NBC 4: City budget cuts continued Friday with another round of layoffs. Seven of nine tow truck drivers with Columbus police have been laid off. Could their pink slips impact public safety?
The tow truck drivers are trained police drivers who are key to keeping evidence secure. Columbus police tow truck drivers are trained to treat vehicles involved or around a crime scene as evidence. Now that seven of nine drivers will be cut, private tow truck drivers will have to be escorted by police officers to and from impound lots because of the vehicle evidence value.
The absence of the drivers also ties up officers who should be patrolling the streets, not escorting an empty vehicle. In fact, according to Fraternal Order of Police President Jim Gilbert, there are five to ten vehicles a day involved in serious crimes that need police tow truck drivers.
In addition to the cuts, Sgt. Rich Weiner with Columbus police said city money will be lost because when a police cruiser breaks down, the division will have to pay a private tow truck company to pick them up.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Quick Read
After viewing this Dispatch’s excellent dissection of the stimulus, I am lost as to which category Mayor Coleman’s Columbus Commons project fits into…
The front page and Life and Arts get into the spirit of the holiday (or non-holiday, if you’re sitting home bitter and single)… Amy Saunders’ “Too Picky, Too Perfect” (front page), which discusses the value of niche dating sites, is exquisite and Joe Blundo’s review of the “Red Roses Poetry Contest” is enjoyable…
Sports leads with solid coverage of the Blue Jackets important 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings… Unfortunately, Rob Oller’s column makes me wish I could give the victory back… Steve Mason is a top five goaltender? He is better than Chris Osgood, who has two Stanley Cup rings? I like Mason also, but Oller’s column was hyperbolic and stupid…
Mike Pramik’s feature (business) on a central Ohio homeowner burned by the stimulus package was this edition’s most interesting… And the Metro section’s front page about the Franklin County Coroner was this edition’s most insipid… I understand she improved the offices services… But, when does the coroner rate front page of anything (except possibly obituaries)…
The front page and Life and Arts get into the spirit of the holiday (or non-holiday, if you’re sitting home bitter and single)… Amy Saunders’ “Too Picky, Too Perfect” (front page), which discusses the value of niche dating sites, is exquisite and Joe Blundo’s review of the “Red Roses Poetry Contest” is enjoyable…
Sports leads with solid coverage of the Blue Jackets important 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings… Unfortunately, Rob Oller’s column makes me wish I could give the victory back… Steve Mason is a top five goaltender? He is better than Chris Osgood, who has two Stanley Cup rings? I like Mason also, but Oller’s column was hyperbolic and stupid…
Mike Pramik’s feature (business) on a central Ohio homeowner burned by the stimulus package was this edition’s most interesting… And the Metro section’s front page about the Franklin County Coroner was this edition’s most insipid… I understand she improved the offices services… But, when does the coroner rate front page of anything (except possibly obituaries)…
Columbus Bored With Jackets
In HBO’s “The Wire,” reporter Scott Templeton spells out his story objective… “What I’d really like to do,” he says. “Is find some chaw chewin old timer, who would rather die than miss an Orioles opener.”
The Blue Jackets don’t have those diehard fans. Why? The Blue Jackets have only been a franchise for eight years. Dakota Fanning is six years older than them.
Upon my arrival at the Frog Bear and Wild Boar, the crowd was impressive. Yes, the number of Detroit Red Wings jerseys equaled the number of Blue Jackets jerseys, but what should you expect. The Red Wings have won four cups in eleven years. Fans wearing their jersey are like fans who wore Dallas Cowboys jerseys in the 1990’s… They might wear them because their fans… They might wear them because its popular…
As the clash commenced and six minutes into it, the Blue Jackets accrued a 1-0 lead, I found what was not popular among the “fans” was actually watching or discussing the game… Occasionally, their eyes glanced toward the screen… But, the vast majority of their conversations discussed rich young millionaires or their friend’s divorce or their pet’s surgery (yes, someone was actually talking about)… Rick Nash could have, in the first period, walked into the bar and I don’t think anyone would have asked “Why aren’t you still playing?”
As I returned for the third period, the Red Wings knotted the game at 2-2. I can assume every Detroit fans reaction to this… I don’t have to assume or imagine Blue Jackets fans reactions… there weren’t any… The reactions were even scarcer when, with less than ten minutes remaining, the Blue Jackets assumed command for the third time, 3-2…
In 48 meetings, the Red Wings have defeated the Blue Jackets 35 times with one tie. You would think that everyone inside Frog Bear and Wild Boar would be ecstatic at the prospect of (a) defeating the Red Wings, (b) evening the season series with that win (at 2-2), and (c) notching a two game winning streak versus the Red Wings, something the Blue Jackets have only managed on two occasions previously… Sadly, the final pair of exciting minutes passed with barely and sound and only a crackle of cheers as the Blue Jackets kept their playoff hopes brightly alive…
Now, I know what you’re thinking… it’s a Friday night, people are out to have fun, and it’s the regular season, why should anyone hang on every minute… Allow me this irrefutable argument… On any given Saturday during the college football season, no fan, wearing a jersey or not discusses divorces, millionaires, or pet surgeries… Every moment is tension filled and every reaction is communal and verbal…
As much as anyone would like to claim the Blue Jackets and the season their having as a milestone for the franchise and this city, tonight illustrated why Nash may as well be wearing a stamp across his forehead that reads “Property of Ohio State Football…”
The Blue Jackets don’t have those diehard fans. Why? The Blue Jackets have only been a franchise for eight years. Dakota Fanning is six years older than them.
Upon my arrival at the Frog Bear and Wild Boar, the crowd was impressive. Yes, the number of Detroit Red Wings jerseys equaled the number of Blue Jackets jerseys, but what should you expect. The Red Wings have won four cups in eleven years. Fans wearing their jersey are like fans who wore Dallas Cowboys jerseys in the 1990’s… They might wear them because their fans… They might wear them because its popular…
As the clash commenced and six minutes into it, the Blue Jackets accrued a 1-0 lead, I found what was not popular among the “fans” was actually watching or discussing the game… Occasionally, their eyes glanced toward the screen… But, the vast majority of their conversations discussed rich young millionaires or their friend’s divorce or their pet’s surgery (yes, someone was actually talking about)… Rick Nash could have, in the first period, walked into the bar and I don’t think anyone would have asked “Why aren’t you still playing?”
As I returned for the third period, the Red Wings knotted the game at 2-2. I can assume every Detroit fans reaction to this… I don’t have to assume or imagine Blue Jackets fans reactions… there weren’t any… The reactions were even scarcer when, with less than ten minutes remaining, the Blue Jackets assumed command for the third time, 3-2…
In 48 meetings, the Red Wings have defeated the Blue Jackets 35 times with one tie. You would think that everyone inside Frog Bear and Wild Boar would be ecstatic at the prospect of (a) defeating the Red Wings, (b) evening the season series with that win (at 2-2), and (c) notching a two game winning streak versus the Red Wings, something the Blue Jackets have only managed on two occasions previously… Sadly, the final pair of exciting minutes passed with barely and sound and only a crackle of cheers as the Blue Jackets kept their playoff hopes brightly alive…
Now, I know what you’re thinking… it’s a Friday night, people are out to have fun, and it’s the regular season, why should anyone hang on every minute… Allow me this irrefutable argument… On any given Saturday during the college football season, no fan, wearing a jersey or not discusses divorces, millionaires, or pet surgeries… Every moment is tension filled and every reaction is communal and verbal…
As much as anyone would like to claim the Blue Jackets and the season their having as a milestone for the franchise and this city, tonight illustrated why Nash may as well be wearing a stamp across his forehead that reads “Property of Ohio State Football…”
Access Columbus
For a century or so, philosophers, physicians, and poets have, in their own way, pondered one question… What is life about? I don’t know their answer, but I know mine and I believe (in my unbiased opinion), mine should be acceptable as universal… If life is about anything, it’s about access… Access to conversations with the right people, access to the right events, access to opportunities… Access, access, and access….
