Pandemic shakes up Olympic gymnastics qualification

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The United States, Russia and China were each given an extra entry to the Olympic women’s gymnastics competition in Tokyo on Wednesday after the coronavirus pandemic forced a shake-up in qualifying.

The International Gymnastics Federation said it was canceling its all-around World Cup series of events because of the pandemic.

Those events were supposed to offer countries one extra spot for the postponed Tokyo Games, helping the top nations to compensate after Olympic teams were reduced in size from five athletes to four.

FIG is going back to 2019 world championship results to determine those places.

That means the United States, Russia and China get one extra women’s spot each, and that Russia, China and Japan each receive an extra men’s spot. All of those countries had already qualified a four-person team for the men’s and women’s competitions.

A socially distanced pop-up version of Mooby’s, the fictional fast-food restaurant featured in several Kevin Smith movies, is open for business inside the Van Buren in downtown Phoenix through Feb. 14.

Tickets are available for prepaid pickup at https://www.thevanburen phx.com, but most days have sold out.

Smith has teamed up with the group behind recent pop-culture pop-up restaurants Saved By The Max (based on a hangout in the 90s sitcom “Saved by the Bell”) and The Peach Pit (from the show “Beverly Hills 90210”) to create a pop-up version of the restaurant, which has previously popped up in L.A., New Jersey, Chicago and Toronto.

The fictional fast-food chain is named for its mascot, Mooby the Golden Calf, a fictional children’s television character based in part on Barney the Dinosaur.

Mooby’s first appeared in Smith’s fourth movie, “Dogma,” with subsequent appearances in “Clerks: The Animated Series,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and “Clerks II.”

How to get ‘authentic fake fast food’

Fans can purchase tickets in advance

and place their food orders online. There will be scheduled pick-up times, outdoor check-ins and other safety measures in place.

Each ticket is $29 and includes a Mooby’s Meal with your selection of a Moo Main and a Salt Lick Side (vegan and non vegan options available).

Mooby’s Soda, Mooby’s Four Peaks Beer, additional Salt Lick Side items, desserts and merchandise (including a special Phoenix Suns-themed Mooby’s shirt) are also available to order in advance or can also be purchased upon pickup.

Any menu item may be purchased a la carte. The Cow Tipper (two smashed cow patties, American cheese, pickles, chopped onions and Mooby’s sauce) is $14. As fast-food burgers go? It’s really good, although you’re clearly paying extra for the novelty of eating something called a Cow Tipper at a Mooby’s that will only be in Phoenix through Valentine’s Day.

There’s also Cow Tipper made with Beyond “meat” for a dollar extra, a $14 chicken sandwich whose full name we are not at liberty to print and a Beyond Brat for $12.

Onion rings and Hater Totz (also available as vegan) are $8. Cookies and

Cow Pie brownies are $7.

In addition to food, the pop-up features opportunities for fans to take photos and immerse themselves in the world of Kevin Smith. There are giant inflatables at the entrance of Bluntman and Chronic with posters and autographed photos from Smith films in the venue’s lobby.

Even the Van Buren’s Martin Van Buren bust got in the spirit. It’s wearing a Mooby’s mask and shirt.

Mooby the Golden Calf was on hand for the pop-up’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Feb. 5, but there’s no indication that he plans on making more appearances throughout the run.

Smith shared the news that the popup was coming to Phoenix on social media.

“The first @moobyspopup of opens in PHOENIX, ARIZONA month!,” he wrote on Facebook. 2021 next

“And with our staggered reservation system, you can stay safe and socially distant as you’re snapping selfies when you come to pick up your authentic fake fast food!”

Masks are required to enter and must be worn properly, covering the patron’s nose and mouth. None of this chinmask nonsense.

There are Mooby’s signs throughout the venue urging customers to “Keep one cow apart.” And to be clear on how much space a cow requires, the sign adds, “at least six feet.”

There’s limited patio seating available and those tables are well over 6 feet apart, maybe closer to 12 or 15 feet apart. It’s definitely not a crowded patio.

Fans can join the mailing list https://www.MoobysPopUp.com more information. at for

DAVID WALLACE/THE REPUBLIC Raymond Fawcett, left, of Glendale takes a selfie with Jared Bernal of Phoenix, dressed up as “Bluntman” from Kevin Smith’s movies, at the grand opening of Mooby’s at the Van Buren on Feb. 5.

Tawny Wall of the Van Buren, takes an order from Miguel Aguilar of Phoenix at the grand opening of filmmaker Kevin’s Smith’s pop-up restaurant, Mooby’s, at the Van Buren in downtown Phoenix on Feb. 5. Mooby’s was a fictional fast food restaurant in several of Kevin Smith’s movies. Mooby’s will be at the Van Buren through mid-February.

Local radio personality Mo, left, from ALT AZ 93.3, gets a bag of merchandise from Luke Taylor at the grand opening of Mooby’s, at the Van Buren in Phoenix on Feb. 5.

PHOTOS BY DAVID WALLACE/THE REPUBLIC People and oversize blow-ups of “Bluntman and Chronic” are on display at the grand opening of Mooby’s at the Van Buren in downtown Phoenix on Feb. 5.

The Mooby’s mascot is seen at the grand opening of filmmaker Kevin Smith’s pop-up restaurant, Mooby’s.

Smith