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CONTENTS
04 06 07
METRONEWS FEATURE CROSSWORD
08 12 15
EVENTS CALENDAR
18
SLAB MATT’S MUSIC ART45
25 26 30
THE8 JENNY IS WRIGHT AUGUSTA TEK SIGHTINGS
31 33 34 37
WHINE LINE
38
Contributors Jamess Allen|Greg Baker|Rob Baker| Brezsny|Sam Eifling |Matt Matt Lane|Austin Rhodes|Josh Ruffin|Andy Ruffin Andy Stokes|Matt Stone|Jenny W Ruff Wright
o r t e m IR P S
INSIDER RUFFIN’ IT AUSTIN RHODES
COVER DESIGN: KRUHU
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WHINELINE Has enough time passed that it’s okay for me to go back to Chick-Fil-A? I wonder if anyone else has noticed that the news channels have tried to use the presidential elections,etc to cover up whats really taking place in the world. Basically we are heading toward world war 3.Pay attention to
how many countries are gearing up for war. In the words of the movie�War Games� with Matthew Broderick: GO TO DEFCON 5!Pretty soon this wont be something off of a movie! Not only does the Westobou Festival have a weak lineup this year, it cost more. Yay. So Arts in the Heart won’t allow pets but they’ll allow kids? Kids are way more annoying.
I wanna wine about having to stop at every single light in Augusta!! What a great way to hold up traffic and waste gas!! Your level of maturity can be measured by the distance of time since you last peed into something that wasn’t a toilet.
the lyrics that were blaring out at a supposed “family� restaurant on Washington Rd. The one song about a woman talking about her “neck and back� was down right pornographic! Please consider what you subject your customers’ ears to. It sounded like we were in a strip club!
8 o 10 r t e m IRIT SP 11 16 16
the RCBOE sits in Augusta, one wouldn’t expect much courage there, either. And one wouldn’t be disappointed. Don’t believe me? Watch a video of one of the RCBOE’s Personnel Committee proceedings and see Marion Barnes steamroll the cowards on the committee he chairs.
This is a whine for restaurants I want Checkers who play loud and inappropriate music. I was appalled at some of “There’s not much courage in Augusta, GA.� Inasmuch as
Student Trip: ASU student want to go to Atlanta to legislate Generally New: New general aviation terminal opens The Big Buzz: Mosquitoes can be an irritating and deadly problem Bound Treasure: Antique Civil War book brings history to life
(continued on page 38)
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Road Rules: Berckmans Road redesign scrutinized
Ability
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1355 Independence DrivF t Augusta, Georgia 30901 t Toll Free 1-866-4-WALT0/ t XXX Xrh.org
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Independence
Recovery
IN
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INSIDER@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Insider is an anonymous, opinion-based examination of the hidden details of Augusta politics and personalities.
The Professionals
SIDER
Is it possible Columbia County has finally wised up enough to realize that the management of events at the Lady Antebellum Amphitheater and Evans Towne Center Park is best left to the professionals? Perhaps. While the Masters lineup proposed for next year is a long ways from being finalized, at least the people behind it have some events bigger than an Eddie Money concert under their belts. As well they should if they’re going to put on events during Masters. But if the point was to build a Chastain-level venue, shouldn’t Columbia County be demanding Masters-worthy events every weekend? If it’s the pat on the back the leaders crave, they can always point out how smart they were to bring in the professionals. People would be more than happy to pat them on the back for that. Again and again and again.
THUMBS
up
4
Stephen King will release a sequel to “The Shining” called “Doctor Sleep.”
down
METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
We have to wait a year for “Doctor Sleep”’s release, it’s about a Dr. Kevorkian-type hospice worker and psychic vampires (how is that a sequel exactly?) and Stanley Kubrick isn’t alive to adapt it into a brilliant movie.
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The Man in the Mirror Food to eat, beer to drink and art to buy — throw in a dollop of perfect weather and you’ve got the makings of another great Arts in the Heart… of Augusta. That’s right — Arts in the Heart of the same Augusta that was going to hell in the proverbial hand basket after that particularly ugly First Friday a couple months back when six people were shot an hour or two after the city… or the Arts Council… or the downtown merchants… or whoever controls the event and its red carpet rolled it up and hoped the riffraff would go on home. It’s hard to believe that the same downtown everyone was so worried about could pull off such an event. Sure, most of it happened in the daylight and, yeah, the meaton-a-stick crowd isn’t typically known for its bad behavior, but when the crowds left and the grills cooled and the stage lights dimmed, Augusta became Augusta again. But the tents remained. Tents with hundreds of thousands of dollars of merchandise that in many cases represented the sum total of someone’s personal wealth and livelihood. Tents that just sat there, unattended. As vulnerable as paper lanterns in a storm. What a difference a couple of months make in our perception of ourselves.
OPTICAL
is pleased to announce the association of
Dr. Carol A. Schwan
Silence is Golden, but for Whom? Optometrist
Schwan Vision, LLC
Eye Exams for Eyeglasses & Contacts
(706) 863-1150
*Most Insurance accepted including, but not limited to:
Republican State Rep. Lee Anderson rode 30-some years of his own coattails to get into the 12th Congressional District Republican primary runoff. Then, the Grovetown farmer, known for his big heart and even bigger lapses in coherent political dialogue, used silence and every last bit of frontrunner momentum to cross the finish line a recount’s margin ahead of businessman Rick Allen. That silence came in the form of refusing to debate Allen, which was a wise move, since just about anything he might manage to say could have and certainly would have been used against him in the court of YouTubed public opinion. Now that he’s in the big leagues, going up against a savvy political survivor in Democrat John Barrow, Anderson is studying the page he ripped out of his own playbook by refusing to debate Barrow, only this time he’s suffering because of it. He must think that his silence plus that eight point starting advantage he got because the Republicans drew the district to favor Republicans will equal another victory, only it’s almost certain he is not the Republican they had in mind when they drew in the advantage. Beating Barrow will take more than silence, and the debate offered to him by the Atlanta Press Club would have given Anderson the chance to reach the entire district, a golden opportunity for a challenger going against a well-known, wellfunded and reasonably well-liked incumbent. But Anderson, of course, shuns the big stage. He likes the small room, prefers the back room and adores the parking lots and feedlots of the places most of us only see in passing. Earlier, he told organizers of another debate that he would join in only if Barrow admitted in front of the camera that he was going to vote for President Obama and support Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House. Really? That’s like a child telling his mom he’ll go to time out, but only if he gets to take her iPhone and a cookie. Any more moves like this and the RNC just might decide to reallocate all that money they were going to use to unseat Barrow. 20SEPTEMBER2012
Dr. Carol Schwan, (formerly of Aiken Ophthalmology), is now seeing her patients inside the Sam’s Club Optical located on Bobby Jones Expressway in Augusta, Georgia. Her ofϐice is a private ofϐice and independently owned. Therefore, no membership is required for exams and contact lens ϐittings. Dr Schwan is a 1994 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, Pa. and graduated with honors in Pediatrics and Low Vision. With 18 years of experience in primary care optometry, Dr. Schwan is particularly astute in the ϐitting of complicated contact lenses including multifocal contacts. Her 2.5 years with Aiken Ophthalmology has further sharpened her skills in the diagnosis of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. “I am pleased to be associated with Sam’s Club Optical since it affords me the opportunity to treat each patient as a member of my family. You are a patient ϐirst, not just a number in the computer. In a time when unemployment is at a record high, I am grateful to offer my professional services at a reasonable price without cutting corners. Come see me for the professional eye care you and your family deserve.” Carol A. Schwan, O.D.
Schwan Vision, LLC (Located inside Sam’s Club Optical) 596 Bobby Jones Exp, Augusta, Ga. 30907
$10 off Eye Exam
*Offer cannot be combined with Insurance or any other discount. Some restrictions may apply. Call for details.
(706) 863-1150 AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT
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Back-Pew Hero Worship, Part 3 This Is Not About Boxing By the time this goes to press, it will have been five days since Sergio Martinez outclassed Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. to reclaim the WBC middleweight title that he never officially lost. The belt had been outright stolen from Martinez in a cross-wired clusterf***k of boxing/PR/economic politicking — the nascent, corrupt state of which is becoming increasingly obvious — and was then handed to JCC, Jr., heir apparent to the pugilistic throne of his legendary father and namesake, all but gift-wrapped. Boxing, in case you didn’t know, is like that: a quagmire of competing alphabet organizations (WBO, IBF, WBA, WBC, IBO, etc) who hand out trinket variations of each weight class’ belt — “regular” titles, as well as interim, and whatever a “diamond belt” is — to favored sons and cash cows, all the while shielding them from any legitimate challenge, short of the occasional bigmoney superfight. In general, it’s a pretty gross display, one that sees marketable young fighters racking up paper wins against sub-par competition long after their developmental phase should be wrapped up, and aging, broken-down veterans sacrificed as a stepping stone, a notch on the belt of a valuable up-and-comer (see Canelo Alvarez vs. Shane Moseley, Muhammad Ali vs. Larry Holmes, etc). This is the system that benefitted and, despite this first loss on his record, will continue to benefit Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. Coddled and protected due to the potentially massive earnings hinging on his father’s name, he had by last weekend amassed a professional record of 46-0, with one draw and one no contest, a feat mostly achieved by mauling warm bodies that walked around at 15 pounds less than he did. A gigantic middleweight with a long reach and numbing power but little maneuverability or accuracy, Chavez’ strategy consists mostly of bullying his opponent into a corner, unleashing massive body shots and sapping their will. Even then, though, his glaring lack of discipline showed: when he TKO’d Peter Manfredo in November of last year, he never actually landed any of the “fight-ending” punches flush; the referee called a stop to it because Manfredo wasn’t fighting back. This is how paranoid Chavez and his team were about damaging the brand: they ducked a fight just over a year ago with Ronald Hearns. Hearns, son of middleweight legend Thomas Hearns, is at best a middle-of-the-road light middleweight who was recently knocked out in the first round by Erislandy Lara. And yet, he had one semi-effective weapon in his arsenal: a right hand with more-than-minimal pop. The fight was set, then cancelled due — according to his camp — a grab-bag of conditions: his weight not being properly on target (something else for which JCC is infamous), a nagging injury, etc. Rumors ran rampant that he was on an illegal diuretic or performance enhancer, and that a positive test was inevitable. The fact that no two members of the training camp or PR team could get on the same page led to serious speculation that Chavez was simply ducking Hearns because of the quasi-legitimate thread the latter posed. The speculation was predictably, weakly, denied. Sergio Martinez, despite his champion status, was a virtual unknown until just a couple of years ago, and had to thrash then-middleweight king Kelly Pavlik — back when that still meant something — and KO Paul Williams into the fourth dimension to even get noticed. Prior to that, Martinez worked at nightclubs and waited tables while pursuing his professional boxing career in Spain. He had to fight hard for everything he achieved, and never had opponents or titles gift-wrapped for him. He has experienced losses, knockdowns, brutal cuts, adversity, and fought through it all. He’s also, most importantly, a terrible matchup for Chavez. Understandably, JCC’s team wanted nothing to with Martinez, who was stuck steamrolling middling challengers for comparable peanuts while Chavez raked in lucrative purses facing even weaker competition. For those of you who don’t follow boxing, two things: That’s like
6
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one Superbowl team refusing to play the other, agreeing instead to play a game against me, my chinchilla, and nine blow-up dolls. Why are you still reading? Eventually, though, it had to happen; circumstances dictated it. Specifically, Martinez looked slightly less than spectacular in a unanimous decision victory over Matthew Macklin, while Chavez looked truly impressive against a formidable opponent when he stopped lanky Irish scrapper Andy Lee in the seventh round on his trademark windmill body shots. A Martinez/ Chavez fight was promised, and immediately booked. In a detail that was not unforeseeable, Chavez would bank significantly more than his opponent. It seems, in retrospect, that Team Chavez was counting on one of two things: that Martinez was finally slowing down enough to be beatable, or that he would balk at the relatively paltry purse. Neither happened. Martinez gleefully accepted the six-figure contract (I said relatively paltry), and with it the opportunity to take out his frustrations on the very object of them. For 11 increasingly one-sided rounds, the fight played out the way most objective pundits figured it would: Martinez, hands low throughout, peppered the bigger but slower Chavez with jabs, hooks, uppercuts, crosses, all the while staying out of range and trajectory with his superior footwork. Chavez, having also inherited his father’s iron chin, never went down and never actually appeared rocked, but suffered a few lacerations as well as considerable swelling under his left eye. In short, he was proving to be what his detractors had long considered him: a spoiled cash cow with a famous name, badly outgunned by the true champion. Something interesting happens when the object of your derision turns out to be exactly what you think: your hate and indignation grow, surpassing even glee at your own smug sense of justice. Maybe it’s a bit of a letdown; after all, how exciting is life if things are simply as they appear? You are cheated out of an experience, albeit one you didn’t know you wanted. But in round 12, those same people almost ate crow. Chavez whipped a flush right hook to Martinez’ chin, scoring the fight’s only knockdown. Martinez, visibly rattled, got to his feet and, instead of clinching, continued to stand toe to toe with Chavez, who went for broke, winging Hail Mary bombs that just deflected off of Martinez’ guard. Thrilling though it was, it was also too little, too late, as Martinez walked away with a wide unanimous decision victory, and the unified middleweight belt. Let’s be clear: Chavez is not Floyd Mayweather. The scrutiny and detraction that dogged his professional career was born not of his boringly superhuman skill, but because of the fact that he was made a star of a fighting man’s sport, despite never having to fight for anything. Likewise, the ensuing, somewhat grudging respect the boxing public has exhibited towards him since that monumental round is rooted not in the satisfaction of seeing a self-made idol fall, but in the inherent admiration we feel when we see fighters fight. I don’t know what, if anything, Chavez rallied for on that night. The point, though, is that he did rally. Nor, either, is Sergio Martinez entirely a hard-luck story. He has god-given talents of his own, and has modeled for Nike — I mean, come on. And we wondered if, between the KO victory over Paul Williams and the Chavez fight, he had lost a step, if (at 37 years old) age was catching up to him, or if he simply wasn’t as good as we all thought, as we all hoped him to be. In the end, we got the best of both worlds: a fighter actually fought, and a visibly aged, battle-worn champion emerged a victor. A rematch is in the works for next year, but that hardly matters. The whole affair — the circumstances, the match-up, the outcome and, I hope, the reception — will play itself out again, I think, sooner than we expect.
