Hotel Congress Renovation
Hotel Congress will unveil its new, improved and much-larger patio at the hotel's celebration of the new Fourth Avenue underpass, on Thursday, Aug. 20. Todd Hanley, general manager for the hotel, said the area will be reminiscent of European community areas and will increase the number of patrons and special events the historic hotel can accommodate.
Cake Contest
City Councilman Rodney Glassman is holding a cake contest in celebration of Tucson's birthday from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at the Ward 2 Council Office. The press release says Glassman's fiancée will compete, as will Sahuarita Mayor Lynne Skelton, who is in the running for the Cheesiest Quote Ever award with this stinker: "In many ways, our regional partnerships are similar to baking a cake." Good God. Entries must be delivered to the office at 7575 E. Speedway Blvd. by 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20. Call 791-4687, or visit www.tucsonaz.gov/ward2 for more information.
Burger Cities
Burger City (47 N. Sixth Ave; 903-0919) is closed through August, and it'll have a reworked menu when it reopens on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Renovations are being made to alter the eatery's atmosphere during nighttime dining hours. The brand-spanking-new Burger City 2 at 5350 E. Broadway Blvd. is scheduled to open on the same day.
Soul Food
Soul food sticks to your ribs, but that's the only staying power it has in Tucson. Auntie Dora's Porch (903 E. Fort Lowell Road) was only open long enough to get people talking, and now it's closed. A Pima County Health Department spokeswoman said the eatery was issued several citations, but the owners locked the doors before any fixes were made.
But if you just gotta have some soul food, local gender illusionist and salon owner Ajia Simone says she's making smoked chicken and pork sandwiches, black-eyed peas and her grandmother's secret recipe for macaroni and cheese for the Reveille Men's Chorus burger bash at Woody's (3710 N. Oracle Road), from 2 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 16. You can also show up early and snag a burger and six beers for $8. Visit www.reveillemenschorus.org for more info.
Beer!
Tickets are available for the Great Tucson Beer Festival, which takes place at Hi Corbett Field (3400 E. Camino Campestre) from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19. Tickets are $50 to $80; visit www.azbeer.com/tucson.htm for a list of ticket outlets or more information.
