And the first order of business is hiring Alex Pickett back. And then firing him again. Right before Christmas.

The final chapter is closing in on the 10-month soap opera that is the Creative Loafing bankruptcy case. Today, Tampa bankruptcy court Judge Caryl E. Delano tentatively approved the bidding procedures of the upcoming new equity auction on August 25. Based on the winner of that auction, Creative Loafing will emerge from bankruptcy with or without new owners.

I’m pretty sure we’ll buy it, just a matter of checking on some Swiss bank accounts and calling in that IOU from Steve Jobs. I swear, that guy, you’d think he’d be better at managing his money.

Read all about it on Alex’s blog.