Metro Spirit 02.19.2004

METRO SPIRIT Feb. 19-25 Vol. 15 No. 29

Augusta’s Independent Voice

ANIC: The Agency Augusta Loves To Hate — 13 Josh Todd of Buckcherry at Julian Smith — 36 CD Reviews — 38

The

Passion

of the Christ

Tabernacle Baptist Church Winter Revival February 23-25, 2004 7:00 p. m.

Teaching Involvement Guest Preacher:

Reverend Dr. Charles E. Booth

Pastor, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, (Since 1978) Columbus, Ohio

Currently serving as Professor of Preaching - Trinity Lutheran Seminary - Columbus, OH Served as Professor of Preaching - United Theological Seminary - Dayton, OH - 1987-1994 Doctoral Mentor with Dr. Samuel DeWitt Proctor at United Theological Seminary - Dayton, OH

Events

Founder - The Mt. Olivet Christian Academy - (September 1993) Ebony Magazine - Listed on Honor Roll of Great Preachers - November 1993

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

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Contents

METRO SPIRIT ON THE COVER 32 The Passion of the Christ Cover Design: Natalie Holle Cover Photo: Newmarket Films

By Lisa Jordan

FEBRUARY 19-25 • FREE WEEKLY • METROSPIRIT.COM

FEATURES 13 ANIC: The Agency Augusta Loves To Hate OPINION 6 Whine Line 6 This Modern World 6 Words 6 Thumbs Up/Down 8 Letters 10 Insider

CINEMA 30 Flix 32 “Passion� Already Sparking Dialogue 34 “Against the Ropes� Is a Predictable Underdog Story 35 A Fictional Interview With the Academy’s Golden Boy 35 Reel Time

METRO BEAT 11 Augusta Commissioners Slam Kolb BITE 18 Morelia’s Meets the Mex Food Criteria 19 In the Mix ARTS 20 Welsh Pianist at ASU and Dancers at St. Paul’s 22 Art After Hours Artist Discusses Her Work 23 Love Is in the Air at Storyland and Stage III EVENTS 24 Calendar

EDITOR & PUBLISHER David Vantrease ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Rhonda Jones STAFF WRITERS Stacey Eidson, Brian Neill ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Joe White ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kriste Lindler

By Stacey Eidson

MUSIC 36 Former Buckcherry Frontman Todd Doing His Own Thing 37 Sightings 38 CD Reviews 39 Music by Turner 39 Music Minis 40 After Dark STUFF 42 News of the Weird 43 Brezsny’s Free Will Astrology 43 New York Times Crossword Puzzle 44 Amy Alkon: Advice Goddess 45 Datemaker 47 Classifieds

PRODUCTION MANAGER Joe Smith GRAPHIC ARTISTS Natalie Holle, Erin Lummen, Rhonda Hall ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ASSISTANT Lisa Jordan ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT INTERN Andy Stokes

ACCOUNTING MANANGER/CLASSIFIEDS Sharon King SENIOR MUSIC CONTRIBUTOR Ed Turner CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Amy Alkon, Rob Brezsny, Rachel Deahl, David Elliott, Amy Fennell Christian CARTOONISTS Tom Tomorrow

Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks of the year. Editorial coverage includes arts, local issues, news, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum.

The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers. Visit us at www.metrospirit.com. Copyright Š Metro Spirit, Inc. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. Phone: (706) 738-1142 Fax: (706) 733-6663 E-mail: spirit@metrospirit.com Letters to the Editor: P.O. Box 3809, Augusta, Ga. 30914-3809

53: 063 /& 8

36

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SHARING YESHUA IN UNITY WITH BOTH JEWS AND CHRISTIANS

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R abbi R obert Israel Solomon

will be speaking at the following places of worship: Congregation Beth Shalom Messianic Jewish Synagogue

at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 28. We meet at Riverwatch Community Church • 3701 Old Petersburg Rd., Martinez.

For more information call 796-3797

New Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church Ă? "UMBOUB #SFBE $PNQBOZ

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Lighthouse Assemblies of God

at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 29 599 S. Old Belair Road, Grovetown

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'03 " 4)035 5*.& 0/-:

at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 29 3237 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

uif /&8 Cvggbmp Cmfv 4"/ % 8 * $ )

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32

OPINION

I

would like to thank Patricia Sanford for her well-written letter to the editor regarding abortion (Feb. 5-11 issue). The Care Pregnancy Center and its supporters do not condemn women who are considering or have already had abortions. If anything, these women are embraced and helped in any way possible. The goal is not to rob women of their rights and boss them around, but to preserve life and protect those who cannot speak for themselves. I am a student at ASU and while writing a paper on the topic of abortion, I visited the Care Pregnancy Center as well as Planned Parenthood. I cannot praise the Care Pregnancy Center enough for the firm stands they take in their beliefs and I will continue to support and help them in any way that I can.

So now you may not be allowed to smoke in any restaurant or public place.

But someone can drink all the alcohol he or she desires, get in their car and drive away with the chances of killing an entire family. Go figure.

Columbia County — what a wonderful place to live. They tax you for rainfall runoff and then don’t have the decency to even pick up your yard waste. Just do us a favor, Columbia County: Keep your garbage in your own county and don’t bring it to Richmond County. We don’t want it.

Hundreds and hundreds of Americans are out of work and yet Mr. Bush is letting more and more aliens and foreigners come over here, stay here and take jobs that rightfully belong to American people. What will it be like when our kids grow up? You think there’s no jobs now, it will be worse then. Wake up people, the motel is full: No vacancy. Something has got to stop.

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

If we want to talk about lies, why not ask Bill if he had relations with “that woman” and what the definition of “is” is. Ask Hillary where the Rose Law Firm

Whine Line records were for two years. Ask Teddy why it took him so long to seek help for Mary Jo. Also, ask John Kerry about those medals that he threw over the White House wall.

If John Kerry will make up all the days he lost as senator while campaigning for the presidential nomination, he will balance out the problem he has with President Bush making up the days in the National Guard that he lost while taking care of other business. Exactly what I was thinking.

It is time we get these liberal judges and politicians out of our judicial system.

The man who abducted and murdered Carlie Brucia, the 11-year-old girl, was released by a judge who was aware of his earlier crimes. It’s time we get people with rights of Americans who obey and abide by the rules on the courts and in public office and show these liberals the door.

It sure would be nice if Joy 102.7 would consider bringing back the “easy listening” format. There are many of us who do not relish the sounds of “just noise” and prefer the “oldies music” of Frank, Barry and others. I have listened to the new format and it is not a joy.

I just read an article about a celebrityfilled, anti-Bush ad that was apparently pulled from CBS. The article also featured several quotes from various celebs, including Gwyneth Paltrow, who was quoted as saying that Bush was “a disgrace” to America. And poor Natalie Maines was practically crucified for saying something similar during a Dixie Chicks concert. So my question is this: When do we start burning copies of “Shakespeare in Love”?

WJBF television went out “on the street” asking the question, “Do you approve of lowering standards for teachers?” Talk about loaded questions. Who would go on camera and say, “Yes, I want to lower continued on page 7

Words

“This is the same flag we pledge allegiance to, the same flag that is draped over the coffins of dead young uniformed warriors killed while protecting Kid Rock’s bony butt.”

— Sen. Zell Miller, as quoted in an Associated Press article, referring to Kid Rock’s half-time performance at the Super Bowl, during which he wore a poncho representative of the American flag.

Thumbs Up One could be discouraged about the Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies and officers dropping like flies lately. First, there was the sergeant who appeared recently suspended and charged with allegedly stealing lottery tickets from a Winn-Dixie. Then, the deputy and sergeant who appeared in The Augusta Chronicle on the same day this past week, accused of making a car payment with scouting troop money and stealing a computer seized in a raid, respectively. And can we forget

Roderick Berry and Stoney Turnage, the two officers who received prison sentences in 2002 for taking bribes?

But the silver lining to this cloud seems to be that current Sheriff Ronnie Strength doesn’t put up with impropriety in his department.

Through only the most casual observation, it’s hard to recall as many bad seeds being culled from the department

by Strength’s predecessors.

Strength truly seems to be an equalopportunity law enforcer.

Thumbs Down Take heart, people. It was only $179 million that Gov. Sonny Perdue’s staff had somehow overlooked in a “bookkeeping error,” according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Though Perdue’s staff put the oversight in the spin cycle, turning it into a case

of their finding the whopping amount, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, for one, wasn’t convinced, and called the matter a “serious mistake.” Wonder how much other money is out there waiting to be “found?”

continued from page 6 standards.” Only a moron. The real debate is changing standards. Does anyone seriously want to try to make the argument that the cadre of educators we have now cannot be improved? Facts not in debate: There is a shortage of teachers and it’s going to get worse as those remotely eligible for retirement take it at first opportunity. Educated men and women who’ve led successful lives are disqualified, while academic underachievers who take courses on decorating bulletin boards for credit are somehow endowed with the wisdom to teach. In the past two decades, public investment in education has doubled, with the result of plummeting test scores, even while the test has been dumbed down and scoring “adjusted” upwards. The problem becomes obvious: The education monopoly we have isn’t working, and will not change without it being imposed.

Columbia County was about to lose its DMV licensing office, and nothing was forthcoming from any of our “home boys”: Sen. Brush, Rep. Harbin or Rep. Fleming. Their efforts to represent us and to get state support for county projects and our citizens have been minimal for the past two years. Is that because they lack foresight, motivation and commitment, or because they are too busy eating at the lobbyists’ tables and receiving favors? Whatever their excuses, they need to do something now for election time is just around the corner.

To the young lady in the grocery store who bought the two lobster tails at $19.99 per pound and the pound of extra large jumbo shrimp at $9.99 per pound and paid for them with a food stamp card. Shame, shame.

This is just a suggestion for Mr. Johnson, who takes the photos for the “Sightings” page. Maybe he needs to open his camera lens and his mind both to a little diversity, lest we have to change the name of the page from “Sightings” to “Whiteings.” You know, a paper that claims to be so “in touch” and “hip” has a rather myopic view of our downtown society. Just a suggestion.

Kudos for the Imperial Theatre putting on the Tim Wilson show Friday, February 6th. The theatre looked great on the inside, the concessions were reasonably priced, and the performance was wonderful. Overall, they’ve done a fantastic job with the theatre. Keep up the good work.

Metrosexual? In the late ‘80s, it was the “yuppie.” In the late ‘70s, it was the “mountain man.” Are you starting to see a pattern? Every 10-15 years there is a new fad. I’ve never jumped on a bandwagon or gravitated to a fad in my life.

Rest assured, in another 10-15 years we’ll have another fad. When I came out of the womb in 1957, I was wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and a pair of tennis shoes. It’s now 2004 and I’m wearing, oh yeah, jeans, a sweatshirt and a pair of tennis shoes. Fads and trends are for narcissistic, egocentric, myopic, look-at-me wannabes.

As far as fashion goes, a metrosexual is a heterosexual who can’t keep up with the homosexual.

I like a variety of music, and one of the stations I enjoyed was the oldies/standards station 102.7. I was very upset to find that it had been replaced by another religious radio station. Does anyone know if it has moved to another radio station, or is it gone for good?

Think I’ll pack up and move to North Augusta, S.C., where the police do their job of speed-limit control. I have never witnessed such lack of concern and care about enforcing the law. The speed limit in the working area off Bobby Jones Expressway is a laughing joke. I wouldn’t be surprised to read about a worker being injured or worse. I have also witnessed a Columbia County sheriff’s deputy not stop a car that passed a stopped school bus that was unloading students and another Columbia County sheriff’s deputy who didn’t waste his precious time to stop a very noticeable speeder in an active school zone. It just really makes me sick.

This year’s presidential election is a nolose, win-win situation for us Democrats.

We win if John F. Kerry whips George W. Bush, but if Bush steals the election again as he did in 2000, we still win because we won’t have to wait until 2012 to elect Hillary Rodham Clinton; we’ll elect her in 2008.

Why is it that 20-30-year-olds have no clue as to what they are going to do in life? All they say is how bad the country is and bad-mouth conservative viewpoints. If the 20-30-year-olds would go to work everyday and have to actually pay bills (in their case credit cards) they will soon understand economics. Young people, grow up. Get the pop rivets out of your nose, the rings out of your eyebrows and get your butt to work.

Call our Whine Line at 510-2051 and leave your comments. We won’t use your name. Fax your whines by dialing (706) 733-6663 or e-mail your whines to whine@metrospirit.com.

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I hope San Francisco keeps marrying all the homosexuals and lesbians. Maybe more of them will leave our city and state and go live there. I don’t care what society says, homosexuality is a perversion and a sin and always has been and always will be. It is a true shame that most of the media has adopted the word “gay” as the description of a homosexual. I am in a gay and happy mode most of the time, but I do not have any sexual

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Letters

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D

ear Editor:

I want to thank Rhonda Jones and the Metro Spirit for the beautiful story you did on my angel Molly, who went to the Rainbow Bridge on January 20, 2004. Losing Molly has been the hardest and most hurtful thing I have ever gone through. Only animal lovers know the pain that comes with losing a pet who has been such a major part of your life. I got many cards and heartwarming phone calls from people who read Molly’s story. This outpouring of love touched me deeply, and helped heal my very wounded spirit.

I am determined to work harder than ever to save the animals in shelters in memory of Molly. I hope every animal

lover in the CSRA will make the trip to 4164 Mack Lane, off Tobacco Road, to see the beautiful new animal shelter, Richmond County Animal Services. It is now a place that Augustans will be proud of. There are so many precious dogs and cats there that need a home.

You have honored my sweet Molly in so many ways since her death, and I am forever grateful. I hope you will remember her in the most lasting and rewarding way possible, by giving a “forever” home to a shelter pet. Thank you for this wonderful tribute, “Goodbye Molly,” and to all of you who contacted me with words of encouragement after reading it.

Elaine van der Linden Molly’s Militia founder and director

Shepeard Community Blood Center (706)737-4551

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

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D

ear Editor,

If the February 5th cover page of the Metro Spirit, titled “Justifying James,” was an attempt to invalidate James Brown, it failed. The cover page proved that James Brown is a great human. He is a great human who began his life in humble circumstances and managed to overcome obstacles, which would have emotionally crushed lesser men, to become an American legend. He has been immortalized in his music and been given numerous awards and honors.

Now Augusta seeks to immortalize James Brow in bronze. But for that to happen, James Brown must, once again, overcome an obstacle which has continued to plague his life in the CSRA. That obstacle consists of the racist and bigoted sentiments of certain residents of the CSRA. These predominately white hypocritical imbeciles cannot stand to see an African-American such as James Brown receive his merited honors. These selfrighteous frauds love to highlight his personal failures in order to marginalize his

magnificent achievements. However, because of his achievements, intelligent people who are not of the CSRA decided to present James Brown with a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

James Brown has accomplished more in his lifetime thus far than all of the racist bigots combined who currently reside in the CSRA. It is time for Mayor Bob Young to step up to the plate and muster up enough testosterone to overcome irrational racist opposition against erecting a statue to honor James Brown. Mayor Young and Augusta should stop playing catch up with the rest of the world in giving James Brown his merited due.

Erecting a statue to honor James Brown will be more beneficial to Augusta than to James Brown. It will show the world that Augusta will not be blinded or influenced by the sentiments of hypocrites, racists and bigots.

Kevin Palmer

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ity Administrator George Kolb, whose job was salvaged late last year when the votes to oust him didn’t materialize, is now in worse standing than ever in the eyes of Augusta commissioners. The whispers of disenchantment were audible within weeks of the decision to keep him.

With four new commissioners now in place and recent complaints about Kolb’s job City Administrator performance, George Kolb it is increasingly likely that the administrator has overstayed his welcome. Don’t be surprised, if at some point in the future, Kolb is voted out by commissioners or resigns.

At the same time, Augusta Public Works Director Teresa Smith is becoming increasingly unpopular due to logjams in public works projects and complaints coming from city employees. Smith has angered several commissioners, but efforts to get her fired have failed due to her support among African-American commissioners. Now, those who want Kolb ousted and those who want Smith fired may cut a deal and trade votes to get rid of both of them. This plan was cooked up and talked about last year but never got off the ground. Now, commissioners are so fed up, the deal is back in play.

(P.S. Commissioners are disgruntled over the lack of performance of other department heads, as well. There may actually be some personnel changes as the year goes forward.)

Former Democrat state Sen. Charles Walker’s recent announcement that he would seek his old District 22 state senate seat was no surprise and, as expected, it annoyed Republicans Former Sen. who were Charles Walker

ecstatic when state Sen. Randy Hall defeated Walker. But it also annoyed many of Walker’s fellow Democrats in Atlanta. They don’t want Walker back.

His arrogance and roughshod treatment of fellow Democrats during his powermongering days as senate majority leader earned him low marks, even disdain, from the Dems at the Gold Dome. His attitude, total disregard for ethics and bad publicity were not good for the party. Many Democrats hope the Walker era is over.

Speaking of Walker, it is not a foregone conclusion that he will run. Law enforcement insiders swear that Walker will eventually be indicted upon completion of the investigation being conducted by the FBI, IRS and GBI. These sources report that the investigation was not impeded by the recent resignation of U.S. Attorney Richard Thompson. Reportedly, the person replacing Thompson is very aggressive and pursuing all cases with vigor.

We’ll see.

Several local Augustans who went to the NASCAR Daytona 500 race last weekend were astonished at the American Flag on a stick that was handed to all 190,000 people at the event. It wasn’t the flag that surprised them, it was the origin of the flag. The flag stick read: “Made in …” but the third word was missing. Rather than the expected “Made in USA,” the origin of the manufacturer of the flag was cut out of the handle of the flag. Upon closer inspection, these patriotic Augustans discovered the word “China” had been cut out of the flag holder. Made in China? All 190,0000 flags? Yep, according to a random sample of the flags. Dispensing an American flag made in China and making a conscious effort to conceal that fact was a bad idea. At least one disgruntled local NASCAR fan has written letters to NASCAR officials, Florida newspapers and the Daytona 500 raceway. Surely he can’t be the only one protesting the situation.

Wonder what the George Bush campaign thinks about this obvious blunder? President Bush attended the race and turned it into a huge political event. Oops.

The views expressed in this column are the views of The Insider and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

METRO BEAT Augusta Commissioners Slam Kolb

“P

he conducts a performance evaluation that concentrates on the goals and objectives of that director.

“The process used in performance evaluations is standard,” Kolb said.

“Organizations that I’ve been in before, that’s how they have been done and I stand by them.”

Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mays took exception to Kolb’s comments, pointing out that he is currently the administrator in Augusta.

“What we’ve got thus far is basically what folks think of themselves,” Mays said.

“I think it has been proven in both legal session and in public meetings with personnel cases that we’ve had to deal with, that this county, not just during your administration Mr. Kolb, but this entire county has a history of poor documentation.”

Without documents describing an employee’s progress or problems, Mays said, it is very difficult to determine whether a department head deserves a

Willie Mays

“If you are still in that step-by-step process, Mr. Kolb, you’ve had more help than any administrator has had in the history of this government.”

— Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mays

“I have no problem about where you’ve been, but you’re here now,” Mays said.

“Whatever was done somewhere else, I have nothing to do with that. I wasn’t elected by anybody in any other city where you’ve been, just in this one.

That’s the only one I’m concerned about.”

Mays also stated that he in no way felt what the administrator had provided the commissioners were in fact employee evaluations.

raise or, in the case of complaints against that employee, if he or she should be fired.

Mays also said he was upset to hear that some department heads were told by Kolb to rush completing their evaluations in order to satisfy Williams’ records request.

“I have a problem with department heads being called by Mr. Kolb and they are basically told that they’ve got about 45 minutes to get an evaluation in by the end of the day because a certain commis-

sioner may be turning up the heat because he wants the evaluations done,” Mays said. “That’s what bothers me.”

Kolb defended himself by saying that he doesn’t know which department head Mays talked to, but the information he received was incorrect.

“I don’t know who you talked to and I don’t need to know. But whoever told you that missed the original deadline to submit their evaluation and probably the second deadline we had given them, if not the third,” Kolb said. “So, they’ve had plenty of time to complete the evaluation.’

Mays immediately asked Kolb whether problems such as not receiving documents from certain department heads on time are included in his performance evaluations.

“Do you have documentation in their files Mr. Kolb that they have missed deadlines that you’ve given them?”

Mays asked. “We need something of record — good, bad or indifferent — on the people that you supervise.

“To this date, what we basically have is a sorry spectacle where you’ve asked folks to examine themselves, you sign it and then set an emergency time deadline on it in order to get it in. When evaluations are done in that manner, we leave ourselves with our backsides turned to the whole world to have to defend.”

The committee asked Human Resources Director Brenda Byrd-Pelaez how other departments conduct evaluations of their employees.

Byrd-Pelaez explained that other employees are reviewed using a rating system.

“Under the previous administrator we had a scale from 5-10, and the current administrator felt we should go with the ratings of 1, 2 or 3,” Byrd-Pelaez said.

She also said that, when Kolb took over as administrator almost three years ago, he decided department heads should conduct quarterly reviews of their employees.

“We wanted to make sure that there weren’t any surprises at the end of the evaluation period,” Byrd-Pelaez said. “So quarterly, everyone is supposed to sit down with their supervisor and go over where they are.”

Williams asked Byrd-Pelaez if she considered the documents he received from Kolb as proper evaluations.

“This is what we would call a self-evaluation,” Byrd-Pelaez said. “What we had

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

itiful” and “sorry” was the best two Augusta commissioners could say about City Administrator George Kolb’s recent employee evaluations of a handful of city department heads.

“I’m really upset,” said Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams, as he showed members of the commission’s administrative services committee examples of Kolb’s evaluations. “My contention is, these are not evaluations. There is no grade on them at all. There has got to be some rating of approval or disapproval.

Instead, these are self-written documents by the department heads themselves.”

Williams told the committee members on Feb. 11, that the issue of whether or not Kolb had performed any evaluations on the department heads arose during a legal meeting a few weeks ago.

“In the meeting, we were talking about problems with an employee,” Williams said. “I asked the question, ‘What was in the employee’s file?’ Then I asked the question, ‘Have they been evaluated?’”

Williams said there was nothing in the employee’s personnel file that indicated any major problem with performance.

“So, I began asking the question, ‘Who has been evaluated?’ And that’s how I got these,” Williams said as he passed out the copies of the evaluation of a few directors. “In these evaluations, the employees wrote the job duties themselves, how they improved, and Mr. Kolb signed it.”

Williams said he also requested copies of employee evaluations performed by Fire Chief Al Gillespie.

“The fire chief had been here only four months and he evaluated both of his deputy fire chiefs,” Williams said. “They were evaluated by the chief, they were given scores and there was an area (on the evaluation form) where they could respond.”

Turning to look directly at Kolb, Williams pointed to the evaluations of the department heads that were being passed around the room.

“This is your best?” Williams asked Kolb. “I could have asked the department heads to send me this. This is not an evaluation by no stretch of the imagination.”

Kolb explained to commissioners that when he reviews city department heads,

By Stacey Eidson

11

continued on page 12

continued from page 11 accomplished between 2002 and 2003.”

“Is that an evaluation, yes or no?”

Williams asked again.

“Not in accordance with our ...” ByrdPelaez began, but was cut off by Williams.

“Yes or no?” Williams demanded.

Byrd-Pelaez paused for a moment, but then looked directly at Williams and replied, “No it’s not.”

Mays laughed and commended ByrdPelaez on her knowledge of proper city procedure.

“It’s good to see that somebody is at least following the directives of the handbook,” he said. “You’re talking about getting a review every quarter. We are not getting anything on an annual basis (from the administrator). We are not getting anything on a 24-month basis.”

When Augusta Commissioner Bobby Hankerson asked if the administrator’s evaluations reflected any kind of performance grade, Kolb explained that his evaluations do not include a number grade, but employees are given a mark of either unsatisfactory, satisfactory or satisfactory-plus.

“Satisfactory to me is I’m just getting by,” Hankerson told Kolb. “I mean, to me, a satisfactory mark would mean no pay increase.”

Kolb said that a mark of satisfactory to him means that an employee is doing a good job.

Augusta Commissioner Betty Beard understood that Kolb may find his evalu-

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ation process satisfactory, but most commissioners would give it a failing grade.

“We don’t want to work against you.

We want to work with you,” Beard said, holding a copy of one of Kolb’s evaluations. “But none of us quite understand what we are looking at. I think what we’re saying is, we want a more traditional-type evaluation ... There are many kinds of evaluations out there. Give us something we can understand and that you can live with.”

City Attorney Steve Shepard recommended that commissioners outline for the administrator the type of evaluations they would like to see.

Shepard said those instructions could be included in the commission’s own list of goals and objectives for Kolb, due to be finished in early March.

Mays said he was willing to sit down with the rest of the commission and work out a detailed explanation of how an employee evaluation should be conducted, but he felt that shouldn’t be necessary.

“If you are still in that step-by-step process, Mr. Kolb, you’ve had more help than any administrator has had in the history of this government,” Mays said. “I didn’t know that we needed to be that cumbersome and that forceful to have to tell you how to do an evaluation. But if you want it in that manner, that’s fine.

“I’ve learned that for the guidance at the top, if what we ask for is not done very technically, we just don’t get it.”

