Photos: Chris Jones
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Quick Read
Saturday’s front page proves (like it needed more proving) that one rotten apple can spoil the entire bunch…. Alan Johnson (Ohio pay cuts will affect everyone), Rita Price (Homeless Housing), and Jack Torry (Mayor Coleman vowing to fight for the stimulus money) type excellent pieces… Unfortunately, their stellar work is offset by Barbara Carmen’s “Property Profiles,” a story that uses four-year-old data, which will be recalculated in two years… The atrocious column should have never been written…
Elizabeth Gibson starts metro with an outstanding story on the Columbus School Board candidates, who now cannot run due to invalid signatures… Suzanne Hoholik’s story concerning Mount Carmel cutting programs is solid… However, Dean Narcisco’s piece on Ohio Libraries, should have been buried on D8… No way it’s a metro front story…
Michael Arasace’s column on Tyler Wright, a name most Columbus hockey fans know, but might have forgotten is exquisite … Not as exquisite, Tim May’s piece of on the lack of name identification in this year’s college basketball freshman class… The piece has a great angle… but, like its subject matter, is unmemorable…
Life and Arts feature on the just concluded New York Fashion Weeks is the edition’s most informative… Apparently, black is the new green…
Elizabeth Gibson starts metro with an outstanding story on the Columbus School Board candidates, who now cannot run due to invalid signatures… Suzanne Hoholik’s story concerning Mount Carmel cutting programs is solid… However, Dean Narcisco’s piece on Ohio Libraries, should have been buried on D8… No way it’s a metro front story…
Michael Arasace’s column on Tyler Wright, a name most Columbus hockey fans know, but might have forgotten is exquisite … Not as exquisite, Tim May’s piece of on the lack of name identification in this year’s college basketball freshman class… The piece has a great angle… but, like its subject matter, is unmemorable…
Life and Arts feature on the just concluded New York Fashion Weeks is the edition’s most informative… Apparently, black is the new green…
Familiarity Breeds Comfort
Essentially, bars are the same. They distinguish themselves on the excellence of things not seen. The connection you enjoy with the bartenders and servers. The casual conversation you have with a manager. The impression you absorb as you look at a throng of strangers, who are enjoying the evening with you…
I want to walk into the bar that remembers my name, what I drink, what my job is… There are very few venues like that in this city… Mostly, walking into a bar is like checking into airport…. And if you order something more complicated than a bottled beer, you’re lucky if you get it by Thursday…
Thankfully, the Frog Bear and Wild Boar Bar is that ideal place myself (or anyone else in their right mind) covet… Upon my arrival, the doorperson shakes my hand… Jeff, one of the best promotions people in this city, remembers what I drink, and orders me one… And for the next six hours I am never without a conversation or a drink…
It’s this attention to detail that makes Frog Bear and Wild Boar such a spectacular venue… And the attention to detail is personified by Owners Tom Selvaggio and David Allsbrooks, two people whom I’ve spent hours talking with in the past two weeks… I could have spent five minutes and still comprehended the joy with which they approach their occupation….
Most nightlife owners see their venues as cash registers… They simply ring the bell and take the money… They are content to count that money, never interacting with a single customer… Selvaggio and Allsbrooks are the exact opposite… They interact, they talk, and they are visible… They not only genuinely enjoy their jobs… They appreciate everyone who chooses their venue, over the hundred other choices in this city…
And on this night, those hundred other choices must have been vacant… After speaking with Tom for an hour, David for a half hour and Jeff for at minimum, twenty minutes, I started to take stock of the bunny population… And the stocks were at record highs… Whether I was walking through the stage area or the nightclub area or the hallway leading into the tiki room, the bunnies were everywhere…
As I’ve said before, I always judge venues on energy as opposed to crowd population… Tonight, the two were equals… Every room was a constant buzz of conversation and a continuous banquet for the eyes… (Did I mention there were bunnies)… Whether the pack was two or four or ten, the array of bunnies was stunning…
Also stunning was the unequaled crown jewel of Frog Bear and Wild Boar… (Anyone want to guess who I’m talking about?)… Amidst one of my many conversations with Tom (who is a tremendous conversation), I felt a smack on my hand… I look toward the bar and it’s Abbi… exemplary, exquisite, superb Abbi… We talked about the previous column and then I had to ask… Why did she switch from jeans and a gray t-shirt to a black pants and a black shirt with Carolina blue piping? “It’s Frog Bear’s birthday,” she responded… (For those of us who looked at her in that outfit the rest of the night, Thank Goodness it was Frog Bear’s Birthday)…
Now, if you read this morning (and I’ve seen our traffic numbers, I know you did)… You know I labeled Lodge’s Kadi the crown princess… I know what you’re thinking… Is Abbi equal to her, is she a step below or above… Abbi is in her own category… She has an appearance that is unrivaled and a personality that is more delicious than any two-pound box of chocolates that anyone received last weekend… Without question, Lodge’s Kadi is the crown princess… But, Abbi is the duchess…
And Abbi wasn’t the only adorable kitten Frog Bear and Wild Boar had behind their bar (although Abbi was the most adorable)… One was dressed in black sequins and a skirt, which I don’t believe could have gotten any shorter… The other was dressed in a virtually backless gray ensemble that made at least four bunny chasers stare (and those were the only one I saw)… If someone out there has the names of either one of those, I would love them for future reference…
With the crowd’s energy continuing to increase, the Seventeenth Floor finally took and the stage… And they were worth waiting for… While the lead singer’s choice of cap was questionable (he wore a bright yellow and dark blue, no not Michigan, Milwaukee Brewers hat), the band’s brilliance is not… Their intensity, their working of the crowd were unparalleled, even by Frog Bear and Wild Boar standards (and that’s saying something)…
The trickiest element in judging any rap, be the vocalist solo or ensemble, is the set list… If the selections are overly gangster and push the thug envelope, I am immediately disinterested… However, if the selections are a compilation of Will Smith’s greatest hits, I am immediately disinterested… The set must possess balance… Hard enough that I know I am enjoying rap… Soft enough that I am not in fear for my life…
The Seventeenth Floor passed the test… They aced the test… From “The Cupid Shuffle” to “Get Low…” From “Gin and Juice” to “Forgot About Dre…” Their play list was perfection… There is something about a great hip-hop song… The unorthodox chords move you and you remember, not just the moment, but also the feeling the first time you heard the song… Listening to Seventeenth Floor’s renditions, that special intensity, which only rap possesses, crackled in the air…
As I swapped the electricity of Frog Bear and Wild Boar’s crowd and Seventeenth Floor’s selections for the frigid (ok, not deadly, but still unwanted) air of February, I walked with two thoughts… Seventeenth Floor needs to perform again live and soon… And Frog Bear, given their excellence, deserves another seven days of birthday celebrations…
I want to walk into the bar that remembers my name, what I drink, what my job is… There are very few venues like that in this city… Mostly, walking into a bar is like checking into airport…. And if you order something more complicated than a bottled beer, you’re lucky if you get it by Thursday…
Thankfully, the Frog Bear and Wild Boar Bar is that ideal place myself (or anyone else in their right mind) covet… Upon my arrival, the doorperson shakes my hand… Jeff, one of the best promotions people in this city, remembers what I drink, and orders me one… And for the next six hours I am never without a conversation or a drink…
It’s this attention to detail that makes Frog Bear and Wild Boar such a spectacular venue… And the attention to detail is personified by Owners Tom Selvaggio and David Allsbrooks, two people whom I’ve spent hours talking with in the past two weeks… I could have spent five minutes and still comprehended the joy with which they approach their occupation….
