Macon3-28-14 by 11th Hour Macon

15days BEST BETS

March 28 - April 11, 2014

Pub Notes by brad evans - bradevans11@gmail.com This month marks 12 years that the 11th Hour has been publishing here in Macon, Georgia. Meg and I had one of those old candy colored Macs, a really old version of Quark Xpress, a beat up Ford and very little money at the time. We had decided that if we could sell enough ads to print our first issue, we’d move here and give it a shot. The first ad we sold was to Tina at Ingleside Village Pizza, and a few others followed, just enough for us to make the move. Looking back on that first year today was quite the trip. In order to have live music to make our Music Schedule look full back then, we had to include Shenanigans in Wa rner Robins and Whiskey River. More than half the buildings on Cherry Street were empty and rotting away. Bragg Jam was just being born; there was no MAGA or Soapbox Derby or College Hill or Knight Neighborhood Challenge grants. But there was still a great group of people here in Macon that believed, and stayed positive, and worked hard towards what we’ve become as a community

MAILING: P.O. BOX 14251, Macon, GA 31203 PHONE: (478) 508-7096 ADVERTISING: meg@11thHourOnline.com

today. It’s hard to describe how proud I feel of Macon when I walk by stores like Robinson Home, on my way to get a beer brewed by Macon Beer Company at the revamped Rookery. I’m also very proud that for the last 12 years, my job has been promoting that success. This past Thursday’s Reader’s Choice Awards were a testament to how much we’ve grown. Nominee lists were longer than ever, and the Best New Business Category was one of the longest. Jean Bragg’s beautiful renovation of the old Jazzplex building was unveiled on the same week that Mercer went to the NCAA tournament and BEAT DUKE! Cherry blossoms bloomed and kicked off Macon’s favorite event this week. They are taking me on a hot air balloon ride across Macon next week and my wife and all my friends are too afraid to go. I have a feeling the view will be better than ever. It’s getting harder to doubt this place every day, and I’m very proud that we’ve been a part of that.

IN MY HEAD... Ripped from the journal of a suspected serial killer

n the months before their deaths, relatives say Mildred and Jewel Cleveland had struggled living in the same house with Mildred's grown son, Jason Howard. Jobless and socially withdrawn, Howard was a disturbed man who had been committed to a mental institution for schizophrenia following his arrest for robbing a bank. Police think that after JASON HOWARD Arrested 4/13/2009 killing and burying the Clevelands, 4 Cts Felony Murder Jason Howard continued to live in the house. He paid bills, cared for the family pets, and even took a trip to the family's vacation home. With the aid of cadaver dogs, Liberty County police found the bodies of Jewel and Mildred Cleveland wrapped in tarps and buried in a barn on June 15, 2004. An autopsy later confirmed that both had been shot in the head and that Mildred had been beaten first. In his own words from a November 1994 note, Howard explained: Let it be known that I, Jason M. Howard, can be extremely paranoid, therefore as a fugitive I will not only be carrying firearms but explosives as well...I'm not dangerous until I am crossed or cornered, so stay away. Keep away and don't blame me for a dead tactical team. For the next several years, Howard would live in the woods in Macon Georgia, in a camp he constructed out of camouflage tarps and tents and everything else he could find. He was featured on America’s Most Wanted during those years, though he would elude arrest until 2009, when Macon Police found him breaking into a rental car. Some months later, a friend of the 11th Hour, and a cross country runner, came across Howard’s camp in the woods. In it three journals were found. What follows is a page of one of these journals, the first in a series of pages that look inside the head of a suspected killer.

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Culture Calendar FRIDAY

3.28 FANTASIA IN CONCERT AT MACON CITY AUDITORIUM Presented by Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. Appearing on the third season of the hit TV show American Idol, Fantasia Barrino (known these days simply as Fantasia) won America’s heart – and the competition – with her soulful singing and deeply affecting performances. Since being crowned an American Idol, the young singer with the captivating, old school-flavored voice has gone on to become a true R&B/pop diva with a string of chart-topping hits. www.ticketmaster.com OCMULGEE NATIONAL MONUMENT LANTERN LIGHT TOURS March 21 - 30. Guide yourself or enjoy a tour guide for this one-mile candlelit walk along the lantern light trail. Choose from a guided tour every half hour or the selfguided walk. $5 per person ages 13 +. 1207 Emery Hwy, Macon, (478) 752-8257

SATURDAY

3.29 THE TEN TENORS AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE Broadway’s greatest hits sung by 10 of Australia’s hottest tenors equals one unforgettable performance of “The Ten Tenors: On Broadway!” This D.S. Resch Australian troupe has performed for sold out audiences around the world. The Ten Tenors’ unique DSPhotoGuy.com approach to opera brings rock and classical music together, for a sound that is uniquely theirs. Experience their raw power and soothing beauty singing some of Broadway’s best musical numbers. Show at 2:30 and 7:30pm. 478-301-5470 18TH ANNUAL CHERRY BLOSSOM MUSTANG CAR SHOW Presented by Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. at Central City Park. 8am-5pm. FREE with Central City Parking Pass ($10). WILD WING CAFE CHERRY BLOSSOM MUSIC FESTIVAL For everyone who loved the famous Cherry Blossom Street Party, the Music Festival is sure to provide your musical fix during the Festival. In concert-crawl style, a variety of venues host many performers, and Festival participants can venue-hop and listen to their favorite bands. Music starts at 5pm. Single venue pass $10 Advance - $15 Day of ,event festival pass - $20 ALL-AMERICAN LUMBERJACK SHOW Presented by Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. The show features the exciting traditional “old time skills” of Log Rolling, X-cut Sawing, Ax Throwing, Buck Sawing & Boom Racing. In addition, chain saw events of Obstacle Pole Racing, Spring Board Tree Topping, Stock Saw Racing and Hot Saw Racing will feature the skills of today’s loggers. For the adventurous, we have our Lumberjack Sport Camps… free to everyone young and old. Lumberjack events of X-Cut sawing and Log Rolling will be taught by the Pro’s. Between the shows, your invited to sit back and watch as lumberjacks with nothing but a chain saw, a plain old log and a lot of practice, carve just about anything imaginable. Bring your wallet… the carvings are for sale. $12 general admission tickets

THURSDAY

4.03 MERCER UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS “ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD” written by Tony Award winner Tom Stoppard, on April 3-13. Director of Mercer Theatre and internationally renowned fight choreographer Scot Mann directs the show that will be performed in the Back Door Theatre at Willingham Hall, located on Mercer’s Macon campus. “This play is a hilarious, witty look at what's going on with the characters backstage as Hamlet is performed,” said Mann. Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $5 at the door. For more information, call (478) 301-2974 (weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or (478) 207-4170.

