Metro Spirit 06.27.2013

METRONEWS AUGUSTA TEK CROSSWORD FEATURE

GabrielVega|lead designer gabe@themetrospirit.com

BrendaCarter|senior account executive brenda@themetrospirit.com

AmyChristian|arts editor/production director amy@themetrospirit.com

JoeWhite|publisher joe@themetrospirit.com

JohnnyBeckworth|circulation manager johnny@themetrospirit.com

Michael-RKQVRQ_VLJKWLQJV Valerie(PHULFN_ZULWHU Amy3HUNLQV_HGLWRULDO LQWHUQ Laura3HUU\_YROXQWHHU KristinHawkins|editorial intern

WHINELINE Let me get this straight Josh Ruffin hates guns but gets off on watching two UFC fighters pummel each other into a bloody pulp. So hes anti gun but pro violence for sport.

I love this new once a week trash pick up. Now I can get

fish bait from my own trash can. Plus, by the end of summer we can dump that old slogan of “The Garden City” and call ourselves “The City OF Flies”. Cool, huh? *North* West? Apparently celebrities want their children to grow up extra emotionally and mentally

challenged from the get go.

Sheeesh.

commission members at different times in different cities. a bribe is a bribe.

o r t e m IRIT SP someone interesting and relevant to write for your paper? I really don’t think this woman has even graduated high school.

“Religions are there to close peoples minds. Schools exist Please quit allowing to educate. Religions exist to JennyWright to write full page indoctrinate.” -Brian Williams articles for your publication. Hey..I am heterosexual!! Can I No one gives two green bird get a parade? ??

I have given cash,tickets,and craps about her pregnant friend or her “The Man/Boy/ other things ,such as tote (continued on page 38) bags full of money to various Girl/or Gender Confused” family. Why don’t you find

08 10 11 14

EVENTS CALENDAR SIGHTINGS JENNY IS WRIGHT ART 45

16 29 30 31

SLAB THE 8

32 36

WHINE LINE

EricJohnson|news editor eric@themetrospirit.com

o r t e m IR P S 04 06 07

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Contributors Greg Baker|Sam Eifling |Kristin Hawkins |Rhonda Jones |Austin Rhodes|Josh Ruffin|Matt Stone|Adam Wadding|Jenny Wright

INSIDER RUFFIN’ IT AUSTIN RHOES

Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.© 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.

CONTENTS

The Power of Computing: Richmond County Sheriff’s Office finally enters the age of computing Sharp Heritage: Augusta native uses saw blades to make highquality custom knives All In: World Tavern Poker win brings Augusta closer to the spotlight

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

SIDER

Get the Popcorn Perry Mason could wrap things up in 60 minutes and the legal parts of all those various Law and Orders could usually pull things off in half that, but real-life court cases move around in inches, not minutes — sometimes forward, sometimes backward.

The Sentinel Probation legal saga — either a righteous crusade or a punitive witch hunt, depending on where you sit — hasn’t provided much yet in terms of TV-style drama, but that doesn’t mean it’s not been without its share of good theater. After all, it’s not every day state court judges and the sheriff contend their ability to carry out their sworn duties is being infringed upon by a lawyer’s civil lawsuits.

But that’s just where we stand, at least for another week or so.

Judge Danny Craig allowed the April restraining order prohibiting the enforcement of arrest warrants requested by the private probation company to continue for a bit longer, as attorneys for both sides gear up for the next big legal barrage.

Sentinel wants to hear from Chief Judge Carlisle Overstreet about attorney Jack Long’s claim that Sentinel never had a valid contract to provide services in Columbia County.

Sentinel has since moved out of the county.

Long, who earlier in the month lost an appeal in federal court in a civil case where he alleged Sentinel was liable for damages under racketeering laws while also having his constitutional challenge of private probation knocked down on a technicality, wants to depose a couple of Sentinel employees who have painted Sentinel as a patient, caring company that has show lenience with stubborn probationers.

Both Overstreet and the employees could have a lot to say about where things go from here.

Given what’s at stake, now might be the time to make the popcorn.

Tickets? Tickets?

A civil lawsuit against Joe Mullins has been filed in federal court for allegedly leaving 100 Masters guest high and dry. The Canadian company suing Mullins claims they wired him almost $350,000 for the four-day badges. Roughly $40,000 of that was for extraneous items.

One thing is sure; tickets spiked this year. With Tiger in the hunt, prices soared all week long. If Mullins did in fact promise 100 four-day badges at $3,000 each, he could have potentially lost close to a cool million. The suit seeks damages of over that amount in addition to the $300,000 they claim was sent, the rest being damages for defamation, libel and slander.

Local badge traders say that ain’t gonna happen. If the allegations do prove to be true, they say the most he can expect to pay the company would be the amount they can prove they sent him. The economy of that tournament must be larger than a lot of country’s GDP.

CORRECTION

Last week’s Art 45 story “Love and Acceptance” incorrectly stated that Amy Christian was the author. Metro Spirit arts writer Valerie Emerick actually wrote the story. The Metro Spirit regrets the error.

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Be Considerate this 4th of July To the Metro Spirit: When I was a child, my parents would take our family to see beautiful fireworks displays on holidays like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day. They explained that the “explosions” were symbolic of explosions from gunfire and bombs in battle, during wartime, when men and women fought and died for our freedoms.

Over the years, I have continued to enjoy the fireworks displays put on by pyrotechnic engineers, accompanied by firemen to maintain public safety during the events. Some of the most spectacular displays I have seen have been at Disney World and Disney Land.

But things have really changed. Fireworks, firecrackers, rockets and many varieties of “bombs” became really popular entertainment for people of all ages, in spite of the danger they present by handling them incorrectly. They are readily available for purchase. Even though they are illegal to use in many areas, including residential areas, they are very prevalent. People who put on their own personal fireworks shows don’t worry about complaints or law enforcement because the officers have so many other issues of a higher priority to deal with that, well, firecrackers end up being “acceptable.”

What is the attraction? Do people just get a thrill making all that racket, regardless of how it bothers their neighbors? They probably don’t take into consideration that some people would like to sleep, and can’t because of the noise. I am sure they don’t consider that those loud noises, like gunshot noises, might scare small children, elderly people and people with various types of mental illness or phobias. They surely don’t consider the trauma and anxiety it causes some military veterans who may have flashbacks of bombs and gunfire. And I am sure that it would never occur to them to consider that animals are scared of them, too, whether they are domestic pets, in the house or outside, or animals out in the wild. Many family pets have run off from their homes because they were so scared.

Fireworks in residential areas are illegal, but more than that, they are a very inconsiderate invasion of the peace and quiet people expect when they are in their own homes. There really are many professional displays to go see so as not to disrupt the peace in a neighborhood.

Or take them to an empty parking lot with lots of space and few people to disturb.

Please, at least take the time to consider others next time you think about fireworks. Not all neighbors appreciate the “show” (and the noise) you are putting on, or the trash left behind. And very few neighbors will risk friendships or even retaliation by saying something to you about it.

Fireworks, like everything else, have a time and place that they are appropriate, and very much enjoyed. It is possible for us all to enjoy fireworks without being bombarded in our own homes.

Lorna Barrett Augusta 27JUNE2013

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Back Pew Hero Worship Part seven: Faith, fanfare and diminished returns I hope the eight of you who read this column will forgive me for running another installment of this fight-sport-meets-sociology-by-way-of-the-night’s-thirdbeer series, but what transpired in the boxing ring this past week, combined with a few more layers peeled damningly back from one of the decade’s more highprofile scandals, merited one of these columns, if only because I couldn’t really be bothered to read Slate on such short notice. And for those of you wondering: St. Bernardus Abt 12, followed by two Tallgrass Pub Ales.

I’ve worked 36 hours this weekend. My wings are a shield of steel.

In my world last night, Adrien Broner narrowly defeated Paulie Malignaggi by split decision (115-113, 113-115 and a chortle-worthy 117-111) to win the WBA welterweight title, as if that means much of anything these days. Boxing titles are little more than a series of alphabet trinkets utilized to slap false stakes onto any given fight, and I say “any given fight” because half of the world’s professional boxers hold some form of title.

Have you ever heard of the BBBofC (I swear to God that’s not a typo) Midlands super bantamweight title?

Neither had I, until I learned that it was once held by Englishman Peter “The Professor” Buckley (44-256).

Let’s start with Broner. He’s only 23 years old, and, like most hot prospects with preternatural talent, has been matched carefully and hyped to the heavens. After this weekend, he stands at 27-0 with 22 knockouts, with a few wins over decent competition.

Essentially, he’s a massively gifted athlete with a great marketing team. His swagger is so manufactured, Affliction sued it for copyright infringement. He wants to be Floyd Mayweather so painfully, so obviously, so badly, that when Mayweather showed up to watched the Broner-Malignaggi fight, another sequel to “Back to the Future” spontaneously began pre-production.

Malignaggi is cut from a similar, yet remarkably different, swath of entrance robe. Endlessly charismatic and blessed with the requisite “gift of gab,” Malignaggi (32-5, 7 KO) has ridden a combination of his borderline-cult of personality and serviceable if hyperactive boxing skills to a rabid grassroots following in his native Brooklyn. He may possess about as much punching power as the average raindrop, but the “Magic Man” has put on veritable boxing clinics against the likes of Lovemore N’dou and Viacheslav Senchenko (who recently reretired the great Ricky Hatton), uncharacteristically

slicing and dicing the latter before finishing him in the ninth round to win the title he lost this weekend.

Despite his brash candy shell, Malignaggi is markedly eloquent and a true student of the game, even serving as regular color man for boxing broadcasts.

The two were matched as much for their propensity for trashtalking as for the stylistic clash pundits hoped and promised their meeting would provide. Still, the hoped-for result, as far as those in the gate-return business are concerned, was a Broner rout. Malignaggi, though having struggled against the underwhelming Pablo Cesar Cano some months prior, was still riding a career resurgence off the crest of his Senchenko win, and offered a much-needed injection of credibility to the list of Broner’s scalps. Remember, the career of every boxer south of 168 pounds is a big-money fight with Floyd Mayweather; this is undoubtedly the endgame for everyone in the Broner business.

The result was not pretty, at least not for those with closure in mind. In fact, it was maddeningly even, with Malignaggi’s accurate pitter-patters holding up against Broner’s more measured, carefully picked power shots. Neither fighter was truly rocked and, given a level playing field, this would have been considered a perfectly entertaining, hard-fought contest.

But boxing is not a level playing field, and is rarely that simple. The decision would have been controversial had it gone either way — the fight was that evenly-matched — but the fact that it swung the way of Adrien Broner and his “Next Coming” status only amplified the grumblings, and for two reasons: 1) it is always expected that, if the fight is close, the decision will in fact swing in favor of the money fighter. Broner fulfilled that role to a tee, and he bears the entirety of that burden. 2) The first reason heightens the veracity of the second: that Broner is not who we thought he was, at least not yet.

And now — jarring segue alert — there’s this: Even before a former U.S. intelligence contractor exposed the secret collection of Americans’ phone records, the Obama administration was pressing a government-wide crackdown on security threats that requires federal employees to keep closer tabs on their co-workers and exhorts managers to punish those who fail to report their suspicions.

President Barack Obama’s unprecedented initiative, known as the Insider Threat Program, is sweeping in its reach. It has received scant public attention

even though it extends beyond the U.S. national security bureaucracies to most federal departments and agencies nationwide, including the Peace Corps, the Social Security Administration and the Education and Agriculture departments. It emphasizes leaks of classified material, but catchall definitions of “insider threat” give agencies latitude to pursue and penalize a range of other conduct. — McClatchy, June 20, 2013 In layman’s terms: this is the Thought Police from Orwell’s “1984,” and was propagated by, among other things, the 2009 Fort Hood murders by Army Major Nidal Hassan, which government officials failed to stop, even though they were monitoring his emails to an al Qaeda-affiliated cleric. Translation: act out, and down you go.

The administration seeks to balance this decrepitude of the judicial system by offering up increased protection to whistleblowers who utilize “proper” channels to report “waste and fraud,” but come on.

The leaking of documents has now been equated to aiding and abetting enemies of the United States as a country. Further, government documents have revealed the scrutinizing of any unauthorized material, not limited to classified information. As a result, toxic work environments are fostered; a unilateral, unquestioning common denominator — as opposed to a diversified, critically thinking workforce — is promoted, is rhetorically armed.

I voted for Obama. Twice. I denigrated his Republican opponents — rightfully so — and defended his social policies, again rightfully so. And I won’t say I’ve been completely duped, as there is much that this administration has gotten right — not to belabor the point, but much of it resides in the realm of sociology — but so many shady tendencies are now coming to light. I bolstered a champion, and he turned out to be like all the others: a clone of a prospect with a colorful back story.

When I wrote music reviews for the Metro Spirit, I would listen to grind songs over and over again, so that I’d be able to pick out and enunciate the most telling riffs, the most transcendent grooves that were buried beneath the noise. And I did, dutifully.

But it was still noise.

JOSHRUFFIN, a Metro Spirit alum, is a published

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

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Still Locked Up for Great-Grandpa’s Crimes Word this week is that the U.S. Supreme Court is finally coming to its senses in the way it views the archaic Voting Rights Act. I wonder how those supporting the continuation of the hideously prejudiced VRA would feel if the criminal code were applied in the same way?

Great Grandpa Joe was a chicken thief, so all his progeny must register their chickens with the government and, if they ever add or subtract chickens, they must immediately seek government certification and permission. The theory being, you can’t trust a damn chicken thief, or anyone who is related to him. Ever.

Or even better: The relatives of Grandpa Joe’s generation lived in a neighborhood full of chicken thieves 80 years ago, so now the people who live in that neighborhood are automatically assumed to be chicken thieves, whether they were alive when the last chicken was stolen or not, and whether they even knew a chicken thief, or a relative of a chicken thief or, for that matter, a chicken. The theory being, you can’t trust the people who live where damn chicken thieves used to live. Ever.

