December 2011 Issue A

feast of nine lessons and carols | PAGE 17

verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

FREE | NOVEMBER 30 2011 | VOL 4 ISSUE 19 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS

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SHOP OUR ANNUAL LOCAL GIFT GUIDE

MUSIC FLAMEKEEPER + DRINK BUONA CAFFE + FOOD HILDEBRANDT’S TO DO GET IN THE SPIRIT WITH HOLIDAY EVENTS + ISSUE WHY CHOOSE LOCAL FIRST

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4 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

publisher Matt Plocha editor Lara Plocha events editor Andrea Bennett contributors Alison Richter, Alison Ryan, Amy Swann, Anne Lovell Swan, Ben Casella, Christopher Selmek, Dino Lull, Elizabeth Benson, Gabi Hutchison, Holly Birdsong, John Cannon, Jonathan Karow, Karen Farley, Leah Deslandes, Mariah Gardner, Michael Swan, Skyler Andrews, Stephen Delaney Hale

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GENERAL POLICIES: Contents

copyrighted 2011 by verge. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Editorial content of verge is the opinion of each contributing writer and is not necessarily the opinion of verge, its staff or its advertisers.

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20 14 34 50 40 12 39 6 22 6 48 44 3 24 18 22 20 42 24 16 30 6 20 10 33 46 38 30 8 8 4 28 2, 47 17 15 11 16 38 34 30 6 48 16 32, 41 51 36 52 15

1102 Bar and Grill 12 Bands of Chirstmas 8TH Street Hookah Lounge AB Beverage Aficionados Augusta Players Bar on Broad Big Mamas Flowers Express Blue Sky Kitchen Buzz on Biz Casella Eye Center Clear Channel - Y102 CMFA Chilly Chili Cookoff Edge Salon & Spa Elduets Family Y First Round Forkfly French Market Ground Zero Fighting Halo Salon & Spa International Uniform John Berret Kruhu Manuel’s Bread Café Metro Pub & Coffeehouse Moon Beans/New Moon Nacho Mamas New Life / DiChickos Oddfellows Gallery Peach Mac Pecans Unlimited Rock Bottom Music Salvation Army Sanford Bruker Banks Santa Con Pub Crawl Savannah River National Lab Shen Yu Six Degrees Sky City Soy Noodle House The Book Tavern The Curiosty Shoppe The Loft Tipsey McStumbles Wild Wing Café Windsor Fine Jewelers Zimmerman Gallery

WHAT’S INSIDE

SMATTERINGS

vergestaff

yeah, we made this

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY

As I sat at my computer contemplating my column, my mind began to race thinking of the great events about to take place in our community over the next few weeks. There is so much activity going on this time of the year, it will make one’s head spin. We hope to help guide you through the next few weeks with all of these opportunities for you to experience in a “jolly” way.

Dec. 3 starts the holiday season bright: The Augusta Chronicle hosts the Annual Christmas Light Up Spectacular at the Augusta Common. The day kicks off with the last Augusta Market of the year – the Holiday Market at the Common. It continues with the annual Christmas parade and closes at dusk, when Mayor Deke will throw the switch on the Christmas tree and the lights in downtown Augusta. Come on down and kick off the Christmas season with your community and be a part of this spectacular event. Heck, they are even throwing in a fireworks show orchestrated to holiday music for you – how cool is that!

Then, head over to the Olde Town Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes (on Dec. 2 and 3). Explore the holiday open house at the Arts & Heritage Center in North Augusta or check out the Christmas Belles performance at Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre. Perhaps you might rather go over the river and through the woods (literally) to the Aiken Playhouse performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

We are not even through the first week and my head is spinning! Take a moment to relax with a Celtic Christmas guitar concert at Enterprise Mill on Dec. 7 and then gear back up for Girls’ Night Out: Martinis Martinis & Mistletoe to help benefit Hope House of Augusta. This annual favorite for the ladies (sorry guys, this is a girl thing only), downtown merchants roll out the red carpet for the ladies and offer specials, drink and merriment.

The weekend of Dec. 10 is something really special: it’s the first Chilly Chili Cook-Off to benefit Augusta’s Champions Made From Adversity program.

Verge is a proud sponsor of this event along with dozens of major corporations and local business owners. This year’s event will be held on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where is this you might ask? You guessed it, it’s being held in the heart of our community, the Augusta Common. Live music – six great bands [publisher’s note: my daughter Ashley’s band Koko Beware opens the day at 11:00 a.m.), great chili and an excellent benefit – what an excellent way to spend your day.

After the cook-off you can see The Augusta Player’s version of A Christmas Carol, The Musical at the Imperial Theatre – an annual favorite. This year’s show runs for two nights only: Dec. 10 and 11. It is an excellent way to spend time with your family, friends and community. But, wait, there’s more. On Dec. 11, the Polar Express departs from the Augusta Museum of History. Enjoy the modern day story of wonder and belief. Be sure to purchase your tickets early – they are going fast!

As you can see, you only thought you were stuffed on Thanksgiving. The Augusta community and surrounding area has a lot planned for you to get out and enjoy the holidays. There are many ways for you to experience and maybe even volunteer your time with your community this.

While you are out and about, please remember to be “jolly.” This holiday season, try to be courteous to one another as we are out enjoying the real reason for the holidays. It’s not about the newest gadget or gizmo. It’s not about 3 a.m. sales events or being first in line. It’s not about how much “stuff ” we can get, but more of how much we can give by giving back to our community. Try your best to shop local first by supporting our independent business owners in and around our communities. Yes, it IS beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Everywhere we turn.

Stay tuned for more updates and community events in the next issue of verge.

Lot’s more to come!

Ho, ho, ho!

Matt

ON THE COVER WHERE SANTA SHOPS

Yes, even Santa Claus is beginning to branch out of his North Pole workshop and get on board with the Choose Local First Mission. Read more on page 25.

you won’t want to miss a page

the main feature

13 Local Roasters Have a Love of Java 15 It’s Time for a Girls’ Night Out 19 Local Writers Try to Beat the Clock

John and Pat Curry take turn an obession into a profession

Annual Martinis & Mistletoe promises an evening of pure fun

A novel in 30 days? These intrepid authors share their drive.

21 Breaking the Cycle of Street Life 23 Creating a Local Sustainable Economy

Fatherhood Task Force is determined to put kids on a new path

The many reasons why choosing local first helps the community

25 Our Annual Perfect Gift Guide

Four pages of great gifts and the stories behind the ideas

heard around town 7 7 9 9

New Skate and Bike Shop: 6 Degrees Rockbottom Music in Downtown Aiken Historic Augusta Awards Preservation The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle

music | theatre | art | film 17 17 33 35 37 37 39 43 45 45 49

Music: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Music: Vince Gill & Amy Grant Film: The Film Reel Music: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper Holiday: Christmas Light Up Spectacular Art: $100 Art Show Holiday: Olde Town Christmas Tour of Homes Good Cause: Chilly Chili Cook-Off Holiday: All Aboard the Polar Express Holiday: Hopelands Gardens Art: The Local Color

regular stuff 07 11 31 37 46 47 48 49 49

Heard Around Town Buzz on Biz Augusta Eats + Beers Locals Like The Daily Planner In Motion Nightlife In Good Health The New York Times Crossword Life Face First

vergequotes

here’s what inspires us

““Every man that undertakes to be of a profession or takes upon himself an office must take all parts of it, the good and the evil, the pleasures and the pain, the profit and the inconveniences all together and not pick and choose: For ministers must preach, captains must fight, and physicians attend upon the sick.”

— William Boghurst, AN Apothecary during the Great Plague of London, 1666

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heard

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

[ boards and bikes at six degrees ] Downtown welcomes a new addition to the shops on Broad Street: 6 Degrees opened three weeks ago at 752 Broad St. and features skateboards, bicycles and accessories.

6 Degrees specializes in fixed-gear and BMX bicycles, such as Eastern, Nitrous and Verde. The store also carries skateboards, stocking brands such as World Industries, DGK, Enjoi, Sector 9 and Plan B. And all the related gear and accessories.

“We have lots of different colored grip tape, quick release mount fenders, Soma eyewear, cogs and lockings for fixed gear bicycles and tires in a variety of colors,” said Ryan Coleman, the store manager.

To encourage customer loyalty, 6 Degrees has developed a VIP program.

“Our VIP program offers great discounts on products throughout the store. It’s a great way to save on our already great prices on items like tubes, tires, and bike sets,” said Coleman. “The VIP program also offers discounts on maintenance and repairs.”

An interesting feature of the store is the 6 Degrees bike co-op. Customers can donate old bicycles and parts in exchange for shop services, such as, as Coleman said, “a place to work on your ride, the expertise to help you get it done and the tools to do it right.”

6 Degrees is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 706.877.BIKE or on Facebook at FACEBOOK.COM/6DEGREESBIKES. | by BEN RICHE

[ hit rock bottom in aiken ]

[ GHSU annual radiothon helps kids ]

Rock Bottom Music is seeing sales rise after moving to downtown Aiken from the Bi-Lo Shopping Center on the Southside in early November.

Owner Jonathan Karow and manager Keith Ford both say the move into the building recently vacated by the Curiosity Shop means more visibility, more customers and more sales.

“We are really glad to be in downtown Aiken,” said Ford. “We have doubled our traffic. We have at least 10 to 15 people a day come in just to look around and that didn’t happen on the Southside. In fact, traffic has increased so much that we are going to start being open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays to better service our customers.”

Karow began Rock Bottom Music as an online retail site in 1998 with $247, as a sideline to his touring gigs as a professional musician. He opened his first brick-and-mortar store in Augusta, which is now at the corner of Broad and Eighth streets.

The Southside Aiken location opened in December 2005.

“The Aiken store has done really well; even through slow economic times, our sales have increased every year. At the other location we only had one lesson room; this one is going to have four lesson rooms, and those are larger rooms, too,” said Karow. “Initially, when we open the new store, we’ll start right out with almost 100 students signed up to take lessons; that’s fantastic.”

“It’s been successful enough for us to warrant getting a bigger location to serve the public better,” said Ford. “We like the downtown vibe we have around us in Augusta, and Aiken has that same artsy vibe downtown.”

Rock Bottom Music sells all types of instruments from rock ‘n’ roll staples such as electric guitars to equipment for high school marching bands. The store also services the instruments it sells, offers lessons, rents PA equipment, does installation for churches and schools and, in Augusta, has ventured into concert promotion and staging.

“This is a great place to work,” said Ford. “Everybody here is a musician. It’s like a clubhouse and our customers like that.

Haleigh Gay turned 1 on Aug. 30, but you wouldn’t know it by her size. Weighing in at about 11 pounds and 22-inches long, the Martinez girl still wears newborn clothes and diapers.

Haleigh had heart surgery shortly after birth to repair a severely pinched aortic valve. But her parents and doctors soon learned that her heart problem was just one symptom of a bigger issue.

“She was also born with an extra finger and webbed toes,” said her mother, Jennifer Gay. “That’s when they called in genetics.”

Haleigh was eventually diagnosed with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting about one in 40,000 newborns.

“You hear news about watching your cholesterol all the time, but Haleigh’s body is unable to produce any cholesterol. As an infant, she wasn’t thriving. In fact, the doctors didn’t offer us much hope,” Gay said.

But specialists at Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center, including therapists, cardiologists, pediatricians and a geneticist, have worked with Haleigh’s family to give the girl a better life.

“We get to hang out in a building full of musical instruments and musicians and we get to play with all the new stuff. We’re like kids in a toy store and people pick up on how much we enjoy it and they enjoy coming in.”

Rock Bottom Music in Aiken is located at 202 Richland Ave. W, and is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 803.649.1919 or visit ROCKBOTTOMMUSIC.COM. | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

[ got news? we want to hear it ]

Verge is a community driven newspaper - so we want to hear from you. Send your good news, upcoming events, promotions or story ideas to editor@vergelive.com for publication consideration. Include contact information for any questions.

[ give the gift of a bicycle this holiday with santa wheels ]

Looking for a way to help make a local child’s Christmas special? Santa Wheels provides bicycles for needy children. The local organization has refurbished more than 1,000 bicycles since 1995, with the help of homeless persons who are seeking to enter the workforce through Goodwill Industries.

Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse will be collecting donations through Dec. 10. Bicycles must be single-speed children’s bikes, sizes 12” to 26”. Volunteers are needed to help with the Bike Rodeo on Dec. 15, when the bikes will be presented with safety training and a helmet. For details, contact Amy Breitmann at 706.650.5670.

“She’s now starting to scoot and crawl,” Gay said. “It’s been quite an experience for all of us. I’ve had days where I would just cry or ask why. But we’ve learned to be thankful for every day we have with Haleigh.”

You can hear more about Haleigh during the 2011 Cares for Kids Radiothon. Radio stations 104.3 WBBQ and 96.3 Kiss FM will broadcast live from the lobby of the Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center on Dec. 8, and Dec. 9, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Dec. 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dozens of stories like Haleigh’s will be shared during this weekend fundraiser for the area’s only dedicated children’s hospital.

Since 2000, the Radiothon has been the largest single fundraiser, helping Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center provide the best and most specialized care to children and families across the Southeast.

Pledges can be any time through the online giving portal at georgiahealth.org/giving and during the Radiothon by calling 1.877.719.KIDS(5437).

“I hope Haleigh’s story will help raise awareness of the outstanding care and the wonderful staff at the Children’s Medical Center,” Gay said. “We are blessed to have such a facility in this community.” | by PRESS

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heard

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

[ your change helps ] The time for Christmas shopping has arrived and amid all the hustle and bustle rings the familiar sound of The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas bells.

It is a tradition that started in San Francisco in 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee decided to provide a Christmas dinner for those in need in his community. To raise funds for the project, McFee placed a large iron kettle at Oakland Ferry Landing with a sign that read “Keep the Pot Boiling.” The former sailor borrowed the idea from a similar pot that he recalled from his time in Liverpool, England, where a pot was placed at Stage Landing to collect coins for the poor. McFee’s kettle soon collected the money necessary to provide the dinner. Six years later, the kettle idea had spread to Boston, feeding more than 150,000 people across the country.

Today, The Salvation Army assists more than 4.5 million people during the holiday season.

[ historic augusta awards preservation efforts ]

“Donations into our Red Kettles support the social services provided by The Salvation Army of Augusta,” said Anthony Esposito, The Salvation Army’s public relations coordinator.

“These include our homeless shelter, soup kitchen, job skills program and drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.”

Each year, community members offer their services to The Salvation Army to help the cause.

“Volunteers come from all aspects of the greater Augusta community,” said Esposito. “Some are individuals that just want to support The Salvation Army of Augusta and its social services. Others are groups, such as youth groups, churches, businesses, and civic organizations that reserve a day or more and have their members ring at one location for a full day or more.”

The Salvation Army Red Kettles provide an opportunity for shoppers to donate to a program that makes a big difference by assisting those in our community who otherwise might be forgotten. | by BEN RICHE

[ juilliard of aiken has a feté noel ]

Historic Augusta Inc. recognized the recipients of its annual preservation awards on Nov. 15. The organization has been presenting the awards to deserving properties since 1973.

“We celebrate the hard work these property owners have engaged in,” said Robyn Anderson, Historic Augusta’s preservation services director. “The purpose of these annual awards is to recognize individuals who have undertaken a preservation project.”

The criteria for award-winning property is that the efforts resulted in saving the property from an uncertain fate, preserved a formerly dilapidated historic structure through generally accepted restoration standards, or has undergone extensive repairs to the interior and/or exterior that return the building to its original appearance using appropriate historic materials.

Zee Homoki was the winning bidder at Polo and Pimms for a ride in the side car of Dr. Tony Harris’ Harley Davidson.

While the owners of the properties receive the award, it could be said that the entire community benefits by the restoration of these properties.

“Preservation projects are a benefit to the community because it shows that buildings of all sizes and occupation can be sensitively rehabilitated and put back into service by a preservation minded owners, and those properties will continue to represent the historic fabric of Augusta’s neighborhoods,” said Anderson.

This year’s recipients were: 931 Broad St.: Built circa 1880, a certified historic rehabilitation has transformed the third floor of this commercial building into a residential apartment.

