May Issue B 2011

A DRAGON IN THE BACK YARD PAGE 11

verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

FREE | MAY 18 2011 | VOL 4 ISSUE 6 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS

ISSUE THE UNSEEN FACE OF HOMELESSNESS + MUSIC INCARNATIO MYSTERIA ART THE METAL MAN + VISIT THE WILLCOX INN + OUTSIDE THE BARK PARK

vergelive.com | community driven news | May 18, 2011 3

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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

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GENERAL POLICIES: Contents

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WHAT’S INSIDE

SMATTERINGS

yeah, we made this

Defining Community Driven

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.”

—George Bernard Shaw

We could not agree more with you, Mr. Shaw.

Belonging to a community – and participating in it – is a privilege. According to our research, five different types of communities have been defined.

Interest Communities are made of up people who share the same interest or passion. Action Communities exist when a group of like-minded people try to bring about change. Place Communities are simply defined by space, people brought together by geographic boundaries. Practice Communities develop when people are in the same profession or undertake the same activities.

Finally, Circumstance Communities spring up when people are brought together by external events and situations.

With each type, the key to success or failure rests in the people who make up that particular community. The root of the word “community” explains the dependence of community on individuals coming together. It is derived from the old French word “communité,” which, in turn, is derived from the Latin word “communitas,” a term for fellowship or organized society.

Community, as a word, began to be widely used somewhere in the early 1300s.

Its meaning is deeply rooted in fellowship – of relations or feelings, common, public, general and shared by many. Today when the word community is discussed, it is generally recognized in terms of social groups varying in size whose members reside in a specific geography, share government and often have common cultural and historical heritage. It is the term, we use to describe “where we live, work and play.” Citizens of any geographic area can be a part of one or many communities, and at many different levels.

When we at verge use the term “community criven,” we mean that you, a member of our community, are the impetus that drives our content and passion. We report on and write about the people, places, events and culture that impact our community on a daily basis. We focus on the health, growth and vitality of the community in which we live – the greater CSRA community and those smaller communities such as North Augusta, Martinez, Evans, Aiken and Augusta. The unification of and participation with our community is paramount to the success of its growth and future.

We, as citizens of the communities we serve, all have an obligation to ourselves and each other for the overall health and condition of that geography. It is our obligation and duty to serve the community in a responsible manner that will ultimately leave it in better condition than when we first entered it. Whether we have a heritage relationship or have relocated to the CSRA, everything we do in it has an impact. It is a choice we must make. Each of us must choose to be an active partner in and take responsibility for our actions and efforts.

Some of the feature stories in this issue might challenge you become a more active participant in our community – including our growing homeless population. When we set out to tackle this issue, our goal was to discover the story of those people – citizens – who live in our community without a roof over their heads. We wondered whether homelessness was truly on the rise as it appears to be, whether panhandlers are the problem, what is being done to help those who have lost their home to find a home again and what needs to be done. As in the case of most issues that persist in a community, the opinions are varied – but, one common truth rings out: Action is needed.

Action by whom? By each of us. Be active – get engaged with your community.

Tell us your story. Are you involved with an organization that is having an impact and making our community a better place? Do you know of someone who is doing amazing things in our community? What are the issues that need to be resolved in order to move our community forward? Where do you fit into the bigger picture of community? Share it with us, so we, in turn, can share it the rest of our community. This is our responsibility to one another – this is “fellowship,” the purest meaning of community.

See you out and about engaging in our community.

Matt

ON THE COVER OFF THE GRID by ALISON RYAN

What is the true face of the homeless? See the article about our community’s growing homeless population on page 18.

4 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

you won’t want to miss a page

the main feature Sales Might Become Reality 06 Sunday Augusta commissioners in no hurry to bring it to voters Fire Breathing Dragon in Martinez 11 AGustavo Franco creates larger-than-life metal sculptures 13 Aiken’s Grand Old Lady The Willcox Inn’s owners create a atmosphere of welcome

15 Prelude to A Lincoln Center Premiere 17 A City Dog’s Playground

Dr. Timothy Powell prepares to debut his Incarnatio Mysteria

A visit to The Bark Park at Pendleton King Park

18 Off the Grid: Augusta’s Homeless

Agencies look to new ways to help and stop homelessness

heard around town 5 5 7 7

The Vision Behind ET AL A New Wine Tasting Party Comes to Aiken Soy Noodle House Expands Fort Gordon’s Positive Economic Impact

music | theatre | art | film 22 23 23 24 25 27 30 31 33

Music: Minus the Bear Art: Daniel Rozin Film: Movies on the Lawn Film: The Film Reel Music: Candlelight Jazz Art: The Arists’ Expo Literary: Corner Club Press The Profiler: The Favors Parting Shot: Whiskey Gentry

regular stuff 05 09 09 21 21 23 27 30 30 31 33 33

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

vergequotes

here’s what inspires us

“The cross comes before the crown, and tomorrow is a Monday morning.”

— C.S. LEWIS

“Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.”

— RALPH WALDO EMERSON

heard [build a better mousetrap]

Jay Jacobs and Chris Murray are local artists – although they insist they are not professionals.

“I had about a year of formal art education and another quarter in college, so I do not think I have received enough training to be snobby,” said Jacobs. “Selling art in Augusta is a little like trying to field dress an elephant with a pocket knife, but that does not matter if you really enjoy what you are doing.”

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

“It means whatever you want it to mean,” added Hutchison.

“Clearly, a mousetrap is something that everybody recognizes.

How about a Rube Goldberg machine, or building a better mousetrap? A mousetrap also represents irreducible complexity because it consists of four components that do not do anything unless they all function together. Anti-Darwinists love to use it as an example for just that reason.”

The publishers of ET AL do not wish to inhibit anyone’s creativity. In fact, according to Jacobs, this magazine has been created with the express purpose of affording the people of Augusta an unobstructed outlet for their creativity.

It is for people who love art for its own sake, like themselves, that Jacobs and Murray are producing ET AL, Augusta’s newest literary magazine scheduled for a September release.

“We will be taking submissions from now through July,” said David Hutchison, the owner of The Book Tavern and partner in Jacobs and Murray’s publishing venture.

“The idea is to accept as many submissions as we can from the creative people of Augusta for three months and, hopefully, sit down in August to put it all together. Because this is such a flyby-the-seat-of-our-pants idea, the first issue will probably be out in early September,” he said.

“I want tongue-in-cheek humor, as well as some serious stuff, it just depends on the people who become interested,” he said. “I want dirty limericks about mousetraps. I want people who do not know how to draw trying to draw pictures of mousetraps, or anything that fits with the concept.”

“Stories are great. Poems are great,” said Hutchison. “We will also include paintings, collages, photos or a found object, but please do not send me any dead mice.”

If there is a line Jacobs will not cross, he is not going to verbally define it. Instead, he wants the magazine to reflect the creativity of Augusta and his own good taste, and he challenges anyone who disagrees with him to go and start their own magazine.

Each issue will revolve around a particular theme. For the first one, the team chose “mousetrap.” What “mousetrap” means beyond the obvious is entirely up to the artists who submit.

“There is an organic process, so we will take all the entries and work through them until we have something that looks like a literary magazine,” said Hutchison. “Depending on what kind of reaction we get, we may not be able to include everyone’s submissions, but we will certainly do our best to represent all of Augusta.”

“We had a number of ideas for the first theme, like hats or violence,” said Jacobs. “ ‘Mousetrap’ just happened to come out and I thought it was perfect because it is ambiguous, open to interpretation, yet is a very specific concept for people to rally around.”

“If you just put it out there to do, you will get people who are really interested in doing it and who are going to do it well, as opposed to just doing it for money,” said Jacobs. “But if it is met with apathy, I have no problem doing the entire thing by myself.”

[aiken’s new wine bash]

Aikenites are good about supporting their local charities and nonprofits, but many people wonder whether they are just doing it for an excuse to throw another party.

Judging from the people putting it on, The World of Wines Festival, from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 21, at New Bridge Polo Club at 862 New Bridge Road, about five miles north of Aiken, is especially suspect on that account.

Todd Stilp and his H Productions are the lead promoters of the festival. Stilp is the same man who had a leading hand in presenting the Aiken Lobster Races for the past 27 years, the very-big-deal USPA Gold Cup 26-goal polo tournament in 2005 and 2006 and who-knowshow-many other outrageous and fun parties and events around Aiken.

He is joined by some of the usual suspects: Kish Shaw, the owner of Hotel Aiken, and Tony Suh, the owner of Harvard’s Wine and Spirits.

Stilp said preparations for the first-of-its-kind wine festival of this magnitude in Aiken are going well and getting better each day as more vendors become involved.

At press time, Stilp had 28 wine distributors, including Cakebread, Silver Oak, Chalk Hill and Tittinger, signed up to bring more than 300 wines to be sampled, .

Several Aiken restaurants and caterers will set up tents where patrons can sample their foods that accompany the wines. Stilp mentioned Newberry Hall caterers, Casa Bella restaurant and the host, Eq-wine Bar & Grill, which is located in the clubhouse beside polo field No. 1, as a few of the eateries that will be on hand.

Several boutiques and specialty vendors will form a village of shops by the polo field. Part of the entertainment will be a bartenders’ mixology challenge, the product of which must be sampled by attendees, and the popular band Anybody’s Guess will play for the event.

Portions of the proceeds from the World of Wine Festival will go to the Aiken SPCA and the Equine Ambulance Fund.

But you don’t need to own, or even know, a horse to enjoy the World of Wines Festival.

Tickets are $30 in advance at Lionel Smith Ltd., Equine Devine, Hotel Aiken, Harvard’s Wine and Beverage and North Augusta Wine and Beverage, or $35 at the gate and parking is $5.

803.270.9463 | WOMENOFWOODESIDE.COM

by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

JAY JACOBS and David Hutchison

Interested creative people can mail submissions to The Book Tavern at 1026 Broad St., Augusta, Georgia, 30901 or email them to info@booktavern.com, though Hutchison said he would like to have a physical archive of everything that has been submitted to ET AL. He will also be promoting the collaboration on The Book Tavern’s Facebook page and website booktavern.com.

Hutchison will also be accepting donations from those who want to help cover promotional or printing costs, to keep the magazine free – and free of advertising.

“If there was any excess I am sure we would pass it on to charity,” he said. “This is not about making money, but about the community coming together to create art.” article and photo by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

the area of technology,” said Michael Hicks, the director of Information Technology. “We expect our level of technological proficiency to move to a new level of excellence.”

Brandon Brown, the vice president of Institutional Advancement, said that the college remains a sound investment and it was evident with its ability to garner major grants and support from the private, public and the federal level. | PAINE.EDU

[paine receives tech grant] “Paine College is a sound investment.”

These words resonated throughout the press conference held to announce a $1.6 million grant awarded to Paine College that will impact the learning and work environment for the entire campus.

The White House Initiatives on Historically Black Colleges and Universities endorsed CampusEAI in March 2010 and encouraged HBCUs to apply for the competitive CampusEAI technology grants to build and support the institutions’ capacity to do business more efficiently.

The CampusEAI grant awarded to Paine College will provide two major distinct services, including single sign-on access and an after hours support center that will provide assistance from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. each night.

“Today is a historical day at Paine College in

[a sense of place]

The 31st annual A Sense of Place juried art exhibition recognizes the outstanding quality and diversity of work of contemporary American artists. Tom Hammond, a noted printmaker and professor emeritus at the University of Georgia’s Lamar Dodd School of Art, will serve as the juror.

The 2011 juried fine art competition is open to all artists in the United States age 18 and older.

All works must be original, not previously exhibited at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art and completed on or after June 1, 2009.

Entries in the following media categories will be accepted: painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, photography, ceramics, and sculpture. Film and video pieces are ineligible.

Three cash prizes will be given: a $750 Best of Show Award and two $500 Juror’s Awards.

Awards will be announced at the exhibition’s opening reception on Friday, September 16.

A full prospectus is on the Institute’s website.

Deadline is June 3. | GHIA.ORG

vergelive.com | community driven news | May 18, 2011 5

who needs

sunday sales FROM THE NEWS BLOTTER

Augusta residents will not be picking up that Sunday six-pack or bottle of wine until after one of the scheduled elections in 2012, assuming that voters approve a referendum allowing the sale of beer, wine and liquor on Sunday.

There are no scheduled elections for the remainder of this year and holding a special election would be yet another financial burden on Richmond County and its taxpayers.

“Special elections cost a lot of money,” said District 1 Commissioner Matt Aitken. “I cannot see us doing that.”

The first date state law would allow a referendum would be November 8, but that would require the commission approving and paying for a special election at a cost of $60,000 to $80,000, said Travis Doss, the assistant director of the Richmond County Board of Elections.

But come 2012, the referendum could be on the presidential preference ballot, which will be voted on between February and April, or it could be included on the July ballot during the county’s primary, said District 7 Commissioner Jerry Brigham.

on the ballot and whether they will require an additional license and fee.

“We have to approve putting it on the ballot and it will be a ballot of our choosing,” he said.

“We have not had any talks about it at this point,” said District 2 Commissioner Corey Johnson.

State legislators approved Sunday sales during this year’s session after five years of no action.

Former Gov. Sonny Perdue made it clear that if the legislation was approved, he would veto it.

All of the commissioners contacted, with the exception of District 9 Commissioner J.R. Hatney, support putting the question on a ballot.

But Perdue is out and Gov. Nathan Deal is in, and he signed the bill April 28 allowing communities to vote.

“It gives everybody a chance to decide if they want it or not,” said Jackson.

Georgia is one of only three states that still has a statewide ban on Sunday alcohol sales.

Connecticut and Indiana are the other two.

Several Georgia communities have already announced plans to put the measure on the ballot before the end of the year.

If voters approve the referendum, retailers, such as grocery, convenience and liquor stores would be allowed to sell from 12:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Augusta Licenses and Inspections Director Rob Sherman said he did not have a number for exactly how many retail establishments could apply for the new Sunday sales license, but currently, the city has issued 200 beer licenses, 169 wine licenses and 34 liquor licenses for Monday through Saturday sales.

Right now, if you want a beer or cocktail on Sunday, you have to go to a restaurant, hotel or private club. All of those businesses pay an extra $1,210 a year for the Sunday license, Sherman said.

District 6 Commissioner Joe Jackson said that the Sunday sales permit could be a source of income for the cash-strapped county.

“That is a revenue option,” he said.

Aitken agreed and said the county should look for new revenue streams whenever possible.

“You need to capitalize on your own community,” he said. “The tax base has shrunk.”