The politically correct cowards in Congress (ironically known as “chickens”) who voted to extend the Voting Rights Act in 2006 did so for one of two primary reasons: They are genuine left-wing, civilrights zealots who automatically distrust any move by any white person to alter or change a political subdivision, or in any way regulate voting. Or, they were terrified some left-wing, civil-rights zealot would publicly accuse them of being a racist, a bigot or a caveman.

Since I fall into neither category, I am happy to explain (yet again) why those who are challenging the constitutionality of the law are right on the money, and why those who continue to push it are misguided, and most likely bigots to boot.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was needed and necessary at the time it was originally passed.

But the “national disease” it was drafted to cure has long been eradicated, and just like medicine is discontinued after it has been effective, so too must be the VRA. In those days there were pockets of this country, particularly in the South, and in the urban centers of the northeast (New York and Boston), midwest (Chicago), and west (Los Angeles) that were openly hostile to minority voters. Actually, there were very few “enlightened” areas back then that weren’t hostile. Anywhere there was a concentration of minority citizens, there were problems.

Horrific tales of voter suppression and the murders of those who worked against it forced the feds to take drastic action Slowly but surely most of the evil people responsible for the oppressive practices were eradicated, marginalized and exposed.

Another wonderful ally in the fight against these racist clowns was Father Time. To be truthful, the citizens who did not evolve through soul searching and education on the issue of equality and fairness, for the most part have died out. (And good riddance to the dinosaurs!)

Yes, there are a very small percentage of idiots who still believe that skin color means something, but they are such anomalies that their few organized activities are nothing more than freak shows for the 21st century. Besides, there are now more racists on the other side doing their best to settle the score when it comes to making fools out of themselves.

Proof positive that the VRA is seriously out of step with the times was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt a few years back, here in Augusta.

The shrinking tax base in the “old city” had leaders on the verge of real bankruptcy, and the only way out was the long sought after (by whites) consolidation with the Richmond County government.

Because the merger altered the balance of power (blacks were in the majority in the “old city”), the U.S. Justice Department had to approve any plan to consolidate. Funny thing, though; by their own rules, they could not tell the city and county how to properly consolidate. All they could do was show up after a successful vote (which occurred in 1988), and if anyone complained (as did a group of “concerned minority ministers”), hold up the consolidation until all parties were satisfied.

No instructions to “fix” the problems. No guidance on how to avoid problems. No roadmap to an easy political solution. It was the equivalent of a cop telling you that you were breaking the law, but not telling you how, why or when... and oh, by the way, you better cease the illegal activity!

The “solution” (LOL) was to bring the (then) political leader of the black community to the table and have him sign off on the sweetest of sweetheart deals for the minority community. Charles Walker was that man, endorsing the consolidated government agreement that is now in place, with a hideous track record that speaks for itself.

All brought to you by The Voting Rights Act of 1965.

None of that has to do with the constitutional issues a number of governors (Georgia’s and South Carolina’s among them over the years) have raised about the uneven scrutiny certain regions must endure under the VRA. That mandate seems to violate the equal protection aspects of the Constitution, and that should be a slam dunk for its ultimate defeat.

But, as the Supreme Court has showed us in the past, common sense is often at odds with their opinion of what’s constitutional.

Horrific illnesses sometimes call for dangerous medicine, but keeping the VRA intact in 2013 is akin to full strength chemotherapy for cancer patients, long after their cancer has disappeared.

AUSTINRHODES

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

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ERICJOHNSON

Sharp Heritage

Augusta native uses saw blades to make high-quality custom knives

The first things you notice when John Grooms slides open the door of his workshop in rural Sylvania are the big saw blades. They’re hanging on the wall immediately inside, and they’re huge. One has the outlines of different sized knife blades drawn on it, while the other has those outlines cut out.

“That one comes from a big sawmill in New York,” he says, nodding toward the wall. “I just have people all over — sawmills, antique shops. A lot of the steel I use is way over 100 years old.”

The pre-war steel is much better than today’s, he says, but it’s getting tough to find.

Grooms knows good steel. As a custom knife maker, he repurposes these old saw blades and turns them into decorative and functional pieces of man-art. Kitchen knives, filet knives, oyster knives, cleavers. The knives he makes are as utilitarian as they are beautiful, and they’re as individual as a pinecone. In some cases, literally.

An Augusta native, Grooms has been interested in knives all his life “My step-grandfather used to sit on a back doorstep by the old bridge over the railroad tracks on Highway 25,” he says. “He used to live right down there and he would sit there working on a knife. And I’m talking literally by hand. There were 8

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no machines. There was no nothing.”

Through his grandfather, Grooms gained an appreciation for steel and the process of making knives, which makes him a dying breed. Even Bear Grylls, TV’s MacGyver-like survival expert, carries a factory-made Gerber blade.

“I was raised off of the 1900 block of Broad Street

by Broadway Bait and Tackle,” he says. “There used to be a man named Mr. John on 15th Street who used to sharpen saw blades. He would tell me about making knives out of them, and I just kind of got hooked.”

Hooked or not, he didn’t immediately start making knives for a living, however. He became a licensed contractor and only turned to the knives full-time when the construction work dried up.

“I just thank God I had this talent,” he says. “I just started grinding metal when construction died five years ago, and it’s been nonstop.”

Now, his Briar Creek Blades are featured among the other objects of manliness in the Southeastern Armory section of Friedman’s. They have the oldworld craftsmanship and attention to detail you expect to find in a store like that, and their origin makes them perfect conversation pieces. Some are made from big saw blades like the ones hanging in the shop, some are made from two-man crosscut saws and some are made out of Damascus steel, a type of steel made by combining different kinds of metal to form a single blade.

Grooms holds out a piece of rough Damascus that he made down in Savannah. It’s part leaf spring, part chipper blade and part bandsaw blade.

Later, he takes the rough steel through a series of sanders.

Some of the sanders use 2,500 grit belts, which are as smooth as a ribbon.

Though he can buy the Damascus steel far cheaper than he can make it himself, he sometimes uses a gas box and heats the different metals own his own. He heats them until they’re cherry red, then folds them back on themselves like taffy. If you look closely, you can see the different veins of metal in the blade.

He also likes to decorate the blades by adding patina. Using coffee grounds, mustard, lemon juice and a little coffee for the stained color, he lets the concoction set for about six hours, then runs a Q-Tip down the blade. The result is a one-of-a-kind 27JUNE2013

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pattern that gives the blade character.

Grooms uses that same ingenuity for the other parts of the knife as well. He makes handles out of wood, camel bone, antlers and resin, even going as far as adding mosaic patterns to the blade fasteners.

For one popular handle, he cuts a pinecone down the middle with a band saw, runs it over a sander, then places it in a frame holding resin to make a kind of Rorschach pattern. If he flips the pinecone the other way, it looks like the backbone of a fish.

Even his hand-stitched leather sheaths show creativity.

“I don’t like a clean sheath,” he says. “A slick finish — I can’t stand that. I’ll beat it with a hammer if I have to.”

Hitting the leather in one direction with a hammer, then turning the sheath and coming back over it from the other direction, he creates a kind of tree bark pattern. He also uses barbed wire and different skins, including salmon skin, which he glues on the leather. Anything to get a texture onto the leather.

“I’ll roll it out, I’ll cut it and I’ll punch the holes,” he says. “I’ll glue it, then I’ll take it over to the drill press. It takes me a while to do a sheath. I can put an hour or two into a sheath in a heartbeat.”

In addition to that, it takes him anywhere from eight to 20 hours to complete a knife itself. Already labor intensive, the process if further slowed by the demands of the metal, requiring him to work on eight to 10 knives at any given time.

“If you get this metal hot, you take the temper out of it,” he says. “So you have to work on it a little bit and go on to another one.”

He puts one through a sander, eliciting a shower of sparks that dance randomly through the air before quickly dying out.

Currently, he’s working on a lot of cleavers. He’s always had a fascination with cleavers, and he’s one of only a few knife makers making them. The blade he’s producing these days he traced from one he saw in an antique store.

The knife-making community is small and close knit, Grooms says, and the work is constantly evolving. He’s starting to add file work to his blades, for example, and he’s started perfecting what he calls the ultimate oyster knife.

“Everyone has their ultimate oyster knife,” he says. “I’ve got two or three guys who are competition in oyster knives, but I’m trying to get a step beyond them.”

He unwraps a piece of cloth and proudly shows off the oyster blade, but not before making sure the camera is off. It’s an important blade to him, and he’s not quite ready to make the design public.

Briar Creek Blades are available at Southeastern Armory in Friedman’s Jewelers.

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GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D

Re-Imagined

A new version of a classic puts you in the game Imagine yourself running through a dark maze lined with glowing orbs.

You have to consume the orbs to stay alive, so you keep going. But you know that around the next corner could be a merciless wraith yearning to suck your life right out of existence.

If you didn’t know better, you probably thought that I was talking about Pac-Man. Well, it turns out that I am. FPS-Man provides a new point of view for the arcade classic. Specifically, first-person shooter. Instead of the top-down view of the maze, the walls rise up beside you and you trek trough the tunnels without any knowledge of what around the next corner. And did I mention the spooky music?

A fan’s comment says it best — “Holy (bleep), turns out pac man is a scary game” Un-Imagined — What could be better than watching the original “Star Wars,” only using the technology that was available at the time? For example, how about ASCII and TELNET? This has been around for a while, but for the readers that were born in this century, pull up a command prompt. Type “telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl” and enjoy the show!

WWDC — The Apple World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) occurred last week. Traditionally, this has been the place that Apple has introduced its new product lines. No real game changers from the usual suspects this year, so for the sake of brevity, let me run through the highlights in bullet form.

— Apple’s newest operating system iOS7 was introduced. The OS got a font upgrade and a lot of features that were ripped off from Andriod, WebOS and Microsoft Phone 8.

— The MacBook Air got a new battery, but no retina display.

— The next desktop operating system OS X will not be named after a cat. Instead it will be named after a strip of California coastline knows as Maverick.

— MacBook Pro? iWatch? Umm… nothing.

The big tease of this year’s WWDC was the Mac Pro. Apple’s high-end desktop promises to be a beast: Up to 12-core CPU, next generation flash providing 1 GBps throughput, and dual GPU supporting 4K video on three different displays. Not to be outdone, the designers packaged all this into a cylindrical form factor that’s about one-eighth the size of the current Mac Pro. Quite a nice-looking package, actually.

Look for it at the Apple Store later this year.

NSA Follow-Up — Looks like this topic is going to be around for a while, or at least until Edward Snowden is caught. A lot has been said about Snowden.

Here’s my two cents.

When the actions of the government diverge from the principles upon which the government was founded, no one should be surprised when free individuals begin to speak up. Our country was started by a group of individuals who risked life and liberty in a stance against an oppressive government. The signers of the Declaration of Independence, including Augusta’s own George Walton, were considered criminals and traitors and subject to the same vitriol that we now hear focused on Snowden.

That said, the rule of law must be respected, especially among a group of individuals that strive for self-government. Mr. Snowden broke the law in a severe manner. It is appropriate for him to be returned to the U.S. and be tried accordingly for his actions. History will have to decide whether he’s a patriot or a traitor.

Until next time, I’m off the grid @gregory_a_baker.

GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D, is vice president and chief rocket scientist for CMA, which provides information technology services to CSRA businesses and nonprofits.

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Question box

By Mel Rosen / Edited by Will Shortz 1

Note: When this puzzle is done, take the answers to the 10 starred clues and arrange them across and down in crossword fashion in the central 5x5 box.

The resulting five-letter word spelled out diagonally by the circles will answer the question asked at 23-, 34-, 82- and 98-Across.

44 46 48 49 51 53 54 56 57 58 61

*What’s in store June honoree Be moribund, say *Move, as a plant Black ___ Wrinkle remover *Sandy spots, maybe *Chart-topper Novelist Puzo Dollar rival It’s said when a light bulb goes on 62 Cheap booze Down 63 *Auto shop inventory 1 Flimsy, as an excuse 64 Jean-___ Picard of “Star Trek: 2 British fop T.N.G.” 3 Gemstone for most Libras 67 Lord’s worker 4 Lap-dog breed 68 ___ 51 (conspiracy theory 5 Channel starting in 2003 subject) 6 Tennis great Tommy 69 Mercury and Saturn 7 Espionage agcy. with a leader 72 Dr.’s order played by Tom Cruise 73 Literary olios 8 Present need?

74 “Les Trois Villes” novelist 9 Nashville-based variety show, 1969- 77 At it 92 78 Features of some cowboy shirts 10 With lots of room to spare 79 QB Tim 11 Breathe 80 Guttural 12 Lugs 81 Partition into multiple bits 13 “Doctor ___” 82 ___-Babylonian (ancient Semitic 14 Big around the middle language) 15 *Works 83 Major-leaguer with three 60+ 16 French lord home run seasons 17 Wee 84 Sort of 21 Kama ___ 85 Ogling type 24 Horror director Eli 86 Part of a day 25 Polynesian entertainments 87 Type type 26 Game stopper 88 Cliché, often 31 Protected goose 89 *Late office opening, say 32 Biblical son begat by a 105-year93 “Pursuit of the Graf ___” (1956 old father war film) 33 Sleeping sickness carrier 94 Lip 34 Protein-rich soup 95 Old satellite-launching rocket 35 Poet banished in A.D. 8 96 Gave out 36 Level 97 Motion carriers 37 *End of ___ 99 Shul fixture 38 Official in a mask 100 ___ kwon do 42 One taking applications 101 General on Chinese menus 43 Kelly of “The West Wing”

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diagonal red arrow 94 Explorer or Escape, in brief 95 J.F.K.’s historic ___ Flight Center 98 End of the trivia question 102 Journalist/writer Herbert 103 Ryan of “The Beverly Hillbillies” 104 Info for airport greeters 105 Maine-to-Florida rte.

106 Captain ___ 107 They’re tapped 108 Some deli buys 109 *Cruise stops

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PREVIOUSPUZZLEANSWERS

Across 1 *Some boat covers 6 Exorbitant 10 Eye liner?

