Celebrity bartender Ditmar Perner's birthday is today, and this invitation relfects Ditmar's humble nature. Some people are jealous of his popularity, and that perplexes me; aren't bartenders supposed to be popular? Does anyone want to drink at a bar with someone moping on the other side? No, they want to be entertained, listened to, and coddled.

Another popular bartender, Ray Evans from Twist, celebrated his birthday last weekend, an event that went on for three days. Every day brought more presents, more toasts, and more trubute.

Bartenders are very important in a town which prohibits drinking only between 5am and 8am (and as long as you lock the doors, that can be ignored, too).

So here's to you, Ditmar. It can't be easy to be always "on" and to put up with obnoxious customers some days and freaks on others, all the while being gorgeous and light-hearted. Happy birthday!