I am writing to express my anger after reading the views of Councillor Vassilaki regarding the demand for high fees for sidewalk cafe patios. He states $200 is made by a restauranteur out of two tables in two hours ... I know that for a fact because I know how much one table of four does in an hour

What universe is he living in? Does he not realize we are in a deep recession? He states that he was a restauranteur for 40 years. Why doesnt he tell us which businesses and how many businesses he actually has. Who is this man?

Why is he on council fighting against the small business person who is struggling to survive in this town in these economic times? He does not have any idea of what it is like to be in business in the downtown core with the city hall fighting against every move one makes to improve and survive. He may be wealthy with many businesses, (I have no idea) but I think I can speak for many of the downtown businesses, and they are struggling, and some are going under.

Why are you on our council if you are against the downtown business people? Who are you representing? Maybe it is time for you to get a reality check. Maybe you shouldnt be on our council. I am outraged by your attitude. My children own the Bellevue Cafe, and they work so incredibly hard to survive and are always looking at ways to improve. They spent over $5,000 for their patio, as before, council was saying how nice it would be if there were several outside patios in the downtown.

Now the council wishes to penalize people who offer outside patios and council wants to PROFIT by them. The Bellevue Cafe has invested a great amount of money to offer the citizens of Penticton a beautiful and comfortable place to go. They make fresh baked goods every day, fresh soups, desserts etc. They work so hard. They hire staff and pay wages. These are very tough times, especially for businesses in Penticton. Prices of supplies have gone up hugely. I ask you to walk downtown, walk in the mall. Get out and see how many businesses are closing. My message to city hall is to have a heart. Be thankful for the dedicated, caring, business person in your town. A town which is better for their being there. If you dont appreciate them and support them, then quit as representatives of the people of Penticton. Please.

Patricia Kushner

Penticton

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Councillor out to lunch

Now that the weather is cooperating, it's time to take it outside and dine al fresco.

From rooftop hangouts to four-season retractable roofs, trendy restaurants have stepped up their game to make the patio competition as tough as it has ever been. Still, new tricks aren't always enough to beat perennial favorites.

Whether classic and quaint or trendy and bustling, this year's top 30 patios have something to suit a variety of tastes.

ADMIRAL D'S WATERFRONT TAVERN, 4424 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake; 651-330-3101; admiralds.com: Location, location, location. This stone patio is small, but you can't beat the backdrop of White Bear Lake and boats coming from the landing.

DOC'S LANDING PUB AT MISSISSIPPI DUNES, 10351 Grey Cloud Trail, Cottage Grove; 651-768-7611; mississippidunes.com: Spot eagles and deer while taking in the calm, tranquil backwaters of the Mississippi River. The restaurant is on the grounds of a golf course, so there is plenty of greenery to enjoy as well. Burgers and sandwiches are the stars of the menu.

DOCK CAFE, 425 Nelson St., Stillwater; 651-430-3770; dockcafe.com: This grown-up restaurant with a patio on the water's edge provides a perfect view of the St. Croix River, lift bridge and river valley.

MUDDY WATERS BAR & GRILL, 231 Broad St., Prescott, Wis.; 715-262-5999; muddywatersbarandgrill.biz: An expansive, multi-tiered patio with primo views of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers is one of the prettiest riverfront restaurants around. Choose from open-air and umbrella-topped deck areas. The patio has an outdoor bar as well as a covered deck area to keep patrons dry even when there's rain.

Jenna Bauer of Hastings delivers food to a table on the patio at Muddy Waters Bar and Grill in Prescott, Wis., on May 17, 2014. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

PIER 500, 500 First St., Hudson, Wis.; 715-386-5504; pierfivehundred.com: A hot spot not only for its contemporary decor and menu but also for offering one of the best seats in downtown for catching views of the pier and St. Croix River.

PSYCHO SUZI'S, 1900 Marshall St. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-788-9069; psychosuzis.com: It's come one, come all at this family-friendly hangout with a hip vibe. During patio season, the waiting list fills up with those who want to dine on the tiki-themed deck overlooking the Mississippi River. Polynesian cocktails and giant pizzas are a draw.

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Best patios in the Twin Cities area: Our Top 30

festival de la pitaya 2014, organizado por casa de los patios sayula parte 1

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riteprice roofing and stratco verandahs and patios

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Two weeks after a controversially complicated debate doomed the arrival of food trucks in London, city council avoided a similar quagmire Tuesday.

With summer weather nearly here, politicians voted 12-0 to allow acoustic music on bar patios across the city, though it looked for a few moments like the proposal may have been derailed, or at least delayed.

Clearly skittish from the public backlash to the recent food-truck rejection, one councillor urged her colleagues to OK the patio plan.

