Metro Spirit 07.10.2003 by Metro Spirit

METRO SPIRIT July 10-16, 2003 | Vol.14 No. 49

Augustaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Independent Voice

Judge Duncan Wheale:

Gunslinger OR Target?

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Contents Metro Spirit

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F R E E

W E E K LY

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

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

ON THE COVER

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Judge Duncan Wheale: Gunslinger or Target? By Brian Neill ............................12

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Cover Design: Natalie Holle

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FEATURES

Justice for the Poor By Stacey Eidson ..................................................................16

Augusta’s Finest Bed & Breakfast

Opinion Whine Line ......................................................................4 Words ...............................................................................4 This Modern World .........................................................4 Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down ............................................6 Suburban Torture ............................................................6 Letter to the Editor .........................................................8 Austin Rhodes .................................................................9 Insider ............................................................................10

Arts

Augusta Southern Nationals Kicks Off With a Night of Fire .................................................................................21 Maiden Voyage by New Theatre Company and More Offerings by Old ............................................................28 Gather the Dancers, Two by Two ................................30

Events

Gather the Dancers, Two by Two...30

8 Days a Week .............................................................22

Cinema

Movie Listings .............................................................32 Preview: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen ..34 Review: “Pirates of the Caribbean” ............................35 Movie Clock ..................................................................35

Music Dave Gahan Reborn as Solo Artist ...............................36 Music by Turner ..............................................................37 No More Finds Fun on the Road ...................................38 Music Minis ....................................................................39 Night Life .........................................................................40

Stuff News of the Weird ........................................................42 Brezsny's Free Will Astrology ......................................43 New York Times Crossword Puzzle ............................43 Amy Alkon: The Advice Goddess ................................44 Date Maker ...................................................................45 Classifieds .....................................................................47

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

METRO SPIRIT is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks of the year. Editorial coverage includes ar ts, local issues, news, enter tainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers. Visit us at www.metrospirit.com. Copyright © The Metropolitan Spirit Inc. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. Phone: (706) 738-1142 Fax: (706) 733-6663 E-mail: spirit@metrospirit.com Letters to the Editor: P.O. Box 3809, Augusta, Ga. 30914-3809

312-334 Greene Street Augusta, Ga 30901

(706) 724-3454 1-877-292-5324

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Whine Line T

his is ridiculous! A dictator was deposed! A nation freed from over 25 years of tyranny! An abundant source of funds for AlQuada has been eliminated! Yet, the Bush administration continues to be criticized, accused of wrongdoing! “Life” is so bad in Africa that close to 200 boat people lost their lives while trying to escape from various countries there! God Bless America! Speaking of tips, I leave one penny as a reward for poor service. This makes an unmistakable comment. Otherwise, I tip 15-20 percent. Yes, I read Tom Tomorrow: Tom was the only one not afraid to tell the truth during these past months, the truth that ditto heads like yourself refuse to see. Second, if there were WMD, where are they? Third, now as far as the death camps that the whiner was describing, most of them where mass graves from the Iraqi/Iranian war in the ‘80s. Fourth, finally, the Iraqis are now free, huh? Yeah they are so free that they are beginning to rise up against us. It was about oil, not freedom for the Iraqis. Not WMD, oil! Way to go, U.S. Supreme Court! Now we all have the right to build bombs, plot terrorism, take drugs, torture animals and do just about whatever we please ... as long as it’s private and consensual, of course. I’ve been thinking for years as to why we go through the “presidential” quagmire every four years. Two years into a new president’s term and the last two years are spent with speeches for fund raising whilst the president, Congress, Senate and others should be running the country. Our new candidates drop their responsibilities to get on the road for vote-getting. Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina (you name it) and other

state elections prior to electing a party candidate for the upcoming elections takes away from the proper care of our country. Money is being wasted when the economy needs so much money. Arguing against own party members. Arguing against opponents of the other parties. So many things that go on every four years and usually in the middle of the sitting president trying to keep the U.S. on track for peace and the safety of our people. I may be crazy, but I would think a one-time, six-year president term would at least give him six full years (as president) to get positive things done without having to campaign, defend himself on a daily basis, etc. The president presently only gets a total of four years (if re-elected) to handle our needs. Isn’t it strange that the same United Nations that did not support us in the war against Iraq now wants us to bail them out in Liberia ... What’s the matter? France, Russia, or Germany to busy to go ... the only place we need to get out of is the U.N. What is with these people who decide they can change traffic law as they drive? I’m talking about right of way. From the ones who decide to stop way before an approaching street on the left to “let them out” before making their left turn! This is extremely dangerous. And the “King of Dangerous Habit,” these clowns that seem to have forgotten that at an intersection with both oncoming traffic lanes having a green light, the person turning right has the right of way! Courteous is one thing, but to suddenly alter traffic habits and behaviors to wave somebody through is nothing but dangerous. I like to peruse the whines on occasion now that I have left Augusta! I nominate the whine of the week to the spoiled daddy that couldn’t see the massive fire

Words "You have legitimate, worthwhile causes. By ignoring them, all he does is build some animosity with legislators and the communities that need this help." — State Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Martinez), quoted in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue's reluctance to dole out emergency fund dollars to pay for pet projects, as has been done in the past. Perdue, the Journal-Constitution reported, returned roughly $923,000 to the state treasury after shelling out emergency dollars for tornado and flood damage and turning down requests for things like lighting for baseball fields and ballet programs. Harbin, the newspaper reported, had been supporting the request of his county's school board for $40,000 to light a high school track and softball field.

works show from his lawn seat at Augusta Golf and Gardens. Poor thing — he had to sit on the 5th St. bridge with the common folk! Yes, Columbia County Commissioner Tom Mercer’s grammatical errors were unfortunate. But to rant over the use of the word “at” proves that you have no apparent outside life. I don’t know you, but if I did, I wouldn’t like you. A big thank you to the local Republican Party for putting on Riverblast, such a wonderful and patriotic show on the 4th of July. I think this shows all of us in the CSRA which party is truly American. By the way, Austin Rhodes rules! My friend takes out lots of personal ads. No matter what he writes, he still ends up as if he wrote, “Intelligent man seeks borderline personality disorder for codependency. Future restraining order a possibility.”

I am sick of all the nightclub ads on Augusta’s radio stations. They all sound alike and say the same stupid stuff over and over each week. I’m moving back to Atlanta now. I’ll tell you why city properties are getting so junky and full of trash ... it’s because they privatized the pick-up service. It used to be that one could clean up their entire lot; put 12 cans at the curb if they wanted, and they would dump it all. But now, we only get one dinky little trash can that’s full to overflowing after two days. And if anyone wants yard debris or bulk garbage picked up, they have to promise them their first born. All I can say is thank God for pick-up trucks! Two things: First, I’ll have to agree — 92.7 is a far better choice for a unique variety of music. It’s obvious they’re one of the only stations left in town that’s pricontinued on page 6

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continued from page 4 vately owned and do not have to answer to corporate research executives. The other: Hey Little Miss Major English, if you gonna go judgin’ yer local leaders by the way thay tawk, then yer in for a rude awakenin’ living in this town. Just watch the tapings of the commission meetings on cable. That’s where you’ll see the most mistakes ... at! Boy, forget about trying to enjoy a network television program around here while there is a storm going on! If the little images on the corners and the crawl across the bottom of the screen aren’t enough, they have to interrupt their network programming to make sure that you are aware that it is getting wet outside. Enough already! Bob! George! Jeff! Simmer down now! I noticed that they are careful not to step on their commercials that way though. You know, one of these days there might just be a real emergency and then all of you Chicken Littles will have a jaded audience with all of your “the sky is falling hype!” because we’ve heard it sooo many times... This is to the redneck mother who put her used diapers in the back of a stranger’s Jeep on Broad St. during the 4th of July celebration. That was my Jeep and probably one of the most disgusting, disrespectful things I have ever been unfortunate enough to have to be a part of. What in the world is wrong with you? Why should anyone respect you when you don’t respect anyone or their private property? Just because my Jeep was open to the elements doesn’t make it your personal trash can. A word of advice: When you and your genetically challenged family leave the house

to mingle with those not of your own family tree, change your mullet-haired kids’ diapers before you leave. If you need help reading this, get your social worker to help. To the whiner talking about America not finding the WMD and finding other things instead. Yes they did find those other things, but that wasn’t the reason Bush gave us for going to war. The objective was to bomb places that they knew these weapons would be, any other find would be the icing on the cake to justify going to war in the first place. Now that no weapons are found, yet all these other reasons for going to war have come into play. Smart people find the weapons first, then go to war not go to war and then try to find these weapons. Bush should have been honest with the American people from the start as to the real reason he wanted to commit our troops to this war. Then we wouldn’t have to go through all of this about not finding the WMD. This whine is to all you pitifully poor drivers in Augusta. When people start passing you in the right-hand lane, get a clue that means you are going too slow in the left-hand lane, so move it over. There are some people in this city that have important places to go, like the hospital. Those people who have commented on the Rev. leaving First Baptist Church should know that obviously that speaks volumes of what a wonderful man/pastor he has been to his church. He has reached people that have never gone to church. So again, it speaks volumes that Dr. Owings is getting such hullabaloo

Thumbs Up Some pondered the potential chaos that could have ensued when the First Friday and Fourth of July festivities converged on the same day. Despite a few traffic glitches, however, the thousands of people who gathered for the combined event on July 4th did so peacefully and without incident.

Thumbs Down That J. Lo, Ben Affleck and their Hollywood ilk have dubbed Georgia's Tybee Island as the new cool spot to live, and as a result, may drive the cost to live there out of sight. A recent story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution examined what impact such new residents will have on the sleepy, laid-back beach community. Though the article interviewed a bevy of long-time Tybee Islanders who maintain that the new celebrity residents, which also include Sandra Bullock, won't change the slow-paced way of life, there are plenty of similar communities that have succumbed to affluence influx, only to become rubber stamps of Boca Raton and other wealthy havens. We hope the integrity of Tybee Island can persevere.

because we love him and he is a wonderful man of God. If Strom Thurmond had been a Democrat, Phil Kent and Austin Rhodes would have had a wonderful time ridiculing him. Their talking points might have been: 1) He liked his women young and juicy. 2) Were those really his kids or someone else’s? 3) Did the senator have a black love child? 4) The last 10 years he was so senile they just kept him in office until they could recruit someone to fill his position. 5) He used his position to help his son obtain a job he was probably not qualified for. 6) Democratic men are immoral. Unfortunately, the can only see one side of the situation. I’m just visiting Augusta and the whine I have is you need to get rid of the Whine Line. It’s a sad reflection on this town. This is about Richmond County Commissioners needing to get rid of the Marshall’s Department. What Richmond County Commissioners need to do, is they need to be put on a limit on their talk. Has anybody read what kind of money we are paying them just for one hour overtime? Willie Mays stand up and say “Yeah, I talked an hour overtime, but I could still talk so more!” You want to talk about cutting some money in Augusta, start cutting them and Richmond County will be better off! I just read Austin Rhodes opinion concerning the situation at YDC, where he called the employees “thugs.” He obviously has no consideration or concern about anybody else’s feelings on this situation. Quite frankly somebody needs to kick his butt. Does anybody else in Augusta know what Chris Naylor does, except walk up and down Broad Street smoking a pack of cigarettes a day? This is to the person who called in response to my whine earlier. Those stores that are downtown now are closed, they are history, they don’t even count. The Summit has been here longer than most businesses going, matter of fact probably all of them, including the Ramada Inn. But you want it closed down. Where are you going to put these folks, in your sector when y’all moved out of downtown area which helped make it a ghost town.

And now it’s making a come back, the Summit’s just as much a part of it. I wanted to agree with a whine about the radio stations in Augusta. I think Augusta is very much in need of a smooth jazz radio station. We have two radio stations that play ‘old school’ and they virtually the same material. It’s like they put on long play CD and you listen to the same songs, over and over and over!

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Sears, who does your buying for the ladieswear department for ages 25-40? The clothes you have are for women over 65. Younger women don’t want to wear that style of clothing until we have to. Get on the ball; buy the clothes that real ladies want to wear. Most of the state workers that were fired from YDC should be able to get jobs with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department. They really don’t need any additional training; after all, they have already proved they are incompetent and worthless.

To the Ice Man of Kiss 96.3, from your devoted listeners in radio land. You are a very intelligent and experienced radio announcer who has not received the recognition in this area you are due. His radio voice is very distinguished and his commercials have experienced identity in them. He appears to be an individual who will improve in his career as time permits. Ice, you are a very diversified man and have a dignified way that you present yourself to the public and it is most refreshing.

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

Barry White Dies Fourth of July. See Page 39

M E T R O S P I R I T

Can someone please tell me where I can find a cleaners that actually cleans your clothes, presses them, starches them and does the job they are supposed to do with out burning my buttons, clothes or coloring them. Just do what you pay them to do!

So let me get this straight, President Bush is either a liar or a gullible fool. I’m sure that is real consolation to the families of the murdered American service men!

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I realize that lately the Richmond Summit apartment complex has gotten a lot of press — most of it bad. Nothing that has been reported has irritated me more than the letter to the editor in the June 19-25, 2003 edition of your paper. The letter was written by Barbara Cook and after reading it most people would assume that she was only concerned about a loved one or a friend living in the Summit. The fact is, Ms. Cook is a resident at the Richmond Summit. For the last six years, I have been a resident of the Summit and I am not ashamed to say so. The Summit is as good as any other apartments to live in. The on-site management we have, Edie and Gail, do as much as they humanly can to ensure that we have a safe environment to live in. They have repeatedly had meetings with the police in our community room to help us with any problems that we see are happening. Ms. Cook wrote about an incident and I quote, “In a recent visit to the Summit, I heard two drug dealers talking about hiding drugs in the ceiling panels in the hallways and personally saw one of these dealers lift up his shirt and exposed a handgun.” If Ms. Cook, the resident, truly saw this happen and is so concerned about problems at the

Summit, why didn’t she go to her apartment and call the police? Did she tell Edie about what she saw? And if she did, was she willing to point out these guntoting, drug-pushing thugs to the police? From her letter it doesn’t seem so and that is one of our biggest problems — everyone wants to complain but few want to get involved with solving the issues here. There are a few residents who don’t hesitate to call the police and to stand up to these problem-makers that come from the outside, and I am proud to say I am one of them. I personally know of another resident who doesn’t hesitate to confront these people by telling them they don’t live here and to get out or she will have the police escort them out. Ms. Cook can thank those whom she chooses, but I choose to say thank you to those who are with us on a daily basis: Edie, Gail, Charley, Alan and Penny. I salute you and appreciate all that you do for the residents of the Richmond Summit. Maybe those who complain about our managers should stop and ask themselves if they are complaining for legitimate reasons or to cover up the fact that they don’t comply with the rules of the complex themselves. Sincerely, Jessica Flynn

Shameless Self Promotion: Hotties and Bikes

he Metro Spirit Hottie Hunt was a great success and lots of fun. Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry and to those hotties who participated. Because of the tremendous feedback, the Metro Spirit Hottie Hunt will become a regular event. We'll keep you posted regarding the timetable for the next Hottie Hunt. We won't keep you waiting too long so keep your eyes on your favorite hottie. The second Metro Spirit Hottie Hunt is coming in the not-too-distant future. Also, check out the entry form on page 13 for your chance to win a Tour De France Lance Armstrong Exact Replica Bike, valued at over $4,000. The only way to register to win this

fantastic bicycle is by mailing the entry form found in Metro Spirit or logging in your entry on the Metro Spirit Web site. Entry forms will appear in each edition of Metro Spirit through July 24. Enter early. Don't procrastinate. The deadline will sneak up on you. See details on page 13.

Opinion: Austin Rhodes

Augusta Fireworks Hampered by Bad View, North Augusta the Grinch to Blame

K, let’s start by admitting everything North Augusta has done in recent years that has adversely affected events on the Augusta side of the Riverwalk complex is legal. The folks with the big houses had the right to construct docks that forced the permanent cancellation of RiverRace Augusta, even though they built nonretractable docks specifically to shut down the race. North Augusta city leaders had the right to deny fireworks crews the ability to launch the massive July 4th show from their longtime spot, citing safety concerns for new homes, even though there were numerous safety precautions that could have been employed to more than satisfy the most anal-retentive of all fire marshals. Yep, North Augusta’s less-than-neighborly attitude concerning all things Riverwalkish is perfectly legal. So are mullet haircuts, neon lights underneath cars, and the Cher Farewell Concert Tour. All perfectly legal, and all impossible to morally justify. The decision by NA officials to squash the fireworks launch forced the crew to do their best, launching the show from the 5th Street Bridge. To say the view, and access to the view, was diminished from what we have grown accustomed to over the years would be an understatement. Now, for my own self, I was one of the minions packed like sardines near Oglethorpe Park, just south of Fort Discovery. Thousands of us were standing patiently, not too smushed, until the first salvo was launched and it was clear the tree line was not going to allow visual access to the show. As soon as our dilemma was defined, we piled like lemmings out to the edge of river, where everyone shorter than 5 feet, 8 inches and not hanging over the rail was forced to watch the show as a reflection in the water. And that was if you could see the water through the crowd. Thousands who were smarter (imagine that) found better views from different vantage points, but the overwhelming consensus from the folks who were there was that the new launch area is far inferior to the old one. Something needs to be done to get the

show back where it has been for the last few years. Excuses that nearby houses are at risk don’t cut the mustard. The bottom line is North Augusta leaders didn’t want the show launched there because they don’t want anything to do with river events, specifically river events run by Augusta leaders. I am willing to bet big bucks that the people who run the River Club Golf Course would have been more than willing to accommodate the launch crew, had city officials allowed it. Give the RiverClub a sponsorship credit, put up a temporary barrier to keep errant rockets from shooting toward the houses supposedly at risk, pay firefighters to be standing there with hoses in hand. Whatever. Just do it. North Augusta needs to better understand its role in the CSRA, just like Columbia County, Lincoln County, Aiken, Thomson, etc. all struggle to do. They are bedroom communities that often play home to “cream of the crop” residents, many of whom owe their livelihoods and quality of life to the urban water boy that is the City of Augusta. Augusta plays home to most of the CSRA’s problems. We have the overwhelming majority of the area’s poor; we maintain the overwhelming majority of the aesthetically undesirable yet profitable industries that keep this community afloat; we underwrite all public costs associated with things like the Masters Tournament, the regional airport, the civic center, and last but not least, most public housing and indigent health care. So, what do we want in return? How about a little neighborly cooperation on a simple thing like a cotton-picking fireworks show? Instead of saying “no” two weeks before the show, why didn’t North Augusta work to solve the problem? They didn’t because they didn’t want to, plain and simple. Up to now they have behaved like a stuck up, spoiled brat, and it needs to stop. — The views expressed in this column are the views of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The archived Austin Rhodes columns can now be seen at www.wgac.com.

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Opinion: Insider

Commission Election: A Snoozer in the Making?

ocal politicos are borderline distraught over what they perceive as a lousy crop of potential candidates willing to run for the Augusta Commission seats coming up for election in November. While names are coming forward, the general consensus among political king makers is that none of the people who have expressed an interest thus far represent the best and brightest among us. Should that come as a surprise to anyone? The Augusta Commission has a lousy reputation, known for petty bickering, inane and laborious meetings, procrastination, racial disharmony, poor decisions, and lousy press coverage, among other things. Who in their right mind would want to run for the commission? What reasonable person wants to voluntarily join a governmental body so disliked by the voting public? Why would a civic-minded person who really wants to make a difference through elective politics choose the Augusta Commission as the place to make their mark? Who wants their reputation sullied by mere association with the commission? How would you like to deal with the likes of Marion Williams on a regular basis? Or sit through a meeting that lasts for hours because Willie Mays wants to preach a sermon? Hell, even City Administrator George Kolb and City Attorney Jim Wall can barely tolerate dealing with commissioners, and they get paid well for doing it. It comes as no surprise that many of the best potential candidates in the community shy away from running for the commission. Yet, there are those who seem to relish the notion that they can make a difference downtown. These brave souls should be commended for

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their willingness but, with all due respect, many of them have no idea what to expect should they actually be elected. The qualifying period for the November election is Sept. 8-12, only two months away. For anyone serious about running, it is time to step up. While several people are talking about running, talk is cheap. It remains to be seen who will actually qualify and run. Here’s the word on the street, as of now. District 2. Marion Williams will likely face opposition from Charlie Hannah and former Commissioner Freddie Handy. Hannah is a 35-year-old Augusta native who ran unsuccessfully for the Augusta City Council in 1993. Handy was defeated by Williams four years ago and has promised to come back to run against Williams. Many originally doubted Handy’s sincerity but his recent presence at commission meetings and other public functions has fueled speculation that Handy will challenge Williams.

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District 4. Richard Colclough may not face serious opposition. Someone may come forward at a late date but it is doubtful that anyone of any consequence will pose a serious threat to Colclough. District 6. Andy Cheek dodged a bullet when the rumors that former Mayor Larry Sconyers might run were squelched by Sconyers himself. Politicos from the 6th and 8th districts are recruiting opposition to Cheek. The rumor mill suggests that there is one candidate in particular that could come forward within the next month who would have the support of many Cheek-haters. We’ll see. District 8. Ulmer Bridges will leave due to term limits. The leading contender for the seat at the moment is Robert Buchwitz, a resident of Hephzibah who has served on the Hephzibah City Commission since 1995. Another Hephzibah resident, Regina Renae, has announced her intentions to run for the position. District 10. Bill Kuhlke is out due to term limits. Efforts to recruit qualified candidates to run for Kuhlke’s seat have failed to this point. The only person who has expressed a serious interest in taking the office is Sonny Pittman, who currently serves as president of the Augusta-Richmond County Historic Preservation Commission and also sits on the citizens committee for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Support for Pittman is so lackluster that several politicos have approached former Commissioner Jerry Brigham to encourage him to run against Pittman. So far, Brigham has declined and it is highly doubtful he will change his mind. Local businessman and former 7th dis-

Wayne Hawkins trict commission candidate Wayne Hawkins has also been approached to run. Hawkins currently serves on the SPLOST citizens committee. Insiders report that power brokers and various citizens want Hawkins to run and that he will likely become a candidate. Hawkins wants assurance that financial backing is there for him. It will be. Hawkins is fiscally conservative and those recruiting him think he will serve as a watchdog over taxpayer money. Political observers see Pittman as a weak candidate and even weaker commissioner who will be steamrolled by other commissioners and the daily newspaper into voting for almost anything. Given the current scenario, Hawkins will likely take Kuhlke’s position on the commission. He will probably have Kuhlke’s support. If so, Pittman may bow out. In a one-on-one race against Pittman, Hawkins wins. —The views expressed in this column are the views of The Insider and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

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12 M E T R O

Gunslinger OR Target?

S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0 2 0 0 3

By Brian Neill

State officials are investigating claims Superior Court Judge Duncan Wheale pulled a gun on defendants on at least two occasions. He’s crying foul and says some local judges and lawyers are out to get him.

ichmond County Superior Court Judge Duncan Wheale acknowledges that he threatened to use a gun on a defendant at the start of a court hearing, an incident for which state law enforcement officials are investigating him. But the judge denies he ever pulled or presented the pistol, and says he only made the threat because he feared for his own safety. He also says he never held a defendant at gunpoint in order to force him to sign a court document, another allegation Wheale says the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has asked him about. Wheale said he feels the continued interest in the incidents, which both occurred nearly four years ago in 1999, is the result of an “agenda” by various colleagues and those in the legal community who would like to see him off the bench. Though he declined to identify any of those individuals by name for the record, Wheale said some colleagues have been particularly unhappy with his criticizing the operations of the local juvenile court. “You need to understand, there are some people in Augusta-Richmond County that don’t want me as a judge,”

Wheale said, after being contacted by the Metro Spirit. “That’s because I ask questions and I hold people accountable, and they don’t like it. And I’m not going to keep quiet. When I see children hurt and dying, and injustices, then I’m going to speak out. I’ve been very, very critical of our juvenile court, and I’m not going to stop. I’ve appointed a statewide panel that’s investigating how to hold our juvenile court judges accountable.” “People want me to be quiet and I’m not going to be,” Wheale added. “And they’re trying to silence me and they keep trying to dig up stuff from four years ago, or five years ago or 20 years ago. They can dig all they want. I’m not going to shut up. “I have been told, if I keep my mouth shut about juvenile courts, my problems will go away. I have been told that twice, and I have said not only, no, but an emphatic no.” Wheale would not state for the record what he feels are currently the specific problems with juvenile court. The Metro Spirit contacted Wheale late last year when word first surfaced that the GBI was looking into allegations concerning him brandishing a gun in the courtroom. At the time, Wheale denied threatening

anyone with a gun. During the recent interview, Wheale said he had been referring at that time to a case involving an individual named Chris Moore, who had claimed the judge had pulled a gun on him and made him sign a document at a hearing in March of 1999. Wheale flatly denies that ever happened. Wheale said the last time the GBI spoke to him about either incident was about 10 months ago. However, within the past week a GBI official confirmed that the agency is still looking into allegations made

against Wheale and had, in fact, acquired new information pertaining to the investigation. Though declining to discuss the nature of the allegations, Mike Seigler of the GBI confirmed that the investigation was the same as that which originated last year. “It’s been regenerated, let’s say,” Seigler said. “Some additional information came. We had turned it over to the district attorney and we have since been continued on page 14

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doing some followup work. “It never was closed. We’re doing some additional work.” Because the case was immediately turned over to the local district attorney’s office, Seigler said there was no formal incident report, as is typical in cases involving allegations of a criminal nature. The case was forwarded by District Attorney Danny Craig’s office to a D.A. in another jurisdiction to avoid any conflict-of-interest issues arising, Seigler said. Seigler would not release any details concerning the complaints against Wheale, nor would he identify who filed them. “It’s an active investigation and we really can’t get into the details of it,” Seigler said. But a court transcript obtained by the Metro Spirit shed more light on at least one of the incidents. That case involved Curtis Horne, who had already been sentenced by another local judge for aggravated assault on a live-in girlfriend. Horne, then an inmate representing himself after pleading guilty to the charge, was requesting a new trial on various grounds, including inadequate representation and the existence of a state statute he claimed would have lowered his charge to family violence battery. Near the end of the transcript from the roughly hour-long hearing, Wheale enters into discussion with Donald Horne, Curtis’ brother, who asks the judge why he had threatened Curtis with a gun. A portion of that discussion from the transcript reads: DONALD HORNE: I wanted to address you, sir, and address the court, and ask you just give him a fair chance to present his evidence. The court is supposed to be not biased. The court is supposed to be fair. When he came in this room, sir, you showed him a firearm. He didn’t come in this room to threaten you in any way. You pulled your robe up and you have a gun under your robe, sir. THE COURT [Wheale]: No, sir. I didn’t show him a firearm. I told him if he did anything when he took the handcuffs off — this is a small room. He’s three feet away from me. DONALD HORNE: Yes, sir. But he did not show you any aggressive nature, any aggressive action. I seen the gun myself, standing over here, sir. That was not right. A two-page transcript, purportedly from the beginning of the hearing, but which does not appear in the court case file, was also anonymously mailed to the Metro Spirit. Wheale said he was unaware of the existence of the transcript, but did not deny making the comments contained in it after they were read to him. That transcript, in part, reads: THE COURT: Mr. Horne, they’ve taken those off? MR. HORNE: Yes, sir. THE COURT: Let me tell you something.

