Metro Spirit 01.03.2013 by Metro Spirit

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WHINELINE Can we have a contest to see if a 6th grader can be a Radio Morning Talk Show Host or Hostess? We are being “enlightened?” with news and events that we will never use or find productive! THE PATCH has been a total waste of our taxpaying dollars! How about letting that become grassy farmland and the

“Virginia Group” giving the monies to the Forest Hills Club and let all play there. Rarely is there any kind of waiting time at the FHCC! Sooo, let teh Patchers play there! One less course to maintain and one more that will be benefited with the extra $$$ and interest! Thanks for posting! Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about

gossips and internet and this is really annoying. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it. I`ve bookmarked this post simply because I discovered it significant. I would be quite interested to know more news on this. Thanks a lot! To all the wealthy, conceited drivers in Columbia County

who think they are better than anyone else: Just having money doesn’t make you any better than us folks in Richmond County. You need to obey traffic laws just like the rest of us. Today a Columbia County driver (Lexus) ran a red light and almost collided with my 1995 Toyota. Were you even paying attention or did you even care? Your money isn’t going to buy everything, especially if you injure or kill someone!

o r t e m IRIT SP Matt stone, how did someone with such horrible musical taste get a job at a rock station. Linkin park, shinedown, coheed, lostprophets, in fear and faith, deftones, rush, van halen... all put out new discs this year and your gonna talk about the black keys? Maybe you should go to work for 98.3. (continued on page 46)

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Metro Spirit is a freee newspaper published publis weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks eks a year. Editorial coverage includes local ocal al issues and news, arts, arts entertainment, entert people, places and pectrum. The he views do not necessarily represent present the views of the th publisher. publish Visit us at metrospirit.com. m.© events. In our paperr appear views from across the political and social spectrum. ner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permissio p person, perso please. 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: permission is prohibited. One copy per

CONTENTS

Cars and Conservatism: Conservative businessman drove fast and left a conservative legacy behind him Looking Back: 2012 was filled with strange, sensational trials and even stranger political campaigns. Here’s Part II of our look back at this interesting year.

Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? 706.496.2535 or 706.373.3636

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INSIDER@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Insider is an anonymous, opinion-based examination of the hidden details of Augusta politics and personalities.

SIDER

Musical Chairs at the Courthouse Never mind that he pulled in just 29 percent of the vote in the three-way Chief Magistrate race last fall, Chris Hudson gets a robe anyway. Hudson, who ran on tougher sentencing for repeat offenders, was sworn in last week as an associate magistrate judge along with the venerable Bobby Christine, whose deployment during the election cycle caused the vacancy in the first place. Delayed a bit by Hurricane Sandy, Christine returned mid-November, just in time to sling the antipasto salad and chicken parmesan at the annual Italian Thanksgiving feast. While not exactly picking up where he left off, Columbia County’s Golden Boy is nevertheless back in the political thick of things. Jason Troiano beat both Hudson and Jason Hasty to take the Chief Magistrate spot with a surprising 54 percent of the vote back in July.

BIDding Adieu With the Business Improvement District voted down 5-4, it will be interesting to see whether or not the downtown business owners were really doing all the independent cleanup they said they were doing. Throughout the contentious re-BID, several downtown business owners insisted that in spite of the extra tax money they were forced to spend, storefront upkeep had fallen on them. The paid cleaning force — the yellow-shirted CADI folks — just weren’t up for the job, they said loudly, and the commission seemed to agree. Now, with the downtown area short a more-orless full-time cleaning crew, we’re about to see just how bad a job they really did. The proof, of course, will be on the sidewalks and along the curbs — the perfect experiment. If things rapidly deteriorate and we’re all wading knee deep through random unattached junk that fills a modern city, then DDA chief and CADI advocate Margaret Woodward and her supports will be vindicated. If, on the other hand, things continue to look the way they do now, Woodard and that big salary of hers might be headed to the curb, too. As for security, which was one of other things the CADI crews were supposed to provide, Woodard pretty much admitted that everyone had been more or less left to fend for themselves when she suggested that a clean environment could foster a safe environment. How much dirtier it can get is one thing, but there aren’t too many who would characterize the downtown area as a clean environment.

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A Helping Hand Word on the street is the 20-something-year-old who Donnie Smith rushed to Wild Wing to assist during the election has gotten himself into a much larger legal issue than just being drunk and disorderly. Apparently he’s been skimming from his employer for about… oh… 150 large or so. This may turn into a news story, or his employer may choose to keep it in house. Either way, you can take it to the bank.

New Start With the Recreation Department treading water and Human Resources with barely a nostril above the surface, the city is facing some tough personnel decisions that promise not to get any easier with the newly sworn commission now in charge. New people. New agendas. New ways of looking at things. Change, when it’s across the board, can be swift and decisive. You only have to look as far as the Sheriff’s Office to see that. But change on a commission can be slow and ponderous, which of course leads to more of the same by sheer familiarity. For Donnie Smith and Mary Davis, the learning curve will be steep and therefore potentially slow going. While both have a track record of service, neither has been on anything as big and lumbering and public as a commission, and with the racial division now even again, their votes will count in a way they might not have had Matt Aitken not squandered the goodwill he was given by the voters of his district the last time around. William Fennoy managed to inflict rather than absorb the bumps and bruises during his time on the Coliseum Authority, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t take his political knocks, and it certainly wasn’t under the same bright lights he’s under now. Not only that, but he’s inheriting a district with a newly empowered constituency that will likely hold his feet to the fire right from the start. Marion Williams can certainly just jump right in where he left off, which if history is any indication could tie things up in a great big Gordian Knot that the mayor insists he doesn’t have the power to break no matter how shiny and impressive his sword. So while the dysfunction of the former commission was noteworthy, perhaps it will be known more for slow coast to the finish line than anything else.

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AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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The Top Somethings of 2012

Proof positive that it is impossible for me to take my own advice Last week, I ran a column detailing three stories to ignore if you wanted to roll in the New Year with your sanity fully intact. This week, I’m going to run a column that illustrates how bad I am at following my own advice. Most of these aren’t necessarily rage-inducing news stories, but they do show that I haven’t been sane since Coca-Cola discontinued Surge. Sure, I get my caffeine fix from coffee now, but the hole it started burning in my stomach years ago has now edged its way to my brain. As a result, I write crap like this. On the plus side, I’m pretty much that John Travolta character from “Phenomenon” now. Top Hilarious Celebrity Feud (tie): Spike Lee vs. Quentin Tarantino/Quentin Tarantino vs. John Ford Beginning with the latter, Tarantino recently gave an interview where he took Ford, a legendary mid-century director of such nigh-unf***withable films as “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” and “The Searchers,” to task for perpetuating the myth of the American Indian as “savage” in most of his films, and accusing the director of killing them off “like zombies” in such movies. Which is pretty funny because, given John Ford’s infamy for drink, no-bullsh**ting, and making John Wayne cry (seriously), Zombie Ford would kick Tarantino’s ass six ways from Sunday. Complaining about the perpetuation of Manifest Destiny in old Westerns is like getting upset at anti-Russian sentiment in “Red Dawn” or “Rocky IV”: For one thing, those films are profoundly, awesomely terrible. For another thing, they were an aspect of the cultural zeitgeist that, however misguidedly, was shared by large demographics of people. Finally, it is so, so easy to criticize outdated facets of our culture for being dangerous and misguided. It takes exponentially more courage to stand up in the midst of such conflict and denigrate it for the slobbering nonsense that it is. Like, you know, John Ford did when he called out Cecil B. DeMille for trying to get everyone in the Directors Guild of America to sign a loyalty oath. Regarding the first one, Spike Lee said in an interview that he was boycotting Tarantino’s new film “Django Unchained,” which many critics are calling one of 2012’s best, because it “turns slavery into a spaghetti western.” Two things: yes, Tarantino has a penchant for pseudo-glorification of violence, as well as tragic historical events. But come on; “Inglorious Basterds” ended with Eli Roth tommygunning Hitler’s corpse into uncooked blood sausage, and I don’t really think there’s anyone out there who doesn’t approve of that. I haven’t seen “Django Unchained” yet, but if slavery is one of the film’s focal motifs, there’s a pretty good chance that we’re going to see Jaime Foxx pistol-whip Leonardo Dicaprio so hard, his top in “Inception” won’t ever stop spinning. In other words, both of you shut up. Top Victim of the Mainstream Liberal Media: Todd Akin Oh Todd, you poor, poor thing. Not only were you the unwitting, innocent victim of a liberal smear campaign, but the slickness of your forehead — due to stressinduced flop sweat — now refracts light even better than a prism. Now every time your loved ones try to look at you, they hear “Great Gig in the Sky.” Oh Todd, how lonely you must be, as all of your loved ones dance to a song only they can hear. Yes Todd, we conspired against you. It’s the same reason — “Game of Thrones” spoiler alert — Joffrey got poisoned several books into the “Song of Ice and Fire” series. To paraphrase Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage): We have had cruel Congressmen, and we have had stupid Congressmen, but we have never had a cruel, stupid Congressmen. We’d like to keep it that way.

METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Top Album I’m Still Listening to After Ten Years: “I Get Wet,” Andrew WK I first saw the video for Andrew WK’s “Party Hard” when I was in high school, staying up late enough to try and catch some jiggly butts on BET. MTV2 was one channel higher, so I’d flip over there to watch metal and indie rock videos during commercials. This was back when MTV still played music videos, so MTV2 was showing the weird stuff. And weird it was: When a video begins with a dirty hesher psyching himself out in a filthy bathroom mirror while calmly combing his hair, then punching his thirdhand Aasics, you know you’re in for… something. What I didn’t expect was that that something would make me stupidly, inexplicably happy. And I think that’s why I keep listening to this album. Andrew WK is like a six-year-old boy who is so utterly convinced that every new thing he experiences or feels — partying in “Party Hard” or love in “She is Beautiful” — is the greatest thing he will ever experience or feel. And while most of us would be reduced to exhausted, gibbering masses of something that once resembled flesh by living our everyday lives like that, it’s healthy, I think, to occasionally let yourself be swept away in simplistic, childlike enthusiasm. Plus, when I listen to those two songs at the beginning of a 5K, I shave three minutes off my time. Top Bond Villain-Level Organization: National Rifle Association Since the discovery of gunpowder, men have used guns as an inverse dickmeasuring stick. Which means that Ghandi was incapable of falling forward, and Ted Nugent is a time-traveling Mattel executive’s inspiration for the Ken doll. I research horrible people routinely for this column, and I can tell you without a doubt that threatening to shoot Hillary Clinton in the face is the best way to tell the rest of the world that you’re not only a complete creep, but that you’ve got the bulge of Mary Tyler Moore. To the NRA’s credit, they’re embracing it. After every mass shooting, these craggy eunuchs hold a press conference where they lament the fact that if only there had been armed guards at that location, or if guns were made more available to citizens, then this tragedy wouldn’t have occurred, which is kind of like saying we can eliminate diabetes by making bigger Snickers. Never mind that, y’know, there were armed guards at Columbine, and that Virginia Tech had a police department all its own. Obviously, no amount of bullet-riddled children will convince the NRA to change their tune. Don’t worry though; with no effective means of spreading their stupid-seed, it’s thankfully only a matter of time before they, along with their reprehensible, irresponsible demagoguery, die away.

JOSHRUFFIN, a Metro Spirit alum, is a published

journalist and poet who just received his MFA from Georgia College & State University. He was once the most un-intimidating bouncer at Soul Bar.

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How About Publishing These Names? Last week a newspaper up in New York created quite a stir as they decided to publish the names and addresses of all citizens who have handgun permits in two local counties. Imagine the reasons, for a moment, that many in that particular neck of the woods would go to the trouble and expense of getting a gun permit. Hey, good news Mr. Ex-Boyfriend Criminal Stalker. That cutie pie you scared into moving, and then getting a handgun permit so she could protect herself from you, she lives in Apartment 5-C, 1004 East Elm Street. Tell her we said “Hello!” Everyone loves a reunion! Imagine the fun when a former gang member, who turned informant, gets reintroduced to his old buddies as they arrive at his 234 Smith Avenue residence next Halloween. Trick or Treat! And the TV newscaster who was tormented by a deranged fan five years ago. His name is on the list as well, and looky loo, the special fanmail has already started arriving at his fashionable 651 Oakwood Drive condo. Goody goody! Damn morons. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the press has a right to publish such lists. They also have a right to stand on their head in a vat of cow poop. While neither can be defended as a particularly bright thing to do, as least the latter provides entertainment and, unlike the former, puts no one in harm’s way. While there is a legitimate public interest in how many privately held handgun permits have been issued in a given area, one would be hard pressed to define the value in law-abiding citizens knowing exactly who those

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people are and exactly where they live. Of course, there are plenty of reasons for bad guys to want to see that list. According to police statistics, guns are the one of the most sought after items in a burglary, ranking only behind cash and jewelry in popularity. Chances are if you have gone to the trouble to get a gun permit in NYC, you are going to have some valuable hardware to go with it. Thanks to the list, burglars now have a map to that booty. Thank goodness right here in Georgia and South Carolina we have no such hideous permit requirements. Ironically, truth be known, in most southern homes where there are items worth stealing, there are guns to be found. Southerners love their guns. One of the comments in support of the newspaper’s public outing of the permit holders came from a parent who proudly proclaimed, “The list is a great idea... my child will not be allowed to play in a house where guns are kept...” Too bad the parent apparently allows his child to play in houses where he is so unfamiliar with the reputation and habits of the owners, that he must get such information on them from the media. How about walking over and introducing yourself to the people who occasionally host your child? Perhaps you will find that the reason they have no guns in the house is that their four Rottweilers kept gnawing on the shoulder stocks. Or maybe there are no guns because there was so much caustic gas in the air from the illegal meth lab in the bathroom it was damaging the finishes on the barrels. And of course, you can always find peace in the

knowledge that your neighbor has no guns in his house, because as a convicted felon he is, by law, not allowed. In this neck of the woods, you might have more reason to be suspicious of someone with no guns in their home. While I am sure there were one or two exceptions to this rule, I swear I cannot think of one single home that I spent any amount of time in as a child that was not housing at least two or more, and in some cases many more, guns. My house, the homes of both sets of grandparents, every aunt and uncle, every good friend, every neighbor, everybody had a gun. So while I have no interest in seeing a list of my neighbors who have gun permits, I sure would love to see a list of my neighbors who are not allowed to have guns. And while you are at it, could you list those with criminal records, bankruptcies, school discipline issues (who wants their kid around bullies?), people with bad driving records, alcoholics, drug addicts, habitual residential code violators, loud people, people with dangerous pets, people with idiot kids, teenagers with high performance vehicles, and slobs. Oh, and Muslims. (Or Jews, Baptists, Catholics, Episcopalians, etc.) Everybody has a right to know who and what lives around them. But when it comes to issues that are not related to documented criminal activity and history, usually only a-holes asks for lists.

AUSTINRHODES

The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D

Zombies for Congress Congress protects our email… psyche!!!

In a spectacular change of position, our so-called elected representatives removed an update to the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act that would have granted email the same legal protection as hard copy documents. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to include the email protection and require a warrant to obtain copies of email over 180 days old. (Right now, a warrant is not required.) Instead they decided to pass a trivial update to the Video Privacy Protection Act that would allow media suppliers to share, with user consent, the viewing habits of their subscribers. Awesome… just what we were waiting for. Now we’ll all receive status updates from Netflix, Hulu and who knows what other video service about soft porn rentals from that guy from high school that we friended a couple of years ago. Not surprisingly, Netflix issued a statement saying what a benefit this new capability would be to its consumers. (Duh.) Just between you and me, with all the automated posting of who’s-listening-to-what, who’s-been-where and who-likes-what, what we really need is a who-really-flippingcares option! BTW — I’d love to call out how our senators voted, but a roll call vote was not taken. So instead of accountability, we’ll have to settle for an amorphous, unaccountable blob of representation. I’m sure when it comes to protecting freedom, this is what our founding fathers had in mind. Keep Calm and Baryon — A pretty cool zombie indie has been recently released under a Creative Common license. The movie was created by Luke Thompson, a University of Manchester Ph.D. student. The movie was conceived after joking that the tunnels under CERN would be ideal for a zombie movie. (CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research and the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.) Two years later with a budget of approximately $3,200 and a cast and crew of 20, the feature-length movie “Decay” is born. The film follows a small group of students (played by physicists) after a disastrous malfunction in the world’s biggest particle accelerator. As they try desperately to escape from the underground maintenance tunnels, they are hunted by the remains of a maintenance team, who have become less than human. Let’s be honest… the acting is not great and the plot is somewhat predictable. In addition, there is no evidence whatsoever that the Higgs boson is anything but harmless. However, the backdrop of CERN creates an authentic apocalyptic experience. And zombie films are never known for their great acting (with all due respect to Milla Jovovich, of course). “Decay” possesses all the components of a great zombie film: a plausible plot; a setting that encourages the suspension of disbelief; just enough gore to make you quesy, but not so much you want to vomit; and low budget, but effective special effects. I don’t know if its got what it takes to become a cult classic, but I highly recommend “Decay” to those that enjoy a good zombie flick. It won’t be a waste of your time. Check it out at decayfilm.com. Until next time, I’m off the grid @gregory_a_baker. GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D, is vice president and chief rocket scientist for CMA, which provides information technology services to CSRA businesses and nonprofits. 03JANUARY2012

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 11

BACK

LOOKING July

July 5 INSIDER

When Damon Cline was forced to take all that bombast out of the District 2 Commission race in Columbia County because it turned out he didn’t actually live in the district, it seemed as if the embattled Trey Allen, blamed for everything from the Augusta Prep lights to the Spring Lakes ditch to the Magnolia Trace portal to hell, was going to get a free pass in his bid for reelection to the commission. Then up popped Lee Benedict. Benedict, who wants to win an election so bad it seems he’ll throw himself into just about anything, was nevertheless a surprise candidate, and if he hasn’t made the campaign trail interesting, he’s at least made it entertaining.