I dont want to become another story in The Free Press, Coun. Sandy White said.

Councils unanimous vote lifts the ban on non-amplified acoustic music on bar/restaurant patios for this summer. Its a pilot project that will be reviewed next year for any problems.

Coun. Joni Baechler already foresees one, involving residents whose homes abut the patios that may now have live music.

A patio, she said, tends to get a little bit louder as people imbibe a little bit more. Baechler sought to have patios adjacent to homes removed from the pilot project, meaning theyd still be banned from offering acoustic music.

That change, though, likely would have required sending the entire matter back for more public input, which would have slowed the plans rollout at least two more weeks. Several politicians opposed any such delay.

This is patio season now, Coun. Denise Brown said. Lets not be a stuffy city and lets enjoy our summer.

Coun. Paul Hubert noted its a pilot project, so any major issues including a conflict between neighbouring homes and bar patios can be addressed before next summer.

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Music almost went way of all those food trucks

Paco de lucia tribute, los patios, cordoba
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LOS PATIOS SE VISTEN DE ARGENTINA CANTAORA DE FLAMENCO 3 ENTREGA

By: EL PAUELO VERDE Y BLANCO

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LOS PATIOS SE VISTEN DE ARGENTINA CANTAORA DE FLAMENCO 3 ENTREGA - Video

Charlotte, North Carolina (PRWEB) May 19, 2014

A new report released this past month finds that stone patios are a hot item this spring. Houzz, a leader in home renovation and design, released a study this past month of 4500 users in the midst of or planning a landscape update. 83% of all surveyed say they had plans to add a patio or deck in the upcoming months. Masters Stone Group, a stone paver and masonry specialist out of Charlotte, NC, backs this report, stating it has seen an upward trend in stone patios the past 2-3 months around the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

Most of my clients are using their stone patio spaces for backyard grills, parties, or leisure activities, says Mark Correll, Masters Stone Group President. Ive seen a great demand in the Charlotte, NC area for stone patios --theyre beautiful, durable and low maintenance.

According to the Houzz study, 53% of the those surveyed stated they would be using their backyard additions for entertainment purposes. Stone patios, in particular, have grown in popularity due to a recent demand for outdoor living areas. Such areas include outdoor kitchens, stone fireplaces, and exterior stone accents. Stone patios are a good foundation for almost all outdoor living or entertainment areas, says Correll. Many of our clients begin with something simple like a stone patio, then expand their designs to outdoor living spaces. Stone patios are a great way to add value to your home.

About Masters Stone Group

With over 20 years experience in the custom home building and stone masonry field, Masters Stone Group specializes in the art of selecting, designing and installing natural and manufactured stone in Charlotte, NC, and surrounding areas. Masters Stone Group is fully licensed, bonded and insured for all work completed. For more information about all types of stone masonry and the leading stonemasons in Charlotte, please call 704-968-7177. Visit the website at http://www.mastersstonegroup.com.

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Houzz Landscape Study, Masters Stone Group, Find Stone Patios a Hot Trend for 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina

Outdoor dining and drinking, the return of the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and several new bars and restaurants opening were our major stories last week.

As the weather turns pleasant, critic Brett Anderson rounds up his favorite destinations for al fresco dining. Some of his choicesinclude Bayona, Martinique Bistro and Morton's Seafood in Madisonville.

If you're looking for a drink under the stars, David Lee Simmons' suggestions include Bayou Beer Garden, Mid-City Yacht Club and the Rusty Nail.

The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, or NOWFE, kicks off Wednesday (May 21). The wine and food festival, now in its second decade, has a schedule that appeals to everyone from the casual sipper to the serious oenophile. The major events include the Royal Street Stroll and the Grand Tastings.

Last week, New Orleans-native Dean Baquet was named the executive editor of the New York Times. Baquet grew up in the back of Eddie's, the legendary Gentilly restaurant run by his father Eddie Baquet.

Baquet's brother Wayne still operates Li'l Dizzy's Cafe on Esplanade Avenue. When Wayne first talked about retiring from the restaurant business in 2004, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune published a look back at the Baquet's contributions to our city's culinary culture. (Dean and Wayne's brother Terry directs print operations for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.)

New York Times drinks writer Robert Simonson has a new book on the Old Fashioned. On Tuesday (May 20), he'll give a talk at Cane & Table.

La Boca, the Argentine steakhouse, moved to a larger and more luxurious space.

Anderson is still taking suggestions for the best places to eat in Baton Rouge.

Barrel Proof, a new beer and whiskey bar from the crew behind Sylvain, opened Friday (May 16). It took over the former Bridge Lounge location.

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Patios, NOWFE and more dining news you might've missed: Monday Leftovers