After spending the first hour of my evening at the Frog Bear and Wild Boar (see above), I arrived at Lodge Bar. Whereas the crowd at Frog Bear and Wild Boar was subdued and social, groups of between two and six; the crowd at Lodge Bar was scorching… The groups were eight or ten, the energy was palpable, and the bunnies (Miller Lite and otherwise) were everywhere…
Fifteen minutes after my entrance, Lodge Bar commenced their Date Auction, which benefited the very worthy Make A Wish Foundation… If only the crowd had realized how worthy the cause was… The ten employees (five men and five women) were charming… They even had little biographical spreads which accompanied their appearance (some of the material on those, obviously altered for effect)… The “Auctioneer,” while not perfect was certainly better than the calamity that voiced the Columbus Crewzers Auction… And the packages that went with the dates, great restaurant gift cards, Blue Jackets tickets, without question exceeded the dinner you received with the Crewzers…
Still, the bidding was sparse (and that’s the kindest word I can use)… The auctioneer honestly appeared to be begging at times… Mark and his Blue Jackets tickets received only one bid, Lindsay and Brittany, as gorgeous as they were, scored only slightly higher than him… Only Amanda, rocking her curves in a black dress, that I believe was spray-painted onto her, caused a bidding frenzy…
Now, money is money and obviously Make A Wish (any charity actually), will accept donations with thanks and thankful hearts… And it certainly isn’t a reflection on Lodge Bar that their patrons were lazy… Still, Lodge Bar is such a great venue and their employees are amazing people… Both deserved so much more…
With the auction concluded, I walked the sidewalk, bridge, and brick ground from Vine Street back to the Arena District for the third period of the Blue Jackets and Red Wings (once again, see above)… As the game ended, I happened into (yes, that’s a random term, but the conversation was random also) with Frog Bear and Wild Boar Co-Owner David Allsbrooks… As we spoke, I could clearly understand why his establishment is one that I enjoy… It’s a complete reflection of its exemplary owner…
As much as I enjoyed conversations with Allsbrooks and Frog Bear and Wild Boar Promoter Jeff (who I will mention again momentarily), those discussions fell miles short of the satisfaction I enjoyed speaking with Abbi… For those of you who don’t remember, Abbi was (my words paraphrased), “the present every male was hoping to receive for Christmas.”
Her personality exceeds her perfect appearance (if that’s even possible)… Her personality is delightful and sparkling, she is an engaging person, and fifteen seconds with her easily confirmed everything I had written… I have to say as someone who types adjectives about amazing people, you never know if meeting those people will live up to what you have written… Trust me I say that five minutes with Abbi was a like a country music fan scoring five minutes with Taylor Swift… Exquisite…
I said I would return to my conversation with Jeff and here is the reason… Prior to the Menus (yes, that’s actually the bands name) taking the stage, Jeff had described the lead singer to me as “heterosexually flamboyant…” I know I said this on twitter, but I must repeat it, Jeff could not have coined a better description if he had sat down and spent four hours attempting it… From the moment he took the stage, the Menus lead singer was worth the price of admission…
With the personality of Boy George and the preening of Freddie Mercury, I half expected to hear “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” or “Radio Gaga…” Instead, I heard one of the most impressive set lists from any band I have seen… The perfect trio of “Sweet Caroline,” “Don’t Stop Believing,” and “Little Pink Houses” fell over the crowd like milk chocolate raining from heaven… And the crowd slurped every available drop (myself included)… As I left to return to Lodge Bar to conclude the night, I was beyond impressed with the Menus…
Wish that I could say the same for Jeremy Hoyle… Lodge Bar’s Friday night choice was, in a word, mediocre… He wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t terrific… Even the crowd (which had increased by dozens when I returned) was unimpressed, as they threw up only a somber reaction to his version of “Hang On Sloopy…”
Hoyle played “Hey Jealousy,” which I loved and overall his set list was acceptable… But I have been in Lodge Bar when the crowd was so energetic that they could rip the boards from the floor… He didn’t inspire that… Thankfully, I had several great conversations to drown him out and this returns to me where I began…
As I walked out of Lodge Bar, my singular thought was what was in my opening… More specifically, how lucky I am to be able to afford everyone who cant get five minutes with a club owner or the promotions person or the best bartender… I always viewed this website and my words as a privilege and a responsibility, but never more so than this typing… Until the next time you have access vicariously, you know I love you Columbus…
After spending the first hour of my evening at the Frog Bear and Wild Boar (see above), I arrived at Lodge Bar. Whereas the crowd at Frog Bear and Wild Boar was subdued and social, groups of between two and six; the crowd at Lodge Bar was scorching… The groups were eight or ten, the energy was palpable, and the bunnies (Miller Lite and otherwise) were everywhere…
Fifteen minutes after my entrance, Lodge Bar commenced their Date Auction, which benefited the very worthy Make A Wish Foundation… If only the crowd had realized how worthy the cause was… The ten employees (five men and five women) were charming… They even had little biographical spreads which accompanied their appearance (some of the material on those, obviously altered for effect)… The “Auctioneer,” while not perfect was certainly better than the calamity that voiced the Columbus Crewzers Auction… And the packages that went with the dates, great restaurant gift cards, Blue Jackets tickets, without question exceeded the dinner you received with the Crewzers…
Still, the bidding was sparse (and that’s the kindest word I can use)… The auctioneer honestly appeared to be begging at times… Mark and his Blue Jackets tickets received only one bid, Lindsay and Brittany, as gorgeous as they were, scored only slightly higher than him… Only Amanda, rocking her curves in a black dress, that I believe was spray-painted onto her, caused a bidding frenzy…
Now, money is money and obviously Make A Wish (any charity actually), will accept donations with thanks and thankful hearts… And it certainly isn’t a reflection on Lodge Bar that their patrons were lazy… Still, Lodge Bar is such a great venue and their employees are amazing people… Both deserved so much more…
With the auction concluded, I walked the sidewalk, bridge, and brick ground from Vine Street back to the Arena District for the third period of the Blue Jackets and Red Wings (once again, see above)… As the game ended, I happened into (yes, that’s a random term, but the conversation was random also) with Frog Bear and Wild Boar Co-Owner David Allsbrooks… As we spoke, I could clearly understand why his establishment is one that I enjoy… It’s a complete reflection of its exemplary owner…
As much as I enjoyed conversations with Allsbrooks and Frog Bear and Wild Boar Promoter Jeff (who I will mention again momentarily), those discussions fell miles short of the satisfaction I enjoyed speaking with Abbi… For those of you who don’t remember, Abbi was (my words paraphrased), “the present every male was hoping to receive for Christmas.”
Her personality exceeds her perfect appearance (if that’s even possible)… Her personality is delightful and sparkling, she is an engaging person, and fifteen seconds with her easily confirmed everything I had written… I have to say as someone who types adjectives about amazing people, you never know if meeting those people will live up to what you have written… Trust me I say that five minutes with Abbi was a like a country music fan scoring five minutes with Taylor Swift… Exquisite…
I said I would return to my conversation with Jeff and here is the reason… Prior to the Menus (yes, that’s actually the bands name) taking the stage, Jeff had described the lead singer to me as “heterosexually flamboyant…” I know I said this on twitter, but I must repeat it, Jeff could not have coined a better description if he had sat down and spent four hours attempting it… From the moment he took the stage, the Menus lead singer was worth the price of admission…
With the personality of Boy George and the preening of Freddie Mercury, I half expected to hear “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” or “Radio Gaga…” Instead, I heard one of the most impressive set lists from any band I have seen… The perfect trio of “Sweet Caroline,” “Don’t Stop Believing,” and “Little Pink Houses” fell over the crowd like milk chocolate raining from heaven… And the crowd slurped every available drop (myself included)… As I left to return to Lodge Bar to conclude the night, I was beyond impressed with the Menus…
Wish that I could say the same for Jeremy Hoyle… Lodge Bar’s Friday night choice was, in a word, mediocre… He wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t terrific… Even the crowd (which had increased by dozens when I returned) was unimpressed, as they threw up only a somber reaction to his version of “Hang On Sloopy…”
Hoyle played “Hey Jealousy,” which I loved and overall his set list was acceptable… But I have been in Lodge Bar when the crowd was so energetic that they could rip the boards from the floor… He didn’t inspire that… Thankfully, I had several great conversations to drown him out and this returns to me where I began…
As I walked out of Lodge Bar, my singular thought was what was in my opening… More specifically, how lucky I am to be able to afford everyone who cant get five minutes with a club owner or the promotions person or the best bartender… I always viewed this website and my words as a privilege and a responsibility, but never more so than this typing… Until the next time you have access vicariously, you know I love you Columbus…
Friday, February 13, 2009
Valentine’s Day 2009: McFadden’s
Commencement: 9:00Venue: McFadden’s (South Campus)
Sexiest Black Dress receives Andrew’s Jewelers Gift Card
Drinks (Available All Night)
$6 Black and White Martini
$5 Black Ice Drinks
$4 Black Out Shots
Valentine’s Day 2009: Lodge Bar
Commencement: 9:00Venue: Lodge Bar (Arena District)
Song Trivia (Winners receive $100)
Drinks (Available All Night)
$4 Red Hot Shots
$3 Martinis
Valentine’s Day 2009: Frog Bear & Wild Boar
Commencement: 8:00Venue: Frog Bear & Wild Boar (343 N Front Street)
First 200 people score free admission for rest of the year
Domestic Decline Disturbing
Whenever we run crime stories like this, inevitable e-mails follow asking why the fact that the crimes are domestic was omitted… The answer is simple… Domestic or not… A crime is a crime… And even if “domestic” were a valid excuse for crime(and it’s not), doesn’t the thought of one loved one assaulting or murdering another loved one scare you?