FEATURE “I’m the Safe Bet”

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” [Scott] Pebbles admits. Augusta being what it is, conventional wisdom suddenly had the white vote split three ways, and while Roundtree faces competition from fellow African American John Ivy, Ivy isn’t expected to cut into Roundtree’s base the way Silas and, to a lesser extent, Sanders is expected to cut into Peebles’. And the initial thought — that Sanders was in the race as a fallback in case the convoluted jumble of candidates allowed Roundtree to come out on top — passed quickly, since Sanders seems to be taking as many shots at Peebles as everyone else. “What I find comical is that Richard Roundtree is running an attack ad on me right now on the radio talking about all the times I’ve voted Republican,” he says. “Richard got up the other day and said he’s always been a Democrat and he’s never waffled, and I’m thinking — you didn’t start voting until six years ago. Even with all the times I’ve voted as a Republican, I’ve still voted more times as a Democrat than the guy who’s saying he’s the only true Democrat.” That’s not his only issue with Roundtree. “I’ll just say it like it is — Richard Roundtree is exaggerating things trying to incite people and divide this community,” Peebles says. “He said that nobody outside of the jail or records bureau has been promoted above the rank of sergeant in the last 16 years — that’s an outright lie and he knows it’s a lie.”

FEATURE I Want a New Drug

The bath salts epidemic is a serious one that’s currently sweeping the nation, causing its users to react in bizarre 12 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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2012 was filled with strange, sensational trials and even stranger political campaigns. Here’s Part I of our look back at this interesting year.

and often violent ways. But despite the substance being reported as the cause behind several unusual occurrences across the country, not much is known about the “designer drug,” as professionals call it. “It’s basically like doing cocaine and meth at the same time,” Ellis described. “From what my research tells me, when you do meth, the dopamine in your brain releases all that it can release for one day. With bath salts, specialists are saying that it also dumps all the dopamine that it can dump for one day, but then, like cocaine, it kind of wraps it [dopamine] up and holds it in your brain, which causes severe side ide effects.” “It’s going to be just like marijuana,” the investigator nvestigator assured. “Every type ype of spice they hey can find with certain qualities iss going to o be

INTERVIEW Freddie Sanders

“Everybody’s got baggage,” he said. “If you’ve lived this life, you’ve got baggage. And you’re not running for pope.” Even the fact that Richard Roundtree left files and guns behind when he moved out of an apartment and was found to be having affairs with wi female members off the department shouldn’t preclude him from being sheriff. “Should it affect whether or not yyou yo u vote for him…” he asked, letting lettin his voice trail off. “But precluding someone from being sheriff means m me an you can’t meet the qu qualifications, and he stayed in law enforcement. I know what the spin is, but I don’t know what the actual facts fact cts are.” ct are “It’s no not a secret that [conservative local radio talk [conserva show host] Austi Austin Rhodes is 100 percent in Scott Peebles’ camp,” he said. “The day I announced, it shocked Austin and he started coming up with things I never thought of, the first being that I’m just a safety valve, which is absolutely absolut absurd.” other theories about He also disputed one of the othe his campaign, that he was running as a Republican to validate his Republican credentials in order to run for Superior Court judge.

regulated. egulated. Iff marijuana is already illegal and you FEATURE have a drug similar to it that has First Friday, Friday Last Chance? worse side effects and is more addictive, So, First Friday — we meet again. then that’s definitely going to cause problems. But all of it If ever there was an indication that Augusta is [various strands of spice] will eventually be made illegal.” standing still, it’s the events of July 6, when six people, three under 18, were shot in the crowded, rowdy July 12th aftermath of First Friday. In response, Sheriff Ronnie Strength vowed INSIDER decisive action. Holley on the Attack “We will be down here and we will have a “Knowing that Mr. Allen’s household has earned over tremendous presence of law enforcement officers,” $500,000 in the past four years in governmental salaries, Strength said in the Oct. 10, 2002 issue of the Metro it is reprehensible that he finds it ok to bill the citizens Spirit. “I will have a response team standing by. It will of Columbia County for an additional $135 on average be my last resort. But there will be a response team each month.” in full (riot) gear to do whatever they have to do to With his wife Kay the sitting tax commissioner and disperse unruly crowds.” brother Rick running for Congress, there may be an Two days after the shooting, one downtown employee Allen overload. Or not. 03JANUARY2012

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who actually heard the gunshots moved to an apartment on Washington Road. “I’ve lived down here for three years,” she said, standing near the bloodstained sidewalk, “but I moved. It was scary. I’ve never heard gunshots before.”

July 19 INSIDER

Then, Tuesday, she appeared before the commission on the day they were voting on the forensic audit of the parking deck and the management contract. The title of her presentation was “These are the Times That Try Men’s Souls — Who Owns Your Soul?” In typical Lori Davis form, she lambasted the commission for being too lazy to act on the information she and her group of like-minded individuals have dug up for them, called out Fred Russell (who was messing around with his Blackberry while she spoke) and then accused Simon of being a shrewd businessman who might be a little too good at making money. “Moral bankruptcy and the pursuit of monetary gain is an affront to hard-working, taxpaying honest citizens,” she said, before winding up her little speech. A few minutes later, after an outside auditor heaped praise upon the city’s management, Russell subtly but deliberately fired back. “You have people who are flat crazy when it comes to government and how it works and don’t have a clue how things really happen,” he said. “Those people are entitled to their opinions. Those people are entitled to their five

Popplewell said that in the couple of weeks leading up to the primary he is going to concentrate on pointing out the differences between the two of them. “My service has been in the community,” he said. “Conversely, I feel that Barry’s focus has kind of been political. This is his fifth campaign in 12 years and he’s applied for some judicial appointments.” And then, he said, there are some contradictions between Fleming’s position and what he’s actually done. “He’s talking about eliminating taxes, and yet he was chairman of the county commission when Columbia County passed that huge stormwater tax increase that Charles Allen is now talking about repealing,” he said. “He was the man in charge when that tax passed.” Though he certainly has a political resume, Fleming pointed out that he often ran unopposed, which makes campaigning now somewhat challenging. “This is a little bit of a new experience for me,” he said. “The one thing I like about it is, when you’ve got a state house district, you can actually meet people one-on-one.”

FEATURE Downtown Augusta

That’s what’s so perplexing about the downtown problem. Every time someone brings up the lack of an adequate law enforcement presence, someone else brings up something like there should be more entertainment in the Common. A curfew is still part of the discussion, as is how to enforce one, but while part of the city worried about

While the late-night event strikes some as simply bars trying to piggyback off of First Friday’s success, gallery owners insist the earlier festival is a vital part of their business. In fact, First Friday started as a way to bring business to the galleries of Artist’s Row.

July 26 INSIDER Unintended Humor

The following are actual transcripts from a recent debate question on GPB this past Sunday, in which the 12th Congressional District Republicans were asked if they supported a spending cap of $50 on lobbyist gifts.

Lee Anderson

Absolutely… I’m, I’m you know, I’d go on down to $25. I mean, I’m not a big spender when it comes to goin’ to suppa. To go, I mean, you know, we can go and have a hamburger at McDonalds or Burger King. I bleve in servin’ the people, I bleve in gettin’ this country back on track, I bleve in balancin’ the budget, and it doesn’t take a hundred dollars to get the job done.

Rick Allen

Well, ahem, why, why do these folks take you, take you out in the first place, I mean, I ah I uh I don’t uh uh understand exactly you know what what the issue is there. I mean… are they tryin’ to buy your influence? I mean, you know the way I was raised… you don’t buy me. Ah ’ve been in business 35 years and you’ll see by our track, you know… record that ah, uh, you know, we just don’t participate in that sort of thing. And uh, and I’m not gonna do that in Congress.

FEATURE The Big Question

Butch Holley minutes of fame, but those people need to recognize that we’ve got 2,700 people here that work very hard for the 200,000 people that live here and have a very good track record of success and getting things done.”

INTERVIEW John Ivey Interview

“I don’t know how these people are chosen [for the promotions board], but I know this — they’re all white,” he says. “And that itself is a problem.” Ivey is old enough to remember a time when blacks couldn’t patrol certain areas and when they couldn’t go into certain businesses, and while that has changed, he says the thinking about black officers hasn’t.

FEATURE The Elephant and the Pickup 03JANUARY2012

the future of First Friday, another segment of the city was looking to finally solving the whole TEE Center parking deck problem. The shooting took place about two hours after First Friday was over. The only real plan to come out of the meetings came from Soul Bar owner Coco Rubio, who divided the event into two distinct events — a family friendly sidewalk experience from 5 to 10 p.m. and then a First Friday 21 and up Entertainment District from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. “I think we need to understand what’s going on from 5 to 10 and then from 10 until 3,” he said. The plan calls for utilizing student and military volunteers to clean up and provide basic security. It would enforce the curfew with a visible police presence, but some worry such an atmosphere would be inhibiting for those wishing to relax.

Is Augusta willing to acknowledge what the sheriff’s race really means? This year’s sheriff’s race has been a tough one for everyone, especially outgoing Sheriff Ronnie Strength, whose retirement after 12 years has thrown Augusta into a political frenzy, the repercussions of which have been felt throughout the CSRA and across party lines. Regarding his association with South Augusta and its long but fading legacy as the real seat of Augusta’s political power, Silas shrugs. “People have misconceptions about the Southside Mafia trying to restore itself with me being a candidate,” he says. “That’s not the case. What’s the difference between a group of folks in South Augusta wanting to better their community when you’ve got a group of folks in West Augusta who meet on a regular basis, too? They don’t call it the West Augusta Mafia.”

FEATURE Fine the Way it Was

In spite of what some might say, the 12th Congressional District Republican primary was fine the way it was. It had four easily identifiable conservative candidates that were working with an eight-point Republican advantage thanks to the redrawn map that actually drew out the incumbent, Democrat Rep. John Barrow, who ended up moving to Augusta from Savannah the way he moved to Savannah from Athens for the 2006 election when a similar fate befell him. The primary really didn’t need any help to be interesting. With its cast of characters, their backgrounds, their individual strengths and weaknesses, AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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it had all the makings of a great race. The farmer. The businessman. The fighter pilot. The woman lawyer. It was fine — and fair — the way it was. Enter Larry Peterson. Peterson is the political writer for the Savannah Morning News. No stranger to reporting on the 12th District, it became quickly and almost embarrassingly

August

August 2 INSIDER Spoiled

Much will be made of the 2012 Democratic primary for sheriff in the wake of Robbie Silas’ dismal showing. Scott Peebles ended election night with 46.63 percent of the vote to Richard Roundtree’s 39.34 percent. Throw Silas’ 8.57 percent over to Peebles, and you have yourself an outright winner. There’s a little more to it than that, obviously, but the fact of the matter is, the race played out the way it was predicted — Silas proved to be nothing but a spoiler, spoiling Peebles’ chance of winning in one, spoiling his brother-in-law’s relationship with members of the community and spoiling his own reputation as a nice guy, since a nice guy generally doesn’t have an ego that would allow his own desire to “give ‘er a shot” impact so many lives so negatively.

FEATURE N.Q. Attitude

At 6’3”, 240 pounds, Trevor Gillies seems like a mountain of a man as he moves about our world, the real world, eating a chicken breast lunch special at one of the picnic tables inside the Washington Road Rhinehart’s. But in his world, the pugilistic world of heavyweight hockey enforcers, he’s really not all that big, which is why he prides himself on being a fight technician. What he lacks in size and youth (he’s 33) he makes up for in technique. Where he once might have been content to duke it out, he now strategizes, breaking down fights by learning different blocks and angles with his fight coach, Chris Elms. As he eats, the little white plastic fork looks ridiculously small in his hand, which is scuffed and bruised from fight training at Greubels Mixed Martial Arts, where he works out nearly every morning. He’s making the most of these last few days because, by the end of the week, he’ll be halfway around the world, once more pursuing his dream. That dream has changed since the Spirit profiled him last year. Then, he was up to his mouth guard in the dream. After 12 years bouncing around hockey’s minor leagues, including two stints with the Augusta Lynx, he had just finished his first full year with the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders and was looking forward to another season. “It’s way better,” he says. “It’s as much, or more, after tax money, than I would make in the NHL, so it was really a no-brainer decision for us.” Though NHL players receive pensions, Gillies didn’t play there long enough to earn one, and when you’re in the minors, he says, retirement is on you. Another perk is that he’ll be reunited with Yablonski, who he played with in Peoria. The living conditions, however, will be a whole lot better. “It’s kind of hard not to be excited about a four 14 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

apparent that his stories were becoming a part of the campaign itself. With the exception of a 12th District roundup story and final profiles of each of the four candidates, Peterson has written about the 12th District Congressional Republican primary 15 times since May 17, the date when Rick Allen’s campaign first brought up allegations of Wright McLeod campaign violations.

Of these 15 stories, 13 were outwardly critical of McLeod, leading many to ponder a connection between Peterson’s one-sided reporting and the political desires of Augusta’s William Morris. Morris, of course, owns the Augusta Chronicle and the Columbia County News Times. He also owns the Savannah Moring News. Both the Chronicle and the News Times have frequently published Peterson’s stories.

bedroom house with an indoor pool and a sauna,” he says. “It sounds pretty good to me, though honestly, they could put me in a little apartment and I’d be fine. We’re there to play hockey.” “I’ll know when I’m done,” he says. “I’m not going to need someone to hold my hand and tell me I’m done.” Which is probably good, since as long as he’s in Russia, he probably wouldn’t be able to understand them anyway.

announced a joint venture to develop a park and athletic complex at Lakeside High School. Now, the first phase of the $12 million project is set to begin. Commissioners recently approved a $3.1 million bid for site preparation, which Construction and Maintenance Director Matt Schlachter said was $1.7 million less than budgeted. “It’s all the rough grading for all future buildings, stadiums and whatnot,” Schlachter said. “It’s going to provide the infrastructure, which is the waterlines and sewer lines and storm drainage. It’s also going to include a parking lot and the main road through the park.”

FEATURE Could be Five

Of all the races, District 1 is shaping up to be the most contested, with at least Harrisburg activist Lori Davis, Laney Walker Neighborhood Association President Stanley Hawes and Harrisburg resident Denice Traina going up against incumbent Matt Aitken. The battle to claim Joe Bowels’ term-limited seat in District 3 looks to be between business attorney Ed Enoch, who has a long association with the ins and outs of Augusta government as the Coliseum Authority’s attorney, and Mary Fair Davis, who has the backing of a lot of money and connections that include Mayor Deke Copenhaver, for whom she served as campaign manager Super District 9 is shaping up to be a two-man race between former Commissioner Marion Williams and former Solicitor Harold Jones. Though Williams is long rumored to be interested in getting back on the commission, he did not return our phone calls, while Jones, an attorney with Shepard, Plunkett, Hamilton and Boudreaux, would not confirm his intentions. “No confirmation on that,” he said. “We can’t confirm it yet, but it’s being thought about — without a doubt, yes.”

8/9 INSIDER GRUp Think

Apparently, changing the name of MCG to GHSU, taking control of the most valuable undeveloped piece of property on the Savannah River, gobbling up Augusta State University, putting the brakes on a private venture that would have brought a Walmart to 15th Street, altering the Augusta power structure faster than anyone since Oglethorpe — all that we let slide. But name the new combined university for those bastard regents?!!? Oh, hell no! That man gonna haftta load up the truck and move back to Beverly Hills. It’s strange what people feel is important. Or is it that they focus on what they think they have control over, like naming things?

