Final Story Pitch

First off, I had to copy and paste my records request because it wouldnt let me save it so I couldnt attach it to my blog post.

Nov 28 2017

Washington State Office of Financial Management

Insurance Building, Suite 300 P.O. Box 43113

Olympia, WA 98504-3113

Dear Nathan Sherrard, Public Records Officer Washington State Office of Financial Management ,

Pursuant to the state open records law Wash. Rev. Code Secs. 42.56.001 to 42.56.904, I write to request access to and a copy of The Business License of Cougar Entertainment Center, this may be a government record. I know this place was recently opened in the last 10 years or so. I think two males run the business but I do not know their names. I am interviewing one of them later today. If your agency does not maintain these public records, please let me know who does and include the proper custodian’s name and address.

I agree to pay any reasonable copying and postage fees of not more than $10. If the cost would be greater than this amount, please notify me. Please provide a receipt indicating the charges for each document.

As provided by the open records law, I will expect your response within five (5) business days. See Wash. Rev. Code Sec. 42.56.520.

If you choose to deny this request, please provide a written explanation for the denial including a reference to the specific statutory exemption(s) upon which you rely. Also, please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.

I would note that violation of the open records law can result in a fine — payable to me — of up to $100 for each day that I am denied access. Litigation costs, including reasonable attorney fees, may also be awarded. See Wash. Rev. Code Sec. 42.56.550(4).

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Tyler Shuey

1365 NE Brandi Way Churchill Down apt # MTH4 Journalism student at Washington State University

3608601094

My Pitch:

Upon thinking about my final story ideas, I wanted to do a business profile for a place that offers some sort of entertainment. Naturally, that borught me to Cougar Entertainment Center. This business was recently opened about 10 years ago or so by two male WSU graduates. They offer laser-tag and mini golf while also serving up birthday parties. They also serve food, drinks and beer. I want to find out how this idea came about to them as college students and what steps they took to complete this. I want to know what sort of business they get and if its consistent. I want to know if there is any other places like them in the region and how they market themselves for business. I want to see where they are financially and how sustainable this business might be and how long they foresee this place being around. Lastly, I want to find out what inspires them to do this. I interviewed all three of the owners today. It wouldnt let me attach the audio file of the interview but I can let you see it in class or email it to you.

Sources:

Quincy Roberts- owner (already interviewed)

CJ Roberts-owner (married to Quincy) already interviewed

Alex Woytovech- owner (brother of CJ) already interviewed

Garret Williams- former GM of Cougar Entertainment Center (509) 952 0656 (still need to interview)

“Slinkey the Clown”commits himself to community

“Slinkey the Clown” is 80 years old and still tying balloons shaped as animals in his home for whoever wants them.

“This is something I still love to do,” Ja Link Ka Fountain said, a.k.a “Slinkey the Clown”. “I’d rather be clowning than golfing.”

Fountain has served as one of the local Pullman clowns since he earned his clown degree back in 1999 from the Pullman Senior Center, one of 16 clowns who graduated with him. Fountain was first told about the clown classes through a club called Toastmasters, an organization dedicated to members serving their communities.

“It was just a fluke,” Fountain said. “It sounded fun”.

“Slinkey the Clown” was born as Donald Warren in Pullman, 1936, and has lived here his whole life. He attended Pullman schooling and graduated from Pullman High School in 1955. Three days after graduating high school, Warren worked as a painter for Washington State University facilities for 27 years up until 1982.

Warren was also a married man with two children. His wife died in 1985.

After the death of his wife, Warren naturally went through some difficult times, but found spirituality as a way to navigate him through the rest of his life. In 1992, Warren legally changed his name to Ja Link Ka Fountain, which translates into cosmic genius. Fountain credits this new frame of mind to his clown success.

“I live in the moment and am very spontaneous,” Fountain said.

With a new-found name and identity, Fountain became an instant hit as a clown after graduating clown school. “Slinkey the Clown” has performed all over the country throughout his years as a certified clown, ranging from cities like Manhattan to Cabos San Lucas in Mexico.

Fountain recalls one of his more memorable and laughable experiences during one of his first performances in the Lewiston Roundup Parade in Idaho.

“I was playing with a slinkey and I tripped walking across the street to the other side and my left-hand lands in horse manure,” Fountain said. “I smell my hand and say, ‘this hand smells like money’; no one would give me a high-five.”

One of “Slinkey the Clowns” best traits include adapting to what happens around him and playing it off in a funny way.

“You can change the whole persona of the room,” Fountain said. “What people think of me is none of my business.”

Fountain attributes Red Skeleton as his biggest role model.

“He’s funny and does weird things, I attempted to portray him,” Fountain said. “He’s very spiritual and does a lot of different routines and characters.”

One of Fountain’s best friends is Steve Bell, the Senior Program Coordinator for the City of Pullman. They have known each other since Bell started working for the city back in 2008.

“He is available for any special event and really goes all out to entertain anybody,” Bell said. “Every holiday he has a different costume on; he’s an asset to us.”

Another friend of Fountain’s who knows all about his performances is the Executive Director of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, Marie Dymkoski. She has known Fountain for since 2007.

“I am so pleased with the way he’s made himself available for community events,” Dymkoski said. “The makeup is just an added feature; some people think he’s weird because he’s a clown but he’s just a really genuine person.”

“Slinkey the Clown” has many props for his performances. He mainly blows up balloons of different types of animals and gives out stickers with witty messages. Fountain owns 16 costumes and three pairs of clown shoes. Of those costumes, he has ones for different holidays and themes including Independence Day, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween and Christmas.

Regarding the future of “Slinkey the Clown”, Fountain pledges that no end is in sight.

“I want do this as long as I can.”

Simple words from a simple man, all Fountain wants to do is bring joy to the community and he has already done that and more.

 

Sources:

• Ja Link Ka Fountain, clown- (509) 332-1435
• Steve Bell, Senior Program Coordinator for City of Pullman- (509) 338-3307
• Marie Dymkoski, Executive Director of Pullman Chamber of Commerce- (509) 334-3565

I sent you some photos of his place, I also have B-roll footage I can show you in class. I tried to attach it on here but it says my videos contained too much data.