I Fought the Belly Buster, and the Belly Buster Won

I have suffered defeat at the hands of a sandwich.

I think it's only fair to note, however, that the term "sandwich" is in no way entirely accurate; this thing is a monstrosity. A delicious monstrosity. That's out to get you.

Let's backtrack for a moment, though, to the home of said humdinger, Classic Café:

This place has a great vibe, largely due to its themed decor (and tunes to match - I enjoy any dining establishment where I can listen to Johnny Cash):

That's Bev!

The café's menu includes several entrées, a large selection of burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads, desserts and cookies of the day, soups, chili, milkshakes, flavored soda, a root beer float and a banana split.

Additionally, if you're feeling particularly brave, you can take the Belly Buster Challenge. There's all sorts of glory that comes with polishing the Belly Buster off in the allotted time of 30 minutes:

First, there's appreciation from fellow diners. How do they know you've taken on the challenge, you ask? Because this bell gets rung when the waitstaff brings your plate out, at which time an announcement is made for all to hear.

Second, a specialized shirt proclaiming your feat is bestowed upon you.

And third, Wall o' Fameage.

Up on the screen, I was initially encouraged to see that two nuns had completed the Belly Buster, but then one of the waitstaff told me that the picture was just there for fun, and that in actuality only one other woman has successfully done it. Yikes.

Here's what stands between you and the title:

Don't skimp on the fries, do they?

That's two quarter-pound burgers topped with three fried eggs, four slices of American cheese, six pieces of bacon, BETWEEN two grilled cheese sandwiches, plus the fries and milkshake.

Look, I'm usually a solid eater, but literally about four bites into this thing, I was ready to wave the white flag. It's vicious.

This, believe it or not, actually represents progress.

I think it was around this point that a departing staff member joked, "See you in the morning when you'll still be sitting here."

P.S. The very kind folks who work at the café were all quite willing to lend moral support. Despite my pitiful performance, they assured me that it was not the worst that someone had EVER done, and they also did not lock me in the freezer for not finishing, as was threatened in the announcement to the other diners ;)

That's all, folks.

Taking on the challenge was definitely fun, but I'm looking forward to going back in and trying some of the other, less gargantuan menu offerings!

And as for you, Belly Buster, I can only hope that my supreme failure will inspire others to go in there and do better than I did.

Classic Café, 805 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904

http://www.visitclassiccafe.com/,

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Classic-Cafe/106327804530#!/pages/Classic-Cafe/106327804530?sk=wall

You Had Me at Post-It Notes

I'm about as dependent on Post-It Notes as most people are on coffee.

I like to buy all sorts of colors. Bold, pastel, warm, cold. Sometimes I like to buy the ones that make the accordion shape when you stretch them out so I can toss them around. The other day, I even found some of those rare white ones? But they're all delightful, really.

I'm not worried for myself in the least.

I share a similar, though not quite as fanatic, fondness for most office supplies. And I know I'm not alone. I think such an affection has to do with all the ways they make your existence more organized, the promise of all the projects you envision using them for, and the little variety that gets added to your day by using, say, colored staples?

I recently discovered a local trove for all things office-related:

Meet Treu Office Supply and Furniture.

I love places like this; it's awesomely old-school in that it's been passed down from generation to generation of the Treu family since 1938, and in some of the items you can find there, plus it has everything an office could possibly ever need. And then some.

Like, tons more some.

Oh, graphing calculators. That brings me back.

:)

In chatting with owner Perry Treu, he'll tell you that their focus is on service, keeping things simple and honest, not being afraid to really search for what a customer is looking for, and willingness to do the little things. He also clarified that, contrary to popular belief about "Mom and Pop" stores, they're absolutely in the price ballpark with other places.

Treu's also offers free delivery AND free set-up for furniture. A pretty big deal for someone as assembly-required-challenged as I am.

