By Mike Toone

I wish you could have seen the look of joy on my wife's face when I told her we were hosting a World Series Party. Once her face muscles softened, and she could talk again, she said, "What do you mean we?" So I explained that our, make that my, buddies agreed for me to host a World Series Party. Who hosted what last, and the fact I got the short straw determined this. However, not to worry, I already had a theme worked out.

"A theme? Pour beer eat chips, what kind of theme is that?" She asked sweetly. So I told her it would be a West Coast theme. I explained there had not been two California teams in a World Series playoff in a long time. Like sometime before the George Foreman grill came out, I think.

"Thinking would be new!! What exactly is a West Coast party since the closest you have ever been there is Ohio?" She then went on to relive how we got to Ohio. We were trying to find some of her family members in the Pittsburgh area. Of course "Mr. Rand McNally" didn't need directions. Somehow, and I think I was getting close to her relatives home, we passed a sign saying, "Welcome to Ohio". Heck it could happen to anybody.

On the plus side we were talking so I laid out the World Series of All World Series parties to her. I explained it is an image type of party. All my friends will wear sandals, shorts, tee shirts and sunglasses. That would be under their winter coats of course. I will ask them to bring a beach towel if they want to sit on the floor. Plus I will turn all the lights on to make it look like it is sunny. No, no, I will not throw sand down on the floor.

Oh sure I thought of food. No franks, sausage, soft pretzels, hoagies, or cheese steaks would be served. Since we are going to act, and be, West Coast we wouldn't know what half that stuff is anyway. Instead I will serve bean type stuff on pita bread, some seafood stuff like fish sticks, and maybe even goat meat we eat with our fingers.

Of course I know how to make goat meat. We have a micro wave don't we? No I don't know where to buy it. Not many goats have stores you know, except maybe in your family.

OK, that was a mistake. Now I had to follow her up the stairs to finish the conversation. I knew what I wanted to say, I was just hoping no sharp object was up there.

After two promises to take her out for dinner sometime before the Super Bowl I got to explain the drinks. First of all there had to be wine. Not that I can name one California Wine, much less guess which one would go with goat, beans and pita, I saw this as a small problem. None of my invited guests could either, so I could make something up. As for beer I would get some kind of happy and hoppy Pilsener. The kind best served in plastic glasses. Yes dear, clean plastic glasses, if you insist. No, not the ones my buddies used for the Stanley Cup Party. Though I think they are perfectly fine.

So there it was, and I was pretty proud of myself. A theme, layout, food, drinks, what could go wrong. My wife gave me that look she gives to the puppy when he makes a mistake in the house. The puppy does not like seeing it. Neither do I.

She said you think you are having a California West Coast Style type party in this Jersey home is that right? Finally something we agreed on. You think you have it all planned out right? My head was really shaking yes now. Fine, but you forgot one little West Coast aspect. If you want this to be a true California party one thing more should be added. No smoking is allowed by you and your friends in the house. I was starting to feel like that puppy again.

So for all those watching the World Series, no matter where you live, I will be joining you in spirit. So will my friends. We will be at this little corner bar, wearing flannel shirts, eating the best cheese steaks around. Ashtrays will be optional, my wife will be happy, and I will wonder if goat is better micro waved or put in a George Foreman grill.