Hiro Izakaya will replace the long-shuttered Porto Celeste has full control of the former Porto space at the northwest corner of Ashland and Chicago and has slowly determined how to take advantage of the space’s layout and kitchen Porto gained acclaim for its stunning design bringing a taste of Tokyo to town with traditional Toki highballs Celeste also owns Vela and Beatnik on the River Stay tuned for more information as the opening date grows closer Hiro Izakaya This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page A network of correspondents providing impartial news reports and analysis in 33 languages from locations 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presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser Halyna Hudzan (above) was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in West Town on Jan A woman claimed in court that she was unaware she had run over a 66-year-old pedestrian killing her at a West Town intersection as she drove her child to school in January A lawyer for Iryna Kalach claimed in court Friday that prosecutors had not proven she knew she had hit someone despite evidence showing the woman accelerated twice to drive over the body of Halyna Hudzan pending trial and revoked her driving privileges the judge said Kalach should have known that she had struck someone “It required acceleration on two different occasions,” Marubio said “There was no effort to investigate who or what that was.” Kalach faces a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident Authorities have charged Iryna Kalach in the hit-and-run death of Halyna Hudzan in West Town in January Prosecutors say witnesses saw a red 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with Illinois license plate number DH 30095 run Hudzan over Another witness followed the vehicle to a Mariano’s and photographed Kalach behind the wheel 24 as Kalach turned right on a red light from Oakley Avenue to Chicago Avenue striking Hudzan as she crossed in the crosswalk Witnesses saw Kalach’s Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross stop for several seconds as Hudzan’s body lay on the ground in front of the vehicle Hudzan’s body became stuck under the vehicle and was dragged Kalach allegedly accelerated again to clear the body from beneath her car Witnesses who saw her drive away called 911 another witness followed Kalach’s vehicle to a nearby Mariano’s taking photographs of the car’s license plate and photos of Kalach inside the car Surveillance video from the Mariano’s shows a child exiting the car entering the grocery store and returning some time later police towed Kalach’s vehicle from her home and recovered fibers from the undercarriage that matched the fabric on Hudzan’s coat Kalach’s defense attorney said she was unaware that she had hit someone and carried on with her day as if nothing had happened Kalach parked at the Mariano’s so her 12-year-old daughter could buy candy before she went to school The attorney pointed out she had parked next to a police car “This is not a flight scenario,” the attorney said Marubio asked the attorney if this scenario contradicted statements Kalach gave to police when her car was being towed citing a police report that was not mentioned in the court proceeding The attorney declined to answer and then noted Kalach was cooperative with police saying it “defies common sense that she wasn’t aware of” the crash and was convicted in 2023 for driving while using a cellphone Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale Do you remember West Town Mall in the days before the Cinebarre and the Cheesecake Factory when built-in planters and trees lined the mall's walkways malls were the pinnacle of a suburban lifestyle places where teenagers gathered at the food court and adults shopped for sweaters and kitchenware in tastefully-decorated department stores The allure of the shopping mall has begun to fade malls have watched customer traffic steadily decline as the complexes lose anchor stores or shutter completely Even as other shopping centers nationwide and in Knoxville have come and gone, West Town Mall has managed to withstand the test of time. West Town Mall opened in 1972 − it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 − but getting it started was a slow process When talk of the future mall on "the far west side of Knoxville" began around 1965 the idea was so big it required the city council to create a new zoning classification The project was proposed for 58 acres of land on the corner of Kingston Pike and Morrell Road the development would mark the biggest shopping center in Knoxville which he owned alongside John Montgomery and Perry McGinnis Smith requested the Metropolitan Planning Commission rezone the area as a "shopping center three" classification although that zone did not yet exist in the city both the Metropolitan Planning Commission and the City Council had approved rezoning for the new SC-3 designation but the rest of the project didn't continue at the same quick pace it seemed development might pick back up with the announcement that Chrysler Development Corporation would finance the project But financial challenges delayed construction into the summer with the Connecticut-based Ralph Bierbaum Real Estate Company renegotiating leases Construction had already begun when the West Town groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov the mall opened to a crowd of several hundred eager shoppers It was expected to bring in 20,000 customers per day and generate an annual sales volume of $60 million to $75 million The 900,000 square-foot complex was designed by architect Robert Kahn with his New York-based firm Robert W. Kahn Associates. At the time it opened, the mall had 75 stores, but today it has over 150, according to Simon.com 34 businesses had leased space in the still-under-construction mall Sears, Roebuck and Co. joined the lineup by October of that year and construction plans expanded to accommodate the department store which was designed to include a 24-bay automotive service center and 140-seat cafeteria (Dick's House of Sport now stands where West Town's Sears was until the store closed in 2018.) In addition to Dick's House of Sport and JCPenney today's anchor stores are Dillard's and two Belks Many other establishments have opened and closed since the mall's opening in 1972 three stores have persisted throughout West Town's history and are patronized today: Spencer's (also known as Spencer Gifts) Zales Jewelers and General Nutrition Center (GNC) Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe TN - The Knoxville Smokies have announced the official grand opening of a team retail store inside the West Town Mall for Saturday The Smokies are