November 2011 Issue B

cyndy epps | PAGE 11

verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

FREE | NOVEMBER 16 2011 | VOL 4 ISSUE 19 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS

SPECIAL HANDS ACROSS THE CSRA

MUSIC THE WOMBATS + PLAN LANEY WALKER + FUN FELIX NAVIDAD RELEASE AIKEN BLESSING OF THE HANDS + SHOP SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 3

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

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

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GENERAL POLICIES: Contents

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

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

RECYCLE: verge is printed on 50 percent recycled stock.

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14 42 12 6, 35 22 38 34 16 44 16 8 44 28 28 26 10 18 16 36 32 10 36 7 8 7 30 6, 38 20 32 20 8 46 26 2, 43 16 38 47 42 40 40 6, 26 34 36 20 3 48

12 Bands of Christmas 8TH Street Tobacco Aficionados Augusta Market Augusta Players Augusta State University Bar on Broad Big Mamas / Flowers Express Book Tavern Boys & Girls Club Buzz on Biz Casella Eye Center CMFA - Chilly Chili Cookoff Clear Channel - Y102 Columbia County Orchestra Edge Salon Elduets Family Y First Round Forkfly French Market Ground Zero Fighting Halo Salon & Spa Le Chat Noir Learning Center Manuel’s Bread Café Metro Pub & Coffeehouse Modish Salon & Spa Moon Beans/New Moon Nacho Mama’s New Life/ DiChickos Peach Mac Pecans Unlimited Rock Bottom Music Rooster’s Beak Sanford Bruker Banks Shen Yu Six Degrees Sky City Southern K9 Solutions The Curiosty Shoppe The Loft Tipsey McStumbles Vintage Ooollee Wild Wings Windsor Fine Jewelers

WHAT’S INSIDE

SMATTERINGS

vergestaff

yeah, we made this

OCCUPY YOUR COMMUNITY

Do you really want to send a message to Wall Street? Do you really want to make a difference in our community? Occupy your local community – support independent business owners in your hometown. Be relevant to your community and your community will be thankful.

With all the recent discussions about the economy on TV, radio, online and in coffeehouses and on the street, across our city, state and country, we can’t help but talk up creating a healthy local economy. Local economies can become self-sustaining by supporting the local community of independent business owners.

Now, I do want to be honest: I choose to do business with locally owned business first. I also try to remind my family and friends of the positive impact our community receives by doing so. However, there are times you will spot me at a big-box or chain store – such as hunting for a “I have to have this for my science project tomorrow” pocket folder at 11 p.m. Sometimes, there are not enough local choices for certain products and services. Sometimes choosing local means spending a little extra money.

But that little bit of extra money has a far-reaching impact on creating a sustainable living economy. Here is the reality: Supporting local independent business owners provides more tax revenues to our community – faster.

A larger portion of each dollar you spend at a locally owned and operated business returns to your community faster than it does from a big-box or corporate style store.

How does this work? The statistics are simple. When you spend $100 at a locally owned and operated store, $45 stays in our local economy. Spend that same $100 at a big-box store, only $13 stays in our local economy. That’s a pretty significant difference. That’s the difference that could help our community achieve its goals.

Possibly even more important is that when local businesses begin to disappear, they leave a social and economic void that is real. The replacement of jobs created by large corporations coming to a community does not and cannot replace the uniqueness of a local business. It actually has the reverse effect on our local economy. Communities across the country are beginning to wake up and see it clearly; big corporations are in it for one thing – profit.

When was the last time a check came to our community from Bentonville or St. Paul or Dallas to upgrade, maintain or grow our schools, our roads or public safety? It’s our local business owners who consistently support, raise money for and promote these services locally. There’s your circle of life. You support a local business, that business supports your community, that community supports you.

So, I ask you to think about a relative or friend that owns a local business.

What would happen if all of their customers just stopped shopping at their store in favor of box-store to save a few dollars? Imagine the long-term impact, not only on the business, but on the community that surrounds it.

This is part of our mission here at verge – to promote a better quality of life, return on pure and true local investment and the importance of building, shaping and uniting our community. Part of our mission is to support our community, the people, places, events, art and culture (business culture included), in a nondivisive manner. In a world full of negative press, it is easy to look for flaws and point the finger at “what’s wrong” with our community. It is a more difficult stance to stand united and fight the face of negativism. Those that look to profit from the latter are counter-productive to our community.. It’s about the quality of life we desire, expect and fight for, that is most important.

you won’t want to miss a page

the main feature

ISSUE: 15 SPECIAL Hands Across the CSRA Seven pages of good ways to volunteer and get more involved in your community, including:

15 17 17 19 19 21 21 21 23 23 24 25

Kids With a Future Love of God Ministries 12 Bands/12Kids Champions Made From Adversity Friends of the Symphony Augusta Warrior Project Action Ministries Feathered Friends Rescue Girls on the Run Meet Tricia Hughes Helping Hands of Aiken One Table

heard around town 5 Shop Small Initiative 5 The Homeless Stand Down 13 The Master Plan: Laney Walker/Bethlehem

music | theatre | art | film 11 29 29 30 31 33 35 37 39 41 43

Art: Cyndy Epps Music: Hollywood Undead Music: Black Veil Brides Film: The Film Reel Music: The Wombats Music: Sound Bites Art: Kath Girder Engler Outdoors: The Blessing of the Hounds Music: Felix Navidad Music: M-Tank The Profiler: Adam Sams

regular stuff 05 09 27 35 40 43 44 45 45

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

So, as I mentioned earlier, if you really want to occupy anything, you should occupy our local independent business owners. It will have a long-lasting and positive impact on our community.

Be relevant!

Matt Verge is community minded, positive, family friendly, nondivisive, locally owned, locally operated and locally printed. Verge supports people, places, events, art and culture in our community.

ON THE COVER THE FACE OF VOLUNTEERING by LEAH DESLANDES

Tricia Hughes inspires us here at verge, through her ready smile and tireless promotion of what’s good about Augusta. Read more on page 24.

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

vergequotes

here’s what inspires us

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for

good men to do nothing.”

— EDMUND BURKE

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

— GALATIANS 6:9

heard

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

[ shop small on nov. 26 ]

decades, they have generated 65 percent of net new jobs.

Someone once said that good things come in small packages.

Perhaps the same could be said about small businesses.

The Aiken Chamber of Commerce, the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken Downtown Development Association are promoting Small Business Saturday, a nationwide imitative to encourage shoppers to shop at local, independently owned merchants on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 The goal is to encourage shoppers to shop small – small business, that is – and see what good things they can find this holiday season.

“Local businesses create jobs, boost the economy and build strong communities and neighborhoods,” said Carla Cloud, the ADDA executive director. “These businesses have invested in our community and we should, in return, invest in them.”

According to the United States Small Business Administration, there were nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States last year. Over the past two

Their importance to local communities extends even further. The impact that “shopping small” has on local communities is profound: For every $100 spent at a locally owned small business, $45 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, according to Civic Economics.

“Take a break in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday and spend your money on Small Business Saturday. You’re sure to find some local bargains and you’ll also be giving a great gift back to your community,” said Cloud. “When you spend your money with locally owned businesses, you’re helping to ensure the success of Aiken. You’re supporting the people who touch your life in so many ways: your Sunday school teacher, little league coach, your friend, your neighbor.”

Small Business Saturday was launched last year as a nationwide event to drive shoppers to local, independently owned merchants. The initiative was created by American Express in response to small business owners’ most pressing need of creating more demand for their products and services. | smallbusinesssaturday.com

[ a surprise for first tee of aiken ]

Volunteers at The First Tee of Aiken recently received a large thank you gift from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions – a $10,000 donation during the group’s volunteer appreciation golf tournament and dinner on Nov. 5.

“SRNS is proud to be a supporter of The First Tee of Aiken. This youth development program has been a successful collaboration among numerous volunteers from the public, the education community and local corporations. Together, we are building a stronger community by providing the young people in Aiken County a way to build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf,” said Clif Webb, SRNS’ vice president of corporate communications.

[ standing down homelessness ]

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center hosted a Stand Down for the Homeless on Oct. 28 outside the Salvation Army, which included health services, employment assistance, clothing, food and survival resources.

District 1 Commissioner Matt Aitken read a proclamation by Mayor Deke Copenhaver, which declared it Stand Down to End Homelessness Day in Augusta. Though the event was open to anyone in need of assistance, preference was given to military veterans.

“Although accurate numbers are impossible to come by, it is estimated that 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night in the United States,” said Beth Lamb, a communication specialist for the VA Center. “One out of every three of America’s homeless who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our communities has put on a uniform and served this country.”

According to Lamb, the Stand Down event is hosted by every

[ tired of baked turkey? try smoked ]

VA Medical Center in the country, though the scale of the event is mostly determined by the homeless population of the region.

The name originated as a military term during the Vietnam War when Stand Downs provided a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations where they were able to get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment.

“In general, when you are in the Army, they tell you where to go and when to eat, but when you get out there’s no one taking care of you or patting you on the back to tell you what a good job you did,” said Lamb. “Some people handle that transition better than others.”

A hot breakfast and lunch were provided by volunteers for all who processed through the aid stations, which included veterans and non-veterans.

For more information, contact The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Voluntary Service Office at 706.733.0188, ext. 6346

The Augusta Training Shop is taking orders for smoked turkeys through Nov. 18 in its annual Turkey Call. The 12- to 14-pound turkeys are smoked at low temperatures, resulting in moist, tender meat with a rich flavor. Orders ($40 per turkey) must be picked up on Nov. 23 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. ATS is a nonprofit work center that employs and trains mentally and physically challenged adults. Proceeds from the Turkey Call will help benefit new programs in art therapy and physical fitness. To order a turkey, call 706.738.1358 or email augtrgshop@aol.com. | AUGUSTATRAININGSHOP.COM

The First Tee of Aiken will utilize the donated funds for new equipment, updated facilities and expanded programming, according to Elizabeth Smith, the executive director.

“At The First Tee of Aiken, one of our favorite sayings is, ‘It’s all about the kids,’ ” said Smith. “This generous gift from SRNS will help us carry on our ambitious programs in support of the youth of Aiken.”

The First Tee of Aiken has served more than 10,000 youths in Aiken County through after-school and outreach programs. | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

[ got news? we want to hear it ]

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

Around Town is written by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

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

heard

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

[ hola augusta celebrates leadership ] The 2011 Hispanic Outstanding Leadership Awards gathered Hispanic leaders and organizations at the Doubletree Hotel on Oct. 14 to thank them for their efforts in building Augusta’s Hispanic community.

This year’s recipients included Augusta State University professor Jana Sandarg, Job Connection Coordinator Elsa Bustamante, Theresa’s Mexican Restaurant owner Felipe Mata, the Asociacion Latina de Servicios del CSRA and the Office of the Solicitor General.

“Over a six year span, I have had the opportunity to witness both the growth of the Hispanic community, as well as the services that have gradually developed to cover the basic needs of this segment of the population, said Nancy Nunez, the organizer of the HOLA awards and the editor of Hola Augusta. “The leaders that we are recognizing today are those who are necessary to achieve the changes that make a significant difference in the lives of many. I feel there is no better time to recognize these individuals that during this month that we celebrate the Hispanic heritage, when we

celebrate out history, diversity, legacy and contributions.”

Nunez also received a proclamation written by Mayor Deke Copenhaver, which was read by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Bowles declaring Oct. 14, 2011 Hola Augusta Newspaper Day. “Hola Augusta was founded in 2002 for the purpose of keeping the Hispanic community informed and educated about local issues of importance, and creating public awareness while addressing their needs and concerns,” read Bowles. “The HOLA Awards gala ceremony recognizes outstanding achievement of leaders in our Hispanic community, leaders who have demonstrated selfless dedication, motivation and insight in their quest to assist in continued growth, health, and well-being by understanding our community’s concerns, needs and wants.”

All proceeds from the event benefitted At My Father’s House, a nonprofit organization providing safe refuge and supportive services to women who seek freedom from domestic abuse. | holaaugusta.com

[ the willcox chosen as one of the best ] The Conde´ Nast Traveler 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards, released in November, lists The Willcox hotel in Aiken among the top 50 best small hotels in the United States.

The Willcox was one of only three South Carolina hotels on the list.

According to the magazine, the winners were “sifted from more than 8 million votes cast in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, swept up together to form travel’s apex of excellence. These awards reflect the combined opinions of 28,876 Conde´ Nast Traveler readers rating the cities, islands and hotels they visited in the past year. For its range and depth, the Readers’ Choice Awards are a unique and trusted source of advice globally, and that is thanks to America’s most discerning and demanding travelers.”

The voters evaluated more than 11,000 cities, hotels, resorts, airlines and cruise ships in the survey.

The Willcox was scheduled to close on Jan. 1, 2010, but its sale to Geoff and Shannon Ellis, on New Year’s Eve 2009, saved the 113-year-old Aiken institution.

“This recognition is huge for us. It is very gratifying,” said Ellis. “This success story belongs to our great staff and to so many wonderful people here in Aiken. Our staff has worked so hard to serve our guests and the people of Aiken have rallied around their beloved hotel. People tell us every day how much they love The Willcox and how happy they are that it is alive and thriving again. The Willcox belongs to Aiken, we’re just another in the line of its caretakers over its more than a century of service.

“In turn, we hope that Aiken is proud of the number of votes that came in from around the world, in essence choosing Aiken as a top destination. The city has won numerous recent awards for its quality of life and as a destination in itself. This recognition is certainly an award for Aiken as well as for our team. The Willcox is a big part of Aiken’s history and we will keep working to make sure it’s a big part of Aiken’s future.”

The Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island, Ga., ranked No. 30 and The Gastonian in Savannah ranked No. 49. | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

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the buzz on

biz

living the

what’s moving and shaking in local business

green life practical ways to be more eco-concious

Don’t Throw Away Plastic Bags – Reuse Them

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States each year. Only nine percent of these bags are recycled, which means that as many as 345 billion plastic bags are discarded each year. That’s a lot of trash!

GOLF CARS AND HOME IMPROVEMENT Happy second anniversary to Jimmy Holt of Augusta ATV on Peach Orchard Road. Holt has been growing his business – he started by carrying pre-owned golf cars and has expanded to Bad Boy Buggies and the complete line of E-Z-GO products, including the 2 FIVE vehicle that allows customers to drive up to 25-mph on city streets with a speed limit of up to 35-mph.

The buzz is Holt is negotiating with a few home improvement stores to carry his line of vehicles and add to his one-store distribution.

LET ‘EM EAT CAKE and more cake Sharon Hutko is the latest gourmet baker to enter the popular “cakery” field in the CSRA. She has been wholesaling some of her delicacies at places such as Sundrees Urban Market and Sit A Spell Coffee House in downtown Augusta.

Nov. 5 was the grand opening of her Delightful Bites storefront at the former Cake Factory on the corner of Washington and Davis roads.

TWO LADIES JOIN FORCES TO BEAUTIFY THE CSRA

Amy Gay has been running the successful Salon Surreal for several years in a strip plaza at 4497 Columbia Road in Evans. Slowly but surely, she has added services that her clientele have requested, including an esthetician and a NovaLash certified specialist.

In October, Amy brought Katie Silarek on staff as a certified spray tanning specialist. Silarek owns Bella Bronzage and had been providing mobile tans to her clients. She says she is excited to welcome existing and new clients to her more permanent tanning station inside of Salon Surreal.

Using reusable tote bags is one way we can reduce the number of plastic bags we consume each year. I have several reusable bags that I use when shopping for groceries and other purchases. Yet, there are times when I have forgotten to bring my reusable bags with me and I have more items than I can carry in my arms. So, I bring my purchases home in plastic bags. Like most Americans, I end up with quite a collection of plastic bags in my pantry after a few months.

Fortunately, plastic bags are versatile and there are a variety of ways they can be reused or repurposed. Here are some of the uses I have found for plastic bags.

Containers: Use plastic bags as containers for items such as dirty laundry, soiled diapers, weeds from the lawn, books from the library, used cat litter, newspapers for recycling, things to give away and garbage. Use them to store small items and hang them from hooks or nails. Use them to keep bigger items clean, such as sweaters and blankets. Use them to collect food scraps for the compost bin.

Hand Protectors: Use plastic bags as gloves to handle messy things in the kitchen such as chicken carcasses or yucky things such as the little “presents” the dog leaves in the front yard, and then turn them inside out to trap the offending matter inside for easy disposal. Cover your hands with plastic bags to protect them from smelly gasoline when filling your gas tank.

WET UMBRELLA HOLDER: To avoid dripping water all over your house or office on a rainy day, pop your wet umbrella into a bag as you cross the threshold. You can even tie the handles snugly and throw it back into your purse, backpack or briefcase.

Shoe Horn: The slick surface of a plastic bag can make it easier to get your feet into your shoes. Just slip a plastic bag in the opening of your shoe and pull it back out after you have your shoe on. For those of you who scuba dive, try putting plastic bread bags on your feet before you pull on your wet-suit boots. The struggle will be much easier.

Packing Material:

TWO “GOOD GUYS” REACH MAJOR MILESTONES

Pat Blanchard is known as one of the finest Southern gentlemen in our area (perhaps only outdone by his younger banker brother Pierce). Recently, the Community Banking Association honored Blanchard for his nearly 50 years of service to the banking profession.

Blanchard is “retired” from First Bank – though he goes to work almost every day and serves a vital role on the bank’s board of directors.

