NBC 4: Six suspects were arrested in New Jersey Tuesday and $1 million in jewels were recovered after an alleged aggravated robbery last Friday night. The six New Jersey arrests and the connection to an alleged smash-and-grab robbery were confirmed by Westerville police close to 1:10 p.m. Tuesday.
Westerville detectives, working with numerous law enforcement agencies, arrested the six in a hotel in Wayne, N.J., Monday morning. One million in jewels also were recovered in the same hotel, including rubies, opals, diamonds and gold.
The arrests were a result of a combined effort of Westerville detectives, FBI, LAPD, NYPD, Wayne Twp. police and the Passaic County sheriff’s department. All of the suspects were being detained in the Passaic County Jail, in New Jersey, pending identification and a court appearance.
An Indiana jeweler was looking for Easton Towne Center Friday, April 3, after he left a gem show at the Ohio Exhibition Center, according to Westerville police. The jeweler ended up in the Fazoli’s parking lot at 807 S. State St., Westerville and sent his wife and daughter inside while he attempted to figure out his GPS.
A silver Chrysler 300 pulled into the parking lot and blocked in the jeweler’s vehicle, police said. At least three men smashed out the windows of his SUV and grabbed two cases of jewelry from inside.
The jeweler, a licensed handgun carrier, fired a weapon and struck the passenger side of the vehicle. Police arrived at the scene and began searching for the suspects. Less than three hours after the incident, police found the suspected vehicle in Westerville. Detectives identified one suspect as 22-year-old Julio Angel Casiano Ruiz, of California.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
They Couldn’t Anticipate Unemployment?
NBC 4: There are more budget problems for the City of Columbus, officials announced Tuesday. The city auditor told the mayor that the city is short another $16 million this quarter, saying it’s a direct result of the high unemployment rate…
Auditor Hugh Dorrian said the city is short the money in addition to the $13 million needed in January. Dorrian said the reason is simple: the city isn’t collecting as much income tax, which makes up two-thirds of the city’s operating budget. “I’m sorry to say unemployment continues to rise. Our biggest source of money to operate the city is the city income tax. Not only is there no growth, it is continually going negative compared to prior years,“ Dorrian said.
The answer to the problem, Dorrian said, is to raise the income tax rate by at least half a percent. That would bring in $90 million to $100 million more annually. In a statement from his office, Mayor Michael Coleman responded, “to address this $16 million gap, the administration and city council must work closely together, similar to what we did leading up to the adoption of the 2009 budget.”
Dorrian also pointed out that more than 50 percent of income tax revenue is collected from non-residents.
Auditor Hugh Dorrian said the city is short the money in addition to the $13 million needed in January. Dorrian said the reason is simple: the city isn’t collecting as much income tax, which makes up two-thirds of the city’s operating budget. “I’m sorry to say unemployment continues to rise. Our biggest source of money to operate the city is the city income tax. Not only is there no growth, it is continually going negative compared to prior years,“ Dorrian said.
The answer to the problem, Dorrian said, is to raise the income tax rate by at least half a percent. That would bring in $90 million to $100 million more annually. In a statement from his office, Mayor Michael Coleman responded, “to address this $16 million gap, the administration and city council must work closely together, similar to what we did leading up to the adoption of the 2009 budget.”
Dorrian also pointed out that more than 50 percent of income tax revenue is collected from non-residents.
Crime & Peril
10 TV: Police said a pregnant woman was inside when three men broke into her west side home Tuesday morning. At least one of the men had a gun when they went through the back door of the home on Dlyn Street at about 11 a.m... Investigators said it was an attempted burglary, and the men did not know someone was home. The robbers ordered the woman to sit on the couch while they ransacked the home and took several items, including electronics and money… No injuries were reported.
NBC 4: Almost five and a half years ago, The Justice League of Ohio began providing legal assistance to crime victims including direct representation during criminal proceedings. Recently a drop in federal and corporate funding could be forcing it out-of-business. What was once a busy office is now just a shell waiting for new owners. Cathering Harper-Lee is the Executive Director of the Justice League. She was once too a victim of crime and that led her to want to help others. For Harper-Lee, her experienced pushed her to help other victims have their voice heard during the judicial process. The Justice League would inform victims of their rights to information, including conferring with prosecutors and being present during the trial. To-date, Harper-Lee and the staff of three attorneys have successfully represented 700 victims. The Justice League needs $525 thousand annually to operate; Harper-Lee is hoping for federal stimulus dollars to help. The Justice League of Ohio is hosting a fundraising event on April 18th. Organizers hope to raise enough money as they wait to see if they qualify for federal stimulus dollars.
