Boy Howdy Music Fans! The Coconut Times welcomes one and all to ‘official’ Summer of ‘09! With the Holiday weekend under our belt, we’re soon in full blown ‘in’ season mode. One positive note: at least the obligatory Memorial Day rain held off until Monday and didn’t drench the entire weekend.
    All of you uptown folks may have noticed that the new Crab Bag is now open! The new structure on 131st St. houses a seafood market and a new bar and seating on the 2nd floor dubbed ‘On Top of the Bag’ features a raw bar and an oyster grilling pit plus a great chance to watch the world go by from the top deck. The new bar is also a Redskins Bar, counterpart to  ‘The Ravens Bar, ‘The Back of the Bag’. The ‘Back’ is still bringing us great live entertainment with open mic night featuring Chris  Button. This weekend is no exception featuring live blues and country on Fri. and Sat. nights 9pm. Hot crabs, cold beer and even hotter live music; What else does a person need? Look for Pompous Pie Sat. 6/6.
    The 4th Annual Fastest Bartender Contest begins this week at Macky’s Bayside on Wed. 6/3. The battle of the bar-keeps is always a riot to watch and continues over three Wednesdays to June 17th for the finals. Contact Macky’s on 54th  and Bay at 410-723-5565 to enter. Come and cheer on your favorite ‘tender’!
    While we’re on bayside contests, Fish Tales is continuing their hotdog eating contest. To enter it’s $5 for 5 dogs and you’ll be timed. This sounds like a good deal for the non-glutton and challenge for the ‘actual’ glutton! No extra charge for mustard. Fish Tales also hosts a cornholing tournament on Tuesday nights; for details apply within (21st St. & Bay).
    Out in West ‘O’, the big news is sushi night! The Shark on Sunset Ave. features sushi by Brooke Lamare on a few nights of the week. The man has skills! Please keep an eye out for $2 Tuesdays with Joe Smooth and Harry ‘O’, 4-8pm. Enjoy fine wines and natural foods right on the Harbour!
    It was good to see DJ Batman out and about last weekend at M.R. Ducks. He’s still moving a little slowly and is on the mend after his scooter was struck by a car a couple of weeks ago.  Jason ‘Shego’ Shegogue joined Pompous Pie for a couple of sets at M.R. Ducks. The former G-13 guitarist now resides in Ithica N.Y. and was looking for some live band action while he was in town. I’d almost forgotten what an amazing player he really is. He also brought a pretty nice crowd draw with him last Sat. Thanks to the cast and crew for such a fun day down on the Talbot St. pier!
    Look for Pompous Pie this weedend at the Caribbean Pool Bar (2nd St. and Boardwalk) in the Plim Plaza Hotel this and every Fri. at 7:30pm. Pompous is also back at The Greene Turtle West (Rt. 611) Sat. 5/30 at 9pm. Come on out and get a slice of Pie! Delicious. Future dates include Micky Fins, Duffy’s, The Crab Bag and more! Stick with the Coconut Times and we’ll keep you posted.
    We’ll see you around the campfire this summer ‘09.
    Till next week, Tah!! – Marco Ink