MR. HORNE: Yes, sir. THE COURT: I got me a pistol right here. MR. HORNE: No, I — THE COURT: I’m quicker on the draw than they are. You make a move — MR. HORNE: I mean no trouble, sir. THE COURT: You be quiet. MR. HORNE: Yes, sir. THE COURT: You make a move in here, I’ll be the one to shoot you first. MR. HORNE: Yes, sir. THE COURT: Sir, who are you? MR. HORNE: That’s my brother. BROTHER: I’m his brother, sir. THE COURT: Okay. Well, this ain’t a family reunion. “I’ve heard since then, probably 10,000 cases. You’re asking me something that happened four years ago. But I remember the incident,” Wheale said, when further questioned about the two transcripts. “I remember that this man had threatened to kill the assistant D.A. and that he and his brother had hugged, or did something. As I was walking in I saw it out of the corner of my eye and I panicked, and I thought there had been an exchange (of a weapon). “On probably three occasions in 1999, when I thought people were going to do something violent, I told them I carried a gun, because, my bailiff left the room, he was a civilian, and I was oftentimes the only one left in there to provide security. “If someone stood up with a gun and started shooting, I wanted them to know I wasn’t leaving, I wasn’t going to hide and I didn’t want any violence.” Wheale said he hadn’t directed anyone

to remove the two-page portion of the transcript from the official court record but did not want to speculate, for the record, how it surfaced. He also said he never pulled the pistol from its holster or pointed it at the defendant. “No, never removed it from the belt, never pulled it,” Wheale said. “I have never removed it from my belt or anything like that.” Wheale said that during 1999, his first year on the bench, there was no security in the Municipal Building, where court is held. During that time, the judge said, it was not unusual to see fights break out in the hallways and people were allowed to bring bags and suitcases into court and hearing rooms without them first being checked for weapons. That same year one man got off an elevator on the third floor, where judges’ offices were, carrying a rifle, Wheale said. The judge said he bought a gun and started carrying it in a holster on his belt that same year after a psychiatrist from the local VA hospital told him a client who was being released had vowed to kill him. Near the end of the official transcript from the Curtis Horne hearing, Wheale explains his earlier actions to Donald Horne, saying that he could have picked up a newspaper every week over the previous three months and read about someone being shot and killed in a courtroom. From the transcript: THE COURT: It ain’t going to happen in this courthouse. DONALD HORNE: I understand

“People want me to be quiet and I’m not going to be. And they’re trying to silence me and they keep trying to dig up stuff from four years ago, or five years ago or 20 years ago. They can dig all they want. I’m not going to shut up.” — Superior Court Judge Duncan Wheale

that, sir. THE COURT: Did you get checked for a weapon when you come in here? DONALD HORNE: No, sir, and I ain’t got one. They can check me. THE COURT: I can guarantee, nobody in here was. We ain’t going to have that. I’m going to let everybody know that walks in my courtroom who’s running this show. You don’t like it? I’m sorry. “I was scared. I don’t mind telling you that,” Wheale said, further recalling the incident. “I remember that. That was the scaredest I’ve been since I’ve been on the bench, and when the GBI agent asked me last year if there’d been an incident, I said, ‘Yeah, let me tell you about one incident,’ and I pulled my notes.” Wheale said he heard nothing in the way of complaints about either Curtis Horne or Chris Moore’s cases until just after embarking on what the judge refers to as his “warpath.” Wheale had appointed a task force in March of 2001 to deal with many of the problems with the county’s child protective services. But nothing seemed to change, Wheale said, and that’s when he brought various judges, volunteers and officials associated with juvenile court together in a meeting to admonish them. “I called that meeting, it was August 9, and I wrote a letter to the attorney general August 12, met with the governor August 23, and I was on the warpath,” Wheale said. “I’d been talking and asking for people to work together and help and protect kids for a year and a half, and I was getting nothing but resistance from a couple of people — people who were trying to sabotage what was good for the kids. “A lot of good people quit, gave up. That’s when I got mad. And within several days after that is when all this other stuff started.” “The sequence was awfully coincidental,” Wheale added. “When August, I’m spending much of that month trying to hold people accountable and meeting with the governor and writing the attorney general, and then boom, within a few weeks here come these incidents from three years earlier. Nobody had ever complained to me or made any mention of these problems in three years, and then boom, out of nowhere.” The investigation is now in the hands of Walton County District Attorney Ken Wynne, Seigler of the GBI said. Contacted by phone at his office, Wynne confirmed that he is reviewing an Augusta case, but declined to mention the nature of it, or for that matter, even the identity of the accused. “There is no disposition yet. There is still some followup going on with a complaint received by the GBI, and I’m not naming any names as far as judges go or anything like that,” Wynne said. “Hopefully we can wind it up in a couple of weeks. I don’t have any official comment for you now.” Wynne said he would present his conclusions on the case back to the GBI. “It’s just a real sensitive situation,” Wynne said, when further pressed on the matter.

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16 M E T R O

“You also have the right to represent yourself and act as your own attorney. But you must understand that if you are convicted or plead guilty to an offense, it may result in unknown consequences.”

S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0

– State Court Judge David Watkins

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JUSTICE

s defendants and their family members file into the State Court of Richmond County located on the second floor of Augusta’s Law Enforcement Center, each person is handed a sheet of paper with the title, “Record of the Court of Defendant’s Acknowledgement of Rights,” boldly printed on the top

of the page. The woman standing by the courtroom door offers no explanation for the document she is passing out, only that if you are attending court as a defendant, “You’re going to need one of these.” It’s about 10 minutes before state court convenes on the morning of July 3 and the courtroom quickly becomes packed with approximately 60 people holding these white sheets of paper. Few defendants are reading what the document says. Most are just nervously looking around the courtroom or talking to their loved ones about how they wish they were somewhere else. Anywhere else. Little do many of them know they are holding a sheet of paper that could drastically alter their personal rights and freedoms for the next few months, if not years, to come. This “acknowledgement of rights” and “election for as to right of counsel” form is given out in state court to apprise a defendant of his or her legal right to be represented by an attorney and the dangers and disadvantages of waiving that privilege. “I understand that I have the right to be represented by an attorney at all stages of the criminal process,” the form states. “I further understand that if I desire to be represented by an attorney and cannot afford to hire one, then I have the right to have an attorney appointed by the Court to represent me, paid for by Richmond County.” On March 18, 1963, in the landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright, the U.S. Supreme Court established the right to a lawyer for any poor criminal defendant charged in felony cases, stating “lawyers in criminal cases are necessities, not luxuries.” Almost 40 years later, in May 2002, the Supreme Court in the case, Alabama v. Shelton, expanded that right to counsel to indigent defendants charged with misdemeanor crimes that could result in incarceration. But many of the people nervously waiting for state court to begin in Augusta that morning seemed unaware of their new rights.

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Instead of lawyers advising these defendants about the charges against them, several of the young adults in the courtroom accused of misdemeanor crimes were surrounded by their mothers busily straightening their grown children’s ties or skirts before the judge entered the chambers. A neat appearance was the only legal advice many of these defendants were receiving. Meanwhile, other defendants were hastily marking a check in a blank box on their “acknowledgement” sheet, agreeing to the statement, “I do not want an attorney. I voluntarily waive (give up) my right to be represented by an attorney. I want to represent myself.” Many did not read the preceding paragraph that warns, “I fully understand and appreciate the dangers of representing myself, including the possibility of being sentenced to time in jail.” The sad truth was, as many of these defendants quickly signed the form stating they understood they were foregoing their right to an attorney, it was clear several really didn’t understand. One woman seated nearby checked a “guilty plea” box on the form, acknowledging that she was voluntarily waiving her right to a trial and was agreeing to plead guilty. It was only after she had signed the form that she went back and read a lengthy paragraph of explanation next to the the “guilty plea” box. The paragraph states, “I fully understand my rights, the charges against me, and the consequences of my plea, including the maximum possible penalty which could be imposed of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of $1,000.” She soon got a very puzzled look on her face and turned to her neighbor for help. “What does a plea of nolo contendere mean?” she asked, stumbling through the pronunciation of the Latin term meaning “no contest.” Basically, a plea of nolo contendere means a defendant does not accept or deny responsibility for the criminal charges but agrees to accept punishment. Unfortunately, the woman’s neighbor simply shrugged her shoulders. Neither had a clue what it meant. “Well, I guess I’ve already agreed to it,” the woman said with a nervous laugh. “Whatever it is.” Stop, Listen and Learn Your Rights A few minutes after 9 a.m., Richmond County State Court Judge David Watkins took the bench, shut the courtroom doors and shed some much-needed light on the document presented to the defendants and their rights before the court. Watkins provided the audience with a 15-minute explanation, otherwise referred to as colloquy, at the outset of arraignment detailing a defendant’s constitutional rights regarding his or her legal representation. “You have the right to an attorney and if you cannot afford to hire one, you have the right to have an attorney appointed to you by this court,” Watkins said. “You also have the right to represent yourself and act as your own attorney. .. But you must understand that if you are convicted or plead guilty to an offense, it may result in unknown consequences.” These are consequences, Watkins said, that the defendants may be currently continued on page 18

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T I R E D

of these counties and handing out to people a leaflet that would say, ‘Ask the judge for a lawyer! If there is any chance that you might go to jail, and that includes probation, ask for a lawyer!’” Richmond County Under Fire While Watkins appears to be doing everything he can to get defendants to take advantage of their right to an attorney, Bright still has several concerns about what he considers to possibly be “unconstitutional practices” in Richmond

“I have honestly thought about literally standing outside of courthouses in some of these counties and handing out to people a leaflet that would say, ‘Ask the judge for a lawyer! If there is any chance that you might go to jail, and that includes probation, ask for a lawyer!’” – Stephen Bright, director of the Southern Center for Human Rights

Fulton counties, claiming they do not protect the rights of poor people charged with crimes. In March, Coweta County settled its lawsuit with the Southern Center after the county agreed to spend approximately $300,000 to hire three, full-time public defenders and a full-time administrator to oversee its indigent-defense program. A few weeks later, according to The Albany Herald, Bright also filed a lawsuit against the Cordele Judicial District because the Southern Center claimed that almost half of all indigent people charged with crimes in the Cordele circuit entered guilty pleas without consulting a lawyer. “There are so many problems in the area of indigent defense it’s really shameful,” said Bright from his office in Atlanta. “The criminal justice system is inexcusable, that’s how bad it is. “I have honestly thought about literally standing outside of courthouses in some

County’s state court. In an April 29 letter to attorney Jack Long, the chairman of the Augusta Judicial Circuit Tripartite Indigent Defense Committee, Bright outlined a number of specific procedures in Richmond County’s state court that had come to his attention and caused him alarm. One of these concerns was the state court’s use of the “acknowledgement” and “election” forms. “While the acknowledgement and election forms appear to contain much of the information required to fully apprise a defendant of their right to counsel ... reliance on so much legal language and so many legal concepts and principles crammed onto a form fails to satisfy the constitutional requirements for establishing a knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver,” Bright wrote in his April letter. “It is doubtful that many defendants even read the forms in their entirety.” And, Bright said, of those who do read

the form, many probably do not understand what the form says. “I personally don’t think the courts should be run like loan companies where people sign forms that they don’t read and then those forms are used against them later on,” Bright said. “The truth of the matter is, I think many people that come into the courts don’t have the sophistication and understanding to know what those forms mean, so they are really totally meaningless.” Richmond County State Court Chief Judge Gayle Hamrick said that state court officials and County Attorney Jim Wall are currently trying to set up a meeting with Bright to discuss some of the issues addressed in his April letter. Hamrick said he believes Bright may have the wrong impression of Richmond County’s state court. “I believe, and the other judges over here believe, that we certainly are ensuring that every defendant’s constitutional and legal rights are protected when they go to state court,” Hamrick said. “We feel that we’ve always done that.” With regard to Bright’s criticism of the acknowledgement and election forms, Hamrick said he believes if the state court didn’t provide individuals with such a thoroughly written explanation of a defendant’s rights that they would be equally criticized. “These types of forms are used throughout the state and we feel quite frankly that that’s an unfair criticism,” Hamrick said. “We feel that it is our duty to put in as much info into the form to advise people of their rights as you possibly can.” And during each arraignment, Hamrick said, the state court judges orally explain a defendant’s rights and ask if anyone doesn’t understand the form. “We ask the question, ‘Does anybody have any trouble understanding the form? Does anybody need some help?’” Hamrick said, adding that if any of the defendants have questions, the judges ask representatives from the indigent defense office to assist them. Another concern that Bright had about state court was that he’s been told that when defendants appear for arraignment, many people are approached by representatives of the Office of the Solicitor General and are encouraged to sign the acknowledgement and election form waiving their right to a counsel and to enter a guilty plea. “It’s my understanding the solicitor is approaching people without lawyers and

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S P I R I T

in the case of Alabama v. Shelton that people who have any chance of ever having jail imposed have the right to a lawyer,” Bright said. “But a lot of courts in the state have tried to get around that case by coming up with ways to basically get clients to give up their right to a lawyer.” The Southern Center for Human Rights – a nonprofit legal group that has dedicated itself to defending the rights of people in the criminal justice system since 1976 – has filed suit against several Georgia counties including Coweta and

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unaware of because they are without legal representation. Such collateral consequences could include the loss of driving privileges, employment opportunities, legal immigration status, the right to vote or the ability to receive government benefits. Watkins also warned that a conviction could result in surprisingly hefty probation fines. In some cases, a defendant cannot immediately pay the fine and therefore must enter into a payment plan with the court. The only catch is, if a defendant signs up for a 12-month payment plan on a $500 fine, he or she is charged a $39-permonth probation fee on top of the original fine, Watkins said. At the end of the 12 months, an individual would pay an additional $468, or almost 100 percent interest on their original fine. “So, please get any fine paid as quickly as possible,” Watkins said. With all of these legal twists and turns during an arraignment, Watkins told the defendants in the courtroom that if they are confused or unsure of their rights, they needed to hire an attorney or ask to be interviewed by representatives from Richmond County’s Office of Indigent Defense to see if they financially qualify for a court-appointed lawyer. After Watkins’ explanation, several defendants had second thoughts about waiving their right to an attorney. Gradually, more than a dozen people asked to be interviewed by court officials to see if they qualified for the county’s indigent defense program. As the morning went on, Watkins strongly advised several other individuals facing serious misdemeanor charges to consider hiring or being assigned a lawyer. “I want you to consider the consequences under the law,” Watkins told a man who had initially pleaded guilty to a DUI charge without having any legal representation. “I’m going to change your plea to not-guilty and one way or the other, I’m going to suggest that you talk to an attorney. There are some very serious consequences involved in a DUI charge. Consequences that you are probably currently unaware of.” That man was lucky. According to Stephen Bright, director of the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, many state court judges across Georgia aren’t advising defendants of their right to counsel as diligently as Watkins. “The Supreme Court made it very clear

docket of 150 - 200 were referred to the public defender,” the report states. “The few defendants who requested courtappointed counsel did not do so until after they had met with the assistant solicitors.” According to the study, a former assistant solicitor told the Spangenberg representatives that the primary role of the prosecutor was to “efficiently move the docket.” The former prosecutor also reportedly said that, in many cases, the process of directing defendants to meet with the prosecutor “violated the defendants’ right to independent counsel.” “He told us that some of the assistant solicitors would counsel defendants that they should accept the plea because the judge was a tough sentencer,” the study states.

rights. “We tend to err on the side of, ‘Are you sure you don’t want a lawyer? Are you really, really, really sure that you don’t want one?’” It should be noted, when Metro Spirit attended a state court arraignment, the reporter did not observe any member of the solicitor’s office approach defendants and attempt to persuade them to waive their right to an attorney or plead guilty. Judge Watkins explained that possibly individuals like Bright, who are criticizing the actions of the solicitor’s office, may simply have opposing views on how the solicitor should communicate with defendants. “For example, if Stephen Bright thinks that you are trying to get somebody to plead guilty by saying, ‘Hello, I am Mrs. Sheryl Jolly, this is my position.’ And by

“The Supreme Court of Georgia says a recommended caseload for a public defender is 300 misdemeanors per year. We are probably doing somewhere between two and three times that much.” – Jack Long, chairman of the Augusta Judicial Circuit Tripartite Indigent Defense Committee

“That is simply an unacceptable practice,” Bright said. Unfortunately, due to a petition filed in Richmond County Superior Court last month by the Augusta Judicial Circuit Tripartite Indigent Defense Committee against the city of Augusta seeking additional funding to serve Augusta’s indigent, Richmond County Solicitor Sheryl Jolly hesitated to publicly discuss matters concerning indigent defense and any criticism of her office by Bright. “I don’t think that I can technically comment about Mr. Bright’s letter, but I would just say, I think some of the information is totally inaccurate,” Jolly said. Jolly said if anyone has any concern about the handling of misdemeanor cases by her office, she welcomes them to observe state court. “Come down and look at how we do court because I think you’ll see a different process,” Jolly said, adding that the last thing she wants her office to do is compromise anyone’s constitutional

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virtue of that communication that applies some pressure, then I guess, yes, you could draw that conclusion,” Watkins said. “But someone else can take a different view and say, ‘Well, no, the harsh reality says I’m just identifying who I am. There is nothing coercive or pressuring about that.’” Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Carlisle Overstreet, who is a former president of the Council of Superior Court Judges and has been very vocal in discussions of indigent defense at the state level, said when someone considers the caseload handled by the state court each year, it’s hard to criticize the performance of the solicitor and judges. “I think one of the judges said that they have about 20,000-plus cases a year,” Overstreet said. “I know Steve Bright and he is an advocate for his position, but you can’t overlook that we have a very good solicitor in the solicitor’s office in this county.

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“Sheryl Jolly does a tremendous job. And you can’t overlook the facts of the types of cases she’s dealing with. Even though the Constitution says you have a right to counsel, I don’t know that the degrees that you need to have counsel in a speeding case, is the same degree you need to have counsel in a capital murder case.” A Long Road Ahead Another aspect of Richmond County’s court system that Bright finds troubling is the lack of funding and support staff provided to the indigent defense office. “It’s my understanding the attorneys in the indigent defense office are handling more than 600 cases a year and they don’t have any secretaries,” Bright said. “When I was a public defender, I mean, heavens, I was in court most of the time and so when I came back to my office, I desperately needed an investigator, a secretary, a paralegal, because that was the only way I could operate. “The idea that you would have a few lawyers without any support staff whatsoever is insane.” As chairman of the Augusta Judicial Circuit Tripartite Indigent Defense Committee, Jack Long agrees that Richmond County needs to fund the indigent defense office at a level consistent with the solicitor’s office in order to hire sufficient clerical staff and attorneys. Ever since Alabama v. Shelton was decided in 2002, Long has requested additional funding from the city to meet the increasing demands for attorneys in misdemeanor cases. Currently, the indigent defense office employs four assistant public defenders and one investigator assigned to state court. Last November, Long’s committee received an extra $350,000 from the city to help pay for the growing demands on the indigent defense office. According to the 2002 unaudited financial records from the city’s accounting department, the indigent defense office received more than $1 million from AugustaRichmond County last year. However, Long said, it is still not enough money to cover the increasing cost of indigent defense. That’s why in June, the tripartite committee filed a petition in superior court against the city of Augusta demanding more funding. All eight Richmond County superior court judges have recused themselves from hearing the case. continued on page 20

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talking to them about their charges,” Bright said. “If I’m a lawyer and a member of the Bar, I’m not supposed to be taking advantage of people who don’t have lawyers. The Bar’s rule on that is very clear. If I’m in a lawsuit and the person on the other side doesn’t have a lawyer, I’m supposed to tell them they should get a lawyer.” On May 29, The Spangenberg Group, Inc. – a national consulting firm from West Newton, Mass., that was retained by the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Indigent Defense to study the impact of the Alabama v. Shelton case on state courts – released its findings. The firm also had concerns about some practices of Richmond County’s solicitor office. The Spangenberg study, which basically found “considerable confusion” in many courts around the state about how to ensure defendants get adequate legal advice, stated that red flags were raised when some Spangenberg representatives sat in on a Richmond County State Court’s out-of-custody misdemeanor arraignment. “The judge came out at the start of the arraignment session to deliver the general admonitions,” the study states. “After that, the judge left the bench and three assistant solicitors stood up, faced the audience and said, ‘We need to talk to you,’ and began calling names for people to come line up. “After the three prosecutors each had long lines of defendants before them, they took the defendants one at a time into private rooms inside the courtroom.” The study said this process took more than two hours. “Eventually the judge returned to the bench and the clerks started to call the cases,” the study states. “A prosecutor would come forward with a defendant, inform the judge of the charges, give a brief description of the alleged crime and incident and inform the judge that the defendant wished to waive counsel and plead guilty. “In some cases, the prosecutor came forward and handed the judge an already completed waiver of counsel form, which was reportedly taken by the solicitor. The judge did not provide individualized admonishments to defendants before accepting their guilty pleas.” By the end of the two-hour process, The Spangenberg Group found that virtually all the defendants had pleaded guilty and signed a waiver of counsel prior to appearing before the judge. “Only three or four defendants out of a

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

If you have any of these problems in your home or office… “We tend to err on the side of, ‘Are you sure you don’t want a lawyer? Are you really, really, really sure that you don’t want one?’”

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Sheryl Jolly

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continued from page 19

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Instead, Bulloch County Senior Superior Court Judge William Neville of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit will handle the case. Neville said a date for the hearing has not yet been assigned, but he says he anticipates it will be within the next few weeks. Long said he hopes that the tripartite committee and the city can resolve the dispute quickly and help speed up the operations of the indigent defense office. “Of the four full-time public defenders we have in Richmond County, we have one computer in the office for all of them,” Long said. “The other three bring their own computers. We have no law books. Now, a lawyer without law books is like a carpenter without a hammer or a saw. You’ve got to have law books. “And we have zero secretaries for our lawyers.” Without additional manpower and the necessary tools, Long said, the indigent defense office will never be able to provide enough lawyers to the indigent and help relieve some of Bright’s concerns. “I’m concerned about Mr. Bright’s letter because I can’t disagree with what he’s said,” Long said. “I’m not sure what Mr. Bright’s list of people to sue are, but my goal is to make sure that we’re not on the list or at least the very last on it.” However, Long said, he needs the city’s cooperation. “The Supreme Court of Georgia says a recommended caseload for a public

defender is 300 misdemeanors per year,” Long said. “We are probably doing somewhere between two and three times that much.” So, there is no denying the indigent defense office needs more money for additional attorneys, but unfortunately, Long said, his request is not a popular one. “Nobody wants to spend money on this,” Long said. “The public doesn’t mind paying public works to clean up backed-up sewers or the fire folks to come put out a fire, but nobody wants to pay to have a guy who’s committed a crime defended.” But Bright said the city has no reason to hesitate in providing indigent defense additional funding considering the annual revenue generated by state court fines. According to the city’s 2002 unaudited financial records, the city collected approximately $4.4 million last year in revenue from state court. However, none of that seems to matter when it comes down to requesting dollars from the city, Long joked, adding that the tripartite committee is probably the most unpopular volunteer group in town. “The county commission is there to try to save money and we are trying to save money too, but the county commission just has to realize we have to do what the Supreme Court says,” Long said. “If they don’t, Mr. Bright, the commission and the tripartite committee will all be in court together, paying a tremendous amount of money and ending up having to do what the Supreme Court says anyway.”