The Emporium Building at 1106 Broad St.: Built in 1884, this certified historic rehabilitation now features nine luxury apartment units on the second and third floor with tenant parking inside the building on the first floor. The commercial space remains vacant at this time.

1830 Woodrow St.: Built circa 1910, this Craftsman style home in the Woodlawn neighborhood was rehabilitated after a devastating fire and is currently on the market.

247 Greene St.: Built in 1917, this Prairie-style, singlefamily home located in the Olde Town Local Historic District is encouraging other reinvestment into the neighborhood and preservation activity.

819 Milledge Road: Built 1826, the Cumming-LangdonWeiss house is a contributing historic resource to the Summerville Historic District and has been renovated with much of the original historic character remaining intact.

Tubman School at 1740 Walton Way: Built in 1917 by architect G. Lloyd Preacher and individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the school has undergone a substantial renovation that was sensitive to the historic integrity of the building and reopened as the Tubman Education Center.

Juilliard in Aiken hosts the third event in its Feasts of the Festival on Saturday, Nov. 17 – Feté Noel. The dinner party’s Christmas theme includes a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dickens and a Grinch serving drinks.

247 GREene st.

Seclusaval on Windsor Spring Road: This example of a Sand Hills Cottage was built circa 1800 and is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been preserved as a single-family home with original hardwood floors, mantles and windows. This property is also the site of the Windsor Spring Water Company founded in 1905 by William H. T. Walker.

1137 Glenn Avenue: The renovations to this contributing historic home in the Summerville Historic District have been respectful of the home’s historic materials. | by BEN RICHE

[ tips to ensure safe shopping ] The Aiken Department of Public Safety recently released some tips for shoppers to consider during the holiday season.

“The biggest increase in crime in Aiken recently has been people breaking into parked cars,” said Sgt. Aaron Dowdy, an Aiken public safety officer. “So often people go from store to store buying gifts that are wrapped as presents or in festive department store bags. Many times, they will put one load of gifts in plain view in the back seat and then go to another store. As you leave it, you would do well to get into the habit of looking back into your car. It needs to look boring. Make sure there is nothing that looks attractive in plain view: gifts, purses, wallets, GPS devices, cell phones or anything of value should not be visible. Leaving anything in site is an invitation to thieves.”

Feté Noel will be held in a historic Aiken home, the location will be revealed at the time of reservation. Liz Hill, the weekday morning anchor for WAGT-NBC TV, will be the guest of honor.

Each Feast is also highlighted by the silent auction of five highly valued items or excursions. For example, at the first Feast in October, auction items included an airplane ride over Aiken, flown by Aiken City Councilman Steve Homoki, and an exclusive invitation to the Juilliard National Council Gala Performance in New York City.

Juilliard in Aiken will sponsor more than a dozen performances and numerous regional school outreach experiences from March 10 through 16 by students of The Juilliard School, the nation’s premier conservatory of music, dance and theater.

Juilliard in Aiken, in its fourth year, is the only place in the world where the school partners with a community for a weeklong performing arts festival. At least 95 percent of the festival’s expenses come from private donations. The Feasts are intended to help with those expenses and keep the public aware of the festival.

Previous feasts included Wild Game and Fine Wine and Polo and Pimms. Future Feasts include a Festa Italiano, an authentic Italian dinner on Jan. 21 and Music Fills the Heart, a Valentine’s celebration on Feb. 11.

Feté Noel is fully subscribed, but contact Marcia Holm, 803.642.3993 for future feasts. | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

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the buzz on

biz

what’s moving and shaking in local business

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES Perhaps it

is a sign that our local economy is rebounding. What else would explain how area residents doubled their giving at the Garlic Clove’s annual Italian Thanksgiving Feast? The $5,111 in donations will go to buy more than $35,000 worth of food to restock pantries at Columbia County Cares and Golden Harvest Food Bank.

Hundreds of people came from the community to the Garlic Clove to eat a sample plate of Chef Jeff ’s specialties. volunteers sort food at golden harvest food bank He organized his staff to donate their time, got food suppliers to donate food and took care of the rest out of his own pocket. The buzz is that the Garlic Clove was selected Best Italian Restaurant by readers of Columbia County Magazine.

With events like the Italian Thanksgiving Feast, it is easy to see why.

Treats For Troops Is A Hit In CSRA and Overseas

Seventy-five American troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq are getting a surprise treat this holiday season from “Team Bugstopper” at Advanced Services.

The servicemen and women will each receive a Very Vera pound cake in the name of an Advanced Services customer along with a card.

“It is a small show of our appreciation for the safety and freedom that our military provides us all.

We are safe in our beds at night, and free to do our commerce, and raise our children due to the sacrifice of military men and women,” said Advanced Services CEO Jeff Annis.

The 75 customers will not be left out. In early December, a breakfast and taste-treating party is scheduled at Very Vera’s as a way to say thank you. If you or your business would like to be part of Treats For Troops, visit veryvera.com.

CHRISTIAN STATION MANAGER EXTRA THANKFUL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Steve

Swanson, the station manager of 88.3 WAFJ, was recently recognized by Christian Music Broadcasters as the 2011 Program Director of the Year for Markets 101+. Steve received the award at CMB’s annual meetings in Orlando.

He also received the Program Director of the Year award in 2009. Steve has served as WAFJ’s station manager since September of 2006. In the face of the tough economy, music ministry partners continue to grow for the listenersupported station based in North Augusta.

BE PART OF A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT NEXT SEASON CSRA residents

with ties to Tybee Island, Ga., are being asked to help preserve the island’s history. Visitors to the Hotel Tybee or Ocean Plaza Beach Resort are requested to send in any photographs or stories referring to the resort. Owner Harry Spirides plans to record the long and colorful history of the hotel built in 1889 in a book.

“I want to document the history of this grand old hotel before this information is lost forever, plus I think it could be an effective way to raise money for a good cause,” said Spirides.

All profits from the sale of the book will help restore historic Fort Screven’s Tybee Post Theater located on the north end of Tybee Island. If your photos are used, you will receive credit in the book and a copy when released.

Scanned Hotel Tybee photos and typewritten Hotel Tybee stories may be submitted by email to hoteltybeebook@ oceanplaza.com or by mail: Harry Spirides, Hotel Tybee Book Project, P.O. Box 2449,Tybee Island, GA 31328-2449.

Neil Gordon owns Buzz on Biz LLC, a company dedicated to highlighting business growth through newspaper, television, radio, and Web content.

Story idea? Email neil.gordon@buzzon.biz

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12 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

buona caffe knows a good day begins with a john and pat curry turn a love for coffee into a thriving roastery

BEGIN WITH BEANS

great cup of joe

John weighs out ten pounds of green (unroasted) coffee beans to roast.

THE ROASTING John dumps out roased

TASTE THE RESULTS John samples the final product in a

When Pat and John Curry met 34 years ago, they had a lot in common. They were both in high school, working at a local newspaper in Ft. Myers, Fla.; Pat was a clerk and John a photojournalist. They both drank coffee, and it wasn’t too long before they realized that good things happen over a cup of Joe.

commercial accounts. Their first restaurant customer was the Polka Dot Pig Gastropub. As their business grew, they knew it was time to find a commercial space. They also needed a bigger roaster.

Drinking Water (www.csdw.org). The nonprofit organization supplies water purification packs to World Vision, CARE, UNICEF and U.S. Aid for distribution in developing countries.

While John was a working photographer, Pat attended University of Florida and graduated with a degree in journalism. They dated long-distance and after her graduation they married. The couple travelled the world working on assignments together. Then, in 1998 John accepted a position in Athens, Ga. They moved with their two daughters and continued their work in the media.

“The new roaster also has an interesting history: It is the original roaster that started Land of the Hills coffee,” Pat adds.

A few years later, they moved to Augusta where John took a job with The Augusta Chronicle and Pat continued her career as a freelance writer. Then, after years of travelling and working hard-to-meet deadlines, they decided to celebrate their anniversary in a country of coffee aficionados.

“We took a trip to Italy for our 25th anniversary. As we traveled for 17 days, I noticed how people connect over a cup of coffee,” Pat says. “I realized it is as much about the experience as it is the coffee.”

Four years later, the couple took coffee drinking seriously.

The Currys started roasting coffee as a hobby, but when friends and family started to ask if they could buy some, the couple bought a one-pound roaster on eBay. John spent his Saturdays on their front porch, roasting coffee beans.

“Our first customer is now our son-in-law,” Pat smiles.

After a little research and an online survey targeted to coffee drinkers, the couple started Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee.

“The name of our company means ‘good coffee’ in Italian,” Pat says. “Our motto is ‘Good things happen over good coffee.’”

John adds, “Good things happen over great coffee!”

Within a year of opening their business, they started getting

coffee beans into the cooling tray.

“We couldn’t build a company with that one-pound roaster, so we bought a 10-pound commercial roaster in January of this year,” John says.

In the past two years, the company has grown from one commercial account to many, including Symphony Orchestra Augusta.

“I noticed how people connect over a cup of coffee.

I realized it is as much about the experience.”

— john curry

The Currys recently released a new blend created exclusively for SOA called Bravissimo. It is served at every symphony concert during interludes and is a fundraiser for Friends of the Symphony.

“Great coffee and great music have gone together for centuries,” John says. “In 1732, Bach wrote a miniature comedic opera called ‘Coffee Cantata’ and Beethoven was obsessed with coffee.”

To many, coffee is a basic necessity. Pat and John might know about great coffee, but they also know that the water they use every day is a precious commodity in some parts of the world.

As their coffee sales increased, they started looking for an organization with a focus on water-related projects to donate some of the proceeds from their coffee sales. Pat contacted World Vision and discovered their involvement with Children’s Safe

manual brew of pour-over in the roaster’s tasting room.

“Every bag of coffee purchased from us supports Children’s Safe Drinking Water,” Pat says. “The donation from two bags of coffee will give a child clean drinking water for 50 days. It’s both humbling and exciting to know that such a small donation has such a major effect.”

Though a portion of the proceeds benefits other countries, the couple believes charity begins at home. They supply coffee to Fisher House at the Charlie Norwood VA Mecial Center and donate coffee gift baskets to fundrasiers for area nonprofits.

Any coffee that is not sold is donated to Garden City Rescue Mission. Their involvement in the community and their coffee is quickly making Buona Caffee a household name.

This summer, the Currys had a booth at the Saturday Market on the River. They also are members of Augusta Locally Grown, an online farmer’s market. When they are not busy roasting, they are promoting other local businesses in the community.

“We try to stay very involved in the CSRA,” Pat says. “This is fun. People are happy to see us come in. We like being the coffee people.”

Buona Caffee is Augusta’s only local coffee roaster. It is served at restaurants throughout Augusta including Crums on Central, La Maison on Telfair, the Kroc Center, Kitchen 1454, DiChiko’s and Big Day Cakes. The Currys brew the coffee for the monthly Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and offer coffee catering, to-go boxes, gift baskets and tastings.

So, how many cups of coffee do they drink each day?

“We make about two pots a day,” Pat says. “I call it quality control.”

Stop by the roaster for a tasting at 1837 Central Ave., contact John or Pat at 706.714.2809 or browse through their store online at buonacaffe.com.

by KAREN E. FARLEY photos BUONA CAFFE

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14 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

it’s

girl’s night out MARTINIS & MISTLETOE on dec.8

Fashion styles come and go and beauty trends fade in and out. One thing that is always in style: quality time with friends. The upcoming Girls’ Night Out: Martinis & Mistletoe is the perfect time to celebrate friendship and the season. Grab some girlfriends and head downtown on Dec. 8 for a night of shopping, treats and events designed especially for women.

The evening gets started at Casa Blanca Café, 936 Broad St., with complimentary martinis.

You can also check in at the Mistletoe Booth here, get your shopping passport for the evening and, most importantly, buy raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the Christmas Baskets of Cheer – stuffed with items and gift certificates from downtown shops.

Here is the part you do not want to miss: the first 150 women to buy the $5 raffle tickets get a free Mistletoe Tote, filled with cool stuff – such as romance novels, jewelry, coffee mugs and notecards – and coupons.

Georgia’s traveling holiday mascot, Izo, is making a stop a Girls’ Night Out this year. Word on the street is that this Yankee snowman is in need of some true Southern hospitality. Give Izo a kiss under the mistletoe – a great photo op – and buy a sprig to take home with you.

Izo is part of Georgia’s official holiday campaign. He is visiting holiday events across the state, searching for authentic holiday experiences and a more temperate climate, while sharing his experiences via Facebook and Twitter.

The fun will continue as you stroll up and down Broad Street surrounded by holiday lights and dressed up windows to find unique gifts for everyone on your “naughty and nice” list. Get treats and deals from shops and galleries, such as Zimmerman Gallery, The Book Tavern, Gallery on the Row, Art on Broad, Flowers Xpress, Curvitudes, Vintage Ooollee, Oddfellows Art Gallery, Artistic Perceptions, Flowers Xpress and more.

End the evening with a Vintage Ooollee mini fashion show at Modish Salon and Spa, 1018 Broad St., at 9:15 and learn how to infuse some retro-inspired design into your holiday wardrobe.

Net proceeds from the Girls’ Night Out benefit Hope House of Augusta Inc. Hope House is a long-term residential treatment facility that helps women overcome substance abuse, mental health disorders and homelessness while providing their children a chance at a healthy childhood.

So, take the night off and recapture that “Christmas Time in the City” feeling, experiencing the holidays downtown style.

Girls’ Night Out is presented by the Downtown Augusta Alliance. For more information, email Lara Plocha at laraplocha@gmail.com or call The Book Tavern at 706.826.1940.

take the night off

IZO

WHAT Girls’ Night Out: Martinis & Mistletoe Where Downtown Augusta | Kick Off Party at Casa Blanca Café, 936 Broad St. WHEN Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5 to 9:30 p.m. | Free MORE | FACEBOOK.COM/DOWNTOWNAUGUSTAALLIANCE FOLLOW Izo at facebook.com/exploregeorgia

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 15

16 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

honoring the

christ child THE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

[ honoring the christ child’s birth ] The first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was held on Christmas Eve in 1918 to bring a more imaginative approach to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The traditional service at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge University, England, begins with the hymn “Once in Royal David’s City.”

The lessons follow the story of the promised Messiah from the first prophecies in Genesis (the fall of humanity), the promise of the Messiah in Isaiah and birth of Jesus. Each of the nine lessons is interspersed with Christmas carols, hymns and choral music.

Sacred Heart Cultural Arts Center brought the service to Augusta in 1987 and each year since, under the direction of William Toole, area choral societies have gathered to present an evening of sacred worship – remembering God’s promises to His people and the holy birth of the Messiah. This year, the Columbia County Choral Society will also present a version of the service.

WHAT A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols featuring The Augusta Collegium Musicum, the Augusta Choral Society and the Davidson Chorale WHERE Sacred Heart Cultural Arts Center | 1301 Greene St. WHEN Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | $25 MORE 706.826.4700 or SACREDHEARTAUGUSTA.ORG WHAT A Service of Lessons and Carols featuring The Columbia County Choral Society WHERE First Baptist Church of Evans | 515 North Belair Road, Evans WHEN Friday, Dec. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | $10 to $15 MORE 706.233.7793 or CCCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

the 12 days of

christmas with amy grant and vince gill on dec. 10

Music superstars Vince Gill and Amy Grant will bring their sixth Christmas tour, The 12 Days of Christmas, to Augusta on Dec. 10. During the two-hour concert, the Grammy-winning husband and wife team will present classic standards, newer seasonal songs and some of their biggest hits.

“Christmas audiences are special,” said Grant.

“They tend to involve the whole family, and their emotions are a wonderful mix of anticipation and reverence. It’s a thrilling experience for both of us.”

“These holiday tours have become our favorites,” added Gill.

Grant’s career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six Grammy Awards in multiple categories, beginning with the platinum-selling Age to Age in 1982. She also has six No. 1 hits, including “Baby, Baby” and “Every Heartbeat,” and is one of only two Christian artists to be awarded a star on the legendary Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

This past March, she released her first new music in six years, Somewhere Down The Road.