NBC 4: Almost five and a half years ago, The Justice League of Ohio began providing legal assistance to crime victims including direct representation during criminal proceedings. Recently a drop in federal and corporate funding could be forcing it out-of-business. What was once a busy office is now just a shell waiting for new owners. Cathering Harper-Lee is the Executive Director of the Justice League. She was once too a victim of crime and that led her to want to help others. For Harper-Lee, her experienced pushed her to help other victims have their voice heard during the judicial process. The Justice League would inform victims of their rights to information, including conferring with prosecutors and being present during the trial. To-date, Harper-Lee and the staff of three attorneys have successfully represented 700 victims. The Justice League needs $525 thousand annually to operate; Harper-Lee is hoping for federal stimulus dollars to help. The Justice League of Ohio is hosting a fundraising event on April 18th. Organizers hope to raise enough money as they wait to see if they qualify for federal stimulus dollars.
Quick Read
Robert Vitale’s report (metro) on another impending round of budget cuts is excruciating… (The piece is well typed… The fact we have to cut more budget is the ridiculous part)…
Speaking of impending, Bill Chronister types an excellent feature (business) on the expected impact of the Clippers move into their downtown ballpark… The piece quotes Frog Bear and Wild Boar Owner Tom Selvaggio (a great executive)… However, the piece never mentions Lodge Bar, who I know for a fact is staging Clippers promotions…
Sports headline “Motown Beatdown” perfectly summarizes last night’s disaster of a national championship game, which fortunately, I only watched half of…
Speaking of impending, Bill Chronister types an excellent feature (business) on the expected impact of the Clippers move into their downtown ballpark… The piece quotes Frog Bear and Wild Boar Owner Tom Selvaggio (a great executive)… However, the piece never mentions Lodge Bar, who I know for a fact is staging Clippers promotions…
Sports headline “Motown Beatdown” perfectly summarizes last night’s disaster of a national championship game, which fortunately, I only watched half of…
Monday, April 6, 2009
BREAKING: Is BOMA Next Casualty?
The Bar of Modern Art (BOMA) will close within six months, unless the venue’s financial pattern radically reverses. The 23,000 square foot BOMA, which was formally the Century Baptist church, opened in 2006. The venue was renovated at a cost of $5 million. It includes six bars, five separate rooms, and two dance floors.
Another Robbery & Ridiculous Weather
10 TV: The FBI said that it was searching for the man who robbed a Short North bank on Monday afternoon. According to investigators, a man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt entered First Community Bank, located at 647 North High St., at about 2:11 p.m. Police said that the man walked straight up to a teller where he demanded money. The man kept his hand inside his sweatshirt as though he had a weapon. None was seen but police said that the teller complied and gave the robber money from his drawer. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Police Robbery Squad at 614-645-4665 or the FBI at 614-744-2168.
10 TV: The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Franklin county from 11 p.m. until 10 a.m. Tuesday… Overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the mid to upper 20s, which will likely result in a hard freeze. Temperatures could cause damage to vegetation. Spring-like temperatures have fallen off the radar -- at least for the time being. Tuesday's early morning low will drop to 28 degrees, and occasional snow showers may leave a coating in some parts of central and southern Ohio… It will remain cold Tuesday, with the possibility of an occasional snow or rain shower. Expect daytime highs to only reach 36 degrees. Freeze watches are in effect for Tuesday night into early Wednesday, when low temperatures are again expected to dip below freezing… we'll begin to warm up on Wednesday, with partly sunny skies and temperatures reaching 48 degrees. We should be back into the 60s by the weekend.
10 TV: The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Franklin county from 11 p.m. until 10 a.m. Tuesday… Overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the mid to upper 20s, which will likely result in a hard freeze. Temperatures could cause damage to vegetation. Spring-like temperatures have fallen off the radar -- at least for the time being. Tuesday's early morning low will drop to 28 degrees, and occasional snow showers may leave a coating in some parts of central and southern Ohio… It will remain cold Tuesday, with the possibility of an occasional snow or rain shower. Expect daytime highs to only reach 36 degrees. Freeze watches are in effect for Tuesday night into early Wednesday, when low temperatures are again expected to dip below freezing… we'll begin to warm up on Wednesday, with partly sunny skies and temperatures reaching 48 degrees. We should be back into the 60s by the weekend.