INSIDER Over Before It Began

Community activist Lori Davis has dropped out of the District 1 commission race before it even began. On the first day of qualifying, her camp sent a press release FEATURE blaming in part the racial divide in her district for her Shared Development bowing out. A year ago, the Columbia County Board of Education “Unfortunately, the politics of racial division have and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners become the default mode for certain candidates and

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their political allies. I refuse to stoop to that level,” Davis said in the release. On the Augusta Today FaceBook page where the news broke, she and her husband put finer points on it. “Lori and I weren’t about to spend the next three months explaining why we aren’t racists,” hubby Roger Davis posted on the page. And that’s fair, because no one wants to do that. But the concern’s probably warranted, too, because when you’re a candidate for political office and you drop gems like “It’s hard to accept the fact that people of your own race want you to fail,” as Lori Davis posted on the page, you’re bound to be answering a bunch of those questions.

Insider Top Ten Conspiracy Theories On Why Lori Davis Chose not To Run For Richmond County Commission

#10: Found out commissioners have to deal with crazy people on a regular basis. #9: Clay Boardman moved in next door. Decided neighborhood had gone to hell and moved to the river. #8: Began to feel that when Fred Russell was staring into his Blackberry he could see into her soul. #7: Too busy writing about herself in the third person to mount an effective campaign. #6: Was informed by elections board she couldn’t pay filing fee with “unbridled rage.” #5: Came to the realization that “those people” are the ones she would have to convince to vote for her. #4: Planning for her upcoming career change from angry ranter to angry libelous ranter. #3: Was under the impression that Bonnie Ruben was going to bankroll her campaign. #2: Feels she can make a larger number of people uncomfortable from the stands than the podium. And the #1 reason why Lori Davis chose not to run for Richmond County Commission… The damn black choppers!

FEATURE Apples to Apples

TEE Center parking deck agreement struck down again, this time with numbers The management agreement for the TEE Center parking deck was up for commission approval once again and once again it failed to gain approval. Only this time, the brush back seemed to come with a little substance. Commissioner Joe Bowles pulled out his accountant’s pencil, did some figuring and showed the rest of the commission what he found. Taking his papers to the projector so everyone in the commission chambers could see, he pointed to a section of the agreement that supposedly showed Augusta Riverfront LLC’s rent offsetting their income. “That’s flat out incorrect,” he said. “That $50,000 is coming out of the base rent, so it’s coming out before net income is derived.” He gave his papers to Administrator Fred Russell while Mayor Deke Copenhaver suggested another work session. Similarly aggressive, Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle took issue with attorney Jim Plunkett. “I had numerous meetings with our outside attorney, and I just don’t get the answers I need to hear,” he said. “I just don’t get what I should be hearing.” He also didn’t feel the deal was an equitable one. “I know that a contract should be a compromise where both sides come together and meet in the middle,” he said. “I’m not saying I’m not for this 03JANUARY2012

parking deck, but until we get this agreement in order, I won’t be moving forward with it, either.”

INSIDER

All the yelling should have been back in mid-July when the final three names were announced. People liked University of Augusta, but not enough to rally. They were ambivalent about Georgia Regents University until it appeared that’s what they were going to get. Simply put, Augusta, you waited too long to get involved and, now, fueled by emotion and goaded on by messages from just about every communications medium available, we’ve got a jihad in our midst.

Number of Public Speakers: 16. Number of times Dr. Azziz said “I understand your feelings:” 6. Number of times Dr. Azziz said “Let me be clear:” 7. Number of times Dr. Azziz said “I respect your question/I appreciate the opportunity to respond:” 8. Number of times Dr. Azziz said “At the end of the day:” 13.

FEATURE Primarily Over

Though no one around Augusta seemed too concerned that former Mayor Bob Young endorsed Rick Allen, plenty from outside Augusta were. Though it’s perfectly routine for a former mayor to BIRTHDAY endorse a congressional candidate, many think the fact that Young moderated the final candidate roundtable Metro Spirit Turns 23 the Friday night before the general primary should have prevented such an endorsement. FEATURE WJBF, that station that hosted the debate, refused to comment, but University of Georgia political scientist Wright McLeod needs a haircut. Even if he didn’t, that’s what you do when you’re killing Charles Bullock told the Metro Spirit that such actions time waiting for bad news. And for a political candidate, were “certainly out of the ordinary” and something the the news he’s waiting for couldn’t get much worse. “basic training of a journalist wouldn’t allow.” It’s 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, and McLeod is Brent Cunningham, the managing editor of the waiting to find out if the recount he requested for the Columbia Journalism Review was even more frank. 12th Congressional District Republican primary somehow “It’s pretty cut and dry,” he said. “It’s not something managed to find the 580 votes he needs to claw ahead of you would do, especially days before a runoff.” second place finisher Rick Allen and therefore into the runoff with the primary’s clear winner, Grovetown farmer INSIDER and state representative Lee Anderson. Who You Gonna Call? The bitterness goes beyond ego and the dashing The Metro Spirit was privy to one of those late night of dreams, however. Not only was McLeod’s house bar situations that can happen anywhere. Only this vandalized and his tires slashed on election night, his one was different. In this one, a Richmond County parents’ farm in south Richmond County was wiped Commission candidate got involved. Multiple sources out. And while that seems like a personal attack that shared the scene. A group of men had been playing goes well beyond the reach of ‘that’s politics,’ he makes golf most of the day at West Lake Country Club before no distinction between that and the FEC complaint. heading to a local restaurant/bar. One of the group, “How is that any different than the $20,000 legal fee who has been thrown out of the place a few times for that I have to pay for the FEC complaint?” he asks, being drunk and disorderly, gets upset that the fries he drumming his fingers on the conference table. “How’s ordered arrived with bleu cheese instead of ranch and that any different than breaking into the farm? I guess ultimately throws the plate at the bartender. you can argue that they believe that their allegations are At this point, the bouncer begins to escort the drunk correct, but…” out. That’s when Jay Blackburn intervenes for his He continues drumming his fingers. friend, and one thing is made clear by nearly a dozen “Twenty grand,” he says. “That stings.” witnesses: the guy is a large man. He gets into it with the bouncer, then with a Richmond County Sheriff’s FEATURE deputy who has intervened. A second Richmond County deputy is alerted and joins the fray. Blackburn Regency Mall Gains Interest According to Administrator Fred Russell, the defunct now is fighting, thoroughly resisting arrest. Ultimately, Regency Mall has been drawing more and more he is taken to the ground and handcuffed. Once on his interest lately, something he hopes signals a renewed feet, he continues to fight on his way to the patrol car. On the way out, he yells to his buddies repeatedly to interest in the hard hit area of town. “The conversations are becoming more frequent, but I “call Donnie Smith!” This is where it gets troubling. Smith arrives a few can’t really go into detail at the moment,” he said. “We have not talked to the owner lately, but we’ve been sort minutes later in an “Elect Donnie Smith” T-shirt and begins cajoling one of the officers to let Blackburn go. of dancing around with other people who have been looking at that area as a more viable opportunity than it But this officer is new to town and doesn’t know who Smith is. The officer explains that not only is he going to has been in the past.” jail, he could have been charged with felony obstruction, adding “you can’t un-arrest someone.” He is astonished 8/21 to find out later Smith is a Georgia State Patrol officer. Smith begins working on the other officer to let INSIDER Blackburn go. He does not. He then turns his attention to the employee of the restaurant/bar who he thinks is At the End of the Day (From the forum held at ASU’s Maxwell Theatre on responsible for the arrest. Smith states he knows who August 16 to discuss the choice of Georgia Regents owns the business and informs him he won’t have a job University as the name for the new consolidated university.) once he gets in touch with them. The employee is the Duration of the forum: 1:06. owner’s son. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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BYWORDS

By Joe DiPietro / Edited by Will Shortz 89 90 92 94 95 96 97 98

Give a rude awakening, say Flexible, electrically Derby features Turn blue, say Do wrong Bubbling up Ruination Leonard Nimoy’s “___ Not Spock” 100 “Fish Magic” painter 103 Rapper who played Brother Sam on “Dexter” 105 1996 Olympian noted for performing on an injured ankle 110 Form letters? 111 “No ___” (“Don’t ask me”) 112 Basically 114 Breaks one’s back 116 Boston player, for short 117 Triple Crown winners must lead their league in these 118 Too-good-to-be-true offer, often 119 Roman tragedy writer 120 Florida’s Sanibel, e.g. 121 Zebra feature 122 They’re run up 123 Like some dough Down 1 Unhappy king of legend 2 Prefix with -metrics 3 Vegas casino 4 Roseanne’s husband on “Roseanne” 5 Suit 6 Made de novo 7 Certain baby food 8 So-called “Goddess of Pop” 9 Samovars 10 It’s part this, part that 11 Whom Shelley wept for 12 “Water Music” composer 13 Fr. title 14 “Watermark” vocalist 15 Really bugging 16 Woolly 17 English royal 18 Covers up 25 Street opening 29 Sports announcer’s scream 31 Lost-parcel inquiries 33 Newspaper section

36 39 41 42 44 45 47 49

It’s almost nothing Prefix with -porosis Took turns recklessly Things may be written in it Cap’n’s mate Kind of well Piece for nine Hockey area in front of the crease 51 Seemingly forever 54 Long-running TV show featuring the Hortons and the Bradys 55 Fishing boats 56 South American zoo animal 59 Revolutionary 1960s Chinese youth 60 Open ___ 64 They’re often behind glass 67 Prompt 68 Apocryphal 69 ABC, for one 70 Wall St. credential 71 Small boat made of wickerwork 72 “___ / Had ’em” (classic two-line poem about fleas) 73 Quibblers split them 74 The Sun Devils’ sch. 75 Sci-fi or western 76 Result of a bang-up job? 78 One running 80 Beta carotene and others 86 Go out 87 Trick-winning attempt in bridge 88 ___ beer 90 Dwellings 91 TV announcer who broke the news of John Lennon’s murder 93 Earn hand over fist 96 Firenze friends 99 Rumpled 101 Put up 102 Lamb specialty 104 Unwilling to budge 106 Kick back 107 People conquered by the Spanish 108 Wound protector 109 Much merriment 113 Heat org. 115 Got ___ (did great)

33 38

65 69 74

96 104

111

112

95 98

105

106

107

108

113

114

116

117

118

119

121

122

123

S O O N Y I

M A C K

A S O A K

H A I L I N G

A M P E D U P

P R O S E A N D K H A N S L E S S O N S

I C E A T D Y O U O L O F K N R A A O D O S M E N E R S O S C A R O T F O L O O P I W O V E T H E R O O I N I S M O L A T R S H E H E E

C O M M U N E

A L I O T O

H E I R S

A S A P

E X R O Y A L

G R E E R

M E A A A N D L N E D B S N E E E P R L O T M A I D O A L E E S I T A T G O O D A L R O P H E A M O U R R I P I T E B N L O B Y R E U N D A I S L E S N E E R E D D Y S

100 109

120

A S W E A T

103

83 85

60 64

73 79

26 30

PREVIOUSPUZZLEANSWERS

Across 1 Sewer, at times 7 Dregs of society 11 “I’m not doing so well” 15 ___ it up (dress flamboyantly) 19 Sherpa’s tool 20 Kind of street 21 Accurse 22 Grams 23 Drank quickly 24 Allocated dollars for digs 26 &&& 27 “___ time now” 28 Smoker’s convenience 30 Toiling away 32 Santa’s bootblack? 34 “___ ever!” 35 Paisley refusals 37 Gets up 38 Density symbol 40 Anti-apartheid org. 42 1970 hit for Neil Diamond 43 De novo 44 Lies in the hot sun 46 Shacks 48 Marine rescue grp. 50 Fancified 52 Really desire, with “over” 53 Precipitate 57 House of the speaker? 58 Writer 60 Big guns 61 F = ma formulator 62 Very wide shoe spec 63 Text changes 65 Rocket center, once 66 ___ admin 67 “Not doable” 68 Govt. money guarantor 69 Its capital is Sydney: Abbr. 70 “O Sole ___” 71 Just ___ … or “Just ’___” 73 Crones 74 From way back 77 It’s needed for self-checkout 79 Alternative to broadband 81 Fixed rate 82 Capital north of Cyprus 83 Mat material 84 Not yet out of the closet? 85 Attach a handle to 87 Preceded

W A L D O R F

O V E T T

M I S L K N A E T D S R O O D O E R O F F

101

102

110 115

L A A T S S E H E D D I K A R E T T N I A N T I G H R T I E I M W P A T O C H F O E F P R E W H I O R G W E N

C O R O N A L

R O S E T T E

T O T I E

D O T S

H A L T E D

N Y M E T S

CREATIVITY CAN BEElliottUPLIFTING Sons Funeral Homes ELLIOTTFUNERALHOME.COM

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It seems clear that once word got out that this was not an unobserved event, talking points were drawn up and stories were gotten in line. Smith, not surprisingly, denies all. But many of those close to the event question the judgment that would lead a Georgia State Patrol officer, not to mention a commission candidate with such backing and so much promise, to be defending the conduct of a drunk and disorderly 47-year-old man who

FEATURE Smith Takes the Call

was just arrested for fighting fellow officers. As one witness stated at the scene, is this a man we want to add to the commission?

Smith came from Burke County and went to Georgia Military College here in Augusta “As our economy downturned in Augusta, I didn’t leave,” he said. “I chose to stay here and fight for my

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[Donnie] Smith, a lieutenant with the State Patrol, started his law enforcement career with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department. “Public safety is all I’ve ever known,” he said announcing his commission campaign last February. “I’m just a country kid who came to town 25 years ago looking for a job.”

community and make things better for the people who live here and my family. When I’m elected from District 7, I’m here for all the people of Richmond County.” Six months later, he was standing around the Wild Wing parking lot with a couple of cops and a couple of drunks, advocating on behalf of the drunks. “They had Blackburn in the back of the car and Donnie got there and he started talking with the cops,” Scholer said. “Pretty much he was just trying to act like a big shot.” For such a typical story — bars have bouncers and cops working specials because stuff like this happens all the time — it certainly had people jumping. An unannounced call to Strength found him fully briefed, having spoken with Orr to get the information firsthand. Smith’s response to questions was pretty much check with the Sheriff. Smith’s campaign staff was reaching out before ever being contacted. Smith, who was in Tampa as part of the State Patrol detail traveling with the Georgia delegation to the Republican National Convention, denied that anything out of the ordinary happened Friday night. “I went to pick up someone and give him a ride home,” he said. “That’s all I can tell you.” So he didn’t try to negotiate Blackburn’s release? “No, sir,” he said. “And I think the sheriff would be more than happy to clear any of that up.” The sheriff. He reiterated the part about picking up someone to give him a ride home. That guy, of course, was the guy who started it all by throwing the plate at the bartender, the guy who, according to Scholer, had been thrown out of the bar on three separate occasions, once for throwing a beer at the bartender. “I went there to pick up someone and give him a

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ride home.” “He seemed upset,” Scholer said of Smith. “He didn’t ever actually raise his voice or yell at me, but he was just trying to intimidate me, acting like he was a powerful guy and that I shouldn’t be messing with his buddies.”

September

9/1 INSIDER

For one thing, if Smith’s statement on the Austin Rhodes show is true and he didn’t do anything but collect friend Charles, help the cops on the scene get information out of Blackburn, who was uncooperative, and drive away, how did Will Scholer know that Smith knew the owner of the Wild Wing in Macon, who by the way just happens to be a retired Richmond County law enforcement officer? Smith’s statement was that he did not talk to anyone with Wild Wing, only assisted the officers after they requested his help, and was there just to give Charles a ride home. None of Smith’s denials ring true. In fact, on the radio the tentative Smith didn’t sound like he believed himself in his own denials. Why? Maybe because there were too many witnesses. Too many people who know the people involved. The only thing that Insiders question is what is he thinking? As Groucho Marx put it, Are you going to believe me, or what you see with your own eyes?

