Rising Up to the Challenge of His Rival: an interview with local star Jake Lindsey

MMA wrestling is not something I've watched much of before going to see Jake "The Librarian" Lindsey fight. I had seen the TV bouts and reality shows out to make the next star and failed to see the appeal to it, although not being a sports fan might have had something to do with that as well. But as the fights went on and each round was announced by pictures of the fighters accompanied by flashing lights and the roar of the crowd, in some strange way I began to see the appeal of it. There was something about these matches that reckoned back to the gladiators of Rome, and I could barely help being swept up by it. Was I not entertained? Finally it was Jake Lindsey's turn in the ring, and as the lights flickered across his picture I cheered with the rest. The match started and the cheering continued as Jake and his opponent circled each other trading occasional blows until, almost without warning, "The Librarian" saw his opening and pounced on his opponent. A short time looking for an advantage, followed by brutal submission- it was like watching an animal attack. Almost as quickly as it had started the fight was over, the crowd was in a frenzy and I was screaming along with them. Maybe there was something to all this after all.

According to Jake "The Librarian" Lindsey one of the most common questions he gets is about this unusual nickname, although the answer is strangely simple- when he isn't training as a professional fighter, Jake works at the Manhattan Public Library. So when he joined his gym and a second Jake was also training there, they were referred to by the others as "Firefighter Jake" and "Librarian Jake", a nickname which Lindsey admits was probably helped along by his love of video games and fantasy novels. So when at his second amateur fight he was introduced as Jake "The Librarian", the name stuck. Still, it is a nickname that Lindsey enjoys. "A good nickname is hard to come by", he admits. Behind Jake's unconventional nickname is what may be an even more unconventional story of success. Before he started to train with his gym Jake says he had never really boxed, or even played football. Then one day when he was 19, he was watching an MMA fight on television and had that thought common to so many less successful armchair quarterbacks- "Man, I bet I could do that." With that idea driving him Jake had the will, but not the way. He started working out on his own and watched Youtube videos of MMA fights, learning by mimicking the moves he saw there. Once he was starting to feel confident in his new abilities, Lindsey called a promoter in Junction City in an attempt to find a fight. "Thank god it didn't work out", Jake recalls. "Some promoters would jump on that and say 'Here's a guy that I can feed to someone else to make them look good.'" Rather than take advantage of Jake's naivety, the promoter put Jake in contact with his now current trainer, Joe Wilk. Jake Lindsey has been fighting for 4 years now, and is in his second year as a professional fighter after competing in amateur leagues for several years. With a current professional record of 3-0 and an overall 7-0 record, this Manhattan native has proven that despite his uncommon background he is a force to be reckoned with.

As the name "mixed martial arts" implies, Jake Lindsey employs a variety of fighting styles. His gym focuses heavily on Jiu Jitsu grappling. That grappling technique is important for keeping opponents from getting an advantage if they ever get on his back but Jake admits he is more of a boxer. Although he is comfortable both standing and on the ground, he prefers to stay on his feet and be the one throwing the punches. With his upcoming fight this weekend, I asked Jake about what he does to prepare for an upcoming fight. Since he is in the lightweight division, one of the biggest things he has to focus on his diet- making weight for the fight means no cookies in the library break room, and no going out for beer with friends until after the fight! With a fight coming up, Jake is also able to focus on a specific opponent. When he was an amateur the fighters had much less publicity, and Jake says he would sometimes be talking to another fighter before a match without even realizing they were his opponent for the night. But now he is often able to watch video of these other fighters before ever seeing them in the ring, and likes to have that visual of his opponent as he prepares for the upcoming bout. You have to at least know what the guy looks like, Jake says. "Once you see his face it's like, now it's on." But despite the aggression that seems so expected in MMA fights, Jake "The Librarian" considers good sportsmanship to be just as important here as any other sport. "I've got to force hugs", he says with a smile. "It's not hard for me to flip the switch to be really mean... and then not be mean." Although almost every fighter keeps it friendly, at least after the fight, many have to psych themselves before going in the cage. And while even the Librarian has occasionally trashed opponents in the heat of the moment, he makes it a point to avoid it. "What if you lose?" he asks. "Then you've been a jerk for no reason."

After every fight, there are several people that Jake thanks for his success, perhaps the most unusual is his mother, who he says has been very supportive of his fights. Jake's local business sponsors include Ready Systems, Lucky's, and Johnny Kaws, and The Librarian is always sure of course to give a shout out to the Manhattan Public Library. He loves seeing local fans and local sponsors supporting the fights, and enjoys the recognition that he brings back to Manhattan as he participates in fights all over Kansas. He trains at Combative Sports Center on Anderson, and is very thankful for the support he has received there, telling me "If you're from Manhattan and you want to get in shape, maybe thinking about fighting in the future, that's the place to go."

Good luck to Jake "The Librarian" in his fights and in continuing his undefeated streak! And although Jake says he hopes to provide a show that lasts longer this time, he makes no guarantees. "I'm in that mindset" he says, "I've got to kill that guy quick." His next fight will be on Saturday, February 8th at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Junction City, KS.

