July Issue B 2011

diezel gets new name, sound | PAGE 13

verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

FREE | JULY 13 2011 | VOL 4 ISSUE 10 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS

VISION THE QUIET BRILLIANCE BEHIND THE REBIRTH OF A NEIGHBORHOOD, PAGE 20 THEATRE H.S. MUSICAL 2 + MUSIC EAT LIGHTNING + PEOPLE SANDRA SELF + BOOKS LAURIE MYERS + ART PHILIP JURAS + FUN GET READY FOR PADDLEFEST

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 3

vergestaff

yeah, we made this publisher Matt Plocha editor Lara Plocha contributors Alison Richter, Christopher Selmek, Dino Lull, John Cannon, Ben Casella, Kris Cook, Skyler Andrews, Charlotte Okie, Gabi Hutchison, Elizabeth Benson, Jennifer Maslyn, Holly Birdsong, Katie McGuire, Mariah Gardner, Susan Hutchison, Luke Wilby, Samantha Sprague, Amy Swann, Stephen Delaney Hale, Alison Ryan, Anne Lovell Swan

vergeconnect

we want to hear from you call us: 706.951.0579 mail us: P.O. Box 38

Augusta GA 30903 email us: advertising and general stuff publisher@vergelive.com story tips, ideas and letters editor@vergelive.com free event listings info@vergelive.com find us online: vergelive.com

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GENERAL POLICIES: Contents

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

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

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36 16 27, 28 30 3 22 10 14 10, 28 39 14 14 14 10 10 24 34 32 26 24 18 22 32 28 26 38 3, 35 18 24 12 24 18 30 6 8 40

1102 Bar & Grill Aficionados Augusta Market Bar on Broad Blue Sky Kitchen Book Tavern Buzz on Biz Casella Eye Center Copy Center Plus Dominos edge salon Elduets Family Y Garlic Clove halo Import Auto Exchange Manuel’s Bread Café Metro Pub & Coffeehouse Mi Rancho MITS Monk Solutions Modish Moon Beans/New Moon Nacho Mamas New Life DiChickos Palmetto Curbing Peach Mac Rock Bottom Music Sanford Bruker Banks Sky City Soy Noodle House Stella Sundrees the Loft Vintage Ooollee Wild Wings Windsor Jewelers

WHAT’S INSIDE

SMATTERINGS

Looking Back to Move Forward

“Wishing like a mountain and thinking like the sea.”

— POI DOG PONDERING

I took a quick glance in the rear view mirror recently and was surprised at what I saw. It is, to say the least, a humbling expression of our community, where we have been and where we are going.

When we started verge in 2008, I wrote about the pressing need to come together as a community and for each member to take an active role: “As with everything in life, times change, economies change, public demands change, industry changes, population changes, demands from the population change. Our hope with the local growth and events that are happening right now is that, in 100 years, residents will look back and say ‘wow, what an effort.’ ” I wrote about “doulos,” a Greek word which can be interpreted to mean “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests,” and how we can build a community that has the interests of others in mind first. I wrote about the charge that Georgia’s founding fathers incorporated in the motto on the colonial seal: “Non sibi sed aliis – Not for ourselves, but for others.”

These words still hold true today and the opportunities for you to become a part of your community still exist. Keeping that in mind, I ask: are you involved? Are you asking yourself the question that our founding fathers were asking themselves: What can I do for others and not myself? How are you living up to the motto?

Today, more than ever, verge holds true to that focus and energy we began writing about four years ago. As you enjoy the pages ahead in this issue, we cannot emphasize enough the importance thanking our supporters: advertisers and business partners, readers and staffers. Our mission is to responsibly serve the community in a pro-growth environment by providing you with more ways to engage and support the community around you. Verge continues to be about building up people and our community. Verge promotes becoming an active member and doing your part for your community, whether it is Augusta or Aiken, Evans, Martinez or North Augusta or beyond.

Becoming more involved in your community can simply start by supporting local business owners. Small and independent businesses are the backbone of this country. According to statistics from the Small Business Administration, small business owners account for 99.7 percent of all employer firms and employ half of all private sector employees. They pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll and have generated 65 percent of net new jobs over the past 17 years. Small business owners create more than half of the nonfarm private Gross Domestic Product. They hire 43 percent of high tech workers (scientists, engineers, computer programmers), and produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms.

Supporting and sustaining the small/independent business owner is important to say the least. Seek their services out before heading out to “corporate convenience.” When you are supporting growth and getting to know the people that advertise in or are featured in these pages, you are engaging with community. Together, we are helping to build our community, a stronger community, one that puts others first.

Speaking of supporting community, be sure to read the feature article about redeveloping the Laney-Walker and Bethlehem neighborhoods (on page 20).

This is a perfect example of community building and their dedication to the future and sustainability of growth for the area. The project is visionary and worthy of our support.

Other news to note: verge now offers more ways to engage and interact online at VERGELIVE.COM. You can view the newspaper is in its entirety 24/7 and share it with family and friends (that’s cool). When flipping through the online issue, you will find hyperlinks embedded in advertisements and articles – just one click and you are jumped to their website or Facebook page (that’s REALLY cool). Have you checked out the Event Calendar online? It is packed with hundreds of events. You can sign up for email reminders of events, send event information to friends and get directions.

With your continued support, verge is able to provide you with more visionary and convenient ways to engage, interact and support community: The true meaning and essence behind the words “verge – community driven”.

We thank you and truly look forward to seeing you out and about in our community “wishing like a mountain and thinking like the sea.”

– Matt

ON THE COVER A NEW HOME by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

Minimarie Andrews and her children in front of their new Heritage Pines home.

Read more about the synergy created within the redevelopment of the LaneyWalker and Bethlehem neighborhoods on page 20.

4 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

you won’t want to miss a page

the main feature Spirit of Sandra Self 11 The Symphony director shares vision for her last year Name, New Sound for Diezel 13 New Doc Crosshair reinvents itself with new lead singer 15 Laurie Myers’ Escape by Night Local author envisions history through a child’s eye

17 High School Musical 2 Goes Local 19 In Retrospect: The Criterium Young actors prepare to present popular stage show

Recent bike races raised excitement and local economy

20 Redeveloping a Neighborhood

Cooperative effort is rebuilding Laney-Walker and Bethlehem

heard around town 5 7 7 7

Prepare for Paddlefest Georgia Power Installs Smart Meters New Business: Curvitudes New Business: Impressions of the South

music | theatre | art | film 25 25 26 27 29 31 33 35

Music: Eat Lightning Music: Within Reason Film: The Film Reel History: Rivers, Rails and Roads Music: JAMP Summer Camp Variety: Augusta Burlesque Art: Philip Juras The Profiler: Nuklear Blast Suntan

regular stuff 05 09 09 23 27 31 34 35 36 37

Heard Around Town Buzz on Biz Living Green Chow Bella & Food Bites The Daily Planner The Ink Well: NYT Crossword Puzzle Between the Covers Nightlife Ask Dr. Karp Sound Bites & The Last Word

vergequotes

here’s what inspires us

“Three weeks ago Augusta State University won their second straight Division 1 Men’s Golf National Championship.

Two weeks ago, Relocate America named us as one of the Top 100 Places to Live.

Last week, the Brookings Institute Metro Monitor ranked us as having one of the 20 strongest economies in the nation for the eighth straight quarter. So, all in all, I believe we’re on a roll.”

— MAYOR DEKE COPENHAVER

heard

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

[ start designing your raft for this year’s paddlefest ] The fifth annual Paddlefest will commence August 20 at various locations along the Savannah River, culminating in an awards ceremony for all race winners at the Augusta Boathouse Community Center.

While the boathouse marks the finish line for all races, kayaks and canoes will enter the water at 9 a.m. at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Martinez, while the homemade raft race will begin at 10 a.m. at the North Augusta Boat Ramp. All rafts must be in the water by 9 a.m.

“Last year, we had around 125 people show up for the race, and we hope for even more this year,” said Sung Park, the communications director for Savannah Riverkeeper. “It used to be really huge back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when almost 1,000 people came to the river for the raft race, but the city had to shut it down because it became too much of a party and people were getting drunk. In 2007, the city of Augusta asked us to bring it back, and we are hoping to keep it a fun, clean event for the whole family.”

This will also be the second year Paddlefest features an event for stand-up paddleboards which will start at the boathouse at 9:30 a.m.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAVANNAH RIVERKEEPER

“A stand-up paddleboard is a traditional, large, Hawaiianstyle long surfboard with a paddle, not an oar, which one can use by standing up in the middle of the boat,” said Chuck Hardin, the owner of Whitecap Stand Up Paddleboards.

“Two years ago we were called unofficial observers, but I have always wanted to see more active watersports in Augusta, and

this seems like a good way to contribute to the overall outdoor sports and activities scene in this area.”

This year, Park hopes to see more paddleboards in the water than the 12 or 14 that were at last year’s event. Hardin will be offering paddleboards to rent for $30, but interested teams must reserve one ahead of time by calling 706.833.9463.

“Paddleboards are a lot of fun, but the homemade rafts were probably the most popular because anyone can do it, even children or people who do not know how to canoe or kayak,” said Park. “The canoes and kayaks are the fastest so they come in first, but the slower teams trickle in around 12:45 p.m. at the latest, and people enjoy spending a couple hours on the river.”

Savannah Riverkeeper, the nonprofit organization hosting Paddlefest, hopes to see as many people as possible enjoying the river because it is central to their mission, which is to restore, protect and educate people on behalf of the river.

“People forget about the river being there,” said Park. “It is one of our most important resources and yet people drive by every day and do not really notice it, so if people start having fun on the river they will start wanting to take better care of it.”

Preregistration costs $35 online at paddlefestga.com or at the Savannah Riverkeeper office (105 Riverfront Drive)

by Aug. 19. Registration is $45 on the day of the race and all participants must be registered by 7 a.m. More information is available at the website or by calling 706.826.8991.

[ get to know your neighbors ]

[ davidson high one of the best ]

The business community in downtown Aiken has started a process to help them feel more like a community. The program is called Getting to Know Your Neighbors’ Business and, once a month, members of the Aiken Downtown Development Association take some time off and visit other ADDA businesses – three each month.

The inaugural event was on June 21 when business owners and employees spent time exploring Nandina Home & Design, Café Rio Blanco and Chris’s Camera Center, all on Laurens Street.

“Some of the business owners were not aware of the full lines offered by neighboring stores so when a customer asks for something that store does not have the staff can say, ‘you can get it at these places right down the street.’ It is making for more congenial relationship among our downtown merchants,” said ADDA Administrative Assistant Jamie Turner.

The next event will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Aug. 9, at PowerCuts Salon & Spa, Vista Bank and Meybohm Realtors. For details, call ADDA at 803.649.2221. | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School is one of the best local high schools and one of the best in the nation, according to the most recent Newsweek list of the Best High Schools in America, in which Davidson came out No. 75.

[ goodrich street closed ] Goodrich Street, along the Augusta Canal from Eve Street to the raw water pumping station, has been closed to vehicle access indefinitely because of increased illegal activity and vandalism in the area, according to Sheriff Ronnie Strength.

“Summer temperatures have brought more people out to enjoy the canal,” said Dayton Sherrouse, the executive director of the Augusta Canal Authority. “Unfortunately, with that increase has come an element that is determined to spoil the experience and safe environment for everyone else.”

Sherrouse noted that the majority of the problems have come from vehicles coming into the area and said he is hopeful the ban will eliminate the public safety conflict between the vehicles and the recreational users of the area. However, pedestrian and bicycle access will still be allowed and encouraged.

During the closure period, officials will evaluate options for public access and recreational use. In the meantime, only Utilities Department, Canal Authority, law enforcement and other authorized motor vehicles will be permitted on Goodrich Street.

The study, which assessed high schools across the nation on the basis of how well they prepared their students for college, noted that 100 percent of Davidson students graduated on time and then immediately attended college. Davidson also has a ratio of 1 teacher for every 15.6 students and an average SAT score of 1712.

Newsweek has been ranking high schools in this fashion for over a decade, but this year refined their methodology to include graduation rate, college matriculation rate, AP tests taken per graduate, average SAT/ACT scores and AP courses offered.

“This is a testament to the dedicated teachers we have working at Davidson and to the students who excel in every area,” said Louis Svehla, the public information coordinator for the Richmond County School System. “That kind of teamwork is what we would ideally like to see in all of our schools, which includes the administrators and parents working together harmoniously.”

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: Brenda Quick of PowerCuts Salon & Spa), Debbie Pinero of Café Rio Blanco and Tabatha Benack of PowerCuts Salon & Spa

To see the whole list, visit NEWSWEEK.COM/FEATURE/2011/ AMERICAS-BEST-HIGH-SCHOOLS.HTML.

[ peacock alley grand opening ] Peacock Alley, a new garden accessories store operating out of Midtown Market on Kingston Way, will host its grand opening on the fourth anniversary of Summerville’s First Thursday celebration July 7. The store, owned by Stefanie Reed, the former owner of the entire Midtown Market before selling it to Mischelle Guthrie last year, will specialize in pottery and decorations, including garden containers from Vietnam, China and Bali.

“When you use pots to grow things, it takes a lot less space to grow than if you plant them in the ground, plus there is better dirt that is easier to fertilize, water and maintain, and you do not have to bend over to do the work,” said Reed. “Everything we sell is frost proof. I have 22 pots in my yard that have been there for 12 years, and I have never had one crack or peel.”

“These are very exclusive items,” said Guthrie. “Only one person within a 50-mile radius is allowed to sell these pots, and we are it, so we hope to see a lot of people in here.”

One of the pots can be used to grow 40 to 60 pounds of potatoes, which Reed will be giving a seminar on during the opening night. Reed also plans to help instruct customers in growing lettuce and in growing food for one person. For details, call 706.364.8479.

Around Town is written by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

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6 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

heard [ georgia power installs remote meters ]

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

Georgia Power Co., which serves the electrical needs of 2.36 million customers in 155 of Georgia’s 159 counties, is installing Smart Meters in every home in the Augusta area, which will allow the company to read meters remotely and streamline the billing and customer service processes.

“We have already taken a lot of trucks off the road, which is one of the advantages of the new meters because it uses less gas, pollutes the air less and cuts down on traffic congestion when we don’t have to send a representative out to your home every month,” said Konswella Monroe, a spokeswoman for Georgia Power. “Many of our employees who were meter readers will be finding other jobs within the company or will be moving on.”

According to Monroe, all Georgia Power employees were notified in 2008, when Smart Meter deployment began, that there would be staffing reductions. Of the 25 local employees previously engaged in meter reading, nine will be kept on as part of maintenance crews servicing the new meters.

Smart Meters use radio waves to transmit their information back to the company, with the additional advantage of being able to read each other if a neighboring meter is broken or in need of repair.

“In the event of a power outage, Smart Meters will assist us in responding by letting us know the area where we need to send maintenance crews,” said Monroe, who also said there will be no cuts to maintenance crews.

Georgia Power has installed around 1 million Smart Meters since 2008 and will continue until all customers receive a new Smart Meter, with completion anticipated by the end of 2012. There is no fee or eligibility requirements for the upgrade, but there might be a temporary interruption of service for several minutes. Customers do not have to be home when the installation occurs, but will be notified before it happens. GEORGIAPOWER.COM/RESIDENTIAL/SMARTMETER.ASP CURVITUDE OWNER KIMBERLY TOWNSEND

[ fashion with a curvitude ]

OWNERS Jay and eva watkins

[ new store leaves a tasteful impression ] Impressions of the South opened on West Avenue in North Augusta in April for gift seekers and those who enjoy the simple pleasure of a hand-made chocolate and a cup of tea.

