The landing of MTV heartthrob Carson Daly as emcee for the Oct. 26 opening of the downtown Augusta park is a veritable coup for the Augusta Common grand opening committee - as is the prospect that a major musical act will be featured.

Now, you may not know who Carson Daly is - but it's a good bet your teen-age daughter is head over heels for the guy. This week's online fan of the week of Daly's Total Request Live show was asked who in the music video world she'd like to have a dream date with. She chose Daly.

Augustans should be glad to know that Daly is not only wildly popular, he's also quietly spiritual. For a time, he is said to have even considered the priesthood. In short, not a bad role model at all to be bringing to the Garden City.

The targeted caliber of the grand opening entertainment also says something about this community's determination to make Augusta Common something special.

It is special. As much as anything, cities and their downtowns desperately need open, natural spaces. It does a person's spirit good, and boosts community morale. Moreover, it serves as a natural gathering spot.

The profundity of that last point can't be ignored: A city has limits; a county has lines; a state has borders. But a community has no such constraints. A community can be as cohesive as it wants to be - or as much as its environs will allow it.

Augusta Common, in other words, will be a celebration of community - of what people in the greater Augusta area have in common. It is a standing invitation to get together.

You have a standing invitation to the grand opening Oct. 26. And now you have a few more star-studded reasons to attend.