Most nightlife owners see their venues as cash registers… They simply ring the bell and take the money… They are content to count that money, never interacting with a single customer… Selvaggio and Allsbrooks are the exact opposite… They interact, they talk, and they are visible… They not only genuinely enjoy their jobs… They appreciate everyone who chooses their venue, over the hundred other choices in this city…
And on this night, those hundred other choices must have been vacant… After speaking with Tom for an hour, David for a half hour and Jeff for at minimum, twenty minutes, I started to take stock of the bunny population… And the stocks were at record highs… Whether I was walking through the stage area or the nightclub area or the hallway leading into the tiki room, the bunnies were everywhere…
As I’ve said before, I always judge venues on energy as opposed to crowd population… Tonight, the two were equals… Every room was a constant buzz of conversation and a continuous banquet for the eyes… (Did I mention there were bunnies)… Whether the pack was two or four or ten, the array of bunnies was stunning…
Also stunning was the unequaled crown jewel of Frog Bear and Wild Boar… (Anyone want to guess who I’m talking about?)… Amidst one of my many conversations with Tom (who is a tremendous conversation), I felt a smack on my hand… I look toward the bar and it’s Abbi… exemplary, exquisite, superb Abbi… We talked about the previous column and then I had to ask… Why did she switch from jeans and a gray t-shirt to a black pants and a black shirt with Carolina blue piping? “It’s Frog Bear’s birthday,” she responded… (For those of us who looked at her in that outfit the rest of the night, Thank Goodness it was Frog Bear’s Birthday)…
Now, if you read this morning (and I’ve seen our traffic numbers, I know you did)… You know I labeled Lodge’s Kadi the crown princess… I know what you’re thinking… Is Abbi equal to her, is she a step below or above… Abbi is in her own category… She has an appearance that is unrivaled and a personality that is more delicious than any two-pound box of chocolates that anyone received last weekend… Without question, Lodge’s Kadi is the crown princess… But, Abbi is the duchess…
And Abbi wasn’t the only adorable kitten Frog Bear and Wild Boar had behind their bar (although Abbi was the most adorable)… One was dressed in black sequins and a skirt, which I don’t believe could have gotten any shorter… The other was dressed in a virtually backless gray ensemble that made at least four bunny chasers stare (and those were the only one I saw)… If someone out there has the names of either one of those, I would love them for future reference…
With the crowd’s energy continuing to increase, the Seventeenth Floor finally took and the stage… And they were worth waiting for… While the lead singer’s choice of cap was questionable (he wore a bright yellow and dark blue, no not Michigan, Milwaukee Brewers hat), the band’s brilliance is not… Their intensity, their working of the crowd were unparalleled, even by Frog Bear and Wild Boar standards (and that’s saying something)…
The trickiest element in judging any rap, be the vocalist solo or ensemble, is the set list… If the selections are overly gangster and push the thug envelope, I am immediately disinterested… However, if the selections are a compilation of Will Smith’s greatest hits, I am immediately disinterested… The set must possess balance… Hard enough that I know I am enjoying rap… Soft enough that I am not in fear for my life…
The Seventeenth Floor passed the test… They aced the test… From “The Cupid Shuffle” to “Get Low…” From “Gin and Juice” to “Forgot About Dre…” Their play list was perfection… There is something about a great hip-hop song… The unorthodox chords move you and you remember, not just the moment, but also the feeling the first time you heard the song… Listening to Seventeenth Floor’s renditions, that special intensity, which only rap possesses, crackled in the air…
As I swapped the electricity of Frog Bear and Wild Boar’s crowd and Seventeenth Floor’s selections for the frigid (ok, not deadly, but still unwanted) air of February, I walked with two thoughts… Seventeenth Floor needs to perform again live and soon… And Frog Bear, given their excellence, deserves another seven days of birthday celebrations…
Friday, February 20, 2009
Forced Vacations Settled, Set For Vote?
NBC 4: State employees may soon be voting on a plan to help balance the state budget at their own expense. Published reports indicate that state negotiators have reached a tentative agreement with the largest state employee union that would spare state workers from an outright pay cut, but require them to take ten days off without pay...
Neither the governor’s office, the Ohio Department of Administration or the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association will confirm or deny the details of the negotiations. Both sides agreed not to tell the media or public until after a deal is reached.
After proposing state employee pay cuts as high as 6 percent to balance his budget, Gov. Ted Strickland continues to look for ways to save the state $163 million in employee concessions. If workers take ten days off without pay, it would amount to a nearly 4 percent pay cut. A state employee making $50,000 a year would lose nearly $2,000 in taxable income.
Nearly 25,000 of the more than 60,000 state employees are based in Franklin County, with thousands more in surrounding counties. How would the days off affect state services? Would offices be closed for days at a time or would employees spread out their days off to continue operations, or would the state simply not pay workers for state-recognized holidays?
While critics of the budget said Strickland needs to cut programs and departments, rather than simply cut workers’ hours, the governor’s office will not acknowledge the details of the negotiations or how government will be impacted. OCSEA’s 35,000 members must first vote to approve any deal.
The impact of a furlough could potentially have a huge impact on area businesses as well. Inside Broad Street Bagels, roughly seven out of every ten customers is a state employee, and manager Phil Kukucka said the business averages 350 to 400 people a day when state employees are working.
Neither the governor’s office, the Ohio Department of Administration or the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association will confirm or deny the details of the negotiations. Both sides agreed not to tell the media or public until after a deal is reached.
After proposing state employee pay cuts as high as 6 percent to balance his budget, Gov. Ted Strickland continues to look for ways to save the state $163 million in employee concessions. If workers take ten days off without pay, it would amount to a nearly 4 percent pay cut. A state employee making $50,000 a year would lose nearly $2,000 in taxable income.
Nearly 25,000 of the more than 60,000 state employees are based in Franklin County, with thousands more in surrounding counties. How would the days off affect state services? Would offices be closed for days at a time or would employees spread out their days off to continue operations, or would the state simply not pay workers for state-recognized holidays?
While critics of the budget said Strickland needs to cut programs and departments, rather than simply cut workers’ hours, the governor’s office will not acknowledge the details of the negotiations or how government will be impacted. OCSEA’s 35,000 members must first vote to approve any deal.
The impact of a furlough could potentially have a huge impact on area businesses as well. Inside Broad Street Bagels, roughly seven out of every ten customers is a state employee, and manager Phil Kukucka said the business averages 350 to 400 people a day when state employees are working.
Mardi Gras 2009: McFadden’s
“Booze, Beads, & Bad Behavior”Commencement: 9:00
Venue: McFadden’s (South Campus)
Most Beads receives $250
Drinks (Available All Night)
$5 Hurricane Pitchers
$3 Corona
Mardi Gras 2009: Sugar Bar
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
VIP Access: Text (406-3072)
10,000 Beads Available
Most Beads receives cash prize
Mezzanine Drinks (Available 10:30 – 11:30 p.m.)
$1 Top Shelf Drinks
INVITE: Celebrating Seven Years
“It’s Our Birthday and We’re Throwing the Party”Commencement: 9:00
Venue: Frog Bear & Wild Boar (343 N Front Street)
Performances
The Websters
Venue: Frog Bear & Wild Boar (343 N Front Street)
Performances
The Websters
Snafu & Snow
NBC 4: The Franklin County Elections Board quickly verified the issues and candidates that are qualified to appear on the May Primary ballot. It will take a little longer to replace some polling places that are now not usable because the City of Columbus closed them. The thirteen recreation centers the city closed in a budget cutting measure this month all represent at least one polling place. With those spots off limits, other handicapped accessible places must be found. The new voting locations must be found and voters notified of the change of location in advance of the May 5th election.
The city closes recreation centers to save money, but their budget solution actually creates another problem…
10 TV: Snow will spread into Ohio overnight and early Saturday, with a light accumulation along and north of Interstate 70, according to Live Doppler 10 meteorologist Chris Bradley. Overnight low temperatures will drop to 21 degrees. Models are trending toward a warmer high temperature on Saturday, and that means more of a mix to freezing rain or rain in the Columbus area, Bradley said. Snowfall accumulations will be light in the Columbus area, with a slushy inch possible.
Can’t the snow just go away and stay away?
