27 APR 07: FULLY FESTED
A perfect rainbow arched above the Historic District for a while Thursday evening. But it should have been the evening other things showed up - such as artists, vendors and giant grills for cooking barbecue. About the only cooks I saw on a sunset walk were Trade Center workers huddled under a gazebo.
On any other last weekend in April, today would mark the launch of Riverfest -- the annual street party which had a mix of local art and funnel cakes, and musicians ranging from the Dixie Chicks to James Brown to local groups. Not to mention the convicts doing "community service" by cleaning it all up on Sunday night....
On any other last weekend in April, cooking teams would have been preparing for the "Pig Jig" in the vicinity of Seventh and Broadway. Unless, of course, the event had to be called off because of all the hog farms suddenly placed under quarantine.
But alas, this is NOT any other last weekend in April -- because this year, there is no Riverfest. The Historic Columbus Foundation decided to cancel it for this year. Yet my GPB program guide doesn't show any "This Old House" marathon is on, to warrant this move....
Attendance at Riverfest dropped 70 percent in a five-year span, so the Historic Columbus Foundation decided to take a year off to regroup. If it works for them, the Columbus Catfish might be inspired to do the same thing and move out of town.
So what's the Historic Columbus Foundation with its free time, on what should have been Riverfest weekend? We called the office Thursday afternoon to find out. A man named Ben answered the phone, and indicated the Foundation simply was conducting its usual business. I think that means they're counting the days until the next thing becomes historic.
Ben told your blog the Historic Columbus Foundation has a "Riverfest Task Force," which is considering its options for the future. That's about all he's allowed to say publicly. Anyone who leaks more details might have to wear the pig mascot all weekend next year.
But when we specifically asked if Ben could say for sure there will be a 2008 Riverfest, his answer was intriguing: "I can't answer that right now." So he opened the possibility that what was first billed as a one-year break might be something more - and the civil rights groups which threatened a boycott two years ago can start one of their own.
The Historic Columbus Foundation had an alternative fund-raising event last November. Ben told me a 40th anniversary dinner was held, featuring a speech by political historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. I don't recall this dinner or this guest - which must show why we need a foundation like this.
Ben said the November dinner brought in a good amount of money for the Historic Columbus Foundation. But he noted you only have a 40th anniversary celebration once. Of course, some older women never seem to have a 40th birthday at all....
The Riverfest Task Force may be weighing its future plans carefully, in light of all the other events that have rushed to fill its annual spot on the calendar. Consider what's scheduled this weekend:
1. Public radio's "Prairie Home Companion" live at the RiverCenter. It will be interesting to see if the cast brings tumbleweeds, to make it more lifelike.
2. A country music concert at the Civic Center, featuring Brad Paisley. One of these days Prince should perform with him, to bring "Paisley Park" full-circle.
3. A Sunday afternoon outdoor music bash, on the lawn next to the Columbus State University RiverPark campus. That happens to be the old site of Riverfest -- so who's bringing the corn on a stick?
4. A four-day free outdoor seminar, presented by Seventh-Day Adventists at the Phenix City Amphitheater. The Adventists once offered health screenings at Riverfest - so this event on being free from fear could mean everyone's in good shape now.
5. Auburn CityFest in Kiesel Park. Unlike most years of Riverfest, dog-walking actually is welcomed there.
6. Jubilee CityFest in Montgomery has been moved up a month, from Memorial Day weekend to this weekend. Are they planning a jazz funeral, for what ought to be their competition?
7. "Fiesta Columbus," which actually has its second year next week at South Commons. We'll see if the illegal immigration protesters actually show up this time.
It's that last event which actually seems to pose the biggest long-term threat to Riverfest. Fiesta Columbus is put on by the Civic Center, as opposed to a nonprofit group like the Historic Columbus Foundation. That can mean a Columbus Lions game during the Fiesta, while.... hey, wait a minute! Why don't they play football games on the grass in the middle of Broadway?
E-MAIL UPDATE: We started with a rainbow sighting, and now we have a message on a rainbow of topics....
Richard, The new traffic light has finally been installed at the intersection of Opelika Rd and Cutrate Rd in Phenix City. January 2006 it was announced that the light would be installed because of the large number of traffic accidents at the intersection. So.... 15 months and many more accidents later the light is finally installed and operational. That's an example of why people talk about government being so slow. I wonder how long it would have taken a private contractor to install the light.
By the way the last time I went to the Armour Rd Urgent Care Center I only had a 30 minute wait but then again I showed up right before closing time.
Since Deborah Owens has her own site and you have provided links to it I think it's unnecessary for you to print all her lengthy essays reference the Library Board. Anyone who is interested can go to her site to read them. I fear if you're not careful she will take over your interesting and funny blog.
Barbara
I don't know how much time would have been saved in installing that traffic light -- but it probably would have been done at a very Cut-rate.
Be careful what you wish for, though. Some parts of the country have privatized toll roads. Now they're owned by companies based in other countries, and charging whatever they please. Next thing you know, you'd have to pay in "euros" instead of dollars - and our country is sunk.
Sometimes I've wondered if some writers to this blog are attempting their own version of a "hostile takeover." Longtime readers will remember the
"IsOurCitySafe" e-mailer, who wanted changes in city government to improve public safety. I haven't heard from him since Jim Wetherington became Mayor - so maybe he's helping Bob Poydasheff find full-time work.
Speaking our public safety, that begins our check of Thursday news headlines....
+ The National Insurance Crime Bureau declared Columbus has the highest car theft rate in Georgia, and 23rd highest in the country. Police suggested not enough people lock their cars at gas stations. Maybe that's because a tank of gas can cost more than some older cars.
+ G.B.I. agents were called to Talbotton Central High School, amid concerns about a mysterious package outside an administration building. It turned out a teacher apparently misplaced a bag. If students are told to put their names on all their belongings, why not the teachers?
+ WXTX "News at Ten" talked to contractors on Manchester Expressway, who explained the controversial repaving project outside Miller Road is NOT finished yet. Drivers apparently only think it is, because crews switched to the other side of the road. I think this approach is known as equal opportunity bumpiness.
+ The Columbus Chamber of Commerce named Carrabba's restaurant its "Small Business Giant of the Year." The business qualified for the small business category by not going beyond "Table 31."
+ A local group announced it's bought full ownership of the Columbus Lions indoor football team. So the team changed owners, after only seven games?! Coach Jason Gibson had better keep winning....
+ New national rankings showed Columbus State is the top-rated Division II softball team in the country. The Lady Cougars have won 50 games - which puts them above about half the teams in the pro basketball playoffs.
+ The Georgia high school soccer playoffs opened, with Brookstone's girls rolling over Rutland 8-0. The visitors might as well have invited Dr. Carole Rutland to play with them....
SCHEDULED THIS WEEKEND: An e-mailer's "thoughts" about a mega-church.... and a Blog Special Event that's been a long time coming....
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