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EVENTS CALENDAR JENNY IS WRIGHT
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WHINE LINE
EricJohnson|news editor eric@themetrospirit.com
GabrielVega|lead designer gabe@themetrospirit.com
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AmyChristian|arts editor/production director amy@themetrospirit.com
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Michael-RKQVRQ_VLJKWLQJV Valerie(PHULFN_ZULWHU Amy3HUNLQV_HGLWRULDO LQWHUQ Laura3HUU\_YROXQWHHU KristinHawkins|editorial intern
WHINELINE Could somebody in the city please spray the bugs at the bus shelters? My arthritic feet are too tired to move so the bugs don’t crawl onto me. They are gross. To the overly eager-to-thepoint-of-rude judgment animal lovers: We are quite aware of the high number
of unwanted animals. Yes, we are aware of a very high number of people who want to not have to put down any of those animals. But you will not persuade me to help with your rude judgment of me that *I* must help, that it’s *my* responsibility for those animals in the shelters and for me get some monies and foods over
Give Deke a tan, put a wig and floral blouse on him and add 50 pounds... and voila! Yuu have Helen Blocker Adams.
disallowed evidence showing that his attacker was a drug using, gun toting, gangsterwanna-be punk. While Zimmerman was a family man that volunteered his time to try to make his community a safer place. This is unfair. It’s already obvious that he will not get a fair trial.
In Zimmermans pre trial hearings the judge has
about the letter from the augusta solid waste...
to the shelters if I would not trust to hand them over to directly upon your apparently command.
o r t e m IRIT SP hahahahahahahahahahahaha is this a joke or what...I guess the jokes on US. oh yea the 311 number doesn’t work to good either.
Contributors Greg Baker|Sam Eifling |Kristin Hawkins |Rhonda Jones |Austin Rhodes|Josh Ruffin|Matt Stone|Adam Wadding|Jenny Wright
o r t e m IR P S
INSIDER RUFFIN’ IT AUSTIN RHODES
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Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, 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 publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.© 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.
CONTENTS
The Evolution Creation of a Senate Candidate: A Day with Paul Broun Multiple Harvests: DuTeau looks to get the most out of visitors through events that keep on giving Last Stop: Momentum grows for performing arts center at depot Calm Hand: Morris brings slow and steady approach to Columbia County Commission
(continued on page xx)
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INSIDER@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Insider is an anonymous, opinion-based examination of the hidden details of Augusta politics and personalities.
SIDER
Right Mileage Austin Rhodes has been talking a lot recently concerning his recent IRS audit. He says he is calling all of his political contacts, sounding the alarm bells. His take on the situation is that he is the state of Georgia’s longesttenured conservative talk show host, thus attracting the attention of the henchmen at the Cincinnati office of the Internal Revenue Office. That’s the office at the center of the current political brouhaha. Last week he stated his returns have been consistent for 20 years. He mentioned he only claims “around 200 miles a week” in mileage. On Tuesday’s Austin Rhodes show, he stated he claims “less than 300 miles a week.” At 55.5 cents per mile reimbursed by the government for business-related travel, that is anywhere from $5,772 to $8,658 per year. While his protests over turning over phone records seem reasonable, travel logs are mandatory under the IRS rules governing tax deductions. On air, Austin is painting it as Big Brother trying to find out what he is up to. More likely, it is Big Brother trying to find out how, in the technical world we live in, a radio talk show host travels between 10,000 and 15,000 miles per year for business. Yikes.
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AUGUSTA A UGUSTA TREE PROFESSIONALS
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MONEY
DOESN’T
GROW ON TREES (Although some local tree services must beli be liliev evee it doe ev ddoes oess ac oe acco cord co rdin rd ingg to tthe in heir he ir eest stim st imat im ates at ess!) believe according their estimates!)
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Alliances Though there’s nothing all that remarkable about Augusta commissioners holding community meetings, when you’re running for mayor and your featured speaker is Sheriff Richard Roundtree, you’re going to attract some attention. By getting Roundtree to speak at his event, Alvin Mason made a calculated move toward the area’s strongest black political figure. By accepting, Roundtree gave at least the impression of a political alliance that promises to be interesting to watch. Should Mason, who’s already a powerful politician with a flair for the dramatic, be able to harness Roundtree’s political organization, he could prove a dominating force in Augusta for quite some time. Corey Johnson, who has consistently staked out the unlikely position as Deke’s heir apparent with his usually positive, mostly steady approach to government, might be the attractive counterbalance for a lot of voters, but whether he’s got the fire to inspire Deke’s coalition to turn up at the polls is another thing entirely. And in a large field, the number of those “nice factor” votes that might be tempted to go Helen Blocker Adams’ way, even though she’s far from the power she was in 2005, could be just enough to get Johnson to bow out completely and go for that state senate seat instead.
BreathEasy, Augusta On Monday, June 10, keep your eyes pealed for Augusta’s commissioners hoofing it around the downtown area. They’re going on a field trip to make sure everyone is on the same page when they’re talking about the problems of downtown. (They won’t be on the same page, of course — they’re Augusta commissioners — but they won’t even be on the same chapter if they don’t at least get out and walk together.) Hopefully, one of the commissioners will think to bring a notebook — or maybe one of those iPads they got to save money on printing out those big agenda books — because somebody should be taking notes. While there might actually be some substantive discussion about the downtown beatings and the embarrassment of that YouTube video of the downtown brawl, don’t expect too much. While some commissioners might be interested in talking about protecting Augusta’s citizens from random acts of violence, the mayor is all fired up about his role in protecting Augusta’s workers from secondhand smoke, and he just can’t stop talking about it.
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Retreat THE
TAPAS BAR
Great Food! No Tie Required!
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Nip These in the Bud
Discouraging trends in the socio-political arena Advanced apologies if this column seems a little bit distracted. I just found out today that Jean Stapleton — eight-time Emmy-nominated actress and three-time winner — died. She was a stunningly versatile performer, something that may not have been readily apparent in her most famous role as Edith Bunker on “All in the Family.” Stapleton appreciated the attention and the acclaim she received for her performance, but was cautious about too fully embracing it, as she believed it was a potentially unhealthy representation of a certain sliver of reality. In a 1972 interview with the New York Times, Stapleton stated: “What Edith represents is the housewife who is still in bondage to the male figure, very submissive and restricted to the home. She is very naive, and she kind of thinks through a mist, and she lacks the education to expand her world. I would hope that most housewives are not like that.” So yes, RIP and all that. Still, though I didn’t expect to be able to use Stapleton and/or Edith as a segue into a larger discussion of a glaring socio-political problem, the actress’ words ring troublingly true in this woman-oppressed, sexually repressed era of ours. True, individual states are legalizing same-sex marriage at a pretty encouraging clip, our federal government seems to have the back of Planned Parenthood whenever s**t gets real in the Thunderdome that is vaginal politics, but there are equally discouraging trends and standalone incidents that need to be nipped in the bud. Which incidents? Glad you asked. 1. The Obama Administration vs. The FDA President Obama has found himself in a fair bit of hot water early on in his second term, not so much from Republicans but from his own constituency. I don’t have the space to go into the scandals involving drone surveillance, the IRS targeting conservative groups (also gonna just hold my tongue on that one), the tapping of journalists, etc., but this one fits right in: President Obama said Thursday he was “comfortable” with a Food and Drug Administration decision to allow over-the-counter access to morning-after pills for girls as young as 15 years old. Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, had blocked over-the-counter access for girls under 17 in December 2011, saying there was not enough scientific evidence to prove the drug was safe for very young girls. But Obama said Thursday that he supported the new decision to lower the age to 15. “It’s not my decision to make,” he said, emphasizing that it was up to the F.D.A. to base its decisions on science. But he said the new decision was something “I’m comfortable with.” The issue of access to the contraceptive pill is forcing Mr. Obama’s administration into the middle of an intense debate between antiabortion campaigners and abortion rights advocates. On Wednesday, the Justice Department appealed a federal district judge’s ruling that would have required the drug to be given to girls and women of all ages. — NY Times, 05-02-2013 Which, okay, is all well and good, and bravo for approving lowering the age of access from 17 to 15. But the real key here — and yet another example of this administration willing to kowtow to, or at least make some questionable compromises to, the opposition — is that last paragraph. The administration appealed — effectively blocking, for now — a ruling that the drug be made available to women and girls of all ages, bar none. This appeal is stupid, and for two reasons: 1) there isn’t much biological or hormonal difference between the average 15-year-old girl and the average 14-year-old girl. Opponents of readily available contraception will argue that it encourages promiscuity, but teenagers — and anyone else, frankly — are going to have sex if they want to badly enough, regulations or no regulations. 2) A rapist doesn’t care if a girl is 14 or 15. And the shame that a 14-year-old feels, the shame that will make her hesitate to obtain a parent or guardian’s permission to acquire the necessary medication, is the same a 15-year-old feels. The only difference is, the 15-year-old can, for some reason, do something about it. 2. Sam Brownback: It’s All for the Kids Over the past two years, I’ve almost gotten two jobs in Kansas. All told, it’s not the most terrible place to live: fairly picturesque, probably good football and Tallgrass Brewing Company — easily one
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of the best canned beer-makers on the market today — is based out of there. Before I got rejected for that first job, I was already making preliminary plans to attend the Nebraska Beer Festival in the hopes that I’d get to try Tallgrass’ imperial smoked wheat beer. C’est la vie. Anyway, I digress. Sam Brownback is the current governor of Kansas, and is, as you might have guessed, a pretty terrible guy, and he would simply be quaintly laughable if he didn’t wield so much power, most of which he uses to regulate ladyparts: In April of 2011, Brownback signed a bill banning abortion after 21 weeks, based on the largely unfounded view that fetuses can feel pain at that point. The same bill required any young woman under 17 to get a parent’s permission to obtain an abortion (see above, which makes me sad that Brownback and Obama are seeing eye-toideological-eye on something). That same year, Brownback defunded Planned Parenthood of $330,000 worth of family planning funds from the state. This was ostensibly done because of anti-abortion reasons, even though standing laws prevent such funds from being used for abortions in the first place. In other words, Brownback was just being a jerk, something a judge agreed with, since the provision was blocked. Just this year, Brownback signed a sweeping anti-abortion bill that blocked tax breaks for abortion providers, banned sex-selection abortions and declare that life begins “at fertilization.” The bill has already been challenged, and is likely to come up before the Surpreme Court, where its chances are not great — from a logical standpoint, Dan Savage notes, the bill doesn’t make sense anyway: as a good percentage of super-early-term “children” spontaneously abort anyhow, Brownback is essentially calling God a murderer. Which is just the sort of religious confusion you’d expect from someone who still can’t make up his mind between three different faiths. It’s all incredibly disingenuous, as Brownback has also defunded the state’s arts council, shifted the tax burden to lower- and middle-class families and cut social services. Kansas also boasts (is “boasts” the right word?) one of the nation’s largest populations of impoverished children. In other words, Brownback cares about kids… as long as they still have gills. Once that banana-shaped head crowns, that kid is on his own. 3. The State of Virginia: Protecting the Structural Integrity of Butts Finally, score one for sanity, but it speaks volumes about the pitiful power grabs that social conservatives will attempt to make in the name of constitutionality. See, a couple of months ago, Virginia Attorney General Ken “The Finger” Cuccinelli tried to challenge a ruling that struck down Virginia’s anti-sodomy law as unconstitutional. He lost the appeal, badly. How badly? The three-judge panel that heard his original appeal denied him the full 15-judge panel… in a mere two sentences. In legalese, that’s a full-on mic drop. Cuccinelli’s basis for challenging the law? A 2005 case in which a 47-year-old man was convicted under that law for soliciting a 17-yearold girl to commit sodomy. So yeah, creepy and gross, but using that particular case to try and uphold a law that has historically been utilized to target homosexuals is lazy and transparent at best, hateful and deceitful at worst. And lest we give Cuccinelli the benefit of the doubt and try to believe for one moment that he truly and exclusively has the well-being of statutory rape victims in mind when fighting this law, here are his own views on homosexuality, in his words: My view is that homosexual acts — not homosexuality, but homosexual acts — are wrong. They’re intrinsically wrong. And I think in a natural law-based country, it’s appropriate to have policies that reflect that. ... They don’t comport with natural law. I happen to think that it represents (to put it politely; I need my thesaurus to be polite) behavior that is not healthy to an individual and in aggregate is not healthy to society. — The Virginian-Pilot, 2009
JOSHRUFFIN, a Metro Spirit alum, is a published
journalist and poet who just received his MFA from Georgia College & State University. He was once the most un-intimidating bouncer at Soul Bar. 06JUNE2013
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Coaches Must Master Baseball and Burgers Slowly but surely our local media seems to be getting the hang of this “personnel file request business” for public employees. It took just about 24 hours for Scott Rouch of the Columbia County News Times to get a story out after getting his hands on the personnel file of just fired Greenbrier High School head baseball coach Chris Wilkins. For the record, while Wilkins was relieved of his coaching duties, he remains as a certified and fully employed schoolteacher for the upcoming fall semester. On the heels of taking the Columbia County team to its second consecutive state title series, Wilkins’ termination represents one of the most bizarre personnel moves in local sports history, and an overall story that may rival the great Evans High “radio-in-the-helmet” scandal as one of the oddest situations to play out in public view in these parts, ever. Rouch’s initial reports focused on documented complaints that Wilkins had been mismanaging funds, and that it has been a chronic problem for him for several years. I was told the primary issues involve a failure to accurately track and account for concession stand money, which, believe it or not, is one of the duties of the head baseball coach. Not to make excuses for Coach Wilkins, but given the expectations and demands of the CCBOE high school baseball programs, who in the world thinks that is a good idea? Somehow I have a hard time picturing Bobby Cox or Billy Martin being troubled with keeping track of soda and weenie money. But if that is the routine, it was up to Wilkins to live up to the demand. According to that all important personnel file, a lack or organization concerning the concession stand was an ongoing bone of contention between the coach and his administration. So the most successful local coach over the last several seasons gets run out of the Captain’s Chair over (seemingly innocent) bookkeeping deficiencies. Damn odd if you ask me, particularly given the other complaints we have been hearing about the program. Granted, this critique comes from a relative handful of parents and former players, but to hear some of them rant and rave, Wilkins was an iron fisted tyrant who bullied players who were not in his favor. Oh, and then there is this complaint: Wilkins is a great big softie who let his players, and certain loud-mouthed parents, misbehave and throw tantrums with impunity. It was so bad, most of the good umpires who work local games wanted no part of a Greenbrier assignment. Not sure of where the truth is on this issue, because that is one answer that does not seem to be found in the infamous personnel files. But I do have a friend with a pretty good theory. I happen to spend three hours most weekdays 12 feet to the side of the brightest Columbia County sports reporter to ever write a story or broadcast a local game in Ashley Brown. Aside from his duties as a columnist for the above mentioned CCNT, and other local publications, he hosts a daily sports talk show (after my show), and he has won more awards doing it all, than a little bit. I give you his resume just to give weight to what he describes as a growing cancer in Columbia County high school sports, and it does not have a thing to do with coaches not knowing how to run snack bars. It has to do with idiotic, out of control, high-volume screeching parents. Parents who will not only yell like fools at their own kids on the field, but your kids, my kids, the coaches, the umpires and, given the chance, the decomposing corpse of Abner Doubleday. These putzes know it all, and they know it better than the men who have devoted their entire lives and careers to the game. Folks, if you could see some of the silliness these people have thrown at Wilkins (and other coaches in the area), you would laugh for days. Including threats of lawsuits for not giving Junior enough playing time because the guy in front of him is a stud with major league prospects. These people are sad, mad jokes... and while they may be happy Wilkins is gone, if they attempt to take any credit for his departure, they are lying through their teeth. While the final epitaph for Wilkins‘ Greenbrier days is still being written, perhaps the schools‘ athletic director and principal can use this opportunity to request the power to rein these nutbag parents in once and for all. Out of control team parents need to be put on notice that their act will not be further tolerated in Columbia County. When issues arise like we have seen in the Greenbrier program in the last few years, those kinds of maniacs must be stopped before they ruin a great tradition for the well-behaved majority. In the meantime, maybe they can get a new baseball coach from the lunch counter at the McDonald’s down the road. Not sure what he knows about baseball, but he balances a mean cash drawer.
