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METRONEWS CROSSWORD AUGUSTA TEK FEATURE
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EVENTS CALENDAR JENNY IS WRIGHT
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SLAB ART45 MATT’S MUSIC
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THE8 SIGHTINGS PET PAGE WHINE LINE
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Contributors ributors James Jamees Allen|Greg Baker|Rob Baker er|Rob Brezsny|Sam am Eifling |Matt Lane Lane|Austin ne|Austin Rhodes|Jo Rhodes|Josh Josh Ruffin|Andy Sto Stokes|Matt tokes|Matt Stone|Je Stone|Jenny Jenny Wright
INSIDER RUFFIN’ IT AUSTIN RHODES
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CONTENTS
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WHINELINE
and try to sell it, right? Question: as surrogate mothers for Honey Who is going to write the first Boo Boo. book on this topic for a buck? I can’t believe there hasn’t oooooooh, a demonicrank already been a book written I have moved out of town and writing to your paper used about the September 11th can now only read the Metro the commonly-used word Benghazi, Libya debacle. I Spirit on-line. Why isn’t the whine ‘insinuating’ in his/her mean, it was 47 days (as of line posted on your website? whine, insinuating that he/ 10/28/12) ago! Where are all she is well read and highly the conservative pundits - Bill It is entertaining to see Sylvia intelligent. really? that’s the O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Anne best your demonicrank ass Coulter, Glenn Beck, etc? I mean, Cooper sucking up to Gwenn could do? how about: ‘allude’, I thought this would be right up Fulcher Young over her Honey Boo Boo comment when she ‘ascribe’ ‘connote’ ‘impute’ their alley to write a book and and Gwenn would both qualify or ‘purport’? if you wanna then come on their own show
impress us with your lexicon knowledge, you gotta do better than ‘insinuate’. oh, but then, you are a demonicrank and probably learned that word from watching the demonicrank news stations, you know, the ones where they tell you how to think and for whom to vote. Seeing how we all only have two months to live as Friday, December 21, 2012 is the end of the world, (remember?),
I figured now would be b a good time to back those “doomsdayers� into a corner. When you see me at Kroger, at Wal Mart, at the gas station, or, well, wherever, just walk up and put YOUR $5,000 up against MY $5,000, will you? You can talk the talk...but are you ready to walk the walk? $5,000 - any takers? I didn’t think so. (continued on page 50)
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18 8 12 13 15
Crossroads: With no management agreement in place, the TEE Center loses convention and luster A Slice of Goodwill: New school serves up culinary education with experience Hacking Augusta: Group hopes to change culture with Innovation Festival Stepping Up: Smith takes his public service to District 7
Cool Colt: Old gun worth a mint
Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? 706.496.2535 or 706.373.3636
Independence
Recovery
Insider is an anonymous, opinion-based examination of the hidden details of Augusta politics and personalities.
SIDER
Who We Are Well of course we’re going to throw poo at it! We’re Augustans and it’s what we do. We like free parking. We enjoy eating at chain restaurants — a lot. Cover charge? No thank you. Walk to where we’re going? What… you think we’re poor? But mostly, we Augustans like to get into a wad. A wonderfully wadded wad. And for those whose lives are enriched by said wadding, sadly, the next abomination has yet to rear its head. Of course the parking deck and TEE Center have been wonderful. Magnolia Trace was fun while it lasted, but now it’s just a large construction site of very nice homes. Will our new obsession be an institution? A person — a sheriff maybe? The Municipal Building renovation? Insiders wait with baited breath… once the kitchen is approved at the TEE Center, what will be the next outrage? One thing’s for sure, it won’t be Harrisburg. Poor people live in much more deplorable conditions with zero press coverage. In all seriousness, let’s stop lurching in fits and seizures from one perceived disaster to another and get progressive in our dialogue as a community. It’s there now, but is simply drowned out by too much static.
Change What’s at stake on Election Day? Simply put, the way the city runs. Being the South and Augusta, a lot of the political talk is going to be about race, so there’s no sense beating around the bush — the very complexion of Augusta could change. Not a threat or a trumpeting, just a fact. Though the leadership of Districts 3 and 7 won’t change races and shouldn’t significantly change the balance of the commission no matter who emerges victorious, District 1 is by no means as certain. The landmark victory of Matt Aitken the last time around — a white man winning in a predominantly black district — famously unbalanced the racial makeup of the commission, but Aitken’s tenure has been largely undistinguished, and while far from divisive, his bridge building promise never really materialized, leaving him vulnerable. With two black candidates, including Bill Fennoy, who lost to Aitken in a runoff three years ago and can honestly take the Are You Better Off Now argument to the black community, Aitken might find himself in another runoff, and another runoff might not bode well for him this time around. Therefore, the commission could easily return to the 5-5 spilt that has historically resulted in no side getting anything that they want. And though the balance can’t swing the other way, the tenor certainly could if former Commissioner Marion Williams beats Harold Jones to follow the term-limited J.R. Hatney. While often critical of the white majority, Hatney has been an unfocused and occasional voice, far from the galvanizing figure of Williams, whose previous tenure was marked with bombast and scandal. Therefore, the black commissioners could become much more powerful. How Bill Lockett and Alvin Mason, the current black voices, adjust to the potential new company, not to mention their new roles, could be interesting to see, but not as interesting as watching how the community at large adjusts to the idea of Augusta’s first black sheriff, the vilified survivor Richard Roundtree.
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Way to make the rest of us look bad, Lakeside High School students. And congrats, Jessica Giddens, homecoming queen!
down
Pointing a gun at a 6-year-old outside a grocery store, stealing a handicapped van and wheelchair… maybe some of us deserve to look bad.
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That’s Entertainment Rumor has it that the organizers of the annual Rock Fore! Dough concert are considering a move to the Lady A Amphitheater in Evans this upcoming Masters Week. That would be the day before the Par-Tee in the Park concert at the same venue. And Carrie Underwood is appearing at the James Brown Arena the Saturday of Masters. Whew. Word is the organizers of Rock Fore! Dough could save money by staging the event in Evans, thereby leaving more money for charity. But will the thousands make their way from First Tee on Wrightsboro Road to Evans? Then throw in Carrie. With a powerhouse country station like Kicks 99 in town, it will be interesting to see how the attendance fares. There wasn’t an empty seat at her last trip to the JBA, but Masters Saturday in Augusta is a wild card. You can’t count on too many guests from the Tunamint to be in the audience after climbing hills all day, especially when there is the lure of the famed Augusta Hospitality Houses. There is a lot of money invested in each one of these. Throw in all the bars in town competing for their share, and 2013 Masters Week is gearing up to be entertaining.
Last Look Funny how the daily comes out to support Donnie Smith and Ed Enoch for District 7 and 3 but not, say, District 1 or any of the others. Guess when you’re trying to get your contract approved for your TEE Center, you don’t want to do anything to draw any more ire out of any more black commissioners than you already have. Well played, guys. Well played. And to add insult to injury, the daily also made it seem as if Mary Davis had her first child when she was 17, which (gasp!) doesn’t really work for District 3 types. That’s just so District 1. Early on, the word was Davis would be a Barbara Sims type commissioner, which is one of those pat on the head type of compliments. For Davis, it’s just not in the cards this time around, but we do think she has a future in politics, just when the commission grows up a bit. Those on the inside lack the newfound confidence of many Augustans that a Richard Roundtree administration will play out like the fairytale currently floating around. While many seem to buy the idea that Tree will turn the reins over to Scott Peebles and the old administration, now aided by the addition of Lewis Blanchard, many doubt that Roundtree will be able to resist the pull of power. This is, after all, Richard Roundtree. Instead, the cards seem to read that, after a year or so, Peebles will be marginalized and the Sheriff’s Office will be firmly run by Roundtree and his own circle of confidantes. Woody Merry is back. It had to happen. The Bradflys have been getting a little too much attention lately, so the former “activist” who famously got knocked on his ass at a Coliseum Authority meeting by current District 1 candidate Bill Fennoy is tackling Harrisburg. His first course of action was to recommend all citizenry take a self-defense class (lesson learned), something called the Harrisburg Hong Kong Phooey. If you are strolling around Harrisburg in your mid to late whatever that doesn’t end in “teen,” you better learn some self preservation skills and skedaddle. The Donnie Smith Wild Wing Spring didn’t seem to attract much attention around town, but insiders are speculating the highhanded Mr. Smith didn’t earn any new voters with his tall tale of do-goodery. We were told Kenny Echols is holding his election night party at the Wing. At least someone has a sense of humor. Is Marion back? An informal poll of sitting politicians thinks he has a long road ahead to get back in the chambers. If he does make a flourishing return, the dynamic between the bombastic Baptist and the learned Lockett will be one to watch. 1NOVEMBER2012
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Your Republican Party Courting the Rapist Vote Seeing as how this is my final pre-election column and courting undecided voters — a demographic, I’m convinced, largely fabricated for the convenience of 24-hour news networks — is an increasingly Sisyphian endeavor, I’m pretty much resigning myself to getting as much information out there regarding how f***ing terrible Republicans have become, and what it would mean for the country if one of their own was elected in the near future. Republicans, you see, wholeheartedly endorse rape. This is not hyperbole, this is not exaggeration. This is not spin, this is not twisting, bending and certainly not breaking the truth. This is a position, stated by a few, reinforced by the acquiescence of the many, that has been implicitly embraced by today’s Republican Party, a group of misogynistic, flop-sweating maniacs, and a group that holds sway over national policy decisions. To reiterate, this — unlike establishing marriage as a union between one man and one woman, defining a human life as having begun at conception, etc. — is not an official plank of the GOP platform. But a party that fails to tangibly reprimand its own members for saying stupid, incredibly offensive, incredibly wrong stuff like this, is a party that establishes itself an endorsement of such sentiments. What? Of course I have a list. What column did you think you were reading? 1. Representative Todd Smith The Stupid: “Pressed by a reporter on how he would handle a daughter or granddaughter becoming pregnant as a result of rape, Smith said he had already “lived something similar to that” in his family. “She chose life, and I commend her for that,” he said. “She knew my views. But, fortunately for me, I didn’t have to... she chose the way I thought. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t rape.” When a reporter asked Smith to clarify what kind of situation was similar to becoming pregnant from rape, the candidate responded, “Having a baby out of wedlock.” He added, “Put yourself in a father’s position. Yes, it is similar.” (Slog) Todd Smith has such a poor understanding of
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sexual consent, he sees no problem with duct-taping a bagel to the bed before he finger-bangs it. Every time his wife says “Not tonight,” he feels like he’s the one that’s been raped. No man forced himself upon Todd Smith’s daughter. However poor you think her decision to bear a child outside of wedlock may be, she consented to having a penis inside of her, and she is now reaping the results of that willful act. Equating this situation to rape is like comparing a nature film on the mating habits of Arctic wolves to an anime involving forced werewolf sodomy. The common denominator is tenuous, at best. The important part here is the end. After dancing around this ridiculous comparison for a moment, Smith comes right out and says it: out-of-wedlock pregnancy is similar to rape. There you have it, folks: an admittedly sizeable inconvenience stemming from a consensual act is nearly indistinguishable from a violent, demoralizing, traumatic, potentially life-destroying act. 2. Representative Todd “The Original” Akin The Stupid: “First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy from rape] is really rare... If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” Akin said that even in the worst-case scenario — when the supposed natural protections against unwanted pregnancy fail — abortion should still not be a legal option for the rape victim. “Let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work, or something,” Akin said. “I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.” (Politico) I’ve been over this already, so I’m not going to harp on it much. And besides, that putrid, stringy turd that passes for a sentence up there should speak for itself. Just read it… over and over and over again. 3. Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock The Stupid: Indiana Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock said Tuesday when a woman is impregnated during a rape, “it’s something God intended.” Mourdock was asked during the final minutes of a debate whether abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest. He replied: “I
think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that’s something God intended to happen.” (Politico) Since I usually begin by making fun of an asshole’s personal appearance, let me get this out of the way: Richard Mourdock looks like someone made a fondant sculpture out of Pat Boone, then left it under a sun lamp. That felt good. Anyway, what the s**t, Mourdock?! It’s getting to the point now that the only explanation for all of this is that Republicans made a bet amongst themselves to see who could make the most offensive, ignorant, hateful statement and get away with it. This pasty zombie tried to walk back his statements the next day, saying that anyone who thought that God intended rape has a sick and twisted mind, and that his comments were taken out of context, misconstrued, blah blah blah. Except no, that’s exactly what Mourdock said, and it’s exactly what he meant: that if you are raped, and a pregnancy results from the rape, God personally sent that rapist to do the deed. Mourdock’s words; not mine, and definitely not God’s. The worst part of all this? Instead of being told to go to hell where they belong, these guys are getting primo backing from conservative groups. After a flaccid show of feigned outrage at Akin’s comments, the RNC is fully supporting him. Hell, Mitt Romney personally cut an ad for Richard Mourdock. Not an I-approve-this-message type of thing, but his actual talking head saying the words, “I support Richard Mourdock.” But you know, maybe I’m just being shortsighted. Maybe trying to redefine rape in order to withhold basic healthcare provisions from thousands and thousands of women, suggesting that women’s reproductive systems have a natural defense against rape sperm, and that God endorses rape, is just some sort of evil genius long-game. No one, after all, actively courts the rapist vote, but I’m sure they do vote. And Republicans need all the help they can get.
JOSHRUFFIN, a Metro Spirit alum, is a published
journalist and poet who just received his MFA from Georgia College & State University. He was once the most un-intimidating bouncer at Soul Bar.