The city closes recreation centers to save money, but their budget solution actually creates another problem…
10 TV: Snow will spread into Ohio overnight and early Saturday, with a light accumulation along and north of Interstate 70, according to Live Doppler 10 meteorologist Chris Bradley. Overnight low temperatures will drop to 21 degrees. Models are trending toward a warmer high temperature on Saturday, and that means more of a mix to freezing rain or rain in the Columbus area, Bradley said. Snowfall accumulations will be light in the Columbus area, with a slushy inch possible.
Can’t the snow just go away and stay away?
Quick Read
While two important stories, Governor Strickland’s proposed employee furloughs and Nationwide CEO’s resignation, are featured prominently, Jeb Phillips “Afghanistan: A Different Kind of War” is the front page’s star… The profile is bold and stark, painting the picture that even if we win there, we may not win there…
Mark Niquette and Jim Siegel’s tandem piece (metro) on Governor Strickland’s lost money is interesting… Equally interesting, Ann Fisher’s sidebar on property tax… Kathy Lynn Gray’s column on the Golden Hobby Shop remaining open, despite the recreation center closings, is excellent… Unfortunately, Metro collapses under the agony of Bill Bush’s mess about the census and Mark Ferenchik’s “Rubbish District,” about the university district suspending trash pickup…
Tom Reed commences sports with outstanding coverage of Ken Hitchcock’s 500th victory… Ken Gordon, compliments Reed’s piece nicely, typing an intriguing profile of Alex Boone and his attempt to recover from public humiliation…
Mark Niquette and Jim Siegel’s tandem piece (metro) on Governor Strickland’s lost money is interesting… Equally interesting, Ann Fisher’s sidebar on property tax… Kathy Lynn Gray’s column on the Golden Hobby Shop remaining open, despite the recreation center closings, is excellent… Unfortunately, Metro collapses under the agony of Bill Bush’s mess about the census and Mark Ferenchik’s “Rubbish District,” about the university district suspending trash pickup…
Tom Reed commences sports with outstanding coverage of Ken Hitchcock’s 500th victory… Ken Gordon, compliments Reed’s piece nicely, typing an intriguing profile of Alex Boone and his attempt to recover from public humiliation…
BREAKING: Taylor Won’t Seek Senate
Auditor Mary Taylor has decided against a 2010 Senate campaign, according to a Republican source. On January 19, Gossip CBUS reported that Taylor was actively exploring a potential bid. Our source cited internal party pressure as the reason for her reconsideration.
Lodge Bar All Access
On February 27, Snowed Inn will occur live via twitter… Join Gossip CBUS before you arrive, as you enjoy, and after you leave for an unprecedented view of this outstanding event.
From Humdrum to Ecstasy
The greatest nights evolve. They commence with no one around… You arrive and the venue is practically empty… You can catch up with your favorite bartender; catch the end of the sporting event you were watching before you left… You can relax… The night continues with an influx of other customers… Not enough that you feel overwhelmed and want to leave… Just enough to where you consume their energy and don’t want to leave… The night concludes with bunnies everywhere and a jammed dance floor… The scene makes you think, “Thank God I didn’t bail at 9:00.”
Officially, I’m never arriving at Lodge Bar prior to midnight again… For the second consecutive week, I walked in pre-9:00 and the venue was vacant (and when I say vacant, I mean I could set up a dozen pins at the other end and bowled a few frames)… Fourteen people (not including staff), were watching television, sipping their alcohol, and I will assume, like me, praying the night picked up…
With nothing else to cover (unless I really did want to count cracks in the bar), my eyes focused on the Blue Jackets, who were in the third period, locked in a 3-3 tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs… Thankfully, the game was intense enough (yes, you can finally about the Blue Jackets this year) to hold my attention…. Except for one moment… In the midst of the game transitioning from the third period into overtime into a shootout… Two bartenders (who I am assuming were bored beyond words), started into the most obscure of conversations… Mork from Ork… Seriously… The spent five minutes discussing the red jump suit he wore and his signature catch phrases… Five minutes, in Columbus, on a Thursday, spent discussing Mork from Ork… We now return you to the world, in which, you understand most of what we are saying…
Moments after the Blue Jackets wrapped up a shootout victory (2-1 in the extra frame), I encountered Jake, another Lodge bartender, and we proceeded to have a ten minute conversation about twitter (It’s great to see everyone at Lodge discovering twitter)… We talked about what twitter is and why you should use it (two questions I could answer with confidence)… Then, ten minutes later, we discussed other technology and website ideas… Jake, whom I had never met before tonight, has to be one of the smartest bartenders in this city…
As I said at the outset, the best nights involve a slow beginning, followed by a steady improvement… Lodge Bar had the slow beginning… The Blue Jackets victory was enjoyable, the conversation with Jake was outstanding, and now, I was starting to notice improvement… It started small, with a trickle of bunnies… Then another cluster and another… As I stood with a bouncer at approximately 11 p.m., he looked at the still half-empty bar and without hesitation said, “If we were going to be busy, we’d be busy by now.”
About ten minutes after those famous last words, I encountered WNCI’s Gonzo, one of the most talented people in this city… As we kicked around ideas, which we had started discussing last week, he told me about the potentially amazing stage show he has cooked up for Mardi Gras Tuesday… This is what I mean when I say the kid is talented… We spoke for a couple more minutes and then he hit the microphone to officially kick off Thursday night… That’s when it hit me… If I come out Tuesday, I’ll miss American Idol….
With Gonzo working the crowd and the music starting to intensify, the night continued improving… Clusters of bunnies… Packs of bunnies… And the bunny chasers… From 10:45 to midnight, Lodge Bar moved from weak to wow, from a three-paragraph wrap to which one are we on now? I saw that same bouncer again at midnight and the expression on his face told the entire story… He didn’t expect this, but he was thrilled it had happened…
Speaking of things not expected, but thrilling… In between the bunny rush and the half-dozen random conversations which ensued, what could only be described as Lodge Bar Employee Night broke out… If you were following us on twitter (and believe me, I saw enough of your cell phones to know that you were), you know that the first employee discovered was promotions manager Jennifer (gorgeous girl, gorgeous dancer)… But, the night discoveries end there…
I’m standing on two different sets of stairs throughout the evening and I twice encounter Haley, bartender, promoter, and complete muffin… Both Jennifer and her were fun conversations, they are fun people and it was outstanding to see both in non-working, alcohol consuming mode…. But, seeing both of them paled in comparison to seeing someone else… Princess Kadi…
Dressed in all black with silver jewelry, Kadi looked worth eighteen carats tonight… And her personality, her laugh, they acted worth thirty-six… Clearly, Kadi was enjoying consuming the alcohol, instead of distributing the alcohol… With a Miller Lite bottle in her hand, that smokehouse rasp in her voice, and a smile that is simply to perfect for words… Kadi owned my attention throughout every word of our multiple conversations…
She owned everyone else’s attention with what she did during “Live Your Life…” Once again, if you were following us on twitter (and if you weren’t, you really missed something), you know what I am talking about… Princess and her companion (whose name would be nice at this point), on top one of the stage speakers, grinding and shaking their asses (and Kadi was without shoes no less)… I understand there were males in the bar with girlfriends, but seriously, they couldn’t have been paying attention to them… Kadi was the attraction…
I know what I said last Thursday, that Lauren is, on some level a challenger to Kadi for the standard at Lodge Bar… Lauren is exquisite, no question… But, Kadi is my star crush… You cannot blend that much beauty and personality and not be the most perfect… Lauren is amazing, but Kadi is the Crown Princess… And the crown is not revocable…
As the clock walked into a.m. territory, the bunnies stream only continued… And variety was the word… they were short… they were tall… they were blonde, brunette, and mixed… They had curves, they had perfect smiles… The number of exemplary bunnies was equal to the number of males wearing bizarre wardrobe choices…
