Arkansas Razorbacks

"Go Hogs Go!" Note, I only say such a thing from the distant security of Oregon, where I'd cheer for a moody, hackled, buck-toothed pig anyday over a duck or a beaver. No disrespect to my Texas friends and my alma mater, but you must admit its a cool matchbook. Kudos to the dedicated supporter who distributed this gem, if The Grant County Bank still exists. Its probably another Chase branch.

Breckenridge Brewery

Its not always about Texas. Sometimes it's about Summit County, Colorado. And that some time is getting to be about now/ Who wouldn't want to be sitting in Breckenridge Brewery on a cold Friday night, drinking an Avalanche Ale waiting on a quiet sunrise and that first slow lift ride to the top of Peak 9.

Villa Capri

This is Classic! I didn't even know I had a matchbook from the old Villa Capri Hotel. For those who can't recall, this was no 'no-tell motel.' This historic Hotel remained a classy classic respite along I-35 up until it closed in 1988; throw-back to a time when a family dined together in their Coronet Wagon at the Nighthawk Drive-inn, and then caught the latest feature flick outdoors at Showtown USA. I can't recall what was put in its place, but whatever it is, its certainly no replacement.

Laff Stop

Before there was Comedy Central, there was 'real' comedy on a living Circuit. Cable fabricated ugly reprobates like Bill Maher. The Circuit created geniuses like Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Bill Hicks and places like the Laff Stop was where you heard them first, live.

Mad Dog & Bean's

No recollections at all of Mad Dog & Beans. Then again, I was only a kid when I started this collection and there will be items along this journey with which I had little or no experience. Sometimes my Sisters gave me matchbooks. Often times I just strolled into a place and asked for a pack. Funny how no one ever questioned giving matches to a 10 year old, certainly not a place called "Mad Dog...". On my first visit to San Antonio's Riverwalk, I must have come home with 30 items that way, but never experienced a single establishment first hand. That's the condundrum of collecting. Is it about the collecting? ... or the recollecting?!

Sullivan's

Good steak, great martini! That's all I remember of Sullivan's.

Dick's... Last Resort

"You can't kill a man born to hang." Oh the adolescent innuendo... Funny that I have a book of matches from the Dallas location, when I have only eaten at the Chicago location. Be sure to print your own copy of the survey and send it in. See if the tight wad Dick is still working on his book.