also proud to partner with Covenant Health giving shoppers the opportunity to round-up their total purchase to giving shoppers the opportunity to round-up their total purchase to benefit the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation The shop will be located adjacent to the Apple Store The ‘GoTeez Locker Room West’ is a space that will flaunt all of the latest Knoxville Smokies merchandise including official on-field caps and new novelties perfect for the holiday gift-giving season “We are thrilled to open up shop inside the West Town Mall,” said Boyd Sports President Chris Allen “This store will give the Knoxville community an opportunity to see our new logos and get excited for the upcoming baseball season The round-up program is something we are extremely excited to get going as all the donations go towards those battling cancer here in East Tennessee.” “The support of our community is key to Covenant Health’s success as a not-for-profit healthcare organization,” said Vice President of Philanthropy for Covenant Health Chip Bryant “We are grateful that the Knoxville Smokies have chosen to support our mission by contributing a portion of their merchandise sales to support the patients cared for by Covenant Health’s Thompson Cancer Survival Center This donation will positively impact the lives of thousands of patients in East Tennessee fighting against cancer.” In addition to new Knoxville Smokies merchandise trading cards and supplies will be for sale Shoppers can learn more about the team’s move to the new ballpark downtown The West Town Mall is located at 7600 Kingston Pike in Knoxville For questions about the GoTeez Locker Room West or Knoxville Smokies 2025 season ticket information call the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300 A man was fatally struck by a CTA Blue Line train Thursday A man was fatally struck by a train Thursday night after he fell onto the tracks near a CTA Blue Line station in West Town was hit by a train after he fell onto the tracks near the Division station at 1200 N It wasn’t immediately known what led to the man’s fall The incident forced CTA officials to shut Blue Line train service between the Western (O’Hare Branch) and LaSalle stations for two hours The closure affected the entire Dearborn Street subway Dicey’s Pizza may have debuted in Nashville West Town’s new pizzeria replacing Parson’s Chicken & Fish is here at long last Dicey’s Pizza & Tavern has kept busy over the last week inside the former Parson’s at 2109 W matching the decor to the original Dicey’s that opened in 2022 in Nashville But West Town, full of families, might not be the scene for hardcore. Don’t sweat it. Dicey’s has high chairs, even ones that are tall enough for high-top tables. Three pinball machines from Logan Arcade on the first floor and a trio of vintage arcade cabinets on the second-floor ledge that houses an additional bar and more seats ideal for a large group On the beverage side, there’s a mix of local beer and natural wines. There’s also frozen cocktails — they’re still using the machines left over from Parson’s. Some wine bottles are also available to go in a cooler in the back of the restaurant. The restaurant is also near All Together Now A sign near the bathrooms declares that “you can win friends with salads,” a poke at the old Simpsons gag and perhaps a sign of confidence in Dicey’s salad game Dicey’s certainly talks a good game — they snagged space in an Esquire story last year about tavern pizza. But Chicago, no matter what Jerry Reinsdorf may say See if Dicey’s can walk the walk in the photos below Dicey’s Pizza & Tavern, 2019 W. Chicago Avenue, (773) 697-3346, open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, order pickup via Toast Folks will recognize the fireplace from the Old Oak Tavern days “WWF Superstars,” “Battletoads,” and “Super Mario Bros.” can be played Editor’s note: This story appeared in the February 2013 issue of 5280 Bill Koch rode on horseback through Bear Ranch his 4,500-acre property located just outside of Paonia Koch’s six-foot-four-inch frame—clad in a collared shirt and spurs—sat comfortably atop his palomino mount as we toured his estate which lies just below the Ragged Mountains a fluted wall of granite that rises from the high mesas of western Colorado A flat-brimmed cowboy hat hid his blue eyes and thick and one of the wealthiest men in the world with a reported personal net worth of about $4 billion He’s also the brother of Charles and David Koch the high-profile businessmen and bankrollers of conservative causes Although his primary residence is in Palm Beach one of Koch’s many passions is Western history “What I really like about the West,” he says “is the stand-your-ground mentality and the idea that you have to take care of yourself and take care of the people that surround you Koch was at the ranch that weekend to work out some details related to the Old West town he’s building on his land is an authentic reproduction of a full-scale 19th-century settlement; it’s largely comprised of structures from a former MGM tourist attraction called Buckskin Joe which Koch bought in 2010 and transported piece by piece to his ranch from its location outside of Cañon City Koch intends for the town to be a private getaway for his family and friends “I want to have a place for my family and extended family to keep us all together,” he says “It all gets back to trying to create a place where I can enjoy life and enjoy my family and friends without having to worry about my enemies We’d spent the previous day strolling through the 70-odd buildings of the town which is set in a pasture surrounded by Marcellina Mountain Located 25 minutes from downtown Paonia by car or 15 minutes by helicopter from Koch’s Aspen abode the 10-acre town features five saloons and a jail There’s a 20-person team dedicated to overseeing and building the town and Koch’s collection of Western memorabilia which includes more than one million items—including Frederic Remington’s painting The Trooper the only photograph of Billy the Kid (valued at $2.3 million) and an early Colorado hearse (a white horse-drawn carriage) Koch’s collection spans the 19th and early 20th centuries and parts of it will be displayed at the Smithsonian next year “It will be an extravaganza about the West,” Betsy Broun the Margaret and Terry Stent director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum “It’s one of the best Western collections in the world and material objects drawn from daily life in the West A robust picture emerges of what life was like in the West.” “It’s as if you are literally going back in time Everything from the ceilings to the accoutrements are period-specific.” The streets’ widths are