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PUBLIC HEARING The Augusta Commission will conduct a Public Hearing Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at 6 P.M. at the Eastview Park located at 644 Aiken Street regarding the proposed closing of Foster Lane, which is located in the eastern part of Richmond County off of Laney-Walker Blvd. Ext. All interested person(s) are invited to attend. For further information, please contact Peggy Seigler at 706-842-5543.

2651 P ERIMETER PARKWAY • RESERVATIONS

(706) 855-8100

Honorable Bob Young, Mayor Augusta, Georgia Published in the Metro Spirit, July 10, 2003

Arts

& Entertainment

Augusta Southern Nationals Kicks Off With a Night of Fire

M E T R O S P I R I T J U L Y

By Rhonda Jones

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ike boats? Like noise? Wanna take your kids? Then the Augusta Southern Nationals drag boat race is the place you want to be July 18-20. And the Night of Fire that Thursday, July 17, is a good way to get into the mood. The Night of Fire is the big, fat preview for the whole thing. A chance to chill with the boaters and their boats at National Hills. They will crank up the boats after dark so you can see the shooting flames that they make. Yes, friends and neighbors, flames. (That’s kind of why they call it the Night of Fire.) Race Director Robert Brown explained. “What we do is we invite boats to come up there and it gives an opportunity for the children and adults to come and view the boats and meet the crew. And it’s not so hectic as it is on race day.” Sometimes, he said, the boat crews will even let the kiddies sit up in the boats themselves. In spite of the fire and noise, he said, it’s perfect for children – of all ages. “It’s a family event. We serve no alcohol there.” (Don’t panic. Somewhere in Augusta and Last Call will still be serving.) He continued. “We want the children to come out and kind of get a taste of what a drag boat looks like. And we call it Night of Fire because all the boats will crank up. … Last year we probably had 25 boats there. You’ve got boats traveling in from all over the country. We try to do it on a Thursday night because Friday is a qualifying day and very hectic for boats to get ready for Friday night to do that.” Brown said it’s quite an amazing sight. “And for the fuel boats – if you’ve never seen a fuel boat crank up at night it’s shooting fire out of the exhaust pipes.” And there’s more to the Night of Fire, he said, than just checking out the boats. There are some fun activities afoot too. “There are prizes for best-looking crew, and the boat that does the best Night of Fire – the one that puts on the best show.” We asked him how many spectators came to last year’s flaming Thursday. “Oh my goodness,” he said. “I imagine there was at least a thousand people. “It’s a really relaxed atmosphere,” he said. “We will probably have all the radio stations there.”

Brown is looking forward to a better time this year. Last year, he said, it was “rather hot.” (Quite an understatement for July weather in Georgia, as you well know.) “This year we’re a little more prepared, going into our third year. We have Port-o-lets for people to use.” The Night of Fire is a good way to meet people from all over the country, and even Canada, as participants come in from all over. And Then There’s Race Day … and Another Race Day … and Another We asked Brown what patrons are likely to see that weekend. He did not hesitate with his answer: “Some of the fastest boats in the world in the quarter mile.” Then we asked him who primarily likes to see the fastest boats in the world in the quarter mile. It’s a very special type of person. “This is for people who like to see raw horsepower,” he said. “When the top fuelers run they will shoot up a rooster tail (of water) that will be a quarter of a mile long. It makes the whole ground shake; it makes the hair on your arms … it’s just a thrilling event.”

The boats are divided into several classes. “There are pro classes, sportsman classes – and then we have two river race classes where local people can come run their drag boats. “We’re expecting at least a hundred boats or more.” Brown speaks about the races as though it was second-nature. And there’s a good reason for that. “This is my 13th year of being involved in it. I’ve been race director for 11.” The race is not a profit-making venture, he said. “We’re a nonprofit organization of local business people. We have a committee of about 60 and a board of directors. No paid staff.” He said a big part of the reason for the race is the community service that it provides. For the past 10 years, he said, they have been able to give $10,000 to the Georgia Special Olympics. They support District 10, specifically, he said. The drag races themselves, he said, have been going on for 18 years. He explained how the three-day event works. Friday, he said, is a free day. “And we call that ‘test and tune’ day.” We asked if the boats will actually be doing anything that day.

“Oh yes. Yes,” he said. “What people do that day, is they get their boats ready for Saturday and Sunday. There will be runs all day long.” “When you run a drag boat race you run the lower classes first, up to the top of the classes. They’ll run two rounds a day at least. Then Sunday is eliminations. … You basically run on Saturday and that determines where you’re going to be on Sunday.” Rock on. You may find it interesting to know, also, that the total winnings set aside for the racers exceeds $140,000. There’s also a local boat sponsorship program. “If a local company wants to sponsor a boat, it’s $1,000 for a top fueler or $750 for one of the lower classes.” And you’ll get perks like the ability to put your company name on the sponsor board. For the rest of the weekend, he added, you can pay for either one or two days. One day costs $15; both days are $25 all together. Advance series tickets cost $18. And a Patron Pass for $50 gets you into the Boat House, and air conditioning. For info call (706) 724-2452, or visit www.augsouthernnationals.com.

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DaysA Week

Arts

Auditions AUDITIONS FOR “BLOODI MARI,” a digital sci-fi shor t movie to be submit ted to the Sundance Film Festival. Female actress between 18 and 26 is needed. For more information, contact Gregory Dixon, 799-5679. AUDITIONS FOR “GREASE” will be held at 7 p.m. July 1415 and 11 a.m. July 19 at St. John United Methodist Church, 736 Greene St. Roles available for men and women ages 17-50. Please prepare a solo from the show or a 1950s style rock ‘n’ roll song; accompanist provided. Contact the Augusta Players at 826-4707 for information. AUDITIONS FOR “THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW” now being held. Must be 18 or older to audition. For details, phone 589-4269. ENTRIES NOW BEING ACCEPTED for “A Sense of Place 2003: Continuity and Change in the New South” juried fine ar t competition. Open to all ar tists in the South ages 18 and older. Works in the following categories will be accepted: painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and mixed media. Entries must be postmarked by July 18. For an entry form or more information, contact the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t at 722-5495 or visit www.ghia.org/exhibit. AUGUSTA CONCERT BAND rehearses Monday evenings and is looking to fill vacancies on most band instruments. Interested par ties should contact Ben Easter, (803) 202-0091 or e-mail bandforaugusta@aol.com. SWEET ADELINES PEACH STATE CHORUS OPEN REHEARSAL for singers each Thursday at 7 p.m. at Church of Christ, 600 Mar tintown Rd. in Nor th Augusta. They are on the lookout for voices in the lower ranges. Contact Mary Norman at (803) 279-6499.

Education SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE LESSONS begin July 12 at Aiken Center for the Ar ts. Experienced and beginner dancers welcome; wear comfor table clothes and shoes. For more information, call (803) 376-5081 or e-mail marilynnk@scchamber.net. Pre-register by contacting Brenda Sleasman, (803) 641-9094. FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOP July 13 at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Registration required; call 722-5495. ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS are of fered yearround at the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t. Classes and workshops are open to toddlers through adults and feature instruction in drawing, painting, photography, pottery, weaving and sculpture. For a newslet ter or detailed information on registering for classes at the Ger trude Herber t, call 722-5495. The Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t also of fers educational tours; for information, contact the Education Director at the above telephone number. ART CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS at the Ar t Factory. The Ar t Factory also has a homeschool program

and scholarships are available. Available programs include voice lessons and pantomime workshops, as well as classes in dance, theater, music, visual ar ts and writing. Call 731-0008 for details.

USC-AIKEN MUSIC CONSERVATORY PROGRAM now open. Students of all ages and experience levels welcome. Private lessons available for musical instruments and voice; instructors are USC-Aiken faculty and have at least a master’s degree in their performance area. (803) 641-3288.

Exhibitions ART BY AUDREY CROSBY will be on display at the Gibbs Library during July. Call 863-1946 for info. PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAGEMAN DELJOU is now on exhibit at Sacred Space Yoga Studio. Viewings are by appointment only. Contact Kimberly Tompkins, 736-8023.

Help out little guys like this one by attending the Celebrity Softball Challenge July 13 at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Proceeds benefit the CSRA Humane Society.

WORKS BY RAY STURKEY will be at the Lucy Craf t Laney Museum of Black History during July. 724-3576. “PICTURES FOR MISS JOSIE,” collages and drawings by Benny Andrews, will be at the Mary Pauline Gallery through Aug. 16. For more information, call 724-9542. WORK BY DANIEL HAYES is on display at Borders Books and Music during July in celebration of the one-year anniversary of his first Borders exhibit. Call 737-6962 for details. “ARTVENTURE 2003: SELF-PORTRAITS” exhibition of works by students in the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t’s outreach program through July 25. 722-5495. “PORTRAITURE IN THE SECOND AND THIRD DIMENSIONS” will be on display at the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t through July 25. Call 722-5495 for info. THE WALTER O. EVANS COLLECTION OF AFRICANAMERICAN ART on view at the Morris Museum of Ar t through Aug. 10. Call 724-7501 for details. “EYE OF THE STORM: THE CIVIL WAR DRAWINGS OF ROBERT SNEDEN” will be on display at the Augusta Museum of History through July 13. For more information, call 722-8454.

Dance THE AUGUSTA INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE CLUB meets Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. No par tners are needed and newcomers are welcome. Line and circle dances are taught. For location information, call 737-6299. THE DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE held the first Saturday of every month, 7-9 p.m., at the Unitarian Church of Augusta, honors the religious traditions of the world through song and movement. Call (803) 643-0460 for more information. SECOND SATURDAY DANCE at the Ballroom Dance Center, 225 Grand Slam Drive in Evans, held the second Saturday of every month, 7-11 p.m. Dress is casual. Tickets are $10 per person. 854-8888. AUGUSTA CHAPTER OF THE UNITED STATES AMATEUR BALLROOM DANCERS ASSOCIATION holds a dance the

first Saturday of each month, from 7:15 to 11 p.m. Cost is $7 for members and $10 for non-members. Held at the BPOE Facility on Elkdom Cour t. Contact Melvis Lovet t, 733-3890, or Jean Avery, 863-4186, for information. CSRA/AUGUSTA BOGEY-WOOGIE DANCE AND SOCIAL GROUP meets every Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. at A World of Dance Studio. Couples, singles and newcomers are welcome. The group also of fers beginner shag lessons all summer. For information, phone 650-2396. SINGLES DANCE each Saturday night from 8-11 p.m. sponsored by the Christian Social Organization for Single Adults. Held at Westside High School. Tickets $5 for members, $7 for non-members and are available at the door. For more information, contact Doris Heath, 736-3376.

Music VIOLINIST PATRICE MINOR-FLOYD per forms at First Providence Baptist Church, 315 Bar ton Rd., in Nor th Augusta July 12. Free concer t begins at 6 p.m. For information, call (803) 279-8836. “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING: AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC SERIES” continues July 13, 2 p.m., with a performance of “Golden Age Gospel” by the Celebration Gospel Ensemble at the Morris Museum of Ar t. Free admission. 724-7501. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE event to benefit the Imperial Theatre at Riverwalk’s Eighth Street Plaza July 12, 7-11 p.m. The Sailcats and Tony Williams Blues Express featuring Pops “B.B.” Williams will per form. Free admission. Live enter tainment, food and other fun is planned. Call Riverwalk Special Events for details, 821-1754. RIVERWALK JAZZ CANDLELIGHT CONCERT SERIES Sundays through Aug. 24, 8-9:30 p.m. at Riverwalk’s Eighth Street Bulkhead. Schedule is as follows: Buzz Clifford Piano Trio, July 13; Kay King and Edna Stewart, July 20; Air Apparent, July 27; Soul Bar Jazz Quartet, Aug. 3; Jazz-ama-tazz, Aug. 10; Quiet Storm, Aug. 17; Josef Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express, Aug. 24. Admission is $5 per concert, or you may purchase season tickets for $50. Bring

a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic basket. For information, call Riverwalk Special Events at 821-1754. DOWNTOWN LUNCH DATE July 10, 17, 24 and 31, noon-2:30 p.m., at Augusta Common. Bring a lunch or eat lunch catered by the featured restaurant while listening to live music. 821-1754. HOPELANDS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES continues July 14 with a per formance by the Carolina Rebels. All concer ts begin at 7 p.m. on the Windham Per forming Ar ts Stage at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken. In the event of rain, concer ts will be held in Gym 2 at the H.O. Weeks Center. Free admission. Call (803) 642-7631 for information. MUSIC IN THE PARK at Creighton Living History Park in Nor th Augusta at 7 p.m. July 10; Candlelight concer t 8 p.m. July 24. Split Rail performs July 10. Free. (803) 442-7588. COMMUNITY HEALING MEDITATION DRUMMING CIRCLE hosted every third Monday of the month by IDRUM2U, the Not Gaddy Drumming Studio. Held 7-9 p.m. at the G.L. Jackson Conference Center, 1714 Nor th Leg Cour t. Fee is $5 or a donation of canned goods for the Golden Harvest Food Bank. All are welcome and drums will be available to rent. For info, phone the Not Gaddy Drumming Studio, 228-3200.

Theater “HAMLET” will be presented by the Nor th Augusta Cultural Ar ts Council and the Occasional Players July 1012, 7:30 p.m., at the Nor th Augusta High School Auditorium. For more information, contact Julie Gazda, (803) 278-6117. “A ... MY NAME IS ALICE” will be per formed at For t Gordon Dinner Theatre weekends July 11-12, 18-19 and 24-26. Tickets are $28-$30 or $12 for show only. Call the box of fice at 793-8552 or visit www.for tgordon.com for reservations. “RUMORS” will be performed at the Abbeville Opera House in Abbeville, S.C., July 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 at 8 p.m., with matinees July 12, 19 and 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are

“WHERE THE LILIES BLOOM” will be at Aiken Community Playhouse’s Washington Center for the Performing Ar ts in Aiken July 11-13 and 18-19. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 adult, $8 senior, $6 student and $4 child. Call (803) 648-1438 for tickets and information.

Attractions AUGUSTA CANAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER: Housed in Enterprise Mill, the center contains displays and models focusing on the Augusta Canal’s functions and impor tance to the tex tile industry. Hours are Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun., 1-6 p.m. Admission is $5 adult, $4 seniors and military and $3 children ages 6-18. Children under 6 admitted free. For information, visit www.augustacanal.com or call 823-0440. THE BOYHOOD HOME OF WOODROW WILSON: Circa 1859 Presby terian manse occupied by the family of President Woodrow Wilson as a child during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Original and period antiques, restored house, kitchen and carriage house. 419 Seventh Street. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Tours available; groups of 10 or more by appointment only. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students under 18 and free for ages 5 and under. 722-9828. AUGUSTA GOLF & GARDENS OF THE GEORGIA GOLF HALL OF FAME features beautiful display gardens, as well as bronze sculptures of some of golf’s greatest masters. Available for rent for a variety of functions. Group discount rates available. Closed Mondays; open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; open from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. New spring and summer hours begin March 21: open Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is $5.50 for adults; $4.50 for students, seniors and military; $3.50 for children (4 to 12); free for children 3 and under. Sundays are two for one with a Super Sunday coupon. Annual garden memberships are available. Call 724-4443 or 1-888-874-4443. Also, visit their Web site at www.gghf.org. NATIONAL SCIENCE CENTER’S FORT DISCOVERY: Children and adults alike can immerse themselves in the wonders of science through live demonstrations, vir tual realities, Starlab, KidScape and more than 250 hands-on exhibits. General admission: $8 for adults; $6 for children, seniors and active military. Group rates available. Operating hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Call 821-0200, 1-800-325-5445 or visit their Web site at www.NationalScienceCenter.org. REDCLIFFE STATE HISTORIC SITE: 1859 mansion of S.C. Governor James Henry Hammond, held by the family for three generations until 1975. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday-Monday on the grounds. House tours are noon-3 p.m. by appointment. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission to the grounds is free. Fee for house tours is $3 for adults and children ages 6-17. For more information, call (803) 827-1473. 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island.

“COLLECTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART” talk by Atlanta ar t collector Paul R. Jones at the Morris Museum of Ar t July 17. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors, students and the military. 724-7501. THE GERTRUDE HERBERT INSTITUTE OF ART in Ware’s Folly exhibits works by local and regional ar tists. Ar t classes, workshops and other educational programming for children, youth and adults are held in the WalkerMackenzie Studio. Ware’s Folly galleries open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday by appointment only. The Walker-Mackenzie Studio gallery is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free, but a donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children and seniors is encouraged. Call 722-5495 for more info. THE AUGUSTA MUSEUM OF HISTORY hosts permanent exhibition “Augusta’s Stor y,” an award-winning exhibit encompassing 12,000 years of local histor y. For the younger crowd, there’s the Susan L. Still Children’s Discover y Galler y, where kids can learn about histor y in a hands-on environment. The museum also shows films in the Histor y Theatre and hosts a variet y of programs. Located at 560 Reynolds Street. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 15 p.m. Admission is $4 adult, $3 seniors, $2 kids (618 years of age) and free for children under 6. Free admission on Sundays. Call 722-8454 or visit www.augustamuseum.org for more information. THE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART hosts exhibitions and special events year-round. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Closed on Mondays and major holidays. 1 Tenth Street, Augusta. Call 724-7501 or visit www.themorris.org for details. THE MUSEUM OF LAUREL AND HARDY OF HARLEM, GEORGIA features displays of various Laurel and Hardy memorabilia; films also shown. Located at 250 N. Louisville Street in downtown Harlem. Open 1-4 p.m. Thursday-Monday. For more information, call 556-3448. LUNCH AT NOON LECTURE SERIES held the second Wednesday of every month at the Lucy Craf t Laney Museum of Black History, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call the museum at 724-3576 for more information.

Special Events CSRA GREYHOUND ADOPTIONS will have greyhounds available to meet and pet at Fetch July 12, 4-6 p.m. For more information, call Fetch, 262-2663, or contact Dianne at 868-8180. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MUSLIMS UNITY DAY AND BAZAAR July 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Muslim Community Center of Augusta, 1821 Slay ton Street. For more information, contact Marshall M. Abuwi, 772-4303 or 373-9553.

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

“A WALK IN THE WOODS” at Spirit Creek Educational Forest in Hephzibah July 15 and 22, 9-11 a.m. Free. Call 790-2351 for more information.

HISTORIC COTTON EXCHANGE WELCOME CENTER: Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m. Riverwalk. Free. The center also of fers guided driving tours of downtown Augusta and Summerville every Saturday through Aug. 4 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and at other times upon request. Cost for tours is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Reservations are suggested. Call 724-4067.

COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY July 19, noon-3 p.m., at Servants of God Baptist Church. Medical, dental and vision screenings, games, DARE presentations and more will be available to the public free of charge. Donations of school supplies will be collected for the Links to Learning distribution for inner-city students. Volunteers are also needed. Call 722-8693 for info.

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

Museums “THE DRUM” presentation July 20, 2 p.m., at the Morris Museum of Ar t. Ar tist Baba Raa El explores the history and evolution of the drum. Free admission. 724-7501. “PATTERNS OF CHANGE: HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN GEORGIA” will be playing continuously in the History Theatre at the Augusta Museum of History throughout July. Call 722-8454 for information. “RETURN OF THE DINOSAURS” exhibit at For t Discover y through Sept. 21. A group of animatronic dinosaurs will be on display in the Knox Galler y. Admission to the exhibit is free with paid general admission to For t Discover y. For information, call 821-0200 or 1-800-325-5445.

AUGUSTA SKI AND OUTING CLUB ANNUAL LAKE PARTY July 25-27 at Ridge Road Campground at Lake Thurmond. Camping reser vations required by July 21. Non-members welcome. For more details, or to make reser vations, contact Cameron, 651-0905, or Diane, 736-3736. GREYHOUND MEET AND GREET: The greyhounds of Grey tHound Love Greyhound Adoption will be at Saturn of Augusta 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 12. For more information, visit www.grey thoundlove.org or call 796-1708 or (803) 278-5441. JULY FILM SERIES Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., at Headquar ters Library. July 15 showing of “The Graduate,” July 22 showing of “Citizen Ruth” and July 29 showing of “Seventh Seal.” Call 736-6244 for more information. GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM: Grant applications are now being accepted by the Greater Augusta Ar ts Council. Funds from the Grassroots Ar ts Program suppor t community ar ts projects. Applications are due July 18. For more information and application forms, contact Erin Swenson, 826-4702.

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EVENING THEATER July 11, 18 and 25, 7 p.m., 24 FRIDAY at Augusta Common. Admission is $1 per person; chil-

Health

dren 5 and under are free. Bring blankets and/or lawn

M E chairs. 821-1754. T R PEACE VIGIL every Saturday until U.S. troops come O home, noon-2 p.m. at the corner of Wrightsboro and S P I R I T J U L Y

HATHA YOGA with Tess Stephens at the St. Joseph Wellness Center in Daniel Village Plaza. Daytime classes held from 10 a.m.-noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Evening classes held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and also 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Cost is $60 per month for unlimited classes or $10 per class. For more information, contact Tess at 738-2782.

Walton Way Ex t., near the Army Reserve Of fice. For more information, contact Denice Traina, 736-4738.

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

FREE HATHA AND KRIYA YOGA CLASSES at Christ Church Unity. Hatha Yoga classes Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-10:30 a.m.; meditation-focused Kriya Yoga Tuesdays 6-7:30 p.m. Voluntary of ferings are accepted. Call 738-2458 for more information.

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

1 0 RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AND AUGUSTA 2 0 0 3

FREE COMMUNITY MEDITATION Sundays, 10-10:45 a.m. at Sacred Space Yoga Studio. 736-8023.

ANIMAL RESCUE FRIENDS hold pet adoptions at Superpetz off Bobby Jones Expressway every Sunday from 1- 4 p.m. Call AARF at 364-4747 or visit www.aarf.net. Adoptions also held at the Richmond County Animal Control Shelter, Tues.-Sun., 1-5 p.m. Call the shelter at 790-6836. THE CSR A HUMANE SOCIETY holds pet adoptions every Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and every Wednesday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pet Center located behind the GreenJackets Stadium on Milledge Rd. 261-PETS.

Out of Town GATLINBURG CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR July 18-27 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For information, visit www.craf tsmenfair.com or call (865) 436-7479. HARLEY-DAVIDSON 100TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN ROAD TOUR kicks of f July 19-21 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Festival features live music by Tim McGraw, Blues Traveler, Ted Nugent, Journey, Steel Pulse, The Warren Brothers, Indigenous and Alison Krauss, as well as exhibits, children’s pavilion and more. Call (770) 946-4211 for information. “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” will be per formed July 2227 at the Theatre of the Stars in Atlanta. For tickets and information, call (404) 252-8960. ART IN THE PARK juried ar ts and craf ts show 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 19 at the American Legion Grounds in Blowing Rock, N.C. Free. Call (828) 295-7851. NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL in Atlanta July 1827 with displays and per formances in visual ar ts, music, dance, film, literature and theatre. For details, visit www.nbaf.org or call (404) 730-7315. MAGNOLIA AR ABIAN HORSE SHOW July 12 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Ga. (912) 984-5177. ADOPTION INFORMATION SESSION July 12, 2-6 p.m., at the Independent Adoption Center in Tucker, Ga. For more information or to reser ve a place, call 1-800-385-4016. THE 2003 GEORGIA GAMES will be held July 11-20 at various sites around Atlanta. For more information, contact the Georgia State Games Commission at (770) 528-3580. SOUTH CAROLINA PEACH FESTIVAL July 12-21 in Gaf fney, S.C. Country music stars will per form, and a parade, tractor pulls and more will be featured. Contact Dennis Fowler at (864) 489-9066 for info. “THE ART OF LYON HILL: THE MYSTERY AND MECHANICS OF MARIONET TES” July 15-Aug. 18 at the Sumter Galler y of Ar t in Sumter, S.C. Call (803) 775-0543. MAGNOLIA AR ABIAN HORSE SHOW July 12 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Ga. (912) 984-5177. ATLANTA KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW July 10-13 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Ga. (770) 740-1558. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL featuring classical, jazz, bluegrass, more; the London Symphony Orchestra continues their summer residency this year. Held July 11-27 in Day tona Beach, Fla. Call (386) 257-7790 or visit w ww.fif-lso.org. “GREASE,” starring Frankie Avalon, will be at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta through July 13. Thursday-Sunday per formances are at 8 p.m with Saturday and Sunday matinees are 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$52.50 and can be purchased through TicketMaster, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 828-7700.