Eva and Jay Watkins purchased the space, which previously housed Lasting Impressions, a home decor store. The Watkinses wanted to open the kind place where they would like to shop.

“As a woman, I enjoy a lot of places that sell gifts, or that sell tea and coffee or chocolate, and I wanted to own that kind of a place,” said Eva. “I decided to combine all of those into one shop and our customers seem to love it.”

Eva offers four rooms of hand-picked gifts, one each for jewelry, garden items, kitchen wares and baby gifts. Most of the rooms are filled with what she calls one-of-a-kind items.

“I put a lot of thought into everything I buy, wanting each customer to be proud of what they have found here,” she said. “When you come in, you should be able to find a range of gifts for any occasion. A lot of people like the fact that we do not have duplicates of most of

our items, so we have women coming in every two weeks just to check out the new inventory.”

Perhaps the most popular part of the shop is the chocolate display at the front, featuring a variety of handmade truffles that range between $1.50 and $2.75 per piece. Eva brews a pot of tea daily from one of the 16 varieties offered at the shop for $1 a cup. Customers can sample the teas before they buy.

“The chocolates have done exceptionally well and are great for a gift; we get a lot of repeat customers coming back for them,” she said.

“Sometimes when the yoga class lets out across the street, I find a number of the women like to come in just to get a truffle and a glass of tea so they can sit down in our gift room and relax.

Jay and I like to cut ours into quarters and share them, because they are quite large.”

Impressions of the South is located at 508 West Ave., North Augusta. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 803.634.5639 or visit NORTHAUGUSTAGIFTSHOP.COM.

Curvitude, a plus-sized fashion boutique with a unique concept for women’s clothing, is now sharing a space with Elegant Extensions Salon and Spa.

“Some jeans are made without (the plus-sized woman) in mind, cut too low, ride too low and do not compliment the body, but these lines are all made for women with curves,” she said.

Catering specifically to full-figured women (clothing sizes 12 to 32), Curvitude carries a trendy mix of fashions from emerging New York designers.

Townsend also works with New York based fashion designers Monifc and Qristyl Frasier and will be attending the Full Figured Fashion Week event in New York on June 15.

“Curvitude is about giving curves attitude,” said owner Kimberly Townsend, who is retiring from the Army while opening the store.

“There are other cities where women have these issues, I would not say Augusta is the only one, but there are designers dedicated to making this type of clothing and the trend is not going away now that it has become available,” she said. “I am already asking all my customers what they would like to see in the boutique and I have got some good suggestions I hope to bring to the shop soon.”

“I believe Curvitude is more than just a boutique, it is a movement that is sweeping the country and it is about feeling good in whatever size you are and being able to wear fashionable clothes,” she said.

According to Townsend, many plus-sized women have difficulty finding clothing that suits them. This was a market she felt needed representation here in Augusta, particularly as she is a customer herself.

“There are a couple of big-box stores in the area offering more of the same, but what these women are really looking for is something different and for pieces that make them stand out,” she said. “They have a very hard time finding attractive clothes and I wanted to bring it to the area since it was not here before me.”

Townsend is the only distributor between Colombia and Atlanta to carry brands such as Kiyona dresses, Big Girls Inc. and Pzi Jeans, all of which have proved very popular with the local plus-sized crowd, she said.

“I believe clothes should enhance and not inhibit curvy women with boxy styles that do not appeal to who they are or support their best features,” said Townsend. “We will be the leading choice for full-figured women who demand and desire more. Many of the best retail stores in the area cater to the [size] 12 and under crowd, but not all of us fit that profile.

Some of us are tall, curvy, and others are busty and big. Now we do not have to settle, we have a collection that will give our curves some attitude or, as we say, Curvitude!”

Curvitude is located at 923 Broad St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 706.836.5970.

[ audition to sing for the choral society ] If you are looking for a fun and challenging singing experience, joining the Columbia County Choral Society might be for you. The CCCS will open their 2011-2012 concert season with John Rutter’s Requiem. Auditions will be held August 9 at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Evans (on the corner of Washington and Belair roads). For more information or to schedule an audition, call 706.650.2311 or visit CCCHORALSOCIETY.ORG. unless otherwise noted, Around Town is written by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

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8 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the buzz on

biz

what’s moving and shaking in local business

living the

green life practical ways to be more eco-concious

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions

According to the United States Department of Energy, the Southeast is a significant contributor to global warming, producing approximately one-fifth of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly half of these emissions are the result of burning coal and natural gas to heat our homes and generate electricity.

AIKEN GIFT SHOP MOVES AND EXPANDS

The Curiosity Shop is also moving this summer to provide long-time and new customers with more selection. The family-owned and operated gift shop has served fine foods and treasures from the British Isles and beyond for 13 years.

The new location will be sandwiched between a pair of hospitality fixtures in downtown Aiken, the Palmetto Package Shop and the Westside Bowery on 224 Park Ave. SW. The two-story building will feature a full-service tea bar, expanded grocery section, gift collection (including jewelry, books, bath and body), traditional tartans, classic hats and ties. curiosityshoptea.com

CENTER FOR PRIMARY CARE OPENS OFFICE IN AIKEN

In recent years, Hardwood Floors and More, IHOP, Lu Lu’s Car Wash, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and many others made the decision to expand from the Georgia side of the river to Aiken. On Aug. 1, the Center for Primary Care will join them.

CPC and the practice of Dr. Howard G. Royal Jr. are merging to form CPC-Aiken, which will be CPC’s sixth office and the first branch of CPC to be based in the Aiken community. CPC-Aiken will be located at the long-time practice home of Royal, an Aiken native and family physician who has been taking care of Aiken residents since 1977. Family physician Dr. Dave Zimmerman, also an Aiken County native, will join Royal when the practice begins operating as CPC-Aiken in August.

Zimmerman received his medical education from Georgia Health Sciences University (formerly MCG), where he also completed his family medicine residency and a sports medicine fellowship.

The existing office is on Hitchcock Parkway, next to the Coldcreek Nursery.

“CPC is looking forward to becoming part of the Aiken community and hopes to make a positive difference in the health and quality of life of its residents,” said Melody H. Collins, who handles marketing and communications for CPC, headquartered at 363 North Belair Road in Evans.

DO YOU WORK WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE?

Odds are you do. It is how you navigate around or with difficult people that likely makes a big impact on the culture and bottom line of the company you work with or manage.

Buzz on Biz LLC attorney J. Edward Enoch, P.C. is the keynote speaker at a July 20 Columbia County Chamber of Commerce workshop.

Enoch will deliver a survival guide to managing problem employees, coworkers and clients in the workplace called “Learning the Do’s, Dont’s, and Law of Employee Management.”

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to weatherize your home.

Here in the CSRA, we use as much energy in the summer to cool our homes as we do in the winter to heat our homes. Stopping air leaks between your home and the outside environment by sealing holes, cracks and openings in your home’s exterior walls, and reducing heat transfer by adding insulation to your home will keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Your air conditioning and heating systems will run less, often adding years to their life expectancy and reducing your energy consumption. Reducing your energy consumption reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Weatherizing your home is easy and it could save you money. Try as many of these tips as you can and see how much your energy bills go down.

Install foam gaskets behind electric switch and outlet covers on exterior walls to reduce air leaks. Install outlet safety caps to further reduce air leaks from unused outlets and make your house safer for children at the same time.

TEST for air leaks around your home. An easy way to check for air leaks is to wait for a windy day, light an incense stick and check for drafts around windows and doors, under sinks, behind toilets, near recessed lights and other areas where pipes and wiring penetrate the walls of your home. If smoke is blowing in or out of the house, you have a leak. Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windows. Seal holes with caulk or spray foam where pipes, wires and vents enter or exit your home through walls.

CLOSE the fireplace damper when the fireplace is not being used and install glass doors to further reduce air loss. Consider using a fireplace seal during warm weather. You can purchase a fireplace seal from your local home improvement store and install it yourself. Just make sure you remove the seal before you use your fireplace again.

The cost to attend the workshop is $25 for CCCC members and $35 for nonmembers. The price includes lunch, catered by Be My Guest Catering and Events. The conference starts at 11:30 a.m. at 4216 Washington Road in Evans.

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE YOGURT WITH YOUR BURGER?

Two Kendrick Paint and Body executives know a thing or two about helping to run a successful family-based business – next up, a venture into the frozen yogurt business. Yotopia will open around the beginning of 2012 in the same development that will feature Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Washington Road in Evans.

The buzz is that the building will be a “four-plex” with two more tenants expected to join the food-fest in front of Home Depot.

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

Story idea? Email neil.gordon@buzzon.biz

Check your home’s ductwork for leaks and insulation. Sealing the leaks can reduce home energy costs by 10 to 20 percent. Use duct mastic or UL approved duct-sealing tape. (Don’t use “duct tape,” it deteriorates over time). Cover and tape the ducts with duct insulation, if needed.

Tune-up your home’s heating and cooling systems. A simple tune-up can increase their efficiency and reduce home energy costs by 5 to 10 percent.

Weather-strip and insulate your attic door or hatch cover. The amount of energy lost through an uninsulated attic door is about the same as the energy needed to heat or cool a typical bedroom. Suggestions for ways to insulate various types of attic access doors are available at ENERGYSAVERS.GOV/YOUR_HOME/INSULATION_AIRSEALING/INDEX. CFM/MYTOPIC=11400.

Review the current insulation levels in your home to determine if you need additional insulation. Insulating efficiency is rated by an insulation R value, based on the insulation type and installed thickness. A simple guide for determining the R value of your existing insulation can be found at DOITYOURSELF.COM/STRY/TABLE2. The DOE recommends the following R values for homes in the CSRA: attic – R38, walls – R13 and floors above crawl spaces – R19.

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

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10 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the indomitable spirit and vision of

sandra self

symphony augusta orchestra executive director will retire but remain an active voice

The first time Sandra Self was asked to come to Georgia, she turned the offer down flat.

“I felt the symphony I was working for in Lansing, Mich., was not ready for me to leave at that time,” she said. “So, I worked with them for another year and got some good things accomplished.

The second time, I was asked to come down (to Georgia) for an interview the Lansing symphony was in great shape, and I thought it might be time for me to broaden my horizons.”

It took Self another two years serving as executive director for the Savannah Symphony before moving to Augusta and taking the reins of the Symphony Orchestra Augusta. She has remained as executive director of the SOA for 12 years, but this will be the last. Self recently announced her retirement will take effect on July 1, 2012.

“I made the official announcement at the Symphony board meeting on June 23, though I had been communicating with them about it privately for a long time before that,” said Self. “My husband has Parkinson’s Disease, and though, thankfully, he is in good condition right now, it’s a progressive disease that will not allow me to continue to give 150 percent of myself to the symphony. I felt it might be time to take a break, and fortunately I am in a position to do that.”

Jane Schwartz will chair a national search committee for a new director and make regular reports on her progress at each of six annual board meetings this fiscal year, before Self ’s retirement.

“We have established that there will be a broad, national search for the next executive director. Of course, it is going to take a long time to find a replacement for such a wonderful, amazing director as me,” she joked.

Despite her lighthearted tone, Self ’s contributions to the symphony over the last 12 years have been immense. Though she laments the widening gap between expenses and revenue, the declining audiences and competition from popular culture that have placed the performing arts in jeopardy across the nation, the SOA has nearly doubled its budget and staff during Self ’s tenure.

“There have been a lot of changes, and I am happy to have been a part of those changes,” said Self. “We have raised more money because we have done more concerts, but the same concert that cost $25,000 when I started now costs $35,000 because you have to pay all the musicians. My main responsibility is to make sure our operation is aligned in such a way as to be fiscally responsible, and I have enjoyed exercising my passion for arts education.”

Another way Self has expanded the symphony was bringing Maestro Shizuo Kuwahara as the music director, whose employment was recently extended during the second year of his three-year contract.

“He really has a great passion for music and is brilliant in his interpretation,” said Self. “He is under a lot of pressure in his job, but he does it well and the entire symphony likes working under him. He has great expectations of them and really wants to deliver a great product.”

Self hopes to continue to stay involved with the symphony following her retirement, particularly as regards the Miller Project, the possibility of transforming the historic Miller Theatre into a performing arts center.

Despite Miller Theater owner Peter Knox’s recent announcement that he might instead sell the venue, Self remains hopeful that the SOA will obtain it. Four different consultants have concluded that the project is feasible and would cost approximately $20 million, $5.2 million of which would come from a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax grant.

“We have been doing consultation, but it is amazing all the details we have to consider in this process,” said Self. “The stage is too small for us, but if we enlarge it that changes the view, and then we have to move the balcony and that creates a host of other problems. But Mark Holden of JaffeHolden Acoustics said that the Miller is worth pursuing, and we now have fundraising consultants out in the community trying to see how we can raise the money.”

“The activity of an orchestra is very exciting and I will keep in touch and stay involved in the Miller Project,” she added. “I’d love to see it come to fruition.”

Self looks forward to her last year as executive director, and intends to use it primarily to restructure the Symphony Board so that each member has a

“We need to spend more time talking about the future instead of the past, becoming more relevant and growing our audience.”

– SANDRA SELF, SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AUGUSTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

greater opportunity to participate.

“Right now we have a committee structure, but I want to become much more involved in developing the board structure so each board member builds relationships and understands our mission,” she said. “We need to spend more time talking about the future instead of the past, as well as becoming more relevant and growing our audience.”

That mission she wants everybody to understand and embrace is “to share the joy of great musical performance, for together we are music,” a statement Self admires and has felt guided by throughout her career.

“This community is unique and one of the most extraordinary assets I have had at my disposal is the tireless team of volunteers who work so hard to make the symphony run, and working with those people is one of the great joys of my position,” said Self. “I come from a great family of doers and helpers. I like to make the world a better place to live in, and I think music certainly does that.” article and photo by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

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12 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

revamped and raring to go

meet diezel

hear the new sound of doc crosshair at the playground bar on july 23

“For some reason, musicians can be very complicated, it is like having

four girlfriends

—picture that.”

— HENRY GARMA

Four parts rock ‘n’ roll, one part stand-up comic, new band name, new frontman: The band formerly known as Doc Crosshair is now Diezel. The members — bassist John Hearn, drummer Mark Janousek and guitarist Henry Garma — are joined by vocalist Dave Tucker, who relocated to Augusta from Pensacola, Fla., and was discovered on Craigslist

by Janousek.

Diezel began in 2010, playing original material and progressing into an edgier sound. In advance of their upcoming gig at The Playground Bar, the band spoke to verge about their history and plans for their musical future.

VERGE: Diezel has been together just over a year. How have the sound and direction changed during that time?

their experience. They looked for many of the same things we did.

HEARN: Diezel (Doc Crosshair) started out as an all-original band. Mark and I are the only ones left from the original threepiece lineup. Our music has changed from dark life experiences to a more upbeat sound. Relationships with other bands and the general audience have grown tremendously with the addition of Henry Garma and Dave Tucker. The four of us gel very well and it has shown during our performances.

