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View Full Listing  Link to Article UK Residents Rally to Restrict Lap-Dancing Clubs in Neighborhoods Communities in England are rallying against the nationwide proliferation of lap-dancing clubs. Licensing laws established in 2003 currently treat lap-dancing clubs in the same way as cafes and karaoke bars, an oversight that has allowed these clubs to double in number in the past 4 years. Women’s groups argue that they should be classified as “sex encounter establishments” with the same restrictions as adult-film cinemas and sex shops to make it easier to refuse licenses. Residents have expressed concern not only about the moral implications but also the impact on their neighborhood – many clubs are placed in residential neighborhoods with limited parking and taxis as well as minimal security. The Independent UK http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ 6/18/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Looking For Nightlife on C-Street Springfield, Missouri’s Commercial Street works to overcome negative perceptions of safety to transition into the city’s vision of an arts and entertainment district. The Urban Districts Alliance passed Tax Increment Financing for streetscape improvements, which the organization hopes will help to attract new hospitality businesses to open. Jeremy Stevens, Ozarks First http://ozarksfirst.com/ 6/18/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Bars Foaming Over Allegheny County Drink Tax Allegheny County’s 10% alcoholic drink tax has been met with strong resistance from customers and the 2,000 affected liquor license holders. Protestors have launched a tax revolt through humor (dumping beer and liquor in the Mon River dressed in colonial garb) and legislative referendums. In November, voters will be able to choose to continue the drink tax or to increase property taxes in order to subsidize mass transit, the principal aim of the tax. Associated Press, The Pittsburgh Channel http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com 6/15/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Citysense Monitors Real-Time Human Traffic Sense Networks has launched “Citysense,” a mobile map similar to automobiles’ Global Positioning System (GPS) that shows the busiest nightlife hot spots and crowded restaurants with real-time accuracy in San Francisco. Currently only accessible through a BlackBerry, though an iPhone version is on the way, this “social navigation” service will soon be available in six other major cities. Barry Levine, News Factor Network http://www.newsfactor.com/ 6/9/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article A Drunk, A Security Guard And An Academic Walk Into A Bar In his academic study of nightclubs in Canada, George Rigakos tackles the role of bouncers in entertainment districts and the larger role of nightclubs in society. Rigakos asserts that nightclubs are "rife with violence" from sexual competition among male consumers to altercations between security staff and patrons. Rigakos found that bouncers experience more workplace violence than police officers, attributed to a common “us-versus-them” attitude toward their patrons and revenge attacks when they’re off work. Don Butler, The Ottawa Citizen http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/index.html 6/8/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Downtown Businesses Split On Nightlife Patrol Program Twenty eight downtown liquor license holders in Green Bay, Wisconsin are required to fund two beat police officers to work from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on weekend nights. Business owners, who risk losing their liquor license if they refuse to contribute, have urged lawmakers to create tougher penalties for problem businesses instead of forcing the law-abiding majority to pay for extra security. However, many believe the officers have helped to “strengthen the overall impression of downtown” as a safe and friendly place to be at night. Paul Srubas psrubas@greenbaypressgazette.com, Green Bay Press Gazette http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com 6/8/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Mayor Seeks Nightclub Regulator Inconsistent enforcement standards for Seattle bars and clubs has led the city to create the new high-level position of a Nightlife Regulatory Coordinator. This individual will be working to ensure safe and vibrant nightlife in the city through policy development and coordination of the “Joint Enforcement Team,” an interdepartmental team consisting of regulatory and enforcement agencies. Angela Galloway, Seattle Post-Intelligencer http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/ 6/4/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Lockout To Destroy Central Melbourne Nightlife Bar owners in Melbourne are rallying to protest the three-month trial of 2am late entry bans for pub, bar and nightclub venues. They assert that the lockout is a blanket strategy that targets both good and bad licensees indiscriminately, and urges the city to consider alternative solutions. Norrie Ross, Herald Sun http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/ 6/2/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Wild Brawls In Melbourne’s Central Business District As Clubs Fight 2am Ban In the midst of the 2am lockout debate in Melbourne, Australia, graphic photographs of a bouncer brutalizing a patron on the streets were released. Supporters of the 3-month trial lockout claim that the 2am late entry ban will help reduce alcohol-fueled violence on the streets, yet opponents argue that it will increase as a result. More than 80 nightclub and bar owners have received exemptions from the governments’ trial based on outstanding applications, but must abide by such conditions as doubling the number of bouncers inside and outside their venue and agreeing not to advertise or promote their venue’s exemption from the ban. Staff Reporter, The Herald http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun 6/2/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Trade Must Unite to Save Pubs One impact of the 24/7 licensing law in the UK is the big box stores selling alcoholic beverages for a longer period and at greatly reduced prices to draw in customers, leaving the future of pubs in jeopardy. Pre-loading is becoming a common practice, as people buy and drink in their home before venturing out to meet friends in the local pubs. John Harrington, Morning Advertiser http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/ 5/21/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article France Mulls Happy-hour Ban to Curb Youth Drinking Concern about binge drinking and related drunken behavior is leading consideration of policies to ban happy hours, restrict spirits drinks to single servings rather than bottles, and raise the drinking age to 18 (16 year olds can now order beer and wine). A night club owner says these will not stop the problem, and young people will just switch to beer rather than spirits. Estelle Shirbon, International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com 5/20/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Southampton Gets Superclub Oceana, a 4,000 occupancy nightclub is scheduled to open and serve patrons until 4:30 a.m. The extended hours are supported by city officials as a way to diversify activities in the city, even though police wanted a 3:00 a.m. closing. Paul Charity, Morning Advertiser http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/ 5/19/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Private Security Cracking Down On Panhandling In Downtown Memphis In Downtown Memphis, private security guards patrol the streets to stop aggressive panhandlers from approaching shoppers and residents. Although panhandlers are still present Downtown, there has been a significant drop in aggressive panhandling, as security officers are able to intervene quickly and efficiently. The privately funded Center City Commission is paying for the private security guards and is considering renewal of their contracts at the end of June. In addition, Beale Street has now become the first entertainment district in the country to use off-duty police officers for security purposes in order to stop panhandlers and help manage crowds. This initiative is paid for by Performa, the private company that oversees the district. Sarah Buduson sbuduson@myeyewitnessnews.com, Eyewitness News Everywhere http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/default.aspx 4/24/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article House Rules The University of Wisconsin, Madison has been ranked the nation’s top party school by both Playboy and