JOSHRUFFIN, a Metro Spirit alum, is a published journalist and poet who just
received his MFA from Georgia College & State University. He was once the most un-intimidating bouncer at Soul Bar.
20SEPTEMBER2012
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AUSTIN RHODES
Justice, Peace and Answers… Delayed and Denied For five days the family and friends of Jordan White prepared themselves for their final earthly goodbyes. There were services to arrange, details to be sorted through and, yes, the medical process of reclaiming this precious young woman’s physical strength and healthy infrastructure so that it could be transplanted and shared with at least a half dozen others. Fellow human souls whose time among us would be greatly diminished were it not for her decision to share with them that for which Heaven has no need. Among them, a 12-year-old girl, who will carry Jordan’s heart for as long as the good Lord will allow her. The giving spirit and charitable heart of this amazing 19-year-old will live on in so many ways, as will the sad lessons of her needless death. While there will be a time and place to discuss the details, the consequences and the aftermath of the tragic night of September 12, we sadly have an immediate reminder of bureaucratic shortfalls that mean additional weeks, if not months, of unnecessary pain and uncertainty as we wait for concrete answers. The men and women who witnessed the accident, bystanders and first responders who fought to save Jordan’s life, and the lives of her two passengers, put forth an amazing effort, risking their own well being fighting twisted metal, broken glass and a road slick with spilled gasoline. Seconds count in such a situation and no human effort is spared or withheld in the process. How ironic that once the threat posed by jagged metal and flammables has passed, the search for final truth and ultimate justice slows to a grinding halt. A day after her death, Jordan’s family was told it could be six weeks to two months before final scientific tests are completed that could very likely lead to vehicular homicide charges filed against the Evans man who they believed ignored a red light and plowed his truck directly into the car door that could do little to protect the young driver on the other side. The injuries suffered by 43-year-old Lucky Wade Jackson were minuscule compared to the permanent damage inflicted by his truck’s front end. He was up and out of the hospital in no time and, as far as I know, back in his fashionable Riverwood Plantation home before his alleged victim was pronounced dead. As this column was being written, I got word that Columbia County authorities had reconsidered the evidence gathered at the scene and testimony from witnesses. Instead of waiting for the Georgia State Crime Lab to return the results of the mandated legal blood alcohol test given to Jackson the night of the crash, they plan to arrest him within the next 24 hours. It seemed inconceivable that Jackson would have only been charged with failure to stop for a signal in the aftermath of the accident, but the officers at the scene were following the rulebook, based on the evidence they knew they had at the time. It was only after careful reconsideration (and I would be willing to bet a good bit of public outcry) that they apparently decided to move forward with more serious charges involving the suspected DUI case they expect to bring. Sources close to the case say Jackson’s blood alcohol, when tested at the hospital, was almost three times the legal limit. If that accusation is borne out in the state-tested blood sample, the 20-year Georgia Power employee could be looking at 15 years in prison. So why is it going to take six weeks to get that sample analyzed? Thanks to severe manpower shortages, the crime lab has a backlog of such tests to run, and Jackson’s sample is sitting at the bottom of the pile. The words “frustration” and “outrage” in such a situation are simply inadequate. This is a story I have been hearing about the Georgia State Crime Lab for years. So many years, in fact, that the two guys who first brought it to my attention, former Richmond County Coroner Leroy Sims and former Columbia County Coroner Tommy King, have themselves been dead eight and six years respectively. But it is not only violent deaths where we see mysteries prolonged and families tortured needlessly; hundreds of local cases involving natural, unexplained deaths also take weeks and months to settle, often because of the same backlog. In just a few short years, I have seen this firsthand with the sudden deaths of my childhood best friend Bobby and my cherished cousin Christi. In both cases it was almost eight weeks before final reports were prepared for the family. These were reports, by the way, which could have been prepared in a matter of hours if there had been staff to do the job. We have a solution. Augusta has a fully equipped, state-of-the-art autopsy and crime lab, built by the GBI adjacent to the jail on Phinizy Road. Thanks to budget cutbacks, there are very few personnel there to do any work. If the Augusta Judicial Circuit could invest about 300k a year to cover the salaries of several technicians, we could process most important local cases in 24 hours, and then tackle the backlog to help other jurisdictions. It can’t be done immediately, but it can be done. Rarely can it be said that a few hundred grand a year can fix such a serious problem, but this time, we can say it and mean it. All the Jordan Whites of the world deserve it, and justice most certainly demands it.
AUSTINRHODES
The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. 20SEPTEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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ERICJOHNSON
Road Rules
Berckmans Road redesign scrutinized
At a public meeting on Monday, September 17, Augustans got a chance to see the latest version of the changes proposed to Berckmans Road. The plan, which would realign Berckmans Road so that it connects to the newly widened Alexander Drive, provides a direct link from Riverwatch to West Augusta. It also virtually guarantees the fact that the Berckmans stub will end up being absorbed by the Augusta National. Maps detailing the latest version of the project, which differs significantly from earlier plans, were spread across the Julian Smith Casino, allowing the public to evaluate the changes and see who will be affected, and how badly. Though not the final design, it nevertheless represents the final basic recommendation, though officials at the meeting were quick to point out that there would still be room to work with individual landowners regarding certain specific details of the road. “Last meeting, we had a variety of different alignments that we were investigating and wanted to get public opinion on,” said Bryan Letourneau, a senior project manager at Pond and Company, a Norcross-based engineering consulting firm. “We received that public comment and went back to our analysis and such, and this is the preferred option we worked out with the city.” According to Traffic Engineer Steve Cassell, the realignment’s design was funded as part of the last SPLOST package, though until the recently passed 8
METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
TSPLOST, no construction funding existed for the project, estimated to cost well over $16 million. The plan was generally well received by the hundred or so in attendance, most of whom considered it an improvement on the earlier designs, which were criticized for being too big. Area residents have long been uneasy about the amount of land needed for the expansion as well as how the expanded road will increase traffic along the route. “Last meeting we showed it as a four lane divided section,” Letourneau said. “As we went back and received comments from the public and finished our traffic projections, we were able to do a three lane section, which is two lanes in each direction and then a center lane.” From Wheeler to Ingleside, the proposed road is flanked by a five-foot sidewalk on the east side and an eight-foot multi-use path on the west side. The five-foot sidewalk ends at the roundabout, planners said, mostly because there’s really nothing north of the roundabout for the sidewalk to serve. Which brings up two of the more significant issues of the project: the roundabout and the conspicuous
lack of residential property north of it. First, the roundabout. According to Letourneau, the city wants the roundabout because it would provide a safer traffic environment. “It provides a speed brake type of thing between the two major roads, and it’s got a little more of a neighborhood feel,” he said. But does the intersection really merit a roundabout? Letourneau admitted Ingleside doesn’t carry a large amount of traffic. “It’s really about the distribution of traffic more than the pure volume of traffic,” he said, adding that for a roundabout to be considered, one road can’t completely dominate the other. In this case, Ingleside provides enough traffic of its own. As for the lack of residential property, that, of course, is all the Augusta National’s doing. Over the years, the national has systematically bought what amounts to an entire neighborhood, turning it into Masters parking. Critics and cynics contend the whole redesign is nothing but a way to aid Masters traffic flow and give the national the stub of road formed by pulling 20SEPTEMBER2012
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Berckmans to Alexander. Letourneau stepped carefully around the subject. “There’s a process for what the city would do with what would be, essentially, an abandoned road,” he said. “They could keep it open to
20SEPTEMBER2012
provide access to the homes that have access today, but if it is really, truly abandoned, then the city can decide what they want to do with it. They could keep it…” Or they could make an arrangement with the Augusta National, because
at that point, it would basically be a road in the midst of their property? “Correct,” he said. “But that’s a separate process. All we can say is, if we move the road, that will close that off and you (the city of Augusta) can do what you will with it.”
Though nothing is going to happen soon — Letourneau estimated right of way acquisition would probably begin late next year — the national, at least, has proved to be steady-eyed and patient when it comes to getting what it wants.
