The Sounding of Two Canons

Anyone who reads our blog knows that we are big fans of Cancun Grill. We actually have three favorite places to eat in Midland, which are (1) Cancun Grill, (2) Wall Street, and the (3) Garlic Press (Luigi’s is an honorable mention for nostalgia reasons). All three have excellent lunch menus, but since the first two are located Downtown we eat at those two more frequently, while reserving Garlic Press for the extra special occasions. Depending on what day you ask us is what answer you will receive when asking us our personal opinions on which one of the three is our very favorite. But if we had to pick one, we would have to say that Cancun Grill located in Downtown Midland is in our opinion the best place to eat in Midland, Texas.

If you don’t know their story, owner Joe Torres and co-founder Javier Valles were popular employees of Midland Country Club before they left to open their own restaurant, Cancun Grill at its original location on Big Spring Street. We ate there often at their old location, and like to say we knew them before they made it big. Since they have moved Downtown, they have really hit the big time, becoming a real Midland fixture in just a few short years.

We love Cancun because it is FESTIVE. The food is always fresh, the service is always impeccable, and the owners and employees are friendly. It really is the place where everyone knows everybody. If it’s a Friday or Saturday – make reservations or prepare to wait, because it will be packed. We cannot stress this enough: the food is solid. Today we ordered the shrimp and tilapia tacos, and they were excellent. If you haven’t tried their Roasted Corn Queso, please do so. It’s famous for a reason, and highly addictive. Though this is just two people’s humble and highly subjective opinion, we just finally had to devote an entire post to this amazing restaurant. Keep up the good work guys.

http://www.cancunbarandgrill.com/

Mural to the right hangs behind the counter at Cancun Grill. It was made special for Cancun Grill by local graphic designer and cartoonist Norman Johnson, who also does corporate imaging. Mr. Johnson has had cartoons in the local paper for many years. Courtesy Norman Johnson of NORMAN – A Graphics Studio; E-mail: normangraphics@suddenlink.net; Studio Phone: 432.697.1552

After work yesterday, we stopped by the Exhibit opening and reception at the Museum of the Southwest (see post below).  The reception, by the way, made us feel very “cultured”….  Kudos to the museum for the great photography on display, great food, and well-attended reception!  Afterwards we headed to “The Bar” to celebrate our friend Monica’s birthday on our favorite porch in town.  (Happy Birthday Monica!  32 is the new 22). 

In any case, we ran across this BEAUTIFUL photo today taken by Gary Rhodes at the MRT…. Our question is this: if we were out and about Downtown, how in the world did we miss this beautiful moon?  Great photo.   http://www.mywtxchatter.com/profiles/blogs/photo-years-biggest-brightest

Photo by Gary Rhodes, MRT Photographer

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midland, Texas, the wonderful organization which offices in our lovely Downtown Midland area on Texas Avenue, needs your help to support their Spring Fundraiser a week from today on Saturday, February 6^th, the annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake event!!!  There are 4 flights, and all 4 are only half full…..   BBBS is looking for people to volunteer to bowl in teams, and also donations for door prizes….  If you wish to donate or participate, please contact Kenye Kay Tranum at 770-5965. 

Bowl for Kids’ Sake

Saturday, February 6, 2010

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

AMF Midland Park Lanes

5320 West Loop 250 North

For more information, call: (432) 687-0195

or email: info@bbbsmidland.org

HAVE FUN!! HELP KIDS!!

Tonight, don’t miss YPE Happy Hour at Cigar Frogs!