And this is where I have to get serious for a moment… This lesson is not directed at the bunnies, who can pretty much wear a Wal-Mart shopping bag if they have the frame for it… This lesson is for the bunny chasers… I hate to be blunt (ok, no I don’t)… Your wardrobes need work… Lodge Bar doesn’t have a dress code and they shouldn’t… You should be smart enough and adult enough to understand fashion (you don’t have to be gay, you just need to read Men’s Vogue once in a while)…
Layers… Collared shirts (polos or button downs, it doesn’t matter)… and color coordination… None of this is hard… But, you make it seem hard and you make this speech necessary when you show up wearing hoodies with decade old Cincinnati Reds logos on them or a Diego Maradona soccer jersey (you know he got busted for drugs twice right?)… This is not your fraternities night out for dollar beers… This is a class establishment… Pretend you know what class is…
As I left Lodge at 1:40, there were still bunnies showing up… Less than one hour until the doors are locked and they are showing up… Somehow, when I could have been counting those cracks in the bar, I had a feeling the night would end like this…
Officially, I’m never arriving at Lodge Bar prior to midnight again… For the second consecutive week, I walked in pre-9:00 and the venue was vacant (and when I say vacant, I mean I could set up a dozen pins at the other end and bowled a few frames)… Fourteen people (not including staff), were watching television, sipping their alcohol, and I will assume, like me, praying the night picked up…
With nothing else to cover (unless I really did want to count cracks in the bar), my eyes focused on the Blue Jackets, who were in the third period, locked in a 3-3 tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs… Thankfully, the game was intense enough (yes, you can finally about the Blue Jackets this year) to hold my attention…. Except for one moment… In the midst of the game transitioning from the third period into overtime into a shootout… Two bartenders (who I am assuming were bored beyond words), started into the most obscure of conversations… Mork from Ork… Seriously… The spent five minutes discussing the red jump suit he wore and his signature catch phrases… Five minutes, in Columbus, on a Thursday, spent discussing Mork from Ork… We now return you to the world, in which, you understand most of what we are saying…
Moments after the Blue Jackets wrapped up a shootout victory (2-1 in the extra frame), I encountered Jake, another Lodge bartender, and we proceeded to have a ten minute conversation about twitter (It’s great to see everyone at Lodge discovering twitter)… We talked about what twitter is and why you should use it (two questions I could answer with confidence)… Then, ten minutes later, we discussed other technology and website ideas… Jake, whom I had never met before tonight, has to be one of the smartest bartenders in this city…
As I said at the outset, the best nights involve a slow beginning, followed by a steady improvement… Lodge Bar had the slow beginning… The Blue Jackets victory was enjoyable, the conversation with Jake was outstanding, and now, I was starting to notice improvement… It started small, with a trickle of bunnies… Then another cluster and another… As I stood with a bouncer at approximately 11 p.m., he looked at the still half-empty bar and without hesitation said, “If we were going to be busy, we’d be busy by now.”
About ten minutes after those famous last words, I encountered WNCI’s Gonzo, one of the most talented people in this city… As we kicked around ideas, which we had started discussing last week, he told me about the potentially amazing stage show he has cooked up for Mardi Gras Tuesday… This is what I mean when I say the kid is talented… We spoke for a couple more minutes and then he hit the microphone to officially kick off Thursday night… That’s when it hit me… If I come out Tuesday, I’ll miss American Idol….
With Gonzo working the crowd and the music starting to intensify, the night continued improving… Clusters of bunnies… Packs of bunnies… And the bunny chasers… From 10:45 to midnight, Lodge Bar moved from weak to wow, from a three-paragraph wrap to which one are we on now? I saw that same bouncer again at midnight and the expression on his face told the entire story… He didn’t expect this, but he was thrilled it had happened…
Speaking of things not expected, but thrilling… In between the bunny rush and the half-dozen random conversations which ensued, what could only be described as Lodge Bar Employee Night broke out… If you were following us on twitter (and believe me, I saw enough of your cell phones to know that you were), you know that the first employee discovered was promotions manager Jennifer (gorgeous girl, gorgeous dancer)… But, the night discoveries end there…
I’m standing on two different sets of stairs throughout the evening and I twice encounter Haley, bartender, promoter, and complete muffin… Both Jennifer and her were fun conversations, they are fun people and it was outstanding to see both in non-working, alcohol consuming mode…. But, seeing both of them paled in comparison to seeing someone else… Princess Kadi…
Dressed in all black with silver jewelry, Kadi looked worth eighteen carats tonight… And her personality, her laugh, they acted worth thirty-six… Clearly, Kadi was enjoying consuming the alcohol, instead of distributing the alcohol… With a Miller Lite bottle in her hand, that smokehouse rasp in her voice, and a smile that is simply to perfect for words… Kadi owned my attention throughout every word of our multiple conversations…
She owned everyone else’s attention with what she did during “Live Your Life…” Once again, if you were following us on twitter (and if you weren’t, you really missed something), you know what I am talking about… Princess and her companion (whose name would be nice at this point), on top one of the stage speakers, grinding and shaking their asses (and Kadi was without shoes no less)… I understand there were males in the bar with girlfriends, but seriously, they couldn’t have been paying attention to them… Kadi was the attraction…
I know what I said last Thursday, that Lauren is, on some level a challenger to Kadi for the standard at Lodge Bar… Lauren is exquisite, no question… But, Kadi is my star crush… You cannot blend that much beauty and personality and not be the most perfect… Lauren is amazing, but Kadi is the Crown Princess… And the crown is not revocable…
As the clock walked into a.m. territory, the bunnies stream only continued… And variety was the word… they were short… they were tall… they were blonde, brunette, and mixed… They had curves, they had perfect smiles… The number of exemplary bunnies was equal to the number of males wearing bizarre wardrobe choices…
And this is where I have to get serious for a moment… This lesson is not directed at the bunnies, who can pretty much wear a Wal-Mart shopping bag if they have the frame for it… This lesson is for the bunny chasers… I hate to be blunt (ok, no I don’t)… Your wardrobes need work… Lodge Bar doesn’t have a dress code and they shouldn’t… You should be smart enough and adult enough to understand fashion (you don’t have to be gay, you just need to read Men’s Vogue once in a while)…
Layers… Collared shirts (polos or button downs, it doesn’t matter)… and color coordination… None of this is hard… But, you make it seem hard and you make this speech necessary when you show up wearing hoodies with decade old Cincinnati Reds logos on them or a Diego Maradona soccer jersey (you know he got busted for drugs twice right?)… This is not your fraternities night out for dollar beers… This is a class establishment… Pretend you know what class is…
As I left Lodge at 1:40, there were still bunnies showing up… Less than one hour until the doors are locked and they are showing up… Somehow, when I could have been counting those cracks in the bar, I had a feeling the night would end like this…
Thursday, February 19, 2009
BREAKING: State Forces Vacations
10 TV: A tentative deal has been reached between state and union negotiators that would require state workers to take 10 days of unpaid leave a year, sources told 10TV News on Thursday evening.
Under the tentative agreement, state employees would not have to take pay cuts, sources said. The deal has not been finalized. Neither state officials nor the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association would comment on a deal, citing a news blackout, 10TV News reported.
Under the tentative agreement, state employees would not have to take pay cuts, sources said. The deal has not been finalized. Neither state officials nor the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association would comment on a deal, citing a news blackout, 10TV News reported.
INVITE: Celebrating Seven Years
“It’s Our Birthday and We’re Throwing the Party”Commencement: 8:00
Venue: Frog Bear & Wild Boar (343 N Front Street)
Performances
The Seventeenth Floor
INVITE: The Riot Society
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
VIP Access: Text (406-3072)
Mezzanine Drinks (Available 10:30 – 11:30 p.m.)
