December Issue A 2012

Dec 5, 2012

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vol. 5 no. 18 community driven news

see story on center spread COVER BY ASHLEY BERESCH

VIEWS VETS & DUI’S + VIBE RISING STAR + VITTLES BOLLWEEVIL + VALUES TAKE A DIP DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 1

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smatterings

Ho, Ho, Ho!

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ur community has a lot of holiday events planned for you to enjoy this year, and there are many ways to experience the true meaning of Christmas as we officially kick off the holiday season.

Three events to note that demonstrate the power of giving during the holiday season are: the 12 Bands of Christmas, the CMFA Chilly Chili Cook Off and the Advent Conspiracy.

First up on First Friday is the Advent Conspiracy. See how you can turn your Christmas “upside down” this year (story on page 11). Next up, December 8, are the 12 Bands of Christmas Annual Concert and the CMFA Chilly Chili Cook Off. The 12 Bands of Christmas helps benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families in the CSRA. The event moves this year to the Augusta Common and becomes a daytime family-friendly event. The Second Annual CMFA Chilly Chili Cook Off moves to Columbia County to the Evans Town Center Park with proceeds helping benefit the Champions Made from Adversity program. Complete event details are listed on pages on 18 and 19. See you can get out and support these excellent programs. Verge, along with dozens of major corporations and local business owners, are proud sponsors of these events which demonstrate the true reason for the Christmas season.

So while you are out and about, please remember to be “jolly” this holiday season. Get out and enjoy the real reason for the Christmas holiday. It’s not about the newest gadget or gizmo. It’s not about 3 a.m. sales events or being first in line. It’s not about how much “stuff” we can get but more of how much we can give by giving back to our community. Try your best to Shop Local first by supporting our independent business owners in and around our community.

Yes, it IS beginning to look a lot like Christmas -- everywhere we turn.

Matt

05 views

what’sinside

you won’t want to miss a page

Learn the historical value of several “endangered properties” in Augusta (Hudson Hears), and hear how retailers are using technology to reach young shoppers (Tech Talk).

15 vibe

Plan your activities around the best calendars in the CSRA, the Daily Planner and Nightlife, get a complete rundown of two local charity events (12 Bands of Christmas and Chilly Chili Cook-off), and be inspired to get out and see a holiday show (Behind the Curtain).

29 vittles

Celebrate the Christmas season with a festive recipe (Seasonal Bites) and read an unbiased review of a local restaurant where you can feed your family on a budget (Feed a Family of Five for $50).

35 values

Get answers to your medical questions (Ask Dr. Karp), laugh out loud with Nora’s “Life Face First”, and be inspired to share your faith (Faith Story).

12,000 copies of Verge are published on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Copies are available FREE of charge at locations throughout the CSRA including Publix, Kroger and Earth Fare and 140 plus other locations in the CSRA. Of the 12,000 total circulation---4,000 of the copies are now direct mailed.

Verge is a publication of Buzz on Biz, LLC, whose offices are at 3740 Executive Center Drive, Suite 300, Martinez, GA 30907. Reach us at 706.261.9981 or email staff members below in regards to story ideas, events listings, advertising inquiries or letters to the editor.

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EDITORIAL: president/executive editor Neil Gordon neil.gordon@buzzon.biz editor Jennifer Pruett jennifer.pruett@comcast.net primary writer Christopher Selmek events editor Sarah Childers events@vergelive.com

photography melissa@ sofiacolton.com, John Robeson, and Christopher Selmek PUBLISHING: group publisher Matt Plocha publisher@vergelive.com graphic design opendoorgraphicdesign.com sales Buddy Miller buddy.miller@buzzon.biz, Matt Plocha, Neil Gordon

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distribution Matt Plocha, Christopher Selmek, Buddy Miller

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TECH TALK

REACHING YOUNGER SHOPPERS

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CRIME AND PUNISHMENT OUR VETS & DUI

/ PG 9

AROUND TOWN AIKEN’S ONE TABLE

/ PG 9

Augusta’s Vanishing History

by SCOTT HUDSON

T

he nearby cities of Savannah and Charleston have positioned themselves to be world class destinations for lovers of American southern history while the city of Augusta has long ignored the economic potential of preservation and chosen the wrecking ball in the name of progress. During the past couple of decades, the mentality has changed in some circles, but preservationists have in many cases found their work occurring too late.

While Savannah boasts of its historic charm, a visitor quickly finds that much of the “history” is contained in a few blocks of the city and they are mostly private homes that do not offer tours. It is a shame that most Augustan’s are unaware that there was a major Revolutionary War battle fought in downtown, that a signer of the Declaration of Independence is buried in the middle of Greene Street, that George Washington slept here, the Southern Baptist Convention started here, President Woodrow Wilson’s father gave the definitive sermon defending slavery from the pulpit of First Presbyterian Church and that race riots occurred here during the Civil Rights Movement. Sadly, when a stranger asks the average Augustan about historic buildings, they point to the “Haunted Pillar.”

The fire of 1916 cleared Broad Street of many historic structures, but the bulldozers of the 1950’s and 1960’s did far more damage than any act of God could. In the mid and late 1980’s, preservationists, many spurred on by the writings of Ed Cashin, began to earnestly try to save the historic buildings that were left. The three largest achievements have been Sacred Heart Church, Ezekiel Harris House and the Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home. Yet, with each success story, there are scores of buildings that have fallen into the dustbin of memory.

Every year, Historic Augusta Inc. compiles an “endangered properties” list in an effort to highlight the properties and seek out ways to save them and return them to regular use.

On this year’s list the Bon Air Hotel joins other mainstays such as the old Railroad Depot on Reynolds Street and Goodale House on San Bar Ferry Road. While the Bon Air and the Depot building are being somewhat maintained, Goodale House is literally caving in due to neglect. ... continued on page 7

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hudson hears ... continued from page 5

tech talk Latest Technology Trends

Vanishing History

These opinions are those of Scott Hudson and not necessarily those of Verge Newspaper or its staff.

“It’s a tough situation,” said Gwen Fulcher Young, who worked for years as a real estate broker trying to save the old plantation home. “The building is near an industrial area so it really isn’t appealing as a residence and it would be cost prohibitive to most people who would try to find a commercial purpose for it.”

The result for Goodale, one of the oldest brick structures in Georgia, is that one wall has completely caved in allowing the interior to be exposed to the elements.

However, Robyn Anderson, Preservation Services Director for Historic Augusta, seems to be optimistic. The group is waiting on the results of a stabilization study funded by a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Her attitude is, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Another building worth noting is the old police station building in downtown Augusta. While that building has never been on the Endangered Properties List, Anderson said it has certainly been on the radar. One possible reason that it never made the list was that the building was okayed for demolition several years ago by the Historic Preservation Commission to pave the way for a new hotel as part of the TEE Center project. Since then the hotel plans have fizzled and the building so far has escaped the wrecking ball.

Downtown Development Authority Director Margaret Woodard said at the time of the proposed demolition that the old police station couldn’t be rehabilitated into anything else, so it should be destroyed. If Ms. Woodard had simply done some research, she would have discovered that the building was the police administration building before and during the riots that hit Augusta in 1970. Why couldn’t the building be converted to a museum of the civil rights movement? The story of the riots has James Brown involved trying to quell emotions and segregationist Governor Lester Maddox fanning the flames by coming to Augusta and proclaiming the Civil Rights movement the work of Communists.

While the prevailing idea with the police station was to demolish it and reuse the bricks, the city had a more preservation attitude when it came to the old cotton warehouse that sat on the TEE Center Property. Rather than demolish it and reuse the bricks, they incorporated the existing building into the convention center. The much maligned TEE Center parking deck was designed to conform to the design and character of the old cotton warehouse.

Some city leaders (especially those who did not grow up here) do not appreciate preserving history when it stands in the way of a shiny new hotel. That way of thinking doesn’t exist at Historic Augusta, whose members are ready to propose new uses for everything from the police station to the Old Richmond Academy building that sits next to the Old Medical College downtown.

Speaking of the Old Richmond Academy building, it faces its own challenges. The building, which was constructed just a decade after President Washington visited Augusta and reviewed the cadets of Richmond Academy, must according to charter be used for educational purposes.

Through the years many ideas have bandied about, from a home to the Boys and Girls Club to a satellite campus for SCAD. For now, the building waits silently until the right idea comes along.

The problem for any building is if it is unoccupied for any length of time then rot sets in. Simply not having climate control on a daily basis allows moisture to set in causing mold. A roof that springs a leak can cause foundation damage in short time.

Augusta’s story is long and colorful. From the Revolution to the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, Augusta has contributed to our national history and remnants are all around us. However, without proactive leadership and a willing public, those remnants may not be around for the next generation to enjoy. scott hudson freelances for WGAC and is a local paralegal.

Submit comments to scott@wgac.com

Retailers Use Technology to Reach Younger Shoppers

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variety of retailers including Wal-Mart and Best Buy are breaking from tradition and trying to do a better job of appealing to younger customers this holiday season. The plan seems to hinge on offering some of their in-store deals online, while other stores such as Macy’s and Sears are launching new brands and websites specifically designed to catch the attention of so-called Millennials -- also known as Generation Y -- which loosely includes adults beginning with birth dates spanning approximately 20 years from the latter 1970s/early 1980s to the early 2000s.

Technology is the key driver in the growing generational shopping split. Millennials are 2½ times more likely to be early adopters of technology than older generations. This early adoption reputation is serving as a leading indicator for merchandisers hoping to get an idea of what is likely to become mainstream products demanded by the general public. Millennials are nearly twice as likely as older shoppers to check out brands on social networks and more than twice as likely to use mobile devices to read reviews, research products and compare prices while shopping.

As evidence, Macy’s created a separate millennial division this year, and has sectioned off parts of its department stores to house Impulse and MStyle Lab, which are boutique-like spaces with bright signage and pop music to attract shoppers ages 13 to 30.

Some department store brands arguably may have taken the goal of reinventing themselves to appeal to the Gen Y group too far. In an attempt to overhaul its century-old stores in search of younger customers, J.C. Penney has remodeled its stores, made changes to its merchandise mix, changed its logo and has moved to an ‘everyday low price’ marketing scheme. Everyday low prices instead of the more traditional sales and markdown methods has largely backfired: J.C. Penney’s sales fell 27 percent in the three months ended Oct. 27, and is their fourth consecutive quarterly drop.

Millennials want a shopping experience that meets their no-nonsense shopping requirements.

Mom and Dad might be content to wait until there is a sale to buy that new outfit, but younger shoppers often don’t want to waste time constantly looking for bargains by browsing through stores. Generation Y customers are much more content to utilize the available technologies like price comparison smartphone apps and Internet shopping sites to find the deals that match their taste and pocketbook.