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Copenhaver Awakens from Coma Don’t look now, but I think we may have discovered a way to light a fire under Deke Copenhaver’s fanny without having to invoke the name Ripken. I don’t want to infer that the good mayor has been too quiet and still on the topic of the yet to be ratified TEE Center management agreement, but rumor has it Coroner Grover Tuten has been called to check on him three times. All that seemed to change Tuesday, when this email was shot out to all commissioners like a flare against a midnight sky. Gentlemen, The news of the decision by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police to cancel their convention here in Augusta is now being reported in the Rome News Tribune, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, WSAV in Savannah, WSB TV in Atlanta, WRCB in Chattanooga and other media outlets throughout the southeast. Due to this fact as well as the fact that there are several commissioners who are ready to vote to approve the operating agreement, I believe that a work session will only continue to bring negative regional media attention to Augusta while at the same time further negatively impacting our ability to ensure the long-term success of the facility. Basically, we are now in damage control mode and I would highly recommend that those parties who still have questions or concerns meet with the management group or their representatives directly as soon as possible as it is imperative that we get an agreement in place in order to not put future bookings at risk. I heard this morning that our downtown business owners are extremely upset with the situation as it stands due to the loss in revenues that they will incur due to our losing our first major booking and I’m hopeful that their concerns will be heard and that we can come to a resolution on this. Thanks, Deke Oh... the situation has your attention now, Your Honor? On behalf of thousands of area residents who have been watching this abortion play out in slow motion for the last six months, thanks a pantload. At least now we know how to stir Bruce Jenner Jr., and get his attention if we want him to wake up and get to work on an issue: Embarrass him in the printed pages and TV news stories of out of town media! I wish I had known it was so easy. Not only could we have had the TEE Center deal
1NOVEMBER2012
squared away long ago, I would have drafted my old buddy Lori Geary at WSB-TV in Atlanta to beat him up so hard on his lack of concern over the GRU debacle he would be forced to challenge Ricardo Azziz to pistols at 20 paces in front of the Municipal Building, just to save face. I could get my former sportscasting partner Sam Crenshaw at WXIA-TV to profile Deke’s obsession with downtown baseball, despite being told no more than a fat freshman at a coed mixer. Ooooh, I know: Johnny Edwards of the Atlanta JournalConstitution could do an in-depth investigative story on whether the mayor’s tight bicycle pants has caused early onset of senility and chafing. And then put in a call to Fraendy Clervaud at WACH-TV in Columbia to document the claims that the cold Savannah River water Deke has trained in for years is responsible for the permanent shrinkage of his... um... earlier aggressive nature. If dragging out of town media in to tell the story of lackluster leadership in Augusta gets the good mayor’s attention, I will personally dig up every reporter who has ever spent time in the Garden City to spread the word from coast to coast. Charlie James has Charleston covered, Joe Mama will handle Brunswick. Lynnsey Gardner and Patty Holzschuh can double-team him in Jacksonville, and Trip Jennings will tell the story in New Mexico. We could even go global. Nita Wiggins could carry the tale to her media students in Paris, France. All silliness aside, citizens should make no mistake as the details of the TEE Center agreement are finally worked out, and they will be soon, that 100 percent of the delay and lack of assertiveness on the city’s behalf rests squarely on the shoulders of Deke Copenhaver and his henchman, pardon, City Administrator Fred Russell. The mayor has the bully pulpit; the city had the responsibility to set terms of its choosing and then dare Augusta Riverfront LLC to walk away. Instead, they let the tail wag the dog, leaving the city embarrassed and belittled in press reports throughout the country. But hey, at least now we know how to get Deke’s attention.
AUSTINRHODES
The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
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ERICJOHNSON
A Slice of Goodwill
New school serves up culinary education with experience
DAVID ROSS
Jim Stiff, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA, is also president of the Helms College, LLC, a new venture that is part of the Goodwill campus growing on the corner of Washington and Furys Ferry roads. “We’re unique, which is why it took the Department of Education a long time to figure out what box to check, because we’re not a proprietary school,” he says. “We’re a unique nonprofit entrepreneurial college that focuses on experiential learning. We’re almost like a proprietary school with a heart.” Helms College, named after Dr. Edgar Helms, the Methodist minister who founded Goodwill 109 years ago, recently received Title IV funding in addition to its other funding sources, which include the GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation Services scholarships. Keeping their accreditation will be difficult, though 8
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it will ensure a high quality of education. “We have to graduate 65 percent of the people we start to keep the accreditation,” he says. “Of those people who graduate, 70 percent have to have a job within 120 days in the field of study that they studied.” In other words, school officials have to make sure their students have the skills to be successful. “I think the fruit of that will put us as a light beam in all of this post-secondary crisis that’s now affecting the proprietary schools,” Stiff says. Stiff recently received the results of a Fanning Institute study that interviewed the 50 largest businesses in the CSRA and middle Georgia and asked them for their 2016 middle skills needs. They also interviewed about 10 community colleges, technical colleges, for-profit schools and public schools and did an overlay for a gaps analysis. They discovered that cooks and chefs were the No. 1 projected job in 2016 in terms of growth for the Augusta area, which is why they are starting their educational programming with the culinary arts. David Ross (pictured above) is the department
chair of culinary education for Helms College, which started classes October 29. “I’ll be teaching ServSafe sanitation,” he says. “That will be a week-long, classroom-based course. Then we’ll go into hospitality and restaurant management, which is another classroom-based course for another week. Then, we come into 230 hours of culinary lab work.” Three kitchen labs capable of handling 20 students at a time are filled with state of the art equipment, giving students the opportunity to earn a diploma or an associates degree. Though other schools in the CSRA teach culinary arts, Ross says Helms College is the only one to offer an associates degree. The inaugural class is small, but Ross says the program can support as many as 300. Because Goodwill and Helms College want the diploma to be viable, the classes and the curriculum are specifically designed for those entry jobs where you can become a prep cook, a line cook or a sous chef, depending on the scale of the restaurant. And because the school has so many local executive chefs 1NOVEMBER2012
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BYPASSING SECURITY By Caleb Rasmussen / Edited by Will Shortz
epic) 34 Runoff, perhaps 35 Crop holder 82 Kind of dye Across 36 Basic rhyme scheme 83 Warren site 1 Carne ___ (burrito filling) 37 Crop holder 86 Jazzman Jones 6 Times when the French fry? 44 New World monkey 90 Fan noise 10 Chess champion Mikhail 46 How a rocket launch is usually 93 Rooty Tooty Fresh ’N Fruity 13 Highland fling participants viewed establishment 19 Gave props on Facebook 47 Fan 94 Bodybuilder’s count 20 Big drop 48 Stubborn ones 95 Get ___ on 22 Inveigle 50 Lying about 96 Skirt 23 Husky relative 52 Scores 100 99 Presumptuous, say 24 Not entirely real, as a photo 53 Reward for one who 52-Down? 25 “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” poet 100 Elephantlike walker in “The 54 Lifted Empire Strikes Back” 26 Footwear preserver 55 Cash back from an online 101 Former capital of 10+ million 28 Poetic basis for an N.F.L. team purchase 102 Historical figure in Isabel name Allende’s novel “Inés of My Soul” 56 Museum holding 30 It has a light bark 57 Beginning of many a meal 104 Pet food container 31 Go back over 59 Tolkien’s Treebeard, e.g. 105 Digital problem 33 Affix, as a patch 60 Port from which Amelia Earhart 107 Like a winning X Games trick, 34 Move, in real-estate lingo left on her last flight maybe 35 Soft scent 61 TV type 111 “Harrumph!” 38 Actress Davis of “The Matrix 64 ___ expected (predictably) 113 Inopportune Reloaded” 65 Windows users 39 Warner who played Charlie Chan 115 Island entertainer 66 Tattler 116 Persuasive Dr. Seuss character 40 Oodles 67 Always, if the meter requires it 41 Bands seen at Japanese weddings 117 Pod 76 Waikiki locale 118 Daughter of King Triton 42 Football figs. 77 Brand associated with a crocodile 119 Retro light sources 43 Carnivorous plant logo 120 Boasts 44 Christopher Robin’s last name 78 Dummy 45 Ripken with a 17-year consecutive 121 Predatory insect 80 Fictional Miss Jane 122 Pirate’s moniker game streak 83 Central European capital 46 Org. with a wing and a globe in its 84 ___ detachment Down logo 85 Rio de Janeiro neighborhood 1 Sighed line? 49 ___ B 87 Gluttonous 2 Guru’s disciple, maybe 51 BlackBerry features 88 Setting of “Anne of Green 53 Secretary of labor who became a 3 Toyota exec ___ Toyoda Gables” 4 Concludes Supreme Court justice 89 University in Center Valley, Pa. 58 He wrote: “War is peace. Freedom 5 “It’s ___!” (“You’re on!”) 90 The statue of David in Florence, 6 Orson Scott Card’s “____ Game” is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” e.g. 7 Not a challenge at all 62 Rom-___ (some film fare) 91 Bird: Prefix 8 F1 neighbor 63 Clearheaded 92 Least defined 9 Sofas 64 Franklin output 93 Steel mill input 10 Gets bored with 65 One with a reduced term? 95 Some cellphone settings 11 Diplomat W. ___ Harriman 68 Skipping syllables 12 What a handcuffed person may be 97 Certain salad green 69 Scheduled 13 There’s one surrounding Atlantis 98 Triage locales, for short 70 ___ Palace 103 Trooper’s tool 14 Before long 71 Caper … or going around the 105 Great deal 15 Jeanne d’Arc, e.g.: Abbr. wrong way, in Britain? 106 “___ be a pleasure” 16 Rest awhile 72 Owlish 108 “Idylls of the King” wife 17 Tier 73 Do a line of shots? 109 Mama grizzly 18 Reader’s direction 74 Gabrielle of volleyball and 110 Ordered 21 “Stupid me!” modeling 112 Pep 27 Postal abbr. 75 Kind of barometer 114 “Bambi” villain 29 Musical family name 79 Fossil-rich location 32 “Cantar de Mio ___” (Spanish 81 ___ Pepper
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PREVIOUSPUZZLEANSWERS
This puzzle’s grid represents a sealed vault and its well-guarded surroundings. After completing the crossword, start in the upper-left corner and find a safe path to an important item. Then determine where to use this item to access the vault and its contents.
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IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS. Elliott Sons Funeral Homes ELLIOTTFUNERALHOME.COM
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ERICJOHNSON
Hacking Augusta
Group hopes to change culture with Innovation Festival
Lakeside grad Eric Parker left Augusta in 2000 to try his hand at being an architect in Silicon Valley. There, he was exposed to a welldocumented culture of innovation, and when he decided he wanted to move back home, he longed to see that same culture take root in his hometown. Together with Dr. Anthony Robinson, he cofounded Hack Augusta, a group he hoped would unite other groups in town that were doing similarly progressive things, but seemed unaware of each other. To increase their understanding of technological entrepreneurship, Parker and Robinson even went
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to Silicon Valley to meet with investors, start ups and designers and ask them what it takes to create an environment as open and nurturing as the one in Silicon Valley. “When we came back, we decided to keep the name Hack Augusta and grow it into an organization that would host Hackathons and festivals like what we had gone to in order to get people together to try to innovate,” Parker says. A Hackathon is essentially a marathon work session where people get together to create different products for businesses, nonprofits or causes. According to Parker, there are several formats for Hackathons. They can last from 12 to 54 hours, but the basic idea behind them is for everybody to simply collaborate for a set period of time. In the end, participants are judged and their work celebrated. “It’s kind of just a long party devoted toward actually producing something,” Parker says. In June, Hack Augusta hosted its first Hackathon at Enterprise Mill, where nearly 35 developers spent 24 hours working on singlesemail.com, a web-based company. This weekend, the group will host the Innovation Festival, an event geared toward anyone interested in technology, design or entrepreneurship. “What we’re doing for the Innovation Festival is a Hack for Education,” Parker says. “This one is specifically geared toward how do we address the needs of education in the Augusta area as far as becoming more technologically aware and bringing focus to innercity neighborhoods where they might not have the same access to education that we have everywhere else in the city.” And for those areas that do have access to education, Parker says the event can introduce students and parents to other free resources, potentially even creating some
new ones. The Hackathon starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, when participants will talk about their ideas and what they think is needed. Then, they’ll split up into different teams, with each team working on their project until noon on Saturday, when they’ll all pitch their projects to the people who have come to attend the Innovation Festival. The festival will be held at the amphitheater at Augusta State University. “We obviously put it on campus for a reason,” Parker says. “We definitely want to engage the university audience, but we’ve also done a tremendous amount of work reaching out to various high schools. We think there’s a lot of opportunity for high school students in the area to come out and see what opportunities exist in the area.” Convincing people to think of Augusta as a location where they can have a career centered around innovation is an important element in keeping talented students from leaving the area, Parker says. Both the Hackathon and the Innovation Festival are free. One of the project’s first supporters was Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who shares their belief that collaborative innovation leads to economic success. “He introduced me to lots of very like-minded, forwardthinking people in this city,” Parker says. “He played an integral role in getting everything moving.” One of the initial hurdles came with the name itself. “We wanted to show people in the area that a Hackathon could be something that wasn’t about breaking into computers and get them to realize that it could be a way to stimulate economic growth and create jobs within the city,” Parker says. Now that the concept is gradually becoming understood, Parker feels the events will help nudge Augusta toward the city they hope it can become. “If you consider yourself a hacker or a maker or an entrepreneur or a designer, it’s just a place where creative people can come together and have a celebration for a day that we’re actually doing cool stuff in Augusta,” Parker says. “Hacking is about creative problem solving and Hack Augusta is about how to create positive economic change for the city of Augusta.”
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ERICJOHNSON
Stepping Up
Smith takes his public service to District 7 Before Donnie Smith made the decision to run for Jerry Brigham’s District 7 commission seat, the Georgia State Patrol lieutenant considered making a run for sheriff. “I had about 20 people call me and say, ‘Get into the sheriff’s race,’” Smith says, and after consulting with his sister, who was losing her battle with cancer, he approached Sheriff Ronnie Strength, who he worked with early in his career. “I went and talked to Ronnie and said, ‘There’s people in this community who want me to run for sheriff,’ and he said, ‘You’d be a damn good sheriff, but you’re going to lose.’” Strength explained how he’d been grooming Scott Peebles for the position, which was similar to the way Strength himself had been groomed by former Sheriff Charlie Webster, who Smith also considers an influence. “Charlie Webster was probably one of the worst law enforcement guys there ever was, but he was a terrific sheriff and he was a terrific leader because he knew his weaknesses and he surrounded himself with people who covered those weaknesses,” he says. Smith took Strength’s advice and steered clear of the sheriff’s race, but paid a similar visit to Brigham to find out if he’d chosen a successor. He hadn’t, so Smith took a shot at the commission. Though he’s never been involved in a campaign, Smith was nevertheless exposed to politics from the inside when he worked security detail for Speaker of the House Pro Tem Jack Connell.
