I've missed all of you tremendously! Whew! What a month it has been since my last edition. I'm so sorry it seems like I abandoned my dear readers by not having a newsletter recently. The computer I write QOC on got a virus and crashed, but gratefully, all of its contents were restored by Jason Clark of JC Data Systems, not to be confused with Jaysen Clark, owner of the Social. Anyway, if you need a computer genius, Jason Clark is truly my hero and I highly recommend him. Reach Jason at 832-606-3510 when you need his services. Attention bar and business owners, Jason also installs surveillance cameras for your businesses so that you may watch productivity or patrol security from the internet, anywhere you are. We all remember the movie "Sliver" don't we?

Don't miss Dareware's Fetish Ball at the Meridian on March 18th. DareWare's Fetish Ball has a reputation for the raw and uninhibited and lives above and beyond all rumors. Whatever your persuasion, it will satisfy all appetites. This party should be SIN-sational!

I survived All-Star weekend downtown, but it sure was chilly, wasn't it? I only like cold weather when I'm snow-skiing. You can still find me at St. Pete's Dancing Marlin most of the week, so if you need to book an event at SPDM, whether it be an office luncheon, a happy hour or even a bachelorette party, hit me at 713-227-1511 for information. We've recently hosted groups like speed-dating events, the Houston Young Lawyers Association, Young Active Professionals Group, the Shell Singles Group, the Greater Houston Ticket Agents, the NBA, www.burnlounge.com KPMG, Fed Ex, the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, the Emerging Leaders and the Martini Mix-off here at St. Pete's, so why not add YOUR group to that list?

I also moved to a new crib in the beautiful, crime-free Montrose area. I can actually walk to the Flat from my new place. How cool is that? I will be posting most of my events at the various venues on my www.myspace.com page and the venues' myspace pages. Look for the Flat's myspace page and a launch party for it soon. To add all the places as a friend to get event notices and invitations click on each of these: St. Pete's Dancing Marlin, http://www.myspace.com/spdm R&R (limos, party buses, shuttles, sedans, valet) http://www.myspace.com/randrhouston 6° Lounge http://www.myspace.com/6degreeslounge Slainte (book your party with me) http://www.myspace.com/slainteirishpub and of course, my very own: http://myspace.com/houstonqueenofclubs.

The third Martini Mix-off was on February 9th and it took place at St. Pete's Dancing Marlin. There will be a mix-off every two months, the next being on April 13th at the Ruby Room, above Slainte Irish Pub at 509 Main. It will always be at a different location. The finals will be in November, at the Whiskey (not at Opus as originally mentioned) allowing all first and second place winners to come to the final round and compete for a grand, as in a THOUSAND DOLLARS!

Winners of the last bout were Julian Ritchey of 6° Lounge in first with his Asian Porn Star Martini, Denver Huffmeister of Lone Star Bar (in the boonies, I mean in BFE, the 1960 area) with his Fire Fly and third place honors went to Briana Averyt of St. Pete's Dancing Marlin with her Pom Bomb (pomegranate and raspberry with a little bit of apple.) We are MOST proud of our "Darlin' Marlin" for placing in the top 3. Special prize bags were awarded to all of the contestants along with even MORE prizes and fat cash to the top three winners. Thanks to all the contestantsRaul (Cabo), Sabrina (Red Cat), Bri (St. Pete's), Ross (the Flat, one of my favorite place in Houston), Chris (freelance bartender and my cool roomie), Jen (Slainte), Jules (6°) and Denver (Lone Star.) Special thanks to our judges, Nick the GM at the Whiskey (he won 1st place in the last MMO), John of Independent Distillers, Steve, Ambassador for Absolut (nectar of the Gods, and nectar of the Queen) and Jeff of Glazer's Distributing. Save the date and attend my next Mix-off on April 13th. There will be a special guest DJ to be announced soon.