Successful merchandisers are learning that to be competitive they can’t just throw a single marketing technique out there and hope to attract interest from shoppers of every age group. They are finding that they must alter their product mix and make it easy for customers to buy the way they feel comfortable buying. Customers are likely to only become more demanding, so don’t look for this trend to change.

KEVIN WADE is the CEO and “techspert” for Intellisystems, a small business IT department for area companies. He works with them to prevent network failure, data loss, or backup disasters and provides technology advice to keep clients and the community informed. Intellisystems is located in the Alley in Aiken, in Columbia at the Atrium on Stoneridge Drive, and in downtown Augusta. For more info, visit intellisytems.com

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crime and punishment

around town

A Look At Things To Do

One Table

T

hanksgiving evokes images of family reunions, football, roasted turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and of course, Pilgrims. It is a time to celebrate blessings and freedoms, family and friends.

For the past eight years, residents of Aiken have done such celebrating with at the One Table event. In a unique display of community, local churches, anonymous sponsors and an army of dedicated volunteers came together to prepare and served a full, traditional Thanksgiving feast of 150 turkeys (baked, grilled, smoked and fried), dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, rice and gravy and cranberry sauce. The feast was held The Alley, behind City Hall, under a beautiful blue sky.

Veterans Deserve Justice Too I

remember when my favorite client walked in my office. He was dressed in his army uniform and let me know he had Sergeant First Class in the Army. He was a decorated war veteran, and he was charged with DUI. After looking through his paperwork, I could tell his case was going to be an uphill battle. He blew almost three times the legal limit.

After speaking with him, I realized that he was looking at more than just the standard DUI punishment. Not only was he facing the mandatory punishment associated with a DUI charge, which includes jail time, high fines, community service and loss of license, but also he was facing punishment from the Army. A soldier that has been charged but not convicted of a DUI can be banned from driving on base even though the State has returned his/her driver’s license. In addition to that added hardship, a soldier may face extra duty, a letter of reprimand, which is essentially a career killer, or being kicked out of the military.

I didn’t know exactly how, but I knew I had to help this client. I, of course, talked to him about his service; he had been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a decorated soldier, but the deployments had taken their toll. He couldn’t sleep and he couldn’t forget everything he had seen. So what did he do? He drank…he drank to help him to sleep and he drank to help him to forget. I asked him why he didn’t seek help, as it was possible that he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; however, he said that many vets who’d sought mental health treatment were passed for promotions. He chose to remain silent.

I inquired with the Solicitor’s office about my case, and I got a glimmer of hope. Apparently, there was discussion of starting a Veterans Treatment Court in Richmond County. Veterans Treatment Courts focus on the special needs of veterans, working with the Veteran’s Administration, the Prosecutor and a Judge who is specialized in dealing with veterans.

Many vets are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with traumatic brain injuries and substance abuse problems. In fact, one in five veterans has symptoms of a mental health disorder or cognitive impairment; one in six veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom suffers from substance abuse.

Unfortunately, Veterans court has yet to begin in Richmond County, and my favorite client pled guilty because he didn’t really have any other option. I got his some concessions, but the underlying issues were not addressed. We count on soldiers like him to defend us in our time of need, and we should take care of them when they come home. The time for a Veterans Treatment Court in our area has come.

For more information about Veterans Treatment Court visit justiceforvets.org/what-is-a-veterans-treatment-court.

PJ Campanaro has been practicing law since 1999, specializing in violent crime, DUI, custody and child support. She is a member of the Augusta Bar and former Chief Solicitor General. If you have comments or story ideas contact P.J at pjcampanarolaw@gmail.com

This “one table” in downtown Aiken was equipped to seat more than 3,000 people and brought together those who quite possibly had nothing in common and would never have met each other if not for the event. Some in attendance were homeless, and some could certainly afford to prepare their own Thanksgiving meals at home but chose to celebrate at this annual community event.

Everything given to One Table is done anonymously. People give because they believe in the idea, not because they want recognition. There are no corporate logos on posters or sponsors listed on t-shirts. Most sponsorship is done through local churches and Christian organizations, but private donations are essential to cover the unexpected expenses that arise each year.

Donations for next year’s event may be made through Christ Central Missions Division. For more information call 803.215.6010 or visit onetable.org.

by JENNIFER PRUETT

around town

A Look At Things To Do

TURKEY TROT

H

undreds of runners crossed the finish line of the WJBF Turkey Trot 10K road race, Nov. 24, which raised money for the Salvation Army of Augusta.

The race began at the Old Academy of Richmond County and wound through the streets of Augusta, and also included a one-mile fun run and a wheelchair race.

“The Salvation Army will use all the proceeds to support our shelters,” said Debra McKenzie, Development Manager. “We have a women’s and children’s shelter. We have a men’s shelter. We also have a men’s drug and alcohol rehab program that’s a residential nine month program. We have our soup kitchen which serves over 115 thousand meals a year.”

This is the first year the Turkey Trot has been run since the late 80s, inspiring the Salvation Army to give prizes for the best 80s dressed runners.

“It means a lot, people will be fed, people will be able to be sheltered,” said Captain Tony Perez, Area Commander. “Homeless will be taken care of. All the funds we raise today will impact lives in a great way. To see the community come together like this, personally it just warms my heart. It gives me the feeling that people care, we still want to make a difference and others mean something.”

Next year’s race has already been set for Nov. 30, 2013. For more information about how to get involved or donate, visit www.uss.salvationarmy.org.

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

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COCO’S Q & A

MUSICIAN’S JOURNEY

/ PG.13

BEHIND THE CURTAIN HOLIDAY MEMORIES

/ PG. 20

LOKAL LOUDNESS SANTA’S ROCKIN’ OUT!

/ PG. 21

See Below for Story

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hristmas marks the moment where God’s promise was fulfilled and love took form, tiny fingers and all. Jesus was born. The Advent Conspiracy [AC] movement stems from the belief that this is a moment that deserves our full attention, a time to celebrate, to Worship Fully, the first of the four tenants of AC. America spends around $450 billion dollars on Christmas each year, much of it on credit. The second tenant of AC is Spend Less, but it isn’t a call to stop giving gifts; it’s a call to stop aimlessly spending money on forgettable gifts. It comes from a belief that by spending wisely on gifts you free yourself from the anxiety associated with debt so you can take in the season with a full heart.

Give More, the third tenant, is built on the idea that the most powerful gift you can give to someone else is yourself. And nobody modeled this more than Jesus. The point is simple: When it comes to spending time with those you love, it’s all about quality, not quantity.

Advent Conspiracy all boils down to love; because Jesus loves us we Love All, the fourth tenant. By spending just a little less on gifts, and giving more, you free up resources to love others as Jesus loves by giving in life-changing ways to those who really need help.

So Redemption Church is challenging you to slow down this season and focus on Jesus. This First Friday they are helping you get this years celebration started right by breaking out the paper and scissors to make ornaments together, serving refreshments, enjoying Christmas music, and inviting you to join the party. It will be held at 1124 Broad Street, home to Redemption Church’s office and multipurpose space, from 5pm to 8pm. Donations will be accepted to help their partners in Uganda who are ministering to the community through a small clinic.

by Ben Riche, Director of Ministries, Redemption Church, Augusta GA

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the film reel

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Coco rubio’s One on One Chat With CSRA Musicians

now playing on the big screen

Celia Gary C

OCO: Where are you from and what is your musical background?

Celia: When I was about 12 years old, living in Illinois, I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. I was inspired by Avril Lavigne. I saved all of my money to buy an electric guitar and started my musical journey. I began writing, singing, and playing all on my own all at the same time.

I

THE HOBBIT

f you are a “glass half-full” type who believes the spirit of the season is about charity and spreading joy, you may welcome a Gerard Butler romantic comedy, a historic event with a beloved president and a new beginning for a down-on-her-luck gal at the box office. However, if you are feeling a little Grinch-y, you may recognize Hollywood is churning out salacious material about a philandering president, murderous thieves and gamblers…and a Gerard Butler romantic comedy. Is Bing Crosby’s brand of holiday cheer sadly gone forever?

Butler stars as a former soccer star looking to reunite with his ex (Jessica Biel) and his young son in PLAYING FOR KEEPS, opening December 7. She is engaged to another man, opening the door for every soccer mom around to hit on Butler as he becomes the new coach of his son’s team. Quite a step down from leading the Spartans (300), isn’t it? Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman and Dennis Quaid also star. The Pursuit of Happyness director Gabriele Muccino helms this rom-com.

Sometimes casting directors see things the rest of us cannot…like Bill Murray of Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day fame as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Murray embodies the president in 1939, as FDR welcomed King George VI (the same monarch depicted in The King’s Speech) and his wife Elizabeth to HYDE PARK ON HUDSON, site of his estate in upstate New York, just ahead of U.S. involvement in World War II. Laura Linney pays FDR’s distant cousin, confidante and suspected mistress Margaret “Daisy” Suckley in this limited opener. Roger Michell (Notting Hill) directs.

Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde play siblings on the run after a casino heist gone wrong in limited opener DEADFALL. Sissy Spacek and Kris Kristofferson also star in this thriller from director Stefan Ruzowitzky.

A former stripper finds her talent for gambling as a bookie’s assistant in Vegas. Bruce Willis plays the bookie, Dink, while British actress Rebecca Hall takes on the lead role based on Beth Raymer’s memoir in LAY THE FAVORITE. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Dink’s jealous wife and Vince Vaughn plays a rival bookie. Stephen Frears (The Queen, High Fidelity) directs.

December 14 brings the long-awaited prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The inaugural offering in Peter Jackson’s new trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY was filmed in conjunction with two additional installments to be released in 2013 and 2014. British actor Martin Freeman plays Bilbo Baggins, who is recruited

by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to help a group of dwarfs fight a dragon and reclaim their home in Middle-earth some 60 years prior to Frodo Baggins’ own epic quest. Aside from McKellen, other LOTR alumni on board for this film are Elijah Wood (Frodo), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), Hugo Weaving (Elrond), Christopher Lee (Saruman) and Andy Serkis (Gollum). Ian Holm reprises his role as the older version of Bilbo from those films, which are now more than a decade old.

Guillermo del Toro, who had been on board to direct before Jackson stepped up, received a writing credit for his contributions to the film which spanned two years of preparation and production delays. Jackson employed a new production technique with film shot in 48 frames-per-second versus the standard 24 frames-per-second for this trilogy, a process that has been dubbed High Frame Rate (HFR) 3D. by mariah gardner, movie guru

ERIC BANA & OLIVIA WILDE “DEADFALL”

Coco: So, Avril inspired you at 12 years old.... who inspires you now?