AUSTINRHODES
The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. 8
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Now Open In Evans!
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Lobby Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 – 4:00 Friday 9:00 – 6:00 Drive-Thru Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 – 6:30 www.firstbankofga.com 06JUNE2013
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ERICJOHNSON
Multiple Harvests
DuTeau looks to get the most out of visitors through events that keep on giving
Randy DuTeau
Roughly eight months ago, when Randy DuTeau left the Augusta Sports Council to take over the Columbia County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the organization was in disarray. Operating without an official director since Beda Johnson, the CVB’s first executive director, resigned nearly 12 months before, the group was looking for a new direction, and DuTeau’s background in planning events and his infectious enthusiasm made him seem like the perfect choice. “It’s a unique opportunity to come in and hit the reset button on an organization,” he says. “I feel like somebody gave me this big, blank piece of canvas and this massive color palette and they just said, ‘Start painting.’” Though he might have been given the canvas and the paints, he still has to keep the paint between the lines. After all, funding for the CVB comes directly from the hotel/motel tax, which means those heads in beds aren’t just a way of evaluating his job performance, they actually pay the bills as well. Even so, DuTeau is keen to apply a regional approach to his promotion efforts. Just as Columbia County benefits from surrounding events like the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta, so too does Augusta and the rest of the CSRA benefit from what comes through Columbia County. “Obviously, we want people to come and visit and we want them to recognize the great things we have to offer,” DuTeau says. “But also the region is best served through collaboration. If we have these events that complement the events that are going on in Augusta, then it only makes us all look good, and it kind of opens up a spirit of cooperation between the 10 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
communities, and that’s a good thing.” Even with a regional approach, DuTeau’s focus is on bringing in sports and recreation events likely to pay immediate and long-range dividends. “That’s not to say that we’re not marketing, because we are, but we’re really trying to get events here, and we’re a lot more involved in the process,” he says. “And that’s one of the reasons I was hired — because I was able to do that, with help, through the Augusta Sports Council. We’re really honing in on trying to get actual business as opposed to targeting something that may or may not get here.” He says he wants to be able to look over the revenue reports and if he sees a spike in December, he knows it was because they hosted a cross country event and the soccer championships. So far, he’s identified a few major events: the AAU Cross Country National Championship, the NCAA Division II men’s and women’s soccer championships, trail running, a national championship series BMX race at the new $800,000 BMX park being built at Blanchard Woods, a mountain bike marathon race and possibly the USA Mountain Bike Marathon National Championship for 2015 and 2016. This year’s projected attendance for the race, slated for Sun Valley, is 500 athletes. That’s a harvest now and a potential harvest later, because according to DuTeau, each event scatters additional seeds. Even though the event might bring in 500 people, thousands of people are going to be aware of the event through reading articles or seeing something about it online. Even later, those who attend the event might be so impressed by the venue or by the area that they return later on their own time. “If you pique their interest, in a lot of way’s it’s probably the most targeted, cost-effective marketing you can do,” he says. That’s not to say the CVB is looking at nothing
but sporting events, however. Because the CVB is now housed in the same building with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority, the county’s other two marketing arms, DuTeau says he’s eager to make connections in the business community so he can promote the county’s available meeting space. “We’re not really in the position to go after the super conferences like they get at the Marriott that utilize the TEE Center, so the business is going to be on a much smaller scale,” he says. “But we have to do our due diligence through outreach, and I think once they become aware that we’re here, then we can do a lot of the heavy lifting for them. The better we can make them look, the more enticing we are down the line.” Another target he has is locals. Though locals don’t stay in hotels or motels, they do buy things and they tell people about the stuff the county has to offer, but there’s a perception that many of the county’s amenities — especially the lake — are too far away. “We’re talking a 20- or 25-minute drive,” he says. “Fishermen will drive from all over the Southwest or all over the East Cost, but getting someone who lives in Aiken or Augusta to come out to the lake is tough. People go to Atlanta to go shopping, so driving 25 minutes is not a stretch. It’s not even a day trip — it can be a just a few hour trip.” Before all of this can move forward, DuTeau, a methodical planner, is making sure the group’s foundation is solid. His first order of business was to put the organization through a strategic planning process and now he’s ready to bring in an outside company to help them build a web presence and establish a brand. “As part of our marketing piece, obviously, we need to know who we are before we can go out and sell ourselves,” he says. From there, he says, the sky’s the limit. 06JUNE2013
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GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D
Human Asteroids Kinects
And there might just be (squirrel) life on Mars! Undoubtedly, the arcade classic Asteroids is one of the greatest video games of all-time. Asteroid’s simplicity allowed players of all ages to compete while still bringing a challenge to the more sophisticated gamers. It’s too bad that games like Asteroids are lost in highresolution and interconnected gaming consoles of today. What would it take to bring back a game like Asteroids? The Kinect sensor may be the ticket to bring this game back to life. The Maker group Two Bit Circus has created a life-sized version of Asteroids. Human Asteroids puts the user in the middle of the action. With a Kinect mounted up high and a projector painting the asteroids on the floor, the player becomes the spaceship. With a smart phone in hand to monitor spaceship orientation, the player navigates the asteroids and starts breaking big rocks into small rocks. No word on how they implemented hyperspace. I’m guessing they left it for version 2.0. Hunger Hype — The run-up to the Hunger Games sequel has officially started. Check out the faux website http://capitolcouture.pn. The cover story this month is on Effie Trinket, the escort for the victorious District 12 tributes. Let the games begin! PvZ2 — The sequel to a modern day classic is also on its way. Plants vs. Zombie 2 is scheduled for release on July 18. For those of you who are not familiar with PvZ, let me just start out by saying, it is exactly what you think: A crazy old prepper uses genetically altered plants to protect his house from mind-eating zombies. Who would have ever thought that plants and zombie were mortal enemies? Check out the trailer at popcap.com/plants-vszombies-2.
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Is That a Squirrel? — Some say it’s irrefutable evidence that life exists on Mars. Others say it is proof that the space program is a government conspiracy. As for me, I take it for what it is. A picture of a squirrel... on the planet Mars. If you haven’t seen the picture yet, here it is.
The picture was taken by the NASA rover Curiosity on September 28, 2012. Officially, it’s just one of those random rock things that occurs given the infinite nature of the universe. Personally, I can’t help singing the Phineas and Ferb “Squirrels In My Pants” bit every time I look at it. (Come to think of it, wasn’t Candice also the Queen of Mars? Hmmm…) Rickroll Vine — Vine is in the news again this week. First, Vine released its Android apps. That’s cool. On a more interesting note, a 16-year old web developer circumvented the sixsecond video limit and rickrolled the site by uploading the entire Rick Astley video “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Say what you want, but I’ve always kind of liked that song. Until next week, I’m off the grid @gregory_a_baker. GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D, is vice president and chief rocket scientist for CMA, which provides information technology services to CSRA businesses and nonprofits.
