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 🙂
by Debbi | May 15, 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 profile features Vanessa, a regular for quite some time now.
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell us why.
I absolutely love “Fishing in the Dark.†I didn’t know the song very well before numerous trips to the Sandbar. Now I love singing along and joking about its double meaning with my friends!
Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it involves you or not.
It’s hard for me to pick just one favorite funny moment from the Sandbar, but if I was forced to pick one I would say it was it happened during my s
orority’s moms’ weekend last year. A large group of us wanted to take our moms to the Sandbar. One girl’s mom was already a big fan of the Sandbar (because her son had worked there a few years ago) and insisted on buying a Hurricane. So here we are six girls on the bar with one mom in the mermaid outfit having the time of her life. We not only danced to the Hurricane but also to “Working at the Car Wash†and “Shake your Tail feathers.â€Â
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first impression.
I could probably pin down the exact date of my first Sandbar experience, but I will approximate it as early December 2008. I had wanted to visit the Sandbar 
for quite some time but having an early birthday makes it hard when none of your friends are 21. Finally a few of us were all 21, and we set off to the Sandbar. I immediately felt like I had been transported to an island oasis. I am a big fan of beaches and warm weather so anything to make December in Kansas seem a little warmer was a big plus for me. Pretty much from that point on Sandbar became my favorite bar and still is today!
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
My drink of choice is Landshark. I love the fact it is on tap, but I could probably get a Landshark somewhere else so I will pick another. The Shark Attack is by far 
my favorite tropical drink from the Sandbar. It is more than just the drink I like. It is the whole experience of the drink. I love tipping my little shark upside down to mix the grenadine into the blue liquid. Also what is not to love about getting a free toy?!
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town? Moving on to greener pastures?
Graduation, yikes! Is it really next weekend? Anyways, I am spending my final summer in Lawrence before heading off to Los Angeles. Keeping my fingers crossed, I will find a job in public relations.
How many hours have you waited in line?
I have waited many of hours in line at the Sandbar. Two of my longest waits actually happened in one weekend. Homecoming brings a lot of alums back to KU, which means longer lines, but both hour waits were completely worth it once inside! I have discovered if you come around 9:30, the line is usually fairly short!
by Debbi | May 14, 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: Katy, a Tropical Thursday regular
This spring semester, me and two of my best friends decided we were not going to miss a tropical Thursday at the Sandbar. So, for the whole
semester, every Thursday the three of us went to the 
Sandbar, usually
with our Bahama Mama glasses in hand and bellied up to the bar for a
few drinks. It is one our favorite places in Lawrence and really has
become a home away from home, especially for me because my real home is
in Virginia where I live on the water, so the beach shack theme really
hits home for me. We are sad to go, but the three of us look forward to
meeting again one day down at the sandbar, hey!
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell us why.
I don't think it's any secret when the three of us are at Sandbar
that one to three Disney songs are going to play. The personal
favorite though of the group I'd have to say is Hakuna Matata from the
Lion King. We all know all the words and always make sure to sing them
at the top of our lungs.
Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it involves you or not.
I'd say the funniest moment I ever had at the Sandbar was taking my
mom there when she came to town to visit. I ordered her a Shark Attack
and it was like watching a kid in the candy story when she poured in
the "blood" and I'm pretty sure she finished it in like 5 minutes and
wanted another. She was also excited to keep her shark, when we got
home she said, Make sure I don't forget my shark when I leave"
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first impression.
Me and my friends had always heard that Sandbar was the hardest bar
to get into with a fake ID, so we 
promised ourselves that Sandbar would
be the bar we saved for when we were actually 21. We all went together
the night we got back into town from Summer break and had the time of
our lives. We thought we had found bar heaven. Of course we weren't shy
to put on the mermaid costumes and do the Hurricane. From the first
moment we walked in, it became a Lawrence favorite.
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
After trying all of the drinks, the two I will miss the most are my
Pink Flamingos and the new skittle shots. I love the color pink and
skittles are my favorite candy, so they were always my preferred
choices.
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town? Moving on to greener pastures?
I will be moving to New York City and attending the NYU Summer Publishing Institute.
How many hours have you waited in line?
We learned our
lesson early and have never waited in line, because we always got there
early enough to avoid the painstaking line. I heard it can be crazy,
so we avoided it at all costs.
In closing…
We love the Sandbar and I'm going to dearly miss it, but I'm glad I'll
always have a place to come back to. Thanks for all the memories and
the great times!
by Debbi | May 13, 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!
The third Sandbar 2010 graduate this week is Juliana, a weekend regular.
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell
us why.
Either
The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson or Don't Stop Believing by
Journey — I love to dance to Michael Jackson, and Journey is always a
good one to get the whole bar singing to.
Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it
involves you or not.
Where
to begin. I have so many funny Sandbar memories. One of the funniest
memories is going there with my roommate Vanessa to celebrate her 22nd
birthday. It was a Tuesday so the bar wasn't overly crowded. But we
managed to have a good time. After 
making sure Vanessa got liquored up
with completely unnecessary shots (such as the firecracker), she then
requested to be a mermaid, and that they play her favorite song
— Sweet Caroline. Then proceeded to explain to me that we needed to go
upstairs and take pictures in the sand. Needless to say, we left
shoeless, covered in sand and completely intoxicated — all in all
making a good birthday and a great Sandbar memory.
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first
impression.
I
came there Saturday night April 4th 2009, at approximately 11:56pm and
waited outside. At 12:00am April 5th I turned 21 and entered Sandbar as
the first bar I went to legally as a 21 year old. I have been there
every weekend since. — obviously I loved it. I made a dollar bill that
is still on the wall! I love the atmosphere, the music, the dancing,
the drinks, the company, and the staff — definitely my favorite bar in
town!
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
Shark
Attack!!!!! Or any of the Bahama Mama drinks. We have so many of the
duck toys and sharks as decorations around our apartment. I'm not sure
what to do if I don't have a local bar to provide me with more!
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town?
Moving on to greener pastures?
I will be around for the summer, but then I plan on teaching English in Europe for a year before attending law school in Boston!
How many hours have you waited in line?
Well my friend and I went to Sandbar once or twice a
weekend, I think we have waited over an hour before, but it is always
worth the wait!
(photo taken in Gulf Shores, Alabama, over spring break 2010)