14 Climbed 18 “Climb onto Papa’s lap!”

19 Beau’s girl 20 A lot of the Beatles’ “She Loves You” 22 1960s TV boy 23 Start of a trivia question 27 Patriots’ org.

28 Wallops 29 Wallops 30 Constellation next to Gemini 31 Brooklyn athlete 32 Latin phrase at the end of a list 33 Three-part 34 Trivia question, Part 2 39 Joint czar with Peter I 40 Drink that’s stirred 41 “If only you could ___ now” 42 Maritime letters 45 Assess, with “up” 46 France’s Académie ___ Beaux-Arts 47 Grp. involved in back-to-school night 49 Stitch 50 Rhyming honor 51 Ding, say 52 Symbol of remoteness 54 Vocal fanfare 55 Romeo and Juliet, e.g.

56 Insincere earnestness 59 Shul reading 60 India’s ___ Coast 63 Garden 65 Rocky Mountain tribe 66 ___ cable (TV hookup) 67 Cause for plastic surgery, maybe 70 PC game sensation of the early 2000s, with “The” 71 Certain drive-thru convenience 73 Three-point line, e.g.

74 Complete loser 75 “___ boy!”

76 Tammany Hall problem 80 “N.B.A. on ___” 81 Like the earth and some apples 82 Trivia question, Part 3 87 Betrays 90 Razzers 91 Italian for 86-Down 92 Texas oil city 93 Company whose logo has a

A P A C E

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27JUNE2013

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 11

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ERICJOHNSON

All In

World Tavern Poker win brings Augusta closer to the spotlight For a poker player, Wes Hyman is all smiles, and for good reason. As tournament director for the poker tournaments held every Tuesday night at Malibu Jack’s, one of his own is making waves. Big waves.

Butch McDaniel, a Special Forces veteran who plays every Tuesday night at Malibu Jack’s, won the National Card Player’s Championship at the World Tavern Poker League national tournament held at Atlantic City. With that win he took home over $2,000, a seat at a World Series of Poker qualifier and got his name in the World Tavern Poker Hall of Fame.

“It’s a tremendous win for the whole state of Georgia,” Hyman says.

World Tavern Poker is the nation’s leading poker league, with over 150,000 players playing at over 400 bars and restaurants across the country.

Hyman’s weekly tournament at Malibu Jack’s draws anywhere from 25 to 30 people, while Somewhere in Augusta’s Monday night game brings in nearly 80 people for each tournament.

“We’re actually looking for other bars and restaurants,” Hyman says. “This is a really good way for them to expand their business and it’s a

12 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

great opportunity for people to have some cheap entertainment.

Players play for free at their local bar or restaurant and can rise through the ranks in several different ways. By winning in Atlantic City, McDaniel won a seat in the $50,000 Great American Poker Challenge in Las Vegas as well as that valuable seat at the World Series of Poker qualifier.

The World Series of Poker is the game’s big leagues, were amateurs and professionals compete for thousands of dollars.

Though it’s possible to win your way to the two big national tournaments, you can also buy your way into any of the many individual tournaments, including tag team tournaments, his and her tournaments and the lightning fast turbo tournaments, where players have just five seconds to make their call.

With World Tavern Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em is the game.

Hyman, who has been tournament director for a year, started playing poker in the league about four years ago, when he was working as a contractor for a pharmaceutical company in the Poconos.

“I really didn’t know how to play all that well, but it looked fun,” he says. “It was great because I could play both games, the 7 and the 9:30 game,

and then just go down the hall to my hotel room and go to bed.”

When he came to Augusta he found the game at Somewhere in Augusta, then got the game started at Malibu Jack’s, becoming tournament director.

He sets up the tables, sets up the chips, gets cards on the table and gets everybody signed up. He also settles any controversies.

“It’s a lot of responsibility, and you’ve got to have some thick skin, because people are always going to say, ‘That’s not fair!’”

Hyman is keen to build the World Tavern Poker community in Augusta. At the Atlantic City tournament, the league’s owner told him that if Augusta can get a total of five bars hosting tournaments, it can host a regional tournament, which would increase the number of people qualifying for the national tournament. Currently, two from each bar qualify, whereas the top 10 percent at a regional tournament qualify.

Either way, Hyman believes Augusta’s poker stature is growing.

“I think we’re going to get a lot more people going from Augusta now, especially when people see that Butch won this,” Hyman says. “It’s really making a lot of people believe they can do it, too.”

27JUNE2013

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ERICJOHNSON

The Power of Computing

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office finally enters the modern age of police computing It’s no secret that the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is lagging behind other law enforcement agencies when it comes to some elements of technology, but the analogy Lt. Lewis Blanchard of the Community Services Division uses is startling.

“I grew up watching “CHiPs,” and in 1983 they could do stuff that we still can’t do,” he says.

Blanchard is speaking specifically about their radios, which unlike the 800 MHz system recently adopted

by Columbia County, don’t have a panic button that identifies the location of an officer in trouble.

“Our radio system needs to be brought up to standards,” he says. “It needs to have all those functionalities. It needs to be able to work well with the surrounding counties.”

Though the radio can be a lifeline for an officer in trouble, it’s the computer system that does most of the department’s technological heavy lifting, and here, too, Richmond County lags behind, though a $900,000 upgrade to the system set to go online late this year should help usher the Sheriff’s Office into the modern age of police computing.

“The technology we’re giving the officer is another tool to help them do their job,” says Reggie Horne, an IT project leader assigned to the Sheriff’s Department.

“You send a road patrol guy out there with a gun and a Taser and a pair of handcuffs and a flashlight. At one point in time, maybe that was enough for them to do their job, but it’s no longer enough. Just as important as their gun is being able to run data from the system whenever you pull somebody over on the side of the road.”

Currently, the Sheriff’s Office uses an AS 400-based system. First introduced in the late 1980s, it is strong and reliable, but about as far from user friendly as you can get.

It is, after all, a quarter century old.

“Typically, you have people coming in from backgrounds where they’re used to a windows environment, whether it’s Microsoft Windows or a windows environment like Apple or a Smartphone,” Horne says. “Officers coming in don’t typically have an AS 400 background.”

When you’re running an application for an AS 400, you’re looking at a green screen and it’s text based, Horne says. If you want to go to the next menu, you hit a number. If you want to go to another menu, you hit another number. It’s not DOS-based technology, but it’s certainly not windows technology, either.

The commands are different and the architecture is different. Simply put, it’s not point and click. The mobile environment in the cars is a little more user friendly, but internally — for records management, for Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), for corrections management — it’s that green screen and the numbers that do the job.

The software upgrade will create a more user-friendly environment that allows the Sheriff’s Office to be more efficient. More importantly, it allows for better retrieval 14 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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of data from the system.

“It doesn’t do you any good if you put data in somewhere and you can’t get it out and use it,” Horne says.

The software upgrade is part of Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s move toward data-driven policing.

“The sheriff made two things clear when he took office,” Blanchard says. “One was that technology was a priority and two was that we were going to switch from being a reactive agency to a proactive agency. We have to move toward data-driven policing, and we can’t do that just by inputting data. We have to know where the data is going to send us.”

Operation Rolling Thunder is a good example, Blanchard says. Requests for specific breakdowns of arrests — like where the most DUIs occurred or what sex was statistically most likely to get one — were unable to be filled.

“It’s not that we don’t want to give it to you — you’re welcome to come get it,” he says. “But we don’t have the personnel to sift through every single ticket to find all the DUI citations to determine how many were male or how many were female that quickly.”

Horne says the AS 400 system makes that kind of retrieval complicated and time consuming. Most of that information is there, but it’s on Excel spreadsheets that take lots of scrutiny to decipher.

“To a certain extent it’s searchable now,” he says. “It’s that the analytics the current system provides require a good bit of training and a good bit of knowledge to get that data out, whereas with the upgraded system, being able to get that data out is much easier and much more efficient. And it doesn’t require as much training.”

Along with other demands, the detail involved in reporting has increased as well, which provides its own set of problems.

“Gone are the days where you filed a one-page report and you looked into stuff,” Blanchard says.

“Police work now, whether it’s government or whatever, it’s a four-page report, and every single i has got to be dotted.”

Think of it as the CSIing of society. People expect immediate answers to the most complex problems.

“I don’t think we’re going to quite get to the level of TV, but we have to be able to do our jobs more efficiently,” Blanchard says. “It’s not like they’re ever going to give us tons and tons more people. Plus, that would be a waste of resources anyway. Why do you want to have 10 more people when a computer can do the job?”

In other words, let the police do the police work and the computer give them the data. If law enforcement personnel can get the outputs instantly versus having to look in four different areas, then that’s a benefit to everyone.

The new software will also move some of the reporting away from written reports and toward standardization through boxes.

“When stuff is written, it comes out as a blue Ford,” Blanchard says. “But when it goes into boxes, it’s a light-colored blue Ford or a dark-colored blue Ford.

You’re getting the exact information back out that was put in, and that’s a lot better than handwritten work.”

Part of that comes from the fact that the city’s IT department has included Sheriff’s personnel in the planning, Blanchard says, thereby keeping it from being a cookie cutter — and ineffective — application.

27JUNE2013

Public safety uses the same vendor, New World Systems, for all its applications. It’s a fully integrated suite of software, and though the upgrade will be significant, Horne expects few problems with the switchover, since the same vendor is continuing to provide service.

But is the new software helping Richmond County take the lead when it comes to technology or is it simply allowing the Sheriff’s Department to catch up?

“In technology overall, we’re way behind where we’d like to be,” Blanchard says. “That’s not a shot at our IT Department in any way or anything else. It’s just that technology in certain areas wasn’t the primary focus of the agency in the past and it needs to be from the sheriff’s point of view at this time.”

In addition to the computer system, Blanchard says there is considerable interest in improving the department’s cameras. Currently, not all cars have onboard cameras, and some that do don’t work, which in this day and age raises the specter of doubt in court cases or in internal investigations that rely on information from those cameras.

“As we progress up the chain we’re not just looking for a video in the car, we’re looking for smart cameras,” Blanchard says. “We’re looking for cameras that can tie in to the new systems and tie into dispatch.”

Such an ability would allow dispatch and responding officers to look through a patrol unit’s camera if a panic button was depressed. It could also aid in high-speed chase scenarios, providing critical, real-time evaluation of the situation from a non-threatened, controlled environment.

Cost, of course, is a driving issue in all technological decisions. Just because the system allows something doesn’t mean the county can afford the storage capacity to do it.

However, cost can be measured in different ways.

Now, if an officer stops a person for suspicious activity, he or she fills out a field interview card. While it might not help at the moment, it will help investigators investigating a burglary because they’re going to go through and pull up every single thing. With the new system, if four houses get robbed on Berkley Street, an officer can quickly find out everything that happened on Berkley Street and maybe some of it will help them put a pattern together. They’ll be able to see every speeding ticket, every field interview card and every police report, including who was released from jail.

“We can do it now, but you’re wasting 100 man hours to accomplish what you can accomplish in 100

seconds,” Blanchard says.

Then think of stolen property, which is often recovered but is sometimes tough to return.

“It’s not that we don’t want to get people’s stuff back to them, but you’re sitting here with something that’s worth $200 and you’re trying to get it returned to somebody versus these cases that need to be handled,” Blanchard says. “It goes down to priorities and man hours. We rely on IT to get us what we need so that we can knock these out with very few man hours.”

The output of information is especially important to command staff when it comes to understanding trends.

Take the Traffic Division for example. Having accurate data doesn’t just help the Sheriff’s Office explain to disgruntled citizens why they are assigning traffic officers to a specific location, it allows them to know what time of day accidents are most frequent at a particular location or who is committing the most accidents. With GPS technology, the information can be further fine-tuned.

“Right now, because of the way the data is delivered, you might see that the accidents are at the major cross street, but if you start tracking it, you’re seeing exactly where they’re occurring — 100 feet back, 200 feet back — and now you can deploy personnel and find out exactly what the problem is,” Blanchard says. “Often, what you’re going to find is that a simple right turn only sign will help, or that it’s not really the traffic light that’s causing the problem, it’s people not paying attention 200 yards before the traffic light.”

Technology helps determine what the real problem is and that allows deputies to figure out how to alleviate the situation.

It also allows for better use of resources.

“We want to see what’s working,” Blanchard says. “If we double traffic enforcement, will we still have 100 wrecks a month? We can do that now, but it’s a lot of man hours to accomplish it.”

Adding electronic ticketing should also make a difference in the accuracy and efficiency of handling cases.

Say you were pulled over for a traffic violation and the officer writes you two tickets. That’s about 15 or 20 minutes that the officer is sitting there in his car writing two hand-written tickets.

Those two tickets come to the Sheriff’s Office, where administrative personnel are going to take those tickets and type them into the computer. Then the tickets are going to the courthouse, where someone else is going to retype them into a different system.

“I think our people do a good job, but in 2013 it doesn’t seem logical to be handwriting a citation, typing it into a computer and then typing it into another computer,” Blanchard says. “Especially not when you’re the largest full-service law enforcement sheriff’s agency in the state.”

In most large Georgia cities, the Sheriff’s Office handles the jails instead of providing the full spectrum of law enforcement services.

In the end, Blanchard says the new software and the change in focus will tighten law enforcement’s ability to handle its most important commodity: information.

Horne agrees.

“The goal is not necessarily to change the process, even though some processes will change,” Horne says.

“The goal is to implement the system to fit what the Sheriff’s Office does now and create as few bumps in the road as possible.”

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Artist and puppet maker Lyon Hill of the Columbia Marionette Theatre will discuss the process of writing and directing a live production and the design and fabrication of marionettes at the Morris Museum’s Art at Lunch on Friday, June 28, at noon. Hill will also perform a segment from the show “Hansel and Gretel.”

Marionettes, storyboards and puppet-making materials will be on display in the education gallery through July 21.

Members: $10; non-members $14. Catered lunch included.

Paid reservations required.

Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

ENTERTAIN

Arts

Art at Lunch: Columbia Marionette Theatre will be presented Friday, June 28, at noon at the Morris Museum of Art. Artist and puppet maker Lyon Hill of the Columbia Marionette Theatre will discuss marionettes and will perform a segment from the show “Hansel and Gretel.” Marionettes, storyboards and puppet-making materials will be on display in the education gallery through July 21. Members: $10; non-members $14.

