Not Again....

It's been months since I've posted, and I'm sad to say this latest post is reminiscent of my last.

Another diner has closed.

I read with dismay that Al Macs, an iconic fixture of Fall River, had closed on Monday. How did I miss this? Why did I not know that this really cool place was going to shut its doors?

There's a lot of coverage in the news, as it seems that Al Macs is yet one of many in a growing list of diners closing.

http://www.roadsideonline.com/
http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/news-flash-al-macs-diner-of-fall-river-mass-closes/
http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x915676806/Al-Macs-diner-closes
http://www2.turnto10.com/business/2012/jul/24/historic-diner-serves-last-meal-ar-1114184/

So, support your local business - that diner downtown, the non-chain restaurant (although, to be fair, most chains are run by local business people and are paying sizable franchise fees) the farmer's market, the local hardware store, the drive-in. Yes, most times these places are more expensive. They are your neighbors who are trying to make a go of it.

Larry Cultrera's Ode to the Fish Tale

Today was the last day for the Fish Tale diner in Salisbury, MA.  I'm not sure which bothers me more - that the diner has closed or that it has been so long since I've been there.

I'm pretty sure that the last time I was there, a friend of mine shot a whole roll of film and then realized there wasn't any film in the camera. Now that's a long time...and it is NO fish tale.

Check out Larry's posting here.

Poirier's Diner on the Move

Poirier's Diner was known as the Top Hat the first time I went there. A 1947 Kullman has had a few lives  before it closed.

There's new hope.  Check out this video story from the Providence Journal. http://bcove.me/9yvh6lc7

Merry Christmas, Baby

Sounds of the Season

Not dissin' the "virtual duet"...well, maybe a bit. Most of the coolest of the cool Christmas songs were done live...way before YouTube was even a twinkle in MTV's eye, so it's not easy to find live performances.

Here are a couple to tide you over. Now hang your stockings, and say your prayers, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

  

Sounds of the Season

You knew this had to make list....from my all-time favorite Christmas special....The Year Without A Santa Claus....

Sounds of the Season

Since I couldn't find a video of Elvis singing my favorite...Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me...here's another fav...Santa Claus is Back in Town. He leads right into Blue Christmas. 

All with the added bonus of it being from the 68 Comeback Special. 

Sounds of the Season

Even Scrooge would be tappin' his toes to these Christmas Carols by the coolest cat around...Brian Setzer. Enjoy!

Sounds of the Season

Young or old, don't you just smile when you hear your favorite Christmas song for the first time each year?

Who can resist "those holiday J-I-N-G-L-E Bells"...the piano in Bruce Springsteen's Merry Christmas Baby...or the Jordanaires crooning "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me" in Elvis' rendition of the tune.

Inspired by Little Steven's Underground Garage radio show this week, here are some of my favs as we countdown to the Big Day.

Starting off with a classic...as performed by Chris Isaak and Michael Buble.

A "Toast" For The Holidays...

One of the things I love about the CBS Sunday Morning show is the sun designs in between segments.

Another is the pretty awesome stories they cover. 

I haven't been to a toaster convention...yet. Something to look into, for sure. 

In the meantime, see what's "popping up" at the Toaster Collectors' Convention.

Classic Diners of Massachusetts media tour continues..

Author Larry Cultrera is scheduled to appear on local radio personality, Phil Paleogogos' radio show tomorrow, Tuesday, November 22 at 10:15am. 

Phil is also the owner of New Bedford's Shawmut Diner, a 1954 O'Mahoney that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I first met Phil and his wife Celeste in the mid 1990s, but had visited their fine establishment a few years before that. They are the perfect diner owners - passionate about their diner and take pride in serving good food. They put a lot of work into the diner, restoring it to its original glory after purchasing it just over 30 years ago. Plus, they have great neon!

Phil's show airs on WBSM-AM (1420 AM) and the Shawmut is located at 943 Shawmut Avenue.

Not So Wordless Wednesday

If you haven't been to the Miss Mendon Diner on Rt. 16 in Mendon, MA...what are you waiting for? 

This stunning Worcester Lunch Car No. 823 began life as the Miss Newport Diner in Newport, VT in 1950 where it operated until 2000.  

Ten years later, the diner has been restored and reopened the diner on the Imperial Cars dealership's lot.

Denise and I stopped in after a book signing last weekend. With a varied menu, friendly staff, great hours (6am-10pm) and awesome neon, the Miss Mendon is a must-visit. (Get the onion rings!)

And, yes, Monday's diner photo was from the Miss Mendon.

"What's That Diner?"

Hope you all had a nice weekend. The weather in New England was phenomenal. While my husband and brother were doing some work at my mom's house, I went to a book signing in Massachusetts with Denise.

So, today's "What's That Diner?" is from MA.

(I'm lovin' this Hegla-like lens for Hipstamtic!)

Friday's Diner was Snoopy's - a Silk City diner in North Kingstown.

"What's That Diner?"

11-11-11...one of those dates that comes around once in a century. It's also the Friday reveal in What's That Diner.

Cheri's State Liner Diner in Foster was featured in Monday's q&a. 

Classic Diners Book Signing - Don't Miss It!

On Saturday, November 12, Larry Cultrera is hosting his first book signing for Classic Diners of Massachusetts at the Tatnuck Bookseller Cafe - Westborough Shopping Center, 18 Lyman Street (corner of Rt. 9), Westborough, MA.

He'll be there from 10 am - Noon.

Larry's been documenting diners since 1980 (A full decade before me!) so you can imagine how many places he's been to and how many photos he has.

This book is sure to be a "must" for any roadside enthusiast...or resident of MA! A full review will follow.

A second signing is scheduled for Saturday, November 19 at the  Sommerville, MA public library.

Check out his blog here.

"What's That Diner?"

Starting off week two in, "What's That Diner?"

Friday's photo was from Jiggers in East Greenwich. Half the diner stools are red and the other half are green in this Worcester diner.

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"What's That Diner?"

Second in the series....do you know which RI diner this is? Bonus "props" if you guess the manufacturer too.

Still wondering about Monday? The Modern Diner in Pawtucket. One of only a handful of Sterling Streamliners still in existence, it was the first diner to be on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Wordless Wednesday

Hipsta Diner Tour
Seaplane Diner, Providence RI
Hipstamatic Lens: John S, Film: Kodot XGrizzled

"Time to play, 'What's That Diner?'"

We recently photographed to almost all or Rhode Island diners in one day...the only catch was that we had to use the Hipstamatic app to take the photos.

Over 140 miles later (yes, it is possible to rack up that many miles in RI), several cups of coffee and lots of laughs, we had visited 13 diners.

What better way to re-launch the blog than with a fun q&a? Over the next couple of weeks, every Monday I'm posting an image of diner stools. Look for the answers, and another photo, on Friday.

We'll start off with an easy one...

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"Greetings from"... the RI Post Card Club Annual Show

The Rhode Island Post Card Club's (RIPCC) Annual Show is taking place this Sunday, October 30 between 9:00am and 4:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick.

Hundreds of thousands of post cards, in any category you can think of, will be available for sale.

Not sure what to get that hard-to-buy for person for the holidays? How about a postcard from their home town? Frame it and you have a unique, personalized gift!