Quick Read
Monday’s headline… “North Korea in World’s Doghouse” is exquisite… Equally exquisite is Sherri Williams’ portrait of Milo-Grogan (metro)… The crime infested, dilapidated slum, which started to collapse when the community lost 400 homes to the restructuring of interstate 71… Jennifer Richards piece on Ohio’s substitute teacher pool (metro) is also interesting…
Sunday, April 5, 2009
INVITE: Vivid Video 25th Anniversary
Calendar: April 8Commencement: 10:00
Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
Pole Dancing Contest
Vivid Video Girls
INVITE: Goose Island Kickoff Party
Commencement: 6:00Conclusion: 9:00
Venue: Park Street Patio (533 Park Street)
Complimentary Pizza Buffet
Goose Island Samples & T-Shirts
OSU Issues Crime Alert
NBC 4: The Ohio State University has issued a new crime alert for the Columbus campus after two recent robberies where guns were involved. On Friday night, it was reported 2 female students in the area of 17th and Iuka were robbed at gunpoint. It was reported, the suspects are two black males that left the area in a tan Jeep Cherokee. Again early Saturday morning a male reported an attempted robbery at 14th and Indianola. The suspect is reported as a black male approximately 6’3” tall and leaving the area in an older silver Dodge van. When the suspect approached the victim, the victim felt the gun and the suspect demanded money. Anyone with information regarding these crimes should contact the University Police at (614) 292-2121 or Columbus Police at (614) 645-4545.
Saturday Massacred
NBC 4: The Columbus Division of Police were called to Children’s Hospital early Sunday morning to investigate a shooting… 18-year-old Floyd Williams is in critical condition at Children’s Hospital after he was shot in the upper body. The investigation revealed Williams stopped in front of 1117 McAllister Avenue to drop off a friend when several males approached him and attempted to rob him. One of the suspects fired several shots into the vehicle striking Williams in the upper body. Detectives tell Brockman Williams drove himself to Children’s Hospital after he was shot and was rushed into surgery in critical condition. If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Columbus Police Assault Squad at (614) 645-4141 or Central Ohio Crimestoppers at (614) 645-8477.
10 TV: Police said a man was found lying in an alley on the city's east side Saturday night. Investigators said Michael J. Thomas had been shot once in the upper body. He was found lying in an alley near East Livingston and Kellner avenues, located south of Interstate 70, shortly before midnight. Thomas, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene.
10 TV: Police said a man was found lying in an alley on the city's east side Saturday night. Investigators said Michael J. Thomas had been shot once in the upper body. He was found lying in an alley near East Livingston and Kellner avenues, located south of Interstate 70, shortly before midnight. Thomas, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene.
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: I found both of your columns on the New Kids on the Block extremely offensive… What gives you the right to judge women as you did?
A: This is only one of the crush of e-mails and negative comments this website has received following Friday night’s writing… I am, through this e-mail, responding to all of the e-mails received… Let me be very clear… I understand some people are insulted… I understand some people are upset… I understand some people may have taken what I said as judgment… If you did take it as judgment or I have offended anyone, good… This website is meant to be controversial and provocative and I will not apologize for that… Keep reading…
Q: I’ve noticed your coverage of crime is pretty extensive… It seems out of character with the rest of your coverage. Can you explain?
A: Crime may be out of character with bunnies and nightclubs, but we cover crime because the volume of it in this city has increased and it deserves more than a blip inside of the paper or a quick thirty seconds on the evening news… We’re paying very close attention to crime, because frankly, not enough other people are…
Q: This is the last week of the Blue Jackets season… What do you have planned?
A: With the franchise only three points away (through either their wins or other’s losses) from a playoff birth, we will have last week coverage. Specifically, the April 8 contest versus the Blackhawks and either one of both of the April 10 and 11 contests versus the Blues and Wild…
Q: I found both of your columns on the New Kids on the Block extremely offensive… What gives you the right to judge women as you did?
A: This is only one of the crush of e-mails and negative comments this website has received following Friday night’s writing… I am, through this e-mail, responding to all of the e-mails received… Let me be very clear… I understand some people are insulted… I understand some people are upset… I understand some people may have taken what I said as judgment… If you did take it as judgment or I have offended anyone, good… This website is meant to be controversial and provocative and I will not apologize for that… Keep reading…
Q: I’ve noticed your coverage of crime is pretty extensive… It seems out of character with the rest of your coverage. Can you explain?
