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Click Here 42 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, January 31, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 19, 2003 Club manager’s arrest might delay opening Medford City Council to hold a hearing in January concerning approval of liquor sales at HighWaters Nightclub and Lounge By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune The recent arrest of a new Medford nightclub’s manager has put the bar’s liquor license and its expected opening in limbo. HighWaters Nightclub and Lounge, at 333 E. Main St. above Hubbard’s Ace Hardware, former home to That Italian Place and Digger O’Dell’s, was scheduled to open for the holidays. Eric Vanderwegen, hired to be the new nightclub’s manager, learned Thursday that a brawl he was involved in early Saturday outside Ground Zero nightclub and his subsequent arrest alerted the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. What had looked like a simple liquor license approval by the Medford City Council at a Thursday meeting has now turned into a public hearing scheduled for January. "It’s pretty depressing," said Vanderwegen, 29, who was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest. He said that although he doesn’t think he’s guilty of any charges, he’s considering resigning so as not to hurt the club’s success. Advertisement Vanderwegen said that although he had once been a manager of The Hot Body Club across the street, there are no plans to turn HighWaters into a strip club. "It’s a high-end nightclub and lounge," said Vanderwegen, adding that they’re shooting for the 25 to 50 year-old clientele with a slight dress code that would prohibit clothing like shorts and baseball caps. The 9,400-square-foot club will have a DJ format with a dance floor, as well as a light dinner menu. The club also plans to display the works of local artists on the walls. According to OLCC, the club could still open, it just can’t serve liquor yet. Shirley Hassberger, OLCC regional manager, said certain police matters send up a red flag for the commissioners. She said a speeding ticket would not concern them, but patterns would, such as "if someone had a huge number of driving while suspended (violations)," she said. Also, if the person is involved in a situation that has to be settled in court, commissioners would reconsider their license, she said. City Councilman Bob Strosser said he needs to learn more about the details of the incident before commenting. "I still don’t know if he did anything bad," he said. "We want to hear their side or anybody else who has relevant information." He said he does, however, take the matter seriously. "Somebody that’s got a problem ... I don’t want to endorse their getting a liquor license," he said. Vanderwegen said the name HighWaters came about in the summer when he and the owner, Brian Vester, were struggling and wondering if they could get it all together in time. "Brian said: ‘Come hell or high water we’ll have a nightclub,’ " said Vanderwegen. The name is being tested. According to Medford police Lt. Mike Moran, Vanderwegen will be arraigned in municipal court Jan. 8, during which time he can enter a plea. A public hearing before the City Council concerning the liquor license is scheduled for Jan. 15. Attempts to reach Vester for comment Friday were unsuccessful. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times