Metro Spirit 06.19.2003

METRO SPIRIT Augusta’s Independent Voice

CABLE June 19-25, 2003 Vol. 14/NO. 46

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Contents Metro Spirit

J U N E

1 9 - 2 5

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F R E E

W E E K LY

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SEMI-ANNUAL SALE

M E T R O S P I R I T

M E T R O S P I R I T. C O M

ON THE COVER

J U N E

Cable Thieves By Brian Neill ................................................................................18 Cover Design: Stephanie Bell

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FEATURES

Harry Potter and the Great, Big Hoopla

By Michelle Chihara .................................21

Opinion Whine Line ......................................................................4 Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down ............................................4 This Modern World .........................................................4 Words ...............................................................................5 Suburban Torture ............................................................5 Letters to the Editor .......................................................8 Austin Rhodes ...............................................................10 Insider ............................................................................12 Insider ............................................................................13

25% TO 60% OFF

Metro Beat

No One Knows Where the Judicial Center Will Go ...14 Global Spectrum Is Gone .............................................17

Arts

Son of a Dot Man Exhibits in Augusta .......................32 Quiet Storm Takes a Lead Role in Augusta Jazz Scene ....................................................................34

Cinema

Ashanti and Mr. Cheeks To Perform at Fort Gordon................................40

Movie Listings .............................................................35 Review: “Alex and Emma” .........................................37 Close-Up: Nick Nolte ....................................................38 Movie Clock ..................................................................38

Music Hit AthFest for Great Music and a Whole Lot More ....24 Ashanti and Mr. Cheeks To Perform at Fort Gordon ...40 Bob Marley Reggae Tribute Brings Augustans Together ..........................................................................41 Music by Turner ..............................................................41 Caitlin Cary Comes to Augusta in Support of Album ..42 Music Minis ....................................................................43 Night Life .........................................................................44

Stuff News of the Weird ........................................................46 Brezsny's Free Will Astrology ......................................47 New York Times Crossword Puzzle ............................47 Amy Alkon: The Advice Goddess ................................48 Date Maker ...................................................................49 Classifieds .....................................................................51

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EDITOR & PUBLISHER David Vantrease ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Rhonda Jones STAFF WRITERS Stacey Eidson, Brian Neill ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Joe White ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kriste Lindler, Kristen Chandler PRODUCTION MANAGER Joe Smith GR APHIC ARTISTS Stephanie Bell, Natalie Holle ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Meli Gurley ACCOUNTING MANAGER/CLASSIFIEDS Sharon King ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ASSISTANT Lisa Jordan CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Meli Gurley SENIOR MUSIC CONTRIBUTOR Ed Turner CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chuck Shepherd, Rob Brezsny, Austin Rhodes, Amy Alkon, Rachel Deahl CARTOONISTS Tom Tomorrow, Julie Larson

METRO SPIRIT is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks of the year. Editorial coverage includes ar ts, local issues, news, enter tainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers. Visit us at www.metrospirit.com. Copyright © The Metropolitan Spirit Inc. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited.

Phone: (706) 738-1142 Fax: (706) 733-6663 E-mail: spirit@metrospirit.com Letters to the Editor: P.O. Box 3809, Augusta, Ga. 30914-3809

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Whine Line T

o silky, sexy voice: Is this a fact?

Have you ever been on the radio before? Have you taken a poll about your alleged sexy voice?

Do other people really want to listen to you on the radio? While you gather your response I will be listening to those two guys on Eagle 102! Keep up the good work guys. You really rock!

what do we have? Oh a tax break for the rich, ENRON and many others, a president who lied to start a war, easing of restrictions for media ownership so one company can own an entire market population. Can you say Pravda? Plus the loss of civil liberties and much more. I'd say that Democrats have plenty to gripe about as does anyone else who loves this country.

In reading Mr. Turner's "review" or bashing of Metallica's new album I felt compelled to write. Since Mr. Turner knows nothing about metal and hasn't even heard the record, how can he comment on something so out of his consciousness? He gets some cheesy, crusty oldies station DJ to give his worn-out opinion about the Internet, not the music. Why would I ever believe anything Mr. Turner says in his column about today's music when he's living in the past? Maybe that's why his radio show is only on the air once a month — for those of you looking to go to sleep!

He's never listened to metal in his life, and hey, he could have at least been smart enough to research the Internet and see what reviewers are saying about the record and steal that! Don't insult the intelligence of your readers, Mr. Turner, because you just lost one of them and many more once I show your article to all my friends.

I was shocked to hear that the Richmond County School Board is contemplating the elimination of all student field trips for the 2003-04 school year. This region is blessed with a diversity of museums and arts organizations, and many of these groups provide high-quality, curriculumbased field experiences for our students.

These arts and heritage experiences are not useless. Study after study has demonstrated that students who regularly participate in the arts attain higher levels of achievement.

Why don't people understand this? If you pay nothing, why should you get a refund?

If you pay something, why should your money be given to someone who paid nothing? Personally, I think you should only be allowed voting rights that would be linked with your contribution to society, best measures being either income or taxes paid.

To the whiner who stated that the Democrats have no agenda and simply want to gripe about everything: Hmm, health care for everyone, Social Security, Medicare, educational grants and most social programs that help people — I call that an agenda. Now the Republicans,

Hillary Clinton has outsmarted the other dozen or so Democratic candidates for president. While they scramble for the spotlight and a chance to speak, she has gotten exposure and free campaign time from her tell-all book. How is it the world’s smartest woman was kept in the dark and fed lies, without even a hint that she might be deceived? Was she really the only woman in Washington that Bill didn't try to sleep with?

After bemoaning the situation with the budget a few weeks ago, it now appears that a solution has been found. Call it what you will, but it looks like "money magic" to me. On top of that, our great Columbia County budgeteers have found a way to increase spending by $7 million.

Now that's real magic!

From the reading of the News Times review of the fire tax meeting one would assume that the meeting went just peachy.

Well gang, if you are really opposed to the

Thumbs Up In a few days, Aiken will be stepping into the 21st century by allowing five local grocery stores to offer off-premise Sunday alcohol sales. Now, according to a recent story in The Augusta Chronicle, some Augusta package store owners are concerned over how this new

change will impact their businesses. But what they must understand is, while Augusta may be determined to remain in the Dark Ages, other cities have the right to think more progressively. Three cheers for Aiken and its new Sunday sale laws.

Thumbs Down According to recent stories in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, state Sen. Bill Stephens, a Republican legislator the newspaper calls “Gov. Sonny Perdue’s point man” in the Senate, allegedly lent his own campaign $113,000 but repaid him-

ever-expanding government you need to know that the Columbia County News Times used rather creative reporting. There was significant opposition to the government getting its fingers in the operation of the fire service. Hopefully News Times will let Jayson Blair and Maureen Dowd go and start reporting the truth.

Year after year, while in legislative session, Representative Ben Harbin has eaten like a fat cat at the expense of lobbyists.

But what has he done for Columbia County? This year lobbyists spent more than $2,300 on Harbin alone and over each of the last six years it was nearly the same. Conversely, during those same

self $145,100 from his campaign fund after the election. That’s a $32,100 overpayment for the senator from Canton. Let’s hope that all of Perdue’s friends aren’t so bad in math or Georgia could find itself in some real financial trouble.

years Harbin is a zero in his home district; he’s secured merely peanuts for ball field lights, playground equipment, band uniforms, and a drawing of the new library.

Harbin is fooling no one except himself.

Why is it always considered a lie and a figment of black people’s imagination when they complain about not being able to get to the polls to vote on Election Day, due to profiling? Oh, but when whites cannot seem to get through on the telephone to vote for their favorite “American Idol” contestant, it reeks of scandal and conspiracy.

If I was to ever get an order that was correct at any of the local fast-food drive-

throughs, everyone behind me would have to go inside to order because I would be out cold from sheer shock.

No alcohol on Sunday? Is there some way I could designate myself as a pagan, atheist, true non-believer or other blasphemer (unspecified) on my state driver's license so that I can buy liquor here in the Bible Belt? I mean if I'm going to list myself as an organ donor, make it worth my while!

Please, please, please someone tell me why the people who drive dump trucks and the like purposely block you from passing them.

I was going down Columbia Road. There was a dump truck in front of me running 25 mph and every time I got where I could legally pass him, the driver would slide over to the left to block my view of oncoming traffic. Eventually I was able to pass him, when the road went to four lanes. But what a jerk. There is no need to do things like that.

Am I the only person out here who's becoming more and more afraid each day with the way the Bush administration has chosen to lie and stonewall the investigations about the Iraqi War? Bush is the one who told this nation we were in imminent danger because of Saddam and his WMD — not the CIA, not Colin Powell, not Condi Rice — he is the one who led this nation to war. If the intel he got was bad, and he acted on it, it’s his stupidity. Now American soldiers are being killed on a daily basis, and we are hated like never before in the region.

4th of July

The people of America seem like fools.

We attacked an innocent country because of weapons of mass destruction. There aren't any. Are we waiting so we can import them in under the secrecy of NSA? Saddam was a tyrant (no doubt) but there are hundreds of other countries that are worse off because of their leaders. Bill Clinton had sex with Monica and frankly I don’t give a damn. But Bush and the Republicans lied and it cost American boys their lives. They are making fools of the religious right in our country by their own backing of lies. It's time Bush was impeached. Homeland security is homeland violation of rights promised by the Constitution. May the new voices of truth stand their ground!

President Hillary Rodham Clinton!

What a great thought! All the rednecks had better start getting used to the idea because she will be America's first female president and we can hardly wait.

I'm not sure I've ever known such a bumper mosquito crop as we are blessed with this year. We're overrun. I almost can't even tend to my lawn and gardens in the evenings, repellent or no. And I'm on the Hill! So watch out! They'll eat on you too!

In response to the whiner asking me if I have ever been on the radio and who said I have a sexy voice. Well, I have been on the radio and I was told by all, that my voice continued on page 6

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– Testimony of Bill Craven, a retired Burke County extension director with more than 30 years of experience with dairy farms, as quoted by The Augusta Chronicle during coverage of Boyceland Dairy’s civil case against the city of Augusta. The $12.5 million suit claims that Augusta’s sewage sludge from the Messerly Wastewater plant poisoned the Boyceland dairy and its cattle.

“If it hurts me politically, I don’t care. My family always will be first and if it means I can’t get elected, it means I can’t get elected.”

– Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt responding in a June 15 Los Angeles Times article to the recent public announcement that his 30-year-old daughter, Chrissy, is gay.

“It was like the trauma of being suddenly and traumatically blown up, and I in effect relived all that hell of 35 years ago.”

– Former U.S. Senator Max Cleland comparing his November re-election defeat to the loss of his legs and part of his arm in a Vietnam injury, as quoted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Best thing to do with the old Regency Mall is to implode it and use the materials to build an attractive performing arts center downtown where one can walk to the Riverwalk, and restaurants and shops. The Regency Mall is a hideous piece of late 1970s architecture. In fact it was partly responsible for the malaise of downtown in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Make the site a community park or build houses there but take that building down.

Fort Gordon should be shut down and converted into the Red Cockeyed Woodpecker National Wildlife Refuge.

Make love not war.

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Would someone please tell these analretentive cell phone users to get a life? It is impolite to be on the phone at the grocery store, convenience store or any other check-out counter with the phone in your ear. Move on. You are conducting business no matter how trivial you think it is and you are holding up the ones behind you.

The cashiers don't care to hear about little Johnny’s baseball game or Aunt Matilda’s latest malady. It is extremely rude and crass. Hang up and call them back. How important can it be if you are talking in a convenience store?

I so hate to see those "Fast and Furious" movies come out! Everyone who sees them starts driving 10 times worse than they normally do. Is there some way we can get these ridiculous, forever-stuck-inpuberty movies banned?

ming pool, basketball courts, etc. You have all the room to do all of this. If those downtown would just put it to use.

Shame on you. To the three white boys in the golf cart that destroyed the mailboxes on Switzer Drive, and thought it was funny: Yes I called the law and gave them your description. I hope you enjoy your jail time!

I think Lowell Greenbaum, who’s in charge of the Democratic Party, should go back to New York. He’s not a person of the South!

Let’s clarify a whine from past weeks where someone was whining about servers not getting tipped. What was meant is this: When a server gives you good service, your beverages are full all the time, dirty plates removed, etc., you should tip your servers appropriately. If your bill is $40 and your service was good, a $1 or $2 tip just doesn’t cut it. The minimum tip is $6 (15 percent) and these server’s survival depends on you doing your part. Now if your server stinks, still leave at least a $1. This sends a signal to the server about their service and you do your part by leaving a tip.

Since no one else has said it, I will. I have watched “The Matrix” a dozen times and could watch it a dozen more, but “The Matrix Reloade” sucks!

Re: Renee Williamson and her letter to the editor in the June 12 edition of The Spirit. Did you know we have 57 vacant storefronts and one huge vacant hotel downtown? Not too much revitalization down there!

Turn the Regency Mall into a public safety center, with garages, training centers, and maybe a gym for all public safety, EMS, fire and police. Have a center where everyone in the community can come and drop their kids, so they can use the swim-

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To those complaining about violence at the Richmond Summit and how it is hurting downtown business growth: The fact is, it was there long before you even thought about opening a business there. Secondly, where are they going to go? These human beings who live there are suffering so much and have been victimized. Now they are finally getting some help, and you’re complaining about it. You could just shut your yap and offer some help.

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

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Letters to the Editor

M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

Blasts Rhodes and Right-Wing Conservatives Athfest this Weekend Page 24 Our Hot Breakfast Sandwiches Are The Best In Town

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Dear Editor: In his June 12, 2003 Metropolitan Spirit article, Austin Rhodes suggested the government was not acting wisely by using tax money to provide free breakfast for all Richmond County school children. In my opinion, the only people who would agree with Mr. Rhodes are Ebeneezer Scrooge and right-wing conservatives. Typically, right-wing conservatives whine the moment government does anything that shows compassion for human beings.

Obviously, showing genuine compassion for human beings is what most right-wing conservatives know nothing about. They believe cruelty is compassion and compassion is cruelty. A right-wing conservative’s idea of a government showing compassion is to build more prisons to incarcerate

We Deliver Call $%&#'""' # Fax $%&#!%(( Mon#Thurs $am#)pm Fri#Sat $am#'*pm Sun +am#+pm

(government officials) decide to use taxes (God’s money) to provide breakfast for all Richmond County school children, socalled godly right-wing conservatives must stop whining and just have faith.

However, Austin Rhodes and right-wing conservatives will not stop whining about government spending because money is their true master. Jesus put it this way: No one can serve two masters. Either they will hate the one and love the other, or they will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You (right-wing conservatives) cannot serve both God and money.”

Therefore, money-obsessed right-wing conservatives who proclaim to love God are not being honest. They are actually right-wing “conservafrauds.”

— Kevin A. Palmer

Richmond Summit Still Hotbed of Crime Dear Editor:

Augusta Exchange !""#A Robert Daniels Pkwy # Augusta

adults who rebel against society because they were too hungry to perform better academically while they were in school.

Naturally, Mr. Rhodes’ position on this issue is representative of the moneyobsessed mentality of most right-wing conservatives who proclaim God is their master. However, if God were truly their master, right-wing conservatives would not whine about how the government is spending tax money. The Bible says, “Everyone (including Austin Rhodes and right-wing conservatives) must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

This is why you (Austin Rhodes and rightwing conservatives) pay taxes (God’s money), for the authorities (government) are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” Therefore, if God’s servants

I’m writing on behalf of the residents of the Richmond Summit apartments.

I have daily contact with the building and its residents. During my daily encounters at the Richmond Summit apartments, I see prostitutes soliciting. I also see drug dealers doing their business on the sidewalks and in the courtyard in front of the building. I have called the police and all they have done in the past is make these drug dealers and prostitutes move down the block and they drive off. They respond to the Summit numerous times a day and go through the same routine. However, so do the drug dealers and prostitutes. I know of an instance of drug dealers repeatedly beating the crap out of a

person who owed them money, while their lookout stood in the lobby area of the elevator to let them know if someone was coming, while the beating was taking place. In a recent visit to the Summit, I heard two drug dealers talking about hiding drugs in the ceiling panels in the hallways and personally saw one of these dealers lift up his shirt and expose a handgun.

I often wondered what it would take for the manager to take some action and be held accountable for allowing this illegal activity to continue at the Richmond Summit.

While watching the 6 p.m. news on June 4th, I think I got the answer. I saw a broadcast in which the district manager from Atlanta, Carol Donavan showed a sincere interest for the well-being and safety of the residents.

Thanks to her, there has been a feeling of security among residents and visitors alike.

I’ve also noticed a proactive approach by the police to rid the building and outside areas of these drug dealers and prostitutes.

I would especially like to thank deputies Douglass and Szitar for frequently patrolling the courtyard and entering the building to look for and remove anyone involved in illegal activity. Thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Donavan and these deputies, the criminal element that now exist will continue to decline with their continued effort.

— Barbara Cook

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Opinion: Austin Rhodes

Walker’s Web Carefully Untangled by the Feds

I

f my sources are correct, the law enforcement agents continuing their probe into the financial empire of former state Senator Charles Walker are discovering layer upon layer of activity and deceit rumored to be worthy of Tom Hagen’s handiwork for the Corleone family.

The devil is in the details, though, and that may be what makes or breaks the investigations into years of Walker’s financial, political and business dealings.

Over the course of the last two weeks there have been new pieces of the puzzle coming together from disparate sources that indicate that investigators are looking into whether Walker may have been using the names and signatures of associates and underlings to conduct certain business activities and tax maneuvers that may prove to be his undoing.

Remember, the notorious gangster Al Capone did not get sent to the federal pokey because he was a murderer and a racketeer.

Capone went down because he was a tax cheat, and a pretty careless tax cheat at that.

Reports indicate that several former Walker associates have been questioned concerning an intricate paper trail filled with enough alleged inconsistencies and possible disinformation to keep someone in federally issued dungarees for years to come.

All of this brings to mind Walker’s comments last year when he was dogged by constant media inquiries on the meandering and intertwining tentacles of his business and political interests: “You think I’m going to let a $35,000-a-year reporter with worn-out loafers determine my destiny?” (The Augusta Chronicle, April 25, 2002) Perhaps not, but the efforts of those reporters, and a few legal eagles with equally sensible footwear, could most definitely have a few things to say about your destiny, Mr. Walker.

Even during the heated political battle that he eventually lost to Randy Hall, Walker was never

apologetic or even hesitant to describe the way he approached business and politics, and the way to have fun and make a profit at both: “I learned a long time ago to go for the gusto, and I do not apologize for it....I learned the game, and I play it better than those who created it.”

(The Augusta Chronicle, April 25, 2002) While the rumors of political bullying and outright bribe solicitation have dogged Walker for years, it is damn near impossible to prove such things in a court of law without in-depth undercover work that would have been actively going on while the former pol was still in office. Given the political insulation of both the Bill Clinton Justice Department and the Roy Barnes state monarchy during many of the years Walker was in office, it is easy to see why more dramatic charges against Walker will likely never materialize, even if he is guilty.

But all it takes to get a gangster, even a suspected gangster, is a paper trail that shows he had wealth that was untaxed, or benefited from associations that were illegal.

Put together a string of such offenses, and a vast array of machinations to hide the activity, and you go from being a simple tax cheat, to very likely facing charges involving the RICO Act. Originally, the breadth of the RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization) Act was intended to give law enforcement, and private persons, broad power to fight organized crime, whether “organized crime” was traditional mobsters, members of a drug ring, or even out-of-control politicians building an empire from illegal glad-handing.

The use of the RICO Act has been discussed in the Walker case. I wonder what kind of shoes those guys were wearing?

— The views expressed in this column are the views of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The archived Austin Rhodes columns can now be seen at www.wgac.com.

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11

HEALTH PAGE

M E T R O

Take care of yourself. Let University help.

“HealthTalk” on WGAC-580 AM Tune in Monday, June 23, at 8:30 a.m. to hear Samuel Chan, M.D., a board-certified oncologist on University’s medical staff, discuss lung cancer.

Online Pre-registration!

Patients can save time and paperwork by preregistering for procedures and tests at University Hospital by online. Log onto www.universityhealth.org and look for the links at the top and left side of the home page. If you do not have computer access, you can preregister over the phone, by calling 706/774-2125. While you on the Web site, don’t forget to sign up for HealthMail.

Summer Special at Health Central Buy one membership and get another for half price, or try three months for $99!

Join Health Central, University’s wellness center, and make the move to a healthier you through exercise and lifestyle education programs. Health Central offers an indoor pool and track, group cycling, yoga, kick box aerobics and weight training programs designed to meet any lifestyle. Offer good through June 30. For more information, call 706/724-4408.

University Health Care System has been named the National Research Corporation’s Consumer Choice Award winner in the Augusta area for the fourth consecutive year.

Are You at Risk for Prostate Cancer?

Yes, if you are a male that’s at least 50 years old.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among males. But early treatment can save lives. Today as the nation celebrates Prostate Cancer Awareness Day, men are encouraged to learn the risk factors, symptoms and how early detection can stop prostate cancer before it stops you.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that results in the formation of a tumor in the prostate. It is often slow growing and usually occurs later in life.

Know the Risk Factors • Age. The risk increases as you get older.

• Race or ethnic group. African-Americans are more likely to have prostate cancer than other groups.

• Family history. If one or more close relatives have prostate cancer, it increases your risk.

• Diet. A high-fat diet may increase the risk.

• In men who smoke, prostate cancer spreads more quickly.

Watch for these Signs and Symptoms Prostate cancer generally produces no symptoms in the early stages. So without regular screenings, cases often go undetected until they have spread beyond the prostate.

Symptoms include: • A need to urinate often, especially at night

• Weak flow or pain during urination • Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or thighs • Blood in the urine An enlarged prostate may also cause these symptoms.

An enlarged prostate does not always mean you have cancer, but your physician should check it to be certain.

Early detection — finding a cancer early before it has spread — gives men the best chance of being treated successfully. Prostate cancer is usually discovered during a routine examination or screening, such as the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association recommend that black men over 40 and all other men over 50 be screened.

University Hospital’s Seniors Club invites you to the

Prostate Cancer Survivor Dinner Thursday, June 26 6 p.m.

University Hospital dining rooms 1-3 FREE Seating limited to 80 people.

Reservations required.

Call 706/738-2580.

For more information on prostate cancer or to find a physician, call ASK-A-NURSE at SER-VICE (737-8423) or 800/476-7378.

Your resource for healthy living.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION Evening Community Education: Chest Pain and Heart Health William E. Callaghan, M.D. Thursday, June 19 Registration and dinner: 5:30 p.m.

Speaker: 6-7 p.m.

University Hospital dining rooms 1-3 $8 Seniors Club members, $9 advanced registration, $10 at the door Seating limited to 75. For reservations and more information, call 706/736-0847.

Bike Rodeo and Summer Safety Event Saturday, June 21 9 a.m.–noon Abilene Baptist Church 3917 Washington Road, Martinez FREE to all ages Sponsored by University and Columbia County Sheriff’s Department For more information, call 706/736-0847.

Introduction to Infant CPR Monday, June 23 6:30-8:30 p.m.

University Hospital Women’s Center $5 per person For more information, call 706/774-2825.

HEALTH SCREENINGS FREE Mammograms Available Through a grant from the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund, University Breast Health Center offers a FREE mammogram and education for any woman 40 or older who qualifies.

Call 706/774-4141.

SENIORS CLUB SCREENINGS

SUPPORT GROUPS

FREE Glucose Screenings FREE Height & Weight Measurement FREE Blood Pressure Check Wednesdays, June 25 9 a.m.-noon University Seniors Club, Daniel Village Shopping Center No appointment necessary.

Parkinson’s Disease Tuesday, June 24 6 p.m.

St. John Towers 724 Greene St. For more information, call Mary Ann Navarro at 706/863-6355.

SENIORS CLUB EVENTS For information or to register for the following activities, call 706/738-2580 or 800/413-6652.

Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

Breakfast with the Doctor: High Blood Pressure and Strokes Harold McGrade, M.D. Thursday, June 19 9-11 a.m.

University Hospital dining rooms 1-3 FREE for Seniors Club members, $3 for nonmembers Reservations required. Call 706/738-2580.

Seating is limited to 80.

Lunch with the Doctor: Having Headaches: The Problems and the Pain Igor Stojanov, M.D. Wednesday, June 25 11:30 a.m.

University Hospital dining rooms 1-3 FREE for Seniors Club members, $5 for nonmembers Reservations required. Call 706/738-2580.

Seating limited to 80.

Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group 7 p.m.

