smokers

I popped in the newly relocated LeChardonnay, now on the north side of Madison across from its former Overton Square location. I had heard the courageous, sophisticated, and tolerant management of LeChardonnay is accomodating smokers; and so they are. I had the reasonably priced blackened chicken breast; and it was yummy. The waitress was marvelous; the decor is perfect. Go give them some

The Tennessee Department of Revenue, having stopped harassing smokers who go across the state line to save a few dollars, is now focused on the worst of the worst tax scofflaws in the state:

The “champion” of Tennessee smokers, one James S. Burnette, filed a lawsuit claiming that the smoking ban violates his due process rights as well as the equal protection provisions of the U.S. Constitution.

From the Sentinel:

U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier in Chattanooga found today that there was no basis for the lawsuit against Gov. Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee General Assembly.

The word from the state on the impact of new taxes on cigarettes is no word:

Tennessee officials say 10 months is not enough time to measure the health impact of tripling the cigarette tax but it has some smokers buying in other states.

New York Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines says high cigarette taxes are the reason smokers are quitting.

That got your attention, huh?

I don’t know about you, but I prefer restaurants with patios. With the new indoor smoking ban, I imagine there are going to be more patios available, but (unfortunately) I’m guessing they’ll be populated with smokers.

Ben Cunningham gives us a glimpse of what to expect from socialized medicine.
Doctors are calling for NHS treatment to be withheld from patients who are too old or who lead unhealthy lives.
Smokers, heavy drinkers, the obese and the elderly should be barred from receiving some operations, according to doctors, with most saying the health service [...]

After reading Andrew’s pre-opening prospectus on Lot 7, I was intrigued when a friend of mine chose it for her bar-de-birthday. To continue MetBlog’s intrepid coverage of all things nightlife, here’s how they are doing now that they’re open:

Lot 7

125 12th Ave N

Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 251-9519

http://www.lot7.net