by Debbi | May 30, 2007 | People
An email update came in from Jake the other day, all the way from New Zealand…
John and I are still here in Queenstown impatiently waiting for snow. It’s been unseasonably warm, but hopefully the snow will start falling soon.
My old roommate, Erika, is down here visiting for three weeks – always good to get some Americans down here. We’re taking a week-long holiday around the South Island next week, so we can’t wait. We have obviously been terrible about the blog – I’ll see if John and I can possibly catch up on that.
I’ve got some big news – I took a job offer with the sporting good company I work for, and it will keep me here for a couple of years. I am working on some of their advertising and marketing as well as working on the shop floor. I’m pretty excited to say the least. John is still doin really well. He has climbed his way to the top at his casino bartending job – he even gets to wear a bright red vest with the four card suits on it. Classy!
Just making sure you’re all keepin on back home. Hope all is well.
I’ve requested a photo of John in his apparently classy red vest.
Wouldn’t it be a fun Sandbar trip to go visit Jake and John in the land down under? Maybe we should all start saving our money…
by Debbi | May 28, 2007 | People
Last Friday and Saturday, The Sandbar sponsored a visit from Captain Jack Sparrow to coincide with the opening of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean adventure. He made an appearance in Ottawa on Friday and traveled to Lawrence on Saturday.
All week long, customers were asking if Johnny Depp was really coming to The 
Sandbar. Because Johnny Depp has time in his busy schedule to leave his home in France on the opening weekend of his new movie to visit Lawrence. Right.
However, we didn’t need Johnny Depp- our pirate was awesome. He looked, walked, and talked exactly like Captain Jack. He had the mannerisms down as though he actually were Johnny Depp. It was amazing to watch. When he first approached The Sandbar on Saturday, he had no way to know that there was a rowdy, 20-plus person bachelorette party already inside the bar. The minute the women saw Captain Jack, they bolted out the door and down the street. The bride-to-be jumped up onto our poor unsuspecting pirate and hugged him.
Captain Jack spent some time hanging out down at the corner of 9th and Massachusetts, and the reaction of the passersby was hilarious. People shouted to him from their car windows, and he walked right out into the street to go talk to them. People on foot stopped to talk and take pictures. All the while, he encouraged folks to venture down to The Sandbar.
We took a lot of pictures both nights of folks with Captain Jack. I added a new photo album over to the right called "Captain Jack’s Visit," and you can see the photos there. Maybe you’re even in there.
Visit our pirate’s website, www.pirate4life.net, to learn more about our new friend. If you need a pirate for an event, he’s your guy.
by Debbi | May 25, 2007 | People
A much-anticipated update about a fairly recent staff member, John, who is now a resident of New Zealand…at least until next September…or maybe longer….
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? August 05-August 06
How did you get the job? I turned 21 and Jake and I had a blast there the first time, so we decided to go back every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. By the greatest string of luck, Dave offered us jobs after our internships that summer.
What are you doing now? Living in New Zealand, waiting for snowboard season, but bartending when possible.
Last time you were at The Sandbar? Our going away party in September, 06. {See photo album to the right.}
Favorite job besides The Sandbar? Working at Krispy Kreme. 
Favorite drink to drink? Jack and Coke; I really miss Bud Light though.
Favorite drink to make? Anything I haven’t made before.
Any specialty drinks you call your own? I can’t remember them, only would make stuff up when people would ask for something strong that tasted good.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? I am sure there are worse, but I went to change a keg, messed it up, and it got all over me. Then upon coming back upstairs there was a woman in the bathroom. That was wierd. {The stairs to the basement are in the women’s bathroom, which is also wierd.}
Favorite memory at the bar? There are three: Dave turning the upstairs into a beach; the entire night of my graduation party; and topless Thursdays {don’t ask}.
Favorite song on the jukebox? "3 is the Magic Number" and "Summertime"
Song you never want to hear again? I don’t know what it is called, but it started with "the British are coming" and I hated it.
Favorite bar dancing song? "Brown Eyed Girl" because every girl in the bar with brown eyes would dance and say to themselves "this is so my song."