historically accurate—wide enough so that a four-to-six-horse cart can turn around—and are bordered by sidewalks at the perfect height for a rancher to load his cart a bar theoretically for men only (there’s a separate Spa-loon for the ladies one of the only deviations from historical accuracy of the project which Koch says he had to include in order to entice his wife to the remote property) which would have been a watering hole for affluent types in the late 1800s has a mahogany bar with two female figures sculpted out of the wood that overlook the room We climbed the stairs to the second story and toured the rooms wallpapered in Technicolor shades of teal Ornate red and blue glass lamps cast kaleidoscopic shadows on the wall The brothel is more a work of art than a den of sin and one day will serve authentic ephemera—beaded garters with holsters for mini pistols and pictures of 19th-century prostitutes—will adorn the rooms the brothel is haunted by the phantoms of unsatisfied customers as we headed toward higher elevation on our horses with views of the town and thousands of acres of grazing land for his 1,100 head of cattle and seeing him against this Western backdrop it was easy to forget his colorful romantic history (he’s been married three times and had a public falling-out with a mistress in 1995); his reputation for being litigious (he’s been involved in 26 personal lawsuits); and his accomplishments as a sailor (he won the America’s Cup in 1992) aw-shucks demeanor seemed at odds with the businessman who has been demonized as a wicked energy baron He’s been labeled “a greedy bastard” by a blog called the Vile Plutocrat and New York Magazine’s website has a recent posting that describes him as “evil.” This past October Koch made national headlines when a former Oxbow executive accused Koch of kidnapping him and imprisoning him at the ranch among the golden aspen trees and rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains Bill Koch looked like any other cowboy out for a ride on an autumn day and his land is not any other estate: Bear Ranch is at the center of a bitter dispute that has divided Paonia’s eclectic community of ranchers Koch wants to trade the federal government 911 acres of land he owns in Gunnison County along with 80 acres in Utah’s Dinosaur National Monument for 1,846 acres of less valuable public land in and around Paonia Proposed in 2010 by then Congressman John Salazar a Democrat who lost his bid for re-election that same year aims to connect the two disparate sides of Bear Ranch into one contiguous piece of property via a Bureau of Land Management parcel The federal government and private entities—ski resorts individuals—execute land exchanges all the time (typically more than 300 a year) to consolidate properties and some observers have been surprised at the uproar Koch’s swap ignited Although this swath of BLM open space is dotted with aspens and offers views of three 12,000-foot peaks BLM land traditionally is at the bottom of the public-land food chain As one of the least protected categories of federal land the government often leases BLM parcels to mining which has been approved by the Delta County and Gunnison County commissioners Marston claims the deal reeks of political cronyism: Since 2006 Koch and various Oxbow entities donated more than $40,000 to Salazar and Koch hosted Salazar on his ranch for several elk-hunting outings Marston believes the deal will rob Paonia of access to the Raggeds “The land Koch is seeking provides the best existing access to 40 square miles of Forest Service and Wilderness land,” he told me Marston led a group of locals up the contested BLM strip an avid horseback rider who has lived in Paonia for 53 years and whose husband works for the Forest Service (Mastrullo’s stepson works in Koch’s Elk Creek Mine.) When the group reached a point that overlooks Koch’s ranch and a chorus of anti-Koch rants began: “It’s by invitation only,” one hiker said “A peasant like you isn’t going to give him your few pennies and get in there.” Marston added “People like us are never considered to be fully human by him.” and does not have any family that’s ever been employed by him “There is a lot of emotion involved in this Is this a good thing for the American people My husband and I are of the opinion that the American people will win we think the people in Paonia are actually going to be better off.” Koch has added what he and his team consider to be several improvements to the original exchange bill Koch has offered to build a new trailhead and improved access to the Ragged Mountain Wilderness through the acquisition of Buck Creek Ranch (Marston argues the Buck Creek access is “far inferior” to the existing option.) Koch also bought a 21-acre lot on Jumbo Mountain a popular recreation area outside of Paonia which he plans to convey to the BLM to provide permanent public access to Jumbo; currently a landowner allows people to cross his property to get to the mountain And Koch’s offered to build a mountain bike trail connecting Crested Butte to Carbondale Koch’s natural gas activities in the area may also be muddying the waters of the debate leases nearly 150,000 acres of mineral rights from the BLM and private mineral owners One theory floating around Paonia posits the various BLM parcels included in the exchange beyond the one that would unite Koch’s ranch are strategic locations that provide resources for drilling and hydraulic fracturing infrastructure Another contention is that Koch purchased Buck Creek Ranch so the land could be used for a compressor station “That’s absolutely false,” says Brad Goldstein Conspiracy theories about him ripple through Paonia: One suggests that he (or his staff) flies his helicopter over his enemies’ homes running surveillance or trying to scare his opposition People say Koch’s team shows up at the homes of his opponents and asks what will quiet their discontent Some fear their email has been hacked by Koch operatives and rumors abound that former FBI agents pose as workers on his ranch in order to gather intel on what the employees are saying amongst themselves “I don’t understand why there is so much antagonism and anger toward me from people in Paonia who have never met me especially since we’ve been trying to make a lot of contributions to the community,” Koch says Through his various companies—he owns the Elk Creek coal mine in Somerset about 15 minutes from his ranch; Gunnison Energy a major player in natural gas development in the area; and Bear Ranch—Koch pays more than $38 million a year in employee salaries he donated more than half a million dollars to charities in the region and his brothers and other children teased him relentlessly and we didn’t take