Krazy Cab of NW Indiana

Linda Stauffer &Robert Rosendaul Jr.,

By Mona Dickinson

Providing a much needed taxi service in Northwest Indiana has become a family affair for mother and son team, Linda Stauffer and Robert Rosendaul Jr.

The two own and operate Krazy Cab of Northwest Indiana, with its home base and dispatch office located on McCool Road in South Haven. The two are joined in the operation of the business by daughter/sister, Taisha Rosendaul, who assists with marketing and dispatches, and Robert’s fiancée Lisa Ammeson, who works in the office.

While a number of taxi services operate in the area, Stauffer said Krazy Cab strives daily to provide residents and visitors in all areas of service.

“Our goal is to provide clean and safe vehicles, friendly and helpful drivers, and the most efficient service in Northwest Indiana,” she said.

Krazy Cab started back in 1999 in Lake Station with one cab.  Rosendaul started driving for the original owner. After a year, the owner decided he wanted to sell the business and move out of the area. Rosendaul decided to buy the business and continue the much-needed service.

“We are committed to serving our customers and providing the best service out there,” Rosendaul said. “We have grown over the past nine years from one car and two drivers, to a fleet of eight vehicles and approximately 20 drivers whom all do an outstanding job.” Krazy Cab has established itself as one of the largest taxi companies in Northwest Indiana, offering service 24 hours a day basically every day of the year.

“We close twice a year – one day for our company picnic in the summer and usually half a day on Christmas, so our employees can be with their families,” Stauffer said. A bulk of service comes from corporate accounts with hotels, bars and industry in the area, but Krazy Cab also provides a vital service for senior citizens and other individuals who don’t drive.

“We drive a lot of seniors to the grocery store, doctor, rehabilitation and the pharmacy as well as social events” Rosendaul said. The fleet includes mini-vans and sedans. Drivers run 12-hour shifts and all vehicles are inspected at the end of each shift.

“Our drivers are required to keep the vehicle clean and provide the best service to all customers,” Rosendaul said. But it takes a certain type of person to be a taxi driver.

Stauffer said that there is a turnover in drivers. “Not everyone can deal with sitting in a vehicle all day, dealing with different types of people and waiting for their next dispatch,” she said.  Rosendaul said the business also sees a different clientele from day to night.

“We carry business people and seniors during the day and a little rowdier crowd at night,” he said, noting that the service works with local bars to provide rides for patrons who may not be able to drive themselves.

The current staff is like “one big family”, Stauffer said. “There are differences, but we have a good time in the business.” Keeping things running in the office besides the family members are John Visconti, who works with billing along side Tommy Bates and Lynette Ammeson who dispatch.

“Dispatch is probably the hardest area to manage” Rosendaul said.  “Knowing where the drivers are, where they need to go and all the logistics of getting them from place to place in an efficient and timely manner.”

Over the years, the two have worked to promote growth in the business as well as establish guidelines for driver accountability, standards for rates, taxi uniformity, cleanliness, and most importantly, customer safety and comfort.

Krazy Cab also provides the annual free rides to patrons celebrating New Year’s Eve and supports other community activities such as the MDA Lock-Up, The Special Olympics of IN, and provides promotional materials to keep its name in the community.

Service is available 24 hours a day. Calls are accepted on a first come/first serve basis as well as time calls on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Cash, credit card or traveler’s checks are accepted. Special rates are offered to airports and casinos. Drivers interested in learning more about employment can stop by the office at 786 McCool Road, Suite 1. You have to be 25 or older, hold a valid Public Passenger Chauffeur license, pass a background check and be able to be covered by the company’s insurance carrier.

To see our discounted rates to the area casinos and major airports, or to get information on other services we offer, such as corporate accounts, go to www.krazycab.com or call (219) 763-1675, (219) 962-4949 or 888-445-4844. Andremember, “If you gotta go…Go Krazy!”36 OCT.

