December Issue B 2011

RUCKER IS RIGHT WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE | PAGE 21

verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

FREE | DECEMBER 14 2011 | VOL 4 ISSUE 20 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS

12 bANDS SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE FEATURING 3rd Shift Fives A Crowd Fried Goat Jaycie Ward Jim Perkins Joy Krueger Livingroom Legends Sibling String The Radar Cinema The Wombats Unmentionables The Vellotones

Dec. 18 Imperial Theatre

GLORIA WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

FILM HODGES USRY + TALENT ASHLEY LEVINE + MEET CHEF REGAN BROWELL ART ELIZABETH BARNES + FOOD MACARONS + SHOP GIFTS ACROSS THE RIVER

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 3

vergestaff

yeah, we made this 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.

DISTRIBUTION: verge is published twice a month and available free of charge at locations throughout the CSRA, including Publix, Kroger, Bi-Lo and Earth Fare.

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31 22 28 44 20 7 44 38 16 8 34 38 34 8 34 18 7 40 30, 42 20 13 6 8 14 12 20 2, 43 12 12 26 6 32 10 36 46, 47 3 48

8TH Street Hookah Lounge Aficionados Bar on Broad Big Mamas/Flowers Express Book Tavern Buzz on Biz Casa Blanca Edge Salon Elduets Family Y First Round French Market Grill Ground Zero Fighting Halo Salon & Spa John Berret - Music Teacher Kruhu Le Chat Noir Manuel’s Bread Café Metro Pub & Coffeehouse Mid-Town Market Moon Beans/New Moon Nacho Mamas New Life / DiChickos Peach Mac Pecans Unlimited Plum Tree Farms Rock Bottom Music Sanford Bruker Banks Savannah River National Laboratory

Shen Yu Six Degrees Sky City - Festivus of Bands The Curiosty Shoppe The Loft Tipsey McStumbles Wild Wing Café Windsor Fine Jewelers

SHOP LOCAL Support Community

SMATTERINGS

WHAT’S INSIDE

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO STIR A POT.

As we enter the Christmas season with bright eyes and thoughts of sugar plums, let us be reminded of the true reason we celebrate. We are bound together in this thing we call “community” in one way or another, directly or indirectly. It is what we decide to do with our connectivity that makes a difference. Verge is a proponent of community building: We highlight and support the positive aspects in and around our community by lifting up those involved in it.

On Dec. 10, verge was involved with a great benefit event, the first Champions Made From Adversity Chilly Chili Cook-Off held at the Augusta Common. As a sponsor, we were invited to enter the contest. I reached out to a friend, Michael Denny, to see if he might be interested in helping create our chili entry. His response was a resounding yes.

As the week progressed MATT AND MICHAEL TAKE FIRST PLACE and we planned our approach, Michael made it clear that he was a “jungle” cook, which means, “come up with a good base, throw it in a pot and hope for the best – toss, cook, taste, and tweak.”

The cooking part was the fun part – the preparation was a community event, with many of the base ingredients coming from local sources. Friends had a wide variety of peppers growing in their backyard, others had some spare venison, our parents helped fill in the missing ingredients.

In the end, and to our amazement, our chili won the Kitchen Sink. Yes, we took home the first place trophy. This is just one small example, but good things do happen when you are involved with your community. Our first and foremost goal was to help promote and bring awareness to the efforts and work of a great organization, CMFA that is making a direct difference in our city. For that opportunity we want to thank the CMFA, Michael, the volunteers, the bands (Koko Beware, The Hollerers, The Henrys, Daddy Grace, Wayne Hester & Company and Sibling String) and those of you who came out, tasted chili and supported community. I am sure next year’s event will be bigger and better – with your support!

Over the next few weeks, there are a few more community events of which we are honored to be a part: 12 Bands and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. You can find the 12 Bands of Christmas official program guide in this issue as a special pull-out section, designed by Kruhu and their team of designers. It includes information about the event, the bands, the schedule and, most of all, the focus on raising money to help fight pediatric cancer for the Georgia Health and Science University Children’s Medical Center – another worthy cause, which has a direct impact on our community. This annual favorite event promises to be just as good as previous years events, if not better. Come out to the concert, purchase a CD and bid on some great raffle items – participate!

Then, it will be time to usher in a new year. Five years ago, a handful of dedicated people turned a quiet New Year’s Eve downtown into quite an event: the 5th Annual Ball Drop on 11th Street, by Metro Pub & Coffeehouse, 1102 Bar & Grill and First Round Sports Bar – backed by an army of volunteers and supporters. We are pleased to help promote the event and bring awareness to the community as another way to enjoy downtown. This has become another annual favorite event. The festivities are a lot of fun and, if you have not come down to see the ball drop from way above, it is quite a spectacular sight. I highly recommend that you attend this one. We want to thank the sponsors and coordinators of this event for your dedication and energy in helping to provide yet another cool thing to do.

As you can see, these are just three examples of how verge is helping to make a difference in our community. Our goal is to help leave Augusta a better place, one that we can be proud of and call a great community. It all starts with us, you and me together. So, as Christmas approaches, I will ask one simple question.

Is your “want” list larger than your “give” list?

See you out and about in community. The only pot you will see us stirring might have some award-winning chili in it!

My family and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Matt Time to go read the Christmas story to the kids…..

4 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

you won’t want to miss a page

the main feature

15 Immortalizing Pregnancy 17 Meet Willcox Chef Renee Browell 19 Rescuing Orphans through PRAY

Elizabeth Barnes creates whimsical scuptures from cast bellies

She is an integral part of the grand hotel’s rebirth

Local doctor embraces the call to serve Brazilian children

21 Weather Man Turns Math Teacher 23 Local Fashion Shoot Goes National

Jeff Rucker changes career paths to help children with math skills

Sally Kolar and David Towles create a prom campaign

24 Over the River and Through the Woods Last minute gift ideas from North Augusta and Aiken

heard around town 5 5 5 7

New Business: The Swallow’s Nest Wheel Movement Gains Traction DDA Plans for 2012 Mixed Martial Arts with Gruebel’s

music | theatre | art | film 11 13 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43

Photo: Christmas Seen Music: Ashley Levine Film: Hodges Usry Film: The Film Reel Music: Sound Bites Holiday: St. John’s Christmas Eve Service Theatre: Misconception Holiday: An Aiken Community Celebration Music: The 2011 Festivus of Bands Music: Vox Inertia

regular stuff 05 09 09 27 35 40 42 43 44 45 45

Heard Around Town Buzz on Biz The Green Life Chow Bella + Food Bites The Daily Planner Between the Covers In Motion Nightlife Ask Dr. Karp The New York Times Crossword Life Face First

vergequotes

here’s what inspires us

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”

— washington irving

“There is nothing in the world so

irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humor.”

— scrooge in charles dickens’ a christmas carol

heard

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

[ the sparrow’s nest opens in summerville ]

The Sparrow’s Nest, an eclectic boutique at 2120 Central Ave., held its grand opening during December’s First Thursday celebration and drew many customers into the shop with wine and pastries made by local bakery Sugar Brown’s.

The cupcakes are one of the reasons new customers have kept coming in every day since the opening, according to owner Angela McNair. She is also working to live up to her boutique’s motto, “where everything old is new again,” giving new life to old furniture by adding her own unique touch.

“I don’t prefer to use the word ‘antique,’ because when I find an old piece and starting painting on it the piece changes,” said McNair. “It becomes something different, and a lot of people like the new designs and coloring.”

McNair does not buy in bulk, but hand-selects everything that is in her shop. She is also willing to take commissions and accepts older household furniture that the owner would like to see redone with paint or fabric. At her previous business on Walton Way, she offered interior decorating services and says she would like to do the same with The Sparrow’s Nest.

“There are a lot of great gift ideas in here for the eclectic person who wants something unique,” said McNair. “Summerville is taking to me very well, and there have also been a lot of younger people in here who like the vintage pieces I have to offer.”

The Sparrow’s Nest is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays until Christmas. Details: 706.738.1466. loans. Woodard noted that Augusta received a fair share of that money, which will go to help buildings become more ecofriendly.

The J.B. White’s building renovation is complete and 41 luxury condos will be on the market after the beginning of the year. The developers have also provided a secured parking garage on Ellis Street, which will include a resident bridge to the condos.

[ peace officers graduate with credit ]

MARAGARET WOODARD AT THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT UP SPECTACULAR

[ DDA looks to a strong 2012 ]

The Downtown Development Authority hopes to begin 2012 with the same $154,000 budget they had at the start of 2011, according to Executive Director Margaret Woodard during the last DDA board meeting of the year.

“In January, we will have a new budget, which will probably look a lot like this year’s,” she said. “We will also be keeping the CADI program active, which had done so many good things for the downtown community.”

The Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative will move into its fifth year on March 3 and program director Jessica Fuselier says that it has been going so well she foresees no major changes. The seven employees have collected 50 bags a day of leaf debris for a total of about two tons a week, according to Fuselier.

Woodard also said that The Augusta Chronicle Christmas LightUp Spectacular this yea “rocked, and might have been the city’s best Christmas celebration so far.” Most food vendors sold out, and so many vendors turned up that some late arrivals had to be turned away. The festival also partnered with the Olde Town Candlelight Tour of Homes, which sold more than 200 tickets.

“Each year the post office comes out and sets up letter writing stations so that children can write letters to Santa,” said Woodard. “This year, one of the post office employees, with her own money, bought gift bags for the children and put in treats such as trucks and Barbie dolls. The generosity this year was amazing.”

Woodard also said that, though some funding for downtown projects has been lost, projects are moving forward. The Broad Street lighting project should be complete by Dec. 15 with the exception of some sidewalk work. Phase I of the James Brown Boulevard beautification project will go out for bid in January.

The Georgia Cities Green Fund is now officially out of funds to lend after several recent energy audits turned into approved

Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver spoke to the sixth graduating class of the Peace Officers Training Academy on Nov. 29 at Augusta Technical College, which was one of six technical colleges in Georgia to participate in this pilot project that gives potential law enforcement officers the opportunity to receive basic law enforcement training and obtain college credit at the same time.

This class had 25 students and was the largest class to finish the program since its inception. Upon completion of this program, POTA graduates received their Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training certification as law enforcement officers and a technical certificate of credit from ATC that can be used toward an associate degree in criminal justice.

“We are excited to have Mayor Copenhaver as the keynote speaker for the swearing-in of our sixth and largest class in the academy’s history,” said Ken Jones, the academy’s director. “We applaud his dedication to our community and his commitment to celebrate the accomplishments of our students alongside Augusta Tech faculty and staff as well as family, friends and supporters.”

“During my remarks, I shared with the class how proud I am to serve a community which truly values the service of our men and women in law enforcement with a poignant example coming in the way our local citizens came together to show their support during the wake of the tragic death of Deputy J.D. Paugh,” said Copenhaver. “I also thanked each of them for offering themselves for public service as it truly takes a special person to put themselves in harm’s way to keep our community safe. I would like to personally congratulate all of the graduates and thank everyone at Augusta Technical College for inviting me to speak and for all that you do to help make our city great.”

The next class begins Jan. 4 and has already received all of its applications for admission.

[ 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.

randy duteau of wheel movement

[ wheel movement gets traction ]

Wheel Movement, a local cycling advocacy organization, hosted Ride of Celebration on Dec. 3.

The ride was held in remembrance of Dr. Matthew Burke, Dr. Dan Dickinson and Johnathan Tisdale, three popular local cyclists who passed away this year. Burke and Dickinson were killed in bicycling accidents.

“Losing three great friends this year has taken its toll on the local cycling community,” said Randy DuTeau, the president of Wheel Movement. “Matt, JT and Dr. Dan were well known and well loved among local cyclists. Their loss will be felt forever.

This ride will be our way of saying goodbye and that we will always remember them.”

Wheel Movement was created earlier this year with the support of a $1,500 grant from statewide cycling advocacy group Georgia Bikes! and a $1,000 donation by Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse.

Since mid-s pring a steering committee of 18 local cyclists and shop owners have worked to devise a plan that will facilitate better relations between cyclists and motorists. This plan includes developing educational initiatives for cyclists and motorists, working with area agencies to develop cycling infrastructure, and serving as a clearinghouse for the greater cycling community.

“Recent incidents have exposed a certain level of animosity between some drivers and area cyclists,” said DuTeau. “Wheel Movement seeks to raise the level of discourse and hopefully facilitate better relations between all sides in the often emotional debate. Accepting the loss of three wonderful human beings has been a bitter pill. We’ve got to try and do something in their honor. Wheel Movement will be a positive testament to three lives well lived.”

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6 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

kick off

the new year

try mixed martial arts at Greubel’s to get in shape

martial arts for everyone: STEVIE dement, tonya dunaway, chris mcclain and Mark Greubel (clockwise from top)

I laughed when Mark Greubel suggested a martial arts workout to me. Sure, I know my way around a gym – but a mixed martial arts place? Maybe 20 years ago. These days, I couldn’t kick a frog’s butt without losing my balance. Mixed martial arts?!

“We start at age 7 and go all the way up to the senior citizen range,” said Greubel, the owner of Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts. “Ninety-eight percent of our people that train here don’t spar at all. They want to come in, get a great workout and learn some martial arts to be able to defend themselves.”

While there might be a misconception that Greubel’s is merely for those looking to kick butt and take names in the ring – a rumor fueled in part by the fact that the two percent of Greubel’s members that do fight have not lost a local match since the business opened six years ago – it is the other 98 percent that keeps the doors open.

“We welcome everyone from the whitecollar professional to stay-at-home moms,” said Greubel. “The first month is basically a transitionary period to go from couch-potato state to getting your body moving, learning how the mechanics in your body work and building your confidence and strength up slowly.”

And how could the average Joe not gain confidence? Imagine getting training from a world class athlete without having to take out a loan. Greubel’s staff is made up of heavy hitters with major pedigrees in boxing, kick boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu, judo, muay Thai and wrestling. Though other schools might have one head coach or trainer with a similar background, Greubel’s has a mastermind group of coaches from which to pull knowledge and skill.

“That’s why we offer a free month,” said Greubel. “I guarantee if you go try out another martial arts gym and then try our 30-day free trial, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t sign up here.”

If a free month of working out is not enough to get the average Joe to take a look around, maybe a few words from 42-year-old Greubel’s trainer and fighter Stevie Dement will. Dement was the oldest competitor in the World Association of Kickboxing Organization World Kick Boxing Championships in Dublin, Ireland, beating the Irish champion and receiving a bronze medal.

“I get people asking me all the time where to go and learn martial arts,” said Dement. “I’m biased. I will pull for Mark every time but I tell people, and I mean it with all my heart, go everywhere else first and when you’re sure you’ve seen every one come to us. It’s going to be so head and shoulders above, so day and night different, it’s a sure thing to do. We’re the place to go.”