NBC 4: Specific details are still developing, but a shooting occurred at a home in the 400 block of West Rich Street at about 4:45 p.m... According to initial reports, a woman called police and said that someone knocked on the door of a home where she and her boyfriend live. When her boyfriend answered the door, she said, someone shot him. The victim was taken to Mt. Carmel Hospital West in critical condition. He has been identified by police as Douglas T. Shirley, 21.
NBC 4: A Columbus father was arrested and charged after CPD said his story wasn’t consistent with his baby daughter’s injuries. CPD said Christopher Ulmer, 20, made a 911 call close to noon Thursday. Ulmer said a baby was burned in a bathtub. When CPD and CFD medics arrived on the 1200 block of North Fourth Street, they discovered the victim with severe burns to her body, according to a police report. She was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and admitted to the burn unit. Ulmer was the only adult home at the time of the incident, CPD said. A police report said the story Ulmer provided was not consistent with the baby’s injuries. He was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony of endangering children.
NBC 4: Specific details are still developing, but a shooting occurred at a home in the 400 block of West Rich Street at about 4:45 p.m... According to initial reports, a woman called police and said that someone knocked on the door of a home where she and her boyfriend live. When her boyfriend answered the door, she said, someone shot him. The victim was taken to Mt. Carmel Hospital West in critical condition. He has been identified by police as Douglas T. Shirley, 21.
NBC 4: A Columbus father was arrested and charged after CPD said his story wasn’t consistent with his baby daughter’s injuries. CPD said Christopher Ulmer, 20, made a 911 call close to noon Thursday. Ulmer said a baby was burned in a bathtub. When CPD and CFD medics arrived on the 1200 block of North Fourth Street, they discovered the victim with severe burns to her body, according to a police report. She was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and admitted to the burn unit. Ulmer was the only adult home at the time of the incident, CPD said. A police report said the story Ulmer provided was not consistent with the baby’s injuries. He was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony of endangering children.
Quick Read
The Dispatch succeeds in one day, where President Obama could not in three weeks… Explaining how the complex stimulus package will affect ordinary citizens….
While that front page choice was inspired, burying Robert Vitale’s article on petitions potentially scuttling three city council nominees on Metro B3 was insipid… You would think after all the acrimony related to the last council replacements, the paper would realize that city government is a story…
Bob Baptist and Tom Reed frame sports coverage of the Daytona 500 with excellent local contributions… Baptist’s on the NBA Draft status of three young Buckeyes and Reed on the ascendance of former AHL players into the Blue Jackets lineup… Mary Willow leads Life and Arts with a brilliant premise on Friday Night Television that ultimately was flat (great graphics, wretched reporting)…
While that front page choice was inspired, burying Robert Vitale’s article on petitions potentially scuttling three city council nominees on Metro B3 was insipid… You would think after all the acrimony related to the last council replacements, the paper would realize that city government is a story…
Bob Baptist and Tom Reed frame sports coverage of the Daytona 500 with excellent local contributions… Baptist’s on the NBA Draft status of three young Buckeyes and Reed on the ascendance of former AHL players into the Blue Jackets lineup… Mary Willow leads Life and Arts with a brilliant premise on Friday Night Television that ultimately was flat (great graphics, wretched reporting)…
BREAKING: Spice Suffocates
Spice Bar will close next month, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated bluntly, “You don’t know have to know the economy is bad to know they’re in trouble. All you have to do is walk in and look around.”
Originally developed by Sugar Bar Owners Chris Corso and Mike Gallicchio, the 6,290 square foot Spice Bar was purchased by BOMA Developer Tom Starker in October 2008. No one associated with Spice Bar could be reached for comment concerning this story.
Originally developed by Sugar Bar Owners Chris Corso and Mike Gallicchio, the 6,290 square foot Spice Bar was purchased by BOMA Developer Tom Starker in October 2008. No one associated with Spice Bar could be reached for comment concerning this story.
Three Bars, All Wow
Walk the four minutes between Park and Vine Streets… Not the city’s most famous stretch (that’s Lane)… Not the city’s most traveled stretch (that’s High)… But, those four minutes reverberate with a beat and an energy and a pulse, which is truly unequaled…
Upon my arrival at Lodge Bar (approximately 9:40), I could have counted stools or logs or cracks in the bar…. The place was that empty… I know Thursday night crowds are traditionally late arriving, but seriously, less than ten people (not counting staff) in a major bar on a quasi-weekend evening?
A potential factor in the lackluster commencement was the cancellation of the OSU Greek Guest Bartending Competition (which we promoted and came out to cover)… According to a source, the Kappa Delta representative was prevented from competing due to the sorority’s regulations against alcohol (Greek Life regulations against alcohol? Are you serious?)…
Amidst this non-competition lull, I started speaking with Rick, a bartender with which I had previously spoken…. What started as a conversation about the hiring of two former guest bartenders as actual bartenders evolved into a lesson from a master craftsman… Twenty minutes with Rick (and I know I wrote something similar to this on twitter), reminded me of something I had never forgotten, but never appreciate until I am in this situation… When you have the chance to listen to an artist with passion… Savor it… There is nothing better in this world…
Alright, maybe there is one thing better in this world, and it’s something I never thought I would witness in this venue… A bunny equal to Lodge Bar’s Crown Princess Kadi… If you’ve read before (and I know you have), you know I gushed about Kadi’s every aspect…. You know I called her the incomparable unquestioned standard… For now, she remains this…. However, Lauren is a challenger… If beauty is any indication of personality (which I know its not, but let’s pretend it is)… Lauren should own the hearts (and phone numbers) of every male under twenty-six in this city…
As two hours passed, Lodge Bar went from dead to dull to delicious… As I left to walk those four minutes to Park Street, specifically, the Sugar Bar Columbus Crewzers Date Auction, the crowd was improving… Improving, but nothing equal to what I would encounter at Sugar, which was littered with patrons outside, patrons at tables, patrons on the dance floor, at the bar, and throughout every walk way… When I arrived, Sugar had been open less then two hours and they were crammed (so much for a late arriving crowd)…
Teen minutes after my arrival, I learned that the Date Auction would take place at Park Street Patio… I walked the jammed dance floor, down the darkened hallway, up the stairs, and into Park Street and the vibe couldn’t be more different… Whereas Sugar is a rhythmic, intoxicating enclave of bunnies and bunny chasers, Park Street is a mellow ensemble of conversation and quarters enjoying their evening out… Yes, there is a DJ in both and music in both… But, the adjoining buildings may as well be separated by a couple of continents…
After three trips between Sugar and the Park Street, each more dizzying than the last, the Date Auction commenced… I will discuss the charitable proceeds and the DJ in a moment, but first, I cannot say enough about the auction items… As many of you know from previous writing, I am not a soccer fan… But I think these bunnies could change that…
As they danced and posed and smiled, they looked like normal college women, enjoying their drinks and flaunting their attributes, but once the bidding began, you knew they were so much more… Yes, they are soccer professional cheerleaders, but they are cheerleaders nonetheless and what American male doesn’t want a cheerleader?
The answer to that question was reflected in the bidding… Eight pairs of girls, dozens of bids, and $645 raised for Children’s Hospital… An unbelievably worthy cause… The girls couldn’t have been better representatives of their organization either… Encouraging the bidders and showcasing the personalities that obviously make them worth watching on a nightly basis…
Not worth watching or listening to on any basis was the Auctioneer\DJ, a putrid, unprepared weasel, whose hours preparing jokes about the Crewzers sexual preferences obviously trumped (by a substantial margin), his hours preparing for this auction… Half of the names he read for the auction weren’t in attendance, he didn’t know until half way through who the benefiting charity was, and he decided at the opening to do the girls in pairs, rather than individually (which likely could have made more money)…. Don’t get me wrong, the auction was a success and Sugar and Park Street should be proud of themselves… I am proud of them… But that DJ should never work again…
After the auction wrapped, I walked the four minutes back to Lodge Bar…. Why you ask? Because a manager had told me to stop back because, in his words, Lodge would be slammed busy after midnight… I would have bet my alcohol consumption for a month that wouldn’t the case… Glad I didn’t bet… When I walked in, the previously impressive bunny population had quintupled…
Bunnies on the dance floor, music pumping, a thousand random conversations (as opposed to the ten that were taking place when I left)… I found the manager and asked how did he know… Seriously, was he hiding these people in a closet when I left? I know what I’m doing he told me… Apparently, he does…
In addition to a more favorable impression of their evening, my return to Lodge Bar netted me an extensive conversation with WNCI DJ Gonzo… As the lights came up and Lodge Bar closed for the night, he and I discussed everything from the economic impact on clubs to the economic impact on the average person… It was the kind of meaningful conversation two young professionals have when they know potential, far outweighs their present circumstances…
The long conversation, which finally ended around 2:20, concluded an evening in which two events were covered, three venues were entered, three potential interviews (Gonzo, the Crewzers, and the political interview we teased on twitter) materialized, and tidbit after tidbit of breaking news was whispered into my ear… That’s the thing about this city… On any given evening, if you just listen, reverberates with a beat and an energy and a pulse, which is truly unequaled…
Upon my arrival at Lodge Bar (approximately 9:40), I could have counted stools or logs or cracks in the bar…. The place was that empty… I know Thursday night crowds are traditionally late arriving, but seriously, less than ten people (not counting staff) in a major bar on a quasi-weekend evening?