But all of the commissioners contacted said it is premature to say when the referendum will be

6 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

BILL PRINCE, OWNER OF BILL’S PLACE

Hatney said he wanted no part of the discussion.

“I am not going to support it one way or the other. If they want to put it on the ballot, that is (the other commissioners’) business,” he said.

Even if the referendum is approved, Bill Prince, the owner of Bill’s Place in downtown Augusta, said he expects most grocery and convenience stores, which sell beer and wine, will be the only ones to take advantage of the extra day.

“Most of the liquor store owners I have talked to do not plan to open on Sunday,” Prince said.

“I am open 93 hours a week. I think most folks can get what they need in 93 hours.”

Bill’s Place has been a fixture for 77 years on the corner of Fifth and Broad streets. The liquor store was opened by Prince’s father right after the end of Prohibition and Prince has been working there for 49 years.

He says the extra day of sales likely will not increase the amount of alcohol being purchased. Instead it will dilute sales on the other days.

“When I was growing up, grocery stores were closed on Sunday and clothing stores were closed on Sunday,” he said. “I never went hungry and I never went without clothes. We are open enough as it is.”

by Amy Allyn Swann photo ALISON RYAN

heard

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

[soy noodle expands]

Soy Noodle House opened in April 2010 and has become one of the more popular downtown restaurants, serving a steady stream of customers Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Thai foods. Every dish uses fresh meats and vegetables with sauces mixed daily.

The new seating section, gained by expanding into the retail space next door previously occupied by Garden City Organics, will contain full-sized booths and should be open by July 1, according to owners Sae and Mia Shin. Most of the construction will occur after business hours or on the vacant side of the wall, meaning that Soy Noodle House will not have to close for any time during the expansion.

“People love how authentic our food is,” said waitress Kirsten Valentine. “There is one gentleman who comes in who has lived in Taiwan, and he said our food is some of the best stuff he has found in our country. I think our owners have a lot to do with that, Sae and his wife Mia, because they are both from Korea.”

The Soy Noodle House begins construction this month that will double their seating capacity, while adding a full bar and several new menu selections.

“The main reason (we are expanding) is because a lot of customers have been asking for a mixed drink with their meal, and we were always sorry not to be able to provide that,” said Shin. “I think we are also going to add some lighter fair to the menu, like tapas or smaller portions.”

“Everybody here is really laid back,” she said. “We are not a corporate restaurant. We are locally owned and operated and that makes us special” Soy Noodle House is located at 1032 Broad St. and is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. | soynoodlehouse.com article and photo by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

[dinner with the king? why, certainly we accept]

This letter arrived in the mailbox a few weeks ago. We were so enchanted with this unique evening organized by the Living History Park; we wanted to share it in its entirety (and original format).

His Majefty George III, King of Great Britain and Ireland, is making a special Voyage to vifit firfthand His Colonies in the New World. His purpofe is twofold: Firft, His Majefty will confer honors upon His loyal Regiments in South Carolina for suppreffing the uprifing at Charlefton of a few difcontented of his Subjects over obvious mifunderstandings. Secondly, the King will meet with reprefentatives of this group of malcontents and draw them back under his Magnanimous Rule so that all His loyal Subjects may live as a contented Family once again. To show His good will and concern for his people, He shall travel with His Queen, Sophia Charlotte of MecklenburgStrelitz. Her Majefty, too, is moft eager to make the people of the Colonies feel a part of the Family of Great Britain and Ireland much as her own fourteen children are a part of the Royal Family. The King will, of course, alfo be sure that His Subjects in this far-removed part of His Kingdom still follow the protocols and regulations of proper Civility in their conduct with thofe in Rightful Authority and with His Majefty. His Majefty will arrive and depart each day in his specially-appointed sedan chair borne by some of his loyal Retainers. His loyal Subjects are encouraged to turn out in full force and proper drefs to welcome His Majefty to South Carolina, the only region of His Colonies which will be graced by His Prefence. Perhaps His Subjects will be granted permiffion to obferve the King and Queen as they dine.

Guarantee your opportunity to speak with the King and Queen and enjoy a royal dinner with wine, ale and sweets ($50 per person) by calling Lynn Thompson at 706.279.7560 or visit COLONIALTIMES. US. The dinner is part of Under the Crown, coming June 3 to 5 at the Living History Park in North Augusta. Saturday and Sunday festivities are free and open to the public.

[hopelands outdoor concert series begins]

Set in one of the loveliest spots in the entire region, Hopelands Gardens, the City of Aiken Summer Concert Series continues at 7 p.m., every Monday through August – free of charge.

Now more than 30 years old, the Summer Concert Series – as much an Aiken tradition as the Steeplechase or driving the kids through the “tunnel of trees” on South Boundary – offers everything from jazz to big band, bluegrass to string-band and this year newcomers, ABATSU African Drummers and Dancers of Augusta.

The most popular attraction every year is the Marine Corp Concert Band from Parris Island, this year appropriately on July 4.

Most concerts bring out about 600 folks, with the Marines attracting as many as 1,500. There

is plenty of room for everyone under the magnificent trees of Hopelands. Come early to stroll along the garden paths, feed the ducks on the ponds, enjoy the Aiken Thoroughbred Hall of Fame and walk around Rye Patch, the neighboring “Winter Colony” property that was also willed to the city to be held in perpetuity as a public park.

Hopelands Gardens Summer Concert Series is family-friendly and admission is free for all concerts. Blankets or chairs are recommended and coolers are welcomed, but alcohol is not permitted.

In the event of rain or inclement weather, concerts are moved to the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center at 1700 Whiskey Road.

803.642.7650 or, for rain information, 803.643.4661. | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

[fort gordon continues to benefit augusta’s economy]

According to the CSRA Alliance, Fort Gordon’s positive economic impact on the CSRA continues.

The military base remains the area’s largest employer, with more than 24,000 military, civilian and contract employees, representing a growth of more than 6,000 since 2002. These employees, in turn, bring numerous benefits to the fort’s closest neighbor, the city of Augusta, including 48,000 community jobs which provide about $2.6 billion annually.

Another 800 to 1,200 service members separate from the military at Fort Gordon each year, many of whom are highly skilled information technology or medical professionals. Surveys show about half of these people plan to – or would like to – remain in the Augusta area if there are jobs available.

Additional positive indicators: • More than $530 million in ongoing or approved construction projects • More than $152 million in health care purchased from area medical facilities last year • More than $1.2 million in funding to area school districts • More than 73,000 vehicles registered on Fort Gordon • Contracts with 26 area hotels to provide lodging for students and others on official travel, with an average daily usage of more than 150 rooms • The U.S. Army Signal Corps Band performs at more than 300 area events annually.

• Fort Gordon service members, civilians and family members volunteer more than 5,000 hours annually in area schools, nursing homes, food banks, and for other community activities and events.

• Fort Gordon is home to the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy, which is a program for high school dropouts, offering a chance to complete their GED and gain experience as responsible adults. Each session is five months long and graduates More than 200 students.

“I’ve been on a lot of different military installations - large and small, but I have not seen such a strong relationship as Fort Gordon has with the surrounding communities,” said Col. Glenn Kennedy, the fort’s garrison commander, as he and Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver re-signed a 9-1-1 agreement at the mayor’s office last September.

“This is another strategic partnership with the city and Fort Gordon,” said Copenhaver. “Our relationship with Fort Gordon is a model for the rest of the nation.” photo of Brig. Gen. Alan R. Lynn, incoming commander, Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center courtesy of U.S. Army

vergelive.com | community driven news | May 18, 2011 7

8 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

LOCAL BUSINESS

Eating Out Options Continue to Increase Across CSRA

LIVING GREEN

Water is a Resource Too Precious to Waste

Three distinctly different food concepts are opening to satisfy the diverse taste buds of Georgia-Carolinians.

New pizzeria opens in Furys Ferry Marco’s Pizza, a northern-based pizza franchise, recently opened its first of six planned pizzerias in the CSRA. The restaurant is located in the front of what was once Eclectics Made In The South, a former upscale flea market – turned into an office and retail complex – at Furys Ferry Station, 229 Furys Ferry Road at the Riverwatch Parkway. One of the Buzz staffers enjoyed some slices of Marco’s pizza at their soft opening on May 9. Marco’s offers dine-in, carry-out, catering and a limited delivery service. The general manager and franchisee started in the Papa John’s chain. He claims other pizza chains “freeze their cheese.” Fresh ingredients set Marco’s apart. High quality goes into every pizza – fresh, never frozen, cheese, sauce from fresh tomatoes, fresh dough made every day in the store and high quality meats. The menu also offers meatballs, chicken wings, subs and salads. Join the Marco’s club at MARCOS.COM MR. BOJANGLES OPENS 6th AREA LOCATION I can smell the fresh baked biscuits all the way to Thomson! Patrick Landon, the self-proclaimed “Mr. Bojangles” on his radio commercials, opened a new store off exit 172 on I-20 in Thomson, Georgia.

The new Bojangles’ features drive-through and in-store dining beginning with breakfast and continuing through dinner Spanning 3,800 square feet, it carries on the Bojangles’ warm, friendly tradition in one of the brand’s most spacious restaurants in eastern Georgia.

“We are thrilled to be growing into Thomson and to offer a dining experience unlike any other restaurant in the quick serve chicken category,” said Landon, who co-owns Bojland Restaurant Group, LLC with his wife Sandra. “In addition to serving Bojangles’ distinctive array of chicken dishes, fresh buttermilk biscuits and fixings, our service standards will win over our guests from the moment they walk in the store or visit our drive-through.”

Truly family-run, the Landon’s children, Cristin and Daniel, work in the Bojangles’ business, along with several members of their extended family. The Thomson location is the Landon’s fourth in the area, joining two n Augusta and one in Evans. More than 50 local residents are employed at the new restaurant.

MEDICAL DISTRICT SMELLS SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON

The Augusta Fish Market and Restaurant is completing its permitting process and preparing to open on Walton Way near Eve Street. The spacious, gray stucco building was the original home of Simon’s Formal Wear before they moved to the National Hills Shopping Center. Most recently, Poppy Seeds Catering used the building, before the owner’s health problems caused it to close.

Fish is believed to be a healthy alternative to red meat. The thousands of employees at area hospitals and doctor’s offices will soon have that selection at a convenient location.

BREAKFAST, BBQ AND MORE CHICKEN

The experiment with the breakfast and lunch diner concept is apparently over at 14th Street and Walton Way. Bailie Street Grille gave the concept a few months. Now, the owners have decided to turn the former failed Waffle King and Three Squares Diner into a barbecue joint.

Water is our most precious resource. It is essential for sustaining life. Because humans, plants, and animals are made up mostly of water, they would die without it. The average American uses about 100 gallons of water daily. Even more water is used by industries to grow food, generate electricity, manufacture products and transport people and goods.

For most of our history, Georgia and South Carolina have enjoyed an abundance of fresh water. But that is beginning to change. The increasing need for water in the Atlanta area resulted in a dispute between Georgia, Florida and Alabama over the right to use water from Lake Lanier. Stream flow issues in the Pee Dee River led to a similar dispute in the Carolinas. In densely populated coastal areas such as Hilton Head, heavy groundwater use caused saltwater to seep into the aquifers. At our current rate of use, our fresh water resources will become increasingly stressed as the population in the region grows. Fortunately, there are several everyday water-saving strategies and some more high-tech approaches that you can use to conserve water.

A good place to start is in your bathroom. Nearly half of all water consumed in the home is used in the bathroom.

Twenty percent of that water is flushed down the toilet!

If you still have a standard toilet that uses 3.5 to 5 gallons a flush, you can reduce your water use up to 45 percent by retrofitting the tank with a $30 dual flush conversion kit. Using a low-flow shower head can save 15 gallons of water or more during a 10-minute shower. Today’s lowflow shower heads do not have the anemic flow issues that earlier versions had. Taking shorter showers and turning off the faucet while you shave or brush your teeth will also reduce your water use.

About 10 percent of the water consumed in the home is used in the kitchen. One way to reduce water use in the kitchen is by using the dishwasher. Energy Star dishwashers use about 4 gallons of water per load, and standard machines use about 6 gallons. Hand washing generally uses about 20 gallons of water each time. If you do not have a dishwasher, try washing your dishes in a bowl filled with water and rinsing them in another bowl filled with water. After your dishes are clean, pour the dishwater on your houseplants or lawn.

Nearly 50 percent of the water consumed in a home is used outdoors for watering lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens. Ways you can save water in your yard include using plants that need little water, grouping plants with similar water needs and watering your lawn during early morning or evening hours to reduce evaporation.

Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it is time to water.

photo KELLY JOHNSON, BUZZ ON BIZ 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

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 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

a dragon, a dragon,

i swear i saw a dragon!

ON THE FRONT PORCH WITH GUSTAVO GONZALEZ FRANCO

Gustavo “Gus” Gonzalez Franco has a fire-breathing dragon in his back yard.

His house is easily distinguished from the other long and low homes set back from North Belair Road by the giant green crocodile that welcomes visitors into his driveway. Further down the hill toward the house, a small (as dragons go) blackscaled creature cocks its head, beckoning one into the further magic that waits.

Franco has been working with metal since he was 12 years old. He is one of 10 children, his father died when he was 8. He learned what it meant to work hard to support his widowed mother and his siblings on the family’s farm in Guadalajara, Mexico. When he turned 12, he joined his older brother at a body shop.

He remembers the moment he started experimenting with art, when he was 30 years old.

“I didn’t know I could do this; I surprised myself. One day I said, “Let me try to do something else,’ ” he said.

An engineer came to the body shop where he was working and encouraged him to try making napkin holders. Within a year, he had welded a cactus out of steel.

A University of Guadalajara professor found it and said, “I’ve never seen a cactus like that in my life!”

The engineer asked Franco to make more. Thus, his art metal career began.

Franco went to work for a metalworking shop called Forja Española in Tonala, a notable art center outside of Guadalajara. He created original works that were then replicated by other workers and distributed at high prices to buyers in other countries, including the United States. The owner of Forja Española sold one of the pieces – that Franco had worked on for two weeks – for $1,700.

Franco received the equivalent of $120, approximately one week’s pay, and no recognition. The New York galleries that house the pieces only carry the name of the shop, not the artist.

Franco tired of working for so little money and credit. Five years ago, he moved to Georgia and works for Walker Paint and Body during the day. At night, he makes art out of scrap metal he gets from the shop He does not plan to do this forever, however. He waves his hand toward his workshop and the yard, where his pieces scatter and shimmer in the grass like friends on a picnic.

“I want to sell everything,” he says. “I’ve worked for people my whole life. I want to go back to Mexico and own my own (art metal) shop.”