The Flat presents multi-award-winning DJ Sun every Monday night at 1701 Commonwealth. Also, please join your sound selectors Milian Ortego and DJ Pooks for "Sideway Tuesdays" beginning at 9:00PM. On Tuesday, enjoy the dance floor with jazz, deep house and true soul music. Tuesdays are known for $2 domestic beers, $3 well cocktails and $4 infamous Frozen Mojitos. Happy hour is offered Wednesday, Thursday and Friday beginning at 5PM. You may book your happy hour events with me by calling 281-795-3137. The Flat is the ideal place to chill, drink, listen, socialize, be cool, whatever...see more at www.barflat.com. Again, thank you to Ross from the Flat for representing the Flat in the Mix-off.

77002.com and Disco Productions are bringing John Digweed to Houston at M Bar (410 Main Street) on Friday, March 24th. Visit 77002.com to buy pre-sale tickets at just $20. Much love to Sean Carnahan of 77002 for always giving me whatever I ask for.

On April 1st there is a special April Fools' Edition of RENT at the Meridian (1503 Chartres) It's been two years since the birth of RENT and what a wonderful ride it has been! Co-founders Jonathan Sewell and Martin Prendergast (Little Martin) started rent back in July, 2003. RENT is the product of their experiences over many years of working, promoting, DJ-ing, and ultimately partying in the club industry both in the U.S. and the U.K. In essence, RENT is a vision brought to life and the duo is turning the house upside down every month with this dance party featuring House, Latin, Hip Hop and Disco at the Meridian.

The PreDating speed-dating event for Single Professionals is an event where you can meet someone special. PreDating is a fun, no pressure way for busy professionals to meet. It's based on the incredibly hot, new way for singles to meet other singles. It is speed dating and there's no rejection. Recent research shows that the chemistry between two people occurs within the first few minutes of meeting. With PreDating you go on up to 12 six-minute dates in one evening. You can quickly determine whom you would truly like to hear from again. It's fun and convenient. Register at www.Cupid.com/predating to attend the April 8th event at St. Pete's Dancing Marlin for ages 36-48. Online registration is required and parties fill up quickly!

Four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald makes her Houston Grand Opera debut in a one-woman double bill on March 24th. There will also be a Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals post-show reception at 6° Lounge. 6° is providing some eats and will be providing Audra McDonald ticket buyers from the Houston Area Urban League with DRINK SPECIALS all night long that include $3 wells, domestics and house wine. Anyone is free to join the party, but the specials apply only to ticket buyers. Also on the docket at 6° on the 24th is DJ Nesto's one year anniversary party at the 6er, so don't miss it. Check out Nesto on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/djnesto.

I've yet to check it out, but it is on my "to-do list" and the exhibit will be in Houston through September 4th, 2006 at The Houston Museum of Natural Science, in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, and I'm referring to Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS 3: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, including never-before-seen whole-body plastinates. Created by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, BODY WORLDS 3 is the culmination of the German scientist and physician's 30-year career in anatomy. BODY WORLDS 3 presents more than 200 authentic specimens, including organs and whole body specimens, that have undergone Plastinationvon Hagens' groundbreaking method of halting decomposition and preserving the body after death for medical study, which he invented in 1977. But von Hagens says the Houston exhibit captures the evolution and refinement of his invention to its outer limits.

The Society for Performing Arts presents Buglisi/Foreman Dance (www.buglisi-foreman.org) on April 8th at 8:00PM at the Cullen Theater in the Wortham Center. After two decades of dancing together as principal artists with Martha Graham, Jacqulyn Buglisi and Donlin Foreman, with Terese Capucilli and Christine Dakin, formed Buglisi/Foreman Dance in 1994. With a company of 12 dancers, this distinguished quartet broadens the Graham legacy by taking her principles into the 21st century. With flawless excellence and a dynamic new lyricism, Buglisi/Foreman communicates through dance all that is important in life. For group ticket information, contact Michael Coppens at 713-632-8113.

This Sunday, March 19th at the Aeros Game is Family Day and you can get 4 tickets, 4 hockey pucks, free parking and $25 in Toyota Center money. Packages start at $59. Post-game activities allow the kids to go on ice. This promotion is only available through the front office and can be purchased by calling 713-361-7914 or contacting Clint Pettijohn at cpettijohn@AEROS.com.

Who-wee! This was a LONG edition of QOC. I need to get back on track with sending it out every week. Thanks for reading all the way through it. Muah! Big smooch!