So what have you got you lose? Kick off 2012 right and try a month – free – at Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts and maybe this year you will actually be able to pull off that New Year’s resolution to get in shape that has been hounding you for years.

Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts is located at 2917 River West Drive, Suite 105, in Martinez.

For more information, call 706.737.0911.

GREUBELSMMA.COM

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON photos LEAH DESLANDES

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8 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the buzz on

biz

what’s moving and shaking in local business

living the

green life practical ways to be more eco-concious

Reduce Your Impact on Earth’s Climate

Fifty years ago, climate scientists began to raise concerns that burning fossil fuels and land-use changes, such as deforestation, increase the concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Those scientists believed that the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could change the Earth’s climate.

THIS AIN’T YOUR GRANDDADDY’S ICE CREAM TRUCK Many businesses might be used to seeing former Augusta advertising account executive Enrique Romero. By holiday time, they will see him in a different light – behind the wheel and grill of The Brown Bag, a new on-the-go food venture.

Romero spent several years in the food service business in Miami and has a love of good food, good service and convenience.

He is developing a Monday-through-Friday schedule to set up the new food truck in front of select office complexes and manufacturing plants during the hectic lunch hours. He will offer hot and cold lunches at a slightly lower cost than area sit-down restaurants. The Brown Bag truck will also be seen at area community events and is available for catering.

BULLCHICKS ON HOLD The BullChicks restaurant that

was scheduled to open in early November near Surrey Center is now on hold. Not much remodeling or activity has been seen at the stand-alone restaurant in the past month.

The franchisees of the Texas-based chain have backgrounds in running other restaurants in the CSRA, including Waffle House and Burger King.

The restaurant was slated to open in the vacant Wife Saver building on Highland Avenue. Wife Saver President Chris Cunningham said he chose to close that location earlier this year because of the economy and an increase in crime.

BullChicks offers 20 varieties of flavors and toppings for its burgers and chicken wings.

COWABUNGA GRILL CLOSES The Cowabunga Grill closed in early December after six months in business in the former Daily Grind coffee shop building on Washington Road in Evans.

Karen Miller (previously of T-Bonz and Somewhere in Augusta) was the general manager with backing from owner Gary Gibson (Gary’s Hamburgers).

The buzz is that there was a conflict over whether to have a beer and wine or alcohol license, so the establishment could offer alcoholic beverages to patrons who came in to watch the big screen televisions. Gibson is seeking a different restaurateur who will take over the lease and eventually pay for restaurant equipment that he installed there.

CSRA HOTELS AND AIRPORT DOING BETTER Each month, the

Augusta State University Department of Economics puts out a report on the state of our economy. They review real estate, employmnet and how many “heads were in beds” to determine how the local and regional economy is getting along. The Augusta Tourism Index ticked up slightly in the past quarter. It increased by 2.2 percent from June 2010 to September. It is up .4 percent from September of last year.

The good news for the third quarter is that more folks were in hotels paying more money than usual. The bad news is that employment in the leisure and hospitality sector continues to decline.

“Employment in this sector often lags the business cycle. Hopefully, if there is continued improvement in the hotel industry they will start hiring again,” said Dr. Simon Metcalfe, a professor at ASU. Passenger numbers from Augusta Regional Airport also indicate improvements in this sector. In the third quarter, total passengers passing though the airport was up .2 percent from the third quarter of 2010. Incoming passengers increased by .9 percent from the third quarter of 2010.

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

Today, as atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases reach new highs, warnings from the scientific community are becoming louder. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that Earth is getting warmer because of the buildup of greenhouse gases from human activities. We are also beginning to see the consequences of global climate change, such as stronger storms, increased flooding, more droughts and shrinking ice caps.

The consequences of climate change can lead to food and water shortages, pandemic disease outbreaks and mass migrations of displaced people – here in the United States and around the planet. These conditions have the potential to destabilize governments, cause political unrest and contribute to the growth of terrorism in already vulnerable regions. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Defense identified climate change as a serious threat to national security.

The good news is that there are many things each of us can do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the Earth’s climate.

First, determine your own carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint is a powerful tool to understand the impact of your lifestyle choices on climate change. It is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gas, typically given in tons of CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq) per year that is produced by your day-today activities. The carbon footprint includes emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels for energy consumption and transportation, in addition to the greenhouse gases emitted during the production and distribution of the goods and services you consume. According to the United Nations Environment Program, the average person living in the U.S. generates about 20 tons of CO2-eq each year, while the global average carbon footprint is about 4 tons of CO2-eq per year. You can find a carbon footprint calculator on the University of California Berkeley website at coolclimate.berkeley.edu/carboncalculator.

Once you have determined your carbon footprint you can look for ways to reduce it. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the transportation sector accounts for approximately one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest-growing major source of greenhouse gases.

You can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by using more eco-friendly alternatives such as carpooling or taking the bus for your daily commute, walking or riding a bike for shorter trips, even telecommuting, if possible. Another way to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions is to improve your gas mileage by keeping your vehicle it in good running condition, properly inflating your tires, driving the speed limit and replacing your current vehicle with a hybrid or another type of fuel efficient vehicle when it reaches the end of its useful life.

The EPA estimates that about 17 percent of your carbon footprint is associated with electricity use and home heating and cooling. Some simple steps you can take to reduce your home’s carbon footprint include cleaning air filters regularly and having your heating and cooling equipment tuned annually by a licensed contractor, turning down the water heating setting, using energy star light fixtures and appliances, washing laundry in cold water, turning off lights and electronic devices when you leave a room and unplugging appliances when not in use.

Finally, reduce your carbon footprint when buying food and consumer items by choosing products that are organic, produced locally and have minimal packaging.

There is a better chance that these products were produced in an environmentally friendly way and if it is produced locally, it will have a smaller transportation footprint.

Anne Lovell is an environmental consultant who lives in Aiken with her husband and three dogs. Her column, Living Green, focuses on practical ways to be more environmentally conscious.

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10 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

a photo shouts

a thousand words

everyday LIVING CAUGHT ON FILM

downtown style

christmas seen

James Brown might have been the busiest man in show biz, but good old Saint Nick is claiming the title for the busiest man in downtown. He has been spotted in the Christmas Fantasy Parade, the Augusta Common, Nacho Mama’s, the Augusta History Museum and the list goes on from there. Santa has had some help, though, as downtown organizations joined together to make this Christmas season bright, as photographer Christopher Selmek discovered during The Augusta Chronicle Christmas Light Up Spectacular on Dec. 3. photos CHRISTOPHER SELMEK CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The United States Post Office set up to help children write letters to Santa Claus, Marines took donations for Toys for Tots, Santa Claus came in to town on a fire truck, fireworks exploded over downtown after the tree was lit, the Augusta Market bustled, Miss Augusta joined the Christmas Fantasy Parade.

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12 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

going to the ashley levin’s

grammys talent sends her to california

Ashley Levin, a John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School senior, will become one of 30 student musicians selected to attend the 2012 Grammy Camp – Jazz Session Feb. 3 through 13 in Hollywood.

Levin, who will also star in Davidson’s presentation of Beauty and the Beast on March 8, 9 and 10, is one of only two sopranos chosen for this year’s camp, which includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the 54th Grammy Awards and a recording session at Capitol Studios and Mastering.

“Grammy Camp – Jazz Session is one of our longest-running Grammy in the Schools programs, and it gives young people real-world experiences in the music industry,” said Neil Portnow, the president and CEO of the Grammy Foundation and The Recording Academy, in a recent press release. “In this case, it brings together top high school vocalists and instrumentalists from across the country to create a jazz choir, combo and band for a once-in-a-lifetime Grammy Week opportunity where these young artists play with their peers as well as with Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning artists.”

Levin said she first found out she had won the opportunity as she was going on stage to sing in a performance at Davidson just before Thanksgiving. She had spent most of October going through what she describes as an intense application process that required her to record herself singing various styles of music including sight-reading, during which she sang a piece of music without ever seeing it before.

“Thousands of singers all across the country auditioned for it, I’m really amazed to think that I’m one of only three choir singers, and of only two sopranos, to make it into this camp,” said Levin.

“What I’m most excited about is the opportunities this presents to rub shoulders with the right people, because a lot of what goes on in the recording industry is all about who you know. And I’m thrilled to get a chance to record a track on an album, in the Capitol Record’s studio no less.”

Levin has applied to several universities and hopes to benefit from the more than $2 million in college scholarships made possible through the Grammy Foundation’s college partners.

While several of the other students chosen for this camp have contacted her through Facebook, Levin still is not sure which artists she will be working with, but notes that last year’s group was led by Sarah Bareilles, a popular artist who she respects and admires.

“It’s a little intimidating, so I’ll probably spend a lot of my Christmas break learning my music for the Grammy program,” she said. “I’ve always performed since I was little, and I’ve loved singing and dancing since I was in kindergarten, but I never imagined it would take me this far.”

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK photo LEAH DESLANDES

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14 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

elizabeth barnes captures

the art of pregnacy

BODY CASTS OF PREGNANT TUMMIES ADDS A NEW DIRECTION FOR MUTLI-TALENTED sculptor and painter

Though it can be difficult for some, most mothers say that being pregnant was a special time in their lives.

Elizabeth Barnes, a sculptor who lives in North Augusta, captures the transformation of a woman’s body during pregnancy by creating belly casts with original designs.

Body casting dates back to ancient Egypt, when the casts were made to transport dead bodies to the next world. Francine Krause is credited with creating the first modern belly cast in 1986 when she was pregnant with her first child.

Since then, many women have had the three-dimensional plaster sculptures of their abdomens or torsos created. Though normally done in the eighth or ninth month, some women choose to make a series of casts to capture the progression of the pregnancy.

The process begins with a plaster cast of the belly or abdomen. Once the cast is made, Barnes creates a work of art that will be a cherished keepsake for the entire family.

Barnes grew up in southern Maine and says her love of art and threedimensional surroundings began at home. She had a creative family who took frequent trips to the countryside and shores of New England. In high school, she joined the art club and realized her interest in sculptures.

“I remember going to a winter fest at the University of New Hampshire and seeing an ice sculpture,” she says. “I thought ‘Wow! This is so cool.’”

After high school Barnes attended a business college, but continued to take classes in a variety of crafts. After her marriage to her husband, Jerry, they moved to Indiana where they raised their two daughters.

“When the kids were young, I painted figures on our windows at each holiday,” Barnes smiles.

Her enthusiasm for painting and learning different crafts did not stop there. After moving to Rockingham, N.C., she took classes whenever she could and joined the local homemaker extension. It was during a ceramics class at a community college that she realized sculpting was her passion.

In 1985, her family relocated to Aiken where she worked as a secretary, though she still dreamed of continuing her education and being an artist. Then, when Augusta State University waived its out-of-state tuition fees in 1988, she enrolled as a full-time student.

In 1992, she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Fine Art. “At the time, I had one daughter in high school and one in college,” she says. “We were all freshmen and would sit at the dining table with our algebra homework.”

In 1999, they moved to Alabama where she continued to attend art workshops and spent her free time scouting the area for different media to use in her sculptures.

“I call that my ‘gathering’ time,” Barnes says. “I collected stones and rocks from all over the area whenever we traveled.”

After returning to the area, they settled in North Augusta and Barnes decided to work as an artist full-time. She taught classes at the Art Factory and worked at an after-school program for disadvantaged children.

Her artwork, including bronze, alabaster, terra cotta and intaglio prints and paintings in oil and acrylic, have been shown at galleries and art shows around the country, she is listed in Who’s Who of American Women and her artwork has won many awards.

In July of 2000, a pregnant client approached Barnes to do a cast of her torso. Her love of motherhood and passion for art sparked her curiosity.

“I said, ‘Sure, no problem,’ ” she laughs. “ ‘ OK, now what do I do?’ ”

“But as soon as they became pregnant again, they called me.”

She completed her first belly cast and began to get referrals.

In 2003, her company, Artful Expectations, was born.

The cast-making process takes about two hours to complete. She works in the client’s home for privacy and a more comfortable setting. The father’s involvement sometimes includes his hands casted on her abdomen.

“I love what I do,” she says. “I have samples of designs to give inspiration, but the final designs are chosen by my clients. And usually the design they choose is perfect for their body.”

Barnes says her passion is preserving memories and she hopes a legacy for her family.

Though animal designs are very popular, she has painted famous masterpieces and even a James Brown series on some of the casts. A Mona Lisa belly cast hangs in her living room.

“There are two bronze turtles in my daughter Jessica’s garden,” Barnes says. “When my daughter was pregnant, I made casts of her and bronzed them. This is my legacy to my grandchildren.”

“A friend asked me what I would do if someone asked me to do a Mona Lisa,” she explains. “So, I just did it.”

Her daughter, also an artist living in South Carolina, helps Barnes with some of the castings and artwork.

Barnes says she loves the work and the selfesteem it brings to the women. She says she feels they discover a different awareness of their body. She also looks forward to meeting the babies after they are born.

“I love it when they see the finished cast for the first time,” she says. “They see the image as not just the body, but a memory of their baby’s first home in the world. It is a happy time in their life.”

Belly casting is not for everyone. But Barnes says when she sees a pregnant woman she envisions a creative and cherished gift the mother can give to her child - a timeless gift of original art.

Visit her website at

artfulexpectations.com. article and photo by KAREN E. FARLEY body casts by ELIZABETH BARNES

So, what happens if the moms deliver early?

“I have had a few moms that delivered before their cast was made,” Barnes says.

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 15

16 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

chef brings fine cuisine from

new zealand to aiken

FOR THE WILLCOX, REGAN BROWELL IS MORE THAN HER RECIPES, SHE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE GRAND HOTEL’S REBIRTH

According to the United States government, Chef Regan Browell is a person of “exceptional skills.”

Browell came to Aiken and The Restaurant at The Willcox as its executive chef in August 2009 on what the U.S. Immigration Service calls an “Exceptional Skills” Visa.

She qualified for that status when 10 people – restaurant and hotel owners, fellow chefs and other businesspeople – wrote letters extolling her superior talents and high character.

Browell, a New Zealand native, has worked in restaurants from San Francisco to London, three of which were highly rated Ritz Carlton resorts and hotels in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Double Bay, Australia and South Beach, Fla. Before coming to The Willcox, she was executive chef at the fashionable Electric Brasserie of the Soho House Company in London and then at two restaurants in Tauranga, New Zealand, Rain – a gastro-pub – and Nextdoor Restaurant.

Geoff and Shannon Ellis owned Rain and Nextdoor and when they came to Aiken Browell came with them. After a month of preparation, they opened The Restaurant at The Willcox in September 2009. The Ellises bought the hotel outright on New Year’s Eve of that year, a feat for which Shannon gives Browell much credit.

CREATING IN THE KITCHEN Regan Browell prepares for a Willcox dinner.