$1 Top Shelf Drinks
Performances
Ductape
Kid Chaos
Matt Majik
Mark Mayhem
INVITE: Third Friday Dance Party
Commencement: 9:00Venue: Skullys (1151 North High Street)
Age Range: 18 and over
Drinks (Available All Night)
$2 Vodka Shots
Performances
Braindouble
Dave Espionage
DJ Inform
Dre Fire
Sketchy Pete
Quick Read
Mike Pramik and Jack Torry commence this edition with an excellent article on President Obama’s housing plan… And Dan Gearino perfectly compliments their work, with his feature on the auto industry’s bleak prospects…
Sports leads with great coverage of the Buckeyes loss (yes, I said loss) to Northwestern… But, Rob Oller misses an opportunity…. He should have written about the loss and how it should never (ever) happen… You don’t lose to Northwestern in basketball… That’s like losing to Duke in football… Instead, Oller spends a dozen pedestrian paragraphs supposedly discussing Rick Nash’s leadership, despite his lack of playoff experience (In reality, the column read like a pep talk for Nash)…
Sports leads with great coverage of the Buckeyes loss (yes, I said loss) to Northwestern… But, Rob Oller misses an opportunity…. He should have written about the loss and how it should never (ever) happen… You don’t lose to Northwestern in basketball… That’s like losing to Duke in football… Instead, Oller spends a dozen pedestrian paragraphs supposedly discussing Rick Nash’s leadership, despite his lack of playoff experience (In reality, the column read like a pep talk for Nash)…
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Unfortunate Announcement
The Gossip CBUS and McFadden’s “Wear & Win Party” has been postponed… We hope to announce a rescheduled date in the future.
Finally! Coleman Campaigns For Cops
NBC 4: A $787 billion injection into the American economy has supporters hoping for new jobs, a way to keep old ones and help erase a long and deep recession. As President Barack Obama was signing the bill into law, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman was making plans to visit the President this week, saying he’s going to fight for every dollar…
President Obama mentioned Central Ohio directly in his speech about the stimulus package Tuesday. “Recruits like the ones in Columbus, Ohio, who were told that instead of being sworn in as officer, they were about to be let go,“ he said.
“I think the President recognizes that Columbus is a very important part of this country or he wouldn’t have mentioned it in the signing of this stimulus bill,“ Coleman said.
Coleman is going to Washington on Thursday to meet with the President and ask for stimulus money to bring those Columbus police recruits back. Twenty-seven Columbus recruits were cut in January following months of training and just days before they were scheduled to join the force. Safety was on the minds of Columbus residents Tuesday night.
More than 400 positions have been eliminated in the last year, but it’s the police positions that are most alarming. But if the money will come, when that would be and the amount Columbus will see isn’t certain yet. The funds cannot be used to fill in the budget gap, officials said. The money would have to be used to create jobs.
President Obama mentioned Central Ohio directly in his speech about the stimulus package Tuesday. “Recruits like the ones in Columbus, Ohio, who were told that instead of being sworn in as officer, they were about to be let go,“ he said.
“I think the President recognizes that Columbus is a very important part of this country or he wouldn’t have mentioned it in the signing of this stimulus bill,“ Coleman said.
Coleman is going to Washington on Thursday to meet with the President and ask for stimulus money to bring those Columbus police recruits back. Twenty-seven Columbus recruits were cut in January following months of training and just days before they were scheduled to join the force. Safety was on the minds of Columbus residents Tuesday night.
More than 400 positions have been eliminated in the last year, but it’s the police positions that are most alarming. But if the money will come, when that would be and the amount Columbus will see isn’t certain yet. The funds cannot be used to fill in the budget gap, officials said. The money would have to be used to create jobs.
INVITE: OSU Greek Guest Bartending Competition Semi-Finals
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Lodge Bar (Arena District)
Cover: $2
Thursday’s Paring: Tau Kappa Epsilon vs. Phi Kappa Psi
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: VIP Thursday
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
VIP Access: Text (406-3072)
Drinks (Available All Night)
$3 martinis
$2 Bombs
$1 Wells
Where the Money At?
NBC 4: A major law enforcement organization is asking for your help for donations so they can continue programs that keep Central Ohioans safe. OSU’s Archie Griffin, along with law enforcement officials from around Central Ohio came together Wednesday for a common cause to kick off an annual fundraiser aimed to raise much-needed money for the Law Enforcement Foundation of Ohio… Eileen Songer with the foundation said that by appealing to businesses and individuals, they hope to raise at least $175,000. That’s money that Songer said is essential to keep local communities safe. For more information, visit http://www.lef-oh.org/.
Obviously, this is a difficult economy… However, with Mayor Coleman cutting cops by the day… This is an important cause…
NBC 4: Speaking at the Community Roundtable Wednesday morning, Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy spelled out some of the direct effects the stimulus plan could have on your life. Kilroy said residents can expect to see 15,000 jobs added to the local economy, thanks to the stimulus package, as well as funding for worker training in growing fields such as health care. Other benefits that may touch your life include a 2009 payroll tax credit of $800 for couples and $400 for individuals. By the time the tax credit takes effect in June, Kilroy said the savings will average $52 a month.
$52 a month? That will almost, not pay, any bill anyone has…
Obviously, this is a difficult economy… However, with Mayor Coleman cutting cops by the day… This is an important cause…
NBC 4: Speaking at the Community Roundtable Wednesday morning, Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy spelled out some of the direct effects the stimulus plan could have on your life. Kilroy said residents can expect to see 15,000 jobs added to the local economy, thanks to the stimulus package, as well as funding for worker training in growing fields such as health care. Other benefits that may touch your life include a 2009 payroll tax credit of $800 for couples and $400 for individuals. By the time the tax credit takes effect in June, Kilroy said the savings will average $52 a month.
$52 a month? That will almost, not pay, any bill anyone has…
Help Combat Cancer
The Colleges Against Cancer Committee, part of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, has announced a $20,000 goal. Economic circumstances are difficult… However, this is noblest of noble causes… Gossip CBUS will be donating… You should donate also… Below is the personal request I received from one of the CACC’s members…As most of you know, I have been involved with Relay for Life for the past 3 years, helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society for cancer research and awareness. This year I have pledged to raise 1,000 dollars and I have a long way to go to reach my goal!
This year, hundreds of thousands of people will hear the words "You have cancer", and there's a good chance that some of them will be people we know and love. We have all been touched by cancer in some way ... and we all have the power to make a difference. That's why I have chosen to fight back right here in my own community by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
I want to invite you to join me in the fight against cancer by making a donation in support of my efforts. Further down in this message is a link to my personal Relay For Life® web page where you can make an online contribution. Every amount, no matter how small, makes a difference and provides hope. You can also sign up to join my team and learn more about Relay and how it's changing lives.
Relay For Life brings more than 3.5 million people from across the country together each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. This fun-filled, overnight event empowers everyone to help fight cancer by raising money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society's lifesaving mission. Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we will celebrate, remember, and fight back.
Who Needs Motive?
NBC 4: Columbus Police responded to a shooting about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday on the city’s north side and the motive may be a fight about keys. According to police, Jerry Chandler and Christopher Ford were involved in a physical altercation with one another. Those involved told detectives the fight was over a set of keys to a vehicle. After the fight had ended, Ford pulled a gun from his vehicle and headed towards Chandler’s apartment in the Nantucket apartment complex on Belcher Drive. Three shots were fired and hit Chandler. Ford fled the scene and returned to his residence. Chandler was transported by CFD Medic to Riverside Hospital in critical condition.
Seriously? The reason one person shot another person was keys?
10 TV: Police said a woman was attacked with a box cutter late Tuesday on the city's east side. Investigators said someone approached the woman in the 1000 block of East Main Street at about 11 p.m... The person had a box cutter and cut the woman in her head, police said.
Numbers forty-three and forty-four illustrate that in this city, no reason at all is a reason…
Seriously? The reason one person shot another person was keys?
10 TV: Police said a woman was attacked with a box cutter late Tuesday on the city's east side. Investigators said someone approached the woman in the 1000 block of East Main Street at about 11 p.m... The person had a box cutter and cut the woman in her head, police said.