Celia: Now I am very inspired by Sharon Van Etten and Kina Grannis. These are two semi underground artists who I’d love to be as successful as. Sharon Van Etten has a very soothing quality to her music and has very real lyrics as does Kina Grannis but Kina is doing her music career without a record label. She has so many YouTube fans that she doesn’t need a label to be successful. Since she doesn’t have a record label involved in her career she can continue to be completely genuine in her writing and has fun control over most of her career which is very rare but really great in my opinion.

Coco: Where did you go to high school? Are you doing the college thing?

Celia: My high school years where kind of crazy. We moved around a lot and I ended up going to three different high schools around the US. I ended up graduating from North Augusta High School in 2009 though. I am doing the college thing. I am now a senior at USCA with a psychology degree. Psychology is a broad major and having people skills can be beneficial in many industries. I have learned a lot about people, business, and public speaking in college. I think college has and will continue to benefit me in the future with my music career.

Coco: Where do you like to play in town?

Celia: I really enjoy playing where ever I can in town. By far, out of all the venues that I have had opportunities to play, I really enjoy the newer venue M.A.D. Studios. It is a family-friendly venue that is non-smoking and it has a very relaxing atmosphere that compliments my music. They have smaller and more intimate shows that are usually acoustic so I fit right in. I feel very welcomed by John STONEY Cannon, Brian Allen, and Leah Deslandes who run the venue. I actually haven’t played a lot of venues downtown but I hope to get more opportunities as I continue my music career.

Coco: Tell us about your new album...

Celia: This is something I have wanted since I was a little 12 year old girl. I have put so much work, money and time into this EP. Since I have built a loyal fan base and have a lot of material I decided to release an EP before I release an album because many people seemed interested in owning some of my original songs. I began recording with Shawn Guess and had John DeSousa accompanying me on the bass. I picked some crowd favorites to include on the EP but also added two newer songs that people may be less familiar with to keep it exciting. I named this EP ‘Harmony’. I chose it for very basic reasons. Harmony is a simple word that sounds nice to the ear. Also, there are multiple meanings tied to this word. My songs have underlying meanings but people may interpret them differently just as people may interpret the word Harmony differently. I designed the artwork for this album but had much help from my good friends Degan Cheek and Maria. I have had so much help and support from many of my friends, fans, and family. I just hope people like what they hear. They can look me up at CELIAMUSIC.COM. Coco: What are some local bands you like?

Celia: One of my favorites is She and She. I think they sound amazing and have a true passion for what they do. They are very inspirational to me and I think they will go far. I also really like Folly. I enjoy their sound so much. I saw them in a high school talent show years ago and loved them. Then on first Friday a few months ago I saw them up on the big stage. I hope to catch more of their shows in the future. There is so much talent in Augusta honestly though. So many great musicians and bands that it is hard to really pick true favorites. I appreciate music as a whole. There wouldn’t be a music scene without such a great mix.

coco rubio opened The Soul Bar in 1995 and Sky City in 2008 with the intent to help revitalize downtown Augusta and to make it the entertainment center of the CSRA. When he is not working downtown, he likes to stay home and hang out with his daughter Maya, his wife Holly and their dog Pearl.

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 13

14 / VERGELIVE.com _ DECEMBER 5

featured events

vibe

Advent Conspiracy R

edemption Church will hold a public gathering at 1124 Broad Street on Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to support the Advent Conspiracy movement, which urges all people to slow down and experience a Christmas fully focused on Christ.

daily planner 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.

+ THURSDAY

12.6

“We all want Christmas to be a lot of things,” said Ben Riche, director of ministries. “Full of joy… memories...happiness. Above all, we want it to be about Jesus. What we don’t want is stress, or debt or feeling like we missed the moment. Advent Conspiracy is a movement designed to help us all slow down and experience a Christmas worth remembering. But doing this means doing things a little differently -- a little creatively. It means turning Christmas upside down.”

The four tenants of Advent Conspiracy are to encourage people to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all.

HOLIDAY HARLEM CHRISTMAS PARADE

“We’re not going to be out there trying to preach, but our doors are open and if people want to come in and find out what we’re about then we’re happy to invite them in,” said Riche. “It’s a way of truly giving of ourselves instead of just throwing money at a holiday.”

6:30 p.m.; free; 320 North Louisville St., Harlem; 706.556.3448

Refreshments will be provided at the event, as well as materials for making ornaments at several stations. The church will also be accepting donations to help fund a church and medical clinic in Uganda. For more information, visit redemptionchurchga.com or adventconspiracy.org.

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

Downtown Harlem; 11 a.m.; free; US 278 and US 221 in Harlem; 706.556.3448 HARLEMGA.ORG

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING Harlem City Hall;

HARLEMGA.ORG

ART FIRST FRIDAY ON THE ROW Violinist Dr. Angela

Morgan; Gallery on the Row; 5 p.m.; free; 1016 Broad St.; 706.724.4989

GALLERYONTHEROW.COM

ARTS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & ARTISANS MARKET Ends

at 9 p.m. 12/7, 12/8 Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta; 5 p.m.; free; 100 Georgia Ave.; 803.441.4380

CONCERT AUGUSTA AMUSEMENTS BIG BAND

Columbia County Orchestra Association Music and Executive Director, Rob Nordan; Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center; 7:30 p.m.; $20 to $25; 706.726.0366

County Choral Society; First Baptist Church of Evans; 7:30 p.m.; $15; 515 North Bel Air Rd.; 762.233.7793 CCCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

Kroc Center; 12/6, 12/7, 7 p.m.; $16; 1833 Broad St.; 706.771.7777

O

verflowing with music and dance, love and laughter, and mesmerizing audiences of all ages, The Augusta Players creates a full Broadway experience with their musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic. “A Christmas Carol, the Musical” will surprise and delight those who are familiar with the original story.

12.7

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES Tickets

at Jim Bush Flower Shop, 501 West Martintown Rd.; CommuniGraphics, 1400 Georgia Ave.; or Parks Pharmacy, 437 Georgia Ave.; 12/7 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.; 12/8 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $20 to $25

“A Christmas Carol, the Musical” is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. The Augusta Players will present the show at the Imperial Theatre at 745 Broad Street. The curtain will rise for the first show on Saturday, December 8 at 8:00 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets prices range from $20 to $45 and may be purchased at augustaplayers.org. For more information call 706.722.8341.

by JENNIFER PRUETT

ARTS SHADOWS OF HISTORY: PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CIVIL WAR FROM THE COLLECTION OF JULIA J. NORRELL Ends February

17. Morris Museum of Art; museum members free; 1 Tenth St.; 706.724.7501

THEMORRIS.ORG

SPORTS DECEMBER DASH

10K Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; 9 a.m.; $23; 1858 Lock & Dam Rd.; 706.796.7801

ACTIVE.COM

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN HARLEM FESTIVAL

HARLEMGA.ORG

THEATRE “AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS”

ASU Opera and the Department of Music; Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre; 7:30 p.m. 12/7, 12/8; $5; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF TREES AND HOLIDAY AUCTION Lucy Craft Laney

Museum of Black History; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

GOOD CAUSE 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS Augusta

Common; noon – 8 p.m.; $10; 936 Reynolds St.;

FACEBOOK.COM/12BANDS

THEATRE “MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET” Aiken

A Christmas Carol the novella was first published in 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge’s ideological, ethical and emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim.

The musical is filled with beautiful melodies by composer Alan Menken, who’s won Academy Awards for his scores in Disney Animation Studio’s Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Little Mermaid. It contains emotional lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, a mainstay for ABC-TV’s “Schoolhouse Rock”.

12.8

Harlem Downtown; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; free; US 278 and US 221 in Harlem; 706.556.3448

ENOPION.COM

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL”

+ SATURDAY

CONCERT FROM BACH TO BROADWAY The Columbia

THEATRE “ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN” Reservations only.

+FRIDAY

december 6-20 2012

Community Playhouse; 8 p.m. 12/7, 12/8; $10 to $25; 126 Newberry St., Aiken; 803.648.1438

HOLIDAY ADVENT CONSPIRACY HOLIDAY DROP-IN Redemption

Building; 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., 12/7 and 12/8; free; 1124 Broad St.;

FESITVAL FIRST FRIDAY

Downtown Augusta; 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; free; Broad Street from 5th to 13th Sts.; 706.826.4702

AUGUSTAARTS.COM

THEATRE SCHRODINGER’S CAT PLAYS EXTREME THEATRE GAMES Le Chat

THEATRE “A CHRISTMAS CAROL,” THE MUSICAL The

Augusta Players; Imperial Theatre; 8 p.m. and 3 p.m. show on 12/8; $20 to $43; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341

AUGUSTAPLAYERS.ORG

Noir; 8 p.m.; $8 to $10; 304 8th St.; 706.722.3322

HOLIDAY HOLIDAYS ON THE HILL Celebrate a literary Christmas. Reservations required. Hickory Hill; 7:30

p.m. 12/7, 12/8; $5; 502 Hickory Hill Dr., Thomson; 706.595.7777 HICKORY-HILL.ORG

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 15

16 / VERGELIVE.com _ DECEMBER 5

daily planner + SUNDAY

12.9

FOR KIDS ALL ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS! Space

limited to 36 children per performance; purchase tickets in advance. Augusta Museum of History; 12/9, 12/16, 1 & 3 p.m.; $5; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

AUGUSTACOLLEGIUM.ORG

CONCERT HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT Presented by the

Aiken Symphony Guild.

Etherredge Center at USCA; 8 p.m.; 471 University Pkwy., Aiken; 803.641.3305

+ TUESDAY

7:30 p.m.; $45 to $55; 712 Telfair St.; 877.4AUGTIX

AUGUSTACHORALE.ORG

CONCERT GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA Jabez Sanford

Hardin Performing Arts Center; 7:30 p.m.; $33 to $38; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans;

+ WEDNESDAY

FOR KIDS GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS Free for

+ MONDAY

12.10

CONCERT RICHMOND COUNTY STRING ORCHESTRA BEGINNERS’ CONCERT

Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre; 12/10, 12/11 at 6 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100

CONCERT THE RICHMOND COUNTY STRING ORCHESTRA

The Intermediate Orchestra, Advanced Intermediate Orchestra and Filarmonico Orchestra. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre; 12/10, 12/11 at 7 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100

CONCERT AND ON EARTH, PEACE Presented by Augusta GOOD CAUSE YPA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB TOY DRIVE Bring

a new, unwrapped toy (value of $10) to donate at the Riverhawks hockey game.

James Brown Arena; 7:30 p.m.; $8; YPAUGUSTA.COM CONCERT CHRISTMAS WITH CAROLINA BRASS URS

Choral Society. Saint Paul’s Church; 7:30 p.m.; $10 to $25; 605 Reynolds St.; 706.826.4713

faculty, staff and students.

Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre; 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.; $2 to $3; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100

+ FRIDAY

12.14

FILM THE LAST HURRAH

Morris Museum of Art; noon; free; 1 Tenth St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

CONCERT HOLIDAY POPS! WITH JOE GRANSDEN, TRUMPET & TRIO Bell

Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; $13 to $36; 712 Telfair St.; 706.722.3521

12.13

FOR KIDS HOLIDAYS OF THE WORLD Hear from Mr. Bill

and his guitar, “George,” about many different holidays celebrated by people across the world in December. Friedman Library; 10 a.m.; free; 1447 Jackson Rd.; 706.736.6758 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS “SANTA’S NOISY CHRISTMAS” A storybook

Christmas play. Registration is required. Augusta Headquarters Library; 10:30 a.m.; Additional show 12/14; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

WEEKLY

HISTORY HOLIDAY TOURS OF THE BOYHOOD HOME OF PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON Guided tours in

December, on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wilson Boyhood Home; $3 to $5; 419 7th St.; 706.724.0436

+ SUNDAYS

WEEKLY 12.16

ART Sunday Sketch Sketch in

the galleries with materials supplied by the museum.

The Morris Museum of Art; 2 p.m.; free; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

Presented by the Aiken Civic Ballet. Etherredge Center at USCA; 12/16, 12/17 shows 7 p.m., 12/18 show at 2 p.m.; 471 University Pkwy., Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

+TUESDAY

12.18

FOR KIDS STORY TIME WITH MRS. CLAUS Appleby

Library; 11 a.m.; free; 2260 Walton Way; 706.736.6244

“CAPTURED BUT NOT CAUGHT” EXHIBITION Ends

Dec. 10. Hickory Hill; $1 to $3; 502 Hickory Hill Dr., Thomson; 706.595.7777

ART OF JOHN PENDARVIS Ends Dec. 15. Candler

Memorial Building at Paine College; 706.821.8200

MORRIS, WEIGLE AND AVRETT EXHIBIT Ends Dec.

28. Sacred Heart Cultural Center; 5 p.m.; free; 1301 Greene St.; 706.826.4700 DOLL EXHIBITION Ends

Dec. 31. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; $2 to $5; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576 ANNUAL QUILT EXHIBITION

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

CONCERT THE NUTCRACKER

ECGRL.ORG

+ THURSDAY

+ ONGOING

+ SUNDAY

APAGONLINE.ORG

12.12

Dinner Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; $25 show only, $30 active duty E6 and below, $38 active duty E7 and above, $38 seniors and retirees, $40 civilians; 32100 Third Ave.; 706.703.8552

Center for the Performing Arts; 8 p.m.; $40; 126 Newberry St., Aiken; 803.648.1438

Steve Baughman and Robin Bullock. First Baptist Church of Thomson; 4 p.m.; $10; 253 Jackson St., Thomson; 706.595.4252

Chorale performs. GilbertLambuth Memorial Chapel at Paine College; 4 p.m.; 1235 15th St.; 706.830.0991

THEATRE “WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION” Fort Gordon

FORTGORDON.COM

USCA.EDU

ARTS CIRQUE DREAM HOLIDAZE Bell Auditorium;

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Augusta

CONCERT A CONCERT OF MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS

Augusta Collegium Musicum.

Augusta Museum of History; 7:30 p.m.; $15; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454

12.11

CONCERT EVENING OF CHRISTMAS CELTIC GUITAR

december 6-20 2012

+ THURSDAYS

WEEKLY

LITERARY CREATIVE WRITING GROUP Columbia County

Library; 10 a.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.447.8184

ECGRL.ORG

ARTS ECLECTIC VISIONS: ART BY EDUCATORS IN THE SAVANNAH RIVER AREA

Dec. 18 to Jan. 6. Morris Museum of Art; museum members free; 1 Tenth St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

REFECTIONS ON WATER IN AMERICAN PAINTING Ends

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

+ SATURDAYS

WEEKLY 12.20 + THURSDAY

CONCERT SUZY BOGGUSS

Part of the Southern Soul and Song music series.

Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $13 to $37; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341

IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

12/15 FOR KIDS DECORATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE with

Shirley Christie. Registration required. Augusta Headquarters Library; 2 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

HISTORY CHRISTMAS CANCELED! Christmas hardships during slavery and the Civil War are discussed.

FOR KIDS JAMES BROWN FAMILY FOUNDATION TOY GIVEAWAY Pre-register to

receive a gift. Parent must have valid state ID, a birth certificate and proof of social security number for each child present, aged one through twelve. James Brown Arena; 9 a.m.; free; 601 7th St.; 877.4AUGTIX

HISTORY AIKEN HISTORIC TOUR Aiken Visitors

Center & Train Museum; 10 a.m.; 406 Park Ave. SE, Aiken; 803.642.7631

aikenrailroaddepot.com

p.m.; free; 373 Boyd Pond Road, Aiken; 803.642.7559

THEATRE CHRISTMAS WITH JOHN BERRY

IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $15 to $27; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341

Tyler Ashlin. YA Room on the 2nd Floor through February 2013. Augusta Headquarters Library; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 IMAGES OF SOUTH CAROLINA | BLOCK PRINTS Edna Reed Whaley,

OUTDOORS BOYD POND PARK Boyd Pond Park; 7

Ends at 6 p.m. Redcliffe Plantation; 4 p.m.; $8 to $10; 181 Redcliffe Rd., Beech Island; 803.827.1473

ARTS ASHLIN ART EXHIBIT

ART EXHIBITS A LAURYN SPROUSE + STEPHANIE FORBES EXHIBIT

Gaartdensity Art Gallery; free; 1155 Broad St.

woodblock prints, a gift of the Coggins art Trust in 1993. Opens Dec. 4. Morris Museum of Art; $3 to $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

SHADOWS OF HISTORY | PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CIVIL WAR From the Collection of

Julia J. Norrell. Opens Dec. 8.

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

+ FOR MORE EVENTS

PLEASE GO TO WWW.VERGELIVE.COM FOR COMPLEAT LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 17

The 12 Bands of Christmas

T

welve local groups collectively known as the 12 Bands of Christmas will perform on the Augusta Common on Dec. 8 from noon to 8 p.m. to raise money for pediatric cancer patients.

“This is the first time we’ve done it outdoors as a festival, which opens it up to more people than when it was inside the Imperial,” said Joe Stevenson, executive director. “We’re going to have vendors and Santa Claus will be there. It’s an all-day family-friendly event and I like the idea that families can bring their kids out for a little while and it doesn’t interfere with any other

18 / VERGELIVE.com _ DECEMBER 5

holiday parties or plans they may have.”

All money from sales of the 12 Bands of Christmas CD, which includes some of Augusta’s hottest bands like Funk You, Black Swan Lake and Ramblin’ Fevers, goes to benefit patients of Georgia Health Science University’s Children’s Hospital.

“All are original songs this year except for JAMP, which is the James Brown Academy of Music Performers, and they did a James Brown song appropriately enough,” said Stevenson. “They’re a really talented group of

kids led by James Brown’s daughter, Deanna Brown Thomas, and we were really happy to get them in the studio this year.”

The concert costs $10 for general admission or $30 for a VIP ticket that includes food, drinks and heaters in the catered VIP section. Regular attendees will be able to take advantage of multiple food vendors as well as the opportunity to meet some of the bands. For more information, visit ww.12bands.org.

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

CMFA’s Chilly Chili Cook-off

C

hampions Made From Adversity presents their second annual Chilly Chili Cook-off, Dec. 8 at Evans Towne Center, their only fundraiser of the year which provides sports programing for locals with physical disabilities at no cost to their members.

This year’s event will feature musical guests Sibling String, Daddy Grace and The Hollers, as well as over 30 cooks making and giving away samples of their chili on site. There will also be an auction with prizes donated by Academy Sports and several other vendors, a free throw contest, and wheelchair basketball and

rugby demonstrations.

“Our mission is to advance the lives of people with disabilities and their families through sports programing, which is free to all of our participants,” said CMFA chairman Jeff Snover. “What we find is that while some people are born with disabilities and others acquire them, through physical activities like the ones we provide they can help each other learn life skills and grow in confidence. The majority of our athletes do enjoy getting out and being at a big community event like this, but those who have recently

acquired a disability are new to the stares they might get from people who aren’t used to seeing wheelchairs.

Community re-integration is just another part of the rehabilitation process that we try to help with.”

General admission costs $5, but children 12 and under are free. Those wishing to participate in the chili cookoff may register up to the day of the event as long as there is space available. For more information, or to volunteer to help, call 706-364-2422 or visit www. cmfa.us.

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 19

behind the curtain

vibe

Christmas Play Season A

s I visited my family for Thanksgiving, I came across a snapshot of the 7-year-old version of myself dressed as Joseph, with a 7-year-old Mary and a plastic baby Jesus in a makeshift manger between us. And I was suddenly excited that it’s finally the time of year we all look forward to -- church Christmas play season.

If you aren’t a church frequenter or have only experienced one type of church play, it’s worth examining all of the varieties that you can enjoy this time of year. Most are also free, with the exception of an offering basket for you to show your appreciation for all of the performers’ hard work.

First, there is the children’s nativity. The first variety is not only the cutest; it’s also the easiest to produce. Who doesn’t love children parading down the aisle in bathrobes, with one child holding a box labeled “myrrh” since no one in the church really knows what that is or why it was important enough to give our infant Savior? When I was young, we once made this version of the Christmas story more high-tech with a slide projector and pictures of children shepherds running through a field, seeing as how they were “sore afraid.”

Next up is the cantata. Perhaps the most popular, this Christmas telling features a choir and a narrator, and occasionally a few actors mostly involved in pantomiming. I was lucky enough as a child to have a radio announcer attend my church, so the voice telling us about King Herod was also the one who introduced the latest Tanya Tucker hit Monday through Friday. However, in Augusta, I have learned that churches bring in 30-piece orchestras to back up their beautiful choirs. No matter where you attend church, I highly suggest a visit to hear the accomplished vocalists singing in cantatas across the land this season.

Of course, a variation of the cantata is the singing Christmas tree. This is one I have never personally experienced, but I can only assume is amazing. Apparently the tree is made out of people! I also assume they are dressed in green sweatshirts and khaki pants. It’s also a fairly safe assumption that this human tree sings. Feel free to write to me if you are more acquainted with this type of Christmas play.

And finally, there is full-on Christmas spectacle! This of course is my favorite type as a contemporary church media director. No bathrobes here folks. Now we have the lights, costumes, videos, singing actors and grand finales you can find in any Broadway musical, only at 100% off regular price! In fact, you can see part of the story of Scrooge each week in December at Stevens Creek Church, with the incredible ending on Christmas Eve! Sorry. I had to plug it.

You can only guess which of your favorite local actors appears in that Christmas Eve production.

