19 JUL 07: PORKER AFTER DARK

The Wednesday news included a strange crime story from downtown Columbus. Police say a man was shot outside the downtown Country's Barbecue, after an argument over a glass of water. This is why the fountains on Broadway need to be operational 24 hours a day.

The Country's Barbecue on Broadway closed Tuesday night at 10:00. The shooting occurred between 11:30 and midnight. There may be a good reason why the Country's "Midnight Express Run" in midtown happens only once a year....

I had barbecue on my mind around midnight Tuesday night, but for a different reason. I wanted to check a local restaurant, which has been promoting a four-hour "Late-Night BBQ." For all I knew, Conan O'Brien could be coming to Columbus for a special show.

"Thornton's Late-Night BBQ" said the roadside sign along Cusseta Road when I drove by last weekend. The posted hours were 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Reverse the p.m. and a.m., and you might have Minnie's Restaurant on Eighth Street - or any other business owner on Cusseta Road which knows the neighborhood's reputation.

Thornton's BBQ is a short walk down Cusseta Road from the club once known as the notorious Boom Boom Room. It's now the "VS" club, but the property is still on Fort Benning's list as being off-limits to soldiers. It's apparently better to have the Army vs. al-Qaeda in Iraq, than VS some Columbus drunk.

So right after Wednesday's blog entry was posted, I hopped in the car at 12:13 a.m. and drove to Thornton's BBQ. I admittedly was uncertain about what I'd find. Would customers be standing outside, trying to mooch a free meal from me? Would this barbecue really be selling something else in the middle of the night -- and the vice squad was about to raid it?

It was "Throw Back Night" at the VS Lounge, and people were outside chatting at about 12:20 a.m. After all the recent drive-by shootings, I'm not sure how wise that is. But then again, it's at a corner with a traffic light - so a shooter stuck on red would be less likely to escape.

Moments later we reached Thornton's BBQ - but the "late-night" was off the sign outside, and the restaurant was closed. So it's not open at midnight every night of the week. Maybe the manager waits for a night when clubs along Cusseta Road are more likely to be over the fire marshal's limit.

I turned around in the Thornton's parking lot and drove home, not stopping at VS or anywhere else for a "consolation prize." After all, the only real place where you COULD stop was a package store on Tenth Avenue - and I'm not sure if it even sells barbecue-flavored corn chips.

So what's really cooking at Thornton's BBQ? I drove back Wednesday afternoon to find out - and the attendant explained its late-night service is on weekends only. That makes sense, considering the closest weeknight "night shift" to the restaurant is probably dancing in Victory Drive clubs.

The late-night barbecue sales began about a month ago at Thornton's. The restaurant manager was gone on Wednesday, so I couldn't ask him how successful it is. And the attendant didn't know, because she only works the day shift -- when things at this barbecue stand probably are mild, instead of hot and fiery.

We'll have to watch and see if Thornton's has found a new dining idea, with late-night weekend barbecue. Cusseta Road is well north of Victory Drive, where several fast-food restaurants offer 24-hour drive-through service every night. And it's in a part of Columbus where people are more likely to be shot in the ribs at 1:00 a.m., than eat them.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Is another school shakeup looming?

Richard, The Lee County, AL Board of Education has scheduled a called meeting tomorrow evening (Thurs. 6 p.m.CT) to discuss placing the Superintendent, Mr. John Painter, in another position for the remainder of his contract. Obviously, they would then hire another Superintendent. Consequently we will be paying two Superintendent salaries! I've heard rumors for several years that some individuals were not happy with Mr. Painter however I've never seen anything official in the media about this matter. Several years ago Mr. Painter and the Board hired his wife for a position that required a college degree although she didn't have one. Then when the matter was made public the job description was changed so she could meet the qualifications. Then a couple of years ago a Special Ed teacher at Smiths Station Elementary School was promoted into the job of Public Relations/Media Director for the school system. According to some system employees this individual had no degrees or experience in this field and the job wasn't opened up for other system employees who might have been qualified to apply. This individual then ran for state representative against Leslie Vance. Then there is the rumor that the city of Smiths Station wants to take over most of the Lee County Schools and start their own school system. That move would remove the majority of students from the Lee County system.

Since the majority of Lee County students reside in the Smiths area it sure would be helpful if some of the local media would report on Lee County School Board Meetings. Area residents need to know what is going on with our School Board.

Richard, you usually stay on top of the news so can you tell us what's going on?

Sad to say, I know little more than you do about this one. Maybe Lee County officials noticed the Superintendent openings in Macon and Russell Counties, and decided it was time to join the fun.

The Wednesday night news actually mentioned the called meeting -- and the Opelika-Auburn News reported John Painter would become a "Special Assistant" in the Lee County schools. This role has had several titles over the years. I think Muscogee County schools used to call them para-professionals - and when I was young, they were Student Teachers.

The Lee County school web site offered no clue about a change Wednesday night. In fact, I couldn't even find a mention of tonight's special school board meeting. But "Institute Day" is coming up for teachers in early August - perhaps for kindergarten teachers who don't have to be institutionalized over the summer.

We'll have to ask around about those Smiths Station rumors. I'm not sure the city has enough money to take over several schools right now. But I know Long Buildings will want to be part of any expansion projects.

We'll see what happens at that meeting tonight - and now let's look back at what happened around the area Wednesday:

+ Ground was broken for a new 120-room Suburban Extended Stay Hotel on Victory Drive. Before you get too thrilled about this, consider the small motels on Victory Drive which are slowly fading away. They're locally owned, have lower prices and more intimate.... well, you probably have heard the stories about HOW intimate....

+ Phenix City officials said the Alatrade poultry plant under construction will have about 800 employees - more than 200 above the original estimate. I'm apparently not the only one who's noticed the high price of ground beef.

+ Atlanta's baseball team announced the signing of Julio Franco - the first baseman who turns 49 in August. I'm a bit surprised the San Francisco 49ers football team didn't sign him as a publicity stunt.

(It's a good thing Julio Franco wasn't in Atlanta Wednesday. The baseball game went 15 innings - and at his age, he might need to take a nap after 12.)

+ Instant Message to Michael Vick: I'm on the side of those who say you're innocent until proven guilty. But so you can plan possible lawsuits after the trial - Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio was the first one I heard nickname you "Con."

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