Gill is one of the most popular singers in modern country music and is known for his top-notch songwriting and world-class guitar playing. His breakthrough came with “When I Call Your Name,” which won the Country Music Association’s Single of the Year award. Since then, he has won 17 more CMA honors, including Song of the Year four times, making him the most awarded artist in that category in CMA history. Since 1990, Gill has received 20 Grammy Awards. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He recently released a new album, Guitar Slinger.

by Alison Richter

WHAT The 12 Days of Christmas with Amy Grant and Vince Gill WHERE Bell Auditorium | 712 Telfair St. WHEN Saturday, Dec. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | $40 to $60 MORE 1.877.4AUGTIX or georgialinatix.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 17

18 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

local writers race to write

a novel in 30 days nanowrimo Program offers encouragement and networking for aspiring novelists

November usually signifies carving turkeys, raking dead leaves and buying too much discounted Halloween candy, but for some aspiring writers, the month is the time to write a novel. In 30 days.

NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Novel Writing Month, is a program devoted to helping writers achieve publication by creating a structure for their writing.

Writers are challenged to complete a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.

“The goal is to finish a novel, beginning, middle and end; to at least figure out the heart of the story,” said Valerie Buttler, the program’s municipal liaison for the region. “[NaNoWriMo] is an online program that offers encouragement and a way of writing with other people throughout the month.”

Local NaNoWriMer Emily Hillard said, “You get the month of November to write a 50,000word novel. It’s going to be complete crap, but you have to write it.”

NaNoWriMo began in 1999, when a group of writers challenged each other to write a novel in a month, basing the proposed word-count on the shortest book on hand, A Stranger in a Strange Land. This yearly tradition grew, and despite naysayers, NaNoWriMo has grown to become a popular annual event. Writers across the country, and even around the globe, meet during November to complete their novels and bond over shared passions.

The sorts of people who participate in NaNoWriMo have what participant David Liner describes as “loveable quirkiness.”

“Everybody is different,” he said, “but we have one common thread. We all love to write.”

Local groups of writers have taken the challenge to write the novels through the program.

Though most of the writing is done solitarily, some members participate in scheduled “writeins.”

Augusta NaNoWriMo participants meet Thursdays at the Inner Bean Café and Sundays at Panera. The Aiken group meets every Tuesday at the public library, sometimes spending Saturdays at all-day write-ins.

NaNoWriMo “gives the space, forum, and encouragement to write. The more you write, the more you realize you can finish. The program puts you on the path and gets you started,” said Marcy Vernon, of Aiken.

Buttler says she believes the program gives people a chance to become writers, without making any excuses.

“Anyone who has said, ‘I would someday like to write a novel,’ this is a great month to try,” she said.

Writers have different reasons for participating.

Most want to publish a book, even if it is not

be the book each is working on this November.

“If I don’t finish [in 30 days],“ said Hillard, “I’d like to get a good chunk done.”

More than anything, most of the authors say they care less about publication than being read, even if only by their families.

“I just want someone to read it and be entertained by it,” Hillard said.

Writing in a group setting proves useful for the writers, they claim, because there are always other people present to bounce ideas off of. With so many creative minds in a single place, the writers can feed off of the creative atmosphere.

“I don’t think half of us would make it as far as we do without the help the group. Sometimes, you need a swift kick, a little help, a reminder,” said Liner.

There is a sense of camaraderie among these writers; some have been competing in the challenge together for years.

“If nothing else, you know you’re not alone,” Liner said.

The Augusta NaNoWriMo group now includes almost a dozen writers, though Liner remembers Novembers when the program had not yet grown internationally.

“In 2005, there were three of us in the region,” he said. “We got together at Border’s and talked. Look at us now: Of the three, two of us continued to write together until 2009. Everyone we met, we encouraged to try (competing in NaNoWriMo). You never know until you pick up a pen.”

“Everybody is pretty supportive,” Jeremy Phillips said of his fellow NaNoWriMers.

However, the other writers, who Phillips describes collectively as having “a penchant for strong coffee and odd hours,” do not simply just support each other .

“Every November, these people are like family.

A lot of us meet up throughout the year outside of NANO,” Phillips said.

The writers say that meeting so often with a common goal encourages them to persevere.

Writing 50,000 words in 30 days is no small feat: It requires hours to time, plenty of imagination, and a little bit of luck.

“The goal is to finish a novel, beginning, middle and end; to at least figure out the heart of the story.”

— valerie butler

“It’s hard. It’s not easy. There’s a lot of self-doubt and criticism,” Vernon said, noting that some writers cannot find the time to complete the challenge. “People are involved in a lot. It’s hard to find time.”

“About a week-and-a-half into it, you hit that wall,” Liner said.

He explained that all writers confront some of the same problems while trying to complete the project, and sometimes, tragedy strikes.

“One year, I lost my entire story. I was 30,000 words into it, and it was gone,” Liner said.

Finding time to write a novel seems to be a challenge for all of the writers undertaking the project. The program forces people to carve out time for writing. Once finished, each writer will have finished something, despite setbacks.

“It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be,” said Nichole Richardson, who notes that she stays up until 1 a.m. to write after putting her children to bed. “I discovered exactly how much time it takes to write this much.”

Aside from the creativity necessary to write a novel, NaNoWriMo requires a creative use of

time to meet the goal of writing nearly 2,000 words each day. Some writers take notes either on paper or on their phones throughout the day, using any free time they get to write.

“I’ll skip lunch and try to knock out 500 words,” said Phillips. “I’ve sworn off video games for the month.”

The process of completing a novel in 30 days can be harrowing and some successful writers actually discourage participating.

“Why does giving yourself permission to write a lot of crap so often seem to segue into the insistence that other people read it?” asked Laura Miller, a writer for Salon. “Nothing about NaNoWriMo suggests that it’s likely to produce more novels I’d want to read.”

Some writers who have participated in the past, however, have gone on to become successful, most notably Sara Gruen, whose best-selling book Water for Elephants began as a NaNoWriMo project. Whether the participants are striving to publish their works or doing it for fun, NaNoWriMo aims to cater to anyone with the passion to write stories.

“I would love to be published someday, but it’s still in that amateur-love-still-a-hobby stage,” Liner said.

With more NaNoWriMers becoming published authors, the validity of the program has improved. In 2010, more than 30,000 of the 200,000 participants completed the 50,000 words. What NaNoWriMo seems to offer more than anything else is a community that pushes writers. The program encourages writers to complete what they have always wanted to complete, but have never had time.

As Hillard said, NaNoWriMo offers an opportunity to write something they perhaps have long wanted to: “People say ‘I want to write a novel someday,’ so go do it.”

by DEREK BERRY

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 19

20 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

eddrick johnson knows

the need for fathers the fatherhood task force seeks to reach kids on the streets

The kids call him Montana, because, just like the character in Al Pacino’s Scarface, he was once a bad guy who has turned good and he is a hard worker who will stop at nothing to save the kids of today from the streets on which he grew up.

“When I was younger I got caught selling marijuana and I got punished for it; I knew right then there had to be a better way so I went into business for myself,” said Montana, whose real name is Eddrick Johnson and who heads up the Fatherhood Task Force, a new organization doing its part to clean up the streets of Augusta. “I used to be that person out there that I’m trying to save. I never was perfect, but we strive for positive changes, which is all anyone can ask for in this life.”

“I have a true passion for this task that God placed in my heart that needed the right time to come out, but I’m just His vessel for transforming young lives.”

— EDDRICK JOHNSON

Johnson was lucky enough to have a father, mother and sister who talked to him constantly while growing up, but recognizes the growing number of fatherless children in cities across Georgia.

The Fatherhood Task Force started in an Atlanta youth ministry two years ago where the need might have been even more pressing.

“I decided I was going to start collecting signatures to see what kind of need there was among kids on the street,” said Johnson.

“I ended up with more than 300, only 25 of which were from couples raising children, but the vast majority of which were single mothers who felt their children needed male role models.

Some of them were in gangs and quite a few were dealing drugs, and they didn’t have any guidance either way.

“I have a true passion for this task that God placed in my heart that needed the right time to come out, but I’m just His vessel for transforming young lives. There are a lot of things in me that can help others. If I had to, I’d put my own life on the line to help some of these children.”

These are not just idle words. At the age of 19, Johnson saved an elderly woman from a burning mobile home and has been doing good deeds ever since. Now, with the help of his 8-year-old son, Eddrick Johnson Jr., and about 10 other volunteers, Johnson spends several days a week on the streets of local neighborhoods mentoring kids and handing out free popsicles.

“It’s easy to work with kids my own age and help them to stay out of trouble,” said Eddrick Jr. “It’s important to teach them not to do drugs, not to grow up into gangs and not to shoot people or anything like that.”

“We talk to them about respecting each other, and not to fight or use bad words,” said Johnson. “I talk to quite a few where their dad is not in their life, and those are the ones we target the most, but everyone is invited to join, especially if they feel they don’t have anyone else to talk to.”

Among his volunteers, Nikki Butler has proved particularly helpful, giving advice and direction to single mothers. Johnson prefers to work directly with the kids, including a number of Colombia County middle school children who were experiencing anger issues.

“It’s helpful to have someone to talk to who knows what you’re going through,” he said. “I used to have anger issues and I found a way to deal with it. I’ve been in trouble in my past, but now I’ve changed myself in a big way and I’m on a positive track.”

Johnson also operates The Tint Guys window tinting business and manages two musicians, a rapper and a rhythm and blues singer.

Much of his time, though, has been spent engaging the city leaders he hoped would support his operation, including Mayor Deke Copenhaver, Commissioners Matt Aitken and Corey Johnson, and Sheriff Ronny Strength.

“District 1 is where we do a lot of our best work cutting down on youth crime and violence, though I have done some mentoring in the middle schools of Colombia County and I still do some mentoring in Atlanta,” said Johnson. “We are trying to make an impact on district one, and then we’ll move up to the other districts, but we do travel and will come wherever we are needed.”

“I know it’s going to be a task, which is why we called this the Fatherhood Task Force,” said Johnson. “I know it will be a powerful movement, but if we can save one kid at a time then we will have accomplished our mission.”

For more information about the Fatherhood Task Force, or to get involved, call 706.284.5106. article and photo by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 21

10 reasons to

go local choose local businesses first

“Going local does not mean walling off the outside world.

It means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.”

– Michael H. Shuman, from his book Going Local

ONE Create your own economic stimulus package.

Keep money in the neighborhood. A recent study in Chicago showed that locally owned, independent businesses put 70 percent more money back into the local community than chain stores, per square foot occupied. True, that’s Chicago statistics, but the concept stands true: A space filled with a local business rather than a chain puts more dollars back in your neighborhood.

TWO Embrace what makes us different.

The unique character of Augusta is defined in large part by the businesses that reside here – what would Augusta be like without Surrey Center or Artists Row? Chain businesses change the character of our neighborhoods. If we wanted to live someplace that looked like everywhere else, we would not live in Augusta.

THREE Get better service.

In a local business, you know the person behind the counter, and they know you. They have a deep understanding of the products they are selling, and they take time to serve their customers.

FOUR

Create and keep good jobs.

Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and small businesses account for the vast majority of job growth. Locally owned businesses are far less likely to pull up stakes and move operations to another city or country, taking their jobs with them.

FIVE Promote competition and diversity.

A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based on the needs of their local customers and not on a national sales plan, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

SIX Help out the environment.

Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases, requiring less transportation, and they generally set up shop in commercial corridors, rather than developing on the fringe. This means less sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.

SEVEN Support community groups.

Nonprofits receive an average of 350 percent more support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

EIGHT Put your taxes to good use.

Local businesses in neighborhoods need comparatively less infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services, compared with nationally owned stores entering the community.

NINE Vote with your dollars.

Studies* show that if each household in Augusta redirects just $100 of planned holiday spending from chain stores to locally owned merchants, the local economic impact could exceed $25 million. If you want to stick it to Wall Street – stick with choosing to spend your money at locally owned businesses first.

TEN Invest in the community.

Local businesses are owned by people who live here, work here, and are invested in the community with much more than just their dollars. When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses and the local tax base.

adapted from the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies *LIvingeconomies.org/aboutus/research-and-studies/studies

22 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

local businesses create

a sense of community choosing local first greatly impacts the local economy and develops the area’s character

bill princE | bill’s place

Gary & Jennie Whynaucht | singing hills

KIMBERLY TOWNSEND | CURVITUDES

JESSE LEE VAUGHN | GAARTDENSITY

SADIA & SHAMS HASSAN | naan kabab

chris LYDLE | chris’ cAMERA CENTER

DAVID HUTCHISON | THE BOOK TAVERN

JENNIFER TUTT | SIT A SPELL COFFEE HOUSE

In the smallest towns, bustling cities and everything in between, more citizens lament losing a sense of community and local character.

National chains and online mega-stores continue displacing locally owned businesses countrywide. This trend is considered symptomatic of our loss of community orientation. But, could it also be a primary cause? What are the economic costs to our communities as absentee-owned corporations displace locally owned businesses?

Of course, we usually choose to do business where we perceive the best value for our time and money. But. in an age where we are bombarded with thousands of corporate advertisements daily, perceptions might differ widely from reality. It is as easy to accept themes promoted in those corporate ads as it is to overlook the values independent businesses provide us, both personally and in our communities.

The disappearance of local businesses leaves a social and economic void that is palpable and real -- even when it goes unmeasured, and a community’s quality of life changes in ways that macroeconomics is slow to measure (or ignores completely).

Local officials often fall for the seductions and political appeal of national chains and might even use public funds or tax rebates to lure them. They are baited with promises of jobs and tax revenue, but they often fail to consider the greater losses that occur when the local business base is undermined.

A chain “superstore” might crow of creating 300 new jobs, but numerous studies indicate they displace as many jobs as they create. When communities such as Barnstable, Mass., studied the local impact of chains, they concluded such development actually costs more taxpayer dollars to support in safety and services than the community would reap.

In other words, when new big boxes come to town, expect to pay more taxes soon.

But what about all the new sales tax revenue the big box chains claim they will bring? That, too, is largely illusory. Unless an area is growing rapidly, retail spending (especially for mass-produced items found at the chains) is a relatively fixed pie. For example, the most thorough study of Wal-Mart’s impact on existing retailers (by Dr. Kenneth Stone of Iowa State University) found that 84 percent of Wal-Mart’s sales simply shifted dollars away from existing local (including some chains) retailers.

Local restaurants and shops define our sense of place, but we often forget their survival depends on our patronage.

Economic Value of Independent Businesses It is time to consider the real costs to a community that loses its locally owned business base. Independent local businesses employ an array of supporting services. They hire architects, cabinet shops, sign makers and contractors for construction.

Local accountants, insurance brokers, computer consultants, attorneys, advertising agencies help run it. Local retailers and distributors also carry a higher percentage of locally produced goods than chains, meaning more jobs for local producers.

As fewer giant corporations dominate production and sales, our options -- determined by a powerful few -- dwindle. Our freedom of choice is imperiled when a few buyers from national chains choose what reaches customers -- perhaps moderately disturbing for most goods, but truly frightening when you consider the impact on our choice of news sources, books, music and other expression modes.

Maintaining Community Character When asked to name our favorite restaurant, cafe, or shop, it is typically a unique local business. Your local paper’s “Best of ” poll is proof. Those businesses define our sense of place, but we often forget their survival depends on our patronage.

Local owners, typically having invested much of their life savings in their businesses, have a natural interest in the community’s long-term health. Community-based businesses are essential to charitable endeavors; their owners frequently serve on local boards and support numerous causes.

In contrast, a new chain store typically is a clone of other units, eliminates the need for local planning, and uses a minimum of local goods and services. A company owned store’s profits promptly are exported to corporate headquarters.

Yes, some chains give back to towns in which they locate, and not all local businesses are exemplary models. However, the overall impacts are clear: locally owned businesses play a key role in our community that chains rarely do, while chains often even undermine community interests.

Dollars spent at community-based merchants create a multiplier effect in the local economy, meaning that from each dollar spent at a local independent merchant, far more money goes back into the local economy compared with a dollar spent at chain-owned businesses. For example, a 2003 economic impact study in Austin, Texas, by Civic Economics, commissioned by the Austin Independent Business Alliance, concluded for every $100 spent at a chain, $13 remained in the community while $45 remained when spent with home town businesses.