Catered lunch included. Paid reservations required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Day of Art, hosted by the North Augusta Artists Guild, is each Tuesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta and includes a group of artists painting in the center who will answer questions or allow visitors to join in. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.

Exhibitions

Dead Musicians Show, in which more than 20 local and regional artists have created works to honor dead musicians, will show throughout the month of June at Sky City. Visit skycityaugusta.com.

Marianna Williams Exhibit will be at Sacred Heart Cultural Center through June 28. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.

“Capturing the Canal” Art Show will exhibit July 2-30 at the Kroc Center.

Reception and winner announcement will be Friday, July 12, from 6-7 p.m. (free and open to the public). The six winning photos will be unveiled as a permanent part of the décor of the Café on the Canal located inside the Kroc Center at the winning ceremony. Call 706-364-KROC or visit krocaugusta.org.

The Godfather of Soul James Brown exhibit is on display at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

“Delightful Decanters” is a temporary exhibit on display at the Augusta Museum of History featuring colorful bottles used to sell products as late as the 1970s. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Music

Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold will perform Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m. at the Verandah at the Maude Edenfield Park in North Augusta as part of the Music in the Park Series. Free. Visit naartscouncil.org.

James Fortune performs Thursday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bell Auditorium. The Grammy Award winning gospel artist will headline with special guest and gospel legend Vickie Winans. Also performing are Shellae Wade, Missy Billups, Michael St. Bernard and more. $39.75. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

Angela Easterling will perform for the Moonlight Music Canal Cruise, 7-8:30 p.m., Friday, June 28. $25 per person; passengers may bring aboard snacks and beverages. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.

The Patrick Arthur Trio will perform Sunday, June 30, at 8 p.m. at the River Stage, 8th Street at the Riverwalk as part of the Candlelight Jazz Concert Series. $6; free, children under 13. Visit gardencityjazz.com.

Literary

Maxwell Morning Book Club meets Thursday, June 27, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Maxwell Branch Library. “Defending Jacob” by William Landay will be discussed. Free. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org.

How to Publish your First Book is Saturday, June 29, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. The program is presented by Karin Gillespie. Author of: “Dollar Daze,” “A Dollar Short” and “Bet Your Bottom Dollar.” Free. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

“Blast From the Past” is on display at Augusta Museum of History to celebrate the museum’s 75th anniversary. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

The Poetry Society of South Carolina will present a seminar Saturday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. William Wright, editor of the Southern Poetry Anthology series will speak about contemporary southern poetry. Afterwards, Wright will sign books and anthologies during a reception. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

“Local Legends” is a permanent exhibit highlighting Augusta notables on display at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Theater

“Protect and Serve,” an exhibit highlighting the stories of CSRA law enforcement officers, is on display at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

16 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Auditions for “The Match Girl,” a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl,” are Thursdays between June 27-July 18 (excluding July 4) by appointment at the Kroc Center. Parts are available for men, women and children, ages 9 and up. Call 706-7717777 or visit enopion.com.

Flix

ME

Movie Night: “Rio” will be shown Saturday, June 29, at dusk at Reed Creek Park.

Bring your blankets, chairs, and snacks to watch “Rio” on the big screen. Come early to stake your ground and enjoy the pre-movie dance contest. The cost is $2/person. Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark.com.

Special Events

Game of Thrones discussion group meets Thursday, June 27, from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Wine Tasting will be held Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m. at Wine World in North Augusta. Australian wines will be featured. Pre-paid reservations are $15, and if space is available, $20 at the door. Call 803-279-9522.

Sandwich Making Competition, proceeds from which will go to Action Ministries’ Smart Lunch Smart Kid program, is Saturday, June 29, from 9-11 a.m. at Marvin United Methodist Church on Wheeler Road. Volunteers are needed to help break the Guinness World Record for most sandwiches made in an hour, as well as help Action Ministries with other needs. Those who are able should bring additional donations of peanut butter, jelly, salty snacks, fruit snacks, juice boxes, water, paper lunch bags and plastic sandwich bags. Visit actionministries.net.

A Summer Walk in the Park is Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Columbia County Amphitheater. Come for food, fun and games. Leashed pets are welcome. Call 706-284-4701.

“We Say Thank You” Patriotic Picnic and Celebration is Sunday, June 30, from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Lady A Amphitheatre. Activities include inflatables, face painting, dunking booth, music and games. A patriotic program will be presented at 8 p.m. Free. Visit myabilene.org.

Patriotic Campsite Decorating Contest is Monday, July 1, until Wednesday, July 3, at Mistletoe State Park. The best patriotic campsite will win two free nights camping at Mistletoe. Judging will take place July 4th. $5 parking.

Call 706-541-0321.

Fort Gordon’s Independence Day Celebration is Wednesday, July 3, from 3-11 p.m. It includes concerts by the Singin’ Medallions and the U.S. Army Signal Corps Band, as well as a carnival, more than 40 food and craft vendors and fireworks at dark. Free, open to the public. Call 706-7916779 or visit fortgordon.com.

A Star Spangled Fourth is Thursday, July 4, at 7:30 p.m.at Saint Paul’s Church at 6th and Riverwalk. This patriotic concert and barbecue will 27JUNE2013

megaLAUNCH

Bobby Jones to offer group fitness classes, party to celebrate new releases

Lauren Zolotas

Les Mills Mega Launch Party Gold’s Gym, Bobby Jones location | Saturday, July 27 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free, but pre-registration required | 706-396-4653 | goldsgym.com Up until now, the only thing missing from Gold’s Gym’s impressive Bobby Jones location is the availability of group fitness classes. That all changes on Monday, July 1, however.

“We are launching a group fitness program over at the Bobby Jones location and we haven’t had group fitness there prior, so it’s kind of a big deal,” said Amy Cross, group fitness manager at Gold’s Gym’s Walton Way location. “It’s going to start out kind of small, and we’re only going to have evening classes, but we are going to have classes there so that’s kind of a cool thing.”

The roster of classes will definitely include BodyPump, Body Combat and Zumba, she said, and may also consist of BodyFlow and Sh’Bam. With the exception of Zumba, all are in the Les Mills family of classes.

New group fitness classes will be held in the back of the Bobby Jones location in a space that has been recently renovated.

“We got new flooring, a brand-new stage, new

per month

$10

sound equipment and new BodyPump equipment,” Cross said, adding that the space is “ginormous.”

“You’re looking at it holding about a hundred people if you’re taking a dance class, but we have 60 BodyPump equipment sets, so it’ll accommodate 60 people for BodyPump. It’s larger than the facility at Walton Way, so that’ll be awesome.”

Adding group fitness classes at the Bobby Jones location is just another step Gold’s Gym is taking to offer their members more convenience when it comes to working out.

“We just wanted to make things more convenient,” Cross said. “We wanted to give the members at Bobby Jones class options, as well as give members at the Walton Way location more time options for different classes. Sometimes you have a BodyPump class on Monday at 5:30 p.m. they can’t make, but maybe they’ll have one at the Bobby Jones location at 6 p.m. and they can make that one, so we can offer Gold’s Gym members even more options.”

And while the classes will kick off at the beginning

of July, Cross said that members and guests alike should mark Saturday, July 27, on their calendar.

That day, at the Bobby Jones location from 9 a.m.1 p.m., they’ll hold a Mega Launch for the new releases of the Les Mills classes, including a new one to the Augusta area.

“Grit is high-intensity interval training. It’s not really group fitness; it’s more like group training,” she explained. “It is a Les Mills program and we’ll be one of the first clubs to offer that in the area.”

The event will be led by instructors from the Bobby Jones, Walton Way and North Augusta Gold’s Gym locations, and will also feature vendors, healthy snacks and more. It is open to all Gold’s Gym members, who are invited to bring a guest.

“All members are invited and they are allowed to bring a guest,” Cross said. “However, they are required to sign up. They need to call and put their names down because of space.”

no commitment | month - to - month

no kidding

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

GOLD’S GYM: JULY 2013 |p.3

Difficult journey yields great success for Gold’s Gym member

WORK

PUTTING THE in workout Suprina Henley is a fixture at the Gold’s Gym on Walton Way. Others will have to get up pretty early in the morning to catch a glimpse of her, however.

“I’m usually here between 4:30 and 5 in the morning and I normally walk out the door somewhere between 6:30 and 7,” she said. “Maybe a little bit later, depending on what I have to do.”

Suprina puts the “work” in workout, and for good reason. The 38-year-old, a 15-year veteran of law enforcement who retired and is now an entrepreneur, is a figure competitor. Don’t know what that is? Suprina says most people don’t.

“When you say ‘figure competition’ around here, most people don’t know what that is,” she explained. “They automatically think bodybuilding or bikini and it’s very different. It’s a totally respectable sport and it is a sport. I choose to compete in a federation that I feel is bringing the best of the best. Because, if you’re going to do it, you should go against the best.”

While similar to bodybuilding competitions, Suprina says figure competitions are different in what they look for when judging competitors.

“I don’t want to use the word feminine, because that might upset some people, but it is a more feminine approach, a softer look than a bodybuilder,” she explained. “You could say toned. You don’t have the striations of the muscle. No bulging veins; that’s a no-no.

You have the separation of the muscles, but you don’t have the striations of the muscle. You shouldn’t see every rib of the muscle in a figure competitor versus a bodybuilder.”

In 2012, Suprina began a drug-free and natural training regimen to become a figure competitor and recently placed fourth in her first competition, the NPC (National Physique Committee) Southern USA Championships in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Not bad for her first try.

“I placed in the top 5, which is huge for my first time,” she said. “And I qualified for Nationals and what that means is that my next step is placing for my pro card.

I can compete in a national competition and actually move on to my pro card and that is my goal. I feel good about that achievement. Doing that in my first show? It’s a big deal for me, so I’m proud of that.”

Suprina should be proud, especially considering the difficult road she took to get to her current success. Active as a teen and young adult, she played basketball, competed in track and, at one time, was a competitive power lifter. Then, a medication she was prescribed caused her to gain weight. When she maxed out at 330 pounds, Suprina said she decided to take herself off the medication.

“Once I got off the medication, 60 pounds came off easy but, after that, everything else I had to fight for tooth and nail,” she said. “You get to a point where you say, ‘I’ve got to do something different or I’m going to die,’ so I chose to get off that particular medication and I chose to do something different and it hasn’t been easy.

It’s been a hard road.”

Though she hasn’t chosen a national competition to enter as of yet, she is gearing up for one in 2014.

Now in a “de-loading,” or rest, phase of her training,

Suprina said she will soon be getting back into the hard work of preparing for a competition.

“At some point in the next week or so what I’ll do is start slowly progressing in that direction: lifting heavier and that kind of thing,” she said. “I have enough time to do the detail work and really work on those things that I felt were my weaknesses on stage, so I can bring a better package next time around.”

It’s not surprising that most of that work includes working out, almost always at the Gold’s Gym on Walton Way. “The majority of my workouts are here because they have the variety of the equipment. You can’t beat the equipment they have for what I need,” Suprina said.

“And also when we travel, I can access a Gold’s Gym no matter where we are. I just came back from Florida and I was there [at Gold’s Gym] the whole time, so that works out very well.”

One surprising aspect of preparation is securing sponsorships, which Suprina said she’s also working on.

“It’s a big deal because this is a very expensive sport,” she admitted. “Between the suits and the diet… the food alone is the most expensive thing.

And supplementation, that’s a huge deal. You have to have gym access, so that’s another expense… traveling to the various venues. So if you can get a sponsorship that’s a huge help.”

Suprina said she doesn’t just want to be a competitor who wears a sponsor’s logo on her clothes, however.

“So many people ask for sponsorships and they don’t give anything back,” she said. “I want to be able to give something back, so I’m looking for companies and organizations who are a good fit.”

While looking for sponsorships to help, Suprina says she already has the best support in the world in her husband Bruce, a retired nuclear planner.

“My husband Bruce has been a huge support system for me in this process because some days it wasn’t easy and he was the loudest mouth out there in the audience,” she said. “When I was on stage, I could hear him so I really appreciate him and I’m thankful. I had a lot of other people that support me along the way, but I’m most thankful for him because he’s been by my side through this whole process.”

She may have traveled a difficult road, but Suprina said she feels good about where she is in life right now.

“It is a good feeling to be able to take the time to dedicate to myself,” she said.

“It hasn’t always been that way, but this is a good time in my life and I feel like I’m going in the right direction.”

BEFORE

AFTER

SurpriseWIN Erica Talbert takes home $1,000 prize in Aiken’s Biggest Loser competition

Aiken resident Erica Talbert really didn’t think she was going to win the Biggest Loser competition at the Aiken Gold’s Gym when it began 12 weeks ago.

“I’m not very competitive, and I really didn’t think the weight would come off this quick, but once I started seeing results it became a little bit of an addiction, I think,” Erica admits. “And it still is.

I have a goal. I still have 10 more pounds after this, so it gets addictive and I was like, ‘Let’s do it.’”

Erica may not have held out much hope for winning, but she knew she had to do something to get her life back on track. The mother of four lived a sedentary lifestyle up until she joined Gold’s Gym 13 weeks ago after seeing her boss/brother in law’s transformation during a biggest loser competition he competed in.

His name is Scott Brinson, owner of Aiken Housing Center, a manufactured home dealership.

Brinson, who has been working out three to four times a week at the Aiken Gold’s Gym location for nearly two year, sponsored the contest because he wanted to share all the positive benefits of working out with his employees.

“I was just doing it to motivate them [his employees], to get them energized: just more productive in work, better feeling in life,” Brinson explained. “I know all the satisfaction I get out of working and I was wanting to share with them the same satisfaction, because once you get going it’s addictive.”

Talbert agrees that working out has become a habit she looks forward to, which is a far cry from where she was last spring at the beginning of the contest.

“I have a three-year-old so I didn’t do anything as far as exercise goes,” she says. “And then this came up and I knew I needed to do something so it was the perfect opportunity. I have worked very hard but it was worth it.”

Erica has definitely worked hard, dropping 43 pounds and 21.08 percent of her weight during the 12-week program. How did she do it?

“I stuck to the diet and I was in the gym at least five days, 5-6 days a week for at least an hour: 30 minutes cardio and 30 minutes weights,” she explains. “And when I was at home, I would find something to do to try and exercise, whether it was jump rope… just any kind of exercise like crunches.