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ERICJOHNSON
Student Trip
ASU student wants to go to Atlanta to legislate ASU student David Hopper is taking time out of his junior year to do something even more unique than studying abroad. Hopper is running for the Georgia General Assembly. “If I were to win this election, it wouldn’t actually delay me much,” says the 28-year-old Republican. “I could take classes in the summer to make up anything I lost and I could still take classes in the fall because, of course, the legislature is not meeting in the fall.” Hopper’s ultimate educational goal is law school, after which he hopes to practice constitutional law, but before he can do that he’s got to get through the undergraduate years, into which he’s thrown this political race. Georgia House District 125 is the only contested race among the local delegation, whose influence many feel has been diminished in recent years, largely out of apathy among potential candidates. The Butler graduate admits he’s a political neophyte, but given the track record of incumbents in general and opponent Earnest Smith in particular, he says he figures most people would consider that a good thing “He has his name tied to 37 or 38 bills,” Hopper says of Smith. “More than two thirds of those are resolutions and not actual laws or anything like that. From what I can see, he seems to be more just filling the seat since Hardie Davis left.” Smith, whose committees include Banks and Banking, Children and Youth and Energy, Utilities and Communications, was elected to the General Assembly in 2009 when he filled the seat left vacant when Hardie Davis ran for State Senate. With the exception of a stint at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Hopper, a self-proclaimed military brat, has lived in Augusta since high school, where his mother and stepfather have continued to live and work as well. “I do have roots in the community, even though my family may not have been here generations ago,” he says. In spite of his youth and relative lack of experience, Hopper says his work experience has given him an insight into the challenges faced by many in his district, which includes the industrial areas along the river. “I did logistics driving and that sort of thing for a little while, and office management for a little while, too,” he says. “Two years ago, I broke my leg at work and couldn’t drive anymore, so I figured I had to get back to school to get a better job for later on. I guess you could call it a delayed start in life.” Never really all that political, Hopper watched the Georgia legislature on internet TV last year and was surprised. “I saw a lot of things I didn’t like from both sides of the aisle,” he says. “I thought there was a lot of grandstanding, for lack of a better word. And I looked into it, and basically my legislator — my opponent, now — wasn’t doing much, either. So instead of standing back like most people would do, I had the opportunity, I had the time and I had the talent to step forward and see if I could win and do a better job than he does for the district.” Befriended by political figures including Commissioner Jerry Brigham and State Rep. Ben Harbin, Hopper’s decision to run was relatively spontaneous. “I thought about it right around March 27,” he says. “I looked into it and what it would require and what I would have to do for it, and basically I threw my hat in on April 1.” An advocate of school choice, he says jobs and the economy seem to be at the top of most people’s minds when he talks to them. “My district is heavily industrial,” he says. “I know this because I was in logistics. So a lot of people are plant workers, blue-collar workers, and they’re obviously worried about losing their jobs and getting better ones. Which leads him to the Fair Tax. “I’m hoping to work with Barry Fleming to help get that passed in Georgia,” he says. “A lot of people are obviously fed up.” Given the make up of his district, some might question the political viability of a white Republican no matter what his age or background, but Hopper insists he’s got a shot. “It’s a very winnable district because of the simple fact of the economy and jobs,” he says. “People are smart enough, in my opinion, not to vote just along party lines if they’re given a chance and they know the information.” 10 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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ERICJOHNSON
Generally New
New general aviation terminal opens
With the recent grand opening of the general aviation terminal at Augusta Regional Airport, Augusta now has a matched set of buildings to service the full range of its aviation business. While most people are familiar with the passenger terminal and the airlines that service it, fewer people realize how important general aviation is to the airport’s bottom line. According to Lauren Smith, communications manager of Augusta Regional Airport, the general aviation terminal generates between 30 and 35 percent of the airport’s total revenue. Unlike many airports, which lease out the Fixed Base Operator (FBO), a business that provides fuel, maintenance and business services for general aviation aircraft ranging from single seat, propeller-driven aircraft to the large corporate jets that fill the tarmac come Masters Week, Augusta has chosen to run its own. Smith says this arrangement has given the airport a sense of overall stability, with one side helping to balance out the other. The new, 14,000-square-foot general aviation terminal includes several upgrades geared toward attracting corporate
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aircraft and the money they spend. “There is a pilot’s lounge and a pilot’s sleep room as well as two conference rooms,” Smith says. Though traveling businesspeople often prefer to have meetings at FBOs rather than arranging for transportation into the city, the airport is planning on maximizing the value of the space by renting the two conference rooms to the general, non-aviation public as well. Similar conference rooms in the commercial side will continue to be used for airport-related business only. The new terminal arrives at a time of growth for the airport. Currently, construction is winding down on the parking lot project, which added long-term spaces behind the existing short-term spots, making for what officials hope will be a more accessible and customer-friendly parking experience. “We’re expecting to be done by mid-fall,” Smith says. “They’re on the final stage of it, which is the short-term parking. The whole project will provide over 600 spaces.”
In addition to the spaces, the Aviation Commission hopes to construct an industrial park for aviation-related industries, a concept that has proved successful in other locations. As for the new FBO, Smith says she’s heard plenty of positive responses. “A lot of people have come through and say its one of the best they’ve seen,” she says. An added benefit is the fact that much of the artwork displayed in the facility comes from local artists. Dave Welter donated wooden bowls, Linda Hartough donated some paintings of the Augusta National, and several watercolor prints were donated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carordelet. For staff, the new facility is a far cry from the temporary trailer they used during the long months of construction. “Everyone is extremely happy to be in a real building right about now,” Smith says.
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FORT GORDON DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS
September 21, 22, 28 & 29 October 4, 5 & 6 Only Agatha Christie could have conceived such a suspenseful thriller. A young married man spends many evenings with a rich old woman. When she is found murdered, the naive young man is the chief suspect. The audience will be on the edge of their seats as Dame Agatha takes them on a journey through what has been called her “best ever mystery play.” “Packs plenty of surprise in its cargo of suspense.” – Daily Mirror
MENU
London Broil, Chicken Tikka Masala, Lemon Rosemary Cod, Glazed Carrots, Agatha’s Vegetable Casserole, West End Roasted Potatoes, Tangy Rice Pilaf, House Salad with Assorted Dressings, Iced & Hot Tea and Starbucks Coffee, Deluxe English Tea Dessert Table
TICKETS
Civilians: $40 | Seniors (65 & over), Retirees, DA Civilians, Active-Duty E7 & above: $38 Active-Duty E6 & below: $30 | Show only: $25
For reservations, call 706-793-8552 14 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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CIRCLING THE JOB LISTINGS By Kevin G. Der / Edited by Will Shortz
92 Remain true 93 Mendes of Hollywood 94 Abbey Road, e.g. 95 Wi-Fi connection spots 96 … and 112-Across: “strong, disciplined hands a must” 102 Dance with a “casino” style 104 “Rubáiyát” poet 105 Walsh with three golds in beach volleyball 106 Tenant’s contact, casually 107 Rescuer of Mowgli in “The Jungle Book” 110 Cleanup hitter, say 112 … and 23-Across: “should be comfortable sitting on the bench” 117 Find, as a station 118 Herbalist’s drink 119 1972 Jack Lemmon comedy 120 Sonnet part 121 Chivalrous greeting 122 Break up Down 1 Japanese bowlful 2 Skyscraper support 3 Cause of a product recall, perhaps 4 ’Fore 5 Fishing line attachment 6 Perform a body scan on? 7 Punishment on the knuckles 8 Awesome, in slang 9 Actress Vardalos 10 Some ancient carvings 11 “Peace!” 12 It might say “A.T.M. Here” 13 Antiquity, once 14 Worth no points, say 15 Shinto temple entrance 16 Bids one club, say 17 Silently greet 19 Pride Lands queen 21 First name in mysteries 24 Legislative holdup 29 Fumble follower 32 “___ then …” (on-air sign-off) 33 Bygone sedan 34 Like some investments 35 Cherubic 36 What the French once called “la Belle Rivière” 37 Many pledges 38 Utah’s ___ National Forest
40 Mount Narodnaya’s locale 43 “Dance at Bougival” painter 44 What “.99” may represent 45 School bully? 46 Co-explorer of 1804 47 It can be smoothed over 48 Cause of some teen angst 49 Oenophile’s specification 51 Nabisco brand 52 Seating area 57 Troubadour’s love song 61 Word before and after “will be” 62 Fannie ___ 63 Brown shade 64 Become part of history 65 Peppery herb 66 Dharma teachers 67 Borodin’s “Prince ___” 69 Goddess pursued by Hera 70 Superstar 71 Sticky situation 72 Purplish shade 73 Four seasons, e.g. 74 Incomparable 75 Where enfants learn 76 Divides 79 Mars atmosphere features 80 Japanese bowlful 82 Turkish leaders 84 Player of TV’s Det. Tutuola 85 Decorative Valentine’s Day gift 87 Pollster’s need 88 Arranges a blind date for 90 Easter egg roll, say 94 Like Shylock 95 Divide 96 Dessert wines 97 Saturate 98 Boons for farmers 99 Medieval helmet 100 Typical golf shots 101 Golf event 103 Pacific capital 106 Lab order 108 Dessert wine 109 Causing trouble 111 Took in 113 “Pinocchio” keepsake 114 Letter that’s an anagram of 111-Down 115 Something you might turn on 116 Tikka masala go-with
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PREVIOUSPUZZLEANSWERS
Across 1 Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” e.g. 6 Scuba tank parts 12 Famous lawmaker? 18 Big fairy 20 Nazareth’s locale 22 Cheap cigar, in slang 23 … and 33-Across: “must wear gloves in the field” 25 Causing a stink, maybe 26 Mrs. ___ (“Entourage” role) 27 Penguin’s spot, maybe 28 Aviator’s guide 30 Jazz’s Simone 31 Solzhenitsyn novel setting 33 … and 50-Across: “experienced in conducting surveys for sites” 37 Peculiar 39 Groucho’s real name 41 “Hogwash!” 42 Friends’ feud 43 Of greatest interest to a bibliophile, maybe 44 Space traveler? 50 … and 62-Across: “may be tasked with generating impressions” 53 Control 54 Potsdam attendee 55 Actress Myrna 56 Viracocha worshiper 58 “Finnegans Wake” wife 59 Shout from a field 60 Highballs? 62 … and 69-Across: “excellent filing skills required” 65 Mythical figure represented in Vermeer’s “Art of Painting” 66 ___ paradox 68 Bet on 69 … and 86-Across: “focused on improving circulation” 73 Integral course, informally 74 Elided preposition 77 “Desperate Housewives” role 78 Ring toss activity? 79 Whoop 81 Careful writer’s concern 83 One down in the mouth 86 … and 96-Across: “willing to open chests and work on vessels” 89 Settled things 91 Jewelry item
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O L B E Z A L E S W A Y S M O E E R U T E W E T E D A I S U M S S P I E A G S A L N T I E U E D P E E I D R N D O O E N U B J A N A G S M E
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REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES. Elliott Sons Funeral Homes ELLIOTTFUNERALHOME.COM
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The Big Buzz
Mosquitoes can be an irritating and deadly problem With mosquitoes buzzing and reports of West Nile cases skyrocketing, many in Columbia County are wondering why more isn’t being done to take care of the mosquito problem. But according to Emergency and Operations Director Pam Tucker, the county simply has a different, less intrusive approach to mosquito control. “Larvicide is our mosquito control program,” she says. “It’s the most cost-effective and eco-friendly method of mosquito control because it prevents the larvae from hatching into mosquitoes.” The county spends between $3,000 and $5,000 a season for the larvicide. Larvicide, which can also be purchased by the public in home and garden stores, comes in pellet and briquette form, while spraying, which is how Richmond County handles the problem, is less targeted and only kills what it touches, meaning it does little to control the next hatch. And that’s the thing about mosquitoes — they’re always hatching. Eliminating mosquitoes isn’t simply a matter of getting rid of an irritant, however. Already this year, well over 2,500 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the U.S, and the mosquito season here lasts until the end of October. Nationwide, the death toll from the disease is hovering around 120. Last month, a North Augusta man became the first person in South Carolina to die from the virus, which is passed to humans by infected mosquitoes, which is why limiting the mosquito population is so critical. Though larviciding is effective, it can only do so much. Here in the CSRA, the mosquito season has been worse than normal. Tucker says the county has received a total of 33 complaints so far this year. Last year, the total was 24. Though the county has always used larvicide, it wasn’t until 2010 that the county formed its own integrated mosquito management team, which consists of individuals from the Environmental Health section of Public Health, Code Enforcement, the Water Utility Division, the Emergency Operations Division, Roads and Bridges and 3-1-1. “Using 3-1-1 as the center control point for all the calls to come through, we’ve been able to find out that the overwhelming majority of mosquito complaints are because of neglected or abandoned swimming pools,” she says. In fact, 18 of Columbia County’s 33 total complaints this year are because of abandoned or neglected pools. “That is attributed to the number of foreclosures and the number of people who have left those homes,” she says. “There’s just nobody there to take care of the pools.” Coastal areas with lots of swampy grass respond the best to general pesticides, Tucker says, but in a residential setting it’s not as effective. “Spraying doesn’t give a false sense of security, necessarily, but it gives an unreasonable one,” she says. “Pesticides aren’t really effective, and you only kill what you hit. It won’t get in the backyard, and it raises environmental concerns for a lot of people.” Though the mosquito team mostly uses the larvicide to treat county property like ponds and ditches, Tucker says that they’ll treat abandoned swimming pools when they find them. “If we’ve got an abandoned property and the bank that took it over is in California — trust me, they’re not going to do anything,” she says. “So for public health purposes, we’ll toss them right into the pool.” Though pools are the primary source of preventable mosquito breeding real estate, Tucker says everyone should take a quick walk around their home. “Even a bottle cap that sits upside down and has some water can breed as many as 25 mosquitoes,” she says. “A bottle cap.”