“Regan is someone who goes above and beyond what most people are capable of,” says Shannon.

Operating a sustainable business means dedication and attention to detail.

There had been no restaurant at The Willcox for several years and business was off – way off – and the grand old hotel was slated to close on Jan. 1, 2010. During the four months that the Ellises had operated The Restaurant at The Willcox, they say sales at the hotel had begun to improve and the whole atmosphere in the building had turned around and led them to purchase the hotel on New Year’s Eve 2009.

“You have to hunt out suppliers who are willing to operate in a sustainable manner, farms who grow things organically, purveyors who are taking care of their products and the world at large,” says Browell. “I have to research them to validate their methods.”

“Regan is someone who goes above and beyond what most people are capable of.”

— shannon ellis

“I remember when I first came here,” says Browell. “It was like an empty shell – barren. Now it’s quite lively. Of course, it’s not just due to the food, but the restaurant is where we began.”

Shannon agrees, saying, “In a real sense, the restaurant brought life back into this hotel: The hotel has the grand history and aura, but it did nothing to welcome the local community. It was overwhelming to locals and they didn’t come in. The hotel needed something warm and comfortable to draw people in and Regan supplied that – incredible food at an approachable price and great service that isn’t stuffy. Her restaurant, and a more convivial atmosphere that we implemented throughout the hotel from the beginning, made the hotel accessible for the public and they have responded. A hallowed hall that was once accessible only to princes and presidents, now is frequented by the people of the area. Stuffy no more. You can come into the restaurant wearing your blue jeans and have a great hamburger.

My husband, Geoff, and I do that all the time!”

Of course, you can also get some pretty fancy – and tasty – stuff.

Browell recently published a dessert recipe in the new Signature Tastes of South Carolina Cookbook, a peanut butter parfait terrine with butterscotch, chocolate ganache, a brownie and a peanut crisp.

Three Palmettos Browell’s and the Ellises’ commitment to sustainability in the restaurant and the hotel are deeply held and have been highly recognized.

For example, nearly all of the fish and seafood served in The Restaurant at The Willcox is line-caught from North Coast Seafood near Boston. The pork comes from Nieman Ranch in California. The beef is all pasture-raised Certified Angus Beef and Browell uses Coleman’s organic chicken.

She takes pride in making almost everything from scratch and the result is a menu that is free of processed and chemically preserved foods and a kitchen that is virtually free of food delivered in plastic containers. Even the menus and takeaway containers are made of 100 percent recycled paper and the used cooking oil is converted into biodiesel fuel.

The Restaurant at The Willcox is “Carolina Certified,” which means that at least one-third of the produce is grown in the Carolinas and as much of it locally as can be found.

A restaurant policy written by Browell and Shannon concludes, “The Restaurant at The Willcox is committed to reducing our environmental impact and increasing our use of sustainable resources, while providing the finest and freshest foods for our guests.”

This commitment recently won them Three Palmettos, the highest award given by the South Carolina Green Hospitality Alliance.

Brought Back to Life In the first half of the 20th Century, The Willcox was the center of high society in Aiken. Visitors came to play outdoor games on its manicured lawn and sprawling acreage. Astros, Vanderbilts and Rockefellers mixed with Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Bing Crosby, along with high-ranking American politicians and European nobility – all in the name of fun.

The Restaurant at The Willcox has re-earned its reputation as the finest dining experience in town, and now that comes with competitive pricing for those of us who are not millionaires or movie stars.

In November 2011, The Willcox was named by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the Top 50 Small Hotels in the U.S., a huge achievement for which Browell and the restaurant played a big part.

Browell says she is dedicated to her work in operating the highest quality restaurant and in teaching her employees what she knows. She is also working with the Ellises on future projects, all confidential at the moment, and says she is happy where she is.

“I enjoy being in America,” says Browell. “My work has taken me so many places that a little girl from New Zealand doesn’t normally get to see, and there is more I want to do. There are still so many places in this country that I haven’t seen. I haven’t tasted all of America yet!”

by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE photo ALISON RYAN

from regan’s kitchen: DARK CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL PUDDINGS Deliciously dark and perfect for gift-giving

INGREDIENTS: 380 gram tin store bought caramel filling (dolce de leche) ½ cup thick cream 200 grams dark chocolate (Ghirardelli) 2 oz. butter 3 eggs ½ cup brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ cup almond meal (ground almonds) or ¼ cup flour

DIRECTIONS: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place caramel in a bowl and whisk until smooth.

Add the cream and mix well to combine.

Split the caramel mixture into four 1½-cup ovenproof dishes (Browell uses mason jars, which she says make great gifts).

Place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer and beat for 10 minutes or until the mixture doubles in size and is thick and creamy.

Fold the chocolate and almond meal/flour into the egg mixture and divide between the dishes.

Place on baking tray and bake 18-20 minutes.

Let stand for five minutes, dust with cocoa powder and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 17

18 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the kropps have a

heart for brazil

wife’s roots and husband’s medical skills combine to help orphans in Jacunda have a chance at a better life

Project Rescue of Amazon Youth is a Christian nonprofit organization that serves abused, neglected, orphaned and at-need children in the Amazon area of Brazil. Volunteers from the United States, working through the organization’s board of directors in Kansas and Brazil, communicate and commute to Jacunda, Para, to provide supplies, financial aid and medical assistance.

The Jacunda campus is located on eight acres of land and provides housing for the children, meals, classrooms, library, chapel and a community medical clinic. Teenagers from the Project Rescue house transition to Tocantinopolis for further education and employment opportunities.

Dr. Mark Kropp, a family practitioner who works in quality assurance at Lilly/Elanco, and his wife relocated to Augusta three years ago. They recently became involved with Project Rescue and traveled to the Amazon to volunteer in the medical clinic last fall. Kropp spoke to verge about his experiences in Jacunda and his plans for future mission work.

Verge: How did you first hear about Project Rescue?

Kropp: My wife is Brazilian and we started selling Brazilian food in the marketplace at the Savannah River every Saturday.

We learned about Arts in the Heart, I contacted them and they said to get in touch with Maria Berger, who does the Brazil tent. We befriended each other and participated in the Brazil presentation at Arts in the Heart. Maria had become aware of Project Rescue, which was supporting this orphanage. One of the past presidents, Michael Ryan, is the [editorial] page editor at The Augusta Chronicle. He had written a book and I was reading in the dedication how Michael Ryan had been to Brazil. I was interested in combining my medical background with traveling to the Amazon and found that maybe this would be exactly what I was looking for. I made contacts and had to send in my curriculum vitae and be interviewed by a nurse practitioner who has been going there for the past five years. We were invited to go and we spent a week at the orphanage in September 2011.

Verge: What was your involvement during that week?

Kropp: I practice family medicine. There is a clinic available to all the residents of Jacunda. They show up about 6 a.m. and the office opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. The clinic sees patients for anything you think is possible: geriatrics, pediatrics, ob-gyn, diabetes, vaccinations, cardiovascular.

Verge: Were you familiar with the Amazon region before becoming involved with Project Rescue?

Kropp: I had taken several trips to Sao Paulo and Rio but had never been to the Amazon. Para is the frontier, the start of the true Amazon as we know it. We hear about defoliation, and that’s the area that got cut down and it turns very dusty. They have decided, because of their organic, green background to allow a lot of the vegetation to grow back.

Verge: Had you done mission work before?

Kropp: It was my first time. I was elected treasurer of my alumni association from my medical school, American University in St. Maarten, and our school had their first medical mission trip this year to Bolivia; we sponsored 17 students going for a week. I was aware of Doctors With Wings and things like that, but I had never done something like this before, although my clinicals were done

ORPHANED IN BRAZIL Girls at the Project Rescue orphanagein Jacunda

“My wife realized these people

only have water coming from the river and she came

up with the idea of solar panels and a heater for hot showers.”

— Dr. mark kropp

in the Caribbean, so it wasn’t too unfamiliar to deal with limited supplies and equipment and very poor people.

Verge: What were your impressions upon arrival in Brazil?

Kropp: We were in a pretty big airplane and landed on a one-lane strip in the Amazon, so that was the first shock. It was a two-hour drive [to Jacunda]. The first part was on a relatively smooth road where the clear-cutting took place, and then we got into where growth had returned and our driver was maneuvering around big potholes. When we arrived in Jacunda, it was more amazement in my wife’s eyes because they build everything in concrete in the south, but in Jacunda, it’s wood. The [orphanage] campus has a nice wall around it. The two buildings are wonderful. The clinics are 10 years old and more modern than what we had seen in the town, which was more of a shantytown. There was an outdoor classroom. The medical clinic has a modern interior and computers. They don’t have a satellite connection yet for Internet, but the television has video and DVDs. The food was wonderful. The kids are needy; they like to be hugged, they love playing games.

Verge: What are their greatest needs?

Kropp: Lilly has a program where we’re sending out employees around the world and lot of those places are orphanages. The kids need hugs and attention. The food supply looked strong. They’re taking cold showers. My wife realized these people only have water coming from the river and she came up with the idea of solar panels and a heater for hot showers. They were starting a vegetable garden and it was simple – we mailed [seeds] to provide fresh vegetables and give the kids a chance at a project that’s their own. They always need cash donations.

Verge: Is there a tie-in between your work with Lilly and your work with Project Rescue?

Kropp: Through my medical school and our rotations, we have availability to go on medical missions our first and second years and clinical rotations in our third and fourth years. Through the alumni association, I’m building a medical mission of particular students to go down the last week in August on summer break to participate in family practice. Third- and fourth-year rotations will go to a place like Jacunda, a non-U.S. accredited site, for six weeks. My contribution is going to be more family practice and bringing along students to help. We’re also putting together a program for credit scores and using the classroom to talk about tropical diseases like malaria, yellow fever, snake bites, etcetera.

My wife will go again in February and I will go at the end of August.

For more information about Project Rescue of Amazon Youth, visit praymission.embarqspace.com.

by ALISON RICTHER photo MARK KROPP

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 19

FIRST THURSDAY!

GOOD FOOD & WINE, LIVE MUSIC, SPECIAL SALES 2113 Kings Way Augusta, GA 30904 706-364-8479 20 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

from weatherman to math coach,

rucker’s still right

jeff rucker follows his heart to help kids AT mathnasium – a math tutoring center

“I love the CSRA. It’s home for me and my family. I have a heart to help our children succeed and be the best they can be.”

“Our instructors have a heart for kids and a sincere ability to encourage students and build their confidence.”

Jeff Rucker was the chief meteorologist for WAGT NBC-26 News for more than a decade. During that time, he developed a loyal fan base and became one of the area’s most popular local news figures. Most people would hold on to such a position, possibly until retirement, but Rucker felt a greater calling. He recently left NBC-26 to start a new venture, Mathnasium, a tutoring center for mathematics.

Why the career change? Rucker explains his reasons to verge, and provides some background about Mathnasium and how it can help math students of all ages.

Verge: Obvious first question: After 12 years as chief meteorologist for NBC-26, when and why did you make the decision to leave?

Rucker: I really feel like God has called me to do Mathnasium.

For the longest time, my wife, Christine, and I wondered how we would deal with the odd hours of television with our two children. We thought our answer was to move five minutes from the TV station. That was the solution for a few years. But our family’s evening and weekend events grew, and then the TV station relocated to the other side of town. We feel like the Lord slowly closed the television door during the last few years. But just as he closed the TV door, he opened the Mathnasium door.

I’ve always enjoyed teaching. In fact, one of my favorite things about being a TV meteorologist was my visits to schools to teach the kids about weather. I’ve been teaching at our church’s (Stevens Creek Church in Martinez) Sunday school for almost six years and I started teaching an Intro to Weather class at Augusta State University three years ago. All of this has shown me that teaching brings me great joy. And, of course, meteorology is 85 percent math. I’ve always enjoyed math and I even got my high school varsity letter on the Math Team. Mathnasium allows me to use my gifts and talents in a way that can have significant impact for our community. It’s a perfect fit for me.

Verge: When did you first become familiar with Mathnasium and what appealed to you about the program?

Rucker: I learned about Mathnasium in late 2009. I researched it extensively, and the more I learned about the company and the program, the more I knew it would allow me to use my gifts to make a positive impact on our community. The company has a real heart for kids and their families, and that appeals to me. I love the CSRA. It’s home for me and my family. I have a heart to help our children succeed and be the best they can be.

Verge: How did you assemble your team of instructors?

Rucker: We have hired, and will continue to hire, individuals with superior math skills and a desire to help and encourage

students. As part of the hiring process, instructors must excel at Mathnasium instructor assessments. Equally important, our instructors have a heart for kids and a sincere ability to encourage students and build their confidence. Students leave Mathnasium more confident than when they came in.

Verge: Is there a limit to the number of students who can enroll at any time?

Rucker: No! We welcome any second- to 12th-graders who would like to catch up, keep up and get ahead in math.

Verge: What does the program entail and what is the Mathnasium Method?

Rucker: Our mission is to teach math in a way that makes sense to students. At the heart of the Mathnasium Method is a strong sense of numbers. In fact, we call it “number sense.” When a student has number sense, they have a deep understanding of how numbers relate. The Mathnasium Method is based on the concept of teaching for understanding. Our students are taught that not only math principles are true, but they are taught why these principles are true.

Verge: What is the Mathnasium curriculum? Does it work in tandem with the student’s textbooks and assignments? How is it designed?

Rucker: The Mathnasium curriculum serves students second grade up to pre-calculus. The curriculum is extremely robust, covering everything from curing kids of finger counting to the higher math material of high school. Parents can go to the Mathnasium website (www.mathnasium.com) to see how well our curriculum corresponds to state standards.

Verge: How is Mathnasium different from, and preferable to, hiring a private tutor?

Rucker: Our enrollment allows students unlimited attendance with no scheduling required. This provides families flexibility for their busy lives and is a great value.

Verge: What are the greatest mathematical challenges that students face?

Rucker: Not having a good mathematical foundation is the most common challenge for students. This often becomes even more of a struggle by the time students reach high school.

Verge: How does Mathnasium address these issues?

Rucker: Each student gets assessed to find their strengths and weaknesses. Then we build a highly individualized learning plan to address weaknesses we’ve discovered in the assessment.

I should also emphasize that we fully expect at least one-third of our enrollment will be students and families looking for enrichment. Those students will also be assessed and given a custom learning plan that will challenge them and take them to the next level.

Verge: Can students enroll at any time during the school year?

Rucker: Yes! But if you see a need in your son or daughter, don’t wait to act. The longer you wait, the more challenging it will be to fill in the gaps.

Verge: Why do mathematics continue to terrify and confuse students, and is the “boys are better at math” stereotype still prevalent? If so, what can parents and educators do to help overcome this?

