January Is Almost Gone

Can you believe that we are already entering the last week of January? Around here in Phoenix the talk as we enter February is about the Cardinals. What an amazing playoff run they have had. After the debacle in towards the end of the season in Philadelphia, would anyone have thought that the Cardinals would be in the Super Bowl. You're a liar if you said yes.

This weekend some of us from work went out and showed support to T Williams again. He and the band Borderline were the entertainment for the steak fry given by the American Legion Post 61 Avondale.

The next upcoming event out there will be for Super Bowl Sunday. I might be trying to stay a little closer to Phoenix for those festivities though.

Last Friday night was a little bit of a let down. Karaoke was called off because the guy who runs it, his mom was in the hospital. We all wish her a speedy recovery.

I can't believe I'm going to admit to this...I watched the movie "Prime" last night with my friend Candace. The movie was actually not that bad. There, I said it. I wanted to watch "Nacho Libre" but was outvoted.

January 19th, 2008

Good Monday to you all.

Well, the karaoke beat goes on. Last Friday it was a tribute to Sir Mix-A-Lot with "Baby Got Back", Digital Underground with "The Humpty Dance", a messed up version of MC Hammer's "2 Lgit 2 Quit, and Snoop's "Gin and Juice". Everybody had fun though, that's all the matters. Like the saying goes...What happens at karaoke, stays at karaoke.

Being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we all need to revisit the dream and make it a reality. I don't want to get too much into race and all that, so you all know what you need to do to make this world a better place to live in, so just do it.

Today is also the celebration of the birthday of one of the greatest poets ever to live, Edgar Allen Poe. Go and get a copy of any of his poems, sit back, start reading, and enjoy. If my 8th grade English teacher, Mrs. Brug, heard me say that, she would drop dead in her tracks.

If you had this holiday off, enjoy. If you were like me and had to work, try to get off early like me and go home to rest.

PHXRailFood

You must visit this Blog! http://www.phxrailfood.com/ If you want to feel good; start the new year off correct and support your local community and it's restaurants. That is what the PHXRailFood Blog is doing and it is refreshing to see that someone gets it. Being from Chicago and participating in Pub Crawls and Block Parties that support local restaurants, it is nice to see that kind of community start here in Phoenix. These hard working individuals that we call restaurantuers who work when we play need our support during these times. Not only an economic downturn but 2 years or whatever it was of street closerures and construction. Remember to keep it in the community and support your local restaurnt next time your out.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD8ljNobUys

Monday's Blog Post, Missed By All

Wow! I actually have people that read this blog. Two different people have contacted me to find out why I didn't post anything yesterday. Truth in the matter, I was busy. I was pretty busy today too but I thought I could make some time for my fans.

A little update, I had a blast this past weekend. I played bingo with my friend Anna and her family at the American Legion. I won $60 but Anna's mom was the big winner with a total winnings of $500. After bingo we went into the bar and I made a fool out of myself singing karaoke. I sang two songs, "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang and "It Takes Two" by MC Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock. I had the place jumping with the help of Anna's cousin's boyfriend, Jose. Thanks Jose. I also want to thank Special Kizzard and Alizzard, aka Kristian and Aliza from work, for coming out and supporting me. I think this coming Friday I will be trying not to butcher a Beatles' tune and maybe something from BelBivDevoe.

Today at the warehouse we had a visit from a representative of the Catalina Restaurant Group. I feel that things went very well. I need to get back with the representative about some updated pathogen testing but other than that, it was a pleasant meet and greet.

Just a reminder to all of you, January 24th the Peddler's Son Produce family will be out in Avondale again to cheer on our very own T Williams. T, if you don't already know is the rhythm guitar player for the band Borderline and they will be playing at the American Legion Post 61 Avondale on the 24th. There will also be a steak fry on the same night. So come on out and join us. I think the steak fry only cost $10 -$12.

