Hypes and Gripes

(Allegedly) thieving Bears, cool bell-ringers, expensive ATMs and more.

• Gripes to suspended Missouri State men’s basketball players Lamont Austin, David Cline and Chris Cooks, who stand accused of stealing somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000 in video equipment from a parked van. Yes, the level of media coverage is probably a bit out of proportion given the crime (how many other NCAA D-I players have violence and drug issues glossed over by super-slick PR staffs and coaches?). But theft is theft. It’s bad, mm-kay? Besides, this kind of crap just hasn’t happened under Barry Hinson’s regime—now some new guys have put a good coach and a solid program in a tough spot. They don’t deserve a break from the media.

• Hypes to local blogger Jason Wert for live-blogging Springfield City Council meetings. Now those of us at home not only get to be civically minded AND watch Monday Night Football, we get a bit of commentary about the proceedings. Plus, it’s always nice to know what Denny Whayne is wearing. Check it out every other Monday at lifeofjason.com.

• Gripes to the Great Southern Bank ATM in the Shrine Mosque’s lower level. $3 service charge? Really? You do realize you’re in the SHRINE MOSQUE’S LOWER LEVEL, right? Wingapalooza is a great event, no doubt, but $3 is what we were charged at the Las Vegas airport, and we can’t think of any place where you might need cash pronto more than at the Las Vegas Airport. And why are we still talking to an ATM?

• Hypes to Salvation Army bell ringers who do something other than ring and mumble. Case in point: The fella at the East Sunshine Dillons who plays a steel drum. Not that it should matter, but originality can help a lot when people start deciding whether to dig into their pockets or not.

• Hypes to Wingapalooza organizers and participating restaurants. It’s a messy, brilliant event that brings out lots of interesting people. Congrats to the top three People’s Choice finishers, Coyote’s Adobe Café, Big Whiskey’s and Price Cutter, as well as Paradise Bar & Grill and Popeye’s for winning the non-battered and battered judges’ categories, respectively.