Rucker: I believe all students can do the math. I don’t think students hate math. I think some students hate being embarrassed and frustrated because they don’t understand math. Mathnasium can be part of the mathematics solution for many kids and families. We will work together with teachers and parents to help kids build the solid mathematical foundation they need to succeed. We look forward to helping make a difference.

by ALISON RICHTER photos LEAH DESLANDES

do the math

STOP BY 4219-1 Washington Road, Evans, in the Mullins Crossing shopping center CALL 706.868.9393

EMAIL evans@mathnasium.com VISIT MATHNASIUM.COM/EVANS

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 21

22 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

a local salon and photographer have

a crush on beauty

edge salon and spa and sally kolar photography shape and shoot a national advertising campaign for a prom dress company

Photographer Sally Kolar and salon owner David Towles have one thing in common: pursuing a passion and having fun in the process.

Kolar and Towles met in 2009 at a Fourth of July RiverBlast celebration in downtown Augusta. Towles’ daughter was chosen as Miss Teen RiverBlast and won a photo shoot from Kolar Photography.

“When I met David, we hit it off,” Kolar says. “We had the same values and work ethics. He is a really hard worker.”

David and his wife, Valerie, own Edge Salon and Spa in Hammond’s Ferry and recently opened Edge Formals, which specializes in formal and pageant wear. Their daughter, Elizabeth, is no stranger to beauty pageants.

“We have followed her in pageants since she was 9 years old,” Towles says. “I was also able to judge and help coach some of the girls during that time. Just seeing the transformation was amazing.”

On stages across the country, toddlers through teens are judged for their beauty but Towles says he feels the events are about much more.

“Anyone can be a Pamela Anderson, but with proper training and coaching, they can become an Audrey Hepburn,” he says. “It improves their posture, walk and self-esteem. It develops a thought process needed for interviews when they look for jobs in the future.”

His background in retail, public relations and marketing has helped to increase sales and allowed him to buy popular clothing lines, such as Crush by R.J. Formals.

On a buying trip to the Atlanta Apparel Mart in August, Towles’ daughter stopped by the Crush booth to look at prom dresses. She noticed the photographs on the company’s website and commented about a great photographer in Augusta that could do a much better job.

Immediately, Towles contacted Kolar to see whether she was interested in taking the photos for the prom dress line. What Kolar didn’t know at the time was that the photo shoot was for a two-page spread in national magazines Seventeen and TeenProm.

After several telephone conferences, Towles and Kolar began planning the fashion shoot.

“We recruited models throughout the area,” Towles explains. “We used some of our past clients, but looked in other places for the guys.

We were in Carrabba’s one night and noticed Sean Wilcox, a waiter and student at Augusta State University. I knew right away he was our model. We also used Collin Oliver, a football player at Aquinas High School.”

Some of the other models chosen for the fashion spread were Megan Gordon from North Augusta High School, Kendyl Pennington from Lakeside High School, Lauren Howard from South Aiken High School, Falynn Cheek from Evans High School, Emilie Sears from Dutch Fork High School and Carlee Moss, Academy of Richmond County.

Once Towles recruited the eight models, Kolar set up a shoot inside her North Augusta studio.

“Robin Sprindt from Crush called me,” Kolar explains. “We did a series of interviews on the phone and a conference call with David. She checked out my website and liked that I was

PPA (Professional Photographers of America) certified. She needed to see more photos so she would be comfortable we could photograph her dresses well. I did a photo shoot a year previously with Catz formals out of Columbia (S.C.). I sent her images from that session. She liked what she saw from the Catz shoot.”

Kolar began her career in photography when her children were in middle school. She worked behind the scenes for a professional studio. During that time, she took classes with some of the best photographers in her area and took the leap to start shooting on her own.

“I realized that my passion was taking pictures,” she says. “I also realized that we need to follow our heart.”

“Anyone can be a Pamela Anderson, but with proper training and coaching, they can become an Audrey Hepburn.”

— DAVID TOWLES

Kolar’s passion for photography has earned her recognition in several professional organizations. She is the official photographer for the Marshall and Wilson YMCAs and the 2012 Miss Augusta Pageant. She specializes in weddings, families and children, but her credentials and ability to capture natural beauty are not the only accomplishments in her career.

“It is so important to form relationships in this business,” she says. “I have met some amazing people that have helped my career.”

Some of those amazing people were Towles and his staff at Edge Salon and Spa. Once the shooting process began, both Towles and Kolar say they knew it would be an exciting opportunity to showcase local talent.

The staff at the salon did the hair and makeup.

Kolar used her studio and other locations in Hammond’s Ferry and downtown Augusta for the two-day photography shoots.

Though fashion photo shoots involve more than styling hair and photographing models, both Towles and Kolar agree that the joy of seeing the confidence in the models evolve during the shoot made the project a success.

Look for the December issues of Seventeen and TeenProm, featuring the Augusta shoot, on newsstands Dec. 22.

by KAREN E. FARLEY photos SALLY KOLAR CONTACT Edge Salon & Spa at 803.380.1275 and Sally Kolar at sallykolar.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 23

Over the River and Through the Woods Aiken Center for the Arts

1

You can’t get more local than shopping at a locally owned store brimming with handcrafted items from local artists. I could fill a book with the cool gift ideas I found at Aiken Center for the Arts, but I finally chose these two: a vase by one of our favorite potters Gary Dexter and a set of whimsical metal birds in Christmas jewel tones. These might end up in my stocking!

122 Laurens St. SW., Aiken • 803.641.9094 • vase $49, metal birds $36 each

4 Singing Hills Antiques Don’t let the name fool you - this is not your typical antique store. Singing Hills is filled with hand-selected items by the owners, some old and some new.

We discovered this lovely EIFFEL TOWER TEALIGHT HOLDER (old) and a old-fashioned SPINNING TOP (new) – no batteries required.

417 West Ave., North Augusta 803.441.8805 • Eiffel tower $22, spinning top $12

Threads Threads is easily our new favorite store in Aiken. The owner moved here from California and brought a modern aesthetic with her. She also is committed to sourcing items made regionally, such as this CLUTCH and WALLET made by Nana in Columbia, S.C. 108 Laurens St. SW, Aiken • 803.335.1452 clutch (above) $34, wallet (below) $24

3 The Curiosity Shop I fell in love with The Curiosity Shop the first time I visited 10 year ago. Many afternoons since have been spent wandering its aisles and admiring its intriguing array of gift ideas from the British Isles: Tartan scarves, Dr. Who action figures, delicate English teapots, medieval weapons, Guinness pint glasses and interesting British food. With its recent move to a bigger location, I am even more infatuated and continue to wonder whether my husband would wear a kilt if I put it under the tree for him. I will probably play it safe again this year and choose this GARDEN QUOITS SET from Jacques London. I envision family gatherings on the lawn this spring, the boys vying to swing their rope circle on the center red-tipped pole. In kilts, perhaps?

224 Park Ave. SW, Aiken • 803.644.0004 • quoits set $45

24 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

2

We Found These Great Gift Ideas

5

Impressions of the South

This delightfully soft Gund teddy bear is perfect for peeking out of the top of a child’s stocking. Impressions of the South, owned by Jay and Eva Watkins, spills over with gift ideas with sections for men, women, children and babies. While there, try one of the shop’s sinfully decadent chocolate bonbons or box up a selection (as I did) for a lovely hostess gift.

508 West Ave., North Augusta • 803.426.8298 • teddy bear $20.15

6

7

High Country Olive Oil I thought olive oil came in two basic varieties: virgin and nonvirgin. So, I was surprised when I walked into High Country Olive Oil and was invited to sample more than 20 varieties. From Organic Tuscan Herb (an instant favorite) to fresh fruit varietals, these elegant bottles of oil make gifts that will be used over and over again. The tasting bar also features more than 15 types of balsamic vinegar, all of which originate in Modena,

Italy, the birthplace of the

balsamic. I picked up a bottle of DARK ESPRESSO to drizzle

over goat cheese and a POMEGRANATE for a festive Christmas salad.

113 Laurens St. SW,

Suite 105, Aiken

803.649.9907

tuscan herb olive oil $16, dark espresso and

pomegranate balsamics

$15 each

Folly

It can be challenging to find gifts for the men on my Christmas list. When I discovered these leather-wrapped flasks at Folly in downtown Aiken, I knew I had hit the jackpot. The flasks come in a variety of sizes and colors, including red, orange, blue and green. In an interesting twist, the store carries unique and elegant accessories for the body and the home.

116 Laurens St. SW, Aiken • 803.226.0550 5 oz. flask (tall) $35, 6 oz. flask (short) $38

by WYLIE GRAVES photos GABI HUTCHISON

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 25

26 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

fresh food bites

french confections

an average joe’s guide to eating healthier

SPICE UP THE HOLIDAYS

Every month, like clockwork, you can flip through the pages of verge and find me spouting off food recipes. Most of the time, I try and find some sort or way to relate it to the month or an upcoming holiday and, of course, I generally try and keep it healthy. This time I decided to step outside of the box and offer something that you can enjoy from Christmas to Super Bowl Sunday – and beyond. This issue’s treat is based on something I used to have when I lived in Germany, and its cozy goodness is perfect for any cold time of the year. But, that is not what truly makes it different from past recipes I have shared. This month’s recipe is actually a beverage.

Hot Christmas Spice Wine INGREDIENTS

chow bella simple tips and recipes on cooking with natural goodness

THE FRENCH MACARONS

If you could taste air, it would probably taste like a macaron – an almond flavored delicacy.

I had never made macarons before – real macarons, not to be confused with the coconut macaroon which is a confection of an entirely different nature.

I set off on my first voyage into the unknown world of meringue tossed with almonds with excitement and was thrilled when the results were perfection.

I decided to try macarons based on some lovely photos, so I did not know what to expect flavorwise. I was beautifully surprised when the outcome tasted like a fluffy almond cookie, because I was skeptical I had even made the meringue correctly.

I tried beating the eggs by hand – hint, that will not work for meringue – and finally opted to visit a friend with a Kitchen Aid stand mixer: Success!

The process is a bit lengthy, but the time it takes to make these little beauties is worth it. The sandwichstyle treats are perfect for a holiday party or shower.

(Who doesn’t want to show their friends and family how much they love them by making delicious sweets crafted with care.)

I plan to set my eggs out two days before I make my next batch of macarons, so that they have time to become fully room temperature, which is supposed to result in a more appealing cookie. The filling is up to the baker: I have seen macarons filled with chocolate, all types of jellies, buttercream and sweet cheese mixes. I chose the latter – using mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese that is not as sweet as the American version and is wonderful when mixed with preserves. Raspberry is my favorite preserve and made a wonderful mix with the mascarpone and the soft almond flavor of the cookie. Enjoy this avenue into French desserts – I plan on making more in the future and sharing the results.

2 oranges 2 bottles of red wine 1 bottle of white wine 1 peeled and thinly slice piece of fresh ginger 3 cinnamon sticks ½ tsp. ground cloves ⅓ cup brown sugar ¼ cup brandy

article and photo by ELLIE BENSON boyandabride.virb.com

5.

6.

DIRECTIONS 1. Remove zest from oranges with sharp knife or peeler, then juice oranges into a large pot.

2. Pour the red and white wines into the pot, and then add the zest, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves and brown sugar stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Cover and heat on medium-high until heated but not boiling, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for an hour.

You can add more brown sugar along the way as preferred.

4. When ready, strain and serve hot. You can add a splash of brandy if you want to be really festive.

This take on a traditional European spice wine will add even more spirit to your holiday festivities and warm things up a bit.

It is perfect for sitting around a fire or just enjoying your favorite holiday TV classics while cuddled up on the couch with a loved one. I recommend serving it with a European holiday treat such as a panettone. Enjoy!

from chow bella’s kitchen: FRENCH MACARONS

Dainty French cream-filled sandwich cookies

8.

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups powdered sugar 1 cup blanched almonds 3 large egg whites 2 tablespoons and ½ teaspoon sugar 8 oz. mascarpone cheese 3 tbsp. raspberry preserves *You will also need two piping bags and a large round tip.

DIRECTIONS: 1.

2.

3.

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON John believes that anyone can learn to eat healthier - in small steps - taking one bite at a time.

7.

4.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Pulse blanched almonds in a food processor until they turn into medium fine flour.

Add the powdered sugar into the processor and pulse until thoroughly mixed.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

In a separate bowl, mix the mascarpone and the preserves, leave at room temperature until ready to pipe.

In a metal bowl, whip the egg whites until they resemble a bubble bath, continue whipping while slowly adding the sugar, stopping when you get a glossy meringue with medium peaks. Do not over whip. (Hint: If you place an egg on your mixture and it sinks, you have whipped to long.)

Fold the almond mixture into the meringue until evenly mixed.

Put the mixture into one of the piping bags and pipe onto the cookie sheet in 1- to 1 ¼ -inch circles (leave space between each for spreading).

Let the cookies sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Bake for five minutes; reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for 10 minutes.

Watch the cookie carefully and remove before any browning occurs.

Cool for 10 to 20 minutes.

Using another piping bag, pipe a layer of the preserve mixture on half of the cookies, as thick as you like, then top with remaining cookies.

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 27

Little Black Dress Christmas Party Ladies ONLY from 9 to 11pm

Admission is FREE at the door when you show the Forkfly App on your smartphone!

Show us that you are a friend of B.O.B. on Forkfly and receive a goodie bag FULL of cool gifts from B.O.B. !

Ladies never pay a cover charge!

Catering provided by: Manuel’s Bread Cafe, ` Neopolitan Cupcakes Guys welcome after 11pm Show the Forkfly App / Deal at the door for FREE entry - $5 cover charge if not.

Special Appearance by:

Holiday Bailey’s Drinks all night!

Try a Candy Cane-tini and many more drink specials throughout the evening!

Jager Girls appearing from 10:30 to 11:30

THE Little Black Dress Party of the year!

28 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

-

hodges usry and the

steering committee young filmmaker

depicts augusta’s civil rights battle in his latest documentary

The film opens on an eerily quiet night in downtown Augusta. A lone reporter explains that the streets are empty because of a special curfew placed by the city. The previous night, protests had exploded into violence, arson and mayhem.

The riots that occurred in the 1960s and culminated in 1970 were recreated—this time on screen— during this year’s Westobou Festival in Hodges Usry’s documentary, The Steering Committee.

DR. SILAS NORMAN Paine College Steering Committee Member The film depicts the struggles of the Paine College Steering Committee, a group of students who attempted to peacefully protest segregation in Augusta. It progresses tensely with interviews from members of the committee, shots of old newspaper clippings, news broadcasts and re-enactments, one of which details the protest that stopped Ray Charles from playing at a whites-only venue.

“All the tension from the Civil rights movement came to Augusta,” Usry said. “The Paine College Steering Committee was a group of young students who stood up for what they believed in the 1960s. They set out on a mission that seemed impossible but ended up accomplishing their goals.”