A potential factor in the lackluster commencement was the cancellation of the OSU Greek Guest Bartending Competition (which we promoted and came out to cover)… According to a source, the Kappa Delta representative was prevented from competing due to the sorority’s regulations against alcohol (Greek Life regulations against alcohol? Are you serious?)…
Amidst this non-competition lull, I started speaking with Rick, a bartender with which I had previously spoken…. What started as a conversation about the hiring of two former guest bartenders as actual bartenders evolved into a lesson from a master craftsman… Twenty minutes with Rick (and I know I wrote something similar to this on twitter), reminded me of something I had never forgotten, but never appreciate until I am in this situation… When you have the chance to listen to an artist with passion… Savor it… There is nothing better in this world…
Alright, maybe there is one thing better in this world, and it’s something I never thought I would witness in this venue… A bunny equal to Lodge Bar’s Crown Princess Kadi… If you’ve read before (and I know you have), you know I gushed about Kadi’s every aspect…. You know I called her the incomparable unquestioned standard… For now, she remains this…. However, Lauren is a challenger… If beauty is any indication of personality (which I know its not, but let’s pretend it is)… Lauren should own the hearts (and phone numbers) of every male under twenty-six in this city…
As two hours passed, Lodge Bar went from dead to dull to delicious… As I left to walk those four minutes to Park Street, specifically, the Sugar Bar Columbus Crewzers Date Auction, the crowd was improving… Improving, but nothing equal to what I would encounter at Sugar, which was littered with patrons outside, patrons at tables, patrons on the dance floor, at the bar, and throughout every walk way… When I arrived, Sugar had been open less then two hours and they were crammed (so much for a late arriving crowd)…
Teen minutes after my arrival, I learned that the Date Auction would take place at Park Street Patio… I walked the jammed dance floor, down the darkened hallway, up the stairs, and into Park Street and the vibe couldn’t be more different… Whereas Sugar is a rhythmic, intoxicating enclave of bunnies and bunny chasers, Park Street is a mellow ensemble of conversation and quarters enjoying their evening out… Yes, there is a DJ in both and music in both… But, the adjoining buildings may as well be separated by a couple of continents…
After three trips between Sugar and the Park Street, each more dizzying than the last, the Date Auction commenced… I will discuss the charitable proceeds and the DJ in a moment, but first, I cannot say enough about the auction items… As many of you know from previous writing, I am not a soccer fan… But I think these bunnies could change that…
As they danced and posed and smiled, they looked like normal college women, enjoying their drinks and flaunting their attributes, but once the bidding began, you knew they were so much more… Yes, they are soccer professional cheerleaders, but they are cheerleaders nonetheless and what American male doesn’t want a cheerleader?
The answer to that question was reflected in the bidding… Eight pairs of girls, dozens of bids, and $645 raised for Children’s Hospital… An unbelievably worthy cause… The girls couldn’t have been better representatives of their organization either… Encouraging the bidders and showcasing the personalities that obviously make them worth watching on a nightly basis…
Not worth watching or listening to on any basis was the Auctioneer\DJ, a putrid, unprepared weasel, whose hours preparing jokes about the Crewzers sexual preferences obviously trumped (by a substantial margin), his hours preparing for this auction… Half of the names he read for the auction weren’t in attendance, he didn’t know until half way through who the benefiting charity was, and he decided at the opening to do the girls in pairs, rather than individually (which likely could have made more money)…. Don’t get me wrong, the auction was a success and Sugar and Park Street should be proud of themselves… I am proud of them… But that DJ should never work again…
After the auction wrapped, I walked the four minutes back to Lodge Bar…. Why you ask? Because a manager had told me to stop back because, in his words, Lodge would be slammed busy after midnight… I would have bet my alcohol consumption for a month that wouldn’t the case… Glad I didn’t bet… When I walked in, the previously impressive bunny population had quintupled…
Bunnies on the dance floor, music pumping, a thousand random conversations (as opposed to the ten that were taking place when I left)… I found the manager and asked how did he know… Seriously, was he hiding these people in a closet when I left? I know what I’m doing he told me… Apparently, he does…
In addition to a more favorable impression of their evening, my return to Lodge Bar netted me an extensive conversation with WNCI DJ Gonzo… As the lights came up and Lodge Bar closed for the night, he and I discussed everything from the economic impact on clubs to the economic impact on the average person… It was the kind of meaningful conversation two young professionals have when they know potential, far outweighs their present circumstances…
The long conversation, which finally ended around 2:20, concluded an evening in which two events were covered, three venues were entered, three potential interviews (Gonzo, the Crewzers, and the political interview we teased on twitter) materialized, and tidbit after tidbit of breaking news was whispered into my ear… That’s the thing about this city… On any given evening, if you just listen, reverberates with a beat and an energy and a pulse, which is truly unequaled…
Thursday, February 12, 2009
INVITE: Date Auction
Commencement: 8:00Venue: Lodge Bar (Arena District)
Auction Winners Receive
Date with an Employee
$50 restaurant gift card.
Auction Proceeds Benefit
Make A Wish
Drinks (Available 5 – 9 p.m.)
$3 you call it drinks
$2 martinis
$1.50 Domestic Pitchers (32 ounces)
$1 wells
INVITE: U-Weekly Dating Game
“Win A Hot Date or At Least, A Hot Meal”Commencement: 9:00
Venue: McFadden’s (South Campus)
Winners will receive date and $50 prize
O-Bowl Introduction
$15 Barcardi (92 ounces)
Carry the Flag
On January 27, our Blue Jackets defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in overtime. Seventeen days after Rick Nash’s thrilling goal, it’s time for the rematch. Gossip CBUS will twitter live from and Frog Bear and Wild Boar.
Get out tomorrow night, cheer, drink, and read our tweets… Until the final goal, you know you love me…
Get out tomorrow night, cheer, drink, and read our tweets… Until the final goal, you know you love me…
Last Week of Warhol
The Wexner Center exhibition Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms—which has boasted huge crowds, packed tours, sell-out events, record web hits on wexarts.org, and national and international media coverage—will close forever February 15. The Wexner Center presentation of the show has marked the only U.S. venue of this massive exhibition (which also toured Europe), and which features more than 700 Warhol works and items, from film to photography, painting to sculpture, audio material to TV shows, and letters to album covers, in a stunning, 360-degree exhibition design that has transformed the Wexner Center physically and figuratively. To celebrate the success of this show—and to bring people in for one last look (or a first)—the Wex is staying open until midnight two nights, with a full lineup of events the weekend of February 13–15.
Extended gallery hours Friday, February 13 (11 am–midnight), Saturday, February 14 (10 am–midnight), and Sunday, February 15 (10 am–8 pm). Cam’s on Campus café will also have extended hours that weekend—Friday ’til 8 pm, and limited-menu service Saturday and Sunday 10 am–5 pm.
The Warhol Farewell Reception will be held Saturday, February 14 from 5 to 7 pm, featuring a live auction (around 6 pm) of two Andy Warhol/Wexner Center street pole banners and an “Andy cutout” to benefit Wexner Center education programs, led by NBC4’s Marshall McPeek. Couples are invited to attend the reception to kick off their Valentine’s night—and even stick around for one of the other events later in the evening:
Hitchcock's Vertigo will be screened in 70mm at 7 pm (a ticket to that film gets you into the Warhol galleries free as well anytime that day).
Japanese theater group chelfitsch will also be in the house that night at 8 pm and all weekend (the gallery offer holds for that show as well), with an additional short play for ticketholders at 7 pm.
Nationally known Columbus-based band Times New Viking will perform a show that explores the darker side of the Velvet Underground, the art-rock group that Warhol helped launch. The show (February 14 at 9 pm) is called Times New Viking ♥ the Velvets, and a ticket to that show also gets visitors into the galleries free that day.
