Trench warfare -- the regional "Good Beer Front" edition.

(Muttering) Ah, the humanity ... this bottle of low-cal, mass-market lager is attached to the hand of a sitting New Albanian council person. Do you know who?

At Facebook, the first comment appended to the photo was this: Sorry, but cannot hit 'like' for 'lite.'

Clever, Sam! At NABC, we work tirelessly to makes scenes like this part of our discredited collective memories, and not a daily matter for perusal. It keeps a boy quite busy, although these days, we have another helper. I'll allow the Scrum Coordinator to introduce himself, if he wishes.

Here is a rundown of coming NABC events, appearances and grenade launchings.

Last Friday, NABC said goodbye, farewell, amen ... free at last, free at last ... I will forget you, some day. No longer are we bound to Heidelberg Distributing, our Greater Kentucky area wholesaler. We are free agents, and this time, it is hoped we'll find a partner willing to work with us.

On Tuesday, November 5, we celebrate Elector's birthday. At 11, Elector's about ready for middle school. See how Elector's appearance has changed over the years from 2002 to 2013, and get the details of the Elector Story, and $2 pints (and $6.66 growler refills) at both NABC locations on the 5th.

Also on the 5th, I'll be pouring samples and providing soapbox oration at DNA's 1st Tuesday networking gig at Uptown Art (5 -7:30 p.m.), located just cross Bank Street from Bank Street Brewhouse.

On Thursday, November 7, we'll be at 99 Hops House, Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg. The casino is visibly supporting Indiana craft beer, and as a director seated on the board of the Brewers of Indiana Guild, I'm delighted to drive up and chat about our steady progress toward being a great brewing state ... and in case it wasn't reported behind the local paywall (hint: it wasn't), there are now 74 breweries operating in Hoosierland. There's also one fewer prohibitionist in the Indiana House, so join me in saying "amen" at the long overdue termination of legislative malpractice.

And then there's Houndmouth, the band and the ale, all around throughout November. The second night of Houndmouth's Thanksgiving weekend show has already sold out, but tickets are available for Friday.

You say you want a panic attack? Try agreeing to speak at what appears to be a modest craft writing symposium at the University of Kentucky (my mom's alma mater) next February, and then realize that it is to be populated by true heavyweights of my industry. Well, if you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, then baffle 'em with bullshit ... hmm, wonder if Houndmouth's free to accompany me? As the band captivates the crowd, I'll make for the unguarded cash bar.

There's a bar, right?

DNA's 1st Tuesday is today, at The Opal Gypsy.

I don't always take note in this space of Develop New Albany's 1st Tuesday events, but let's make a notable exception for The Opal Gypsy.

Shall we discuss the downtown business community advocating for two-way conversions and complete streets?

DNA tidings: “Work and Waltz on Pearl” in March, "Be Local Expo" in April.

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Develop New Albany. I've gleaned these two useful news items from the organization's monthly mailing. Consider these my monthly straight lines.

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March "1st Tuesday" Event:

Develop New Albany invites you to our March “1st Tuesday” event on March 5th from 5pm -7:30pm. The theme will be “Work and Waltz on Pearl”. The event will be shared by Shall we Dance located at 208 Pearl Street and The Office Supply Co. at 217 Pearl Street. If you are a local business person, this open networking event provides the opportunity to develop and renew business contacts, but it is also about relationship building. You will also enjoy hearing the latest downtown updates.

Recent News:

Downtown New Albany's "Be Local Expo" will be held on April 2nd at the Calumet Club in Historic Uptown New Albany. More information will be coming along for this event. This is a joint effort between Develop New Albany and NA 1st to promote our local New Albany businesses.

DNA's "First Tuesday" is at Feast BBQ on Tuesday, August 7.

My suggestion is that you attend Develop New Albany's free networking function, buy a drink at the cash bar, and ask to speak with one of the organization's Young Turks. If one is available, offer your support in restoring hope by upending the established order. If not, make a contribution to One Southern Indiana's approaching "Urban Revitalization Through Exurban Golf Snobbery" campaign. Better yet, just annoy the bejesus out of CM CeeSaw by supporting NA First -- but of course, that's just my 'pinion as a 108K-every-three-years indie business person.

But seriously: First Tuesdays can be fun, and you want to see (and taste) Feast BBQ, don't you? Check out the events listed here, and do something, okay?

Upcoming Events in Downtown New Albany:

You're invited to our August "1st Tuesday" Event - August 7th at Feast BBQ - 5pmAfter a break in July for the Holiday Develop New Albany invites you to attend our August "1st Tuesday" event at one of downtown New Albany's newest businesses. Feast BBQ is receiving rave reviews and they continue to ramp up to meet the overwhelming amount of business they have received. 1st Tuesday events are free social/networking events in our community to introduce residents to the many new businesses arriving in downtown New Albany.

Feast BBQ is located at 116 West Main Street in Downtown New Albany. (Across from the YMCA)

Visit the Downtown Farmer's Market Open Saturday - August 4th 8am - 1pmThe Downtown New Albany Farmers Market is open on Saturday mornings at 202 E. Market Street in beautiful downtown New Albany. We hope to see you downtown on Saturday morning picking up your local fruits, vegetables and locally made products!

Painted Portraits: City/Self Exhibit - Opening Reception - August 10th
The Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, Indiana is pleased to present the exhibition Painted Portraits: City/Self, featuring paintings by four local artists: Ashley Brossart, Carlos Gamez de Francisco, Sarah LaBarge and Thaniel Ion Lee.  The artworks of these four painters give us the opportunity to experience and compare their unique approaches to portraiture and to view ourselves and the cities within which we live in a new light.  Painted Portraits: City/Self will be on display August 10 through October 20, 2012.