SATURDAY

4.05 MACON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS “SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE” Theatre Macon actors Leah Parris and Jake Adams and Steps on Ingleside's bal-

7th annual Smoke on the Water BBQ & Music Festival The 7th Annual Smoke on the Water BBQ Cook-Off and Music Festival is set for April 4-5, in Thomaston, GA. Music and BBQ enthusiasts are invited to come and enjoy some of the Southeast’s best barbecue and live entertainment in the area. The two day event will take place at Bickley’s Lake in Thomaston. This year’s S.O.T.W. is a Florida Barbecue Association (FBA) sanctioned event and the Georgia State Championship. Thousands of dollars and bragging rights are up for grabs in this year’s BBQ competition. Teams entered into the BBQ competition will be competing in the categories of chicken, ribs, pork and/or brisket. Teams competing have the potential to win trophies as well as cash prizes from a pot of over $12,000. Cooking team applications are available online at www.sotwfestival.com. Cooking teams will be selling their product along with a multitude of other unique arts and crafts vendors. The music festival will feature one of its most evenly distributed music lineups yet, highlighted by a bushel of area bands on the verge of major exposure. Great musical artist are scheduled for this year’s music experience including Soul Kitchen, Daniel Lee, Brent Cobb, Andy Miller, Muddy Guy, Aces & Eights, The Tyler Hammond Band, and Sonia Leigh. On Friday night the featured headliner and Nashville recording artist Jon Pardi will rock the stage with his hit songs ‘Missing You Crazy’ and ‘Up All Night’. Pardi’s hit song ‘Up All Night’ hit the top 10 on the County Billboard Chart. Another great S.O.T.W. weekend will come to a close on Saturday night with Coy Bowles and the Fellowship. Bowles is a member of the Grammy winning Zac Brown Band and has co-written several of the ZBB’s award winning songs. Weekend passes are $25 and include admission to both days of the festival. Tickets for Friday only are $20 and tickets for Saturday only are $10 until 5PM in which the price will go up to $15. Children under 12 years of age get in free. Gates will be open from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available online at www.sotwfestival.com. Area vendors and the expanded Kidz Zone provide fun for the entire family. Coolers, lawn chairs and blankets are welcome.

Culture Calendar let dancer Olivia Boyd join us for a concert featuring a variety of music inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, interspersed with scenes from the play itself. The Grand Opera House, $38.50 for adults, $18.50 for students, and $13.50 for children age 12 & under TUNES & BALLOONS FIREWORKS FINALE the sky is filled with dazzling hot air balloons while great music floats through the air. At this post-festival celebration of the cherry blossoms and the official finale of the 2014 Cherry Blossom Festival, there is fun for all ages with activities for children, live entertainment, hot air balloon rides, Botanical Garden tours, food and beverage vendors, and an amazing fireworks display. Pack a picnic basket and share the evening with good friends or family. Blankets and lawn chairs encouraged $5 per person, Children under 6 - free. Middle Georgia State College. 4pm.

SUNDAY

4.06 AN EVENING WITH C.S. LEWIS British actor David Payne, who tours the world with his one-man show titled An Evening With C.S Lewis, in which he portrays the legendary author, poet and Christian philosopher C.S. Lewis, has announced a new U.S. tour, set for March and April. Lewis, poet and author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, is considered by many to be one of the literary giants of the 20th century. Tickets start at $20, event at 6pm. Grand Opera House, Thegrandmacon.com or call 301-5470.

FRIDAY

4.11 PARKS & REC SUNDOWN SCREEN SERIES AT LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD Macon-Bibb County Parks & Rec will be showing three movies a month thru September at Luther Williams Field, Central City Park, FREE OF CHARGE! All movies begin at dark. April 11th: showing “Back to the Future”. Picnic baskets and blankets are encouraged. In the event of rain, movies will be cancelled.

SATURDAY

4.12 MARCH FOR BABIES On April 12, 2014 at Central City Park in Macon, hundreds of families and business leaders will join together in the March of Dimes’ annual March for Babies—the nation’s oldest walk fundraiser honoring babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. The Bibb County March for Babies is being held this year at a new location. We are proud to host the walk at Macon’s Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. Registration for the walk will begin at 8 a.m. at the Round Building at Central City Park with the 3.2-mile walk kicking off at 9:30a.m. Participation in March for Babies will provide a memorable and rewarding day for the whole family including a picnic lunch and many different activities for children. To register visit www.marchforbabies.org. 14TH ANNUAL BLUEBIRDS AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL AT DAUSET TRAILS Gates open at 9:00 am. A free event for the whole family. Music festival, outdoor exhibitors and demonstrations. Music will start at 11a.m. featuring the Packway Handle Band. Dauset Trails Nature Center is Private, Non-Profit, they offer Free parking and admission. 360 Mt. Vernon Rd., Jackson, GA MAGNOLIA STREET SOAP BOX DERBY This free family friendly annual event brings the excitement of a soap box derby race to Macon each year. With the soap box race, live music with indie pop rock band sunDollars, bouncy house, DJ Shawty Slim, food trucks, kids big wheel races, StreetLine drum corp, and more rain or shine! Come watch custom built cars race down the steep hill on Magnolia street for prizes and glory. Fans line the street and cheer on their favorites. This year includes a pro division and a shade tree division. This year will feature live music, food trucks, family activities and more.Interested in racing? All are welcome. Enter by April 1. Driver must be 18 or older. We are also looking for partners to help us bring this fun family friendly event to life. If you are interested in sponsoring the event or a race team please contact us at magnoliasoapbox@gmail.com. 11thHourOnline.com

Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative membership Drive The Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI) will host a membership and educational drive on Thursday, April 10th from 5:30 - 7:30pm at The Crazy Bull located at 473 Second Street in downtown Macon. “We invite all members of the community to join us to learn more about the proposed expansion of the Monument and how they can be a part of making this dream a reality,” says Brian Adams, president of ONPPI, “This is an historic opportunity for our region and our state. The proposed boundary will impact tourism across Georgia.” The proposed expansion would encompass more than 2,000 acres including the existing Monument, Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the Ocmulgee River corridor to Hawkinsville. The Ocmulgee National Monument is middle Georg i a ’s most popular tourist destination. National Parks across the country are economic drivers for the surrounding communities. In 2010, the Monument added $5.4 million into the middle Georgia economy. The Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI) is a community based group of Middle Georgia citizens working together to expand the current site of the Ocmulgee National Monument into the first National Park and Preserve east of the Mississippi River. The Ocmulgee River Corridor includes a diverse animal and plant population, and is one of the last remaining

MARCH 28 - APRIL 11, 2014

wild areas in the Southeastern United States. We believe formally preserving the area between Macon and Hawkinsville along the Ocmulgee River Corridor will not only provide opportunities for recreation, education, and protection of fragile resources, but it will also benefit the area economically.

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MARCH 28 - APRIL 11, 2014

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OP-ED

{ SEEING RED }

BY BILL KNOWLES

Haleigh's Hope is in Colorado Well the dust has cleared in the General Assembly for another year as Sine Die 2014 has gone passed again with the 2015 budget being approved, gun possession being allowed in churches and MARTA possibly being the transit authority of choice in Clayton County, but as a very aptly titled story in Atlanta’s Creative Loafing newspaper states, “Sine Die 2014: Gun Bill Moves Ahead, Children Get Left Behind.” And boy did they ever.

here is no question that the General Assembly dropped the proverbial ball when they failed to get HB885, the Medicinal Cannabis or “Haleigh’s Hope” bill, passed through both House and Senate in its’ original form. Macon’s own Representative Allen Peake put his reputation on the line for this bill that could have been a & Janae tremendous saving grace for Haleigh in Colorado thousands of children throughout Georgia and did everything possible to get this bill passed for the right reasons. Peake put aside politics and what would be politically expedient by taking the safe ‘Republican’ road which is paved with the sticky tar of fear that the legalization of any form of marijuana would doom the Republic as we know it. Instead, he chose to do the right thing for children like Haleigh Cox author the bill and push for its’ passage. Unfortunately politics got in the way. Things were looking very good for “Haleigh’s Hope” as it screamed through the House passing 171-4 on “Crossover Day”, the last day a bill can pass the House and be considered in the Senate. Nobody expected the bill to be an easy pass in the Senate, but what wasn’t expected was what happened in the Health and Human Service committee, which had to pass the bill through to get it to a full vote in the Senate. The Chairperson for the HHS committee, Republican Renee Unterman of District 45 of Buford, used the bill as fodder to try and get her own Autism bill passed through, which up until that point was dead in the water. The bill would have allowed state-regulated health plans to cover medically necessary services for the evaluation, assessment, testing, screening, diagnosing and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. When asked about the passage of HB885 through her committee, Unterman openly admitted that she was holding the bill up purposely. WSB-TV’s Lori Geary asked Unterman, "Are you holding this medical marijuana bill hostage because of what the House is doing (not passing the Autism bill)?” and in response, Unterman, in a rare glimpse of honesty by a politician, stated, “Well, always when we get to the last 10 days of the session there's a lot of bills held hostage. I have worked on the autism bill and it has not had a hearing in the House,” She then went on to say, "These parents don't understand how the General Assembly works but this building is nothing but politics.” When I found this out, I pelted Unterman with polite, yet firm emails, begging her to do the right thing for the children that need the treatment that could have been given to them in Georgia, had HB885 passed. Finally, on the morning that the committee was going to discuss the bill, Unterman responded to me that she was ‘car-

rying the bill’, meaning she was going to allow it through committee and to the Senate for a vote. What she failed to say was that she was dooming its’ chance of passage by attaching the autism bill that was dead on arrival to “Haleigh’s Hope”, renaming it the “Kids Care Act”. It should have been renamed “Unterman’s Folly” as any hopes of the bill passing were obliterated by Unterman’s selfishness. The “Kids Care Act” passed through the Senate 54-0 but when it was sent back to the House for consideration, it died. Thank you Senator Unterman. I previously wrote about the namesake of the original bill Haleigh Cox a few columns ago and included an interview with her mother Janéa. Janéa, now a resident of Colorado City, Colorado, flew Haleigh to their new home on March 13th as Georgia legislators made them both refugees of their home state and victims of the political process as they went to get the treatment Haleigh desperately needs. The prognosis for Haleigh has not been good, especially if she was to remain in Georgia without the benefit of the cannabis oil treatments. One of the main problems that opponents had with legalization of the medicinal cannabis oil here in Georgia is the fact that it may be addictive or that there may be side effects. I really don’t think that either of those are concerns to parents of a child who have been given little hope that their child will get better. When the first reports of Haleigh’s condition were reported, we all listed Haleigh’s seizure count at over 100 per day. Sadly, that increased to a peak of over 200 in one day alone. Can you imagine the horror of seeing your child seize even once, much less over 200 times within 24 hours? I can’t without choking up. Luckily the Cox family may not have to again either as I am VERY thankful and happy to tell you that since Haleigh has been in treatment in Colorado, her seizures have dropped to FOUR seizures per day! Thank God for the miracle that he has given to this family. Maybe someday they will be allowed to get the treatment in their home state, but who would blame them if they stayed in Colorado even if Georgia legislators can get their collective heads out of their asses and do the right thing for the right reasons, instead of playing political handball with the lives of children and their parents. Lastly, if you probably haven’t already guessed it, I am firmly behind representative Allen Peake in his run for reelection and endorse his candidacy. Not only in this matter, but in everything Allen has done for the people of Georgia, he has shown his leadership through strength and that he is not afraid to fight for the right thing. 11thHourOnline.com

