A rose to the Columbus Arts Council, Main Street Columbus and all the artists and businesses who participated in Thursday’s second annual Art Walk Downtown. A group of 30 artists and 21 local businesses took part in the event, which ran from 5:30 until 8 p.m. Among the new features was the artwork from th T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability at Mississippi State University. The center works with people who have severe physical disabilities to help them through technology to participate in activities that would otherwise be very challenging. It’s clear that after just two years, the Art Walk Downtown will become a much-loved tradition.
A thorn to the person or persons responsible for vandalizing the Catfish Alley mural during the early-morning hours Saturday. Someone threw paint on the lower right-hand corner of the mural painted by MUW professor Alex Stelios-Wills, which depicts a panoramic view of the alley as it may have appeared over the historic alley’s heyday. The mural was part of the community’s effort to recognize and preserve the memory of a section of Columbus that had long been known as an area of black entrepreneurship and racial harmony. Because of what it represents, the defacement of the mural is an insult to us all. We hope those responsible for this crime will be apprehended and face the punishment such a senseless act deserves.
A rose to Columbus Air Force Base, which held a couple of significant celebrations this weekend. First, seven former 14th Flying Training Wing commanders were invited back to Columbus Air Force Base to help celebrate the graduation of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 14-14 Friday morning. That event was followed by the 67th Air Force Birthday Ball on Friday evening. These events remind us of the great work being done at CAFB and how essential the base has been to the success of our community. We salute both the graduates and all who are associated with CAFB.
A rose to Mississippi State University engineers who a working on a project that may well result in the “Car of the Future.” Though the vehicle may look like a typical crossover SUV, its engine will not be connected to the wheels like conventional automobiles. Instead, the engine will rotate a generator that charges an energy storage system which will provide power to two electric motors driving the rear wheels. The university team of faculty members, alumni and students hopes to have the hybrid vehicle operating by December. More than a year ago, James Worth “Jim” Bagley, a 1961 and 1964 MSU electrical engineering alumnus and major university benefactor, presented his “Car of the Future” vision to researchers at the MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, said team leader Matthew Doude, CAVS research associate. The engineers have been hard at work ever since.
Send your suggestions for Roses and thorns to Slim Smith at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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