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ANIC: THE AGENCY AUGUSTA LOVES TO HATE

BY STACEY EIDSON

“One of the unsettling issues in this community is the operating idea that if it bleeds it leads. And we are caught in the crossfire of that — ANIC President and CEO Robert Cooks (pictured above)

continued on page 14

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

type of mentality.”

T

he governor, the mayor and the media are all watching Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corp., trying to determine whether the non-profit agency is properly spending about $20 million in state grants.

But according to ANIC President and CEO Robert Cooks, all anyone has to do is look at his organization’s annual audits and financial statements since 2000 to know the truth — ANIC has done nothing wrong.

“I couldn’t sit here and have this conversation if I thought we had done something illegal or wrong,” Cooks said, sitting in ANIC’s downtown offices on the seventh floor of the Lamar Building. “All I can do is tell the truth, continue to be honest and try to make good decisions everyday on what is right for this company and Augusta as a whole.”

While many citizens continue to be skeptical of the organization’s intentions, one powerful man in Atlanta announced this week that Augustans should think about giving ANIC a break.

Georgia’s inspector general, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. James Sehorn, recently reviewed a letter Augusta Mayor Bob Young wrote to Gov. Sonny Perdue on December 16.

In this letter, Young asked the governor to authorize an “immediate investigation” by the state into ANIC’s use of $20 million the organization indirectly received from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in 2000 and 2001.

One of the main reasons Young asked for an investigation into ANIC’s use of these state grants was the organization’s handling of $750,000 promised to the city for the Augusta Common project.

13

14

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

continued from page 13 “The park was completed over a year ago, however the city has not received all of the state money it is due,” Young wrote in his letter.

In September 2003, ANIC’s board agreed to pay the city the $750,000 in four quarterly payments of $187,500 over a 12-month period.

But, according to Young, city officials were told when they originally contracted with ANIC that the city would receive the $750,000 in one lump-sum payment.

“Contrary to what ANIC’s contract with the city says, which says they would pay us in advance, they are paying us after the fact in quarterly payments,” Young said. “In my opinion, ANIC in its original inception was good, but its purpose has been diverted from the original intent, there’s no question about it. And that’s why I wrote the governor.”

Perdue passed Young’s request on to Sehorn so his office could consider opening an inquiry.

“As I read the letter that the mayor sent Governor Perdue, his primary concern is alleged to be a defaulted payment,” Sehorn said.

In addition to Young’s letter to the governor, Sehorn said he also received an attached letter written on Nov. 19 by Augusta Public Works Director Teresa Smith, thanking ANIC for its first payment of $187,500 and anticipating a second payment in January.

However, after reviewing the material and Young’s comments, Sehorn said he doesn’t see the need for an inquiry at this time.

“A letter written in November on a payment due in January hardly justifies a defaulted payment,” Sehorn said. “That seems to be a little premature to be trying to stir up a great deal of fuss about a payment that is not due for another couple months.

“I don’t mind investigating allegations of fraud, waste and abuse but let’s at least let a reasonable time expire before we start getting too animated.”

Sehorn went on to explain that Young, in his letter, provided no additional information to support his allegation that ANIC is not a responsible steward of the state money.

“The other thing I see in the mayor’s letter is the statement, ‘Several other issues involving the non-profit agency reported in the local and state press give pause as to the stewardship of the millions of dollars in taxpayer money,’” Sehorn said, reading from Young’s letter. “Those kinds of generalized allegations are awfully tough to investigate.

“Short of having more specific evidence or something for this office to pursue, we are generally not inclined to try to run down such claims based on very generalized statements like that.”

Sehorn said he has three investigators in office to monitor 87 agencies in Georgia’s executive branch of government.

“I don’t have a lot of extra time on my hands,” Sehorn said. “So, what I can tell you is, the mayor’s letter didn’t allege anything that the inspector general’s office would pursue at this time.”

Show the Mayor the Money The mayor, who spoke to Sehorn only briefly in January, said he would be more than happy to sit down with the inspector general to discuss his concerns about ANIC. “I think it is important that there be a public

accounting for the $20 million of taxpayers’ money that was sent here to Augusta,” Young said. “This is public money and somebody needs to give an accounting of it.”

The state grants, which were awarded to Augusta during former Gov. Roy Barnes’ tenure in office, were appropriated in two $10 million annual installments to the Richmond County Development Authority. From there, the funds were passed on to ANIC to help finance economic development projects throughout Augusta.

But according to Young, a number of the proposed projects did not receive the full

“The original grant request to the state had $3 million allocated for the Augusta Common,” Young said, referring to the list presented by Augusta Tomorrow. “The legislature approved $3 million, yet ANIC said they’d only give us $750,000.”

However, when Barnes approved his midyear budget in April 2000, he included in it the first $10 million installment of Augusta’s economic-development grant and, at that time, the Augusta Common was estimated to receive $1 million, not $3 million.

The list again changed in November 2000 when ANIC’s board of directors voted to

“This is public money and somebody needs to give an accounting of it.”

— Augusta Mayor Bob Young

amount of funds they were promised when Barnes initially approved the grant.

“There is a litany of discrepancies from the original projects list — specifically, dealing with the dollar amount — that was submitted to Governor Barnes and the legislature and how that money is subsequently being spent,” Young said.

In March 1999, when Barnes first saw the city’s economic development proposal for the grants presented by Augusta Tomorrow Inc., there were several other projects on the list, such as the establishment of a world-class rowing regatta venue at the Merry Brickyard Ponds, improvements to the Lock & Dam recreation area and funding for the city’s gateway and corridors improvement project.

None of these projects ever got funding from ANIC. And while Young said he was glad that ANIC helped finance the construction of the Augusta Common, he said the $750,000 was only a quarter of the money the project was originally supposed to receive from the state.

spend the first $10 million on a total of 10 projects in Augusta.

It was discovered several months after the funding for improvements was finalized that the city’s Augusta Common project had inadvertently been left off the funding list. ANIC’s board corrected the oversight in 2001, agreeing to give the city $750,000 for the project.

But according to Young, that’s too much confusion for an agency handling so much public money.

“It was pretty clear where the money was supposed to go,” Young said. “So I just think there needs to be a full public disclosure of where the money is, what it is being used for, how it is being used and is this consistent with the intent of the original request that went to Governor Barnes.”

Countering the Criticism In defense of ANIC, Cooks said he doesn’t think the mayor is fairly characterizing the events that took place in establishing

Augusta’s $20 million grant from the state.

“I wasn’t in Augusta yet when the original proposal was put to the state, but from what I understand, there was a dream list of projects put together and submitted to the governor,” said Cooks, who was hired to head ANIC in July 2000. “Once ANIC received its contract and its funding, we requested everybody interested in the money to submit their proposals, we held public meetings and the board decided how much they wanted to fund each project.”

“Our contract with the Richmond County Development Authority was for us to basically do housing, tourism, economic development, administration and land acquisition,” Cooks added. “And we are doing all those things.”

Cooks said he had no idea that the mayor had concerns about ANIC prior to Young’s request for an investigation.

“It’s unfortunate that our mayor wants to send money back to Atlanta,” Cooks said.

“Because he never expressed any concerns to me about ANIC. He never picked up the phone and asked me anything.”

Which is a shame, Cooks said, because his organization is an open book.

“Anyone is welcome to come down here and look at our records,” Cooks said, reaching over and picking up a large blue binder that contained ANIC’s 2002 audit by Cherry, Bekaert & Holland; yearly financial reports; a 2002 audit conducted by State Auditor Russell Hinton; and copies of each contract ANIC has with local grant recipients like Antioch Ministries, the CSRA Business League, Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy and the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.

“We are an open book,” Cooks added, flipping through the blue binder. “The state auditors have been here, so we’ve been audited before. I’m not afraid of being audited. If you review this binder, all I can say is, it is what it is.”

Young agreed that he did not discuss with Cooks any problems he had with ANIC or his decision to ask Perdue for an investigation, but, the mayor pointed out, he also hasn’t been the only one questioning how ANIC has handled the state grants.

The media also has been hammering ANIC. In April 2002, The Atlanta JournalConstitution conducted an investigation into ANIC’s vice-chairman and member of the Richmond County Development Authority, former state Sen. Charles Walker.

The newspaper specifically outlined how Walker, his friends and business associates have significantly profited from state dollars derived through ANIC’s revitalization of the Laney-Walker neighborhood.

“Hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees have been paid to professionals with long-time connections to Walker,” the 2002 article stated. “For instance, Walker’s business leases office space to a nonprofit agency (the CSRA Business League) that received $500,000 from the $20 million state grant. The five-year lease is worth $240,000 — twice what the Walker Group paid for the property in 2000.”

One month after the article ran, Walker wrote a guest column in the Atlanta paper calling the April story “a hodgepodge of innuendo and opinion” and asking State Auditor Russell Hinton to review ANIC’s

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records and make his findings public.

In August 2002, Hinton reported that he “did not identify any instances in which funds were used for purposes not specified in the grants and contracts.”

Case closed, right?

Wrong.

“That was not an audit,” Young said of Hinton’s report. “I’ve made it clear that, to me, what’s going to get the information that is going to benefit the community the most would be for a forensic audit to be accomplished. That has not been done.”

In fact, Hinton’s report clearly stated its purpose was not to “determine the legality of any of the transactions.”

The only thing Hinton’s report seemed to accomplish was creating more questions as to how the state grants were being spent.

For example, Hinton stated that ANIC board member Roscoe Williams received $62,800 from ANIC for the purchase of two tracts of land in the Laney-Walker area.

ANIC also spent $7,450 on advertisements in Walker’s weekly newspaper; donated $7,460 to the CSRA Classic, an event chaired

by Walker; and rented a community room at BL’s Kitchen, owned by the Walker family, for a public presentation to potential home buyers at a cost of $1,630.

Hinton’s report also outlined expenditures by the CSRA Business League, which received $460,000 from the state grant through ANIC. According to Hinton’s report, Louis Silverstein — son of ANIC’s then-chairman Bernie Silverstein — received a $60,000 business development and job creation loan from the CSRA Business League.

The business league also paid money to two of Walker’s businesses, Georgia Personnel Services, which was given $1,260, and The Walker Group, which was paid $5,000 for an office telephone system.

Since The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published its story in 2002, ANIC has continued to receive bad press.

Just last year, The Augusta Chronicle reported that ANIC’s $1.7 million office building being constructed on Laney-Walker Boulevard was in serious trouble.

The newspaper discovered that Global Bonding Co. of Las Vegas — the surety bond company that was supposed to be backing the office building — was allegedly a fraudulent enterprise that had managed to con more than $42,000 from ANIC. As a result, the building’s construction company, Pat Mathis Construction, defaulted on its work agreement with ANIC. However, the board told the builder to continue working and to complete the office building by March 1.

Cooks said his staff is working hard to make ANIC a success and get the office building completed.

He believes there is only one reason why the press seems so determined to find fault in ANIC’s operations.

“One of the unsettling issues in this community is the operating idea that if it bleeds it leads,” Cooks said. “And we are caught in the crossfire of that type of mentality.

“Quantifiably, hands down, dollar for dollar, ANIC has leveraged resources like no other.

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don’t care what the newspaper writes.”

Young agreed that ANIC was doing an outstanding job improving housing in the Laney-Walker area. In fact, Young said he wished ANIC would concentrate its efforts in housing instead of other projects.

“I think people are very uncharacteristically describing my request for an accounting as some kind of an attack on the affordable housing program and that’s not the case at all,” Young said. “That’s the whole reason we formed ANIC was to do the housing and then somebody hijacked the organization to do all this other stuff and get all this other money.”

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Cooks said he thinks local citizens and the media enjoy attacking ANIC because they want to take a cheap shot at Walker.

“I think everything is being heightened and raised in sensitivity about ANIC just because of the media’s interest in whether or not Senator Walker is going to successfully run for office,” Cooks said, referring to Walker’s plans to run for his former senate seat this November. “I’ve heard people say that he benefited from his position with ANIC. I can tell you, we don’t write him any checks.”

For a moment, Cooks paused. He was considering whether he should continue with a statement he knew would be controversial.

“I’m not one to cry foul about race,” Cooks, who is black, quietly said. “But if all this stuff was going on and I weren’t who I am and Charles Walker was not who he is, would it be an issue?”

“Probably not,” Cooks added after another long pause. “I don’t know any other way to respond to it.”

When asked whether Cooks thought Walker’s relationship with ANIC was hurting the corporation, he simply laughed.

“Absolutely not, and you know why?”

Cooks asked. “Because he has courage. He’s committed to the neighborhood.”

Cooks said every time the media asks him about Walker’s relationship with ANIC, he is shocked by the manner in which most reporters and the public seem to view Walker.

“Most people, when we have conversations about him, they run strictly on assumptions by somebody who is six people removed,” Cooks said. “I can honestly say, that’s not the Charles Walker I know.”

So now, after years of controversial news stories, Cooks said he has decided to concentrate on ANIC and the future of the Laney-Walker neighborhood and will try to ignore the press.

However, Cooks said he realizes that it will take time for the Augusta community to change its mind about Laney-Walker.

“You are talking about a 60-year mentality,” Cooks said. “Laney-Walker was where you went to have a good time. To get drugs, prostitutes, all that. Well, it’s a new day ... We are in the midst of a Laney-Walker Renaissance.”

And Cooks said nothing is going to stop that, not even Augusta’s continued distrust of his organization’s intentions.

“I don’t know what’s going to come of all this but I do know ...” Cooks said as he reached over and picked up the binder full of ANIC’s financial records, “it is what it is.”

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hen it comes to Mexican food in Augusta, does anyone really know what the authentic stuff is? I don’t, and unless many of you have made trips to our neighbors south of the border and gotten past the usual tourist spots, you probably don’t either.

So with the abundance of Mexican restaurants in the area, I guess most of us judge the food not on its authenticity, but on three criteria: whether it’s filling, inexpensive and served quickly.

And that doesn’t count the whole other set of criteria we apply to margaritas.

With all the places we Augustans have to choose from, along comes Morelia’s, open for a few short months near the corner of Walton Way and 15th Street.

And, yes, it meets all the criteria, but it also includes a few nice touches and a dose of what, at least to the untrained palate, seems pretty authentic.

Sure they serve the obligatory chips and salsa (chunky and a little spicy), but they also bring a complimentary order of Morelia’s dip — a cheese dip with seasoned ground beef and refried beans.

The first time I visited was shortly after they opened, and there was a handwritten note on an erasable message board near the front entrance (which also lists the daily specials) saying it was a grand opening special. Each time I’ve visited, though, they’ve brought it to the table and it disappears almost as quickly as it arrives. Since a regular order of the dip is $2.59, it’s a nice touch to anyone who appreciates a freebie (and who doesn’t?).

They also have most other things patrons will recognize from other Mexican restaurant menus. The combination platters, the lunch specials, the burritos, the enchiladas

and, of course, the tacos. But while entrées at most Mexican spots are laden with meat, cheese and other high fat ingredients (even the vegetarian offerings can’t claim many healthy benefits), Morelia’s offers several choices that won’t get you in trouble at your next Weight Watchers meeting.

Many entrées include spinach and there’s an interesting offering called Morelia Salad, which includes shrimp, vegetables, fruit and cheese on a bed of lettuce. But if you really want the most flavor for the least amount of fat, my money is on the shrimp tacos ($7.99). The simple dish is presented in an interesting fashion: each of the two tacos is encased in foil which is folded over either side of the plate with a small bowl of guacamole (again, chunky and a little spicy).

Unwrap the packets and you’ll find about a half dozen grilled shrimp, small but plump and meaty, with shredded lettuce and pico de gallo (spicy with raw jalapeños) encased in flour tortillas. You may be tempted to add salsa to the mixture, but all it really needs is a small dollop of the guac. It’s served with standard issue rice and beans.

The pork dishes are also nice and offer a little variety from the usual fare. The chili verde ($8.95), for example, includes tender chunks of slow cooked pork in a green tomatillo sauce. It’s a nice dish, not too spicy, but served with pico in case it’s a little too mild. It’s also served with rice and beans, as well as tortillas.

Morelia’s serves margaritas in four flavors (not including the Texas margaritas) and in four different sizes. Unless you’re sharing with a friend or having a party, a small ($4) is plenty big. The lime version is pleasantly tart, not overly strong, and they even had a recent lunch

By Amy Fennell Christian

Photo by Jo e White

Morelia’s Meets the Mex Food Criteria

special margarita for $1.99.

There are trade-offs in most restaurants and at Morelia’s it has to be atmosphere, or lack thereof. It looks like they’ve made a little bit of an effort, but there’s not a lot you can do with a space that looks as if it used to be a Western Sizzlin’ or IHOP.

But who cares? Morelia’s is fast, filling and cheap … and it’s also a little bit different.

Morelia’s is located at 1531 Walton Way, (706) 826-4663. Hours are Mon.Thurs. and Sun., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. They accept most major credit cards.

Sad News of the Week Augustans, bid adieu to lunch at Bistro 491 in Surrey Center. The venerable restaurant began serving lunch last year and stopped on Feb. 13, and for anyone who loved the black and blue salad, the daily changing risottos and the delectable sandwiches, this is sad news indeed.

But don’t hold out hope that Chef Todd Schafer will change his mind.

“For the overall good of the restaurant, we decided to close the restaurant for lunch,” Schaffer said recently. “We started out as a dinner house, we served dinner,

and we tried (lunch) a couple of times and there wasn’t that much interest.”

Schaffer cited quality of life issues for both himself and his staff, and said that those favorite lunch dishes will probably remain a memory.

“Probably not,” Schaffer said when asked if those lunch faves would show up on the dinner menu, “but we change the menu all the time so you never know.”

Keep your fingers crossed!

in the mix Augusta resident since …

I’ve lived here for a year now. I lived here a while back and then moved to Asheville, N.C., for two or three years and have been back for a little over a year. I’m originally from Aiken — I grew up there.

What he likes best about Augusta My friends. I have some incredibly good friends here and that makes everything better.

What he thinks Augusta needs Something that would be really great for Augusta is if they could somehow get rid of the levee and let the riverfront actually be a riverfront. And then just to evolve socially — to become a little more open.

On marriage I’ve been seeing the same person for about five years and that’s about as close to marriage as you can get without the papers.

On how he got his reputation as a Renaissance man I have no idea. I do a lot of cycling (he races road and mountain bikes) and running. I do a lot of art (including painting, drawing and photography) and I play in a band. I do too much. I’m kind of mediocre at everything but I figure by the time I’m 80, I’ll be good at all of them.

To the ultimate dinner party, he would invite …

Martin Luther King, Jr., Stevie Wonder, Gandhi, Albert Einstein and John Coltraine. I might switch one of those to Salvador Dali — he’d be the wild card. They all seem to have gone past the limits of normal people and I think it would be interesting to be around them.

And what would he serve?

Beer and pizza.

Last good movie he saw “Lost in Translation.” It just kind of gave me an interesting perspective.

Favorite food Man, there’s no telling — I like it all. It’s funny — I eat so much that the people I work with would just laugh at that question. I guess Thai food. I haven’t found a good Thai restaurant here and maybe that’s why I like it so much is because I only get to have it when I go out of town.

Favorite hangout I guess it’s between the Soul Bar and the Firehouse.

I hang out at each equally.

The secret urges he has but doesn’t act on I think I act on all of them. I could probably give you a better list of secret urges I shouldn’t act on.

Photo by Joe White

On his cat (who thinks the phone is a person) He’s actually my girlfriend’s cat and he’s great. He only has one eye.

Laddie

Williams

Bar Manager, Bistro 491

10 oz. T-Bone Athens Potatoes Bread

$5.95

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ATHENS Restaurant & Taverna

246 Bobby Jones Expressway 868-1508

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Niko’s

19

ART S Welsh Pianist at ASU and Dancers at St. Paul’s

By Rhonda Jones

W

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

elsh pianist Richard Ormrod will visit Augusta as a guest of the Augusta Symphony to play some “Ludwig Van” and “Amadeus Wolfgang.” The Metro Spirit recently caught up with him to ask where the piano bug came from. So I asked him why he chose music in general, and specifically why the piano bug got him.

“The reason would be that I had a piano at home when I was little, but there was no moment of clarity as far as I can remember,” he said, and seemed not to want to delve any further into the psychological workings of the mind of a young musician.

He did, however, say that there were no other musicians in the Ormrod clan.

So, using clever journalistic ploys, I asked why he had chosen classical music — instead of, say, punk or reggae or what have you.

“I have no idea actually,” he said. “Again, I don’t remember there being a decision, so I guess I preferred it from the outset.”

I asked if he was a full-time musician.

“Yes,” he said.

He teaches at the Welsh College of Music in Cardiff, Wales, so I asked if there were any particular thing he tries to instill in the students. You know, the old stand-by question that tends to show up in the art stories.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “But I certainly like to help them instill in themselves whatever they want to. Normally, it’s a question of finding what they can do for themselves and helping them do it.”

I totally forgot to ask him if he raps knuckles with a ruler. Darn. I did remember, however, to ask if there was anything outside of being a music practitioner that occupied his time.

RICHARD ORMROD “Well, teaching is another quite important part of my life, so I spend a lot of time with that,” he said.

He will be performing in both the Symphony’s Masterworks Series and the Publix Family Series. The Masterworks Series will just involve him doing the usual — playing with the symphony. But the Family Series performance has a lot more going on. For one thing, the Symphony Youth Competition winner, Ling-yi Kung, will perform with him — while visual artists “draw the music” in an experiment in turning visual art into performing art.

Kung was featured in SASS magazine in January, in a piece called “A Little SASS.” In addition to the Augusta Symphony competition, she has also won a recent Exchange

PIANIST: RICHARD ORMROD Host Group: The Augusta Symphony Dates: Feb. 28 (Masterworks concert), Feb. 29 (Family Series) Venue: Augusta State University’s Performing Arts Theatre Contact: (706) 826-4705

Club art competition. She started playing at the age of 6, and wants to be a professional pianist or a music teacher when she grows up. So this is your chance to see her before she’s besieged by fans.

They will highlight Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.” The Family Series program is titled “Musical Tales.”

Tuesday’s Music Live Offers Something a Little Different Tuesday’s Music Live is changing course a little bit this week — dancing. Of course, dancer Lili Banan assures us there will be music — “A Tango to Hernando’s Hideaway,” Sinatra’s “Come Dance With Me,” “All That Jazz” from “Chicago,” Outkast’s “The Way You Move” and

DANCERS: LILI BANAN AND BEAU WIELAARD Host Group: Tuesday’s Music Live Date: Feb. 24 Time: Noon Venue: Historic St. Paul’s Church at 6th and Reynolds

Gloria Estefan’s “Nuevo Dia.” But she herself is going to dance.

“Beau and I are the first dance performance for the Tuesday’s Music Live format,” she said, speaking of her dance partner Beau Wielaard. They will foxtrot, tango, swing, salsa and more.

For those three or four people out there who know even less about dance than I do, tango is … well, think “The Addams Family.” Salsa is a fast-paced, sexy dance with lots of contact between partners.

Swing is also energetic, but reminds me more of an athletic exercise than most other forms of dance. Don’t even ask about the foxtrot.

I asked her how she got into it and what it feels like.

“I started dancing in college when I went to Georgia Tech. I got into swing dancing just before the craze of Gap commercials and nightclubs hit. My interest in ballroom and Latin dance followed. I’ve been teaching for colleges, nightclubs, parties and charity events for almost six years, and performing and competing on the side. It’s my biggest escape from school (I’m a third-year medical student), and it’s my time to just have fun, relax and share my love of dance with others.”

She met her partner, Beau Wielaard, when he started taking her classes in the fall at MCG, and impressed her with his skills at interacting with the other students in the class.

After that, she said, the two of them began to work together, and now they’re setting a precedent at an established music event.

“We’re excited about mixing very old-style swing and foxtrot with today’s contemporary songs. The half-an-hour performance will include music ranging from Frank Sinatra to Outkast to everything in between.”

Interesting Tidbit: There will be food, so make a reservation!

Cost: $7 with lunch reservation, free without Contact: (706) 722-3463 for lunch, (706) 724-2485 for info

You Better Take Me to Fresh Thyme

Written by

Ray Cooney

Directed by

Phil Porter

Sponsored by

The Wilcox Inn

Performances

Fat Tuesday Wine Dinner February 23 featuring Wines of the Pacific NW

Feb. 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th, Mar. 5th & 6th at 8:00 p.m.

Matinee Sunday

February 29th at 3:00 p.m.

Reservations

A day spa experience like no other

Call (803) 648-1438 Washington Center for the Performing Arts

124 Newberry St. Aiken, SC 29801

ELEMENT IS BIG ON FUNCTION.

437 Highland Ave, Surrey Center • 706.737.6699 • Fax 706.733.8644 Mon-Sat Lunch & Dinner

Email: info@aikencommunityplayhouse.com

C O M I N G T O E VA N S SPRING 2004

Road trips.

Mountain biking.

Surfing. Camping.

Extreme napping.

Whatever you’re into, the Element will get you there and back, and be your base camp in between.

GERALD JONES HONDA 2003 Gordon Highway • 1-800-203-9371 • www.geraldjoneshonda.com

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

2004 Honda Element

21

arts

Art After Hours Artist Discusses Her Work

By Rhonda Jones

Y

Event: Art After Hours Location: Downtown Aiken, S.C. Dates: Feb. 19-20 Time: 6-9 p.m.