No matter your preference or where you attend, make sure to see a production that includes the real meaning of the season. Because God gave, so we can give. May your Christmas viewing season be very merry! wes hennings has been in the performing arts since he could walk, and since moving to Augusta has been in dozens of productions with companies such as The Augusta Players, Fort Gordon Dinner Theater, Enopion Theater Company and the Augusta Opera, both on stage and behind the scenes. By day, Wes is a technical director and media producer. Questions? Story Ideas? wes.verge@gmail.com

20 / VERGELIVE.com _ DECEMBER 5

NIGHTLIFE

DECMEMBER 6 - 25 2012

THURSDAY, DEC 6

SATURDAY, DEC 22

THE TWO MAN GENTLEMAN BAND @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $5

MCKINLEY BAND @ Hotel Aiken Polo Lounge | 9:30 p.m.

JOHN KOLBECK @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

ROSS COPPLEY @ The Country Club | 10 p.m.; $3 to $5

FRIDAY, DEC 7

THE SOUTHERN MELTDOWN BAND @ Shannon’s Food & Spirits | 8 p.m.

RUSKIN YEARGAIN @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC 13

RUSKIN YEARGAIN @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC 14 THE STEROFIDELICS @ 1102 Downtown | 7 p.m.

JIM PERKINS @ Carolina Ale House | 8 p.m.

KEITH GREGORY @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

3RD HAND SMOKE @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

SOUTHERN MELTDOWN @ Hotel Aiken Polo Lounge 9:30 p.m.

MIX MASTERSON @ SURREAL AT SURREY | 9 p.m.; $4 to $5 SCOTT BRANTLEY @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

SOUTHERN CONDUCT @ Playoff Sports Bar And Grill 9 p.m.

THE WELFARE LINERS @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m.; $5 THE WHIGS @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $10 to $15

JAM SAMWICH @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

ELECTRIC VOODOO @ Hotel Aiken Polo Lounge | 9:30 p.m.

JIM FISHER BAND @ Hotel Aiken Polo Lounge | 9:30 p.m.

ROSS @ The Country Club 10 p.m.; $3 to $5

TUESDAY, DEC 18

HAPPY BONES @ Joe’s Underground Café | 8 p.m.; $2

HAPPY BONES @ Joe’s Underground Café | 8 p.m.; $2

WEEKLY Mondays

SPORTS NIGHT @ Surrey Tavern | 7 p.m.

MIKE FROST JAZZ @ The Willcox | 8 p.m.

Tuesdays

TRIVIA NIGHT @ Mellow Mushroom (Augusta & Evans) 8 p.m.

TRIVIA NIGHT @ The Playground Bar | 10 p.m.

PIANO @ The Willcox | 8 p.m.

Wednesdays

ANGEL BROWN + ATL DREAMVISION @ Club 706 6 p.m.

KARAOKE @ Midtown Lounge 10 p.m.

MANUEL’S MUSIC WEDNESDAYS @ Manuel’s Bread Café | 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC 19

DIRK QUINN BAND @ 1102 Downtown | 7 p.m.

KATHLEEN TURNER OVERDRIVE @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC 8

THURSDAY, DEC 20

JEROD GAY @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

ANOTHER LOST YEAR + SCREAMING FOR SILENCE + STILLVIEW @ The First Round 8 p.m.

TRIVIA NIGHT WITH CHRISTIAN & MICKEY @ Surrey Tavern | 8 p.m.

BIKE NIGHT! @ The First Round | 8 P.M., The first drink is on us!

JOSH HILLEY BAND @ Hotel Aiken Polo Lounge | 9:30 p.m.

SALLY ANN WINTER FASHION SHOW @ Sky City 10 p.m.; $5

TUESDAY, DEC 11

HAPPY BONES @ Joe’s Underground Café | 8 p.m. ; $2

WEDNESDAY, DEC 12 SIBLING STRING @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

Stoney’s sound bites

TUESDAY, DEC 25

$100 TAB BIG PRIZE TRIVIA @ Somewhere in Augusta 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC 15

CAREY MURDOCK + JACOB JOHNSON @ M.A.D. Studios 7 p.m.; $10 to $15

vibe

TIM BRANTLEY, JOE STEVENSON @ M.A.D. Studios 7 p.m.; $10 to $15 CHRIS HARDY & HIS 4-STRINGED LITTLE FRIEND @ Fox’s Lair | 8 p.m.

BANNED IN TWO STATES @ The First Round | 9 p.m.

lokal loudness

JEROD GAY @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC 21 JACKAROE @ Stillwater Taproom | 8 p.m.; $5

KRAZY KARAOKE @ The Playground Bar | 10 p.m.

ROBBIE DUCEY BAND @ Hotel Aiken Polo Lounge 9:30 p.m.

F

riends, it’s December, and I’d like to see a show of hands for everyone who’s already sick of Christmas music. Anybody? Well good, because no one likes a Scrooge.

If you need any more assurance that it’s starting to look a lot like Christmas (despite a lack of snow, elves or sleighs) then you’ve obviously missed that yet another edition of annual CD compilation “12 Bands of Christmas” has been released. This year’s CD, the 9th in the series so far, is stuffed like a Christmas stocking full of original tunes surrounding a cool cover of the James Brown holiday classic “Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto”. Also included are tunes by 12 Bands vets IMPULSE RIDE and TARA SCHEYER & THE MUDPUPPY BAND and a bunch of first timers like THE JEREMY GRAHAM BAND, JESUP DOLLY, and the creators of my two fave tracks on this year’s disc -- BLACK SWAN LANE and DIRTY REALISTS. This year the concert may come earlier than in the past (December 8) but you have all month to pick up a copy of the CD. 12BANDSOFCHRISTMAS.ORG. If you haven’t already heard, the late great Godfather of Soul got an early Christmas present this year! James Brown’s 1965 single “I Got You” (I Feel Good) was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame collection of albums considered culturally and artistically significant. The funk legend is in great company as albums by artists such as Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Wings, Elton John, AC/DC and Whitney Houston were also inducted. Merry Christmas Mr. Brown!

If all this hasn’t got you holiday hyped up then also consider that Sky City is planning seven nights of Festivus shows! Tons of bands including SHE N SHE, CELIA GARY, SIBLING STRING, LIVINGROOM LEGENDS, RADAR CINEMA, JESUP DOLLY, YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN, NIGHT PEOPLE and a ton more! Every show has multiple acts and is only $5 to attend! WOO HOO! SKYCITYAUGUSTA.COM. December sees a couple of area peeps returning home for the holidays as CAREY MURDOCK, December 7, and WILL McCRANIE, December 27, both hit Augusta for shows at M.A.D. Studios. Word on the street is that McCranie also will make an appearance at Stillwater Tap Room. If those appearances were cool enough then check this out -- on Saturday January 13 (also at M.A.D. Studios) singer-songwriter Steven Jackson will perform.

This one-time Augusta resident released two great albums during his time in the area plus co-hosted a Monday night singer-songwriter show every week at Metro Pub & Coffeehouse.

Since leaving, Jackson has released a couple more albums including the critically acclaimed “Before We Land” under the name BRIGHTER THINGS, which featured Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Sean Hurley (John Mayer), Sam Kassirer (Josh Ritter) and Eric Heywood (Ray LaMonagne, Son Volt). STEVENJACKSON.NET Well friends, gotta go, but first let me remind you to check the Daily Planner in this here Verge for a guide to some great upcoming live shows and to keep up in between stop by LOKALLOUDNESS.COM.

SAM FORREST @ The First Round | 8 p.m.

MIKE BAIDEME + PAUL AND RYAN ACOUSTIC @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

Nobody Likes a Scrooge

Go To www.vergelive.com For Compleat Local Event Listings

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.

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 21

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22 / VERGELIVE.com _ DECEMBER 5

FOOD BITES HOLIDAY GLAZE

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Feeding the Family

BOLLWEEVIL’S REVIEW See below for story

T

hanksgiving was great, but I am tired of turkey. I get this way every year. I love our traditional Thanksgiving meal, and I love leftover turkey sandwiches for the couple of days following, but after that…I am over it! No more turkey, no more casseroles, and no more pumpkin pie for a while. So on this outing to feed our family of five we went for some for some “lighter” fare at Boll Weevil Café and Sweetery. Let me back up for a minute, because I know at the mention of the name some of you had visions of gigantic pieces of homemade cake flash through your minds. The “lighter” fare refers to the main course, NOT the dessert…but we’ll get to that part later.

The Boll Weevil Café and Sweetery, once an old cotton warehouse from the 1870’s, is located just steps from the scenic Augusta Riverwalk Park and Amphitheatre; it is a great place to soak in the old and new of Augusta. Upon entering, the dessert display case is the first thing that catches the eye. The cakes are huge…huge like cakes you’ve likely never before seen. They feature more than 30 different desserts – cakes, cheesecakes and pies.

In addition to the vast dessert menu, Boll Weevil has a complete menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, “Southern Delights”, such as fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits, and other signature entrees, including steaks, vegetarian and fish dishes. The items we sampled were Spinach Dip, Tomato Apple Soup, Bubba nachos, K-Rock’s Italian Club, The Boll Weevil Burger, The Jerk sandwich, a grilled cheese and house salads.

The spinach dip, made with cream cheese, parmesan cheese and onions, served with tortilla chips, was delicious. Unlike other spinach dips I’ve had, the spinach was plentiful, and the cheeses merely added touches of flavor. The chips could certainly have been better, as I am quite sure they came straight from a bag bought in bulk. The soup, fire roasted Fuji apples and carrots in a creamy tomato soup, was different – an interesting mix of flavors to say the least. Rob loved it, but it was a little sweet for my taste. I like soup and I like sweet, but I don’t really like the two together.

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Two eggs with two buttermilk pancakes and two bacon or ham strips or two sausage links 5.49

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food bites - kick it!

vittles

feeding the family

vittles

... continued from page 23

Patti’s Cherry Almond Glazed T

he Christmas season is my favorite time of year. Aside from the joy of celebrating the birth of my Savior, it is a season when families come together and make priceless memories through time-tested traditions. Holiday musicals, live nativities, magnificent displays of lights, the spirit of giving, time with family and friends and great holiday meals – those are the things that warm my heart during the Christmas season.

There is something really special about the tradition involved with holiday meals. Our family holiday menus tend to stay the same with each passing year. We always have the same brunch after opening gifts. The kids look forward to it, and believe me when I say they definitely notice if I change up anything.

A recipe from one of my husband’s family’s holiday meals is what I want to share with you.

