It's been six years since the once-popular Riverfest was mothballed after a series of problems, including bad weather, a temporary move to South Commons, sagging attendance, plunging profits and complaints from some Historic District residents.

A troubled economy in 2007, which led to a national recession that has yet to fully heal, has kept any notion of reviving such an event on the backburner.

But now it appears the possibility of another festival, or perhaps a series of music, theater and arts events, could be in the embryonic stage. Retired Columbus State University President Frank Brown says talk of reviving such events has begun, but it probably is a couple of years away.

"The use of the theater facilities, which borders the river, the Woodruff Park greenspace behind the theater on the river, just lends itself perfectly, I think, to festivals and outdoors activities. I think that will build and that's part of the planning that's under way now," said Brown, mentioning the Springer Opera House and CSU among those scrutinizing such plans.

Whether or not a mega-event like Riverfest will be part of the mix remains to be seen. But the festival, which ran 37 years, would appear to be a good way to pump more life and energy -- and revenue for businesses -- into the downtown area.

After all, Riverfest's history was one of a smaller Salisbury Fair and Pig Jig that morphed into a major attraction that drew 100,000 people at its peak. The late Godfather of Soul James Brown and the star country duo, Sugarland, were among the acts to grace its stages in the latter years.

With the whitewater course now in development on the Chattahoochee River, perhaps it is time to revisit the notion of a major festival, complete with entertainment, amusement rides and barbecue competitions.

We're betting residents and tourists would eat that up.

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If you live near the Fort Benning military reservation, you might want to secure your pets and get ready for heavy weapons training noise in the northeast region of the post.

Five ranges will be busy over the next two weeks, according to the latest weapons firing schedule that runs through Sept. 26, said a post public affairs spokesman. Ranges include Carmouche, Digital Multipurpose Range Complex, Ware, Brooks and the Terry Demo. In addition to standard firing of M1A1 Abrams Tank, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and smalls arms, soldiers with the Emergency Ordnance Disposal will be blowing up explosives.

The training gives soldiers an opportunity to use advanced systems and vehicles before their level of effectiveness is tested on the battlefield.

Officials realize the impact of weapons firing on the community and work to reduce it when possible. "We continue to review our schedules to determine where we can best reduce the stress on our community," said Brad Castleberry, a public affairs spokesman.

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We geek chatter.

The Geek the Library awareness campaign is still going strong on billboards around town.

The newest additions plugging Chattahoochee Valley Libraries are Jamie Gray, an Olympic gold medal winner in marksmanship, who is geeking gold, and the Aflac Duck, who is geeking football.

-- Ledger-Enquirer staff writers contribute to this report. Contact them at chatter@ledger-enquirer.com.