We found out last week that another local pizza place has bitten the dust. The group is still fighting for survival, but the local outlet, and thus delivery to Casa, is no more.

Not that I want to rush the new administration, but will you hurry up and finish the bank bailout you can give some attention to the businesses that matter?

I’ve lamented here in the past about the UC’s drive toward mediocrity, particularly as shown by the axing of the Santa Cruz water polo program. Though I still think the UC can and should do better in protecting the system’s reputation and standing in all programs, I read an interesting article yesterday that included some discussion of Yale’s water polo program, and other sports, after they lost official recognition and became club programs. Glad to see that relegation to club status isn’t always the death knell of an athletic program, but can lead to positive outcomes.

Two related notes for the aquatics inclined: Penn State swimmers raised $235 in a charity auction by agreeing to deliver pizza in their speedos, and this year’s Maverick’s Big Wave contest may be canceled due to a lack of sponsors. Hmmm. Pondering. Hmmm.

Sure, Shrub and the congresscritters can dig up trillions and trillions of dollars to save big banks, but they let the best pizza restaurant within a reasonable driving distance go under.  Short-sighted fools.  Killer Pizza From Mars is gone from south Escondido, and will be sorely missed. 

Feeling quite satiated after a dinner of grilled sausage didn’t stop me from drooling during the (time-shifted) season premiere of Top Chef.  Leading off the season with deep dish pizzas was a great concept, even if it was just to patronize their chain restaurant sponsor.  Personally though, I prefer to bake an old thin crust recipe from an old Alice Waters cookbook.  The crust stays light, and with a good white sauce (no acidy tomatos) the ingredients on the top make or break the meal.  Pizza is about the toppings (or the atmosphere) and while a bad crust can ruin a pizza, the experience shouldn’t be all about the crust.

The inner geek melds with the pizza whore less than a mile from Casa: Killer Pizza From Mars.  The website sucks (except for the coupons), but the memorabilia throughout the restaurant, as well as the pizza and wings, make me proud to be a geek.