13 APR 09: Ten Months Later

From what I saw, Sunday afternoon appeared to be a typical Sunday in South Commons. The Civic Center was empty, after being used for a worship service during the morning. The stands at Golden Park were empty - with only 900 fewer fans than there would have been if the Catfish still were in town.

But at mid-afternoon, several people were using the skateboard park at South Commons. I'd say the park has become a "hangout" for young people - except I don't think you "hang ten" with a skateboard, like you do with a surfboard.

The new Jonathan Hatcher Skateboard Park had its grand opening over the weekend. This may surprise some of you, who recall we mentioned the park was in use last summer [9 Jun 08]. The skateboarders either were there illegally, or conducting secret time trials.

The skateboard park was closed by the city last August, because construction was still underway. But the fencing came down in September, and it's been a busy place on weekends since last fall. Skateboarders apparently were able to jump over anyone still doing preparation work.

Several improvements have been made to the skateboard park over the last ten months. The area now has lights, and a nice black fence now surrounds it. No, I don't think any BMX biker has tried to get a running start from the Oglethorpe Bridge to jump over it.

(The city did something right with that black fence, you know. Spray-painting graffiti on it is practically impossible.)

So why did the city wait until last Saturday to hold the "grand opening" of the skateboard park? Good question - and Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin really didn't a good answer on the weekend news. She admitted the location has been "packed" on some weekends. But the skateboarders apparently forgot to bring a ribbon to cut and balloons to launch.

Columbus park officials say one thing will change with the skateboard park's grand opening. All boarders and bikers will be required to wear helmets. After all, the city now officially realizes they're there - so the city is liable for damages.

One mother of a skateboarder told WRBL last week Columbus needs a second skateboard park on the north side of town. In her words: "Columbus is BIG!" You can always spot the people who have never visited Atlanta....

But the skateboard park was put in South Commons for a reason. City officials hope it will help revitalize Columbus South. That may happen in the process of time - but for now, the closest restaurant for tired teenagers after a full day of skateboarding is Bludau's on Broadway.

-> If you missed Sunday's "Heads-Up Poker" action on TV, check our thoughts about it at our other blog, "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: Weekend messages focused on two Columbus favorites, both beginning with B. First there's baseball....

Many in this area who wanted to watch or listen to Saturday night's Braves-Nationals game were totally out of luck. Knology Cable didn't carry the game (Peachtree TV?) anywhere in its basic lineup, or at least I couldn't find it.

WRCG-AM is still inaudible at night, at least in north Columbus (the strongest station I could hear on 1420 was playing country music), and the Braves flagship at 640 AM can't be heard here at night either. Unlike last year, there didn't seem to be a local FM frequency picking up the broadcast.

The irony of it all is that I could listen to the Gwinnett Braves (on WDUN 550 AM in Gainesville)!

Inexcusable. Wonder how the Braves organization would feel about being so poorly represented in Georgia's second largest city.

K.S.

We checked the online TV Guide listings for Columbus Knology cable, and Peachtree TV was supposed to have Saturday's baseball game on channels 28 and 95. Maybe someone at the Knology office became caught up watching NCAA women's bowling on ESPN-U, and forgot to flip a switch.

It's strange but true: while Clear Channel stations carry major league baseball in Atlanta, the games have been on the former McClure Broadcasting stations in Columbus for years. WRCG's web site is posting daily summaries of Atlanta games. Now if someone would remind them Paul Harvey is still there, six weeks after his death....

One alternative for local major league baseball fans might be to try WMAC-AM 940 from Macon. I've picked up broadcasts there from time to time. The station's home page didn't promote that Sunday, for some reason. That's what happens when your team misses the playoffs for a few years.

Our online search for answers Sunday night led to a different surprise. We didn't realize the owner of the only AM radio in Americus has applied to move the station all the way to Gwinnett County. Are they sure all the Sumter County farmers have FM radios in their tractors by now?

Warning: the other e-mailed "B word" could make you hungry....

You have to try Ed's BBQ in Phenix City..The BBQ is good but the meats and veggies on the serving line make me proud to be from the south..Go across 13th St Bridge..watch for Phenix CB&T on the right..at the next cut in the median turn left..that ends at Ed's parking lot..happy eating

This bragging about barbecue apparently was inspired by our promise to talk about an area restaurant before long -- but it's NOT this restaurant. That cuts the guessing game to about 300 other locations....

I've admittedly never eaten at Ed's -- but I realize the mere mention of this restaurant is going to spark a debate. It's barbecue. It's the deep South. Plenty of people are loyal to their favorite. And I won't even go near the argument that real barbecue should be beef, instead of pork.

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION is moving this debate about the best barbecue to an online voting booth. Yes, we have a B.B.Q. about BBQ - and we've listed Ed's alongside four other familiar local names. If your choice isn't there, vote for "Other" and make your case in a comment. But please, don't start throwing ribs and squirting sauce bottles at each other.

Thanks for all your votes and comments - and now let's check other weekend meditations:

+ Which local pastor suggested during a sermon if the U.S. economy turns around completely, it will be the work of Satanic forces? President Obama had better settle on a regular Washington church in a hurry....

+ The full speaker list was announced for this year's "Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum." Retired General Colin Powell already had been named. He's being joined by General David Petraeus, Aflac's Paul Amos - and NBC News correspondent Norah O'Donnell, who may be able to offer executives good hairstyling tips.

+ Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore said he'll decide by 1 June whether he'll run for Governor next year. Countless Republicans read his statement and said, "Does he still live in Alabama?"

+ Instant Message to current Alabama Governor Bob Riley: Do you plan a big welcome-home party for the crew of the "Maersk Alabama?" You certainly didn't call out the National Guard, in an attempt to rescue them.

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