ANNUAL READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Thank you Macon for another wonderful Readers’ Choice Awards. Our host, Danny “The Captain” Davis kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening. A big thanks to our photographer Gary Ames. Thank you to our presenters; and a special thank you to Robert McDuffie, who’s performance actually silenced the room for a few minutes. We invited Macon’s best musicians to perform throughout the evening, including; Houston, Jubee & the Morning After, Woolfolk, Boothill and Floco Torres. We awarded 50 gold records to those you, our readers, voted your faves. Below are pictures from throughout the night and the best from the red carpet. View all pics online at 11thHourOnline.com! Best Neighborhood: College Hill Corridor, Best Photographer: Zach Robinson, Best Artist: Eric O’Dell, Local Blogger: Blue Indian

Best Radio Station: GPB, Best BBQ: Finchers, Favorite Local Boutique: Head Over Heels, Best Waitstaff: Downtown Grill, Best Place to Bring the Kids & Best Pizza: IVP Best Bar Food: Bearfoot Tavern, Best New Restaurant 2013: Ginger Stir-Fry, Best Bartender: Jeff Payne, Hummingbird Best Place to Play Pool: BJs Billiards

The Hummingbird took home two awards including: Best Happy Hour and the Bar That Has It All! The Cox Capitol Theatre was voted the Best Place to See Live Music! Best Salon/Spa: Amanda Jane Best Place to Sing Karaoke: Roasted Favorite College Bar: Bearfoot Tavern, Favorite Local DJ: Shawty Slim, Best Novelty Store: Starship Favorite Singer/Songwriter: Travis Denning, Experimental Band: One Horse Parade, Best Local Cover Band: Great White Lion Snake, Local Rock Band: Back City Woods, New Band of 2013: Milk Money, Best Band of 2013: Jubee & the Morning After

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Best New Business of 2013: Macon Beer Company

Favorite Person to Follow on Twitter & Best Local Album 2013: Floco Torres

Wild Wing Cafe took home Best Wings, Hottest Waitstaff & Best Sports Bar

Winner of Best Lunch Spot, Best Burgers & Best Restaurant with a Bar Scene : The Rookery

Downtown Grill took home Best Waistaff & Overall Restaurant Experience

The Crazy Bull took home; Best Place to Dance

best of the red carpet Visit our facebook page or our website at 11thHourOnline.com to view the full gallery.

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OP-ED

{ CITY SCENE }

RICK HUTTO

Published author, former Macon City Council

German Efficiency I recently made a too-brief trip to Germany where everything works and is on time. Their national air carrier, Lufthansa, was efficient even if a bit less friendly than American carriers but I will take that over unprofessional sloppiness anytime. The Frankfort airport was the best I’ve ever seen in terms of car rental ease of pick up and return, and hotels and shops are reached directly from the terminal by an easy all-enclosed walk. I had always thought it was a myth that there is no speed limit on the autobahns, but I can attest to the fact that, while I was driving about 75-80 miles per hour, cars and even trucks were passing me in the left lane as though I were standing still. When I stopped for gas and didn’t find a payment machine at the pump, I went inside to present my credit card before filling my tank. The cashier looked at me and said, “American?” When I replied affirmatively, she smiled and told me that, even in this large station next to the autobahn, you pump first and then pay. I later asked someone if there were problems with drive-offs, and he replied “What is a drive-off?” After I explained, he said that no one in Germany would think of doing that, and anyway, “There are security cameras everywhere.” In other words, as President Reagan would say, “Trust, then verify.” It is easy to think of Germany in historical terms of the two world wars as well as the Iron Curtain, but that’s all old news. Germany has efficiently re-invented itself as the country that works. While it may interest you to know that Germany is currently the seventh largest export market for Georgia, with more than $1.02 billion in annual exports, it will probably surprise you to learn that Georgia’s imports from Germany topped $12 billion last year, placing Germany as Georgia’s second largest import nation only behind China. Even the mathematically-challenged can figure that’s a 12-1 margin in their favor. Germany’s imported products to us are topped, not surprisingly, by motor vehicles (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche), followed by pharmaceutical products, heavy machinery, computers, medical and surgical instruments, electric machinery, and petroleum. Germany has an astounding 474 businesses operating in Georgia employing 20,823 people. Of the 44 international businesses with offices or manufacturing facilities in Bibb County, two are German employing 2,290 workers – Thyssen-Krupp (the elevator company) and one of its associated metal manufacturers, Ken-Mac Metals. Just last week Governor Deal announced that a German medical device manufacturer is building a new manufacturing facility in Peachtree City investing over ten million dollars over the next year. Recently the Consul General of Germany for the entire southeastern United States, Christoph Sander, inaugurated the Global Roundtable series at Central Georgia

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Technical College by speaking to an appreciative audience. An engaging man, he spent part of his high school years in the United States as a visiting student, and this is his second posting to our country although his first in the South. As you can imagine, his English is flawless. With Mercedes-Benz and BMW factories located on either side of Georgia, he spends much of his time in Alabama and South Carolina. Although the one billion dollar KIA manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, is Korean-owned, Germany’s highend Porsche company recently chose Atlanta for its new North American headquarters near the international airport terminal. One of the most important messages the Consul General delivered in his remarks is that these high-end factories are nothing like the traditional assembly lines we’ve been accustomed to in the past. An employee cannot show up and be trained in a few hours to join the line. Most of the work is done by robots and only someone who has been trained and certified can operate them. He was particularly impressed with Central Georgia Technical College’s study/work approach to training so that a graduate is ready to go to work on the day he or she receives certification. In fact, if he or she is not sufficiently trained to the employer’s satisfaction, CGTC will re-train the employee at no cost. Perhaps that is why, in CGTC’s Automotive Fundamentals course, 79% of students finished within the prescribed 12 months, and 86% attained job placement upon completion. In case you think this is entry-level menial labor, median starting pay for auto technicians is approximately $37,000 plus benefits; within a few years, it is not unusual to progress to almost $60,000, all made possible not by a traditional college degree but by specialized training and certification. It is small wonder, then, that the Consul General was impressed by CGTC’s success and business model. Germany was a vanquished nation, having suffered military defeat twice in the twentieth century as well as the loss of its ruling royal family. Surely few nations have been so reviled as was East Germany during the years before the Berlin Wall was finally destroyed. Yet this now-unified nation rolled up its sleeves and reinvented itself. You read earlier that Georgia sends one billion dollars’ worth of goods to Germany every year, while they send us twelve billion dollars of their products. They must be doing something right.