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Bound Treasure
Antique Civil War book brings history to life As part of the Metro Spirit’s look at the collectible treasures that are all around us, we talked to Jennifer Rucker, a teacher with a very special book. “It’s like a coffee table book on steroids,” she said, laughing. “But it’s beautiful and I love it.” The oversized book, called the “Official and Illustrated War Record,” is a historical account of the Civil War published in 1898, just 33 years after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, and it contains over 1,000 illustrations, including portraits of all the important generals, several scenes from the Southeast, including Hilton Head Island, Folly Island and a compelling image of a crowd watching a battle from the Battery in Charleston. For as long as she can remember, the book has captivated her with its age and those wonderful illustrations, which include several foldout battle scenes every bit as detailed as a photograph. “It’s really cool to look at, especially the illustrations,” she said. “Even if you aren’t a big history buff, it’s just cool to look at.” Certainly the fact that her childhood neighborhood in Marietta backed up to a Civil War battlefield made it even more interesting to her. The book, which is 12.5 inches across, 17 inches tall and about two inches thick, shows signs of wear, especially toward the front, but for a book that’s more than 100 years old, it’s still in excellent condition. “Its cover is grayish blue and it doesn’t have a title,” she said. “There’s just an angel-like image with a sword in one hand and a flaming torch in the other.” That’s a far cry from today’s mass-produced books, which themselves are likely to be collector’s items as eBooks continue to gain market share. Like most things of that age, this book was passed down through the generations. “I came about it through my dad, who came about it through his granddad, who got it from a family friend,” she said. That succession is spelled out in a series of inscriptions in the front of the book. Right above her father’s inscription to her there is an inscription from the original owner to her great, great grandfather. Making it even more special is the fact that the book is one of the few things Rucker ever acquired that way. “I’m the baby of four kids, so typically the last kid doesn’t get a whole lot passed down,” she said. Her father knew her love of history, though, and especially her love for that book, so when she became a history teacher and started teaching the Civil War, he went ahead and gave it to her. As a history teacher, she realizes the value of age, but her attachment to the book goes beyond that of an antique, however. It’s almost that of a protector. “My husband took it downtown for something at one point, and I was a nervous wreck,” she said. “It’s so fragile.” She keeps the book on its back in her living room, sitting on an antique table, and though she knows it has both historic and sentimental value, she’s unsure what its monetary value is. She knows her father had someone look at the book back in the 1970s or 1980s, but the only thing her father can remember about the event is that the guy who looked at it suggested he have it properly preserved. Thirty-some years later, it’s 30-some years older, still not preserved, but appreciated all the more. 20SEPTEMBER2012
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ENTERTAIN
ME Arts
Play blackjack and other games at 2012 Casino Night. The benefit for Safe Homes of Augusta, a domestic violence intervention organization, is Saturday, September 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Legends Club. The event features casino games, a buffet dinner, drinks, live music, raffles, silent and live auctions and more. $75 per person; $140 per couple. Pre-registration required. Visit safehomesdv.org.
Advanced Painting, a nine-week class for those ages 16 and older, meets Thursdays beginning September 20 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Kroc Center. $80, members; $90, non-members. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.
September Exhibitions at the Aiken Center for the Arts include Jane Popiel and the Atlanta Collage Society in the main gallery, the ACA Summer Camp Show in the Brooks Gallery and Raymond Kent in the Aiken Artists Guild Gallery. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
The Morris Museum of Art offers free admission from September 25-October 14 in honor of its 20th anniversary. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Social ARTifacts: A World Vision Through Art, shows through September 29 at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Call 706-724-3576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.
Day of Art, hosted by the North Augusta Artists Guild, is each Tuesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Arts and Heritage Center and includes a group of artists painting in the center who will answer questions or allow visitors to join in. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
The Art of Alfred Hutty: Woodstock to Charleston, including 60 oil and watercolor paintings, pastel drawings, etchings, drypoints and lithographs, shows through October 28 at the Morris Museum of Art. Call 706-7247501 or visit themorris.org.
Exhibitions
Tying the Knot, a display of wedding dresses and accessories from the late 1800s to the 1960s, now shows at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
The Whiskey Painters of American annual exhibition shows at the Zimmerman Gallery, with an opening reception on Thursday, September 27, from 5-9 p.m. Call 706-774-1006 or visit zimmermangalleryaugusta.com.
Music
City of Dust: Photographs by John Mulhouse opens at the Headquarters Branch Library during a reception on Thursday, September 2, from 5-7 p.m. Call 706-834-9742 or visit augustaphotofestival.org.
Not Gaddy’s iDRUM2u performs Friday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Augusta Canal’s Moonlight Music Cruise. Participants are invited to bring snacks and beverages on the hour and a half canal cruise. $25. Call 706823-0440 or visit augustacanal.com.
Portraits of Southern Artists by Jerry Siegel shows September 22-December 2 at the Morris Museum of Art. An opening reception, in which Siegel discusses his work, is Friday, September 21, from 6-8 p.m. Free, members; $5, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Masterworks I Concert, featuring Andrew Sords and presented by the Columbia County Orchestra, is Saturday, September 22, at 6 p.m. at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans. Visit columbiacco.org.
A Sense of Place, the 32nd annual juried fine art competition and exhibition, shows through October 12 at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Call 706-722-5495 or visit ghia.org.
Steel Praisin’ in Concert, part of the Reid Arts series, is Saturday, September 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church on Walton Way. A beginning pan drumming workshop will be held earlier in the day. Call 706-733-2275, ext. 315.
Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman: Love Stories shows through October 12 in the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art’s Creel-Harison Community Art Gallery. Call 706-722-5495 or visit ghia.org. Elizabeth Moretz-Britt and Beth H. Jones Exhibit is on display through October 26 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Call 706-826-4701 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org. 18 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Composer and conductor Alice Parker leads the University Singers of ASU, the Church of the Good Shepherd Choir and St. John Choir in Concerts with a Cause in a sing along of early American hymns on Sunday, September 23, at 3 p.m. at St. John United Methodist Church. Free, but a love offering for Hale House will be taken. Call 706-7249641 or visit stjohnaugusta.org.
PRISM Concert, presented by the North Augusta Arts Council and Savannah River Winds, is Monday, September 24, at 7:30 p.m. at North Augusta First Baptist Church. It features different chamber ensembles performing separately and together, as well as members of the Columbia County Ballet. Free. Call 803-442-7588 or visit naartscouncil.org. Olga Caceanova, violin, and Constantine Finehouse, piano, perform the Roy Goodwin II Concert at Tuesday’s Music Live on September 25 at St. Paul’s Church. The concert begins at noon, with lunch in the River Room immediately following. Concert, free; lunch, $10. Advanced lunch reservations required. Call 706-722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.
Literary
Brown Bag Book Discussion group discusses “Cleopatra” by Joann Fletcher on Thursday, September 20, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Book Club discusses “To Live and Die in Dixie” by Kathy Trocheck on Thursday, September 20, at 4 p.m. at the Harlem Branch Library. Call 706556-9795 or visit ecgrl.org. It’s Your Book Club discusses “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman on Thursday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m. a the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Book Discussion, featuring Barbara Seaborn, author of “As Long as the River Runs,” is Monday, September 24, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Talk the Talk Ladies Book Club will discuss “Nappily Ever After” by Trisha R. Thomas on Tuesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Visit talkthetalkbookclub.wordpress.com. Book Talk: “Great Expectations” with Ilona Law is Tuesday, September 25, at 7 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. The Morning Book Club hosts Cameron McWhirter, author of “Red Summer,” at their meeting on Thursday, September 27, at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. 20SEPTEMBER2012
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Cookbook Club discusses the Taste of Home cookbooks on Thursday, September 27, at 4 p.m. at the Harlem Branch Library. Call 706-556-9795 or visit ecgrl.org. Nook tutorials at Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall are each Saturday beginning at noon, followed by a Nookcolor tutorial at 12:30 p.m. Free. Call 706-7370012 or visit bn.com.
Dance
Tango Night is every Thursday, 7-9:30 p.m., at Casa Blanca Cafe, 936 Broad Street. Call 706-504-3431 or visit casablancatime.com. Belly Dance Class is every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Euchee Creek Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org. Augusta International Folk Dance Club meets Tuesday nights from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Augusta Ballet Studio on 2941 Walton Way. No partners needed. First visit free. Call 706-399-2477.
Theater
“Witness for the Prosecution� shows September 21-22, 27-29 and October 4-6 at the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, with dinner at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. $25-$40. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com. “Hairspray,� an Augusta Players production, shows Friday-Saturday, September 21-22, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 23, at 3 p.m. $20-$43. Call 706826-4707 or visit augustaplayers.org. “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,� a production of the Aiken Community Playhouse, shows Friday, September 21, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, September 22, at 3 and 8 p.m. at the URS Center for the Performing Arts. $20, adults; $17, seniors; $12, students; $7, children under 12. Call 803-648-1438 or visit acp1011.com. Auditions for “Eli’s Bethlehem Inn,� a production of the Enopion Theatre Company, are going on now for performances of the musical dinner theater production, which will show November 29-30 and December 1, 6 and 7. Parts are available for men, women and youth 15 and older. Auditions are by appointment only and will be held at the Kroc Center. Call 706-771-7777 or visit enopion.com.