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

The “Lift Every Voice and Sing: African-American Music Series” continues July 13 with a free performance by the Celebration Gospel Ensemble at the Morris Museum of Art. “TWELVE ANGRY MEN” through July 20 at the Class Act Theatre in Mariet ta, Ga. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 adult, $15 seniors and children. Call (770) 579-3156. “MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FR ANK SINATR A” at the Ar ts Center of Coastal Carolina, Hil ton Head Island, S.C., through July 19. Tickets are $37 adult, $34 matinee and $31 preview; children under 16 get in for half price. Call (843) 842-ARTS to make reser vations. “A SALUTE TO 25 YEARS OF THE GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME AWARDS” runs through Jan. 18, 2004, at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon, Ga. Exhibits, programs and events honoring the 25th anniversary of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame awards. Call 1-888-GA-ROCKS for info. COWPARADE ATLANTA features over 200 life-sized, fiberglass cows painted by local ar tists and placed throughout Atlanta. The cows will be on public display through Sept. 14. For information, call (404) 898-2915 or visit www.cowparadeatlanta.com. GEORGIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL runs through Nov. 2 with per formances of “Much Ado About Nothing,” “The School for Wives,” “The Tale of Cymbeline” and “The Tempest.” Tickets are $23-$32, with special $10 preview shows. Held at the Conant Per forming Ar ts Center on the campus of Oglethorpe Universit y in Atlanta. Call (404) 264-0020 for information. REEDY RIVER NIGHTTIME CONCERT SERIES through Aug. 28 at the Peace Center Amphitheatre in Greenville, S.C. Free. (864) 467-6667. SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK festival through Aug. 3 in Greenville, S.C. Plays presented by Warehouse Theatre. Call (864) 235-6948. JEKYLL ISLAND MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL includes per formances of “Schoolhouse Rock Live,” “State Fair” and “Hello, Dolly!” in rotating reper tory at the Jekyll Island Amphitheatre in Jekyll Island, Ga., through July 27. For information, call (912) 635-4060 or (229) 333-2150. ON THE BRICKS concer t series continues Fridays through Aug. 22 at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. July 11 concer t features Bet ter Than Ezra, Lifehouse, Ingram Hill, Gavin DeGraw and Fiction Plane. Tickets are $3 per show or $25 for 12. Kids 5 and under get in free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Purchase tickets by phone at 1-800-594-TIX X or online at www.onthebricks.com. AT THE GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART in Athens, Ga.: “Old Worlds, New Lands,” through Aug. 31; “Becoming a Nation: Americana from the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Depar tment of State,” through Aug. 31; “‘Leaves Have Their Time to Fall ...’: Reflections of Mourning in 19th Centur y Decorative Ar ts,” July 19Sept. 14. Call (706) 542-4662. HARDEEVILLE (S.C.) MOTOR SPEEDWAY 2003 RACING SCHEDULE is July 12 and 26 and Aug. 9, 16 and 30. For information, call (843) 784-RACE. THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART’S FOLK ART AND PHOTOGRAPH GALLERIES host two exhibitions through Aug. 9: “Land of Myth and Memory: Clarence John Laughlin and Photographers of the South” and “Faces and Places: Picturing the Self in Self-Taught Ar t.” Call (404) 577-6940.

Benefits AIKEN COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE July 2125. A $7 donation will buy a book bag and school supplies for a child’s first nine weeks of school. For more information, contact Tony Lit tles, (803) 642-7559. BACHELOR AUCTION BLACK-TIE FUNDRAISER to benefit Child Enrichment Inc. Held July 10, 7 p.m., at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Tickets are $50. Call 737-4631 for info. CELEBRITY SOFTBALL CHALLENGE to benefit the CSRA Humane Society July 13 at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Gates open at noon. Tickets are $5. Call 731-9000, ex t. 340, for details. AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL is in need of dog and cat food, cat lit ter and other pet items, as well as monetary donations to help pay for vaccinations. Donations accepted during regular business hours, Tues.-Sun., 1-5 p.m. at the shelter, 4164 Mack Lane. Call 790-6836 for information. SHEPEARD COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER BLOOD DRIVES in various locations around the CSRA this month. The blood center is urging people of all blood types to donate in order to combat a blood supply shor tage. For detailed information on locations and times to donate, visit www.shepeardblood.org. You may also call Susan Edwards at (803) 643-7996 for information on Aiken locations and Nancy Szocinski at 737-4551 for information on all other locations. AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES at the Aiken Red Cross Blood Center on Millbrook Drive and the Augusta Red Cross Blood Center on Pleasant Home Road. The bloodmobile will also stop at various area locations this week. For a complete list, call the Aiken Blood Center at (803) 642-5180 or the Augusta Blood Center at 868-8800.

Learning “USING THE COMPUTER FOR INVESTMENTS” workshop at the Wallace Branch Library July 12, 1-3 p.m. Call 722-6275 for information. BASIC MICROSOFT WORD CLASS Thursdays, July 10Aug. 7. Classes are held 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 722-6275 to register. AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY CONTINUING EDUCATION is now of fering the following classes: Stained Glass, Ice Skating, Yoga, Beginning Shag, Belly Dance, Introduction to the World of Wine, Drivers Education and more. Also, ASU of fers online courses. For more information, call 737-1636 or visit www.ced.aug.edu. AIKEN TECH CONTINUING EDUCATION offers the following courses: Microsoft PowerPoint XP, Adobe Photoshop 6.0, Microsoft Cer tified Technical Education Training, Health Care Courses, Infant Massage, Rape Aggression Defense, S.C. Childcare Training System, Defensive Driving, Driver Education, Motorcycle Safety and more. Aiken Tech also offers Education to Go classes online. For more information or to register, call (803) 593-9231, ex t. 1230.

DIET COUNSELING CLASSES for diabetics and those with high cholesterol at CSRA Par tners in Health, 1220 Augusta West Parkway. Free. Call 860-3001 for class schedule. PROJECT LINK COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES is held the first Tuesday of every month and is sponsored by the MCG Children’s Medical Center. Project Link provides educational resources and guidance for families who have children with developmental delays, disabilities and other specialized health concerns. Free and open to the public; takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. in the main conference room at the Children’s Medical Center. Call 721-6838 for information. UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM COMMUNITY EDUCATION holds workshops, seminars and classes on a variet y of topics: weight and nutrition, women’s health, cancer, diabetes, seniors’ health and more. Suppor t groups and health screenings are also of fered. Call 736-0847 for details. PEACHCARE FOR KIDS AND RIGHT FROM THE START MEDICADE of fers free or low-cost health coverage to qualifying families. Coverage includes prenatal care, hospitalization, vaccines, dental and vision care and is available to pregnant women of all ages and to children through age 19. Contact the RSM Project at 729-2086 or 721-5611 for information. YOGA CLASSES at Walton Rehabilitation Hospital are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 a.m. for $45/month or 10:30 a.m. to noon for $55/month. Call 823-6294. FREE HIV/AIDS TESTING every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Ministry, 922 Greene Street. Free anonymous testing, pre- and post-test counseling and education. A FREE WOMEN’S HEALTH CLINIC is held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Salvation Army and Welfare Center, 1383 Greene St. Services include Pap smear, breast exam and the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmit ted diseases. For more info or an appointment, call the St. Vincent dePaul Health Center at 828-3444. W.G. WATSON, M.D., WOMEN’S CENTER CONDUCTS EDUCATION CLASSES at Universit y Hospital. Course topics include Lamaze, breast feeding, parenting and grandparenting. Par tners will learn positive suppor t techniques. There are also programs designed to help older siblings adjust to new family members. Some classes are free, while others require a fee. Registration is required by calling 774-2825.

Kids TOUCH-A-TRUCK DAY July 19, 9-11 a.m. at the H.O. Weeks Center parking lot. Children can view and sit in fire trucks, police cars, ambulances and other vehicles. Free. Call (803) 642-7631. ARCHERY CAMP will be held July 21-25 for kids ages 814 at Citizens Park in Aiken. For more information, call (803) 642-7631. “A LOOK INTO THE INSECT WORLD” storytime presentation with Bet tina Bergh July 23, 10 a.m., at the Ma xwell Branch Library. Call 793-2020 for more information. BEN AND KEETER’S PUPPET SHOW July 24, 10:30 a.m., at Headquar ters Library. 821-2600. CAVE EXPLORING PRESENTATION by Carol Jackson July 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Appleby Branch Library. Call 736-6244 for information.

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Serving Augusta since 1977

25 M E T R O S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0 2 0 0 3

SAFETY PRESENTATION with Deputy Johnson of the 26 HOME Sheriff’s Depar tment July 21, 10:30 a.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Open to children of listening age only. Call

M E 736-6758. T R BEN AND KEETER’S PUPPET SHOW July 24, 7 p.m. at the O Gibbs Library. Call 863-1946. S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0

LEARN ABOUT CAVES with Carol Jackson July 22, 10 a.m. for preschoolers and 10:30 a.m. for school-age children. Held at the Friedman Branch Library. Call 736-6758 for info. BIRTHDAY PARTY AND PUPPET SHOW to celebrate the Augusta public libraries’ new Bir thday Book Club, which allows family members and friends to honor a child’s special day by donating a book to the library. Par ty star ts at noon July 19 at Headquar ters Library, 902 Greene St. For more information, contact Gloria Harley, 868-1935, or call the library at 821-2600. CHILDREN’S STORYTIME AT BORDERS BOOKS AND

2 MUSIC July 14, 11 a.m. This week’s story is “If You Give a 0 Moose a Muffin.” Call 737-6962. 0 3

“LARRY CAT IN SPACE” AND “DIGISTAR VIRTUAL JOURNEY” PRESENTATIONS at the Dupont Planetarium on the campus of USC-Aiken July 18-19. “Larry Cat in Space” will be presented at 7 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $4 adults, $3 senior citizens, $2 K-12 students and $1 USC-Aiken faculty and staff. “Digistar Vir tual Journey” will be presented at 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 adult, $4 senior citizens and $3 K-12 students. Call (803) 641-3769, (803) 641-3654 or 278-1967, ex t. 3654 for reservations. AT SPIRIT CREEK EDUCATIONAL FOREST: “Fun Bugs!” July 16, 9-11 a.m.; “Creek Crit ters” July 23, 9-11 a.m. Both programs are free. “Fun Bugs!” par ticipants are asked to bring two empty, clean tuna fish cans to use in making an insect carrier. Call 790-2351 for information. REPTILE SHOW BY THE SAVANNAH RIVER ECOLOGY LAB 2-4 p.m. July 16 at the Wallace Branch Librar y. Call 722-6275 for more information. STORYTIME WITH TORIECA FLANAGAN 10 a.m. July 16 and 30 at the Ma xwell Branch Library. Call 793-2020 for more information. “FREE WILLY” FILM SERIES Saturdays at the Ma xwell Branch Library. “Free Willy” will be shown July 12, “Free Willy 2” will be shown July 19 and “Free Willy 3” will be shown July 26. Films star t at 11 a.m. and children under 8 must be accompanied by a guardian at least 16 years old. Call 763-2020 for details. CR AFT WORKSHOP at the Friedman Branch Library July 16. Held at 10 a.m. for children 4-6 years of age and 11 a.m. for those 7-9 years of age. Registration is required; call 736-6758. STORYTIME WITH JULIA HARDING July 15 at the Friedman Branch Library. Storytime is 10:05 a.m. for preschoolers and 10:30 a.m. for school-age children. 736-6758. CREATIVE IMPRESSIONS’ SUMMER MUSIC WORKSHOP for youth ages 8-15 who are interested in music, dance and per formance. Held July 14-25 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 2321 Lumpkin Rd. Cost is $120 per child. For registration information, call Trey McLaughlin at 737-3187 or Evelyn Ellis at 733-1122. “COTTON AND THE CANAL” FAMILY FUN DAY at the Augusta Museum of History 2 p.m. July 13. Visitors will learn about cot ton, the canal and mill life through hands-on activities and period re-enactors. Each par ticipant will receive a pass for free admission to the Augusta Canal Interpretive Center; admission to the Museum of History is free. Call 722-8454 for more information. FAMILY FULL MOON NATURE HIKE July 12, 9-11 p.m. at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Explore the park by the light of the moon and search for nocturnal animals. Bring a flashlight. Free for members, $5 for non-members. Register by July 11. 828-2109. PHINIZY SWAMP NATURE PARK FAMILY DISCOVERY SERIES July 17, 6-7:30 p.m. Bring the family and a picnic dinner to the park’s Picnic Pavilion and enjoy a program on nature. Free; advance reservations not necessary. Call 8282109 for more information. “CLAY TIME MACHINE” INTRODUCTORY CERAMICS WORKSHOP for youth ages 7-12 at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art July 14-17. Registration required; 722-5495. GET READY FOR ALGEBRA I at Augusta State University. Eighth graders meet July 21-31. Both sessions held 4-5:30 p.m. and cost $75. Call 737-1636. STORYTIME AT PENDLETON Thursdays throughout July, 10:30-11 a.m., at Pendleton King Park, 1600 Troupe St. Bring a blanket or chairs and meet at the gazebo. For more information, contact Kay Mills, 738-4321 or Kimberly Cooper, 821-2631.

SUMMER ADVENTURES DAY CAMP runs in sessions through Aug. 8. Cost is $90 for Sessions 1-4; Session 5 is $45. Open to kids ages 5-12. Held at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken. Call (803) 642-7631 for information. SUMMER FUN DAY CAMP through Aug. 8, running in twoweek sessions, at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center in Aiken. Open to children ages 4-12. Cost is $60 per session; out-ofcity residents pay an additional $27.50. (803) 642-7635. PLANETARIUM SHOWS FOR SUMMER GROUPS with special show times Wednesdays and Thursdays at the DuPont Planetarium. Reser vations are required; for details, contact Janice Weeks at (803) 641-3769 or 278-1967, ex t. 3769. MATH AND SCIENCE CAMP for students entering 3rd and 4th grades. Held July 14-18 at For t Discovery. Cost is $125 for members and $150 for non-members. Before- and af tercamp care available for additional fee. Contact Lisa Golden, 821-0646. SCIENCE POTPOURRI CAMP for students entering 2nd and 3rd grades. Held July 21-25 at For t Discovery. Cost is $125 for members and $150 for non-members. Before- and af tercamp care available for additional fee. Contact Lisa Golden, 821-0646. DRAW ON NATURE II CAMP offers ar t, science and technology activities to students entering 2nd and 3rd grades. Held July 28-Aug. 1 at For t Discovery. Cost is $125 for members and $150 for non-members. Before- and af ter-camp care available for additional fee. Contact Lisa Golden, 821-0646. FAMILY Y SUMMER CAMPS offer a variety of traditional and special interest camps for children 4-17 years old. For specifics, call 733-1030, 738-6678, 738-6680 or 364-3269. “SUMMER OF FUN” DAY CAMPS through August at Riverview Park in Nor th Augusta. Themed one-week sessions will be offered, including ar t camp, magic camp, music camp, Spanish camp, inventor’s camp and science camp. Cost is $100 per session. For information, call 667-8806. SUMMER VACATION READING PROGRAM at all East Central Georgia Regional Libraries through July 25. Children who complete 20 books or read for 10 hours over the summer receive a pack of summer time treats. Obtain a reading folder at any of the libraries or call Headquar ters Library at 821-2600 for details. “EVERY CHILD AN ARTIST” SUMMER ART CAMP, presented by the Ger trude Herber t Institute of Ar t. Weeklong sessions run throughout July in locations downtown and in Columbia County. Open to children ages 5-14. Per-session cost is $50 for GHIA members and $65 for non-members; tuition assistance is also available. For information, call 722-5495. KENNY THOMAS BASEBALL CAMP for kids 5-14 years old at USC-Aiken July 21-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Early drop-off and late pick-up also available. Cost is $160 per session. Call (803) 642-7761 for details. GIBBS LIBRARY SUMMER STORYTIME REGISTRATION now open. Call 863-1946 for more information or to register your child. STORYLAND THEATRE is now taking reservations for the 2003-2004 season: “Sleeping Beauty” Oct. 28-Nov. 1, “The Cour tship of Senorita Florabella” Feb. 24-29 and “Hansel and Gretel” April 13-17. Season tickets for weekday school per formances are $9 per student; season tickets for weekend family matinees are $10.50 per person. For reservations, call Storyland Theatre at 736-3455 or fa x a request to 736-3349. YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SKILLS PROGRAM for teens ages 12-19 held the third Saturday of the month at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Call 724-3576. WEEKLY STORY SESSIONS at all branch libraries. Visit www.ecgrl.public.lib.ga.us for more information. FIRST SATURDAY STORYTELLING at the Lucy Craf t Laney Museum. In addition, there is a tour of the museum. Held 10 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of the month. Call 724-3576.

Seniors FIT 4 EVER LIGHT IMPACT FITNESS CLASS is $25 for 12 tickets for Aiken city residents and $45 for all others. Classes are held at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Call (803) 642-7631 for information. THE CARE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT COMPANY, a non-profit organization, provides transpor tation for seniors who live in the 30906 and 30815 zip code area. For a minimal fee, door-to-door shut tles provide safe, clean and dependable transpor tation 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance; call Linda Washington, 733-8771, or leave a message for more information.

“Rumors” opens July 11 at the Abbeville Opera House and runs weekends through July 26. For more information, phone the Abbeville Opera House box office at (864) 459-2157.

COMPUTER CLASSES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center. For more information, call 738-0089. AIKEN PARKS AND RECREATION offers a multitude of programs for senior adults, including bridge clubs, fitness classes, canasta clubs, line dancing, racquetball, ar ts and craf ts, tennis and excursions. For more information, call (803) 642-7631. JUD C. HICKEY CENTER FOR ALZHEIMER’S CARE provides families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia a break during the day. Activities and care available at the adult day center, and homecare is available as well. For information, call 738-5039. THE ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING offers lectures, courses, field trips, discussion groups and community information seminars on a variety of topics to mature adults. For more information, contact the USC-Aiken Office of Continuing Education at (803) 641-3288. THE SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL OF GREATER AUGUSTA AND THE CSRA offers a variety of classes, including aerobics, quilting, tai chi, Spanish, painting, crochet, line dancing, bowling, bridge, computers, drama club/readers theatre and pinochle. For dates and times, phone 826-4480. SENIORNET provides adults age 50 and over education for and access to computer technology. Many different courses are offered. Contact the USC-Aiken Continuing Education Office at (803) 641-3563.

Sports FALL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING July 21, 6:30 p.m. at Citizens Park 2 in Aiken. Open to those 16 years of age and older. (803) 642-7761. AUGUSTA SOUTHERN NATIONALS drag boat races July 18-20. Proceeds benefit the Georgia Special Olympics. Tickets are $18 or $50 for patron tickets and are available from Tix Online, www.tixonline.com or (803) 278-4TIX. OPEN BASS TOURNAMENT July 12 at the Dorn Boating and

Fishing Facility in McCormick, S.C. Call the McCormick County Chamber of Commerce at (864) 465-2835 for more information. TST SOCCER CAMP will be held at Citizens Park in Aiken July 14-18, 9 a.m.-noon. Open to players 5-16 years of age. Call (803) 642-7761 for more information. SOFTBALL LEAGUE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING July 15, 6:30 p.m., at Citizens Park 2 in Aiken. The league is co-ed and open to players 16 and older. Call (803) 642-7761 for more information. TENNIS CAMP at the H.O. Weeks Tennis Center July 14-18, 9 a.m.-noon. Camp is open to beginner and experienced athletes between 6-18 years of age. The cost is $65 per session. Call (803) 642-7739. NIKE AAU PEACHJAM BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT July 14-17 at the Riverview Park Activities Center in Nor th Augusta. Call (803) 441-4311 for information. FAMILY Y FALL SOCCER REGISTRATION: Wheeler Branch registration through July 19 for children 4-13 years old as of Aug. 1, 2003, 738-6678; Marshall Branch registration through Aug. 2 for children 4-5 years old as of Aug. 1, 2003, 364-3269; Southside Branch registration Aug. 18-29 for children 4-5 years old as of Aug. 1, 2003, 738-6680. FALL SOCCER REGISTRATION through July 14 at Citizens Park Complex II in Aiken. Girls and co-ed leagues for children ages 5-18 as of Sept. 1, 2003. Cost is $40 for the first child and $35 for each additional child. Additional $27.50 fee per child for those who are not residents of the city of Aiken. (803) 642-7761. SWIMMING LESSONS at the Smith-Hazel Pool in Aiken. Instructors will teach people of all skill levels how to swim; open to ages 2-adult. Morning and evening classes available, and lessons run in two-week sessions through August. Cost is $30 per session. (803) 642-7631. SUMMER SWIM LESSONS offered in two-week sessions through July 31 at the Family Y pools. Classes available for 6month-olds-adults. Call 738-6678, 733-1030 or 738-6680. AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS HOME GAMES July 10-11, 15-17 and 24-26. Tickets are $6-$8 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, military personnel and children 4-12; and $1 for children 3 and under. For tickets, visit www.tixonline.com or call 736-7889.

INTRODUCTORY AND DROP-IN CLIMBING Fridays, 5:306:30 p.m., at the Virginia Acres Park Climbing Wall in Aiken. Cost is $5 per session. Call (803) 642-7631 for information. THE AUGUSTA RUGBY CLUB is always looking for new members. Teams available for women and men; no experience necessary. Practice is Tuesday and Thursday nights, 79 p.m. at Richmond Academy. For more information, call Don Zuehlke, 495-2043, or e-mail augustarfc@yahoo.com. You may also visit www.augustarugby.org.

SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES (SCORE) provides counseling and mentoring to businesspeople star ting up a new business or expanding an ongoing business. Services are provided free of charge. For more information, call the Augusta of fice at 793-9998. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT is in need of Georgia veterans from World War I, World War II and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, as well as the civilians who suppor ted them on the home front, to share their stories. The project is an ongoing effor t to collect as many oral histories as possible to share with future generations. For more information, call 1-888-371-5848 or visit www.loc.gov/vets. SOUTHERNCARE HOSPICE SERVICE is currently seeking volunteers to per form a variety of tasks, including relieving caregivers, reading to patients and running errands. Training is included. For additional information, contact Lisa Simpson, (803) 463-9888 or 869-0205. THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD is looking for interested Georgia and South Carolina citizens to run for membership in 2004-2005. Board membership requires a 10-15 hour per month time commitment and active par ticipation on one or more issues-based commit tees. Female applicants are especially needed. Call 1-800-249-8155 for a packet. PROJECT LINUS DAY July 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Warren Baptist Church Field House. Project Linus provides hand-knit, crocheted or quilted blankets to children in need. For more information, call the Augusta Area Chapter of Project Linus at 736-4330. COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGR AM VOLUNTEER TR AINING: The CASA program is looking for volunteers 21 years of age and older to advocate for abused and neglected children in the juvenile cour t system. Volunteers need no experience and will be provided with specialized training. Call 737-4631. CSR A HUMANE SOCIETY NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION PROGR AM the third Saturday of every month at the Pet Center, 425 Wood St. Orientation star ts at 11 a.m. Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian present during orientation and while volunteering. Call 261-PETS for information. WORLD HERITAGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGR AM is looking for area families, couples and single parents to host high-school-aged foreign exchange students for a semester or a year in the U.S. For more information, visit www.world-heritage.org or contact Beth Folland, (803) 279-2696 or 1-800-888-9040.

M E T R O

GOLDEN HARVEST FOOD BANK needs volunteers during the day, Monday-Friday, to help sor t donated products and assist in their agency shopping area. Help is needed year-round. If you are able to lif t 25 pounds and would like to help fight hunger in the Augusta area, contact Laurie Roper at 736-1199, ex t. 208. THOROUGHBRED R ACING HALL OF FAME DOCENT TR AINING DAYS to be held July 21 and Aug. 11. Duties include opening and closing the Hall of Fame, greeting visitors and providing information about museum exhibits. Call Lisa Hall, (803) 642-7650 for information.

Volunteer

more information, please contact Cassandra Reed at 481-0105 or kodfoundation@aol.com.

AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL: New volunteer orientation is scheduled the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the shelter, 4164 Mack Lane. Schedule subject to change; call 7906836 to verify dates and times. SHEPEARD COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER is seeking donors to prevent a blood supply shor tage. To donate call 737-4551, 854-1880 or (803) 643-7996.

Meetings GIBBS LIBR ARY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP is reading “Atonement” by Ian McEwan and will meet for discussion July 21, 7 p.m. Call 863-1946. FRIENDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY LIBRARIES MEETING 7 p.m. July 15 at the Gibbs Library. Call 863-1946 for info. THE AUGUSTA ROSE SOCIETY meets July 15, 7:30 p.m., in the Sister Mary Louise Conference Room at St. Joseph Hospital. Sheree Wright will give a program entitled “Kicking the Hybrid Tea Habit.” Open to the public. For more information, call (803) 279-5502. WOMEN IN BUSINESS MEETING July 15, 11:30 a.m., with speaker Janet Hicks. Held at Pullmann Hall. Cost is $12 pre-registered by July 11 or $15 at the door for Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce members and $15 pre-registered by July 11 or $18 at the door for non-members. For information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 821-1300. THE AUGUSTA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SINGLES GOLF ASSOCIATION meets the second Thursday of every month at dif ferent restaurants in the Augusta area. There is no charge for the meeting, but at tendees are responsible for any items ordered of f the menu. The group also sponsors golf outings and socials. Open to those who are single and 21 and over. For information and meeting location, call (803) 441-6741. GUIDELINES: Public service announcements are listed in this section without change at the discretion of the editor. Announcements must be received by Monday at noon and will be included as space permits. Send to Events, The Metropolitan Spirit, P.O. Box 3809, Augusta, GA 30914 or fa x (706) 733-6663. You may also e-mail listings to rhonda.jones@metrospirit.com or lisa.jordan@metrospirit.com. Listings cannot be taken over the phone.