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OP-ED BY KATIE POWERS

{ MAMA KARMA }

A North Macon Liberal

Thanks for Nothing Congress The following is a letter of apology which could have been written by the state legislators who blocked the passage of a bill which would have helped children with autism and seizure disorders and their families in Georgia. Dear Ava and Haleigh, We would like to offer an apology to you both for our failure to pass the bill that would have improved both of your lives. We know that Representatives Alan Peake and John Albers, authored and worked very hard to make your bills into laws. However, there are a few of us who have the power to make sure that some bills never make it to the Governor’s desk. We (ab)used that power. Haleigh, your bill showed great promise of being passed. After hearing stories and seeing real families who have children with seizure disorders, your bill was passed almost unanimously by the House. Once the bill made it to the Senate, we decided to liven things up and attach Ava’s bill to yours. Up until the last day of the session, I know your families hoped and prayed that there was still a chance that this bill might actually become a law. We legislators were so

busy with all of the last minute bills to consider and lobbyists waiting outside, that yours just got pushed aside. Actually, one of us, Representative John Meadows, decided to keep us from voting on your bill and sent it to a study committee on the final night of the session instead of voting on it. It’s just too bad that you both, along with thousands of other Georgia children with seizure disorders and autism, are going to have to wait at least another year to go through all of this again. In the meantime, Haleigh, we wish you and your mother all the best with your new life in Colorado away from your father and the rest of your family. We hear that the medical cannabis oil you have been taking since you got there is already helping to reduce your seizures. It’s just too bad you can’t get it here in Georgia. Ava, we are grateful that the Applied Behavior Analysis therapy that

you received, with no help from insurance money and to the tune of $5,000/month, has improved the symptoms of your autism to the point that you are now in a regular 4th grade classroom. However, we just don’t feel it is fair to ask insurance companies who cover Georgia’s citizens to be forced to pay for this coverage for other children with autism. Even though we heard testimony which explained that early treatment and intervention is fiscally smart because it could potentially save $1 million in treatment per child later in life, we decided to listen to the lobbyists who represent the big insurance companies.They are worried that it might cut into their billion dollar profit margins. We’re really sorry, but it is an election year and we need those funds to run our campaigns. Despite failing to get your combined bills passed into law, I am sure you will be happy to hear that we did pass several very important bills. The most impressive is one which could allow guns to be carried into schools, churches, airports and government buildings. We were especially excited about getting that bill passed because now many of us (who are running for re-election, remember?) can put that awesome “A+” rating from the National Rifle Association on all of our campaign paraphernalia and in our television advertisements. We also passed a bill to allow for a monument bearing the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the state Capitol. We really thought it was important to remind everyone of the Commandments, especially the sixth one, “thou shalt not kill,” after allowing all of those guns everywhere.

We, your elected legislators, hope that you and your families and the thousands of other families affected by seizure disorders and autism in Georgia, will understand. Unfortunately, it’s just the way the system works. We have to be elected into office, which means that we need to raise money and lots of it. You all just can’t compete with the insurance lobby. We also were a little worried about how it might look to enact any kind of insurance mandate since we are getting ready to hit the campaign trail and get our base voters all riled up about Obamacare. They love that. We wish you both all the best, but, for now, we have to hit the campaign trail and tout all of our accomplishments. Take heart, there’s always next year, right? Sincerely (whatever that means), Your Georgia legislators

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SCENE BEST BETS THIS WEEK

SAINT FRANCIS To Play Cherry Blossom Music Festival on March 29th Saint Francis, hailing from Athens, GA was formed in Macon, GA in 2007, and has been tending the garden all over the south east touring, recording, and creating a very distinct sound all their own.

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Saint Francis is made up of several well known musicians that have been circulating in the GA music scene of over 3 decades, and now StF is staring to become a household name worldwide. Over the last few years StF has experienced positive growth. Saint Francis was very excited for the opportunity to record at Omni Sound in Nashville, TN at the beginning of 2012. They started work on our new CD titled “Cassidy's Sky” under the direction of Nashville producer/engineer Tommy Cooper. Saint Francis the guys in the band have a higher calling, built on love, trust, passion, and transparency in everything they do. StF adopted and live by the credo “If you have a new suit don't tell me about it. Just wear it, and I will see it.” When it comes to the suit, the guys in the band wear it right out in the open so that there is no question as to what they stand for. Individually these guys walk what they talk, and have overcome great odds individually to be able to walk out on stage every night with a clean conscious, and deliver a pure and timeless message. You can hear it in every note and in every lyric. When you live that way it does not take long for the right people in the “Music Business” to come knocking at your door. There are good, honest people in the world that have the resources to do good and help others in a seemingly greedy, money driven business. Saint Francis has been extremely lucky that out of the darkness shines a light of hope from somewhere completely unexpected. Saint Francis, with the help of Famous Records/Universal Music Group, under the direction of music business mogul/entrepreneur, Jeffery Collins, released a 6 song LP in January. The EP will be titled “Revolution Radio”, and will feature re-mastered music from 2010 release, “One Of Many,” recorded with Rob Evans @ Star Motel Records of Macon, Ga. & mastered by Mark van Allan @ Music Farm Studios, Farmington, Ga. Also included will be a new version of 2012 release title track, “Revolution Radio,” recorded/produced by John Keane @ John Keane Studios, in Athens, GA. The LP will feature the original “One Of Many” artwork by Athens, GA photographer, Ryan Myers. We are all looking forward to a great year of positive forward motion for StF, and we want you to join us. Please take time to go and become a fan of Saint Francis on all our social sights, and keep your eyes on our new website, designed by our own Logan Wallis, for StF shows in a town near you. If you are interested In booking Saint Francis, for any occasion, please contact our booking agent, Shane Kelleher, at Nimbleslick Entertainment in Athens, nimbleslick.com/. www.thesaintfrancisband.com www.facebook.com/thesaintfrancisband

