1 AUG 07: ISRAEL-LY

A group of eight politicians from Israel toured the Columbus area Tuesday. They stopped at the Riverwalk. They visited Fort Benning. But they must have wondered where in town we hid an authentic Jewish deli.

The Israeli politicians and political aides began their day with a visit to Columbus Council. They received "keys to the city" from Mayor Jim Wetherington. Hopefully they're smart enough NOT to try them out at Key Elementary School.

After lunch, the Israeli guests went to Fort Benning. WRBL showed a couple of them trying out rocket launchers on their shoulders. This revealed one difference between the U.S. and Israel - because in Israel, politicians actually are expected to operate such things.

Superior Court Judge Bobby Peters served as host for the visitors from Israel. And I noticed on the evening news that former Mayor Pro Tem Jack Rodgers joined the group for lunch. But something seemed to be missing - and what HAS Nathan Suber been doing since he left Columbus Council, anyway?

Judge Aaron Cohn joined Bobby Peters at a news conference with the Israeli politicians. And I thought I saw Rabbi Tom Friedman with the group at the Columbus Council meeting. The most powerful Jewish woman in Columbus was not visible - but Laurie Bernstein seemed to be busy with another story on the 11:00 p.m. news, anyway.

The delegation from Israel came to Columbus thanks to an organization called the "American Council of Young Political Leaders." It's an international exchange program of sorts, for people younger than 40. After age 40, of course, politicians go overseas mainly to beg business executives for new factories.

The group included what I heard one person describe as Israel's "answer to Tony Snow." Political party spokesman Gil Messing said Columbus showed hospitality unlike any other U.S. city. There's a good reason for this - we need something to take our minds off the recent surge in crime.

A City Council member who is part of the Israeli delegation said his country wants to hear, and wants to learn. That sounds nice - but somehow I think he'd draw the line at learning how to speak Arabic and bow toward Mecca.

(Alon Rozen added Israel is a "very young country." It turns 60 next spring - but too many rocket attacks from Gaza can make you feel a lot older in a hurry.)

"Columbus Day" for the Israeli delegation actually ended outside Columbus, as the group went to Atlanta's Turner Field for a baseball game. I'm not sure why they had to make this trip. The Catfish had a home game, and the group could have had a section of seats at Golden Park all to themselves.

I'm told the local hosts were a bit concerned about taking the Israeli guests to a baseball game. Baseball isn't commonly played there, the country started its first professional league only this year - and in Israel, a "double play" can mean fighting both the Palestinians and Hezbollah at the same time.

(A few Israelis may know the phrase "home run" - but they did it by quickly building settlements in the West Bank.)

With the Columbus International Festival less than two weeks away, will any other delegations from other countries pay our city a visit? Will a Palestinian group ask for the same special attention? And if such a group comes, will it be guarded by merely a couple of Columbus police officers - or the entire SWAT team?

E-MAIL UPDATE: Let's make this an international day, and move on to something German....

Hi, Just wanted to comment on the email you received about the German Restaurant, Al's Schnitzel Gasthaus. [30 Jul] Me, being German and immigrated here 24 years ago, this place is the best and most authentic German food you can get in Columbus. The food is cooked to order and a very good price (5.95 for lunch and 9.95 for a dinner, respectively). I have tried the Bavarian House and have to say that The Bavarian House is awful. I mean, if you wanted wilted lettuce and cold food, then by all means, go to The Bavarian House. But for great food and good prices, Al's is the place to go. Yes, the place is small and it might need to be painted, but there is no odor and German people cooking the food. The waitress takes your money and DOES NOT cook the food. Sure, you can see behind the counter into the kitchen, but I mean, you know what's going on. You hear some of the horror stories of restaurants and this can not and does not happen. Please post this up for all the people to see, so they will know that this is Authentic and Great German Food and have them all give it a try and you'll be hooked, JUST LIKE ME!!!

Tina Covington

Uh-oh - this rivalry could become as tense as the old East and West Germany. Where shall we build the wall, along West Britt David Road?

We've noted here before how the Bavarian House at Whittlesey and Weems has occasional live music. But the pairing of "Wally and Mike" may be a thing of the past, as the outdoor signs show Mike performing with others these days. Maybe Wally's preparing for yet another "Leave It to Beaver" reunion.

Now let's stop the world, and check Tuesday items which seemed a bit closer to home:

+ The PBS NewsHour interviewed the author of a new memoir called "Warm Springs." Susan Shreve went there for rehabilitation as a child, and she noted the clinic campus was laid out the same way Thomas Jefferson planned the University of Virginia. So all Warm Springs apparently lacks today is a 60,000-seat football stadium.

+ WRBL reported the Coca-Cola Bottling plant in Opelika will merge with the West Point plant in October, and be based in West Point. You probably won't notice any difference - unless you're one of the few people who still check the bottoms of glass Coke bottles.

+ An East Point, Georgia car dealer was arrested on charges of killing two employees. Police say the employees irritated their boss by constantly asking for a raise. Let's all learn a lesson from this - and never EVER ask a Saturn manager for a better deal on a car.

+ Atlanta's baseball team beat the trading deadline, to obtain Kansas City relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. The next two months will show if that rhymes with "hotel," as in penthouse - or "no till," as in basic farm soil.

+ Instant Message to Hardee's: Aw, c'mon! What do you mean by that new commercial saying "Guys don't bake?" What do you call it when men work all day in the summer sun without a shirt - broiling?

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