Leave Four Loko Alone

Richard Rys, You Magnificently Ignorant Slut. By Jeff Billman

So earlier today, Philly Mag writer Richard Rys—see disclosure below—penned an anti-Four Loko screed wherein he decided that the caffeinated malt-liquor-esque beverage that is, as these things tend to be, apparently the latest fad for the kids and source of ire for their parents, should be banned because, well, he doesn’t think much of it:

I also hate to sound like some oldhead bitching and moaning about the kids today. But when the FDA announced it was banning these drinks on Wednesday, I couldn’t argue with the crackdown. What happened to change my mind? I actually tried the stuff.

 

…

 

The evening ended with a late-night trip to Little Pete’s for a cheeseburger deluxe, and I finally felt like I was running on empty. What happened the morning after was a complete shock — I woke up with no hangover whatsoever. Maybe that greasy meal helped matters, and thanks to the caffeine, I was wide awake at 8:30 a.m. Still, I expected to feel that old familiar jackhammer in my head, at least. By mid-afternoon, I needed a nap that was more like a coma than a snooze. But otherwise, I emerged miraculously unscathed from my tangle with Four Loko.

 

Of course, I’m not the target audience, most of whom probably wouldn’t be so lucky after a Loko-fueled night. If you traveled back in time and gave me and my 21-year-old pals a few alcoholic energy drinks, someone would have ended up in a hospital, in jail, on the local news, or perhaps all three. Now that Four Loko is synonymous with danger, that’s essentially a challenge for kids to do the dumb things that kids do, like beer-bong two Lokos at once, as one college-age guy demonstrates in a YouTube video. It’s hard to watch that clip, knowing how potent just one can is. So kids, keep doing your keg stands and your Jagerbombs and your shotguns and trust me. One day, when you’re old, you’ll be thankful that Four Loko isn’t on the menu anymore.

New York Times Covers Local Loft

Three years after we told you about it

To all those Philadelphians who opened the New York Times' "What You Can Get for $600,000" feature last Tuesday, and murmured to themselves, Hmm ... This restored firehouse loft looks very familiar: Thank you. Three years ago, Philly Mag writer (and now health and fitness editor) Jenna Bergen wrote about this Port Fishington pad for our Home magazine. Now, it's for sale. And we won't see a dime of commission. — Lauren McCutcheon

Ron Jaworski’s The Games That Changed The Game

The former Eagle talks about his new book, Vick’s chances, and what could have been if he hadn’t come to Philly

ESPN broadcaster Ron Jaworski played 17 seasons in the NFL, including a long run from 1977 to 1986 as quarterback for the Eagles. His new book, The Games That Changed the Game, covers seven NFL contests, describing, in rigorous detail, how such innovations as the “cover 2” and the “zone blitz” impacted the sport. Along the way “Jaws,” as he’s known, sprinkles the narrative with some personal details, including a bombshell about how he sometimes wonders how his life might be different if he had played, not in Philadelphia, but San Diego. Philly Mag contributing writer Steve Volk got him on the phone this week to talk cheesesteaks, football strategy, and more.

Darth Vader: Not Your Grandmother’s Freeman’s Auction

The Center City peddler of art, antiques, fine furniture, manuscripts and jewelry auctions Star Wars-inspired art this weekend By Claire Salmons

[caption id="attachment_4933" align="alignright" width="142" caption="“Death-Starry Night” at Freeman's this Saturday
CLICK PHOTO TO VIEW SLIDESHOW"][/caption]If there's one thing we just can’t get enough of, it’s a fleet of Star Wars enthusiasts. So, we’re in luck. The Vader Project has come to Philadelphia. And caught the Philly Post’s attention, it has. Here’s the story: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away—well, not that far and not that long ago—Dov Kelemer and Sarah Jo Marks of DKE Toys gave 100 underground artists and designers a life-size Darth Vader helmet to customize as they saw fit. The result: a world-traveling, record-setting, Star-Wars-inspired art exhibit. All of it's going on the auction block at Freeman's Auctioneers this Saturday at noon, and we got our own personal preview this week with the Obi-Wan Kenobi of pop-culture memorabilia, Simeon Lipman.When you look at the goods recently auctioned off at Freeman's—an 18-karat yellow gold and diamond Bulgari collar for $45,000; a Calder piece for $241,000; a Daniel Garber landscape for $457,000—this isn't your typical Freeman's sale. The Vader Project offers a refreshingly offbeat (and, OK, at times a little creepy) take on one of our most iconic villains. Artists’ interpretations range from Jermaine Rogers’ Van Gogh-inspired “Death-Starry Night” to Jim Koch’s Vader-meets-Bozo-the-Clown-inspired “Hanus.” Some artists stuck close to the Star Wars theme, like Suckadelic’s “Son of the Suns,” which uses Vader’s head as the platform for a Tatooine scene, and others took a more contemporary approach like Ferg’s “Unavader,” which depicted the Sith Lord rocking a pair of aviators and a gray hoodie.

Cab Sharing In Philly: Green? Or Gross?

Taxi rides with complete strangers, anyone? By Claire Salmons

Taking a cab in Philadelphia should be like ordering a cheesesteak at Pat’s—wit or witout—there’s very little room for socializing. But now Cabcorner.com is coming to town (they’re already going strong in NYC). The web-based service allows travelers to share taxi rides with complete strangers, and here’s how it works: First, Cabcorner users fill out a profile, displaying information like age, sex, relationship status, income, and a recent profile picture. Then, they can either post a request for or join a “ride.” Once a match is made, the two users agree on a meeting point, or “hot spot,” and catch a cab together.Makes sense, right?Sure it does, with our slowly deteriorating environment—kudos BP—and our recent economic crisis. However, there was one factor that didn’t rest so well with me—sharing a cab with a complete stranger. Who’s to say the “32-year-old mother of two” member isn’t really a 55-year-old bachelor? Ew. Or that your companion won’t pull the old ride-and-ditch? I had to check it out for myself.

Byko vs. the Bikes: It’s On!

Columnist Stu Bykofsky thinks Philly bicyclists are annoying. Yesterday, the bicyclists got their revenge By Claire Salmons

Over the last several months, Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky’s taken more than a few shots at the Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition’s efforts to make the city a more “bike-friendly” place. For example, he’s written this: “I like bicycles. It’s bicyclists I hate.” (September 24, 2009). And this: “Turning over more lanes to bikes—fair-weather friends—will create year-round, undreamed-of traffic snarls. Is the city plan intended to punish drivers into abandoning their cars?” (May 24, 2010)The Coalition fired back yesterday morning, sending a mass e-mail requesting donations in Bykofsky’s name (subject line: “Send Stu a Message: Support Bike Lanes and Bicycle Education in His Name!”) to more than 5,000 die-hard bicyclists. The campaign’s also being pushed on Facebook, Twitter, and the Coalition’s website.