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ERICJOHNSON
Last Stop
Momentum grows for performing arts center at depot Depot Property
With recent episodes of violence leaving many worried about the continued progress of downtown revitalization, one commissioner is putting stock in the historic depot property. Commissioner Corey Johnson has requested that Administrator Fred Russell find out the square footage of the depot building and come up with some ideas for its use. “We have a nice, historical facility and nobody’s using it,” Johnson says. The condition of the depot building was stabilized when a new roof was put on before last year’s surplus property auction. Local businessman Donnie Thompson bid $300,000 for the building and its 6.27 acres — far short of its appraised value of nearly $800,000. Commissioners decided to reject the bid. Before the recession, the property had been earmarked for the $120 million Watermark project. In 2004, the city paid $1.7 million to buy the property from a city pension fund. “There’s been so many things thrown out there, but from a commissioner’s perspective, do we have any of our entities that could go in there?” Johnson asks. “Do we have any use for anything like that?” Johnson’s interest was kick started a couple months ago when he visited the renovated depot building in Thomson. “I’m just trying to get some concepts together to get the use out of that building,” he says. “I’m open to ideas. That’s what I wanted to do — start the dialogue so we could get the conversation going.” Russell says that while he’d like to keep the depot building and the property together, nothing is off the 12 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
table, including selling them separately. “Obviously, I’m not in any hurry to get rid of it in a fire sale kind of deal,” he says. “Whatever goes in there in my mind needs to be compatible with what our goals would be. Some of that’s retail and some of that’s probably housing at some point, hopefully using the depot as either meeting rooms or mall shops or whatever down the line.” He says he envisions something with a parking deck shared by the Fort Discovery property, though he would like to have some indication that whoever buys it is going to save the depot. “That would be the best-case scenario,” he says. Though the city has rented out the property for certain outdoor events, Russell says the city really tries to direct events to the better equipped Common area, which has more lights and electricity. Johnson says he’s not opposed to selling the property, but like Russell, he says he would like an agreement that the new owners incorporate the depot building the way the TEE Center incorporated the historic Harrison Building. “At the end of the day, if we’d just use the building and put in something that would be a great focal point — something that represents the downtown area — I think that would be great,” Johnson says. The idea Johnson keeps coming back to, however, is the performing arts center, which he says has become a focus. “I think we need to have it at some point,” he says. “This is an arts community, and I think a lot of people would support it. I think it would be a multi-use facility,
and I think it would do wonders for the downtown. It would help us achieve some of the things we’re trying to do to brand downtown.” Russell doesn’t disagree. “While nothing has officially been talked about, if you were dreaming of it, that would actually be a pretty good idea,” he says. “It keeps [the theaters] all together, and you’ve got plenty of room. You’ve got some parking, and the depot would fit well in that particular motif.” The idea of a downtown performing arts center has been gaining steam lately, and the timing is no accident. According to Russell, the commission should begin talking about SPLOST projects in late summer, with a vote coming not this fall, but the next fall. “What we normally try to do is vote the year before it runs out so in case something goes wrong we have another bite at the apple before we lose collections.” How much of an impact Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s Miller Theatre project will have on public support for an expensive performing arts center is unclear, but what is clear is that Johnson, who will soon officially announce his future political ambitions, sees himself as a champion of the performing arts center. “I think it would be an awesome opportunity,” he says. “It’s something you need to start talking about because you don’t just sit and wait. You’ve got to be a little bit more aggressive about putting it out there.” 06JUNE2013
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ERICJOHNSON
Calm Hand
Morris brings slow and steady approach to Columbia County Commission
Bill Morris
Columbia County Commissioner Bill Morris knows about roundabouts. When news broke earlier in the week that Richmond County is considering five of them, Morris had to smile. As District 4 commissioner, he’s been hearing about the roundabout planned for Pumpkin Center since before he was elected. A divisive issue for many who feel the county has had the roundabout forced on it by the Georgia Department of Transportation (which still doesn’t seem to stop them from blaming commissioners), Morris has tried to concentrate his attention on a public art project in the center that everyone can find positive. “I’ve talked to Harlem and they’re real interested, because when you talk about coming into a community, they like to talk about an entrance or gateway,” he says. “So I’ve met with the Harlem folks a couple of times and we’re still kicking around ideas. I have also been able to talk to our transportation people in the state to make sure we have utilities in the center of the roundabout, and from what I’ve been told, there are very little, if any, restrictions on what you can have as an installation.” Though the roundabout in front of Greenbrier High School has a fountain, Morris thinks something attractively pointing out the direction to Harlem, Grovetown and Appling would be more appropriate and less costly. Morris, a retired Columbia County educator, won a special election in April 2011 by beating Vernon Thomas by just over 20 votes to finish the term of Scott Dean, who resigned just three months after winning his second term when he was indicted on child molestation charges. After a lifetime in the schools, he says he’s found the adjustment to the commission a little difficult. “I guess the biggest difference is the funding source,” he says. “The school board is so dependent on state funding, and you know what’s been happening recently with the state pulling back — it just shifts it to the local level. My heart really goes out to the school board and what they’re having to deal with.” On the commission, his funding comes locally. “As long as people are wanting to live in Columbia County and wanting to shop and invest in local business, then it turns itself around into a tax base,” he says. “And then we can turn around and provide the services people expect.” Historically, District 4 voters have voiced their frustration at an infrastructure that has often struggled to keep pace with the explosive growth, and Morris admits these issues are still there. “There are still some things I’d like to see done,” he says. “There are some dirt roads that we need to get paved and there are some water lines that we need to run. But things are not as simple as they used to be. It takes so much engineering and right of way acquisition to improve an intersection, and from there it sometimes takes months or even years to satisfy state officials.” An Appling resident, Morris convinced his fellow commissioners to hold one committee meeting every cycle at the historic Appling Courthouse, though this year those meetings have been reduced to once a quarter. “Maybe I was a little too ambitious to have them out there every month,” he says. “But we as a commission sometimes have to agree to disagree. We finally compromised on once a quarter, and I plan to do that for as long as I’m in office.” Which brings him to the election question. “I probably will run,” he says. “I’ve got the time and I hope I’m doing a good job. If I’m not, then somebody else can certainly run — I’m not in it for the money or the fame or anything. I’ve just always been a public servant as an educator and I hope I can be responsive to the needs of the community.” 06JUNE2013
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ROBERTLONG
The Evolution Creation of a Senate Candidate A Day with Paul Broun
Broun with pocket Constitution
It’s a sweltering May Wednesday in Washington, D.C., almost as hot as Augusta, and Congressman Paul Broun has made the move from his House office to the choicer real estate on the Senate side of the Capitol. It’s a move he’s looking to make politically too, but on this hot afternoon, Broun has arrived to address the Zionist Organization of America, a prominent pro-Israel group. He looks comfortable as he steps up to the podium, like being in front of the activists, lobbyists and journalists here on the Senate side is just where he wants to be. “I am a Bible-believing, evangelical Christian,” Paul Broun booms, to thunderous applause from his mostly Jewish audience. Sen. Rand Paul has spoken. Rep. Michele Bachmann has spoken. And so begins her colleague from Georgia’s tenth district, Dr. Paul Broun — touted as her replacement as the most firebrand Republican in Congress. His words echo in the spacious, marble room, one of the most magnificent in the Capitol. The guests, from silverhaired eminences wearing yarmulkes to young Congressional aides, are already won over. With his deep, slow drawl, even slower when he’s driving home an applause line, Broun explains why it’s vital that the US support Israel. “I think the only vestiges of God’s blessing on this country today are because we have continued 14 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
to bless Israel,” he says. “And it must never cease!” Provocative words, perhaps, but not here — Broun gets even more applause. He takes his time, and even throws in some humor: he assures his guests that he, a “proud Christian Zionist,” reads “the same Bible — we just have a few more books.” And he’s reassuring. “As long as I’m here in Washington, I’ll do everything I can to make sure that the United States is supporting Israel,” he concludes. “I don’t say so — God says so.” “I don’t say so — God says so” is a handy motto for Broun’s governing philosophy. God’s prescriptions for the running of government, as outlined in the Bible, are a tireless theme for him. So is the Constitution… “as originally intended by our Founding Fathers.” He says he thinks that no one on the Supreme Court, except conservative justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito understands this. This nation has rejected God and the Constitution, Broun believes, and if we don’t turn back, this country is doomed. So Broun, who has represented Georgia’s 10th since 2007, is foregoing a sure-thing reelection to the House to instead seek higher office next year. Broun has announced he is running for Senate to fill the seat of retiring senator Saxby Chambliss. Broun first entered the national spotlight a week after President Barack Obama’s 2008
election, when as a first-term Congressman he mused about dark intentions behind Obama’s call for a civilian national service corps. “That’s exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany, and it’s exactly what the Soviet Union did,” he told the Associated Press. His fellow Georgia delegates criticized his incendiary language, but Broun has only ramped up his rhetoric during his time in Congress. He’s apparently going to run on his record of smearing Obama; his fundraising letter boasts: “I was the first Member of Congress to call him a socialist who embraces Marxist-Leninist policies like government control of health care and redistribution of wealth.” This January he accused Obama of following the Soviet Constitution. But before he ever made the rounds on Fox News bashing Obama, Paul Broun was called “the accidental Congressman” by the national media. No one thought he could win the race for the Congressional seat left open by Augusta’s Charlie Norwood’s death in 2007. A house call doctor, the son of eminent Democratic state senator Paul Broun Sr., Broun had already run for office unsuccessfully — twice for the House, once for the Senate — in the ‘90s. In his last attempt, he got the votes of only 3 percent of Republican primary voters. But in 2007 a special election primary with eight candidates of all parties (six Republicans, three Democrats, one Libertarian) allowed him to make it into the runoff. Still, the party-backed 06JUNE2013
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Jim Whitehead, a state senator from Augusta, was supposed to crush him one-on-one. But Whitehead ran a lackluster campaign. When it emerged that Whitehead had insulted UGA, calling it a “liberal bastion” only good for its football team, furious voters from Athens — the most liberal part of the district — helped the ultra-conservative Broun edge out Whitehead by just 394 votes. (Whitehead dominated in the CSRA, but Broun carried 90 percent of the Clarke County, UGA’s home.) Back in his D.C. office, Broun recounts how his long road to Congress began with his love of hunting, when he traveled monthly to Washington on behalf of the Safari Club, a hunter’s rights groups. His background is on display behind him — his office is decked out with a stuffed bear, an African lion and countless animal trophies. (He eats everything he shoots — he’s called lion “chewy” and warthog is “excellent”). The lion guards a bookshelf that reflects his fiery brand of Conservatism: Ayn Rand sits next to the Constitution; a biography of Reagan hangs out with “Sharia: The Threat to America” (In 2009 Broun accused a national Muslim advocacy group of espionage); “Freakonomics” is shelved with “To Save America” by Newt Gingrich. A “Don’t Tread on Me” Flag behind him, Broun shifts from his biography to his battle against Obamacare: “We must rip it out by the roots and replace it with something that makes sense, like my Patient Option Act, which is the only thing that makes
and holds up a pocket Constitution, shaking it slightly for emphasis. “I can’t find anything in this document to show us where we ought to have price fixing, have the federal government telling you how to practice medicine.” he says. “Obamacare is going to destroy everything we know as Americans.” Broun’s message is nothing if not consistent: he tells journalists what he tells voters, which is the same thing he recently told a class of fifth graders in Henry County: “What I’m fighting for is your future and your liberty, and we’re losing it.” Paul Broun, it would seem, is practically unlobbyable. Two doctors from the American College of Physicians drop by to voice their concerns about sequestration’s budget cuts hitting the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta and Emory’s medical research labs; they receive a lecture about repealing Obamacare, complete with the pocket Constitution. It’s much easier to ask Broun to vote “no.” Later, some businessmen come to express concern about the internet sales tax bill that the Senate had just passed. Out comes the Constitution: Broun assures them that he only votes for legislation that meets his oft-repeated four-part test. 1. Is it biblical? 2. Is it constitutional? 3. Do we need it? 4. Can we afford it? “That’s a relief,” says Christopher Gassett, a lawyer for retailer HSN. “This law violates
sense,” he says. With an election year coming up, Broun is eager to discuss his Patient Option Act, which he introduced last session. Called “the Tea Party’s answer to Obamacare,” his act would replace Obamacare with what he calls more consumerand patient-centered care. Broun says he’s currently working on combining it with another bill he co-sponsored, the State Health Flexibility Act, which would convert Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding into block grants to the states. He plans on introducing a combined bill in the next few weeks. He reaches deftly into the pocket of his blazer
definitely three, maybe even four of those points.” Broun seemes to agree. As the men rise to shake hands, Broun concludes his message: Both parties have overstepped the Constitution, and he’s going to put an end to it. Despite his Old Testament prophet style when discussing federal overreach, Broun is an oldfashioned, garrulous, Southern backslapper as he makes his way to the House floor. He chats with colleagues the entire ride of the trolley that shuttles members from the Rayburn House Office Building to the main chamber of the House. He congratulates a House colleague, also a reservist — Broun is a doctor in the Navy Reserves and
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deployed to Afghanistan for three months last fall — on a promotion. He forgoes escalators and keeps chatting with colleagues while he hustles alongside on the stairs — one reason he looks fit for his 67 years. His quick pace keeps his staffers on their toes, especially his communications director, Meredith Griffanti, who came to be work for Broun from Virginia. “She’s hoping to find some rich landowner that has a plantation and move to Georgia,” Broun quips. Griffanti laughs at this joke without missing a stride. Given her boss’ penchant for putting his foot in his mouth, keeping close is part of her job. Later, as Broun hobnobs on the floor of the House before a vote, Griffanti says she admires his willingness to talk openly and often, even if it adds to her workload. Soon after Griffanti took over as communications director, she had to handle an international media frenzy when Broun called evolution “a lie from the pit of hell.” “That was fun,” she sighs, remembering. On September 27, 2012, Broun gave his testimony to the Liberty Baptist Church’s Sportsman’s Banquet in Hartwell, Georgia. Video of the testimony quickly made it to YouTube. “All that stuff I was taught about evolution, embryology, the Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell,” says Broun, speaking in front of a wall of mounted deer heads. “It’s lies to try to keep me and all the folks who were taught that from understanding that they need a savior.” He continues: “You see, there are a lot of scientific data that I’ve found out as a scientist that actually show that this is really a young Earth. I don’t believe that the earth’s but about 9,000 years old. I believe it was created in six days as we know them. That’s what the Bible says.” The video went viral, and when people learned that Broun serves on the House Science committee, the Broun with Mark Berger full wrath of the internet descended. No less than Bill Nye the Science Guy wrote an open letter stating that, “Representative Broun’s views are not in the national interest... He is, by any measure, unqualified to make decisions about science, space and technology.” Broun’s office clarified afterwards that he was merely expressing his religious opinions to a private audience — even though he also told that private audience, “I hold the holy Bible as being the major directions to me of how I vote in Washington, D.C.” He’s still keen to proclaim the centrality of his faith to both his public and private life, as he has been since he was born again in 1986. “Before, I AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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was an atheist,” he says. “The fact that I’m a Bible-believing Christian has brought peace and a stability to my life,” he says, turning around a lifestyle he says was selfish and dissolute: three failed marriages, and a personal bankruptcy. News reports from the time show that a bankruptcy complaint alleged his insolvency was caused in part by his extravagant taste for guns and safari hunting. In spite of the uproar, he kept his place on the committee, though when asked to clarify those evolution comments, he now pivots back to the size of government. “It’s well known I’m a Bible-believing Christian... I believe in America,” he says. “I believe in the Constitution of our country as it was intended by our Founding Fathers, and that’s what really makes a difference, not my religious beliefs. We’ve got to stop the spending.” In fact, this is how he answered a whole range of questions, from the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, to the IRS scandal: Constitutionally limited government, less spending. His commitment to this, he says, is what makes him the best candidate for Senate. The campaign will be a hard fight for Broun. Since he was elected in 2007, he’s been easily reelected. His two most formidable opponents were Russell Edwards from Athens in 2010, and a write-in for Charles Darwin, who despite his death in 1882 got nearly 4,000 votes in Athens-Clarke County in 2012. As he seeks to beat out another crowded primary field, he’ll tout his right-wing bona fides: perfect 100 percent in the American Conservative Union’s
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ranking of House members, his recent introduction of the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act, his endorsement from Ron Paul. Broun has called his voting record “virtually identical” to Ron Paul’s,
except for foreign policy, where Broun is far more hawkish than the Texan.