THE KITTY ORTIZ DE LEON FOUNDATION needs volunteers to help promote organ donor awareness. For

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

Arts: Theatre

Maiden Voyage by New Theatre Company and More Offerings by Old By Rhonda Jones

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The Play’s the Thing ... We’re getting all kinds of new goodies in the Augusta arts scene, and one of them is a brand, spanking new theatre company called The Occasional Theatre Company. And not only do we have a brand, spanking new theatre company called The Occasional Theatre Company, but for its debut it will produce “Hamlet.” And that doesn’t happen often around here. “It’s the largest part in William Shakespeare,” said Gloria Dossett, adding that the psycho prince owns a full quarter of the lines. That’s a heavy amount of memorization, even for the most seasoned community theatre performer. But Dossett has run across a guy who already knows those massive lines. His name is Jayson Akridge. Akridge was a fortunate find, Dossett said, because Shakespeare’s trek into insanity has been on Dossett’s list of productions to tackle for quite a long time. And now the director, who began directing at age 19, feels she is ready to take on the play herself, at age 38. “I chose ‘Hamlet’ for the first production for several reasons. It is a show that every serious director must approach at some point. I’ve held off, waiting to be old enough to grasp the massive weight of its themes and yet still young enough to remember the impetuousness and uncertainty of youth. Thirty-eight seems about right to take it on.” In addition to that, she said, the cast of characters makes it possible for her to offer roles to a wide variety of actors. Her current cast ranges in age, for example, all the way up to 60. You may recognize a few of the names, such as Dana Hughes, who will portray the unfortunate Ophelia and Drew Davis as King Claudius. “Once I began to realize how much talent was available in the CSRA – and especially once I found a Hamlet – the decision was an easy one,” Dossett said. …But What About the Company? “Technically, it’s a professional company,” she said, with the actors and crew getting shares of the profits. “We’re hoping to get enough money for each of us to go to lunch,” she said with a laugh. And since many of her actors will be young ones, Dossett expressed hope that this experience will help decorate their acting resumes. “If you’ve been paid to act it doesn’t matter if it’s $5,” she said. That counts as professional experience. She also hopes that it will help to change

the face of Augusta theatre, and “catapult the community into professional work.” But this company is not going to be like other theatre companies, she maintains. Dossett doesn’t want to live to make rent or try to force productions onto a timetable. This approach, she calls “institutional theatre.” “The whole idea of institutional theatre is, you don’t have to do it to make rent,” she said. She plans to produce no play before its time, which means she wants to wait until the right cast and script can come together before launching into a project. And that is how the company got its name. You may experience The Occasional Theatre Company’s maiden voyage at the North Augusta High School auditorium July 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. It is on Knobcone Avenue in North Augusta, S.C. For info and directions, call Julie Gazda, the production’s Queen Gertrude, at 2786117 or Gloria Dossett at 738-7487. There is a Web site at http://drewdavis.homestead.com/special.html . And Now for Something Not Altogether Completely Different After a short drama drought this summer, we seem to be experiencing a deluge. In addition to having a new theatre company to play with, a couple of old favorites — Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre and the youth wing of Aiken Community Playhouse (ACP) — are offering up some summertime productions as well. If you read about ACP’s “Where the Lilies Bloom,” you may think you’re in for a real tear-jerker. It’s about a young orphaned girl struggling to keep her even younger siblings together. But Production Manager Peg Tribert and director David Howard have assured Metro Spirit that simply isn’t so. “Oh, it’s got very lighthearted moments,” she said. “Certainly the subject matter is serious in that we’re dealing with four children who are on their own against the world. However, they manage to overcome their adversities with good humor. It’s a drama, but it … it’s not a depressing drama, not by a long shot. It’s more the story of this young lady’s ambition to keep her siblings together and to develop some self-sufficiency.” We asked Howard, the director, if he considered it a coming-of-age story. “That is correct. The principal character … It’s about her determination, grit and spunk.” He’s directed it before, he said, in the early ‘90s. He said that the differences in this pro-

Left to right: Mac Johnson as Polonius and Jayson Akridge as Hamlet preparing for The Occasional Theatre Company’s production of the Shakespeare favorite.

duction and the previous one lie mainly in the newfound freedom ACP have now that they have moved from the smaller playhouse on Two-Notch Road to the new complex in downtown Aiken. “We’ve got more stage to work with than we did in our old playhouse. ... Well, let’s see, we’ve got moveable scenery that we’re moving on and off stage. We’ve got a lot more wing space here – a couple of set pieces that we’re flying in from overhead.” Though it is a youth wing production, Howard said, one character is being played by an adult. “I needed somebody to be the villain and to be menacing enough,” he explained. “Where the Lilies Bloom” was written by Celeste Raspanti and based on the book by Vera and Bill Cleaver. No relation to June and Ward. Performances are July 11-13 and 18-19. For info and reservations, call (803) 648-1438 or visit the Web site at www.atlantic.net/~acp. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre’s “A … My Name Is Alice” is actually something a bit different – a musical revue, which director Steve Walpert assures us will make you laugh. “It’s funny; it’s touching. It’s a terrific show,” is what he actually said. “The music runs the gamut from blues to torch songs to rock, easy listening,” Walpert said. And there are skits as well, he added.

“The cast is five terrific women,” he said. “And they are Erin Hamblin, Kay Gross, Brandy Bunch, Raqi (pronounced “Rocky”) Barnett and Chae Harris. “There’s everything from a secretary who lives a fantasy life reading romance novels to a hippie poet to a very bizarre kindergarten teacher,” he said. “There is a funny blues piece called ‘Bluer Than You,’ where three girls try to outdo each other being blue, a construction worker comically harassing a girl walking down the street, a girl who’s decided to be French doing a French monologue.” He said that this is not the first time the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre has taken on this particular production. “Aw, gee … I think it was the year the dinner theatre opened,” he said, thinking back. He hadn’t originally planned to perform this piece, Walpert said, but when they wound up with a cast of five women, it seemed that “A … My Name Is Alice” would prove a perfect fit for them. “The show is rated PG, because it does have some adult humor in it,” he said. It runs July 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26. Tickets for the show only are $12. With dinner, they are $28-$30. For info, visit www.fortgordon.com or call 793-8552. Don’t forget to ask what time to be there for the show only, or for dinner.

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Arts: Dance

Gather the Dancers, Two by Two

By Rhonda Jones

hen newlyweds Rider Vierling and Kristy Tancred, formerly of the Charleston Ballet Theatre, accepted a contract with Augusta Ballet, they had no idea that colleagues and fellow couple Christy Whitesell and Eduard Forehand were going to be joining them. That’s the way it is in the world of pirouettes and pliés, just as it is in other worlds in which people move on. “We didn’t know Christy and Eddie were coming,” Rider said. “That’s not something you talk about,” Kristy added. Of course, Augusta Ballet knew. They had auditioned about 150 dancers both in person and by video, according to Augusta Ballet marketing director Sarah Shoemaker. And it just so happened that all the best were from Charleston,” she said. “Which is probably a statement to that company,” Rider said. “It is a statement to that company. It is,” Sarah said. We asked if Rider and Kristy felt comforted to have their colleagues follow them to Augusta. Rider said that, since they didn’t know the others would be coming, it wasn’t a factor for them, but that it will be nice to get an opportunity to get to know them better. “We took this job not knowing they were going to be here. It’s just kind of a nice bonus,” Rider said. And of course, though they’ve moved on, the Charleston Ballet Theatre occupies a place in both Rider and Kristy’s lives that no other company — even Augusta Ballet — can ever sway. It was their very first professional home. Rider and Kristy had been there four and three years, respectively. And that’s where they met. It’s a pretty common thing for ballet dancers to pair off together, so Metro Spirit, being the insanely curious publication that it is, asked why that is. Rider answered. “Professional dancing has its own individual, unique challenges and it wears on you as a dancer. Only another dancer would understand that.” Kristy understands what he’s going through more than family and other friends, he said. We asked if they pirouetted around the dining room at home. “Well, if we’re dancing together we sometimes practice in the living room,” she said. “But we mostly try to leave work at work.” We asked them what their goals were as performers. “Well, I’m looking to just further my development as a dancer,” Rider said. “The dance world is really the only professional world I want to be in. At least the arts world.” He said,

however, that he wouldn’t mind getting into the administrative side of the dance world later, but that right now he just wants to dance. Kristy is right there with him — for the moment. “Well, I love dancing and right now it’s the only thing I really want to do,” she said, adding that when she is no longer able to dance, she won’t mind teaching, or even getting into another career altogether. We asked if she had a specific one in mind. She smiled shyly. “Well … yeah …” she confessed. “Interior design.” So what transformed them into dancers in the first place? “For me, I don’t think it was one or two specific things,” Rider said. “I just fell in love with it at a very early age. It was just the whole thing. The feeling of your body moving through space. It’s really been the

only thing I ever wanted to do.” “I guess mine comes from every little girl’s dream of being a ballerina,” Kristy said. Add to that a cast of “wonderful teachers” and “influential people” in her life, and that little girl would develop a deep love of dance, rather than just a passing flirtation with it. And people who develop a deep love for performing generally explore many different aspects of their art. Ballet dancers are no different, Rider explained. “No it’s not strictly classical ballet all the way,” he said. “You can’t just do ballet.” Charleston, he pointed out, incorporates a variety of styles into their repertory — including jazz, Broadway and contemporary ballet. “You kind of have to have a versatile range,” he said, but has no intentions of exploring so far he loses sight of the styles

he already loves. “There’s so much to explore within those forms of dance — I’m too fascinated with those to look elsewhere.” Just for a bit of fun, we asked what they would do if they couldn’t dance. Rider quieted and began to look quite pained. “That’s not a fair question,” he said. “I don’t know what I would be if I wasn’t dancing. Definitely something artistic or theatrical.” So then we asked what they do do when they’re not dancing. “We go to the movies a lot,” Kristy said. “Drink lots of coffee,” Rider added. “Thing is, when we’re actually dancing there isn’t a lot of time for anything else. It’s all-consuming.” Which probably explains why dancer couples like Rider and Kristy, and Eduard and Christy, tend to happen in the first place. Of course, we couldn’t let Kristy go without asking her about her hometown of New South Wales, Australia. “It’s similar to here,” she said. “It’s a lot less populated.” It has about 4,000 people, she said, though it’s close to the country’s capital, Sydney. Rider, on the other hand, is practically back home as it is. He’s from Orlando, Fla. They are both glad to have found Augusta, however. “I think it’s really nice to be in a smaller place,” she said, comparing Augusta to Charleston. “Not that Charleston was a metropolis, but this is a smaller city, and it feels like a smaller city,” Rider said, adding that Augusta has a “down-to-earth” feeling about it. “I love Charleston. It’s a great town. But this just seems a little bit more real.” Of course, he reminded us, he and Kristy had only been here for three days at that point. They moved into town on July 1. Their colleagues from Charleston will be here on Aug. 1. Though the roles have not yet been established, you will be able to see Rider, Eduard, Kristy and Christy in “The Three Musketeers,” which will be Augusta Ballet’s season opener in October. Swashbuckling, yay! In addition to the four new kids, some familiar kids will be returning to the stage this season. Keep your eyes peeled for Thomas Shoemaker, Ericka Shannon, Charlotte Loyd, Jaime Burcham, Sara Benton, Emily Conelly, Robert Royce, J.J. Stapleton and Jessica King. If you would like more information about Augusta Ballet, or if you would like to inquire about season packages, which will save you money and give the company money in the hand for paying for the season’s productions, ring the office at (706) 261-0555 or visit the Web site at http://www.augustaballet.org.

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Cinema

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Movie Listings

1 0 2 0 0 3

Anger Management (PG-13) — Af ter "assaulting" a stewardess on a flight, doofy Dave (Adam Sandler) is ordered by a cour t into anger therapy. That means bonding with Buddy (Jack Nicholson), anger management guru, and time with Buddy's pet circle of hair-trigger loons, including Luis Guzman as a gay par ty beast and John Tur turro as a rage-aholic called Chuck. Buddy and Dave get in each other's hair, play mean pranks on each other, trade frat-level penis jokes, run up to Boston, and return to New York, where both seem to have something going with Dave's girlfriend (Marisa Tomei). "Anger Management" is not bad enough to make you angry, because inevitably the cast cooks up some silly fun. Cast: Jack Nicholson, Adam Sandler, John Tur turro, Marisa Tomei, Luis Guzman, Woody Harrelson. Running time: 1 hr., 35 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ Bringing Down the House (PG-13) — Queen Latifah smoothly pockets "Bringing Down the House" as Charlene, a good-hear ted fugitive from the law, turning to a starchy, divorced ta x at torney for refuge and suppor t. Steve Mar tin is the lawyer, Peter. The core idea of this very simple comedy is pure buzz of contrast: Latifah is abundantly, explosively black, while Mar tin may be the whitest man ever to star in movies. Latifah rides out the nonsense in her queenly, Pearl Bailey style. It's a cookie-cut comedy. The movie delivers its very manufactured goods, but it lacks the guts to be a meaningful comedy. Cast: Steve Mar tin, Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy, Joan Plowright, Jean Smar t, Bet ty White. Running time: 1 hr., 45 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ Bruce Almighty (PG-13) — Jim Carrey is Bruce, the goofy features repor ter on a TV station in Buffalo. He aspires to become a "serious" anchor, but after blowing his cool on the air, loses his job and has a rift with his sweet, please-marry-me girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston). There cometh unto Buffalo the Almighty (Morgan Freeman). The Lord loans his powers to Bruce. Time for

Warner Bros. Pictures

some payback, some wild stunts, some sexual dazzling of Aniston, some nudges of satire. Like Mel Brooks as Moses in "History of the World, Par t I," Carrey has climbed the comical Mount Sinai and, like Brooks, he has dropped a tablet on the way down. One of the pieces is "Bruce Almighty." Cast: Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Baker Hall, Catherine Bell. Running time: 1 hr., 45 mins. (Elliot t) ★★ Bulletproof Monk (PG-13) — Pity poor Chow Yun-Fat. After making a string of forget table movies such as "The Replacement Killers" and "Anna and the King," it appeared he had finally hit his stride with 2000's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." His newest flick, "Bulletproof Monk," unfor tunately, is a major step backward. Chow stars as the "Monk With No Name" and is charged with protecting a scroll of unbelievable power. If the scroll falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the end of the world as we know it. And of course, the scroll is being pursued by Stern - a Nazi who wants to shape the world in his image. All of this, of course, leads to a final showdown between the Monk and the Nazi. If you have to ask who'll win, then you haven't seen too many of these so-called action films. Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Seann William Scot t, Jaime King, Karel Roden, Victoria Smur fit. Running time: 1 hr., 44 mins. ★★

Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (PG-13) —

is a dodo begging for ex tinction. Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu reprise their 2000 updates on the old TV espionage cuties, again combining macho girl brass and "shake your booty" allure. The plot involves impor tant high-tech rings. The buf f, jived angels race dir t bikes. There is a naughty nuns bit, set to music from "The Sound of Music," and a "Dir ty Dancing" jam of pumpin' rumps. Stupefying is a violent showdown at L.A.'s Grif fith Observatory. This dizzy spree of self-adoring ideas ends with out takes of the cast laughing dementedly, wild with surplus merriment.

Buena Vista Pictures

“Finding Nemo”

RATINGS

★★★★ — Excellent.

The term "go, girl" grinds to a halt. Cast: Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore, Bernie Mac, Crispin Glover, Luke Wilson, John Cleese. Running time: 1 hr., 42 mins. (Elliot t) 0 Chicago (PG-13) —- It's been 23 years since Richard Gere stripped on Broadway for "Bent." Now he gets to pull of f his clothes as slick shyster Billy Flynn. Mostly in wonder ful suits, his hair shining like creased silver, Gere is having the best time of his movie life, singing and tapdancing and lording over women with rakish snaz. He's a lioness-tamer; the main cats are Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a cabaret sex bazooka and killer on Death Row and newcomer Roxie Har t (Renee Zellweger), a Bet ty Boop who killed her lover. For cash and headlines, Flynn will help guilty women beat the law. "Chicago" is zip for depth, but it has all the sexy sur face it needs to be ex travagantly alive. It tops of f at the Chicago Theater, and the old show palace looks delighted. Cast: Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly, Queen Latifah, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs. Running time: 1 hr., 53 mins. (Elliot t) ★★★★ Final Destination 2 (R) — As in the first movie, a group of teen-agers manages to cheat death. But death, unsatisfied with the teens’ getaway, pursues in a myriad of disturbing ways. Kimberly, driving a group of friends to Florida, has a premonition that helps them avoid being caught in a fatal freeway pileup. Death has other plans. Cast: Ali Lar ter, A.J. Cook, Michael Landes, T.C. Carson, Jonathan Cherry, James Kirk, Tony Todd. Finding Nemo (G) — A father clown fish (Alber t Brooks) tracks young son Nemo through the Pacific to Sydney, Australia, af ter the small fry is caught and sold for a fish tank. Ellen DeGeneres voices adorable Dory, who is very pret ty and helpful as Marlin's search mate. The humans are alien invaders, big and nearly thoughtless. If "Finding Nemo" is just another of our plex distractions, then it's a giddy bummer, but as a whimsical warning with bite it arrives just in time. Helping to make the seas a lasting realm for real Nemos could be the good, giving backwash of "Finding Nemo." Cast: Alber t Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Austin Pendleton, Vicki Lewis, Geof frey Rush, Barry Humphries. Running time: 1 hr., 41 mins. (Elliot t) ★★★★ Head of State (PG-13) — “Head of State” marks the directorial debut of comic Chris Rock, who also co-wrote the screenplay. He stars as an unlikely presidential candidate, a down-on-his-luck government employee about to lose his job. Thrust into presidential candidacy by his par ty when the par ty’s original presidential nominee unexpectedly dies, Rock appeals to the country’s par ty vein to try and win the election. Bernie Mac stars as his brother and running mate. Cast: Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Dylan Baker, Tamala Jones, Robin Givens. Holes (PG) — Adapted by Louis Sachar from his highly successful novel, "Holes" has a thick shellac of literary fidelity — Sachar trying to tuck his book elements into one of the quirkiest movies Disney has ever released. "Holes" is mostly set in a juvenile detention camp in the deser t. Teen boys are made to dig big holes to find a legendary Old West crime treasure, coveted by the whip-voiced warden (Sigourney

★★★— Worthy.

★★ — Mixed.

★ — Poor.

Weaver), her yokel henchman called Mr. Sir (Jon Voight) and their prissy assistant (Tim Blake Nelson). The new boy on the digging detail is Stanley Yelnats. Director Andrew Davis, so sure with the tensions of "Under Siege" and "The Fugitive," is amiably sweating this assignment. His tone veers of f on fishing expeditions, sly humor and pathos casting their baited lines nex t to teen terror and prat falling hokum. My kids liked it somewhat more than I did, which probably sums up the movie about as well as any thing should. Cast: Jon Voight, Sigourney Weaver, Shia LaBeouf, Khleo Thomas, Tim Blake Nelson, Henry Winkler, Ear tha Kit t. Running time: 1 hr., 51 mins. ★★1/2 The Hulk (PG-13) — It's excessive and too long, but exciting macho blows away at machismo. The nerdy, but more than sturdy scientist Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) becomes a plaintive monster, morphed by digital ef fects into a furious green giant. The Hulk doesn't merely leap tall buildings in a single bound. He springs over Wile E. Coyote canyons and falls from the upper atmosphere into San Francisco Bay and turns huge U.S. tanks into twisted toys. "The Hulk" presses on like a Wagner opera of "Fight Club." You can end up pulverized and satisfied, whipped and wowed. Cast: Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliot t, Nick Nolte, Josh Lucas, Paul Kersey. Running time: 2 hrs., 15 mins. (Elliot t) ★★★ Identity (R) — Plot disposables converge at a Nevada motel in this "thriller," victims of bad luck, ripe for grotesque ends: Rebecca DeMornay as a snippy actress, John C. Ginley as a nerd husband, John Hawkes as a motel geek, Amanda Peet as a prostitute, Clea DuVall as a bride who keeps screaming, Jake Busey as a killer psycho, Ray Liot ta as a cop who may be a psycho, John Cusack as ex-cop and possible psycho, Bret t Loehr as a witnessing child who should, by the end, be psychotic. This soggy pulp has rain on the brain even worse than "Basic." Running time: 1 hr., 27 mins. (Elliot t) 0 The In-Laws (PG-13) — is a remake of the fairly funny 1979 film of the same title. Peter Falk starred as a casually insane CIA agent who involves a wiredtight, shriekingly reluctant dentist (Alan Arkin), whose daughter is to marry Falk's son, in an escalating series of sub-rosa intrigues. The 2003 version of fers Michael Douglas in the Falk role and Alber t Brooks in the Arkin role, this time playing a podiatrist. They measure up for a while and there are a few fine moments and wellearned laughs. Still, the thing winds down rather than spinning out into sheer zaniness, which is the only logical path to take. Cast: Michael Douglas, Alber t Brooks, David Suchet, Robin Tunney. Running time: 1 hr., 38 mins. (Salm) ★★ The Italian Job (PG-13) — If you must remake "The Italian Job," the way to go is demonstrated by F. Gary Gray's highly professional makeover. The 1969 heist was for $4 million in gold in Turin, the new one is for $35 million in gold in Venice. In place of Michael Caine as the top heister, there is Mark Wahlberg. Donald Sutherland appears with his patented aura of suave, cheeky sincerity, yet does not linger. So the crew is planning revenge against icy sociopath and ex-par tner Steve (Ed Nor ton). Steve has fled to Los Angeles with the loot. "The Italian Job" is the real kickoff of summer and also the best remake since "The Thomas Crown

0— Not worthy.

Affair" got a delicious new lease on life. Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Ed Nor ton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def. Running time: 1 hr., 51 mins. (Elliot t) ★★★1/2 Kangaroo Jack (PG) — Two childhood friends, Charlie (Jerry O'Connell) and Louis (Anthony Anderson), from Brooklyn are forced to deliver a mysterious envelope to Australia af ter one of them accidentally causes the police to raid a mob warehouse. En route to the land down under, Louis peeks in the package and discovers that it contains $50,000. Af ter the guys arrive in the Outback, they accidentally run over a kangaroo. Louis decides to take pictures of the animal and even puts shades and his lucky jacket on the 'roo, which is only stunned and hops away with the jacket containing the money. Now the guys are forced to chase the animal through the Outback, or they'll have to repay the mob with their lives. The real star of "Kangaroo Jack" is the beautiful Outback. That alone may be wor th the price of admission. Or not. Cast: Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson, Estella Warren, Christopher Walken, Dyan Cannon, Mar ton Csokas. Running time: 1 hr., 30 mins. (McCormick) ★

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (PG-13) — Based upon the comic book series that

utilizes characters from 19th century literature, “The League of Ex traordinary Gentlemen” brings together figures like Dr. Jekyll, Captain Nemo, Dorian Gray, Tom Sawyer and more. The group, commissioned by the English government to foil a madman’s plan for world domination, bands together to stop an impending world war. Cast: Sean Connery, Tony Curran, Jason Flemyng, Tom Goodman-Hill, David Hemmings, Stuar t Townsend, Shane West, Peta Wilson.

