We've had stories about really bad tipping — defensive backs Mike Brim and Corey Sawyer leaving $5.65 on a $1,254 bill at the Precinct; another group, also defense, leaving $40 on a $1,700 bill at Jeff Ruby's, though they made good on it later.

        But we've never had one like this: Turns out the offense, 24 of them, had dinner at Ruby's Friday, says chef Jimmy Gibson.

        They ate well back in the Toots Shor room: Lots of appetizers, lots of biiig steaks, lots of biiig lobsters, lots of biiig bucks — a $5,000 bill.

        “Jon Kitna the quarterback picked up the tab,” Gibson says, “and guess what he left? 35 percent.” That's $1,750 for the math-impaired among us.

        “Goes to show you what winning two in a row will do, 'eh?” Gibson says.

        Take a hike: Meanwhile, off in the world of cheeseburgers and paradise, the newly formed Cincy Parrot Head Club is getting plenty active around town. And never mind that the club's so new there are only 20 of them so far.

        Wednesday night, says president Pam Inglish, they had a phlocking (Parrot Head-speak for party or, as Inglish puts it, “a great excuse to let go”) at a West Side bar with none other than St. Somewhere, the tropics-themed band that's based in Nashville but spends tons of time at Orlando's Margaritaville.

        Come Sunday, a contingent will walk in the Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk, a 4.5-mile fund-raiser leaving Sawyer Point at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. registration; 721-4284 for info).

        Not only walking, Inglish says, but walking in full concert attire. Meaning a lei or two or 20, stuffed parrots, loud prints and maybe even a volcano ready to blow. But no portable blenders to mix emergency margaritas.

        Reason they're walking for Alzheimer's is because Jimmy Buffett's father was diagnosed in 1995. Shortly after that, Buffett asked that all his local fan clubs adopt Alzheimer's as their charity of choice.

        “We're looking to win the spirit award,” Inglish says. “It goes to the group that makes the most noise and looks the best, shows a lot of enthusiasm, that sort of thing.”

        Go to www.cincyparithd@aol.com for club info.

        On the road: A word of warning here: Stock up on mascara before Saturday. Turns out Tammy Faye Bakker Messner is in town and heaven knows if she needs to re-stock, well, it could clean the shelves.

        Messner, see, is spokeswoman for the National Flea Market Assoc., a role that takes her all over the country visiting flea markets and trying to draw a crowd.

        Which is why she's turning up at the Richwood Flea Market, down I-75 a ways in Richwood, Ky. (exit 175), says market co-owner Mike Stallings.

        It's a big old meet 'n' greet and, for all we know, a little shopping for Tammy Faye. Goodness knows, a girl can't have too many bangle bracelets.

        She's there 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

        Contact Jim Knippenberg by phone: 768-8513; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: knipenquirer@yahoo.com.

New helping of 'Chicken Soup'
Teens honored for outstanding character
T-shirts a tribute to abused women's survival
KNIPPENBERG: Knip's Eye View
Krauss achingly timeless, terrific
Shadowbox's shows not quite art, but fun
Billie Holiday set will make your day
Director, actor enjoy 'Ride'
Gifted young violinist stresses daily routine
Clancy Brown shares 'Breaking News'
The Early Word
Top 10
Get to it