Well, it can't be all doom and gloom, so I thought I could amuse you all with a Tequila Report about Melbourne on the Florida east coast.
While doing a so-so show last weekend (actually I only made $100 less than last year, of course if I zeroed then, this would not be a good sales total, but I did not) at Melbourne I had time to eat and imbibe at two wonderful places there. Neither will set your pocketbook back big time, but they do deliver a lot of bang for the buck.
Also before I tell you this, here is another gem there.
There is a patron of the arts who lives on Waverly Steet, one of the show venues, who opens her house up to all of us both days during the show.
She gives out free water,soda,beer, even wine. She has free hot dogs and chips and cookies. You can even use her air-conditioned bathroom. She is a life-saver. If you want to know more, stop and ask me when you see me at a show--I will probably tell you everything.
Back to the TR.
First place on my list is Matts Casbah located right on the main drag of the show on the corner of Waverly. No, he is not the one giving out free hot dogs.
He always has a kick-ass band play on Saturday at a rollicking outdoor, roof-covered bar. Drinks are cheap and plentiful.
He is a combo restaurant that serves exceptional sushi as well as fresh cooked seafood. I had a
whole spicy Red Snapper encrusted with all kinds of yummies. He does beef and chicken, and even vegetarian.
If you are adventurous try a Tuna Depth Charge. You get three pieces for $6.50. They are cut pieces of red tuna wrapped in edible seaweed with a habenaro paste slather on the top. I managed to eat two of them before they flooded my eye glasses. They got the taste and the heat. The chef said they even put a hint of ghost peppers in there. I would like to see Uncle Dick, photographer from Bonita, eat them with his ghost orchids.
Matts was so good we ate there two nites in a row, neither time cost me a lot and I walked out satiated.
Next, for a real drinking deal go to Duffys Sports Bar, located by the mall off Route 192. The main drag. When you see a Fridays restaurant on the west corner of the mall turn on that street. next on your right is Chicos and right across the street is Duffys.
What I like about Duffys is that they do two-for-ones on all drinks--and I do mean all. Double Grand Drunks, Patron, Makers Mark, Grey Goose it doesn't matter. They give a decent pour and don't clip you on the price. I got two Makers Mark Manhattens for $8.25, that is a good deal.
They have steaks, chicken wings and anything else you would expect at a sports bar. They give top notch service. Oh, they must have a gazillion LED TVs all tuned to any sports event going on. We were exhausted after Friday night setup and hit them enroute to our hotel. I hit them for after dinner drinks almost every night. Boy did I sleep like a good lamb.
So there, screw all the doom and gloom. Go out and hoist one tonight to better, future art show sales.
My next Tequila Report will be from somewhere up north, I have almost six months to investigate good grubs and great victuals.
Hang in there lasses and laddies. We will endure and prosper. I mean what is our alternative?

best art fair by North Shore Magazine and it is an inaugural inductee into the Illinois Festival Hall of Fame.
seen in my shop, or they are looking for a specific item and they can't really find it for sale on the market. I've made 1980s ladies velour vests, wired lace ruffs, and vests for the groom in bridal parties. I've been hired by friends for my costume construction skills, and even made capes for drag queens!






the museum and our educational department which runs such programs as Pioneer Living and Arts Go to School.

artist community is growing and developing. We are extremely active in state and local art and tourism organizations, and a very dedicated and invested group of visionaries. This is evident in the way we develop our events and by the manner in which we treat artists. We are a small group of volunteers with a huge vision.