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Varsity Donuts: Aggieville's Sweet Success Story

There have been a lot of “Varsitys” in Aggieville – a drug store, a theater, and even dances used this collegiate term in their names. So when Diane Meredith and David Sauter of Dusty Bookshelf, Thread, and Acme Gift, Kevin Peirce of Bluestem Bistro, and their friends and co-workers Jeremy Corn, Tanner Pieschl, and Leah Hyman set out to open a donut shop, they decided to name it Varsity because it captures the university spirit of Manhattan and is an homage to historic Aggieville businesses. The Varsity Donuts location was originally home to The Palace Drugstore, which operated at a time when drugstores were more than just pharmacies – they were soda fountains and a spot for community gatherings. Varsity's goal is to retain what Ms. Meredith describes as a “community clubhouse” vibe while making it applicable to the needs of current citizens. The Palace Drugstore was constructed in 1929 by brothers Harold and Forest Forester. The hand laid mosaic floor and original marble and woodwork still exist in the donut shop today. That includes the booths, complete with eighty years worth of gum stuck under the seats – we told you Varsity was aiming for that authentic soda shop experience! The interior highlights the faux balconies high on the walls as well, which were inspired by one of the Forester wives' love of Broadway and theater. The owners also uncovered the arched window over the door, saving it from the obscurity of three to four layers of plywood and drywall. It's the crowning glory of the front windows and very different from the other glass in Aggieville. At night, most of the businesses' windows seem to reflect the pavement and become just another wall, but the illumination from within Varsity is inviting and the lighted bicycle wheels are intriguing.

 

The idea for bicycle rentals grew right along side the notion of donuts. In the pitching stage of the Varsity endeavor, partner Jeremy Corn suggested donuts and bikes. Inspired by his own collection of vintage bicycles and the group's general enthusiasm for biking, a rental business was born. Customers can rent both single and tandem bikes, each with their own vintage nameplate, as well as helmets at the shop. Rates for single bikes are $6.50/hour or $25 for the day. Tandems go for $8/hour or $30 for the day. The owners feel the bikes also promote the ideal of everything in moderation since you can come in for sweet treat and then pedal it off on a self-propelled tour of town. Of course if the great outdoors isn't your thing, there is still plenty to do in the shop. Obviously there's the donuts, like the PB&J. I like jelly donuts, but many of them get too sweet. Varsity's PB&J donut is a thicker, almost roll style, donut that's in perfect proportion with the peanut butter and raspberry jelly. Varsity provides coloring books for children as well as board games and reading material for customers of all ages. Varsity invites people to bring their own entertainment as well, such as homework or knitting, to work on while they enjoy a donut or a cup of joe. The long table is also free for groups to use for anything from coffee clubs to business meetings. If your gathering would like to guarantee their favorite selections, give Varsity at least two days notice and they will put together a custom donut platter. You can even host your next birthday party at the shop! Several of the Varsity owners have children, so when they set out to open shop, not only did they want a community clubhouse, but they wanted it to be family friendly. The donuts are even named in honor of owners Diane Meredith and Jeremy Corn's kin. The Opal, a buttermilk cake donut, is named for Mr. Corn's grandmother and the Otis, a yeast donut, is named for Ms. Meredith's father. Varsity now offers the option of birthday parties where you can decorate your own Otis and Opal donuts. For $6/child (or young-at-heart adult), groups can come in to create their own delicious masterpiece with frosting, sprinkles, and toppings. Be sure to book at least two weeks in advance because dates are filling up fast.

 

Varsity Donuts is a soda shop for the 21st century. From the building to the food to the customers it's a multi-generational experience. Stepping through the door is like stepping into history, but with all the conveniences of the modern world – they'll even ring up your order on an iPad. There is no other place in town with quite the same charm; it's grandma's kitchen for the whole Manhattan family. Can't make it down today? Don't worry, they deliver, but you'll definitely want to drop in soon. In the tradition of Swaney's, the late, great Manhattan legend, the shop also offers their sweet treats after hours. Behind Varsity is a patio with the food truck where the donuts are produced each evening. After all, there's nothing like an Otis or an Opal to cure your midnight ails... or ales.

 

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Tab Creations, Manhattan's Locally Raised Gaming Company

Manhattan is the origin place of Tab Creations, the creators of the Saga Machine table top role playing game. Tab Creations started years ago as a group of friends making comics, and in high school they started to create their own pen and paper RPG. Despite several of them moving away from Kansas they've continued creating and growing since then, with the Saga Machine system and its related settings being their most recent line of games.

Sunset Zoo: An Idyllic Small Town Park

Manhattan's Sunset Zoo is an idyllic small town zoological park, nestled deep in the Flint Hills. The zoo is more than just beautiful, though. From the beginning it embraced the natural cycle, creating life out of death.

A Journey Begins

I'm Darin Strouts, and welcome to my blog. I like to travel as much as I'm able (a teacher's holidays are great for travel, a teacher's salary less so), and this blog is for my reviews of those explorations, both local and far away.

I'm also a preschool teacher, a geek, a storyteller, and an asker of many stupid questions (and according to some people, a teller of many stupid jokes) and the rest of that randomness can be found at sister site Interrobangarang.

 

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