Larry Miller is also a Southern gentleman in his own right and profession of real estate. The Century 21 headquarters recently honored Miller for his 25 years at the helm of the Augusta franchise. Miller oversees three local offices and spearheaded the effort to start the CSRA Home Connections, a preferred providers program. The initiative brings together his real estate agents with professionals in the home industry.

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

Crumple up several plastic bags to cushion and protect fragile items when packing them for moving or shipping. You can also use crumpled bags to fill the bottoms of flower pots that are too deep for your plants. This reduces the amount of potting soil needed and, since plastic packs less heft than dirt, you will be able to move a big planter around with a bit less effort.

Crafts:

Plastic bags are great for creating craft items. You can cut plastic bags into strips and make wreaths with them or crochet a unique rug. You can fuse them together to create a waterproof “fabric” for making your own reusable bags or a raincoat. If you have a vegetable garden outside and the birds are pecking at your produce, frighten them away by making a scarecrow made out of plastic bags. You can find patterns and directions for these plastic bag craft items and many others online at etsy.com.

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

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gallery on the row welcomes new partner

cyndy epps

a love of painting leads to a life of art

Instead of playing outside on Saturday mornings, 7-year-old Cyndy Epps took painting lessons from a local artist.

Today, Epps is the one teaching and she finally gets to play outside – painting murals all over town.

Epps grew up in New Jersey with a mother and grandfather who loved to paint. She still has the oil paint box her grandfather used. As a child, she knew her love for painting would someday lead to a career in art.

“I love that I am able to move people to

someplace different when I paint a mural.”

— CYNDY EPPS

By high school, she continued to pursue her passion, taking Saturday classes at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. During her senior year, she took a month-long class at the Otis-Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles.

Another mural is in the gymnasium at Columbia Middle School. It depicts a Trojan warrior ready for battle and gives the illusion of being three-dimensional. Epps’ 14-year-old daughter, Josie, was on hand to supervise.

Though she loved painting, Epps decided that she needed a more stable career, and enrolled in Savannah College of Art and Design to study graphic arts and soon realized that the historic city would bring more to her life than just an education.

“Josie is my biggest fan and biggest critic. She loves to critique my work and she tells me when I am using the wrong colors,” Epps laughs.

“I drove a carriage and gave history tours in downtown Savannah,” Epps explains. “The joy of being a carriage driver and giving those tours was a nice balance in my life. I also met my husband, Mark, on my first day of classes at SCAD.” The two married and moved to Texas after her graduation so that Mark could finish training for the Navy. They continued to move over the next several years and eventually settled in Augusta in 1997.

When Epps is not busy painting, she is involved in the Arts community.

She joined the Artists’ Guild of Columbia County in 2007 and served as president for three years. The guild hosts workshops, exhibitions and Art After Dark – an evening of art and entertainment. They also have a scholarship fund for high school students.

Though Epps takes great pleasure in painting, she says she also hopes to share her love of art with people around the world.

Epps worked as graphic designer at The Vineyard Church of Augusta for six years, but continued to follow her muse, painting murals in doctor’s offices, day care centers and churches throughout Richmond and Columbia counties.

In January, she will go on a mission trip to Haiti with members from her church to do volunteer work at an orphanage. Though she is limited on the number of items she can take, Epps says she hopes to bring a few supplies for a mural.

In 2009, Epps was selected to display her art in the hallways of the Medical College of Georgia as a part of Healing Arts – a program that uses volunteers who are visual artists, performers and musicians to provide an array of services.

Epps says she is thankful for the opportunity to create and share her murals with others.

“It was not only a treat for the patients, but the staff and visitors felt it was a blessing to see the paintings in the corridors,” Epps says. “It made their day a little brighter.”

The following year, Epps was chosen to paint a water-themed mural on the walls of the Augusta Utilities Department. The public art project, which aimed to beautify the department at the corner of Highland Avenue and Wrightsboro Road, was cosponsored by the Art Factory and Epps painted a mural of a dock on the river with two rocking chairs.

“People have told me that when they pass by the mural, they imagine they are sitting in those chairs on the dock,” she says.

“They say, ‘that’s where I want to be.’ I love that I am able to move people to someplace different when I paint a mural.”

I enjoy working with the other artists and meeting customers.”

Epps recently stepped down as president, but is still active with the guild. She also serves on the board of Columbia County Arts and teaches drawing and acrylic classes at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. In October, she joined Gallery on the Row – a cooperative gallery – as a partner. The six partners are a diverse group of local and regional artists and rotate to cover the gallery’s hours Monday through Saturday.

“I have always admired the gallery,” she says. “This gave me the opportunity to have a permanent display for my artwork, and

“It’s fun to be able to take a blank wall and turn it into something,” she smiles. “I do this not just because I love it, but because it is something other people can appreciate, as well. When I was in the graphic design business, I never thought I would find myself painting again. I guess I have come full circle.”

Epps spent her youth with a paint brush in hand and she says she plans to spend the rest of her life creating works of art that not only please the eye, but promise a distraction from daily life.

To see Epps work, go by Gallery on the Row at 1016 Broad St. For more information, email Epps at markandcyndy@juno.com or visit her website creationsbycyndy.com. article and photo by KAREN E. FARLEY art SWEET CONTENTMENT and Water Mural by CYNDY EPPS

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bethlehem and laney walker neighborhoods

strive for unity

master plan calls for significant redevelopment in the laney walker / bethlehem district

Residents of the Laney Walker and Bethlehem neighborhoods gathered in Tabernacle Baptist Church on Oct. 18 for their regular community meeting to discuss developments being made throughout their district.

According to Warren Campbell, the senior project manager with APD Urban Planning and Management, this meeting was similar to those which established the Master Plan for the neighborhood in 2008. During that year, 50 to 100 people turned out every month to offer their input.

At this meeting, several officials from the city’s Housing and Community Development Department reviewed each of five development nodes, where much of the progress is centered. These nodes include Twiggs Circle, East Mill Village, Foundry Place, an as-yet-unnamed Holly Street development and Heritage Pines.

“Within a specified period of time we have certain development nodes we want to focus on,” said Chester Wheeler III, the director of Housing and Community Development. “Heritage Pine was only one of them, but there are a lot of smaller neighborhoods we want to put focus on.

The whole idea is to redevelop and bring about change not just in housing but in economic development, which includes bringing in and expanding businesses and social services such as day care and homes for the elderly.”

with happy families in them.”

Administrators say they hope to replicate the success of Heritage Pine with the other development nodes, before spreading out to encompass other areas that are currently unidentified.

“There’s always a face of the franchise, whether it be a person, place or thing, and Heritage Pine has always been our signature project,” said Hawthorne Welcher, the assistant director of Housing and Community Development. “When people talk about this project in 20 or 30 years, they won’t just be talking about Heritage Pine, they’ll be talking about the entire neighborhood.”

These residential developments, which are also expected to attract business and retail space providing jobs for areas residents, are but one part of the Master

a new home in the heritage pines development

More recently, city officials have proposed an overlay zoning district which lists approved uses for land and would initially apply only to the developing Foundry Place but might eventually encompass the whole neighborhood. According to Wheeler, this would allow residents to have input on the types of businesses present in their neighborhood.

“Not only are we interested in bricks and mortar, now we are working on putting some protections on the neighborhood through the proposed overlay district,” said Wheeler.

“Uses we think would be detrimental to the neighborhood include things such as strip clubs, liquor stores and night clubs,” said Campbell at the meeting. “That doesn’t mean they will be restricted, but, for example, if you want a pawn shop in your neighborhood it will go before the commission for a vote, which gives you the opportunity to have a voice in how your neighborhood develops.”

aerial veiw of laney walker neighborhood

Heritage Pine, centered on Pine Street between 12th and 11th streets on Laney Walker Boulevard, has been Augusta’s flagship development and recently received the 2011 Outstanding Plan Implementation Award from the Georgia Planning Association. The development includes 44 single and duplex homes, and unique buying incentives such as limited time zero-interest loans available to firsttime homeowners for up to $40,000.

“The buyer has to borrow as much as they can from the bank but we cover closing costs and gap financing, which is the difference between the amount you can borrow and the sales price,” said Wheeler.

“We grant a 30-year lien to the buyers, but we never take a penny more than what we’ve invested in the property in the first place, and in return we get a revived neighborhood where people want to live, work and play, and we get new homes

Plan’s overall goal for the neighborhood.

Other projects, such as the proposed African American Heritage Trail, span the entire area and will provide a tourist destination for visitors.

“We’ve already identified 150 African American points of interest, so now we’re just working out how to design the trail and how to build it, using as references other cities who have built heritage trails like this one,” said Wheeler. “It’s our desire to recognize all 150 points on the trail and create a tourist destination which will bring more money into the area.”

Other ongoing projects involve beautification of the city’s major gateways, possible parking improvements to the already completed Judicial Center, and the upcoming launch of a neighborhood website, laneywalkerbethlehem.com.

Several community members expressed concern about the overlay and, at the end of the meeting, Dee Mathis read a statement on behalf of the community, questioning whether the proposal would truly benefit anyone living in the neighborhood. In response, Campbell said that there were a lot of untrue rumors circulating about the overlay, and that they would all be discussed at an upcoming community meeting at Beulah Grove Baptist Church.

“The purpose of these community meetings is so we can get feedback from the community because we really need it if we’re going to go forward with these projects,” said Campbell. “Our goal is not to have our firm or even the city involved in this forever. It’s really about putting into place good neighborhood practices that will allow development to continue, and that is our objective right now.”

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK for more information visit AUGUSTATOMORROW.COM EDITOR’S NOTE: The proposed overlay plan was to be reviewed by the Augusta Commission on Nov. 15, after press time.

Zoning Overlay Offers Neighborhood Protections

A Laney-Walker/Bethlehem community meeting at Beulah Grove Baptist Church on Oct. 25 again focused on the proposed overlay zoning, with city planners attempting to squelch rumors that the new regulations would impact existing structures.

Jesse Wiles, the director of APD Urban Planning and Management, led the room full of concerned citizens in a discussion of the benefits of zoning.

“Zoning seeks to protect public health, safety and welfare by regulating the use of land and controlling the type, size and height of buildings,” he said.

“Everybody lives in an area that has some zoning.

Sometimes you enter a part of the city that you just like the way it looks, and the reason for that feeling is that there is some underlying zoning behind it.”

The proposed zoning overlay would only be enforced in the new Foundry Place, a mixed-use development at R.A. Dent Boulevard and Wrightsboro Road, and would only apply to land uses. Land uses considered detrimental to the neighborhood, such as liquor stores, adult entertainment venues and pawn shops, would have to go through a public process before being allowed into the neighborhood.

“Zoning cannot establish a higher development standard than the community desires,” said Wiles.

“It does not change existing conditions, though it does restrict some uses that are permitted now. If you want business-as-usual you don’t have to do anything, but if you want a voice in the types of businesses that might be popping up near your homes, you should be in favor of the zoning overlay.”

Chester Wheeler III, the director of Housing and Community Development, said he would eventually like to see more overlay zones, but that the current proposal covers only 135 properties, which have already been notified. Residents in these homes would not have to make any changes to their homes or pay more in property taxes, as the proposal only covers land uses. | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

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

#1 HANDS ACROSS THE CSRA: Passion in Action Thanksgiving time reminds us of the many ways we have been blessed and turns our thoughts to those less fortunate than ourselves. Over the next several pages, join hands with us and discover a multitude of ways you can put your hands in action. No matter where you live, what your age or talent, there is always a way to give back to your community.

Step one: Take a look at yourself. What do you enjoy doing? What are your passions? Step two: Match those passions with a cause. Step three: Take action and get involved. It’s time to put your passion to action.

HANDS ACROSS THE CSRA

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and help them become what they are capable of being.”

- GOETHE

#2 CLEAN UP THE AIR WE BREATHE PLANT-TREES.ORG

#3 THANK A VETERAN

OPERATIONGRATITUDE.COM

#4 CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET bsmcaugusta.org

#5 GIVE YOUR HEART

DONATEALIFEGEORGIA.ORG

#6 POUND SOME NAILS

AugustaHABITAT.ORG

#7 GROW YOUR HAIR LOCKSOFLOVE.ORG

#8 GET A HAIRCUT

Joey Boaen, Joe Pelli and Brett Heimlich (from left to right) chose live in Harrisburg to better serve the people there.

#9 EMBRACE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Kids With a Future Five years ago, a group of ladies at a small church in the Harrisburg community realized that the vigor in their congregation was fading. They did not know what else to do, so they got together and started praying something to the effect of “Father, please, bring new life to St. Luke’s.”

I think He smiled and said “OK.”

Each year, Robyn Kelley, the owner of Trendz Salon at 3670 Old Petersburg Road in Martinez, holds a Cut-a-Thon. This year’s event raised more than $12,000 for a local family with a terminally sick child.

During the Cut-a-Thon, the salon offers free haircuts, polishing of finger- and toenails, food, drinks and baked goods. Donations are accepted and raffle tickets sold for a chance to win items donated from the business community. Find out about the next Cut-a-Thon, call the salon at 706.496.7629 or “LIKE” TRENDZ SALON ON FACEBOOK

Since then, the 140-year-old St. Luke United Methodist Church has grown from a small homogenous handful to what the congregation proudly proclaims as “a rainbow church” that has opened its doors and hands, reaching out to the community around it.

Laura Harrison, a student at the Medical College of Georgia, was also interested in reaching out to Harrisburg, specifically through the Harrisburg Family Health Care Clinic, which was sponsored by the church. She wondered what kind of church would sponsor a medical clinic, and her curiosity pulled her in. She soon became invested in St. Luke’s mission to serve the Harrisburg community and zealously invited other students to join the effort.

That’s how I got involved. Though, they did not ask specifically for a highly motivated group of young professionals from the

GHSU Medical College of Georgia class of 2013, that’s what they got.

The program this group of students and I jumped into is Kids With A Future, which began with the ladies of St. Luke’s loving on a group of middle school girls. Soon, the girls’ brothers and cousins wanted to come, too. The MCG students arrived and the program blossomed with the new volunteers. Today, KWAF welcomes about 30 kids each week, from the ages of 6 to 16. The volunteer base has grown, too, expanding beyond MCG with a variety of 20-somethings from around the CSRA. Every week, the kids are picked up from their homes and brought to St. Luke’s. Those who arrive early have the opportunity to receive tutoring or play with the volunteers and other students.

A meal is provided for all, and afterward groups are divided by age and gender for further activities. These activities are designed first and foremost to display the gospel. Through this, the children also develop character and confidence to better equip them to handle life’s challenges.

KWAF continues to grow and there are many different ways the community can be involved – from volunteering to providing meals to sponsoring the overall program. We would love to have you come join the community. | by JOE PELLI photo ALISON RYAN GET INVOLVED Contact Joe Pelli at JoePelli@gmail.com or Marsha Jones at mjstluke@gmail.com.

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

#10 BE AN ANGEL THIS CHRISTMAS

Show the Christmas spirit to one of Augusta’s children who might not get a visit from Santa. Pick up an Angel Tag from the Augusta Mall’s Christmas tree after Thanksgiving or call The Salvation Army. Tags include the child’s gender, age, clothing size and a “wish” gift. | 706.922.8330 or USS.SALVATIONARMY.ORG

HANDS ACROSS THE CSRA

#11 ROCK OUT FOR KIDS:

12 Bands/12 Kids

Joe Stevenson, the executive director of 12 Bands of Christmas, visits the Children’s Medical Center at Georgia Health Sciences University at least once a month. Each time, he brings a vintage guitar he is having autographed by all of the cancer patients on the ward. He says it makes the children feel like rocks stars – to Stevenson, that is exactly what they are.

“They’re all unique and special in their own way,” he said. “Some are shy and you have to work to get them to respond, where others react to you more immediately, but they all have great spirit even though they’re going through such a tough situation, it makes you reflect on how trivial are the little difficulties that we go through every day.”

#12 FEED THE HUNGRY: Love of God Ministries

Stevenson’s visit usually culminates in the halls of the pediatric cancer ward swelling with music as the children and family members are treated to a personal concert by one of the bands chosen for this year’s 12 Bands/12 Kids campaign.

“You show up on the ward and almost hope that there is no audience,” he said. “When we went there in October there were three or four kids, which means about 10 or 20 people total when you bring in the parents and friends. The last thing you want is a full house because that means a lot of kids are sick.”

Love of God Ministries provides free lunch and worship services to the public every Monday at Broad Street Ministries Center, 20 Broad St. The lunch, which usually consists of meat, two vegetables and a dessert, serves as a reward for all who attend the worship service.

Though the prayer and preaching is aimed toward the homeless community, anyone who comes in the door is welcome, according to Leon Jordan, the director and minister of Love of God. “Our program consists of trying to get people out of the street and bring them to God,” said Jordan. “God sees no color or gender, but you have to give up something to get to Him. Our objective is to teach people that Christ is the path to salvation and if you ask for forgiveness, you will be forgiven.”

CHARLIE DANIELS WITH DUNCAN JOHNSON

12 Bands/12 Kids evolved from 12 Bands of Christmas to personalize the nonprofit’s efforts to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. The campaign pairs up a pediatric cancer patient with a well-known musician or band – such as Charlie Daniels, Collective Soul and Blackberry Smoke – one child and one band each month. The musicians spread the word to their fan base, provide autographed memorabilia for a year-end raffle and get personally involved with the children.