Numbers forty-three and forty-four illustrate that in this city, no reason at all is a reason…
Quick Read
Aaron Portzline's feature (sports) on Blue Jackets Coach Ken Hitchcock is rivoting... The piece is especially brilliant when compared with Ken Gordon's bland column on NFL Draft picks... "The Need For Speed" (yes, was actually his headline) is a piece reporters type ever year...
Correctly, Metro leads with the Jennifer Brunner and Lee Fisher announcements... Unfortunately, the story covers nothing beyond the fact that they announced...
Joe Blundo's (Life and Arts) suggestions for the city budget are also amusing...
Correctly, Metro leads with the Jennifer Brunner and Lee Fisher announcements... Unfortunately, the story covers nothing beyond the fact that they announced...
Joe Blundo's (Life and Arts) suggestions for the city budget are also amusing...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Brunner, Fisher Commence Campaigns
As Gossip CBUS first reported, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher have announced their 2010 Senate campaigns. Brunner entered via a video message. Fisher entered via a press conference, with the endorsement of Governor Ted Strickland.
Both of these announcements were anticipated. On January 23, Gossip CBUS reported that Brunner had already chosen staff. On February 5, Gossip CBUS reported that Fisher and Strickland had discussed Fisher’s potential exit from the 2010 gubernatorial re-election campaign.
After commencing his career as a State Representative, Fisher served as a State Senator from 1982-1990. From 1991-1995, he served as Ohio’s 44th Attorney General. Since 2007, he has served as Ohio’s 65th Lieutenant Governor.
From 1983 to 1987, Brunner served as Secretary of State Deputy Director and Legislative Council. From 2000-2006, she served as a Franklin County Common Pleas Judge. On November 7, 2006, she was elected Ohio’s 49th Secretary of State.
Both of these announcements were anticipated. On January 23, Gossip CBUS reported that Brunner had already chosen staff. On February 5, Gossip CBUS reported that Fisher and Strickland had discussed Fisher’s potential exit from the 2010 gubernatorial re-election campaign.
After commencing his career as a State Representative, Fisher served as a State Senator from 1982-1990. From 1991-1995, he served as Ohio’s 44th Attorney General. Since 2007, he has served as Ohio’s 65th Lieutenant Governor.
From 1983 to 1987, Brunner served as Secretary of State Deputy Director and Legislative Council. From 2000-2006, she served as a Franklin County Common Pleas Judge. On November 7, 2006, she was elected Ohio’s 49th Secretary of State.
Residents Repel Armed Assailants
NBC 4: CPD received calls about shots fired in the area of Waylan Drive and Villa Drive close to 10:30 a.m. Apparently, a homeowner was standing in his front yard in the 1400 block of Waylan Drive when two men came up and allegedly put a gun to the homeowner’s head. The two suspects and the homeowner went inside the home. Apparently, other people in the residence fought off the reportedly armed suspect. The suspect took off and dropped his firearm, according to police. CPD officers found the firearm and said the incident was an attempted armed robbery. All of the victims in the Waylan Drive home were fine.
Quick Read
Robert Vitale leads off with an outstanding story on the potential collapse of the city’s building permits department…
Bob Baptist (sports) types an interesting story on the Buckeyes potential for an NCAA Tournament slot (Apparently, it’s a lock)… And Metro features a pair of intriguing stories… Encarnacion Pyle’s excellent read on the Ohio State-Columbus State medical school pipeline and James Nash’s feature on the state house mock safety drill, which would have made an excellent sidebar…
Bob Baptist (sports) types an interesting story on the Buckeyes potential for an NCAA Tournament slot (Apparently, it’s a lock)… And Metro features a pair of intriguing stories… Encarnacion Pyle’s excellent read on the Ohio State-Columbus State medical school pipeline and James Nash’s feature on the state house mock safety drill, which would have made an excellent sidebar…
Monday, February 16, 2009
Columbus Will Not Replace Retiring Police
10 TV: In the next two years, 200 Columbus police officers face retirement. Without funds to replace those officers, public safety will be jeopardized, a police union official said.
"It's going to be catastrophic," said Jim Gilbert, president of Capital City Lodge No. 9 of the Fraternal Order of Police. "What do you say to the crime victim? What do you say to the person who is waiting and waiting for police as a violent crime is happening in front of them?" Gilbert said.
Columbus Auditor Hugh Dorian has told City Council an income tax is the best solution to raise money. So far Mayor Michael Coleman has not taken a position on the issue and neither has City Council.
Should the council decide to put an income tax on the November ballot and it fails, the auditor warns the city would not just lose police officers. Two hundred retiring firefighters also would not be replaced. "We would have to cut our services," said Jack Reall, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67.
Fewer firefighters would be available to work on arson investigations and fire inspections, and fewer paramedics would be available to respond to emergencies. Reall said it all comes down to what voters are willing to pay for. "You either want to keep your services where they are at and pay more (in taxes), or decide what you don't want in terms of the menu of services that government provides," Reall said.
"It's going to be catastrophic," said Jim Gilbert, president of Capital City Lodge No. 9 of the Fraternal Order of Police. "What do you say to the crime victim? What do you say to the person who is waiting and waiting for police as a violent crime is happening in front of them?" Gilbert said.
Columbus Auditor Hugh Dorian has told City Council an income tax is the best solution to raise money. So far Mayor Michael Coleman has not taken a position on the issue and neither has City Council.
Should the council decide to put an income tax on the November ballot and it fails, the auditor warns the city would not just lose police officers. Two hundred retiring firefighters also would not be replaced. "We would have to cut our services," said Jack Reall, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67.
Fewer firefighters would be available to work on arson investigations and fire inspections, and fewer paramedics would be available to respond to emergencies. Reall said it all comes down to what voters are willing to pay for. "You either want to keep your services where they are at and pay more (in taxes), or decide what you don't want in terms of the menu of services that government provides," Reall said.
Number Forty-One
10 TV: At least two people forced their way inside a home on South Skidmore Street at about 1 a.m. A woman who lives in the home said the intruders threatened to shoot her after they restrained and blindfolded her. The thieves took the woman's purse and jewelry, police said.
Quick Read
Today’s edition featured an entirely local, extremely diverse front page… Barbara Carmen (911 smart mapping) and Robert Vitale (city spending and the rainy day fund) type excellent stories… They team up on a third, concerning city staffing… And Suzanne Hoholik’s feature on doctors aiding the uninsured, completes an exquisite quartet…
Unfortunately, Elizabeth Gibson’s clichéd and insipid story on crime muddles the perfection… Stories on crime do need to be written… But, Gibson’s relies on mayoral talking points… Crime is up because of the bad economy and the city is safe… 34 incidents involving gunfire a day are reported in this city… Does that feel safe? Also, criminals are criminals in any economy…
Jeffrey Sheban (Life and Arts) types a solid story on five friends and their efforts to combat thyroid cancer (Although he could have delved into the friendship more)… Mike Pramik (Business) was again brilliant with his column on the joint marketing of Tim Horton and Coldstone…. And Kevin Maynard’s feature (Metro0 on the Ohio State Aquatic Center was this edition’s most interesting…
Unfortunately, Elizabeth Gibson’s clichéd and insipid story on crime muddles the perfection… Stories on crime do need to be written… But, Gibson’s relies on mayoral talking points… Crime is up because of the bad economy and the city is safe… 34 incidents involving gunfire a day are reported in this city… Does that feel safe? Also, criminals are criminals in any economy…
Jeffrey Sheban (Life and Arts) types a solid story on five friends and their efforts to combat thyroid cancer (Although he could have delved into the friendship more)… Mike Pramik (Business) was again brilliant with his column on the joint marketing of Tim Horton and Coldstone…. And Kevin Maynard’s feature (Metro0 on the Ohio State Aquatic Center was this edition’s most interesting…
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Number Forty
10 TV: An east side man was shot on Saturday night after someone kicked in the door in his home. According to police, the shooting occurred at a home on South Chesterfield Road. Sidney D. Smith, 25, was shot in the face and was struggling to stay alive… Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 614-645-8477.
