Club News

Each evening after dinner, accompanied by my two dogs, I stroll onto Park Avenue to walk my cigar.
- Gay Talese

DREW ESTATE & GIANNI "CARLO RIZZI" RUSSO MAKE AUGUST METRO APPEARANCE

Make way for Drew Estate as they join us to keep the Metro's Sizzling Summer hot to the touch. By expanding the limits of taste and concept, their New York- and Nicaragua-based company, Drew Estate, has spearheaded a renaissance within the cigar industry by changing the perception of the art of tobacco blending and packaging. From rolling cigars in a second-floor loft in New York City, to live appearances on CNN's Financial News, Drew Estate's eight-year rise within the industry has been a story of remarkable progress in the face of tremendous adversity.

While maintaining their respect for the age old methods of rolling cigars, Drew Estate has brought a wave of new energy and creative inspiration to the cigar industry and to its own blends that have culminated in its immensely popular cigar lines, which include ACID, Natural, Ambrosia, Subculture, Industrial Press and La Vieja Habana. Another very pleasant development at the club comes from fellow member and Shopper's Vineyard owner Seth Nadel. Seth doesn't disappoint for August as Gianni Russo, who brought Carlo Rizzo, Godfather Don Corleone's son-in law, to life, joins us to introduce us to his line of wines. We're sure you'll all love meeting Mr. Russo. RSVPs are already high for this event, with a month to go, so reserve soon, if you're interested in joining us.

Speaking of generosity, how about the new "Keg-A-Rator" supplied to the club by one of the Metro's longterm friend, Rick Reed, of Cricket Hill Brewery. This is YOUR local brewery, with outstanding beer made here -- and made beautifully -- by your neighbors. We hope you'll remember to support those who've been so instrumental in making the Metropolitan Society the great club that it is!

GOLF OUTING POSTPONED, BUT NEW FAMILY BBQ IS SET FOR SEPT. 12

We want to thank those of you who have already expressed interest in this year's golf outing. Unfortunately, with all of the deep cutbacks made by business, particularly as they relate to sponsorships and participation in such events, we have found it extremely difficult to raise those critical dollars to sponsor this year's event. Any profits the club realizes from the outings almost exclusively comes from sponsorships and not the actual cost to members. As you know, we have invited many of our members and external friends to join in with any combination of sponsorships, prizes, etc. But, we know that you, and many who have joined us in the past, are watching the dollars in '09. As a result, we have decided to cancel this year's outing, with the hope we can bring it back next year under better economic conditions.

So, what have we planned as an alternative? Well, for some time, we have recognized that so many of us have made our spouses or significant others "cigar widows." They sit and wait endless hours as we come to the Metro, enjoy one another's company, share stories, break bread and have a generally good time. Many don't understand why we love the club so much, in fact. We feel their pain. So that we're not too selfish, we think it's time to "spread the wealth" to those who have indulged us as for the time we spend at the club.

We're holding the First Annual Metro Society Barbeque and Picnic on September 12, from noon until 6 P.M. It'll be held in Lincoln Park and will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, chips and drinks in a beautiful setting. We're just beginning our work on the details, but we are hoping that we can all get together, with families on this special day to kind of spread the legendary Metro Camaraderie around. Stay tuned.

METROPOLITAN SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES ACCESS TO OTHER CLUBS

We all know where to go to enjoy a cigar in peace when we're home, but where can members go when they’re traveling either on business or vacation? Well, we've been working on answering that question. One way we're doing that and, as part of our commitment to create the greatest value for our members, is through "reciprocal agreements" with other cigar establishments.

We'll, for a start, if it's Miami, Florida or one of nearly 30 locations in Italy, yes Italy, we're happy to tell you that we have a few reciprocals agreements so far. One is with Havana Group Cigars in Miami Lakes, Florida and another is with Hirpus AMICIgar in Italy. You can view a list of AMICIgar locations here.

These organizations are led by wonderful people. So, if you find yourself traveling to either of those places, your Metropolitan Society membership gains you admittance as a member of those clubs as well. Alfredo Vargas' wife Yadina at Havana Group Cigars also heads a great cigar brand, Flor De Gonzalez. So, please consider trying those smooth and creamy cigars, too! We’ll keep you posted on exciting new reciprocals as we strike them.

PUTTING ON YOUR OWN EVENT?
HOW ABOUT RENTING THE METROPOLITAN SOCIETY?

Have your next special event in the elegance and style of our La Cubana Room at the Metropolitan Society. Walls of stucco and wood, floral appointed balconies, arched doorways and vintage Cuban artwork take you back to the distinctive atmosphere of old Havana.

With a maximum seating capacity for 80 persons, the La Cubana Room is the ideal setting to enjoy fine food and a great cigar at one of the venues left in the state where you can still smoke. And, if you are entertaining more that 80 guests, the entire club is available at an additional, yet extremely affordable cost, and can increase the accommodations of your event for up to 100 persons.

Your memorable night at The Metropolitan Society will have all of the things you need to entertain your guests in a very unique style:
-Up to ten six-foot round tables with chairs;
-Two eight foot banquet tables and one six foot banquet table;
-Tablecloths and napkins;
-Rear entrance and loading dock access for caterers and deliveries;
-Wireless PA system and music CD system with variety of Cuban music selections;
-Four commercial smoke eaters provide ventilation for a smoke free evening;
-Parking for 200 cars.
Then there’s food. The Metropolitan Society can provide you with affordable, yet high-quality food from the provider who caters our dinners or you can arrange for the caterer of your choice.
Interested in making your next event one that your friends will talk about for years? Contact us at admin@metrocigar.com

METROPOLITAN SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS

Being a member of The Metropolitan Society really does have its benefits. A number of folks in and around the industry have informed us that club members can receive discounts when placing orders with them. Below are a few who have joined on with us:

Havana Group Cigars – Miami, Florida http://www.HavanaGroupCigars.com
Flor De Gonzalez Cigars http://flordegonzalez.com
Fairfield Discount Liquors, Route 46 West at Clinton Road (10% wines/liquors) Just show your access card
RoyalCigars.com (10% off) http://www.RoyalCigars.com

VISIT OUR INTERNET STORE

We know the feeling. You look around. You see fellow members wearing attractive golf shirts, all emblazoned with The Metropolitan Society logo and colors. You think to yourself "I want that. I need to have it." Well, you know, it’s as easy as just visiting our new Internet "store."
Just visit "Club Store" down the left hand side of our web page to reveal a number of great items to enhance your cigar experience. And, these great values also happen to help The Metropolitan Society.
We’ve got golf and denim shirts, our new 100% linen Guayabera and many other items that enhance the cigar smoking experience. Just look through our "Club Store" here on the website.

DO BUSINESS WITH YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS

Another great feature we're providing to you is the ability to let your fellow members know what you do, if you so choose. So, if you're a member and may want to use a service from a fellow member, as compared with someone you don't know, you'll be able to view a roster of our people and the businesses they are in as part of the "Private Entrance" on our website.

In order for you to participate, you'll need to login and fill in the spaces provided for your Industry and Business Type on the page that says The Metropolitan Society User System under "My Info." Use the login info you receive in our emails to you.
We will soon have all individual member information feed into a main list of members for all TMS members to view by simply entering the site's "Private Entrance."