Coming to a Jose’s near you, Spring, 2012.

Call a time out on your own life. We found ourselves riding shotgun in Austin recently always on the look for something unexpected. Yard Dog Art Gallery at 1510 S Congress Ave in Austin, Texas (512) 912-1613 hit it out of the park. A couple hours break from reality as we looked at art that told stories and brought smiles in a style all and each its own. So, we felt obligated to tell the Blue community if they find themselves in Austin, make sure they check your eyeballs in here. While the gallery’s roots are in old-school folk and outsider art from North America, especially the Deep South, it also shows art by many contemporary artists whose backgrounds run the gamut from self-taught to art school graduate. Very cool.

The first time you hear it, it sounds like Hallelujah indeed. The new album from The Head And The Heart. Awesome on wax. Garland Jeffreys’ The King Of In Between is well worth the cash. Sophie Milman expresses a phrase in a unique way. Hugh Laurie’s Let Them Talk says it all. The Mexican Sessions from Up, Bustle & Out shakes it up. Angustia from Bienvenido Granda is not new, but wow, it deserves a shout out. And we have to give a plug to Tom Russell’s Borderland as the stories you find on it bring images of El Paso and the Juarez border to life. There might not be a more romantic instrument than the accordion you hear on this.

We have heard from all kinds of folks about Happy Hour at the Blue. It’s been named the best happy hour and more than lives up to that honor. Complex margaritas. Sangria. Draft beer. And a killer Free Taco Bar. Bring your voice and your thirst .

Just a reminder to watch all the Packer games in the comfort of the bar at the Blue where you will find a litany of friends who share a common desire to watch the Pack just absolutely destroy whoever stands in their way to another Superbowl championship. And, speaking of championships (nice seque huh?) , may we suggest a round of Patron shots to celebrate the start of each Packer battle. Order five or more shots (in the bar only) and enjoy one order of fresh guacamole made right in front of you free. (Limit of one order per table or group, per visit. No cash value. Offer valid only when Packer playoff games are on tv.)

Get Valentine’s Day off to the right start by making your loved one Hole In The Love toast. Simply cut a hole into a piece of toast in the shape of a heart and fill it with a perfectly fried egg, sunny side up. Or you could make plans to bring your love attraction to the Blue where plying yourselves with Casa Margaritas is the perfect way to warm up for dinner.

You asked for it. We listened. The Dining Room on Christmas Eve will be open from 11-3. Happy Hour will be in the bar from 11-3 as well. Ole! Andy the Gringo has something up his sleeve? Come see us. Happy Holidays folks!

OK, so it is not exactly earth shattering news, but here are the Holiday Hours for the Blue.
Memorize this.
Closed Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve – Bar Only, Open 11-3 Gift Cards Available
Christmas Day – Closed
New Years Eve- 11a.m. – 11p.m. Dining Room, Bar Till Who Knows When
New Years Day Closed (Sunday).
Good Golly Miss Molly, the joint is gonna be shaking on New Year’s Eve.
Booming like an atom bomb.

Here’s our Black Friday Tip. Not only are some deals matched later on, some prices were better before Black Friday. In the past several years, retailers have been caught red-handed jacking up prices before Black Friday, then lowering them with supposed discounts that leave the price higher than it was before. It helps to know what things cost now to make sure you’re getting a bargain down the road. When applicable, peel back price stickers to see what the original price really was. But here’s the real solution. Give yourself a break. Give JBS Gift Cards this Christmas.