How many dollars do you have on the wall? Sadly none.
Longest you’ve waited in line? 15 minutes with my parents, but then Dave came to the rescue and let in 8 or 10 people ahead of us to get us in. It was awesome.
What was The Sandbar like when you worked there? My second home.
3 Random Facts About John:
- I put apple juice in my cereal because I hate the taste of milk
- I had no experience bartending until Dave hired me
- I am terrible at flip cup
by Debbi | May 23, 2007 | People
Two Sandbar staff members, Morgan and Drew, graduated from KU this past Sunday.
Drew will be leaving us later this summer to move to China, where he will teach English. Morgan is sticking around awhile longer and she’ll continue to work at The Sandbar among other things.
Here are some pictures from the festivities this weekend:
Rena and Tegan (who might be working at The Sandbar one of these days) came in early on Saturday and decorated the bar with all things graduation- streamers, balloons, and giant photos of Morgan pasted all over the walls. Dave bought Drew a six pack of "Steel Reserve," some type of beer that he renamed "Steel Wolf" by pasting a new label on the package. Apparently that’s Drew’s nickname for himself.
It was a fun weekend. It’s always fun to see our staff reach a goal and take a new step out into the world. Of course we hate to see them leave, too.
by Debbi | May 20, 2007 | People
The Sandbar isn’t known for being a "college bar," but we still have a regular following among some college students once they turn 21. Our customers tend to be more of the regular type instead of those who just drop by once or twice a year, and many of our regulars are more like obsessive fans of the place than just customers. Katie and Sarah are two of our regulars who will be graduating from KU this upcoming Sunday. 
These two love The Sandbar. They sent us some pictures of their Christmas tree one year, complete with a shark from the Shark Attack as the tree topper and decorated with Bahama Mama beads.
Katie and Sarah would also like to announce the founding of the soon-to-be world renowned cabaret show that all began thanks to the amazing music selection at The Sandbar. Their signature song is "Don’t Stop Believin’" by Journey. The girls say they are looking for a venue to give them their official debut…so if you’re interested…they’re available. Perhaps on graduation night they can do a cameo performance on the bar.
Katie and Sarah had these kind words for The Sandbar:
As we approach our graduation (this coming Sunday) we would like to thank the Sandbar for providing us with the tasty support of Bahama Mamas and Shark Attacks throughout our time at KU. We couldn’t have done it withouth you!
Well, The Sandbar wouldn’t be what it is today without friends like Katie and Sarah. Our customers make it the fun place that we all know and love. Thanks to Katie and Sarah for letting us know how much they love The Sandbar. Congratulations to all of our "Sandbar graduates" as they finish school and start life in the "real world." You know you can always come back to The Sandbar.
by Debbi | May 12, 2007 | People
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? 1996 to 2001
How did you get the job? I was in The Sandbar, first time in, and they had a sign up Help Wanted {this never happens}. I asked Peach about the sign and she said that they preferred to hire regulars but to come back and talk to her the next day. I did come back for a week straight and sat at the bar between class from 11 to 3 p.m. Finally I think Ted felt bad for me and hired me.
What are you doing now? I own a consulting firm in Madison, WI.
Last time you were at The Sandbar? Last time I was in Lawrence. 2005.
Favorite job besides The Sandbar? Nothing beats The Sandbar!
Favorite drink to drink? Jack and Coke
Favorite drink to make? Electric Parrot
Any specialty drinks you call your own? Dave makes them all better than I do.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? St. Patrick’s Day- pick one, I don’t remember them very well but I hear that they were funny. 
Favorite memory at the bar? Bringing in the first fish tank and Ted’s reaction to the eel.
Favorite song on the jukebox? He Went to Paris.
Song you never want to hear again? Sound of Music.
Favorite bar dancing song? Car Wash.
Longest you’ve waited in line? 2 minutes.
What was The Sandbar like when you worked there? FUN. The best people you could ever meet.
Any hobbies? Golf.
Random Facts About Josh
- I donated the first 2 fish tanks- then Dave took over (show off!)
- I put in the webcam a very long time ago
- Dave makes the best fried chicken
- I am going to be a dad
