Tim Pickett's replacement, Justin Boyd, started here at insideSTL.com yesterday. Justin is a great guy---obviously, or else we wouldn't have hired him---and he's got a really upbeat attitude.

Then...you have me. I make Debbie Downer look like Rip Taylor.

I walked by Justin late in the day yesterday, and I said, "How's it going, man?"

"Great. I'm having a great day," he responded.

"Nice. Because I'm having one of the worst days I've ever had in this office today," I said...half-jokingly.

I'm a mess this week. We have two huge events on our plate over the next 72 hours, and I'm a psycho, so I want them to go off as well as possible. Fortunately, I have great people working with me at insideSTL.com...and many in the business community have come out of nowhere to help make the upcoming events (potentially) really good times and really big successes.

First off...tonight's insideSTL.com Poker Tournament at The Church Key (4127 Manchester Road). The majority of proceeds from tonight's tournament will go to the Honoring Hummert Foundation...created in memory of fallen Maplewood firefighter Ryan Hummert.

Registration begins at 5 p.m. (and once again, "Saint" Dennis Phillips, the WSOP Main Event chip leader, will be there signing autographs). Play begins at 6 p.m.

The buy-in is free, however it would be greatly appreciated if players donate $100. That donation is not necessary to play.

The Church Key will be giving food and drink specials to those who donate.

As I wrote earlier this week, three St. Louis poker superstars will be playing in this event: Dennis Phillips, Kyle Kloeckner, and Dan Nassif. That's huge...and I couldn't be more grateful for their time.

And, I couldn't be more grateful for the prizes we're giving away...because so many people around the area have made these prizes possible. To just be able to let people know what they could win in advance---as opposed to last time, when I had no idea, because we were giving away cash and I didn't know how much cash would be donated---we're not giving away cash this time around. But, I think this set-up is much better, and I have a feeling most of you will agree.

I don't have the official breakdown of which place gets which prize yet...because prizes continue to roll in, but here's what I can tell you will be out there as a) bounties for taking out me, Dennis, Kyle, and Dan, and b) making it to the final table...as every member of the 9-person final table will receive a prize worth more than the $100 donation:

-Many of our insideSTL.com advertisers---and really, many local businesses---have given us gift certificates to their restaurants and bars. We have hundreds of dollars in gift certificates to give away to the winners tonight. In tomorrow's column, each one of those companies will be acknowledged in the article recapping the tournament results. Also...

-The Blues have donated 2 tickets to a game, and an insideSTL.com reader has donated an additional 2 tickets to the season opener.

-The Billikens have donated tickets to an upcoming game at the new Chaifetz Arena.

-The Rams have donated 4 lower bowl seats to the home opener against the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants.

-And, as our grand prize for our winner tomorrow night, the Cardinals have donated a ball autographed by the entire team, 4 tickets to a game, and 4 passes to go down on the field and watch batting practice.

I'm hoping this tournament goes off as smooth as the first one, and I'm hoping that we cut a huge check for the Honoring Hummert Foundation. We have room for about 120 players tonight. 45 of those spaces are reserved for firefighters and police officers. Therefore, if you want to make 100% sure you get to play, please get there as close to 5 p.m. for registration as possible. To cut back on any potential wait time, click here to print out a registration form.

Once again, I sincerely want to thank the local teams for their donations as we attempt to have a big night tonight at The Church Key. And, if you're a poker player---or even if you're not and you just want to come by and hang out---please shoot on by The Church Key at 4127 Manchester Road. We're looking forward to the festivities this evening...

...and we're looking forward to the festivities Saturday night at Lumen for Charter Communication's Presentation of The insideSTL.com Third Anniversary Party.

More Cardinals have committed to making an appearance on the live broadcast of The ITD Morning After...and who knows if those same Cardinals will be joining teammate Todd "The Toddalien" Wellemeyer in judging the insideSTL.com Girls Next Door lingerie contest. I have a feeling that's possible...but only The Toddalien has made it clear he'll be in judging mode.

Joining Toddalien Saturday night at Lumen will be Kyle Lohse, Felipe Lopez, and Joe Mather. From the Blues, Kelly Chase and Barrett Jackman will be on hand. From the world of poker, Dennis Phillips will be on the show. From Penthouse, Cali Taylor, the Penthouse Pet of The Month February 2008, will be there. And, from the freakshow that is The ITD Morning After, Rudy and Wizard of Oz legend Mickey Carroll will be there.

Following the broadcast of the show, we'll have the insideSTL.com Girls Next Door lingerie contest...featuring now a total of 16 past or future GND's. Celebrity judges will include The Toddalien, Cali Taylor, Mickey Carroll, and Rudy...along with the possibility of the great Rich Gould joining in the fun and games.

It's all Saturday night at Lumen (at the corner of 22nd and Locust) in downtown St. Louis. Doors open at 7:30. There's a $10 cover charge. The show starts at 7:45. Once we're done at Lumen, we'll head down Locust a couple of blocks to The Pepper Lounge for the insideSTL.com After Party presented by Penthouse On Demand.

It has the makings of a fine evening of beverages and such. Oh, won't you join us?

The next 72 hours will be a lot of work...but they have the potential to provide some good times. It starts tonight at The Church Key...and it'll go until Sunday morning at Lumen and ending at The Pepper Lounge.

Log-in and post your comments or please feel free to email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.