by Debbi | Apr 18, 2016 | Events, Good Things
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut, firefighter, ballerina or teacher? Or maybe a doctor or a farmer or a super hero?
We’re going to help you live out those childhood fantasies with a party organized by our friend Caroline.
On May 4, bring yourself down to the bar from 6:30-9 p.m. dressed up as what you wanted to be when you grew up. And you may have noticed that this shindig is on May 4….which means we also expect a few Luke Skywalkers and Han Solos to show up. (May the fourth be with you!)
A $10 donation is requested which benefits Relay for Life of Douglas County and supports programs both local and national. Or, buy your ticket in advance here.
Your ticket gets you access to door prizes, snacks, party games—and group karaoke. Because it’s the Sandbar, and that’s what we do. And, there’s prizes for the best costumes, as voted on by Facebook fans.
We hope you can join us, because after all: who doesn’t love costumes and supporting a good cause at the same time?!
Bullet points:
Wednesday, May 4
6:30-9 p.m.
The Sandbar
$10 ticket cost, pay at the door or in online in advance
by Debbi | Mar 7, 2016 | Good Things
Here’s an important message from bartender Danny.
(I should add that Danny was a regular bartender for many, many years. Several years ago, he decided to go to nursing school and moved to Kansas City, so he was no longer in the regular rotation behind the bar, but he’s stayed on in a fill-in status. It’s amusing that almost every time he’s back behind the bar, the Sandbar’s Twitter account gets at least one mention from a young lady who wants to know who the hot new bartender is.)
I have been a pediatric oncology nurse in Kansas City for the past 3 years, and in that time I have been an active fundraiser for cancer research through various charities including CureSearch and the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center. This year, I have been nominated to participate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Man and Woman of the Year” fundraising contest.
This year, along with the help of a team of great friends, I am aiming to raise at least $50,000 for blood cancer research, treatment, and education. In addition to online fundraising, we’ll also be hosting several fun events in the Kansas City area.
I consider it an utter privilege to get to care for these brave boys and girls as they face their battles with cancer. Their bravery and spirit fuels my passion and enthusiasm for fundraising in their honor. Being on the front lines of exciting new breakthrough treatments gives me a first-hand perspective of not only how far we’ve come in our battle to cure blood cancers, but also of how far we have yet to go in achieving lasting cures for our patients.
I invite you to have a look at my fundraising page for more information about my campaign and about the organization I am supporting! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about why I am doing this or if you want to know how you can help!
All of us at the Sandbar encourage you to support Danny in his fundraising efforts any way you can! Donate your own cash, or if you’re not able to do spare any change, share this information on your own social networks and spread the word.
by Debbi | Oct 23, 2014 | Events, Good Things
Ever seen a hula girl scarecrow? How about a pirate scarecrow? Well, we made some scarecrows, and we couldn’t just make any old traditional kind of scarecrow—of course they had to have some kind of Sandbar flair to them.
Cottin’s Hardware has sponsored a scarecrow contest and auction for the past several years to raise funds for various community garden projects. Every year, we say “We’re going to make a scarecrow this year!” and every year….we don’t.
Until this year!
Using leftover costume remnants and tropical “stuff,” we managed to make not one, but TWO scarecrows this year: a hula dancer and a pirate. You can imagine how much tropical “stuff” we have on hand: coconut bras, leis, grass skirts, all kinds of stuff.
This beauty could be yours tomorrow night:
The base of this one is even made from the base of one of our old tables, so you’ll legitimately have a piece of the Sandbar.
The scarecrow contest and auction takes place Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-9 p.m. at the George Paley Building, located at 721 East 9th. This year’s beneficiaries are the Central Garden at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School; the New York Elementary School garden; the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center garden; and the Lawrence Community Shelter garden.
But this isn’t just a contest and auction—it’s a party! Free State will be there with beer and wine, and the Purple Carrot and Torched Goodness food trucks will be selling food. And we all know Lawrence loves beer and food trucks…
After the scarecrow prizes are awarded at 5:45 p.m., the live music begins. Listen to Hyde & Seek, Ellie Williams & Michael Paull, Chris & Dan Tomkins and Truckstop Kids
This is a great family-friendly event, so whether you’ve got kids or not, come on out to see some of Lawrence’s unique creativity!
