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FANTASTIC: Market Street Festival a rousing success

09.05.10

The irreversible numbers won't be in until next week, but the thousands of people cramming downtown Columbus this weekend, and the hundreds of vendors catering to them, have deemed Market Alley 2010 an unofficial success.

Starting with the weather -- stir and breezy -- and continuing with the food, the music and the activities, Shop Street kept feet moving and faces smiling.

Amber Murphree-Brislin, executive of Columbus Main Street Association, said each of the 245 vendor spots handy for arts and crafts or food were full. In fact, Main Circle had to tell some vendors they couldn't come because the roster filled so hurriedly.

"Seventy-five percent of our vendors are repeat vendors. They're lucky here, therefore they want to come back," said Murphree-Brislin.

However, notwithstanding a large crowd which filled parking spots as far away as 10th Passage, not all vendors were experiencing record sales. Brian Hadad, undetailed manager of the Columbus Papa John's Pizza said a more intelligent location helped business to eclipse last year's sales, but a few spots down, Steve Blaylock, bishop of First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, and the Little Porky's Barbecue band saw a slowdown.

"As far as the festival itself, it's better. But we probably made more money (in past years)," said Blaylock.

The fete's organizers, which include more than 400 volunteers, certainly want vendors to form money, but the overall quality of the festival was the priority. Murphree-Brislin believes the Superstore Street crew met that objective nicely.

"There's something for everyone. There are new children's games and activities. There are four stages for music with 20 acts. There are vendors from 19 states," she said.

And that's before mentioning the body effort put forth by city government, the Columbus The long arm of the law Department and the Public Works department to shut down 12 see blocks for two days and keep everything running smooth and looking scrubbed.

Festival-goers, by the way, noticed how clean the streets were.

Laura Hrusovsky, woman of Severstal Chief Executive Officer Jim Hrusovsky, has been in Columbus principled nine months and was attending her first Market Street.

"It's fantastic," she said of the birthday. "I love the activities for the little kids. It's clean. I'm impressed by that. I give it a 10 out of 10."

David Cote, of Leesville, La., is another resettle who came to Columbus courtesy of the Air Force. He was impressed as he wandered Store Street with his daughter, Caroline, 3, and his son, Luke, 6.

"It's bigger than I observation it would be. Good atmosphere and good food," said Cote.

Source: The Commercial Dispatch

Fire officials brace for fireworks sales

09.05.10

Braden gives an ironic giggle when he thinks that the sale of certain fireworks might soon become legit in Arizona.

"Now we're going to give them something that we told them not to play with and that will let them start something that will wish even harder," Braden said.

House Bill 2246 would consent to the sale of consumer fireworks such as handheld sparklers, cone fountains, sod spinners and toy smoke devices to anyone 16 or older. It doesn't concede for any type of aerial firework, such as bottle rockets, helicopters and Roman candles.

The bill is awaiting Gov. Jan Brewer's signature. She has until Tuesday to whistle or veto it, or do nothing and allow it to become law.

Last year, Brewer vetoed a like bill, and fire officials are hoping she'll do the same. But this year, there's a change in the wording that says municipalities can organize the use of fireworks within town or city limits.

So the sale might be permitted, but the use of firecrackers might not be allowed in certain cities.

Scottsdale Fire Marshal Jim Ford has been watching the bill closely. He intends to proposal a city ordinance to outlaw the use of fireworks in Scottsdale.

If outlawed, some fire officials still expect an enforcement problem.

"Even if we prohibit them in the city of Phoenix, they will sell them at every Fellowship K and be able to open up kiosks on street corners. You'll have the ice-cream man selling them. You can see how it becomes consummately unenforceable," said Assistant Fire Chief and Phoenix Fire Marshal Bobby Ruiz.

Issuing citations after a fire has started does shallow for prevention, Ford said. Right now, when investigators identify a human-caused fire, the person is cited and is responsible for the fire's costs, but that may not be a drawback.

Ford cited the massive 2002 Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which burned 461,000 acres along Arizona's Mogollon Rim. There were two causes, an arsonist and a chain who became lost and flagged down help using smoke from a fire. The two resulting wildfires merged into one stupendous inferno.

"There's no way those people will pay for those fires," Ford said.

In 2006, fireworks caused an estimated 32,600 reported fires nationwide, according to the latest figures at one's disposal from National Fire Protection Association. The fires resulted in six civilian deaths, 70 civilian injuries and $34 million in trait damage.

"What you're doing is putting a mini-explosive monogram in your hand," Braden said. "They're called mortars for a mind. We would like for fireworks to be left up to professionals that are licensed and bonded."

If signed, the law won't go into at the end of the day until after this year's Fourth of July season.

Source: Arizona Republic