You are invited to the

1st 2010 Midland YPE HAPPY HOUR

Cigar Frogs Patio 216 N. Main

Downtown Midland, Texas

January 28, 2010

6:00pm to 8:00pm

A special thanks to Carolyn Dick for our

Event Sponsor

ConocoPhillips!

http://www.ypenergy.org/

This Friday, January 29th, 2010 the Museum of the Southwest in Midland, Texas is celebrating the opening of the new Burton Pritzker Exhibition “Forgotten Planes” with a “Meet the Artist” from  6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.  The celebration includes an reception, gallery talk and release of the book.  Please make plans to attend and invite your friends, neighbors and business associates.  This is an open house and the Museum invites one and all.  R.S.V.P. 432.683.2882

Forgotten Planes is being published as a book of the same name by the Museum of the Southwest. A solo exhibit of selected images from the series is scheduled for January 29 - February 28, 2010. The Forgotten Planes collection has been permanently installed in the offices of Tim Leach, CEO of Concho Resources, who commissioned the series.  Check out the artist at http://www.burtonpritzker.com

“Forgotten Planes” by Burton Pritzker, presented by Museum of the Southwest

http://www.museumsw.org/Burton%20Pritzker.php

Exhibition January 29th through February 28th, sponsored by Tim Leach and Robert Chase

A fantastic idea, for a very worthy cause.  Weather shouldn’t be a problem until Thursday, but in the case of bad weather the benefit will be held in the main ballroom of the Hilton.  We hope to attend if our work schedules allow.  Here are the details.  — C&C

Rock Relief for Haiti - TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 27, 2010

4:30pm to 7pm

Centennial Plaza, Downtown Midland, Texas

“Rock Relief for Haiti” will be held in Centennial Plaza, located in downtown Midland, on Wednesday, Jan 27th from 4:30-7 PM. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross and designated for the special relief fund for Haiti.

Donations of any amount will be collected at a designated donation station set-up by the American Red Cross. “So far our expenses have been zero for ‘Rock Relief’ and we don’t anticipate incurring any expenses on the foreseeable horizon. The community has truly rallied around this cause, from local government to local businesses and citizens. Every dollar in expense that is spared is a dollar in proceeds that can go to Haiti”, said Lisa Grissom, owner of Promising Projects. Checks should be made payable to the “American Red Cross” and receipts will be available upon verification of donation.

The concert is FREE to all ages. Local rock band, ‘Loudfinger’, who has been chosen as an opening act for 80’s rock bands, ‘Dokken’ and ‘Great White’, will be headlining the concert, preceded by an acoustic set performed by local Renaissance man, Bo Zertuche.

‘Loudfinger’ will kick off an opening set at 4:30 PM in Centennial Plaza followed by the invocation, courtesy of Pastor Bell of Greater Ideal Baptist Church. Both, Bob Rice, Executive Director of American Red Cross and Wes Perry, Mayor of Midland, will speak followed by an acoustic performance, courtesy of Bo Zertuche. ‘Loudfinger’ will close ‘Rock Relief’ with a 60-minute rock concert.

Local citizens are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Food and drink will be available. ‘Rock Relief’ will be a non-alcoholic event suitable for families and all ages and will happen rain or shine. In the event of ill-weather, ‘Rock Relief’ will be held in the main ballroom inside the Hilton.

A news information and resource site for ‘Rock Relief’ will go live 1/22 by 3 PM at www.promisingprojects.com/rockrelief.html

According to the MRT, Texas Historical Commission board members traveled to Midland recently to review the application files and nominations for the National Register of Historic Places.  Though Midland has no current pending projects, the Commission’s National Register coordinator stated the Commission would be thrilled to work with property owners to designate historical places as the “first step in preservation.”  The City gave them a tour of Downtown to show off revitalization efforts, as well as Midland’s older residential neighborhoods.  If it’s one thing we support, it’s the preservation of Midland’s old buildings!  – C&C

Texas Historical Commission tours Midland locations

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/01/15/news/top_stories/texas_historical_commission_visit.txt#ixzz0dfUHyowM

Happy Monday everyone.  Another Breakfast and Lunch Option has opened Downtown!  Open on weekdays.  Information courtesy of the MRT.  — C&C

Just opened in downtown Midland is GARCIA’s DOWNTOWN CAFE, found at 100 E. Texas Ave., the intersection of Texas Avenue and Main Street.

