BREAKING: Park Street Patio, Sugar Bar Allege Status, Endure Rebukes

Frog Bear and Wild Boar will host the official Red White and Boom After Party. Park Street Patio and Sugar Bar’s promotional material entitled them as “The Official Boom Headquarters.” However, Frog Bear and Wild Boar is an official sponsor of the event. Park Street Patio and Sugar Bar have no official relationship with the event.

“As far as the Red White and Boom organizers are concerned, the Frog Bear & Wild Boar is the Official Red White & Boom After Party,” said Frog Bear and Wild Boar Promotions Superstar Jeff Smith. “We work closely with the organizing committee every year. No one else has rights to the title “Official Red White & Boom After Party” but us.”

Park Street Patio and Sugar Bar have been informed of the aforesaid, according to Red White and Boom Executive Director Michael Collins. This evening, Red White and Boom Director of Operations Shawn Verhoff expanded upon this. “Park Street and Sugar have no authorization to use the red, white and boom name,” he said.

“Anyone who wants to contradict this should call the organizing firm,” said Smith. “If you check the Red White and Boom website (redwhiteandboom.org) , you’ll notice that our activities are clearly listed on their website. The interlopers are not. I believe that says everything. Frog Bear and Wild Boar is Red White and Boom. Join us for our great party on the plaza (free for everyone), and the Reaganomics indoors after the show.”

Red White and Boom’s official sponsorship material, as well as the competing venue’s contradictory material is below. Park Street Patio or Sugar Bar refused comment concerning this story.

BREAKING: Social Room Specifics

One week ago, Gossip CBUS received an exclusive tour of the Social Room. Presently in the permit process, the Social Room will include an enclosed patio, multiple bars, and an upstairs. The city’s initial member’s only venue will be completed and open this fall.

While membership will not be limited, membership will cost $29.95 per month. Members must also be no less than an acquaintance of the venue’s ownership.

Since 1998, Chris Corso and Mike Gallicchio have owned and revolutionized city nightlife. Their previous ventures included Long Street Live, Mecca, Red Zone, and Spice Bar. Park Street Patio and Sugar Bar are two and three years old respectively.

BREAKING: Corso & Gallicchio Concoct Boldest Venture

The Social Room, Chris Corso and Mike Gallicchio’s newest and most intriguing concept, will reside between Park Street Patio and Sugar Bar. According to sources familiar with the project, this city’s initial member’s only venue will open this fall. And membership will be limited.

Since 1998, Corso and Gallicchio have owned and revolutionized city nightlife. Their previous ventures included Long Street Live, Mecca, Red Zone, and Spice Bar. Park Street Patio and Sugar Bar are two and three years old respectively.

BREAKING: Callahan’s Construction Commences

As Gossip CBUS first reported, Callahan’s has commenced construction on their rooftop patio. The spectacular addition, which includes a skyline view, will open later this month.

BREAKING: Sugar Bar Will Host Hilton

On June 4, Paris Hilton will appear at Sugar Bar, according to sources familiar with the situation. Originally, Doug Reinhart, Hilton’s boyfriend, was the evening's scheduled attraction. Apparently, Hilton decided to accompany her boyfriend.

After injuries concluded his minor league baseball career, Reinhart joined “The Hills” cast. Currently, he serves as Fun Factor and Fugen Mobile CEO. Both are cellular content companies. Fugen Mobile’s clients include Cirque du Soleil, the Oakland Raiders, and Sony.

BREAKING: Sugar Scores Nightlife Notable

Nightlife Notable and Promotions Superstar Randee Limelight will join Sugar Bar, starting this week. Limelight has and will continue publicizing Onyx. Her Sugar colleagues will include Tori Lioness, Shawn Money, Avi Primetime, and Molly Style.

BREAKING: Columbus Duo Score XM Show

WNCI’s Gonzo and Nate Tyler will join XM Radio, starting next week. Kiss XM 21, which airs today’s hottest hits, will broadcast the tandem’s program in an unannounced timeslot. Kiss XM 21 is operated by Clear Channel, the parent company of WNCI.

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.

BREAKING: Mynt Mickie?

At a recent Mynt Ultra Lounge party, a customer's drink was drugged. Late in 2008, the alleged victim, who spoke with Gossip CBUS on condition of anonymity, exhibited bizarre and irrational behavior after attending the North High Street venue. They subsequently tested positive for rohypnol, a benzodiazepine, which induces anterograde amnesia. Rohypnol is frequently referred to as the “date rate drug.”