When asked whether he will pay his future employees the same way he was paid at Forja Española, he vehemently shakes his head.

“I need to be doing … I tell my son, ‘You have hands, whatever you can think of you can do.’ ” — GUSTAVO GONZALEZ FRANCO

developing his designs or looks through anatomy books for his horse designs.

“It is from my mind,” he says simply.

His current business comes through passersby who spot the crocodile in the front yard and stop and ask him to make pieces for them. Pieces generally range in price from $50 to $5,000. He asks for the money up front when he takes a commission and he will not be underpaid. A restaurant once tried to pay him $5 apiece for custom napkin holders.

“This is artwork!” he protested.

Sometimes Franco is so excited about what he is making that he cannot force himself to sit still.

“I will want to pay my people more. There is a lot of talent in Mexico. If you keep people happy, they will work well and enjoy their work too,” he says.

“I cannot just sit and watch TV,” he says. “I need to be doing… I tell my son, 17 years old: you have hands, whatever you think of you can do.”

Franco’s works range from 5-inch crickets and a miniature motorcycle with an engine made of bolts and nuts to 8-foot representations of Don Quixote, life-sized horses and the dragon with a built-in compartment for a propane tank. The ideas are his own – he does no research when

To buy a piece from Franco, call him at 706.533.8418.

by CHARLOTTE OKIE photos GABI HUTCHISON contibuting Elisa Carluccio

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12 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

breathing new life into

the willcox of aiken GEOFF AND SHANNON ELLIS RECREATE THE HOTEL’S GRANDUER OF THE PAST and welcome in the community

Shuttered for decades and then operated in a stuffy style the locals shunned, new ownership and management have restored The Willcox hotel and restaurant to the lively center of fun and good taste in Aiken, for which it was originally famed in the first half of the 20th century.

Owner Geoff Ellis (with his wife Shannon) spent many summers growing up in Aiken. He says he had his eye on The Willcox and The Restaurant at The Willcox since he was a student in New Orleans, working in restaurants while at Tulane University. New Orleans was where Geoff learned to work hard and make it fun.

“I always had a vision of what The Willcox was to Aiken and what it should be,” says Geoff.

Geoff already had a nearly two-decade odyssey of opening fine restaurants across the United States and, by the end of 2008, he and his wife, Shannon, owned two thriving restaurants in New Zealand.

After some very long-distance arrangements, the Ellises opened The Restaurant at The Willcox in September 2009 and the energy of the place ramped up from there. The couple brought their master chef and bar manager from New Zealand, hired local staff and trained them in their style of great personal service with an emphasis on having fun.

Tina McCarthy, the general manager of the hotel, had already instituted a Tuesday piano pub night and a Thursday jazz night, both of which became popular, starting a fresh buzz around town.

In a short time, the Ellis’ have accomplished their goal of making The Willcox ‘the living room of the community.’

ECO CONSCIOUS

Within three months of buying the restaurant, the opportunity to buy the hotel presented itself. Geoff and Shannon became the owners of The Willcox at 11:50 p.m., on Dec. 31, 2009.

Today, there is always something fun happening at The Willcox Hotel.

Julliard Jazz Ensemble played a free concert in the lobby in March, filling the huge room with fans. For the recent Celebrity Waiter fundraising night for The Children’s Place, the staff turned The Willcox into a cruise ship with ports of call and great food, stopping in the Caribbean, New Zealand, Germany and China.

And the fun goes on with that kind of imagination.

Geoff, Shannon and Tina take pains to dispel the old snobby – and expensive – image The Willcox earned in times past. Geoff regularly wears blue jeans while greeting guests for dinner and never dons a tie. While both Shannon and Tina are elegant women, they are also down to earth and make guests feel welcome within moments.

In a short time, the Ellises have accomplished their goal of making The Willcox ‘the living room of the community.’

There is no better place to bring friends for dinner or to have an informal meeting by the fireplaces in the lobby.

The Spa at The Willcox has been dramatically upgraded with the addition of the Dermalogica skin care line. During the warm months, Just Breathe Studio conducts yoga, Tai Chi and water aerobics in and around the beautiful pool area.

While working every day to excel in business, Geoff and Shannon also share a devotion to the environment. Despite significant expense, they accomplished an extraordinary recognition shortly after their anniversary as the hotel’s owners – garnering the highest “Green Hospitality” rating offered by the state of South Carolina.

The South Carolina Green Hospitality Alliance presents a “One Palmetto” designation to restaurants and hotels that verify outstanding compliance in energy conservation, recycling and other environmental areas. “Two Palmetto” means the business has taken the challenge to a higher level and “Three Palmetto” is the state’s top level of recognition.

At the beginning of this year, there were only three hotels in the state, all backed by corporations, that had earned Three Palmetto recognition and there were no restaurants that had reached that lofty status.

On February 1, representatives of the Alliance presented Geoff and Shannon with Three Palmetto recognition for the hotel and Three Palmetto recognition for The Restaurant at The Willcox. The combined recognition makes The Willcox the only Six Palmetto establishment in the state.

Fun, But Elegant

Guest rooms at the Willcox are comfortable retreats, luxuriously appointed – each with its own character. All rooms are quiet with high ceilings, crown moldings and restful, cloudsoft beds blanketed in cool, clean linen and down pillows.

When ready to greet the day, the staff is ready to point you in the right directions; virtually all of Aiken’s many charms are within walking distance of the hotel.

In the first half of the 20th century, The Willcox was the center of the high society Winter Colony who came to Aiken from across the country to play their outdoor games from October through March: polo, fox hunting, court tennis, golf, racquetball, croquet and more. Astors, Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and Whitneys mingled with Fred Astaire, Gene Kelley, Bing Crosby and high-ranking American politicians and European nobility – all in the name of fun. Talk about high-ranking, how about both Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt and Mr. and Mrs. Winston Churchill for your guest list?

The Restaurant at The Willcox has re-earned its fabled reputation as the finest dining experience in town, and now that comes with competitive pricing for those of us who are not millionaires or movie stars. The restaurant is exquisitely appointed, but guests are also invited to dine poolside, in the library, on the back patio, in the sports pub or even in the magnificent dark hardwood lobby.

Aiken still deserves its century-old reputation as a party town.

There is some kind of festival — lobster racing is big here — horse show, polo match, art exhibition, musical event or wine tasting going on every week.

Everything about The Willcox echoes classic times accompanied with the most modern services. Combined with all it has to offer, it makes a great one-tank getaway.

The Willcox hotel is located at 100 Colleton Ave. SW, in Aiken, S.C.. For more information, call 803.648.1898 or visit THEWILLCOX.COM.

by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE photos courtesy of THE WILLCOX

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

choral society takes

the show on the road

DR. TIMOTHY POWELL prepares to premier new work at lincoln center with augusta talent

On June 19, the Columbia County Choral Society, featuring the combined choirs of Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and area singers, will perform the world premier of Columbia County Choral Society Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Powell’s original work Incarnatio Mysteria, presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York. The concert takes place at Lincoln Center and is a double billing with the Brahms Requiem, conducted by Milburn Price.

A total of 175 singers, 100 of them from Davidson, are participating in the performance. Auditions also came from across the country to DCINY. PDFs of the score and links to MP3 tracks were emailed to out-of-town participants.

“The CSRA singers will meet as a group for the first time on May 21 and run a series of rehearsals prior to the June 3 (preview) performance,” says Powell. “The choirs from Texas and Arizona will only meet with us when we get to New York in June. A little scary, but since I have already heard them in a live recording, I have some trust in their talent and directorship.”

Powell spoke to verge about Incarnatio Mysteria and his vision for the arts in the CSRA. VERGE: What is the story of Incarnatio Mysteria?

POWELL: I have been thinking about Incarnatio Mysteria since the summer of 2001. Originally, I intended to write a seven-movement unaccompanied work using traditional Latin motet texts interspersed with original English poetry, about the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. I completed the piece in 2003, but was deeply unsatisfied with almost all the music, except for the Mirabile Mysterium. The rest of the music I put away, though I kept the idea of a large-scale major work, which centered on the incarnation, in my mind. Increasingly, I began to think of it more in terms of a major work with orchestra and soloists.

Further, I began to expand the concept to include biblical passages as well as other sacred writings and took out the idea of using my own poetry.

In 2008, following the Carnegie Hall performance of my Wedding Mass (with DCINY), I sketched out two major projects. The first was to be a new opera called Ruth, from the biblical story. I composed the central aria, Entreat Me Not, in the spring of 2009, but put it away for a while to concentrate on a new composition of Incarnatio Mysteria. The decision to revisit the piece came about through the encouragement of Iris Derke and my good friends at DCINY, who offered to host the world premiere at Lincoln Center, and through another friend, Dr. Britt Cooper, who commissioned a new setting of O Magnum Mysterium. I decided to use that new version of O Magnus Mysterium as one of the central movements of the work and a companion piece to Mirabile Mysterium, the only movement from the original “incarnation” to survive the cutting board.

Finally, I work every day at the Davidson Fine Arts School — what is arguably one of the best high school music programs in the United States and is certainly the best choral program.

Every day I get to swim in an atmosphere of talent, surrounded by 165 of the smartest, most talented, driven, and artistically expressive young singers in America. This piece is without a doubt a product of this amazing daily collaboration.

The piece uses passages from the Latin Vulgate translation of the first chapter of the Gospel of John, as well as traditional prayers and texts in Latin. Additionally, Incarnatio Mysteria includes an important and beautiful passage from the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas. I found an English translation

“Every day I get to swim in an atmosphere of talent, surrounded by 165 of the smartest, most talented, driven and artistically expressive young singers in America.” of the original Coptic online and passed it on to my colleague, Jillian Humphreys, the Latin instructor at Davidson. She put together a great classical Latin translation — apparently the first time the passage had been translated to Latin — which was our jumping-off point for the text.

VERGE: How many versions of it were written to get to the final composition? Did it change much while in progress?

For the CCCS, we are embarking on a membership campaign this summer to culminate in our fall auditions on August 9, and I anticipate a season that will feature the Rutter Requiem, along with a celebration of American composers in the spring.

VERGE: Are you optimistic about this area’s artistic future?

What are your predictions, if any?

TATE: I wrote a 20-page ending that I never felt enthusiastic about. I was supposed to be finished with the choral and piano score in August, but life intruded. As October approached and I threw out that ending, I hit some writer’s block. Finally, in early December, I was conducting Bach’s Magnificat with the DFA Chorale, and I had an idea while onstage in the concert to apply one of Bach’s structural techniques to the work. I wrote it down during intermission as a note to myself, and then finished Incarnatio in just a few days after that with the alternate ending.

POWELL: Augusta is really growing. To think that a town our size has a major arts festival in Westabou, a fine symphony, a couple of fantastic theatre companies and numerous professional and semi-professional choral ensembles bodes well for the future. I think that improved community support, both in terms of financial and audience support, is always a goal, though the Augusta arts groups already have a stellar support base in place, and I would hazard to say that, although we have wonderful venues in town, we really lack a fine concert hall devoted to symphonic and large-scale works with the space necessary to host it.

VERGE: What changes have you seen and/or initiated since taking on the role of artistic director for the Choral Society?

by ALISON RICHTER photo above HOLLY BIRDSONG photos of Powell and soloists Carole Rezzelle

POWELL: Anytime there is new blood, there is renewed vitality. It is my hope that we will continue to see growth in both quality and quantity of singers in the organization as well as offering unique performances. We have had two packed performances so far this season, which has prompted a change of venue for this concert in order to accommodate the crowds.

That is always a good sign.

VERGE: What are your goals for the coming year for the CCCS and Davidson School of Fine Arts?

POWELL At Davidson, we are submitting applications to be considered for the American Choral Director’s Conference next spring, a national championship for American Choirs. We should hear word in the summer about that, which will set our agenda for the next two years. Our CD was just released. We have tentative plans for a 2013 tour to either Paris or Vienna.

The two treble soloists: Callaway Powlus, soprano, and Mackenzie Marr,alto

Preview the Mysteria WHAT A Preview Concert of Incarnatio Mysteria by the combined choirs of the Columbia County Choral Society and Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School WHERE Wesley United Methodist Church | 825 North Belair Road, Evans WHEN Friday, June 3 | 7:30 p.m. | $10 to $15

MORE CCCHORALSOCIETY.ORG and TheDavidsonChorale.org

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16 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

a photo shouts

a thousand words

eVERYDAY LIVING CAUGHT ON FILM

It’s a playground for pups!

Wide open fenced-in space allows dogs to run unfettered.

Towering trees provide shady spots to rest while dog bowls and water are nearby, ready to slake the thirst. Dogs — and their owners — can frolic and play, while making friends and getting plenty of exercise.

The Bark Park is a city dog’s paradise. Nestled among the 64-acre Pendleton King Park, the dog park has separate areas for small and large dogs, room for a game of fetch and toys for tug and pull.

Photographer Gabi Hutchison captured the Bark Park experience on a recent Wednesday afternoon with Apollo, her American Dingo, and husband, David.

Find your way to the Bark Park at 1600 Troupe St., open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For guidelines for using the park, visit pkpbarkpark.com. photos GABI HUTCHISON

vergelive.com | community driven news | May 18, 2011 17

ISSUE: falling OFF THE GRID

The Face of Augusta’s Homeless and the Agencies Who Hope to Help Delilah used to work at a home for mentally handicapped men; cooking, cleaning and taking care of the residents. That was the 1990s, before the long hours became too much trouble to justify her scant paycheck.

At age 60, Delilah lost her home and moved in with her grown daughter who lives in Augusta.

For the time being, Delilah still sleeps at her daughter’s house, but that welcome has worn thin. She now she spends much of her day hanging out near the Garden City Rescue Mission on Fenwick Avenue, all too aware she might soon need their help, as hundreds of others have. When she is not having lunch at the Master’s Table soup kitchen, she is looking for jobs on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website. Jobs that are now more scarce than they were when she lost her home.

“What they need to do is open a bunch of shelters for both men and women,” she said. “Shelter is an issue, but besides that, there are a lot of good programs here for people to get food and get help, if they look for them.”

Delilah carries a dusty book bag that contains all her possessions.

If she could find someplace safe to keep it, she feels sure things would start looking up, but only if she avoids the pitfalls of drugs and alcohol to which so many others fall prey.

“Some people just won’t be helped,” Delilah said. “Those are the ones you have to watch out for. But me, I am going to make it. It just seems that every time I try to crawl out of my hole, something else falls on me. But I know I am going to make it.”

