Raleigh's All-Star Weekend

All eyes (at least in the hockey world) were set on my beloved hometown this past weekend as the NHL All-Star Game came to town. I've lived here for my entire life and I have never once been more proud to say that I'm a born and raised Raleigh citizen. Growing up southern, particularly here in Tobacco Road, you don't grow up playing hockey paying a whole lot of attention to it. That quickly changed in the late '90s when the Carolina Hurricanes arrived in Raleigh.

What was once thought of as a joke that would never work has proved many wrong. The 'Canes have hosted the NHL Draft, won the Stanley Cup, and now hosted the NHL All-Star game...and with such success the sports media cannot stop talking about it. Sure All-Star games no matter what sport they are don't really have the importance as championships, but none the less they're extremely high profile events...and it was quite the party.

Belle and I kicked off the festivities off Friday night, heading downtown to the Raleigh Amphitheater for a free concert with 3 Doors Down. Place was rocking and packed full of folks from every walk of life. It was such a popular event, they had to start turning people away because the venue was over capacity. Great show and a great kick off to the weekend.

Saturday we headed back Downtown and took in the sights of All-Star Wide Open, a street fair on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. Afterwards, we headed over to the convention center for the NHL All-Star Fan Fair. This event was chock full of anything and everything hockey. A lot seemed to geared towards kids, but was still quite awesome. To me it seemed a lot like those conventions in Las Vegas, you hear about and see on TV from time to time. Afterwards, we went back to the Raleigh Amphitheater so Belle could see Chuck Wicks perform and she was actually lucky enough to meet him and get her picture taken with him.

via The News and Observer

via Yahoo Sports

Because the company I work for is the ticketing source for the event, I was able to score a few free tickets to the All-Star Pre-Game BBQ outside the RBC Center on Sunday. Let me begin by saying, I have never seen such an event. This was the hospitality event of all hospitality events. Free food, open bar, even a performance by the '90s rock band Eve 6. This was an invite only event and was the kind of event where its the who's who of anybody...example, NHL League Commissioner Gary Bettman was there. Unfortunately, I did not have tickets for the game, but the experience of everything else was fulfilling enough.

Following the game and the weekend of parties, fairs, and everything else, Raleigh has become the real winner of the All-Star Game. This put us on a national sports map and there have been nothing but gracious praises by the media for such great hospitality, amenities, fans, and support. Even a sportscaster TSN, Canada's version of ESPN made mention that this was overall the best All-Star Game experience he's ever witnessed. That says a lot from someone who is #1 from Canada and has probably been to more All-Star Games than years I've been alive. Take a look here.

As a sports fan, a 'Canes fan, and a Raleigh citizen, this was quite possibly one of the most exciting weekends ever. I definitely look forward to having this event return back to Raleighwood!

Only months with "R"

If you're from the south, then you know exactly what I'm talking about without going any further. If not, simply put, its Oyster season. This weekend was my father's birthday and this year he chose to for us to head out to dinner to none other than Raleigh's 42nd Street Oyster Bar, or "42nd St." as us locals tend to call it.

42nd Street is one of a few institution restaurants in Raleigh that has been around for ages and is owned by the Eure family. Thad Eure Jr. started this restaurant as well as the world renowned Angus Barn and a great local burger spot, Fat Daddy's. 42nd Street is probably one of the most unique restaurants in Raleigh. The outside has an art deco look, complete with blue and pink neon lighting, very South Beach-esque. The interior is like stepping back in time with dark hardwoods, a few neon lights, mounted fish, including a full size Hammerhead, Thrasher, Giant Yellowfin Tuna, and of course a few Blue Marlins and Sailfish.

Anyways, back to the point. Oysters are something that some people take one look at and would never think about eating. I personally believe as southerners, its our duty to eat them. Whether they're steamed or roasted, they're still great. Our Oysters last night were from Galveston Bay in Texas, and were rather large, actually some of the largest oysters I've ever seen. Maybe it was the left over oil that BP left behind, maybe they were on some HGH, whatever the case they were excellent. Give me a bucket of oysters and some cocktail sauce and I'm a happy boy.

If you're visiting the area, its a not to miss restaurant. Just remember, if you want Oysters, get a seat the bar or an island because they will not shuck them and bring them to a standard table. As well, if you're flying through RDU International Airport, in our newly reconstructed Terminal 2, there is a 42nd Street Oyster Bar in the airport just down the stairs and escalators from the TSA Security Check. 

And remember y'all, its almost February so there are only 3 more months to get your fresh seasonal oysters until September!

Tijuana Flats

Last February in my chaotic life of business trips, I found myself in Orlando, Florida. When I found out that I'd be heading to Florida in the dead of winter, I couldn't have been more excited. Unfortunately, I happened to catch Central Florida in a cold snap where the temperatures never left the 50s. Regardless, it was a great trip that was filled with trainings, meetings, and not having to worry about money.

While in Orlando, I ate at all kinds of restaurants, but one really stuck with me. Insert Tijuana Flats. I was taken to lunch at the Thornton Park location in Downtown Orlando one day. On the surface, to be honest I was not in the mood to Mexican food at all this particular day, but once I walked in the door my thoughts changed immediately.

Two Taco combo with chips, rice and beans. Hands down the best that I have ever tasted. And don't let me begin to leave out the sauce bar. These folks have every type of taco sauce you could ever imagine. Hot. Mild. Spicy. Sweet. Tangy. You name it, they have it. While eating I got a history lesson on the chain from a business associate who lives in Orlando.


Leaving the restaurant, I thought, man I wish we had one of these back home in Raleigh. A quick look on Google on my BlackBerry proved me wrong and sure enough there was ONE in the State of North Carolina and it was in Raleigh. Since then, this place has become my go-to spot for my Mexican fix. Sorry Moe's and all the other La Rancharitas, El Rodeos of the area, but Tijuana Flats has you beat.

About a week ago, I learned Tijuana Flats was expanding in the area and adding a location in Cary, NC which is much closer to me. I was there opening night...Did you really think I was going to miss something like that. One taste and it takes me back to Sunny (but cold) Central Florida and lunchtimes strolls around Lake Eola.

Point to my blog...If you're in Florida or one of the other areas where a Tijuana Flats is located, GO. You will not be disappointed.

The Skipper

As I've pondered what my first blog should be about, I find nothing better than to introduce myself. To begin, my name is Tommy, yet I've accumulated numerous nicknames over the years including T, as Belle in the City refers to me in her blog, Tommyboy, and Bones. But for all intensive purposes in this blog I'll refer to myself as "The Skipper" or "Skip." Random, but it does have its meaning in more ways that one. One because of love of boats, but more importantly as it the last name of my mother's side of the family, and my grandfather's nickname.

I'm pretty much your average southern guy with a passion for carrying on the long-standing but dying breed of the "Southern Gentleman." We're still here, we still say yes ma'am, open doors for women, and carry ourselves with a certain sense of pride. I enjoy spending time on boats, fishing, and pretty much anything coastal related. I'm what you'd call an inland beach bum I guess. 


I wanted to create this blog to give an glimpse into my life. I want to share with y'all everything from music to clothes, sports to food, and who knows what else. I will do my best not to rant and bore, but to entertain and keep y'all wanting more.