The recipe is my mother-in-law’s. She got it from a fellow Air Force wife in 1973 when she and my father-n-law were stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. They lived in base housing, and the wives frequently shared their favorite family recipes and enjoyed meals together. The Cherry Almond Glazed Pork became a fast favorite, and when they left the base in 1976, a small piece of it went with them. Give it a try this holiday season in your home. The cinnamon and cloves smell of Christmas, and the red of the cherries makes for a very festive presentation. It will be sure to delight!

article by Jennifer Pruett

Power Pronto Oatmeal INGREDIENTS: - 1 4-pound pork loin roast (if you prefer to use pork tenderloin, refer to cooking time on package) - 1 cup cherry preserves - 2 tablespoon light corn syrup - ¼ cup red wine vinegar - 1 teaspoon salt - ¼ teaspoon ground cloves - ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ cup toasted almonds Directions

Remove pork from refrigerator and allow it to sit on the counter until it reaches room temperature. If you put a cold dense piece of meat in a hot oven, you risk drying out the exterior of the meat before you’ve given the inside a chance to cook through.

Place pork on a roasting rack in a shallow pan. Roast uncovered in a 325˚oven for about 2 to 2 ½ hours. Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients, except almonds. Heat the sauce to boiling, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the almonds and keep the sauce warm. Spoon enough hot cherry sauce over the roast to glaze, and return it to oven for about 30 minutes -- until meat thermometer registers 170˚. Baste the roast several times during the last 30 minutes. Pass remaining sauce with roast when served.

Leave Room for Dessert

Moving to the main course, Sam chose the Bubba Nachos -- chili, jalapeños, cheese, black olives, lettuce and tomatoes piled high atop tortilla chips and served with homemade salsa.

Again, the actual chips were a bit of a disappointment, but the flavor of the chili mixed with the other ingredients, proved tasty. K-Rock’s Italian Club gets points for taste as well. It is ham, turkey, pepperoni, provolone, ranch, Italian dressing, lettuce and tomato, served on ciabatta bread.

This half-sandwich was served with chips and a small house salad with homemade ranch dressing. This was one 12-year-old boy who was so proud of himself for ordering “out of the box” (and no longer from the kids’ menu) getting something he’d never even heard of, and he loved it. Another specialty sandwich we tried was the Jerk. The Jerk is made of grilled chicken topped with provolone, lettuce, tomato and ranch (homemade, remember), and is served on homemade honey wheat bread. The flavor of the bread was great, but it didn’t seem too fresh. It was dry and a little flaky, and the sandwich fell completely apart with every bite.

Rob had the Boll Weevil Burger, which looked to me to be very plain. They served it with a packet of mayonnaise and a bottle of ketchup. Presentation could definitely been a lot better on this one. Sara also chose something a bit on the plain side – a grilled cheese sandwich. I have had “grown up” grilled cheese sandwiches that were fantastic, but this one…not so much.

Now, on to that gigantic cake I mentioned…we knew that sharing was a must for this dessert course (despite the fact that the person next to us ate what looked to be four pounds of strawberry cake by himself). We chose to share the Perfect Chocolate Cake and the Peanut Butter Pie. The Peanut Butter Pie was rich and creamy with Reese’s peanut butter cups and a chocolate cookie crust. It was garnished with peanuts, adding just a touch of salt, and whipped cream. Hands down, it was my favorite part of dinner. The Perfect Chocolate Cake, layers of chocolate cake with chunks of rich brownie baked in, with cream chocolate butter cream icing and dark chocolate ganache. As decadent as it sounds, it didn’t measure up to its description or appearance. It was a bit dry, and in my opinion would be much better served with less of a chill.

Our total bill was $50.34, which is fantastic for a family feast complete with appetizer and dessert. I was pleased with this for sure. The service was great. We were seated promptly, as the restaurant was not crowded at all, and our server was very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere, however, could use a little work. I’ve been dining at Boll Weevil for several years, and it seems that the interior has been neglected a bit. It did not seem exceptionally clean and was a little dark. And, if you are a reader who’s been to Boll Weevil, you know I cannot fail to FOOD QUALITY comment on the bathrooms. I’ve just one word… co-ed! And to quote Forrest Gump, “That’s all I SERVICE have to say about that.”

ENVIRONMENT

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 25

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beers locals like

vittles

  

    

  

H

ave yourself a pint of Guinness fa la la la la la la la la! Yes, indeed. The holidays are here!

This is the one month out of the year when I switch from NPR to WBBQ and subject my family to Christmas songs to the point at which they all want to convert just to avoid one more rendition of “Happy Christmas, War Is Over” covered by Celine Dion. Suffice it to say we’re John Lennon fans in our family and don’t appreciate her changing the song. My apologies if you’re a Celine fan. However, one thing I hope we can all agree on is the fact that a Victorian pint of craft beer fits perfectly into most stockings. Below are a few darker brews that would do well to go in the stockings of your friends and family -- I wouldn’t hate it if they found their way into mine -- hintity hint hint…

Allagash Black -- You may have had a lighter Allagash brew when it was on tap at the Bee’s Knees, and if you did, you’re most likely quite impressed with this little Maine establishment. I can tell you that Black doesn’t have the fullest flavor of a dark brew, but it does have an easy drinkability, a nice coating in the mouth and a barely detectable bite that decays into a richer sweetness as it warms on the tongue. It pours a very dark brown with a moderate head that decays over a few minutes and smells malty and yeasty and sweet with little hops on the nose. Overall, I’d say this is a strong session brew that would do well to complement a piece of pumpkin pie.

CASABLANCA CAFÉ TO CLOSE; NEW VENTURE OPENS Jai West, owner of Casa Blanca Café inside the J.B White’s Building will be closing the restaurant on December 15th and starting a new venture -- Go West Catering and Event Planning.

West formerly owned The White Elephant restaurant across the street on Broad.

The New Moon Café still remains inside the White’s Building serving up coffee, scones and other fresh baked items.

WIFE SAVERS HEADING WEST The Quigley’s have seen a lot of change on Belair Road since opening the Wife Saver in the 1980’s. He is loyal to his core customers, but wants to transition into a new group of customers in Grovetown. Ground was broken recently and Wife Saver will be opening near the new Wal-Mart in the spring.

The Quigley’s own the Belair Road property and will continue it as a Wife Saver until the new store opens. They may even consider another concept inside of the Belair building.

Double Bastard Ale -- At 11.2 percent, this Stone Brewing product should really be sipped in a drawn out session. This is precisely how I enjoyed it, and it may have been one of the most pleasurable sessions I’ve had in quite some time. I really can’t find much of anything to complain about with this brew, and it’s one of the best I’ve had to date.

With such a strong ABV, sweetness and alcohol dominate the nose and taste, but bready and earthy aspects creep in here and there until the brew warms to room temperature.

Definitely try this one during the next cold spell. You’ll be sweating in no time.

Norse Legend Sahti -- Other than Thor, the god of thunder (and I believe trees, as well), I really don’t know much about Norse Mythology. So I decided to let the Samuel Adams Brewery teach me with this Boston brew. It pours a deep amber with a large head.

The nose confers caramel and a tad of bitters (just a tad). The taste is much the same with no real alcohol linger anywhere throughout. There are also loganberries in there somewhere, and I can barely perceive a trace of gin on the tongue. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Overall, it’s a nice beer for the holidays and a nice stocking stuffer.

These and more can be found at Aficionados on 8th Street Downtown. Facebook.com/aficionadosofaugusta.

BEN CASELLA has done a great deal of his Christmas shopping Downtown, and so should you. So, get down here and enjoy the Christmas lights, the food, the brews, and the soul of America during the Holiday Season.

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 27

“The faculty and staff have gone above and beyond to help me finish my education. I love the small class sizes and one on one time with professors.”

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education connection

Education brought to you by: partners in achievement & the georgia military college

MANUFACTURING APPRECIATION WEEK DESIGN COMPETITION Augusta Technical College is encouraging all area elementary, middle and high school students to participate in the 15th annual Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design competition.

Winners have the opportunity to win cash awards and attend the Manufacturing Appreciation Week luncheon in Atlanta with the Governor.

Jeans for GI’s Participants

GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE IN THE GIVING SPIRIT

T

he past few months have been busy ones for students, faculty and staff at Georgia Military College. The GMC community has pulled together to participate in a handful of fundraisers and community service events, hosting the Shepeard Community Blood Center’s blood mobile twice and collecting food for Golden Harvest Food Bank’s Spooky to be Hungry food drive. In addition, they organized fundraising events for Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving, and have more planned for the Christmas season.

In celebration of Veteran’s Day, GMC faculty and staff held a fundraiser to benefit a military charity of the donors’ choice. Faculty and staff members were allowed to wear blue jeans to work in exchange for a small donation. The team voted on their favorite charity and collected over $100 for

the Wounded Warrior Project.

In November, the GMC team collected disposable plates, napkins, cups, sodas and plastic utensils to donate to Garden City Rescue Mission. The college’s donations were used to serve the organization’s annual Thanksgiving meal. Members of the GMC team and their families also donated time on Thanksgiving Day to serve meals with other Garden City volunteers.

GMC’s Student Government Association was busy with another Thanksgiving charity. The club members collected money from students and faculty to purchase food items for Head of the Giant Ministry in Hephzibah, GA. In total, the club raised enough money for 45 meals to be donated to underprivileged families in the community. The GMC History Club also donated to Head of Giant Ministry; they raised money to buy toiletry items for the men’s and women’s shelters.

“Tommy’s grades are dropping, and we are not sure exactly why. He’s getting in trouble at school, helping out less at home, and isn’t showing interest in his extracurricular activities. We’ve talked to his teachers, and they notice a difference in his behavior. We feel like he’s lost interest in everything and has become very poorly motivated. Can you help us?”

Does this sound familiar? Most often, parents seek help for children’s academic performances, but don’t make the connection between academic difficulties and day-to-day activities. Poor motivation and lack of interest are often results of learning struggles, not causes. Parents and teachers label students as “poorly-motivated”, “lazy”, or “effortless”, when often the issue is quite opposite. Continuous failure, despite increased effort, eventually leads to loss of interest in anything, including school work -- contributing to a hard-to-break cycle of self-doubt, frustration, and failure. Kids want to do well and fit in with their peers, but no matter how hard they try, they never feel that they measure up. Self esteem is a powerful predictor of success. The lack of social competence, paired with the erosion of enthusiasm for things otherwise enjoyable, can lead students down a path of emotional and behavioral problems.

Throughout life, confidence is for success. Even with optimal experiences in school and at home, children are especially vulnerable to attacks on their feelings of self worth.

Individuals with processing deficiencies, who struggle at completing simple daily tasks, are especially vulnerable. Rarely do problems in school remain just in school; they spill into other areas of life. Processing and Cognitive Enhancement (PACE) training, meaningful support from the PIA staff and building self-esteem through strengthening the processing systems, constructs a roadmap to future success.