Venue: Rabold Gallery Featured Activity: Wanda Steppe exhibition Location: 146A Laurens Street SW Telephone: (803) 641-4405 Venue: The Jackson Gallery Featured Activity: Hollis Brown Thornton exhibit Location: 300 Park Avenue SE Telephone: (803) 648-7397 Venue: The Arnold Gallery Featured Activity: Trish Arnold exhibit Location: 321 Richland Avenue West Telephone: (803) 502-1100

“WEST BANK,” A PAINTING BY WANDA STEPPE. for about seven years. Before that I was strictly a still-life painter.”

I asked if she approached still life in the same way that she approaches the landscapes.

“No not at all,” she said. “They were very, very realistic, traditionally painted still lifes. I used a lot of symbolic objects, so I guess they were similar in that way, but a lot more traditional.”

Some of those symbolic objects are overripe fruit, torn drapery and boxes.

“Some were slightly opened and some were locked,” she said. She likes the idea of objects taking on additional meaning.

I asked if she considered decay an important theme in her work. “As I’ve gotten older, it has gotten to be more attractive to me,” she said.

She also wants to get back into still life work in the future. “I have been doing the landscapes for a long time and I’ve had a lot of success from them, but I still love still life. I think when I go back to still life, it will probably be different than the old ones.”

Art After Hours is a monthly galleryhopping event in Aiken, S.C. This month, it will stretch over two days.

Check out the following information.

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

ou know those dreams where you find yourself in a beautiful, desolate setting, where all you can do is wait for it to happen, only you don’t know what it is going to be? Wanda Steppe’s painting “West Bank” feels like that. It pictures a mysterious, hunched-over tree beneath a wide sky, and possesses a dreamlike quality that leaves you breathless for whatever adventure is about to unfold.

Of course, that’s only one interpretation, but Steppe herself has said that they don’t represent actual places at all but are, rather, representative of states of mind.

“Well they’re definitely imaginary landscapes,” she said. “I had a dream about the first one and then the rest just kind of followed. It’s just kind of been a progression of different images.”

“I think they’re about moving through life and being a little scarred but surviving,” she added.

Several such landscapes are in this particular exhibit, she said, but she is showing other works as well, such as some triptych pieces.

“It’s three panels that create one painting, and they’re all framed together so they’re all one piece of work,” she explained.

I asked her from whence these images emanate.

“I don’t know really what compels me to make art, but I know that I can’t go a day without doing it — not one single day. I think probably I’m able to say with paint what I can’t say with words.”

She enjoys the fact that her works affect people, even though she can’t predict how they will respond. “I’ve been really lucky that people tend to have an emotional response to them, whether they know that they’re imaginary or not. And it’s not always the same emotion, but that’s fine.”

These particular pieces, she said, represent only a segment of the development as an artist. “I’ve only been doing landscapes

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PAINTINGS BY HOLLIS BROWN THORNTON TO BE EXHIBITED AT THE JACKSON GALLERY IN AIKEN, S.C.

Venue: Artists’ Parlor Craft Gallery Featured Activity: Richard Preston and Bill Maroni exhibits Location: 126 Laurens Street NW Telephone: (803) 648-4639 Venue: Southern Moon Pottery Featured Activity: Six-artist pottery throwing demonstrations Location: 310 Richland Avenue West Telephone: (803) 641-2309 Venue: Connie’s Framing Featured Activity: Katrina Hintze exhibit Location: 333 1/2 Park Avenue SW Telephone: (803) 643-3696 Venue: Aiken Center for the Arts/Aiken Artist Guild Featured Activities: Exhibits by Aiken Artist Guild, Shelly Schmidt and Marie Christine Maitre de Tarragon Location: 122 Laurens Street SW Telephone: (803) 641-9094 Venue: Studio 143 SW Location: 143 Laurens Street SW Venue: Loft Studios Location: 116 Laurens Street SW

arts

Love Is in the Air at Storyland and Stage III The Courtship of Señorita Florabella Storyland Theatre is at it again with “The Courtship of Señorita Florabella” by local playwright Rick Davis. Metro Spirit recently spoke with Storyland Theatre director Barbara Feldman, who then began relating the premise of the play.

First of all, she said, an actress narrating the story turns into Florabella’s mother right in front of the audience’s eyes.

And the story is this: Florabella and Don Juan are looking for their Mr. and Miss Right, and each has a list of qualities they just cannot live without in a mate.

And each barely misses measuring up in the other’s eyes.

But of course the Señora, who is Señorita Florabella’s mother, gets involved. “The mother makes everything work so they fall in love,” Feldman said.

“It’s very funny and cute and it has lots of fencing and lots of action and fun. It’s very lively.”

I asked where it takes place.

“In Spain,” she said. “And, as a matter of fact, it includes some Spanish vocabulary words in it and it has a Spanish feel.”

The cast is a small one — only five people. Davis himself will play Don Pedro; Feldman will play Señora Marchita; Douglas E. Joiner will play Don Juan; Florabella will be played by Lisa Valentine; and Señor Gazpacho, the villain who is also in the running for Florabella’s heart, will be played by Austin Rhodes.

“He sees Florabella and he decides she would make a really good wife for him and he wants to marry her,” Feldman said. “It’s just light and fun.”

She said that Joiner is also the fight choreographer, and has taught the actors to fence. “They’ve done some really wonderful things,” she said.

She said that Davis wrote the play for an arts festival, and people enjoyed it so

By Rhonda Jones

A SCENE FROM A PAST PRODUCTION OF STORYLAND THEATRE’S “THE COURTSHIP OF SEÑORITA FLORABELLA.” much, he expanded it so that it would work for Storyland.

I asked what time period it is set in.

“Anybody coming there will think they are in old Spain. It even has an old fountain on stage,” she said, adding that it is a working fountain to help create the feel of a Spanish courtyard in the time period of, say, Zorro.

Asked if Storyland strives to transport audiences into other, fictional, worlds, she said “Oh yes, we like to create. …

We transport the audience to a different place and a different time.”

One way that this particular piece transports — and educates — the audience is through its use of Spanish vocabulary words, which are actually printed on the tickets and on the programs (and included here).

Play: “Last of the Red-Hot Lovers” by Neil Simon Theatre Group: Stage III Venue: Augusta Jewish Community Center in Evans Dates: Feb. 26-28 at 7 p.m. (Reservations required for dinner theatre.) Feb. 29 matinee.

Contact: (706) 228-3636

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Play: “The Courtship of Señorita Florabella” by Rick Davis Theatre Group: Storyland Theatre Venue: ASU Performing Arts Theatre Morning Dates: Feb. 24-27 at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Afternoon Matinee: Feb. 28 Other Info: Weekday shows require reservations. Weekday family matinees do not. If you come on the weekend, you can meet the cast.

Contact: (706) 736-3455

Vocabulary Key bandido – bandit buenos días – good day don – casual mister used with first names, e.g., Don Juan Florabella – beautiful flower gazpacho – cold tomato soup gracias – thank you por favor – please mamasita – mama, mother marchita – a weed momento – moment señor – mister señorita – miss sí – yes

Last of the Red-Hot Lovers It’s by Neil Simon. Stage III director Fred Elser describes the play thusly: “What it revolves around is … this is back in the ‘60s, a period piece. This is one of Neil Simon’s — one of his more funny ones.”

He said it’s about a conservative restaurateur who sets out to have an affair after having been faithful to his wife for 30 years. And he sets out to do so in his mother’s apartment.

There are three acts, Elser says, each with a different woman. In Act I he meets with a woman who is just out to have a good time and isn’t interested in a relationship.

(Oh, I should probably mention that the restaurateur envisions this little adventure blossoming into a red-hot, romantic affair.)

In Act II, Elser said, our friend meets with a nutty young flower child. They end up doing nothing more wild and crazy than sitting back and … er, mellowing out, shall we say.

Act III introduces his wife’s best friend, who is having a fit of depression. She doesn’t turn out to be the lover of his dreams either.

So I’m guessing the title is meant to be a little ironic. (If I’m wrong, feel free to skewer me in the Whine Line.)

Elser said that the older members of the audience will probably understand, on some level, what our friend the restaurateur is going through. And even the young romantic idealists in the audience can enjoy the humor.

I asked him, given the universal nature of the theme, if “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers” works as a period piece. He said that, in order to move the story to another time, the characters and dialogue would have to be altered, and that he, personally, would hate to interfere with lines that already work so well.

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Kids

Learning

Volunteers

Sports

Calendar Health

Education

Out of Town Music

Special

Benefits Meetings Theater Auditions Exhibitions Attractions MuseumsArts Seniors Dance

ART WERGER’S MEZZOTINTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE MARY PAULINE GALLERY FEB. 20-MARCH 27. AN OPENING RECEPTION WILL BE HELD 5-8 P.M. FEB. 20.

Arts Auditions ENOPION THEATRE COMPANY is looking for volunteers to act, sing, sew, build and more for their new musical, “Creation.” Applications are available at www.imaryproductions.com or by calling (803) 442-9039.

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

SWEET ADELINES HARMONY RIVER CHORUS OPEN REHEARSAL for singers each Thursday at 7 p.m. at Church of Christ, 600 Martintown Rd. in North Augusta.

They are on the lookout for voices in the lower ranges.

Contact Mary Norman at (803) 279-6499.

AUGUSTA CHILDREN’S CHORALE is holding auditions on three Saturdays this spring, beginning in March. For more information, call 826-4718.

Education

24

ISRAELI DANCE WORKSHOP at the Augusta Jewish Community Center Sunday afternoons, 4-5 p.m. Open to teens and adults; no experience or partners are necessary.

Cost is $2 per session, with the first session free. For information or to schedule a pre-class beginner/refresher session, contact Jackie Cohen, 738-9016.

ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS are offered yearround at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Classes and workshops are open to toddlers through adults and feature instruction in drawing, painting, photography, pottery, weaving and sculpture. For a newsletter or detailed information on registering for classes at the Gertrude Herbert, call 722-5495. The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art also offers educational tours; for information, contact the education director at the above telephone number.

ART CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS at the Art Factory. The Art Factory also has a homeschool program and scholarships are available. Programs include painting, pottery, pilates, hip hop and modern dance and more. Classes are held at the Art Factory, 418 Crawford Ave., or at the Augusta Jewish Community Center. Call 731-0008 for details.

GERTRUDE HERBERT INSTITUTE OF ART is accepting applications for tuition assistance for spring quarter classes through March 19. For more information, contact Amy Etheridge at 722-5495.

Exhibitions ART WERGER exhibits at the Mary Pauline Gallery Feb. 20-March 27. Opening reception is Feb. 20, 5-8 p.m.

Call 724-9542.

KATHY CAUDILL exhibits in the Etherredge Center Galleries at USC-Aiken through Feb. 29. Call (803) 6413305 for additional information.

MASTERWORKS OF SOUTHERN ART tour to take place on Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. Contact Cary Wilkins at 724-7501 for more information.

OIL PAINTINGS BY KATHLEEN BRYAN will be on display at the Gibbs Memorial Library throughout February.

863-1946.

Dance

PAINTINGS BY MALAIKA FAVORITE will be on exhibit at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History through the end of February. For more information, call 724-3576.

CERAMICS BY REBAKKAH ROSENBAUER will be on display at the Euchee Creek Branch Library during February. Call 556-9795 for details.

“ANNE HEBEBRAND: CURRENT WORKS” on display at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art through March 12.

Call 722-5495.

THE AUGUSTA INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE CLUB meets Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. No partners are needed and newcomers are welcome. Call 737-6299 for location and info.

THE DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE held the first Saturday of every month, 7-9 p.m., at the Unitarian Church of Augusta, honor the religious traditions of the world through song and movement. Call (803) 643-0460 for more information.

PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS BY SELLY GOODWIN will be on display in the art hall of Sacred Heart Cultural Center through Feb. 29. Call 826-4700 for more information.

AUGUSTA CHAPTER OF THE UNITED STATES AMATEUR BALLROOM DANCERS ASSOCIATION holds a dance the first Saturday of each month, from 7:15-11 p.m. Cost is $7 for members and $10 for non-members.

Held at the BPOE facility on Elkdom Court. Contact Melvis Lovett, 733-3890, or Jean Avery, 863-4186, for information.

“TIME AND TIDE,” an exhibition of works by artist Wanda Steppe, will be on display through April 10 at the Rabold Gallery. For more information, call (803) 641-4405.

DANCE LIKE THE PROS with ballroom dance lessons on Tuesdays, March 2-April 6, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the H.O. Weeks Center. Call (803) 642-7631 for more information.

Music BAND PRE-FESTIVAL CONCERT Feb. 23 at Davidson Fine Arts School. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and children under 5 and $1 for Davidson students. Call 823-6924, ext. 111.

JOIN US

LILI BANAN AND BEAU WIELAARD perform at the Feb. 24 installment of Tuesday’s Music Live, noon at St. Paul’s Church. 722-3463.

FOR AUGUSTA’S FIRST CANCER TOWN MEETING.

PETER LIGHTFOOT performs a Lyceum Series Concert 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Augusta State University’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. 737-1444.

BLACK STUDENT UNION GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA Feb. 22, 3 p.m., at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. 737-1492.

ASU CHOIRS CONCERT on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Mark United Methodist Church. Choirs are directed by Dr. Bill Hobbins. Call 737-1453 for more information.

MUSICAL TALES, presented by ASU’s Lyceum Series, will be on Feb. 29 at 3 p.m. in the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. Admission is free. Call 737-1878 for more information.

PUBLIX FAMILY CONCERT will take place on Feb. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theater at ASU. The concert will feature pianist Ling-yi Kung, 11-yearold Davidson Fine Arts student and winner of last November’s Symphony Youth Competition. Also, visual artists will draw the music of “Peter and the Wolf” as it is being performed. For more information, contact Donna Branch at 826-4705.

FACULTY ARTIST RECITAL will take place on March 4 at 7:10 p.m. at USC Aiken’s Etherredge Center. For more information, call (803) 641-3305.

WILLIE NELSON performs at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35. Call 722-3521 for more information.

AUGUSTA CHORALE HERITAGE CONCERT to take place on Feb. 29 at 4 p.m. at the Gilbert Lambuth Memorial Chapel of Paine College. For more information, call 733-7809.

AUSTRIAN MASTERS: The Augusta Symphony presents the fourth concert in its 2003-2004 Masterworks Series on Feb. 28, 8 p.m. The concert will feature works from Mozart and Beethoven. Call 826-4705 for more information.

Theater “LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS” will be presented

by Stage III at 7 p.m. Feb. 26-28 and 3 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Augusta Jewish Community Center in Evans.

Reservations are required for dinner theatre performances. Call 228-3636 or 868-9663 for tickets and information.

“THE GIRLS ARE BACK IN TOWN” with Chonda Pierce and Sandi Patty at the Bell Auditorium has been postponed until March 29. Call 1-800-965-9324 for information and ticket prices.

“NOISES OFF” will be performed at Fort Gordon’s Dinner Theater through Feb 28. Dinner is served at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Call 791-4389 for more information.

SPECTRUM PLAYERS DRAMA PRODUCTION presented

by Davidson Fine Arts School on March 4 and 5 at 4 p.m. in the Beverly J. Barnhart Theater. For more information, call 823-6924, ext. 137.

“EVITA” will be presented by the Augusta Players Feb. 27-29 at the Imperial Theater. For more information, call 826-4707.

“DON QUIXOTE,” performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet, will take place on Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. at USC Aiken’s Etherredge Center. For more information, call (803) 641-3305.

“IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY” will run Feb. 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, March 5 and 6 at the Aiken Community Playhouse.

For more information, call (803) 648-1438.

“BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS,” presented by the Aiken Community Playhouse, will be on Feb. 29 and March 1 at 7 p.m.

Randy W. Cooper, M.D. MODERATOR General Surgery University Hospital Medical Staff

Elise D. Cook, M.D. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Arlie E. Fiveash, M.D. Radiation Oncology University Hospital Medical Staff

Alice K. David, M.D. Hematology/Oncology University Hospital Medical Staff

Vendie Hudson Hooks III, M.D. Colon and Rectal Surgery University Hospital Medical Staff

Knowledge is your best weapon in the fight against cancer.

University Health Care System is proud to bring you the area’s most enlightening cancer event of the year. Listen, learn and present your cancer questions to our esteemed panel – including specialists from University’s Cancer Center and The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center, the nation’s number 1 cancer center.* Cancer Town Meeting Friday, March 5, 7-9 p.m.

Radisson Riverfront Hotel 2 Tenth Street, Augusta Admission and parking are FREE. Attendees will receive a cancer information kit and giveaways, and enjoy a dessert reception.

SEATING IS LIMITED. Mark R. Keaton, M.D. Medical Oncology University Hospital Medical Staff

Please R.S.V.P. to University’s Community Resource Center by March 1 at 706/868-3231 or 800/413-6652.

John M. Skibber, M.D., F.A.C.S. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

You can also visit www.universityhealth.org and click on “Contact Us” to submit your questions in advance.

Lynn Moore Tucker, M.D. General Surgery University Hospital Medical Staff

*According to U.S. News and World Report’s annual hospital ranking.

Garrett L. Walsh, M.D. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

THERE’S STRENGTH IN OUR NUMBERS.

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

“ME, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINS,” presented by Teens in Action with Goals, will be performed at the Henry H. Brigham Community Center Gymnasium on Feb. 29 at 6 p.m. Cost is $20. For more information, call 792-1088.

Pa n e l o f s p e c i a l i s t s

AUGUSTA HERITAGE CONCERT featuring Samuel Stevenson, will take place on Feb. 29 at 4 p.m. in Paine College’s Gilbert Lambuth Memorial Chapel.

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Attractions MOTORIZED TOURS OF HISTORIC AIKEN every Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m. Tours leave from the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Reservations are required, and patrons must be age 2 and older.

(803) 642-7631.

AUGUSTA CANAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER: Housed in Enterprise Mill, the center contains displays and models focusing on the Augusta Canal’s functions and importance to the textile industry. Hours are Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun., 1-6 p.m. Admission is $5 adult, $4 seniors and military and $3 children ages 6-18.

Children under 6 admitted free. Guided boat tours of the Augusta Canal depart from the docks at Enterprise Mill at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tour tickets are $6 adults, $5 seniors and $4 students and children. For tour information, call 823-7089. For other info, visit www.augustacanal.com or call 823-0440.

THE BOYHOOD HOME OF WOODROW WILSON: Circa 1859 Presbyterian manse occupied by the family of President Woodrow Wilson as a child during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Original and period antiques, restored house, kitchen and carriage house. 419 Seventh Street. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Tours available; groups of 10 or more by appointment only.

Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students under 18 and free for ages 5 and under. 722-9828.

AUGUSTA GOLF & GARDENS OF THE GEORGIA GOLF HALL OF FAME features beautiful display gardens, as well as bronze sculptures of some of golf’s greatest masters. Available for rent for a variety of functions.

Group discount rates available. Closed Mondays; open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; open from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5.50 for adults; $4.50 for students, seniors and military; $3.50 for children (4-12); free for children 3 and under. Sundays are two for one with a Super Sunday coupon. Annual garden memberships are available. Call 724-4443 or 1-888-874-4443.

Also, visit their Web site at www.gghf.org.

NATIONAL SCIENCE CENTER’S FORT DISCOVERY: Children and adults alike can immerse themselves in the wonders of science through live demonstrations, virtual realities, Starlab, KidScape and more than 250 hands-on exhibits. General Admission: $8 for adults; $6 for children, seniors and active military. Group rates available.

Operating hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Call 821-0200, 1-800-325-5445 or visit their Web site at www.NationalScienceCenter.org.

REDCLIFFE STATE HISTORIC SITE: 1859 mansion of S.C. Governor James Henry Hammond, held by the family for three generations until 1975. Grounds and slave quarters are open Thursday-Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

House tours will be offered at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Admission to the grounds is free. Fee for house tours is $3 for adults and children ages 6-17. For more information, call (803) 827-1473. 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island.

SACRED HEART CULTURAL CENTER is offering tours of its 100-year-old building. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $1 per person, children free. 826-4700.

HISTORIC COTTON EXCHANGE WELCOME CENTER: Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.

Riverwalk. Free. Call 724-4067.

26

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

THE EZEKIEL HARRIS HOUSE: Deemed “the finest 18th century house surviving in Georgia” by the “Smithsonian Guide to Historic America.” Open Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. General admission is $2; senior admission is $1 and children get in for 50 cents. For more information, call 724-0436.

PAINTINGS BY MALAIKA FAVORITE WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE LUCY CRAFT LANEY MUSEUM THROUGH THE END OF FEBRUARY.

Museums

TERRA COGNITA: Contemporary Artists Lecture Series featuring Kevin Cole, explores the relationship between color and music, particularly African American music.

Presentation begins at7 p.m. on Feb. 19. 724-7501.

“CONVERSATIONS: LOOKING AT AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART” at the Morris Museum of Art Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Lola Richardson and Audrey Crosby discuss the Morris’ collection of African-American art. Reception follows. Free for members, $3 for non-member adults and $2 for non-member seniors, students and military. 724-7501.

“THE ART OF MEDICAL ILLUSTRATION” Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. Karen Klascsmann discusses the current display of medical illustrations on exhibit in the museum auditorium. Free admission for museum members and members of the AugustaRichmond County Historical Society. 724-7501.

ART AT LUNCH: Kevin Cole discusses the state of art education at noon Feb. 20 at the Morris Museum of Art. Boxed lunches are available, or you may bring your own brown bag lunch. Fee is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Reservations required. 724-7501.

THE GERTRUDE HERBERT INSTITUTE OF ART in Ware’s Folly exhibits works by local and regional artists. Art classes, workshops and other educational programming for children, youth and adults are held in the WalkerMackenzie Studio. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. Admission is free, but a donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children and

Surrey Center • Lower Level 434-0067 shopviamizner.com

seniors is encouraged. Call 722-5495 or visit www.ghia.org for more info.

Special Events

THE AUGUSTA MUSEUM OF HISTORY hosts permanent exhibition “Augusta’s Story,” an award-winning exhibit encompassing 12,000 years of local history.

For the younger crowd, there’s the Susan L. Still Children’s Discovery Gallery, where kids can learn about history in a hands-on environment. The museum also shows films in the History Theatre and hosts a variety of programs. Located at 560 Reynolds Street. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Admission is $4 adult, $3 seniors, $2 kids (6-18 years of age) and free for children under 6.

Free admission on Sundays. Call 722-8454 or visit www.augustamuseum.org for more information.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT JACK JACOBS will be speaking and signing copies of his new book 7 p.m.

Feb. 24 at First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way. Free and open to the public. Call Shirley Lescantz, 731-5367, for info.

THE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART hosts exhibitions and special events year-round. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Closed on Mondays and major holidays. 1 Tenth Street, Augusta.

Call 724-7501 or visit www.themorris.org for details.

THE ROYAL HANNEFORD CIRCUS comes to Fort Gordon’s Barton Field Feb. 26-29. Tickets are $10 for those 13 and up, $5 for children 3-12 years old and free for children under 3. 791-6779.

THE MUSEUM OF LAUREL AND HARDY OF HARLEM, GEORGIA features displays of various Laurel and Hardy memorabilia; films also shown. Located at 250 N. Louisville Street in downtown Harlem. Open 1-4 p.m.

Thursday-Monday. For more information, call 556-3448.

LUNCH AT NOON LECTURE SERIES held the second Wednesday of every month at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call the museum at 724-3576 for more information.

FASHION AND TALENT SHOW AND DISCO Feb. 20, 8 p.m., for adults ages 25 and older at American Legion Post 212. Cost is $5 per person. Call (803) 642-7635.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FRIDAY FLICKS at ASU’s Allgood Hall, room E257, from noon-2 p.m. Contact Amy Connell at 667-4807 for more information.

MCDUFFIE FRIENDS OF ANIMALS holds pet adoptions each Saturday, 1-3 p.m. at Superpetz on Bobby Jones Expressway. Call 556-9090 or visit www.petfinder.com.

COLUMBIA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY holds pet adoptions every Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and every Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at PetsMart. For more info, call 860-5020.

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RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AND AUGUSTA ANIMAL RESCUE FRIENDS hold pet adoptions at Superpetz off Bobby Jones Expressway every Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Call AARF at 364-4747 or visit www.aarf.net. Adoptions also held at the Richmond County Animal Control Shelter, Tues.-Sun., 1-5 p.m.

Call the shelter at 790-6836.

THE CSRA HUMANE SOCIETY holds pet adoptions every Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and every Wednesday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pet Center located behind the GreenJackets Stadium on Milledge Rd. 261-PETS. BLACK HISTORY COOK-OFF will take place at the Smith Hazel Recreation Center on Feb. 28 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost is $10. Call (803) 642-7635 for more information.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS AT ASU: Gospel Extravaganza on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. Call 737-1492 for more information. Feb. 27-Inspiring African American Males to Finish College with Patrick Day at 11 a.m., room W1008 of the Science Building. Feb. 28-Forum: Am I My Brother’s Keeper? The Absence of Black Males in Higher Education at noon in the Washington Hall Towers. Call 737-1878 for more information.

AUGUSTA ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION will take place on Feb. 20 from 10:30-11 a.m. in Pendleton King Park.

For more information, call 821-1670.