For families of people with Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Association Augusta Chapter 1899 Central Ave. For more information on the dates, call 706/731-9060.

Seeds For Life Offers support for HIV/AIDS patients, families and friends Wednesdays 1 p.m.

For location and more information, call 706/774-5802.

Log on to learn more: www.universityhealth.org

HEALTH INFORMATION , CALL

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737-8423 (SER-VICE)

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M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

Opinion: Insider

God’s Children Duke It Out Owings Departure Splits First Baptist

D

r. Timothy Owings preached his last sermon to the flock at First Baptist Church on Sunday, June 8. Those in the congregation were in general agreement that their minister of 13 years delivered a fine message that day. But the consensus among church members on the quality of Owings’ departing words stands in sharp contrast to the bitter difference of opinion about Owings that has rocked the church to its very foundation. In the case of First Baptist, when God’s children squabble, it gets nasty.

First Baptist is a big church by any definition. Its steeple and the church sanctuary it sits on are big and bold. The out-buildings spread over the large parcel of land located at 3500 Walton Way are impressive. The parking lots are enormous. The church membership numbers almost 3000. Among those members are some of the biggest names in Augusta business, legal and political circles.

The television ministry of First Baptist has magnified the church in the eyes of the community and propelled its pastor into a highprofile icon of the church. For years First Baptist has been a shining beacon on the Hill.

It is fitting that Owings’ exit is as high-profile as his ministry. First Baptist is a high profile church. Fitting, perhaps, but definitely not helpful to the short-term health of the church.

Press coverage in local media has demonstrated that there is a war on Walton Way. However, there is much more drama and discontent at the church. This battle has been brewing for a long time. Today, The Insider will provide you with more information from behind-the-scenes at this very public church.

The information comes from sources who spoke with Metro Spirit on the condition of anonymity.

When a ministerial vacancy occurs in a Baptist church, a search committee is appointed to look for a new pastor. The search committee that recommended Owings

Photo courtesy of The Augusta Chronicle

12

Dr. Timothy Owings

for the job years ago was not unanimously in favor of him. Several committee members did not want Owings but ultimately acquiesced to the will of the majority in a show of unity.

The fact that there was discord on the committee and that there were several votes against Owings was never officially disclosed to church members.

Shortly after Owings arrived on the scene the minister of music left the church.

Owings is an accomplished musician who is both a singer and a pianist. His music credentials are very strong. Whether Owings had anything to do with the departure of the former music minister is unclear.

Regardless, his exit fueled speculation among some church members, especially those who weren’t in Owings’ corner in the first place, that the music minister’s resignation was directly related to Owings.

According to church insiders, Owings got off on the wrong foot with certain members of the congregation and was never close to this group. Apparently, Owings and his early detractors weathered the storm and informally called a truce. But it was an uneasy truce and they never actually formed a close relationship.

During most years of Owings’ tenure, membership at First Baptist was growing, financial giving by members was good, and the church embarked on a successful multi-million-dollar building program. The results of the building program can be seen as one drives by the church. It is impressive.

Two years ago the church hired a consultant to provide input on a long-range development plan to add to the facilities of the church. The plan was bold and ambitious and would require a $10 million capital fund drive, originally scheduled for spring of 2003. In order to accomplish a successful capital improvement fundraising effort, a financially successful church leader is usually chosen to spearhead the campaign. The rule-of-thumb is that several wealthy church members must be tapped to give big donations to jump-start any fundraising effort and to ensure its success.

The initial contact of 20 or more potential big donors in the church proved unsuccessful in obtaining commitments. Various comments from those well-heeled members contacted indicated a growing dissatisfaction with Owings and the direction in which First Baptist was headed. Red flags. According to insiders, a church member relayed this information to Owings and indicated to the pastor that the church had some problems.

Apparently, the problems were never addressed to the satisfaction of those who voiced their dissatisfaction. The dynamic $10 million building program never got off the ground.

According to church insiders, membership

First Baptist Church at First Baptist has not grown over the last couple of years like it has in the past.

Financial giving also dropped off drastically this past year and the church didn’t meet its budget in 2002, according to sources. As more attention was paid to the finances of the church, the finance committee began to increase its scrutiny over spending. Certain disagreements ensued on how money should be allocated. Specifically, a purchase of an expensive projector for the church sanctuary was questioned, along with salary raises and other issues. Financial leaders questioned whether the proper financial guidelines in the church bylaws were being followed. Tension mounted and Owings resigned.

There has been some fuzziness about whether Owings was asked to resign, forced out rather than leaving of his own accord.

Nobody will say that he was asked to resign but there is little doubt that he was pressured to the point of resignation. According to reliable sources some church members had already made arrangements for Owings to take a position at a theological seminary in Atlanta if he wanted it. For those who had lost confidence in their pastor, it was time for him to leave.

For this group, Owings had struck out. The failed $10 million building campaign was blamed on dissension within the church.

Strike one. Lack of strong growth in member-

ship and decreased giving on the part of members. Strike two. Questions about financial management. Strike three.

Owings supporters think certain high-powered church leaders wanted him out and that they used the finances of the church as a smoke screen to pressure Owings to resign.

Many, many, people at First Baptist support Owings and they are making their voices heard in an attempt to oust those anti-0wings leaders from their leadership positions. A great number of congregants are saddened by his resignation and will never forgive those whom they hold responsible.

Since the resignation, First Baptist has suffered dramatically. Some members call it an out-and-out war. The news has spread throughout Baptist circles in the Southeast.

Members have left the church and will continue to leave. A petition has circulated to remove certain church leaders from their positions. Those leaders viewed as antiOwings are receiving angry phone calls at home. First Baptist is split and the fallout is just beginning. It will take years, if not decades, for this once-shining beacon on the hill to recover.

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

Opinion: Insider

SUMMER CELEBRATION SALE

Local Attorney Considers Run Against Don Cheeks

L

ocal attorney Edward Tarver is mulling over the idea of running against state Sen. Don Cheeks in the District 23 election in 2004. If he ultimately decides to run, and political insiders think he will, Tarver will run as a Democrat. Cheeks has always been elected as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party after his election last year and the election of Republican Governor Sonny Perdue. 2004 will be the first time Cheeks runs as a Republican candidate.

Democrats are furious with Cheeks over his party-switching and they are gleeful that a person of Tarver’s status is considering a challenge to Cheeks.

Tarver is receiving encouragement and will likely receive more after this column appears in print. Democrats want Cheeks gone.

Tarver has been involved in various aspects of the community since he began his association with Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett and Salley in 1992.

Aside from his association with the prestigious law firm, Tarver is a Leadership Augusta and Leadership Georgia alumnus. He has served as president of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce and has served on the board of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He is currently co-chairman of the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) citizens committee.

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Edward Tarver Tarver is well known in Richmond County but the 23rd state senatorial district covers several counties. His final decision will come after he has assessed his chances in a more formal manner.

Cheeks is known as one of the most competitive campaigners in Augusta and he is definitely seeking reelection.

He has something to prove, that he can win as a Republican. Voters in the district lean toward the Democratic Party by a small majority but not enough to guarantee a Democratic victory. If Tarver runs it could be a very interesting race. More later.

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

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14 M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

MetroBeat No One Knows Where the Judicial Center Will Go

B

ack in March 1999, former City Administrator Randy Oliver urged the Augusta Commission to seriously consider selecting a final location for the government’s future judicial center.

“Even if you as a commission made a long-term decision today, it’s going to be between three to five years before we implement it,” Oliver told the commission. “But we need to make that decision in order to start moving forward.”

That was more than four years ago and commissioners still can’t agree on a suitable location.

A serious discussion over the proposed judicial center first started in 1998, after the city paid the firm, Duckett & Associates, approximately $100,000 for a space allocation study.

This study evaluated the cost and practicality of several potential locations and options around the county, including expanding the current municipal building on Greene Street and transforming Regency Mall into a judicial center.

Since that time, there have been more studies conducted, a number of meetings with various city officials and a judicial oversight subcommittee established, which consists of commissioners, judges, local city planners and the district attorney.

Last year, the judicial oversight subcommittee’s chairman, Augusta Commissioner Bill Kuhlke, announced to the commission that the subcommittee had recommended expanding the current municipal building on Greene Street to create judicial center space.

The commission had already agreed that the judicial center should remain downtown, but this was a change in the city’s original

plans. Initially, commissioners wanted to keep the city’s administrative offices in the present municipal building and build an entirely new judicial center along Greene Street.

Those plans fell through after the subcommittee discovered that, in order to construct a new judicial center on Greene Street, the city was facing relocating a number of historical buildings, buying several parcels of property, swapping two parking areas and constructing a new facility, all at a cost of about $43 million.

Currently, the judicial center has been allocated only $25 million from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) monies.

City Administrator George Kolb has also recommended that commissioners ask voters to approve an additional $20 million for the judicial center in the next phase of sales taxes.

But almost as soon as the subcommittee members had finalized their recommendation to consolidate all of the judicial offices in a proposed, newly renovated municipal building, the city’s plans changed yet again.

“About three months ago, we went to Atlanta and met with the architects,” Kuhlke told the commission on June 17. “They had gathered all their information together and presented us with a program on a judicial center that would take us to 2013 and one that would take us out to 2023.”

After the subcommittee’s meeting in Atlanta, the members realized that simply expanding the municipal building would be a short-term fix. The subcommittee believed that within a few years the courts would find themselves again needing more space.

“I think the judicial committee felt like looking at this building was too shortsighted

BY STACEY EIDSON

Augusta Commissioner Bill Kuhlke

for a judicial center,” said Kuhlke, sitting in the commission’s chambers on the eighth floor of the municipal building.

Therefore, the subcommittee has come back before the commission and recommended a new location for the judicial center: the 6.7-acre pension property located between Reynolds Street and the Savannah River, adjacent to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

“Over there we can consolidate all the judicial offices and have the adequate park-

ing in that location,” Kuhlke told the commission.

The subcommittee’s proposal is to build a courthouse with seven floors and a parking garage that will hold up to 610 cars.

While some commissioners supported the subcommittee’s recommendations, many were concerned about the economic impact building a courthouse along the river would have on Augusta.

“The Riverwalk is our No. 1 pride and continued on page 16

“When you go to other places, like Statesboro and such, these folks that are victims that do have to go to court aren’t nearly as concerned with mahogany and marble as they are the justice. We just have to require this project to live reasonably within its means.”

— Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheek

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continued from page 14 joy,” Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams said. “When you come to Augusta, you come to the Riverwalk. And in my mind, I don’t think that would be the place where visitors ought to see people coming in with orange suits and chains on them.”

Williams said that it would be particularly inappropriate for children visiting Fort Discovery to have to walk by prisoners being escorted to court by the sheriff’s department.

“Maybe we can build a building that you won’t even know is a courthouse, but I just think that’s an area that we ought to keep as the focus point of Augusta,” Williams said.

Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheek was also concerned about the escalating cost of the judicial center.

“My understanding is that the building on this site recommended by the committee will exceed $58 (million) or $68 million,” Cheek said. “That’s the equivalent of telling citizens of this city that we will eliminate other projects such as drainage, roads, recreation, fire stations and other things to defer SPLOST money to this project, which will only be used by the judges, lawyers and criminals of this city.

“This is a project that we should hold accountable, just like we do every other project. It should live within the $20 million budget that we allocated. But instead, it is growing like a monster.”

Augusta Commissioner Steve Shepard, a local attorney, took exception to Cheek’s description of the judicial system in Augusta.

“It’s not a system for attorneys, judges and criminal defendants exclusively,” Shepard said. “Those cases were made to protect the victims. And those victims of crime will not be protected unless the cases are prosecuted.”

Kuhlke also disagreed with Cheek’s suggestion that the judicial center had a $58 million price tag.

“It would be purely speculation on my part to say what it is going to cost because I won’t know that until you finalize what you are going to do,” Kuhlke said. “But needless to say, it is going to cost more than $25 million.

“And if you asked me over the long-term, is this the highest and best use for that property, I would say, ‘No. Probably not.’”

However, Kuhlke believed that having a judicial center on Reynolds Street would be a great catalyst for growth on the lower end of Broad Street.

“I think the economic spinoff would be significant with the judicial center there,” Kuhlke said. “You are looking at 250 permanent jobs; you are looking at 400 to 500 people a day to go through that facility. It would have a very strong impact. And it was the only viable site that we could come up with.”

The Augusta Commission voted unanimously to ask the architects to give a presentation on the new site to commissioners before they make a final decision about the Reynolds Street location.

Cheek said he didn’t mind hearing the architect’s presentation, but he wanted city officials to be open-minded to cutting costs.

“When you go to other places, like Statesboro and such, these folks that are victims that do have to go to court aren’t nearly as concerned with mahogany and marble as they are the justice,” Cheek said.

“We just have to require this project to live reasonably within its means.”

17

Metro Beat

M E T R O

Global Spectrum Is Gone

S P I R I T

BY STACEY EIDSON

J U N E

F

ive minutes into the AugustaRichmond County Coliseum Authority’s June 18 meeting to consider a proposed contract from the private management company Global Spectrum, negotiations abruptly ended.

Global Spectrum was out and the civic center was again left with no permanent general manager or management company to run the facility.

The majority of the coliseum authority agreed that the contract Global Spectrum presented offered absolutely nothing toward improving the numerous problems plaguing Augusta’s civic center such as poor event attendance and lagging revenue.

“I think everybody has read the contract and I think at this time we should break off contract negotiations with Global Spectrum,” authority member Joe Scott said at the opening of the meeting. “The way this contract is structured, it seems to be constructed in such a way that it is the will before the funeral for the civic center.”

Scott stated there are no guarantees in the contract of an increase in the number of shows brought to the civic center or a decrease in the facility’s financial losses.

In fact, authority member Ellis Albright said the only thing that Global Spectrum’s contract promises to do is take a huge chunk of the authority’s money.

“This contract is going to cost us $145,000 (a year) on top of the deficit that we are already projected to have,” Albright said.

Albright explained that under the contract’s section entitled, “Compensation,” Global Spectrum asked that the authority not only pay $102,000 a year for a fixed management fee, but also provide $16,000 to relocate personnel, $15,000 for any expenses relating to the modification of the civic center’s operations and $12,000 per year for travel expenses.

These charges do not include the $75,000 needed to hire a general manager chosen by Global Spectrum.

The civic center has been without a general manager since the authority fired Reggie Williams in May 2002.

“This contract offers absolutely nothing for the civic center or the taxpayers of AugustaRichmond County,” Albright said.

Authority members Millard Cox, Wayne Frazier, Billy Holden, Bill Maddox, Mildred McDaniel, Annie Rogers, Scott and Albright voted to immediately end all contract negotiations with Global Spectrum.

Only authority members Fred Reed and Bonnie Ruben voted against the motion.

Ruben was stunned that the board would approve hiring Global Spectrum in March, ask representatives from the company to give a presentation to the full authority during last month’s meeting and then turn around and completely destroy everything.

“I think this is completely devastating for the civic center,” Ruben said. “I think it is

devastating for Augusta’s future. And we are now all headed down the drain.”

If Scott thinks Global Spectrum’s contract was the will before the funeral, Ruben said the authority just dug its own grave.

“I think this puts the final kiss of death on this place,” Ruben said. “I think it is the worst thing that could have ever happened. I think every one of the elected officials that put these members on this authority ought to be beaten, horsewhipped, subjected to public ridicule and recalled.”

Ruben said she had absolutely no problem with Global Spectrum’s proposed contract.

“Global Spectrum is one of the best companies that has come along,” Ruben said.

“They’ve been around a long time; they have an excellent track record; they have professional people; their contract is not unreasonable; and in particular, I think the amount of business that they could bring here would more than offset the amount of expense it costs.

“What these people don’t understand is, if you don’t pay anything, you don’t get anything. This is just a quality firm with highcaliber and high-quality people in their management and administrative positions who would be dedicated to turning this facility around. We need that kind of help.”

But instead of Global Spectrum moving into the facility July 1 as anticipated, Ruben said the civic center will be stuck in its current disastrous state.

“Whatever “I think this puts the agenda is the final kiss of of these crazy people, it just death on this place. defies all reaGlobal instead of our sonable busiI think it is the attorney,” Cox said. ness logic,” “The only thing that Ruben said. worst thing that contract guaranteed “I think they was that Global wouldare all crazy. could have ever n’t lose any money.”

I think they For example, the conneed a trip to happened.” tract states that Global the insane Spectrum would be asylum.

– Coliseum Authority entitled to $1 for each “In my Member Bonnie Ruben paid ticket to a public most profesevent at the civic censional busiter in excess of the ness opinion, authority’s “admission benchmark.”

I think they’re idiots and I think they need to The admission benchmark is defined as the get off of this board and go get a life.” average number of paid tickets to public Ruben said she has seen a lot of poor decisions by the board over the years, but this one events, such as the Augusta Lynx hockey games, over the past two years. was probably the worst.

So, if one event had an average of 2,000 “These people are morons,” Ruben said. “It’s just that bad and worse. I’ve seen a lot of things paid tickets over the last two years and next year 3,000 people were in attendance, the since 1993, in the 10 years that I’ve been on this board, but this really takes the cake. This is authority would have to pay Global Spectrum $1,000, Cox said. the stupidest thing that I’ve ever seen.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Cox said. “The only But authority members Cox and Maddox said anyone who reads Global Spectrum’s pro- way I would vote for a management company is if we gave them full authority to run this posed contract can see that the incentive fees thing and be responsible for the bottom line. I proposed by Global Spectrum are outrageous. don’t want them adding to our deficit and “The contract looks like it was written by

1 9 2 0 0 3

that’s what Global would be doing.”

Maddox said he immediately knew he couldn’t support Global Spectrum after reading the number of incentives requested in the contract.

“That contract is exactly like the contracts we had with our previous management companies, LMI (Leisure Management International) and SMG,” Maddox said. “I thought I could support Global Spectrum, but when I read the contract last night, I changed my mind right then.”

Despite the negative attitude of some authority members, Albright said the civic center is anything but doomed. Instead, he believes the authority has a much brighter future without Global Spectrum.

“We just need to find a person who wants to be in this business, who probably just graduated from college three or four years ago, who we can train and who can come in and do what needs to be done,” Albright said.

Basically, what the authority wants is someone they can control, Ruben said.

“This was obviously a done deal,” Ruben said. “They just want to micromanage this place into the ground and they are doing a great job of it.”

18 M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

CABLE

THIEVES “It (tampering with bundled service cable lines) disrupts a lifeline service. It actually disrupts the phone service, so we prosecute as hard as we can.”

— Mike Adams, Knology general manager.

BY BRIAN NEILL

R

obert Bedgood nearly got more than he bargained for a year or so ago when he prepared to climb a pole outside a local Comcast cable subscriber’s home to disconnect service for non-payment.

As Bedgood readied his ascent, he was confronted by an apparently drunk man toting a crossbow who threatened to shoot him if he cut off his service.

Obviously, this was someone who’d taken the “Must See TV” thing far too literally, and Bedgood figured that retreat was the best course of action.

“I got back in the van and called the disconnect supervisor,” the Comcast employee recalled. “I said, ‘Kenneth, I got a guy here who’s not going to let me cut his cable off and he looks like he’s wobbling around and he’s got a bow and arrow. Do I need to say any more?’”

A few days later, Bedgood said, a Richmond County sheriff’s deputy rode out with a technician to cut off the man’s service.

Bedgood, whose job as system auditor for Comcast includes policing residents stealing cable, is quick to point out that the crossbow incident was an extreme and singular occurrence in his career.

But the lengths to which people will go in order to obtain free cable, or keep their existing cable service intact without actually paying their bills, never cease to amaze him, he said.

Usually, when Bedgood rolls up to a residence or apartment complex dwelling, it doesn’t take long for him to ferret out the cable thieves.

There are tell-tale signs, like the green cable junction boxes shifted in their foundations, indicating someone has broken the locking door or hood to access the cable taps inside.

Once he removes the plastic housing, Bedgood can quickly find the resident who’s been stealing cable. All he has to do is locate the often crude handiwork — usually a cable end that’s been stripped off and the copper wire, or “stinger,” shoved into the tap. Then, it’s just a matter of tracing the cable to its source.

Bedgood recently went through these same motions at an apartment complex off Stevens Creek Road. This particular box was shrouded by shrubbery, which Bedgood surmised gave the culprits plenty of camouflage while they did their dirty work.

After placing a “terminator” — a small metal, locking lug — over the offender’s cable signal tap, thus cutting off service to the residence, Bedgood went back to his truck for some paperwork.

He returned with a paper hang-tag, which he attached to the resident’s door. Emblazoned across the top of the tag, in bold white letters on a red background, were the words: “Have we made a mistake?” The message continues by subtly inferring that, however it may have happened, the resident has been receiving cable without paying for it.

But the message goes a step further — asking the offending resident if he or she would like to become a Comcast subscriber, and even offering free installation.

However, in the event this honeyed

approach doesn’t deter the cable thief from hooking up the goods again, Bedgood also affixes another piece of paper that reminds the resident that a person convicted of stealing cable can be fined up to $1,000 and/or imprisoned for up to six months. A second offense, the paper points out, is a felony.

Bedgood sometimes relays these messages in person when a resident happens to be home.

Often, Bedgood said, residents will feign ignorance. Only in rare instances do they get irate, he said.

“Maybe on one or two occasions, they’ve denied it and started getting hostile,” Bedgood said. “But you can kill them with kindness.

I’m not in the mood to fight with somebody.

As far as I’m looking at it, it’s television.

Come on. Just start paying.”

Ironically, Comcast even sometimes gets service complaints from non-paying citizens, Bedgood said.

“You wouldn’t believe how many (people) call in that forget they’re not paying and call in service calls,” Bedgood said. “And they’ll (Comcast customer service) say, ‘Miss Jones, we don’t have you in billing.’ I probably get two or three a year, where they forget. And they know we’re coming.”

Still, Comcast, as well as many cable companies throughout the country, try to make customers out of crooks when it comes to cable theft.

Valerie Gillespie, area vice president and general manager for Comcast, said that her company always takes the non-accusatory approach with first-time offenders, assuming that they may not have been aware they were illegally receiving service.

And in fact, that may sometimes be the case in situations involving a previous tenant as the true culprit.

Gillespie said sometimes a resident even gets duped by a person posing as a cable

company representative, who may have the know-how and tools to hook up service.

“What should tip the customer off is, if they keep coming back to the door every month,” Gillespie said. “How many personal billcollectors do you have coming to your front door every month, versus sending a statement? But it does happen. I’m familiar with one case where it was a customer who sincerely thought they were doing business with the cable company and they weren’t.”

Comcast employees also carry a photo I.D. and arrive in vehicles clearly marked with the company’s logo, Gillespie added.

Gillespie acknowledged that cable theft most often occurs in apartment complexes, where the majority of cable junction boxes are located on the ground and are easily accessed. A high transient population in apartment complexes also makes a ready excuse for someone to blame cable theft on the previous tenant, Gillespie said.

Bill Botham, in charge of public relations and government affairs for Comcast, noted one recent case involving an apartment complex in Waynesboro at which roughly 30 of the approximately 80 units were receiving illegal cable.

Though not as common, that doesn’t mean that cable theft doesn’t also occur in posh neighborhoods, Bedgood said.

“You know what? That irritates me a little more,” said Bedgood. “I understand the money factor, trying to make ends meet. I’ve been there. I have empathy for them. Somebody that’s living in a $200,000 house, a Beamer in there, I don’t get that. I don’t do anything different, but when I leave, I leave with the idea, ‘Come on, you can’t afford $37 a month?’”

Whether it’s guilt over being caught, or the desire to turn over a new leaf, Bedgood said that roughly 49 percent of the people he disconnects for illegally receiving cable end up signing back up with Comcast for legitimate service.

Although Comcast is willing to give a resident the benefit of the doubt the first time, that doesn’t mean the company doesn’t take cable theft seriously.

Botham says Comcast is more than willing to prosecute, and has in the past. He declined to cite or enumerate specific cases.

For companies like Comcast, cable theft can seriously impact the bottom line.

Botham said an industry rule of thumb is that the typical cable company can assume that a population equal to 10 percent of its subscriber base is illegally receiving free cable or premium channels at any given time.

Comcast serves roughly 90,000 homes in the area, Botham said.

Using the standard industry figure, that would mean roughly 9,000 people locally were ripping off the cable company.

Considering Comcast’s current preferred basic rate of $37.90 a month, that would mean the company is monthly getting cheated out of $341,100 in revenues.

A 2000 report conducted by the National Cable Television Association’s Office of Cable Signal Theft, estimated that cable signal theft accounted for more than $6.5 billion in lost revenue each year in the industry.