Darren SCHEYER is co-owner and operating officer for Partners in Achievement. He has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and has been working with students and professionals in the area of cognitive skills training for more than 12 years. webuildbetterbrains.com facebook.com/partnersinachievement 706.650.1877

Students from across Georgia are encouraged to submit artwork depicting the importance of manufacturing to their lives and communities as part of Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW). MAW was developed by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Elementary school students participate in placement design, middle school students in poster design, and high school students in t-shirt design.

“I know that we have some creative and talented students in this area and I am sure we can send in a winning entry!” said Bonita Jenkins, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Augusta Tech.

Manufacturing is the process of creating physical objects that will be used by someone or used to build something else.

Students should consider products made in their hometowns, counties or statewide to include Georgia products in their designs.

Georgia Military College has partnered with Broad Street Ministries to ‘adopt’ a local family of five for the holidays. The family’s needs are written on tags and placed on a holiday tree in the college’s front lobby.

Students, faculty and staff volunteer to purchase the listed items by taking a tag from the tree, and replacing it with the wrapped gift.

The college’s student honor society, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) organized a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. PTK members are pre-selling raffle tickets and have asked local business to donate prizes. The club will also be raffling off the rights to the best student parking spot in the GMC lot. The parking spot raffle will be conducted quarterly and will also benefit the American Cancer Society.

The last community service event for the GMC team this year will be Safe Homes of Augusta’s Jingle Jam 10k on December 1. The college has invited students, faculty and staff to run in the race or volunteer to help behind the scenes on the day of the event.

On the back of all artwork, include: student’s name, school’s name, the school’s phone number, and Augusta Technical College in the upper-right hand corner on the back of each submitted entry.

Art may be created with paint, watercolors, pencils, markers, crayons, charcoal, etc. All artwork must be flat. The size of the artwork must be as follows: elementary school placemat designs must be 11” X 17”; middle school poster designs must be on 22” X 28” poster boards; and t-shirt designs must fit in a 12” square.

Deadline to enter the student design competition is Feb. 11, and all entries should be submitted to Augusta Technical College, Attention Bonita Jenkins, director of Marketing and Public Relations, 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Augusta, GA, 30906.

For more information about the contest and to see last year’s winning entries, visit georgiamaw.org or contact Jenkins at 706.771.4019, or bjenkins@augustatech.edu.

Compiled from Press Releases By Jennifer Pruett

DECEMBER 5 _ VERGELIVE.com / 29

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YOUR HEALTH DIGITAL BABIES

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YOUR FAITH

STICK TO MESSAGE

FUNNY GIRL

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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

/ PG 35

TAKE A DIP INTO METTRESSES’ TALENT POOL

by ASHLEY BROWN

N

ovember 20, 2004 new Augusta State Basketball Coach Dip Metress walked out on the floor at ASU’s Christenberry Fieldhouse for his first game at the helm of the Jaguars Program. He immediately thought to himself, what have I got myself into?

“I looked around and the players and refs outnumbered the fans” said Metress.

The paid attendance that night was a whopping 52. The Jags knocked off Carson Newman 65-58 that night. Who knew it was the beginning of something so special. Metress had good reason to worry. He had left a good job at his alma mater Belmont Abbey. In eight seasons he turned around the program where he was a star point guard in the 80’s. In his final three seasons at Belmont, Metress’s teams averaged 23 wins per season. Also, during his last 4 campaigns at

Belmont, they had posted a 40-8 mark at home. That is why at a Press Conference introducing Metress as ASU’s Head Coach he ignored the giggles when he stated that one of his goals was to fill up the arena for home games. Do not fault the doubters. Their suspicion was warranted. ASU had enjoyed some success under Metress’s predecessor, Gary Tuell, but for whatever reason, the success never culminated in big crowds, or even moderate fan support for the Jags. Who knew all that was about to change?

The change actually began before that first game in 2004.

It started just a week or two after Metress was named Head Coach. Metress was no stranger to Augusta. He had served as an assistant coach for the Jags from 1988-95 under current ASU Athletic Director Clint Bryant. Like Metress, Bryant played at Belmont Abbey, so their relationship went

back for decades. So when Bryant needed someone to run the program Metress was an obvious choice. Shortly after getting the job, Metress attended a high school all-star game that was being played at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

There more for support than really recruiting, Metress was on the phone when he saw something spectacular. He saw a 6’4” skinny kid from Wilkes County wow the crowd by jumping over a table to win the event’s dunk contest.

Metress would later say, “I told my friend on the phone I found me a player. He asked if he could play and I responded…I don’t know but he just jumped over a table,” joked the coach. That player was Tyrekus “A.J.” Bowman.

To Metress’s delight, Bowman had received little attention ... continued on page 34

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127 12th St. Augusta, GA 30901 706.814.7393 www.csra.rightathome.net

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here’s to your health

medical roundup

values

HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH IS PRESENTED BY WALKER CHIROPRACTIC AND RIGHT AT HOME. PLEASE REVIEW THEIR ADS BELOW AND UTILIZE THEIR SERVICES CPC’s other locations include South Augusta, Dewey Gray Circle (near Doctors Hospital), North Augusta, Aiken, Belair Road and Jimmy Dyess Parkway at CPC Crossroads. Dr. Fischer received national attention about 20 years ago when as a MCG researcher; he took on “big tobacco” and won a federal lawsuit that prohibited tobacco companies from using characters like “Joe Camel” to market cigarettes to the younger generation. compiled from area press releases by Jennifer Pruett

Doctors Hospital Launches Digital Baby Billboard Program

A picture can say a thousand words, and now some parents who deliver their baby at Doctors Hospital will be able to share their new baby’s picture with all of Augusta.

“We think this is a great way for families to celebrate the birth of their new baby in a unique way,” said Annette Repko, RNC, BSN, and Director of Women’s Services at Doctors Hospital.

The way the free program works is that every day a new baby born at the Clyde A. Burgamy, M.D., Center for Women, will be featured for 24 hours at a time. The billboard features the baby’s picture as well as his or her first name. The baby featured will have already been discharged from the hospital, giving both mom and dad the chance to enjoy having their little one welcomed to the community.

“Many parents love this program because their neighbors and friends can drive by the billboard and see the new addition,” said Repko.

In addition to the billboards, Doctors Hospital features the “Baby of the Day” on its website, doctorsdelivers.com.

“We have a lullaby bell that we push every time a baby is born at our hospital so we are always looking for new ways to celebrate with the family and this is just another way to help share parents’ joy,” said Repko.

Digital Baby Billboard Locations: • Lewiston Rd. @ I-20 • I-520 between Wrightsboro Rd. & Wheeler Rd. exits • Washington Rd. @ N. Belair Rd. • Washington Rd., east of Alexander Drive • Fury’s Ferry, west of Baston Rd. • 3664 Wheeler Rd. at Sandwich Tavern (back side of board)

Stanley’s ophthalmic photos take top award

Mike Stanley, Chief Ophthalmic Photographer for the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University, has won first place for a series of fluorescein angiogram images in the annual Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society competition.

Fluorescein angiogram is used to diagnose vascular problems in the two back layers of the eye. Stanley’s winning images were of a patient with diabetic retinopathy. Also, Stanley’s image of avellino corneal dystrophy, a genetic disorder in which material collects in the cornea, was featured on the cover of the special issue of EyeNet Magazine produced for the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

A Holiday Boost for Family Caregivers holidays are challenging for family Tbeinghecaregivers because you often feel torn between there for your loved one and wanting to

be free to enjoy festivities with other family and friends. Fortunately, there are workable solutions to do both and avoid extra stress.

Here are some ways you, as a family caregiver, can lighten your load this holiday season: Acknowledge feelings. You deal with a range of emotions, and it’s sad that your loved one can no longer live alone or engage socially. Set aside time work through your difficult feelings.

Allow for “good enough.” Unmet expectations during the holidays trigger anger and discouragement. Instead of setting the bar high, lower the demand factor. If the tree lights are uneven, it’s good enough. If you only bake one round of cookies, it’s good enough. If you send your holiday cards after January 1, it’s good enough.

Be free from the “shoulds.” Free yourself from the mindset that there’s a right way to spend the holidays. Consciously toss aside these statements: “I should feel chipper. I should have people over. I should carry on our usual holiday plans.”

Practice letting go. As a family caregiver, you can waste emotional energy wishing circumstances were different. A key to enjoying the holidays is to cease fighting what is beyond your control. Determine to end the year letting go of disgruntled attitudes, relationship squabbles and past mistakes.

Plan ahead and ask for help. Ask others to take shifts and rely on professional caregivers like Right at Home to help. We offer services from respite care and transportation to light housekeeping and meal preparation. You’ve chosen to narrow your focus on the gifts of love and self-sacrifice; you are not designed to do it alone.

Right at Home of the CSRA, a leading provider of in-home care and assistance, supports America’s family caregivers and is dedicated to improving the life of the elderly and disabled. To learn more call 803.278.0250 or visit csra.rightathome. netin the area of cognitive skills training for more than 12 years.

Stanley has been a member of the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society, which represents 1,100 photographers from 27 countries, since 1987. Last year he won first place for his Eye as Art print.

CPC To Open 7th Location

The Center for Primary Care has acquired land near the new Wal-Mart in Grovetown, where they will build their seventh location in the CSRA. Construction is expected to take more than six months, and the doors should open this summer.

Dr. Paul Fischer, the founder of CPC, will be the lead doctor at the new facility. His daughter, who is also a physician, will take his reins at the existing Belair Road location. Fischer believes he will work at the Grovetown practice for about 10 years before retiring.

1/15/13

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your faith

A Faith that Sticks

I

have been privileged throughout the course of my life to grow up around the church. Our family faithfully attended weekly worship services. I knew what it meant to be in church, but it wasn’t until I was in high school that I actually understood that my relationship to the living God was to be a personal one. A relationship made possible through Jesus Christ.

Not long after my personal encounter with Christ began (I was 17) I wanted to be sure that my faith was a visible part of my life. I bought my first car (a 1951 Chevy) for $35.00. I sold my two-speed Schwinn bicycle for $25. I then scrapped together the other $10 and became the proud owner of a car that looked like an upside down old-fashioned bathtub. I actually laughed out loud as I got behind the wheel for the first time! The car was all black except for its dark green hood and

values left front left fender. Did it stand out? Yes -- in more than one way! My young faith compelled me to use the huge surface of the car to express my Christian faith.

I soon purchased several bumper stickers to add color to the cars unique look. It’s been a long time, but I believe I eventually grew my modest sticker collection to 15! Yes, stickers began on the back bumper and eventually covered space all the way around the car. There was no doubt that my unique rolling billboard would indicate that a child of God wanted to proclaim his faith at each intersection, parking lot and stop sign.