The Store will offer deep discounts on Warhol merchandise.
A reminder: Thursdays from 4 to 8 pm are always free for all.
Extended gallery hours Friday, February 13 (11 am–midnight), Saturday, February 14 (10 am–midnight), and Sunday, February 15 (10 am–8 pm). Cam’s on Campus café will also have extended hours that weekend—Friday ’til 8 pm, and limited-menu service Saturday and Sunday 10 am–5 pm.
The Warhol Farewell Reception will be held Saturday, February 14 from 5 to 7 pm, featuring a live auction (around 6 pm) of two Andy Warhol/Wexner Center street pole banners and an “Andy cutout” to benefit Wexner Center education programs, led by NBC4’s Marshall McPeek. Couples are invited to attend the reception to kick off their Valentine’s night—and even stick around for one of the other events later in the evening:
Hitchcock's Vertigo will be screened in 70mm at 7 pm (a ticket to that film gets you into the Warhol galleries free as well anytime that day).
Japanese theater group chelfitsch will also be in the house that night at 8 pm and all weekend (the gallery offer holds for that show as well), with an additional short play for ticketholders at 7 pm.
Nationally known Columbus-based band Times New Viking will perform a show that explores the darker side of the Velvet Underground, the art-rock group that Warhol helped launch. The show (February 14 at 9 pm) is called Times New Viking ♥ the Velvets, and a ticket to that show also gets visitors into the galleries free that day.
The Store will offer deep discounts on Warhol merchandise.
A reminder: Thursdays from 4 to 8 pm are always free for all.
INVITE: Undone Lingerie Fashion Show
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
Undone Lingerie Fashion Show
Mezzanine Drinks (Available 10:30 – 11:30 p.m.)
$1 Top Shelf Drinks
It’s What We Call the News
NBC 4: Columbus police said a robbery led to a homicide overnight Thursday. Patrol officers were dispatched to Stevens Avenue on the city’s near West Side on a reported break-in at about midnight Thursday. When officers arrived, they entered a residence in the 30 block and found 30-year-old Randy Frisby upstairs. CPD said Frisby suffered from blunt force trauma to his body. A Columbus fire medic responded and pronounced Frisby dead at 12:15 a.m.
Number thirty-eight (since we started counting) is this city’s thirteenth murder of 2009…
10 TV: Sunny conditions Friday will lead to slushy conditions on Valentine's Day. After an early morning low of 29 degrees, Friday's temperature will rise to 45 degrees with increasing clouds… Valentine's Day on Saturday will see a mix of rain and snow. Any accumulation will be under an inch, with highs approaching 39 degrees.
Snow on Valentine’s Day?
Number thirty-eight (since we started counting) is this city’s thirteenth murder of 2009…
10 TV: Sunny conditions Friday will lead to slushy conditions on Valentine's Day. After an early morning low of 29 degrees, Friday's temperature will rise to 45 degrees with increasing clouds… Valentine's Day on Saturday will see a mix of rain and snow. Any accumulation will be under an inch, with highs approaching 39 degrees.
Snow on Valentine’s Day?
Quick Read
As expected, Sports featured extensive coverage of the United States’ 2-0 win over Mexico at Crew Stadium. The coverage minimized Aaron Portzline’s excellent article, which dissected the Blue Jackets remaining schedule and their chance for a playoff run.
Jeffrey Sheban led Life and Arts with an interesting story on this weekend’s Easton Pinball Tournament. Marla Rose’s story on Justice Brands conversion from a high end to a more affordable line (Business) was intriguing. And Tracy Turner’s story on the struggles of Bob Evans (Business) spelled out how tough our economy is…
Ignoring how tough our economy is were a pair of stories… The Weekender’s spread on upcoming wine tastings (which may as well have been titled “The Peasants Have No Milk, Let Them Drink Wine)… And the Metro section’s story on another plan for the proposed OSU Boathouse… Did Metro think if they buried this garbage on B5, we wouldn’t find it and talk about it?
Jeffrey Sheban led Life and Arts with an interesting story on this weekend’s Easton Pinball Tournament. Marla Rose’s story on Justice Brands conversion from a high end to a more affordable line (Business) was intriguing. And Tracy Turner’s story on the struggles of Bob Evans (Business) spelled out how tough our economy is…
Ignoring how tough our economy is were a pair of stories… The Weekender’s spread on upcoming wine tastings (which may as well have been titled “The Peasants Have No Milk, Let Them Drink Wine)… And the Metro section’s story on another plan for the proposed OSU Boathouse… Did Metro think if they buried this garbage on B5, we wouldn’t find it and talk about it?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
ACB Seeks Juicy Campus Success
The internet’s motto may as well be anyone can succeed. Banking on this, Peter Frank, an eighteen-year-old Wesleyan freshman (whose parents incidentally went to Michigan), has launched College ACB. Frank hopes to duplicate the success of the controversial and recently defunct Juicy Campus, whose traffic he spent five figures to purchase.
Juicy Campus contends their failure was the result of an advertising market contraction. Frank disagrees. “I’m not surprised they failed,” Frank said. “The type of content they allowed left them vulnerable to lawsuits.”
Frank also believes College ACB is different enough to succeed. “We’re trying to fill their void, but we wont allow mean spirited messages and if a post is reported and violates the terms of service, it will be removed,” he said. “They didn’t enforce their terms of service. They turned a blind eye. We won’t. This may make our website not as viral, but I wouldn’t be surprised if, in time, we had 100 schools posting.”
Like Juicy Campus, the Anonymous Confession Board (ACB) allows students to post without fear of retribution. Critics argue this contributed to Juicy Campus’ viciousness. Frank counters that the anonymity offers the chance to foster a more open dialogue.
“For example, a student may ask for advice,” he said. “One student, may feel comfortable anonymously saying he supports McCain, when all his friends support Obama. At more established schools, people have gotten into more advanced topics. My hope is that over time, students will get away from more libelous to more serious forms of discussion.”
With seven topics on Ohio State’s Anonymous Confession Board, two of which deal with specific females and their anatomy, Frank’s hope remains unrealized.
Juicy Campus contends their failure was the result of an advertising market contraction. Frank disagrees. “I’m not surprised they failed,” Frank said. “The type of content they allowed left them vulnerable to lawsuits.”
Frank also believes College ACB is different enough to succeed. “We’re trying to fill their void, but we wont allow mean spirited messages and if a post is reported and violates the terms of service, it will be removed,” he said. “They didn’t enforce their terms of service. They turned a blind eye. We won’t. This may make our website not as viral, but I wouldn’t be surprised if, in time, we had 100 schools posting.”
Like Juicy Campus, the Anonymous Confession Board (ACB) allows students to post without fear of retribution. Critics argue this contributed to Juicy Campus’ viciousness. Frank counters that the anonymity offers the chance to foster a more open dialogue.
“For example, a student may ask for advice,” he said. “One student, may feel comfortable anonymously saying he supports McCain, when all his friends support Obama. At more established schools, people have gotten into more advanced topics. My hope is that over time, students will get away from more libelous to more serious forms of discussion.”
With seven topics on Ohio State’s Anonymous Confession Board, two of which deal with specific females and their anatomy, Frank’s hope remains unrealized.
“A Date 2 Remember” Raises $22,000
Columbus Young Professionals: This past weekend's 'A Date 2 Remember' event was a huge success! Thank you to all who attended and supported our signature philanthropy event. All totaled, we raised $22,000 for A Kid Again and Junior Achievement of Central Ohio and had more than 650 in attendance!
INVITE: Columbus Crewzers Date Auction
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
Age Range: Male (21 and over); Female (19 and over)
VIP Access: Text (406-3072)
Columbus Crewzers Charitable Date Auction
Drinks (Available All Night)
$2 Bombs
$1 Wells
INVITE: OSU Greek Guest Bartending Competition Semi-Finals
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Lodge Bar (Arena District)
Cover: $2
Thursday’s Paring: Kappa Delta vs. Alpha Tau Omega
Drinks (Available All Night)
$2 Budweiser (16 ounces)
$2 Bud Light (16 ounces)
$2 Three Olive Bombs
$1 Washington Apple Shots
Synopsis
The Lodge Bar Guest Bartender Competition pairs 4 sororities and 4 fraternities involved in a single elimination tournament. 2 houses will face off each week in an attendance-based competition to see who can bring the largest crowd. Invite everyone you know to support you! There will be a sheet at the door where guests will sign in, marking who they came to see. Whoever brings the most people will advance to the next round until we have a winner.