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“That’s one of those life experiences I saw and I said, ‘I don’t want to be that guy.’ Right’s right and wrong’s wrong.” Currently an administrator with the State Patrol overseeing a 21-county area, the 49-year-old Smith describes his job as being the middleman between the field and headquarters in Atlanta, a job that brings him in contact with area leaders and law enforcement officials while giving him the flexibility needed to be an active commissioner. He has accumulated three years of sick leave and has a position that allows him to use it. “I don’t have a business to run in this county,” he says. “I don’t have a business that does business with the county. I live in a 1,400-square-foot house that’s 52 years old that’s the only house I’ve ever owned.” Given his law enforcement background, supporters feel his presence could be important to the commission, especially with so many unsettled by the possibility of Richard Roundtree becoming sheriff. Smith, however, sees himself as more of a global leader and has surprised more than a few people by showing up at outof-district events. “We get divided along the lines of race and we get divided along the lines of economics and we get divided along the lines of Republicans and Democrats and we get divided along whether you’re West Augusta or South Augusta, East Augusta or whatever,” he says. “Commissioners spend 200,000 people’s money, and although I live in West Augusta and I represent this group over here, if I don’t know what the needs are in South Augusta or East Augusta, how the hell can I make an informed decision?” He says the fact that most people live in one district, have kids who go to school in another and work in “He listened to everybody and he’d always try to find yet another only emphasizes that commissioners’ votes the middle ground,” Smith says. “I would hear him talk affect all Augustans. As for the hardscrabble political life, Smith, who to one side of the story one day and then I’d hear him was wounded in the Olympic Park bombing, says talk to the other side the next day, and I never heard he’s ready. him tell a lie.” “I’ve been shot at, I’ve been cut with a knife, I’ve Watching the inner workings of the House, however, particularly a situation where the chairman of the powerful been bludgeoned with a brick and I’ve been blown up with a bomb,” he says. “What can the commission do reapportionment committee was able to push through legislation that was personally favorable, soured him on the that’s worse than those things?” motivations certain politicians bring to the table.
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Crossroads
With no management agreement in place, the TEE Center loses convention and luster
At a special called meeting before Monday’s committee meetings, commissioners again failed to approve the TEE Center management agreement. As a result, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police canceled two conventions, citing the commission’s inability to come to an agreement with hotel officials over the management of the new venue. A frustrated Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who had warned them in an email Friday about the urgency in approving the management agreement, hoped the news of the lost event would be enough to motivate commissioners to come to an agreement. “I’m still hopeful, and I hope the police chiefs backing out really creates a sense of gravity in the situation for the commission, because if you want to talk about lost revenues, to come out of the box losing your first major convention — just the domino effect is harmful,” he said. “So I think it’s imperative that we do get an operating
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agreement in place.” Some commissioners have resisted the agreement because of concerns over an October 12 report detailing a first year operational loss of more than $700,000. Additional complaints have recently surfaced over a catering agreement and potential co-mingling of kitchen equipment between the existing conference center and the newly constructed convention center, both of which would be managed by the Marriott, which is also attached. In a work session in early October, Paul Simon,
president of Augusta Riverfront LLC, warned commissioners that the management agreement needed to be approved soon so that the facility could be ready for the January convention. Staffing and training would take time, he said. Copenhaver said he thought commissioners didn’t realize the urgency of the timetable, though some have accused them of digging in their heels to resist Simon, who is perceived by some to be unfairly benefiting from the arrangement, in which Augusta Riverfront is paid a flat management fee and suffers none of the losses, which obviously can be considerable. According to Russell, however, the loss issue has been a part of the conversation since the beginning and should have been a surprise to no one. “The benefit is not the profit for the TEE Center, but the ancillary money that will come in because we had
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those people in town,” he said. Russell said the reason the management contract is being revisited is because of the city’s decision to save money by using tax-exempt bonds. “There are rules for tax exempt versus taxable bonds, and that’s what made the difference,” Russell said. “There are things you can’t do with a tax-exempt bond that you could do with a taxable bond. For the tax exempt, the rules are a little bit more complex.” That said, Russell maintained that in spite of all the protests, the renegotiated contract commissioners are taking exception with is actually stronger than the original. “The first one was a 50-year deal, and we’re down to 15 now,” he said. “Some of the controls that aren’t in the convention center/conference center deal that people have complained about ad nauseum we’ve placed into this deal as far as the inspection of the books and auditing and the annual plan that they have to approve. None of that was in the initial deal, but is there now. We have listened to everything they have said to do and done it, and now they’re not happy.” Commissioner Bill Lockett, a vocal opponent with a long history of resisting the TEE Center, the accompanying parking deck, Riverfront LLC and Administrator Fred Russell, spoke out against the agreement at Monday’s called meeting, implying the agreement was so deficient that it left commissioners to do all the work. “It is not the job of this governing body to negotiate contracts with anyone,” he said. “We have people who are being paid big dollars to do this, but it appears that the people we placed in charge have sort of mixed obligations. They’re trying to serve two masters, and at this juncture, I do believe that the administrator and the outside council that is handling this should either remove themselves from it or they should resign, because they’re not doing what they get paid to do.” Not surprisingly, Russell later disagreed. “I would suggest to you that we’ve developed a contract that meets the needs of the citizens, meets the needs of the building and is fair to both parties,” he said. “And it’s obvious to me that the commission can’t see that.” At the meeting, Lockett further pushed the issue by asking General Council Andrew MacKenzie whether or not it was even legal for commissioners to negotiate contracts, implying that Russell’s inability to deliver on a contract the body could agree on was pushing the commission where it didn’t belong. That proved to be one point upon which everyone seems to agree — the commission should not be negotiating contracts. “I don’t do that,” Copenhaver said of negotiating contracts. “I would never enter into contract negotiations on behalf of the city. That’s not the role of elected officials. Elected officials should be policymakers. I think it becomes a little bit dangerous when you have individual commissioners effectively entering into contract negotiations.” So far, the commission’s indecision has resulted in the loss of the police chief’s convention, but what happens if an agreement simply can’t be reached? “I think we end up in court,” Russell said. “I was directed to negotiate with Riverfront and did so in good faith. They did so with us in good faith. We’ve come up with an agreement that, in my mind, is as reasonable as any you’re going to find, yet it’s being looked at with a level of scrutiny that, while you always want to scrutinize things, I’m not so sure that trying to figure out which steak comes out of the ice box to go where is something that’s...” He let his voice trail off in exasperation. Copenhaver reasoned that there was the possibility of bringing in another firm to manage the new facility, as Lockett has repeatedly suggested, but he characterized such a move as impractical, considering the fact that the conference center, convention center and hotel are all basically one contiguous building.
1NOVEMBER2012
It’s Not Politics,
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“To have two management companies for attached facilities from an efficiency and effectiveness standpoint doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” he said. “But that would be the only other option that I would see to get the facility up and running.” “I think that’s why you tangled it, so that it’s economical and makes sense to operate,” Russell said. “That’s why it’s all wrapped up together — it doesn’t make any sense to have a kitchen for the conference center and a kitchen for the trade center, and it doesn’t really make sense to have a refrigerator for one and one for the other. That’s why it’s co-located there.” Copenhaver also pointed out that given earlier concessions made to Augusta Riverfront, moving to a different management company wouldn’t make sense. “We had a significant cost increase in getting the air handling system to Marriott specifications,” he said. “But that was a significant cost increase that we did to meet the standards of the connecting facility, but if they’re not the management arm of it, why did we go to meet their requirements?” As for the idea being floated on talk radio and on the internet that local activists and self-styled watchdogs Brad Owens and Al Grey, both harsh critics of the TEE Center contracts, should be brought into the process, Russell was amused. “I’m sure that in areas where there are disagreements they bring in arbitrators all the time,” Russell said. “I’m not so sure that the arbitrators should have a position, though. They should be neutral, and they probably should have some skills and abilities and some degree of expertise.” Owens, Grey and former mayoral candidate Lori
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Davis have consistently targeted Russell and the TEE Center for perceived mismanagement and malfeasance, something Russell has obviously taken issue with. “I guess maybe Brad Owens and Al Grey might have been able to cut a better deal,” he said. “I’ve seen the things they’ve built and the budgets they’ve controlled… oh, wait… maybe I haven’t.”
For Russell, it’s the difference between the doers and the complainers. “I’ve brought in quite a few buildings on time and under budget, as this one will be,” he said. “I’ve negotiated quite a few deals — some are good, some aren’t as good as others, but if you walk around this city, you can see what we’ve got done and my fingerprints are all over it. We’ve got a pretty good track record of doing things, and it’s sort of amazing to me that a guy who wears camouflage and somebody with sideburns all of a sudden became experts when I have yet to see what they’ve done.” Copenhaver agrees. “To my mind, decisions ought to be made on the best information available using the input of professionals,” he said. “When we bring in outside influences that
purport to be professionals but are willing to provide no references to prove that, that’s a dangerous situation to be in.” And while he insists the complaints have little effect on the general public, which he says largely ignores the complaints, he can’t say same the same for some elected officials. “Realistically, the outside influences operate pretty much in an echo chamber where they’re not influencing the general public,” he said. “But they are influencing decision makers, which is once again tantamount to the tail waging the dog.” Like Russell, Copenhaver maintains that when it comes down to it, the details the commissioners find so troubling are quite small. “To over focus on the minutia as we put this thing together puts us in the position we’re in now with the Georgia Police Chiefs,” he said. “People who back these events statewide — they definitely talk to each other. It’s a black eye on the city.” Though Copenhaver initially agreed to Commissioner Joe Jackson’s request to hold another work session, he later changed his mind, fearing another public spectacle would only bring further negative publicity. In a sternly worded letter sent to commissioners, Copenhaver reminded them that the loss of the first convention had made headlines in Rome, Atlanta, Savannah and Chattanooga. “Basically, we are now in damage control mode and I would highly recommend that those parties who still have questions or concerns meet with the management group or their representatives directly as soon as possible as it is imperative that we get an agreement in place in order to not put future bookings at risk,” he wrote.
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R.U.N.E ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
Before heading to Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s Saturday night performance of pieces by Bartok, Floyd, Verdi and Berlioz that features internationally acclaimed baritone Jeffery Wells, you might want to head over to Nacho Mama’s Thursday night for an unusual event called Cocktails and Clever Conversations. Those attending can drink margaritas (top-shelf, of course), have some Sunburn Nachos (with pork, if you know what’s good for you) and discuss Thomas de Quincey’s “Confessions of an English Opium Eater.” Considering the place, the book and the tequila, Symphony Orchestra Augusta has promised that talk of the book and how it influenced the art and music of the period will be lighthearted. And to make it even more difficult to refuse, they’ve even pointed out that the book is available for free download to Apple iOS devices and that it’s short. Short is good… if it’s a book. We prefer tall when it comes to margaritas. Cocktails and Clever Conversations Nacho Mama’s, upper floor Thursday, November 1 | 6 p.m. Passion’s Voice First Baptist Church of Augusta Saturday, November 3 | 7:30 p.m. | $10-$45 706-826-4706 | soaugusta.org 1NOVEMBER2012
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Fit for Office Who’s the Fittest President of All Time? As our attention turns toward the election and we think deeply about what direction we want our country to go in, we might find we need a little diversion (why else the binder tumblrs, Big Bird jokes and other memes). But we at HuffPost Healthy Living have already moved past Menacing Josh Romney and turned our attention to fitness — presidential fitness that is. And apparently we aren’t the only ones: Gold’s Gym actually held a tournament among 4,000 of their fans to determine the fittest president in history. Their pick? So far, George W. Bush is slightly edging President Barack Obama out of the lead. And while Bush is known for his cycling and jogging, and Obama for his pickup basketball games and early morning training sessions, they both have a little competition from the likes of John Quincy Adams, Herbert “Hooverball” Hoover and Theodore Roosevelt, a real, actual cowboy. Along with the history lesson, it got us thinking: If these men can manage to keep a workout routine while leading the free world, surely the rest of us can let go of our excuses.
Gold’s Gym’s new online weight management program going well It’s been a month since Gold’s Gym introduced dot.FIT to its members, and those who are using the free online weight management program are loving it. “The first 30 days have gone very well,” said Premier Fitness’ Tony Dempsey. “We have more than 500 people registered and currently using the program. It’s really been a process of continuing education: getting people familiar with the program.” dotFIT, available to all Gold’s Gym members, is a weight loss management and meal planning program in which participants select a goal, provide personal information and then keep track of their progress. “Within the program, the client can actually select what they want their program to be, whether they want to lose weight, boost athletic performance, become healthier or build muscle. Ninety percent of the people who join want to lose weight.” All a Gold’s Gym member has to do is sit down with a trainer, who will give them a dotFIT tutorial and provide them with a user ID and login. Then, it’s completely up to the client. “You can customize it based on whatever your goal is; it’s not one size fits all,” Dempsey explained. “Everybody has a specific goal in mind, so you can customize it to fit whatever you want to accomplish.” For more information about the dotFIT program, please see any Gold’s Gym fitness training professional.
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11 FOODS FOR
HEALTHY bones When it comes to building strong bones, there are two key nutrients: calcium and vitamin D. Health.com shows you the best eats for both. Calcium supports your bones and teeth structure, while vitamin D improves calcium absorption and bone growth. These nutrients are important early in life, but they may also help as you age. If you develop osteoporosis, a disease characterized by brittle and breaking bones, getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D may slow the disease and prevent fractures. Adults up to age 50 should get 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 200 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day. Adults over 50 should get 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 400 to 600 IU of vitamin D. Get these nutrients by trying these 11 foods for healthy bones. YOGURT Most people get their vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, but certain foods, like yogurt, are fortified with vitamin D. One cup of yogurt can be a creamy way to get your daily calcium. Stonyfield Farms makes a fat-free plain yogurt that contains 30 percent of your calcium and 20 percent of your vitamin D for the day. And though we love the protein-packed Greek yogurts, these varieties tend to contain less calcium and little, if any, vitamin D. MILK There’s a reason milk is the poster child for calcium. Eight ounces of fat-free milk will cost you 90 calories, but provide you with 30 percent of your daily dose of calcium. Choose a brand fortified with vitamin D to get double the benefits. Can’t get three glasses a day? Try blending milk into a smoothie or sauce. CHEESE Just because cheese is full of calcium doesn’t mean you need to eat it in excess (packing on the pounds won’t help your joints!). Just 1.5 ounces (think a set of dice) of cheddar cheese contains more than 30 percent of your daily value of calcium, so enjoy in moderation. Most cheeses contain a small amount of vitamin D, but not enough to put a large dent in your daily needs. SARDINES These tiny fish, often found in cans, have surprisingly high levels of both vitamin D and calcium. Though they may look a bit odd, they have a savory taste that can be delicious in pastas and salads.