care of one another,” Koch told me over dinner in the Cook House I felt insecure and inadequate and wouldn’t stand up for myself.” Born in 1940 in Wichita Koch was the last of Mary and Frederick Chase Koch’s four sons Koch describes a childhood shaped by fierce sibling rivalries and athletic and gravitated toward their brother Charles “I was more interested in the most popular people on campus: the pretty girls the athletes,” David Koch told me last fall “Billy was more intellectual and liked the different more fascinating people.” Charles and David now run Koch Industries the second-largest private company in the United States is seven years older than Bill and David and wasn’t as involved in the interfamily politics.) the son of a Dutch immigrant newspaper owner John Wayne–type.” But his father was away from home often while “beautiful and charming,” was focused on her social life “Kids have great sibling rivalries,” Koch says “And if there are no parents there to help put everything into perspective it can get very bad.” His mother would side with his brothers The rivalry between the twin brothers got so severe in middle school that he became withdrawn and nearly flunked out A psychologist recommended the brothers be separated and to offer their children the best possible education his parents sent David and Bill away to different boarding schools; Bill went to Indiana’s Culver Military Academy Koch was six feet one inch tall and weighed 120 pounds and his peers teased him unmercifully for his gawky appearance Fred Koch believed in hard work and was a self-made man having pioneered a more efficient method of refining heavy oil into gasoline some of the nation’s big oil-technology companies came after Koch filing a patent lawsuit against him and all of his customers—who were small independent refineries—temporarily ruining his business in the United States Koch decided to go overseas in 1929 to build refineries in Romania he returned to the United States in the 1930s as a multimillionaire and a firm believer in free-market capitalism He would later go on to become an early member of the ultraconservative John Birch Society government and for spreading fears in the 1950s that communism had seeped into the highest offices of American politics Fred Koch also had a deep love of the West and at one time was one of the largest ranchers in the United States owning more than two million acres of ranchlands in Texas seven days a week—and got paid five bucks per diem It was during these summers that Koch says he Both Bill and David headed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958 They played basketball together—though Bill sat on the bench while David was a prolific scorer where Bill was the resident “humorist,” and both studied chemical engineering the twins rented apartments across the hall from each other “I got better grades at MIT than he did,” Bill Koch told me “David now says he’s the handsome one and I’m the smart one But it took me a while to adapt and accept that.” Koch went on to earn three degrees at MIT including a doctorate in chemical engineering in 1971 Koch realized that he could carve a place for himself in the world by virtue of his own achievements a lot of people looked upon me as a rich kid,” Koch says My father couldn’t buy me honors at Culver He couldn’t buy me a doctorate degree from MIT while studying for his doctorate in chemical engineering Bill Koch started working for his father’s company; Charles had taken over the business a year earlier after Fred Koch died of a stroke as vice president of corporate development Bill spearheaded an attempted takeover with the goal of deposing Charles Bill disagreed with Charles’ totalitarian control of the company and believed the stockholders were not getting their rewards He also disapproved of using company money to fund Charles’ and David’s libertarian causes: In 1977 the Koches donated money to launch the Libertarian Cato Institute and David Koch ran for vice president on the 1980 Libertarian Party ticket Bill received about $300 million after taxes and Charles were embroiled in litigation for the next 19 years Bill Koch won the final suit against his brothers “I now have a peaceful coexistence with Charles,” Koch says “And I am now very best friends with my brother David.” Koch initiated the reconciliation with his twin by inviting him to his birthday party in 2001 and David served as the best man in Koch’s 2005 wedding to his third wife Koch is cautious when speaking of his brothers—he avoids commenting on his brothers’ politics and on the almost 20-year war waged among them This is largely because of a non-disparagement agreement in the brothers’ final settlement no matter how much he once wanted to win against his brothers determined to create an identity separate from his brothers and family name (“An oxbow is where a river changes course,” Koch explains.) Oxbow’s great success was figuring out that “petroleum coke,” a byproduct of producing gasoline and cement companies and fuel-grade markets where it’s used instead of coal to generate energy Oxbow has expanded its core businesses to include the mining and marketing of energy and commodities such as coal and natural gas along with metallurgical and calcined coke a key ingredient in the manufacturing of aluminum which has annual revenues of $4 billion and employs 1,500 people worldwide also owns one of the most productive underground coal mines in the United States: Elk Creek Mine located about 10 minutes from Koch’s ranch Elk Creek yields some of the “cleanest” (lowest sulfur) coal in the world Though Oxbow is now firmly entrenched in the business of carbon-based products one of its first endeavors was in alternative energy—geothermal and hydroelectric plants in Nevada unveiled a coal-methane conversion plant that will convert methane from Oxbow’s Elk Creek Mine (methane is a byproduct of coal mining and a leading greenhouse gas) into electricity; the power generated through this project is roughly equal to Aspen Skiing Company’s energy usage It’s the second project of its kind in the United States the vice president of sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company had been trying to execute the project for a decade Elk Creek was the only mine willing to try it “Solving climate change is going to be really hard,” Schendler says we’re going to need to think differently; to create new alliances This project shows how Americans can use a wasted resource for the betterment of our communities In all of my interactions with Koch over the course of five months to this date) journalist to visit his Old West town and contract workers; and teachers and students at the school he founded Whether he was discussing