the Princeton Review. The abundance of house parties - big gatherings that students host off-campus - contribute greatly to that title. Students go to these parties because it is an inexpensive way for them to consume alcohol and to hang out with friends. Police and community leaders are concerned about excessive drinking and lawlessness at house parties, however. Before the start of the school year, the police department established a cooperative dialogue with students and residents, with the goal being to keep parties more manageable and to avoid out-of-control situations rather than extinguish house parties altogether. Joanna Salmen, On Wisconsin http://www.uwalumni.com/home/home.aspx 4/23/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Valet And Taxi Services Offered For Downtown Nightlife The Business Improvement District of Downtown, Albany, N.Y has gathered restaurant owners, and taxi companies to come up with a solution to prevent patrons from driving under the influence after a night out on the town. They have decided to start a pilot program that offers valet parking and a taxi stand every Friday and Saturday night on their main street through mid-October. Valet parking will be available between 6pm until 1pm while the taxi stand will be open from 6pm to 5am. Ken Jubie, Capital News 9 http://capitalnews9.com/content/top_stories/Default.aspx 4/18/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article The Future Of Night Life Is Now In Corvallis, Oregon, there has been a noticeable difference in downtown and it comes from the recent explosion of new bars and restaurants. Bar owners are renovating old buildings to bring a new level of class and style to downtown. The Enoteca Wine Bar uniquely caters to the morning crowd after they enjoy a night out by opening at 6 am and serving either wine or coffee. For residents in Corvallis who thought they had to leave town to truly live it up, the author wants to remind them that they can go out and stay in town at the same time. Jake TenPas, Albany Democrat Herald http://www.democratherald.com/ 4/18/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Hub VIP Bottle Service Ban Has Club Owners Spinning Nightclub owners in Boston are caught off guard by the sudden ban on bottle service because it allegedly violates alcohol laws’ specification on the maximum number of drinks allowed per customer. Several club owners argue that the service is for high-end clientele where there would be a waitress holding the bottle like at a regular bar. Industry professionals are already seeing a drop-off in business after the ban. However, VIP service is still allowed as long as bottles of alcohol are not being sold. Dave Wedge, The Boston Herald http://news.bostonherald.com/ 4/18/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Put A Cork In It! City Cracks Down On Nightclub ‘Bottle Service’ Boston city officials are trying to prohibit ‘bottle service’ - an exclusive perk that allows big spenders to host a VIP table for themselves and their friends at nightclubs after they purchase a bottle of high-end liquor. Daniel Pokaski, Chairman of the Boston Licensing Board and a proponent of the ban, thinks that the VIP service violates ‘happy hour’ laws that ban serving more than two drinks at a time to a patron. Courtesy notices will be sent to club owners informing them of the service ban but some club owners argue that bottle service is legal and that taking it away will lead to a decrease in profit. Dave Wedge, The Boston Herald http://news.bostonherald.com/ 4/17/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article A New American Dream - From Sub-Prime Crisis To Livable Communities: McMansions Revisited As the sub-prime mortgage crisis continues to increase the financial risk of those living in suburban communities, the author suggests that this is the time to redefine the American Dream to refocus on doing something better. He feels that a fundamental shift is taking place towards a more integrated, walkable, urban centered lifestyle. According to a study by the Metropolitan Institute on trends in demographics, consumer preferences, and other data, there is a growing shift in lifestyle and housing preferences for newly gentrified urban centers. What used to be a suburban shopping mall is slowly becoming a form of mixed-used faux urban “lifestyle center.” There is an evidential shift toward sustainable, walkable, mixed-used development, or, ‘walkable urbanism’, from drivable suburbanism. Tom Schueneman, Triple Pundit http://www.triplepundit.com/ 3/11/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Diageo Congratulates Providence Mayor David Cicilline On Successful Partnership With The Responsible Hospitality Institute Diageo, the world’s leading spirits, beer and wine company, forwards its support and congratulations to Providence, Rhode Island Mayor David N. Cicilline on receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award for Public/Private Partnerships for successfully implementing a Hospitality Resource Partnership (HRP). The HRP is based on a partnership model developed by the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) to better manage a city’s nighttime economy. North America Diageo’s Vice President of Public Policy, Gary Zizka, commends Mayor Cicilline decision and encourages other cities to follow his lead and engage with RHI to develop safe and vibrant places to socialize. Fox Business http://www.foxbusiness.com/ 2/25/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article British Drinking Laws Linked To Crime Rate The increase in the United Kingdom’s crime rate has propelled police to implicate the government’s licensing ordinance allowing pubs and clubs to stay open 24 hours a day. Police officials have cited a significant increase in the number of alcohol-related crimes since the implementation of the laws regarding alcohol sales and intake. Chairman of the Police Federation warned that changing licensing hours without changing the drinking culture would cause a drain of their limited resources. A major federal review of the legislative change’s impact is currently underway. United Press International http://www.upi.com/ 2/23/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Time For A Sober Look At "Epidemic" Nonsense A report published by the British Medical Association encourages raising taxes on alcohol and reducing the legal BAC limit in order to tackle the UK “epidemic” of alcohol misuse. An editorialist asserts that it is necessary to understand the relationship –the good and the bad- between alcohol and society. He also comments that countries with a more “sensible attitude” such as those in southern Europe, which allow young people to drink a little from an early age, can create inter-generational pleasure rather than an act of transgression. In the past 40 years, the consumption of alcohol in the form of wine has increased by 19 percent, suggesting the trend towards sociability rather than binge drinking. As a result, the author points out that a price increase to deter excessive drinkers would inflict collateral damage to the majority of moderate drinkers. Charles Moore, Telegraph Newspaper http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ 2/23/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Country Switch To Green Street Lights In England’s West Sussex, Hampshire and Southampton, millions of pounds are being invested in improving street lighting under the South Coast Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project. Eighty percent of the region’s 64,000 street lights will be replaced with more modern and energy-efficient ones in an effort to improve road safety and both reduce crime and the fear of crime, thus stimulating the nighttime economy. A county cabinet member for highways and transport agreed that PFI is the most time and cost effective way to carry out this massive project. Chichester Observer http://www.chichester.co.uk/ 2/22/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Police People Like Pubs! (Blog) The UK Licensing Act of 2003 allows pubs, clubs and restaurants to remain open 24/7, generating both controversy and opportunity for innovative strategies. Plymouth, England Police Superintendent Jim Webster proposes a "saturation" or "cumulative impact" policy as a balance between the economic value produced by the "Evening and Night Time Economy" (ENTE) and its impact on residents and communities. Jim Webster, Chief Superintendent Blogspot http://chiefsuperintendent.blogspot.com/ 2/21/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article In Bangalore, Say Cheers Beyond Curfew Time With the increasing high-tech sector and foreign business visitors to the city of Bangalore, India, the state tourism