Still, statewide political watchers say his reputation for gaffes and his extreme views might make him a tough statewide sell. Democrats are rooting for him to win, says Merele Black, a political science professor at Emory. “They think he’s so far to the right, that a Democrat can win a statewide race again,” Black says. “Broun’s their guy.” Black believes that if Broun is the Republican candidate for Senate, Democrats will pour millions of extra dollars into the race to defeat him. But he may not get that far. “The jury is out on whether you can win a Republican statewide nomination with his type of politics,” Black says. “I’d be very surprised if he won the statewide Republican primary. Then again, I was surprised when he won the house seat.” Indeed, Broun’s time may have come, says Charlie Harper, a writer for Georgia politics blog Peach Pundit. “There is a part of the Republican base that is just so frustrated with Washington,” he says. “They’re willing to take a chance on someone who says no.” The crowded field means there will almost certainly be a runoff — the same scenario that led to Broun’s 2007 upset victory that sent first him to Washington. But Broun has never considered himself an accidental Congressman. “I don’t consider this an upset,” he told a local TV reporter at the time. “I saw the Lord’s hand involved in this race all along and I really believe that meant it all. I can only give credit to my lord Jesus Christ, because he did it all.”
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MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES By Joon Pahk and Jeremy Horwitz / Edited by Will Shortz
101 Boxer, e.g., in brief 104 Drinks served in flutes 105 Parliament constituent? 108 “How touching” 111 … giving a pipsqueak the brushoff? 115 Yasir Arafat, by birth 116 State symbol of Massachusetts 117 Archbishop of Canterbury’s headdress 118 Fabulously rich ancient king 119 White Castle offerings 120 Comparatively foxy
49 50 51 52 57 59 60 61 63
Start to matter? Bellyache “Gotcha, man” Hellhound of Norse mythology Torah holders General ___ chicken ___-goat Standard part of a limerick James who died three years before winning a Pulitzer 64 “A Doll’s House” wife 65 “Do not like” 66 Worker’s weekend whoop 67 Anthony’s partner in radio Down 68 Language from which “cotton” 1 Lacking shine and “candy” are derived 2 Expect 69 See 10-Down 3 Ones going to Washington? 70 Day, to da Vinci 4 Pennsylvania’s Flagship City 73 Has an adult conversation? 5 Mtg. 74 Feverish fit 6 Whale of an exhibition 75 Doesn’t just tear up 7 Miles Davis ___ (cool jazz group) 77 ___ Piggle-Wiggle (children’s 8 Fig. on a terminal monitor character) 9 Die down 78 Engine problem 10 With 69-Down, 1990s-2000s sitcom 79 French high-speed rail inits. star 80 Literary inits. 11 Tops 83 Retro dos 12 Santiago’s milieu in a Hemingway 84 Where the world’s 100 tallest novel mountains are found 13 Become lenient 85 It’s an affront 14 Prince Valiant’s love 86 “Homeland” org. 15 Checks out 88 Basketball Hall-of-Famer Artis 16 Original opening to Homer’s 92 Positive ends “Odyssey”? 93 ’60s activist org. 17 Hermano del padre o de la madre 94 Oklahoma Indians 18 The Tigers of the Ohio Valley 95 “I Never Played the Game” Conf. memoirist 19 Ogee’s shape 96 Prominent beefcake features 24 Binge 98 “I’d like to see ___” 28 Neighbor of Alg. 99 Surname appearing nine times in 31 Even more vast a list of Indy 500 winners 32 Phone abbr. 100 Long-tailed beach fliers 33 Exploits 102 ___ nous 34 Nickname for Clara Bow 103 Urban ___, 2004 and 2012 35 Jerseys and such undefeated college football coach 36 Actor Kutcher 106 ___ law 38 Numbered rd. 107 Sweat 39 Binge 108 Former railroad regulatory agcy. 42 Texter’s ta-ta 109 Blemish 43 Syngman of South Korea 110 Italian mine? 44 VHF unit 112 “I did NOT need to hear that” 45 Jobs’s job, once 113 Former Ford model 46 You might choose something by it 114 Cinnabar, e.g. 48 Grant for filmmaking?
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PREVIOUSPUZZLEANSWERS
Across 1 Friends in a pub 6 Openly disdain 13 Baroque French dance 20 Cognizant 21 Relaxing soak 22 Alma mater of Eli Manning 23 TV movie about … where I can easily get a cab? 25 “I’m not kidding” 26 Mind-numbing 27 Kind of pressure involved in water filtration 29 French word with two accents 30 … where to go in Togo? 37 Home-run pace 40 Arriviste 41 Greek vowels 42 Network with the slogan “Not Reality. Actuality” 44 “Me and Bobby ___” (posthumous Janis Joplin No. 1) 46 Pants measure 47 … a Hispanic “hip hip hooray”? 53 Cousin ___ 54 Nikkei unit 55 Epitome of thinness 56 Greet silently 57 Janis’s cartoon husband 58 NBC newsman Holt 60 Step 61 Specter of the Senate, once 62 … trying to get a friar to violate his vow of silence? 68 Trade talk 71 Soak 72 Farfalle and orzo 76 Old French line 77 Comment that might get the response “de rien” 78 Follower of Las Vegas or New York 81 Back 82 Livy’s “I love” 83 … a singing group that meets for bacon and eggs? 87 Bursts (in) 89 Russians, e.g. 90 “Stoutly-built” Dickens villain 91 Concave object of reflection? 92 Not mixing well? 96 School orgs. 97 … Skywalker’s trendy hygiene products?
I L D S R T E A E R B S S T H A W A R K I N L O A N B A L I O A M E C S H E I T T O L T O S L A O I A L L A D S M E G E T O G O N E N D E R T E S I A R S C T S A H
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A L G U O R M G I B T E B A R E R E D O H D A B E R A N A I T L E W E H E B A R P I M A R I G N E E S
CREATIVITY CAN BEElliottUPLIFTING Sons Funeral Homes ELLIOTTFUNERALHOME.COM
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Think you have what it takes to reel in a big one? The enter the Fish Back Open Team Fishing Tournament, Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, from 4 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wildwood Park in Appling. There is a guaranteed $12,000 first place prize, with $1,000 in big fish prizes. $125 in advance, $135 for late entry. Call 706-432-8225 or visit columbiacountyga.gov. Want to learn a little more about the sport? Then attend Introduction to Fly Casting, held Saturday, June 8, at Mistletoe State Park in Appling. Participants should bring a fly rod if they have it, but can still attend without one. Register by 2 p.m. June 5. $5 parking. Call 706-541-0321.
ENTERTAIN
Arts
Members’ Day Trip to Greenville, S.C., will take place Thursday, June 13, and includes a day of studio tours, with lunch at the Lazy Goat. $65 for members; non-members are $80. Call 706-724-7501or visit themorris. org. Day of Art, hosted by the North Augusta Artists Guild, is each Tuesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta and includes a group of artists painting in the center who will answer questions or allow visitors to join in. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com. Corks & Canvas painting classes for adults 21 and over are held every Tuesday and Thursday night beginning at 7 p.m. and lasting 2-3 hours. Painting materials provided. Bring your own wine and clothes to paint in. $30; $25 with military I.D. Pre-registration required. Call 706-868-0990 or visit pstudio.com.
Exhibitions
Dead Musicians Show, in which more than 20 local and regional artists have created works to honor dead musicians, will show throughout the month of June at Sky City. The show opens Friday, June 7, at 8 p.m. Visit skycityaugusta.com. The F8 of the World: Photographs by Students in the University of South Carolina Photography Program opens Thursday, June 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. The show will display through June 23. Call 706-724-7501or visit themorris.org.
beginning at noon, followed by a Nookcolor tutorial at 12:30 p.m. Free. Call 706- 737-0012 or visit bn.com.
“Local Legends” is a permanent exhibit highlighting Augusta notables on display at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Dance
“Protect and Serve,” an exhibit highlighting the stories of CSRA law enforcement officers, is on display at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. “Delightful Decanters” is a temporary exhibit on display at the Augusta Museum of History featuring colorful bottles used to sell products as late as the 1970s. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Music
Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold will play for the Moonlight Music Canal Cruise, 7-8:30 p.m., Friday, June 7. $25 per person; passengers may bring aboard snacks and beverages. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com. Karaoke Country Night will be held Friday, June 8, at 7 p.m. at the Columbia County Amphitheatre. Free. Call 706-312-1358 or visit columbiacountyga.gov. Jazz Under the Stars takes place Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at the Etherredge Center on the USC-Aiken campus. This concert is part of the Julliard Summer Jazz Camp series. Free. Visit julliardinaiken.com.
Chad Tolley Exhibition opens Friday, June 7, and runs through July 26 at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. The opening reception takes place June 7 from 6-8 p.m. He will show works in a variety of print media, including etching, relief and mixed media. Currently on faculty at Georgia Regents University, Tolley received his BA from the University of Utah and MFA from the University of Oregon. Free for members; $5 for nonmembers. Call 706-722-5495 or visit ghia.org.
Thursday Night Jazz at the Willcox takes place every Thursday at the Willcox in Aiken. Visit thewillcox.com.
Marianna Williams Exhibit will be at Sacred Heart Cultural Center through June 28. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org. The Godfather of Soul James Brown exhibit is on display at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Jackie Cummings Koski, author of “Money Letters 2 My Daughter,” will speak about her book Saturday, June 8, at 2 p.m. at the Aiken Branch Library. Copies of the book, which won the 2013 Excellence in Financial Education Award, will be available for sale at $19.99 after her 2 p.m. talk. Free. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
“Blast From the Past” is on display at Augusta Museum of History to
Nook tutorials at Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall are each Saturday
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celebrate the museum’s 75th anniversary. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
The Salvation Army School of the Performing Arts holds classes each Tuesday. Included is instruction in piano, drums, guitar, voice and brass. Call 706-364- 4069 or visit krocaugusta.org.
Literary
Dancing Stars of Augusta will be held Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. at the Bell Auditorium. $25-$10,000. Call 706-860-4599 or visit dancingstarsof augusta.com.
Augusta Christian Singles holds dances every Saturday night, beginning at 8 p.m., with free dance lessons at 7 p.m. Dances are held at Ballroom Dance Center, 525 Grand Slam Drive (off Evans to Locks Road) in Evans. $10. Admission includes light meal or heavy refreshments, desserts, soft drinks and coffee in an alcohol/smoke free environment, and music includes country, shag, oldies and more. Dress is casual (jeans are fine). All singles 18 years old and up are welcome. Visit christiandances.org. Belly Dance Class is held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Euchee Creek and Wallace libraries. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 (Euchee Creek), 706-722- 6275 (Wallace) or visit ecgrl.org. Augusta International Folk Dance Club meets Tuesday nights from 7:309:30 p.m. at the Augusta Ballet Studio on 2941 Walton Way. No partners needed. First visit free. Call 706-399-2477. Zumba with Sohailla is held every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Call 706-421-6168 or visit zumbawithsohailla.blogspot.com. Saturday Night Dance with live music is each Saturday night at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Post 1197 from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $5. Call 706-495-3219.
Theater
eXtreme Theatre Games, hosted by improv group Schrodinger’s Cat, is Friday, June 7, at 8 p.m. at Le Chat Noir. Doors open at 7 p.m. $8, advance; $10 at the door. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
Flix
Films on Friday: “Belle of the Nineties” (1934) will be shown Friday, June 7, at noon at the Morris Museum of Art. A discussion will follow the showing. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Movies at the Maxwell: “Antz” will be shown Monday, June 10, at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. 06JUNE2013
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Family Movie Matinees: “Ice Age: Continental Drift” will be shown Wednesday June 12, at 1 p.m. at the Evans Branch Library theater. Free. Call 706-312-1358 or visit columbiacountyga.gov.
Special Events
Saturday Market at the River is each Saturday through November 23 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the 8th Street Bulkhead downtown and features vendors, food, drinks, entertainment and a group run that begins at 8 a.m. Visit theaugustamarket.com.
June is Adopt-a-Cat Month. The CSRA Humane Society is sponsoring this event to raise awareness of its no-kill shelter by Lake Olmstead. The group will have a table set up during First Friday, June 7, in front of Sky City. Call 706-261-7387 or visit csrahumanesociety.org.
Pet adoptions are held by CSRA Happy Tails Rescue at the Mullins Crossing Petco in Evans from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each Sunday and from 1-4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday at the Tractor Supply Company. Visit csrahappytails. com.
First Friday, a free, family friendly event in downtown Augusta that includes performances, art, music, shopping and more, is Friday, June 7, from 5-9 p.m. on Broad Street. Call 706-826-4702, ext. 4, or visit augustaarts.com.
Health
Fish Back Open Team Fishing Tournament will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, from 4 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wildwood Park in Appling. There is a guaranteed $12,000 first place prize, with $1,000 in big fish prizes. $125 in advance, $135 for late entry. Call 706-432-8225 or visit columbiacountyga. gov. Shine for Scott will be held Saturday, June 8, beginning with registration for the motorcycle ride at 9:30 a.m. at Laura’s Backyard Tavern in Martinez. Music from various acts starts at 1 p.m. $25 for the motorcycle ride ($10 for passengers) and $10 for the show. Visit shineforscott. org.