INVITE: Girl’s Night Out
Commencement: 9:00Venue: McFadden’s (South Campus)
Prizes
Women’s Exclusive Menu
Women’s Specials (Available All Night)
$3 Barcardi Mixers
½ price appetizers
It’s What We Call the News
NBC 4: Two people died after a double shooting on the city’s Southeast Side Wednesday afternoon. Columbus police and fire crews were called to the scene on East Frankfort Street close to 3 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound outside a home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man was found suffering from two gunshot wounds to his chest. He was taken to Grant Medical Center, where he later died. Police said that neither of the men who died lived at the home.
Number thirty-seven results in another pair of homicides…
10 TV: The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the following counties until 5 a.m. Thursday… Franklin… Thursday will be windy, with snow flurries. Highs will reach 42 degrees. Bradley said that Friday looks partly sunny, with highs rising to 45 degrees.
Snow? After sixty degrees on Tuesday, who wants snow?
Number thirty-seven results in another pair of homicides…
10 TV: The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the following counties until 5 a.m. Thursday… Franklin… Thursday will be windy, with snow flurries. Highs will reach 42 degrees. Bradley said that Friday looks partly sunny, with highs rising to 45 degrees.
Snow? After sixty degrees on Tuesday, who wants snow?
Free Financial Seminar
Have economic questions? Consider this major event announcement… (This will rerun twice in the coming days… still, you may want to mark you calendar)…
NBC 4, WCVO (104.9), and Heartland Bank Money Summit (February 28): Topics include Budgeting & Living Within Your Means, Buying Your First Home, Dealing With Foreclosure, How to Manage Your Credit Card Debt, How to Save in Today’s World, Is Refinancing Right For Me, Is Your 401K a 201K, Teaching Your Kids About Money, Understand Your Credit Score & How to Improve It, and Using Technology to Save Time & Money
NBC 4, WCVO (104.9), and Heartland Bank Money Summit (February 28): Topics include Budgeting & Living Within Your Means, Buying Your First Home, Dealing With Foreclosure, How to Manage Your Credit Card Debt, How to Save in Today’s World, Is Refinancing Right For Me, Is Your 401K a 201K, Teaching Your Kids About Money, Understand Your Credit Score & How to Improve It, and Using Technology to Save Time & Money
Quick Read
Mike Pramik continued his excellent work, covering the liquidation of City Center… I swear, every time I read a piece about that mall, my heart sinks…
Mike Dewine’s (yes that Mike Dewine) editorial commenced as an “I Told You So” on spending, but thankfully finished making strong points about this being America’s one shot to get this right… The front page piece on religion was solid, but it should have never been considered as anything more than Life and Arts material…
Sherri Williams metro section lead on recreation center assistance spoke to the problem of closing the centers, but never addressed the impact on individuals or communities if the centers closed… Dan Gerino’s business lead “Winds of Change” was also half-hearted, never addressing the criticisms (and there are many) of wind power…
Sports featured amazing diversity… Equally (for once) spotlighting the Blue Jackets, Buckeyes, and tonight’s Crew Stadium clash between the United States and Mexico… Life and Arts was a disappointment… It ran another full page spread on Abraham Lincoln (no I am not kidding) and they closed the paper with 25 Things You Should Know About Flip Side (also not kidding)…
Mike Dewine’s (yes that Mike Dewine) editorial commenced as an “I Told You So” on spending, but thankfully finished making strong points about this being America’s one shot to get this right… The front page piece on religion was solid, but it should have never been considered as anything more than Life and Arts material…
Sherri Williams metro section lead on recreation center assistance spoke to the problem of closing the centers, but never addressed the impact on individuals or communities if the centers closed… Dan Gerino’s business lead “Winds of Change” was also half-hearted, never addressing the criticisms (and there are many) of wind power…
Sports featured amazing diversity… Equally (for once) spotlighting the Blue Jackets, Buckeyes, and tonight’s Crew Stadium clash between the United States and Mexico… Life and Arts was a disappointment… It ran another full page spread on Abraham Lincoln (no I am not kidding) and they closed the paper with 25 Things You Should Know About Flip Side (also not kidding)…
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ballpark From Bailout
NBC 4: The new home of the Columbus Clippers remains under construction and under controversy. A new ballpark headed to the Arena District will open this spring, but the naming rights have been sold to a local bank that has received a $1 billion bank bailout. With taxpayer on the line, does the deal still make sense?
Huntington Bank signed on to have naming rights to the Clippers’ new stadium that’s set to open downtown on April 13. But the bank’s $12 million commitment will be fulfilled during a time when they are also getting taxpayer money from the federal government, Several banks nationwide are under scrutiny for park-naming contracts in the midst of the federal bailout, including Citibank, which has a $400 million 20-year agreement on the New York Mets’ new ballpark.
The company received more than $1 billion in bailout money and officials told NBC 4 recently that it would be earmarked for consumer and commercial loans. In the meantime, they said, employees will receive no bonuses or incentives. They also recently cut 500 jobs. Nevertheless, the Huntington name remains on Huntington Park.
The company has a $12 million contract with Franklin County, but has only paid $5 million of that so far. The company will pay installments every year for the next 20 years. Huntington said the TARP money cannot be used for sports marketing and representatives said they needed to honor their commitment to the park that started well before the recession with other assets.
Huntington Bank signed on to have naming rights to the Clippers’ new stadium that’s set to open downtown on April 13. But the bank’s $12 million commitment will be fulfilled during a time when they are also getting taxpayer money from the federal government, Several banks nationwide are under scrutiny for park-naming contracts in the midst of the federal bailout, including Citibank, which has a $400 million 20-year agreement on the New York Mets’ new ballpark.
The company received more than $1 billion in bailout money and officials told NBC 4 recently that it would be earmarked for consumer and commercial loans. In the meantime, they said, employees will receive no bonuses or incentives. They also recently cut 500 jobs. Nevertheless, the Huntington name remains on Huntington Park.
The company has a $12 million contract with Franklin County, but has only paid $5 million of that so far. The company will pay installments every year for the next 20 years. Huntington said the TARP money cannot be used for sports marketing and representatives said they needed to honor their commitment to the park that started well before the recession with other assets.
Shuttle Cops?
People have asked… Why are you so tough on city hall and vigilant about crime? Before anyone else sends me those questions, read about number thirty-six and then read what the city is considering…
10 TV: A shooting at a west side market left a clerk in life-threatening condition Tuesday night. The shooting was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. at Smith's Market, located at 2432 Sullivant Ave… The clerk was transported to Mount Carmel West Hospital in life-threatening condition.
10 TV: Will police detectives have to wait for a shuttle to take them to their cars before responding to a crime scene? It's a possibility. Officials said the city will no longer pay to have unmarked Columbus Division of Police cars parked in a parking garage along Front Street… In the past, the city has paid about $120,000 a year to allow 113 department vehicles to park inside the garage, but the city said it can no longer afford the cost. One option is to move the vehicles into the parking lot in front of police headquarters and kick out other city employees that currently use the lot. Or, the department could move some of the detective cars into what's known as the lieutenant's lot, located on Spring Street across from headquarters. Another option would involve moving the police cars into a lot off Short Street, and then have a shuttle take detectives to their cars…
10 TV: A shooting at a west side market left a clerk in life-threatening condition Tuesday night. The shooting was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. at Smith's Market, located at 2432 Sullivant Ave… The clerk was transported to Mount Carmel West Hospital in life-threatening condition.
10 TV: Will police detectives have to wait for a shuttle to take them to their cars before responding to a crime scene? It's a possibility. Officials said the city will no longer pay to have unmarked Columbus Division of Police cars parked in a parking garage along Front Street… In the past, the city has paid about $120,000 a year to allow 113 department vehicles to park inside the garage, but the city said it can no longer afford the cost. One option is to move the vehicles into the parking lot in front of police headquarters and kick out other city employees that currently use the lot. Or, the department could move some of the detective cars into what's known as the lieutenant's lot, located on Spring Street across from headquarters. Another option would involve moving the police cars into a lot off Short Street, and then have a shuttle take detectives to their cars…
Economic Crisis? Solve it with Soccer
10 TV: The Greater Columbus Sports Commission estimates soccer fans will spend between $2-3 million when the U.S. and Mexico open the final round of World Cup qualifying at Crew Stadium.
The city hopes to cash in on the sold out game with thousands of fans flooding the city… Tickets for the match sold out in 90 minutes, purchased by fans in 43 states and Washington, D.C., Canada and Mexico. Both squads are bitter rivals and Wednesday's meeting is the first Cup qualifying match between the two played in Columbus since 2005.
U.S. soccer fans are encouraged to wear red for the match. Nearly 22,000 placards will be distributed to fans to create a patriotic visual for the millions watching on TV.
The city hopes to cash in on the sold out game with thousands of fans flooding the city… Tickets for the match sold out in 90 minutes, purchased by fans in 43 states and Washington, D.C., Canada and Mexico. Both squads are bitter rivals and Wednesday's meeting is the first Cup qualifying match between the two played in Columbus since 2005.