This revelation comes amidst lingering allegations of drug distribution at Mynt Ultra Lounge. While Gossip CBUS is aware of no official investigation targeting the venue, Columbus Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency have recently made two significant cases. Cocaine and heroin rings were disrupted.

BREAKING: Spice Bar’s Brutal Assessment

On February 13, Gossip CBUS reported that Spice Bar would close this month. According to an employee familiar with the venue’s finances, how they remain open is a mystery.

“When we saw that report, we thought we were toast,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s not just what I’ve seen, it’s the crowds, its people who used to come here now go to Sugar or Brothers or Lodge. I’m waiting for the day I show up and the doors are locked. I cant imagine why it’s not happened.”

Given the current economic conditions, one could assume that lenient treatment or owner’s assets are sustaining Spice. Skye Bar enjoyed a similar arrangement prior to their close on January 15.

“Anything is possible,” said our source. “If you’re asking me, I cant say one way or the other, but my guess is something is being done. We aren’t the bar we were in 2006 or 2007. It’s not Chris [Corso] turning everything into gold around here. We’re in trouble. I know it. The street knows it. The city knows it. Its not if we close, its when.”

Originally developed by Sugar Bar Owners Chris Corso and Mike Gallicchio, the 6,290 square foot Spice Bar was purchased by BOMA Developer Tom Starker in October 2008. No one associated with Spice Bar could be reached for comment concerning this story.

BREAKING: Liquid Liquidation

As Gossip CBUS first reported, Liquid is for sale. Originally located in Mansfield, Liquid opened in Columbus on May 17, 2008. It occupies the location, which was formerly Little Brothers in the short north.

BREAKING: Ryan Eyes Primary Position

Congressman Tim Ryan may still explore a Senate campaign, despite a rumored endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher. According to a source familiar with Congressman’s mindset, Ryan believes that only one more Democrat could enter the race.

“There’s room for three and that’s it,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “You have the sitting LG and SOS in the race, there’s no doubt about their star power. But, we feel there is another slot there. It’s all about who can put togther the money and the machine for a viable candidacy.”

As Gossip CBUS first reported, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Fisher announced their campaigns last week. For the Republicans, Rob Portman is the lone announced candidate.

After commencing his career in the State Senate, Ryan has served as Ohio’s 17th District Congressman since 2003. He won the seat formerly held by James Traficant (Democrat), who was imprisoned for taking bribes, filing false tax returns, racketeering, and forcing his aides to perform chores at his farm and houseboat.

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.

BREAKING: Spice Suffocates

Spice Bar will close next month, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated bluntly, “You don’t know have to know the economy is bad to know they’re in trouble. All you have to do is walk in and look around.”

Originally developed by Sugar Bar Owners Chris Corso and Mike Gallicchio, the 6,290 square foot Spice Bar was purchased by BOMA Developer Tom Starker in October 2008. No one associated with Spice Bar could be reached for comment concerning this story.

BREAKING: Strickland, White House Talk

Governor Ted Strickland and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel have discussed the vacant Health and Human Services Cabinet position. According to a source with knowledge of the conversation, Strickland is not a candidate. He was simply asked his opinion of other candidates.

BREAKING: Sugar Safe

Despite recent rumors, Sugar Bar remains economically secure. According to a source familiar with the situation, salaries have not been reduced. And while amenity alterations have been made, they were anticipatory. They were not revenue related.

The 7,500 square foot Sugar Bar, which is located next to Park Street Patio, was developed by Chris Corso and Mike Gallicchio. Sugar Bar opened on March 2, 2006.

BREAKING: Strickland, Fisher Discuss Separation

Governor Ted Strickland and Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher have discussed Fisher’s potential exit from the 2010 gubernatorial re-election campaign. According to a source with knowledge of the conversation, Fisher did not ask to leave the ticket. However, he made clear his interest in a 2010 Senate campaign.

If Fisher exits, Strickland would be the eighth Democratic Governor to have multiple Lieutenant Governors. Fisher’s possible replacements include Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut, Ohio 9th District Congresswoman Marcia Kaptur, and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman and former State Representative Chris Redfern.

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.

BREAKING: Juicy Campus Attempts Exit Explanation

On Wednesday, Juicy Campus crumbled. Below is their reasoning….