According to the Augusta Housing and Community Development Office’s most recent count, conducted on a single day in January, there are 446 men, women and children in homeless shelters across the city, and another 44 on the street, in hotels or in jail. However, Community Development Manager Vicki Johnson feels almost certain they missed a few.

“Augusta, like many cities across this nation, is not fully equipped to provide all the services needed to assist homeless and at-risk clientele,” she said. “Many persons are in need of so much more than a roof over their heads. They need job skills, transportation, physical and mental health care, child care, jobs paying more than minimum wage, full-time versus part-time jobs in addition to real, affordable housing.”

The homeless population in Augusta has increased nearly 25 percent since the start of the recession in 2008, according to both Paul Bishop, the men’s residential manger for the Salvation Army of Augusta, and Kimberly Blanchard, the executive director of Coordinated Health Services, Inc., a non-profit organization which operates both the Good Samaritan Respite Center and St. Vincent DePaul Health Center in downtown Augusta. Their assessment is based on the number of phone calls they receive each day.

“A lot of the people who stay in our shelters are part of the regular working force, but have just fallen on hard times,” said Bishop. “Because there are so many different reasons people end up with us there is no quick fix, but we at the Salvation Army have open doors to anyone who needs assistance, and try not to turn anyone away unless we are full up to capacity.”

DELILAH AT GARDEN CITY RESCUE MISSION

“It just seems that every time I try to crawl out of my hole, something else falls on me.”

— DELILAH, ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS

“Not only are there more homeless on the streets, but the face of homelessness is changing,” said Blanchard. “The stigma is that a homeless person is going to look, act and talk a certain way, but recently we have seen more women and children. Some of them have income but just cannot get a roof over their head.”

According to Blanchard, St. Vincent DePaul, located at 432 Eighth St., is Augusta’s only no-pay clinic, providing preventative, primary and specialty health care on a daily basis to the homeless. Much of this care comes in the form of medications to treat common ailments such as diabetes and hypertension. In addition, the Good Samaritan Respite Center provides short-term recuperative housing for homeless men and women recently released from the hospital, with a doctor’s referral suggesting they take advantage of the medical recovery and community services available at the center.

“Everyone we serve here meets the Housing and Urban Development definition of homeless, which is pretty broad,” said Blanchard. “If they are on disability, or are living at their mom’s house and at risk of getting kicked out, then they qualify. We have been seeing a lot more of these types of cases in the last couple of years especially.”

Johnson disagrees with the assessment that the homeless population is on the rise; her office has registered no recent increase in homelessness. Their numbers only indicate an increase in those at risk of becoming homeless. However, she does recognize that there is a problem.

“Augusta’s shelters need numerous resources to meet the needs of people in crisis, one being an understanding and caring community, volunteers willing to give of their time and monetary resources,” she said. “Federal funding for the homeless is limited and very competitive.”

This is where organizations such as the Salvation Army or Coordinated Health Services come into play. CHS receives funding from the state Department of Community Affairs,

18 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

private foundations and local churches. CHS also receives hospital per diem support when it accepts referral to the Good Samaritan Respite Center. The majority of what is received is spent on providing treatment and medication for their patients.

“A homeless person with diabetes does not have the money to keep buying medication when they are doing everything they can just to put a roof over their head,” said Blanchard. “They cannot come up with a $25 co-pay to a physician if they do not have it, so they need someone to help them understand that they need to be taking care of their own health, both physically and mentally, and help them along that path.”

The Salvation Army, likewise, runs a nine-month residential program for recovering substance abusers that is faith-based and free of charge. There are 30 beds reserved for men who are going through group and individual therapy while trying to put their lives back together.

“Drugs and alcohol are big problems because a person becomes homeless, cannot find a place to stay, cannot get a job, and eventually depression sinks in,” said Bishop. “Often, they turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate, or because of peer pressure, but it is almost always a way of trying to relieve pain.”

The Salvation Army also offers a shelter for women and families

and gives out clothing vouchers once per week. A six-month job skills program advises homeless people on how to get and keep a job, and gives them the confidence it takes to do so.

“Anyone who gives cash to panhandlers is just giving them their next fix and enabling them to remain homeless.”

— KAREN SALTZMAN, HOPE HOUSE

“I typically see four or five individuals a day, as does my assistant, and the first thing we do is sit down and establish a goaloriented action plan,” said Bishop, whose primary concern is in determining what type of help to give the people he counsels.

“Some people are waiting for their disability checks to come through and only need a bed for the night, while others are simply looking for bus fare to get home.”

Bishop is pleased with his results, noting that in the past year, 53 percent of people in their overnight shelter stayed for less than 10 days. However, what these success stories have in common is a well-formulated plan, not panhandling.

“I do not encourage people to give cash to panhandlers,” he said.

“If someone wants to give food or put gas into a car then that is their decision, but there is really no reason to give cash.”

“Anyone who gives cash to panhandlers is just giving them their next fix and enabling them to remain homeless,” said Karen Saltzman, the executive director of Hope House, a local shelter for women who are suffering from substance abuse or mental health issues. “When I sit down with homeless individuals I am respectful and treat them as a human being, which can do a lot of good all by itself; but if they ask for money, I give them my card.”

Like Bishop, Saltzman does her best to coordinate an action-plan for the women she counsels, but she sees an even deeper problem based on the fact that 77 of the homeless surveyed – and 22 of the residents at her campus – are children.

“It is really shocking to me how many children are homeless,” she said. “As they move from center to center, not only are they easy targets for predators, but their self-worth suffers and they

have no sense of grounding. By not giving them time to focus on learning to read and write, we are denying them the skills they need to become successful adults. That way, not only are their moms and dads homeless, but we are setting them up to be homeless also.”

According to Saltzman, several states make plans for how many new jail cells to build based on the number of children who cannot read by the third or fourth grade. According to an article in a July 2004 edition of The Washington Post, California bases its prison bed estimates on the percentage of children who fail to make it past a fourth-grade reading level. Beyond this point, it is very hard to get caught up, and those having difficulties can become increasingly desperate for a means of living.

“We will never end homelessness unless we look at those core issues,” she said. “Yes, there are substance abuse and mental health issues, but you really need to look at poverty and generations of poverty, and the way to fix that is through education.”

The scariest thing for many who work with the homeless is the number of educated people, and even skilled professionals, who find themselves on the street.

“Most of us are only a few paychecks, or one paycheck, away from being out on the street ourselves,” said Saltzman, noting that 22 percent of the people in Richmond County are currently at or below the poverty line.

“The population is increasing and no one agency is going to be able to solve homelessness,” said Blanchard. “We have resources, but the problem is getting people hooked into the programs with a lifestyle change. This is a problem that has always been with us, and chances are good that it always will, so we need to take care of one another.”

Saltzman’s Hope House employs a teacher and a tutor to read with the children every night, providing them a regular source of education. For many, however, these efforts to decrease future homelessness will never be enough.

“Not only are there more homeless on the streets, but the face of homelessness is changing.”

— KIMBERLY BLANCHARD, COORDINATED HEALTH SERVICES

“When someone comes to us, the first thing we do is get them to a safe place, get them fed, get them a warm bed and then start working on those other issues,” she said. “I cannot tell you how many women have told me that they cannot remember the last time they slept in a clean, safe place such as this one. Then they pay a visit to the doctor to see if there is an underlying mental health issue, which more than likely there is.”

Blanchard agrees, “I do not know how anyone could be homeless for as long as some of these people have been on the streets without developing some kind of mental disorder, because it is a horrible, taxing situation to be in. A lot of people spend every night unsheltered and on the street. No one chooses this lifestyle.”

RON At his “home” under the bridge

No one would agree with this statement more than Ron, who graduated from Richmond Academy with the class of 1986 and was evicted from his apartment, provided by a housing program, four years ago. According to Ron, who did not provide his last name, he was evicted because he was unfairly accused of making threatening phone calls. As a result, he now sleeps beneath the 15th Street bridge, where snakes are the least of his concerns.

“Some people out here will jump you, rob you and take any money you have if you have it,” he said. “I am not looking for too much. All I want is another place where I can chill and stay inside my own house and get my head together. I just concentrate on getting by day to day.”

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK photos ALISON RYAN EDITOR’S NOTE: Though willing to have their faces captured on camera, most of our subjects were unwilling to share their names. Photos were taken near Garden City Rescue Mission.

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20 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

CHOW BELLA: THE POP-TART

fresh food bites

Creating Healthier Breakfast Options

Celebrating the Foods of May Every month seems to come with different food holidays The month of May seems to be “The Food Month” with special days for a myriad of foods, including asparagus, chocolate custard, gazpacho and strawberries. I thought it would be fun to take several of foods for which May is the official month and combine them to make something delicious and healthy. May is also National Barbeque Month, National Hamburger Month, National Salad Month and National Salsa Month. With those in mind, here is the concoction that I came up with … enjoy! See what you can concoct with these ingredients and send it to info@lokalloudness.com and we may post your recipe on vergelive.com.

Southern Salsa Burger

6 large seeded, chopped tomatoes 2 cups seeded, chopped green peppers 1 cup seeded, chopped jalapeno pepper (optional) ¾ cup chopped onion 1 ½ teaspoon salt 2 cloves minced garlic ¼ cup cilantro 1 tablespoon olive oil 8 oz can of tomato sauce 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon Splenda (or generic alternative) 2 pounds 90% lean ground beef or lean ground turkey/chicken Whole wheat hamburger buns 1 bag of simple salad/greens mix 1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

2. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Dijon mustard,

Worcestershire sauce and Splenda.

3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered

about five minutes.

4. Allow to cool 15 minutes and add remaining

ingredients mixing well and working meat in

last.

5. Form into patties and cook on the grill (or George

Foreman) or fry them up in a pan until you get

them the way you like.

6. Place on bun and top with salad/greens mix (or

have your salad on the side) and enjoy!

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

The weather has been lovely. It is the perfect time to sit outside with friends and eat, as we did this last week. Summer approaches; my thoughts turn to school-free days and what to feed my daughter, Emma, while she is home all day. I started searching for alternatives to the typical sugary breakfast foods, something easy that Emma and I can make together.

I am not against sweet treats in the morning. I love good fresh toast or a cinnamon bun. I simply want ways that we can make our treats less sugary. One of my favorite quick breakfasts when I was growing up was Pop-Tarts – pockets of sweetness. Yes, I still think they are delicious. But when I read the ingredients, I thought, “There must be a better alternative.” I did some research and found a few different ways to make a Pop-Tart at home. I adapted one that seemed relatively easy from the HONEYANDJAM.COM blog. I am a night owl and these bleary eyes only do so much in the morning, so the simpler the better.

I really enjoyed making these Pop-Tarts; the ingredients are items you can find in most kitchens. There are also several options for fillings. The recipe I used called for peanut butter.

Not being a big peanut butter fan in the morning, I decided to stick with jam. The crust is just a simple pie crust from Everyday Food and is not sweet on its own; so it lends itself to a variety of options. You can also use the same crust for making savory treats such as pizza pockets for lunch.

For our breakfast filling, I used a locally produced organic strawberry jam that I picked up at the Augusta Market on the River. You can be infinitely creative when making your own filling, but I love the ease and taste of a good local jam.

I hope it delivers a tasty home baked morning for you and your family, too. article and photos by ELIZABETH BENSON

from chow bella’s kitchen: PERSONALIZED POP-TARTS

Pure ingredients turn a sugar-filled, non-nutritional (yet yummy) treat into wholesome goodness.

INGREDIENTS: 2 ½ cups all-purpose King Arthur Flour or other organic flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar (I used organic raw cane sugar) 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces ¼ cup ice water Your favorite flavor of fresh jam THE CRUST:

1. Mix together the flour, sugar, and salt in a mixer or food processor. Add the butter.

2. Mix until mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

3. Add the ice water, should form a ball when squeezed.

4. Knead the dough twice. Divide dough in half, refrigerate at least one hour or up to three days.

ASSEMBLE:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Roll out pie crusts to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut each pie crust into 4 rectangles.

3. Put a tablespoon of jam in the center of each rectangle (the jam will spread as it heats).

4. Cover each with another rectangle. Mesh edges together with fingers.

5. Make indentations along the entire edge of the tart with a fork.

3. Place on a cookie sheet and bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.

Pie crust recipe is adapted from Everyday Food.

vergelive.com | community driven news | May 18, 2011 21

the music adds up for

minus the bear

MAY 30 at sky city

“We strive to make

interesting music, we cannot be categorized and I think that is great.”

— ERIN TATE, MINUS THE BEAR

Minus The Bear’s latest album, Omni, marks some changes and firsts for the Seattle-based band. Their fourth full-length album is also their debut for Dangerbird Records and offers a unique sonic journey, merging diverse influences and styles.

Vocalist/guitarist Jake Snider, guitarist Dave Knudson, keyboardist Alex Rose, bassist Cory Murchy and drummer Erin Tate are at the decade mark in the band’s history, one of many things that Tate reflected on during an interview with verge.

VERGE: This is your fourth album. How is each one a different chapter in the band’s career?

TATE: We strive to make each record a little different than the last and it works out well. On the first record, we were all in other bands and this was a side project for fun. On the second record, it was our band and our job. The third record was a continuation of that, and we were listening to different kinds of music. Omni is us trying to do something totally different and break out of our comfort zone. We had a different producer at a different studio and we moved to a new label.

VERGE: How did you break out of your comfort zone?

TATE: Every record we’ve done before was very much a product of what we were used to doing.

With this record we were without a label. We, and our manager, decided to do it that way and it was very stressful. It was an ordeal. None of us had ever recorded something not knowing whether it had a home and hoping this is good and hoping somebody wants it. We strived to make it the best we could, and there was a lot of bigger inner pressure we put upon ourselves trying to make it different and cool. I guess it worked.

TATE: That is probably part of the reason why I am renting a house and not buying one! I don’t know. We do what we do and hope people like it. We are not the kind of band that can write the same pop song over and over. We strive to make interesting music, we cannot be categorized and I think that is great. No one can say, “You sound like this band or that band.” I take great pride in not being categorized. We cannot describe what the music sounds like, but it is cool. Who does something different these days? Everybody sounds like band X or band Y. VERGE: How far can you push without becoming too different?

ROBERTSON: I do not know. I feel we lose fans with every record and gain different fans. The new record caught a lot of flack from fans who said it was too polished and pop and the previous record they said was too weird, so you cannot base what you do on what people say. You will always win people and lose people. I would record 102 minutes of instrumental avant-garde if I could. We do what we do and hopefully people like it. If they do not, then I will rent an apartment instead of a house! My life’s work is not to please other people. That said, I have not had a job since the cash register was around, so what else am I going to do? … I cannot take what we do for granted. I live off of this band, our fans are amazing, I get to travel the world playing music, and there are people who would kill to be in our position. With the uprising of the Internet, pirating has hurt the industry everywhere, but that does not mean fans are not coming to shows. They may not buy a record, but they will buy a ticket and a T-shirt.

by ALISON RICHTER

VERGE: In your ten years together, how has the band changed both musically and personally?