But the diet was the biggest thing, I think.”

Her diet, emphasizing lean proteins, lots of green vegetables and limited amounts of carbohydrates, was spelled out for her by the Gold’s Gym staff running the competition.

“It’s lean proteins, no sugar, lots of green vegetables. And that, for me, was fine because I love vegetables, so it worked,” she explains. “I only had less than 50 grams of carbs a day, so I still had them in there, but it may not have been the ones you wanted, like ice cream.”

It was a big change for Erica, especially since her family’s diet stayed the same.

“I still feed them ‘good’ stuff and then I would fix my meal separate,” she laughs. “So it didn’t really change a lot other than at night, when I would be gone. I would be here at the gym.”

Erica credits her trainer, Ronnie Rowland, for helping her win the competition and the accompanying $1,000 prize. So what’s she going to do with the cash?

“I’m going on vacation,” she laughs.

Somewhere where she can wear a bathing suit?

“Yeah,” she says.

And when she comes back, Erica says she’ll continue with her new, healthy habits.

“I’m going to keep going, keep working out,” she says. “Now I’ve just got to get the tone part going. I mean, I’m toned but I think I lost weight faster than my body was building muscle. I want to lose that 10 pounds and then I’ll be happy.”

And for those who know they need to improve their exercise and eating habits but think they can’t see the results she did, Erica has some words of advice.

“If anybody comes up to me and says they can’t do it, I will say that if I can do it anybody can do it because I was eating Oreo cookies at 9 o’ clock at

NAME Erica Talbert Dave Herlong Linda Touner

STARTING WEIGHT 204 350 180

night with my kids for three years,” she says.

“You just have to want it bad enough.”

If you want it bad enough, Brinson (who says he “gently reminds” his employees if he hasn’t seen them work out in a while) says that, if his employees are any indication, you’ll see more positive changes that you will have thought possible.

“I’m just seeing a whole lot more positive attitudes,” he says of his healthier employees. “A lot more smiles and more energy, more energy in the office.”

ENDING WEIGHT 161 312.2 162

% OF WEIGHT LOST 21.08 10.8 10

GOLD’S GYM: JULY 2013 |p.5

MR.

Motorcycle When he’s not working or riding, attorney Richard Ingram is working out at Gold’s Gym

There are only two times in his life that Richard Ingram Jr. can recall not working out: once when he was injured and once when he began law school.

“I quit for a short while because law school was so intense,” he admitted. “But during my second year of law school I got back into weightlifting. That’s really the only time weightlifting took a back seat to my life.”

Ingram is now known as the motorcycle attorney, but he actually got his start in a completely different field. Born and raised in Augusta, he worked for his father.

“My first employment was not with law but in construction,” he said. “I worked for my father and was a bricklayer until 1983.”

Ingram can remember all sorts of projects he worked on while employed for his father, including building Red Wing Rollerway in 1975 and West Town Shopping Center in 1977. And though his work as a bricklayer could be considered a workout in itself, Ingram said he still saw a need for exercise.

“Being a blue-collar worker, I still needed to be in shape, too, so I would work out later that night after I got home from work,” he said.

In fact, Ingram has always seen the value of exercise.

“I’ve worked out my entire life, starting when I was 14 years old,” he said. “And I’m not the type of person who goes to the gym and stays for two hours.

I go every week, regardless of my ailments, and I go at least three times a week. I’m always there, getting it done as they say.”

Ingram believes it is this commitment that has helped him maintain the health that many people don’t have when they get to be his age. Now 53 years old, Ingram weighs only two more pounds than he did when he graduated high school and his cholesterol is an astoundingly low 111.

“I weighed 200 pounds when I graduated high school and I still have the activity level to maintain and active life,” he explained. “I don’t go out and run, I don’t bike, I don’t swim, but I now weigh 202 pounds and I believe that repetition is what pays off.”

Ingram may have switched careers and entered the white-collar world, where he’s now lifting papers

rather than laying bricks, but he’s as busy as ever. Besides his work, he an avid motorcycle rider who owns two Harleys, sponsors car and bike shows and recently took part in the Second Annual Operation Sandbox ride, a benefit for soldiers that he helped bring to the area.

“I am so slammed with my lifestyle and my work that I don’t even know how I keep it going,” he joked. “Maybe that’s why I weigh so little.”

Still he finds time to keep up the consistency when it comes to his workouts. Besides his home workouts, he spends at least three days a week at Gold’s Gym’s Walton Way location.

“I go Wednesday and Thursday and then at least one day over the weekend,” he explained.

“And I do circuit training.

I don’t lift heavy, heavy weights anymore, but I don’t take long breaks in between what I’m doing, so that keeps my heart rate up.”

And Ingram says he can’t think of a club he’d rather work out at than Gold’s Gym. “For me, it’s the convenience, but it’s also the consistency,” he explained. “They have a variety of equipment and they have something suited for anyone’s needs, whether you’re young or old. They have more than one type of equipment in that gym, so that makes it appealing.”

RAISIN’Kane

Running for Puppy Jake

Listen up runners and dog lovers!

The inaugural Puppy Jake 8K run and 4K dog trot takes place Saturday, July 6, at the downtown Augusta Market.

All proceeds raised from the event go to the Puppy Jake Foundation.

The foundation raises money to help place wounded military veterans with highly trained service dogs. The goal of the Puppy Jake 8K is to raise enough money to give a service dog to an Augusta military veteran.

Becky Beach is the founder of the Puppy Jake Foundation. It’s named after Becky’s dog, Puppy Jake, a twoyear old Labrador

the wounded veterans a sense of being… a reason to get up and out of the house.”

When Triple 8 organizers contacted Becky about wanting to do a race in Augusta for the Puppy Jake Foundation, she didn’t hesitate saying yes.

“They asked me about raising money for wounded veterans in Augusta and I immediately knew it would be a hit and I loved the idea!” she said. “We are going to hopefully replicate this around the country.”

Becky and Puppy Jake will be in Augusta for the big race. Runners are encouraged to bring their own dogs and also participate in the special 4K dog trot. Becky is hoping enough money can be raised from the event to find a great match for one of her dogs with an Augusta wounded veteran.

“I raised a service dog and became acutely aware of the high need, but also the problems with accessibility,” ac she explained. “It is impor important to me to give back to those that have given so much for our country.”

T The Puppy Jake Foundation is Becky Be Beach’s passion. Her bond with these sservice dogs is something to behold.

L Letting them go and saying goodbye is never easy.

“It’s impossible to describe the sadness and joy at the same time,” Beach said. “Knowing you are changing a life makes it worthwhile.”

Triple 8 organizers say the Augusta community is rallying behind this race and the Puppy Jake Foundation.

A number of businesses have already st stepped up by making donations to th the foundation or providing prizes for rac race competitors. On July 6, let’s put our best foot or paw forward and show how much Augusta cares about our hometown wounde wounded veterans!

Puppy Jake J 8K Run and 4K Dog Trot Downto Downtown Augusta Market (8th and Reynolds) Saturd Saturday, July 6 Regis Registration, 7 a.m.; race, 8 a.m. theau theaugustamarket.com puppy puppyjakefoundation.com

per month

$10

Retriever. Wherever Becky goes, Puppy Jake is right by her side. He serves as a goodwill ambassador for service dogs.

“The dogs are their battle buddies and always there for them,” said Beach. “The dogs often give

Chris Kane is a Gold’s Gym member and is coanchor of Good Morning Augusta and News Channel 6 at Noon on WJBF-TV (ABC Affiliate).

no commitment | month - to - month

no kidding

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

AUGUSTA TIME 5:30AM 9:00AM 10:00am 11:00am 12:00PM 4:30PM 5:30PM

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GOLD’S GYM: JULY 2013 |p.7

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precede the fireworks display. This concert is $20; 18 and under free.

Barbecue is $15. Call 706-722-3463 or visit riverwalkseries.com.

4th of July Celebration is Thursday, July 4, at 6 p.m. at Patriot’s Park. There will be live music, family fun, rides, children’s activities and food, drinks and Columbia County’s largest fireworks display. Free. Call 706-312-7194.

4th of July Celebration is Wednesday, July 4 beginning at 3 p.m. at Gaston Livery Stable in Aiken. It will feature Preston and Weston with Sandra Simmons, a twilight jumbo movie showing and fireworks display (weather and sponsorship permitting). Cash prizes for contests in watermelon seed spitting, costumes, pie baking, talent and cornhole tournament. Family fun activities include water slide and bounce house inflatables, colonial games and community organizations and businesses on display. Food vendors will be on hand selling food, drinks and desserts. Free and open to the public. Call 803-215-8232.

Childbirth Education 101 is Tuesday, July 2, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital. This evening class will provide a basic overview of the signs and symptoms of labor as well as the stages of labor and delivery. A tour of our Family-Focused Childbirth unit is included in the class. Call 706-4817000 or visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Yoga Class is offered by the Kroc Center every Saturday at The Augusta Market downtown, 10-11 a.m. Free. Bring your own mat. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.

Yoga I offered at the Weeks Center in Aiken 8:45-9:45 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays; Yoga II is offered 8:45-9:45 a.m., Fridays; Evening Yoga is offered 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. $41 for 10 tickets. Call 803-642- 7631.

June is Adopt-a-Cat Month. The CSRA Humane Society is sponsoring this event to raise awareness of its no-kill shelter by Lake Olmstead. Call 706-261-7387 or visit csrahumanesociety.org.

Evans Towne Farmers Market is held on the grounds of the Columbia County Public Library each Thursday through June from 4:30-7 p.m. All meats, eggs, dairy and produce will be from local and sustainable farms. There will also be cooking demos and education, local artisans with handcrafted goods, live music, local food vendors and weekly events. Visit evanstownefarmersmarket.com.

Your BIRTHday Party OB Tour is offered Monday, July 1, from noon-1:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital. Meet the skilled and experienced staff and learn about educational class offerings. Door prizes and a tour of the OB Unit are included. Call 706-481-7000 or visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Look Good, Feel Better Workshop is Monday, July 1, from 3-5 p.m. at Doctors Hospital Campus, Medical Office Building One, Classroom 2. This is a free hands-on workshop for female cancer patients to help them cope with and combat appearance-related effects of chemo and radiation therapy.

Registration is required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

27JUNE2013

Support

Bariatric Seminar meets Thursday, June 27, from 6-7 p.m. at Doctors Hospital, South tower, Classroom 1. This seminar focuses on weight loss.

It is ideal for people who are looking for different options when it comes to medical weight loss. Free. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Overeaters Anonymous meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays and at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1:30 p.m., Saturdays. Call 907-854-1509.

“SHOULD YOU EAT THAT BACON?�

AA meets every Sunday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Aiken Regional Medical Centers’ Aurora Pavilion, and includes an open discussion. Call 800-322-8322 or visit aikenregional.com.

SHOULD YOU EAT THAT BACON?

Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.

FLOWCHART

DO YOU WANT TO FEEL LIKE ANGELS ARE FROLICKING ON YOUR TASTE BUDS?

Health

American Red Cross Babysitter Training is Thursday, June 27, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Aiken Regional. Students ages 11 to 15 learn about leadership, safety, basic care and first aid in order to provide safe, responsible care. $30 fee includes babysitting text and certificate. Call 800322-8322 or visit aikenregional.com.

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program covers topics such as coronary artery disease, heart attack and CHF at the University Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute. Program is held each Wednesday at 8:15 and 9:15 a.m., and 1:45 p.m. Call 706-774-3278 or visit universityhealth.org.

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Saturday Market at the River is each Saturday through November 23 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the 8th Street Bulkhead downtown and features vendors, food, drinks, entertainment and a group run that begins at 8 a.m. Visit theaugustamarket.com.

Mobile Mammography Screenings will be on the following dates and locations, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Thursday, June 27, at Fievet Pharmacy in Washington; Friday, June 28, at Dillard’s in the Aiken Mall; Monday, July 1, at the Edgefield Medical Center; Tuesday, July 2, at Belks in Aiken and Wednesday, July 3, at the Dillard’s in the Aiken Mall. Free through Medicare. Appointment required. Call 706-7744149 or visit universityhealth.org.

Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Orientation is held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. at University Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute (Classroom 3).

Free. Call 706-774-5548 or visit universityhealth.org.

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Beyond the Bars is a support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. Call 706-855-8636.

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Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group for those who wish to stop drinking. Call 706-860-8331.

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Tai Chi for Boomers is held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.

Call 706 394-0590, email sbeasley@augustameditation.com or visit augustameditation.com/taichi.html.

Stress Management Classes are held at the University Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute at 8:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. each Wednesday.

Call 706-774-3278 or visit universityhealth.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous open discussion meeting takes place every Sunday and Wednesday, 7:15 p.m. at Aurora Pavilion in Aiken. Call 806-641-5000 or visit aikenregional.com/ hospital-services/behavioral-health-services.

Burn Support Group meets every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Doctors Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lori Rogers Nursing Library, JMS Building. All burn survivors, and their families and friends are welcome. Call Tim Dorn at 706-651-6660 or visit doctors- hospital.net.

Cardiac Support Group meets three times a year. Free.

Pre-registration requested. Call 706-774-5864 or visit universityhealth.org.

Diabetes Youth Support Group meets quarterly. Call 706868-3241 or visit universityhealth.org.

Families Who Have Lost a Baby Support Group is offered

by GRU. Call 706-721- 8299 or visit gru.edu.

Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for those who wish to stop gambling. Call 800-313-0170.

Living With Diabetes, a program designed to teach skills needed to manage diabetes, is offered at Trinity Hospital. Physician referral required.

Call 706-481-7535 or visit trinityofaugusta.com.

AUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Celiac Disease Support Group. Open to anyone who has celiac disease, is gluten intolerant or on a gluten free diet. Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital in Room 120 of the Summerville Professional Building adjacent to the Hospital. Visit trinityofaugusta.com.

The Chatterbox Club of Augusta, a support group for individuals and their families who have experienced a laryngectomy, meets the second Sunday of each month (except June and July) at 3 p.m. at Trinity Hospital in the Sister Mary Louise Conference Room. Call 706-481-7359 or visit trinityofaugusta.com.