The following summer I was traveling with a team of college-age students in a Michigan City in a big old green car called Oscar. It too inherited my passion for Christian message stickers and was adorned with them front to back and side to side. One said simply “One Way” with an arrow pointed heavenward. I was driving in the unfamiliar downtown area when I made a left turn headed the wrong direction on a one way street. In just moments, a patrol car had its lights flashing as I pulled out of traffic to face a less-than-pleased officer of the law.

Waiting for him to approach the car, I watched him in the side and rearview mirrors as he slowly read the stickers while making his way to my door for what I was sure would be a harsh reprimand for my inattentiveness. When I rolled the window down preparing for the worst, the officer took my driver’s license and uttered these words: “You‘d think with all of the one way stickers on your car, you’d be able to see the ones on the street.” With that he handed me back my license, and told me to have a nice day. I’ve thought quite a lot about “bumper sticker faith” since that event.

ab’s sports lessons NCAA Tournament berth. That alone would have been a major accomplishment. Who knew that season would pale in comparison to what ASU would do over the next 4 seasons?

ASU Head Basketball Coach, Dip Metress

from recruiters. So the skinny kid from Wilkes Co. became part of Metress’s first recruiting class.

Success was immediate for Metress and the Jags. They went 19-11 his first season, then they won 15 more games the following year. Also, they did something that Coach Metress stressed -- they protected their home floor, going 20-5 at home his first two seasons. Like the signing of Bowman, a few others things fell into place for ASU. When a last minute scholarship came open in 2006, Metress was able to sign a player from Australia named Ben Madgen. He was also watching at incredible transformation by one of his players. The player was a 6’11”, 375 lb. high school senior that Metress had taken a gamble on. Well, that player, Garret Siler shed 85 lbs. and was blossoming into a star for ASU. With Bowman, Madgen and Siler leading the way, ASU would tie a school record for victories in a season in just Metress’s third season in 2006-07. The Jags went 24-7 and earned an

34 / VERGELIVE.com _ DECEMBER 5

And the wins were not the only thing changing with the ASU Program. There was a buzz about the team in the community. It was like nothing anyone had ever seen. Casual basketball fans were talking about the team, and they were showing up at games. During the 2006-07 season the Jags average attendance went from embarrassing to among the best in the Peach Belt Conference. In 2007-08 the team would reach new heights in attendance and achievement. That season wins were piling up for ASU. With Bowman, now a senior, leading the way ASU was nationally ranked and the area fans were taking notice. That attendance of 52 from 2004 was a distant memory. That season, ASU would top 3,000 fans for a regular season game for the first time, and averaged nearly 1,400 fans per game. Oh, they kept winning too. ASU won the Southeast Regional to advance to the school’s first ever Elite 8. They would head to Massachusetts an unknown, but leave with the respect of every team in America. The Jags advanced all the way to the National Title Game which was televised on CBS. They lost a heartbreaker to Winona St., but a 27-7 mark and the finest season in school history was a nice consolation prize.

Even with the graduation of All-American A.J. Bowman, the Jags enjoyed incredible success over the next few years.

Two more trips to the Elite 8 in 2008-09 and 2009-10. They would also break the school record for wins going 30-5 and 29-4 those two campaigns. They also broke another important record -- the attendance mark. The Jags averaged nearly 1,700 fans per home game during the two seasons, leading the conference in attendance both years. By then, ASU stars Ben Madgen (who became the Peach Belt Conference All-Time

One night after work I read this bumper sticker on a small pick-up truck directly in front of me at a stop light: “Lord, save me from your followers”. Those words definitely got my attention! I wondered about the motivation and experience of that truck owner. It seemed clear that a statement of hurt and bitterness were being expressed through that piece of vinyl.

My point? It’s simple. Even with great enthusiasm, clever sayings and colorful bumper stickers, the truth of 1 Corinthians 13 rings true. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” We can SAY anything we want -- audibly or through a well-placed sticker on our car. In truth, without living out our faith, our words -- spoken or printed --mean NOTHING. A real faith is a faith that is not only heard, but seen. Our actions must reinforce our words. A pastor wisely observed that, “People don’t’ care how much you know, until they know how much you care!” It’s a good thing to keep in mind when you want to share the hope and truth of your faith in Christ with others. An active, caring faith where real love is evident is the only one that really sticks!

STEVE swanson serves as the Station Manager of Family Friendly 88.3 WAFJ. He’s invested 30+ Years in the world of radio and was named the Christian Music Broadcasters Program Director of the year 2009 and 2011. He and his wife Susie make their home in North Augusta.

values Leading Scorer) and Garret Siler (who would go on to play in the NBA), both All-American, graduated, but the wins did not stop. Metress led ASU to the best winning percentage in team history in 2010-11 without his “Big 3” as ASU went 304. Last season, the Jags had a “down year” as they finished 17-11. But the fans are still coming out to games. Last season, ASU averaged 1,499 fans each game, and there were over 1,500 at their home opener this season. The school that once had to beg to get 100 fans now has players coming to school because of their fan support. That is what lured 6-10 big man Chad July to ASU. He was playing for in conference rival Flagler University, but prior to his senior year he transferred to Augusta State to play in front of big crowds -- a thought that would have been comical nine years ago.

And, in case you are wondering, the Jags have protected their home floor too. Counting a 3-0 start this year, ASU is an astonishing 108-11 at home. That is not a misprint 108 WINS and only 11 losses in just over eight seasons. Even better, since 2007-08, the Jags are 77-4 in front of the home crowd.

How we have been able to keep Dip Metress in Augusta is a mystery, but this holiday season, let’s be thankful we have.

ashley brown known to listeners as AB, is the Sports Director for Beasley Broadcasting in Augusta.

He’s producer of Austin Rhodes show from 3-6pm and host of CSRA Sports Hour on WGAC from 6-7 pm. AB’s quick wit and encyclopedic sports knowledge have made him the leader in sports broadcasting in the CSRA. ab@urdwam.com

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ask dr. karp

values

Celia from Grovetown, GA asks…

Are cranberries healthy? i, Celia, what a perfect question to ask

life face first

values

H

during this holiday season. It seems that from Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s, we use a lot of cranberries in our house. It’s probably because cranberries are readily available in the store and are usually a featured item this time of year.

Yes, cranberries are healthy, mainly because they are a great source of Vitamin C, like orange juice. They are also high fiber, low fat, low salt, low cholesterol and low sugar (unless YOU start adding all the sugar). We always buy fresh cranberries, not canned. First of all, it is so easy to make fresh cranberry relish and it tastes much better than the canned, jellied stuff.

Making cranberry relish at home is inexpensive and takes about five minutes. In addition, it can be so much healthier. For many years, Nancy and I made “Karp’s Kristmas Kranberries,” put them into little labeled preserve jars and gave them out as “thinking of you” Christmas presents to our friends, coworkers and neighbors. The idea was that the cranberry relish would be opened and served with the holiday meal. To make cranberry relish, all you have to do is empty one of those bags of cranberries into a medium pot filled with only about ¼ inch of water and sugar, already boiling. Throw in a couple of cinnamon sticks. Keep the burner on high and start stirring the cranberries. You will hear them popping. When they are all popped (about five minutes), take them off the burner and let them cool. Now, here is the healthier part -- it is very easy to reduce the amount of sugar and sugar calories by adding non-sugar and non-caloric sweeteners in place of all or part of the sugar. Also, you can add raisins, orange peel zest and (what we like) mix in just a little sherry to the berries, to really give it a zip and make it extra special for the holidays. Check out Facebook for the exact recipe. Facebook.com/AskDrKarp.

While we are on the subject of cranberries, let’s dispel, once and for all, the urban legend that eating cranberries, drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills prevents or treats UTI’s (urogenital tract infections) in women. It simply is not true. Just last October, yet another “study-of-studies” (meta analysis) of cranberries was published in the Cochrane database, and again it showed no significant effects of cranberries or cranberry products on UTI’s. I have put the reference for this on the “AskDrKarp” Facebook page, so you can read the original review, not take my word for it. Why does this urban legend persist about cranberries? Do you think it has anything to do with making money from selling those misleading cranberry pills and other products? Hmmm…..

How else do we use cranberries in our house during the holiday season? When we make pancakes or biscuits (using low-fat Bisquick), we throw in some cranberries; when we serve melon for breakfast or have melon compotes, we add a little cranberry relish on top for holiday color. It’s amazing all the ways that you can add a healthy splash of holiday color to your everyday dishes with cranberries, either the relish or chopped-up fresh cranberries. And finally, here is the non-nonsense nutrition advice for today -- Nancy and I hope you have a wonderful, nutritious and delicious holiday season and whatever you celebrate, do it well and be healthy.

Dr. warren Karp is a professor emeritus at Georgia Health

Sciences University. If you have a question you would like answered in this colomn visit his Facebook page,

Christmas Shopping

I

hummed “Winter Wonderland” happily to myself and checked my appearance in the mirror: hat, scarf, mittens, jacket and jingle bell. I was ready to go Christmas shopping!

The parking lot teemed with cars. Mall employees dressed as elves directed traffic around the Christmas tree lot that took up half the parking spaces. Twenty minutes later, an elf that looked like a candidate for Disgruntled Employee of the Month directed me into an empty space.

Undaunted I hummed “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and strode bravely toward the mall entrance. I finished “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and started in on “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.” I was on day eleven of “A Partridge in a Pear Tree” when I finally entered the building.

I walked through the door. A blast from the heater nearly blew me back outside. Ft. Lauderdale is cooler in July! I glanced around me. Other shoppers stood just inside the doors removing their coats and hats. I tugged my hat off of my head and unwound my scarf.

I crammed my mittens in my jacket pockets and slipped it off. Now my hands were full. A nearby stand sold reusable tote bags. I bought one and stashed my winter gear inside. Now I was ready to shop!

I joined the throngs of people and headed to the nearest department store. “Feliz Navidad” blared through the mall’s P.A. I hummed along. Inside, the store’s P.A. roared “Sleigh Ride.”

It clashed horribly with “Feliz Navidad.” I tried to ignore it and looked at sweaters for my sister. I selected one for myself.

At the register, a display of animated snowmen played tambourines and sang “Frosty the Snowman.” A child pressed the buttons on each of them setting off a cacophony of tambourine bashing snowman disharmony. I felt my eye twitch.

I left the department store and continued my shopping. I passed a display of artificial Christmas trees. One of the trees was playing “Jingle Bells” valiantly competing with the mall’s P.A. that boomed “Here Comes Santa Claus.” I screamed and fled for the door.

The next morning I rose fresh and ready to shop. I replaced my jacket with a tank top and my hat with a head band. Instead of a scarf, I put in ear plugs. Now I was ready to go Christmas shopping! nora blithe is the author of Door In Face, a humor blog about all things that lay you flat. Read more at DOORINFACE.COM.

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