FEATURE Planning Ahead

Not long after work was completed on St. Sebastian Way, the road looked abandoned. Weeds were waist high and there was no sense of beauty to the road, which was supposed to be the preferred entry point to the medical district. That’s one of the problems with road projects. As far as the Department of Transportation (DOT) was concerned, the project was finished because the DOT is only involved with the road itself, not the way it looks. They took their equipment, threw down some grass seed and called it good. That left upkeep and beautification to the city, but the city didn’t have the funds to keep it up or mow it, which meant this important new route to one of Augusta’s major destinations was destined to a life of perpetual shabbiness. “It looked awful,” says Camille Price, executive director of Augusta Tomorrow. “And it was a brand new road.” That’s when Augusta Tomorrow’s Gateways and Corridors implementation team got involved. “They said, ‘This is our gateway into the Medical District — it needs to look good,” Price says. Working with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is also concerned with the look of the city’s gateways, they put together a fund called the Garden City Improvement Fund that allows any individual or business to contribute either to the large-scale beautification or to target a specific gateway. First used on Wheeler Road, the fund is administered by the Community Foundation, which means any contribution is tax deductible. “It’s a wonderful way to help businesses to recoup a little bit of money through less taxes that will help improve their frontage,” Price says. The fund pays for a private landscaping company to 18 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

For his part, Smith denied speaking to Scholer at all, who in turn claims Smith threatened to get him fired. “He was telling people, ‘Don’t worry about this, I know the owners — we’re going to get this taken care of and this guy isn’t even going to be working here,’”

Scholer said. “He said he knew who owned the Wild Wing up in Macon and here and he said he was going to get me in trouble with them, which — okay. Go ahead and call Mom and Dad. Scholer’s parents own the place.

keep the gateways and corridors mowed and tended.

ahead and adjust the contract with RW Allen,” Russell said. “They’re already mobilized and the savings would be significant if we were to use them.”

FEATURE Shhhhhhh

Columbia County’s desire to break away from the Augusta-based East Central Georgia Regional Library System and anchor a new regional library system is further evidence of the county’s growth, both in population and independence. “It’s basically a stage of progression,” says Barry Smith, director of Community and Leisure Services. “We started our own Convention and Visitors Bureau here, a Chamber of Commerce here and a Development Authority here in Columbia County. I guess this is just the next step.”

9/13 INSIDER The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost

The new Richmond County Law Enforcement Center is almost complete, and as the employees box up their belongings and get ready for the big move across the street, Insiders are wondering about the upcoming lawsuit. No, not the one against the builder of the soon to be demolished Law Enforcement Center — no one can remember who built the moldy monstrosity. Nope, this one has to do with the three crosses built into the new building’s façade.

9/20 INSIDER

Now that he’s in the big leagues, going up against a savvy political survivor in Democrat John Barrow, Anderson is studying the page he ripped out of his own playbook by refusing to debate Barrow, only this time he’s suffering because of it. He must think that his silence plus that eight point starting advantage he got because the Republicans drew the district to favor Republicans will equal another victory, only it’s almost certain he is not the Republican they had in mind when they drew in the advantage. Beating Barrow will take more than silence, and the debate offered to him by the Atlanta Press Club would have given Anderson the chance to reach the entire district, a golden opportunity for a challenger going against a well-known, well-funded and reasonably wellliked incumbent. Earlier, he told organizers of another debate that he would join in only if Barrow admitted in front of the camera that he was going to vote for President Obama

FEATURE Bridge to Nowhere

Just when the saga of the TEE Center parking garage seemed finally over, Administrator Fred Russell came before the Engineering Services Committee requesting a path forward for the construction of an elevated walkway connecting the two buildings. In doing so, he may have given commissioners the clearest indication yet about the status of the deck itself. The deck has been at the center of several controversies. Most significantly, commissioners have doubted whether or not the city actually owns the deck. After initially being told the land for the deck was being donated, the agreement changed to allow for more advantageous funding. As a result, the city owned the air rights, but not the ground floor of the parking deck, something that troubled more than a few commissioners. As part of the recently approved management agreement, Russell was asked to come up with a plan for the walkway which, as he described it, would go from the second floor of the parking deck to the second floor of the soon to be completed TEE Center. Both buildings were developed to support such an option. “What we’d like to do, if this is acceptable, is go

and support Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House. Really? That’s like a child telling his mom he’ll go to time out, but only if he gets to take her iPhone and a cookie. Any more moves like this and the RNC just might decide to reallocate all that money they were going to use to unseat Barrow.

9/27 INSIDER So Close

Though at times throughout the process he might have wanted to burn them at the stake, Paul Simon came before Augusta commissioners Monday looking to put a fire under them. The TEE Center is almost finished and Simon is looking at the calendar and things are getting close. Seems his manager needs 90 days to train staff, order supplies and get the liquor license squared away. If he can’t start that 90 days soon — like real 03JANUARY2012

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soon — they might have to cancel January’s first convention, the State Police Chiefs Convention.

FEATURE Fired Up

Driven by reports of fires inside Regency Mall, commissioners received an update on the status of code enforcement violations at the long vacant mall. Development Manager Rob Sherman admitted there had been another incident where vandals had accessed the building and said that, because of that, he had been in contact with the owners of the mall. “They sent us an email today saying they would be in town this week and that they wanted to have some doors fabricated so it can be welded shut.” In addition to securing the doors, the owners told Sherman they were planning to bring in equipment to gut the inside of the mall along the common areas and storefronts.

October 10/4 INSIDER Augusta National 2, Azziz 1

The fuzziness of the spat between Billy Morris and Dr. Ricardo Azziz got even fuzzier when Morris’ paper sold four full-page ads to his fellow Augusta National member Nick Evans. The four pages were filled with names (arranged by first name, not last — wouldn’t want to make it easy to digest now, would we?) of people opposed to the name change championed by Azziz. From our brief perusal, Morris and Evans are the only two members of Augusta National who have come out against Azziz. They also appear to be the only two citizens tied to a board affiliated with MCG/GHSU/ASU to resign in protest. One thing is for certain, though — the Augusta Chronicle is on a tear for this man’s scalp.

INSIDER Paths

It’s easy to wander off the proper path in Columbia County, and that’s just where Beda Johnson was, on the wrong path, especially when she got the gang together to take the I-16 path to Savannah to meet with the Corps of Engineers. She was on the wrong path before that, though. Those fishing tournaments she liked? They cost a pretty penny to put on. In fact, the lake — at least what’s left of it — has always been pretty much of a misfire for the county, though without the lake we wouldn’t have that sailboat, and you’ve got to admit that sailboat makes a damn fine logo. Anyway, now the county’s got Randy DuTeau, an outdoor recreation buff of the profitable kind. Plus, he’s highly intelligent, confident in his abilities and, staffers whisper, the right gender to succeed in Columbia County.

INSIDER The One-Two Punch

Election Day is getting close and, as we all know, this is the most important election in 9,000 years. With that in mind, local Republicans are gearing up for a one-two punch of awesomeness The special guest will be Congressman Paul Broun, who thanks to his big mouth, most Americans right now think is the same kind of ignorant clod they thought Missouri Congressman Todd Akin was after that science lesson he gave about how victims of “legitimate rape” are able to form a Maginot Line to keep unwanted sperm safely at bay. “All that stuff I was taught about evolution, embryology, Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell,” said Broun, a doctor. “It’s lies to try to keep me and all the folks who are taught that from understanding that they need a savior. There’s a lot of scientific data that I found out as a scientist that actually show that this is a really young earth.” He goes on to say that he believes the earth is 9,000 years old. Affirmations of faith are nothing new, especially for Republicans, but such a forcibly stated contrary opinion in an election year raises serious questions about 03JANUARY2012

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 19

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Broun’s critical judgment and his ability to be a team player, especially when he links the Bible with public policy.

INSIDER High Bid

On Tuesday, October 9, Columbia County bigwig George Snelling, a former dentist and a strong financial backer of the cantankerous wing of the local Republican Party (remember how he made buddy buddy with Commissioner Trey Allen with that methadone clinic next door to Allen’s toy store and how he always seems to back the guy Ron Cross ends up trouncing?) was charged with three counts of prescription drug fraud. Three days later, Snelling, who’s about as subtle as his mug shot smile, was hobnobbing in the VIP section at the Eddie Money/Starship concert, not a care in the world. At one point, he even out Crossed Ron by taking the Josh Kelley Stage. Of course, he wasn’t up there taking credit for the park and the amphitheater and the Columbia County way of life. He was up there because he’d bid $3,000 for a guitar signed by Money and Starship, the money going to support breast cancer. Retiring man that he is, he told everyone that he thought he was bidding on boobies, but said he’d go ahead and take the guitar. You just can’t hide money.

INSIDER Just Politics

So Gwen Fulcher Young managed to strike gold by comparing Republican Congressional candidate Lee Anderson to TV’s Honey Boo Boo, a remark that, while amusing, is certainly well off the mark. Funny how quickly the evolved forget the evolution. Husband Bob, who has Republican connections he might not want to discard quite so hastily, simply

November

Nov 1 INSIDER Change

What’s at stake on Election Day? Simply put, the way the city runs. Being the South and Augusta, a lot of the political talk is going to be about race, so there’s no sense beating around the bush — the very complexion of Augusta could change. District 1 is by no means as certain. The landmark victory of Matt Aitken the last time around — a white man winning in a predominantly black district — famously unbalanced the racial makeup of the commission, but Aitken’s tenure has been largely undistinguished, and while far from divisive, his bridge building promise never really materialized, leaving him vulnerable. With two black candidates, including Bill Fennoy, who lost to Aitken in a runoff three years ago and can honestly take the Are You Better Off Now argument to the black community, Aitken might find himself in another runoff, and another runoff might not bode well for him this time around. Therefore, the commission could easily return to the 5-5 spilt that has historically resulted in no side getting anything that they want. And though the balance can’t swing the other way, the tenor certainly could if former 20 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

winked and threw up his hands like husbands of uppity women everywhere, helpless to do anything but watch. But isn’t it interesting how knotted up the whole thing is? Here’s Gwen, trashing the Republican who beat out Hill neighbor Rick Allen for the chance to run against Democrat John Barrow, when it was Allen that hapless husband Bob endorsed in the runoff. An endorsement, remember, that happened after Bob served as high holy moderator at the final candidate roundtable before the primary. However you look at it, one thing is quite clear — the local Republican Party is lacking an enforcer strong enough to keep people from making public spectacles out of their public spectacles. Anderson might very well be the Honey Boo Boo of area politics, but he beat out Hill-man Allen, who’s now remarkably claiming to be the victim of the whole primary bloodbath, and that means there are people out there who support him, and who knows — down the road they might be worth something to some candidate.

10/25 INSIDER

The most powerful $9 an hour job you can get Insiders say it is a non-professional organization that

Commissioner Marion Williams beats Harold Jones to follow the term-limited J.R. Hatney. While often critical of the white majority, Hatney has been an unfocused and occasional voice, far from the galvanizing figure of Williams, whose previous tenure was marked with bombast and scandal. Therefore, the black commissioners could become much more powerful. How Bill Lockett and Alvin Mason, the current black voices, adjust to the potential new company, not to mention their new roles, could be interesting to see, but not as interesting as watching how the community at large adjusts to the idea of Augusta’s first black sheriff, the vilified survivor Richard Roundtree.

INSIDER Last Look

preys on the poor and creates what is seen as a system that imprisons defendants as a penalty for failure to pay criminal justice debt. Yet most times, the debt that that is failed to be paid is to the private business venture Sentinel Offender Services LLC, creating a 21st century debtors prison. And the drumbeat is getting louder and louder against this company. The Metro Spirit has been looking into Sentinel for more than six months and there is little to no positive news to report. It genuinely seems like a modern-day mafia, working side by side with law enforcement. We’ve had many off the record conversations with those in our local law enforcement circles who view the company bitterly. With limited jail space, Richmond County cops are turned into collection agents. If Sentinel needs to collect some dough, they call Richmond County to come and pick up the person. Whether the charge or amount owed is legitimate, who knows. Often times it is not. But the backlash of having a private enterprise use our local sheriff’s office to make them money seems to be coming to a boiling point. Pick up the Spirit next week for more info.

Lady A Amphitheater in Evans this upcoming Masters Week. That would be the day before the Par-Tee in the Park concert at the same venue. And Carrie Underwood is appearing at the James Brown Arena the Saturday of Masters. Whew.

FEATURE Stepping Up

Smith takes his public service to District 7 “I’ve been shot at, I’ve been cut with a knife, I’ve been bludgeoned with a brick and I’ve been blown up with a bomb,” he says. “What can the commission do that’s worse than those things?”

11/8

And to add insult to injury, the daily also made it seem as if Mary Davis had her first child when she was INSIDER Anderson was so tight-lipped that even fellow 17, which (gasp!) doesn’t really work for District 3 types. Republicans seemed more than willing to thrown him That’s just so District 1. under the tractor. Far more than willing. In fact, they seemed to do it downright gleefully. INSIDER And then Gwen Fulcher Young’s Honey Boo Boo comment goes viral, the local Republican establishment That’s Entertainment Rumor has it that the organizers of the annual Rock gives up trying to defend him and for days the website Fore! Dough concert are considering a move to the for the Columbia County News Times linked its “Our 03JANUARY2012

The First Step The key to keeping New Year’s resolutions? Commitment. When Earl Taylor walked into Gold’s Gym last July, he knew he needed to make a change. And that was two months before he entered the Fit to Be Gold Challenge in September, a contest in which he recently took third place. “Prior to getting in Fit to Be Gold, he lost 25 pounds in roughly two months and he met with his trainer one day a week,” said Tony Dempsey with Premier Fitness Personal Training at Gold’s Gym. “Then, to crank it up a notch, he entered Fit to Be Gold. He made the commitment to train with his trainer three times a week and followed the diet. And on top of that, he was with a bunch of people who were trying to accomplish the same goal. In 12 weeks, he lost 55 pounds. From July to mid-December, he lost 80 pounds and went from a size 48 waist to a size 40.” Earl’s story will be echoed in Augusta and around the country as those who indulged a little too much, not just in December but for most of 2012, decide they’ve had enough and want to start the year off on a good foot by going to the gym and paying more attention to nutrition. More often than not, however, that first step doesn’t lead to another. Rather, it comes to a halt after only a few short weeks. “The reason is, when they join the gym, they’re looking for this magic pill,” Dempsey said. “Well, the first day they walk in the gym, they get very overwhelmed. They see a treadmill, which is not intimidating, and so every day they get on the treadmill. But they’re not eating correctly and they’re not strength training and when they don’t see positive results, they get frustrated. It’s simply because they get lost and we see it year after year after year.” There may not be a magic pill, Dempsey said, but there are resources to help new gym-goers keep that forward momentum going: asking for help. “The biggest thing is that they need to take advantage of the staff that’s available to them in the facility, the Gold’s Gym staff and the personal training staff,” he said. “Everyone who joins receives a complimentary personal training orientation and we sit down and find out why they joined the gym, what’s motivating them… just trying to understand them better. Then we educate them on nutrition and strength training, then put them through a great workout. When people take advantage of that, they have a much better understanding of what they need to do to meet their goals.” Dempsey recommends a three-pronged approach to a new fitness regimen. The first step is knowing what you can realistically commit to. “There’s no use in saying, ‘I’m going to go to the gym six times a week’ when you haven’t been going at all,” he explained. The second is to have a realistic approach to what you’ll get out of the program. “You didn’t get to be 50 pounds overweight overnight and you’re not going to lose 50 pounds overnight,” he said. “You need to have a proper understanding and clear, realistic goals so that you don’t get discouraged.” The third prong is to surround yourself with people who have similar goals and priorities. “If you are going to surround yourself with people who eat badly and come up with excuses, it’s going to affect you,” he said. “You need to put yourself around good people who are Earl Taylor trying to accomplish the same thing.” A personal trainer is the best person to go to for help in all three aspects of a new fitness regimen. They can help you plan your time at the gym wisely, will tell Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute expert and celebrity trainer you what kind of results you can expect Ramona Braganza has heard every excuse in the book — and with the time and effort you put in, and refuses to let them slide. We asked how she responds to the five will be a constant cheerleader. biggest whoppers. “We always tell people that we can’t sit on your shoulder before the fork goes “I JUST DON’T HAVE TIME!” in your mouth and we can’t pick you up This is the biggie, the one we hear over and over again. Here and drive you to the gym,” he said. “If you are a few responses: can handle those two things, we’ve got you Evaluate your priorities. Do you log enough couch time covered when you walk through the door.” to be the in-house TV critic at your office? Do you have a And though a personal trainer costs free hour every day to peruse the Facebook updates of your money, Dempsey says it’s all about priorities 300 closest friends? Or did you make it to skill level 29 on and commitment. He said most can find Halo in two months? If you answered yes to any of those, the money if it’s enough of a priority but, you might want to cut back on your screen time or where oftentimes, money isn’t really the issue. you’re logging it. Hit the treadmill when your favorite “I’ll tell you, a lot of times it never really show airs or browse Twitter from your seat on the comes down to the money; it’s people’s fear of stationary bike — that way you can be both entertained commitment,” he said. “They’ve tried it before and and in shape. they haven’t been able to do it on their own.” It doesn’t take that much time! You can get a good Dempsey went on to say that those who do take workout in just 30 minutes. “Some of my clients work that first, and then second, step may just end up 16-hour days, but still have to stay in shape,” says like Earl Taylor, who has lost 80 pounds and is still Braganza. “This was the case when I worked with working to better his life. Jessica Alba on ‘Dark Angel,’ so she woke up at “And the beauty is he’s not done with it yet,” 5:30 a.m. to train from 6 to 6:30 a.m.” Dempsey said. “It’s just the beginning. It’s now become To get started, check out Gold’s Gym his life. And the reason it happened is he took the first step Fitness Institute expert Adam Friedman’s and joined the gym and took the second step by saying, ‘I five 30-minute workouts or our Ultimate need help. I can’t do it on my own.’”