Usry says he strived to create a documentary that coincided with the themes of To Kill a Mockingbird at the bequest of the Augusta Public Library, which featured the book this year. Because the book focuses on racism during the Civil Rights era, Usry explored that issue and time period in Augusta.

He discovered the Steering Committee while reading through a 2004 article in The Augusta Chronicle. He says that his interest in the topic enabled him to focus the best of his creative energies toward it.

“I try not to do things I’m not into. If I don’t really appreciate the project, there’s no use investing my time,” said Usry.

The Steering Committee made tremendous risks and sacrifices to bring desegregation laws into action in Augusta. The group – consisting of the leaders of Paine College’s various campus organizations – attempted to fight back against the harsh racism that barred them from using public facilities and eating in certain restaurants.

But, in contrast to the violent rioters, the Steering Committee members did so peacefully.

The students protested the segregation of city buses, lunch counters and churches through sitins, pray-ins and marches.

The

documentary

details

perhaps

the

Committee’s bravest act, a sit-in at a local restaurant where only whites were allowed.

Paine students and visiting white students from Mercer University sat together while being threatened by members of the Ku Klux Klan to prove that public places could be desegregated peacefully.

After deciding to do the documentary in July, Usry says he began researching and even spent time in Athens, Ga., looking through microfilm in a library basement. From books and these old files, he pulled together names to track down for interviews and newspaper clippings.

Usable material, however, does not always easily surface.

“If you try to find a newscast from 1960s in Augusta, it’s hard. That’s a challenge. You’re dealing with a visual medium, but sometimes you have no visuals to show,” Usry said.

Once he had his topic and sources, Usry created a storyboard.

“That’s really the hardest part. Once you have something you’re happy with, you pull images from online to create the mood board, which shows the overall vibe of what I’ll create,” he said.

The majority of Usry’s work – thus far – has been on commercials, most notably Chevy commercials running in Europe and Brazil.

He finds that documentaries offer different challenges than commercials do.

“When you interview people, you rely on other people to tell your story. With commercials, I create the entire story.”

Usry says his interest in filmmaking began in his early teens.

“It began in middle school. I started making spoofs of Cops with my buddies, and I never stopped. It kept going through high school and through college. Once it started, it never stopped.”

This hobby evolved into a career when Usry attended Savannah College of Art and Design

PLANNING THE PROTEST Paine College Steering Committee

“The Steering Committee was a group of young people who stood up for what they believed in ... They set out on a

mission that seemed impossible

but ended up accomplishing their goals.”

— HODGES USRY

and began studying film.

cry. You helped me start rebuilding my old car.”

“It was a gradual, sort-of organic thing,” he said.

Comments like that, Usry says, make him want to continue making films for the rest of his life.

Usry says that the positive feedback he receives on his work is his favorite thing about being a director.

“That’s the best part. It makes you want to do it again, especially when there’s a positive movement,” Usry said. “I wish I had been here for the Westobou screening. The emails and voicemails I got were amazingly positive.”

Even online comments are gratifying, Usry says: “Those little comments you see, that helps.”

“These little things inspire me. I want to just keep doing it. It’s hard to beat this job, really.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: At this time, there are no

scheduled screenings of The Steering Committee.

To see more of Usry’s film and commercial work, visit HODGESUSRY.COM.

by DEREK BERRY film stills HODGES USRY

For example, on one commercial concerning an El Camino, a commenter said, “You made me

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 29

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

the

film reel NOW PLAYING ON THE BIG SCREEN

Santa Claus is coming to town and he is bringing Hollywood’s most buzz-worthy movie offerings of the year. Tom Cruise returns to his role as elite spy Ethan Hunt in the fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible series he has fronted since 1996. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL finds the actor scaling the world’s tallest building as he tries to discover who framed his team for bombing the Kremlin. Hunt’s team includes Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Paula Patton. The movie opens in IMAX at the Dec. 16 box office, where it will find competition from other tried-and-true franchises such as Sherlock Holmes and Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Director Guy Ritchie is back with another Goth-meets-CGI inspired take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s quintessential fictional detective. Jude Law once again plays Dr. Watson and Robert Downey Jr. returns to the title role in SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS. The financial success of this film’s 2009 predecessor made the sequel a nobrainer and, in this installment, Holmes faces his infamous adversary Professor Moriarty.

ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON

1980s nostalgia has been kind to big-screen updates of The Muppets and The Smurfs. Now children of the ’80s can take their little ones to a third helping of the live action/ CGI mash-up featuring their favorite singing chipmunks with ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED. This segment of the family-friendly franchise finds Alvin, Simon and Theodore stranded on a deserted island with the Chipettes. Jason Lee THE CHIPMUNKS RETURN returns to the role of the Chipmunks’ human father figure, Dave, while celebrities such as Justin Long, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler and Christina Applegate squeak-ify their pipes as the voices of the uber-talented rodents.

Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman, the writing and directing team behind Juno, reunite for YOUNG ADULT, a comedy featuring Charlize Theron as a former homecoming queen who returns to her hometown to reclaim her old flame in spite of the fact that he is now married and has a baby.

Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson also star in this 30-something coming-of-age story.

Playwright Yasmina Reza’s Tony award winning play God of Carnage comes to the big screen in limited release with Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly playing two sets of parents who meet in an ill-fated attempt to calmly and civilly discuss a brawl between their sons. Exiled director Roman Polanski takes the reins for CARNAGE. The Christmas box office kicks off on Dec. 21 with the highly-anticipated American adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novel THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig star in this thriller from director David Fincher (The Social Network). Craig also has a voiceover part in the day’s other major opener, an update with a popular Belgian comic book character. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN is a family-friendly CGI offering which Steven Spielberg directed and co-produced with Lord of the Rings movie mastermind Peter Jackson.

A limited release opener returns Glenn Close to a role she played in an off-Broadway production.

ALBERT NOBBS is the portrait of a woman in 19th Century Ireland who takes on a male persona for 30 years in order to work. Mia Wasikowska co-stars as her love interest.

Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson star in director Cameron Crowe’s (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) take on the true story of a single dad who purchased a struggling zoo to help strengthen his family. WE BOUGHT A ZOO is based on the book by (and real life experiences of) Benjamin Mee. Christmas day brings THE CAN A ZOO SAVE A FAMILY? DARKEST HOUR, a sci-fi alien invasion thriller starring Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild), and something a little more in tune with the spirit of the season from director Steven Spielberg. The highly-regarded director tells the story of a magnificent horse used in combat during World War I, taken from a young man who cared deeply for him in WAR HORSE. The film’s score comes from legendary composer John Williams.

by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 31

32 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

stoney’s

sound bites

the guy who put the “k” In lokal gets vocal about augusta’s music scene

If you follow this column at all, then you surely noticed that it was absent from the last issue of verge . To be perfectly honest, there is a good, totally logical explanation for this: Evil zombie elves hijacked my soccer-mom van and made off with my laptop and the Poison CD I play to get hyped up to write. Sadly, they left behind a few Amy Grant CDs that I think Larry Sprowls from Chairleg purchased on a recent trip to Chuck E. Cheese. (Or was is Piccadilly?) In the end, after all was said and done, my van recovered and the offensive CDs tossed out, there was still no Stoney-penned verge article. Yes, I know it was a sad day in Whoville for those who had to read a Stoneyless verge, but it’s OK – I am back. Once you have recovered from the excitement, feel free to read on.

In just a few days, friends, family and neighbors will gather for yet another rousing 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS concert. This year’s CD is a doozy and, as always, the concert, to be held on Dec. 18 at The Imperial Theatre, should rock. Surprised? Nah, the show always rocks.

Talking about 12 Bands has me thinking what Augusta-related Christmas tunes I might dig while I am putting up the tree, re-gift wrapping and setting booby traps on the roof for Santa. Yeah, everyone has their fave Christmas tunes and normally I could get by with Billy Squire’s “Christmas Is a Time to Say I Love You,” but this year I’m thinking a bit homegrown. Here are my picks: James Brown – Santa Go Straight to the Ghetto: James Brown’s Funky Christmas is probably the coolest album ever by an Augusta-related artist and even though it’s filled with a ton of funky holiday goodness, “Santa Go Straight to the Ghetto” has to be my fave tune on the album.

Play this one loud, the kids are going to love you so!

Hellblinki Sextet – Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas: This medley of tunes from the 1977 Jim Henson Christmas television classic somehow manages to be pure Hellblinki while paying proper homage to the original. Andrew Benjamin and his rotating cast of musicians never failed to bring interesting tracks to their appearances on several 12 Bands of Christmas CDs but this might be the best of the bunch.

It looks like Augusta and semi-area country trio LADY ANTEBELLUM got an early Christmas present a few weeks ago. Even though they just performed in the CSRA not too long ago, tickets for next year’s May 22 concert at the James Brown Arena sold out in three minutes, prompting the band to add a second concert on May 23. Correct me if I am wrong but, by the time those shows are over, the group will have performed in Augusta more times in a two-year span than Amy Grant has during the past 10 or 20 years. But Amy shouldn’t feel bad, Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs/Morse Code/Kansas/Deep Purple) hasn’t been here since the mid-’80s. Merry Christmas to them both anyway. Between Lady A, Sharon Jones and Terri Gibbs, we have more than enough big league Augusta love to go around.

Brenda Lee – Rocking Around the Christmas Tree: “Little Miss Dynamite” might have gotten her start right here in Augusta, but her version of this Christmas tune is well known far outside of the Garden City and regarded as THE classic version.

We have all heard it on radio, television and in movies. Even now, 53 years later, it still rocks!

Speaking of Augusta love, I ask that everyone take these last few days before Christmas to bundle up and enjoy a nice brisk walk downtown and check out the lights and sights with someone close.

It is beautiful at night with all the holiday lights and decorations, people walking, sounds pouring out of bars and restaurants. I know that sounds like any other time of the year, but right before Christmas, it’s an even more special feeling.

48 Volt – Lights on the Boulevard: Maybe I am a bit biased but how can anyone with a heart not be touched by a song like this one off of 12 Bands of Christmas: Vol. 6? It’s beautifully graphic and contagiously catchy. I might have a few extra reasons to love this song but, take those reasons away, it is still an incredible song.

Whether on the radio or on CD, there are plenty of Christmas tunes out there to choose from and they make for great listening when heading out to your favorite Christmas rock ‘n’ roll events such as 12 Bands of Christmas, FESTIVUS OF BANDS at Sky City or the 18th annual Kevin Scott Brown ROCKING THE STOCKING CONCERT at Metro Pub & Coffeehouse on Dec. 22. Now that it is actually December, you can crank the Christmas tunes without fear of evil stares and comments.

If you are worried about being jacked by any Scrooges, just bring along a few candy canes for protection.

I should finish wrapping before those evil zombie elves (or Sprowls) make off with all the nifty presents I picked up to give this year. I wish everyone a beautiful love-filled Christmas surrounded by family and friends. If you decide you want to get out during the holiday, check out the Daily Planner in print and online at VERGELIVE.COM for great live shows. To get an earful of what is happening in Augusta music, listen CONfederation of LOUDness, which can be found at CONFEDERATIONOFLOUDNESS.COM and, of course, as always … Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud.

John “Stoney” Cannon is considered the guru of “lokal” music.

Check out his long-running Augusta music website: lokalloudness.com.

Send any music news to lokalloudness@yahoo.com.

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 33

RBM LSSN 1

34 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

: my lessons

01

AUGUSTA

the

daily planner

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

DEC. 14 to JAN. 7

[ CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST ] In many countries, Christmas Eve traditionally ends with attending a late evening worship service or mass. It is a time for families and neighbors to join together in community to celebrate the birth of Christ.

St. John United Methodist Church in downtown Augusta will host its annual Christmas Eve services of Lessons and Carols, featuring the Saint John choirs and orchestra. 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 lessons is interspersed with Christmas carols, hymns and choral music. A love offering will be taken to benefit The United Methodist Children’s Home.

WHAT Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols WHERE St. John United Methodist Church | 736 Greene St. WHEN Saturday, Dec. 24 | 10:30 p.m.

MORE 706.724.9641 or STJOHNAUGUSTA.ORG 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

THURSDAY

THEATRE DRAMA CLUB

FRIDAY

FOR KIDS PRE-K VISIT WITH ST. NICK Three- to

HOLIDAY A CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG Enjoy hot cider

HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN HOPELANDS This walk-

12.15 5-year-olds are invited to visit St. Nick. Event includes refreshments, games, entertainment and a raffle for giveaways. Henry H. Brigham Community Center; 10 a.m.; free; 2463 Golden Camp Road; 706.771.2654

LITERARY BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB A planning

party to discuss 2012 selections.

Columbia County Library; 11:30 a.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center; 706.863.1946

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

FOR KIDS SANTA’S WORKSHOP Children can

make and take gifts for Mom and Dad. Columbia County Library; 5 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center; 706.863.1946

Fun skits and improv for ages 12 to 18. Join at any time.

Columbia County Library; 4 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Towne Center; 706.863.1946 ECGRL.ORG

and familiar tunes with Nancy Carson Library Manager Barbara Walker and Aiken County Public Library Clerk Cathy Benedetto.

Nancy Carson Library; 7 p.m.; free; 135 Edgefield Road, North Augusta; 803.279.5767

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

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

CONCERT MICHAEL CLEVELAND AND FLAMEKEEPER with special

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 THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Six wild kids show

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

HOLIDAY THE NUTCRACKER Performed

resident composer, Mark Swanson, has written a musical that takes an irreverent look at the reason for the season. Read the article on page 37. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.; 706.722.3322

12.17

12.16

CONCERT STEVE GREEN: A CHRISTMAS AT GRACE

THEATRE Misconception: The Lost Gospel of Christmas Le Chat Noir’s

SATURDAY

by the Aiken Civic Ballet. The Etherredge Center; 7 p.m.; call for ticket information; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Mississippi

Riverkings. Toys for Tots night.

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

WEDNESDAY

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

THEATRE Misconception: The Lost Gospel of Christmas See listing on

Dec. 15. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.

FOR KIDS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Join us for this

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

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

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN THE QUARTERS Experience

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

discover more to do and ongoing events @ vergelive.com

[ 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS ]

12.14

The holidays are packed with tradition, such as the 12 Bands of Christmas concert at The Imperial Theatre. This year marks the eighth 12 Bands CD release, but the annual rock ‘n’ roll packed evening (typically the Sunday before Christmas) started long before the music was recorded, as a fundraiser for the Empty Stocking Fund. Today, 12 Bands uses the concert and recording to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer - and it’s not just for Christmas anymore.

FOR ADULTS SENIOR LUNCHEON The Rev. Dr.

