By Suzanne Clinton, Bizzyville
Living in constant fear of another major power outage since January 2009

May 19, 2009

Champagne + BBQ + Cool Auction Items = Bubble Q! May 22

That’s right, it’s time once again for Bubble Q, the official Friday night pre-tune party of the Lowertown Art & Music Festival.

Bubble Q is an annual fundraising event now in its third year. Proceeds benefit the Paducah Renaissance Alliance, a group dedicated to the promotion and development of Downtown, LowerTown, and the Riverfront areas of Paducah. This year’s event features a live art performance (by iList Paducah’s Nikki D. May!), musical guests Murr-Vegas All Stars, special items available from exclusive LowerTown galleries, sparkling wine, delicious barbecue by Laura Duff’s A Pampered Palate and a live auction. 

Bid, and here’s what you might win!

Consultants in a Box (To get you out of yours…)
Take a fresh 360-degree look at your business and strategize solutions to your biggest challenges. The most successful consultants in the region team up to provide you with three hours of TLC and undivided attention. Package includes proven expertise in marketing, Web promotion, graphic design, executive coaching, communications and strategic planning. 

Kristin Reese Williams, KRW Strategies
Mary Thorsby, right here from iList Paducah
Nathan Brown, Horizon Media Group
Terry Reeves, EntrePaducah
Donna-Maria Walker, Donna-Maria Walker Strategic Communications

Segway for Four: A Downtown Shopping Adventure
Love to shop? Try browsing in a whole new way. Grab three friends and head to Segway of Paducah where Dwayne Stigall will hook you up with the coolest transportation in town. Cross those impossible-to-buy-for names off the holiday list early or just treat yourself when you zip in and purchase one-of-a-kind items from Paducah’s Downtown and LowerTown shops and galleries. Wrap up at Market Square Coffee with coffee and dessert. 

A Year in Bloom
Show that special someone (Mom? Wife? Girlfriend?) how special she really is with not just one but four seasons of posies delivered right to her door. That lucky someone will enjoy beautiful, unique, fresh floral arrangements brought to her exclusively from In Bloom Floral and Marketplace, Paducah’s most innovative arrangers.  Package includes four quarterly large arrangements: summer, fall, winter, spring. 

Tea & Etiquette
Treat 10 of your favorite tots to a Very Special tea party hosted by Paducah’s own certified tea expert Erin Coale at Serenitea. Little girls will don wide-brimmed hats, feather boas and other essential dress-up items while boys (yes, they’re welcome) sport dapper top hats.  Everyone soaks in the art of “please,” “thank you” and “one lump or two?”

Downtown Photo Shoot
Know a soon-to-be senior? Tired of telling someone (perhaps yourself) “Girl, You could be a model”? Need some engagement photos? Picture this: Your very own photo shoot styled by image consultant and iList Paducah columnist Laura K of Laura K style. You’ll enjoy a professional hairstyling session with Karson Kelley of Karson Kelley Salon, followed by a shoot with cutting-edge photographer Brian Steffen. Paducah’s own cool urban spaces provide the backdrop. Package includes five full release images on disk. 

Pampered Pet Package
Silly for Spot? Know someone who is? Don’t worry, you’re in good company. Pamper that particular pooch with nothing but the best Paducah has to offer. Paducah’s own dog whisperer, author, NPR correspondent and iList Paducah columnist Patience Renzulli, provides four one-on-one obedience/trick lessons, a cool, one-of-a-kind designer collar, some much-needed doggie toys plus a signed copy of her book, Mama Pajama Tells a Story, for you. LowerTown artist Karen Utz of Philosophy Gallery will immortalize your newly adorned and educated canine in her unique, exclusive whimsical style with a pooch portrait you’ll treasure forever.

Blogtail Party
Tired of reading everyone else’s blog? Have something to say your own self? Burst on the worldwide scene when Paducah power bloggers, Mary Thorsby, Laura K and my own bloggin’ self join forces to help you get your (personal or business) blog up and running. In a session that will include cocktails (or not) and hors d’oeuvres, of course. Last year’s winning bidder started a blog, launched a political campaign and got elected. Just sayin’. 

Be a Barista
Embarrassed about your espresso? Clueless about cappuccino? Is your latte listless? Your macchiato monotonous? (Do you poop out at parties?) Fret no more! You and two friends spend a day with uber-Barista, Jean Rhodes, at Etcetera Coffeehouse in LowerTown. Learn how to brew a cup o’ Joe any way the right way (and sample the delicious results).

In-Laws Package
Your in-laws are coming to town for a visit and, as usual, you can’t wait to see them.  You love putting them up at your place, but you’re nicer than all that.  Instead, this trip, you’re treating them to a one-night stay the Tribeca’s exclusive 1857’s bed and breakfast.  Package also includes dinner at Tribeca, lunch at Kirchhoff’s, and 3-hr art workshop at Working Artist Studio.  Honestly, you’re the greatest.