27 APR 08: OFF-THE-RIVER FEST
"It's kind of slow tonight," the restaurant server admitted to me. It was around 8:00 Saturday evening, and only about one-third of the tables were taken. And you thought only die-hard sports fans watched the pro football draft.
I looked around the wide-open spaces at this Airport Thruway restaurant, and wondered if that meant Broadway Springfest was filled with people. Uptown Columbus tried a new version of Riverfest this weekend - only this one had free admission to the grounds. And, I assume, at least one small table taking donations for the Historic Columbus Foundation.
I drove down Tenth Street on the way home from the restaurant, and found a couple of open parking spaces around the Government Center. That told me Broadway Springfest was not completely packed - at least not to the point where people were griping about walking entire block-and-a-half to the action.
This trip down Tenth Street occurred while a play was in progress at the Springer Opera House's little theatre, and the RiverCenter presented a concert by the country group "Cowboy Crush." We'll know those women have made it big if their name is applied to the Dallas Cowboys' defensive line.
Of course, a big sign on Tenth Street alerted drivers to free parking for Broadway Springfest in a parking deck. I didn't drive on to see how crowded it was. I didn't want to risk being the one-millionth driver - and lose my car in a sinkhole.
The timing was terrible for a sinkhole to develop downtown - but one did Friday afternoon, not far from the Broadway Springfest site. All kinds of work was performed for Streetscape, but you wonder if below-ground SewerScape repairs should have been accomplished first.
Broadway Springfest actually kicked off Friday, with artistic events for children. I had an errand to run at noon, and found plenty of students around a jazz band - while others did art work on the sidewalk a couple of blocks away. Maybe if Broadway businesses hired chalk artists, people who stare down a lot while walking might spend some money there.
The Friday night feature at Broadway Springfest was a musical tribute to Ma Rainey. Given her personal legacy, it's a bit surprising this wasn't staged one block away - at Club Odyssey on First Avenue.
Sonya Sorich's blog for the Ledger-Enquirer notes a new bar opened on Broadway, just in time for Springfest. It's a rock joint called "The Roadhouse." How many tourists are going to be embarrassed when they walk inside, and ask for steak dinners?
The biggest empty spot on Broadway right now may be the Bradley Theatre, near 13th Street. It's been empty for months, except for possibly housing the studios of WHAL-AM "Viva 1460" - but not even touring bands from Mexico perform there. It's as if the Ritmo Latino Club is their "green card zone" of safety.
E-MAIL UPDATE: We have two items in the InBox from the Russell-Bullock County line. This one reached us first:
I bought gas in Union Springs,AL for $3.34..When I got to Columbus it was over $3.50 .. Why so much more here?
I wonder if MCSD has considered going back to neighborhood schools to save fuel expenses?
I don't know about the second question, but I have a theory about the first one. Union Springs is well out in the country - and the news about a price hike needed a day or two to reach that town.
When I was in Montgomery last weekend, the gas prices seemed about the same as they are in Columbus. The standard price in Columbus has gone up about 20 cents a gallon since then. So when a Circle K store on Milgen Road was robbed Saturday, I think it was a mistake - as the robbers wanted the one giving away free gas for a year.
A few miles down the road from Union Springs, we find....
Sir Richard:
Just thought I would "ring your bell" with some news from "hurt'sboro. This week's Citizen has a front page story about the charter debacle. That thing should have been put to bed a month ago! Anyway; the wheels of justice are creeping forward - much to the consternation of the "powerful" in Phenix City!
Wednesday of this week it was reported that - The "Hurt'sboro police car was parked in front of an apartment complex in Phenix City! Chief Christian must be quite a man; he's seen headed in that direction on a regular basis.
One more thing - one of our city workers (Trash collection) is in jail. He is now; just another prisoner; with "time" on his hands!
Constable R.J. Schweiger
We should note that's Russell County Commission candidate R.J. Schweiger. He seems to have calmed down a bit, since entering the race - because you'll notice this e-mail doesn't call his opponents any names.
There could be many reasons why a Hurtsboro police car is parked in front of a Phenix City apartment complex. Let's see - maybe he was picking up a suspect to return to the city jail. Maybe the chief was consulting his attorney, about another mark on his police record. Or perhaps it's Hurtsboro's version of an undercover investigation.
We don't know the name of this Hurtsboro trash collector, who's reportedly under arrest. You don't think he stole parts from the Hurtsboro garbage truck....?!
By the way, we should note Robert Schweiger apparently has NOT been arrested since entering the Russell County Commission race. You'll recall former neighbor Sam Smith promised to have him arrested for harassment [30 Mar]. Perhaps Smith is waiting until he has more evidence - like one week before the Democratic primary.
After a couple of busy days, we have plenty of local news to catch up on....
+ More than 200 additional Third Brigade soldiers returned to Fort Benning. What concerns me as I drive around town is that I've only seen one sign welcoming the soldiers home - and that one is in front of the Cat Walk lounge. [True!]
+ Former deputy John Darr announced he'll run for Muscogee County Sheriff. No doubt he'll win the support of the drug education officers - who will put up "DARE FOR DARR" signs.
+ Firefighters were called to Peachtree Mall, after a sign above the old Parisian store burst into flames. This disappointed some customers, who were hoping Burger King had opened a restaurant in the food court.
+ A Lee County judge issued a "gag order" in the Courtney Lockhart case, based on the killing of Lauren Burk. As if I was writing jokes about this to begin with....
+ Some Auburn University students staged a "day of silence," in support of homosexual and bisexual people. I would have mentioned this event sooner, but nobody told me about it.
+ The male principal of Ladonia Elementary School wore a dress all day, because the school met a charity fund-raising goal. The timing of this seems terrible - since Q and U are barely back from their honeymoon.
+ The Atlanta Falcons used the third pick in the National Football League draft to take Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. It's nice to see the team is bringing back that old soap opera - Ryan's Hope.
+ Instant Message to the woman who dressed her seven nieces up for the "Disney on Ice" show in princess costumes: Were you actually trying to get them on TV? And was it simply to show them off - or was this a sneaky plug for a costume rental shop?
COMING THIS WEEK: A familiar local name is under fire again.... and a final report on our Blog Special Event....
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BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 615 (- 17, 2.7%)
TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 55-56: Running, 1.9 miles; walking, 1.6 miles. Total: 185.6 miles run, 20.1 walked
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