With Lodge Bar’s dance floor and walkways crushed, I sought a stable reporting refuge… I acquired the perfect position, across from Gonzo, on the stage, and next to Joe (whom I’ve mentioned previously)… Joe is the second smartest and potentially the most informative person at Lodge Bar… We observe the crowd (and the bunnies), swap opinions, and he imparts the employee experience (which is valuable, as I tell their stories)…
While bunnies were omnipresent this evening, Alexa once again reduced most… The intoxicating tart, who was walking the floor with a tray of jello shots and a can of whipped cream, appeared more personable and scrumptious than our previous encounters (which I didn’t think was possible)… Without question, the most memorable moment of the evening was when Assistant General Manager Trevor Day, Alexa, and I discussed her potentially spraying the crowd with whipped cream… The idea was a joke, but one I supported…
Friday, April 24, 2009
Always Live
On Sugar Bar’s iconic nights, the bar area, dance floor, upper and lower mezzanine are impassible. On Thursday, one could easily navigate through each. The crowd was impressive. However, the collection of women (and that’s the nice word) who owned the pre-fashion show stage were regrettable.
Speaking of the Hustler fashion show, the attire and models were exemplary. I didn’t know what to expect. I hoped it wouldn’t resemble an adult film, but I assumed any possibility… Thankfully, the collection was worth my moments… Hustler’s clothes and models and Sugar Bar merit praise.
Speaking of the Hustler fashion show, the attire and models were exemplary. I didn’t know what to expect. I hoped it wouldn’t resemble an adult film, but I assumed any possibility… Thankfully, the collection was worth my moments… Hustler’s clothes and models and Sugar Bar merit praise.
Always Live
Five minutes after my arrival at Sugar Bar, I encounter Owner Chris Corso, encircled within a quartet of bunnies (two of which were platinum blonde)… As one speaks with Corso, one easily surmises that his interests are not momentary… Our conversation covers the city, the post bricks revitalization, and both of our futures…
Speaking of ranging conversations, I encounter Randy Haffey at Park Street Patio… He and I discuss a pair of major upcoming events… The appearances of Frankie Delgado (April 30) and Pete Wentz (May 13).
Speaking of ranging conversations, I encounter Randy Haffey at Park Street Patio… He and I discuss a pair of major upcoming events… The appearances of Frankie Delgado (April 30) and Pete Wentz (May 13).
Always Live
The Frog Bear and Wild Boar’s mischievous bunnies were intriguing… However, Marchioness Stephanie once again owned the conversation… She danced all over Owner Tom Selvaggio… She posed for multiple pictures… She tried on a customer’s shades… She preened… She strutted… Forget coffee, her energy could exhaust an entire city…
Stephanie’s charm is even more evident when one speaks with her… Her smile… Her self-confidence… I will not judge her the best bartender in this city (even though she herself did)… I will simply say that no bartender will ever capture or concentrate your attention as she will…
Stephanie’s charm is even more evident when one speaks with her… Her smile… Her self-confidence… I will not judge her the best bartender in this city (even though she herself did)… I will simply say that no bartender will ever capture or concentrate your attention as she will…
Always Live
In the aftermath of the Blue Jackets playoff elimination, Frog Bear and Wild Boar chaos ensued. From Cassi’s alluring dance to a server indulging her birthday to multiple jaw dropping photographs… The display of bunny decadence was incredible.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
INVITE: Martini & A Makeover
Commencement: 5:00Venue: Lodge Bar (Arena District)
Central Ohio Gift Basket Prize ($300 Value)
Drinks (Available 5 – 9 p.m.)
$2 Martinis
Performance
Matt Winters
INVITE: Topo Ranch Fashion Show
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
Topo Ranch Fashion Show
Mezzanine Drinks (Available 11 p.m. – Midnight)
$1 Top Shelf Drinks
Three Scoundrels Sentenced
10 TV: A father and his son will both serve time in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography charges. Christopher Gould, 51, of Westerville, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of sexual exploitation of children by producing child pornography, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office. His son, Adam Gould, 25, pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of transportation of child pornography. Both men were arrested last year when officers conducted a search of their home and seized a computer and briefcase containing photographs of a 10-year-old girl in sexually explicit poses. Also seized during the search were two laptops belonging to Adam Gould, which investigators said contained more than 2,500 pictures and 78 movies of child pornography. Both men reached plea agreements with prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney's Office said that Christopher Gould will serve 180 months in prison while his son, Adam Gould, will serve a prison sentence of 80 months.