department is trying to extend bar and pub closing time from 11:30pm to 1:30am. Karnataka state police also support the initiative, recognizing that people returning late at night will encounter safety problems if all the pubs and restaurant closed too early. Some of the more popular pubs of Bangalore are preparing to add more events if the curfew is extended. The extended curfew might attract more investments and visitors since nightlife is the essence of a tourist destination. Bhargavi Kerur k_bhargavi@dnaindia.net, Daily News and Anaylsis http://www.dnaindia.com/ 2/19/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Winston-Salem Nightlife Coalition Seeks Middle Ground With City In reaction to a policeman’s death and other violence outside of clubs in Winston-Salem, NC, the city council proposed a series of measures to regulate nightlife. In response, businesses came together and organized the Winston-Salem Music and Nightlife Association to initiate voluntary measures to promote safety while maintaining business viability. Amy Kingsley amy@yesweekly.com, Yes Weekly http://www.yesweekly.com/index.asp 2/12/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Proposed SC Law Would Allow Military Personnel Under 21 To Drink South Carolina State Representative Fletcher Smith believes that those who are willing to die for this country should be allowed to drink in this country. Rep. Smith is sponsoring House Bill 4274 that would allow military personnel under the age of 21 to buy and consume alcohol in the state. If this bill is passed, the federal government has threatened to cut off funding for highways to South Carolina. Katie Crawford, Live 5 News http://www.live5news.com/ 1/31/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Frustration Over Liquor Laws Brewing Business owners, delegates and consumers across America are overturning antiquated liquor laws, many of which were established in the 1930s. For example, a Virginia delegate is working to repeal a law banning the mix of distilled spirits and wine after a Spanish restaurant was cited for selling sangria. In Wisconsin, the assembly committee voted to repeal a law that makes it illegal for any local elected officials to own businesses that sell products or services to liquor license holders. Meanwhile, Idaho lawmakers are trying to repeal a law that prohibits the sales of alcohol during election day – a law that applied during the 1930s when saloons served as polling places. Andrea Stone, USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/ 1/26/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Booze Plan: Higher Alcohol Content, Higher Price The University of Victoria’s Centre for Addictions Research in British Columbia has proposed changing the price of alcohol to reflect the alcohol content. The centre’s aim is to promote healthier choices and reduce the potential for social harm. However, small brewery owners feel that they should not compromise the taste and quality of their premium, full flavored brews, which tend to have higher alcohol content, in order to compete with the prices of lower-strength brews. Larger brewery companies are not likely to be as affected due to their prior popularity. Michael Kane mkane@png.canwest.com, The Vancouver Sun http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/index.html 1/24/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Supermarkets Undermining Pubs’ Responsible Drinking Efforts Bars and pubs have expressed opposition to the low alcohol prices of four major supermarkets in the UK. They consider the low price points to be contrary to their efforts to facilitate responsible drinking and further, many are concerned that customers will arrive already intoxicated to licensed venues. Chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) said that companies should reconsider the price to promote responsible consumption. Christopher Walton christopher.walton@rbi.co.uk, Caterer Search http://www.caterersearch.com/Home/Default.aspx 1/9/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Hospitality Trade Body Calls On Government To Ban Cheap Supermarket Booze In England, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) is requesting that the government impose a ban on below-cost off-trade alcohol sold in supermarkets. ALMR also wants a reduction in licensing hours of supermarkets as well as clear reference to off-trade promotions in industry-wide guidance on alcohol sales. ALMR chief executive Nick Bish feels that the government “must do more to encourage all industry sectors to adopt a more responsible approach to alcohol retailing.” Christopher Walton, Caterer Search http://www.caterersearch.com/Home/Default.aspx 1/9/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Spreading Blame For Officer’s Death The family of Lt. Corey Dahlem is pursuing a civil trial against the three bars that a drunk driver patronized the night he fatally struck Dahlem while the officer was directing traffic in Florida. But unlike 38 other states, Florida does not have far-reaching laws that hold bars accountable for over-serving an adult. It would be difficult to establish liability and according to Brain Baggot, a Tampa lawyer who defends bars and taverns in liability cases, expanding liability law constitutes a slippery slope. Five years ago, two Florida lawmakers tried to close the liability loophole in the statute related to serving underage drinkers but the bills were opposed by the restaurant and alcohol industries. Jack Stripling Jack.Stripling@gvillesun.com, The Gainesville Sun http://www.gainesville.com/ 1/6/2008

View Full Listing  Link to Article Build This City On Rock And Roll In New Delhi, India, live music venues – particularly those catering to blues, rock, and salsa music – are booming in popularity. “I was astonished at how many people in Bombay know how to salsa, and know how to salsa well!” says Naresh Fernandes, Time OutIndia’s editor-in-chief. For years, India’s government banned live contemporary music, forcing contemporary music artists onto the fringes of India’s music culture. But these days, music of all types is being heard live all over New Delhi. Melissa A. Bell, Live Mint http://www.livemint.com 12/28/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article West Augusta Neighbors Want Nightclub Shut Down Club Dreams, a West Augusta, Georgia nightclub, has built up a reputation for being a problem club attracting “problem crowds.” Recently, there have been a string of crimes associated with the club, including fights and shoot-outs. Krish Dave, a concerned neighbor, says of the club, “It’s the root of all evil. Neighborhood has become unsafe. People are uncomfortable. They can’t sleep at night and there are a lot of problems.” However, others say that the city should punish the individuals committing the crimes rather than penalizing businesses for something they have no control over. Navideh Forghani nforghani@nbcaugusta.com, NBC Augusta.com http://www.nbcaugusta.com 12/27/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article ’Black Paris Tours’ Looks At Love Affair Between Black Americans And City Of Light For centuries, black Americans and France have shared a mutual love and admiration. After all, the city, aside from being beautiful, plays a prominent role in black American history: William Wells Brown, a 19th-century abolitionist and former slave, had his first experiences with freedom and integration in the City of Light. Furthermore, Parisians have had a fascination for jazz ever since 200,000 black Americans arrived in France to fight in World War I. For this reason, many black Americans are taking tours, such as those presented by Black Paris Tours, in order explore Paris’s African-American history. The Canadian Press http://canadianpress.google.com 12/27/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Moore’s Restaurant Success More Than A Little Bit O’ Luck Rich Moore, owner of Shanahan’s Food & Spirits, was recently honored as 2007 Business of the Year in Woodbridge, Illinois. Moore, who had no restaurant or tavern experience before owning his current hospitality business, credits his success to his working-class childhood. “I think the main thing was [my family and I] learned to work together as a family while my single mother was raising us and working two jobs herself,” Moore says. Moore also says that he has no cooking or bartending skills, but he knows “how to hire good, talented people…who care bout their jobs and the people they serve.” Woodridge Reporter http://www.chicagosuburbannews.com 12/27/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Ban Helps More Smokers Quit Habit According to Stop Smoking Wales, a government service aimed at helping Welsh smokers quit, there has been a 