Moreover, cable theft also affects legitimate, paying customers through signal degradation.

Bedgood explained that the common method of stealing cable by stripping back the cable insulation and cramming the wire into the tap does not make for a secure connection.

That means that transmitted signals can “leak” in and out of the cable tap, interfering with the reception of other residents nearby. By using portable, signal leakage “sniffers,” which resemble hand-held radios and emit a buzzing sound when escaping signals are detected, cable technicians can often determine a location where someone is stealing cable. continued on page 20

“I’m not in the mood to fight with somebody. As far as I’m looking at it, it’s television.

Come on. Just start paying.”

— Robert Bedgood, system auditor with Comcast.

Robert Bedgood, system auditor with Comcast, checks cable taps in a residential area to make sure no one’s receiving cable that shouldn’t.

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continued from page 19 “It’ll let me know,” Bedgood said. “It’s the truth detector.”

Tampering with cable equipment can have even more serious ramifications than poor reception for others.

Bedgood notes that aviation often uses some of the same frequencies as cable TV. “You’ve got a pilot trying to land a plane and somebody’s stealing cable out near Bush Field (Augusta Regional Airport) ... you’ve got a massive leak; he’s picking up MTV,” Bedgood said. “Not good.”

With the advent of bundled services — the offering of cable TV, phone and Internet in one package — cable theft can also impact a life-or-death situation.

Mike Adams, general manager of Knology, which offers bundled services locally, said that tampering with his company’s cable equipment can mean knocking out someone’s phone service.

“It disrupts a lifeline service. It actually disrupts the phone service, so we prosecute as hard as we can,” Adams said. “When I was in Montgomery, Alabama, I prosecuted three people for doing that and one of them actually caused our phone system to go out for two hours.”

The way Knology’s bundled services are set up also gives it a leg-up on other cable companies in terms of detecting cable theft.

“We monitor our system 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so if somebody goes in and they knock out their phone or they get it where the signal’s degraded, we actually get an alarm back at our network operations center that pinpoints that very voice port that’s having problems,” Adams said. “So, if they do try to tap in it’s almost like a built-in alarm system that tells us that somebody’s

corrupting the signal.”

Comcast also has some protective measures in place with its digital cable boxes, which are “addressable,” meaning they can receive and send back messages transmitted from the operations center.

In this way, Comcast officials can tell if particular homes have been receiving pay-perview movies and premium channels for which they haven’t paid.

To test her system, Gillespie recently bought, for about $210, a cable box off eBay.com that was rigged to receive free cable.

When a signal from Comcast got no response, the box shut down.

“It lasted, I want to say three weeks, and at that point, it died,” Gillespie said. “Pretty expensive, you know, to spend that kind of money and only get three weeks worth of viewing.”

Gillespie concedes that the system to communicate with digital boxes doesn’t solve the problem of people attaching the cable directly from the outside taps to their sets.

There is technology that does. However, implementing it would have a multiplying effect on the company’s infrastructure costs, Gillespie said.

Gillespie said the new technology on the market involves the use of addressable taps, which can be communicated with from the operations center in the same way as the digital boxes.

That would allow the cable company to both cut off and regulate programming directly at the source.

Needless to say, thwarting cable theft continues to be a full-time job, Gillespie said.

“Because if you let it get ahead of you, you’re constantly playing catch-up,” Gillespie said. “It’s (cable theft) a very costly exercise that comes back and hurts everyone.”

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Bedgood of Comcast pulls out a cable that has been illegally inserted into a Comcast tap outside a local apartment complex.

P rr r a o e H y tt AND THE GREAT, BIG HOOPLA

T

his week a tsunami of marketing and merchandise will wash over bookstores, billboards, baseball stadiums and every possible form of media — a tsunami by the name of Harry Potter.

On June 21, at 12:01a.m., the much-anticipated fifth book in J.K. Rowling’s immensely popular series goes on sale. And when it does, its cover will be beamed from a billboard in Times Square while Harry Potter look-alikes hand out a million stickers and badges. The international jet set will attend a $500,000 release party in London. And all this for a book — not for a movie, nor for anything having to do with J-Lo. But of course, Harry Potter is officially no longer simply a character in a book. He is a one-boy, multi-million dollar, international brand and media property.

The book itself has been kept under tight security, held under a strict embargo until the moment of release.

Reviewers don’t get copies; bookstores face harsh penalties if they disobey. The boxes of the precious tome have been arriving at stores sealed in opaque black plastic wrap, labeled with a 1-800 number to call if the seal has been broken.

Reportedly only five people in the world have read the story, plus maybe one fork lift operator in the UK who found a couple of copies that fell off a truck. Evidently he offered pages to The Sun newspaper for £25,000. He was promptly nabbed and sentenced to 180 hours community service.

The tight security comes from orders on high: The author herself supposedly wanted to make sure no one spoiled the surprise for her young readers. Of course, the tactic is also a brilliant marketing ploy, like creating a line outside a club. The suspense is building. What will it matter what the critics say, once the tension breaks and everyone is awash in all things Potter? continued on page 22

BY MICHELLE CHIHARA

21 M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

22 M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AUGUSTA, GEORGIA AND THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO HOLD A LOCATION AND DESIGN PUBLIC HEARING FOR WRIGHTSBORO ROAD IMPROVEMENTS GDOT PROJECT STP-7001 (9), RICHMOND COUNTY, P.I. NO. 250510 AUGUSTA PROJECT NO. 323-04-296823309 On July 21, 2003 Augusta, Georgia and the Georgia Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing concerning the proposed Location and Design of Project STP-7001 (9), Richmond County. The hearing will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Sue Reynolds Elementary School, located at 3840 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, Georgia 30909.

Project STP-7001 (9), is a proposal to improve Wrightsboro Road from the existing five lane section of Wrightsboro Road, approximately 2,400 feet east of the intersection with Jimmy Dyess Parkway, to the Interstate 520 southbound ramp in Augusta-Richmond County, a distance of approximately 2.4 miles. The improvements involve widening Wrightsboro Road from two lanes to four 12-foot travel lanes, providing a 4-foot bicycle lane in each direction, and placing a 20-foot raised median with turn lanes at median openings.

Shoulders would include curb and gutter with adequate drainage structures, and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides. As part of the project, Wrightsboro Road would be realigned between Maddox Drive and Belair Road. In addition to the improvements to Wrightsboro Road, Barton Chapel Road would be relocated approximately 180 feet to the west to satisfy current intersection spacing requirements and to provide adequate distance for required left turn queue lengths at the intersections of Barton Chapel Road and Augusta West Parkway. The proposed roadway is anticipated to help alleviate traffic congestion, improve access to adjacent residences and businesses along the existing roadway, and reduce vehicular accidents.

Representatives from Augusta-Richmond County and the Department of Transportation will be available from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with plans and displays.The public will have an opportunity to attend the hearing at its convenience to ask questions and discuss the project with a Department representative.

Representatives will be available to discuss relocation assistance. There will be no formal presentation.

A court reporter will be available during this time to allow the public an opportunity to make comments about the project. These comments will be

included in the transcript of the hearing.

Written comments may be submitted to: Mr. Harvey D. Keepler State Environmental/Location Engineer 3993 Aviation Circle Atlanta, Georgia 30336-1593 Written statements should be submitted by August 1, 2003. The displays at the public hearing will be available for ten days for review after the public hearing at the Augusta Public Works and Engineering, located at 1815 Marvin Griffin Road, Augusta Georgia. The transcript, as soon as it’s prepared, will also be available at this location.

There is wetland involvement on this project.

Unavoidable wetland losses would be mitigated by restoration of existing degraded wetland habitats or creation of new wetlands.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is in need of providing wetland mitigation for their projects. Land for wetland mitigation, in the form of restoring degraded wetlands: 1. must be relatively near the project (no greater than ten miles); 2. must not be existing wetlands or swamp (potential restoration areas should show signs of being previously ditched or drained or converted to non-wetland use such as agriculture or silvaculture); and, 3. must be easily accessible by local or state roads.

Anyone who has such property and would be willing to sell it to the state for wetland restoration, should send a letter, with a map (USGS Topographic Quad Sheet, County road map, or detailed drawing) clearly showing the location of the degraded wetland, to Harvey D. Keepler, at the above address.

The environmental document and displays will be available for review 15 days before the date of the public hearing at the location stated above. Also copies of the environmental document will be available at the hearing for public review.

Copies of the environmental document are available to the public by sending a request to Mr. Harvey Keepler at the address listed above.

continued from page 20

A Critic-Proof Potion Critics? Does anyone really read book reviews anymore? Certainly as far as sales are concerned, it may not matter much at all what’s between the covers of this fifth Potter installment. The book has already turned the publishing world on its head and entered a mass market that books rarely reach. The usual book world sales tactics simply don’t apply. Rowling is more famous than any other author who could possibly write her a cover blurb, and it seems safe to assume that most Harry Potter fans don’t give a damn what the New York Review of Books has to say about Hogwarts. As long as Rowling hands us some reasonable facsimile of the previous four books — Harry must be endearing, Hermione clever and Voldemort evil and defeated — the record 8.5 million copies printed in the first run will probably find homes.

Orders on Amazon.com have already topped a million. Brand loyalty is high.

No matter what goes on inside Potter’s delightful world, out here in the land of the dollar, Harry Potter the brand is en route to ever more massive “mindshare,” as they say. The question is, what does brand loyalty do to the imagination? Are mass market brands and creative storylines really compatible? The millions of dollars being spent on Potter marketing and merchandise are intended to create loyalty to a happy symbol of magic and innocence. Will that enormous financial pressure jibe with character development? Any criticism of the Harry Potter phenomenon is inevitably dismissed as cranky or snobbish. “At least they’re reading,” goes the comeback, and it’s true. But what they’re reading still matters, and a brand is by definition reductive and oversimplified, a single note, while a character is a melody, complex and multilayered. It would be a

shame if the real world pressure to sell Cokes crept into Harry Potter’s world, if the pressure to be a brand kept Harry from taking risks as a character.

The proof will be between the covers of “The Order of the Phoenix.” Within the world of Hogwarts and without, Harry Potter is facing challenges at least as serious as his evil nemesis. First of all, as a character, the boy with floppy bangs is facing adolescence. This is no easy task for any boy, never mind a boy with a mean, unloving family and a magical school, never mind a boy whose basic approach to the world is pretty naive.

More on that later. But first, as a brand, Potter may be facing what they call overexposure.

A Household Name Executives at Warner Bros., which is gearing up for the next Harry Potter movie, don’t sound worried. Diane Nelson, senior vice-president of marketing, has been quoted in the London Observer saying that Harry Potter “is a bigger property than anything else we at Warner Bros have seen.” From Britain to the U.S. to Germany to China, Harry Potter has become a household name. “It’s astonishing,” Nelson says smugly, “and we’re nowhere near saturation point. The appetite is not a trend; it is a real evergreen property.”

Millions of dollars are being wagered on the strength of that property. The publisher has already reportedly distributed some 3 million bumper stickers; 400,000 buttons; 50,000 window displays and 24,000 stand-up posters with countdown clocks. There are fridge magnets, magic wands and lightning-bolt temporary tattoos. The $3 or $4 million marketing campaign (which doubles the amount spent on the last campaign) includes Harry Potter Days at baseball stadiums nationwide, with scoreboard promotions and costume contests.

“To us, the biggest surprise from our survey is the fall-off in the intent to purchase (the new book) among existing Harry Potter fans... In sum, we think heavy promotions will be crucial in making the latest Harry Potter release a success.”

— Danielle Fox, J.P. Morgan Analyst

kids The BBC reporter who scored the exclusive interview with the author, yet to be released, has leaked that Rowling said she wanted to break her own arm so that she wouldn’t be able to write, when the pressure was on to finish this book.

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Bookstores around the globe are being decorated to look like Diagon Alley with owl cages and spider webs, for midnight parties. After the premiere party, Rowling will be participating in a live webcast, a la Madonna, in which 4,000 children in Royal Albert Hall in London will ask questions. The broadcast is being sponsored by Microsoft and British Telecom, which are investing $2.5 million in the production. Millions upon millions of viewers are expected to log on for a record-breaking Web event.

This is not the norm for books. Book release parties usually max out at catered wine and cheese. And already, there are signs that the book alone may not be enough to carry the wave of hype.

Reuters reported on June 11 that a J.P. Morgan survey found that a surprising percentage of young Harry Potter fans don’t intend to buy the next book.

“Based on our research, we do not believe that the release itself will be enough,” said analyst Danielle Fox. “To us, the biggest surprise from our survey is the fall-off in the intent to purchase (the new book) among existing Harry Potter fans... In sum, we think heavy promotions will be crucial in making the latest Harry Potter release a success.”

Well, thank goodness for the Harry Potter Baseball Days, right? Or could it be that heavy promotions and franchising simply don’t make people want to read?

Maybe once the brand exposure gets to a certain level, once the heavy promotions reach a certain weight, kids start to feel like, what do we need the book for?

We’ll just collect the cards and stickers and badges and get the next Invisibility Cloak from Toys ‘R’ Us and wait for the movie to come out.

Inside Hogwarts Meanwhile, inside Hogwarts, Harry Potter the character is also facing a changing world. Rowling has been hinting at various romantic undercurrents that are now coursing between the characters. “The

Order of the Phoenix” will be the proving ground for the introduction of a very different kind of magic into Hogwarts.

And it’s not easy to mix magics.

In the magical worlds of children’s books, adolescence, budding romantic feelings and the very adult chemistries that go along with such changes usually spell the end of the fun.

The books are infused with Harry Potter’s own wonder and naiveté. It will not be easy to introduce him to girls. We can only hope that Joanne Rowling — newly married with a new baby and a daughter, still reeling from winning a lawsuit in the States and under enormous pressure to keep producing the books and to keep the brand strong — will be up to it. The BBC reporter who scored the exclusive interview with the author, yet to be released, has leaked that Rowling said she wanted to break her own arm so that she wouldn’t be able to write, when the pressure was on to finish this book.

But Harry has a way of overcoming the odds. Like his phoenix, Harry Potter is at a time of transformation. He will burn, one way or another, in the flames of over-hype and hormonal change. And he may well go up in smoke and join the ranks of other over-hyped British imports. (Remember Spice World?) But he may also emerge reborn as a more complex character who has found his place in a more complicated, less innocent world than the one he first entered. And that would even help his brand. Only a brand that summons the depth of emotion we feel for a good, integral character could survive the exposure of two more movies and the sheer overload of the Live-the-MagicCoca-Cola-Baltimore-Orioles-Harry-Pott er-everywhere campaign.

As Rowling writes of her beloved protagonist at the end of “The Goblet of Fire,” “What would come, would come... and he would have to meet it.”

— Michelle Chihara is a freelance writer who lives in San Francisco.

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Arts

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Hit AthFest for Great Music and a Whole Lot More

By Lisa Jordan

I

f Athens, Ga., is the indie music mecca of the South, then Athens’ June staple, AthFest, is prime time to make your pilgrimage. With over 150 acts booked to perform throughout the city June 19-22, there’s something to please every palate, whether bluegrass is your bag, you’re hip-hop happy or are looking to straightout rock.

Some of this year’s musical highlights include the Ben Mize Band, Calliope Fair, the Carrie Nations, the Cindy Wilson Band, Cracker, Dromedary, Dodd Ferrelle, Five-Eight, Great Lakes, Heroes Severum, I Am the World Trade Center, Je Suis France, Jet by Day, the Kevn Kinney Band, The Kitty Snyder Broadcast, Left Front Tire, Bain Mattox, Park Bench Trio, Redbelly, Stewart & Winfield and Sugarland. And there’s plenty more where that came from.

For musicians and those who aspire to be musicians, there’s a series of music and arts seminar panels and mentor sessions with Athens musicians, record labels and artist management. And children are welcome at the KidsFest portion of AthFest, held noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Main Stage area. KidsFest includes hands-on arts booths, a petting zoo, musical performances, face-painting and more.

And AthFest’s visual arts offerings aren’t only for the kiddie crowd: On Washington Street, the AthFest Artist Market will be set up Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There’s also Scene Seen, the Athens music memorabilia walk going on through June 22 at downtown Athens businesses.

Storefront displays of album covers, vintage posters and photos, musical gear and more will be up for your viewing pleasure.

Things kick off Thursday night at the Morton Theatre with the Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show.

A complete music schedule is available at www.athfest.com. Check out the site for other pertinent information, such as a list of participating venues, where to get your admission wristbands ($10 per night or $15 for the entire event), and where you can ditch your car while you go have fun and listen to some great music. You may also call (706) 548-1973 for information.

Top Left: Cindy Wilson. Top Right: Cracker. Middle Left: Past headliner Jennifer Nettles packs in a crowd; her new project, Sugarland, performs at AthFest 2003. Middle Right: Shawn Mullins. Bottom Left: Redneck GReece. Bottom Right: The AthFest Main Stage area.

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DaysA Week

Arts

Auditions

COLOSSAL FILM CR AWL CALL FOR ENTRIES to par ticipate in Columbia’s annual multi-venue film and video festival. Shor t films from ar tists in the Southeast will be accepted through June 27. All genres and subject mat ter welcome. Films must be 30 minutes or less. For complete details on how to submit a film, contact Amanda Presley at (803) 765-0707, ex t. 122.

AUGUSTA CONCERT BAND rehearses Monday evenings and is looking to fill vacancies on most band instruments. Interested par ties should contact Ben Easter, (803) 202-0091 or e-mail bandforaugusta@aol.com.

SWEET ADELINES PEACH STATE CHORUS OPEN REHEARSAL open rehearsal for singers each Thursday at 7 p.m. at Church of Christ, 600 Mar tintown Rd. in Nor th Augusta. They are on the lookout for voices in the lower ranges. Contact Mary Norman at (803) 279-6499.

Education

FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOP June 28 at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Registration required; call 722-5495.

“ACRYLICS: GO WITH THE FLOW” adult workshop at the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t June 25-26. Registration required; call 722-5495 or visit www.ghia.org.

OIL PAINTING PRIMER for adults and teens June 21 at the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t. Registration is required; call 722-5495.

ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS are of fered yearround at the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t. Classes and workshops are open to toddlers through adults and feature instruction in drawing, painting, photography, pottery, weaving and sculpture. For a newslet ter or detailed information on registering for classes at the Ger trude Herber t, call 722-5495. The Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t also of fers Educational Tours; for information, contact the Education Director at the above telephone number.

ART CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS at the Ar t Factory. The Ar t Factory also has a homeschool program and scholarships are available. Available programs include voice lesson and pantomime workshops, as well as classes in dance, theater, music, visual ar ts and writing. Call 731-0008 for details.

USC-AIKEN MUSIC CONSERVATORY PROGRAM now open. Students of all ages and experience levels welcome.

Private lessons available for musical instruments and voice; instructors are USC-Aiken faculty and have at least a master’s degree in their performance area. (803) 641-3288.

27-Aug. 16. Opening reception June 27, 5-8 p.m. For more information, call 724-9542.

THE WORK OF TOMMY R AWLS is on display at the Lucy Craf t Laney Museum of Black History through June 30.

For more information, call 724-3576.

“WATER REFLECTIONS,” photography by John Krok, is on display at Borders Books and Music during June. Call 737-6962 for details.

“ARTVENTURE 2003: SELF-PORTR AITS” exhibition of works by students in the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t’s outreach program through July 25. 722-5495.

“PORTR AITURE IN THE SECOND AND THIRD DIMENSIONS” will be on display at the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t through July 25. Call 722-5495 for info.

PHOTOGR APHY BY MARY TIMM STAPF will be on display throughout June at the Gibbs Library. 863-1946.

THE WALTER O. EVANS COLLECTION OF AFRICANAMERICAN ART is on view at the Morris Museum of Ar t through Aug. 10. Call 724-7501 for details.

“DIFFERENT STROKES” EXHIBITION features works by Kevin Cole and Marjorie Guyon and will be on display at the Mary Pauline Gallery through June 21. Call 724-9542 for details.

“EYE OF THE STORM: THE CIVIL WAR DR AWINGS OF ROBERT SNEDEN” will be on display at the Augusta Museum of History through July 13. For more information, call 722-8454.

THE WORK OF TOM NAKASHIMA is on display at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art through June 20. 722-5495.

Dance

“FOR THE LOVE OF IT ... DANCE” presentation by the Cutno Dance Centre for Dance Education June 21. Held at 3 p.m. at ASU’s Per forming Ar ts Theatre. Tickets are $8 in advance. 828-3101.

THE AUGUSTA INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE CLUB meets Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. No par tners are needed and newcomers are welcome. Line and circle dances are taught. For location information, call 737-6299.

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

Exhibitions

SECOND SATURDAY DANCE at the Ballroom Dance Center, 225 Grand Slam Drive in Evans, held the second Saturday of every month, 7:30-11 p.m. Dress is casual.

Tickets are $10 per person. 854-8888.

“PICTURES FOR MISS JOSIE,” collages and drawings by Benny Andrews, will be at the Mary Pauline Gallery June

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

WORKS BY R AY STURKEY will be at the Lucy Craf t Laney Museum of Black History during July. 724-3576.

The Friedman Branch Library is showing “Toy Story” June 23 and “Toy Story 2” June 25.

BPOE Facility on Elkdom Cour t. Contact Melvis Lovet t, 733-3890, or Jean Avery, 863-4186, for information.

CSR A/AUGUSTA BOGEY-WOOGIE DANCE AND SOCIAL GROUP meets every Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. at A World of Dance Studio. Couples, singles and newcomers are welcome. The group also of fers beginner shag lessons all summer. For information, phone 650-2396.

SINGLES DANCE each Saturday night from 8-11 p.m. sponsored by the Christian Social Organization for Single Adults. Held at Westside High School. Tickets $5 for members, $7 for non-members, and are available at the door.

For more information, contact Doris Heath, 736-3376.

Music BOB MARLEY REGGAE TRIBUTE June 28, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Boathouse. Music per formances by Kaya, Roots-A-Fire and Rebel Lion; spoken word per formances

by Semba Umoja and Carmen Mouzon. Tickets are $12 and are available at Pyramid Music and More, Ambasa Gif ts, Rebel Lion Den and Quality Records; tickets will not be sold at the door. For more information, contact Frederick Benjamin, 830-8297.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE event at Riverwalk’s Eighth Street Plaza June 28, 7-11 p.m. Free admission. Live enter tainment, food and other fun is planned. Call Riverwalk Special Events for details, 821-1754.

ACAPPELLA per forms June 21, 7:30 p.m., at the Academy of Richmond County. Tickets are $7 in

advance or $10 at the door; children 12 and under get in free when accompanied by paid adult. Call 592-0575 or 796-2235 for more information.

“LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING” AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC SERIES continues June 22, 2 p.m., at the Morris Museum of Ar t with a per formance by the Georgia Sea Island Singers and June 29 with a per formance by The Augusta Chorale. Free. 724-7501.

RIVERWALK JAZZ CANDLELIGHT CONCERT SERIES Sundays through Aug. 24, 8-9:30 p.m. at Riverwalk’s Eighth Street Bulkhead. Schedule is as follows: Jazz Soulstice, June 22; Kari Gaf fney, June 29; Quiet Storm, July 6; Buzz Clif ford Piano Trio, July 13; Kay King and Edna Stewar t, July 20; Air Apparent, July 27; Soul Bar Jazz Quar tet, Aug. 3; Jazz-a-ma-tazz, Aug. 10; Quiet Storm, Aug. 17; Josef Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express, Aug. 24. Admission is $5 per concer t, or you may purchase season tickets for $50. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic basket. For information, call Riverwalk Special Events at 821-1754.

DOWNTOWN LUNCH DATE June 19 and 26 and July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, noon-2:30 p.m., at Augusta Common.

Bring a lunch or eat lunch catered by the featured restaurant while listening to live music. 821-1754.

ASHANTI AND MR. CHEEKS per form at For t Gordon’s Bar ton Field June 27. Tickets now on sale; call 793-8552 or visit www.for tgordon.com.

HOPELANDS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES continues June 23 with a per formance by the For t Gordon Concer t

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All concer ts begin at 7 p.m. on the Windham 28 Band.

Per forming Ar ts Stage at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken. In the event of rain, concer ts will be held in Gym 2 at the

M E H.O. Weeks Center. Free admission. Call (803) 642-7631 T for information.

R O MUSIC IN THE PARK at Creighton Living Histor y Park S P I R I T J U N E 1 9

in Nor th Augusta at 7 p.m. June 26 and July 10; Candlelight concer t 8 p.m. July 24. Bobby Tuba’s New Orleans Dixieland Jazz Band per forms June 26. Free.

(803) 442-7588.