NBC 4: A Central Ohio man will spend the next 100 days in jail for shoplifting and using a child as an unwilling accomplice. Derrick Buell, 27, was accused of stealing from an East Broad Street Meijer store Wednesday, April 1. It wasn’t the first time Buell used the tactic, either, according to prosecutors. He was sentenced to 100 days in jail for the crime.
NBC 4: A Central Ohio man will spend the next 100 days in jail for shoplifting and using a child as an unwilling accomplice. Derrick Buell, 27, was accused of stealing from an East Broad Street Meijer store Wednesday, April 1. It wasn’t the first time Buell used the tactic, either, according to prosecutors. He was sentenced to 100 days in jail for the crime.
Street Racing Verdict Shocker
NBC 4: A 20-year-old man was found not guilty in the street-racing-related death of George Staton Jr. in 2008. Staton, 30, was killed while street-racing against 18-year-old Brandon Smith on Interstate 70 near Hilliard January 2008, CPD said.
Staton lost control of his car, crossed the median and hit OSU student Monica Durban in her vehicle, nearly killing her, according to authorities. Durban was left with a fractured skull and other severe injuries, in a coma for six weeks and in the hospital for six months.
Smith, who walked away from the crash, faced several charges, including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault. Smith’s car did not touch Staton’s car, Smith’s attorney contended, and therefore Smith was not responsible for Staton’s death.
Staton lost control of his car, crossed the median and hit OSU student Monica Durban in her vehicle, nearly killing her, according to authorities. Durban was left with a fractured skull and other severe injuries, in a coma for six weeks and in the hospital for six months.
Smith, who walked away from the crash, faced several charges, including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault. Smith’s car did not touch Staton’s car, Smith’s attorney contended, and therefore Smith was not responsible for Staton’s death.
Coleman Cuts Pensions, Promises Jobs, Revenue
NBC 4: Flanked by city department heads and council members, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman announced a 10-year plan to reform and improve city government to save between $100 to $150 million over the next 10 years. The plan included new approaches to employee benefits, public safety reforms and strategic partnerships.
The reform proposals unveiled are part of a three-part plan that includes creating jobs and raising new revenue to shore up the city’s long-term economic future. They are the result of the recommendations of the economic advisory committee, an independent panel appointed last year by Coleman, city council and City Auditor Hugh Dorrian to study the city’s long-term finances.
“These proposals demonstrate we committed to renewing our city government and making it work more efficiently,” Mayor Coleman said. “Many of these reforms will take time, but we will accomplish them.”
Most of the cost saving in the plan is years away from happening. The city has to negotiate with employee unions and city workers are unlikely to just give those benefits away without getting something in return. While Columbus city workers contribute 9 percent of their healthcare costs, state workers pay 15 percent.
Many private sector employees pay 20 to 30 percent and now, Coleman said, the city needs to be less generous with workers. The mayor said he would like to move forward on phasing out the employee-pension benefit that cost the city $30 million in 2008. The city currently picks up the tab for employees’ share of retirement costs.
“There’s going to have to be a make-up in the compensation package somewhere else, whether its in terms of wages or in terms of earned time off,“ said Firefighters Union President Jack Reall.
Reall said the city hasn’t even suggested cutting pension payments in recent negotiation sessions—a perk that amount to 7 percent of members’ salaries. The mayor also called for city employees to contribute more for health-care costs, revisit overtime policies and expand online auctions for city asset sales. Dorrian said the city is facing “an unprecedented financial dilemma.“ “It’s crisis time,“ he said.
“Having already taken measures to significantly reduce expenditures, we are forced to re-examine how city government is run as revenues continue to decline,” City Council President Michael Mentel said. “We are committed to a realistic plan that will be phased in over time, and the city will be in a better long-term financial position due to the decisions we are making today.”
