by Debbi | Jun 4, 2010 | Guest Blogs, Jukebox, People
David, one of our customers, and his wife Haley recently traveled to Houston to fulfill a longtime dream: to see Jimmy Buffett in concert. Here's what they had to say:
For
the last ten years or so I've been trying to see Jimmy Buffett live in
concert. Unfortunately with Jimmy's tour schedule and my schedules,
he never seemed to play close to Kansas. We had 
plans last year to
fly to Las Vegas to see him at the MGM Grand, but right as we were booking
our airline tickets he cancelled the concert. This spring we made
plans to go see Jimmy live in Houston, TX and got our tickets and hotels
all booked. The 12 hour drive down was worth it jamming to Jimmy
songs on my ipod with my wife as I drove south. The night of the
concert we got all dressed up with Margaritaville attire, grabbed a tour
t-shirt and a margarita before the show. The show was fantastic, Jimmy played for over 2 hours. The songs were a variety of the new
album, "Buffet Hotel", random other artists songs, and a lot of
the old standby's on the "Songs You Know By Heart" classic album.
All I can say is that it was well worth the wait to see him live
for the first time! Any Sandbar or Jimmy fan should see him live
at least once in their lives, it is truly an experience to be remembered!
David was kind enough
to also forward some pictures of Jimmy on stage, the fins in the
audience, and of course, the requisite margarita. No Shark Attacks in sight, however.
Thanks, David and Haley! We're glad you had a great time.
by Debbi | May 29, 2010 | People, St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day might be a distant memory for anyone not associated with the Sandbar, but we think about it all the time. We were thrilled to get an email the other day with this picture attached:
You might remember a couple of adorable little knights peeking out the windows of our castle float. They're the sons of our friend Curtis and his lovely wife Rochelle, and they were so excited to ride on the float this year.
Conner drew this picture for school and his parents thought we might like to see it. His level of detail is amazing for such a youngster, and he even drew him and his brother in the window! (I think that's supposed to Dave acting all wild and crazy in the top turret.)
by Debbi | May 27, 2010 | Around the World, People
Sandbar friend and regular Michelle (wife of Brother Pants, our art director and picture framer) is a nurse by day. Actually, she got some publicity for that recently- not only was a story about her career change on the front page, but a ginormous picture of her in nursing action was there too. Check it out here.
Anyway.
One of Michelle's interests outside of her paid nursing job is mission trips. She's taken several trips, starting back in nursing school when she went on a spring break trip to Mexico. She had to miss the annual St. Patrick's Day parade to participate in that trip, so you know she's dedicated to nursing.
Earlier this spring, she made a repeat trip to the Dominican Republic with a group of nurses and doctors. They worked with women's health care needs for about a week. But it wasn't all work- there was a little bit of time for play. Another friend of ours who is also a nurse- Tyler- was on this trip too, and they took some time to pose in their Sandbar shirts on the beach.
Michelle has spent the past week in Guatemala on yet another nursing mission trip. We hope she took her Sandbar shirt along for more pictures.
by Debbi | May 25, 2010 | Birthday Party, Events, Graduation, Off the Wall, People, Trinkets and Toys
Sundays aren't usually a busy day at the Sandbar- they're laid back and slow, a good day for idle chatter with the bartender or even watching TV with the jukebox turned a little lower than normal. Last Sunday was an exception.
Some of our Margarita Monday (and some other nights of the week) regulars are experiencing some life changes: Briana graduated, Amerika is moving to New York City, and Phil had a birthday (but he's not going anywhere that we know of). So, what better way to celebrate than to open a few hours early for Sunday Funday!
Of course there was a shotski for six, featuring the Fail Whale shots:
We ate Choco Tacos and cookies; drank Bahama Mamas and beer and Beachtini's (some drank more than others, ahem); and socialized. Oddly, there was no hurricane or mermaid, but there was a ceremonial signing of a dollar bill that was later stapled prominently on the wall.
The party might have carried on into the night if it wasn't for a certain popular TV show that was ending its run on Sunday night. It was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially one that was nice enough to enjoy the patio.