Despite the dismal trends, a counterforce is building. In the past five years, more than two dozen communities have launched Independent Business Alliances – coalitions of local businesses, nonprofits and concerned citizens uniting to support local entrepreneurs and prevent chains from displacing local businesses. Working in multiple realms, including group purchasing, joint marketing, public education and political advocacy, these IBAs have succeeded in a wide range of communities nationwide.

This local multiplier effect means shifting more local purchasing to independent businesses is key for creating more local jobs.

IBA success bodes well for a growing localization movement that can help reverse the trend of corporate dominance, but for long-term progress, a conceptual change also is necessary. We must consciously plan that future with rules encouraging the values we want reflected in our communities. And each time we spend a dollar, we would do well to weigh the full value of our choices, not solely to ourselves immediately, but for the future we want for our home towns.

Ensuring Choice and Diversity Retailers sift through competing goods and services to find those appealing to their customers. Though a single local shop might carry a smaller selection than a big chain, a multiplicity of independent retailers creates great diversity. When independent book and music shops serve their local tastes, the result is demand for a wide variety of ideas and music. This makes accessible controversial books or music from new artists with the expectation that a market exists somewhere within a variety of stores.

reprinted with permission by THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ALLIANCE photos are of local LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 23

24 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

The Annual Perfect Gift Guide

Keeping our Christmas shopping local is top priority. This year, Emily Plocha scoured Augusta’s locally owned shops, boutiques and galleries – picking out gifts for everyone on her list. Following in her shoes, we’re trying to put our money where our mouth is: limiting our gift giving expeditions to independently owned businesses and putting money right back into our local economy. On the following pages, we share with you a sample of the cool things our intrepid shopper found! So, grab your eco-friendly shopping totes, a good pair of walking shoes and go local for a Christmas shopping experience you can’t find anywhere else!

2

1

For my little cousin Trey, the next generation’s Tony Hawk:

For grandmother, the avid nativity collector: As a child, one of my favorite things to do at Christmastime was to inspect and play with my grandmother’s numerous nativities. From quirky to somber, her assortment is widespread and aweinspiring. To this day, any nativity I come across reminds me of her, which is why I immediately chose this wooden carved set from The Parsonage Books and Gifts.

Its abstract-like design and rough finish make it an unforgettable piece and a wonderful addition to her collection. 2232 Walton Way (at the Church of the Good Shepherd) • 706.733.6130 carved wood nativity, seven pieces with crèche $110

3

Even at a young age, my cousin Trey epitomizes the “skater” look and attitude.

Though he might not be able to fully stick it to the man at the age of 11, at least he can practice with this Alien Workshop skateboard from 6 Degrees in downtown Augusta. Plus, it will match his swishy hair, skinny jeans and beat-up Vans to a tee.

752 Broad St. • 706.877.BIKE skateboards from $70 to $110

4 For my boyfriend’s mother, fan of all things feline:

For my coffee-addict best friend , Anna: Every Monday at approximately 7:45 a.m., I climb into my best friend’s truck and we depart on the painstakingly miserable five-minute ride to school. However, there is one silver lining that goes by the unmistakable name of hot coffee – the instant pick-me-up, which makes even the hardest mornings bearable. We have even begun to look forward to these Coffee Mondays, which is why I chose these gorgeous hand-thrown Mike Grafa mugs from ZIMMERMAN GALLERY to make our sacred ritual complete.

1006 Broad St. • 706.774.1006 • Grafa mugs $24 each

While it’s always awkward trying to find gifts for a beau’s parents, I struck gold (or brass) with this handcrafted cat ashtray from Midtown Market. As the proud owner of more than six cats and counting, she should appreciate this adorable feline home accessory that would complete any (hip) cat lady’s house. 2113 Kings Way • 706.364.8479 • brass cat ashtray $3

by EMILY PLOCHA photos GABI HUTCHISON

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 25

Making Our List and Checking It Twice

5

For Atticus and Acre , the cutest babies in the galaxy:

For my aunt, Gabi , the coconut macaroon connoisseur:

What do you give to the most perfect mini-humans in the world? Gold brick Legos? The president’s rubies? A vacation home in Aspen? Maybe, if you are a millionaire. But alas, I am not, which is why I chose this pair of stuffed animals from PECANS UNLIMITED for my little cousins, Atticus and Acre. The “Super Zeroes” are the cutest possible match for the cutest possible children, and they won’t make my wallet sad, either.

1704 Central Ave. • 706.736.1800 • Super Zeroes $10

If you know Gabi, you know her confections are enough to make even Severus Snapes’ heart melt like butter. So, for her this Christmas, I chose Boogerboy Boris from Art on Broad, a cute and semi-creepy ceramic piece essential for any baker looking to save time and have fun while separating egg whites. Hopefully with this she will make me some more of those mouth-watering coconut macaroons ... am I dropping too many hints?

1028 Broad St. • 706.722.1028 Boogerboy Boris • $16

7

6

For Khalil , my polytheistic BFF:

While Khalil’s long dreads are enough to make anyone swoon, what makes him truly amazing is his intellect. As he is a plethora of infinite knowledge and I am a plethora of unremitting questions, we are constantly going back and forth on all matters political, existential, and, most frequently, religious. I snagged this golden Egyptian alligator god statue at LOFTY IDEAS as a nod to our incessant theological banter and his constant ability to make me think. 305 Eighth St. • 706.722.2000 • alligator statue $50

8 For my sister, Ashley, the lead singer of Koko Beware and tambourine aficionado: As a dedicated and serious musician, my sister is always in desperate need of new guitar strings or extra capos. However, while browsing through the shelves at ROCK BOTTOM MUSIC, I stumbled across something much better to give her this holiday season: a new tambourine and a guiro! (I’m still not exactly sure what the latter is.)

With a solid rubber grip, there’s no way she could ruin this ruby-red tambourine and the guiro was simply too cool to resist. 758 Broad St. • 706.724.1172 tambourine $14.99, guiro $18

26 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

9 For my amazing mother, who deserves a dark brewed treat: As she is a self-proclaimed beer snob, finding a suitable stout for my mother has always been somewhat of a challenge. Usually my search ends in the classic, well-loved Guinness. This year I am broadening her horizons. This Innis and Gunn triple set at Aficionados looks classy and is a top choice from breweries in Edinburgh, Scotland – her ultimate vacation spot. This dark-aged beer is the perfect way for her to take a break from her hectic schedule and reminisce on her past adventures in Scotland. Cheers!

307 Eighth St. 706.922.0312 • Innis and Gunn set $16.19

10

For Jasmin , my “tutore professional bookworm:

As any ardent reader will tell you, receivin similar to winning the lottery or having a to quench her ever-growing desire to read holidays, I figured the best gift, naturally, w TAVERN. While normally young adult and couldn’t have found a better book for my l Selznick’s eloquence and story-weaving ab St. • 706.826.1940 • Wonderstruck $29.99

ee” and aspiring :

ng books for Christmas is a feeling puppy lick your face all over. In order d and to keep her mind sharp over the would be a book from THE BOOK d children fiction is campy and trite, I little friend with Wonderstruck – Brian bilities never disappoint. 1026 Broad

Helping Santa Fill His Sleigh Locally For my boyfriend , whose interesting clothing ensembles never cease to astound me: While I might not always agree with his fashion choices, my boyfriend’s style is definitely one of the things that make him so remarkable. Prone to mismatch patterns, he still manages to look cool. I decided to hunt for something that would be the perfect accessory to his unconventional wardrobe.

Naturally, I went straight to Vintage Ooollee, home of all things eccentric and vintage, where I found these ties that effortlessly blend quirk with style for a look that can only be defined as “retro.”

1121 Broad St. • 706.724.4508 ties, $10

12

11 13 For my Secret Santa, whose identity must remain classified: For some reason, despite my blatant distaste for all things secret, year after year I find myself entangled in some sort of Secret Santa affair. Usually, I buy something completely last minute, but this year I decided to really dedicate myself to the tradition and find something of substance. These off-the-wall leather animal coin banks are an equal mix of fun and functional, making them a great, easy gift for my unidentified pal. Elduets Treasures of the World 1127 Broad St. • 706.828.4446 • elephant bank $16, cat bank $20

14

For my brother, Adam, the 6-year-old mad scientist:

For my closest camp friend and future ADPi pledge , Mary:

Even at the tender age of 6 (or 6-and-ahalf, as he would correct me), Adam is already showing breathtaking strokes of ingenious. But since an SAT prep book or Harvard application might be jumping the gun, I headed to THE TOY BOX in Surrey Center to scope out something a bit more age-appropriate. With a proclivity for anything scientific or sweet, Adam will love this DIY Cola Set, and here’s hoping he’ll share some with me. 445 Highland Ave. • 706.733.2650 make your own soda kits,$16.95 each

They say the friends you make at camps are the friends that stay with you for life, and this is true when it comes to Mary and me. Over the years, we have developed an almost sister-like relationship, despite our many differences in taste. However, we can usually agree on one thing: clothes. VILLAGE is my favorite local stop for anything clothing- or accessory-related, and as soon as I laid eyes on this hand-embroidered belt, I knew it was “the one.” And the best thing about sisters? Stealing their clothes! 453 Highland Ave. 706.729.9125 • Johnny Was belt $72

by EMILY PLOCHA photos GABI HUTCHISON

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Holiday Gifts to Get and Give

16

15 For my godmother, whose story will always inspire me:

In our lives, we will more than likely know or encounter someone who has been affected by cancer. For me, it was my beloved godmother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. I watched her struggle with and survive treatment, and never once heard her so much as mutter a complaint. I was, and continue to be, so inspired by her strength and bravery. This Bosom Buddy basket purse from SACRED HEART GIFT SHOP is perfect for her, and a portion of each one sold goes to the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. 1301 Greene St. • 706.826.4701 • Bosom Buddy bag $90

For my great-grandfather, who refuses to let anything slow him down:

17

As most 90-year-olds resign to a life of rest and relaxation, my great-grandfather wholeheartedly rebuffs the norm and keeps his day jampacked with activities, ranging from Rotary Club meetings to teaching Sunday school at his church. He often finds himself outdoors, making this Tula Outback hat with serious UV protection the ideal gift for him – discovered at the AUGUSTA CANAL gift shop. Not to mention it will be a fantastic compliment to his incredibly stylish wardrobe – vintage Lacoste cardigans and endless flannel shirts. Need I say more? 1450 Greene St., Suite 400 • 706.823.0440 • Outback hat, $27

18

For my grandmother ’s best friend , Bibbi , queen of nature:

I have always enthralled been by my grandmother’s best friend’s (Bibbi, as we nicknamed her) expertise in nature. She taught me everything there is to know about poisonous snakes, animal tracks and leaf exoskeletons. My favorite teaching was of “fairy rings,” which are mushrooms that had been turned upside down and supposedly housed fairies when one wasn’t looking.

As a 7-year-old girl, the idea of this was almost too good to be true, and I hold this close to my heart even today. These GALLERY ON THE ROW ceramic mushrooms will make a charming addition to her already beautiful yard, and maybe one day will become fairy rings of their own.

1016 Broad St. • 706.724.4989 • mushrooms by Betsy Borgotti $6 to $12

For myself, master of wit and gift guide enthusiast: Yep, that’s definitely not a typo. I am rewarding myself with this beautiful antique Thermos straight out of Betty Draper’s pantry. Let’s face it, this year has been incredibly stressful what with the overseas political strife, the relentless flux of gas prices and the Justin Bieber pregnancy scare. That’s why I’m budgeting in a treat for myself from MARKETPLACE ANTIQUES as a “Congrats! You haven’t completely lost it yet.” 1208 Broad St. • 706.724.6066 vintage thermos, • $15 each

19 For cousin Tracy, who’s still somewhat sore over last Christmas: Honestly, I can’t help if somehow the last piece of my grandmother’s mind blowing pecan pie was left out on the counter. I can’t help that it was softly whispering my name and I really can’t help that I neglected to see the Post-It marked “Tracy” attached to the plate. In my family, when it comes to pie, it’s every man for himself. However, a certain cousin of mine refuses to see the logic behind my argument, and for the past 365 days has insisted on remaining cold at all family gatherings and leaving snarky Facebook comments on all my pictures. Hopefully, though, it can all be water under the bridge once I bestow upon her this stunning (and proverbial) olive branch trivet from CHARLESTON STREET as my official peace offering and apology.

449 Highland Ave. • 706.738.6398 • olive branch trivet $65

by EMILY PLOCHA photos GABI HUTCHISON

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30 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

beers locals like toast the season with a specialty holiday brew

Less than one-third of autumn left on the calendar – sounds weird to say, doesn’t it? I mean, it was 80 degrees on the Monday before Thanksgiving and Christmas is only three weeks away. Is the season of autumn falling out of favor with Mother Nature? I ask because it seems to me that autumn is becoming somewhat of a lost art. I mean, it gets as cold as the other side of a pillow one week, and then it’s hotter than two muskrats makin’ woopie in a wool sock the next. Make up your mind, Mother Nature, because those IPAs aren’t going into my fridge until the azaleas have peaked. No ma’am, you’re not going to fake me out and here are three excellent dark brews just to spite you.

from the fork of

augusta eats a genuine foodie takes on augusta’s fare one bite at a time

Bison Organic Gingerbread Ale

This finely crafted porter ale for the holidays does well to make any occasion an enjoyable one. The nose conveys an immediate emotion of the holidays with tinges of the spices brewed into this tipple: ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It pours a very deep and dark brown to black, and the head is just about a finger before dissipating. The taste is more unassuming than the nose, a quality that harkens back to Gingerbread Ale’s distant cousin, Bison Organic Chocolate Stout. Not-too-sweet gingerbread comes to mind with the taste. Of course, if I wanted something to taste exactly like gingerbread, I would go and have some gingerbread.

Steelhead Extra Stout

Try this one in a snifter. It pours as black as night (as close to opaque as a beer can be) with a coffee-caramel head to match.

It smells as good as it looks, with notes of chocolate dominating hints of coffee and fruit. The mouthful is a bit carbonated for its color, but not enough to take away from a full and rich taste that conveys similar attributes, as does the nose.

Choice hops compete with the malts and aid in a relatively quick decay that comes just in time for another sip (oh yeah, you’ll want another sip of this stout). The hops also make this stout an exceptional complement to chocolate, just in case anyone wants to know what pairing to put in my stocking this year. Overall, this beer gets an A from me, and I’d fearlessly recommend it to anyone from Hophead to Dunkel Devourer.

Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout

Those brewers from Michigan just keep rolling out some of the finest craft brews available and this stout is no exception.

Like Steelhead, this stout pours a very dark to black body with a coffee head. The nose hints at roasted malts with a tinge of chocolate and coffee in there somewhere.

The taste is full and creamy, with the roasted malts really showing off their perfectly sweet savor. The sweetness doesn’t overwhelm, however, and the mouthful actually finishes just a tad dry. This cream stout would do well to polish off any meal, and I’ll definitely keep it close by this holiday season.

These and more can be found at Aficionados on Eighth Street.

by BEN CASELLA Ben Casella wishes you and yours a happy and safe holiday season.

He promises to cozy up with a dark pint and toast his readers into a happy and hoppy 2012.

hildebrandt’s food store

As I opened the aged white door that would lead me into Hildebrandt’s Food Store and crossed the threshold, I was instantly transported back in time – way back in time. This food store is exactly on the inside what it appears to be on the outside: frozen in time. It is an 1879 relic, often overlooked. Is this why I have, in all my 40 years in Augusta, never heard of or tasted anything from Hildebrandt’s?

The deli is located in the back of the store. While wandering the aisles, the sights and smells took me back to when I was a child growing up in Augusta and, suddenly, everything I didn’t know I missed was right in front of me. Even if the food turned out to be a culinary joke, it was still worth the memories of being a kid and running into the local general store for a cola and a little brown bag full of nickel candy.

The people that run Hildebrandt’s are an extension of the store – Luanne Hildebrandt is the store’s fourth generation owner and operator. There are no corporate handbooks on how one should behave or how a deli should be run. These folks treat you like family.

The menu is small and composed of hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, chips, potato salads and whatever Miss Luanne is cooking up for the day.

