From Crystal Club Soda to Gertrude Hawk Chocolate

Sen. Barack Obama’s half-eaten waffle and sausage link are still sitting in a freezer at John Oakes’ home, but their online image has taken on a life of its own, attracting profiteers and inspiring artists.  Mr. Oakes, a loyal customer of the Glider Diner in Scranton, convinced the diner’s owner, Charles LeStrange, to bequeath to him any leftovers of Mr. Obama’s meal when he passed through Monday morning. The Chinchilla man was expecting to get a good laugh out of putting the leftover waffle and sausage link — along with a plate and silverware Mr. Obama used — up for auction Monday on eBay. What Mr. Oakes and the Glider Diner got were a flood of negative comments on the auction Web site and a high bid of $20,100 for the collector’s item, which led Mr. LeStrange to ask him to take the auction down.  [Times-Tribune]

The Lackawanna County Trolley Museum was the site of the Green Tea Party all male review on Saturday. Editor’s Note: I think I hear the Legion of Doom sharpening their swords.

Officials estimated 130,000 to 150,000 revelers packed the downtown for the festivities and to possibly catch a glimpse of presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who marched in the parade.  Despite such a high-profile guest, the parade ran smoothly.  However, as expected, there were some alcohol-related incidents.  State police said two adults were arrested for disorderly conduct, and four minors ages 18 to 20 were cited for carrying false identification cards.  A 21-year-old male will be charged with two counts of misdemeanor furnishing alcohol to minors, police reported, and one establishment will be charged for sales of alcohol to minors. Police did not release the name of the establishment or the names of adults who were arrested.  Police investigated 19 alcohol-related incidents and issued 59 non traffic citations during the parade patrol.   [Times-Tribune]

McCain, Clinton, and Obama coming to the parade? A plot to blow up the Steamtown mall? Joe Pilchesky to head the Doherty reelection campaign? Chelsea Clinton is hot? Has anyone else heard a good one this week? Election madness is engulfing the Electric City!  I can’t wait until Saturday!

As a Scranton High alum, I was happy to hear that the Lynett Memorial Basketball Tournament will return to Lackawanna College Student Union in December, where it was played for 50 years when the building was known as the Catholic Youth Center.  The tournament has been played at the new Scranton High School since 2001.  Dates for the event are not finalized, but the fields are. Scranton, Scranton Prep, Holy Cross and Dunmore will play in the 58th annual boys event, while Scranton will join the field for the sixth annual girls tourney, which includes Scranton Prep, Dunmore and Abington Heights.

The outgoing Lackawanna County controller, who disputes the legitimacy of his successor, has vowed to lock himself in his office and continue working until he is compelled by law enforcement to leave. Controller John Mellow said the county administrative code disqualifies Controller-elect Ken McDowell from taking over on Jan. 7. McDowell currently collects taxes for Lackawanna County, the city of Scranton and the Scranton School District through an entity known as the Single Tax Office. He won the Nov. 6 general election for controller with 96 percent of the vote. Continue reading.

We are mixing two staples of The Electric City, Crystal Club Soda and booze to invent our very own arsenal of home spun cocktails! Think you can come up with a drink that can compete with “Angry Indian” or the “South Side Margarita” or the “Archibald Pothole”? We are trying to weave this into a very big event we have coming up in the city with some very special judges. Click on the tab at the top of the site to be taken to the contest page.

The Times -Tribune reports that a magisterial district judge has found Dawn Herb not guilty of disorderly conduct, saying even loud cursing is protected speech. Ms. Herb’s attorney, Barry Dyller, argued at a hearing on the matter Monday that foul language, although not in the best taste, is protected by the Constitution.