News story 1-18-11 from Copper Gazette

Comedian Scot Shields Hits Copper Saturday Night

Saturday night, January 22, 2011 at 8:00 pm, Micki & Larry’s Sports Pub will be hosting “Just Another Hangover” tour with Scot Shields. Touring with Scot on this trip to Copper will be comedian Danny Minch from Fresno.

Scot has entertained Copperopolis before to enthusiastic crowds. His humor reminiscent of the late great Rodney Dangerfield is full of innuendos, one liners, political incorrectness, and off the cuff gut busters. While some may find his humor slightly off, much like that of Dangerfields, he most certainly has something for everyone within his repertoire.

Harking from Humbolt County he followed the path of intellectual enlightenment receiving a double Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics and Physics from Cal Poly. Taking the path less traveled, that of comedy, Scot now entertains 10 to 12 months out of the year “barring incarceration.” He has missed only 11 states. In three of the states Scot toured he managed to receive a personal tour of the inner workings of the justice system, mainly the jail. In reference to one of those states he said, “It would take a lot of money to get me to work South Dakota again.” Though he didn’t let the cat out of the bag as to why…we can only hope the answer will be in his performance Saturday night.

When asked what kind of crowd he likes, he stated, “The kind that laughs.”

There is no cover charge, come and enjoy the fun!

To listen to a couple of his show clips click on  Scot Shields

There will be Karaoke before and after the comedy performance, provided by Pegasus aka: Craig & Shelly.

By, Charity Maness

News story 8-13-2010 from thepinetree

Veteran of Foreign War Membership Meeting to be held in Copperopolis

Looking for Vets to start a VFW in Copperopolis


With large numbers of our local youth returning from the Middle East with experiences that only another veteran of war could possibly understand, a VFW Post is a vital to the healing process that those young men will need.
If you are a veteran of a foreign war and would be interested in helping form a VFW post in Copperopolis please attend our next meeting to be held 2:00 p.m. August 15, 2010 at Micki and Larry’s Sports Pub in Copperopolis.
At this meeting we will be answering questions, taking nominations for interim officers, and signing up new members. This is a fledgling group in need of your support and your input.
Not sure if you qualify?
Here are the requirements to be a Veteran of Foreign War:
You are eligible if you:
have received a campaign medal for overseas service;
served 30 consecutive days in Vietnam;
have served 30 consecutive or 60 non consecutive days in Korea;
have received hostile fire pay;
or have received imminent danger pay.
For more requirement information please visit www.vfw.org/resources/pdf/eligibility05.pdf.
You can be active military to join, as long as you meet one of the eligibility requirements.
If interested please come to our meeting. If you have any questions, email Michael McDaniel at survivormicusmc@gmail.com
To begin a new VFW post there must be a minimum of 35 interested members…we need your help.

Need not be a resident of Copperopolis to join.

News Story 8-1-2010 from thepinetree

Laughter on the Road in Copperopolis ~ by, Charity Maness

Saturday night the Sports Pub brought in a hilarious form of entertainment to Copperopolis, a touring comedy show titled “Just Another Hangover Tour.” The headliner, harking from Humbolt County, which he inferred should tell you a lot, came on the scene in early 2003 and has been touring the US ever since; hitting luxurious destinations such as Puxico, Missourri at Cooter Browns Club, and Shattuck, Oklahoma at Young Guns Saloon claiming all the while “If you’ve heard of it…we don’t work there.” With such well known towns under his belt, it was only a matter of time before he landed in Copperopolis…or in jail, but I digress, that is a story better told by him.

Scot, armed with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Math, decided that pushing papers was just not the life for him. So began the journey of his stand up comic dream. Playing to the crowd last night with stories of the seemingly endless amounts of mishaps and misadventures that occur in his life on the road, the audience warmed up quickly. His demeanor reminiscent of the late great Rodney Dangerfield allowed him to easily poke fun at the “four basic food groups: drinking, sex, drugs, and the news” and sometimes an unsuspecting patron, having the majority of the crowd in stitches. This being his second visit to Copperopolis this year it was amazing to hear his new material, though when a bit of the older material was delivered, the crowd found it to be just as funny as it was six months ago.

Opening the act for “Just Another Hangover Tour” was stand-up comic and U.S. Marine, Colin Dillon, from Santa Monica California. With experience in acting, attending an acting school in Seattle, he used not only his words to whip up the joke, but his body too. His high energy and extreme patience helped him to handle the hecklers in the crowd, playing off their words or missteps. Though his language was definitely rated ‘R’ his humor was unquestionably a hit with the audience. Colin has had the opportunity to not only play in comedy clubs across the US but in areas of Asia also.

The PTC for Copperopolis Elementary was there on hand to take a mug shot with the comedians and sing their praises. One said, “I haven’t seen a comedy show since we moved to California, this is amazing!” Another local who enjoyed the show said, “It is nice to have something different in this town.” Other words used to describe the evenings show, “very funny, hilarious, great time.” If you missed ‘em this time, the “Just Another Hangover Tour” plans on hitting the Sports Pub again this winter, sometime in January or February.

For more information on Scot visit scotsditch.com, for information on Colin visit him on facebook Colin Richard Dillon.

News story 6-22-2010 from thepinetree

Local VFW Post soon to become a reality for Copperopolis

After working for over a year coordinating with the VFW headquarters in Kansas City and working with Sacramento the very first meeting for the formation of a VFW Post in Copperopolis was held on June 13, 2010 at Micki & Larry’s Sports Pub. This date holds special meaning to me, for it was my son’s 22 birthday, which he was celebrating in Afghanistan with the rest of 3/7 India Company of the United States Marine Corps.

I would like to give you a little background on why I personally felt a VFW post was necessary. 