COMMUNITY HEALING MEDITATION DRUMMING CIRCLE hosted every third Monday of the month by IDRUM2U, the Not Gaddy Drumming Studio. Held 7-9 p.m. at the G.L. Jackson Conference Center, 1714 Nor th Leg Cour t. Fee is $5 or a donation of canned goods for the Golden Harvest Food Bank. All are welcome and drums will be available to rent. For info, phone the Not Gaddy Drumming Studio, 228-3200.

2 0 0 “SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN” at the Abbeville Opera 3

Theater

House 8 p.m. June 20-21 and 27-28. 3 p.m. matinee per formances June 21 and 28. Ticket prices are $15 adult, $14 youth (ages 4-12), senior adult (age 65 and up) and groups (of 10 or more). Call the box of fice, open Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m., at (864) 459-2157.

Attractions AUGUSTA CANAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER: Housed in Enterprise Mill, the center contains displays and models focusing on the Augusta Canal’s functions and impor tance to the tex tile industry. Hours are Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun., 1-6 p.m. Admission is $5 adult, $4 seniors and military and $3 children ages 6-18. Children under 6 admit ted free. For information, visit www.augustacanal.com or call 823-0440.

THE BOYHOOD HOME OF WOODROW WILSON: Circa 1859 Presby terian manse occupied by the family of President Woodrow Wilson as a child during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Original and period antiques, restored house, kitchen and carriage house. 419 Seventh Street. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Tours available; groups of 10 or more by appointment only. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students under 18 and free for ages five and under. 722-9828.

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

Group discount rates available. Closed Mondays; open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. New spring and summer hours begin March 21: open Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.7 p.m. Admission is $5.50 for adults; $4.50 for students, seniors and military; $3.50 for children (4 to 12); free for children 3 and under. Sundays are two for one with a Super Sunday coupon. Annual garden memberships are available. Call 724-4443 or 1-888-874-4443. Also, visit their Web site at www.gghf.org.

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

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

REDCLIFFE STATE HISTORIC SITE: 1859 mansion of S.C. Governor James Henry Hammond, held by the family for three generations until 1975. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday-Monday on the grounds. House tours are noon-3 p.m. by appointment. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission to the grounds is free. Fee for house tours is $3 for adults and children ages 6 to 17.

For more information, call (803) 827-1473. 181 Redclif fe Road, Beech Island.

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

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

Riverwalk. Free. The center also of fers guided driving tours of downtown Augusta and Summerville every Saturday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and at other times upon request. Cost for tours is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Reservations are suggested.

Call 724-4067.

THE EZEKIEL HARRIS HOUSE: Deemed “the finest 18th century house surviving in Georgia” by the “Smithsonian Guide to Historic America.” Open

The Cutno Dance Centre for Dance Education presents “For the Love of It … Dance” at the ASU Performing Arts Theatre June 21.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. General admission is $2; senior admission is $1 and children get in for 50 cents. For more information, call 724-0436.

Museums BROWN BAG HISTORY SERIES July 2, noon, at the Augusta Museum of History. Lynn Thompson will present “Savannah Town to Nor th Augusta.” Program is free to museum members and $2 for non-members; bring a lunch and the museum provides a beverage and desser t.

Reserve a spot by July 1 by calling 722-8454.

“AUGUSTA’S AFRO-AMERICAN HISTORY” LECTURE at the Lucy Craf t Laney Museum of Black History 6 p.m.

June 19. Dr. James E. Car ter III will be guest lecturer.

Cost is $5 per person. To make reservations, contact Carl Prescot t, 724-3576.

WALTER O. EVANS COLLECTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART EXHIBIT TOUR June 22 and 29, 3:30 p.m., at the Morris Museum of Ar t. Call 724-7501.

“END OF A DREAM: THE FLIGHT AND CAPTURE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS” plays continuously in the Histor y Theater at the Augusta Museum of Histor y during the month of June. Free with admission. Call 722-8454 for information.

“UNCHAINED MEMORIES: READINGS FROM THE SLAVE NARR ATIVES” SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION June 22, 2-4:30 p.m., in the Augusta Museum of Histor y’s Histor y Theatre. Free screening of the HBO documentar y followed by discussion. Call 722-8454 for information.

“RETURN OF THE DINOSAURS” exhibit at For t Discovery through Sept. 21. A group of animatronic dinosaurs will be on display in the Knox Gallery.

Admission to the exhibit is free with paid general admission to For t Discovery. For information, call 821-0200 or 1-800-325-5445.

THE GERTRUDE HERBERT INSTITUTE OF ART in Ware’s Folly exhibits works by local and regional ar tists. Ar t classes, workshops and other educational programming for children, youth and adults are held in the WalkerMackenzie Studio. Ware’s Folly galleries open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday by appointment only. The Walker-Mackenzie Studio gallery is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free, but a donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children and seniors is encouraged.

Call 722-5495 for more info.

THE AUGUSTA MUSEUM OF HISTORY hosts permanent exhibition “Augusta’s Story,” an award-winning exhibit encompassing 12,000 years of local history. For the younger crowd, there’s the Susan L. Still Children’s

Discovery Gallery, where kids can learn about history in a hands-on environment. The museum also shows films in the History Theatre and hosts a variety of programs.

Located at 560 Reynolds Street. Open TuesdaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Admission is $4 adult, $3 seniors, $2 kids (6-18 years of age) and free for children under 6. Free admission on Sundays. Call 722-8454 or visit www.augustamuseum.org for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

Special Events FIREWORKS EXTR AVAGANZA June 28 at the Aiken Jaycee Fairgrounds. Gates open at 3 p.m. and day time activities include craf t show, carnival rides, pet ting zoo, camel rides and cruise-in. Admission and parking are free. For information, visit www.aikenjaycees.com.

PHINIZY SWAMP DUSK WALK 7:30-9 p.m. July 1. Wear comfor table walking shoes and bring water and insect repellent. Contribution is $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers. Registration is limited; register by June 30.

828-2109.

FRIDAY EVENING THEATER June 27, 7 p.m., at Augusta Common. Admission is $1 per person; children 5 and under are free. Bring blankets and/or lawn chairs. 821-1754.

JUNE FILM SERIES Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. at Headquar ters Library: June 24 showing of “Drugstore Cowboy.” Free admission. 821-2600.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE GR ADUATING CLASS OF 2003 are of fered by the Sergeants Major Association of For t Gordon to legal dependents of active, reserve,

retired or deceased military personnel living in the CSRA. Application deadline is June 24. For information, contact, Sergeant Major Alfred Simmons, 791-7985.

PEACE VIGIL every Saturday until U.S. troops come home, noon-2 p.m. at the corner of Wrightsboro and Walton Way Ex t., near the Army Reserve Office. For more information, contact Denice Traina, 736-4738.

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

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

RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AND AUGUSTA ANIMAL RESCUE FRIENDS holds pet adoptions at Superpetz of f Bobby Jones Expressway every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Call AARF at 364-4747 or visit www.aar f.net. Adoptions also held at the Richmond County Animal Control Shelter, Tues. through Sun., 1-5 p.m. Call the shelter at 790-6836.

THE CSR A HUMANE SOCIETY holds pet adoptions ever y Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and ever y Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pet Center located behind the GreenJackets Stadium on Milledge Rd. 261-PETS.

Out of Town

GEORGIA LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS: “Financial and Ta x Issues for Ar tists” June 20 in Roswell, Ga.; “Use Protection: Copyright for Musicians” June 21 in Athens, Ga.; Free Legal Clinic June 30 in Atlanta. Call (404) 873-3911 for details.

CULLOWHEE! ARTS FEST June 20-21 on the campus of Western Carolina Universit y in Cullowhee, N.C. Per formances by Collective Soul, Delber t McClinton, Nanci Grif fith, Edwin McCain and Acoustic Syndicate.

Ar ts and craf ts exhibitions will be on display. Two-day passes are $50; free for children 13 and under with paid adult. Discounts for groups of 10 or more. Singleday passes also available. For info, call 1-866-WCUFEST or order tickets through www.tickets.com or at 1-888-332-5200.

DIXIE REINING HORSE SHOW July 3-6 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perr y, Ga. (229) 423-2137.

“LIVE AT FIVE HAPPY HOUR CONCERTS” AT THE GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME in Macon, Ga., Tuesdays throughout June from 5-7 p.m. For more information, visi t w w w.gamusichall.com or call (478) 750-8555.

“MISS SAIGON” will be per formed June 24-29 at Theater of the Stars in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.theaterof thestars.com or call (404) 252-8960.

2003 NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE DR AFT June 21-22 at the Gaylord Enter tainment Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Tickets are free. (615) 770-PUCK. “T WELVE ANGRY MEN” June 20-July 20 at the Class Act Theatre in Mariet ta, Ga. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 adul t, $15 seniors and children.

Call (770) 579-3156.

ATHFEST music and ar ts festival June 19-22 in downtown Athens, Ga. For more information, visit www.athfest.com or call (706) 548-1973.

“MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FR ANK SINATR A” at the Ar ts Center of Coastal Carolina, Hilton Head Island, S.C., through July 19. Tickets are $37 adult, $34 matinee and $31 preview; children under 16 get in for half price. Call (843) 842-ARTS to make reservations.

parade, auction, fashion show, talent show and a concer t will be featured. (843) 665-1185.

ATLANTA FEST through June 21 at Six Flags Over Georgia. Concer ts showcasing popular Christian recording ar tists will be held. For concer t only tickets, admission prices range from $22-$37; for concer t and park tickets, admission prices range from $44-$91. Order online at www.atlantafest.com or by phone at 1-800-783-8839.

2003 SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE WORKSHOP June 20-21 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. For details, contact Joanne Sloan, (205) 333-8603.

GEORGIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL runs through Nov. 2 with per formances of “Much Ado About Nothing,” “The School for Wives,” “The Tale of Cymbeline” and “The Tempest.” Tickets are $23-$32, with special $10 preview shows. Held at the Conant Per forming Ar ts Center on the campus of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. Call (404) 264-0020 for information.

“A SALUTE TO 25 YEARS OF THE GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME AWARDS” runs through Jan. 18, 2004, at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon, Ga. Exhibits, programs and events honoring the 25th anniversary of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame awards.

Call 1-888-GA-ROCKS for info.

COWPAR ADE ATLANTA features over 200 life-sized, fiberglass cows painted by local ar tists and placed throughout Atlanta. The cows will be on public display through Sept. 14. For information, call (404) 898-2915 or visit www.cowparadeatlanta.com.

REEDY RIVER NIGHTTIME CONCERT SERIES through Aug. 28 at the Peace Center Amphitheatre in Greenville, S.C. Free. (864) 467-6667.

JUNETEENTH CELEBR ATION commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. through June 19 in Florence, S.C. A

SURREY Sizzling

Summer

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK festival through Aug. 3 in Greenville, S.C. Plays presented by Warehouse Theatre.

Call (864) 235-6948.

JEKYLL ISLAND MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL includes per formances of “Schoolhouse Rock Live,” “State Fair” and “Hello, Dolly!” in rotating reper tory at the Jekyll Island Amphitheatre in Jekyll Island, Ga., through July 27.

For information, call (912) 635-4060 or (229) 333-2150.

ON THE BRICKS concer t series continues Fridays through Aug. 22 at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.

June 20 concer t features Transmission, mrnor th, Graham Colton, Seven Mary Three and Soul Asylum. Tickets are $3 per show or $25 for 12. Kids 5 and under get in free.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Purchase tickets by phone at 1800-594-TIX X or online at www.onthebricks.com.

“TWELFTH NIGHT” will be at The New American Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta through June 29.

Per formances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $19.50 Thursdays and Sundays, $22.50 Fridays and $24.50 Saturdays. Group discounts available for par ties of 10 or more. Tavern opens one hour and 15 minutes before the show for optional British pub-style meal. For tickets, call (404) 874-5299 or visit www.shakespearetavern.com.

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AT THE GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART in Athens, Ga.: “The 30 Weaving Room: The History of Weaving at Berry College” through July 6, “Old Worlds, New Lands,” July

M E 3-Aug. 31. Call (706) 542-4662.

T R HARDEEVILLE (S.C.) MOTOR SPEEDWAY 2003 R ACING O SCHEDULE is June 21, July 12 and 26 and Aug. 9, 16 S P I R I T J U N E 1 9

and 30. For information, call (843) 784-RACE.

THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART’S FOLK ART AND PHOTOGRAPH GALLERIES host two exhibitions through Aug. 9: “Land of Myth and Memory: Clarence John Laughlin and Photographers of the South” and “Faces and Places: Picturing the Self in Self-Taught Ar t.” Call (404) 577-6940.

Benefits AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HEART WALK KICK-

2 OFF event June 26, 6 p.m., at Marbury Center. All com0 0 mit ted team captains and those interested in becoming 3 team captains are encouraged to at tend. The Hear t Walk

will take place Sept. 27 at Doctor’s Hospital. Call 8555005 for more information.

AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 192 BARBECUE AND SPORTS MEMOR ABILIA AUCTION to benefit area veterans and community projects. Held 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 21. Tickets are $7. For more information, contact Miriam Stein, 863-7249.

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

SHEPEARD COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER BLOOD DRIVES in various locations around the CSRA this month.

The blood center is urging people of all blood types to donate in order to combat a blood supply shor tage. For detailed information on locations and times to donate, visit www.shepeardblood.org. You may also call Susan Edwards at (803) 643-7996 for information on Aiken locations and Nancy Szocinski at 737-4551 for information on all other locations.

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

Learning MULTIMEDIA ON THE COMPUTER class June 28, 1-3 p.m., at the Wallace Branch Library. Register by calling 722-6275.

INTRODUCTION TO C++ June 21, 1-4 p.m., at the Wallace Branch Library. Registration is required; call 722-6275.

SEASONAL COLOR BEDS HORTICULTURE SEMINAR with Aiken hor ticulturist Tom Rapp June 21, 9 a.m., at Newberry Hall in Aiken. Cost is $20 and proceeds benefit the Aiken Downtown Development Association. Call the ADDA at (803) 649-2221 to register.

AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY CONTINUING EDUCATION is now of fering the following classes: Medical Terminology, Beat the Heat Ice Skating Camp, Tai Chi I, Beginning Ballroom, Intermediate Ballroom Dance and more. Also, ASU of fers online courses. For more information, call 737-1636 or visit www.ced.aug.edu.

AIKEN TECH CONTINUING EDUCATION of fers the following courses: PCs, Microsof t Word, Microsof t Of fice, Massage, Health Care Career Courses, Spanish, Rape Aggression Defense, Defensive Driving and more. Aiken Tech also of fers Education to Go classes online. For more information or to register, call (803) 593-9231, ex t. 1230.

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

DIET COUNSELING CLASSES for diabetics and those with high cholesterol at CSRA Par tners in Health, 1220

Augusta West Parkway. Free. Call 860-3001 for class schedule.

PROJECT LINK COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES is held the first Tuesday of every month and is sponsored by the MCG Children’s Medical Center. Project Link provides educational resources and guidance for families who have children with developmental delays, disabilities and other specialized health concerns. July 1 lecture is on autism. Free and open to the public; takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. in the main conference room at the Children’s Medical Center. Call 721-6838 for information.

UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM COMMUNITY EDUCATION holds workshops, seminars and classes on a variety of topics: weight and nutrition, women’s health, cancer, diabetes, seniors’ health and more. Suppor t groups and health screenings are also of fered. Call 7360847 for details.

PEACHCARE FOR KIDS AND RIGHT FROM THE START MEDICADE offers free or low-cost health coverage to qualifying families. Coverage includes prenatal care, hospitalization, vaccines, dental and vision care and is available to pregnant women of all ages and to children through age 19. Contact the RSM Project at 729-2086 or 721-5611 for information.

YOGA CLASSES at Walton Rehabilitation Hospital are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 a.m. for $45/month or 10:30 a.m. to noon for $55/month. Call 823-6294.

FREE HIV/AIDS TESTING ever y Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Ministr y, 922 Greene Street.

Free anonymous testing, pre- and post-test counseling and education.

HATHA YOGA CLASSES at the St. Joseph Home Health Care Center in Daniel Village Plaza. Held 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. $10 per class or $60 a month for unlimited classes. Mats are provided, but bring a towel and a water bot tle. Call Tess at 738-2782 for more information.

A FREE WOMEN’S HEALTH CLINIC is held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Salvation Army and Welfare Center, 1383 Greene St. Services include Pap smear, breast exam and the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmit ted diseases. For more info or an appointment, call the St. Vincent dePaul Health Center at 828-3444.

W.G. WATSON, M.D., WOMEN’S CENTER CONDUCTS EDUCATION CLASSES at University Hospital. Course topics include Lamaze, breast feeding, parenting and grandparenting. Par tners will learn positive suppor t techniques. There are also programs designed to help older siblings adjust to new family members. Some classes are free, while others require a fee. Registration is required by calling 774-2825.

Kids STORYTIME AT PENDLETON Thursdays throughout June and July, 10:30-11 a.m., at Pendleton King Park, 1600 Troupe St. Bring a blanket or chairs and meet at the gazebo. For more information, contact Kay Mills, 7384321 or Kimberly Cooper, 821-2631.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES AT BORDERS BOOKS AND MUSIC: June 20, 11 p.m., Harry Pot ter Midnight Release Par ty; June 23, 11 a.m., Children’s Storytime. 737-6962.

PHINIZY SWAMP NATURE PARK FAMILY DISCOVERY SERIES June 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Bring the family and a picnic dinner to the park’s Picnic Pavilion and enjoy a program on nature. Free; advance reservations not necessary. Call 828-2109 for more information.

MAKE AND DECOR ATE YOUR OWN BOOK for kids age 5-12 at the Ma xwell Branch Library. Held 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

June 21. Registration is required; call 793-2020.

“TOY STORY” SCREENING for children of listening age June 23, 10:30 a.m. at the Friedman Branch Librar y.

Call 736-6758.

STORYTIME WITH JESSICA GREEN June 24 at the Friedman Branch Library. 10 a.m. for preschoolers and 10:30 a.m. for school-age children. Call 736-6758 for more information.

“TOY STORY II” SCREENING for children of listening age June 25, 10:30 a.m. at the Friedman Branch Library.

736-6758.

FIRE SAFE HOUSE with Patches and Pumper, cour tesy of the Augusta-Richmond County Fire Depar tment, June 25, 10 a.m.-noon at the Ma xwell Branch Library.

Registration is required, so call 793-2020.

Acapella comes to town to perform June 21 at the Academy of Richmond County. For ticket information, call 592-0575 or 796-2235.

UPWARD BASKETBALL CAMP June 23-27 at Warren Baptist Church. Open to children who have completed kindergar ten through eighth grade. Fee is $35. Call 8601586 for details.

“FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD” AND “DIGISTAR II VIRTUAL JOURNEY” at the DuPont Planetarium on the campus of USC-Aiken June 20 and 21. “Follow the Drinking Gourd” will be presented at 7 and 8 p.m. and “Digistar II Vir tual Journey” will be presented at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $4 adult, $3 senior citizen and $2 student for “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and $5 adult, $4 senior citizen and $3 student for “Digistar.” Call (803) 641-3654.

SUMMER ADVENTURES DAY CAMP runs in sessions through Aug. 8. Cost is $90 for Sessions 1-4; Session 5 is $45. Open to kids ages 5-12. Held at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken. Call (803) 642-7631 for information.

SUMMER FUN DAY CAMP through Aug. 8, running in two-week sessions, at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center in Aiken. Open to children ages 4-12. Cost is $60 per session; out-of-city residents pay an additional $27.50. (803) 642-7635.

PLANETARIUM SHOWS FOR SUMMER GROUPS with special show times Wednesdays and Thursdays at the DuPont Planetarium. Reservations are required; for details, contact Janice Weeks at (803) 641-3769 or 2781967, ex t. 3769.

MATH AND SCIENCE CAMP for students entering 3rd and 4th grades. Held June 23-27 and July 14-18 at For t Discovery. Cost is $125 for members and $150 for nonmembers. Before- and af ter-camp care available for additional fee. Contact Lisa Golden, 821-0646.

MISSION TO MARS CAMP for students entering 2nd and 3rd grades. Held July 7-11 at For t Discovery. Cost is $125 for members and $150 for non-members. Beforeand af ter-camp care available for additional fee. Contact Lisa Golden, 821-0646.

SCIENCE POTPOURRI CAMP for students entering 2nd and 3rd grades. Held July 21-25 at For t Discovery. Cost is $125 for members and $150 for non-members.

Before- and af ter-camp care available for additional fee.

Contact Lisa Golden, 821-0646.

DR AW ON NATURE II CAMP of fers ar t, science and technology activities to students entering 2nd and 3rd grades. Held July 28-Aug. 1 at For t Discovery. Cost is $125 for members and $150 for non-members. Beforeand af ter-camp care available for additional fee. Contact Lisa Golden, 821-0646.

FAMILY Y SUMMER CAMPS of fer a variety of traditional and special interest camps for children 4-17 years old.

For specifics, call 733-1030, 738-6678, 738-6680 or 364-3269.

“SUMMER OF FUN” DAY CAMPS June-August at Riverview Park in Nor th Augusta. Eight themed one-week sessions will be of fered and include ar t camp, magic camp, music camp, Spanish camp, inventor’s camp and science camp. Cost is $100 per session. For information, call 667-8806.

SUMMER VACATION READING PROGR AM at all East Central Georgia Regional Libraries. Children who complete 20 books or read for 10 hours over the summer receive a pack of summer time treats. Obtain a reading folder at any of the libraries or call Headquar ters Library at 821-2600 for details.

“EVERY CHILD AN ARTIST” SUMMER ART CAMP, presented by the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t, is now accepting registration. Weeklong sessions run throughout June and July in locations downtown and in Columbia County. Open to children ages 5-14. Per-session cost is $50 for GHIA members and $65 for nonmembers; tuition assistance is also available. For information, call 722-5495.

KENNY THOMAS BASEBALL CAMP for kids 5-14 years old at USC-Aiken July 21-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Early dropof f and late pick-up also available. Cost is $160 per session. Call (803) 642-7761 for details.

GIBBS LIBR ARY SUMMER STORYTIME REGISTR ATION now open. Call 863-1946 for more information or to register your child.

STORYLAND THEATRE is now taking reservations for the 2003-2004 season: “Sleeping Beauty” Oct. 28-Nov. 1, “The Cour tship of Senorita Florabella” Feb. 24-29 and “Hansel and Gretel” April 13-17. Season tickets for weekday school per formances are $9 per student; season tickets for weekend family matinees are $10.50 per person. For reservations, call Storyland Theatre at 7363455 or fa x a request to 736-3349.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SKILLS PROGRAM for teens ages 12-19 held the third Saturday of the month at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Call 724-3576.

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

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

Call 724-3576.

Seniors FIT 4 EVER LIGHT IMPACT FITNESS CLASS is $25 for 12 tickets for Aiken city residents and $45 for all others.

Classes are held at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Call (803) 642-7631 for information.

THE CARE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT COMPANY, a non-profit organization, provides transpor tation for seniors who live in the 30906 and 30815 zip code area. For a minimal fee, door-to-door shut tles provide safe, clean and dependable transpor tation 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance; call Linda Washington, 733-8771, or leave a message for more information.

USCA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO June 27-28, 8 p.m., at the Hippodrome in Nor th Augusta. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door for adults and $6 in advance or $8 at the door for children 10 and under.

Tickets available through Tix Online, www.tixonline.com or (803) 278-4TIX. TRIPLE CROWN BASEBALL TOURNAMENT June 27-29 at Diamond Lakes Regional Park, Patriots Park and Riverside Park. For more information, contact the Greater Augusta Spor ts Council at 722-8326.

2003 RINGSIDE AUGUSTA WOMEN’S OPEN AND BOYS’ JUNIOR NATIONAL SUMMER BOXING CLASSIC through June 21. Held at the May Park Community Center.

Competition begins at 6 p.m. each day; tickets available at the door. For information, call the Augusta Boxing Club, 733-7533.

AUGUSTA ROWING CLUB JUNIOR SCULLING CAMPS June 24-28 and July 8-12. Open to those age 14-18. Call 738-3991 for registration information.

The Morris Museum of Art’s African-American Music Series continues with a performance by the Georgia Sea Island Singers June 2.

COMPUTER CLASSES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center. For more information, call 738-0089.

SWIMMING LESSONS at the Smith-Hazel Pool in Aiken.

Instructors will teach people of all skill levels how to swim; open to ages 2 through adult. Morning and evening classes available, and lessons run in two-week sessions June-August. Cost is $30 per session. (803) 642-7631.