11thHourOnline.com

NATIVE/NEW

Jean Bragg You may have noticed a drastic change to the facades of some of downtown’s most dilapidated and empty storefronts on Cherry Street. We can thank that much-needed transformation to one lady, Jean Bragg. With plans in the works for the other two purchased buildings, and her new storefront Travis Jean now open in the third, Miss Bragg is one busy lady, and dedicated to bettering her hometown. | BY ANGEL COLLINS It was 6pm and I was frantically trying to find a parking spot downtown. Jean Bragg was waiting past closing time at TravisJean, her new store, for this interview and I was going to be late. She didn’t know me and I only knew her by reputation and the fact that I was keeping her hastened my steps, my feeling of being rushed. When I got to the door, at 6:02pm, I breezed in and found her behind the counter waiting for me. She situated a chair for me and I pulled out my laptop. We then proceeded to wait another 5 minutes as I realized my battery was dead and I needed to plug in and charge. We made small talk about the store, about the work she’d done on the three buildings she’d purchased and all the while I could feel the weight of time wasting building. When my computer finally started and I asked the first question, I knew I shouldn’t have been worried because Jean Bragg loves downtown Macon and telling the community how much was worth the wait. Jean Bragg is a native Maconite. She was educated at The Women’s College in Milledgeville which later became Georgia College. She received her Masters Degree and taught at Macon Junior College, now Middle Georgia State College, for four years. When she married in 1974, she moved to New Orleans. There she worked for IBM and sold commercial real estate. Initially, Bragg started out as a collector. In 1980, she went into business with someone who taught her about Newcomb Pottery and Louisiana Art which are the foundation of TravisJean. The knowledge imparted and the love of the two art forms lead to her opening her own art gallery. In 1991, she opened her first antique gallery and she hasn’t looked back since. In 2011 when she decided to leave New Orleans, she knew she was coming home. “I think it’s called age. We realize we need each other,” said Bragg, adding that all of her family is in Macon. As an expert on Newcomb Pottery and Louisiana Art as well and an enjoyer of downtown areas in general (her current store, which she will maintain until the end of the years, is still in downtown New Orleans), she knew that she wanted to bring that love and expertise with her to Macon. She also knew she didn’t want to be anywhere other than downtown Macon. “I built out my first two condos at 505 Second Street and then decided I wanted a place of business and Cherry Street was the best location to me,” said Bragg. “I have lived the past 40 years in New Orleans, 9 of

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which have been in downtown New Orleans, so it’s natural for me to think I would be happier downtown than in a suburb.” Being in downtown Macon was a natural fit for her. “[Being in downtown Macon is the same as) my favorite things in living in new orleans. I could live upstairs, walk downstairs to work, walk close by and have dinner… It’s safe, so I feel comfortable walking around the block. I can also walk around the block to Kinetix and soon I will be able to walk to the grocery store,” said Bragg. “I find there are a lot of activities nightly to attend. My needs are met in downtown Macon.” In choosing her location, she wasn’t just going with what her own preferences, though. She also has thoughts about what TravisJean could do for downtown. “What I would like TravisJean to bring to downtown macon is a resurgence of retail shops to bring more people to shop downtown. Success breeds more businesses, revitalization needs more businesses, and I hope that I can accomplish both of these with the opening of TravisJean.” Not only is downtown Macon right for TravisJean but she’s not sure she she could be anywhere else. “I’m not sure anywhere would [help TravisJean thrive]. My heart wouldn’t be in it. My heart is downtown. The lure of downtown Macon was strong enough to bring me from downtown New Orleans to here.” Of course, the lure of downtown Macon was family, familiarity, and artistic acceptance and Bragg, whose first name is Travis after her father, thinks that this was the best possible move. “[My favorite things about being downtown are] being able to stay in Macon and to build my future [here] so that I can move totally by the end of this year back to Macon. Having purchased the building downtown and being involved in the revitalization of [these buildings] has offered me the opportunity to meet a number of people I might not have met otherwise. It is a wonderful trip in life for me. I feel like I’m living my dream.” TravisJean is open Wednesday - Saturday from 12 - 6 and Sunday from 12 - 3. Even if you don’t purchase (though she has plenty of unique gifts), you should definitely check out the beautiful new facades of the buildings that were once eye sores, the chandeliers, and the Victorian Tester (pronounce tee-ster) Bed.

11thHourOnline.com

MARCH 28 - APRIL 11, 2014

11thHourOnline.com

26 MARCH 28 - APRIL 11, 2014

SCENE SIDEMEN OF MACON

PHOTOGRAPHY MARYANN BATES

Thomas Bailey Jr.

“I only play gospel now because I know that the lord has blessed me.” Thomas Bailey Jr was born in Macon, Georgia in a home that was filled with music. His mother sang with the gospel group Wings Over Jordan, and Bailey doesn’t remember a single day of his childhood that she didn’t sing to him. Her voice remained in his head as he started to take piano lessons at age seven. The first song he ever learned was the Marty Robbins hit, “White Sport Coat and A Pink Carnation,” though another musician would have a much greater influence on his career. Little Richard Penniman, who lived in Bailey’s neighborhood sat down with the kid and taught him how to play one handed in a single afternoon. This encounter would etch something in Bailey’s brain that he would carry with him forever. “I knew then that music could change people. And I knew then playing music was something I wanted to do with my life.” Back then, in Macon, it seemed like you couldn’t throw a R&B single out your window without hitting someone who had played on it, and it wasn’t long before Thomas was playing around with some heavy hitters in the music industry. He landed a regular gig playing with the eccentric guitar slinger, Johnny Jenkins, and became a member of the Pinetoppers. Bailey says one of the funniest things to happen during his storied career in music was on stage with them.

