A couple reasons to shed a tear this week and a couple reasons to raise our glasses for a toast.
Bye, bye, BB's: When I first moved to Fresno, BB's Lounge in Northwest Fresno was my No. 1 hangout.It's a small place, but it was always full and lively. I'd sing karaoke there, dance sometimes and occasionally drink too many Long Island iced teas. My friends even threw me a birthday party there once.For those reasons, BB's will always have a place in my Fresno heart, and for those reasons I'm bummed out by the news that BB's is closing this weekend.So, too, is its attached eatery, Giulia's Italian Restaurant. The two of them had just celebrated being open 20 years last November, too.Saturday will be the last night BB's is open. Its going away party will have a DJ and, of course, karaoke, which has always been a staple there.There's something to be said about how long BB's was able to stay open, considering the always-shuffling nature of night life venues. Congrats on that, BB's.So long, Omar: Longtime local blues fans are reeling from news of the death of David Alexander Elam, aka Omar Sharriff. In Fresno, we knew him best as Omar the Magnificent.He was a blues piano player and a boogie-woogie expert who lived in Fresno for a spell in the late '80s and early '90s.Alexander, 73, was found dead in Marshall, Texas, where he was living. He's remembered in Fresno for his weekly Monday night gigs at Zapp's Park and the Olympic Tavern, which would be packed as if it were a Saturday night."He could play practically any style of blues piano known to man and some that was his alone," says local blues expert Chris Millar. "Omar was a true blues original, and that's saying something these days."Concert news: Rock band Nickelback announced its 2012 tour plans this week and Fresno was not -- I repeat NOT -- on its itinerary.Usually, I'm bummed when we're not on a tour list. I'm glad this one worked out in our favor.The ultimate Clovis cocktail? This weekend, Clovis bartenders are looking to crown a drink that will be the official Clovis Centennial Cocktail.Clovis turns 100 this year -- y'all wear it well -- and part of the celebration is a new, custom cocktail.Bartenders from Kimmie's Tavern, Old Town Saloon, 500 Club, Bobby Salazar's, Michelangelo's and Salsa's will be showing off their concoctions at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at 500 Club. I'll be one of the judges tasked with trying everything (go easy on me, please, I'm not 23 anymore). But all can vote for their favorites.People's Choice ballots will be available at participating bars, in the Clovis Roundup or at happybirthdayclovis.com. It's all leading up to a big birthday party Feb. 27 at Sierra Vista Mall.Cheers!