his own childhood or calling me en route to a son’s basketball game family was the prevailing theme of our conversations Koch has five biological children and one stepson by four women (three wives and a girlfriend) The youngest child was born to Koch and his current wife who founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933 Koch has also all but legally adopted Rooney Koch’s son At dinner one night at Koch’s Cape Cod compound the dinner table teemed with family and friends she’s not your standard trophy wife: She’s a vegan and an avid skier and recreational kickboxer Koch attributes his two failed marriages—one wife accused Koch of assaulting her; he claims her accusation was an attempt to get out of their prenuptial agreement and they settled out of court—in part to scars from his childhood “I always wanted my mother’s affection but could never get it,” he says “I married two women who reminded me a lot of my mother They were unable to love anyone other than themselves.” With Rooney “She’s got a great character and she could love me besides loving herself.” he wasn’t satisfied with the education options in Palm Beach and he didn’t want to send his children off to boarding school He runs the school like a business: The headmaster is the “president and CEO,” and the kids and the parents are the customers “Staff comes last.” The school’s five-person board of directors contains three Oxbow executives He’s been on the board of four different schools and says “You can spend more time debating the problem than solving it.” Being on the board of the school is “the equivalent of holding the stock in Oxbridge.” comprised of the former Dupont and Mellon family properties; a 90-acre estate in Aspen made up of four neighboring properties; and his primary residence The collection of properties may appear to be stereotypical billionaire preening “What I really want to do is create family compounds so my sons will see each other and they’ll have a reason when they get older and they have their own families for staying together.” He’s sensitive to any hint of sibling rivalry or infighting among his children and is quick to punish them if he senses any—taking away iPhones “That’s one of my goals in life: to make sure my kids get along Koch turned up in the news yet again when former Oxbow executive Kirby Martensen filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California alleging that Koch had kidnapped Martensen and held him against his will at Bear Ranch in March 2012 Martensen had been the senior vice president of Oxbow Carbon & Minerals International’s Asia division Martensen claims in the suit that he came under scrutiny after raising concerns about Oxbow’s “questionable” tax-avoidance strategies He says his relocation to Asia was “a part of a plan being implemented to evade paying taxes to the United States on profits in excess of $200,000,000 per year.” Martensen asked to be driven to Aspen to catch a flight home after being interrogated for hours at the ranch “Martensen was told that he was being taken to Denver Martensen then was kidnapped and kept captive in the vehicle during the trip to Denver.” Martensen who was also at the ranch during the incident and was fired Koch tells a different version of the events After being tipped off by an anonymous letter in 2011 to possible corporate criminal misconduct by Martensen and two others Koch began an investigation into their activities Oxbow management started collecting emails documents—more than four million items in total—and testimony from others implicated in the ploy that pointed to the fact that Martensen had “participated in a wide-ranging scheme to systematically misappropriate revenues and business opportunities” and used his position as an executive at Oxbow to “illegally enrich” himself according to a complaint Oxbow filed in Palm Beach on March 22 Koch says Martensen and the other implicated executives “had a scam going against us that cost us $40 million.” Koch says he invited Martensen—and five other executives thought to be involved in the scheme—to the ranch for a corporate retreat in mid-March and each executive was to undergo a 360-degree performance analysis Koch hosted the men for dinner at the ranch Koch had lunch with the executives and then took them on a helicopter tour of the town after which the performance reviews took place Fried says he started the conversation by talking about Martensen’s division’s performance and about Martensen’s contributions to the company which Martensen thought were “prolific.” The conversation turned when Fried brought up some of the examples of Martensen’s alleged corporate wrongdoings Fried asked about Martensen’s dealings with a competing company that he was allegedly accepting kickbacks from Fried asked if Martensen had ever heard of the company there had been several email exchanges between Martensen and the company Martensen admitted to some of the alleged misdeeds who was interviewing another executive in a different building Martensen was driven to another part of the ranch to wait for the five other men who were being interviewed three of whom lived in California like Martensen he was served termination papers and a lawsuit Koch says he separated the six men to avoid any collusion between them Martensen also had a history of losing his temper and Koch worried the men would become violent unarmed local deputy for security purposes his Oxbow-issued computer and cell phone were taken away Koch instructed his team to ask to inspect Martensen’s bags to ensure that he wasn’t stealing any company property Martensen’s lawsuit says he asked to leave but was held captive at the ranch But in a deposition filed in Florida last month who was present during the episode at the ranch and was subsequently fired said neither he nor Martensen were ever physically threatened and that both men were offered a cell phone to use once they left the ranch Both Zhan and Martensen took Koch’s private plane back to California Martensen unsuccessfully appealed the March 2012 suit filed by Koch in Florida Martensen then took his case to California where he filed his complaint this past autumn “They’re playing a legal maneuvering game because they want the case to be held in San Francisco which would be considerably more liberal than the court in Florida,” Koch says It could take years for either case to go to trial is mystified by Martensen’s alleged offenses “Anyone who knows Bill knows that he will chase down someone who has wronged him to the end of the earth So it’s been staggering to me to know that senior people in the company would steal from him,” he told me at Oxbow’s corporate headquarters in Palm Beach whether it’s business or sailboat racing or