19 JUL 05: DON'T EVEN GO THERE?

A meeting was held on Buena Vista Road Monday night about how to improve security at a Columbus nightclub. A lot was at stake here -- the club's reputation, the lives of customers, and whether Fort Benning soldiers can celebrate graduation from basic training there.

The meeting occurred at Club Antifreeze, where someone was shot in the leg in the parking lot late Saturday night. Maybe there's part of the security answer right there -- block off the parking lot, and make all the customers arrive by METRA bus instead of stretch limos.

WRBL reported the Saturday night trouble began with a fight inside Club Antifreeze -- which in the classic barroom tradition was "taken outside." This is where I thought the old Choctaw Grill on Macon Road had a great idea years ago. They set up a ring for pro wrestlers in the parking lot every so often. [True!]

I'm hearing Club Antifreeze wants off-duty police officers to work there as guards -- but the Columbus Police Department has a policy against working at nightclubs. I suppose this approach protects the force. But visitors must scratch their heads a little, and wonder why so many officers guard church services.

WXTX "News at Ten" reported Club Antifreeze decided to make several changes, in light of the shooting:

+ Ten extra guards will be hired. If David Glisson keeps wearing sunglasses, this could be the break he's been waiting for.

+ Customers no longer can wear tennis shoes. I'm guessing this is designed to slow down getaways.

+ The club won't let customers wear athletic apparel. So much for attracting the upscale crowd from Cooper Creek Tennis Center....

(Then again, maybe this is how the weekend trouble started. Someone said, "My swoosh is bigger than your swoosh.")

By the way, WRBL noted the manager of Club Antifreeze was cited after the shooting for having minors inside his club. Apparently teenagers are expected to hang out at a convenience store across the street on Buena Vista Road - and ask for fake ID's there.

BLOG UPDATE: The wrestling match over the proposed library sculpture goes back before Columbus Council today. The Muscogee County Library Board voted Monday to have the Council vote for or against it in writing. That's what we like to see - community groups working together to promote literacy.

Several Library Board members believe they have a valid contract with Albert Paley for his "Transformation" sculpture. But Columbus Councilors have spoken against how the proposed artwork looks and costs. Maybe if we placed it sideways along Cherokee Avenue, as a partial guardrail....

Did you hear Library Board member and Ledger-Enquirer executive Billy Winn talk about the proposed sculpture? He admitted he "genuinely likes it." OK, then let's change the "Streetscape" design for Broadway. Put the sculpture in front of the newspaper office, string line to the pillar in front of the RiverCenter, and move ski-lift cars back and forth.

The Library Board apparently did NOT talk Monday about looking for private funds to pay for "Transformation." Of course, that could turn into a bidding war - with opponents raising money to ship it to the Chattahoochee River and sink it.

We need to update another item, which we mentioned Monday. The weapon-pointing charge against Columbus Police officer Gregory Diltz actually was dropped on Friday, one day after it was filed. This could mean Diltz is faster than Lightning - officer Larry Lightning, who was charged for a day last year.

Now fast and furious facts from a sizzling Monday:

+ The evening news showed work crews tearing down Mockingbird Mobile Home Park. An agreement was reached with the park owner and a bankruptcy court to begin demolition. Those of you with new cigarette lighters will have to test them somewhere else.

+ Phenix City Police began regular patrols on a new fleet of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Please show some respect for law enforcement - and do NOT call these officers "pigs on Hawgs."

(Police say the motorcycles will save Phenix City money on gas. And if some Hollywood producer decides to do a new version of "Chips," they're ready.)

+ Alabama Attorney General Troy King attached a metal tracking bracelet to his ankle. He plans to wear it throughout the upcoming special legislative session, to show he wants changes in sex offender laws. I hope Martha Stewart contacts King, with the web site where she learned how to take that bracelet off.

+ Pacelli High School held its traditional "Midnight Madness" to kick off football practice. But the football field's lights wouldn't work, so the team practiced in front of fans with their car headlights on. Hopefully Sears was told about this in advance, to record a Diehard battery commercial.

+ Instant Message to the new Columbus blog "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly": It's humbling to know I inspired you to start blogging. But if I did, you need to explain why you tipped off another local blog to your web site first.

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $2.10 a gallon at Citgo on Fifth Street.... boxes of Chips Ahoy cookies for $1 at Walgreens.... and especially for Democrats, it's "Blues Brothers" night at the Catfish game....

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