Bardenay Restaurant and Distillery has won a gold medal for its vodka in a prestigious tasting competition.

The Beverage Testing Institute awarded Bardenay the gold in its 2008 International Review of Spirits. Bardenay's 80-proof, unflavored liquor was one of five vodkas that received a score of 90 points or higher, which is required for a gold medal. Eighty-one vodkas were entered.

Bardenay, which makes vodka, rum and gin at its bars in Boise, Eagle and Coeur d'Alene, is the nation’s first distillery restaurant.

Longtime local radio hosts Jon Duane and Chris Kelly are off the air.

What is happening to the world? Can you even imagine a life in Boise without Dee Sarton? I know I can't.

Boise's Knitting Factory Concert House may not be perfect — last week's ear-splitting but awesome Drive-By Truckers/Hold Steady gig was a reminder the sound system still needs upgraded — but it's a well-oiled, drama-free machine compared to the original New York club, which is relocating from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

At least that's what free alt-weekly the New York Press would lead us to believe. A rather venomous article paints a bleak picture, claiming that the Knit's 65 New York employees were given their walking papers "en masse," and that company president Jared Hoffman has been "quietly axed."

Hoffman, who denies he has been fired, calls the article "just a really disgusting piece."

Morrison Center director Jan Zarr wants you to know that there are still great seats left to comedian Jerry Seinfeld's performance Jan. 22, which went on sale this morning. "Do not be fooled by Internet ads by buying tickets at a higher price," Zarr says.

Higher than $77, $62 and $47, he means ...

If Low Vs. Diamond's live show is as cool as its video for "Heart Attack," this could be the best show at Neurolux in 2008. (Be patient and watch the whole video. Trust me.)

— Low Vs. Diamond, 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., $8, TicketWeb, $10 at the door. Opening: Barcelona.

-Coldplay, "Rainy Day"
-The Killers, "Joy Ride"
-Kanye West, "Love Lockdown"

-Guns 'N Roses, "Better"
-Guns 'N Roses, "Street of Dreams (The Blues)"
-Guns 'N Roses, "If the World"

-David Byrne/Brian Eno, "Strange Overtones"
-The Fireman, "Sing the Changes"
-Tom Jones, "In Style and Rhythm"

-Meat Puppets, "Light"

"The Other Studio" airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on 94.9 FM "The River."

With the unpredictable collective known as the Wu-Tang Clan playing at the Knitting Factory in Boise on Nov. 30, the biggest question is: Which members are supposed to be there?

Here's a hint: Not Method Man.

The scheduled squad:

Ghostface Killah
U-God
Masta Killa
Raekwon
Killah Priest
RZA
GZA
Inspectah Deck

Personally, I'd rather see the Geto Boys reunite for a "Read These Nikes" tour, but that's just me. *shrugs*

—The Web site for Jessica Simpson says she’ll bring her leggy blondness to the Idaho Center on Feb. 25 with country-pop pals Rascal Flatts. There's been no official confirmation for either act, according to Idaho Center general manager Craig Baltzer, but the wheels appear to be in motion. The show is also listed at CMT.com. Simpson undoubtedly will be the opener -- and should make boyfriends dragged to the Idaho Center for Rascal Flatts more enthusiastic about this concert. (Check out a hip-grinding remix of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" at the bottom.)

—Start booking a babysitter, Gen-X rock fan: Alternative-music standouts the Meat Puppets will perform Jan. 21 at the Grizzly Rose, 1124 Front St., in Boise. Ticket details are still being ironed out, but they will be in the neighborhood of $13 to $15. Although 1984's "II" is considered the Meat Puppets' classic album — remember Nirvana covering three songs from it during their "Unplugged" show? — I've always been more partial to 1989's heavier "Monsters."

—Obviously, having a bizarre, lousy title for a James Bond movie is box-office gold. (And, apparently, the recession America is enduring doesn’t apply to moviegoers.)

—A long-rumored experimental Beatles track is going to see the light of day.

—In case you were wondering, when Rush Limbaugh begins running on 670 AM on Jan. 1, he will replace Dennis Miller's show. Miller won't be moved to a different time slot or station; he's just history in this market. (UPDATE: Or not. Based on an ad at kidoam.com, it appears that he'll be airing at 630 AM beginning Jan. 5.)

—After playing a free gig to end the Alive After Five season (a gig that ended too early, incidentally), JJ Grey & Mofro will return for a concert Feb. 12 at the Knitting Factory in Boise. Tickets are $16 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at TicketWeb.

-Jack White and Alicia Keys, "Another Way to Die"
-Shirley Bassey, "Goldfinger"

-Paul McCartney and Wings, "Live and Let Die"
-Guns 'N Roses, "Live and Let Die"

-Sheena Easton, "For Your Eyes Only"
-Garbage, "The World is Not Enough"
-Carly Simon, "Nobody Does It Better"

-Drive-By Truckers, "Loaded Gun in the Closet"
-Tom Jones, "Thunderball"

"The Other Studio" airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on 94.9 FM "The River."