And buy our scarecrows, please. Otherwise we’ll have to put them at the bar…and you certainly don’t want them taking your seat, do you?
by Debbi | Oct 7, 2014 | Events, Good Things
Ladies, get your wallets ready!
The popular annual Downtown Lawrence shopping event, Girls Night Downtown, returns on Thursday, Oct. 16.
This year’s shopping bash benefits the Willow Domestic Violence Center, and the ladies of Lawrence (and beyond) are invited downtown to “shop in her shoes.”
How’s it work?
Buy a ticket for $20, or $10 with a student ID. You can buy tickets in advance online or at the Downtown Lawrence, Inc., office or the third floor of Weaver’s. Or, buy your tickets the night of the event at one of two tables: 9th and Mass or 7th and Mass. If you buy tickets in advance, you’ll need to check in at one of the tables the night of the event to get your shopping bag and program.
There’s a list of participating businesses on the DLI website. For the most part, shoppers will get 20% off their purchase in participating stores, with some exclusions.
Bars and restaurants get to enjoy the fun, too!
Sandbar is participating in the event again this year. Thursday night is already home to our best special of the week, Tropical Thursdays, where customers can buy a pint glass for $2.50 (or bring in a pint glass from a previous visit!) and get tropical drinks for $2.50 all night. Tropical drinks are regularly priced at $4.50, so this is a pretty good deal.
So, what does your Girls Night Downtown ticket get you on this particular night? Well, ticketholders will get a FREE pint glass (be sure to let the bartender know you’re a ticket holder; show your shopping bag or program) and enjoy $2.50 tropical drinks, along with our exclusive $1 “Red Shoes” shots.
And, every participating business is also donating a gift certificate and other prizes. Several lucky shoppers will win some awesome prize packages!
What are you waiting for?! Buy your tickets today, and get downtown on Oct. 16 to shop in our beautiful downtown for a great cause!
by Debbi | Aug 20, 2014 | Good Things
The ALS ice bucket challenge has taken social media by storm, and if you haven’t seen videos of kids, adults and even dogs being drenched with buckets of ice water (and, in some cases, just ice), then you’ve been living under a rock. Or you don’t have a Facebook account. (Looking at you, Mr. Regular Customer who will remain nameless.)
Anyway, the phenomenon basically consists of someone dumping a bucket of ice water over their head and then nominating one or fifteen of their friends to do the same, with the whole event captured on video and then shared on social networks.
The nominees have 24 hours to take the challenge or else they’re expected to make a donation to the ALS Association. But, we also know that many of those taking the challenge are also donating—so they’re definitely putting their money where their mouth is.
In fact, as of today, the ALS Association reports they’ve received $22.9 million in donations during the time period July 29-August 19, compared to $1.9 million during the same time period last year. What’s more, the donations have been made by existing donors and more than 453,000 new donors.That’s amazing, people.
It’s no surprise that some of our Sandbar staff and friends were called to the challenge. Check out our video below, featuring managing partner Dave; longtime regular customers Curtis and Brandon; and current bartender and longtime Sandbar art director Justin.
Andrew, consider yourself lucky that you’re on your honeymoon.
Even if you’re tired of seeing the ice bucket challenge videos dominating your newsfeed, you can’t deny that it’s truly accomplished a goal of raising awareness of ALS—and raising some serious cash.
Thanks to Michelle for filming the event!
by Debbi | Dec 10, 2013 | Good Things
A couple months ago, we shared some news about Peach’s latest project.
She discovered evidence that the Plaza Grill and Cinema might be the oldest continuous-operating theater in the world, and in true Peach fashion, came up with a grand idea: to create an interactive historical experience for all to enjoy the magic of cinema.
The Kickstarter campaign to raise money to fund the project didn’t meet its goal, but that’s certainly not stopping the project.
Fundraising is in full swing, and the Plaza Cinemagic Experience, as it is now known, will be transformed by summer 2014.
The project has received a lot of press, too:
And, the project got a mention in the state blurbs section of USA Today, too!
You can help.
Donations can be made by mail or online, and there are a variety of rewards for donors. Or, share your memories of the old theater on the website. Click here to learn more about the entire project.
We’re excited to see Peach’s latest great idea unfold!