The raffle takes place on Dec. 31. The $25 tickets are still available – each ticket giving the chance to win one of 12 autographed items, such as autographed guitars from Corey Smith and Hootie and the Blowfish and signed records from Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Though Stevenson did not start 12 Bands of Christmas, the nonprofit has greatly expanded under his tutelage, raising more than $150,000 for pediatric cancer research since 2003. What started as an annual December concert of 12 bands evolved with the addition of an accompanying CD, each selected band covering a Christmas song. This year’s rendition, 12 Bands of Christmas Vol. 8, went one step further: Each band contributed an original holiday-themed song. The bands will appear at the 12 Bands of Christmas annual concert at the Imperial Theatre on Dec. 18. | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

GET INVOLVED Buy a raffle ticket, get the CD ($12, available at Fat Man’s Mill Café, Modish Salon and Spa, Metro Pub and Coffeehouse and Rock Bottom Music) and come to the concert on Dec. 18. EMAIL Joe Stevenson at director@12bands.org VISIT | 12BANDS.ORG

#14 ENCOURAGE HEALTHY LIVING: Healthy Augusta

Love of God Ministries is the rebirth of Least of These Souls Ministries, which had provided worship services six days a week since 1995, but closed in February because of the dilapidated condition of its building. After two months without any outreach, Broad Street Ministries saved the program by offering the nonprofit ministry space to gather every Monday, and the name changed to Love of God Ministries to reflect the new location.

Kaye Morris, the director of Broad Street Ministries, said the dual purpose of the program is to meet the needs of the local community and provide local mission work for Christians.

“These people need to be fed, and we’re happy to be here meeting the needs of the community as we can,” she said. “It’s all about building relationships and being supportive, and just about everyone who comes in to talk to us has been happy with the service they receive here.”

Jordan hopes to see more people showing up at the weekly services as word gradually spreads about the program.

“Of course I’d like to have more people, but God sends you the people He wants you to have,” he said. “Most homeless people don’t get the newspaper, so we’re dependent on word of mouth to inform people what we’re all about, but we’re very excited about the opportunity to reach as many people as possible.”

#13 EAT LESS GIVE MORE

Split oversized-portioned restaurant meals and donate the rest to help feed the hungry.

GOHALFSIES.COM

Healthy Augusta, Inc. has the broad mission of improving the overall health of the CSRA by encouraging healthy habits through awareness, education and support.

“Right now, everything we do is volunteer-based, so we need people who are willing to go out into the community and start things like walking groups that promote a healthy lifestyle,” said Amanda McDougald, Healthy Augusta’s executive director. “We had a big event back in May called ‘Lets Walk Augusta’ where we encouraged people to get moving by having a large group take a walk through Harrisburg and tried to get as many people as possible to join us.”

McDougald recently moved to Nashville, but hopes to pass control of the organization to a local activist within the next several months. In the meantime, Healthy Augusta wants to spur local

Jordan also plans on providing free dinner to the public on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and hopes to feed 500 to 600 people out of the backyard of the ministries building. | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK GET INVOLVED Volunteers needed to help with meals. CALL Leon Jordan at 706.434.9773 or Broad Street Ministries Center at 706.722.5999 VISIT | BSMCAUGUSTA.ORG

change by organizing community leaders.

“We have a number of ongoing projects that are aimed at educating people that living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to make a big change overnight,” she said. “There are baby steps you can take, like getting more exercise or making food substitutions in recipes you can make every day.”

Healthy Augusta aims to be an information hub through its Facebook page and information booths at many public events. The organization has also made significant outreach into local church groups and enlisted the aid of University Hospital dietetic interns to design a brochure educating people about healthy eating habits. | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

GET INVOLVED Passionate about a healthy community? Volunteers for Healthy Augusta are needed. CALL Amanda McDougald at 804.960.7477 or email mcdougaldamanda@yahoo.com VISIT | facebook.com/HealthyAugusta

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

#15 RECLAIM YOUR MAILBOX

The average adult receives 41 pounds of unsolicited mail each year. More than 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are used each year to produce this mail. Catalog Choice offers a free and easy way to opt out of catalogs, coupons, credit card offers, phone books and circulars. You will save time, the forests and water.| CATALOGCHOICE.ORG

HANDS ACROSS THE CSRA

#16 SHARE THE JOY OF MUSIC: Friends of the Symphony

#17 WHEEL TOWARD THE GOAL: Champions Made From Adversity

Champions Made From Adversity, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons with physical disabilities, will host its inaugural Chilly Chili CookOff at the Augusta Common on Dec. 10.

The charitable event will help raise funds for community programs and bring awareness to the more than 60,000 people with physical disabilities living in the CSRA, many of whom are active duty military personnel and veterans.

“We want people to be aware of the fantastic programs that are available right here in our own backyard,” said Leila Lawson, CMFA’s director of development. “Our hope is that Chilly Chili will promote our mission on a larger scale and that this exposure will translate into an increase in participants and community support.”

Thirty-one years ago, Sue Alexanderson volunteered to serve refreshments at intermission during a symphony concert.

Today, she continues to serve refreshments, and also serves as president of the Friends of the Symphony.

The Friends of the Symphony is one of four volunteer organizations that support Symphony Orchestra Augusta.

Since 1981, the 150-member group has served behind the scenes and has enjoyed the music of some of the most gifted musicians in Augusta.

Though the mission of SOA is to share the joy of great music, the Friends also share the joy of service to Maestro Z Kuwahara, the musicians and the community.

One opportunity to serve in this organization is being a guardian angel.

help and support from dedicated individuals at Veterans Affairs, the occupational therapy staff at Fort Gordon and, of course, our donors and volunteers,” said Jeff Snover, CMFA’s chairman.

“But more than that, as a nonprofit, the award is reassurance that people outside of our immediate circles agree that we are heading in the right direction.”

“Working with CMFA has been an eye-opener, to say the least,” said Lawson. “Before joining this organization, I had very little experience with persons with physical disability, and very little experience in sports. I got a crash course in both that wiped out any misconceptions I might have ever had about people with disabilities. And, my experience here has definitely changed the way I perceive my own limitations.”

CMFA provides sports and leisure programs for people with physical disabilities, including wheelchair basketball, quad rugby, cycling, swimming, archery, bowling and marksmanship. The organization also co-hosts an annual adaptive water skiing clinic and picnic with MCGHealth for those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

“This isn’t just about sports. This is about helping people be active and happy, and about creating opportunities for exposure to other people with disabilities that are living their lives to the fullest,” Lawson said. “As human beings, each of us has the right to get out and be social and active.

Champions Made From Adversity makes taking advantage of this right The wisdom and experience of senior a little easier for people with physical citizens can be invaluable to younger disabilities by removing many of the generations. The Elder Wisdom common barriers to participation.”

#18 SHARE LIFE EXPERIENCES Circle acts as a cyber-grandparent

“The Guardian Angels are volunteers connection service.

CMFA also works closely with the ELDERWISDOMCIRCLE.ORG that provide refreshments for the command at Fort Gordon’s Warrior musicians backstage during all rehearsals and Transition Battalion to bring weekly, rotating performances,” Alexanderson explained. “They also athletic activities to the post. get a chance to get to know the musicians personally.”

“Civilian and military programs work well together because When they are not busy at the Symphony Series, you might they are really part of the same process” said Madalyn Weber, find the Friends seating patrons at the POPS and Discovery CMFA’s program manager. “When an individual acquires a concerts. But service is not the only function of this group. disability later in life, often the challenge isn’t simply about learning to live with the disability. Sometimes people are “Two of our yearly activities combine service, education and faced with the daunting task of having to completely relearn outreach for the community: Collage Camp and the annual how to be themselves. It’s important that we link people who Instrument Petting Zoo,” she said. have successfully gone through this process with those who are newly disabled, because both groups help each other in Collage Creative Arts Camp is a three-week day camp for different ways.” elementary-age children. The local Arts community also plays a part in the camps.

“For 31 summers, local arts professionals have guided handson experiences with orchestral instruments, chorus, drama, movement, weaving, storytelling, creative writing, art and puppetry,” Alexanderson said.

“It’s a great way for kids and adults to get to know the instruments and it involves the whole family,” Alexanderson said.

GET INVOLVED Experience great musical performances and work behind the scenes. EMAIL Sue Alexanderson at walexanderson@comcast.net VISIT | soaugusta.org

“On a traditional leg-powered bicycle, BRAG is a challenge, but many of our athletes ride in hand cycles, which blows the inspirational factor through the roof,” she continued.

“Every season, beginners start training on flat terrain at the Greenway in North Augusta by the river, or on short rides out at Fort Gordon. As they get better, the group progresses to longer rides and organized community rides with local bike shops like Outspokin’. We wrap up the program with BRAG.” “Training for BRAG was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Michael Smith, who suffered a stroke while in the U.S. Army. Smith is now retired from the military, and spends time cycling and volunteering with CMFA. “You can’t imagine the impact these programs can have on someone with a disability. Being able to connect with other people who understood my challenges as a person with a disability, and also as a person learning to ride a recumbent bike, had a huge impact on my success as a cyclist,” said Smith. “I am not an elite athlete, but cycling is definitely an important part of my life today.” | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

Another education and outreach activity is the Instrument Petting Zoo. The group celebrated their 20th annual petting zoo in October. Several musicians were on hand to help both young and old try out many different instruments.

“The Friends provide the people power for the symphony,” said Alexanderson. “We have an incredible time serving the orchestra, savoring the myriad of musical programs and contributing funds to the SOA budget.” | by KAREN E. FARLEY

Lawson speaks from experience. Last year, she joined CMFA cyclists on their annual seven-day Bike Ride Across Georgia, riding almost 400 miles.

This year, CMFA was named the 2011 Amazing Paralympic Sport Club by U.S. Paralympics.

GET INVOLVED Enter the Chilly Chili Cook-off, a CASI and ICS sanctioned event or attend and enjoy the day. Several ongoing volunteer opportunities are also available.

CALL 706.364.2422 VISIT | CMFA.US or CHILLYCHILI.US

“Of course, we are thrilled to be recognized as a leader in our field, which we absolutely could not have done without a lot of

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

#19 BUY SOAP FOR CLEAN WATER

Here are the statistics: 4,000 children die every day from lack of clean drinking water. One-third of all wells drilled in the past 20 years are now broken.WaterAid is training Indian villagers to become hand pump mechanics and clean water testers. Buy Keep It Clean Soap to help. | THEADVENTUREPROJECT.ORG

HANDS ACROSS THE CSRA

#20 IMPERSONATE SANTA:

#21 BEFRIEND A BIRD:

Action Ministries

Feathered Friends Forever

Action Ministries of Augusta will provide boxes of food and toys for 750 low-income families in Georgia for the fourth Christmas in a row, and they need help getting gifts distributed.

“There are two ways to help, and the first is to adopt one or more children to provide Christmas gifts for,” said Rick Herring, Action Ministries’ executive director. “The second is to help us distribute gifts on Dec. 10 when about 800 families come in for their gifts and we need volunteers to help bring them from the warehouse out to the cars.”

Those wishing to sponsor someone will be provided with the child’s name, age, sizes and gift wishes. Sponsors shop for gifts (the suggested amount to spend is $50 to $70) and deliver them to Action Ministries office at 303 Hale St. on Dec. 5 or 6.

Gifts will be handed out from this same facility on Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon.

When Ron Johnson went to serve in the military, he had to give up his parrots. Returning home, he decided to make up for his loss by starting a rescue center for unwanted and neglected birds.

Feathered Friends Forever, in Harlem, was the result and it now houses 1,200 birds. Johnson says it is the largest bird rescue center in the United States.

The center takes abused birds and reintroduces them to a flock mentality. Johnson has seen troubled birds heal simply by being surrounded by other birds. Some birds will remain at the center for their entire life because once they have been domesticated they cannot return to the wild and survive. A bird might become eligible for adoption, depending on its condition and socialization. Johnson’s adoption policy has the bird’s best interest in mind: He allows the bird to choose its owner and says he has seen a lot of success in this process.

The rescue center also acts as a place for owners to board their birds while they on vacation or overseas in military service. Boarding rates vary, depending on the size of the bird and the length of its stay.

Feathered Friends Forever continues to expand, already outgrowing several previous locations before settling in Harlem. Johnson believes the current location has enough unused acreage to accommodate future growth.

Roger Ford builds beds for children who have never had their own.

According to Herring, these gifts can give children a sense of equality with their classmates, which can lead to an increased sense of self-esteem. Action Ministries participates in the Augusta Christmas Clearinghouse, a group of agencies striving to distribute holiday assistance so that no family is helped by more than one agency until all needy families have been helped.

A basic wire cage is on display – it’s the first cage Johnson used and serves as a reminder of the organization’s simple roots. Now, the birds have aviaries with waterfalls and built-in fountains to emulate a more natural setting.

Volunteers assist with all aspects of the center from feeding to constructing new aviaries, which include heating lamps for the winter, waterfalls, and automatic feeders. | by Branch Davis photo Holly Birdsong

Action Ministries also hosted a coat drive, which they distributed from their facility, on Nov. 10 and 11 and hopes to start a summer lunch program next year. Their signature program, however, is the furniture bank which they offer to individuals moving into public housing.

GET INVOLVED Volunteer on site or donate to the cause. CALL Ron Johnson at 706.556.2424 VISIT | featheredfriendsforever.org

“We provide furniture to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and most of it is donated by people in Richmond and Colombia County,” said Herring. “A few years ago we realized that we were not getting enough donated beds, so one of our volunteers recommended we use one of our warehouses for bed building, which we can do for around $20 a bed.”

#22 HONOR A SOLDIER: Augusta Warrior Project

Between January and April, Action Ministries built 120 beds for people moving into public housing. | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK photo ALISON RYAN GET INVOLVED: Sponsor a child for Christmas, assist with distribution, donate or build furniture. CALL 706.722.8195 VISIT | augusta.actionministries.net

The United States attacked Afghanistan in response to the actions of the terrorist organization al Qaeda on Oct. 7, 2001. With the recent observence of the 10th anniversary of the war, it seems proper to think of the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq every day, and to remember those who don’t make it back intact, or at all.

In response to the tragedies of war and their effects on those left behind, the Augusta Warrior Project helps local families of the fallen and the wounded make the journey toward continuing life after war. Under the leadership of Jim Lorraine, the Augusta Warrior Project provides a multitude of services to veterans and their families.

Lorraine laid out the basics of what his group does: “We assist veterans and their families in a lot of ways, such as providing job training and helping low income veteran families get grants to help with housing. We provide outreach assistance to vets and their families. We also assist the VA and the 35 veterans groups in the area. We’re a go-between for these groups. We help the vets find out about them and access them,” he said. “A lot of people don’t realize that there are 66,000 vets in the area, most under the age of 40. A lot of them get out of the service and move on with their lives and never realize all of the programs that are available to them.”

The project recently collaborated with Fort Gordon’s Survivor Outreach Services to send 150 family members of soldiers who have died in service to a weekend event run by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

#23 BE A CHILD ADVOCATE: CASA For Children Are you ready to stand up for a child who needs you? More than 510,000 children are in foster care in the U.S., half of them are in non-relative foster homes and only 10 percent are adopted each year. Help protect foster kids by becoming a court appointed special advocate. CASAFORCHILDREN.ORG

The TAPS Survivor Seminar and their Good Grief Camp for children provided a weekend of healing and support for families, through group sessions and one-on-one counseling.

“It’s really a special program ... right now, they’re the only national program that’s providing counseling support for families,” said Lorriane. | by CARL ELDER GET INVOLVED Donate to provide more events like TAPS in the future. CALL 706.434.1708 VISIT | AUGUSTAWARRIORPROJECT.ORG

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

#24 TOSS IN YOUR CHANGE

Silver bells are ringing all over Augusta, heralding The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle season. Your change can make a difference for the homeless in our community, providing much-needed shelter and food. | SALVATIONARMY.ORG

HANDS ACROSS THE CSRA

#25 BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY:

#26 BUILD POSITIVE SELF IMAGE:

Meet Tricia Hughes, Augusta’s Champion In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell described a maven as a person “whom we rely upon to connect us with new information.”

Girls on the Run of the CSRA

Mavens are information specialists, collecting knowledge and passing it on to others. Tricia Hughes might not be a household word, but she can be seen all over Augusta, sharing what she knows with everyone she meets.

Hughes is a self-appointed ambassador of Augusta. She is passionate about downtown, but she also sees herself as a connector who joins people to a cause that makes the city a better place to live.

She says she loves to get people involved and seems to know almost everyone and everything about Augusta.

“I try to find out about people and their interests,” Hughes said. “If you are trying to run a business, you don’t have time to go out and talk to people. So, I make it a point to find out who they are and what their interests are, and then I connect them to other people.”

Have you ever experienced a moment of clarity in the mist of calamity? It is in that moment when you realize all of your efforts could be simplified into one.

Stephany White, a mother of three in North Augusta, found that moment of clarity when she began looking into developing an all-girls summer weight loss camp for her daughter and her middle school friends. tricia hughes displays posters from many of the events she has helped promote.

While Hughes is busy connecting people to the community, she is also a dedicated volunteer who says she is passionate about helping others.

“My mom was an incredible volunteer. I think volunteering just comes naturally,” she said. “Growing up, I always wanted to do something that helped others. I remember helping a child learn to read when I was in seventh grade.”

Hughes was raised in Augusta, but moved to Texas where her husband, Peter, finished graduate school. Though she homeschooled their son, Hughes still made time to volunteer for local groups. They returned to Augusta in 2000 and Hughes took on the role of caretaker for her parents. After their deaths, she needed something to fill her free time. She had an interest in photography, but it was one of her neighbors who turned that interest into something that would change her life.