Our order was taken, prepared and served by Miss Luanne. I ordered a Reuben sandwich and asked her to prepare it as if she were going to eat it herself. My lunch companion tried the bologna sandwich. We dined at a large marble-top table and, surrounding this table, were chairs of all different sorts, leading me to believe that these were chairs that had simply survived the ages.

Our sandwiches were ready and in front of us in less than 10 minutes. My Reuben looked like a sandwich I could have thrown together at home. But, I was hungry and the sandwiches were affordable, so I picked it up and took the first bite – remarkably tasty. Actually, this was the best Reuben I had experienced in a long time and attempting to replicate it would be like trying to mimic the skill and taste of one of your mother’s signature supper recipes. Miss Luanne is a sandwich magician.

I feasted on my Reuben and then requested a bowl of hot German potato salad, which had a rough chop with pickles, bacon and cubed potatoes. It was fantastic, warm, comforting and reminiscent of a campfire recipe. This is a “stick to your ribs” potato salad, perfect for this time of year.

My lunch companion enjoyed his bologna sandwich so much so that he mentioned how much he had missed eating an uncomplicated sandwich and loved how the bologna was piled really high on his bread of choice.

This is what sets Hildebrant’s sandwiches apart from the creations of other so-called “sandwich artists” – Miss Luanne is not shy with the deli meat. She makes a sandwich that tastes good – really good – and not just a sandwich that could simply

save her some change. Her expertise and essence are in each sandwich.

I enjoyed my dining experience so much that Hildebrandt’s was the first thing that entered my mind upon waking the next morning. Was it the old general store, quirky and adorable, or was it the Reuben?

Yes, it was mostly the sandwich and I want to do it all over again as soon as possible. Goes to show, right when you think you know all there is to know about a town, you find out that you have really just scratched the surface and, when you are a foodie, that is a delicious thing.

We all want to be a fixture somewhere – I want to be a fixture at Hildebrandt’s Food Store. I’ll even bring my own chair from home, it should fit right in.

Hildebrandt’s Food Store is located in downtown Augusta at 226 Broad St. The store is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 706.722.7756.

by AUGUSTA EATS Augusta Eats is literally eating Augusta, from restaurant to roadside gourmet. Considered by some to be the original Augusta foodie, Augusta Eats has more than 25 culinary years under his (or her?) apron strings and has a deep-seeded love for all things tasty. Follow Augusta Eats on Facebook or visit AUGUSTAEATS.NET

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32 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the

film reel NOW PLAYING ON THE BIG SCREEN

The Christmas holiday box office brings the year’s best cinematic offerings to viewers in time for awards consideration. The upcoming weeks will bring sequels to popular movie franchises such as Sherlock Holmes, Mission: Impossible and Alvin and the Chipmunks plus buzz-worthy films from directors Roman Polanski (Carnage), Cameron Crowe (We Bought a Zoo), Steven Spielberg (The Adventures of Tintin) and David Fincher’s adaptation of the best-selling novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Until the second half of December, though, new releases are noticeably scarce.

The Dec. 2 box office brings no wide release films, while the Dec. 9 box office offers just two new movies, a Jonah Hill comedy and an ensemble romantic comedy. Hill joins Pineapple Express director David Gordon Green for THE SITTER, a flick that cast the crude comic actor as the world’s worst babysitter. An extraordinarily THE SITTER lazy, selfish slob, Hill’s character finds himself forced into a situation where he has to babysit three unruly children. Life gets crazy when he decides to take the kids to a party in Manhattan so he can hook up with a girl. As per usual in bad babysitter comedies – think Uncle Buck or anything with The Rock – all heck breaks loose.

In this case, the sitter and kids are chased down by drug dealers for money. It’s pretty clear Hill is no Mrs. Doubtfire in this R-rated comedy.

Last year, director Garry Marshall (Beaches, Pretty Woman) brought a star-powered ensemble romantic comedy to the big-screen with Valentine’s Day. Now, Marshall has directed another such rom-com with some of the same players from that film and lots of other familiar faces.

NEW YEAR’S EVE stars include Ashton Kutcher, Robert DeNiro, Jessica Biel, Katherine Heigl, Zac Efron, Sara Jessica Parker, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Halle Berry, Lea Michele, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, John Stamos, John Lithgow, Ludacris, Sofia Vergara, Josh Duhamel and many more. Like its predecessor, this story peeks into the lives of several couples, would-be couples, and used-to-be couples for a little dose of romance fueled by holiday magic.

Given the dearth of new releases in early December, it seems like a good time to explore some limited release films that are generating awards buzz.

While these films might not show up in Augusta and Aiken just yet, those that could go on to earn Oscar or Golden Globe THE DESCENDANTS nominations or perform well in limited release are bound to make it here over the next several weeks. One such film that is exceeding expectations in limited release is the George Clooney fronted THE DESCENDANTS. This dramedy about a dad struggling to raise his daughters after his wife suffered a boating accident is set against a beautiful Hawaiian backdrop and comes from director Alexander Payne, who had somewhat fallen off of Hollywood’s radar after earning critical acclaim for his 2004 adult-themed comedy Sideways. Payne also contributed to this screenplay, adapted from the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings.

Other limited release attention-getters include Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine) starring as legendary big-screen bombshell Marilyn Monroe in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, a fact-based story told from the point of view of Colin Clark, a production employee on the set of The Prince and the Showgirl. In that film, Monroe starred with Sir Laurence Olivier, who is portrayed in this movie by Kenneth Branagh. A 1979 British TV mini-series gets a feature-length update as Gary Oldman and Oscar winner Colin Firth star in the espionage thriller TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY and Michael Fassbender plays a sex-addicted man whose routine is interrupted when his troubled sister (Carey Mulligan) moves in with him in the NC-17 rated drama SHAME.

by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU

MICHELLE WILLIAMS AS MARILYN MONROE

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michael cleveland & co. put the fire in

flamekeeper

the band who is setting the bluegrass world aflame comes to the imperial on dec. 16

Michael Cleveland’s prowess as a fiddle player was probably best described in a comment under a YouTube video.

“Holy smokes man, where [sic] the fire department when you need them?” wrote the commenter. “That man is going to burst into flames.”

Indeed. Cleveland is a nine-time Fiddle Performer of the Year award winner from the International Bluegrass Music Association, and his band, Flamekeeper, took Instrumental Group of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. On their latest release, appropriately titled Fired Up, Cleveland and his band tear into the traditional bluegrass music that they love and leave no question as to why they consistently sweep the IBMAs. Cleveland phoned in to discuss his love for bluegrass music, what it means to be at the top of his game, and why you’re never too good to practice.

VERGE: You began playing fiddle at age 4. Were you enamored with it at that age?

Cleveland: Yeah, I was, and I knew I wanted to play bluegrass, but there wasn’t anybody around that knew how to get me started.

I started learning the Suzuki method and classical music, and I did that for about a year before I could even play anything. Once I got to where I could play a couple of tunes, I started going to bluegrass jams and trying to learn there. There’s a lot of good fiddle players around here, and good musicians in general, that I learned from.

Louisville, Ky., southern Indiana and even into northern Indiana is a good area for bluegrass.

VERGE: What drew you to bluegrass?

Cleveland: My grandparents were big fans of the music and they started a local bluegrass association. They had shows every month, open-stage things where you would get there early with your band, sign up and get a 30-minute slot. They started taking me to that when I was 6 months old. They had a huge record collection, and between the records and eight-tracks and cassettes, every time I’d come over there, I’d listen to whatever they had. I was around it all my life. What drew me to the fiddle was I heard a local fiddle player at one of those local shows play “Orange Blossom Special.” I knew at that point that I really wanted to play the fiddle.

VERGE: How much time do you spend in the woodshed? Is practicing still part of your routine?

Cleveland: Not as much as it needs to be. It’s weird, unless I’m working on something or learning something for a gig, it’s hard for me to get the fiddle out and just sit around and play by myself. I have to be motivated. What I really like to do, and where I learn the most, is playing with other people. You hear licks that other people do on other instruments and you try to apply it to yours. When you’re jamming, that’s a good place to try out new licks. I think I need to practice more just because it would help a

“The biggest compliment of all is when you hear somebody

playing one of your licks

that you’re kind of known for.

It means a lot.”

— mICHAEL CLEVELAND

lot. There’s always room for improvement in anything, and there’s plenty of things that I could get better.

VERGE: Jamming seems more integral to bluegrass than it does to other genres.

Cleveland: I do think there’s a lot more of that that goes on in bluegrass. I haven’t been around any other forms of music, but bluegrass is definitely known for it. It’s family music, and the people who play are nice and helpful. They answer questions and they want to see the folks who are learning do as good as possible and take off and run with it. I don’t know if it would be so easy to do that in other genres. The cool thing about bluegrass is that when you go to a festival, you can walk up to anybody who plays.

They’re all approachable. It’s not like they play and then they go hide and you never see them. Most of them are really friendly people. At a rock concert, where could you meet the rock stars that you look up to?

VERGE: You keep winning Fiddle Player of the Year at the IBMA Awards …

Cleveland: That’s a real honor right there, too. Because anyone nominated for that award would be able to win that and deserve it. I really appreciate it and I was really surprised this year because I thought that they were probably sick of me by now! I voted for Jason Carter [Del McCoury Band; Carter has also won the award].

Man, we were joking about it at the reception before. Jason said, “Hoss, you ready to get the Fiddle Player of the Year?” I said, “No, man, I voted for you!” He said, “You better not have!” I said, “Yeah, I sure did.” My dad was standing there and he said, “Yeah, Jason, you thought I was lying.” Jason is a great fiddle player and a good buddy of mine.

VERGE: Are you able to stand outside of that and see the impact your music has?

Cleveland: It’s hard to take it all in when it’s yourself. I don’t really think of it like that. The biggest compliment of all is when you hear somebody playing one of your licks that you’re kind of known for. That means a lot. As far as everything else, I’ve really been fortunate to get to do all that I’ve done, but other than that, I just do what I do and I don’t really think about it a whole lot. I just like to play music, and I want to continue to improve.

by ALISON RICHTER photo DARWIN DAVIDSON

hear the music

WHAT Southern Soul and Song: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper with special guest Dale Ann Bradley WHERE Imperial Theatre | 745 Broad St. WHEN Friday, Dec. 16 | 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS $13 to $37 | IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM MORE | flamekeeperband.com

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the

daily planner

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

DEC. 1 to dec. 17

[ SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN ] Kick off the holiday season with the entire family at The Augusta Chronicle Christmas Light Up Spectacular on Dec. 3. The day opens with the Holiday Market on the Augusta Common at noon, with vendors offering homegrown and homemade gifts.

At 3 p.m., the annual Christmas Fantasy Parade winds its way down Broad Street featuring holiday music from marching bands from CSRA high schools and a first glimpse of the man in red on a fire engine. The festivities continue in the Common at 4:30 p.m. with live music, children’s activities, hot cider and chocolate and an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus.

The celebration comes to a thrilling end at 6 p.m. as the crowd counts down and Mayor Deke Copenhaver flips the switch to turn on the downtown holiday lights, triggering a thrilling fireworks display.

WHAT The Augusta Chronicle Christmas Light Up Spectacular WHERE Augusta Common | 836 Reynolds St. WHEN Saturday, Dec. 3 | noon to 8 p.m.

MORE 706.722.8000 or MYAUGUSTADOWNTOWN.COM The Daily Planner is our selective guide to what is going on in the city during the next two weeks. IF YOU WANT TO BE LISTED: Submit information by email (events@vergelive.com) or by mail (verge, P.O. Box 38, Augusta, GA 30903). Details of the event - date, time, venue address, telephone number and admission price - should be included. Listings included are accurate at press time, check with specific venues for further details.

ONGOING

DAILY

HOLIDAY LIGHTS OF THE SOUTH Experience hay rides,

a visit to Santa Claus, delectable treats and view millions of lights. Create a new holiday tradition! 6 p.m.; $7.50 for adults, $4 for children 4 through 17 and free for children 3 and under; 633 Louisville Road, Grovetown; 706.825.6441 LIGHTSOFTHESOUTH.COM

FESTIVAL FIRST THURSDAY ON KINGS WAY Enjoy an evening out

in Summerville as stores stay open, refreshments are served and friendships are made. Kings Way in Summerville; 5 p.m.; free; Kings Way; 706.755.2665

HOLIDAY AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Shop at the Kris Kringle market and enjoy free hayrides, cookies, hot cocoa, children’s crafts, s’mores, pizza, a bonfire and more. Santa Claus will be present and there will be a special entertainment throughout the evening. Barton Field, Fort Gordon; 5 p.m.; free; Fort Gordon Army Base; 706.791.6779 FORTGORDON.COM

HOLIDAY ASU CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING Event features refreshments, caroling by the ASU Choir and a visit from Santa Claus. Augusta State University; 6 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1759

HOLIDAY THE NUTCRACKER Enter into a

LITERARY VAN GOGH, THE LIFE Authors Steve Naifeh

and Gregory Smith White will discuss and sign their new book, Van Gogh: The Life.

Called “exquisitely detailed, compellingly readable, and ultimately heartbreaking portrait of creative genius Vincent van Gogh,” the book is currently on the New York Times Best Seller List. The Aiken Center for the Arts; 6 p.m.; free; 122 Laurens St., Aiken; 803.641.9094

HOLIDAY ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN Musical

dinner theatre production features Eli, the proprietor of the Bethlehem Inn, his wife, Sarah, and their three children.

The play depicts the story of the birth of Christ. Menu includes potato soup, skewered chicken and apple tarts, but no utensils because they were not invented during Eli’s time. Kroc Center; 7 p.m.; 1833 Broad St.; 706.771.7777 ENOPION.COM

land of beauty and wonder with Clara and the Nutcracker prince.

Clara’s prince grows magically before her eyes, and then leads his army in battle to win her heart. The two travel together through the beautiful land of Snow and arrive in the magical Kingdom of Sweets. The lush music of Tchaikovsky shimmers with new life in the Columbia County Ballet’s presentation of the beloved E.T.A. Hoffman tale, The Nutcracker. The Imperial Theatre; 7 p.m.; $20 to $29; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs.

Knoxville. James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $7 to $18; 712 Telfair St.; 706.993.2645 AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM

FRIDAY

12.2

BUSINESS TOTAL SPA PACKAGE EXPERIENCE Spa Package includes: refreshments, door prizes, a mini makeover with beauty tips, a mini workshop including Thrive

THURSDAY

FILM THE PALM BEACH STORY (1942) A romantic

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW Vendors

from across the Southeast with handmade items. Odell Weeks Center; 9 a.m.; free; 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken; 803.642.7631

HOLIDAY AHCNA HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Arts and

Heritage Center of North Augusta; 10 a.m.; free; Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta; 803.441.4380

discover more to do @

vergelive.com

screwball comedy starring Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea, Mary Astor and Rudy Vallée.

This film was named one of the 100 Funniest American Films by the American Film Institute.

Bring your lunch and discuss afer viewing.The Morris Museum of Art; noon; free; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 1

FESTIVAL FIRST FRIDAY

Art galleries display new works and performers take to the sidewalks along Broad Street.

Family friendly. Downtown Augusta; 5 p.m.; free; Broad Street; 706.826.4702

FESTIVAL NORTH AUGUSTA TOUR OF HOMES Tour homes at

The River Club, Hammond’s Ferry, Savannah Barony and Wellington. Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta; 5:30 p.m.; $17 in advance, $20 day of; 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; 803.441.4380

[ art for under a hundred ]

12.1

An annual downtown holiday tradition – the $100 Art Show – returns on First Friday in December, this year at Gaartdensity Art Gallery.

FOR KIDS TODDLER TIME: CRAZY ABOUT COLLAGE!

Jason Craig founded the show in 2008 in an effort to “try and do something that would be a benefit for the community and the artist.”

Learn how artists use collage techniques to create unique works of art. Afterward, make your own collage on a wood panel. Registration required.

The Morris Museum of Art; 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.; $4; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

“The show offers the community a chance to buy affordable art from local talent, and helps the artists sell some extra pieces and make a little extra cash for the holidays,” he said.

Unlike most art exhibits, each piece in the cash-and-carry exhibit is $100 or less.

“Usually at an art show you have to wait until the show is over to get your piece,” said Craig.

FESTIVAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Exhibits feature local

artwork, samples of foods and holiday music. Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta; 10 a.m.; free; 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; 803.441.4380

Health & Wellness health supplements and the choice of a chair, hand or foot massage, all in a relaxing upscale environment. Elegant Extensions Salon & Spa; $75 individuals or $125 for couples; 923 Broad St.; 706.925.1352

Featured artists include Jessie Vaughn, Leonard Zimmerman, Hannah Elliot, Jay Jacobs, Aaron Crawford, Chris Murray and Stacey Swider.

ART BY LEONARD ZIMMERMAN FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

WHAT The $100 Art Show WHERE Gaartdensity Art Gallery | 1155 Broad St. WHEN Opening Night Friday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

MORE 706.466.5166 or FACEBOOK.COM/GAARTDENSITY

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FRIDAY

12.2

the

daily planner

HOLIDAY OLD SKOOL HOLIDAY PARTY The CSRA

African American Arts Alliance hosts a holiday family celebration with music, food, dance and door prizes. Enjoy performances

by Cutno Dance Company and Blue Bistro Theater. Bring stocking stuffers and toys for students participating in the Frederick Douglass Mobile Reading Room. Downtown Augusta; 6 to 9 p.m.; $5 donation; 601 Broad St., 2nd floor 340 BROAD ST. WILL BE ON THIS YEAR’S TOUR

[ tour of olde town ] ART EXHIBITION OPENING Critically acclaimed watercolorist Mary Whyte discusses the paintings in her exhibition Working South.

Reception follows. Morris Museum of Art; 6 p.m.; $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

HOLIDAY OLDE TOWN CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES Read the article on this

page. Register at 346 Broad St.; 6 to 9 p.m.; $10 advance, $15 at the door; 346 Broad St. FACEBOOK.COM/OLDETOWN

HOLIDAY AIKEN TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Led

by Mayor Fred Cavanaugh, the downtown tree lighting ceremony will include a candle lighting, songs, refreshments and a visit with Santa. Downtown Aiken; 6:30 p.m.; free; corner of Laurens Street and Richland Avenue; 803.642.7634

HOLIDAY THEATRE CHRISTMAS BELLES

A church Christmas pageant spins wildly out of control as three squabbling sisters try to reign in the mayhem.

Amidst an ailing Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator, a family secret emerges that just might derail the entire production.

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; $25 to $40; 32100 Third Ave.; 706.703.8552 FORTGORDON.COM

ART THE $100 ART SHOW OPENING RECEPTION Read the article on page 37.

Gaartdensity Art Gallery; 7 to 10 p.m.; free; 1155 Broad St.; 706.466 5166

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN See listing

on Nov. 18. Kroc Center; 7 p.m.

THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Six wild kids show

up unexpectedly for church one Sunday, take over the Christmas play and bring a fresh interpretation of the Christmas story. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.; 126 Newberry St., Aiken; 803.648.1438

The Olde Town Neighborhood Association is hosting a Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes in the historic downtown Augusta neighborhood of Olde Town on Dec. 2 and 3.

The Pinch Gut historic district, later named Olde Town, is Augusta’s first neighborhood, created in the late 1700s. It contains almost every domestic architectural style, including a concentration of turn-of-the-century houses built after the 1916 fire. Today, Olde Town is a shining example of a historic neighborhood in the process of reclamation from neglect and poverty, where homes are being restored and renovated to create a vibrant neighborhood filled with diversity.

The Christmas Candlelight Tour of Home is “an amazing opportunity to showcase the uniqueness of downtown living and admire the renovation and restoration of these historic homes,” said Emily Aceves, a member of the association. “If you’re looking for a festive way to kick off this Christmas season, then this event is for you.”

The self-guided walking tour features 11 properties representing the diverse lifestyles of Olde Town residents, the majority on the 300 block of Broad Street. From bungalows and apartments to historic family homes, each home has distinctive architectural features and design and will be decorated with Christmas décor.

There will also be hot drinks, live music and opportunities to sing Christmas carols.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance or $15 the night of the tour. Advance tickets can be purchased at: The Fox’s Lair, 49 Telfair St.; Heritage Academy, 333 Greene St.; Schweitzer Art Glass Studio, 989 Broad St.; The Book Tavern, 1026 Broad St.; Fireside Outdoor Kitchens and Grills, 1242 Broad St.; Sundrees Urban Market, 930 Broad St.; Martina’s Flowers and Gifts, 3830 Washington Road; and Ruth’s Family Restaurant, 3843 Washington Road. Present tickets at 346 Broad St. on the night of the tour and receive a detailed brochure. Parking can be found along Broad and Fourth streets.

WHAT Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes WHERE Check in at 346 Broad St., Olde Town WHEN Thursday, Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. | free TICKETS $10 advance, $15 night of MORE | FACEBOOK.COM/OLDETOWN SATURDAY

12.3

OUTDOORS RUN THROUGH FALL 5K SERIES Off-road course is same used by USC Aiken cross country team. USC Aiken Pacer Path; 8 a.m.; $15; 471 University Parkway, Aiken AIKENCOUNTYPRT.COM

HOLIDAY BRUNCH WITH SANTA Celebrate the holidays

and have brunch with an ethnic Santa. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; 9 a.m.; free; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OFF MAIN Annual festival

features a 5K depot dash, arts and crafts, children’s activities, entertainment, a tour of homes and more. Thomson Depot; 9 a.m.; free; 111 Railroad St., Thomson; 706.597.1000

FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW See listing

on Nov. 2. Odell Weeks; 9 a.m.

OUTDOORS SWAMP SATURDAY Take a 2.5-mile,

1.5-hour hike through wetlands, over picturesque trails and scenic outlooks. Phinizy Swamp; 9:30 a.m.; free; 1858 Lock & Dam Road; 706.828.2109

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SATURDAY

12.3

HOLIDAY A HOLLY DAY IN DOWNTOWN AIKEN

Downtown Aiken’s unique shops and boutiques offer a day of treats and holiday shopping.

Don’t miss Santa’s elves, who will be surprising shoppers with gifts throughout the day.

Downtown Aiken; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free; 803.649.2221 DOWNTOWNAIKEN.COM

the

daily planner

ART DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH An artistic showcase

MONDAY

FESTIVAL THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE CHRISTMAS LIGHT-UP SPECTACULAR

LITERARY COOKBOOK BOOK CLUB Meet to discuss

bringing the community tighter through the Arts. Headquarters Library; 4 to 6 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 704.200.1293

Read the article on page 37.

Augusta Common; 6 p.m.; free; Downtown Augusta; 706.821.1754

FESTIVAL OLDE TOWN CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES See listing on Dec. 3.

Register at 346 Broad St.; 6 to 9 p.m.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

See listing on Dec. 2. Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta; 10 a.m.

OUTDOORS CHRISTMAS FOR THE BIRDS North

Augusta Living History Park; 10:30 a.m.; free; 299 West Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.7560

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS MARKET Read the article on

page . The Augusta Common; noon; free; 836 Broad St.; 706.627.0128 THEAUGUSTAMARKET.COM

Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes by Sandra Lee. Columbia County Library; 6 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center; 706.863.1946

TUESDAY

12.6

CONCERT THE ACCIDENTALS Tuesdays

OUTDOORS NUTTY SQUIRRELS These little

critters are one of the most loved animals in the wildlife world.

We see them just about every day, whether it is bounding from branch to branch high up in a tree or tiptoeing across a power line. Yes, sometimes they can be a pest, but we will learn how they are an essential part of our ecosystem, even in big cities.

Ages 5 and up. Preregistration required. Reed Creek Nature Park; 10 a.m.; $5; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

12.5

PARTY BIG DAY CAKES BIRTHDAY Celebrate the

bakery girls’ birthdays with a theme party. Dress in Roaring Twenties attire, participate in the fashion show and enter to win several prizes, including a wedding cake (up to $500). Enjoy a slice of one of Big Day’s cakes. Pizza Joint, Evans; 6 p.m.; free; 4301 Washington Road; 706.255.7316 BIGDAYCAKESBAKERY.COM

Music Live presents the annual Roger Denning Holiday Concert with the UGA Accidentals.

Formed in 1974 out of the Men’s Glee Club, the UGA Accidentals is the oldest collegiate a cappella group at the University of Georgia.

Comprised of 16 young men, The Accidentals use only their voices to recreate contemporary and classical pieces – in very unique and often amusing way.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; 11 a.m. and noon; concert is free, lunch is $10; Sixth and Reynolds streets; 706.722.3463 TUESDAYSMUSICLIVE.COM

THEATRE CHRISTMAS BELLES See listing on Dec 2.

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 6:30 p.m.

THEATRE SMACKDOWN WORLD TOUR Wrestling

event features “The Apex Predator” Randy Orton, “World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry, “Captain Charisma” Christian and more. James Brown Arena; 7:30 p.m.; $16 to $61; 712 Telfair St.; 706.262.4556

THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER See listing on Dec. 2.

Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

FILM THE TRAVELING EXECUTIONER Rated R.

Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

CONCERT A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS Read the article on

page 17. Sacred Heart Cultural Center; 7:30 p.m.; $25; 1301 Greene St.; 706.826.4700 SACREDHEARTAUGUSTA.ORG

SUNDAY HOLIDAY 2011 CHRISTMAS FANTASY PARADE Presented by the Miss

Augusta Scholarship Pageant.

Broad Street, 3 p.m.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING IN COLUMBIA COUNTY Meet Santa and enjoy live entertainment. Bring canned food items to benefit the Columbia County Food Pantry. Evans Towne Center Park; 3 to 7 p.m.; free; 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.312.7192 COLUMBIACOUNTYGA.GOV

LITERARY BOOK SIGNING WITH ALLEN RIDDICK

Riddick, author of Memories of Growing Up and Living in Aiken, will discuss the process of compiling photographs and memories and publishing them as this interesting personal history of Aiken. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale. Aiken County Library; 4 p.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St. SW, Aiken; 803.642.2020 ABBE.LIB.ORG

12.4

HOLIDAY THOMSON CHRISTMAS PARADE

9 a.m., free; Main St., Thomson; 706.597.1000

HOLIDAY A VERY MERRY MORRIS SUNDAY Enjoy

traditional holiday tunes by Celtic duo Lillie Morris and Michael Hay during Music at the Morris or take part in a gallery scavenger hunt and create handcrafted ornaments and greeting cards during Artrageous! Family Sunday. Stop in the museum store for special discounts and giveaways. The Morris Museum of Art; 2 p.m.; free; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

THEATRE MY FAIR LADY

Based on Shaw’s play and Pascal’s movie, Pygmalion, with book music and lyrics by Lerner and Loewe, My Fair Lady is triumphant. With songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?,” “The Rain In Spain” and “I Could Have Danced All Night,” it’s no wonder everyone – not just Henry Higgins – falls in love with Eliza Doolittle. The show’s 1956 Broadway production was a smash hit, setting a new record for the longest run of any major theatre production in history.

It has been called “the perfect musical.” Bell Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; $35 to $45; 712 Telfair St., Augusta; 706.724.2400 GEORGIALINATIX.COM

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WEDNESDAY

CONCERT A SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS

12.7

FOR KIDS CHRISTMAS WREATH Make real Christmas wreaths out of everyday household items. For children ages 6 to 11. Columbia County Library; 1 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center; 706.863.1946

ART MEET THE ARTISTS

Meet the artists and view their exhibitions over hors d’oeuvres and wine. Artists include Elizabeth Moretz-Britt, Bea Kuhlke, Mike Carr Hartley and the holiday exhibition. The Aiken Center for the Arts; 6 p.m.; free; 122 Laurens St., Aiken; 803.641.9094

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Huntsville HOLIDAY DECK THE HALLS WITH HISTORIC AUGUSTA Greg Boulus of

Havoc. James Brown Arena; 7:30 p.m.; $18, $14, $10; 601 Seventh St.; 706.993.2645 GEORGIALINATIX.COM

Charleston Street Fine Flowers and Events will demonstrate how to adorn your home with seasonal flora, highlighting the colors, scents and spirit of the season. Drawing from his inspiration, everyone will create a fresh evergreen arrangement to take home. Please bring clippers. Historic Augusta; 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; $30; 415 Seventh St.; 706.724.0436 HISTORICAUGUSTA.ORG

FRIDAY

CONCERT A CELTIC CHRISTMAS A guitar concert

LITERARY FRIENDS OF THE AIKEN LIBRARY BIG BOOK SALE Hundreds of

with Steve Baughman and Robin Bullock. This marks the sixth year that the duo has performed a Christmas concert in Augusta.

A percentage of ticket sales will be donated to 12 Bands’ Press On, a fund created for medical research in the treatment of childhood cancers. Enterprise Mill Event Center; 8 p.m.; $15 advance or $20 at the door; 1450 Greene St.; 706.826.4702 AUGUSTAARTS.COM

THURSDAY

12.8

FOR KIDS TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS A mini-play for

children. Headquarters Library; 10 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS CHRISTMAS WREATH See listing on Dec. 7.

Columbia County Library; 4 p.m.

HOLIDAY MARTINIS AND MISTLETOE: GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT A downtown evening

of shopping, fashion and fun specifically for women. Check in at the Mistletoe Booth at Casa Blanca Café (936 Broad St.) for all the details. Read the article on page 15. Broad Street; 5 to 9 p.m.; free; downtown Augusta; 706.826.1940

HOLIDAY NIGHT OF 1,000 LIGHTS The streets

of downtown Aiken glow with luminaries during this special night of holiday shopping, food and festivities. Downtown Aiken; 6 to 9 p.m.; free; 803.649.2221 DOWNTOWNAIKEN.COM

12.9

FOR KIDS TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS A mini-play for

children. Headquarters Library; 10 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

donated books in good condition will be available for sale at low prices. Aiken County Library; 10 a.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St., SW, Aiken; 803.642.2020

Contributing editor for Southern Living, lifestyle expert, and author of A Time to Plant: Southern-Style Garden Living, James Farmer discusses his newest book. Paid reservations are due Dec. 7. Morris Museum of Art; noon; $14; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

OUTDOORS WILDERNESS SURVIVAL Learn compass

and map-work, what to bring when camping and tips on making fires and shelters in the wilderness (without matches and a tent). Ages 8 to 18. Preregistration required. Reed Creek Nature Park and Interpretive Center; 4:30 p.m.; $2; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

on Dec. 2. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

THEATRE THE MISCONCEPTION OF MINSTREL KRAMPUS: THE LOST GOSPEL OF BETHLEHEM Le Chat Noir’s

resident composer, Mark Swanson, has written a musical that takes an irreverent look at the reason for the season.

Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.; 706.722.3322

SATURDAY

12.10 HOLIDAY BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Santa is taking

time out to visit Aiken. He’s stopping to have breakfast with the children and to listen to their holiday wishes. Preregistration ends Dec. 4. Odell Weeks Center; 8:30 a.m.; $2; 1700 Whiskey Road; 803.642.7631

country race through the Nature Park’s woods and wetlands.

Proceeds benefit Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy. No strollers or pets. Phinizy Swamp; 9 a.m.; $17 without t-shirt, $23 with; 1858 Lock & Dam Road; 706.828.2109

LITERARY FRIENDS OF THE AIKEN LIBRARY BOOK SALE See listing on Dec. 9.

Aiken County Library; 10 a.m.

GOOD CAUSE CMFA: CHILLY CHILI COOK-OFF

Champions Made From Adversity fundraiser. Read the article at right. Augusta Common; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $10 advance, $15 day of; 836 Reynolds St. CHILLYCHILI.US

CONCERT POPS AT THE BELL: FESTIVAL OF SONG + CELEBRATION The

Augusta Children’s Chorale joins Symphony Orchestra Augusta in celebrating the holiday season with a mix of vocal composition of carols and holiday songs under the direction of Maestro Kuwahara. Bell Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; 712 Telfair St.; 706.826.4705 SOAUGUSTA.ORG

CONCERT SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS The Aiken

Choral Society performs Songs for Christmas and Hanukkah, and Brahms Love Song Waltzes in this classical holiday concert.