Coleman said the public can hold the city accountable each year when Columbus produces a report of its progress on these efforts. Coleman also vowed to raise new revenue but would not discuss the details Thursday.
The reform proposals unveiled are part of a three-part plan that includes creating jobs and raising new revenue to shore up the city’s long-term economic future. They are the result of the recommendations of the economic advisory committee, an independent panel appointed last year by Coleman, city council and City Auditor Hugh Dorrian to study the city’s long-term finances.
“These proposals demonstrate we committed to renewing our city government and making it work more efficiently,” Mayor Coleman said. “Many of these reforms will take time, but we will accomplish them.”
Most of the cost saving in the plan is years away from happening. The city has to negotiate with employee unions and city workers are unlikely to just give those benefits away without getting something in return. While Columbus city workers contribute 9 percent of their healthcare costs, state workers pay 15 percent.
Many private sector employees pay 20 to 30 percent and now, Coleman said, the city needs to be less generous with workers. The mayor said he would like to move forward on phasing out the employee-pension benefit that cost the city $30 million in 2008. The city currently picks up the tab for employees’ share of retirement costs.
“There’s going to have to be a make-up in the compensation package somewhere else, whether its in terms of wages or in terms of earned time off,“ said Firefighters Union President Jack Reall.
Reall said the city hasn’t even suggested cutting pension payments in recent negotiation sessions—a perk that amount to 7 percent of members’ salaries. The mayor also called for city employees to contribute more for health-care costs, revisit overtime policies and expand online auctions for city asset sales. Dorrian said the city is facing “an unprecedented financial dilemma.“ “It’s crisis time,“ he said.
“Having already taken measures to significantly reduce expenditures, we are forced to re-examine how city government is run as revenues continue to decline,” City Council President Michael Mentel said. “We are committed to a realistic plan that will be phased in over time, and the city will be in a better long-term financial position due to the decisions we are making today.”
Coleman said the public can hold the city accountable each year when Columbus produces a report of its progress on these efforts. Coleman also vowed to raise new revenue but would not discuss the details Thursday.
Always Live
South Campus spies inform me that McFadden’s crowd was impressive. Evidently, DJ Legend made a special appearance.
Quick Read
Robert Vitale leads the Blue Jackets potential elimination day with a different Columbus entity who should be eliminated (also known as voted from office)… Mayor Michael Coleman… The piece on more proposed budget cuts includes Coleman promising to aggressively work for job creation, which will increase revenue… Why wasn’t he doing that already?
Aaron Portzline and Michael Arace (sports) type solid columns on the Blue Jackets remaining optimistic, despite their impending exodus… And Ken Gordon splits a pair of columns, the first on Ohio State’s annual spring game draft (which may have been on the front page in past years) and the second on roommates and former teammates James Laurinitis and Marcus Freeman… The second piece was exquisite…
Mark Niquette (metro) types an interesting piece on Jennifer Brunner’s proposed election reforms and Jeffrey Sheban (Life and Arts) details the Columbus Symphony’s summer series return, after a year away…
Aaron Portzline and Michael Arace (sports) type solid columns on the Blue Jackets remaining optimistic, despite their impending exodus… And Ken Gordon splits a pair of columns, the first on Ohio State’s annual spring game draft (which may have been on the front page in past years) and the second on roommates and former teammates James Laurinitis and Marcus Freeman… The second piece was exquisite…
Mark Niquette (metro) types an interesting piece on Jennifer Brunner’s proposed election reforms and Jeffrey Sheban (Life and Arts) details the Columbus Symphony’s summer series return, after a year away…
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hope Freezes Over
Game four may be our final contest. With that said, what a season. The Blue Jackets recorded 92 points. They registered 41 victories. They made the playoffs.
This city and franchise merit one more celebration. Gossip CBUS will cover every moment, as we twitter live from the Frog Bear and Wild Boar and R Bar on Thursday. Get out tonight, cheer, drink, read our tweets, and savor this evening.
This city and franchise merit one more celebration. Gossip CBUS will cover every moment, as we twitter live from the Frog Bear and Wild Boar and R Bar on Thursday. Get out tonight, cheer, drink, read our tweets, and savor this evening.
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