It is refreshing that this gentleman is concerned enough about his community--our community--to set a pick against a basketballer who masquerades around as a part-time mayor. And that statement in no way is to disparage Mr. Johnson as an individual--I'm not privy to his personal life. Mr. Hilbert has made personal sacrifices of his time in order to make his community a better place to live and conduct business. Let's allow him, and other like-minded individuals, the courtesy of hearing their views on implementing better plans for the government of our City.

I went up from Sacramento town To the Sierra gold fields Dreaming just how a rich man feels Now my darling dear, listen here For I think that it's fair to warn you That I return to claim your hand As the King of California

@JAT I do not intend to jeer the establishment or skewer the probable guests. I do, however, jeer the premise for the restaurant: A trip to Portland, OR. Our community needs more 'southern fare' for the hard working and underpaid people who live here. But, seriously, a $20 plate of fried green tomatoes just insults my Southern upbringing and my California education. I, too, wish to see real Southern fare presented, not pretend food for the upscale market. Southern food by its definition is 'poor' food; country food, if you will. And they didn't even mention sweet tea. If you are going to skewer the whole Southern fare bit, why not include the world-famous sweet tea?

"The idea for the restaurant came on a trip to Portland, where the owners dined at a Southern restaurant, Lopez said." Seriously! Mr. Lopez went to Portland and ate some Southern fare, and now he and his compadres really believe that they can call their food 'southern fare' and the lemmings will line up for a $20 plate of fried green tomatoes? "They are also working to stock some beers common in the South but hard to find on the West Coast, such as Yuengling." Again, really? Yuengling a Southern beer? Just because Tampa, FL is below the Mason-Dixon line does NOT mean that it is a "Southern" state. This is from the real deal: The Tennesse Colonel who can show those wanna-be's something about Southern cooking and eating.

@Janna I feel that a second date for a "family date" is much too soon to introduce a potential suitor into the equasion. I agree with Imfmenace about the seriousness of bringing a stranger into the family circle prematurely. Proceed with caution, and keep an open mind. Good luck.