“I’ll never forget, we was playing out at this little club, way out in the sticks. And the club did n ’t have a septic system; they just had a cesspool that was right behind the stage. We had a drummer named Patty Tea Cakes at the time. And he was kind of like Johnny, he was a wildman. Well, Patty got so amped up that night that he fell off into that cesspool and we wouldn’t even let him ride home with us. I still laugh when I think about it.” Bailey would also sit in with the likes of Otis Redding, Etta James, Percy Welch, Percy Sledge, James Brown, and Jimmy Reed, throughout the next 15 years. “Jimmy Reed used to get so drunk that his wife used to have to whisper him the words to his songs from the side of the stage.” Once Thomas came off the road to start a family, he continued to play fraternity parties and weddings with different bands, and has continued to play in churches throughout the community, though he also does painting and construction to supplement his income. “All in all, I guess you could say I’ve lived a pretty adventurous life,” he says, laughing. “I only play Gospel now because I know that the lord has blessed me and I need to repay that favor, by blessing others with his music.” 11thHourOnline.com

FRI 3/28

FRI 4/4

FRI 4/11

DRINK SPECIALS/ SPECIAL EVENTS

B Keith Williams 20’s Pub, Riverside Drive

M ama T 20’s Pub, Riverside Drive

B Keith Williams 20’s Pub, Riverside Drive

MONDAYS

The Skeeterz AP’s Hidden Hideaway

Chris Medley AP’s Hidden Hideaway

Jason Hobbs AP’s Hidden Hideaway

Happy hour til 9pm, jam & rehearse 7-10pm, 20’s Pub

Macon Music Live presents Abby Owens 567 Center for Renewal, $10 Cranford Hollow Billy’s Clubhouse Connor Christian & Southern Gothic Crazy Bull Five 40 The Hummingbird DJ Will Weber Roasted Cafe & Lounge Big Daddy & Co. Wild Wing Cafe

Mountain Heart & Seven Handle Circus Cox Capitol Theatre Machines are People Too Billy’s Clubhouse A2Z Band Crazy Bull Back City Woods The Hummingbird Megan Jean & the KFB Roasted Cafe & Lounge Scott Brantley Band Wild Wing Cafe

SAT 3/29

SAT 4/5

Midlife Chrysler AP’s Hidden Hideaway

The Skeeterz AP’s Hidden Hideaway

Radio birds Billy’s Clubhouse

Lee Roy Parnell Cox Capitol Theatre

Cherry Blossom Music Fest Cox Capitol Theatre, 4 bands, music starts at 6pm!

Big Daddy & Co. Billy’s Clubhouse

Cherry Blossom Music Fest Crazy Bull, 4 bands, music starts at 6pm!

Rachael Timberlake Crazy Bull

Cherry Blossom Music Fest The Hummingbird, 4 bands, music starts at 6pm! Radio Cult Wild Wing Cafe

SUN 3/30 Big Mike & Booty Papas APs Hidden Hideaway, 3-8pm John Stanley Jam Session Backporch Lounge 4-7:30pm

THURS 4/3 Stevie Monce Ban d The Hummingbird B Keith Williams Locos Deli & Pub Travis Bryan t Wild Wing Cafe

28 MARCH 28 - APRIL 11, 2014

Barry Darnell & Mobile Slim Band The Hummingbird Cosby Sweater Roasted Cafe & Lounge Matt Pippin Band Wild Wing Cafe

SUN 4/6 Big Mike & Booty Papas APs Hidden Hideaway, 3-8pm John Stanley Jam Session Backporch Lounge 4-7:30pm

THURS 4/10 Atlas Road Crew The Hummingbird Dumpstafunk Cox Capitol Theatre

G ary Ray The Crazy Bull

$1 Wells, D a rty Tourney 7-9pm Billy’s Clubhouse

Freelance Ru c kus Billy’s Clubhouse

Everyday 4-7pm: $1 beers and $6 domestic pitchers $2 Beers All day Everyday, Locos

Dirty Sound Professors Hummingbird

$1 Wells all night, The Bird

Gimmie Hendrix Roasted Cafe & Lounge Big Daddy & Co. Wild Wing Cafe

$3.25 22oz Bud & Bud Lt Drafts • $13 Bud & Bud Lt Buckets • $2 House Vodkas Wild Wing Caf e 25% off all appetizers, Happy Hour 3-6 and 9-Cl Macon Mellow

SAT 4/12

TUESDAYS

Murph & the Murphtones AP’s Hidden Hideaway

Service Industry Night at The Rookery. $1 PBRs, $2 Wells, Half Price Drafts. For all - Half Price draft beers 10pm - 12am

Five 40 Billy’s Clubhouse Freelance Ru c kus CJ’s Sports Bar

TUES/WED/THUR:All you can eat wings and chicken fingers $9.99, CJ’s Sports Bar

Chuck Courtenay The Crazy Bull

Build your own martini night at Dovetail

Bootz & Katz The Hummingbird Scott Brantley Band Wild Wing Cafe

THURS 4/17 Copious Jones Billy’s Clubhouse Circus Mutt The Hummingbird Scott Little Wild Wing Cafe B Keith Williams Locos Deli & Pub

3-4-1 Drinks every Tuesday The Hummingbird

Ladies - 2 for 1 Everything, Gentlemen:Tie-One-On 2 for 1 when wearing a tie! Free pool and d a rts BJs Downtown

THURSDAYS Ladies Night: 25¢ drinks and open Poker Billys Clubhouse College Night - $5 Jager bombs, DJ The Crazy Bull Ladie night featuring 1/2 price bottles of wine - Dovetail $8 Bottomless Mugs at The Hummingbird 2-4-1 Jagerbombs, $3.50 craft beer Mellow Mushroom $4 Irish Bombs and $4 Baby Guinness Shots Wild Wing Everyday 4-7pm: $1 beers and $6 domestic pitchers $2 Beers All day Everyday, Locos