TATE: The first EP was released September 20, 2001, and it is all hitting us this year. It definitely feels like ten years when I think of every record, every tour and every song we have written. I will be 33 this year and that is crazy to me. Time changes everything. It deepens relationships, you go from your 20s to your 30s, some of us are buying houses, you listen to bands you did not think you would like when you were in your early 20s and more aggressive. We concentrate very hard on what we do when we are home. We rehearse five days a week and treat it like a job, but we go home to wives or girlfriends now, so it is different in that sense, too.

VERGE: This album was a couple of years in the making. Were you concerned about maintaining your fan base in this age of short attention spans?

TATE: It has to be a concern in this day and age, and at the same time, what are you going to do?

You can pump out crap and not work on decent songs or you can roll the dice and go with it. This band always had a two-year cycle of writing for a good chunk of the year, putting out an album and touring for a year or year and a half. We do not write songs thinking about their future; we write something we think is good and hopefully people like it.

VERGE: Is it difficult to find a place for your music when the sound is so unique that it does not fit anywhere?

22 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

See The Show

SKYSAW

WHO Minus the Bear + Skysaw + The Constellations WHERE Sky City | 1157 Broad St. WHEN Monday, May 30 | 8 p.m. | $15 to $18 | ETIX.COM BONUS Hear drummer Jimmy Chamberlin (former drummer for Smashing

Pumpkins) front his new band, Skysaw.

MORE | MINUSTHEBEAR.COM or dangerbirdrecords.com

the

daily planner

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

MAY 18 t0 jun 4

[ TERRA COGNITA: DANIEL ROZIN ] New York-based artist Daniel Rozin focuses on interactive digital art and creates complex installations and sculptures that have the unique ability to change and respond to the presence of the viewer. In many cases, the audience becomes an integral part of the artwork through the use of inconspicuous cameras, small motors and computers.

“Interactivity and viewer participations are themes that I explore with my art pieces, but they are also a very convenient way to keep the viewers engaged in the art. A viewer that is engaged in a playful dialog with an art piece spends more time with it and pays more attention to the details of the piece,” Rozin said in a January interview with AltDaily.

On May 19, Rozin will discuss his high-tech installations and sculptures during the final Terra Cognita artist lecture. In connection with his lecture, Rozin’s digital artwork Mirror No. 10 has been on view since May 2 and will remain at the Morris until May 29.

WHERE Morris Museum of Art, 1 10th St. WHEN Thursday, May 19 at 6 p.m. TICKETS free MORE 706.724.7501 | THEMORRIS.ORG The Daily Planner is our selective guide to what is going on in the city during the next two weeks. IF YOU WANT TO BE LISTED: Submit information by email (info@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

5.18

LITERARY MEET THE NEW LIBRARY Director Meet

Ms. Teresa Cole, the new library director, during this special, drop-in reception to introduce her to the community and library patrons. Headquarters Library; 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m..; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

THURSDAY

5.19

LITERARY BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB Discussion of

Winds of Change by Martha Grimes Columbia County Library; 11:30 a.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.863.1946 ECGRL.ORG

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; reservations required. Reed Creek Wetlands Interpretative Center; 4:30 p.m.; $2; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

ART TERRA COGNITA: DANIEL ROZIN See above description for details.

LITERARY Steam Coffin Learn about the first steamship crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

Historian and author John Laurence Busch will explain why the proposition of making the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on a steamship was met with a mixture of skepticism and fear. Amici Italian Café; 6:30 p.m.; $47; 4045 Jimmie Dyess Parkway; 706.826.1940 BOOKTAVERN.COM

MUSIC IN THE PARK: THE SAVANNAH RIVER WINDS Enjoy live music in this beautiful park setting, perfect for a date night or family outing.

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

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. the

Greenville Drive. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $6 to $8 for adults; kids 3 and under are $1; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889 GREENJACKETS.NET

COMEDY CHICKEN WIRE COMEDY SHOW

Le Chat Noir 8 p.m.; $10; 304 Eighth St.; 706.722.3322 SCHRODINGERSCATAUG.COM

FRIDAY

5.20

EDUCATION 10TH ANNUAL PARKINSON’S DISEASE SEMINAR Learn about

Parkinson’s Disease, which affects 1.5 million Americans with guest speaker Dr. Jay Alberts of the Cleveland Clinic discussing the Role of Exercise and Activity in Parkinson’s Disease. MCGHealth professionals will discuss How Allied Health Therapies Can Help You and the Basics of PD and Activities of Daily Living Issues.

Doubletree Hotel; 8:30 a.m.; free; 2651 Perimeter Parkway; 706.721.4895 MCGHEALTH.ORG

FESTIVAL AIKEN GARDEN SHOW Experience tours of

private gardens, exhibits by local landscapers and a speaker series. Aiken County Historical Museum; 8:30 a.m.; $18 advance, $20 door; 433 Newberry St. SW, Aiken; mail@aikengardenshow. org AIKENGARDENSHOW.ORG

FESTIVAL COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY Carrying on

the tradition of the best “kick off to summer vacation” block party!

Geared to children 17 and under attending Richmond County Schools with free food, fun, live performances and giveaways. JR’s Stop & Shop; 3 p.m.; free; 1957 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; 706.722.5613 AUGUSTAGA.GOV

OUTDOORS MOONLIGHT MUSIC CRUISE: KAREN GORDON Enjoy jazz while

trolling the Augusta Canal. Bring your own snacks and beverages.

Augusta Canal; 7 p.m.; $25; 1450 Greene St.; 706.823.0440 AUGUSTACANAL.COM

Daniel Rozin, Peg Mirror, 2007. Courtesy of the artist.

THEATRE Becky’s New Car Fortyish Becky Foster

has a decent job at an auto dealership, a solid husband named Joe and a freeloading psych-major son named Chris living in her basement. Her life is…okay, if not sublime, but she can’t help having the nagging suspicion that she’s missed out on something. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m.; $25 to $50; Third Ave., Bldg. 32100, Fort Gordon; 706.793.8552 FORTGORDON.COM

CHORAL MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES Cornerstone

Baptist Church; 7:30 p.m.; $15; 100 Cornerstone Drive, Aiken AIKENCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

FILM MOVIES ON THE LAWN: WALL-E See below

description for details.

THEATRE LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE Augusta Mini Theatre presents a new

play performed by 80 of its drama, dance, art and piano students. Augusta Mini Theatre Community Arts and Life Skills School; 8 p.m.; $10; 2548 Deans Bridge Road; 706.722.0598 AUGUSTAMINITHEATRE.COM

THEATRE RENT Based

loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Rent follows a year in the lives of seven friends living the disappearing Bohemian lifestyle in New York’s East Village.

Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.; $20; 126 Newberry St. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1438

SATURDAY

5.21

MARKET AUGUSTA MARKET AT THE RIVER

products. Eighth Street Bulkhead; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; free; 2 Eighth St.; 706.627.0128 THEAUGUSTAMARKET.COM

FESTIVAL LIFE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EXPO Aiken Icon

2011, Jakes Outdoor Events, Aiken Horsepower car show, free health screenings and cooking demos. USC Aiken Convocation Center; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free; 375 Robert Bell Parkway, Aiken; 803.643.6901 USCATIX.COM

GOOD CAUSE LET’S WALK, AUGUSTA! Get walking for

your health with a one mile walk along the Augusta Canal.

Enjoy light refreshments and a health fair conducted by GHSU medical students. Learn how to start a community walking group. Sibley Mill; 9 to 11 a.m.; free; on the Augusta Canal, adjacent to the Kroc Center; 803.960.7477

Fresh locally grown produce, bread, food and other

[ MOVIES ON THE LAWN ] Enjoy the family-friendly movie, WALL-E, on a big screen, under the stars, at Boeckh Park along the Savannah River. Pack a picnic dinner and bring a blanket or lawn chairs for an evening outdoors with the family.

WHERE Boeckh Park, Hammond’s Ferry WHEN Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. | free MORE 803.613.1641 |

HAMONDSFERRY.COM

find the full daily planner @ vergelive.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | May 18, 2011 23

THE FILM REEL

Pirates, Parties & Pandas Summer starts early at the movies with sequels to some of the most successful films from the past few years. May 20 finds Johnny Depp returning to his unforgettable role as eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES. Based on a Disney theme park ride, the Pirates of the Caribbean film series debuted in the summer of 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The next installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest opened in 2006 and went on to gross more than $1 billion worldwide, earning the number four slot on the list of all-time highestgrossing films. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End opened in 2007 with nearly as CRUZ HEATS UP THE CARIBBEAN WIth DEPP impressive box office results. In addition to Sparrow’s exploits, those films followed the stories of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), neither of whom is featured in the fourth chapter of Sparrow’s story.

Returning cast members joining Depp are Geoffrey Rush as rival pirate Barbossa and The Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards (who was identified as Depp’s inspiration for Sparrow’s mannerisms) as Captain Teague. New additions to the ensemble are Penelope Cruz as Angelica, a lady pirate and former love interest of Sparrow’s, and Ian McShane (TV’s Deadwood) as the quintessential villain, Blackbeard. Sparrow employs his usual erratic antics to search for the Fountain of Youth while taking on zombies, nasty killer mermaids and bad-to-the-bone Blackbeard along the way. He also has to keep his eye on Angelica, who either still has feelings for him or is waiting for the right moment to exact revenge for his romantic blunders.

Gore Verbinski, who directed the first three Pirates films, was replaced by director Rob Marshall (Chicago). Producer Jerry Bruckheimer was still onboard for his fourth Pirates movie and is already working on a fifth. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the franchise’s first 3D offering.

Expanding its release this week is actor-director Jodie Foster’s THE BEAVER, a film whose controversial leading man is once-respected actor and director turned tabloid mess Mel Gibson. He plays Walter, a deeply depressed man whose wife (Foster) kicks him out of the house. Walter hits rock bottom until he finds a beaver hand puppet and uses it as an alter-ego to communicate on his behalf.

TALK TO THE BEAVER

A Woody Allen romantic comedy opens in limited release. Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Marion Cotillard star in MIDNIGHT IN PARIS.

The Memorial Day Weekend box office gets rolling on Thursday, May 26 with two more highlyanticipated sequels. THE HANGOVER PART II reunites the Wolfpack – Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis – for Stu’s (Helms) pre-wedding festivities in Thailand. With the memory of their Las Vegas fiasco still smarting, Stu mandates a no drugs or alcohol policy but eventually caves in to enjoy a single beer with his buddies. A few hours later, he wakes up with a face tattoo, a monkey and no memory of the previous night’s drama. Making matters worse, the group also lost his fiancée’s brother. Many familiar faces from the original film are back along with writer-director Todd Phillips. 2009’s The Hangover won the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Comedy and is the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time.

EVERY PANDA IS KUNG FU FIGHTING

Jack Black once again voices Po, the tubby, unlikely martial arts hero in DreamWorks Animation’s

KUNG FU PANDA 2. Po and his friends, the Furious Five (voices include Angelina Jolie, Seth

Rogen, Jackie Chan), take on an evil group that is terrorizing their neighbors and threatening to end kung fu for good. Other celebrity voice talents featured are Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Victor Garber and Jean-Claude Van Damme. This 3D animated film brings the big-screen directorial debut of animation artist Jennifer Yuh Nelson.

by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU

24 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

SATURDAY

5.21

OUTDOORS INTRO TO FLY CASTING You do not have to

wade in a mountain stream to enjoy fly-casting. Come see what it’s all about, and you might be as hooked as the fish you catch!

Mistletoe State Park; 9:30 a.m.; $5 parking fee; 3725 Mistletoe Road, Appling; 706.541.0321 GASTATEPARKS.ORG

FOR KIDS CHILDREN’S DAY 19th century games and

activities for children – a great family experience. Redcliffe Plantation; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $3; 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island; 803.827.1473 SCPRT.COM

FOR KIDS SUMMER READING KICK OFF

Get summer reading folders and enjoy fun activities including a water slide, climbing wall, sumo wrestling suits, sidewalk art and live entertainment. Columbia County Library; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.863.1946

FESTIVAL MAYFEST

Live performances from national, regional and local artists. May Park; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; free; 622 Fourth St.; 803.279.2330

EDUCATION BASIC RESUME WRITING Learn

how to write a solid resume.

Registration required. Friedman Library; 10:30 a.m.; free; 1447 Jackson Road; 706.736.6758

FESTIVAL TIME TO CARE FAIR Bring the family for

food, games, crafts and local entertainment. Augusta Common; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free; 936 Reynolds St.; 706.821.1754

GOOD CAUSE FEATHERED FRIENDS RESCUE OPEN HOUSE Save a bird today!

Open house offers all you can eat, live bands and a DJ during this special fund raising event.

Feathered Friends Rescue; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; $15; 612 Byrd Drive, Harlem; 706.556.2424

BLUEGRASS BLIND WILLIE MCTELL BLUES FESTIVAL Paying homage to country blues legend Willie McTell, this year’s festival features Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Marcia Ball, Jimmy Hall & the Prisoners of Love, Crosstie Walkers and more. Festival grounds are one mile north of I-20, Exit 172; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; $25 advance, $35 gate, ages 12 and under, free; Stagecoach Road, Thomson BLINDWILLIE.COM

FILM MAD MAX MANIA: MOVIE MARATHON Back to

back Mad Mel Gibson movies with a bit of Tina Turner.

Popcorn and drinks provided.

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

FOR KIDS TARA SCHEYER AND THE MUD PUPPY BAND Enjoy the end of spring

with this family concert designed to get little Mud Puppies moving and shaking. The Well; 11 a.m.; $6 for ages 3 and up, ages 2 and under free; 1285-B Broad St. TARASCHEYER.COM

OUTDOORS THE PROTECTED ANIMALS OF GEORGIA Look at some

of the 117 species protected in Georgia and how to get involved with restoration and preservation of wildlife. Reed Creek Wetlands Interpretative Center; 11 a.m.; $1; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

LITERARY BOOK SIGNING: TIECE MICKENS Local

author Tiece Mickens will sign her newest book Checkmate 2, a fictional story that takes place in the CSRA. Headquarters Library; 1 to 2:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

FOR KIDS TIME WITH TINA TERRY Enjoy story time, a puppet show and educational fun. Headquarters Library 2:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

THEATRE LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE See listing on 5/20 for details. Augusta Mini Theatre; 3 p.m.