Flix
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days� shows Friday, September 21, at 7 p.m. (or at dark) at the Columbia County Amphitheatre as part of the Screen on the Green series. $1, with kids 3 and under admitted free. Call 706-312-7192 or visit columbiacountyga.gov. “Great Expectations� shows Saturday, September 22, at 2 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library. Call 803-6422023 or visit abbe-lib.org. “Linotype: The Film� shows Monday, September 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom. A reception is from 7-7:30 p.m. Free. Call 706-731-7925 or visit aug.edu. “The Girl with the Pearl Earring� shows Tuesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Free. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. “The Avengers� shows Tuesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. at North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Special Events
Third Thursday Tasting is September 20 from 5-8 p.m. at Wine World in North Augusta. $5, with $3 rebate upon the purchase of a bottle of one of the 20SEPTEMBER2012
night’s featured wines. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com. Comedian Brian Regan performs Thursday, September 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bell Auditorium. $38.50. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com. Silent Movie Night, featuring 1923’s “Safety Last� with theater organist Ron Carter, is Friday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. $18, general seating; $45, Lounging La-Z-Boy and concessions. Pre-registration required. Call 706826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org. Big Delicious Event Cooking Demonstration and Dinner, featuring Brandon Velie, chef and owner of Juniper restaurant, is Sunday, September 23, from 5-8 p.m. at Gravatt Camp and Conference Center in Aiken. Participants are invited to bring their own wines. $45, with pre-registration required. Call 803-648-1817 or visit bishopgravatt.org.
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The Core Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10th Anniversary Celebration is Monday, September 24, at the pilates studio in Martinez and includes food, fitness and a free barre class. Call 706-869-1544. Porkchop the Party, a Greater Augusta Arts Council Contemporaries event, is Thursday, September 27, from 6-8 p.m. at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Participants will view Leonard Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Love Stories exhibit, enjoy cocktails and appetizers, get their photos taken with a robot and can purchase $5 raffle tickets to win one of Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paintings. Free to current members; $15, for non-members to join or renew their memberships. Visit augustaarts.com/ contemporaries. Weekly Wine Tastings at Vineyard Wine Market in Evans are each Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and each Saturday from 1-6 p.m. Call 706-922-9463 or visit vine11.com. Apres Market walking tour of downtown art galleries meets Saturdays at 2 p.m. at the Augusta Market at the River. The tour, which lasts until 5 p.m., includes live painting, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reading hours, demonstrations and discounts. Visit artistsrowaugusta.com. The Augusta Market at the River is every Saturday through October 27 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the 8th Street Bulkhead and features produce, arts and crafts and more for sale, as well as live music and entertainment. Call 706-627-0128 or visit theaugustamarket.com.
Health
Mobile Mammography Screenings, offered by appointment, are available September 20 at Lamar Medical Center, September 21 at Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Columbia County campus, September 24 at Jenkins County Hospital in Millen, and September 27 at Willis Memorial Hospital in Millen. Appointments can be made from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Call 706-774-4145 or visit universityhealth.org. Breastfeeding Class is Thursday, September 20, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Family and Friends CPR Class is Thursday, September 20, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. $10. Pre-registration required. Call 800-8827445 or visit aikenregional.com. Breastfeeding Class is Thursday, September 20, from 7-9 p.m. at Babies R. Us. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org. AngioScreen Vascular Screenings are Monday, AUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Historic Trolley Tours are Saturdays from 1:30-3:15 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. $12. Call 706-724-4067 or visit augustamuseum.org. September 24, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Total Joint Replacement Education Talk is Tuesday, September 25, from
20 METROSPIRITAUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
1:30-3:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Infant CPR Class is Tuesday, September 25, from 6-8 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Free, but pre-registration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com.
Pickles and Ice Cream, a class for first-time moms in early pregnancy, is Tuesday, September 25, from 7-9:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Car Seat Class is Wednesday, September 26, from 5:45-8 p.m. at the Safe
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Kids East Central Office on Walton Way. $10, with pre-registration required. Call 706-721-7606 or visit georgiahealth.org/kids. Bariatric Seminar is Thursday, September 27, from 6-7 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Weight Loss Surgery Seminar is Thursday, September 27, at 7 p.m. at the GHSU Cancer Center. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-7212609 or visit georgiahealth.org/weightloss. Infant CPR Class is Thursday, September 27, from 7-8:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org. Child Safety Seat Inspections and Car Seat Classes, sponsored by Safe Kids East Central, are offered by appointment at either the Safe Kids Office or Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue. Call 706-721-7606 or visit georgiahealth. org/safekids. Joint Efforts, presented by Trinity Hospital of Augusta, meets every Thursday from 11-11:45 a.m. at Augusta Bone and Joint, and features a free seminar about knee and hip pain, treatments, medication, food and exercise. Call 706-481-7604 or visit trinityofaugusta.com. Infant CPR Anytime Learning Program will be held Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the first floor information desk (west entrance) of Georgia Health Sciences University. Visit georgiahealth.edu. Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson Disease Aquatics Class meets every Monday and Friday at noon at the Wilson Family Y. Free for members; $3 for non-members. Pre-registration required. Call Claudia Collins at 706-9229664 or visit thefamilyy.org. Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Orientation is every Monday at 6 p.m. and Tuesday at 2 p.m. at University Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute (Classroom 3). Call 706-774-5548 or visit universityhealth.org. Adapted Wii Special Populations available by appointment at the Wilson
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Family Y, and feature individual ½-hour classes for physically and developmentally challenged individuals of all ages. $10, members; $20, non-members. Call Claudia Collins at 706-922-9662 or visit thefamilyy.org.
AA meets every Sunday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Aiken Regional Medical Center (Aurora Pavilion), and features an open discussion. Call 800-322-8322 or visit aikenregional.com.
Support
Burn Support Group meets every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Doctors Hospital (Lori Rogers Nursing Library, JMS Building). All burn survivors, and their families and friends are welcome. Call Tim Dorn at 706-651-6660 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Men’s Breast Cancer Support Group meets Thursday, September 20, at 7 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org. Young Women with Breast Cancer Support Group meets Friday, September 21, at 12:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org. Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets Monday, September 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. at GHSU’s Medical Center’s Augusta MS Center. Call 706-7218664 or visit georgiahealth.org. Cancer Share Support Group meets Monday, September 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-774-8308 or visit universityhealth.org. CSRA Parkinson Support Group, featuring GHSU senior physical therapist John Belcher who will speak on balance, fall prevention and overall muscle conditioning, meets Tuesday, September 25, at 6 p.m. at St. John Towers. Free and open to the public. Call 706-364-1662. Beyond the Bars is a support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. For more information about meetings, call Gerry Nail at 706855-8636. Diabetes Youth Support Group meets quarterly. For more information, call 706-868-3241 or visit universityhealth.org. Cardiac Support Group meets three times a year. For more information on meetings, as well as for pre-registration, call 706-774-5864 or visit universityhealth.org.
Moms Connection, a free support group for new mothers and their babies, meets Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. at Georgia Health Sciences Building 1010C. Call 706-721-9351 or visit georgiahealth.org.
Education
Don’t Get Scammed, a program from the S.C. Attorney General’s Office, is Friday, September 21, at 10 a.m. at North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library. Pre-registration required. Call 803-734-5621 or visit abbe-lib.org. Preserving Your Treasures: Behind the Scenes at the Augusta Museum of History is Saturday, September 22 at 1 and 2 p.m. Free with regular admission. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. Behind the Scenes at Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site is Saturday, September 22, from 4-6 p.m. $18. Call 803-827-1473 or visit southcarolinaparks.com. Computer Boot Camp: Computer for Beginners is Tuesday, September 25, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Computer Basics class meets September 25 and 27 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org.
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support meets for group counseling. For more information, call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Computer Basics class is Wednesday, September 26, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-8212604 or visit ecgrl.org.
Narcotics Anonymous meets Fridays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Visit na.org.
Computing for Beginners is a three-session class that meets Wednesdays, September 26-October 10, at 6 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library.
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Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.
beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visit lightthenight.org/ga.
alsalley@wrh.org.
Operating Systems and Software is a two-session class that meets Thursday, September 27 and October 4, at 10 a.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.
2012 Casino Night, a benefit for Safe Homes of Augusta, a domestic violence intervention organization, is Saturday, September 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Legends Club. The event features casino games, a buffet dinner, drinks, live music, raffles, silent and live auctions and more. $75 per person; $140 per couple. Pre-registration required. Visit safehomesdv.org.
Augusta Canal Boat Tours lasting one hour are offered Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. All tours include admission to the Augusta Canal Interpretive Center. Call 706-823-0440 or visit augustacanal.com.
Searching the Internet class is Thursday, September 27, at 11 a.m. at the Appleby Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7366244 or visit ecgrl.org. GED Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-8212600 or visit ecgrl.org. Free Tutoring for all ages, offered by ASU’s Literacy Center, is available by appointment Mondays-Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., at the center at 1401 Magnolia Drive. Appointments required. Call 706-737-1625 or visit aug.edu. Work Networking Group is held each Monday from 8:30-10 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta. A networking and informational meeting for anyone looking for a job, the group meets in room 206 of the Asbury Building and is facilitated by career and business professionals. Call 803-279-7525 or email doctor@pritchardgroup.com. Computer classes are offered every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. ESL classes are offered every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Headquarters Branch Library (Third Floor Writing Lab). Pre-registration required. Call Charles Garrick at 803-279-3363 or visit ecgrl.org. Intermediate Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 2:30-4 p.m. at Friedman Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Beginner’s Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 4-5 p.m. at Friedman Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.
Benefits
Perfectly Aged: Historic Augusta’s Benefit Auction is Thursday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s River Room. The event will include a wine tasting with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and raffles. $100; $50 for those ages 35 and under. Call 706-724-0436 or visit historicaugusta.org. Second Annual Tropical Nights Bachelor and Bachelorette Auction to benefit the United Way of Aiken County is Friday, September 21, from 7-10 p.m. at the Aiken Municipal Center. Tickets to the event, which includes entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, are $40 per person or $500 for a corporate table. Call 803-648-8331 or visit uwaiken.org.
Karma Yoga is offered at Just Breathe Studio, downtown Aiken, each Friday at 10 a.m. and is free if par ticipants bring a donation of a personal item, which will be given to the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons. Call 803-648-8048 or visit justbreathestudio.com.
Sports-Outdoors
2012 Run Through the Fall 5K is Saturday, September 22, at 8 a.m. at the Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary in Jackson, S.C. Call 803-642-7559 or visit aikencountysc.gov. Augusta 5K Pajama Run is Saturday, September 22, at 8:30 a.m. at Lake Olmstead Park. $25. Event includes a pajama party afterwards with pillow fight. Visit active.com. Stop Child Trafficking Now 5K is Saturday, September 22, at 9 a.m. at the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre downtown. $25. Visit events.sctnow.org/ augusta. Raptors, a special presentation on live birds of prey by the Savannah River Ecology Lab, is Saturday, September 22, from 10-11 a.m. at Reed Creek Park. Pre-registration required. Members, free; non-members, $2 per child. Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark.com. The Augusta Rugby Club’s first home match of the fall season, vs. High Country, is Saturday, September 22, at 1 p.m. at the Larry Bray Memorial Pitch on Wood Street. Free. Social follows the match at Metro Coffeehouse. Visit augustarugby.org or Facebook under the Augusta Rugby Club heading. Registration is now open for a 10-week class in beginning foil fencing at the Augusta Fencers Club. The class is designed for adults, but mature students as young as 14 may apply. The class meets Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. beginning September 20. $150. Call 706-722-8878. The Augusta Rugby Club holds weekly practice sessions at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Larry Bray Memorial Pitch, 100 Wood Street in Augusta, adjacent to the Augusta GreenJackets’ stadium at Lake Olmstead. Experienced rugby players and newbies ages 18 and up alike are welcome, and those interested should bring a pair of cleats (cross trainers will work) a mouthguard, gym shorts and a T-shirt. Visit augustarugby.org or Facebook under the Augusta Rugby Club heading. BlazeSports Swim Team, for all ages of physically challenged swimmers who want to train for competition, meets at the Wilson Family Y. $35 a month, members; $50 a month, non-members. Pre-registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.