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EGGS Though eggs only contain 6 percent of your daily vitamin D, they’re a quick and easy way to get it. Just don’t opt for egg whites — they may cut calories, but the vitamin D is in the yolk. SALMON Salmon is known for having plenty of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but a 3-ounce piece of sockeye salmon contains more than 100 percent of your vitamin D. So eat up for your heart and your bones. SPINACH Don’t eat dairy products? Spinach will be your new favorite way to get calcium. One cup of cooked spinach contains almost 25 percent of your daily calcium, plus fiber, iron and vitamin A.
calcium. One cup of cooked collards contains more than 25 percent of your daily calcium. Plus you can easily sneak it into your favorite foods. ORANGE JUICE A glass of fresh-squeezed OJ doesn’t have calcium or vitamin D, but it’s often fortified to contain these nutrients. Try Tropicana’s Calcium + Vitamin D to get a boost of these essentials. Also, studies have shown that the ascorbic acid in OJ may help with calcium absorption, so you may be more likely to get the benefits of this fortified drink.
FORTIFIED CEREAL Certain cereals — like Kashi U Black Currants and Walnuts, Total Whole Grain and Wheaties — contain up to 25 percent of your daily vitamin D. When you don’t have time to cook salmon or get out in the sun, cereals can be a tasty way to get your vitamin D. TUNA Tuna, another fatty fish, is a good source of vitamin D. Three ounces of canned tuna contain 154 IU, or about 39 percent of your daily dose of the sunshine vitamin. COLLARD GREENS Like spinach, this leafy green often enjoyed south of the MasonDixon line is full of
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Raisin’ Kane Ramblin’ Thoughts From The News Guy By Chris Kane
What inspired me to get fit in Aiken? A really great trainer at Gold’s Gym.
By Marianne Berry
My husband and I moved to Aiken about 3 1/2 years ago to escape the long I still think the Canal is the best place to run in Augusta. Every time I watch Alabama play a football game, I’m convinced they can winters in Colorado. Living my whole life on the West Coast I did not know a lot beat the Kansas City Chiefs. about the customs of the south or the wonderful fried goodies it had to offer. Took advantage of early voting in Georgia. No long lines for me on I moved here determined to continue my fitness goals and found out that Gold’s Election Day! Gym was my best choice. I had some basic knowledge about fitness and nutrition; Georgia Tech gets blown out at home by Middle Tennessee State and you could say enough to be dangerous. I loved the discipline weight training required BYU? Paul Johnson’s seat gets hotter by the day. and quickly asked the personal trainer coordinator which personal trainer would So, do you have every John Barrow and Lee Anderson commercial “work me hard.” He quickly pointed me to Marcus Williams. Excited for my first memorized by now? session, I started the next day. Marcus was a young and very fit body builder at the top Will UGA fans still have Mark Richt’s back if the Bulldogs make it of his game. Sensing I was in the right hands, I quickly told him my fitness goals. Marcus to the SEC title game and get blown out again? looked at me with a stoic face and replied, “Okay. Let’s get started.” $500 deductible… always stinks when you have to pay it. His reaction perplexed me. He was a man of few words and was very cautious, waiting Cam Newton is a 12-year-old trapped in a 23-year-old body. Grow up and stop pouting, Cam. You are killing my fantasy to see how I handled his routines. Marcus had been interested in fitness and bodybuilding football team! since he was a young boy. He developed the discipline that was required to achieve his ESPN’s 30 For 30 documentary on Ben Wilson is must-see optimum goals, but his Southern friends and relatives did not share the same. After all, TV. the South was known for its charm, leisurely lifestyle and the best fried chicken the U.S. If you believe internet rumors, Detroit Tigers Cy Young had to offer. Having goals like being a world-class bodybuilder did not fit into the Southern pitcher Justin Verlander is dating Sports Illustrated swimsuit tradition. cover girl Kate Upton. That’s more impressive than throwing a Marcus was accustomed to being disappointed in most of his clients and their lack of longperfect game. term commitment. What affected him greatly was learning, after training many clients for a Don’t care who ya root for, send some special prayers while, that their interest waned when they did not get quick results. It hurt him after wanting to Marcus Lattimore’s way. train them hard only to see them give up so quickly. So when this older west coast client first The NBA is season is getting ready to tip-off. Wake me up explained her goals, Marcus was very reluctant to take her seriously. I learned fast that if I gave in June when the finals start. Reynolds Plantation at Lake Oconee is a slice of heaven. him 100 percent he would give me 110 percent, a trait and reputation that has helped change Georgia Regents University Augusta??? Ummm... try the attitude for fitness in Aiken. He was truly a Southerner with a Special Twist. again, please. One day during one of my training sessions, I overheard another trainer’s client say “Well Now that I get up at 3 a.m. for work, I only hit the snooze I just lost over 60 pounds and want to reshape my body.” You couldn’t help but look over button twice. If you are only going to see one movie all year, make it Argo. Jarvis Jones, Florida Gators. Will Muschamp has permanent nightmares of the Bulldogs LB. It only took 10 years, but Notre Dame football is relevant again. Traffic on Washington Road should only be allowed during Masters Week. I never fully grasped Gangnam Style. College basketball tips off in two weeks and I’m predicting my Ohio Bobcats reach the Final Four. #Sweet16LastSeason. #HashtagsNeedToDisappear. Are the Atlanta Falcons the best team in the NFL? I’m not ready to say yes. Can someone please explain the infield fly rule to me? I’m still confused and so are the Braves. It’s always a treat to listen to Bob Costas do play-by-play of a Major League baseball game. Congrats to the San Francisco GreenJackets... umm... I mean the San Francisco Giants on winning another World Series. Great to see a number of former Augusta GreenJackets win a second ring. They’ve played the toughest high school football schedule in Georgia and the Thomson Bulldogs are still undefeated. Milan Turner gets my vote for coach of the year. Haven’t played golf since May... gotta fix that.
Kane’s fitness tip of the month Vote on November 6!
Chris Kane is a member of Golds gym. He co-anchors Good Morning Augusta and News Channel 6 at noon on WJBF-TV (ABC),
GOLD’S GYM: NOVEMBER 2012 |p.5
at this vivacious lady and marvel at her new accomplishment. A few weeks later her trainer left Gold’s Gym rather suddenly for unknown reasons. She asked the personal training coordinator the same question I did and was assigned to Marcus as her new trainer. I thought it was time to introduce myself and congratulate her on her weight loss. Her name was Becky Marks, another Southern treasure. Like Marcus, Becky was born and raised in the south and grew up eating the marvelous but fattening southern cooking. For the first time in her life she made a commitment to be in top physical condition and live a healthy life. She had the support of her family and now had Marcus as her trainer to reshape her body. Marcus quietly said his famous first line, “Okay. Let’s get started,” and Becky started to reshape her body. Her devotion to exercise was infectious. She inspired people all around her with her warm and friendly personality innate to the South. She gave Marcus 100 percent and he reciprocated with 110 percent. It was exciting to watch Becky’s transformation and it inspired me. Marcus designed a special Boot Camp session for her and I asked if I could join in. I am proud to say Marcus worked hard to reshape both of us. The road was bumpy at times but worth the rewards in the end. Two years later Becky is at the top of her game. Maintaining her 60-plus pound loss,
she is now running half marathons and eating a strict, healthy diet designed by Marcus. “I never in my wildest dreams thought I could run in a half marathon,” she said. “Marcus helped me to see that I could do it if I put in the time.” Becky is truly a Southerner with a Special Twist and I know she will inspire others to jump on board. The longer I live here the more I see people getting inspired by the results Becky Marks has had
same good health and fit body. “Fitness is a long-term commitment,” Marcus said, “and it is exciting to have clients like Becky because she shows others what I can do when you give me the time and your full commitment.” Marcus Williams is a Personal Trainer with Premier Fitness at Gold’s Gym here in Aiken.
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boot CAMP AFFORDABLE
Premier Fitness kicks off new program November 3
Fit to Be Gold contestants, like most recent winner Chelsie Lee, can testify that Premier Fitness’ Boot Camp classes will definitely help drop a few pounds. Not only that, the fast-paced hour-long classes are fun. Now, Gold’s Gym members will have access to unlimited Boot Camp classes for $20 a month with no long-term commitment, giving everyone the same chance to shed some weight. “When you look across the Augusta area market, even into Aiken and North Augusta, if you research boot camps, they’re often $199 a month,” said Premier Fitness’ Tony Dempsey. “We’re offering unlimited classes for $20 a month, on a month-to-month basis. Anybody who has ever taken a boot camp class will tell you that $20 a month, month-tomonth, is a ridiculous value.” Dempsey and Premier Fitness are kicking off the new deal on Saturday, November 3, with a complimentary Boot Camp class in their 5,000-square-foot studio at Gold’s Gym’s Bobby Jones location. The kick-off class, like all Boot Camp classes, will require that participants sign up beforehand at either the Bobby Jones or Walton Way Gold’s Gym location. Dempsey said participants shouldn’t worry about getting a spot, however. “It’s a 5,000-square-foot facility that can hold 50 to 100 people,” he said. “And because we’ll have so many people in a class, we’ll have two to four instructors, depending on the class size.” And despite the name of the class, those instructors won’t be there to yell and intimidate. “They’re not drill sergeants, they’re coaches,” Dempsey explained. “They’re there to help you do the things you obviously wouldn’t be able to do on your own, but they’re also there to provide a fun environment.” For the uninitiated, Boot Camp classes are one hour long and, during that hour, participants spend a designated amount of time in stations, where they’ll do exercises that may include everything from kettle bell swings to running laps, wind sprints and even relay races. “It’s not your typical workout where you’re trying to lift a lot of weight,” Dempsey explained. “There will be 35-45 different exercises that are somewhat simplistic, but you’re going to be doing them at a very fast pace and then moving on to the next station. There are a lot of cardiodriven exercises that are a great way to increase your metabolism. People are going to be sweating for an hour after they take a class.” Participants won’t be required to do each station, though, and instructors are there to help no matter what a participant’s level of fitness might be. They’ll also take into account any injuries or restrictions a participant might have. In fact, Dempsey said that, as the program grows, instructors will break participants out into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Even now, though, the class is really for anyone. “Anybody can do it,” Dempsey assured, “from someone who’s 18 getting ready for a marathon to someone who’s 75 coming back from an injury. Boot Camp is a very successful program, but I can’t stress enough that the key is making this affordable for people. We wanted to make it a no-brainer.”
Chelsie Lee
Winner of Phase 4
before
after
Chelsie Lee, Fit to Be Gold’s most recent winner, used Premier Fitness’ Boot Camp classes to boost her weight loss.
per month
$10
Unlimited Boot Camp classes, held at Gold’s Gym’s Bobby Jones location, are available for $20 a month. For more information, ask a Premier Fitness personal trainer or call 706-396-4653.
no commitment | month - to - month
no kidding
*Amenities vary by location. Walton Way is $19.99 per month. Additional fees may apply.
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ENTERTAIN
ME Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon graces the stage of the Wesley Center of Grace United Methodist Church during the Annual Veterans Concer t, presented by the Nor th Augusta Cultural Ar ts Council, on Thursday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. Joining Gordon are Savannah River Winds and emcee Terry Sams. Visit naar tscouncil.org. Arts
Photographer John Mulhouse conducts a virtual tour of places he has photographed in the CSRA Saturday, November 3, at 10 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Free. Call 706-834-9742 or visit augustaphotofestival.org. 2012 Augusta Photography Festival, including exhibits, gallery shows, workshops, field trips, photo safaris and other special events, continues through November 4 at locations around the area. For a complete list of events, visit augustaphotofestival.org. Day of Art, hosted by the North Augusta Artists Guild, is each Tuesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Arts and Heritage Center and includes a group of artists painting in the center who will answer questions or allow visitors to join in. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
Exhibitions
Lillie Morris, Lucy Weigle and Judy Avrett Exhibition shows at Sacred Heart Cultural Center through December 28. An opening reception will be held Thursday, November 8, from 5-7 p.m. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org. Annual Doll Exhibition shows through December 31 at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Free with museum admission. Call 706-7243576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com. Annual Quilt Exhibition shows through December 31 at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7243576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com. City of Dust: Photographs by John Mulhouse shows at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-834-9742 or visit augustaphotofestival.org. Portraits of Southern Artists by Jerry Siegel shows through December 2 at the Morris Museum of Art. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. 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 1NOVEMBER2012
706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Music
A Tribute to Jaco Patorius, a presentation of the USC-Aiken Jazz Band featuring Mike Frost, is Thursday, November 1, at 7 p.m. at USC-A’s Etherredge Center. For tickets, call 803-641-3305 or visit usca.edu. Joel Cruz performs Friday, November 2, at 6 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 706-823-0440 or visit augustacanal.com. Colin Grant-Adams presents an evening of Celtic music at the 2012 Kirking o’ the Tartans at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Friday, November 2, at 7:30 p.m. Free. Visit covenantaugusta.org. National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, featuring pianist Nachita Herrera, performs Friday, November 2, at 8 p.m. at USC-Aiken’s Etherredge Center. Call 803-641-3305 or visit usca.edu/etherredge-center/. Fifth Annual Music Festival, hosted by Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold and benefiting Lynndale Inc., is Saturday, November 3, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Kroc Center and features local and regional musicians performing bluegrass, country, gospel and more. The event also features dance troupes, visual artists and crafters, vendors and more. $10. Call 706-738-3395. Passion’s Voice, part of Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s Georgia Health Sciences Symphony Series, is Saturday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Augusta. The concert features pieces by Bartok, Floyd, Verdi and Berlioz, as well as baritone Jeffery Wells. $10-$45. Call 706-8264735 or visit soaugusta.org. The Heart and History of Jewish Music, a concert by Joy Katzen-Guthrie presented by Congregation Children of Israel, is Saturday, November 3, at 8 p.m. at Congregation Children of Israel. $25, advance; $35, door. Visit cciaugusta.org. Evensong, a service of music featuring the Saint Paul’s Choir under the
direction of Keith Shafter, is Sunday, November 4, at 6 p.m. at Saint Paul’s Church. Free and open to the public, a nursery will be available during the service and a reception will follow. Call 706-724-2485. D’Amore Duo, featuring guitarist William Feasley and oboeist Yeon-Jee Sogn, plays as part of Tuesday’s Music Live on Tuesday, November 6, at noon at St. Paul’s Church. The concert is free; lunch, catered by Crums on Central following the concert, is $10 by advanced reservation. Call 706722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com. ASU Jazz Ensemble Concert is Thursday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Maxwell Theatre. $5. Call 706-667-4100 or visit aug.edu. Annual Veterans Concert, presented by the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council is Thursday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Wesley Center of Grace United Methodist Church and features Savannah River Winds, Wycliffe Gordon and emcee Terry Sams. Visit naartscouncil.org.
