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22 SEP 04: SUNDAY OR SINDAY?

Phenix City officials admitted Tuesday crime has increased on Sundays, since alcohol sales on that day became legal last year. The timing of this announcement couldn't have been better - four weeks after city elections.

The Phenix City Council decided to change the rules for Sunday liquor sales a bit. It won't be allowed at nightclubs anymore. This means guys will have to romance their gals on Sundays the old-fashioned way - with one milkshake and two
straws.

One business which will be affected by this rule change is the "Red Barn Game Room" on the 280 Bypass. The management admits it's upset with the Phenix City Council barring Sunday alcohol sales there. But look on the bright side - the pinball scores are likely to go up.

WRBL talked Tuesday night about the change with the manager of Phenix City's "O and J Lounge." Or as it now will be called on Sundays, the "OJ Lounge" - as in orange juice.

(Maybe these nightclubs should organize a protest of some sort. Get together with the used car lot owners, and you'll change Phenix City for the better.)

Phenix City Council members still will allow restaurants to sell alcohol on Sundays, under the "50 percent rule." More than half the business's income will have to come from food. And you can guess what that probably means - smaller portions, bigger prices.

Phenix City motels also will be allowed to keep selling alcohol on Sundays. After all, it would be too difficult for maids to knock on doors at 2:00 a.m. to lock up the mini-fridges.

Related to this, Phenix City police announced Tuesday they've suspended the licenses for Ann's Sports Bar downtown. I'd forgotten there even was a sports bar near the river. This may explain some of the weirdos I've seen walk inside Piggly
Wiggly, in the same shopping center.

Phenix City Police Chief Preston Robinson says they've recorded more than 80 criminal complaints at Ann's Sports Bar in the last year. Perhaps high-definition TV's inside made the hockey fights and boxing cards too lifelike.

Perhaps it isn't fair to connect them, but Ann's was located right down Third Avenue from the Riverview Apartments. With this sports bar closing, I hope the disputes between neighbors don't move back into the parking lot.

So with all this news, what's a Phenix Citian to do for fun? Don't worry - officials also revealed Tuesday they're negotiating to bring an International House of Pancakes to town! If the city can convince IHOP to show first-run movies during breakfast, Mayor-Elect Jeff Hardin will claim victory.

(So some of you Phenix City residents don't become confused -- just because it's called "International" House of Pancakes, that does NOT mean they'll serve a Yankee version.)

The proposed IHOP would be built across the street from Phenix City's Wal-Mart SuperCenter. And with a Zaxby's restaurant only a short walk away, this could become East Alabama's version of the Mall of America.

This reminds me of a question which has bothered me for years. So often I hear people talk about products "selling like hotcakes." But how fast do hotcakes sell, really? In Columbus and Phenix City, it would seem waffles do much better....

Now let's see what other great opportunities presented themselves Tuesday:

+ Ground was broken for the new National Infantry Museum and Heritage Park on South Lumpkin Road. The complex will have 200 acres - which is just about the right size for a morning run during basic training.

(The complex will have more than the National Infantry Museum. I'm hearing it could have an IMAX theater. And planners will include space for a parade ground -- a perfect place for SOA Watch protesters to meet every November.)

+ Mayor Bob Poydasheff told WRBL he has someone in mind to replace Columbus Police Chief Willie Dozier, and he plans to present that name to the Council within two weeks. Before rumors start, let's settle one thing right now - I am NOT the "R.B." the Mayor probably has in mind.

+ The National Rifle Association presented a 30-minute "infomercial" on WLTZ. It found so many things wrong with John Kerry that you wonder why an N.R.A. member didn't speak up to object at his last wedding.

+ Mike Gaymon's guest on WDAK radio's "Viewpoint" was the general manager of the Columbus Catfish. Now that's perfect timing - to bring on a baseball team executive three weeks after the season ends, and six months before the next one.

+ Atlanta's baseball team announced plans for its own 24-hour cable channel called "Braves Vision." It promises to show classic games from years gone up - which will be a great opportunity to chart Don Sutton's receding hairline.

CORRECTED: + Chattahoochee Valley Community College scheduled an evening of "Georgia Championship Wrestling" for Thursday. But sadly, the card may not include the bout many Russell County residents really want to see - Cattie Epps and LeeAnn Horne-Jordan vs. Tillman Pugh and Al Howard.

+ Health officials revealed a Columbus man is recovering, after testing positive for the West Nile virus. This doesn't seem fair. For one thing, Columbus is on the EAST side of the river....

+ Instant Message to Dr. Robin Pennock: Congratulations on being appointed Deputy Superintendent of Muscogee County Schools. Does this mean you'll get that $300,000 home in Russell County?

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