The Augusta Fencers Club is open five nights a week from 5:30-9 p.m. and most Saturday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. Visitors always welcome. Call 706-722-8878. Thursday Night Chain Reaction Ride begins at 6 p.m. each Thursday at Patriots Park in Grovetown. For intermediate to fast-paced cyclists, who average 25-32 miles. Participants should bring their own water and helmet. Call 706-855-2024 or visit chainreactionbicycles.net. Riverview Disc Golf League meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. at Riverview Park in North Augusta. $5 entry fee and $1 ace pool. Call 803-215-8181 or visit augustadiscgolf.com. Road Bike Ride meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse downtown for an approximately 25-mile ride at a moderate to fast pace. Front and rear lights, as well as a helmet, are required. Call 706724-6777 or visit andyjordans.com. Guided Trail Rides at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are available Saturdays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Sundays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon; and Wednesday-Friday at 11 a.m. with reservations 24 hours in advance. All trail rides are on a first-come, firstserved basis, and participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the trail ride starting for sign in procedures. $23-$30. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. Zumba with Sohailla is every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Call 706-421-6168 or visit zumbawithsohailla. blogspot.com. Saturday Historic Trolley Tours are Saturdays from 1:30-3:15 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. $12. Call 706-724-4067 or visit augustamuseum.org. Lakeside Rideouts at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are each Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The ride, which begins at 2 p.m., is a two-hour guided ride to Wilkerson Lake. $45-$50. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. Weekly Group Runs include the Monday Metro Run meeting at Metro Coffeehouse at 6 p.m.; Monday Intervals meeting at the Family Y track on Wheeler Road at 7 p.m.; the Tuesday Nacho Mama’s Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Blanchard Woods Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday Stay in Shape Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Post Office Hill Training Run at 7 p.m.; Thursday’s Homer Hustle at 6 p.m.; and Saturday’s Stay in Shape Run at 8 a.m. For more information, visit augustastriders.com.
Second Annual Crazy Sneakers Zumbathon, to benefit the Augusta chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, is Saturday, September 22, from 2-4 p.m. at GHSU’s Wellness Center. $8 in advance; $10 at the door. Email crazysneakerszumbathon@gmail.com.
Zumba Sentao and Zumba classes meet every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Recreation Center on Jefferson Davis Highway in Graniteville, S.C. $6 per class, with coupons available. Call 706627-1767.
Hott Shott Disc Golf is each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Killer B Disc Golf, 863 Broad Street, and features games and prizes for all ages and skill levels. $2. Call 706-814-7514 or visit killerbdiscgolf.blogspot.com/p/hott-shott.
Light the Night Walk, a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, is Saturday, September 22, with registration beginning at 5 p.m. and the walk
Wheelchair Tennis is each Monday at 6 p.m., weather permitting, at the Club at Rae’s Creek. Free and open to the public. Call 706-826-5809 or visit
Little DaVinci’s Art Class, a nine-week session for those ages 7-12, meets Thursdays beginning September 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. $80, members; $90, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call
Kids
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About Us | Services | Virus and Spyware Removal | Custom Built Computers | Point of Sale Systems | Driving Directions | Contact Us Copyright 2011 ComputerOne Technology, Inc., All Rights Reserved - Website developed, hosted and maintained by Southfire, Inc. 2825 Washington Rd., Fairway Square Shopping Center, Augusta, GA 30909 - 706.667.9009
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706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Back 2 School Fashion is Friday, September 21, at 1 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Preregistration required. Call 706-447-7657 or visit ecgrl.org. Safe Sitter, offered by Safe Kids East Central, is Saturday, September 22, from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Safe Kids office on Walton Way. For those ages 11-13. $35 fee includes lunch, and pre-registration is required. Call 706-721-7606 or visit georgiahealth. org/safekids. Drawing and Painting, a nine-session class for those ages 9-12, meets Saturdays beginning September 22 from 11 a.m.-noon at the Kroc Center. $80, members; $90, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Back 2 School Fashion is Saturday, September 22, at 5 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-447-7657 or visit ecgrl.org. Fun Games program is Tuesday, September 25, at 10 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Fall Fun Craft Workshop, for those ages 3-5, is Tuesday, September 25, at 11 a.m. Participants should bring glue, crayons and/or markers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org. Tim Burton Die-orama, a young adult program, is Tuesday, September 25, from 4-7 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. The winner will receive a pair of movie tickets to Burton’s new movie “Frankenweenie.” Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Dog-Gone Drama, a kids story time and craft program, is Tuesday, September 25, from 4-5 p.m. at North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org. Study Hall for those ages 11-17 is Wednesday, September 26, from 3-5 p.m. in the YA room of the Headquarters Branch Library. Library staff will assist with papers and projects. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Big Brother/Big Sister, a baby care class for older siblings, is Thursday, September 27, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctorshospital.net. Storytime in the Gardens is each Tuesday in September and October at 4 p.m. at Hopelands Gardens behind the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. Local senior adults will read children’s books and each family who attends will receive a free book. Blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks are welcome. If the weather is bad, storytime will move to inside the Weeks Activities Center. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Registration is going on now through September 28 at the Weeks Activities Center in Aiken for a Kids Marathon for those in kindergarten through fifth grade. Those who register for the two-month running program will receive a log sheet in which to record their one-mile a day runs. A grand finale fun run of 1.2 miles will be held Saturday, November 3, at 9 a.m. at the Weeks Center Track. Those who complete the 26.2-mile program will receive a %-shirt, race number and finisher’s medal. $5. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Kids Saturdays, featuring local celebrity readers, is each Saturday in September at 10:30 a.m. at the Columbia County Library. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. 20SEPTEMBER2012
YA@AL, a new young adult group at the library, is accepted slogans and logos for the new group during the month of September. Entry forms are available online and in libraries and the deadline for entry is September 30. Winners will be announced October 14. Visit ecgrl.org. Mission to Mars shows Saturdays in September at 7 and 8 p.m. at the DuPont Planetarium in Aiken. $4.50, adults; $3.50, seniors; $2.50, 4K-12th grade students; and $1, USC-A students, faculty and staff. Call 803-641-3654 or visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/ planetarium. Preschool Story Time (ages 2 and under) is every Wednesday at Headquarters Branch Library at 10 a.m. KinderCare Story Time (ages 3-6) is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Group registration required. Call 706-8212600 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Groups of six or more must preregister. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Friedman Branch Library. Groups of six or more must preregister. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time at the Columbia County Library is each Tuesday at 10:15 and 11 a.m. for those under 2; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10:15 a.m. for 2-year-olds; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. for preschoolers; and Wednesdays for families with kids of all ages. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time at the Euchee Creek Branch Library, for all ages, is each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and each Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Harlem Branch Library. Call 706-556-9795 or visit ecgrl.org. Ceramics Class, for ages 14 and up, meets Mondays at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. in the Weeks Ceramics Center. Call 803-6427631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Toddler Time, free play for children ages 5 and under, is each Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Wacky Wednesday Story Time is each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the children’s department of Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com. Story Time is every Wednesday at Appleby Branch Library from 10:05-10:20 a.m. for toddlers 18 months-35 months, and from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for preschoolers ages 3 and up. Parent must stay with child. Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org. If you would like to see your organization’s events listed in our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com. The deadline for each Thursday’s issue is the previous Friday at noon.
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Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Services
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FEATURED
September 20 20Thursday, Live Music
Bell Auditorium - Brian Regan Coyote’s - Rhes Reeves & The Coyotes Band French Market Grille West - Doc Easton Smooth Jazz Joe’s Underground - Dave Firmin Mellow Mushroom (Downtown and Evans) - Live and Local Polo Tavern - Cody Webb Sky City - Moon Taxi Somewhere in Augusta - County Line Surrey Tavern - Rock Out Karaoke w/ Tony Williams and David Heath The Willcox - Classic Jazz Wild Wing - She N She
Not Gaddy’s iDRUM2u entertains guests on the hour and a half Augusta Canal Moonlight Music Cruise Friday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. Participants are invited to bring aboard snacks and beverages of their choice. $25 per person. Visit augustacanal.com.
What’s Tonight?
Casa Blanca - Thursday Tango Club Argos - Karaoke Cocktails Lounge - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Fox’s Lair - Soup, Suds & the Simpletons Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia The Loft - Karaoke Malibu Jack’s - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Evans) - Karaoke The Playground - Open Mic with Brandy Shannon’s - Karaoke Villa Europa - Karaoke Wooden Barrel - ’80s Night Karaoke
September 21 21Friday, Live Music
100 Laurens - Mike Frost Duo 1102 - Sweet Knievel Augusta Moonlight Music Cruise - Not Gaddy’s iDRUM2u Cotton Patch - Pamela Austin Country Club - Daniel Lee Band Coyote’s - Rhes Reeves & The Coyotes Band Doubletree - Classic Jazz The First Round - Shotgun Opera, Stillview Fox’s Lair - Chris Hardy French Market Grille West - Doc Easton Joe’s Underground - Jon Rooks Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Shameless Dave & The Miracle Whips Malibu Jack’s - Tony Williams PI Bar & Grill - Jazz Duo Polo Tavern - Outer Banks Sky City - Jesup Dolly, Impulse Ride, the Vicky Grady Band, John Stoney Cannon, DJ Alamo Somewhere in Augusta - Mama Says Stillwater Tap Room - The Packway Handle Band Surrey Tavern - Funk You Wild Wing - Tyokyo Joe
What’s Tonight?
Cocktails Lounge - Grown-Up Fridays with DJ Cork and Bull Pub - Karaoke Eagle’s Nest - Free Salsa Lessons; Latin Dance Party Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Iron Horse Bar & Grill - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke with Ryan Moseley Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke with Jeff Barnes Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Three J’s Karaoke Ms. Carolyn’s - Karaoke 20SEPTEMBER2012
Palmetto Tavern - DJ Tim The Playground - Heartless DJs Rebeck’s Hideaway - Open Mic Roadrunner Cafe - Karaoke with Steve Chappel Sector 7G - TFS Rave with DJs Number5, LinearNorth and Polyphase Soul Bar - Disco Hell Wooden Barrel - Karaoke Contest
September 22 22Saturday, Live Music
100 Laurens - Celia Gary The Acoustic Coffeehouse - Open Acoustic Jam Session with Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Cork & Bull - The Southern Meltdown Band Cotton Patch - Wayne Capps Country Club - John Karl Coyote’s - Rhes Reeves & The Coyotes Band Fox’s Lair - Chris Hardy Iron Horse Bar & Grill - John Berret’s LaRoxes Joe’s Underground - Impulse Ride Lady Antebellum Pavilion - Granny’s Gin MAD Studios - She N She Malibu Jack’s - South Atlantic P.I. Bar and Grill - Not Gaddy Jazz with Pam Bowman Polo Tavern - JAR Shannon’s - The Perfect Picture Sky City - The Bizz Stillwater Tap Room - Blair Crimmins and the Hookers Surrey Tavern - Perfect Picture Wild Wing - Frekin Nutz
What’s Tonight?