Charles Goodman Jr., the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, presents an inspirational word and the Augusta Chorale sings Christmas songs. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; noon; $10; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

This year’s CD took a slightly different approach - bands had to submit an original holidaythemed song. With the new concept came a slew of newcomers to the 12 Bands stage. 12 Band veterans Livingroom Legends, Sibling String. the Unmentionables and the Vellotones are joined by 3rd Shift, Five’s a Crowd, Fried Goat, Jaycie Ward, Jim Perkins, Joy Kruger and The Radar Cinema. Broad Street should be rocking by the time the night’s done.

FOR KIDS A VISIT FROM SANTA Wallace Branch Library;

10 a.m.; free; 1237 Laney-Walker Blvd.; 706.722.6275 ECGRL.ORG

JAYCIE WARD

WHAT 12 Bands of Christmas WHERE The Imperial Theatre | 745 Broad St. WHEN Sunday, Dec. 18 | doors at 5:30 p.m., music begins at 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS $12 advance, $15 door, $5 kids ages 6 to 12, free for kids 5 and under MORE 706.722.8341 or 12BANDS.ORG

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 35

36 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

SATURDAY

12.17

FOR KIDS GINGERBREAD HOUSES Make a gingerbread

house at the library.

Preregistration required.

Headquarters Library; 2 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

County Deputy Sheriff J.D. Paugh and other police, fire and EMS workers in the CSRA. James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $10 to $18; 601 Seventh St.; 706.993.2645

HOLIDAY THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER See listing

on Dec. 16. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

THEATRE MISCONCEPTION: THE LOST GOSPEL OF BETHLEHEM See listing on Dec. 15. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.

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

12.18

LITERARY BILL BAAB BOOK SIGNING Baab gives 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 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 a 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 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

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN HOPELANDS See listing on

is a seven-day nonreligious celebration observed from Dec. 26 until Jan. 1. Event features dance and musical performances, a tribute to community elders, marketplace, activities and ceremonies.

Diamond Lakes Community Center; 3 p.m.; free; 103 Diamond Lakes Way, Hephzibah; 706.394.0190

HOLIDAY 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS This year’s

annual fundraiser features sets by some of Augusta’s top bands including Jaycie Ward, Fried Goat, The Radar Cinema, The Unmentionables, Wombats, Vellotones featuring George Croft, Joy Krueger, Jim Perkins, Five’s A Crowd, 3rd Shift, Sibling String and Livingroom Legends.

See article on page 35 and special section inside this issue for details. The Imperial Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; $9; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 12BANDS.ORG

TUESDAY

12.20

THEATRE BEHOLD THE STAR Maxwell Performing

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

GOOD CAUSE J.D. PAUGH MEMORIAL NIGHT Augusta

Riverhawks vs. Mississippi Riverkings. The Riverhawks pay tribute to fallen Richmond

evening sure to bring everyone, young and old, into the holiday season. Internationally acclaimed Italian-American tenor Marco Panuccio returns to Augusta to present O Holy Night, An Evening of Holiday Song.

Panuccio possesses a voice that “electrifies the audience,” wrote the Cincinnati Enquirer. His program will include a range of repertoire including Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” Franck’s Panis “Angelicus” and Adam’s “O Holy Night” accompanied by Aaron Matthew Dixon. Covenant Presbyterian Church; 8 p.m.; $10 to $20; 3131 Walton Way; 706.733.0513

MARK SWANSON DELIVERS AN ORIGINAL ROCK OPERA

HOLIDAY JOHN BERRY JOY TO THE WORLD CHRISTMAS SHOW John

Berry is no stranger to great songs. Nor is he a novice in the recording studio. Born in South Carolina and raised in Georgia, he began playing guitar at 13, performing shows at age 14 and making records at age 19. But it was his stunning performance of the title track of the 1995 CD O Holy Night that led to his most enduring legacy.

Berry began doing a Christmas tour that year. He has also issued three more Christmasmusic collections. The Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $20 to $27, 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

WEDNESDAY

12.21 FOR KIDS Photos With Santa and Mrs. Claus

In lieu of payment, please bring a new toy or cash donation to benefit Toys For Tots. Read the article on page XX. The Willcox; 4 p.m.; free; 100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1898 THEWILLCOX.COM

THURSDAY

12.22

Arts Theatre at Augusta State University; matinee at 3 p.m. or evening show at 7 p.m.; $10 to $20; 2500 Walton Way; 706.951.4239 or 706.664.9022

LITERARY WE’RE BOOKED Literay discussion of Melanie Benjamin’s Alice I Have Been.

Take a break from wrapping presents and enjoy a fun morning with great friends and a good book. Nancy Carson Library; 10:30 a.m.; free; 135 Edgefield Road, North Augusta; 803.279.5767

CONCERT GARDEN CITY JAZZ Listen to some jazzy songs and learn about jazz origins.

Aiken County Library; 2 p.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St., SW, Aiken; 803.642.2020 ABBE-LIB.ORG

daily planner

HOLIDAY O HOLY NIGHT: AN EVENING OF HOLIDAY SONG Experience a magical

FESTIVAL PRE-KWANZAA CELEBRATION Kwanzaa

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

CONCERT MOTOWN ELVIS CHRISTMAS SHOW The

the

[ THE LOST GOSPEL OF CHRISTMAS ] Misconception: the Lost Gospel of Christmas is not sacrilegious, at least according to composer Mark Swanson. He prefers to call it “irreverent,” and as the son of a Baptist preacher he should know the difference.

“The God I pray to has a very good sense of humor and I believe He would enjoy seeing this play,” said Swanson. “I just think that if I was Joseph, and my fiancée came to me saying that she was pregnant and that God did it, I might not be as understanding as he was.”

Swanson’s rock opera premiered at Le Chat Noir on Dec. 9. The play centers around Mary and her “problem,” which Swanson notes in those days was enough to get a woman stoned to death. However, Mary is kept as a very reverent figure. The rest of the characters get thrown to the wolves.

“You have King Herod, who is of course a very bad guy, and then you have Lucifer, who is a worse guy, and you have the three wise men who get very freaky, nasty and funky,” Swanson explains.

“But in the very spiritual, religious moments, we try to give Mary the respect she deserves and pay homage to the Magnificat, or song of Mary, which Bach and others have written odes to and helped to inspire my work.”

Perhaps the most emotional and moving song of the play, “Mother of Bethlehem,” is being incorporated into the Christmas music at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church where Swanson regularly attends service. Other songs, such as the show opener, “Baby Daddy,” are decidedly less church-worthy.

“Most of the tunes are quite catchy, and we have some incredibly talented performers with really strong voices,” said Krys Bailey, one of Le Chat Noir’s owners. “Between Doug Joiner’s staging and Jessica Bailey’s choreography, some of the funny parts have become even funnier and it all comes together for a great effect.”

Swanson, who has previously composed several short films for the Showtime cable television network and original music for Le Chat Noir’s Torch Song Trilogy, says that this is by far the most ambitious project he has ever undertaken. Despite the controversial subject matter, he says he has had more spiritual moments while writing this play than he has at any church he has ever attended.

“If I’m making any statement at all, it’s all about interpretation,” he said. “There have been so many versions and translations of the Bible that, if you’re a Christian, you really just have to go on faith. I’m secretly hoping that if the apocalypse does happen, that this is one of the last manuscripts left lying on the earth and that Jesus gets to read it. I think he would enjoy it.”

Misconception: the Lost Gospel of Christmas is an original play composed by Mark Swanson, directed by Doug Joiner and Niki Swanson, and with dance choreography by Jessica Baily. It stars Andrea Collins as Mary, Ernie Williamson as Lucifer, Brandon Brune as King Herod, Nic Wysong as Joseph and George Blacks, Keith Manasco and Justin Erxleben as the three kings.

LITERARY POLAR EXPRESS PARTY All Aboard!

Get your ‘Polar on’ and celebrate winter on our party train. Nancy Carson Library; 7 p.m.; free; 135 Edgefield Road, North Augusta; 803.279.5767 ABBE-LIB.ORG

WHAT Misconception: the Lost Gospel of Christmas WHERE Le Chat Noir | 304 Eighth St. WHEN Dec. 15, 16 and 17 | each night at 8 p.m.

TICKETS $25 MORE | 706.722.3322 or LCNAUGUSTA.ORG

discover more to do, places to go, people to see @ vergelive.com vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 37

38 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

12.24 12.30 CONCERT CONCERTS WITH A CAUSE Christmas Eve concert

and lessons and carols performed by the Saint John Choirs and orchestra to benefit The United Methodist Children’s Home.

Read the article on page XX. St. John United Methodist Church; 10:30 p.m.; free; 736 Greene St. STJOHNAUGUSTA.ORG

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER We’ve got dinner – just show up hungry and full of holiday cheer. Reservations are recommended. The Willcox; 5 p.m.; Adults: $40 per person, kid’s menu available for children 12 and under. 100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1898 THEWILLCOX.COM

COMEDY COMEDY EXPLOSION FEATURING NEPHEW TOMMY Nephew

Tommy, from the Steve Harvey Morning Show, is joined by Lavell Crawford, as seen on Shaquille O’Neal’s All Star Comedy and Breaking Bad, and Earthquake, from Everyone Hates Chris and Def Jam Comedy. Bell Auditorium; 8 p.m.; $47 to $77; 712 Telfair St.; 1.877.4AUGTIX GEORGIALINATIX.COM

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Columbus

the

Cottonmouths. James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $10 to $18; 712 Telfair St.; 706.993.2645 AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM Make sure to check our

NIGHTLIFE CALENDAR on

page for New Year’s Eve party information.

SUNDAY

1.1

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Fayetteville FireAntz James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $10 to #18; 601 7th St.; 706.993. 2645 AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM

SUNDAY

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S OUTDOORS FIRST DAY HIKE Bring in the new year at

12.25

Musgrove Mill State Historic Site by taking a ranger-led hike of the Musgrove Mill Battlefield Trail. The hike will be a 1.3 mile guided walk of the Musgrove Mill battlefield, and is part of a nationwide First Day Hikes program, in which state parks in all 50 states will be offering hikes on the same day. You don’t want to miss this first-of-its-kind event. There is no charge for the hike, but space is limited, and reservations are required.

Musgrove Mill State Historic Site; 1 p.m.; free; 398 State Park Road, Clinton; 864.938.0100 SOUTHCAROLINAPARKS.COM

[ CAROLING WITH THE CLAUSES ] It’s a Christmas party for all ages and all walks of life The Willcox invites the community to join them in bringing toys to local children who might otherwise have none for Christmas when they host the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve’s Toys for Tots celebration from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The festive afternoon will feature the North Pole’s most famous residents. Santa and Mrs. Claus will sit in their bright red sleigh in front of a roaring fire in the lobby of the 113-year-old Aiken landmark hotel, listening to the dreams of Aiken children and having photos taken.

Santa and Mrs. Claus plan to arrive at The Willcox shortly before 4 p.m., aboard one of two large hay wagons filled with spirited carolers from the Equine Support Council of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Hatchaway Hounds Mock Hunt.

TUESDAY

The carolers will board their wagons, supplied by Sweetwater Tree Farm, at the parking area on South Boundary below the Aiken County Historical Museum at about 2:30 p.m. They will travel along Park Avenue, Laurens Street and Newberry Street with a stop at Trinity Lutheran, singing Christmas favorites for shoppers, and finishing at The Willcox. They will later sing carols around the grand piano in hotel lobby. The group’s two featured singers will be Aiken’s own Alan Corey and long-time New York cabaret singer Kendall Standish.

1.3

MUSIC CHORAL SOCIETY AUDITIONS for John

Rutter’s Beautiful Requiem.

The Columbia County Choral Society is holding auditions for their Spring Season. First Baptist Church of Evans; 6 p.m.; open auitions; 515 North Belair Road, Evans; 706.650.2311 CCCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

WEDNESDAY HAPPY CHRISTMAS! From our family to yours, we wish you the peace and happiness of Christmas.

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

12.29 12.31 OUTDOORS NEW YEAR’S TRAIL RIDE Ride our horses

at your leisure through a mix of palmetto, pine, cypress and hardwood trees on 58 miles of marked trails divided into 10 loops of approximately 6 miles each or explore an additional 20 to 30 miles of unmarked trails. 140 roomy, camp sites are available with electricity, water, a light and permanent tie lines.

Food concession available on-site providing traditional breakfasts, sandwiches and snacks. Enjoy fellowship around the campfires in the evenings and DJ or karaoke with line dancing on Saturday nights. Lakeview Plantation; $40 per camping rider, $20 per camping child (9 years or younger); 875 Cedar Knoll Road, Fairfax; 803.584.0689

daily planner

FOR KIDS A NEW YEAR’S BALL DROP AND CONCERT Rock and ring in the New Year with Tara Scheyer & the Mud Puppy Band in an hour of singing, dancing, jumping and a countdown to noon. Wesley Hall at Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church; 11 a.m.; $5 ages 3 and up; 1330 Monte Sano Ave.; email tarascheyer@aol.com

HOLIDAY NEW YEAR’S EVE BLAST Enjoy an open bar, party

food, dancing, merry-making and mischief. When the New Year rings in salute it with a champagne toast and late-night snack. Advance reservations are required. The Willcox; 5 p.m.; $150 per person (includes taxes and gratuities). Does not include room night rental. 100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1898 THEWILLCOX.COM

1.4

OUTDOORS AIKEN WINTER CLASSIC HORSE SHOW Week 1 of the Aiken Challenge Series. Highfields Event Center; 8 a.m.; call for info; 198 Gaston Road, Aiken; 803.649.3505 PSJSHOWS.COM/HIGHFIELDS

LITERARY THE INKLING PARTY Meet the authors

of the 2012 Inkling, verge’s annual literary journal. Enjoy refreshments, readings, specials and more. The Book Tavern; 6 to 8 p.m.; free; 1026 Broad St.; 706.951.0580 VERGELIVE.COM

THURSDAY

1.5

OUTDOORS AIKEN WINTER CLASSIC HORSE SHOW See listing on Jan. 4. Highfields Event Center; 8 a.m.

Back inside the cozy, fire-lit Willcox lobby, Todd List of Lista Studio of Photography will be on hand to take family photos with the Claus family. There is no charge for the photos as List is donating his service. An unwrapped toy or a monetary gift to Toys for Tots will be accepted in lieu of payment.

Once Santa is finished filling the lobby with the echo of his ho–ho–hoing, guests will gather around the grand piano and sing Christmas carols from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Song sheets will be available for everyone.

Toys for Tots is a mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, collecting unwrapped toys during October, November and December and distributing them as Christmas gifts to needy children in the local community.

For more information on the Aiken Toys for Tots campaign, contact Lane Parker at 803.644.8300 or email him at lparkerusmc@bellsouth.net. | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE WHAT The Willcox Christmas Party WHERE The Willcox | 100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken WHEN Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 4 p.m. TICKETS free, donations to Toys for Tots are encouraged MORE | THEWILLCOX.COM FOR KIDS TODDLER TIME: MAGICAL MATERIALS! Hear the story Snow Riders,

by Constance W. McGeorge, while viewing paintings by Mary Whyte. Afterward, create magical effects with watercolor.

