Smokin' Banana Peels, Paul Simon, Ryan Cook...

A couple of months ago, I drove the branch's trusty big, black smoker up to the Beau's brewery for a day to drink, um, er, I mean, 'help' Kevin James smoke some malts for his contribution to the Oktoberfest line-up of Beau's beers...The result? 'Smoking Banana Peels', a Hefeweizen with hints of banana, maple, and, thanks to our contribution, bacon...So, essentially, it's like eating banana pancakes for breakfast. But in a beer. Pretty sweet, ain't it? And my payment for helping? One (the last in in existence!) 20 litre keg of said beer. It goes on tap tomorrow, bring your friends and help us drink it, it's a small keg so you'll have to move quick--'while supplies last'...

Thursday: Paul Simon Birthday Tribute. Paul Simon was born on October 13, 1941, which makes Thursday his 70th birthday! At the branch we will, as is the custom, celebrate with a musical tribute! Over the last five years we have started and built a fan-based tribute show format that has taken everyone from all four Beatles, to Leonard Cohen and even Jerry Garcia. This is our first night to fete Mr. Simon and we are pleased to invite anyone and everyone to attend!

Here's his story, as told by the interweb's good old senior librarian, the inimitable Dr. Wick E. Pedia:

"Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles charts, "The Sound of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson", and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". In 1970, at the height of their popularity, the duo split, and Simon began a successful solo career, recording three highly-acclaimed albums over the next five years. In 1986, he released Graceland, an album inspired by South African township music that helped fuel the anti-apartheid movement. Besides music, Simon wrote and starred in the film One-Trick Pony in 1980 and co-wrote the Broadway musical The Capeman in 1998.
Through his solo and collaborative work, Simon has earned 13 Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2001, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2006 was selected as one of the "100 People Who Shaped the World" by Time magazine. Among many other honors, Simon was named the first recipient of the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2007."

Thursday's event will be a 'walk up' open mike for anyone with a Simon tune or story to share, listen to, sing along with or enjoy. The fun starts at 8pm, and the price? That's right, free!

Friday: best to start massaging your cheek muscles now to prepare them for the dangers of 'Permasmile', a condition known to be a potential side effect of attending one of our famous weekly 'Frank Western and Birdie Whyte' Friday showcases. 7pm, free!

Saturday: Ryan Cook! I’m not exaggerating when I say that this timeless country crooner is a young, vibrant talent on the scale of Willie Nelson or Glen Campbell; he is instantly accessible, seasoned, and someone you’ll want to come back for again and again. I’d highly recommend reserving for this show; he’ll be outgrowing our little room pretty soon, so if I were you, I’d catch him here while you still can! Oct. 15, 9pm, $10