Mobile Mammography Screenings will be on the following dates and at the following locations, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Thursday, June 6, Dillard’s at the Augusta Mall; Friday, June 7, at McCorkle Nurseries; Tuesday, June 11, at the Lincoln County Health Department; Wednesday, June 12, at Walmart
Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding will be presented Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m.-noon at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. This class provides information on two popular infant care topics in a morning format. The Baby Care Basics presentation offers parents an opportunity to obtain knowledge and gain confidence in the care of newborns. Parents will learn about diapering, bathing, feeding, and cord care. The breastfeeding presentation features information on what you need to know to begin successfully breastfeeding your baby. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-841-7000 or visit trinityofaugusta.com.
Historic Augusta is currently seeking nominations for its 2013 Historic Preservation Awards, which will be announced at the organization’s annual meeting on November 14. Eligible properties must be on or eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places and the project must have been completed within the last two years. To nominate a building, submit the following information by August 13: your name, address and telephone number, the building owner’s name, address and telephone number, the building name and address, the nature of the work that was performed, the project completion date, and why you feel it is worthy. For more information, contact Robyn Anderson at 706-724-0436, robyn@historicaugusta.org or P.O. Box 37, Augusta, GA 30903.
Childbirth Tours at Georgia Regents Medical Center Are Saturday, June 8, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and Tuesday, June 11, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Labor and Delivery, seventh floor west. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-9351 or visit grhealth.org/classes. HUG Your Baby will take place Monday, June 10, from 4-5 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. This class provides Help, Understanding and Guidance for young families as they prepare for the birth of their infant. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-841-7000 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Total Joint Replacement Educational Talk will be held Tuesday, June 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m., 3651 Wheeler Road, Doctors Hospital, South Tower, Classroom 1. This talk prepares patients for joint replacement before, during and after their hospital stay. Free. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Wine Tasting will be held at Wine World in North Augusta, 5-8 p.m., the first Friday and third Thursday of every month. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.
Weekly Wine Tastings at Vineyard Wine Market in Evans are held 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays, and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays. Call 706-922-9463 or visit vine11. com.
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American Red Cross Babysitter Training will be held Thursday, June 6, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, 6th floor, classroom A. Students ages 11-15 will learn about leadership, safety, basic care and first aid in order to provide safe, responsible care. Drinks provided. $30, includes babysitting text and certificate. Call 800-322-8322 or visit aikenregional.com.
Cribs for Kids, a class on providing a safe sleep environment for infants presented by Safe Kids Greater Augusta, is Thursday, June 6, from 5:45-8 p.m. at the Safe Kids Office, building © 2013 SketchCrowd, LLC / www.sketchcrowd.com 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Families who can demonstrate a financial need will receive a portable crib, fitted sheet, sleep sac and facifier for $10. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-7606 or visit grhealth.org/safekids.
Atmosphere Augusta: Dark Dance and Cabaret will be held Saturday, June 8, at 9 p.m. at Le Chat Noir. This goth event features DJ Codec. $5. 18+. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
Evans Towne Farmers Market is held on the grounds of the Columbia County Public Library each Thursday through June from 4:30-7 p.m. All meats, eggs, dairy and produce will be from local and sustainable farms. There will also be cooking demos and education, local artisans with handcrafted goods, live music, local food vendors and weekly events. Visit evanstownefarmersmarket.com.
Center for Women Tour is Thursday, June 6, from 7-8 p.m. at Doctors Hospital, Suite 310 of Medical Office Building 1. The tour, designed for attendance by both partners, will help get you acquainted with the hospital and answer any questions you might have about labor and delivery or Family Centered Maternity Care. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctorshospital.net.
in Aiken; and Thursday, June 13, at the Edgefield Medical Center. Free through Medicare. Appointment required. Call 706-774-4149 or visit universityhealth.org.
Spine Education Class takes place Tuesday, June 11, 3:30 p.m., 3651 Wheeler Road, Doctors Hospital, South Tower, Classroom 1. An information session for those about to have spine surgery that addresses all concerns before, during and after surgery. Free. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctorshospital.net. Weight Loss Surgery Seminar is Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at the Columbia County Library and is presented by the Georgia Regents Medical
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Center. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2609 or visit georgiahealth.org/weightloss. Breastfeeding Class is Tuesday, June 11, from 7-9 p.m. at Georgia Regents Medical Center’s seventh floor west, room 7524. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-9351 or visit grhealth.org/classes. Infant CPR Training is Wednesday, June 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Georgia Regents Medical Center’s seventh floor, room 7001. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-721-9351 or visit grhealth.org/classes. The Better Way Back: Prevention and Treatment of Back and Leg Pain will be presented Thursday, June 13, from 5-7:30 p.m., 3651 Wheeler Road, Doctors Hospital, South Tower, Classroom 1. This seminar will feature Bill Walton, Basketball Hall-of-Famer & XLIF® surgical patient as well as Nate “Rock” Quarry, Retired Mixed Martial Arts Fighter & XLIF® surgical patient as they discuss living with back pain and their difficult decision to move forward with spinal surgery. The program has no admission charge and will offer light refreshments. Please note: this program is only open to individuals currently experiencing back or leg pain who may be considering surgery as a treatment option. Free. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctorshospital.net. Car Seat Class is Thursday, June 13, from 5:45-8 p.m. at the Safe Kids Office, building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. $10. Pre-registration required. Visit grhealth.org/safekids. Yoga Class is offered by the Kroc Center every Saturday at The Augusta Market downtown, 10-11 a.m. Free. Bring your own mat. Call 706-3645762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Yoga I offered at the Weeks Center in Aiken 8:45-9:45 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays; Yoga II is offered 8:45-9:45 a.m., Fridays; Evening Yoga is offered 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. $41 for 10 tickets. Call 803-642- 7631. Tai Chi for Boomers is held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Call 706 394-0590, email sbeasley@augustameditation.com or visit augustameditation.com/taichi.html.
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Stress Management Classes are held at the University Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute at 8:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. each Wednesday. Call 706-774-3278 or visit universityhealth.org.
Overeaters Anonymous meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays and at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1:30 p.m., Saturdays. Call 907-854-1509.
Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease Aquatics Class meets every Monday and Friday at noon at the Wilson Family Y. Members, free; nonmembers, $5. Pre-registration required. Call 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org.
AA meets every Sunday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Aiken Regional Medical Centers’ Aurora Pavilion, and includes an open discussion. Call 800-322-8322 or visit aikenregional.com.
Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Orientation is held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. at University Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute (Classroom 3). Free. Call 706-774-5548 or visit universityhealth.org. Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program covers topics such as coronary artery disease, heart attack and CHF at the University Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute. Program is held each Wednesday at 8:15 and 9:15 a.m., and 1:45 p.m. Call 706-774-3278 or visit universityhealth.org. Adapted Evaluation, a 30-minute initial and annual evaluation including medical history and water assessment, is offered at the Wilson Family Y. $25. Call 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org. Adapted Special Populations classes offered at the Wilson Family Y. Members $11; non-members $22. Call 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org. Adapted Wii Special Populations available by appointment at the Wilson Family Y, and feature individual half-hour classes for physically and developmentally challenged individuals of all ages. Members, $10; nonmembers, $20. Call 706-922-9662 or visit thefamilyy.org.
Support
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org. Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group for those who wish to stop drinking. Call 706-860-8331. Beyond the Bars is a support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. Call706-855-8636. Alcoholics Anonymous open discussion meeting takes place every Sunday and Wednesday, 7:15 p.m. at Aurora Pavilion in Aiken. Call 806-641-5000 or visit aikenregional.com/hospital-services/behavioral-health-services. Burn Support Group meets every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Doctors Hospital’s Lori Rogers Nursing Library, JMS Building. All burn survivors, and their families and friends are welcome. Call Tim Dorn at 706-6516660 or visit doctors- hospital.net. Cardiac Support Group meets three times a year. Free. Pre-registration requested. Call 706-774-5864 or visit universityhealth.org.
Look Good, Feel Better, a cancer support group for female cancer patients who want to combat the appearance-related side effects of chemo and radiation, is Wednesday, June 12, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the GRU Cancer Center. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-0466 or visit grhealth.org/ classes.
Diabetes Youth Support Group meets quarterly. Call 706-868-3241 or visit universityhealth.org.
Breast Cancer Support Group meets Thursday, June 13, from 12:30-2 p.m. at the GRU Cancer Center. Call 706-721-4109 or visit gru.edu/classes.
Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for those who wish to stop gambling. Call 800-313-0170.
Families Who Have Lost a Baby Support Group is offered by GRU. Call 706721- 8299 or visit gru.edu.
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Living With Diabetes, a program designed to teach skills needed to manage diabetes, is offered at Trinity Hospital. Physician referral required. Call 706-4817535 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Celiac Disease Support Group. Open to anyone who has celiac disease, is gluten intolerant or on a gluten free diet. Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital in Room 120 of the Summerville Professional Building adjacent to the Hospital. Visit trinityofaugusta.com. The Chatterbox Club of Augusta, a support group for individuals and their families who have experienced a laryngectomy, meets the second Sunday of each month (except June and July) at 3 p.m. at Trinity Hospital in the Sister Mary Louise Conference Room. Call 706481-7359 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Lupus Support Group meets at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-394-6484 or 706-821-2600, or visit ecgrl.org. Narcotics Anonymous meets Fridays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Visit na.org. Natural Family Planning support group meets locally. Call 706-481-7604 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Overeaters Support Group meets locally. Call 706-7850006 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Parents of Hearing-Impaired Children meets locally. Call 706-481-7396 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Reach for Recovery is presented locally by the American Cancer Society. Call 706-731-9900 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Recovery Support Group meets 7:30 p.m. Sundays and Fridays. Call 706-855- 2419. Bereavement Grief Support for Adults meets the first Wednesday of each month from noon-1 p.m. At Aiken Regional Medical Centers’ cafeteria dining room A. Registration is required. Call 803-641-5389. Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m.-noon at the Cumberland Village Library in Aiken. Visit aikenregional.com.
Education
Intermediate Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Beginner’s Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 4-5 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Free Tutoring for all ages, offered by GRU’s Literacy Center, is available by appointment Monday-Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., at the center at 1401 Magnolia Drive. Appointments required. Call 706-737-1625 or visit gru.edu. GED Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are offered every Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Fort Gordon Toastmasters meets 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday in the Organizational Conference Room (Fish Bowl) on Fort Gordon Army base. Open to the public. Visit fortgordon.toastmastersclubs.org. Adult Hebrew Class is taught at Congregation Children of Israel at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Email office@ cciaugusta.org or visit cciaugusta.org. 06JUNE2013
Computer classes are offered every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Guided tours of 1797 Ezekiel Harris House offered by appointment only Tuesday-Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. Historic Trolley Tour of Augusta aboard the Lady Libby boards at the Augusta Museum of History at 1:30 p.m., Saturdays. See historic sites and hear spooky legends, including the legend of the famous Haunted Pillar. $12, including admission to the museum. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. Call 706722-8454 or visit augustaga.org. Tours of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson are held regularly. Adults $5; seniors $4; kids K-12 $3; under 5 years free. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Call 706-722-9828.
Sports-Outdoors
Soul City Sirens versus Coastal Derby Empire roller derby bout will be held Sunday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Red Wing Rollerway, with doors open at 5:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Kids 12 and under free. Visit soulcitysirens.com. Augusta GreenJackets home games are as follows: Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, June 9, at 2:05 p.m. vs. the Lexington Legends at GreenJackets Stadium. $1-$15. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com. Triple 8 Group Run meets at 8th and Reynolds, 8 a.m., every Saturday through Oct. 26. Choose your distance: 3, 6 or 8 miles. Open to everyone. Visit theaugustamarket.com. Adult swim lessons are offered at the Family Y of Downtown Augusta for ages 13 and up. Days and times vary by branch. Members $55 per month; nonmembers $85 per month. Registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org. Olympic-style Tae Kwon Do, taught by Master Michael L. Weintraub, is each Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.com. Tae Kwon Do is offered at the Wilson Family Y, Family Y of Augusta South and Family Y of North Augusta. Registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org. Kickball League registration is available for a new adult co-ed league at Riverview Park. Call 941-716-3163 or visit augustakickball.com. Wheelchair Tennis Clinic, presented by the Walton Foundation for Independence, meets each Monday at 6 p.m. (weather permitting) at The Club at Rae’s Creek. Free and open to the public. Call 706-826-5809 or email alsalley@wrh.org. Yoga Class at Euchee Creek Library meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. Call 706- 556-0594 or visit ecgrl. org. Weekly Group Runs include the Monday Metro Run meeting at Metro Coffeehouse at 6 p.m.; Monday Intervals meeting at the Family Y track on Wheeler Road at 7 p.m.; the Tuesday Nacho Mama’s Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Blanchard Woods Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday Stay in Shape Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Post Office Hill Training Run at 7 p.m.; Thursday’s Homer Hustle at 6 p.m.; and Saturday’s Stay in Shape Run at 8 a.m. Visit augustastriders.com. The Augusta Furies Women’s Rugby Football Club practices 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Julian Smith Casino for players 18 and up. Email augusta.furies@gmail.com or visit augustafuries.org. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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The Augusta Rugby Club holds weekly practice sessions at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Larry Bray Memorial Pitch in Augusta. Experienced players and newbies ages 18 and up are welcome. Bring a pair of cleats or cross trainers, a mouthguard, gym shorts and a T-shirt. Visit augustarugby.org or Facebook under the Augusta Rugby Club heading. Hott Shott Disc Golf is held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Killer B Disc Golf in downtown Augusta, and features games and prizes for all ages and skill levels. $2. Call 706-814-7514 or visit killerbdiscgolf.blogspot.com/p/ hott-shott. Thursday Night Chain Reaction Ride begins at 6 p.m. each Thursday at Patriots Park in Grovetown. For intermediate to fast-paced cyclists, who average 25-32 miles. Participants should bring their own water and helmet. Call 706-855-2024 or visit chainreactionbicycles.net. Riverview Disc Golf League meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. at Riverview Park in North Augusta. Entry fee, $5; ace pool, $1. Call 803-215-8181 or visit augustadiscgolf.com. Road Bike Ride meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse downtown for an approximately 25-mile ride at a moderate to fast pace. Front and rear lights, as well as a helmet, are required. Call 706-724-6777 or visit andyjordans.com. Guided Trail Rides at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are available Saturdays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Sundays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon; and Wednesday-Friday at 11 a.m. with reservations 24 hours in advance. All trail rides are on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the trail ride starting for sign in procedures. $23-$30. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. Lakeside Rideouts at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are each Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The ride, which begins at 2 p.m., is a two-hour guided ride to Wilkerson Lake. $45-$50. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. Adapted Aquatics for Special Populations offered at the Wilson Family Y by appointment. Members, $11 per session; non-members, $22 per session. Discount for additional siblings. Call 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org. The Augusta Fencers Club is open five nights a week from 5:30-9 p.m. and most Saturday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. Visitors always welcome. Call 706-7228878. BlazeSports Swim Team, for all ages of physically challenged swimmers who want to train for competition, meets at the Wilson Family Y. Members, $35 a month; non-members, $50 a month. Preregistration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.