FRIDAYS $4 select premium liquor Mellow Mushroom Buy 1/Get 1 wells 8-until, Giveaways! A P ’s Hideaway Everyday, Miller Lite buckets just $12! Wild Wing

SATURDAYS

2 for Tues- buy 8 wings and get 8 free! $2 domestic drafts 4p-CL Wild Wing

College students get 15% entire bill! Spirit Day at Locos

3-4-1 Wells, Pool League Billy’s Clubhouse

$10 Beer Buckets, 20’s Pub

WEDNESDAYS

$4 select premium liquor Mellow Mushroom

(4pm-Close) $2 domestic Pints, $4 Bombs and $4 Baby Guiness Shots Wild Wing

Game Day Specials: 2 for 1 bombs and $1 domesic drafts Billy’s Clubhouse

1/2 price whiskey flights every Wednesday at Dovetail

$13 Miller Lt & Coors Lt Buckets Wild Wing Cafe

$1 wells, $2 domestics all night for the ladies The Crazy Bull

SUNDAYS

Half Price draft beers 10pm 12am at The Rookery

$10 beer buckets, 20’s Pub

Ladies Night 7pm-CL: $2 House W i n e, $5 Martinis Macon Mellow

B Keith Williams Locos Deli & Pub

Everyday 4-7pm: $1 beers and $6 domestic pitchers $2 Beers All day Everyday, Locos

Rob Walker & Eddie Stone Wild Wing Cafe

2-4-1 Drinks every Wednesday The Hummingbird

12-3pm:1/2 price Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Mint Julep, Sangria or Mojito Mellow Mushroom $3.25 22oz Bud & Bud Lt Drafts, $13 Bud & Bud Lt Buckets $3 Bloody Marys Wild Wing Service Industry - $2 Wells & Domestics BJ’s Downtown 12:30-5: Bloody Mary Buffet Locos

Come Hear...

LEE ROY PARNELL @ THE CAPITOL THEATRE

FRIDAY 3/28 CONNOR CHRISTIAN & SOUTHERN GOTHIC @ CRAZY BULL Atlanta country-rock outfit Connor Christian & Southern Gothic has been winning fans one show at a time since 2004, and this year looks to be its biggest year yet. The group’s latest album, New Hometown, released Feb. 12, bowed at No. 17 on Billboard’s Hot Country Albums chart and effectively encapsulates what brings fans out to their shows. The band’s penchant for delivering rowdy live perf o rmances has e a rned them opening slots for everyone from Tim McGraw to Styx. With the release of New Hometown, Connor notes he’s ready to swing for the fences in the major leagues.

BACK CITY WOODS @ THE HUMMINGBIRD

RACHEL TIMBERLAKE @ CRAZY BULL

highly awarded ensembles ever assembled, Mountain Heart, or members of the band, have either won or been nominated for multiple Grammys, ACM, CMA, and IBMA Awards. They have appeared on the revered stage of the Grand Ole Opry in excess of 125 times and have shared the stage with acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Montgomery Gentry, Levon Helm, George Jones, Zac Brown Band, Merle Haggard and Brad Paisley to Alison Krauss, to name a few.

COSBY SWEATER @ ROASTED CAFE & LOUNGE

SATURDAY 4/5 LEE ROY PARNELL @ COX CAPITOL THEATRE

SATURDAY 3/29

Lee Roy Parnell is part of a long line of Texas roots-music eclectics and is among the elite few who can be identified as a triple threat. An ace guitarist, as well as a distinctive singer, and hit songwriter, his music runs the gamut of diversity. Combining the influences of Blue-Eyed Soul, Delta Blues, Road House Rock, S o u t h e rn Boogie, Texas Swing, and Gospel, Parnell’s sound defies conventional classification.

WILD WING CAFE CHERRY BLOSSOM MUSIC FESTIVAL

RACHEL TIMBERLAKE @ CRAZY BULL Rachel Timberlake is a

FIVE 40 @ THE BIRD Five40 fuses Reggae,Rock & Ska to create a genre all its own! Originality is the key element in every song.

See above for complete line-up and ticketing information.

FRIDAY 4/4 MOUNTAIN HEART @ COX CAPITOL THEATRE Mountain Heart is the band that has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played. The band's name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence in acoustic music circles since the group's creation in 1999. As one of the most

sassy, high-energy bombshell that puts on an “in your face” Rockin’ Country show, creating electrifying perfo rmances on stages everywhere! She has recently celebrated the release of her debut self-titled album, as well as the release of her newest music video for the single "Honky Tonk Queen"..., and is currently working on her sophomore album. In swift fashion, Rachel has stormed across the region, playing over 150 shows a year, and is currently touring the Southern states playing venues ranging from country nightclubs to large fairs and festivals!

One aspect where the electronic trio really shines is their live show. Cosby Sweater has made waves in its first year playing festivals and supporting acts such as Pretty Lights, Minnesota, Digital Tape Machine, Tipper and Eliot Lipp. They have shown no signs of slowing down in 2013 and will continue to perfect their genre-bending sound.

THURSDAY 4/10 DUMPSTAPHUNK @ COX CAPITOL THEATRE A decade evolved from their debut at 2003's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Dumpstaphunk offers fans an unforgettable live experience steeped in the Big Easy tradition of a good time. The quintet features Ivan Neville on vocals, B3 and Clav, the double bass attack and soulful voices of Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III, Ian Neville on guitar, and the monster addition of Nikki Glaspie on drums and vocals.

FRIDAY 4/11 GARY RAY @ THE CRAZY BULL Gary Ray was born Gary Ray Pfaff in Landsthul, Germany into a military family where his dad was himself a songwriter and fighter pilot. The family relocated to Tucker, Georgia outside of Atlanta when Gary was 5 years old. He was a music industry early bloomer, writing and performing his infectious brand of music since the age of 15. Gary’s career path was etched early-on when he shunned his High School graduation ceremonies to go on tour with Edwin McCain and has never looked back. 11thHourOnline.com

MARCH 28 - APRIL 11, 2014