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James Whitlock

James "Jimmy" Whitlock, 76, owner of the world-famous Masterpiece Lounge, died May 31, 2013. Among his most memorable accomplishments, beyond never breaking par at Douglas Park Golf Course, was fathering two boys - James Whitlock II and Jason Whitlock - who embraced their father's love of pea-shake houses, Crown Royal, the Indiana Pacers, women and still managed to meet their father's demand of achieving academically. James Whitlock II made his dad proud by earning a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and taking a management position within Ford Motor Company. Jason Whitlock, after winning a football state championship at Warren Central High School in 1984, earned a football scholarship to Ball State University. Jason studied journalism, graduated in 1990 and, like his father, became an expert on all things sports related. He is a national sports columnist and media personality for FOX Sports. Mr. Whitlock, who completed the 11th grade at Crispus Attucks, loved to brag about his boys' accomplishments.

Known throughout Indianapolis as a ladies man, between his three marriages, Jimmy Whitlock was considered this city's most eligible bachelor well into his late 60s. His brother, Kenneth "Fox" Whitlock, who preceded him in death, was his only rival during the 1980s, although this fact was often heatedly disputed by the Ballard Brothers and A.J. Jimmy Whitlock is survived by his two sons, his sister Audrey Whitlock, two grandchildren Jay and Jonathan, his Masterpiece Lounge family, including Mikki and Boogie, and his caregiver Yvonne Lacey.

The Whitlock's will celebrate Jimmy's life on Wednesday at Crown Hill Memorial Chapel . Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to Noon. The visitation is open to the public. The funeral service and burial will take place beginning at Noon. The family respectfully asks that attendees wear bright colors and dress in a manner consistent with Mr. Whitlock's personality. This will be a celebration of a good life. After the services, the Whitlock's will receive Jimmy's friends at the world-famous Masterpiece Lounge for the repast following services. (If you need the address, you're not invited.) Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. The fun will begin at 2:31 p.m.

Thanks to my friends Rita Rose, who covered entertainment at the Star, and Cathy Gibson, formerly librarian extraordinaire at the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, for cluing me into this -- I missed the print version, which was published end of May, in the Indianapolis Star.

As my friends pointed out, this would never have been published in the "old days" when reporters (newbies) wrote the obits.

This has class, style and personality.

I am told that the deceased likely wrote the obit himself. And, the Masterpiece Lounge is on Sherman, between 34th and 38th. But if you have to ask, you were not invited. Duh.

Thanks to the family of Mr. Whitlock for delivering.

1 comment

Dan's blooper

Dateline: Tue 14 May 2013

From Dan Carpenter's column today, defending Hillary Clinton's conduct re: Benghazi:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013305130067

As the resident liberal, Democrat voice for the Indianapolis Star, it's one thing for Carp to go to the mat for the former Secretary of State regarding her role in Benghazi that resulted in the deaths of four Americans and up to 100 terrorists.

The attack took place Sept. 11, and the spin has not stopped. That's politics. But thanks to testimony from Gregory Hicks, the Libyan embassy's deputy chief of mission, we now know that it was clear to Hicks and others that the attack was by terrorists, not angry protesters, as the Obama spin cycle suggested.

Be that as it may. What I found amusing and totally disingenuous about Dan's defense was this paragraph regarding the Clinton family legacy:

"What started as a highly dubious probe of a land deal (Whitewater) involving her (Hillary) and her husband metastasized into a $50 million crusade that resulted in the impeachment of a president over an alleged lie about an alleged act of fellatio."

An "alleged lie" over "an alleged act of fellatio"? Please. I won't dignify this nonsense with numerous citings of the facts....although I will put forth Wiki:

"Clinton admitted in taped grand jury testimony on August 17, 1998, that he had had an "improper physical relationship" with Lewinsky. That evening he gave a nationally televised statement admitting his relationship with Lewinsky which was "not appropriate"."

This is all old news. What is amazing, even astonishing, is that Carpenter is so bent on backing Hillary's sorry ass he stoops to denying what everyone knows what happened, happened.

This is like referring to "the alleged Watergate break-in."

But don't expect a correction. Carpenter writes opinion pieces, so he's no doubt golden. However, it's exactly this sort of bullshit column/perspective that turns people off from MSM. Talk about silly season.

Call it what it was: a blow job. And Clinton lied about it. Until he fessed up. In that, his credibility is greater than Dan Carpenter's.

7 comments

Bette Dabrowski's full life

Dateline: Sun 12 May 2013

Bette B. Dabrowski

Bette Belle Horton Dabrowski

89, Indianapolis, passed away May 9, 2013. She was born December 19, 1923 in Mooresville, IN to the late Omer and Opal Horton. She is survived by son, S. John Dabrowski; nephews Sterling (Robin) Horton, Stuart Horton; niece, Jean Ann Horton; grandchildren, Kristina Dabrowski, Angelica C. Dabrowski. Bette was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Stanley J. Dabrowski, longtime companion and friend, Charles G. Griffo, Sr. She worked several years for the US government and she met her future husband, before returning to work as a secretary for the Indianapolis Star where she retired from after 30 years. One of her personal accomplishments was learning to drive at age 60. She was so proud of buying a farm on her own and overseeing it in southern Indiana. She loved animals and frequently rescued strays. She was particularly proud of her world champion golden retriever, Mark 1.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 11-2pm at First Friends Church, 3030 Kessler Blvd E Dr. Indianapolis IN 46220 with a funeral service to follow at 2pm. A graveside service be held privately. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Washington Park North.

This is from today's Indy Star. I can only add that Bette was kind, professional and accomplished. She was an executive secretary, old-school, serving numerous executive editors at the Star.

I love that her obit mentions her farm and her friendship with Charlie Griffo, as well as her love of animals.

Condolences to her family and friends.

2 comments

Jay Harvey's new blog

Dateline: Sun 12 May 2013

Music and theater critic Jay Harvey is leaving the Indianapolis Star, retiring. Now I have to worry about who Dan Carpenter will have lunch with. Well, and as Star reporter Dan McFeely suggested, whether or not anyone will replace Jay a the paper? The smart money is on no.

Harvey is not really retiring, though; he is writing and publishing a cool blog with insights about the arts community that should have made the cut at the newspaper, but probably are too prosaic and thoughtful.

Here's the link:

http://jayharveyupstage.blogspot.com/2013/05/leaving-star.html

As I told Jay on Facebook -- where I get a lot of superficial but sometimes pertinent information -- he was always too nuanced for straight journalism. Successful, yes, but I'm not sure his unique talents were well-tapped there.

Can someone be too smart for daily reporting? Or maybe too deep a thinker? Who knows? But his skills are well-suited to the sound of his own voice.

Going to bookmark.

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The Masterpiece

Great obit in the Star