Registration required. Morris Museum of Art; 10 a.m.; $4; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

THEATRE DRAMA CLUB

Fun skits and improv for ages 12 to 18. Columbia County Library; 4 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Towne Center; 706.863.1946

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 and Central Ave.; 706.755.2665

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs.

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

for a complete listing of what’s happening in the CSRA, go to

vergelive.com for new listings, updates and ongoing events

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 39

between the

covers ARE YOU WHAT YOU READ?

Surveys of Global Civilization

American education has traditionally taught the history of western civilization, with only minor excursions into the other civilizations. History classes usually focus on European and American history and the political and military achievements of western civilization. With the exception of one, the books below relate the global history of all human civilization, as related to agriculture, culture and more. Some of these books have either been translated into television documentaries or elaborate on a documentary. If you do not have time to read an entire book, you can still learn a lot from the documentary version.

One author who has told the story of civilization in a new way is Jared Diamond. His book Guns, Germs, and Steel, which explains how the invention of powerful steel tools was the basis for much of the west’s success, won the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction in 1998.

While not that different from the traditional story of western civilization, Diamond tells the story in an interesting way, from the global perspective of a world geographer and the scientific perspective of a biologist. He also uniquely explains how the spread of germs between civilizations caused the downfall of some just as much as warfare. In his newer book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, Diamond discusses how other environmental factors besides germs have caused the failure of past civilizations and what lessons might be learned from them.

Michael Pollan is another bestselling author who takes a long view of an environmental factor crucial to civilization: plants. In The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World, Pollan discusses how cultivation of four plants – apples, tulips, marijuana and potatoes – has affected the course of human history. The Public Broadcasting Service produced a documentary version, featuring the author, which succeeds in capturing the ideas of the book in a visually compelling way.

In The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Pollan focuses on plant crops, discussing how different strategies of food supply – hunting and gathering, traditional and organic farming, genetically modified crops – have affected and continue to affect daily lives and the course of history. Pollan’s writing experience as a journalist serves him well in making scientific and historical topics lively and understandable.

In the new book, Pandora’s Seed: The Unforeseen Cost of Civilization, Spencer Wells takes a perspective similar to Pollan’s and presents the provocative idea that the change 10,000 years ago from hunter-gatherer to agriculture as the primary food supply for humanity has been the cause of many physical and mental illnesses. As head genetic researcher for National Geographic’s Genographic Project, Wells presents unique perspectives on the primitive peoples that he visits around the world and on what their genetic makeup reveals about humanity’s distant past. Much of his earlier book, Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project, has been translated by National Geographic into the great documentary movie The Human Family Tree, in which Wells traces all the ethnically diverse members of a New York neighborhood back to the same genetic origin in Africa about 200,000 years ago.

Is agriculture really the basis of civilization? So fundamental that it can be easily overlooked is the fact that plant crops need water.

Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization by Steven Solomon and Elixir: A History of Water and Humankind

by Brian Fagan are two great books about civilization’s complete reliance on water. Fagan is a professional archeologist who writes in a way that anyone can understand. Solomon is an economic journalist whose only other book, Confidence Game, published in 1995, predicted the recent banking and financial crisis. Based on a fascinating survey of the economic impact that water has had on past civilizations, Solomon predicts in his new book that water scarcity, because of population size, pollution, climate change and other factors, will result in it becoming the “new oil.”

An economic journalist who has written two recent NYT bestseller books is Niall Ferguson. His first bestseller, The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World, was made into an interesting PBS documentary with the same title. Ferguson’s new bestseller, Civilization: The West and the Rest, has generated controversy with its claim that western civilization has contributed much more to world civilization than all others, because of the development in the 15th Century of the six “killer apps”: consumerism, work ethic, competition, science, rule of law and medicine.

What all of these books are mostly missing is that the achievements of civilizations can often be seen clearly in their cultures, especially their art and artifacts. A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor confirms this fact with the colorful stories and alluring photographs of 100 everyday objects from the British Museum, of which MacGregor is the chief curator, that capture the essence of the great civilizations that produced them. All of these books do succeed in capturing the past in ways that are much easier to read and usually more interesting than any history textbook.

by MICHAEL SWAN, DIRECTOR OF THE AIKEN COUNTY LIBRARY

40 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

FRIDAY

1.6

OUTDOORS AIKEN WINTER CLASSIC HORSE SHOW See listing on Jan. 4. Highfields Event Center; 8 a.m.

FILM FILMS ON FRIDAY The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944).

Starring Eddie Bracken and Betty Hutton, this film (a Preston Sturges comedic masterpiece) was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay in 1944. After viewing the film, museum director Kevin Grogan leads a discussion.

Participants are invited to bring lunch. Morris Museum of Art; 11 a.m.; free; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

FESTIVAL FIRST FRIDAY

Downtown art galleries display new works, performers take to the sidewalks and streets and arts and crafts vendors sell handmade goods on the first Friday of each month. Family friendly.

Downtown Augusta; 5 p.m.; free; Broad Street; 706.826.4702 AUGUSTAARTS.COM

FILM POISON PEACH FILM FESTIVAL World Premiere of

Confederate Zombie (Raw Cut).

The Imperial Theatre; 8 p.m.; Single day admission is $8 and a weekend pass is $15; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

COMEDY SCHRODINGER’S CAT PLAYS EXTREME THEATRE GAMES These

extreme theater games are sure to delight any mature audience member. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; $8 advance, $10 door; 304 Eighth St.; 706.722.3322 SCHRODINGERSCATAUG.COM

EDUCATION SONS OF

SATURDAY The Academy’s trained volunteers lead free, 2.5-mile, 1.5-hour hikes through the Nature Park every month through wetlands and over picturesque trails and scenic outlooks. Phinizy Swamp; 9:30 a.m.; free; 1858 Lock & Dam Road; 706.828.2109 EDUCATION VOICES OF THE PAST: THE OTHER TUBMANS The character

in The Other Tubmans tells a story that explains the connection between local Tubman slaves freed in the 1830s and William Tubman, who served as the longestrunning president of Liberia, Africa, from 1944 to 1972.

Augusts Museum of History; noon, 12:30 p.m., and 1 p.m.; free with museum admission; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

MAKING SOMETHING ANCIENT OF THE NEW: SCULPTURE Organized by the

Morris Museum of Art, sculpture

by Kath Girdler Engler. Ends Jan. 8. Morris Museum of Art; $3 to $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

ECLECTIC VISIONS: ART

BY EDUCATORS IN THE SAVANNAH RIVER AREA

Fourth annual exhibition features the artwork of art educators working in Richmond, Columbia, Wilkes, Aiken, and Edgefield County public and private schools. Displayed in the Education Gallery. Ends Dec. 31.

Morris Museum of Art; $3 to $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

Museum of Art; $3 to $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

EDUCATION HISTORICAL GAMING NIGHT Come try your hand at 18th Century games taught by Faire Wynds.

There will be chili, cornbread, wine and ale starting at 6:30 p.m. in the barn for $12 per person. The Living History Park; 6:30 p.m.; free, dinner $12; 299 W. Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta; 803.441.8956 COLONIALTIMES.US

WORKING SOUTH: PAINTINGS & SKETCHES

BY MARY WHYTE Renowned

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

watercolorist Whyte captures in exquisite detail the essence of vanishing blue-collar professions from across 10 states in the American South. Ends Mar. 11.

Morris Museum of Art; $3 to $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

FILM POISON PEACH FILM FESTIVAL World Premiere of

JOHN GLAVE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs.

Glass Bullets for Broken Hearts, a feature-length western featuring Cody McCarver and Billy Joe Royal. The Imperial Theatre; 8 p.m.; Single day admission is $8 and a weekend pass is $15; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

ART

1.7

Glave began his work in black and white photography while an art student in Buffalo, N.Y. He went on to use his skills working periscope reconnaissance photography as a collateral duty aboard various submarines of the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet until retirement in 1986. The artist’s current work is based on minimal editing and cropping.

“I choose instead to compose/ capture structure, textures and color through the lens; sort of ‘what you see is what you get’ philosophy.” Glave explains.

Aiken Center for the Arts; free; 122 Laurens St. SW, Aiken; 803.278.0709

ART THE MURPHYS OF SAVANNAH During the early

CONFEDERATE VETERANS BREAKFAST The members of

the Bernard E. Bee Camp and the Joseph Wheeler Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans invite the public to watch a re-enactment take place on the grounds of the museum. Aiken County Historical Museum; 8 a.m.; free; 433 Newberry St., Aiken; 803.642.2015 AIKENCOUNTYSC.GOV

OUTDOORS AIKEN WINTER CLASSIC HORSE SHOW See listing on Jan. 4. Highfields Event Center; 8 a.m.

daily planner

LOCAL COLOR: PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE SOUTH Ends Jan. 29. Morris

ONGOING

SATURDAY

the

$100 ART SHOW All art in

this show is priced at $100 or less. Ends Dec. 23. Gaartdensity Gallery; free; 1155 Broad St.

DAVID SWANAGIN + MIKE C. BERRY Ends Dec. 31. Sacred

Heart Cultural Center; free; 1301 Greene St.; 706.826.4700

THE ANNUAL QUILT EXHIBITION Ends Dec. 31.

Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; $2 to $5; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

20th Century, Savannah enjoyed a reputation for its rich cultural history. Much of its vibrancy resulted from the success of the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, which opened in 1886.

The Murphy family of artists: Christopher P. H. Murphy, his wife, Lucile Desbouillons, and two of their seven children Christopher Jr. and Margaret, all achieved prominence there as artists, teachers, and leaders. The Morris Museum of Art; $3 to $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

ART DOLL EXHIBIT Ends Dec. 31. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; $2 to $5; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

OUTDOORS SWAMP

discover more to do @ vergelive.com

It is the most festivus time of the year – that is right, it is time for Sky City’s Festivus of Bands, a celebration of the top talent in town, ready to entertain fans during the Christmas season.

Now in its third year, Festivus of Bands includes 30 bands and stretches over seven days.

Coco Rubio, owner of Sky City and the Soul Bar, is the mastermind behind the event, which takes its name from the comedy show Seinfeld. He believes the annual concert series is now firmly established as a holiday tradition.

“We’ve got the name for it,” Rubio said. “We’ve got the fan base, too.”

This year’s line-up includes: Shaun Piazza, Debt of Nature, Shoo Fly Pie, Mazes & Monsters, Adam Sams, Sibling String, Will McCranie, Allison Foster, the Cubists, Eat Lightning, Koko Beware, Night People, Deathstar, the Ramblin’ Fevers, Jesup Dolly and Surf/Harp. Dec. 17 features A Merry Krunkmas Tacky Sweater Christmas Party with DJ Joycette and a tacky sweater contest. That night also doubles as a fundraiser for the Georgia Health Sciences University Children’s Medical Center.

Rubio says Festivus attracts the crème de la crème of the Augusta music scene, while also featuring some of the area’s most cutting-edge bands. The music ranges across genres from folk to indie rock.

“Festivus is a way to celebrate local music,” Rubio said.

Rubio says he also hopes Festivus will be a way to honor local bands and demonstrate how much the community cares for these musicians. The money made at the door will be split among the bands as a way to give them each a little spending money for Christmas shopping.

“I want to show the bands they are worth something, that they are appreciated,” he said.

If you missed the first day of Festivus (Dec. 10), there are still six more days to rock out: Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 17, Dec 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23.

Seven days. Five bucks. Festivus of Bands. Be there.

WHAT Festivus of Bands WHERE Sky City | 1157 Broad St. WHEN Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 17, Dec. 21, Dec. 22, Dec. 23 | 10 p.m.

TICKETS $5 cover charge per night | 21+ MORE | SKYCITYAUGUSTA.COM

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 41

in motion a look into the art of mechanics

BMW Mission: Plausible In 1995, I was offered a job at Taylor BMW while working as a parts manager at Western Auto. I was driving a midnight blue 1979 Corvette, which I was slowing restoring paycheck to paycheck. I took the job for the pay increase: I was not a fan of the BMW “boxes on wheels,” until I actually got down to the literal nuts and bolts of these luxurious yet sporty German driving machines.

While working at the dealership, I realized that the majority of BMW parts are of a much higher quality than most brands. It seemed the 80 percent of what BMW owners paid for went unseen but was crucial in the car’s quality. For example, the BMW has durable yet lightweight forged aluminum suspension parts, compared with other manufactures cheaply stamped steel pieces. BMW makes vehicles that are evenly weighted and balanced between each wheel. In other words, if a BMW’s tires were placed on four independent scales, each would show approximately the same weight.

As BMW sales specialist Ken Ashman said, “Other companies make nice cars, but no other car drives like a BMW.”

bmw 650i coupe twin turbo v8 Many domestic cars are designed by NASCAR engineers to be “fast cars that turn left” or drag cars that “go straight fast.” A Formula-1 or Rally Car has a central weight ratio made to go fast and handle well. Take these developments and apply them to a car that also rides well, is safe, well appointed and still gets great fuel efficiency: You get the BMW – “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Another turning point in my years as a BMW enthusiast was when I saw a four-door BMW 328I that survived a major side-impact collision. The BMW frame structure is almost a seamless formation. It takes a specialist to repair this type of damage, but the “cage” design saved the driver and her children’s lives – priceless.

BMW Vision Efficient-Dynamics Concept car BMW and Paramount Pictures have joined forces to deliver Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise, which hits theatres on Dec. 16. During the course of the film, five BMWs will be prominently featured: the BMW Vision Efficient-Dynamics Concept car, the 1 Series, the 6 Series Coupe, the 6 Series Convertible and the X3 SAV. Taylor BMW held a black-tie gala on Dec. 5 in honor of the new movie. One’s first thought of a party at a car dealership might be “bait and switch,” but, it was a well organized event featuring cars on display from the forthcoming MI movie, food from each country visited in the movie, belly dancers, music and automotive enthusiasts in secret agent attire. The people in attendance were simply there to celebrate their passion for a superior automobile – and to have fun. I pride myself in introducing Rocky from the service department to baklava, which then reminded us of a Beavis and Butthead episode after eating a few more than etiquette might permit.

Our “mission” was to enjoy ourselves. Mission complete. This article will now self-destruct.

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

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise, 2011

CAR-TUNE

“Drivin’ ” by Bang Tango, 2011

42 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

night

A SELECTIVE GUIDE TO NIGHTLIFE IN THE CSRA

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14 RENE RUSSELL @ Manuel’s Bread Café | 5:30 p.m.

COMEDY ZONE: GOODWIN & EHRETT @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 TIKI BARFLYS @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

THE PROFILER: VOX INERTIA

music together and started to search for a fourth band member.