30-Minute Workout.

GOLD’S GYM: JANUARY 2013 |p.3

New Year

No New Excuses Don’t let your healthy resolutions fall victim to worn-out excuses. Here are rebuttals for the top five gym-skipper rationalizations.

FORGET EXCUSES, FIND A REASON Whether it’s just a 5K fundraiser for your child’s school or a once-in-a-lifetime hike up Machu Picchu, signing up for a fitness activity can help motivate you to be active. Here are a few that can get you moving: Traditional races and triathlons: Training for a race is an easy way to set a goal — if you’re afraid you’ll give up, get a friend to sign up with you or join a team that is racing for a cause you care deeply about. Check out runnersworld. com to find races near your town or in exotic locales, like the Placencia Marathon & HalfMarathon in Belize.

“BUT NOTHING IS HAPPENING! I NEVER SEE RESULTS.” “Define your weight-loss goal, then stay on top of how many calories you need to burn to achieve it,” Braganza says. “Use a fitness app [like MyFitnessPal] to help you track calories, and wear a heart rate monitor to make sure you’re training as hard as you think you are.” Also, make sure that you have a reasonable time frame for dropping those pounds or seeing muscle definition. “Weight loss on average is a pound a week,” Braganza points out, “and that takes dedication and work.” “I’M JUST TOO WORN DOWN.” Lack of sleep or heaps of stress can definitely make it hard to find the energy, but the more you exercise, the more energy you’ll have. Plus, exercise is a known stress buster. Also, consider what time of day you work out. “Are you tired the minute you wake up?” Braganza asks. “If not, then take a 20-minute power walk or a jog. If you’re training later, have a healthy snack to give you a boost.” And make sure it’s not dehydration that’s making you sleepy. “Even being 2 percent dehydrated can lower your energy

per month

$10

levels,” she says. “I’D RATHER WATCH PAINT DRY THAN GET ON A TREADMILL. SERIOUSLY.” If your exercise routine is a yawn-inducing endeavor, think about making it more original. Try a new class, like TRX. “Challenge yourself to learning a new sport — maybe a winter sport, like snowshoeing. Get a friend to join you to make it more fun.” If that doesn’t interest you, Braganza suggests resorting to bribery. “Give yourself a reward when you accomplish a certain number of workouts in a week. Maybe get a foot massage!” “I’M TOO OLD TO BE IN A GYM.” “Since I turned 50, my new fitness goal is to keep up with my 77-year-old mother,” Braganza says. “She just became a Zumba instructor. I never limit myself with my age in anything I do in life, and you shouldn’t either. Age might be an excuse — but not a good one.” Take note that most Gold’s Gyms offer a senior citizen discount.

Tough mudders: Need something out of the ordinary to get your attention? Tough mudders are 10- to 12-mile races through punishing obstacle courses that can include fields of live wires, frigid glaciers and underwater tunnels. Check out toughmudder.com to get in on the insanity. Adventure travel: If seeing the world is high on your priority list, combine the thrill of new places with some heart-healthy exercise. Outdoor gear purveyor and allaround awesome store REI now offers active adventures (rei.com/ adventures). You can kayak in Cambodia, climb to the Everest base camp or ride horseback through Mongolia. Each trip has an activity rating between 1 and 5, so you can decide how high-energy you want to be.

no commitment | month - to - month

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*Amenities vary by location. Walton Way is $19.99 per month. Additional fees may apply.

Fit Gold TO BE

Season 5 Winner Makes Contest a Family Affair Though the competition for the Season 5 Fit to Be Gold Challenge was tight until the end, the final weigh in proved to be a family affair. Grady Lee, husband of Fit to Be Gold Season 4 winner Chelsie Lee, won a decisive victory by losing 54 pounds in the 90-day competition. While certainly impressive, the weight wasn’t the most lost by a participant — that honor belonged to third place finisher Earl Taylor — but the official measurement for victory has always been percent of weight lost, and there Lee dominated, finishing with 22.18 percent. Second place finisher Tim Bryant ended the competition nearly five percentage points back. The contest started in September with 25 contestants and the 11 who finished collectively lost 299 pounds. All those finished reported looking and feeling better because of their weight loss and would recommend it to anyone looking to jumpstart their fitness regimen. “The ones who stuck with it actually lost weight,” said third place finisher Earl Taylor. “I would recommend anyone wanting to lose weight, even if there as heavy as I was, to do it twofold: dieting and exercising. If they do that, they’ll lose weight.” Taylor went on to say that he’s not done yet. “I’m hoping they’ll let me enter the next contest,” he said. “I’m still overweight and I still need to lose.”

Grady Lee, Season 5 Winner Why did you enter the Fit to be Gold Challenge? It was mainly to kind of get my life back. I was really out of shape and I couldn’t keep going down the same path. I would probably eventually lose my life at an early age, which was a scary thought. And the inspiration my wife [Season 4 Winner Chelsie Lee] gave me from winning the last challenge. I guess those are the two main reasons. What was the most surprising part of the program? Probably the most surprising part of the program was how easy it actually got. The whole process wasn’t easy. It was challenging, but it got easier as I started eating better and exercising regularly. It pretty much became habit. It was easier to say no when people offered me a cookie, it was easier to run a mile. The first week or two was difficult but it got easier. What was the most difficult part of the program? I think starting was the most difficult part. Getting that motivation to turn down taking a dessert from someone or telling someone I was on diet. Just the initial part was the toughest part for me.

Starting Weight: 243.4 Finishing Weight: 189.4 Percentage Lost: 22.18

What was the easiest part of the program? I think something that was easy was giving up soda. That was kind of my vice for a while, the soda and the caffeine. Giving that up was a lot easier than I thought

it would be and, once I did that, my weight loss really took off. Was there any point in which you wanted to give up? Yeah, about halfway through I thought, “Ugh, I’m getting tired of this.” The light at the end of the tunnel and realizing how much weight I had lost kept me going, and having a goal. I wanted to get under 200 pounds and I wasn’t going to stop until I reached that goal. How do you feel now compared to before starting the challenge? I feel great. I feel 10 times better than I used to feel and it’s awesome. It’s an awesome feeling and I don’t want to ever get near where I used to feel. I have so much energy and I can go out and run whenever I want to. It’s an awesome feeling. I feel great. What are your long-term goals? My goal is to pretty much stay under 200 pounds for the rest of my life. It’s easier said than done, and I still plan on working out with my trainer, Chris, and getting on a healthier sustainable diet. I’m going to keep going to the gym, keep running and keep the weight off. I never want to have to do that again. It will be nice to keep it off and stay happy and healthy. It’s a habit now. I don’t feel as good now during the day if I don’t work out. I want to keep it habit. It’s best to keep it a habit rather than fight with your weight the whole time.

GOLD’S GYM: JANUARY 2013 |p.5

Tim Bryant, Second Place Why did you enter the Fit to be Gold Challenge? Well, I’m a diabetic. I had always been athletic and then just stopped. And I knew that, at 45, it’s either switch it now or get complacent with being lazy. I work long hours but I wasn’t doing anything physical. So I looked at it as a wakeup call. I want to get rid of the diabetes medication, be able to do more and live longer. What was the most surprising part of the program? To me, just how easy it was if you just did it. I mean that’s it, really. We work and we say that we don’t have enough time but I just started going to the gym on my way home and would do something, even if it was just for 30 minutes. It was easier to do than I thought, to fit in to my schedule. It was easy to make time for myself. What was the most difficult part of the program? I didn’t expect it to be easy. Gaining the weight is easy, the opposite is difficult and I think that’s why so many people don’t do it. It was kind of like a rush. I felt bad when I didn’t go to the gym. My biggest thing was I had already made my mind up that, if I was going to do it, I was going to do it right.

Starting Weight: 289.2 Finishing Weight: 239 Percentage Lost: 17.35

What was the easiest part of the program? Actually just enjoying the results, seeing it work. A good analogy for me is if you don’t go to work you don’t get paid. If you don’t show up at the gym, the weight doesn’t come off.

Was there any point in which you wanted to give up? Nope. That really sums it up. I knew applying for it that it wasn’t going to be easy, but I had to make my mind up that that’s what I wanted to do. How do you feel now compared to before starting the challenge? I feel good. It would have been nice to have won, but the 11 people who finished up in that room, all 11 won because they finished and they did what they wanted to do. What are your long-term goals? I’m done with that program but, you know, you can’t fix everything in that 12 weeks. It’s something I want to do from here on out, not just for 12 weeks. I told my trainer I wanted to continue after the program ended, so basically he and I have set up a 12-month program. The weight was the biggest factor for the contest, but to be able to go in and buy clothes at a regular store, to sleep better… everything ends up being better, in my opinion. I just want to keep doing it, to maintain. There’s really no goal weight. The biggest goal was to get off that diabetes medicine. I go back to the doctor in April to find out about that. The one thing that I would say, if I could, is to give much appreciation to Will Griffith. Will was my personal trainer, and he was phenomenal, but also Grace, Amy and Grant. They led classes I did and I’d just like to thank them because they helped also and they didn’t have to. They about killed me with their classes but I got to where I enjoyed them.

Earl Taylor, Third Place Why did you enter the Fit to be Gold Challenge? I entered because I wanted to kickstart my weightloss program. I’d been trying to diet before I started the contest. I had been a member of the gym about two months before I saw signs for the contest. What was the most surprising part of the program? I really didn’t get any surprises. I knew it was going to be hard work and I’ve always had a good work attitude so I just put my nose down and kept going. I knew it was going to be hard for me and I just did my best at it. What was the most difficult part of the program? Getting the schedule so I could be there every night. Sometimes things pop up workwise and I have to work at night and that kind of put a pinch on my exercise but I still pushed myself to get in there for at least 30 minutes. Trying to juggle exercise and work was probably my biggest struggle.

Starting Weight: 347.0 Finishing Weight: 288.2 Percentage Lost: 16.77

What was the easiest part of the program? Easy? Whenever you’re losing that much weight, there’s not a whole lost of easy going on because you do have to push yourself every day. I had a few times, cheat meals I called them, but thankfully there weren’t too many. I don’t think there was anything really easy

about it. It’s nice that the gym has the hours it does. You might not get any sleep but at least you could get in a workout. Was there any point in which you wanted to give up? No, and I’m still at it. I’m still dieting and going to the gym even after the contest. I look at it, if I give up I’m giving up on myself. I’m one of those instant gratification people anyway, so the faster I lose it the happier I am. I don’t think I’m going to give up until I get to 200 pounds. Then I might transition, change my diet plan so it’s more level, not as drastic as it is now. How do you feel now compared to before starting the challenge? As an example, it was getting to the point last year that I actually had trouble putting my own shoes and socks on. That I don’t have a problem with anymore. It’s a big change there. My hygiene is better, I feel better, just a number of things have improved in my life because of the weight loss. What are your long-term goals? That was my original goal was to get to 200 pounds. Dotfit actually has my ideal weight as 169, but 200 is probably where I’m going to level out at, because I plan on lifting weights and gaining some muscle. And then I might actually go above 200 because I want to go to the bodybuilding side of it and gain some muscle mass there.

7 Reasons Your Weight Won’t Budge Are you working out and eating right, but can’t seem to lose weight? We spoke with two Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute experts, Robert Reames and Nikki Kimbrough, and discovered seven possible reasons why. I’m eating healthy, but I’m not losing weight. What am I doing wrong? If you’ve ever asked that question, you’re not alone. “I hear it all the time,” says Robert Reames, author of “Make Over Your Metabolism.” “People think if they just eat less and move more, they should lose weight, but it isn’t always that simple.” Both Reames and Nikki Kimbrough, a celebrity trainer, agree that the most important parts of a healthy diet regimen are regular exercise, proper nutrition, sleep and stress management. “I call it the big four,” Reames explains. But even if you’re adhering to all four, there are pitfalls that can hold you back from diet success. 1 SKIPPING MEALS Instead of eating right, some people just try to eat as little as possible, which can backfire. “When you deprive your body of nutrition by skipping meals, your body thinks it’s being starved, so it holds on to fat that it would usually burn,” Kimbrough says. “You want to eat five to six small meals a day — breakfast, lunch, dinner and two to three snacks. And aim to eat every three hours. This speeds up the metabolism instead of slowing it down.” 2 A FOOD ALLERGY If you frequently feel sluggish or have an upset stomach, you might be allergic to an ingredient in your food and not even know it. “I think many people are intolerant of gluten and wheat,” Reames says. “Others might be allergic to some of the chemicals in processed foods.” These allergies can cause inflammation and fluid retention — and in the long run can cause fatigue, which can affect your exercise routine. “The old layman’s way of checking: Take that food or ingredient out of your diet for two weeks and see how you feel.” 3 WEIGHT-TRAINING AVOIDANCE It’s important to get your heart racing with cardio, but make sure to take time to also hit the weights (or do other weight-bearing exercises like yoga). “Just 30 minutes can really help, especially if you circuit train,” Reames says. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn (even while sitting). 4 THE FEAR OF FAT We’ve almost been preprogrammed to believe that we should avoid fat at all costs, but that is not always the case. “A lot of fat-free foods may be loaded with excess sugar, which is bad for your body,” Kimbrough says. Yet some of the best superfoods out there — avocados, olive oil, walnuts — are high in fat, but the good kind. “These fats balance your insulin levels, which helps you burn more fat.” 5 TOO MUCH SALT The most recent American Heart Association recommendation for daily sodium intake is 1,500 milligrams per day. That’s two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt. One of the simplest ways to reduce your salt intake is to cut back on processed foods, which are normally packed with sodium. If you eat out a lot, order smartly. “When you get a steak or chicken, ask the waiter to make sure that your meat isn’t marinated or preseasoned with butter and salt. Just ask them to grill a fresh piece of meat. Also, ask for steamed vegetables when possible,” Reames explains. “One of my clients dropped 15 pounds just by cutting out sodium.”

Eat less, exercise more. That’s the recipe for losing weight, and we all know it by heart. So if we want to get slimmer, and we know the formula, then why can’t we do it? Commitment is important — in fact, it’s essential — but it’s only the beginning. The key to successful dieting is bridging the gap between what you want to do and actually doing it. The desire is there; you just need a plan. The scientifically proven tactics in this article will help you do just that.

STRATEGY #1: BE VERY SPECIFIC When we make goals that are vague, like “I want to lose weight,” we set ourselves up to fail. Motivation happens when your brain detects a difference 6 NOT ENOUGH FIBER between where you are and where you want to be. When you Depending on your age and gender, you should eat 20 to 38 grams of fiber per day (check your are specific about your goal (I want to lose 10 pounds), that need here). difference is clear, and your brain starts throwing resources “But most people only get between 10 and 12,” Reames says. (attention, memory, effort, willpower) at the problem. A Fiber helps flush your system, and fiber-rich foods help fight off hunger for longer amounts clear target looks something like this: “I want to weigh of time. 135 pounds. I weigh 155 now, so that’s a difference of 20 “I think of vegetables as nature’s fat burners. They fill you up because they have lots of fiber and pounds.” water in them,” Kimbrough says. Being specific gives you clarity because you’ve There are plenty of easy ways to boost your fiber intake: Add beans to a meal, put ground flaxseed in spelled out exactly what success looks like. That your cereal or salad, and eat more fruit. means more motivation — and better odds of success. 7 YOUR MEDICATIONS “Some prescription drugs can play a part in weight gain,” Reames says. He suggests talking to your doctor STRATEGY #2: CREATE AN OKto find out if weight gain is a side effect of your medication and to ask if there are other options that might TO-EAT PLAN work. “There is usually more than one choice, and you should get the right one for you.” Faced with unexpected temptations — the

GOLD’S GYM: JANUARY 2013 |p.7

5 Habits of Highly

Successful Dieters Why do only some of us reach our weight-loss goals? A motivation expert reveals the strategies that make all the difference.

dessert menu, the catered work lunch — we end up eating things that sabotage our weight-loss goals. The best way to guarantee you make the right choices is to create an “if-then” plan: “If the dessert menu arrives, I’ll order coffee.” “If I am at a business lunch, I’ll have a salad.” Studies suggest that coming up with safe-to-eat plans makes you two to three times more likely to reach your diet goals. STRATEGY #3: TRACK YOUR SUCCESS To stay clear about that gap between where you want to go and where you are now, monitor your progress. Keep getting on that scale; mark the days you exercise on a calendar. Another thing: When you think about the progress you’ve made, stay focused on how far you have to go, rather than how far you’ve come. If you want to drop 20 pounds, and you’ve lost five so far, keep your thoughts on the 15 that remain. When we dwell too much on how much progress we’ve made, it’s easy to feel a premature sense of accomplishment and start to slack off. STRATEGY #4: BE A REALISTIC OPTIMIST As much as we want to believe otherwise, losing weight isn’t easy. It turns out that it’s important to accept this.

