The Dallas Dinner- Curing the hobby's ills

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Posted By: leon

Andy B. was in town yesterday so he, Scott B., and I got together for a little meat lovers dinner. We talked about curing the hobby's ills and what it would take. We decided we would leave it to someone else and we are having fun collecting just the way we are. None of us have ever collected by the number, other than the ACC #, although I know Scott has a registry set or two. We agreed that there's room for slab collectors, raw collectors, and everything in between. The dinner and conversation were very good....We'll be anxiously awaiting the report back from the NY get together....

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Posted By: Scott Elkins

as much as I would love to see the Hobby cleaned up, it would be an arduous task. I, for one, am glad Jim Crandell took it upon himself to act on this aspect, as I wouldn't have the time or patience myself. Jim, at least, has Barry Sloate to help him. Barry has been around many years and has seen and heard many things, so that should be very helpful to Jim and his quest.

For the most part, I agree with Leon - I am content to set back and enjoy collecting and the "chase" for new cardboard. However, I did extend Jim my help and told him that if he ever needs any help from me, that I would be more than happy to aid him in any way possible since I do love this Hobby (which I am almost certain any of us would help Jim as well).

In the meantime, the best way I believe we "veteran" collectors can help is to educate the newbies and point out altered cards to others, as Mr. Sloate has done on this board in the past. I feel that if we keep a watchful eye and report wrong-doings publicly, then that is one step towards improving this great Hobby.

Happy Collecting!

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Posted By: barrysloate

Thanks Scott- and we'll see how that meeting goes.

The real question is: how was that skewered steak? How long did it take for your green lights to turn to red? (Leon can explain that as he did to me).

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Posted By: Jeff Prizner

If that's a Fogo De Chao reference, I'm guessing the meat was delicious and plentiful!

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Posted By: leon

We went to a place that is a Brazilian steakhouse....called Fogo De Cao

http://www.fogodechao.com
Everyone has a little round piece of cardboard, about the size of a silver dollar on the table. One side is green and one is red. If you have it on green the waiters bring around an assortment of 15 different steaks, marinated chicken, and sausage, on skewers. When your plate is full you turn the green cardboard over to the other side, which is red, and it tells the servers to stop pushing meat in front of your face. When you are close to finished with what's on your plate you turn it back to green until your plate is full again. Repeat until bloated.....

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Posted By: barrysloate

At Peter Luger's you eat what they give you...if you tell the waiter you are still hungry they drag you into the parking lot and beat you up. Hey, it's Brooklyn!

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Posted By: deleted

we have one of those places in Manhattan as well.


Same thing with the red light / green light system.


you have to go there hungry!

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Posted By: barrysloate

Joe- I never heard of it. Do you know the address? I guess it's a chain.

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Posted By: Brian Weisner

Hi Barry,
It's on the corner of 1st and 1st next to awesome Ray's, and Kramer is lost downtown..... Have a good weekend Brian

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Posted By: deleted

go hungry.... actually go starving. And leave the green light on in front of you.

http://www.porcao.com.br/en/default.asp

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Posted By: Mike

I'm told there is going to be one downtown Minneapolis. Two blocks from my old office of 21 years. I will have to check it out. I'm not sure when it will be opening. Because collecting old baseball "stough" my other hobby, along with my wonderful wife, is finding new restraunts. We do it every two weeks or so. Kind of fun. And it is so much cheaper than "Old cardboard". But tastier. (No offense towards the terrific periodical)

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Posted By: barrysloate

Yes- Kramer had a girlfriend downtown, remember it well...are we starting another Seinfeld thread?

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Posted By: MVSNYC

my aunt & uncle went there for thanksgiving (the place in NYC), they said it was an amazing meal...my uncle is a very talented chef in his ownright, and is very critical of restaurants...he couldn't stop talking about this place!



sounds like it's pizza & beer for us next week, however.

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Posted By: barrysloate

Why wasn't this "on our menu" when we were planning that NYC dinner? Maybe Jim C. wants to have the Jan 25 meeting there next week.

P.S.- I'm going around the corner for baby backs tonight!

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Posted By: Josh Adams

I've been to the one here in Chicago. It rocks.

The one in NYC is at 1st and 1st?! That's at the nexus of the universe!

Go Go White Sox
2005 World Series Champions!

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Posted By: barrysloate

Uh-uh...here we go.

I was just sharing this line with Bruce Babcock, another Seinfeld fanatic: "the air is so dewy sweet you don't even have to lick the stamps."

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Posted By: MVSNYC

Barry- this place didn't come up for conversation on the famous "NYC Dinner" thread, because that was way before Thanksgiving...i didn't know this place existed until then...

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Posted By: barrysloate

Fair enough- and I think Jim wants this in his office so let's leave it at that.

And for those who plan to attend- and Jim if you are reading this feel free to respond- what do people hope to accomplish at this meeting? While evrybody would like to see the business run on the up and up, exactly what can we as a group do?

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Posted By: MVSNYC

barry- just teasing about the pizza & beer...

i don't care what we eat, just looking forward to meeting everyone.

MS

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Posted By: JimCrandell

We had our dinner last week at Hibiscus in Dallas--ever been there Leon?