U.S. soccer fans are encouraged to wear red for the match. Nearly 22,000 placards will be distributed to fans to create a patriotic visual for the millions watching on TV.
Quick Read
Tuesday’s edition commences with an outstanding graphic which illustrates the impact that city’s budget cuts will have…. Meanwhile, the Dispatch continues their excellent State of the State coverage with a reaction piece to Governor Strickland’s proposed longer school year… And Tim Ferran’s “Jock Talk” (Life and Arts) is an interesting premise… Unfortunately, the column’s value is strangled by statistics…
Monday, February 9, 2009
BREAKING: Strickland, White House Talk
Governor Ted Strickland and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel have discussed the vacant Health and Human Services Cabinet position. According to a source with knowledge of the conversation, Strickland is not a candidate. He was simply asked his opinion of other candidates.
Hineygate History?
10 TV: A hotel near the Ohio State campus that is popular with tailgaters during football season is set to be sold to the university and converted into a dormitory. Campus Partners, the redevelopment agency for the university, has announced an agreement to purchase the Holiday Inn on the Lane...
Doug Aschenbach, the interim president of Campus Partners said that Ohio State plans to turn the hotel into a dormitory in time for September's start of the new school year. "In terms of student housing, it's an affordable way to bring extra bed inventory online because it's a property that's already there with minimal renovations," Aschenbach said.
The hotel, located across Lane Avenue from campus and a short walk to Ohio Stadium, is filled during home football games with revelers enjoying Hineygate, the tailgate party hosted at the site. Students reacted with excitement at the possibility of living this fall at the hotel.
Ohio State is considering keeping Hineygate going even after converting the hotel to a dormitory. The deal to purchase the hotel should be completed later this month. The hotel is set to close at the end of March, with renovations taking place during the summer.
Doug Aschenbach, the interim president of Campus Partners said that Ohio State plans to turn the hotel into a dormitory in time for September's start of the new school year. "In terms of student housing, it's an affordable way to bring extra bed inventory online because it's a property that's already there with minimal renovations," Aschenbach said.
The hotel, located across Lane Avenue from campus and a short walk to Ohio Stadium, is filled during home football games with revelers enjoying Hineygate, the tailgate party hosted at the site. Students reacted with excitement at the possibility of living this fall at the hotel.
Ohio State is considering keeping Hineygate going even after converting the hotel to a dormitory. The deal to purchase the hotel should be completed later this month. The hotel is set to close at the end of March, with renovations taking place during the summer.
City Considers, Continues Budget Cuts
NBC 4: Columbus faces its tightest budget crunch in years and members voted unanimously to approve the controversial cuts that included permanent and temporary layoffs for some city workers. Making up $13 million won’t be easy, but it’s a task officials said has to be done to balance the budget.
Columbus city council members made a final decision regarding the budget Monday. One of Mayor Michael Coleman’s suggestions was to implement a five-day temporary layoff for some 1,300 city employees and permanent layoffs for others. That would be in addition to 27 police recruits and 12 middle managers who already were laid off.
Council and the mayor’s office proposed cutting $750,000 from the Summer Strike Force, $800,000 from police fleet purchases and $280,000 from Experience Columbus.
City officials announced the Saturday closing of 13 recreation centers last Friday. The centers could close permanently but at least will remain closed until the economy improves.
The city auditor suggested increasing the income tax to raise revenue for the city last week. Programs like the Community Crime Patrol also remain on the chopping block. While council approved the budget that does not include hiring the police recruits, that does not mean that the issue is over because negotiations continue.
Columbus city council members made a final decision regarding the budget Monday. One of Mayor Michael Coleman’s suggestions was to implement a five-day temporary layoff for some 1,300 city employees and permanent layoffs for others. That would be in addition to 27 police recruits and 12 middle managers who already were laid off.
Council and the mayor’s office proposed cutting $750,000 from the Summer Strike Force, $800,000 from police fleet purchases and $280,000 from Experience Columbus.
City officials announced the Saturday closing of 13 recreation centers last Friday. The centers could close permanently but at least will remain closed until the economy improves.
The city auditor suggested increasing the income tax to raise revenue for the city last week. Programs like the Community Crime Patrol also remain on the chopping block. While council approved the budget that does not include hiring the police recruits, that does not mean that the issue is over because negotiations continue.
More Than Our Name…
Since Gossip Cbus began, I’ve been swamped with e-mail…. Normally, I respond to your questions once a week…. However, I received this question (occasionally as a comment) and I feel the need to respond to it individually… The question or comment centers around our existence as a simple city gossip column…
I know gossip is a part of who we are… It’s in our name… With that said, anyone who has spent any time at all on this website, anyone who has read one story, anyone who has bothered to look beyond our name, will realize we are much more than gossip. We aren’t and we wont be covering who is sleeping with who, who is using drugs, or who is being scene in this city, unless it is relevant to a story which we are covering…
I know we do a cover a lot of events and we post a lot of promos… I am proud of our nightlife coverage… I am equally proud of our breaking news coverage, our feature reporting, and our interviews… When this website began, it did so with one ambition, provide a unique service to this city and provide something for everyone in this city… I feel thus far we have done that and we will continue to do that…
And to those who dismiss us as a mere gossip column, I invite you to read the site and read it again… If you do, you will realize our attraction…
I know gossip is a part of who we are… It’s in our name… With that said, anyone who has spent any time at all on this website, anyone who has read one story, anyone who has bothered to look beyond our name, will realize we are much more than gossip. We aren’t and we wont be covering who is sleeping with who, who is using drugs, or who is being scene in this city, unless it is relevant to a story which we are covering…
I know we do a cover a lot of events and we post a lot of promos… I am proud of our nightlife coverage… I am equally proud of our breaking news coverage, our feature reporting, and our interviews… When this website began, it did so with one ambition, provide a unique service to this city and provide something for everyone in this city… I feel thus far we have done that and we will continue to do that…
And to those who dismiss us as a mere gossip column, I invite you to read the site and read it again… If you do, you will realize our attraction…
Frog Bear Fun
For Valentine’s Week, a Frog, Bear, and Wild Boar major event announcement… (This will rerun twice in the coming days… still, you may want to mark you calendar)…
Heart Takers Ball (February 14): First 200 people score free admission for the rest of the year.
Heart Takers Ball (February 14): First 200 people score free admission for the rest of the year.
Playing For Children
For February, another major announcement… (This will rerun twice, separately… still, you may want to mark you calendar)…
Music in the Round (February 28): The Cap Square Rotary Club presents Chris Burney, Matt Monta and RJ Cowdry. Spice will host this exemplary evening. Tickets are $30 (individual) and $55 (couple). All proceeds benefit Transit Arts, which provides artistic outlets to city children.
Music in the Round (February 28): The Cap Square Rotary Club presents Chris Burney, Matt Monta and RJ Cowdry. Spice will host this exemplary evening. Tickets are $30 (individual) and $55 (couple). All proceeds benefit Transit Arts, which provides artistic outlets to city children.
INVITE: Roses & Rubies
Commencement: February 5, 12, 19, 26 (5:30 p.m.)Venue: Franklin Park Conservatory (1777 East Broad Street)
Cameron Mitchell Catering hors d’oeuvres
Quick Read
Did Monday seriously feature a front-page story about some opinionated idiot’s license plates? Misti Crane’s heart wrenching story on Ohio State’s ongoing dementia study, perfectly humanized a painful disease… Debbi Gobelys peace, on parents and children, not willing to relinquish their college dreams, despite these economic crisis was outstanding.
Jeb Phillips’ metro lead “Faces of A War” was a brilliant concept, which read like a list… Thankfully, Sherri Williams covered him with an excellent piece of the impact of women’s clinics closing in the city.
Life and Arts featured outstanding Grammy coverage… Margaret Harding typed an intriguing feature on the increase (yes, I said increase) of technology funding in this city… And Mike Pramik continued his great work… spotlighting River South, one of the few venues I have heard about that will benefit (yes, I said benefit) from City Center’s impending exodus…
Jeb Phillips’ metro lead “Faces of A War” was a brilliant concept, which read like a list… Thankfully, Sherri Williams covered him with an excellent piece of the impact of women’s clinics closing in the city.
Life and Arts featured outstanding Grammy coverage… Margaret Harding typed an intriguing feature on the increase (yes, I said increase) of technology funding in this city… And Mike Pramik continued his great work… spotlighting River South, one of the few venues I have heard about that will benefit (yes, I said benefit) from City Center’s impending exodus…
Sunday, February 8, 2009
You Have Questions... I Have Answers
Since Gossip Cbus began, I’ve been swamped with e-mail (thanks for the love)… While I’ve tried to give individual responses to several, I also know that some of the questions are questions others may have and thus, answering them publicly would be better… Therefore, from time to time, I will answer questions where everyone can see them…
Q: Will Gossip CBUS have Valentine’s Day coverage?