Roughly eight bassists later, Hearn joined the band and the tightest lineup of the group finally developed. It shows in the

TURF WAR FESTIVUS OF BANDS: Turf War + Shaun Piazza Band + Surf/Harp @ Sky City 10 p.m.; $5 PACKAWAY HANDLE BAND @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4

interview, as band members finish each other’s sentances:

LO FIDELITY @ Wild Wing Café 10:30 p.m.

“We throw each other under the bus,” Smith laughed.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

“You would think we’re on the verge of breaking up,” Ritz said.

“But there is an energy and a bond,” Kenneth continued.

“It’s integral that we get along and joke around,” Ritz added.

“We have an open line of communication,” Smith finished.

It is this strong bond – and a shared mutual respect for one another – that is the backbone of Vox Inertia.

ANNUAL TFS HOLIDAY RAVE: Kandi Kane Snowflake Sleigh Ride Extravaganza with LinearNorth +Polyphase + Number5 @ Sector 7G 8 p.m.; $5 JARED GAY @ The Fox’s Lair; 8 p.m.

POP LIFE @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.

SOUND Most of the time, you don’t see a local band so tightly

knit that they look as though they should have been born attached to each other’s hips – not unless they are old codgers such as the Rolling Stones who have been jamming since before the beginning of time. Vox Inertia is one of those few: new enough to be infants on the music scene, but endowed with an unbreakable bond.

ARTEMIA ATOM BLONDE & ARTEMIA UNPLUGGED @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m.

JAR (ROCKING THE ‘80S) @ Somewhere in Augusta 9:30 p.m.

With a variety of influences, the band’s sound of seems to simply fall into place. The songs grow from the mutual friendship of the guys in the band, taking what each of them provides and growing from there, evolving into something perfectly formed.

JOE OLDS BAND @ Coyotes 9:30 p.m.; $5

CROSSOVER Dillon and Smith are also in another band, Sense of Self. Hearn plays bass in Diezel.

HORIZON Vox Inertia will play Soy Noodle House on Dec. 9

and at First Round on New Year’s Eve.

D.I.Y. reverbnation.com/voxinertia

the profiler is DINO LULL

EAT LIGHTNING

THE LOCASH COWBOYS @ Coyote’s | 10:30 p.m.; $10 advance, $15 at the door

SUNDAY, DEC. 18

FESTIVUS OF BANDS: A MERRY KRUNKMAS TACKY SWEATER CHRISTMAS PARTY with DJ Joycette + Old You + Ayo K + Dr. Bread @ Sky City 10 p.m.; $5 MOBY DICK @ Wild Wing Café 10:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

BAD SANTA PARTY II with DJ Fun Dip @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.

CHRIS LANE BAND @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 CHRISTMAS PARTY & KARAOKE @ The Fox’s Lair 8 p.m.

THE INDEPENDENTS WITH LAZARAS & HEADSTONE HANGOVER @ The Firehouse Bar | 9 p.m.; $5

FRIDAY, DEC. 23 FESTIVUS OF BANDS: The Cubists +

Eat Lightning + Night People + Koko Beware + Deathstar @ Sky City; 10 p.m.; $5

TUESDAY, DEC. 27

JAY EDWARDS @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28

FIVE’S A CROWD

12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS: Jaycie Ward +

Fried Goat + The Radar Cinema + The Unmentionables + Wombats + Vellotones featuring George Croft + Joy Krueger, Jim Perkins + Five’s A Crowd + 3rd Shift + Sibling String + Livingroom Legends @ The Imperial Theatre | $12 advance, $15 door; 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 20 PATTERSON & NATE @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21

“Our sound developed without fighting from the first time we plucked a string,” Dillon said.

It is not just the hard rock/alternative sound of Vox Inertia that pulls the listener in, but the signature vocal style of Dillon, who sounds unique and unlike any other singer on the music scene.

If that’s not enough, check out the live sound versus the studio sound of the band: They are practically identical, perfectly timed and in tune.

THE ENDALLS @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

LOCASH COWBOYS

GENRE Hard Rock/Alternative Rock

began what would become Vox Inertia. The three began to write

DIRTY BOURBON RIVER @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4

THURSDAY, DEC. 15

Matt Ritz – drums and John Hearn – bass

from Augusta State University, brought Dillon into the mix and

FESTIVUS OF BANDS: Debt of Nature + More + Jessup Dolly + Shoo Fly @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $5

BOOM BOX DJ SET @ Soul Bar 9 p.m.

MEMBERS Dean Dillon – vocals, Kenneth Smith – guitar,

HISTORY Two years ago, Smith and Ritz met after graduating

life

THRU DEC. 31

2011 FESTIVUS OF BANDS: Mazes & Monsters + The Ramblin’ Fevers + Adam Sams @ Sky City; 10 p.m.; $5 COMEDY ZONE: MIKE SPEENBERG @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 BRAD & JAKE FROM SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 22

COMEDY ZONE: SAINTS & SINNERS TOUR @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 OLD MAN CRAZY @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 29 FUNK YOU @ Wild Wing Café 10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

DISCO HELL @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.

PRE-NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE PARTY @ The Playground Bar 8 p.m.

DALLAS MARTIN BAND @ Coyotes | 9:30 p.m.; $5 UNDER THE SUN @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY @ The Fox’s Lair | 8 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY: SHE & SHE AND ATOM BLONDE Champagne toast at midnight and party favors @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.; $6 NEW YEARS EVE PARTY WITH BRANTLEY @ Coyote’s | 9 p.m. $5 NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH WITH THE TONY WILLIAMS BAND @ Wild Wing Café | 10:30 p.m.

WEEKLY

SIBLING STRING 2011 FESTIVUS OF BANDS: SIBLING STRING + WILL MCCRANIE 3 + ALLISON FOSTER @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $5

FRIDAY, DEC. 23

TUESDAYS 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

BEN WELLS @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 after 9:30 p.m.

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

SHE & SHE AND THE LAROXES @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

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

DADDY GRACE @ Somewhere in Augusta | 9:30 p.m.

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

FRIDAYS A Step Up @ Doubletree Hotel 6 p.m.

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

SUNDAYS THE DRINKING DEAD @ 1102 Bar & Grill | 8 p.m.; free

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 FIREHOUSE BAR @ 1145 Broad St.; 706.826.9955 the fox’s lair @ 349 Telfair St.; 706.828.5600 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 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 | December 14, 2011 43

ask

dr. karp NO-NONSENSE NUTRITION ADVICE

Pam from historic Harrisburg Mill Village asks…

I just found out that I’m pregnant and WAS wondering if I have to eat differently Thanks for the question, Pam, and how appropriate, with the “birth” of the new year a couple of weeks away. Happy and healthy New Year, verge readers!

Most people are surprised to learn that, rather than what is eaten DURING pregnancy, it is what is eaten BEFORE pregnancy that can be more strongly related to the health of the expectant mom and her developing baby. It is important to enter pregnancy with adequate nutrition reserves.

Also, those strong emotional and cultural eating behaviors continue throughout the pregnancy, even if an expectant mom consciously tries to eat healthier foods; oftentimes, after one or two tries, she goes back to old eating behaviors.

Consider the effect of morning sickness on the health of the expectant mom and the developing baby. Morning sickness (which can occur at any time of the day) can lead to the inadequate intake of food. This lack of adequate food might occur during a very critical period for the developing baby, the first term of pregnancy. At its most serious extreme, some women have to be hospitalized for “morning sickness” because of the serious nutritional consequences for both herself and her developing baby. Entering pregnancy with adequate nutrition reserves can insure the nutrition of both the expectant mom and developing baby, when morning sickness occurs.

It is also very important NOT to be overweight or obese when you enter pregnancy. If you are considering becoming pregnant, I would urge you to get down to a normal weight prior to conception. Extra weight puts both the mother and developing baby at extra risk for pregnancy and birth complications. Also, pregnancy is not a time for an overweight or obese woman to lose weight. She should gain weight during pregnancy, but less than non-obese women. Ask your doctor to tell you how much.

The total amount of weight gained during pregnancy and the way the weight is gained are extremely important to insure the health of the expectant mom and the developing baby.

These are approximated from the expectant mom’s body mass index determined BEFORE she is pregnant. A woman who enters pregnancy at a healthy weight should, on the average, gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Today, unfortunately, most Augusta women are entering pregnancy overweight or obese. This means that, although they still need to gain weight during pregnancy, it needs to be less than normal-weight women. For example, an obese lady entering pregnancy might only need to gain 11 to 20 pounds during pregnancy. Most importantly, notice that even an obese woman needs to GAIN some weight during pregnancy.

The amount of the vitamin folic acid that is in the expectant mom’s body, both BEFORE becoming pregnancy and during the first few months of pregnancy, is related to the occurrence of serious neurological problems in the infant, for example, spina bifida, which is an abnormal development of the spinal cord. Most health organizations, such as The March of Dimes, recommends that all women who want to become pregnant, need to take a folic acid supplement BEFORE pregnancy and during the first few months of pregnancy. So, once again, it is usually not those vitamins you take during pregnancy that are most important, it is the vitamin reserve in your body as you enter pregnancy.

Talking about pregnancy, have you ever noticed those beautiful pregnancy casts hanging on the wall of New Moon Café in downtown Augusta, at the corner of 10th and Broad streets? The next time you are ordering a sandwich or latte, look up and you will see castes of the actual torso and belly of pregnant women made and painted by local sculptor and member of the North Augusta Artists Guild, Elizabeth M. Barnes (www.artfulexpectations.com). Barnes helps women and their families celebrate their pregnancies by immortalizing their abdomens. (Read the article about Barnes on page 15) So, what is the no-nonsense nutrition advice of this article? Simple, realize that the most important thing about nutrition and pregnancy is your nutrition before becoming pregnant (your weight and your nutrition reserves) rather than what you eat or the vitamins you take during pregnancy. Also important are both your rate of weight gain and your total weight gain during pregnancy. So, Mother Nature, if you have done the right thing with your nutrition, we know you will give birth to a happy and healthy New Year baby.

Ask Dr. Karp focuses on food, diet and nutrition. Dr. Warren Karp is a professor emeritus at Georgia Health Sciences University. If you have a question you would like answered in this column, email him at DrKarp@ vergelive.com, or visit his Facebook page, facebook.com/AskDrKarp or website at sites.google.com/site/drkarpverge.

44 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

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Edited by Will Shortz | by Tim Croce | No. 1110 Across Snowmen and snowwomen?

6 Analogy words 10 Fraternity characters 14 Word akin to “-ish” 15 “Absolut nicht!”

16 River to the Arctic Ocean 17 Get an A, say 18 Vulnerable parts 20 lago 22 Half of a 1955 merger, for short 24 “Alea iacta ___”: Julius Caesar 25 Poet Elinor 26 lon 31 Wind up 32 “If I were king of the forest …” singer 33 Gave pills, e.g.

35 lams, say 42 It might hold you back 43 “Such is life” 44 Med. unit 47 lamb’s place 51 “In bad company,” per Ambrose Bierce 53 Boxcar 54 Ones getting base pay 55 Feature replaced in four clues in this puzzle 60 Locale for some diving 61 Touches

64 “My

Life” autobiographer, 1975 65 Clip 66 Trouble 67 The Ponte Vecchio spans it 68 Approximately 69 Cicely of “Roots” Down 1 Dollar coin figure before Susan B. Anthony, familiarly 2 “Ain’t gonna happen!”

3 Strip 4 Dome light?

5 One may be smooth 6 A part of, as a gang 7 Comprehended 8 Mexican kin 9 Cleaning a mess in a mess, maybe 10 Roman writer who originated the phrase “with a grain of salt” 11 Beyond reason?

12 Fills, as black squares 13 Like many windows 19 “Compromise is the best and cheapest ___” (saying attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson) 21 PC key 22 Roping target 23 Myth ending

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picked out of the earth 28 Take in 29 Passeport info 30 Picking up things?

34 Call 36 Spring break locale, casually 37 Order member 38 They may do writeups, for short 39 Hard-to-clean floor covers 40 Big name in luxury hotels 41 “___ Declassified School Survival Guide” 44 City on Commencement Bay 45 Assassin 46 Comes calling unexpectedly 48 Experienced with 49 Gradually slowing, in mus.

50 Still around 52 “Explosive” roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure 56 Mythical ship with a speaking oak beam 57 Angle iron 58 Hawaiian handouts 59 Where Al Yankovic bought a “Dukes of Hazzard” ashtray, in song 62 “The way” 63 Depot: Abbr.

face first Negotiating one calamity at a time

My earliest Christmas memory is of the year Santa left footprints in the living room. Snowy boot prints led from the tree to the front door. I never questioned why the snow did not melt in our Georgia living room or why Santa did not use the chimney as required by Christmas lore. I thrilled in vacuuming the prints away with the little blue battery-operated vacuum Santa so thoughtfully left. It was the first and last time I ever enjoyed vacuuming.

Age 5, the sole year I slept through Christmas Eve, was the year my parents finally gave me a cat. She ate the fruit cake meant for my aunt, then later pooped on the back seat of my grandmother’s car.

One year, my ailing grandfather came to stay with my family during the Christmas season. He ate poorly and took handfuls of pills several times a day. To help ease his stomach at pill time, my mother would give him ginger snaps. Imagine my surprise the day I looked behind the Christmas tree and found a whole cookie, a half a cookie and a suspicious pile of crumbs. No, my grandfather was not hiding his cookies for later. A certain naughty black cat was waiting for my grandfather to fall asleep, and then sneaking the cookies to his favorite seasonal hiding place – Fort Christmas Tree.

Sometime in my tweens, my grandmother was whisked from Christmas dinner to the emergency room with chest pain that was later diagnosed as acute heartburn. My aunt herded the nearest nurse, an obviously lazy woman, to the car to wheel my grandmother into the hospital. Extracting efficiency from people who are lax is a gift of my aunt’s.

Sadly, she later learned that the nurse who was so slow with the wheelchair was a hospital guest with the misfortune of being dressed all in white.

The year I got my new leather jacket it was 80 degrees

FORT CHRISTMAS TREE

on Christmas Day. The time I started dating a guy at the beginning of December was fraught with anxiety. What gift do you give the guy you have dated for three weeks? He gave me white gold earrings and four years later I married him.

So, Martha Stewart might laugh herself sick at what I call Christmas. So what? It is the memories of what went wrong that stay with me and foment my Christmas nostalgia. If everything went according to Martha’s to-do list, Christmas would be forgotten by New Year’s Day. So this year, when the neighbor’s dogs eat your turkey and you find yourself eating Peking duck at the only open restaurant in town, smile and know this is one Christmas memory you will never forget.

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

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

JAN. 5

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

swarm by john karolewics

The Inkling, a celebration of the written word and local art, will publish in the Jan. 5 issue of verge. Join in the celebration and meet the Inklings at The Book Tavern’s Boxed-Wine Wednesday on Jan. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 45

46 December 14, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 14, 2011 47