What is happening to JuicyCampus?
JuicyCampus is shutting down as of February 5, 2009. ALL TRAFFIC IS BEING REDIRECTED TO www.collegeacb.com (check out their BLOG for more details)

Why is this happening?
JuicyCampus’ growth outpaced our ability to muster the resources needed to survive the economic downturn and the current level of revenue generated is simply not sufficient to keep the site alive.

How long have you known this was going to happen?
The whole team at JuicyCampus has worked tirelessly the past few weeks to consider all possible options for keeping the site open. It was not until Feb. 2, 2009 that the site's leadership made the difficult decision to shut down.

Does this have anything to do with the investigations by Attorneys General? Other legal reasons?
No, not at all. No charges were ever brought against JuicyCampus by any AG. The site is likewise not shutting down as a result of any lawsuits or other sort of legal trouble. JuicyCampus' services and policies have always been well within the law.

Is this because advertisers pulled their ads from your site?
No. Online ad spend dropped across the board as the economy took a turn for the worse. Our advertisers have spent less, but have remained loyal, and for that we are very much appreciative.

Is this because too many campuses banned you?
No. The vast majority of campuses decided not to censor their students. Our traffic levels have remained very strong. Any revenue lost as a result of the campuses that banned us was negligible.

What does this mean for all the posts?
As of February 2, 2009, all posts will no longer be publicly available.

What about my privacy? If I wrote on the Site, will my IP be released?
JuicyCampus will maintain the same policy we have always enforced -- IP addresses will not be released without a lawful subpoena.

Without JuicyCampus, where on earth will I get my fill of campus gossip?
Check out www.collegeacb.com.

What's next for Matt Ivester?
He'll be consulting with some startups in the Los Angeles area, and is already brainstorming his next big website.

Who can I speak with if I have questions in the future about JuicyCampus?
We’ll keep our Customer Service email account active and probably will check it from time to time. If you have any comments/questions please email cs@juicycampus.com and someone might get back to you. (On the day of shutdown, we may experience temporary email outages, just try again later).

What is the future of JuicyCampus?
Does it have plans to come back?As of now, JuicyCampus does not have any plans to come back, but who knows what the future might hold. If you have any ideas, email us...

BREAKING: Petro Ponders Senate Campaign

Jim Petro is exploring a Senate campaign, Gossip CBUS has learned. In January, Petro contacted three former fundraisers to inquire into the viability of a statewide bid. Petro has been absent from the political scene, since Ken Blackwell defeated him for the 2006 Republican Gubernatorial nomination.

After commencing his career as a Rocky River Councilman and City Director, Petro served as a State Representative from 1981-1990. From 1991-1995, he served as a Cuyahoga County Commissioner. From 1995-2003, he served as Ohio’s 29th Auditor. From 2003-2207, he served as Ohio’s 46th Attorney General.

BREAKING: Juicy Campus Crumbles

Despite viewers and volume, Juicy Campus could not survive. The anonymous gossip website will shut down tomorrow. Founder and CEO Matt Ivester explains his decision in this enclosed letter…

Juicy Campers,

What a wild ride this has been! In the past year and a half, JuicyCampus has become synonymous with college gossip, and is more popular than I could have ever expected. We’ve expanded to more than 500 campuses across the US, and have more than a million unique visitors coming to the site every month. It’s clear that we have provided a platform that students have found interesting, entertaining, and fun.

Unfortunately, even with great traffic and strong user loyalty, a business can’t survive and grow without a steady stream of revenue to support it. In these historically difficult economic times, online ad revenue has plummeted and venture capital funding has dissolved. JuicyCampus’ exponential growth outpaced our ability to muster the resources needed to survive this economic downturn, and as a result, we are closing down the site as of Feb. 5, 2009.

On behalf of everyone here at JuicyCampus, I would like to thank all of our users for reading, contributing to, and telling your friends about the site. And I’d like to thank everyone who has engaged in meaningful discussion about online privacy and internet censorship. JuicyCampus has raised issues that have passionate advocates on both sides, and I hope that dialogue will continue. While there are parts of JuicyCampus that none of us will miss – the mean-spirited posts and personal attacks – it has also been a place for the fun, lighthearted gossip of college life. I hope that is how it is remembered.

Keep it Juicy,
Matt Ivester