Civil War 150th Canal Tour, “Food, Fabric and Firepower,” is offered by the Augusta Canal Interpretive Center at 1:30 p.m. daily through 2013. Call 706-823- 0440 or visit augustacanal.com.
Kids-Teens
Something’s Fishy will be held Thursday, June 6, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Reed Creek Park. Participants will learn about fish and about the importance of water conservation and its effects on fish. For ages 5 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult. Members free; non-members $2 per child. Pre-registration is required. Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark. com. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be shown Thursday, June 6, at 3 p.m. at the Maxwell Branch Bibrary, 1927 Lumpkin Rd. Free. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl. org. Cave Drawings will be presented Monday, June 10, from 3-4 p.m. at the Appleby Branch Library in Augusta. Using colored chalk and craft paper, participants will make their own cave drawings. Ages 11-17. Free. Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org. Theater Camp will take place Monday through Friday, June 10-14, 1-5 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Designed for kids ages 5-12, campers will learn theater skills such as scene study, voice and movement. Morning camp (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) may be added for $25 and will include lunch. $100 members or $125 non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-364-KROC or register at the Welcome Desk. Call 706-771-7777 or email carol@enopion.com. Avatar Me! will be presented Thursday, June 13, from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Using a variety of online tools, Participants will create avatars that they can save, export and use on websites and elsewhere. No registration; drop into the computer lab anytime during the session. Best for ages 11-17. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. Artist and Illustrator Michael P. White will appear Thursday, June 13, from 10-11:30 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Participants will meet and draw with the illustrator of “The Library Dragon,” and take home their own Michael P. White inspired drawing. Best for ages 5 and up, including teens and adults. Groups of 6 or more must pre-register. Call 706-7366758 or visit ecgrl.org. Pollution Solution is Thursday, June 13, from 4:305:30 p.m. at Reed Creek Park. This program includes hands-on activities demonstrating the various types of pollution and their causes and effects, as well as a discussion of the possible solutions and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. For ages 7 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration is required. Free for members; nonmembers are $2 per child. Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark.com.
Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board needs members. Looking for high-school students to spend one evening a month learning about historic preservation, grants and philanthropy. Call 706595-7777, email mzupan@hickory-hill.org or visit hickory-hill.org. DuPont Planetarium shows for Saturdays in June are “Solar System Adventure Tour” at 8 p.m. and “Blown Away: Wild World of Weather” at 9 p.m. Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. General admission $4.50; seniors $3.50; 4K-12 $2.50; valid college or military I.D. gets you a 50-percent discount; USCA faculty, staff and students $1. Kids under 4 not permitted in public viewings. Reservations encouraged. Call 803-641-3654. Georgia Connections Academy, a free virtual public charter school has spots for 1,000 K-12 students in Georgia. Call 800-382-6010 or visit connectionsacademy.com/georgia-school/enrollment/ home.aspx. Tae Kwon Do is offered for all skill levels age 5 and up at the Family Y of Aiken County, North Augusta, Augusta South and the Wilson Family Y. Registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org. Ceramics Class, for ages 14 and up, meets Mondays at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. in the Weeks Ceramics Center. Call 803-6427631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Creative Arts offered at the Family Y of North Augusta for ages 5-12 years. Members, $35 per month; nonmembers, $55 per month. Visit thefamilyy.org. Toddler Time, playtime for children ages 5 and under, is each Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken. $2 per visit; $16 per 10-visit pass. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc. gov. Little Friends Gym, a parent and child class for those ages 6 months-4 years, is held each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov. Story Time is held at the Columbia County Library at 10:15 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, for kids under 2 years old; at 10:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 2-year-olds; at 11 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for preschoolers; and at 4 p.m. Wednesdays for all ages. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Loud Crowd, a supervised after-school program for those ages 4-12, is Monday- Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-8602833 or visit augustaga.gov.
Homeschool PE Time, for elementary school aged kids, meets Monday-Friday, from 9-11 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Members free. Call 706-364-5762 for nonmember prices. Visit krocaugusta.org. Story Time is held at the Diamond Lakes Branch library 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Registration required for groups of six or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. Tai Chi Panda, a Chinese martial arts program for kids ages 5-13, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ages 5-7 meet at 4 p.m.; ages 8-10 meet at 5 p.m.; ages 11-13 meet at 6 p.m. Call 706-394-0590 or visit augustameditation.com/ taichi.html. Preschool Story Time is every Tuesday at Headquarters Branch Library at 10 a.m. Toddler Story Time is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Group registration required. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is held every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Friedman Branch Library. Groups of six or more must pre-register. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Harlem Branch Library. Call 706- 556-9795 or visit ecgrl.org. Kroc Trotters Running Group, for those ages 16 and older, meets at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at the Kroc Center to run the trails of the Augusta Canal. $15. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta. org. Story Time is held every Wednesday from 10-11:15 a.m. at Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is held each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Pre-registration required for groups. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. Wacky Wednesday Story Time is each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the children’s department of Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com. Story Time is held each Wednesday at the Appleby Branch Library from 10:05- 10:20 a.m. for toddlers age 18-35 months, and from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for preschool kids age 3 and up. An adult must remain with the child. Call 706-736- 6244 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for pre-K, and either 11 or 11:30 a.m. for preschoolers at Aiken County Public Library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. Story Time is every Wednesday from 10:30-11 a.m. for toddlers and 11:15-11:45 a.m. for preschoolers at North Augusta Branch Library. Call 803-279-5767 or abbe-lib.org.
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Story Time at the Euchee Creek Branch Library, for all ages, is held each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and each Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl. org.
Yoga I and II are offered at the Weeks Center in Aiken on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:45-9:45 a.m. and on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:306:30 p.m. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Homeschool Playgroup meets each Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Creighton Park in North Augusta. Call 803613-0484.
Silver Sneakers, a senior exercise class, meets each Wednesday and Friday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Free. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta. org.
Mudpuppies, an arts and crafts program for ages 2-5, is held each Thursday at 10:45 a.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov. The Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club Junior Academy, for boys and girls ages 5- 8, meets each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Augusta Soccer Park. Call 706-854- 0149 or visit augustasoccer.com.
Games for Seniors at the Weeks Center in Aiken include Rummikub each Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon, Mahjong each Thursday from 1-4 p.m., Bridge each Friday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Bingo each Tuesday 9-10 a.m., Pinochle each Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Canasta on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Fairy Tale Ballet is held at the Family Y of Aiken County. Offered once a week for one month for a total of four classes. Members, $25 a month; non-members, $35 a month. Visit thefamilyy.org.
Tai Chi for Seniors is held 11 a.m.-noon every Thursday at Augusta Jewish Community Center. Call 706-394-0590 visit augustameditation.com/taichi. html.
Boy and Girl Scout troops are hosted by Augusta Jewish Community Center. For Boy Scouts, visit troop119bsa.com or email geoffstew@gmail.com. For Girl Scouts, email sbehrend@bellsouth.net. For Daisy/ Brownie Troop, email bdmrev@yahoo.com.
Dancin’ with the Young at Heart, an event geared toward those ages 50 and older although anyone is welcome, is each Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Aiken DAV. In addition to dancing to Yesterday’s Sounds, there will also be prize drawings, snacks and drinks. $6. Call 803-292-3680.
Fun-Time Fridays, for ages 2-5, is held each Friday at 10:45-11:30 a.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov. Gesher, a teen program for post b’nai mitzvah youngsters (7th-12th grade), meets every other Sunday at Adas Yeshurun Synagogue. Call 706-7339491.
Seniors
Lucy Craft Laney Museum June Senior Luncheon with Guest Speaker Kellie Kenner McIntyre takes place Wednesday, June 12, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the museum. Kellie Kenner McIntyre is the Richmond County Solicitor General. She received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Emory University, a masters in social work from the University of Georgia, and a juris doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law. Born and raised in Augusta, she is a graduate of Glenn Hills High School and an active supporter of the community. $10. RSVP by June 10. Call 706-724-3576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com. Silversneakers strength and range of movement class is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m., while Silversneakers Yogastretch is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. at the Weeks Center in Aiken. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Ceramics Class is offered at 9 a.m. on Mondays or Wednesdays and 6 p.m. on Mondays or Tuesdays at the Weeks Center. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Computer Classes for Seniors are taught at The Kroc Center Mondays and Thursdays. Registration required. Visit krocaugusta.org. Fit 4 Ever is offered at the Weeks Center in Aiken on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. $27 for 10 tickets; free for SilverSneakers members. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Line Dancing is each Tuesday at the Weeks Center in Aiken at 10 a.m. $31 for 10 tickets; free for SilverSneakers Swipe Card members. Call 803-6427631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. 06JUNE2013
Hobbies
Introduction to Fly Casting will be held Saturday, June 8, at Mistletoe State Park in Appling. Participants should bring a fly rod if they have it, but can still attend without one. Leaders are Dick Manning and Charlie Hinton. Register by 2 p.m. June 5. $5 parking. Call 706-541-0321. Digital Photography Workshop will be presented Saturday, June 8, from 2-4 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Adults and teens welcome. Presented by local photographer Will D. Tullis. Registration is required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Scrabble Sunday will be held June 9, from 2-5 p.m. at the Main Branch Library in Augusta. Bring your board (not required) and have an afternoon of mind enlightening fun. Call 706-724-6762 or visit ecgrl.org. Geocaching 2.0 will be presented Thursday, June 13, from 10:30-11:30 p.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Geocaching is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunt. Free. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. Tangled Threads Quilters Guild is held the second Sunday of every month, from 1-4 p.m., at the Augusta Museum of History. Free. Visit augustamuseum.org. Bingo is held every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and every Monday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Post 1197 on Scott Road. Free. Call 706-495-3219.
DECLASSIFIED
Creek Freaks, a Georgia Adopt-a-Stream team of middle- and high-school students, meets regularly at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park to monitor the health of Butler Creek. Call 706-796-7707 or visit naturalscienceacademy.org.
Crafters Night is each Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364- 5762 or visit krocaugusta. org. Simple Cooking Class meets each Monday from 6:308:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. The Garden City Chorus, the area’s leading men’s singing group and a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, is seeking new members. Those interested are welcome to attend Tuesday night rehearsals, held at 7 p.m. at North Augusta Church of Christ on W. Martintown Road. Visit gardencitychorus. org. Bingo is held every Saturday at 1 p.m. at American Legion Post 205 on Highland Avenue. Call 706-4953219.
Spiritual
Psalter Café will be held Thursday, June 6, at 5 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church, 4536 Washington Rd in Evans. Performers include Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold, Adam Sams, Skilyr Hicks, Adam Thompson, Dale Lewis, Joseph Nordan and Jason Hammonds. Free; barbecue plates are $5. Call 706-306-9845. Sunday activities at the Kroc Center include an adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m., youth Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., and a worship service at 11 a.m. Free. Call 706364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.