THEATRE Becky’s New Car See listing on 5/20 for details. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m

THEATRE Looking Into The Future See 5/20 for details. Augusta Mini Theatre; 8 p.m.

THEATRE RENT See 5/20

for details. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

5.22 LITERARY Book Signing: Melissa Marr Author of the popular Wicked Lovely series will discuss her new book Graveminder. Headquarters Library; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

EDUCATION Great Decisions: Germany Ascendant The Foreign

Policy Association’s public education initiative to create more informed and engaged citizens by bringing people together to discuss U.S. foreign policy and global affairs issues.

A 30-minute documentary will be shown, followed by a round table discussion. Aiken County Library; 2:30 p.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St., Aiken; 803.642.2020 ABBE-LIB.ORG

CHORAL MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES Ever wonder

the

“What was that classical piece I heard in the movie?” The Aiken Choral Society presents favorite classical selections by Verdi, Mozart, Orff, Offenbach, Delibes and the contemporary filmscore composer John Williams — from the soundtracks of Amadeus, The Godfather I & III, Cheaper by the Dozen (with Steve Martin), The American President, Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban, Amistad and others. Cornerstone Baptist Church; 3 p.m.; $15; 100 Cornerstone Drive, Aiken; AIKENCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

daily planner

JAZZ CANDLELIGHT JAZZ: THREE SIDES OF JAZZ Jazz under the stars, bring your own seating and picnic. The River Stage at the Eighth Street Bulkhead, Riverwalk; 8 p.m.; $6; 2 Eighth Street; 706.495.6238 GARDENCITYJAZZ.COM

MONDAY

5.23

FOR KIDS MONDAY MATINEE MOVIE: YOGI BEAR Bring your own snacks,

preferably in a pic-a-nic basket!

(Note: this film is rated PG for mild rude humor). Diamond Lakes Library; 2 p.m.; free; 101 Diamond Lakes Way, Hephzibah; 706.772.2432 ECGRL.ORG

CONCERT SUZUKI STRINGS Bring a picnic,

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

TUESDAY

5.24

LITERARY WE’RE BOOKED This month’s discussion will feature a “reader’s choice” selection. So grab your favorite title and come join the fun.

Nancy Carson Library; 10:30 a.m.; free; 135 Edgefield Road, North Augusta; 803.279.5767

EDUCATION GETTING OUT OF DEBT Learn from a

certified credit counselor about the costs of using credit, tips for wise credit management and options for managing debt. Preregistration required. Maxwell Library; 3:45 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020

FILM MOVIES AT MAIN: RABBIT HOLE Life for a

happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident. Based on a play by David Lindsay-Abaire.

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

[ CANDLELIGHT JAZZ ] In 2004, Karen Gordon began Garden City Jazz to promote the growing jazz culture in Augusta, an initiative which swung out of her band quietSTORM. Today, Garden City Jazz has its hands in almost everything the city has to offer – when it comes to jazz.

Candlelight Jazz is Garden City Jazz’s signature event; showcasing multiple musicians from the region with a wide variety of styles. Concerts are held every Sunday at 8 p.m. at the new River Stage on the Riverwalk, through August 28. Admission is $6. Patrons bring picnic baskets and blankets, spreading out along the river, under the night sky for an evening of jazz.

“We bring awareness to local jazz musicians,” says Gordon, though the process can be tough. “It is not as simple as ‘if you build it, they will come.’ ” This year’s lineup highlights the diversity of local jazz musicians, including The Not Gaddy Trio, Jerusalem Sounds, Preston & Weston and Anderson-Cruz-Shaw. During June, the lineup switches to a regional flair with the Reggie Sullivan Trio from Columbia, the Will Goble Trio from Atlanta, the Kings of Swing from Charlotte and a tribute to Gerry Mulligan featuring Savannah’s Low End. “There are a lot of musicians with ties to this area,” says Gordon.

She starts with those groups to build the season. Gordon’s website, GARDENCITYJAZZ.COM, keeps a constant update of live jazz shows in Augusta and Aiken. The site also provides a complete schedule of the Sunday night series.

Gordon plans to culminate the Candlelight Jazz series with a Labor Day unCOMMON JazzFest.

She has also began Jazz4Kids, taking jazz-themed programs into local libraries. Each 45-minute interactive program teaches children the basics of jazz and blues, including improvisation and dance.

“Some kids are not exposed to anything but what is on the radio,” says Gordon.

Jazz lovers can also get a weekly dose during the Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River through October. Gordon wants her city to know jazz, know the musicians who are making it and experience it for themselves.

“I do not take for granted what jazz offers,” Gordon says. “I am extremely grateful to the musicians and the music lovers who allow me to share in their successes. I appreciate the camaraderie of the arts community.” | by DINO LULL

WHERE The River Stage, Riverwalk WHEN Every Sunday at 8 p.m.

TICKETS $6 INFO facebook.com/candlelightjazz or gardencityjazz.com WEDNESDAY

Kids Learn more about jazz with activities for ages 5 to 10.

Columbia County Library; 1 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.863.1946 ECGRL.ORG

FILM MOVIE MARATHON: BILL & TED ADVENTURES

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. the

5.25

Headquarters Library; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS Jazz for

Savannah Sand Gnats. On Wednesdays play Baseball Bingo for free and win some great prizes! Lake Olmstead

Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $6 to $8 for adults; kids 3 and under are $1; 78 Milledge Road; 706.736.7889 GREENJACKETS.NET

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26 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the

[ NEW ARTISTS EXPO ]

are interested in the arts, the more we can grow as a community as well as individuals within that community. I have personally benefited greatly from other individuals and their ability to inspire me with their own work — and I think that this is just another opportunity to make other such connections, as well as the ability to showcase one’s own work.”

Creative expression, publicity for local artists and care for the community merge as the budding local collective known as the Augusta Writers’ and Artists’ Guild prepares for its first Artists Expo and Donation Drive. The guild is working with the Garden City Mission to gather donations and show the city more of its own hidden talent.

The roster is expected to include poets, painters, spoken word artists, musicians, and a short film – relapsEX, produced by local electronic hip-hop band The Bipolar Love Club.

“We are hoping for a good turnout at this event,” says poet and painter Emily Middlecat, a.k.a. Jennifer Sparling, who serves as the guild’s historian. “The more people we have participating, the more energy it brings.”

The event is designed to “give back to the community through creating collaborative energy, if by no other means than the mere presence you bring. Any talent, bonus,” says Middlecat.

The Expo will feature performances for by local artists and paintings and drawings sold. Admission is $4 or $3 with a donation of clothes, canned goods or other home items the Garden City Mission can use (soap, laundry detergent, baby food, plastic utensils, etc.).

For information about performing, contact the Augusta Guild at augustaguild@gmail.com, or find them on Facebook.

by Skyler Andrews art EMILY MIDDLECAT

“It is an easy way for burgeoning artists to get some exposure,” explains Middlecat, “as well as an event where people can communicate and network with other folks involved. I am a big believer in collaboration and inspirational force and I think that the more that we come together as artists, or people who

THURSDAY

5.26

GALA HISTORIC AUGUSTA’S COTTON BALL Dr. and Mrs. Greg Gay

open their home for this year’s membership gala for Historic Augusta. Enjoy music by The Unmentionables. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Greg Gay; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Admission is current membership in Historic Augusta; 1316 Comfort Road; 706.724.0436 HISTORICAUGUSTA.ORG

CONCERT MUSIC IN THE

PARK: ROB FOSTER AND PULSAR Maude Edenfield Park; 7 p.m.; free; 400 Buena Vista Ave., North Augusta; 803.442.7588 NAARTSCOUNCIL.ORG

THEATRE Becky’s New Car See listing on 5/20 for details. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. the

Savannah Sand Gnats. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $6 to $8 for adults; kids 3 and under are $1; 78 Milledge Road; GREENJACKETS.NET

FRIDAY

5.27

COMPETITION FIRESIDE KIDS COOKING COMPETITION During the

Papa Joe’s BanjoBQue, kids can fire up the grill at Fireside’s Kids Cooking Competition.

Using new Big Green Eggs, each team of two kids (with an adult supervisor) will cook burgers - getting as creative as they want with what goes in and on the burger. The Hippodrome; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; $15, ages 12 and under free; 5540 Jefferson Davis Highway, Beech Island; 706.722.3939 IDRATHERBEFIRESIDE.COM

FESTIVAL PAPA JOE’S BANJOBQUE This bluegrass

festival and barbecue cook-off was created to honor Joe Pond and some of the things he loved most: toe-tapping bluegrass music and finger-licking good barbecue in an atmosphere the entire family can enjoy.

Friday’s music: John Popper & The Duskray Troubadour, The Blue Dogs, The Whiskey Gentry, Sibling String and Crosstie Walker. The North Augusta Hippodrome; 6 p.m.; Weekend Pass $30, Friday only $15, Saturday only, $15 to $25; 5540 Jefferson Davis Highway, Beech Island; info@banjobque.com BANJOBQUE.COM

DANCE DANCING BY THE RIVER Learn different types

of dancing such as salsa, line dancing and shag. Make sure to have your dancing shoes on to dance the night away by the beautiful Savannah River.

Boeckh Park in Hammond’s Ferry; 7 p.m.; free; 501 Front St., North Augusta; 803.613.1641 HAMMONDSFERRY.COM

OUTDOORS MOONLIGHT MUSIC CRUISE: KEITH GREGORY Enjoy live music

on the Augusta Canal. Bring your own snacks and beverages.

Augusta Canal; 7 p.m.; $25; 1450 Greene St.; 706.823.0440 AUGUSTACANAL.COM

THEATRE Becky’s New Car See listing on 5/20 for details. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. the

Savannah Sand Gnats. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $6 to $8 for adults; kids 3 and under are $1; 78 Milledge Road; GREENJACKETS.NET

THEATRE RENT See 5/20

for details. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

5.28

WHERE Headquarters Library, 936 Greene St. WHEN Saturday, May 21 from 2 to 5 p.m.

COST $3 with an item donation or $4 MORE |facebook.com/AWAG10

THE INK WELL

Puzzle

FESTIVAL PAPA JOE’S BANJOBQUE See 5/27 for

details. Saturday’s music: Doc Watson & Dave Holt, Old Crow Medicine Show, Frontier Ruckus, Charlie Parr & The Black Twig Pickers, Little Roy and Lizzie, Crosstie Walkers, Peachtree Station, Chatham County Line, Bloodkin and Sibling String.

MARKET AUGUSTA MARKET AT THE RIVER

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

OUTDOORS DISCOVERY PADDLE: SPIDER LILY

Read more on page 33. 10 a.m.; $2; Augusta Levee Road; 706.823.0440

CRAFTS ZANGER BASKETS Laura Lee Zanger

is the author of the novel Spirit Voice and numerous basketry books. She will demonstrate the art of basket making with Cherokee-style twills. Nancy Carson Library; 11 a.m.; free; 135 Edgefield Road, North Augusta; 803.279.5767 ABBE-LIB.ORG

FOR KIDS KARATE HISTORY & EXHIBITION

Join Johnny Hughes and learn karate moves. For ages 6 to 12.

Headquarters Library; 1 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

PARADE AIKEN MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

Sponsored by James L. Hammons Marine Corps League Detachment 939. Downtown Aiken; 1 p.m.; free; Downtown Aiken AIKENMCL.ORG

THEATRE Becky’s New Car See listing on 5/20 for details. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 7 p.m

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daily planner

Edited by Will Shortz | No. 0409 Across 1 Network since 1998 11 A bummer for bums 15 Like feats of Clay?

16 Shakespeare’s “templehaunting martlet” is a good one 17 Unclaimed stretch 18 Champion cyclist Leipheimer 19 Suffix with 43-Across 20 View from Presque Isle 21 Be like a bee 22 Beats badly 26 “The Man Who Knew Too Much” co-star 28 Seattle sea hawks 30 1979 negotiation 31 Beachgoer’s protection 34 Drop a line to?

35 Protruding rock 38 “War With the Newts” novelist, 1936 40 Singer/songwriter Vienna ___ 41 Items often done in gold leaf 43 What a crystal ball gazer sees 45 Source of “coffee” and “cotton” 47 With reckless abandon 51 Security office array 54 Took pains 55 Not be haphazard 56 Be stuck (on) 58 “___ Boys” (1886 sequel) 59 Mr. Universe contestants’ needs 60 Cooler in the summer 64 Japanese folk music with a swing feel 65 Really lousy idea 66 Roger’s predecessor as 007 67 “Holy mackerel!”

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Down 1 Mackerel family member 2 Matzo balls soak them up 3 Was mentioned 4 Loss leader?

5 When “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” aired: Abbr.

6 Defib settings 7 Nettle 8 Supporting statement 9 Jackal, e.g.

10 “The Courtship of Miles Standish” couple 11 Emmy-winning U.S. journalist born in Germany 12 It often includes ham

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puzzle by SCOTT ATKINSON

request 14 Madame Defarge’s sinister craft 23 “Here’s to you” recipient 24 It means little to Lisette 25 Short agreement?

27 “That’s nice” 29 Center in size 22 shoes 32 “The ___ Trilogy” (1955-59 film series) 33 Relative of turquoise 35 Some body enhancers 36 Camelot girl 37 “The Aviator” Oscar nominee

39 TV

“angel” Munroe 42 Portraitist’s request 44 It gets you in the house: Abbr.

46 DNA’s function 48 Highball with white rum 49 Pied wader 50 Prickly pear’s place 52 Apache topper 53 ___ Street (road from London Bridge to Chichester) 57 Supermodel Benitez 61 TV’s Cousin ___ 62 Some remote power sources 63 Org. concerned with radiation

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 | May 18, 2011 27

28 May 18, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com

SATURDAY

5.28

SPORTS AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS vs. the

Savannah Sand Gnats. Lake Olmstead Stadium; 7:05 p.m.; $6 to $8 for adults; kids 3 and under are $1; 78 Milledge Road; GREENJACKETS.NET

CHORAL A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE A tribute in music,

words and pictures to those men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for America’s continued freedom by the Augusta Choral Society. Sacred Heart Cultural Center; 7:30 p.m.; $10 to $20; 1301 Greene St.; 706.826.4713

THEATRE RENT See 5/20

for details. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

5.29

WORSHIP Worship in the Park Join Second Baptist

Church for fellowship in the park, a day of worship, praise, games and food. Smith-Hazel Perry Park, all day, free; 400 Kershaw St., Aiken; 803.644.3994

OUTDOORS DISCOVERY PADDLE: SPIDER LILY Read

more to the right. 2 p.m.