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Believing you will succeed is key, but believing you will succeed easily (what I call “unrealistic optimism”) is a recipe for failure. Take it from the women, all obese, who enrolled in a weight-loss program in one study. Those who thought they could lose weight easily lost 24 pounds less than those who knew it would be hard. The successful dieters put in more effort, planned in advance how to deal with problems and persisted when it became difficult. So don’t try to tamp down your worries — they can help prepare you for shape-up challenges. STRATEGY #5: STRENGTHEN YOUR WILLPOWER The capacity for self-control is like a muscle: It varies in strength from person to person and moment to moment. Just as your biceps can feel like jelly after a workout, your willpower “muscle” gets tired when you overtax it. To strengthen it, pick any activity that requires you to override an impulse (such as sitting up straight when your impulse is to slouch), and add that to your daily routine. And take baby steps. Instead of going junk-free overnight, begin by eliminating, say, those chips you eat by the bag, and substitute them with a fruit or vegetable. Hang in there, and sticking to your diet will become easier because your capacity for self-control will grow.

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Opinion” to a letter to the editor titled “Anderson will be more hindrance than help.” How’s that for hometown support?

INSIDER Poor Rick

Local businessman Rick Allen, who failed to beat Grovetown farmer Lee Anderson in the Republican primary, reportedly has his entire campaign staff on retainer as he waits for his next window of opportunity to run for office.

FEATURE Grand Vision

Azziz presents his plan to build “the next great American university” “We were over-dependent on state support, particularly for capital projects and education, resulting in investments determined primarily by state politics or tax revenues rather than an overarching strategic plan, an inadequate focus on entrepreneurship, limited philanthropic efforts and chronic underinvestment in our facilities,” he said. “In fact, much of the lack of emphasis on philanthropy stemmed from the mistaken perception that because we receive state appropriations we are fully state-supported.” State funds only support 23 percent of the university’s budget. In addition, he said there was a lack of understanding about the university’s value to the community. “We have experienced limited tangible local support of our health sciences university and our health system,” he said. “Some in our community are not

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yet ready or prepared to embrace and accept a strong and growing university in their midst, nor do they fully comprehend that their success and future, and that of the city, is intimately tied to how well the university does.” In spite of $600 million in decreased revenues and unfunded costs and $225 million in state appropriation reductions, Azziz vowed to address the fact that some staff and faculty haven’t received a pay raise in over four years. Most surprising, however, was his articulated vision for 2030, which included a student body double what it is today, a “Top 50” ranked medical school, 800 acres of university campus in Augusta, Division I sports and a new sports complex, and at least eight regional campuses throughout the state, including an Atlanta campus, which he insisted was vital to the school’s growth and stature. “All research universities in Georgia, including UGA and Mercer, have campuses in Atlanta,” he said, “because metro Atlanta is home to more than half of Georgia’s population, because that’s where the state’s business is conducted and because, to paraphrase bank robber Willie Sutton, that’s where the money is.”

11/15 FEATURE Augusta’s Probation Problem

Critics allege private probation companies are expensive, abusive and dehumanizing. A couple of Augusta attorneys are trying to prove they’re unconstitutional as well. Though the Spirit has been in contact with several people, including Sentinel employees who eventually

proved unwilling to talk, the story of W.T. stands out. When W.T. met with the Metro Spirit he was finishing up the final 20 hours of community service for a second DUI offense. He also owed $4,000 in fines. “My probation officer lets me do reporting by mail,” he says. “I’ve got a form that basically says my name, my social security number, how many hours of community service I completed and how much I paid this month.” He faxes the form to Sentinel, and that serves as his report. “That fax I send is a $45 piece of paper,” he says, referring to the fee he’s paying to Sentinel. “She never physically sees me.” He says he feels that his freedom is something that can be snatched away at any time. “My minimum payment a month is $185,” he says. “Let’s say I only bring her $100. That’s $85 light. She could revoke me.” He tells the story of a guy who said he served 240 hours worth of community service when Sentinel lost the report establishing his hours, which meant the guy had to start over from zero. Besides being defeating and an inconvenience, starting over also meant the guy had to continue paying Sentinel the monthly probation fee. While such a story is anecdotal, Long says that any conversation involving Sentinel involves similar horror stories. “Unfortunately, when it comes to Sentinel, you might knock out 20 percent, but 80 percent of them are valid.” Though W.T. mostly reports to his probation officer via fax, he’s no stranger to the drab Sentinel office near the law enforcement center on Walton Way.

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“You’re treated like scum,” he says. “You sign in and wait for a minimum of an hour. A minimum. If your appointment is at 3, you will see the lady between 4 and 4:30. She screams your name out and you go back there, you sit at her desk, she asks you about five questions and you answer them. You wait an hour and a half to be seen for three minutes.” Like many probationers, W.T. works off his community service at a Richmond County recreational facility. He chose the facility because he’s known the manager for years, and though that works to his benefit — W.T. claims he works only one hour for every three his friend logs — he realizes that the relationship still

leaves him at risk. Desperate, vulnerable people plus low-paid, largely unsupervised employees equals a recipe for abuse. “I’ve heard stories of girls giving up the booty to get out of hours,” he says. “I’ve heard of money. I’ve heard any range. It’s crazy.” In March, a Sentinel assistant branch manager in Lawrenceville was charged with accepting money from probationers and not applying it to the money owed and to falsifying work times.

December

12/6 INSIDER See ya…

With no coattails but his own, Bill Fennoy soundly defeated incumbent Matt Aitken to win the District 1 commission seat, bringing the 2012 election season blessedly to a close. Fennoy didn’t have a black president or a black sheriff to motivate voters this time around. All he had was a white opponent who, for many in the predominantly black district, seemed to get whiter the longer he was in office.

INSIDER A Most Welcoming Place

Though it was all smiles at the groundbreaking of Columbia County’s adaptive playground, not everyone is happy about the $80,000 park located behind the Evans library. Some neighboring homeowners are upset about the noise it could potentially generate. An adaptive playground is a playground specifically designed for children with disabilities, kids whose laughter has come at a tough price. For a county with so much going for it, Columbia County citizens have a knack for looking snobbish, petulant and utterly selfish at times. 30 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

“You’ve got to remember, this guy is just like a probation officer,” he says. “My financial livelihood and my freedom is based on an $11 an hour probation officer and a $22,000 a year salaried employee at the Rec Department. Those two people have my balls in their hands.”

11/22 INSIDER It’s Getting Hot in Here

Last week’s Metro Spirit cover story highlighted Sentinel Offender Services and some seriously negative issues related to their handling of Augusta area probationers. Now, insiders are reporting the existence of a class action lawsuit filed in Columbia County alleging that the required contract between the county, the court and Sentinel — the thing that actually allows Sentinel to do what it does — doesn’t exist. This could get really ugly really fast. Without a contract, Sentinel would have no legal basis for collection, and the brutal nickel and diming they’ve done to the countless offenders entrusted to their supervision could be coming right back at them. Call it restitution or karma — if it comes, it’s coming hard. On that front, things are still fluid, but regarding the

serious breakdown in the legal system there can be little doubt that none of this has been a secret. Really, all of it has been sitting in front of us, ugly and obvious, for years. And what about the cost? How many momentary lapses in judgment have become set behaviors in the exploitive vacuum of a system run by the lowest common denominator? How many temporary mistakes have become permanent because the only way out is kept at arm’s length by a system allowed by commissioners, administered by judges and observed by all of us?

11/29 INSIDER A True Augusta Mystery?

Just five years ago it was discovered that vendors were not getting paid, and a look at the books revealed $150,000 in missing money. Imperial Theatre Director Lara Plocha was fired, yet ultimately there was no resolution as to where the money went. $150,000 is a lot of money to come up missing. An awful lot of money. One red flag — while orders for liquor were up considerably, revenue from mixed drinks was down. Off the record, there was a lot of anger and a genuine sense of betrayal by those on the board at the time, yet no forensic audit was ever performed to determine where the money went. Additionally, no police report was filed. At the time, everyone was silent. No one on the board wanted the bad press, so it was swept under the rug. Over the years, however, some of those involved have loosened up a bit about where the money might have gone. As a nonprofit entity receiving taxpayer dollars, you would have expected a thunderous chorus of outrage and jeering to get to the bottom of it all, but alas, it has remained a true Augusta mystery… to some.

FEATURE Sound of Silence

going on under the Imperial Theatre’s Board of Directors’ noses, and when it hit the fan, it appears the most important City hopes bridge between troubled projects moves forward thing on the board members’ minds was saving face. Fraudulent financial reports. Glaring top and bottom line quietly inconsistencies. And some pretty conspicuous spending. Thanks to the amount of money saved in the construction Pretty dirty stuff. of the TEE Center parking deck, City Administrator Fred Ahh, the holidays. Russell says the city is ahead of schedule in building an This story is developing… elevated walkway between the TEE Center and the parking garage. “We anticipated wanting to do it somewhere down the line, FEATURE but we actually saved enough out of building the parking Gathering Storm deck that we could do this,” Russell says. “And that makes it Sentinel Probation faces an onslaught of cases threatening more palatable at the moment. It’s coming from the savings of its stranglehold on probation services and questioning the the parking deck.” legitimacy of its existence

12/13 INSIDER An Augusta Mystery II

Last week we reported on the Imperial Theatre’s fundraising campaign and recalled the case of the missing 150 large from the historic theater’s coffers five years ago. The story has pursued us since. As of press time, we have new, compelling information that has come to us that we are in the process of vetting. One thing is clear, however. There was systematic financial fraud

The cases against Sentinel Probation Services are quickly piling up, and they could prove extremely costly for the private probation company, which operates in both Richmond and Columbia counties. Not only is Sentinel in the crosshairs of a lawsuit looking to find private probation unconstitutional, but several suits are also claiming that Sentinel does not have the proper authority to operate in Columbia County. Given the long list of people who have suffered during the time Long alleges Sentinel has been operating in Columbia County without proper authority, Sentinel could be looking at some serious financial trouble in the near future. 03JANUARY2012

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U.S. President Richard Nixon was looking to save his legacy. Television personality David Frost was looking to make a name for himself. The two faced off in 1977 in what Nixon hoped would an easy way to make some cash and make people remember why they loved him. It didn’t really turn out that way, as the stage play “Frost/Nixon,” and then the 2008 movie, document. The Aiken Community Playhouse brings this battle of wits to the URS Center for the Performing Arts stage January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and January 13 at 3 p.m. $7-$20. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

ENTERTAIN

Exhibitions

“A Celebration of 2013” opening reception will be held at Gallery on the Row, 5-9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 4. Featured artist: Margaret Hunt. Call 706-7244989 or visit galleryontherow.com. Local sculptor Brian Rust will present his work in an opening reception at Sacred Heart Cultural Center 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10. Exhibit runs until Feb. 24. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org. Aiken Retro Exhibition will be on display at the Aiken Center for the Arts, Jan. 9-Feb. 25. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org. “Reflections on Water in American Painting” shows through Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Morris Museum of Art. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Tying the Knot, a display of wedding dresses and accessories from the late 1800s to the 1960s, will be on exhibit at the Augusta Museum of History until May 2013. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. “Blast From the Past” is a new exhibit currently on display at Augusta Museum of History in downtown Augusta to celebrate the museum’s 75th anniversary. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. “Local Legends,” a new permanent exhibit highlighting Augusta notables, is now on display at Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. “Protect and Serve,” a new exhibit highlighting the stories of CSRA law enforcement officers, is now on display at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. “Delightful Decanters” is a temporary exhibit on display at the Augusta Museum of History featuring colorful bottles used to sell products as late as the 1970s. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

The Salvation Army School of the Performing Arts holds classes each Tuesday. Included is instruction in piano, drums, guitar, voice and brass. Call 706-364-4069 or visit krocaugusta.org. Irish music will be performed live at the Bean Baskette coffee shop in Evans 7:30 p.m., every Thursday night. Featuring Lillie Morris, and Mike and Joanne Hay. Call 706-447-2006. Sunday Brunch Piano with John Vaughn will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Willcox in Aiken. Call 803-648-1898 or visit thewillcox.com.

Literary

Book signing for “Shadows of History: Photographs of the Civil War from the Collection of Julia J. Norrell” will be held at the Morris Museum in conjunction with an exhibit, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10. Call 706-7247501 or visit themorris.org.

Dance

Belly Dance for Weight Loss with Kendra Colin, for those ages 18 and older, is Thursday, Jan. 3, from 7-7:45 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Belly Dancing with Jezebel is Tuesday, Jan. 8, from 6-7 p.m. at the Euchee Creek Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org. Saturday Night Dance with live music is each Saturday night at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Post 1197 from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $5. Call 706-495-3219. Karaoke is held every Friday night at the American Legion Post 205 on Highland Road. Call 706-495-3219.

christiandances.org. Zumba with Sohailla is held every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Call 706-421-6168 or visit zumbawithsohailla.blogspot.com.

Theater

eXtreme Theatre Games, a comedy improv by Schrodinger’s Cat, will be performed at Le Chat Noir at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 4. Doors open at 7 p.m. $8 in advance; $10 at the door. Call 706-722-3322 or visit schrodingerscataug.com. “Frost/Nixon” will show at the Aiken Community Playhouse, 8 p.m., FridaySaturday, Jan. 4-5. Call 803-648-1438 or visit acp1011.com. Adult auditions for the Augusta Players production of “The King and I” will be held at Crossbridge Baptist Church, 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Kids’ auditions to age 16 will be held Jan. 12. Email infoataugustaplayers.org or visit augustaplayers.org. Auditions for the Aiken Community Playhouse March production of “Fox on the Fairway” are 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 6 and 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 7. Call 803-648-1438 or visit acp1011.com. Auditions will be held by Augusta Opera at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church 7-10 p.m., Monday, Jan. 10, for a February production of Puccini’s “Suor Angelica.” Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-9114 or visit theaugustaopera.com.

Flix

Poison Peach Film Festival will be presented Friday-Sunday, Jan. 4-6 at the Imperial Theatre. Call 706-722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.

Belly Dance Class is held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Euchee Creek Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org.

Back to School movies show Friday, Jan. 4, at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Drumming for Peace, Augusta’s largest drum circle, is Saturday, Jan. 5, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the FCU Center, 415 Laney Walker Boulevard. Free. Call 706-414-1391.

Augusta International Folk Dance Club meets Tuesday nights from 7:309:30 p.m. at the Augusta Ballet Studio on 2941 Walton Way. No partners needed. First visit free. Call 706-399-2477.

“Advise & Consent” (1962), starring Henry Fonda, will show at the Morris Museum as part of the Films on Friday series Noon, Friday, Jan. 4. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Alto Kate Davidson and bass singer Isaac Holmes will perform at St. Paul’s Church as part of the Tuesdays Music Live luncheon series, noon, Tuesday, Jan. 8. Free. Lunch, $10 with pre-registration required, follows. Call 706722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.

Christian Singles Dance, a smoke-, alcohol- and drug-free event for those ages 40 and over, is each Saturday night at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Dance lessons start at 7 p.m., and the dance begins at 8 p.m. No partners needed. Members $8, guests $10. Call 706-854-8888 or visit

“Downton Abbey” Party is Friday, Jan. 4, at 12:30 p.m. at the Euchee Creek Branch Library. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org.

Music

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“Ice Age 4” shows Saturday, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch 03JANUARY2012

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Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 8. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

“Samsara” shows Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Free. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Fresh Start Smoking Cessation Class will be held in the University Hospital Cafeteria 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8. Pre-registration required. Call 706774-8094 or visit universityhealth.org.

Special Events

First Thursday at Midtown Market, featuring shopping, snacks, drinks, sales and more, is Thursday, Jan. 3, from 5-8 p.m. at the shops on Kings Way. Call 706-922-5000.

Pickles and Ice Cream, a class for moms-to-be, will be held at Doctors Hospital, 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8. Pre-registration required. Call 706651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Consecration of new HEAL Complex will be held at Paine College. Opening reception is 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 4, with a weekend of events through Saturday, Jan. 5. Call 706-821-8200 or visit paine.edu.

Childbirth Tour will be offered at the Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8. Call 706-721-9351 or visit georgiahealth.org.

First Friday is on Broad Street downtown on Friday, Jan. 4, from 5-9 p.m. and features live music and entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors and exhibitions and more. Call 706-826-4702 or visit augustaarts.com.