It's always a sign of a good time when you have a pile of tropical drink toys at the end of the party. Thanks to everyone who came in on Sunday, come back soon!
Photos courtesy of Phil Martinez and his fancy camera.
by Debbi | May 22, 2010 | Graduation, People, Social Media
I find all sorts of interesting things on Twitter these days, which has become my go-to source for news and events happening both locally and nationally. After KU's commencement weekend, I looked at tweets that were tagged with the #kugrad hashtag, and I found a lovely poem.
A KU alumna named Erica, who now lives in Colorado, was back in town for her brother's graduation. She was inspired to write this poem about all the things she loves about KU. And, guess what? The Sandbar got a mention! And she said she also has a bunch of sharks in her apartment now.
Here's a link to her blog, where the poem appeared.
An Alumnus Returns
The yellow, blue and pink
Of brilliant Lawrence skies
Fraser Hall marks the skyline
What a sight for homesick eyes
Chiming Campanile bells
In rhythm with my heartbeat
Green trees, Mom and Pop shops
Line up and down Mass Street
Memories come washing back
Ghosts floating on the hill
And as I haunt my old halls
I've got that nostalgic thrill
The sand and waves at Clinton Lake
Brick road – Ohio Street
Fratters with Coors at The Wheel
Sperry's on all their feet
Schooners at Louise's
Playing in the Chi-O fountain
Walking up steep 14th street
Feeling like it's a mountain
Graffitied desks in Wescoe Hall
Allen Fieldhouse student stampede
Wave the wheat for touchdowns
Tailgating BBQ/beer feed
Boulevard Wheat at Quinton's
Shark attack at the Sandbar
Cave's no replacement for Crossing
Take Saferide, not your car
Musky smell of a frat house
Themed parties with sorority
Friends who have touched my life
Rock chalk chanting with me
Crimson and blue is what I bleed
A Jayhawk, true and tried
Once you've got it, it only grows
Nothing like Kansas pride
Limestone buildings standing proud
Towering over the blue
My Alma Mater, traditions strong
Hail to old KU
Doesn't that bring tears to your eyes? It captures so many great things about Lawrence and KU- it's a perfect tribute!
by Debbi | May 16, 2010 | Graduation, Guest Blogs, People
Last week, we posted a request
on this blog, Twitter, & Facebook for Sandbar graduates- college
students who frequent the Sandbar and are graduating this spring,
leaving Lawrence and the Sandbar behind (or not, in some cases).
We've profiled graduates in the past, usually employees because
they have to answer my questions if they want to keep their job (not
really), but this year we got lots of responses from graduating
customers. We're excited to share their stories with you!
Today's Graduate: Brenna. You might remember her as being the one who wrote this fabulous article about Dave.
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell us why.
Tossup between Abba ("Does Your Mother Know") and Under the Sea. My friends make fun of me for my ridiculous music choice outside of the bar, and it's awesome I can listen to these songs in there. Plus, who doesn't know the words to the Disney song?
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first impression.
My first time there was on my 21st birthday. I'd heard so many great things from older friends
about it that I had to go (picture on right). I had an awesome time and did my first hurricane…I believe I'm at five now. I always have fun at the Sandbar when I go because it's got great music and I love the shark attacks! Now, whenever friends come to town from far away, we go to the Sandbar (picture on left). It's definitely got the most memories of any bar in town.
Also, one time my 
dad came to town on a Wednesday night and wanted to go to the bars I go to. We went to the Sandbar at about 7:30, and me, my boyfriend and him were there with like two other people at the bar. My dad got a shark attack and then a Sandbar shirt. It was great to show him where I go, because he was at KU 30 years ago.
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
Like I said, I love the shark attacks! I have so many sharks it's ridiculous. My third picture is one time when I was given a bouquet of sharks.
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town? Moving on to greener pastures?
I'm sticking around and working at the LJWorld.
How many hours have you waited in line?
I tend to plan to come early enough so I don't have to. I know how busy it gets 🙂