The restaurant, owned by Joann Ochoa and partnered with Garcia’s Burritos on Lamesa Road, opens for breakfast at 7:30 a.m., serving breakfast burritos with bacon or sausage and eggs and, by request, potatoes.

Breakfast ends at 10:30 a.m. when lunch begins. The lunch menu includes traditional Tex-Mex fare like enchiladas, tacos, fajitas and burritos along with asado and shrimp cocktail. Menudo is served on Fridays.

Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dine-in seating is available and carry-out orders are welcome. More information is available by calling 684-3833.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/01/05/news/opinion/columns/business_scene/doc4b44016761332899644476.txt#ixzz0bzhxKHMH

We love weddings.  Everything about them.  After the “Year of the Wedding” for us, which was 2008 (during which not only the two of us, but certain brothers, bridesmaids, groomsmen, best friends and everyone we ever met who had reached the age of 30 got married), just the word “wedding” was enough to give us both shudders and the urge to head for the hills and/or pull the covers over our heads.  But as for 2010….  the burnout is over!  We love the ceremonies, the parties, the friends and family, the dancing (especially Chris!), the cake, the food….  We love it!

I have to take this moment to congratulate my best friend and college roomie Brooke on her recent engagement (CONGRATS BROOKE AND WILL!!!), and most importantly her excellent taste in choosing me as a bridesmaid.    All kidding aside, I wish she wasn’t in Dallas so I would have some sort of reasonable excuse to attend the Bridal Show Downtown at the Midland Center this Sunday, January 10th, from 1 to 6 p.m.  I don’t know a whole lot about this event at the Midland Center, but I did recognize the President’s name of the Bridal Association, Gerenda Sawyer.  If you haven’t heard of her, chances are you probably will.  She is the principal of Fleur-de-Lis catering, a VERY talented chef, and her food speaks for itself.  We’ve had the pleasure of meeting her, and sampling her cooking, at Museum luncheons and private parties, and most recently she catered the Evening With The Judges in October.  She also gives cooking lessons.  SO, whether or not you attend the bridal show, if you’re looking for a caterer or some cooking lessons, Gerenda is your gal.  As for you Midland Brides, evidently 800 to 1,000 of you are expected at the event on Sunday.  Enjoy!  –Cory

Fleur-de-Lis Foods  http://www.fleurdelisfoods.com/

Permian Basin Bridal Association presents bridal fair 2010 and ‘Colours of Couture’

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/01/06/life/top_stories/doc4b44aa376992e782712324.txt#ixzz0bsEtd2y1

No, this is not a Downtown event…. but it’s just too unique and unusual not to post.  Midlanders are invited to attend the LIVE Metropolitan Opera performance of “Der Rosenkavalier” with world renowned opera singers, Susan Graham (of Midland) and Renee Fleming.  Placido Domingo will be the host.  You may attend this event right here in Midland, TX at the Hollywood Theater TOMORROW, Saturday, January 9th at 12 noon.  “Der Rosenkavalier” will be aired LIVE straight from NYC.  Placido Domingo will go backstage and interview both Susan and Renee. 

http://www.ncm.com/Fathom/Opera/MET_DerRosenkav_Live.aspx

The Hollywood Theater showing saves you a flight to NYC and an expensive MET ticket.  You may buy your ticket in advance at the Hollywood Theater or go to the web-site listed.  ENJOY!!  For more information, call Linda Hagler at 520-3500

EVENT:  MET LIVE – “Der Rosenkavalier” w/Susan Graham & Renee Fleming.  Hosted by Placido Domingo

DATE:    SATURDAY – January 9th

TIME:     12 noon

PLACE:  Hollywood Theater – Loop 250 N

COST:     $22.00 adults    $18.00 seniors   

MORE INFO:  699-1010  (Lynny Nutt) or http://www.ncm.com/Fathom/Opera/MET_DerRosenkav_Live.aspx