Published February 19, 2004, in issue #0307 of The Hook

BY LINCOLN ROSS BARBOUR

Mondays can be a little boring in Charlottesville. Go to work. Go to school. Go to the store. But Monday, February 16, Cavalier Pipe and Tobacco helped raise the pulse of its Barracks Road visitors.

To promote the new line of signature Playboy® cigars by Don Diego, Cavalier Pipe and Tobacco flew in Miriam Gonzales, Miss March 2001, for a tasteful meet and greet. From 1 to 4pm, if you purchased two of the fine Dominican blends, Miriam autographed an 8x10 head shot photo and anything else you happened to bring along.

The event was well received, and Miriam was sublimely sweet, given the circumstances. The early birds eagerly awaited her 1:30 limousine arrival (she was fashionably late, of course). Boys being boys, some were a little giddy and shy, but all were very polite.

Photos were signed. Cigars was purchased. People were smiling. And snapshots were taken. Just a little shameless fun to ease the Monday Blues.

Birthday boy Rob VanRipe gets the first John Hancock of the day.

Cavalier Pipe and Tobacco owner Jim Robinson rings up a pair.

Cory Richards gets familiar with his new Playboy cigar.

Now that's a nice rack!

NBC 29's Chuck Gooch tries to stay focused.

Miriam Gonzalez and Don Diego Event Coordinator Raymond Stanton. This is their job.

She's really much smaller in person than you'd think.

Miriam Gonzalez has a great smile.

Buck Culver and his prized 8x10 Miriam Gonzales memoir.

#

>> Back to The HooK front page