GARMA: For some reason, musicians can be very complicated.

It is like having four girlfriends — picture that.

JANOUSEK: The sound and direction have changed immensely over the last year. With Henry on guitar, we have lightened things up some and added a number of fun rock covers to our set. With Dave on lead vocals, the band has evolved into a more audience-focused band. Our whole show at this point is highenergy.

TUCKER: At my audition, I could feel the different personalities.

It is fun for me because they are learning or finding a way to react to me as much as I try to front them or, at the most, not the least, make them glad they chose to move forward with Dave Tucker as opposed to someone else.

VERGE: Prior to Diezel, how challenging was it to find musicians with similar ideas and goals?

HEARN: It is hard to find like-minded people that have similar goals. I feel that we have all of that as a band and as friends.

JANOUSEK: I have been in various bands and played with various musicians over the years. Through those experiences, and when forming Doc Crosshair, I found it difficult to find like-minded musicians who are looking for the same things as our band. By like-minded I mean the whole package, including everything from style and sound to how much work they want to put into making a gigging band function. Henry and Dave were two of the easier musicians to bring onboard because of

VERGE: How did you find David and what does he bring to the table?

HEARN: Dave brings one thing. He brings everything he has to the stage. That’s something that every band should have for a frontman/singer.

JANOUSEK: I found Dave on Craigslist. He was new to the Augusta area and looking for a band. He was in previous bands in Florida, so I knew he had the experience. Dave also does stand-up comedy. Those two things gave me a good feeling that he was what Doc Crosshair needed. We brought him over to rehearsal, and when we first heard him we knew we had met someone who could fit the bill. Shortly after bringing Dave on board, we decided to change the name to Diezel. Dave has really helped take our sound to the next level because he has a quality to his raspy voice that seems to connect with the audience. Prior to Dave, our live shows were probably more focused on telling a story. With Dave, our shows are more about having fun and building a connection with every person in the crowd.

GARMA: Dave brought a great attitude, a fresh approach, with a very strong stage presence and incredible pipes. It definitely brought us closer to the edgier sound we were looking for.

VERGE: What were your musical backgrounds and influences and how do they create Diezel’s sound?

HEARN: Just about everyone in my family is some sort of musician, from pianists to trombone. I have a very broad range of music genres that I listen to.

JANOUSEK: I started playing the drums in sixth grade. With

formal instruction, I got a good grasp of rudiments early on, and I credit that learning as a big reason I still play. After starting out as a concert drummer, I moved on to drum-corps-style drumming for three years. This experience helped me bond with many other musicians in a song. Staying synchronized is critical in drum corps, and I believe it prepared me for playing in a rock band. My main influences are old-school rap, funk, reggae and grunge rock. So there are elements of these genres in my playing, especially in some of the original music I have developed.

GARMA: For me, classic hard rock and grunge. My approach is very old-school, as I’m all about analog gear rather than effects processors, but always chasing a big and strong sound.

TUCKER: My father and my brother influenced my background.

I’m from the 1980s. Then you add in what my kids are listening to and I love it all, but I love doing something that a crowd just goes “Yeah.”

VERGE: What would you like readers to know about Diezel?

HEARN: Diezel has music from the 1960s to current rock. We touch everything in between. We have something for everyone.

JANOUSEK: Diezel fills a specific niche in the Augusta area.

We have a lead singer who knows how to entertain a crowd.

Our show is very diverse and will take you back to the days of legendary rock bands and then follow it up with a tour through early 1990s Southern California.

TUCKER: We are high energy and we come to the venue for you, not as much for us, but we love it more when people have a great time. I promise!

by ALISON RICHTER

See the Show

WHAT Diezel WHERE The Playground Bar | 978 Broad St. WHEN Saturday, July 23 at 10 p.m. TICKETS Free MORE reverbnation.com/diezel4

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14 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

her imagination is

steeped in history local author brings history alive for children

For more than a decade, Augusta-based author Laurie Myers has written awardwinning children’s books. Her latest release, Escape by Night: A Civil War Adventure, tells the story of a young boy named Tommy, his unexpected friendship with a Confederate soldier named Red, and the moral dilemma Tommy faces when he finds out about Red’s true identity.

Escape by Night has received glowing reviews from prestigious publications, including the Wall Street Journal. Myers spoke to verge about her career path, the changing world of publishing and the creation of Escape by Night.

Verge: You began writing in 1990, but originally dreamed of being a detective. What made you take up the written word?

MYERS: I worked in nursing for over ten years, then stayed home with my children for six years.

When my son started kindergarten I contemplated going back to nursing — but then, my mother had a garage sale. It was the mother of all garage sales, and during the sale I got an idea for a book. I decided to give writing a try, and three years later my first book, Garage Sale Fever, came out. With all my endeavors/careers (nursing, motherhood and writing), I have learned that if you want to do a good job, you have to work hard.

Verge: Why did you select children’s books?

MYERS: I never made a conscious decision to write for children. I started writing because I had an idea — that idea seemed best suited to a chapter-book format, so that is what I did. I went to the library and checked out the maximum number of chapter books they would let me have. I went home and read them, then repeated that for several weeks. I quickly got a feel for pace, dialogue, story arc, etc. Now, I write mostly chapter books and that suits my writing style. Chapter books are usually fast-paced with lots of dialogue.

Verge: What is your goal each time you begin a new project?

MYERS: I start with an idea — maybe a snippet of a plot, or a character or something I have read.

From that point I just start writing. I do not worry about how the book will begin or end or what will happen. Each book unfolds in a different way. The beginning is the most important and I rewrite that many times. I have watch children in the library pull a book off the shelf and scan the first page and put it back. You MUST grab them on the first page or even first paragraph.

Verge: Animals factor greatly into your work, whether in books about dogs and cats, or as characters like Samson in Escape by Night. How are they an integral part of literary communication with children?

MYERS: Growing up, we had at least two dogs, sometimes three, and several cats, numerous guineas pigs, snakes, ducks, chicks, turtles, etc., so it is no surprise to see them throughout my books. Most children love animals, but I do not include animals because children love them; I include them because I love them!

Verge: When did the idea for Escape by Night come to you and how did you create Tommy and Red? MYERS: The idea came to me when I was touring the Woodrow Wilson house. I was gazing out the window at First Presbyterian Church across the street, and suddenly the scene came alive. I imagined the bustle of activity a young Tommy Wilson would have seen — people coming and going from the railroad depot — soldiers, family members, refugees pouring into town — wounded soldiers coming and going from the church (which was converted into a hospital), Yankee prisoners milling around the churchyard. I started the book that very day while it was vivid. Tommy was based on Woodrow Wilson. In fact, when I first wrote the story, it was in first person from young Tommy Wilson’s point of view. Then the editor asked me to change to third person. I groaned when I got that news! Changing from first to third persons is not just a matter of changing the pronouns; you have to throw out entire paragraphs and chapters.

It is a major revision. The characters in the story are purely fictional. I did choose names for my characters based on real names from that period. I went through Civil War rosters from Ohio to find Red’s name. And the name McKnight is the actual name of an early pastor at First Presbyterian. Annie and Marion are the names of Woodrow Wilson’s sisters. Even the doctor who makes a brief appearance in the early chapters — his name was from a real doctor in Augusta during that time.

Verge: How long did you work on Escape by Night?

MYERS: I began work on the book in 2002. I research and write at the same time. When an idea is strong I cannot wait until all the research is done to start the writing. I began this book as I do most of my writing: by immersing myself in the topic. I listened to Civil Wars songs, read Civil War books (fiction and

nonfiction) and watched Civil War movies. A few years ago I could have sung you every verse to the “Bonnie Blue Flag.”

Immersion helps me to get into the story, imagine the setting, hear the characters.

“To this day, I love to go to the library. I pull a small chair over to the stacks and sit and

pull book after book off the shelf and read.”

— LAURIE MYERS

Verge: Escape by Night also places the protagonist in a moral and spiritual dilemma. What was key to successfully taking young readers through Tommy’s journey while still engaging their interest and attention?

MYERS: That is an important balance to strike. If you get too didactic you will lose your reader. The editors were helpful in creating the balance and would make suggestions on where to lighten the spiritual elements of the story and bring out the action more. The original title of the story was Streams of Mercy.

Although I loved that title, the purpose of the title is to draw the reader in. I asked myself, “If you were a child, what would you rather read? Streams of Mercy? Or Escape by Night?”

Verge: What can parents do to ensure that books are a part of their children’s lives?

MYERS: Visit the library. When I was child, we used to go to the public library a lot. It was not a great library — it was in the basement of the fire station and had only a few small windows, way up high where you could only see people’s feet go by. The adult stacks were really scary — very dark with tall shelves disappearing into the stratosphere. In spite of this, I loved it. To this day, I love to go to the library. I pull a small chair over to the stacks and sit and pull book after book off the shelf and read.

Have lot of books around the house. Read, read, read!

by ALISON RICHTER

read the book

TITLE Escape by Night, A Civil War Adventure

BY Laurie Myers STATS 128 pages, hardcover, $14.99 THE CRITICS SAY “By yielding a child’s-eye view of the war’s moral dilemma, the story offers an interesting conversational starting point for young readers new to the subject.” — Wall Street Journal “Sharp historical fiction, adeptly streamlined for reluctant readers.” — Publisher’s Weekly THEN READ THIS ONE Lewis and Clark and Me MORE www.lauriemyers.com

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16 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the exuberance of

high school musical 2 augusta players youth theatre perfect their lines and moves for this month’s performances

“I said keep an eye on them. Not turn them into the cast of Grease.”

— SHARPAY

Young faces – and voices – are gathered in a bleached, square choir practice room at the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Their position shifts from a line formation – grasping heartily, with lilts here and there, working to master some choreography along with a song – to a semicircle just before the makeshift aisles of chairs; ending in those aisles themselves, standing for a moment to get the words of the song right. Music director Brandon Brune is encouraging them to enunciate in order to produce a clear sound, though the words he emphasizes are “crispness” and “diction.” Pay attention to the words as well as the sound of the words, Brune seems to say. The youths soak it in; their eyes wide and faces stoic in that special way that indicates a type of focus that belies the fun they are obviously having being part of Disney’s wildly popular High School Musical phenomenon.

The Augusta Players Youth Theatre’s production of High School Musical 2 is well under way this summer. The success of the Youth Theatre’s production of the original High School Musical three years ago had the group, as the show’s director, Rebecca Pollard Brune, puts it, “practically begging…to do [the sequel].”

“Cheer up, Shar, it’s summer. We can do whatever we want to.”

— RYAN EVANS

There is no shortage of teenagers to fill out the cast of adolescent thespians, singers, dancers, Sharpettes and Wildcats. This cast is “the cream of the crop in the community,” Mrs. Brune says.

“These kids come from different backgrounds: I have kids who have taken ballet or dance their whole lives and I have some who have never done [such] and say ‘I am a sports person, but I just thought I would do this, because I like High School Musical,’ ” says Mrs. Brune, “so gelling all that together and getting them all on the same level has been challenging, but it has been fun.”

The musical styles presented in the show are as diverse as the cast and their ages (which range from 12 to 19).

“The music is surprisingly difficult,” admits Brune. “You would not think it would be coming from such a ‘poppy’ piece, but it [has] some very difficult music, there is a lot of nuance and lots of different styles of music… There is a harder rock kind of sound, there is a caramba, bossa nova, island music kind of

sound, and it is not that [any one style] is particularly difficult as much as honoring and staying true to each of those styles.”

High School Musical 2 continues the melodious adventures of the gang at East High School, starting at the end of the school year and going into the summer. Amid stressing over how to pay for college and his relationship with girlfriend Gabriella Montez (Elizabeth Canas), Troy Bolton (Justin Erxleben) decides to take a summer job, along with his close circle of friends at a country club, much to the chagrin of catty stage princess Sharpay Evans (Mary Hadsell). Sharpay’s family owns the club and she still has her eyes on Troy, as well as on undermining his friends’ plans to perform with Troy in an upcoming talent show.

The popularity of the High School Musical films and stage productions among young folk might be its relatability: It is story for and about high school kids, a light-hearted, popmusical stylized rendition of high school life (and arguably, high school story tropes, such as the handsome popular athlete or the conniving prima donna or mean girl that everyone loves to hate), and has proven to have struck a familiar and vibrant nerve in youth culture.

“I think it is like Grease was, at the time, in that the kids can relate to the story,” says Mrs. Brune.

The musical challenges of the show are interconnected with the acting challenges for some of the performers. Erxleben has found portraying the play’s hero as testing as getting a hold of the music and choreography. His part in the present production is his first lead role. Erxleben feels a little pushed to step outside of himself in order to fill his characters sneakers, so to speak.

“It is a lot different being in a show about high school when you

are out of high school already… It is different because I have to be more of a leader than I was before ... I have to get rid of my shyness and come out of my box. My acting is different because before, in the show that I was in [while] in high school, I was really just playing myself and my partner in the show was my best friend in real life. Here, I have to portray a certain person that is me, inside, a little bit, but is also a little different. A lot more is brought to the table and the bar is set,” he says.

High School Musical 2 boasts big shoes to fill in terms of its popularity and the sheer scope and sophistication of its production, but the young actors have risen to the occasion.

“Everyone has to be a leader, everyone is accountable to the music,” says Brune. “I am really big on being self-reliant, learning notes and rhythm problems themselves, so that we can come here and focus on sounding good as an ensemble. Everyone is accountable for the group sound.”

The directors and the performers have been following a rigorous rehearsal schedule for several weeks.

“It is just good old-fashioned fun, it is a laid-back piece, it is not pretentious, it is fun for the audiences and fun for the kids to perform,” says Brune.

Whatever one thinks of musicals, there is indeed something heartening about such devotion to an ensemble show that has captured hearts and catalyzed all manner of humming, singing and tapping feet, not for its loftiness but for its sweetness, for its good nature and for just being plain old fun.

by SKYLER ANDREWS photo HOLLY BIRDSONG

See the Show

WHAT High School Musical 2 WHERE Augusta Preparatory Day School 285 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez WHEN Friday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 30 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS $5 to $10 advance | $8 to $12 door MORE 706.826.4707 | AUGUSTAPLAYERS.ORG

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18 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

a photo shouts

a thousand words

eVERYDAY LIVING CAUGHT ON FILM

a day at the races The recent USA Cycling National Championships exceeded expectations according to Augusta Sports Council events manager Randy DuTeau, who estimated that several thousand spectators flooded downtown Augusta to watch 1,090 racers participate in the Criterium Challenge on June 24.

“Once again this shows that Augusta is capable of hosting these major national events, providing an exciting venue for all participants,” said DuTeau. “The economic impact is still being studied, but the event generated several thousand hotel room stays for a total impact that is probably over $2 million.”

The high speed, tightly cornered 1.2 kilometer circuit closed off parts of Broad and Ellis streets for a full day, and was one of four competitions that also included an endurance testing road race at Fort Gordon and time-trials at Lake Thurmond “We had some of the top amateur times in the country at this event, as well as a defending Olympic Champion racing to hold on to her title,” said DuTeau. “It was very exciting, and we are already looking at how we can make next year’s race even better.”

