Regular Friday afternoon/evening customers are probably familiar with our long time Friday bartender Phil. Like many of our staff, Phil also has a “day job.” He serves as the Executive Director of the Kansas Licensed Beverage Association, which is a hospitality industry organization that serves businesses who hold licenses to sell alcohol. He spends a lot of time in Topeka schmoozing with the politicians and lobbying them on issues related to these businesses.
The KLBA (website is under construction) also presents training programs for employees of these establishments. They use the Techniques of Alcohol Management, or TAM, program which was developed by various groups including members of the licensed beverage industry, law enforcement, and substance abuse organizations. The training helps staff learn how to identify underage people, signs of over-consumption, and learn about alcohol-related laws.
Phil is occasionally called upon by area groups to speak about these efforts, and tonight is one of those times. He will be appearing on a panel discussion at KU about alcohol fatalities. The event is organized by the Drug Policy Forum of Kansas as part of National Alcohol Awareness Month. A documentary about a 19 year old college student who died from alcohol poisoning will also be shown.
The event will be held tonight in the Hawk’s Nest at the Kansas Union, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you are interested in this issue you are welcome to attend.