Literary
Friends of the Library Book Sale is Friday, November 2, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. The Center for the Study of Southern Art at the Morris Museum of Art holds a library book sale Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, November 4, from noon-5 p.m. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.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 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Dance
Stories of Natural Hair/Building a Work of Art, a Magnolia Dance Theater production, is Thursday, November 1, at 3 p.m. at Cutno Dance Center. $15, advance; $20, at the door. Call 706-36403442 or visit cutnodance.com. Dance Marathon is Saturday, November 3, from noon-midnight at the AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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USC-Aiken Convocation Center. The fundraiser will benefit the GHSU Children’s Medical Center and other organizations. Call 803-641-3611 or visit usca.edu.
“Safety Not Guaranteed” shows Tuesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Free. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.
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.
Special Events
Friday Dance, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Elks, 205 Elkdon Court in Martinez, is each Friday night in November from 8-11 p.m., with light snacks served from 7-8 and the dance, starting at 8 p.m., featuring DJ Joe Tutt playing shag, slow music and music to line dance to. $8. The third Friday is the Elks Dance, $35 per couple, which includes a full meal served from 7-8 p.m. and music by the Fun Time Band until 11 p.m. Call 706-860-3232. Christian Singles Dance, a smoke-, alcohol- and drug-free event for those ages 40 and over, is each Saturday night at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Dance lessons start at 7 p.m., and the dance begins at 8 p.m. No partners needed. $8, members; $10, guests. Visit christiandances.org. 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
Theatrical Magic: An Evening of One Acts is ThursdaySaturday, November 1-3, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 4, at 3 p.m. at ASU’s Maxwell Theatre. $10, general public; $7, seniors; $5, children, students, faculty and staff. Call 706-667-4100 or visit aug.edu. Spencer’s Theatre of Illusion, presented by the Aiken Performing Arts Group, is Thursday, November 1, at 8 p.m. at the URS Performing Arts Center in Aiken. $40; $20, students. Call 803-648-1438 or visit apagonline. com. Evening of Theatre, featuring “The Three Musketeers” and “Improv Explosion!,” is Friday-Saturday, November 2-3, at 7 p.m. at Westminster Schools of Augusta. $15, adults; $10, students and alumni; $5, children. Visit wsa.net. Quickies, Le Chat Noir Theatre’s short play festival, is seeking original scripts by local authors. Writers must reside within the CSRA and scripts should be shorts of 5-15 pages and one-acts of 15-30 pages. Writers may submit up to three scripts. Submission deadline is December 31 for the festival, which will be held in April. Email scripts and a cover sheet with contact information to info@lcnaugusta.com.
Flix
“The Last Hurrah” shows Friday, November 2, at noon as part of the Morris Museum of Art’s Films on Friday series. Museum Director will lead a discussion afterwards and participants are invited to bring lunch. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. “The Patriot” and “The Alamo,” part of the Monday Veterans Movie Marathon showing in November, show Monday, November 5, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. “Pariah” shows Monday, November 5, at 7 p.m. at 170 University Hall as part of the ASU Film Series. $3. Call 706-667-4100 or visit aug.edu. “Smokin’ Fish” shows Tuesday, November 6, at 6 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art as part of the Southern Circuit Film Series. a Q&A session with filmmaker Luke Griswold-Tergis follows. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. 32 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Cocktails and Clever Conversations, a Symphony Orchestra Augusta event, is Thursday, November 1, at 6 p.m. on the upper floor at Nacho Mama’s. The event will include a discussion of “Confessions of an English Opium Eater” by Thomas de Quincey and how it influenced the art and music of the period. Call 706826-4706 or email office@soaugusta.org. First Friday is on Broad Street downtown on Friday, November 2, from 5-9 p.m. and features live music and entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors and exhibitions and more. Call 706-826-4702 or visit augustaarts.com. First Friday Wine Tasting is Friday, November 2, from 5-8 p.m. at Wine World in North Augusta. $5, with $3 rebate upon purchase of one bottle of any of the night’s featured wines. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com. Arbor Day Celebration and Howl-a-Ween Party is Saturday, November 3, at Pendleton King Park, beginning at 8 a.m. with registration for a 5K run/ walk that will begin at 9 a.m. Other activities will be a tree-planting ceremony, a party for dogs and their owners at Bark Park and more. Call 706-796-5025 or visit augustaga.gov. St. Mark UMC Annual Fall Bazaar, featuring sales, vendors, silent auctions, crafts, food and more, is Saturday, November 3, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Church on Washington Road. Call 706-736-8185 or email tslendak@gmail.com. Apple Fest is Saturday, November 3, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken and features entertainment, sales and more. Call 803-648-6891. Holiday Vendor Showcase, featuring more than 30 local vendors and hourly raffle drawings, is Saturday, November 3, from 9 a.m.3- p.m. at the Legends Club. Visit actionministries.net. Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Kick-Off is Wednesday, November 7, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Kroger on Washington Road and Alexander Drive and features music and kettle teams representing regional college football teams. Call 706-434-3185 or visit onlineredkettle.org. Holiday Party is Thursday, November 8, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Aiken Center for the Arts’ Gallery Story and includes artist demonstrations, wine and hors d’oeuvres and more. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org. The Columbia County Fair will be held November 1-10 at the fairgrounds across from Patriots Park. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.midnight; Saturday, noon-midnight; and Sunday, 1-11 p.m. Events include rides and games, shows, food, a petting zoo and special performances. Admission and ride special daily. Visit columbiacountyfair.net. The Augusta Ghost Trolley offers tours every Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m. departing from the Augusta Museum of History. The 90-minute tour includes the Old Medical College, the Haunted Pillar and St. Paul’s Cemetery. $22, adults; $12, children ages 5-12. Pre-registration required. Call 706-8145333 or visit augustaghosttrolley.com. 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 1NOVEMBER2012
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meets Saturdays at 2 p.m. at the Augusta Market at the River. The tour, which lasts until 5 p.m., includes live painting, children’s reading hours, demonstrations and discounts. Visit artistsrowaugusta.com. The Augusta Market at the River is every Saturday through November 17 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
Cribs for Kids, an infant safe sleep seminar offered by Safe Kids East Central, is Thursday, November 1, from 5:45-8 p.m. at GHSU’s Building 1010C. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-7606 or visit georgiahealth.org/safekids. Center for Women Tour is Thursday, November 1, from 7-8 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Weekend Childbirth Education Class is Friday, November 2, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 3, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at University Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-7742825 or visit universityhealth.org. Saturday Express Lamaze Class is Saturday, November 3, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Pre-registration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com. Healing Your Heart, Mind, Body and Soul, a women’s symposium featuring an appearance by Hannah Curlee, runner up on season 11 of “The Biggest Loser, is Saturday, November 3, from 9 a.m.-noon at First Baptist Church of Augusta’s fellowship hall. The free event also features cooking demos, information booths, prizes and more. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Family Focused Childbirth Tours are Monday, November 5, from 2-3 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Preregistration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com. Childbirth Education 101 is Monday, November 5, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. A tour of the Family Focused Childbirth Unit is included. Preregistration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com. Lymphedema Education Class is Tuesday, November 6, at noon at University Hospital. Pre-registration required. Visit universityhealth.org. Total Joint Replacement Class is Tuesday, November 6, from 1-3 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-7742760 or visit universityhealth.org. Weight Loss Surgery and You is Tuesday, November 6, from 6-7 p.m. at University Heart & Vascular Institute. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-7748931 or visit universityhealth.org. Fresh Start Smoking Cessation Class, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, meets Tuesdays, November 6-27, from 6-7 p.m. at University Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-8094 or visit universityhealth.org. Childbirth Preparation Class meets Tuesdays, November 6-27, from 7-9:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org. Let’s Talk Self Esteem, a program for women and teen girls, is Wednesday, November 7, at 6 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. Car Seat Class is Thursday, November 8, from 5:45-8 p.m. at MCGHealth Building 1010C. $10. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-7606 or visit 1NOVEMBER2012
georgiahealth.org/kids. Lung Cancer and Lung Disease Class, led by pulmonologist Lynn Brannen and featuring tests and smoking cessation information, is Thursday, November 8, from 6-7:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Preregistration required. Visit universityhealth.org. Bariatric Seminar is Thursday, November 8, from 6-7 p.m.at Doctors Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctorshospital.net. Breastfeeding Class is Thursday, November 8, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctorshospital.net. Weight Loss Surgery Seminar is Thursday, November 8, at 7 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2609 or visit georgiahealth.org/weightloss. Women’s Center Tours are Thursday, November 8, from 7-9:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org. Group Meditation Sessions are Thursdays beginning November 8 from 5-6 p.m. at Mindbody Stress Reduction Programs in Martinez. $20; preregistration required. Call 706-496-3935 or email mindbodystressreductionprogram@gmail.com. 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 MartinezColumbia 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.
Call us today at 706.667.9009
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 nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call Claudia Collins at 706-922-9664 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 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.
Support
Amputee Support Group meets Thursday, November 1, from noon-1 p.m. at Walton Rehab. A clinic follows the support group. Call 706-823-8504 or visit wrh.org. Huntington Disease Support Group meets Thursday, November 1, at 6:30 p.m. at GHSU’s Marks Building. Call 706-721-4895 or visit georgiahealth.org. A-Team Autism Spectrum Disorder Support and Resource Group meets Tuesday, November 6, from 6-7 p.m. at GHSU’s Children’s Medical Center family resource Library. Email ddrakele@georgiahealth.edu.
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Do you really want the place that sells you envelopes or flat screen TVs working on your computer? Bring it to ComputerOne today... and our real computer guys will make it all better at a price you can afford. We’re the opposite of a Big Box Store. We’re the little store in Fairway Square and although we have our own of computer experts, we dont really call them geeks (at least to their faces). They’re just competent, skilled computer technicians with the know-how to clean up your computer at a reasonable price and get you back on the internet fast. And although we’re not keeping score, given the fact we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, it is very likely we’ve sold and repaired more computers than any other company in Augusta... and we have thousands of satisfied customers to prove it.
Professional Virus & Spyware Removal Services $69.95 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 AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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CSRA Huntington’s Disease Support Group meets Tuesday, November 6, from 6:30-8 p.m. at MCG Movement Disorders Clinic. Call 706-721-2798 or visit universityhealth.org.
Evensong, a service of music featuring the Saint Paul’s Choir under the direction of Keith Shafter, is Sunday, November 4, at 6 p.m. at Saint Paul’s Church. Free and open to the public, a nursery will be available during the service and a reception will follow. Call 706-724-2485.
Spine Education and Support Group meets Wednesday, November 7, from 1-2:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-774-2760 or visit universityhealth.org. Living Well with Diabetes Adult Support Group meets Thursday, November 8, at 5 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-868-3241 or visit universityhealth.org. Breast Cancer Support Group meets Thursday, November 8, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at GHSU’s Cancer Center. Call 706-721-4109 or visit georgiahealth.org. Cancer Survivor Support Group meets Thursday, November 8, from 6-7 p.m. at Augusta Oncology Associates. Call 706-651-2283 or visit doctorshospital.net. Brain Injury Support group meets Thursday, November 8, from 6-7:30 p.m. at NeuroRestorative Georgia. Call 706-829-0370 or visit wrh.org. Alzheimer’s Support Group meets Thursday, November 8, at 7 p.m. at the Alzheimer Association Chapter Building on Central Avenue. Call 706-731-9060 or visit universityhealth.org. PFLAG Augusta, a support group for parents, family, friends and allies of LGBT people and LGBT people themselves, meets Thursday, November 8, at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta. Call 803-645-1436 or visit plag.org. Beyond the Bars is a support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. For more information about meetings, call Gerry Nail at 706-855-8636. Diabetes Youth Support Group meets quarterly.