For the final event, the women’s elite riders were prepared to make 47 circuits, but the race was shortened to 20 laps because of weather. Shelley Olds, of Gilroy, Calif., came in first with a time of 34 minutes and 29 seconds. David Wenger, from Austin, Texas, won the men’s elite event with a time of one hour, 53 minutes and 40 seconds. article and photos CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 19

the rebirth of a community discover the quiet brilliance of cooperation Until a few years ago, the Laney-Walker and Bethlehem communities were not neighborhoods in which most people truly desired to live. In a city survey, 33 percent of the homes in Laney-Walker were rated below poor condition, and 20 percent of the land parcels were vacant. Bethlehem was worse, 70 percent of its homes were below poor condition, with a 30 percent vacancy rate.

In June 2009, it was revealed that then-District 1 commissioner Betty Beard owned rental property in the Laney-Walker neighborhood with no running water or electricity. In response, Beard issued a formal apology to the commission and demanded something be done to redevelop the inner city.

“I apologize for the condition of the property,” Beard said at the time. “I will make every effort to correct the situation, but why was I singled out as a slumlord when 92 percent of the homes in Laney-Walker have code violations?”

The commission agreed to Beard’s proposal to devote $7 million in bonds to neighborhood revitalization, with one exception.

Commissioner Don Grantham voted against the proposal, and said he would continue to do so until he was satisfied the Trade Exhibit and Event Center would be tied with anything going on in Laney-Walker and Bethlehem. Now, both sides are getting their wish.

The Laney-Walker and Bethlehem Community Redevelopment Initiative is transforming those downtown neighborhoods through construction of new homes and renovation of existing ones, interest-free loans to home owners, creating community green spaces, saving historic landmarks and unanimous support from the Augusta Commission.

“The commissioners and other leaders within the city have organized a quietly brilliant strategy for revitalizing the city.”

— MARTIN MELAVER

“I think the redevelopment of the Laney-Walker and Bethlehem neighborhoods is an awesome project,” said current District 1 Commissioner Matt Aitken. “To see what was not at first such a welcome project become nationally recognized and help people living in those areas has been a real pleasure for the whole city.”

“I think Augusta has moved as a city from not really being aware of Augusta’s urban core, to being aware but very skeptical, if not cynical, about its ability to transform, to a current status of being aware that something is going on down there,” said Martin Melaver, whose Melaver-McIntosh firm has been tasked with the overall marketing and branding strategy for this effort. “Most people do not yet know what to make of it, and cynicism dies hard, but it is starting to pique people’s interest.”

Much of the current emphasis is on Pine Street, which connects with Laney-Walker Boulevard and is zoned for 22 new houses.

Of the nine which have begun construction, four already have families living in them.

“All you have to do is walk along Pine Street and I think you would be hard pressed to say you would not consider living there,” said Melaver. “There is a beautiful little neighborhood where some very big things are happening. We are beginning vertical construction, but even that does not give you a true understanding of what’s behind all of it.”

What is really behind it all, according to Melaver, is collaborative planning beneath the surface, including an 18-month community outreach effort before construction even began.

By considering the needs of the people who live in the area, Melaver-McIntosh identified seven key goals of the project: eliminating blight, increasing single family home ownership, increasing affordable rental properties for senior citizens, rehabilitating older properties, creating green spaces throughout the community, increasing retail and commercial space while creating job opportunities, and celebrating the area’s African American heritage.

“The commissioners and other leaders within the city have organized a quietly brilliant strategy for revitalizing the city,” said Melaver.

However, Melaver’s firm is not the only one taking notice of this initiative, as a recent edition of the Harvard University Student Journal of Real Estate described the effort as “a ‘one-of-a-kind’ approach that could be a ‘game-changing’ model for how cities are revitalized.”

“All the behind the scenes activity that is involved in this does not get out to the public that often,” said Patty McIntosh, of Melaver-McIntosh. “It is brilliant because of the way the plan is structured to get the city to help itself. All across the country we are seeing movement into urban core areas, and those cities that have something going on like this are going to be the winners.”

This quiet brilliance is thanks in part to a $1-per-night hotel tax passed in 2008, of which half is going to fund the redevelopment effort in Laney-Walker, and the rest will support the TEE center being built on the riverfront. City developers hope that this modest tourist tax will go to increase overall tourism by attracting people to visit the African American Heritage Trail being planned for the historically black neighborhood.

“We have identified 150 African American points of interest, so now we are just working out how to design the trail and how to build it, using as references other cities who have built heritage trails like this one,” said Augusta Housing and Community

20 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

Development Department Director Chester Wheeler. “Here you have local government playing the role of the developer, proving that while our neighborhood has always had a vision, we now have the resources to make revitalization happen.”

A recent edition of the Harvard University Student Journal of Real Estate described the effort as “a ‘one-of-a-kind’ approach that could be a ‘game-changing’ model for how cities are revitalized.”

“There is a really unique funding strategy at work here, but more than that you don’t normally see a government agency taking the lead and being the master developer with support from private agencies,” said McIntosh. “It’s usually the other way around.”

In 2010, the city issued the first of what would become $8 million in bonds to jumpstart the project, which has already cost millions in land acquisition and new construction.

“Right now, the whole cost of development is supported by local dollars,” said Wheeler. “We are hoping as we pick up the momentum the private developers will take over and that way local government has a minimum impact on the private sector, but they still rebuild their tax base and make life better for the families and individuals living in an urban setting.”

That cost of development includes the architecture, engineering and construction of 130 units planned through 2014 in the neighborhood. It also includes buying incentives such as limited-time zero-interest loans available to Laney-Walker and Bethlehem homeowners for up to $40,000.

“The buyer has to borrow as much as they can from the bank but we cover closing costs and gap financing, which is the difference between the amount you can borrow and the sales price,” said Wheeler. “We grant a 30-year lien to the buyers, but we never take a penny more than what we have invested in the property in the first place, and in return we get a revived neighborhood where people want to live, work and play, we get new homes with happy families in them, and we increase the city’s revenue by increasing the value of the property.”

FAR RIGHT: HISTORIC HOMES ARE BEING RESTORED | MIDDLE: CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES | ABOVE: THE HERITAGE PINES NEIGHBORHOOD EMERGES | BELOW: MINIMARIE ANDREWS AND HER DAUGHTER ON THE FRONT PORCH OF THEIR NEW HOME

“Four decades of blight cannot just be turned around overnight, but the leadership from all corners of Augusta is cohesing around this revitalization effort for a project that is truly inspiring,” said Melaver. “I see this as a project that celebrates the restoration of a wonderful legacy, that serves to connect the various, separated parts of Augusta and will literally transform Augusta’s urban core.”

Following completion of the Pine Street area, project managers hope to redevelop the area where Wrightsboro Road and James Brown Boulevard meet Twiggs Street by adding a traffic roundabout, 40 townhomes and four new single-family homes.

Powell Pointe, as it is already being called, should be approved for funding by the end of the year for market-rate housing and historical restoration.

ADP Urban Planning and Management has drafted plans for at least three other neighborhoods which they hope to make progress on before 2014, most of them along Wrightsboro Road, which separates the Laney-Walker and Bethlehem neighborhoods.

“The goal is to attract private development as we are still putting in public investment, hoping that five private dollars go in for every one public dollar.’.”

— warren campbell

“We are talking about a 50-year horizon for continued revitalization,” said Warren Campbell, the senior project manager with APD Urban Planning and Management. “The goal is to attract private development as we are still putting in public investment, hoping that five private dollars go in for every one public dollar. As you see activity going on in the area and revitalization happening, others will want to follow suit.”

The quiet brilliance that makes this plan a national model is inspiring other cities in the state, such as Americus, where officials have already viewed a presentation on the effectiveness of this plan and might be preparing something similar. However, for the residents of Heritage Pines, who held their first Blocks are Beautiful block party May 7, the improvements in their own neighborhood are all the proof they need of the plan’s success.

“The largest workforce we have in Augusta is downtown, and we also go downtown for our entertainment, good restaurants and festivals,” said Meybohm Real Estate agent Elmyria Chivers.

“Before now, individuals had not been given the choice to live downtown, but now that they are they are flocking to the area because they like the types of homes we are building.”

Chivers has sold every house on Pine Street that has finished construction, expressing surprise that the houses seem to be selling faster than they are made. There are 14 units available, which Chivers hopes will increase to 22 by the end of the year.

“When you go to the neighborhood it feels comfortable and it is attractive to people from all social groups and income levels,” she said. “Augusta is growing and, as it grows, it is quickly becoming one of the nation’s nicest cities to live in. The people that live in these houses love Augusta, and when tourists come downtown, they will also get to see what makes Augusta unique.”

So far, that uniqueness consists of a wide variety of individuals who have purchased homes at Heritage Pines, including doctors,

“...we get a revived neighborhood where people want to live, work and play, we get new homes with happy families and we increase the city’s revenue by increasing the value of the property.”

— CHESTER WHEELER

educators, and families who love Augusta. Minimarie Andrews, who was the first to buy and move into one of these houses, hopes that the cheerful makeup of the neighborhood reflects a growing trend for the city of Augusta as a whole.

“After college I always wanted to come back home and purchase a house in the area that I grew up in,” she said. “I saw them developing the area, and since I already work with some local kids I thought that owning a home here would be another great way to give back to the community I love.” article and photos by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 21

22 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

fresh food bites an average joe’s guide to eating healthier

The Hot Dog Days of Summer

healthy tuna from

chow bella simple tips and recipes on cooking with natural goodness

It is no surprise that July is National Hot Dog Month. Of the $2 billion that Americans spend annually on hot dogs, a good bit went to purchase the more than 150 million hot dogs American’s consumed on July 4 alone.

Wieners might have arrived in the United States from Bavaria by way of Germany but, somewhere along the way, they found their way into the melting pot of America to become a permanent part of our culture. No better proof can be found than in the 30 million hot dogs eaten at ballparks annually. Some might question whether the hot dog is truly a summertime staple. If the 7 billion dogs wolfed down between Memorial Day and Labor Day is not enough evidence, then you have either flunked math or just happen to be a vegetarian (and there is nothing wrong with that).

CHILE TUNA WRAPS

Hearty meats make it hard for loyal carnivores to stick to leaner, cleaner meats such as fish. Fortunately, for me, there is tuna.

Call it coincidence or just plain good fortune, but July also happens to be National Grilling Month AND National Baked Bean Month. It is like the cookout gods came together and created this month to be a slice of summertime heaven. The best part about the whole thing is that it does not matter what kind of dogs you like – tossing a turkey, chicken, vegan or even the classic pork-filled hot dog on a grill has this magical way of making it taste great. To top it off, you can put about anything on a hot dog and it fits.

You can go with classic mustard and ketchup (except in Chicago, of course) or cover your dog in everything from cheese to relish to slaw to chili and on and on. This, of course, means you can go as healthy or unhealthy as you want. Although if you really think about it, unless you just cover your dog in grease, there are not many things to put on a dog that are simply downright bad for you. Some things might be a bit high in sugar, but otherwise pretty tame. Interestingly, over the last four years, Americans have been more concerned with the hotdog itself than what they put ON their hot dogs.

Sales of traditional dogs have declined while their more expensive organic counterparts have seen a sales increase of more than 50 percent. This is a sign that Americans are watching their health and are willing to spend a little more for things that are grown locally or, in most cases, regionally. While hot dogs are simply nothing more than a blend of meat, fat and water, even traditionally made hot dogs of chicken or turkey can be less healthy than organic beef dogs because of the amount of sodium and nitrates used to make traditional wieners.

For years, hot dogs have been an economical food value. For the average adult the consumption of traditional “cheap” dogs is probably not that big of a deal (unless you just happen to stop at the convenience store every day and grab one). If you do not eat them every day, what would be so bad about splurging a little and getting that delicious organic wiener at a local grocer, grilling it up and placing it on a soft whole wheat hot dog bun and adding a nice topping of home-made low-sugar slaw?

And while you are at it, make one for me!

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON

John believes that anyone can learn to eat healthier - in small steps - taking one bite at a time.

I love tuna, especially a good tuna salad, but am less adventurous when it comes to other sea-faring creatures, not because of the taste, but because of my distrust in how the fish is prepared. Fish is something that takes some skill and love to prepare properly. I do not always succeed myself. I am grateful that there are healthy options for canned tuna in this day and age, because you really cannot go wrong with a homemade tuna salad when fresh ingredients are added. I would definitely stick with an albacore tuna in water, as opposed to oil.

Looking through tuna salad recipes, I was disappointed to find how much mayonnaise is used; two cups in some, even more in others. Mayonnaise is usually not a friend to those of us that are trying to eat cleaner and healthier. The calories in one tablespoon of regular mayonnaise are typically around 49.

Let’s do a little math: 49 calories multiplied by 16 tablespoons multiplied by 2 (for 2 cups) equals 1,568 calories. That counts only the calories of the mayonnaise required in most tuna salads. I might as well just eat a big bowl of mayonnaise because, on my diet, that is almost my daily intake of calories for the day.

Fortunately, there are other options for those that love the taste of mayonnaise and love to cook with it. I recently discovered Nayonnaise, which is an egg-free vegan mayonnaise alternative that is even more delicious than regular mayonnaise. The selling point is the 10 calories per tablespoon, which is a lot more reasonable when not wanting to add empty calories.

Some folks substitute yogurt or choose a half mayo/half no-fat sour cream alternative. All that to say there are alternatives to our good ol’ favorites.

For this recipe, I add a lot less mayonnaise then most recipes and, instead, increase the celery or whatever vegetables you might want to include. Also, instead of starchy bread find, veggie tortilla wraps for a yummy alternative. I am in love with Maria and Ricardo’s Tortillas I found at Earth Fare. For this recipe, I chose a Chile wrap – so delicious. (I also like to have a few bags around the house for impromptu snacks for my daughter, Emma; they make easy quesadillas or veggie and cream cheese wraps.) The secret in recipe is to use spices instead of extra mayonnaise for flavor – here we are using Chile powder, adobo and mustard to give it a little kick. This is a really simple salad and takes only a few minutes to prepare. As long as you have most of these staples in your home, you can whip it up for a nice lunch or a light dinner. Enjoy. article and photos by ELIZABETH BENSON

PUMP IT UP Almost any chopped vegetable can add zest (and vitamin power) to tuna salad.

Try fennel bulbs, red pepper or sun-dried tomatoes.

For natural sweetness, toss in a handful of shredded carrots.

from chow bella’s kitchen: CHILE TUNA WRAPS

Stuffed with healthy tuna and spices, these wraps make a great summer supper.

INGREDIENTS: Two cans white albacore tune in water ¾ c. Nayonnaise 1 tbsp. Chile powder ½ tbsp. adobo seasoning ½ tbsp. prepared mustard 3 stalks of celery diced DIRECTIONS: Mix all items together and serve on a tortilla wrap.

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 23

24 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

new tracks for within

reason

band returns to augusta for playground show

Back in the studio to track their third album, Birmingham, Ala., rock band Within Reason — vocalist Chris Dow, bassist David Koonce, drummer Griffin Zarbough and guitarist Matt Barnes — are taking a different approach. With Nick Chahwala producing at Namaste Studios in Atlanta, the band is recording a full-length disc but will release it in two parts as separate EPs. It is a unique concept, says Koonce, but one that makes sense in keeping with the constantly changing music industry paradigm.

Verge: How far along are you with this new album?