20% increase in smokers wanting to quit since Wales banned smoking in public places last April. However, “a quarter of adults in Wales still smoke - more than the UK average - and children are taking up the habit around the age of 12,” says Dr. Tony Jewell, Wales’ chief medical officer. Dr. Jewell hopes to see smoking decline to 17% prevalence, “as has already been achieved in Sweden and California.” BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk 12/27/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Smoking Lounges Ready To Fill A Loophole Beginning January 1st, smoking is banned in all of Illinois’ public places, but at Canganchos, smoking will remain perfectly legal. A loophole in the new law allows smoking in retail tobacco stores where “at least 80 percent of gross income comes from the sale of tobacco or tobacco-related products.” For this reason, Canganchos, a smoking store, is profiting from the new ban. Outside of the store, a chalkboard reads: "One of the few remaining places in Chicago where you can smoke & coffee is under a buck." Robert Mitchum, The Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com 12/27/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Teen Drinking, Anger A Bad Mix According to Lori Palen, a Pennsylvania State University researcher, over 75% of high school seniors have experimented with alcohol. Teen drinking is harmful, as teens’ brains are more sensitive to alcohol’s effects; however, according to Palen, some forms of teen drinking are more likely to develop into problematic habits than others. For instance, teens that drink in order to deal with anger and frustration are more likely to develop problematic drinking habits, such as drinking during school hours and getting drunk frequently. Kathleen Fackelmann, USA Today http://www.usatoday.com 12/26/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Scottish Government To Put Anti-Drunk Driving Ads In Video Games In an attempt to curb increasing rates of drunk driving, the Scottish government is using an innovative approach: $20,000 will be invested in anti-drunk driving virtual billboards, which will be placed in video games. Stuart Stevenson, Scotland’s Transport Minister, says of the new public service, “The technology is non-intrusive, subtle, but the message can be seen in the background, loud and clear.” Stephany, Gaming Today http://news.filefront.com 12/26/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Let’s Raise A Glass To Fairness These days, high-quality and inexpensive wine can be found all around the world, thanks to globalization. Low alcohol taxes are another factor contributing to the accessibility of good wine. Federal taxes on wine ($1.07 per gallon) haven’t increased since the early 1990s – therefore, when taking inflation into account, alcohol taxes are now 33% lower than they were in 1992. Regrettably, because of these low taxes, societies are “subsidizing alcohol”; after all, the negative societal costs of alcohol consumption are not being covered by current alcohol taxation, says Philip Cook, a Duke University economist. David Leonhardt leonhardt@nytimes.com, The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com 12/26/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Rebuilding Process Of Several New Orleans Housing Developments Approved The New Orleans City Council recently decided to rebuild several public housing developments in the hurricane-torn city. As a result, two non-profit organizations, Providence and Enterprise, will redevelop the Lafitte public housing development. The new development will include 600 homes for first-time homebuyers and 900 subsidized rental units. Doris W. Koo, president and CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, said, “We listened to the residents who want to come back to a stronger, healthier community.” Providence and Enterprise look forward to creating safe and drug-free environments for returning New Orleans evacuees. Ayinde O. Chase, All Headline News http://www.allheadlinenews.com 12/25/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Industry Falters, Art Flourishes Even though Detroit’s car industry has lost steam, the city is currently experiencing an “entertainment and cultural revival,” complete with new casinos, a new symphony hall, and new sports stadiums. But most of all, the city has recently transformed an old Dodge dealership into the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD). This museum not only houses modern art, but is also a site for conferences and coffee-sipping workers and their laptops. Also, the museum often hosts music, particularly nighttime concerts. Many hope that this new, multifaceted museum will help revitalize Detroit. Stevenson Swanson, Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com 12/25/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Injured Man Said Bar Security Handcuffed, Kicked Him A 22-year old Des Moines man sustained moderate injuries after being caught in the middle of a bar fight. He contends that he was a mere spectator to the incident, yet the bar’s security guards kneed him in the back, kicked him repeatedly and forced him to the ground before handcuffing him. The report lists three witnesses to the incident, one of them being a security officer employed by the bar who helped take York inside to remove his handcuffs. Nigel Duara, DesMoines Register http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage 12/24/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Bar Watchdog Decries Budget Cut The Responsible Hospitality Edmonton, a bar watchdog group set up to control rowdiness around bars, has had its budget cut by $50,000. The initiative is based on a U.S. framework that brings together members of the community, such as city staff, police, bar owners and others to curb problems with late-night bars. Councilor Karen Leibovici thinks that the city needs to reevaluate the Responsible Hospitality initiative to give it even more value than it already encompasses. The panel focused on Whyte Avenue, where bars, businesses and residents are struggling to co-exist, but the initiative hopes to expand to other areas in the city as well. Susan Ruttan sruttan@thejournal.canwest.com, Edmonton Journal http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/index.html 12/22/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article For the Sake of Sake Once a beverage only found in fine Japanese restaurants, sake, a delicate and complex alcoholic beverage, is now appearing on the wine lists of many fine non-Japanese restaurants. Sake is making appearances in the wine sections of many mainstream supermarkets as well. After all, “Americans are becoming aware of the benefits of enjoying pure and natural sake: little to no hangover, no sulfites, half the acidity of wine — the perfect enhancement to a healthy lifestyle.” And like wine, sake can be paired with many dishes, including desserts, spicy entrees, seafood, and light beef dishes. Sabrina Huang Seeto, Asian Week http://www.asianweek.com 12/18/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Binge-Drinking Britons May Force Limits On Pub Hours Manchester, Britain’s "capital of excessive drinking," is amongst the growing number of cities in the UK that harbors the binge-drinking culture. Health officials are discovering that drinkers are getting younger and that women are abusing alcohol in record numbers. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is considering stopping late-night alcohol sales and reducing licensing hours in time for the holiday season. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair introduced the 24-hour license for alcohol to relax closing-time binging and to promote a café-style drinking culture. However, critics say that the license has only prolonged drinking sessions. The government is also considering taxes to halt alcohol consumption. Robin Stringer rstringer@bloomberg.net, Bloomberg http://www.bloomberg.com/intro3.html 12/14/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Act Together For Sober Decisions A UK editiorial posits that the hospitality sector should be more proactive to curb binge-drinking. This remains a serious issue, despite the Licensing Act 2003’s attempt to decrease binge drinking through 24-hour licensing. The UK government is now considering a reduction in licensing hours. To further hinder demand for alcohol, the recently established Alcohol Health Alliance is trying to increase the alcohol tax by 10%. The two measures might not stop excessive alcohol consumption but if implemented, they may hurt the vitality and profitability of the hospitality industry. The editorial therefore suggests that the industry be proactive to subside the binge-drinking culture by setting up a working party to openly debate the issues amongst breweries, landlords and license holders. With all the stakeholders partaking in the decision making process, the author surmises that solutions can be made to combat binge drinking. Christopher Eddlestone, Caterer Search http://www.caterersearch.com/Home/Default.aspx 12/12/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article University Of New Mexico Notifies Parents After First Offense Of Underage Drinking Officials at the University of New Mexico plan to notify parents early on about their children’s underage drinking. Previously, parents were notified if students were caught twice with alcohol on campus. With the new policy, students are given an opportunity for a hearing and if they are found guilty of violating campus policy on alcohol, they will have to attend a workshop in addition to being subject to parental notification. The workshops are in place to help students identify the severity of their alcohol use and provide them with campus resources such as the Campus Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Counseling and Therapy Services. UNM officials have not assessed the success of the program yet. Stephanie Krenrich, The Albuquerque Tribune http://www.abqtrib.com/ 12/11/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Permitted: Stateside Lounge To Boogie Down There has been an ongoing debate in Santa Barbara over its dance permit policy. The city’s Ordinance Committee - which consists of City Council members - plans to revise and update municipal codes governing existing clubs with dance permits. Some changes will include limiting the number of dance permits handed out, requiring annual renewal of the permit with a premise inspection, and requiring criminal background checks for club owners. Caitlin Daniel, The Santa Barbara Independent http://www.independent.com/ 12/11/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Sidewalks Won’t Get You Too Far In Dallas The Dallas area ranks amongst the lowest in a study that identifies urban communities where walking is encouraged through city planning. The study finds that the Dallas-Fort Worth region still favors a car-dominated suburban lifestyle. But empty nesters, young professionals and immigrants are all looking for urban dwelling areas which coincide with the government’s new agenda to gentrify sprawl and malls with a more concentrated mix of housing and retail. Uptown Dallas, the article asserts, has the right mix because it consist of apartments and retail where residents can get their meals and errands done within a short walk. One resident admits, “I’d hate to give up that convenience.” Theodore Kim tkim@dallasnews.com, The Dallas Morning News http://www.dallasnews.com/ 12/11/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article A Chance To Kill This Title: SIN CITY The Executive Director of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement District posted a blog to rally the citizens of Windsor, Canada to speak out in the next city council meeting to prohibit bars, clubs and massage parlors from operating between the hours of 3 and 5 am. She considers after hour bars to be a danger to public safety and a contributor to the negative perception of downtown because 90% of all downtown shootings and knifings take place after 3am. Secondly, she asserts that downtown retail would be more inclined to start opening shop if a buffer was created between the night and day clientele. She prefers the term “split use” over “mixed use” because “nightclubs, retail and office do not mix well,” she comments. However, she does make note that her intention is not to curtail the nightclub industry, but rather to manage it more responsibly through the help of the local Hospitality Resource Panel. She believes that, “Action can happen if the citizens of our city demand it.” Judith Veresuk, Blogspot: Scale Down Windsor http://scaledownwindsor.blogspot.com/ 12/6/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Hospitality Association Australasian Winner The inaugural Australasian Not for Profit Network Awards named the Hospitality Association of New Zealand the winner of the Project of the Year Award for the HANZ Training Passport. This project aims to raise the standards of compliance and performance in the areas of responsible service of alcohol, food safety and customer service. In addition, the project is supported by the New Zealand Police, New Zealand Food Safety authority, ACC and the New Zealand Institute of Liquor Licensing Inspectors. Scoop http://www.scoop.co.nz/ 12/1/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Ignition Interlocks: Turn The Key And Blow The kicked-up, high-tech ignition interlock is ready to combat impaired drivers. The device can be set to a certain BAC level and when the offender wants to start the car, he or she has to blow into the breathalyzer tube. If the ignition interlock detects a BAC level over the legal limit, the engine will not start. One of the advance features of the current ignition interlock over the old one is that it requires a periodical “rolling retest” while the car is running to stop offenders from drinking after starting the engine. Also, the ignition interlock records a violation on a data log once it detects above limit alcohol levels. Regular checkups are also required to make sure that the devices are properly calibrated and measuring alcohol accurately. Jeanne Mejeur, National Conference Of State Legislatures http://ncsl.org/index.htm 12/1/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article The Down Side Of Downtown Revival The revival of the new mixed-used district in Downtown Providence has become the source of conflict between bar and club owners and the high-end condo residents that have moved-in over the last few years. Condo residents are issuing complaints over loud music, food odors, and noise from bar patrons, however bar owners consider this to be the necessary price for urban living. Although the city wants to attract well-off, settled professionals who can afford to live in the center of the city’s cultural offerings, many have expressed concern that if Providence caters too much to the needs of downtown residents, the city will lose some of the edgy vibrancy that made it attractive in the first place. Daniel Barbarisi dbarbari@projo.com, The Providence Journal http://www.projo.com/ 11/29/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Hemet Officials Consider Noise Restrictions On Nightclubs In Hemet, California, officials are considering an ordinance to restrict noise in nightclubs. Hemet officials wish to address noise complaints from downtown residents and businesses while not deterring the city’s growing nightclub scene. Other neighboring cities have also enacted or considered noise abatement laws that address everything from loud parties to crowing roosters. Herbert Atienza hatienza@PE.com, The Press Enterprise http://www.pe.com/ 11/27/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article More Calls For Pubs To Pay For City-Centre Policing According to a senior police chief in West Yorkshire, UK, too many people have been drinking themselves to “oblivion” by binge drinking. He is calling for hospitality businesses to contribute to the cost of city centre policing. He believes that pubs and nightclubs with licenses to serve alcohol after midnight should contribute more to the cost of policing, late buses and detoxification facilities, amongst other things. The debate to charge pubs and nightclubs extra continues as late-night businesses are fiercely opposed to the measure. Daniel Thomas Daniel.Thomas@rbi.co.uk, Caterer Search http://www.caterersearch.com/Home/Default.aspx 11/26/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Energy Drinks With Alcohol Attract Teens The line between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink beverages is becoming blurred as energy drink manufacturers now offer a new line of caffeinated energy drinks that contain alcohol. Brands such as Tilt, Rockstar 21, and Joose are sold in grocery, convenience and liquor stores, and are especially popular among young adults. Experts are concerned about the health impacts of such drinks. For example, a single can of alcohol-containing Joose is the equivalent of three beers and eight cups of coffee – a potentially lethal combination of a stimulant with a relaxant. Although it is illegal for minors to purchase alcoholic drinks, there have been cases reported of cashiers unintentionally selling the drinks to minors due to confusion caused by the similar packaging of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the energy drinks and the “hard-to-read” labels. Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com, The Acorn http://www.theacorn.com/ 11/15/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Memphis Developer John Elkington Expects To Get Financing To Break Ground On A Birmingham Entertainment District By Spring Memphis developer, John Elkington from Performa Entertainment Real Estate, expects to secure the funding necessary to start building a downtown Birmingham entertainment district by early spring. Performa, best known for the Beale Street development in Memphis, has been hired by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex to build a district of nightclubs, restaurants and retail shops adjacent to its facilities. In addition, there are plans to open two hotels book-ending the district and a possible 40,000-seat arena as well as an expandable 55,000-seat and 57,500-seat dome. Roy Williams rwilliams@bhamnews.com, The Birmingham News http://www.al.com/ 11/15/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Rules Require Automatic Sprinklers In Clubs Massachusetts’ new fire sprinkler law goes into effect Thursday, November 22nd. The law, which was passed three years ago, was created in response to the 2003 Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island, which killed 100 concert-goers. All bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues with 100 seats or more will now be required to have automatic sprinkler systems. Venues that do not comply can be immediately shut down. Patrons of venues with sprinkler systems report that they feel much safer. Boston Channel http://www.thebostonchannel.com/index.html 11/15/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Sign Reads – Don’t Feed The Homeless In Downtown Cleveland, new signs have been posted urging people not to give money to panhandlers. The Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which solidly supports the project, based the program on a similar one in Philadelphia - which reduced its panhandling by 70 percent. Countering the common misconception that all panhandlers are homeless, the police department has reported that seventy percent of those arrested had suburban addresses. Individuals who would like to help the homeless can drop off donations at designated collection stations across downtown. MyFox Cleveland http://www.myfoxcleveland.com/myfox/ 11/14/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Rays On The Bay? The Tampa Bay Rays plan to build a $450 million downtown waterfront stadium. The state-of-the-art stadium, which will be built on the Al Lang Field site, will open in 2012 and hold 35,000 fans. However, this exciting stadium development faces some obstacles – the city is unlikely to fund the project and parking space may be too tight for the stadium’s crowds. Aaron Sharockman and Marc Topkin, St. Petersburg Times http://www.sptimes.com 11/10/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Planners To Study Mecca That’s Atlanta Despite its notoriety as “the poster child for urban sprawl,” many city planners are looking to Atlanta as an example of “what worked, what didn’t and what might have been done differently,” says Phyllis Bleiweis, executive director of the Seaside Institute. After all, metropolitan Atlanta is working hard to correct its sprawl, which stretches into Alabama and almost to Tennessee. In particular, Atlanta planners are attempting to create communities that encourage residents to “mingle and walk to their destination or transit.” David Pendered, Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.ajc.com 11/9/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Security Focus: The Professional Face Of Door Security In the UK, “door security has entered a new era” due to new regulations: As of November 1st, every club, pub, and bar must hire only security staff registered with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Licensees can check their door staff’s credentials by logging onto the SIA’s website. Not only are security employees being credentialed, but they also are being recognized for their hard work. Conflict Professional, a professional security staff organization, presents awards to outstanding security staff who have the “communication and interpersonal skills to actively improve the management of conflict among their peers.” Phil Mellows, The Publican http://www.thepublican.com 11/9/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Exploding Bladders? Binge-Drinking Women Beware A recent U.K. study highlights yet another frightening consequence of binge-drinking – bladder rupture. Although bladder explosion is rare, Dr. Mohantha Dooldeniya says that recent cases are a sign of the times – women are drinking more than ever. After all, bladder rupture was previously only seen in binge-drinking males. According to a 1998 National Institutes of Health study, binge drinking costs the U.K.’s National Health Service the equivalent of $6 billion. In the U.S. the public health cost is over $148 billion per year. Dan Childs, ABC News http://www.abcnews.go.com 11/8/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article South Africa: Tourism Sector to Recognise Service Excellence Tumaini Leshoai, the manager for South Africa Tourism Portfolio, is accepting nominations for South Africa’s best tourism businesses until January 4, 2008. Finalists will be invited to the Tourism Indaba. These nominations and awards serve to encourage businesses to put their best feet forward and enhance visitors’ experiences, thereby increasing return trips to South Africa. Pieter de Bruin, head of tourism at First National Bank, says, “Tourism is one of the most vital parts of the South African economy, and is one of the highest growth factors in the economy of the country. It adds to poverty alleviation and poverty reduction which is something we are very passionate about.” Michael Appel, AllAfrica.com http://allafrica.com/ 10/31/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Cape Town Tourism Gears Up For 2010 The South African city of Cape Town is preparing to use the 2010 World Cup as an opportunity to market itself as a business and tourism destination. Acting Chief Executive of CTRU (Cape Town’s official tourism marketing organization) Calvyn Gilfellan says, “We must use this opportunity to position our destination in such a way that those who will be visiting South Africa in 2010 visit the Western Cape and that they return soon for more, bringing with them their friends and family.” David Masango, BuaNews http://www.buanews.gov.za 10/31/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Young Folks Police The Liquor Trade In Pennsylvania Police in Pennsylvania are conducting alcohol compliance checks utilizing undercover minors. The law that authorizes the compliance checks is set to expire at the end of this year and Bucks County Rep. Paul Clymer wants to extend it through 2012. Of all the checks that have been conducted since 2005, statistics show that in 44 percent of those checks, the minor was served alcohol despite the fact that Pennsylvania licenses for people under 21 are noticeably different from the usual license. However, law enforcement and The Pennsylvania Tavern Association both agree that it is important to educate and train new establishments and managers on what to look for on an I.D. The Pennsylvania Tavern Association hopes that the extended program will help draw attention to businesses in the inner cities and college towns as well as state-owned liquor stores. Jennifer Reeger jreeger@tribweb.com, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/ 10/29/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Cameras For 4 a.m. Bars? In Chicago, bars licensed to sell alcohol until 4 a.m. are required by the City Council committee to install surveillance cameras, exterior lighting and hire “adequately trained” security personnel. The crackdown occurred in order to alleviate tension in the downtown area that is also one of the city’s fastest-growing residential areas. Safety issues are a big concern with the residents living nearby because there have been altercations, fights and vandalism outside the bars and nightclubs. As a result, employees and managers would be required to attend neighborhood CAPS (community policing) meetings to maintain communications with the neighborhood residents. Exterior safety plans from the venues are due by the beginning of next year but the city believes it is up to the business to determine what is the appropriate need for their particular size. Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times http://www.suntimes.com/index.html 10/24/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article New York’s Building Boom Continues The big city of New York continues to grow: Last year, the city spent $24.6 billion on construction - a new record. The New York Building Congress projects that the record will be topped in 2009; after all, the city is projected to spend $29 billion in development during that year. Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards project, the new Yankees and Mets stadiums, and the redevelopment of the World Trade Center are some of New York’s biggest projects. Furthermore, over 35,000 new apartments will be built this year. New York Public Radio http://www.wnyc.org 10/17/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Brewing Up a Storm The city of Glasgow, Scotland has banned glass in nightclubs in order to keep patrons safe. Dr. Alasdair Forsyth, an expert on licensed trade and violence, says Scotland should ban glass in all nightclubs, restaurants, and even pubs – plastic should be used instead. Recent research has shown that violent injuries could be reduced by up to 100% by eliminating glass in venues; after all, the vast majority of injuries are caused by glass – even “safety” glass. However, not everyone agrees with such a ban. Some pub owners believe that such a ban is over the top. John McCann, Evening Times http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk 10/17/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Snorting Alcohol Can Be Fatal Some young people, in order to circumvent the ban on alcohol aerosolizers, are turning to snorting hard liquor. Snorting alcohol, otherwise known as a “Chilly Willy,” is a dangerous way to consume alcohol – it causes quicker and more powerful drunkenness, as the alcohol goes directly to the brain instead of being filtered by the liver. Unfortunately, many teens and young adults are snorting alcohol not only to get drunk faster, but also as a show of machismo. Karl B. Hille, The Baltimore Examiner http://www.examiner.com 10/17/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Counter Revolution The 19th century Australian tradition of the counter meal -loads of beef, lamb, and vegetables served inside a pub-has contributed to the pub’s status as "the heart" of the community. Pubs that offered counter meals not only gave sustenance to pioneers, soldiers, workers, travelers and immigrants but they also provided a space for women and even children to socialize. When licenses were introduced to regulate the industry, more publicans increased their pub menus as a way of attracting costumers. But by the end of the 19th century, providing free counter lunches was making publicans broke so they decided as an industry to abolish the counter meal after World War I with the introduction of the Temperance Union. The counter meal made a come-back during the Depression as an act of benevolence by the publican. Currently, there are around 1500 Victorian pubs serving counter meals, though, there is now demand for vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Nina Rousseau, The Age http://theage.com.au 10/16/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Mexico’s Tequila Industry Battles Knockoffs According to the Lisbon Agreement, only liquor made from the blue agave can be called “tequila.” However, despite the agreement, there is a lot of knockoff tequila produced all over the world. Floriberto Miguel Cruz, chief of Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council, says that the production of phony tequila “endangers the consumer, the product and the image of the country.” After all, some of the phony tequilas may be dangerous – some are made in basements and garages and contaminated with cleansers or oils. Sometimes, bottles of paint thinner are sold as tequila. For this reason, the Tequila Regulatory Council is constantly working hard to track down fake tequila brands. Sergio Solache and Chris Hawley, USA Today http://www.usatoday.com 10/16/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article A Notorious Spirit Finds Its Way Back To Bars After having been banned for nearly a century, absinthe – an especially intense alcoholic spirit – is finding its way back into the U.S. A Swiss distiller, a Washington lawyer, and an importer have fought through a maze of federal regulations in order to get the liquor back on the menus of bars and restaurants. However, the concentration of wormwood, a plant containing the hallucinogenic chemical thujone, is limited to no more than 10 parts per million. Cindy Skrzycki, The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/ 10/16/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Sun Sets On Ibiza Clubs That Party After Dawn Ibiza is known for its all-night parties and prominent drug culture, both of which help attract 500,000 British vacationers each year. However, the island would like to attract more mainstream and “quality” tourism. Therefore, many of Ibiza’s clubs – particularly those open after 6 a.m. – are being required to close earlier in order to reduce crime and be more in line with “human biorhythms.” Jose Manuel Bar, the head of the council that runs Ibiza says, “Without after-hours clubs, there will be a fall in the drug-taking, a fall in the number of people going to the hospital suffering from overdoses and fewer arrests for possession of these [illegal] substances." Graham Keeley, The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk 10/15/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Business Booms: Latinas Opening Their Own Doors According to the U.S. Census figures, Latinas are starting their own businesses at six times the national average. A recent study by the Center for Women’s Business has found that Latina-owned businesses have increased by 121 percent since 1997. The greatest increases in Latina-owned businesses are in California, New Mexico, and Arizona. This increase in Latina-owned businesses “shows important cultural and economic shifts about how women are viewed as entrepreneurs. It also speaks to the reduced psychological and financial barriers for all women,” says Genoveva Lozada, a Milwaukee entrepreneur. Georgia Pabst, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel http://www.jsonline.com/ 10/15/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Green Mixed-Use Project With Musical Component Breaks Ground In Austin Stratus Properties and the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund have just celebrated the groundbreaking Block 21, a 35-story, $260 million mixed-use development. The development will included 196 luxury condos, 250 hotel units, 47,000 square feet of retail space, a high-end spa, a signature restaurant, and a 2,200-seat music theater. Block 21 will also be “green,” as it will be built to the standards of U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Block 21 is scheduled to be completed in 2010. Kelly Sheehan, Multi-Housing News http://www.multi-housingnews.com 10/15/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Microsoft Pledges To Invest In City Centre Computer giant Microsoft plans to move into its new Scottish headquarters located in the Edinburgh city centre. Raymond O’ Hare, director of Microsoft Scotland, stated that the city centre was chosen over other possible locations in Scotland in order to boost Microsoft’s business by creating a more visible presence in a convenient location. The proximity to major banks and financial institutions and the opportunity for customers to experience nearby dining and retail amenities were major factors in relocating to the city centre. O’Hare also emphasized that the firm is committed to helping the city centre revitalize by contributing to the business improvement district scheme (BID). Michael Blackley mblackley@edinburghnews.com, Scotsman http://www.scotsman.com/ 10/15/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Intimate Music Venues Bring Crowds, New Life To Small Towns Because of the Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Company, Winnsboro, Texas has experienced renewal in the past year. The intimate venue, which occupies a 100-year-old building, provides some truly wonderful live music on Saturday nights. According to John Whorff, a Winnsboro resident, “all of a sudden, we have heart and culture. The sidewalks don’t roll up at 5 o’clock in the evening.” In addition, Winnsboro’s sales tax revenue has increased by 80 percent. Because of Crossroads, many travel from Dallas to enjoy Winnsboro’s intimate venue and peaceful, small-town charm. Most of all, Crossroads patrons appreciate the fact that they can enjoy live music without walking through metal detectors, passing by stern bodyguards, or choking on billowing smoke. Michael Granberry mgranberry@dallasnews.com, The Dallas Morning News http://www.dallasnews.com 10/14/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Nashville: Touring The Roots Of Country Music Nashville is known for its country-music culture; in