collecting wine or holding people accountable when they’ve mistreated him As we reached the last leg of our ride through his ranch The high mesas in the distance silhouetted Koch’s frame as the late-afternoon sun began to cast long shadows He’d been quiet this afternoon; Koch had stayed up late into the night drinking whiskey in the saloon with his brother-in-law and a few friends where he sat in a rocking chair on the deck flossing his teeth and looking at the stars four years before Bill and David were born Their father was keenly aware of money’s inherent paradox Each brother now has a framed copy of the letter you will receive what now seems like a large sum of money You can use it as a valuable tool for accomplishment or you can squander it foolishly If you choose to let this money destroy your initiative and independence then it will be a curse to you and my action in giving it to you will have been a mistake I should regret very much to have you miss the glorious feeling of accomplishment and I know you are not going to let me down Remember that often adversity is a blessing in disguise and certainly the greatest character builder Be kind and generous to one another and to your mother Koch says he wants to focus on the things he loves the most: his family “I’ve had my fair share of the spotlight,” he says I want to live the rest of my life and enjoy that and be a good father to my kids and hopefully leave my kids with very good values and very good ethics.” He’s also reflecting on his past contemplating the things that influenced his life’s course “It took me a long time to realize I have some talents and capabilities and if I just put them to work I could create my own life and my own accomplishments independent of where I’ve come from,” he says Governor John Hickenlooper visited Koch and the town The governor has also met separately with Ed Marston Hickenlooper is working quietly to broker a peace deal between the two on the land exchange Koch says the governor would like Koch to host an exhibition of his Western collection at a museum in Denver and open the town to high-paying visitors and schoolchildren though he’s not totally opposed to the governor’s terms Koch’s immediate family will come to western Colorado to see the town this spring it’s still a work in progress: Just months ago the Victorian houses on Main Street gleamed with freshly painted shades of pink Koch recently bought a wardrobe from a movie set and future guests will be able to dress up in Western garb There are no TVs in the guest rooms and no cars in the town; instead Koch swings his leg over the top of his mount and hops off He ties his horse up to the rail and thanks our wrangler for the ride The West Town Chamber of Commerce announces the second annual West Town Restaurant Week inviting locals and visitors to indulge in a culinary celebration of community from March 21 to March 29 This event promises a diverse array of prix fixe menus and exclusive offers at more than 30 West Town restaurants The West Town Chamber of Commerce invites any and all to join the festivities on Instagram by following @westtownchicago and subscribing to the West Town newsletter Those who do will automatically be entered for a chance to win a bundle of gift cards with an approximate value of $100 to spend at participating West Town Restaurant Week businesses The full list of restaurants and special offerings are listed below: Smoke Daddy Wicker Park: Prix fixe menu for $35 GoodFunk West Town: Prix fixe menu for $45 Nettare: Four course prix fixe menu for $60 with optional drink pairing for $25 Tandoor Char House: Four course prix fixe menu for $45 Barcocina West Town: Four course prix fixe menu El Barco Mariscos: Three course prix fixe taco tasting menu for $35 Beatnik West Town:  Prix fixe brunch menu for $30; prix fixe dinner menu for $45 Oggi Trattoria: Three course tasting menu for $45 Flo Cafe & Bar: Four course prix fixe menu for $30 Segnatore: Four course prix fixe menu for $60 Chi-Latin Restaurant: Three course prix fixe for $50 or 20% off from regular menu Um Amor: Three course tasting menu for $32 The Perch Kitchen and Tap: Three course tasting menu for $45 (4p-close) Los 3 Compadres de Guerrero: Enjoy 10% off for Taco Tuesday Pie-Eyed Pizzeria: Personal size monster pie with drink for $20 J.J.Thai Street Food: Thai bento box set for $25 merry widower martini and/or a burger and fries for $10 each The Original Rainbow Cone: Regular size shakes of any flavor for $5 each Goose Island Beer Co (Fulton Street Taproom): 312 wheat ales for $5 Forbidden Root: Two courses and a beer for $35 The Breakfast Club & Grill: Special a la carte menu with limited time pricing West Town Bakery + Diner: One free cake ball with any coffee purchase 2048 Non-Alc Wine Shop: “The Art of Pairing” a week of non-alcoholic wine and gourmet pairing events Roots Pizza: Purchase six mozzarella sticks receive a free 12” cheese pizza for dine-in Grand Cru Chicago: Enjoy a complimentary fourth pour with every wine flight purchase Sportsman's Club: Offering the “Community Cocktail: West Town Edition” made with Irish whiskey and peach blossom with $1 from each sold to be donated to West Town Mutual Aid Queen Mary Tavern: Offering the “Halfway to Nazaré” made with Bank Note 5 year blended scotch whisky and madeira with $1 from each sold to be donated to West Town Mutual Aid Sign up for breaking news from the Chicago food scene Tag your Instagram photos with #chicagofoodmag to be featured The holiday season is often a time to visit with old friends The jolly old elf is back in town and is visiting and taking photos with kids at events and venues If you've been looking forward to getting that annual photo of the kids posing with Santa - and maybe a candy cane - there are plenty of chances coming up ranging from free one-time events to reserved spots on the date of your choosing If your event or organization will offer visits with Santa Claus this holiday season let us know for this list by emailing information to news@knoxnews.com Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas festival is open for the season now through Jan. 5, and the festivities include "the excitement of interacting with Santa at work," the park announced in a release. The popular holiday festival at the Pigeon Forge theme park is included with regular admission to the park. For tickets and more information, go to dollywood.com Visitors without reservations can visit with Santa on a first-come mail their wish list to the North Pole and reserve a time to hear Christmas stories from Santa or Mrs Santa is at West Town Mall for visits and photos through Dec. 24, according to the mall's website. Reservation times are online at