Cornerstone Baptist Church; 7:30 p.m.; $15, free for children under 12; 100 Cornerstone Drive, Aiken; 803.649.6570

daily planner

HOLIDAY THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER See listing

OUTDOORS DECEMBER DASH 10K RACE CrossART ART AT LUNCH

the

Join the Columbia County Choral Society for this elegant evening in song. Read the article on page 17. First Baptist Church of Evans; 7:30 p.m.; $10 to $15; 515 North Belair Road, Evans; 762.233.7793 CCCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

FOR KIDS BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Baker Jennifer Mooney will lead children in decorating their own pre-assembled gingerbread house with an assortment of candy. All supplies are provided.

Enjoy light refreshments and holiday music. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Parents are welcome to participate with their children.

Reservations required. Augusta Museum of History; 1:30 p.m.; $20 per house; 560 Reynolds St.; 478.589.7645

[ CHILLY CHILI IN THE COMMON ] What celebrates winter better than a chili cook-off outdoors with live music and games? When that afternoon benefits Champions Made From Adversity.

The organizers of CMFA’s inaugural Chilly Chili Cook-Off on Dec. 10 are pulling out all the stops – including three chili competitions and the grand title. Teams from across the Southeast will converge on the Augusta Common to compete, while chili heads (that’s the regular folks who get to sample the wares) can vote for their favorite, too.

The Chilly Chili Cook-Off is a sanctioned event by both the International Chili Society and the Chili Appreciation Society International. Each society will select a winning chili. Then, there is The Kitchen Sink Cook-Off award, sponsored by local attorney firm Shepard, Plunkett, Hamilton and Boudreaux LLP. The competitions culminate in the top prize – the Big Daddy Championship title – of $1,000 and bragging rights for a year.

For a buck, chili heads can vote for their favorite chili in the People’s Choice Award.

There’s more to the afternoon than a good bowl of chili. Attendees can test their Jeopardy skills at the Mellow Mushroom Trivia Corner and compete to win free pizza and other goodies. If your aim is better than your brain, head over to Academy Sport and Outdoors Wheelchair basketball free-throw competition. Catch up on some Christmas shopping and stroll through the local vendor booths to find unique gifts.

No festival is complete without live music. Koko Beware will get the day started with its fun, surf rock lo-fi sound. Other bands to perform include The Hollerers, The Henrys, Daddy Grace, Wayne Hester and Sibling String.

CMFA is a local nonprofit that serves more than 60,000 people with physical disabilities by providing sport and leisure activities. The cook-off is the organization’s first large-scale fundraiser.

WHAT The CMFA Chilly Chili Cook-Off WHERE Augusta Common | 836 Reynolds St. WHEN Saturday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

TICKETS $10 advance $15 at the gate, children 12 and under free BUY Mellow Mushroom Downtown or Evans | Queensborough National Bank branches MORE | CHILLYCHILI.US HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN HOPELANDS This

walk-through exhibit features more than 1.5 miles of lighted pathways and holiday displays.

Read the article on page 45.

Hopelands Gardens; 6 to 9:30 p.m.; free; 1700 Whiskey Road; 803.642.7631

CONCERT THE APPLING OPRY SECOND SATURDAY CONCERT The Crossroads Bluegrass Band. Old J.D. Howell General Store; 7 p.m.; free; 5701 Whiteoak Road, Appling

CONCERT AMY GRANT & VINCE GILL: 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOUR Read

the article on page 17. Bell Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; $40 to $60; 712 Telfair St.; 706.722.3521

THEATRE A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL

Presented by the Augusta Players. Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter,

HOLIDAY THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER See listing

on Dec. 2. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

the Augusta Players gives the holiday spirits the full Broadway treatment with the musical version of the Charles Dickens classic, with a score filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. The Imperial Theatre; 8 p.m.; $15 to $41; 745 Broad St.; 706.826.4707 AUGUSTAPLAYERS.ORG

CONCERT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS with the

Aiken Symphony Guild. A beautiful vocal composition of carols and holiday songs under the direction of Maestro Z Kuwahara. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 8 p.m.; $40; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

THEATRE THE MISCONCEPTION OF MINSTREL KRAMPUS See

listing on Dec. 9. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.

OUTDOORS FULL MOON HIKE Enjoy Phinizy Swamp

Nature Park by moonlight during this two-hour hike and learn about the nocturnal activities of the swamp’s creatures. Phinizy Swamp and Nature Park; 9 p.m.; $10; 1858 Lock & Dam Road;

706.828.2109

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SUNDAY

12.11 FOR KIDS ALL ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS

Read the article below. Augusta Museum of History; 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; $2; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

HOLIDAY THE AIKEN JAYCEES CHRISTMAS PARADE Come downtown to

see the traditional Christmas parade. Downtown Aiken; 2 p.m.; free AIKENJAYCEES.COM

THEATRE A Christmas Carol See listing on Dec. 10.

The Imperial Theatre; 3 p.m.

Lee Ann Caldwell, the director of the Center for the Study of Georgia History at Augusta State University, gives an enlightening lecture on what life was like in Augusta during the Civil War. Afterward, tour the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson. Historic Augusta; 2 p.m.; $10; 415 Seventh St.; 706.724.0436

Riverkings. James Brown Arena; 7:30 p.m.; $10 to $18; 601 Seventh St.; 706.993.2645

THEATRE THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER See listing

on Dec. 2. Aiken Community Playhouse; 3 p.m.

CONCERT SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS See listing on Dec. 9. Cornerstone Baptist Church; 4 p.m.

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN HOPELANDS See listing on

Dec. 10. Hopelands Gardens; 6 to 9:30 p.m.

CONCERT Holiday Music with the Augusta Collegium Musicum A capella chamber choir sings Christmas music from around the world. Augusta Museum of History; 7:30 pm; $10 to $15; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

TUESDAY

12.12 12.13 MONDAY

LITERARY NONFICTION BOOK CLUB Meet to discuss HISTORY CHRISTMAS DURING THE CIVIL WAR IN AUGUSTA LECTURE Dr.

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Mississippi

You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs. Columbia County Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center; 706.863.1946

FOR KIDS JAZZ FOR KIDS

Children ages 5 to 10 are invited to celebrate the season with Karen Gordon of Garden City Jazz. Diamond Lakes Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 101 Diamond Lakes Way, Hephzibah: 706.772.2452

HOLIDAY STORYTIME WITH MRS. CLAUS Santa’s wife will

be reading holiday books to good little girls and boys. She will even give away a free book to every child in attendance.

Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away.

For children ages 8 and under.

Odell Weeks Center; 4 p.m.; free; 1700 Whiskey Road; 803.642.7631

FILM VINCENT AND THEO

Rated PG-13. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

WEDNESDAY

12.14

FOR ADULTS SENIOR LUNCHEON Featuring speaker

the Rev. Dr. Charles E. Goodman Jr. and the Augusta Chorale.

Reserve seat by Dec. 10. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; noon; $10; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

[ RIDE THE POLAR EXPRESS ]

guest Dale Ann Bradley. Read the article on page 35. The Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $13 to $37 each; 745 Broad St. IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

THEATRE THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER See listing

on Dec. 2. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

THEATRE THE MISCONCEPTION OF MINSTREL KRAMPUS See listing on Dec. 9. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

12.17

In what has become a Christmas classic, Allsburg lavishly illustrated and wrote a magical story in 1985 about a boy who desperately wants to believe in Santa Claus. Late one Christmas Eve after the town has gone to sleep, the boy boards a mysterious train that waits for him: the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When the boy arrives, Santa chooses him to receive the first gift of Christmas – any gift he desires. The boy chooses a bell from the reindeer harnessed to Santa’s sleigh. The wish is granted, but on the way home the bell is lost. On Christmas morning, the boy is astonished to find the bell tucked under the Christmas tree.

The museum recreates the magical ride of the Polar Express – passengers are required to wear pajamas and present their golden tickets to board the train (sorry, adults, this is for kids only). After the performance, children and their parents will be treated with hot chocolate and cookies in the museum’s rotunda courtesy of Tastefully Yours LLC, with the appearance of a special Christmas guest (ho, ho, ho). Space on each trip is limited to 36 children.

WHAT All Aboard the Polar Express WHERE The Augusta History Museum | 560 Reynolds St. WHEN Sunday, Dec. 11 | 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.

TICKETS $2 per children; $4 for accompanying adults MORE 706.722.8454 | AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

FOR KIDS SANTA’S WORKSHOP Kids can make

and take gifts for mom and dad.

Columbia County Library; 5 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center; 706.863.1946 ECGRL.ORG

Lights, lights, and more lights! Hopelands Gardens will once again be illuminated with more than 100,000 holiday lights for 12 evenings in December. Every year, the City of Aiken spreads Christmas joy with the presentation of a nighttime journey through Hopelands Garden, lit with creative holiday light displays.

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN THE QUARTERS Experience

A beautiful serpentine brick wall, copied more than 100 years ago from Thomas Jefferson’s invention at the University of Virginia, separates the serenity of the garden from busy Whiskey Road. Open throughout the year, but lit up in splendor for the holidays, one enters a different world the moment upon walking into the entrance gates.

special breakfast with Santa and make sure to bring your camera.

Pre-registration required.

Headquarters Library; 10 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

the holidays as celebrated by the enslaved residents of Redcliffe Plantation in the early 19th Century. Special performance by guest interpreter Kitty WilsonEvans. Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site; 1 to 4 p.m.; $8 to $10; 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island; 803.827.1473

FILM MOVIE: MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS Aiken County Library; 2 p.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St., SW, Aiken; 803.642.2020 ABBE.LIB.ORG

will give a presentation about his new book, Retail Dairies in Aiken, Columbia and Richmond Counties, and sign copies for sale.

Aiken County Library; 4 p.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St. SW, Aiken; 803.642.2020

CONCERT STEVE GREEN: A CHRISTMAS AT GRACE

Grace United Methodist Church; 7 p.m.; $10 advance, $15 door; 639 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.7525

THEATRE THE MISCONCEPTION OF MINSTREL KRAMPUS See listing on Dec. 9. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.

FRIDAY

12.16 HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN HOPELANDS See listing on

Dec. 10. Hopelands Gardens; 6 to 9:30 p.m.

[ HOPELANDS CHRISTMAS ]

FOR KIDS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Join us for this

LITERARY BILL BAAB BOOK SIGNING Bill Baab

Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express comes to life at The Augusta Museum of History on Dec. 11.

daily planner

CONCERT MICHAEL CLEVELAND AND FLAMEKEEPER with special

THURSDAY

12.15

the

CONCERT A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS The Augusta

Choral Society presents selections from Handel’s Messiah and music from the Baroque masters Bach, Vivaldi and Charpentier. St. Paul’s Church; 5 p.m.; $10 to $25; 605 Reynolds St.; 706.826.4713

THEATRE HOLIDAY CHEER 2011 Cutno Dance Center

presents this production inspired by the traditional storyline of the Nutcracker, but with a whimsical twist. This performance takes the audience on a journey through a child’s imagination as she tries to assist her best friend through

Hope Goddard Iselin bequeathed Hopelands to Aiken to be maintained as a park and place of peace in 1970 when she died at the age of 102.

Iselin was an avid botanist and traveled the world collecting specimens that she transplanted to Hopelands, including the more-than-a-century-old live oaks and Hopelands’ signature deodar cedars. The garden also features specimen camellias, magnolias, azaleas and many more beautiful plants traversed by a lovely winding brick path, a labyrinth, a delicately designed gazebo and several duck ponds complete with lily pads and huge goldfish. Most of the plants have been labeled and a Braille path takes sightless visitors through the gardens.

Free refreshments, including apple cider and hot chocolate, are offered at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in Hopelands off Dupree Street. Some nights will feature caroling.

Parking is at a premium, so the city offers a free shuttle service, transporting thousands of visitors each year from the Fred’s shopping center a few blocks away on Whiskey Road to the gardens.

WHAT Christmas at Hopelands WHERE Hopelands Gardens | 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken WHEN Dec. 10 and 11; Dec. 15 to 23; Dec. 26 | 6 to 9 p.m.

TICKETS Free MORE 803.642.7631 a time of hardship during the holiday season. Jabez S. Hardin Center for the Performing Arts; 5:30 p.m.; $8 to $12; 720 North Belair Road, Evans; 706.364.3442

CONCERT MOTOWN ELVIS CHRISTMAS SHOW The

Tony Howard Show brings you the sounds of Motown music with songs from American icon and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. The show also includes tributes to Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, the Supremes and James Brown. The Imperial Theatre; 7 p.m.; $10 to $30; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

find more events, art exhibits, weekly happenings and more @ vergelive.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 45

in motion a look into the art of mechanics

Fueling Your Honda CRX or CRZ Won’t Make You CRY Reminiscing over my 80s Westside High School auto mechanics class is often fueled with memories of American muscle cars, Chevy S10 pickup trucks and hand-me-down cars.

“Dad’s safe choice” for a teenage driver was a huge Buick Regal or Chevrolet Monte Carlo. On the other hand, Honda marketed “safe, dependable, affordable and fuel efficient” vehicles. Many of the guys in my class looked at compact cars as … well, we just didn’t look at them.

One day I took a ride in a new 1988 Honda CRX that changed my opinion about compact cars forever. This car was so fast: It seemed to get from the school parking lot to Dairy Queen before the last school bell quit ringing.

The Honda CRX was one of the seedlings to the future Fast and Furious trend of lightweight (about 2,000 pounds) sporty cars with enough horsepower to slingshot the driver forward and an independent coil-spring suspension that could be easily maneuvered. Later, I discovered other compact cars, such as the Volkswagen GTI, that were also little screamers. These were small cars with a high horsepower to weight ratio. Many could compete with the Porsche and BMW M THE 1988 HONDA CRX Series power if turbo-charged.

The Honda CRX was not only a fast; it handled very well as it zipped around with ease. It also had a hatchback with enough room to fit an entire drum set. The CRX was first introduced to the U.S. market in 1984 with a 1.5-liter, 62-horsepower engine. Later an optional 1.6 L VTEC 150 HP engine was offered and is still a preference for Fast and Furious enthusiasts. These CRX cars are popular for Autocross and road racing events.

The Honda CRX was awarded Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year in 1988 and Import Car of the Millennium in 1990. It made Car and Driver’s Ten Best list in 1985 and 1988. The Honda CRX Si model was named one of Road & Track’s 10 Best Cars of All Time in 1988. Without warning, the second generation CRX ceased production after 1991.

THE NEW HONDA CR-Z A recent trend in the auto industry has been to produce “retro” cars resembling the body styles of the past while modernizing technology, safety features and fuel efficiency. These cars produce less pollution emissions than their predecessors. It seems that Honda might be nibbling at this retro trend with the new CR-Z compact hybrid electric/gasoline car.

Honda began sales of the CR-Z in Japan in February 2010 and in the United States later that year.

California Air Resources Board rated the CR-Z as Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle.

The letter Z in the automotive industry usually signifies a fast vehicle such as the 600-plus horsepower Corvette ZR-1 or the Nissan Z. I have not figured out why Honda chose to end this CR with a Z: It feels “peppy” to drive, but just is not fast, in my opinion.. Since it is electric, it is so quiet that you almost can not hear the shift points. It seems to have good fit and finish, both inside and out. The exterior resembles what one might expect a modern CRX to look like. The interior is sporty and somewhat futuristic, with a glowing digital instrument cluster and generous GPS navigation and sound system. Only time will tell whether this car takes us “back to the future” or whether the new Honda CR-Z will endure the popularity of the past CRX.

by Jonathan Karow, an enthusiast of the mechanical arts. He started racing bicycles as a young man, then moved on to restoring exotic automobiles, motorcycles and lightweight aircraft as a three-time certified mechanic. Ideas or comments, email rockbottommusic@bellsouth.net

CAR-FLICK

The Fast and the Furious starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez, 2001

CAR-TUNE

“Baby’s Got Back” by Sir-Mix-A Lot, 1992

46 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

night

A SELECTIVE GUIDE TO NIGHTLIFE IN THE CSRA

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30

THURSDAY, DEC. 8

COMEDY ZONE: BIG ED CAYLOR + PATRICK MELTON @ Somewhere in Augusta 8 p.m.; $8

SIGNAL 18 REUNION SHOW AND F.O.C.U.S. @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

life

THRU DEC. 17

OLD MAN CRAZY @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.; free

THURSDAY, DEC. 1 BLACK SWAN LANE + ROMEO SPIKE @ Sky City | 8 p.m.; $5

WOUNDED WARRIOR BENEFIT

If you know anything about bands that have come out of the Augusta music scene and made it big time – you must have heard of Dead Confederate.