Understanding Cardiac Medications will be held at University Hospital at 8:25 a.m., 9:25 a.m. and 1:55 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 9. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-3278 or visit universityhealth.org.

First Friday Wine Tasting is Friday, Jan. 4, from 5-8 p.m. at Wine World in North Augusta. $5, with $3 rebate upon the purchase of a featured wine. Call 803-279-9833 or visit wineworldsc.com.

Look Good...Feel Better helps female cancer patients maintain their appearance and self-image during treatment and will be held 1:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the University Hospital Breast Health Center. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-0466 or visit universityhealth.org.

Gaming Night will be offered at the Barn at the Living History Park in North Augusta at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Entertainment by Faire Wynds. Free tea, lemonade and gaming; $12 for chili, wine and ale. Call 803-279-7560 or visit colonialtimes.us. Third Annual Jimmie Dyess Symposium will be presented by the Augusta Museum of History in the Rotunda, 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10. Visit augustamuseum.org. Weekly Wine Tastings at Vineyard Wine Market in Evans are held 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays, and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays. Call 706-922-9463 or visit vine11.com.

Health

Mobile Mammography Screenings will be held 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, at the Washington-Wilkes Primary School; Friday, Jan. 4, at Wrens Baptist Church; Monday, Jan. 7, at Dillard’s in Aiken; Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Amara; Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Lincoln County Health Department; and Thursday, Jan. 10, at Augusta Sportswear. Appointments required. Call 706-7744149 or visit universityhealth.org. Cribs for Kids will be presented by Safe Kids East Central at the Safe Kids office building will teach caregivers how to provide a safe sleep environment. Families who can demonstrate a financial need with receive a portable crib and other supplies. Takes place 5:45-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3. Call 706-721-7606 or visit georgiahealth.org. Tai Chi for Boomers free demo will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, at the Augusta Jewish Community Center for a class that will be held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday starting Jan. 10. Call 706-394-0590, email sbeasley@augustameditation.com or visit augustameditation.com/taichi.html. Center for Women tour, an opportunity for both partners to learn about labor and delivery, will be held 7-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, at Doctors Hospital. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Weekend Childbirth Education will be offered at the University Hospital Education Center Friday and Saturday, Jan. 4-5. Free. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org. Baby Care Basics & Breastfeeding Classes will be held at Trinity Hospital Saturday, Jan. 5, from 9 a.m.-noon. Pre-registration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Childbirth Education Class will be held at the Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 9. Continues each Wednesday in January. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-9351 or visit georgiahealth.org. Bariatric Seminar will be held 6-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, at Doctors Hospital. Focuses on exploring options for medical weight loss. Drs. Michael Blaney and Darren Glass will speak. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-6514343 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Breastfeeding Class will be held at Doctors Hospital 6:30-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Weight Loss Surgery Seminar will be held 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Georgia Health Sciences Alumni Center. Call 706-721-2609 or visit georgiahealth.org. Intermediate Sign Language Class will begin at University Hospital 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10. $40. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7748559 or visit universityhealth.org. Women’s Center Tour at University Hospital will be held 7-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10. Free. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825.

Support

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Stargazing at the Boyd Observatory will be offered 5-7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Visit boydobservatory.org. Ancient Sky Lore will be held at DuPont Planetarium 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium. Public Information Open House concerning the Laney Walker transportation enhancement project is Tuesday, Jan. 8, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Call 706-721-4413 or visit georgiahealth.org. Introduction to Computers Class is Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Financial Management Class is Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-8212600 or visit ecgrl.org. Basic Computer Class is Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Headquarters Branch Library. Valid PINES card and pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2604 or visit ecgrl.org. Let’s Talk Self-Esteem, a free seminar for women led by Tara Tasksley Stallings, is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. EBooks and GADD Seminar is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. Third Annual Jimmie Dyess Symposium, which includes remarks by Major General Perry Smith and the awarding of the Jimmie Dyess Distinguished American Award to three individuals, is Thursday, Jan. 10, at 5 p.m. in the rotunda of the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Introduction to the Internet Class is Thursday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org.

Diabetes Support Group meets at the O’Dell Weeks Center in Aiken, Tuesday, Jan. 8. Pre-registration required. Call 803-293-0023.

Free Tutoring for all ages, offered by ASU’s Literacy Center, is available by appointment Monday-Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., at the center at 1401 Magnolia Drive. Appointments required. Call 706-737-1625 or visit aug.edu.

Intermediate Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 2:30-4 p.m. at Friedman Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Parents Healing Together will meet in the University Hospital Dining Room 2, to provide support for parents, families and friends who have lost infants Beginner’s Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 4-5 p.m. at Friedman through miscarriage, death, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth. Meets 7 p.m., Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Monday, Jan. 7. Call 706-774-2751 or visit universityhealth.org.

Caregiver Support Group will be held at Doctors Hospital 3-4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8. Call 706-651-2283 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Spine Education Class will be held at Doctors Hospital 3:30-4:30 p.m.,

Education

Discovery, a grief support group for those dealing with personal loss, meets at Trinity Hospice Community Bereavement Center 6-7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 7, and 11 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Jan. 9. Call 706-729-6021 or visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Look Good, Feel Better, a workshop designed to help female cancer patients combat appearance-related effects of chemo and radiation therapy, will be held at Doctors Hospital 3-5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 7. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Total Joint Replacement Educational Talk will be held at Doctors Hospital 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8. Pre-registration required. Call 706-6514343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Brain Injury Support Group will meet 6-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, at NeuroRestorative Georgia. Survivors of stroke, traumatic brain injury, aneurysm and other acquired brain injuries and their families and caregivers are invited to attend. Call 706-829-0370.

Forks Over Knives, sponsored by the CSRA Vegetarian Society, is Thursday, Jan. 10, from 6-9 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-8212600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Aiken Cares Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Cumberland Village Library. Call 803-641-5000 or visitaikenregional.com.

Lymphedema Education Class will be held at the University Hospital Breast Health Center at noon, Tuesday, Jan. 8. Visit universityhealth.org.

Cancer Survivor Support Group meets at Doctors Hospital 6-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10. Call 706-651-2283 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Amputee Support Group meets at Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3. Amputee clinic held from 1-2 p.m., immediately after the support group meeting. Call 706-823-8504 or visit wrh.org.

Your BIRTHday Party will be held noon-1:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital Monday, Jan. 7. Includes tour of the OB Unit and intro of the Tiny Toes Top Top OB program. Pre-registration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Infant CPR will be offered at Trinity Hospital Monday, Jan. 7, from 6-8 p.m. Pre-registration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Breast Cancer Support Group will be held 12:30-2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10 on the first floor of the Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center in Augusta. Call 706-721-4109 or visit georgiahealth.org.

Holiday Tours of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson are held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each Tuesday through Saturday. Adults $5; seniors $4; kids K-12 $3; under 5 years free. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Call 706-722-9828.

Widow and Widower Social will be held 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Trinity Hospital Community Bereavement Center. There will be Bingo. Call 706-729-6021 or visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Guided tours of 1797 Ezekiel Harris House offered by appointment only Tuesday-Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Kroc Center and at 7 p.m. at Louis Memorial United Methodist Church. Call 706731-9060 or visit krocaugusta.org.

GED Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-8212600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet in the Alzheimer’s Association Chapter Building in Augusta, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8. Call 706-731-9060.

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are offered every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

OB/GYN Cancer Support Group will meet 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8, at University Hospital. Call 706-821-2944 or visit universityhealth.org.

Beginning Sign Language will be taught at Trinity Hospital 7-8 p.m. every AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Wednesday from Jan. 9-Feb. 27. Pre-registration and textbook required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com. Fort Gordon Toastmasters meets 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday in the Organizational Conference Room (Fish Bowl) on Fort Gordon Army base. Open to public. Visit fortgordon.toastmastersclubs.org. Adult Hebrew Class is taught at Congregation Children of Israel at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Email office@cciaugusta.org or visit cciaugusta.org. The Joy of Signing meets every Thursday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

augustarugby.org or Facebook under the Augusta Rugby Club heading. Hott Shott Disc Golf is held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Killer B Disc Golf in downtown Augusta, and features games and prizes for all ages and skill levels. $2. Call 706-814-7514 or visit killerbdiscgolf.blogspot.com/p/ hott-shott. Thursday Night Chain Reaction Ride begins at 6 p.m. each Thursday at Patriots Park in Grovetown. For intermediate to fast-paced cyclists, who average 25-32 miles. Participants should bring their own water and helmet. Call 706-855-2024 or visit chainreactionbicycles.net.

Computer classes are offered every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org.

Riverview Disc Golf League meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. at Riverview Park in North Augusta. Entry fee $5; ace pool $1. Call 803-215-8181 or visit augustadiscgolf.com.

Augusta Museum of History in downtown Augusta is open ThursdaySaturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Monday-Wednesday. Adults $4, seniors $3, kids 6-18 $2, children 5 and under free. Call 706722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Road Bike Ride meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse downtown for an approximately 25-mile ride at a moderate to fast pace. Front and rear lights, as well as a helmet, are required. Call 706-724-6777 or visit andyjordans.com.

Historic Trolley Tour of Augusta boards at the Augusta Museum of History at 2 p.m., Saturdays. See historic sites and hear spooky legends. $2, including admission to the museum. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustaga.org.

Guided Trail Rides at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are available Saturdays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Sundays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon; and Wednesday-Friday at 11 a.m. with reservations 24 hours in advance. All trail rides are on a first-come, firstserved basis, and participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the trail ride starting for sign in procedures. $23-$30. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com.

Sports-Outdoors

The Augusta RiverHawks home games this week are as follows: The Pensacola Ice Flyers, Friday, Jan. 4; The Columbus Cottonmouths, Saturday, Jan. 5. Games begin at 7:35 p.m. at the James Brown Arena. $10-$21. Call 706-993-2645 or visit augustariverhawks.com. Field Trip at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, will be presented by the Augusta-Aiken chapter of the Audubon Society, is 9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Features an all-walking experience for waterbird gazing through spotting scopes. Meet in the parking area. Visit augustaaikenaudubon.org/fieldtrips. Swamp Saturday will be held at Phinizy Swamp, 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Excursions feature free hikes of 1 ½ hour, 2 ½ miles through the park’s wetlands and over scenic hills. Call 706-828-2109 or visit naturalsciencesacademy.org. FOTAS Hunter/Pace will be held at Three Runs Plantation in Aiken, 10 a.m.4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Lunch, raffle and adoptable dogs, with proceeds going to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Call 803-215-8917 or visit fotasaiken.org. Aiken Horsepower Cruise In has their monthly car show at the Home Depot in Aiken, 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Call 803-270-3505. Aiken Challenge Series, involving five weeks of USEF “AA” horse shows at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, goes through Sunday, Jan. 6. Call 803649-3505 or visit psjshows.com. Wheelchair Tennis Clinic, presented by the Walton Foundation for Independence, meets each Monday at 6 p.m. (weather permitting) at The Club at Rae’s Creek. Free and open to the public. Call 706-826-5809 or email alsalley@wrh.org. Yoga Class at Euchee Creek Library meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org. Weekly Group Runs include the Monday Metro Run meeting at Metro Coffeehouse at 6 p.m.; Monday Intervals meeting at the Family Y track on Wheeler Road at 7 p.m.; the Tuesday Nacho Mama’s Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Blanchard Woods Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday Stay in Shape Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Post Office Hill Training Run at 7 p.m.; Thursday’s Homer Hustle at 6 p.m.; and Saturday’s Stay in Shape Run at 8 a.m. Visit augustastriders.com. Augusta Canal Interpretive Center and Petersburg boat tours winter schedule runs through March 31 and is as follows: The Center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Hour-long Petersburg boat canal tours depart at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. Admission to Center is $6, or free with $12.50 boat tour ticket. Seniors 65+, active military/dependent and students (age 4-grade12 or with valid college I.D.) are $2. One child under 3 per ticketed adult may get in free. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4. Groups call ext. 7. Visit augustacanal.com. The Augusta Fencers Club is open five nights a week from 5:30-9 p.m. and most Saturday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. Visitors always welcome. Call 706-722-8878. The Augusta Rugby Club holds weekly practice sessions at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Larry Bray Memorial Pitch in Augusta. Experienced players and newbies ages 18 and up are welcome. Bring a pair of cleats or cross trainers, a mouthguard, gym shorts and a T-shirt. Visit 34 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Lakeside Rideouts at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are each Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The ride, which begins at 2 p.m., is a two-hour guided ride to Wilkerson Lake. $45-$50. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. BlazeSports Swim Team, for all ages of physically challenged swimmers who want to train for competition, meets at the Wilson Family Y. Members $35 a month; non-members $50 a month. Pre-registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.

Kids-Teens

Make and Take Craft Day is Thursday, Jan. 3, all day at the Euchee Creek Library. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org. “What’s in the Box: Block Prints Rock!” is at the Morris Museum of Art, 1011 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 3. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Digistar Laser Fantasy will be shown at DuPont Planetarium at 8-9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Runs weekly until Jan. 26. Call 803-641-3654 or email planetarium@usca.edu.

African-American History Month Trivia Contest begins in January fro those ages 8-11. Pick up a form from the registration desk, fill it out and drop it in the contest box. A prize will be awarded for the entry with the most correct answers and will be announced in February. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Ceramics Class, for ages 14 and up, meets Mondays at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. in the Weeks Ceramics Center. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Toddler Time, free play for children ages 5 and under, is each Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Little Friends Gym, a parent and child class for those ages 6 months-4 years, is held each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov. Story Time is held at the Columbia County Library at 10:15 and 11 a.m., Tuesdays, for kids under 2 years old; at 10:15 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 2-year-olds; at 11 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for preschoolers; and at 4 p.m., Wednesdays, for all ages. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Loud Crowd, a supervised after-school program for those ages 4-12, is Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov. Homeschool PE Time, for elementary school aged kids, meets MondayFriday, from 9-11 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Members free. Call 706-3645762 for non-member prices. Visit krocaugusta.org. Mother’s Morning Out is every Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Wilson Family Y for children ages 3-4. The schedule follows the Richmond County school calendar. $90 per month for members; $110 per month for non-members. Register at any Family Y or visit thefamilyy.org. Tai Chi Panda, a Chinese martial arts program for kids ages 5-13, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ages 5-7 meet at 4 p.m.; ages 8-10 meet at 5 p.m.; ages 11-13 meet at 6 p.m. Call 706-394-0590 or visit augustameditation.com/taichi.html. Preschool Story Time is every Tuesday at Headquarters Branch Library at 10 a.m. Toddler Story Time is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Group registration required. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is held every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Friedman Branch Library. Groups of six or more must pre-register. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.

Wildlife in Winter Story Time is Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Story Time is every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Harlem Branch Library. Call 706-556-9795 or visit ecgrl.org.

Manga Club for those in grades 6-12 meets Tuesday, Jan. 8, from 4-5 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-8631946 or visit ecgrl.org.

Lap-Sit Story Time, for children under two, is every Tuesday at the Columbia County Library at 11 a.m. Story time for two-year-olds is every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10:15 a.m. and for preschoolers at 11 a.m. Group registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org.

Discover the Five Senses Story Time is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Nutrition Special, presented by the Augusta-Richmond County Extension Service, teaches kids ages 3 and up about the different food groups and how they can improve their eating habits. It is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Appleby Branch Library. Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org. Smart Goal Setting for Teens, a program for those ages 13-18 led by YA librarian Kristin Eberhart, is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Study Hall for teens is Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 3-5 p.m. in the second floor YA room at the Columbia County Library. Homework assistance provided by the library staff. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. French Language Class for students in grades 1-5 is Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 4 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. Lego Club meets Thursday, Jan. 10, from 4-5 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. Reading with Ringling Bros., a special program at the Headquarters, Appleby and Diamond Lakes branch library, starts in January. Kids ages 2-12 who read five books receive one child’s tickets. Rewards cards are available at each branch’s circulation desk. Visit ecgrl.org.

Kroc Trotters Running Group, for those ages 16 and older, meets at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at the Kroc Center to run the trails of the Augusta Canal. $15. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Story Time is held every Wednesday from 10-11:15 a.m. at Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is held each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Pre-registration required for groups. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. Wacky Wednesday Story Time is each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the children’s department of Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com. Story Time is held each Wednesday at the Appleby Branch Library from 10:05-10:20 a.m. for toddlers age 18-35 months, and from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for preschool kids age 3 and up. An adult must remain with the child. Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Wednesday at Appleby Branch Library from 10:0510:20 a.m. for toddlers 18 months-35 months, and from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for preschoolers ages 3 and up. Parent must stay with child. Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for Pre-K, and either 11 or 11:30 a.m. for preschoolers at Aiken County Public Library. Call 803-6422023 or visit abbe-lib.org. 03JANUARY2012

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Story Time is every Wednesday from 10:30-11 a.m. for toddlers and 11:15-11:45 a.m. for preschoolers at North Augusta Branch Library. Call 803-279-5767 or abbe-lib.org. Story Time at the Euchee Creek Branch Library, for all ages, is held each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and each Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org.