SUMMER SWIM LESSONS of fered in two-week sessions through July 31 at the Family Y pools. Classes available for six-month-olds through adults. Call 7386678, 733-1030 or 738-6680 for details.

AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS HOME GAMES June 20-22, 26-30 and July 1-2, 9-11, 15-17 and 24-26. Tickets are $6-$8 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, military personnel and children 4-12; and $1 for children 3 and under.

For tickets, visit www.tixonline.com or call 736-7889.

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

Meetings GEM AND MINER AL SOCIETY OF AUGUSTA meets the third Friday of each month at the Georgia Military College Building on Davis Road, 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jean Parker, 650-2956, or Connie Barrow, 547-0178.

BUSINESS AT BREAKFAST June 26, 7:30 a.m. at Piccadilly Cafeteria. Joe Edwards will speak on NASA and experiences of an astronaut. Cost is $5 pre-registered by June 20 or $7 at the door for Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce members and $7 pre-registered by June 20 or $9 at the door for non-members. For info, call the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce at 821-1300.

GREENSPACE TOWN HALL MEETING June 26, 7:30 p.m., at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Information on the Georgia Greenspace Program will be provided, and oppor tunities will be open for individuals interested in serving on the Columbia County Greenspace Advisory Board. Call 8683484 for info.

AUGUSTA AREA SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE meets June 22, 3 p.m., at Advent Lutheran Church, 3232 Washington Rd. For more information, call 863-6785.

GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS meeting June 19, 8 a.m., at Athens Restaurant. For more information, contact Jerry Brigham, 650-1700.

Weekly

INTRODUCTORY AND DROP-IN CLIMBING Fridays, 5:306:30 p.m., at the Virginia Acres Park Climbing Wall in Aiken. Cost is $5 per session. Call (803) 642-7631 for information.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: For more information and a meeting schedule, call 860-8331.

JUD C. HICKEY CENTER FOR ALZHEIMER’S CARE provides families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia a break during the day. Activities and care available at the adult day center, and homecare is available as well. For information, call 738-5039.

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

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: If you want to stop using any drugs, there is a way out. Help is available at no cost.

Call the Narcotics Anonymous help line for information and meeting schedules at 855-2419.

THE SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL OF GREATER AUGUSTA AND THE CSR A of fers a variety of classes, including aerobics, quilting, tai chi, Spanish, painting, line dancing, bowling, bridge, computers, pilates and pinochle. For dates and times, phone 826-4480.

SENIORNET provides adults age 50 and over education for and access to computer technology. Many dif ferent courses are of fered. Contact the USC-Aiken Continuing Education Of fice at (803) 641-3563.

Sports TESS GRESHAM’S VOLLEYBALL CAMP July 11-13 at Augusta State University’s Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wrightsboro Road. Open to girls age 13-17; no volleyball experience is necessary. Cost is $75 with $50 deposit due

by July 1. For more information, visit www.aug.edu/athletics or contact Amy Slagle, 651-1668.

THUNDER CUP SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT June 30-July 1, 7 p.m., at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex in Lincolnton. For information, contact the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce at 359-7970.

JET SKI POKER RUN June 28, 1 p.m., at the Dorn Boating and Fishing Facility in McCormick. For more information, call the McCormick County Chamber of Commerce, (864) 465-2835.

FAMILY Y ADULT VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE REGISTR ATION June 30 at Wilson Branch, 3570 Wheeler Rd. Coed recreational leagues open to those 16 years of age and older; all skill levels. League play begins July 28. 733-1030.

WILDWOOD PARK FAMILY FUN FEST June 28-29 at the park. $10 registration fee allows athletes of all ages and skill levels to par ticipate in disc golf, mountain biking,

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

CSRA HUMANE SOCIETY NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION PROGRAM the third Saturday of every month at the Pet Center, 425 Wood St. Orientation star ts at 11 a.m.

Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian present during orientation and while volunteering.

Call 261-PETS for information.

WORLD HERITAGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAM is looking for area families, couples and single parents to host high-school-aged foreign exchange students for a semester or a year in the U.S. For more information, visit www.world-heritage.org or contact Beth Folland, (803) 279-2696 or 1-800-888-9040.

THE KITTY ORTIZ DE LEON FOUNDATION needs volunteers to help promote organ donor awareness. For more information, please contact Cassandra Reed at 481-0105 or kodfoundation@aol.com.

GOLDEN HARVEST FOOD BANK needs volunteers during the day, Monday-Friday, to help sor t donated products and assist in their agency shopping area. Help is needed yearround. If you are able to lift 25 pounds and would like to help fight hunger in the Augusta area, contact Laurie Roper at 736-1199, ex t. 208.

THOROUGHBRED RACING HALL OF FAME DOCENT TRAINING DAYS to be held June 23, July 21 and Aug. 11.

Duties include opening and closing the Hall of Fame, greeting visitors and providing information about museum exhibits. Call Lisa Hall, (803) 642-7650 for information.

AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL: New volunteer orientation is scheduled the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the shelter, 4164 Mack Lane.

Schedule subject to change; call 790-6836 to verify dates and times.

Voted Best Steak In Augusta For 15 Years 1987-2002

THE CANOE AND KAYAK CLUB OF AUGUSTA meets the four th Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. New members are always welcome.

For more information, visit www.ckca.homestead.com or contact Jim Mashburn, 860-5432.

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

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

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FREE ‘N’ ONE SUPPORT GROUP for those bat tling addiction to drugs and alcohol. Approach is a spiritual one. Held ever y Thursday night. For information, contact Sarah Barnes, 772-7325.

TOUGH LOVE SUPPORT GROUP Monday nights, 6:307:30 p.m. at the South Augusta Resource Center. Learn how to understand addiction and how to exercise tough love with those you care about. Call Sarah Barnes, 7727325, for info.

GEORGIA-CAROLINA TOASTMASTERS meets Wednesdays at noon at the Clubhouse, 2567 Washington Rd. $8 for lunch; visitors welcome. 860-9854.

SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS, a 12-step program of recovery from addiction to obsessive/compulsive sexual thoughts and behaviors, meets Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Augusta Counselling Services. Call 339-1204 and leave first name and phone number; a confidential reply is assured.

AUGUSTA TOASTMASTERS CLUB #326 meets Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church. Call 868-8431.

2856 Washington Rd. 73-STEAK 1654 Gordon Hwy. 796-1875

North Augusta Cultural Arts Council presents

Vonda Darr and Carolyn Lund In Concert

Thursday, June 12th Join us for an evening of soothing Harp music!

Admission is Free • 7:00pm Creighton Living History Park (corner of Spring Grove and Lake Avenues) Support for Music in the Park 2003 is generously provided by the North Augusta Riverfront Co., LLC. For more information call 803-442-7588 or email artsna@mindspring.com

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BUSINESS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL Augusta Chapter meets every Thursday morning from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Cour tyards by Mariot t. The group is a business networking group designed to give and receive referrals. All professionals welcome. For more information or to join, call Barbara Crenshaw, 868-3772.

RIVERWALK TOASTMASTERS meets Mondays, 7 p.m. in Classroom 3 at University Hospital. Call Gale Kan, 855-7071.

GUIDELINES: Public Service announcements are listed in this section without charge at the discretion of the editor.

Announcements must be received by Monday at noon and will be included as space permits. Send to Events, Metro Spirit, P.O. Box 3809, Augusta, GA 30914 or fax (706) 7336663. You may also e-mail listings to rhonda_jones@metspirit.com or lisa_jordan@metspirit.com. Listings cannot be taken over the phone.

S P I R I T

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OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Call 785-0006 for location and information.

CHRIST-BASED RECOVERY MEETING every Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., at the Love & Light Healing Center. Please use the back entrance. For information, contact Kenny Stacy, 373-5585.

M E T R O

J U N E

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canoe, kayak, as well as a t-shir t and dinner. Contact the Columbia County Recreation Depar tment at 863-7523.

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VISA

863-3343

MC

No Extra Charge– Nights, Weekends, or Holidays!

2 0 0 3

32 M E T R O S P I R I T

Arts: Visual

Son of a Dot Man Exhibits in Augusta

By Rhonda Jones

J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

Left to right: “Pictures,” 30" x 22 1/4"; “The Capitol,” 40 3/8" x 30 1/2"; “The Station,” 43 1/2" x 40 1/2." All are oil & collage on paper.

T

here’s something childlike about the work of Benny Andrews.

Now, don’t get me wrong. His art gives the impression of practiced simplicity, not something, charming as it may be, that has sprung from an unsophisticated mind. The simplicity may be in part attributable to the fact that Andrews remembers the sort of things he thought about as a child.

Like heaven.

“A Baptist Heaven” is a recent body of work, featured through February and March at Winthrop University Galleries, S.C., which draws on his own early ideas of what heaven is like. In the program notes for the exhibit, he describes the inhabitants of heaven as each having his very own cloud to motor around on, as well as a robe, a harp and a bowl of honey. The activity of the day for the rest of Eternity would be to sing the praises of the Lord. Of course, he said, you could leave the cloud to walk the streets of gold.

He tried to extend the project, he said, to include the afterlife in the beliefs of children from other religions, like Judaism. He questioned some Jewish friends, but they had forgotten the beliefs of childhood, or else were not interested in sharing them.

He decided not to go any farther on that

track and turned his attention to individuals who had done something during their lives that would lead to some sort of reward in the afterlife. Here is what he had to say about it in the Winthrop University Galleries program: “Forget the word ‘heaven.’ Don’t suggest that they are going anyplace, to the golden streets with clouds. Just elevate them, so it will be understood that they are not on earth.”

He chose Jesus Christ, a nun, a scholar, a slave and a Holocaust victim.

“If there are rewards due them, they will be entitled to them. That transcends any particular denomination, race or profession. That is the premise of this body of work.”

Andrews is accustomed to transcendence. For one thing, he was born with a whole collection of stereotypes to overcome: He was black, poor and from the country. And he didn’t even have the luxury of defining himself as totally “black,” because he was 1/4 white. In Madison, Ga., in the 1930s and ‘40s, a mixed family tree could make for some difficulty and a major identity crisis.

Andrews said that his father, George Andrews, the folk artist who became known as “The Dot Man,” was absolutely “destroyed” by his mixed race. “It was like a cancer in him,” Andrews said in the Winthrop University Galleries pro-

gram. “He was literally like a figure in a Greek tragedy, wearing a problem like Oedipus, who gouged out his eyes. He cut his blond hair off. And he was more subservient than the black, darkerskinned African-Americans.”

Yet, whatever they were contending with in the world, Andrews’ parents taught their children to create, with whatever they could find on-hand. And his mother Viola, he said, always read and wrote, and had her children do the same. One of her brood, Benny Andrews’ brother Raymond, became a published author.

And Andrews himself went off to art school. According to online sources, no art school in Georgia would accept a black student, and so he had to settle for going to the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago.

“Oh yeah,” Andrews said in a recent interview with Metro Spirit, “my father, who is now known as The Dot Man … all of us painted and drew and wrote stories. My late brother Raymond was a novelist.”

Andrews said his brother had published five novels.

“Even my sons – one of my sons is a glass sculptor and one is an architect, and my wife is an artist.”

“I always said it was the easiest thing to be,” he said with a chuckle. “You can’t

fail as an artist. That’s a funny thing to say, but I think it’s true. As long as you do what you like to do.”

But Andrews has had some success both as an artist and as a mover and shaker in the national arts community.

In the 1960s, he became the founding cochair of the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition (BECC) and in the 1980s served as director of the visual arts program for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). He has had exhibits in some of the country’s major museums, such as the Detroit Institute of Art and the Metropolitan in New York, and he has illustrated children’s books on his own terms. You can check out his Mary Pauline Gallery exhibit for examples of his work for children’s books. It will feature work from Sandra Belton’s “Pictures for Miss Josie,” which is about a D.C. teacher who encourages a young artist to blossom.

“Pictures for Miss Josie: New Collages and Drawings” will be on display at the Mary Pauline Gallery at 982 Broad Street on Artists’ Row, from June 27 to Aug. 16. For info, call (706) 724-9542 or email the owner Molly McDowell at mmcdowel@mindspring.com. Check out the Web site at www.marypaulinegallery.com.

The artist will attend the opening reception from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

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M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

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Arts: Music

M E T R O

Quiet Storm Takes a Lead Role in Augusta Jazz Scene

S P I R I T

By Rhonda Jones

J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

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Changing of the Guard Once upon a time, Rommie Thompson was director of Riverwalk Special Events and June Jazz at the Riverwalk was Wayne Hoey’s baby.

But over the past year and a half, Thompson retired and Hoey moved away. Before she retired, however, Karen Gordon said, Thompson asked her to take over the jazz event so that it wouldn’t die. Gordon agreed, and the event became the Candlelight Jazz Series.

And yes, she made some changes.

Whereas June Jazz was mostly about Hoey’s jazz quartet All That Jazz and his big band Swingsation, Gordon wanted to mix it up a little bit more.

“What I wanted to do was feature different jazz bands throughout the area,” she said. She wants to include various types of jazz as well, including swing, bebop, vocal jazz and avantgarde. She’s already gotten some mixed reviews on the avant-garde portion. Moniker played Sunday, June 15.

According to the newsletter for Gordon’s twopiece jazz band Quiet Storm, Moniker’s thing is “eclectic jazz with a modern, electronic twist.”

Gordon explained what avant-garde jazz is all about. “Avant-garde jazz is really just free jazz. One of the aspects of jazz music in general is improvisation.”

But in big-band and swing, she said, all of the parts are written out and the musicians use it as a framework for their improvisations.

Avant-garde is totally free form.

And Then There’s Quiet Storm Quiet Storm is Karen Gordon plus Michael King – plus whomever else they need along for a particular gig.

“We’ve been playing together for about three or four years, playing jazz and various types of music,” she said.

“We love all types of music. Our first love, actually, as a unit is gospel.”

As far as the jazz, she said, they like the older stuff. “We do mainly standards. We kind of do more smooth jazz so we kind of mix it with standards and contemporary.

What we’ve found is, our audience pretty much leans toward smooth jazz.”

And they are not a couple, she says, adding that they are asked that a lot. People also tend to ask if the pair are brother and sister. “I think we’ve been around each other so long, we’ve started to look alike.”

Her actual brother is well-known jazz artist Wycliffe Gordon, who helped kick off the Candlelight Jazz Series on June 1, and with whom she will work on a Dec. 26 program

Quiet Storm called Christmas in the Garden City.

Speaking of family, King’s mother, Kay King, will perform July 20.

“Michael is always very pleased when we get a chance to play with her,” Gordon said.

“He’s like a kid in a candy store.”

On June 22, the day after summer solstice, you will hear Jazz Soulstice, which is basically All That Jazz without Hoey, Gordon said.

June 29 brings Kari Gaffney; July 6 brings Latin jazz by Josef Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express; July 13 brings the Buzz Clifford Piano Trio; July 20 brings Michael King’s mother, Kay King; July 27 brings Air Apparent; Aug. 3 brings the Soul Bar Jazz Quartet; Aug. 10 brings Jazz-a-ma-Tazz; Aug. 17 brings Quiet Storm themselves; and the season ends with another performance by Josef Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express.

And next year, due to an earlier season opener, high school bands will get an opportunity to participate.

Gordon wants to hear from you, as well. She wants to know what you would like to hear, so give her a call at (706) 495-6238 or drop a line at gordonmusic@aol.com. You may also visit Quiet Storm’s Web page at http://www.quietstormonline.com, or the Candlelight Jazz Series site at www.gardencityjazz.com.

In the meantime, check out the series every Sunday through Labor Day from 8-9:30 p m. at the 8th Street Bulkhead at the Riverwalk.

Cost is $5.

www.metrospirit.com

Cinema Movie Listings Alex & Emma (PG-13) — Alex is a novelist with a gambling problem that’s landed him $100,000 in debt and writer’s block. Accepting a $100,000 cash advance and a 30-day deadline in exchange for his manuscript, Alex hires stenographer Emma to take down his love story. Emma’s input, as well as her beauty, change and inspire Alex’s fictional tale, as well as his personal life.

Cast: Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson, Jordan Lund, Sophie Marceau, Rob Reiner, Lobo Sebastian.

Bringing Down the House (PG-13) — Queen Latifah smoothly pockets "Bringing Down the House" as Charlene, a good-hear ted fugitive from the law, turning to a starchy, divorced ta x at torney for refuge and suppor t. Steve Mar tin is the lawyer, Peter. The core idea of this very simple comedy is pure buzz of contrast: Latifah is abundantly, explosively black, while Mar tin may be the whitest man ever to star in movies. Latifah rides out the nonsense in her queenly, Pearl Bailey style. It's a cookie-cut comedy. The movie delivers its very manufactured goods, but it lacks the guts to be a meaningful comedy. Cast: Steve Mar tin, Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy, Joan Plowright, Jean Smar t, Bet ty White. Running time: 1 hr., 45 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ Bruce Almighty (PG-13) — Jim Carrey is Bruce, the goofy features repor ter on a TV station in Buf falo.

He aspires to become a "serious" anchor, but af ter blowing his cool on the air, loses his job and has a rif t with his sweet, please-marry-me girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston). There cometh unto Buf falo the Almighty (Morgan Freeman). The Lord loans his powers to Bruce. Time for some payback, some wild stunts, some sexual dazzling of Aniston, some nudges of satire. Like Mel Brooks as Moses in "History of the World, Par t I," Carrey has climbed the comical Mount Sinai and, like Brooks, he has dropped a tablet on the way down. One of the pieces is "Bruce Almighty."

Cast: Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Baker Hall, Catherine Bell. Running time: 1 hr.,

M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

New Line Cinema

45 mins. (Elliot t) ★★

Bulletproof Monk (PG-13) — Pity poor Chow

Yun-Fat. Af ter making a string of forget table movies such as "The Replacement Killers" and "Anna and the King," it appeared he had finally hit his stride with 2000's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." His newest flick, "Bulletproof Monk," unfor tunately, is a major step backward. Chow stars as the "Monk With No Name" and is charged with protecting a scroll of unbelievable power. If the scroll falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the end of the world as we know it. And of course, the scroll is being pursued by Stern – a Nazi who wants to shape the world in his image. All of this, of course, leads to a final showdown between the Monk and the Nazi. If you have to ask who'll win, then you haven't seen too many of these so-called action films. Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Seann William Scot t, Jaime King, Karel Roden, Victoria Smur fit. Running time: 1 hr., 44 mins. ★★ Confidence (R) — Jake Vig (Ed Burns) heads a crack team of scamsters who are also his buddies.

One is killed when a scam goes wrong, money having been taken from someone they did not know was an underling of a deadly, hyper sociopath called the King (Dustin Hof fman). Mostly we get cocky, trim-cut Burns and grif ter chums Brian Van Holt and Paul Giamat ti and corrupt L.A. cops (Luis Guzman, Donal Logue), all pulling a bank scam to pay back the King.

This ship leaks, and it sinks if you have experienced Mamet's "House of Games," Claude Chabrol's "The Swindle," Fabian Bielinsky's "Nine Queens" or Stephen Frears' "The Grif ters." Those scam par ties could have conned "Confidence" into a whimpering corner. Cast: Ed Burns, Dustin Hof fman, Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamat ti, Andy Garcia, Luis Guzman, Brian Van Holt.

Running time: 1 hr., 38 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ The Core (PG-13) — It's a story of Ear th imperiled and mankind going down the tubes. So a real tube

has to be laser-tunneled using a new kind of worm craf t, right to the center of the world. Some secret military mischief stopped our planetary core from spinning and unhinged the electromagnetic shield. A group of geniuses, oddballs and two NASA pilots must go down there in a $50 billion crash program to hot-wire the core. "The Core" is so crazily improbable that it becomes madly believable. So much is at stake! Not so much sci-fi as sci-fi-jeez, it relies on the good old rhy thm of friction and bonding, and on desperate improvisation. Cast: Aaron Eckhar t, Stanley Tucci, Hilary Swank, Delroy Lindo, Tcheky Karyo, Bruce Greenwood, Alfre Woodard, D.J. Qualls. Running time: 2 hrs. (Elliot t) ★★★ Daddy Day Care (PG) — Looking very much like the engorged warm-up for a future TV sitcom, "Daddy Day Care" stars Eddie Murphy and Jef f Garlin as cereal company promo men who lose their jobs, then star t a home day-care facility. There is an absurdly snooty villain (Anjelica Huston), owner of a posh day-care school. The kids are central casting darlings. The movie, which has a stern warning against sugar-based cereals, is sugared cereal. Cast: Eddie Murphy, Anjelica Huston, Jef f Garlin, Steve Zahn, Regina King.

Running time: 1 hr., 35 mins. (Elliot t) ★★

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (PG-13) — may be the dumbest, at least

this year. Sad, for those who recall its very popular and funny parent. 1994's "Dumb and Dumber " had Jim Carrey (Lloyd) and Jef f Daniels (Harry) as per fectly cast dodo buddies who don't know they are stupid losers. As slob soul mates, they achieved a rare blend: crass with finesse. Now, the finesse is gone. For the new, young H&L, Eric Christian Olsen as Lloyd looks like a teen Carrey, and has some of the crazed ego energy. Derek Richardson has Daniels' flying hair and pudding face, but without the sly craf t that Daniels brought to foolishness. It's a prequel, and in high

school the boys bond so firm and fast that soon the movie stages a slow-mo salute to their friendship. You must be very challenged to enjoy stuf f like that. Cast: Eric Christian Olsen, Derek Richardson, Rachel Nichols, Cheri Oteri, Luis Guzman, Eugene Levy.

Running time: 1 hr., 22 mins. (Elliot t) ★ Final Destination 2 (R) — As in the first movie, a group of teen-agers manages to cheat death. But death, unsatisfied with the teens’ getaway, pursues in a myriad of disturbing ways. Kimberly, driving a group of friends to Florida, has a premonition that helps them avoid being caught in a fatal freeway pileup. Death has other plans. Cast: Ali Lar ter, A.J. Cook, Michael Landes, T.C. Carson, Jonathan Cherry, James Kirk, Tony Todd.

Finding Nemo (G) — A father clown fish (Alber t Brooks) tracks young son Nemo through the Pacific to Sydney, Australia, af ter the small fry is caught and sold for a fish tank. Ellen DeGeneres voices adorable Dory, who is very pret ty and helpful as Marlin's search mate. The humans are alien invaders, big and nearly thoughtless. If "Finding Nemo" is just another of our plex distractions, then it's a giddy bummer, but as a whimsical warning with bite, it arrives just in time.

Helping to make the seas a lasting realm for real Nemos could be the good, giving backwash of "Finding Nemo." Cast: Alber t Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Austin Pendleton, Vicki Lewis, Geof frey Rush, Barry Humphries. Running time: 1 hr., 41 mins. (Elliot t) ★★★★ From Justin to Kelly (PG) — Last year’s “American Idol: The Search for a Superstar” winner, Kelly Clarkson, and runner-up Justin Guarini star as college students who head to Miami for spring break.

The two meet up, fall in love, and, yes, sing and dance their way across the beach. Cast: Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Katherine Bailess, Brandon Henschel,

“From Justin to Kelly”

★★★★ — Excellent.

20th Century Fox

Universal Pictures

“The Hulk”

RATINGS

35

“Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd”

★★★— Worthy.

★★ — Mixed.

★ — Poor.

0— Not worthy.

continued on page 36

36 continued from page 35 Anika Noni Rose.

M E Head of State (PG-13) — “Head of State” marks T the directorial debut of comic Chris Rock, who also R co-wrote the screenplay. He stars as an unlikely presiO dential candidate, a down-on-his-luck government

2 0 0 3

in heroic mood, this is a film for addicts of the series.

Lit tle Frodo is marginalized as Viggo Mor tensen leads the defense of a castle from hordes of vicious scumballs, and the two grand beards (Ian McKellan, Christopher Lee) contend for Middle Ear th. There's a little schizo in a wispy loincloth, expressively per formed and voiced, but the almost Stone Age mythology rolls over us like layers of geology. 3 hrs. (Elliot t) ★★ Malibu’s Most Wanted (PG-13) — Brad “Brad” Gluckman ain’t no Eminem. He’s Malibu’s worst rapper, a rich white boy who thinks he has the nuances of the hip-hop lifestyle down pat. Nothing could be fur ther from the truth, and when B-rad’s embarrassing antics creep into his father’s campaign for governor of California, the family decides that some tough love might be in order. Cast: Jamie Kennedy, Blair Underwood, Ryan O’Neal, Taye Diggs.

The Matrix: Reloaded (R) — Keanu Reeves is

“Hollywood Homicide”

How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (PG-13) —

should be retitled "How to Lose a Movie in 10 Minutes."