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (PG-13) — Reese Witherspoon is so peachy and

pink and perky as Elle Woods, girl lawyer crusading for animal rights in D.C., that you can just about forgive the brazen retouching of elements from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," including a clip from the Capra film. Elle even visits, like Jimmy Stewar t before, the Lincoln Memorial. The rather lame "political" plot and sof t gags breeze by thanks to her, Sally Field, Bob Newhar t and Luke Wilson. 1 hr., 35 mins. (Elliot t) ★★

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

heavy in heroic mood, this is a film for addicts of the series. Lit tle Frodo is marginalized as Viggo Mor tensen leads the defense of a castle from hordes of vicious scumballs, and the two grand beards (Ian McKellan, Christopher Lee) contend for Middle Ear th. There's a little schizo in a wispy loincloth, expressively per formed and voiced, but the almost Stone Age mythology rolls over us like layers of geology. 3 hrs. (Elliot t) ★★ Malibu’s Most Wanted (PG-13) — Brad “Brad” Gluckman ain’t no Eminem. He’s Malibu’s worst rapper, a rich white boy who thinks he has the nuances of the hip-hop lifestyle down pat. Nothing could be fur ther from the truth, and when B-rad’s embarrassing antics creep into his father’s campaign for governor of California, the family decides that some tough love might be in order. Cast: Jamie Kennedy, Blair Underwood, Ryan O’Neal, Taye Diggs. Phone Booth (R) — Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell) fancies that he is a new-glam guy, but he is just another wannabe Sidney Falco, a publicist who dresses in yup-style display threads (markdown Italian suits and deep-color shir ts) while he pitches, schmoozes and snidely snipes at people, of ten on a cell phone. Suddenly, he has to endure a real sniper, a mysterious

MGM/UA

“Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde”

psycho who calls him in the phone booth, tells him to stay there "or I will kill you," and then torments Stu with truths about his glib, weaseling life. Director Joel Schumacher pumps the nonsense avidly, using touches — smeary jumps, zooms, speed-ups, split-screen multiples — that were get ting old when MTV was only a noisy rug rat. Cast: Colin Farrell, Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes, Radha Mitchell, Kiefer Sutherland. Running time: 1 hr., 21 mins. (Elliot t) ★★

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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (PG-13) — In the Caribbean Sea,

pirate Jack Sparrow teams up with the childhood friend of a governor’s daughter to win back the kidnapped daughter and Sparrow’s ship from dangerous pirates. Unbeknownst to the two men, the enemy pirates are under a curse which leaves them in a gruesome state somewhere between life and death, giving them a strange advantage. Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Geof frey Rush, Keira Knightley. Pokemon 3 (G) — In this animated feature, young Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum and his loyal friends journey to the beautiful mountain town of Greenfield, where they will encounter the Unown, the most mysterious of all Pokemon. It is the Unown that create a challenge for Ash far greater than any Pokemon bat tle he has ever experienced before. With help from Pikachu and all his faithful Pokemon, plus friends Brock and Misty and even a lit tle unexpected assistance from Team Rocket, Ash must rescue the young orphan Molly from the mystical forces that threaten to transform her life into a dreamworld prison. At the same time, Ash must also struggle to bring his own mother back from the realm of the Unown before she is lost forever and he becomes an orphan himself. Rugrats Go Wild (PG) — It's a synergistic cocktail, bringing together car toon figures from two big Nickelodeon TV shows, "Rugrats" and "The Wild Thornberrys," for a string of gags without a plot. Unless, as plot, you call being stranded on a deser t island that isn't really deser ted an "adventure." This TV promo gizmo and baby sit ter is an awfully small movie, though a Nickelodeon release boasts of $100 million in tie-ins and lists nine major companies. Voice cast: Tim Curry, Michael Bell, Lacey Chaber t, LL Cool J, Bruce Willis. Running time: 1 hr., 24 mins. (Elliot t) ★★

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“Sinbad” is an animated adventure, following Sinbad the Sailor as he searches to clear his name for a crime commit ted by Eris, the goddess of Chaos, who has framed him. He’s also out to save pal Proteus the Shapeshifter. In an effor t to accomplish his goals, Sinbad sets out into Eris’ realm, meeting and challenging various monsters and serpents along the way. Cast: Brad Pit t, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joseph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (R) —

An almost unbroken stream of mighty mayhem, high on the bliss of eviscerated metal. Arnold returns as the Terminator, to save the future leaders of mankind (Nick Stahl, Claire Danes) from a vicious terminatrix (Kristanna Loken) who is like the sleek evil twin of the computerized vamp in "Simone." It goes where it must, to nuclear hell, and is weirdly satisfying. 1 hr., 48 mins. (Elliot t) ★★★ 28 Days Later (R) — opens with berserk lab chimps being freed by perhaps crazier animal rights activists. The chimps infect the British Isles, so that London is soon deser ted except for corpses, some prowling zombies and a very few healthy survivors. Twenty-eight days af ter the chimps escape, cycle messenger Jim (Cillian Murphy) stumbles into the scared, but tough Selena (Naomi Harris). They light out for the territory. The infected zombies, whose blood can ruin you with one well-placed drop, are ready to pounce from shadows. Inevitably the plot heads for genre midnight, with strobed lightning and ravenous gobblers and a rock score amped for madness. The posh is pulped. Cast: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Noan Huntley, Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston. Running time: 1 hr., 48 mins. (Elliot t) ★★1/2 2 Fast 2 Furious (PG-13) — The speed par ty "2 Fast 2 Furious" is 2 silly 2 believe and 2 cliched 2 be very enter taining. 2 bad. It stars Paul Walker, back as Brian from the 2001 summer hit "The Fast and the Furious," in which he was an undercover cop and rival, then pal, of mechanic and street racer Dom (Vin Diesel). Walker gets to appear slight nex t to the big rack of torso Tyrese, cast as racer and ex-con Roman Pearce. The set ting is now Miami. The script is a chop-shop quickie with a greasy aroma of "Miami Vice." The car scenes are so heavily edited and accessorized with tech-freak dazzle that even the blasting finish collapses into a string of stunts. This film is just a motorized budget. Cast: Paul Walker, Tyrese, Cole Hauser, Eva Mendes, James Remar. Running time: 1 hr., 44 mins. (Elliot t) ★1/2 —Capsules compiled from movie reviews written by David Elliott, film critic for The San Diego Union-Tribune and other staff writers.

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“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”: Anti-Heroes to the Rescue

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first met The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in a bookstore while researching graphic novels. I thought the concept would make an interesting movie. Hollywood, apparently, agrees. For those of you who are not acquainted with them, the League is a group of very talented misfits, like X-Men with a literary twist.

received the count’s bite. Now she is as he was. Dorian Gray is perhaps the most chilling of the group. As a young man, he commissioned a painting, and then called on the help of dark forces to transfer his natural aging onto the canvas, so that he would never age, never die. But the painting not only shows his true age – it shows a man with a rotting soul. The League has offered him a chance to become human again.

The Heroes Meet the leader of the rabble, Allan Quatermain, who discovered King Solomon’s Mines, and is coming out of retirement in Kenya to save the world from an evil genius. Imagine that. Meet Agent Thomas Sawyer. Well, meet him again. You knew him as a boy when he ran wild with Huck Finn. He is now an international spy, and well past the point of tricking the other boys into whitewashing the fence for him. You may recognize the character who is now calling himself Rodney Skinner. The “League” Web site calls him a “two-bit cockney thug.” He’s not really looking to save the world. Skinner is in this adventure for only one thing: a promised cure for his invisibility. Did we mention he is the invisible man? Then there’s Dr. Henry Jekyll. Poor guy has finally lost against the beast he’s created in Mr. Hyde, but because of his vast cruelty, Hyde has strengths that the weak and guiltridden Dr. Jekyll just doesn’t possess. Unfortunately, he has a history of being indiscriminate with his bloodlust. Captain Nemo of the Nautilus is an Indian crusader against the British Empire. To this end, he uses his extreme mental resources. The Web site describes him as “scientist, mechanic, engineer, inventor, freedom fighter and pirate” – most likely the literary forerunner of many a spaceship’s captain. Mina Harker was once the beautiful wife of Jonathan Harker. But one day her husband brought home trouble in the form of a Transylvanian count named Dracula. She ultimately helped to destroy him, but in doing so

The Toys You have to have cool toys if you’re going to fight a megalomaniac with plans to dominate and/or destroy the world, because no self-respecting megalomaniac would be caught without toys of his own. Let’s start with The Nautilus, Capt. Nemo’s bad-a** submarine. It’s like the Enterprise of the 19th century. It’s fast. It’s big. It has more WMDs than any fictional boat should be allowed to have. And it is known as “The Sword of the Ocean.” Kind of boring as nicknames go, but worth checking out. It’s going against a warship owned by the assumed supervillain, the Fantom, who is obviously caught up in a 19th century version of the “let’s spell our names in interesting ways and confuse people” craze. It has an “impregnable” (is that anything like “unsinkable”?) iron hull and a whole lot of other neat stuff of destruction. It’s the Fantom’s dream vehicle for making war. Nemo has a car, by the way. It’s a “massive, piston-pounding machine,” according to the Web site.” Whoo-hoo. And he’s driving it 30 years before automobiles became a common occurrence. Very futuristic indeed. The Fantom has juggernauts and gas rockets, and he intends to use them to start a world war. You know, make ‘em fight and take ‘em over. Brilliant. He’s got machine guns ahead of their time, and a pretty creepy gas grenade. So basically, that’s what you’re in for. Looks like a fun romp to me, despite some “League” (the comic books) fans being uppity about the inclusion of Tom Sawyer. It’s going to be pretty and there will probably be lots of explosions, even though Vin Diesel will not be in it.

Cinema: Review

“Pirates of the Caribbean” Is Engaging Fun By Rachel Deahl

f the thought of a major studio turning a Disney ride into a bigbudget comedic action movie sounds like a terrible idea, “Pirates of the Caribbean” proves that Hollywood has made more egregious trespasses. Clocking in at a shockingly long two-and-a-half hours, this campy “Evil Dead” homage from director Gore Verbinski is nonetheless giddy fun. The last major pirate movie to hit theaters was the 1995 turkey “Cutthroat Island.” Seemingly ending the careers of director Renny Harlin and star Geena Davis (who were married at the time of filming) in one swift take, this bomb made a lasting statement that the silver screen is no place for live action pirate films. Well, so it seemed. Taking a bad idea and turning it into something good, Gore Verbinski brings his “Pirates” to the screen with excellent casting and inspired wit. Johnny Depp swaggers — or stumbles — onto the screen as Jack Sparrow, the exiled captain of infamous ship The Black Pearl. With his drunken English accent and lighthearted indifference, Depp turns in another one of his signature bizarre-o roles. Like his eye-winking, mumbling, hectic performance in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Depp makes a lasting impression once again here. Doing for Jack Sparrow what he did for Hunter S. Thompson, Depp lights up the screen every time he flashes upon it. More forgettably, appearing as Depp’s straight-laced sidekick, is Orlando Bloom, who stumbles through “Pirates” with all the charisma of a snail. But looking pretty is more Bloom’s job than anything else, and to that end he does his job. Thankfully, Geoffrey Rush is on hand to

pick up Bloom’s slack. As the reigning evil captain of Depp’s former ship, Rush is perfect as the demonic Captain Barbossa. Verbinski has noticeable fun with this plot, more ghoulish horror movie than pirate tale, about a motley crew of seamen condemned to spend eternity as zombies after stealing a cursed treasure. When the evil (and undead) crew of The Black Pearl steals the beautiful daughter of a British governor stationed in the Caribbean (played by Jonathan Pryce), the skilled swordsman and blacksmith who adores her (Bloom) unwillingly enlists the help of a marooned pirate (Depp) to help him in a rescue mission. In the process, fortunes change, identities are revealed and the complexities of lifting said curse surface. Lifting the camp look of Sam Raimi’s beloved cult horror series, “The Evil Dead,” Verbinski models his undead sailors on the ghouls that inhabit Raimi’s trilogy. And, pairing a similar blend of black comedy with kitschy gore, Verbinski does his source material proud. At one point in the film, Pryce’s priggish politician is hunted down by the severed skeletal arm of the ghoul he’s just beaten off; it’s a moment which shows Verbinski’s unmistakable respect for and gratitude to the films he’s clearly celebrating. Surprisingly, the most glaring problem with this enjoyable homage is its hefty running time. How studio execs allowed this popcorn horror flick to clock in at a length more befitting a heavy-handed Academy Award contender is anyone’s guess, but the result is grueling. Although “Pirates” drags on considerably longer than it should, there is nary a dull moment on screen. Who knew walking the plank and hunting buried treasure could be this much fun?

35 M E T R O

MOVIE CLOCK REGAL AUGUSTA EXCHANGE 20 Movies Good 7/11 - 7/17 Pirates of the Caribbean (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 11:45, 12:45, 1:20, 3:00, 4:00, 4:45, 6:55, 7:25, 8:00, 10:05, 10:35, 11:15; Sun-Thur: 11:45, 12:45, 1:20, 3:00, 4:00, 4:45, 6:55, 7:25, 8:00, 10:05, 10:35 The League of Ex traordinary Gentlemen (PG13) Fri-Sat: 11:25, 11:55, 2:00, 2:30, 4:30, 5:00, 7:05, 7:35, 9:40, 10:15, 12:20; Sun-Thur: 11:25, 11:55, 2:00, 2:30, 4:30, 5:00, 7:05, 7:35, 9:40, 10:15 Terminator 3 (R) Fri-Sat: 11:30, 1:35, 2:00, 4:10, 4:40, 5:40, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:10, 9:30, 9:50, 10:20, 10:50, 11:45, 12:05, 12:25; SunThur: 11:30, 1:35, 2:00, 4:10, 4:40, 5:40, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:10, 9:30, 9:50, 10:20, 10:50 Sinbad (PG) Fri-Sat: 11:25, 12:05, 1:40, 2:35, 3:55, 5:05, 6:35, 7:00, 8:45, 11:10; Sun-Thur: 11:25, 12:05, 1:40, 2:35, 3:55, 5:05, 6:35, 7:00, 8:45 Legally Blonde 2 (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 11:45, 12:15, 12:50, 2:25, 2:55, 3:25, 4:50, 5:15, 7:10, 7:40, 8:15, 9:40, 10:10, 12:05, 12:35; Sun-Thur: 11:45, 12:15, 12:50, 2:25, 2:55, 3:25, 4:50, 5:15, 7:10, 7:40, 8:15, 9:40, 10:10 Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 1:15, 3:50, 6:50, 9:45, 12:15; Sun-Thur: 1:15, 3:50, 6:50, 9:45 28 Days Later (R) 11:40, 2:15, 5:10, 7:50, 10:35 The Hulk (PG-13) 12:25, 3:35, 6:40, 9:55 Rugrats Go Wild (PG) 12:05, 2:35, 5:05 2 Fast 2 Furious (PG-13) Fri-Sat: 11:25, 1:50, 4:25, 7:20, 9:55, 12:20; Sun-Thur: 11:25, 1:50, 4:25, 7:20, 9:55 Finding Nemo (G) Fri-Sat: 11:30, 1:55, 4:25, 7:30, 10:00, 12:30; Sun-Thur: 11:30, 1:55, 4:25, 7:30, 10:00 The Italian Job (PG-13) 11:35, 2:20, 5:15, 7:55, 10:55 Bruce Almighty (PG-13) 12:40, 3:10, 5:35, 8:05, 10:30 EVANS 12 CINEMAS Movies Good 7/11 - 7/17 Pirates of the Caribbean (PG-13) 1:00, 2:05, 4:00, 5:20, 7:00, 8:45, 9:55 The League of Ex traordinary Gentlemen (PG13) 1:55, 4:25, 7:25, 9:50 Legally Blonde 2 (PG-13) 12:45, 1:45, 2:55, 3:45, 5:05, 6:15, 7:15, 8:25, 9:25

S P I R I T

Sinbad (PG) 12:45, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 Terminator 3 (R) 1:15, 2:15, 4:10, 4:50, 7:05, 7:40, 9:20, 10:00 Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (PG-13) 12:55, 3:10, 5:35, 7:45, 10:00 Kangaroo Jack (PG) Tues, Thur: 10:30 a.m. Pokemon 3 (G) Tues, Thur: 10:30 a.m. The Hulk (PG-13) 4:05, 6:50, 9:40 Finding Nemo (G) 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:35 Bruce Almighty (PG-13) 2:25, 4:40, 6:55, 9:05 MASTERS 7 CINEMAS Movies Good 7/11 - 7/17 Pirates of the Caribbean (PG-13) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45 The League of Ex traordinary Gentlemen (PG13) 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 10:00 Sinbad (PG) 1:10, 3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10 Legally Blonde 2 (PG-13) 1:05, 3:05, 5:05, 7:05, 9:05 Terminator 3 (R) 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 9:30 Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (PG-13) 4:30, 9:40 The Hulk (PG-13) 12:55, 6:55 Finding Nemo (G) 12:50, 3:10, 5:20, 7:25, 9:25 REGAL 12 CINEMAS Movies Good 7/11 - 7/17 The In-Laws (PG-13) Fri-Mon: 12:45, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15, 9:20; Tues: 12:45, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15; Wed-Thur: 12:45, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15, 9:20 Identity (R) 1:00, 3:05, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45 Chicago (PG-13) 1:30, 4:40, 7:05, 9:20 Holes (PG) 1:20, 4:30, 7:00, 9:25 Anger Management (PG-13) 1:25, 4:35, 7:00, 9:15 Malibu’s Most Wanted (PG-13) 1:15, 3:15, 5:20, 7:45, 9:45 Phone Booth (R) Fri-Mon: 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:40, 9:55; Tues: 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:40, 9:20, 9:55; Wed-Thur: 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:40, 9:55 Bulletproof Monk (PG-13) 7:35, 9:50 Head of State (PG-13) 12:50, 2:55, 5:00, 7:20, 9:35 Bringing Down the House (PG-13) 1:35, 4:45, 7:10, 9:30 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (PG-13) 12:50, 4:25, 7:50 Kangaroo Jack (PG) 1:05, 3:05, 5:10 Final Destination 2 (R) 12:55, 3:00, 5:05, 7:25, 9:40

Movie listings are subject to change without notice.

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36 M E T R O S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0

Music Dave Gahan Reborn as Solo Artist

2 0 0 3

spent the greater portion of May, 2001, finishing up my college degree and trying to get my hands on a pair of tickets to Tool’s soldout Detroit show for my boyfriend. Proving just what my priorities were, he and I skipped a Monday night of studying to make the 45-minute drive from Ann Arbor to Warren and wait until midnight, when sales of Tool’s “Lateralus,” Weezer’s “Green Album” and Depeche Mode’s “Exciter” would begin and a local radio station would give away a pair of tickets to each band’s upcoming concert. When we got there, it was clear who the Tool fans and the Weezer kids were, but I couldn’t make out any Depeche Mode fans. And, since I’m a sucker for ‘80s synthpop in general and Depeche Mode in particular, I began to worry about what would happen if my raffle ticket was drawn and I had to choose between Tool concert tickets for him and Depeche Mode concert tickets for me. As it turns out, all I walked away with that night was a copy of “Exciter.” When they drew the numbers, the first winner picked the Depeche Mode tickets, to the surprise and relief of almost everyone in the crowd, who mocked her as she walked away with her prize. I guess I was the only other Depeche Mode fan there. (I did happen to win Tool tickets and make a fool of myself on the radio a few days later, however, but that’s an entirely different story.) What I didn’t know at the time was that Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan had been working on an album of his very own. That album, “Paper Monsters,” was finally released in June, 2003, and longtime Depeche Mode fans will notice that the album serves as a measurement of how far Gahan has come, both personally and professionally. While Depeche Mode’s driving force has been keyboardist and songwriter Martin Gore, Gahan shows that he, too, has what it takes to push the band musically. He and

collaborator Knox Chandler wrote all 10 songs on the album, a solid piece of work that tackles themes as diverse as Gahan’s well-publicized battle with heroin addiction, the nature of romantic relationships and even fatherhood. “Paper Monsters” opens with the first single off the album, “Dirty Sticky Floors,” a perfect link between Gahan’s role in Depeche Mode – still together, by the way – and his coming-out as an individual artist. On top of the track’s cycling rhythms, Gahan confronts his past demons head-on, cuts them loose and frees himself up to confront more mundane ones in the rest of the album. The bluesy twang of “Black and Blue Again” backs lyrics exploring relationships, a theme also delved into in “Bitter Apple.” “Bottle Living” pairs a steady blues beat with words evoking the downward spiral of substance abuse. But the overwhelming message in “Paper Monsters” isn’t one of doom and gloom – it’s about hope, best exemplified in the mellow “Hold On” and quietly beautiful “Stay,” a song Gahan has said was inspired by his daughter’s birth. At 41, it seems, Gahan has been reborn, taking in the world around him with fresh eyes. While “Paper Monsters” is definitely not a Depeche Mode album, it seems to be a natural progression of what’s been cultivated by Gahan, especially coming out of Depeche Mode’s expanding musical horizons on the “Ultra” and “Exciter” albums. Gahan’s first solo effort is familiar enough to be accessible to old fans and updated enough to be of interest to audiences who wouldn’t necessarily give Depeche Mode a listen. On July 18, Gahan kicks off the U.S. leg of his tour in support of “Paper Monsters” at the Roxy Theatre in Atlanta. Tickets are $36.50 and are currently available through TicketMaster, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 828-7700.

By Lisa Jordan

BY TURNER

Down on Janis Dept. Actress RENEE ZELLWEGER has been tabbed to portray JANIS JOPLIN in the upcoming film “Piece of My Heart.” Zellweger bested BRITTANY MURPHY and MELISSA ETHERIDGE in nabbing the role. The film won’t begin shooting until next year as Ms. Zellweger is busy with the sequel to “Bridget Jones’ Diary.” Joplin’s story is full of triumph and heartbreak as the recent off-Broadway production of “Love, Janis” illustrated and should translate into a highly marketable flick. Still missing in action are the long-overdue and oft-rumored biopics on OTIS REDDING and SAM COOKE. The Summer Sanitarium Tour visits Turner Field July 11 as LIMP BIZKIT, THE DEFTONES, METALLICA, LINKIN PARK, and MUDVAYNE perform. This year, business has been extremely

Saturday, July 19, 2003

slow for most of the acts touring the U.S. and this combination of groups should be very successful. Rock ‘n’ Roll at Turner Field? THE STONES and DAVE MATTHEWS have proven that it can work. Besides, it’s one of the few places in the state where a warm beer will set you back over $6.

The third Saturday of every month Live entertainment by

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The Tuesday night jam sessions at Surrey Center featuring PAT BLANCHARD AND FRIENDS just keep getting better and better. You never know who might join Blanchard, who recently had several members of JAMES BROWN’s touring ensemble sitting in for a couple of sets. Guitarist KEITH JENKINS led the band through tunes that included “Sir Duke,” “Drift Away,” and even a blistering, 20-minute take on Brown’s “Sex Machine.” Another participant, BIG MIGHTY member JOHN WATKINS, is a true rarity: a very talented and tasteful keyboard player who doesn’t overplay his instrument. Check these guys out. Turner’s Quick Notes CHICAGO (July 14) and one of their original ex-lead singers PETER CETERA (July 30) visit Chastain Park this month … The famous Abbey Road Studios in London recently purchased 5.1 digital equipment for their studios which may lead to THE BEATLES catalog being remixed for the popular new format … BOB DYLAN returns to Atlanta for the second time in three months when he takes the stage July 31 at HiFi Buys Amphitheater in Atlanta. GRATEFUL DEAD lyricist ROBERT HUNTER opens … AEROSMITH all-blues album has been delayed until next year. Turner’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Jeopardy A. This Texas-based blues singer-guitarist recorded several million-selling albums in the ‘70s with ex-members of the ‘60s hitmakers THE MCCOYS. Q. Who is Johnny Winter?

AMES BROWN, BRENDA LEE, JESSYE NORMAN, TERRI GIBBS and STEVE MORSE. These stars are the biggest names from the Augusta area who’ve parlayed their love for music into worldwide fame. Each of these musicians would probably agree that good luck is an essential in any successful venture, but talent must be there in the first place. For singer-songwriter and former Augusta native JOSH KELLEY, he’s already halfway there. Kelley recently released his major label debut “For the Ride Home,” 13 solid tunes that at first might remind you of JOHN MAYER or maybe EDWIN MCCAIN. Well-crafted melodies on originals such as “Amazing” and the ready-for-radio “Angeles” prove that Kelley is not just another local wannabe. Kelley’s recent appearance on CONAN O’BRIEN might just be the jump-start his career needs as the guy truly has the goods. An opening slot on an upcoming BOB DYLAN tour is being discussed as the Metro Spirit went to press. Check out his Website at joshkelley.com.

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AUGUSTA CLEARANCE CENTER 2705 Peach Orchard Rd. (Closed Sun) ..................706-798-8882 AUGUSTA EXCHANGE 274 Rob’t C. Daniels Pkwy............................................706-667-8008 CENTRAL AUGUSTA 617 15th Street (Closed Sun) ...........................................706-724-5800 EVANS CROSSING 4359 Washington Rd. ...........................................................706-210-8010 HEPHZIBAH 2601 Tobacco Rd. ...........................................................................706-790-0977 MARTINEZ 3849 Washington Rd. .........................................................................706-860-6303 N. AUGUSTA 404 E. Martintown Rd. (Closed Sun) .............................................803-278-4466

herever they go, the members of punk outfit No More end up finding some offbeat fun. In fact, the first time they played Augusta, No More enjoyed the hospitality of new friends with a veggie barbecue, hair dyeing and playing dress up. Days like those, guitarist/vocalist Jen says, are the good days. “We try to make (touring) a fun experience,” she says. “Because we shouldn’t do it if it’s not fun.” Jen and bandmates Cory (vocals and metal guitar), Jesse (bass) and Danny Michael (drums) started out July 4 on a tour that will take them from their hometown of Gainesville, Fla., up through the East Coast to New Jersey and New York. On the way back, they’ll hit Augusta’s own Hangnail Gallery. With shows booked almost every night, there’s no doubt No More will return to Gainesville with a few more tales from the road. “That’s what I like most about touring — going out and seeing different things, meeting new people,” says Jen. “You find people who are just like you all across the country … I would like to tour all the time. I love it. I love to be on the road.” But for now, that’s a little difficult. “Right now, one of us is in school,” she says. “The bass player is in college. We can usually only go during the summer or spring break, or if we convince him to take time off school. He’s pretty good about that, keeping up with school and still touring.” For now, the band is working on a new album, their independent label debut following three self-released albums, “Just the Beginning,” “Just the Recording” and “American Coverup.” “We’ve always put out all of our albums by ourselves,” Jen says. “Because it’s a friend of mine (running the record label) and because it’s an independent label and it’s just starting up, it’s not that different. But she’s helping us. It’s not like we were signing with a big label. So this is just like a friend that wants to support you.”