Koonce: We started preproduction in March and have two more songs to arrange. Hopefully it will be out in late August. The first record had eight tracks, the second one had 10, and this one we’re cutting in half to release two fivesong EPs. One will come out in August and the other one in late January or early February.

This will keep the buzz going, and also some of the songs didn’t match and the feel of an entire record would have been strange.

Verge: Was the decision to release two EPs somewhat influenced by the fact that people now buy one song at a time on iTunes?

Koonce: Absolutely, that’s the reason we are doing it. We are afraid that releasing a 10-song album, and then another year and a half, and six months to record — it is almost to the point that unless you are a giant band, you are out of sight and mind from people’s attention spans.

Verge: You have a very interesting and diverse musical background. The Beach Boys were your first concert.

Koonce: I remember the entire night. It was after a baseball game in 1987. I was with my parents. The stadium chairs had flip seats and I remember riding mine like a surfboard. Mike Love told a joke about how there would be no songs about cars. Everyone laughed, but my 8-year-old brother and I didn’t think it was a joke.

Verge: Is that the night you decided to be a musician?

Koonce: No, that was April 28, 1995, and I remember the details about that night, too. The

Allman Brothers were playing in Birmingham.

I was 14 and not allowed to go, so I told my parents I was going to my buddy’s house. We had tickets and we knew we’d get caught, but we had to go. The show started and I knew what I had to do with my life. The last song they played was “Whipping Post,” and to this day I still get a creepy feeling when I hear it, because I knew I would have to face the music of my parents knowing where I was. When I got home, my dad was waiting for me. I told him where I had been and he grounded me for a month. At 14 that didn’t suck as bad as it would at 16 or 17. I couldn’t drive, so where could I go? But he understood where I was in my life. I was getting my hands on all the music I could. I was digging back as far as I could to the 1960s and 1970s. Four or five years ago, I tracked down an audio and video of that concert on the Internet.

Verge: How has your musical education helped shape you as a musician and songwriter in Within Reason?

Koonce: Certain bands and songs remind me of where I was in life; they’re my mental Rolodex. I like to do that with my songs. I’ve been writing seriously for ten years and I learned through the process. Whatever I feel in a certain situation is what comes out. I don’t try to force or mold it. Hopefully that comes out when people hear our music. When we play, in certain instances I feel the emotions I felt when the songs were written; it takes me back to that. We hope that our fans can feel that and maybe our songs stick with them as something that’s going on in their lives. That’s what we’re after.

by ALISON RICHTER

See the Show

WHO Within Reason + Eye of Abram WHERE The Playground Bar | 978 Broad St. WHEN Friday, July 15 at 9 p.m.

TICKETS $5 MORE withinreasonmusic.com

eat lightning SKY CITY on july 15

Kurt Garin, Albert Omstead and Adam Hoyt began writing songs together five summers ago. Since then, their band, Eat Lightning, has brought a refreshing sound to modern music. Best described as honest rock ‘n’ roll, it is easy to see how they are drawn from the same vein as The Rolling Stones or Buddy Holly. Verge spoke with the band to learn more about where they have come from, their self-produced albums and what it means to Eat Lightning.

Over the years, how has Eat Lightning evolved?

We started out as a three-piece and all we wanted to do was get some songs together and play them for people. That took a while, to get everything clicking right. Then, we began recording. We released The Walls Have Mice and the Mice Have Ears which was our first attempt. After recording ourselves for a while and adding layers to our songs, we figured it would be cool to add a fourth member to thicken up our live sound. Jeremiah (Johnson) came in and what he was coming up with fit. We recorded I Saw the Light right away with him and have been playing shows as a threeand four-piece band ever since.

How does new material differ from your older material?

We started out with no vocals at all and a little bit edgier sound. So it has developed a lot. If anything, our new stuff is simpler than the old stuff. We have around 50 songs written. We don’t remember most of them. We have 13 recorded with plans to record more. We always try to move forward and try not to get hung up on the old songs.

What is your creative process in writing songs?

Usually there is already an idea for a song. Maybe it is missing a bridge, or maybe it is just a chorus or just a melody. Sometimes, the song comes pretty easy. When there is an idea, we practice it, try out some different chords for the missing verse or bridge, and put the pieces together. One thing we try to be aware of is the length of a song. We try not to make them too long.

Who are your biggest influences?

R&B and garage rock sounds of the ‘60s and some current bands, too. I guess we try to mix the two. We don’t want to sound old or anything, but we try to keep some roots to our music. Basically, we all listen to a lot of music. To name one or two or 100 would probably be easy. David Bowie, James Brown, Pixies, the Ramones, the Supremes, Phil Spector, Spiritualized, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, the Kinks, Michael Jackson, A.A. Bondy, MC5, The Plastic Ono Band, The Rolling Stones, Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding...

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Pets and sports.

Do you have a favorite song to perform?

Albert: “All the Way” because it was a song with a hook that people recognized.

Adam: “Honey Ryder” | Kurt: “The Fool” ‘cause I always liked the way that song moves.

Last question: Where does the name originate?

Eat Lightning comes from the movie Rocky when Mickey tells Rocky: “You’re gonna eat lightning and you’re gonna crap thunder!”

by ASHLEY PLOCHA

See the Show

WHO Turf War + Eat Lightning + Shaun Piazza Band WHERE Sky City | 1057 Broad St. WHEN Saturday, July 16 at 10 p.m.

TICKETS $5 MORE eatlightning.bandcamp.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 25

the

film reel NOW PLAYING ON THE BIG SCREEN

Nearly ten years after Harry Potter made his film debut, the young wizard’s coming-of-age story has reached its final chapter, marking the end of an era for Warner Bros. Pictures. Fans of writer J.K. Rowling’s pop culture phenomenon have already devoured the last pages of this saga in print, but the lengthy seventh and final Harry Potter book was split into two films, the first of which opened in November. Now, the second half of Potter’s last stand brings the climactic end of the series as HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART TWO opens July 15 in 2D, 3D and IMAX. Viewers have watched Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson grow from gawky preteens to successful adults in their roles as Harry, Ron and Hermione, respectively. This ultimate tale of good versus evil also includes Ralph Fiennes as Harry’s dark nemesis – Lord Voldemort, plus Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Gary Oldman, and many more familiar faces. This is the fourth Potter film helmed by director David Yates.

The PG-13 wizard saga’s only competition comes from Disney – the studio is bringing back a beloved character in a G-rated feature. WINNIE THE POOH returns the company to its hand-drawn animated roots when CGI Pixar-type animation has become the over-played norm. The familyfriendly entertainment giant hopes to find a new audience more than 50 years after bringing writer A.A. Milne’s honey-obsessed pot-bellied bear to life onscreen. Tigger, Eeyore and other series regulars join Pooh and his young human friend Christopher Robin in this update that will remind fans of all ages how precious our imaginations can be.

July 22 brings Marvel comic fans a patriotic superhero tale as Chris Evans (Fantastic Four) steps into the role of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER. At first a scrawny soldier, Evans’ character is transformed into a musclebound hero set on defending the U.S. from an archetypal comic book villain (Hugo Weaving) during the World War II era. Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci also star in this superhero adventure from director Joe Johnston, whose other period films include The Rocketeer and October Sky. Evans will reprise his role as Captain America in The Avengers, which is set to open next May and will also showcase Marvel big-screen heroes such as Iron Man, Thor and The Incredible Hulk.

The week’s other opener features Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis in roles very similar to those of Kunis’ former costars Natalie Portman (Black Swan) and Ashton Kutcher (That ‘70s Show) in January’s critically underwhelming rom-com No Strings Attached. Timberlake and Kunis play newly-single platonic friends who decide to use each other for non-committal, non-emotional sex in FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS. Director Will Gluck (Easy A) takes the reins for this comedy that revisits the central question from the ultimate rom-com classic, When Harry Met Sally: Can men and women be friends without sex (and its perceived romantic implications) getting in the way?

The July 29 box office boasts three buzz-worthy openers, including producer-director Jon Favreau’s latest, COWBOYS & ALIENS. The sci-fi/Western mash-up stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford and was produced by some true Hollywood heavyweights, including Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.

Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling work out their problems with women in CRAZY STUPID LOVE. The film comes from the directorial team behind the controversial prison romance I Love You, Phillip Morris. Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon also star.

Little blue animated creatures from the ‘80s follow in the footsteps of Alvin and the Chipmunks with their own live-action/CGI-animated hybrid in 3D. This feature-length update finds THE SMURFS following a nervous businessman (Neil Patrick Harris) around New York City after falling through a weird portal from their fictional world. They spend the film outrunning and outwitting their nemesis, Gargamel (Hank Azaria). Singer Katy Perry lends her voice to Smurfette.

by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU

26 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the

daily planner

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

JUl 13 to AUG 5

[ Rivers, Rails and Roads ] The Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta opens the doors on July 16 to its new permanent exhibit, Rivers, Rails and Roads, that interprets the history of Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell and Orangeburg counties.

Six chronological stories are explored in the Rivers, Rails and Roads exhibit – American Indians that lived in this region, stories from railroad era, the early agricultural practices of the South, industrial history, the Civil War and surrounding recreational opportunities.

The AHCNA also serves as a South Carolina National Heritage Corridor Discovery Center: a heritage attraction designed to send visitors out to designated sites.

“The Corridor is pleased the Arts and Heritage Center will be the new home of the Heritage Corridor Discovery Center. North Augusta is located in the geographic center of the Corridor, the municipal center is a beautiful facility and the Arts and Heritage Center provides quality service to visitors. We are proud to call North Augusta a partner,” said Michelle McCollum, the president of the SCNHC. WHAT Rivers, Rails and Road Open House WHERE The Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta | 100 Georgia Ave. WHEN Saturday, July 16 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | free MORE 803.441.4380 or artsandheritagecenter.com The Daily Planner is our selective guide to what is going on in the city during the next two weeks. IF YOU WANT TO BE LISTED: Submit information by email (events@vergelive.com) or by mail (verge, P.O. Box 38, Augusta, GA 30903). Details of the event - date, time, venue address, telephone number and admission price - should be included. Listings included are accurate at press time, check with specific venues for further details.

WEDNESDAY

7.13

FOR KIDS CAMPING SAFETY

with Mistletoe State Park.

Columbia County Library; 2 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.821.2600

WINE SECOND WEDNESDAY WINE TASTING Great summer wines

THURSDAY

7.14

FOR KIDS STORY TIME

Inspiration Sensation. Pendleton King Park; 10 a.m.; free; 1738 Pine Tree Road; 706.821.2600

FiLM FOREIGN FILM The Hidden Fortress

(Japanese), directed by Akira Kurosawa. Headquarters Library; 6 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS BRICKS4KIDZ (Legos) Harlem Library;

6 p.m.; free; 375 N. Louisville St., Harlem; 706.556.9795

ART Civil War Redux: Pinhole Photographs

by Willie Anne WrighT OPENING Artist Willie Anne

Wright discusses her unique photographic images of Civil War reenactors. Reception with the artist follows. The Morris Museum of Art; 6 p.m.; free; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

CONCERT MUSIC IN THE PARK Savannah River Brass

sampled with the delicious food.

Reservations required. The Bees Knees; 6 p.m.; $15; 211 10th St.; 706.724.1442

Works. Enjoy live music in this beautiful park setting.

Maude Edenfield Park; 7 p.m.; free; 400 Buena Vista Ave., North Augusta; 803.442.7588

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs.

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs.

Jacksonville Suns. Play Baseball Bingo. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889

Jacksonville Suns. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889

FRIDAY

7.15

sports AUGUSTA SOUTHERN NATIONALS

The world’s richest drag races!

Enjoy a weekend of Thunder on the River. Augusta Riverwalk Marina; $5 to $60; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 1 Fifth St.; 803.278.4849 tixonline.com

FOR KIDS Bricks 4 Kidz (Legos) Headquarters Library; 9:30 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

CONCERT FREEMANS

Talatha Baptist Church; 6 p.m.; 361 Talatha Church Road, Aiken; 803.649.9413

THEATRE HERE ON THE FLIGHT PATH This comedy

chronicles the adventures of John Cummings, “a wouldbe ladies man” and three attractive young ladies. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m.; $25 to $40; 32100 Third Ave.; 706.793.8552 FORTGORDON.COM

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs.

Jacksonville Suns. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889

THEATRE THE GENERAL AND HIS LADY Enopion

Theatre Company presents this original musical depicting the story of William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, and his wife, Catherine.

The Kroc Center; 8 p.m.; $10 to $15; 1833 Broad St.; 706.771.7777 ENOPION.COM

THEATRE THE ALTOS An interactive musical comedy mystery spoof based on the HBO series The Sopranos. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.; $12; 126 Newberry St. Aiken; 803.648.1438 ACP1011.COM oUTDOORS FULL MOON HIKE Southeastern Natural

Sciences Academy staff lead a 2.5 mile walking tour. Participants might encounter owls, frogs, beavers, bats and other night creatures.. Registration required.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; $6 to $10; 9 p.m.; 1858 Lock and Dam Road; 706.828.2109

SATURDAY

7.16

SPORTS AUGUSTA SOUTHERN NATIONALS

See listing July 15. Augusta Riverwalk Marina; $5 to $60; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 1 Fifth St.

[ CLAYS FOR A CAUSE ] SafeHomes of Augusta, Inc. presents a unique fundraiser July 30 – a trap shooting competition at Pinetucky Gun Club – to “take aim at domestic violence.”

SafeHomes assists more than 1,000 women and children each year who are victims of domestic violence by providing shelter and other services.

The entry fee includes two rounds of trap and ammunition, snacks and beverages, a cookout and beer and wine (after the shooting ends). Preregistration is required by July 15. Sign up over the phone: 706.736.2499 or pick up a registration form at the SafeHomes office, Academy Sports, Sidney’s Department Store or Waldens.

WHERE Pinetucky Gun Club | pinetucky.homestead.com WHEN Saturday, July 30 | 2 p.m. check-in | 7 p.m. dinner TICKETS $85 individual | $350 team | $ 25 dinner only MORE 706.736.2499 | SAFEHOMESOFAUGUSTA.ORG

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 27

28 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

SATURDAY

7.16

FOR KIDS TOUCH-A-TRUCK DAY Learn what it’s like to be in big trucks. Children can climb, sit and play on a bulldozer, police car, ambulance and other vehicles. H. Odell Weeks Center; 9 a.m.; free; 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken; 803.642.7631

HISTORY GRAND OPENING Rivers, Rails and Roads See article on page 27.

Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free; 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; 803.441.4380

FILM Winnie the Pooh

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

CONCERT SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Joe Patchen The Augusta

Mall invites families to enjoy live music, prizes, store offers and shopping. Augusta Mall Food Court; 7 p.m.; free; 3450 Wrightsboro Road

THEATRE HERE ON THE FLIGHT PATH See listing

July 15.

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. Savannah Sand Gnats with fireworks.

Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889

THEATRE THE ALTOS See listing July 15.

THEATRE THE GENERAL AND HIS LADY

See listing July 15. The Kroc Center; 8 p.m.; $10 to $15

SUNDAY

7.17

CONCERT THE OPAL STRING QUARTET Enjoy

romantic and modern works by this emerging ensemble from Asheville, North Carolina.