The spirited opening credits are a clever visual and musical introduction to Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) as she dashes and fumbles though research for "howto" ar ticles published in a glitzy women's magazine.

But all promise evaporates when the lame dialogue begins. Andie is destined to meet Mat thew McConaughey's womanizing adver tising executive, Ben Barry, whose major goal is snagging the world's biggest diamond account. These two up-and-coming New York hot ties bump along through the contrived plot, which involves Andie's "how to lose a guy" assignment and Ben's bet with competing co-workers that he can make a woman fall in love with him — all in the same 10-day deadline. The teasers for "10 Days" tout: "One of them is lying. So is the other." Ah, yes, the perfect date movie. Cast: Kate Hudson, Mat thew McConaughey, Adam Goldberg, Bebe Neuwir th.

Running time: 1 hr., 50 mins. (Wood) ★1/2 The Hulk (PG-13) — Based on the comic book and the television show that came before it, “The Hulk” is the story of Dr. Bruce Banner, a par ticipant in an experiment at a lab on the campus of UC-Berkeley. The experiment goes horribly wrong, transforming Banner into the Hulk, gaining ex traordinary strength every time he gets angry. Military troops, led by General “Thunderbolt” Ross, who also happens to be the father of Banner’s love interest, chase Banner and force him to live on the run. Cast: Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliot t, Nick Nolte, Josh Lucas, Brooke Langton.

The Italian Job (PG-13) — If you must remake "The Italian Job," the way to go is demonstrated by F. Gary Gray's highly professional makeover. The 1969 heist was for $4 million in gold in Turin, the new one is for $35 million in gold in Venice. In place of Michael Caine as the top heister, there is Mark Wahlberg. Donald

T I R E D

the jacket containing the money. Now the guys are forced to chase the animal through the Outback, or they'll have to repay the mob with their lives. The real star of "Kangaroo Jack" is the beautiful Outback. That alone may be wor th the price of admission. Or not.

Cast: Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson, Estella Warren, Christopher Walken, Dyan Cannon, Mar ton Csokas. Running time: 1 hr., 30 mins. (McCormick) ★ Like Mike (PG) — The rapper Lil Bow Wow plays 14-year-old Calvin Cambridge, one of the older residents in an L.A. orphanage. Calvin has two wishes – to find parents who love him and to play in the NBA like his idol, Michael Jordan. Then one day, Calvin's only adult ally, Sister Theresa (Anne Meara), discovers an old pair of sneakers that once belonged to Michael Jordan. Calvin tries them on, and they are a per fect fit.

The nex t day, Calvin's dreams begin to materialize. He meets one of his idols, basketball superstar Tracey Reynolds (Morris Chestnut), during a half time contest at a Los Angeles Knights game. Calvin makes a wish to be "like Mike" and suddenly displays moves reminiscent of Jordan. He is quickly signed by the Knights, and both he and new teammate Tracey go on a journey of self-discovery. Cast: Lil Bow Wow, Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Lipnicki, Brenda Song, Crispin Glover, Anne Meara and Eugene Levy. Running time: 1 hr., 30 mins.

back as Neo, empowered hero. Also, savior of the human race that was inside the cybernetic Matrix, enslaved as "cat tle," but has now fled to a life in an underground city. A blur of sci-fi and head comix cliches and "1984" gone 2003, the movie is overwhelmingly designed, but underwhelmingly imagined.

There is the Matrix and the Oracle and the Keymaker and the Architect. Humor is kept minimal, as that could pop the gas balloon. The packaging is cosmic, success inevitable. Success feeds success. "The Matrix Revolutions" is set for Nov. 7. Time for Harry Pot ter and Frodo Baggins to join forces and get mad.

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinket t Smith. Running time: 2 hrs., 18 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ Phone Booth (R) — Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell) fancies that he is a new-glam guy, but he is just another wannabe Sidney Falco, a publicist who dresses in yup-style display threads (markdown Italian suits and deep-color shir ts) while he pitches, schmoozes and snidely snipes at people, of ten on a cell phone.

Suddenly, he has to endure a real sniper, a mysterious psycho who calls him in the phone booth, tells him to stay there "or I will kill you," and then torments Stu with truths about his glib, weaseling life. Director Joel Schumacher pumps the nonsense avidly, using touch-

es — smeary jumps, zooms, speed-ups, split-screen multiples — that were get ting old when MTV was only a noisy rug rat. Cast: Colin Farrell, Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes, Radha Mitchell, Kiefer Sutherland.

Running time: 1 hr., 21 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ Rugrats Go Wild (PG) — It's a synergistic cocktail, bringing together car toon figures from two big Nickelodeon TV shows, "Rugrats" and "The Wild Thornberrys," for a string of gags without a plot. Unless, as plot, you call being stranded on a deser t island that isn't really deser ted an "adventure." This TV promo gizmo and baby sit ter is an awfully small movie, though a Nickelodeon release boasts of $100 million in tie-ins and lists nine major companies. Tim Curry, Michael Bell, Lacey Chaber t, LL Cool J, Bruce Willis. Running time: 1 hr., 24 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ The Rugrats Movie (G) — Tommy, Chuckie and Angelica make their big-screen debut in “The Rugrats Movie.” In the movie version of the popular animated Nickelodeon series, Tommy must get used to the idea of being a big brother when baby Dil is born. Tommy uses his newfound sense of responsibility to show the world that he’s ready to be a big brother and rounds up his pals to bring Dil home from the hospital. Cast: Elizabeth Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Cree Summer, David Spade, Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Curry, Roger Clinton, Busta Rhymes. Running time: 81 minutes.

2 Fast 2 Furious (PG-13) — The speed par ty "2 Fast 2 Furious" is 2 silly 2 believe and 2 cliched 2 be very enter taining. 2 bad. It stars Paul Walker, back as Brian from the 2001 summer hit "The Fast and the Furious," in which he was an undercover cop and rival, then pal, of mechanic and street racer Dom (Vin Diesel). Walker gets to appear slight nex t to the big rack of torso Tyrese, cast as racer and ex-con Roman Pearce. The set ting is now Miami. The script is a chop-shop quickie with a greasy aroma of "Miami Vice." The car scenes are so heavily edited and accessorized with tech-freak dazzle that even the blasting finish collapses into a string of stunts. This film is just a motorized budget. Cast: Paul Walker, Tyrese, Cole Hauser, Eva Mendes, James Remar. Running time: 1 hr., 44 mins. (Elliot t) ★1/2 Wrong Turn (R) — Bad luck befalls Chris (Desmond Harrington) when he sets out on a three-hour tour to Raleigh for a job interview. He’s barely star ted down the freeway when an accident up ahead halts traffic. Taking a windy and isolated dir t road to get around the jam, Chris doesn’t see the SUV full of teens that is stopped in the middle of the road, tires mysteriously blown out. Investigating the accident scene, the group finds a strand of barbed wire stretched across the road — could it be a trap? Cast: Eliza Dushku, Desmond Harrington, Jeremy Sisto, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Lindy Booth. Running time: 1 hr., 50 mins.

X2 (PG-13) — At the hub is the dutiful sequel section, laboring to ex tend the fantasy of a human world infiltrated by power ful, feared mutants, which the 2000 film transplanted from its comic-book roots.

Then there is the ef fects section, each mutant get ting a chance to show his/her powers. There is the senior section of power ful old men, the creepy wizard Magneto (Ian McKellen) maintaining a duel of Elite British Accents with the paranormal seer Xavier (Patrick Stewar t). And the "check 'em out" section for new or aspiring stars (Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Kelly Hu, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Aaron Stanford). "X2" seems to have been made by and for people who constantly switch between "Star Trek" episodes and James Bond reruns, while hoping for some Hannibal Lecter. Cast: Patrick Stewar t, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin. Running time: 2 hrs., 5 mins. (Elliot t) ★1/2 —Capsules compiled from movie reviews written by David Elliott, film critic for The San Diego Union-Tribune and other staff writers.

O F

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1 9

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (PG13) — Long, violent, death-fixated, dark in tone, heavy

Wheeler Rd.

J U N E

employee about to lose his job. Thrust into presidential candidacy by his par ty when the par ty’s original presidential nominee unexpectedly dies, Rock appeals to the country’s par ty vein to try and win the election.

Bernie Mac stars as his brother and running mate.

Cast: Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Dylan Baker, Tamala Jones, Robin Givens.

Hollywood Homicide (PG-13) — As the L.A. cop par tners, rumpled veteran Harrison Ford plays Senior as a leathery grinner who always gets his man, still has a hunter's eye for women and hustles real estate deals while chasing crooks. Josh Har tnet t's Junior is a dead cop's son, but cannot shoot straight, is a veggie and teaches yoga. Junior really wants to be an actor. The antic "plot" is from some kind of slag heap.

The main villain is a record producer who doesn't just rip off black talent, but also murders them. "Hollywood Homicide" reeks from its slumming, cynical exploitation of Hollywood as a junky old tar t, and Ford even cracks a wist ful line about when the town was glamorous. That must have been back in his days as a carpenter. He should have hammered a nail through this script and mailed it back. Cast: Harrison Ford, Josh Har tnet t, Keith David, Lena Olin, Bruce Greenwood, Lolita Davidovich.

Running time: 1 hr., 48 mins. (Elliot t) ★ House of 1000 Corpses (R) — Rocker Rob Zombie takes the classic horror route in his film directorial debut. Car trouble forces a group of traveling teens to stop at a gas station/Museum of Monsters and Madmen in the middle of nowhere. But why is a man called Dr. Satan the local hero? Who is stupid enough to ride the museum’s “Murder Ride”? And just what’s in the secret-recipe fried chicken anyway?

Cast: Bill Moseley, Karen Black, Chris Hardwick.

(McCormick) ★★★

Columbia Pictures

S P I R I T

Sutherland appears with his patented aura of suave, cheeky sincerity, yet does not linger. So the crew is planning revenge against icy sociopath and ex-par tner Steve (Ed Nor ton). Steve has fled to Los Angeles with the loot. "The Italian Job" is the real kickoff of summer and also the best remake since "The Thomas Crown Affair" got a delicious new lease on life. Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Ed Nor ton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def. Running time: 1 hr., 51 mins. (Elliot t) ★★★1/2 Kangaroo Jack (PG) — Two childhood friends, Charlie (Jerry O'Connell) and Louis (Anthony Anderson), from Brooklyn are forced to deliver a mysterious envelope to Australia af ter one of them accidentally causes the police to raid a mob warehouse.

En route to the land down under, Louis peeks in the package and discovers that it contains $50,000. Af ter the guys arrive in the Outback, they accidentally run over a kangaroo. Louis decides to take pictures of the animal and even puts shades and his lucky jacket on the 'roo, which is only stunned and hops away with

37

Cinema: Review

Franz Porcelain Franz Porcelain is created using the finest Chinese clay and glazes - and with a little touch of magic from the goodwill of the Chinese spirit of Fire and Earth!

“Alex & Emma” Proof That Romantic Comedy Is Dead

By Rachel Deahl

R

ob Reiner once carried the romantic comedy hopes not just of his generation but of Hollywood as a whole. The dream is officially dead. Rehashing the best moments of his lauded entry in the genre — “When Harry Met Sally” — with no success, the director’s latest effort falls hopelessly flat.

Positing Kate Hudson’s prudish stenographer as muse to Luke Wilson’s blocked writer, “Alex & Emma” attempts to drum up romantic yuks by pulling the familiar trick of playing life against art imitating life. Wilson’s promising young author, unable to finish his sophomore effort, is running scared from the Cuban mafia after gambling away his advance. Now, holed up in his shabby Boston apartment, he’s 30 days away from his deadline and his promised death. His only hope is to deliver the manuscript and the corresponding check to the bookies. Of course when said bookies drop by and burn the chump’s computer in a demonstration of the wrath to come (you know it’s a romantic comedy when the thugs break someone’s laptop instead of their legs), our hero is suddenly in need of someone who knows shorthand.

Hudson shows up at his door with all the pent-up sexuality of Meg Ryan’s virginal Sally, sans the charm.

Unfortunately, Hudson’s Emma has none of the quirkiness that made Ryan so irresistible in Reiner’s pitch-perfect prior effort. Everything about Ryan’s Sally that made her a quintessentially lovable prig, from her intolerable need to order meals with sauces on the side to her willingness to fake an orgasm in public, is in

Emma, but less notably. Emma’s strange food fixation is that she peels her tomatoes and her raciest attempt at standing up her male conquest/competitor is when she loosens up enough to spend an afternoon around town with him. And, oddly enough, Emma even picks up a trait from Harry ... she reads the last page of a book first, to see if it’s worth reading.

The bulk of “Alex & Emma” is spent in the dull fiction being spun by the second-rate author hero. Regurgitating his novel like it was last night’s dinner, Wilson’s Alex blurts out a yarn about a guy like himself who gets trapped in a love triangle while vacationing on a ritzy New England island. Setting his book in the roaring ‘20s, Alex’s doppelganger, Adam Shipley, goes to the fictional St. Charles to tutor the children of a wealthy French heiress. When said heiress turns out to be gorgeous, Adam is smitten.

Things become complicated when Adam also falls for the sweet and cute maid (played by Hudson).

Drawing more from his own life than he should, Alex continually amends his story to mirror his own unfolding drama.

As Emma becomes more appealing and less offensive in real life, her character morphs accordingly – she changes from a Swede named Ylka to a German named Elsa to a Spaniard named Eldora and finally an American dubbed Anna.

Without any of the whip-smart dialogue that Reiner is known for, “Alex & Emma” is as familiar as it is tired. The tepid lead characters, housed by actors who don’t even share any chemistry, finally have nowhere to go in a film as flat as its interior dime-store novel.

The sculptured accents of delicate butterflies, fragile flowers and other motifs superbly illustrate Franz Porcelain creators’ intricate skills.

available at

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MASTERS 7 CINEMAS Movies Good 6/20 - 6/26 Alex & Emma (PG-13) 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 9:30 The Hulk (PG-13) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Holly wood Homicide (PG-13) 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 9:40 Dumb and Dumberer (PG-13) 1:20, 3:20, 5:20, 7:20, 9:20 Rugrats Go Wild (PG) 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15 2 Fast 2 Furious (PG-13) 1:25, 4:05, 7:05, 9:45 Finding Nemo (G) 12:45, 2:55, 5:10, 7:10, 9:25 Bruce Almighty (PG-13) 9:35

REGAL 12 CINEMAS Show times for Regal 12 Cinemas were not available at press time. Visit w w w.metrospirit.com for show times as they become available.

Movie listings are subject to change without notice.

Wherever you go, you're always at home. Wherever you go, you're always at home.

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3 8 4 4 WA S H I N GTO N R O A D • M A R T I N E Z , G A 3 0 9 0 7 • 8 6 3 - 6 2 9 4

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Wherever you go, you're always at home.

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J U N E

EVANS 12 CINEMAS Movies Good 6/20 - 6/26 From Justin to Kelly (PG) 1:35, 3:35, 5:35, 7:35, 9:50 Alex & Emma (PG-13) 12:55, 3:05, 5:20, 7:25, 9:45 The Hulk (PG-13) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Holly wood Homicide (R) 1:30, 4:05, 7:30, 9:55 Dumb and Dumberer (PG-13) 1:10, 3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10 Rugrats Go Wild (G) 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:20 2 Fast 2 Furious (PG-13) 1:20, 3:30, 5:40, 7:50, 10:00 Like Mike (PG) Tues, Thur: 10:30 a.m.

Rugrats (G) Tues, Thur: 10:30 a.m.

The Italian Job (PG-13) 1:45, 4:15, 7:15, 9:40 Finding Nemo (G) 12:45, 3:15, 5:45, 8:00 Bruce Almighty (PG-13) 2:15, 4:45, 7:05, 9:30 The Matrix: Reloaded (R) 12:50, 3:45, 6:55, 9:35 Daddy Day Care (PG) 1:05, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40, 9:50 X2 (PG-13) 9:20

REGAL AUGUSTA EXCHANGE 20 Movies Good 6/20 - 6/26 The Hulk (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:45, 3:15, 3:45, 4:15, 5:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 12:45; SunThur: 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:45, 3:15, 3:45, 4:15, 5:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45 From Justin to Kelly (PG) Fri-Sat: 11:50, 2:15, 4:40, 6:50, 9:15, 11:35; Sun-Thur: 11:50, 2:15, 4:40, 6:50, 9:15 Alex & Emma (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 11:40, 2:05, 4:25, 7:20, 9:30, 12:00; Sun-Thur: 11:40, 2:05, 4:25, 7:20, 9:30 Dumb and Dumberer (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 12:35, 2:50, 5:20, 7:40, 10:00, 12:10; Sun-Thur: 12:35, 2:50, 5:20, 7:40, 10:00 Rugrats Go Wild (PG) Fri-Sat: 11:20, 12:45, 1:25, 3:10, 3:35, 5:15, 5:45, 7:50, 10:05, 12:15; Sun-Thur: 11:20, 12:45, 1:25, 3:10, 3:35, 5:15, 5:45, 7:50, 10:05 2 Fast 2 Furious (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 12:15, 1:15, 3:35, 4:00, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:20, 9:50, 10:20, 11:55, 12:25; Sun-Thur: 12:15, 1:15, 3:35, 4:00, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:20, 9:50, 10:20 Holly wood Homicide (PG-13) 11:50, 2:35, 5:10, 7:35, 8:10, 10:10, 10:45 Finding Nemo (G) Fri-Sat: 11:30, 12:20, 12:50, 2:00, 3:00, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, 6:35, 8:05, 9:05, 10:30, 11:40; Sun-Tue: 11:30, 12:20, 12:50, 2:00, 3:00, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, 6:35, 8:05, 9:05, 10:30; Wed: 11:30, 12:20, 12:50, 2:00, 3:00, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, 6:35, 8:05, 9:05, 10:30, 11:40; Thur: 11:30, 12:20, 12:50, 2:00, 3:00, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, 6:35, 8:05, 9:05, 10:30 Wrong Turn (R) Fri-Sat: 1:05, 3:05, 5:05, 8:15, 10:35, 12:40; Sun-Thur: 1:05, 3:05, 5:05, 8:15, 10:35 The Italian Job (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 11:35, 2:05, 4:35, 7:05, 9:40, 12:15; Sun-Thur: 11:35, 2:05, 4:35, 7:05, 9:40 Bruce Almighty (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 11:30, 1:50, 4:20, 6:55, 9:25, 11:50; Sun-Thur: 11:30, 1:50, 4:20, 6:55, 9:25 The Matrix: Reloaded (R) 1:10, 4:10, 7:20, 10:25 Daddy Day Care (PG) 12:05, 2:20, 4:45 X2 (PG-13) 7:20, 10:40

Wherever you go, you're always at home. Wherever you go, you're always at home.

S P I R I T

Cinema: Close-Up

MOVIE CLOCK

M E T R O

Nick Nolte’s Intensity Shines Through in “Hulk”

By Joey Berlin

A

fter a 30-year acting career spanning more than 40 film roles, including the key character of scientist and Hulk daddy Dr. David Banner in the new comic-book adaptation “The Hulk,” the facts about Nick Nolte’s life have mostly been separated from the fiction.

He was born in Nebraska, is known as a dapper dresser with a unique personal style, earned a pair of Oscar nominations in the 1990s and, like his character in “The Hulk,” he has one son, a teen-ager.

Nolte also freely admits that he has struggled long and mightily with substance abuse. It climaxed in his arrest one afternoon in the fall, when police found him to be under the influence of the synthetic depressant GHB when they stopped him for swerving all over a Southern California freeway.

His mug shot was printed around the world, and Nolte checked himself into a rehab center the next day. At 62, Nolte is well-known for his intensity both on-screen and off. As he discusses “The Hulk,” which was directed by Ang Lee and stars Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly, Nolte is passionate as ever and looks in much better shape than he did in his mug shot.

Q: Were you a fan of The Hulk, growing up?

A: No. ... We had Archie, Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. That was basically it. They didn’t get into the good times until later.

Q: Is this your first mad scientist character?

A: He isn’t mad. He’s quite sane. Like Lear, he’s more sinned-against than sinner.

He’s quite a rational scientist, very brilliant, very ahead of his time. You know, research science is not a money game.

Pure researchers don’t get anything unless they can get their research out. And most of them have to farm out to big corporations. He’s working for the Army. That’s why I say he’s not mad.

Q: You have one particular scene, before a big fight, that is pretty intense. Did you realize how strongly you were coming across?

A: Yep, it is called chewing the scenery.

Ang Lee started that day by coming up to me and he said, “I’m going to do your close-up first.” Three hours later, I was still finding it, working on it. I decided to try to go beyond what I thought it should be. But I kept passing out, I got so dizzy.

Ang very patiently came up to me and said, “Do you think it’s time to start to string two sentences together?” And I said, “Not quite yet.”

Q: What was his reaction?

A: He turned and walked away, and I said, “Maybe we’re approaching this wrong, with too much energy.” And he said, “Oh, no, no. I’m a sucker for big.”

And what he was telling me there was that

this scene had to match what the animation was going to be afterward. It had to be just as powerful with its human emotion as the fight was going to be.

Eventually, it all clicked on this new energy level. I knew Ang was asking me to set the tone of the scene, a daunting task, to say the least. But I liked doing that.

Q: Why were you attracted to Ang Lee’s vision for this film?

A: Because it’s a father-son Greek tragedy. A myth. That’s how Ang approached me with it. He said, “I don’t know how to make a comic book. I know how to make a Greek tragedy.”

Q: Many of your recent and upcoming films have strong social themes. Do you feel a responsibility to do films that have something important to say?

A: Absolutely. It’s the responsibility of art to examine human nature, the human soul, and express it in an interesting story.

I think you see it in Ang Lee’s take on “The Hulk.” This story is structured so deeply, not in the modern computer way, but in a deep, ancient way. For instance, Sam Elliott’s character, Thunderbolt, that’s Zeus. The killing of the son is Abraham.

There’s a lot of that in there.

Q: Do you feel good about the direction things are going for you now, post-mug shot?

A: Yeah, yeah! It was something that had to happen. It was something I had no control over. An addict just doesn’t have control over that. I’ve looked into the science of it. I had my genes striped, because they know of 20 addictive genes now. I also grew up in an era and a time when alcohol was quite accepted, along with drinking and driving. But I was using rather an exotic thing, and like all things, I eventually overused it and abused it. I was looking for a way out and when that red police car light went on I said, “The jig is up! This is it. That’s good.” I just thank God I didn’t hurt anybody.

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Music

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Ashanti and Mr. Cheeks To Perform at Fort Gordon

S

he’s the 22-year-old, Grammy Award-winning R&B sensation who’s recorded hits with artists like Ja Rule, Fat Joe and Cadillac Tah. He’s the Miami-based member of the Lost Boyz who’s enjoying solo success with his albums “John P. Kelly” and “Back Again.”

They’re Ashanti and Mr. Cheeks, respectively, and they’ll be sharing the stage in Augusta come June 27. Fort Gordon is bringing the duo as part of the Army Concert Tour. But you don’t have to be in the military to enjoy this show – just an Ashanti or Mr. Cheeks fan. The concert is just one of the many entertainment events Fort Gordon opens to the public.

Ashanti landed a record deal at age 13, and although that deal didn’t pan out, she got her big break a few years later when she caught the eye of Irv Gotti,

Ashanti

CEO of Murder, Inc. Records. Gotti paired Ashanti with Big Pen to record “How We Roll,” and later collaborations included the No. 1 hits “Always on Time” and “What’s Luv.” The first R&B vocalist on the Murder, Inc. label is also known for her songwriting skills.

Ashanti’s self-titled and self-penned debut won Best R&B Album at the 2003 Grammy Awards.

Mr. Cheeks landed on the scene with the Lost Boyz a decade ago. The group found success with their “Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless” album, but tragically lost member Freaky Tah when a gunman mistook Tah for another person.

Striking out on his own, Mr. Cheeks blends hip-hop and R&B on his solo albums. The latest, “Back Again,” features celebrity help from stars like P. Diddy and Floetry.

The show starts at 8 p.m. at Fort Gordon’s Barton Field, though gates

By Lisa Jordan

Mr Cheeks

open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Advance tickets are currently on sale at all area Papa John’s Pizza locations, Pyramid Music, Culpepper Records, Quality Records, Fort Gordon’s PX Customer Service, Gordon Lanes, The Gordon Club, Aladdin Travel, the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Box Office and Fort Gordon Federal Credit Union. Tickets are also available online at www.fortgordon.com.

The show is all-ages, and patrons 16 years of age and older must bring a photo ID to enter Fort Gordon. For additional information, please call 791-6779.