HARLEM ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION will take place on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Harlem Library on N. Louisville St. For more information, contact Kathy at 556-0401.

12th ANNUAL HERITAGE BALL, presented by the African-American Association of Augusta, will take place on Feb. 27, 7 p.m., at the Marbury Center. For more information, contact Edythe Diamond at 733-7510.

PHINIZY SWAMP BIKE TOUR will take place on Feb. 29, 2-4 p.m. Andy Jordan will lead the 15-mile ride.

Helmets required. Call 828-2109 to register or for more information. Only the first 50 participants will be allowed. Registration deadline is Feb. 27.

Out of Town ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION Feb. 20 at Mistletoe State Park in Appling, Ga. For more information, call (706) 541-0321.

GEORGIA NATIONAL RODEO Feb. 26-28 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Ga. 1-800-987-3247.

“522 GEORGIANS: A MEMORIAL” EXHIBIT will be on display at the Tate Center Art Gallery at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., through Feb. 28. For more information, contact Kevin McKee at (706) 542-6396.

“MY FAIR LADY” will be presented by the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta through Feb. 29. For tickets and information, call (404) 733-5000.

“FERDINAND THE BULL” will be presented by Alliance Children’s Theatre at the 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta through March 7. Call (404) 733-4600 or visit www.alliancetheatre.org.

AT THE GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART in Athens, Ga.: “Decorative Arts at Woodstock” through March. Visit www.uga.edu/gamuseum or call (706) 542-4662 for info.

AT THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART in Atlanta: “The Undiscovered Richard Meier: The Architect as Designer

and Artist” through April 4. Call (404) 733-HIGH or visit www.high.org for information.

JANA GENTRY will be at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon on Feb. 20. Contact Jessica WaldenGriner at (478) 750-8555 for more information.

“ANNIE GET YOUR GUN” will be performed at the Abbeville Opera House on Feb. 20 and 21. For more information, call (864) 366-2157.

HQHA QUARTER HORSE SHOW March 5-7 at the Agricenter in Perry. For more information, call 227-2159.

Benefits HEALTHY RHYTHMS DRUM CIRCLE every third Monday of the month benefits the Golden Harvest Food Bank.

Participate for $5 a class or a donation of canned goods. Held at IDRUM2U. Call 228-3200.

EMPTY BOWL LUNCHEON Feb. 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Augusta Jewish Community Center, benefits the Golden Harvest Food Bank. Tickets are $15 per adult and $5 for children ages 2-10. For information, call 228-3636.

AUGUSTA BALLET MERCEDES RAFFLE: The Augusta Ballet will raffle off a 2004 Mercedes CLK 320 Cabriolet during May’s First Friday celebration. Tickets are $100 each and may be purchased through the ballet office at 261-0555.

AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL is in need of dog and cat food, cat litter and other pet items, as well as monetary donations to help pay for vaccinations. Donations accepted during regular business hours, Tues.-Sun., 1-5 p.m. at the shelter, 4164 Mack Lane. Call 790-6836 for information.

SHEPEARD COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER BLOOD DRIVES in various locations around the CSRA this month. For detailed information on locations and times to donate, visit www.shepeardblood.org. You may also call Susan Edwards at (803) 643-7996 for information on Aiken locations and Nancy Szocinski at 737-4551 for information on all other locations.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES at the Aiken Red Cross Blood Center on Millbrook Drive and the Augusta Red Cross Blood Center on Pleasant Home Road. The bloodmobile will also stop at various area locations this week. For a complete list, call the Aiken Blood Center at (803) 642-5180 or the Augusta Blood Center at 868-8800.

“A TASTE OF SOMETHING WILD,” a benefit for the Augusta Alzheimer’s Association, will feature the Augusta area’s largest wild-game tasting event and soiree on March 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Julian Smith Barbecue Pit on Lake Olmstead. For more information, contact Frank Spears at 860-1233.

Learning BOATING SAFETY AND SEAMANSHIP COURSE begins Feb. 24 and continues Tuesday and Thursday evenings through March 18 at the Augusta Port Authority Building. Cost is $35. Contact Wade Hammer at 7386446 or Robert Johnson at 832-6939 for information.

USC-AIKEN CONTINUING EDUCATION offers Paralegal Certificate Course, Taming the Wild Child, Conversational French, Italian, Spanish for the Beginner, Sign Language, Debt-Free Living and more. Travelearn learning vacations for adults and Education to Go online courses also available. For info, phone (803) 641-3563.

CULLUM LECTURE SERIES, “South Asia: On a Tryst With Destiny,” continues on Feb. 24 with a showing of “Muhammad Ali Jinnah” at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. On Feb. 26, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad speaks about religion and politics in Pakistan at 11:30 a.m. and about the prospects for democracy in Pakistan at 7 p.m. On March 2 at 11:30 a.m., Dr. Sudha Ratan will speak on “Ethnic Identity and the Politics of Sri Lanka.” All events held in Butler Hall Auditorium. Visit www.aug.edu/library/cullum2004 or call Michael Bishku, 737-1709, or Jeff Heck, 667-4905.

AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY CONTINUING EDUCATION is now offering the following classes: Shag, Ballroom, Line Dance, Beginning and Intermediate Language courses, Interior Design, Acting Workshop, Stained Glass, SAT Review, Power Yoga, Photography, Origami and more. Also, ASU offers online courses. For more information, call 737-1636 or visit www.ced.aug.edu.

AIKEN TECH CONTINUING EDUCATION offers the following courses: computer technology courses, healthcare courses, contractor programs, real estate courses and more. Aiken Tech also offers Education to Go classes online. For more information or to register, call (803) 593-9231, ext. 1230.

“MINI-MEDICAL SCHOOL” is offered by the Medical College of Georgia and taught by MCG faculty. Course costs are $50 and courses will be held Tues. evenings Feb. 17-Mar. 23, 7-9 p.m. in the MCG School of Dentistry auditorium, room 1020. For more information, call 721-3967.

GED classes are offered by the Community Resource Center. Tuition is free. Call 722-4999 for more information.

SAFE SPRING BREAK INFO will be provided for ASU students only March 1-2 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on the lawn between Allgood Hall and the Science Building.

Call 737-1878 for more information.

SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES (SCORE) provides counseling and mentoring to business people either starting or continuing their business. Counseling is free and administered by retired executives. For more information, call 793-9998.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUGUSTA’S 52nd ANNUAL ATTIC SALE will take place on March 6, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds. Admission is free.

All proceeds benefit the Junior League of Augusta. For more information, call 736-0033.

Health

“TASTE OF NORTH AUGUSTA” scheduled for Feb. 28 at the North Augusta Community Center from 7-9:30 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the Center for Care and Counseling.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (803) 819-9021.

ANGELS HAVE WHEELS: Medicare recipients suffering from conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disorders who have difficulty walking or propelling a standard wheelchair may be eligible to receive an electric wheelchair. For information on eligibility, call Gregory at 1-800-810-2877.

AUGUSTA BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP meets the second Thursday of every month, 6 p.m., at Walton West

TLC. Brain injury survivors and their family members and caregivers are invited to attend. 737-9300.

FORE THE HEALTH OF IT ADAPTIVE GOLF CLINICS held the first Tuesday of every month at First Tee of Augusta. Physical and occupational therapists from Walton Rehabilitation Hospital will guide the course.

Call 823-8691.

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP meets the first Thursday of every month, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Walton Rehabilitation Hospital. 823-5294.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP meets the last Wednesday of the month, 1-2 p.m., in the outpatient classroom at Walton Rehabilitation Hospital. 823-5213.

WALTON REHABILITATION HOSPITAL AMPUTEE CLINIC for new and experienced prosthetic users meets the third Thursday of each month, 1-3 p.m. 722-1244.

WALTON REHABILITATION HOSPITAL offers a number of health programs, including Fibromyalgia Aquatics, Water Aerobics, Wheelchair and Equipment Clinics, Therapeutic Massage, Yoga, Acupuncture, Children’s Medical Services Clinic, Special Needs Safety Seat Loaner Program., Focus on Healing exercise class for breast cancer survivors and more. Call 823-5294 for information.

THE MCG BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. and provides education and support for those with breast cancer. For information, call 721-1467.

DIET COUNSELING CLASSES for diabetics and those with high cholesterol at CSRA Partners in Health, 1220 Augusta West Parkway. Free. Call 860-3001 for class schedule.

PROJECT LINK COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES is held the first Tuesday of every month and is sponsored by the MCG Children’s Medical Center. Project Link provides educational resources and guidance for families who have children with developmental delays, disabilities and other specialized health concerns. Free and open to the public; takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. in the main conference room at the Children’s Medical Center.

Call 721-6838 for information.

UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM COMMUNITY EDUCATION holds workshops, seminars and classes on a variety of topics: weight and nutrition, women’s health, cancer, diabetes, seniors’ health and more.

Support groups and health screenings are also offered.

Call 736-0847 for details.

CSRA PARKINSON DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP will have their monthly meeting on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at the St. John Towers on Greene St. For more information, call 855-7690.

Kids CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS by SAFE KIDS of East Central Georgia and the MCG Children’s Medical Center on the first Wed. and Fri. of each month, by appointment only. To make an appointment or for more information, call 651-9300 (Wed. appointments) or 721KIDS (Fri. appointments).

PHINIZY SWAMP’S FAMILY DISCOVERY SERIES on Feb. 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. will feature a Twilight Walk through the enchanted forest swamp. Admission is free, and the Pfizer Pavilion will be open at 5 p.m. for those who wish to bring a picnic dinner. Call 828-2109 for more information.

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2023 HIGHLAND AVENUE ! AUGUSTA GA 30904 ! 706- 731- 9344

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

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“THE COURTSHIP OF SEÑORITA FLORABELLA” Feb. 24-27 at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. Feb. 24-27 performances are $3.50 per student and reservations are required; Feb. 28 performance is a family matinee and tickets are $4 per person, no reservations required. Held at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. 736-3455.

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SIBSHOPS is for children ages 7-14 who have siblings with health problems and/or chronic and special needs.

The program helps these children cope with the unique feelings they may be experiencing. Held 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Feb. 21 at the MCG Children’s Medical Center. Program includes games, lunch and discussion. Cost is $5, with scholarships available. 721-CARE.

YOUTH COMPUTER TRAINING for high school students every third Saturday of the month, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 722-6275.

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AIKEN COUNTY PONY CLUB meets weekly. Open to children of all ages who participate or are interested in equestrian sports. For more information, contact Lisa Smith at (803) 649-3399.

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FREE CAR SEAT EDUCATION CLASSES for parents and other caregivers the third Monday of every month from 9-11 a.m. at MCG Children’s Medical Center.

Registration is required; those who are Medicaid or Peachcare eligible should indicate status during registration and bring a card or proof of income to class in order to receive a free car seat. 721-KIDS. GIRLS INCORPORATED OF THE CSRA AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM runs through May 21. Open to girls currently enrolled in kindergarten through high school. In addition to offering specialized programs, Girls Incorporated offers van pick-up at select schools, neighborhood drop-off, homework room and a hot evening meal. For information, call 733-2512.

WEEKLY STORY SESSIONS at all branch libraries. Visit www.ecgrl.public.lib.ga.us for more information.

HISTORY WITH SENIORS Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center. Senior citizens ages 60 and older will gather to share stories and objects from their past. Free, but donations will be accepted.

(803) 642-7635.

AARP TAX ASSISTANCE provided through April 13 at Friedman Branch Library on Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Maxwell Branch Library Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.2 p.m.; and at the Gibbs Memorial Library Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call the Friedman Branch at 736-6758, the Maxwell Branch at 793-2020 or the Gibbs Memorial Library at 863-1946 for more information.

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004 28

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THE SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL OF GREATER AUGUSTA AND THE CSRA offers a variety of classes, including ballroom dance, aerobics, quilting, tai chi, Spanish, line dancing, bowling, bridge, computers, drama club/readers theatre and pinochle. For dates and times, phone 826-4480.

SENIORNET provides adults age 50 and over education for and access to computer technology. Many different courses are offered. Contact the USC-Aiken Continuing Education Office at (803) 641-3563.

POETRY READINGS presented by Life Enrichment Programs Nutrition Group on Feb. 23-24 from 10:15-11 a.m. at the Senior Citizens Council on 15th St. Call 8264480 for more information.

AARP SENIOR DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM on Feb. 19 from 1-5 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Council on 15th St. Both sessions must be attended to receive the certificate, and all ages are welcome. Cost is $10. Contact Bobbie Olivero at 826-4480, ext. 242 for more information.

LACROSSE CLINICS Feb. 21, 23, 25 and 28 at Doctors Hospital Field. No equipment or previous experience required. Free. Call Donna Pope, 364-3269.

Seniors

$26.95

THE ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING offers lectures, courses, field trips, discussion groups and community information seminars on a variety of topics to mature adults. For more information, contact the USCAiken Office of Continuing Education at (803) 641-3288.

FEBRUARY SCHOOL’S OUT PROGRAMS at the Family Y on Wheeler Road include games, arts and crafts, sports and more. Activities are scheduled for Feb. 20 for Richmond County elementary students from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 738-7006.

2004 PROJECT LINK COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES on March 4 will be “Summer Programs and Options for After School Care for Children with Special Needs” in the MCG Children’s Medical Center Conference Center, room 1810 from 6:30-8 p.m. Call 721-5437 for more information.

Dinner for Two

AIKEN PARKS AND RECREATION offers a multitude of programs for senior adults, including bridge clubs, fitness classes, canasta clubs, line dancing, racquetball, arts and crafts, tennis and excursions. For more information, call (803) 642-7631.

Sports

STORYTIME IN THE GARDENS will take place Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in March and May in Hopeland Gardens. For more information, call (803) 642-7631.

Sweethearts

SENIOR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE NEW VISITOR CENTER AT PHINIZY SWAMP NATURE PARK to greet visitors, hand out literature and sell merchandise.

Volunteers are asked to commit one Saturday or Sunday per month, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-5 p.m. Call 828-2109 for information.

FIRST SATURDAY STORYTELLING at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum. In addition, there is a tour of the museum. Held 10 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of the month.

Call 724-3576.

YOUR CHILD’S NUTRITION, a presentation by MCG Nutritionist Karen Cota, will take place on March 4 in the Family Resource Center of the MCG Children’s Medical Center. Call 721-5437 for more information.

Eat Food, Make Love!

WALTON REHABILITATION HOSPITAL offers Arthritis Aquatics and People With Arthritis Can Exercise. Call 823-5294 for information.

UNIVERSITY SENIORS CLUB has moved to a new location at 4106 Columbia Rd. University Seniors Club offers health screenings, support groups, health education classes and social activities. For more information, call 868-3231 or 1-800-413-6652.

HOME-BASED CARE available for low- to mid-income families seeking alternatives to nursing home placement. To participate, individuals must be aged 60 or up or must have disability status as defined by Social Security Administration guidelines. Applicants must also meet program income guidelines. For more information, contact the CSRA Area Agency on Aging at 210-2018 or 1-888-922-4464.

SOLID GOLD ALL-STAR CHEERLEADERS are holding tryouts Feb. 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Odell Weeks Center in Aiken. Participants must be in 4th-12th grade. For more info, contact Tammy Sheppard at (803) 266-2105.

FAMILY Y YOUTH SPORTS REGISTRATION for soccer school, flag football and flag football cheer squad Feb. 23-March 12. 738-6680.

NORTH AUGUSTA SPRING RECREATION PROGRAM REGISTRATION through Feb. 16 at Riverview Park Activities Center for Dixie youth baseball, Dixie boys’ baseball, girls’ softball and youth soccer. Call (803) 441-4311 for more information.

FAMILY Y YOUTH SOCCER REGISTRATION Feb. 23March 12 at Southside Branch. Call 738-6678, 364-3669 or 738-6680 for details.

FAMILY Y RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS session held March 8-May 14. Classes available for toddlers through teens. Call 738-6678.

THE AUGUSTA VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION is looking for new members. For more information, visit www.augustavolleyball.com.

AUGUSTA LYNX HOME GAMES Feb. 19-21 and 26. For tickets, call 724-4423 or visit www.augustalynx.com.

THE AUGUSTA RUGBY CLUB is always looking for new members. Teams available for women and men; no experience necessary. Practice is Tuesday and Thursday nights, 7-9 p.m. at Richmond Academy. For more information, call Don Zuehlke, 495-2043, or e-mail augustarfc@yahoo.com. You may also visit www.augustarugby.org.

VOLLEYBALL OPEN GYM will be held Wednesday nights in March and April in the H.O. Weeks Center from 7-9:15 p.m. For more information, call (803) 642-7631.

AUGUSTA FLYERS TRACK CLUB invites area youth ages 7-18 to join the team. Registration is through May 15; practice begins March 13. For more information, contact George Taylor at 738-3737.

HOCKEY SCHOOL CLINICS, sponsored by the Family Y, are to take place on Feb. 28, March 2, 6 and 9 for ages 4-6, 7-12 and teens. For more information, contact Donna Pope at 364-3269.

Volunteer THE CUMBEE CENTER TO ASSIST ABUSED PERSONS will hold volunteer training Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Feb. 23-March 11. Call (803) 649-0480 or (803) 641-4162.

FORTE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION is in need of local host families for high school international exchange students for the 2004-2005 school year. For more information, contact Tracy Klemens, (678) 358-5890.

THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT COALITION is looking for volunteers with basic computer skills to prepare tax returns for individuals with low and limited income, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking persons and elderly taxpayers. Volunteers receive free training and instruction materials from the IRS and will serve at VITA sites throughout the community. For more information, contact Sheryl Silva, 826-4480, ext. 341.

AUGUSTA/CSRA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY needs volunteers at ReStore, Walton Way and Tenth Street, to assist with receiving donations of new and used building and home improvement materials and warehousing them for sale to the public. The store is open ThursdaySaturday year-round. If you can commit eight or more hours per month, contact Steve Buck, 364-7637.

MENTORS AND VOLUNTEERS needed to provide support for MACH Academy at the May Park Community Center and the Fleming Tennis Center. Education, tutoring and technology sessions held Monday-Thursday, 36 p.m. at each location. Tennis instruction and fitness activities held Monday-Thursday, 6-7 p.m. at May Park and Monday-Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Friday, 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, 2-5 p.m. at the Fleming Center. 796-5046.

FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED for children and teenagers in Richmond County. For information, contact Luera Lewis, 721-3718.

PHINIZY SWAMP NATURE PARK VISITOR CENTER is in need of volunteers to greet visitors, hand out literature and sell merchandise. Volunteers must commit to one Saturday or Sunday each month, from either 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-5 p.m. 828-2109.

UNITED HOSPICE OF AUGUSTA is in need of volunteers to support terminally ill patients. Scheduling and training times are flexible. Call Donna Harrell at 650-1522 for information.

THE ARTISTS’ CONSERVATORY THEATRE OF THE CSRA is looking for volunteer board members, actors and production crew. Call 556-9134 or e-mail act@theatermail.net.

SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES (SCORE) provides counseling and mentoring to businesspeople starting up a new business or expanding an ongoing business. Services are provided free of charge. For more information, call the Augusta office at 793-9998.

SOUTHERNCARE HOSPICE SERVICE is currently seeking volunteers to perform a variety of tasks, including relieving caregivers, reading to patients and running errands. Training is included. For additional information, contact Lisa Simpson, (803) 463-9888 or 869-0205.

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM VOLUNTEER TRAINING: The CASA program is looking for volunteers 21 years of age and older to advocate for abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system. Volunteers need no experience and will be provided with specialized training. Call 737-4631.

CSRA HUMANE SOCIETY NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION PROGRAM the third Saturday of every month at the Pet Center, 425 Wood St. Orientation starts at 11 a.m. Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian present during orientation and while volunteering. Call 261-PETS for information.

THE KITTY ORTIZ DE LEON FOUNDATION needs volunteers to help promote organ donor awareness. For more information, please contact Cassandra Reed or Espy De Leon at 394-0838 or kodfoundation@aol.com.

AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL: New volunteer orientation is scheduled the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the shelter, 4164 Mack Lane. Schedule subject to change; call 790-6836 to verify dates and times.

RICHMOND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES is seeking dependable foster parents to provide temporary housing, care and support for Georgia’s children. For more information, contact L. Lewis at 721-3718.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

GOSPEL

Meetings

EVENSONG AND CONCERT

BEGINNER LEVEL VIDEO MAKER CLUB meets the third Thursday of each month 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Maxwell Library. Contact Louise Coe, 592-6464, for info.

ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS luncheon and workshop on acquiring government support Feb. 20 at Marbury Center. For reservations, contact Brenda Durant, 826-4702, ext. 1, by noon Feb. 18.

February 22

“THE FIRST STEP” DIVORCE RECOVERY WORKSHOP meets Sundays through Feb. 29 from 4-6 p.m. in Room 201 of the Walton Building at First Baptist Church. Free to the public. Free childcare for kids up to age 5. No registration is required. For more information, call 7332236 or visit www.fbcaugusta.org.

4:00 P.M.

Holy Trinity’s Gospel Choir leads this service in observance of Black History Month.

AMERICAN SINGLES GOLF ASSOCIATION meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at different area restaurants. Meeting is free, but dinners are individually ordered. For more information, call (803) 441-6741.

VIDEOMAKER CLUB seeking members who want to share ideas and obtain advance training in various aspects of video production. Group meets the third Thursday of each month at the Maxwell Library from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Louise Coe at 592-6464.

Free Admission “Georgia's Oldest Catholic Church” is located at the corner of 8th and Telfair St. in historic Downtown Augusta

CANOE AND KAYAK CLUB OF AUGUSTA meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Warren Road Community Center. New members are always welcome. For more information, call 860-5432.

AUGUSTA SKI AND OUTING CLUB, an organization for men, women and families who enjoy all types of outdoor recreation, will meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the Alamo Room of Lone Star Steak House at 7 p.m. For more information, call (803) 279-6186.

ARTIST GUILD OF NORTH AUGUSTA meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the North Augusta Riverview Park Activities Center in the Arts and Crafts room at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Yvonne Kinney at (803) 819-9787.

722-4944 www.themostholytrinity.org

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!

!

!

!

AUGUSTA NEWCOMERS CLUB holds their monthly coffee for prospective members the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact Ruth Pearl at 650-1400.

RICHMOND COUNTY GREEN PARTY ANNUAL MEETING will view the film “Global Village or Global Pillage” on Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library downtown. For more information, call 821-2600.

GREATER COLUMBIA COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN meets on the first Thursday of each month at Dye’s Southern Grille from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Teri North at 854-8470.

AUGUSTA AREA SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE meets Feb. 22, 3 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church. For more information, call 863-6785.

CSRA LINUX USERS GROUP meets every fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Borders to discuss computers, Linux, and related issues. For more information, call 790-8439.

METRO AUGUSTA FRISBEE DOG CLUB meets on the last Sunday of each month. Locations to be determined.

For more information, call 210-8577.

AUGUSTA CAVEMASTERS, a regional club for those interested in cave exploration and conservation of caverelated resources, meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center.

For more information, call (803) 278-2751.

GUIDELINES: Public service announcements are listed in this section without charge at the discretion of the editor. Announcements must be received by Monday at noon and will be included as space permits. Send to Events, Metro Spirit, P.O. Box 3809, Augusta, GA 30914 or fax (706) 733-6663. You may also e-mail listings to rhonda.jones@metrospirit.com or lisa.jordan@metrospirit.com. Listings cannot be taken over the phone.

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

GOLDEN HARVEST FOOD BANK needs volunteers during the day, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, to help sort donated products and assist in their agency shopping area. Help is needed year-round. If you are able to lift 25 pounds, can commit to at least 3-4 hours per month and would like to help fight hunger in the Augusta area, contact Laurie Roper at 736-1199, ext. 208.

SHEPEARD COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER is seeking donors to prevent a blood supply shortage. To donate call 737-4551, 854-1880 or (803) 643-7996.

29

Bomb Epic

Hollywood

Flix Must-See

Boring

Comedy Sleeper Oscar Pick Director Stars This Rocks Famous Silly

Action

Against the Ropes (PG-13) — Jackie Kallen (Meg Ryan), born into a boxing family, selects diamond-in-the-rough Luther Shaw (Omar Epps) to be her protégé. She urges him to get out of the ghetto and let her be his manager. Cast: Meg Ryan, Omar Epps, Joe Cortese.

Along Came Polly (PG-13) — Ben Stiller has pungent moments of frenzy as insurance risk appraiser Reuben Feffer, panicked in the powder room of Polly (Jennifer Aniston), desperate for some paper and reduced to using her favorite new toiletry utensil. But the script could use a few extra flushes. He wants to impress Polly, ace Village gal whom Aniston sustains with her special combo of daffy-chick looseness and wisecracking sense. The movie is best when they're on screen, fidgeting with romance. "Along Came Polly" has, by current standards of go-for-it mall comedy, regularity. You can laugh or wince or do both in sync, but you'd have to invoke the standards of a previous era to get genuinely offended by it (to be deeply amused, you'd need no standards). Cast: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, Bryan Brown, Debra Messing, Hank Azaria. Running time: 1 hr., 30 mins. (Elliott) !!