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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. Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support meets for group counseling. For more information, call 706-7245200 or visit universityhealth.org. Narcotics Anonymous meets Fridays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Visit na.org. AA meets every Sunday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Aiken Regional Medical Centersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Aurora Pavilion, and includes an open discussion. Call 800-322-8322 or visit aikenregional.com. Burn Support Group meets every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Doctors Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lori Rogers Nursing Library, JMS Building. All burn survivors, and their families and friends are welcome. Call Tim Dorn at 706-651-6660 or visit doctors-hospital.net. 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
Computer Bootcamp Part I meets Thursday, November 1, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Immigrants Are Causing Global Warming and Other â&#x20AC;&#x153;Truthyâ&#x20AC;? Claims: The Effects of Campaign Advertising and Partisan Media on Politics, a PKP Arsenal Lecture Series event, is Thursday, November 1, at 2:30 p.m. at ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 170 University Hall. Call 706-729-2416 or visit aug.edu. Economics, Public Policy and the Common Good, a panel discussion hosted by ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Political Science Club and the Progressive Religious Coalition of Augusta, is Thursday, November 1, at 7 p.m. in ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jaguar Student Activities Center ballroom. Visit aug.edu. Gadgets for the Holidays computer class is Friday, November 2, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Internet Shopping computer class if Friday, November 2, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Native Americans in the Savannah River Valley, a talk by archaeologist Dr. Chester B. DePratter hosted by the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy and the Augusta Museum of History, is Friday, November 2, at 5 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History. Free. Call 706-828-2109 or email burckhalter@ naturalsciencesacademy.org. Online Job Searching, a JobSeekers Workshop, is Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at North Augustaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nancy Carson Library. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abb-lib.org. The Election of 1864: The Most Significant Election in American History, the Palmetto Connections Symposium hosted by USC-Aiken and the South Carolina Humanities Council, is Saturday, November 3, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building, room 116, at USC-Aiken. It will be followed by lunch and afternoon panel discussions. $15. Call 803-641-3383 or visit usca.edu/polisci/ palmettoconnections/. Silk Road to Shanghai: The Jewish Presence in China, an audio-visual lecture by Joy Katzen-Guthrie, 1NOVEMBER2012
is Sunday, November 4, at Congregation Children of Israel, and beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a light breakfast. $5. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7363140 or visit cciaugusta.org. Computer Bootcamp Part II is Monday, November 5, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Free Lunch and Learn with nutrition coach Jena Harris is Tuesday, November 6, from noon-1 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Intro to Computers Class is Tuesday, November 6, at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. CSRA Business League Women Empowerment Conference, featuring luncheon speaker Leona BarrDavenport, president and CEO of the Atlanta Business League, is Wednesday, November 7, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Kroc Center. $25. Call 706-722-0994. Westminster Schools of Augusta Middle School Open House is Wednesday, November 7, at 9 a.m. and includes meetings with teachers and other parents, campus tours and more. Visit wsa.net. Internet I Computer Class is Wednesday, November 7, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Augusta and Aviation History, Novemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brown Bag History Series lecture featuring Diane Johnston, director of marketing at Augusta Regional Airport, is Wednesday, November 7, at 12:30 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch; the museum will provide drinks. Free, museum members; $3, non-members. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
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Operating Systems and Software, a two-session technology class, meets Wednesdays, November 7 and 14, at 6 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. Free Dyslexia Seminar is Wednesday, November 7, at 6:30 p.m. at ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maxwell Theatre. Expert Susan Barton will share warning signs of dyslexia, effective tutoring methods and more. Pre-registration required. Call 803-278-1176 or visit augustastate. eventbrite.com. Intro to Excel Class is Thursday, November 8, at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. The Joy of Signing meets every first and third Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. GED Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Free Tutoring for all ages, offered by ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. 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 AUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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FORT GORDON DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS
by Mary Chase
November 9, 10, 16, 17, 30 & December 1 Dinner 7:00 p.m. | Show 8:00 p.m. When Elwood P. Dowd starts to introduce his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six-and-a-half-foot rabbit, to guests at a society party, his sister, Veta, has seen as much of his eccentric behavior as she can tolerate. She decides to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her daughter, Myrtle Mae, and their family from future embarrassment. Problems arise, however, when Veta herself is mistakenly assumed to be on the verge of lunacy when she explains to doctors that years of living with Elwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hallucination have caused her to see Harvey also! This laugh-filled Pulitzer Prize winning comedy is an all-time classic! A celebrated success... Full of charm and hilarity, this play has become one of the most successful and popular plays ever produced on Broadway or off!
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 36 METROSPIRITAUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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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.
Benefit
Eighth Annual Oysters on Telfair, a benefit for the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, is Thursday, November 1, at 7 p.m. at Ware’s Folly and features Cajun cuisine, live music, art auctions and more. $65; $50 for Contemporaries members. Call 706-722-5495 or visit ghia.org. United Negro College Fund Leadership Luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Richard Roundtree, is Friday, November 2, at 11:30 a.m. at Paine College’s Candler Memorial Library. $25; $350 for a corporate table for eight. Call 706-821-8233 or email lcollins@paine.edu. From Augusta with Love, a James Bond-themed fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ of Augusta, is Friday, November 2, from 7-11 p.m. at the Marbury Center and includes food and drinks, a DJ, live and silent auctions and more. $50, individuals; $90, couples. Visit fromaugustawithlove.eventbrite.com. Elks Yard Sale is Saturday, November 3, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Mar tinez. Call 706-860-3223. 20th Annual Harvest Ball dinner, dance and silent auction, to benefit the scholarship funds of the Savannah River Sail and Power Squadron and ASU’s Born to Read Literacy Center, is Saturday, November 3, from 7-11 p.m. at Julian Smith Casino. The event also features live music by the Escorts. $20, advance; $25, at the door. Call 706-737-8113. James Brown Family Foundation Toy Giveaway Registration is each Saturday, November 3-December 1, from 9-11 a.m. at the James Brown Arena. Parents must have valid state ID, as well as birth certifications and proof of Social Security Number for each child ages 1-12. Visit augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. Karma Yoga is offered at Just Breathe Studio, downtown Aiken, each Friday at 10 a.m. and is free if participants 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
Girls on the Run of the CSRA’s Biannual 5K Celebration and Fundraiser is registering runners through Friday, November 2, for the race on Saturday, November 10, at 9 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the organization, which provides healthy living and life skills to girls in grades 3-8. $25. Visit girlsontherunofthecsra.org. The ASU volleyball team takes on Flagler on Friday, November 2, at 7 p.m. at Christenberry Field House. Call 706-731-7925 or visit aug.edu. The Augusta RiverHawks play the Fayetteville FireAntz Friday, November 2, at 7:35 p.m. at the James Brown Arena. $10-$21. Call 706-993-2645 or visit augustariverhawks.com. Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Saturday, November 3, at the Augusta Common, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the walk starting at 10 a.m. Strollers, walkers, runners and pets are welcome. Call 706-7319060 or visit alz.org/walk.
volunteer-led 2.5-mile, 1.5-hour hike. Pre-registration required for groups. Call 706-828-2109 or visit naturalsciencesacademy.org. The ASU volleyball team takes on Armstrong Atlantic State on Saturday, November 3, at 2 p.m. at Christenberry Field House. Call 706-731-7925 or visit aug.edu. The Augusta RiverHawks play the Knoxville Ice Bears Saturday, November 3, at 7:35 p.m. at the James Brown Arena. $10-$21. Call 706-993-2645 or visit augustariverhawks.com. The ASU volleyball team takes on Francis Marion on Tuesday, November 6, at 7 p.m. at Christenberry Field House. Call 706-731-7925 or visit aug.edu. Fall Fest at Graystone Ranch Wildlife Education Center and Nature Park is going on through November 30, on Fridays and from 10 a.m.midnight and Sundays from noon-midnight. the event includes a haunted hayride and fireworks over the lake through November 3, hiking, fishing, boat rides, exotic animal tours, petting zoos, a pumpkin patch, a hay maze, photos with the scarecrow, zip lines and more. $10. Visit graystoneranch.com. Kroc Trotters Running Group, for those ages 16 and older, meets each Tuesday and Thursday at the Kroc Center to run the trails of the Augusta Canal. Free, members; $15, non-members. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. 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 are welcome, and those interested should bring a pair of cleats (cross trainers will work) a mouthguard, gym shor ts and a T-shir t. 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. Preregistration required. Visit thefamilyy.org. 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 706-627-1767. 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 alsalley@ wrh.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. 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.
WSI River Run is Saturday, November 3, at 9 a.m. at North Augusta’s Riverview Park Activities Center. Raceday registration for the 10K run and 5K walk is $35 and is available from 7-8:30 a.m. Visit active.com.
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.
Swamp Saturday is Saturday, November 3, at 9:30 a.m. at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and includes a
Riverview Disc Golf League meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. at Riverview Park in North Augusta. $5 entry
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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 706-724-6777 or visit andyjordans.com. Guided Trail Rides at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are available Saturdays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Sundays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon; and Wednesday-Friday at 11 a.m. with reservations 24 hours in advance. All trail rides are on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the trail ride starting for sign in procedures. $23-$30. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. Zumba with Sohailla is every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Call 706-4216168 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. 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.
Kids-Teens
What’s in the Box: Portraits of Plenty of People, a children’s activity event, is Thursday, November 1, from 10-11 a.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. Members, free; non-members, $4. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Cherokee Leaf Painting, a craft program for those ages 5 and up accompanied by a parent, is Friday, November 2, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Reed Creek Park. Free, members; $2 per child, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark.com. Kids Night Out for those ages 2-12 is Friday, November 2, from 6-10 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Includes dinner. $15, members; $20, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Kids in the Kitchen, a free community event, is Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the downtown Family Y. The event, which aims to help kids make healthy lifestyle choices and reverse the childhood obesity epidemic, includes demonstrations by local chefs, Zumba for kids, healthy recipe sampling and activity stations. Call 706-736-0033 or visit jlaugusta.org.
of Art. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Chess Club for Kids meets Sunday, November 4, from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Presidential Pets Activity Time is Monday, November 5, from 5-6 p.m. at North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abb-lib.org. Teen and Tween Club Day at the Columbia County Library begins with Manga Club at 4 p.m. and Digital Photography Club at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. On Being a Girl, a class on puberty for those ages 9-12, is Tuesday, November 6, from 6-9 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. $10. Pre-registration required. Visit trinityofaugusta.com. Totally Nonstop Toddler Time, featuring a fruits and vegetables theme, is Wednesday, November 7, at 10 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library and features songs, nursery rhymes, games, music and stories. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Lego Club for those in grades K-5 is Thursday, November 8, from 4-5 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library. No supplies needed. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. In My Backyard shows at 7 p.m. and More Than Meets the Eye shows at 8 p.m. each Saturday in November at USC-Aiken’s DuPont Planetarium. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium. Study Hall for teens meets Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-8212600 or visit ecgrl.org/teens. Steed’s Dairy is open through November 18. Hours are Fridays, 5-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-6 p.m. Activities at the working dairy farm include a petting zoo, a jumping pillow, a giant tube slide, rubber duckie races, a preschool play area, a Maize, hayrides, pumpkin patch and more. $12 per person; those 2 and under free. Visit steedsdairy.com. Fall Fest at Graystone Ranch Wildlife Education Center and Nature Park is going on through November 30, on Fridays and from 10 a.m.-midnight and Sundays from noon-midnight. the event includes a haunted hayride and fireworks over the lake through November 3, hiking, fishing, boat rides, exotic animal tours, petting zoos, a pumpkin patch, a hay maze, photos with the scarecrow, zip lines and more. $10. Visit graystoneranch.com. Kroc Tots Activity Hours, for those 5 and under, meets every Friday from 9-10 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Free, members; $1, non-members. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Homeschool PE Time, for those elementary school aged, meets Monday-Friday, from 9-11 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Free, members; call for non-member prices. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. 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.
Chess Club for kids meets Saturday, November 3, at 2 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706821-2600 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.
Artrageous! Family Sunday: Car Crazy is Sunday, November 4, from noon-4 p.m. at the Morris Museum
Story Time is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Sandy Was Strong
And she brought reinforcements… at least according to Facebook
We’ve already established that Facebook can be a good thing. We find people we haven’t talked to in years. We keep in touch with the ones we can’t see every day. I’ve found people who I would’ve never seen again if not for social media. So technology is good. And the good stops right about there. Between the elections and Superstorm Sandy (why are you following me?), things have gotten out of hand. Before I move on, let me say this: the election decisions are all but made. Many have even voted. Can we please cut out the hate posts? Hatred and lies do not bring us to a good place. I hate to be all butterflies and rainbows and whatnot, but come on, people. Oh, and if you haven’t voted, do it. If you don’t, that’s just dumb. This week, Superstorm Sandy (formerly known as Hurricane Sandy), threatened and hit the eastern seaboard. The news reports were dramatic, and maybe overly so, but no one wants Katrina to happen again. If it’s time to evacuate, everyone must, even if you don’t feel like it. The Weather Channel had reporters out in heavy surf and pouring rain, demonstrating the power of Sandy. Many of us watched; some of us made fun of the hype. Although the media sensationalized much of it (and Obama and Romney were probably thankful for the break), it was a dangerous storm. Enter Facebook and Twitter. In the morning, a picture surfaced of the Marines guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which happens to be one of my favorite places to visit in D.C. The Tomb hasn’t been unguarded since the late
’40s. This particular picture showed the soldiers, standing in an absolute downpour, standing watch as they always do, with a caption that said something about Sandy. Pretty awesome, right? Yeah, well, except for the fact that the picture was actually taken a month ago, during a different storm. It’s not that big of a deal, really. What our military does for us is invaluable. My uncle was a Marine, and my grandfather fought in WWII. Saying that the picture was taken during THIS storm was the only little lie. And it was little. An hour or so later, another photo surfaced. It was one of the Statue of Liberty, standing in all her glory, with an ominous funnel like cloud coming up behind her. The caption read, “NYC today. The power of mother nature is awesome and terrifying.” If you ask me, it looked photoshopped anyway, but there’s more. If the storm was actually coming at Lady Liberty’s backside, it’d be coming from the north. She faces southeast. If that’s the case, my friends, Superstorm Sally is a major boomerang. She’d gone up north and turned around. She’s coming back, y’all! Yeah. These pictures, one of which wasn’t relevant and the other fake, perpetuated the hype. I’m pretty sure that the residents of NYC were already scared. They didn’t need doctored photos making it worse. By the end of the day, the guy who originally posted the photo admitted it wasn’t real. His friend texted it to him, and he haphazardly posted it to Facebook. Snopes.com was all over it. If you don’t know about Snopes, look it up. Anytime you’re unsure about the validity of a photo, they‘ll probably clear it up for you. I’m glad the copper queen wasn’t in jeopardy. I’m sorry for anyone who is displaced because of Sandy. She was a devastating storm. She’s preventing me from getting to a very ill relative who I’d love to hug. I just hope all y’all stayed out of the path of Nessie, Jaws and Godzilla. I saw that pic on Facebook, so they were all there for sure. I shared it with everyone I know. Please pass it along. I just noticed someone tagged the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and some aliens too. Sandy was quite them storm.
JENNYWRIGHT lives in Summerville with her husband, who she calls The Man, and two kids, who she affectionately calls The Boy and The Girl. She enjoys taking photos, cooking and playing tennis.
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VALERIEEMERICK
Hocus Pocus
Magic continues into November… “Theatrical Magic,” that is
Rick Davis and Melanie Kitchens O’Meara, directors of “Theatrical Magic: An Evening of One Acts.”