Bob Marley Reggae Tribute Brings Augustans Together

By Lisa Jordan

Spoken word artist Carmen Mouzon

“I

t brings out a true cross-section of the community – generationally, culturally, racially, socioeconomically,” says Frederick Benjamin of Augusta’s sixth annual Bob Marley Reggae Tribute, an event he founded. The unity Benjamin’s event inspires among Augustans is fitting, considering that the music of Bob Marley was honored for bringing people together during Marley’s lifetime – and even now, some 22 years after his death.

“I’m the founder, and it’s purely a labor of love,” Benjamin says. “I saw Bob Marley perform back in 1973 in New York City, and it’s remained one of the musical highlights of my life. I’m from New York City, and I feel that there’s so much more that people can do to kind of elevate the consciousness of folks in Augusta.”

Evidently, Benjamin’s not the only one who feels that way. What started out as a small celebration seven years ago has enjoyed exponential growth. Last year’s crowd was so large, patrons had to be turned away at the door.

“This is our sixth year, and it’s grown each year,” he says. “It started out as kind of a small thing for true believers, those people who, number one, love reggae music, and number two, understand the importance of the role that bob Marley played in popularizing reggae music. We decided last year to move it downtown, widen it up a little – and we always thought that reggae music should be by the water.”

That’s why The Boathouse, off East Boundary and overlooking the Savannah River, proved to be the perfect location.

This year’s Bob Marley Reggae Tribute will be held there on Saturday, June 28, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. It features musical performances by local favorites Kaya and Rebel Lion, Atlanta’s Roots-A-Fire and spoken word performances by artists Semba Umoja and Carmen Mouzon.

“You’re going to hear reggae music all night long,” promises Benjamin. “But in particular, you’re going to hear interpretations of Bob Marley’s music by some local and not-so-local acts.”

Benjamin himself is no stranger to tribute events. In the past, he’s worked on events honoring jazz greats like John Coltrane, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk.

“Music is art,” says Benjamin. “There are a lot of fine musical artists, but they never get a chance to do anything different. But with a tribute, the artists have to reach back and actually do a little research or sometimes study. … They get an opportunity to reinterpret mostly classical stuff, because the people that we do the tributes to all have wide repertoires that they’ve made famous. And so for these musicians to get up there and pay tribute, in a way they are continuing the tradition.”

To witness that tradition for yourself, check out the Bob Marley Reggae Tribute. Tickets are $12 and will be sold only in advance at Pyramid Music and More, Ambasa Gifts, Rebel Lion Den and Quality Records.

MUSIC

BY TURNER

T

OM PETTY’s last studio disc, “The Last DJ,” took on the record industry with a full-moon vengeance. Always quick to buck the suits, the disc bemoaned today’s assembly-line mentality of the large record companies and their penchant for the current “flavor of the month.”

Petty’s disc, truthful as it was, was one of his worst-selling albums ever, moving “only” a bit over 300,000 copies in the U.S. Petty, like many musicians, seems to come across best in a live setting. In a final attempt to drive home the message of the songs from the album, Petty and THE HEARTBREAKERS have a CD/DVD release, “Live at the Olympia,” planned July 22. The set features the musicians performing the bulk of “The Last DJ” in addition to hits such as “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “You Wreck Me.” Always known for selecting cool covers for their sets, the band roars through CHUCK BERRY’s “Around and Around” and the BILL HALEY smash “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” TV alert: Look for Petty and band on the excellent PBS series “Soundstage” July 10.

Hair-Raising Rock Dept.

Once again, we are forced to ponder the question, “How can we miss them if they won’t go away?” DAVID COVERDALE and WHITESNAKE, WARRANT, SLAUGHTER and KIP WINGER are touring this summer as part of the “‘80s Rock Never Stops” tour and several southern dates are planned. The foursome visits the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach Aug. 12 and Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater on the following evening. Expect a heavy dose of the hits and nostalgia for the days when analog technology roamed the earth and hairspray wasn’t just the title of a cool JOHN WATERS movie.

WARREN ZEVON's final studio set, “The Wind,” is completed and is due in late August. The extremely ill singersongwriter’s final musical statement has commanded a great outpouring of

BY

love and assistance from some of the biggest stars in the biz. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, DON HENLEY, TOMMY SHAW, JACKSON BROWNE and EMMYLOU HARRIS are just a few of the musicians guesting with Zevon, who has terminal lung cancer. Zevon, always known for his cynically caustic look at life (and now, death) told Billboard magazine last year, “Fortunately, I have a recording studio in my apartment. So, I'm gonna be able to stagger into that thing pretty much when the hearse is idling at the curb.”

“How Do You Do, Mrs. Wiley?” Dept.

Zevon obviously would have enjoyed the predicament that fallen-‘80s star ADAM ANT found himself in last week.

Ant, whose real name is STUART GODDARD, was charged with throwing rocks and breaking windows near his home in England. Yes, Mr. Ant (the much-classier names “Sting” and “The Edge” of course, were already taken) has turned into the ERNEST T. BASS of washed-up musicians with his hateful and unlawful chucking. Ant is perhaps best known for his hits “Goody Two Shoes” and “Room at the Top.” I'm sure that ANDY GRIFFITH would be extremely disappointed.

Turner's Quick Notes Ex-SMASHING PUMPKINS leader BILLY CORGAN’s band ZWAN (a big hit at the recent Music Midtown Festival in Atlanta) have sold over a quarter of a million copies of their “Mary, Star of the Sea” debut … DELBERT MCCLINTON returns to Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse June 21 … PUDDLE OF MUDD’s second disc is finished and will be out in the fall. The band will tour the South sometime next month with dates not yet finalized … STRING CHEESE INCIDENT visits the Fabulous Fox in Atlanta Sept. 26 and 27.

Turner's Rock and Roll Jeopardy: A. This jazz-bluegrass band features an electronic percussionist named FUTURE MAN.

Q. Who are Bela Fleck and the Flecktones?

Music: Concert

ED TURNER

God’s Duke It Out Children See Insider on page 12

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Music: Review

M E T R O

Caitlin Cary Comes to Augusta in Support of Album

S P I R I T

By Lisa Jordan

J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

Life is hectic. Weekends shouldn't have to be. Join Scott Simon for Weekend Edition every Saturday at 8:00 AM on WACG, 90.7 FM. Reclaim your Saturday and hear weekend news, views, and commentary. From gardening tips and film reviews to in-depth news analysis, Peabody Award-winning host Scott Simon eases you into the weekend with a fresh

Photo of Scott Simon by Lisa Berg

perspective.

Call us at (800) 654-3038 or visit us at www.gpb.org for more information about our programming.

AUGUSTA’S ONLY KARAOKE BAR! ~ OPEN 6 N IGHTS A WEEK ~ JOIN US FOR OUR NATIONAL KARAOKE CONTEST Wednesday - Women Thursday - Men 1st 12 weeks - Country & Western 2nd 12 weeks - Rock/Pop/ Rhythm & Blues/Soul

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National Grand Prize Winner receives $3,500 cash, plus gifts & possible recording contract.

Greene Streets Karaoke Bar

Corner of Greene & 11th Street • 823-2002 Mon-Fri 3pm-3am • Sat 6pm-2am

S

inger-songwriter Caitlin Cary has two sweet treats in store for Augusta audiences. The first is a June 28 show at Crossroads. The second is the recent release of her sophomore full-length album, “I’m Staying Out” on Yep Roc Records.

“I’m Staying Out” is a colorful blanket of sounds resting on the frame of Cary’s voice.

Rich and smooth, Cary’s vocals flirt with different genres. Cary sounds equally at home with the upbeat, lite-rock vibe of “You Don’t Have To Hide” and with the country twang of “Please Break My Heart.” (And, speaking of “Please Break My Heart,” comparisons between Cary’s voice on that track and Patsy Cline’s would not be amiss.) While a task like this would be difficult for most performers, Cary’s versatility is effortless.

And Cary’s lyrics are just as lovely as her voice, examining everything from the simple pleasures of “Sleepin’ in on Sunday” to the ache of a broken heart. The opening track, “Empty Rooms,” socks you in the gut with harsh imagery right from the get-go: “He’s

••••• ••••• ••••• ••••• •••••

left her alone / with an empty womb / A beautiful house / full of empty rooms.” But Cary’s delivery melds with the words to produce an anthem that ends up sounding more triumphant than hopeless.

Full instrumentation throughout also lends to “I’m Staying Out’s” warm sound. There’s cello, mandolin, dobro, organ and sitar.

“I’m Staying Out” even features some special guest appearances. Mary Chapin Carpenter, reportedly a fan of Cary’s debut album, “While You Weren’t Looking,” joins Cary for three tracks: “Empty Rooms,” “The Next One” and “Lorraine Today.” Audley Freed, guitarist for the Black Crowes, Don Dixon and cellist Jane Scarpantoni also lend their talents to the album.

In what will undoubtedly be one of the most special performances to come through Augusta this year, Cary takes the stage at Crossroads Bar on Saturday, June 28. For more information about Caitlin Cary, visit her Web site, www.caitlincary.com. For more information about the Augusta show, call Crossroads at 724-4511.

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MUSIC MINIS What’s Good for the Pentagon Is Good for Torched R.I. Nightclub The Titan Corp., which is the same group that prepared the report on the Sept. 11 attempted terrorist attack on the Pentagon, began an investigation into the reaction of officials to the deadly fire that killed nearly 100 people at a Rhode Island nightclub. The federal government, according to sources, will pick up the tab.

RIAA Getting Medieval on Some A**es Eighteen small retail businesses are about to feel the wrath of the Recording Industry Association of America. The RIAA believes that the businesses have been selling pirated copies of CDs. They offered to accept settlements from the businesses; the businesses refused; the RIAA is now suing.

Been Hanging Out With Christina Too Much Justin Timberlake is playing a series of club dates along his and Christina’s co-headlining tour itinerary. The first, June 17 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, Calif., found J.T. fronting a funk group, cursing, and pretending to pass a joint, all while wearing a “Girls Gone Wild” cap.

Adam Ant Flies Into the Cuckoo’s Nest Eighties glam-rocker Adam Ant, who has been steadily working on losing his mind for the past decade and a half, has finally made it.

Last week, after a bout of window-breaking in his neighborhood in North London, he decided to take off to the pub and take off his pants.

Apparently, he was pretending to be in possession of a firearm and threatening people as well. At least one photograph, appearing in a British newspaper, shows the ex-performer being carted away, still raving, many pounds heavier than during his Adam and the Ants days, and without the lower half of his suit.

The quote we’ve stolen from E!Online, which they stole from the Sun in Britain, is priceless.

He gave the interview from inside the psych ward of London’s Royal Free Hospital: “They’ve put me in the Alice in Wonderland ward because they think I’m crazy. They’ve sectioned me – I’ve been here all night. The whole thing’s a conspiracy and they’re just out to get me. I’m not mad.” Has he been reading the manual? It could be far worse. According to E!Online, Ant was scheduled to squeeze back into his little highwayman outfit for a tour this spring. His madness is most likely a case of cosmic intervention.

We’re havin’ a Luau!

THE FOX’S

Lair

This Saturday 2-9 pm

RESTAURANT & BAR

Bring your bathing suit & appetite We’re bringing in a pool & a pig

PIG PICKIN’ ALL DAY! TROPICAL DRINK SPECIALS Join us later Saturday night for

TARA SCHEYER’S CD Release Party recorded live at The Lair

In the Basement of the DeLaigle House Inn B & B Victorian Village (Enter thru rear courtyard)

349 Telfair Street

706.828.5600

and Special Guest

Mr. Cheeks Plus Other Entertainment!

JUNE 27, 2003 FORT GORDON BARTON FIELD Gates open-7 p.m.

Concert begins-8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate.

Tickets available at all CSRA Papa John’s Pizza, Pyramid Music on Broad St. & K-Mart Plaza, Culpepper Records in Thomson, Quality Records in Aiken, and on Fort Gordon at PX Customer Service, Gordon Lanes, The Gordon Club, Aladdin Travel, The Dinner Theatre Box Office, and Fort Gordon Federal Credit Union.

For more information, call 791-6779 or visit www.fortgordon.com.

COMPILED BY RHONDA JONES & LISA JORDAN Information compiled from online and other music news sources.

Patrons 16 and older must have photo ID to enter Fort Gordon.

Sponsorship does not imply an endorsement by the U.S. Army.

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Night Life Thursday, 19th The Bee’s Knees - 12 Tone Lounge The Big Easy - Buzz Clifford, George Sykes Blind Pig - Open Mic Night with Jeff Jernigan Cafe Du Teau - James McIntyre Club Argos - Karaoke Dance Par ty with DJ Joe Steel Coliseum - Karaoke, High-Energy Dance Continuum - Playa*Listic Thursday Coyote’s - Chippendales D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Fox’s Lair - Karaoke Greene Streets - Men’s Pop, Rock, Blues and Soul National Karaoke Contest Joe’s Underground - John Kolbeck Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - SKYNN with DJ Richie Rich Orange Moon - Open Mic Playground - Open Mic with Gabe Miller Soul Bar - The Hellblinki Sex tet, Corrie MacDonald Still Water Tap Room - Dawson and Grady Stool Pigeons - Live Enter tainment Time Piecez - DJ Dance Par ty

Friday, 20th Andy’s - Open Musicians Jam with Dave Fitzgerald Back Roads - DJ The Bee’s Knees - Live Bluegrass with Eryn Eubanks and the Fold The Big Easy - Air Apparent Blind Pig - Shameless Dave and E. Freddie Sanders Borders - David Owen Cafe Du Teau - James McIntyre Club Argos - Mr. Club Argos, DJ Joe Steel Coliseum - Venus Cotton Patch - Tony Williams and the Blues Express Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - Lythium, Cycle D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Durango’s - Magic Hat Fox’s Lair - Tara Scheyer and the Half-Shir t Leroys Greene Streets - Karaoke Jerry’s Place - Special Blend Joe’s Underground - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Last Call - Papa-Sol, DJ Richie Rich The Lighthouse - Tony Howard Band

Luck y Lady’s - Heavy Dose Marlboro Station - Lauren Alexander Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - The Flavour Shoppe with DJ Ty Bess Partridge Inn - Jazz Soulstice with Anthony Carpenter Playground - John Kolbeck The Pourhouse - Livingroom Legends Rio Bomba - DJ Rodriguez Brothers, Karaoke with Russ Schneider The Shack - DJ Chip Shannon’s - Bar t Bell, Steve Chappell Soul Bar - (R)evolution Surrey Tavern - Playback with Tutu D’vyne

Saturday, 21st Andy’s - Justin Benson, Black-Eyed Susan Back Roads - DJ The Bee’s Knees - Jazz Sessions with Moniker The Big Easy - Buzz Clifford, George Sykes Blind Pig - Shameless Dave and the Miracle Whips Borders - Will Lawton Cafe Du Teau - James McIntyre Club Argos - Argos Angels Cabaret, DJ Joe Steel Coliseum - Brianna Cotton Patch - Saturday Night Live with Red-Headed Stepchild Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - 420 Outback, The Six th Hour D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Durango’s - Magic Hat Fox’s Lair - Tara Scheyer and the Half-Shir t Leroys CD Release Par ty Greene Streets - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Last Call - New Day The Lighthouse - Tony Howard Band Luck y Lady’s - Heavy Dose Marlboro Station - Miss Peg Metro Coffeehouse - Live Af ternoon Bluegrass with Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - Bangin! Latin Musical Explosion Partridge Inn - Sandy B. and the All-Stars The Pourhouse - A Pair of Ja x Karaoke Red Lion - Sabo and the Scorchers Rio Bomba - DJ Rodriguez Brothers The Shack - DJ Buckwheat Shannon’s - Roulet te

The Kevn Kinney Band plays at the Soul Bar June 22.

Soul Bar - The Kevn Kinney Band, The Big Mighty, Livingroom Legends Still Water Tap Room - Regali Surrey Tavern - Playback with Tutu D’vyne

Sunday, 22nd Cafe Du Teau - The Last Bohemian Quar tet Cotton Patch - John Kolbeck Marlboro Station - Claire Storm Orange Moon - Live Reggae Pizza Joint - Michael and Jayson

The Shack - Karaoke with DJ Joe Steel, Sasha’s Sunday Special Guest, Evonne Santonni Shannon’s - Shelly Watkins Somewhere in Augusta - Jayson and Michael TGI Friday’s - Keith “Fossill” Gregory

Monday, 23rd Coliseum - Q.A.F. Continuum - Monday Madness Crossroads - Club Sin Dance Par ty with Mykie G Greene Streets - Karaoke

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Crossroads hosts The Sixth Hour (pictured) and 420 Outback June 21.

Great Appetizers • Delicious Steaks & Seafood • Wonderful Wines by the Glass or Bottle

Joe’s Underground - John Kolbeck Surrey Tavern - John Kolbeck

Tuesday, 24th Adams Nightclub - Karaoke with Bill Tolber t The Bee’s Knees - Comin’ ‘Round the Bend Classic Country Blind Pig - Jayson and Mike Coliseum - Tournament Tuesday D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Greene Streets - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - John Kolbeck Metro Coffeehouse - Irish Night with Sibin Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Stool Pigeons - Karaoke Surrey Tavern - Jam Session

Wednesday, 25th The Bee’s Knees - 12 Tone Lounge Blind Pig - Candy-Buzz, A Midweek Summer’s Dream Club Argos - DJ Joe Steel Coliseum - Wet ‘n’ Wild Talent Search Continuum - Open Mic Jam Sessions Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Greene Streets - Women’s Pop, Rock, Blues and Soul National Karaoke Contest Joe’s Underground - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Playground - Karaoke with Captain Karaoke and Mykie G The Pourhouse - Edmond P. “The Lurch” Kida Shannon’s - Bar t Bell, Steve Chappell Somewhere in Augusta - John Kolbeck Soul Bar - Live Jazz Surrey Tavern - John Kolbeck

Upcoming Ashanti, Mr. Cheeks - For t Gordon - June 27 Mr. Augusta CSRA Pride 2003 Contest - Coliseum June 27 Caitlin Cary - Crossroads - June 28 The Kitty Snyder Band - Soul Bar - June 28 Stewart and Winfield - Last Call - July 3 John Michael Montgomery - Lake Olmstead Stadium - July 4 Mr. Georgia U.S.A. - Club Argos - July 4 Finger 11, Echo 7, Double Drive - Crossroads - July 9

Elsewhere AthFest - Various Venues, Athens, Ga. - June 19-22 Soul Asylum, Seven Mary Three, Graham Colton, mrnorth, Transmission - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - June 20

Alabama - Philips Arena, Atlanta - June 20 Delbert McClinton - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - June 21 Johnny Mathis - Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta - June 21 Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, Elsbeary Hobbs’ Drifters, The Platters - Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee, Ga. June 21 Heart - Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta - June 22 Aretha Franklin - Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta - June 24 Working Title, Royal 7 - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - June 27 Dave Matthews Cover Band - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - June 28 Boston - Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta - June 29 Sugar Ray, Matchbox Twenty - Philips Arena, Atlanta - June 29 Camel - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - July 1 The Jayhawks and The Thorns - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - July 2 Brenda Lee, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee, Ga. - July 5 Colin Hay - Wills Park Equestrian Center, Alpharet ta, Ga. - July 10 Better Than Ezra, Lifehouse, Ingram Hill, The Robert Barnes Band - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - July 11 The Fall - Echo Lounge, Atlanta - July 12 Robert Bradley’s Black water Surprise, Mieka Pauley, Juniper Lane - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - July 18 Charley Pride, Darryl Worley - Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee, Ga. - July 19 The Outfield - Wills Park Equestrian Center, Alpharet ta, Ga. - July 24 Everclear, Maroon 5, Evenout, Kill Hannah Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - July 25 Nickel Creek, Frank y Perez, Antigone Rising Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - Aug. 1 Liz Phair, Hootie and the Blowfish, Tonic, The Clarks, Bain Mattox - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - Aug. 8 George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, North Mississippi All-Stars, Kevn Kinney Band - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - Aug. 15 Goo Goo Dolls, Pat McGee Band, Marc Broussard Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - Aug. 22 Many tickets are available through TicketMaster outlets, by calling 828-7700, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be available through Tix Online by calling 278-4TIX or online at www.tixonline.com. Night Life listings are subject to change without notice. Deadline for inclusion in Night Life calendar is Tuesday at 4 p.m. Contact Rhonda Jones or Lisa Jordan by calling 738-1142, fa xing 736-0443 or e-mailing to rhonda_jones@metspirit.com or lisa_jordan@metspirit.com.

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o state has had more serious budget anxiety attacks recently than Oregon, which saw some public schools close early this year after running out of money. However, another crisis surfaced in April when death-row inmate Horacio Reyes-Camarena told prison officials he would reluctantly accept the kidney transplant that would save Oregon taxpayers most of the $120,000 a year they now pay for his dialysis (and must, by law, pay until his execution, which may be as long as 10 years away, because of appeals). Some law-abiding Oregon kidney patients are being turned down for transplants because post-transplant drugs are too expensive.

• Just as Democratic presidential candidate Bob Graham’s daily, quirky, minutely detailed, written diaries are in the news (e.g.,“6:50-7:00 — Apply scalp medication”), the Pentagon was seeking bidders for contracts to create electronic “diaries” (the LifeLog program) that could record virtually all facets of a person’s daily existence (via sensors, microphones and wearable cameras), to be dumped into gigantic databases, searchable to detect behavior patterns that might be useful to the military. A Pentagon spokesman said not to be alarmed, that only consenting subjects would be used, but one privacy advocate told Wired magazine that LifeLog could be “TIA cubed,” referring to the previously revealed Total Information Awareness program, which would track everyone’s purchase transactions and computer usage.

Cultural Diversity • A February BBC report noted the fascination among tribes in Meghalaya, India, to appear mischievously worldly by giving their children prominent Western names (such as those of candidates in the Feb. 26 local elections, Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak, Tony Curtis, Rockefeller Momin and Hilarious Dhkar). Also popular are Roosevelt, Churchill, Bush, Blair, Clinton and Saddam.

• Officials in Saudi Arabia recently began to campaign against the culture of intrafamily marriage, which is practiced by almost half the country, according to a May New York Times dispatch. “Saudi Arabia is a living genetics laboratory,” said an American researcher stationed there. Several genetic disorders have festered, but in many tribes, such disorders (attributed to God’s will) have not in any way diminished the ideal of first-cousin marriages.

• In February, a 6-month-old girl was married in a Hindu ceremony in a village in southern Nepal, according to an Agence France-Presse report. Her cradlerobbing husband is 3, and their farming-

caste families feared that if the children didn’t tie the knot then, each one’s marriage prospects would diminish as they got older.

Latest Religious Messages • From a religious advice column in Arab News (an English-language daily newspaper in Saudi Arabia), 5-9-03: “(Question:) A person feels very uncomfortable during prayers because he gets recurrent thoughts that he might have discharged wind (during the prayers, and thus) invalidated the ablution.” “And it is all without sound or smell.” “(Answer:) (A) wind discharge is ascertained by sound or smell. If neither is present, then no wind discharge has taken place (and therefore the ablution has not been invalidated).”

• In May, a priest of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, Ohio, Monsignor Robert V. Yarnovitz, pleaded no contest to indecency charges for an incident at a conference in nearby Huron Township. According to police, Yarnovitz was wandering, drunk and pantsless, through the Sawmill Creek resort and when confronted by police, he repeatedly and aggressively answered their every question by uttering “Michael” and a slang phrase commanding someone to perform oral sex on him. (A spokesman at Yarnovitz’s church said the incident “was not characteristic of Monsignor.”)

People Different From Us • Nancy Fortson Reynolds, 49, pleaded guilty in May to having embezzled more than $1 million from an Athens, Ga., animal vaccine manufacturer during the five years she handled the company’s accounts payable. According to a police detective, Reynolds and her husband spent all of the money on a multitude of consumer products, making only one enduring capital expenditure: constructing an addition onto their double-wide mobile home.

The District of Calamity (Continued) • Last year’s edition of the Washington, D.C., public school system’s standardized-test guide for elementary students was such a disaster of errors and typos that the new edition was anticipated to be a showcase of near-perfection. However, some critics told The Washington Post in April that this year’s guide was even more embarrassing. For example, one question, featuring an image of nine flowers, asks the student to count them out, but the only multiple-choice answers available were numbers between 22 and 30. Another contained only this information: If 234 people saw a theater’s first show, and 456 saw a theater’s second show, how many people saw both shows?