“Tom Grant had a way of seeing a spark in someone’s eye and moving them to action,” she said. “One day, I was visiting his wife and he convinced me to volunteer for a photography festival.”

After the festival, Hughes began looking for other groups that needed help to raise community awareness of issues and projects in Augusta. She was interested in the history of Augusta and its old buildings, so she chose the Miller Theater as her next volunteer project. She joined the Friends of the Miller and worked to promote the restoration of the historic downtown theater.

“After dealing with several self-esteem issues and healthy lifestyle choices with my daughter, a friend mentioned Girls on the Run,” said White. “And I was hooked!”

In that moment, White realized Girls on the Run was how she could take her efforts to the next level and bring the message of gaining self-confidence through positive activities to girls community-wide.

Though the process of becoming executive director of Girls on the Run of the CSRA seemed daunting, White saw that the journey was also her way to step out of “my own ‘girl box’ as it was for my daughter and her peers.”

#27 LOVE MORE

“I loved that building and I wanted to bring awareness to the community,” she said. “I felt the building needed to be restored and I wanted to be a part of promoting it.”

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

Hughes worked to bring in new funds for the project and when she was ready for a new challenge, she did not need to look very far. Her increased passion for old buildings and downtown Augusta led her to Artists Row. She says enjoys greeting visitors, while promoting the artists and encouraging everyone she meets to “buy local.”

One lesson Girls on the Run teaches is the visualization exercise, where girls learn what they think about manifests itself outwardly and shows them how to have control over what MOTHER TERESA they allow into their minds. The exercise teaches them how to disconnect the negative cord and plug in the positive cord.

“People work so hard to bring art and entertainment to Augusta,” she says. “We need to get people to come and enjoy what we are offering. I love to talk. I can talk with somebody until I know what is going to interest them to make them come back.”

Though Hughes says she loves promoting Augusta and its attractions, the Friends of the Library is at the top of her list.

“My mother was a voracious reader,” Hughes said. “I volunteer at the library to honor her. I have walked up to people in line at Redbox and asked them if they knew that the library has a bigger selection and they don’t have to return them the next day.”

Her role as a volunteer is more than spending days at the library or weekends on Artists Row. It is about bringing people together and making connections. Through the years, Hughes has volunteered for many organizations, but she also has gotten to know people and continues to connect them to others.

Hughes is currently preparing for the 2012 Photography Festival. The international event will feature photos of old buildings and will bring together other organizations, such as the library group and Historic Augusta.

“I am back where I started. Photography led me to volunteering and now I am connecting others in this project,” Hughes said.

“Actually, I’m really just nosy. I want to know what’s going on and I want to be a part of it.”

Hughes might think she is just nosy, but her enthusiasm and desire is what being a volunteer is all about – being a part of what you love and knowing that you can make a difference while having fun. | by KAREN E. FARLEY photo LEAH DESLANDES GET INVOLVED with Friends of the Library by liking Read Moore on Facebook CALL 706.821.2600 VISIT | ECGRL.ORG

The “girl box” is inward place that girls retreat to as they internalize how they believe other people perceive them, instead of recognizing their worth as valuable individuals.

This 24-week program was developed for girls in third through eighth grades to provide tools to help raise self-esteem and selfacceptance. The girls set healthy goals for themselves, such as slowing down and celebrating gratitude. They also learn how to stand up to peer pressure, the negative effects of gossip and that it’s okay to carefully choose friends. The program also teaches the girls to contribute to their communities and how to recognize and deal with negative messages (such as peer pressure and media images).

On Nov. 12, Girls on the Run celebrated the completion of the fall CSRA program where approximately 150 girls, their coaches, friends and family participated in a 5K fun run.

At the finish line, each girl received a medal signifying her accomplishments. | by HEATHER RANKIN GET INVOLVED Volunteer your time or host a site for the spring session. EMAIL Stephany White at girlsontherunofthecsra@yahoo.com VISIT | girlsontherunofthecsra.org

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 23

#28 BUY A WATCH

Hello Somebody’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty and hunger within this generation of children. Partnering with Africa New Life in Rwanda, the nonprofit provides street boys with school tuition and two meals a day. For every 70 Hello Somebody watches sold, a boy is completely sponsored. HELLO-SOMEBODY.COM

HANDS ACRO

#29 GIVE A CHILD STABILITY: HELPING HANDS OF AIKEN

#31 BUILD A CH

Thirty-five years ago, when a child was abused or abandoned in Aiken County, he would be housed in the county jail until the family courts could find a place for him.

The Mission Health

Locally founded with an internati Inc. is a group of people who focu in the form of spiritual knowledge

A group of local citizens saw the need for a different solution to meet the needs of these children and stepped in where government was not equipped to help. In 1973, the group, led by Joe DeVore and Carl Littlejohn, chartered Helping Hands of Aiken, a home where children in transition could experience some semblance of normalcy.

Young victims of child abuse, abandonment and neglect are placed at Helping Hands from all over South Carolina, some short-term until a placement option works out, others for years, until they reach adulthood.

Currently, about 35 children live at Helping Hands, according to Carmen Landy, the home’s executive director.

“We take care of them as a family would,” said Landy. “They go to school and get rides to doctors and are taken to ballgames and soccer practice. As the children get older, they are given classes in life skills – such as handling money, keeping good credit and learning to be on-time to work – preparing them for when they are ready to live on their own. Many of the older children also volunteer at nonprofits around town.”

Helping Hands has a small, peaceful campus of five buildings tucked away near the county office complex.

The primary service Helping Hands provides is an emergency shelter that assists boys and girls from birth to age 21. Upon arriving, children, who might have never known a stable family life, are given a safe, nurturing environment that promotes positive development. They have shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, an education and access to medical, dental, optical and mental health services.

Helping Hands also supports its residents during family court and criminal court proceedings, guiding them through the legal processes.

Landy says that the mental health needs of residents are a major concern and an important component of the home’s holistic care regimen.

“Helping Hands residents are often survivors of abusive circumstances and often require the assistance of mental health services to positively cope with the abuse, abandonment and neglect they have endured,” she said.

#30 SUPPORT THE ARTS:

Be an Artists Row’s pARTner

In 1994, artists began to open galleries in downtown Augusta as part of an effort to revitalize the core of the city. Today, Artists Row is a thriving part of the downtown district. The galleries and shops work together to promote the Arts as an integral part of community, creating programming and events to encourage participation and education.

The children receive instruction in how to recognize abuse, how to cope with it and how to report it.

Residents between the ages of 13 and 21 are also given instruction on preparing for life as adults. They are taught household skills such as cleaning, cooking, hygiene, health and finance. They are also encouraged to take part in community involvement through volunteer opportunities and many gladly pitch in, Landy said.

“We have some wonderful success stories,” she said. “We had two weddings here this year and, in the past few weeks, two of our graduates who are attending college came by to encourage the kids.”

The Barefoot Christ tangible results “We always have need of donations, but even more so for to get rid of t volunteers,” Landy said. “It is a remarkable thing to cannot hav watch how caring adults can change the lives of our a team w young people. With the help of the community, we shoes re can make positive impacts in the lives of so many on the young people for many years to come. I invite you 6:25: “Th Library funding can depend on the number to join us in our effort to help create better lives about y of patrons walking through the door each for the children of Aiken County and of South or abou day. So visit your local libary - often. Your Carolina.” | by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE Is not l presence could mean new books on the GET INVOLVED Donate or volunteer CALL more th shelves.

803.648.3456 VISIT | HELPINGHANDSAIKEN.ORG The team ECGRL.COM with his eff church. One create a commun together and fellows church is thriving with plan

#32 GO TO THE LIBRARY

Joe Pelli, the director, says that the term medical mission trips. It’s ab consist ministry.

“It’s an amazing and welcoming t the streets of a foreign country an becomes a second home through t

Artists Row offers an annual art scholarship to a high school senior pursing an Arts degree, provides a monthly art program for patients at GHSU Children’s Medical Center and offer a variety of events, including art demonstrations, cultural tourism travel packages and hands-on community art experiences.

Pelli’s vision for The Mission Heal simply waiting on the Lord to lead

“Artists Row strongly believes that exposure and engagement in the arts helps develop people better equipped to manage challenges, problem solve, and enrich a community through imagination and creativity,” said Lisa Marks, the president of Artists Row. “We also believe that the arts are a fundamental component in the revitalization of urban communities and the local economy.”

The nonprofit has created the pARTnership program for individuals to join in Artists Row’s efforts.” The $50 annual membership is designed to engage people in the organization and provides benefits such as an original piece of artwork created

by Artists Row artists, advance notification of art programming and events, exclusive opportunities to attend art demonstrations, free admission to the Artists Row’s annual membership event, a quarterly newsletter and the opportunity to engage in conversations and action committees that support the advancement of art and in revitalization of downtown.

“We believe that everything is a growing relationship with Jesus. W to go and make disciples of all nati our passion,” says the nonprofit’

“Our vision for the future is to estab or whatever else He asks of us in co

Membership dues directly benefit the Artists Row scholarship and community outreach fund.

GET INVOLVED Become a pARTner – $50 for individuals and $80 for couples – and help support the Arts in Augusta.

CALL 706.774.1006 VISIT | artistsrowaugusta.com

#35 SHARE BUSINESS SKILLS:

scoreaugusta.org

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

The Mission Health also financially by sending supplies and offsetting pastor’s monthly salary of $300. Th to assist the pastor’s son with some to develop a long-term plan for fin

GET INVOLVED The Mission nee promotional film for its website supplies are also needed. CALL Jo joepelli@gmail.com. VISIT | themissio

#36 SEND A SMILE:

hugsandhope.org

#33 KEEP OUR WATERS CLEAN

Volunteers with the Savannah Riverkeeper monitor the water quality of the river and many streams throughout the Savannah River basin. Using Georgia’s Adopt-a-Stream protocols, volunteers test water for pH levels and, if abnormal, can hlep to trace those levels back to the root cause. Training is not required. savannahriverkeeper.org

OSS THE CSRA

HURCH:

ional mission, The Mission Health us on bringing help to other nations e and medical aid.

secondary issue to a sincere and We have been called by His authority ions and this command has become ’s mission statement.

tian Church in Haiti is one of the of The Mission’s efforts. Desiring the false assumption that the poor ve a relationship with Jesus Christ, went to Haiti to start a church – no equired. The concept was founded principles established in Matthew Therefore I tell you, do not worry your life, what you will eat or drink; out your body, what you will wear. life more than food, and the body han clothes?”

m met a Haitian pastor, partnered fforts and helped him establish the of the church’s main goals is to nity of Christians in Haiti who work ship with one another. Today, the ns for a school and a bakery.

e Mission Health is more than shortbout building relationships through

#34 BREAK BREAD TOGETHER:

Organizers call it “not a hand-out, but more of a handshake.”

Aiken’s One Table

We had never heard of anything quite like it and we had never attended an event where we had a better time.

One event that might come close is the first Thanksgiving, at which the Native Americans shared their bounty with the Pilgrims and all sat down together to give thanks for the food and the fellowship.

“We” are the nearly 3,000 people who attend Aiken’s newest tradition One Table – a very inclusive, free, all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving meal.

Started and staffed five years ago by volunteers from the Aiken Department of Public Safety (mostly fire fighters), One Table invites everyone from the community to join in fellowship by eating together at end-to-end tables on Thanksgiving. The tables form a giant cross at the intersection of The Alley and Bee Lane and run for about 50 yards in each directions. Rich, poor, singles, friends and families come to give thanks and share a traditional meal together.

thing when you can walk through nd hear your name being called. It time,” Pelli said.

Open Table starts at 11 a.m. and ends around 2 p.m., but the wonderful feeling everyone gets from being a part of it, whether volunteering or enjoying the meal, goes on for a year.

lth goes beyond Haiti. He says he is d his path.

A traditional meal is served – turkey (baked, grilled, smoked or fried), baked ham, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, rice and gravy and cranberry sauce – by a small army of volunteers, and all of them are smiling the whole time.

blish clinics, orphanages, water wells, ountries all over the world,” he said.

y contributes to the church it started g the annual rent of $1,200 and the The group is currently raising funds e medical needs and seeking a team nancial support. | by DAVIS BRANCH

eds a video editor to help create a e. Prayer, donations and medical oseph Pelli at 912.660.2736 or email themissionmd.org

org

And it’s all free and open to the public.

It is not meant to cure world hunger; it is meant to share what the community has with everyone who wants to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, not everyone can make it to One Table, so about 100 meals are delivered to participants in the Meals on Wheels who are shut up in their homes and would not normally have had a holiday dinner.

After an Open Table a few years ago, Richard Pearce, before he became Aiken’s city manager said, “This is what Thanksgiving is all about.”

“These caring and compassionate people who volunteer to do all this have no boundaries, no hidden agenda and no expectation of any recognition for their efforts. So, why, you may ask, do they do it? Because that is the essence of Aiken.

That is just what folks do here,” said Pearce.

Diners are asked to bring a canned good for the Golden Harvest Food Bank.

While almost everything is donated, from the turkeys to the time, there are some expenses so monetary donations will be accepted if offered to cover additional needs. All donations are tax deductable and checks should be made out to Christ Central Missions. | article and photo by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE GET INVOLVED Volunteer as a cook or server, donate needed food items or bring a canned good and share in the meal and camaraderie. CALL Christ Central Missions at 803.215.6010. To volunteer, call Kathryn Wade at 803.295.8585 VISIT | ONETABLE.ORG

Attendees might sit next to bank presidents and unemployed people, church deacons and folks who rarely attend. It is among the most egalitarian events ever staged and that’s part of what makes it so much fun.

The event is made possible by anonymous sponsors (someone donated 150 turkeys this year), local churches, and more than 200 volunteers. About two dozen chefs start dressing turkeys Wednesday evening and set up to cook after midnight. They work their labor of love all night long and many of them stay all day. It has grown in size each year since the first One Table in 2005 and, it seems the event is continually blessed with perfect weather.

#37 STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

#38 NOW GET STARTED

Make a list of what you are most passionate about - then find an organization whose mission matches your own. From knitting to fishing, cooking to mentoring, there is a group out there that could use your help.

VOLUNTEER-AUGUSTA.COM

NOTFORSALECAMPAIGN.org vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 25

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

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

Who You Callin’ a Turkey?

the joy of eggplant

Another year has passed and we are about to be graced again with the most football lovin’, too-much-food grubbin’ familygathering holiday of the year. Of course, I’m talking about Thanksgiving – a day where we gather with loved ones to give thanks for all of life’s blessings. But, we all know it’s really to give thanks for having an excuse to pig out, stretch out on the couch and try our goodness-to-honest best to stay awake during the football games.

FALL EGGPLANT AND SQUASH QUICHE

Sure, the celebration is all about the bounty, but in the end where does that bounty end up? Exactly – you get my meaning.

However, the bigger question might be – the same one we faced last year and the year before that – where is all of that leftover turkey going to end up? I know the easy (and delicious) thing is the classic turkey, dressing cranberry sauce sandwich. But, why not push the envelope a bit, while remembering that, since Thanksgiving is over so are the excuses to pig out. It’s time to get back to healthy eating. At the same time, you might want something hearty, something fit for the next football weekend.

So, when I bought the cutest little eggplants in the world from Sundrees Urban Market, the wheels in my brain started turning. I used a few of them to make some delicious, but I wanted to use the rest in a dish that screamed “It’s fall.”

Well, guys, hearty and football are good, but what about the ladies? You know the gals have much more refined taste buds than we male Neanderthals. The ladies must eat too and, if they are going to be so kind as to put up with all our male posturing and yelling at the television, why not at least make it worth it to their taste buds?

Most guys love chili – it is perfect gunky, messy, football manfood. The best thing about chili is that you can make it a kazillion different ways and it is still hearty and delicious. So bros, check this out: a chili recipe man enough for the game and gourmet enough for your obviously much, much, MUCH better and more refined other half.

chow bella simple tips and recipes on cooking with natural goodness

I love eggplant, though I did not discover until I was 22-years-old. I spent my youth confident that the strangely-shaped, purple vegetable was one I would never love – chalking it up there with brussel sprouts (which have also found a place in my heart).

To me, squash exudes the feeling of autumn – so I looked for something to combine the two vegetables. Scientifically speaking, both are considered a fruit, but for consumption they are vegetables in regards to flavor, usage and nutrition.

As I prepared to make my dish, I read up on squash – I am amazed at the plethora of winter squash varieties. I have used spaghetti and acorn squash before, but for this recipe I decided to try something different, a delicata squash. The delicata is an oblong-shaped squash with a cream colored, green-striped outer skin and a golden inner flesh and ranges from five to 10 inches long.

I found a vegetable quiche recipe on British website Good Food to use as a base for my creation. It didn’t hit me until I started measuring ingredients that the recipe was in metric measurements. Since I am not a math genius, nor do I know how to convert grams or milliliters into anything recognizable in the U.S., I found an online converter to get the gist of what

the recipe required. Then, as is my proclivity, I changed it significantly, subtracting and adding ingredients to make it my own. The entire affair was quite comical, but the finished product was a huge success.

