First Friday once again provided the perfect backdrop last weekend for a fabulous night of barhopping and window shopping in Scranton’s glorious downtown. Yours truly started out the night’s festive festivities at a very happy happy hour of the philanthropic kind. Whiskey Dick’s- owned by that fine chap Gregory Evans – played host with the most for a Boys and Girls Club fundraiser featuring celebrity guest bartenders Laurie Cadden, Louis Costanzo and Jonathan Kalasinksi.
Quelle fun!
Outstanding organizer Tricia Debase Thomas cheerily greeted guests at the door which included the likes of board member Louis Domiano, newly elected Scranton School Board member Bill Fox, legal eagle Christina Byron and Green Ridge Health Care Center’s Mike Kelly who all tipped their elbows at the bar for a very good cause.
Brazen bartender Louis Costanzo, in the meantime, channeled Tom Cruise’s Brian Flanagan as he swirled bottles and popped beer caps with aplomb – why, he even tucked a bar rag in his back pocket to appear completely legit. That cheeky little poser, mind you, can whet my whistle any day.
As the gathered throng swayed to the talented tunes of superb musician Danny Jackowitz, yours truly surreptitiously waltzed out the door, bound for a rousing night out on the town. Out on the sidewalk, however, I had to Texas two-step my way past the protective fencing where a fellow collapsed into an underground vault two years ago. Said fellow is now suing the city of Scranton as well as Whiskey Dick’s for the sidewalk’s collapse, which resulted in a fractured jaw and body abrasions, according to his lawsuit which is seeking in excess of $50,000 in damages.
Considering the area’s mining history, you’ve got to wonder how anyone can blame the city or a business for a sidewalk collapse.
In the meantime, the nearby Colosseum Nightclub and Lounge on Adams Avenue has apparently crumbled following a “midnight move” last week that left its landlord – the Scranton Parking Authority – scratching its collective heads as to what was going on. The troubled club, mind you, has been hit by a number of lawsuits – including allegations that its employees physically and sexually assaulted patrons – and other unsuitable actions that would make a marauding gang of gladiators blush.
Like its Roman counterpart, I guess you could say Scranton’s Colosseum is going down in ruins.
On a lighter note, big congrats to WNEP-TV’s cool and collected Carl Abraham who has successfully moved up through the station’s ranks and was named news director just this week following Eric Schrader’s exit, stage left, who is now calling New Haven’s WTNH home.
Carl started at the station way back in 1983 as an assignment editor and has held a number of positions including producer, assignment manager and assistant news director. Mazel tov to you, Carl.
Speaking of new employment, Sno Mountain held a job fair last week in light of the fact that it has defaulted on a $5 million loan and owes $1.55 million in paid bills – including real estate taxes – according to published reports.
While Sno Mountain execs claim the blizzard of financial doom and gloom will not thwart them from opening this season, I’m just hoping it’s not a major snow job.
After all, unlike the Colosseum’s shifty shenanigans, you can’t exactly move a mountain in the dark of night.
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