The album, which is supposed to reach completion in March, is still in its preliminary stages. “We’ve been writing songs,” says Jen. “I write the lyrics. I guess I write all of them. The kind of music that really inspired me when I was a kid and I was really growing up was someone like Bad Religion. This person thinks like I do. That’s what made me really want to write music.” And like the music of Bad Religion, No More’s songs question the nature of what drives us as a society, whether it’s the capitalism that has crept into the simple act of disseminating information (“The News Is a TV Show”) or the similarities between a disgruntled pizza delivery person making minimum wage and a homeless man (“Will Work for Food.”) (The two end up splitting a pizza intended for a customer, by the way.) The songs, Jen says, are about “things that I’m thinking about that are important in my life, and maybe someone can relate to that.” Another reason No More works so well is the closeness shared between band members. After playing together for 10 years, they’re like family. “We’ve all known each other for a really long time,” says Jen. “The drummer we met when we moved to Gainesville. We all grew up in Port Charlotte, Florida. I actually went to nursery school with Jesse … It’s kind of like family, in some ways. We can fight about stuff. I think we can deal with anything. “I’m happy with where we are.” No More comes to town July 18 for the first night of the Hangnail Gallery’s Summerfest Air Conditioning Benefit. Other acts scheduled to appear on the 18th include Kill the Author, Thicker Than Blood and Mur. The benefit continues July 19 with performances by Cycle, Absint, Nothing Star and Estrela. For more information, visit www.hellblinki.com/hangnail or call the Hangnail Gallery at 722-9899.

MUSIC MINIS Barry White Dies He went down in May with a stroke, then suffered kidney failure as a result of high blood pressure. Now it’s over. He left us on July 4, from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Who’ll make us swoon by reading the phone book now? Not That Innocent NEWSFLASH: Britney Spears is not a virgin. But hey, who ever thought that she was? Yes, Spears has finally broken and dished up the dirt in the August issue of “W” magazine, where she admits that the one and only man she’s been with is none other than Justin Timberlake. Again, is anyone surprised? Twisted Sister Front Man Gets Wake-Up Call “Yes … Hello, Dee? You’re OLD!” Dee Snider, a man with whom, for some inexplicable reason, a certain editor has been madly in love since the ‘80s, has just realized that the fans who were “not gonna take it” 20

years ago … have not been stuck in time. Snider recently balked about playing a Grated amusement park gig. He was adamant about playing for his fans, not for “people in an amusement park.” So Dee and the guys were reminded that their fans were now of the age to have bred successfully a time or two and would most likely be in the amusement park with their spawn. Snider apparently had a reaction akin to, “Oh,” and agreed to the gig. So out went the F-word for the sake of the kiddies. Jack Osbourne Searches Soul in Rehab In a recent “MTV News Now” report, Jack Osbourne, son of rocker Ozzy, reveals that three months in a California rehab facility to curb his addiction to prescription painkiller OxyContin led to discoveries about his character. Osbourne says that keeping his feelings bottled inside, particularly those dealing with his newfound celebrity status and his mother’s battle with cancer, led to his abuse of OxyContin, as well as drugs Vicodin, Valium, Xanax, Dilaudid, Lorcet, Lortab, Percocet and marijuana.

COMPILED BY RHONDA JONES & LISA JORDAN Information compiled from online and other music news sources.

SUNDAY

NIGHT

LIVE

This Sunday

STINKFOOT

21 & Up AFTER 10 PM

Music at 9 pm $3 Cover Kitchen Closes at 10 pm this Sunday night

Corner of 12th & Broad :::: Downtown Augusta :::: 828-5578

M E T R O S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0 2 0 0 3

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

FRIDAY

THE BOOHOO RAMBLERS

Night Life

J U L Y 1 0 2 0 0 3

Bringing you the finest in sad ‘ol country heartbreak tunes … and other things

SATURDAY

SHAUN PIAZZA The Frogthroat Escapade plays at The Bee’s Knees Saturday, July 12.

HAPPY HOUR TUES-SAT >> 4-7 PM

18 DRAFT BEERS TO CHOOSE FROM 16 OZ. $2 DRAFT $3 WELL $4 CALL

taproom

974 Broad Street 826-9857 (Next to Nacho Mama’s) Open Tues-Sat 4pm-until

Thursday, 10th The Big Easy - Buzz Clif ford, George Sykes Blind Pig - Open Mic Night with David Bryan Cadillac’s - Master Hypnotist Gary Conrad Cafe Du Teau - Bernard Chambers Club Argos - Karaoke Dance Par ty with DJ Joe Steel Coliseum - Karaoke with Travis, Hi-Energy Dance Continuum - Playa*Listic Thursday Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Fox’s Lair - Edmond Greene Streets - Men’s Pop, Rock, Blues and Soul National Karaoke Contest Joe’s Underground - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - SKYNN with DJ Richie Rich Orange Moon - Poetry Slam Playground - Open Mic Night Red Lion - Ruskin Soul Bar - Hip Hop Showcase with Metamorphlo Culture, Soul on Ice, Special Guest DJs Stool Pigeons - Joe Stevenson Surrey Tavern - Red-Headed Stepchild Time Piecez - DJ Dance Par ty

Club Argos - Miss Club Argos Coliseum - Mallory Bishop Cotton Patch - Quiet Storm Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - South of Sane, Mud Wrestling D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Fox’s Lair - Roger Enevoldsen Greene Streets - Karaoke Highlander - Sawdust Joe’s Underground - Red-Headed Stepchild Last Call - Tony Howard, DJ Richie Rich Marlboro Station - Lauren Alexander Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - The Flavour Shoppe with DJ Ty Bess Partridge Inn - Jazz Soulstice with Anthony Carpenter Playground - Will McCranie The Pourhouse - A Step Up Red Lion - The Inhibitors Rio Bomba - DJ Rodriguez Brothers, Karaoke with Russ Schneider Rumors - DJ Doug Romanello The Shack - DJ Chip Shannon’s - Bar t Bell, Allen Black Soul Bar - ‘80s Night Still Water Tap Room - The Boo Hoo Ramblers Surrey Tavern - Playback with Tutu D’Vyne

Friday, 11th

Saturday, 12th

Andy’s - The Jim Fisher Band Back Roads - DJ The Bee’s Knees - Jazz Sessions with Moniker The Big Easy - Air Apparent Blind Pig - Shameless Dave and the Miracle Whips Borders - Darlene and the Amicks Cadillac’s - DJ Eddie B Cafe Du Teau - Bernard Chambers

Andy’s - Mudcat Back Roads - DJ The Bee’s Knees - The Frogthroat Escapade The Big Easy - Buzz Clif ford, George Sykes Blind Pig - Shameless Dave and the Miracle Whips Borders - Rod Macker t Cadillac’s - DJ Eddie B Cafe Du Teau - Bernard Chambers

Club Argos - DJ Joe Steel Coliseum - Frankie’s Bir thday Bash Cotton Patch - Quiet Storm, Saturday Night Live with The Sailcats, Tony Williams’ Blues Express Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band Crossroads - Capital A, Jemani D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Fox’s Lair - Roger Enevoldsen Greene Streets - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Joe Stevenson and Friends Last Call - Soul Desire Marlboro Station - Miss Peg Metro Coffeehouse - Live Af ternoon Bluegrass with Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - Hawaiian Luau Costume Par ty Partridge Inn - Sandy B. and the All-Stars The Pourhouse - Microwave Dave and the Nukes Red Lion - The Soundmen Rio Bomba - DJ Rodriguez Brothers Rumors - DJ Doug Romanello The Shack - DJ Buckwheat Surrey Tavern - Playback with Tutu D’Vyne

Sunday, 13th Cafe Du Teau - The Last Bohemian Quar tet Cotton Patch - John Kolbeck Marlboro Station - Claire Storm Mellow Mushroom - Stink foot Orange Moon - Smooth Jazz Sunday with Emery Bennet t Pizza Joint - Brandon Bower The Shack - Karaoke with DJ Joe Steel, Sasha’s Cabaret Shannon’s - Shelly Watkins Somewhere in Augusta - Jayson and Michael

41 M E T R O S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0 2 0 0 3

Mudcat comes to Andy’s July 12.

Monday, 14th Cadillac’s - Brandon Bower Coliseum - Q.A.F. Continuum - Monday Madness Crossroads - Club Sin with DJ Mykie G Greene Streets - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Mike Baideme Surrey Tavern - John Kolbeck

Tuesday, 15th Adams Nightclub - Karaoke with Bill Tolber t The Bee’s Knees - The Ides of July Blind Pig - Sabo and the Scorchers Coliseum - Tournament Tuesday D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express French Market Grille West - Wayne Capps Greene Streets - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Metro Coffeehouse - Irish Night with Sibin Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Stool Pigeons - Karaoke Surrey Tavern - Tuesday Night Jam Session

Coyote’s - The Rhes Reeves Band D. Timm’s - Joe Patchen and the Blue Diamond Express Greene Streets - Women’s Pop, Rock, Blues and Soul National Karaoke Contest Joe’s Underground - Keith “Fossill” Gregory Michael’s - Marilyn Adcock Modjeska - Theology on Tap Playground - Karaoke The Pourhouse - Edmond P. “The Lurch” Kida Shannon’s - Bar t Bell, Allen Black Somewhere in Augusta - Patrick Blanchard Soul Bar - Live Jazz Surrey Tavern - John Kolbeck

Upcoming The Goodies, The Hellblinki Sex tet - Soul Bar July 19 Spectral Erosa - Club Argos - July 25 Zoso - Crossroads - Aug. 1 Mad Margritt - Crossroads - Aug. 2 Ra, doubleDrive - Crossroads - Aug. 19 Shinedown - Crossroads - Aug. 22 Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Benefit - Club Argos - Aug. 15

Wednesday, 16th

Elsewhere

The Bee’s Knees - Mellow Sounds Supperclub Blind Pig - Buzz Clif ford and Candice Hurst Cadillac’s - Cadillac’s Best Karaoke Contest Club Argos - DJ Joe Steel Coliseum - Wet ‘n’ Wild Talent Search Continuum - Open Mic Jam Sessions

Colin Hay - Wills Park Equestrian Center, Alpharet ta, Ga. - July 10 Better Than Ezra, Lifehouse, Ingram Hill, The Robert Barnes Band - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - July 11 Rachelle Ferrell - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta -

July 11 Hot Hot Heat - Cot ton Club, Atlanta - July 11 The Fall - Echo Lounge, Atlanta - July 12 Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake - Philips Arena, Atlanta - July 12 Collin Raye - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - July 12 Mel & The Party Hats - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - July 12 Meat Loaf - The Tabernacle, Atlanta - July 15 Caillou - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - July 16-17 Dave Gahan - Roxy Theatre, Atlanta - July 18 Robert Bradley’s Black water Surprise, Mieka Pauley, Juniper Lane - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - July 18 Charley Pride, Darryl Worley - Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee, Ga. - July 19 Tift Merritt & The Carbines - Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta - July 19 David Cassidy - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - July 19 Modest Mouse - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta July 22 The Outfield - Wills Park Equestrian Center, Alpharet ta, Ga. - July 24 Everclear, Maroon 5, Evenout, Kill Hannah Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - July 25 Ginny Owens and Caedmon’s Call - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - July 26 Nickel Creek, Frank y Perez, Antigone Rising Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - Aug. 1 Restless Heart - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - Aug. 2 Eels - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - Aug. 7

Liz Phair, Hootie and the Blowfish, Tonic, The Clarks, Bain Mattox - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - Aug. 8 The Headhunters - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta Aug. 9 Flashback Festival - HiFi Buys Amphitheatre, Atlanta - Aug. 9 George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, North Mississippi All-Stars, Kevn Kinney Band - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta - Aug. 15 Bebo Norman - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - Aug. 16 Saw Doctors - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta - Aug. 19 Goo Goo Dolls, Pat McGee Band, Marc Broussard - Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta Aug. 22 Don McLean - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - Aug. 23 Pam Tillis - Mable House Amphitheatre, Mableton, Ga. - Sept. 6 Aerosmith, Kiss - HiFi Buys Amphitheatre, Atlanta - Sept. 14 Many tickets are available through TicketMaster outlets, by calling 828-7700, or online at w w w.ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be available through Tix Online by calling 278-4TIX or online at w w w.tixonline.com. Night Life listings are subject to change without notice. Deadline for inclusion in Night Life calendar is Tuesday at 4 p.m. Contact Rhonda Jones or Lisa Jordan by calling 738-1142, fa xing 736-0443 or e-mailing to rhonda.jones@metrospirit.com or lisa.jordan@metrospirit.com.

thu - RED HEADED STEP CHILD

Surrey Tavern fri & sat PLAYBACK WITH TUTU D’VYNE 471 Highland Ave. | 736-1221 Open Mon-Sat at 4 pm until mon -

JOHN KOLBECK

tues - TUESDAY NIGHT

JAM SESSION

wed - JOHN KOLBECK

See Stinkfoot at Mellow Mushroom July 13.

42 M E T R O

DOGGIE DAY CARE “Playtime for your pet”

S P I R I T

Conformation Class 7/29 Novice Agility Class 7/31

J U L Y 1 0 2 0 0 3

• • • •

Sleepovers Dog Spa Grooming Agility Training

• • • •

Kitty Kat Korner Pick Up/Delivery Organic Products Pet Boutique

2917 Riverwest Dr Augusta, GA (River Watch @ I-20)

706-737-5960 www.theanimalhouse.biz

DR. VITKIN’S WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC A HEALTHIER WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT ◗ Nutritious Diet ◗ Safe & Effective Medications ◗ Physician Supervision

Providing Safe & Effective Weight Loss Services Since 1984

(706) 650-9598 1215-A GEORGE C. WILSON DRIVE • SUITE 2 • AUGUSTA

News of the

Weird R

etailers in Los Angeles, New York and Miami say more and more young, urban, heterosexual men are choosing to dress in women’s tight, low-slung jeans and to use stylish lotions, fragrances and hair-care colors and products, according to June reports in the Los Angeles Times and New York Times. Some marketers call men who are eager to embrace their feminine sides “Metrosexuals” and point to English soccer star David Beckham (who braids his hair and paints his fingernails) as an icon. On July 15, the Bravo cable channel will air a makeover show, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” • A man who was hit by lightning at a Cincinnati amusement park two years ago (who survived, but with brain damage) filed a lawsuit in June against the park. According to the man’s lawyer, Drake Ebner, the man somehow did not already know enough about how serious lightning storms are and the park management was negligent in not warning him against heading for his car, where he was struck. News That Sounds Like a Joke • (1) To publicize an April 1 town festival near Cedar City, Utah, the mayor dreamed up a fanciful narrative: that a 10th-century, Viking-discovered island had been carried ashore by a Pacific Ocean volcano, to a point near what is now Cedar City, and by a 19th-century treaty, the U.S. had swindled the Vikings out of ownership of the island’s artifacts, allowing Vikings only the privilege of the April festival. Everyone took the story in good spirit until several residents of nearby St. George grimly wrote the mayor claiming to be Viking descendants and demanding “their” artifacts back. When the mayor told them it was a joke, the claimants accused the mayor of a coverup. (2) And elected as sheriff of Aiken County, S.C., in May was a fellow named Mike Hunt, whose campaign slogan was “Mike Hunt/Accessible for You.” People Different from Us • Anthony Scott Ward, 40, and Melissa Coleman, 27, were arrested in Prestonburg, Ky., following a Memorial Day incident at a playground (with kids nearby), in which Coleman was bound face down on a picnic table, being paddled by Ward with a boat oar, in what authorities described as consensual “foreplay.” Police recovered a cache of bondage items from the couple, including ceremonial hoods, handcuffs, prosthetic sexual tools, ropes, chains, collars, clamps, vibrating devices, lubricants and a cattle prod. The Continuing Crisis • In May, battered wife Elizabeth Rudavsky stabbed to death her severely

abusive husband of seven months, Angelo Heddington, in Thedford, Ont., but to Rudavsky’s shock, Heddington was soon identified as a woman (who had long ago adopted male mannerisms and dress). A former Heddington girlfriend, who had discovered the secret earlier, told a reporter, “(Heddington) had soft hands, but she spit like a guy. The whole time you were talking to her, she’d have her hands in her pockets playing with herself like she was a guy.” • In May the U.S. Supreme Court let stand an Iowa Supreme Court order that the Interstate Power Co. should pay a family $700,000 because stray voltage had been juicing up their farm’s cows. Daniel and Coleen Martins said that, because of a nearby power substation, their cows had been kicking off their milkers, swinging from side to side, and “dancing,” to the detriment of their milk production. • One beneficiary of Oregon’s budget woes, according to an April report in the Salem Statesman Journal, is Jose Leonidas Selva Jr., who had just been arrested behind the wheel of a stolen car, his third arrest in two months. As in the previous arrests, Selva was summarily released two days later because Oregon had no money to pay a public defender to represent him. The limited defense funds were to be used for suspects in violent crimes, and by his third arrest, Selva knew that: “I figured, they’re just going to release me. They’re not going to hold me. I’m just going to keep doing it.” Selva was ordered to return after July 1, when new budget money is supposedly available. • According to a May lawsuit filed against the all-girls Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, Conn., Catholic Sister Linda Cusano repeatedly wrestled a student to the floor in a secluded office in incidents in 1991 and 1992, for sexual purposes and to impress upon the student that she needed to join the convent upon graduation and submit herself to God. Cusano was known by students as “the recruiter” because of her aggressive (but more mainstream) encouragement toward sisterhood. Least Competent Criminals • Police in Scotia, N.Y., arrested Malinda Kelly in March on several charges but only after they had scurried around for several hours trying to find her “stolen” car and her 3-month-old son, who was inside. The next day, Kelly’s story fell apart. Actually, said police, she had forgotten where she had left the car, which was idling, with the child inside, while she ran down the street to burglarize her uncle’s home. (She came away with some money, but meanwhile lost her own money when a stranger took her purse from the idling car.) Updates • Illinois became the latest state to propose a ban on having one’s tongue aesthetically split, reptile-like (unless done by a doctor or dentist). But the move is unpopular among devotees. “When I first saw it, I thought tongue-splitting was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life,” said satisfied splittee James Keen, who spoke to an Associated Press reporter, who observed that Keen “now speaks with a slight lisp.” Said another splitee, who said he could now do party tricks like picking up a pencil with the two halves, “It’s done to better yourself.” — Chuck Shepherd © United Press Syndicate

and wide in search of the delectable nourishment that excites you most. Remember how your inexperience kept you from harvesting the full benefits of your hawkness three years ago? You know better now.

Brezsny's Free Will Astrology ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Baseball players sometimes use the term “winning ugly.” It refers to a game in which they’ve managed to emerge victorious even though they’ve made mistakes and performed below their potential. I predict you will soon have occasion to invoke this phrase to describe your own version of an unaesthetic triumph. There’s another term I want to arm you with: “ugly ripe.” Technically, it’s the name of a delicious heirloom tomato whose irregular, bulbous shape sets it apart from the smooth, bland varieties that fill the tomato sections of most grocery stores. In the coming week, it will also apply to the peculiar but juicy quality of your life.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

I predict that in the next seven days you will receive exactly 22 e-mail advertisements offering to increase your penis size and 22 e-mail ads to increase your breast size. Although you may be inclined to dismiss this as a boring inconvenience, I believe it will be an excellent cosmic omen that confirms what the astrological configurations reveal: a sign that you’re primed to express both masculine and feminine qualities in a more intense and yet balanced way. I suppose this possibility may repulse you if you identify yourself as a macho male or a girlie girl. But for most of you, capitalizing on this opportunity will make you smarter and sexier.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Philosopher Jean Houston likes to quote a Native American saying that’s important for you to hear right now: “When we take one step towards the gods, the gods take 10 steps towards us.” Here’s another way to think about it: There are huge cosmic intelligences whose work is imperceptible to our five senses. They aren’t figments of the imagination or sentimental fictions, but actual beings. When we acknowledge their existence and ask for ACROSS

their help, they enjoy responding. More than that: They love to collaborate with our strong intentions.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Here’s the homework I gave my readers two months ago: “Guess what age you’ll be when you finally know exactly who you are.” In response, a Cancerian woman named Bridjet wrote this: “I hope I NEVER completely know who I am! I love discovering new mysteries about myself; I love to change as everything else around me changes. It’s one of the most beautifully thrilling things about life — that the only constant is change. If I ever know completely who I am, it’ll be a sad day — because it will mean that I haven’t changed in a long time, that I’ve become stagnant.” Bridjet’s buoyant words should serve as your inspiration, Cancerian. You’re already the zodiac’s most frequent and expert changer, and these days you’re primed to mutate even more than usual.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

In a horoscope I wrote for you in June of 2000, I reported that, for the first time ever, your power animal was a hawk. “Act more like predator than prey for a change,” I advised. Now, three years later, you’re ready to reprise your hawk imitation, but with even more flair. I hereby authorize you to travel far

31 Regarding

some church matters Memory” 32 High mark 4 “Savvy?” 9 Bubble material 33 Like Haydn’s “Surprise” 13 Media inits. Symphony since 1989 36 ___ right 14 Single 37 Entertainer born 15 Italian holiday May 29, 1903 16 French lock 39 Washington, opener e.g.: Abbr. 17 Last Supper 40 ___ Paese question cheese 18 Like an ancient 41 Eastern empire 42 Whale watcher 19 With 28-Down, 43 Ones on the 37-Across’s right autobiography 45 Slight 21 Fanfare 47 Jump on 23 Serial opener 49 Makarova of tennis 25 Cut over 51 Click beetles 26 How some messages were 53 Noted once sent 37-Across venue 29 “Rob Roy” star, 57 One in a conger 1995 line?

New York Times Crossword Puzzle

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE I R A N

V A L E

M A D T V

A L E R O

R I P O N

G T R O B A Y S W A

A B E D I N I N C E A R N S G N L A O P O U M P

T A T A A D I N S A N D MAN MAN S I I T A H E A U T T MAN MAN T I D L E T A Y U E S S MAN MAN A T A A L T B E E

Note: MAN + MAN = MEN

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

In his only book, the French poet Lautréamont (1846-1870) wrote about holy yearning disguised as mournful complaint. “Whenever you hear the dogs’ howling in the fields,” his mother told him as a child, “don’t deride what they do: they thirst insatiably for the infinite, like you, me and the rest of us humans. I even allow you to stand at the window and gaze upon this exalted spectacle.” Let this passage be the starting point for your meditations in the coming week, Leo. You need to search for the noble purpose that lies beneath the plaintive cries that have been racking your heart.

1 “Thanks for ___

D A Y O

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

What makes a song popular? A charismatic singer, high-tech production, and millions of dollars’ worth of marketing? In the modern world, yes, but not in other times and places. In his article “Rhythm, Myth and Spirit,” David Pulak notes that among the Zuñi Indian tribe, music “is judged by how well it resonates with the experiences of the community.” In other words, a good song articulates everyone’s unconscious feelings and unverbalized beliefs, thereby creating group solidarity. Your assignment in the coming weeks, Libra, is to use everything — music, ritual, constructive gossip, parties, pep talks or whatever works — to do for your tribe what music does for the Zuñi.

S P I O N R A E L O S T W P A I N A G N O S

T O D A Y

R I P E T S E S T L

L O R D

S O R E R

O B E S E

N E S T S

E R A S

R A S H

I N T O

E D I E

58 Two chips,

perhaps 60 Slangy suffix 61 Funeral stands 62 Prince Valiant’s wife 63 Snap 64 Smoked fish 65 Leader of the One Israel coalition 66 37-Across’s age on May 29, 2003 DOWN 1 Dash gauge 2 Spanish welcome 3 Atlas abbr. 4 Many a position in a rock band 5 Co-sign, as a loan 6 Not on the end, for short 7 Satisfied, in a way 8 Do Time? 9 Targeted, as with a mailing 10 37-Across used to emcee it 11 Big name in games 12 ___ Games 15 Certain bridge play 20 “Beowulf,” e.g. 22 “Your gamblin’ days ___” (Bob Dylan lyric) 24 Synchronous 26 Say too much 27 Bowl site 28 See 19-Across 30 North Carolina university

“Dear Dr. Brezsny: Reading your ‘scopes lately has felt like finding a roll of hundred dollar bills in a heap of moldy sour cream in a garbage can; like getting a great massage from a cute underwear model in a velvet sanctuary while some jerk with a chainsaw prunes trees outside. How about serving up less paradoxical advice? I’d almost prefer getting a purely bad prediction to this maddening ambiguous stuff you’ve been serving up. -Scorpio Goddess” Dear Goddess: I’m just reporting the facts, ma’am. You yourself have been like a sleek athlete trying to do what you do best while stuffing your face with doughnuts . . . like a brilliant scholar struggling to read your books in a mirror with one eye closed . . . like a spontaneous kid hoping to convince a humorless octogenarian to play tag.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Jeanine, a Sagittarius woman I know, likes to compare her lovers to food. Recently she gave me a dissertation on her romantic history. “When I was 21,” she said, “I had two guys. One was a pepperoni pizzatype. He was too spicy to enjoy more than once a week. The other guy was like oatmeal, bland and filling. I didn’t get tired of him, though. On the other hand, he wasn’t too exciting. Now that I’m 37, my tastes have ripened. I’m not much interested in oatmeal men any more. I could have pepperoni pizza every day.” I believe Jeanine’s evolution parallels a transition you’re going through, Sagittarius. You don’t 4

20 23

24 29

31 37

41 43

53 59

54 60

Puzzle by Jim Page

32 Harry Hershfield 44 “The Marshal of 50 Winter

comic “___ the Agent” 34 Within earshot 35 Elapse 37 Wheels and deals 38 Basket material 42 Comment on a loss

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

During the next three weeks, it’s crucial that you laugh more while you’re working and chortle more while you’re driving and giggle more while you’re paying bills. In mysterious ways that would take me thousands of words to describe in full, the proper evolution of your long-term dreams requires you to have clownish epiphanies in situations where you’ve been way too serious. It’ll also be important for the mental health of those you care about. In other words, Aquarius, playful abandon will not merely be a pleasant diversion, but an essential medicine.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

In accordance with the astrological omens, Pisces, I invite you to take on an additional job title in the week ahead: Beautifier. If you agree to carry out the duties of this role, you will incite gorgeous fun and lyrical mystery everywhere you go. How? Bring scintillating harmony and mischievous grace into your conversations. Sneak a Chagall print onto an unadorned wall. Break into whimsical songs, dispense outrageous praise, ask crafty questions that provoke original thoughts and point out all the institutions and relationships that are working really well. (P.S. You won’t believe how many selfish benefits will come your way if you do this.) — © Rob Brezsny You can call Rob Brezsny, day or night, for your Expanded Weekly Horoscope

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Every now and then, you need to get exactly what you want; it is the duty of the cosmos to bring you the thing you have specifically asked for. This is not, however, one of those times. Rather, you’re in an astrological phase when it is important for you to give someone you care for exactly what he or she wants; it’s your duty to bring that person something he or she has specifically asked for. So choose a deserving soul for whom you will be an angel of perfect generosity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

have as much time as you used to for the bland, filling stuff. You need intense flavors more frequently. This applies to every part of you, not just your love life.