Eggplant can take on a wonderful meat-like quality when used in certain ways and this quiche was no exception. The squash became tender in such a lovely way that it beautifully complemented the other ingredients. It is a perfect quiche for the discerning vegetarian, yet combines the vegetables in a way that can be appreciated by nonvegetarians, too. Emma, my 4-year-old daughter, asked for three pieces and had more for lunch and dinner. In our house, this is the highest praise a cook can receive. I hope you enjoy – Happy fall! article and photo by ELLIE BENSON boyandabride.virb.com

3. Sprinkle the rolling pin lightly with flour. Roll out the dough using short sharp strokes to avoid stretching, giving the dough a quarter turn each time you roll to keep the shape.

Pumpkin Up Turkey Bean Chili

4. Set a flan tin (or a pie pan) on a baking sheet. When the dough is about two inches larger than the tin, lift it by draping it over the rolling pin and lay it across the pie tin. Press the dough into the corners of the tin using your fingers, don’t trim off the edges. Chill for 30 minutes.

INGREDIENTS 1 tsp. olive oil 1 large chopped onion 2 cloves chopped garlic 1 ½ tsp. oregano 1 ½ tsp. cumin 1 ½ tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper 1 cup minced bell pepper 14 ½ oz. chicken broth 15 ½ oz. drained canned great northern beans 16 oz. drained canned red kidney beans 14 ½ oz. canned crushed tomatoes 16 oz. canned pumpkin 2 ½ cup light meat skinless turkey, cooked and cubed ½ cup water

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oil over medium heat, add onions, garlic, oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper and green pepper.

Cook until onions and green pepper tender.

2. Stir in chicken broth, bean, tomatoes, pumpkin, turkey and water. Bring to a boil. Allow to simmer on low for 45 minutes.

Average calories for this recipe are around 258 and the total fat content is under 3g. With carbs under 40g, sugars under 4g and a whopping 22g of protein, this chili is healthy a and perfect way to get your energy up for yelling at the television every time your favorite QB throws an interception!

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

from chow bella’s kitchen: Fall Eggplant and Squash Quiche

A delectable blend of winter’s fruits and goat cheese

INGREDIENTS FOR THE PASTRY CRUST: 1 cup flour 2 tbsp. cold water

½ cup cold butter

DIRECTIONS FOR THE CRUST: 1. Measure the flour into a mixing bowl. Cut the cold butter into small pieces, add to the flour and toss to coat. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour, lifting it in the bowl to keep it light and cool. Continue until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.

2. Sprinkle in 2 tbsp. cold water and mix with a roundended knife until the mixture starts to come together.

Gather the dough with your hands. Put the dough onto a work surface sprinkled lightly with flour. Knead lightly to form a smooth ball.

5. Heat oven to 390 degrees. Fill the pastry crust with a round of baking paper and add pie weights (or rice) to weigh it down. Bake for 15 minutes. Carefully remove the paper and weights. Cook the pastry for five more minutes (this is called baking blind). Let cool completely.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE FILLING: 3 tbsp. Butter 5 mini eggplant, cubed ½ Delicata squash, cubed ½ red onion, chopped 1 ¼ cup milk 2 tbsp. flour 3 large eggs ½ tbsp. salt (optional) ½ tbsp. adobo (optional) ¾ log full-fat soft goat’s cheese, sliced

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 340 degrees Melt the butter in a saucepan and cook the vegetables and onions for five minutes, until they begin to soften. Add milk and flour and stir over the heat until it thickens to a smooth sauce.

Cool for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Beat the eggs into the sauce and season. Pour into the pastry shell and layer the top with goat cheese slices.

3. Bake for 40 minutes until the filling is set and turns golden. Cool for a few minutes before removing from pan.

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 27

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

black veil brides & hollywood undead on the

buried alive tour

bands join sevenfold avenged at the james brown arena for a night of Hard rock ‘n’ roll on nov. 26

HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD At first listen, you might think Hollywood Undead is “rap rock.” You would be mistaken.

“I never thought it was accurate,” says guitarist/bassist J-Dog. “I understand why someone would think that, but that person hasn’t taken the time to listen to the whole record and actually hear a straight-up rock song without any rapping. They listened to one song, so how can you go off that? It makes no sense at all.”

There is some rap and a lot of rock in Hollywood Undead, but there are also melodies, harmonies and a full band. In addition to J-Dog, H.U. features vocalist Johnny 3 Tears, guitarist/vocalist Charlie Scene, drummer Da Kurlzz, vocalist Funny Man and vocalist/guitarist Danny. Their story is as unique as their sound.

Hollywood Undead’s trajectory began six years ago on Myspace, where fans discovered them and their loyal base grew rapidly. They were signed to MySpace Records, but when the label attempted content control, the band left.

A&M/Octone signed them and released their debut album, Swan Songs, in 2008. H.U. began a two-year tour that paid off handsomely. Swan Songs spent over a year on the Billboard Top 200 and has sold more than 800,000 copies.

In April 2011, American Tragedy debuted at No. 4 and sold 70,000 units its first week. H.U. were back on the road immediately and are now on the Buried Alive tour for a stretch of dates that take them into December.

Verge: Do you see a difference when you play for younger audiences versus 21-and-up?

J-Dog: There’s a big difference. We try to do all ages because those are the kids who like going to shows. When you do 18 and older, they’ve got a different vibe. They’re not as into it, they stand still a little more. When I was a kid going to shows, I was always crowd surfing and in the mosh pit. When I turned 18 or 19, I got over it, and by 21, I’d just stand and watch from the side. So it’s a lot more fun for the band to have all ages because those are the kids that are going nuts the whole time to your music.

Verge: This is not your first time opening for Avenged Sevenfold. How do you keep the show interesting in order to generate ticket sales the next time through?

J-Dog: Our second album wasn’t released when we toured with them the first time, so that’s one thing. Also, we upgraded our production and we’ve got a new stage show. And Avenged is solid; you could see them a hundred times and they’d be good. I think the kids that like our bands will keep coming because they’re diehard and down for the cause, but it is really hard right now because people don’t have money. They’re waiting for that one show to spend their $30 on.

Verge: You’ve taken a different approach – releasing digital singles with little downtime, compared with scheduling radio singles. Does radio still matter?

J-Dog: Yeah, radio’s a really big deal. Not as big as it used to be because of satellite radio and the Internet, but it still plays a big part. It’s sad that a lot of rock stations are changing their formats to soft indie music or they’re shutting down. One of our biggest markets in America was Chicago; the rock radio station out there, Q-101, supported us. They loved us, we loved them, and recently they got turned into a talk radio station. I feel that rock music is going through this huge slump with all this urban hip-hop and dance music and female pop stars. Rock’s really hurting now. Stone Sour had the No. 1 radio rock single in the country, but on the overall charts it was No. 21, so that shows you how far rock is behind. As far as radio goes, it’s still relevant; it just doesn’t hold the power that it used to, especially for rock music. by alison ricther

black veil brides

Love them or hate them, there’s no denying Black Veil Brides, and that’s exactly how vocalist Andy Biersack wants it.

The band – Biersack, guitarists Jinxx and Jake Pitts, bassist Ashley Purdy, drummer Christian Coma – released their latest album and label debut, Set the World on Fire, in June. Like its independent predecessor, 2010’s We Stitch These Wounds, the album is doing well, thanks to a loyal and growing fan base that immediately embraced BVB’s music and image, which both lend themselves to 1980s rock. To some, it is an era long gone and greatly missed, and to others not so much. But as Biersack explains, BVB will never be all things to all people. Nor does he want them to be.

Verge: You are a young band with what some might deem a “retro” sound and look, for lack of a better term. Has that been a challenge, especially dealing with the media?

Biersack: The people who are writing about the record are not the people we’re making the record for.

Anytime we make music, there’s definitely elements that hearken back to things we’re influenced by, but everybody has that. Some people are just afraid and they don’t want to wear it on their sleeves. Plus, we try to spell it out a little bit more. We’re influenced by bands that are potentially seen as retro, but to us, that music never really went away.

Verge: Where do you see Black Veil Brides bridging that gap?

Biersack: As a kid that grew up in the ’90s, the music that I liked was the music that existed prior to my adolescence and that we wanted to hear. A band like ours didn’t exist when we got together. There were a lot of retro bands that we like, but there wasn’t a band that was influenced by the rock ‘n’ roll rebellion of past decades without it being almost tongue-in-cheek. We wanted to take it seriously. Inasmuch as a lot of the music of that time period was sort of, I guess, campy, there were a lot of bands that did a lot of great stuff for rock ‘n’ roll music. We’re influenced just as much by the ’70s punk bands as we are by Motley Crue or other bands. If you look at, say, The Misfits into Motley Crue into Metallica, there’s a similar thread, and I feel that’s what Black Veil Brides is. It’s a culmination of all of those things. So it’s a bit of an uphill challenge when you first start to try to get people to hear it, but by the same token, it was never really our concern.

Verge: What enabled you to establish yourselves and build a following?

Biersack: We sort of had a built-in fan base from

day one. To the fans’ credit, they’ve been there since we started, so we made it impossible to ignore us in that regard. Eventually, whether people liked us or not, they had to start writing about us and paying attention because we were there. As long as we maintained a sense of doing it for the right reasons, for ourselves and for our audience, then we weren’t concerned with how others would view it, because once something’s successful, everybody wants to say that they agreed with it; nobody’s going to fight that it’s doing well.

People might not like it, but no one ever writes about us and says, “This band has no fans.” They’ll say, “This band is the biggest pile of ---- in the world, but wow, they’ve got a big army.” by alison ricther photo paul harries

hear the music

WHAT Buried Alive tour: Avenged Sevenfold + Hollywood Undead + Black Veil Brides + Asking Alexandria WHERE James Brown Arena | 601 Seventh St. WHEN Saturday, Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS $39.75 to $44.75 BUY 877.428.4849 or GEORGIALINA.TIX.COM MORE | HOLLYWOODUNDEAD.COM or bvbarmy.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 29

the

film reel

One of America’s pop culture obsessions hits theaters on Nov. 18 and, this time around, writer Stephenie Meyer’s teen vampires and werewolves are really pushing the limits of their PG-13 rating with sex, violence and an overabundance of blood. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 is the fourth installment of Meyer’s popular franchise. This episode of the melodrama has familiar elements of the Bella-Edward-Jacob love triangle and vampire-werewolf rivalry, but the mythological creatures clash like never before when Bella marries her vampire beau and becomes pregnant with their half-human/half-vampire love child.

Young heartthrobs Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner return to their roles as Edward, the pale and brooding vampire, and Jacob, the passionate werewolf with washboard abs. Kristen Stewart once again plays Bella, the human object of their affections, whose life is put in serious danger by her cross-species pregnancy.

NOW PLAYING ON THE BIG SCREEN

WEDDING NIGHT BABY

The first Twilight film was released in November 2008 with sequels in 2009 and 2010 all receiving staggering profits. Meyer took on producing duties for both parts of Breaking Dawn and director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) joined the franchise. The second half of the saga’s conclusion was shot concurrently with the first and is slated for release in November 2012.

Five years after singing, dancing, animated penguins hit the big screen, their offspring take the spotlight in HAPPY FEET 2. If rapping penguins performing mash-ups of random tunes from the last couple of decades makes you smile, you’re in luck. The plot’s heavier elements include trying to learn how to fly (a challenge for penguins) and being trapped geographically, but they lead up to opportunities for family-friendly heroics and life lessons. Elijah Wood and Robin Williams return to voice Mumble and Ramon/Lovelace, respectively, while singer P!nk takes over voiceover duties for Gloria, a character formerly voiced by the late Brittany Murphy. Brad Pitt and Matt Damon add comic relief as Will the Krill and Bill the Krill, the types of roles in which A-list actors are not typically found. Writer-director George Miller takes the reins again for this 3D sequel. Happy Feet won the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2007.

Thanksgiving’s openers offer family-friendly fare starting Nov. 23, including Jason Segel’s (Knocked Up, How I Met Your Mother) Disney-backed update of THE MUPPETS. The idea of someone attempting to reboot Jim Henson’s world of beloved puppet characters is enough to A MUPPET REUNION scare any child of the ‘70s and ‘80s, especially when that “someone” is one of producer Judd Apatow’s crude acting protégés.

However, fans can take comfort in knowing Segel (who wrote and produced this update) grew up enthralled with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and Gonzo, too. The Muppets you know and love star along with Segel, Amy Adams (Enchanted) and a new puppet named Walter (voiced by Big Bang Theory actor Jim Parsons), who is the Muppets’ biggest fan. The Muppets reunite for a telethon to try to save the Muppet Theater when a greedy oil tycoon (Chris Cooper) wants to knock it down.

Several celebrities make cameo appearances in the film, including Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Zach Galifianakis and Neil Patrick Harris.

Other Thanksgiving openers include the first 3D offering from Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese (The Departed). HUGO is a rare family-friendly movie from the director of Taxi Driver and GoodFellas, based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Jude Law and Ben Kingsley star in this story of an orphan seeking clues about a robot invented by his late father. ARTHUR CHRISTMAS is an animated story about Santa’s family and their high-tech present delivery operation, which works exceedingly well until one child is accidentally forgotten.

Arthur is the unlikely family representative who strives to restore the forgotten child’s faith in Santa. The primarily British celebrity voice cast includes James McAvoy and Jim Broadbent.

READ THE BOOK FIRST

by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU

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

the wombats prove that

BARRY WREN

punk will never die the band’s orginal christmas carol-esque song lands on THE 2011 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS CD

JASON SHEPARD

THOM KELLEY

Wombat (n.): Any of several stocky burrowing Australian marsupials of the family Vombatidae, somewhat resembling a small bear and feeding mainly on grass, leaves, and roots.

Few band names come off sounding as cool as The Wombats. That is, until you read the definition! Then again, the band, formed 23 years ago during Augusta’s musical heyday, were probably more concerned with cranking out their version of alternative/punk rock than whatever moniker they might choose. The late ‘80s was a time when a then-barren, dark downtown was inhabited by the equally dark, original sounds of bands influenced by the angst ridden punk rock of the ‘70s and the underground hardcore/alternative sounds that took root and grew throughout a decade filled with MTV, Reaganomics and the tail end of the Cold War. The music then had a partial purpose of railing against the mainstream sounds of mindless pop and hair metal and bands were concerned with musical substance over pristine packaging.

If ever a music scene could be defined by the statement “It’s what’s on the inside that counts,” it could have easily been the one made up of these Augusta bands. While the music might have been outside the confines of the mainstream, rock ‘n’ roll is still rock ‘n’ roll and the Wombats came together much the same way that all bands do.

“John (Phelan) and I had been playing together since we were 15-years-old,” said guitarist Barry Wren. “We’d worked through a couple of band situations that were mostly covers but we wanted to do something original. I happened to be at a party talking to this guy and got introduced to Thom (Kelley, vocalist) and then met Jason (Shepard, bass) at Augusta State.”

In the most un-rock ‘n’ roll-like fashion, Wren and Kelley met while taking a golf class while attending Augusta State University and found that they not only shared an interest in golf, but also a love for music.

“It was one of the recreational classes,” said Wren. “We just started talking about music and I found out he was in another band at the time, Chances Are. Well, we thought ‘chances are they suck, but this guy might be good’ so we brought him in and we just started working on ideas.”

With the lineup complete, things started to move fast for The Wombats, until Kelley announced in 1988 that he needed the summer off to concentrate on medical school. The band spent that summer, uncertain if Kelley would return, working up 15-plus new original songs. All of the hard work paid off in September,

when Kelley came calling, ready to jump back into the rock ‘n’ roll fray.

“I showed up and they had melodies for all the songs,” said Kelley. “I really had very limited experience in writing lyrics and melodies. They gave me two or three things and I sat with them in my home with a tape recorder and ‘Hangman’ was the first song I presented back to the guys. We played it through a couple times, all looked at each other and thought ‘yeah, this is gonna work.’ ” The Wombats started hitting Augusta’s then-popular venues: Squeaky’s Tip Top, the Post Office, the Gin Mill, the Operating Room, Red Lion Pub and the now-legendary downtown indie venue White House. While audiences for original music in Augusta were hard to come by, The Wombats found continued encouragement with other bands who shared a love for original underground alternative music.

JOHN PHELAN

wide range of appeal within a small music community helped the band sell more than 300 copies of their self-produced cassette at $3 a pop. During a three-year span leading up to Kelley’s graduation and move to Jacksonville, Fla., in 1991, The Wombats regularly rocked Augusta and Athens, leaving behind a mark that made it impossible for the band to completely disappear over the years.

Since then the band has continued to get together and created almost 20 more original songs to add to the its legacy – which leads us to the Wombat’s most recent resurgence.

“I found out that this year’s 12 Bands CD would be all original material,” said Shepard. “So I just gave Joe (Stevenson) a call and told him that we would love to be in that.”

“The song is an adaptation of our original song, ‘Shadows and Whispers,’ ” said Kelley. “It was always one of our most popular songs and we thought it would lend itself well to a holiday tune, because of the emotion of the song. Jason really had the spark to base it on A Christmas Carol. It definitely has a holiday theme of redemption of the spirit. Really it’s almost a brand new song. We like it as much, if not better, than the original.”

The song is in keeping with the proper spirit of the holiday and the uplifting spirit that 12 Bands of Christmas successfully presents year in and year out. These are trying times and everyone’s looking for hope. Perhaps Kelley says it best: “We all live with darkness inside of us, in those shadows that are within us, but something about the holidays always seems to bring out the best in people.”

by John “Stoney” Cannon photos LEAH DESLANDES

“It was really kind of hit-and-miss,” said Shepard. “Not really a lot going on as far as opportunities where we were, practicing with some other original bands. There was Debt of Nature, there was Neato Torpedo, there was Desolate James, and some other bands.

