Thursday, July 31st, marks the birthday of much beloved, occasionally demonized, fictional character Harry Potter. This auspicious occasion will be celebrated by throngs of booknerds, who, tearing themselves away from MMORPGs and LARPGs (if you don’t know what these acronyms stand for count yourself among the lucky) will assemble in various theatres across North America and Europe, to witness full screenings of Wizard People, Dear Readers, a version of the first Harry Potter movie, The Sorcerer’s Stone with the original sound turned off and replaced with a recording of a narration by Brad Neely. We’re hosting a screening here in Chico at the Blue Room Theatre on Friday night (8 PM doors, 9 PM show), and if you are in the area you should probably attend. Here’s a sample of what is to come:

Just yesterday I was commenting to an acquaintance over at the community radio station KZFR (where Some Guy hosts a mean rad radio show) that the doors of many businesses seem to be closing up. She asked for examples and I didn’t really have many, save The Underground chain record/porn/bong store here in Chico, the french fry / fish ‘n’ chips spot downtown called Pommes Frites. There are a few more businesses on the verge of closing down though, and all these businesses cater to those with a little extra income - disposable, some may say.

Well, for those who love their food fried and served from a faux-Irish themed chain restaurant, we have some bad news for you. The Bennigan’s Parent Company has filed for bankruptcy, and most of its locations (save the few independent franchise stores) have closed their doors today. I tried checking their Web Site, but either its too overloaded with traffic from the closing announcement, or they stopped caring about that shit and began letting it crumble months ago.

Applebee’s is STOKED.

Jimi Hendrix’s famous stage act of dousing his guitar with lighter fluid and burning it on stage are some of the most memorable moments in music history. One of his favorite guitars, a 1965 Fender Strat, set on fire in London more than 40 years ago is going to be up for auction in September by the Fame Bureau in London.

The guitar was said to be lost forever after the London performance at Finsbury Astoria in March of 1967. After Hendrix lit the guitar at this show he had to be rushed to the hospital for burns. The guitar is partly damaged on the neck and the pickboard but was recovered. A man, Tony Garland, had the guitar stored in his parents’ garage and his nephew found it last year.

It has an estimated worth of $1 million. Jim Morrison’s, Doors frontman, last poem book will also be auctioned. If you have a pile of money laying around that would be some amazing memorabilia to have!