simon.com/mall/west-town-mall/stores/santa-photo-experience Special, sensory-friendly visits and photos with Santa will be offered 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 8. in front of JCPenney before the mall opens. Reservations are required for the private "Caring Santa" event at whereissanta.com Claus at Tennova HealthcareTennova Healthcare will host Santa and Mrs 6 at Tennova Healthcare North Knoxville Medical Center: 13 at Tennova Healthcare Turkey Creek Medical Center do children's crafts and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies Look for event signs directing you to to North Knoxville Medical Center’s main entrance and Turkey Creek Medical Center’s entrance “B.” Even Santa has to stop by the newly renovated Sunsphere when he's in town Visit Knoxville will offer reservations for kids to get photos with Santa Dec. 6-8 on the fourth-floor observation deck in World's Fair Park. Families can book reservations at visitknoxville.com//santa-at-the-sunsphere/ Two teenage boys were taken to the hospital in good condition after a gunman shot them Friday afternoon in West Town Two teenage boys were shot Friday afternoon in the West Town neighborhood in the 1100 block of North Noble Street when someone on an electric scooter approached them and the other boy was shot twice in his foot They were taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition from two of the former owners of Kim’s Uncle Pizza Even though Pizz’Amici just opened on Friday With origins in a trio of buzz-worthy pizza places this new West Town spot arrives with a built-in fan base And it couldn’t have come at a better time for pie lovers. It’s been two years since cult-favorite Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream closed in Bridgeport, and while the team opened Kim’s Uncle Pizza in suburban Westmont that’s a long trek for city dwellers Located in a former barbershop at 1215 W. Grand Avenue, Pizz’Amici is the brainchild of Cecily and Billy Federighi, who, along with friend Bradley Shorten, were behind the other pizza-centric projects, including the Instagram account Eat Free Pizza while Cecily and Billy are running Pizz’Amici so Kim’s Uncle was like a homecoming for him,” says Cecily Federighi of the amicable business split At Pizz’Amici tavern-style pizza is the focus along with some Italian American dishes like sausage and peppers Housemade focaccia along with a handful of salads — “a really clean arugula and a Caesar salad which is my favorite,” says Federighi — are also available “These are approachable dishes that you can share with the table before you get to the main event toppings skew traditional tavern and include pepperoni Sausage is from a previously developed recipe that is being made by local purveyor Makowski’s Real Sausage Pizzas are cooked in a PizzaMaster electric oven with a capacity for about 30 pies at a time “Because this was a barbershop there’s no gas,” says Federighi of the all-electric kitchen “We are using that oven for pretty much everything.” “We initially wanted to open a bar together,” says Federighi it was easier to get an incidental license if you had food.” The then Ukrainian neighbors started making various styles of pizzas out of their apartment as R&D When they couldn’t keep up with eating them they turned to Instagram and started Eat Free Pizza where they would raffle off free pizzas on Friday nights Word spread quickly and eventually led to them opening Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream in 2020, taking over the space neighboring Maria’s Community Bar in Bridgeport and working with Marz Community Brewing’s Ed Marszewski and Kimski chef Won Kim Some leave the rolled dough out at room temperature and some regulate that temperature “Once we started getting recognition locally and nationally for our pizzas there’s something to this and we should keep going,” says Federighi “PFCIC felt like the first step to our pizza journey to what we ultimately wanted to accomplish Months before PFCIC closed in December 2022 they partnered with Marszewski in Westmont where Marszewski worked as a teenager the previous owner who ran the business under the name Uncle Pete’s Sinclair was friends with Marszewski’s mother the beloved namesake of the Bridgeport tavern Shorten remains in Westmont while Pizz’Amici is the Federighis’ independent operation “It definitely took longer than we expected but we’re happy we’re here now,” Federighi says which combines pizza with the Italian word for friend is a nod to their origins of friends sitting around a table eating pizza at their apartment Once they receive their liquor license — Pizz’Amici is BYOB for now — the restaurant will feature an Italian-only wine list created by High Road Wine and Spirits’ Ken Fredrickson and approachable are words Federighi uses to describe the list leaning toward classic Italian cocktails with some out-of-the-ordinary spirits here and there “Everything is going to be drinks you’ve heard of before but there will be something interesting about them,” says Federighi which seats 30 at tables and seven at the bar the Federighis wanted to create a space that felt like it had always been there but was fresh at the same time Hardwood floors have been painted in a checkered black-and-white pattern The Carrara marble-topped bar is paired with red leather barstools and pistachio round out the restaurant’s color palette Walter Burnett’s sign hanging outside the restaurant; this is a pizzeria Adding a personal touch are family photographs lining the hallway to the bathrooms is prominently featured in those as well as in a painting behind the bar by the couple’s artist friend Muriel Montgomery “We just decided that he was going to be the patron saint of Pizz’Amici,” says Federighi “We wanted to show there’s a history behind us.” Pizz’Amici is dine-in only but pickup and delivery will eventually be rolled out The return of those square Sicilian slices and other pizzas they first made out of their home are possibilities in the future and I feel like we’ve gathered a cult following over the years,” Federighi says “We’ve always done this sort of rogue pizza kind of thing but this feels like our landing spot and we’re here to stay.” Pizz’Amici, 1215 W. Grand Avenue, open 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday to Sunday; takeout launching next week; delivery is upcoming; reservations via OpenTable Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Two primary school-aged boys are dead and a woman is in custody leaving the small NSW town of Coonabarabran reeling in the wake of a “terrible tragedy” Officers were dispatched to the home in the Central West town just after 2pm on Monday The grandmother had contacted Department of Communities and Justice