It was like six bands in one small space and the big thing was to do your own thing no matter what it was.”

This camaraderie helped fuel a sense of community downtown that was different and edgier than what had been coming out of the area. The band later put the experience into “Wasteland,” a song about what Wren called “that Eighth Street experience and all the rough kids that hung out down there.”

The Wombats found their sometimes fast, highly energetic music accepted by the small underground Augusta punk rock contingent and, at times, playing to a room of moshing, mohawked kids. This

THE WOMBATS Jason Shepard: Bass Barry Wren: Guitar

John Phelan: Drums Thom Kelley: Vocals

HEAR THE MUSIC | reverbnation.com/ theaugustawombats

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stoney’s

sound bites

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

Speaking of kudos, awards and accomplishments, nominations are being accepted for the 2012 LOKAL

LOUDNESS

CHOICE

AWARDS. Augusta peeps can

go to LOKALLOUDNESS.COM and nominate their faves in Augusta music. Once all of the nominations are tallied, the above-mentioned peeps can shoot back over to the site and vote for the nominees during December. The winners of the Lexie Plexie will be honored at Sky City on Feb. 20 at the 2012 Choice Awards, which will also be the official 20th birthday of Lokal Loudness.

Over the past six Thursdays, I have had the honor of announcing the weekly winners at THE PLAYGROUND BAR’S OPEN MIC SINGER-SONGWRITER CONTEST and I am once again

amazed at the talent to be found on Augusta stages. Every week, the top three finalists have been decided by a hair and have consisted of some pretty incredible singer-songwriters – some I have never even heard of! This is more proof that Augusta is filled with hidden musical gems just waiting to be discovered. On Nov. 27, seven finalists and three wild-cards will perform their best original tunes in an effort to be declared the open mic champion and win a recording session with Morgan Parham. The finals are shaping up to be a cover-free night of incredible music, followed by the regular open mic session with host Brandy Douglas.

THE RADAR CINEMA Nearly five years since his passing on Christmas day 2006, it seems that JAMES BROWN manages to accomplish more dead than most people who were closely associated to him can accomplish while still alive – at least when it comes to his legacy.

In the past few months, The Godfather has been inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, given a tribute treatment via a Grammy Museum in Los Angeles exhibit and will be the subject of a special tribute concert on Nov. 22 in St. Paul, Minn.

Outside of the CSRA, Brown’s spirit is alive and well and as hard-working as ever, but right here in this little secluded bubble his legacy continues to be put on hold as two former court-appointed trustees attempt to appeal a 2009 settlement and a former manager settles into three years of home confinement on charges he misused the late soul singer’s funds.

I am sure Brown thought he could rest easy knowing that the majority of his estate would go into an educational trust for underprivileged children in Georgia and South Carolina, but five years later, it looks as though, just as the Godfather has not yet found a final resting spot, his desire for a legacy of helping provide education has yet to find a restful resolution.

With kudos flung around as of late for Augusta-related musicians and radio, it was only a matter of time before someone local would get acknowledged for accomplishments in television. Earlier this month, former WRDW WEATHERMAN DAN MILLER was honored with a plaque on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. Miller, who passed away in 2009, worked as an anchorman and talk show host for stations in Nashville and Los Angeles and as a sidekick on CBS’ The Pat Sajak Show.

This year’s all-original 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS CD is out now and features killer tracks from Fried Goat, Jaycie Ward, the Vellotones featuring George Croft, Sibling String, The Unmentionables, Livingroom Legends, The Radar Cinema, 3rd Shift, Five’s a Crowd, Joy Krueger, Jim Perkins and the Wombats. The CD is already being touted as perhaps the best in the series, making it a musthave for the holiday season. Visit 12BANDS.ORG to find local stores to pick up the CD and find information on other 12 Bands events, including the annual concert to be held once again at the Imperial Theatre on Dec. 18.

If you just can’t wait until December to see a whole bunch of bands in one rocking show, or you are just looking for something fun and musical to do with the entire family, stop by the new BIG CITY MUSIC location at 2115 Windsor Spring Road on Nov. 19 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. for a day of cool bands including Peanut 5, Inside Out, Crafted, Burnt Bacon, Varuna, Ganja, Back to Good, Karen Gordon, Joel Cruz, the Butler High School Marching Band, the Garden City Panthers and my very own band G-City Rockers. Visit BIGCITYMUSICAUGUSTA.COM for more info.

As we rock towards Thanksgiving, let us all be thankful for Augusta music and, of course, the timeless pioneering music of our very own Godfather, Mr. James Brown. Let’s make sure to also give thanks for all our brothers and sisters in the Augusta music family and all of the friends and supporters of the Arts as a whole in the area Until next time, check out the Daily Planner in print and online at VERGELIVE.COM for great live shows. To get an earful of what is happening in Augusta music, listen CONfederation of LOUDness, which can be found, ironically enough, at CONFEDERATIONOFLOUDNESS.COM and, of course, as always … Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud.

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

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

Send any music news to lokalloudness@yahoo.com.

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daily planner

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

NOV. 16 to DEC. 3

[ MAKING SOMETHING ANCIENT OF THE NEW ] Kath Girdler Engler centers her sculptures around relationships – mostly familial ones – in her new exhibit at the Morris Museum of Art: Making Something Ancient of the New, which will be on display through Jan. 8.

“Man of the Sea, unlike most of my pieces, looks like my son Eben. The objects featured in this piece are items we found together on the shore in North Carolina.

Eben is now grown, and this piece is both a reflection of the past and acknowledgement of the present,” said Girder Engler.

Girdler Engler’s spontaneous and organic sculptures, riddled with allusions, might seem like enigmas to the casual viewer. That is not, however, the effect that the artist seeks.

“Initially it is just a process; a puzzle and you have to figure out what works and what doesn’t. I enjoy the process, especially that moment when I recognize what is there before me,” she said. “You can read a lot into my works, and though some pieces are highly personal, I do not seek to make statements with my sculptures.”

WHAT Making Something Ancient of the New: Sculpture by Kath Girdler Engler WHERE The Morris Museum of Art | 1 10th St. WHEN through Jan. 8 MORE 706.724.7501 or THEMORRIS.ORG art courtesy of the artist Kath Girdler Engler, Man of the Sea, 2010. Mixed media, DETAIL.

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

WEDNESDAY

11.16

SPORTS AUGUSTA STATE JAGUARS Women’s basketball

vs. Paine College. Christenberry Fieldhouse; 5:30 p.m.; free; Wrightsboro Road; 706.731.7925

CHURCH YOUTH MINISTRIES OPEN HOUSE

New facility of First Presbyterian Church was formerly a print shop and originally constructed in 1964 as the Trailways Bus Terminal. A presentation on the history of the building by Erick Montgomery of Historic Augusta will be followed by a dedication

by Commissioner Matt Aiken.

First Presbyterian Church Youth Ministries Building; 5:30 p.m.; free; 638 Greene St.; 706.262.8900 FIRSTPRESAUGUSTA.ORG

CONCERT LIVE JAZZ Joel

LITERARY BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB Discussion of

Cruz & Travis Shaw. Sit-A-Spell Coffeehouse; 6 p.m.; free; 903 Broad St.; 706.305.3046

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Allen Bradley and Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Columbia County Library; 11:30 a.m.; free; 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Evans; 706.821.2600

ART HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD VILLAGE FILM WELCOME TO SHELBYVILLE Independent

film depicts the struggles of a small Southern town as the citizens are faced with an influx of Muslim immigrants and a rising Hispanic population.

Morris Museum of Art; 6 p.m.; $3; 1 10th St.; 706.828.3815

LITERARY PHILOSOPHY CLUB Kroc Center; 7 p.m.; free; 1833 Broad St.; 706.364.5762 KROCAUGUSTA.ORG

THURSDAY

11.17 HOLIDAY GIFT SHOP HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Featuring Gena Knox, the cookbook author of Fire and Flavor-Gourmet Made Simple.

Sacred Heart Cultural Center; 10 a.m.; free with purchase of cookbook before event, or $5 donation to Sacred Heart; 1301 Greene St.; 706.826.4700

FOR KIDS THANKSGIVING STORY TIME + CRAFT

Diamond Lakes Library; 10 a.m.; free; Diamond Lakes Regional Park; 706.772.2432 ECGRL.ORG

GOOD CAUSE AIKEN’S DANCING WITH THE STARS Watch the event via

Sixth annual event features historic-themed gingerbread houses available through a silent auction with proceeds benefiting programs and exhibitions at the museum. Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 27. Augusta Museum of History; 10 a.m.; free; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

BUSINESS YPA LUNCH-NLEARN Mi Rancho; 11:45 a.m.; 3064 Washington Road YPAUGUSTA.COM

EDUCATION RETRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT Turn-

off the electronics and play board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Life and Candy Land.

Headquarters Library; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

ART DEBORAH KAHN

Opening reception. Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4888 AUG.EDU

ART ELIZ BRITT + BEA KUHLKE Opening reception.

Aiken Center for the Arts; 6 p.m.; free; 122 Laurens St. SW, Aiken; 803.641.9094

THEATRE CHRISTMAS BELLES A church Christmas

pageant spins wildly out of control as three squabbling sisters try to reign in the mayhem. Amidst an ailing Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator, a family secret emerges that just might derail the entire production. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; $25 to $40; 32100 Third Ave.; 706.703.8552 FORTGORDON.COM

satellite. Proceeds benefit the Child Advocacy Center and the Community Medical Clinic. The Willcox; 7 p.m.; free; 100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1898 THEWILLCOX.COM

FOR KIDS DISNEY ON ICE

In celebration of 100 years of magic, more than 60 characters and their unforgettable stories come to life. James Brown Arena; 7 p.m.; $15 to $45; 601 Seventh St.; 706.722.3521 GEORGIALINATIX.COM

CONCERT UNIVERSITY WIND ENSEMBLE USC

Aiken Etherredge Center; 7 p.m.; $10; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

discover more events @ vergelive.com

[ A COLONIAL CHRISTMAS ] Take a break from turkey and television – make history part of your Thanksgiving weekend traditions with Colonial Christmas in the Backcountry at the Living History Park on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Gather around the bake oven as Kitty Wilson-Evans portrays the slave Kessie and share stories about how the colonists – and their slaves – the holiday in the 18th Century. Shop in the Mercantile and New Windsor Shop. Sip cider and enjoy special treats around the fire.

Interested in learning more about reenacting? Stay for the Living History Park’s Reenactors potluck supper on Saturday evening.

WHAT Colonial Christmas in the Backcountry WHERE Living History Park | 299 West Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta WHEN Saturday, Nov. 26 | 10 a.m. to 4 pm. | Free MORE 803.279.7560 or COLONIALTIMES.US

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THURSDAY

11.17 CONCERT AN EVENING OF IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC Featuring Turlach

Boylan, an Irish native raised by accomplished traditional musicians, and Davey Mathias, who has been studying Irish music tradition for the past two decades. Read the article on page XX. Knights of Columbus Hall; 7:30 p.m.; $15 suggested donation; 1501 Monte Sano Ave.; 706.267.5416

[ ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE HOUNDS ] Aiken’s traditional Thanksgiving celebration begins with the Blessing of the Hounds at the Aiken Hounds’ first drag hunt of the season. Thomas and Louise Hitchcock formed The Aiken Hounds 97 years ago and the tradition of the hunt and the blessing has continued every year since.

The Hitchcocks struck a blow for animal rights in 1914 when they began the Aiken Drag. In a drag hunt, a scent is traced through the woods and its path known only by the huntsman who lays it down – no live fox need fear the howling pack of hounds. In those days, a packet of anise was dragged through the course and the dogs chased it just as they would a fox.

The traditions of the 19th Century continue to live on in the 21st Century, with slight variations.

Today’s Aiken Drag members use the scent of a fox, gathered from its natural elimination. They say that one of the advantages of an artificial scent is that should a live fox happen to cross the drag’s path; the dogs don’t turn and chase the animal.

The Aiken Hounds still dash through Hitchcock Woods every Wednesday and Saturday in the winter in America’s oldest, ongoing drag hunt.

The season officially begins on Thanksgiving Day with the formal Blessing of the Hounds at the Hitchcock Memorial Gate, an ivy-covered brick structure beside Sand River, about halfa-mile inside the main entrance to the woods.

The Aiken Hounds are joined by other huntsman from around the country including members from the Edisto Hounds, the Whiskey Road Hounds and the Belle Meade Hounds. Each hunt has a strictly defined territory, which is approved and regulated by a national association, and its own distinctive uniform.

The ancient blessing ceremony is a spectacle from another time. A minister (usually Episcopalian, Catholic or Anglican) in full vestments stands on a stump to be heard above the baying hounds.

As the priest recites a Medieval prayer for the safety of horses, hounds, humans and all the animals of the forest, 50 to 100 groomed and braided horses stand, mounted by huntsmen in their formal uniforms.

The Aiken Hounds still dress in the costume designed by Louise Hitchcock nearly a century ago: hunter-green coat with chamois collar, white britches, stock and gloves, and brown tops on their on their brightly shined black boots.

Hundreds of spectators come each year to witness the blessing. More than one flask or goat skin filled with brandy is passed among spectators and riders and traditional stirrup cups are offered to riders from attendants to the hunt. Both spiritual and medicinal fortification are sought at this moment before the storm.

As the priest finishes the ritual, the sound of a horn splits the air. The hounds bellow, the Master of the Hounds gives the order and instantly there is a riotous rush of hoofs and shouts. In seconds, the huge animals spring to action, taking off at a mad gallop after the scent, their riders feeling the same exhilaration the Hitchcocks knew when first they found their riding paradise. | article and photo of the 2010 Blessing by STEPHEN HALE

WHAT Blessing of the Hounds WHERE Hitchcock Woods, Aiken, S.C. | Park downtown. Allow 30 minutes to walk from Laurens Street to Memorial Gate. No motorized vehicles or dogs are permitted in Hitchcock Woods for this event.

WHEN Thursday, Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. | Free MORE | HITCHCOCKWOODS.ORG

CONCERT JOHN BROWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA Ensemble,

comprised of renowned musicians and soloists, is known for its performances of the music of legendary artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra and more.

URS Center for Performing Arts; 8 p.m.; 126 Newberry St. SW, Aiken; 803.643.4774

FRIDAY

11.18

OUTDOORS SOUTH EDISTO RIVER PADDLE Western Carolina Group Sierra Club outing. Aiken State Natural Area; 9:30 a.m.; $2 park entry, $15 boat rental; 1145 State Park Road, Windsor, S.C.; 803.649.2857 SOUTHCAROLINAPARKS.COM

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daily planner

FOR KIDS DISNEY ON ICE See listing on Nov. 17. James Brown Arena; 7 p.m.

See listing on Nov. 17. James Brown Arena; 10:30 a.m.

ART ART AT LUNCH Learn how to decorate your home for the holidays using backyard greenery, fruits and flowers with floral designer, master gardener and writer Mary Louise Hagler.

Morris Museum of Art; noon; $14; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG EDUCATION SRSP SCIENCE + MATH SEMINAR SERIES Active

Galactic Nuclei: What Are They and What Can We Learn from Them? Presented by Dr. Carol Hood. Augusta State University, Science Hall W1002; 1 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1541 AUG.EDU

FESTIVAL ELKS LADIES’ CHRISTMAS DINNER + DANCE Semi-formal dinner

and dance featuring the Fabulous Fun Time Band. Elks Lodge; 6 p.m.; $18 each, $30 couple; 205 Elkdom Court, Martinez; 706.860.1256

THEATRE CHRISTMAS BELLES See listing on Nov.

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

Friends of the Library. Appleby Branch Library; 10 a.m.; free; 2260 Walton Way; 706.736.6244

ART ARTISTIC AUTUMN CELEBRATION Daylong

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN Musical

dinner theatre production features Eli, the proprietor of the Bethlehem Inn, his wife, Sarah, and their three children, and depicts the story of the birth of Christ. Menu includes potato soup, skewered chicken and apple tarts, but no utensils because they were not invented during Eli’s time. Kroc Center; 7 p.m.; 1833 Broad St.; 706.771.7777 ENOPION.COM

THEATRE FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Presented as part

of Augusta State University’s Lyceum Series, program satirizes Broadway hits. Maxwell Theatre; 7 p.m.; $15; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100 AUG.EDU

BUSINESS YPA FOURTH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Young Professionals of Augusta celebrates four years as an organization. Ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Event is open to the public. St. Paul River Room; 7 p.m.; $30 in advance, $40 at the door; 605 Reynolds St. YPAAUGUSTA.COM

event features art, refreshments and door prizes. Attendees can watch as artisans create their crafts. Gallery on the Row; 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; free; 1016 Broad St.; 706.724.4989 GALLERYONTHEROW.COM

FOR KIDS DISNEY ON ICE

See listing on Nov. 17. James Brown Arena; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

FILM HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2 Rated PG13. Aiken

County Public Library; 3 p.m.; free; 314 Chesterfield St., Aiken; 803.642.2020 ABBE-LIB.ORG

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN See listing on Nov. 18. Kroc Center; 5 p.m.

CONCERT PICKIN’ AND PRAISIN’ CONCERT SERIES A meal, desserts and

beverages are available for donations that will go toward use of the facility. Glenn Hills Baptist Church; 6 p.m.; free; 2877 Lumpkin Road; 706.373.7855

THEATRE CHRISTMAS BELLES See listing on Nov.

