29 DEC 06: THOSE OLDIES BUT GOODIES

Go searching online for things about Columbus, and you might find the most interesting things. The other day, an e-mailer told us about a web site filled with Columbus history. The fact that it's not the Columbus Museum's web site seems a little bit unusual.

The online repository of all this history is kept by Columbus resident Jan Doolittle Page, and connected with the "Columbus Georgia Online" web site. It's called "Gone and Almost Forgotten Georgia." But before you get concerned -- it doesn't seem to promote a reforming of the confederacy, or a return to slavery.

The e-mailer directed me to a page called "Do You Remember..." Current and former Columbus residents are invited to share their memories -- and a fascinating variety of historical notes are there. If Bob Poydasheff's name isn't there, I suppose that's a good thing. But he's not "gone" from the mayor's office quite yet.

Even if you've lived in Columbus a few years, you're bound to learn something new and interesting simply from the "Do You Remember" page. For instance:

+ Broadway used to have a skating rink. It still does in a way - only late-night skateboarders now use the parking lot of Carmike Cinemas.

+ There was a restaurant called the Goo Goo, near Linwood Cemetery. Why it turned into a car wash, I have no idea.

+ The old Plaza Theater behind Cross Country Plaza had seats which rocked. How classic Southern can you get?

(I remember when the Plaza Theater was still open, as a discount movie house. Carmike Cinemas closed it shortly after I arrived. I think it's now used by Georgia Military College - where the rocking seats may be used as mock guerrillas.)

+ A radio station held what we used to call in Kansas a "treasure hunt" - a contest with clues, and prizes hidden around town. It was called here "the Rock of Columbus." And some people probably searched at Flat Rock Park every time.

+ South Lumpkin Road used to have a car race track - a perfect way to drown out those live-fire exercises at Fort Benning.

+ Gene Autry once appeared at the Comer Auditorium. Nowadays, it's not enough for a cowboy to sing or ride a horse - you have to stay on a bull for eight seconds.

+ A country music radio DJ named "Cuzzin Al" used to drink Nehi orange soda. But if he was on radio, how did you really know that?

+ Joey Lunn represented Columbus, and won the 1952 national Soap Box Derby. He was welcomed home with a parade down Broadway, riding with a "Derby Queen." I knew the Northern Little League team was lacking something....

+ Krystal burgers in the early 1970's cost between eight and ten cents each. That's probably still the cost to make one - but the price is now 59 cents.

+ A Fort Benning Road business used to let people jump on trampolines, for 30 minutes at a time. Talk about changing times! Now you rent time at Peachtree Mall to simply lie down and relax.

+ Washington and Green Bay once played an exhibition N.F.L. football game at Memorial Stadium. So if the Atlanta Falcons owner isn't satisfied with the Georgia Dome - hey, we're overdue down here.

+ Teenagers years ago listened to WBAM radio in Montgomery, instead of Columbus stations. From where I live, I can't pick up any Montgomery stations today - so maybe Continental Carbon has ruined the air more than we thought.

BLOG UPDATE: Well, well -- the TV news went to the mayor's office Thursday afternoon, and Bob Poydasheff was still there with some of his belongings. Even in his final week of office, he has trouble keeping his promises....

The evening news showed Bob Poydasheff's mayoral nameplate in a box, but still in the office. We have not heard if the Jim Wetherington campaign is paying for a moving truck, to haul it all away.

Bob Poydasheff said he hopes to be remembered for bringing people together in Columbus. How many disgruntled police officers laughed out loud when he said that?

A reporter asked Bob Poydasheff if he might run for office again someday - and the outgoing mayor laughed at the thought of it. Perhaps that's because Poydasheff is 76, and doesn't quite have the dashing good looks of Senator Robert Byrd.

Jim Wetherington happened to be at the Government Center, too. He praised Bob Poydasheff for helping him prepare for the mayor's job. As long as the former mayor is one of "his five" on his cell phone, there should be no problem.

Jim Wetherington again promised City Manager Isaiah Hugley will NOT be replaced. He also said he's keeping City Attorney Clifton Fay -- which should end those rumors that he'd appoint the son of former mayor Frank Martin. Of course, if we find out Fay shredded documents from the Revenue Office....