Professor Rick Davis is an associate professor and assistant chair in the Department of Communications and Professional Writing at Augusta State University. He is also a playwright who has written 38 plays — six full lengths, many one-acts, several musicals for children — which have been produced on various stages: off-off-Broadway in NYC, in Los Angeles and in theatres throughout the country. This weekend, Augusta State University Theatre will present a collection of Davis’ one-act plays titled, “Theatrical Magic: An Evening of One Acts,” directed by Davis himself and Melanie Kitchens O’Meara . “This is the first time we’ve done something
42 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
like this,” says Davis. “It’s an evening of one-act plays. There are four in the first act and three in the second act. And there are various themes, but they all seem to come back to the idea of love as a saving grace or saving emotion in a world that you can never be sure of what is real and what isn’t real. Some of them are as short as seven or eight minutes, but most them are 10 minutes, to 25 minutes being the longest one.” All but one of the plays has been produced elsewhere, two have been published and all but the one have won awards. “They’ve all been tried – they’ve all been performed,” explains Davis, “Several of them in New York City off-off Broadway… 42nd Street is
where many of them were produced, some in L.A. and other places around the country – I’m telling you all this so you won’t think I’m trying foist off untried work on an unwary audience.” Davis is directing four of the plays (the first act) and O’Meara is directing the other three (the second act). The stories range in theme from dealing with aging, as in “Dancing with Johnny DeMarco,” directed by Davis, in which an old woman watches her naïve, much younger self anticipate a life of sunrises, to being in one of the World Trade towers on 9/11, as in “96 Layers of Concrete, Furniture and Air,” directed by O’Meara, in which the main character thinks he can fly using nothing but his own power and another character hopes to dissuade him from making the attempt. All the stories are tied together and kept flowing by a character simply called “Theatre,” described as “the physical manifestation of magic” (portrayed by ASU student Lylli Cain), who introduces each play with a relevant quote or thought selected by Davis to fit with each story. “The nice thing about it,” says O’Meara, “is that it’s this modge-podge of plays, so if you don’t like something, wait five minutes and you’re going to see something else – we’re constantly shifting gears and in that way, I hope we can intrigue the audience. It’s a fun evening.” ASU student Megan Ingram, who portrays Young Helen in “Dancing with Johnny DeMarco,” says “I found that I could really relate to my character and the challenge to see what your life could end up like, and not wanting to let go… or lose that magic.” Since the collection is titled “Theatrical Magic” Davis hopes that the audience will suspend their disbelief and really get into what’s going on in each of the plays; that they will laugh or cry or find something relatable in what they are seeing on the stage. “Theatrical Magic: An Evening of One-Act Plays” ASU’s Maxwell Theatre Thursday-Saturday, November 1-3, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 4, 3 p.m. $10, general admission; $7, seniors; $5, non-ASU students; free with valid Jag card 706-667-4100 | maxwelltheatre.aug.edu
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Upcoming 3rd Hand Smoke w/ Randy Carver & Wayne Hester - Joe’s Underground November 8 Cantus- Augusta State University Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre November 9 Jim Perkins & Jason Prouty - Carolina Ale House November 9 John Kolbeck - Cotton Patch November 9 Ty Brown - Country Club November 9 Southern Meltdown - Polo Tavern November 9 Afroman w/ DJ Scientist - Sky City November 9 Keith Gregory - 100 Laurens November 10 Rat Babies - The Playground November 10 Shaun Piazza: Music at the Morris -Morris Museum of Art November 11 Gut Locker - The First Round November 16 Steep Canyon Rangers - Imperial Theatre November 16 Smokey’s Farmland Band - Stillwater Tap Room November 16 Shamless Dave - Hoze’s Bar November 17 Augusta Stock Music Fest Pre-Show w/ Robbie Ducey, Tony Williams and the Blues Express, George Croft and the Vellotones, Mama Says - Sky City November 17 Kicks 99 Guitar Pull w/ Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Brantley Gilbert, Little Big Town, Lee Brice, Lauren Alaina - James Brown Arena November 20 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas - Bell Auditorium November 29 Vagabond Swing - Stillwater Tap Room November 30 Willie Nelson - Bell Auditorium December 4 Holiday Pops w/ Joe Gransden - Bell Auditorium December 14 Suzy Bogguss - Imperial Theatre December 14 The Welfare Liners - Stillwater Tap Room December 14 Christmas with John Berry - Imperial Theatre December 20 Sam Bush - Imperial Theatre January 18 Ronnie Milsap - Bell Auditorium February 14 Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue - Imperial Theatre February 15 Classical Mystery Tour - Bell Auditorium March 8 Elsewhere Nuala Kennedy Band - Eddies Attic, Atlanta November 1 Frankie Valli - Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 1 Rush - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park, Atlanta November 1 National Symphony of Cuba w/ Nachito 44 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Herrera - Etherredge Center, Aiken November 2 Georgia Tech Symphonic Band & Concert Band - Frest Center for the Arts, Atlanta November 2 English Beat - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta November 2 Nas, Lauryn Hill - Tabernacle, Atlanta November 2 The Whites & The Sullivans - Mill Town Music Hall, Atlanta November 3 Corey Crowder - Peachtree Tavern, Atlanta November 3 Sol Driven Train - Livewire Music Hall, Savannah November 3 Andy Velo - Saddle Bags, Savannah November 3 The Kicks - Smiths Olde Bar, Atlanta November 3 Celtic Thunder - The Fabulous Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 4 The Soft Moon w/ Group Rhoda - 529, Atlanta November 6 Dan Deacon w/ Height with Friends Terminal West, Atlanta November 6 Joshua Radin - The Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta November 8 Needtobreathe - Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah November 8 Peelander-Z w. Electric Eel Shock - The Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta, November9 The Mighty Diamonds - The Loft, Atlanta November 9 Melissa Etheridge - Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall, Atlanta November 12 David Choi & Clara C.- Vinyl, Atlanta November 14 Gold City Quartet w/ The Diplomats - Mill Town Music Hall, Atlanta November 15 Jen Foster & Antigone Rising - Eddies Attic, Atlanta November 16 On Tap - Smokehouse, Savannah November 16 Jeremy Graham Band - Desperados, Savannah November 16-17 Madonna - Philips Arena, Atlanta November 17 Zach Deputy - Livewire Music Hall, Savannah November 23 Radiolucent w/ Josh Rover & The Hinges Peachtree Tavern, Atlanta November 24 Ray LaMontagne - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta November 28 Gary Ray- Saddle Bags, Savannah December 1 Chris Young - Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah December 7 Valorie Miller - Sentient Bean, Savannah December 7 Space Capone - Wild Wing Café, Savannah December 20
AMYCHRISTIAN
Fit to Be Gold Challenge Update Name: Earl Taylor Starting weight: 347 Weight at last weigh in: 323.4 Number of pounds lost: 23.6 Ranking: 3nd Earl Taylor, an engineer tech with CMA of Augusta, had actually begun going back to the gym a month before Fit to Be Gold started. I had actually started going to the gym and my goal was originally to lose 150 pounds,” he said. “When I saw the signs, I thought it would be a good kickstarter to help me get to my goal.” Taylor said he’d reached a crisis in March when, during a job at a medical clinic, he happened to step on a scale and saw that he weighed 365. “I had kind of an awaking,” he explained. “My sister died last year of colon cancer and she was overweight and my mother died. She had weight issues too and I didn’t want to be like them.” Taylor says Fit to Be Gold has definitely helped. At the first weigh in since the program started, he had actually lost the most weight but is third in the ranking since the winners are determined on what percentage of body weight they’ve lost. Taylor is undeterred, however, and is committed to the process. “It’s definitely been a challenge trying to work the gym into my normal life,” he laughed. “I’ve actually put my schooling on hold. I was in an MBA program, but thought this was a better benefit to me than getting my second masters.” What’s your exercise plan? Before the contest, I was mainly doing the treadmill, working my way up in time. When I first started on the treadmill, I could barely do 10 minutes. Tonight I did an hour, so I’ve increased my stamina quite a bit. I have three training sessions a week with a trainer doing a cardio-weight regimen, but every day I’m hitting the gym. I try to do an hour on treadmill and an hour on weights. So I’m doing about two hours a day. And it’s paying off. People can tell I’ve lost weight. I decided not to buy any new clothes until I’ve lost all the weight. I told somebody that I’m gonna wear these pants till the pockets come together. What’s your diet plan? I drive all over four counties for my job, I’m a computer networker with CMA, so I can’t really cook my own meals. I eat out a lot, but I choose healthy items. I’m allowed 1500 calories a day, and you can actually do it on McDonalds food. I might eat the chicken and don’t eat the whole bun. I’ll have oatmeal in the morning. And I’ve switched to mainly spring water instead of other beverages. Once in a while I’ll treat myself. It’s definitely hard to keep under 1500 calories but Gold’s Gym has a nice website that they partner with, dotFIT, so I can track what I eat. What’s been your biggest struggle? When you hit the plateaus, because you don’t lose every day. I dropped 20 pounds pretty quick, but then that third week in the program, it was like what’s happening? I went from losing 20 pounds the first two weeks to four the next two weeks. Trying to keep pushing yourself to lose and not getting discouraged when you don’t lose. Just trying to keep positive and keep pushing through. This last plateau I hit I tried to increase the intensity of my workouts. That’s helped. What’s been your biggest success? The first weight in I was the one who lost the most weight, but I wasn’t the one who lost the most percentage. And getting the comments, the people I work with make comments that they’re noticing my weight loss so that makes you feel good. Who do you think is the contestant to beat? The only one that I see, I actually think the hardest ones to beat are the ones who are under 200 pounds. Those are the ones I’m watching. I see what they’re losing and I’m trying to double it. That percentage is what’s the real killer. It’d be nice to win, but the weight loss is the important thing. That’s my goal. I’m going beyond this contest.
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No Costumes?
“Normal People” was the most popular Halloween theme this past weekend
I must have been confused, but I swear this past weekend was the weekend before Halloween. Oh wait, it was! My confusion can be explained by no one dressing up! I’m going to sound like an old man when you read this, but I’m not going out boozing it up on a Wednesday night to then reek of bourbon the next day, bright and early at 8 a.m. So, we figured everyone would be dressed to impress on Saturday night. Well, we figured wrong. To our surprise, when we hit the bars on Saturday night, everyone was dressed as normal people. Most of the people we ran into were wearing these horrible red shirts with a big G on them. Well, we weren’t going to let this stop a good time, mainly because I was dressed as one of my favorite musicians of all time. A man who pushed the envelope of sexuality in the ’80s, a man who let you know that it’s okay to wear a suit and have supermodels act like they know how to play instruments, a man who isn’t relevant at all. I’m referring to Robert Palmer. I looked more like a game show host, but the two hot ladies with me made up for my lackluster look. Robert Palmer was best known for the classics “Addicted to Love” and “Simply Irresistible.” The Grammy Award-winning star, whose career started in the late ’60s, unfortunately passed away back in 2003, so what better time than nine years later to remember him. The costume, at least for me, was super easy. This wasn’t the case for the ladies who accompanied me. Tight black dresses, high heels, slicked back hair, a face full of make-up and guitars to be carried around for about five hours. For us, Halloween was a blast; for everyone else, it was a normal weekend. Maybe I will plan better next year. Let’s get to some national news. The downfall of Green Day continues. The band has canceled the rest of their concerts in 2012 and postponed their 2013 shows due to the continued substance abuse treatment of frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. The band was heading out in support of three new albums. The first “¡Uno!,” is already in stores; “¡Dos!” is set for a November 13 release; and last, “¡Tré!,” will now come out December 11 instead of January 15. Hey, you know what’s better than getting a celebrity endorsement for you campaign? Getting an endorsement from Meat Loaf. Meat Loaf confirmed his support for Mitt Romney this past week in Ohio by singing what appeared to be “America the Beautiful.” My definition of “sing” is still being clarified. Romney was met on stage by Meat Loaf, Randy Owens and the duo Big and Rich. (Pause for laughter.) “I will never ever ever, like your music.” But it looks like a million other people do. Thanks to Papa John’s, Target, Walgreen’s and Disney, Taylor Swift’s latest album, “Red,” is on track to sell over one million copies in its opening week. What’s even more surprising is that this isn’t the first time for T-Swizzle. Her last album, “Speak Now,” also sold over a million in its debut week back in 2010. Before Taylor officially takes over the charts, the current Billboard top 10 features P!nk, Mumford and Sons, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean in the No. 1 slot and, believe it or not, Adele is still in the top 10. After 87 weeks, the new mom is still selling enough records to be No. 9 in the country. I do have to say that her song for the new James Bond movie, “Skyfall,” is awesome. Happy downloading, kids. I had no idea this guy was still getting high, but make your plans to join Afroman at Sky City on Friday, November 9, for Afroman’s Pimps-N-Hos themed party. I call dibs on Snoop Lion. Get more details on the show at skycityaugusta.com. What shows are coming to Augusta? Where is your band playing? If not Robert Palmer, Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins? Email me at matt@ themetrospirit.com.
MATTSTONE can be heard weekdays from 2-6 p.m. on 95 Rock. 1NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 45
THE
EIGHT
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BOX TOPS
Theaters apparently don’t let slutty [insert Halloween costume here] in to see movies. RANK
TITLE
WEEKEND GROSS
TOTAL GROSS
WEEK #
LAST WEEK
1
ARGO
$12,085,059
$60,510,347
3
2
2
CLOUD ATLAS
$9,612,247
$9,612,247
1
-
3
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA
$9,444,014
$130,380,355
5
4
4
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4
$8,510,186
$42.467,551
2
1
5
SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D
$8,023,036
$8,023,036
1
-
“Flight”
SAMEIFLING
You’ll never want another drink after seeing this portrait of addiction The first five minutes of “Flight” play as if director Robert Zemeckis, the wizard of PG-13 mainstream fare like “Forrest Gump” and the “Back to the Future” trilogy, wants to underscore the R-rating on this, perhaps his darkest film to date. We see that Denzel Washington is trying to pry himself out of bed with an open beer and a line of coke, while arguing with his ex-wife by phone, all while a topless/bottomless Nadine Velazquez gets ready for the day. They’re in a hotel room post-binge, and are steadying themselves before work — taking a commercial flight from Orlando to Atlanta through a severe storm. He’s the captain and she’s an attendant. You don’t know whether to laugh or to cringe. Along the way, as it would happen, something goes wrong with the flight, not long after Washington’s pilot, Whip Whitaker, has helped himself to yet more booze from the galley. The plane, for all appearances, is lost. A hundred people are going to die. But Whitaker proves to be as brilliant a pilot as he is functional as an alcoholic. He sets the airliner down in a field — a hard landing for sure, but a soft crash and, with only a few fatalities, he’s a hero. When he awakes in the hospital, a federal crash investigation has already begun. Blood has been drawn and analyzed. And it’s here that “Flight” pivots from a story of unlikely heroism to one of abysmal addiction. Whip’s life outside the cockpit was a mess already, and it gets worse. He meets a recovering addict named Nicole (Kelly Reilly, the picture of sunken-eyed redheaded Southern hard living) who tries to straighten Whip out as the feds and the media circle him. Both his attorney Don Cheadle and his union rep Bruce Greenwood try to convey the gravity of his drinking: continue, and it could mean prison. But Whip’s relationship with the bottle endures. Maybe not since Nicolas Cage won an Academy Award for two hours of guzzling vodka in “Leaving Las Vegas” has a star imbibed more than Washington does in “Flight.” As the grieving pilot drinking to escape, Washington’s strengths are all on display: an ineffable charm and a self-immolating rage, separated by a scant membrane of feigned sobriety and bald lies. If Hollywood be fairly criticized for glamorizing drinking, or smoking, or drug use, or sex with celebrities, or whatever else monkeys see and then proceed to do, then let “Flight” join the
46 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
pantheon of films that tack hard against the trend. After you stand up from this one, you’ll never want to so much as see a beer again. Where “Flight” wavers is in its tone. Its religious themes are clunky. The soundtrack, a collage of classic R&B and ’60s rock, makes the cocaine pep all the more visceral but veers toward the feel-good when everything else points to feeling bad. (The choice of a certain Beatles track as elevator music after a key scene of illicit drug use, for one, comes across as a shade self-indulgent.) John Goodman’s appearance as a friend and dealer hits most of the right notes — but similarly feels like comic relief at moments that could stand a somber touch. It’ll land either as cathartic gallows humor or a flat attempt to be all things to all people. This is how you can tell “Flight” is a Zemeckis movie: For as deep as it plunges into a complex disease, it doesn’t stray far from what audiences (and Oscar voters) will find comforting. He wants to have it both ways, making a gripping, realistic film about addiction, telegraphing his supposed grit, and yet remaining palatable for multiplexes. Even if the film arrives, smoking and damaged, at a place of pat redemption, “Flight” at least has the gall to venture into the shadows of alcoholism. It’s far from perfect, but it’ll probably be named a Best Picture nominee in a few months, for good reason.