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

CONCERT Russell Moore and IIIrd Tym Out with special guest NuFOR KIDS DISNEY ON ICE

LITERARY BASEMENT BOOK SALE Presented by the

Blu in the Budweiser Tru Music Southern Soul and Song Series, presented by the Morris Museum of Art. Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $13 to $37; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM

CONCERT JOHN BROWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA See listing

on Nov. 17. URS Center for Performing Arts; 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

11.19 GOOD CAUSE CYSTIC FIBROSIS 5K Activities after

the race include Christian rock band Steel Cross, a silent auction, face painting and vendors.

Race participants may run or walk and strollers and dogs are welcome. Proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

North Augusta Greeneway; 7:30 a.m.; $24; North Augusta, S.C.; 678.491.9208 GEORGIAHEALTH.EDU

LITERARY BOOK SIGNING

Meet, greet and talk with Beverly Bently, the author of Poetry from the Heart. Maxwell Branch Library; 1 p.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.821.2600

CONCERT CONSERVATORY JAZZ BAND Jazz band under

the direction of Dr. John D. Bradley performs a formal concert. Maxwell Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.731.7971 AUG.EDU

SUNDAY

11.20

FOR KIDS DISNEY ON ICE See listing on Nov. 17. James Brown Arena; 2 p.m.

CONCERT CONCERTS WITH A CAUSE The Spivey

Hall Children’s Choir sings to benefit Take Back the Block. St. John United Methodist Church; 3 p.m.; free; 736 Greene St. STJOHNAUGUSTA.ORG

CONCERT SAND HILLS STRING BAND Under the

direction of Carl Purdy, string ensemble performs quarterly concert of bluegrass, country, old-time, Celtic, gospel and blues music. Maxwell Theatre; 7 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.731.7971 AUG.EDU

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MONDAY

11.21

CONCERT GREATER AUGUSTA YOUTH ORCHESTRA Under the

direction of Ryan Kho, three youth orchestras supported

by Augusta State University’s Conservatory Program perform.

Maxwell Theatre; 7 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.731.7971

TUESDAY

THEATRE THE VELVETEEN RABBIT Presented by the University Theatre Players.

USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 9:15 and 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; $15 adults, $7 students; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

GOOD CAUSE JAMES BROWN TURKEY GIVEAWAY Annual event

is tradition and legacy of the Godfather of Soul. Dyess Park; 10 a.m.; free; 902 James Brown Blvd.; 706.724.0505

11.22 FOR KIDS PIONEERS + INDIANS Learn how people

in Georgia lived 300 years ago.

Watch as demonstrators make butter, candles and pioneer toys and learn Indian sign language.

Mistletoe State Park; 9 a.m.; $20; 3725 Mistletoe Road, Appling; 706.541.0321

THEATRE THE VELVETEEN RABBIT See listing on Nov. 21.

USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 9:15 and 11 a.m.

GOOD CAUSE ITALIAN THANKSGIVING FEAST No charge for meal, but donations accepted to benefit Golden Harvest Food Bank and the Columbia County Cares Food Pantry. The Garlic Clove; 11 a.m.; free; 4461 Washington Road, Evans; 706.364.7377 THEGARLICCLOVE.BIZ

FESTIVAL UNO CHALLENGE Play games such

as Scrabble, chess and UNO. Headquarters Library; 2 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

CONCERT TUESDAY MUSIC LIVE Featuring the

Columbia Baroque Soloists.

Lunch is provided after concert.

Reservations required. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; noon; concert is free, $10 for lunch; Sixth and Reynolds streets; 706.722.3463 TUESDAYSMUSICLIVE.COM

FILM A HARD DAY’S NIGHT Not rated. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN See listing

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

CONCERT ASU WIND ENSEMBLE Under the

direction of Dr. John Wojcik, ensemble presents a variety of well structured, entertaining and enlightening programs. Maxwell Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $5; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100

WEDNESDAY

The duo describes themselves as “slovenly apostles of traditional music” and their music as “the easy warmth of an old flannel shirt, a spiritual shield against the trials of the real world.”

WHAT An Evening of Irish Traditional Music with Turlach Boylan and Davey Mathias WHERE The Knights of Columbus Meeting Hall 1501 Monte Sano Ave. WHEN Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. | $15 donation INFO 706.267.5416 MORE | TURLACH.COM

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or simply know someone who has young children, you have probably been subjected to the sharp stick in the eye known as “children’s songs.” You know the ones: repetitive, overly cutesy and just plain annoying.

Tara Scheyer once felt your pain.

trees and enjoy a complimentary cookie and beverage. Rose Hill Estate; 211 Greenville St., Aiken; 803.648.1181

“It’s fine, it’s good stuff, it teaches good things, but it drives parents crazy!” Scheyer says. “We thought, ‘There has to be something better.’ ”

FILM CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING STORIES

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

The Scheyers decided to D.I.Y. a children’s CD, incorporating traditional songs, some originals and covers of songs such as Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere” and Diane Warren’s “Give A Little Love,” recorded with a twist to make them child-friendly “and so that parents could stand it,” she says. “That was the first CD, HiFi Felix Vol. 1, in 2006.”

LITERARY BOOK CLUB

It was also the start of the Mud Puppy Band.

Kroc Center; 6:30 p.m.; free; 1833 Broad St.; 706.364.5762 KROCAUGUSTA.ORG

FILM STARLIGHT CINEMA Charlotte’s Web. Salley Civic Center; 6:30 p.m.; free; 230 Pine St., Salley, S.C.; 803.642.7559 AIKENCOUNTYSC.GOV

THURSDAY

Scheyer distributed the disc among friends who had children and decided to perform the songs live.

“I had played music before but, when we had our baby, I cut back on doing the club scene. I missed performing, but I didn’t miss the late hours,” she says. “So, I did a couple of kids’ shows and they were so well received that I began playing at libraries, churches, schools, carnivals – more than I ever played with my other bands.”

A second CD, HiFi Felix Vol. 2, followed, again recorded in the Scheyers’ home studio.

11.24

This month, the Mud Puppies are releasing a Christmas album, HiFi Felix Vol. 3 Felix Navidad, which includes traditional Christmas songs, some originals that Scheyer wrote for her preschool music class and an original closing lullaby. Five of the songs were compiled from the Mud Puppy Band’s annual involvement with the 12 Bands of Christmas project, and partial proceeds from this album will be donated to that nonprofit.

takes place each Thanksgiving Day. Read the article on page XX. Hitchcock Woods; 11 a.m.; free; South Boundary Street, Aiken; 803.642.3724

Scheyer is also performing free concerts to tie in with the CD on Dec. 4 at the Augusta Canal Interpretive Center theater. She will perform three short concerts, sign CDs between sets, and will perform solo, although her son, Felix, will make an appearance during each set. Look for the Mudpuppy Band to perform a daytime show on New Year’s Eve. | by ALISON RICHTER

FESTIVAL THANKSGIVING BUFFET Celebrate the holiday

WHAT Holiday Show and Felix Navidad CD release with Tara – and Felix – Scheyer WHERE Augusta Canal Interpretive Center | 1450 Greene St. WHEN Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2, 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. | Free MORE | tarascheyer.com

FRIDAY

Turlach Boylan, a native of County Derry, Ireland, and former winner of the All Ireland Flute Competition, along with Columbia, S.C. guitarist Davey Mathias perform at the next installment of Lillie Morris’ Irish Traditional Series.

[ felix navidad ]

11.23

FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OF TREES Tour the magnificent

with a selection of breads and cheeses, carving station, side dishes and desserts. The Willcox; noon; $35, $12 children 12 and younger; 100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1898

“I recently heard a great musician speaking passionately of ‘the tenderness, the poetry, the softness, the lyrical, contemplative nature’ of Irish traditional music. It is a pleasure to hear these wonderful qualities expressed so elegantly and eloquently in Turlach Boylan’s playing.” – Kevin Burke, Irish fiddler, 2002 NEA National Heritage Fellow

daily planner

Scheyer, her husband, Kevin, and their first son, Felix, were on a road trip, subjected to Barney, the Wiggles and other standard children’s musical fare.

FESTIVAL BLESSING OF THE HOUNDS Annual event

[ a night of the irish ]

the

11.25

FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OF TREES See listing on Nov. 23.

Rose Hill Estate

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs.

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

SATURDAY

11.26 THEATRE THE NUTCRACKER See listing on

Nov. 25. Imperial Theatre; 1 p.m.

FESTIVAL CHITLIN STRUT

CONCERT CASTING CROWNS Christian band

presents their Come to the Well tour. USC Aiken Convocation Center; 7 p.m.; $23, $35, $75; 417 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.643.6900 USCATIX.COM

DANCE THE NUTCRACKER

Experience the classic holiday tale that has become tradition for many in the CSRA, presented by Dance Augusta. Imperial Theatre; 7 p.m.; $17 to $36; 749 Broad St.; 706.722.8341

CONCERT HEPHZIBAH OPRY Concert held on the

Featuring a beauty pageant and an idol contest. Salley Civic Center and Fairgrounds; 10 a.m.; 161 Railroad Ave., Salley, S.C. CHITLINSTRUT.COM

FESTIVAL COLONIAL CHRISTMAS IN THE BACKCOUNTRY Read the

article on page XX. North Augusta Living History Park; 10 a.m.; free; 1008 West Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.7560

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN See listing

on Nov. 18. Kroc Center; 5 p.m.

last Saturday of each month.

Hephzibah Opry; 6:30 p.m.; free, love offering taken to cover expenses; 4406 Brothersville Road, Hephzibah; 706.306.7537

THEATRE THE NUTCRACKER See listing on

Nov. 25. Imperial Theatre; 5 p.m.

FESTIVAL HOLIDAY EVENING AT REDCLIFFE

Refreshments and informal tours of the beautiful, historic mansion decked out for the holiday.

Redcliffe State Historic Site; 5:30 p.m.; 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island, S.C.; 803.827.1473

CONCERT AVENGE SEVENFOLD Rock ‘n’ roll band

stops in Augusta during their Buried Alive tour with special guests Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria and Black Veil Brides. Read the article on page XX. James Brown Arena; 6:30 p.m.; $39.75 to $44.75; 601 Seventh St.; 877.428.4849 GEORGIALINATIX.COM

SUNDAY

11.27 FOR KIDS PHOTOS WITH SANTA Have photos made with

Santa or take family holiday portraits. Old Government House; 11 a.m.; package pricing; 432 Telfair St.; 706.821.1812

THEATRE THE NUTCRACKER See listing on

Nov. 25. Imperial Theatre; 5 p.m.

discover more events @ vergelive.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 39

in motion a look into the art of mechanics

A Rearview Look at the 2013 Corvette Stingray In 1953, Chevrolet released the first American sports car, the Corvette C1, noting that “a true sports car is a twoseat performance vehicle.”

That first year, General Motors produced 300 hand-built Corvettes, which were only available in “Polo White” with black canvas tops and red interiors. The powerplant was a modest Blueflame in-line 6-cylinder engine with three carburetors.

Approximately 200 of these 1953 Corvettes are believed to still exist today – in the possession of private collectors.

GM originally intended to use an aluminum body for the model, as Mercedes was using the same for its similar sports car. What seemed unfortunate was that the United States was demanding most of the nation’s aluminum for the production of aircraft and other military equipment. The solution was a fiberglass-bodied car, which ended up being a blessing in disguise. Fiberglass can be crafted into almost any shape – it is lightweight and much more rigid than sheet metal. It also does not rust, making the Corvette a perfect vehicle for cruising coastal areas in THE 1953 CORVETTE the corrosive salt-air.

By 1956, Corvettes came standard with a more “sporty” 265-cubic-inch V8 ranging around 230-horsepower, and sales were exceeding more than 3,000 Corvettes per year. Ten years later, a Russian auto designer and GM employee, Zora Duntov, helped create the popular 1963 Corvette Stingray C2. This coupe had a split-rear window. It looked great, but caused a dangerous blind-spot for the driver and was discontinued on the 1964 model, making the 1963 Stingray a highly prized car among collectors.

The positive traction, rear leaf-spring, ladder frame Corvette remained the same from 1963 to 1982.

In 1980, GM replaced the metal rear spring with a lightweight fiberglass spring. There was no 1983 production Corvette as GM spent the year completely redesigning the 1984 Corvette and retiring the 20-year-old frame, missing the opportunity for an anniversary model.

CORVETTE STINGRAY CONCEPT CAR

A recent trend in the American auto industry has been the production of “retro cars,” such as the current Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang. Each resembles the classic body styles of the past, while adding modern technology, comfort and safety features.

Corvette enthusiasts have often posed the idea of GM producing a “Retro-Vette,” causing a major and sometimes passionately painful argument among GM engineers for more than a decade.

Many Corvette designers and officials feel strongly that “America’s Sports Car” was launched and progressed to compete with Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW, Porsche and other modern exotics.

Judging from some recent prototypes, it is possible that we will see the best of both worlds.

As a double anniversary arrives, marking 60 years for the Corvette and 50 for the Stingray, look forward to a new Corvette Stingray C7 with increased performance and a more luxurious interior.

Expect a high quality performance car that looks like poetry in motion. Hints of the classic Stingray are abundant, while moving forward with modern materials such as a carbon-fiber body and touches of Italian exotic styling. GM is “up in the air” about the addition of cool-looking, upwardopening Lamborghini style doors. A split-window coupe, convertible, limited anniversary edition and a 700-plus horsepower ZR-1 are all on the drawing board for America’s Sports Car.

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

CAR-FLICK

Corvette Summer staring Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Annie Potts 1978

CAR-TUNE

“Little Red Corvette” by Prince, 1983

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

TUESDAY

11.29

LITERARY WE’RE BOOKED Discussion of Kristen Hannah’s Night Roads. Nancy Carson Library; 10:30 a.m.; free; 135 Edgefield Road, North Augusta; 803.279.5767

FILM THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND Not rated.

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

FESTIVAL NORTH AUGUSTA TOUR OF HOMES Tour homes at

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

one of Augusta’s most historic neighborhoods, featuring homes on the 300 block of Broad Street.

Tickets available at Sundrees Urban Market and The Book Tavern. Register at 346 Broad St.; 6 to 9 p.m.; $10 advance, $15 at the door; 346 Broad St. FACEBOOK.COM/OLDETOWN

THURSDAY

12.1

FESTIVAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Exhibits feature local

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

FESTIVAL FIRST THURSDAY ON KINGS WAY Enjoy an evening out

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

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN See listing

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

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs.

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

FRIDAY

12.2 FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW Vendors

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

FESTIVAL FIRST FRIDAY

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

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

1.5 hour hike through wetlands, over picturesque trails and scenic outlooks. Phinizy Swamp;

9:30 a.m.; free; 1858 Lock & Dam Road; 706.828.2109

OUTDOORS NUTTY SQUIRRELS Learn about

squirrels. Ages 5 and up, children must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. Reed Creek Nature Park; 10 a.m.; $5; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

FESTIVAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE See listing on Dec.

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

Aiken Etherredge Center; 8 p.m.; $10; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

daily planner

FESTIVAL OLDE TOWN CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES A holiday tour in

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN See listing CONCERT AIKEN CONCERT BAND ‘Tis the Season. USC

the

OUTDOORS SWAMP SATURDAY Take a 2.5 mile,

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

ART EXHIBITION OPENING Critically acclaimed watercolorist Mary Whyte discusses the paintings in her exhibition Working South.

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

OUTDOORS CHRISTMAS FOR THE BIRDS North

Augusta Living History Park; 10:30 a.m.; free; 299 West Spring

THEATRE CHRISTMAS BELLES See listing on Nov.

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

THEATRE ELI’S BETHLEHEM INN See listing

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

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Surge. James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $7 to $18; 712 Telfair St.; 706.993.2645 AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM

THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Six wild kids show

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

SATURDAY

12.3 St., Aiken; 803.648.1438

OUTDOORS RUN THROUGH FALL 5K SERIES Off-road course is same used by USC Aiken cross country team.

USC Aiken Pacer Path; 8 a.m.; $15 per race, $60 series; 471 University Parkway, Aiken AIKENCOUNTYPRT.COM

FESTIVAL BRUNCH WITH SANTA Celebrate the holidays

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

FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OFF MAIN Annual festival

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

FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW See listing

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

Grove Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.7560

FESTIVAL THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE CHRISTMAS LIGHT-UP SPECTACULAR Mayor Deke Copenhaver officially throws the switch to light up downtown Augusta followed by a fireworks show.

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

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

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

THEATRE CHRISTMAS BELLES See listing on Nov.

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

THEATRE SMACKDOWN WORLD TOUR Wrestling event features “The Apex Predator” Randy Orton, “World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry, “Captain Charisma” Christian, “Celtic Warrior” Sheamus, Wade Barrett and more. James Brown Arena; 7:30 p.m.; $16 to $61; 712 Telfair St.; 706.262.4556 GEORGIALINATIX.COM

THEATRE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

ONGOING

[ M-Tank returns to the stage ] On Nov. 19, M-Tank – Jason Walter on drums/ vocals, Scott Dence on lead guitar/vocal, Walter Lane on bass/vocals and Jim Faust on guitar/vocals – will perform their first show since Walter, Dence and Lane survived a nearfatal car accident on Aug. 1. It has been a slow process to return to the stage.

“Considering all that’s happened, jumping back on the road isn’t our top priority,” says Lane. “But rest assured, this is not the end and M-Tank will never die.”

The result has earned M-Tank a host of labels: surf, punk, garage, power punk and so forth.