For all of you that wish to see me out on the town, not only will I be singing karaoke next Friday at the American Legion Post 1 Phoenix, I will also be out Saturday night to catch the new movie "Notorious". "Notorious" is the biography of one of the greatest rappers of all time, Notorious BIG aka Biggie Smalls. If you're into Hip Hop, this is a must see movie. Post a comment or give me a ring, 6024236369, and I'll let you know more details for that night.

Forget the apple, take an Arizona orange a day!

One of my responsibilities here at Peddler's Son Produce is buying all of our citrus. This time of year means we're into the Arizona citrus season and you can't get any fresher citrus. Did you know that unlike other citrus producing regions, most of the citrus grown in the West is destined for the fresh fruit market rather than processed for juice?

Currently, all of our Fairchild tangerines, Minneola tangelos, oranges, and lemons are from the East Valley. This week, we'll be shipping Arizona grapefruit. While the citrus is locally grown, it all comes under the brand name of Sunkist. We've had a long-time relationship with Sunkist and have really appreciated the quality that comes with all of their citrus.

Fairchild tangerines are in the market from late October through mid March. These tangerines add color and taste great in coleslaw and tuna salad. You may store them in the refrigerator up to 7 days.

My favorite citrus is the Minneola tangelo. I think it has the best flavor and it's easy to peel. It’s in season is from late December through April. They will keep a day or two at room temperature.

Navel oranges are in season November through May. These oranges are considered the 'eating oranges'. You may freeze orange juice, reamed-out shells and peels for future use, but never an entire orange.

Western lemons differ from other smooth-skinned lemons with a fine, textured skin and are heavy for their size. You can refrigerate lemon wedges in a covered container and they will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

A medium grapefruit is equivalent to 10-12 sections or 2/3 cup juice. Store them in a cool, well-ventilated area on a rack off of the floor. The best temperature to keep grapefruit stored is between 50-55 degrees

So as Arizona citrus season comes into full swing, maybe you'll find some of this information useful or at least interesting. Just remember, as Conan O'Brien says, 'If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice.'

Happy "National Thank God It's Monday!" Day

Who would have ever thought that there would be a holiday to celebrate Mondays, the most hated day of the week? I have always hated Mondays...until today. Today is the best day ever! A simple reply I received this morning, to a text message that I sent last night, is all it took. The bell peppers smell sweeter, the warehouse doesn't seem as cold, and T even looks a little prettier today. Could it be love? Stay tuned and find out soon.

First Day Back After The New Year Holiday 2009

Welcome to 2009!!!

To all of my followers, I hope you had as much fun as I did for New Year's. As I informed you in a previous post, T Williams (our Facilities Manager) and the band he plays in (Borderline) were the entertainment for the New Year's Party at the American Legion Post 61 Avondale. Myself and three other guys from work attended the show and had a great time. The band was great with their steroid pumped renditions of old and new country. T took the time to introduce us to his bandmates, which was cool. My favorite was the closing song, Neon Moon, I can picture myself in my own version of the video with a black Stetson on. What the made the night enjoyable, besides the music, was the people of Post 61. Everybody was friendly, there were no problems due to alcohol, and it only takes fifty cents to play a game of pool.

Needless to say the guys and I closed down the place. After we headed up Dysart to the IHOP for breakfast. Some of us needed it more than others (right Andy?). While waiting for a table we met Sue, Helen (my favorite), and Suresh. Our party grew from seven to ten, just like that. Sue made Gabe's night even better, Gabe tried valiantly to flirt with her over the entire breakfast. I tried throwing myself at Helen but she might have been on a date with Suresh (I think that's how you spell his name). The girls asked what we did for a living and one thing led to another and that led to this..."I'd like to give a big Peddler's Son Produce shout out to Sue and Helen for being such good sports and putting up with our loud mouths over breakfast." Oh yeah, Helen, call me 602.423.6369 (wink wink).

If you'd like to share your New Year's happenings, comment to this post. Have a good weekend everybody and if you're in the Phoenix metro area tonight, I'll be doing karaoke at the American Legion Post 1 Phoenix. Drop on by and cheer me on.