The band began as the Red Belly Band in Augusta, moved to Athens, changed its name and, by 2008, released the debut album Wrecking Ball followed by a second album last year.

But, the band has never forgotten its roots in Augusta. The band often makes it back into town to play, usually at Sky City, entertaining new fans and old alike.

The most recent Dead Confederate release is connected to the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care project. The local nonprofit helps organize and promote community-based resources to wounded soldiers, helping them to reintegrate into the civilian life.

JEREMY GRAHAM @ Coyote’s 8 p.m.; $5 to $7 BOOM BOX DJ SET @ Soul Bar 9 p.m.; free

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

FULLY CHARGED featuring Livewire Wrestling @ Sector 7G 7 p.m.; $7

JUCIFER + NUKLEAR BLAST SUNTAN @ Sky City 10:30 p.m.; $5

FRIDAY, DEC. 9

DANIEL LEE BAND @ Coyotes 9:30 p.m.; $5 NEW FAMILIARS @ Stillwater Tap Room | 10 p.m.; $4

MY INSTANT LUNCH

MY INSTANT LUNCH + 80S NIGHT @ Sky City | 8 p.m.; $5 SHE & SHE AND THE LAROXES @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.; free

The project has gained a name for itself locally as a wonderful program for soldiers. In addition, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in D.C. obviously has a close relation to the Wounded Warrior program, especially those who have been through the war.

JARED WADE @ Coyotes 9:30 p.m.; $5

Several notable Athens-based musicians recorded live and studio-version singles for a digital-only compilation album to raise funds to benefit Wounded Warrior and the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C. The album was released on Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The album was inspired by Dead Confederate’s song “Run from the Gun,” which speaks about the human and personal cost of war.

SALLY ANN lingerie fashion show with music from DJ Cielo, Cocoa Dylan and Funk You @ Sky City | 8 p.m.; $5

“The idea for ‘Run from the Gun’ originated while I was studying our mistreatment of Native Americans and looking back at how bloody our short history has been in the United States.” said Hardy Morris, the lead singer of Dead Confederate.

“The song, and this project, just grew from there as I realized that those same feelings I was having encompassed all wars, because they all have consequences that we don’t think about enough. Wars aren’t just stories in history books, dates on a timeline or names on a page. The human cost of war can be seen in fatherless kids, broken families, lost limbs and the victims we hide away in institutions or who end up homeless for the rest of their lives.”

EASTON CORBIN EASTON CORBIN with Ty Brown from ABC’s The Bachelorette @ The Country Club | 10 p.m.; $27.50

BILL GENTRY @ The Country Club | 10 p.m.; $5

ZACH DEPUTY @ Sky City 10:30 p.m.; $10

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

OUTSHYNE @ Coyotes | 9 p.m. $5 SECOND SATURDAY BEAT BATTLE @ Zoom Studio 9 p.m.; free JJ MAL & THE UNPOLISHED BRASS Reunion Show @ Sky City | 9 p.m.; $5

Donate and download the Wounded Warriors Charity Album at woundedwarrioralbumcharity.com. the profiler is DINO LULL

punkers Veara take a break from relentless touring for an all-ages holiday show with Mudbrute + Miracle Year + My Brothers Keeper + Panic Manor. @ Sector 7G | 6 p.m. $10

THURSDAY, DEC. 15 TURF WAR + SHAUN PIAZZA + SURF/HARP @ Sky City 8 p.m.; $5

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

ATOM BLONDE AND ARTEMIA UNPLUGGED @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

A MERRY KRUNKMAS TACKY SWEATER CHRISTMAS PARTY featuring DJ Joycette + Old You + Ayo K + Dr. Bread @ Sky City 9 p.m.; $5 JOE OLDS BAND @ Coyotes 9:30 p.m.; $5

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

PLAYBACK @ Coyotes 9 p.m.; $5

SUNDAY, DEC. 4 THE DRINKING DEAD @ 1102 Bar & Grill | Watch AMC’s hit show on a projector. | 8 p.m.; free

PACKWAY HANDLE

WOODY PINES

WOODY PINES @ Stillwater Tap Room | 10 p.m.; $4

SUNDAY, DEC. 11 THE DRINKING DEAD @ 1102 Bar & Grill | 8 p.m.; free

MONDAY, DEC. 5

PACKWAY HANDLE BAND @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

JOE OLDS BAND @ Coyotes 9:30 p.m.; $5 DIRTY BOURBON RIVER @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4

WEEKLY

TUESDAYS TRIVIA @ Mellow Mushroom Evans | 8 p.m.

TRIVIA @ Mellow Mushroom Downtown | 8 p.m.

Trivia with Charles @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.

Twisted Trivia @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS DRINK + DROWN @ Coyote’s 8 p.m.; $15

Other songs on the album are from the recently disbanded R.E.M., Drivin’ n Cryin’, Bloodkin, The Whigs, Futurebirds, Gift Horse, Hope for Agoldensummer, Ruby Kendrick and Brute (which is Widespread Panic joined by the late Vic Chestnutt).

With the significant local connections of the album, it is easy to see why Augustans might have a personal and emotional connection to each of the songs on the album. Get the album, enjoy the music and support our soldiers.

VEARA

FRIDAY, DEC. 9 A VEARA MERRY CHRISTMAS SHOW Pop-

Krazy Karaoke @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

YOUR MEMORIAL

HOPE FOR THE NATIONS TOUR FEATURING YOUR MEMORIAL + SOVEREIGN STRENGTH + AS HELL RETREATS + FALL IN ARCHAEA + IRONWILL @ Sector 7G | 6 p.m.; $7 Christian bands rock it out in a benefit tour for Hello Somebody, a new international nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education and food. Headlining the show is metalcore band Your Memorial who came onto the scene in 2010 with rave reviews for its debut album Atonement. SECTOR7AUGUSTA.COM

THURSDAYS TANGO NIGHT @ Casa Blanca Café | 6 p.m.

KARAOKE @ Coyote’s | 8 p.m. $5 after 9 p.m.

SINGER/SONGWRITER OPEN MIC CONTEST @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m.; $5 FRIDAYS A Step Up @ Doubletree Hotel 6 p.m.

SATURDAYS DJ C-4 @ The Loft | 9 p.m.

FIND THE VENUE

the country club @ 2834 Washington Road; 706.364.1862 CASA BLANCA CAFE @ 936 Broad St.; 706.504.3431 Coyote’s @ 2512 Peach Orchard Road; 706.560.9245 DOUBLETREE HOTEL @ 2512 Peach Orchard Road; 706.855.8100 THE LOFT @ 917 Broad St.; 706.955.7954 manuels bread cafe @ 505 Railroad Ave., North Augusta; 803.380.1323 Metro Pub & CoffeeHouse @ 1054 Broad St.; 706.722.6468 MELLOW MUSHROOM DOWNTOWN @ 1167 Broad St.; 706.828.5578 MELLOW MUSHROOM EVANS @ 4348 Washington Road; 706.364.6756 THE PLAYGROUND BAR @ 978 Broad St.; 706.724.2232 SECTOR 7G @ 631 Ellis St.; 706.496.5900 SKY CITY @ 1157 Broad St.; 706.945.1270 SOUL BAR @ 984 Broad St.; 706.724.8880 Somewhere in augusta @ 2820 Washington Road; 706.739.0002 STILLWATER TAP ROOM @ 974 Broad St.; 706.826.9857 SURREY TAVERN @ 471 Highland Ave.; 706.736.1221 WILD WING CAFE @ 3035 Washington Road.; 706.364.9453 Submit event listings to events@vergelive.com for inclusion in Nightlife.

find more nightlife @ vergelive.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 47

in good

health

news from the csra medical community to help you

poisonous Mushroom compound appears to improve effectiveness of cancer drugs

A compound isolated from a wild, poisonous mushroom growing in a southwest China forest appears to help a cancer-killing drug fulfill its promise, researchers report.

The compound, verticillin A, sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL, a drug that induces cancer cells to self destruct, said Dr. Kebin Liu, a cancer immunologist at the Georgia Health Sciences University Cancer Center and corresponding author of the study in the journal Cancer Research.

The compound appears to keep cancer cells from developing resistance to TRAIL, short for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand. Drug resistance, intrinsic or acquired, is a major problem for cancer patients, accounting for more than 90 percent of treatment failures in patients with metastatic disease.

“If we can make drugs work again, more people will survive,” Liu said.

Patient experience has shown cancer’s skill at desensitizing itself to the TRAIL. “It looks as though most cancer cells have found a way to become resistant and evade its action,” said Dr. Wendy Bollag, a cell physiologist at GHSU and a study co-author.

Tenacious cancer cells also are naturally resistant to cell suicide, which is how TRAIL works.

Additional toxicity studies are needed before moving forward with clinical trials, Bollag said. The researchers also want to pursue the compound’s potential in melanoma and pancreatic cancer.

Drs. WENDY Bollag, KEBIN Liu and Keith Robertson

In mice, they found verticillin A alone was adequate to kill cancer cells, but the required dose made the mice sick, a common problem with many cancer therapies. However, when a lower dose was paired with TRAIL, it became a powerful, more tolerable recipe that killed previously resistant cells.

They also found that the compound improved the efficacy of commonly used cancer drugs etoposide and cisplatin, which also work by promoting cancer cell death but are less targeted than TRAIL. “We believe this could be a good companion drug for a lot of cancer therapies,” Liu said.

All cells use DNA methylation but cancer cells use it differently, said Dr. Keith Robertson, a cancer epigeneticist and Georgia Cancer Coalition Scholar.

“Verticillin A may be working by altering methylation in a way that makes the cancer cells sensitive to TRAIL,” Robertson said.

Verticillin A was isolated from mushrooms in Dr. Ping Wu’s laboratory at the Research Centre of Siyuan Natural Pharmacy and Biotoxicology at China’s Zhejiang University and brought to GHSU by former postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Feiyan Liu, the study’s first author, who studied with Kebin Liu in Augusta for two years.

The Chinese university is involved in extensive studies to isolate active compounds from plants to explore their therapeutic potential and both Dr. Lius liked verticillin A’s aggressive response against cancer.

by ALISON RICHTER

48 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

puzzle 1

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Edited by Will Shortz | by Kurt Mueller | No.1027 Across 1 Visibly scared out of one’s wits 9 “You’re ___ trouble!”

14 Alternative to a home meal 15 “___ Fall in Love” (1961 hit by the Lettermen) 16 Got comfortable with 17 1957-91 king of Norway 18 Food-stamping org.

19 Opposite of flushed 21 Dundee denial 22 Classic 1921 play set partly in a factory 25 Atlanta-based cable channel 26 In ___ (undisturbed) 27 Helps for autobiographers 31 Make available 33 Spooky sound 34 For two 36 Up 37 Befuddle 38 Having spirit?

40 Olympic entrant: Abbr.

41 “A Passage to India” woman 43 Cut back 44 Contest in which the rules must be followed to the letter?

45 1990

title role for Gérard Depardieu 47 Fictional character who says “I wear the chain I forged in life” 49 Caesar’s “these” 50 Tuna type 52 On the other hand 53 Ritual garment 54 X-File subj.

55 One of the Castros 59 Cubbies, e.g.

61 Tibetan terrier 66 Altoids alternative 67 “Most certainly!”

68 Stage direction 69 1984 film whose soundtrack had a #1 hit with the same title Down parts 2 Slightly 3 Italy’s ___ Islands 4 Certain M.D. 5 Senesce 6 Lay turf on 7 Self: Prefix 8 Result of a boom and bust, maybe 9 Lucky lottery player’s cry 10 Senator’s org.

11 Toy collectible of the late ’90s 12 Enamors 13 Cash in one’s chips 14 Glace, after thawing

1 Brake

life

face first Negotiating one calamity at a time

Some of you are lousy gift givers. I know, because in the past you have given me a gift. Thank you.

The person I regifted it to loved it. I did not. To help you not suck at giving gifts this year, I’ve compiled a convenient gift buying guide so that when the recipient of your gift says thank you, they’ll actually mean it.

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How to Buy Holiday Gifts That Won’t be Regifted

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bureau fan, probably 24 The scarlet letter 25 Something of earth-shaking concern?

26 Part of a band’s performance 27 Tiny possibility 28 Who wrote “It’s not that I’m afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens” 29 “Life Itself: A Memoir” autobiographer, 2011 30 Start another tour 32 Make by interlacing 35 Additional, in ads 39 Mysterious: Var. 42 Fond du ___, Wis. 46 Buffoon 48 Major discount brokerage 51 Trinity member 54 Cold war inits.

56 Copycat 57 Plays for a fool 58 City near BenGurion Airport 60 Artery: Abbr.

62 New Test. book 63 The Sun Devils, for short 64 Auntie, to Dad 65 Word with black, red or white 23 Jazz

1) Use your brain. This handy tool is critical when creating your Christmas list. Think about the person and what they like. Try to buy something they like. Hint, just because Mom vacuums once a week does not mean she likes it.

Do not buy Mom a vacuum. Instead, notice that she’s read almost every book written by John Grisham and buy her the one she hasn’t read.

the chain of regifting

2) Your obsessions are creepy. Do not give gifts that you hope to receive Christmas morning. Your all consuming passion for Metallica is both strange and dated. No one wants their greatest hits collection, including the band’s mothers. Instead, learn that your friend has a strange obsession with Kenny G and buy him a Kenny G CD. Then try not to be in the car when he’s playing it.

same joy. If they’re over the age of 13 and you’ve never seen them wear a “horsie” sweater, keep shopping.

3) Your taste in fashion is just that: yours. Grandma thinks Brittney Spears shows less skin than you do. To improve your image, she’s bought you a velour jumpsuit. It covers from neck to ankles and pairs nicely with plain white tennis shoes. Grandma knows eschewing modern fashion in favor of tasteful clothing is what makes a strong character. It also guarantees you’ll spend every Friday night with your cat and a carton of Butternut Crunch.

6) Be original. People like receiving gifts that are unique.

If you want to give unique gifts, avoid shopping at AllMart and other big box stores. Uncle Bill doesn’t want four hand-crank radios. Uncle Bill doesn’t want one hand-crank radio. Instead, shop at local stores. After all, you can’t give a duplicate gift if what you buy is one of a kind.

4) Don’t mistake a passion for a sweater. Some people enjoy riding horses. They think it is fun. However, wearing a sweater covered in appliqué horses might not evoke the

5) Handmade gifts are a thoughtful and charming way to show your love, but only if you have talent. Or if you’re 4.

“Golly, Dad. Your use of macaroni and construction paper is amazing! I can barely see the glue. How do you like your new Blu-ray player?”

Disappoint the habitual regifters. Buy the presents people actually want. Now, get out there and get shopping!

Nora Blithe is the author of Door In Face, a humor blog about all things that lay you flat. Read more at doorinface.com.

a parting shot

put a little local color in your day

Find the solution to this puzzle at VERGELIVE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay.

The next issue of VERGE hits the newsstands on

DEC. 14

Look for our outdoor boxes or find your copy at Publix | EarthFare Kroger | Bi-Lo and more than 150 locations in the CSRA

William Eggleston, Untitled (Coca-Cola sign atop roof). Undated. © Eggleston Artist Trust. Courtesy Cheim & Read, New York.

The Local Color: Photography in the South at the Morris Museum of Art features more than 35 photographs dating from the mid-60’s to the present by some of the South’s most important photographers, including John Baeder, William Christenberry, William Eggleston, the late Janos Enyedi, William Greiner, Greg Kinney and Meryl Truett.

Museum director Kevin Grogan says, “The work in this exhibition explores and celebrates the region and speaks to the significance of the visual artist—in fact, all expressive artists, no matter their medium—to Southern culture.”

The photographs come from the Morris’ renowned photography collection. The exhibition runs through Jan. 29. Visit the Morris at 1 10th St. and, remember, Sundays are free admission days. | THEMORRIS.ORG

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 30, 2011 49

50 November 30, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

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