The Great American Smokeout

Today's the day we designate to encourage people to stop smoking, and I'll definitely light a bowl for that.

A big opportunity

We talked about this last year, but figured we'd better focus on the big move from Rogers to Bentonville, but we haven't given up yet on the idea of hosting the International Pipe Smoking Contest for the Arrowhead Pipe Club, of which TOPS is a member club.

We still believe we made the right decision last year in turning down the opportunity. Romeo's is much better off for not having the distraction of hosting the event, but that was then and this is now.

We'll be taking advantage of Thursday's meeting to discuss the contest, but we also have to talk about something else. To fund the contest, we will need everyone paid up on their $25 annual dues. We're not just asking for money, we're also offering something in return. We do have a Viking pipe set (one stem, two bowls) up for grabs, and the only way to enter the raffle is with your membership dues. Once we have enough paid members (I believe the number was $25), we'll be selecting a winner.

But the real winner will be TOPS once we make it to the contest next fall and meet a lot of fellow brothers of briar.

View from the Shop

The ever-talented Zack Hoyt (who knew) took some fantastic photos at Romeo's and would like to share. They're on his blog, all of which is worth a look. http://fliesliesandotherdiversions.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/in-the-shop-romeos-uptown-pipes-and-cigars/?refid=12

Calling all amateur blenders

As a club, The Ozark Pipe Smokers have very few stated purposes. The club was created to a) promote the enjoyment of pipe smoking wherever possible, and b) promote local pipe tobacco retailers. We're going for a twofer on this one.

Following in the footsteps of the Seattle Pipe Club, the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club, and the Greater Kansas City Pipe Club, TOPS is starting to think about promoting its own blend. Said blend, of course, would be available only through our ever-generous host, Romeo's Uptown Pipes & Cigars, which fulfills one of our purposes.

The main reason you should participate, however, is that this will be our tastiest activity yet. Early discussions have introduced the possibility of blending and/or tasting days, open only to paid members, where we all sit down and smoke something that has never before existed.

If you're wanting to start early, we are leaning toward using Cornell & Diehl blending tobaccos. Our next meeting is July 14, and we are certain to talk about it more then.

Smoking in Style

I'm sure everyone was curious what we ended up doing with the raffle money. Wonder no longer. The sofas are in, and they are comfortable. Thanks again for everyone who bought tickets or donated items. We have left our mark on Romeo's.

Westminster and Westminster: Side by Side

I know that, on the surface, what I'm about to say here will seem ridiculous. I am about to compare a GL Pease blend with one from Altadis. Taken at face value, we shouldn't even bother. Greg Pease is known for quality English blends that showcase latakia, while Altadis is known for over-flavored aromatics that leave goop gunning up your pipe. I think it's safe to say that no one would ever be making this comparison if both blends weren't named Westminster.

Tallman sweeps Thursday's giveaways

Murray "Tallman" Farr swept the two remaining raffles, getting lucky on the pipe tobacco assortment and the Casa Magna cigars. Of course he was generous enough to pass the box before he left with most of the sticks.

The art of waiting

At the St. Louis Pipe Show, I bought myself a tin of Solani Silver Flake. It was priced on the high side for the money I took, but the sample was tasty, and it was a 100g tin. My buddy Jeff, an accomplished enabler, said it would only get better with age.

TOPS Fifth Thursday Meeting

It seems like we just had one of these, but I'll never turn down a Fifth Thursday TOPS meeting.

All around Uptown

With Romeo's moving from downtown Rogers to uptown Bentonville, more changed than just where we light our tobacco. The places I stopped on the way to Romeo's are now in the other direction. While others may and probably do have different priorities, my first task was where to grab my favorite lunch.

Tobacco Video Game Review

I've got a pair of lesser known games to spotlight today, including one that is one of the more unique gaming experiences I've had. Without further ado, I'll leap right into...

Scenes from a Bentonville Pipe Club

The Ozark Pipe Smokers held the inaugural meeting at the new Romeo's Uptown Pipes & Cigars. We had a lucky number (13) in attendance with room to spare, and we didn't even need to utilize the "front porch" area. The club's record attendance was 17, and the new shop feels more than ready for that many and more, without feeling as crowded as even the more sparsely attended meetings at the old shop. Look below to see the spacious accommodations in action.

Romeo's is moving!

Please try to be calm, but Romeo's Downtown Pipe & Tobacco Co. is leaving downtown Rogers. After more than two years, the shop has outgrown its original location, and circumstances have made this the time to find new digs.
The new shop will be at 220C N. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville, sharing a building with Radio Shack, across the street from O'Reilly's.
The new location gives Romeo's more space, and renovations are already underway to make the new shop as enjoyable for an afternoon smoke as the old shop was.
The big move is scheduled for Monday, with the new shop opening Tuesday, March 8.
It's the beginning of a new era for Frank and his little smoke shop and the following they have found in northwest Arkansas. Frank has big ideas for his new shop, and, as the consummate storyteller,
Oh, and there's one more thing. Romeo's is no longer in downtown, so Romeo's is getting a new name. Starting Tuesday, it will be Romeo's Uptown Pipes & Cigars.
Hope to see you all there.

Moving Day is Monday

There have been no shortage of offers for help in Romeo's move from Rogers to Bentonville. Some of the volunteers, particularly those working on building out the new site, are already hard at work. For those who offered to help load the truck, the day is Monday, March 7.
Frank is asking anyone who has offered their help to be at the shop at 5 p.m. Monday. He's hoping for one big trip to get all the furnishings from the old shop to the new one. Because even the larger new shop could get crowded easily, those who would still like to volunteer are unfortunately not needed, although their offer is appreciated.

First club meeting to break in the new shop

The Ozark Pipe Smokers will have their next regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m., but those going to the usual spot will miss out. This will be our first meeting at Romeo's Uptown, 220C N. Walton Blvd., and we encourage you all to attend what is a historic meeting.
As always, TOPS' meetings are open to anyone, whether they enjoy a relaxing pipe, a fine cigar, or just the tobacco room note. For those who are unfamiliar with our meetings, they are filled with tall tales and long laughs and a cornucopia of tobaccos to try. If you smoke a pipe, I recommend bringing at least three so you can try more than one blend.
This meeting will also be the last to feature our mega-raffle. A mere $5 earns you a ticket that can be entered into one of four drawings.  Up for grabs are a box of Casa Magna cigars, valued at $250, a Thomas Christiano nosewarmer pipe, valued at $180, a G.L. Pease photo calendar featuring 12 beautiful pipe pictures, valued at $50, and a selection of tinned tobaccos. Cash only, but you need not be present to win, so even if you won't be at the meeting, feel free to buy a ticket (or two or three or four...). All proceeds from the raffle will be used to furnish the expanded smoking area at the new Romeo's, so your participation in the raffles directly influences your comfort at the shop.
Again, this will be the first TOPS meeting at Romeo's Uptown, so please come to break in the new shop and say goodbye to the old one.

Tobacco Video Game Review

So you're already wondering what the heck a tobacco game review might be. I suppose that, this being the first I've written, I should explain it. I could, but these reviews are short and won't take long to read, so I'll let them stand for themselves.