Seniors

Tai Chi for Seniors free introductory class and demo will be held Thursday, Jan. 3, at the Augusta Jewish Community Center for a class that will be held from 11 a.m.-noon every Thursday starting Jan. 10. Call 706394-0590 visit augustameditation.com/taichi.html.

Hobbies

Genealogy Club, led by Michele Lewis, meets Thursday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m. at the Euchee Creek Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org. Bingo is held every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and every Monday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Post 1197 on Scott Road. Free. Call 706-495-3219.

Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark.com. United Hospice of Aiken, which covers Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick, Barnwell and Allendale counties, needs volunteers to visit with patients or work in the office. Training is provided. Call 803-641-0060 or email kathibault@uhs-pruitt.com.

Elsewhere

Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Tempestâ&#x20AC;? will show at The Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3 through Jan. 27. Sunday shows begin at 6:30 p.m. $15. Call 404-874-5299 or visit shakespearetavern.com. Story time is held at the Warren County Library in Warrenton at 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays. Call 706-465-2656. Thursday Nights at the High, a special event at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, offers half price tickets from 4-8 p.m. each Thursday. A guided tour is offered at 6:30 p.m. Call 404-733-4200 or visit high.org. Story time and craft is held at the Burke County Library in Waynesboro at 10:30 a.m., Fridays, for preschoolers. Call 706-554-3277.

Bingo is held every Saturday at 1 p.m. at American Legion Post 205 on Highland Avenue. Call 706-495-3219.

Story time is held at the Midville Branch Library in Midville at 4:30 p.m., Fridays. Call 478-589-7825.

Crafters Night is each Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.

Story time is held at the Sardis Branch Library in Sardis at 3:30 p.m., Fridays. Call 478-569-4866.

Simple Cooking Class meets each Monday from 6:308:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. The Garden City Chorus, the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singing group and a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, is seeking new members. Those interested are welcome to attend Tuesday night rehearsals, held at 7 p.m. at North Augusta Church of Christ on W. Martintown Road. Visit gardencitychorus.org.

Spiritual

Sunday activities at the Kroc Center include an adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m., youth Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., and a worship service at 11 a.m. Free. Call 706364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.

Volunteer

Aiken Regional Medical Centers is looking for volunteers. Call 803-641-5000 or visit aikenregional.com. The Greater Augusta Arts Council offers volunteer opportunities for those interested in volunteering for events like Arts in the Heart, First Friday and special concerts, as well as helping in the GAAC office. Call 706-826-4702 or visit augustaarts.com. Hospice Care of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Augusta office needs administrative and patient care volunteers. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Call Rich Boland at 706-447-2626 or email rboland@ msa-corp.com. MACH Academy is looking for volunteers to provide tutoring, academic support and mentoring services during fall after-school sessions held MondayThursday from 3:30-6 p.m. Call 706-796-5046, email mparks37@comcast.net or visit machacademy.com. Miracle League Baseball, held by the Family Y, is looking for volunteers. Call 706-922-9597 or visit thefamilyy.org. Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services is seeking volunteer advocates for Richmond, Burke, Jefferson and McDuffie counties. Advocates answer crisis calls and respond to hospitals in their area within 30 minutes. Call 706-774-2746 or email volunteerrcsas@uh.org. Reed Creek Park offers opportunities to volunteers interested in collecting important data each month on the health of a local stream for the state of Georgia. 03JANUARY2012

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V23|NO52

03JANUARY2012

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 37

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JENNYWRIGHT lives in Summerville with her husband, who she calls The Man, and two kids, who she affectionately calls The Boy and The Girl. She enjoys taking photos, cooking and playing tennis.

38 METROSPIRITAUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

03JANUARY2012

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New Year’s Wishes

Justin Bieber sidelined? A boy can dream, can’t he?

a Triiv a

Cheers to a brand-new year and hopefully a good year of music. 2012 wasn’t disappointing at all, at least when referring to music. When you look at it nationally, rock music was at the forefront for 2012. Locally, country music killed again; sell-out show after sell-out show, Augusta is setting itself up as a main stop for country artists’ tours. 2013 will bring some of the biggest acts in country to the James Brown Arena: Carrie Underwood, Brantley Gilbert and Little Big Town, just to name a few. I am in no way a fan of country music, but I don’t speak for Augusta. Hey, if it brings in people, business, attention and revenue to our city, I’m all about it. So for you country music folk, yee haw, enjoy your shows. I’ll make sure to alert the local grocery stores to stock up on tobacco, Budweiser, and Slim Jims. Rednecks like Slim Jims right? For me, I can only hope 2013 is a big year for rock music. That’s why I put together a wish list for the upcoming 12 months. You could call them dreams. Some could happen, most will not, but that’s why they are my dreams. First and most of all, I want a major rock show in Augusta and people to actually show up. I want a band that sells out around the world to come in and destroy the James Brown Arena. Dream bands for this request include the Black Keys, Muse, Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon and Ace of Base. Next up on my list of dreams for 2013, Justin Bieber gets in a traumatic car accident that leaves him unable to speak. Another side effect is that he has to act white. He will then admit that he is bi-curious and form a long-distance relationship with one of the Jonas brothers to be named later. On a real request, I want new music from the Kings of Leon that sounds like their old music. I would also like them to be adults. Drink and do all the drugs you like, but be able to perform. I think it was originally part of your job. This next dream is not selfish at all; this is a real thing that would benefit the entire world. I dream that mysteriously all copies of Creed and Nickelback music, digital included, disappear. This will eliminate the chances of your ears being raped by them. I think 2013 should also bring us some justice. For this, I hope Rihanna beats the hell out of Chris Brown and cuts off one his legs. That way he can’t distract from inability to sing by running around and dancing on the stage. For all of our sanity, I would like Myspace to return as the leader of social media in 2013. I know, you think I’m crazier than ever, but let’s face it: Facebook sucks. Myspace is now a place for music and entertainment, which sounds much better that the life of spam over at Facebook. You think Tom will accept my friend request? Last, but not least, John Mayer, Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner and Jake Gyllenhaal should all collaborate and write a song about Taylor Swift. The guys explain that they were never “Mean.” She just happens to be a psychopath who smells like burnt old Doritos. If all of these things come true, my year will be complete. Well on the bright side, there is a new show to announce. Thanks to Steve Hall Productions, Augusta can welcome P.O.D. with special guest Nonpoint and Within Reason, March 13 at the Country Club. Tickets are only $18 in advance. Hey, they even rock for Jesus. I wonder if we can get some of those good ole Baptists into a place that serves alcohol. That might be another dream for 2013. What shows do you want to see in Augusta? What’s the best place to see live music? Do you think my tractor’s sexy? Email me at matt@ themetrospirit.com.

N ght

MATTSTONE can be heard weekdays from 2-6 p.m. on 95 Rock. 03JANUARY2012

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 41

V23|NO52

Michael Johnson

mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Daniel, Addison, Ben, Brittany with Emma Lynn at the Columbia County Snow Festival in Evans Towne Center Park.

SIGHTINGS

Liz Napier, Elizabeth Hobbs, Leigh Harwood and Cassidy Thigpen at Stillwater Taproom.

Jason Steele and Alicia White with Yvette and Chris Pryor at the Country Club.

SIGHTINGS

Lisa Doick with Will and Adam at the Columbia County Snow Festival in Evans Towne Center Park.

David and Michele Payne with singer/songwriter John Berry at the Christmas with John Berry concert at the Imperial Theatre.

SIGHTINGS

Katie Robinson, Nikki Powpow and Jessica Stanford at Bar on Broad.

42 METROSPIRITAUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Ginger Thurmond, Adam Fultz, Carmen Blanchard and Alec Heartpence at the Country Club.

John Hyder with Parker and Matt Tedesco at the Christmas with John Berry concert at the Imperial Theatre.

Michael Johnson

mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Brittany Nelson, Lindsay Cook and Kianna Merrill at Allie Katz.

03JANUARY2012

V23|NO52

“Les Misérables”

SAMEIFLING

Unbelievable… often in the best sense of the word

THE

The latest of the 60 or so “Les Misérables” films made during the past hundred-odd years is a flashy, sprawling spectacle that works best when it shrinks to the size of a human face. Director Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”) made some questionable choices in this version — among them casting the underwhelming pipes of Russell Crowe in one of the lead roles, the lawman Javert — but his decision to shoot most of the featured songs in intimate, knife-fight proximity to his actors transforms this from an adaptation of a stage production to a version no Broadway audience will ever be able to get. Probably no “Les Mis” till now shows such keen detail during Fantine’s “I Dreamed a Dream” rendition to notice, say, the quivering drop of snot threatening to leak out of Anne Hathaway’s left nostril. This “Les Mis” is occasionally fun in that way, peppering the urchins of 19th-century France with flaky lip scabs and inflamed sores. It sends two of its leads to sink and lurch through the mahogany gumbo of Paris’ sewers. The opening scene sees a team of prisoners slaving to right a ship by hand, yanking great lengths of rope as the ocean charges in against them. It’s a musical with a strong stomach to go with its bellows lungs. By now the most iconic interpretation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 epic novel “Les Misérables” is the musical, which debuted in Paris in 1980 and on Broadway in 1987. There are something like 50 separate musical numbers in “Les Mis” from ClaudeMichel Schönberg’s musical book and Schönberg’s and Herbert Kretzmer’s sweeping score — Tony winners, both. Combined with its occasionally opulent sets and epic tone across two-and-a-half hours, the overall effect approaches opera — fine material set against $60 million worth of whizz-bang production. At the heart of the story is Jean Valjean (a chameleonic Hugh Jackman), imprisoned for 19 years for stealing bread to feed a starving baby, finally free but hounded by his past and the aforementioned wan-voiced Javert. He comes into some money and sheds his identity, becoming a factory owner and adopting a young girl named Cosette. They later fall into the mix of a student-led rebellion in Paris when Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) falls for a revolutionary named Marius (Eddie Redmayne).

EIGHT

44 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Along the way: love, mercy, duplicity, battle, horror, valor, sacrifice, suicide and even some historical context, if you’re up on the June Rebellion. There’s almost nothing the screenplay (by a committee capped by William Nicholson, of “Gladiator” fame) resists in its efforts to appeal to an audience exemplified by literate, sentimental, quietly subversive 16-year-old girls. That’s not to denigrate the experience for anyone else. You may indeed believe in love at first sight when Marius and Cosette lock eyes across a crowded thoroughfare, while acknowledging that it helps when that first sight is between Amanda Seyfried and a member of a student revolution apparently recruited solely from Abercrombie in-store displays. You may indeed believe in the honor Jean Valjean shows by repeatedly sparing the life of Javert when the former prisoner has a chance to vanquish the bad cop at his heels. And you may believe that Russell Crowe, for all his action-star film credits over the years, is actually singing his way through a late-onset puberty, right before your eyes. Otherwise, “Les Mis” is rather unbelievable, quite often in the best of ways.

03JANUARY2012

JANUARY 04

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HORROR

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Texas Chainsaw 3D,â&#x20AC;? rated R, starring Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, Scott Eastwood, Trey Songz. For everyone who thought of, only half jokingly, killing their families during the holidays, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little vicarious wish fulfillment for you, courtesy Leatherface and company.

ACTION

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Dark Truth,â&#x20AC;? rated R, starring Andy Garcia, Kim Coates, Deborah Kara Unger, Forest Whitaker, Eva Longoria. A corporate whistleblower hires a former CIA operative turned political talk show host to expose her companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrongdoings in South America. Because January isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t depressing enough, these moviemakers decided to add the corporate massacre of an entire village to the mix. Thanks, guys.

WERECOMMEND â&#x20AC;&#x153;Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Countryâ&#x20AC;?

DREAM BOLDLY.

So what do you do when the stars of one of the biggest and best-loved movie franchises ever are getting a little, shall we say, long in the tooth? You play it smart, as Gene Roddenberry et.al. did in this excellent 1991 edition to the Star Trek canon, the last one of the series he got to see before he died. Roddenberry recognized that Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Chekov, Uhura and Sulu were a little old to be thwarting bad guys bent on world domination. So, instead, he played up his starsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ages instead of trying to mask them by taking their entire world, turning it upside down and giving it a good shake. The long-hated Klingons have now initiated peace with the Federation and the crew of the Enterprise are tasked, unhappily, with shepherding the Klingon High Chancellor and his posse to peace talks. Things, of course, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go as planned and what follows is a very clever murder-mystery and political thriller that even those who would never call themselves Trekkers (or who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any idea the difference between Trekker and Trekkie) can enjoy. Those in minor roles, like Kim Cattrallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vulcan Lt. Valeris and Christopher Plummerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Klingon General Chang, are fun to watch in a movie that is a bit smaller, a bit quieter than its predecessors. That, however, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s any less fun to watch. And William Shatnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kirk proves he still has it, macking on David Bowieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife Iman in one scene thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only a little bit creepy. A very high note for the original cast of Star Trek to go out on indeed. 03JANUARY2012

Comprehensive ďŹ nancial planning Investment strategies Retirement planning and rollovers Education funding solutions Life, home and auto insurance

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METROSPIRIT 45

LINE

I’m always amazed at the number of “celebrities” that breakup or get divorced around the holidays (Thanksgiving to New Years). I don’t even know why people get married anymore. Marriage, as an institution, is crumbling just like all our other institutions: government, the military, education, religion, financial, and the media. Don’t blame the institutuion; blame the stooges that make up these institutions. Boo hiss boo on the woman who tried to make me say “merry Christmas” direct. First off, I did NOT work in that store, I was standing near the cart of groceries I just bought to wait on a friend who dashed in for more groceries she forgot. How dare you try to make people have to say Christian words in public to you! I hope you did dare to report me to the manager for telling you I hope that Allah would bless you despite your ignorance. No one stopped me from working on out so apparently the manager was thankfully sensible to realize you were the one in the wrong. Harley Drew is an bigoted racist. On 26 Dec he dissed Kawanzaa. He’s against anything that isn’t WHITE Christian. SAD I wish the NRA and other gun toters would see to reason that no one outside of the military service or law enforcement need heavy duty weapons to keep around. You are just providing murder weapons for sick and/or criminalistic beings who want to commit horrific and mass murders. Ploch Ploch Fizz Fizz I wonder where all that money is? Where did y’all get this clown Josh Ruffin??? He often failed to get his especially the the healing a didn’t states when any needs to the alternative rights reserved. The cost of a patient ID card will be no more if the come is to a downward spiral into further isolation plus depression. Arizona residents will soon have access legalmente you the you withdrawal of painful a closet supporter of marijuana legalization. Prepare yourself by adopting the medical give million the and to can Seeds from genuine and world-

46 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM

Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit. com. If you do so by noon on Friday, you might just see it in the next Thursday’s issue. Oh, and whines may be edited for content but will pretty much be printed exactly as you type them.

class seed breeders. Its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, unless million relieving know that the human body can inflict pains upon itself. Every session is steered to focus on the root causes of legal treatment effects god Shiva, and many Shiavites in tears. next Businesses must apply for a license and provide about available countries Oaksterdam HIV/AIDS, is from medical marijuana card in California. Be prudent of the companies, which Finland, antipsychotic, anorexia, everything has been decriminalized but it has not been legalized. So a downtown church feels it must ring its bells loud enough to force the sound into the ears of all nearby people, especially those of the Maxwell apartments? How un-Christian of that church! Extremely conservative people believe that we, including tiny children, are paying for the sins of Eve, Cain, etc. I don’t see any way to counter this argument. You can’t srgue against a religious doctrine. Week before last, I disagreed with Austin Rhodes (labor vs. mgmt.) Last week I agreed with Austin Rhodes (guns). Go figure? As science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein once said: “An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.”

THUMBS

WHINE

V23|NO52

It’s been nice working with you, Sheriff Strength.

down

Hope certain parts of the community give you a chance, Sheriff Roundtree, but you might have a long road ahead of you.

I hope the Federal Government will start to exclude junk food from being purchased with food stamps. This will help Michelle Obama in her fight to end childhood obesity. Also, if you can’t buy junk food, you will actually be able to buy MORE food for less money and it will be HEALTHY food. This will also help decrease the cost us taxpayers have to pay for health care when food stamp recipients stop eating themselves into diabetes and heart disease! They should have banned junk food at the very beginning...after all junk food is not really food! Don’t worry, if they are craving Cheetos that bad, they can just buy it with the money they usually would spend on those designer pocketbooks, or the $75.00 hair dos and nails they have done. It’s my taxes paying for it and I say get rid of the junk food handouts!

03JANUARY2012