Intown Rundown: Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Ay dios mio! It's Cinco de Mayo but it feels more like Cinco de Marzo (March). What better excuse is there to start the weekend on a Thursday? Let’s not waste any time.

DRINK OF THE WEEK

The fifth day in May is when the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War is commemorated. Cinco de Mayo is actually a bigger deal in the United States than it is in Mexico, according to the History Channel’s website – it’s not a federal holiday there. In the U.S., it has become a widely celebrated holiday honoring Mexican culture and heritage, or for those so inclined, an excuse to pound margaritas. Either way, here are a couple other festive drinks to try this Cinco de Mayo (found online):

- The Mexican Prairie Fire shot: half tequila and half Tabasco sauce.

- Once you have been burned by tequila, the result is oftentimes a bad break-up that cannot be repaired by time or a calm, reasonable conversation. For those who instantly vomit at the mere thought of tequila (and let’s not even talk about the smell), I suggest the “Havana Holiday.” For one serving, muddle six mint leaves and two orange wedges in 1.25 oz. gin. Add ice, a lemon wedge, 4 oz. tonic water and garnish with a mint sprig.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

- The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, calling for headpieces that rival what Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie wore to the royal wedding. The Dunkirk Elks Lodge will hold a Kentucky Derby party on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m., with hors d'oeuvres, drink specials and prizes awarded for the best and most unusual hats. Members and eligible guests are invited to attend. Another Kentucky Derby party is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center on Third Street in Jamestown, with dinner and a show – call the center at 484-0800 for details.

- Tara Graves will play the First Ward Falcons Club on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., open to members and eligible guests.

- Valentine’s Place will feature the Porcelain Bus Drivers at 10 p.m. on Saturday.

- 41 West will have live music each night this weekend from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with Side Effects on Friday and Rinky Dink on Saturday.

- The Dom Polski Club will feature Lana on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m., open to members and eligible guests.

- BJ’s is having Cinco de Mayo festivities starting at 10 p.m. Expect total madness, as usual.

- Former White Inn regulars rejoice! As some of you may have heard by now (especially if you’ve read Sunday’s OBSERVER), the White Inn lounge is back open for business. Newly named Squire White's, the lounge reopened last weekend. I will report back on this after I’ve had a chance to examine it firsthand. Fredonia hasn’t been quite the same since the old lounge went defunct.

- There are only a few shopping days before Mother’s Day on Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

WATCH THIS

- The new movie “Thor,” which comes out on Friday, is garnering an astonishingly high number of positive reviews. Movie-lovers unable to make it to the theater could settle for the neglected cousin of “Thor,” the SyFy Channel’s new made-for-TV movie called “Almighty Thor,” that happens to premiere on the same weekend. It will be on SyFy Saturday at 9 p.m.

- For “American Idol” fans that like to skip all of the preliminary nonsense and get down to the good stuff, it’s finally down to the final five. I’m still not sold on the new panel of judges.

- “30 Rock” will have a Cinco de Mayo season finale at 10 p.m. on NBC. If we’re taking Alec Baldwin at his word, next year’s could, sadly, be the series finale. While we’re talking finales, during the next two weeks, practically everything on primetime will be concluding. Perhaps by that time it won’t be raining and 40-something degrees on the daily.

- “The Amazing Race” reaches the finish line on Mother’s Day at 8 p.m. on CBS Sunday.

WHAT REALLY GRINDS MY GEARS

I have some serious road rage this week. Within a handful of days, I have nearly gotten into two potentially serious accidents and on Wednesday morning, witnessed some sheer idiocy that stopped traffic on a busy Fredonia street. It's time for an airing of grievances.
First, on Brigham Road in Dunkirk recently, some moron alternated between traveling at 15 and 30 mph while intermittently slamming on their brakes, as if they were searching for their destination but never really had one.
When I finally reached the small stretch of road before Waldorff Road where I was able to pass them, they decided to race me … as a car quickly approached in the oncoming lane. I made it out of the way with milliseconds and centimeters to spare.
Next, on the construction-riddled Thruway (what a delight it will be to travel on during this spring and summer!), during those anxiety-inducing miles with a cement wall to your left and no shoulder to the right. I was in the left lane while a car in an emergency pull-off area decided to get back on the road — and suddenly crossed two lanes without warning, almost causing a multi-car pileup. Excellent work!
And last, but certainly not least, the insanity I witnessed on a busy street in Fredonia. A police car was pulled over behind a tow truck and cars in both lanes were stopped, presumably waiting for the officer to direct them since there was only enough room for one lane to pass. Instead of doing anything remotely logical, the man in the car nearest the cop turned on his hazard lights, got out and casually chatted with the officer in the middle of the road while all other confused drivers waited and were ignored.
To all of the offenders mentioned above I ask, what is wrong with you?
I can only assume that these drivers obtained their licenses through an online course on a shady website, by way of some glitch in the system or some kind of freak accident. They should all be revoked. Do us all a favor and either hire a driver, find an alternate form of transportation or, best yet, don’t leave your house.

April Diodato is the OBSERVER Lifestyles editor. Send comments and events to adiodato@observertoday.com