“Our intention was to drop Scott off in Charleston, and Jason and I would return to Augusta,” says Lane. “While in Columbia, Jason lost control of our Jeep and we flipped a few times and then fell off a bridge. Luckily, we landed right side up. I never lost consciousness, so I was able to call for help. Jason compressed his spine and broke a few ribs. Scott broke some ribs and his shoulder blade and punctured a lung. We were very worried about Scott. If he hadn’t gotten help in time, he could have been in a lot of trouble. I broke one of my vertebrae and left arm, which required reconstructive surgery. It’s been a long road to recovery, but it seems we will all come out of this stronger.”

M-Tank is moving forward with their music, slowly but surely.

The accident took place shortly after the release of M-Tank’s latest and fourth album, Modern Unicorn, which is also Lane’s first recording project with the band, which he joined a year ago.

“Jason, Scott and Jim Faust, who participates when his work schedule will allow, met at our favorite Charleston venue, Tin Roof,” says Lane.

“When Jason moved to Augusta, we discussed starting a band together. We gave that a shot for

“Physically speaking, rehabilitation has been the easiest part,” says Lane. “The emotional scars left from this event have really had an impact on us. Simple things like traveling long distances are unsettling, but it gets easier. As far as our music is concerned, it has never really stopped. Jason is pursuing a side project with his girlfriend, Heather Warren, called Surf/Harp. Scott went back to teaching guitar lessons as soon as he was physically able to pick up a guitar. He also plays in multiple local Charleston bands. I have recently been jamming with other local musicians, but I have also been contacting booking agents to bring some of my favorite bands to town. My latest endeavor is an avant-garde band called NOBUNNY. They will be headlining our reunion show. We are very excited to bring them to town.” | by ALISON RICHTER WHAT M-Tank and NOBUNNY WHERE Firehouse Bar | 1145 Broad St. WHEN Saturday, Nov. 19 | 9 p.m. | $5 MORE | m-tank.bandcamp.com

MAKING SOMETHING ANCIENT OF THE NEW: SCULPTURE Organized by the

Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

works by the new William S. Morris Eminent Scholar in Art at Augusta State University.

“We have always appreciated the lo-fi sound and we seek to recreate that in our recordings,” says Lane.

“We wouldn’t necessarily disagree,” says Lane, “but ultimately our goal is to play music that’s fun for us and our friends.”

EVER See listing on Dec. 2.

WILLIAM WILLAS Abstract

All four of M-Tank’s albums – Death Beach, Television Music, Lion Taming and Modern Unicorn – were self-produced.

The three band members were on their way home from a show in Charlotte, N.C., when the accident occurred.

ART

DEBORAH KAHN Paintings and Drawings. Ends Dec. 8.

Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4888

a while, and when it didn’t work out, he asked me to play with M-Tank.”

Ends Dec. 13. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; free; 506 Telfair St.; 706.722.5495

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

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

Morris Museum of Art, sculpture

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

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

for ongoing and weekly events see the

daily planner @ vergelive.com

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

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 41

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

night

A SELECTIVE GUIDE TO NIGHTLIFE IN THE CSRA

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18

THURSDAY, NOV. 24

HALEY DRIES @ Manuel’s Bread Café | 6:30 p.m.

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

COMEDY ZONE: TIM KIDD + DAVE WAITE @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8

FUNK YOU @ Surrey Tavern 10 p.m.; $5

THURSDAY, NOV. 17

DEPARTURE Journey Tribute Band @ Coyote’s | 8 p.m.; $5 after 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 25

THE VELCRO PYGMIES @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 after 9:30 p.m.

AGNOSTIC FRONT @ Sector 7G 8 p.m.

KOKOBEWARE.BANDCAMP.COM

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

THE PROFILER: adam sams MEMBERS Adam Sams – guitar, harmonica, drums, banjo GENRE acoustic INFLUENCE Switchfoot comes to mind when listening to

Adam Sams, though his inspiration does not come from just the one group.

MUSIC Welcome to the Motion, produced by Nick Duke.

SINGER/SONGWRITER OPEN MIC CONTEST @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m.; $5

FRIDAY, NOV. 18

DANIEL JOHNSON BAND @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 after 9:30 p.m.

JOE OLDS BAND @ Coyote’s 8 p.m.

TFS RAVE with We Become One + LinearNorth + Polyphase, + Number5 @ Sector 7G | 8 p.m.

“The album is raw. It is just me, my guitar and a harmonica,” Sams says.

90S NIGHT + YPA AFTER PARTY @ Sky City | 9 p.m.

HISTORY Sams – not to be confused with American patriot

SALTWATER GRASS @ 1102 Bar & Grill | 9 p.m.

and failed-in-his-time brewery owner Sam Adams – is new to the Augusta music scene but he’s not new to music as a vehicle for personal expression. When Sams moved to town in August 2010, he was already an accomplished musician.

He began writing music when he was 14-years-old and doing mission work in Africa.

“I wanted to write about how we in America have so much but are not happy and how in Africa they have so little but are content,” Sams says. “I want to make music that can inspire or encourage someone, music that will get them to think.”

Now a student at Augusta State University’s music department, he says he is learning to tune his ear to music and grow as a musician.

QUIRKS He raised $700 from friends and family to press 200 CDs. Instead of opting for a run-of-the-mill cover printed off a home computer and slipped into a jewel case, Sams took the design of the CD cover into his own hands. He purchased screen printing material and created CD cardboard covers, putting a little of himself into each one.

HORIZON Sams will compete in The Playground Bar’s final

round of Open Mic Night on Thursday, Nov. 17. In the spring, he’s plans on a mini-tour of live shows, including an appearance at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, known for its open mic nights and inexpensive live recordings.

Adam says that while he knows a live recording will best capture the essence of his music, it also “gets all the mess-ups and out-of-tune guitar,” he says.

D.I.Y. adamsams.com or adamsams.bandcamp.com the profiler is DINO LULL

THE BROADCAST @ Surrey Tavern | 9 p.m.

KOKO BEWARE

KOKO BEWARE + ROMANCE LANGUAGES in an infectious, all-ages show @ Le Chat Noir | Saturday, Nov. 26 | 8:30 to 11 p.m.

AGNOSTIC FRONT

BUFORD REUNION @ Sky City 9 p.m.; $5

ARTEMIA ARTEMIA @ The Loft | 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 26 SCOTT LITTLE BAND @ Coyote’s | 8 p.m.

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

KOKO BEWARE + ROMANCE LANGUAGES @ Le Chat Noir | 8:30 p.m.; $3

THURSDAY, DEC. 1

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 GARY RAY @ The Country Club 8 p.m.; $5 after 9:30 p.m.

WEEKLY

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

TRIVIA @ Mellow Mushroom Downtown | 8 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

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

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

JOHN, RINO + ZACH (of Eskimojitos) @ Soy Noodle House | 9:30 p.m.

FUNK YOU @ Still Water Taproom | 10 p.m.; $4

SATURDAY, NOV. 18

BOBBY COMPTON @ Coyote’s 8 p.m.

EVANS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1980-1989 REUNION PARTY @ Sky City | 8 p.m.

MY INSTANT LUNCH

NOBUNNY

NOBUNNY + M-TANK @ Firehouse Bar | 8 p.m.

TYLER HAMMOND BAND @ The Country Club | 8 p.m.; $5 after 9:30 p.m.

STORM BRANCH BAND @ The Red Pepper, Aiken | 8 p.m.

WHISKEY TANGO REVUE @ 1102 Bar & Grill | 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23 COMEDY ZONE: JAMES GREGORY @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.; $8

life

THRU DEC. 3

MY INSTANT LUNCH + ‘80S NIGHT @ Sky City | Friday, Dec. 2; doors at 8 p.m.; music at 9; free

Indie rockers My Instant Lunch performs a double-whammy concert on First Friday with the theme Occupy Sky City – a tongue-in-check twist on the beleaguered Wall Street movement. The band says it wants folks to literally occupy the bar: Come, take up space, have some drinks and listen to good music. To top it off, the evening will act as a send-off show for lead guitarist Jordan Lucas. No, he’s not leaving the band, just bachelordom. After the show, ‘80s Night takes over with a bachelor party to properly prepare Lucas for his impending nuptials.

“Our beautiful guitarist Jordan is getting married, and we feel the best way to celebrate that is by playing a face melting rock show,” said the band on its Facebook page. MYINSTANTLUNCH.COM

find more nightlife @ vergelive.com

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

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

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

FIND THE VENUE

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

get deals @ forkfly.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | November 16, 2011 43

ask

dr. karp NO-NONSENSE NUTRITION ADVICE

Ella on Walton Way asks…

Should we be taking vitamins or not?

Ella, it is true that many people are confused about whether they should be taking a vitamin supplement each day. Is it a waste of money? What about all those food products you see these days enriched with vitamins? Is a more expensive food better because vitamins have been put into it? What about putting vitamins into junkfood? Does that make it healthier? Is a vitamin pill an “insurance policy”? Do vitamins make you healthy? How much should you be taking? These are all common questions that I am asked.

Most people do not realize that vitamins might have different biological, physical and psychological effects under different conditions. Sometimes vitamins do not act like vitamins at all! For example, when you put vitamin A or E into a hairspray or shampoo, it is not making your hair healthier, it is making your hair shinier because these vitamins are oils. Shinier might make it LOOK healthier but, I assure you, your hair is just plain shinier. You cannot absorb vitamins through your dead hair!

Or, a vitamin might act like a drug. If you take niacin to lower your blood cholesterol and triglycerides, the niacin is acting like a drug on your liver; it is not acting like a vitamin. You are taking niacin therapeutically and at much higher dosages than required for it to work as a vitamin. Just like any other drug, the use of niacin under these conditions must be carefully investigated for its effectiveness, side effects, toxicity, etc. Taking a vitamin which is known to be “safe” at a low vitamin level does not insure that it is safe when taken at much higher levels.

Vitamins have been in the news lately because of all the accumulating evidence that vitamins, under certain conditions, might be toxic and increase the risk of cancer. For example, vitamin E supplements do NOT decrease the risk of cancer. While it is true that vitamin E, when taken at low levels, might act as a free radical scavenger, at higher levels, it might actually become a free radical itself. This free radical form of vitamin E could INCREASE prostate cancer risk.

Whenever someone makes a general recommendation about a certain nutrient, whether it is a vitamin supplement, a mineral supplement or a specific food, you need to stop and think before you simply “follow the herd.” Do these recommendations make sense for YOU with your own specific lifestyle, eating patterns and state of health or illness? In America, there is no doubt that the factors related to wellness are not going to be vitamin and mineral supplements.

These nutritional factors, instead, will be related to losing weight and eating less fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt and calories. People at the greatest risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies are UNDERnourished people, not overnourished Americans. Since more than 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, effort needs to be focused on helping people change lifestyle behaviors, not popping pills or chewing vitamins in the shape of Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.

Another problem I have with these candy vitamins is that it reinforces the idea that drugs are candy, which they are not. Why don’t we bring back candy cigarettes, too, while we’re at it?

Are there specific high-risk people who should discuss taking vitamins with their health professionals? Absolutely. A lady wanting to have a baby should probably be taking a folic acid supplement prior to pregnancy, which reduces the incidence of specific birth defects, especially if she is not getting enough folic acid in her diet. An older American on limited income, perhaps living alone, perhaps below the recommended body mass index should probably consider taking a daily multivitamin. But, it should be a simple multivitamin, having no more than 100% daily value. Super-duper vitamins do not lead to super-duper health.

What about kids inside the house watching TV or at computers, getting very little exercise and sunlight exposure? Should they be taking a vitamin D supplement, as recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics? I think the emphasis should be on getting these kids outdoors, engaged in physical activity, rather than taking nutritional supplements, don’t you?

What’s the no-nonsense nutrition advice in this article? It is simply that you should never apply general recommendations for vitamins to yourself. Rather, you should consider your own risk factors, your own life, your own state of health, your own nutritional status, and then discuss, with your physician, if you are in a high risk group for a deficiency of a vitamin. Remember, certain vitamins and minerals might interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications.

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

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

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STUFFING THE TURKEY

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Edited by Will Shortz | by GARY CEE | No.1012 Across 1 “That’s all right, ___” (lyric from Elvis’s first single) 5 Knife 9 Flat floaters 14 Pearly gem 15 When said three times, a W.W. II cry 16 One who’s called “the Merciful” and “the Compassionate” 17 Laugh uproariously 19 Brighter than bright 20 “Hee ___” 21 Like the word 16-Across 23 Dinner scraps 24 A Gershwin 25 Perspire mildly 27 Poindexter type 29 Guarantee 30 Crest alternative 32 Preferred way to proceed 35 “___ your request …”

36 Pay cashlessly 39 Blocks from the refrigerator 42 One of the Fitzgeralds 43 Poet who wrote “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter” 47 Medieval infantry weapon 49 TV show set at William McKinley High School

50 Begin

to grin point of a Swiss vacation?

57 Novelist Philip 58 Tulsan, e.g.

59 Mudroom item 60 “The Mill on the Floss” author 62 Boogie 64 Fruit related to cherry plums 65 Italian wine center 66 Change a sentence, say 67 ___ 500 68 Laura of “Rambling Rose” 69 Speeds (up)

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who starred in 39-Down 26 Small bag of chips, maybe 28 It always starts on the same day of the week as Sept.

31 Elevator background 32 Bud 33 Watch readout, for short 34 “So that’s it!”

37 Longhorn’s school, informally 38 Bud holder?

39 “The ___ File,” 1965 film 40 Flower part Down 41 Jubilance 1 Punk rock concert 44 One way to serve activity pie 2 Jacket and tie, e.g.

45 Mediterranean 3 It might give you a port virus 46 Disney’s dwarfs 4 Boxer with an and others allegiance to 48

Came back 16-Across 51 Eminem rap 5 Fab Four name with the lyric 6 Ancient Romans’ “Guarantee I’ll be wear the greatest thing 7 Dutch-speaking you ever had” Caribbean isle 52 Computer option 8 Dyed fabric 53 Wordless song: 9 Sleazy paper Abbr.

10 Permits 54 Admit 11 Recurrence of an 55 Onetime feminist old problem cause, for short 12 Steak ___ (raw 61 Cough syrup dish) meas.

13 Business cheat 63 La Méditerranée, 18 Keyboard key e.g.

Ah, glorious piles of wonderful, yummy, delicious food! Is there anything like Mom’s turkey? Or her pumpkin pie? Or the cranberry dressing? Or the green bean casserole? Or the dinner rolls? Or the stuffing? Or … well, you get the idea.

Though I’m conscious of diet and exercise, I have a rule that calories don’t count on major holidays, so I’m free to eat with abandon. I also believe calories don’t count on birthdays, vacations, certain weekends, certain weekdays and anytime I’m sick or in a funk. Consequently, I work out a lot.

The next issue of VERGE hits the newsstands on

NOV. 30 Look for our outdoor boxes or find your copy at Publix | EarthFare Kroger | Bi-Lo and more than 150 locations in the CSRA

where are my dumplings?

Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first year of surviving in America but why mention it? I’m sure she figured it out when she Googled traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes of Italy.

22 Michael

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

Negotiating one calamity at a time

When I was a kid, Christmas was my favorite holiday for obvious reasons. As I entered high school and hit my “drama freak” stride, I embraced the theatrics of Halloween. Now that I am older and wiser, I know that Thanksgiving is the greatest holiday. What makes it the best? Is it reuniting with relatives who moved away? Is it the lovely fall weather? Is it football? No, it’s the food.

56 High

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

face first

POP QUIZ: WHERE WAS THE FIRST THANKSGIVING?

One year, a friend announced that she and her family were going to celebrate Thanksgiving such as they do in other countries. I wondered how she was going to pull that off since what we call Thanksgiving is strictly an American holiday.

I decided not to ask. Why risk friendship over so trivial a thing as a major cultural holiday? Sure, every school child, even in today’s educationally challenged schools, knows that

My family has a tradition all our own. We make homemade dumplings to serve on top of our mashed potatoes. No one understands when we try to explain this particular side dish but everyone who has eaten it gets seconds. We literally prepare pounds of the stuff. It’s the sort of food that makes a carbohydrate lover foam at the mouth and run to the end of their rope. Not getting dumplings and potatoes on Thanksgiving would be a disaster more epic than Kim Kardashian’s impending divorce.

Whether your family celebrates Thanksgiving with a traditional meal or with your own spin (lasagna anyone?), be sure to eat all you can stand. Remember calories count again the day after Thanksgiving unless you’re in a funk, that is. If so, dig in and I’ll see you at the gym!

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

a parting shot Some things shouldn’t be done alone: tandem bicycling, tea for two-ing, double date-ing, and, most importantly, shopping! So, ladies, mark your calendars now for Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for the 2011 Martinis and Mistletoe: Girls’ Night Out. This year features extended shopping hours, discounts and specials at downtown Augusta’s boutiques, art galleries and restaurants and a mini-fashion show by Modish Salon & Spa and Vintage Ooollee.

The evening begins with a party at Casa Blanca Café (936 Broad St.). While there, check in at the Mistletoe Booth, buy a Girls’ Night Out tote bag – full of gifts and offers – enter to win the coveted Mistletoe Basket and get your passport of participating shops. Stroll Broad Street and find unique gifts for every one on your “naughty and nice” list. Proceeds from Girls’ Night Out benefit Hope House of Augusta, Inc. So, take the night off and recapture that “Christmas Time in the City” feeling, experiencing the holidays, downtown style. | DASQUARED.COM

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