MMA-ology

Words You Need to Know!

by Joe “the Professor of MMA” Pawlus

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Have you ever been sitting around with your boyfriend or husband and they wanted to watch an MMA event? You’re first response is probably, “Yeah, right….ain’t no way I’m gonna watch a couple guys beat each other to a pulp,” and quickly rush off behind closed doors to do anything but. You might not even know what MMA means. You might be one of those guys who is of the “old school” mindset and has a hard time developing interest in a sport outside the big three: football, basketball and baseball. Perhaps you have been interested in watching MMA (Ultimate Fighting/ UFC), but the language used by the UFC commentators is foreign and difficult. Well relax, and prepare to cut this particular column out of the Entertainer and keep it handy for those Pay-per-view party nights.

The following comprises a list of terms and descriptions that an MMA newbie can barely afford to go without…if you want to understand the complexities of the sport of MMA.

A

Achilles Lock: A popular foot lock/hold that can take many variations, but is ultimately dependent on manipulating and applying pressure on the heel and Achilles tendon.

Armbar: A type of arm lock typical of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in which the arm is hyper-extended at the elbow in order to get an opponent to submit or “tapout.”

B

Boxing: An American sport/fighting style. Boxing is dependant on using quick footwork and punches. Although not considered a formal martial art, boxing’s offensive and defensive techniques are invaluable in the sport of mixed-martial arts.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A predominantly ground oriented martial art which was originally derived from traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. In the past decade, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s popularity has spread due to its success in mixed martial arts contests. The art is heavily based around the development of numerous submission holds, but emphasis is also placed on gaining and maintaining advantageous positions.

C

Catch Wrestling: A form of wrestling that incorporates submission holds.

Choke: A move blocking the carotid artery in the neck, restricting the passage of blood to the brain. Failing to “tap” can put the victim into a temporary state of unconsciousness.

Clinch fighting: also referred to as “Dirty boxing” are tactics consisting of using a clinch hold to prevent the opponent from moving away into more distant striking range, while at the same time attempting takedowns and striking the opponent using knees, stomps, elbows, and punches.

The clinch is usually utilized by wrestlers that have added in components of the striking game (typically boxing), and Muay Thai fighters. Often, wrestlers that have added the striking game are partial to strikes from within the clinch, particularly wrestlers who have already developed a strong clinch game. In the case that an exchange on the feet does not go in their favor, they can bring the fight to the ground quickly as their true expertise lies in wrestling, so they are ultimately less timid about trading blows. Through the use of Greco-Roman clinching techniques and Muay Thai strikes, neck clinching and body locks clinch fighting could be used to devastate ill-prepared opponents.

D

Double Leg Takedown: A takedown that is accomplished by driving an opponent up and forward by grabbing both of his legs (or both ankles), leading to both contestants going to the ground. An alternate version is the single leg takedown.

Fish Hooking: The act of “hooking” a finger into an opponent’s mouth or ears and pulling much like a fish on a hook. This move is illegal in most competitions.

G

Grappling: A general term used to describe wrestling and ground oriented martial arts or fighting on the ground / in close.  Greco-Roman wrestling: a form of amateur wrestling practiced throughout the world. It is one of three styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games.

Ground-and-pound: a ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or throw, obtaining a top position, and then striking the opponent. Ground-and-pound is also used as a precursor to attempting submission holds.

H

Headbutt: To strike an opponent using the head. This move is illegal in most competitions.

Heelhook: A popular and dangerous submission hold, which is applied on the heel and then fully accomplished by twisting the knee at the joint.

Heavyweight (weight class): over 205 pounds to 265 pound fighters.

J

Judo: A Japanese martial art founded in the 19^th century. A derivative of jiu-jitsu, both share some of the same history and techniques, though Judo has been refined as more of a sport (striking is not allowed). Judo emphasizes throws and takedowns.

K

Kickboxing: A martial art related to western boxing, but incorporating strikes with the legs. Various styles exist with Muay Thai being among the most popular.

Kneebar: A submission hold that hyper-extends the leg at the knee.  K.O.: An acronym for “knock out,” a term typically used in boxing. A KO is the act of a fighter taking a hard blow and temporarily losing consciousness.

L

Lay-and-pray: a derogatory term for a strategy sometimes used by fighters who can take an opponent down but are not adept at finishing moves such as the strikes of Ground-and-Pound or Submissions to continue offense from the gained position.  Leg lock: A submission hold that focuses on the leg or ankle.

Light Heavyweight (weight class): over 185 pounds to 205 pound fighters.

Lightweight (weight class): 145 pound to 155 pound fighters.

M

Middleweight (weight class): over 170 pounds to 185 pound fighters.  Mixed Fighting Championship: a U.S.-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.

Mixed Martial Arts: A hybrid sport allowing participation by all martial arts and hand-to-hand combat styles. As a result, participants must be well rounded in all techniques.

Muay Thai: A form of kickboxing originating from Thailand. Unlike traditional kickboxing, Muay Thai allows low kicks, elbows, and knees and is considered among the elite striking arts.

N

No Holds Barred: A popular term used to describe “mixed martial arts” events. Due to the evolution of the sport and implementation of safety rules, the term “no holds barred” is outdated but remains popular among fans.

R

Rear Naked Choke: A type of choke that is applied behind an opponent, capturing his back. A rear naked choke is the most advantageous type of chokes as far as positioning.

S

Sambo: A Russian martial art that combines elements of wrestling and Japanese Judo. Sambo is much vaunted for its submission holds, especially on the legs.

Single Leg Takedown: A takedown that is accomplished by driving an opponent up and forward by grabbing one leg (or an ankle), leading to both contestants going to the ground. An alternate version is the double leg takedown.

Small Joint Manipulation: Any variation of submission holds which consist of twisting, popping, or hyperextending a small joint, such as the fingers or toes. Such holds are illegal in most competitions.  Sprawl-and-brawl: a stand-up fighting tactic that consists of effective stand-up striking, while avoiding ground fighting, typically by using sprawls to defend against takedowns.

A sprawl-and-brawler is usually a boxer, kickboxer, Thai boxer and/ or full contact karate fighter who has trained in wrestling to avoid takedowns and tries to keep the fight standing.

Submission Hold: A choke or joint manipulation that is meant to cause an opponent to submit or “tapout.”

Submission grappling: (apart from being a general martial arts term) a reference to the ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or throw, obtaining a dominant position, and then applying a submission hold to defeat the opponent. Some submission grapplers are also content to work from the bottom position because they are confident that they can find a way to secure a submission. They will sometimes fall back into the guard position, dragging the opponent with them. This is known as “pulling guard.”

Submissions are an essential part of many disciplines, most notably Catch wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Pankration, Army Combatives and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Fighters with a strong background in these sports often use submission grappling as a tactic to win their fights.

T

Takedown: The act of putting your opponent to the floor via tackle, sweep, Greco-throw, or other technique, typically involving the legs.  Tap/Tap out: An act of submission or “giving up” in which an opponent, hopelessly captured in a submission hold or being pummeled by strikes, taps the mat or his opponent in lue of blacking out or risking bodily harm.

V

Vale Tudo: Portuguese for “anything goes.” This term is made in reference to “no holds barred” fighting events that began in Brazil.

W

Welterweight (weight class): over 155 pounds to 170 pound fighters.

Wrestling: An ancient sport that dates back to the dawn of man.  Contestants use leverage and technique to accomplish takedowns and achieve and maintain advantageous positions. There are many variations and styles of wrestling. Although wrestling is not considered a formal martial art, its techniques for positioning and control on the ground are invaluable in the sport of mixed-martial arts.

Hope this helps you out. Now go watch some fight!