Barbershop 2: Back in Business (PG-13) — Ice Cube runs the roots-deep Calvin Jr.'s Barbershop on Chicago's South Side. Again, more talk rises than hair falls, though the scissors team from the 2002 hit have a new worry, a slick rival across the way.

The

best laughs come from Cedric the Entertainer as Eddie, with a broad beam and a ‘do to match. Eddie isn't quite so rife with the riffs that won the first movie a little notoriety but gets into a fine lip-off with the big beautician from down the street (Queen Latifah, offering an appetizer of her upcoming "Beauty Shop"). As long as it is simply being a barbershop, the gab has a razor-cut charm. Running time: 1 hr., 40 mins. (Elliott) !!1/2 stars.

Brother Bear (G) — Latest Disney animated offering about a young man, Kenai, who is transformed by The Great Spirits into a bear. On a quest to gain back his human form, Kenai befriends a bear cub, Koda, and evades his human brother, who, not realizing Kenai has been turned into a bear, is on Kenai’s trail on a revenge mission. Cast: Jeremy Suarez, Joaquin Phoenix, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas.

The Butterfly Effect (R) — As Evan Treborn, Ashton Kutcher is a floppy fishie with a hook in his mouth, and that hook is the script. Seems that Evan's dad is a deranged psycho with a "most unusual" brain disorder who, during the boy's visit to the ward, tries to throttle and kill him. As Evan grows up, there are other lurid milestones. Evan has a breakthrough: Reading his old diaries, the pages quiver and this lets him mentally travel back to a past he can now change. In the middle, gulping like a caught bass, is Kutcher, aching with sincerity and technique you could call inadequate except that no technique would be adequate. The poor guy is caught, stuffed and mounted.

Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Elden Henson, Kevin Schmidt, Eric Stoltz, William Lee Scott. Running time: 1 hr., 53 mins. (Elliott) !

The Cat in the Hat (PG) — This bulldozing movie

30

Dreamworks Pictures

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

“Eurotrip”

has about as much to do with Dr. Seuss’ witty and impressively drawn kids' books as Adam Sandler has with Molie`re. It's a brash defilement of Geisel's most famous work, yet so compulsively cheery that people might try to ignore the obvious. Mike Myers plays the Cat in a big hat and costume of fake fur that stifles his amusing features. He's supposed to be the spirit of wild, impish fun, helping lift the depressed scamp Conrad (pudgy, likable Spencer Breslin) and his control-freak sister, Sally

RATINGS !!!! — Excellent

Funny

Not Bad

racle”

Drama

Masterpiece

Buena Vista Pictures

Awesome

“ Mi

Lame

(Dakota Fanning), a dwarfish total woman who starts off each day by making a list.

Director Bo Welch's technique is to just keep hurling (both senses of the word apply). His tireless approach is astoundingly tiresome.

Cast: Mike Myers, Dakota Fanning, Alec Baldwin, Spencer Breslin, Kelly Preston. Running time: 1 hr., 32 mins. (Elliott) !

Catch That Kid (PG) — The film is an English-language remake of a Danish kids’ movie. 12year-old Maddy and her father are avid mountain climbers, but an accident on Mount Everest leaves Maddy’s father paralyzed. His only chance at recovery is an expensive operation, so Maddy recruits two friends to break into a bank and steal enough money to cover the expense of the surgery. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Corbin Bleu, Jennifer Beals, Sam Robards.

Chasing Liberty (PG-13) — Mandy Moore is presidential daughter Anna Foster, still a virgin and ready not to be. Anna sickens of official routine and Secret Service guardians during dad's visit to Prague and flees to a rock concert, then heads into the wild night on the Vespa of a stick-thin hunk, Ben (Matthew Goode). Ben is an earnest Secret Service agent, letting Anna run loose on a chain still linked to daddy. This is 2004's first airball of goo, so you can begin your binge long before summer. Because the soundtrack romps and stomps so often, you might settle for buying the CD, but then you would miss the many postcard views of Europe. Cast: Mandy Moore, Jeremy Piven, Annabella Sciorra, Mark Harmon, Matthew Goode.

Running time: 1 hr., 51 mins. (Elliott) !!

Cheaper by the Dozen (PG) —

!!!— Worthy

!! — Mixed

! — Poor

To make an old (1950) Clifton Webb comedy without Clifton Webb is a serious loss, but getting Steve Martin — a vanilla-shaked version of Webb's snappish fussiness — is not a bad idea for "Cheaper by the Dozen." He's engaging as Tom Baker, football coach and father of 12 kids. Bonnie Hunt plays the wife and mom, Kate, looking awfully good despite the wear. The Bakers have a great life in a small town where Tom coaches, but he's hired to go to a bigger team outside Chicago, and the only story is the stress on the family from their move. The film is simple and obvious and plastic, but diverting. Designed to be fluff, it's fluffy all the time. Cast: Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo, Hilary Duff, Richard Jenkins. Running time: 1 hr., 34 mins. (Elliott) !!

Cold Mountain (R) — Sick of the war, the wounded Confederate soldier Inman (Jude Law) trudges back home to Cold Mountain, N.C. Waiting for him, he hopes, is the woman he briefly knew, Ada (Nicole Kidman), the polished daughter of a preacher (Donald Sutherland). It's their unrequited love that draws Inman back, along with the land, and that keeps Ada going as she learns how to survive in the almost lawless country. Pushed along by old tunes that burr and rasp in the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" mode, the movie has rhythm, but it overall feels like just one darn hard day after another. Cast: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Brendan Gleeson, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Giovanni Ribisi. Running time: 2 hrs., 21 mins. (Elliott) !!1/2

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (PG) — Teen girl Lola overreacts when her parents decide to move from New

0— Not worthy

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PG-13) — lasts 200 minutes, and some of those are long minutes.

The last 20 can feel like an hour, for clearly creator Peter Jackson didn't wish to let his saga go. Bernard Hill, Viggo Mortensen and Orlando Bloom are impressive fighters, and Cate Blanchett makes a gorgeous Galadriel. This is posing, not acting. Sir Ian McKellen acts very well as noble Gandalf, but lines about heart, courage and fate make him Lord Fortune Cookie. "Lord" is all epic, all the time. Jackson loves battles, which means hurling dense masses of mostly computerized fighters at one another. If the climax battle this time is more overpowering than the Helm's Deep boggler in

time: 1 hr., 40 mins. (Elliott) !!!

The Missing (R) — Cate Blanchett is again superb, as a flinty frontier mom who rides hard across 1870s New Mexico, chasing a mostly Apache band that took her daughter, slowly making up with her long absent and "gone Injun" father (Tommy Lee Jones). Ron Howard directed with a true eye for detail and landscape, Eric Schweig is an alarmingly vicious sorcerer, the brutality is frequent and not for tender viewers. Running time: 2 hrs., 10 mins. (Elliott) !!!

Columbia Pictures

Love Don’t Cost a Thing (PG-13) — “Love

First Dates”

"Two Towers," does it truly deepen the story? Maybe it is just more spectacle, as climaxes are stacked high and then the epic winds down with Elijah Wood as Frodo (now mildly matured) exiting sweetly, his destiny done. Cast: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, Ian Holm, Orlando Bloom, Sean Astin.

Running time: 3 hrs., 20 mins. !!

Lost in Translation (R) — “Lost in Translation” follows two guests at a Tokyo hotel whose lives intertwine following a chance encounter at the hotel bar. The guests are Bob, a middle-aged actor in Tokyo to film whiskey commercials, and Charlotte, the young wife of a mostly absent photographer. Unable to sleep one night, the two head down to the bar for a drink, where they meet and forge a friendship based on their mutual loneliness and boredom. Cast: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris, Fumihiro Hayashi, Yutaka Tadokoro. Rnning time: 1 hr., 42 mins.

Don’t Cost a Thing” is a remake of the 1987 teen comedy “Can’t Buy Me Love.” An unpopular geek blackmails a cheerleader into posing as his girlfriend in an attempt to improve his reputation. Cast: Nick Cannon, Christina Milian, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Kal Penn, Steve Harvey, Kenan Thompson.

Mona Lisa Smile (PG13) — Julia Roberts has no Mona Lisa smile — enigmatic coyness isn't in her range — but her big, horsey grin flashes its horse sense and beaming charm through much of "Mona Lisa Smile," and viewers can smile in return. She plays Katherine Watson, a "Bohemian from California" who in 1953 comes to Wellesley College to teach art history. Katherine is, of course, a Pacific breeze, a progressive, startled to find that her class has mastered the curriculum text before her arrival. She quickly teaches the "girls" to stop being rote drones and confront a grand new Jackson Pollock, the holy grail of Ike Era modernism. The movie has pinches of art history, but takes more time with Katherine's love life. Cast: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Constance Baker, Ginnifer Goodwin, Dominic West, Marcia Gay Harden.

Running time: 1 hr., 57 mins. !!1/2 Miracle (PG) — Kurt Russell has a topper role as a real hero, Coach Herb Brooks. Russell doesn't just play him as a hero, as an iron profile next to a waving flag. Brooks coached the U.S. hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics, achieving a tremendous upset over a Soviet team of older players that had ruled and terrified Olympic hockey since 1960. Russell plays Brooks as a driven man not easily distracted. Being ordained, the movie is clichéd. It has to go through the frets and sweats and bonding and drills, then hit high at the Olympics, so it does. But what a game it was. Not to be moved is to show adrenaline deficiency. Brooks' "miracle" team thrilled a sullen America and impressed the world. Cast: Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Noah Emmerich, Eddie Cahill, Michael Mantenuto. Running

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Monster (R) — To play Florida serial killer (of seven men) Aileen Wuornos, Charlize Theron did a monstrous job on herself: extra pounds, ratty hair, facial beauty slumping into a slum except for the rare, radiant smile. It's one of those bravely mutative performances that win laurels and make critics lose their marbles, but it lacks the truly risky daring of Daniel Day Lewis in "My Left Foot" or Robert De Niro in "Raging Bull" because director-writer Patty Jenkins has simplified Wuornos' story (already much documented) into the tragic fall of a soulful loser. Her total victimization becomes a beastly cry of protest against men and society. The wretched pulp as she kills men who are usually just barely human is pulverizing. Theron is affecting, and Christina Ricci is terrific as a childish depressive who bonds to Aileen like a giddy little leech.

1 hr., 53 mins. (Elliott) !!1/2 Mystic River (R) — Clint Eastwood (directing) and writer Brian Helgeland heap loads of emotional freight on a slow, solemn barge of plot. Its core is a police case (Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne fine as the detectives) about a murder haunted by a past crime. Sean Penn does furious brooding and manly weeping as a dead girl's father, Tim Robbins is a haunted wreck as an abuse victim, Laura Linney and Marcia Gay Harden are sidelined. From its portentous title to its Boston Irish pride parade, the film aches for greatness and achieves High TV drama; the case wrap-up is rushed and fishy. Running time: 2 hrs., 20 mins. (Elliott) !!

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (R) — It’s a remake of the original film and based loosely on true events that inspired that film and “The Silence of the Lambs.” A group of friends becomes isolated in the midst of a clan of cannibals. Cast: Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Eric Balfour, Erica Leerhsen.

Welcome to Mooseport (PG13) — Small-town comedy about the quiet locale of Mooseport, where a mayoral race pits everyone from the local plumber to a former U.S. president against each other. Cast: Ray Romano, Gene Hackman, Maura Tierney, Christine Baranski, Marcia Gay Harden.

You Got Served (PG-13) — Elgin and David are best friends who are serious about their hobby: urban street dancing. When another town’s top group challenges them to a dancing competition, the boys must create new, cutting-edge moves to stay in the game. Cast: Marques Houston, Omari Grandberry, Jennifer Freeman, Jarrell Houston, Dreux Frederic.

—Capsules compiled from movie reviews written by David Elliott, film critic for The San Diego Union-Tribune and other staff writers.

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31

1034 BROAD STREET • LOCATED BETWEEN BLUE SKY & METRO • 722-4937

cruising wolf image and his age (66), sporting with them as compulsive single Harry Langer.

Harry's latest find for a fling is svelte Marin (Amanda Peet), an auctioneer who treats him like a lusty antique. They go to her divorced parents' beach house. But when he meets mother Erica (Keaton), a playwright, the awkward moments quiver.

Harry has a sudden heart crisis. He ends up stuck for a night with Erica. What happens is silly, knowing, witty, touching and abetted deftly by a terrific score. When someone says of Erica's new play, "It's sweet, it's smart, it's funny," that serves as a review of the movie.

Critics should be pleased to echo it. Cast: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet. Running time: 1 hr., 47 mins. (Elliott) !!!!

Starsky & Hutch (PG-13) — Movie version of the ‘70s television series, starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as the police duo. Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Juliette Lewis, Snoop Dogg.

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Lunch Too!

Peter Pan (PG) — P.J. Hogan's film is like a cyberized revamp of Disney, but everything is brighter, fuller, glitzier, with live actors and lots of matted effects.

Capt. Hook's pirate ship is a virtual theme park awaiting customers. The feared crocodile seems to be from some Jurassic park. Clouds are so pink and cotton-candied you expect Peter and the others to get stuck in them.

The magic can get a little ballistic. It's a remarkably sensual film. The action scenes are amusingly zestful, Peter is adorable but not too cute, the pirates are a spry bunch of uglies, but it's the characters connecting emotionally that makes "Peter Pan" fly. For kids, the movie is a sure thing. Cast: Jason Isaacs, Jeremy Sumpter, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lynn Redgrave, Olivia Williams, Richard Briars. Running time: 1 hr., 32 mins. (Elliott) !!!

Scary Movie 3 (PG-13) — The third film in the “Scary Movie” series once again spoofs a series of recent horror hits, fantasy epic films and other pop culture sensations, including “8 Mile,” “The Matrix,” “The Ring,” “The Others” and “Signs.” Cast: David Zucker, Anna Faris, Charlie Sheen, Regina Hall, Denise Richards.

Something’s Gotta Give (PG-13) — Jack Nicholson plays with his

“50

York city to suburban New Jersey. Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Adam Garcia, Alison Pill, Glenne Headley, Carol Kane.

Eurotrip (R) — Scotty ditches his German pen pal when the pal, who Scotty assumed was a male, starts hitting on him. Little does Scotty know, Mieke is a woman, and when he realizes his mistake, the only way to win her back is to travel to Europe himself and apologize. Cast: Scott Mechlowicz, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jacob Pitts, Travis Wester, Jessica Bohrs.

50 First Dates (PG-13) — Henry (Adam Sandler) is a vet at an aquarium in Hawaii and a serial seducer of island visitors, his policy being love 'em and let 'em leave. True love, of course, lies in wait.

At a picturesque diner, he sees Lucy (Drew Barrymore), and it's love at first sight. They hit it off wonderfully, but when they meet at the diner the next morning, she has no idea who he is. Henry learns that Lucy, following an accident the year before, has that favorite Hollywood malady, amnesia. The romantic aspects benefit from being contrasted to the comedy, which is oafish in the extreme. Oh, well — you can always look at the beautiful island scenery. Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore.

(Britton) !!

The Girl Next Door (R) — An 18year-old high-school student and overachiever falls for his new neighbor, Danielle. He has to decide if pursuing a relationship with her is worth it after he learns she used to be a porn star. Cast: Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy Olyphant, James Remar.

The Haunted Mansion (PG) — Another movie based on a ride at Disneyland, again featuring cheesy, story-altering references to the rides, as well as plots about ghosts and curses. Eddie Murphy is a workaholic real estate agent and a smooth-talking sleazebag. A promising real-estate deal turns out to be more than he bargains for, and his eagerness to scope out a house on the way to a family vacation leaves his entire family stranded at a creepy, cobweb-ridden Louisiana mansion with a curse. The result is a movie that, while consistently amusing, plays like a hackneyed effort to stretch a few minutes of ride into a coherent, hour-and-a-half story. Running time: 1 hr., 39 mins. (Fu) !!

Honey (PG-13) — Like having the fluids drained out of your system and replaced by a sugarloaded, mixed-drink concoction of a color not found in nature. Honey Daniels (Jessica Alba) bartends, dances and teaches hip-hop dance at a youth center.

Discovered, she makes a fast splash as a music-video dancer and choreographer. There are jolts of energy from occasional moments of hip-hop frenzy, but the editing is so rapid-fire that what appears on the screen looks more like a video game than dance. Will Honey remember her old pals in the 'hood? Why, yes. First "Radio," now this; uplift has never seemed so enervating. Running time: 1 hr., 28 mins. (Salm) !1/2

flix

“Passion” Already Sparking Dialogue

P

assion seems an appropriate word to sum up the gamut of responses felt by those who have already seen “The Passion of the Christ” — and even by those who haven’t yet witnessed the Mel Gibson-directed epic. Though in the title the word passion is used in the archaic sense, meaning suffering, the modern definition of the word also describes the controversy surrounding a film that has yet to be released.

The central issue in the media of late concerning the film hinges on how Gibson’s vision — taken, he says, directly from the Gospels — may suggest that blame for Jesus’ death rests with the Jews, a charge that has led some Jewish leaders to brand the film as anti-Semitic or as a catalyst for anti-Semitic actions. It’s a charge Gibson, a Roman Catholic Traditionalist, denied on the Feb. 16 broadcast of ABC’s “Primetime.”

“For me, it goes against the tenet of my faith to be racist in any form,” he told Diane Sawyer. “To be anti-Semitic is to be un-Christian, and I’m not.”

said, he was able to show the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice.

“It’s the central point of what Christians believe,” he told Sawyer.

“This is my version of what happened, according to the Gospels, and what I wanted to show. I wanted it to be shocking. And I also wanted it to be extreme.”

Another aspect which might trouble some Christians is the commercial quality inherent in making a film on this scale, a quality that threatens to muddy Gibson’s message. Specialized, four-minute promotional trailers have made their way into churches, espousing Gibson’s hope that the film will change lives.

And “The Passion of the Christ” opens Feb. 25, Ash Wednesday, on 2000 screens nationwide — an incredibly large release for an independent film. The timing capitalizes on the Lenten season, the 40-day period prior to Easter.

Criticism has also centered on the film’s advance screenings, which so far have been targeted towards church groups and have excluded movie critics from secular media. Gibson has chosen to bypass the

“I wanted it to be shocking. And I also wanted it to be extreme.” — Mel Gibson

32

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Sawyer asked why Gibson wouldn’t simply include a statement with the film urging viewers to refrain from attacks on Jews.

“That assumes that there’s something wrong with my film, for me to do that, and I don’t think there is,” he replied.

Gibson also defended his vision by suggesting that it’s not the movie critics have a problem with; it’s that they have a problem with the text it was based on.

“You either accept the whole thing (The Bible) or don’t accept it at all,” he said.

Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League, expressed concern about the consequences of the film in a segment of the “Primetime” broadcast, saying that he didn’t believe the movie or Gibson to be anti-Semitic, but that the film “has the potential to fuel anti-Semitism,” not unlike the European passion plays of old.

Some Christians themselves have expressed discomfort with the amount of violence depicted in the film, which received an “R” rating for sequences of graphic violence. In using unflinching, disturbing imagery to chronicle the last 12 hours in the life of Christ, Gibson

normal Hollywood publicity route, instead focusing on the select audiences of the advance screenings and pandering to church groups to use “The Passion of the Christ” as an evangelical tool. The film’s Web site even offers free promotional packs consisting of flyers and movie posters to anyone who wishes to help promote the film at the grassroots level. Advance tickets have already been sold in large quantities to groups around the country.

But ultimately, it seems that Gibson’s hope for the film is already coming to fruition. The story, and the way in which Gibson chooses to tell it, is already creating dialogue about religion.

“Let’s get this out on the table and talk about it,” he urged in the “Primetime” interview.

“The Passion of the Christ” opens nationwide Feb. 25.

Additional information about the film is available at www.thepassionofthechrist.com.

By Lisa Jordan

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

33

flix: review

“Against the Ropes” Is a Predictable Underdog Story

M

• Large private courtyard with fountain accessible from main room • Centrally located in historic downtown Augusta • On site catering by Roux’s Gourmet Catering

aking his debut behind the camera, actor Charles S. Dutton turns in an admirable, if flat, ode to the perils of being a woman in a man’s world with “Against the Ropes.” Not as spunky as “Working Girl” or as inspiring as “Erin Brockovich,” Dutton’s predictable tale about a secretary who becomes a boxing promoter rings that same theme — provocatively dressed, attractive women can’t get no respect in the business world — with an enjoyable, if hollow, effect.

A fictitious story inspired by the career of Jackie Kallen, one of the most successful female boxing promoters to work in the business, “Against the Ropes” takes Kallen’s loose profile and turns it into a rather pat underdog story. In the film, Meg Ryan stars as Kallen, a woman who grew up watching men box in her father’s Cleveland gym. In a brief opening scene, we see a young Jackie getting shooed out of the ring by her misogynistic father — the only thing we hear this character say about his daughter is that she has “a head full of nothing.” Aside from a brief exchange with her sweet uncle, a boxer named Ray-Ray, the stage is set early for Jackie to endure the insults of men who hate the idea of seeing her advising a boxer.

Flash-forward to present day and Jackie is working as an executive assistant to the head of a major Cleveland boxing venue.

And although Kallen is smarter and more talented than her boss, she gets little respect and even less appreciation. That Jackie is too talented and too smart to be “just a secretary” is stated within the first 10 minutes of the film. Her younger coworker, Renee (Kerry Washington), launches into a speech about the glass

ceiling Jackie can’t see because she’s not even trying to move up.

As luck would have it, Jackie — who knows all of the local fighters and promoters in town through her job and her deceased father — gets a golden opportunity. When LaRocca (Tony Shalhoub), a smarmy mafia type who manages the biggest boxers in town, offers her the chance to manage a ranked fighter for free (she spurs him on by challenging his professional capabilities), Kallen stumbles across the man she dubs her destiny.

Although the sold fighter winds up being a crack addict, Jackie is struck by the talent of a drug dealer she witnesses beating up her new client. The wily Kallen convinces Luther Shaw (Omar Epps) to fight for her, and she enlists the help of a trainer her beloved uncle knew, played by Dutton.

Although “Ropes” draws some fine moments out of the tender and unlikely bond that forms between Kallen, who never had kids of her own, and Shaw, who never had parents, the film’s trajectory is all too familiar. As Shaw starts to win, Kallen basks in the spotlight and plays to her own vanity while jeopardizing both her integrity and her relationship with her venerable fighter.

Unfortunately, the film does less with the real-life Kallen than it could have.

An entertainment journalist turned boxing promoter, Kallen survived heart disease and breast cancer and became the commissioner of the Female Boxers Association. It’s ultimately a flashier tale if an executive assistant discovers the next middleweight champion of the world in a crack house, but I would have loved to hear about that fascinating woman whose life sounds a little more complex, a little more real and a lot more compelling.

• Reception capacity - 300 people • We handle all the details!

• Please call for more information • Open to all licensed caterers

34

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

• Augusta’s most unique gathering place

Professionally managed by

Roux's Gourmet Catering

By Rachel Deahl

1244 Jones Street Downtown Augusta 724-2218

1257 Broad St. 724-1250 DUTTON, RYAN AND EPPS IN “AGAINST THE ROPES.”

flix

A Fictional Interview With the Academy’s Golden Boy

By Rhonda Jones

W

ell it’s time for the Judgement of Oscar.

Movies have been buffed and polished all year. Actors are shaking in their boots and putting the final touches on outfits guaranteed to get them on the Worst Dressed list. Who knew that a little gold-plated man could wield so much power?

We decided to consult the little guy for his potential choices for the Best Movies in the Known Universe. So here they are.

MS: It’s good to see you this morning. Is there anything I can get you – coffee?

Clothing?

O: That’s quite all right, thank you.

MS: That’s great.

O: I’m glad you think so.

MS: I hear you’ve had quite an interesting life.

O: Oh yes, well, I suppose so. I was born in 1928, so I suppose I should be getting senior citizens’ benefits right about now. You know, once I went home with a ventriloquist – Edgar Bergen. I was quite wooden that day and had a moveable mouth. And eight of me went home with Walt Disney – seven small versions to represent the seven dwarfs.

MS: Are you made of gold?

O: Gold-plated, actually. Bronze inside. It’s sturdy stuff.

MS: I’m sure it is. Of all the people you’ve gone home with, who is your favorite?

O: Katharine Hepburn, no doubt about it.

What a lady.

MS: Just one more question. Where did the name Oscar come from?

O: Oh that. Well – I’ll never tell.

Event: The 76th Annual Academy Awards Date: Sunday, Feb. 29 Time: 8 p.m. EST Location: CBS Web Site: Visit www.oscar.com for more categories.

Compiled from Web site by Rhonda Jones. The statue was not actually interviewed.