A: Crime may be out of character with bunnies and nightclubs, but we cover crime because the volume of it in this city has increased and it deserves more than a blip inside of the paper or a quick thirty seconds on the evening news… We’re paying very close attention to crime, because frankly, not enough other people are…
Q: This is the last week of the Blue Jackets season… What do you have planned?
A: With the franchise only three points away (through either their wins or other’s losses) from a playoff birth, we will have last week coverage. Specifically, the April 8 contest versus the Blackhawks and either one of both of the April 10 and 11 contests versus the Blues and Wild…
Quick Read
Kelly Lecker’s “Hoops and Faith” front-page feature starts muddled… Fortunately, Lecker recovers and the piece presents a poignant reminder that the simplest endeavors can permanently change communities and existences…
Jack Torry’s feature, while not front page (Insight actually), is equally as fascinating as Lecker’s… In “A Better Deal,” Torry contrasts Franklin Roosevelt’s attempt to conclude a depression with Barack Obama’s attempt to curb a recession… You hear the pair compared constantly… But, Torry is one of the first journalists I have seen that adequately measures the two against one another…
Margaret Harding’s feature “Layoffs for Law Firms” (business) is also very interesting…
Jack Torry’s feature, while not front page (Insight actually), is equally as fascinating as Lecker’s… In “A Better Deal,” Torry contrasts Franklin Roosevelt’s attempt to conclude a depression with Barack Obama’s attempt to curb a recession… You hear the pair compared constantly… But, Torry is one of the first journalists I have seen that adequately measures the two against one another…
Margaret Harding’s feature “Layoffs for Law Firms” (business) is also very interesting…
Compete As Yourself, Succeed Like Them
America has become a “Swagga Like Us” culture. It’s all about capturing someone else’s attention and making them jealous… It’s all about challenging everyone with your personality and talent… This isn’t generation x… This is generation envy… It’s simply not enough to be part of the conversation… You must own the conversation…
Prior to my arrival for the Beta Pong Tournament, I had murky expectations… Beer Pong has it’s origins in bored people, who rather than sit and drink, decided to channel human’s innate desire for competition by tossing table tennis balls into plastic cups… In my lifetime, I have seen all manner of projectiles from golf balls to a Christmas ornament utilized for the purposes of beer pong… And as for the playing surface… A table tennis table, an old air hockey table, a piece of plywood laid across two saw horses…
I honestly could not predict what I would encounter as I walked past the registration table and up McFadden’s staircase to the second floor… I was both impressed and thrilled… The four tables appeared professional with numbers adorning each one… There was a side table, which sold a variety of Beta Pong shirts… There were typed and printed rules and brackets…
I knew I could expect more from McFadden’s than plywood and saw horses, but I didn’t expect the precise professionalism of Beta Pong, which as it happens, is a Worthington based company run by high school friends Nick Parsons, Derek Alford, Bijan Moazampour, and Drew Kitchen, all of whom are outstanding individuals… After talking to each one for five minutes, two facts were clear… These three understand the generation they are a part of and this evening would be incomparable…
After slight delays, due to registration, scheduling, and sequencing (which I assume is mostly due to the fact, and I didn’t know this also, that this was Beta Pong’s first actual tournament), the tournament commenced with twenty-five teams… As the swarm descended on the second floor, it only took one a moment to realize the obvious… McFadden’s was the perfect venue for this event…
Within minutes of the start, McFadden’s second floor was an audible and visual feast… As I said at the outset (but will expand upon now), human’s desire for competition is innate… Human’s desire to strut is also and with a brilliant backdrop of rap music, a crush of bunnies watching, and a torrent of trash talk, that is exactly what the participants proceeded to do… After ten minutes of tournament, McFadden’s was no longer the campus venue with relaxed rules… McFadden’s was the ultimate frat house…
Simultaneously, four pong tables had balls flying and beer disappearing… The collage resembled the opening two days of the NCAA Basketball tournament… Speaking of that tournament, North Carolina’s demolition of Villanova was on two screens overhead, as was the Blue Jackets narrow 5-4 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators… Competition and sports television not enough?