We have so many young men coming home from the Middle East with visions in their heads that can never be erased. How, as a mother, am I to understand his pain? The atrocities he’s seen? The pain he has had to inflict? The loss of a fellow brother? It’s simple…I can’t. But other veterans of foreign wars can. Our young soldiers and Marines need a group of men and women that will be here for them when they come home; a band of brothers that will help them through the gut wrenching memories and help them move forward.

Over 15 VFW members from Post 2600 in San Andreas turned out to show their support for the formation of a VFW in Copperopolis. Not only did they show their support by their mere presence, they donated monies to a start up fund for the VFW and for a woman’s auxiliary post. Don Cuneo, Commander VFW Post 2600, had a plethora of information and nothing but words of encouragement.

After an initial shaky voiced, nervous speech by myself, (I now recall why I didn’t get high marks in Speech in college) membership applications were handed out and stories were flying. A delicious buffet was served by Vietnam Veteran Larry Philips and the camaraderie began. Each veteran in attendance stood, introduced themselves and told of the war they had served in. It was as if I was taking a walk through history. From Pearl Harbor, to Korea, to Vietnam, to the first Persian Gulf War. These men are true American heros. It was an honor to be in their presence.

Wandering about talking to the veterans, I spoke with the wife of a Vietnam veteran only to find out that all three of her sons have been enlisted in the military. Two have served their country and are home, one is still active. The youngest, when he enlisted, knowing his mom was hurting knowing all her boys were in the military said, “Mom, I know you don’t want me to go, but there’s a lot of guys out there that need to come home.” She reiterated this story to me with tears in her eyes; tears of pride.

As the meeting wound down the membership application count came in at 18 members for the new VFW; 17 more and we will have a Post. If you are interested in becoming a member please contact Charity Maness at maness@caltel.com, VFW in the subject line. The VFW is more than just another club. It is a brotherhood 2.2 million strong that encompasses all ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds. The VFW has over 8100 posts worldwide fighting for your rights, passing legislation ensuring your rights as a veteran, and helping you to navigate the VA benefit maze to get you the proper care you deserve.

As the grand-daughter, step daughter, and niece of military veterans, and proud mother of a Marine I want to thank all veterans from the bottom of my heart for your service. Your selfless acts and those of your brothers in arms that fought and fell beside you have given me and my family a gift of freedom that we do not take lightly.

Thank you all so very much.

Charity Maness

News article by Charity Maness thepinetree 10-7-09

A Big Thank You To The Sports Pub From The 6th Graders of Copper Elementary~By Charity Maness

Copperopolis, CA...Over the years Micki and Larry, owners of the Sports Pub in Copperopolis, have been huge supporters seemingly every Copperopolis community project and fund that has come through town, from youth sports to blood drives. Over the summer Micki and Larry raised funds for the Copperopolis Elementary sixth grade science camp by putting on a youth chili-off and running 50/50 raffles. With their help approximately 4 children will be able to attend science camp this year...

In 1998 when Micki and Larry Phillips purchased the Sports Pub they took over a small wine and beer bar with a small but loyal local clientelle. With of
course some of their customers having children and Micki and Larry being great listeners, it began to feel as if they personally knew half the children in
Copperopolis. From there it was a natural progression for Micki and Larry to support these children they so loved. It started with t-ball and as the children
grew advanced to softball. Before long the Sports Pub became known as the sponsor a team wanted to have. would find themselves mysteriously treated
to a juicy pizza, courtesy of Micki and Larry.

When the kids grew the request to sponsor teams dwindled and Micki and Larry needed an outlet for their big hearts. Enter the food pantry. In the corner
of the pub one will always see a fifty five gallon drum accepting collections for the local food pantry. They have had some nights, ingeniously football
Mondays, where they nicely inform the customers of the "can for entry" rule. Meaning if you want to watch the big game on one of their multiple televisions
with surround sound and the great camaraderie you better bring a can of food. The patrons rallied around this idea and brought in not just a can or two,
but bags of food.

On a roll and realizing they have not only found a niche as a great local place to hang out and be with friends to play pool, darts, listen to music (live some
nights) watch a game or two, but also they have discovered this community has a huge heart. On their own and with the help of some of their clients they
have hosted car shows, chili cook offs, 50/50 raffles, cancer benefits, car shows, sear point race car benefit, all to benefit the local community.
They have raised funds for kids that couldn't afford to play sports, the Volunteer Fire Department, kids camp, multiple families in need, the Food Pantry, sixth grade science camp.

The latest fund raiser, and most definitely very close to their hearts, is the Poker Run on October 10th for Leslie Rabeneau. Micki and Larry (along with
most of the town) have known Leslie for years. Known her smile, her kindness, her warmth and her love for her family and friends. So when they found that Leslie was in need of a Bone Marrow transplant and would require hours of chemo and undergo painful procedures, they knew they needed to do
something. If you have ever known someone with cancer or suffering a debilitating disease, you know it is not only the 'victim' per say that suffers.

The amount of emotional stress on the spouse and children can sometimes be almost as painful. To relieve some of the financial stress on the family Micki and Larry decided to throw a multi community Poker Run to benefit Leslie and her wonderful family.

When I cornered Micki to ask her about all that she had done for the community, she dismissed my question with a wave of her hand and took no credit for all that she and Larry had done. "We feel so much a part of this community, we just want to give back." Being a bar can have its disadvantages when trying to raise funds for children, though the patrons are giving and charitable, society tends to mark them as a pariah. But Micki is well aware of that sentiment and says, "We do so much more than just serve drinks, we serve people." They are both active members of the Lions and CABA and their pub is a ECV watering hole. They have also recently generously offered the pub as a Post site for a VFW attempting to start in this town as Larry is a Veteran of a Foreign War.