Volunteer
Hospice volunteers needed at Alliance Hospice to provide comfort, companionship and emotional support to patients and families, as well as assisting with chores and clerical duties and using other talents to benefit patients. Training provided. Call 706-4472461, email mwhite@alliancehospice.com or visit alliancehospice.com. Aiken Regional Medical Centers is looking for volunteers. Call 803-641-5021 or visit aikenregional. com. The Georgia Regents University Cancer Center is looking for volunteers, especially those who are cancer survivors or caregivers. Adult program for those 18 and older; after-school program open to high-school juniors and seniors who are 17. Applications available at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. Visit gru.edu/ volunteer or call 706-721-3596. The Greater Augusta Arts Council offers volunteer opportunities for those interested in volunteering for events like Arts in the Heart, First Friday and special concerts, as well as helping in the GAAC office. Call 706-826-4702 or visit augustaarts.com. Hospice Care of America’s Augusta office needs administrative and patient care volunteers. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Call Rich Boland at 706-447-2626 or email rboland@
Have you Aerated your yard?
msa-corp.com. MACH Academy is looking for volunteers to provide tutoring, academic support and mentoring services during fall after-school sessions held MondayThursday from 3:30-6 p.m. Call 706-796-5046, email mparks37@comcast.net or visit machacademy.com. Miracle League Baseball, held by the Family Y, is looking for volunteers. Call 706-922-9597 or visit thefamilyy.org. Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services is seeking volunteer advocates for Richmond, Burke, Jefferson and McDuffie counties. Advocates answer crisis calls and respond to hospitals in their area within 30 minutes. Call 706-774-2746 or email volunteerrcsas@ uh.org. Reed Creek Park offers opportunities to volunteers interested in collecting important data each month on the health of a local stream for the state of Georgia. Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark.com. United Hospice of Aiken, which covers Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick, Barnwell and Allendale counties, needs volunteers to visit with patients or work in the office. Training is provided. Call 803-641-0060 or email kathibault@uhs- pruitt.com.
Elsewhere
Karate is offered at The Family Y of Thomson 130 Center and Family Y of North Jefferson for all skill levels. Members, $43 a month; non-members, $63 a month. Registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org. Thursday Nights at the High, a special event at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, offers half-price tickets from 4-8 p.m. each Thursday. A guided tour is offered at 6:30 p.m. Call 404-733-4200 or visit high.org. Story time and craft is held at the Burke County Library in Waynesboro at 10:30 a.m. Fridays for preschoolers. Call 706-554-3277 or visit ecgrl.org. Story time is held at the Midville Branch Library in Midville at 4:30 p.m. Fridays. Call 478-589-7825 or visit ecgrl.org. Gymnastics Lessons offered at the Family Y of Thomson Center for a combination of age and ability levels. Members, $43 per month; non-members, $63 per month. Visit thefamilyy.org.
If you would like to see your organization’s events listed in our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@ themetrospirit.com. The deadline for each Thursday’s issue is the previous Friday at noon.
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Bundle of Joy
My advice? Don’t fret the details. My friend Ashley is pregnant with her first baby. Although several best friends have gone before her, she didn’t ask many questions. In typical Ashley fashion, she didn’t pay much attention at all. She held everyone’s babies, and she has been great with them as they’ve gotten older. She missed the details. Now that it’s relevant, she has requested some clarification. “Do I really need a fancy car seat?” I don’t know the actual answer to this question. The car seat I chose was made by a major manufacturer. Most importantly, it was cute. I’m sure you’re wondering why I didn’t put my first-born bundle of joy’s safety first when deciding on a restraint system. I’ve never read a safety review. I blindly assumed that the seats they sell at the huge box baby store would be safe. There are exceptions to the rules, I guess. Before the ‘90s, babies rode home in the front seat. On mom’s lap. My adorable and practical black and white houndstooth car seat/stroller combo seemed like an upgrade. “Should I carry a diaper bag?” Never did. I didn’t even own one. The Boy had a little bag we used for the church nursery and Grandmama’s house, but otherwise I used my purse. I needed a onesie, a couple of extra diapers, some wipes, a snack and a bottle or cup. Anything more than that, and I packed a suitcase. I can’t remember a single time in 10 years when I didn’t have what I needed. I’m not a fan of bags with bears on them. “Which video monitor should I buy?” I know many of you out there love to watch your baby all the time. I’m not criticizing or judging you for it. All I know is this: we didn’t have a video monitor, but the regular, noise-only monitor drove us crazy. Babies are noisy. Also noted is the fact that we lived in an 1,100-square-foot house. If we had the monitor on, we could hear the baby in real time and through the speaker. Overkill. Given my fascination with mine as infants, I would’ve stayed up all night watching a video screen. We got rid of our $20 model and never looked back. “How do I keep my baby from sucking his thumb? Which pacifier do we choose?” From an orthodontic
standpoint, we all wish our kids wouldn’t be thumb suckers. Besides that, putting their grubby fingers in their mouth during cold and flu season is a recipe for the barfs. At some point, quitting is going to be a challenge. Short of amputation, you can’t exactly take a thumb away. However, in the middle of the night, when your precious cherub wakes, long before the alarm, he can always find the thumb. Pacifiers get lost in the dark. Who do you think they’ll call for help? At seven months, The Boy voluntarily gave up the pacifier. We were shocked and pleased. That didn’t last long, though. About three months later, he started
sucking his thumb. He sucked his thumb until he was at least six. He wasn’t allowed to put his thumb in his mouth unless he was resting or in bed. If he tried to talk with it in his mouth, we asked him to remove it. He needs braces, but given his genes, they were inevitable. As far as breastfeeding, cloth diapers and crying it out, you’ll have to decide for yourself. There are way too many strong opinions (and crazy moms) out there for me to even touch those (in public). You need to figure out what’s best for you, your baby and your family. Don’t stress too much, though. Unless it is related to your baby’s health, you’ll find that it’s not such a big deal. My kids had the cheap car seats. They slept in a basic wooden crib. My mother in law sewed beautiful nursery bedding for The Boy, but The Girl used it, too. I bought whatever diapers and wipes were on sale. After skimming “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” I realized it was scarier to know what all was out there. I found a doctor I trusted to answer my questions, and otherwise, well, we winged it. What do you think people did back in the days before the TV and the instant internet? They relied on family and friends. They also figured it out. You’ll figure it out. By the time you do, the schedule will change, or the kid will suddenly stop eating that. Enjoy your baby. That’s my biggest piece of advice. There is much to fret over. There’s so much more to enjoy, like a newborn’s sweet smell, toothless smiles and the first full night’s sleep. You don’t really need our help. Just like the millions of moms before you, and without reading any safety report or how-to book, you’ve got this. Oh, and keep a corkscrew within arm’s reach. Wine. Definitely wine.
JENNYWRIGHT lives in Summerville with her
husband, who she calls The Man, and two kids, who she affectionately calls The Boy and The Girl. She enjoys taking photos, cooking and playing tennis.
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FEATURED
June 6 06Thursday, Live Music
Maude Edenfield Park, North Augusta - North Augusta Idol Spotlight w/ Fred Williams Mellow Mushroom (Downtown) - Live and Local Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - AcostA Psalter Cafe at Covenant United Methodist - Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold, Skilyr Hicks, Dale Lewis Jr., Grizzly Harris, Adam Sams, Joseph Nordan, Jason Hammonds Rose Hill Estate - Preston Weston & Sandra Somewhere in Augusta - Storm Branch Band Tavern at the Bean - Irish Music The Willcox - Live Jazz Wild Wing - Sibling String
Local favorite Angie Aparo returns to Augusta to play Sky City on Saturday, June 8. Along with him he’ll bring ex-pat Will McCranie, another local favorite. Doors for the show open at 8 p.m. and music is scheduled to begin at 10. Advance tickets, $10, are available at skycityaugusta.com.
What’s Tonight?
Bar on Broad - Liddle Ugleez Chevy’s Nite Club - Karaoke Cocktails Lounge - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Fox’s Lair - Trivia, Soup and Suds Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia The Loft - Karaoke MAD Studios - Open Mic w/ Lincoln Crisler Malibu Jack’s - DJ Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Evans) - Karaoke The Playground - DJ Rana Shannon’s - Karaoke Sky City - DJ Stoney, DJ Freeman Surreal at Surrey - College and F&B Night Tavern at the Bean - Ladies Night Villa Europa - Karaoke Wooden Barrel - ’80s Night Karaoke
June 7 07Friday, Live Music
Augusta Canal Moonlight Music Cruise - Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold Country Club - Michael Stacey Coyote’s - Dave Firmin, Rhes Reeves & the Coyote Band Doubletree - Classic Jazz Drifters - The Southern Meltdown Band First Round - John Berret’s LaRoxes Joe’s Underground - Brant Quick MAD Studios - Chris Hardy PI Bar & Grille - Richard Payne 3 Polo Tavern - Reverse Effect Shannon’s - Ke-Ju Somewhere In Augusta - The Hollerers The Stables at Rose Hill Estate - Celtic Music w/ Gavin Winship Surrey Tavern - Playback The Band w/ Tutu Dy’Vine Wild Wing - Michael Patterson Band
What’s Tonight?
Armando’s - Karaoke w/ Rockin Rob Chevy’s - DJ Dougie Club Argos - Friday Night House Party Cocktails Lounge - Grown-Up Fridays with DJ Cork and Bull Pub - Karaoke Eagle’s Nest - Free Salsa Lessons; Latin Dance Party Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Iron Horse Bar & Grill - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke with Ryan Moseley Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke with Jeff Barnes 28 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Three J’s Karaoke Ms. Carolyn’s - Karaoke Palmetto Tavern - DJ Tim The Playground - DJ Rana Rebeck’s Hideaway - Open Mic Roadrunner Cafe - Karaoke with Steve Chappel Sky City - First Friday ‘80s Night and Art Show Soul Bar - First Friday DJ Mix Tavern at the Bean - Artist Showcase w/ Gregory Rooftop Wariner Wooden Barrel - Karaoke Contest
June 8 08Saturday, Live Music
The Acoustic Coffeehouse - Open Acoustic Jam Session with Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Country Club - Phil Vaught First Round - Verge of Bliss, Strange Planet Joe’s Underground - Granny’s Gin Laura’s Backyard Tavern - David McCoy & The Coming Attractions Malibu Jack’s - Ke-Ju P.I. Bar and Grill - Smooth/Vocal Jazz Polo Tavern - Cock-Eyed Mary Sky City - Angie Aparo, Will McCranie Somewhere in Augusta - The Unmentionables Stillwater Taproom - The Welfare Liners Surrey Tavern - Playback The Band w/ Tutu Dy’Vine Wild Wing - Tokyo Joe
What’s Tonight?
Chevy’s - DJ Dougie Club Argos - Saturday Night Dance Party and Show Cocktails Lounge - Latin Night Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Helga’s Pub & Grille - Karaoke The Loft - DJ Richie Rich Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Karaoke with Danny Haywood Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke Ms. Carolyn’s - Karaoke The Playground - DJ Rana Robbie’s - Saturday Night Dance Party Tavern at the Bean - Karaoke w/ DJ Kenny Curtis Wooden Barrel - Kamikaze Karaoke
June 9 09Sunday, Live Music
5 O’Clock Bistro - Mike & Dave
Candlelight Jazz - ABBA (Augusta Big Band Aggregate) Cotton Patch - Keith Gregory (brunch) Malibu Jack’s - Playback The Band w/ Tutu Dy’Vine Partridge Inn - Sunday Evening Jazz w/ the Not Gaddy Jazz Trio Wild Wing - Will McCranie Duo The Willcox - Live Jazz
What’s Tonight?
Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke, Salsa Dancing Polo Tavern - Bingo Night Shannon’s - Karaoke with Peggy Gardner
June 10 10Monday, Live Music
Hopelands Gardens (Aiken) - Maureen Simpson, Aiken Choral Society Shannon’s - Open Mic Night
What’s Tonight?
Applebee’s (Evans) - Trivia Chevy’s - Trivia Club Argos - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Poker Malibu Jack’s - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Trivia The Playground - DJ Rana Robolli’s - Trivia with Mike Thomas Somewhere in Augusta - Poker Wild Wing - Trivia
June 11 11Tuesday, Live Music
Appleby Concert Series - Jeni Michelson & the Society Express Band The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Karaoke Contest The Willcox - Piano jazz
What’s Tonight?
Chevy’s Nite Club - Shag Night w/ Free Lessons Club Argos - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Dart League Joe’s Underground - Karaoke Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke w/ David Doane Limelight Cafe - Bottom’s Up Karaoke Malibu Jack’s - Poker
Mellow Mushroom (Downtown and Evans) - Trivia Mi Rancho - Cornhole Carolina Meeting The Playground - Truly Twisted Trivia with Big Troy Polo Tavern - Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke with Mike Johnson Somewhere In Augusta - Big Prize Trivia Surrey Tavern - Tubeday Tuesday Movie Night
June 12 12Wednesday, Live Music Malibu Jack’s - Marilyn Adcock
What’s Tonight?