fact, Pam Tillis describes the music city as “a giant incubator for musicians.” The Bluebird Café is the quintessential Nashville music venue: it’s an inexpensive venue showcasing some of the best country music talent for both local and visiting audiences. And the Bluebird is also known for having hosted famous musicians, such as Garth Brooks, before their break into fame. The Wildhorse Saloon, the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame are also fantastic places to experience Nashville’s music – past and present. Tracey Teo, The Dallas Morning News http://www.dallasnews.com 10/14/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Schools Using Breathalyzers To Fight Teen Drinking Thousands of American high schools are requiring students to blow into breathalyzers. Some schools require the test before events, such as dances and football games, while other schools test students randomly. Schools are using the breathalyzers to reduce underage drinking, especially since alcohol is the most abused substance among youth. However, not everyone thinks that it’s a good idea to have breathalyzers in high schools: Ben Stone of the Iowa American Civil Liberties Union warns that if schools test students without reasonable suspicion, they risk violating students’ rights. Wendy Koch, USA Today http://www.usatoday.com 10/14/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Food Cop: Love Him Or Hate Him Michael Jacobson refers to himself as a “food detective”; after all, his job as executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) involves researching the nutrition of restaurant and grocery-store food while spreading an important message to Americans: much of what we eat is bad for us – too high in saturated fat and too low in nutrients. Jacobson is also responsible for putting pressure on restaurants to offer more healthful options. Steve Anderson, the former president of the National Restaurant Association, respects Jacobson’s message, but believes that most Americans are not willing to live the lifestyle Jacobson advocates. Rick Berman, the lobbyist for the Center for Consumer Freedom, says that CSPI “blackmails” companies and engages in “food terrorism,” as they “threaten companies with bad press unless they do something.” Kathryn Masterson, Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com 10/14/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article 3 New Trolley Routes Proposed Scottsdale, Arizona is planning to add three new trolley routes. The trolleys, which will be free to ride, will connect riders to the Arizona State University campus, various bus routes, grocery stores, restaurants, shopping centers, and many other popular destinations. The project is projected to cost the city $400,000 to operate during the first six months. Jane Larson, The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com 10/13/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Music Business Hits Jackpot At Casinos Lately, the music industry is gaining big profits from casinos. “It used to be [that casinos were where] an older market went to have their entertainment fix,” says Tom Cantone, VP of sports and entertainment at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino. But these days, casinos attract a wide range of age groups with their offerings of live music, gambling, and other forms of entertainment. Casinos interested in attracting younger gamblers book top pop and rock musicians, such as Jennifer Lopez and Maroon 5. Older casino patrons can see classic musicians, such as Kenny Rogers. Mitchell Peters, Reuters http://www.reuters.com 10/13/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Wisconsin Ranks High For Responsible Drinkers Although Wisconsin leads the nation in binge drinking and the overall percentage of adult drinkers, it also ranks eighth in the nation in the percentage of responsible drinkers. Forty-five percent of Wisconsin adults reported that they consume some alcohol, but do not binge. A recent study also found that 31 percent of Wisconsin adults had not had a drink in the past month. Scott Milfred smilfred@madison.com, Wisconsin State Journal http://www.madison.com 10/13/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Australia’s Geelong Nightclubs Crack Down On Identity Cards It will soon be mandatory for all nightclubs in the city of Geelong, located in Victoria, Australia, to install electronic identification scanners as part of the local liquor accord, which must be adhered to by all licensed venues according to new state laws. The scanners to be used will store information such as photographs and license details in a database, which can later be accessed by staff. Daniel Breen, Geelong Advertiser http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/ 10/12/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Support Grows For Lowering Drinking Age One of the United Kingdom’s top medical chiefs, Professor John Ashton, suggests that the UK’s drinking age be lowered to 16. After all, he says, “It’s better [that 16 year-olds] are inside in a pub with sanctions of normal behavior rather than outside in the park with no controls.” Ashton says that this approach is more pragmatic than merely insisting that 16 year olds not drink. The Publican http://www.thepublican.com 10/12/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Geelong Nightclubs Crackdown On Identity Cards The Australian city of Geelong is about to approve the introduction of IdEye machines in all of its night venues. The machines, which scan patrons’ driver’s licenses, store information, such as license details and photos. Darren Holroyd, president of the Nightlife Association, says that the scanners will help “identify and weed out troublemakers.” He also adds that those who complain about the scanners are likely those on the “banned list.” Daniel Breen, The Geelong Advertiser http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/ 10/12/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article UA Out To Curb Student Drinking The University of Alabama, which has a reputation for being quite the “party school,” is requiring incoming freshman to take a three-hour alcohol education course. The course, which is called “AlcoholEdu,” surveys students’ alcohol knowledge. UA student Christin Blackburn says that the class is informative, but filled with a lot of information she already knew. Plus, she says, “I think other people who do drink aren’t going to stop because of this class. One short class isn’t going to change someone’s life.” UA’s administration, however, says that the required course can help reduce alcohol-related infractions and injuries. Katherine K. Lee, The Tuscaloosa News http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/ 10/11/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Health Ministry Can’t Cough Up Funds To Promote Smoking Ban Although Israel has recently enacted a ban on smoking in public places, few people know about it. The country’s Health Ministry is too short on money to launch a media campaign to the public. However, Ya’ir Amikam, director-general for information, says that “the wide publicity” of the ban “will bring about a significant drop in the number of smokers in public places, almost like a [state-funded publicity] campaign.” Judy Siegel-Itzkovich, The Jerusalem Post http://www.jpost.com 10/11/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article Calabasas Considers Smoking Ban Inside Apartments The Calabasas, California City Council is debating whether or not to extend its smoking ban to apartments. After all, some of the council believes that the ban is necessary in order to preserve the health of all apartment residents. Other council members think that the ban would “overstep boundaries.” The smoking ban would not only cover apartments, but also patios and balconies. Residents who currently smoke in their apartments would be allowed to continue, but new renters would not be allowed to light up indoors. Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com, The Acorn http://www.theacorn.com 10/11/2007

View Full Listing  Link to Article A Meeting Of The Minds In Pittsburgh, some of the city’s best and brightest have formed a group called Café Scientifique, which meets at local bars and breweries. Cafe Scientifique is an informal lecture series that features physicists, surgeons, and climate change experts, and boosts a devoted base of followers from all walks of life as well as an international crowd. Although a popular concept world-wide, this Pittsburg group is one of the first organized in the US in 2004. The structure is loose; the founders discourage organized talks or anything overly academic to hinder the social aspects of the group. Reid Frazier, Pop City