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 you ever announce “twitter live” before an event?
A: Prior to the Fiesta Bowl, the Back 2 School Bash, and the Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings, Gossip CBUS did announce that we would be live from those locations. As for other events, the decision to twitter or not twitter is based on several factors, which are unknown before our arrival. At some point, we may alter our policy and begin on announcements… For now, you may want to stay tuned…
Q: Will Gossip CBUS have Mardi Gras coverage?
A: We will have announcements on Monday (January 23) about events that are taking place… As for twitter coverage or wraps, that is also tentatively scheduled, but remains subject to change…
Q: I have noticed several charity announcements recently. Is philanthropy a goal of the website?
A: Even more than night life or breaking news, Gossip CBUS loves to be publicize charitable events, cover charitable events, and be involved in philanthropy through any manner available… If there are charities or groups who have checked out the site, but thought, it doesn’t fit our demographic, I encourage you to e-mail with events or your questions… As an active member of the community, Gossip CBUS is very interested in helping the community…
Q: Will you ever announce “twitter live” before an event?
A: Prior to the Fiesta Bowl, the Back 2 School Bash, and the Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings, Gossip CBUS did announce that we would be live from those locations. As for other events, the decision to twitter or not twitter is based on several factors, which are unknown before our arrival. At some point, we may alter our policy and begin on announcements… For now, you may want to stay tuned…
Q: Will Gossip CBUS have Mardi Gras coverage?
A: We will have announcements on Monday (January 23) about events that are taking place… As for twitter coverage or wraps, that is also tentatively scheduled, but remains subject to change…
Q: I have noticed several charity announcements recently. Is philanthropy a goal of the website?
A: Even more than night life or breaking news, Gossip CBUS loves to be publicize charitable events, cover charitable events, and be involved in philanthropy through any manner available… If there are charities or groups who have checked out the site, but thought, it doesn’t fit our demographic, I encourage you to e-mail with events or your questions… As an active member of the community, Gossip CBUS is very interested in helping the community…
Quick Read
On Sunday, Front Page and Metro front each featured important stories… Misti Crane’s (front page) addressed pending health cuts and Molly Willow’s (metro front) addressed the recreation center closings… Unfortunately, Crane and Willow only addressed the facts and figures of these stories… The facts and figures are known and now annoy people… Where was the emotional and psychological impact of these events on communities?
The front page continued the paper’s excellent State of the State coverage and Benjamin Morrison (Insight) presented an excellent argument for the coexistence of newspapers and websites (an argument we applaud)…
Steve Wartenberg led Business with an incredible article about the practice of physician approved pill splitting… Kevin Landers complimented that work with a front page worthy analysis of how the recession is impacting child support payments and recipients…
Michael Grossberg’s column (Arts and Life) feature on Cleveland and Cincinnati scoring theatre shows ahead of or instead of Columbus was outstanding and Ken Gordon’s sprawling recount of Beulah Park (sports) was superb… Sadly, Bob Hunter continued his incompetence, typing another tired column… This one whining about the NBA’s one year only required rule for collegians (Bob, everyone has written that column)…
The front page continued the paper’s excellent State of the State coverage and Benjamin Morrison (Insight) presented an excellent argument for the coexistence of newspapers and websites (an argument we applaud)…
Steve Wartenberg led Business with an incredible article about the practice of physician approved pill splitting… Kevin Landers complimented that work with a front page worthy analysis of how the recession is impacting child support payments and recipients…
Michael Grossberg’s column (Arts and Life) feature on Cleveland and Cincinnati scoring theatre shows ahead of or instead of Columbus was outstanding and Ken Gordon’s sprawling recount of Beulah Park (sports) was superb… Sadly, Bob Hunter continued his incompetence, typing another tired column… This one whining about the NBA’s one year only required rule for collegians (Bob, everyone has written that column)…
Black, Bunnies, & Free Agent Bartenders
For the boys and bunnies that populate McFadden’s each evening, their attraction is the intoxicants, which inhabit bottles or clear plastic cups. For myself, the bartenders, managers, security, and staff are the attractions…
Upon my arrival for the Blackout Bash, I made a pair of rapid observations… Not everyone received the multiple e-mails and promos about wearing black (seriously, can you people read?) and whomever spent the afternoon decorating the venue, deserves free drinks for the next three months…
I know I gushed about McFadden’s New Year’s interior… However, Saturday night’s enhancement was more impressive and more unique… For this evening, you weren’t in McFadden’s, where spilled beer and thrown napkins stain the floor… You stepped into a quasi-cross between an Abercrombie and Fitch catalog full of photography (on the screens and arrayed in still montages throughout the venue) and a premier nightclub… Black draped curtains, elegant lighting, and enchanting stars…
Troy McKinley, the host of the party, and from what sources have told me, the concept artist behind the design managed the unthinkable… It’s not like McFadden’s hasn’t hosted a theme party before, they host one a week… He (in my opinion), masterminded a memorable evening… An even more memorable evening than New Year’s Eve, which I would have thought impossible…
McKinley, while genius, cannot take all the credit… The attire and the bunnies that showcased that attire, also created the evening… Now, I could spend hours setting up what I am about to type… I could discuss the mythology of the little black dress and it’s prominence in womanhood and how nothing (and I mean nothing) looks better on a bunny than the perfect black dress, but, instead, I will simply type the obvious… The troves and troves of bunnies (and they were everywhere) made this night…
From the silk-lace ensemble worn by one of the bartenders to the red and black flower print (with red shoes) worn by a customer bunny to Amy’s (McFadden’s Promotions Manager) low cut black dress to the hundred other different patterns and textures, the glamorous dresses and the gorgeous bunnies who exuded sex with every moment, were enough to turn observers into bunny hunters and hunters into stalkers… Compliment those dresses with the glow sticks, which McKinley was nice enough to provide and the evening found a whole new category of perfect…
Speaking of perfect… I know I have discussed the Lucky Charms previously, McFadden’s own combination of customer conversationalists and shot sellers, but I must discuss them anew for two reasons… The first reason being there are additions to the ensemble and the second reason being their brilliant role in this perfect event… Sytease (the leader of the collection) was stunning in her full-length black ensemble and silver necklace… And the rest of the Charms, who, from my information, sold an impressive number of pounders, jello and test tube shots, were equally impressive…
With that said, Brooke merits special mention… With the persona of a pre-psychotic Britney Spears and the flawless blonde hair and face of Hayden Panettiere, Brooke (although I only spent two minutes speaking with her), could rival Sytease or Emily Rose as McFadden’s hottest charm…
As midnight approached and the crowd, which began the night as impressive and swelled toward ridiculous, continued exerting phenomenal energy, two dozen (yes 24) bunnies overran the bar for a quartet of songs that included, appropriately, “Single Ladies.” I assume the bunnies (a few of whom were larger bunnies), would have occupied the space for the evening, but alas, they were asked to dismount so that jewelry could be awarded….