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FAMILY
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wreck-It Ralph,â&#x20AC;? rated PG, starring the voices of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch. The eponymous main character is tired of being a villain in his videogame and sets off on a quest to become a hero. How does it go? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re guessing not so great at first, or it would be a very short movie.
ACTION
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Man with the Iron Fists,â&#x20AC;? rated R, starring Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, RZA. A pretty high-profile first outing for Wu-Tang Clanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RZA, who not only stars in this one, but directs as well.
DRAMA
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flight,â&#x20AC;? rated R, starring Denzel Washington. Denzel Washington plays a pilot who saves a planeload of people from dying and is therefore hailed as a hero. But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s before an investigation, in which alcohol is discovered in his system. But there are people who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deadâ&#x20AC;Ś and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Denzel. Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that count for anything?
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WERECOMMEND â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magic Mikeâ&#x20AC;?
Whether or not you end up liking â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magic Mikeâ&#x20AC;? will pretty much depend upon what your expectations are going into the movie. If you go in expecting a full frontal extravaganza featuring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez and the rest of the man candy at the Xquisite Strip Club in Tampa, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll definitely be disappointed. Except for an extreme close-up of one of the dancers getting prepared for a performance (so much so that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really figure out what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at until the shot is over), youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pretty much have to settle for bare ass and suggestive poses. And all those guys played up in the marketing campaign before the movie? Except for Tatum, Pettyfer and McConaughey, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hardly in the movie. Those surprised to learn that former indie fave Steven Soderbergh was directing a movie about male strippers, however, will be happy to learn that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s much more to the film than a bunch of guys baring it all for some singles. Typically Soderbergh in theme, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cautionary tale about excess that also explores betrayal and redemptionâ&#x20AC;Ś as much as a movie about Florida strippers can, that is. Is it Soderberghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best work? No. If you want his best, re-rent â&#x20AC;&#x153;Out of Sightâ&#x20AC;? for the ten millionth time (and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just skip ahead to the Clooney-JLo seduction scene). If you want, however, to see what all the fuss is about Channing Tatum, definitely see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magic Mike.â&#x20AC;? Turns out (surprisingly), heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a terrible actor. He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, however, hold a candle to McConaughey, who stole every scene he was in. 1NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 47
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Joshua Dixion, Alicia Chargualaf and Kenneth Goulbourng at Surreal at Surrey.
Brett English and Rhiannon Martin with Mark and Nicole Swanson at Le Chat Noir.
Ooollee and John Bricker with Pam and Mike Hunter at Le Chat Noir.
SIGHTINGS
Tim and Nicki Kitchens with Ann Anise Tanner and Kristine Savage at the Country Club.
Autamn Bates, Shayna Hilderband and Maranda Hilderbrand at the Country Club.
SIGHTINGS
Steven Ellinger, Rebe Walker and Justin Seweln at Soul Bar.
Jen Corlew and Mike Cameron with Victoria and Chris Hardy at the Oddfellows Art Gallery.
Megan Waters and Aaron Zagar with Blake and Amanda Montgomery at the Country Club.
Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Ashley Reynolds, Derek Dent and Tonya Story at Robbie’s Sports Bar.
- Kenny, Owner of Aces and Eights Tattoo & Piercing
48 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
1NOVEMBER2012
S P O N S O R
T H E
METRO SPIRITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S amber@themetrospirit.com PET PAGE! We Love Our Family Pets By Lorna Barrett
I recently learned about a tragic event in the lives of friends of mine. Barry and Judy told me that their sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family dog was shot by a neighbor. The dog was injured so badly that he now wears an external fixate in an attempt to stabilize and strengthen his leg. If it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work, the leg will be amputated. And, if he had not been taken to the emergency vet so quickly, he would have died. They showed me pictures of this dog, Ford, a 1 1/2-year-old dog that is half American Pit and half Weimaraner. He is a beautiful shade of pewter gray and amazingly social. They shared pictures of him riding in a shopping cart in the grocery store and at a hardware store, and pictures of him sitting on a barstool in a bar in Key West, just one of the vacation spots he travelled to with his family. They said he has been extremely friendly and social with everyone since they got him as a very small, young pup. They told me how much a part of their family he is, that he always goes everywhere with them. They proudly told me that he has passed all the tests for Canine Good Citizen certification with Jae-Mar-S Academy of Dog Obedience here in Augusta. I met Ford and his person, Glen, and was completely bowled over with how sweet and social he is in person. He is not only beautiful, but very friendly and came right up to me, wagging his tail, being sweet, in spite of his injury and the apparatus he is forced to wear. While Glen was telling me what happened, Ford was rolling around on the grass, like he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a care in the world. Glen told me that the incident took place as he and Ford were walking in the fields of his property. Ford wandered away, as he usually does, onto the neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property. There are no leash laws out there, and neighbors generally get along, so no worries. But then, a few minutes later, Glen heard gunshots; many of them. Then he heard Ford yelp and moan in pain. He ran to find him, and found that he had been hit and was bleeding profusely. He carried him back and loaded him up and took him to the vet as quickly as he possibly could. The bullet completely shattered his left front leg at the elbow. The emergency surgery was extremely expensive, but completely necessary for this very much loved four-legged member of Glenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family. The person that shot his dog is a police officer in Thomasville, Georgia, and admitted he shot the dog. He said at first that he thought the dog was a stray. (I find this very odd, because Ford is so strikingly beautiful, with his shiny coat and stalky, healthy body. There is just no way anyone could look at him and think he was a stray. He looks like someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pet, a very well taken care of animal.) But then he claimed that he dog was acting aggressive. So he went in his house, got a gun, came back out and started shooting at him. Even if he was a stray, what gives this man the right to shoot to kill a stray dog? If he had shot his gun in the air, the dog would have run away, uninjured. He could have stayed in the house if he thought the dog was aggressive. He could have called animal control or 911. The rest of the story is that his dog has wandered into Glenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s yard, where he has eaten his catâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food, chased his cat and carried away work boots, which were eventually Santa Pawsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Santa and Pets Pictures returned to Glen. Neighbors should Pendleton King Park make every effort to work things like Saturday, November 10 this out. You never know when you 8 a.m. will need the help of your neighbor. Holiday pictures with your pets and family. There are many ways to handle the Sponsored by Jennifer Weaver, photographer, and various troublesome situations that Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s What Friends Are For. Inc. arise with respect to animals. Let this 706-736-3691 be a starting point to discussions about first doing no harm in these types of thatswhatfriendsarefor.org situations, but resolving the problem in the most humane way possible. Also realize that spaying and neutering all Ongoing Adoption Events pets will go a long way in preventing PETCO problems caused by the 4209 Washington Road, Evans overpopulation of pets. And working Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays, 1-4 with animal rescue teams is very p.m. rewarding. PetSmart 225 Robert C. Daniel Parkway, Augusta Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Upcoming Events
Tractor Supply 596 Bobby Jones Expressway, next to Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.
Come in for a tour TODAY!
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WHINE
LINE We have Broun who’s supposed to be educated enough to be a doctor but he’s dumber than rocks to think the earth is only 9,000 years old. We need to vote such stupidity out.
This election points out the worse possible for the current daily paper that prints out mainly one side only, no matter how foolish the points. Metro Spirit, PLEASE publish more than once a week! We need your wider coverage here. If you can make it into a daily, more power to you! Oct. 23 was also the 75th anniversary of the death of Miss Lucy Craft Laney. This heroine of education was ours but also a national treasure. Her inspiration of her thousands of students reached all over the U.S. Remember why LaneyWalker is named in her honor as well as for Rev. Charles T. Walker. Lee Anderson is a bonifide moron. The GOP has got to start fielding some better candidates. I couldn’t support Rick Allen or Wright Mcloud because they bombarded me with campaign literature claiming they were devout christians. A good christian shows his faith by action, not by telling everyone about it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been burned by people who wear their religion on their sleeve. I voted for Maria Sheffield. I hope she runs again. So Murdoch says it’s God’s will for women and kids and others to be raped? That pregnancies from rapes are OK with God? People, vote that fool out! I guess we got Augusta at least as a brand or logo. Not that great but still kinda bad.
50 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
In response to your whine about mine. I never claimed i was trying to be black about the sheriffs race. Just know from past experiance in Augusta politics being in the law enforcement part, people get big heads when in power. Case in point,2 people in the same position for advancement no matter what skills you have race plays a big part. Its always been keep people happy or else its doing folks wrong.I always treated people the same. Whats bad is when a black person i arrested said, I am glad your white black officers treat me like crap, because they abuse power. Its time that the best man with the best job performance wins, not because for every 2 blacks to one white has to be put in line for a job. Thats not fair for anyone who has worked his whole life to be kicked to the cirb. Isn’t this the same “First Lady of Augusta” that voluntarily jumped out of an airplane with the Golden Knights, broke her ankle and sued the military at Boshear’s? The agreement on GRU-A is not a compromise. It’s a surrender. DUMP azziz! I see the Augusta Chronical gave a hearty endorsement to Donnie Smith! A man of his dubious character should be easily controlled and bow to their dictates. I want to thank Mr. Smith for doing his Wild Wing caper before the election. The four voting members of our household had a discussion. Although we can’t vote in his commission race, we can vote for the D.A. Two decided to vote for Paschall and two decided not to cast a vote for that office. The reason being Mr. Smith’s boyfriend status with the current D.A. He might unduly influence her to drop charges against his cronies.
WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM
V23|NO43
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.
The best statistical analysis of the polls indicates Obama is going to win re-election. That means conservatives will be stuck under “Nobama” for 4 more years, and then they will probably have to live under “Hitlery” Clinton’s rule for an additional 4 years. Oh no! What’s Ted Nugent going to do? Ever seen the movie,close encounters of the third kind? I think it was about Taylor Swift. There arent too many 7 foot 4 women walking around. Very strange. It’s inconceivable to me that voters could possibly elect Rich Roundtree as the next sheriff. He’s an irresponsible thug who shouldn’t even be a cop, much less the sheriff. Fortunately, the experienced talent in the department who have many years invested and are close to retirement aren’t going anywhere. To the young members of the force, don’t jump ship.Your new boss will probably get himself indicted in a couple of years for abusing his office. What does an Augusta Commission seat cost these days? The labor unions, power brokers and bigwig Democrats figure that West Augusta’s District 7 seat will cost them about 35 grand. What do they get for their money? The temporary services of a full-time highway patrol officer responsible for 21 counties, who can breeze into town, plunk down a vote and head back to his regular day job. If you are a Republican and haven’t voted, head to the Warren Road Poll and vote for Kenny Echols. About two months ago U.S. Representative Todd Akin (Missouri) said: “...women can’t get pregnant from legitimate rape...”. Then, about two weeks ago U.S. Representative
Paul Broun M.D. (Georgia) said: “...evolution is a lie from the pits of hell...”. You (We, the people...) do know that both of these clowns sit on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, don’t you? I hope Rep. Broun reads this because he hasn’t responded to my $5,000 e-mail evolution challenge. That check is still in my wallet Rep. Broun - what do you say...do you want to take the $5,000 evolution challenge or not? I just read how a seven year old was killed this morning in an auto accident and charges are pending- did not say who was at fault, however the accident was caused by careless driving. I am seeing more and more careless and aggressive drivers on the road every day. When people get into a car, most of them have no regard for other drivers, road rage for no reason, and think they are entitled to run red lights, stop signs and drive aggressively. People sure do get ballsey behind a wheel because they are protected in their car- most of you cowards would not act that way face to face. If you are one of these drivers, you should think twice- not only do you look like an idiot, you may end up killing a child, or having your family member die by your hands. Not to mention the jail time and legal trouble you would be in. All for what? To arrive at your destination 3 minutes earlier? Regarding the 12th dist. congressional race: I voted early for John Barrow and I bet the losing republican candidates did, also. Two years goes by quickly and they’ll have a better chance at unseating him than an entrenched incumbent Lee Anderson.
1NOVEMBER2012
Paying ying It It Forw Forward ard Pa FUND TO HONOR JORDAN WHITE STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS
Thousands of dollars have already been raised to create a youth arts outreach program in memory of 19-year-old Jordan Elizabeth White, and donations are still being accepted. Jordan, daughter of Metro Spirit Publisher Joe White, died Thursday, September 13, from injuries she sustained in a car wreck the previous night. To make a donation to the fund, please send a check to the Hibbard Law Firm, 205 Pitcarin Way, Augusta, GA 30909.