Cripple Creek” and others 45 Discontinued money 46 Polar jacket 47 William who wrote “Half Mile Down” 48 NBC’s “Watching ___”

Olympian

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y girlfriend and I broke up last month, after a year together, and agreed to be “friends.” Last week, we planned to go hiking. She told me to pick her up at 7 a.m. When I arrived, she wasn’t there. She pulled up five minutes later in pajamas, claiming she’d gone to the store. Okay, but no bags? I’ve heard she’s seeing someone new. (I have no idea if she knew him when we broke up, and whether he’s the reason.) Two days ago, she went on a trip and asked me to watch her dog and drive her to and from the airport. I did, but when I picked her up, she was all distant. So, when she wants something, she’s friendly and flirty; after I do it, she’s cold. I do care for her, but I want to move on, and when she pays attention to me, it makes me feel like she still wants me. When she’s distant, I feel empty and I end up missing her. Do you think she’s using me as a “comfort zone”? — Standby Guy

The shor test distance between two points is a straight line — unless you’re an exboy friend or a commercial airline. Fly enough, and you’ll learn that an airline ticket is merely an expensive suggestion of where you’ll be traveling, and a “nonstop” flight from Point A to Point B may leave you stranded squarely between them — probably on an orange plastic airpor t bench with molded one-sizefits-none but t cheek indentations. Go ahead, try to sleep a lit tle — that is, if you’re willing to chance living the rest of your life paralyzed from the waist down. Relationship depar tures work much the same way. It seems like it shouldn’t be a big deal, flying direct from boy friend to friend. And it isn’t — providing inclement feelings don’t reroute your itinerary. Unfor tunately, there’s a big dif ference between moving on af ter a relationship and having every intention of moving on. That’s what bumped you of f the nonstop from “I love you” to “I’m loving being friends with you,” leaving you on indefinite layover in “I’d love to repaint your house, snake your drain and rotate your tires.” Your detour couldn’t come at a bet ter time for your ex, who probably has only limited use of the guy replacing you, since he’s too new in her life to have all his boy friend-type

functions fully enabled. While she might have fond feelings for you, she also knows a good thing when she sees it: an ex who’s forgot ten that he used to get something for all the helpful boy friend-type stuf f he did; namely, treated like a boy friend. “Post-girlfriend” is like “post-modern”: two really easy words that come together into a term you can’t, for the life of you, understand. You know what a post is — a big wooden thing. And you know what a girlfriend is — a girl you’re trying not to love. So, maybe it’s as simple as beating yourself over the head with a big wooden post until you no longer love this girl. Of course, in lieu of giving yourself massive head injuries, you could just set up a no ex-girlfriend zone: time of f from her company so you can reprocess where she fits in your head and your life — if at all. This should give her time to think, too, perhaps about the meaning of friendship — which, as far as I’ve heard, isn’t supposed to involve one person always expecting the other person to answer the phone, “How can I provide you with excellent customer service today?”

My mom is the nosy queen. If my husband and I buy something, she always wants to know how much it cost. She manipulates us to tell her with the “I want to know because I want to buy one, too” song and dance, but she has no plan to buy any thing. How do I respond to her rude, prying questions? — Accounting Nightmare You never know when your mom’s going to sell the secret of how much you paid for your fruit dehydrator to some foreign power. If you feel it’s your patriotic duty to yank her security clearance, star t with “I love you, but ...” and find some tact ful way of explaining that you love your privacy more: “I’m a very private person, it makes me uncomfor table, please don’t ask, blah, blah, blah.” Then again, what does it cost you, giving an old lady a peek at your price tags? If that’s big drama and excitement for her, she must not have much of her own — well, save for that time she turned the deutsche mark into the monetary equivalent of a sheet of Bounty with news of your double couponing. — © 2003, Amy Alkon

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To respond to ads using a ARE YOU THE ONE? SM, 29, enjoys tennis, movies, dancing, dining out, long walks, antiques, Asian culture. Seeking confident, sweet, good-natured woman for LTR. ☎471619 HARD-WORKING SWCM, 48, enjoys sports, travel, dining out, dancing, reading, movies. Seeking stable, sincere woman, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎474643 WANNA DANCE? SWM, 37, smoker, wants to share outdoor fun (fishing, hunting, camping), with a wonderful woman. ☎464905 I CAN COOK SWM, 51, 6’1”, 193lbs, with blue eyes and a laid-back attitude, seeks a woman with a spontaneous, creative spirit. ☎434997 TAKE ME ON Male, 34, 5’10”, 180lbs, black/hazel, Capricorn, financially secure, smoker, seeks woman, 27-39, smoker, petite, who loves Nascar and beaches. ☎429058 TAKE ME AS I AM SWM, 31, 5’6”, medium build, brown/blue, Gemini, N/S, enjoys movies and more. Seeking SWF, 25-35, N/S, N/D, who enjoys good times, dating, for LTR. ☎341418 NEVER BEEN MARRIED SWM, 40, would like to meet a woman who enjoys simple pleasures such as outdoor fun, music and exercise. ☎463381 SOMETHING SO RIGHT SWM, 46, 5’8”, 195lbs, wants to meet a lady with good moral character, who is looking for a lasting relationship. ☎464950 TRY ME SBM, 31, enjoys sports, movies, park walks, good conversation. Seeking pretty, honest SF, to share these with. ☎448964 WELL-ROUNDED MAN Educated DBPM, 41, 5’11”, loves reading, working out, the arts, dining out, travel, quiet times. Would like to meet female, 30-45, with similar interests, for fun, friendship, and maybe more. ☎442021 HERE I AM SBM, 32, 6’9”, glasses, Aries, smoker, loves singing, drawing, and dining out. Seeking a woman, 21-56, with whom to connect. ☎430788 SAY ‘BYE TO LONELINESS Male, 35, 5’2”, H/W proportionate, attractive, light-skinned, Leo, proportionate, smoker, seeks woman, 18-35, laid-back, committed, and faithful. ☎432003 YOU AND ME SWM, 34, enjoys outdoors, good times, movies, laughter, romance. Seeking loving, caring SWF, 20-50, for LTR. ☎412476 JUST FOR YOU SWM, 29, brown/green, 5’8”, 150lbs, employed, seeks outgoing, active SWF, 2135, who can appreciate a loving man. ☎416629 COMMITMENT SM, 6’1”, 205lbs, outspoken, outgoing, very loving, looking for SF, who is not afraid of commitment, is loving and caring. ☎406726 LET’S CHAT SWM, 53, Scorpio, N/S, college-educated, easygoing, enjoys travel and beaches. Seeking friendship, possible LTR with a WF, 45-55, N/S. ☎358466 KEEP IT SIMPLE SWM, 45, carpenter, enjoys travel, sports, fishing, dancing, music, playing cards. Seeking SF, who enjoys the same. ☎343229 COMPATIBLE WOMAN WANTED DWM, 46, 5’9”, N/S, slim build, Capricorn, N/S, enjoys old cars, boating, classic rock, horror movies, mountains, beach. Seeking SWF, 38-46, N/S, for LTR. ☎341454 SEEKING TRUE LOVE Handsome SBM, 39, compassionate, financially secure, seeks romantic, attractive, compassionate BF, 21-45, for romantic dinners, movies, walks along the beach, true friendship, LTR. You won’t be disappointed. ☎920361 SAY YOU, SAY ME SWM, 25, 5’10”, 165lbs, medium build, brown/blue, Gemini, N/S, outgoing, energetic, seeks WF, 19-28, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎302503

YOU SUPPLY... the marshmallows. I’ll supply the bonfire, SWM, 36, truck driver, Aries, N/S, loves camping. Seeking a woman, 40-58. ☎316730 JUST YOUR AVERAGE GUY SWM, 37, N/S, likes motorcycles, fishing, camping, farming, relaxing weekends. Seeking SWF, 25-40, to join me on life’s journey. ☎287476 LET’S FALL IN LOVE SM, 25, enjoys travel, movies, writing. Looking for a good woman, 25-42, who shares some of these interests. ☎281603 LET’S DO LUNCH SBM, 28, Leo, homeowner, entrepreneur, attractive, seeks friendship with average, every day woman, 20-40. Have your heart talk to mine. ☎270867 SOCCER LOVER SHM, 21, 190lbs, loves to play soccer. Seeking a woman with a good personality. ☎250070 CHEF/PIANIST 6’, 190lbs, brown/blue, handsome, amateur psychologist, nice car, time off to travel, will send photo. Seeks pretty female companion, 26-39, no kids, light smoker/drinker okay. ☎882215 IF YOU’RE READING THIS... why not give me a call? SWCM, 19, 6’, 185lbs, brown/blue, relaxed attitude, Capricorn, N/S, seeks WF, 19-25, N/S, for possible LTR. ☎938173 LET’S HOOK UP 34-year-old SBM, 5’9”, 180lbs, Aquarius, nurse, bald head, new to area, open-minded, fun-loving, hopeless romantic. Seeking woman who loves to be romanced. ☎849401 SEEKING CHRISTIAN WOMAN Friendly, committed, independent SBCM, 42, 5’11”, enjoys quiet evenings. Seeking attractive, committed, independent SBCF for friendship, possible LTR. ☎796760 Men Seeking Men

RELAXING AT HOME SBM, 35, Virgo, N/S, likes relaxing at home, fun, concerts, trips going to the beach. Seeks fun, spontaneous SBM, 26-37, N/S. ☎532700 YOU CAN MAKE MY DAY Male, 60, Cancer, N/S, seeks a WM, 49-65, N/S, for casual relationship. Why not call me? ☎927707 YOU NEVER KNOW Fun-loving, easygoing GWM, 51, 5’11”, 198lbs, enjoys cooking, movies, fishing, walking. Seeking interesting GWM, 18-33, who’s full of life, for casual relationship, possibly more. ☎676662 A NEW START Retired, fit, outgoing GWM, 44, enjoys walks, movies, sports, reading. Seeking outgoing GM, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎527836 ARE YOU THE ONE? SWM, 34, 6’1”, 195lbs dark blond/blue, goatee, enjoys quiet nights home, going out with friends, travel. Looking for masculine, easygoing SW/HM, 18-38, for casual dates, possible LTR. ☎502698 BEYOND SWM, 32, 5’11”, 155lbs, light hair, looking for good time with GM, 18-45, ☎966003 TAKE A CHANCE GWM, 43, 6’2”, 195lbs, black brown, seeks other GWM, for fun times and maybe something more. ☎493530 COULD IT BE YOU AND ME? GWM, 24, enjoys quiet evenings, movies, quiet evenings at home, dining out. Seeking fun, outgoing GM, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎471342

How do you

BOY NEXT DOOR SAM, 27, 5’9”, 147lbs, Sagittarius, smoker, seeks WM, 25-45, who enjoys fun times and a true friendship. ☎456425 LET’S MEET FOR COFFEE Good-looking GWM, 36, 6’, 200lbs, muscular, tan, enjoys working out, yard work, spending time with my dogs. Looking for attractive SM, 32-48, for dating, maybe leading to LTR. ☎436231 ME IN A NUTSHELL WM, 18, brown/blue, medium build, looking for fun, outgoing, energetic guy, 18-30, for movies, hanging out, quiet evenings at home, and more. Friends first, maybe becoming serious. ☎425471 SEEKING THE REAL THING BM, 32, 5’8”, 200lbs, enjoys reading, cooking, dining out, movies, spending quality time at home. Seeking WM, 25-35, who has similar interests, and wants a long-term, monogamous relationship. ☎389698 LET’S GET CRAZY SWM, 35, 6’1”, with green eyes, is in search of a man to get together with, and share good times. ☎384239 LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP Senior SWM seeks sincere, honest SWM, 25-45, to share home and lifestyle. Many interests including gardening, cooking, arts and crafts, travel, camping. ☎294303 ENJOYS ALL THAT LIFE HAS GWM, 40, shaved head, goatee, Pisces, smoker, seeks very special, attractive, strong, fun-loving GBM, 30-50, for dating, possible LTR. ☎257126 WHAT’S HAPPENING? SWM, 30, 5’7”, 200lbs, brown/blue, Aries, N/S, seeks BM, 19-35, N/S, outgoing, for friendship first, possible LTR. ☎958402 DOESN’T PLAY GAMES Unattached GBM, 41, interested in meeting open-minded, fun-loving, honest, truthful, compassionate and loyal GM for LTR. ☎920995 BE YOURSELF Honest, caring SM, 47, 5’10”, 220lbs, seeks outgoing, ambitious, down-to-earth man, to share friendship, fun times and maybe more. ☎895468 LOOKING FOR LOVE GWM, 41, 5’8’, 140lbs, Pisces, enjoys fishing, television, wood working, gardening, arts, crafts. Seeking GWM, 25-45, for friendship first, possible LTR. ☎705204

,call 1-866-832-4685

Women Seeking Women

WAITING FOR YOU GWF, 18, 5’4”, blonde/blue, enjoys music, movies, animals, travel, dining out. Seeking outgoing, honest GF, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎527575 IS IT YOU? SGF, 42, soft stud, loves movies, cuddling, traveling, plays, comedy. Seeking feminine Christian female, compassionate and understanding, with like interests, to share friendship, good times and maybe something more. ☎487095 SEEKING A RELATIONSHIP GBF, 24, enjoys dancing, sports, movies, music, quiet evenings. seeks goal-oriented GPF, 24-33, who knows what she wants. ☎474251 HAVE A GOOD TIME SB mom of two, 35, wishes to spend time, conversations, friendship and life with a great lady. ☎458794 ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES SBF, 30, 5’5”, with brown eyes, seeks a woman, 30-36, to hang out with, get to know, and see where it goes. ☎380595 WHY WAIT? SWF, 38, 5’6”,140lbs, short brown hair, easygoing, enjoys playing golf, the beach. Seeking feminine female, 20-40, to have fun times and more. ☎448489 GOAL ORIENTED Intelligent, happy, attractive SBF, 23, student, seeks similar SBF, 24-40, N/S, for all that life has to offer. ☎411842 LOVES CHILDREN Easygoing, nice SF, 32, looking for someone with the same qualities, 29-39, and a people person. ☎388943 OPEN-MINDED CHIC Broken-hearted GWF, 30, Libra, smoker, seeks woman, 20-45, to mend my heart. Let’s not be afraid of who we are. ☎370110 “EVERYONE’S BEST FRIEND” GWF, 26, 5’6”, medium build, likes watching movies, bowling, hanging out, malls, phone conversations. Seeking fun-loving, seriousminded GWF, 22-35, medium build, for friendship and possibly more. ☎335046

WELL-ROUNDED GWPF, 24, 4’11”, brown/brown, loves animals, movies, dancing, travel, dining out, sports, conversation. Seeking GF, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎329740 BEAUTIFUL AND FEMININE GWF, 32, 5’7”, 135lbs, enjoys reading, movies, dining out, travel, sports, music, movies. Seeking GWF, 25-39, with similar interests, for friendship, possible LTR. ☎329063 A REFRESHING CHANGE SWF, 30, Libra, smoker, is hoping to find it in a woman, 25-45. Will show a lot of a affection. ☎307177 AVID READER Quiet SF, 24, part-time student, into all types of music, especially oldies, pets, writing poetry. Seeking a female, 24-40, with same interests. ☎283861 LOOKING FOR LOVE SBF, 32, 140lbs, 5’8”, down-to-earth, likes clubs, movies, and quiet times. Looking for a female, 30-35, with the same interests. If you’re the one, call me. Aiken, South Carolina. ☎113533 OUTGOING FUN WF, 28... 5’3”, medium build, loves movies, putt-putt golf, and bowling. Seeking WF, 25-40, medium build, for fun and friendship. Hope to hear from you soon. ☎958847 NO INTRO NEEDED SWF, 39, 5’7”, 145lbs, homeowner, easygoing, selfless, Taurus, smoker, loves movies and bowling. Seeking WF, 35-49, with comparable interests. ☎935299 I WON’T LET YOU DOWN Single GBF, 32, mother, non-smoker, looking to become acquainted with a laid-back, sensual GBF, who enjoys quiet times, movies. Interested? ☎910581 A GOOD HEART SF, 39, goes to church, works for a living, likes having fun, going on trips. Seeking a similar female, 37-49. ☎780112 GIVE ME A RING Cute SBF, 30-something, seeks attractive SF, 25-45, for friendship, maybe more. No games. ☎965825 WASTE NO TIME GBF, 36, enjoys dining out, cooking, dining out. Seeking attractive, open-minded, fun, nice GF, 25-45, for friendship and possibly more. ☎965823

Mountain Goat: During mating season male mountain goats compete to establish dominance. Aiming for each other’s hindquarters and bellies, their fights sometimes have fatal results. (Oreamnos americanus)

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Classifieds

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Alt. Lifestyles

Equipment

Mind, Body & Spirit

Private Investigator

If You’re not Partying at Argos, The Tower of Argos or at The Shack…

WOLFF TANNING BEDS AFFORDABLE • CONVIENENT Tan At Home Payments From $25/month FREE Color-Catalog Call Today 1-800-842-1305 (07/17#8131)

Professional Massage By experienced male. Designed for healthy men 18 - 45. A great way to rela x House & Hotel Calls Only 706-589-9139 (07/17#8147)

R AY WILLIAMSON & ASSOCIATES Private Investigations 17 years experience Domestic Relations and Child Custody Cases Licensed and Bonded in Georgia & Carolina 706-854-9672 or 706-854-9678 fa x (07/17#8155)

The Shack ... You’ll Be Back

1923 Walton Way • Open Mon-Fri for Happy Hour @ 6:00pm with $1 off everything Every Fri & Sat Garage Party from 9-10 with all drinks only $1 (Everything $1)

Fri

DJ Chip

Thu

Karaoke Dance Party with DJ Joe Steel.

Sat

DJ Buckwheat

Fri

1st Annual Miss Argos Pageant Come see the girls battle it out for the crown. Entertainment by Mr. Argos, Prince Williams, Josh and Dixie Divine.

Sun

Karaoke 8-12 with DJ Joe

Argos Angels’ Cabaret hosted by Petite, Claire Storm, Sasha and other guests

COMING EVENTS

Fri, July 25 Spectral Erosa’s Goth Night with D.J. Tryskl & Claire Storm Argos welcomes Gay, Lesbian, Bi, BDSM, Swingers, TVTS & all openminded patrons

Call us @ 481-8829 or email us at ClubArgos@aol.com

THE COLISEUM Friday, 7/11 Mallory Bishop

Saturday, 7/12 Frankie’s Birthday Bash Coming Events: Friday, 7/18 Mr. Augusta

Drink Specials: WED $9 Wet N' Wild SAT All You Can Drink Well/Liquor/Draft $9

CSRA Pride 2003 Contest Open Mon-Fri 8pm-3am Sat 8pm-2:30am

Fri & Sat. No Cover Before 10 p.m. 1632 Walton Way • Augusta, GA

Now Hiring! X-Mar t Currently hiring full time clerks. Neat appearance, cashier experience preferred. Apply in person 1367 Gordon Highway. For directions call 706-774-9755 (7/31#8103)

Sasha Sundays

(803) 441-0053 425 Carolina Springs Rd North Augusta, SC Come have fun where the party doesn’t end!

WE’RE BACK! Free Cover w/ Coupon

For 21 & Over and Non-Members

MARLBORO STATION 141 Marlboro Station, Aiken S.C.

803-644-6485

18 to Party • 21 to Drink

706-733-2603

Email: ColiseumAugusta@aol.com

••••• ••••• thank you • • • • • ••••• ••••• FOR SUPPORTING OUR ADVERTISERS

Announcements *HELP!* Will the person who witnessed the accident at Wheeler & Frontage Road on July 1st please call 706-736-3047 (07/10#8159)

Medical Equipment

Her showcast is not just Drag it’s pure talent. Come let us entertain you. Show starts at 12:30am.

... You’re Not Partying

Full Body Massage! Therapeutic tension relief, intense or tender touch, rela xing music, aromatherapy, by appointment only - $49.00/hr. Call Joy - 706-771-9470 or John - 706-868-5598 (07/17#8120

$250 - $500 a Week Will train to work at home helping the US Government file HUD/FHA Mor tgage Refunds. No experience necessary. Call 1-800-778-0353 (07/17#8160)

Monday-Sunday Happy Hour from 4pm-12 midnight $2 Long necks $3 Wells

Wed Sasha & Co Talent Show

Premier Entertainment Complex & High Energy Dance Music

Help Wanted

Medical 3 Wheel Scooter Electric, like new, Heavy Duty. Reasonably Priced. 706-733-3778 (07/17#8142)

Call 738-1142 to place your Classified ad!

Mind, Body & Spirit

Miscellaneous For Sale

READINGS BY

MRS. GRAHAM

C A R D R E A D I N G S

Mrs. Graham, Psychic Reader, Advises on all affairs of life, such as love, marriage, and business. She tells your past, present and future. Mrs. Graham does palm, tarot card, and crystal readings. She specializes in relationships and reuniting loved ones.

341 S. Belair Rd. Open from 9 a.m. til 9 p.m. Call (706) 733-5851

SPECIAL READINGS WITH CARD

Club Argos Dance Club & The Tower of Argos Leather Bar Augusta’s Premier Progressive House Dance & Entertainment Zone with DJ Joe Steel.

Sat

Golf Clubs: Nike Drivey, 9.5 degree stiff graphite $140; Top Flight Irons, S.S. rifle shots $140. Also callaway woods. Les 860-3387 (08/14#8133) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Black Jump Boots. Never Worn. $25.00 706798-7954 (07/24#8115) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Regency Crystal Police Scanner. Base or mobile, receives Aiken County agencies. $35.00. 706-798-7954. (07/17#8112) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Bedroom Suite, dresser, chest of drawers & headboard. All 3 pieces $50.00 912-829-3226 or 912-829-4556 (07/10#8105) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Snap-On IM51 Air Impact Wrench, 1/2” drive, good condition, $75.00. National Detroit DA Air Sander, good condition, $60.00 Ask for Larry (813)391-9580. (07/10#8106) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Tons of Cloth! All types/pat terns good grade material. Will sell all for $35.00, 912-829-3226 or 912-829-4556 (07/10#8104)

Begin a New Career In Massage Therapy Train for a rewarding career in Massage Therapy in only 6 months

733-2040

Augusta School of Massage Inc. 3512 1/2 Wheeler Road • Augusta, GA 30909

Religion Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer A Christian Church reaching to all: including Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered Christians. Meeting at 311 Seventh Street, 11 am and 7 pm each Sunday. 722-6454 MCCAugusta@aol.com www.mccoor.com

Resort Rentals Amelia Island, Florida 2 Bedroom 2 bath direct ocean front condo in the hear t of historical Fernandina Beach, Florida. A convenient location without the crowds. 736-7070 -----------560-8980 (07/10#8156)

Services W. Brack! Lawn Care/Landscapes 6 Years Experience Services include Lawnmowing, Edging, Weedeating and Hedgework. Flowers, Trees, Shrubs and Bed Construction. Free Estimates! 706-592-1273 Bonded and Insured (07/10#8137) Karaoke/DJ Bars, Clubs & Private Par ties Flexable Pricing 706-394-4579 (7/10#8138)

Travel

M E T R O S P I R I T J U L Y 1 0 2 0 0 3

Thursday, July 17, 2003 • National Hills Shopping Center St up 4:00 P.M. • Show 7-9:00 P.M. Come early and participate