UP: To this weekend's 12th annual Marietta Riverfront Roar, whose signature draw is the number of powerboats racing on the Ohio River. The festival also includes plenty of entertainment, fireworks and festival food for those attending.
DOWN: To news the U.S. Olympic team's uniforms were made in China. The contract for the uniforms went to Ralph Lauren who farmed the work out to China. While the uniforms are sharp and probably well made, it seems uniforms worn by American athletes in the Olympic games should have been made in the U.S.
UP: To the young students, parents and caregivers who participated in this past Tuesday's Summer Kids' Festival & Concert held at City Park. The annual event, geared toward elementary school children, gives many kids their first exposure to the arts.
UP: To the utility company linemen who have worked long hours this past week restoring power to residents in the Mid-Ohio Valley. While some rural residents may still be without power, the majority of people had their electricity restored some time during the past week. The workers, many from out of state, have been in West Virginia since the days following the derecho that struck the state June 29. The storm caused severe hardship to many residents who were without power during the hottest days of summer we've seen in many years, but the crews were out every day doing their best to fix the many problems. Hopefully, most to the crews have been able to return to their own homes.
DOWN: To Marietta City Council for prohibiting ice cream trucks from traveling the streets during the summer. Citing liability concerns, council members banned the trucks from bringing their treats to neighborhood kids as they have in the past. We hope some solution to this problem can be found.