Tasting Thursday Mixer at Artisan Market - August 16th
Visit "Tasting Thursdays" at the Artisan Market in Uptown New Albany! Tasting Thursdays is a new series of after work mixers which will feature a local winery and/or beer maker along with food samplings from a local restaurant. The Artisan Market will also feature a local artisan from their store each week at the event as a special guest. Tasting Thursdays will be held on the following dates: July 26th, August 16th, September 20th and October 18th from 5pm - 8pm.

Artisan Market is located at 318 Vincennes Street in Uptown New Albany

Burlap, Boots & Brooches, A Southern Belle Fashion Show - August 23rd
Burlap, Boots & Brooches, A Southern Belle Fashion Show will be held on August 23rd at 138 East Spring Street in Historic Downtown New Albany. Enjoy Sweet Tea Bourbon and Southern Appetizers by Feast BBQ while viewing the latest fashions. Ticket sales and 10% of your purchase benefits the National MS Society of Kentucky - Southeast Indiana Chapter. Purchase tickets at Dress & Dwell or Colokial or by calling Ph#812-725-7566. Advanced ticket sales $15.00 / Day of Event Tickets $20.00

George Morrison, New Albany's Portrait Painter - Public Lecture - August 28th
George Morrison (1840-1893) was a well-known portrait painter in New Albany, Indiana. His paintings are on display in many historic buildings throughout the city and state, including the New Albany Public Library, the Indiana State House in Indianapolis, the Scribner House, and the Culbertson Mansion. The Floyd County Historical Society and the Carnegie Center invite you to a public presentation about New Albany Artist George Morrison by local Historian David Condra on August 28th at 7pm in the Strassweg Auditorium of the New Albany Public Library.

Arts Council of Southern Indiana Art & Craft Classes Begin in September
The Arts Council is offering 11 art and craft classes for children and adults beginning September 6th.  Classes for youth feature dance, printmaking, origami, multi-media, and found objects.  Adults can choose from classes in beginning drawing, printmaking, oil painting, quilt making, intro to glass or stone sculpture, and blacksmithing.

“These classes will be held in our carriage house studio, which is perfect for artmaking,” said Julie Schweitzer, executive director.  “It’s a great place for beginners to try out an art form they’ve been curious about or always wanted to do.”  

Some of the classes meet only once, while others last from four to eight weeks. For information about the classes, see www.artscouncilsi.org.   Have other questions? Phone 812-949-4238.

Mark Your Calendar for the New Albany Historic Home Tour - September 8th
The annual New Albany Historic Home Tour will be held on September 8th! Learn the stories and secrets about some of New Albany's most historic buildings. Purchase tickets in advance from our website and save $$. Tickets are also available in advance at the Downtown New Albany Farmer's Market, The Gallery on Pearl and the River City Winery. Home tour proceeds go to support preservation activities in New Albany.

Today: The Publican at the Vintage Fire Museum in downtown New Albany.

If you're out and about in downtown New Albany this afternoon, I'll be at the Vintage Fire Museum (411 East Spring Street) between the hours of five and seven, pouring NABC beer samples at the invitation of my former IU Southeast philosophy guru, Dr. Curtis Peters. The public is invited.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" is today at 5:00 p.m.

And such a fine, crisp day to go proselytizing for the anti-tolls movement. Wait! It occurs to me that just such a networking function as First Tuesday would be the ideal place for it. I have an idea ...

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" networking event at Preston Art Center, April 6.

Develop New Albany's annual meeting this Thursday, and "First Tuesday" at Steinert's on Feb. 2.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at Bush Keller Sporting Goods, January 5.

For those of you who always ask ... no word on catering options (food, beer, wine, etc.)

Develop New Albany's listing of upcoming downtown events.

Click to enlarge.
Submitted.

Klezmerfest tonight on the Bank Street Brewhouse patio.

Tonight is the long-awaited KLEZMERFEST, which I hope will become a permanent feature of Fringe Fest in the years to come. The musicians will be playing on the north patio, and the big tent goes up tomorrow. If you're not familiar with this music, it's vastly entertaining and goes well with beer (what doesn't?) Our old friend Misha Feigin opens at six, followed by Klezmer at eight.

6:00 p.m. - Misha Feigin

8:00 p.m. - Louisville Klezmer Orchestra

Here's an interesting and related link: Oktoberfest in Palestine (thanks J).

It's also First Tuesday, Develop New Albany's monthly mixer, which is being held this afternoon at Rodefer Moss & Co. at 301 East Elm. There'll be appetizers (from Sam's, I think?), beer from NABC and River City Winery vino, and it runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at Dzine Communications, September 1, starting at 5:00 p.m.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at Precision Compounding Pharmacy, July 7.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at the Windsor, June 2.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at the new River City Winery, May 5.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at NABC's Bank Street Brewhouse, April 7.

I'll be blogging live from tonight's city council meeting, but until then, here's a promo of tomorrow's Develop New Albany function at the Bank Street Brewhouse. There'll be nibbles (while they last ... I have this feeling) from Chef Josh, and a cash bar with NABC beers and Turtle Run wine -- all staged in back, where the brewing equipment will eventually be.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at PC Building Materials, March 3.

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at Calumet Club this afternoon (February 3).

Develop New Albany's "First Tuesday" at Connor's Place, January 6.

Develop New Albany's monthly "1st Tuesday" networking event is tomorrow.

Illustration courtesy of Develop New Albany. I'll be there with the beer (note to DB: Yes, Com-Dk).