11 FEB 09: Just a Little Taste

Our title today was stated by a beggar we met in Savannah during a vacation in 1993. In fact, he stopped us twice seeking food - on a Sunday night at the riverfront, and the next morning as we toured downtown. He remembered me only when I offered to buy him lunch at the Hyatt Regency hotel, where I was staying. It simply was too nice a place for him....

During our second conversation, the beggar confessed about what he really wanted. "I won't lie to you, sir. I'm trying to get some alcohol.... If I can have just a little taste!" No, I refused to let him have it. He should have selected a restaurant the night before which served beer-battered onion rings.

This 16-year-old incident came to my mind Tuesday, when I heard about a new proposal before Columbus Council. It would change the zoning rules for restaurants, and allow some alcohol sales next to parks and churches. It could be like a progressive "grape juice tasting" on Sundays - first at communion, then at dinner.

Right now Columbus bars disallows restaurants from serving alcohol if they're within 300 feet of a church or park. You KNEW there was a reason why the "Tavern Off Broadway" downtown isn't all the way over at First Avenue, didn't you? The Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches might be tempted to have a traditional Scottish Sunday.

Columbus city officials want to do away with the 300-foot rule, to allow what's being called "traditional restaurants" close to churches and parks. WRBL explained a traditional restaurant primarily sells food, but could sell a little alcohol. Chick-Fil-A and Wendy's simply don't realize what they've been missing.

A "traditional restaurant" would have other restrictions, under this proposed ordinance. If it had a patio or deck, alcohol would be banned there - and so would musical instruments. We don't want any professionals showing up the church organist next door.

City officials admit this proposed rule change has one part of town in mind. The goal is to bring more restaurants to Columbus South - which seems strange, because it has several restaurants now. And I can't believe people stopped dining at the old Denny's on Victory Drive because Fort Benning soldiers couldn't buy beer there.

One current restaurant owner on Victory Drive is rooting for this ordinance to pass. Al's Schnitzel Gasthaus serves German food, but apparently can't serve beer with it. So? Serve those all-American colas, and remind the customers which side won World War II.

But anyway: I didn't realize Columbus South had so many churches, which kept "traditional restaurants" from locating there due to the 300-foot rule. Those congregations certainly haven't kept nightclubs with sexy dancers away....

Besides, I could argue the alcohol trend in Columbus South is downward. The South Commons Package Store on Victory Drive has been boarded up for weeks. So even if the quality of restaurants improves, people still would have to drive to Northlake Parkway to get nice bottles of wine for the rest of the week.

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BLOG UPDATE: The Federal Communications Commission issued a complete list Tuesday of which TV stations will make "The Big Switch" next week. It turns out WRBL will not turn off analog broadcasting after all. The station probably had to pull back - else it would only be "on your side" if you're wealthy enough to afford a converter box.

We already knew WLTZ was switching to digital TV next Tuesday, no matter what. Only one other local station will join it - as WJSP TV-28 will switch with all the GPB stations across Georgia after midnight. So to keep watching "This Old House," you'll need that newfangled set.

(Speaking of PBS -- when do you think the first old-fashioned analog TV will be appraised on "Antiques Roadshow?")

The four-month delay ordered by Congress means WLGA has had to withdraw its announcements saying "The CW-47" was coming this month. It remains "The CW-66." How I wish the stock market had given me four months' warnings of a big drop in numbers last summer.

Let's see what else made the Tuesday news....

+ Former Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff told GPB Radio propane tanks were used to set fire to the Fort Benning JAG building last weekend. With federal agents involved in the investigation, no mobile home park is safe.

+ Russell County Commissioner Ronald Reed offered more details about his proposal to name Broad Street in Phenix City after President Obama. Reed says Phenix City Councilors want to be "patient," and wait to see what the new President accomplishes. After all, winning four elections hasn't earned Mayor Sonny Coulter his own street.

+ The top two executives at Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital in Phenix City resigned. Neither one will be replaced, in a cost-cutting move. Some Republicans heard this and said to themselves, "Why didn't we think of that before the November election?"

+ Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine announced he's taken a five-percent pay cut for several months. Oxendine challenged other top state officials to do the same - but for some reason, he never said which staff member whined loudly enough to pick up that extra money.

+ The Georgia Senate unanimously voted to bar convicted sex offenders from running for school boards. One such offender in Newton County actually ran for the school board last year. So when is he running for county commission, and going on a baby-kissing tour?

+ A teacher at Harris County Carver Middle School was named a finalist for 2010 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Merrill Cheyne teaches drama, English, journalism - and has helped launch the Harris County Community Theatre. So if she cried after hearing the news, ask yourself if those tears were real.

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