is HOT every summer.  I should just get used to it, especially after living here 12 years or so.  Stay cool.  If you don’t have any means of cooling your home, don’t forget about the hot weather programs at your local park.

Sunny skies prevailed and not a drop of rain was in sight today as Riverside celebrated Black History month downtown.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Black History Committee of Riverside’s parade and expo.

This year’s theme was Celebrating the Arts and Culture of Riverside.  

Stone's Jamaican Home Cooking

Black History Parade and Expo

Entering the Expo area, Downtown Riverside

DSC_0482, originally uploaded by sugarsharrk.

That’s all I have to say. Wow!

DSC_0490, originally uploaded by sugarsharrk.

I took some pictures of festively decorated homes in my neighborhood. I’ve got to do my own next year. This is one of my 2009 resolutions

The Riverside Greater Downtown Fine Dining Group is hosting Riverside Restaurant Week September 14th – 19th.  The festivities will kick off with the Overture Gala, a fundraiser for the Arts at the Riverside Art Museum.

Restaurants in the group are:

• Mario’s Place
• Ciao Bella Ristorante
• Mission Inn Restaurant
• Sevilla
• Olio
• Saffron
• Via Veneto Trilussa
• Restaurant Omakase

Another food festival in our area is the annual Jurupa Valley Food Fest, taking place at the Jurupa Spectrum on Limonite (check out more info on the Fest and other local festivals) on September 27th.  Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at Albertsons and True Value Hardware (both on Limonite), Riverside County Record News or at the event.  There will be 25+ booths, music, auctions and competitions.

Order a Tuaca Raspberry Lemon Drop for $6.50 and get a delish drink. Order an Italian Sunset and get a helluvah drink.It’s a much stronger with an extra splash of something I have forgotten. Its not on the menu so you should ask for it. And its not in the computer so they’ll charge you for the less alcoholic aforementioned Drop. Bartenders are knowledgeable and not in your face. And the drink is strong and tasty.

Hungry at the bar? Give the Shrimp Spinach Artichoke Dip (7.50) a whirl. Just enough to keep you from going over the edge after your Sunsets.

Island Sunsets at the Old Spaghetti Factory

The Fox and I were on the prowl for just THEE right spot to spend a Saturday afternoon. You know the kind of place. The joint where you can get a “stiff ass” drink and a cool atmosphere. We stumbled into The Mission Tobacco Lounge and we could not have made a better choice.

You may have rolled through here back in the day when it was just smokes and cigars. Roll through today. The power of booze compels you. I promise you you will not be disappointed.

Bill, the owner slash proprietor, showed us an exclusive tour of the newly refurbished lounge, poured us THEE best dirtys and bloodys evah and promised the best cougar night in town. Ladies, Wednesday is YOUR night. $4 margaritas, martinis and daquiris.

The harried businessperson is NOT forgotten. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 pm and includes $3.50 domestics and wells plus a complimentary buffet. Where are you going to get generously poured drinks and a free meal. Past chow has included nachos, tacos, burritos and rice and beans.

You want more? Well, friends, MTL happens to have full service massage services available right here. Know Knot’s Massage is located right on the premises of this faboo spot. Ask them about their deals when you imbibe at MTL. They also provide massages for a dollar a minute for us tired, overworked downtown business people in addition to a full array of services.

Okay, final joy: they have purse hooks underneath the bar. Can’t beat that with a stick.

I will post pix asap. Get your ass over here.

Update:

Here are some photos from the exclusive tour.  Not the best photography since my camera ran out of juice.  I took them with my BlackBerry Curve.  Enjoy!

Daily specials.  Something every day!

Tables facing stage.  Check out their site for entertainment schedule.

Private lockers.

Best Bloody Mary, especially if you love a kick!

Nice dirty martini.

Delicious turkey sandwich just the way YOU want it.  Much better in person.

Happy Memorial Day everyone! J and I went downtown this morning to check out all of the bikes lined up on Main Street, taking part in this year’s West Coast Thunder IX. Here are some photos (used with permission from Jason Brenenstuhl) from the event:

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day and are spending it with loved ones, in remembrance of our military heroes. Special thoughts and prayers go out for the family of John Kirchofer. Love you guys!