THEATRE RENT See 5/20

for details. Aiken Community Playhouse; 3 p.m.

jAZZ CANDLELIGHT JAZZ: JAZZ4KIDS FEATURING KEMBA COFIELD Jazz under the stars, bring your own seating and picnic. The River Stage at the Eighth St. Bulkhead, Riverwalk; 8 p.m.; $6; 2 Eighth Street; 706.495.6238 GARDENCITYJAZZ.COM

MONDAY

5.30

CONCERT AIKEN CIVIC BALLET Bring a picnic, blanket

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

CONCERT MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT ON THE RIVER The Augusta Concert Band presents this annual concert live on the Savannah River. Jessye Norman Amphitheater; 7 p.m.; TBA; 1 Ninth St.; 706.667.4100

TUESDAY

5.31

FILM MOVIES AT MAIN: I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS Steven Russell is

happily married and a member of the local police force, when a car accident provokes a dramatic reassessment of his life. Steven’s new, extravagant lifestyle involves cons and fraud and, eventually, a stay in the State Penitentiary where he meets sensitive, soft-spoken Phillip Morris. His devotion to freeing Phillip from jail and building the perfect life together prompts Steven to attempt and often succeed at one impossible con after another. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

CONCERT APPLEBY SERIES: JASON MAYNARD AND FRIENDS The Appleby Concert Series begins with a night of classical music. Bring your own blanket, chairs and picnic. Appleby Library; 8 p.m.; free; 2260 Walton Way; 706.736.6244 ECGRL.ORG

WEDNESDAY

6.1

HISTORY BROWN BAG: CARING FOR THE CSRA CULTURAL HERITAGE Augusta Museum of History; 12:30 p.m.; $3; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

THURSDAY

6.2

FOR KIDS STORY TIME AT PENDLETON KING PARK

ART OPENING RECEPTION: PHILIP JURAS The artist

6.3

FILM FILMS ON FRIDAY: THE FOXES OF HARROW (1947) After viewing the film,

museum director Kevin Grogan leads a discussion. Participants are invited to bring a lunch. The Morris Museum of Art; noon; free; 1 Tenth St.; 706.724.7501

CONCERT UKULELE CAMP PREVIEW CONCERT Tara Scheyer demonstrates the beauty and fun of the ukulele.

Rock Bottom Music; 4 p.m.; free; 758 Broad St.; 706.724.1172 ROCKBOTTOMMUSIC.COM

RODEO OLD FRONTIER PROFESSIONAL RODEO

Bring the entire family out to witness the thrills and spills of professional rodeo contestants, as they compete against the clock and rank bucking stock of the Cross Creek Rodeo Company.

Old Frontier Campground, Thompson; 5:30 p.m.; $10 advance, $14 gate, ages 10 and under free; 1965 Old Milledgeville Road, Thomson; 706.533.2544 THEOLDFRONTIER.COM

FESTIVAL UNDER THE CROWN DINNER See

the invitation on page 7.

Living History Park; 6 p.m.; $50; 299 West Spring Grove, North Augusta; 803.279.7560 COLONIALTIMES.US

OUTDOORS MOONLIGHT MUSIC CRUISE: J.C. WARD

Stories read by Senator Hardy Davis, Jr. Pendleton King Park; 10 a.m.; free; 1600 Troupe St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

FOR KIDS TODDLER TIME: MADE WITH SHAPES!

CHORAL INCARNATIO MYSTERIA Read the article

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 to 8 p.m.; free; Monte Sano Avenue; 706.755.2665 SUMMERVILLEAUGUSTA.COM

daily planner

FRIDAY

Enjoy live music while trolling the scenic Augusta Canal. Bring your own snacks and beverages.

Augusta Canal; 7 p.m.; $25; 1450 Greene St.; 706.823.0440 AUGUSTACANAL.COM

Learn how artists design pictures using positive and negative shapes while viewing the exhibition Will Barnet: Works on Paper. Create your own cutpaper shape-collage. The Morris Museum of Art; 10 a.m.; $4; One Tenth St.; 706.724.7501

the

discusses his current exhibition, The Southern Frontier, Landscapes Inspired by Bartram’s Travels. Reception follows. The Morris Museum of Art; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; free; One Tenth St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

on page 15. Wesley United Methodist Church; 7:30 p.m.; $10 to $15; 825 North Belair Road, Evans; 762.233.7793 CCCHORALSOCIETY.ORG

FILM MOVIES UNDER THE STARS: MEGAMIND Bring

your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the fresh air while watching family films on a giant 30-foot screen. Columbia County Amphitheatre; 8 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.721.5736 MCGHEALTH.ORG

THEATRE RENT See 5/20

for details. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

[ DISCOVERY PADDLE ] The Augusta Canal expands its Discovery Walks program to include Discovery Paddles - guided kayak trips along the canal with a local expert to learn more about and explore the man-made and natural environments of the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.

Charlotte Christy, Ph.D. Department of Biology, Augusta State University, leads the first paddling exploration in search of the elusive and ethereal spider lily. Found in only a few locations in the world, the rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lily blooms in late spring along the banks of the Savannah River and can only be seen from the water. View these spectacular plants and learn about their threatened habitat.

Discovery Paddles have limited spaces available and are open to experienced paddlers who provide their own canoe or kayak and life jacket. Preregistration and a liability waiver required.

WHERE The Augusta Canal, begins at the Augusta Waterworks Raw Water Pumping Station parking lot on Augusta Levee Road WHEN Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. and Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m.

MORE |706.823.0440 or AUGUSTACANAL.COM OUTDOORS NIGHT HIKE

Use your senses of touch, hearing, and smell to explore the woods by night. Bring a flashlight and wear good walking shoes. Mistletoe State Park; 8:30 p.m.; $5 parking fee; 3725 Mistletoe Rd., Appling; 706.541.0321

ONGOING

ART

Davidson Fine Arts Senior Exit Exhibition

Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; ends May 27; free; 706.722.5495

ROCIO MALDONADO; Resonance Gertrude

Herbert Institute of Art; ends May 27; free; 706.722.5495

Dorothy Fletcher Eckmann; Fiber Retrospective Revisited Gertrude Herbert

Institute of Art; ends May 27; free; 706.722.5495

JAREK KUBICKI Oddfellows

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Art Gallery; ends May 31; free; 706.513.0916

WALK-ABOUT; christopher kuhl

Headquarters Library; ends May 31; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

The Art of Mary Louise Nechtman Casa Blanca Cafe‚

ends May 31; free; 936 Broad St.; 706.504.3431

The African American Golf Exhibition

FITNESS Mountain Ride A 15-mile intermediate level ride. Andy Jordan’s; Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.; 706.724.6777

FOR KIDS Preschool Story Time Headquarters Library; Tuesdays; 10 a.m.; Friedman Library; Tuesdays; 10 a.m.; Appleby Library; Wednesdays; 10:30 a.m.

FOR KIDS STORY TIME IN HOPELAND Hopeland

Lucy Craft Laney Museum; ends May 31; $2 to $5; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576

Gardens; Tuesdays; 4 p.m.; free; 803.642.7631

THE CHARLESTON RENAISSANCE Morris

HISTORY Our Military Heritage Arts & Heritage

Museum of Art; ends June 26; $3 to $5; 706.724.7501

Center of North Augusta; 706.821.2600

WEEKLY

MARKET Brick Yard Market Hammond’s

MORE ART Gallery Tour

Morris Museum of Art; Sundays; 3 p.m.; free; 706.724.7501

DANCE Tango Lessons Casa Blanca Café; Thursdays; 6:30 p.m. 706.504.3431

Ferry; Fridays; 6 p.m.; free; 803.380.1323

OUTDOORS Splash Pad

Charles H. Evans Park; 1 to 6 p.m.; $1.50; 1866 Highland Ave.; 706.733.9210

SCIENCE MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE Dupont

Planetarium; Saturdays; 8 p.m. shows; $1 to $4.50; 803.641.3654

vergelive.com | community driven news | May 18, 2011 29

ask

dr. karp NO-NONSENSE NUTRITION ADVICE

between the

covers ARE YOU WHAT YOU READ?

STEVEN W. of augusta asks: “Are Organic foods worth the money?”

This is a great question, Steven, because the answer depends upon your understanding of what the term “organic” means and on your personal definition of the phrase “worth the money.”

Studies show that, when it comes to food, most Americans are unaware of what organic means. We have this dreamy-eyed vision of Farmer Grey in Grovetown tending his garden a few steps away from his house, hand-picking beetles and bugs off his plants, using manure or compost for fertilizer … all this while his wife is milking the cows, his kids are feeding the ducks and chickens (before going to school), the birds are singing and the sun is shining. Guess what … NOT! Organic foods are not necessarily more natural than other foods, nor are they necessarily insecticide-free, better tasting or locally grown. In a way, this is good, because it is a rather unfair concept to think that we want a two-tiered food system in this country. In my two-tiered scenario, Tier 1 is made up of people with more money who can afford higher priced, higher quality and superior food in beautifully arranged stores with gourmet wines and cheeses and mood lighting. Tier 2 is made up of the rest of us “plain-old folk” who are stuck in fluorescentlit big box supermarkets stocked with “plain-old, inferior food.” I have labeled this concept “food elitism.” How naïve can we get? Advertising and marketing manipulate us into incorrectly believing that organic foods are more nutritious, safer and tastier than conventional food. They are not.

The term “organic” actually signifies an agricultural system for managing food production.

According to the U.S.D.A., “organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” This means that the term “organic” does not imply that these foods are pesticide-free, hormone-free or that they came from Farmer Grey’s farm out in Grovetown.

Of course, as the nuclear disaster in Japan has reminded us, we live in the closed-system called “Earth.” Expecting one plot of land, not sprayed with insecticides or herbicides, to be “pure” while another one is not … well, this is about as unrealistic as expecting that all of the radioactivity from the Japanese nuclear disaster will stay in Japan. Think of this: insecticides have even been found in polar bears living in the Artic Circle.

Reviewing the scientific evidence that compares “regular” food with organic food, the data shows that there is no difference in the nutrititional quality. In addition, they both contain insecticides.

Taste tests using blindfolded subjects consistently show that nobody can taste the difference between “organic” and plain-old food.

So, back to Steven’s question, “Are organic foods worth the money?” If you think you are buying nutritionally superior, insecticide-free, safer and tastier food, the answer is a big “NO.” The answer is “YES,” if you don’t mind spending more for the same quality food, but you think by spending more money you are being more ecological and helping the environment. Plus, maybe you prefer to shop at prettier stores with free coffee to sip.

I would rather save my money, buy my own coffee and walk away with healthy food and a lower food bill.

This does not mean that I do not buy “organic” food, sometimes. My wife and I love to go to the Farmer’s Market on 5th Street and the Augusta Market at the Riverwalk and buy truly locally grown produce. We get to meet some of the people who actually grow the food; we love the ambience, atmosphere, sights, sounds and smells of a local farmer’s market. We feel we are having an impact on the local economy by buying locally grown food and, quite frankly, it is just plain fun. But, we do not kid ourselves into thinking that, somehow, this food is nutritionally superior to or safer than other foods.

If you want to be healthier, the data overwhelming shows that you need to eat MORE fruits and veggies, less fat, sugar, salt, and calories and stop worrying about “organic.”

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.

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

Daphne maysonette, greg tredore and amber forbes (left to right)

CORNER CLUB PRESS publishes 2nd issue Before it was an online publication, the Corner Club constituted a very small section of Dr. Rhonda Armstrong’s Intro to Literary Studies class at Augusta State University. Four friends, so named the “Corner Club” because they sat in the corner of the classroom, began talking about reading, and then about writing, and then about their own writing, until the idea popped into their heads all at once.

“I had always wanted to start an online magazine, but I did not know enough people to get involved, plus I wanted to make sure I was good and ready,” said fiction editor Amber Forbes.

“The Oddville Press, which I was involved with, closed down because it was extremely difficult to maintain relationships over the internet, and I swore that if I ever did it again I wanted to know the people working with me on a personal level,” she said.

“Amber and I were chatting on Facebook one day, talking about what a great idea it would be to start a literary magazine, when all the sudden we both started getting really serious about it,” said poetry editor Daphne Maysonet, who also submitted a winning poem in January’s edition of The Inkling.

The spark which brought this lofty idea to life might have come in the form of Georgia Military College English professor Greg Tredore, Daphne’s fiancée. It was his writing expertise and experience editing Sandhills and the Greensboro Review from which the enterprise bloomed.

“Corner Club Press is an online journal of poetry and fiction where we try to find works that do not have that workshop mentality and that cater to a wide audience,” said Tredore.

“Writer’s workshops have a tendency to cater mostly to other writers, as opposed to your average reader, and some of the works that come out of them start to sound generic and lose that creative originality. They are a good way to get started, but once you have been writing for a while, it is important to find your own voice, which is why we created Corner Club Press.”

The first issue contained 10 short stories and 10 poems and was published on March 15, a date with some literary significance (hint, the

Ides of March). However, writers need not understand the reference in order to submit.

“If we could have one motto printed on our magazine, it would be ‘We are not snobs,’ ” said Forbes. “We want everyone to enter and be successful. After all, trial and error is really what the creative process is all about.”

Corner Club Press will publish once every two months. When the first announcement went out, submissions poured in at a rate of a dozen or more a day. After several weeks they slowed to 20 to 30 a week. However, the creators said that just because a submission gets rejected once does not mean they do not want a writer to submit again.

“We have gotten all sorts of things, like westerns, fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi,” said Forbes. “We are trying to keep our submissions varied so that readers know they can expect a very broad range of genres in one magazine.”

“Mostly, people will be able to read the stories online, and we are really hoping to get into the e-reader market, because they are a great venue and opportunity for any writer to be on an equal footing with people who have been published before,” she said.

“We would like to see a lot of local authors get noticed through this magazine,” contiued Forbes, “though we have already received submissions from people as far away as New England, and we try to be fair when judging who gets their stories published.”

Anyone interested can send submissions to submissions@thecornerclubpress.com.

In the header, writers should include whether they are submitting a short story or a poem and a word count for stories or a page count for poetry. Corner Club Press accepts only unpublished works and asks that writers limit themselves to 7,000 words for a story or five pages for poetry.

There will be a $50 prize for the best poem and short story for each issue, and the top 10 of each category will be featured at thecornerclubpress.com.

