By Paddy Notar
Turnagain Times Correspondent

What President refused to use the telephone while in office? Answer to follow.

Well, the leaves are gone, the temperature is in the mid 40’s every day and the snow is starting to trickle further and further down the mountains. Winter is here so don’t forget the sports swap at the Daylodge on Saturday, Oct. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. Trade out your old stuff and get something that feels new to you. On Oct. 28 stop by the Daylodge for the Girdwood P.T.A. Kids Carnival. It’s going on from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be games, scary stories, a kids costume parade, and a family theme costume contest. The admission is $3 per person or $10 for the immediate family so don’t try and bring your cousins. They won’t get in. All proceeds go to the Girdwood P.T.A.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, it’s Alyeska Mystery Train from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. You take a beautiful ride through the Turnagain Arm and arrive at the Hotel Alyeska. Stay the night and watch some mysterious events occur. It’s kind of like a mystery solving game and it’s always fun. While you’re there check out “Static Cycle” playing at the Daylodge from 8 p.m. until midnight. Tickets are $10 and it’s only 21 and over so get a babysitter because this band is good and you deserve a night without the kids. The band is considered one of the best rock bands by M.T.V. Don’t forget that on Oct. 31, the end of pre-season, season pass sale ends. That’s a tongue twister. It goes from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. It’s also the last day to roll over unused days on 2010/2011 10X powder pass. I have no idea what any of that means. Just call the resort and they will have the answers that you’re looking for.

Speaking of answers, it was Calvin Coolidge that refused to use the telephone while in office. He said, “If you don’t say anything you won’t be called on to repeat it.” A wise man.

On Friday, Oct. 21, check out the Jammers at the Silvertip. The fun begins at 8 p.m. but get there early and grab a slider. Whatever they have is always good and it’s a nice, affordable meal. About $2.50 for each one. Two will take care of hunger pains and three will make for a nice nap. On Saturday, Oct. 22, Animal and Paul from Winterland will be playing. They start at 8 p.m. and have a nice following. Of course Sunday isn’t just for football at the Tip. Open mic is happening with Trent beginning at 8 p.m. That’s on 10/23. On Friday, 10/28 it’s Billy Strain playing at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 29, it’s Backstrap with DJ BC from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. That is some good reggae so do show up. You’ll enjoy it. Milo Mathews is coming to the Silvertip on Sunday, Oct. 30. The fun starts at 9 p.m.

I finally made it to Maxine’s and had a very nice meal. It was a seared yellow fin tuna with a tomato reduction and gnocchi. It was delicious. I was a little hesitant at first because I’ve never heard of tuna with a tomato sauce but it was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. The tuna was perfectly cooked and the gnocchi was something I never would have expected with this dish, which was pleasantly surprising. Maxine’s has a new menu out and you should visit it at least twice a month. I did notice a dish with shrimp that weren’t de-veined. That’s a no-no. Other than that Maxine’s looks to be on the right track and attentive servers such as J.C. help to make that possible.

If you’re heading into town you have to check out the Firetap’s new menu. That have some nice additions which include an oven baked pretzel, cut in half with ham and cheese. They have another pretzel sandwich with homemade chicken salad and cranberries. Who doesn’t love a fluffy, oven baked pretzel that has that nice crispy outside and sea salt? And then you throw deli ham and cheese into the mix or chicken salad. That is great football food. Like the sliders at the Silvertip, it will also require a nap after consumption. If you don’t want the chicken salad or ham just get it by itself and enjoy the side of cheese sauce and grain mustard. It is really, really good food. I don’t know how else to explain it.

Well, the snow is starting to trickle down the mountains and eventually in our faces so enjoy the leaves and remember the wise words of John Barrymore, “You can’t drown yourself in drink. I’ve tried: You float.” Happy Halloween.

Send me an email to: paddytimes@gmail.com for events and information.