Club Argos - Variety Show Cocktails Lounge - Latin Night Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Fox’s Lair - Karaoke with Beth Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The First Round - Hip Hop Show The Loft - DJ Richie Rich Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke with Rockin Rob Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Karaoke with Danny Haywood Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke Ms. Carolyn’s - Karaoke Robbie’s - Saturday Night Dance Party Soul Bar - DJ Rocky Horror Wheels - Live DJ Wooden Barrel - Kamikaze Karaoke
September 23 23Sunday, Live Music
5 O’Clock Bistro - Buzz and Candice (brunch) Cotton Patch - Keith Gregory (brunch) Grace Baptist Church - Highroad Patridge Inn - Sunday Evening Jazz w/ the Not Gaddy Jazz Trio The Willcox - Jazz Jam Session Wild Wing - Brandon Hooker Duo
What’s Tonight?
Caribbean Soul - Love Jones Sundays Malibu Jack’s - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke, Salsa Dancing Shannon’s - Karaoke with Peggy Gardner
September 24 24Monday, Live Music Shannon’s - Open Mic Night
What’s Tonight?
Applebee’s (Evans) - Trivia Club Argos - Karaoke Malibu Jack’s - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Trivia with Mike Thomas Somewhere In Augusta - Poker Tournaments Wild Wing - Trivia
25
Tuesday, September 25 Live Music
First Round - Open Mic Night Fox’s Lair - John Fisher The Highlander - Open Mic Night Joe’s Underground - Happy Bones Sky City - North Mississippi Allstars, Mssing Cats Featuring John JoJo Hermann and Sherman Ewing The Willcox - Piano Jazz Wild Wing - Sabo & Dave
What’s Tonight?
Club Argos - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Dart League Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke w/ David Doane Malibu Jack’s - Karaoke Mellow Mushroom (Downtown and Evans) - Trivia The Playground - Truly Twisted Trivia with Big Troy Polo Tavern - Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke with Mike Johnson Somewhere In Augusta - Big Prize Trivia
September 26 26Wednesday, Live Music
Club 706 - Angle Brown, ATL DreamVision Joe’s Underground - Kathleen Turner Overdrive Malibu Jack’s - Mike Swift Playoffs Sports Bar & Grill - Jon Rooks Wild Wing - TJ Mimbs
What’s Tonight?
Club Argos - Santoni’s Satin Dolls Cocktails Lounge - Augusta’s Got Talent Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes Hotel Aiken - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke w/ David Doane The Loft - Karaoke Malibu Jack’s - DJ Mike Swift Midtown Lounge - Karaoke w/ Charles O’Byrne Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke with Rockin’ Rob The Playground - Krazy Karaoke with Big Troy Polo Tavern - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Somewhere in Augusta - Comedy Zone w/ Adam Dodd and Jimmy Merritt Surrey Tavern - Trivia with Christian and Mickey
Upcoming
The Fresh Beat Band - Bell Auditorium October 4 Langhorne Slim & The Law, the Last Bison - Sky City October 12 Mike Epps - Bell Auditorium October 12 Devils in Disguise - Stillwater Tap Room October 19 The Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Sky City October 23 Big Daddy Love - Stillwater Tap Room October 26 Grass Giraffes, Brothers, White Violet - Sky City October 27 The Burning Angels - Stillwater Tap Room November 2 Jim Perkins - Carolina Ale House November 9 Smokey’s Farmland Band - Stillwater Tap Room November 16 Vagabond Swing - Stillwater Tap Room November 30 The Welfare Liners - Stillwater Tap Room December 14
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 25
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WE GIVE UP...
METRO
SPIRIT dot C M
26 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Easy Way Out
Don’t want to work on your music career? You don’t have to! I am learning a very valuable lesson thanks to television. You do not have to be talented to become successful. You do not have to work hard. It actually looks really easy. Option A: I could spend years playing my own music around the country, struggling, traveling from bar to bar, just to impress a few people that stayed to see me play, only to be paid with a bar tab. I would eventually tear apart all the relationships I have ever known and therefore crushing my family just to reach my dream. But then there’s Option B: I could just stand in line for a couple hours and pray that I impress these people that call themselves “experts.” I’ll take Option B, please. The reality circuit is heating up with NBC’s “The Voice,” Fox’s “X Factor” and Fox’s juggernaut, “American Idol.” Let’s start off with “The Voice.” You have a ridiculous premise of revolving chairs that puts you on teams with either Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green or Blake Shelton. Ironically, this show is killing it in the ratings and is turning out to extremely popular, even with Carson Daly as the host. Although, I will take Carson over Seacrest any day. Just last week the show had 12.76 million viewers. The future of the show will be changing with the exit of Christina and Cee Lo. Both are taking a break from the show to release new albums. I’m not sure which is worse, them on TV or them releasing new music. NBC doesn’t plan on the show losing any ratings so they’re bringing in Usher and Shakira. Yeah, that should cover it. Next up is “The X Factor.” Former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell went and got one of the biggest stars of the last decade, and I’m not talking about Precious; I’m talking about Britney Spears. Britney joins Simon, Disney star Demi Lovato and record executive L.A. Reid. This show seems like a train wreck. I love Simon, but then it just gets confusing. The one thing about “The X Factor” is the prize. If you are the lucky one to make it to the end of “The X Factor” you will be heading home with a cool $5 million. Not too shabby for selling out, huh? “The X Factor” drew in only 8.73 million viewers. Fox seems to have pulled out all the big guns for new judges to boost the ratings, and for “The X Factor,” it’s not working. Finally, we take a look at “American Idol.” Fox continues to drop some cash on the biggest stars in the business. Your new Idol judges this year who will be joining Randy Jackson are Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey. Oh, Seacrest. “American Idol”’s 11th season finale had 21.49 million viewers: insane. The auditions for the show started this week and will air in a few weeks. So my questions: who do we have to blame and how do we make them stop? Unfortunately there’s no end in sight for these reality shows. Honestly, there’s only going to be more of them. So all in all kids, you don’t have to try hard anymore. Find out Justin Bieber’s new hairstyle, learn an instrument and be able to carry a tune. Then if things work out, you’ll be the next Taylor Hicks; famous for one year, then thrown back to obscurity. On a quick positive note: Soundgarden released a teaser for their new album. The band’s new release will be titled “King Animal” and will be in stores on November 13. This will be the first album since 1996’s “Down on the Upside.” The first single, “Been Away Too Long,” will hit the airwaves on September 27. What shows are coming up in Augusta? Where do I need to go to get a beer? How has Simon Cowell’s low V-neck shirt scarred you? Email me at matt@themetrospirit.com.
MATTSTONE can be heard weekdays from 2-6 p.m. on 95 Rock. 20SEPTEMBER2012
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28 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
20SEPTEMBER2012
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20SEPTEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 29
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VALERIEEMERICK
Ray of Light
Annual Prism Concert focuses on each part of the whole
A prism takes a single ray of light and breaks it down into all its individual elements: the primary colors. Similarly, the annual Prism concert breaks down a group of instrumentalists into their respective sections so that concertgoers really know what each sounds like. “What we do is break down the ensemble into its elements, like when the audience listens to a wind band or even an orchestra, for that matter, they’re listening to all the combined voices and every once in a while if a trumpet player has a solo or if a section has a line by themselves, which is not too frequent, they can hear what that section sounds like,” Prism Conductor Richard Brasco explained. “So what we’ve done is taken the sections out of the band in the form of chamber groups and each section plays a selection that is written specifically for them, and not for the band.” These chamber groups — flute choir, brass ensemble, saxophone quartet, etc. — are positioned throughout the sanctuary both in the balcony and at first floor level for the Prism concert. The chamber groups perform one after the other to demonstrate to the audience the character of each section. After each group performs, they will then come together to form the entire ensemble. The full ensemble will perform several selections to show the audience the combination of all the colors of the chamber groups. “There are going to be 10 groups limited to three or four minutes per selection,” said Brasco. “After they’re finished they will all come down to the main level and perform together.” In the past, the concert has been a part of the Westobou Festival, but this year, due to scheduling conflicts, it will take place separately at the First Baptist Church in North Augusta. And although the Savannah River Winds Prism concert is the only one of its kind in the area, the idea is not a new one. According to Brasco, it was started by Dr. James Croft, a former director of bands at Florida State University. But that has not stopped Brasco from adding elements to his performances to set it apart from other Prism concerts. “I invited The Columbia County Ballet Company, directed by Ron Jones, to perform,” he said. “I sent him a piece of the music we were doing and asked if he would like to choreograph something, and he accepted. It was a big hit, so this year we’ve asked them back. In fact, we’re doing one piece specifically for them.” He laughed and added, “It’s really kind of ironic. The name of the piece is ‘Color,’ by Bob Margolis. The ballet company choreographed that... It’s not typical of a Prism concert, but it adds an element of visual movement to the experience for the audience.” Prism Concert North Augusta First Baptist Church Monday, September 24 7:30 p.m. Free 803-442-7588 naartscouncil.org 30 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
20SEPTEMBER2012
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THE
EIGHT
BOX TOPS
Zombies and cute little lost fish save an otherwise boring movie weekend. RANK
TITLE
WEEKEND GROSS
TOTAL GROSS
WEEK #
LAST WEEK
1
RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION
$21,052,227
$21,052,227
1
-
2
FINDING NEMO 3D
$16,687,773
$16,687,773
1
-
3
THE POSSESSION
$5,766,378
$41,133,490
3
1
4
LAWLESS
$4,348,377
$30,270,131
3
2
5
THE EXPENDABLES 2
$3,146,001
$80,405,980
5
3
“Resident Evil: Retribution”
SAMEIFLING
Well, like Jovovich, at least this movie is pretty
“Resident Evil: Retribution” opens in reverse, with our heroine Alice (Milla Jovovich) submerged in the ocean. She rises, lands back on the deck of a tanker at sea, runs backwards as crashing attack helicopter un-crashes behind her. Bullets retreat from the pilot’s head into Alice’s guns as gas-masked thugs rewind up their suspension ropes to other helicopters. This scene, one of several seductive visual flourishes in a movie that has virtually nothing else going for it, runs in mesmerizing slowmotion. What’s happening? Who cares. Like any other dream, the fifth “Resident Evil” turns from hypnotic episode to soggy tatters as soon as you start asking questions. Wait, actually, no — here comes a huge slab of exposition, delivered on a twirly mobile of translucent screens. Alice explains (facing the camera straight-on, narrating with no regard for suspension of disbelief) the thumbnail setup: A huge evil germ lab called the Umbrella Corporation has infected the world with virulent zombieism and now almost everyone’s dead or un-. She’s really good at killing monsters and somehow she rounded up some survivors and took to sea with them. That’s when Umbrella dispatched the helicopter fleet to rat-a-tat-tat the lot of ‘em and capture her. Alice wakes up in a former submarine fabrication facility in Siberia, now Umbrella’s test kitchen for outbreak scenarios in city-sized mockups of Tokyo, New York, suburbia and Moscow. Some dudes are coming to rescue her if she can get to the exit but she’ll have to fight her way out through those settings. And that’s the whole deal. Spoiler: She kills a bunch of stuff and gets away. Now, it’s almost not worth complaining about such frivolity as Story in a fourth sequel based on a video game, but at the risk of offending the 14-year-old boys whose wholesale lack of discernment keeps junkheaps such as this barging into multiplexes, we must note here that “Resident Evil: Retribution” sprinkles less story into more space than any other movie of recent memory. Aside from running, shooting, fighting, killing, there’s just not much happening here. The dialogue plods like a three-legged brontosaurus. The plot goes in one straight line and arrives in exactly the spot it announced it was going. Attempted twists arrive at your seat via telegram. While the movie lasts all of 95 minutes, so much of it is spent indulging in sultry slow-motion that it’s hard to gauge how much time actually elapses.