Education

Safe Boating Course is Saturday, June 29, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 1 Broad St. in Augusta. Learn safe boating skills from United States Power Squadron’s certified instructors. Call 706-737-8113.

appointment Monday-Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., at the center at 1401 Magnolia Drive. Appointments required. Call 706-737-1625 or visit gru.edu.

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

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are offered every Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Fort Gordon Toastmasters meets 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday in the Organizational Conference Room (Fish Bowl) on Fort Gordon Army base.

Open to the public. Visit fortgordon.toastmastersclubs.org.

Adult Hebrew Class is taught at Congregation Children of Israel at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Email office@cciaugusta.org or visit cciaugusta.org.

Visit theaugustamarket.com.

Adult swim lessons are offered at the Family Y of Downtown Augusta for ages 13 and up. Days and times vary by branch. Members $55 per month; non-members $85 per month. Registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.

Olympic-style Tae Kwon Do, taught by Master Michael L. Weintraub, is each Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.com.

Tae Kwon Do is offered at the Wilson Family Y, Family Y of Augusta South and Family Y of North Augusta. Registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.

Kickball League registration is available for a new adult co-ed league at Riverview Park. Call 941-716-3163 or visit augustakickball.com.

Wheelchair Tennis Clinic, presented by the Walton Foundation for Independence, meets each Monday at 6 p.m. (weather permitting) at The Club at Rae’s Creek.

Free and open to the public. Call 706-826-5809 or email alsalley@wrh.org.

Arrowsmith Information Meeting is Sunday, June 30, at 2:30 p.m. at the Evans Branch Library in the downstairs meeting room. Arrowsmith is a unique science-based program for the effective treatment of learning disabilities in children. It may be offered by an Augusta school in the coming school year. Learning disorders are a fairly common problem in most communities, and all interested parents are invited to attend a meeting for information about the program. Call 706-863-1946.

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

Augusta-Aiken Birds is Tuesday, July 2, from 10-11 a.m. at the Appleby Branch Library. Paul Koehler from the Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society will help participants discover area birds. Ages 18 and up. Free. Call 706-7366244 or visit ecgrl.org.

Historic Trolley Tour of Augusta aboard the Lady Libby boards at the Augusta Museum of History at 1:30 p.m., Saturdays. See historic sites and hear spooky legends, including the legend of the famous Haunted Pillar. $12, including admission to the museum. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustaga.org.

Weekly Group Runs include the Monday Metro Run meeting at Metro Coffeehouse at 6 p.m.; Monday Intervals meeting at the Family Y track on Wheeler Road at 7 p.m.; the Tuesday Nacho Mama’s Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Blanchard Woods Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday Stay in Shape Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Post Office Hill Training Run at 7 p.m.; Thursday’s Homer Hustle at 6 p.m.; and Saturday’s Stay in Shape Run at 8 a.m. Visit augustastriders.com.

Tours of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson are held regularly. Adults $5; seniors $4; kids K-12 $3; under 5 years free.

Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Call 706-722-9828.

The Augusta Furies Women’s Rugby Football Club practices 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Julian Smith Casino for players 18 and up.

Email augusta.furies@gmail.com or visit augustafuries.org.

Sports-Outdoors

The Augusta Rugby Club holds weekly practice sessions at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Larry Bray Memorial Pitch in Augusta.

Experienced players and newbies ages 18 and up are welcome. Bring a pair of cleats or cross trainers, a mouthguard, gym shorts and a T-shirt. Visit augustarugby.org or Facebook under the Augusta Rugby Club heading.

Georgia Download Destination Help Session is Wednesday, July 3, from 2:303:30 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Free. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.

Intermediate Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.

Beginner’s Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 4-5 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.

Free Tutoring for all ages, offered by GRU’s Literacy Center, is available by

26 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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

Augusta GreenJackets home games are as follows: Thursday, July 4, at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Charleston RiverDogs at GreenJackets Stadium. $1-$15.

Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Triple 8 Group Run meets at 8th and Reynolds, 8 a.m., every Saturday through Oct. 26. Choose your distance: 3, 6 or 8 miles. Open to everyone.

Yoga Class at Euchee Creek Library meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. Call 706556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org.

Hott Shott Disc Golf is held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Killer B Disc Golf in

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downtown Augusta, and features games and prizes for all ages and skill levels. $2. Call 706-814-7514 or visit killerbdiscgolf.blogspot.com/p/hott-shott.

Thursday Night Chain Reaction Ride begins at 6 p.m. each Thursday at Patriots Park in Grovetown. For intermediate to fast-paced cyclists, who average 25-32 miles. Participants should bring their own water and helmet. Call 706-855-2024 or visit chainreactionbicycles.net.

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

Road Bike Ride meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse downtown for an approximately 25-mile ride at a moderate to fast pace.

Front and rear lights, as well as a helmet, are required.

Call 706-724-6777 or visit andyjordans.com.

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

Lakeside Rideouts at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are each Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The ride, which begins at 2 p.m., is a two-hour guided ride to Wilkerson Lake. $45-$50. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com.

Adapted Aquatics for Special Populations offered at the Wilson Family Y by appointment. Members, $11 per session; non-members, $22 per session. Discount for additional siblings. Call 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org.

The Augusta Fencers Club is open five nights a week from 5:30-9 p.m. and most Saturday mornings from 10 a.m.noon. Visitors always welcome. Call 706-722- 8878.

BlazeSports Swim Team, for all ages of physically challenged swimmers who want to train for competition, meets at the Wilson Family Y. Members, $35 a month; non-members, $50 a month. Preregistration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.

Civil War 150th Canal Tour, “Food, Fabric and Firepower,” is offered by the Augusta Canal Interpretive Center at 1:30 p.m. daily through 2013.

Call 706-823- 0440 or visit augustacanal.com.

Kids-Teens

Dino Day is Thursday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at the Appleby Branch Library. Watch the movie “Dino Dan” and make a dinosaur mask. Ages 5-11. Call 706-7366244 or visit ecgrl.org.

YA Book Swap and AE Session will be held Thursday, June 27, from 3-4 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Bring books to trade and AE (Alternate Endings) to favorite teen-young adult books. Snacks will be provided. Call 706-722-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.

On Stage for Teens is Thursday, June 27, at 4 p.m. at the Aiken Branch Library. The Aiken Community Playhouse will introduce basic theater terms, stage positioning and easy improv through fun theater games and exercises. No experience necessary. Open to rising 6-12 graders. Free. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Chad Crews, Magical Storyteller is Friday, June 28, from 10-11 a.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Free. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.

Fear Factor Food Showdown is Friday, June 28, at 3 p.m. at the North Augusta Branch Library. Registration 27JUNE2013

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Family Game Night is Friday, June 28, from 5-8 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pizza and drinks will be served. Free. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Yoga for Kids will be held Saturday, June 29, from 9-10 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Free. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Hayrides will take place Saturday, June 29, between 8:30-10 p.m. at Mistletoe State Park. Come enjoy a marshmallow roast and hayride. There will be three hayride opportunities. Hayrides will take you around the campground and by the lake. $2 per person or $5 for a family of 4. $5 parking. Call 706-541-0321.

Underground Movie: “Journey to the Center of the Earth” will be shown Monday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the North Augusta Branch Library. Free. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Heat of the Day Movies: “Sounder” will be shown Monday, July 1, at 2 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Free. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.

Summer Theme Reading Movie: “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” will be shown Tuesday, July 2, at 10 a.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Free. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.

Underground Movie: “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” will be shown Tuesday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the North Augusta Branch Library. Free. Call 803-2795767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

A Short Movie and Craft will be presented Tuesday, July 2, from 10-11 a.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Watch the movie and make a craft inspired by the movie. Best for ages 2-11. Free. Call 706-7722432 or visit ecgrl.org.

Underground Movie: “A Bug’s Life” will be shown Wednesday, July 3, at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the North Augusta Branch Library. Free. Call 803-2795767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Dinosaur Discovery is Wednesday, July 3, at 2 and 3 p.m. at the Aiken Branch Library. Learn all about dinosaurs with stories, activities, and a take-home craft. Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Paws to Read is every Tuesday in July from 11 a.m.noon at the Aiken Branch Library. Struggling readers in grades K-5 can register to read to a trained therapy dog who loves to listen to stories. Registered children will have a weekly 20-minute session with a dog and handler. Pre-registration and a signed permission slip is required for this event. Stop by the first floor circulation desk to register. Call 803-642-7585 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board needs members. Looking for high-school students to spend one evening a month learning about historic preservation, grants and philanthropy. Call 706595-7777, email mzupan@hickory-hill.org or visit hickory-hill.org.

DuPont Planetarium shows for Saturdays in June are “Solar System Adventure Tour” at 8 p.m. and “Blown Away: Wild World of Weather” at 9 p.m.

Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. General admission $4.50; seniors $3.50; 4K-12 $2.50; valid college or military I.D. gets you a 50-percent discount; USCA faculty, staff and students $1. Kids under 4 not permitted in public viewings.

Reservations encouraged. Call 803-641-3654.

Georgia Connections Academy, a free virtual public charter school has spots for 1,000 K-12 28 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

students in Georgia. Call 800-382-6010 or visit connectionsacademy.com/georgia-school/enrollment/ home.aspx.

Tae Kwon Do is offered for all skill levels age 5 and up at the Family Y of Aiken County, North Augusta, Augusta South and the Wilson Family Y. Registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.

Ceramics Class, for ages 14 and up, meets Mondays at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. in the Weeks Ceramics Center. Call 803-6427631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.

Creative Arts offered at the Family Y of North Augusta for ages 5-12 years. Members, $35 per month; nonmembers, $55 per month. Visit thefamilyy.org.

Toddler Time, playtime for children ages 5 and under, is each Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken. $2 per visit; $16 per 10-visit pass. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.

Friedman Branch Library. Groups of six or more must pre-register. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.

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

Creek Freaks, a Georgia Adopt-a-Stream team of middle- and high-school students, meets regularly at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park to monitor the health of Butler Creek. Call 706-796-7707 or visit naturalscienceacademy.org.

Story Time is held every Wednesday from 10-11:15 a.m. at Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org.

Fun-Time Fridays, for ages 2-5, is held each Friday at 10:45-11:30 a.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov.

Story Time is held each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Pre-registration required for groups. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org.

Gesher, a teen program for post b’nai mitzvah youngsters (7th-12th grade), meets every other Sunday at Adas Yeshurun Synagogue. Call 706-733-9491.

Wacky Wednesday Story Time is each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the children’s department of Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

Seniors

Story Time is held each Wednesday at the Appleby Branch Library from 10:05- 10:20 a.m. for toddlers age 18-35 months, and from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for preschool kids age 3 and up. An adult must remain with the child. Call 706-736- 6244 or visit ecgrl.org.

Story Time is held at the Columbia County Library at 10:15 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, for kids under 2 years old; at 10:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 2-year-olds; at 11 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for preschoolers; and at 4 p.m. Wednesdays for all ages. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org.

Story Time is every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for pre-K, and either 11 or 11:30 a.m. for preschoolers at Aiken County Public Library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Loud Crowd, a supervised after-school program for those ages 4-12, is Monday- Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-8602833 or visit augustaga.gov.

Homeschool PE Time, for elementary school aged kids, meets Monday-Friday, from 9-11 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Members free. Call 706-364-5762 for nonmember prices. Visit krocaugusta.org.

Story Time is held at the Diamond Lakes Branch library 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Registration required for groups of six or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.

Tai Chi Panda, a Chinese martial arts program for kids ages 5-13, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ages 5-7 meet at 4 p.m.; ages 8-10 meet at 5 p.m.; ages 11-13 meet at 6 p.m. Call 706-394-0590 or visit augustameditation.com/ taichi.html.

Jewish Community Center. For Boy Scouts, visit troop119bsa.com or email geoffstew@gmail.com. For Girl Scouts, email sbehrend@bellsouth.net. For Daisy/ Brownie Troop, email bdmrev@yahoo.com.

Kroc Trotters Running Group, for those ages 16 and older, meets at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at the Kroc Center to run the trails of the Augusta Canal. $15. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.

Little Friends Gym, a parent and child class for those ages 6 months-4 years, is held each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov.

Story Time is every Wednesday from 10:30-11 a.m. for toddlers and 11:15-11:45 a.m. for preschoolers at North Augusta Branch Library. Call 803-279-5767 or abbe-lib.org.

Story Time at the Euchee Creek Branch Library, for all ages, is held each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and each Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org.

Memory, or What Are My Keys Doing in the Freezer?

Will be presented Monday, July 1, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. This is a lecture about normal aging and when memory loss needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Free, Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Spiritual

Job Series: Where is God’s Wisdom, a Bible-teaching seminar, is Saturday, June 29, at noon at the Friedman Branch Library. Free. Participants should bring their Bibles. Visit speakerforalloccasions.net.

Men’s Day Program is Sunday, June 30, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1260 Wrightsboro Rd. Tyrone J. Butler, founder and executive director of the Augusta Mini Theatre is the guest speaker. Free. Call 706-724-8054.

Elsewhere

Mudpuppies, an arts and crafts program for ages 2-5, is held each Thursday at 10:45 a.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov.

Classic City American Music Festival will be held Thursday, July 4, from 4-11 p.m. at the Melting Point in Athens. Eight bands, including headliners Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Packway Handle Band, will perform.

This yearly festival brings the best of bluegrass, Americana and folk music to Athens and features some of the most established and rising talents in the American music scene. This is an all-ages, family friendly event sponsored by the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society. Call 706-524-6909 or visit meltingpointathens.com.

The Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club Junior Academy, for boys and girls ages 5- 8, meets each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Augusta Soccer Park. Call 706-854- 0149 or visit augustasoccer.com.

If you would like to see your organization’s events listed in our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com. The deadline for each Thursday’s issue is the previous Friday at noon.

Homeschool Playgroup meets each Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Creighton Park in North Augusta. Call 803613-0484.

Preschool Story Time is every Tuesday at Headquarters Branch Library at 10 a.m. Toddler Story Time is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Group registration required. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.

Fairy Tale Ballet is held at the Family Y of Aiken County.