Armando’s - Karaoke w/ Rockin Rob Chevy’s - Karaoke Cocktails Lounge - Augusta’s Got Talent Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes Hotel Aiken - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke w/ David Doane The Loft - Karaoke Midtown Lounge - Karaoke w/ Charles O’Byrne Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke The Playground - Krazy Karaoke with Big Troy Polo Tavern - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Somewhere in Augusta - The Comedy Zone w/ Grandma Lee and Danny Niblock Surrey Tavern - Trivia with Christian and Mickey
Upcoming
Keith Gregory - Maude Edenfield Park, North Augusta June 13 Stereotype - Sky City June 13 Dustin Lucas - 100 Laurens June 14 Dallas Duff - Augusta Canal Moonlight Music June 14 Tyler Hammond Band - Country Club June 14 Jam Sandwich - Joe’s Underground June 14 JAR - Polo Tavern June 14 Liddle Ugleez, Dr. Bread - Sky City June 14 Blair Crimmins and the Hookers - Stillwater Taproom June 14 Amanda Daughtry - Country Club June 15 Tony Holiday Band - Joe’s Underground June 15 Kenny George Band - Polo Tavern June 15 Hip Hop Night w/ Fuzz Jackson - Sky City June 15 Donald Merkle and the Blacksmiths - Stillwater Taproom June 15 David Heath Project - Candlelight Jazz June 16 Mike Frost - Hopelands Gardens (Aiken) June 17 06JUNE2013
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VALERIEEMERICK
Shine On
Shine for Scott celebrates fourth year with pre-show motorcycle ride
No one wants to think about colorectal cancer, much less talk about it — especially if they’re under the age of 50, but that’s just what the organization Shine For Scott hopes to promote. Through research and education, they want to create an environment where it’s okay for those under the age of 50 to talk about a subject that most people find just plain icky. “We’re trying to touch those people, particularly those who are younger, through humor and through music,” explained Maggie Pritchard, president and founding member of Shine For Scott. “Getting out of ourselves and not allowing ourselves to be scared by the subject matter because talking about colon cancer — talking about poop, talking about your rectum — those are not things that anybody really wants to talk about. It’s a gross subject, so people really shy away from it. Especially people who are younger, so we’re trying to use avenues that lend itself naturally to the younger crowd, whether it be humor or music and that’s why this concert is so important.” Pritchard is referring to the fourth annual Shine For Scott benefit concert, which will be held this Saturday at Laura’s Backyard Tavern. “This is probably our most ambitious year yet,”
06JUNE2013
Pritchard said. “We have a lot going on and we are very excited about all of it. The first thing that we’re doing is brand new, actually. We are kicking off the day with a pre-show motorcycle ride. We’re excited about that. We’re calling it Ride On While You Get Your Shine On. Hopefully, it’ll be a big success and if it is we’d like to keep it as a preshow activity every year.” The concert this year features five local bands and three bands that will be coming from out of town. “Sheldon is coming in from the Charleston area. They are the 2012 [Charleston] Battle of Bands winners and then Grim Rooster is coming from Atlanta, they’re kind-of a rockabilly, punky kind of band. Davin McCoy and the Coming Attractions are coming from Atlanta,” Pritchard said. “And then we have lots of local bands; The Palmetto Pickers, Celia Gary, George Croft and the Vellotones, Some Machine and Jesup Dolly are the five local bands.” Returning this year will be singer-songwriter Wesley Cook (pictured above), who has participated in every Shine For Scott benefit since the first one in 2010. This year Cook will be acting as an emcee for the first half of the day. “He’s been a pretty popular musician as far as our concerts go,” Pritchard said. “He’s played every
concert. He’s a lot of fun and he’s just a genuinely nice person.” Cook is just happy to be involved with the organization as they are to have him. What keeps him coming back year after year? “It’s the people involved who are so genuine in their kindness and who are so passionate about this cause,” Cook said. “It’s a pleasure to be part of and I’ll keep coming back for as long as they’ll have me.” In addition to all-day music and the pre-show motorcycle ride, the benefit will feature a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, a kid’s area (which will have face painting and arts and crafts for children), vendors and food served from 3-5 p.m. This will be an outdoor event and cash and checks will be accepted for the auction and raffle items. Fourth Annual Shine for Scott Benefit Ride and Concert Laura’s Backyard Tavern Saturday, June 8 | Doors, noon; show, 1 p.m. $10; children 12 and under, free | Dinner, served from 3-5 p.m.: $6 shineforscott.org
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Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Morgan, Sydney and Ashley Hoyt at the Country Club.
SIGHTINGS
Amber Los, Austin Long, Libby Walker and Emily Stone at the Country Club.
Michael Gangarosa, Cathy Creson and Stevie Starr at Shannon’s.
SIGHTINGS
Jeff Race, Melisa Dees and Chase Kuhns at Rhinehart’s.
Dawn D’Antiqnac, Norma Jean Finnan and Carol Davidson at Rhinehart’s.
SIGHTINGS
Roy Hitzeman, Christine Aussem and Scott Russell at the Mudbugabeaux-N-Brew at the Augusta Common.
30 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Dakota Turner, Alex Mountain and Michelle Socky at the Mudbugabeaux-N-Brew at the Augusta Common.
Natalie Ruelas, James Barnwell and Cassie Weisman at Rhinehart’s.
Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Jason Young, Lisa Snider and Morgan Dunn at the Mudbugabeaux-N-Brew at the Augusta Common.
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THE
BOX TOPS
Vin Diesel et.al. speed past some not-so-stiff competition. Sorry, Will and Jaden.
EIGHT
RANK
TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS
TOTAL GROSS
WEEK #
LAST WEEK
1
FAST & FURIOUS 6
$35,164,440
$171,003,965
2
1
2
NOW YOU SEE ME
$29,254,674
$29,254,674
1
-
3
AFTER EARTH
$27,520,040
$27,520,040
1
-
4
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
$16,780,895
$181,537,381
3
3
5
EPIC
$16,616,310
$65,377,491
2
4
“After Earth”
SAMEIFLING
Much of this movie’s bad press is well-deserved “After Earth” has gotten some of the worst blowback of any movie this year, most of it justifiably. People like to scoff at anything that M. Night Shyamalan, the alleged director, puts his name on; I could write that “After Earth” is Shyamalan’s worst movie since his last one, but of course Adam Sandler has also been working lately. The father-son team of Will and Jaden Smith carries a whiff of cutesie nepotism, and the elder Smith’s dalliances with Scientology have spurred some critics (notably New York magazine’s blog Vulture) to dissect “After Earth” as an allegory for L. Ron Hubbard’s quackpot spiritual Ponzi scheme. The bad vibes sent “After Earth” to the worst opening weekend of Will Smith’s film career — not even the Fresh Prince can rescue a Scientologyinfluenced M. Night Shyamalan project, and ultimately, for that, perhaps we can be thankful. But if one demographic stands to miss out as we shuttle “After Earth” into the Razzies dustbin of bigbudget flops, it’s the 9-to-12-year-old boys for whom this movie was rightly made. Those lads don’t care about the baggage, and they don’t particularly notice completely asinine story wrinkles that would make the average 17-year-old splutter with laughter from the rear rows. No, to them it might just be cool that a kid and his dad crash a spaceship onto Earth in the future and the kid has to brave all sorts of jungle menaces to save them both. We can complicate matters further, but when
you can assume the action is the only moving premise (and not some 100-minute Trojan Horse advert for a Hollywood church of mail-order rubbish) then you can enjoy the film on its outnumbered merits. The Smiths play a general and his headstrong son, living in a future where humans have so spoilt the planet that we have to up and move to another. Earth must’ve gotten really rough, because on the new world, Nova Prime, an alien species sends rampaging monsters to kill us in piles. The monsters, blind, find us by the scent of our fear (kids, you might want to look up the word “pheromone” before plonking down your ticket money). The elder Smith revolutionized the war by suppressing his fear so completely that he became undetectable in battle, thus inventing the ninjalike technique of “ghosting.” The son feels he has big shoes to fill, and there’s tension; the normally duty-bound father, trying not to be such a distant jerk, decides to let the kid tag along on what should be a milk run to some other planet. But then the ship runs into trouble, finds itself near Earth, tries to crashland and breaks apart in the atmosphere. None of the other crew survives. With the father’s legs broken, the son has to go alone to a chunk of the ship some 60 miles away and send up a distress signal, else they’re toast. Danger is everywhere — the atmosphere is a mess, the
whole place freezes each night, huge birds and cats and apes and leeches lurk, and of course a blind humankilling monster escaped from the ship in the crash. The boy has swords and gadgets and his father in his ear directing his movements. He’s Robinson Crusoe with all the accouterments of an Xbox game character. There’s a lot here for a child to consider: how to relate to a parent in times of trouble, how to handle fear, how to make wise decisions, what to do when a pack of wild baboons chases you through a forest. In the right frame of tween mind, there are worse ways to blow a hot Saturday afternoon. That said, the plot, the story points, the acting, the direction, the score — they all shout B-movie. That doesn’t mean “After Earth” totally fails; it just waddles as a wide target when it stars an A-list actor. Like our heroes as they were making the fateful decision to enter this poisoned planet’s atmosphere: You’ve been warned.
JUNE 7 COMEDY
“The Internship,” rated PG-13, starring Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, John Goodman. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson reunite eight years after “Wedding Crashers” to make a two-hour commercial for Google. Probably a really funny commercial for Google, but still.
HORROR
“The Purge,” rated R, starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey. In an America overcome by crime, the government sanctions annual “purges,” 12-hour periods of time in which any crime is legal. Law-abiding citizens lock themselves in their homes, while police and medical personnel take a day off. So what happens when a stranger comes knocking on a family’s door right in the middle of the Purge? Should make for an interesting movie, actually.
“Much Ado About Nothing,” rated PG-13, starring Amy Acker, Jillian Morgese, Alexis Denisof, Reed Diamond, Nathan Fillion, Fran Kranz. Shakespeare retold by “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (the TV show) and “The Avengers” director Joss Whedon? Yes, please!
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WHINE
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WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM
LINE up What is the biggest speed trap in Georgia? Without a doubt it is Ft. G. A prime example is Kilbourne Ave., the main route between gate 1 and gate 5 and has a 25 MPH limit. I could understand the speed limit if there were lots of activities on that stretch, but there are no reasonable explanation except speed trap (this is evidenced by the MP radar units sitting daily at the closed down fire station. I guess that the real question is, “ Is there anyone in command that actually looks at what is going on out there?
Now they want the city to pay 3 million dollars to build a sitting area and waterfall around the James Brown statue downtown. That would be a nice place to get mugged at, with the soft sound of trickling water and a life sized statue of Augusta’s best known felon. I wonder how many police officers could be hired to work the downtown area with 3 million dollars. Wouldn’t that make the area more appealing? Who else besides me believes a ten year old child could have provided better information than the government agent about the changes in the garbage service? Were any commissioner’s in town to review the publication’s prior to their printing and distribution? This is pitiful and to think that we actually pay these people for substandard performance.
The DSM-5 (that’s the recently updated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) has decided that caffeine withdrawal counts as a mental disorder. Disability benefits for everyone!
Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit. com. If you do so by noon on Friday, you might just see it in the next Thursday’s issue. Oh, and whines may be edited for content but will pretty much be printed exactly as you type them.
down
Sharon Jones has cancer. Please get well soon, Sharon. We want to see you back in Augusta sometime soon.
It’s too bad our businesses cannot get as quick service or tax breaks as Columbia County is apparently getting. How are you going to expect to keep and get new businesses for downtown?
no excuse for the births of unwanted puppies and kittens - and SHAME ON YOU - I repeat - SHAME ON YOU if you let it happen. Has the mayor been kidnapped??!!
TURN SIGNALS: are they optional in Georgia? We’ve come here just recently and I’m amazed at the number of vehicles w/o the safety turn indicators. These are extremely good devices - one should always use them. please
I am an EMT I have been to college I have done a lot in my 29 years of life but never have I thought the misuse of the 911 system would’ve bad. An emergency is not a nose bleed or a ingrown toe nail. While we’re attending to things like that and For those who do not think Tyranny can happen in the United giving rides like a taxi service. Someone with a REAL emergency States, you need to look at history, or just look at the current IRS like heart attack or someone hit by a car is being deprived of ALS targeting of conservatives. I can’t for the life of me understand how care because I’m taxi driver for you to go to triage. someone like Josh Ruffin can carry water for the democratic ruling class unless he thinks they will bring him into the elite fold. Hate to All right, all you pet owners in the CSRA....it is almost summer and tell him but a poor basement dweller will not be allowed into the the prime time for dogs and cats to breed. SPAY and NEUTER country club unless he is serving drinks and shinning shoes. your pets!! Just take a look at the “free” ads in newspapers, go to any local shelter, or visit Animal Control and you will witness what happens when pets are not spayed/neutered!! There is
34 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
THUMBS Everyone in this town has it backwards. They all FLY through red lights yet sit and stare at green lights (especially green arrows). Then every person that goes through the green arrow pauses after the car in front of them for some dumb reason. This is what causes traffic to back up people. 1) Jenny Sanford’s attempt to derail her former husbands election, blew up in her face! Better luck next time! 2) The chronicle won’t print any criticism of tiger, so I hope you are not on the nationals payroll (gasp) Anyway, Tiger Woody has no morals on or off the golf course! He wants to win any way possible. When I was growing up and knee-high to a midget wrestler, we used to have neighbors. Today, all’s I have is people that just happen to live next to me. Sad, really sad.
06JUNE2013
COME HUNGRY
IF YOU LOVE THE FOOD AT EDGAR’S WHY NOT SHARE WITH A FEW
LEAVE FULFILLED
Monday—Friday | Lunch 11:00-3:00 Monday—Saturday | Dinner 4:30-10:00 Sunday | Brunch 10:30-3:00
Book the Snelling Center, adjacent to Edgar’s Grille, for your next party, reception or corporate meeting. Snelling Center, a conference center that helps the community. 3165 Washington Rd | 706.854.4728 | EdgarsGrille.com
3165 Washington Rd, Augusta GA. 706-854-4700 edgarsgrille.com
A CONFERENCE VENUE AT EDGAR’S