20SEPTEMBER2012
A few “Matrix”-esque fight sequences do give the action a sense of digital weightlessness that harks to the best aspects of dinking around with a new PlayStation shoot-em-up. Mostly, writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson uses this installment to set up yet another sequel without defining why you’d need to see this particular “Resident Evil” to understand the jump from the fourth to the sixth movies. In other words, it’s disposable even by the standards of this disposable fare. Ah, but Milla Jovovich! Since she fell into the sci-fi action genre 15 years ago with “The Fifth Element,” she has graced plenty of middling dramas and comedies, and maybe once she ages out of these physical, face-kicking roles she’ll put herself out to pasture with more rom-coms. Until then, Jovovich is Alice, ferocious and agile, as curiously bland as she is conspicuously beautiful. Now 37, she still cuts the figure of an everywoman-turned-zombie-killer just fine, and for Hollywood to veer against type to keep a mom-aged at the center of this bloody franchise partially redeems it. There are a few other draws littered among the cast — Michelle Rodriguez is back, at least — but your decision to see this movie will probably come down to whether you consider $10 equal to or less than the value of seeing Jovovich slinging guns, swinging chains and wearing very tight black outfits.
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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ACTION
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dredd 3D,â&#x20AC;? rated R, starring Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Rachel Wood. Nope, no Stallone.
DRAMA
â&#x20AC;&#x153;End of Watch,â&#x20AC;? rated R, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera. Jakey goes all macho for this role, as a cop who stumbles upon something he shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have and ends up on the bad side of a drug cartel. Again, is there any other side of a drug cartel to be on? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trouble with the Curve,â&#x20AC;? rated PG-13, starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake. A baseball scout with failing eyesight needs help from his daughter. Naturally, he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want itâ&#x20AC;Ś at first. Life lessons ensue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Perks of Being a Wallflower,â&#x20AC;? rated PG-13, starring Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd. An adaption of a best-selling novel. Nobody will remember that, though, since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hermioneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first postHarry Potter role. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unconditional,â&#x20AC;? rated PG-13, starring Lynn Collins, Michael Ealy, Bruce McGill. A womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband is murdered and, as she prepares to avenge him, odd things begin to happen.
HORROR
â&#x20AC;&#x153;House at the End of the Street, rated PG-13, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Elisabeth Shue. Katniss tries to survive more than â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hunger Games,â&#x20AC;? when she and her mom (Elisabeth Shueâ&#x20AC;Ś really?) become neighbors with a family whose daughter was murdered.
Come in for a tour TODAY!
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20SEPTEMBER2012
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15 in 5
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JENNYWRIGHT lives in Summerville with her husband, who she calls The Man, and two kids, who she affectionately calls The Boy and The Girl. She enjoys taking photos, cooking and playing tennis.
20SEPTEMBER2012
AUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 33
V23|NO38
GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D
Please Pass the Mac ’n’ Cheese
Take that, said the bunny to Mark Zuckerberg It’s been months since the much-overhyped Facebook IPO. If you were fortunate enough to buy Facebook stock, you now have half the money you started with. In retrospect, another start-up would have provided a much better return on investment, up 30 percent since May 18, the date of the Facebook IPO. On paper, a number of similarities exist between these companies. While this second company held its IPO in March, both companies had almost identical closing prices on May 18. Both have experienced tremendous growth over the last 10 years. Both companies zealously protected their culture and are fanatic about their products. If you get your macaroni and cheese from the purple box with the bunny, you know who I’m talking about. Organic food maker Annie’s has outperformed Facebook by better than 2 to 1 since May. For more, visit wired.com/ business/2012/09/annies-mac-ncheese-facebook/ iPhone 5 — As expected, the iPhone 5 came out last week. It’s awesome. Preorders have started. Go buy one. Sulu, ahead warp one — I grew up dreaming of the opportunity to travel in space. Unfortunately, that hope was resoundingly crushed during my sophomore year at Tech as my physics professor meticulously explained how FasterThan-Light (FTL) travel violated all the known laws of physics. Well, it turns out that self-
34 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
important know-it-all hadn’t studied String Theory. (Ha!) At the 100 Year Starship Symposium (@100yss) last week, Dr. Harold White (no relation to Mr. Joe White publisher of the Metro Spirit — at least that I am aware of) announced modifications to the Alcubierre warp drive design that greatly reduce the amount of energy needed to achieve light speed. Of course, readers of this column are already familiar with the basic design of the Alcubierre warp drive. The Alcubierre drive operates on the principle of moving space-time instead of moving within it, avoiding limits imposed by Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Using techniques identified through String Theory, it is possible to artificially expand or contract space-time by manipulating the dark energy that makes up the universe. By manipulating dark energy both behind and in front of a spaceship, the Alcubierre drive effectively creates a space-time wave that propels the spaceship up to 10 times the speed of light. Earlier calculations indicated that the amount of energy needed to power the engine is equivalent to converting the entire mass of Jupiter to energy (hardly practical). Dr. White’s research shows that modifications of the engine geometry reduce the energy requirements to a mass of a Volkswagen Beetle (now we’re talking!). Unfortunately, the current cost of antimatter is still around $100 billion per gram, and several commentators seemed to believe that no existing material is capable of handling the structural stresses of the spaceship. And, yes… radiation. Lots of negativity there as well. But at least for all you kids dreaming of flying to the next star, there is one thing to offer. Hope. Until next time, I’m off the grid. Gangnam style. @gregory_a_baker. GREGORY A. BAKER, PH.D, is vice president and chief rocket scientist for CMA, which provides information technology services to CSRA businesses and nonprofits.
20SEPTEMBER2012
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V23|NO38
36 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
20SEPTEMBER2012
V23|NO38
SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Andy Winbigler and Stacey England with Nick and Dawn Anderson at the Pizza Joint in Evans.
The Judges: Chef Frankie Scavullo, Simon Curtis and Chef David Ross at Arts in the Heart of Augusta downtown.
Brenna Laired, Dean Culpepper, Bronwyn Wood and Ansley Brittingham at Arts in the Heart of Augusta downtown.
SIGHTINGS
Caroline Colditz-Dillard, Rena Thompson and Jackie Francisco at Arts in the Heart of Augusta downtown.
Patricia Tseng, singer/sonwriter and Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and John Kaltenbach at the Imperial Theatre.
SIGHTINGS
Anne Bussey, Andrew Wheeler and artist Kay Edenfield at Arts in the Heart of Augusta downtown.
Marsha Loda, Carolyn Tynan, Greater Augusta Arts Council’s Executive Director Brenda Durant and Vickie Kerzic at Arts in the Heart of Augusta downtown.
Jen Corlew, Mike Cameron and Kat Corlew at Arts in the Heart of Augusta downtown.
Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Christopher Grombach, Ronja Sander and Ursula Gilbert at Arts in the Heart of Augusta downtown.
- Kenny, Owner of Aces and Eights Tattoo & Piercing
20SEPTEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 37
WHINE
LINE Damn! Now where am I gonna get my powder?!? If you honk at me to go before I can actually go, you better believe I’m gonna just sit my ass right there in that spot through the green light. Heads up guys, today must be “Slow and Stupid Day” at Walmart. There’s a group who gets upset anytime you mention race or stereotypes, yet the spirit felt no problem printing a blatantly racist and stereotypical rant about whites. I’m celebrating our national debt reaching $16 Trillion by putting my bar tab on my credit card. Matt Stone’s weekly column is the September 11th of music journalism. It is sweet that the kind hearts of the Metro Spirit staff gave someone who knows nothing about music a platform, but seriously, this has got to stop. He writes like a bratty teenage girl on Livejournal circa 1998. Heavy heart for Joe White and family. Praying for you all. Glad you pointed out that any closing down of Broad St. during the day time would be a big hindrance for businesses. Plus, it would disrupt at least two lines of the Augusta Public
38 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Transit buses if not more. Please make sure to bring any closing of Broad St. to the attention of the Mobility people. I don’t know why the city’s Engineering or Traffic Dept. or whatever cannot send advance notice of one, if not two, weeks so that the higher ups can plan the route diversions instead of waiting til the poor first driver on the closed up areas have to radio in, then wait for word as to how to avoid the closed areas. Not to mention the hold up and frustration for riders on that first bus or trying to catch the buses which have altered routes. Everyone at Augusta Crime Stoppers. org was shocked and deeply saddened to hear Joe whites daughter was killed by a drunk driver in Columbia County. We pray strength to Joe and all the others so tragically impacted by the passing of this wonderful young woman who brought joy and laughter to so many. MS, please keep up the good work on keeping reports on the progress or unfortunate regress of our commissioners. Can I fax in my list of whines? I have too many to keep filing out this form. Ahhh beautiful Wrightsboro Rd.... pleasantly decorated with lottery tickets, blunt wraps, glass bottles, and trash from Popeye’s. I love it. If I catch you letting your dog poop in my yard, be ready for a paintball. So Owens is starting his own newspaper? Yeah, I give that about two weeks. I wonder if it will come with cheesy little umbrellas?
WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM
V23|NO38
Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit. com. If you do so by noon on Friday, you might just see it in the next Thursday’s issue. Oh, and whines may be edited for content but will pretty much be printed exactly as you type them.
I recently took a trip to Augusta to investigate GHSU as a possible medical school choice. I was fairly impressed with the school but not where it was located. It does not matter what you call it. As long as it is in Augusta it will be very hard to attract the best and brightest medical students. Wasn’t there a song that said “Augusta, GA is just no place to be?” I can’t wait for Snooki’s kid to be old enough to Google Snooki. Joe Biden makes Dan Quayle look like Albert Einstein. Why is Augusta completely ignored by musicians that aren’t singing about trucks and farms? Oh nevermind, we were blessed with Keith Sweat and KC & Jo Jo a little while back what was I thinking District 7 Voters: Let the power brokers and city employees, who don’t live in west Augusta, know our commission seat is NOT for sale! Ken Echols is a good man. We elected him to represent District 7 on the School Board three times. He fought tooth and nail to get rid of a worthless superintendent. He’ll do a good job in our commission seat. This is for certain convenience store clerks around Augusta, who, if I haven’t brought up some kind of drink(soda, etc.) to the checkout counter, ask me if I want to buy something to drink, as if I don’t have enough sense to know what I need or I’m breaking some kind of shopping rule by not buying a drink. Listen. I have a brain. I can figure out what I need. If I need some kind of drink, I
will bring it to the check-out counter with me. I don’t need to be prompted as if I were a retarded child. So, please don’t try to make me feel guilty or stupid if I arrive at the check-out counter drinkless. Why in the world is it taking a paint crew four weeks to paint a little picket fence near my house? On that note, why do all projects in the Summerville area take months to finish? Need a new front door? Ok, it will take 20 weeks and I’ll have to park 7 cars outside your house the entire time... Honestly I would be very surprised if Dr. Azziz leaves Augusta for the University Florida and not University of South Carolina. He definitely looks like a cock fan. What in the world, is that weird wad of toilet paper doing on the Symphony Orchestra of Augusta brochures this year? What is it? And what does it mean? It makes no sense. The police need to sit at Washington and Baston Road intersection and write tickets to drivers for “Blocking traffic”. Probably at least $250,000 in taxes was spent on an “acceleration lane” to allow cars to enter traffic without blocking drivers exiting Baston Road. This is to keep trains from hitting people blocked on the tracks. I was on the tracks this morning because a fool stopped and waited for a break in traffic to exit onto Washington Road. A train started coming and he would not move. I drove beside him to get off the tracks and the recent immigrant from Moronica shot me a bird. He is lucky I didn’t use my truck to push him into traffic.
20SEPTEMBER2012