Thanks Scott--appreciate your offers of help.

If everyone comes who says they will we should have 8-10 guys.

Jim

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Posted By: leon

It sounds like a plant to me?....never been there. Fogo is literally 1.0 miles from my office, which is in Addison (North Dallas)..I went straight there from work...I hate to venture anywhere near downtown....there are some nice places but I prefer the suburbs....Had you not wanted to meet so late we could have gotten together. I think I was home by 9:15 last night....Starting at nine would be too late for me...on a weeknight..Besides, I think we got it all figured out last night ...it's all good. best regards

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Posted By: Ryan Christoff

Barry,

To answer your question, you, Jim, and the others will all be teaming up with O.J. to find the real killer.

-Ryan

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Posted By: barrysloate

Isn't O.J. busy these days doing the book signing tour?

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Posted By: Anonymous

Leon,

I hope so.

Restaurant in Highland Park?

Had a business dinner which carried on well into the evening at the bar at the Mansion at Turtle Creek so it was all for the best.

But hey--you live near Dallas and you probably don't know the single most important person in card collecting who happens to live near there and participates on this board.

Jim

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Posted By: barrysloate

Jim- vintage card important, or PSA 8 important?

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Uh Oh!

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Posted By: leon

I probably don't hang around the same crowd as you or the folks you know. I like to hoot and holler and make friends and have fun. I think you said that's not why you come around here. I consider one of the most important collections around this area to be one I am going to see in a week or so. It's from a very humble, quiet, gentleman. He collects cards, not slabs, and I doubt has very many graded, if any. Other than that I have several good friends locally..... I give though.....who is it? (please don't say Dr.Beckett as I spent a fair amount of time with him at the last National..which was the first time I had the pleasure of meeting him and was truly my honor.)

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Posted By: Anonymous

Leon,

I think this guy is more fun than you are but then again I have never hung out with you.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Okay I'm going to guess you're talking about Rich Klein....I don't even know if he's from Dallas, but I do know that he works for Beckett.

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Posted By: leon

I get together with Rich every now and then and definitely consider him a friend. I would imagine there are thousands of people more fun than I am in Dallas...(I would say millions but there's only a little more than a million in Dallas in total). For the record I have eaten at The Mansion a few times. It's one of those 5 star "hoity toity" places....you have to wear a coat and tie I believe....but don't remember...I know we did when we went...I think one of us wasn't wearing a coat and they gave us one to wear. (hey that sort of sounds like Bruce)....anyway, we weren't impressed by the 9 green beans and 6 oz filet with blah blah sauce......Last night rocked, as far as eating and company goes.....There's more than enough room for everyone to enjoy this hobby the way they want to. In any major city there will be lots of great collectors I am sure........take care

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Well, I guess Crandell's not going to let the rest of the hobby know who the most important person in the hobby is???

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Did Adam J. Moraine move to the Big D?

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Only if Bob Feller moved there.

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

playing the hoity toity card.......

I'm with you.......keep your pinky from poking and eat large chunks of meat.....steak doesn't need special sauces.....

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Posted By: Anonymous

Dan,

Not to guys that are rude. Leon doesn't care so I will drop it.

Jim--not Crandell

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Jim, I'm actually curious -- you're not referring to Don Spence, are you?

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Jim, how will we ever know who the most important person in card collecting is if you don't tell us???

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Posted By: Anonymous

Jeff,

I wasn't but Spence has one of the top 5 collections in the hobby. Simply amazing and a lock for the Hall of Fame this year.

Jim

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

What Hall of Fame?? Is there a card collector hall of fame?

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Posted By: Anonymous

Dan,

PSA Set Registry Hall of Fame--started 4 yrs ago and they let in 1 person per year.

Jim

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

a couple of the guys are juicing......might not make the hall.......

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Posted By: Anonymous

Tom,

Is that what is keeping Bill out?

Seriously, I would be an advocate of Bill Bengen making it in the future.

Jim

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Posted By: Cobby33

Registry guys are on the juice? Who??? --Or are you saying the PSA grades their cards have are juiced?

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Don is also one of the nicest guys I have met - either in or out of the hobby.

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Posted By: JimCrandell

Jeff,

How do you know Don Spence?

Jim

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Jim,

I've gotten to know him recently and spent some time with him when he was in New York a few months back. He is a very decent, humble, funny and kind man. And his enthusiasm for the hobby is endearing.

Jeff

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Posted By: mvsnyc

i can second the vote, that don spence is a super guy, real gentlemen...i too met up with him while he was in NY recently...we have done a few transactions...

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Posted By: Anonymous

Jeff and Mike,

I met him briefly at the PSA Set Registry luncheon at the National and based on just a brief chat he seemed to be all the things you said.

He is the poerfect example of the point I have made several times on this board that high-grade PSA vintage card collectors are every bit as passionate about the hobby as low grade collectors.

Jim

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Posted By: barrysloate

I think everone who collects, regardless of the grade or their budget, enjoys what they do. Otherwise, what's the point?

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Barry, very true. I do find it amusing how everyone in this hobby is from such diverse backgrounds yet when talk of cards comes up we are all on the same wavelength for the most part.