But not everyone from the Poydasheff administration will be carried over. WRBL showed a farewell reception Thursday for Ed Wilson, who's been executive assistant to the last two mayors. We'll see if Wilson heads for Washington, and gives one of those "release this when I'm dead" interviews to Bob Woodward.

I didn't realize until Thursday that Bob Poydasheff officially leaves the mayor's office when the new year begins Sunday night. Jim Wetherington doesn't take the oath of office until Tuesday noon. So for 36 hours, who will be in charge of Columbus? Can City Manager Isaiah Hugley give himself a temporary raise?

Now for other items from the final Thursday of 2006:

+ An Atlanta image consulting firm released a list of the year's most UN-charismatic Georgians. Governor Sonny Perdue was first, followed by election opponent Mark Taylor. What would this company think of the "Bang Bang" and "Boom Boom" ladies at Fireworks Outlet?

+ Former Senator John Edwards announced he's running for President again. You may recall he came to Columbus during the 2004 campaign [24 Feb 04], using a theme of "Two Americas." But now that we have One Columbus, I'm not sure which America we're in.

+ Former Jordan High School running back Dantrell Savage scored a touchdown and rushed for 112 yards, as Oklahoma State stopped Alabama (as we predicted) 34-31 in the Independence Bowl. 'Bama broadcaster Eli Gold said the Tide used its "full retinue of timeouts" trying to psych out the Cowboys before the winning field goal - and O.S.U. fans couldn't stand the eternal retinue service.

(Things were really confusing in my living room at about 5:10 p.m. Alabama scored a touchdown, while Senator Barack Obama was chatting with Oprah Winfrey on NBC-38 -- and I kept waiting for Eli Gold to yell, "Oh! Bama!")

+ A state senator announced military personnel now can listen to Georgia and Georgia Tech sports events online at no charge. You mean broadcasts of Army's losing football team simply aren't good enough?

+ Instant Message to whomever held up three businesses in three different parts of Columbus Wednesday night: if you're stealing money for gasoline, why don't you conserve - and rob three businesses in the same block, walking from one to the other?

2006 IN REVIEW CONTINUED: November was a decisive month across our area. Jim Wetherington won the Mayor's race. Governors Sonny Perdue and Bob Riley won reelection. And Judge Bobby Peters finally decided to marry someone.

Columbus police were busy on November weekends, cracking down on crimes along Broadway. And then the bar owners wonder why they can't open early Sunday night....

The Phenix City Council voted in November to raise the mayor's pay to $50,000 - then a few weeks later took it back. Given that vote and what happened with Club Roc, I'm not sure that "Phenixian" development by the river ever will be built.

Health issues surfaced around the area in November. Auburn banned public smoking. Goldens' Foundry had a tuberculosis scare. And the Iron Bowl again proved losing can be fatal to head football coaches.

A construction crew broke a major water main in November, causing a big gush of water at the Columbus Airport. So we already know where to put the fountain, when they build the new business hotel....

Harris County won a state championship during November, for its cheerleading squad. I assume those young women have had dates every weekend ever since....

Some local traditions continued as usual in November. Horses ran in the Steeplechase. Football teams played in the Fountain City Classic. And the organizers of "SOA Watch" and "God Bless Fort Benning" practiced the fine art of fudging numbers.

Then came December, with the first Winterfest at the RiverCenter. I can't wait for the 2007 schedule to come out - with the first Jerry Barnes "Pops Concert."

December has brought the mushrooming of "landfill-gate" in Columbus city government. Hey, I have a way to get the money back! Work out a contract with the state, to dump all those defective Georgia state maps.

December has been a big sports month in Columbus. Carver and Shaw had their big Georgia Dome showdown. Talk surfaced of a possible new indoor soccer team. And gangs reportedly are playing quite a game of hide-and-seek at the Columbus Public Library.

December also has been a month of contrasts in our area. WHAL "Viva 1460" has a new Sunday show called "Salsa Gorda," which is Spanish for Fat Salsa. On the other hand, there's the new fashion design program at Columbus State University....

COMING THIS WEEKEND: An old tradition at this blog continues, while we try to start a new one....

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