OPEN NOTE TO KHALID EL-AMIN

If you get busted for marijuana, wait a while before committing
another dumb act--like publicizing your 20th birthday party at a nightclub.

After Scoop saw a flyer advertising the gig Sunday, April 25, at the
Spotlight Cafe on Walnut Street, Scoop couldn't resist visiting
El-Amin's elusive tactics regarding interviews.

Upon entering, Scoop is carded. A bartender says that El-Amin will
show, that he comes to the bar all the time. The manager says that
El-Amin won't be here. The promoter forgot El-Amin is underage, he
says. A security guard confirms El-Amin is a regular.

An hour later, Scoop returns, and bingo, there's El-Amin, dressed in a
blue sweater vest and a gold chain, chilling with the promoter from
Groove-On Productions. Groove-On didn't return Scoop's call, so we'll
never know how much money the event raised for the family of Aquan
Salmon, the 14-year-old recently killed by a Hartford cop. El-Amin
supposedly visited the shooting memorial before his arrest.

At the club, El-Amin is surrounded by people drinking and smoking
blunts, although El-Amin is not partaking in either. When Scoop steps
up to the K-man, the promoter throws a pick. "What do you want?" he
asks, shouting above 100-decibel dancehall music. "To talk to Khalid,"
Scoop replies. "He's not talking to anyone." End of
conversation.

But Scoop persists. Security guards escort Scoop out.

UConn's director of athletic communications, Tim Tolokan, was unaware
of the party, and said the university will check into it. Stay tuned
for more Huskymania.