REGAL AUGUSTA EXCHANGE 20

Movies Good 2/20 - 2/26

The Passion of the Christ (R ) Wed: 12:00, 3:30, 10:10; Thur: 12:00, 3:30, 7:00, 10:10 Starsky & Hutch (PG-13) Sat: 7:30 Against the Ropes (PG-13) Fri-Tues: 12:15, 2:55, 5:25, 8:05, 10:45 Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (PG) Fri-Sat: 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:10, 9:30,

11:50; Sun-Tues: 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:10, 9:30 Eurotrip (R) Fri-Tues: 12:40, 3:00, 5:10, 7:45, 10:30 The Girl Next Door (R) Fri: 7:30 50 First Dates (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 12:15, 12:45, 1:45, 2:35, 3:05, 4:20, 5:00, 5:30, 6:50, 7:20, 7:50, 9:10, 9:40, 10:25, 11:35, 12:05; Sun-Tues: 12:15, 12:45, 1:45, 2:35, 3:05, 4:20, 5:00, 5:30, 6:50, 7:20, 7:50, 9:10, 9:40, 10:25 Barbershop 2 (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 12:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 12:15; Sun-Tues: 12:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45 Catch That Kid (PG) Fri: 12:10, 2:25, 4:40, 9:55, 12:15; Sat: 12:10, 2:25, 4:40, 7:05, 9:25, 11:45; Sun-Tues: 12:10, 2:25, 4:40, 7:05, 9:25 Lost in Translation (R) Fri-Sat: 12:05, 2:20, 4:45, 7:25, 10:00, 12:25; Sun-Tues: 12:05, 2:20, 4:45, 7:25, 10:00 You Got Served (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 11:55, 2:10, 4:25, 7:00, 9:20, 11:40; Sun-Tues: 11:55, 2:10, 4:25, 7:00, 9:20 Miracle (PG) Fri-Tues: 12:25, 3:30, 7:40, 10:40 The Butterfly Effect (R) Fri-Tues: 12:05, 2:40, 5:20, 7:55, 10:35 Mystic River (R) Fri: 12:30, 3:40, 6:45, 9:55; Sat: 12:30, 3:40, 9:55; Sun-Tues: 12:30, 3:40, 6:45, 9:55 Along Came Polly (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 12:35, 2:50, 5:05, 7:35, 9:45, 12:00; Sun-Thur: 12:35, 2:50, 5:05, 7:35, 9:45 Cold Mountain (R) Fri-Tues: 12:20, 3:35, 6:50, 10:05 Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PG-13) Fri-Tues: 12:00, 4:05, 8:10 Welcome to Mooseport (PG-13) Fri-Tues:

2:00, 3:15, 4:20, 5:25, 6:45, 7:45, 9:10, 9:55; Mon-Tues:4:20, 5:25, 6:45, 7:45, 9:10, 9:55 Miracle (PG) Fri: 3:50, 6:55, 9:40; Sat-Sun: 12:55, 3:50, 6:55, 9:40; Mon-Tues: 3:50, 6:55, 9:40 Barbershop 2 (PG-13) Fri-Sun: 2:30, 5:00, 7:20, 10:00; Mon-Thur: 5:00, 7:20, 10:00 Catch That Kid (PG) Fri: 3:10, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15; Sat-Sun: 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15; Mon-Tues: 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 Monster (R) Fri-Sun: 1:50, 4:10, 6:40, 9:00; Mon-Tues: 4:10, 6:40, 9:00 You Got Served (PG-13) Fri: 3:35, 5:35, 7:35, 9:35; Sat-Sun: 1:35, 3:35, 5:35, 7:35, 9:35; Mon-Tues: 5:35, 7:35, 9:35 Along Came Polly (PG-13) Fri: 5:30, 9:50; Sat-Sun: 1:05, 5:30, 9:50; Mon-Tues: 5:30, 9:50 Cheaper by the Dozen (PG) Fri-Sun: 3:20, 7:40; Mon-Tues: 7:40 Cold Mountain (R) Fri: 4:50, 8:15; Sat-Sun: 1:30, 4:50, 8:15; Mon-Tues: 4:50, 8:15 Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PG-13) Fri: 4:30, 8:30; Sat-Sun: 12:45, 4:30,

8:30; Mon-Tues: 4:30, 8:30

Something’s Gotta Give (PG-13) Fri: 4:00,

6:50, 9:45; Sat-Sun: 1:20, 4:00, 6:50, 9:45; Mon-Tues: 4:00, 6:50, 9:45

MASTERS 7 CINEMAS

Movies Good 2/20 – 2/26

Chasing Liberty (PG-13) Fri-Sun: 1:25, 4:25, 7:00, 9:30; Mon-Thur: 4:25, 7:00, 9:30 Haunted Mansion (PG) Fri-Sun: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:10, 9:15; Mon-Thur: 5:00, 7:10, 9:15 Cat in the Hat (PG) Fri-Sun: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:25, 9:35: Mon-Thur: 5:15, 7:25, 9:35 Love Don’t Cost a Thing (PG-13) Fri-Sun: 2:00, 4:30, 7:20, 9:40; Mon-Thur: 4:30, 7:20, 9:40 Mona Lisa Smile (PG-13) Fri-Sun: 1:30, 4:00, 6:55, 9:20; Mon-Thur: 4:00, 6:55, 9:20 Gothika (R) Fri-Sun: 1:05, 3:05, 5:05, 7:30, 9:45; Mon-Thur: 5:05, 7:30, 9:45 Peter Pan (PG) Fri-Sun: 1:45, 4:15, 7:05, 9:25; Mon-Thur: 4:15, 7:05, 9:25 REGAL 12 CINEMAS

Movies Good 2/20 – 2/26

Chasing Liberty (PG-13) 2:10, 4:35, 7:15,

1:55, 4:35, 7:15, 10:05, 12:40

9:35

1:05, 4:30, 7:35, 10:35

9:25

Something’s Gotta Give (PG-13) Fri-Tues:

Mona Lisa Smile (PG-13) 1:55, 4:25, 7:00, Love Don’t Cost a Thing (PG-13) 2:20, 4:45,

7:30, 9:45

EVANS 14 CINEMAS

Movies Good 2/20 - 2/24

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (PG) Fri: 2:50, 5:05, 7:10, 9:20; Sat-Sun:

12:45, 2:50, 5:05, 7:10, 9:20; Mon-Tues: 5:05, 7:10, 9:20 Eurotrip (R) Fri: 3:00, 5:20, 7:30, 9:45; SatSun: 12:50, 3:00, 5:20, 7:30, 9:45; Mon-Tues: 5:20, 7:30, 9:45 Welcome to Mooseport (PG-13) Fri-Sun: 2:20, 4:40, 7:00, 9:25; Mon-Tues: 4:40, 7:00, 9:25 50 First Dates (PG-13) Fri: 2:00, 3:15, 4:20, 5:25, 6:45, 7:45, 9:10, 9:55; Sat-Sun: 1:00,

The Haunted Mansion (PG) 2:05, 4:15, 7:20,

9:40

Gothika (R) 2:30, 4:55, 7:40, 9:45 Peter Pan (PG) 2:00, 4:25, 7:05, 9:30 Stuck on You (PG-13) 1:55, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Honey (PG-13) 2:35, 5:00, 7:45, 9:55 Cat in the Hat (PG) 2:25, 4:40, 7:10, 9:15 Texas Chainsaw Massacre (R) 2:25, 4:50,

7:35, 9:50

Scary Movie 3 (PG-13) 2:40, 5:05, 7:50,

9:55

Brother Bear (G) 2:15, 4:20, 7:25, 9:20

M O V I E L I S T I N G S A R E S U B J E C T C H A N G E W I T H O U T N O T I C E .

thank you FOR SUPPORTING OUR ADVERTISERS

35

••••• ••••• ••••• ••••• •••••

T O

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

MS: OK, well … I guess we can get started.

I guess I’ll simply ask you to go through the categories.

O: That will work. Here are my nominees for Actor in a Leading Role: Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean; Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog; Jude Law, Cold Mountain; Bill Murray, Lost in Translation; Sean Penn, Mystic River.

Supporting Actor: Alec Baldwin, The Cooler; Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams; Djimon Hounsou, In America; Tim Robbins, Mystic River; Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai.

Actress in a Leading Role: Keisha CastleHughes, Whale Rider; Diane Keaton, Something’s Gotta Give; Samantha Morton, In America; Charlize Theron, Monster; Naomi Watts, 21 Grams.

Supporting Actress: Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog; Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April; Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River; Holly Hunter, Thirteen; Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain.

Animated Feature Film: Brother Bear; Finding Nemo; The Triplets of Belleville.

Costume Design: Girl With a Pearl Earring; The Last Samurai; The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Foreign Language Film: The Barbarian Invasions; Evil; The Twilgiht Samurai; Twin Sisters; Zelary.

Makeup: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World; Pirates of the Caribbean.

Music (Score): Big Fish; Cold Mountain; Finding Nemo; House of Sand and Fog; The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Music (Song): “Belleville Rendez-vous,” The Triplets of Belleville; “Into the West,” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow,” A Mighty Wind; “Scarlet Tide,” Cold Mountain; “You Will Be My Ain True Love,” Cold Mountain.

Best Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Lost in Translation; Master and Commander; Mystic River; Seabiscuit.

Short Film (Animated): Boundin’; Destino; Gone Nutty; Harvie Krumpet; Nibbles.

Short Film (Live Action): Die Rote Jacke

(The Red Jacket); Most (The Bridge); Squash; (A) Torzija ([A] Torsion); Two Soldiers.

Directing: City of God; The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Lost in Translation; Master and Commander; Mystic River.

Documentary Feature: Balseros; Capturing the Friedmans; The Fog of War; My Architect; The Weather Underground.

Documentary Short Subject: Asylum; Chernobyl Heart; Ferry Tales.

Film Editing: City of God; Cold Mountain; The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Master and Commander; Seabiscuit; Master and Commander; Pirates of the Caribbean.

Visual Effects: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Master and Commander; Pirates of the Caribbean.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): American Splendor; City of God; The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Mystic River; Seabiscuit.

Writing (Original Screenplay): The Barbarian Invasions; Dirty Pretty Things; Finding Nemo; In America; Lost in Translation.

reel time

MUSIC Former Buckcherry Frontman Todd Doing His Own Thing

By Lisa Jordan

B

36

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

and hits it big on the national circuit, lead singer leaves band to pursue other things, lead singer … finds new band through classified ad?

It may not be the natural progression for most rock stars, but then again, Josh Todd isn’t most rock stars.

“It wasn’t a planned thing,” the former Buckcherry frontman says of how he met up with his new bandmates. “I was at a newsstand, and you know, I was looking for really young guys. I wanted a fresh sound.”

After arranging a jam session with the four musicians who would become Josh Todd — the band, not the man — Todd nearly backed out on the idea, until producer Chris Johnson talked him into attending.

“I almost didn’t even go,” says Todd, who admitted he listened to the band though the door for a while before taking the plunge and joining them. “We just started jamming, and we really had great chemistry right off.”

Todd also says that, given his prior musical experience, it was easy to see right away if the newly-formed band would work.

“I think once you’ve been doing it for a while, yeah, if there’s a spark and there’s some things going on, getting to know them a little better as individuals. I had a meeting with them shortly after that and just kind of got into their heads,” he says.

“They’re just really cool people. I think that’s what makes good music.”

Josh Todd’s CD, “You Made Me,” is set to hit stores March 9 and highlights the band’s chemistry. On songs like “Circles” and the first single, “Shine,” the multiple components that make up the band complement, rather than compete.

“It’s a collaborative effort,” Todd agrees. “I think that’s what makes it unique and gives it flavor.”

JOSH TODD, THE MAN (CENTER) AND THE BAND. Todd has also experienced a new role in the music industry, becoming involved on the business end of things with his Todd Entertainment group.

“Well, you know, I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I really am hands-on,” he says. “I want to learn everything I can about the business. That’s where musicians can really get screwed. They come home and they’re

broke. I’ve been through that, so through experience, I’ve learned, and I’m not going to do that anymore. I really educated myself on the business aspect of it.”

Buckcherry fans should find lots to like in Josh Todd. Although there are some differences musically, Todd’s voice, songwriting and onstage energy remain familiar.

“I have a pretty unique voice,” Todd

“We have a great live show, and believe me, I’m carrying it over. That’s where I shine. I love the stage.”

— Josh Todd

says. “Fortunately, that’s a good thing. …

The difference is, (the music is) heavier.

It’s more modern-sounding. It’s more melodic. But it’s still my words. My strongest point is live performance. We have a great live show, and believe me, I’m carrying it over. That’s where I shine. I love the stage.”

Who: Josh Todd Where: Julian Smith Casino When: Feb. 24 For info: Call 821-2804 or visit www.joshtodd.com.

s g tin

h g i S

Jeff and GiGi Polk at Stillwater Tap Room.

on-

Amanda a nd Brent C arson at The Bee’s Knees.

M nd Kat azbun a H m a h A bra Joint. t Pizza Couer a

nny . ker and Je derground Harold Ba t Joe’s Un a g n o tr s Arm Melinda Cashion and John Childress at Modjeska.

ris and Lance Har Soul Bar.

Evelyn Bell

at the

Nick Pournaras and Delisa Smith at Metro Coffeehouse.

37

Photos by Michael E. Johnson

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Meggie Nichols, Toump Raution and Michelle Shar pe at The Bee’s Knees.

Cala Remillard and Robert Lacey at the Soul Bar.

music

Having problems in your

relationship?

CD Reviews

By Andy Stokes

You are not alone.

Be A Swimwear Model All Night Radio — “Spirit Stereo Frequency” (Sub Pop)

LIZ & ROXY

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Thursday Nights Ladies Drink Free w/$5.00 Cover $2.00 Domestics and $2.25 Premiums $1.00 14oz. Draft Every Night

Randy Atkins coming 3-05-04 METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

COYOTE’S

“Where Variety is the Spice of Life”

2512 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD

706-560-9245

All Night Radio is two-fifths Beachwood Sparks. Beachwood Sparks were psychedelic alt-country. All Night Radio is dream pop. So where’s the connection? Apparently psychedelia is transversive, because All Night Radio have carried it over from their days with Beachwood Sparks.

“Spirit Stereo Frequency,” the band’s first album since forming from the ashes of Beachwood Sparks almost two years ago, is more often past than present or future, but the album still shimmers with a great deal of originality. It’s an album that immediately justifies its own existence.

Speaking superficially, the album immediately gives the appearance of more rehashed Sparks material, so obsessed with the term “psychedelic” that the music took a backseat to their attempt to revive Gram Parsons’ ghost. While the old group usually achieved sonic brilliance, All Night Radio immediately displays more creativity and room for future growth within just the first song, the vivid “Daylight Till Dawn,” than through three albums’ worth of Sparks material.

The Beachwood Sparks took their influences from country-rock greats like the Byrds and Allman Brothers, creating the effect of listening to “Eat a Peach” while driving a van down the California coast. All Night Radio, in contrast, takes the lead from jangle-pop groups like the Association, and blends it with Barrett-era Pink Floyd, creating the feel of listening to “Pet Sounds” while watching the Aurora Borealis.

“Spirit Stereo Frequency” is a fluid work, and the heavy delay effect heard on Beachwood Sparks vocals is used here, but with a little more restraint. The guitar work is just as sloppy but resists the urge to overuse the effects. The gestalt effect works best here, and trying to dissect the parts doesn’t serve the album as well as viewing it as one continual radio mix, all of the instruments and vocals interweaving with no one element ever sticking out more than any other.

When a band starts life at this level, the potential is overwhelming.

Trans Am — “Liberation” (Thrill Jockey) The often-wordless, experimental/post-rock collective has produced some interesting combinations over the past decade or so. Take Tortoise, June of 44 or Directions in Music’s command of their instruments; HiM’s hip-hopinfluenced grooves; or 5ive Style’s funk-flavored jams and you can imagine the diversity that exists within a seemingly monotonous subgenre. Then you have Trans Am, who have taken the lead as the genre’s comic relief, often making use of ‘80s arena rock clichés such as unnecessary displays of musical ability and anthemic power chords.

“Liberation” is more of a sampling of the previous six albums. Don’t expect much congruence; rarely is there any flow from one song to the next. What is on the album, unfortunately, is the sound of a band trying to add a new dimension to their aesthetic. What is previously known of Trans Am, their lone claim as experimental rock’s court jesters, is still here, but it appears that now they’re trying to make strong statements against the powers that be. While this is to be expected from artists that have established a somewhat mature, politicallyaware reputation, when the class clown tries to give a book report, who’s going to listen?

Tracks like “Uninvited Guest” (which cuts up a Bush speech to make him sound like a war mongering ogre) come off as nothing more than bandwagon banter.

The music is paradoxical in that the elements of hyperactive disco and ‘80s drum machines may incite spontaneous break-dancing. The downside of this is that, by the album’s midpoint, melodies slip into the shadows, fun and danceability fade, and attempts to convey an Orwellian sense of doom come across as forced.

Multi-instrumentalists Philip Manley, Nathan Means and especially drummer Sebastian Thomson have reached a higher plateau of musicianship and have become so adept at wielding authority over their instruments that it’s often difficult to tell the synthesized sounds from the organic ones.

It’s unlikely that Trans Am will expand their audience with this album and isn’t a good starting point for those unfamiliar with the band.

Save your cash for the Rapture’s new cd if you want neo-disco, or for a Noam Chomsky book if you’re dissatisfied with the government.

38

music by turner Courtney Love Warrant Dismissed On Oct. 2, Courtney Love was taken to the hospital and authorities say they found her in possession of hydrocodone and oxycodone, which are painkillers and very illegal. She didn’t make it to court for the first hearing, so the judge issued a warrant. On Feb. 17, that warrant was dismissed by another judge and a new court date of March 16 was set and agreed to by Love.

Last week, she contacted the “Howard Stern Show” to say that she didn’t show up because she didn’t have a professional bodyguard. Whatever. I’ll remember that one next time I have a traffic ticket.

JARS OF CLAY will headline at Philips Arena Feb. 28. The band has just begun to tour supporting their latest longplayer, “Who We Are Instead.” Jars of Clay are a perfect example of what some might call “a quiet success” — each of their albums sell big-time yet the band’s lack of controversy keeps them out of the “bad news sells” mainstream media. Fans can also catch the group at Savannah’s Civic Center March 30 and 31. Unlike Grammy winners EVANESCENCE, Jars of Clay have not strayed from their roots and continue to grow in popularity every year.

Is It a Wet One? Dept.

Don’t forget your WILLIE NELSON tickets as the music legend visits Augusta’s civic center Feb. 28. Willie and his topnotch band never cease to impress so get out and support our local music scene and enjoy some great tomes in the process. “Crazy,” “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain,” “Hello Walls” — Willie has certainly has had his share of hits, so be there. One bit of advice: Our civic center has great acoustics but only for hockey. Try to get seats either on the floor or directly in the back but not on the sides of the center. The acoustic demons that reside there will attack your ears.

B Y

E D

Josh Kelley Some final words on the Grammys If this year’s show was a tribute to THE BEATLES, then why was only one tune by the Fab Four included on the broadcast? A “supergroup” of musicians, made up of singers STING, VINCE GILL and DAVE MATTHEWS probably looked real good on paper, but Matthews had a horrible time with his vocal on “I Saw Her Standing There” as it was way out of his vocal range.

BEYONCE proved several times during the evening that she just might be the next TINA TURNER. And JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’s award for “Best Album” was a joke. I guess every generation needs its own DAVID CASSIDY. Turner’s Quick Notes Crazyman WEBB WILDER visits Atlanta’s 10 High Club Feb. 21 …

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN’s “I’m a Cuckoo” DVD is new in stores this week … Original EAGLE and one-time FLYING BURRITO BROTHER BERNIE LEADON has a solo disc, “Mirror,” out now … SLIPKNOT is recording their third album at HARRY HOUDINI’s old mansion. DAVID BLAINE hasn’t showed up yet … CHRIS DIFFORD of SQUEEZE has “I Didn’t Get Where I Am” out this week … Congrats are in order to former Augustan MATTHEW BUZZELL for his terrific documentary of the great singer JIMMY SCOTT, “If You Only Knew.”

Turner’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Jeopardy A. This singer’s 1996 “Anthology” was subtitled “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.”

Q. Who is Warren Zevon?

Yes, She Is Dept.

It has taken three times to finally please the suits but the wait is finally over. MELISSA ETHERIDGE’s eighth album, “Lucky,” is now in the stores.

Her old label, Island, refused to release the disc over a year ago and after further recording snafus, ALANIS MORISSETTE’s producer JOHN SHANKS was called in to complete the project. It is difficult to believe that it has been 16 years since her self-titled debut hit the airwaves, along with her first two terrific singles, “Similar Features” and “Bring Me Some Water.”

T U R N E R

The Darkness: David Lee Roth Meets “Silence of the Lambs” British rockers The Darkness took home several prestigious Brit Awards on Feb. 18.

But that’s not what this little piece is about.

This piece is about Justin Hawkins, lead singer. You will know if you meet Justin Hawkins in the street, because he tends toward minimalism when it comes to dressing himself, and he has his own name, Justin Hawkins, tatooed on his shoulder.

You may have seen him on the telly in his chest-less black-and-white striped suit and

shaggy blond hair. He has a definite “Put the lotion in the basket” vibe. Check out the “Industry News” section at www.billboard.com. See the photo. Feel the fear.

Illegitimate Child of Two Albums DJ Danger Mouse thought it would be cool to throw Jay-Z’s “The Black Album” and The Beatles’ “White Album” together to see what happened. The result was, interestingly enough, “The Grey Album,” in which Jay-Z’s vocals were added to music from The Beatles. But EMI Group has served cease-and-desist orders to Mr. Mouse. He has agreed to comply.

No, Not That Ring of Fire We give this advertising agency points for creativity, but just may take them all back based on the “Ew!” factor alone. The family of the late Johnny Cash has declined the agency’s pitch to use the singer’s classic “Ring of Fire” in an ad for hemorrhoid-relief products. Cash’s daughter Rosanne told Nashville’s Tennessean, “The song is about the transformative power of love and that’s what it has always meant to me and that’s what it will always mean to the Cash children.”

COMPILED BY RHONDA JONES & LISA JORDAN

Information compiled from online and other music news sources.

Thurs - The Return of

THE BIG MIGHTY Fri & Sat

Playback the Band featuring Tutu D’Vyne Tues The Pat Blanchard

Wed Pat & Adam

Band

Surrey Tavern 471 Highland Ave. | 736-1221 Open Mon-Sat at 4 pm until

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

n last week’s column we told you about Augusta musician JOSH KELLEY’s “Everybody Wants You” inclusion in the upcoming JULIA STILES film “The Prince in Me.” Kelley was at odds with his record label over the next single from his excellent debut, “For the Ride Home,” as the former Ol’ Miss golfer wanted “Follow You” instead. Even though Kelley enjoyed a terrific amount of airplay with “Amazing,” the record company got their way (as usual) and “Everybody Wants You” is the new single. More good news for Josh’s many fans: “For the Ride Home” is being rereleased next week with a bonus disc that contains acoustic performances of “Amazing” and “Small Town Boy,” as well as two new songs, “Dying Man” and “Solid Ground.” Josh has also been writing songs with his younger brother Charles for his next album.

39

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music minis

AFTER DARK

THE HIGHLANDER HOSTS ADAMS TOWNSHIP FEB. 20.

Thursday, 19th

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

The Bee’s Knees - Meditate on This!

