I must rewrite my column because my Dad died of heart complications this morning. I was going to dedicate our 21st anniversary issue to the late, great Paulette Davis, who tragically perished in a fatal auto crash this past month and I would still like to do that; but I also want to remember my Father, who is the person who suggested I follow this career path. Well, Dad, I took it a step or two further than that! I've published an entire newspaper for over 20 years now (with a lot of help from my friends)! Dad definitely influenced my love of music and my writing/publishing career. I will certainly miss this wonderful person in my life not only as my Dad, but as my Scrabble partner and my friend.

The highlight of this month for me was most definitely the Elton John concert. Thanks to good friend and PE staff writer Joey Scruggs, who works at FASTIXX, I was able to attain 2nd row seats for my friend and manicurist Robbie Pederson and myself. Robbie managed to secure a Heritage Limo for the evening, so I treated her to a dinner at the finest Italian restaurant in town, Sylvia's. After a delightful meal, we piled into the limo for a few shots of good ol' Jack Daniels. When we arrived at the Rose Garden and found our 2nd row seats, security said we could stand up near the stage. So we acquired a spot center stage and portrayed the best teenage groupies there! What fun. We each raked in a guitar pick (or 2), touched Elton's hand twice and Robbie even fed the blond guitarist an Altoid! After the concert, we limoed on down to the Candlelight for a dose of dancing to the Norman Sylvester jam.

Other notable outings included Johnny Martin at Madison's; The Cool at Balzer's; Groove Line at the CBA meeting; and Keith Werner's Swing Revue Big Band at Suki's.

A whole slew of events are slated for the next month including Trianon Winemaker's Dinner Feb 26 featuring Montinore Wines from the Pacific Northwest; For those that enjoy the sport, there's live pro boxing featured at the Lucky Eagle Casino March 4; Boxing is also on tap at Portland's own Locker Room March 10; The 2nd Annual Images of Elvis Competition is March 13 at The Drum featuring the #1 rated Elvis on the West Coast, Steven Sogura; Tina S. Marie presents her new CD NAMASTE, a Sandscrit word meaning "the god in me honors the god in you," featuring original gothic Astral music with real-life content housed in a spiritual setting. Release party is March 14 at Oscar's Pub; 1998 McMinnville Wine & Food Classic is March 20-22 in the Armory at the McMinnville Airport. Entertainment includes Craig Carothers, Michael Allen Harrison, Curtis Salgado and more. For details on all these events and more, check ads and listings this issue.

New live music spots are cropping up regularly. The most recent include 45th Street Pub & Grill, Canyon's and Sege's Artbar.

Don't forget to make your plans for St. Paddy's Day; check out all the parties at spots advertised.

'Till next time...Bonnie Carter, ed.