A: We will have announcements on Wednesday and Friday about events that are taking place… As for twitter coverage or wraps, that is also tentatively scheduled, but remains subject to change…
Q: I saw on your site that Juicy Campus shut down. Does this help or hurt Gossip CBUS?
A: Obviously, any readers who read that site that now read us as a result of that shut down, helps Gossip CBUS. With that said, Juicy Campus and Gossip CBUS service two entirely different tastes… Juicy Campus was unchecked, unverified filth, which occasionally bordered on slander… Gossip CBUS is so much more… Again, we expect some readers from their shut down… But, if anyone is here looking for the same type of material, you wont find it…
Q: Will Gossip CBUS have Valentine’s Day coverage?
A: We will have announcements on Wednesday and Friday about events that are taking place… As for twitter coverage or wraps, that is also tentatively scheduled, but remains subject to change…
Q: I saw on your site that Juicy Campus shut down. Does this help or hurt Gossip CBUS?
A: Obviously, any readers who read that site that now read us as a result of that shut down, helps Gossip CBUS. With that said, Juicy Campus and Gossip CBUS service two entirely different tastes… Juicy Campus was unchecked, unverified filth, which occasionally bordered on slander… Gossip CBUS is so much more… Again, we expect some readers from their shut down… But, if anyone is here looking for the same type of material, you wont find it…
Quick Read
Sunday’s front page featured a pair of excellent pieces… The first on Ohio Mayor’s stimulus package dreams and the second spotlighting the economic demand of rich school districts versus poor school districts…. Joe Hallet (metro section), also had a front page or at minimum first section story on the Curious Non-Committal of John Kasich.
Sports led with outstanding coverage of the basketball Buckeyes 64-58 victory over Minnesota and Tim May typed a solid piece on freshman linebacker recruit Storm Klein… Unfortunately, May ruined his own feature with an insipid lead about Kelin’s potential nicknames (Storm Warning etcetera)…
Steve Wartenberg’s feature (Business section) on Ohioans conned out of money was potentially the edition’s best and without question the edition’s most interesting…
Sports led with outstanding coverage of the basketball Buckeyes 64-58 victory over Minnesota and Tim May typed a solid piece on freshman linebacker recruit Storm Klein… Unfortunately, May ruined his own feature with an insipid lead about Kelin’s potential nicknames (Storm Warning etcetera)…
Steve Wartenberg’s feature (Business section) on Ohioans conned out of money was potentially the edition’s best and without question the edition’s most interesting…
CYP, Charities Host Spectacular Evening
Theoretically, young professional organizations are power enclaves. A city’s influential post-college generation unites. And through lavish events, they ascend their profile, while raising charitable donations…
On Saturday, Columbus Young Professionals hosted “A Date 2 Remember.” The marquee fundraiser coupled an impressive date package auction with charity, fashion, food, liquor, and networking. From the balcony to the Vault’s entrance, Columbus’ working princes and princesses showcased altruistic hearts and exquisite fashion senses (trust me when I say there were more than a few cocktail bunnies present)…
While the event served as another reminder that Columbus Young Professionals is the sub-forty year old organization in the city, the real stars of the evening were A Kid Again and Junior Achievers of Central Ohio… Both of which are wonderful organizations that we were thrilled we could support…
As of this typing, no official totals have been released, however, sources tell me that almost $20,000 was raised this evening. That unofficial total would trump the collection from the first annual “Date 2 Remember.” Despite the staggering economy, this evening spoke to the true depth of our city’s generosity…
“A Date 2 Remember,” while a magnificent evening for two charities, was certainly far from flawless; making the fact that so much was raised even more impressive. The fashion part of the evening was ultimately non-existent… Why have the people wearing the donated clothes? Why not have a separate show so the clothes don’t get lost, which the unfortunately did under this format… Also, why not spotlight local designers, which there are an abundance of in this city… I counted three different people wearing clothes from Macy’s… If I want to see people wearing clothes from Macy’s I will turn on my television…
In addition to the fashion, the overall presentation of the date package auction was questionable… The masters of ceremonies were awful… Their comments and jokes were insipid and their almost constant begging for dollars after the bidding had clearly died was ridiculous… $800 on one package, in this economy, is good money… Stop asking people for money incessantly like you are trying to get them to watch your dog while you’re on vacation… The music was also tacky… At times, I thought someone was just throwing in what ever CD they found lying around backstage… And playing the music over the bidding? Seriously?
The worst aspect of the evening was the separation of dates from packages… Apparently, under the rules of the evening, you could bid on the package and ditch the person or accept the person with the package… Why even have people attached to the packages? The format essentially reduced them to needless props, so why were they there? Why not, and this would be much more sensible, merely auction off date packages for two people… You would raise the same amount of money, possibly even more money from people who may not have bid, because they were confused as to the concept…
Now, I know what you are thinking… I just spent the last three paragraphs dissecting the event, how could I possibly be of the opinion that this was a great evening… Allow me to say two things about that… This was a great evening. Columbus Young Professionals intermixed a lot of great people and they raised a bucket full of money for two amazing charities…. I applaud them…
I also deeply respect and admire Derek Grosso and Kristin Mele, the first couple of Columbus Young Professionals… I have spoken with both of them… They are amazing people and their organization is outstanding… However, this website has a responsibility… We cannot sacrifice our the fundamental premise of journalism, to report that which we see, because of personal relationships… If someone chooses to terminate a personal relationship based on a website post, I will feel that loss… With that said, I hope that professionalism is universal… I sincerely respect everyone who has made Gossip CBUS a success in the first two months… I hope they continue reading and they realize that reality is our only objective…
On Saturday, Columbus Young Professionals hosted “A Date 2 Remember.” The marquee fundraiser coupled an impressive date package auction with charity, fashion, food, liquor, and networking. From the balcony to the Vault’s entrance, Columbus’ working princes and princesses showcased altruistic hearts and exquisite fashion senses (trust me when I say there were more than a few cocktail bunnies present)…
While the event served as another reminder that Columbus Young Professionals is the sub-forty year old organization in the city, the real stars of the evening were A Kid Again and Junior Achievers of Central Ohio… Both of which are wonderful organizations that we were thrilled we could support…
As of this typing, no official totals have been released, however, sources tell me that almost $20,000 was raised this evening. That unofficial total would trump the collection from the first annual “Date 2 Remember.” Despite the staggering economy, this evening spoke to the true depth of our city’s generosity…
“A Date 2 Remember,” while a magnificent evening for two charities, was certainly far from flawless; making the fact that so much was raised even more impressive. The fashion part of the evening was ultimately non-existent… Why have the people wearing the donated clothes? Why not have a separate show so the clothes don’t get lost, which the unfortunately did under this format… Also, why not spotlight local designers, which there are an abundance of in this city… I counted three different people wearing clothes from Macy’s… If I want to see people wearing clothes from Macy’s I will turn on my television…
In addition to the fashion, the overall presentation of the date package auction was questionable… The masters of ceremonies were awful… Their comments and jokes were insipid and their almost constant begging for dollars after the bidding had clearly died was ridiculous… $800 on one package, in this economy, is good money… Stop asking people for money incessantly like you are trying to get them to watch your dog while you’re on vacation… The music was also tacky… At times, I thought someone was just throwing in what ever CD they found lying around backstage… And playing the music over the bidding? Seriously?
The worst aspect of the evening was the separation of dates from packages… Apparently, under the rules of the evening, you could bid on the package and ditch the person or accept the person with the package… Why even have people attached to the packages? The format essentially reduced them to needless props, so why were they there? Why not, and this would be much more sensible, merely auction off date packages for two people… You would raise the same amount of money, possibly even more money from people who may not have bid, because they were confused as to the concept…
Now, I know what you are thinking… I just spent the last three paragraphs dissecting the event, how could I possibly be of the opinion that this was a great evening… Allow me to say two things about that… This was a great evening. Columbus Young Professionals intermixed a lot of great people and they raised a bucket full of money for two amazing charities…. I applaud them…
I also deeply respect and admire Derek Grosso and Kristin Mele, the first couple of Columbus Young Professionals… I have spoken with both of them… They are amazing people and their organization is outstanding… However, this website has a responsibility… We cannot sacrifice our the fundamental premise of journalism, to report that which we see, because of personal relationships… If someone chooses to terminate a personal relationship based on a website post, I will feel that loss… With that said, I hope that professionalism is universal… I sincerely respect everyone who has made Gossip CBUS a success in the first two months… I hope they continue reading and they realize that reality is our only objective…
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