Blind Pig - Pat Blanchard and Broad Street Jam Cafe Du Teau - Bernard Chambers Club Argos - Karaoke Dance Party Continuum - Playa*Listic Thursday Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - 212 D. Timm’s - The Section Finish Line Cafe - DJ Greene Streets - Karaoke Hangnail Gallery - Ghoultown, Blitzkid, Three the Hard Way The Helm - Karaoke Honky Tonk - Danny Shirley and Confederate Railroad Joe’s Underground - Ruskin Locals - Preston and Weston Marlboro Station - Dance Party Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - The Comedy Zone, DJ Casey Playground - Open Mic The Pourhouse - National Party Tyme Karaoke Competition Robbie’s Sports Bar - DJ Rusty Shannon’s - Karaoke with Peggy Soul Bar - Black Kites, Turtleneck, The Kilpatrick Project Surrey Tavern - The Big Mighty Wheeler Tavern - DJ Dog

Friday, 20th

40

Andy’s - Jeff Liberty and Electric Mud Back Roads - DJ

The Bee’s Knees - Projections and Selections Blind Pig - Sean Costello Borders - The Kilpatrick Project, My Dear Allison Break Room - Preston and Weston, Sandra Cafe Du Teau - Bernard Chambers Charlie O’s - Live Band Club Argos - Dixie Divine and Co. Coconuts - Bikini Contest Coliseum - Heather Daniels Cotton Patch - Mike and Jayson Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - Paper Street, Push D. Timm’s - The Section El Rodeo - DJ Sontiago Finish Line Cafe - DJ Greene Streets - Karaoke Hangnail Gallery - Jehovah Chang, Droidanddroid, Second to None Highlander - Adams Township Honky Tonk - DJ Doug Romanella Joe’s Underground - Red-Headed Stepchild Last Call - DJ Richie Rich Marlboro Station - Claire Storm Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - The Flavour Shoppe with DJ Ty Bess Ms. Carolyn’s - The Horizon The Pourhouse - Microwave Dave and the Nukes Robbie’s Sports Bar - DJ Rusty The Shack - DJ Chip Shannon’s - Bart Bell, Allen Black Soul Bar - (r)Evolution Stillwater Tap Room - Chatham County Line Surrey Tavern - Playback featuring Tutu D’Vyne Wheeler Tavern - DJ Dog

Saturday, 21st Back Roads - DJ The Bee’s Knees - Jazz Sessions with Moniker Blind Pig - Shameless Dave and the Miracle Whips Break Room - Karaoke with Rob Cafe Du Teau - Bernard Chambers Charlie O’s - Live Band Club Argos - Mardi Gras Party Coliseum - S.C. Pride Tour Coconuts - DJ Tim Cotton Patch - Tony Williams Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - Hellblinki Sextet, Rather Not Say D. Timm’s - The Section Finish Line Cafe - DJ, Karaoke Greene Streets - Karaoke Hangnail Gallery - Daughter of Lust, Ground:Xero, Burial Rites Honky Tonk - DJ Doug Romanella Joe’s Underground - Medicine Hat Last Call - DJ Richie Rich Little Honky Tonk - The Vellotones Locals - Blind Draw Marlboro Station - Dana Andrews Metro Coffeehouse - Live Afternoon Bluegrass with Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - Bangin’ with DJ Jorge Makepeace Partridge Inn - Sandy B. and the All-Stars The Pourhouse - New Day Robbie’s Sports Bar - DJ Rusty The Shack - DJ Buckwheat Shannon’s - Bamboo Anniversary Party Soul Bar - Cadillac Jones Stillwater Tap Room - Hightown Strutters

Surrey Tavern - Playback featuring Tutu D’Vyne Wheeler Tavern - DJ Dog

Sunday, 22nd Adams Lounge - DJ Cafe Du Teau - The Last Bohemian Quartet Marlboro Station - Diane Chanel Orange Moon - Smooth Jazz Sunday with Emery Bennett Robbie’s Sports Bar - DJ Rusty Serendipity Café - Christopher Goss The Shack - Karaoke with DJ Joe Steel, Sasha Shannon’s - Shelly Watkins Somewhere in Augusta - Jayson and Michael T.G.I. Friday’s - Patrick Blanchard Wheeler Tavern - Karaoke with DJ Dog

Monday, 23rd Coliseum - Q.A.F. Continuum - Monday Madness Greene Streets - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Michael’s - Mike Swift

Tuesday, 24th Adams Lounge - Keith “Fossill” Gregory The Bee’s Knees - 12*Tone Lounge Blind Pig - Sabo and the Scorchers Coliseum - Tournament Tuesday D. Timm’s - The Section Greene Streets - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - John Kolbeck Julian Smith Casino - Josh Todd of Buckcherry,

Upcoming Willie Nelson, Jimmy Wayne - AugustaRichmond County Civic Center - Feb. 28 Male Revue - Club Argos - Feb. 28 The Woggles - Soul Bar - Feb. 28 Headbangers Ball - Crossroads - March 5 The Fairfield Four - Imperial Theatre - March 6 Pre-Masters Bash - Last Call - March 6 Anthony Gomes - Blind Pig - March 6 Return to Wonkaland Party - Last Call - March 20 Ralph Stanley - Imperial Theatre - March 21

Elsewhere

SEE THE BLACK KITES FEB. 19 AT THE SOUL BAR.

Wednesday, 25th The Bee’s Knees - Heliocentric Cinema Coconuts - Karaoke

Coliseum - Wacky Wednesdays Continuum - Open Mic Jam Sessions Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - Keith “Fossill” Gregory D. Timm’s - The Section Greene Streets - Karaoke The Helm - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - John Kolbeck Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Playground - Karaoke Robbie’s Sports Bar - DJ Rusty Somewhere in Augusta - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Soul Bar - Live Jazz Surrey Tavern - Pat and Adam

NEW HAPPY HOUR Sunday, Feb. 122 Weekly Special:

$3.75

11PM-2AM

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$1.50 Budlight Bottles

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

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41

New Happy Hour Times!

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BY PAT BLANCHARD

MONDAY-FRIDAY 9PM-11PM $1 OFF ENTIRE BAR

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$1.50 Drafts

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Food & Beverage Sunday!

NEW HAPPY HOUR

Food & Beverage Sunday!

$1.50 Drafts

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$2 Appetizers

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Food & Beverage Sunday!

$1.50 Drafts

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New Happy Hour Times!

Many tickets are available through TicketMaster outlets, by calling 828-7700, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be available through Tix Online by calling 2784TIX, online at www.tixonline.com or at their outlet location in Southgate Plaza. Night Life listings are subject to change without notice.

Deadline for inclusion in Night Life calendar is Tuesday at 4 p.m. Contact Rhonda Jones or Lisa Jordan by calling 738-1142, faxing 7360443 or e-mailing to rhonda.jones@metrospirit.com or lisa.jordan@metrospirit.com.

New Happy Hour Times!

The Sixth Hour Metro Coffeehouse - Irish Night with Sibin Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Shannon’s - Family Karaoke Night with Tony Howard Surrey Tavern - The Pat Blanchard Band

Metric, South - Cotton Club, Atlanta - Feb. 19 O.A.R. - Tabernacle, Atlanta - Feb. 20 Jump, Little Children - Georgia Theatre, Athens, Ga. - Feb. 20 Lambchop - Echo Lounge, Atlanta - Feb. 21 Dexter Freebish, Sister Hazel - Banana Joe’s, Columbia, S.C. - Feb. 21 Hot Water Music, The Bouncing Souls - New Brookland Tavern, Columbia, S.C. - Feb. 22 Jonny Lang - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - Feb. 24 Catch 22, Mustard Plug - New Brookland Tavern, Columbia, S.C. - Feb. 25 Hank Williams III - Masquerade, Atlanta - Feb. 26 Lou Rawls - Anderson Theatre, Marietta, Ga. Feb. 27 A.F.I. - Tabernacle, Atlanta - Feb. 28 Drive-By Truckers - Georgia Theatre, Athens, Ga. Feb. 28 Willie Nelson - Macon City Auditorium, Macon, Ga. Feb. 29 Maroon 5 - Georgia Theatre, Athens, Ga. - March 2 Henry Rollins - 40 Watt Club, Athens, Ga. - March 3 Starflyer 59 - Echo Lounge, Atlanta - March 4 Guster - Tabernacle, Atlanta - March 5 Big Head Todd and the Monsters - Roxy Theatre,

Atlanta - March 6 Hoobastank, Linkin Park, P.O.D. - Philips Arena, Atlanta - March 6 Chingy, I-20, Ludacris - Tabernacle, Atlanta - March 11 Erykah Badu, Floetry - Fox Theatre, Atlanta - March 12 The Vines, Jet - Roxy Theatre, Atlanta - March 13 N.E.R.D., Black Eyed Peas - Tabernacle, Atlanta March 15 Ted Leo, Pharmacists - 40 Watt Club, Athens, Ga. March 15 British Sea Power - Echo Lounge, Atlanta - March 17 Grandaddy, Saves the Day, The Fire Theft Tabernacle, Atlanta - March 19 French Kicks - 40 Watt Club, Athens, Ga. - March 23 Preston School of Industry - Tasty World, Athens, Ga. - March 24 John Vanderslice - The Earl, Atlanta - March 25 My Chemical Romance, Poison the Well, Thrice The Masquerade, Atlanta - March 25 The Sleepy Jackson - Echo Lounge, Atlanta - March 26 Phantom Planet - 40 Watt Club, Athens, Ga. - March 27

Food & Beverage Sunday!

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Full Bar Open 7 Days a Week Lunch & Dinner OPEN MIC MONDAY NIGHTS LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT 8:00 - 11:00PM Corner of 12th & Broad :::: Downtown Augusta :::: 828-5578

O

n Jan. 16, as bonfires burned across Italy to commemorate the annual festival of St. Anthony, the town of Capena continued its yearly addition to the celebration: a day of smoking cigarettes.

Residents, including children as young as six, light up throughout the day in the town’s bonfire. Italy’s recent anti-smoking drive notwithstanding, many Capena parents encouraged the kids (honoring a centuries-old tradition that originated with smoking dried rosemary), pointing out that it was just one day a year, but Italian health professionals believe many kids will develop the habit nonetheless.

Thinking Man’s (Alleged) Pervert Jon Paul Divincenzo, 35, was arrested in Royersford, Pa., in November after police said he was the one who several times had elaborately set up and arranged mirrors in a restroom at Spring-Ford Intermediate school so that women and girls using it would be standing or sitting in just the proper locations as to be visible to Divincenzo as he hid behind an ajar door, away from their sight lines. A few days later, prosecutors charged him with having used a similar, intricate setup to spy on cheerleaders in a locker room at Methacton High School in Worcester, Pa. Scenes of the Surreal • In January, Judge Peter Garcia, driving relatives to his courthouse at noon in Covington, La., noticed an odd sight directly across the street in the municipal cemetery: Two women in pink lingerie, holding S&M accessories, were posing for a professional photo shoot among the gravestones. Garcia grabbed his camera to take his own souvenir photo, which apparently angered one of the women, who pursued Garcia back to his car, lecturing the unknown-to-her judge about various “rights” she thought she had not to be photographed. When Garcia ignored her, she began to thrash the judge’s car with her whip before he finally drove away.

• In November, according to the University of Chicago daily newspaper, Chicago Maroon, in a story about a protest by transsexual, gay and lesbian activists to designate more campus restrooms as unisex, an activist said he knew people who had contracted bladder infections from delaying their urination out of anxiety at being forced to choose between the “men’s” room or the “ladies’” room. Said a lesbian activist, of the often-used ladies’ room symbol of a silhouetted person wearing a dress: “Going into (that room) implies that we are willing to be associated with that image.”

• About once a month, the owners of the Marina del Rey (Calif.) Sportfishing bait shop reap a windfall. According to a January Los Angeles Times story, a Tibetan Buddhist study group drops by in a caravan after meditating on the “liberation of beings” and plunks down

$1,000 to $2,000 to buy as much live bait as they can, after which they go to Marina del Rey Harbor and, in their terms, free the bait (whereupon, of course, much of it is immediately eaten by fish, anyway).

The Laws of Irony Are Strictly Enforced • In January, convicted murderer Paul Charles Denyer, who told police back when he was arrested that he had picked three women to kill because he “just hate(s) (women),” began the application process at Barwon Prison (near Lara, Australia) for hormone treatment and surgery to become a woman.

• Former Detroit police officer Adela Garcia, who retired in 1997 and who now owns the Adela’s Place bar, was forced to shoot at two men in her parking lot late at night in order to stop them from allegedly assaulting customers. She fired one shot, which passed through both men, killing them.

That was one shot more than she had ever fired on the street in 20 years as a police officer, even though she had several dangerous assignments.

Sentencing Nonsense In December, a federal appeals court upheld Santos Reyes’ 26-year prison sentence for the crime of trying to take the written portion of a driver’s test for someone else (a sentence required by California’s three-strikes law).

And paroled sex offender Paul Frederick Goodwin, 39, of Melbourne, Fla., will be sentenced this month for purse-snatching; at his earlier parole hearing, Goodwin was so confident about going straight that he agreed that any further conviction of any kind would send him back to prison for 999 years. And in December, a Youth Court judge in Vancouver, British Columbia, went beyond guidelines to hard-sentence a now-19-year-old man for the fatal baseball-bat bludgeoning of a gay man; the hard sentence is two years in custody plus one under supervised release.

No Longer Weird Adding to the list of stories that were formerly weird but which now occur with such frequency that they must be retired from circulation: (69) Medical examiners (or funeral home officials or medical researchers) who accidentally misplace one or more parts when a deceased’s body is returned to the family, as the Massachusetts medical examiner was accused of doing (the heart of one man, the brain of another) in October.

And (70) the deadly annual Muslim Hajj stampedes, which result when tens of thousands of pilgrims try to get close enough to three pillars (representing Satan) in order to toss 21 stones at them, and which this year saw 244 trampled to death (January).

— Chuck Shepherd © United Press Syndicate

Brezsny’s Free Will

time to start giving yourself this necessary luxury.

Or, if you’re one of the lucky few who already has a skilled wise person working in service to you, it’s a favorable time to dive deeper into the work. The astrological omens suggest that you now have the power to get more help than you’ve received before — but you have to ask for it.

Astr ology ARIES (March 21-April 19)

On February 1, six big-name entertainers took control of the Super Bowl halftime show. The result was a histrionically boring spectacle of robotic sexuality and fake emotion. If there was any saving grace amidst the monumental emptiness, it was Janet Jackson’s climactic unveiling. In a New York Times article, Alessandra Stanley wrote, “The one moment of honesty in that coldly choreographed tableau was when the cup came off and out tumbled a normal middle-aged woman’s breast instead of an idealized Playboy bunny implant.” Your assignment in the coming week, Aries, is to be inspired by that moment of honesty. Strip away pretension and phoniness everywhere you find them, thereby exposing the raw humanity that lies beneath. One caveat: Do this ethically, and without breaking the law.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) The president of Belarus has issued a mandate to his country’s athletes regarding their performance in the 2004 Summer Olympics. “You should have clear-cut plans for victory,” Alyaksandr Lukashenka told them. “It is unacceptable for you to win fewer than 25 medals.” That sounds a bit unrealistic to me, so I won’t be that demanding in my decree to you, Taurus. But the astrological omens are on my side as I command you to pull off a feat that would be your equivalent of a gold medal between now and March 20. In addition, I order you to gather a new privilege, new perk or new title.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1 European 5 9 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 26 28

capital of 21/2 million Part of N.A.A.C.P.: Abbr.

Business school subj.

Mouth site?

Endangered goose Prefix with magnetic Love Nursery offering Certain rug worker Like LP’s Latin 101 verb Appropriate Comic strip set in Coconino County Messes up

Two months later, one of the leading “rose revolutionaries,” 36-year-old Mikhail Saakashvili, was elected Georgia’s new president. I suggest that you Geminis make Saakashvili your role model for the next two months. You’ve got a lot of status quo to overthrow, and the best way to do it is with your version of flower power.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) According to my analysis of the astrological omens, it’s time for you to make two corrections.

First, you are suffering from an exaggerated sense of what’s possible to accomplish in the short term.

I urge you to deflate your grandiosity a bit.

Second, your expectations of what you can pull off in the long run are way too small. I authorize you to pump them up.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Our subject this week, class, is the aphorism, “If at first you don’t succeed, redefine the meaning of success.” Your assignment is to make practical use of this principle. Judging from the current astrological omens, I think the best place to apply it might be in your love life. If you agree, here’s a suggestion about how to proceed. First, figure out what it is you’ve been doing wrong that has kept you from getting the exact kind of love you want. (One possibility is that your soul and your ego are craving different things and therefore working at cross-purposes.) Second, revise your definition of the exact kind of love you want, incorporating a more realistic assessment of who you are. Third, forgive yourself for having previously had an inadequate definition.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) I’m grateful for my years of psychotherapy.

They’ve been crucial in helping me shed bad mental habits and master the art of being happy.

How about you, Virgo? Have you ever met regularly with an empath whose primary purpose is to listen to you and enhance your life? It’s a perfect

Crossword

29 Article in Die 30 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 50

Zeit Around Hosp. picture Not worth debating Birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen Pioneer in vaccination Rampaging Watching Copycat Computer units: Abbr.

Commercial prefix with foam Careered U.S.S. ___, ship in 2000 news 1933 RKO hit 0 letters Plant with pods Doesn’t ignore

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE B O S C

E N Y A

F E A T

A R C H

T E M P E R A T E

R A C E S

E L O P E

F I N E S

A R B O R E T U M A N T E S

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

E R S U R T I E N U N S H O R O N D E

A D L E R

R E F E R

A M U S E

B O R E D

M E T A P H O R S

B E A U T I F U L

E D I T

R Y N E

N I N O

E S S E

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Love may not conquer all in the coming weeks, Scorpio, but it could conquer 60 percent, and even as much as 75. The key factor in determining love’s power to accomplish wonders will be your knack for avoiding obsessive perfectionism and allor-nothing thinking. You should work with love like a master politician who’s skilled at compromise, not like a glory-seeking hero who thinks she can change everything overnight.

You will wake up one morning and realize you’re more free than you’ve been in a long time.

Nagging ghosts will have lost their power to bug you. Stale traditions will have faded. You will have made your last payment on an old karmic debt.

Through an act of grace you don’t fully understand, mind-forged manacles will have vanished.

So what should you do next? I suggest you celebrate. Throw a “Get Out of Jail” party for yourself. Then run wild for a couple of days. When you’re good and ready to harness your adorable new independence, ask yourself, “In what area of my life is it most important that I start fresh?”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) “The fishermen of the Colombian coast must be learned doctors of ethics and morality,” writes Eduardo Galeano in “The Book of Embraces,” “for they invented the [Spanish] word sentipensante, or ‘feeling- thinking,’ to define language that speaks the truth.” I advise you to make sentipensante your word of power in the coming days, Sagittarius. It may help you synchronize your galloping emotions and your restless intellect. And that may be your best hope for solving the conundrums headed your way. Here’s another way to describe your assignment: Think with your heart and feel with your mind.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

1

53 “Beetle Bailey”

13

54 “Me, too”

17

dog

2

3

59 Mouselike

animal

23

car door

28

60 Order beside a 61 About half of

33

62 Milk dispensers

36

binary code

63 Certain race …

or a cryptic title to this puzzle

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 21 23

DOWN Spectra maker Polit. designation “Xanadu” rock group Greeting card features Frontal, to an anatomist Reynaldo, to Polonius Blessed act?

Not selfsufficient Wagered Classic comedy figure “___ bien!”

Reason for an R rating Business card abbr.

Barely make Presto and others

5

20 24

6

7

8

9

15

16

18

19

21

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26 29

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49

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63

Puzzle by Michael Shteyman

24 Out-and-out

25 It opened its

Expanded Weekly Horoscope

1-900-950-7700

22

39

48

You can call Rob Brezsny, day or night, for your

No. 0108

4 14

58 San ___, Italy

— © Rob Brezsny

$1.99 per minute • 18 & over • touchtone phone required • C/S 612-373-9785 • www.freewillastrology.com

In his 1989 song, “Fight the Power,” Public

Edited by Will Shortz

52 Crawl (with)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) The Pentagon could not account for $22 billion in expenditures last year, according to Harper’s Index. How about you, Aquarius? Has your relationship with money been suffering from any ignorance or chaos? If so, the next seven months will be a favorable time to fix that. The cosmos will be conspiring to help you upgrade your financial savvy. To the degree that you co-conspire, you will get richer a lot quicker. Here’s the best news: It all starts in earnest now. Respond aggressively to a hot tip that arrives this week.

34 Physics particle 35 Tense 37 “1000 Oceans”

first store in Winston-Salem, singer, 1999 N.C., in 1937 38 Some women’s 27 1950’s-60’s shoe features Hungarian 40 Peter or Paul, premier János but not Mary 31 In working order 43 One way to the 32 Less wordy top?

44 Baby

THANK YOU For Supporting Our Advertisers

46 Boxing need 48 Other: Sp. 49 Neato

51 Bother

55 Downed

56 Bit of time:

Abbr.

57 Publicity

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.20 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554.

Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. Online subscriptions: Today's puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($34.95 a year).

Crosswords for young solvers: The Learning Network, nytimes.com/learning/xwords.

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

New York Times Crossword Puzzle

After years of occupation by the Soviet Union, Georgia became an independent republic in 1991.

Its new leader was Eduard Shevardnadze, who over the next 12 years brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy and became the most hated man in public life. Last November he relinquished power in the face of a “revolution of roses,” a bloodless insurrection led by protestors brandishing flowers.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is a bit stiff, but his Libran wife Teresa is just the opposite.

“She can be as unbuttoned in her speech as Kerry is buttoned up in his,” wrote Philip Gourevitch in “The New Yorker,” “with the result that she is sometimes impolitic and always worth listening to.” In Salon.com, Rebecca Traister said Teresa has complained that George W. Bush “is afraid to be Socratic” and that he entered his presidency “with a lack of curiosity about the job.” She playfully told one interviewer that if John is elected, her main job as first lady will be to keep him humble. I urge you to make Teresa your role model in the coming week, Libra. Be unbuttoned, impolitic, Socratic, curious and worth listening to. Use humor to keep yourself and everyone around you humble.

Enemy’s lead rapper Chuck D expressed his opinion of Elvis Presley: “Elvis was a hero to most/ But he never meant s*** to me, you see/ Straight up racist that sucker was, simple and plain.” Thirteen years later, Chuck D presented a different story, telling Newsday he had “a great deal of respect” for Elvis. I suggest you follow Chuck D’s example in the coming week, Capricorn. It takes courage to shift your position as radically as he did, and I hope you can do the same. It’s a perfect moment to officially change your mind about at least two important issues.

43

The Advice Goddess

Amy Alkon

M Menu Highlights Flatiron Steak with shallots, red wine and roasted rosemary potatoes $16 Truite en “Bleu” mountain trout sauteed, topped with Gorgonzola blue cheese sauce, nested on braised leeks, spinach and new potatoes $16 Gigot d’Agneau Provencale the most tender part of the leg of lamb, with garden fresh herbs de Provence and garlic, with flageolet beans and natural jus $16

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y boyfriend of two years and I have a solid relationship. Because I get off work later than he does, he catches a ride home with a female coworker whom I dislike very much. She and my boyfriend dated a while back, although they never “did the deed.” At a party a few months ago, she came up to me in front of my boyfriend’s coworkers and asked how long we’d been together. “For the two happiest years of my life,” I answered, smiling, with a sweet tone in my voice. She said, “Well, I’ve known him longer than you,” and walked off.

Out of respect to my boyfriend, I let it go, but I’m growing insecure about the ride situation.

My boyfriend said he doesn’t want to be stuck at his buddy’s house until I’m off work. Well, I’m uncomfortable with her taking him home, worried about her moving in on my man, plus, I just can’t stand her. How can I put the brakes on this carpool?

— Driven to Distraction

Note that there were Cubans floating to the US recently, in a green 1959 Buick they turned into a boat, but no Jewish grannies from Miami sailing the other direction in their retrofitted giant yellow Cadillacs: “Oy, Irving, I think I left my heart pills back at the condo.”

Don’t be too quick to start dabbling in carpool totalitarianism. Chances are, your boyfriend got together with you because he wanted love in his life, not his own personal despot. Freedom is a hot commodity — hottest for those who don’t have it. The moment you try to yank away your boyfriend’s freedom is the moment it becomes the overriding theme of your relationship, turning it into the world’s tiniest police state — population, two: one jack-booted commandant (that would be you) and one sullen, freedomfighting dissident (guess who!).

How much sense does this make, anyway? A girl gets snippy with you at a party, and you’re ready to have your boyfriend installed in an extra-large snow globe, complete with tiny, Kalashnikov-toting guards around the perimeter.

Are you so bored with contentment that you need to bring a little resentment into your relationship for a change of pace? The guy has done nothing wrong. You said so yourself, in an e-mail response to me: “He’s never done anything that would lead me to distrust him, and he’s stated to me before that he has no use

for cheating — that he’d rather break up than cheat.” Quite frankly, talk is cheap. The essential question is, has he shown himself to be a good guy in the two years you’ve known him? If so, keep him around by making your relationship someplace he wants to be — not by making it feel like one of those Twilight Zone episodes where the walls keep closing in.

What you should have done, after your encounter at the party with Miss Snottypants, is casually mention it to your boyfriend: “Gee, your ex-whatever spewed a bit of passive-aggressive on my dress. What do you think that was about?” This would have been his cue to placidly reassure you, thus preventing you from sitting around festering about his ride-sharing situation for the next two months. For him, it’s probably just convenient transportation. Trust him and let him be, and it should continue to be that — as opposed to motivation for him to tunnel out of your relationship with a sharpened spoon ... while somebody waits for him with the motor running, in the getaway car(pool). _____________________________________ I fell in love with a girl in my junior year of high school, but moved away that summer.

We’ve kept in contact and visited over the past 10 years. I could never shake those first love feelings. Although we’ve never been together (intimately), whenever I see her, it’s just like high school. She recently told me she’s never shared my feelings, beyond friendship. Now I feel kind of dumb. What’s with me that I carried this torch for so long?

— Crushed What have you been doing these past 10 years — leading up to asking her on a date? Or were you just waiting for the heavens to open, so she would know it was time to tear off her clothes and beg, “Take me, I’m yours?” If only you’d had the guts to ask her out, you wouldn’t have sat around for an entire decade, obsessing about somebody who, most likely, rarely gave you a second thought. Rejection is a wonderful thing — merging your ideal with what’s real, and freeing you up to pursue a relationship with somebody who wants you. Sure it’s excruciating in the moment, but in the long run, it beats the alternative: volunteering to be held back in your junior year of high school for the rest of your life.

— © 2003, Amy Alkon

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Got A Problem?

Write Amy Alkon Debra J. Saul, D.V.M. 706-860-4884

171 Pier Ave. Box 280 Santa Monica, CA 90405

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To respond to ads using a LOOKING FOR LOVE SWF, 24, blonde/brown, attractive, compassionate, easygoing, desires SWM, 24-34, honest, open-minded for friendship and companionship. !323553 WHOLE LOTTA LOVE SBF, 33, would like to share movies, dinners, quiet evenings at home, the usual dating activities, with a great guy. !463610 MORE THAN AVERAGE Slender SBF, 53, 5’2”, independent, Aries, smoker, loves music, conversation, laughter.