The exquisite blend of rap music served as the perfect soundtrack… While I’m honestly over DJ Lester’s continued worship of President Obama (the election’s over, you know), his competition compilation, which included “Blame It,” “I’m On A Boat,” and “Public Service Announcement” blared the perfect tone… The competitors tossed their balls, lip synched the lyrics, posed, preened, pounded their chests, and restated (constantly) their presence with authority… This emotion laced spectacle would have been enough to warrant ten paragraphs of praise… But, of course, there were bunnies…
Arrayed throughout McFadden’s… Arrayed amidst the beer pong participants was the crush of cuties we expect from this venue… From those texting their friends about the tournament, to those who captivated attention with their dancing, the colors and curves were delicious… Unlike last night, anyone would have been the perfect inspiration for multiple paragraphs… But, I choose to focus on a similar pair…
Now, I know I’ve discussed several previous bunnies, all of which are gorgeous, all of which have earned the praise they have received… With that said, I have always admired the off the rack bunny… What do I mean? I mean the bunny who is so perfect, that she appears as though she could awaken in the morning and with no visible effort, appear as perfect as you always witness…
Believe it or not, though it sounds implausible, it’s not and there were two textbook off the rack examples showcased this evening… The first a bambi bunny, wearing a scrumptious orange shirt, white sweater, and skinny jeans… She was elegant, the kind of bunny of who at a glance, makes your heart melt… The second example was Lucky Charm Brooke, whom I’ve mentioned previously… I know there are a collection of gorgeous charms, but again, Brooke is that exception… Watching her lip sync and grind and radiate perfection, you can’t imagine the girl has a flaw or has had a flaw ever…
As the tournament reached the quarterfinals and semi-finals, the action intensified… As with the NCAA Tournament, the electricity and excitement occurs in the initial rounds… The regional semi-finals, regional finals, national semi-finals, and national final have fewer combatants and contests, but the level of play is superb… This was the case in the Beta Pong Elite Eight and Final Four… The initial rounds took tantalizingly long to finish… These rounds took heartbeats to finish… Every throw was seemingly a splash… Every throw seemingly was part of a master plan, with one tandem outflanking the other…
With the final set to commence, the energy of McFadden’s, both upstairs and downstairs, at the bars, at the tables, and on the dance floor was stellar… The bunnies kept arriving… They kept dancing… And the Lucky Charms, led by Sytease and Brooke kept providing the incentive everyone craves… Even the newer Lucky Charms, Garin and Rae were exemplary… Although, and I don’t know this, it’s only what I’ve heard… Rae has apparently provided herself a nickname… Doesn’t she know only I am entitled to provide those…
The final, as with the semi-finals, was a brisk and climatic affair… As I tried to capture on twitter (although, pong doesn’t honestly translate to twitter), the final was a shot for shot contest… Pike and Feed the Cow spent twenty minutes silently screaming can you top this, before Pike sank the final shot, won $500 and the title… I spoke with one of the team members and we should have an interview with them in the next two days… In my possession now, I have the ball Pike used to sink the final shot… As for Beta Pong, this was their opening salvo… They have a second beer pong tournament scheduled for Lodge Bar next Saturday (and yes, we will cover it live)…
In HBO’s “The Wire,” Union Leader Frank Sabotka, anguished over the fate of his coworkers, opines “We used to make sh&& in this country, build sh%%. Now we just put our hand in the next guy's pocket.” The fact is this is the truth and I don’t blame older citizens if they lament this nation’s trajectory… However, as I said at the outset, younger citizenry has become generation envy… And clearly, Parsons, Moazampour, and Kitchen realize that the quickest route to someone envying you, is create something they have not…
Prior to my arrival for the Beta Pong Tournament, I had murky expectations… Beer Pong has it’s origins in bored people, who rather than sit and drink, decided to channel human’s innate desire for competition by tossing table tennis balls into plastic cups… In my lifetime, I have seen all manner of projectiles from golf balls to a Christmas ornament utilized for the purposes of beer pong… And as for the playing surface… A table tennis table, an old air hockey table, a piece of plywood laid across two saw horses…
I honestly could not predict what I would encounter as I walked past the registration table and up McFadden’s staircase to the second floor… I was both impressed and thrilled… The four tables appeared professional with numbers adorning each one… There was a side table, which sold a variety of Beta Pong shirts… There were typed and printed rules and brackets…
I knew I could expect more from McFadden’s than plywood and saw horses, but I didn’t expect the precise professionalism of Beta Pong, which as it happens, is a Worthington based company run by high school friends Nick Parsons, Derek Alford, Bijan Moazampour, and Drew Kitchen, all of whom are outstanding individuals… After talking to each one for five minutes, two facts were clear… These three understand the generation they are a part of and this evening would be incomparable…
After slight delays, due to registration, scheduling, and sequencing (which I assume is mostly due to the fact, and I didn’t know this also, that this was Beta Pong’s first actual tournament), the tournament commenced with twenty-five teams… As the swarm descended on the second floor, it only took one a moment to realize the obvious… McFadden’s was the perfect venue for this event…
Within minutes of the start, McFadden’s second floor was an audible and visual feast… As I said at the outset (but will expand upon now), human’s desire for competition is innate… Human’s desire to strut is also and with a brilliant backdrop of rap music, a crush of bunnies watching, and a torrent of trash talk, that is exactly what the participants proceeded to do… After ten minutes of tournament, McFadden’s was no longer the campus venue with relaxed rules… McFadden’s was the ultimate frat house…
Simultaneously, four pong tables had balls flying and beer disappearing… The collage resembled the opening two days of the NCAA Basketball tournament… Speaking of that tournament, North Carolina’s demolition of Villanova was on two screens overhead, as was the Blue Jackets narrow 5-4 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators… Competition and sports television not enough?