Offered once a week for one month for a total of four classes. Members, $25 a month; non-members, $35 a month. Visit thefamilyy.org.

Story Time is held every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at

Boy and Girl Scout troops are hosted by Augusta

DECLASSIFIED

is limited to 30, and the event is open to ages 8-18.

Permission slips must be signed by a parent to participate. Winner receives a McDonalds gift card.

Free. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

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Emily Holland, Sam Tranum and Emily Schiffner at Augusta Pride 2013 in the Augusta Common.

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Thomas Moss, Jennifer Long and David Brown at Augusta Pride 2013 in the Augusta Common.

Sutherlan Cope, Lindsay Cope and Megan Patch at Augusta Pride 2013 in the Augusta Common.

SIGHTINGS

Ms. Augusta Pride Malaysia Black, Ginger Crosby and Mr. Augusta Pride Hayden Lowe at Augusta Pride 2013 in the Augusta Common.

Augusta Pride President Travis Jenkins with winner of â&#x20AC;&#x153;RuPaulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drag Race All Starsâ&#x20AC;? Chad Michaels at Augusta Pride 2013 in the Augusta Common.

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No Talking Allowed

Why can’t airplanes be more like libraries?

Everyone has a travel story, right? That day that was terrible. Flights were delayed for hours and hours. Sat in traffic forever, had to sleep in the airport, etc. Comedian Louis CK has a hilarious standup routine about air travel.

(Google it. My apologies for the language.)

As I was traveling back from Chicago last week, one such day occurred.

Fortunately, I don’t feel like it happened to me necessarily. It mostly happened around me. I interacted with many of the offenders, but I didn’t feel all that annoyed that we were delayed. Maybe it’s because I was alone and enjoying my last bit of solitude. Maybe it’s because people are so damn entertaining.

To my own fault, I got to the Chicago airport very early. Dad was flying that day, too, so we shared a cab. Our flights were an hour and a half or so apart.

I planned on having lunch while I waited. I went through security in no time, ate lunch and went to the gate. Flight delayed. I checked, and I’d still have no problem making my connection in Atlanta. We were delayed more than an hour, giving me about three extra reading hours, but it wasn’t a big deal. I had Candy Crush, too. When I ran out of lives, I’d read a few chapters until I was up to five again. (Don’t ever play Candy Crush Saga.)

The flight was over-sold, so the gate area was slammed. People were antsy to get on the plane. Hurry up and wait! I was in Zone 3, so by the time I boarded, the plane was mostly full. As I approached my seat, I counted ahead to row 16.

It looked like someone was in my seat. I glanced at my mobile boarding pass, and sure enough, I was assigned to seat 16A. A window seat. I’d specifically requested the seat weeks ago. Now there was a man sitting in it. I looked at the number on the bulkhead, back at my boarding pass, and back at the number again. I hope he would just sense what I was saying without me having to ask him to move.

The flight attendant figured it out. “Sir, is that your seat?”

“No, I just would rather sit here. And he would rather sit here.” He gestured to his friend in 16B. The man in line behind me was seated in 16B, one he’d specifically chosen for its location on the aisle.

Listen here. I’m all for letting a pair of star-crossed lovers sit next to each other on the way to paradise. I’m not willing to bend when the seat they want me to trade for is a middle seat. It’s not gonna happen. I said, very quietly, “I’m sorry.

I’d rather not have a middle seat.” I actually felt bad about it, but the flight attendant told me to absolutely not worry about it.

The now moving man didn’t agree and continued to dart ugly glances at me from his middle seat across the aisle. As it turns out, his friend wasn’t supposed to be in 16B. I’m sorry. You can’t hop on a plane and simply decide where you’re sitting. You also can’t get mad if you offer the crappiest seat on the plane in exchange for my prime location, and I don’t take it. I turned toward the window and opened my book.

As we backed away from the gate, the captain mentioned something about a quick 10-minute delay but asked everyone to remain seated. He stated that we could possibly get out sooner, but we would not be able to taxi if anyone was out of their seats. Who do you think was the first (and last) passenger to get up to go to the bathroom? Yep. Seat stealer. The pilot came back on, asking him to be seated, but he went to the bathroom anyway. I hope it was an emergency.

Landing in Atlanta, I raced to eat dinner. After all, we’d been delayed, so my connection was going to be tight. Heh. We were supposed to take off at 7:25.

30 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

We finally left Atlanta at 11:45. It was a long day. Thank goodness you people entertained me the whole time. The Atlanta airport was like the Twilight Zone that night. I’m not referring to vampires here, but I wouldn’t have been shocked to see one.

Everyone seemed to be running to a flight. I felt particularly bad for the guy who took off in the wrong direction. His wife let him and all of C Concourse know he’d screwed up. She screamed “TIM! TIM! TIM!” in that voice only a wife can do. He came running back the other way, sweaty and clearly flustered.

She was pointing and scolding the whole way. Her thong was hanging out of the top of her pants.

Our delay wasn’t an organized one. We were told to come back to the gate every 30 minutes or so to check the status. Everyone had just enough time to come back, hear the gate agents new estimated time (30-45 minutes later), and head back to the only bar nearby. It was a big revolving door of moans and groans.

The gate agents have the worst job. They are no more than bearers of bad news. People get so mad about delays, too. Sure, it’s going to screw up your day, but it’d take you a whole lot longer if you had to drive. Get over it. Getting mad isn’t going to speed up the process. Besides, what’s the alternative? You gonna start flapping your arms?

When we finally boarded, everyone was delirious. I got to my (empty) seat, and the aisle seat was already occupied. “Excuse me, ma’am? I’m in that window seat.” Nothing. She continued to text. I gently tapped her shoulder. Still nothing.

“Ma’am?”

“I HEARD YOU.” Okay, I’m sorry. Usually things like looking up, verbally acknowledging the conversation and maybe even getting out of your seat would clue me in, but you did none of those. Pardon me for being a little confused.

I immediately took my seat, opened my book, and turned to face the window.

Now she wanted to talk. She wanted to tell me what a long night it’d been, and how long she had to wait. She told the same story I had. Everyone on the dadgum plane had the same story. I politely nodded, turning away as soon as she finished her sentence.

There’s a reason I choose the window seat. There’s also a reason I always open a book as soon as I sit down. Sometimes, I’ll even put the headphones in without any music. I hate talking to people on planes. You can’t have a quick conversation. The quarters are too close. If I want to stop talking, I seem rude.

It’s easier to avoid it altogether.

I’d pay extra to sit in a “no talking allowed” section of the plane. I bet I’m not alone. If you are chatty on a plane, they could have a “social section,” where y’all can chat your little hearts out. The rest of us could sit there, in our seats, without having to pretend to be busy. One can dream. Until then, I hope my dad keeps sharing his drink vouchers. Cheers!

JENNYWRIGHT lives in Summerville with her

husband, who she calls The Man, and two kids, who she affectionately calls The Boy and The Girl. She enjoys taking photos, cooking and playing tennis.

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VALERIEEMERICK

Something Different

Second annual film festival brings best and brightest in Jewish and Israeli cinema The second annual Augusta Jewish Film Festival kicked off on Monday, June 24, and will continue through July 11.

Five films will be screened during the two and a half week run, and will be shown in two different venues: Le Chat Noir in downtown Augusta and the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in the Columbia County Library in Evans.

“This is our second year that we are presenting five films,” said Dr. Nettie Albrecht, one of festivals organizers. “I think it’s within about two and half weeks and all the Jewish organizations in town have joined together to promote this film festival.”

She explained that Jewish film festivals are being held in different cities and towns all across the country and that the organizers feel that Augusta is sophisticated enough to welcome the Augusta Jewish Film Festival.

“The first year, it was better received than I thought it was going to be, because we really didn’t know what to expect,” Albrecht said.

“But the community came out and we thought — well this is great, we’re going to keep trying to do this, and keep bringing films out because I think this is something different that people can go to.”

The festival is comprised of films made by Jewish filmmakers from all over the world and the films deal with a variety of themes.

“The films are made by Jewish and Israeli filmmakers, Albrecht said. “I think one might be in French — they’re from all over the world. Some are in Hebrew and some are in different languages. They all have English subtitles. A lot of them have been shown in Israel originally. There are a variety of themes — some are holocaust themed and some are themes that can relate to anybody.”

Albrecht quickly added that she does not want anyone to be discouraged from coming out to the films because of subtitles. The subtitles add to the experience of seeing a foreign film, Albrecht said. She also pointed

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out that because of the venues where the movies will be shown, the subtitles will be clear and easy to read.

There is a committee that works throughout the year to select all the films shown in the Augusta Jewish Film Festival and there is a lot of planning involved.

“The committee does view these films before we select them so we can get the best ones that we can,” Albrecht said. “We look and see what has been recommended by other film festivals in other groups. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is huge and we’ll look and see what has worked for them — what has worked in different areas of the country and then we have a committee that gets the films, or as much of the film as we can, to view it and see what would be appropriate because we want to show the best of the best that we can afford to show in Augusta.”

They hope to get a big turnout this year, Albrecht said. She also recommended all the films.

“They’re all different,” she explained. “I think some of them will make people think; some of them will hopefully start conversations, some of them you just want to come in and enjoy — they’re all different. So, see all of them.”

For more information on the films, times and locations, visit the Augusta Jewish Community Center’s website, augustajcc.org, or call 706-2283636.

MONEY

DOESN’T

GROW ON TREES (Although some local tree services must beli be liliev evee it ddoe ev oess ac oe acco cord co rdin rd ingg to tthe in heir he ir eest stim st imat im ates at ess!) believe does according their estimates!)

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AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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FEATURED

June 27 27Thursday, Live Music

Bell Auditorium - James Fortune and Friends MAD Studios - Cloud Formations, Dewayne Brock, Bill Scoggins, Chad James, Joyce Lynn Chandler, John Allen Lifsey, Dale Lewis Jr., Young Goodman Brown Maude Edenfield Park, North Augusta - Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Mellow Mushroom (Downtown and Evans) - Live and Local Polo Tavern - John Kolbeck Rose Hill Estate - Preston Weston & Sandra Sky City - Billie Vacation, Mechanical River, Concord America, & Boring Portals Somewhere in Augusta - Panic Manor Tavern at the Bean - Irish Music The Willcox - Live Jazz Wild Wing - Lo Fidelty

Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold provide the entertainment for North Augusta’s Music in Park on Thursday, June 27. Held at the verandah at the Maude Edenfield Park on East Buena Vista Avenue, the free concert will begin at 7 p.m. Those attending are invited to bring blankets and chairs, and there is a playground nearby for children. For more information, visit naartscouncil.org.

What’s Tonight?

Bar on Broad - Liddle Ugleez Bar West - Poker Chevy’s Nite Club - Karaoke Cocktails Lounge - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Fox’s Lair - Trivia, Soup and Suds Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia The Loft - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Evans) - Karaoke The Playground - DJ Rana Shannon’s - Karaoke Soul Bar - DJ Rana Surreal at Surrey - College and F&B Night Tavern at the Bean - Ladies Night Villa Europa - Karaoke Wooden Barrel - ’80s Night Karaoke

June 28 28Friday, Live Music

Augusta Canal Moonlight Music Cruise - Angela Easterling Carolina Ale House - Connor Pledger Country Club - Billy Creason & The Dam-Fi-No Band Coyote’s - Joe Olds Doubletree - Classic Jazz w/ KE-JU First Round - The Independents Fox’s Lair - Chris Hardy Joe’s Underground - Billie Vacation and Ganges Philangese Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Shameless Dave & the Miracle Whips Mi Rancho (downtown) - Dale Lewis Jr. PI Bar & Grille - Live Jazz Polo Tavern - Preston & Weston Sky City - Radiolucent, Thomas Wynn and the Believers Somewhere In Augusta - Grizzly Harris Band The Stables at Rose Hill Estate - Kenny George Stillwater Taproom - Jackaroe Surrey Tavern - American Gonzos Wild Wing - Interstate Exiles

What’s Tonight?

Armando’s - Karaoke w/ Rockin Rob Chevy’s - DJ Dougie Club Argos - Friday Night House Party Cocktails Lounge - Grown-Up Fridays with DJ Cork and Bull Pub - Karaoke Eagle’s Nest - Free Salsa Lessons; Latin Dance 34 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Party Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Iron Horse Bar & Grill - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke with Ryan Moseley Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke with Jeff Barnes Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Three J’s Karaoke Ms. Carolyn’s - Karaoke Palmetto Tavern - DJ Tim The Playground - DJ Rana Rebeck’s Hideaway - Open Mic Roadrunner Cafe - Karaoke with Steve Chappel Soul Bar - Disco Hell Wooden Barrel - Karaoke Contest

June 29 29Saturday, Live Music

100 Laurens - Celia Gary The Acoustic Coffeehouse - Open Acoustic Jam Session with Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Country Club - John King Band Coyotes - Dallas Martin First Round - Blu Avenue, Sunwell, 6 MAD Studios - Chris Boone, Chuck Mims Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - AcostA P.I. Bar and Grill - Smooth/Vocal Jazz Polo Tavern - Jim Fisher Band Sky City - Baby Baby, Sidestreet Ked Somewhere In Augusta - The Unmentionables Surrey Tavern - American Gonzos Wild Wing - Smoke & Mirrors

What’s Tonight?

Bar West - Mustache Bash Chevy’s - DJ Dougie Club Argos - Saturday Night Dance Party and Show Cocktails Lounge - Latin Night Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Helga’s Pub & Grille - Karaoke The Loft - DJ Richie Rich Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Karaoke with Danny Haywood Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke Ms. Carolyn’s - Karaoke The Playground - DJ Rana Robbie’s - Saturday Night Dance Party Tavern at the Bean - Karaoke w/ DJ Kenny Curtis Wooden Barrel - Kamikaze Karaoke

June 30 30Sunday, Live Music

5 O’Clock Bistro - Funk You Candlelight Jazz - Patrick Arthur Trio Malibu Jack’s - Playback The Band w/ Tutu Dy’Vine Partridge Inn - Sunday Evening Jazz w/ the Not Gaddy Jazz Trio Wild Wing - John Kolbeck The Willcox - Live Jazz

What’s Tonight?

Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke, Salsa Dancing Polo Tavern - Bingo Night Shannon’s - Karaoke with Peggy Gardner

July 1 01Monday, Live Music

Hopelands Gardens (Aiken) - TBA Shannon’s - Open Mic Night

What’s Tonight?

Applebee’s (Evans) - Trivia Bar West - Game Night Chevy’s - Trivia Club Argos - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Poker Malibu Jack’s - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Trivia The Playground - DJ Rana Robolli’s - Trivia with Mike Thomas Somewhere in Augusta - Poker Wild Wing - Trivia

July 2 02Tuesday, Live Music

The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Karaoke Contest The Willcox - Piano jazz

What’s Tonight?

Bar West - Trivia Chevy’s Nite Club - Shag Night w/ Free Lessons Club Argos - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Dart League Joe’s Underground - Karaoke Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke w/ David Doane Limelight Cafe - Bottom’s Up Karaoke Malibu Jack’s - Poker

Mellow Mushroom (Downtown and Evans) - Trivia Mi Rancho - Cornhole Carolina Meeting The Playground - Truly Twisted Trivia with Big Troy Polo Tavern - Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke with Mike Johnson Somewhere In Augusta - Big Prize Trivia Surrey Tavern - Tubeday Tuesday Movie Night

July 3 03Wednesday, Live Music First Round - Scattered Hamlet Malibu Jack’s - Marilyn Adcock

What’s Tonight?

Armando’s - Karaoke w/ Rockin Rob Chevy’s - Karaoke Cocktails Lounge - Augusta’s Got Talent Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes Hotel Aiken - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke w/ David Doane The Loft - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke The Playground - Krazy Karaoke with Big Troy Polo Tavern - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Somewhere in Augusta - The Comedy Zone Surrey Tavern - Trivia with Christian and Mickey

Upcoming

Richie Scholl - Country Club July 5 Holman Autry - Country Club July 6 Funk You - Candlelight Jazz July 7 County Line - Joe’s Underground July 10 Savannah River Bluegrass - Maude Edenfield Park, North Augusta July 11 John Kolbeck - Polo Tavern July 11 John Karl - Country Club July 12 Bone Chilly - Joe’s Underground July 12 Josh Hilley - Polo Tavern July 12 Funk You - Sky City July 12 Gavin Riley - 100 Laurens July 13 Holland Marie - Country Club July 13 Ponderosa, Yip Deceiver - Sky City July 13 Buzz Clifford - Candlelight Jazz July 14 Karen Gordon & Garden City Jazz - Hopelands Gardens (Aiken) July 15 Jacob Beltz - Joe’s Underground July 17 The Gilded Youth w. Dirty Realists - Sky City July 18 Eric Scott Band - Country Club July 19 Michael Stacey Band - Country Club July 20 27JUNE2013

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Saint Happening - Joe’s Underground July 20 Edwin Hamilton Trio (Charleston) - Candlelight Jazz July 21 4 Cats in the Dog House - Hopelands Gardens July 22 Mindless Behavior All Around the World Tour w/ OMG Girlz & CoCo Jones - Bell Auditorium August 8

Elsewhere

The B-52s - Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta June 28 Bob Dylan, Wilco, My Morning Jacket - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood June 29 The Temptations, The Four Tops - Frederick Brown Amphitheater, Peachtree City June 29 Lil Wayne, T.I., Future - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta July 12 Carolina Chocolate Drops, Keller Williams - Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta July 12 Beyonce - Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth July 12 Phish - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta July 16-17

Robert Plant - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta July 19 Anita Baker - Chastain Park, Atlanta July 19 Boz Scaggs - Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta July 19 Living Colour - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta July 19 The Black Crowes, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The London Souls Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta July 20 OAR - Tabernacle, Atlanta July 20 Vans Warped Tour 2013 w/ Reel Big Fish, Wallpaper, the Story So Far, Hawthorne Heights and more - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta July 25 Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds 5, Guster, Boothby Graffoe - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta July 26 Lyle Lovett - Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta July 26 Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta July 27 The Corduroy Road, Packway Handle Band - Mellow Mushroom, Macon July 27 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival w/ Rob Zombie, Machine

Head, Behemoth, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Mastodon and more - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta July 30 Jonas Brothers - Chastain Park, Atlanta August 4 Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin - Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta August 9 Smashmouth, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon, Fastball Chastain Park, Atlanta August 10 Grand Funk Railroad, Spin Doctors - The Frederick Brown Amphitheater, Peachtree City August 10 Kansas, Toto - Chastain Park, Atlanta August 14 Bruno Mars - Philips Arena, Atlanta August 22 Steep Canyon Rangers - Terminal West, Atlanta August 23 Huey Lewis & the News - The Frederick Brown Amphitheater, Peachtree City August 23 Muse - Convention Center at Gwinnett Center, Duluth September 4 Depeche Mode - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta September 12 Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Uncle Kracker - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at

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AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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BOX TOPS

Monsters and zombies and Superman and the Apocalypse... oh my!

EIGHT

RANK

TITLES

WEEKEND GROSS

TOTAL GROSS

WEEK #

LAST WEEK

1

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

$82,429,469

$82,429,469

1

-

2

WORLD WAR Z

$66,411,834

$66,411,834

1

-

3

MAN OF STEEL

$41,287,206

$210,078,153

2

1

4

THIS IS THE END

$13,290,642

$58,082,166

2

2

5

NOW YOU SEE ME

$7,876,002

$94,456,978

4

3

“World War Z”

SAMEIFLING

This movie’s worldwide devastation is chillingly effective COMEDY

“The Heat,” rated R, starring Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy. Let’s face it: Bullock is basically reprising Gracie Hart (“Miss Congeniality”) and McCarthy is playing a similar version of the character she always plays in movies. You know what, though? We could care less because this is a match made in movie heaven. Here’s to many, many sequels.

36 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

For as brainy as “World War Z” is at times, it’s most successful when it confronts you with this raw unnatural force of nature.

The bloat of the $190 million reported budget for this film is evident in the digital effects, which at times resemble a hellish version of a “Where’s Waldo?” tableau.

If not in its particulars (or even in its characters) the film at least stays true to the most chilling theme of the book: the devastation wrought by panic. We see explosions and wrecks and general chaos well ahead of the zombies themselves, and when everyone eats by looting and thieving, only the looters and thieves will survive. When Pitt tries to explain this to a Spanish-speaking family, he reduces it to the simple phrase “movement is life.” Just as the undead keep running, so must everyone else.

Director Marc Forster (“Quantum of Solace,” “Finding Neverland”) keeps the super zombie freak-out close-ups to a relative minimum. Less than the fear of a single zombie attack is the totality of the worldwide devastation. Josef Stalin is credited with the evil quip that one dead is a tragedy, where 20 million dead is a statistic.

Maybe so, but the looming possibility of seven billion undead is one scary stat.

Pitt gets to carry the one-man burden; his wife (Mireille Enos) and kids are safe on an aircraft carrier just so long as he’s out chasing the mystery of how anyone is going to survive. His world shrinks as the catastrophe grows. Like news, pandemics are ultimately local. It’s all a crackling ride, in sum.

But if you’re not quite moved by the family story at the center of “World War Z,” that’s only natural. In its version of events, you were probably eaten alive by your own family days earlier.

“I’m So Excited,” rated R, starring Javier Camara, Pepa Charro, Lola Duenas, Cecilia Roth. Beloved director Pedro Almodovar loves finding humor in odd situations, so it’s no surprise that his latest is set on a plane that might be about to crash. Viewers might not recognize the main players in this movie, but will surely recognize Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz, two actors who owe their start to Almodovar, when they pop up for cameos.

ACTION

“White House Down,” rated PG-13, starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal. This looks like it could be a fun, summer, “kill ‘em all and ask questions later” kind of movie that director Roland Emmerich (“The Day After Tomorrow,” “Independence Day”) specializes in, and it helps that he was able to snag Tatum as a Secret Service agent and Foxx as the president. We hope that they didn’t include all the jokes in the trailer, though.

JUNE 28

One of the quietly clever moments of “World War Z” comes early, when the hero, played by Brad Pitt, battles his way through a zombie onslaught in the worst apartment building stairwell in Newark. He emerges onto the roof and, as his family watches, runs to the edge, half-leaning off the high-rise, and counts to 12, explaining to them that he got some zombie blood in his mouth. If he’s going to turn “Zeke,” as soldiers come to nickname the zombies, he knows it’s going to happen in a matter of seconds, and he wants to have an exit handy.

The zombies in “World War Z” are some of the most ferocious the genre has ever seen: full-sprint fast, hungry, heedless and instantly contagious. No wait-andsee, keep-him-under-observation — the line from terrified human to terrorizing zombie is no wider than the line between life and death itself. That speed of transmission is what makes “World War Z” perhaps the first zombie movie that’s more epidemiological than supernatural.

Pitt’s superdad is a retired United Nations expert in conflict zones, and as he tries to suss out the solution to the world zombie epidemic, he’s more interested in causes and quirks, less in the military response.

It’s a tack that works because the zombies are too much for the military to handle. All the militaries, in fact. This is a divergence of degree from the source material, Max Brooks’ 2006 novel, which did detail the political and military solutions to the zombie plague. (Spoiler: Many zombie heads are crushed with heavy implements.) But from these newer, even more overwhelming zombies are those mind-popping scenes of zombies sluicing over walls and careening through narrow streets — zombies as locust swarm, zombies as avalanche, zombies as wildfire.

“Redemption,” rated R, starring Jason Statham. Two things Statham movies usually have in common: His character is unjustly accused of something and he takes sweet, bloody revenge on his accusers. This one may have been directed by noted screenwriter Steven Knight, but it appears he decided to adhere to that formula.

DRAMA

“Byzantium,” rated R, starring Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Caleb Landry Jones, Sam Riley. Two women who seek shelter at a coastal resort bring death to town with them. Not cool, ladies; not cool at all.

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WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM

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

up

Want something to do this Saturday? Go to Marvin United Methodist Church in Martinez from 9-11 a.m. and help them break the Guinness World Record for most sandwiches made in an hour. The best part?

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First of all, why are fifty percent of the whines directed toward the mayor? He deserves Augusta’s utmost respect and consideration. If you need to find him just try looking in one of the bars/ restaurants in Surrey Center on any given day. He will definitely be there to answer any of your complaints or concerns... also if you have ever wondered what a person looks like when their A Huge rave to all the regulars at the pkp dog park. I parents are brother and sister just try looking at the recently lost a treasured pet and I was so comforted by Sightings page in the Metro Spirit. the compassion shown to me by so many people that frequent the dog park . Those of you who understand I had to laugh at the latest installment of ‘Confessions how important a role our pets can play in our life may of a Cracker’. It’s one thing to reopen the diaperful “get It “ and those of you who don’t ...... We welcome of excuses given against busing 40 years ago, but to you without judgement ..... Just like our pets and just like compare the anguish and torment of having to see dark, dark faces in the classroom to the Final Solution? my friends at the dog park I LOVE YOU ALL !!!!!!

Austin must be trying for the title ‘Knight of Broken To the person who responded to my response about Glass’. What’s next, a call for a Stonewall-like uprising having justice served in the upcoming Zinnerman against the indignity of no English-only menus at murder trial against Trayvon Martin, the structure and Mexican restaurants? content of what I wrote must have been excellent since you copied it almost verbatim with the exception that I remember back in 2005 how Helen Blocker-Adams pretended to support Tommy Bowles for mayor up until you’re looking to exonerate a cold blooded killer, while I’m looking for justice for the Martin family who lost a the last days of qualifying when she jumped into the teenager just walking down the street eating Skittles. In race. She did not get my vote in 2005 and won’t get it your heart of hearts, you know this murder is wrong, next year. I don’t vote for people who say they will do but your upbringing, your narrow minded friends and one thing and then do another. your deep seeded bigotry will not allow you to recognize So Paula Dean is a racist? I am not one of her fans but I what is right. So keep your blinders on, while I keep can see that this politically correct nonsense has swept my hope that the truth will prevail. And if Zinnerman is this woman up and will unjustly ruin her . I have read the exonerated, rioting and protesting will be in order. The whole story as well as her background and it is a shame squeaky wheel gets the grease. Peace.... that in this country a person who doesn’t play the victim Funny how the Daily Paper didn’t seem to care at all card when presented with adversity...... she works and about Heery’s questionable management and billing for prevails , only to be torn apart by he dogs of political the TEE Center. Nor did they seem to have a problem correctness ... Our country is SCREWED! with Butch Gallop back when he was a cheerleader for the pet project of their publisher. But now that Al Mason

38 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

down

We still hate it that Sharon Jones has cancer.

The soul singer from Augusta recently had surgery in New York for stage-one bile duct cancer and will stay in that area during rehabilitation. Get well soon, Sharon!

THUMBS

is the leading candidate for mayor, they are doing all they can to insinuate trhat he took bribes from Heery officials.

I seem to remember when real bribes were offered over the TEE Center several years back and The daily paper conveniently swept that under the rug. It’s obvious the daily has an agenda and a double standard here.

Herman is doing a great job! I love his Rapid Fire opps!

Our morning and afternoon hosts should think about incorporating into their respective shows (?) so that we don’t have to listen forever from the guest callers AND the response of the hosts! HD shouldn’t slam Herman... Herman is doing quite well for himself with a new contract with FOX and his CainTV, and talk show and many other things. Let’s raise the bar in Augusta! Also, does anyone EVER use the Harley “words of the day”, as part of a commercial, in their typical conversations?

Use words that we can use! Again, use the opportunity to raise the bar with vocabulary that we can use and to communicate better.

Okay Columbia County: No Water! No Sewerage!

“Foundation-Savers” Fire Dept. This Means War! As soon as Bubba, Zeke & Clem get their Catapult set up, We’re Hitting Fort Gordon! Sure! They’ll Destroy Our One-Mile Long Subdivision! It will be “The One-Day War”! BUT!!

Then, as per “USA Policy,” They’ll Rebuild It! Yep! Our Lifestyle is Going Upscale! I’m thinking:”The Beverly Hillbillies” with 50 years of Inflation!

27JUNE2013