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

THEATRE THE ALTOS See listing July 15. Aiken Community Playhouse; 3 p.m.; $12; 126 Newberry St., Aiken JAZZ CANDLELIGHT JAZZ: Tribute to Clifford Brown featuring A Step Up. The River Stage at the Eighth St. Bulkhead; 8 p.m.; $6; 2 Eighth St.; 706.495.6238 GARDENCITYJAZZ.COM

MONDAY

7.18

FOR KIDS OUR FRIENDS IN CHINA Create a Chinese fan with tissue paper. Ages 6 to 10.

Maxwell Branch Library; 3 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020 ECGRL.ORG

CONCERT DOUG AND THE HENRYS Bring a picnic, blanket

and lawn chairs for an evening of music outdoors. Hopelands Gardens; 7 p.m.; free; 135 Dupree Place, Aiken; 803.642.7631

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. Savannah Sand Gnats Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889 GREENJACKETS.NET

AUDITIONS THE 39 STEPS

Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan. The cast of four plays more than 140 characters in this fast-paced comedy. Parts for three men, one woman; show dates Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; free; 32100 Third Ave.; 706.793.8552 FORTGORDON.COM

TUESDAY

7.19

FOR KIDS LIONS Listen to stories about lions and make your own lion mask. For ages 6 to 12. Limited to 20 participants.

Registration required. Diamond Lakes Library; 10 a.m.; free; Diamond Lakes Regional Park; 706.722.2432 ECGRL.ORG FOR KIDS K-9 DOGS

Presented by the Richmond County Sheriff ’s Department.

Friedman Library; 10 a.m.; free; 1447 Jackson Road; 706.736.6758

FOR KIDS ANIMAL SOUNDS AROUND THE WORLD Headquarters Library; 10 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

LITERARY LUNCH BUNCH BOOK DISCUSSION Miles

to Go (sequel to The Walk) by Richard Paul Evans. Discussion of one man’s inspirational journey across the country.

Headquarters Library; 11:30 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

FOR KIDS TIE-DYE T-SHIRTS Bring your own

cotton T-shirt. Go traditional or be innovative. For ages 14 to 17. Limited to 12 participants.

Registration required. Diamond Lakes Library; 2 p.m.; free; Diamond Lakes Regional Park; 706.722.2432 ECGRL.ORG

FILM Yogi Bear Rated PG. Maxwell Branch Library; 2:30 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020 FILM Rango Rated PG. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 EXERCISE ZUMBA JAMMING with Joey Cummings. Get fit with this hour of fun and exercise. Aiken County Public Library; 7 p.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St., Aiken

AUDITIONS THE 39 STEPS

Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan.

The cast of four plays over 140 characters in this fast-paced comedy. Parts for three men, one woman; show dates Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; free; 32100 Third Ave.; 706.793.8552 FORTGORDON.COM

WEDNESDAY

7.20

FOR KIDS SCIENCE ACTIVITY Hands-on activity

presented by Nate Hobbs of Reed Creek Park. Friedman Library; 4 p.m.; free; 1447 Jackson Road; 706.736.6758 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS INSECT INVESTIGATIONS Learn

about our 6-legged friends and catch and release insects with bug nets in different areas of the park. For ages 5 and up.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. Reed Creek Nature Park and Interpretive Center; 10 a.m.; $2, free for members; 3820 Park Lane; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

the

daily planner

[ JUMP AND JIVE WITH THE JAMP KIDS ]

FOR TEENS CHOCO-LATTE CRAFT Learn to make crafts

with coffee stirrers. offee and candy bar themed games.

Maxwell Branch Library; 1 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020

THURSDAY

7.21

FOR KIDS THE BREMEN TOWN MUSICIANS Porkchop Productions presents this telling of the classic German fairy tale, which includes music, songs and a chance for audience members to become part of the story.

Diamond Lakes Library; 10 a.m.; free; Diamond Lakes Regional Park; 706.722.2432 ECGRL.ORG

The J.B. Academy of Musik Pupils, 15 talented students between the ages of 4 and 15, will perform a JAMP’cert at the Augusta Museum of History on July 15.

FOR KIDS STORY TIME

“I am so thankful we can have it there because my dad’s exhibit is there,” said Deanna Brown Thomas, the president of the James Brown Family Children Foundation and organizer of JAMP. “The [students] are going to be uniformed and looking nice, and people are going to see that music is powerful and it’s going to change the lives of these kids forever.”

LITERARY BROWN BAG BOOK DISCUSSION Hotel on

This is the first year for the group, which Brown hopes to eventually expand into a year-round workshop with help from her hosts at the C.H. Terrell Academy, and was inspired by Brown’s father, the late, great James Brown.

Children’s Librarian: Eileen McCoy. Pendleton King Park; 10 a.m.; free; 1738 Pine Tree Road; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

the Corner of Bitter & Sweet By Jamie Ford. Columbia County Library; 11:30 a.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.863.1946 ECGRL.ORG

EDUCATION GENEALOGY TIPS AND TRICKS

for Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest.com. Learn how to search for genealogical information using these online tools. Registration required.

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

FILM TRON LEGACY Rated PG. Maxwell Branch Library; 2:30 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020 ECGRL.ORG ART ABOUT FACE AND THE ART OF THE MILITARY EXHIBIT OPENING Exhibit

will display the works of more than 20 regional artists. The Art of Military will showcase the works of Elizabeth Tudor. Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta; 6 p.m.; $1 to $3; 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; 803.441.4380

EDUCATION COUPONING WITH CAROL Learn how to

“Music was a God given gift to him, but he could not read music,” Brown said. “He had a perfect ear and he could compose, but he could not actually read the notes early on. He stopped going to regular school in the eighth grade, and he said no other kid should ever have to go through that.”

James Brown also expressed concern over the direction of the music industry, inspiring another important goal of JAMP – to reintroduce soul music to Augusta.

“This is something that is a vision my father gave me because he talked about this so very much,” she said. “He was very concerned about where the music industry was going and he was not happy at all about the vulgarity and degrading of races and women he heard on the radio, and he said good clean music has to make a comeback. Where else do you start but with children, so their love of music can grow throughout their life.”

For this year’s program, students auditioned and were chosen for their talent and willingness to learn. The camp also recruited three junior counselors from local high schools, Karen Gordon from Garden City Jazz and Scott Richardson, the band director at Warren County High School. The classes also introduce special guests each week, including James Brown’s former trumpet player Joe Collier and guitar player Keith Jenkins.

“Some of this music is very repetitious and there are a lot of small parts you have to play over and over again,” Jenkins said as he taught in a recent session. “But you have to be paying attention, you cannot just have everybody going off to play their own thing. The band has to work together.”

“These students have just met, yet even the first day they were able to come together and work like they have known each other for years,” said Brown. “You would not believe the talent of some of these kids. But it is more than just a camp; I also want to teach them some of the morals and principles my dad taught me.” | article and photo by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

save thousands on your grocery bill. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

WHERE Augusta Museum of History | 560 Reynolds St. WHEN Friday, July 15 | 7 p.m. TICKETS Free MORE The Terrell Academy 706.736.6216 | jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org

GOOD CAUSE THE 1,000,000 SOLES PROJECT Fundraiser for

FOR TEENS YOUTH CAMP

1 Million Soles International, who is working to help rebuild areas of Haiti devastated by recent earthquakes.

First Baptist Church of Augusta; 6:30 p.m.; free; 3500 Walton Way ONEMILLIONSOLES.ORG

FILM MORNING GLORY

Rated PG-13, directed by Roger Michell. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

Featuring Christian metal band Abandon. Faith Baptist Church; 7 p.m.; free; 600 Chamblin Road, Grovetown

CONCERT MUSIC IN THE PARK Doug and the Henrys.

See listing July 14. Maude Edenfield Park; 7 p.m.; free

THEATRE THE GENERAL AND HIS LADY

See listing July 15. The Kroc Center; 8 p.m.; $10 to $15

FRIDAY

7.22

LITERARY BOOK SIGNING

Dr. Debi Toporoff, the author of the Roscoe children’s series, OOPS! Wrong Family and When God Came Down will be on hand to sign copies of her books.

Headquarters Library; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS HOW DOES THE EARTH WORK? What if there was no gravity on Earth?

Where do clouds come from?

What would happen if we ran out of water? Take a look at the forces that shape our Earth. For ages 7 and up. Pre-registration required. Reed Creek Nature Park and Interpretive Center; 4:30 p.m.; $2, free for members; 3820 Park Lane; 706.210.4027

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 29

30 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the

[ BURLESQUE MAKES A COME BACK ]

7.22

FOR KIDS FLOWER HUNTER Presented by

the Morris Museum of Art. Headquarters Library; 9:30 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

THEATRE HERE ON THE FLIGHT PATH See listing July

15. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m.; $40

THEATRE THE ALTOS See

listing July 15. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.; $12; 126 Newberry St., Aiken

THEATRE THE GENERAL AND HIS LADY

See listing July 15. The Kroc Center; 8 p.m.; $10 to $15

SATURDAY

7.23

EXPO BACK TO SCHOOL EXPO Presented by The

Augusta Chronicle. Christenberry Fieldhouse; 10 a.m.; free; 3109 Wrightsboro Road; 706.823.3476 AUGUSTACHRONICLE.COM

OUTDOORS POND EXPLORATION With dip nets, explore and learn about what animals live in the pond; be prepared to get a little wet and muddy; for ages 5 and up. Reed Creek Wetlands Interpretative Center; 10 a.m.; $2, free for members; 3820 Park Lane; 706.210.4027

FILM Rango Rated PG. Headquarters Library; 2 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

THEATRE THE GENERAL AND HIS LADY See listing July 15.

SUNDAY

7.24

SPORTS SOUL CITY SIRENS vs. the Apocalypstix.

Red Wing Rollerway; 6 p.m.; $10 to $12, children under 12 free; 3065 Washington Road SOULCITYSIRENS.COM

JAZZ CANDLELIGHT JAZZ:

Preston&Weston featuring Sandra Simmons. The River Stage at the 8th Street Bulkhead; 8 p.m.; $6; 2 Eighth St.; 706.495.6238

MONDAY

7.25

FILM LESS THAN 2 MINUTE FILM FESTIVAL

View short films submitted during the contest and vote for fan favorite. Ages 12 and older.

Diamond Lakes Library; 6 p.m.; free; Diamond Lakes Regional Park; 706.722.2432 ECGRL.ORG

CONCERT ABATSU AFRICAN DRUMMERS & Dancers See event listing July

FOR KIDS DANCE WITH JOSLYNN Headquarters

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

THEATRE HERE ON THE FLIGHT PATH See listing

July 15.

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. Hickory

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. Hickory

THURSDAY

Crawdads. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889

Crawdads Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889 GREENJACKETS.NET

7.28

THEATRE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 Read the full

THEATRE THE GENERAL AND HIS LADY

FOR KIDS Crafts for ages 6 to 10. Appleby Branch Library; 11 a.m.; free; 2260 Walton Way; 706.736.6244 ECGRL.ORG

article on page 17. Hull Fine Arts Building at Augusta Preparatory Day School; 7:30 p.m.; $8 to $12; 285 Flowing Wells Road; 706.826.4707

See listing July 15. The Kroc Center; 8 p.m.; $10 to $15

THE INK WELL

WHAT For Your Eyes Only: Catsuits And A License To Kill WHERE Le Chat Noir | 304 Eighth St. WHEN Saturday, July 23 | 8 p.m. TICKETS $20 MORE 706.722.3322 | AUGUSTABURLESQUE.COM

See listing July 15.

7.29

Corps Concert Band. The last concert of this season’s Music in the Park series.

The Wesley Center; 7 p.m.; free; 639 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; 803.442.7588 NAARTSCOUNCIL.ORG

Appleby Branch Library; 10:30 a.m.; free; 2260 Walton Way; 706.736.6244 ECGRL.ORG

Sources say this might be one of Augusta Burlesque’s best shows yet. Don’t pass up an opportunity to see this vibrant and resurgent art form in such a congenial location. | by Josef Patchen

THEATRE THE ALTOS

FOR KIDS THERAPY DOGS

CONCERT MUSIC IN THE PARK: Fort Gordon Signal

FRIDAY

Rated PG-13. Maxwell Branch Library 6 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS Yoga for Kids

What better place to get in on the fun than the intimate atmosphere of Le Chat Noir? Augusta Burlesque and will perform “For Your Eyes Only: Catsuits and a License to Kill” on July 23. Le Chat boasts a comfortable bar for those who might need Dutch courage or just a little something to lay the dust, as they used to say. A portion of the proceeds will go to Georgia disaster relief benefits.

THEATRE HERE ON THE FLIGHT PATH See listing July 15.

FILM THE KING’S SPEECH

and Ann Sprinkle. Maxwell Branch Library; 10 a.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020 ECGRL.ORG

Augusta Burlesque is a nonprofit theatrical troupe of dancers, vocalists and actors specializing in classical and neo-burlesque, vaudeville and cabaret-inspired acts. Their members perform on a voluntary basis to raise funds for charitable causes and organizations.

FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY

7.27

Burlesque was a popular entertainment in the United States from the 1860s to the 1940s. Performed in cabarets and theaters, this earthy art form takes the shape of a variety show featuring broad humor, song, dance and comedic skits with musical accompaniment.

Featured in the recent movie of the same name, the genre is catching fire again with a few surprising twists.

daily planner

TUESDAY

7.26

FOR KIDS THE WEATHER AROUND US Join Rich Rogers of NBC Augusta WAGT 26 and learn about thunderstorms, hurricanes and other weather phenomena. Ages 6 to 12.

Diamond Lakes Library; 10:30 a.m.; free; Diamond Lakes Regional Park; 706.722.2432

FILM The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of

the Dawn Treader, rated PG. Maxwell Branch Library; 2:30 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020

FILM Yogi Bear Rated PG.

Wallace Branch Library; 2:30 p.m.; free; 1237 Laney-Walker Blvd.; 706.722.6275 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS ART CLASS

Presented by the Morris Museum of Art. Registration required. Euchee Creek Library; 6 p.m.; free; 5907 Euchee Creek Drive, Grovetown; 706.556.0594

HOBBIES BIKE NITE Check out some of Aiken’s finest motorcycles. Sno-Cap Drive-In; 6 p.m.; free; 618 West Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.4004

FILM POTICHE Rated R. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

17. Hopelands Gardens; 7 p.m.; free; 135 Dupree Place, Aiken; 803.642.7631 AIKEN.NET

find the full daily planner @ vergelive.com

Puzzle

Edited by Will Shortz | No. 0609

Across 1 Nailed 5 Portland’s Rose Garden, e.g.

10 “Twelfth Night” sir 14 Trademarked spray 15 Work divided by time, in physics 16 “Gotcha” 17 Greek god of fake tans?

19 Chain “links”: Abbr.

20 Outer layer of the cerebrum 21 “Gotcha” 23 Of yore 24 “Galifianakis wants you to call him back”?

28 Twangy-sounding guitar 30 Java flavor 31 Irksome response to “You’re avoiding the question” 34 Sign in the middle of town 37 Selma Lagerlöf’s “The Wonderful Adventures of ___” 38 Madhouse at a G.O.P. convention?

41 Do as Dürer did 42 Where credit is given 43 “I should ___ die with pity, / To see another thus”: King Lear 44 Find new tenants for 46 Get the word out, perhaps 48 Informal erotic reading?

51 Figurative device 55 Dictator’s underling 56 Band with three selftitled albums (1994, 2001 and 2008) 57 “At the Movies” bit 59 Famous Amos, e.g.?