And then, McFadden’s made their one mistake of this evening… They never announced that the jewelry was being awarded… They announced ten minutes remaining until… five minutes remaining until… But, they never announced the actual start of the awarding… A half an hour after the five-minute call, I see a bunny (and this one was a bunny), carrying a little black bag, which I knew was one of the jewelry prizes… What the… Now, don’t misunderstand me, this was a monumental evening and the fact that an announcement was not made was minor, but still… I was writing about the event, the prizes were a focal point of the event… It would have been nice if someone had told me…
It also would have been nice if I had known prior to the evening that this was Karl’s last night at McFadden’s… I would have prepared a tribute video (alright, I am just kidding)… Like Taryn before him, Karl walked the bar one final time… Unlike Taryn, his hair was down and crazy and his soundtrack was “Welcome to the Jungle…” Karl shook, he strutted, he scorched more than a few willing throats with shots, and then he spent the next two hours with Lester taunting him with farewell selections, including “Total Eclipse of the Heart…”
Now, I assume you’re waiting for a sentimental salute to Karl… You wont get one… It turns out that while Taryn joined the real world, Karl is merely exiting one opportunity for another… Sources tell me he is relocating to Park Street Patio…
I don’t know if I will see him as much, but I know this… When a free agent leaves one franchise for another, my respect for that free agent doesn’t diminish… The same is true when one bartending superstar walks out from behind one bar, only to step behind another…
Upon my arrival for the Blackout Bash, I made a pair of rapid observations… Not everyone received the multiple e-mails and promos about wearing black (seriously, can you people read?) and whomever spent the afternoon decorating the venue, deserves free drinks for the next three months…
I know I gushed about McFadden’s New Year’s interior… However, Saturday night’s enhancement was more impressive and more unique… For this evening, you weren’t in McFadden’s, where spilled beer and thrown napkins stain the floor… You stepped into a quasi-cross between an Abercrombie and Fitch catalog full of photography (on the screens and arrayed in still montages throughout the venue) and a premier nightclub… Black draped curtains, elegant lighting, and enchanting stars…
Troy McKinley, the host of the party, and from what sources have told me, the concept artist behind the design managed the unthinkable… It’s not like McFadden’s hasn’t hosted a theme party before, they host one a week… He (in my opinion), masterminded a memorable evening… An even more memorable evening than New Year’s Eve, which I would have thought impossible…
McKinley, while genius, cannot take all the credit… The attire and the bunnies that showcased that attire, also created the evening… Now, I could spend hours setting up what I am about to type… I could discuss the mythology of the little black dress and it’s prominence in womanhood and how nothing (and I mean nothing) looks better on a bunny than the perfect black dress, but, instead, I will simply type the obvious… The troves and troves of bunnies (and they were everywhere) made this night…
From the silk-lace ensemble worn by one of the bartenders to the red and black flower print (with red shoes) worn by a customer bunny to Amy’s (McFadden’s Promotions Manager) low cut black dress to the hundred other different patterns and textures, the glamorous dresses and the gorgeous bunnies who exuded sex with every moment, were enough to turn observers into bunny hunters and hunters into stalkers… Compliment those dresses with the glow sticks, which McKinley was nice enough to provide and the evening found a whole new category of perfect…
Speaking of perfect… I know I have discussed the Lucky Charms previously, McFadden’s own combination of customer conversationalists and shot sellers, but I must discuss them anew for two reasons… The first reason being there are additions to the ensemble and the second reason being their brilliant role in this perfect event… Sytease (the leader of the collection) was stunning in her full-length black ensemble and silver necklace… And the rest of the Charms, who, from my information, sold an impressive number of pounders, jello and test tube shots, were equally impressive…
With that said, Brooke merits special mention… With the persona of a pre-psychotic Britney Spears and the flawless blonde hair and face of Hayden Panettiere, Brooke (although I only spent two minutes speaking with her), could rival Sytease or Emily Rose as McFadden’s hottest charm…
As midnight approached and the crowd, which began the night as impressive and swelled toward ridiculous, continued exerting phenomenal energy, two dozen (yes 24) bunnies overran the bar for a quartet of songs that included, appropriately, “Single Ladies.” I assume the bunnies (a few of whom were larger bunnies), would have occupied the space for the evening, but alas, they were asked to dismount so that jewelry could be awarded….
And then, McFadden’s made their one mistake of this evening… They never announced that the jewelry was being awarded… They announced ten minutes remaining until… five minutes remaining until… But, they never announced the actual start of the awarding… A half an hour after the five-minute call, I see a bunny (and this one was a bunny), carrying a little black bag, which I knew was one of the jewelry prizes… What the… Now, don’t misunderstand me, this was a monumental evening and the fact that an announcement was not made was minor, but still… I was writing about the event, the prizes were a focal point of the event… It would have been nice if someone had told me…
It also would have been nice if I had known prior to the evening that this was Karl’s last night at McFadden’s… I would have prepared a tribute video (alright, I am just kidding)… Like Taryn before him, Karl walked the bar one final time… Unlike Taryn, his hair was down and crazy and his soundtrack was “Welcome to the Jungle…” Karl shook, he strutted, he scorched more than a few willing throats with shots, and then he spent the next two hours with Lester taunting him with farewell selections, including “Total Eclipse of the Heart…”
Now, I assume you’re waiting for a sentimental salute to Karl… You wont get one… It turns out that while Taryn joined the real world, Karl is merely exiting one opportunity for another… Sources tell me he is relocating to Park Street Patio…
I don’t know if I will see him as much, but I know this… When a free agent leaves one franchise for another, my respect for that free agent doesn’t diminish… The same is true when one bartending superstar walks out from behind one bar, only to step behind another…
Vision For A Visionary
Andy Warhol was a visionary. He understood that the image, whether that image was a painting, photograph, or video clip, would trump the spoken or written word. The latter might backdrop or frame the event. However, the former would serve as the authentic and verifiable record.
Like Warhol, “Other Voices, Other Rooms,” comprehends the visual’s importance. The exhibit is brilliant in it’s layering of the photographed image alongside the painted image alongside the video image. Every piece was unique. Every room inspired new thoughts and questions.
They also inspired sensory deprivation. In one room, you marveled at Warhol’s signature pop art, while a half dozen screens showed his movies, and a collage of purple-faced Chairman Mao’s stared at you from across the room… It was almost as if, while you were concentrating on the art, the room was consuming you….
What I loved about the exhibit (which I saw twice), was that it wasn’t a flogging of the obvious… When you say Andy Warhol, most non-art patrons would respond with something about a soup can… This exhibit showcased the soup cans… But, it also paraded Warhol’s “Interview” magazines, his MTV work, and his habit of being a pat rack, which was never more evident than when walked past the display of newspapers from the day he was shot…
The Wexner Center for the Arts was even meticulous with his quotes… Yes, they featured his sound bite about fifteen minutes, which everyone can recite with their eyes closed… But, they also, on their elegant red carpet complimented wall, spotlighted his other sphinx-like, less well known pronouncements… The menagerie included “Publicity is like eating peanuts. Once you start you can’t stop.”
When the grand art cities of the world are discussed, Columbus will never be a topic. We fall after New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, and possibly Omaha (just kidding)… The Wexner Center’s exhibition of Warhol didn’t change anyone’s minds and it didn’t vault Columbus into world art consciousness… It gave us fifteen minutes… For that, the Wexner Center merits congratulations…
Like Warhol, “Other Voices, Other Rooms,” comprehends the visual’s importance. The exhibit is brilliant in it’s layering of the photographed image alongside the painted image alongside the video image. Every piece was unique. Every room inspired new thoughts and questions.
They also inspired sensory deprivation. In one room, you marveled at Warhol’s signature pop art, while a half dozen screens showed his movies, and a collage of purple-faced Chairman Mao’s stared at you from across the room… It was almost as if, while you were concentrating on the art, the room was consuming you….
What I loved about the exhibit (which I saw twice), was that it wasn’t a flogging of the obvious… When you say Andy Warhol, most non-art patrons would respond with something about a soup can… This exhibit showcased the soup cans… But, it also paraded Warhol’s “Interview” magazines, his MTV work, and his habit of being a pat rack, which was never more evident than when walked past the display of newspapers from the day he was shot…
The Wexner Center for the Arts was even meticulous with his quotes… Yes, they featured his sound bite about fifteen minutes, which everyone can recite with their eyes closed… But, they also, on their elegant red carpet complimented wall, spotlighted his other sphinx-like, less well known pronouncements… The menagerie included “Publicity is like eating peanuts. Once you start you can’t stop.”
When the grand art cities of the world are discussed, Columbus will never be a topic. We fall after New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, and possibly Omaha (just kidding)… The Wexner Center’s exhibition of Warhol didn’t change anyone’s minds and it didn’t vault Columbus into world art consciousness… It gave us fifteen minutes… For that, the Wexner Center merits congratulations…
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