The exquisite blend of rap music served as the perfect soundtrack… While I’m honestly over DJ Lester’s continued worship of President Obama (the election’s over, you know), his competition compilation, which included “Blame It,” “I’m On A Boat,” and “Public Service Announcement” blared the perfect tone… The competitors tossed their balls, lip synched the lyrics, posed, preened, pounded their chests, and restated (constantly) their presence with authority… This emotion laced spectacle would have been enough to warrant ten paragraphs of praise… But, of course, there were bunnies…
Arrayed throughout McFadden’s… Arrayed amidst the beer pong participants was the crush of cuties we expect from this venue… From those texting their friends about the tournament, to those who captivated attention with their dancing, the colors and curves were delicious… Unlike last night, anyone would have been the perfect inspiration for multiple paragraphs… But, I choose to focus on a similar pair…
Now, I know I’ve discussed several previous bunnies, all of which are gorgeous, all of which have earned the praise they have received… With that said, I have always admired the off the rack bunny… What do I mean? I mean the bunny who is so perfect, that she appears as though she could awaken in the morning and with no visible effort, appear as perfect as you always witness…
Believe it or not, though it sounds implausible, it’s not and there were two textbook off the rack examples showcased this evening… The first a bambi bunny, wearing a scrumptious orange shirt, white sweater, and skinny jeans… She was elegant, the kind of bunny of who at a glance, makes your heart melt… The second example was Lucky Charm Brooke, whom I’ve mentioned previously… I know there are a collection of gorgeous charms, but again, Brooke is that exception… Watching her lip sync and grind and radiate perfection, you can’t imagine the girl has a flaw or has had a flaw ever…
As the tournament reached the quarterfinals and semi-finals, the action intensified… As with the NCAA Tournament, the electricity and excitement occurs in the initial rounds… The regional semi-finals, regional finals, national semi-finals, and national final have fewer combatants and contests, but the level of play is superb… This was the case in the Beta Pong Elite Eight and Final Four… The initial rounds took tantalizingly long to finish… These rounds took heartbeats to finish… Every throw was seemingly a splash… Every throw seemingly was part of a master plan, with one tandem outflanking the other…
With the final set to commence, the energy of McFadden’s, both upstairs and downstairs, at the bars, at the tables, and on the dance floor was stellar… The bunnies kept arriving… They kept dancing… And the Lucky Charms, led by Sytease and Brooke kept providing the incentive everyone craves… Even the newer Lucky Charms, Garin and Rae were exemplary… Although, and I don’t know this, it’s only what I’ve heard… Rae has apparently provided herself a nickname… Doesn’t she know only I am entitled to provide those…
The final, as with the semi-finals, was a brisk and climatic affair… As I tried to capture on twitter (although, pong doesn’t honestly translate to twitter), the final was a shot for shot contest… Pike and Feed the Cow spent twenty minutes silently screaming can you top this, before Pike sank the final shot, won $500 and the title… I spoke with one of the team members and we should have an interview with them in the next two days… In my possession now, I have the ball Pike used to sink the final shot… As for Beta Pong, this was their opening salvo… They have a second beer pong tournament scheduled for Lodge Bar next Saturday (and yes, we will cover it live)…
In HBO’s “The Wire,” Union Leader Frank Sabotka, anguished over the fate of his coworkers, opines “We used to make sh&& in this country, build sh%%. Now we just put our hand in the next guy's pocket.” The fact is this is the truth and I don’t blame older citizens if they lament this nation’s trajectory… However, as I said at the outset, younger citizenry has become generation envy… And clearly, Parsons, Moazampour, and Kitchen realize that the quickest route to someone envying you, is create something they have not…
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