62 Italian for “bean” 63 Lightning Bolt 64 New Zealand : Kiwi :: Costa Rica : ___

1

2

3

4

5

14

6

7

10

18

23

24

32

33

38

29

27

35

36

53

54

37 40

41

42

43

45

46 49

47

50

51

55 58

26 30

39

48

13

22

25

34

44

12

19 21

28

11

16

20

57

9

15

17

31

8

52

56 59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67 puzzle by joon paHk

65 Drawing

pair, perhaps 66 Gets a break, maybe 67 Tiresias, e.g., in Greek myth

10 China

has only one 11 Freeze out 12 Bernanke of the Fed 13 “All right!”

18 High-tech map Down subject 1 Brand with a torch 22 Perfect instance in its logo 24 A party (to) 2 Number of 25 Magical land holidays?

26 Tech-savvy “24” 3 Greeting on a woman computer?

27 Sports 4 In need of some 29 Biting comment hammering out 31 Biting 5 Pinnacle 32 “Psycho” setting 6 Cartoonist Chast 33 Nonsexist, in a 7 Dolly, for one way 8 Surgical specialty, 35 Swizzles informally 36 Brown of 9 Bad match result?

Newsweek/ The Daily Beast

39 Batch

holder

40 Decorative

neckline insert

45 Philosopher

Mo-___ up 49 Arouse, as someone’s wrath 50 Tight rope?

52 Smith in Cooperstown 53 What two fingers may signify 54 Overthrow, e.g.

56 First part of a record 57 Head of cabbage?: Abbr.

58 Permissive 60 Western treaty grp.

61 Drummer’s setup 47 Puts

Find the solution to this puzzle at VERGELIVE.BLOGSPOT.COM Annual subscriptions are available for the best

of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay.

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 31

32 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the

daily planner

[ philip juras at morris museum ] More than 60 paintings – the majority of which depict past natural landscapes, of which remnants can still be found today – dominate the walls of the Morris Museum of Art, a chronicle of sorts of 18th century naturalist William Bartram’s travels across the Southeast in the exhibit Philip Juras: The Southern Frontier Landscapes Inspired by Bartram’s Travels.

Drawn from Bartram’s detailed written descriptions of the environments he encountered, Juras vividly portrays a long lost Southern frontier before European settlement, including environments described by Bartram that no longer exist, such as the prairies of Alabama and the Keowee Valley of South Carolina.

“Remarkably, Philip Juras ... has made us aware of all that we’ve lost – the Edenic America that brave, curious, and somewhat foolhardy adventurers like William Bartram explored in hopes of capturing their own first visions of a continent they thought untouched by the hand of man,” said Kevin Grogan, the director of the Morris Museum of Art.

Philip Juras, Longleaf, Greenwood Plantation Thomasville, GA. December, 2005.

Collection of Morris Communications Company.

SATURDAY

7.30

GOOD CAUSE TAKE AIM AT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Read

more more on page 27. Pinetucky Gun Club; 2 p.m.; Individual $85, team of 5 $350, additional dinner guest $25; 2096 Greenland Road, Blythe, GA; 706.736.2499

OUTDOORS FLY, BUTTERFLY! Capture the

magic of the winged beauties, learn about the amazing life cycle of the butterfly and go for a walk to identify and discover many different butterflies of Georgia.

For ages 5 and up, registration required. Reed Creek Wetlands Interpretative Center; 10 a.m.; $2; 3820 Park Lane; 706.210.4027

THEATRE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 Read the full

article on page 17. Hull Fine Arts Building at Augusta Preparatory Day School; 7:30 p.m.; $8 to $12

THEATRE HERE ON THE FLIGHT PATH See listing July

15. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m.; $40

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. Hickory Crawdads. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889

THEATRE THE GENERAL AND HIS LADY

See listing July 15. The Kroc Center; 8 p.m.; $10 to $15

SUNDAY

7.31

EDUCATION BARTRAM’S LIVING LEGACY Dorinda

Dallmeyer, the director of the environmental ethics certificate program at the University of Georgia and editor of Bartram’s Living Legacy: The Travels and the Nature of the South, moderates a panel discussion about the book. Reception and book signing follow. The Morris Museum of Art; 2 p.m.; free; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. Hickory Crawdads. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $1 to $8; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889

JAZZ CANDLELIGHT JAZZ: Anderson - Cruz - Shaw.

The River Stage at the Eighth Street Bulkhead; 8 p.m.; $6; 2 Eighth St.; 706.495.6238 GARDENCITYJAZZ.COM

MONDAY

8.1

CONCERT THE SKELLIGS

See event listing July 17.

Hopelands Gardens; 7 p.m.; free

TUESDAY

8.2

EXPLORE DAY TRIP TO BEAUFORT, S.C. Tour the

John Mark Verdier House, learn about Gullah culture at the Penn Center’s York W. Bailey Museum, and explore the ruins of the Old Sheldon Church. Cost includes bus transportation, snacks, tours, and admission fees. The Morris Museum of Art; $45 members, $60 nonmembers; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

THURSDAY

8.4

FOR KIDS TODDLER TIME: SUN PRINT FUN Learn about

the magic of photography while viewing the exhibition Civil War Redux. Then, create your own sun print. The Morris Museum of Art; 11 and 11:15 a.m.; $4, free for members; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

FESTIVAL FIRST THURSDAY Enjoy an evening

out in Summerville as stores stay open, refreshments are served and friendships are made. Monte Sano Avenue in Summerville; 5 p.m.; free; Monte Sano Avenue; 706.755.2665

DANCE BACHATA LESSONS Bachata is a genre

of music that originated in the rural neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic. Bachata subjects are often romantical and it has become one of the fastest growing dances today. A&E Dance Studio; 7 p.m.; $5; 1253 Broad St.

FRIDAY

8.5

FESTIVAL FIRST FRIDAY

Arts galleries display new works, performers take to the sidewalks, arts and craft vendors sell their hand-made goods along Broad Street. Family friendly.

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

FILM STARLIGHT CINEMA

The Great Outdoors. Aiken State Park; 8 p.m.; free; 1145 State Park Road, Windsor, S.C.

WHERE The Morris Museum of Art | 1 10th St. WHEN Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. ends August 14 MORE 706.724.7501 | THEMORRIS.ORG saturdays LARRY CAT IN SPACE A playful, imaginative

presentation about an inquisitive cat who takes a trip to the Moon. DuPont Planetarium, Ruth Patrick Science Education Center; 9 p.m.; $1 to $4.50; 471 University Parkway, Aiken USCA.EDU

saturdays TO THE MOON AND BEYOND Review your knowledge of the moon and celebrate NASA’s 50 years in space. This program will revisit past missions to the moon and discuss what was learned from the Apollo missions’ heroic adventures. Dupont Planetarium; 9 p.m.; $1 to $4.50; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3769

sUNdays SUNDAY SKETCH Sketch in the

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

ONGOING

ART

JEFFERY CALLAHAM

Known as “The Storyteller Artist,” Callaham is a muchadmired painter whose highspirited work features figures portraying everyday moments in farm life, church and frontporch sitting. Ends July 29.

Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; 506 Telfair St.; 706.722.5495

THROUGH THE FUTURE TO THE PAST an exhibit

by Rosanne Stutts

An avid photographer since childhood, Stutts rediscovered pinhole photography in 1990 and presents a collection of her pinhole-camera photos.

Ends July 29. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; 506 Telfair St.; 706.722.5495

Civil War Redux: Pinhole Photographs

by Willie Anne Wright

An extraordinary exhibition of sepia-toned gelatin silver print photographs, all shot with a pinhole (lensless) camera, which mirror vintage photographs.

Wright followed reenactors for thirteen years, capturing not the battles themselves, but the essence of mid-nineteenthcentury life and the struggle and conflict of the War between the States. Ends September 4. The Morris Museum of Art; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

THE EBONY LEGACY EXHIBITION Highlights the

contributions and achievements of African-Americans who have lived and worked diligently to help make Augusta what it is today. Ends October 31.

Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

COMEDY SCHRODINGER’S CAT plays eXtreme Theatre Games. These extreme theater games are sure to delight any mature audience member. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; $8 advance, $10 door; 304 Eighth St.; 706.722.3322

ONGOING

WEEK saturdays AUGUSTA MARKET AT THE RIVER

Augusta’s outdoor market with fresh locally-grown produce, bread, food and other products. Eighth Street Bulkhead; 8 a.m.; to 2 p.m.; free; 2 Eighth St.; 706.627.0128 THEAUGUSTAMARKET.COM

saturdays HISTORIC TROLLEY TOUR Includes

a tour through the Augusta Museum of History and a driving tour through historic Downtown Augusta.

Reservations required at least 24 hours in advance. Augusta Visitor Center; 1 p.m.; $12; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.724.4067 AUGUSTAGA.ORG

find the full daily planner @ vergelive.com

[ OPEN MIC : LOYO MUSIC FEST] Where can you go to see local musicians pit their skills against one another in a competition style open mic night? Look no further than Metro Coffeehouse and Pub. A concept that originated a few years ago has been revived by The Mason Jars’ Andy Colbert with help from girlfriend, Amy Brandenburg, and manager, Sunny Jackson. Now, the Local Yokel (LoYo) Music Fest is is bringing together music fans each week over the summer for a competitive battle of the bands.

The concept is simple: Each Wednesday people gather at the Metro Coffeehouse to hear several different musicians play a handful of songs, typically originals. At the end of the night, a panel of judges – composed of the crowd, the bartenders and one secret judge who changes each time – pick which singer was the best of the night. The winner gets a $25 dollar gift certificate to the Metro Coffeehouse and is entered into the finals. The finals will take place in September, composed of the winners from each night.

Colbert came up with the idea for this particular open mic contest to bring the competitive open mic feeling into downtown and, as he says, “the crowd and the bartenders are into it.”

Each musician (mainly acoustic with the exception of a band or two) is limited to a 15 minute set composed of three or four songs. The contest gives everyone the chance to show what they can do without giving them enough time to dominate based on sheer antics or time spent on stage. The only way to win is to get up there and play your heart out. | by DINO LULL

WHERE Metro Coffee House & Pub | 1054 Broad St. WHEN Wednesday Nights MORE Check out Metro Coffehouse & Pub on Facebook

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 33

between the

covers ARE YOU WHAT YOU READ?

A Butterfly’S Eye View of Your Garden Two recent books give unique, holistic perspectives of nature that can broaden the traditional aims of home gardening. These perspectives result from focusing on some of the smallest creatures: butterflies, bees and other insects. Covering the benefits of making gardens into more natural insect homes, both books contain features unusual for paperbacks: color photographs throughout and sewn bindings that make them sturdy enough to last for years of reading – outdoors for inspiration, of course. The idea of a butterfly garden, with beautifully flowering plants to attract beautifully fluttering insects, is obviously appealing and many gardening books include information on these special gardens. But what about those stinging, munching, creeping bugs that are usually seen as pests?

Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting NORTH America’s Bees and Butterflies

by The Xerces Society

In this book, the Xerces Society compellingly explains why home gardeners should make their gardens into havens for not just butterflies, but all pollinating insects.

Most people have heard the news reports about Colony Collapse Disorder, the still unexplained death of honeybees kept by commercial beekeepers, which, according to the United States Department of Agriculture has killed off 30 percent of the honeybee population on average each year since 2006.With fewer and fewer honeybees to pollinate crops that are crucial to humans, the Xerces Society is highlighting the increased importance of native bees as crop pollinators.

Yes, that’s right, honeybees are not native insects; they are aliens, brought to America from Europe in the 17th century. While many of the 4,000 different species of bees native to North America that are featured in this book, as well as honeybees, suffered up to 50 percent declines in the 20th century, because of alien diseases, habitat loss and pesticide overuse, only honeybees are being killed by the new threat of Colony Collapse Disorder. The book also includes a fascinating and exemplary study of New York City community gardens by Dr. Kevin Matteson of Fordham University, in which 50 different species of bees were observed.

The book presents great ideas for attracting pollinators, such as flower seeds to use for a pollinator meadow; the best pollinator-friendly trees, shrubs, and perennials for different regions of the country; how to make simple bee nestboxes from wooden blocks or reeds; and how to make an “ecolawn.” It also contains detailed profiles on both pollinators and the plants they seek.

XERCES.ORG

Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Douglas Tallamy

If you have always wondered what a katydid does, then you will be amazed by the bugs in this book. Author Douglas Tallamy presents an interesting case for “insect herbivores” as crucial parts of the natural food web.

Unlike pollinators, these insects that consume leaves, rather than flower nectar, are not necessary for the production of crops eaten by humans, but these insects are themselves a crucial part of the diet of many small animals, especially birds. 96 percent of North American birds feed their babies an exclusive diet of insects (and worms), rather than the seeds and berries eaten by adult birds. Only one action is necessary to welcome insect herbivores into our gardens: planting native plants. Since most insects have evolved in close relationships with specific plants over thousands of years, they are not capable of eating the leaves of alien plants, which have totally different leaf chemistry.

Because of the high appeal of butterflies, the most common insect herbivores studied by entomologists are butterfly caterpillars. Studies of American Oak trees show that they support 534 different species of caterpillars. Even 100 years after being brought to America, eucalyptus trees still only support one species of American caterpillar, while they support 48 species of caterpillars in their natural homeland of Australia. Tallamy gives the example in his own garden of caterpillars that consumed every single leaf in a small black gum tree but did not touch an Asian honeysuckle vine growing on the black gum. Many of these inedible alien plants, which are appealing to gardeners because they are not eaten by bugs, have spread widely in wild areas, outside of their original garden homes. According to Tallamy, unless gardeners make a concerted effort to plant native plants, many species of these native insects will soon become extinct and the larger animals that eat these insects will soon be extinct also.

Our gardens might not look as beautiful with more native plants having munched leaves, but, with our help, both these hardy, beautiful, native trees and their insect herbivores will survive in their natural, interdependent web, for thousands of years to come. PLANTANATIVE.COM

by MICHAEL SWAN, DIRECTOR OF THE AIKEN LIBRARY

34 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

night

A SELECTIVE GUIDE TO NIGHTLIFE IN THE CSRA

life

THRU august 5

MAMA SAYS @ Wild Wing Café 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 MORRIS DAVIDSON BAND @ Manuel’s Bread Café 6:30 p.m.

SOUND THE RUIN + RED MORNING VOYAGE @ Skate City | 6:30 p.m.

COMEDY ZONE: PHIL HOGAN + CHRIS GAY @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 THE ENDALLS @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

TURF WAR

TURF WAR WITH SHAUN PIAZZA + EAT LIGHTNING @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $5

THE CASUAL KINGS @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 17

ORYX & CRAKE MODERN SKIRTS + ORYX & CRAKE @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $5

FRIDAY, JULY 29

THURSDAY, JULY 14

DAVID ALDONUKEN @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

SOUTHSIDE OF THE TRACKS @ Coyote’s | 8p.m.

CHRIS NDETTI @ Metro Coffeehouse & Pub | 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 19

DISCO HELL @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.

SABO & MIKE @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

MOBY DICK @ Wild Wing Café 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

BARE KNUCKLE CHAMPIONS @ Stillwater Taproom 10 p.m.; $4

JOSH LONDON BAND @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

FIVE’S A CROWD + GREEN THRIFT GROCERY @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $2

FRIDAY, JUNE 15

MULCH BROTHERS @ Coyote’s 7 p.m.