Seeking independent, mature SBM, 48-65, for friendship first. !369627 ENVELOPING EMBRACE Kind-hearted SBCF, 52, non-smoker, enjoys dining out, attending church. Seeking loving SBCM, 52-65, with similar interests. !287845

NEW TO AREA SBM, 41, 6’3”, 205lbs, brown eyes, handsome, Libra, N/S, ISO honest, sincere, fullfigured woman, 20-60, race unimportant. !928684 KINDRED SPIRITS SBM, 54, 5’7”, average build, local truck driver, Taurus, marriage-minded, smoker, seeks BF, 42-60, a kind soul. !928892 TO THE POINT SBM, 20, 5’11”, Libra, smoker, loves hanging out with friends and listening to music.

Seeking a real woman, 20s, free of games. !924941 YOU NEVER KNOW... where this could lead. SBM, 24, Pisces, smoker, seeks BF, 20-30, for friendship, perhaps casual dating. !926708 LET’S TALK! SBM, 19, 6’, 145lbs, looking for a female, 1829, who is down-to-earth, knows how to have fun! !900587 CULTURED SWM, 31, 5’6”, athletic build, Cancer, N/S, would like to meet an athletic, energetic woman, 21-55, N/S. !926395 SEEKING ADVENTURE SWPM, 44, 6’2”, slender, Sagittarius, smoker, loves to travel. Seeking woman, 18-30, slender or average-sized. !910584

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Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm 2635 Washington Road | Augusta, Georgia 30904 | 706.738.7777 www.windsorjewelers.net LOOKING FOR MS. RIGHT SWM, 37, 5’9”, 180lbs, enjoys biking, sports, travel, dining out. Seeking outgoing, attractive SF, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. !557954 LET ME LOVE YOU SWM, 37, 6’, 200lbs, Cancer, N/S, in construction work, loves camping. Looking to meet a nice WF, 40-60, with whom to share what lovers do. !908620 I LOVE MY DOG... but I can’t take her to the movies. Puerto Rican SHM, 22, 5’9”, long curly (sometimes braided) hair, smoker, works in collections.

Seeking BF, 18-40, for friendship, possible romance. !914936 TENDER, LOVING CARE SWM, 40, enjoys sports, hanging out and just having fun. Seeking a lady who needs more romance in her life. !895728 ARE WE A GOOD MATCH? SWM, 37, brown/blue, Leo, smoker, enjoys outdoor sports, Nascar. Seeks caring woman, 25-50, who wants to be treated like a queen. !891638 CONTACT ME! DM, 34, 160lbs, sandy blond, would like to meet a female, 19-38, for movies, dining, and more! !891732 MUST LOVE THE LORD SBM, 56, 5’7’’, N/S, likes sports, gospel music, exercise, steak. Seeking SBF, 39-42, N/S, for friendship first, see what develops. !891808 SEEKING SOMEONE SPECIAL SBM, 61, Virgo, smoker, likes reading, movies, dining out, travel. Seeking outgoing, caring woman, 18-55, with similar interests, for LTR. !850674

COUNTRY DWELLER DWM, 38, 5’9”, 170lbs, brown hair, with 3 children, body shop collision technician, N/S, likes old cars, tractors, and motorcycles.

Seeking country girl, 28-42, for LTR. !821552 MAYBE YOU’RE MY LADY Honest, friendly SM, 46, auburn/green, likes scuba diving, motorcycles, travel, Elvis, documentaries. Seeking SF to share happy times, talks, and possible relationship. !776373 PLEASE, PLEASE ME SWM, 32, N/S, N/D, is looking for a woman, 27-35, with a petite build, to share good times, conversations and maybe more. !871092 YOU AND ME SHM, 30, 5’7”, black/black, with tanned skin, enjoys sports, and is looking for a woman, 20-32, to share the fun stuff of life. !881180 A NEW YEAR SBM, 29, 5’7”, 145lbs, with a handsome face, seeks a woman who is petite, pretty, and occasionally crazy, to hang out, maybe more. !884263 AVERAGE JOE SWM, 52, is in search of a woman who enjoys games of golf, riding motorcycles, trips to the beach, or anything with the right guy. !861645 ARE WE A MATCH? SWM, 42, 6’1”, 180lbs, brown/blue, enjoys classic rock, movies, dining, and more.

Seeking nice, friendly SW/HF, 30-47. !965931 GIVE ME A TRY SBM, 30, Virgo, N/S, likes reading, movies, dining out, travel, sports. Seeking outgoing, caring woman, 18-40, N/S, with similar interests, for LTR. !851101

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M B D F H C LTR

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G W A S J P N/D N/S

Gay White Asian Single Jewish Professional Non-Drinker Non-smoker

45

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

ENDANGERED SPECIES SBF, 57, average build, independent, likes the good things life has to offer, fun to be with.

Seeking SBM, 55-68, independent, honest and caring. !927805 DREAM GUY SBF, 29, searching for open-minded, outgoing SM, 22-38, military man A+, for friendship, fun nights out, dancing, talks and maybe more. !836990 ISO CHRISTIAN VALENTINE SWCF, 61, outgoing, Libra, N/S, seeks SWCM, 59-65, with whom to share Christ, friendship, and laughter. Must be family-oriented, kind, outgoing, emotionally/financially secure. Let’s give our friendship a try. !911830 COULD THIS BE YOU? SBF, 45, 5’4”, full-figured, Taurus, N/S, enjoys church, dining out, reading, and quiet times at home. ISO BM, 45-65, N/S, for LTR. !810309 CLOSER TO FINE SBF, 58, retired school teacher, N/S, enjoys traveling and tv. Seeking BM, 50-65, educated (high school at least, please), who enjoys having good clean fun. !909981 TALL BROWN SUGAR SBF, 25, 5’9”, N/S, enjoys movies, concerts, quiet times, and good music. Seeking WM, 23-30, N/S, no children. !906840 WANNA DANCE? SWF, 57, seeks dance partner for Salsa and Square Dancing! Any size, shape, big or tall, short or small, matters not! It’s the footwork that counts! Beginner-intermediate level. !898986 BE MY TEDDY BEAR SWF, 32, 5’3’’, 180lbs, auburn/blue, no kids, never married, enjoys movies, sports, travel, dining, bowling, cuddling, quiet evenings.

Seeking honest, romantic SBM, similar interests, for dating, possible LTR. !894568 I WANT TO LOVE YOU SBF, 18, 5’2”, Cancer, enjoys writing poetry, walks on the beach, hanging out and enjoying life. Seeking BM, 18-24, who will treat her right, and expects the same in return. !880193 WAITING FOR YOU SB mom, 24, Virgo, seeks a man for days at the park, the mall, or at the movies, and spending time with family and friends. !883496 ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Honest SWF, 28, 5’10”, 210lbs, blonde/blue, enjoys classic rock, horror movies, and quiet nights at home. Seeking SW/HM, 18-40, for friendship, possible LTR. !874789 LOVE OF LIFE Attractive, classy, vivacious SWCF, 50ish, N/S, N/D, seeks SWCM, N/S, N/D, who is honest, financially/mentally secure, and ready for commitment. !875741 JAZZY MISS Slender and attractive SBPF, 31, loves music, conversation, travel. Seeking kind, friendly, honest and family-oriented SBM, 30-38, for fun times. !865339 LOOKING FOR YOU SWF, 37, 5’6”, Scorpio, N/S, enjoys mountains, bowling, the beach and music. Seeking WM, 35-48, N/S, to be a companion, friend. !456544

HIKER HEAVEN SWF, 45, full-figured, N/S, enjoys church, exploring, old movies, auctions, and gym.

Seeking WM, 46-56, N/S. Let’s make tracks together. !807679 SIMPLE KIND OF LIFE SWF, 34, listens to country and oldies music, and wants to meet a man to cuddle up on the couch and watch a good movie, or enjoy other simple pleasures. !860787 LOOKING FOR ME Female, 34, Leo, smoker, seeks man, 25-38, for romance, real friendship, with similar interests, possibly more later on. !844726 OLD-FASHIONED LADY SWCF, 48, 5’3”, 150lbs, blonde/green, Scorpio, N/S, enjoys church, Bible studies, music, dining out. Seeking SWCM, 35-60, N/S, for friendship and more. !840939 SOMEONE TO LOVE SWF, 48, enjoys a good horror movie, a drama or a comedy. Seeking a man for romance, quiet times at home, or just dancing the night away! !832399 LOVES TO BOWL WF, 48, petite, Capricorn, N/S, enjoys Chicano cuisines. Seeking WM, 46-59, N/S, very outgoing, for LTR. !806136 ADVENTUROUS MOM SBF, 29, Cancer, N/S, loves beaches, horror movies, and horseback riding. Seeking man, 25-40, N/S, strong-minded, who loves kids. !808682 HI! I’m a 49-year-old SWF and I WLTM a onewoman’s man, very lonely person. I WLTM a gentleman who would to be good to me and treat me w/kindness and gentleness. !793024 A VERY SERIOUS WOMAN SBPF, 34, mother of 3, nurse, independent and secure, enjoys church, movies, dining. looking for commitment-minded, level-headed, spiritual, spontaneous, respectful man, who truly appreciates a good woman. Sound like you? !777612 AQUARIUS SEEKING SWF, 46, 5’6”, smoker, enjoys cuddling, movies, gardening. Seeking honest, handsome SWM, 40-50, with similar interests, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. !759515 THE LORD, ABOVE ALL SBCF, 38, Pisces, N/S, in the medical field (works private duty), would like to meet SBCM, 38-50, who shares my love of the Lord, for LTR. !727626 TRAVEL, ANIMALS... and movies make me happy. SWF, 53, Capricorn, N/S, loves the fall and spring and visiting Gatlinburg, TN. Seeking WM, 55-56, for LTR. !728854 SEARCHING FOR MR RIGHT SBPF, 39, Libra, loves church, traveling, movies, and dining out. Seeking SBPM, 3760, for possible LTR. !421273 FRIEND IN FAITH SBF, 47, Capricorn, N/S, involved with church, very creative, artistic, designs tile and cards. Seeking BCM, 44-58, involved with church, who loves the Lord. !707742 YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO SBF, 39, Leo, N/S, seeks BM, 38-45, downto-earth, very direct and straightforward, to have fun with. !582549 SINGLE MOM SEEKING SBF, 20, Gemini, N/S, mother of twins, likes going to the park, spending time with family, going to the mall, movies, seeks compatible SBM, 18-35, N/S. !532672 WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE? SWF, 48, Cancer, N/S, seeks WM, 40-56, who wants to have a great relationship. Why not give me a call? You never know. !511453

To become a member, call 1-888-223-7044 To listen and respond to ads, call 1-900-226-8908 Calls cost $1.99 per min., Must be 18+.

To respond to ads using a

GIVE ME A CALL SWM, 40, 5’8”, 185lbs, salt-n-pepper/green, N/S, enjoys fishing, horseback riding, stargazing, martial arts, reading, quiet times home. Seeking that special woman to share life, laughs and maybe love. !834688 DARE YOU TO ENJOY LIFE SWM, 35, 5’10”, with above-average looks, military officer, N/S, loves travel. ISO an exciting, adventurous woman, 22-50, N/S, who likes to have fun. !830590 LOOKING FOR YOU SBM, 34, 6’2”, 235lbs, N/S, loves cooking, and loves to romance you. Seeking woman, 20-40. If you’re reading this ad, let’s hook up. !815532 CAPRICORN SWM, 36, 5’10”, average build, smoker, seeks a sweet WF, 28-46, for friendship, possible romance. !818386 OPEN-MINDED, EASYGOING SWM, 27, 5’8”, 125lbs, blond/blue, smoker, loves pizza. Seeking WF, 25-45, smoker, for friendship, possible romance. !819355 HIDDEN TREASURE Male, 27, 5’9”, 160lbs, blond/blue, Aries, N/S, seeks WF, 18-30, a straight shooter, who can appreciate an authentic Mr. Nice Guy type. !819406 DOWN FOR WHATEVER SBM, 18, 5’7”, Scorpio, N/S, student, seeks BF, 18-21, N/S, with a good head on her shoulders. No games. !799082 OPEN-MINDED GUY SBM, 5’11”, 20, well-groomed, Capricorn, N/D, N/S, enjoys basketball, friends, dining, music. Seeking nice, real woman, 18-25, for LTR. !800701 I’M INTRIGUED...

Male, 5’10”, athletic build, 30, Scorpio, N/S, seeks woman, 21-48, with interesting views and something to say. !801577 DO YOU LIKE 2 TRAVEL SM, 59, sociable and fun, enjoys bingo, dining out, movies, travel, more. Seeking sincere, happy, spontaneous lady for possible LTR. !774081 STARTING OVER Non-smoking SM, 19, 5’11”, 155lbs, brown/brown, medium build, likes movies, travel, sports, reading, quiet evenings at home. Seeking outgoing, adventurous SF, 18-21, N/S, for LTR. !752673 CALL ON MY Active, fun and intellectual SBM, 5’ 11”, Slim build, 20, Sagittarius, smoker, seeks woman, 20-24, smoker, for friendship, possible romance. !755250 CAN WE TALK ?

Spiritual SWM, 44, Capricorn, smoker, who enjoys the Fall. Seeking AF, 30-50, for LTR. !755341 A LOT TO OFFER easygoing SWM, 5’ 11”, Athletic build, 23, Cancer, N/S, seeks woman, 18-35, for friendship, possible romance. !761055 WELL-ROUNDED MAN Educated SBPM, 41, 5’11”, loves reading, working out, the arts, dining out, travel, quiet times. Would like to meet SWF, 30-45, with similar interests, for fun, friendship, and maybe more. !442021

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METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

HEART OF GOLD SWM, 31, 6’3”, 210lbs, brown/blue, enjoys reading, movies, travel, sports. Seeking outgoing, attractive SF, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. !556440

SEEKING SOMEONE SINCERE GWM, 42, 5’11”, 175lbs, brown/blue, somewhat masculine, outgoing and friendly, likes dining out, travel, movies and shopping.

Looking to meet honest, passionate SBM, with similar interests, for dating, possible LTR. !769411 LET’S SADDLE UP SWM, 27, 5’8”, brown/brown, Virgo, smoker, loves horses, camping (with or without the horses), and traveling. Seeking man, 25-40, who can ride, ride, ride. !921725 SEEKING FRIENDSHIP SBM, 6’1”, 214lbs, enjoys indoor activities.

Seeking masculine SW/BM, honest, sincere, who is looking for new friendships. !737679 RELAXING AT HOME SBM, 35, Virgo, N/S, likes relaxing at home, fun, concerts, trips going to the beach. Seeks fun, spontaneous SBM, 26-37, N/S. !532700 ACTIVE SBM SBM, 49, Pisces, N/S, enjoys bowling, movies, playing sports, seeks compatible BM, 30-46, N/S, with similar interests. !846543 HEALTHY AND FIT SBM, 25, 5’5”, 170lbs, masculine, nighttime inventory stocker, Capricorn, N/S, enjoys working out. Seeking energetic, passionate, masculine WM, 20-50, N/S. !708544 TAKE A CHANCE GWM, 43, 6’2”, 195lbs, black brown, seeks other GWM, for fun times and maybe something more. !493530 DOGGONE LOVEABLE SWM, 37, Gemini, smoker, nature and animal lover (especially puppies), seeks outgoing, down-to-earth man, 20-70, for friendship. !909184 FUN-FILLED DAYS AWAIT SBM, 24, enjoys taking trips, nice restaurants, fun evenings, dancing, quality time together. Seeking masculine SBM, 20-55, for possible relationship. !894435 GREAT PERSONALITY SBM, 18, 6’3”, 220lbs, masculine build, seeking SBM, 18-29, very masculine, energetic, fun-loving, to go out for dinners, walks and more. !627150 LOOKING FOR COOL CAT... to converse with. SBM, 34, Capricorn, N/S, game and drama-free, seeks BM, 26-48, serious-minded, with sense of direction in life. !889038 LET’S GET TOGETHER GWPM, 37, 5’9”, brown/brown, who enjoys reading, movies, politics, entertainment, seeks a guy for dating, possibly growing into more. !883365 EASY TO TALK TO SWM, 48, loves good Italian or French cuisine, and is looking for a man who is easy to get along with, for romance. !870126 SEEKING SPECIAL GENTLEMAN SBM, 33, 6’2”, 245lbs, Taurus, N/S, likes movies, camping, music, reading, sports.

Seeking out GM, 35-48, for friendship, possible romance. !824261 I WANT TO MEET YOU! GBM, 32, 5’7”, average build, Pisces, N/S, likes reading, movies, dining out, travel, sports. Seeking outgoing, caring GWM, 2445, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. !850885 SEEKS MAN WITH DIRECTION GBM, 33, Capricorn, N/S, seeks understanding, level-headed, secure GBM, 25-48, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. !854633 INTERESTED? Independent SWM, 37, 5’8”, 150lbs, brown/brown, would like to meet fun-loving, honest, real, professional, secure female to share dates, talks, walks, dinners and romance. !848764 FUN TO HANG AROUND WITH GWM, 52, 5’2”, smoker, enjoys playing pool, having fun, seeks outgoing GWM, 40-55, smoker, with similar interests. !844895

How do you

FRIENDSHIP FIRST GWM, 26, 5’3”, athletic build, N/S, likes sports, working out, travel, reading, swimming. Seeking non-smoking GW/AM, 20-26, with similar interests. !764332 LET’S MEET FOR COFFEE Good-looking GWM, 36, 6’, 200lbs, muscular, tan, enjoys working out, yard work, spending time with my dogs. Looking for attractive SM, 32-48, for dating, maybe leading to LTR. !436231 ME IN A NUTSHELL WM, 18, brown/blue, medium build, looking for fun, outgoing, energetic guy, 18-30, for movies, hanging out, quiet evenings at home, and more. Friends first, maybe becoming serious. !425471

YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR BiWF, 27, enjoys everything, promises you won’t regret it. If you’re looking for a good time and friendship, I’ll be perfect for you. !830500

AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUD Open-minded, spontaneous, laid-back SBF, 23, Pisces, N/S, loves R&B and old-school music. Seeking feminine woman, 25-50, race not important, who loves to have fun. !919677 WHY WAIT? SWF, 38, 5’6”,140lbs, short brown hair, easygoing, enjoys playing golf, the beach.

Seeking feminine female, 20-40, to have fun times and more. !448489 READY TO HAVE FUN! SF, 25, seeks femme, 25-35, race not important, who is nice, pretty, slim. Let’s talk and get to know one another! !895256 WAITING FOR YOU SBF, 19, is in search of a friend first, maybe more with time, with a lady who likes to get out and have fun. !874312 ONLY A WOMAN WILL KNOW GBF, Capricorn, N/S, likes reading, movies, dining out, travel, sports. Seeking outgoing, caring GWF, 27-52, N/S, with similar interests, for dating and more. !850614 THE SWEETEST THING SBF, 26, 5’8”, 145lbs, wants to get out and have fun with a new friend, maybe more with time. !832018 PLAYS GUITAR, WRITES... poetry, and rollerblades.

NativeAmerican/African-American female, 18, 5’5”, 117lbs, very toned, laid-back, a goofball at times, N/S, seeks woman, 18-29. !818596 BONEVILLE BABE SWF, 31, 5’5”, 130lbs, brown/green, smoker, enjoys playing golf, movies, and picnics at the lake. Seeking WF, 25-40, for friends, possibly more. !818908

DIVA WITH DIMPLES Independent DWF, 23, Gemini, smoker, enjoys hip-hop, R&B, and country music.

Seeking WF, 20-30, smoker, for friendship, possible romance. !808179 GET TO KNOW ME SBF, 25, Taurus, N/S, enjoys movies, travel.

Seeking woman, 21-30, N/S, for friendship, possible romance. !803723 A LOT TO OFFER Non-smoking GBF, 37, N/S, seeks very attractive, unique, romantic, fun, intelligent, feminine GF, 27-37, for friendship, dating, possibly more. !749660 A NEW BEGINNING Attractive and outgoing SWF, 5’ 5”, Athletic build, 20, Aquarius, smoker, loves the outdoors, camping and hiking. Seeking WF, 2150, for LTR. !751226 JUST THE FACTS SBPF, 41, Libra, N/S, seeks PF, age and race unimportant, who enjoys dining out, quiet times at home, and movies, for LTR. !730225 ENJOYS BOWLING SBF, 32, Gemini, N/S, 5’3”, 145lbs, mother of one, enjoys movies, the mall, dining, going out to eat, bowling, quiet times at home, seeks woman, 21-38, for friendship, possible romance. !646271 BEAUTIFUL AND FEMININE GWF, 32, 5’7”, 135lbs, enjoys reading, movies, dining out, travel, sports, music, movies. Seeking GWF, 25-39, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. !329063

©2003 TPI

ONE SIMPLE WOMAN? SBM, 41, Leo, smoker, retired military and fireman, seeks SHF, 20-50, smoker, with simple tastes, for dating and possible relationship. !844123

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Become A Massage Therapist Augusta School of Massage Inc. is now accepting applications for day & evening courses. Ask how to receive a free massage table.

We exceed the minimum requirements for certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

Augusta School of Massage Inc.

Call Today For Details!

733-2040

3512 1/2 Wheeler Road • Augusta, GA 30909

THE COLISEUM

Music

READINGS BY

MRS. GRAHAM

Friday, Feb 20th Heather Daniels Saturday, Feb 21st S.C. Pride Tour

Drink Specials: FRI & SAT Famous Beer Bust All You Can Drink $9

Open Mon-Fri 8pm-3am Sat 8pm-2:30am

Fri & Sat. No Cover Before 10 p.m.

1632 Walton Way • Augusta, GA

706-733-2603

Email: ColiseumAugusta@aol.com

MARLBORO STATION Aiken’s Ultimate Dance Club !

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Business Opportunity Incredible opportunity to help you earn residual income!

PT/FT training provided.

Call Me Today 888-742-1777 LeRoy NEX X Independent Rep www.phone222.com (02/26#8365)

Employment Rosedale Transport Needs OTR Drivers, both team and solo.

If you have one year experience, CDL Class A with haz-mat, good driving record. Home weekly, 1-800-486-3681 (02/19#8353)

General Help Wanted

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STARLIGHT CABARET

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THUR - Dance Party

FRI - Claire Storm SAT - Dana Andrews SUN- Dianne Channel 141 Marlboro Street, N.E. Aiken S.C. • 803-644-6485

DOORS OPEN AT 8:00 THURS, FRI, SAT, & SUN • 8PM-2AM

18 to Party • 21 to Drink • No Cover With This Ad

Call 738-1142 to place your Classified ad!

341 S. Belair Rd. Open from 9 a.m. til 9 p.m.

Call (706) 733-5851

Diamond Massage Therapy Dr. Scot tie Diamond and our qualified staf f of professionals of fer in home massage therapy, migraine relief, pedicures, manicures, & acne treatments. Your first acne treatment is free. We come to you at your convenience.

Call 803-827-9300 (02/19#8346)

Equipment WOLFF TANNING BEDS

AFFORDABLE • CONVENIENT Tan At Home Payments From $25/month FREE Color Catalog Call Today 1-800-842-1305 (03/25#8320)

• French Drains • Gutter Drains • Catch Basins • Erosion Control • Waterproofing • Crawl Space

GUARANTEED SOLUTIONS

Private Investigator RAY WILLIAMSON & ASSOCIATES Private Investigations 17 years experience Domestic Relations and Child Custody Cases Licensed and Bonded in Georgia & Carolina 706-854-9672 or 706-854-9678 fax (02/19#8359) Premier Investigations •Domestic •Child Custody •Background Checks 869-1667 (02/19#8366) Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer A Christian Church reaching to all: including Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered Christians.

Meeting at 557 Greene Street, 11 am and 6 pm each Sunday. 722-6454 MCCOurRedeemer@aol.com www.mccoor.com (02/19#8128)

Travel

thank you

••••• ••••• FOR SUPPORTING OUR ADVERTISERS

Poor Water Drainage?

LICENSED • INSURED

706-869-9988

www.sundownconstruction.com Love’s Wedding Chapel All types of ceremonies NO BLOOD TEST!!!!

NO WAITING PERIOD!!!!

Love & Light Healing Center 2477 Wrightsboro Road 706-733-8550 or cell 951-1300 (02/19#8370)

www.metrospirit.com Telephone Service Unlimited Long-Distance & Local Calling One Price, One Bill, One Company Keep Your Same Phone # Call 1-800-392-4050 Eula NEX X Independent Rep www.nex xrep.com/134741 (02/19#8354)

We want your dead junk or scrap car bodies.

We tow away and for some we pay.

706/829-2676

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$250 - $500 a Week Will train to work at home helping the US Government file HUD/FHA mor tgage refunds No experience necessary Call 1-800-778-0353 (02/26#8369)

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$1.00 D ra Every N ft ight All Nigh t

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R E A D I N G S

Mrs. Graham, Psychic Reader, Advises on all affairs of life, such as love, marriage, and business. She tells your past, present and future. Mrs. Graham does palm, tarot card, and Chakra balancing. She specializes in relationships and reuniting loved ones.

Sewing by Sara Sewing, alterations, pillows & purses.

706-650-5974 (02/26#8367)

METRO SPIRIT - FEBRUARY 19, 2004

59 People needed to lose weight!

All natural, doctor recommended 100% Guaranteed Call for free sample, 706-284-7650 (02/26#8368)

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C A R D

SPECIAL READINGS WITH CARD

Premier Entertainment Complex & High Energy Dance Music

Services

Wheels

Dead Bodies Wanted OR

706/798-9060