Technically, it’s fiction, but for some reason, Amazon has it under nonfiction as part of its genres. In any case, considering today’s numbers, I’m not complaining.

The stats as of 1:09PM Eastern time:

#12 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Personal Transformation

#16 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Advice & How-to > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Personal Transformation

On the first promotion day, The Cruiserweight captured the #1 spot on the Amazon Free Downloads charts in Wrestling Books:

The Cruiserweight was also featured as three sports books for free on Free Books for Kindle.

Those who attended Jams for Jimmy Slack at the Lava Lounge February 2 reported that it was an incredible night. The outpouring of love and support among friends, family, and even total strangers at the club was an amazing and inspiring story.

The entire venue was filled with people who loved and cared for Jimmy, as well as people who followed his missing person story from the first news report right up to his funeral.

Jams for Jimmy Slack went over so well, it is now slated to be an annual event.

Thanks to the bands, the Slack family, Lava Lounge staff/management, and everyone else who helped make Jams for Jimmy Slack an eventful evening!

This book isn’t as long as The Cruiserweight nor did it take as long to write. Whereas The Cruiserweight took me a little over two years to complete, Fifty was finished in a little under nine months.

While the paperback version won’t be available until later this year (perhaps around spring or summer), check out the Kindle edition for only $2.99 (free for Prime members)!

With spring just seven weeks away, it’s not uncommon for us to think about where to travel for a well-deserved holiday. But what if you aren’t able to book a trip far enough in advance, yet seek an equally affordable – yet last-minute – getaway?

US News Travel has released its lists of top ten destinations for tourists who seek travel destinations at great bargain rates..

Discount travel web site Hotwire.com and Harris Interactive polled more than 2,000 travelers for its American Travel Behavior Survey during July 2011. Seventy percent of those polled believed that their travel would be more affordable with reservations made far in advance.

However, Hotwire shows that travel spending can be cut in half with last minute bookings within seven days of planned trip dates. Hotwire also pulled together a list of top ten destinations in the United States where travelers find the most significant last-minute hotel bargains in contrast of their general rates.

Among the ten cities, Pittsburgh was the number one ranked last-minute destination. Hotwire advises spending on a new wardrobe in our city – as there is no sales tax on clothing in Pennsylvania. Also featured are the city’s thriving arts scene and array of restaurants. Hotel rooms in Pittsburgh can be booked through Hotwire as low as $90 per night.

Other cities mentioned are Atlanta (#2), Dallas-Fort Worth (#3), Phoenix (#4), Denver (#5), St. Louis (#6), Chicago (#7), Boston (#8), Orlando (#9), and Washington, DC (#10).

SLACK
JAMES JOSEPH II
Age 25, of Bridgeville, on January 23, 2012. Beloved son of James and Donna Slack, Sr.; loving brother of Maureen Shields and Laura Slack and her fiancé Anthony Sarkis; cherished uncle of Corrigan, Mason, and Rhiannon Shields; nephew of Deborah (Michael) Grumet, Joseph “Bill” (Leesa) Slack, Jr., Thomas (Heidi) Slack, Carol (John) Platzer, Suzanne (John) Nemec, Jennifer (Beau) Quattrone, Michael (Jennifer) Slack, Albert Lowe, Jr., Paul (Cindy) Lowe, Michael (Jackie Nixon) Lowe and the late Mary Carlisle and her husband Mark, who survives; grandson of the late Albert and Margaret Lowe and Joseph and Ruth Slack; also survived by many loving cousins. Jimmy was a 2004 graduate of Chartiers Valley H.S., where he was a four year varsity letterman in wrestling. He loved to travel, be outdoors, and listen to music. He was currently employed by Imperial Barge Co. Friends received Saturday, 6-9 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 and 7-9 p.m., in the WARCHOL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, (412-221-3333). A funeral service will be held Monday, 10:00 a.m., in Bethany Presbyterian Church (EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH).

View and add condolences at:
www.warcholfuneralhome.com
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb

In spite of the tragic recovery of missing Bridgeville man Jimmy Slack January 23, the Jams for Jimmy Slack event scheduled for February 2, 2012 will go on as planned at the Lava Lounge, 2204 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA (that’s in South Side, for those of you not familiar with our city). Thanks to Mother’s Little Helpers and David Miko for passing along this information.

For a $5.00 cover, come see Mother’s Little Helpers (a fine Rolling Stones cover band), Of An Empire, and These Lions. All proceeds from the show will be given to Jimmy’s family.

Additional details will be available after Thursday, January 26. Meanwhile, if you are a Facebook member and would like to attend Jams for Jimmy Slack, RSVP here.

Many think Jimmy would’ve loved being remembered this way. I certainly agree.

As of this post, investigation into his death is continuing, and no cause has been released. Additional details on his recovery can be found at this link.

I held out hope right up to the positive ID that it wasn’t Jimmy for his family’s sake, if nothing else. He was taken away in which should have been the prime of his life.

It shouldn’t have ended this way. Of all missing persons cases from our area, I don’t think one ever touched and intrigued me as much as Jimmy’s disappearance did.

RIP Jimmy. You were loved by even those who didn’t have the honor of knowing you in life. My condolences to his family and friends.

You can leave condolences for Jimmy’s family on Facebook.

When: Thursday, February 2, 2012
7:00PM – 11:30PM

Where: Lava Lounge
2204 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203-2108

What: Jimmy Slack of Bridgeville has been missing since December 6, when he never made it home from a String Cheese Incident show. His family has been trying to keep Jimmy’s name and image in everyone’s minds, and they continue to hold out hope of seeing Jimmy again. We want to help.

Come see Mother’s Little Helpers, Of An Empire, and These Lions for a $5 cover. All funds raised will be for Jimmy’s family, to help pay for advertisements and a reward for help in bringing Jimmy home.

RSVP: Jams for Jimmy Slack Event Page

Jimmy Slack, 25, of Bridgeville, PA has been missing since December 6, 2011. Jimmy attended a String Cheese Incident concert at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, and not heard from since that night. The children of one of Jimmy’s siblings created video with original artwork and their own ideas to help find their Uncle Jimmy. This case has touched many in our area, and his family needs everyone to help locate him.

Also join the Facebook page, Help Find Jimmy Slack and help bring Jimmy home to his loved ones.