WITHIN REASON + Eye of Abram @ The Playground Bar 8 p.m. | $5

COMEDY ZONE: Brad Brake + Chris Kilian @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 MATT ACOSTA @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 21

PANIC MANOR + MAZES AND MONSTERS + DEATH OF PARIS @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $5 OUTSHYNE @ Wild Wing Café 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 22

CONCRETE JUMPSUIT CONCRETE JUMPSUIT @ 1102 Bar & Grill | 8 p.m.

BRADLEY GASKIN @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.

JOHN BERRET’S LAROXES @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

POP LIFE @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.

90S NIGHT @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.

PRETTY PETTY @ Metro Coffeehouse & Pub | 9 p.m.

DAVE DESMELIK BAND @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4

HOT ROD WAIT + THE PSYCHO DEVILLES @ The Loft | 9:30 p.m. blair crimmims and the hookers @ Still Water Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4 EASTERN STANDAR REGGAE with El*Ra and Freedom Black + DFA Class of ’87 Reunion @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.; $5 starting at 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 30 DEPARTURE Tribute to Journey @ Coyote’s | 7 p.m.

THE UNMENTIONABLES @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 THEM BONES Alice in Chains tribute band @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m.; $5 THE LUNATICS @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

JEMANI + VELVET JONEZ @ Sky City | 10:30 p.m.; $5 GRAHAM’S NUMBER @ Wild Wing Café | 9 p.m.

TOYZZ @ Wild Wing Café 9 p.m.

THE ESKIMOJITOS + Sara’s Birthday Bash @ The Playground Bar | 10 p.m.; $3

SATURDAY, JULY 23

Gaslight Street @ Surrey Tavern | 8 p.m.; $4 DIEZEL @ The Playground Bar See the article on page 13. | 8 p.m JAR @ Somewhere in Augusta 10 p.m.

CESAR COMANCHE CESAR COMANCHE + Projekt Lotus + Soul on Ice + Sympl @ Sky City | 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 31 TIM WHITE @ Wild Wing Café 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

ERIK SMALLWOOD @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

SATURDAY, JULY 16

COMEDY ZONE: Feingold + Larry XL @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8

COMEDY ZONE: Lyndel Pleasant + Mary Asher @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8

DJS CIELO + DUST @ Soul Bar 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 28

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

DEEPSTEP @ Coyote’s | 7 p.m.

THE ENDALLS @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 SHOTGUN OPERA @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

TURF WAR + Shaun Piazza Band + Eat Lightning @ Sky City | 8 p.m. $5 MIKE FROST JAZZ @ Metro Coffeehouse & Pub | 9 p.m.

DEATH IS A DIALOGUE @ 1102 Bar & Grill | 9 p.m.

EVERGREEN TERRACe OVER THE LIMIT II TOUR Bury Your Dead + Evergreen Terrace + For The Fallen Dreams + Thick As Blood + In The Midst of Lions + Hundredth + Betrayal + Murder Death Kill @ Sector 7G 4 p.m.; $15

Nü-KLē-aR BLAST SUNTAN MEMBERS Ami (vocals), Grady (guitar), Martin (bass), Chris (drums) GENRE Crust Punk/Noise. Ami says: “It’s so weird, we don’t fit into a genre. I want the music to stand for itself.”

INFLUENCE Foreign hardcore punk – mainly from Japan, Denmark and other overseas markets.

RECORDINGS Force Fed demo (2009, self-released), Blot Out the Worthless Sun (2010, SPHC Records / Microphonic Meltdown Records), Arms of Static (2011, Detonate Records)

HISTORY Chris and Grady are the only two remaining members of the original lineup. Ami

MONDAY, JULY 25

M*Tank @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.

THE PROFILER:

once had Augusta band Skuds play at her Lexington, Ky., home. The band invited her to come to Augusta. “I was couch surfing and had nothing better to do,” Ami says. With the addition of Martin, the current lineup of Nu-kle-ar Blast Suntan was rounded out.

AUDIENCE For people who like bands that “have a girl singer and are really noisy,” Ami laughs.

QUIRKS Most of the members are also in the Skuds.

HORIZON “We do not want to get played out,” Ami says. But for the future, the band is playing a festival in D.C., a show in Baltimore, and a show in Wilmington, N.C. For now, they play around the Southeast every two to three months and are writing new songs.

WHY AUGUSTA The members live, work, date, and party in the community.

D.I.Y. armsofstatic.blogspot.com WEEKLY TUESDAYS TRIVIA WITH CHARLES @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.

the country club @ 2834 Washington Road; 706.364.1862 Coyote’s @ 2512 Peach Orchard Road; 706.560.9245

TWISTED TRIVIA @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

THE LOFT @ 917 Broad St.; 706.955.7954

JOHN BERRET’S LAROXES @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

wEDNESDAYS KRAZY KARAOKE @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

Metro Coffee House & Pub @ 1054 Broad St.; 706.722.6468

DANGER MUFFIN Special acoustic show @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4

LOYO OPEN MIC @ Metro Coffeehouse & Pub | 9 p.m.

THE PLAYGROUND BAR @ 978 Broad St.; 706.724.2232

THURSDAYS OPEN MIC @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

SECTOR 7G @ 631 Ellis St.; 706.496.5900

NATALIE STOVALL @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.

FIND THE VENUE

DANGER MUFFIN

1102 Downtown bar @ 1102 Broad St.; 706. 364.4075

SKATE CITY @ 1 Sudan Drive.; 803.640.6182 SKY CITY @ 1157 Broad St.; 706.945.1270

the profiler is DINO LULL Somewhere in augusta @ 2820 Washington Road; 706.739.0002 SOUL BAR @ 984 Broad St.; 706.724.8880 STILLWATER TAP ROOM @ 974 Broad St.; 706.826.9857 WILD WING CAFE @ 3035 Washington Road.; 706.364.9453 GET LISTED: Submit information to info@vergelive.com with complete details, including time of event and ticket price or cover charge. To be listed, events must be received one week prior to publication date.

vergelive.com | community driven news | July 13, 2011 35

ask

dr. karp NO-NONSENSE NUTRITION ADVICE

Michael T. in Evans asks…

Why am I fat? I really don’t eat that much.

Thanks for your question, Michael. I know that you cannot figure out why you are overweight because when you look at the AMOUNT of food you eat, it does not look like very much. Then, you stare in disbelief at that normal-weight person sitting at the next table at New Moon Café on Broad Street who seems to be eating a tremendous amount of food with great gusto! Frustrating, isn’t it? “How do they do it,” you wonder, “are they from outer space?”

I hear your question from so many people who are overweight. Even their family and friends think that overweight people are either eating food at night or “sneaking” food during the day or “pigging-out” in their cars at fast food drive-ins (they saw that on a television show one time).

You and I know that these are not the reasons you are overweight and, if you cannot figure out the answer to your question, you will never get down to a healthy weight. There are many reasons why people who do not “eat a lot” are overweight. Here are three BIGGIES. The good news is that these reasons can be changed in YOUR life.

REASON #1 | When a registered dietitian or a nutrition scientist looks at “how much” a person is eating, we look at the number of CALORIES, not the AMOUNT of food. Since high fat food is very, very fattening, it becomes easy to eat a LOT OF CALORIES without eating a LOT OF FOOD. Let me give you an example. Which dinner do you eat?

Dinner #1 is Southern-fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw and biscuits, with a soda and a piece of cheesecake for dessert. Dinner #2 is baked Mediterranean chicken with couscous, a tossed salad and a fresh Edgefield-grown juicy peach for dessert.

Meal #1 is a high calorie, high fat, high sugar disaster and just eating a LITTLE BIT will be a HUGE number of calories and lead you down that “fat” road. Meal #2 is much lower in fat, sugar and calories. You can probably eat TWICE the food in Meal #2 and still come out with lower calories. I always think that it is weird that people who “like to eat” usually choose the higher calorie, higher fat, higher sugar food, which means they can eat less, not more. If you “love to eat” choose foods that are lower in calories and then you can eat more.

REASON #2 | When people talk about how much they eat, they usually

forget (or ignore) how much they drink. So, when a registered dietitian – your nutrition expert – uses the word “eating,” he (or she) means “how many calories are going into your mouth, in ANY way, eating or drinking.” I have found that overweight people can “drink in” large numbers of calories and not even count it as “eating.” Think about all those “big gulp” drinks, or all those smoothies, many of which are even marketed as being “healthy.” Drink WATER, WATER, WATER or skim milk or diet drinks (not as good) with meals, not high-calorie and unhealthy nutrition disasters.

REASON #3 | If, at 35, you continue to eat the same amount of food you did when you were 22, guess what, you WILL get fat. This is particularly true if you decide that you have to “slow down” as you get older. “Slowing down” actually ages you, so don’t do it! If you do not want to get fat as you get older, you need to eat less as you get older and keep your activity level and muscle mass up. Muscle burns a lot more calories than fat, so maintaining your muscles as you get older allows you eat a bit more than other people who are flabbier, and you look better, too.

So, here is the no-nonsense nutrition advice in today’s column: If you are overweight and do not eat a lot of food, look at WHAT you are eating and HOW MUCH you are moving. Is everything you touch loaded with fat and calories? Are you sitting around complaining that you cannot run anymore because your knees hurt, but you are not swimming or cycling or walking, instead? Think about it.

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

36 July 13, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

stoney’s sound bites

the

LOKAL MUSIC MUSINGS

Yes, kiddies, the stories are true. I did walk into a South Carolina fireworks store and say “I want boom!” I refuse to apologize. The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday and, when I celebrate it, I want the party to be like my music – obnoxiously loud. For those of you who survived Independence weekend with all of your digits, you rock. If you lost any fingers in the process, bonus points for going all out!

If you listen to CONfederation of LOUDness regularly, then you might be aware that lokal rockers Doc Crosshair have completed a rather big transformation. Recently, they changed from playing original songs about war to rocking out party covers, added a cool new front man in DAVID TUCKER and changed their name officially to DIEZEL. Tucker and the boys will downshift into the Playground Bar on July 23 for their official rock ‘n’ roll coming-out party. Find out more at REVERBNATION.COM/DIEZEL4 or read the full story on page 13. VROOM! VROOM! July might not exactly be soup weather, but that did not keep The Feed at CBS News from crowning a pair of 1992 Japanese Miso Soup commercials featuring the late great James Brown as “the greatest commercial ever.” Sure the Godfather’s blue suit might be a bit over-the-top and, okay, all he really does is yell “MISOPA!” – but it is James Brown. What more do you need to want to get your funky soup on?

Speaking of hot – got out a bit on First Friday and made my way over to new club First Round (11th Street between Broad & Ellis streets) to catch Jemani with not only original bassist Jason Guy, who recently rejoined the band, but also original drummer Jordan Leopard who was kind enough to fill in for an injured Nathan Bethune. Ten years has not slowed down the band’s energy a bit and, despite talks of the band making a complete hip hop turn, they rocked it harder than I have ever heard them rock it. Look for more from Jemani and join the family at DREDNECK.COM.

BUTCH WALKER AND THE BLACK WIDOWS

Just a little “off the beaten path” note – I have been so jazzed to find so much great music to listen to lately but I have to say that I have had my ears permanently wrapped around the new release

by Butch Walker and the Black Widows, I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart. Fans of well-written, deep pop, filled with clever lyrics and emotion will dig tunes like “She Likes Hair Bands” and “Be Good Until Then.” Just my two cents…

I am off to finish getting ready for what should be yet another great couple of weeks of fun on the Augusta music scene. Until next time, make sure you check out the Daily Planner in print and online at vergelive.com for great live shows. To get an earful of what is happening in Augusta music, listen CONfederation of LOUDness which can be found, ironically enough, at confederationofloudness.com and, of course, as always … Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud.

last word RUMINATING ON LIFE IN THE SOUTH

AMERICA DICKERS American Pickers seems an unlikely hit cable TV show.

You might have seen it, if only in passing: Two apparently carefree men (Mike and Frank), provided with guidance from surrogate-mom Danielle, gaily travel from eccentric home to even more eccentric home (or storefront or warehouse or whatever), dickering their little hearts out for “rusty gold” that often seems more like goldy rust, usually dealing with doddering old people who do not have the resources or ability to log on to a computer and find their own paths to more reasonable compensation via eBay. What is the compulsion that drives people to watch this?

Perhaps it is the little sliver of a treasure-hunter in each of us.

The part that wants to root though Gramma’s drawers (not THOSE drawers) and outbuildings and find some sort of holy grail (this grail is referred to many times in the show; e.g., the “Holy Grail” of antique motorcycle parts hidden in some “Honey Hole,” which is another favorite term).

I have a relative who watches these shows and takes notes. He thinks he is a born gypsy trader, and would rather haggle than get something for free. He is a man who negotiates for stuff out of suspicious semi-trucks that happen to stop for some reason in his remote, mazy suburban cul-de-sac to get rid of furniture that has been magically “lost” or “discarded” by some mythical family. He is a man who drives his wife to flee embarrassed from department stores by dickering for Oriental rugs. He is prone to magical thinking – looking for the Holy Grail of Negotiable Lunches.

Then, there’s me. I watch sometimes because I used to footle around (usually unauthorized) in rural out-of-the-way sheds, dig for antique bottles and generally root like a hog for mysterious and theoretically valuable things. Then I turned 14 and discovered that girls did not care for dirty knees, handblown apothecaries and flyspecked dubiosities. I gave it up.

Of course, I never found anything valuable anyway. Perhaps, I was not trespassing in the right places.

When I watch, I wonder about the poor people these guys are dickering with. Seriously, what happens to them when they see that they have been taken for a ride by people who, simply by moving one of their objects to a different, more commercial venue, have made sometimes serious money?

These folks signed a TV release, because they are not pixilated out of the show. I want “after” interviews with these people.

I want to see their reaction when something they have given up for minuscule money is sold for twice its worth or more

by Frank and Mike. I want to see them react to the boys

chuckling and high-fiving over having swindled somebody out of something valuable. This is not American Restoration, where actual time, energy and effort are devoted to returning something to its original beautiful condition. This is simply what we Southerners used to call “Yankee trading,” done for a television audience.

This same type of suckering happened from reconstruction, when Yankees swindled people living on the Fall Line out of their kaolin rights for goober peas, stuck unsightly mines all over the property and ruined the land and water (for more on that debacle, read Red Clay, Pink Cadillacs and White Gold: The Kaolin Chalk Wars by Charles Seabrook and Marcy Louza). I know it’s supposedly the American Way, but I do not have to like it – or watch it. Riding around in a Mercedes van and suckering people out of their property paying around thirty cents on the dollar does not seem quite right to me, even if the suckers are old, infirm or hobbled with enormous piles of varyingly valuable stuff.

Personally, I would like to see American Pickers merged with Hoarders. I would like to see Mike and Frank have to empty the collections of worthless dreck from emotionally disturbed people’s homes. If the hoarder happens to have 3,000 rats as well, so much the better.

by JOSEF PATCHEN

a parting shot busking in downtown augusta

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON

The next issue of VERGE hits the newstands on

AUGUST 3 Look for our outdoor racks or find your copy at Publix | EarthFare | Kroger Bi-Lo | New Moon Cafe and more than 150 locations throughout the CSRA

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

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