and told them the children were dead police sources not permitted to speak publicly told the Herald police officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District located two boys – aged six and seven – deceased inside the home,” NSW Police said Their ages were initially reported by police as eight and 10 was taken into custody and driven to a nearby hospital she has not been charged with any offence and is “assisting police” with an investigation into the deaths She remains under police guard in hospital and as a state we share in the community of Coonabarabran’s grief at the loss of two young boys who had their entire futures ahead of them,” NSW Premier Chris Minns told the Herald “I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak their loved ones are currently feeling “I thank the local officers who attended the scene for their professionalism and bravery in the face of such a horrible event.” NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said in a statement the events were a “terrible “The NSW Police will support the town of Coonabarabran in this horrific time,” Webb said The homicide squad has been dispatched from Sydney to help local police “Officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District are now investigating the circumstances of the deaths under Strike Force Darnum assisted by detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad,” a police statement said Local MP Roy Butler told the Herald it is a tight-knit town “The loss of children in any community is tragic but in circumstances where it may not be an accident “This is a loss of life that didn’t need to happen.” “There will be whole school communities devastated by this terrible news.” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter leaving the small NSW town of Coonabarabran reeling in the wake of a \\u201Cterrible tragedy\\u201D following \\u201Ca concern for welfare\\u201D police officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District located two boys \\u2013 aged six and seven \\u2013 deceased inside the home,\\u201D NSW Police said she has not been charged with any offence and is \\u201Cassisting police\\u201D with an investigation into the deaths and as a state we share in the community of Coonabarabran\\u2019s grief at the loss of two young boys who had their entire futures ahead of them,\\u201D NSW Premier Chris Minns told the Herald \\u201CI cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak their loved ones are currently feeling \\u201CI thank the local officers who attended the scene for their professionalism and bravery in the face of such a horrible event.\\u201D NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said in a statement the events were a \\u201Cterrible \\u201CThe NSW Police will support the town of Coonabarabran in this horrific time,\\u201D Webb said \\u201COfficers from Orana Mid-Western Police District are now investigating the circumstances of the deaths under Strike Force Darnum assisted by detectives from State Crime Command\\u2019s Homicide Squad,\\u201D a police statement said \\u201CThe loss of children in any community is tragic \\u201CThis is a loss of life that didn\\u2019t need to happen.\\u201D \\u201CThere will be whole school communities devastated by this terrible news.\\u201D Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Chicago straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Chicago without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Chicago West Town hosts its own Restaurant Week March 21-29, featuring special discounts and prix fixe menus at participating businesses. You’ll be able to enjoy four-course tasting menus at Nettare and Brasero, free cheese pizza with the purchase of mozzarella sticks at Roots, two courses and a beer at Forbidden Root for $35, and much more. Check out the full lineup here Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestspotifyAbout us Contact us Time Out magazine Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-B-Q a popular Alabama-inspired chain with a handful of Tennessee locations is opening its first Knoxville restaurant Dec 18 across from West Town Mall at 7727 Kingston Pike It's in the same parking lot as Raising Canes Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and Comfort Inn and Suites The restaurant has more than 50 locations scattered across the South, with a majority of them in Georgia and Alabama. Existing Tennessee locations are in Chattanooga, Franklin, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Smyrna, according to its website with a Clarksville location "coming soon." Jim 'N Nick's was founded as a celebration of "revered bar-b-q masters" who cut no corners and serve everyone like family, according to its website Jim 'N Nick's will offer both sit-down dining and a drive thru option With no freezers or microwaves in the kitchen the restaurant promises to serve 12-hour slow-smoked meat "real fast." The menu has almost any kind of barbecue you can imagine the barbecue portion of the menu includes classic pulled pork Each meat option also can be ordered in sandwich form If you're looking for that traditional barbecue experience − sides and all − Jim 'N Nick's has a "value feast menu" that lets customers order enough pork Jim 'N Nick's is "a celebration of Alabama but a reverence for the bar-b-q tradition across the South," its website says Normal business hours will be 11 a.m.-9 p.m Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com The foundation has been set for an exciting new residential project at 455 North Carpenter St. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Developed by Range Group the five-story building will replace the former Allied Valve Industries facility and introduce 72 modern rental units and convenient parking facilities to the area The development will feature a range of residential units A shared rooftop area is planned and retail space will be included on the northwest corner of the building The building design features an L-shaped layout that wraps around its neighboring property at 1015 West Grand the former Allied Valve Industries building was demolished by National Wrecking Company clearing the site for the new construction is overseeing the transition from groundwork to the building’s structural framework The 455 North Carpenter project is part of a larger residential boom in the West Town area which is rapidly transforming into a vibrant Judy Lamelza writes the DataBid.com blog and website in this browser for the next time I comment For advertising information and rates, you can call (888) 627-8717 ext 212 or request information through the “Advertising and sponsorships“ link Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker