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Table of Contents
dECEMBER 31, 2015
Life in a Fishbowl
12 insider
Augusta is full of surprises
augusta tek
Aftermath: Unwanted Gifts
Jenny is Wright 2015 — Looking Back
Planet Fitness Judgment-Free Zone
austin Rhodes
Fred May Be “Dead,” but His Traditions Live On
4 6 8 16 30
Fine Whine Senior citizens eating hot dogs for Christmas? Not even allowed to eat in the dining room and being forced to eat Christmas “dinner” in their room alone. Thanks, [name redacted]...
Continued on Page 10
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amy Christian | Arts Editor/Production Director
Joshua Bailey | Lead Designer
amy@themetrospirit.com
joshua@themetrospirit.com
Stacey Eidson | Staff Writer stacey@themetrospirit.com
Molly Swift | Staff Writer molly@themetrospirit.com
COVER DESIGN: KRUHU
SalES Gayle Bryan | Senior Account Executive gayle@themetrospirit.com | 706-373-4846
Joe White joe@themetrospirit.com | 706-373-3636
BUSinESS Joe White | Publisher/Editor joe@themetrospirit.com | 706-373-3636
Johnny Beckworth | circulation manager johnny@themetrospirit.com
Jim Christian | Account Executive jim@themetrospirit.com | 706-414-4059 Contributors Jenny Wright | Greg Baker | Austin Rhodes | Josh Ruffin | Kris Fisher | Michael Johnson
Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.© 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.
Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? Call or email Joe at 706.373.3636 | joe@themetrospirit.com
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Augusta is Full of Surprises PEOPLE ALWAYS love to throw out derogatory comments about Augusta and its backwardness that can sometimes be found too easily throughout the city. But this past week, a post on Facebook by a graduate research assistant at Augusta University on Christmas day is making national news and putting a smile on the faces of many local Augustans. On Dec. 25, Eslam Mohamed posted on Facebook that he was having dinner at Olive Garden with several Muslim families on Christmas Eve in Augusta when an anonymous diner made their night. “We were a group of 7 adults and 5 children. Everyone in the restaurant (knew) that we were Arabs Muslims at the table (because) of the language and the ladies were wearing scarves over their head (Hijab),” Mohamed wrote. “After finishing, we asked for the receipts.” Instead, the waitress returned with only one receipt with the words, “Paid. Merry Christmas. Beautiful Family” written on it. The families seated around the table at Olive Garden were delightfully surprised. “Yes, someone paid for us and wrote those wonderful words on the receipt,” Mohamed wrote. “I can’t express how this act touched our hearts. Among all the bad things happening to Muslims and the hate speech that the presidential candidate had made lately, there is still light in the dark, there is still hope within the frustration.” Mohamed wrote that he hopes the anonymous person who paid the families’ bill will one day know how much their random act of kindness meant to them. “All I can say to who did that, Merry Christmas to you too and God bless such a beautiful heart you have,” Mohamed wrote. By Monday, Dec. 28, Mohamed had more than 20,000 shares on Facebook. Within a few days of Mohamed writing the post, Lacey McLaughlin, a freelance journalist from Florida who had previously worked as an editor at an alternative weekly newspaper in Mississippi, picked up the story and wrote a short article about it. Then, another journalist from the Independent Journal discovered Mohamed’s post and wrote a story about it, too. “Eslam Mohamed made the decision to dine-in at an Olive Garden on Christmas Eve with a group of other Muslim families in Augusta, Georgia. However, he did not expect the treatment he and his table would receive,” the reporter, Shawn Bevans, wrote. It sounds so ominous, doesn’t it? And it’s funny how both articles specifically make sure to describe Augusta as being in the “Deep South” as if to imply we are backwoods rednecks using outhouses and eating squirrel. It’s like people automatically assume that all people from the South are racists. But then Bevans from the Independent Journal goes on to describe Mohamed’s experience with the stranger paying for the bill. All across the country, thousands of people have been sharing this story of Mohamed and the Muslim families’ night out in Augusta. It’s very refreshing for Augusta to be painted in a positive light for once, especially when dealing with the issue of tolerance for other people’s race and religion. After all, just last year, this is the same community that almost canceled a political forum because then-Republican Congressional candidate Rick Allen and some folks at Morris Communications objected to the fact that the 12th District forum was scheduled to be held the Islamic Community Center of Augusta. Columbia County News-Times Publisher Steve Crawford had already agreed to be the moderator of the forum and was working with Dr. Hossam Fadel of the Islamic Society of Augusta to formulate the questions when he got word from the higher-ups down at Morris Communications that he was being pulled from the event. The then-Augusta Chronicle president Dana Atkins told WGAC talk radio host Austin Rhodes on air that week that Rick Allen’s camp was uncomfortable with the forum being held at the Islamic Center. In the end, Crawford was allowed to continue as debate moderator and the forum was held with both candidates, including Rick Allen, but the venue was changed from the 800-seat Islamic Community Center to the much smaller Evans Government Center. 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Of course, that incident occurred in Columbia County, but it still gave Augusta a bad name. However, this week, Augusta is being praised for not only treating several Muslim families with respect, but also showing them a great deal of hospitality. Needless to say, that one person’s act of genuine kindness is making Augusta look extremely good this week. So, thank you, to the anonymous person who paid for this family’s bill. Augusta owes you one.
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Life is Not Always a Cabaret, Old Chum Was anyone else confused by the tone of a story a few weeks ago in The Augusta Chronicle about local sex offender Randy Houston Mercer? The headline of the Dec. 18 story written by Sandy Hodson was, “Professional makeup artist gets 30-year prison term for sex with minors.” So far, it sounds bad, as it should. But, then the lede of the story is pretty bizarre. “Once a makeup artist for the stars of Broadway, Randy Houston Mercer will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for having sexual relations with two teens in the Augusta area,” Hodson writes. All right. So this guy used to rub elbows with some famous celebrities, but now he has to go to prison for 30 years for having sex with minors. Are we supposed to feel sorry for him? Hodson continues: “On Friday in U.S. District Court, Judge J. Randal Hall told Mercer he is also age 57 and can’t imagine how terrible it is to get a 30-year prison term...” What? Now, the judge is feeling bad for Mercer? But Hodson adds: “... and Hall said he was mindful that punishment is often worst for a defendant’s family.” Um... what about the victims’ families? If you found out that your teen son or daughter was having sex with a 57-year-old man, I think you would probably be more than a little upset. Talk about wanting to strangle someone to death. However, it gets worse. “But Mercer pursued contact with minors, engaged in sexual acts that he photographed, and he e-mailed some of those photos to friends,” Hodson wrote. So, not only did this 57-year-old man have sex with two teenagers, but he also photographed them performing these sexual acts and then sent them to all of his buddies. Oh, but it gets worse. Much worse. “Compounding the crimes was Mercer’s decision not to tell the 15-year-olds he was HIV positive before having unprotected sex,” Hodson wrote. Wait one minute. So, Mercer has a sexually transmitted disease that can be deadly if contracted and Hodson is just now getting around to mentioning that aspect of the story in third or fourth paragraph? Shouldn’t the headline have been something like “HIV-positive man gets 30 years in prison for sex with minors”? Having HIV is serious. Contracting HIV is a life-changing event. From the moment that you know you are HIV positive, you have a responsibility and an obligation to any future sexual partners to inform them that you are HIV positive. And for Mercer not to even wear protection when engaging in these sexual acts with minors
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is devastating. It’s devastating to the teens. It’s devastating to the parents of these teens. And it is devastating to anyone who might have engaged in other sexual acts with these teens since they had contact with Mercer. The article does say, in the very last paragraph, that Mercer was taking medication that “greatly reduced the chances of infecting a sexual partner, but there was still a risk.” The public can only hope that these two teens were extremely lucky and did not contract HIV because that would be heartbreaking for someone so young. In the end, the article states that Mercer pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor in production of child pornography. But the article continues to describe how people crowded the courtroom to defend Mercer. “Mercer’s family and colleagues who traveled from across the country to speak on his behalf Friday described a kind and generous man who would do anything for anyone in need,” Hodson wrote. “His career as a professional makeup artist included working on major Broadway hits such as The Book of Mormon, Hairspray, The Producers, Cabaret, Kinky Boots and Cry-Baby, according to the Web site Playbill Vault.” Who the hell cares? Let’s just say that Mercer was a makeup artist for some of the best Broadway divas of all time such as Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters and Julie Andrews, it still wouldn’t matter. This 57-year-old man with HIV had unprotected sexual relations with two 15-year-olds and took photos of them. He needs to go to prison for a long time. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Troy Clark was absolutely right when he asked the judge to impose a 30-year prison term instead of the 15 years requested by Mercer’s attorney. “We’re not here for the Randy Mercer they (family and friends) know, we’re here for the Randy Mercer who took those pictures and sent those e-mails,” Hodson quoted Clark saying. Now, the teens weren’t angels. Apparently, Mercer met the teens through a social media website that was intended for people 18 years or older, but Hodson’s story states that Mercer knew the day after he met the first victim that the teen was actually 15 years old. “The teens might have willingly engaged in sex with Mercer, but they were legally incapable of consenting, and didn’t do so knowing about Mercer’s contagious disease,” Clark was quoted as saying. So, it’s time for Mercer to just say goodbye and give his regards to Broadway. What he did was wrong in so many ways and now it is time for him to head off to prison. Will he die behind bars? Probably. But Mercer made those choices and he must now live with those terrible mistakes. The curtain has dropped. The show is over.
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 5
Aftermath: Unwanted Gifts ON DECEMBER 26TH, the world awakens to an obvious fact, but one that sometimes gets lost in chaos leading up to Christmas Day — holiday shopping doesn’t end with Christmas Day. Families all across America awake the day after Christmas to the reality that several received items are unneeded, unwanted or just plain bizarre. It’s difficult to place blame over this circumstance. Gift giving is a very difficult enterprise and, honestly, some folks don’t make it any easier. Everyone has that person in his or her family who says, “Oh, I have everything I need. Whatever you get me will be fine.” So we give it our best shot. And while we all act with the most sincere of intentions, unfortunately many of us end up asking the question, “Do I really need a Star Wars themed bread maker with a custom BB-8 butter softener?” Several options exist to resolve the fate of unwanted gifts. The first and best solution is to simply exchange the gift. Even if it’s not the present given, every giver wants to make sure the receiver gets something they want. Of course, this option isn’t always available. Sometimes, the gift receipt isn’t available, or the gift is a specialty item that can’t be returned. Other options must be explored. While somewhat controversial, IMHO the next best option is the regift. Many folks don’t find this option to be appropriate. A re-gift shows disrespect to the giver and, indeed, not all gifts qualify and a certain regifting etiquette must be followed. (More on this below.) After all the presents are exchanged, however, the re-gift is no different than “return for cash, then re-buy.” But again, for etiquette sake, the re-gift has some hard and fast rules in order to executed properly. First of all, not all gifts qualify as a re-gift. Personal items such as underwear are not an appropriate re-gift. Items given for a sentimental reason such a keepsake shouldn’t be regifted; this would show disrespect to the giver. Also, expensive items are off-limits to regifting. Remember the old saying, “Time is money?” How would you feel if you worked weeks to buy someone a gift, only to see it passed along down the line. No, a person’s time should be well respected. By contrast, gift cards have been rated on a number of technology websites as the perfect re-gift. As a matter of fact, websites that specialize in gift cards swapping have become increasingly popular; for example, raise.com or cardpool.com. In addition to the re-gift, gift cards may be consolidated in the various digital wallet services or donated to charity. When it comes to flexibility, gift cards are as good as cash. Another gift that is hugely popular (and acceptable) for re-gifting is White Elephant gifts. As White Elephant gifts are typically chosen for entertainment value, these gifts have a low probably for practical use. That said, a good White Elephant gift is an item of value and will be treasured. Not necessarily as an heirloom, but as the best contribution to next year’s party. Once all the unwanted gifts are identified, how does one execute the re-gift? Is it as simple as re-wrapping and delivering? Sometimes, yes… but a few rules must be observed. First of all, appearances are very important. The re-gift must not be opened or damaged. In addition, any notes or personalization from the original must be completely removed. The re-gift must not possess any signs that betray its unoriginality. Finally, and this may be the most important rule, never re-gift to the same circle of family or friends. People sometimes talk more about what they give than what they receive. A re-gift to the same circle will almost certainly be identified. As we sort through our gifts this season, we should also keep in mind that we should all be so blessed to have received unwanted gifts. Just as holiday shopping doesn’t stop with Christmas, neither should the spirit of holiday giving. As we start the New Year, let us all resolve together to help others grow and prosper. A helping hand is always a suitable re-gift. @gregory_a_baker
GREGORY BAKER PH.D. is vice president of CMA Technology and, yes, is actually a rocket scientist who used his doctorate in aerospace engineering at Lockheed Martin. In addition to working at CMA, he also serves the community, sitting on several boards in the area.
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2015 — Looking Back
Because I love a List. Especially a random list. 1. Azziz is gone. It’s not exactly the greatest news, considering he accomplished what he came to do. It’s too bad we can’t ever go back. (February 2015) 2. I’ve heard people complain about the new jobs downtown and the parking issues the additional people will create. Well, folks, you can’t have it both ways. If you want to see Augusta thrive, any growth is just that. Growth. Parking is already an issue, and it may get worse, but I don’t think any of us wants to see downtown become a ghost town. Let’s keep the momentum going. (February 2015) 3. Delia Ephron made me feel so much better this week. She’s quoted in a Vanity Fair column on aging and Hollywood: “The way agents and studio executives know a writer is old —the worst thing you can be called in Hollywood — is that she or he puts two spaces after a period at the end of a sentence.” I’m not one who typically focuses on or laments about my age, but this fact can’t go unnoticed. I trained myself a couple of years ago, in about a day, to quit the two-space rule. I couldn’t feel any younger. (March 2015) 4. Sidenote: It is The Augusta Common. Not the Augusta Commons. It’s a common space for people to gather. That one letter annoys so many. (March 2015) 5. There’s a direct correlation between the number of [Masters] souvenir cups in a stack and a patron’s behavior. This is especially true if the cups are green. Green cups are for import beer only. There’s absolutely zero chance it was sweet tea. (April 2015) 6. If anyone was looking for an update, the carpool cheaters are still there. In fact, they’ve grown in numbers. They park off to the side, rather than sitting in line like the rest of us. I’d like to congratulate them. Their time is more important than everyone else’s, and that deserves some recognition. I try to remember to keep the dirty looks to myself. (May 2015) 7. I also try to remember, when I’m wearing my regular glasses, they are not sunglasses. As in, the lenses aren’t tinted. My disapproving glances can be seen by all. (May 2015) 8. The Greater Augusta Arts Council organized Art the Box, a community beautification project involving local artists. If you haven’t seen a painted electrical box yet, keep your eyes peeled. They’re scattered in various locations around town. So cool. (June 2015)
8 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
9. I’m in awe of Columbia County fire and EMS, the American Red Cross, Augusta Chapter, and Richmond County emergency authorities who helped with the fire at Marshall Square retirement community in Evans. Teamwork at its best. The building was fully engulfed in flames for hours. It’s a miracle that most everyone got out okay. Thoughts and prayers to the family who lost a loved one. (June 2015) 10. Aiken has a fabulous TJ Maxx and downtown. It’s only a 25-minute drive from my front door. It’s like a little vacation. An uncrowded, friendly vacation. (July 2015) 11. I’m trying to figure out why the Dairy Queen behind Daniel Village decided to renovate in the middle of summer. I’m no ice cream expert, but it seems Blizzards would sell amazingly well in the middle of July. (August 2015) 12. Every time I make big plans for people to come over, [University of] Georgia loses. If you want them to win, I’m comin’ to your house. I’ll bring beer. (September 2015) 13. Cooler weather means bourbon, football, spiked cider and sweaters. It also means leggings and Uggs. Uggh. If you must, please be sure your shirt is long enough to cover your privates. Repeat after me: Leggings are NOT pants. Leggings are NOT pants. Your family and friends will thank you. And me. (October 2015) 14. Uber is now a verb. “Are you going to Uber tonight?” “Why yes, we are Ubering.” (November 2015) 15. If this hasn’t been your best year, chin up, buttercup. Cheers to health, prosperity and happiness for you and yours. See you in 2016, y’all.
JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous observations on marriage, motherhood and living in Augusta have earned her a devoted following, both in print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the carpool line at school, you’ll probably find her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.
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The Whine Line
Senior citizens eating hot dogs for Christmas? Not even allowed to eat in the dining room and being forced to eat Christmas “dinner” in their room alone. Thanks, [name redacted]...
Time to flush both Columbia County administrator’s and save the taxpayers the cost of the impending lawsuits. Richmond County Georgia, the lowest of trailer trash.
Every time I hear how mistreated the wealthiest individuals/corporations in America are by the IRS, I have an irresistible urge to retch uncontrollably. The average effective rate last year for the largest and most profitable corporations was a mere 12.5%, meaning I was dunned nearly 2.5 times the rate afforded the wealthy, best illustrated by one hedge fund manager making 80 million a year, yet paying fewer actual dollars in tax bills than myself. Since 1980, with compensation for the top 1% having risen nearly 300% and working class salaries less than 10%, let me suggest where those financially ravaged companies/individuals might perhaps find sympathy - it’s right between s**t and syphilis in the dictionary. Apparently Chronicle editorial writer Mike Ryan couldn’t get enough out of his infatuation with Jodi Lott - he had to write a Sunday editorial to regale everyone with
ber all the m e m e r to t n e m o m Ploepalestheattalokestatheir lives in Fox New’s pe War on Christmas. how hard he personally worked to get her elected. Isn’t that just a bit unethical for a journalist - or shouldn’t he at least have been required to take a leave of absence? A lot of other big cities I’ve been to all have malls that close at 10 year round and some that close at 10 Friday & Saturday. Sure wish ours would do that as well but I guess the criminal element is so rampant at the Augusta Mall that they would never consider it. They better try something because it’s slowly dying and losing the interest of many shoppers. Because we cant beat them and we will never join them, we have become them. Terrorism will not stop. Terrorism will never stop, as long as we have the philosophy that holds one race superior and another inferior. As long as the color of a man’s skin is of no more significant then the color of his eyes. As long as we maintain first class and second class citizen’s of any nation. As long as we don’t guarantee the basic human rights to all without regard to race. Until that day, dreams of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality, and no terrorism, will remain a fleeting illusion to be pursued..... but NEVER attained. Reality of America right now, no matter who becomes president, we refuse to look in the mirror, and increasingly we are perishing like fools... Does The Whine Line purposely make grammatical and spelling errors? As an educator, I hope errors are done intentionally for effect. There are a fair number of them in December 17 issue. With that being said, I do enjoy The Whine Line.
Why are there no immigrants coming to America anymore? No Cubans or Haitians on boats and there are more Mexicans leaving than coming. Maybe it’s a good thing. As America’s system is founded on slaves, we will see who needs who. The Iowa and New Hampshire voting looks like white bread trying to be the main course. That makes for an unbalanced diet. GM manufactured the deadly weapon used in Las Vegas, 1996 oldsmobile.. wasn’t offended by the holiday cups. I’m not offended by the plain red cups either. I just - don’t - care. I’m not whining about what I’m saying. But, I’m just responding to some of the negative comments posted in the metro sprit’s Dec.17, 2015 newspaper by saying this. I didn’t see President Obama disrespect the US Constitution so far. Plus, I don’t vote for no person that’s going to trample on the US Constitution also. There are some American kids that has learned how to build, etc. and very smart. Not all American kids are interested in sex, drugs, etc. Plus, not all foreign nationals has been trying to hack into the super secured data bases in the USA also. ISIS isn’t a gang, they are some type of militant group. ISIS hasn’t totally accomplished this mission threw out this whole world that this whiner mention in their statement so far at this time also. Not every person has abandoned Obama care at this time also. Not all of America’s generation has gotten old and going home also.
rant to the metro s
pirit- you depic d Trump as H it le be a goofball te r in y o u r ca on. He may articulates whaantdnhe certainly isn’t my firstrcto name of the new moeeds to be said. You also mhoockice, but he have to be so snarkvie theater. Why? Why do you ed the y? Glad you mentioned George Bush there Austin. Let us not forget, and I will continue to remind, that Dubya’s was the most disastrous presidency in American history, after having been handed a budget surplus by President Clinton. Normal Americans are still burdened by the Bush financial and foreign policies, paying nearly double the price for food they were before the Great Recession of 2008. We have seen the results of their ideas and policies, so let’s not go there again, it’s too depressing to even contemplate.
WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit.com. The Metro Spirit reserves the right to edit submitted whines for content, but we will otherwise print them pretty much exactly as you type them… spelling errors and all. 10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Life in a Fishbowl
After his first year in office, Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis describes his role as mayor as being one of a “problem solver, not a problem creator” by Stacey Eidson
When AugustA MAyor hArdie dAvis took over the top spot in Augusta-Richmond County about a year ago, he now admits that he didn’t completely anticipate all of the challenges that came with the position. “This is probably the most difficult job I’ve ever had,” Davis said, sitting in his office on the second floor of the city’s renovated Municipal Building. “It’s easier being an engineer. It’s easier being a state legislator. And that’s not bad. It’s just different. It is different because of the demands. It is different because of the expectations.” Voters have extremely high expectations for a newly elected mayor because that position symbolizes the future of the city, Davis explained. “The expectations of the mayor, really of any city because it is not unique to Augusta, is that when people elect their mayor from across the county or across the city is that their mayor is going to do something to make their city better and to make their lives better,” Davis said. “And when you have, not only competing interests, but priorities about how you go about affecting that type of change, it makes it difficult.” With 10 commissioners representing various regions throughout the county, Davis said it is a challenge to bring everyone to the table and be on the same page about the future of Augusta-Richmond County. “By nature, I’m a problem solver, not a problem creator,” he said. “So, there are opportunities in Augusta. I don’t want to call them problems, but there are opportunities. They are real. They’ve been structural. They’ve been systemic challenges and we have an opportunity to do something different that allows us to engage all of our citizens perhaps in a way that has never been done before, that will add tremendous value to future generations of Augusta. That is what excites me every day. That is what keeps me coming back.” Over the past year, Davis said one of his key learning experiences has been developing a better understanding of what citizens expect from him and how the local government works. “What I expected is that we would have a tremendous opportunity to try to improve on where we are in Augusta, making Augusta better,” Davis said. “But that required a broader understanding of the culture. How local government works. I think here, at this stage, we have a grasp of that. We have a better understanding of how local government works. How the departments work here in Augusta. How we can get things done working with the commissioners, working with the administrator and working with the staff in general.” And Davis is not afraid to acknowledge his first year in office was not always an easy road to travel. “There have been some missteps that we’ve had this year,” Davis said. “But I think there is a tremendous sense of optimism still that remains in the general public. I think we are very optimistic in the mayor’s office as it relates to what we want to see accomplished together as a city.” One such “misstep” in many Augustans’ minds was the mayor’s decision during his second month in office to call on the state legislature to change the city’s 1995 consolidation bill to allow for the mayor to have more power and authority over the local government. “In our current structure of government there is no system of checks and balances,” Davis said in late February. “There is no ability to hold anyone accountable for the decisions that are made on a day-to-day basis because our government was not designed that way.” In February, the mayor insisted it was time for a change. “When decisions are made, whether good or bad, the mayor cannot veto or change those decisions,” Davis said during a February news conference. “In fact, the mayor doesn’t even contribute significantly to the process of making decisions that impact our city and our citizens. That’s not the type of government the U.S. Constitution provides.” Looking back at his February press conference, Davis said he was simply suggesting what he
“This is probably the most difficult job I’ve ever had. It’s easier being an engineer. It’s easier being a state legislator. And that’s not bad. It’s just different.” — Hardie Davis 12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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thought was best to move the city forward. Obviously, not everyone agreed, he said. “What I did not want to do is allow our first year to reverberate around that conversation. I certainly wouldn’t want the close of this year to reverberate around that,” Davis said, adding, however, that Augusta leaders should have a discussion about the city charter. “I think the previous mayor, Mayor (Deke) Copenhaver, on Dec. 31, 2014, on his way out, he was asked the question, ‘What would he have done differently?’ He said he would have spent more time working on that.” The role of Augusta’s mayor is one that needs to be looked at and reviewed by the community, Davis said. “When you look at post-consolidation, every mayor prior to me has raised that issue,” Davis said of the mayor’s authority in the local government. “I think it is an issue of, not power, but democracy. It is a question of, do we have representative democracy that provides us with a system of checks and balances in local government? In our current structure, we don’t have that.” The structure of Augusta’s local government is much different than that of both the state and federal governments because it is truly without “checks and balances,” Davis said. “We don’t have that environment in our current structure of government,” he said. “And I think that is a question that will remain before us today, tomorrow and for future generations of Augustans. Do we want to be at a place where we move beyond the notion of being a little, big town in a big city fast lane? I think that is the concern for future generations.” Reviewing the structure of the local government will be key in developing the city’s future, Davis said. “Our city is very provincial,” Davis said. “We can look at the cultural shifts and changes that we’ve seen during the pre-consolidation years and certainly post-consolidation and we are very provincial. Much of what we talk about, as it relates to the structure of this government, rests or finds itself rooted in territorial conversations.” Post-consolidation has brought about an even bigger focus on what’s best for west Augusta, south Augusta, downtown, East Augusta, “The Hill” area and beyond, he said. “The truth of the matter is, what we’ve got to be able to do is we’ve got to have honest conversations as a community and I’m not sure if we are at that point,” Davis said. “We talk about progress, but the truth of the matter is, progress requires having forthright and honest conversations about, not only who we are, but where we want to be.” Such discussions don’t come easily in Augusta, the mayor said. “Everybody compares Augusta to Greenville. They compare Augusta to Savannah or Columbus and other parts in between,” Davis said. “They work because there are differences in terms of how those cities are structured. And so, we don’t have that conversation. We
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“Hardie Davis is not standoffish. Hardie Davis is not arrogant. Hardie Davis is a relational person who cares about people and cares about this city greatly.” — Hardie Davis
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just say, ‘Augusta ought to be like Greenville.’ Yes. We’ve got all of the tools and all of the intangibles that they have in Greenville, but there is also a difference in terms of how they functionally operate. Our issues are structural. And I think that is the conversation that we’ve got to have.” If no one ever pushes that discussion, Davis believes the city’s future will ultimately suffer, he said. “The last two decades, Augusta has essentially had no growth,” he said. “I think part of that is rooted in how we are structured as a local government. But again, we’ve had some successes. I think that is important. We will have successes in 2016 and beyond with the form of government that we have. Can it be better? Without question.” One major roadblock regarding a change in the city’s charter is the fact several Augusta commissioners are completely against the idea of giving the mayor more authority over the local government. When asked how he would describe his relationship with commissioners, Davis said it is “continuing to grow.”
“I think like with any new career opportunity and new role — and this certainly is a new role for me — many of the commissioners, I had a relationship with prior to being the mayor,” Davis said. “As a state senator, I worked with a number of them. I have a very fond relationship with several of them. Others, I’m now learning and understanding how they work and how we can work together. So, I feel good about where we are.” Over the past year, some commissioners and citizens have said they’ve found the mayor a difficult person to get to know. But Davis insists those people haven’t taken the time to even sit down and have a conversation with him. “I would describe myself as an introvert, but who loves being around people. That’s somewhat of an oxymoron, but people who know Hardie Davis know that I am a very relational person,” Davis said. “When you spend as much time as I do with people in every facet of my life — whether it be outside the mayor’s office, in my personal life at home and my life as pastor of a church — I am a very relational individual. I am very passionate about people’s lives and
“Everybody compares Augusta to Greenville. They compare Augusta to Savannah or Columbus and other parts in between. They work because there are differences in terms of how those cities are structured.” — Hardie Davis 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
how we can give people the advantage. How we can make people’s lives better.” Davis said he is extremely open to anyone who wants to walk through the door of the mayor’s office and talk about the city’s future. “The idea or notion that I’m difficult to get to know, that’s sheer poppycock,” Davis said, smiling. “I think if people take the time, number one, and not come into a relationship with their own preconceived ideas and perceptions... it is always how I share with my son that, you won’t know people unless you engage other people. You have to be willing to respect people because everything in life begins with the foundation of respect. And then you move to a place through a relationship of trusting others on the basis of who they are and what they do. As opposed to the preconceived notions of, ‘Well, this is who I say this person is.’” Each and every day, Davis said he makes contact with the citizens throughout Augusta to listen to their views about the local government. “Just this past Sunday, I was driving down the road and I stopped at a light and someone drives up and they recognize who I am,” he said. “And they said some really wonderful things to us that is just encouraging. They said we are going in the right direction as it relates to what we want to accomplish as a city together. And I think that is the thing I want people to take away from it. If you want to get know Hardie Davis, just stop and talk with me. I’m that simple.” Despite how some members of the local media like to portray him, the mayor said he is actually a very down-to-earth, humble person. “Hardie Davis is not standoffish. Hardie Davis is not arrogant,” he insisted. “Hardie Davis is a relational person who cares about people and cares about this city greatly. And we want to see a better Augusta. We want to see a OneAugusta. Not a divided Augusta. Not a black versus a white Augusta. But an Augusta that works for all of our citizens. And I believe that’s who people expect me to be, but, most importantly, that is who I am in my everyday life.” But having several newspapers and a number of news stations constantly following his every move has definitely been a challenge this year, the mayor said. “We find ourselves in a fishbowl. And the water gets sucked out of the fishbowl,” Davis said, laughing. “That is an interesting analogy that the water gets sucked out of the fishbowl. That I did not anticipate. In fact, I have a better appreciation as we step into the New Year that we are on all the time. Basically, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are on all the time.” That was never the case when he was a state senator doing business in Atlanta, Davis said. “I was somewhat insulated from that in the Legislature,” he said. “I could go out and I could do a good job representing all the citizens of Augusta, representing the 31DECEMBER2015
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“When you look at postconsolidation, every mayor prior to me has raised that issue (of the mayor’s power). I think it is an issue of, not power, but democracy.” — Hardie Davis
great state of Georgia and be written about in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and be written about in other papers as generally very positive. I come home and I sneeze and someone wants to know, ‘Why did you sneeze?’ It’s different. It is certainly different.” While some members of the media have often had a difficult time getting in touch with the mayor regarding some controversial issues facing the city, Davis insists his door is always open. “When people want to know what is happening and what is going on in the mayor’s office, what I’ve said to media is, ‘Just come and ask the question,’” Davis said. “Don’t write something that you didn’t at least ask me about. And, oftentimes, that is what happens. You write, but you didn’t ask me the question. You got other people’s perceptions and opinions. Come to the horse. Ask the question. So I think as we move forward, that is what I would like to see in 2016.” As mayor of Augusta, Davis wants citizens to know that he is a leader they can trust and respect, but also feel comfortable approaching. “Most importantly, let me dispel this notion, I am not a king,” Davis said. “The people of Augusta elected me to be the mayor. That’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to serve as the 84th mayor of the great city of Augusta, Georgia. And in that, that role requires that I work with my colleagues and staff to achieve a singular vision of really a better Augusta.” Overall, the mayor said he has learned a great deal during his first year in office and he will use those lessons to grow and develop into an even better leader for the city. “It has been difficult, simply because there were things that we didn’t anticipate,” he said. “That’s not bad. It’s just different.” But those challenges have made him stronger, Davis said. In fact, he has realized over the past year that you must have a thick skin in order to be able to handle the job as mayor of Augusta. During his first 12 months in office, Davis said he hasn’t had a problem dealing with any of the criticisms thrown at the mayor’s 31DECEMBER2015
office, but he is very protective when it comes to his family. “I’m a very simple man,” Davis said. “And, being a family man, I’ve got a 14-year-old. He reads. His classmates talk. People at the school talk. My wife, she works in this community, and so, that is different when I was a legislator. And so, I’m very protective of my family. And as such, I would expect for anyone to be.” However, by working hard to improve the city, respecting its citizens, building solid relationships with his colleagues and developing a stronger future for all Augustans, Davis said he is also honoring family. He will never embarrass Augusta, the mayor said. “We have a good name. I want to make sure that I maintain my good name,” Davis said. “That is more important than any of that other stuff. Before I arrived in the role of mayor, I had a good name and when I leave, I want to make certain that I still have a good name.”
“There have been some missteps that we’ve had this year. But I think there is a tremendous sense of optimism still that remains in the general public.” — Hardie Davis
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No Judgment Planet Fitness aims to make members comfortable by Amy Christian When most PeoPle visit a gym, especially if they’re new to working out or coming back after a long hiatus, they expect to feel a lot of things: intimidated, self-conscious and, if it’s in January, annoyed by the crowds. “Comfortable” isn’t often one of the words that springs to gym members’ minds, especially in the midst of the January resolutions rush, but that’s exactly how Manager Skyler Pyles wants Planet Fitness members to feel when they visit the gym’s Martinez location. “We’re known as the Judgment-Free Zone and what that means is we don’t cater to bodybuilders or powerlifters. We just focus more on general fitness,” Pyles said. “A lot of our members are first-time gym users, so we like to keep the atmosphere comfortable for everybody. This is a non-intimidating workout environment.” Planet Fitness, he explained, has a completely different philosophy towards its members than other gyms might. Sure, they want to provide members with everything they need to accomplish their fitness goals. But Planet Fitness also aims to make each member’s experience at the gym a pleasant one. And that means making joining Planet Fitness easy and inexpensive. Prospective members only have two options to decide from, and both are great values. The white card membership is normally $29 down (but only $10 until January 14), and $10 a month with a $29 annual membership fee. And that comes with a free T-shirt and no contract. The other option is the black card membership, which requires no money down and is $19.99 a month with a $39 annual membership fee. Black card members have access to their own private area behind the check-in desk that offers free unlimited tanning and use of massage chairs and beds. They can also bring one guests every time they visit any of Planet Fitness’ locations nationwide and get half-off the price of cooler drinks. There is a one-year contract with the black card membership, but either membership level can be easily cancelled. “One thing a lot of members have explained to us as to why they like us so much is the cancellation policy, because we’ve heard a lot of stories about people (at other gyms) getting double charged or continuing to get charged after they cancelled,” Pyles said. “We have an in-house cancellation policy, so it’s done here and when you cancel you are done.” The other thing members tell Pyles they love about Planet Fitness is that access to a trainer is included in the membership fee. Standard policy at other fitness centers is to give new
members one visit with a trainer as a kind of orientation. After that, members can buy more sessions or are on their own. While Planet Fitness doesn’t offer aerobics classes, their trainer, Rob Strickland, has a daily schedule of 30-minute training sessions called pe@pf. These sessions may target one area of the body, such as legs, abs or shoulders, or it may be a guided tour of the gym’s 30-minute circuit, a combination of aerobic and strength training that operates on traffic light timing. When the green light is on, participants do one minute of work on a strength machine. When the red light comes on, they get 30 seconds of cardio in on a step bench. These sessions are available for up to five people, and members just have to sign in at the front desk or by using Planet Fitness’ mobile app. And they’re free. “Anyone who wants to work with our trainer, it’s included in the membership,” Pyles said. “At other gyms, you’re most likely going to spend upwards of a couple hundred dollars to work with a trainer for a month or two.” Strickland can also work with individual members to create a customized plan based on their goals and health issues. Planet Fitness has definitely got the basics covered, but they’re also extremely thoughtful when it comes to overcoming some of the other gym obstacles. Obnoxious members? Planet Fitness has a dress code that goes for guys as well as girls, and they will call you out if you grunt, drop weights or judge other people. Cell phones can be used for music and social media purposes, but if you’re hogging a machine while talking on the phone, a staff member will (politely) ask you to go to the reception area until you’re done. Crowded conditions? The Martinez Planet Fitness location is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is always staffed so members are never there alone. In addition, they have tons of cardio equipment, all that have their own HD TVs with more than 95 channels to choose from and equipped with headphone jacks. And that doesn’t count the enormous free weight and weight machine areas, the ab circuit area and the PF360 cross training area. They also have a handout available at the front desk showing which times of the day have the biggest crowds. (Hint: It’s from 4-8 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday.) Cleanliness? Planet Fitness in Martinez is spotless. Fitness equipment is maintained and repaired quickly, and the full-service men’s and women’s locker rooms have considerate touches like floor-to-ceiling tiled showers and private changing areas. Encouragement? Planet Fitness is one of the sponsors of the Biggest Loser. Those who go to the location in Martinez may not end up on the television show, but the gym does offer a social media platform called Planet of Triumphs. “It works kind of like Facebook,” Pyles explained. “Members can log on and post milestones or offer encouragement to other members or document the progress they’re making. We also have a mobile app that members can use to track their workouts, sign in for pe@pf and you can scan in with your phone now.” All in all, Planet Fitness offers something for everyone. “We really do cater to people who are experienced but just want some room or are just getting into fitness and want to be comfortable or work with a trainer,” he said. “It really is a place to feel comfortable working out.” Planet Fitness 222 Bobby Jones Expressway, Martinez 762-994-0743 planetfitness.com
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Need to wear your kids out before the babysitter arrives for your night out? Want the little ones to see that there’s more to celebrating the beginning of a new year than having a few too many? Then bring them to the Episcopal Day School gym on Thursday, December 31, at 11 a.m. for the annual Countdown to Noon. This New Year’s Eve celebration for kids ages 5-17 and their families features a concert by Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppy Band that will includes lots of singing along and dancing, as well as a ukulele raffle and a balloon drop. $5 (no charge for babies and grownups). Visit tarascheyer.com.
EDUCATION Sat Jan 2, 2016
10am - noon Clipping and Clicking for Savings Maxwell Branch Library Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Mon Jan 4, 2016
3:30pm - 5pm Intermediate Spanish Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Jan 5, 2016
5:30pm The Decline of the Death Penalty in the U.S. Maxwell Branch Library Presented by Kathryn Hamoudah and Brenna McEowen. Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Wed Jan 6, 2016
11:30am - 1:30pm Open Job Lab Diamond Lakes Branch Library Participants can complete job applications, resumes or conduct job searches with staff available for one-on-one help if needed. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Jan 7, 2016
11am Digital Library for Beginners Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
5pm - 9pm Jimmie Dyess Symposium Augusta Museum of History Rotunda This event includes remarks by Major General Perry Smith, the honoring of four individuals with the 2016 Distinguished American Award and more. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Ongoing
Guided Tours 1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
North Augusta Driving Tour Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Offered by appointment and includes a 3045 minute guided tour and admission to the center. Self-guided tours are also available through an iPhone downloadable audio tour or a Google Maps-based tour. Guided tours: $5, adults; $3, students K-12. Call 803-4414380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
Tours Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson Guided tours, approximately 45 minutes long, are offered Thursday-Saturday on the hour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Group tours
are available by advanced reservation. Adults, $5; seniors, $4; kids K-12, $3; under 5 years, free. Call 706-724-0436 or visit wilsonboyhoodhome.org.
Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta Augusta Visitors Center Tours aboard the Lady Libby available at the Augusta Visitors Center with 24-hour advanced reservations. Tickets include admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-724-4067 or visit visitaugusta.org.
ELSEWHERE Sat Jan 2, 2016
1pm Gallery Tour: Georgia O’Keeffe and Independent Spirits Columbia Museum of Art Free with admission. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
Sun Jan 3, 2016
2pm Gallery Tour: Highlights of the
If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com. 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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CMA Collection Columbia Museum of Art Free with admission. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
Wed Jan 6, 2016
10am Gladys’ Gang: A Tree for Me Columbia Museum of Art A free early childhood arts and literacy program for those ages 2-5 that includes story time in the galleries and hands-on art projects. Pre-registration required. Call 803799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
Ongoing
Georgia O’Keeffe: Her Carolina Story Columbia Museum of Art This exhibition of 12 of O’Keeffe’s works will show through January 10. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
EXHIBITIONS Thu Jan 7, 2016
5pm - 7pm Ajibola Exhibition Opening Reception Sacred Heart Cultural Center Also known as Daphne Taylor, this local artist will exhibit her original paintings January 7-February 26. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.
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6pm - 7:30pm Meet the Artist: Nico Gozal Hire Grounds Cafe The Indonesian artist brings his multicultural heritage to life in his silk paintings, on display throughout the month of January. Call 706-650-5760 or visit goodwillworks.org.
Ongoing
Ajibola Exhibition Sacred Heart Cultural Center Also known as Daphne Taylor, this local artist will exhibit her original paintings January 7-February 26. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.
Nico Gozal Exhibition Hire Grounds Cafe The Indonesian artist brings his multicultural heritage to life in his silk paintings, on display throughout the month of January. Call 706-650-5760 or visit goodwillworks.org.
SEEDS Exhibition Westobou Gallery An exhibition of works in a variety of mediums from local and regional artists that are $300 or less. The exhibition will show until January 29. Call 706-755-2878 or visit
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A four-session class that continues on Mondays through January 25. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Tue Jan 5, 2016
6pm Weight Loss Surgery and You University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.
7pm - 9:30pm Childbirth Preparation Class University Hospital A four-session class that continues on Tuesdays through January 26. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Wed Jan 6, 2016
6:30pm - 9pm Childbirth Education Class GRHealth A four-week class meeting Wednesdays through January 27. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2273 or visit grhealth.org.
7pm - 9:30pm Childbirth Preparation Class University Hospital A three-session class that continues on Wednesdays through January 27. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Thu Jan 7, 2016
7pm Center for Women Tour Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Ongoing Yoga
Nico Gozal is a visual artist whose silk paintings reflect his multicultural heritage and his roots in Indonesia. His works will be on display (and for sale) at Goodwill’s Hire Grounds Cafe during January and the artist himself will be at the cafe Thursday, January 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. Call 706-650-5760 or visit goodwillworks.org. westoboufestival.com.
Exhibits Augusta Museum of History Includes the following: “Glamorous Gowns of Centuries Past” (through December 2015), “Augusta, 1864” (through January 2016); “The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; “Celebrating a Grand Tradition, the Sport of Golf”; “Augusta’s Story”; “A Community That Heals”; “Into the Interior: A History of the Georgia Railroad and 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Banking Company”; “Local Legends”; “One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage”; “A Quilt Journey”; and “Canteens to Combat Boots”. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
HEALTH Mon Jan 4, 2016
7pm - 9:30pm Childbirth Preparation Class University Hospital
H.O. Weeks Center, Aiken Yoga I is offered from 8:45-9:45 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays; Yoga II is offered 8:45-9:45 a.m., Fridays; Evening Yoga is offered 5:306:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. $41 for 10 tickets, residents; $66, non-residents. Call 803-642-7631.
Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease Aquatics Class Wilson Family Y’s Katie’s Pool Members, free; non-members, $3. Call 706922-9664 or email ccollins@thefamilyy.org.
Adapted Evaluation Wilson Family Y’s Katie’s Pool A 30-minute initial and annual evaluation including medical history and water assessment. $25. Call 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org.
One Class Wilson Family Y’s Katie’s Pool For the physically and developmentally challenged of all ages. Members, $10; nonmembers, $30. Call 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org.
HOBBIES Sat Jan 2, 2016
1pm Ghost Hunting Is Not Rocket Science Maxwell Branch Library A talk presented by Rachelle Moran from the South Coast Paranormal Society. Preregistration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Jan 7, 2016
3pm Genealogy Software Programs Augusta Museum of History A seminar led by professional genealogist Michele Simmons Lewis that is free and open to the public. Call 706-722-4073 or visit augustagensociety.org.
KIDS-TEENS Thu Dec 31, 2015
11am - 1pm Countdown to Noon Episcopal Day School Gym A New Year’s Eve celebration for kids ages 5-17 and their families that features a concert by Tara Scheyer. $5; tickets can be purchased at the door. Visit tarascheyer. com.
Sat Jan 2, 2016
11am Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Mon Jan 4, 2016 4pm Makerspace
Columbia County Library Teens will have the opportunity to work on their own projects under staff guidance while using library equipment including CAD software, development software, a 3D scanner, a 3D printer, soldering equipment and general electronics tools. Call 706-8681946 or visit gchrl.org.
5:30pm Pajama Story Time Euchee Creek Branch Library A teen program. Call 706-556-0594 or visit gchrl.org.
Tue Jan 5, 2016
3:30pm Paws for Literacy Maxwell Branch Library An event in which members of the community can read to therapy dogs. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org.
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Wed Jan 6, 2016
10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Thu Jan 7, 2016
10am Beautiful Baskets Morris Museum of Art Part of the Mommy and Me series for children and parents, participants will look at the Daughters of the South exhibit and learn about basket weaving. Free, members; $4 per participants, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-828-3867 or visit themorris.org.
Ongoing
Youth Archery League Registration HO Weeks Center, Aiken For those ages 5-18, this 12-session class meets Wednesdays, January 6-March 23, from 6:30-8 p.m. Open to beginners and experienced participants, students will learn archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration and selfimprovement. $11 per session; $20 fee at the time of enrollment for non-city residents. Call 803-642-7631 or 803-648-7892, or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
A group that accepts any mom who stays at home with her children regardless of parenting style, religion or ethnicity. The group meets for a variety of activities and dues are $20 a year. Visit momsclubofgrovetown.weebly.com.
Mothers of Advanced Maternal Age A group for women with children who are age 35 years or older. Call 706-394-1293 or email hoopnhollar2@yahoo.com.
Homeschool PE Time The Kroc Center For kids ages 5-12 and meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. Members, free; nonmembers, $2 per visit. Activity follows the Richmond County school calendar. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
LITERARY Thu Dec 31, 2015
10am - noon Morning Book Club Maxwell Branch Library Discussion will be on “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Wed Jan 6, 2016
Walton Winter Weekend
6pm Page Turners Book Club
Applications for Walton Foundation for Independence’s Winter Weekend Camp will be accepted until January 1, 2016. The camp, which will be held February 5-7 at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Ga., is for children ages 6-18 with physical disabilities and their families. Applications should include a $25 registration fee. For more information, call 706-826-5809 or visit waltonfoundation.net/winterweekend.
MUSIC
Creek Freaks Phinizy Center A Georgia Adopt-a-Stream team of middle-and high-school students that meets regularly to monitor the health of Butler Creek. Call 706-796-7707 or visit naturalscienceacademy.org.
Loud Crowd A supervised after-school program for those ages 4-12, is Monday Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the following community centers: Warren Road, Blythe, Garrett, Diamond Lakes and McBean. The program follows the Richmond County school calendar. $85, monthly; $25, weekly; $10, drop-in. Visit augustaga.gov.
Moms Club of Augusta A nonprofit group that has weekly playgroups and other activities for stayat-home moms. For more information, visit momsclubaugusta.org.
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Barnes & Noble Call the store for more information on the book of the month. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Tue Jan 5, 2016 5pm String Jam
Kroc Center A four-session class for string players ages 10 and up that continues Tuesdays through January 26. Led by Eryn Eubanks. $50. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
SENIORS Tue Jan 5, 2016
2pm Senior Tech Help Diamond Lakes Branch Library Participants can bring devices and receive one-on-one assistance from library staff. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
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Ongoing
Silver Sneakers Kroc Center A senior exercise class that meets each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:302:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-3645762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/ kroc-center/.
Senior Citizens Club
(706) 860-1997
| cmaaugusta.com
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trail. $5, parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
11am New Year’s Day Resolution Run USCA Pacer Path A 5K or 10K with a pancake breakfast for runners afterwards. Call 803-270-4820 or visit newyear10k.blogspot.com.
Sat Jan 2, 2016
9:30am - 11:30am Swamp Saturday Hike Phinizy Swamp Nature Park A free, guided, 2.5-mile hike. Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.
Mon Jan 4, 2016
6:30pm - 9:30pm Roller Derby Recruitment Night Red Wing Rollerway The Soul City Sirens are looking for skaters, referees, non-skating officials and volunteers. Skaters should bring mouthguard and appropriate workout clothes. Visit soulcitysirens.com. If ghost hunting fascinates you but you don’t quite know how to go about getting started, then you might want to attend Ghost Hunting Is Not Rocket Science at the Maxwell Branch Library Saturday, January 2, at 1 p.m. This sure to be fascinating talk is presented by Rachelle Moran from the South Coast Paranormal Society. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org. Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-noon. Call 803-642-7634.
Silversneakers H.O. Weeks Center Silversneakers Classic Classes offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m., while Silversneakers Yoga is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. at the Weeks Center in Aiken. $27, members; $52, nonmembers. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Computer Classes for Seniors Kroc Center Taught Mondays and Thursdays. Preregistration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
Games for Seniors H.O. Weeks Center Include Rummikub each Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon, Mahjong each Thursday from 1-4 p.m., Bridge each Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Bingo each Tuesday 9-10 a.m., Pinochle each Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Canasta on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. 3 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 803-6427631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Dec 31, 2015 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
8pm New Year’s Eve Masque Le Chat Noir The theater’s annual winter fundraiser will include a champagne toast, midnight countdown, balloon drop with prizes, party favors, hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, music and dancing. Cocktail attire and masks required. $35, individual; $60, couple. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
Fri Jan 1, 2016
5pm - 8pm Wine Not It’s Friday Whole Foods A $5 wine tasting in which participants get five 3-ounce samples of featured wines. Call 762-333-0259 or visit wholefoodsmarket.com.
Thu Jan 7, 2016
5pm - 8pm First Thursday Shops of Midtown, Kings Way at Central Avenue This event features discounts in the shops, hors d’oeuvres and more. The featured organization is TEDxAugusta, Jennie Fleming is the artist of the month, Don Hancock will sign copies of his book, and Chris Hardy will perform. Call 706-733-1788.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS Fri Jan 1, 2016
11am - 12:30pm First Day Hike Mistletoe State Park A ranger-led hike along the Cliatt Creek
Ongoing
Fencing Classes
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. Call 706-7914864 or visit fortgordon.com.
South Atlantic Recreation Club Offers kickball, flag football and bowling leagues. For more information, visit sarcaugusta.com.
Weekly Group Runs Include the Monday Run meeting at Stillwater Taproom 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 5:30 and 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Hill Training Run at the Family Y track on Wheeler Road at 7 p.m.; and Thursday’s Homer Hustle at 6 p.m. Visit augustastriders.com.
The Augusta Furies Women’s Rugby Football Club Club practices 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Julian Smith Casino for players 18 and up. Email augusta.furies@ gmail.com or visit augustafuries.org.
Augusta Fencers Club Classes for children as young as six, as well as teens and adults, meet five nights a week. The next 10-week introductory course begins January 11 and is $180 with all competitive equipment provided. Call 706-722-8878.
Chain Reaction Group Rides
Guided Tours
Meet Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Riverview Park in North Augusta and Mondays at 6 p.m. at Lake Olmstead. Entry fee for each, $5; ace pool, $1. Call 803-215-8181 (North Augusta), 706-833-4263 (Lake Olmstead) or visit augustadiscgolf.com.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Call to schedule custom tours of the park for organizations, kids groups or private parties. Tours included hiking, bicycle or golf cart tours and more. Call 706-828-2109 or email info@phinizycenter.org.
Daily Canal Tours Augusta Canal Winter Season hours, through March, include Heritage Boat Tours at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. The Civil War boat tour is daily at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.75 for adults and $11.75 for seniors, military and students. All tickets include admission to the Canal Discovery Center, which costs $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, military and students without a boat tour. Pre-registration encouraged. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.
Guided Trail Rides Hilltop Riding Stables 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 WednesdayFriday at 11 a.m. with reservations 24 hours
Rides include Tuesdays at 6 p.m.; Thursdays at 6 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 a.m.; and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Participants should bring their own water and helmet. Call 706-855-2024 or visit chainreactionbicycles.net.
Augusta Disc Golf Association Leagues
Andy Jordan’s Group Rides Rides include Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., road bike ride; Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., mountain bike ride; Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., road bike ride; Saturdays at 9 a.m., road bike ride. Front and rear lights, as well as a helmet, are required. Call 706-724-6777 or visit andyjordans.com.
Outspokin’ Bicycles Group Rides Rides include Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m., as well as Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Water and helmet required. Call 706-736-2486 or visit outspokinaugusta.com.
BlazeSports Swim team Wilson Family Y’s Katie’s Pool For all ages of physically challenged swimmers who want to train for competition. Members, $30 a month; non-members, $40 a month. Call 706-922-9664 or visit 31DECEMBER2015
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thefamilyy.org.
SUPPORT Mon Jan 4, 2016
6:30pm Pink Pistols Meeting A group for women in their 20s and 30s dealing with breast cancer. Call for location. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.
Tue Jan 5, 2016
6:30pm CSRA Huntington’s Disease Support Group GRU Movement Disorders Clinic Call 706-721-2798 or 706-231-2775.
Wed Jan 6, 2016
1pm The Lactation Club University Hospital A breastfeeding support group for mothers of NICU babies. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
5:30pm Girl Talk Support Group Doctors Hospital A support group for those who have pelvic health issues. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Thu Jan 7, 2016
10am Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Kroc Center Pre-registration required. Call 706-860-5233.
Ongoing
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) GA, 110 Augusta St. Alban’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall The group meets Mondays, with weighin beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-790-0391 or visit tops.org.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weigh-in beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-868-0539 or visit tops.org.
La Leche League A breastfeeding support group. For more information on meeting dates, times and locations, visit them on Facebook under La Leche League of Augusta or at lllaugusta. wordpress.com.
Blood Cancer/BMT Support Group GRU Cancer Center Meets the third Wednesday of each month. Call 706-721-1634 or visit grhealth.org
Celebrate Recovery Journey Community Church This Christ-centered recovery program 31DECEMBER2015
meets every Monday night at 7 p.m. The meetings last two hours and childcare is provided. Pre-registration suggested. Visit cr@journeycommunity.net.
Write to Heal Creative Writing Program Children’s Hospital of Georgia family resource library For patients, family members and caregivers, this program meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Preregistration required. Call 706-721-5160 or email nawilliams@gru.edu.
be considered, but organizers are open to all styles and genres, including those with adult language and situations. The deadline for submission is December 31. Call 706722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
VOLUNTEER
The Retired Volunteer Program (RSVP) is seeking those ages 55 and older who would like to work with disaster preparedness, school literacy, ushering and fundraising for nonprofits. Call 706-868-0120 or visit seniorcitizenscouncil.org.
Ongoing RSVP
Senior Citizens Council
Diabetes Youth Support Group Meets quarterly. Call for more information. Call 706-868-3241.
Overeaters Anonymous Meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity Church, and at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 706-863-9534 or email oa.augusta.recovery@gmail.com.
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/meetings.pdf.
Narcotics Anonymous Trinity Hospital of Augusta Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.
Beyond the Bars A support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. Call 706-855-8636.
Families Who Have Lost a Baby Support Group For more information, call 706-721-8299 or visit grhealth.org.
MARKETPLACE
THEATER Wed Jan 6, 2016 7:30pm “Annie”
Bell Auditorium Part of the Broadway in Augusta series. $54$65. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit galinatix.com.
Ongoing
Quickies Short Play Festival 2016 Seeking Submissions Le Chat Noir is seeking original scripts by local authors that are shorts from 5-15 pages and one acts that are 15-30 pages. No monologues or scripts over 30 pages will
ALL CLASSIFIED ADS ARE
$40 PER WEEK.
EMAIL JOE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM OR CALL
(706)373-3636
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If you’re planning to make your New Year’s Eve celebration last the entire weekend, you’re in luck because so is Fantasia. The self-described soul singer who has won a Grammy (not to mention season 3 of American Idol) visits the Bell Auditorium for her New Year’s Celebration on Sunday, January 3. Joining her on this tour is “socially minded R&B singer” Lyfe Jennings. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $50 and $75. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
Thursday, December 31 Live Music
Cotton Patch - Night of Musical Melodies w/ Javonne Jones, Bill Karp, Robert Reed, John Hobbs Country Club - Holland Marie Coyotes - Luke Lander & Southpaw Joe’s Underground - Gloom Cocoon, CJ Lee Red Pepper Cafe (Aiken) - Anybody’s Guess Shannon’s - Sassy Brass Sky City - New Year’s Eve Extravaganza w/ Funk You and BYOG Stillwater Taproom - Sibling String Surrey Tavern - Playback The Band Wild Wing - Deleveled The Willcox (Aiken) - Jazz
What’s Tonight?
Andrew’s Place - Karaoke with April Powell Bar West - Open Mic Night w/ Jonathon Flowers Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Old School Thursday w/ DJ Groove Fox’s Lair - Trivia, Soup and Suds Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia The Loft - Karaoke MAD Studios - Open Mic, Spoken Word Somewhere in Augusta - Karaoke Soul Bar - New Year’s Eve Party
24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Friday, January 1 Live Music
Cotton Patch - Live Jazz and Blues Country Club - Larry Frick Shannon’s - Perfect Picture Southbound Smokehouse - Kenny George Band Surrey Tavern - Playback The Band
What’s Tonight?
Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke w/ Denny van Valkenburgh
Saturday, January 2 Live Music
Sunday, January 3 Live Music
Bell Auditorium - Fantasia, Lyfe Jennings Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Brunch w/ Mike Frost and Lauren Meccia The Willcox (Aiken) - Jon Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane
Monday, January 4 Live Music
Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
Cotton Patch - Live Jazz and Blues Country Club - Justin Dukes Shannon’s - Mike and Walter Surrey Tavern - Playback The Band The Willcox (Aiken) - Jon Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
What’s Tonight?
Tuesday, January 5 Live Music
Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Helga’s Pub & Grille - Bluegrass Brunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.); Trivia, nights Joe’s Underground - Comedy Show/Open Mic Night Laura’s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke w/ Denny van Valkenburgh
Joe’s Underground - Poker Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - World Tavern Poker Wild Wing - Trivia
Joe’s Underground - Open Mic The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck
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What’s Tonight?
Bar West - Trivia The Cotton Patch - Trivia Limelite Cafe - Bottom’s Up Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - Big Prize Trivia; Poker for Fun
Wednesday, January 6 Live Music
The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Mike and Walter
What’s Tonight?
Bar West - Karaoke Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes The Loft - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke The Playground - Krazy Karaoke w/ Big Troy Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Somewhere in Augusta - The Comedy Zone Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz Surrey Tavern - Trivia w/ Christian and Mickey Three Dollar Lounge - World Poker Tournament
Delia Mae
January 14
- Imperial Theatre January 15
Waka Flocka Flame
Tedeschi Trucks Band
- Georgia Theatre, Athens January 15
- Bell Auditorium January 19
Grace Potter
Jucifer
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta January 16
- Sky City January 19
Lamb of God, Anthrax
Brantley Gilbert
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta January 19
- James Brown Arena February 4
Madonna
The Fairfield Four and the McCrary Sisters
- Philips Arena, Atlanta January 20
- Imperial Theatre February 12
Reverend Horton Heat
R5
- Terminal West, Atlanta January 21
- Bell Auditorium February 16
Billy Gibbons
Colonel Bruce Hampton
- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta January 23
- Sky City February 20
Art Garfunkel
The Major Rager w/ Umphrey’s McGee, the Revivalists, Earphunk and Tauk
- Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta January 29
- Augusta Common April 7
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta January 29
David Feherty
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
- Bell Auditorium April 7
Elsewhere Widespread Panic
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta December 31 Gregg Allman
- Symphony Hall, Atlanta December 31 The Revivalists
Try FREE: 706-434-0108 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
- Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta December 31
Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+
Delbert McClinton
- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta January 2
Upcoming
Indigo Girls
An Evening with Scotty McCreery and Cassadee Pope
- Terminal West, Atlanta January 3 Jackson Browne
- Country Club January 14
- Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah
31DECEMBER2015
Meet sexy new friends
FREE TRIAL
706-434-0112
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 25
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Summer and Joan Fishbein with Steve and Joan Steinberg in downtown Augusta.
Anna Stuntz, Ashley Casey and Alyssa Smith at Whiskey Bar (Kitchen).
Derrick and Robin Trafford with Amanda and Matt Mascic at Whiskey Bar (Kitchen).
Patrick Kaney, Will McCranie and Ansley Easterlin at Metro Coffeehouse and Pub.
Robert and Missy Freitas with Lisa and Edward Bryant at Sole.
Kattie Cross, Josh Allen and Morgan Williamson at Sole.
Trish D’Carlo, Tim Garthright, Katie Barrett and Devin Hodson at the Festivus of Bands at Sky City.
Terri Gibson, Minxy Monrow and Tarynn Stineman at the Festivus of Bands at Sky City.
Brent Lollar, Raye Marsh, Claire Storm and Pablo Bravo at the Festivus of Bands at Sky City.
26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
31DECEMBER2015
REBRANDING By Peter Wentz / Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Chipped beef go-with 6 Plugged in 11 Subjects of frequent updates 15 Tennis’s Wawrinka, winner of the 2015 French Open 19 Wet spot 20 Sophomore’s choice 21 “Language of the unheard,” per Martin Luther King Jr. 22 “Duh, I get it” 23 “Corrected” slogan for a tech company? 26 Matriarch of six of the 12 Tribes of Israel 27 Bounce 28 Regarding 29 Keeper of the flame? 30 Majority of Saudi Arabians 31 Kind of tone 33 “Corrected” slogan for an officesupply chain? 37 Anna Karenina’s lover 39 Deer hunter’s prize 40 Skaters’ leaps 41 Who might say, “I’m I. M.” 42 Rating for many HBO shows 44 Early co-host of “The View” 49 “Corrected” slogan for a fast-food franchise? 52 Feudal superiors 53 “The Boy Next Door” star, to fans 56 Elbow 57 Sources of some rattling 58 Milkmaid’s handful 59 Earnings, so to speak 62 Tubs 64 Fall back on, as in desperation 66 “Corrected” slogan for a dessert brand? 71 Gambit 72 Gambit 73 Molly who wrote “Bill of Wrongs” 74 Hogwarts delivery system 75 Dweeb 77 Confine 81 Measure of inflation, for short 82 Calligraphers 83 “Corrected” slogan for a hairstyling product? 87 Shows promise 89 Thom ____ shoes 90 Short note?
1
91 “When in ____, tell the truth”: Mark Twain 93 Second 95 Took, as a test 97 “Corrected” slogan for a frozen breakfast food? 102 Aunt in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” 103 Reflective writing 104 Certification for eco-friendly buildings, for short 105 “Funny bumping into you here” 107 “Unfortunately … ” 110 Seaside scavenger 111 “Corrected” slogan for a dairy product? 115 Hot rod’s rod 116 Took a card 117 President-____ 118 “Duck Dynasty” network 119 Action-oriented sorts, supposedly 120 Surfaces, in a way 121 Targets of cons 122 Work with the hands
43 El Paso setting: Abbr. 45 Admission of 1959 46 Josh 47 Gibes 48 Figures in bedtime stories 50 Nordic wonders 51 Charge 53 “Romeo Must Die” star, 2000 54 Approach evening 55 Missouri River natives 57 It makes a turn at the entrance 58 Globetrot 59 Some jazz 60 Promises 61 Ma uses them 63 Like ibexes 65 Cover’s opposite 67 Greeted with respect 68 Like shepherds’ charges 69 Holds to be 70 Scrutinized 76 Mint 78 Subject for one studying onomastics 79 Ottawa-based media inits. DOWN 80 Flooded with 1 “Africa” band, 1982 82 Submarine near the Gulf Coast 2 First Ironman locale 83 TV character with the catchphrase 3 “From my perspective … ” “Booyakasha!” 4 Possible black market cause 84 Rope from a ship, say 5 “Naughty!” 85 “Whoop-de-____” 6 Buggy people? 86 Start of the Lord’s Prayer 7 Drift 87 Band with the first video on MTV, 8 Driver who won the Indy 500, with “the” Daytona 500 and Le Mans 88 Connectivity issue 9 European deer 91 Having all the 10 Get things wrong add-ons, say 11 “The Terminator” star, to fans 92 Singer of the aria “Ora e per sempre 12 Bit of marketing addio” 13 Oktoberfest dance 94 Let, e.g. 14 It’s a mess 96 Barring no one 15 Signs of respect 97 Corporate department 16 Hurricanes’ grp. 98 Plants 17 Yoga poses 99 Stephenie who wrote “Twilight” 18 Like three Cy Young games 100 Cartoonish shrieks 24 Indirect objects, grammatically 101 URL ender speaking 102 I.M. sessions 25 “Oh, gross!” 106 “Fiddlesticks!” 30 What and indicate 108 Photographer/writer Arlene 32 “Acoustic guitar” or “terrestrial radio” 109 Short timetable? 34 “Hey, relax!” 111 Chemical used to fight malaria 35 ____ Pepper 112 Border line? 36 Hudgens of “High School Musical” 113 Like 37 Big lug 114 Talk up a storm 38 Shepherd’s workplace 39 Pioneering stand-up comedian
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V26|NO53
THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS Star Wars wins again? Shocking. RANK
TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS
TOTAL GROSS
WEEK #
LAST WEEK
1
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
$149,202,860
$540,058,914
2
1
2
DADDY’S HOME
$38,740,203
$38,740,203
1
-
3
JOY
$17,015,168
$17,015,168
1
-
4
SISTERS
$14,189,455
$37,455,995
2
3
5
ALIVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS
$13,143,329
$39,848,982
2
2
In Theaters January 1
WESTERN “The Hateful Eight,” rated R, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Channing Tatum, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern. If you weren’t visiting a city where this one came out last week, now’s your chance to see Quentin Tarantino’s ultra-violent, post-Civil War set tale of a bounty hunter is escorting a dangerous woman accused of murder to her judgment during a blizzard. Sam Jackson clearly has fun working for Tarantino, so it should be worth seeing the movie just for his presence alone.
28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
DRAMA “Yosemite,” rated R, starring James Franco. This one, set in 1985 and involving three fifth graders and a mountain lion, has flown under the radar thus far, so that’s pretty much all we know about it.
31DECEMBER2015
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Fred May Be “Dead,” but His Traditions Live On Gotta love the attention to detail at Walt Disney World; they try to keep you engaged even while you are waiting hours on end for a few moments of terror and delight. Kinda reminds me of a few of my prom nights. Any who, while waiting to enter The Haunted Mansion, I noticed one of their appointed distractions, a tombstone proclaiming the final fate of “Fred,” and it reminded me of the enduring legacy of former Augusta City Administrator Fred Russell. Even though his professional demise via an anti-climactic firing by Augusta commissioners came two years ago, the stink of what he left behind remains, and the success he had in playing so many serious issues under the radar, set a standard that his replacement has apparently embraced with unbridled enthusiasm. If Augusta commissioners have a problem with Mayor Hardie Davis spending money foolishly, and without discipline or reason, they should look in the magic mirror. The way they handled hiring Fred’s replacement and the quarter of a million dollars a year she spends annually on her “deputies” brilliantly illustrates both irony and hubris in one fell swoop.
Bad as he was in his day, the sins of 2015 cannot be blamed on Fred Russell.
30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
That Janice Jackson brought in outsiders, actually replacing the competent and successful in-house interims that should have been promoted instead, is a move that is 100 percent on the heads of the commission. All the expenses associated with those hires is also on their plates. So the commissioners can bitch and moan about the mayor’s lack of respect for his budget all they want; their foolish expenditures associated with bringing in Jackson and her minions, at salaries far greater than what was being paid to cover the same duties in 2013 and most of 2014, hangs around their necks like a stinking albatross. The fact that they are in charge of the magic tree that apparently grows all the money they foolishly spend (better known as “the taxpayers”), is immaterial. So spare us the dramatic speeches and the rolling of 10sets of eyeballs when discussing the creative and cockeyed accounting practices of the elected mayor. He is merely copying what he sees his comrades-in-arms doing every day. And don’t even get us started on the travel budgets. The ghost of Fred is alive and well and haunts the attitude, and for that matter the aptitude, of the bunch currently in charge. They drove taxes and fees up, they increased the payroll significantly (per bureaucrat) and managed to do it all while convincing most Augusta voters to give them even more money to spend. Commissioners actually sold folks on the notion that if they didn’t vote to keep sales tax revenues coming in they were horrible people who deserved to live in squalor and pain for the next 10 years. It worked. Whatever it takes, baby, whatever it takes. Don’t get me wrong, local option sales tax programs are wonderful tools for urban centers like Augusta to use to maximize the contributions of non-residents. When a guy from Ohio buys 10K worth of trinkets at Augusta National during Masters Week, and spends 5K on a hotel room that would have cost him 500 bucks the week before, he isn’t here to see how well, or how poorly, his contributions to the public coffers are being spent months and years later. I get that. It is a thing of beauty. My biggest regret is that we did not get to see exactly how much city officials depend on that money to cover what should be basic payroll expenses and infrastructure maintenance. The only way for that curtain to be drawn back completely is to cut off the money flow. We came very close to seeing that happen this year, but, alas, patriotism and civic duty were sold as going hand in hand with rubber-stamping the blank check known as “SPLOST.” (Or “SPLOSH,” as some are known to call it.) The “late administrator” Fred Russell may only be a ghost in the halls of the Marble Palace these days, but he started a tradition of shell games and creative financing that
lasted long after the smell of his cologne finally cleared the building. Here’s to hoping 2016 brings that forensic audit to all city government operations that has long been debated/ suggested. Maybe if the Attorney General’s office orders it (and pays for it), we will see exactly how and where money gets spent, but, more importantly, how much is coming in and where it specifically comes from. One other hope for the New Year: A district by district breakdown of private property tax revenue (not business related), to show exactly who is paying for the costs of running this municipal government and footing the bill for our incredibly large school system. One interesting tidbit that goes with such information; the districts that generate the most revenue cost the government very little in services, while the districts that contribute the least are by far the most expensive to keep safe and clean. Sadly, those districts that are not pulling their weight economically tend to be home to rather enthusiastic voters. Quite a dangerous combination. aUStIN RHoDeS
The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
31DECEMBER2015