Recurring Themes • In a 2002 story, News of the Weird mentioned Cuba’s Guinness-Book-record milk-producing cow, Ubre Blanca. In April 2003, a German newspaper profiled Susan Schulze, 31, of Leipzig, who the paper said was the country’s most prolific milk-producing human, having provided 50 gallons of her breast milk (collected in four to six daily sessions for more than a year) to a children’s clinic at the University of Magdeburg.

— Chuck Shepherd © United Press Syndicate

Brezsny's Free Will Astrology ARIES (March 21-April 19)

The dictator of Turkmenistan, Saparmurad Niyazov, has had streets, farms, children, a brand of vodka and oil pipelines named after him.

Recently he branched out, deciding to change the name of the year 2003 to that of his dead mother, Gurbansoltan, “to immortalize her sacred image and blessed memory.” While I’m not in a position to argue about the farms and liquor, I disagree with his latest revision. In fact, I hereby move to re-christen the year Gurbansoltan/2003.

Forevermore, let it be known as “Aries,” to honor the sublime ripening your tribe’s self-expressiveness has enjoyed these past months — and that will continue through August.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

“The world is composed of rival gangs of hypnotists, each competing for your entranced attention.”

I found this scrawled on the wall of a public restroom. It’s not literally true, of course, but it might as well be. Every day you’re besieged by advertisers, entertainers, politicians and news media that would love you to adopt their views. To resist their brainwashing, you have to exert heroic efforts to think for yourself. In the coming weeks, your vigilance must be even more rigorous than usual. Here are some tips: Be the opposite of a know-it-all.

Make curiosity and open-mindedness your highest values. Read and listen to people who don’t believe what you do. Consider the possibility that your opinions may be wrong or incomplete.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

The first thing they tell you when you enter law school is that there is no justice. The cruel truth is that every legal process is tainted with favoritism and prejudice. In this realm where objectivity is supposedly the supreme value, subjectivity is rampant. The outcome of judicial decisions may hinge as much on human error and the unruly power of the imagination as on the naked facts. Once you accept all that as a given, then and only then will

you have the potential to become a potent force for fairness and impartiality. While you’re probably not starting law school right now, Gemini, similar principles will apply to the challenges you’ll face in the coming weeks.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

“It is impossible for man to look straight at the present,” noted media prophet Marshall McLuhan, “because he is too terrified by it. We stand on the stern of the ship looking at the wake and saying, ‘We’re in very troubled waters.’” I’m presenting you with McLuhan’s theory, my fellow Cancerian, because you are now poised to refute it. It’s true that lately you’ve been fixated on turmoil unleashed in the past; it’s as if you’ve been peering out of a portal in a tiny room at the back of a fine yacht and moaning, “Everything feels cramped and I’m in troubled waters.” But I predict that any minute now you will leave your cramped quarters, bound upstairs, and stride to the front of the ship.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

A 6.7 earthquake rippled through the northwestern United States recently. No one felt it, though, because it happened in slow motion, unfolding gradually over a two-month period. Are you ready for the metaphorical equivalent of this temblor? It will subliminally shake your foundations until your birthday. Whether it ultimately relieves or aggravates deep-seated tensions will depend on your attitude. If you regard it with fear and resistance, it will amplify your existing level of stress. But if you vow to enjoy the ride, it will rock your world in the best possible way.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Music by Eminem can pump up a listener’s audacity. Because its wicked beats and hysterically ferocious sentiments raise testosterone levels in both men and women, songs from his CD “8 Mile” may also increase ambition, boost pride, and encourage forceful self-expression. You would

New York Times Crossword Puzzle

Note: The circled diagonal letters will spell a hint to eight other answers in the grid.

ACROSS 1 Drift 6 Herringlike catch 11 Prosperous 14 “___ my reasons …”

15 Bulldog 16 Latin 101 word 17 Elizabeth who pioneered in the advertising of beauty aids 18 Glistened 19 Gate crasher?

20 Like fresh brownies 21 Most sunkissed, as hair 23 Bambi’s aunt 24 Figure on a fin 26 Green-eyed person 28 E-mail command 30 Put in jail

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Abbr.

34 Prevents 36 Sci-fi sage 38 Piece of history 39 Issue with a new look, maybe 42 “Do the Right Thing” role 45 Water brand 46 It’s bound to take a beating 50 New York’s Jacob ___ Park 52 Pomme de ___ (potato) 54 Mideast capital 55 Newsman Peter 57 Waste not 59 Neighbor of Peru: Abbr.

60 Got suddenly sad 63 Like some old cigars

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE M I A M I V A D V A N C E R I G H T I N E N D B A L A N C E U P I N T H E S I N G H T A K E S A W A N S L I L E F T M A R I N A S I R A N I D O W N D O W G A L E L I E R S T A N

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

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65 ___ jacet

(tombstone words) 66 All worked up 67 Papas of “Zorba the Greek” 68 Outback runner 69 “When hell freezes over!”

70 Fall collection line 71 Favorite 72 Clarifying phrase 73 Casino, to a gambler DOWN 1 Kind of pipe connection 2 King-sized seats 3 Glowing 4 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc., in S.F. 5 Nosy Parker 6 Interstate grid, e.g.

7 Funny response 8 “What ___ blow!”

9 Some evening social events 10 Not stop at the door 11 Gary Larson strip, with “The” 12 Hobbyist 13 Big bird 22 “Who’s That Girl” rapper 25 Like a painter’s smock 27 Radiola maker

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greatly benefit from this kind of arousal in the coming week, Virgo. Your fervent assertiveness will be crucial to the well-being of both you and your cohorts. I suggest, then, that you cue up “8 Mile,” slip on the headphones, and crank up the volume. To accomplish the same result with the help of more elegant forms of masculine power, listen to the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. or read “Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Love is more than a warm, tender feeling in your heart or loins. When done right, it’s a revolutionary mode of perception that naturally moves you to rebel against everything you’ve been taught about how the world works. It’s a radical act of magic that transforms all that it touches. You are, of course, always free to practice a tamer, safer version of love. But if you want to grow up to be a fascinating sex god or goddess, you should devote yourself to the more ultimate form. Now is a perfect time to redouble your commitment to doing just that. The fates are conspiring to help you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

I’m at a loss to understand why Juneteenth isn’t one of America’s major holidays. Observed every June 19, it celebrates the emancipation of AfricanAmerican slaves in the 1860s. Shouldn’t it be a time of rejoicing for every race? When one group of people is held in bondage, the lives of all others are distorted. The same is true about the community of sub-personalities that resides within you. When one aspect of your multifaceted psyche is weak and oppressed, the rest suffer, too — even the supposedly healthy sides of you. I bring this up, Scorpio, because the astrological omens say your own liberation day is nigh. It’s time to free every part of you that is in chains.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

One of the most common obstructions to a healthy intimate relationship is what I call the delusion of clairvoyance. Like most of us, you’ve probably indulged in your share of it: You imagine, perhaps unconsciously, that your partner or friend is somehow magically psychic when it comes to you — so much so that he or she should unfailingly intuit exactly what you need, even if you don’t ask for it.

This fantasy may seem romantic, but it can singlehandedly sink the most promising alliances. You 5

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around town 32 Just fine 35 Stock holder 37 Istanbul title 40 Matey’s assent 41 Printers’ widths 42 Veracruz Mrs. 43 Broadcast slot

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buoys are 53 Poet Brooke 56 “Lemon Tree” singer Lopez

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

The fictional young English wizard Harry Potter can communicate with snakes because he knows their language, Parseltongue. The real English magician John Dee (1527-1609), who served as astrological advisor to Queen Elizabeth, was able to converse with angels in their native language of Enochian. And now, you, Pisces, are about to undergo a four-week intensive course in the language of love, which may include lessons in both Parseltongue and Enochian. By July 20, I expect you’ll be close to fluent in several new romantic dialects and an exotic variety of pillow talk.

— © Rob Brezsny You Can Call Rob Brezsny, day or night, for your Expanded Weekly Horoscope

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44 Engraving

47 Dramatic scene

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will soon encounter a big, fat obstruction to your creativity. While that may be demoralizing at first, it’s actually a good omen. It means that a previously hidden problem is revealing itself; that an inner saboteur is no longer working in secret. It means you’ll finally get to a chance to fix an energy drain you didn’t even know about. As a clue to help you in your noble struggle, Aquarius, I give you the words of novelist Joyce Carol Oates: “Writer’s block is the temporary paralysis caused by the conviction, on an unconscious level, that what the writer is attempting is in some way fraudulent, or mistaken, or self-destructive.”

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These days you remind me of the 65-year-old woman in India who gave birth to her first child; you’re like my friend John, who never touched a musical instrument until he was 37 but made himself into a top-flight guitarist by the time he was 45.

In other words, Capricorn, you’re primed to risk learning a lesson you feared you were too old for.

You’re ready to set out toward an accomplishment you’ve thought was off-limits to you forever.

Vidoes & Novelties

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must avoid feeding it even a little in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. Your intimate life is overdue for a dose of tenderly frank communication.

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’m a 25-year-old new mom, and my husband’s hassling me to let my mother see our baby. I’ve hated her since I was 10. We used to be super-close, but when I was 10, I forgot to call to let her know I’d be home late, and, as a result, she paddled my butt. Humiliating me further, she told my grandma what happened. Soon af ter, I moved in with my dad, and hardly saw my mom. The last time was when I chewed her out for showing up uninvited at my high school graduation. She’s tried to call, but I’ve refused all contact. I see it as payback: She ended the happiness of my childhood and I want her to suffer for it for the rest of her life. The problem is my husband, who wants to give her a chance. How do I handle this?

—Paddle Sore Did Mommy also angle the pot t y the wrong way when you were just a nib? Shor t you on Fig New tons in your lunchbox?

Cruelly refuse to put you on a bus to a theme park every day instead of to school?

Surely, there’s more to your hacking her out of your life for all eternit y than “she paddled my but t.” What did she paddle you with, a diving board? And where did she paddle you? With your pants pulled down in front of the entire school assembly?

There’s damage, and then there’s damage.

Get over it. Even Bush and Chirac made up, or at least agreed to see each other and trade veiled barbs. That said, does giving a kid a good paddling teach healthy conflict resolution? Not exactly. Could it lead to unhealthy obsessions — say, a 25-year-old married woman with the mot to “Hating Mommy Is My Life!”? Apparently, yes. Is it especially dim for adults to tell kids hit ting is wrong, then drive the point home by whacking them one? Mmm-hmm. And, finally, how about this meteor crater in reasoning? When some big bruiser adult hits some other big bruiser adult, they call the bail bondsman, but when some big bruiser adult hits a lit tle kid, they call it “parenting.” (Clearly, the intellectual output of somebody who got cuf fed on the head a lot.)

But, what about the idyllic childhood you’d ordered? Sadly, actual childhood is so rife with injustice that Amnest y International

should try to have it outlawed by the U.N.: years of forced labor in exchange for room and board — much like prison, except you’re related to the warden. Thousands of unrepor ted incidents of abuse — like when mommies refuse to buy their lit tle girls $200 designer jeans — supposedly, the price of admission to the in-crowd at school. Oh, the suf fering. Oh, get over it already! That’s the thought that must be galloping, day and night, through your husband’s mind. Of course, with your penchant for “payback,” the poor guy must try to keep his mouth shut — except to request that you pass him food or move out of the way when he’s about to bean you with a heavy object. (This can’t bode well for your chances for marital bliss.)

Unfor tunately, it doesn’t take great wisdom to have a baby — just working ovaries.

While it probably won’t be long before you’re canonized as an example of parental per fection, the rest of the parents in the world — your mother included — are mere mor tals who sometimes fly of f the handle when their inconsiderate brats misbehave.

For tunately, most of us inconsiderate brats grow up and realize we have bet ter things to do than sit around nursing a Mommy grudge. Sometimes, we need a lit tle prodding to realize this — say, an anger management class or a book like “Control Your Anger Before It Controls You,” by Dr. Alber t Ellis.

You’re set ting a great example for your daughter — one which should make it easier for her to cut you of f when she grows up — the per fect payback for cut ting her of f from her granny! The alternative is so boring — choosing to show her that even grownups can act like grownups if they try really hard.

For you, this would entail considering whether Mommy’s picture really belongs on the wall with the great evildoers throughout history — or whether it’s just there because you, with typical kid wisdom, put her up between Adolf and At tila when you were 10 and never got around to taking her down. If you’d like to play grownup, you can choose to forgive your mother or just give her a chance. Should she come over with a big oar and demand that you bend over, I’ll be first to advise that you cut her out of your life for good. Chances are, however, she’ll just bring a baby gif t and try to hand it to you, not whack you upside the head with it.

— © 2003, Amy Alkon

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171 Pier Ave., Box 280 • Santa Monica, CA 90405 or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com

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ROMANTIC LADY DWF, 60, no children, self-supporting, retired, attractive (so I’m told) enjoys outdoors, fishing, mountains, dining out, dancing. Seeking SWM, 58-68, N/S, for possible LTR. ☎397659

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Stud Finder YOU HAVE 6 NEW MATCHES

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M B D F H C LTR

Male Black Divorced Female Hispanic Christian Long-term Relationship

G W A S J P N/D N/S

Gay White Asian Single Jewish Professional Non-Drinker Non-smoker

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Seeking SWF, 25-35, N/S, N/D, who enjoys good times, dating, for LTR. ☎341418 COMPATIBLE WOMAN WANTED DWM, 46, 5’9”, N/S, slim build, Capricorn, N/S, enjoys old cars, boating, classic rock, horror movies, mountains, beach. Seeking SWF, 38-46, N/S, for LTR. ☎341454 THE PERFECT MATE DBM, 40, 6’, 195lbs, with 1 child, Capricorn, smoker, homeowner, loves gardening, cooking, and hunting. Seeking WF, 28-42, petite, to bedazzling. ☎873556 DON’T MISS THIS! SBM, 45, 5’10’’, 230lbs, interested in sports, jazz, movies, dining out. Would like to meet a woman with the same interests. ☎862898 TAKE ME ON Male, 34, 5’10”, 180lbs, black/hazel, Capricorn, financially secure, smoker, seeks woman, 27-39, smoker, petite, who loves Nascar and beaches. ☎429058 HERE I AM SBM, 32, 6’9”, glasses, Aries, smoker, loves singing, drawing, and dining out. Seeking a woman, 21-56, with whom to connect. ☎430788 YOU AND ME SWM, 34, enjoys outdoors, good times, movies, laughter, romance. Seeking loving, caring SWF, 20-50, for LTR. ☎412476 JUST FOR YOU SWM, 29, brown/green, 5’8”, 150lbs, employed, seeks outgoing, active SWF, 2135, who can appreciate a loving man. ☎416629 COMMITMENT SM, 6’1”, 205lbs, outspoken, outgoing, very loving, looking for SF, who is not afraid of commitment, is loving and caring. ☎406726 LET’S CHAT SWM, 53, Scorpio, N/S, college-educated, easygoing, enjoys travel and beaches.

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Seeking a woman with a good personality. ☎250070

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How do you

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Let’s not be afraid of who we are. ☎370110 “EVERYONE’S BEST FRIEND” GWF, 26, 5’6”, medium build, likes watching movies, bowling, hanging out, malls, phone conversations. Seeking fun-loving, seriousminded GWF, 22-35, medium build, for friendship and possibly more. ☎335046

WELL-ROUNDED GWPF, 24, 4’11”, brown/brown, loves animals, movies, dancing, travel, dining out, sports, conversation. Seeking GF, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎329740 BEAUTIFUL AND FEMININE GWF, 32, 5’7”, 135lbs, enjoys reading, movies, dining out, travel, sports, music, movies. Seeking GWF, 25-39, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎329063 A REFRESHING CHANGE SWF, 30, Libra, smoker, is hoping to find it in a woman, 25-45. Will show a lot of a affection. ☎307177 AVID READER Quiet SF, 24, part-time student, into all types of music, especially oldies, pets, writing poetry. Seeking a female, 24-40, with same interests. ☎283861 LOOKING FOR LOVE SBF, 32, 140lbs, 5’8”, down-to-earth, likes clubs, movies, and quiet times. Looking for a female, 30-35, with the same interests. If you’re the one, call me. Aiken, South Carolina. ☎113533 OUTGOING FUN WF, 28...

5’3”, medium build, loves movies, putt-putt golf, and bowling. Seeking WF, 25-40, medium build, for fun and friendship. Hope to hear from you soon. ☎958847 MAN FOR ALL SEASONS GBF, 31, 5’6”, brown/brown, Cancer, smoker, enjoys kids, bowling. Seeking open-minded, passionate, understanding GBF, 23-45, for LTR. ☎941850 NO INTRO NEEDED SWF, 39, 5’7”, 145lbs, homeowner, easygoing, selfless, Taurus, smoker, loves movies and bowling. Seeking WF, 35-49, with comparable interests. ☎935299 A GOOD HEART SF, 39, goes to church, works for a living, likes having fun, going on trips. Seeking a similar female, 37-49. ☎780112 GIVE ME A RING Cute SBF, 30-something, seeks attractive SF, 25-45, for friendship, maybe more. No games. ☎965825 WASTE NO TIME GBF, 36, enjoys dining out, cooking, dining out. Seeking attractive, open-minded, fun, nice GF, 25-45, for friendship and possibly more. ☎965823

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lNOT YOUR RUN-OF-THE MILL Offbeat SWM, 31, 6’2’’, artist, enjoys independent movies, museums and punk rock shows. Seeking SF who is into art, music, and anarchy.

48142

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Classifieds Help Wanted

Now Hiring!

X-Mar t Currently hiring full time clerks.

Neat appearance, cashier experience preferred.

Apply in person 1367 Gordon Highway.

For directions call 706-774-9755 (7/31#8103) $ EXTRA INCOME $ Make Big Money without a huge down line and we help build it for you. **Guaranteed** 1-800-570-9893 Ex t. A936 (06/19#8140)

Equipment WOLFF TANNING BEDS AFFORDABLE • CONVIENENT Tan At Home Payments From $25/month FREE Color-Catalog Call Today 1-800-842-1305 (06/19#8100)

Private Investigators RAY WILLIAMSON & ASSOCIATES Private Investigations 17 years experience Domestic Relations and Child Custody Cases Licensed and Bonded in Georgia & Carolina 706-854-9672 or 706-854-9678 fa x (06/19#8121)

Alt. Lifestyles

READINGS BY

Golf Clubs: Nike Drivey, 9.5 degree stiff graphite $140; Top Flight Irons, S.S. rifle shots $140. Also callaway woods. Les 860-3387 (08/14#8133) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Black Jump Boots. Never Worn. $25.00 706798-7954 (07/24#8115) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Regency Crystal Police Scanner. Base or mobile, receives Aiken County agencies. $35.00. 706-798-7954. (07/17#8112) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Bedroom Suite, dresser, chest of drawers & headboard. All 3 pieces $50.00 912-829-3226 or 912-829-4556 (07/10#8105) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Snap-On IM51 Air Impact Wrench, 1/2” drive, good condition, $75.00. National Detroit DA Air Sander, good condition, $60.00 Ask for Larry (813)391-9580. (07/10#8106) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Tons of Cloth! All types/pat terns good grade material. Will sell all for $35.00, 912-829-3226 or 912-829-4556 (07/10#8104) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dining Room Table - Never used, rectangular solid light wood. Seats 4-6, paid $200.00, sell for $75.00 OBO. Silver Sony CD Car Stereo, w/ remote, paid $200.00, sell for $75.00 OBO. 706-799-0417.

(06/26#8083)) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Black Magnum Lace up Boots. New, never worn. Per fect for public safety officers. Sizes 9 1/2 and 10. $30.00 each. 706-798-7954.

(06/26#8084)

If You’re not Partying at Argos, The Tower of Argos or at The Shack…

R E A D I N G S

Mrs. Graham, Psychic Reader, Advises on all affairs of life, such as love, marriage, and business. She tells your past, present and future. Mrs. Graham does palm, tarot card, and crystal readings. She specializes in relationships and reuniting loved ones.

341 S. Belair Rd. Open from 9 a.m. til 9 p.m.

Call (706) 733-5851

Full Body Massage!

Therapeutic tension relief, intense or tender touch, rela xing music, aromatherapy, by appointment only - $49.00/hr Call Joy - 706-771-9470 or John - 706-868-5598 (06/19#8120)

Bhakti Yoga

Now at Sacred Space 206 8th St. (706) 556-8490

www.metrospirit.com

You’ll Be Back

1923 Walton Way • Open Mon-Fri for Happy Hour @ 6:00pm with $1 off everything Every Fri & Sat Garage Party from 9-10 with all drinks only $1 (Everything $1)

Thu

Karaoke Dance Party with DJ Joe Steel.

Fri

Mr. Club Argos

Sat

Argos Angels’ Cabaret

Business For Sale Income Proper ty in Wadley, Ga Gameroom & Family Cafe, Both Rented.

Six 1-room furnished apar tments, Four rented.

Assessed at over $100,000.

Make of fer, willing to negotiate.

478-237-5986 (07/03#8132)

Resort Rentals

Religion Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer A Christian Church reaching to all: including Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered Christians.

Meeting at 311 Seventh Street, 11 am and 7 pm each Sunday. 722-6454 MCCAugusta@aol.com www.mccoor.com

Her showcast is not just Drag it’s pure talent.

Her special guest June 22

Evonne Santonni

Goth Night Mr. Georgia USA

Show starts at 12:30 am Come let us entertain you.

Every weekend come see who is dancing in the cages!

Swingers, TVTS & all openminded patrons

(803) 441-0053 425 Carolina Springs Rd North Augusta, SC

Call us @ 481-8829 or email us at ClubArgos@aol.com

Come have fun where the party doesn’t end!

Argos welcomes Gay, Lesbian, Bi, BDSM,

... You’re Not Partying

THE COLISEUM

Premier Entertainment Complex & High Energy Dance Music Friday, 6/20 Venus - Goddess of Love Saturday, 6/21 Brianna COMING EVENTS Friday, 7/18 Mr. Augusta CSRA Pride 2003 Contest

Drink Specials: WED $9 Wet N' Wild SAT All You Can Drink Well/Liquor/Draft $9

Open Mon-Fri 8pm-3am Sat 8pm-2:30am

Fri & Sat. No Cover Before 10 p.m.

1632 Walton Way • Augusta, GA

WE’RE BACK! Free Cover w/ Coupon MARLBORO STATION 141 Marlboro Station, Aiken S.C.

803-644-6485

706-733-2603

Email: ColiseumAugusta@aol.com

Travel

Wheels

Dead Bodies Wanted

Services

We want your dead junk or scrap car bodies.

We tow away and for some we pay.

W. Brack!

Lawn Care/Landscapes 6 Years Experience Services include Lawnmowing, Edging, Weedeating and Hedgework.

Flowers, Trees, Shrubs and Bed Construction.

Free Estimates!

706-592-1273 Bonded and Insured (07/10#8137) Karaoke/DJ Bars, Clubs & Private Par ties Flexable Pricing 706-394-4579 (7/10#8138)

DJ Chip DJ Buckwheat Karaoke 8-12 with DJ Joe

Sasha Sundays

COMING EVENTS Fri, June 27 Fri, July 4

Monday-Sunday Happy Hour now starting at 4pm $2 Long necks $3 Wells Fri Sat Sun

Wed Download Reflux Dance Party

Real Estate

Amelia Island, Florida 2 Bedroom 2 bath direct ocean front condo in the hear t of historical Fernandina Beach, Florida. A convenient location without the crowds.

736-7070 -----------560-8980 (06/19#8122)

Look for us online at: www.metrospirit.com “click on Datemaker”

The Shack ...

Club Argos Dance Club & The Tower of Argos Leather Bar Augusta’s Premier Progressive House Dance & Entertainment Zone with DJ Joe Steel.

706/829-2676

www.metrospirit.com

M E T R O S P I R I T

Miscellaneous For Sale

MRS. GRAHAM

C A R D

Call 738-1142 to place your Classified ad today!

Mind, Body & Spirit

SPECIAL READINGS WITH CARD

Executive DirectorFirst Tee Augusta Executive director will administer youth outreach program and develop par tnership with local youth organizations and volunteers.

Fundraising experience desirable.

Fa x resumes to:706-868-7457, At tn. Laurie or e-mail to : lunderwood@hullstorey.com (06/19#8136)

51

OR

706/798-9060

J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3

NOW OPEN IN WEST AUGUSTA! GERALD JONES VW/AUDI

CHECK OUT our full line of

BRAND NEW 2003

(and some 2004’s)

VW & AUDIS!

Come see us for all your VW/Audi service needs!

David & Andy Jones

Gerald Jones Volkswagen/Audi 706-738-2561 Located in the former Columbia Square Shopping Center in West Augusta

15 M E T R O S P I R I T J U N E 1 9 2 0 0 3