Here are just a few of the interesting things you can find on the shelves:

Any type of record-keeping slip or book you could ever need. Sales and delivery forms, invoices, packing slips, purchase orders, time cards, attendance books, visitor logs, family budget books, and this little gem, which I particularly enjoyed:

It's this convenient little booklet for traveling business folks in which, on a page for each day, you can write down expenses in columns designated for meals, entertainment, gas, cabs, postage, auto rental, parking, etc. I just find its "throwback" quality refreshing.

An array of message slips.

They also had a book listing every zip code in the U.S. Once upon a time, when I visited the UFO Museum in Roswell, N.M., they asked that I provide my home zip code when I signed in. The instantaneous response from the guy working the desk once he glanced at the numbers? "Oh, Schenectady." He either had been working there for a long, long, long, long time, or he'd memorized that book.

In addition to what's in-store, Treu's can also swiftly get you anything out of this catalogue:

Pretty beastly.

To say that the catalogue has a huge selection is an understatement. Additionally, it has all these helpful "buying guides" throughout to help people make the best product choice for themselves.

There are sections for shelving, binding systems, desk accessories, files, labels, pads, printers, copiers, fax machines, staplers, tables, badges, projectors, calendars, briefcases, cleaning supplies, first-aid kits, mouse pads, rulers, cash-handling equipment. I could "We Didn't Start the Fire"-style come up with a song about it.

So stop in sometime and take a gander at the granddaddy of all permanent markers:

All hail the king.

And take advantage of all that Treu's has to offer!

Treu Office Supply and Furniture, 110 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901, (607) 732-4554

and 106 Victory Highway, Painted Post, NY 14870, (607) 936-1671

http://www.treuofficesupply.com/

♫ "You can always go...downtown" ♫

Last summer, a friend sent me this picture from the Elmira Street Painting Festival:

That's right, OK is OK :)

I went to school for a year at Oklahoma State, and trust me when I say that New York and Oklahoma? Not a whole lot in common. The many differences include landscape, tornado frequency, ability to function in the snow - or "snow" - and, perhaps my personal favorite, mascot selection:

                                                                                                                        

   Pistol Pete is clearly not a New York State resident.

    

So, seeing an homage to "The Sooner State" on the streets of Elmira made me smile. And when I moved here, it made me want to check out not only the festival, which will be held the weekend of July 9th and 10th, but its fundraiser, "A Taste of Downtown," which took place Thursday at the Arnot Art Museum. Both events are headed up by Elmira Downtown Development:

One of the most significant things I've learned since moving back is that Downtown Elmira has a lot more to offer than I ever realized while I was in school here. I didn't venture downtown a whole lot during those four years; I was operating under the egregious misconception that there was just not much doing.

Quite the contrary, folks. A strikingly interesting mix of newer and older ventures, and incredibly welcoming people, are easily found there if you take the time to look.

Um, not to mention the food:

Tomato brushetta crostini from the Holiday Inn Riverview. 

 Express Café and Bakery's spread.

 Global Gourmet.

 Checking out a tasty prosciutto and arugula on flatbread creation from Charlie's Cafe.

 Crème brulée with pistachios from Katie's Café on the left.

And the "Taste" part of "A Taste of Downtown" wasn't all literal; a wide variety of businesses were present to share about their services:

LaVere Media. 

Toughpups and Pampered Princesses. 

I just really enjoy this. 

Locally made jewelry from Nectar Floral Studio.

 Cagwin Photography.

 Treu Office Supply & Furniture.

In addition to visiting, eating and enjoying some wine, you could also attend Elmira Downtown's Annual Meeting, check out Riverfront Park plans, listen to the tunes of John Manfredi and bid on a number of silent auction items:

All in all, it was a great opportunity to get a sampling of what Downtown Elmira is actually all about, and to support filling its streets with art this summer.

I may have once had an art teacher who took one look at my first attempt at painting and asked me if I wanted to drop his class, but by God, I'm still psyched to potentially take to the chalks.

Elmira Downtown Development, 400 E. Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901

(607) 734-0341, http://www.elmiradowntown.com/, 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elmira-Downtown-Development-Inc/87812274123