Heaven got a new Jackass today

Ryan Dunn, one of my favorite Jackasses, and fellow Ohioan moved to PA, passed away early Monday due to injuries sustained in a fatal car crash in which he was allegedly driving very fast (110 mph). During the crash, Dunn's 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 went off a road, crashed in to woods and caught fire. According to police, the accident occurred at 3 a.m. on Route 322 and New Street in West Goshen Township.

I've driven these roads before having worked in West Chester. Any of my fellow coworkers could tell you that I stink at navigating my way around Chester county, having been lost several times. I couldn't imagine going that fast on 322... scary shit. According to the West Goshen Township police report, Dunn's Porsche was "fully engulfed in flames" when officers responding to the report of an auto accident found it "off the road" and "in the woods".

A 30-year old passenger, who was later identified as Zachary Hartwell of West Chester, also died in the accident. Hartwell was working as a production assistant on the movie "Jackass Number Two". The accident left Dunn and Hartwell charred to ashes. Dunn, who was identified after the crash through his tattoos and facial hair, posted a photo on Twitter hours before his death in which he was drinking with his friends in a bar, TMZ reported. TMZ also reported that sources informed Dunn had drunk at least three light beers and three shots between 10.30pm and 2.10am at Barnaby's of America bar.

Dunn, who was born in Medina, Ohio, just a few miles west from where I grew up in Copley, moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, in his early teens. Dunn was known for his dangerous antics and practical jokes in MTV's "Jackass" series and movies with his long-time friend Bam Margera. He got to fame while appearing in videos alongside his friends in the "Camp Kill Yourself"(CKY) Crew. The CKY videos caught the eye of Johnny Knoxville which helped bring him over to Jackass.

Dunn celebrated his 34th birthday last June 11, weeks before his fatal accident last night.

Jackass crew expressed their grief by issuing the following statement:

"I don't really know what to say right now everybody because the sadness is overwhelming, but today we lost one of our own. Our brother Ryan Dunn has passed. He died in a car wreck in West Goshen, Pennsylvania, this morning at 3:00am. Goddamn that's tough to write. As we get more info we will let you know, but right now our hearts go out to his family and to his beloved Angie. Ryan will be missed and remembered by us all. Thanks for the kind words of support everybody."

In a tweet, fellow prankster Johnny Knoxville said, "RIP Ryan, I love you buddy."

Dunn's fans also expressed their grief on MTV.com, saying "We will never forget all the laughs you gave us" and "Rest in peace, bro. You're pranking God now, that lucky bastard."

In other news, Roger Ebert is a dick.

Philly RAW Artists

Frederick Calalang knows how to organize one heck of an event. Frederick is a producer with a corporate event marketing background. He has produced national experiential events and campaigns for the better part of 15 years. The work that he has done for RAW:natural born artists, an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists (www.rawartists.org), definitely showcases his experience well.


This past Thursday, I attended one of the events held at G Lounge here in Philly, and I can say first hand that it definitely lived up to its hype. Artists were posted up in their respective spaces all over G Lounge showcasing both their finished works and their God-given talent. The artwork was amazing.


The mission of the program is to provide independent artists of all creative genres, with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity. RAW educates emerging artists through seminars, workshops and insight to further the knowledge of their industry. RAW connects them with one another so that they might grow together, while providing them with opportunities to give back to their own local youth communities through the arts. They encourage the creative success of the many visionaries and storytellers of our generation.


In addition to the artwork, local musicians are offered to submit to showcase and perform throughout the event. Our guys The Parachuting Apostles are included in the alumni of RAW performers. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see them for the 6/30 event, but enjoyed the performers I did see. (Pic Below from J Pre performance in May)


I was most inspired by Temple University design team Verde Styles (www.verdestyles.com). These kids know what they are doing. For Verde Styles, one Tee = one Tree. The student run company was founded by Nishid Patel in 2008 after competing in the Temple’s Business Plan Competition. Though the business plan did not win the competition, alumni and judges supported the idea to help turn it into the company it has become. I absolutely love the designs... of course I had to buy a shirt and plant a tree. It was only 20 bucks. It's wonderful to know that somewhere on this earth there is now a baby tree planted with an Indie-Monster logo on it. Well, maybe not so much the logo on it. That wouldn't be very green, but still a baby tree none the less! Get off your lazy asses and go plant a tree! Visit Verde Styles today!


The next event is scheduled for 7/7, and is also at G Lounge (www.thebestlounge.com). Mark your calendars! More info on RAW is soon to come. Photos {Credit: Ed Delahunty}

I-M

The Circus is in Town