The second issue will publish on May 15, and the editors will then begin accepting submissions for the third issue until June 15. article and photos by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

night

A SELECTIVE GUIDE TO NIGHTLIFE IN THE CSRA

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

SUNDAY, MAY 22

MONDAY, MAY 30

RUNNER RUNNER + SUNDERLAND + NAMESAKE + SIMPLE AS SURGERY + TRES TRES OIU @ Sector 7G | 7 p.m.; $6

MATT ACOSTA @ Wild Wing Café

MINUS THE BEAR + SKYSHAW + THE CONSTELLATIONS @ Sky City | 8 p.m.; $15 advance, $18 day of show

THE COMEDY ZONE: KIER + EVANS @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8 LOYO MUSIC FEST OPEN MIC @ Metro Coffee House & Pub DOC CROSSHAIR @ Wild Wing Café

THURSDAY, MAY 19

SIGNS OF HOPE + HATE YOUR GUTS + IRONWILL + BE EASY + DECOLLATOR @ Sector 7G | 6 p.m.; $7

MONDAY, MAY 23

DAVE MATTHEWS TRIBUTE BAND @ Surrey Tavern

TUESDAY, MAY 24

GO RADIO + SPARKS THE RESCUE + THIS CENTURY + SELECT START @ Sector 7G | 6 p.m.; $10 Acoustic Draught WITH jACOB BELTZ @ Metro Coffee House & Pub SABO & MIKE @ Wild Wing Café

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

TUESDAY, MAY 31

ACOUSTIC DRAUGHT with JIM PERKINS @ Metro Coffee House & Pub

DAVID & MICHAEL @ Wild Wing Café

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

EXPLOSIONS II PART DELIX: NORMA JEAN + FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS + AFTER THE BURIAL + STRAY FROM THE PATH + MOTIONLESS IN WHITE @ Sector 7G | 5 p.m.; $15

FASTER PUSSYCAT + DIZZY REED + VENREZ + G CITY ROCKERS @ Sky City | 9 p.m.; $15 advance, $20 day of show

THE COMEDY ZONE: BOSWELL + MEYERS @ Somewhere in Augusta 8 p.m.; $8

JIM PERKINS and JASON PROUTY @ Metro Coffee House & Pub

THE ENDALLS @ Wild Wing Café

LOYO MUSIC FEST OPEN MIC @ Metro Coffee House & Pub

THOMAS TILLMAN BAND @ Wild Wing Café

THURSDAY, MAY 26

EGYPT CENTRAL + ABUSED ROMANCE + CANDLELIGHT RED @ Sky City

FRIDAY, MAY 20

BLURRING THE LINE + STILLVIEW + NINE DAYS DESCENT @ Sky City | 9 p.m.; $5

JEREMY GRAHAM BAND @ Coyote’s | 8 p.m.; $5 to $7

THE MASON JARS @ Metro Coffee House & Pub

CHADD NICHOLS @ The Cotton Patch | 8 p.m.; free

BRANDI THORNTON @ Wild Wing Café

JASON JONES @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 to $7

FRIDAY, MAY 27

OBRASKAI + FALSE FLAG @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m.

POP LIFE @ The Soul Bar | 9 p.m.

COALTRAIN @ Coyote’s | 8 p.m.

OLD MAN CRAZY @ The Cotton Patch | 8 p.m.

THE JEREMY GRAHAM BAND @ Coyote’s | 9:45 p.m.

CROSSIN DIXON @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 to $7

BIG DADDY LOVE @ Stillwater Tap Room | 10 p.m.; $4

DISCO HELL @ The Soul Bar 9 p.m.

ZACH DEPUTY + FUNK YOU @ Sky City | 10:30 p.m.; $10 advance, $12 day of show

THE CORDUORY ROAD @ Stillwater Tap Room | 10 p.m.; $4

THE JOE STEVENSON BAND @ Metro Coffee House & Pub ROSHAMBEAUX @ Wild Wing Café

SATURDAY, MAY 21

BRANT QUICK @ The Cotton Patch | 8 p.m.; free JOHN KARL @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 to $7 BRIAN DAVIS + CHASE RICE + FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE @ Coyote’s | 9 p.m.; $10 advance, $12 day of show EAT LIGHTNING + DJs MATTO & BUZZELL @ Sky City 10 p.m.; $5 DJ FUGI @ The Playground Bar 10 p.m.

JOHN KOLBECK and FRIENDS @ Metro Coffee House & Pub ROCKIT RIDE @ Wild Wing Café

COCOA DYLAN @ Metro Coffee House & Pub CHICK FLIX @ Wild Wing Café

SATURDAY, MAY 28

JASON STURGON @ Coyote’s | 8 p.m.; TBA BRANT QUICK @ The Cotton Patch | 8 p.m.; free HOLMAN AUTRY BAND @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 to $7 SIBLING STRING @ Metro Coffee House & Pub BUTT NAKED BAND @ Wild Wing Café THEM BONES: ALICE IN CHAINS TRIBUTE BAND @ The Playground Bar | 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 29 DAVE FIRMIN @ Wild Wing Café

life

THRU JUNE 5

THE COMEDY ZONE: D.S. + GILL @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

JOSH PIERCE @ Metro Coffee House & Pub

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

ALAN THOMPSON @ The Cotton Patch | 8 p.m.; free EMMA KING AND THE HEARTSETS @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 to $7 FAMOUS LAST WORDS @ Metro Coffee House & Pub YO MAMA’S BIG FAT BOOTY BAND @ Surrey Tavern

WEEKLY

BEER PONG TOURNAMENT @ The Playground | Mondays; 10 p.m.; free LIVE JAZZ: HAL SHRECK @ The Willcox | Thursdays; 6 p.m.; free KRAZY KARAOKE @ The Playground Bar Wednesdays; 10 p.m.; free OPEN MIKE NIGHT @ The Playground Bar Thursdays; 10 p.m.; free

THE PROFILER: THE FAVORS MEMBERS Gabe – vocals and guitar, Micah – guitar, Luke – bass, Michael – drums, Markus – trombone, Jordan – trumpet and keyboard, Dave – saxophone, Zach – percussion

GENRE Pop/Third Wave Ska – fun, light and family-friendly INFLUENCE “We have our own unique sound, it is very democratic,” singer Gabe explains about the band’s style and songwriting process. Members have been in numerous bands over the years, including Hellblinki, Eskimojitos and Buckner.

HISTORY Three years ago, the current lineup of The Favors came together. “It was happenstance,” Gabe says. He, Zach and Micah – all brothers – began the band. They added Michael, Dave and Jordan. Then, with Markus’ classically trained style and Luke’s “youthful infusion,” as Gabe puts it, the band finally rounded out as an eight-piece.

AUDIENCE “We get people to dance,” says trombonist Markus. “People know the lyrics,” adds

Jordan. This is quite a feat considering the band has not yet released a CD. “We see the same faces at some of our shows,” explains Gabe.

QUIRKS Coco Rubio played percussion for a time.

HORIZON Around mid-July, The Favors intend to release their first CD, tentatively titled The Illustrated Book of Birds.

WHY AUGUSTA Augusta is home and touring is on hold. “It is more of a hobby,” says Gabe.

“Some of us are married, Gabe is working on his doctorate and some of us have kids,” says Micah.

The Favors happen between day jobs and family gatherings.

D.I.Y. Check out The Favors on Facebook FIND THE VENUE

the profiler is DINO LULL

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

SURREY TAVERN @ 471 Highland Ave.; 706.736.1221

THE PLAYGROUND BAR @ 978 Broad St.; 706.724.2232

THE WILLCOX @ 100 Colleton Ave. SW; Aiken; 803.648.1898

SECTOR 7G @ 631 Ellis St.; 706.496.5900

WILD WING CAFE @ 3035 Washington Road.; 706.364.9453

SMOKEY JAMES DJ COLLECTIVE @ Soul Bar Thursdays; 9 p.m.; free

100 laurens @ 235 Richland Ave.; Aiken; 803.648.4265

4 CATS IN THE DOGHOUSE @ The Willcox | Thursdays; 6 p.m.; free

The cotton patch @ 816 Cotton Lane 706. 724.4511

all out acoustic fridays @ 100 Laurens Fridays; 9:30 p.m.; free

the country club @ 2834 Washington Road; 706.364.1862

Now Dance; Baby! with DJ Kenny Ray; greatwhitefunk and Smurf @ 100 on Laurens Saturdays; 9:30 p.m.; $5

Coyote’s @ 2512 Peach Orchard Road; 706.560.9245

Somewhere in augusta @ 2820 Washington Road; 706.739.0002

JOE’S UNDERGROUND @ 144 Eighth St.; 706.724.9457

SOUL BAR @ 984 Broad St.; 706.724.8880

THE LOFT @ 917 Broad St.; 706.955.7954

STILLWATER TAP ROOM @ 974 Broad St.; 706.826.9857

SKY CITY @ 1157 Broad St.; 706.945.1270

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.

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SOUND BITES

Lokal Music Musings My fellow rockers, by the time you read this I might still be hooked up to a rock ‘n’ roll IV, trying to wipe away a lethal mixture of aqua net, mascara, bleach, alcohol and sweat, after kicking things off at the FASTER PUSSYCAT / DIZZY REED show. Never fear, rock ‘n’ roll will never die and I am not going anywhere yet. If you spotted anyone on stage wearing a WHERE’S VENREZ? T-shirt during Dizzy’s set, please let me know.

If your lokal music collection is starting to get a bit stale and in need of an upgrade, help is on the way via a slew of area and arearelated releases. Heavy-hitters THE STAIN REMAINS release a new EP on June 17 at The Playground Bar. A week later, on June 24, mixed musical bag band ARTEMIA will kick out a new platter of multimusical pleasure at Sky City. The band has a three-song sampler available now at ARTEMIA.BANDCAMP.COM. Discs currently ready for public consumption include It Goes to 11 by Atlanta band THE ISSUES, featuring Augusta native Patrick Turner on drums, and the First Day of Winter three-song disc by my favorite Augusta rock band, G-CITY ROCKERS. Jump online and find out how to get both at THEISSUESROCK.COM and G-CITYROCKERS.COM. If that is not enough, by the time this issue comes out, MY INSTANT LUNCH will already have Death, Destruction and Other Stories for Children out and in the faces of fans of their brand of barbershop theater indie pop.

THE LAST WORD: Life on the Spectrum Autism. I thought I knew what it meant before my son’s diagnosis. Now, I realize I only knew the tip of the iceberg.

Autism is now considered a spectrum disorder, which means that there are varying levels with various diagnoses, including Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS and Classic Autism.

Some diagnosed with autism cannot communicate verbally.

Some, such as my son, Peter, eventually learn to speak, yet continue to struggle with language. Many deal with sensory issues where certain sounds, lights and even smells are painful.

Most find social situations a challenge.

The more I learn about autism, the more I realize that those on the spectrum are all very unique. At the same time, if you come to learn certain things about them, you will be understand and communicate better with the majority of them.

For example, Peter now has a large vocabulary, reads well and spells above grade level. Yet he struggles with concepts that are not concrete. Idiomatic expressions are especially challenging.

At age 10, Peter stands 5 feet 1 inch tall. I once told him he was “growing like a weed.”

A few days later, I again mentioned how tall he was getting.

Peter asked, “Am I growing like a human yet?” He had been worrying silently for days that he was growing like a plant. It made me realize that some of the assumptions we make about those on the autism spectrum might simply be because we do not think the same way.

Peter used to run out of the room at parties . I spent my entire time chasing him. When he was finally able to talk a bit more, at 5 years old, he told me, “I needed a break,” as we sat on a bench outside. His therapists had already told me that he was very sensitive to sound. Why had I not realized that all the different people talking in one room was unbearable for him?

After that, we would take regular breaks in that environment, but I would stretch the suggested break by a little more time at each party. Since he knew the break was coming, he could enjoy the party. Then, at one party, he did not leave at all. We had desensitized him.

JULIA EASTERLIN

Area artists continue to make waves outside of the Garden City, proving that Augusta has more musical gems to mine than just Lady Antebellum. Recent acts making noise include singer/songwriter/ pianist/guitarist/loop machine master (and former Davidson Fine Arts standout) JULIA EASTERLIN, who was recently added to this year’s Lollapalooza lineup, and SELADORA, who has signed with Kaedyn Entertainment and is set to release the debut single Reform Evolve on May 21. Find out more info about Seladora at FACEBOOK.COM/SELADORABAND and all the cool acts Easterlin will be rocking with at Lollapalooza (including Eminem, Foo Fighters and Coldplay) at LOLLAPALOOZA.COM. Once again, rock ‘n’ rollers, my record has come to an end and all sounds of popping and scratching have vanished. 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 to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen each week on CONfederation of LOUDness which can be found, ironically enough, at confederationofloudness.com and of course as always …

Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud.

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON

The next issue of VERGE hits the newstands on

JUNE 1 Look for Our Outdoor Racks or Find Your Copy At Publix | EarthFare | Kroger Bi-Lo | New Moon Cafe and Over 150 Locations Throughout the CSRA

The parties made me think of other environments that were

PATRICE WITH HER SON, PETER

difficult. Peter goes to see his sisters in theater shows. He does quite well with the show, but has a difficult time sitting in the audience before it begins. Again, it was the hubbub of conversations that made the “noise” too much for him to bear.

For a while, we would reserve our seats as close to the stage as possible. We go outside at intermission. Now, Peter talks quite a bit and can tell me what is bothering him and how I can help.

It has made all of our lives more enjoyable and given Peter the chance to have many more experiences.

by Patrice Athanasidy Patrice Athanasidy is a freelance writer in the New York metropolitan area. Her son Peter was diagnosed with autism at age 3. She writes an ongoing online column about the joys and frustrations that come with raising a child with autism.

 Parting Shot: Whiskey Gentry Lauren Staley might be the only musician sporting a dress and parasol during May 27th’s Hootenany at Papa Joe’s BanjoBQue. But it is the flexibility of Staley’s voice — delicate as a strand of pearls, then booming like a preacher at a tent revival — and her band’s sound — a rare blend of punk and old time country — that seperates Whiskey Gentry from rest of the pack.

“Lauren Staley sings likes a fractured angel, who on Saturday nights tends to have a couple too many and is easily coaxed out of her party dress, only to regret it while sitting in the pew Sunday morning.”

- ATLANTA MUSIC GUIDE “The Whiskey Gentry is a toe-tapping, steamrolling kind of band, its fingers picking deep into fields of bluegrass, feet stomping in line with a punk-inspired kick drum.”

- PASTE MAGAZINE

WHERE Papa Joe’s BanjoBQue at The Hippodrome, North Augusta WHEN Friday, May 27 during the Hootenany starting at 6 p.m.

TICKETS $15 for Friday only MORE BANJOBQUE.COM

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